Lord Hawkridge's Secret

‘No, it was Sir George Maynard, as it happens. I believe I mentioned I called to see him yesterday. When he discovered I was acquainted with you, it—er—came up in the conversation.’ Sebastian paused to study the delicate profile once more. ‘It must have been very distressing for you, Em.’

‘It certainly wasn’t a pleasant experience,’ she admitted. ‘He came stumbling out of Kempton Wood, just a little further along this road. I thought I’d hit him at first, but then I discovered he’d been shot.’

‘He wasn’t dead, then, when you found him?’

‘No, but he died shortly afterwards. At first Finn thought it might be a trap, but we didn’t see anyone else about. The man appeared to have sustained a beating before he was shot. The attack must have occurred sometime before we came along. None of us heard a firearm being discharged.’ Emily drew the curricle to a halt as they arrived at the spot where the incident occurred. ‘Somehow, though, the poor devil managed to summon up sufficient strength to get himself as far as the road. It was just about here.’

His lordship took a moment to gaze about him, before asking, ‘And he didn’t give a clue as to his own identity, or the identity of his assailants?’

It was at that moment, as she watched those shrewd grey eyes continue to scan the woodland off to the left, that it occurred to Emily that he was betraying an uncommon interest, and that perhaps far more lay behind the seemingly innocent questions than mere idle curiosity. ‘No, he didn’t. Why do you ask?’

When finally he returned his attention to her, there was something oddly disturbing in his gaze. ‘Would it surprise you to know that I still concern myself about you? If there is a lawless gang in the area, preying on the occasional hapless traveller, I shouldn’t wish for you to become the next victim. You are still very…precious to me, Em.’

She swallowed in an attempt to rid herself of the painful ache which had suddenly attacked her throat, and hurriedly turned her head to stare at the road ahead, lest her expression betray the depth of feeling she still retained for him. ‘I thank you for your concern, sir,’ she said at length, relieved to discover that her voice at least remained steady, ‘but I think in this case your anxiety is misplaced. I have not heard of any other such incidents in the locale in recent months. Besides which, I do not personally believe that he was set upon by scoundrels, bent on relieving him of any valuables he might have been carrying. I strongly suspect that he was killed for a completely different reason.’

Suddenly aware that Charles’s phaeton was some distance ahead, Emily instructed her bays to move off, and they were soon bowling along at a smart pace, proving to Sebastian that she could handle the team well, her hands light but in full control.

‘What makes you suppose that?’ he enquired, when she had successfully caught up with their friends and could concentrate once more on something other than her horses.

‘Oh, because of something he said to me before he died,’ she answered, having little difficulty in picking up the threads of their former conversation. ‘It didn’t make much sense at the time, but I’m beginning to think that it was some sort of code.’

‘Sounds mysterious,’ he declared, as they reached the outskirts of the thriving market town.

‘Yes, it is rather. He uttered three things before he died—kestrel, raven, 16th at midnight. Ravens Wood just happens to be the old name for Kempton Wood. It’s my belief he wanted “The Kestrel” to be in the wood tonight at midnight. But as I’ve no idea who this “Kestrel” might be, he’s destined, I fear, to miss the assignation.’

‘Yes, so it would seem,’ he agreed, sounding faintly bored with the subject now. ‘Ahh! It would appear that Charles has decided to stop for refreshments at the inn. Shall we be hospitable and join them? Then perhaps you’d allow me to take the ribbons on the return journey?’

‘Nervous, Hawk?’ she teased, easily relapsing into that wonderful camaraderie which had existed between them.

‘I have never been less so,’ he assured her, smiling in a way which made her foolish heart lurch painfully. ‘Finn has taught you well. However, at the risk of sounding pompous, I believe there are one or two small pointers I can teach you that you might find of value.’

It was some time later, after she had arrived back at her grandfather’s house, and Charles and Sebastian had taken their leave, that Emily began to dwell upon what had been a surprisingly enjoyable impromptu visit to Kempton, and once again began to feel a little suspicious about Sebastian’s interest in what had taken place by the wood two weeks before. It might, of course, have been nothing more than idle curiosity, and she didn’t doubt that he had been genuinely sincere when he had voiced concerns for her safety, but even so she couldn’t rid herself of the niggling suspicion that there had been more to his interrogation than mere inquisitiveness.

Leaving Sarah to pore over the latest fashion journals in the front parlour, Emily invaded the privacy of her grandfather’s sanctum. She had never made a habit of doing so during the years she had resided in his house, but it was not totally unknown for her to sit with him from time to time, quietly reading a book. When she made no attempt to select something of interest, and merely seated herself in the chair beside his desk, her somewhat taciturn grandsire did elect to abandon the paper he was perusing long enough to enquire what she wanted.

‘You haven’t come here to ask me more questions about rooks and ravens, kestrels and hawks, have you, by any chance?’

‘No, Grandpapa, I just…What did you say?’ An amazing possibility having suddenly occurred to her, Emily raised her eyes to the feathered specimens in their glass cases. ‘Kestrels and hawks…hawks and kestrels,’ she repeated, rising so abruptly to her feet that the chair she had been sitting on almost toppled over. ‘Oh, what a fool I’ve been! I should have realised at once. Of course, that’s it!’

Leaving her grandfather to stare after her in some astonishment, Emily whisked herself out of the room and returned to the parlour, where Sarah betrayed no less surprise when informed that her help was urgently required.

‘Heavens, Emily! Whatever is the matter?’

‘I’ve been a fool, that’s what the matter is! I should have guessed…I should have realised at once!’ She began to pace up and down, cursing herself under her breath for being such a simpleton. ‘I should have known that he didn’t come down here just to attend Drusilla’s birthday party. She isn’t his type, unless his tastes have changed drastically. And I do not believe now that they have! No, he came here for an entirely different reason. And I’m determined to prove that I’m right!’

Sarah placed the fashion journal to one side. ‘What on earth are you talking about?’

‘I haven’t time to explain now. I’ve too much to think about, and it will take careful planning. Finn mustn’t discover what I’m up to.’ Blue eyes narrowed suspiciously. ‘Yes, and that’s another thing I’m determined to sort out, because unless I much mistake the matter, there’s more to his being here too!’

Sarah was all at sea and it plainly showed, but Emily refused to satisfy her curiosity for the present. ‘Listen, Sarah,’ she interrupted, ‘there’s something I must do, and I need your help. I seem to remember your saying not so long ago that you came upon a trunk or two of old clothes belonging to Charles in one of the attic rooms. I want you to go over to the Hall and search among them to see if you can discover anything that will fit me—trousers, shirt, jacket…Oh, and a hat, if there is one.’

If possible Sarah looked more bewildered than before. ‘Why, whatever are you planning to do?’

‘I’m planning to sneak out of the house tonight for a couple of hours or so,’ Emily willingly divulged, much to her companion’s further astonishment. ‘I need you to lock the door after I’ve gone and let me back in when you hear my signal. I’ll throw some gravel up at your window, something like that. We can plan all that later. The important thing now is to get you over to the Hall, so I’ll go round to the stables and order the carriage made ready.’

‘Are you not coming too?’

Emily shook her head vigorously. ‘It doesn’t require two of us to search through a couple of trunks. Besides, I dare not risk coming face to face with Hawk. He’d know I was up to something. He always knew when I was planning anything when I was a child, confound him! Don’t be fooled by that lazy manner of his, as I’m ashamed to admit I was briefly,’ she warned. ‘He’s as astute as ever he was. Believe me, little escapes his notice. So be on your guard, and avoid him if you can.’

‘I’ll be careful,’ Sarah assured her. ‘But what are you planning to do in the meantime?’

‘I intend to bask in the sunshine of my grandfather’s approval by offering to clean his silver-handled duelling pistols. He won’t be suspicious. I’ve done it before. Then I’ll load one of them and take it with me tonight. Only as a precaution, you understand?’

Sarah was secretly impressed. ‘Good gracious! Who taught you to do that?’

‘Hawk did. He taught me many things, including never to accept people at face value.’ Her smile was distinctly tender. ‘That is a lesson I shall try never to forget again.’

‘Why the house seems positively deserted!’ Charles announced, entering his library to discover just Lord Hawkridge, comfortably established in a chair by the hearth and perusing the most recent edition of the Morning Post. ‘Most guests have already left, and the few remaining intend to leave tomorrow. I’m glad you’ve decided to stay on for a few days.’

‘I’m enjoying the country air,’ Sebastian assured him, without bothering to raise his head from between the printed sheets.

After settling himself in the chair opposite, Charles regarded his friend in silence for a moment. ‘As I mentioned before, I’m rather surprised you spend so much time in the capital. Since you came into the title, you’ve rarely left the place.’

‘One must be seen, m’dear,’ was the languid response.

‘Cut line, old chap!’ Charles ordered, as unimpressed by the affected drawl as Emily had been. ‘You don’t fool me. You care as much for grand social occasions as I do myself. Although I must admit I did enjoy our party.’

‘Yes, I could see that you did,’ Sebastian responded, the folds of the newspaper hiding his amused grin. ‘Your cousin Sarah is a charming young woman.’

‘She’s an absolute treasure! Don’t know how we ever managed before she came to live with us. Mama has never been what one might call efficient at running a household. I’ve known for quite some time that Sarah has dealt with most aspects of the day-to-day running of this place. And damnably competent she is too!’

‘A pearl beyond price, then, wouldn’t you say?’ his lordship responded, before an item of news caught his attention. ‘And speaking of pearls, Lady Westbury’s famous necklace was found—er—missing several weeks ago, and has not turned up. There’s a reward being offered for its safe return. How interesting! It would appear that the Season has started earlier this year.’

Sir Charles wasn’t granted the opportunity to enquire precisely what his friend had meant, for the door opened and his sister came tripping lightly into the room, complaining as she did so that Lord Hawkridge had been neglecting her that day, and reminding him in the next breath of his promise to accompany her for a stroll in the garden.

‘Good heavens, Drusilla!’ her brother exclaimed testily. ‘How many beaux do you want languishing after you at any one time? Cedric Granger and Percy Lemmington have been dancing attendance upon you all day.’

Sebastian had little difficulty in recognising when a spoilt beauty’s feathers had been slightly ruffled. Miss Drusilla Deverel was a young lady accustomed to having her own way and not having her actions criticised by other members of her family. Charles, it seemed, irritated by something, had no intention on this occasion of pandering to her whims. It would have afforded Sebastian the utmost pleasure to do likewise, for pampered young women had never figured high on the list of those with whom he desired to spend much time. Notwithstanding, in this instance he was quite prepared to bear Miss Drusilla company for twenty minutes or so, most especially as it would grant him the opportunity afterwards of slipping unobtrusively away in order to put certain measures into effect.

Consequently he didn’t hesitate to place the newspaper down on the table beside his chair and rise to his feet. ‘No, no, Charles, a promise is a promise. Never let it be said that Sebastian Hawkridge was not a man of his word.’

‘No one would ever accuse you of that,’ Charles assured him, before the sound of wheels on gravel reached his ears. ‘Now who is that paying us a call, do you suppose?’

‘It is someone leaving,’ Sebastian enlightened him, after glancing out of the window in time to see the equipage moving away from the house.

‘I didn’t realise we’d had a visitor.’

‘Oh, it was only Sarah, Charles,’ his sister enlightened him. ‘No one of consequence. She was here only a short while. Came to collect something, I believe.’