“Oh,” Bridget said, peering behind Nate, “here comes—”
“Excellent morning, isn’t it?” Nate groaned inwardly as he heard Colonel Kendall’s voice behind him. He forced a smile as the colonel joined their party and greeted the ladies.
“Good morning, Colonel,” Bridget said. “What do you have planned for this fine day?”
“Well, I’ve already prevented another murder, so I think it’s time now for a brisk walk along the lake.” He chuckled.
“Prevented another murder?” Bridget said. “Whatever do you mean?”
“It was nothing. Only a small skirmish involving a butter knife at breakfast.” The colonel puffed out his chest.
“A skirmish?” Bridget’s eyes widened.
“Mr. Angert is still furious about his paintings,” Nate said, and then proceeded to tell Bridget and Mrs. Harley what had happened at breakfast. “I had hoped to smooth things over by replacing his damaged easels, but I imagine that after today, he’ll be returning to Germany. After all, he won’t be able to paint with an injured wrist.”
“But hecan’tgo,” Bridget said. “He has proven to be violent and bloodthirsty. He could be the killer.”
“Nonsense,” the colonel said. “He’s no killer. Only a temperamental artist. And you don’t need to worry about him leaving. He won’t want to miss the gibbeting.”
“The gibbeting?” Nate’s stomach plummeted. “What are you talking about?”
“The butcher. After his trial in York. He will be hanged and gibbeted. It’s the law. The Murder Act, don’t you know?”
Bridget’s hand flew to her mouth as she stifled her gasp.
Nate’s gut twisted. Gibbeting would be torturous for Mrs. Groby and her children. It meant that Groby would be hanged and then his corpse would be encased in a cage that fitted his body and held it in place, so he could then be displayed to rot away in public. It was a cruel punishment meant for murderous, evil criminals. But if John Groby was found guilty of George Otis’s murder, he would indeed be considered the worst of the worst.
“The magistrate is going to request that Groby be brought back to Westmorland to be hanged and gibbeted. It’s only fitting that those of us who witnessed this heinous crime should see justice meted out.”
“Who told you this?” Nate said.
“I heard men talk of it when I went into town yesterday. After a spot of shopping, I stopped at The Black Horse for some refreshment. And I overheard some men talking about it. I must say, I think it’s a fine idea. I like a good hanging. And I expect Angert’s mood will be restored as soon as he has the opportunity to watch a man hang andthen rot away in a cage. It will make for a fine painting—a rotting corpse against Westmorland’s pristine landscape. Oh, the contrast is delicious.” Colonel Kendall chuckled.
“That’s quite enough,” Nate snapped.
“Oh, heavens!” Mrs. Harley clutched Bridget’s arm. “How awful.”
“Awful? I hardly think so. That butcher deserves the very worst of punishments. His corpse should rot as an example to others who plan to commit such wicked crimes. In the army, we have no tolerance for criminals of any kind. When deserters are caught, they are—”
“I said, that’s enough,” Nate barked. Any earlier admiration he’d felt for the colonel in handling Angert quickly dissipated.
“Well, I daresay, there’s no need to be rude!” Colonel Kendall said. “I think I’ll take my leave of you. Good day, sir.” He bowed stiffly. “And to you ladies.” He marched away in a huff.
Good Lord, what kind of guests is Villa De Lacey attracting now that it’s become known as ‘the murder inn’? I meant for this to be a respectable establishment. A place of relaxation and beauty. Perhaps Edward is right. Perhaps itistime to shut Villa De Lacey’s doors.
“I must go and see Magistrate Hunt at once,” Bridget said, breaking into Nate’s thoughts. “I must talk him out of this madness. To subject Mrs. Groby’s children to this horror—why, it’s too much!”
“No, I’ll do it,” Nate said. “You have your plans already set for this afternoon with Mrs. Groby, and I think you can do better here with her.”
“Oh heavens, what am I to say to her?” Bridget cried.
“You’ll need to break the news to her gently if she hasn’t heard already. And if she cares for children at all, she will do all she can to be honest with you and prevent this atrocity from taking place.”
“You’re right.” Mrs. Harley said. “Few women would put their love for a man over their love for their children.” She caressed her belly and smiled lovingly down at it.
Nate nodded. He only hoped that was true for Mrs. Groby.
Chapter Fifteen
