Page 35 of The Demons of Wychwood

“Okay, but you still ain’t explained why you need me to come with you!”

“Forgive me. I can’t go to the door. I need to know if Edward is in residence. I need you to go to the door and ask McBride if the General is in. If he isn’t I can enter the house through the front door. Otherwise, I’ll take a turn of Regent’s Park and have luncheon in town so I don’t cross paths with him.”

“So, what’s your plan if the General ain’t home?”

“I’m going to make arrangements to travel down to Penhelligan Hall tomorrow.”

“Why?”

“Elowen said that Edward has gotten more than one maidservant in the family way, yet she is the only one who survived. This troubles me greatly. I was never informed of the deaths of any maidservants. I need to get to the bottom of this, and I cannot rely on letters or hearsay. So, I’m going to Devon to speak to Mrs. Trelawney and my butler Mr. Jenkins directly. I’ll bring my lawyer with me to take their witness statements. If families have been bereaved because of Napier’s actions, I’ll petition a magistrate to have Napier arrested and tried for his crimes.”

“You’ll be heading for Exeter and then travelling by coach, yes?” I asked. Kit nodded. “Well, the fastest, safest way to Exeter is to travel on the Royal Mail Travelling Post Office train. It leaves from Euston and travels non-stop to ensure Exeter gets their first delivery in the morning.”

“That’s an excellent idea. I’ll send a note to the Postmaster General and request passage for two on the next TPO train to leave Euston.”

“Would you maybe… make that three? I want to come with you.”

“Can you get a few days off work?”

“If I don’t work, I don’t get paid, simple as that. I could even lose my job. But I’ll risk it to bring Elowen some justice and stop that scoundrel from hurting anyone again.”

Kit was silent for a moment before he said.

“What’s your superintendent’s name?”

“Alfred Stockton, he’s a very officious unpleasant man.”

“Well, I’m acquainted with James Bruce, 8th Earl of Elgin; he is the current Postmaster General. I’ll write to him and request that you’re released from your duties for five days without reprimand or loss of earnings as you are helping me with some delicate private business.”

“You would do that for me?” I was stunned.

“Of course. It’s the least I could do. I find you most agreeable company and I would like to spend more time getting to know you, Felix. Of course, you shall be Elowen’s legal representative and liaise with my lawyer on her behalf. And honestly, I want you with me. You give me strength I never knew I possessed.” Kit reached out a red leather gloved hand and squeezed my thigh. A wave of warmth rushed from my head to my toes, and I couldn’t find a word of response.

****

I stepped out of the cab outside number Twenty St James’ Square, leaving a very anxious Kit seated. When the butler opened the door, I could see by the twinkle in his eye that he remembered me.

“Hello Mr. McBride,” I beamed, “I was wondering…is the General at home?”

“General Napier is away on business. You may leave a calling card or a note.” I nodded and then I turned and let out a sharp whistle. Kit leapt out of the cab, turned and tossed a coin to the driver then hopped up the steps to the house.

“McBride. Is the General at home?” he asked again for clarification as it was quite usual for butlers to false face for their employers.

“Master Kit? No, no, the General didn’t return home last night.”

“Very good. This is my dear friend Felix Lazarus. He is welcome in my home anytime,” Kit stated as he strode into the house and gestured for me to follow him. The house was grand and the décor not over fussy. Some of the well-to-do were partial to filling their homes with all sorts of gaudy trinkets and knickknacks. There was a line of bell pulls on the wall of a cloak room. Kit slipped out of his greatcoat and passed it to McBride, then pulled the bell that was labeled Mellors. Within moments I heard footsteps coming from the floor above, and then another servant appeared.

“Mellors, I’ll be traveling down to Penhelligan, possibly as early as this afternoon. Pack a travelling trunk for me, enough for five days.”

“Will you require me to valet, milord?”

“No, that won’t be necessary. You are not required to travel.”

“Very good, milord,” the man nodded, and left. Kit strode through the halls, his voice ringing as he called, “Come, come along, my friend. I have letters to write. Could you deliver them?”

“Of course.”

And so, over the next hour Kit wrote a letter to the Postmaster General, James Bruce to request urgent passage for us on the travelling post office train to Exeter and asked if I could be excused work for five days. Then he penned another to Superintendent Stockton to alert him of my absence. A third note was a telegram to Penhelligan to tell them to expect the duke’s imminent arrival. When he was done Kit passed me the sealed envelopes with London addresses, I’d deliver them by hand, and he also gave a coin to pay for the telegram.

“I’ll pop home and tell Elowen what’s occurring. I should be back here by midday,” I grinned, pleased that our plan to end Edward Napier had begun.

****