Dangerous Knight by Elizabeth Johns

Chapter Seventeen

Wethersby ushered Miss Rafferty and Lady Maria into the study. They were visibly shaken. Jack immediately rushed over and helped them to be seated.

“What has happened?

“We found a dead body!” Lady Maria cried. “It was, was…” She began to sob uncontrollably.

He looked at Kate. “Start from the beginning, if you please.”

She swallowed before speaking. “We went for a drive in the park and decided to get down and walk along by the Serpentine.”

“Go on,” he prompted.

“We stopped at the bridge for a rest,” she said, and he noticed her gaze fall. Was she hiding something? “We had been there but a few moments when Maria noticed some brightly colored clothing floating in the water. It was hidden by the reeds.”

“Then I screamed and my father came rushing back.” Lady Maria looked close to hysteria as she spoke. Her hands were shaking and her eyes were dull. She appeared stunned.

“We saw Lord Mottram speaking with Lord Worth and Lord Bathurst on the bridge. He had just left us to go to the club for lunch when Maria espied something colorful in the weeds,” Kate explained.

Jack nodded, trying to piece together the story. “Did you happen to notice anything else about the body?”

“It was horrible!” Maria wailed. “I wish I could erase the picture from my mind. It will haunt me forever.”

Jack imagined it must have been grotesque. He had seen bodies before that had been in the water for some time.

“I did recognize one thing of import,” Kate said quietly when Maria had composed herself.

Jack looked up and waited for her to speak.

“They were the same clothes Mr. Feathers was wearing the night I last saw him.”

“’Twas as suspected, then. Do we need to escort Lady Maria home?”

“I thought it best to bring her here, since Lord Mottram was dealing with the corpse.”

Jack needed to know where the body had been taken. He mentally cursed, hoping any evidence would not be lost before he had a chance to search the remains.

“I think I will take Maria upstairs to lie down, if you do not mind.”

“Not at all. I must go out and attend to a few things. Let Wethersby know if you need me and he will find me for you.”

She nodded before leading Lady Maria upstairs.

Jack gathered his hat, gloves and sword and left to find Philip. They must act at once. He finally ran Philip to earth at the Guard’s Club. “I have been looking all over for you.”

“I apologize. I did not mean to tarry here so long, but I was following information about Jennings.”

“Any luck there?”

“No. He does not wish to be found, therefore he will not be. What did you find?” he asked as he gathered his belongings and they went outside.

“Miss Rafferty and Lady Maria found a body in the Serpentine this morning. Miss Rafferty believes it is Mr. Feathers. She told me his face was unrecognizable but the clothing was the same as that the man was wearing when last she saw him, at the ball. Lord Mottram was nearby and heard Lady Maria scream and is, at present, dealing with the corpse. I want to search the body before we miss the chance. With his lordship being Lloyd’s father, we cannot be too cautious.”

“I will send a note to Sheldon. It will save us a great deal of time searching if Feathers was not taken to the mortuary.”

Jack waited while they returned to the club and Philip dispatched a note to his father’s man, then they set off again.

“Do you think Mottram contacted Bow Street?” Jack asked.

“It is the most likely outcome. Who else would he inform?”

“I have no idea. Bow Street would be my choice.”

“Then let us begin there.”

They went on foot since it was only a few streets away. As they walked, Jack could not help but wonder aloud, “Why throw him in the Serpentine? It is hardly a discreet way to dispose of a body.”

“So that he would be found. It has all the appearance of another warning. But to whom?” Philip added, which made Jack sick with foreboding.

When they arrived at the offices of the Bow Street Runners, they were greeted by a young clerk who did not yet have a beard.

“How may I help you, sirs?”

“We understand there was a dead body found in the Park. We would like to speak with the person who attended to it,” Jack answered.

The young man looked confused. “When was this, sir?”

“Just this morning; not as much as two hours ago,” Jack answered, checking his gold pocket watch.

“Forgive me, sir, but I have been on duty the whole morning and have heard nothing of this matter. If you will be good enough to wait a moment, I will ask some of the officers upstairs.”

“We would be much obliged,” Philip replied.

After the young man had left on his errand, Jack cursed under his breath.

“It was Mottram, you say?” Philip began.

“Yes. Do you think it a coincidence that the authorities have no knowledge of this?”

“It depends on whether or not Mottram considers himself an authority.”

“Most would not wish to sully their hands—”

“Unless they had a reason to,” Philip finished.

The clerk returned before they could explore the thought further. He shook his head. “I am afraid there have been no suspicious deaths reported and I checked with Mr. Stafford himself. However, if you should wish to ascertain if anyone was brought into the dead-house, here is the address. Sometimes vagabonds are not reported and are donated there for…science.”

“Thank you,” Philip said, taking the sheet of paper.

“A vagabond in a fop’s clothing? I think not,” Jack drawled as they left the building.

They went to the address provided by the young clerk. It was a small, inconspicuous building, hidden in a dark alley with its profession marked in small letters. It was menacing even in the daylight.

“I am glad I am not alone on this task,” Jack confessed as he knocked on the door. There was no answer after several minutes, so he tried the handle and it opened. “What do you say?”

Philip raised his brows before stepping over the threshold. It took a moment for Jack’s eyes to adjust to the dim lighting. “It gets better and better,” he murmured.

“Is anyone here?” Philip called.

An odd-looking older gentleman, with disheveled grey hair and a humped back, shuffled out from another room wearing gloves and a thick apron. “Eh?” he enquired.

“I am Captain Everleigh and this is Captain Owens. We were told a body was found in the Serpentine River a couple of hours ago. We were wondering if it had been brought here.”

“This is where bodies are brought,” he said in a surly tone.

“He was wearing bright clothing,” Jack suggested.

The man shook his head. “They do not have clothes on by the time I see them.”

Jack closed his eyes for a moment to keep from losing his temper.

“Might we take a look at the most recent corpses?” Philip asked. “It is of great import to the Crown.”

“Suit yourself,” the man said as he turned around and shuffled back from whence he came.

The odor that met them when they entered the dark, cold room was almost as jarring as the one met after a battle, but they had one thing in common – death. It was not easy for Jack to control the bile in his stomach.

As if the man read Jack’s mind, he muttered, “Breathe through your mouth,” along with some other choice words as he went to the first body in a long row of them and pulled back the sheet, continuing one by one. The first was a female, her face destroyed by signs of syphilis. The man quickly replaced the sheet and went to the next; the body was male but clearly not a gentleman by the leathered skin and matted hair. Most of the bodies appeared to have lived a difficult life, which was apparent by their hygiene. Lack of teeth, dirty nails and skin often scarred and calloused. When they saw the next body, there was no comparison nor any doubt that it was Feathers. Even in death his nails were cleaned and well-manicured, his skin unmarred by work.

“This is he,” Jack said.

“Knock to the head,” the man explained before he gave another grunt and left them alone.

“I do not suppose we should bother asking for his effects,” Philip remarked dryly. Anything of value found on an unclaimed body would have been pilfered long ago.

“Excuse me—” Jack called back to the man then turned to Philip and shrugged. “It is worth a try.”

He turned back again and waited.

“I do not suppose—is there any possibility his belongings are still here?”

The man pointed to a bin beneath the table the body was on.

There, the soaked, dirty pieces of Feather’s flamingo pink trousers and bright turquoise waistcoat were wadded up.

“No boots,” Philip pointed out.

“Nor watch or pocketbook,” Jack verified as he checked the pockets. “Only a receipt from a silk warehouse in Cheapside.” He tossed the water-soaked paper to Philip. “At least we made sure.” He threw the items back into the bin and looked once more at the body, wishing it could speak and tell him what they needed to know.

*

Lady Mottram hadcome when she had heard the news, and taken Maria home. Kate had been frantically pacing up and down the drawing room ever since.

It seemed as though her guardian had been gone forever, and seeing the evidence of Mr. Feathers’ body had shaken her. Before, it had been but a possibility and thus hazy knowledge; now, the reality had thoroughly shaken her.

When, at last, the front door opened, she ran into the entrance hall and threw her arms about him.

“Has something else happened?” he asked with concern.

“No, forgive me.” She made to pull out of his arms when she realized how forward she had been, but he held her there.

“What has upset you so?”

“Nothing new. I have been indulging a severe fit of the fidgets, I fear, for your safety and mine.”

He pulled her closer and held her against his chest. She closed her eyes and reveled in the sense of safety and security from the feel of his heart, beating through his chest against her cheek. What would it be like always to have this? To have another to lean on?

She pulled back and looked up into his face. He was watching her, his gaze burning through her. What did it mean?

“I should not do this,” he murmured, an instant before he bent his head and kissed her.

It was such a strange sensation that Kate felt lost. It was firm, yet tender and soft, and a warm tingling spread through her body. She did not know what she was supposed to do, so she pressed her lips back to his, even as his hand came up and gently caressed the side of her face. He pulled back and pressed his forehead to hers.

“Why did you do that?” she asked stupidly, while also wishing he would do it again.

“I am an idiot, that is why,” he admitted as he pulled away and walked to the window, “but you are a devilishly pretty lady and I am attracted to you.”

“Is that such a dreadful thing?” she asked.

“For you, it is. You know my situation, Kate. I am in no position to marry.”

She could not help but laugh derisively—perhaps to disguise the embarrassment and hurt she felt.

“And why is that funny?” He turned and looked at her, his brows lifted in disbelief.

“I think you are making excuses. Marrying me would solve your financial difficulties.”

“I will not marry you for your money, Kate.”

“Then you are prideful as well as an idiot,” she retorted, rushing from the room.

“Kate!” he shouted, but she had already reached the top of the staircase and did not turn back. Closing her door, she turned the lock, and then did not know what to do. She wanted to scream; she wanted to cry, but most of all, she wanted to hide.

She crawled up on the sofa by the window and Arnold leaped into her lap. “Well, how do you do, kitty?”

He purred in response and angled his head as she scratched behind his ears.

“I envy you, Arnold. Our needs are not so very different, are they? A warm bed, food to eat, and companionship. Perhaps I shall get a cat and retire to the country, after all,” she told him, adding reflectively, “At least I was useful there.” Then she threw her head back in disgust. “Pity becomes no one. But how am I to endure this for five more months?”

There was a knock on the door and Kate stilled in place. Arnold protested by butting his head against her hand.

“Kate, I know you are in there. May we talk?”

She did not respond. She had nothing to say.

“Please, Kate. At least let me apologize. I am the worst sort of blackguard for kissing you.”

You would not need to apologize if you had intended it honorably, she thought bitterly.

She heard him growling with frustration, followed by a thump against the door. “Kate,” he said mournfully, “I must go out again. Will you at least assure me that you are well?”

She bit her lip, determined not to speak before she was ready. The kiss had unleashed feelings inside which confused her, and produced an acute sense of longing for that which now seemed unattainable.

A few moments later, she heard him descend the stairs, followed by the front door closing and breathed a sigh of relief for the temporary reprieve.

“Come, Arnold. I shall return you to Aunt Hattie, for I must go and seek Maria’s advice—if she has recovered her wits, that is. You have been a most excellent companion.”

Aunt Hattie was resting and Arnold quickly took his place beside her. “Fickle creature,” Kate muttered with amusement.

She called for Simpson, donned a spencer, and having gathered her gloves and tied on her bonnet, was soon walking with her maid to Mottram Place.

“Good afternoon, Miss Rafferty,” Hendricks greeted her.

“Is Lady Maria at home?”

“In the general way, miss, she is not at home, but I suspect she will see you,” he said in a conspiratorial tone.

Kate gave a nod of understanding. “I will show myself up.”

Maria was resting on a chaise in the sitting room, and started when Kate knocked on the open door.

“Kate! What brings you here? Not that I am not relieved to see you.”

Closing the door behind her, Kate went and sat beside her friend.

“Have you discovered something?”

She shook her head. “Only that I am a fool.”

“That I will not believe. What has happened?”

“Captain Owens kissed me and then proceeded to tell me how we could not marry.”

“The scoundrel!”

Kate sighed heavily. “Yes, indeed I thought the same. However, on reflection, I think he is attempting to be honorable in his own way, although I cannot help but feel I am somehow unworthy of his affection.”

“Nonsense! You, unworthy? Do not be a goose!”

Kate was touched by her friend’s vehement defense. She smiled half-heartedly.

“What can we do? You can hardly continue under the same roof with him.”

“Yes, I must. He decreed it so.”

“No, you must return here.”

“I will consider it. Are you feeling better?” Kate changed the subject.

Maria stood up and went to the bell-pull. When a servant arrived in response, she requested tea and cakes.

“I will be well enough as long as I do not think overly much about it. I still cannot believe Mr. Feathers is dead! I did not like him, but I did not wish him ill.”

“Nor I,” Kate agreed.

Maria sat back down beside her when the servant entered with a tray. After pouring them each some tea, a devious look entered Maria’s eye. “Will you at least tell me what it was like?”

“What what was like?” Kate asked after she had chewed a delicious bite of an almond cake.

“The kiss, of course. He looks like he would kiss well, if I might say so.”

“You should not.” Kate pressed her palms to her forehead and shook her head. “What I do not understand is why would he do so?”

“Oh, Kate! Surely you understand that men do all sorts of things without requiring to feel affection?”

“That is abhorrent!” she replied. “You are saying he kissed me because of some odd male fancy?”

Maria sighed. “I am afraid it is possible. I cannot speak for his intentions.”

“No, of course not.” Kate took another bite of cake, allowing the indulgence of sweet food to soothe her. It could be but a temporary reprieve.

“All things considered, I should still like to be kissed someday,” Maria said thoughtfully.

“You have never had the experience?” Kate asked.

“No. There has been no one as yet who I could hold in such affection. I am certain it is a flaw in my character.”

“Even though many have sought your hand?”

Maria gave her a look of disbelief. “You have seen the fish in the sea. None are remotely appetizing.”

Kate laughed at her friend’s humor, yet suspected she would very much desire a kiss from Lord Philip. “I can say that it was unexpected. It was more than just a meeting of the lips.”

“Whatever can you mean?” Maria leaned forward eagerly. “Do tell!”

“I felt strange sensations inside. I cannot explain it.”

“Try!” her friend insisted, looking aggrieved.

Kate concentrated. “There are no words! It was a rush of feeling, akin to going around a sharp turn too fast or the sudden drop I used to feel in my stomach before jumping down from a tree.”

“All of this from a simple kiss?” Maria looked entranced.

“Indeed. That is why I said I could not describe it. At the same time your mind is a whirl of thoughts as you wonder if you are doing it correctly. ‘Do I like the sensation?’ your mind asks. ‘What does it mean?’”

“And then he had the audacity to say he could not marry you? I cannot believe it!”

“He did apologize.”

Maria snorted. “Of course, he did.”

“And then he said he would not marry me for my money. For the most part, I am sad because I enjoy his company. I did not think it would be possible to enjoy such friendship with a gentleman.”

“I suppose that is one benefit of having a brother—not that we spend a great deal of time with one another. He was very disturbed by the news of Mr. Feathers’ death,” Maria added.

“I did not realize they had such a close friendship.”

“Nor did I, but he was quite shocked; first he stared in disbelief, then he cursed, and then he rushed out of the house.”

Kate finished her tea. “What should I do now, Maria? I cannot return and pretend that nothing has happened.”

Maria sat up, as though she had had a clever idea. “But perhaps that is exactly what you should do.”

“Why would I do such a thing?”

“I assure you, it will drive him to distraction. I have seen it before. He must think he has your affections now and that he is toying with them. If you ignore what happened it will pique his curiosity and make him want you more.”

“What a wretched game this is!”

“Quite.”

“And why would I want to play a game to capture the affections of someone who does not realize my worth from the beginning?” Kate demanded.

“Because, while gentlemen are intelligent at many things, love is not one of them.”

“You are a fount of wisdom, Maria.”

“Unfortunately, if I am, it has been of little benefit to me!” she bemoaned.