Page 71 of Lady Louisa and the Carriage Clock
He knew Nathaniel’s idea was sound. “Send a messenger to Sidmouth about Kettering. I promised to let him know if we deciphered the riddle.”
“I will." Nathaniel slapped him on the back. "Off with you!”
As Cecil left the room, he heard Nathaniel tell his wife not to worry. They would bring Louisa back safe and sound.
Standing next to Nathaniel's coach, by the light of a torch, Cecil checked his pocket watch. It was nearly ten o’clock. At that time of night, he expected the roads to be empty as most of the ton would be at their entertainments.
Cecil yelled to the driver, “Richmond House!” and jumped into the carriage.
He would be in Richmond in less than an hour. There was no plan. Cecil trusted Nathaniel to follow him. His friend knew he always carried a flintlock on his person. Perhaps the RA knew as well.
Lord Kettering was the last living founder of the RA. From Nathaniel’s recounting of the conversation at his dinner table, it appeared Lady Kettering was well aware of her husband’s involvement with the organization.
There was no understanding as to why the RA had taken Louisa other than to capture him. Killing him wasn’t going to prevent others from knowing about Kettering.
When the coach arrived at Richmond House, he could see candles burning in several windows. Whoever was in the house wasn’t trying to hide their presence.
Cecil exited the coach and told the coachman to station the carriage further down the street. “If you are fearful for your life at any time, leave me.”
Richmond House was the largest residence on the street of townhouses, as it was two dwellings combined. Cecil had heard of the house. Lord Kettering was sparing no expense on renovations after recently acquiring the property. The last founder of the RA must have made a fortune running the criminal organization.
The door to the house opened as Cecil mounted the front steps, light pouring from the entry hall framing a burly man with a mask.
A feminine voice called from the top of a staircase whose railings were covered with drop cloths, “Come in, Lord Wycliffe. We’ve been expecting you.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
The masked man subdued Louisa effortlessly and chuckled under his breath at her attempts to break free. She stilled, anger momentarily overtaking her fear.
“Bring her to the drawing room,” Lady Kettering said to the brutish man, who hoisted Louisa over his shoulder and carried her up the staircase.
Drop cloths covered most of the furniture and the staircase railings. When they reached the first landing, Lady Kettering led the way into a brightly lit room. The windows were covered by sheets, and several lit candelabras were placed throughout the room on shrouded pieces of furniture. The center of the room had a hole in the floor the size of a writing desk.
“We bought this house very cheaply. A leaking roof has caused damage to several rooms.” Lord Kettering was seated on a stuffed chair in the corner of the room and appeared quite comfortable speaking to a kidnapped woman in a derelict house late at night.
“She doesn’t care, darling.” Lady Kettering pointed to a ragged settee placed against the wall. “Put her there.”
The masked man stalked across the room and dropped Louisa onto the settee.
“Now go downstairs,” Lady Kettering said. “Keep an eye on the back garden after you dispose of the maid. Davis will remain at the door. I wouldn’t be surprised if Lord Wycliffe ignores Eliza’s instructions and brings Lord Harbury along. If so, the baron will be in hiding.”
That is what Louisa would expect of the viscount. She prayed he was on his way to Richmond and had a plan to free her.
“You’re sure he will come for the chit?” Lord Kettering asked with a frown.
“Eliza heard enough to know the man is enamored of the young woman. You know how servants talk. The great Lord Wycliffe even brought the chit flowers.” The lady swung her gaze to Louisa. “Of course, we still have to kill the man.”
“But do we have to kill the maid?” Lord Kettering asked haltingly, sounding like a spoiled child.
Lady Kettering replied soothingly, “She knows too much, my dear. Eliza was a tasty morsel for you; we will find you another. We always have.”
The maid the masked man was supposed to take care of was Eliza. She wasn’t surprised. If Lady Kettering had her way, Louisa and Cecil would be dead soon as well.
A man’s voice called from downstairs, “A coach has arrived.”
“There’s your prince now.” Lady Kettering exited the room, only to return a moment later with one of the masked men and Lord Wycliffe in tow. “Place your firearm on the floor, Lord Wycliffe. Everyone knows you carry one.”
Cecil pulled a flintlock from the inner pocket of his jacket and placed it on the planks beneath his feet. Lord Kettering stood up, a pistol Louisa hadn’t seen before in his hand.
