Chapter Eleven
“I am indeed grateful,” declared Rossiter, cautiously lifting his arm as Tummet had requested. “But how you came to be there I cannot fathom. I had left you with strict instructions to take Miss Gwendolyn home.”
“Popped ’er into the coach, safe as a sturgeon, Guv,” said Tummet, leaning over the bed and easing off the torn wreckage of the coat.
“Only I ’opped orf and ’ired meself a ’ack.
Can you lift yer arm up a bit more?” Rossiter complying, he went on, “Now fer this ’ere what once called itself a shirt.
I follered you, just in case you needed a ’and, like. ”
“And I had the devil’s own work to come up with you,” said Lieutenant Morris, carrying a tray with decanter and glasses into the bedchamber and closing the door softly behind him.
Flinching from Tummet’s efforts, Rossiter swore, then said, “Well, I never was more in need of reinforcements. Had it not been for you two—”
“You’d a’ cocked up yer toes,” said Tummet.
“Six to one ain’t fair odds, Guv. But I gotta say that fer a chap what’s nothing but skin and bone, you fights like a troop of cavalry!
A ’ole perishing troop! Blind me if I ever see a gent laying about ’im wiv so much spirit!
Makes me proud I took you on, which I can’t say no better! Lean forrard a bit, if y’can.”
Rossiter obliged. “In point of fact, they didn’t mean to kill me. The woman kept screeching that my face was not to be marked.”
“They may not have marked your face,” said Morris, frowning. “But they were less charitable with the rest of you.”
Glancing down at his lurid bruises, Rossiter told his valet to lock the door. “I’d not have Gwendolyn see this mess.”
“No need for that,” said Morris. “You may be à l’aise, my trampled Tulip. The lady is perfectly well, and at the moment engaged in applying a poultice to the jaw of your footman, who has the toothache. A remarkably kind little creature, an I dare remark it.”
“She’s one in a million,” agreed Rossiter. “But I wish I knew what the deuce she was about at Falcon House this morning.” He looked at Tummet steadily, and receiving only a smile of angelic innocence turned his attention to more immediate problems. “You’re sure no one saw me come in?”
“Have no fears,” said Morris handing him a glass of Madeira. “We were able to slip in the side door without causing any of the maids to faint. However, I think you shall have to disappoint Lady Naomi after all. Cannot go cavorting about tonight with your middle looking like—”
“Good God!” Sir Mark had entered the room unnoticed, and now stood pale and shocked as he scanned his battered son. For a moment he stared, saying nothing. Then he lifted his eyes to Gideon’s face. “When you said you’d been wounded, I never dreamed— Zounds! I marvel you lived, boy!”
Morris said cheerfully, “He damn near didn’t, sir.”
Gideon hastened to point out that he was “in good point now.”
“Ho yus you ain’t,” argued Tummet, and taking Sir Mark aside, said in a confidential manner, “I’ll fetch some ’ot compresses, sir. To bring them bruises out. You jest keep ’im where ’e is, and don’t let ’im go popping orf nowhere.” He gave the baronet an encouraging nod and went out.
Sir Mark looked after him, shook his head as if to clear it, then pulled up a chair and sat down. “What happened?”
“Somebody objects to my enquiries, it seems.” Gideon eased himself back against the pillows.
“I was warned to keep my nose out of what doesn’t concern me.
” He sampled the wine and began to feel slightly less fuzzy-headed.
“Newby said that you both have been trying to come at the root of it all. Were you ever attacked, sir?”
“Never. But with you here, stirring things up again, mayhap my enemies are beginning to be alarmed.”
“Hmm. Or they may think I have learned something.”
Sir Mark demanded eagerly, “Have you?”
Gideon frowned, and said slowly, “Something—odd. This morning Tummet thinks he spotted one of the ruffians who ransacked Promontory Point.”
“The devil!” exclaimed Morris.
Sir Mark said, “Did he, by God? Where?”
“Going into Derrydene’s house in Soho.”
They both stared at him, speechless. Then, Sir Mark said, “Why in the name of all that’s holy should Louis Derrydene want to search Promontory Point?
Besides, the man’s out of the country. I’ll tell you frankly, Gideon, I’d not place much credence in what that man of yours says.
Wouldn’t trust the fellow as far as I could throw him! Did he see the ruffian’s face?”
“Only his back, sir. But he is quite sure ’twas the same man.”
“Fustian! Likely giving himself airs to be interesting. Whoever broke into the Point did so because they knew a great house was standing empty. And whatever Louis Derrydene may be about, I give you my word it ain’t the burglary business!”
Morris, who had retreated to stand looking out of the window, came back and leaned against the bedpost. “I caught some bounder trying to rob me, sir. Tackled the beastly fellow, but he had friends, unfortunately.”
“Simple robbery,” said Sir Mark, irritated.
“So simple they took very little, sir,” argued Gideon.
“Understandable. Morris says he interrupted the thieves.”
“Yes, that’s so.” Morris was considerably daunted by his friend’s formidable sire, but he said bravely, “But no one interrupted the men who attacked your groom when he went to fetch our belongings from the Red Pheasant.”
“Do you say,” demanded Sir Mark with a fierce scowl, “that these petty thefts, in none of which anything of much value was taken, are connected to the collapse of my bank and my companies, the destruction of my shipyard, my son’s having been viciously beaten today?
If so, sir, I’d be much obliged would you explain the connection to me, for I’ll own myself too dense to make head nor tail of it all. ”
Morris flushed, and stammered nervously, “Wish I c-could, sir. Never was much good at riddles.”
Gideon said, “Father, in each of these instances the rogues have referred to ‘the Squire,’ and—”
“Well, what in thunder is so dashed unusual in that? I fancy my employees refer to me in the same fashion.”
“Yes, but—”
“Now listen to me, my boy. I’ve seen more of life than have you and I know blasted well ’tis full of the strangest coincidences.
You have your work cut out to discover who is behind the plot to destroy me.
Do not be turned aside by this other havey-cavey business.
You were attacked this morning because you are coming close to the man who is behind it all. ”
“I hope so, sir. But they searched me. Why? Unless it is part of the other affair and they think—”
Sir Mark gave a disgusted snort. “Of course they searched you. They were sent to frighten you off, but no common hireling is going to resist the chance of seizing a gentleman’s rings, or purse, or whatever.
You told me yourself that you’re of the opinion someone mistakenly supposes you or Lieutenant Morris have brought home something of value. ”
“Yes, but—”
“Then they have doubtless discovered their error, so don’t maudle your mind with nonsense.
” He started to the door, then hesitated, and came back to stand by the bed.
“Gideon,” he said in a gruff voice, “I gather I am luckier than I realized in that you came back from Holland alive. I’d—er, I’d not see you killed, boy. You will take care?”
Touched, Morris said, “Never fear, sir. I’ll keep an eye on the gudgeon.”
Sir Mark stared at him. “You cannot guess how that relieves my mind,” he said dryly.
* * *
“You would not dare!” Already wearing her ball gown, Katrina’s eyes were wide, and she gazed at her friend in awe.
“Oh, yes she would, Miss Katrina,” said Maggie, coaxing a strand of Naomi’s hair into a glowing ringlet. “It don’t matter to my lady if folks says as I doesn’t know how to send her out. When my lady’s in a taking like this—”
“Oh, hush, you silly girl,” snapped Naomi, snatching the comb. “Go! Go! I shall manage my hair myself!”
Maggie threw her apron over her head and departed, wailing.
Once in the hall, her wails ceased, and she smiled to herself.
When my lady got over her pet and was full of remorse (as she always was, the sweet soul), there would be a gift offered in repentance for her harshness.
It would be the lavender cap this time, thought Maggie happily.
My lady never had much cared for it, but it would look lovely with her own new Sunday gown.
And if a certain first footman, by the name of Mr. Robert Hinton, come creeping round with his saucy words and saucier hands, he’d discover that ladies with caps of lavender silk and lace could look so high as they wanted!
She tripped along the hall, humming softly.
Naomi was also humming, turning the mirror this way and that as she studied the back view of her coiffure.
Maggie really had performed her usual magic, and the clustered curls looked rather nice.
“I see no reason,” she said loftily, “why everyone must be the same. There is no law says we all must wear powder, is there?”
“There is no law which says a gentleman must fight an he is insulted. But they all do.”
“Precisely. Gentlemen are so many silly sheep, which is not to say I shall be the same.”
Katrina said quietly, “Then, alas, you must judge me also a silly sheep.”
At once contrite, Naomi flew to hug her. “Oh, but I am a horrid cat! I wonder you bear with me! Your hair looks divinely in that silver powder. But then you would look divinely were you to go bald in public!”
Laughing, Katrina said, “Do not even think such a thing! And your auburn hair is truly glorious, Naomi. I fancy you will be the rage of the ball, and poor Captain Rossiter scarce see you the entire evening.”