Dangerous Knight by Elizabeth Johns
Chapter Eighteen
Today was the day of the victory celebrations in Hyde Park and as far as Jack was concerned, there had been no conclusion to any part of the affair. The documents may have been returned, and the explosives might have been confiscated, but that was no guarantee that there would not be more explosives to replace the ones lost or that the documents had only been lost amongst Whitehall and not copied and passed on.
All of that weighed upon his consideration on top of his colossal mistake with Kate. She had managed to keep herself from him since then, and it felt as though a huge weight was bearing down upon his conscience. He had scarcely slept since because of the guilt and the thoughts about her which would not cease to whirl around in his head. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever met and, besides, she was in every way his intellectual equal. He had not thought to enjoy a woman’s company so much and he felt the loss of her friendship acutely.
What would it be like to be married to her? To settle down at Winterbourne and raise a family? He groaned at the thought, but perhaps, without his grandmother’s venom there to poison it, it might be a better place. He had never allowed himself even to consider marriage and living at the estate an option. With Kate by his side, it might be very pleasant indeed. However, he loved his life in the army, carrying out secret commissions for his country. The danger was a thrill and the rewards innumerable.
Jack rolled over in his bed and punched the pillow. He could not ask Kate to deal with such a life. It was the antithesis of elegant. It was often primitive, dirty and grueling, even for an officer’s wife. Kate was full of pluck and would no doubt handle it, but would she enjoy it? Would their being together be enough?
He still could not believe that she would want him. She had all but offered marriage—but would she feel differently now? He had been a cur of the highest order. It would certainly be better for her to find someone stable and secure…and, apparently, with more feeling.
But first, he had to see her again and do his best to repair the damage he had caused.
He dressed for the day, remembering he and the others were to be knighted. He closed his eyes and shook his head. “Of all the ridiculous notions,” he muttered to himself.
“Has Miss Rafferty been down this morning?” Jack asked Wethersby, not liking the feeling of acute disappointment he experienced when she was not there.
“I have not seen her at all since yesterday morning… sir,” Weathersby remarked somewhat scornfully, as though he knew they had had a disagreement and Jack was now in the suds.
“Will you please check with her maid that Miss Rafferty is in good health and spirits?”
Weathersby bowed and left on the errand.
Jack ate his toast and eggs without tasting them, feeling more and more unsettled.
Weathersby returned. “Simpson says she accompanied Miss Rafferty to visit Lady Maria yesterday afternoon and then was sent home after Miss Rafferty decided to stay there for the night.”
“That is very odd,” Jack said. “Why would she send Simpson home?”
“I could not venture to say,” Weathersby replied with a sniff.
Jack muttered a curse and then gathered his things to leave, passing Aunt Hattie wandering in the entrance hall.
“Good morning,” he said.
She smiled distantly. “Who are you?”
“Captain Owens, a friend of Lord Philip. Are you going to break your fast?”
“That would be lovely.”
He really ought to take her back to Everleigh House with him, he reflected, but she seemed content enough to be there, and he was in a hurry. He seated her at the table and the footman stepped forward to attend her.
He rode to Everleigh House to travel to the Palace with Philip. Once today was over, he would devote himself to making things right between Kate and himself. He still did not know how that would happen, but he could not leave again with this contention between them.
The ceremony was as mundane and extravagant as he would have imagined. When the time came for the four of them to be knighted, he stepped forward and kneeled on the stool. After the Prince Regent had performed the accolade with the sword, Jack stood, bowed, and walked away. At least that was over with, he thought with relief. He looked out into the gathering to see where Kate was, but she was nowhere to be found. He frowned. She was hardly inconspicuous. Had she chosen not to come?
Next, he looked for Lady Maria and Lady Mottram and found them in the crowd with Lord Mottram. Of course, they would be there to see Major Lloyd’s appointment to the Knighthood.
It would seem that Kate had deliberately chosen not to come. He stood waiting for the ceremony to end, trying to convince himself it did not matter. Females were a distraction. He should be concentrating on this momentous occasion, and also on being alert to protect his future sovereign, not worrying about his beautiful ward and her whereabouts. If only he could go back to the days when he had had no one else to worry about, when he would simply have been thinking about how ridiculous all the lords looked in their wigs!
When at last the ceremony ended, he found himself walking toward Lady Maria.
“Good afternoon.” He made her a leg.
She greeted him coolly with the slight inclination of her head and none of the usual friendliness.
“Might I inquire after my ward? I understand she stayed at Mottram Place last evening.”
Lady Maria’s face turned from disdain to concern. “But no, sir, she did not. She did come to visit, yes, but she left after tea.”
Jack’s blood turned to ice. “She sent her maid back to my house, saying she was spending the night with you.”
Lady Maria shook her head. “She did not. Kate would not have done that in any case.”
“I thought it was unusual, myself, but I will admit I have little experience in such matters.”
“And you are certain she did not return to your house last evening?” Maria asked.
“I did not visit her chambers personally, but her maid and Wethersby were quite certain.”
Lady Maria went to a nearby chair and covered her mouth with her hand. “Something has happened to her. Kate would not run away without telling someone.”
“Someone in your house had to have sent the maid away.”
“It seems most likely,” she agreed quietly. “I will return there at once and try to discover who it was.”
“I believe it might be of more benefit to return to Half Moon Street and question Simpson first.”
“May I go with you?”
“I rode here.”
“Then I shall meet you there shortly.”
It was not a quick undertaking to excuse oneself from such a ceremony and retrieve one’s horse. It provided unwanted time for reflection. There were so many things he had done wrong that he could only blame himself. He had let down his guard when he should have been protecting her. But why, he conjectured, would the villains of the piece do something to Kate now?
He could not bear the thought of any more harm coming to her. What if a rescue proved to be too late?
Newsom and Worth had been at the ceremony, had they not? He was quite certain he had seen them there. Scattering street traders and pedestrians alike, he rode like the devil back to his house. Lady Maria arrived a few minutes after him. He sent Weathersby to direct Simpson to meet them in the drawing room.
She entered the room and curtsied. “You sent for me, sir?”
“Miss Rafferty did not stay with Lady Maria last night.”
The maid gasped in horror.
“We do not know that she has been harmed, but we need you to tell us everything. Who told you to return here?”
She shook her head at this news and frowned, clearly trying to remember. “I think it was one of the footmen. He was tall and handsome.”
“That is every footman in London,” Jack said with frustration.
“Can you remember his hair color or eye color?” Maria asked.
“Brown hair, I think. I do not remember his eyes. Dark, mayhap?”
“Try to think. Is there anything else you can remember about him?” Jack encouraged.
“I can question all of them if necessary,” Maria said.
“I would prefer not to if possible. Miss Rafferty will be safer if this is kept quiet.”
The maid began to cry and Jack struggled to be patient. He was panicking inside and at this juncture it was the worst mistake he could make. “Was he thin or of average build?”
“More on the thin side,” she said. “I think perhaps he might have had a scar on his chin.”
“Ah. I know which one he is,” Maria said. “I will go and speak with him at once.”
“I will accompany you. We have no time to lose.”
As Jack and Lady Maria exited the drawing room to leave, Weathersby was closing the front door.
“This has just come for you, sir,” the butler said, handing a note to Jack.
Miss Rafferty is safe. No harm will come to her.
“That is all it says?” Lady Maria asked in disbelief.
“Somehow I do not feel comforted.”
*
Kate was terrified.If only she had not left the house in anger, she would still be safe. Now, Jack would not even know to look for her. She had no notion of where she might be. Her arms and feet were bound, her mouth gagged with cotton and her head ached like the devil. Jack’s expression was very apt, no matter how unladylike. If only she could remember what had happened. At least whoever had kidnapped her had been kind enough not to bind where her arm was broken and placed her on a cot.
It was difficult to think and keep her wits. She blinked a few times, trying to allow her eyes to adjust in the darkness. There was a small crack of light over what appeared to be a door or window and there was a very strange odor that she could not put a name to. Perhaps some type of oil mixed with earthy damp.
Why would they do this to her?
Because you can identify the man, she acknowledged silently. It was a very deep game that was being played, in which she was merely a pawn—and dispensable.
Think, Kate, she chastised herself. She could not simply wait like a widgeon for her abductor to return and do what he would. At least she had not been killed outright, as Feathers had. She shuddered at the recollection of his battered body.
The last thing she remembered was having tea with Maria. She had sought Maria’s counsel because Jack had kissed her. Jack had kissed her. A rogue tear escaped to trickle down her cheek, and Kate was angry that she cared. She was angry that she had allowed herself to have feelings for a gentleman who had no more sensitivity than a marble statue!
Such reflections would avail her nothing, she reminded herself. What had happened after tea? She had said farewell to Maria, and the butler had shown her out, but Simpson had not left with her. Kate had left alone… and then she remembered being seized from behind. Try as hard as she could, there was nothing left in her memory after that.
Why did she remember nothing else? Had she been drugged? Had she been here—wherever she was—all night? She must have been, since there was a small amount of daylight coming in through the crack.
Would Jack even notice she was gone? Would he search for her?
Bound as she was, her movement was impeded. Nevertheless, Kate wriggled about in an effort to see where she was, but that only made her head spin with dizziness. She began to shiver with fear. Not knowing where she was, and if anybody would even miss her, was unnerving and filled her with dread.
A rattling noise startled her from her misery and her heart began to pound with anxiety for what was to come next. It was the unmistakeable sound of a key turning in a lock and the door opened wide, nearly blinding Kate with sunlight. She shrank back, waiting for a blow or some other form of attack as footsteps thudded dully outside and a shadow then stepped into view.
“Please remain calm, Miss Rafferty. I will not harm you.”
“Major Lloyd?” she managed to query through the cotton in her mouth.
“Yes, ’tis I. I have brought you some food and will untie you if you will give me your pledge of parole.”
He untied the gag so she could speak more clearly.
“Why are you holding me here? What have I done to deserve this?”
“You were eavesdropping; you heard and saw too much.”
“You saw me?” she whispered.
“I am well-trained in such skills, but I was also alert for anything out of the ordinary.”
“I was only coming to fetch my book,” she explained.
“Nevertheless, I fear I must keep you out of the way until affairs are concluded.”
“Why are you doing this to your family?”
He scowled at her. “I am doing this for my family.” He slammed the tray of food down before her on a bench. “Do you give me your parole? I will release you tomorrow if you will agree to remain here and keep quiet for one more night.”
“Do I have a choice? Very well. Where am I?”
“Somewhere safe, which is enough for you to know.”
“How can I trust you when you tried to kill me in the Park?” she demanded.
“I was not responsible for your…mishap, but those who were would gladly see you dead.”
Kate shuddered involuntarily. “May I infer from that you are not the traitor?”
“I am doing my duty, Miss Rafferty. Dinner will be brought to you later.”
“Will you at least inform Captain Owens that I am safe?”
“I have already done.” He inclined his head and left, locking the door behind him. His footsteps echoed more and more distantly and she was left in a deafening silence.
She could be anywhere in England, but she doubted it. Major Lloyd would have to be present at the ceremony that very morning and the victory celebrations that evening, therefore she must be in Town. Yet where in London would be so quiet?
Her stomach rumbled, reminding her of the tray Major Lloyd had brought her, and she decided not to cut off her nose to be revenged on her face. He had furnished her with a selection of ham, cheese, bread, and even a carafe of tea, although it was cold.
Having refreshed herself a little, she decided to explore her surroundings, despite finding it difficult to stand up having had her legs bound overnight. Her senses were still somewhat fuddled, but steadied as she went. It seemed a small shed-like structure—perhaps an old tool-house or harness room? The walls, made of stone and impermeable, were covered in dirt and damp. She could not be sure of anything except it would be almost impossible to find her. There had to be thousands upon thousands of similar buildings in London and without her guardian and friends knowing she had been taken, or that she was missing, she would be imprisoned in this dismal hole until Major Lloyd decided to release her. Ignoring the dank, unpleasant smell of the pile of sacking, she slumped back down, quite dejected.
There were so many pieces of the puzzle that made little sense to her.
Firstly, Major Lloyd had been discussing the situation with General Newsom in the library, the night she had thought to read Sense and Sensibility. Both officers worked for the Government, so there could be more to their meeting than she was privy to. However, she was certain it had been Newsom who had murdered Feathers.
Why had Feathers been murdered? Was that not really the key to the situation?
She must, inadvertently, have seen something or someone would not have tried to kill her and Major Lloyd would not be keeping her out of the way, to use his own words.
The first thing she had overheard was the discussion in the library. She closed her eyes and tried to recall what had been said. The matter of the stolen papers was all that came to her recollection.
She had also overheard what had been said to Feathers before he was killed, but that had not been informative, other than she knew who had committed the murder and that he had been displeased with Feathers.
Was there anything else? Would it matter if she solved the riddle? It would be too late for her to change the outcome.
If Major Lloyd was innocent, then why was he going to such lengths, unless he was protecting someone? Could that be the answer? She frowned. She disliked the thought very much. There could be no one other than his family he would jeopardize his good name to protect and Lord Mottram was the only person Kate was aware of who would need that kind of protection.
She tried to think back to her dealings with Maria’s father, but they had been few. To her knowledge, he had not been present for any of the events concerning Feathers. No, she could think of nothing to implicate Lord Mottram, unless he was secretly involved.
Could the major be protecting General Newsom, then? But why would Lloyd risk his reputation in such a manner? Was that part of being a spy? Was Jack asked to do such things in the name of King and country? Kate could not believe it of him.
Her mind strayed back to Jack. She ought to be angry with him, but she could not be, not any longer. All she wanted was the chance to reconcile with him; to be friends again. Being at odds with him felt wrong and left a void she had not known existed.
Whatever happened – if she escaped from this horrid situation alive – she wanted everything to be right between them again.