Chapter 5 #2
After giving the statues a dismissive glance, he recalled taking the shortcut out of the maze. His mood had been despondent as he stared down at his feet while walking. Then something had struck him hard on the back of the head before he immediately fell to the grassy ground.
Someone had struck the back of his head.
Following that, Nicholas knew nothing until he woke up in this confined, dark, and rocking space.
* * *
“I only hope you have not alienated dear Wolfingham irrevocably with your behavior,” the countess reprimanded Julia as the six of them sat eating the dessert course of their dinner later that evening.
“I can only guess at how much you have displeased him when he has not even cared to send his excuses for not joining us for dinner this evening, as he had planned to do before today’s earlier upset. ”
Julia’s chin rose. “Before I spoke of my opposition to the match between us, you mean.”
“Before you behaved unwisely, yes,” her father reproved.
Julai sniffed. “For my sake, I am glad he is not here,” she dismissed. “But I am sorry for your sake that he has behaved so disrespectfully toward you, dear Mama, my aunt and uncle, and darling Amanda.”
“I agree with Julia. I am more than happy to forgo any more of that gentleman’s company today,” Amanda assured.
“You are both very silly young ladies.” The marchioness frowned her displeasure with them. “Wolfingham is not only titled and wealthy, and well thought of in Society, but he is also excessively handsome. That such an eligible gentleman wishes to make Julia his wife is beyond fortuitous.”
Julia frowned. “I do not recall him saying he wished for that unhappy occurrence.”
“Well, of course, he wishes it,” her mother snapped. “Your marriage will join two families that have been close for many years, as well as ensuring this estate becomes part of the Earl of Wolfingham’s neighboring property. It is a very good match for all concerned.”
“I am one of the people concerned, and I do not consider it a suitable match, let alone a good one,” she scorned. “Besides, I am already the daughter of an earl. I do not need to become the wife of one too,” Julia added defensively. “Or a wife at all, if it comes to that.”
“Of course you will marry.” Her mother glared her displeasure. “As will Amanda.”
“Please do not include me in this sweeping statement, Aunt,” Amanda dismissed.
“I am well aware of this ridiculous alliance you have formed, along with several of your friends, not to marry,” the marchioness reproved.
Julia gasped. “Did Grandmother know about that too?”
“Of course she knew—” The countess broke off as Hutchings, having quietly entered the dining room, now crossed the room to bend down to talk quietly to Julia’s papa.
The earl reared back seconds later. “Where is he now?”
“I have placed him in the library for now, my lord.” The butler grimaced. “I did not know what else to do with him until I had spoken with you.”
“Did not know what to do with whom?” the countess demanded to know. “What are the two of you discussing so quietly?”
“Is it Wolfingham?” Amanda prompted eagerly. “Has he decided to join us for dinner after all?”
“Do not be ridiculous, gel,” her mother snapped. “Obviously, this is something far more serious than arriving late for dinner, is it not, Geoffrey?” She looked inquiringly at her brother-in-law.
“Papa?” Julia urged when her father seemed momentarily at a loss for words.
He drew in a steadying breath at the same time as he straightened his spine and braced back his shoulders. “Hutchings has just informed me that Mr. Masterson has returned on foot and wishes to speak to me.”
“He arrived on foot?” The marchioness sounded horrified at the idea. “But where is his carriage?”
“That is no doubt what he wishes to tell us,” Julia’s father dismissed. “Hutchings has put him in the library for now, along with a decanter of brandy. The young lawyer is apparently in a very emotional and disheveled state. He does not seem to be making much sense at all, according to Hutchings.”
After failing to make sense of the information, Julia stared blankly at her father.
Mr. Masterson had left Foxburgh Manor several hours ago, and yet the butler said the lawyer had returned in a less-than-composed and emotional state. Something that gentleman had not seemed capable of after he had read the will of Julia’s grandmother and Julia had reacted so viscerally.
Not only that, but where had the lawyer been since he left here all those hours ago?
“Do you suppose he had an accident in his carriage and that is why he has arrived back without it?” She surmised this must surely be the explanation for Mr. Masterson having returned in such a state.
Hutchings gave a pained grimace. “I believe that to be the case. But the young gentleman is not making a great deal of sense about anything at the moment.”
“In what way is he not making sense?” Julia’s father demanded to know.
The butler winced. “In the way, my lord, that he keeps repeating that we must send someone to rescue the Earl of Wolfingham.”
The earl appeared puzzled. “Rescue him from what or where?”
Hutchings made a face. “According to Mr. Masterson, the earl was inside the carriage when it went off the road and tumbled down a steep embankment.”
“Wolfingham was in Masterson’s carriage with him when it crashed?” Julia’s uncle clarified.
The butler looked less than convinced in his description. “That does seem to be what he is saying, yes, my lord.”
“What of the driver and groom?” Julia prompted, remembering those two young men jumping lithely onto the carriage earlier.
“Both dead, according to Mr. Masterson.”
Julia’s brows rose. “Dead?”
“Yes.”
“Both of them?”
“Mr. Masterson seems to be of that opinion, yes,” the butler confirmed.
“What of the horses?” the marquis, a keen horseman, demanded.
“Apparently, Mr. Masterson was able to release them from their harnesses, but they then immediately ran off.”
“Was Mr. Masterson injured?” Julia’s mother voiced her concern.
“I do not believe so, my lady.”
“What on earth was Wolfingham doing in Mr. Masterson’s carriage in the first place?” the marchioness asked the question they were all no doubt intrigued to know.
“We will none of us learn the answer to that, my dear, until after we have spoken to Mr. Masterson,” her husband announced impatiently as he stood. “Which I suggest we go and do this very moment.”