Chapter 16
THE MEN DISCUSS
James played with the pottery shard between his fingers much like he played with his grandfather’s snuff box. His thumb ran over the darker gray herringbone indentation pattern. The rest of the exterior was a soft gray, like river rock color. The inside of the slightly curved piece was white.
The existence of the shard meant something. As did where it came from. But what? And did the shard mean anything in relation to the incidents against Gideon? Or to his brother’s death?
The vandalism at the mine did not fit with the other occurrences, and that troubled James. Trouble came with what did not fit.
He continued to worry the shard between his fingers as he sat in Gideon’s estate room with Gideon and Mr. Thornbridge.
“What can we do to discover who murdered my brother?” Gideon demanded.
James breathed in deeply, then tossed the shard into the air and caught it as he breathed out. “We have two paths we can follow: Land or Romans.”
“What do you mean?” Gideon asked.
“After the entail was broken, your father and brother did not rush to sell off pieces of the estate.”
“No. In their agreement, they had to agree what pieces to sell off and for how much. They could not come to an agreement. They had an offer, but Jasper felt he could get a better offer. Father gave him six months to try.”
“How do you know this? You never mentioned this before.”
Gideon shrugged. “It was in my brother’s journal.
He’d kept a journal since he could scribble his name.
After the incidents began to happen to me, I went looking for his journals to see if he had any similar circumstances.
His last journal was not as colorful as it had been in his youth when I’d steal a peek, but there was a great deal about the dissolution of the entail, the process of achieving that, and what that could mean to him.
He had visions of great riches. Where he got those visions from, I don’t know, for whereas it is a good estate, it is not prime land. ”
“What was he going to do with his great riches? Gamble?”
“No. He didn’t like card playing. He was never good at it and learned he never would be.
He didn’t like the wild investments father made.
He wanted to be a horse breeder and for that he needed an influx of money.
The stallion that father rode to death was his prize possession, and he intended to put him to stud once he won a couple of races with him. ”
“Was he likely to win?”
“He could have. I saw him when Jasper brought him to Exeter for a local race. That horse was amazing.”
“What happened to the horse?”
“When our father died, Jasper put him down,” Gideon told him grimly.
“I’m surprised.”
“I know, I was as well. But I never had the opportunity to question Jasper as less than three weeks later he was dead, too,” Gideon said sadly.
“There wasn’t much to learn from my answers to your questions, was there?” Gideon said sardonically. “Not your fault, I don’t understand it either.”
“Don’t be so quick to make your assumption. Cecilia and I believe the events at the clay mine are central to this mystery.”
“The clay mine? How so?”
“It represents two potential causes for threats and deaths: land and antiquities.”
“How do you mean?”
“If something were to happen to you, and with everything in your daughter’s name, it would be to her benefit to sell everything here and put the money in funds.”
“No!”
“Think it through, Gideon. The estate is not yet profitable. Without you here, can it be? And Chelsea, she shouldn’t be raised here alone, with only a governess, far from any relations. Lastly, can you yet guarantee her a dowry?”
Gideon ran a hand through his blond curls and frowned. “I see your point with regards to the land. What did you mean about antiquities?”
“The shard we found, the mosaic tiles on Baron Compton’s land, and those two coins we have recently learned about, demonstrate a more active Roman settlement than thought. The possibility of a hoard in the area increases.”
“Do you think there is one here?”
“No, however, we saw at the dinner party that others are ready to believe it. It has been a rumor in the area for years. And, aside from a hoard, Roman objects fetch good prices, especially in the black market.”
“And those two reasons are enough for someone to murder my brother and attempt to murder or injure me?”
James shrugged. “I don’t know for certain. But it is worth considering.”
“And how do you propose to do that?”
“Invite everyone with an interest in the Roman antiquities to the mine tomorrow as we excavate that area where the shard was found and the mudslide occurred,” James said.
“That would be everyone except Squire Kassell and the vicar and his wife. And thinking on it, I don’t think we need to include Mr. and Mrs. Falstaf, either,” Cecilia said.
“And just as well that population does not include the squire,” James said.
Gideon laughed. “All right, but I don’t understand what you hope to achieve.”
“We can watch everyone for their interest and what they do and say. And you can complain about what you are going to do with the mine out of commission right now. It’s your source of income, you have people to pay, estate bills to cover, and things of that matter.”
“You want to see if others offer for the mine?” Gideon asked.
“Or present offers for any other property.”
Gideon shook his head slowly. “I see what you mean.”
“And when you invite Mrs. Hargrave, ask her to bring Mr. Entwhistle so he might discuss help needs with Mr. Thornbridge, who will also be there.”
“Why Mrs. Hargrave? Just because of Entwhistle? She has never shown any interest in the Roman finds or in purchasing my land—and believe me she could, two times over,” Gideon said dryly.
“That’s not true, Gideon. She would like to purchase the estate, particularly Pomum Court. The executors of her estate will not allow it,” Cecilia said.
Monteith frowned. “How do you know this?”
“We had a long talk on our ride yesterday,” Cecilia explained. “And based on my experience with Mr. Entwhistle, her presence will ensure he comes. He is devoted to her.”
“I don’t understand, but all right. Shall I set the time for two in the afternoon?”
“Excellent suggestion,” James said.
After dinner James suggested Gideon, Cecilia, and he meet in the library, away from the staff.
“Did Thornbridge get those invitations to the clay mine out today?”
“Yes, and according to Mr. Coggle, we are already getting acceptances.”
“Excellent! So, Cecilia, tell us about your visit with Mrs. Norcroft and Miss Nieves. That’s the main reason we came into this room this evening,” James said.
“Oh, please, don’t tell me you have uncovered deep, meaningful secrets from the women!” Gideon joked.
Cecilia raised her chin and cocked an eyebrow to look down on Gideon.
“Now you’ve done it,” James said softly.
“What? Why are you both looking at me like that?”
Cecilia’s lips firmed.
James sighed. “Gideon, remember that discussion we had earlier on the assumptions people make about you, and in turn, your assumptions about women?” James asked.
Gideon closed his eyes. “I did,” he said, opening his eyes again. “Forgive me, Lady Branstoke, I meant no disrespect.”
“However, you were disrespectful,” she said, not giving him any softness.
He hung his head down. “Yes, I was. I will try better.”
“I shall hold you to that, and I will forgive you if you call me Cecilia instead of Lady Branstoke. I would also like to remind you that your daughter will grow up to be a woman. Do you want others to make a joke of what she says?”
“No!”
“I will tell you what I learned if you sit down,” Cecilia said as she took a seat on the settee. “If I say something you know, stop me so we don’t need to go over it again.”
“All right.”
“Your father and some of his cronies had a gambling club.”
Gideon’s mouth quirked to the side. “I find that hard to believe. What could my father gamble? He had little.”
“They called themselves The Halfpenny Pot Gamblers, for that was all that was allowed. It was more of a social club than a gambling club. They discussed breaking the entail and how to go about it within the group.”
“Who was in this gambling club?” James asked.
“Gideon’s father, his brother, Jasper, Mr. Norcroft, Mr. Hargrave, and Mr. Searle.”
“All of whom are now deceased,” James quietly observed.
“Mr. Hargrave spoke openly about wishing to purchase Pomum Court for his wife, along with the apple orchard.”
“Was there any mention of the clay mine.”
“No, not as part of anything Mr. Hargrave would purchase. They indicated he had the most money so was in the best position to purchase bits of the Monteith estate. The old earl and Lord Jasper turned down his purchase of Pomum Court—”
“At least that showed some sense on their part,” Gideon said.
“They were negotiating the price for the apple orchard when Mr. Hargrave died suddenly in January 1815.”
“Eight months before Jasper died, so he could not have been responsible for Jasper’s death,” Gideon said.
“If you are only looking at the club’s members, all except Mr. Searle were dead before your brother.”
Gideon’s brow furrowed. “He was extremely feeble in the months before his death. I wonder…”
“But he died before the misadventures began happening to you,” James reminded him.
“Does that prove or disprove that the death of my brother is tied into the events happening to me? That would seem to indicate they are not related.”
“We can’t rule it out.”
“Now you have me twisted in knots,” Gideon said, laughing.
“Cecilia laughed as well. “Then perhaps another piece of information might clear up things. I have noticed, as has James, that Mrs. Hargrave returns your flirting, that she positions herself near you whenever she can.”
“So? She is a fun woman to be with.”
“Fun enough to marry?” Cecilia asked.
Gideon frowned. “I don’t know, I am not contemplating marrying again.”
“Mrs. Norcroft believes she would be a perfect match for you.”
Gideon first looked surprised, then not. “Mrs. Norcroft has a track record for match-making, and I’ll admit, I enjoy Mrs. Hargrave’s company. But what has this to do with anything?”
“Before your brother’s death, Mrs. Hargrave was telling everyone who would listen that she was going to marry Lord Jasper when her strict mourning period ended.”
“My brother?”
“Yes.”
Gideon frowned again, his lips twisting. “She has been hinting we would make a good match, not a love match, but she has pointed out we are compatible and she has the funds to bring the estate around.”
“I would not like to see you enter into a marriage of convenience,” Cecilia said.
Gideon shrugged. “I admit I am tempted, but I would want her to meet Chelsea first and see how they get along.”
“That’s wise,” James said. “But I think you should also consider that someone doesn’t want you to marry Mrs. Hargrave, and the question is, ‘why?’”
“You think Mr. Entwhistle might be behind the things happening to me and the estate? That he wants Mrs. Hargrave for himself?”
“He may want her, and rumor has it, has had her; however, she wants to move up in society,” Cecilia said.
“Cecilia!” Gideon protested.
She shrugged. “It is amazing what we women know.”
James held back a laugh.
“Do you think it is only men who know anything of salacious gossip?” she asked.
“No—I don’t know—but…”
“And I like the woman!” Cecilia said. “I disagree with Mrs. Norcroft as to your suitability, but I’d love to have her as a neighbor in Kent.”
“Cousin, you have spent too long as a straight-laced, widowed, solicitor,” James said, now fully laughing.
“And I know just the person to lead your education,” Cecilia declared.
“Who?”
She smiled. “Not now. When we have solved the mystery, I’ll give you hints.”
“Why not just tell me?” he asked.
“What fun is there in that?” she countered.
“Cecilia!” James said.
Cecilia leaned closer to Gideon. “He doesn’t know either.”
She straightened. “It’s getting late and I should seek my bed. Might I have a nightcap of your Pomum Court brandy before going upstairs?”
“Of course! Excellent idea,” Gideon said, sliding out of his chair.
He came back with three glasses. “I am glad I wrote asking you to come. We have made more progress than I would have alone, if any at all. To cousins!” he said.
“To cousins,” James and Cecilia agreed.
Cecilia rose to leave. She stopped at the door to turn back to Gideon. “Did you ever find that coin Mr. Norcroft gave to your father?” she asked.
“I haven’t looked for it.”
“Please do. It might be handy to use tomorrow if you can find it.”
James smiled. “My dear, that is one of the oldest confidence tricks.”
She smiled back.
“Confidence trick to do what?” Gideon asked.
“Put the coin in the mine ahead of time and pretend to just find it,” Cecilia told Gideon. “It is one of my grandfather’s most successful confidence tricks.”
James’ brows drew together. “Before he turned honest.”
Cecilia’s lips quirked to the side. “I don’t think my grandfather could ever be totally honest, much to my grandmother’s chagrin. But who is going to challenge him?” she asked. She winked at her husband and went out the door. “Don’t be up too late!” she said before the door closed.
“Is her grandfather well known?” Gideon asked.
“Yes…yes he is,” James said, smiling. “And famous in different ways depending on who you ask.”
“Who is he?”
James refilled his and Gideon’s brandy glasses, then raised his in a toast. “To my dearest’s grandfather, a man I would never wish to cross, the estimable Duke of Houghton.”
“Houghton is her grandfather?” Gideon fell back in his chair.
“I’m sure you have heard all the stories of his highwayman days before he inherited the strawberry leaves?”
“Yes!”
“The truth is worse,” James said as he downed his brandy. “And now I think I will join my wife. Goodnight, Gideon.”
“Goodnight, James,” Gideon said on a strangled laugh.