Gentleman's Guide 02 - His Contrary Bride) (32 page)

Marius dressed in the clothes he had arrived
in town wearing and Richard dressed in what he referred to as his
work clothes and set off walking toward the mine. Marius hoped the
plan would work and allowed Richard to do the talking.

Two men were sitting on crates when they
approached. A tall burly man stood as they approached from the
road. “What would the two you be wanting?”

“Work,” Richard answered. “We are on our way
from South Tynedale to London and have run out of money.”

“We were hoping to get jobs in the mine, to
tie us over, so we can finish our trip,” Marius added.

The man crossed his arms over his chest and
looked them over. “Ever work in a mine before?”

“In South Tynedale.”

“So, why leave there to go to London?”

Marius hadn’t expected so many questions and
thankfully Richard was ready for an explanation. “Lasses, my
friend. Lovely Lasses and sisters too.” Richard grinned and gave a
knowing nod. “They up and left to find work in London as maids or
shop girls and we have a mind to follow and get our own jobs.”

The burly man believed them, but didn’t
think much of them. He shook his head and rolled his eyes. “We can
use a few more hands. Mind you work hard and don’t give us any
trouble, you will be paid fair wages at the end of the week.”

Marius stifled the urge to snort. Fair wages
indeed!

They tossed the old bags they had been
carrying under a tree and made their way down into the mine. The
deeper they went the harder it was for Marius to breath. The
darkness and walls closed in on him. How did anyone work in these
conditions?

They did not attach themselves to any of the
other workers and Richard led the way, studying the tunnels,
support beams, equipment, and the workers.

Marius wasn’t sure what to look for so he
studied the workers. When a particularly small person passed, he
stopped the lad. “How old are you?”

The dirt covered boy looked up at him.
“Eight sir.”

Stunned, he let the child go.

Further down another worker, though taller,
but still slender bent to pick up a pick ax, losing her hat. She
was definitely a female or the men in this town took to growing
their hair long enough to braid and pin it behind their head.
Marius stopped by the young woman. “Ladies work in the mine?” He
questioned her.

“Some of us have no choice, mister. My
husband was killed in here last year and I have a child to feed.”
She bent to retrieve her hat and pushed it back down on her head.
“You best get back to work before they cut the few wages you’ll be
getting.” Turning away, she resumed her work.

Though Marius knew nothing about mines, he
did not like the idea of children and women working in this
hellhole. Especially when the women had children of their own to
raise.

The men paused before they exited the mine
and Marius turned to Richard. “Well?”

Solemnly he shook his head, mouth grim.
“This place is a death trap.”

“You can say that again,” a man not too far
away agreed.

“I can’t put this off, Richard. These people
are in more danger than Sabrina.”

Richard nodded his head and followed Marius
out of the mine.

The burly, gruff, filthy man approached
them. “Get back to work before I sack ya.”

Marius raised himself up with noble bearing.
“It is not I who has to worry about a job at the moment,” he stated
smoothly. “I want you to gather every man who is in charge of
running this operation.”

The few workers who remained outside stopped
their work, listening intently.

“Who the hell are you to be giving me
orders?” The man spit on the ground.

“There have been complaints over the safety
here and my friend and I just completed our inspection.”

“You have no right.”

“On the contrary. I have every right.”
Marius turned and looked at the men who now gathered around him and
Richard. “I want each man Chesterfield hired standing before me in
two minutes.”

The workers were gaping at the two gentlemen
and Marius addressed them. “Please bring everyone out of the mine.
I will not be the one responsible for deaths.”

As the workers filed out of the mine behind
him, Chesterfield’s men gathered before Marius and Richard. There
were five in all. Each filthy and two smelled of strong liquor.

“Is anyone else involved with the running of
the mine?”

“Only Chesterfield himself,” one of them
stated.

“Were you hired by Chesterfield, all of
you?”

Before nodding yes, they shared a look.

“Hey.” the man at the end of the line
stated, as if seeing the miners for the first time. “Get back to
work. This is not a holiday.”

The boy whom Marius had questioned stood
close to them. “We were told to leave, sir.”

The man raised his hand to hit the boy.
Marius quickly stepped between the two and glared at the filthy
supervisor. “Does this happen often young man? Being struck?”

His eyes were wide and he searched the faces
of the workers, wondering how he should answer.

Richard leaned down. “It is alright. Just
answer his question truthfully. No harm will come to you.”

“A lot, sir. But only if we’re not working
hard enough.”

Marius itched to beat the man but kept
control. “You five are relieved of your duties. You, with all you
belongings, will be gone from this land and town within the
hour.”

“You can’t do that,” one of them argued.

“I just did.” Marius dismissed him and
turned away.

“Who the hell are you? Only Chesterfield can
say what happens here,” another continued.

A smile spread across Marius’s face. “I
happen to Mr. Marius Parker, recently married to Lady Sabrina
Chester, owner of this mine. My friend, Baron Lavins has offered to
give me much needed advice.”

The burly supervisor at the end of the line
cursed. “You’re suppose to be dead.”

“I’m sure that was Chesterfield’s plans when
he set my house on fire. As you can see, I escaped safely, with my
bride, and am now taking over.”

The five men didn’t seem to want to
move.

“Do I need to assign escorts to see that you
are gone?”

Grumbling, the men turned and walked away.
Marius scanned the group and signaled the ten largest men to come
forward. “Stay with them until they are far from here.”

Nodding, they went to do Marius’s bidding as
he and Richard faced the miners who were waiting in anticipation
for what was to happen next. An older man stepped forward. “Pardon
me, my lord. Will Lord Lavins be running the mine now?”

Marius noted the man looked almost hopeful
at the suggestion.

Richard shook his head. “No, I am only here
as an advisor.”

Disappointment replaced the early hope and
the man’s shoulders slumped.

“Why would you want Lord Lavins to manage?”
He knew that Richard had profitable mines, but hadn’t been aware
that his reputation traveled further then his own lands.

The miners looked at Marius as if he had
just asked an incredibly stupid question. “Don’t ya know ‘bout how
he runs things?”

“Apparently, I don’t.” Marius was bemused.
Obviously these workers knew something of Richard that his friends
didn’t.

“Why he has the safest mines in all of
England,” another man stated.

“Well, as safe as mines can be that is,” the
man beside him added.

“The wages are good,” someone called out.
“My son left to work in one of his mines and is able to send a
little back to help feed the family.”

“Not to mention pensions,” an older man
spoke.

Marius grinned at his friend, who had
slightly colored at their admiration. “In that case, I promise to
seriously consider each of his suggestions.”

Smiles broke out among the workers.

“For the moment, however, the mine is
closed.”

Worry began to etch on the faces so Marius
continued. “You will still be paid as if you are working. Nobody
will lose his, or her, job unless they wish to.” Relief reflected
in the faces. “Is there a place we can meet later that will offer
enough room for all of us?”

“You may use the church, Mr. Parker.” A man
of approximately thirty stated.

“Perhaps you should ask the vicar, sir, if
you don’t mind.”

The man smiled. “I am the vicar. Times have
been difficult for everyone sir. Not just the miners.”

*

Sabrina burst through the front door, eager
to find Marius. He stepped out of library and she rushed into his
arms. “They are talking about you all over town Marius. At least a
dozen people told me what you and Richard did at the mine today and
are eagerly waiting for some meeting this evening.”

Smiling, he took Sabrina’s arm and turned
her toward the parlor. “I hope you don’t mind dear. My original
intention had been to inspect the mine only. After what Richard and
I saw, I couldn’t wait and had to shut it down and I fired your
uncle’s employees.”

“Mind, why should I mind?” Sabrina asked
with excitement.

“I didn’t want to make any decisions without
you. After all, you are the true owner.”

“Yes, but you are in charge.” She argued
back.

“Still, I want us to decide together what
happens from now on.”

Sabrina stopped to look at her husband,
smiling softly. Reaching up she touched his cheek. “Thank you,
Marius.”

In just one month of marriage Marius was
already getting on her nerves. Sabrina couldn’t go anywhere without
him being with her, following her, or appearing close to her within
minutes of her starting a project inside the house or out. Just now
she stood in the center of the garden discussing the layout with
the men who returned to their former positions, leaving the mine
after they heard of the plans to restore the estate. Besides the
gardeners, there were men fixing a fence and repairing part of a
chimney. Others were painting portions of the house. She was in
clear view of not less than twenty men, all of whom they now knew,
yet Marius had followed her out here and waited patiently until she
concluded her business. Sabrina had half a mind to remain where she
was until the following morning. Instead, she excused herself and
marched over to her husband who was relaxing on a bench. With hands
on hips she stared down at him. “Must you continue to follow me
everywhere?”

“Until Chesterfield is disposed of,
yes.”

“Marius, look around.” She gestured to all
the workers. “Nothing could possibly happen to me here.”

“Is that so?” he asked lazily.

“Yes,” Sabrina yelled back, exasperated.

Calmly Marius stood. “Look around you,
dear.” He gestured to the woods surrounding the acreage.
“Chesterfield or one of his men could be hiding at this very moment
waiting to get a good shot at you.”

Sabrina judged the distance close enough for
success.

“I would prefer you not leave the house at
all, but don’t believe you will consider that option.”

She turned back to him, remaining stubborn.
“No, I will not. I refuse to hide, waiting for him to strike. Who
knows,” Sabrina shrugged her shoulders. “He may have given up by
now.”

“I hardly think so, dear.” After kissing her
on the cheek, Marius resumed his seat as Sabrina returned to the
gardeners. Though she hated to admit her husband may have a point,
she did look toward the woods on more than one occasion.

Two days later Sabrina shut the office door
after speaking with her husband. Marius was growing more tense each
day, waiting for Chesterfield to strike. Though she felt perfectly
safe, perhaps she should remain in the house for no other reason
than to alleviate some of his concerns. With that decision made
Sabrina wandered back to the front parlor where she had left Simone
a few moments ago drinking tea. They were still waiting for Richard
to return from town.

Pausing at the doors Sabrina found them
closed. Hadn’t she left them open? No bother, she probably didn’t
remember closing them or perhaps Richard had returned and was in
there alone with his wife. Just to be sure, Sabrina knocked. When
no one answered, Sabrina knocked harder. If no answer came, she
would retire to her rooms. “Simone, it is me, Sabrina. May I come
in?” Perhaps she shouldn’t have said anything and just walked
away.

“You can come in.”

Simone sounded a little bit odd, which
further convinced her Richard was in there. Perhaps she should just
say good night through the door.

“Please, Sabrina,” her voice called out.

Something was wrong. Perhaps Simone was ill.
Turning the handle she stepped into the room. Before she could act,
the door shut behind her and a gag was shoved in her mouth. Her
last vision was of Simone sitting in a chair blindfolded. She
kicked out at her assailant before she felt the blow to her
head.

*

Sabrina awoke to pitch blackness. It was no
place she was familiar with and it smelled dirty and felt damp.
Though her head was pounding she struggled to sit, ignoring the
pain, she reached out to find her friend. “Simone?”

“I’m right beside you, Sabrina.”

“Thank goodness. Are you hurt?”

“No, I am fine but I would appreciate it if
you would untie my hands.”

“At least they removed your gag before
dumping us here.”

“No they didn’t. I managed to loosen it
myself while I waited for you to wake. I was beginning to fear you
wouldn’t.” There was an edge of fear in Simone’s voice.

“I guess my head is harder than I thought.”
Sabrina finally got the knot free from the rope at Simone’s wrists
and Simone returned the favor.

Both free of bindings again, they relaxed
against the wall. Sabrina struggled to find some light, but
couldn’t and fought to hold her fear at bay. “It is pitch black in
here, I can’t see a thing.”