Beneath the Dover Sky (24 page)

“He did.”

“Where is the rag you used to clean it with?”

Sunlight streamed into the room around Caroline as she gazed out on the lawn. “The trash would make it too easy to find, don’t you think? I’m sure Scotland Yard would check that and under my bed and under my pillow.”

“Where is it then?”

“Why, it’s where even Sherlock Holmes wouldn’t look if he were a gentleman.” Caroline tugged a soiled rag from the bosom of her dress and held it over her shoulder. “I had no opportunity to discard it. Your butler seems to prowl around all night. Doesn’t he ever sleep?”

“Perhaps he was concerned for our guests?” Catherine offered.

“Or perhaps he heard an altercation…” Caroline responded.

Holly and Catherine looked at each other and then back at Caroline.

Caroline suddenly turned from the window to face them. One side of her face was purple and black.

“My word!” exclaimed Holly as she rushed to Caroline’s side. “Did Tanner Buchanan do this?”

“Have you put ice on this yet?” Holly asked.

“How could I do that without your butler or the cooks noticing and having a fit?”

Catherine came forward and grasped Caroline’s hand. “Why did he hit you?”

“I noticed the blood on the cane and refused to clean up the mess. I told him I wanted to know what had happened. He told me he’d beaten off a mad dog. I said I’d ask the household staff about it…and they would clean and polish his cane for him. He told me to do what he’d asked. When I refused again, he slapped me. I fought back, and he used the cane.” She gave the rag to Holly. “Your husband’s blood and my blood should be ample evidence.”

Holly’s face was drawn and white. “I shall ring the police in Dover.”

“He’s Lord Tanner Buchanan, MP. The authorities won’t believe my word against his.”

“They’ll take my word,” Catherine said.

“But you saw nothing.”

“Once Harrison hears about Buchanan beating you, he’ll speak up,” Holly said.

“He won’t.”

“He’s no coward!”

“Even if the police believe us, Tanner is still a member of Parliament. The authorities won’t do anything. You know how they are. Tanner told Harrison that he means to destroy the Danforth family and included my part in it. If Harrison tells that, the police will think he’s raving mad. Tanner knows that, so he thinks his plans are safe.”

“What plans?” Catherine squeezed Caroline’s hand.

“Never mind that right now.” Holly crammed the bloodstained rag into a pocket in her dressing gown. “Catherine, I’m going down to fetch water and ice for Caroline. You two had better—”

There was rapid knocking on the door.

Caroline’s eyes went dark. “Yes?”

“Lady Caroline?”

“Yes, Skitt?”

“Lady Caroline, are Lady Holly and Lady Catherine in there with you, by chance?”

“Indeed they are. We’re just having a quick chat.”

“I thought your ladyships would like to know that a car has just pulled up at the front.”

The women looked at one another.

“I see,” replied Caroline. “And who would that be at this early hour, Skitt?”

“It’s Lord Edward, my lady. Lord Buchanan has already opened the door to him.”

“What are you doing here?” Edward asked, trying to keep from shouting.

Buchanan stood on the porch, his chauffeur and suitcases beside him. “Enjoying your family estate.”

“You have no business at Dover Sky.”

“I do, Danforth. My fiancée is here, so I swung by to see how she was.”

“Fiancée? And who is that?”

“Lady Caroline, of course.”

“Caroline? You’re joking! Why would she wed the cad who ruined her life?”

“Perhaps she decided your brother Kipp was the bigger cad.”

“I want you off our property right now!”

Buchanan smiled and pulled on white cotton gloves. “I’m leaving. And don’t worry, I’ll have plenty to say about your family in a speech I’ll be giving in the House this fall.”

Catherine suddenly showed up in the doorway out of breath, with Skitt following closely behind.

“What’s this about, Cathy?” demanded Edward. “Is it true what he says about Caroline being engaged to him?”

She hesitated, and then she straightened as she stepped forward. “No. No, it is not.”

Buchanan whipped around. “She is my fiancée!”

Skitt stepped between Catherine and Buchanan. “Steady on, Lord Buchanan.”

“She knows very well Lady Caroline is engaged to me.”

“That may have been true until you beat her!” snapped Catherine. “It certainly isn’t now. Get your bags and leave Dover Sky immediately.”

“I never beat Caroline. Is that what she’s telling you? She tripped on the stairs during the night. Let me speak to her.”

Catherine blocked the doorway. “No, you will not. Lady Holly is tending to the wounds you inflicted.”

“I’ve done nothing, I tell you.” Buchanan picked up his cane from where it leaned against his baggage. “I think it best Lady Caroline leave with me.”

“I’m afraid not, Lord Buchanan. She is under our roof and our protection.”

He barked a laugh. “Your protection? Do you imagine this the Middle Ages? In any case, who is going to protect her? You? Whelps like your skinny little butler?”

Skitt put his hand up. He looked at the chauffeur. “Please load the
luggage in the car at once.” He looked at Buchanan. “That will do, sir. You’ve been asked to go. Please leave at once.”

Buchanan seethed and swung his cane. There was a crack, and Skitt clutched his wrist as he fell against the wall of the house. “Don’t meddle with me, boy.” Buchanan pulled on the silver top of his cane and a sword emerged, glittering in the light. “All of you stay back. I’m going to fetch Lady Caroline and her bags, and then we’re leaving this wretched estate. Stay back, Lord Edward, I say. Stay back, Lady Catherine. I am a dangerous man when crossed.”

“Aye, you may be dangerous, but I am even more of a threat, Lord Buchanan.” The words were followed by several sharp metallic clicks.

Buchanan turned and saw Harrison walking toward the porch holding a double-barreled shotgun.

Buchanan snorted. “You wouldn’t dare. I shall contact Scotland Yard.”

“If there’s anything left of you to make the call, you’ll be welcome to do so on our shilling,” Harrison replied. He came closer and pointed the shotgun directly at Buchanan’s stomach. “Now be off.”

“Not without my fiancée.”

“She’s not your property.”

“Oh, but she is. And she comes with me or I’ll tear this godforsaken excuse for a manor down around your ears. Who do you think you are?”

“We’re all you’ll never be, Lord Buchanan.” Harrison jabbed the shotgun at him. “Clear off. I’ll not say it again.”

“Lady Caroline is my woman, and she comes with me.”

“I am not, Tanner.” Caroline stood in the doorway, her yellow dress a stark contrast to the side of her face that was dark red and swollen.

“Caroline…” Buchanan said softly. “Bear up and back me up. Remember our plans. Remember what I can help you do.” He sheathed his sword and extended a gloved hand. “Come. We’ll have a physician in London tend to the bruises from your fall. Then I’ll have you as my bride before the day’s out.”

Caroline remained in the doorway. “Tanner, I loathe you. You’re a spider I wish I could squash under my boot. You may thank whatever
god you worship that Harrison holds the shotgun and not me. I would have already pulled the trigger.”

“Caroline, don’t lose sight of what we want to accomplish together.”

“You mean what
you
want to accomplish. All I wanted was a peaceful life, an honorable husband, and a good father to help me raise Charles.”

“Don’t be a fool.”

Harrison stepped forward and cut in. “Goodbye, Lord Buchanan. Your car’s ready. You and your chauffeur can take off. Now would be a good time.”

Buchanan slowly came down the steps of the porch. “You are a brave man when there’s a gun in your hands, Harrison. One day it will not be there, but I will.”

“And you’re a brave man with a sword in your hand.”

“I won’t need a sword or a walking stick to deal with the likes of you.”

“May God speed the day of our next meeting, Lord Buchanan. Until then, be off.”

Buchanan looked up at Caroline. “You’ll regret this.”

“I doubt it. I haven’t felt this good in months.”

Buchanan and his chauffeur walked to the car. The chauffeur set the luggage by the boot, opened the door for Tanner, closed it, and then loaded the luggage. He climbed into the driver’s seat, and a few seconds later the black Silver Ghost headed down the drive toward the main road. Buchanan turned for one last stare. His face was like granite.

“All’s well that ends well.” Edward smiled at Harrison. “Thank you for your help. Is the gun loaded?”

“It is, my lord.”

“Ah. Then, as Wellington said, that was a ‘near run’ thing.” He glanced up at Skitt who was getting to his feet with Catherine and Norah’s assistance. “That was well done, Skitt. I’ll have more to say to you later, but that was well done indeed.”

Skitt was still gripping his wrist. “I would die rather than let a beast like that lay a hand on Lady Catherine, my lord.”

“I believe it.” Edward nodded at Caroline. “I came by for an early breakfast before heading up to London, but breakfast and London will
have to wait. Lady Caroline, we must get you into Dover for medical attention. That goes for you as well, young Skitt. We’ll take my car. My driver will have us at the doctor’s in half an hour.”

Caroline shook her head. “I’ve been trouble enough. My face will heal in time.”

“There could be broken bones. That’s true of you as well, Skitt.”

“But, sir,” Skitt protested, “who will man the door? And what if Lord Buchanan comes back?”

Holly came through the door. “Thank you, Skitt, but Harrison and I shall take care of that. You defend Lady Caroline in case that wretch Buchanan is lying in wait on the roadway. We’ll defend Dover Sky.”

A gleam came into Skitt’s eye. “D’ya think he might try to waylay us, Lady Holly?”

“I shouldn’t be at all surprised.”

“May I—may I take the shotgun then?”

“Ah.” Holly patted his cheek. “Our young lion. No, we shall have it here, I think. But you have one good hand, Skitt. And Lord Edward will be by your side. I fear for Buchanan if he should attempt to stop the car and carry Lady Caroline off. I truly do.”

Dear Cornelia, my diary,

Well, the summer has swept past. After that dreadful business with Lord Tanner Buchanan the rest of July and August were delightful. Caroline’s bruised face healed up nicely, and Charles and Matthew are getting along famously. The twins came up from London twice with Emma and Jeremy, along with their little brother Billy. We had a very raucous manor indeed. Sean tries to keep up as best he can, but the twins are nine and he is only three—the youngest of the lot during that time.

Between you and me, I have no idea what will become of Caroline. Terry has offered to introduce her to naval officers, but she begs off every time. If a letter comes to Matthew from
Kipp and we read it out loud at the table, she excuses herself and leaves the room. I don’t think there is any future for her in that direction. Her face may be better—well, she is stunning, isn’t she?—but under her skin she is far from well. Mum calls her a bird with a broken wing. Now that she has broken off with Tanner, she could return home, but she shows no inclination to do so. She talks to her mother once a week on the phone but appears to be holding a grudge against her father. I pray with her about it, and she’s grateful for that, yet it seems to make no difference in her attitude. I continue to pray for her on my own.

Edward saw Lord Buchanan when Parliament commenced, of course. At first Buchanan refused to greet him. Then he delivered a scathing attack on Father in his first speech of the session and another one on Edward a week later. After that he makes mocking bows to both of them when they meet.

Edward says Buchanan has that American woman on his arm again—Lady Hall, or Lady Kate, as she likes to be called. Edward cannot understand Lady Kate’s sweetness. It’s in such marked contrast to her partner’s harshness. But apparently Lord Buchanan is at his most courteous when he’s in her company. No warmth, of course. He is never the hypocrite. He’s just cold and correct.