A Debt From the Past (9 page)

‘I know I have an unruly tongue, but I cannot hide my feelings. His conduct is unacceptable, and I am sure he is up to no good.’

‘That could well be so,’ Helen agreed, looking pensive, ‘but all will be revealed eventually, and you must bide your time. A year is not too long, and then this will be over. I could not help noticing that he is attractive when he isn’t frowning. Has he said any more about your coming-out season?’

‘No! And I most certainly will not agree to such a foolish thing. You know I cannot abide all that fussing. It is demeaning to put oneself on show just to catch a husband.’

‘I know you don’t agree with it, but if you had a husband, you would be free of his lordship.’

‘And I would have another man taking over control of my affairs. I will not have it, Helen.’ Beth shook her head vigorously. Then she noticed the expression on her friend’s face. ‘Oh, I’m so sorry, Helen. You should have had a season; you would soon have found a charming husband, I’m sure. We are the same age, and you have been forced to take on a position of a companion, but I want you to know that I consider you as I always have – my friend. However, my godfather listed you among the estate staff and you will therefore continue to receive your allowance.’

‘That is very kind of you, but I am uneasy about the arrangement, Beth.’ Helen gave a worried frown. ‘Lord Edward assured me that my allowance would be coming out of his pocket, but now he is no longer able to do that I feel as if I shall be a drain on your estate. That isn’t right, and he was kind enough to leave me a sum of money, so I should be finding a way to make my own living.’

‘But you are not a drain!’ Beth looked at her friend in alarm. ‘You must not even think about leaving. Please, I need you! I cannot cope with what is happening without you by my side.’

‘I would not consider leaving you until this mess is cleared up and you are once again secure, but I cannot allow you to support me for the rest of my life. After my father gambled away our fortune, I could have ended up in a very sorry situation, but you kindly took me in. I have no hope of finding a husband now as I have nothing to offer in the way of property or wealth.’

‘Nonsense! You are a charming young lady; many men would be proud to have you as their wife.’

‘I doubt that, but even if what you say is true, we do not meet any young men.’

‘No, you are right.’ Beth suddenly felt unhappy about their isolation. ‘I have been thoughtless. My entire attention has been taken up with running the estate, but as soon as our mourning period is over, we shall have to change things.’ She smiled encouragingly at her friend. ‘We shall open up the ballroom and have a large, glittering function.’

‘That would be lovely,’ Helen agreed, giving Beth a searching look. ‘There is more to life than business.’

‘I’m sure you are right, but for the moment there is little we can do.’ Beth put down her napkin and stood up. ‘Let us retire to my sitting room.’

‘Pstt!’

Beth stopped with her foot on the bottom stair and peered round the banister. Tom’s head was sticking through the door leading to the servants’ quarters. He beckoned and then his head disappeared.

‘I wonder what he wants?’ Helen couldn’t help smiling at the young boy’s antics.

‘Let’s find out.’ Beth opened the door and looked in. ‘It’s all right, Tom – his lordship is out.’

‘Don’t want anyone else to hear,’ he said excitedly, shutting the door firmly. ‘I’ve got news. It was my day off today and I went to see Charlie Becks. He told me his lordship and Mr Edgemont went to the Sharland estate yesterday. He heard them talking, but they said he wasn’t to tell anyone what he’d heard. As we’re friends, he thought it would be all right if he told me. You’ll never guess what they are.’ Tom looked expectantly at her.

‘I have no idea, Tom. What did your friend tell you?’

‘Well, as I told you before, Mr Edgemont calls his lordship “professor”. He really is a teacher, miss, and is going to turn the Sharland house into a school.’

James had already mentioned this, and Beth could see that her godfather’s rambling house would make an excellent school. ‘He really must be an academic, Helen.’

‘He sounds like one.’

‘There’s more.’ Tom could hardly contain himself in his eagerness to pass on the next bit of news. He moved closer and lowered his voice. ‘They’re both spies and probably going to use the school as a cover for something.’

It took Beth a few moments to compose herself, for she had the urge to burst into amused laughter. When she was fully in control again, she asked, ‘Is your friend sure about that?’

‘Yes, miss. Mr Edgemont asked Charlie to keep an eye open for anyone acting strange around the place. He’s to tell them at once if he sees anything suspicious.’

‘Did they say who they were looking for?’

Tom shook his head. ‘Oh, no, that’s a secret.’

‘Of course.’ Beth smiled at the lad. ‘Thank you, Tom; you’ll let us know if you hear anything else?’

‘I will, miss.’ He hurried away, looking very pleased he’d been able to pass on this exciting news.

When Beth and Helen had reached the sitting room, they looked at each other and then burst into laughter.

‘Spies!’ Beth could hardly contain herself. ‘Oh dear, I do believe Mr Edgemont has been telling the young boy a tale. I can well believe that his lordship is a teacher, for he has an air of authority about him, but spies ...’

‘It does seem unlikely, but you must admit that they are indeed very mysterious gentlemen.’

Beth nodded, serious now. ‘And we still need to keep an eye on what they are doing. It would be sensible if we could find out something about Mr Edgemont’s family.’

‘But how would we do that?’

‘I don’t know; I will have to think about it. If we can find out if he knows anyone in the area, then we could start there. We shall sleep on it, Helen.’

Her companion began to laugh again. ‘I do believe we are also turning into spies!’

What was that? Beth sat up in bed and tipped her head to one side, listening intently. There it was again! A stair had creaked, and now a door was closing with a soft click as if someone was taking great care not to be heard.

‘Helen,’ she called quietly. ‘Are you awake?’

‘Yes ... is something amiss?’ A muffled reply came from the connecting door to the next room.

‘It sounds as if someone is creeping around the house.’

There was a rustling sound from the other room, and then an exclamation as Helen walked into something in the dark.

‘What are you doing?’ Beth asked in a whisper, slipping on her wrap.

‘I’m trying to find the candle.’

‘Do not light it! We don’t want the perpetrator to know he has been discovered. There is enough light from the moon for us to be able to see.’ The last thing she wanted was to alert the intruder. She wanted to find out who was creeping around her house. And it
was
her house, whatever that odious man said!

Helen stumbled into the room, clutching a candlestick in one hand and a flint box in the other. ‘Do you think it is a thief like the one who burgled Sir Peter Gresham’s house?’ Helen asked in a hushed whisper.

‘Let us find out.’ Beth’s eyes were accustomed to the gloom by now. She took the candlestick from Helen, removed the candle and swung the heavy object. ‘This will make a splendid weapon.’

‘Shall I awaken the men?’

‘There isn’t time for that.’ She unlocked her bedroom door and made for the stairs. When she stopped to listen, Helen cannoned into her.

‘Sorry.’

‘Shush!’ She started down the stairs, Helen’s restraining hand on the back of her robe.

Helen whispered in her ear. ‘You must not confront the fiend yourself. We
must
awaken the men.’

At the foot of the stairs she stopped to listen again. Yes, it was unmistakable: someone was moving around with great stealth. She indicated towards the study and Helen shook her head frantically, trying to pull Beth back up the stairs. This was making things difficult, and if they were not careful, the thief would be away before she could find out who it was. ‘You go back,’ she whispered.

Helen shook her head again and held on to Beth even more.

Beth released Helen’s fierce grip and moved towards the study. Even fear could not lessen Helen’s loyalty to her, and it was clear that wherever Beth went, she was going too. It was only to be hoped that she would remain silent, for if they were discovered, then it could be dangerous for them.

They were just about to approach the study door when it opened. They dived behind the stairs for cover, watching the man leave by the front door.

Giving him a moment to get away from the house, the girls hurried into the study and looked out into the garden. The moon was very bright now and she could see him quite clearly. He was tall, dressed entirely in dark clothing and wearing a cape and large brimmed hat that shaded his face.

‘Oh, damn!’ Beth muttered. ‘I cannot see him with that hat on.’

Helen was bolder now the interloper was halfway across the garden. ‘He has a horse under the trees.’

‘So he has. That was well spotted, Helen,’ she complimented, ‘and I do declare that it is as black as his clothes.’

‘It has a white mark on its head, though, and that is what I saw move. It could be the stallion from your stables,’ Helen pointed out. ‘See – the animal is facing us and is quite clear now.’

‘Ah, yes, you are right. I wish he would move into the moonlight ...’ Her wish was instantly granted. The man mounted and lifted his face to look at the house for a brief moment before turning and making for the gate.

Beth and Helen hid behind the drapes for fear of being seen and sighed with relief as they heard him canter away.

‘That was ...’ Helen could not contain her astonishment.

‘Yes, it was James Sharland!’ Beth put her weapon on to a small table and turned to survey the room. ‘Now, what was he doing in Father’s study?’

‘I don’t know.’ Helen looked at her with imploring eyes. ‘We should tell someone about this.’

‘No!’ Beth was adamant. ‘I don’t want this noised abroad until we know what is going on. After all, if he wishes to sneak out of the house at this late hour, then that is his business – for the moment.’

‘Perhaps he has an assignation he wishes to keep secret.’

Beth controlled a laugh. ‘I would say that was obvious, Helen. But what kind of assignation?’

‘A lady?’

‘Perhaps. Though I don’t think this creeping around in the middle of the night is for a lover’s tryst. I can’t believe he is the kind of man who would care what others thought of him.’

‘Oh, look!’ Helen hurried over to the desk. ‘This drawer is not properly closed.’

Beth joined her and pulled it open. There was a box in there and she knew what it contained.

‘Has anything been taken?’ Helen wanted to know.

She lifted the box out and opened it. It was as she feared; there was one empty space. ‘There is something unpleasant going on. One of Father’s pistols has been taken.’

‘Perhaps he has taken it for protection?’ Helen suggested. ‘It is not a good time of night to be abroad.’

‘I would hope that is so.’ Beth frowned fiercely. ‘But I don’t think it is the reason; otherwise, James Sharland would not have been skulking around the house in this manner.’

‘What do you think he is about, then?’

‘Goodness knows, but I mean to find out!’ Beth settled herself in a large leather chair and folded her arms. ‘I shall wait in here until he returns. Then perhaps I will discover what he has been doing.’

‘Oh, Beth, you cannot do that! You will be in great danger if he discovers you spying on him.’

‘Nonsense, Helen; he would not harm me,’ she stated with conviction.

‘How do you know?’ she asked. ‘I am sure he would be angry, and I fear he could have an uncertain temper.’

‘I am sure you are correct, but I believe he would do nothing drastic to jeopardize his position here at the moment. For some reason we are not yet aware of, he needs me and this establishment.’ She even startled herself with this declaration, but some instinct was telling her it was true. ‘I am sure that is why he has moved in and taken over.’

‘Do you not think it would be wiser to awaken the men and ask them to watch for him?’

Beth shook her head. ‘No, if he had not taken the pistol, then I might have considered asking them to try to find out what he is doing, but I would not like to place any of them in danger. I shall wait and see him return.’

Helen sat down, picked up the candlestick and cradled it in her lap, looking as if she would rather be tucked up safely in her bed. ‘He was dressed in a very strange manner.’

‘Indeed, and it was clear that he did not wish to be recognized.’ Beth gazed out of the window at the small copse of trees where the horse had been hidden. ‘I think we should call on Lady Sharland again tomorrow and hope she is more lucid. Perhaps we can glean a little more information from her, for I am convinced she knows more than she is prepared to admit.’

‘I wish you wouldn’t. You are far too bold.’

‘Do not fear, Helen. Now, return to your bed. There is little point in us both losing a night’s sleep.’

It was clear that Helen considered it very unwise to remain in the study, but, knowing her friend’s stubbornness well, she shook her head firmly. ‘I am not going to leave you alone.’

‘I shall remain hidden, but you may leave the candlestick if you are concerned.’

Helen shook her head again, took a firm grip on the candlestick and sat down. ‘I’m staying as well.’

Beth nodded, grateful to have Helen with her. ‘I had thought you would find much-needed peace and tranquillity here so that you could heal after your terrible ordeal, but it seems that you have dealt with one disaster only to find yourself deep in this one of mine. I am so sorry, Helen.’

‘There is no need to be.’ Helen smiled confidently. ‘This one will have a happy ending, I am sure.’

Beth had been dozing when a slight noise jolted her awake. Someone was creeping past the study window and making for the front door. A hasty glance around the room showed that Helen was not there, and Beth just had time to dive behind the drapes when the door opened and James Sharland came in. She heard the desk drawer open and then soft footfalls as he left the room. She let out a pent-up breath and peered cautiously around the drapes. The room was empty.