‘When I am sure the tomb coin is secure.’
Ravenlaw waited until they had composed a statement, all signed and dated it and then folded the coin inside, sealing it with Perry’s, Theo’s and Ravenlaw’s seal rings.
‘Right.’ Ravenlaw shook out the L coin. ‘The one labelled P was minted in Paris and is perfectly genuine. This one, and the one Miss Darke found, were struck in London at the Royal Mint. They are the correct weight of gold, they are perfect in every detail – except for that tiny flaw on the leaf. These are the coins that our agents in France receive.’
‘Spies?’ Laura asked.
‘Some coin goes to people you would term spies, enabling them to live their false lives in France. Some goes as bribes to corrupt officials or clerks in return for information. Large amounts are sent to the various groups plotting insurrection. In 1793 the Vendée region rose in revolt and although it was savagely crushed with a huge loss of life, the opposition is not dead. The British government feeds the flames with gold for weapons and printing and communications. There are agents fomenting unrest in the army and navy – I could go on, but you see the picture? It was thought to be a good idea to mark the forged gold so that we could, in some part, keep track of where it was going.’
‘And somehow one of these coins has found its way here.’ Laura nodded her understanding.
‘Could it be as simple as this being in general circulation, one of the local smugglers acquiring it in a transaction and then losing it?’ Theo asked.
‘It might be that. But the harbour at Blakeney, just along the coast from here, is one of the network of small trading ports where our agents come and go to the Continent. We always lose a few every year – they are careless or betrayed or they prove unreliable, but it seems that a higher than average number leave from Blakeney and are never heard of again.’
‘But surely the Channel ports and harbours are closer to France?’ Perry objected.
‘And therefore that much more obvious.’ Flynn, who had been sitting quietly to one side, spoke for the first time. ‘The East Anglian ports have a long history of coastal trade and, even though we’re at war with most of the Continent at the moment, the local men still keep up their connections across in the Netherlands, Denmark, even into the Baltic. They run small ships with modest cargoes of coal and wheat and so forth, crewed by men who know every creek and landing spot on the opposite coast.’
‘And the agents are being killed for the gold they carry?’ Perry looked grim.
‘Yes, or it could be that there is treachery involved – the agents are murdered, or handed over to the authorities and the gold goes into the French state coffers.’ Ravenlaw tapped one finger on the packets of coins. ‘Cal dropping into the Foreign Office asking about a gold Napoléon found a dozen miles from Blakeney got the attention of a small group of very worried men.’
‘And, besides Cal’s current preoccupation with family matters, it was considered that one humble valet and one viscount used to subterfuge and deception might have rather more chance of going unremarked than a duke. So, behold your latest recruits to the investigating force,’ Flynn finished with a mock bow.
‘There are other complications,’ Theo said. He explained Laura’s predicament and recounted the tale of the attacks on Will.
‘Miss Darke’s problems account for Pitkin’s masquerade,’ Ravenlaw observed. ‘But I cannot for the life of me understand why your curate was attacked when neither you, Manners, nor Theo, were assaulted. You were all three investigating the tomb, after all.’
Something was niggling at Laura’s memory but she could not put a finger on it. Something Will had said…
‘Excuse me, my lord.’ Jed opened the door but remained on the threshold. ‘I followed those Swinburns and they went back to the Manor. And we’ve been out checking all around, they haven’t set anyone to lurk and spy.’
He was followed closely by Mrs Bishop. ‘The girls have made up a room for Lord Ravenlaw and for Mr Flynn as well. They’ll take up hot water just as soon as you need it. I’ll have dinner on the table at seven, if that’s acceptable, my lord?’
Laura glanced at the clock. It was only three. So much had happened since luncheon that she had expected it to be almost dinner time.
‘I think we need another look in that crypt,’ Ravenlaw said. ‘Before your curate and the Archdeacon put the cats amongst the pigeons.’
‘We could go now,’ Perry said. ‘We need lanterns.’
Laura left Perry and Theo taking the other men out to the stables and went to the kitchen.
‘If the coast is clear then I am taking a walk,’ she said. ‘I am going mad cooped up in here, I need some fresh air and exercise.’
‘Is it worth the risk?’ Mrs Bishop asked. ‘You might be seen.’
‘By whom? The Swinburns have gone, Jed and the men have checked the area and I will stay on the footpaths close to the house, not walk in the lane.’
Mrs Bishop sighed, but nodded. ‘Wear stout boots and take a weapon then,’ she advised ‘Here.’ She took a thin knife from a rack and handed it to her.
‘Thank you.’ Laura took it by the hilt with as much confidence as she could summon and tucked it into her reticule. Really, Mrs Bishop has a quite bloodthirsty side to her character. At least she had not insisted on Laura taking the shotgun with her.
Chapter Sixteen
Leaving the house felt like an escape to Laura. Not a flight from danger but from being smothered by over-protective men and from the presence of Theo who was occupying her thoughts obsessively.
It is quite straightforward, she told herself as she went out of the garden gate into the copse that ran along one side of the grounds. He cannot break his engagement without compromising his honour and, for a gentleman, that is anathema. They fight duels and risk death rather than be dishonoured – what is a passing attraction to a woman against that?