Death in the Dark Walk by Deryn Lake

Author:Deryn Lake [Lake, Deryn]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3, mobi
Tags: Suspense
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Published: 1994-11-17T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

The Spread Eagle inn had been in the hands of the Pruet family since 1716, so John learned the next morning when, after breakfast, he set about hiring himself a horse. First in line had been Henry Pruet, knacker, succeeded by his son John, a tallow chandler, who had now passed the lease on to his son William. John Pruet, however, had not retired completely and was in charge of the stables where, with much pride, he cared for his string of beasts, some of which were very fine indeed. Leading out a chestnut mare of rippling proportions, the old man insisted on pointing out her good qualities to the Apothecary who stood somewhat impatiently, ready to tie his herb and flower baskets on to the saddle.

‘This is Blade, Sir; very fast but very even-tempered, an exceptional animal in every way. Now how many days might you be wanting her for?’

‘Two or three, I imagine. Perhaps more.’

‘But you’ll be bringing her back at night? For though she is of impeccable temperament, she does prefer her own stable.’

‘I certainly will. I have a room here.’

‘Then cherish her well. They are all like children to me.’

And with this admonition, the business was transacted and John clattered out of the yard, somewhat nervously for he had not ridden for quite a while, and headed south towards Goodwood House, the country seat of that naughty young rake, the Duke of Richmond.

He had decided earlier that morning to make his first task a visit to the two Dukes, Richmond and Midhurst, in order to question them about their activities in Vaux Hall on that fateful night. For much as he longed to investigate the strange story of the mill and the suicide of Jemmy Groves, to say nothing of the disappearance of Eleanor Benbow, a new character in the drama, there could be no escaping the fact that the young noblemen were high on the list of suspects. Obviously, of the pair of them, Richmond appeared to have no motive for killing Elizabeth Harper though, John thought, a well-heeled blade such as he, known to have patronised the house in Leicester Fields, might well have been one of the girl’s clients and fallen out with her for some reason not, as yet, revealed. As he rode along, the Apothecary summoned into his mind everything he knew about Charles Lennox, Duke of Richmond.

The first thing he recalled was that the Duke was the great grandson of Charles II, this particular line of royal bastards having sprung from the King’s liaison with his French mistress, Louise de Queronaille. From these two accomplished lovers, the family of Lennox had inherited a certain wildness as well as their dark good looks, both these characteristics never more prevalent than in the present holder of the title who, still aged under twenty, was enjoying life to the full before custom insisted that he wed. Stopping before the great gates of Goodwood House and showing the lodge keeper John Fielding’s letter,

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