Page 77 of The Pirate and the Pagan
“No! Lord bloody-rotten Helford. That’s who bought the mortgage. My God, he couldn’t get to London fast enough … he left here July sixth and paid off the mortgage on July seventh.” She almost choked. “Read that! He will allow me to stay at Helford Hall until the annulment. Allow me! The whoreson will then allow us both to live at Roseland. Over my dead body will he allow me to do anything. I’ll get Rory to help us.”
There was a sharp rapping upon the front door that made her jump out of her skin. She opened the door angrily and looked straight into the face of the hated Sergeant Oswald. A militiaman stood respectfully behind him.
“What do you want?” she demanded.
“I’m here to question Spencer St. Catherine in regard to a robbery. The last time he was arrested he gave his name as Spider Brown but I’ve since learned the young felon is your brother.”
“A robbery? That’s preposterous, my brother has just returned from London. What’s all this about, Sergeant?” she demanded in her most repressive voice.
“On the night of July sixth there was a complaint lodged by two very high-placed ladies, namely the Duchess of Buckingham and the Countess of Lauderdale, that they were robbed near here by a highwayman calling himself the Black Cat. I am certain the Black Cat is young St. Catherine,” said Oswald with satisfaction.
“Sergeant Oswald, you are a very tiresome man. My husband, Lord Helford, warned you about harassing me, I believe.”
“I know you’re Helford’s whore, but I doubt very much if you’re Helford’s wife.” He sneered. “Your brother left a ship in Falmouth this morning and came straight here. I intend to search him for stolen money.”
“As a matter of fact, Oswald, I happen to be both whore and wife, and when my husband learns of the way you just spoke to me, you will not only be court-martialed, but he’ll probably order you flogged. As I told you once before, Sergeant, come back when you have a warrant.”
Oswald smiled slyly. “As a matter of fact I have a warrant right here, signed by none other than Lord Helford. High Magistrate of Cornwall, to seize and search any person suspected of committing crimes of robbery or smuggling.”
Summer snatched it from his hand and read in disbelief the undeniable signature of Lord Ruark Helford, Magistrate.
With obvious satisfaction Oswald stepped inside Roseland and ordered the militiaman to search young St. Catherine. Summer stood by in helpless humiliation as they manhandled her young brother and stripped him. Naturally they discovered the money belt containing the ten thousand pounds.
“That is my money, Sergeant Oswald. My brother, Lord Spencer, took it to London to pay off mortgages on our property,” she explained reluctantly.
He sneered at her. “Then why didn’t he do so? Your explanation is contrived horseshit, excuse my language, Lord and Lady St. Catherine.”
“I am Lady Helford!” she insisted.
“And I’m the Duke of Buckingham.” Oswald laughed. “Come on, you young swine, I’m taking you in for questioning.”
“You cannot arrest him; he’s done nothing!” said Summer, blocking the doorway angrily.
Oswald smirked. “I’m not arresting him. I’m only taking him in for questioning. If he’s done nothing, he’ll be released, won’t he?” He picked up the money belt.
“You can’t take my money!” protested Summer desperately.
“Can’t I? Who’s going to stop me?”
“Sergeant Oswald, at the very least I want a receipt from you for the ten thousand pounds. You are a man of the law, and if we must abide by it, so must you, sir.” Her eyes narrowed with hatred. “If I do not get a receipt from you, I shall tell Lord Helford that you tried to rape me.”
“You forget I have a witness, you little bitch.”
“And who do you think Lord Helford will believe, Sergeant? You haven’t the faintest idea just how much of a bitch I can be, if I set my mind to it.”
Reluctantly he scribbled her a receipt for the money. Summer was prepared to go into Falmouth with her brother until Spider said to her, “It’s all right, Cat, I’ll let them take me in for questioning. If I’m not released by tomorrow, then you can come and pull the bloody prison down stone by stone.”
Finally she agreed. She would go to Helford Hall immediately and see if Mr. Burke knew where Lord Helford was. Failing that, she would ask him to contact Rory for her.
Mr. Burke could not hide the fact that he was shocked over the way Sergeant Oswald had treated her. “Ruark is supposed to be home tomorrow, my lady, but whether it will be before nightfall I cannot say. If he does not come, I will consider it my duty to accompany you to Falmouth and vouch for the fact that you are indeed Lady Helford and we will demand your brother’s release,” he said. “Young Lord St. Catherine must be charged with a crime and stand trial before he can be imprisoned for any length of time. Once Ruark returns, he will put everything right. He may have a temper, but he is absolutely fair and impartial where the King’s laws of England are concerned.”
He scrutinized her closely, noting the purple shadows beneath her eyes. “Have you had anything to eat yet today? Then I suggest you go into the garden by the fountain and enjoy the sunset. Water has a very tranquil effect, so I’m told. I’ll bring you a tray and some good strong cider.”
Summer smiled her thanks. Mr. Burke was a rare treasure. He was like the father she had never had. No wonder he held a special place in the hearts of both Ruark and Rory. After she had eaten, she pulled out the letter from her husband and reread it. It was the most infuriating missive she had ever read. It was as if he had taken pleasure in selecting phrases which would flay her temper. One thing was certain, she must get the ten thousand back from Oswald, and together with the ten thousand Rory had given her she would offer it to Ruark in return for Roseland. She must make him understand that when she was no longer Lady Helford, she must have total independence. Surely a man who needed to be in control as much as Lord Helford would understand her needs. The words of an old Chinese proverb kept running through her mind: “Under another’s eaves you have to bend your head.” That would be intolerable to Summer.
She did not retire to her room until long after dark and even then did not undress and get into bed. Instead she sat by her open balcony window expecting the impudent face of Spider to appear over its edge any moment. She awoke with a start to realize she had been in the chair all night. She rode over to Roseland, hoping Spider was there, but in her bones she knew she would not see him. With a heavy heart she went back to the hall to seek out Mr. Burke.
“I’ll order the carriage and the coachman will drive us to Falmouth. We’ll take two liveried footmen and you must choose one of the maids to be your attendant. I think you should put on your most expensive gown and leave them in no doubt at all that Lady Helford is paying them a visit.”
