Jane And The Unpleasantness At Scargrave Manor Part 6

Was the sober young Earl the sort to dally with a lady's maid, and think no more of it than he might a morning's ride to the hounds? Many a woman has attempted to place her foot upon the neck of a man she loved in vain, or hated for just cause, whether that neck be stations above her or no. When I considered Fitzroy Payne, however, I could not imagine him causing such injury. What I have seen of that gentleman's conduct is irreproachable. His temper is always held in check, despite the absurdities of his nearest relations; his words reveal nothing but a fine understanding and the exercise of good sense. In general, Fitzroy Payne is so far removed from what is base in human nature, that I should think him guilty of the grossest duplicity, were I to discover him prey to vice. But I must needs discover it, if vice there be. Marguerite should surely have good cause for revenge against Isobel if she felt herself ill-used by Payne.

And if the maid's motive is nothing less than a desire to expose murder?

Such a powerful aim would seem necessary to drive a girl of the islands from the security of Scargrave in the midst of an English winter. If this be the force that moves her, then it cannot be denied that she believes believes murder to have been done. It is but a moment's leap to say that Marguerite is convinced Frederick was dispatched by his wife's hand, in concert with Payne's-and her anonymous letters are written from the purest of motives. murder to have been done. It is but a moment's leap to say that Marguerite is convinced Frederick was dispatched by his wife's hand, in concert with Payne's-and her anonymous letters are written from the purest of motives.

If the maid's desire is to expose Isobel, rather than blackmail her, then my faith in my friend might be profoundly shaken. But I am not so lightly possessed of friends.h.i.+p. Marguerite must be in error, however firmly she believes herself in the right; and my object now now must be to put my finger upon the killer. must be to put my finger upon the killer.

I raised my head and sniffed the wintry air, revelling in its power to clear my senses. The disposition of Isobel's trouble seemed, in that instant, to be the subject of only a few hours. I drove my hands more deeply into my m.u.f.f, the better to warm them, and took up the matter once more.

If not Fitzroy Payne, if not Isobel-then whom? The villain must be an intimate of the household, and was hardly likely to be a servant; another member of the family, or Lord Harold, was all that remained to me.

Harold Trowbridge I could readily cast in the role of murderer. He had the resolve, the ruthless aspect, and the motivation-for the late Earl had stood between him and his acknowledged goal, the acquisition (at a pittance) of Isobel's West Indies estates. Intent that Trowbridge should not secure her birthright, the Countess had implored her husband's protection; and by all appearances, the late Earl had been empowered and inspired to settle all her financial troubles. In favour of Lord Harold's guilt, I noted that Frederick's death occurred the very night of Trowbridge's arrival at Scargrave- the night that gentleman was summoned to the Earl's library for an interview, the conduct of which we knew nothing. Had it provoked Trowbridge to such violence that he poisoned the Earl's wine-drained to the dregs but a few moments before poor Frederick's fatal indisposition?

Yet, I reminded myself, I had no proof that Trowbridge in fact met met with the Earl the night of the ball-the interview I myself overheard was between the Earl and Mr. George Hearst. Nor could I a.s.sert that Trowbridge possessed any poison, nor that he had administered it; and he was certainly not the man to let slip anything to his disadvantage. with the Earl the night of the ball-the interview I myself overheard was between the Earl and Mr. George Hearst. Nor could I a.s.sert that Trowbridge possessed any poison, nor that he had administered it; and he was certainly not the man to let slip anything to his disadvantage.

In fairness to the scoundrel, however, I should as readily consider the motivations of others. It was but an instant's work to turn from a purported purported interview in the Earl's library to the one I had in fact overheard-an interview marked, by the evidence of my own ears, with intimations of violence. George Hearst had not parted from his uncle on friendly terms. Indeed, it was clear that the embittered nephew had sought Frederick's support for some scheme, had not received it, and had been enraged as a result. interview in the Earl's library to the one I had in fact overheard-an interview marked, by the evidence of my own ears, with intimations of violence. George Hearst had not parted from his uncle on friendly terms. Indeed, it was clear that the embittered nephew had sought Frederick's support for some scheme, had not received it, and had been enraged as a result.

You have driven me to my utmost extremity, and I know how it is that I must act, George Hearst had cried, or words to that effect. Much could be made of such sentiments, did we discover the Earl was murdered. But despite my recent effort at interrogation, I had not an idea what Mr. Hearst's affair was about. Holy Orders, perhaps, or worse yet, money-for we are ever driven to extremes by lack of funds, and pressure of obligation; I have reason to feel the force of that that argument myself. Yet I distinctly recall Mr. Hearst mentioning a woman that night-Ruby? Rosamund? argument myself. Yet I distinctly recall Mr. Hearst mentioning a woman that night-Ruby? Rosamund? Rosie. Rosie. Rosie it had been. Rosie it had been.

I must endeavour to learn more about Rosie, the better to weigh the strength of Mr. Hearst's outrage against his frankness during our walk in the Park.

As I sat engrossed in my thoughts, the sound of feet rapidly coursing through the snow fell upon my ears, and I looked up to see Lieutenant Hearst, his smart blue uniform the most vivid spot in all that grey landscape.

"And so I have found you at last," he cried, approaching my seat with alacrity. "I had feared you returned this morning to Bath. But my heart rises to learn that you have not deserted us quite yet." He peered at me closely, his banter trailing away. "Miss Austen, I declare, you look as though you had seen a ghost."

"Is the entire household arrayed against me?" I muttered crossly, and stood up, dusting off my skirts. "Can not a woman lose sleep of nights, without exciting the concern of her entire acquaintance?"

Tom Hearst's handsome face was instantly contrite. "I beg your pardon," he said hastily. "I meant no harm."

"Oh, Lieutenant-the apology must be mine," I said, recovering myself. "One consequence of broken sleep is a.s.suredly diminished civility."

"So you did did have a disturbed night." have a disturbed night."

"It is only the First Earl," I replied, attempting humour. "He treads the boards nightly in my dreams, mourning the late Lord Scargrave."

Rather than laughing as I expected, Tom Hearst looked pensive. "I would that I might believe you to speak in jest," he said gravely, holding my eyes, "but I saw him once myself, while yet a child, before my dear mother died. This is not a household for peaceful dreams, I fear." Then he slapped his thigh and a.s.sumed his customary grin. "Come for a short ride on Lady Bess. The air will do you good."

"Indeed, I am no horsewoman," I said with a smile. "My father lacked the resources to furnish us with mounts when we were children, and I must confess to some trepidation at the prospect of a.s.suming the art at my advanced age."

"Nonsense!" The Lieutenant tucked my arm firmly under his own and led me back up the path. "I shall do everything in my power to render the experience so delightful, Miss Austen, and your trust so well-placed, that you shall hesitate to refuse me anything in future."

"And have you been taught to fear the refusal of young ladies, Lieutenant?" I enquired archly.

He has has a very satiric eye. "Taught so well, Miss Austen, that I have made it a rule never to plead for that which I am not certain of desiring," he replied, "and so it may seem to a very satiric eye. "Taught so well, Miss Austen, that I have made it a rule never to plead for that which I am not certain of desiring," he replied, "and so it may seem to some some young ladies"-at this, he glanced upwards at the second-storey window where f.a.n.n.y Delahoussaye's profile was clearly limned, bent over her work-"that I never young ladies"-at this, he glanced upwards at the second-storey window where f.a.n.n.y Delahoussaye's profile was clearly limned, bent over her work-"that I never will will ask." ask."

LADY BESS PROVED TO BE A GENTLE MOUNT, AND WHEN taken at a walk, her stride was so little disturbing as to quell even my violent fears of being unseated. Lieutenant Hearst spent some time walking before me, his hand on the bridle, and his own horse blowing contentedly at my side; but after a little, he thought it wise to rest by the hedgerow in conversation, and I was glad enough to dismount while Lady Bess nosed at the snow. taken at a walk, her stride was so little disturbing as to quell even my violent fears of being unseated. Lieutenant Hearst spent some time walking before me, his hand on the bridle, and his own horse blowing contentedly at my side; but after a little, he thought it wise to rest by the hedgerow in conversation, and I was glad enough to dismount while Lady Bess nosed at the snow.

An awkwardness here ensued; my hands being engaged in supporting myself upon the saddle, the Lieutenant gripped my waist and abruptly pulled me to the ground. A furious blush overcame my features at being thus made so closely acquainted with his jacket front; but Tom Hearst was unabashed.

"Come, come, Miss Austen," he said teasingly, his hands still about my waist, "a young lady of your experience and perspicacity cannot be entirely a stranger to a gentleman's embrace."

"An unmarried lady of my station cannot admit to being anything but but, Lieutenant," I retorted firmly, and moved to thrust the offending hands from my person. To my mortification, he tightened his grip, and added to the embarra.s.sment of his stance, the discomfiture of my own. I was forced to grasp his gloved hands in mine to win my freedom, and the image of how we must appear only increased my blushes.

The Lieutenant laughed heartily and released me, but I failed to see the humour in his affront.

"Is it f.a.n.n.y Delahoussaye who has taught you such indelicacy, Lieutenant? Or is it thus you school her on your snowy walks?" I turned on my heel and would have left him in my anger, but he caught me up in a moment, the horses on the rein, and apologised most prettily.

"I must declare myself a complete reprobate, Miss Austen," he avowed. "A life too long spent among the soldiers of the garrison has made my conduct rough and ungentlemanly. You, who have brothers in the Navy, must acknowledge we have few opportunities for the study of civility. In your company, perhaps, I shall learn better how to behave than in Miss f.a.n.n.y's."

"I do not think you shall have another chance at my company, Lieutenant," I said, refusing to meet his eye and increasing my pace.

"Miss Austen!" he cried, halting the horses in the midst of the field, "what cruelty is this? Does my gentle offence truly merit such censure? And are you not in part responsible? I should not have been tempted, did the winter cold not heighten the beauty of your cheeks, bring sparkle to your eyes, and in general make of you such a picture!"

"I fear you give way all too often to temptation, Lieutenant," I replied, thinking of f.a.n.n.y Delahoussaye. Tom Hearst can have little constancy in his attachments if he plays as idly with her as he has done with me.

"I beg your forgiveness," he said earnestly, dropping to his knees in the snow, "and your heart cannot be so hard as to withhold it. I meant no dishonour to your virtue-if anything, Miss Austen, I meant to honour your charms." He made a pretty enough picture, his curling head raised in supplication, his uniform a darker splash against the horses' chestnut. As I watched, Lady Bess exhaled a steamy breath, and nuzzled Tom Hearst's shoulder; he looked around and fondled the mare affectionately. "Lady Bess would have your forgiveness on my behalf," he continued penitently. "And in return I will pledge to molest you no more."

It is not in my nature to preserve a prudish distance; the Lieutenant's present earnestness called to mind my brother Frank, the darling of my concerns; and so I unbent my stiffened posture and walked to his side.

"Please rise, Lieutenant," I said. "The snow cannot be good for your breeches."

"Nor my knees," he said, jumping to his feet. "My batman will have my head in the morning, when I'm too stiff to get out of bed. But I shouldn't mention such things to a lady. I forget myself. Will you walk back to the house with me, Miss Austen, and teach me the proprieties Miss f.a.n.n.y cannot?"

"I will consent to accompany you, Lieutenant, on one condition."

"Anything, dear lady."

"That you will instruct me in the art of horsemans.h.i.+p while I remain at the Manor," I said, by way of reward for his penitence. "Lady Bess is a mount to suit my tastes, and I believe I should profit from the exercise."

"Capital!" Tom Hearst cried, slapping his thigh, "and I from your gentle schooling."

"Let us talk no more of that."

"Very well. Though of what else we may converse, I hardly know. All subjects are contraband. Did we talk of our intimates here at Scargrave, we should touch upon death; and I refuse to traffick in melancholy in the company of a lovely woman."

"Lieutenant!"

"What, no compliments may I extend?" He stopped, as one amazed. "No praise of all that is before me? Miss Austen! Your cruelty is beyond belief! You provoke my enthusiasm, and then chide me for its expression!"

I may, I think, declare myself to be no fool. I have looked at my face and figure in the gla.s.s these six-and-no-seven-and-twenty years; and neither is of a nature to drive a young man wild. Either Tom Hearst is quite bored with life at Scargrave, and finds in me some amus.e.m.e.nt; or he hopes to turn my head with flattery for a purpose I have not yet divined.

At his next observation, I felt all the force of my latter conjecture.

"Have you known Sir William Reynolds long?" the Lieutenant enquired, as though to turn the conversation.

I hesitated before replying, wondering what possible interest he could have in the good Justice.

"Since before memory serves," I replied, picking my way through the snow. I had discarded my pattens in order to ride, and my boots should a.s.suredly a.s.suredly be ruined. "Sir William has always been a fond intimate of my father's house. To me, he is as much like an uncle as a friend." be ruined. "Sir William has always been a fond intimate of my father's house. To me, he is as much like an uncle as a friend."

"He avails himself of your presence to visit Scargrave with greater frequency than in the past."

"It cannot be surprising," I said, studying his face. Did Tom Hearst desire to learn of some other reason some other reason for the magistrate's attention? "And in winter, one discovers the closeness of one's friends. A call upon an acquaintance may prove more attractive in the tedium of the season, when simpler pursuits are denied us by weather." for the magistrate's attention? "And in winter, one discovers the closeness of one's friends. A call upon an acquaintance may prove more attractive in the tedium of the season, when simpler pursuits are denied us by weather."

"Certainly Sir William finds it so," the Lieutenant commented, "though any man might find attraction enough in your presence, summer or winter."

I could not suppress a smile at his relentless gallantry, and thought it best to seek refuge in a different subject.

"An officer such as yourself must be wedded to his horse," I said. "Have you been a rider since infancy, Lieutenant?"

"I have," he replied, reaching up to stroke his hunter's nose. "My father placed me astride at the tender age of two, thereby predestining his second son for the cavalry. It was perhaps his last fatherly act before departing for the Continent, his mistress, and his death."

"You are very much attached to your profession?"

"I would sooner be an officer in the Blues,"4 he avowed cheerfully, "than a duke. There is all the style of a position at Court, and the elegance of such a set, aligned with the freedom and adventure of military service; the command of men, and the camaraderie of one's fellows-all things which I find delightful. I owe much to my uncle's goodness, Miss Austen, for it was he who purchased my commission." he avowed cheerfully, "than a duke. There is all the style of a position at Court, and the elegance of such a set, aligned with the freedom and adventure of military service; the command of men, and the camaraderie of one's fellows-all things which I find delightful. I owe much to my uncle's goodness, Miss Austen, for it was he who purchased my commission."

"Did he?" I enquired, though it was no more than I had suspected. "Then he served you better than your brother, Lieutenant. Had the Earl treated you both in a similar fas.h.i.+on, he should have made you a clerk, to be shut up indoors in every season-your inclination being so clearly in the opposite direction."

"And so George has availed himself of your kindness, and poured out his grievances," the Lieutenant observed, amused. "He is never done lamenting his thwarted hopes, though he knows my uncle thought better of his choice, and has left him a living. It seems to me that George suffers vastly in parting with regret-though he but exchanges it for his heart's desire. Perhaps he has grown fond of the att.i.tudes of blighted youth."

"Mr. Hearst is to receive a living under the Earl's will?" I exclaimed, in some surprise.

"So I believe, though I have not seen the doc.u.ment," the Lieutenant replied, "my cousin Fitzroy and his solicitors being too bound up in affairs of the estate to give us all a proper reading. But my uncle informed my brother of the fact, upon his return from his wedding trip; marital bliss had made the Earl even more generous. In amending the will's terms to provide for the Countess, my uncle attended to George's affairs as well. If there is cause for any rejoicing in the melancholy event of the Earl's demise, my brother may justly claim it."

"Indeed," I said distractedly, my thoughts in some confusion. Had Mr. Hearst ignored this point in conversing with me, out of a natural delicacy? Or from the counsel of a guilty conscience? For he clearly benefited from his uncle's death; and that death had been achieved not long after that gentleman had imparted the news of his inheritance. Given the violence of argument I overheard the night of the Scargrave ball, Mr. Hearst's entire aspect appeared worthy of probing.

I suddenly became sensible of the Lieutenant's narrow gaze, and endeavoured to s.h.i.+ft our tete-a-tete tete-a-tete to lighter matters. to lighter matters.

"Your commission in the Blues, now, Lieutenant-it affords you an added advantage in your role as a rival for Miss Delahoussaye's affections, in that she dearly loves the military profession," I said, with an attempt at playfulness. "And being attached to the Royal Household, you are unlikely to serve in garrison towns far from places and people of fas.h.i.+on; this must decidedly recommend you to her mother, who will often make of the two of you a third."

I had meant the remark in jest, of a piece with his own raillery against that lady; but he flushed and regarded me earnestly.

"You have discerned, then, Miss f.a.n.n.y's partiality for me?" he asked anxiously. "I would that it were less p.r.o.nounced. But she was never a lady to conceal her affections from the object of them, though propriety would counsel such. I cannot expect her to do so now, even before those less intimate with my family."

"My apologies, sir," I said hastily. "I spoke rashly, when I intended to speak lightly. As a stranger to Scargrave, I should have held my tongue. One cannot be a part of a household without sometimes giving offence, however, and that when one least intends it."

The Lieutenant ran a gloved hand through his hair, his expression remained troubled. "It is just that you have touched upon a point that I have been at pains to avoid. I may have reacted thus too warmly. Madame Delahoussaye's dearest object is to affiance her daughter to my cousin Fitzroy, whose fortune may be said to eclipse f.a.n.n.y's own; but Lord Scargrave's accustomed aloofness has told against him, and so Miss f.a.n.n.y searches elsewhere for flattery."

"Which you you certainly know how to supply," I said reprovingly. "Life at Court has at least taught you certainly know how to supply," I said reprovingly. "Life at Court has at least taught you this. this. But I am surprised, sir; can even such a gallant as you win her young heart in but a few days?" But I am surprised, sir; can even such a gallant as you win her young heart in but a few days?"

"I have been acquainted with Miss Delahoussaye some seven months," he replied, "full as long as she has known my cousin. During the last London Season, I was as much a party to their revels as it was possible to be."

"And it being summer, and she a pretty girl, you thought it no harm to engage in light flirtation. I see how it was."

"Her attentions were marked whenever we met." Tom Hearst laughed shortly. "Her attentions! Can such a word encompa.s.s f.a.n.n.y's absurdity? She has completely thrown herself in my way. No man would scruple to take what f.a.n.n.y offers, Miss Austen. Certainly not I. Though it pains me to admit it. I must regard myself with contempt, for succ.u.mbing to physical charms, where character and sense are so lacking."

Such frankness! The Lieutenant hesitated not in revealing himself as utterly wanting in principle. But his careless derogation of f.a.n.n.y Delahoussaye was such as another lady could not suffer to pa.s.s in silence, even one who esteemed her as little as I.

"And since her fortune is not a small one," I observed, "you should have been a further fool to offer coldness in the face of such warmth. Self-interest has been your sole mover where Miss Delahoussaye is concerned."

"You are are possessed of decided opinions, Miss Austen! Would that they were formed of less truth," the Lieutenant said, with a doubtful look. "But too late I took the measure of her grasping mother's plans, and hesitated lest I offend Fitzroy, whose perfect command of countenance allows no one to suspect whether he is partial to the lady or no. Were Fitzroy to have formed honourable intentions towards f.a.n.n.y, I should have done him a serious wrong; but to speak of it with such an one as the Viscount-the possessed of decided opinions, Miss Austen! Would that they were formed of less truth," the Lieutenant said, with a doubtful look. "But too late I took the measure of her grasping mother's plans, and hesitated lest I offend Fitzroy, whose perfect command of countenance allows no one to suspect whether he is partial to the lady or no. Were Fitzroy to have formed honourable intentions towards f.a.n.n.y, I should have done him a serious wrong; but to speak of it with such an one as the Viscount-the Earl Earl-is impossible. I determined to put myself in the clear and leave him to his chances."

The Lieutenant pretends, now, to have no notion that Fitzroy Payne's affections were already engaged elsewhere, as he so clearly intimated during our dance at the Scargrave ball. A curious omission, as though Tom Hearst would wipe clean the blot of his former impropriety.

"Whatever f.a.n.n.y's fortune," I said, recovering myself, "the retention of your cousin's good opinion must be said to have greater value."

"Indeed." He pursed his lips thoughtfully. "But I fear I tarried too long. Miss Delahoussaye's teasing ways have lately brought the wrath of her mother upon my head. Madame has had the temerity to suggest that I have encouraged her daughter in displays that offend propriety!**

"I am all amazement," I said, with deliberate irony.

"You would laugh," Tom Hearst replied, "but Madame went so far as to request it of my uncle before his death that I be barred from Scargrave for the Christmas season."

This was news, indeed. The result of the rumoured duel, perhaps? was news, indeed. The result of the rumoured duel, perhaps?

"Did she!" I cried. "I had not an idea of it! And what did your uncle reply?"

"I remain here, as you see," the Lieutenant said, smiling, "and feel myself completely free to devote myself to others more worthy of my interest."

And so we turned for home, absorbed in forming a plan for further riding lessons in subsequent days. Lieutenant Hearst appears eager for my company; and though he is an untrustworthy rogue, he is charming enough for all that. He amuses me, and I am in no danger from his attentions; I have too much sense to credit the Lieutenant's flattery, particularly when I feel it to be offered by design.

Thus, we have struck a bargain, of sorts, though the terms remain unspoken. My skill as a horsewoman shall benefit from his attentions; and in turn I shall be much persecuted on the subject of Sir William Reynolds. The why why of Tom Hearst's interest in the magistrate, however, eludes me. of Tom Hearst's interest in the magistrate, however, eludes me.

1. Pattens were small rings, usually of metal, that were strapped onto the bottom of shoes to raise the feet a few inches above muddy streets or slushy paths. Though still worn in both country and town in Austen's day, they were considered decidedly unfas.h.i.+onable by mid-century.-Editor's note.2. Hatchments were family s.h.i.+elds, shrouded in black c.r.a.pe and mounted over the windows of a great house to inform the public that the family was in mourning. -Editor's note.3. A gaming-h.e.l.l was the Georgian term for a gambling den.-Editor's note.4. The Royal Horse Guards, one of three cavalry regiments charged with guarding the Royal Household, were nicknamed the Blues due to the color of their uniforms.-Editor's note.

Chapter 8 - She Stoops to Conquer.

17 December 1802

I AWOKE THIS MORNING RESOLVED TO PAY MORE ATTENTION AWOKE THIS MORNING RESOLVED TO PAY MORE ATTENTION to the perplexing problem of the Earl's demise, and less to the rakish Lieutenant Hearst. Such a man cannot be taken seriously by one in my position; however charming, and attentive, the Lieutenant is little likely to ally himself with a lady as dest.i.tute as I, and can be seen only as a poor fellow marooned in the country-who finds what solace he can in idle flirtation. to the perplexing problem of the Earl's demise, and less to the rakish Lieutenant Hearst. Such a man cannot be taken seriously by one in my position; however charming, and attentive, the Lieutenant is little likely to ally himself with a lady as dest.i.tute as I, and can be seen only as a poor fellow marooned in the country-who finds what solace he can in idle flirtation.

With such sensible thoughts in mind, I descended to the little breakfast room with alacrity, my progress hastened by a healthy appet.i.te and a vigorous sense of purpose. I had lain rather late abed-being much fatigued, due to the exertion of the previous day's riding-and thought that I should have the table to myself; but Fitzroy Payne appeared not five minutes after the footman had pulled out my chair, and greeted me with a distracted bow.

"Miss Austen. You look well."

"Thank you, my lord. I feel quite renewed by my excellent rest." I would that I could have returned his compliment, but in truth, he appeared remarkably ill.

"I fear that sleep is an indulgence I must deny myself for the present-my uncle's affairs demand all my attention." The Earl took a seat and waved away the servant's proffered teapot. "Coffee for me, Fetters, and some fresh rashers."

"Yes, milord."

At the footman's departure, Fitzroy Payne cast a glance over his shoulder and leaned across the table. "I must congratulate myself, Miss Austen, upon finding you quite alone. I would speak with you on a matter of some delicacy."