The Duke's Deception Page 15
‘Yes, miss, it’s expected.’
As they left the house a footman in attendance, Marianne belatedly remembered to enquire after John. ‘Have you seen John? ‘
‘No, not yet. He is away with Mr Sampson today. Also Master Edward sent a message that he has gone to see a cockfight somewhere in Cheapside but will be back for dinner.’
Marianne paled. ‘He should not have gone; he’s only sixteen. Edward’s parents will not want him abroad in London.’
‘Tom and Billy went with him, Miss Devenish, he’ll come to no harm.’
‘I am relieved to hear it. What would I do without you all to take care of things?’
After a fine dinner of two courses and several removes Marianne followed Mrs Sampson to the drawing-room. She was well satisfied by the evening. Mr Sampson was a charming, urbane gentlemen, the youngest son of an earl which explained why the family was so well-connected.
Edward had enjoyed his outing so much he had decided to stay an extra two days in order to attend a prize fight to be held out-of-town. As Tom and Billy would accompany him to see to his safety Marianne was happy to acquiesce. Her only reservation had been the fact she now had the parcel of letters in her safekeeping until he returned.
A brief meeting with John established he was well but he had gleaned no more information about Theo’s identity. She had an appointment with Mr Sampson before breakfast at which no doubt he would bring her up-to-date with all matters pertaining to her inheritance. Her urgent questions and requests could safely be left until then.
The house was quiet when Marianne came down to her meeting the next morning. A helpful parlour maid directed her to the study. Mr Sampson was waiting, official looking documents spread out on his desk
‘Good morning, Miss Devenish, I hope you are well rested?’
‘Thank you, sir, yes. How can it be otherwise in such a comfortable apartment?’
He pulled out the chair facing his across the cluttered desk and she sat and waited expectantly. He cleared his throat.
‘I’m pleased to inform you that after extensive enquiries I’ve been able to establish there being no other living heir, either male or female, you are the beneficiary of Bentley Hall and the substantial estate that goes with it.’
‘Good heavens! Are you quite sure? My connection is so remote - and through my mother -surely my grandmother should be the recipient, not I?’
‘One might think so indeed. But Mrs Devenish is not in direct line. She is a Devenish by marriage only, you are a blood connection through your grandfather who was the nephew of Sir James.’
‘I think I see; so I now have all of the Frasier estates and funds as well as the Devenish inheritance?’
‘Indeed you do, Miss Devenish. You will have an income in excess of £10,000 per annum. It makes you one of the most eligible young ladies of this season. You will have every bachelor in town at your doorstep.’
She shuddered. ‘I do hope not. This information must remain confidential. I have no desire to be courted for my wealth or for anything else for that matter. It’s my wish to live quietly in the country until my majority when I can access my fortune without restriction.’
If he was surprised by this startling announcement he covered it well. ‘You have no male guardian at the moment; this makes you especially vulnerable. I would be honoured to act in loco parentis, if that is acceptable, Miss Devenish?’
‘That is exactly what I wish, Mr Sampson, thank you. I understand I cannot purchase or even lease a property in my own name so could I ask you to do this for me? For personal reasons I cannot return to Great Bentley at present. I would like you to find me somewhere in Kent or Hertfordshire where I may live in seclusion with Mr and Mrs Smith. Is that possible?’
‘It is unusual but perfectly possible. I would advise Mrs Smith is promoted to the position of companion. She is almost fulfilling the role now, is she not? Mr Smith is already your man of affairs and he can continue as such. Mrs Sampson will find you a suitable dresser and any other staff you might need for your establishment.’
‘That would be most helpful. There is a question I would like to ask you before I go, Mr Sampson. It is not related my affairs, it is merely curiosity.’
‘I will answer if I can. What is it you would like to know?’
‘I have a friend who wishes to communicate with a relative who is still residing in France. Is it possible to send a letter even though we are at war with the French?’
‘As far as I know, my dear, there’s no restriction on personal correspondence. Although it
might take a long time to arrive. I believe letters are sometimes diverted through Portugal; if it
is it is not being sent to Paris or its environs I am sure it would arrive eventually.’
‘And a reply? I presume the reverse is also true?’
‘It is. I was at a soiree the other night and overheard a French émigré family discussing having received a parcel of letters recently.’
‘Thank you, sir, that answers my question perfectly. I shall instruct my friend to write the letter and send it in good faith.’ She prepared to leave. ‘You will start looking immediately for something suitable?’
‘I shall get a man on to it today. I don’t I anticipate any difficulties; you must have the pick of the properties as funds are no barrier.’
Marianne left the study in growing agitation. The parcel of letters was hidden under her mattress. She didn’t know what had prompted her to ask that question, but she understood with a sickening certainty Edward and Charles had been duped into traitorous transactions.
For the letters could be nothing else. Innocent mail could be sent in the usual way. Why had Charles not asked the same question before becoming involved? She hurried up to her bedchamber relieved she had given Jane the morning off in order to spend time with her husband.
She got out the hated oil-skin package and with her sewing scissors carefully snipped the
stitches that held it together. She removed the first folded sheet and smoothed it out. It was written in French but even her limited knowledge of the language allowed her to recognize the contents were most suspicious. She saw the words, “regiments” and “Wellington” and knew she was in possession of material which could send her and her adopted brothers to the gallows.
Chapter Sixteen
There was nothing she could do to avert disaster. She couldn’t give the letters to Edward to deliver so she would have to tell him what she had discovered. How would he react to the information that he and his brother were technically traitors?
She was too shocked and heartsick to make a decision. Then she recalled Theo telling her he was on a mission and that she would have to trust him. He had also been out with the customs the very night Edward had made his last delivery. It couldn’t be a coincidence. Theo’s mission must be to catch the traitors; that was why he was masquerading as Sir Theodore Devenish.
Despite her awful discovery she felt the pall of misery lift from her shoulders. She understood why he hadn’t been able to offer for her the first time; he had had to complete his task before he could reveal his true identity. She smiled as she pondered who he really was and if he would seek her out when his work was completed.
Then reality hit and her brief burst of happiness evaporated. The man she knew as Theo was searching for Edward and Charles— his job was to arrest the perpetrators not protect them from justice. She could see no way out of this, no happy ending. If he did his duty and condemned Charles and Edward to death she would never forgive him. But if he protected them his own life could be forfeit and that would be even worse.
She felt a familiar throbbing start over her right eye and knew she was getting a megrim. She rang the bell and when Annie came in she sent her to fetch John and Jane. She would tell the whole to them and maybe between them they could come up with a solution. She prayed fervently there was a way out that didn’t put anyone’s life at risk.
When she had finished her sorry sto
ry neither John nor Jane spoke. She handed the opened oil-skin package to John but as his knowledge of French was non-existent he gleaned nothing from the writing.
‘If you’re quite sure these are not the innocent letters Charles and Edward thought they were delivering then there’s only one action that can be taken.’ Marianne waited for John to tell her. ‘I’ll take these down to Sir Theodore, tell him everything; if he is the man you say he is he will come up with something that satisfies his masters and keeps the Grierson boys out of trouble.’
‘Oh, John, do you think so? It’s exactly what I was going to suggest but I wished to hear your views before I spoke.’
‘If I travel post, Miss Marianne, I should be in Essex by early this evening. Master Edward doesn’t return until the day after tomorrow and with any luck all will be sorted by then.’ He stood up tucking the letters inside his jacket. ‘This means you’ll have no-one here to accompany you or drive you out as Billy and Tom are with Master Edward.’
‘Jane and I can manage. There are plenty of footmen here to walk with us if we go to the circulating library or for a stroll down New Bond Street.’
Reassured, he nodded. ‘Then I will make haste.’ He quickly embraced his wife and half bowed to Marianne.
She called him back. ‘I have just remembered something Edward told me. The letters cannot be delivered until the boat arrives and that won’t be for another four days. How shall I keep him here and away from harm until then?’
John frowned. ‘You’ll have to tell him the whole, I suppose. At least he’ll be out of the harm’s way.’
‘Very well, I shall do that. God speed, John.’
Marianne didn’t relish breaking such dark tidings to one so young and volatile. She dreaded to think what Edward’s reaction might be.
There was something she had to discuss with her maid. ‘Jane, I have a proposition to put to you. Would you consider becoming my companion instead of my dresser? Mr Sampson pointed out that when we go to the country I shall need a female companion and this was his suggestion. After all John is already my man of business.’
‘Well I never! I shall be delighted, Miss Marianne, indeed I shall. You have both Annie and Molly to do the chores. I would still like to help you dress, if that’s acceptable for a companion.’
‘I have no idea what’s acceptable or otherwise, we may decide for ourselves what suits. You’ve always been a friend, more a mother than ever my own was. You and John can dine with me once we’re established in our own house. That will be so much better.’ She stood up and another pleasant thought occurred to her. ‘If you’re to become my companion then you will need a whole new wardrobe. Your plain grey and blue dresses will not do.’
‘New clothes? Whatever next?’ Jane smiled. ‘At least shopping will take our minds of other things.’
They spent the day in and out of haberdashers, milliners, cobblers and drapers until Jane had all she needed. The materials were left with a mantua maker recommended by Mrs Sampson and then they were free to return. The two footmen and Annie staggered behind burdened with a variety of parcels.
Mrs Sampson greeted them on their way upstairs. ‘Oh there you are, my dear, a card has come inviting you to attend the opera tomorrow night. Do you have a suitable gown? It will be a grand affair, you know.’
‘I do, Mrs Sampson, thank you. In fact, I have three evening gowns and a ball gown.’
‘Excellent. I thought you might, I have noticed how well turned out you are. I did not know it was possible to be so a la mode if you resided in the country.’ Mrs Sampson made the country sound as remote as the furthest steppes of Russia.
As she settled down in her fine chambers for her second night in London Marianne wasn’t sure how she felt about anything. The man she loved had a good reason for not offering for her but it didn’t explain why he had behaved so ungallantly in the first place.
He had treated her like a common jade or his mistress, not a respectable young woman. This must mean he didn’t think of her as a possible wife only a girl to offer carte blanche to. She didn’t want him on those terms and she resigned herself to becoming an old maid.
*
John made excellent time travelling post but resented paying a shilling a mile for the privilege. He arrived at the Red Lion in Colchester by mid-afternoon and was able to hire a jobbing hack although he thought the cost exorbitant.
‘I could buy the blooming nag for what I paid to have him for a day or two,’ he told the groom who came to attend him when he finally arrived at Bentley Hall at a time most respectable folk were eating their dinner.
He stomped up the steps and followed the butler in having been informed, somewhat testily, that Sir Theodore was dressing. The butler wasn’t sure into which category John came - honoured guest or tradesman so asked him to wait in a small room beside the front door.
John paced the chamber, the packet burning a hole in his pocket. Now he knew exactly what sort of person Sir Theodore was he did not expect the coming interview to be pleasant. If as both he and Jane suspected this gentleman reciprocated Miss Marianne’s affections the news that she had become, however unwittingly, embroiled in treachery would not be received well.
He grinned. At least he had had no part in it but he would not like to be in Edward’s boots when Sir Theodore caught up with him.
The door opened and Sir Theodore rushed in. ‘Mr Smith, I had not thought to see you again so soon. I hope Miss Devenish is not unwell?’
‘No, sir, she is in blooming health though not in the best of spirits as you might imagine.’
‘I am relieved to hear you say so. Come through to the study. I will delay dinner until you have said your piece.’
John plunged straight in with the information that the Grierson boys had been the unwitting bearers of traitorous material. Theo swore long and comprehensively.
‘It’s a bloody good thing I didn’t know this when I spoke to Edward or he would not have left here upright.’ He ran his hands distractedly through his hair. ‘God knows how I can sort this out without someone dangling on the end of a rope.’ He glared at John as if he were directly responsible for the catastrophe. ‘I will take the letters.’ He held out an imperative hand.
He unwrapped the parcel and removed one of the sheets and scanned the contents. His face contorted with rage. ‘The bastards! If this had got through thousands of Wellington’s troops could have been slaughtered. Where are they getting their information from? There has to be someone at Horse Guards involved in this.’
‘Miss Marianne mentioned an émigré, the Duc of something or other as the person who contacted Charles. If you can get him then he might lead you to the spymaster,’ John offered.
‘I need to think. I can make no decisions at the moment. You will stay here until the matter is sorted.’ This was an order not a request.
John had been planning to return by mail coach the next morning but wisely refrained from saying so. ‘Yes sir. I thought I would go into the village for my supper and hear what’s being said about Miss Devenish. She’s concerned about scandal following her to Town.’
Sir Theodore glared and John stepped back. ‘I’ll have a tray sent up to your room. It will not be necessary for you to go out again this evening.’
John not easily intimidated, flushed slightly and nodded. ‘Thank you, sir, that is most thoughtful.’
‘I shall talk to you first thing tomorrow. Tell you what I plan to do. You will not go out until I have spoken to you.’
*
The footman escorted John upstairs and then continued to Theo’s apartments to request that Vincent come down to the study immediately. Theo spread out all the letters on the desk and began to read them systematically, making notes as he did so. Vincent joined him.
He took one look at Theo’s face and knew there was something wrong. He walked over and peered down the letters. ‘God’s teeth! What is this? How did you intercept these, your grace?’
Theo told him and Vincent swor
e again. ‘Have you any idea how you’re going to sort this mess out?’
‘I am beginning to. Tell me what you think. I intend to copy these, replacing the damaging
information with erroneous details. Then all we have to do is hand the false papers over on Friday.’
‘How can you explain your possession of them? And who is going to be the courier?’
‘I haven’t got that far, I’m working on it. But at least the substitution could turn this to our advantage.’
The first cockerels were crowing when Theo sat back yawned and rubbed his hands over his bristly chin. ‘My plan will work. I’m certain of it.’ He pushed back his chair and stood, stretching his arms and yawning again. ‘There’s little point in retiring. A change of garments, a bath and a shave will revive me.’
‘There will be no hot water at this time, your grace.’
‘No matter, I can stick my head under the yard pump, it won’t be the first time I’ve done that.’
In the yard he stripped of his soiled white shirt and stripped to the waist whilst Vincent pumped vigorously. Theo, in his breeches and boots immersed himself in the icy water. He shook his head spraying drops over a curious yard cat which hissed angrily and stalked away in feline indignation.
‘That’s much better. Can I return the favour, Vincent?’
His man declined the offer and laughing they returned to the house. Dressed in fresh clothes and clean-shaven Theo went back to the study; he had further painstaking hours of work ahead of him if he was to complete his forgeries in time.
He had asked for breakfast to be served as soon as it was ready; he had eaten little the night before and his stomach was growling angrily. He was sitting behind a heaped plate when John came in.
‘Good morning, sir. I was directed here, but will eat elsewhere if you prefer.’
‘No, come in, Smith. I’ll tell you what I plan to do whilst we eat.’
John listened carefully. ‘So you want me to dress up as Charles Grierson and deliver the forged letters on Friday night?’