Page 22 of Conundrums & Coincidences

Thus, on parchment I am what skilled artists drew.

Yet in gardens, where they were born, then grew,

A different variety has a pricklier, thornier purview.

In giddy anticipation, Elizabeth changed direction and lightly tripped down the stairs. At the bottom she turned right and hurried along the vestibule. Decorum restricted her from breaking into a run but just barely.

I have it! I have it! Good grief, I sound like Mr Hadley. But she knew the answer and remembered seeing such an engraving on the flagstones in the great hall.

How many more puzzles must she solve? How close was she to winning? Please let this next conundrum be the penultimate one.

She entered the chamber and rushed straight for the very heart of the hall. The closer she drew to the central point, the slower her steps became and the faster her heart pounded.

Yes! Amidst myriad red and buff-coloured flagstones, the circular engraving was just as Elizabeth remembered.

But she simply stood there staring at the compass rose. Now what am I to do? Where is the puzzle? Must I lift the entire flagstone to find it?

Kneeling, she tried prying free the slab. Fiddlesticks! All she had managed to do was break two fingernails. Sitting back on her heels, Elizabeth studied the graduated circle with its thirty-two directional points. Aha! The engraving’s circumference had a sizeable groove, large enough for the tip of a finger.

With the compass rose successfully lifted from its flagstone bed and set aside, Elizabeth peered into the cavity. Hurrah! The hoped-for, twice-folded foolscap was snatched from its hiding place and the piece of art put back where it belonged.

Cheerful and full of energy thanks to her triumph, Elizabeth was about to leave the great hall when she heard echoing voices.

“And if you do not cooperate, believe me, I shall know how to exact revenge.”

That is Miss Kensett. Where is she? Elizabeth explored the screens at the back of the room but saw no one. The voices must be coming from the peep-hole. What was the word Mrs Vincent used? Squint.

As she walked towards the dais, she dithered between leaving directly or staying and listening. I shall remain only long enough to identify the male voice.

The argument became more heated and the voices louder and clearer the closer Elizabeth came to the peep-hole.

“Do you dare threaten me, madam? You do not want me as your enemy.”

That is Mr Fordham’s voice. He and Miss Kensett must be in the library.

“Pshaw!” said the lady. “We, all five of us, already are adversaries. And if you will not assist me with my first puzzle and every subsequent one, I shall tell Mr Monroe how you have been⁠—”

“Hush, harridan, or I shall silence you myself!”

Elizabeth had heard enough. Miss Kensett was threatening Mr Fordham with extortion. And Mr Fordham was threatening the lady with… What exactly?

12

CALL IT HOPE…AND COMFITS

The day having dawned clear and the church being little more than three-quarters of a mile distant, the tree-lined road beckoned, and the five of them agreed to walk to Sunday services. Their number, however, included neither Miss Kensett nor Mr Fordham.

During the donning of hats and bonnets and such in the vestibule, Elizabeth enquired after the well-being of the absent lady and gentleman.

“Your concern is admirable, dear.” Miss Rigby tugged her gloves with more force than seemed necessary. “Miss Kensett declared she had a headache and requested a breakfast tray be delivered to her bedchamber. Henrietta is tending to that with some laudanum and will remain with her until I return. Other than a severe bout of griping, there appeared to be nothing at all wrong with the lady when I paid her a brief visit half an hour ago.” The chaperon’s expression clearly conveyed her disapproval of both slothfulness and religious indifference. “Of Mr Fordham’s whereabouts, I have no knowledge.”

Displeasure evident in his tone, Mr Monroe said, “On this day of rest, the gentleman apparently has important business to attend to this morning.” Alfred passed him a walking stick, and there followed a quiet exchange between employer and footman. All Darcy heard was, “Mr Atwater will be keeping an eye on him.”

The information provided by chaperon and attorney seemed to cause Elizabeth more anxiety than relief. Knowing her poor opinion of Miss Kensett and Mr Fordham, Darcy wondered about her sudden interest in them. Elizabeth has such a kind heart. I should not question her concern. There would be ample opportunity for them to converse during their walk, and then the subject might be broached.

As they set off towards the quaint country church, its bells summoning the faithful to worship, Darcy had little opportunity to address the matter or to even address Elizabeth at all. Consequently, his steely eyes took aim at the back of another gentleman’s head—Mr Hadley’s.

The younger man had offered the lady his arm before Darcy had a chance to do so. And, because Mr Monroe was performing the same service for Miss Rigby, Darcy walked alone, feeling superfluous.