“Oh. Then surely—?”
“You think there is nothing valuable there? It may be so, but it was bought years ago by the 10th Earl who was very free with his money. There is no knowing what treasures may be found within.” Especially in the safe, she must hope. But there was no need to mention that. Only Tom knew her innermost thoughts on that subject.
Another letter arrived, this time from her mother, congratulating her in stiff terms on her engagement, and inviting her to bring Ulric to Corland so that she could meet him.
“That would not be a good idea,” Lord Tarvin said sharply, when the letter was shown to him. “Ulric does best on familiar ground.”
“Although I could probably tempt him there,” Tess said, mischievously. “The Corland stables are magnificent, andstuffed to the rafters with excellent horseflesh. Ulric would love it. He could ride a different horse every day for a month.”
“Please!” Lord Tarvin said, wincing. “Do not even think it. Your plans will be quite sunk if your family actually meet Ulric.”
“Do you think so? And yet he is indisputably a gentleman, no one can argue otherwise. No, no, do not look so agonised. I shall not do it. But hewouldlike it there.”
“You are a wicked girl to tease me so, Tess,” Lord Tarvin said. “But what are we to do about this house of yours? Shall I send someone to Pickering to have a look at it? As Ulric’s trustee, I do have a right to know what his future wife brings to the marriage.”
But while they were considering ways to accomplish this, news arrived from Corland that drove all thought of houses and fortunes out of Tess’s head altogether. She was in the drawing room with the ladies one afternoon, pretending to work on some tapestry, while Lord Tarvin read out snippets from last week’s London papers, when Jeffries came in bearing a silver salver.
“Your letters, my lady. Quite a few today, after the rain further south flooded so many roads, but the mail is finally getting through at last.”
“Oh, good,” Lady Tarvin said. “I wondered why everything has been local for the last few days. Alvira, several for you. And Tess, one for you, from Corland. Your uncle’s hand, I fancy.”
Tess could not have imagined as she broke the seal and unfolded the letter the dire news contained within.
‘My dearest niece, You must prepare for a very great shock, for the most unexpected event has occurred. Your friend Tom Shapman walked into the castle yesterday and confessed to killing your father. You may imagine how…’
Tess could read no more. She screamed, and then she screamed again.
Lord Tarvin crossed the room in a few swift strides, and caught her as she fell insensible from her chair.
9: Journey To Corland
Tess came abruptly to her senses, a vinaigrette wafted under her nose. She was lying on achaise longue, Lord Tarvin’s arm still around her back, his concerned face just inches from her own.
“Enough, aunt. She is coming round,” he murmured, and the horrid vinaigrette was whisked away.
Mrs Harfield’s voice murmured in the background. “Someone has confessed to the murder of Mr Nicholson, but that should make her happy, surely?”
“Who is it, Mother? Who has confessed?” Lord Tarvin said.
“Someone called Tom Shapman,” she said. “Do we know a Tom Shapman? I have never heard of him.”
Tess pushed herself upright. “I must go to Corland — at once! There is no time to be lost! He could hang for this!”
“And quite right, too,” Mrs Harfield said robustly. “If this fellow killed your father—”
“Of course he did not! Oh, I must go at once,at once!There is not a moment to be lost. Lady Tarvin, may I use your carriage? I must go into Durham to pick up a post chaise.”
“No, we will go in my carriage,” Lord Tarvin said. “It will be quicker. Mother, ring the bell for Jeffries.”
“Wewill go?” Tess said, staring at him.
“Of course,we.You do not imagine I would let you go alone, do you? Ah, Jeffries, my carriage in one hour, if you please. Four horses. Tell Deakin to pack at once, and also Miss Nicholson’s maid and manservant. We leave in one hour for Corland Castle.”
“Very good, my lord. Is this to be a long visit, or short? Evening dress?”
“Yes, everything. I have no idea how long this will take. Never fear, Tess, we shall rescue your friend.”
“But he could be hanged in days.”
