Death at Knytte (21 page)

‘It’s not that. It’s the children. Rodney has hardly slept since that awful night, and Eliza isn’t much better. Dr Pencoe has given them something to make them sleep the clock round. That’s why I’m free to come out here. Annie’s sitting with them until dinner time, and for once I think she’s glad to do as she’s told. The whole house is in turmoil, although Mr Henson does his best to carry on as normal, as if the family had merely gone away for a few weeks. I know he’s worried about what the future will bring to Knytte. I gather there are no close relatives, except some very distant cousins in Scotland.’

‘You could find yourself alone and friendless, and quite soon,’ Jonah said, his frown deepening.

She smiled suddenly. ‘There’s another option.’

He brightened. ‘Would you come and join me later?’

The smile vanished. ‘No, I’m sorry, Jonah, I don’t think I’ll ever leave this country.’ Her cheeks flushed a little. ‘Mr Docket has asked me to marry him.’

‘Mr Docket?’ He looked astonished, and it took him a moment to find his voice again. ‘I hardly know what to say, except to congratulate you, of course.’

‘That wouldn’t be appropriate,’ she said, and the smile reappeared. ‘I turned him down, though I’m afraid he may repeat the offer. He’s so terribly young.’

‘But he must be as old as you.’

‘Exactly.’ She half turned, to look at the lake again. ‘The trouble is, Jonah, there’s another man, one I’d have answered differently.’ She was silent but only for a moment. When she looked back at her cousin Phoebe was completely in control of herself. ‘I’ll say no more. It was only a silly dream. I’m a governess, and for the moment Master Rodney Pengoar and his sister are in need of me. That will suffice.’

Jonah hugged her. ‘Dear Phoebe, I’ll only say that I hope the future is kind, whatever it brings. You’ll keep in touch with me? I could leave you a little money, enough to pay your fare in case you change your mind.’

‘No. Thank you, I’ve a little money put by. I promise I’ll write, as long as you let me know where to address my letters.’

The inquests into the deaths of Lord and Lady Pickhurst and Victor Mortleigh were over. An avid public devoured lurid newspaper accounts of the affair, and the court was crowded when Tomms appeared, although their most bloodthirsty appetites were not to be satisfied. Thanks to his eagerness to cooperate with the police, Tomms wasn’t being charged with the most serious offences. He was cleared of being involved in murder; Beddowes had made light of the valet’s part in the attack on the road, in exchange for the information that had led to the recovery of so much of Mortleigh’s loot. Nevertheless, Sir Martin’s judgement was considered lenient, when Tomms was sentenced to five years hard labour.

Docket met Beddowes outside the court and ushered him through the crowd to where the carriage waited. ‘Sir Martin will be engaged for several hours yet,’ the secretary said. ‘I’m to take you wherever you wish.’

Beddowes gave the young man a searching look; he had been quiet on their last meeting but now he looked positively downcast. ‘My bag’s at Clowmoor,’ Beddowes said. ‘If I’d brought it with me I could have caught a train back to town this afternoon.’

Docket seemed to be wrestling with some deep thought, his face going through a plethora of emotions. ‘I rather expected you might want to call at Knytte.’

‘Knytte?’

‘To see Miss Drake.’ Docket stared out of the window as he spoke, and his voice was almost sepulchral in tone. ‘If I didn’t have such respect for you, I should take it very hard,’ the young man went on.

‘I don’t understand,’ Beddowes said, though he found his heart was suddenly beating faster.

‘Then I’ll be plain. I asked Miss Drake to do me the honour of becoming my wife,’ Docket said. ‘Being an honest and plain speaking young woman, she gave me a direct answer. She turned me down.’

‘What does that have to do with me?’ Beddowes asked. Breathing seemed to have become a little difficult.

‘I’m not a fool,’ Docket said, ‘though it took me a day or two to realize the truth. Miss Drake was hoping to be borne in another pair of arms when she was carried out of the ice house. I should have realized sooner. She hung on every word Sir Martin said when he spoke of you. Her thoughts were all of you, and whether you’d returned safely after your encounter with Tomms. She seemed shocked when she heard of your speedy departure for London.’

Sergeant Beddowes stared at the young man for several seconds. ‘I’m sorry for your disappointment, Mr Docket, I truly am,’ he said, but he couldn’t suppress a smile. ‘You’ve acted in a very gentlemanly fashion, and I’m grateful.’ He put his head out of the window and bellowed at the coachman. ‘Take us to Knytte.’

Bury in Haste

Deadlier Than the Sword

More Deaths Than One

Lost Innocents

Gone Astray