Dangerous Knight by Elizabeth Johns

Chapter Fifteen

Reluctantly, Jack left Miss Rafferty—Kate—alone with a houseful of servants. He did not think anyone would attack her there, but he would not feel safe until Newsom, Lloyd, and Jennings were caught. Was that all of them, however? How deep did this treachery go?

He arrived at Philip’s house and was shown into the study, where his friend was waiting with Major Knight.

“How is Miss Rafferty?” Philip asked as he walked over to the satinwood cupboard containing several decanters of wine, and filled a glass from one of them.

“She was shaken, but doing well, considering.”

“It was quite brave of her, if you ask me. Her observations have helped us eliminate the field down considerably,” Knight said.

“She is both brave and stupid,” Jack agreed as he accepted the drink from Philip and sat in a chair by the mantelpiece.

“That describes all of us,” Knight muttered.

“What shall we do now?” Jack asked.

“An excellent question,” Knight said. “On the one hand, we have the threat to the celebrations, which are in approximately two days’ time now. On the other hand, we have the stolen papers, which are the reason Lloyd and Newsom appear to be dealing with Jennings and the other two ruffians.”

“To distract attention from their treason,” Philip observed.

“Precisely.”

“It seems the celebrations are the bigger problem at present. We have guards on twenty-four-hour watch, but we all know that only goes so far,” Jack remarked.

“Jennings is an expert marksman,” Knight pointed out.

“Therefore we follow him if we can, but we know that will be impossible if he is aware we suspect him. None of us can be found if we do not wish to be.”

“A great point to be mindful of,” Philip stated. “I will be prepared to return fire.”

“Are you sure you wish to do that, Philip?” Knight asked.

He shrugged. “I do not trust anyone else to it.”

“I wish I knew why they are doing this. What would make Newsom and Lloyd betray what they have spent their whole careers working to defend? I would have sworn they were as patriotic as the rest of us.” Philip jumped up and began to pace up and down, his boots echoing dully on the floorboards.

“I believe answering that question is the only thing that will lead us to a quick resolution,” Knight stated.

“Agreed…but what will the fallout be?” Jack questioned.

They looked at each other, concern reflected in all their eyes.

“I pray it is limited to the individuals, but we do not know how long it has been happening or how deep this goes,” Knight answered. “If it is but a recent turn, perhaps only Lloyd and Newsom will be punished.”

“They make an odd duo,” Jack said, considering. “Is there some connection we are missing? I cannot see Lloyd putting his neck in a noose for Newsom, or vice versa.”

“We need proof before taking this to Wellington,” Philip added.

“Our only real evidence is an overheard conversation,” Jack admitted.

“Has there been any fortune in finding the missing documents?” Knight asked.

“I still cannot see the reasoning behind stealing such things here. There is, one would assume, plenty of time in which to change plans and strategy thus far from the sight of action. Were it just before a battle, then that would be different matter.”

“You make a good point, Philip. I wonder if it is more a question of proving that it can be done?”

“Or to draw attention to the fact that there is a secret agent?” interposed Jack.

“Might I suggest the latter?” Lord Marsden said, entering the study on a light tap of the wood, his man, Sheldon, following him. “May we join you?”

“Yes, of course,” Philip answered. “What makes you think it was a ruse?”

“Not a ruse, necessarily, but the papers have been put back.”

All three of their swung their heads in Marsden’s direction. He made a gesture of indifference, with his hands spread. “Newsom says they are accounted for.”

“Allow me to hazard a guess: he has blamed Feathers for the perfidy and claims there is no longer any reason for concern,” Philip replied to his father.

Marsden’s eyes grew wide. “How did you know?”

“Let us just say, a conversation, followed by a possible murder, was overheard in the garden at the Worth ball.”

Lord Marsden did not seem shocked by the knowledge; he just nodded, his face screwed into a frown. “You must give him credit. He is very shrewd.”

“Which papers were stolen, by the by?” Knight asked. “No one ever mentioned details.”

Lord Marsden looked at Knight shrewdly. “I was never given specifics either.”

“Then they could be anything.”

“Time is running out. We must find some tangible evidence before we miss our chance,” Jack said with feeling.

“There is one thread I am following,” Sheldon said, “but thus far I have nothing solid.”

“What is it, man? Do not leave us in suspense!” Philip pleaded.

“From the first, Feathers has seemed the oddity in all of this, so I decided to look into his history…”

The three of them leaned forward, rapt with attention. Jack nodded.

“He was a charity student at Oxford, so I looked further into his situation. He was born in India, but adopted and raised by a country gentleman and his wife in Folkestone. Apparently, he is the natural child of an aristocrat, who paid Mr. and Mrs. Feathers to raise him as their own.”

“And who is the paragon who sired Feathers?” Knight asked.

“Someone who did not wish to be traced. I have had the devil of a time trying to track him down.”

“But you have your suspicions,” Philip stated.

“Indeed. Large sums of money have recently been withdrawn from Lord Worth’s accounts.”

“Worth? I cannot believe it! Blackmail?” Knight exclaimed.

“Worth is connected with Feathers and Newsom, but it still does not explain the threat to Prinny or why the papers were stolen,” Jack added, trying to reason through the conflicting information.

“Unless I miss my guess, money would be the heaviest inducement,” Philip offered.

“Newsom had access to secrets that would garner a hefty price in the right hands,” Marsden said.

“Desperation breeds treason, you mean?”

Marsden spoke up. “I presume, as you have supposed, that either Worth or Newsom was being blackmailed by Feathers. It seems likely to me that Newsom took the documents and fabricated some new ones in order to sell them for ready cash.”

“Where does Lloyd fit into all of this?” Jack asked.

Marsden shook his head. “I can only hope he is serving two masters in order to gather evidence.”

“It would be obliging if he would confide in us. What do you suggest we do now, Father?”

“Why has Feathers started blackmailing his sire now? Perhaps a visit to his adopted parents would be in order? Who was his real mother? What is he using the money for – apart from clothes?” Marsden prompted them with a sardonic twist to his lips.

“Why does Newsom need money? Is he in debt? Is Wellington playing a clever game? He cannot be ignorant of foul play twice!” Knight argued. “And why the attack on Miss Rafferty in such a risky fashion if they believed she and the boys suspected nothing? Who was responsible and why?”

“I believe that was a warning,” Marsden answered.

“We must act at once before they decide to take any further action,” Jack said with feeling.

“Indeed, time is running out.”

*

Having slept verysoundly, Kate awoke the next morning feeling cheerful, the sunshine coming in through a crack in her curtains adding to her lightness of spirit. Then she remembered what had happened the night before, and her arm throbbed underneath her splint. For a moment, it could have just been a bad dream, but she knew it was not.

She remembered her fall, then the attack on Feathers. Her insides churned violently in response and she struggled to the chamber pot to empty her stomach. Afterwards, she sat on the floor for a few minutes, hoping it was finished. Slowly, she got to her feet and rinsed her mouth of the acidic taste.

It must have been the spirits Captain Owens had given her to help her sleep. What a wretched trade for a few hours’ repose!

She walked to the window and spread the curtains wide. It looked to be a nice day, but what had happened during the night, while she slept? Had they caught whoever had harmed Mr. Feathers? In some ways it was a relief to think he would no longer stare at her with those dark, beady eyes, but she wished such a violent death on no one. In one way, it seemed as though she had imagined it all, but Owens and Everleigh had believed her without question.

Ringing for Simpson, Kate then dressed and made her way downstairs to see if her guardian was at home.

Upon seeing the door open and smelling bacon, she entered the breakfast room. Captain Owens rose to his feet, looking as though he had not expected to see her so soon. He was shaven, yet still in his shirtsleeves.

“Good morning. Did you sleep well?” he asked.

“Too well,” she admitted. “But I do not think brandy overly agrees with me.”

“Eat some toast and eggs. It will help,” he said as he held out a chair for her. He sent a footman off for some eggs and then passed her some toast.

She looked at the food skeptically but took a few bites. It did seem to settle her stomach a little. “Were you able to find out anything of note?”

“Not as much as we would like, but we have been able to make some connections between Newsom and Feathers.”

She leaned forward. “Do you think he is dead?” she asked quietly.

Jack stood up, walked across the room and closed the door.

“We have yet to see a body, but that outcome looked quite obvious last night.”

She nodded. It was also what she thought. “Is there enough proof to arrest him?”

“Not quite. We will continue to look for that today, but also we must stop any attack on the victory celebrations.”

“You have discovered a link?”

“There appears, so far, to be only a loose connection with Mr. Feathers and but a possibility with Lloyd. My superiors are still inclined to believe he is acting the role of serving two masters in this case. In other words, he is still loyal to the Crown while apparently serving the traitors’ cause.”

“Could he perhaps be protecting someone?” Kate suggested.

She watched his brow furrow as his hand paused, with his fork full of eggs, halfway to his mouth. “Perhaps that is the answer. Lloyd likes to work alone, so it is possible he is doing either of those things without telling us.”

The footman reappeared and placed a plate of coddled eggs before her. Although her stomach roiled at the sight, she took a few bites and began to feel better. “What do you intend to do now?”

“Everleigh and I will go now and search Mr. Feathers’ rooms, not that I expect to find anything. Whoever disposed of him will doubtless have already removed any evidence.”

Recalling the cold, calculating manner in which Feathers had been killed the night before made Kate shiver. “Do you think he was disposed of simply because he did not kill me?”

“I believe he, and perhaps someone else, were blackmailing the wrong person.”

“Is it possible for there to be a right person?”

“Unfortunately, yes. It happens all the time in the ton. Indiscretions are a very common circumstance, and while most look the other way, there are those who do not. They will use information for their own gain, sometimes as power and sometimes for money.”

“What a sad way of life.”

“Indeed, but when you have marriages for purely secular reasons, there is very little affection involved.”

“It makes a mockery of the wedding vows.” She shook her head. “My parents were happy together. Perhaps that is why they chose to leave England.”

“I have to admit, a marriage of that sort has never appealed to me either,” Captain Owens said. “Maybe that is why Granny was so bitter.”

Kate chuckled at his tone, and then he looked up at her and smiled. She felt a slow heat wash through her at the look he gave her. It was very domestic—and very dangerous for her thoughts to be wandering in that direction.

Wethersby appeared before them. Had he knocked?

“If you please, sir, there is a lady to see you. She says Lady Marsden asked her to call, but she cannot remember why.”

“Just in the nick of time,” Kate heard Captain Owens mutter as he rose from the table to go and greet the lady.

“I have shown her into the drawing room, sir.”

“Yes, thank you, Wethersby.”

“Your coat,” she whispered loudly, pointing at the article hanging on the back of his chair.

“Ah, yes. We should not put ideas into her head.” He raised one eyebrow and looked at her mischievously.

She watched as he fastened up the buttons of his uniform and she allowed herself to wonder what it would be like to be married; to follow the drum. Before, the thought had been repugnant. But now, she was becoming more reluctant to see him leave. She thought he was not minding her presence so much and perhaps even cared for her a little—witness how he had reacted to her injury, she reflected—but that could be nothing more than his keen sense of chivalry and responsibility. He had made clear his desire never to marry, but she knew better than anyone how much he would need funds to support Winterbourne. The great irony was, if he married her, then he could sell the estate.

Kate knew she did not want a ton marriage based on material gain. While aware many young ladies had no other choice, she wished never to have to look the other way or be involved in an indifferent marriage of convenience. At least she cared for Captain Owens and knew he would treat her well. Yet could she stand to be left behind—to come second to his career? She blinked a few times. Indeed, the very union she was considering, was that not a marriage of convenience?

The matter would require more consideration, to be sure. She did not think she could bear to be left alone at Winterbourne again, yet what else would she do? The thought of venturing somewhere alone did not seem so appealing now. Was she really so fickle a creature? Her own reflections disturbed her.

“Will you accompany me, Miss Rafferty?” Captain Owens enquired, curtailing her inner discourse. “I believe this may be your new chaperone.” There was a hint of laughter in his blue eyes.

She rose to follow him, distracted by her strange musings. Perhaps the attack had changed her feelings? Kate followed him into the drawing room and was surprised to see, sitting on the edge of a gold settee, a tiny, elderly lady.

“Good morning,” Kate said, dropping a curtsy as Captain Owens made an elegant bow.

The lady, complete with large bonnet and matching reticule, smiled sweetly up at them.

“I am Captain Owens and this is Miss Rafferty,” he said, making the introductions.

She nodded and smiled but did not reciprocate.

Kate and Jack exchanged glances. Clearly this would be a chaperone in name only.

“And what shall we call you by, my lady?” he asked in his most charming manner.

“Oh, you may call me whatever you wish,” she replied absently.

“How do most people address you?” Kate suggested.

“Let me think,” she answered, looking very confused.

Captain Owens stepped out into the hallway and she could hear him conversing with Wethersby.

He returned holding a note. He handed it to her.

Dear Captain Owens,

The lady accompanying this note is my Great-Aunt Hattie. She is a sweet old dear, but her attics are quite to let. It was the best I could do at a moment’s notice, but if you find her a comfortable chair and give her her embroidery, she will be happy to be there. Also, if you would be so kind, please give her tea and biscuits at 2 o’clock in the afternoon and chocolate in the mornings.

Do let me know if you need further assistance,

Lady Marsden

Kate barely suppressed a chuckle. “I suppose we should find her needlework for her.”

“Certainly,” Captain Owens replied and left the room, presumably to instruct Wethersby.

“Are you comfortable, Aunt Hattie?” Kate asked, not knowing what else to call her.

“Oh, yes, thank you.”

“Is there anything I may get for you?”

“I think I would like to take a nap now. Will you check how Arnold goes on?”

“Arnold?” Kate asked, but it was clear she would get no further explanation. “Why do I not take you to your sitting room? You will be more comfortable there.”

“Lovely, my dear,” the small woman agreed, so Kate helped Aunt Hattie to her feet and took her arm. She felt so fragile that Kate was afraid she would break. With great care, she led Aunt Hattie slowly up a flight of stairs and to the guest apartment, which had a cozy sitting room, containing a sofa and a writing desk, attached to the bedchamber.

Kate settled Aunt Hattie comfortably on the sofa and then was about to leave when she heard a distinct meow coming from the other room. She went into the bedchamber to investigate, and the sound grew louder. It was coming from a valise. She opened it at once, and a large cat jumped out at her.

“You must be Arnold!” She laughed as the cat went into the sitting room and curled up on Aunt Hattie, who was already asleep.

She could only shake her head. “What a good thing it is that the proprieties are being observed,” she muttered sarcastically.