I shut the book and clasped it to my chest, closing my eyes. This journal, which I'd bless Donata forever for finding, had brought me closer to my mother, and at the same time, had made her all the more distant.
Chapter Fifteen
I rose the next morning, sandy-eyed, and quite pessimistic about ever finding Cooper. However, I dressed, ate, and rode out again on the search.
I led three of Denis's men west and south toward Holt. We inquired everywhere we went, at farms, in villages, and of shepherds-men who moved back and forth through the valleys and saw everything and everyone. None, however, had seen a man answering to Cooper's description.
I decided to break away and make a brief visit to Lady Southwick, first to apologize for so rudely walking away from her house party, and second to ask her a few things that nagged at me. I had not particularly liked the lady or her guests, but good manners dictated the apology.
Lord Southwick's estate was a large one, and it was easy to send Denis's men to ask questions about Cooper in the outbuildings and the surrounding farms while I went to the house.
Most of the guests had gone, including Rafe Godwin. Grenville was still there, Matthias and his valet packing him up to remove to Easton's house. The valet would return to London with half of Grenville's baggage, and Matthias would remain to look after him. Grenville doubted he'd need as many evening clothes to reside a few days with Mr. Denis, he said.
Lady Breckenridge, true to her word, had departed yesterday afternoon in her chaise and four, heading back to London before she moved on to Oxfordshire. To this news I breathed a sigh of relief.
Mr. Reaves, the vicar, was still present. I endured his company with Lady Southwick in the drawing room, while I inquired after her health and the accident with the pistol.
"Poor Mr. Godwin," Lady Southwick said. "It quite unnerved him."
Reaves broke in before I could answer. "It quite unnerved you, my lady. Godwin should be thrashed."
"Was it certain that he fired the shot?" I asked.
"Of course he did," Reaves said. "His gun went off, and poor Lady Southwick was nearly hit."
"I did wonder," Lady Southwick said. "He looked so very bewildered. I never realized it was he who fired until Mr. Grenville began to shout at him."
"Dear lady, you were most distressed," Reaves said. "Mr. Godwin is uncomfortable with pistols and should not have picked up one at all."
"A gentleman who will not shoot is looked upon askance," I said. "Perhaps he did not want to admit his inability."
"He ought to have left well enough alone," Reaves said, scowling.
I had to agree with Reaves in this instance. I also had a thought I did not like. I had observed that Lady Breckenridge and Lady Southwick were much alike in dress and way of carrying themselves. Had a shooter, seeing Lady Southwick from afar, her fair hair hidden under her large hat, mistaken her for Lady Breckenridge? Had one of Denis's men grown enthusiastic about threatening my friends to make me behave? Or had the shooter fired for another reason?
The speculation made me doubly happy that Lady Breckenridge had gone. "I agree that Godwin should not have tried to shoot," I said. "I see that he was unnerved enough to depart."
"He apologized most beautifully." Lady Southwick sent me a smile. "I do believe his manners are as impeccable as yours."
"And yet, I have been treating your hospitality shamefully."
"Perhaps." Her eyes took on a glint. "But you know how to humble yourself to a lady. Captain, before you go, will you will honor me with a turn in the garden?"
She blatantly left Reaves out of the invitation. He rose politely and bowed to her but flashed me an angry look as I ushered Lady Southwick out the French doors to the rather windy garden. At least it had stopped raining.
We strolled past flowerbeds that held the last of dying summer blossoms and toward silent fountains, empty of water in this weather.
Lady Southwick tucked her hand under my arm and tugged me close. "Lady Breckenridge believed I would try to steal you away from her. She never said so, of course, but I've never seen her jealous before, poor woman. She never gave a fig what her husband got up to. She must think highly of you."
"I would be honored if she did."
Lady Southwick smiled. "As I have observed, you have fine manners, Captain. I am sorry I did not have time to speak with you more, but how fortunate that we are now neighbors."
"I look forward to it," I said politely.
"No, you do not, naughty thing. I know how delighted you were that business took you away from my tedious house party. The gentlemen and ladies I invited do not suit you. You like the unusual, which is why you have become friends with Mr. Grenville and Lady Breckenridge, and that man Mr. Denis. He is quite unusual from what I hear. I do believe I am the only person not unhappy that he sent Brigadier Easton packing. He was quite dull, was the brigadier, his wife even worse."
"You have lived in Norfolk some time now?" I asked.
"Casting my age up to me, are you, Captain? But yes, I married Southwick when I was quite a girl and have spent many an autumn in this decidedly quiet corner of England. House parties liven things up, thank God."
"And you were here when Miss Quinn eloped?"
Her plucked brows rose. "You seem extraordinarily intrigued by Miss Quinn, Captain. Lady Breckenridge put me to the question about her as well. What is your interest? Were you in love with the girl?"
"When I left for the army, Miss Quinn was twelve years old-therefore, I would say no. Her cousin Terrance was my friend. I am concerned for the family's sake."
"How very droll you are. I was teasing you. Yes, I knew Miss Quinn, poor dear. Such a lovely girl but no prospects, I can tell you. Waiting so long for Terrance Quinn would have ruined her-and he coming back missing a limb. Lucky for her that Mr. Braxton came along."
"You told Lady Breckenridge that Braxton was a banker's clerk?"
"Indeed, I did. A gentleman's son, but his family had no money, so he went into finance. Not a match I'd want for my own daughter, but better than Miss Quinn could hope for. He had ambition, did that lad. I'm certain he's become vulgarly rich by now."
"I heard from another that Mr. Braxton was a solicitor."
Lady Southwick looked surprised. "Not at all. He worked at a bank. He told me distinctly. I do not remember which, but I suppose one in Cambridge."
"You met him, then?"
"Well, I must have done, mustn't I? I introduced the pair of them. So exciting that they ran off together."
It was my turn to profess surprise. "You knew Mr. Braxton? And his family?"
"No, no, you misunderstand. I do not mean I knew him. I mean that I met him when he came to Blakeney. I liked him, I found out all about him, and I introduced him to Miss Quinn. I knew Helena Quinn well, you see. I quite liked her, such a pretty and unspoiled girl. A true lady, and you don't meet many of those these days. I know that Lady Breckenridge must have told you that I dislike ladies altogether, but I mean that I dislike married ladies. They are apt to be either too self-righteous for words or they try to steal one's husband. Widows are even worse." She leaned on my arm. "But young ladies, now, they are deferential, and it would never have entered into Miss Quinn's head to set her cap for any married gentleman."
"But she did for Mr. Braxton?"
"Well, setting her cap might be putting it a bit strongly, but they liked each other right off. Mr. Braxton was so very charming. All would have been well if Dr. Quinn and his wife hadn't cut up rough. They were adamant that Miss Quinn should fold her hands and wait for her cousin to return from the war. Lucky for her that she did not. Look at the poor lad. What is he good for now, I ask you?"