“I will ask about at the tavern, My Lord. Perhaps someone would be willing to share what they have seen for a bit of coin,” Mr. Hanson offered.
“Yes, thank you, Mr. Hanson. Let us go and speak with Mr. Smythe and see what he has to say first.” Frederick arose from his chair, and Mr. Hanson followed suit. “We should inform the household staff to provide for Lt. Buckworth upon his return.”
“I will see to it,” Mr. Hanson replied and left the library.
They met in the stables and rode out for Mr. Smythe’s residence. Upon their arrival, a grey-haired man emerged from the thatched stone cottage. “Mr. Hanson,” he greeted with a smile.
“Mr. Smythe, good to see you. May I introduce Frederick Hadley, Marquess of Pentford. Your Lordship, this is Mr. Christopher Smythe.”
“It is a pleasure to finally meet, Your Lordship.” Mr. Smythe bowed in greeting. “Please, dismount and come inside. I just put some water on for tea.” He motioned for them to follow him as he reentered the house. Frederick and Mr. Hanson tied their horses and entered the cottage. “Please, forgive the state of things. My wife kept a much better house than I ever could.”
“Not at all. Think nothing of it,” Frederick waved Mr. Smythe’s concerns away. “Mr. Smythe, we have come on a matter of urgency pertaining to poaching on the Pentford estate.”
“You do not believe it to be me, do you? I can assure you that it is not I.” Mr. Smythe looked from Frederick to Mr. Hanson, concerned.
“No, absolutely not, Mr. Smythe,” Mr. Hanson reassured him. “His Lordship has come in need of your experience.”
Mr. Smythe nodded his head in understanding. “How may I be of assistance, Your Lordship?”
Frederick described what had transpired in the forest. “Have you seen or heard of anything that might lead us to those involved?”
“No, I have not, but I would be more than happy to inquire on your behalf,” Mr. Smythe offered, handing them each a cup of tea.
“Thank you, Mr. Smythe. Your help would be most appreciated.” Frederick took the cup. It was too hot to hold, so he set it down on the table. “We were thinking of asking if anyone might know anything at the village tavern.”
“It might be best if I inquire first before you do so. If the poachers know that you are looking for them, it will be much harder to get information from anyone in the village. People tend to remain silent if they feel threatened,” Mr. Smythe advised, joining them at the table.
Frederick nodded. “I see. I will refrain from questioning anyone until you have had a chance to do so.”
“I will go to the tavern upon your departure and send word once I have discovered anything of worth,” Mr. Smythe promised.
“Thank you,” Frederick replied, then rose. “I appreciate your help in this matter.”
“Anything for the grandson of His Lordship,” Mr. Smythe arose and walked them both out to their horses. Frederick felt guilty for not staying long enough to drink his tea but believed it was best to have the issue resolved as soon as possible.
Frederick and Mr. Hanson returned to Pentford to find Lt. Buckworth awaiting them in the library. “What did you discover?” Frederick asked as he walked through the door.
“The trail ended, Your Lordship. I was unable to find anything of note,” the lieutenant admitted regretfully. “I would like to speak with the people who live in the area and see if any of them might have witnessed the poachers’ activities.”
“We have someone making inquiries in the village as we speak. As soon as he has completed his investigations into the matter, I would be glad to have your help. In the interim, I would appreciate it if you would remain here at Pentford. I would like to set up a schedule of men to guard the forest as best we can.” Frederick moved over to his desk and sat down.
He pulled out writing materials and began making a list of the estate’s men that would be fit enough to aid in their quest. He sketched a rough map of the estate, then divided the men into groups, marking the places he felt would be of most use to place a guard on the map. He included himself among the men. “Is that wise, My Lord?” Mr. Hanson asked noting his name on the paper.
“Wise or not, Mr. Hanson, I plan to be out there with my men,” Frederick replied meeting his gaze. Mr. Hanson nodded and backed away. Heir or not, Frederick was not about to allow the men within his care to suffer danger while he sat safely in the manor house.
The men took shifts patrolling the forest. Frederick supplied them with weapons to protect themselves in hopes that they would have enough time to use them. It had been disconcerting how swiftly and silently the poachers had encircled them before. Frederick had had no time to do anything other than stand and wait to see what would happen next. He did not plan to fall victim to such a thing twice. He had managed to walk away the first time, he was not so sure such good fortune would be his again.
Frederick doubted that the men would return twice in one day, but he preferred to be cautious and sent men out into the woods immediately. He went about his other duties seeing to the estate’s affairs. Come nightfall, Frederick went out to take up his post. Mr. Hanson had greatly protested Frederick placing himself in such a position, but after a time was forced to accept the wishes of his lord and master.
As Frederick sat in the darkness scanning the outline of the moonlit forest, his thoughts turned to Josephine.
I hope she is well. She came so close to death, and such frightening events are seldom endured without some discomfort physically and emotionally.
Frederick knew the feeling all too well after the day’s events. He had not particularly cared for being at the end of a gun barrel.
Ghastly experience.
The thought of either of them dying and leaving the other behind was too much. They had never been without each other for more than a few weeks in their entire lives. He could not imagine his life without her and sincerely hoped he would never have to suffer such a fate. When they were children, they had made a pact to grow old together, and Frederick still held that promise in his heart. No matter who they married, they planned to have their children grow up together, just as they had.
