Page 81 of The Duke of Pain

As they pulled onto the long road leading to the estate, the driver slowed, and Olivia stared out the window at all the magnificent trees covered with the leaves of late spring. Then Foxmont came into view, and it took Olivia’s breath away.

It sat near a pristine lake. The manor house was showered in a heavenly twilight. It consisted of so many windows; how could it not help but catch the sun?

Gideon leaned in and whispered in her ear. “Do you like it?”

“I adore it,” she answered, awe in her voice.

“Well, I should prepare you for the interior of the place. It shows years of neglect and needs plenty of attention.”

They came up to the front doors, but no one greeted them. Didn’t servants usually greet the guests?

Gideon strode toward the front entrance and entered, calling out, “Henderson!”

But no one replied.

Gideon disappeared into the hall while Althea, Archie, and Olivia were assisted from the wagon by the driver. They followed Gideon through the door.

Already Olivia could observe the neglect that Gideon had spoken of. There wasn’t a thing on the walls, no portraits, mirrors, or tapestries. They caught up to Gideon, who stood at the entrance of a room—that was all but empty.

The place was quiet, not a person about. No wagons.

“Blast it to hell. Whinstone is gone,” Gideon growled. He turned to face Althea. “And where is this Billy person? I thought he was keeping watch?”

“I do not understand.” Althea headed back outside, looking around the front entrance area. She bent to pick something up and hurried toward them.

“A note! It was tacked to the door. It must have blown off in the breeze. Billy is following them. He borrowed one of the horses from your stables. Once they settle for the night, he will send word of where they are. They departed at noon,” Althea concluded.

“They could have gone in any direction,” Archie said. “And how is he going to send word? Here? Or at Cleveland Street?”

“You told Billy we were coming here, did you not?” Althea asked Archie.

“I said we’d be along directly, just not when,” Archie replied.

“Archie, head to Fobbing. They have a telegraph office. I saw it next to the pub,” Althea commanded. “Send word to Eleanora to keep watch for a missive from Billy. And to telegraph us if she hears anything. Take the carriage. And tell the telegraph office to deliver it here, as soon as possible, no matter the hour. We will pay extra.”

Olivia was suitably impressed at how Althea took charge.

“Right-o.” Archie turned to depart.

“Wait,” Gideon said. “I’m going with you. I know we stopped to ask about the Chief Constable of the Essex Constabulary when we first disembarked from the train, but I believe it is time to bring the man up to date. Stanford is three miles from Fobbing. After we send the telegram, we will seek out the chief.” Then he huffed. “Noon,” Gideon grumbled. “They have been on the road for hours.”

“But if they are laden with goods, the wagons would not get far. Ten or twelve miles, if they are lucky?” Olivia said.

“If that. How did Whinstone ever think that he would get away with this? He obviously intends to unload and sell the goods before anyone discovered them missing. But the servants would know of his crime. The servants!”

Gideon took off at a run, making it difficult for Olivia, Althea, and Archie to keep up. Down a narrow flight of backstairs, they located the servants in a large dining area, or what was probably called the servants’ hall. There were five of them, gagged and tied to chairs.

Taking a small knife from the drawer, Gideon hurried toward the older man who had blood tricking down the side of his face.

“God above, Henderson!” Gideon shouted as he carefully cut the cloth gag. “What happened?”

“I am so sorry, Your Grace, we tried to stop him,” the older man coughed. “I tried to fight them, but they overpowered us and brought us here. They said if we said a word, they would come back and murder us in our beds.”

Althea and Olivia followed Gideon’s lead, taking small knives from the cutlery drawer to cut the gags and ropes.

“Who is they, Henderson?” Gideon asked as he removed the ropes.

“The duke, his mistress, that Bisby thug. Two other men who showed up this morning. And the three servants who were recently hired. They never did any work, Your Grace. Conditions here were abominable. Two long-time servants quit last month. I sent word to Mr. Chapman, the steward, but he never came. He never answered my letter.”