Chapter 19

The following morning was cloudy with rain threatening. Both men decided that was good for their mission; less chance for anyone to be about. Just in case people were encountered, they decided to dress more rustic and less wealthy. When they approached the outlying buildings near Windward, they encountered a group of about four men loading a cart. There would be no possibility to see inside and explore the trap door today. Darcy recognized the boxes and barrels as the ones he had seen in the alcove of the cave below. He was at a loss how to proceed.

Kit took the initiative. Pulling up his horse, he said, "We are newly in Cornwall, and have been staying with a friend down the way." He pointed in the direction from where they had come. "Would you have any recommendations for Inns nearby where we could find lodging?"

"Where abouts in Cornwall do you want to go?"

Darcy added, "We are open to any place within twenty miles or so."

The man who appeared to be in charge spoke first. "There is a fine place, The Shooter's Rest, a bit further north. It is a favourite of the sporting folk in that neighbourhood."

Another of the men who had been loading the cart added, "The Red Lion in Truro is often frequented by some of the gentry hereabouts, but the one to my liking is The Savannah Inn on the road to Penzance. Beware though, there be Methodists that stay there as well as regular folk. The landlady has it set up with a side where you can drink and another room where you cannot."

Kit tipped his hat to the men and said, "Thank you for the information. I have heard of The Red Lion. I believe we will try there. Is there a road to take us in that direction?"

"You will come to a village and the turn off in a mile or so."

They rode off in the direction given. Once out of sight of the men, Darcy spoke. "Those were the boxes and barrels I saw in the cave. Those buildings must be part of Windward. I will write to Lady Lydon to make certain and then we should tell Sir Hugo what we observed and our suspicions about Sir Walter."

'Unfortunately, we have nothing to link the smugglers to the attack on Lady Lydon's carriage.'

"What if we visit the three Inns? Perhaps we might hear some gossip."

"My mother is the landlady at The Savannah Inn."

"Oh my, I remember now you told me she was from Savannah… in Georgia, correct?"

"Yes. She has fond memories of her time there."

Again, Darcy noticed an unusual look on Kit's face as he mentioned his mother's memories. "What day did she want us to visit?"

"Four days hence… on Sunday. She chose it because the Methodists will be having services. We should try to visit the other Inns and speak with Mrs Chase before we travel to Penzance."

"Where should we go first?"

"I think Truro."

At the Shooters Rest they heard a few rumours of men who might be willing to break the law for a price, but nothing substantial. Sir Humphrey was well known at both establishments, but none were forthcoming to say who his friends were. Sir Walter was only known at the The Red Lion.

They managed to return to Torpoint by Saturday morning… just in time to prepare for the visit Mrs Darling had arranged with Mrs Chase. She was due to arrive around two.

Darcy deferred to Marlow as they planned their strategy. "How aggressive should we be with regard to the men loading kegs and boxes into the cart?"

"I think we should concentrate more on Sir Walter's comings and goings. Mrs Chase seems to have loyalty to Lady Lydon and that is what I think we should encourage. The express you received from her confirmed there had been no outbuildings down by the bluff's edge the last time she visited the property. If workmen come up, we could then pursue what she knows about them. At this stage we do not want to raise any thoughts we are investigating smuggling."

Mrs Chase was younger than Mrs Darling and in appearance less refined. She was short, plump and pretty. Her eyes displayed intelligence, competence, and thankfully an open demeanor.

Mrs Darling supplied tea, cakes and a comfortable place for them to talk. Darcy asked her to stay to listen and contribute.

He spoke first. "Thank you for spending time with us. Lady Lydon wrote me about how long you have been in her family's employ. In her letter to me, it was explained it was during the time her brother would stay at Windward when he was home on leave. She related you were a young housemaid at the time. When did she promote you to housekeeper?"

"About twenty year ago. It was after her brother died and he left the property to his sister. She was married to Sir Walter by then."

"Did they visit often?"

"No, she would only come every couple of years. He would occasionally host a hunting party. She might come with him, but most often not. In truth, both usually came alone."

"When did Sir Walter take up residence?"

"It has been off and on for the last couple of years. It was before they went to London for the Season—the year before. Even while they were in Brighton that summer he would go back and forth. I am not certain Lady Lydon knew. She never asked about his presence when she wrote to make certain I had no needs."

Kit spoke for the first time. "Does he continue to come and go?"

"Oh yes, sir. Not as often as before, but he still does not stay put much. He just recently attended a house party at Sir Humphrey Hawkins' estate. Also, he returned to Netherfield for a shooting party last Autumn.

"Does Sir Humphrey come to Windward?"

"Not that I know. I have sometimes seen a gentleman or two down by the cliff buildings, but it is too far away for me to know who they are."

"Do you know Sir Humphrey by sight?"

"I have seen him several times over the last thirty years, but I would have to be quite close to recognize him." She took a sip of tea and then seemed to remember something else she thought important. "For about the last four months, Sir Walter has made several trips to manage the breeding of some of his dogs. He is very proud of them animals. He just recently returned from Netherfield and brought back one of the puppies."

Darcy perked up at that bit of information. "Is it male or female?" He noticed Kit's look. He seemed to be questioning what difference it made, but he wanted to know. Something to tell Miss Mary.

"It is a boy. A mighty pretty little thing… and smart too. He calls him—Fee Oh Dor. He says it is a Russian name because he is a Russian Wolfhound, and that his mother was named Fiona." She shook her head and added, "but I know that to be an Irish name. He talks of bringing his dogs here. He might have built some buildings for them."

Marlowe seemed to realize Darcy was a bit distracted and quickly moved forward with the inquiry. "When does he plan to move his dogs from the kennels at Netherfield? Are those the buildings down by the bluff?"

"I am not certain when. I guess those buildings are the ones. He hasn't really said what he be doing. To me, it seems a mighty queer place to put them."

"How long ago did he put the buildings up?"

"About ten month ago. Lady Lydon had not yet gone to Bath. She was still in that place recovering. He never told me, but her companion Sarah wrote to me per her lady's instructions."

"What happens down there at the cliff?"

"Not much. About once a fortnight some men come round with carts. They seem to bring things with them, but when they leave the wagon is also full.

"Do you think it is the same load they arrived with?"

"I have wondered that same thing, but I never was close enough to really see. I do not believe they are dog people."

Darcy's thoughts returned to the quest for information. "Why so, Mrs Chase?

"I seen one of the men… the one what gives the orders. Tom Cavan is his name, and he is often in the taproom at the Keigwin Arms in Mousehole. My sister and her husband, Mr and Mrs Crutcher, run the place. Rumour has it he is not a particularly reputable sort."

The conversation continued for another half hour. Nothing more pertinent was added to their investigation except a few bits of random information. Sir Walter never brought any women to the house, and the men with the cart had never asked to speak to her master. If he were home when they were working down by the cliff, he would most times walk down there after they had departed. Upon Darcy's request, Mrs Chase wrote up a note to her sister telling her to expect a visit from two men who were friends of Lady Lydon's. A footman was sent to deliver it to Mousehole.

Marlowe and Darcy thanked Mrs Chase for her help and left her with Mrs Darling for a proper visit.

The two men met in the house's library. It was a Darcy house so the library was a room of great importance. They indulged in some brandy and evaluated the discussion.

"It is interesting the men did not mention the Keigwin Arms when we asked for Inn recommendations."

Kit replied, "yes, very interesting. Did you note Sir Walter had been spending time at Windward since before they were in London for the Season?"

"I did not notice. Good observation, Marlowe."

"I am always trying to put together an understanding of time when investigating. Why were you so interested in the puppy?"

"Miss Mary was forced to allow Sir Walter to breed Fiona. I thought she might be interested to hear he had taken possession of one of her offspring as a pet."

"Did Lady Lydon mention seeing Sir Walter during his recent trips to Netherfield?"

"No, and neither did Charles. I do not believe he stays in the house during those visits to the kennels."

Mrs Darling came into the room while they were talking and handed Darcy a letter. He knew immediately it was from Mary. He excused himself from Marlowe and took what he hoped was good news outside, down the stairs to the beach and the rock he often imagined her perched on to sketch.

Mr Darcy,

Please accept my apology for speaking to you so harshly about Lord Templeton's words. My grieving too often takes me in unexpected directions. Just as I am overly conscious of my limp, I am unreasonable when I believe Lizzy's legacy is being tarnished. His words were so very ugly. What happened to her was not justified no matter what manner of gossip is being spread. It was wrong of me to chastize her during our last days together.

I read your letter and as you asked, I am at Rosings enjoying myself. Fiona has found Houyhnhnm and they converse quite often. I insist you not return to London once your investigating in Cornwall is complete. Please come here. Your horse misses you and needs proper exercise. I miss you also. Our conversations and attempts to solve this murder have been some of my greatest enjoyments these last months. Come so we are able to resume our quest. Bring Marlowe. His objectivity is something neither of us possess and is much needed if we are to find the truth.

Miss Darcy is the most accomplished at the pianoforte. She is helping me with my fingering. My injury has made me less than diligent. Richard is my companion for long walks in the park. He is teaching me military strategy and how to protect myself if set upon by footpads. Anne has not yet toppled her High Flyer. In truth, sometimes I close my eyes. A painting instructor has been hired to particularly help me regain some of my skill. His name is Mr Geoffrey Goodwin. He is both talented and an enjoyable distraction. Your cousins are so very generous. They say they brought him to ensure the portrait of them I draw is the best it can be.

Please join us. You also deserve time for enjoyment. Before Lizzy was murdered, I had not experienced the death of a loved one. You have at least twice. I forgot that about you. Meeting Miss Darcy has allowed me to understand the kind of loss you have both suffered. Besides helping me find the murderer of my sister, you are helping your own dear sister recover. Thank you for having the confidence in me to relate the story of her near elopement with Wickham. Richard has told me other things about that gentleman, and he has allowed me to understand the strain you have been under.

I have never been to Cornwall. Your description has me wanting to travel there some day. Mr Goodwin says I will love drawing its rugged beauty. In closing, please come to Rosings..I

God bless you,

Miss Mary Bennet

Darcy read the letter several times. Staring out at the sea, his mind attempted to sort out his desires with regard to Miss Mary Bennet… he wished she had signed it Mary. He sincerely doubted he could ever prefer another. It was different than his youthful infatuation with Lizzy. The surviving twin was more than a pretty face and witty conversation. She was also a woman of substance, unlike any other he had known. Her letter was quite perceptive about her feelings and exhibited forgiving generosity for not being as sensitive as he should have been, but unfortunately other than friendship and common purpose to find her sister's murderer she expressed nothing deeper. Her statement about criticizing Lizzy in their last days together needed an explanation. Mr Goodwin seemed to please. Somewhere he felt a bit of jealousy at that thought. How preposterous! He knew nothing about the man other than he was talented and distracting.

He read again how she said she missed him and that working and conversing with him had been pleasant… but it was not enough. The time to propose was not yet ripe. Instead, he needed to encourage her to confide in him the mysteries she hid about her twin.