Page 74 of The Marchioness Who Tempted Fate
“I am not saying anything, Miss Tiffany. To do so would presume to evidence that I do not have. Let us say simply that I have never been easy in my mind about the event. The shooter was never found. The ball that took the previous Lord Northbury’s life did not match those for any of the hunting party. It was all very strange.”
Old Elizabet watched the two of them, saying nothing at all for a few minutes. Then she put in, “Jones was seen near Northbury Manor early on that morning. An’ it was not long after the elder Lord Northbury’s death that he was hired on as cook. Like the good Constable, I’m not sayin’ anything. Just lettin’ words flow over my gums, that’s all. That’s all I’m doin’, indeed.”
“Is Percival in danger?” Tiffany gasped.
“Might could be,” the constable said. “That is why I encouraged his two young friends to call on him.”
“I should turn myself in so that this will all stop,” Tiffany said.
“An’ what makes you think that would keep him safe?” Constable Brooks asked.
“It…” Tiffany stopped and thought about it. “Oh. Oh, no. We need to be on hand, for just in case.”
“Even so,” Constable Brooks nodded. “Even so. As it stands, I think we can safely move all of you back up to the main house, out of this burned-out hulk. I’m never easy about the foundations here.”
Chapter 49
Tiffany knelt on the nearly cold hearth in the crumbling manor house, patiently coaxing the single live coal she had ferreted out to catch the crumbs of tinder from the fire box.
“You are sure I dare try my hand at baking again?” she asked Old Elizabet, who was bringing in an armload of larger kindling.
“Well, I know of little in this world that is for sure and sartin,” the old woman said, “But I believe that if you stick to the house an’ you don’t go out for work, that it should be safe enough. Besides, we are running out of stored food to feed everyone.”
“But what if the Watch should raid again?”
“Doubt that they will. They din’ find what they’us lookin’ for the first time, so we shouldn’t see them back again for some time. Besides,” the charwoman tipped Tiffany a wink, “I went up an’ paid our protection money just this mornin’, put it right into Constable Brooks hand myself. We should be good for a time.”
“Protection money?” Tiffany straightened up from blowing on the fire. “But isn’t that the taxes?”
“Well, it is and it isn’t. A bit goes to the Watch to turn a blind eye, an’ some goes to pay the taxes. How else do you think we’ve been able to stay here undisturbed so long? Most of us are day laborers and trades people. Constable Brooks knows that we keep folks off the street, an’ that keeps crime down. We’ve been doing it ever since Lady Ann passed on.”
“But…protection money? Not just taxes?”
“Just a little grease to oil the wheels,” Old Elizabet said pleasantly. “We all pay a little into the till so’s there’s always a bit to pay with. Not to mention some to buy food an’ the like. We cain’t allus count on charity.”
“No, I suppose not,” Tiffany said, bending again to her task. Shortly, she was rewarded with a tiny flame.
The women were just settling down to look over the day’s gleanings to see what they could put together for supper, when Davy came hurrying in with Michaels close behind him.
“Tiffany!” Michaels burst out, “Lord Ronald is carrying on something fierce at Lord Northbury, an’ I think he’s drugged Mr. Quentin an’ Mr. Kenault!”
“What?” Tiffany leaped up from where she sat.
Old Elizabet laid a hand on her arm. “Easy now, my dear,” she said. “It will not do to go off in a tizzy before we know all that is going on. The good Lord knows Lord Ronald can be unpleasant. But drugging his Lordship’s friends? Surely this cannot be.”
“Tis what Lucas said, then he sent one of the other footmen off for Constable Brooks, and tol’ me to come fetch you.”
“Of course I will come, right away,” Tiffany said, setting aside the pan of vegetables.
“Risky business,” Old Elizabet said. “You’ll be arrested like as not if you go back.”
“But you heard what Michaels said. If I do not, then who will stand for Lord Northbury?”
“Most like, Constable Brooks, if he can get there in time. Mark my words, Miss Tiffany, if you go next or nigh to the Northbury Manor, your next stop will be the gaol.”
“Be that as it may,” Tiffany replied, “I cannot stay away when he has sent for me.”
The day was well advanced as Tiffany left the crumbling manor, and hastened toward Northbury Manor. She and Michaels went carefully, walking behind the hedgerows, and staying away from the light.
