Murder and Misdeeds

Murder and Misdeeds Read Free

Book: Murder and Misdeeds Read Free
Author: Joan Smith
Tags: regency Mystery/Romance
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hour?” Coffen asked. “I’ll have to pack and send for my traveling carriage. I’ll take my team of four. Fitz won’t like being roused out of bed at such an hour.” Coffen’s groom, indeed all his servants, had their master firmly under their collective thumb. His house was pretty well run for their convenience.
    Remembering the highwaymen, Corinne said, “Tell Fitz to bring a pistol.”
    “Since that time we was held up right in London, I always make sure there is one under the coachman’s box.”
    Corinne darted into the house, calling to her butler as she ran, “Send Mrs. Ballard up to me at once, if you please. I am leaving for Appleby Court immediately with Mr. Pattle.”
    Black was not surprised at the trip, but he was surprised that her ladyship had left Sir Reginald’s party so early. What occurred to Black was that one of her chums had become involved in a duel and was being smuggled out of town before the law got hold of him. Someone had made a slighting remark about her ladyship, very likely. Her friends would not allow that to go unpunished. This being the case, Black was highly desirous of accompanying his beloved mistress to Appleby Court to see her name was avenged. Sir Reginald Prance, he fingered for the likeliest one to be caught up in a duel. Coffen was too good-natured and Lord Luten too sensible, despite his toplofty ways.
    “I can dress myself, Mrs. Ballard,” Corinne said when her mousy companion came bustling into the bedroom. “I want you to have a small trunk brought down from the attic. Pack me a couple of muslin dresses—my new rose sprigged and the blue one. And one—no, two gowns for evening wear. I shall not be going out or entertaining.”
    As she spoke, she removed her jewelry and pulled off the jonquil-colored gown she wore. “Will you put my jewels away for me? I shan’t be taking any with me.”
    When she explained where she was going, Mrs. Ballard said, “I’ll pack your good cashmere shawl. Many’s the evening I have sat shivering in that drafty place. But won’t there be any parties? Miss Susan is at that age —”
    Corinne daubed at her eyes and said in a choked voice, “She’s been kidnapped, Mrs. Ballard.”
    Mrs. Ballard gasped in alarm. “Oh my goodness. The poor child! I did wonder at your setting out in the middle of the night. That would be why Lord Luten’s footman went darting out of the house. He was going for the carriage.”
    A sound of horses and wheels in the street caught Corinne’s attention, and she went to the window. Luten’s shining yellow curricle with silver appointments stood at his front door now. Even as they spoke, Luten came pelting out and hopped into the driver’s seat, while his tiger handed him the reins. He had not stopped to change out of formal clothes, nor to have Simon pack a change of linen. His valet would be following then, in the closed carriage.
    “He will find Susan, milady,” Mrs. Ballard said. “Now, dry your tears. I will ask Black to make you up a nice cup of tea while I pack your trunk.”
    Corinne changed into a green worsted traveling suit while her trunk was being packed, then went below, just as Black came up from the kitchen with the tea tray. He revealed his eagerness to accompany her, but the offer was declined. Coffen made excellent time. She had taken only one sip of her tea when he arrived at the door, sweating at every pore.
    “I figured if I rushed, we might join up with Luten,” he said.
    “Too late. He has already left.”
    He gave a longing look at the tea, said, “We’d best be off, then,” and rushed her out the door.
     

Chapter Three
     
    The footmen secured her trunk to the roof, she and Coffen studied his map and chose their route.
    “Looks like the Great West Road to Twickenham Road and on to Hampton Court Way is our best bet. It will take us right past Hounslow Heath, but there’s no avoiding it. I have left my cravat pin at home and wrapped my blunt up in this

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