“No indeed ma’am,” he replied. “To their very great relief. One is lately married and the other employed as a companion to a distant aunt.”
Mina’s smile grew warmer. “I am sure their schooling will give them an excellent foundation in life to build upon,” she said approvingly.
“Your current surroundings,” Havilland said, slamming down his cup and saucer with jarring loudness. “Must be very different, I’ll wager to the schoolroom.” His thin lips twitched. “One cannot help but wonder how the two of you ever met.” He raised a supercilious eyebrow at Mina.
“Allow me to assuage your curiosity, good sir,” she responded. “We were introduced by a mutual acquaintance. Perhaps you have heard of him? Viscount Faris of Vance Park. He is I believe, quite well known in these parts.” She enjoyed the way Havilland’s face froze into an expression of disbelief.
“Lord Faris,” Guthrie said, seeming anxious to fill the stunned silence which stretched out. “Indeed, I have heard of him. I believe he keeps a fine stable and often races his thoroughbreds at meets.”
Which was news to Mina, but she made sure to keep her bright smile intact. “As to that, I could not say,” she demurred. “My late father was most opposed to gambling of any sort.”
“Such sentiment does him credit, Mrs. Nye,” Guthrie responded politely. “I am sure.”
She smiled at him agreeably. “Can I refresh your cups, good sirs?” she asked glancing about. Guthrie passed her his empty cup with alacrity, though Havilland declined with an irritable shake of his head. Glancing across at Nye, Mina was surprised to him glaring moodily at the younger officer. What was he looking so annoyed about, she wondered? “Can I persuade anyone to a slice of teacake or a muffin?” she asked, gesturing toward the laden tray.
“I must interrupt these niceties,” Havilland said heavily, stirring in his seat. “To ask you a rather delicate question, Mrs. Nye.” His tone was deeply sarcastic, and she waited with an impassive expression for him to speak.
“Yes?” she said at last when he continued merely to fix his hawk-like gaze upon her without further speech. “Pray ask your question, Mr. Havilland. I will not take offence at any question you ask in pursuit of duty.”
His frown deepened. “I must ask you to corroborate your husband’s whereabouts,” he said, glancing at Nye’s blank face. “For last night, between the hours of midnight and four o’clock this morn.”
Mina kept her eyes trained on Havilland’s face. “Why, as to that,” she answered matter-of-factly, “I see nothing sensitive about my answer. His place as a husband was clearly tucked in bed beside his wife. Which I assure you he was, until Edna knocked on the chamber door this morning on your arrival.”
“You are a dutiful wife, Mrs. Nye, I perceive,” Havilland said dryly. “In this respect at least, you are sadly predictable.”
“I would hope I have a healthy respect for the institution of marriage,” she replied quietly. “That was the way I was raised after all.”
Havilland’s mouth worked for a moment as though he was struggling in the grip of some strong emotion. Then he shot out of his seat. “Guthrie,” he barked, seizing the hilt of his sabre. “We will take our leave of you, madam. Nye,” he said, nodding toward her husband who nodded in return, but otherwise made no reply.
“Good day to you,” Guthrie echoed with another bow. “Good day to you, Mrs. Nye,” Guthrie echoed with another bow. Mina nodded and smiled.
“I won’t see you out, gentlemen,” Nye said, approaching the table. “As I have not yet breakfasted.” He pulled out a chair at the dining table as a scowling Havilland wrenched the door open and flung out. Guthrie followed, wincing.
Mina half expected Nye to rise from the table on their exit, but to her surprise, he reached for a muffin and took a bite. When he’d swallowed, he said. “I take two sugars in my tea.”
“Oh.” She hadn’t liked to ask in case it showed a lack of marital knowledge. “Will you take another cup?” Wordlessly, he pushed the cup and saucer across the table at her. Mina poured it out and added the sugar and then handed it back. The whole time she was thinking furiously about that cupboard full of exotic teas and the cellars that Nye apparently guarded so jealously. Was she being fanciful, or did that, in addition with the fact two Excisemen had paid them a visit seemed to indicate one thing?
Could ‘The Merry Harlot’ truly be a hub for smugglers? She raised a toasted teacake to her mouth before lowering it again. “Are you regularly visited by Excisemen here?” she asked.
Nye shrugged, slathering more butter onto a muffin. “Once in a while, maybe.” Seeing her eye fixed on him, he paused. “This coastline used to be notorious.”
“For smuggling?” Mina voiced aloud and he gave a terse nod. “I see.” Wheels were turning in Mina’s mind. She could not help but remember the rumbling and dragging noises she heard at dead of night in a wholly different light. What if it had been shipments of French brandy that were being rolled over the cobbles? Would that not make more sense than a cavalcade of ghostly monks carting bodies toward the cliffs?
She was just pondering how best to broach the subject when a sharp rap was heard on the door. Nye looked up with a heavy frown as it opened, and Jeremy checked on the threshold before sauntering into the room. “Dear me, how very civilized!” he drawled, turning in a slow circle to take in the new features of the parlor room. “Wonders have been wrought here, of which I have ne’er seen the like!” He was looking dapper as ever in a tweed walking suit and was carrying an ebony which he twirled lazily before him.
Nye’s frown deepened as Jeremy approached the table and threw himself down into a chair. “Good morning, good morning,” he caroled, drawing off his gloves. “No, I won’t take tea,” he shuddered at Mina’s murmured enquiry. “Never touch the stuff. Tell me,” he said, turning to Nye with interest. “Who were those two gentlemen who passed me in the passage just now? My man Colfax said they resembled nothing so much as a pair of Bow Street Runners.”
“Well, he was wrong,” said Nye, flinging down his napkin. “Pair of Excisemen come down from St Ives.”
“Tsk, tsk,” Jeremy tutted. “Colfax must be losing his touch.” He turned to gaze out of the window at a well-built man as blonde as himself, though of much heavier build, who was idling outside in the yard. He was dressed as a footman in a blue coat with gold buttons and did not to seem remotely self-conscious in his uniform, even though out of its native setting. Mina watched Colfax saunter over from the carriage toward the ostler with supreme confidence, though Reuben did not look particularly pleased to speak with him.
Nye cleared his throat and it occurred to Mina that she could more readily believe this Colfax was Jeremy’s illegitimate brother than Nye, who was so much darker and heavy-set than he. She wondered also, why a footman would consider himself an expert on law enforcement agents, but before she could give this much thought, Jeremy was gently tapping his cane gently on the table to catch her attention.
“I was wondering, sister dear,” he said languidly. “If you might care to join me today for a visit to Vance Park? There is one there who is most anxious to meet with you.” She thought Nye looked up rather sharply at this. “My son and heir, Master Edward Vance,” he explained with a smile. “He is quite curious to discover the existence of a heretofore undisclosed aunt.”
“Indeed?” Mina asked, stirring her fresh cup of tea. “And how old is Master Edward?”
“He is some eight years, or thereabouts,” Jeremy answered with a vague wave of his hand.
“I would be happy to make his acquaintance, of course.”
“And you could see that portrait of our mother which hangs in the grand salon,” he finished, very much in the style of one who reveals a winning hand. “Provided of course,” he added smoothly. “Your esteemed husband does not object to letting you out of his sight.”
“Why should I?” answered Nye gruffly, getting to his feet. “You could go back with him now,” he suggested, looking str
aight at Mina. “Give you something to occupy yourself with.”
She gazed back at him directly. “I could,” she agreed. “Though I have plenty of things with which to occupy myself with, I assure you.” She thought fleetingly of the first-floor bathroom which she had meant to apply herself to today.
“Excellent!” said Jeremy, looking pleased. “In that case, I shall await your leisure.”
It did not take Mina long to finish her breakfast, and after collecting her bonnet and cloak, she accompanied Lord Faris out to his carriage. Settling back against its velvety seats bought back some rather unpleasant memories, which she did her best to suppress. How much had changed in just under two weeks! Her time in Bath seemed a lifetime ago.
Jeremy climbed in after her. “Drive on Colfax,” he said, loudly rapping his cane against the roof of the carriage. He turned toward her. “By the by, I feel I should mention I did nip to London to procure that special marriage licence I was so remiss as to overlook initially. The archbishop’s office was even so obliging as to pre-date it too, so it matches the registry entrance made by Reverend Ryland.”
“I see,” said Mina, wondering with unease what excuse he must have made for such a favor. On the whole, she did not think she wanted to know. She lapsed into silence for the rest of the ten-minute journey, and Mina watched the approach of Vance Park’s neo-classical grandeur with interest. After all, her mother had been mistress here once. It was an astonishing thought, taking in the impressive sweet of the drive with its avenue of trees and its army of white stone nymphs peering out with their blind gazes.
“Well, sister?” Jeremy asked her with a smile playing about his lips. “What do you think of my humble abode?”
Mina’s first thought was that it was not exactly subtle, but she swallowed this, instead replying gravely. “I think my mother must have loved my father very much.” At his quizzical look, she added. “She never once reproached him with all which had once been hers.”
“Ah,” he said, enlightenment dawning. “My father always said that running off was the most interesting thing she ever did.”
Mina pondered this a moment, as the coach drew up. “I’m surprised he granted her a divorce,” she said bluntly. “Many husbands would not be so generous. Did he never marry again?”
Jeremy shook his head. “Once was enough, he always said. Besides, by all accounts he accorded her far more respect once she had left, than he ever did during their marriage. He rather liked the story of his once-meek countess, pushed beyond endurance.” He pulled a face. “He thought, I fancy, it lent him a gothic air.”
Mina frowned as Jeremy sprang down from the carriage then turned back to offer her a hand. She took it. “I already know he did not look like you,” she said slowly. “For you look like our mother.”
“Quite right.” He laughed, drawing her hand through the crook of his arm. “There is a portrait I will show you shortly. You may draw your own conclusions as to who it is resembles my late lamented father.”
They were climbing the stone steps now to the main entrance, flanked with Tuscan columns and a pair of large reproduction Medici lions.
“The entrance hall,” Jeremy announced, and Mina caught her breath when she looked up to behold the gold ceiling with its pantheon of gods drifting above her on clouds of glory.
“Goodness, how beautiful,” she breathed. “Is that the birth of Athene?” she asked, catching sight of a large white marble relief on the far wall.
“It is,” he agreed without much interest. “But you must steel yourself to ignore your patron goddess and instead, behold this,” he said coming to a halt in front of a full-length oil portrait of a man in a fancy uniform in front of a vaguely Italianate landscape. “And tell me who he reminds you of.”
Mina was obliged to catch her breath on surveying the dark good looks of the subject. For the features were unmistakable from the strong jaw to the bold stare which challenged all viewers unflinchingly.
“William Nye, to the life, is he not?” Jeremy murmured.
Mina colored. “The resemblance is very strong,” she admitted.
“You may imagine my father’s feelings on the matter. His bastard bearing the stamp of his likeness far more faithfully than his heir ever would,” Jeremy mused.
Mina was spared having to answer this by a light step on the stair, followed by a high childish voice.
“Papa?”
Jeremy sighed. “Our respite was brief,” he grimaced. “Come, Edward and greet your aunt Mina.”
The steps grew faster, and Mina turned toward the staircase to see a small figure come hurtling down dressed in navy velvet breeches and jacket with a lace collar. Seeing the curls on the child’s head, Mina saw Jeremy was spared the indignity his own father had suffered, for Teddy was as blonde as could be.
“Good morning, Edward,” she greeted him as he came to a breathless halt before her.
“Teddy,” he corrected her swiftly. “Are you my aunt Minerva?” he looked her critically up and down. “Why are you dressed like that?”
“I am in mourning,” Mina answered firmly. She withdrew her hand from Jeremy’s arm and extended it to shake formally with Teddy.
“Have you come to see grandmama’s portrait?” Teddy asked.
“Yes,” Mina agreed. “And meet you too, of course.”
“Would you like to see my nursery, Aunt Minerva?” he asked breathlessly. “I’ve got a toy theatre and a sailboat that really floats.”
Mina hesitated, turning to Jeremy. “I should love to, if that’s agreeable with your father.”
“By all means,” Jeremy answered agreeably. “You lead the way; my boy and I will join you shortly for a game of At the Race Meet.”
“That’s my newest toy, Aunt Minerva,” Teddy enthused, towing her toward the staircase. “We’ve named all the horses after Papa’s.”
“Ah yes, I heard this morning that your papa keeps racing horses,” Mina remembered.
“Yes, and Son of Bucephalus is my favorite of all, but Jim calls him Pukey Bucey on account of his sensitive stomach.”
“Is Jim a groom or a jockey?” Mina asked as they reached the second floor.
“Stable boy,” Teddy answered with an enchanting smile that revealed his childish dimples. “But he’s my favorite cos he tells me things.”
“I see,” answered Mina.
“Father said I’m not allowed to go down to the stables unattended,” Teddy said sadly. “And Mama dismissed Nanny as soon as I went off to school, so I have no one to attend me now.” A gloom descended on him. “Colfax takes me sometimes, but only when he’s got time to spare.”
“Will you return to school soon?” Mina enquired as he led her down across a gallery lined with family portraits. “If not, your father must surely hire you a tutor.”
“Yes,” Teddy agreed without much enthusiasm. “Though I don’t want a tutor. Why can I not simply have Nanny back? She used to take me to the stables whenever I asked her.”
“Well, because I daresay she has another little boy or girl to take care of now,” Mina answered bracingly. “And you are a good deal too big for a Nanny and need to take some lessons.”
“Another little boy?” Teddy asked indignantly. “But she’s my nanny!”
“I daresay she had other charges before you,” Mina pointed out mildly.
“Them? Oh them,” he snorted. “She certainly didn’t like them as much as me.” His chest swelled out with the boast. “She couldn’t possibly like another little boy as much as she liked me.” He caught hold of a door handle to his right and swung it open to reveal a large nursery complete with a large rocking horse, a wooden fort, a mechanical carousel and all manner of picture books, marbles and quoits strewn about the floor and over the little round table.
“Goodness me, I’m sure Nanny didn’t allow your nursery to get in such a mess as all this,” Mina said disapprovingly.
Teddy gave her a sidelong look. “Annie should have come along and tidied it,” he s
aid evasively. “Only she hasn’t.”
“I’m sure Annie has other duties than picking up after you, Teddy,” Mina said sternly and knew she was right when he reddened. “Let’s get these things tidied away now before your Papa comes up to play Race Meets with us.”
He perked up at this and started dragging a chest into the center of the room. “Let’s just throw it all in here,” he panted.
“Certainly not,” Mina corrected him. “For I can see a bookcase over there for your picture books.” She began collecting up the volumes, as Teddy sighed and started scrabbling to put the marbles back in their pouch. “There was a battle last night,” he confided. “These books were propped up to make the rival fort and these marbles were the cannonballs fired by my soldiers.”
“I see,” Mina answered, slotting the books back onto their shelves. “I did wonder how the devastation came about.”
“The Race Meet game is atop of that shelf,” he said, pointing.
“Well, we shan’t get that down, until we’ve tidied all this away.”
Teddy squinted at her. “You’re not like most aunts I’ve met,” he said accusingly.
“How many aunts do you possess?”
“Just one,” he admitted grudgingly.
Mina pointed to her own chest in query. He nodded. “Well, it doesn’t sound as though your own experience in aunts is extensive,” she told him. “And besides, this is what your aunt is like.”
He gave a snort at that and then started gathering up the hoops from his quoits set. It did not take long before they could once more see the large colorful rug, which must once have graced a far grander room but had been relegated to the nursery once it began to show signs of wear.
“That’s better,” Mina pronounced, reaching for Teddy’s game. “Now, let us set up this up on the nursery table as it needs a flat surface.”
“I usually just play with it on the floor,” Teddy objected as she set it down and lifted the lid off the box to show the six little painted horses and jockeys.