A Perilous Marriage (21 page)

“Now, tell me about the festival.” Richard changed the subject. “We passed quite a few travellers with horse-drawn booths heading this way.”

“The village has been a central point for the celebration for many a long year. Most times, the duchess opened up one of her meadows to contain them all, but this year, the village main street and square is being used. With her Grace gone and a doubt if Lady Lucie would attend, it wasn’t deemed right to ask if the field could be used again, so the townsmen decided to keep things local. I hope you will stay for the opening at least. It will be in a couple of days’ time, and it is usually a good show. The church gets filled with produce, which is handed afterwards to the poorest people, and the stalls are magnificent. The holders come from afar to sell their wares.  A lot of people wait all year to buy their gifts at the fair. And, of course, there is also the Hiring Fair where people get their employment for the coming year, so there are usually many people looking for change in their jobs. Fortunately, we don’t have that problem. Our people at Ashbury Mead stay because they like their jobs. The servants tend to marry within the estate so don’t have the need to move away. The duchess knew everyone by name and looked after them all like a huge family. That’s why we are a bit rudderless, if you get my meaning.”

Indeed, Richard did get his meaning and suddenly frowned. “No pressure, Rowten. I’ll let you know what I decide when I have decided.” He rose to his feet.

“Yes, milord, I understand.” Rowten bowed his obedience.

“I’ll have my bath now and rest. Is her ladyship in her own bed?”

“I believe so, milord.”

“Good. We’ll let her sleep. Wake me in a couple of hours if I haven’t stirred before. I have estate business to deal with and need to go through everything with Rigby. Have him attend me later this afternoon. A session before dinner should be enough for today.”

He went upstairs and slid into the warm bath with relief. As tired as he was, his mind was a maze of conjecture, and he felt totally adrift from the real world. He wished he could be in two places at once and solve the problems that beset him. He got into bed thinking he would never sleep, but a moment or two later, he was dead to the world and never heard the servants clear his bath water.

Rowten peeped in an hour later and was pleased he slept so soundly. A maid confirmed that her ladyship, too, was fast asleep.  After a consultation with Rowten, Mrs Firth decided dinner could be put back at least an hour to give them more time to rest. “Shall we change the clocks so milord doesn’t notice?” she said humorously to Rowten.

“Better not, I think. His lordship is not one to be gulled. I don’t believe he will take offence at the extra hour. He looked a man in need of rest. He has much on his mind. We’ll leave dinner as long as possible and leave them to sleep.”

In the end, it was a slow awakening for both of them, and dressing comfortably, they came downstairs to find their meal set out and waited upon in the small cosy parlour. Relaxing more and loath to bestir himself, Richard decided to delay his work with Rigby until the following morning and told Rowten to cancel his meeting with the secretary. He needed further time to think things over.

“I took the liberty of changing your venue to here, milord. I felt that comfort was more important than custom.” The butler bowed anxiously as he led them into the room.

“How clever of you to guess we have got used to eating at a small table, Rowten,” Lucie interrupted. “It’s just right, isn’t it, darling? I was dreading eating in the dining room.”

“If you say so, my dear, it is suitable for tonight, I collect.” He nodded at the butler, but Rowten could still sense the constraint in his voice.

* * * *

Aaron decided to deploy his men in shifts, with him filling in wherever he was needed. All was quiet the first day, and then early the next morning, Aaron had gone up to Clee Grot and was lying concealed in some bushes on a nearby hillside, speaking softly with Tom Slater who was on the midnight till six watch. They were waiting for Evan Stebbins to show to take over the next shift when a movement of the bushes in front of the cave drew their eyes.

“All it needs is that lazy bugger, Evan, to show up and give the game away just when something’s happening,” whispered Aaron. “Is Barney with the horses? That looks like a face peering out to see if it’s clear. If it is, I’m tracking him to see where he goes. If Evan comes, keep him here till I return and keep watching in case someone else comes out.”

Finally satisfied no one was around to see, a man emerged from the bushes, and after another quick look to make sure, headed downhill to where he had tethered the animals. Aaron, crouching low and using every bit of camouflage he could find, followed behind, hoping that Barney was well hidden too.

Tom kept his eyes peeled on the entrance to the cave and was startled when a figure slid alongside him and whispered, “Sorry I’m late. I overslept. What’s doing? Where’s Aaron?”

“He’s gone after someone who came out from the Grot. The man is heading down to the horses with Aaron following, so his lordship was right. They’ve hobbled them and need to move them to new grazing. Aaron said to wait and keep watching in case someone else comes out, so I’ll hang on a bit with you. If there is trouble, both of us need to handle it. I hope you brought your gun with you.”

“I don’t mind watching, but I dursent like a fight. My wife will play merry hell if I get hurt. She’s already bent my ear this morning. I’ve had the devil’s own job to get out of the house with her moans. She’s not easy to persuade when she gets her dander up.”

“You offered to come when Aaron asked. Why didn’t you say so then? It wasn’t as if anyone was twisting your arm.”

Evan shrugged. “I dunno, you all seemed keen so I didn’t see the harm...”

“Well, you are here now, and he expects you to back him up,” Tom said, his voice filled with disgust. It wasn’t Evan’s wife who was at fault. It was Evan himself who was the coward. Knowing him from school days, Tom wasn’t surprised. Evan was the last man to volunteer if there was any fighting to be done. It was the money the earl was paying that had lured Evan to offer to help, probably thinking he could stay well back and be safe.

* * * *

Moseley was glad to get out of the cave. He wasn’t a lover of places like that. Too much like being entombed. Give him open spaces or woodlands, and he was fine. The cave felt full of ghosts with the sounds of the wind whistling through various apertures and even, he would swear, the odd sound of grinding rocks. He’d take his time sorting out the mounts and perhaps think about heading off and taking his chances elsewhere. He couldn’t see Tasker getting enough money to make it worth his while to stay—or passing it on, come to that—no matter how hard the man boasted. He was full of greed. All hot air and puke, he was, although he wouldn’t take him on, not with that vile temper he had. No, the only thing to do was to slide away and let Harry Smeeton handle him.

With thoughts of escape filling his mind, he forgot to look behind or take care, and when two strangers came at him, gagged his mouth, and bound him to a horse, he stopped thinking and, glad of the excuse to get away from Tasker, resigned himself to losing his freedom. The men mounted the other two horses and, taking a roundabout way, came to the foot of the hill where Tom was waiting in a good spot to keep an eye on the exit from the cave. Aaron passed his reins to Barney. “Keep your gun on him, Barn. I’ll send Tom down to ride home with you. I'll wait on to see if that lazy git Evan comes but get him”—he nodded towards Moseley—“locked up soon as you can. Then if you can, get someone to relieve me.”

He promptly began to climb the hill and was reassured to see Evan was there. "Took your time didn't you?" He growled, "We ain't playing games here, mate. This is serious."

Then Aaron turned to Tom with a grin on his face.

Tom said, “You got him, then?”

“Too right, I did. Sitting duck, he was. You get down to the horses and take him to Church Stretton along with Barney. His Lordship has already let the beak know what we have been doing, so he’ll get a nice cosy jail cell. We haven’t enough men to keep watching the place round the clock, so see if Walter will lend us two of his night watchmen. With Tasker penned up here, the earl’s house will be all right. Stable the horses and get back up here again after you’ve had some food. Oh, and bring some for us. Savvy?”

Tom quickly joined Barney in place of Aaron, and they set off to Church Stretton to notify the local magistrate and hand the man over to the police. They promised they would follow on with the other two culprits when they were caught.

Meanwhile, Aaron, after strict instructions to Evan to keep awake and watch, climbed the hillside to reach the other entrance—‘
a good stretch of the legs’
his pa used to say when he was younger and herding sheep. He always thought his legs had failed after that, but come what may, he had to reach Jacob and tell him what had happened.

* * * *

“Where the bloody hell is he? He shouldn’t have taken as long as this moving the horses to another pasture. Reckon he’s scarpered? You know the man better than I, Harry.” Tasker fumed, almost crazy at yet another thing going wrong.

Smeeton shrugged. “I wouldn’t have thought so, but then who knows what a man will do.  He won’t be leaving for more money, that’s for sure. A bullet in the back or the hangman’s noose is all he’ll get from them outside. On the other hand, he was mighty nervous of you. If you’ve scared him enough, he might be running. Personally, I think he’s been nabbed. That damn farmer who gave up the whereabouts of this place, admittedly with a lot of encouragement, knew it well. So would a number of other villagers, I imagine.”

“You think I’ve led you wrong, Harry?”

“No. One has to play the cards as you see ’em. But I’m thinking it is time we got out ourselves and made a dash for freedom. I don’t like this place. Too confining, I mean.”

“I’ve been looking at the other end of the cave. There is a powerful draught coming through. I think we have a way out there. Want to try it?”

“Likely the entrance is watched, so yeah, I’m game. I'll do anything to get out of here. This place gives me the creeps.”

Chapter Sixteen

Two hours later, Aaron, having made his way round to where Jacob lay watching the other route into Clee Grot, was greeting the two men that Walter had sent.

“Good of you to help out. It’s not the best job in the world. If they were animals, one could dig them out, but the earl wants them to face justice. I’m in two minds after Matt’s beating, but I’m obeying orders—” He stopped in alarm as a rumble was heard and the ground shook.

“Jesus! That sounds like a rock fall. Are they trying to get out this way?”

The two night watchmen stared at one another. They were not used to the hills or the dangers, and a rock fall meant nothing to them.

“Jacob, we’d best go down there and see what’s up.” He pointed to the back entrance.

“You two men stay here. If we are not back in half an hour or so, get help. Get help if you hear another rumble like the last one. Savvy?” They savvied.

Nearly an hour passed, and the men were getting anxious when one cried out, “There they are. Just two of them, though.” They walked down to meet their companions.

Aaron was shaking his head as he approached the two men. “It was a roof fall all right, and at least one man was killed. We saw a bloodied arm and leg sticking out from the debris. The whole passage is blocked now. Nobody can get through, so we’ll have to go round the other side to see if anyone comes out there. I have Evan watching that exit, so we must hasten round there to help. It must have frightened the daylights out of anyone that didn’t get caught in that fall. If they did, then likely it put paid to the whole gang. This is the way I wanted it all along. I can’t stomach people like them. They are better off dead. So I count one a prisoner, one dead, and the other a maybe. Good day’s work, I believe.”

It took them another half hour, using shepherd trails, to get back to Evan and found him sound asleep in the heather. Aaron didn’t hesitate and began to kick him awake.

“A right bloody sentry, you are. Why haven’t you been watching? Didn’t you hear the rock fall? Shook the fecking ground, it did. It’ll scare the bejesus out of anyone still trapped. Wake up, you daft bugger, you are going into Clee Grot and see who’s there.”

“I’m not going in there, no way. He might be waiting to kill me.”

“Yeah, and I’m outside waiting to do exactly that, you cowardly lump. You should have seen the way Matthew was beaten up, and his wife scared out of her wits, like I did. Evan, I’ve had enough of you, and I won’t forget it. I’ll be dealing with you when this is over. You are cat’s piss! Oh, sod it, if you’re not going down, I am, and we’ll see who kills who! Jacob, come with me and cover me—your gun’s loaded, ain’t it? You two men keep your eyes peeled and watch as we get near. Any movement of the bushes, yell out, got it?”

The two watchmen nodded and walked further down the hillside behind them.

Treading softly, Aaron approached the cave and stopped within a few yards to listen for any sound that might come from inside. Not a sound. All was quiet, but still, he waited, hardly breathing, casting his eyes all around. Still, nothing came to his ears. He took a step toward the gorse bushes and paused again as something caught his eye. Whatever it was looked black in the waning light. Another step and he bent to run his hand over the blackness. As he brought his hand up to see what it was, he felt the stickiness and realised it was blood. Turning his head to the path that led down the gully, he saw more black-looking smears. To the watchers, who had no idea what Aaron was doing, it came as a surprise when he launched his body through the gorse and disappeared inside the cave.

“Jacob,” yelled one of the watchers, “Follow him in quick, lad, he may need you.”

Without even thinking he might be walking into a trap, Jacob also disappeared into the cave. A moment later, he emerged and called out. “No one’s here. The cave is empty.” Then he bobbed back again and saw Aaron holding a lamp up to the back of the cave.

“That roof fall covered the whole of the passage going farther into the hill. The dust is still falling. The one man we couldn’t trace was injured. That was blood I was looking at outside. He must have escaped while that bloody noggin up there was asleep. Where he is now is anyone’s guess, but he’s leaking blood, so he might be hurt bad. Tomorrow, we’ll come back with a cart and collect the stores they pinched from Matthew. They hardly had time to eat much. For now, I suggest we get back home. We can’t trail the blood spots as it’s getting too dark to see. All I’m wondering at this moment is could it be the toff who’s got away or one of his men? I guess we’ll find out tomorrow.”

Ignoring Evan completely, Aaron led the way down a shepherd’s trail to a hillside cottage where he had left a mule and cart. Thanking the owner for keeping an eye on the mule, he beckoned the two watchmen and Jacob to climb aboard. Turning to Evan, he said, “There’s no room for you. No doubt you know your way home.” H took up the reins, shook them at the mule, and moved off, leaving Evan staring open-mouthed at the disappearing cart.

Evan yelled at the men to wait for him, knowing he would have a long trudge to get home, but no one took the slightest notice of his plaintive yells.

“Serve him bloody right,” Aaron growled angrily. “Our work’s not over yet, lads. We have to figure out where that villain is hidden now. Course, if it was one of his men, they might just give up and leave. I’ve got a nasty feeling it’s the man who is after his lordship. Thank God he is away at the moment. It’ll give us time tomorrow to get a couple of tracker dogs and trail those blood spots. I’ll call in at Hatchett’s Farm and arrange for the dogs. Jacob, you let Tom and Barney know what’s happened, and we’ll meet at first light at my place and start the hunt again. On mounts this time. I’m fed up with tramping over those hills. Besides, we can take turns with the dogs, and even if one of us has to track into moorland, it will still be quicker.” He turned his head and spoke over his shoulder. “Thanks for helping out, and I’m sorry you had a wasted journey, but at least you would have been there if needed.”

“That’s all right, Aaron. It made a change from what we usually do, though I know what you mean by being footsore. Wading through heather and gorse is not my idea of pleasure. I’ll be soaking my feet tonight to ease the blisters. Hey—” He stopped and peered around to see they were approaching the first houses in the village. “Does anyone smell anything?”

“What? Is it your feet, Dan?” Jacob laughed at one of the night watchmen.

“It’s bloody well not, lad. I’m serious. No, it is definitely smoke, I think.”

Every one stared around and began to sniff.

“By God, it is smoke. Something’s on fire near here…yes, look over there—see the smoke over them cottages. Oh ’struth! It’s the earl’s house, it’s blazing!”

As they got near and emerged from between the cottages into the wide road fronting the manor house, they were shocked at the unbelievable sight and speed of the fire spewing out from every opening of the building. It seemed that, stone or not, the whole structure was one huge, scorching mass of flame. As the four men reached the area and climbed down from the cart to join the scattered crowd who had been alerted, they could only stand and watch in dismay. Some villagers held buckets of water, but it was obvious that nothing would avail to stop this inferno.

Most of those present had watched the renovations take place and were delighted that the manor house would once again enhance their village. Now, stunned and appalled at the catastrophe, they could only stand and watch as it was destroyed.

* * * *

Tasker lay hidden in the castle ruins at the back of Amberley Hall, watching the chaos as people ran hither and yon, fetching buckets of water until they realised that, in the end, they were no use as the heat was too intense to get near enough to the house to use them. Despite the throbbing pain he was in from the wound in his side where a large sliver of rock had sliced down rapidly and struck him, cutting through his clothes and shearing off flesh back to the bone, he was still alive. Not so his long-time friend, if one could call him that, for Tasker knew little about having a friend. Loyalty had never been his strongest suit. He put the recent scene of their vain attempt to get out of the cavern by the back exit to one side, his eyes still intent on watching for the earl to come on the scene. So far, the owner had not appeared, which was very strange. It was a sight to draw anyone, let alone Martell.

Yet thoughts of the cavern intruded again as, recalling the recent events, he was amazed at his own sagacity to send Harry Smeeton on ahead of him after they had cleared the rocks blocking the passage at the end of the cave and seen a clear, negotiable tunnel ahead. Some innate wariness had made him call out he was just going back to pick up a rifle he had forgotten and would be right behind Harry in a minute.

Still uneasy, he waited much longer before starting out, though was well down the passageway before he heard and felt the first rumble of falling rocks and turned to flee. As it was, he barely escaped with his life as a huge piece of sharp granite, thin and razor sharp, had cut through his coat and hit his side, gouging out a deep wound. He managed to keep upright and reached the safety of the cavern, choking and wheezing with the dust that filled the air behind him.

Harry was probably dead. He recognized that immediately. Nor would he even look to see if he could save the man. He had more important matters to deal with, and anyway, he had to get out of such a dangerous place for who knew whether the ceiling of the cavern would also come down and trap him forever.

Sliding out of the gorse hiding the crevice entrance to the cave, he stood in the shelter of the trees and listened carefully. Not a sound disturbed the silence. Deciding to take a bold chance, and holding his rifle ready to shoot anyone that challenged him, he sidled out to the gulley fronting the cave. Still, no sound came to his ears or even the appearance of an enemy. He was lucky. No one was watching. What an incredible escape. He set off in the direction of Clun, ready to continue the battle.

An outlying farm on the hillside provided him with a horse. The swift blow to the solitary stableman’s head left him uncaring whether the man was dead or merely badly stunned.  He saddled the solitary colt, an indifferent steed and far too young to have much stamina though it had four legs and could carry him for the next few miles at least. Next, he grabbed a towel off a washing line to wedge between his shirt and the still oozing wound, trying to ignore the pain. He knew it was a serious gash, but a doctor was out of the question. Even though he felt weak from the loss of blood, his determination was such that he allowed himself no respite in his endeavour to catch up with the earl and kill him,

Reaching the back of Martell’s house, he was surprised to see no one around—an amazing gift he would be foolish not to make the most of. Harry had said that the earl had posted night watchmen to guard the place. Luck was going his way, for once. A quick look into an outhouse discovered tins of paint and varnishes, and a quantity of turpentine. Breaking into the house was easy, and spreading the mixtures he carried and ladled around, even up to the attics, took no time at all.

Lighting a taper and speeding hastily into the downstairs rooms to ignite as many places as possible was even easier. He raced for the ruins again and hid, watching as a sudden breeze seemed to eddy around and envelop the house in a flash of fire. Although he had planned and executed its destruction, even he was astounded at the effect. The roar of the flames had roused the village, and he watched avidly as figures milled about, scarcely knowing what to do. He readied his rifle. As soon as his nemesis came within range, he would have him. Then his wife would be at his mercy.

In the end, voices reached him from below.

“God Almighty, what a fire! Who would have thought it would go up like tinder?”

“Poor devil, the earl is going to be devastated when he finds out.”

“After all he’s paid out...”

“Just as well he and his wife hadn’t moved in...”

“Where are they?”

“I think they went back to his wife’s old home...”

“Oh, Sodom and Gomorrah!” Tasker cursed. Martell wasn’t in the village to see the fire. He had missed watching his house burn to a ruin, and he had missed shooting him because he had not known the fool had gone back to Ashbury Mead. Well, no problem about that. At least he had done the earl a great disservice in ruining his house, and he was free to get back to his old home and make a further opportunity to kill his adversary.

He slid down from the mound overlooking the back of the house and made his way in the darkness to where the horse was hobbled. It wouldn’t survive long. The poor creature had no strength, and he had ridden it cruelly. He only hoped it would last long enough to carry him to another farmhouse where, overnight, he could steal food and another horse. If he had to kill again to get what he wanted, so what? His conscience had never troubled him before, and it would not raise its head now.

* * * *

To say that Aaron was totally horror-struck at the disaster that had just occurred was stating it mildly. The miasmic reek of turpentine and paint contaminating the air around the ruined building told its own story and pointed conclusively to arson. The reality he had to acknowledge and take responsibility for was obvious. It was no one’s fault but his.