Forsters 04 - Romancing the Runaway (9 page)

“Well,” Darius said. “If I was asked to name someone in the legal profession who would willingly perpetuate a fraud, Nesbitt would be one of my first choices. I’ve never liked the man. Can’t say why precisely. There’s just something about him that doesn’t sit comfortably with me.” He waved one hand from side to side. “Sorry I can’t be of more help.”

“No, you’ve been a great help in confirming what I already suspected. Peacock and Nesbitt between them are trying to defraud Miss Cantrell of her rightful inheritance. All that remains for me to establish is why.”

“I’ll do a little discreet digging, if you like. Ask around. See if anyone knows anything more about the man’s activities.”

“Thank you, Darius, but don’t put yourself to too much trouble. If he’s doing something fraudulent, I don’t suppose he’d be mutton-headed enough to broadcast the fact.”

“Perhaps not, but the Bailey is a hotbed of gossip and it’s usually surprisingly accurate. I’ll have my clerk keep an ear out.”

“That would be helpful.”

“So,” Darius said, stretching his legs in front of him and grinning. “This Miss Cantrell of yours. Is she pretty? My mother liked her immediately.”

“Darius, she’s a child, just eighteen.”

“Old enough.”

Gabe rolled his eyes. “You’re starting to sound like Flick.”

“And you didn’t answer my question.”

“She’s…interesting.”

Darius laughed. “Now you’ve really made me curious.”

“All right, she’s strong-willed, disobedient, out of her depth and scared half out of her wits.”

“But she has you to help her now.” Darius flashed a wry smile. “That must be a comfort.”

“That’s as may be.” Gabe paused. “I’d be grateful if you didn’t repeat any of this in Flick’s hearing. You know what conclusions she’ll jump to if she learns of it.”

“Who do you think told me that Hal needed a favour in the first place?”

Gabe groaned. “She was at Grosvenor Street when my letter arrived?”

“Afraid so.”

“Then I’m doomed.”

“You’ve decided against Beth?” Darius asked, sobering. “Tell me to mind my own business if you like, but your sudden exodus from town got Flick wondering.”

“I’m fond of Beth, but not so fond that I’m ready to get myself leg-shackled. That being the case, I thought it better to leave the field clear for others. I wouldn’t hold her back.”

“She spends a lot of time with Falzone,” Darius said. “According to Flick, he makes her laugh and she shares his interest in botany.”

“I’m glad.” Gabe was pleased when no spikes of jealousy disturbed his digestion. “And now I should be going. The weather’s pretty wild out there.”

“Where can I contact you if I have any news of Nesbitt?”

Gabe gave Darius the address of the Wildes. “Why do you suppose Nesbitt keeps the trust document relating to Miss Cantrell’s inheritance in a locked strongbox?”

“There could be any number of reasons for that. Important documents are often kept in fireproof boxes.”

“But it seems there are plenty of arguably more important papers in Nesbitt’s office that aren’t protected in such a way.”

“If Nesbitt’s acting fraudulently then he wouldn’t want anyone else seeing the evidence. If asked, of course, he’d say he was keeping it safe because it’s the only copy, whereas the unprotected documents could easily have duplicates with other trustees.”

“Wouldn’t Peacock have a copy?”

“Probably not. Nesbitt drew up the legal document and has control of the estate and funds until she’s twenty-one, is that right?”

Gabe nodded. “Yes.”

“Peacock agreed to be her guardian and gets paid for looking after her. That’s the beginning and end of the matter as far as he’s concerned.” Darius frowned. “What additional information do you hope to gain by actually seeing the document?”

Gabe stood with his back to the fire, hands clasped behind him, as he considered the question. “Peacock and Nesbitt are desperate to marry Miss Cantrell off so they can get control of the property for reasons I have yet to conjecture. If they fail in that endeavour, I’d very much like to know who gets the property should Miss Cantrell die before she reaches her majority.”

Darius’s head snapped up. “You think they might try to kill her?”

Gabe ground his jaw. “That’s precisely what I think.”

Chapter Nine

Miranda rose at first light, fully rested and anxious to be on her way. As soon as he heard her stirring, Tobias uncurled himself from in front of the dwindling fire, stood up and shook. Miranda abstractedly scratched his ears.

“You’ll have to be on your very best behaviour today,” she warned him. “We’re going on an adventure and you mustn’t make a nuisance of yourself.”

Woof!

“Good, just so long as we understand one another.”

Tobias wagged furiously, which Miranda chose to take as a positive sign. She moved to the ewer, discovering that a whole day of being idle had had a beneficial effect on her ankle. She could place her full weight on it without experiencing more than mild discomfort.

The wind rattled against the window panes and howled round the chimneys, but when she pulled back a curtain she saw that at least the snow had stopped. They would be in for a rough trip but the desire to return home overcame any misgivings about the journey.

“Ah, you’re up already.” Jessie bustled in carrying a tray bearing Miranda’s breakfast, which immediately caught Tobias’s attention. “Down with you, you brute,” she said good-naturedly. “Cook has some scraps for you in the kitchen.”

Tobias woofed and disappeared through the open door.

“The snow’s stopped but it’s as cold as the devil outside,” Jessie said.

“Snow would be better than wind. It’s not usually windy when it’s snowing. Still, there’s not much we can do about that. Make sure you wear your warmest clothes, Jessie. It will be cold on the boat.”

“Mr. Munford said it will be quite cosy below decks because of the warmth from the galley stove.”

“They have one on the marquess’s boat?” Miranda raised a brow, surprised. “It must be a very grand vessel.”

“The marquess isn’t one to do things by half. Munford’s been on board and he says there’s a sheet-iron stove surrounded by pipes that get red hot.” Jessie frowned. “Sounds right dangerous to me, but apparently it’s perfectly safe. It even provides hot water. Just imagine having hot water constantly available on a boat. Whatever next?”

Miranda smiled as she quickly consumed her breakfast. “Make sure you eat something yourself, Jessie. You’re less likely to feel queasy if you have something to fill your stomach.”

“Don’t you worry about me, miss. I’m indestructible and more than ready to set out on this adventure.”

Miranda followed her own advice and dressed in her warmest undergarments before donning her trusty habit. There would be ladders to climb, she imagined, and that feat would be more elegantly accomplished if she had the benefit of a divided skirt. She wiggled her toes inside her new boots. They were warm and snug, for which she was grateful. She squashed her straw bonnet onto her curls and tied it firmly beneath her chin. It was better suited to a summer stroll than a boat journey in the middle of winter, but there was no help for that. She intended to wear her cloak over her habit and could pull the hood over her head and bonnet alike when the need arose.

She grabbed her gloves and the reticule containing her precious treasures and ventured downstairs. She encountered Lord Gabriel just as he vacated the breakfast parlour, Tobias at his heels.

“How did he get in there?” she asked no one in particular.

“Good morning, Miss Cantrell,” Lord Gabriel said courteously. “Tobias was good enough to pay me a visit as I was breaking my fast. We had an interesting discussion about this and that.”

Miranda inwardly groaned. Tobias would sell his soul for a share of his breakfast and probably hadn’t behaved as well as he should have. She didn’t dare to look at his lordship’s boots for fear of seeing doggy drool all over them.

“Oh dear,” she said, covering her mouth with her hand to prevent a giggle from escaping.

“He’s a good listener. Very discreet.”

Miranda ignored the wretched fizzing that sprang to life the moment she saw Lord Gabriel looking so…well, so robust. She also tried valiantly to ignore the devilish light in his eyes, wondering what it was that he was really saying. She sensed it had nothing to do with Tobias’s behaviour. She also tried not to mind that her host had gone out of his way to avoid her for the entire previous day. Why shouldn’t he? She was inconveniencing him quite enough as it was, and surely he had more important matters to concern himself with than her entertainment.

“I hope Tobias didn’t make a nuisance of himself. I did tell him not to venture from the kitchen, but if he smelled cooked bacon I don’t suppose he remembered his manners. He’s very partial to bacon, you see. And sausages, and, well…” Miranda spread her hands, thinking it a waste of breath to complete her explanation. If Tobias had spent any amount of time in that breakfast room, Lord Gabriel would already know that his appetite was bottomless.

Lord Gabriel laughed and scratched Tobias’s ears. “I think he wished to make himself useful.”

“I’m not going to ask how he achieved that ambition.”

“Probably better not to.” His lordship grimaced. “I wish I could say we had fine weather to speed us on our journey.”

“I realise you like to be in control, but even you can’t be held responsible for the weather.”

“That’s true.” He smiled at her. “Do you have everything you need?”

“Thank you, yes. Jessie has kitted me out extensively. I owe you a thousand thanks for your generosity.”

“Think nothing of it.”

“But that’s just the thing. I think a very great deal about it.” She elevated her chin and met his gaze. “I should be a sorry excuse for a guest if I took such kindness for granted.”

Surprise flitted across his features. Then a tiny smile flirted with the corners of his lips, as though her response had amused him. “If you’ll excuse me, the carriage will be here directly and there are a few last-minute details to attend to.”

He strode off somewhere, barking orders. She saw her valise being toted by Munford, along with another bag that she assumed belonged to his lordship. Jessie appeared, bundled up in some rather strange-looking garments, two shawls tossed over a cloak several sizes too large for her that flapped around her rotund body, giving her the appearance of an anxious mother hen. Her earlier optimism already showed signs of strain in her dubious expression.

“I do hope his lordship knows what he’s doing, going off by sea in these conditions,” she said, peering up at the slate-grey sky. “Wouldn’t it be better to delay until the conditions improve?”

There is no time to delay.
Mr.
Peacock will find me if I dally.
“Don’t worry, Jessie. I’m sure we’ll be fine.”

The sound of wheels on the frosty gravel alerted them to the arrival of the carriage. The horses’ breath steamed in billows in the frigid air as they stamped their feet, making their harnesses jingle when they tossed their heads. Jessie helped Miranda with her cloak. Miranda pulled her gloves on, ensured she had her precious reticule safe, and walked through the front door.

The wind was even stronger than she’d realised but she said nothing about it, aware that Jessie was already a bundle of nerves. Lord Gabriel appeared, wearing his greatcoat, and handed her into the carriage. Jessie clambered in behind her and his lordship and Munford sat opposite them, their backs to the horses. The last of the luggage was strapped into the boot, Lord Gabriel tapped on the roof, and they were away. Miranda craned her neck to catch a last glance of the magnificent Hall as they made their way down the long driveway, wondering if she’d ever see it again.

The ride into Denby was a short one and they passed no other vehicles on the road. No one else, it seemed, was foolhardy enough to be abroad at such an early hour in such vile weather. Miranda pretended not to notice, concentrating her mind upon the Wildes instead, impatient to be home again. She wondered what she’d find there when she arrived. A clue—something—to explain her guardian’s sudden desire to get his greedy hands on the place would surely present itself.

“Here we are,” Lord Gabriel said.

The carriage rattled to a halt outside the Boar’s Head. Even that establishment seemed deserted, although smoke billowed from the chimney and she caught a glimpse of lads moving about in the mews behind. Their driver let down the steps and Lord Gabriel alighted. Tobias scampered from the carriage at his heels, so attached to his new friend that Miranda wondered if he’d forgotten who she was.

“Traitor!” she whispered as Lord Gabriel offered her his hand and helped her down.

“I beg your pardon, Miss Cantrell. Did you say something?”

“Nothing important.” She breathed a lungful of frigid air and rubbed her gloved hands briskly together. “How do we get to
The Celandine?
”

“Wright should be here with the wherry.”

She followed Lord Gabriel’s glance along the shingle beach and saw the vessel in question waiting in the shallows, a short distance away.

“Come along then.” Lord Gabriel offered her his arm, for which Miranda was grateful. Her new boots slipped on the damp shingle, placing unwelcome pressure on her ankle.

Jessie followed directly behind, huffing and puffing to keep up with them. Two crew members appeared to help Munford with the luggage. Tobias jumped into the wherry with an enthusiastic woof that made them all laugh, clearly anxious not to be left behind.

“He must remember the seafaring adventures we had with Papa when we still lived in Cornwall,” Miranda said, wondering if he dog knew they were going home and was as excited by the prospect as she was.

Miranda took the seat Lord Gabriel directed her to on the bench in the middle of the small boat, Jessie beside her. Lord Gabriel sat in the bow, presumably so that he, rather than she and Jessie, would be in the direct line of fire if, as appeared likely, waves broke over the bow. The boat was pushed away from the shore and the oarsmen made slow progress, fighting against the heavy swell that pushed them back towards the shore. Water indeed splashed over the bow but didn’t appear to penetrate Lord Gabriel’s thick layers of clothing.

Eventually the wherry reached
The Celandine
, pulling up on her port side, which, thankfully, was in the lee of the wind.

“What about Tobias?” Miranda asked, looking up dubiously for what seemed like forever to where the rope ladder they were required to climb was attached to the deck.

“Don’t worry, I already thought of that.” As Lord Gabriel spoke, a canvas sling was lower over the side of the boat.

“He’ll never get in that thing!”

“Of course he will.”

Lord Gabriel gathered Tobias in his arms and placed him in the sling. She wondered at his strength. Tobias was a large dog, and very heavy, but Lord Gabriel carried him with apparent ease. All to no avail because the sling was too small. Tobias had been placed flat on his belly but his limbs protruded from either end. Before they could haul him up, he was bound to wiggle out of that uncomfortable position and fall into the frigid sea.

“Lord help us, miss,” Jessie said. “I hope they don’t plan to haul me up in that thing. It would take six hulking sailors to bear my weight.”

Miranda suppressed a smile at the image which sprang to mind. “No, Jessie, I think we’re expected to climb the ladder.”

“Saints alive, I can’t be expected to climb ladders at my time of life.”

“I thought you were ready for an escapade.”

“Yes well, perhaps being adventurous isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.”

Miranda, concerned for Tobias, patted Jessie’s hand abstractedly. “It will be fine.”

Jessie snorted. “Easy for you to say, miss. You’re just a mere slip of a thing, whereas I…well, I’m no longer in my prime.”

“Lord Gabriel won’t let anything happen to you.”

“No, I don’t suppose he will…well, not intentionally, at any rate.”

“Comfortable, old chap?” Lord Gabriel asked, laughing at poor Tobias’s predicament. “Come along then.” With an athletic bound, he leapt onto the lowest rung of the ladder and began to climb. Tobias was hauled towards the deck, his nose on a level with Lord Gabriel’s face the entire time. The wretched creature wagged like crazy and didn’t once try to move. Before Miranda could blink, man and dog were safely aboard. She was unsure whether she wanted to laugh or scold Lord Gabriel for giving her such a fright.

“Your turn, ladies,” he called from the deck.

“Up you go, Jessie,” Miranda said in a coaxing voice. “I’ll be right behind you.”

A sailor held the ladder for her. Another gave her backside a hefty push when she hesitated. “Don’t you be taking no liberties, now,” she scolded, as she tied her skirts between her legs, took a deep, rattling breath and grabbed the ladder with both hands. “And no looking at my ankles, either,” she added, turning to scowl at the hapless sailor behind her.

“No danger of that, love. My dad’s cart horse has got shapelier ankles than yours.”

“Well, I never did!” Jessie appeared so incensed that she seemed to forget she was climbing a precarious ladder that swung to and fro against the side of a ship on a freezing February morning. One false step and she’d finish up in the frigid sea, and Miranda was willing to bet that she couldn’t swim. In spite of the danger to Jessie, whom Miranda held in the greatest affection, she couldn’t help seeing the funny side of things. She tried very hard not to laugh as the sailor climbed behind Jessie, watching out for her as they traded insults the entire way.

It was Miranda’s turn and she managed the ladder with comparative ease.

“Very nimbly done,” Lord Gabriel said, extending a hand to help her over the gunwales so she could join him on the deck.

“You seem to forget that I escaped Mr. Peacock’s establishment by climbing down a tree. This was child’s play by comparison.”

His lazy smile heated the icy air between them. “Yes, I suppose it must have been.”

Jessie had already disappeared below, shouting orders to Munford about the luggage. Mr. Wright was going about the business of preparing the ship for sea. Miranda waved to him and he returned the gesture but didn’t speak. She knew better than to interrupt him and stood on the poop deck with Lord Gabriel, watching the crew scurrying about as the ship slipped her anchorage and the sails were hauled. As soon as they cleared the bluff, the headsail filled with wind and they were on their way.