Debt of Dishonour

Andrea Clarke Mary

Description

Even a highwayman has friends - sometimes in unexpected places. In the 3rd Crimson Cavalier adventure, set in 18th century London, Miss Georgiana Grey becomes involved in the death of charming, popular Boyce Polp when he is murdered on his way to a party she is attending, apparently by one of the highwaymen who make travelling even a few miles such a perilous business. But Georgiana, herself no stranger to peril, has her own reasons for doubting the version of the tragedy which is soon the talk of the town. She uncovers a darker side to Polp, and though her probing makes her unpopular, Georgiana is determined that justice will prevail.

Informations

• Publié par: Creative Content
• Date de parution: 29 octobre 2011
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781906790714
• Langue: English

Extrait

Debt of Dishonour
Mary Andrea Clarke
Also by Mary Andrea Clarke, from her Crimson Cavalier Mystery series:
Praise for Mary Andrea Clarke’s earlier
Crimson Cavalier adventures:
… sparkling period crime fiction with lively touch that Georgette Heyer would have appreciated.
– Andrew Taylor, winner of the 2009 Diamond Dagger
… lively and a delightful read. This is the second outing for the Crimson Cavalier and I look forward to more… an interesting and entertaining character, with a touch of mischief.
– Angela Youngman, CADS
Readers will be eager for the next installment in the series.
– Publishers Weekly
rich and evocative atmosphere… Well crafted, swiftly paced and enough plot twists to keep you glued to the pages
– Sheila Nathan, I Love a Mystery
a delightful and entertaining novel with an engrossing plot… Regency fans will be clamouring at the publisher’s door…
– Myfanwy Cook, Historical Novels Review
a witty story that meets the 18th century conventions and twists them into shape
–Jennifer Palmer, Mystery Women
Creme de la Crime… so far have not put a foot wrong.
– Reviewing the Evidence
First published in 2010 by Crème de la Crime P O Box 523, Chesterfield, S40 9AT
Copyright © 2010 Mary Andrea Clarke
The moral right of Mary Andrea Clarke to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publisher nor be otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published.
All the characters in this book are fictitious and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
Typesetting by Yvette Warren Cover design by Yvette Warren Front cover image by Peter Roman
ISBN 978-0-9550566-4-1 eBook ISBN 978-1-906790-71-4 A CIP catalogue reference for this book is available from the British Library
Printed and bound in the UK by Cox & Wyman Ltd, Reading, Berkshire
www.creativecontentdigital.com
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
About the author:
Mary Andrea Clarke has been a regular delegate at crime fiction conferences and an active member of Mystery Women since 1998. She has reviewed historical fiction for the Historical Novel Society and crime fiction for Sherlock Magazine, Shots Ezine and Mystery Women. Debt of Dishonour is her third novel.
Mary lives in Surrey with her cat, Alice.
Thanks are due…
to my family, Kevin, Peter, Linda, Alice and Stephen Clarke, for all their support and interest, including passing on the word about the Crimson Cavalier. A particular mention must go to my nephew, Stephen Clarke, for his sterling work on my website.
Thank you to Lorraine Hayes for several late nights of help in typing my manuscript notes.
Derek Hampson’s contribution to the name of a character is much appreciated.
Encouragement received from friends in Mystery Women, the Crime Writers’ Association and St Hilda’s Crime Fiction Conference has been much appreciated, as has that from my fellow Crème de la Crime authors.
There has been constant support and encouragement in my writing from a number of people which has been greatly valued. These include Amanda Brown, Maureen Carter, Kate Charles, N J Cooper, Gaynor Coules, Lizzie Hayes, Sue Lord, Adrian and Ann Magson, Brian Murphy, Ayo Onatade, Linda Regan, Jennifer Palmer, Kate Stacey, Andrew Taylor and Alison Weir.
I would like to thank Lynne Patrick for her extensive patience and useful editing suggestions. Thanks also go to Lynne, Jeff, Yvette and the rest of the Crème de la Crime team for continuing to support the Crimson Cavalier.
To Lorraine.
Thanks for your friendship and support.
1
"Much obliged, ladies." Still astride his horse, the highwayman removed his hat and gave a flourishing bow. The action revealed a thinning hairline which contrasted with the grizzled stubble on his chin. "Very generous," he said with a wink through his masked eye. "Wish all my patrons were as helpful. Have a pleasant journey, ladies."
Georgiana Grey pursed her lips. It had been difficult to resist the urge to offer the password which would have allowed them to go on their way with jewels and purses intact. Yet she dared not think of the explanations she would have been urged to offer. Georgiana glanced towards her companions, one with arms folded in serene resignation, the other anxious, her glance flicking nervously from side to side, hands rubbing together in a washing motion reminiscent of Lady Macbeth.
To make matters even more complicated, Georgiana had recognised the highwayman. Silence seemed the safest option.
As the rider turned away from the occupants of the carriage, Georgiana heard him dismiss the coachman, whose own muffled voice muttered through the air in disgruntled protest. The highwayman laughed, giving his horse the order to move. A moment later, the three ladies felt the motion of the carriage as the wheels began to turn.
"Mama will be so angry," whispered the youngest traveller, putting one hand to her throat.
"Yes, she has no tolerance for highwaymen," said Georgiana, her tone matter-of-fact.
"No, you don’t understand, Georgiana," said the girl earnestly. "They were her pearls. She lent them to me. What shall I tell her?"
Georgiana glanced towards the girl. Privately, she thought Lady Winters was foolish to lend her daughter an item she treasured, knowing she would be travelling on a road where highwaymen were a regular hazard. But it would not do to be less than reassuring to her young companion.
"You must tell her the truth, Louisa. It was not your fault the pearls were stolen."
"That brooch belonged to my mother," mourned the third passenger. "It’s heartbreaking to lose it, particularly after it was recovered the last time."
"Well, we must hope for the best," said Georgiana. "It is possible some inquiries can be made to recover the items."
Louisa’s face lit up. "Oh, do you think so?"
Georgiana nodded. "Quite possibly. A reward would have to be offered, of course."
"I’m sure Mama would not mind that," said Louisa. "Her pearls meant a great deal to her. She has had them since she was a girl – before she married Papa." She looked gloomy again. "I don’t suppose she will ever let me wear them again even if she does get them back."
"We were lucky to escape with our lives," said the third lady with a shudder. "That pistol!"
Georgiana looked towards her in some surprise. She knew her cousin was not a brave person, but she thought her sensible enough to know that they would only have been in real danger if they had put up a resistance. Selina could not have known that Harry was no cold-blooded killer, it was true – but highwaymen had no reason to shoot if travellers were compliant in handing over their valuables. Again she offered reassurance.
"Well, we are none of us hurt and must be grateful for that."
Selina tut-tutted, shaking her head in a manner which could not have irritated Georgiana more had it been calculated to do so. She gave up on her attempt to console, since her cousin seemed determined to look on the bleak side. Louisa, for her part, looked remarkably sanguine. For all her youth, she seemed relatively undisturbed by the experience, apart from her dread of telling her mother about the theft. However, this was not an ordeal to be faced immediately, and Georgiana’s suggestion that a reward could procure their return appeared to have raised her spirits.
The remainder of the journey was accomplished in silence. When they reached their destination, there was no bustle of carriages arriving, nor guests being assisted to alight by a willing servant. Every equipage was already neatly stowed, horses settled. As their carriage drew up outside the home of Mrs Milton, a servant ended his conversation with a visiting coachman and broke away from the wall he was leaning against. He came forward to hold the horses’ heads while another servant opened the door and helped the ladies down. If either of them was surprised at having to perform these duties so long after they were completed for the earlier guests, they did not show it. Georgiana and her party were conducted up the stone steps, lit by carefully placed lamps on each side.
As the three ladies walked through the door, a few pairs of eyes looked in their direction. Selina’s face turned scarlet; it was clear she sensed in their glances a reproach at a social faux pas , and her mousy disposition was uncomfortable with anything out of the ordinary. Georgiana, for her part, was unperturbed at the opinions of others, and Louisa seemed equally unconcerned, merely looking curiously about her. Their hostess, Mrs Milton, came forward to greet them, a smile of welcome on her face and no indication that she noticed anything out of the common way. Georgiana took the initiative in explaining what had happened.
"Mrs Milton, I must apologise for our late arrival. I am afraid we were stopped by a highwayman on our way here."
This disclosure created something of a sensation. Gradually, the hum of conversation decreased, radiating out from where they stood, through the crowd, the quiet eventually reaching the more distant guests. Selina’s colour grew even deeper.
"Oh, you poor dears," said Mrs Milton. "How dreadful for you. Is there anything I can do for you? You must sit down. What a shocking thing to happen!"
Georgiana could have done without this fussing b