Greg examined his face in his bedroom mirror. He grimaced at the ugly bruises and cautiously felt his cheekbone. The flesh was tender but definitely less swollen. The grazes were healing as well. Perhaps he could go for a drive. His horses needed the exercise and he wanted a change of scene. He felt more cheerful at this prospect and suddenly knew he was hungry. The smell of fresh coffee wafted up the stairs and further brightened his mood.
He walked into the dining-room and stopped short in surprise. Richard was sitting there, devouring a large plateful of ham and eggs. Greg raised his brows enquiringly. Richard grinned his crooked grin and stood up to shake hands.
‘Came on the night stage,’ he said. ‘Nothing like it for giving a man an appetite.’ He picked up his knife and fork again as if he had not a minute to lose. Busy slicing up another generous mouthful, he glanced up. ‘What have you done to your face?’
Greg poured coffee and selected a more modest helping of food for himself. ‘Accident,’ he said briefly. He cast an amused glance at lanky Richard’s heaped plate. ‘I am surprised Lord Liverpool could spare you from your duties.’
Richard disposed of a mouthful of ham and mustard. ‘Ah, but I am here in the performance of said duties. He has charged me with a message for you. And I have a letter from Theo as well.’
In the act of swallowing some hot coffee, Greg choked. ‘Well, little brother, do not keep me waiting,’ he gasped, when he could speak again.
Richard left the table. He fumbled in a leather satchel thrown on to a chair and produced a sealed letter. Greg seized it.
‘At last,’ he muttered, breaking open the seal. The note was short.
I am at Weston Parcombe for the moment and beg you to do me the honour of spending a couple of days here at your earliest convenience. T.W.
Greg’s breakfast was forgotten as he pondered the meaning of this bland message. Whatever Theo wanted to tell him, it was too important to commit to paper. His face took on the hard look that had disturbed Sarah. Richard glanced at him thoughtfully, but knew better than to interrupt his brother in that mood.
At last Greg recollected himself, downed his coffee and turned an enquiring gaze on Richard. He indicated the letter. ‘What do you know about this?’
Richard shook his head. ‘Nothing. Assure you. Theo gave it to me yesterday, just after Lord Liverpool had informed me I might come to Bath to see how you are doing.’ He got up to refill his plate. ‘He simply charged me to say he hopes you are recovering well. I expect he has a mission for you as soon as you are fit. Of course, he does not know about your latest accident.’ He set his plate down and added, ‘Can I get you something else?’
Greg glanced at the cold food on his plate. He pushed it aside. ‘Some more coffee, if you please.’ He looked at his brother and grinned. ‘You could do with a shave.’
The stubble rasped as Richard rubbed his chin. ‘By and by.’ He nodded towards the letter, ‘I hope I have not brought bad news?’
‘Not at all. But it means I shall be off to see Theo today. I shall be away overnight. Which means I shall have to entrust you with a few jobs.’
Richard looked horrified. ‘Do I have to go and drink the waters with Father?’
Greg chuckled. ‘Father has a very robust opinion about the waters. But he goes to the Pump Room to meet a wide circle of friends. It has done a lot to raise his spirits. You will also find General Gardiner and Lizzie in Bath, as well as her friend, Sarah Davenport.’
‘Now that sounds more interesting.’ But Richard could not stifle a huge yawn. ‘If you do not need me now, I think I will turn in for a couple of hours.’
Greg nodded. ‘I shall see you tomorrow evening.’ With a wave of his hand, Richard left the room. Almost at once Greg heard voices on the stairs. Shortly after that Sir Thomas came into the room. Greg stood up.
‘Here’s a surprise,’ exclaimed Sir Thomas.
‘But a pleasant one, sir. And Richard has brought me an invitation from Theo, who is at his home in Oxfordshire. It is just what I want. A curricle ride, fresh air and a good chinwag at the end of it. And by the time I return, these bruises will have faded.’
Sir Thomas looked from under his brows. ‘Have a care, my boy. No more accidents, if you please.’
‘Indeed, sir. I shall have Preston with me, of course.’
It was mid afternoon when Greg bowled up the drive at Weston Parcombe. The butler informed him that Theo was to be found at the Dower House, a short distance further on. Greg smiled as he considered the difference in his friend’s life since his marriage. Once the black sheep of the family, now Theo was the valued older son, learning how to manage the family estate. Just as he himself was now going to do, he realized with mixed feelings.
As he drove up to the front door of the mellow old house, Theo and Kitty appeared in the entrance to greet him. Grinning from ear to ear, Greg bounded up the steps to a warm welcome from both of them. They drew him inside and, laughing and talking, took him into the pleasant sitting-room.
‘How did you manage to get another black eye?’ Kitty asked him. ‘When last I saw you in London, you had a black eye then as well.’
Greg nodded as he recalled the evening at the opera and then being hit round the head by a spy. ‘Either I am prone to suffer accidents or I am constantly being mistaken for someone else,’ he joked. ‘I apologize, Kitty, for not looking my best.’ He looked from her to Theo. ‘But I must say how radiant you both look. It is a great pleasure to see it.’
‘Oh, you have not seen the best yet,’ smiled Theo. He beckoned forward the nurse who had just entered the room and took the little bundle from her arms. He advanced towards Greg and held the infant out to him. Greg backed away a step, his expression alarmed.
‘No, really, old fellow, never done this in my life….’ Gingerly he received the baby and held him at arm’s length.
‘He will not break,’ said Theo, grinning. Master Arthur Weston considered Greg solemnly from large blue eyes. Greg looked down in silence at the tiny human being in his arms. He drew the baby closer and smiled at him.
‘That is better,’ encouraged Kitty. ‘You look very well like that.’
Greg gave her a glance of awe. ‘Miraculous,’ he murmured.
She held out her arms to take her son. ‘I know you must be anxious to exchange all your news with Theo, so we will leave you in peace now.’
In the library, they settled in armchairs one each side of the fire. Theo leaned forward. ‘Now, old man, what is the true story of this accident?’
Greg told him about his attempt to question James Davenport and of that young man’s fear of Lord Percival.
‘So you are being warned off….’ Theo struck his fist against the arm of his chair. ‘It ties in with what I have discovered about the man.’
Now it was Greg’s turn to lean forward attentively. He listened to Theo’s account with painful eagerness.
‘Hazelwick was most reluctant to discuss the matter, but I told him I had also spoken with a couple of the other men who were in that hunting party. He only had to confirm what I already knew.’
Greg nodded and Theo went on, ‘It appears Henry did spend his evenings in the bookroom playing cards with George Percival. However, from Percival’s foul temper, Hazelwick assumed he had been the loser and was trying to win his money back. He said that James Davenport would know; he was always to be found near George. Obviously, Hazelwick feels badly about such a tragic accident to his friend, but he seems to have no suspicion of anything underhand.’
Greg considered this news. ‘Very well. Let us suppose that Henry won, rather than lost, a considerable sum of money. But is it … can it be’ – he swallowed, then forced himself to continue – ‘can it be connected to his death?’
They looked at each other. ‘Everyone I asked said the same thing,’ said Theo. ‘They were all spread out following a stag. A few shots were fired. Henry was in the act of leaping a fence when one gun went off. His horse panicked and Henry fell and broke his neck.’
‘Oh God!’ Greg dashed a hand through his hair. There was a long silence. Theo rose and poured out brandy. He set a glass down by Greg’s side and resumed his own seat.
Eventually, Greg said, ‘Each time I see George Percival, he strikes me as being wary. He is definitely hiding something, so I have to suspect the worst.’ His face was grimmer than Theo had ever seen it.
‘I am inclined to agree,’ replied the latter, after a short interval. ‘But I have more to tell you. Lord Liverpool sent your brother to Bath so that we could get you here and give you this information. I am afraid that, fully recovered or not, you are now officially on a mission.’
Greg took a large sip of brandy and nodded. ‘Fire away.’
‘It is generally known that George Percival buys the finest clothes and horses and is altogether a very expensive dandy. He frequents some of the highest playing gaming hells in London. He has both lost and won enormous sums of money and it is noted that he befriends young men of wealth and brings them to his gaming clubs, where they mostly lose their money to him.
At least two wealthy women have disappeared from Society after their names were linked to his – and there are rumours of duels with their husbands. One source says Percival has twice killed his man.’
Greg tossed off the rest of his brandy and set the glass down. ‘I assume this information is leading up to some other matter…?’
‘Of course,’ nodded Theo, ‘but it shows the man’s character and why he might be desperate if he lost money. Now, this is the matter that concerns you. For a number of years, the government has been losing huge sums of gold bullion and other valuable goods. This happens when it arrives by ship at certain ports. Someone is selling information about the movements of such cargo – and with the war continuing, it is becoming critical to stop this loss of revenue. You and I both know that Wellington is careful of every penny, but it costs a fortune to keep the army going.’ He scowled very much in his old style. ‘The money that would help him win the war is being lost before it even reaches government coffers.’
‘So’ – Greg stared frowningly at Theo – ‘are you saying that George Percival is involved in stealing government funds?’
Theo sighed. ‘From our enquiries he is definitely a suspect. He is friendly with two Cabinet ministers, one of whom is Lord Dalbeagh – and you know how he hates Wellington. It is certain that George Percival is fearfully extravagant but he is never without funds. He has much more money than his estates can produce. And his lifestyle bears witness to his ruthless streak. We have been investigating him – as well as others – but we are now satisfied that he is the most likely one.’ He paused and savoured his brandy.
Greg picked up his own glass. ‘But just how does he carry this piracy off? It must require a lot of men to steal sacks of bullion and then store them secretly.’
Theo went to stoke up the fire. When the new log started to blaze, he straightened up and brought the brandy decanter over to refill both their glasses. ‘We have placed an agent in the village of Seldon, not far from Bath, on the Bristol road. His name is Josiah Whitby and you will find him at the Three Bells hostelry. There is a convoy of ships due to arrive from the Americas laden with tobacco and gold.’ He raised his brows. ‘If George Percival is our man, I feel sure we will see him attempt to get his share from such a tempting cargo.’
‘The fact that Percival is currently in Bath does make him look suspicious.’ Greg rubbed his chin thoughtfully. ‘So my job is to get the evidence.’ He smiled. ‘Preston will be delighted to have some action.’
They sat in silence as the light outside faded. The log hissed and shifted, sending out sparks. The room was warm, the brandy good. Greg felt himself relax as he had not done since his return from Spain. Better than anyone, Theo understood what these changes in his life meant.
But his oldest friend also understood another side of Greg’s character.
‘Tell me,’ said Theo, his blue eyes glinting in the firelight, ‘is James Davenport’s sister in Bath?’
For a long time Greg remained silent. His face was unreadable in the dim light. At last his lips twisted in a wry smile. ‘Sarah Davenport is a charming young lady and I like her very well,’ he said carefully. ‘But I am utterly determined to solve the mystery of Henry’s debt and his accident before I get involved in any other kind of … er … relationship.’