* * *
Back at home, Julia expected a quiet afternoon as it was raining heavily so she was taken by surprise when Molly announced there was a visitor to see her. A tired and dripping wet Lieutenant Wareham was ushered in.
After begging him to be seated and instructing the maid to bring tea, Julia turned her attention to her visitor.
‘My apologies, ma’am, for the intrusion last week. However, it really was necessary.’
‘Have you been successful in your pursuit of the smugglers, Lieutenant?’
‘No, not really. It would appear they divided and scattered. My other search party located an empty carriage that had certainly been used. However, regretfully, nothing of consequence.’
As briefly as she could, Julia explained about the loss of Athene and the barouche. The lieutenant brightened, immediately asking if he could visit the stables. Julia rang for Smithers to fetch her cloak and she escorted Lieutenant Wareham to that building.
In her stall, muddy and looking decidedly weary, stood Athene. In its usual position but also looking the worse for wear, was the barouche. They both looked at each other.
‘This is the way of things here,’ the Lieutenant said grimly. ‘Just ask no questions and with luck, all will be well. It’s obvious they used both the horse and the carriage, and now they are returned to you. No doubt there will be payment in kind for their usage.’ His tone was contemptuous.
They returned to the house where Molly was waiting with the tea and hot buttered muffins. Julia poured immediately and together they sat, eating the muffins and pondering over the facts.
‘As we can see by the wet mud on the horse and the barouche, they have only recently been returned, but by whom we’ll never know as nobody will talk.’ He studied his cup and swallowed the last of his muffin.
‘It was Mr Farraday’s carriage that was used to confuse my troops. Whatever or whoever was in the first carriage was transferred to your barouche and it quietly disappeared into the night while the men were led away, chasing the original one, a decoy. When my men finally captured the carriage, they found it empty.’
‘Did you question Jeb Wyatt?’
‘Oh yes, we did. He had certainly been in a fight but he had witnesses to vouch for him and we have nothing to prove he was involved.’
Swallowing the last of his tea, the revenue officer rose wearily to his feet. Julia accompanied him to the hallway.
‘If by any chance you should hear any village gossip pertaining to this affair, I need not tell you how grateful I would be to be kept informed.’
She inclined her head in acquiescence and entered the hallway where Ridges was posted by the door. With a brief nod of thanks, Lieutenant Wareham collected his gloves, allowed Ridges to assist him with his greatcoat and left the house to go outside into the drizzling rain.