The morning mail brought a note from Sebastian saying that his men had reported no nocturnal activity at the four houses they’d been watching in Lydd. Adam and Rainham agreed that since it was possible Erasmus was the only such visitor and he was currently locked in Dragon Hall’s cellar, Sebastian might as well end the surveillance.
The tiresome hour Rainham had spent the previous evening questioning Mr Reed had produced nothing that Camilla hadn’t already told them other than a renewed mention of the Woolpack at Brookland.
‘Virtually everything so far seems centred there,’ observed Adam. ‘Do you think a visit from Riding Officer Hindley along with two or three redcoats might prove instructive?’
Rainham nodded. ‘Finch was going to collect the rest of our gear from the cottage this morning but putting Prentiss wise about the Woolpack connection is more important.’
‘And while he’s about it,’ Adam suggested, ‘he can deliver Reed to the redcoats. The fellow is no use to us, after all.’
‘True. So … are you ready for another session with Erasmus? With luck, the last thirty-six hours may have brought about a change of heart – though I’m not holding my breath.’
‘Neither am I,’ said Adam. And then, abruptly, ‘One of us needs to question Guy. We’ve no idea how long and how deeply he’s been involved with the smugglers but anything he knows could be useful.’
‘Agreed. Perhaps Camilla could talk to him?’
‘She could and she would – but she shouldn’t have to. Also, quite aside from his recent captivity and rough handling, the young idiot needs to realise just how much other trouble he could be in. We may have kept his illicit doings from the squire and the Lord of the Level, but Levinson and Prentiss know perfectly well what he’s been up to and have every right to arrest him.’
‘Very well. You speak to Millie and I’ll start putting pressure on Erasmus.’
‘Take the cheese-grater,’ advised Adam.
He found Camilla in the morning-room, consulting with the housekeeper on a suitable diet for their invalid. But when he hovered in the doorway, Camilla smiled, saying, ‘Come in, Mr Brandon. I think we’d finished, hadn’t we, Mrs Poole? All the things Doctor Quinn suggested plus your own special tonic for his chest.’
‘Very good, Miss Millie.’ The housekeeper bobbed a curtsy and withdrew.
‘The doctor has been?’ asked Adam.
‘Yes. I sent Thomas for him first thing. He confirmed that Guy almost certainly has a cracked rib which will take time to heal, the only cure being rest.’
‘How is he this morning?’
‘Ned says he had a largely peaceful night although the cough woke him from time to time. And he was moderately cheerful when I visited him – though still weak and full of apologies for all the trouble he’s caused.’
‘I daresay he’ll get over that fast enough.’ He paused and added bluntly, ‘As soon as you think he’s fit enough, I need to talk with him.’
‘Question him, you mean.’
‘Yes. I’m sorry – but it has to be done.’
She sighed. ‘I know. And deep down, Guy probably knows, too. But can it wait at least until tomorrow?’
‘Of course. Harry is taking that fellow Reed to Lieutenant Prentiss and we’ll --’
‘The reward!’ said Camilla suddenly. ‘The lieutenant’s troopers earned it, didn’t they?’
‘Two in particular did … and four others tried their best.’
‘So … how much, do you think?’
‘I’d suggest twenty pounds apiece for Fisher and Ellins. And a further forty to be shared between the four other fellows. Or is that too much?’
‘No. I was prepared to part with a hundred and what they did is worth every penny. Tell Mr Finch to come to me for the money before he leaves.’
Adam nodded. ‘If you want notes announcing Guy’s safe recovery taking to the squire and Sir Cuthbert, Harry can deliver those at the same time.’
‘That’s probably unnecessary. I suspect that the news will be all over the Marsh by noon. Doctor Quinn’s wife is a notorious gossip.’ Her expression clouded as the consequences of this occurred to her. ‘There will be callers. Damn.’
‘Avoid them by not being here,’ he shrugged. ‘You have a prior engagement, after all.’
‘Why, yes.’ The sun came out as she beamed at him. ‘So I do.’
Downstairs in the so-called visitors’ parlour, Adam found Rainham looming over Erasmus and the pair of them seemingly locked in a silent battle of wills.
Leaning negligently against the door, he said, ‘Have you broken the good news yet?’
Rainham straightened and scowled. ‘No. You tell him, if you want to.’
Erasmus, hands still bound but no longer also tied to the chair, swivelled to look at Adam. ‘What are you talking about?’
‘Thanks to your tip about Denge Marsh, we recovered Mr Edgerton-Foxe last evening. Picking up the men guarding him was an added bonus.’
‘I daresay,’ muttered Erasmus sourly. ‘Is that it?’
‘By no means. We’ve also got a fellow named Reed who came here with an agenda involving Miss Edgerton-Foxe … and let us not forget those of your friends taken during the run who are currently snug in Dover Castle. I imagine Major Levinson has his hands full.’
‘Is that why I’m still here?’
‘Not at all. You’re here,’ replied Rainham with laborious patience, ‘and will remain here until you answer the question I asked before Mr Brandon joined us. Is some of the tea you bring in acquired directly from East India Company captains?’
Erasmus shrugged. ‘Yes. But I have nothing to do with that side of the operation.’
‘Somehow, I doubt that. But we’ll return to that point later. For now … let’s try this instead. Is smuggling tea and abetting spies your sole occupation?’
Erasmus took his time thinking this over but finally said, ‘No.’
‘Then you have other employment?’
Silence.
‘I’ll take that as a yes – in which case your employer must be wondering where you’ve got to. Unless he’s up to his neck in your other line of work. Is he?’
‘No. And I’ve said as much as I’m going to.’
Adam strolled to a place where he could watch Erasmus’s face and proceeded to speak of him as if he wasn’t there. ‘Here’s what we know. He’s educated, well-spoken, he doesn’t work with his hands and his coat would have been quite smart before Harry roughed him up somewhat. So our earlier guess was probably right. He’s a secretary or a valet … or perhaps a clerk. Now, how hard can it be to find out who has been missing from his post recently?’
‘Not very,’ agreed Rainham. ‘Time-consuming, of course – but not difficult.’ And to Erasmus, ‘So far as I can see, there is only one reason why you won’t name your employer – and that is because he is complicit in your other business. If he isn’t, you’d be wise to spare him the embarrassment of being arrested. For we will find him, you know.’
‘Perhaps – or perhaps not. But you’ll do it without my help,’ came the stubborn reply. ‘If I tell you what you want to know, I’ll be dead long before you get me to trial. And I’d sooner take my chances in court, if it’s all the same to you. So go and find out for yourselves if you think you can do it.’
‘Don’t you?’ asked Rainham.
‘No. I don’t.’
Having spent most of the morning with her brother, Camilla joined the gentlemen for a simple luncheon of cold meats and game pie and, on learning what was required, said, ‘Yes. I can make a list of gentlemen likely to have a secretary or a valet or both, and another one of local solicitors. But what makes Erasmus so sure you won’t trace him that way? And why is he convinced someone will murder him if he talks? How would the man he works for even know he’s done so?’
‘Three very good questions,’ replied Adam, ‘none of which we can answer. But all of them suggest the wisdom of keeping him locked up here rather than sending him to Dover with the rest.’
‘Agreed,’ said Rainham. ‘He’s safer here than elsewhere – a fact of which I imagine he is well aware. For the rest, there’s a small chance Guy may know something that might throw a glimmer of light. When will you speak to him?’
‘As soon as Camilla feels he’s up to it – tomorrow, hopefully.’
‘The sooner the better,’ muttered his lordship, clearly not very pleased. He pushed his plate aside, glanced around the table and added, ‘The same applies to the list, if you’ve both finished eating.’
‘Fine,’ sighed Camilla, rising from her chair. ‘The library, then.’
‘I’m sorry if you find me importunate, Millie, but needs must. If you can give us the first few names that come to mind, we can start the rounds this afternoon.’
‘You can,’ said Adam, following him to the door. ‘I’m promised elsewhere.’
‘It had better be important.’
‘It is.’
‘Stop grouching, Rainham,’ said Camilla over her shoulder. ‘I haven’t been through the door for two days and Adam has promised to take me riding. If I don’t get some air soon, I’ll either suffocate or kill someone.’
The first few names were obvious and came easily.
‘Sir Cuthbert,’ said Camilla, writing it down. ‘Lord Blakely near Ashford, Sir Victor Amory at Hythe and Mr Harrington in Old Romney.’
‘Squire Derring?’ suggested Adam.
‘No. He can’t afford to pay someone to do what his son can do for nothing.’ She tapped the tip of the quill against her lips. ‘As for the Blane family … I’d guess there are secretaries in both banking offices so it’s unlikely there is a third at home. But at least one of the men in the family must have a valet.’
‘Put them on the list,’ said Rainham. ‘What about solicitors?’
She nodded. ‘Yes. Hartley, Hartley & Witherspoon in Tenterden; Bagshot & Soames in Hythe; and … there’s firm of lawyers in Lydd but I don’t know the name of it.’
Rainham grinned at her. ‘Forgotten something, Millie?’
‘No. Do not know it – as in never knew it,’ she retorted, pushing the paper across the desk. ‘Those are enough to start with – spread out all around the Marsh as they are.’
‘Yes. I’d noticed that.’ Rainham eyed the list with resignation. ‘Hythe to begin with, I think – and Dymchurch on the way back to visit Sir Cuthbert. That will pick off three --’
He stopped as a tap at the door heralded Coombes who said, ‘I beg your pardon, Miss Millie. Both the elder and the younger Mrs Blane are here, escorted by Mr Mark Blane and his brother. Are you at home?’
Camilla groaned. ‘Do I have a choice?’
‘Do you want one?’ asked Adam.
‘What do you think?’
‘Very well, then. Where are they, Mr Coombes?’
The butler permitted himself a small smile.
‘I took the liberty of placing them in the interrogation chamber, sir.’
Rainham gave a snort of laughter.
Adam said, ‘Good choice. Tell them that Miss Edgerton-Foxe is unable to leave her brother at this time but has asked Viscount Rainham to receive them in her place.’
‘Viscount …?’ echoed Coombes uncertainly, looking from Adam to Rainham and back again. ‘Would that be …?’
‘Mr Gilbert, yes. One of us will explain later. Camilla; run upstairs and change into your habit. I doubt the Family Blane will stay long – in fact, we’ll make sure they don’t. Go!’
Not needing to be told twice, she fled with a whispered, ‘Thank you!’
‘Show the visitors in here, Mr Coombes – but take your time about it.’
‘Certainly, sir.’
‘This,’ remarked Rainham when the butler had gone, ‘could be useful.’
‘My thoughts exactly. The Blane brothers will recognise me but I’ll leave you to direct the conversation – as is only proper, you being a peer of the realm.’
‘Due deference at last? How charming.’
‘I thought you’d like it. Now, we could ask if they’re missing a member of staff but, aside from wanting to be rid of them, I suggest we leave that for a more formal occasion – preferably one when Mr Blane senior is present.’
‘Agreed.’
Mrs Blane the elder entered on Mark Blane’s arm looking plump and grandmotherly. Her daughter-in-law, a pale, discontented-looking female, clung to Peter and almost tripped when he stopped dead on the threshold, his shocked gaze locked with Adam’s faint smile.
‘Good afternoon,’ drawled Rainham, suddenly every inch the aristocrat. ‘Miss Edgerton-Foxe regrets being unavailable just at present and has begged me to make you welcome in her place. I am Rainham.’
The ladies curtsied, Mark Blane bowed and, somewhat belatedly, Peter did the same.
Mark said, ‘It is good of your lordship to receive us. My grandfather would be with us save that he is unwell today. However, may I present my grandmother, my mother and my younger brother?’
‘A pleasure. How very good of all of you to call.’ Rainham inclined his head and offered his arm to Grandmother Blane. ‘Please sit, ma’am. Adam …?’
‘Certainly.’ Adam handed the younger Mrs Blane into a chair and stepped back, the very picture of due deference.
‘It’s true then?’ asked Grandmother Blane. ‘Young Guy’s safe home again?’
‘Indeed he is,’ replied Rainham gravely. And then, ‘Good news has wings, does it not?’
‘It does when Phyllis Quinn gets hold of it. But how is the poor boy?’
‘Not at all well, I regret to say. His ordeal has taken its toll both physically and mentally – hence his sister’s continued presence at his side.’
‘I’m sorry to hear it,’ said Mark gravely. ‘Please tell Guy that I and the rest of my family will pray for his swift recovery.’
‘How very kind.’ Rainham paused. ‘I trust you will forgive my not sending for refreshments but, as I am sure you will understand, the house has been in turmoil for some days. And at present, Mr Brandon and I are much occupied with the business of bringing the abductors to justice.’
‘Of course.’ The younger Mrs Blane stood up. ‘We should not stay, Mama-in-law.’
‘And we won’t, Laura.’ The old lady’s shrewd gaze lingered on Adam for a moment before returning to Rainham. ‘Has the young man been able to tell you anything about the villains who took him?’
‘Sadly, not as yet. He has a severe chest infection and is extremely feverish. But we hope another few days will see him much improved.’
‘Was it you who found him?’ asked Peter abruptly.
‘It was.’
‘And where was he?’
‘I’m afraid we are not sharing that information, at this time. Suffice it to say that all the relevant facts are in the possession of Major Levinson at Dover.’
‘Best thing to do,’ approved Grandmother Blane. ‘And I’m sure Miss Edgerton-Foxe is very thankful to have you dealing with all this unpleasantness for her.’
‘I certainly hope so, ma’am.’
‘But how come you’re here at Dragon Hall?’ demanded Peter. ‘Either you or him.’ A jerk of his head indicated Adam. ‘You ain’t relatives, are you?’
‘Peter!’ snapped his brother. ‘That is scarcely civil. Apologise to his lordship.’
‘For what? It’s a fair enough question, isn’t it?’
Adam suspected that Rainham was wishing he had a quizzing glass to raise.
Since he didn’t, he lifted supercilious brows and said, ‘A fair question perhaps but, if I may be equally frank, none of your business. However … since you ask, Mr Brandon and I are here at the behest of the Earl of Alveston. It goes without saying that his lordship is extremely concerned about the safety of his niece and nephew – and he wishes those responsible for Guy’s abduction to face the gallows.’ He paused, subjecting Peter to a long, chilly stare. ‘Was there anything else?’
‘Only to ask your pardon for my brother’s manners,’ began Mark. ‘I fear he --’
‘I don’t need anybody apologising for me,’ said Peter petulantly.
‘You do if you can’t govern your tongue,’ said his grandmother tartly. And getting to her feet, ‘Ignore my grandson, Lord Rainham. He was a sickly child but that don’t explain how he somehow missed his share of the family brains. But we’ll get out of your way directly. Thank you for receiving us and give Miss Edgerton-Foxe and her brother our best. If my husband’s gout improves, we’ll call again in a few days.’
‘By which time I’m sure Miss Edgerton-Foxe will be happy to see you,’ said Rainham, crossing to ring for Coombes. ‘Meanwhile, I shall pass on your good wishes.’
‘Please do. Come along now, Laura. And Mark – I’ll want your arm for those stairs.’
While the rest of his family were taking a perfectly proper leave of Rainham, Peter hung back until he could say, ‘Still sniffing round Millie, Brandon?’
‘Still smarting because she showed you the door?’ retorted Adam.
‘She didn’t mean it.’
‘If you think that, you’re even more stupid than I thought you were. Don’t call again. You were only received today because your family was with you. Goodbye.’
Peter left scowling. A minute or two later Rainham strolled back in saying, ‘Interesting.’
‘Very. What did you make of them?’
‘The younger grandson is lacking both brain cells and manners. The older one … solid, a touch pompous and just what one expects of a banker. And I had the impression that their mother didn’t want to be here at all.’
‘And Grandmama?’
‘Ah. Wits as sharp as her tongue and by no means decrepit. If there’s a power behind the throne in that family, she is certainly it.’
Adam nodded. ‘But how does any of that line up with the likelihood of one of them ruling a gang of smugglers and acting as a conduit for French spies?’
‘It doesn’t,’ sighed Rainham. ‘Unfortunately. So I shall take Millie’s list and set off on my rounds in the hope of better luck. But first, I suppose I’d better clear up the matter of my identity with the staff. Never a dull moment, as they say.’
Adam met Camilla emerging from Guy’s bedchamber. He said, ‘How is he?’
‘He’s just fallen asleep again – but I think he’s a little better. Have they gone?’
‘Yes. Do you still want to ride?’
She gestured to her habit. ‘What does it look like?’
‘In that case, let’s go – before any other visitors arrive and you have to spend the rest of the afternoon lurking up here. I sent word to the stables, so the horses should be ready.’
Outside, the previous day’s rain had given way to fitful sunshine and a brisk breeze. At the end of the drive, Adam said, ‘Which way would you like to go? The tide will be in so that rules out the beach but --’
‘I’d like to go to the Wall anyway. I love it there at high tide when the waves are starting to splash over the top and the spray is flying. It’s … invigorating.’
He eyed her quizzically. ‘If I’d known you find getting wet invigorating, you could have come out with Rainham and me yesterday.’
She merely shook her head, laughed and turned Sheba towards the sea. But after a few moments, she said, ‘Did Peter Blane make an idiot of himself as usual?’
‘Yes. But it was worth it to hear his grandmother calling him the fool of the family.’
‘Did she? In front of you and Rainham?’
‘Yes – though not in those exact words. And in front of us was rather the point.’
Camilla laughed again, that sultry, smoky ripple that never failed to draw a response from his body. He gritted his teeth and willed it away.
She said, ‘I don’t know her well – hardly at all, in fact – but I rather like her. I suspect she was a force of nature when she was my age.’
‘I suspect she still is. Didn’t you say that she gave you marriage advice?’
‘Yes. She told me to find a man I fancy, catch his eye while I’m still young enough to do it and let him know he’d be lucky to have me.’
‘If he needs to be told that, he doesn’t deserve you.’
‘Oh.’ She blinked. ‘Thank you. That’s a – a very nice thing to say.’
Is that a blush, he thought, or just the fresh air bringing some colour to her cheeks? But he said merely, ‘It’s true.’
She didn’t reply and, since they were approaching the narrow pathway that led to the track on top of the Wall, he drew back to let her precede him. Instead of doing so, she reined in and said, ‘Sheba doesn’t like the spray as much as I do. It makes her skittish. Can we leave the horses here for a few minutes and walk up?’
‘Of course, if you wish.’ He dismounted, tied Hector’s reins to the railing, then reached up to grasp her waist and lift her from the saddle. Her eyes locked with his, she slid slowly down his body … and this time he was sure about the blush. It made him forget to release her. Apparently, just for a moment it made her forget it, too. Then she stepped back and ran swiftly up the path.
At the top, the breeze became a stiff wind, whipping her skirts against her legs and making her hold on to her hat. The waves were slapping against the Wall and breaking over the top of it. The air was full of sea spray … and Camilla was laughing again.
‘Isn’t this marvellous?’ she cried, turning seawards to face the full blast. ‘It doesn’t just blow the cobwebs away. It obliterates them.’
‘It’s certainly obliterated my hat,’ he replied ruefully, watching it roll away down towards the horses and having to shove back the hair that was already escaping its ribbon.
She didn’t reply, merely took a couple of dance steps and attempted a twirl which, thanks to the trailing skirts of her habit, which she hadn’t bothered to hook up, went awry. She stumbled, thus giving Adam an excuse to catch hold of her and draw her backwards into his chest, saying, ‘You are quite mad, you know. And after these last days, it’s a pleasure to watch.’
His breath was warm against her ear and the entire length of his body a solid wall of heat behind her. Camilla let her hat go the same way his had done and leaned back against him. Sounding amused and slightly puzzled, she said, ‘You’re very gallant today.’
‘I’m trying. Is it working?’
‘That depends on what you hope to achieve.’
‘You don’t know?’
‘No.’
‘Can’t even make a guess?’
‘Perhaps.’ It was a mere whisper, almost borne away on the wind. ‘But guessing involves making assumptions … and they can be dangerous. So I avoid them.’
Because he suspected he knew where that had come from, the arm across her midriff that was holding her to him tightened reflexively. He said, ‘Trust me, Camilla.’
‘I do.’ She turned her head to look at him. ‘You know I do.’
I believe you do, he thought. I just don’t know if it will be enough. But he said, ‘Good. And now – if you’re sufficiently invigorated – do you think we might go down? We can’t hold a proper conversation here and my other coat hasn’t dried out from yesterday yet.’
‘Of course. I’m sorry.’ She hugged his arm briefly, then turned back along the path. ‘We can’t hold a proper conversation on horseback either, can we? St Mary’s, do you think?’
‘Yes.’ That church, the place where he’d first kissed her, had been his goal all along. ‘With luck, we might have it to ourselves this time.’
She giggled. ‘Do you think Mr Trot has got Izzy to the altar yet?’
‘Not if her father has anything to do with it.’ They’d reached the horses and, boosting her on to Sheba’s back, Adam added, ‘And probably not at all, ever.’
‘Why not?’
He untied Hector’s reins from the railing and climbed into the saddle.
‘Because if she wanted him … if she loved him … she wouldn’t let Pa stand in their way.’
‘No,’ said Camilla thoughtfully. ‘No. I suppose she wouldn’t. Poor Mr Trot.’
‘Exactly.’ Despite the roiling mess of nerves and emotion in his chest, Adam summoned a smile. ‘Shall we go?’
They found the church of St Mary the Virgin as empty and peaceful as the first time they’d gone there. Camilla looked around and then, somewhat teasingly, up at Adam.
‘Shall we sit in the same pew? Or will that tempt Fate and bring a family of six down on us?’
‘I’ll risk it if you will.’ He unlatched the pew, handed her in and seated himself beside her. For a moment, he remained silent, staring down at his hands and scouring his brain for a better way to begin this than the one currently in his head. Then, failing dismally but knowing he had to say something, he opened his mouth on, ‘I think we’ve become friends. More than that, perhaps – or I’d like to think so. And you can’t have failed to notice that I … want you. Quite ferociously, as it happens.’
Camilla’s heart lurched and she felt her cheeks grow hot.
‘Yes,’ she agreed faintly. ‘I – I had noticed that.’
Mentally girding his loins, he ploughed manfully onward.
‘However, I’m not sure you realise that isn’t all it is.’ And in case he hadn’t made himself clear, ‘The wanting part, I mean.’
‘It isn’t?’
‘No.’
‘Oh.’ And then, knowing this wasn’t much of an answer, she hazarded, ‘Good?’
‘Oh good?’ he echoed unwarily.
‘Well … yes.’ He looked so ruffled and agitated, so unlike the wholly unflappable Adam Brandon she was used to that Camilla had to repress a desire to smooth his hair back from his face. Instead, she cleared her throat and said primly, ‘Forgive me. Please go on.’ And when he didn’t immediately speak, added helpfully, ‘You’d reached the bit where the wanting part wasn’t everything.’
‘I remember, thank you.’ Since this was going from bad to worse, he decided the best thing was probably to get to the point quickly and in as few words as possible. ‘When last we were here, I told you how I see you … what I see in you. I won’t repeat that because I’m sure you remember it perfectly.’
‘I do, yes.’
He nodded. ‘I meant every word then and I still mean it now. I will always mean it. But what it all boils down to is this. I love you – am in love with you. And I want – that is I’m hoping – that you might let me persuade you to consider marrying me.’
Then he shut his eyes, held his breath and prayed she wouldn’t laugh.