A Suitable Husband Page 4

  Startled by the man’s perspicacity Oliver grinned. ‘Then, I suppose I will have to contain myself until the morning.’

  Dr Witherspoon glanced across at the maid dozing in the chair, relieved she had not been awake to hear the captain’s explanation. ‘Beth?’

  The girl jerked awake and rubbed her eyes. ‘Yes, sir?’

  ‘Mrs Haverstock is sleeping. You will need to sit with her tonight and send for me if she appears worse in any way. Can you do that?’

  Beth smiled. ‘Yes, Doctor Witherspoon. I’m sorry I was no help earlier. It’s blood; I can’t abide it. I don’t mean to, but I faint dead away — I have been like it since a child.’

  ‘Such a reaction is not uncommon; it was not your fault. I will visit again in the morning; your mistress is in no immediate danger from her injury. We will have to wait and see if she suffers any ills from her exposure to the damp and cold.’

  ‘It would take more than a couple of hours in the cold to overset Mrs Haverstock, sir. Many a time she’s been out in a storm and returned here drenched and not even caught at sniffle.’

  ‘Excellent! Remember, Beth, if she becomes feverish, you must send for me at once. I will be back first thing in the morning. Mrs Haverstock is to remain quiet in her bed until I have examined her.’

  Outside the bed chamber door the two men exchanged worried glances.

  ‘Come to the library, Doctor Witherspoon, we need to talk.’ If he thought the captain surprisingly free with his invitations the young man did not say so. In the privacy of the book-lined room Oliver firmly closed the door. ‘It does not look good, Doctor Witherspoon.’

  ‘Could we dispense with formality, Captain? My given name is David.’

  ‘And mine Oliver; someone tried to kill Mrs Haverstock tonight, and damn near succeeded. Whoever took that shot was no amateur.’

  ‘Why should anyone wish to harm Mrs Haverstock? She is well liked locally and takes care of her tenants as she should.’

  ‘I was hoping you could tell me. This, I fear, is the second attempt. Mrs Haverstock and Edward disturbed intruders in the Home Wood two days ago. The boy’s dog warned them and they were able to turn back and came to no harm.’

  ‘You must inform the magistrate, Lord Hepworth, tomorrow.’

  ‘I intend to do so. I will also send for more men; Jenkins knows the whereabouts of many of the men he served with. Most will be glad of paid employment and come at once.’

  ‘I am not a religious man, Oliver, but one has to wonder if divine intervention did not send a military man here to act as tutor.’

  ‘I agree that it’s fortunate. No further harm will come to either my employer, or her son, whilst I’m here. I can safely say that whoever it is, he’s going to live to regret it.’

  The doctor, looking at the formidable man, did not doubt it for a minute.

  ***

  Sarah opened her eyes into a darkened room, the morning sounds hushed by drawn curtains and closed shutters. Her head hurt abominably and her limbs felt heavy. Had she caught a fever? Then, becoming fully awake, she was aware that a stiff white bandage ringed her forehead.

  She ran her fingers experimentally around the circle and winced when they touched the back. The events of the previous evening came flooding back. The movement in the shrubbery, the noise, the pain; all these fell together to make an unpalatable whole. She had been shot! She tried to sit up but her head spun and she sank back. She tried again and this time managed to reach the bell.

  Beth bustled in from the dressing room. ‘Mrs Haverstock, madam, you’re awake. We’ve been so worried about you. You took a nasty tumble on your walk last night.’

  Sarah did not correct her abigail’s erroneous explanation. ‘Beth, I need to get up. I have to talk to Captain Mayhew right away.’

  ‘Oh no, madam, you must not. Doctor Witherspoon was insistent. You have to stay in bed today. He’s coming to see you after breakfast.’

  ‘Then I will have to see the captain in here. What time is it Beth? Is he up with Edward yet?’

  ‘It’s only eight o’clock, madam. Captain Mayhew’s not upstairs yet; Master Edward’s still getting dressed.’

  ‘Does Edward know of my accident?’

  ‘No, madam.’

  ‘Good; I will tell him myself, after I have spoken to the captain. Will you send Jack to fetch him here, please?’ Then help me to tidy myself. I hope I do not look half as bad as I feel.’

  ‘Do you wish for breakfast, madam?’

  ‘No; I have no appetite this morning. A cup of weak tea will suffice, thank you.’

  Sarah felt as though she had just completed an arduous ride when all she had achieved was a wash and change of nightwear and the donning of a pretty white lace bed-jacket. There had been nothing she could do to her hair, her head was still too sore. Now she knew the captain’s role in her misfortune, she believed it was rather too late to worry about him seeing her at less than her best.

  She heard him arriving outside her door and forced herself to relax. Beth would remain in the room at all times, but she was not sure how her mother-in-law would view her decision to entertain a man in her chamber. She smiled at the thought; Lord Hepworth would be scandalised but she was sure Lady Hepworth would only laugh.

  Sarah was still smiling as Oliver entered. Seeing her propped on her pillows, her dark hair tumbling down her shoulders and her amazing eyes alight with laughter, caused a strange sensation to settle in his chest.

  ‘Captain Mayhew, I am so glad to see you. I am at a loss to know how to proceed.’

  He stood awkwardly at the door, not sure of the correct procedure, never having been invited to visit a lady of virtue in her bedroom, before.

  ‘Please, do not hover at the door, Captain, come in; Beth is here to chaperone us…’ She had spoken lightly, her words intended as a jest. She stopped as an awful thought came, unbidden, into her head. Did the poor man think she was trying to compromise him, trap him into marriage? Her pale complexion turned rapidly to rosy pink and her words became stuck behind her teeth. She obviously sincerely regretted her impulsive invitation.

  Sensing her distress, and realising its cause, he grinned, and strolled forward, nodding pleasantly to Beth, seated with her needlework at a discreet distance from the bed. ‘How are you today, Mrs Haverstock? You are looking considerably improved from last night.’

  ‘I am much recovered, thank you, sir. I believe, I must also thank you for my rescue?’

  He shook his head. ‘No, it was Rags who found you. I find myself warming to the animal a little more each day.’

  Sarah finally relaxed. ‘I know exactly what you mean. Every instinct tells you he is too big, too boisterous and too loud and then he does something so remarkable you are forced to reconsider.’

  He looked around and spying a plain wooden chair, picked it up one-handed and placed it at a respectful distance from the bed. Once seated, he waited for Sarah to continue.

  She stared at her folded hands then looked up. ‘I was shot last night. Someone tried to kill me.’

  He sat forward, his expression grim. ‘I am afraid you are correct, ma’am. And I now believe the so-called poacher was the same person, but your dog saved you from harm.’

  ‘But why? I have no enemies that I know of, why should anyone wish to murder me?’

  ‘That’s what I intend to find out. Do you mind answering some questions?’

  ‘Of course not, if they will help to explain this mystery.’ She paused. ‘I must send word to Lord and Lady Hepworth; he is the magistrate you know.’

  ‘It is already done; I sent Jenkins over first thing. If we are going to solve this puzzle I’m going to need to know something about you and your husband.’

  ‘I think we can eliminate my family at once. My father’s a country parson, from goo
d stock, but a third son; my mother was the only daughter of the local squire. I have an older sister, who married advantageously into the peerage and now resides, comfortably, in Norfolk.’

  ‘You are right; the threat obviously doesn’t come from your side. So it must be linked to your husband. What can you tell me about his ancestors?’

  ‘His grandfather married an Indian princess and became a nabob; they produced one son, Harry, who on his parents demise from cholera, returned to England and bought Rowley Court. He married Harriet, who is now Lady Hepworth, and they had one son, Jonathan, who became my husband, ten years ago.’

  ‘How did Harry Haverstock die, might I ask?’

  ‘He was killed in a boating tragedy on the lake. That is why we no longer have a boathouse. It was removed after the accident.’

  ‘I see. Then your mother-in-law was left, as you were, a young widow with a small son.’

  ‘But not for long; she was besieged by suitors, but chose to marry Lord Hepworth, and they have been very happy for twenty years or more. He treated Jonathan as his own, and, although Harriet has produced only daughters, he has never once complained. The estate is not entailed so only the title goes elsewhere.’

  ‘And you? How did you come to marry Jonathan?’

  Sarah smiled sadly as she thought back. ‘I was seventeen and preparing to have my debut, when Jonathan came to stay in the village; he was on a hunt for a rare orchid that was known to grow in the vicinity. I met him one Sunday, after Morning Service and that was that.’ She swallowed hard and blinked, willing the unwelcome tears away. ‘We had such a short time together, barely four years, before he caught a chill. This quickly turned to congestion of the lungs and he was gone. Dr Witherspoon was not here then, or perhaps he could have saved him.’

  He stood up and went to stare out of the window. He turned, a decision made. ‘It has to be a Haverstock connection. It’s possible Harry had enemies in India who have tracked down his descendants, and are only now exacting their revenge.’

  Sarah shook her head, and immediately regretted it. ‘Your explanation sounds highly improbable. Harry never made any attempt to disguise, or hide himself. He was well-known in London and a member of several clubs. Anyone could have found him if they had so desired.’

  ‘It is the only theory we have, at the moment, so I suggest you allow me to investigate it.’

  ‘Very well. Whatever funds you need will be made available. I will send a message to my man of affairs and have him arrange it.’

  ‘There is another point we must discuss, Mrs Haverstock; I have taken the liberty of sending for more men. Both Edward and you must be guarded at all times until whoever is behind the attacks has been apprehended.’

  Sarah had not considered this. ‘What shall I tell Edward? I don’t wish to scare him unnecessarily.’

  ‘Tell him what happened. He’s an intelligent boy, he’ll understand. If he knows why his liberty is to be restricted he’s less likely to disobey.’

  ‘What do you mean, restricted? Are you suggesting that we cannot go out?’

  ‘Yes, I am. You must both stay within the formal gardens, and must not venture out after sunset, for any reason.’

  ‘No riding? No visits to Hepworth House or the village?’

  He shook his head. ‘Absolutely not. Once my men arrive things will be a little easier; they are riflemen and will be able to protect you from further ambush.’

  ‘I have no choice, do I? I must thank you, Captain Mayhew, for organizing this. I believe God’s hand must surely have guided me in my choice of tutor.’

  It was his turn to flush. He had been called many things, by women, in the past but none had ever suggested he had been God sent, but it was the second time he had heard this, so maybe there was something in it.

  He cleared his throat. ‘I will take my leave, now, Mrs Haverstock. Could you send word to Edward that I’ll not be able to commence his lessons until ten o’clock this morning?’ He bowed and strode out of the open door, leaving Sarah with more questions than she had had before his visit.

  ‘Beth, could you run up to the schoolroom and fetch Edward here to me? The sooner he knows what has transpired the better. And can you discover if Jenkins has returned from Hepworth House?’

  Left on her own Sarah tried to make sense of what had happened over the past three days.

  Twice someone had tried to kill her and the second time they would have succeeded if she had not pulled up the hood of her cloak at the same instant the shot had been fired. The bullet must have lost some of its momentum in the heavy folds of material and so her life had been spared.

  She said a silent prayer of thanksgiving; believing it must have been a guardian angel that had saved her life on both occasions.

  ***

  Edward took the news with remarkable aplomb for a child of scarcely seven years. To him it was a huge adventure and he had been given a starring role. He had absolute faith in his new tutor and, Sarah sourly recognised, would be happy to remain incarcerated in the woodshed if his hero so ordained.

  Dr Witherspoon duly came, and went, pronouncing Sarah well enough to rise if she rested in her boudoir. She was forbidden to dress and go downstairs for another, tedious, day at least. Jenkins had returned bearing a missive which informed Sarah she was to expect a visit that afternoon from both Lord and Lady Hepworth. His lordship wished to speak in person to Captain Mayhew and Harriet would visit the patient in her sickroom.

  Edward completed his morning studies and was released for luncheon which, as a special treat, he was to share with his mother upstairs. He was also overjoyed to discover his dog still roaming free in the house, another edict from his tutor. That Rags was now considered a suitable house pet by all was just another sign that his new mentor was a splendid fellow.

  ***

  Lady Hepworth was shown up to Sarah’s private sitting-room a little after two o’clock. She burst in, her expression anxious. ‘My dear child, how dreadful, what a terrible experience!’

  ‘It was, but I am almost fully recovered. Please come and sit down, I have so much to tell you.’

  At the end of the tale Harriet frowned. ‘You know, my dear, Harry once said something about Haverstock not being his real name. I believe his father fell out with his family and changed it to his mother’s maiden name, not wishing to have any further contact with his past. I wonder if the problem is somehow connected to that?’

  Chapter Five

  ‘Haverstock is neither my name nor Edward’s?’ Sarah exclaimed. ‘How extraordinary! I believe you may have found the answer to this conundrum.’

  ‘Have I, my dear? I do not quite see how you have reached that conclusion.’

  ‘Well, it tells us where the threat is coming from, which is a start. All we have to discover is what name Haverstock replaced and then, I am certain, we will understand.’ Sarah pushed herself up, determined to find the captain and give him the information. Her head spun and she sank back defeated.

  ‘Sit still, my dear girl, you are not well enough to be rushing about. What is it you wish to do? Can I help?’

  ‘Could you ring the bell, I must speak to Captain Mayhew. He will be somewhere in the house with Edward.’ She paused to allow the pounding in her head to subside a little. ‘It appears mathematics can be studied in a passageway, or so Edward informs me.’

  ‘How odd! But I am sure whatever his methods Edward will learn more from him in a passageway than from you in a classroom. And the captain will be talking with Hepworth now, not with Edward.’

  Sarah stiffened. ‘Thank you, Harriet; it is interesting to discover you consider my skills as an educationalist as lacking as my skills as a mother.’

  Harriet chuckled. ‘Do not get on your high horse with me, my love. You are a wonderful mother and teacher, and well you know it. But it is a well-establi
shed fact no child learns as well from a parent as they do from another adult.’

  ‘I apologize, I am out of sorts.’ Sarah sighed. ‘But it is so hard to see one’s only child hanging on every word of a virtual stranger.’

  ‘It is a great shame you and Jonathan did not produce more children. I promise you the more offspring you have the less you worry about them.’

  ‘I would have loved to have more babies; but we were married almost two years before Edward was born.’

  ‘Haverstock men are not good breeders. Each of the past three generations only managed to father one child. As I now have a house full of lovely girls the fault was obviously not mine.’

  ‘It matters little who was to blame. Without a husband I will have no further children.’

  ‘Then remarry, my dear. You have languished alone for overlong. Jonathan would not have expected you to remain so.’

  ‘I was over his death years ago. But I have no desire to relinquish my independence to another, even to fill my nursery. As a wealthy widow I am allowed to run my estates and manage my affairs without interference. As a wife I would no longer have that power.’

  ‘If you met the right man, Sarah, you would feel differently. My situation was identical and I chose dear Hepworth, knowing he would not crush my spirit or curtail my interests. He has all the revenue from Harry’s investments placed in my bank account to spend as I wish. And, as you know, Jonathan’s inheritance came to him enhanced not diminished.’

  A smart rap on the door announced Captain Mayhew’s answer to his summons. ‘Come in,’ Sarah called, not wishing to wait for Beth to answer the door.

  He entered, his face creased with concern. ‘Are you worse, madam? Your summons sounded urgent.’

  Sarah grinned at the tall man, liking him more each time she saw him. ‘I am quite well, thank you. I do not believe you have met my mother-in-law, Lady Hepworth?’