The Portrait (21 page)

"My carriage will collect you within the hour," said the
earl, already on his way to the door.

The rain came in torrents, gushing from roof and piping
alike as Perry watched from the shelter of a stall at the rear
of the stable yard as the earl's chaise was drawn across the
flooded cobbles of the yard to the coach house and the horses
hurriedly taken to the stables. Caesar sat dolefully at his
young master's side, unaware of the disquiet coursing through
his breast, knowing only the need to comfort him by his presence.

Having great faith in his brother's ability to set all to rights,
Perry's first instinct had been to run and lay all at Sinclair's
feet. However, the thought of the disgrace he felt he'd brought
to bear held him back. For the first time in his life he felt a reluctance to face Sinclair and instead drew farther into the stable
and hid in the shadows.

"Where's the boy?" demanded the earl of Croft as soon as
he and Estelle entered the hall.

"Master Perry went out some while since, sir," answered
Croft. "If he's any sense, he's probably sheltering from the rain
somewhere"

"It grows quite dark. Send someone out to search for him,"
ordered Sinclair. "I will not have him abroad in these conditions."

"Aye, my lord." Croft bowed, preparing to leave, but then as
an afterthought added, "Is the lady to stay, sir?"

"Yes, have Rose prepare a chamber for her and serve her
supper in the small salon. I will eat later, when I've spoken to
Perry."

Seeing that the earl was much concerned and not wishing
to intrude, Estelle made her excuses and repaired to the drawing room to await Rose's attentions. She could see that now
was not the time to be raising questions and instead contented
herself with the thought that her presence alone would lend
Sinclair support.

The earl retreated to the library to pace its confines, pausing only to pour himself a glass of claret. Knowing only too
well the vagaries of youth that could drive Perry to foolishness, he liked not the idea that he should have left the house
when in a state of agitation. Putting his glass aside, he finally
came to rest in the large chair behind the desk, his concern increasing with every minute of Perry's absence.

Seeing the servants come to the stables with lanterns held
aloft and his name being called, Perry realized that he could
remain hidden no longer. Deeming it time he faced his brother,
he stepped out into the yard, claiming he'd been but sheltering
from the downpour. He followed the servants with lagging
steps, ignoring Caesar, who kept pace beside his young master, his eyes blinking with every drop of rain that fell on his
faithful head.

"There's a letter, sir," said Perry stiffly, handing it to his
brother, who remained seated at his desk.

The earl broke the seal and spread the sheet before him,
drawing the lamp closer to give more light.

"What does it say?" asked Perry nervously.

"They request that I withdraw you from the college to save
any unavoidable unpleasantness."

"Oh," was Perry's monosyllabic reply as he confined his
gaze to the floor.

Sinclair leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving his
brother's face. "I don't want you to say anything until I've finished speaking," he said in a level voice. "Then you must tell
me the truth. I will not be angry if only you tell me the truth"

"I didn't do it, Ned," interpolated Perry hotly, taking a step
forward. "I truly didn't. You must believe me"

"I never doubted you for one moment," Sinclair assured
him, "but you understand that I must ask. There's also another
matter. You promised me that if you got into further trouble,
you would come to me first. Why didn't you? Are you frightened of me?"

"Never!" cried Perry. "It's just that .." And his voice faltered.

" `Just that ...'?" prompted the earl.

"It was the shame that I could have been thought to have
acted as a thief. I couldn't bear for you, even for one moment,
to think me guilty."

"You may be assured on that score. There's no need to convince me of your innocence," said the earl, rising to pour two
glasses of claret and to press one into Perry's unsteady hand.
"You tell me you did not take the weapon, and I believe you"

Resuming his seat, he indicated that Perry should take the
chair opposite the desk. "How did they arrive at the conclusion that you were the thief?" he asked. "What caused them to
lay the blame at your door?"

"I was seen outside Compton's rooms and subsequently
gaining entrance, though I swear to you I had his permission.
I went to collect some books. I didn't even see the saber. I
only knew of its existence because Compton had been brandishing it in the library a few days earlier."

"Who was the witness? Who accuses you?"

"Compton's roommate, Jameson"

"If that be the case, why didn't he intervene and prevent the
theft?"

"He knew I had Compton's permission to enter his room
and left thinking no more about it."

"Were there no further investigations made into the matter? Surely if you'd taken it on that occasion, it would have been
too obvious that you were the thief when you were known to
be alone in his room"

"Compton said that it had been in the room just before my
visit, but when he followed closely in my wake, it was gone.
What other conclusion could they draw?"

"There is more to this than meets the eye! You are sure no
further inquiries were made?"

"Not to my knowledge, Ned"

"Was a search made of your room?"

"Yes."

"And nothing came to light?"

"How could it, if I were innocent? They were convinced
that I had hidden it."

"And what was to be your motive for stealing it in the first
place?"

"Monetary. It's well known that my pockets are to let, and
the saber was of value."

"Then I will go to see the Principal myself. I will not allow
you to be accused on so slender a case. Investigations will be
made-you may rely upon it. You must remain here, but I will
travel to Oxford tomorrow."

Perry grinned with great relief, his faith in his brother's abilities unshaken. "Knew you would know what to do. I know I
should've come to you as soon as I was accused, but..

"There is no need for self-recrimination. Thankfully, I was
notified of the case and will now at least have some chance of
putting it to rights. Now go and get some sleep. You look
sorely in need of it."

"Devil a bit," agreed Perry, rising to take his leave. Then, as
he gained the door, he turned and said simply, "Thank you,
Ned"

Sinclair waved him away, not allowing him to see the grimness that had settled about his mouth.

The earl left for Oxford at first light, leaving Estelle at Fly,
deeming it prudent that she remain with Perry and give him what support she may. The boy had assured him that he would
fare well enough on his own, but the earl preferred that he
have company to prevent him from dwelling on the case.

For the whole of the morning Perry played the dutiful host
and showed Estelle over the estate, as he thought his brother
would have wished. However, once luncheon had been served,
deeming he'd discharged his duty, he hailed Caesar and, making his excuses, headed out to inspect the covers.

Left alone, Estelle wandered the corridors of the house, examining the portraits of the Thurston ancestors, each one
bearing a striking resemblance to its predecessor. She stopped
before the present earl's likeness, which had been captured
when he first took his commission in Marchant's Cavalry. Her
features softened as she examined the earnest young officer
who showed such obvious pride in his regimentals. Drawing
parallels with her own dear husband, she felt tears come to her
eyes as she thought of the ravages the war had wrought on all
their lives. During their time in the campaigns, Sinclair had
become as dear as any brother to her. She felt it keenly that at
times he appeared so downcast, when it had been her hope
that, once he'd returned to England, he would be able to
recommence his life.

So lost was she in her reverie that she failed to hear the arrival of a chaise and was brought to sudden awareness when she
heard voices in the hall below, one of which she instantly recognized. Immediately she went to meet the new arrivals.

"Where is he?" demanded Flora of Croft. "Don't tell me
he's off on one of his harebrained schemes. He should be confined to the house until the matter is settled."

"His Lordship is gone to Oxford, and Master Perry is out
with his infernal hound," growled Croft, uncertain of whom
she spoke.

"Arrange for our luggage to be taken to our rooms," ordered
Flora, appearing not in the best of humors. "Lady Jennifer
and Master Frederick are staying, and Carlton will be joining
us as soon as he is able."

"I will go to look for Perry," said Freddie, making a hasty
exit, determined to seek out his friend.

Jenny stood transfixed as she watched Estelle, with a welcoming smile on her face, descend the stairs, and she thought
for a moment that she looked so comfortable there, almost as
if she belonged.

"Estelle!" exclaimed Flora, going forward to embrace her
as she gained the final tread. "Forswear, I never thought to see
you here"

"I came to bear Edward company," said Estelle, "but now I
see I need not have worried that he lacked support"

"Allow me to introduce Lady Jennifer to you" Flora smiled,
drawing Jenny forward.

Smiling, Estelle made a slight curtsy. "You must forgive
me, my dear," she said. "I did not immediately recognize you,
as your hair is quite different."

"Why should you recognize me, when we've never met?"
replied Jenny with a slight reserve. "Indeed, I wouldn't expect
you to even know of my existence."

Estelle appeared taken aback by the coolness of her reception, but, seeing the difficulty of the moment, Flora took a
hand in the conversation.

"We would not have known of the accusations if Freddie
hadn't taken it upon himself to make us aware of the situation," she offered in explanation of their arrival. "We saw it as
our duty to come immediately. We cannot leave everything
resting on dear Edward's shoulders, and Perry must be in need
of encouragement to revive his spirits."

"With so staunch a band of supporters, he will scarcely
have need of me," replied Estelle. "Perhaps it would be prudent for me to return to London. I don't wish to appear de
trop.11

"I will not hear of it," replied Flora, linking arms with the
widow and Jennifer and drawing them toward the salon. "We
shall take some tea and discuss the situation. We make quite a
gathering, do we not? At least Perry need not fear he's without
support. Forswear, my sympathies are wholly with him, for we cannot doubt his innocence. Indeed, I will not allow his integrity to be questioned."

Throughout the remainder of the afternoon Jennifer continued her observation of Estelle. However, no matter what her
thoughts might have been on the subject of Sinclair's bringing
her to Fly, try as she might, she could find no fault with her.
Indeed, by the time they repaired to change for supper, the
three found themselves very much in accord on the situation.

Sinclair, upon his return some three days later, appeared
much taken aback by the sight of both his sister and Lady Jennifer, who, having witnessed the arrival of his coach from the
drawing room window, awaited him in the hall.

"Have no fear, you have not been invaded in your absence"
Flora smiled, coming forward to greet him. "But I'm sure you
must see that we had to come"

"I'm prodigiously glad that you did," the earl assured her,
embracing her and dropping a dutiful kiss on her brow. However, it was Jennifer who held his gaze, and it was a moment
before he could tear his eyes from her pale countenance.

"I take it that this is Freddie's doing." He smiled, putting
Flora from him and advancing to meet Jenny with hand outstretched, taking hers in a warm clasp. "I hope you weren't
badgered into coming. I know only too well how insistent
these young cubs can be, and I'm sure Freddie gave you no
option."

Jennifer smiled, unable to resist his obvious pleasure at seeing her. "Not at all. I would have come of my own accord had
Freddie not had a desire to drive down immediately. When I
spoke to Flora on the matter, she stated her intention of coming and asked if I wished to accompany her. Anyone knowing
Perry must instantly doubt his guilt. My only hope is that you
don't think me to intrude."

"Certainly not. I am most pleased to see you. Indeed, such
support must not fail to revive the boy's spirits."

Flora stamped her foot, drawing her brother's attention back
to her. "Enough of these pleasantries, Edward. You sorely try my patience. Tell us how you fared. Have you been able to
right the matter?"

The earl sobered instantly. "I'm no further with the case,"
he confessed. "My inquiries were hindered at every turn, and
I am still requested to remove Perry." Recollecting that they
still stood in the hallway and that Croft remained, he said, "But
we must not stand here discussing the matter. Come into the
sitting room, and I will explain all."

"Has the weapon come to light as yet?" asked Jennifer once
they were all seated about the hearth and Croft had brought in
the tea tray.

"Thankfully, it has," replied Sinclair.

"Surely that must prove Perry's innocence," cried Flora.

"Not quite. It was retrieved from a pawnbroker." As Flora
would have spoken again, the earl raised his hand. "A pawnbroker who, apparently, Perry has been in the habit of using."

"I can't believe that he's had the need to recourse to a
pawnbroker for money," Flora scoffed. "Surely the allowance
you make him is sufficient for all his needs"

"Then that shows just how little you know of a young gentleman's `needs' while away from home. The man, Gerard, who
owns the establishment, assures me that the name given was the
Honorable Peregrine Thurston, and the description he gave to
me fit Perry exactly. He said that Perry had availed himself of
his services on several occasions over the past months"