‘Lady Lethbridge,’ he said. ‘John Hedges at your service, clerk to Sir Anthony Ironbridge, Magistrate and Justice of the Peace. I must apologise for disturbing you at this early hour, but the gentlemen were most insistent that you would wish it once you knew the purpose of my visit.’
‘Of whom are you speaking?’
He referred to a small notebook. ‘I am given their names as Major Ravenscar and Captain Mardle—do you know these gentlemen, my lady—and were you there on the Heath when a shooting took place last evening?’
‘Yes, of course,’ she said. ‘Has it not been explained to you what happened? An attempt to rob and kidnap me was made. The rogue had his pistol trained on us, as did his accomplice. I was ordered to ride the horse that my footman had been riding; he lay bleeding on the ground, shot by the highwayman. Captain Mardle was ordered to get down to assist me, but it was only when Major Ravenscar arrived on the scene unexpectedly that he had the chance to shoot at the highwayman. He saved my life and I am very grateful.’
‘Yet the man killed was the Marquis of Rochdale. Your account matches that of the gentlemen, my lady—but why would a man of such social standing attempt to abduct a lady such as yourself?’
‘I have no idea,’ Madeline said coldly. ‘He had shown an unpleasant interest in me, which I rebuffed. I believe if you enquire into his reputation you may find that he is not all you might think. He shot my footman who was riding with us and the poor man lies in bed in this house. He is lucky to be alive for he lost a great deal of blood.’
‘May I speak with this man?’
‘Thomas may be sleeping, but if he is awake and has no objection...’ Madeline raised her eyebrows, giving him an imperious look. ‘Do you doubt my word, sir? This is not the first time this man has tried to abduct me. Have you questioned the post boys and driver of my hired chaise?’
‘They had already left town. It was your testimony Sir Anthony required. No, I do not doubt you, my lady,’ he said. ‘I shall return to my master and give him your account of the incident and I am sure he will arrange to have the gentlemen set at liberty.’
‘What? Have they spent the night in the cells? This is outrageous! They rescued my maid and injured footman, and me from a vile rogue—and their reward is to be locked up for coming to report the incident? Such injustice is to be deplored. I shall certainly speak to the Prince Regent, who has been a friend to me, about this matter.’
‘Oh, no, my lady. I am sure it will not be necessary,’ Mr Hedges said, his neck brick red. ‘I shall assure my master that everything is in order—and I do beg your pardon for disturbing you.’
‘I trust that my friends will be released immediately.’ She was at her haughtiest and Mr Hedges bowed low as he left her.
Torn between anger and laughter, Madeline went into the breakfast room and served herself from the silver chafing dishes with a little kedgeree and soft rolls. She drank a dish of coffee with cream and sugar and then left the parlour. On her way to her own chamber, she knocked at Thomas’s door and was pleased to hear his voice answer.
Entering, she saw that he was now fully conscious and sitting propped up against a pile of pillows.
‘My lady,’ he said and pulled the covers over his bare chest. ‘Forgive me, I did not imagine that you... I thought it was Sally or one of the maids.’
Madeline smiled. ‘Do not feel awkward, Thomas. I have much to thank you and Sally for and I am sorry that you should have been injured because of me.’
‘Yours was not the blame,’ Thomas said. ‘Sally told me that Captain Mardle killed the marquis. It was well done of him for it sets you free of his threats, my lady—but I hope he will not find himself on the wrong side of the law.’
‘You may be asked to testify for him when you are well again,’ Madeline said. ‘I’ve had a visit from the magistrate’s clerk this morning and I gave him my account of the affair. I hope that Major Ravenscar and Captain Mardle will be exonerated of all blame and free to continue their lives very soon.’
‘I shall be very willing to tell anyone who wishes to know, my lady. That devil cared not whether he killed in cold blood and if he were not dead, I should wish to see him hang for his crimes.’
‘I came just to see how you went on,’ Madeline said. ‘I shall leave you to rest and I’m sure Sally will be here soon.’
‘I made her seek some rest,’ Thomas said, ‘for she sat with me all night and I told her she would be ill if she did not lie down for a while.’
‘She was worried for you, but she is relieved of her duties and free to nurse you, Thomas—and I hope we shall soon have a wedding to cheer us all. I mean to give you a handsome present and I hope you will invite me.’
‘Sally wouldn’t dream of anything else,’ he said. ‘We’ll be living in London, my lady, and you will always be welcome in our house.’
Madeline thanked him and went away. She returned to her own room where she found warm water in a can.
* * *
Some half an hour later, having washed and dressed in a fresh morning gown of grey silk trimmed with pink braid, she was on her way downstairs when Mr Henry informed her that a gentleman was waiting in the parlour to see her.
‘Not Mr Hedges again I hope?’
‘No, my lady. Mr Symonds is—or was, I might say—the count’s lawyer. He asked if we would let him know as soon as we heard from you. I took the liberty of letting him know you were home and he called round in the hope of seeing you—but he says if it is not convenient he can call again whenever you choose.’
‘I shall see him now,’ Madeline said. ‘Thank you for letting him know. It was my intention to send for him this morning.’
The butler nodded and preceded her to the parlour, where he flung open the door and announced her.
Madeline entered to see a gentleman very correctly dressed in a grey morning coat and breeches with a pristine white shirt and a black cravat held by a modest gold pin. He was an elderly man with greying hair, but his eyes were a piercing blue. He had been seated in a solid mahogany elbow chair, but stood up at once and bowed to her.
‘Countess. A pleasure to see you. I trust my visit does not inconvenience you, ma’am?’
‘No, not at all, sir. It was my intention to contact you this morning and ask you to call. My husband’s unfortunate demise has left me in something of a dilemma. I am not certain of my situation.’
‘On that I can put your mind at rest immediately,’ Mr Symonds said. ‘Your settlement is intact for that could not be touched. Your late husband’s estate in the country is heavily mortgaged and I have received a foreclosure from the bank. Unfortunately, there will be nothing left after the estate is sold. This house is free of debt, but there are some small tradesmen’s bills to be paid. I have received a claim for five thousand pounds for a gambling debt. There are insufficient funds in the count’s bank to pay this, but you may know of some further funds—or you may choose not to pay it.’
‘If the debt has been proven you should pay it,’ Madeline said. ‘I am not sure what my settlement was—perhaps you could enlighten me?’
‘You have capital of ten thousand pounds, which is invested in the ten per cents, ma’am. Your income for the past several years was hardly touched and has accrued to another four thousand pounds, which is in a separate bank account in your name.’
‘So I am not penniless.’ Madeline nodded. She had expected the news to be something of this nature and was not dismayed. ‘My servants must be paid what they are owed and I should like to make sure they are given another six months’ wages when I close