“My guess would be that they will be forced to sell whatever they can and live in highly degraded circumstances.” Mr. Langford re-read the extensive debts listed in the documents enclosed with the letters to Edmund and Jacob before adding, “I assume that your family would not wish to take them in.”
“I cannot say,” Diana muttered. “We must think about that once Lord Birks is dealt with.”
With the arrival of the evidence of Andrew’s spiraling debts and the dispatch of the document to the Arnold family lawyers via the same express messenger, the constables announced that they were ready to go to Hayward House.
They would take their hired men, expecting to take the gardener into custody if he were present, and question all members of the family and staff, particularly Lord Birks. Edmund was asked to join them to identify the gardener and help in questioning the family.
“Lord Wycliff and I will both join you, gentlemen,” Edmund told them. “We will have our own horses and our own weapons if they should be needed.”
“I’m coming too,” Diana announced.
“Are you sure, Lady Diana?” Mr. Burnham asked in surprise. “This could be an extremely dangerous man. And won’t your mother need you at home?”
“Dr. Hughs and Mrs. Bridge can do more here today than I. While I’m very grateful to His Grace and Lord Wycliff for all their assistance, there really should be a member of our side of the Arnold family present for any action against Lord Birks and his people. The harm done has been against my brother and my family’s interests after all.”
“If you are quite decided, Lady Diana,” Mr. Langford said doubtfully. “We do not yet know what we will find at Hayward House, of course.”
“She will be under my protection,” Edmund assured them.
* * *
The constables and their party all rode on horseback for speed, seeing no need to slow themselves with a carriage. They planned to take a wooden cart from Hayward House to transport any prisoner, if necessary.
Diana, Edmund, and Jacob rode a short distance behind the constables and hired men in order to allow them to arrive first, and so they could talk privately amongst themselves. Without the encumbrance of a carriage, they reached Hayward House within two hours.
Andrew was already standing at the top of the steps as they rode up the driveway. Glancing upward, Diana saw Kitty at an upstairs window, her hand covering her mouth in horror.
"What is the meaning of this, Sirs?” Andrew demanded coldly, looking from the constables to Edmund and Jacob, and taking in Diana slightly behind them. “Why have you brought these men to my home? I didn’t invite any of you.”
The constables, Edmund and Jacob dismounted while the hired men and Diana remained on horseback behind them.
“A very serious accusation has been made against a member of your staff, Lord Birks,” Mr. Burnham said, coming up the steps to present him with a document that he declined to even look at. “As the local constables, we’re bound to investigate the matter thoroughly to the best of our ability and bring the culprit before the courts if necessary.”
“What are you talking about, man?” Andrew asked insolently, waving him away. “What kind of accusation and against whom? Is all this because Percy fell off his damned horse?”
Diana thought that she could already see a red flush from alcohol underneath his bluster.
“Mater told me about that fuss over Percy. I hope he’s recovering, but he was always falling off horses when we were children and no one ever sent the constables out because of it."
“Percy was a far better rider than you ever were,” Diana said angrily. “The only times he fell off his horse were when you made it happen. Just like yesterday.”
“Is that any way to talk to your future husband, Cousin Diana? I’ll have to teach you some respect when we’re married.”
“You’re not my future husband,” Diana hissed. “Percy has already cancelled the betrothal. I won’t be marrying you, ever.”
“What?!” He came down the steps, his ruddy face whitening in shock. “You can’t just do that! Everything is set up. We’re getting married.”
"It’s already done,” Edmund confirmed, stepping in front of Andrew to stop him from advancing towards Diana. “I witnessed the document and dispatched it to the lawyers myself. Now, you have bigger problems than a cancelled wedding. Where’s your gardener?”
“My gardener?”
“He doesn’t do much gardening does he?” Mr. Langford commented, voicing Diana’s observation of the grounds at Hayward House. “But perhaps you employ him for other skills and tasks?”
“My gardener?! Why the hell would you want to speak to Allerton?” he demanded, scratching his head in puzzlement.
Some of the air seemed to be going out of Andrew now. It was almost disappointing to watch. Diana had hoped that he would first deny everything then dramatically admit to planning the attack before being dragged away to jail. In reality, he sounded too stupid and too shocked by everything, and she began to feel that they were missing something fundamental.
“Allerton was seen fleeing the scene of the attack with a gun yesterday afternoon. I’m sure you’ll therefore appreciate the urgency of talking to him,” Mr. Burnham explained with great politeness.