“Mama! Mama!”cried out Alex from the carriage. He jumped down when the door opened, landing on all fours in the dirt. He scrambled to his feet and ran to Cassie who’d come out of the castle at the news of the carriage arriving.
He threw himself at her. She might have fallen backward if Lakehurst hadn’t been at her back. “I missed you, Mama! I missed you so much!” he said, clinging to her.
“I missed you, too,” Cassie said, tears of happiness streaming down her cheeks as she bent down to pick him up.
Henry assisted the Dowager Duchess of Malmsby and her good friend, Lady Oakley, out of the carriage while John Norton took the reins of the magistrate’s and coroner’s horses to lead them to the stable.
Gwinnie bounced out of the castle and ran up to her grandmother. She hugged her and tucked her arm in hers. “You have missed everything! Come in! Come in!” she said, taking Lady Oakley’s arm on her other side.
Lakehurst and Mr. Liddle went to the magistrate and coroner and led them to the chapel by the outside entrance to where Carlyle’s body lay.
“He missed you so much,” the Duchess told Cassie, “I decided we would come surprise you.”
Cassie laughed. “You have! But as Gwinnie said, come in! Did you travel from Wells this morning? You must have left quite early.”
“We did,” the Duchess agreed. “When I discovered from Mr. Martin that he had apprehended the man responsible for stalking you and sending the letter, I knew I had to come here as quickly as possible. When we stopped in Wells for the night, I heard the magistrate and coroner were coming here early today. I decided I must come with them. What has been happening? Who died that has necessitated a magistrate and coroner?”
Cassie and Gwinnie stopped in the hall when they recalled the Tidemarks were in the main parlor.
“Let’s go to the parlor where I practice,” Gwinnie suggested.
“Yes,” Cassie agreed. “Mr. Harold, tell the Tidemarks they are free to leave.” She looked at Gwinnie, “I think the sooner they are gone, the better.”
“Agreed. Alex, are you hungry?” Gwinnie asked Alex.
“Yes!” Alex exclaimed.
“Come with me then,” she said, taking him from his mother’s arms. “Let’s go visit Cook and see what she has.” She looked at Cassie. “I’ll leave you to explain the goings-on.”
Cassie laughed, but nodded.
“You must tell me of the stalker and the letter!” she said to the Duchess as she led her and Lady Oakley into the smaller parlor.
“It is most extraordinary. It was Mr. Stillworth’s valet! Acting on Mr. Stillworth’s behalf! Is Mr. Stillworth here? The magistrate will be arresting him.”
“So that’s why he didn’t have his valet here,” Cassie said. “The magistrate is here because one of Baydon’s long-time servants died yesterday. Murdered. By Mr. Stillworth!”
The Duchess and Lady Oakley exclaimed at the news. The Duchess squeezed Cassie’s hand in hers.
Cassie told the Duchess and Lady Oakley about the events of the past few days, starting with the embezzling caretakers and ending with discovering Mr. Stillworth should have been the marquis.
“This is not what I would have wished you to encounter here,” said the Duchess with a long sigh.
“What did you hope for?” Lakehurst asked from the doorway. But before she could answer, he looked over at Cassie. “The magistrate and Mr. Liddle have gone in search of any sign of Mr. Stillworth.” He sat beside Cassie on the couch and threaded his fingers through hers.
The Duchess grinned. “Now that is exactly what I wished for you,” she said, indicating their clasped hands.
“She could talk of little else on the journey here,” Lady Oakley said drily.
“Of course! I’ve planned this since Ann and Ellinbourne’s betrothal ball,” the Duchess declared. “This makes four matches I’ve had a hand in arranging in less than three months! You all were helpless until I took a hand in the matter.”
“Oh dear,” Gwinnie said from the doorway. She had a hold of one of Alex’s hands. In his other hand, he held a large slice of cake.
Lakehurst laughed. “You’re next, sister of mine. You’re next.”
EPILOGUE
Versely Park – Late October 1816
