Page 81 of The Runner
All is not lost.
Her eyes closed, and she fell into a deep slumber, oblivious to the scandal which swept through the estate and the quiet village of Willow Wick.
CHAPTER33
Willow Manor, York - Georgiana
During the afternoonfollowing the fire, there was a knock at the door and the maid ushered in a short, officious looking man. He requested to speak with George, who had refused to leave Caroline’s side, even to rest from the morning’s ordeal.
‘George, the parish constable is here,’ said the countess, entering Caroline’s chamber. ‘I tried to dismiss him, but he insisted on speaking with you—he says it’s urgent. I presume you are aware duelling is against the law,’ she said, lowering her voice. ‘Please weigh your words carefully, or he may report you along with the other fellow. Who was he, again?’
‘Knight, Ralph Knight. It’s that scoundrel they should be after. It was him who tried to burn the house down.’
The countess looked startled. ‘I thought Caroline meant it was some kind of accident—I couldn’t make out what she said and didn’t realise someone intended to harm us.’
George shook his head. ‘I am certain it wasn’t an accident, but proving it is another matter entirely.’ He ran his hand through his tousled hair. ‘I spoke in anger, Mother, when I lost the card game. I wasn’t thinking straight, and it was all my fault in that sense.’
‘Goodness, this is becoming more complicated by the hour. Well, I suggest you explain all that to the constable, so he leaves us in peace.’ She touched George’s arm. ‘I will stay here and watch over Caroline, while you are gone.’
‘Thank you, Mother. I am deeply sorry for bringing shame upon you and the family name,’ he said, and then quietly left the darkened room where Caroline still slept.
The constable rosefrom his seat when George entered the drawing room.
‘Good afternoon, Constable, and to what do I owe the pleasure?’
‘Good afternoon, Lord Cavendish, I’m afraid I am here on some rather unpleasant business,’ he said, frowning as he spoke, not able to meet George’s eyes.
George waited for him to continue. He thought it wise to discover what the constable knew before he revealed anything about the duel or the fire.
‘I have been informed you fought a duel with the eldest of the Knight brothers.’ The constable coughed and looked uncomfortable, clearly out of his depth. ‘And people are saying you were responsible for the fire this morning.’
George took a deep breath, straightened to his full height, and towered over the small man. ‘There must be some mistake. Why on earth would I damage my own property?’ He skirted smoothly around the subject of the duel.
‘I cannot imagine; if you hadn’t been so fortunate, the fire could have killed all of your household and destroyed this illustrious estate. This is a serious matter, but I suppose if you wish to set fire to your own house, there is little I can do about it.’ The constable shook his head. ‘Thank goodness no one died.’
‘Indeed. We are blessed. However, we are the innocent victims of this incident, and I’m surprised you come here to accuse me. It is quite preposterous… I didn’t set fire to Willow Manor, but I know who did,’ said George.
The constable twisted the brim of his hat in his hands. ‘We have a witness who heard you say you meant to burn it down after Ralph Knight won it in a card game,’ said the constable. ‘I must confess, I thought it a most unlikely wager.’
‘I concede I acted like a fool last night, but it is not me who set the house on fire. It was Knight—I am certain of it, and I intended to pay you a visit to ask your assistance in apprehending that villain and bringing him to justice. He deserves the noose for his evil deed.’
‘I see,’ said the constable. ‘In that case, I must apologise for the misunderstanding. I was reluctant to come—I knew your father, and he was a fine man, but as you may appreciate, I am bound to abide by my duties in keeping law and order, no matter how unappealing.’
George nodded. ‘I appreciate your diligence, Constable.’
The constable coughed again, and studied his shoes, before he raised his eyes to George, and said, ‘I’m afraid we still have the matter of the duel to address.’
‘Ah yes. Things grew heated, and I acted in haste, which I now regret, but if you are looking to apprehend criminals, then once again, I must point you toward Ralph Knight. He and his brothers have regularly poached from this estate. It was he who challenged me to the duel, and when he lost, he acted in cowardly vengeance by setting the house alight. I should think he would be accused of attempted murder.’
The constable considered for a moment, and then said, ‘Well, when you put it like that, it gives me an altogether different view of events. And those Knight brothers are a bad lot.’
‘What do you propose, Constable?’ George said, using all of his charm to appease the man, who took his duties seriously.
‘I think in the circumstances, I will make enquiries about Ralph Knight’s whereabouts, and if necessary, enlist the help of my volunteers to track him down. Of course, it is no simple thing to find someone who doesn’t wish to be found.’
‘I understand,’ said George, visibly relieved the constable had backed down in his accusations against him.
‘I have but one more question before I take my leave,’ said the constable.
