Page 91 of The Duke Who Loved a Widow
He stood outside talking to Thomas Fanshaw, enjoying the late afternoon sunshine in the courtyard.
“You’re busy,” Robert said.
“A sizeable party of gentlemen from the city. I reckon one of them’s a lawyer, and one’s a buffoon,” Thomas told him.
“Buffoon?”
“Total preening, arrogant man. I refuse to call him a gentleman. I’ll be glad when they’ve gone, and it sounds like that will be later today or tomorrow.”
He went back to the taproom to find Colonel Lloyd and Simon standing up and looking concerned. “It may be nothing, but we just overheard a strange conversation. We thought it might be that Christopher Farrington who is trying to take young Henry from his mother,” disclosed the colonel.
“What did you hear?” Robert asked urgently.
“One of the men boasted about how he had a plan that would make him a rich man. He just had to deal with some legal issues first,” added Simon.
“He mentioned a child, which drew our attention, as well as the fact that he was loud and bragging to the other man. He told his companion they might need to take the child by force, but it was sanctioned by the court,” continued the colonel.
“It’s him, I’m sure,” replied Robert. “Dawkins thought he could be in the locality. I never thought he’d stay this close to Horton Hall.”
“We were about to come and find you. We believe Henry is in danger,” said Simon.
“And they’ve told Thomas that they will be leaving this evening or tomorrow, so if they plan on snatching Henry, it must be soon,” Robert told them. “We need to warn the Thraxtons andNathaniel. I don’t think there were any lessons today, but I’m not sure.”
“I’ll go and alert the constable,” said the colonel. “The tavern will lend me a horse, and I’ll ride across and raise an alert.” The colonel raised a hand in farewell and left immediately.
“We need to ensure men guard Henry at all times, at least for the next few days. Henry knows Judd Stephenson, so Judd can organize a rota for the men.” Robert looked around and checked the courtyard. “It looks like these men are not at the tavern. No doubt they are lurking around Montbury somewhere, trying to find Henry. I’ll go to Horton Hall and tell Sir Joseph they need to be extra vigilant.”
“How can I help?” asked Simon.
“If you could find Nathaniel and let him know these villains are in the vicinity. I wish I could remember if Freddy and Henry are having lessons today. Can you call at the vicarage on the way in case Nathaniel’s there?”
“Robert,” said his brother. “Everyone knows everyone else in Montbury. Henry is surrounded by friends. I can’t believe any attempt to abduct him here would succeed.”
“I’ll be glad when this is over. Farrington must have committed another crime on top of the malicious lies he hasalready supplied to the court,” said Robert. “I need to let Arabella know. If you get back to the castle before me, can you let Mama and Elinor know what’s happening?”
“Of course,” answered Simon, and for a moment, something of the spirit of their old relationship returned.
“I’m inclined to put Henry in the attic with Nanny and Freddy until this is resolved. The trouble is that he’d be frustrated not to be out and about and probably disappear again,” Robert said wryly as he set off at speed to Horton Hall.
He met Arabella and Lady Thraxton walking towards him on the path. They were alone. It was impossible to relay the information without causing alarm.
“It’s good of Colonel Lloyd to go and fetch the constable. The sooner that man is in gaol the better,” said Lady Thraxton, almost hissing her words, full of hatred for Christopher Farrington.
“I’ll go back to the Hall and tell the staff to lock all but the main door and be alert to any intruders,” Lady Thraxton told Arabella. “You carry on to the lake as I know the sooner you see Henry with your own eyes, the happier you will be.”
“Indeed, thank you. You’re very wise,” said Arabella, giving her aunt a small kiss on her cheek.
Robert and Arabella set off to the lake at speed and few words passed between them, but they were in unison in their movements and desire to reach the lake as quickly as possible.
Chapter 26
Arabella felt her stomach twist into a mass of knots as she processed what Robert was telling them about the men at the Beehive Tavern. Christopher was here now and planning to kidnap her child.
As they approached the lake, their pace quickened as they heard shouting in the distance down by the lakeshore.
Arabella pointed out a chaise standing waiting high on the road above. “I suspect I know who is in that carriage,” she said, breathless, as she pushed her body forward towards the lake.
As they ran down the path, she ignored the stitch in her side and kept going until they emerged into utter chaos.
