The Duke's Reform (29 page)

      He was still several miles
away when his eyes were drawn to an orange glow. He almost fell from the
saddle. There was only one thing that could light the sky in that way— a
massive fire. Newcomb was ablaze. Those snivelling bastards had set light to
his home. He dug in his heels and regardless of the danger, galloped headlong
towards the conflagration.

****

As Isobel reached the halfway point she heard a horrible
groan, like a giant in pain, then the ceiling in front of her collapsed,
spewing flames and searing heat in her direction.

      'Back, back, into the master
suite, we shall be burnt to a cinder if we continue.'

      Everyone turned and fled back
the way they'd come, leaving her to stumble along behind them. Then Ellie was
beside her and took her arm dragging her through the press of people on the
stairs. They parted willingly, urging her ahead of them, more concerned for her
safety than their own.

      George and Duncan had already
taken the men through into Alexander's apartment. This was uncomfortably
overcrowded with everyone inside. Men and women were mingling together, some
spilling into the bed chamber, others obliged to hide in the dressing room
itself.

      Duncan seemed to know what to
do and she was relieved to leave the decision-making to him. He had organised
some of the men to soak bedcovers and press them along the bottom of all
external doors. This would prevent the smoke from entering, at least for a
while. Should she
open

the
windows and let some fresh air
in?

      She was walking towards them
when George called out. 'No, my lady, leave them be.'

      Surprised she paused. 'Why is
that, I thought with so many people inside …'

      'When I
were
a
little'un
I remember a fire in a neighbouring
cottage. The family, trapped in their house, opened a window and were consumed
by the flames what came into the room.'

     
'How
dreadful!
I shall certainly leave it closed for the moment.'

      The room was oppressive, for
by blocking off the smoke Duncan had prevented any fresh air from entering.
There must be more than ninety people huddled in these two rooms. They would
not suffocate, but one or two of the older women were already suffering from
the foetid atmosphere.

      They could not remain
incarcerated here indefinitely. If none of the outside staff arrived to help
them, they were surely doomed to die a horrible death. Alexander's sitting room
had a substantial balcony overlooking the garden. Surely they could manufacture
some sort of rope from the remaining bed linen and escape that way?

      'Duncan, how long do you
think the doors will hold if we opened the windows?'

      'Long enough for yourself and
the women to escape, but I doubt we'd all get out in time. But we have no
choice. I'll start making a rope.' They had been conversing quietly, she was
sure no one had overheard.

      'I doubt all the women will
be able to shin down a rope, it must be thirty feet to the terrace below.'

      'I thought of that, my lady.
If we attach something around their waists as well as providing a rope of sorts
for them to hold onto, I think we’ll be successful.'

      Isobel walked through the
assembled crowd reassuring and comforting where necessary. She told them what
was planned and asked Ellie to explain to those she couldn't get to. The older
women would be taken first, then the youngest and after that by seniority. She
was determined to remain until all the females had gone.

      Remarkably swiftly the two
ropes of knotted linen were ready. Somehow the staff had been grouped
appropriately, but she had resisted every suggestion that she go ahead of
everyone else. 'If you think we are ready, Duncan, then George must open the
windows.'

      'Right, my lady, but you must
go first. Nobody is leaving here until you're safe outside. Ain't that right?'

      A chorus of assent rippled
round the room. She had no choice. If her staying meant more people would
perish than she would do as they asked. It felt as if she'd swallowed a stone.
She remembered the hideous collapse of the ceiling— she'd sent Nanny Cooper
that way. If anything had happened to her baby —
She
must not think of this. The Almighty could not be so unkind us to take away
something so precious.

Chapter Twenty-four

Alexander thundered up the drive expecting to see the
outside staff organising a bucket chain in an attempt to douse the flames. The
place was deserted but he could hear shouting and banging coming from the lofts
in which the men slept.

      Swearing volubly, he vaulted
from the saddle and raced to release them. 'Raise the alarm, someone ring the
stable bell, bring ladders and as many horse blankets as you can find.'

      Not waiting to see if they followed
his orders, he raced round to the front of the house where the seat of the fire
appeared to be. As he arrived the front door opened and three women stumbled
out coughing and spluttering, one carrying his daughter in her arms.

Thank the good Lord. Lucinda was
safe— now he must pray he could get to Isobel in time. Two black shapes hurtled
round the corner to greet him. He paused to scratch their heads; glad Isobel's
pets had survived.

      'Nanny Cooper, is Lady
Lucinda unharmed?

      The woman wiped her streaming
eyes with one hand. 'She is, your grace, but we got out in the nick of time. I
fear opening the front door has increased the ferocity of the flames. Her grace
was intending to lead the servants down that way but she will have been driven
back.'

      'Let me see my daughter.' She
handed him the sleeping bundle, gently he pulled back the

damp
shawl which covered the infant
and lightly kissed her face. 'Sleep on, little one; I must fetch your mama.' He
gave his daughter back with a smile of thanks. 'Do you know where Mr and Mrs
Watkins are living? '

      Nanny Cooper was about to
answer when two figures ran forward to greet him. 'Your grace, we have only
just seen the flames or we should have been here sooner. Has her grace not come
out yet?'

      'No, Watkins, these are the
only three. Mrs Watkins, take my daughter and her attendants, back to your
cottage and take care of them. I shall bring my wife to you when I rescue her.'

      'I shall be waiting, your
grace. Come along, Nanny. It's a mild night, but you've had a nasty shock and
would be all the better for a hot drink.' Mrs Watkins stopped, turning back a
horrified expression on her face. 'Peggy Simpson, the wet nurse, did
she
not come out with you?'

      'She prefers to sleep in the
attic and will be with the other women. Since her man and her own baby died she
doesn't like to be alone at night.'

      Damnation! If the baby woke
there would be no food for her. He must make sure the Simpson woman was the
second one to come out from the fire. 'Please don't worry, Mrs Watkins, I shall
have her grace and the wet nurse with you shortly.'

      The flames had taken a good
hold and the windows on the first floor were as bright as if a thousand candles
glowed inside. Where could a hundred souls hide safely with such a furnace
burning all around them?   

With two dozen men behind him he
raced round to the south side. Thank God! Here the windows were black; the fire
had not reached these chambers. 'Up there— do you see, Watkins? There's light
in my apartment, they must be in there. Get the ladders up against one set of
windows, the rest of you divide yourselves into groups and take hold of the
edges of a blanket. The only way we're going to get everybody out safely is if
the ladies jump.'

'I can organise that for you, my
lord. Two blankets at a time, the others waiting to replace them when they're
full.'

'Good man. I'm going up a ladder
to get things started. I'm hoping the men can come down these quickly, leaving
the blankets for the women. The wind's getting up. I fear we don't have a
moment to lose before the whole place is engulfed.'

      There was a small forest of
lanterns on poles to light his way. A sudden gust of wind almost knocked him
off the ladder, and an ominous roar from the front of the house sent him
climbing even quicker. There could not be more than a quarter of an hour before
the people inside perished.

      He tipped headlong over the
stone balustrade landing inelegantly on his face on the balcony. As he sprang
to his feet the French windows flew open and Isobel fell into his arms.

****

'Alexander? What are
you
doing here? Lucinda— have
you seen her?'

      He crushed her in his arms
for a second and then picked her up and placed her on the ladder. 'Our daughter
is fine, no time to talk, get down the ladder as fast as you can. Leave things
to me. I shall send Simpson next. Go to Mrs Watkins' cottage and wait for me
there.'

      'Take care, my darling, I
could not bear to lose you now.'

      Descending the wooden ladder
in her slippers and nightgown was decidedly difficult, but when your life was
at stake you managed somehow. No sooner was she off the bottom than someone
else was following her. To her astonishment two more windows were flung open
and the next thing she saw were women jumping from the other balcony to land in
stretched out blankets.

      Peggy arrived at her side
breathless and red-faced, but smiling. 'What a lark! I've never seen the like.
I hope me milk don't dry up because of it.'

      'Go to Mrs Watkins' home
right away, she's expecting you. Do you know the way?'

      'I do that, it ain't far and
there's a fine big moon to show me the path.'

      By now there were a dozen men
and women milling about on the terrace getting in everybody's way. 'Inside
staff— listen
to me. You must go immediately to the coach
house. It's warm and dry in there. Get a fire going and put water on to boil.
I'm sure the stable hands have the makings for tea, you must share cups as
there won't be enough for everyone.'

Two of the outside men offered to
lead those rescued away from the fire. Isobel knew she should go with them. But
she wanted to be sure everyone got out safely. Very soon there was a constant
stream of the rescued heading for the coach house, she greeted each one in
turn, congratulating them on their bravery and promising them they would not be
dismissed from service because of this.

      Heaven knows how they were
going to accommodate so many when Newcomb was likely to be razed to the ground.
Too soon to fret about that— as long as all were safe, that was all that
mattered. Smoke was billowing from the bed chamber and sitting-room above. How
many more were waiting to come down?

      'Sam, I've not seen Bill, is
he still up there?'

      'My lady, you should not be
out here. Let me take you to Mary where you'll be safe and warm.'

      Alexander appeared on the
balcony and shouted down to the men below. 'Just a dozen more to come and
everyone will be out.'

      Four more men scrambled down
the ladders, others were jumping into the blankets
.
Her nails bit into her palms. W
hy
didn't
he
come too? She counted frantically as the sound of crackling
and burning grew. There could not be more than three inside including Bill,
Alexander, and one other.

      There was a scream and a
figure fell from the far window his garments on fire. He landed in a blanket
and immediately those who'd caught him rolled him up to douse the flames. Bill
and Alexander emerged pursued by the fire. They would be too late. They would
be swallowed

up—
consumed by the ferocity of the
blaze behind them. Her beloved locked his arms and legs around the wooden
ladder and slid down safely. By the time he hit the ground the top of the
ladder was burning fiercely.

      Bill could only use his arms;
his injury prevented him from moving as swiftly as he should. His ladder was on
fire before he'd descended more than a few rungs. Frantically a group of men
ran towards him with a blanket. Too late— he had no choice. He must drop to the
flagstones or be incinerated. He plummeted to the ground and she expected to
see him die before her eyes.

      A collective gasp rippled
round the group as, instead of falling flat, somehow he managed to roll himself
into a neat ball and land on his shoulders. Because he was curled up the impact
sent him tumbling head over heels onto the grass. He was sitting up rubbing his
elbows by the time the first man reached him.

      She was transfixed. Everyone
had got out unscathed. This was a miracle. Then Alexander was beside her,
hugging her fiercely, mumbling incoherently into her hair.

      'My darling, you could have
been killed. I thought I would be too late, that for the second time I should
be bereft.'

      'How did you come to be here
in the middle of the night? I thought you were not to come until tomorrow?'

      'I shall explain it all to
you later. You should not be here, sweetheart, but I'm glad you are. I still
have things to attend to. Can I trust you to join our daughter at the cottage?'

      There was no point in
arguing. He was lord of the manor— of course he had to ensure all his
dependents were accounted for and make sure they were as comfortable as they
could be in the circumstances. A sudden crash of thunder jolted them apart;
from nowhere a summer storm had drifted in and the heavens opened.

      'Take care, my love. I shall
do as you bid. I've no wish to stand out here in the pouring rain. Will this
put out the flames? Shall anything be saved?'

      'God knows! The Almighty has
done a wonderful job tonight so I shall leave this in his capable hands as
well. Hurry up, you'll be drenched if you stay here any longer.'

      She stretched out and pulled
his head down to kiss him. His lips tasted of smoke. 'I love you, Alexander,
come back to me soon. I think I see Mr Hill and Mr Reynolds heading this way. Can
you not leave everything to them?'

      In answer he pushed her
gently in the direction of Mary's house. 'Hurry, take your dogs with you for company.'
He beckoned to a lad holding two lanterns. 'Here, boy, go with her grace, then come
back and tell me all is well.'

      Fortunately it was a short
distance to her destination and much of it under a canopy of leaves. 'I am
safely arrived, young man. See, Mrs Watkins is waiting for me in the doorway.
You can return to your duties in the stables. The horses will be unsettled by
the smoke and the smell of the fire.'

      He grinned and bowed
awkwardly, the lanterns bobbing furiously on the end of their poles. Isobel
hurried down the path eager to see her baby. She reached the cottage and
realised Mary wasn't smiling. As she stepped into the cottage the door was
slammed behind her. She could hear her dogs snarling and barking, flinging
themselves at the wood in a frantic effort to get in.

****

'Hill, Reynolds, Watkins, come with me. There's unfinished
business to attend to. Bentley is behind this fire and he was also responsible
for that girl's death and the incident with the rifleman in the woods.' The
three men nodded obviously unsurprised by his revelation. 'On both occasions it
was my wife who was the intended victim. He’s embroiled with that bastard
Farnham – without his manipulation I doubt any of this would have happened.’'

      'I had my doubts about
Bentley from the
start,
there was something behind his
eyes that made me think he wasn't the simpleton he wished us to believe.'

‘Farnham has convinced himself he
can blackmail my fortune from Bentley when he inherits. God knows what maggot
has got into his brain.’’

Reynolds chimed in. '
You're
right, Sam, when little Sally slipped I thought it
was a rum do, but kept my opinions to myself.'

      Alexander glared at Reynolds.
'Why the hell didn't you speak up? A bit too late to be telling me now, don't
you think?' He swallowed his ire, they had all been fooled, now was not the
time for wringing hands. 'Have any of you got a pistol?' They all shook their
heads. 'I've two, I'll keep one.
Any of you a marksman?'

Watkins held out his hand. 'I am,
sir. Do you have sufficient powder and shot for both of us?'

      When both guns were loaded
and primed Alexander explained his plan. 'I doubt Farnham has hung about to see
the results of his machinations. Bentley will be cowering in the east wing
waiting to see if his latest attempt to remove the obstacle in his way has
succeeded.' He stared hard at each one in turn before continuing. 'I don't
intend him to survive this encounter.'    Again all three
responded in unison; this time they nodded. ‘If Farnham is with him, I shall
kill him too.’

      He was turning to go towards
the east wing when he heard dogs barking in the distance. He froze. Once again
he had been outsmarted - his quarry was in the cottage and he had just sent
Isobel there. 'They are in your cottage, Watkins, we're too slow.'

      His heart was pounding as he
raced across the park, he prayed Bentley had not completely lost his senses,
would realise murdering Isobel in cold blood would gain him nothing.

****

'Come in, my lady, as you can see I am expecting you.'

      Isobel's eyes widened, the
monster was standing beside Lucinda one hand resting perilously close to her
mouth. 'Mr Bentley, if you give me my baby and leave immediately, I promise no
further action shall be taken against you for tonight's fire.'

      His laugh was shrill, the
hair on the back of her neck prickled. She was dealing with a madman. 'And
shall my dear
Cousin
Alexander feel the same? I've already murdered
once, my life is forfeit whatever your avowals. When your husband arrives he
won't to be so merciful.'

      'I beg you, don't harm my
child. Kill me if you must, but let Lucinda go.'