Shadowed by Sin (14 page)

Just what in the world were the earl’s son and nephew going on about? He’d have to ask about a further detailed background on the two when he sat down with the inspector.

Benedict had heard enough. Refusing to listen to any more nonsense, he ascended the stairs, continuing on to visit with his travelling companions. He stopped outside their door and knocked several times before Estelle’s aunt opened the door.

“Lord St. John; how nice of you to join us. We just rang for tea. I hope you will accompany us.”

“I think I will, but only for a short while. I thought I would take some time and see how you ladies are faring.”

Estelle’s aunt ushered him in, offering him a seat at the round table between the window and the fireplace, their view the north side of the property and where they had spent part of the morning outdoors at the cemetery. In fact, anyone who had a room on this side of the house would have been able to see it clearly.

He could see the crypt off in the distance, and the crumbling remains of what could have been a chapel. Benedict also was able to see part of the garden, as he watched the cook and one of the kitchen help rifling through the garden's contents. He could not help but wonder who else had a room in this wing, and who might have seen them. If anyone did indeed see them venturing off in an area they weren’t supposed to, they could soon find themselves booted off the property.

“Tell me, ladies, who else has a room in this wing?”

Estelle looked at him, perplexed. “I have no idea. Although, now that you mention it, I thought I heard some maids leaving a room at the end of the hall and referred to it as the master’s room. I doubt that it came from the earl’s room. One would have to assume they were either making reference to George or Edwin.”

Interesting.

After happening upon their conversation at the bottom of the stairs, their whispering led him to conclude those two were up to mischief. Benedict had a sneaking suspicion that the earl’s nephew might be the one who used the secret passageway in his fiancée’s room, but how could he prove it? Nevertheless, he would go over his suspicions with the inspector and see what they could find out.

As far as he deduced, the lot could not be trusted. Before he left, he had to catch Edwin alone and see how much he knew of his uncle’s plan for him. But first, he had to post a letter right away.

“Well, my dears, I should probably tell you I need to leave for a day or two at daybreak. I will be arranging for a coach to pick you up and take you to London.”

“Must you go so soon? Why can we not travel with you, Ben?” Estelle whined.

He could see the hint of fear in her eyes.

Her aunt looked at him sympathetically. “Quit that childish behavior, Estelle. Lord St. John obviously has business that requires attention. My dear boy, if you must, then do what is necessary. And do not worry about the arrangements. I am quite capable of organizing a coach myself.”

“While that is not necessary, I do appreciate your offer. No, just leave it to me. On that note, ladies, I think I will head to my room now and send word to my father regarding my departure. As it turns out, the earl wishes for his son to take over the business of managing the accounts and the family’s various estates. He has requested my father to train the boy, so I reckon it best I give him a bit of warning.”

Both ladies scowled at him like he had magically grown another head.

“I know exactly what you are both thinking, and I agree. The earl has made it clear that he plans to compensate my father well, and provide him with an excellent reference. However, I can see what his motivation was in inviting us here this week. If that was not strange enough, I have been requested to find his nephew employment. Apparently, he doesn’t want the lad here anymore, and I suspect there is more to the story than he is divulging.”

“That is quite odd. If the boy is troubled like he implied at breakfast, no employer in their right mind would consider him,” Estelle added.

Benedict knew the challenge ahead of him would test him sorely, but what choice did he have in the matter? Ever since that blissful evening when Estelle appeared in his room, he had relieved himself every night. He longed to hold her, but knew all too well, the proper thing would be to wait.

He entered his room and found it in complete disarray. His personal belongings were strewn across the floor. Benedict supposed that nothing would surprise him at this point, yet the moment he discovered a dismembered finger placed on his pillow, his hands trembled. Heat flushed through his body, and his pulse raced. Benedict couldn’t remember the last time he’d be this furious.

When will this madness ever end?

Benedict rang for a servant, who swiftly appeared in the chamber. “How can I be of assistance, sir?”

“Well, for starters, you can remove this finger and replace the pillow at once. Oh, and you might as well summon his lordship, too. This has gone far enough.”

“Y—yes, sir. Right away, my lord.”

Benedict had been tempted to tidy up the mess himself, but thought against the matter. He did a turn around the room, scouring it for clues as to who might have been there, until he came across a note strategically placed on the mantle of the fireplace; he reached for it and read it aloud.

I know what you are planning. Consider this a warning. You are next.

“Good God, man! What happened here?” the earl questioned, walking deeper into his room.

“Did your servant explain a finger had been placed on my pillow, and I just found this note?” Benedict passed the note to the earl and awaited his reply. Only he did not get one. Instead, his lordship tossed the card into the low burning fire.

Benedict’s eyes widened, and the sudden urge to yell rose to the surface. “Why in God’s name did you destroy the evidence?”

He never got a response. When a servant returned with a clean pillow, the earl interjected. “Do not worry about the pillow, William. Have Lord St. John moved immediately into Helen’s old room. We shall address this mess afterwards. I do hope you understand, my lord. I will take care of this matter myself. There is no need to summon for the constable as I know who the culprit is, and will see to it immediately.”

Before Benedict could question him anymore, the earl had departed with haste, and by the time he turned around to the servant, his things were already collected and put in his trunk. He did not like the idea of spending the night in the room that included a secret passage. It was a ludicrous thought, and all the better they were leaving in the morning.

William arranged his belongings and after setting a fire and preparing the bed, he left him alone. Within minutes, Benedict had crawled into bed and closed his eyes. He had not realized how much energy being angry and frustrated utilized.

* * * *

Estelle waited eagerly for her beloved to come and escort her to dinner, but when a heavy knock at her chamber door alarmed her, she was most disappointed to see Edwin frantic, and with his hands fisted at his sides.

“May I come in? I have something urgent I must talk to you about.”

“This is most irregular, sir. Does your uncle know you are here?” her aunt questioned behind her.

Estelle could not very well leave the man standing in the hall. “Come in. Can I get you a drink of water?”

“No. I cannot stay very long. The earl has forbidden me to interact with his guests, but I will keep this meeting brief.” He paused and took a wary glance at Estelle. He appeared worried and terribly troubled. Edwin paced the room at a speed that would have normally left grooves in the floorboards.

Pity flooded her emotions, as she did not think the man capable of harming a fly, when he stopped in front of the window and began to whisper.

“He knows that you know, Miss Humphrey. You must leave as soon as you can. He is a sinful fool, the devil’s incarnate. He cannot be trusted, and for as long as you are here, he will ruin you.”

“What on earth are you talking about, Edwin? Who knows what?”

His eyes widened just as Ben opened her door. “The secret passageway in the bedroom and the crypt. I must leave. I have said too much.”

Her aunt waved her hand. “Lord St. John, how kind of you to join us. Estelle has some disturbing news to share with you.”

Edwin dashed out of the room, leaving them both bereft.
Who knows? Dash it. I want to know.
Whoever it was though, knew of hers and Ben’s impromptu trip to the graveyard and the crypt. Estelle pondered on this for a moment, supposing it would only be a matter of time before their host found out.

“Dare I ask why in God’s name that boy would even hazard the chance in coming to our room if he knew something was amiss?” Aunt Margaret asked, scowling as she took a seat at the edge of her bed.

“Apparently, the earl’s nephew has got it in his head that someone—whoever it is—knows about us knowing about the secret passage, and a crypt.”

“What in damnation are you talking about, Estelle? Did you stumble across a passageway or crypt? I am not sure I can take much more of this nonsense.”

“Auntie, I did discover a hidden passage in the room I was assigned. That is the reason why Ben insisted I stay with you.”

“My, oh my. Has our host been informed of this? This is a violation of privacy and I will not tolerate such insolence. Something must be done this instant,” her aunt added, quite put out by this sudden information. “As it turns out, Estelle, the Baron Egerton and his wife will be leaving tomorrow after breakfast. I suggested that they take us along on their return to town. The baroness is quite agreeable, so I hope you do not mind my interfering, Estelle.”

Estelle then turned to her fiancé. The hard lines around his mouth and eyes noted something more than passing concern. His body language emanated a noticeable yet silent fear. Had something happened to him too? She wished that this awkward moment of silence would pass.

“Estelle…”

“They know that we know.”

“Ah, well, I just recently discovered that myself. How did you find out?”

“The earl’s nephew,” Estelle whispered, in fear that someone would hear them discussing this matter.

Ben glared at her aunt and offered her a reassuring smile. “We will let the matter rest for now. Dinner is about to be served and with all of us departing on the morrow, with any luck we will never have to think about this confounded place ever again.”

“Indeed,” her aunt added.

“Now, can I see to the pleasure of escorting you fine ladies to dinner?”

For the first time during their journey, Estelle could not help but feel excitement washing over her. They would finally be leaving, all of them. Estelle took her fiancé’s arm and smiled cheerfully as he led her and her aunt to the dining hall. On their way to the dining room, they passed a footman.

“Did my letters make the evening post?” Benedict asked.

“Yes, Lord St. John. I imagine they will arrive right on time.”

“Most excellent, my good man. Have the others arrived in the dining hall?”

“No, sir. I do not believe his lordship and the countess have arrived. Neither have Edwin or George. The only people already seated are the baron, the baroness, and Lords Duncan and Beecham.”

Ben nodded and they continued to follow his lead until they entered the room. The table had been done up most elegantly and candles illuminated the room, so much so that their shadows danced on the brocade draped walls. Liveried footmen waited along the one side of the wall before taking their positions from the butler.

Arriving at their seats, all the guests stood up and waited for them to be seated. Only to then stand up again once their hosts arrived in the room. Once everyone was seated, his lordship decided to put on airs like nothing had ever happened during their stay at the manor. In fact, he appeared too cheerful.

“I suppose it is only natural seeing as most of you will be departing tomorrow—albeit at different times—we considered a proper send-off was in order. The countess has ordered a most excellent dinner and we hope that everyone enjoys it.” The earl clinked the crystal glass before him and more uniformed footmen came through with platters.

In all reality, tonight would be the last time that she, her aunt, and Ben would dine in such a stately manner. Come to think of it, she could not imagine if there would ever be another opportunity.

The room filled with conversation until the countess shrieked and swooned in her seat. All eyes were on the earl’s wife, who slumped in her chair while a maid fanned her, and the earl rushed over to see what happened.

“Do not just stand there. Call for the physician.” He lifted his wife out of the seat, happening to glance at the platter before her. A bloodied finger had been strategically placed in the lamb’s mouth. He then glared at a nearby footman, who stood there aghast at the horror. “You, remove that blasted platter. I will be back shortly. I will see to taking the countess to her room. Where in God’s name is my son?” he bellowed, raging out of the hall.

So much for a quiet and joyful evening.
The guests for certain would all be sleeping with one eye open.

Benedict could not even begin to fathom how upset the earl must have been. All the gentlemen had been gathered in the library now for an hour, waiting on their host to return from his wife’s room.

None of the men, including him, had even seen the earl’s heir and nephew. By now, either one or both would have made an appearance. He could not understand how two grown men behaved like boys, even in the presence of company. How he looked forward to looking deeper into the family’s history.

The earl did not enter the library until half past nine, and by then some of the men had already retired. Duncan remained behind, but lord only knew he grew impatient by the second.

“Has no one seen my son? I have looked all over this damned house, and he is nowhere to be found.”

“What was that, my lord? Why would you want to speak to me after that sound scolding you gave me this morning? You might as well have called a priest, you might learn a thing or two on delivering a sermon,” George added dryly from the doorway.