“So, Nye confessed to knowledge of the secret passage beneath Vance House?” Mina said aloud.
“As to that.” Jeremy shrugged. “He had only very recently taken ownership of the place. I suppose my father must have told him it existed, for I did not know.” He hesitated. “What if I said that I had been the one to tell Nye of it, on handing over the deeds?” He darted a glance at Mina. “I could say I was concerned that the passage had been disturbed of late and had asked Nye to check this. What do you think?”
Mina nodded. “That might be a good thought,” she agreed. “Nye is far from talkative. I should think it unlikely that he told the Riding Officers much information other than that he believed I was being held a prisoner down there.”
“If he could have,” he pondered. “Very likely he would have gone after you alone. It must have gone against the grain to get the law involved. I daresay he thought the risk too high to do anything else.”
“Apparently he had cut his involvement with them,” Mina admitted. “They thought by getting rid of me, they would draw him back in their circle again.”
“Getting rid of you?” Jeremy queried.
“They were going to fling me off a cliff and hope it passed for suicide of an unhappy wife.”
Jeremy looked shocked. “I had thought they meant to control him in some way by ransoming your return.” She shook her head.
“How are we to approach this business with Sir Matthew?” he asked with a frown. “Have you considered?”
“I have,” Mina admitted. “Are you content to be guided by me in this matter, brother?” He inclined his head, gesturing for her to continue. “I would like you to take a high tone with him,” she admitted. “It is absurd that my brother-in-law should be embroiled in this matter”, that sort of thing. Sir Matthew is something of a snob and will set much store by your title.”
Jeremy’s lips twitched appreciatively. “You also mentioned something about his being in your debt, I think?”
“Ah yes, although in truth, that fact irks him and it would not put him in the best humor to remind him of it outright,” she admitted. “I have not precisely considered how that angle can best be used as yet.”
On reaching Sir Matthew’s residence, however, they were told by the butler that Sir Matthew had ridden over to St Ives on business. Mina and Jeremy exchanged glances, for they both fancied they knew what business that would be.
Jeremy handed over his card and the butler’s eyes widened. He took a step back from the door, opening it for their admittance. “If your lordship and your companion would be so good as to come inside to wait in the drawing room, I am sure that Sir Matthew will be back within the hour.”
“Thank you, you are most kind,” Mina answered, leading the way. Jeremy fell in behind her and they were led into a handsomely appointed drawing room of blue and white.
“I will fetch you some refreshment, my lord,” the butler said, backing out of the room, but Mina forestalled him.
“Could you be so kind as to convey a message to Miss Carswell for me?” she enquired cordially. “And let her know that Miss Walters awaits below and would very much like to see her.”
The butler hesitated. “Miss Cecily is still abed I fear.”
Mina’s eyebrows rose. She had not expected that Sir Matthew would allow such indulgences in his house as lying abed until eleven in the morn. “I believe she will very likely receive me in her room,” she said with a confiding smile. “We are very old friends you see from Cecily’s schooldays in Bath.”
The butler’s brow cleared. “I see, miss. I will certainly let Miss Cecily know.” He disappeared, only to reappear five minutes later, beckoning to Mina from the doorway. She excused herself to Jeremy, who looked resigned to kicking his heels and followed him upstairs to a very charming bedchamber done out in rose pink. Cecily was wearing a frothy lace wrapper with her golden hair still loose over her shoulders. She squeaked at Mina’s appearance and hurried forward to embrace her warmly.
“My dear Miss Walters,” she gushed, drawing her into the room. “I am so happy to see you delivered from the jaws of certain death!” she gabbled before noticing that they were not alone. That will be all Fimble,” she said grandly to the butler, in dismissal.
Mina cleared her throat. “A cup of tea would be most welcome, Cecily dear,” she prompted.
“Oh! Of course!” Cecily turned back to the butler. “My usual tea and toast,” she said vaguely. “With an extra cup for my guest.” She shut the door after Fimble and begged Mina to take one of the pink and gold boudoir chairs. “Forgive me for being so thoughtless,” she said with a charming smile. “Only I had thought – with everything that has happened – that you would not be able to eat or drink a drop! I vow I could scarcely eat any supper yesterday after I had been apprised of the awful goings-on!” She gave an eloquent shudder before crossing to her dressing table and seating herself there.
So, thought Mina, Sir Matthew had been kept fully apprised of the business. Very likely the Riding Officers were hoping to go for a conviction.
“I do hope you won’t mind my seeing to my toilette,” Cecily ran on apologetically. “But I simply must be presentable by the time dear Sir Matthew returns.” Mina saw with surprise that Cecily colored slightly as she said this and anxiously scanned her pink and white complexion in the mirror for any flaws.
“Of course not,” Mina said, folding her hands in her lap. “In truth I am very relieved that you have been
