Dangerous Knight by Elizabeth Johns

Chapter Twelve

“Watch your elbow!” Jack scolded Philip in a loud whisper.

“There is nary room for one of us to move, here in this delightful hiding place, let alone two!” They were hiding in a recess, next to where the sewage ran freely through the street. One wrong step and either of them would be ankle deep in odoriferous sludge.

“Are you certain Sheldon was right about this place?” Jack asked doubtfully.

“He would hardly send us here for fun, would he?” Philip retorted.

“They never pick nice places with fragrant gardens. Such holes are always near sewage, or the docks, with rotten fish—or both,” Jack grumbled. He tried to reposition himself, but his legs were going numb from being squashed into the small nook near an abandoned warehouse, where they were watching for Feathers, Jennings, and their compatriots.

“I think we should go closer and see if we can get inside.” Jack was not the most patient man for a spy.

“I would prefer to find out who else we are dealing with before we rush in and find ourselves outnumbered.”

“I did not say rush in,” Jack corrected. “How long have we been here, anyway?”

“Only half an hour. You are as bad as a small child in church,” Philip muttered.

“At least we have crossed O’Connell from the list,” Jack sighed, trying to distract himself with thoughts of other things.

“Yes; Sheldon said a gentler soul he had never met.”

“I have never been fond of mixing politics with religion, though I know it is what most wars are fought over. Not Napoleon, though. At least we can give him credit for that. He is just a greedy blackguard who lusts after power,” Jack rambled.

“Mm.”

“I still cannot understand Feathers and Lloyd. There has to be a large piece of the puzzle we are still missing.”

“You know what they say—everything comes down to money, power or religion,” Philip added.

“Did we not just rule out religion?” Jack asked, exasperation in his tone.

“Ah, but only for Napoleon—and possibly the Irish, in this case.”

“What would cause Lloyd, and even Feathers, to want to betray their country? Besides disgust with Prinny, that is?”

“Quite. I think the plot on the celebrations is distracting us from the stolen papers. But why? We need to look deeper into Lloyd’s affairs, much though I want to trust that he is simply attempting to penetrate the enemy’s organization. The thought of what this would do to Maria…” His voice trailed off.

“You care for her,” Jack said, as a matter of fact.

“We used to play together as children. She is an uncommon female. Yes, I like her—and your ward?”

“I like her as well,” Jack answered flippantly, knowing his friend was searching for deeper answers.

“Do you ever see yourself settling—marriage, setting up your nursery and becoming as dull as ditchwater? We cannot do this forever,” Philip’s voice took on a philosophical tone.

“No, but no doubt we will replace the old codgers at Whitehall one day, when we can no longer jump over fences or climb on roofs.”

“I just wonder if opportunities for happiness are going to pass us by and we will wake up old men wishing we had done things differently.” Philip sighed.

Jack shrugged. “Sometimes I wonder if things had been different, but what is the point? It is akin to wondering how things would have been if you had been the first born, which is distinctly pointless and becoming entirely too philosophical for me.”

“I think I see movement.” Philip hushed Jack. The door to the warehouse opened and the gentlemen came out. It was difficult to see in the dark, but Mr. Feathers’ dandyism did them a favor for once, as his walking stick and high shirt collars marked him clearly.

One man walked away in one direction with Feathers, and the other two went off together.

“Shall we separate?” Jack asked.

“I think it is safer to stick together. I should like to come back and look at the warehouse in the morning. There is always a reason for choosing such places.”

“Besides being abandoned?” Jack bantered.

“To store things…like explosives?”

Jack ignored the taunt and eased out of his hiding place to trail along behind the gentlemen. They were on foot, which made it easier unless they got into a hackney.

Philip followed at a short distance, for less of an imprint, and the men did not seem to notice they had shadows. Jack could make out some of their conversation as they walked through the slums of Wapping into Limehouse. The stench pervaded the air even at that hour of the night and people were sleeping in doorways and passages for shelter. A few ladies of the night hollered at, and even appeared to tempt, the two men.

Jack stopped and waited, blending into the buildings. A swift glance over his shoulder informed him Philip had done the same. After a few moments, Philip crept closer. It appeared the men were trying to decide whether to stop for a diversion.

Jack looked back at his comrade in annoyance. Philip merely shrugged and shook his head.

The light-skirts appeared to know the two men, and Jack took note of the surroundings so he and Philip could return and question the women later.

“Lookin’ for some luvin’, guvnor?” One of the women sidled up to the smaller of the two suspects wearing a bright red gown that did not hide her assets.

“Slow night, eh? Sorry, but we got work to do, Sally.”

“Too good for the likes of us, now, are you? All I’m trying to do is earn a livin’,” she snapped and hunching her shoulder, turned to the other man. “How about you, Big Joe? Can you handle some Sally?”

“No, he wants some Maisie, he does,” said the other. The two jades began to posture against the second man.

“Ladies, ladies!” Big Joe puffed out his chest and held out his hands. Jack very much feared he and Philip were finished for the night as he tried to listen to the exchange, hoping for any scrap of information.

“I do not think it is my fancy to wait here for them to finish,” Jack remarked.

“Not on your life. My soft, clean bed beckons me,” Philip agreed.

“At least we have names and some people to question tomorrow.”

“No need to fight, ladies!” the smaller man shouted, stepping between the imminent scrimmage. “Here’s a little something for both of you,” he said, flipping a coin toward each trollop. Each one greedily grasped the spinning silver out of the air.

“Mighty gracious of you, dearie. Have a good ’un.” They began to hurry away from the men toward Jack and Philip.

“I would hurry away too, if I could get coin for free,” Jack said as they waited to intercept the females.

Once Big Joe and the other fellow were out of sight, Jack and Philip stepped forward to greet the women.

“Ladies,” he said, making an exaggerated bow. He had found, long ago, that at heart all women wanted to be treated like gentlewomen.

“Well, well, well. What have we ’ere, Maisie?” Sally asked with a wide grin, revealing one snaggle-tooth hanging on its own.

“’Ave you come all the way from your fancy houses because you ’eard about Sally?” she asked as she presented her generous wares for his reluctant inspection. He tried very hard not to recoil.

“Indeed, you are just the ladies I should like to see.” He fished a shilling from his pocket and held it up just out of her reach. “It looks as if this might be your lucky night,” he said with a grin.

She narrowed her gaze. “I’ve got me standards, I do. I’m not the sort for funny business.”

“Nothing like that, dear Sally. I want to know everything you can tell me about the two men you were just speaking with.”

The other girl spat with distaste. “Sam Turner an’ Big Joe.”

“Ah… do you happen to know what line of work they might be in?”

“Why is it you wants to know?” Sally narrowed her eyes suspiciously.

Jack pulled out another shilling and Sally’s gaze was once more greedy. “Perhaps I need their expertise.”

Maisie snorted. “Two stupid oafs without one ’ole brain between ’em.”

Jack deliberately moved the shillings around.

“I dunno pacifically what they do, excepting odd stuff here and there.”

Jack moved closer and asked, in a loud whisper, “Any chance they are good at making things explode?”

Sally stepped back. “’Ow would I know?”

He sighed. “Very well, I thought you were the kind who would know everything that happens hereabouts.” He tipped each of them with a shilling, which they grabbed greedily without a word of thanks and hurried off.

Jack and Philip turned and headed back to the High Street, hoping to find a hackney carriage to convey them back to a more salubrious part of Town.

“The names Big Joe and Sam Turner were not on the list of potential suspects.”

“I have a feeling they are small fish, hired to do the dirty work.”

“Dispensable pawns,” Philip agreed.

“I think our time would be best spent investigating Feathers and Lloyd.”

“Tomorrow we can look further into them. The troops begin reviewing in the park tomorrow, so there is little time to waste.”

*

Kate awoke feelingbetter about all that had happened. Sunshine was pouring in through her window, along with the sweet chirping of the birds, signaling morning’s arrival. She and Maria were to ride in the park this morning, and Kate was looking forward to it—realizing more and more how much she missed the country and riding over the estate. Perhaps the proverb was correct and absence truly did make the heart grow fonder. Would she be able to return to Winterbourne without memories of old Mrs. Owens haunting her at every turn?

She did not want to think about the old witch. Rising, she called for Simpson and dressed in a smart new riding habit of deep green. It was in the military style, which was the latest mode, and it even had frogged trimming across the bodice. Thankfully, there was no shako hat to go with it. Kate did not think she could balance properly on a horse with one of those on her head! She did have a jaunty little bonnet complete with a saucy feather sticking up, which she thought was a bit ridiculous, but smart.

She gathered her gloves and whip and found Maria with her maid, having her bonnet pinned in place.

“Good morning! I see you are ready,” Maria said. “I am very much looking forward to the exercise this morning. Sometimes it is hard to find time just to ride during the Season. That habit is de rigueur! I knew it would be! No one will spare me a second glance, even though I too have a brand-new habit!” Maria laughed.

Kate thought her friend looked quite becoming in a pale blue habit which complemented her pale skin and eyes, but only shook her head and looked heavenward in a humorous show of exasperation.

“I asked Gabriel to select a mount for you. He is an excellent judge of horseflesh, if nothing else,” Maria said as she took one last, surveying turn before the mirror. “Shall we go?”

They climbed down the stairs and went out of the front entrance to where two grooms were already holding their mounts.

One was a handsome bay gelding with four white socks. “This is Socks,” Maria said. “You will perceive his original nomenclature. He is very fussy but seems to like me,” she laughed. “Who do we have here?” she asked the groom who was holding a horse for Kate.

“This is Poppy, my lady. The master purchased her at Tattersall’s just yesterday. ’E said she is a goer.”

“Do you hear that, Kate? A goer.”

“Well, my dear,” Kate said, as she walked forward to greet the chestnut mare, “there won’t be any real going here in the park, I am afraid.” The horse nuzzled her hand and let her stroke her velvety forehead.

Once she and the mare had become acquainted, the groom assisted Kate into the saddle and she settled her skirts. They walked the horses to the park and then began a gentle trot along Rotten Row. The park was quite different at this early hour of the morning compared with later in the day, when the fashionable thronged the paths. Now there were mostly gentlemen out exercising their horses, and nurses, sitting on iron seats placed along the Serpentine, watching their employers’ children playing in the grass and feeding the ducks.

Maria took the lead and sent her horse into a sedate canter.

Kate’s mare was more than willing and the two of them rode to the end of The Row and back again as fast as they dared without actually galloping, and Kate felt enlivened once more. They drew rein as they approached the Keeper’s Lodge at the end of the bridle-path.

“It is a lovely day. It almost makes me miss the country!” Maria said, looking flushed and quite pretty.

“What is happening over there?” Kate asked, directing her friend’s attention to the flat fields stretching away to their left.

“I believe Gabriel said something about the troops being reviewed this morning.” She waved her hand. “They all line up and stand very still for the commander’s inspection. They practice it a great deal, apparently.”

Kate could not help but laugh. “Shall we go and watch?”

“Why not?” They turned their horses toward the Great Walnut Avenue and found Captain Owens and Captain Everleigh standing beneath an ancient walnut tree, also watching.

“Good morning, ladies. I trust you are well?” Captain Everleigh asked.

“Indeed, it is a glorious day!” Maria answered cheerfully, looking at the soldiers in formation. While there was a sea of red uniforms, in among were also a number of green and blue, with some on foot and some on horseback. “So, this is called a review?” she asked, looking perplexed.

“Yes, our troops practice formations, marching and sometimes shooting, for the commander to see and give his approval to—or, in some cases, say what needs to be improved upon,” Lord Philip answered. “Today is a rehearsal of sorts for the celebrations.”

“Oh, so that is why you were watching,” Maria remarked.

“I suspect your perpetrators are as well,” Kate said, thinking aloud.

“Indeed,” Captain Owens concurred.

“And where will you be positioned? Do you not need to practice being still?”

Jack laughed as he patted his horses’ nose. “Adonis and I are well practiced, I assure you. We will ride in with the Prince and his entourage.”

“I trust the park will be well guarded,” she remarked.

“Even as we speak.” Captain Owens inclined his head and smiled.

Kate looked around. It seemed far too vulnerable a place to hold such festivities, but she supposed they knew what they were doing.

“Will the duke himself be here this morning?” Maria asked.

“I have not yet seen him,” Lord Philip answered. “One never knows with the Field Marshal.”

“I think I have seen enough. Ladies, may we escort you anywhere?” Captain Owens asked.

“We will probably take another turn or two about the park. Would you care to join us?” Maria asked.

“That sounds delightful.” They turned their mounts back toward the southern end of the parade ground and filed in beside each other, Kate next to Captain Owens and Maria next to Everleigh.

“It is a lovely day. I would much rather be doing this,” Captain Owens said.

“Have you made any more discoveries?”

“Not many, I am afraid. We did discover a meeting place, but it appears the other two men are simply hirelings.”

“That does not surprise me,” Kate replied. “It seems something like this would not be a large, organized plot. It is far too dangerous for that.”

He looked at her surprise. “That is a very astute observation; one that many experienced soldiers might not make.”

“Thank you. It seems somewhat obvious to me. The more people involved, the less likely it is to be successful.”

They crossed the wide concourse near the main entrance and on reaching Rotten Row again, urged their horses to a trot behind Maria and Captain Everleigh.

“As your guardian, I must tell you that it would offend all the tenets of polite behaviour if we overtook them,” Captain Owens remarked, his mouth curved in a wicked smile.

“I thank you for the warning, sir. I was quite certain it would not be the thing, especially since such a strict guardian would not wish me to be observed racing in public.”

“I daresay he would not,” he said, looking as disappointed as a child who had not been allowed his pudding.

Kate laughed and then saw a series of flashes out of the corner of her eye.

In the same instant, Poppy tossed her head, almost snatching the reins from Kate’s grasp, plunged sideways and snorted. Kate was an excellent horsewoman and followed the mare’s sudden movements, but she would not be calmed. Prancing and sidling, sweat darkening the sleek chestnut neck, she grew more and more agitated, her nostrils flaring.

She jerked forward, lifting Kate off her seat and, without warning, the mare reared high in the air. It happened so fast, yet time seemed to slow around them. Kate knew what was happening, yet felt powerless to stop it. As Poppy came down, Kate’s weight shifted to the right and the grip of her right leg loosened around the pommel.

“Kate!” Maria cried.

“Miss Rafferty!” Captain Owens shouted. Kate saw him attempt to catch her horse’s reins but it was too late. By now thoroughly upset, the chestnut lunged, throwing Kate completely before running away with her head in the air and her reins trailing.

Foolishly, Kate reached out her hand to break her fall; she ought to have known better. She heard a loud snap and pain seared through her arm.

Captain Owens loomed above her, clearly hesitating between the need to catch the horse and the desire to help her.

“Fetch the mare. I am not badly hurt,” she called, though she doubted the words as she said them. She was feeling distinctly unwell, and could not bring herself to look down at her arm, which at the moment felt as if it had been separated from her body.

Maria dismounted and hurried over to her. “What happened? Oh, my!” she exclaimed when she saw Kate’s arm.

Kate closed her eyes. It would not be the first such exclamation. “Do you happen to know of a good doctor?” she asked calmly, although she felt oddly light-headed.

Her guardian and Captain Everleigh had regained control of her mare and rode up, leading the animal, to where Kate and Maria were waiting.

“She needs a doctor!” Maria said, making hand motions toward Kate’s arm as though not saying the words would somehow make it better.

Captain Owens knelt down before her. “Why did you not say anything?”

“She needed to be caught, and a few minutes will make little difference.”

“You need it to be set at once. It will feel much better once that is done,” he explained.

“I will take your word for it,” she said, trying to bite back a further caustic retort and stay as still as possible.

“Help me get her up on to Adonis, then we can lead her mare to my house,” Captain Owens said to Captain Everleigh.

“Your house?” Maria asked. “Should she not rather return to mine?”

“No, my dear Lady Maria, because this was no accident. I will have Miss Rafferty where I may keep my eye on her.”

“She cannot be there alone with you at your house! I shall come with you. Help me to mount, Philip, if you please.”

Kate did not much care where she was taken so long as the pain stopped. It was agony enough, being lifted on to her guardian’s horse. Once she was perched on the flat military saddle with Captain Owens behind her, the jarring pain caused a mass of bright lights to dance before her eyes and she fainted clean away, which was probably just as well.