It was past midnight and the two had still not returned. Both Harry and Maria were exhausted. They were usually up early in the morning and early to bed at night.
Christopher had returned from Repington long ago and had retired.
Harry nodded off to sleep in his chair, but awoke with a start and stood up. “I can do this no longer. Maria, come we must go to bed. Hopefully they will be back early tomorrow. It is my guess they decided to stop for supper and perhaps stayed at an inn for the night.”
Maria groggily stood up from her chair and closed the book that lay in her lap that she had tried to read to keep awake. “Oh, yes. Then I bid you good-night.”
* * *
The next morning both Maria and Harry were late arising. Harry was grumpy, and Maria kept yawning at breakfast.
When Daniels came to serve the tea, Harry asked, “Has there been any word of my aunt?”
“I am afraid not, Milord. I had someone keep watch all night in case they came in late, but they did not appear and there has been no word from any authorities.”
Harry looked at Maria and it was clear they were both fearful.
Harry needed to attend to the cattle this morning, but he was reluctant to leave until this situation was settled. He was on the verge of sending out one of the grooms to check with the local constabulary to see if there might be any reports of accidents. But, at that moment, the carriage came up the drive and both he and Maria rushed outside and up to the carriage door when it finally stopped.
“Oh, my dear niece and nephew, you havenoidea the ordeal we have been through. I swear it was even worse than toppling over the falls,” Aunt Agatha said as she descended from the carriage. Her dress was torn, covered in grass stains, the veil on her hat was torn and the feather atop was broken.
From behind her came Chilton, looking frazzled, battered, and with cuts and abrasions.
“Come, we must have tea immediately and then I must compose myself.” She spotted the butler. “Daniels, a bath if you please. And then I must lie down until at least lunch time.”
“Aunt, do you not think you owe us at least a brief explanation?” Maria asked, testily. “We waited up until very late hoping you would return. And mother has been beside herself with worry.”
“Are either of you injured?” Harry asked. “Do either of you need medical attention?”
Aunt stood for a moment and tears came to her eyes. She dabbed at them with her handkerchief, then said, “Highwaymen. We were attacked, roughed up, robbed, and then left to fend for ourselves.”
At that point the coachman climbed from the driver’s seat. He looked to be in pain.
“Milord, I believe I may have a broken arm,” he said holding his left arm.
Harry immediately went to him, took him by the shoulders, and nodded to Daniels, handing the coachman over to him to take care of.
“Are you certain neither of you are hurt?” Maria asked going to her Aunt and putting an arm around her shoulder.
“Scrapes and bruises, but nothing serious.”
“My finger hurts,” Mr. Oakley said, holding it up for inspection.
Harry turned to Daniels as he was leading the coachman inside. “Please have someone fetch the doctor. It seems we now have a second person who needs to be examined.”
“Yes, Milord.”
“But what took you so long to get home?” Maria asked Agatha.
“During the scuffle the horses were spooked, and they charged ahead. It took us forever to find the carriage. It was a good several miles down the road and there was a broken spoke. The poor coachman had to drive very slowly for fear of further complications.”
“Dear Aunt… Mr. Oakley… we are so very sorry for your misadventure. But think of it as another chapter in the book I know you shall one day write,” Maria said.
Aunt’s face brightened up. “Oh, Maria, my dear, what asplendididea. It never crossed my mind, but I think I shall get started on it right after lunch.”
Chapter 20
After the uproar of the morning, Harry found it refreshing to be working with his cattle again. Even after the hoof and mouth scare, they were far less of a worry than the human events of the past few days.
