“I believe the entire operation emanates from Tintagel and is run by someone with multiple business interests…” DeLacey passed on his knowledge. “The town apparently knows and supports this man, although I do not think he lives there…”
“It is a woman, we think,” Max cut in softly. “We believe her to be the widow Poinz.”
“Lud!” DeLacey grew quiet. “Thetonknows her only for her temper and her jealousies, not to mention her wealth since her husband died. It could fit.”
“His death is still a mystery,” added Max, as he popped a piece of salted meat into his mouth.
“Yes, it is.” DeLacey sipped his ale. “It makes sense. She owns public houses and inns across the Cornish coast and into England. Indeed, we had not ruled out a woman, upon the stock of something we heard from an informer.”
“Did the informer tell you anything about their signals?” Harlow asked.
“No, but I have my suspicions. The entire community profits from their activities and they all look the other way. However, I have noticed a few things,” DeLacey added. He leaned closer. “If you think the widow leads, that is key information and will help us determine who is on the inside. It will be someone she is close to…in the government.” He passed a list of names to the two men and waited for them to look at it.
“There is not much light, but I recognize many of these names,” Max said, angling the list slightly to catch the meagre light from a lamp hanging nearby.
“They are names given to me by an unwilling informant. Watch for a farmer on a white horse. I think he is part of the signal. I believe he signals with it,” DeLacey acknowledged.DeLacey reached out for the list and shredded it into small pieces, stuffing the pieces in his pocket.
“We have noticed him. He rides his horse to town, and either walks back, leading the horse along the main road, or returns by riding it along the coast road. We think the latter is an all-clear signal as it has coincided with ships being wrecked. We could have called the Dragoons and pulled in the net, but we need the conspirator from within,” Harlow spoke very low, although given the hum of conversation, it was unlikely they would be overheard.
Max and DeLacey nodded and finished their ale. “I have a suggestion for a dropping place,” DeLacey broke the silent comradeship, his voice also low. “It should be easy enough to do. There is a loose cornerstone, low to the ground, on the north corner—back facing side—of the post office. The stone is grey and sits among two badly chipped white ones. The building does not get busy until about ten of the clock. Put your messages there.” He laid his palms down on the table. “I will leave first. And I will be in contact.”
“Agreed.”
Chapter 11
Five days later.
Lilian’s body jostled in the coach as it rolled across the uneven stone paving on Bossiney Road, taking them through the small coastal town of Tintagel. Five days in a coach had challenged the adults, but Cooper seemed to enjoy the attention. Remarkably, the puppy could conduct his business at main stops and added no strain to the trip. His presence lightened her mood considerably, although she thought more and more about the handsome Lord Harlow, wishing she had been a little more forward and kissed him again, having never been kissed before then. It seemed an age since they had left for London, and she wondered when she would see Lord Harlow again. He had shown an interest in continuing their courtship, she told herself.I will make sure to receive another kiss on his next visit. She found herself daydreaming about his last kiss.
Sitting for hours exhausted everyone, and even her books had begun to bore her. “It has been so long since I have seen Darby,” she murmured to herself. “I wonder how he will get on with Cooper,” she added, stroking the small dog in her lap.
“I suspect they will enjoy each other’s company. Danby enjoys running loose in the pasture. Cooper enjoys chasing and seems agile. When the puppy grows, he might keep up with your horse.” Lydia leaned over and tickled Cooper behind the ear.
“I apologize. I had not realized I had spoken my thoughts aloud.” Heat rose as she wondered if that was all she had uttered. Leaning down, Lilian gave Cooper a quick kiss on his head. “You will enjoy chasing Danby, little man,” she told him. “Danby has been with me a little longer, so you may have to give him time to get used to sharing. However, I think the two of you could be the best of friends.” She propped back and closed her eyes, conjuring up Elysium Manor. The drive to her home wound around a small lake, two-thirds of the edge of which was framed by an apple orchard. The scenery always brought to mind images her grandmama had given her in stories she had told her years ago.
According to legend, Avalon was the place they took King Arthur to recover after the Battle of Camlann. Grandmama had explained that Grandpapa had loved hearing stories of King Arthur when he was growing up and so he had renamed the property Elysium Manor because it gave a mystical aura to the name, and because the meaning of Avalon was very much the same as Elysium. Elysium had sounded more magical to him. Avalon and Elysium both meaningisle of apples, Grandpapa had planted large tracts of apple trees along the far side of the lake. It had been her favourite place to ride while growing up, especially during the summer. Danby had favoured being allowed to reach an occasional apple, which were always plentiful in the summer, from the trees.
She could tell when their black carriage pulled off the road and onto the drive leading to Elysium Manor, and heaved a sigh.We are almost home. Just ten more minutes. She heard the oyster shells that covered the road being crushed beneath the carriage. Mama instructed the servants to always crush and spread any crustacean shells whenever they served seafood. That had been a family custom, and it added a fashionable appeal. Over the years, the drive had become mostly shells, until it ended at the circular brick drive in front of the house. On impulse, Lilian moved the curtain aside to look. The house stood on a slight hill in front of them. The pink brick and grey limestone, Georgian-styled manor had large east and west wings of three storeys, while the main house was four storeys. Matching brick paved a large round drive in front of the house.
Her family’s three carriages came to a stop, the massive oak door opened, and the housekeeper and footman greeted them. Chambers always travelled to London when they opened up the town house, but the home journey taxed him immensely because he could not reach his post quickly enough. She knew Chambers and Clara well enough to know they would be supervising everything in a matter of minutes, the very moment their feet touched the ground. As if he heard her thoughts, Chambers took his habitual position at the door, causing the housekeeper and footman to withdraw.
“My lord, Lady Avalon, ladies, welcome home!” The stout man pulled on his waistcoat as if shaking out any residual wrinkles.
“Thank you, Chambers. You did not have to rush to greet us. You have just arrived home yourself,” declared Father, as he exited the conveyance.
Lilian was always last. She imagined Winston was bringing the chair they maintained here to the door. He would carry her up the steps. She found no enjoyment in this part of her homecoming.
It was still early in the day and Lilian was most eager to see her horse. “Would you go to the stables with me, Lydia? Cooper should meet his bigger brother.”
“Brother, you say? Lud! Danby is ahorseand you are not hismother.” Lydia pretended exasperation.
“Will you go with me? I am quite excited to be home again.” Lilian knew Lydia would go with her.
“Let me change my dress first. I am most eager to get this dusty gown off!” Lydia responded.
An hour later, Lilian wheeled her chair down a newly bricked path to the stables. Father had arranged for the completion of this while in London. Lilian was delighted at the surprise. It made access to her horse so much easier. The new gardens thrilled Cooper. He walked ahead of her, stopping every few minutes to assure himself she was behind him. He sniffed everything—dandelions, grass, trees, bushes, everything, and marked as much as possible as his territory. Lilian smiled at his antics while she wheeled herself down the path. It took a little longer than being pushed; however, the path had a slight downward slope from the house, so she moved unimpeded.Returning to the house will require some help, she thought.
“Good afternoon, m’lady,” called Barney, surprise clear on his face. He dusted off his hands, walked up and pushed her towards the stable yard. “I know who ye are ’ere to see. ’E will be mighty glad to see you, m’lady. I’ve put him in the Long Meadow.”
