The Mysterious Death of Mr. Darcy (15 page)

The groom's smile faded. “I must apologize, Mr. Darcy. Other than the carriage horses there be none to be had, Sir.”

Darcy scowled. “How is that possible? Cousin Samuel was never one to keep a large stable, but my cousin surely maintained cattle for his own pleasure.”

Holbrook took a half step backward. His voice spoke of his discomfort. “The late Mr. Darcy kept three thoroughbreds. The former master be a competent horseman.”

He was wound tight and seriously ready to explode. Darcy demanded, “Then where are Samuel Darcy's horses? My cousin has been but three weeks deceased.”

Holbrook swallowed hard. “The horses be sold, Sir. Less than a week following Mr. Darcy's untimely death.”

“Sold!” The word exploded into the damp morning air. “Sold to whom? And under whose orders?”

The groom glanced toward the manor house. “A man comes with a bill of conveyance. He claims Mr. Darcy's stock be his. I read the papers meself.”

Instantly, Darcy understood the groom's unspoken explanation. He asked dangerously, “Was it Mrs. Ridgeway or Mr. Barriton who negotiated the purchase?”

Holbrook's eyes did not meet Darcy's. “The housekeeper, Sir.” The groom hesitated before saying adamantly, “Master Darcy would have been fit to be hanged before he would have parted with them animals.”

Darcy's anger seethed. Not only had his father's favorite cousin lost his life, but also those Samuel Darcy had trusted most had betrayed Samuel over and over. Darcy set his step in the direction of the house, but the colonel's hand on his shoulder stayed him.

“You cannot dismiss the woman,” Edward insisted. “Only yesterday, you argued that this mystery revolves around Mrs. Ridgeway's arrogance. Our only hope to disentangle this situation is to keep her close. To date, she has committed no crime.”

He rubbed one hand across his face. Darcy growled, “The woman is a thief. I will see her at Newgate.”

Edward reasoned, “All Mrs. Ridgeway must do is claim your father's cousin had instructed her before his death to sell the horses.” He lowered his voice. “You must play the game more intelligently, Darcy. Do not show your cards too soon.”

Elizabeth had said something similar the day prior. “Only once previously have I known a person so full of deceit,” Darcy said unevenly.

Edward understood immediately. “If I had held no previous acquaintance with the late Mrs. Wickham, I might have considered Mrs. Ridgeway the mother of our favorite miscreant. They come from the same stock.”

He thought his cousin's comparison a true evaluation of the Woodvine housekeeper. As young men, he and Edward had often attempted to understand Darcy's former friend's vicious propensities and want of principle. They had laid the blame for George Wickham's many manipulations at Mrs. Wickham's feet. The Wickhams were always poor from the extravagance of Mrs. Wickham. Darcy sighed heavily. “What do I do instead of strangling the woman?”

Edward chuckled. “We provide Mrs. Ridgeway with a length of hemp and pray the lady hangs herself with it.”

Darcy looked toward the house. His brain was racing, and anger had lodged in the center of his chest. “To what den of deceit have I brought my bride? Elizabeth requires time to heal. To rediscover her joy. Instead, we are embroiled in a neverending quagmire.”

Edward assured, “Mrs. Darcy is resilient. She will survive this adventure. Perhaps,” he said cautiously, “it will force Mrs. Darcy to move beyond her recent loss.”

Darcy despised the guilt that seemed to cling to the edges of his mind. “I pray you speak the truth. Elizabeth is my life. Beyond my duty to my father's cousin, my duty to Mrs. Darcy remains paramount.”

The colonel said, “This is more than a simple theft. Those involved have composed their crimes. We have a mysterious death, a missing corpse, stolen horses, and disappearing gems. We cannot walk away from this, and we must keep control. It is important, Darcy, that you use most astute judgment. You cannot permit your anger to outweigh your good sense.”

After a long moment of silence, Darcy said grudgingly, “I know your tactical nature, and I will follow your lead.”

Edward motioned the groom to them. “Mr. Holbrook, my cousin intends to retain the services only of those who faithfully serve Samuel Darcy's memory. We hope to count you among them.”

Holbrook puffed up with pride. “I have spent me whole life at Woodvine, and I's don't be approvin' of all the changes made at the manor. It not be right, Sir. Some of them let go previously had been with Master Darcy for years. Give Woodvine their lives and service and be released without pension or letter.”

Edward did not permit Darcy to respond. To the groom, he said, “If you serve us, we will right the wrongs you describe.” The colonel paused for emphasis. “Mr. Darcy requires you to keep this conversation private. Can we count on you to follow orders, Holbrook?”

“Aye, Sir,” the man said earnestly. “And any other task ye need done. I not be afraid of them who set themselves above the Master.”

“Excellent.” The colonel rested his hand on the groom's shoulder. “First, we will require you to let a horse or two for my cousin's use while he is in residence at Woodvine. Do you know where one might be found?”

“Aye, Sir.”

Edward continued, “Then you will make the proper arrangements.”

Darcy added, “If possible, please find a gentle mount and a side saddle for Mrs. Darcy.”

Holbrook smiled warmly. “I know just the mount for yer lady. Over at Bournemouth.”

Darcy told the man, “I am well acquainted with Captain Tregonwell. He can likely aid in our search. Are you familiar with the captain's home in Bourne?”

“I am, Mr. Darcy. Me cousin been hired on by Tregonwell's steward.”

Darcy assured, “I would trust Captain Tregonwell to recommend a proper horse for Mrs. Darcy.”

The groom offered a quick bow. “I'll hitch up the cart and set out right away, Sir.”

Edward halted the man's retreat. “Do you know who purchased Samuel Darcy's horses?”

The groom snarled his displeasure. “Them be fine animals, Colonel. I sees to them meself. Master Darcy thinks mighty grand of his hidden treasures, but the late Mr. Darcy also be a good judge of horses. He kept some of the best in the area, and it be a shame to permit that riffraff to be off with them.”

Darcy and Edward replied in unison, “The gypsies?”

“Aye, Sir.”

Edward's frown deepened. “We will see to the sale of the Woodvine horses. For now, set about your mission.” With the groom's withdrawal, the colonel said privately, “Did you not say that you and Elizabeth observed Mrs. Ridgeway and the gypsy leader in what appeared to be a contentious discussion?”

“Andrzej Gry,” Darcy confirmed. “At the time, Mrs. Darcy and I wondered of their connection.”

“Perhaps they argued over the horses. Mrs. Ridgeway must have known it would be only a matter of time before you discovered her perfidy.”

“What do we do now?”

Edward said, “We will have one of the assistant grooms prepare a proper carriage for us and Cowan, and we will pay a call on the Roma band.”

Darcy explained, “Gry suggested that I send for him rather than to make an unexpected call on their campsite.”

Edward countered, “Likely the Rom wished to keep you away while Gry's troop disposed of the evidence.”

Darcy shook his head in disbelief. He heard the forcefully restrained anger in his voice, and Darcy made no effort to disguise it. “From the time of my arrival in Dorset, I have silently criticized my father's cousin for his gullibility, but I find myself just as vulnerable to those who practice obscurantism.”

Edward assured, “With estate business or savvy investments, you are the expert, but when it comes to comprehending the psyche of the common thief or murderer, you have had no experience. You must allow Mr. Cowan and me to lead. Let us return to the house and rouse the Runner from his bed. I am certain Cowan will take note of discrepancies of which we have not.”

A little over an hour later, Darcy, the colonel, and Cowan climbed down from the late Samuel Darcy's less-than-stylish chariot to be greeted by a wary group clustered about a dying campfire. Darcy spied Andrzej Gry stepping from the back of a brightly decorated wagon. The Rom had a few highly contested words with a man whose appearance held a familiar look, but one which Darcy could not place. A jauntily slanted felt hat covered the man's countenance, and the stranger disappeared behind the wagons before Darcy could get the right of it. As the gypsy leader approached, several men formed a protective semicircle behind Gry.

The gypsy said with a tone of strained congeniality, “Mr. Darcy. What a pleasant surprise. To what do we owe this visit?” The man's smile did not quite reach his eyes. Wariness clouded Gry's countenance. A lack of a respectful bow spoke the words the man omitted. The Rom did not appreciate their intrusion.

“Mr. Gry,” Darcy said with feigned politeness, “my cousin and I have discovered some inconsistencies in the late Mr. Darcy's business transactions. We had hoped you might consent to answering a few questions.” The idea of conducting business in the middle of an open field disoriented Darcy, and a shiver of foreboding racked his spine. He glanced to the stolid countenances of his cousin and the Runner, and Darcy purposely schooled his features in a similar vein.

With the slightest nod of his head, Gry told his men to hold their tongues. The dark-skinned protectors stepped away to attend to their camp duties, but Darcy was not fooled by the pretense. These men expected trouble, and they were prepared to defend their camp. “Of course.” The Roma leader smiled easily. “The accommodations are not of your caliber, but if you possess no objections, then who am I to complain?” He gestured to the wooden bench placed beside the wagon he had exited earlier.

Darcy nodded curtly and strode toward the offered seating. Edward followed close behind. With a snap of his fingers, Gry ordered up two roughly hewn chairs. When the four men were seated in a tight circle, and Darcy had made brief introductions, Edward spoke for the first time. “My cousin and I have taken on the odious task of setting to right Samuel Darcy's affairs.”

Gry said warily, “I understood Mr. Samuel's man of business held those loathsome duties.”

Edward's authoritative tone spoke of how the diversion had not taken. “My cousin and I honor our family duties,” the colonel declared. He did not allow the Rom the opportunity to interrupt. “In doing so, we have discovered that your followers have been the recipient of goods that belonged to the late Mr. Darcy. Unfortunately, the person who sold you the property, held no legal right to do so.”

Gry said defiantly. “Yet, we are to blame. Is that how it is, Colonel?”

“No one is making accusations,” Edward said calmly. Darcy admired how his cousin had taken control of the situation. He would attempt to emulate Edward's perceived influence, but it would cost him to keep his fury trapped inside.

Gry scowled before a half smile curved the corners of his mouth. “I suppose you expect us to return the animals?”

Darcy watched Gry's countenance closely. The man had mastered the art of negotiation: Gry betrayed nothing unusual. “It would be for the best,” Darcy insisted. “I am certain your men would not wish the community to believe you have taken advantage of Mrs. Ridgeway's grief.” He noted the slight flinch of Gry's shoulders, but the source of the Rom's anxiety remained unclear. He benevolently said, “Of course, we would return your payment.” The gypsy leader gave a silent signal to the men who had edged closer, and Darcy saw Cowan palm a small pistol. To allay a confrontation, he added, “No one from Woodvine wishes to bring censure to your door.”

The gypsy leader's response was sharp and to the point. “Yet, that is exactly what has happened. We are blamed for acting honorably,” Gry argued. He gestured wildly. “My men have treated the animals well, but all of Dorset will claim we have earned the cattle by devious methods. We paid a fair price for the Darcy horses. It is not as if we have stolen them.”

Edward shot Darcy a knowing glance. They both knew the price was half what it should have been. His cousin responded calmly, “And we are willing to assure the community of your earnest dealings.”

The Rom took a long, steady measure of Darcy and Edward, but the gypsy ignored Cowan. Watching the former Runner's perceptive glaze, Darcy realized Gry had made a tactical error. Of the three of them, Cowan was by far the most dangerous. After an elongated pause, Gry related, “We have retained possession of only one of the horses. Several of my men have taken the other two to London to sell.”