Page 83 of The Marchioness Who Tempted Fate
“None of which has been indicated in Lord Northbury,” Constable Brooks said cheerfully. “Indeed, he has held up most excellently under adverse conditions.”
“Excellently!” Lord Ronald burst out. “How can you say so? He has hired the filth off the street. Pirates, thieves . . .”
Constable Brooks raised his eyebrows. “Lord Northbury is well known for his acts of altruism, and his extraordinarily successful charitable acts. Indeed, Lord Nevard, who is the president of the Charity Club, has nothing but good things to say about Lord Northbury and his fellow committee members.”
“Committee members?” Lord Ronald snorted in disgust. “Title-less younger sons with nothing constructive to do with their time. Did I not see the two of you at the racetracks not a fortnight ago?”
“We were,” Kenault said enthusiastically. “A fine time we had of it, too! Neither of our horses placed, but we did find some prime breeding stock, and I made arrangements with the owner to bring his stallion to my father’s stables. Pater was delighted.”
Lord Ronald opened his mouth to comment further, then closed it again. He seemed to have run out of comments.
The captain of the Watch leaped in to fill the vacuum. “Lord Ronald fears that Lord Northbury’s association with landless, title-less younger sons, as well as criminals and members of the lower class, will endanger the Northbury estate.”
“Endanger? Why, I should hardly think so, gentlemen,” said another voice. Dr. Hardwick shouldered his way into the room.
“How can you say that, when only a few days agone, Lord Northbury was basely attacked by one of the servants?” Lord Ronald asked in a reasonable tone of voice.
“That he was attacked is a matter of established fact,” Constable Brooks said equably. “The person or persons unknown who did the deed has yet to be established. The whole affair requires investigation. I strongly suggest that we commend Lord Northbury to the care of his valet while the rest of us repair to a room more suited to hold such a crowd as we are becoming.”
“But he will . . .” Lord Ronald stopped before the next words escaped his lips.
“Abscond? Escape? Run away? Why should he do any of those things? He has done nothing wrong. Indeed, I fear he is about to become victim of a convoluted plot against him.”
Lord Ronald opened his mouth and closed it a couple of times, somewhat like a fish out of water.
“Precisely so,” remarked Constable Brooks.
“Hold on there,” the Watch captain blustered. “You can’t just come in here and take over. I’m the captain of the Watch.”
“I’m sorry,” Constable Brooks said calmly. “You were the captain of the Watch. I have come out of retirement, and I am now the captain of the Watch.”
“But you can’t do that!” the fellow protested. “On whose authority are you making such a move?”
“On mine,” said Lord Nevard, speaking from the hallway. “Indeed, I find Constable Brooks comments most cogent. I have gravely missed Lord Northbury, and would consider it a great boon if everyone present would please assemble in the main dining hall. Would that be agreeable with you, Lord Northbury?”
“Quite, Lord Nevard. Especially if it means that my valet will have leave to make me more presentable for this company. If you please, I would like for Mr. Quentin and Mr. Kenault to remain behind in case I have need of more assistance than Smithers can adequately render.”
Constable Brooks beamed a smile at him. “A most sensible idea, Lord Northbury. Tiffany, Michaels, if you will come along with the rest of us?”
Tiffany started, and glanced at Michaels. “How did he know?” she mouthed at him.
Michaels shrugged, and gestured for her to precede him into the withdrawing room.
“What is she doing here?” Lord Ronald burst out. “She should have been arrested by now. I tell you, heads will roll.”
“Perhaps,” Constable Brooks said. “But I think not hers. I have spent a busy and informative week talking to a great many people. Yet I still have many questions to ask. I have brought a few guests to this party, having snatched them from the hands of your less than beneficent Watch. Now, if you please, Lord Ronald, I strongly suggest that we join Lord Nevard in the dining room.”
Lord Ronald seemed about to protest, but as he opened his mouth, Constable Brooks added calmly, “My fellows have joined the good Captain’s in the hall. We shall all be going down to the dining room.”
Lord Ronal deflated, and allowed himself to be escorted out. But he turned at the doorway, “You have not heard the last of this, Nephew.”
“I shall see you in the dining room, and we will get it all sorted out, Uncle. I am sure we can resolve everything satisfactorily.”
As the last person filed out, Percival swayed on his feet. Mr. Quentin rose from his chair, attempting to catch his friend before he fell, but Smithers was there before him. “I have you, My Lord,” the valet said.
Mr. Quentin turned the chair so that the valet could seat the Marquess in it. “What a shambles,” Percival murmured. “If only I could remember what I was doing just before the attack. If I could but recall with whom I was speaking, I feel as if that would reveal all.”
Chapter 55
