Instruments of Darkness

EPILOGUE

8 JUNE 1778

Some eighteen months after his return from America Hugh realized, riding home late from dining at Caveley Park, that he was something like happy. The confusions since he had returned to Thornleigh were beginning to dissipate. At first he had done little other than exist and drink his way through his father’s cellar, but since meeting Commodore Westerman, his wife and most particularly Miss Trench at Caveley soon after, something within him was beginning to grow. He had begun to take a firmer control of the estate, he could see where wrongs were being done, and found that when he began to take action his whole being seemed to lift. The anxiety, the dreams, still came, but with every meeting with Miss Trench, with every night he went to bed not quite drunk, with every morning he took action their horrors lessened and the light crept toward him.

This evening something had happened. He did not know what, but some look, some word from Rachel-he whispered her Christian name like a prayer-had caused the vague, weak hope in his heart to blossom forth. He smiled to himself. All was not lost. His own sins and those of his father could be expurgated by hard work and a true heart. He would build an estate worthy of respect, he would make his stepmother and half brother comfortable. His seeing eye was bright in the gloom, but his thoughts were so far away, it was not until he was abreast of his gates that he saw the man lounging there in the shadows.

The figure stood and looked up at him. The face was tanned and dirty from the road, and Hugh could see the pack at his feet.

“Captain Thornleigh.”

The world trembled and swam. The smell of gunsmoke rose in Hugh’s nostrils. He felt suddenly sick.

“Wicksteed.”

“Glad to see you haven’t forgotten me yet, sir.”

Hugh’s hand trembled on the reins, causing his horse to step unhappily from side to side. He managed to clear his throat enough to speak again.

“So this is how it begins?”

Claver spat on the dust in front of him and straightened up with a smile.

“After a manner of speaking, sir, I suppose so. Yes. This is how it begins.”