After those who needed to relieve themselves did so, they were ushered into a private parlour where tea and a plate of sandwiches made with nice fresh bread was waiting for them. Some of the sandwiches were made with strong cheddar cheese, while the rest were with cold mutton. The tea was welcome, and after they enjoyed the food, more than half still remained on the plate. The countess instructed the serving girl to take the remaining sandwiches along with some hot drinks to their men, who could be found with the Fitzwilliam coach.
To give the men some time to eat and drink, the four waited in the parlour for a while longer before making their way back out into the cold air. The cabin was not too cold as the cooled bricks had been exchanged for newly heated ones. Once Matlock had verified that his men had eaten and slaked their thirsts, he hit the ceiling with the head of his cane and they were soon underway once more.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Less than two hours after departing Bromley, the Fitzwilliam coach passed the palings of Rosings Park, and shortly thereafter the coachman guided the lead horses past the estate’s gateposts. It was only about a half mile until the Baroque-style manor house came into view.
When the conveyance came to a halt under the portico, those within were at a loss as to why there were no footmen on duty waiting to receive them. It was one of the Fitzwilliam footmen who jumped down from the rear bench, extracted the step from its recess and opened the door for those within. Matlock stepped down first and then turned and handed his beloved out. Lady Elaine was followed out by Richard and lastly, Darcy.
“This is strange,” Darcy noted. “Granted I was not here this Easter past, but Lady Catherine has always prided herself on having more than enough servants to do her bidding.”
“I agree,” Matlock responded. “We will get no answers waiting in the cold. I am surprised the butler has not opened the door yet.”
Richard, with Liam at his side, went ahead, and not caring that there was no knocker on the door, something he had never seen at this estate before, he banged on it loudly. It took three times before the door was cracked open.
“Me mistrus arn’t see’in no caller,” an unknown man, who was certainly not the butler, said rudely and was about to push the door closed when both cousins nodded to one another and threw their weight against the door. The force of the two powerful men threw the door open fully, and the man who had attempted to stop them was on hisderrièreon the marble floor.
“‘Ow dare yer!” The man yelped as he dealt with a rather painful posterior. “Me mistrus will ‘ave yers in the gaol!”
At that moment Richard was thankful he had decided to strap his sabre to his side that morning. He did not know why, but he had just felt like he should have it with him. He unsheathed it now and held it inches from his aunt’s lackey’s neck. “You have one chance to tell me what the blazes is going on here before I send you to hell,” he threatened. The man turned pallid and began to sweat.
Lord Matlock stepped forward. “Where is the butler?” he demanded. “Why are you answering the door in his stead?”
“Uncle, before he replies, allow me to summon your footmen, the postillion, and coachman. In addition, I think we should arm ourselves with the brace of pistols below one of the seats,” Darcy suggested. His uncle nodded, and Darcy took off at a run to collect the men and the weapons.
When he returned, Darcy had a pistol in each hand. He was followed by the four armed men who handed a pistol to his uncle and two to Richard.
“Speak now man, or I will not be responsible for what my son does to you,” Matlock barked at the terrified man on the floor. He told how Lady Catherine had employed him and a few other men who had been willing to work for her on Saturday past. Their first job had been to lock most of the staff and servants, whom the lady claimed were disloyal, into some windowless rooms. He related how they had been told that noone was to be admitted to the house, and she was not to be disturbed.
Even though his story was plausible, Richard tied the man up very securely to make sure he could not warn the others or act against them. For good measure he was gagged.
“Elaine, I would feel easier if you returned to the coach with one of the men to guard you until we know what is happening here,” Matlock stated firmly. “You know I will never be able to forgive myself if aught happens to you. According to that man, there are at least two more men working for Catherine. We need to subdue them before I will feel easy with you being inside of the house.”
Her first instinct was to argue, but Lady Elaine realised her presence would distract Reggie, and that would not be helpful. She gave a tight nod and turned back towards the front door with the armed coachman following behind.
“Let us make for my sister’sthroneroom,” Matlock instructed. The six men made their way to the drawing room in which Lady Catherine had her gaudy, throne-like chair.
There were two more ruffians standing guard outside of the drawing room. Before either could say a word, the barrels of pistols were pointed at their heads. The men froze. No amount of money was worth their lives. Richard and the two footmen led them away from the room they had been guarding and down a hallway.
“Do you two know where the staff and servants have been locked away?” Richard growled.
At first neither man was inclined to answer. As soon as the two footmen pushed the barrel of the pistol each held into the backs of the men, they changed their tune very quickly. Both nodded.
“Kingston, take that one and secure him where the other one is being kept, then return to the drawing room to assist my father and cousin. Also, you may have my mother and Smith join us. I do not think there are any more of these men my aunt has installed roaming the house.”
“Aye, Colonel, sir,” the footman replied and then led the man away.
“Now you, lead us to the rooms. You have one chance to tell me what the blazes is going on here before I send you to hell,” he threatened. The man turned pallid and began to sweat when, to highlight his point, Richard rested the blade of his sabre on the man’s shoulder.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
After lashing the newly captured man to a column near the first man they had bound and gagged, the footman returned with Lady Matlock and the coachman. They arrived just as the Earl pushed the drawing room door open and entered, followed by Darcy and Grant. Kingston hurried, so he entered the room alongside the postillion. The Earl held back until his wife was next to him.
“I said I was not to be…” Lady Catherine began to yell. Her mouth closed with a clack when she saw who had entered the room. She had to think of a plausible story, and soon. She knew her brother, sister-in-law, and Fitzwilliam would not be put off for long—it was far too soon. She still had much to sort out before she had intended to contact her family. What poor luck for her that some of her family members arrived right now. It was then she noticed that her brother, nephew, and the two servants with them were all carrying pistols. Surely they did not know…
“Catherine, where are your butler, the housekeeper, Mrs Jenkinson, and the servants? And where is my niece?” Matlock insisted.
The tale she would tell came to her in that instant. “Oh, Brother,” she wailed with put-on sadness. “I had to sack all of them because of their neglect. Anne,” she dabbed imaginary tears from her eyes, “passed away on Saturday.”
