As a group, they rounded the last bend, and the house rose before them.
As one, they slowed.
They halted their horses at the edge of the weed-strewn forecourt and stared at the dilapidated building.
Bellamy Hall might be a gothic monstrosity, yet despite its size, it was lovingly tended, well-maintained, and in excellent condition.
Ecton Hall hadn’t been loved for years. It had once been a neat, Georgian-style gentleman’s residence of three stories, built of local stone, with windows spaced symmetrically to either side of the central door and the long, vertical window above it and what once, no doubt, had been manicured lawns in front and to either side—exactly what one might imagine as the seat of a minor lord.
Now, the house was run-down to just short of falling down. There were visibly damaged tiles on the roof, and several wooden shutters hung askew. Paint, what was left of it, peeled and flaked from the window frames, and the glass in the windows looked like it hadn’t been cleaned for a decade.
Weeds sprouted between the cracked stones forming the steps and the front porch, but the front door, protected by the porch, looked as if it was still in use.
Rory shifted in the saddle on the heavy hunter halted alongside Gregory’s mount. “You sure he’ll have brought her here?”
“No. But this is the first place we need to check.” Gregory glanced around. “We might do better to leave our horses here.” Tied to the skeletal trees that bordered the drive.
Rory grunted in agreement, and the five of them dismounted and secured their horses.
As Gregory turned back to Ecton Hall, he saw movement in the distance, some way to the rear of the derelict house.
A small mob were striding purposely toward them.
Hamish had followed Gregory’s gaze. He squinted. “Is that the folk from the Hall?”
Gregory nodded. “It really isn’t that far across the fields. I think that’s the boundary fence they’re climbing over. They’ll be here soon.”
Frowning, Patrick glared at the house. “What I don’t understand is why this Ecton thought kidnapping Caitlin was a good idea.”
Gregory scanned the house, searching for any sign of occupation. “Just before you arrived, I received a letter from my younger brother. He’s in London and, with others, has been investigating Ecton, trying to discover why Ecton wants Bellamy Hall. On the face of it, that seemed absurd.” He waved at the house. “As we can see and from all we’ve heard, Ecton doesn’t like living in the country. From what I’ve learned, we can safely assume that Ecton wants money, and my brother’s information suggests that Ecton’s offer to buy Bellamy Hall is contingent on him selling the combined estates to a mining company.”
“Mining?” Hamish frowned. “I wouldn’t have thought this area, so close to the river, would be of much use to any miner.”
“Whatever Ecton’s pitch to the mining companies is, there’s a good chance it’s fraudulent. But he needs Bellamy Hall to add to Ecton Hall to make a parcel of land large enough for any mining company to even consider.” With his gaze on the mob fast approaching, thankfully quietly, Gregory went on, “While it’s possible Ecton somehow learned that Caitlin is wealthy—in which case, he’s either intending to marry her and claim her inheritance or he’s holding her for ransom—I suspect his intention is more along the lines of forcing me to part with Bellamy Hall.”
Patrick continued to frown.
Before his putative uncle-in-law could return to his question of why Ecton would think Caitlin an effective pawn to force Gregory to sell—an issue he would prefer not to address at that precise moment—he went on. “Either motive is possible for the same reason—Ecton wants money, and his need might well be desperate.”
“And,” Rory rumbled, still staring at the house, “desperate men are prone to doing desperate things.”
Gregory glanced at Caitlin’s relatives. “Whatever happens, I suggest we avoid mentioning Caitlin’s wealth. If Ecton doesn’t know—and there’s really no reason he would—there’s no sense in giving him that information.”
Stony-faced, Patrick nodded. “Especially if, as you say, he’s after money.”
Rory looked to Gregory. “How do you want to handle this?”
Gregory was grateful that Rory was asking and not simply charging ahead.
“The place looks deserted,” Daniel observed. “But it’s big enough that doesn’t mean there’s no one inside.”
“Indeed.” Gregory turned to the denizens of the Hall as they arrived en masse. He looked over his troops, all angrily determined, and nodded to Joshua, Jenkins, and Henry. “Can you three take your workers, skirt around, and check the rear?”
Henry tipped him a salute. “Consider it done.”
The three and their helpers divided into two parties and, keeping to the lawns, set off in opposite directions to swiftly circle the house.
Gregory surveyed the rest of Caitlin’s would-be rescuers. As well as Vernon and his apprentice, Julia and Millie were there and, in common with everyone who had come across the fields, were armed with whatever implements they’d had to hand. In Julia’s case, it was a wicked-looking digging tool, while Millie held a small hand scythe. The group were studying the house and, possibly in reaction to its unsettling appearance, had spread out, facing the place. No one had their backs to it.
