Chapter 19 #2
Sofia dropped down beside the whining, blood soaked, animals. She tore strips from her petticoats, made pads from his shirt tails, and between them they stemmed the flow.
'How in God's name are we going to get them back? We need a cart.' They'd been so busy trying to save the lives of the dogs that they'd not noticed the horses were no longer with them.
'Someone will be here very soon. I'll prepare more bandages.'
'Give me four strips, sweetheart, I'll truss these two up.'
'I hope I haven't killed the one I hit with the stone; I just wanted to incapacitate him.'
His lopsided grin made things seem less appalling. 'Nobody will care if you have, my darling.' He took the torn material and knelt down to tie the hands and feet of the men who remained comatose.
'I know these men. They are two of the footmen I dismissed last week. Why in God's name would they wish to harm us? Why risk their lives for so little gain?'
This was a rhetorical question, they'd only find the answer when these men were questioned by the constable. Othello opened his eyes and licked her hand.
'There, good boy, lie still, we'll soon have you better,' she said as she stroked his head.
James knelt beside Caliban his expression grim. 'He's scarcely breathing, I don't think he'll survive this attack.'
'We can only pray, my love, miracles do happen. Dogs are tough, your kennel man's an expert.'
It seemed like an age that they sat in silence each with a dog's head in their lap before the sound of the rescue party could be heard approaching along the track. Her charge was breathing more easily now; Sofia was confident that at least Othello was going to survive.
The dogs were tenderly transferred to the pony cart and both she and James clambered up so they could remain with them. From his expression she feared it was too late for Caliban and she blinked away tears.
The bound men were still unconscious so they were tipped into the rear of the second cart. From the demeanours of the men who'd come to their rescue it was obvious they'd recognised the perpetrators of this outrage.
Both dogs were transferred to a trestle and were to be transported to the kennels.
'James, I don't think they should go anywhere but your study. That's where they'll be more comfortable. I'll take care of them once they've been stitched up. I've looked after injured animals before.'
'There's no need to bring Caliban in, he's dead, he died in my arms. But yes, we'll have Othello inside. We can take it in turns to sit with him.'
Ignoring those gathered outside the stables she stepped into his arms. 'I'm so sorry, my love, it's a grievous loss. I only knew him a short while, but I loved him too.'
They stood for a few moments comforting each other and then he stepped away. She didn't recognise him – he'd metamorphosed from the man she loved into a terrifying stranger.
'My kennel man will check Othello, stitch him up if necessary, and then I'll have him carried through to my study. That will give you time to change.' Even his voice sounded different.
She nodded, now wasn't the time for talk. 'Please, my love, don't do anything you'll regret.'
He inclined his head but his thoughts were elsewhere and she shuddered to think what he had in mind. One thing she did know was that those two men were going to rue their actions. She hoped they survived what was going to happen to them.
Sofia briefly explained to the other girls what had transpired and they were suitably shocked and sad about Caliban's death.
Annabel and Lucille were expecting a return visit from the seamstress and wished to return to their bedchamber to continue scanning the fashion plates and journals so Lucille knew what she wanted.
'Remember, be guided by Madame, no bright colours, no plunging necklines. Also avoid too many frills and rouleaux, an elegant gown, well cut, will make you look more stylish than any amount of fussiness,' Sofia told them.
As soon as they were alone Colette embraced her. 'I know how much you love the dogs; James must be heartbroken. Who was it who attacked you? I heard talk that there were vagabonds in the woods near the village.'
'I wish that were the case, dearest sister, but the attackers are known to us. They were two recently dismissed footmen. Do you recall that I explained to you earlier about the housekeeper and butler?'
'You did, but I fail to see why any of those James sent away would want to cause you harm.'
'He's gone to interrogate them. I fear what he might do to them. I don't think they intended to hurt the dogs, but they were preventing the men from escaping and that's why they stabbed them.'
'It doesn't matter why they did it, you could have been killed if you weren't such an expert horsewoman. I think you'll find that although he's upset about poor Caliban, it's what could have happened to you that's enraged him.'
'What truly matters to me is the reason behind this attack. I think it's Foster or Bedford who sent them here. They must be bitter at having their decades long employment terminated so abruptly, to have been unable to take with them any money they'd stolen over the years.'
'If it was those two it can only have been revenge that motivated them.'
'What is it? You've lost your colour, are as pale as a sheet, tell me at once,' Sofia said.
'Do you think they could be in the employ of the man who stood to inherit the title and the lands? If you'd died, then we both know James would never have married.'
Sofia's legs gave way and she collapsed onto the nearest chair. She dropped her head into her hands, for a moment too anguished to speak.
'How can that be? James told me he knew little about this cousin but had been assured by his lawyers the man would make a suitable Earl of Avon.
' Something else occurred to her. 'Recently James removed his business from those lawyers in London, thought them inadequate.
I've a horrible feeling you might be right.
Do you think he'll have thought of this himself? '
'You do realise, sister, that if these men die at his hands then it could be considered murder?'
'Of course I know that, but none of the men who work here would stand witness to that fact. I sincerely hope it won't come to that. I might well have killed one of them myself – does that mean that I'll stand trial as a murderess?'
'How can you be so calm? I never thought you to be a violent person, to be impetuous, but in the weeks since our father died you've changed out of all recognition. I'm not sure if it's for the better.'
'I must change and be downstairs to take care of Othello when he comes.'
Her sister remained with her whilst she stripped off her ruined undergarments – these would go into the ragbag – but her scarlet riding habit could be sponged down and used again.
Her maid was holding out one of the new gowns but Sofia shook her head. 'No, I'm going to be nursing a sick dog, that will be ruined. Please find me one of my old garments.'
Dressed as she was she'd be mistaken for a servant, although possibly not as her gown wasn't as smart as those worn by the staff that worked here. She was tempted to run to the stables and speak to James. Telling him her fears about his cousin could wait until he'd dealt with the miscreants.