Forth Contention

Darmon Series, Vol. 2

By Thomas Thorpe

A medieval legacy threatens the Darmon household and a murder in Surrey leaves a trail of clues that bring Elizabeth and William to peril in Egypt, desperation on the slopes of Mount Parnassus and despair inside a prison of Constantinople. It is a race with time to save an English lifestyle in a contest with the rival Forth family for untold wealth and freedom for the kingdom of Greece.

ISBN 1-59431-078-5 Historical/Mystery/Adventure

Cover Art by Maggie Dix.

Also available in HTML and RTF formats.



"My God, it's Forthwait!"

John Forthwait's body lay face down in a pool of blood sprouting tiny red streams over the ivory-colored marble floor. Beneath the upstairs balcony, William Darmon warily helped his brother-in-law Charles twist the torso over. The splotched nightshirt fell away from an ugly maroon gash at the victim's midsection.

Emily stood behind her husband, Charles, rubbing her arms in an effort to stop trembling. "How could this happen? We were outside for less than an hour."

She turned to see her two sisters, Elizabeth and Victoria coming down the stairs. Elizabeth, William's wife, clutched her sibling tightly as they reached the landing and the eighteen-year-old beheld her boyfriend's lifeless stare. Abruptly, she fainted. Charles carried her into the adjoining room and settled her onto a chesterfield. He then ran through his manor shouting the servant's names to arouse the household.

At age thirty-six, William stood in contrast to his wife's image. The tall, round-faced gentleman shook his head, realizing that neither his years at Oxford nor his sizeable fortune would do them much good in the face of a murder investigation. They were pampered children confronting a sinister crime at his brother-in-law's estate in this year of 1825.

He rose, his face grimly set, and took his wife's hand. "The deep wound suggests that he was stabbed and then pushed over the upstairs railing,"

Elizabeth put her hand to her mouth. "No! But, who could do such a thing?"

William squeezed her soft fingers without answering, and glanced up at the landing where the fall had begun.

The short, stocky woman of thirty with dark brown curls wound tightly about her head, continued to stare worriedly at the lifeless form. Elizabeth was not a beauty by most standards. Ruddy cheeks highlighted plain, common features and a rather large nose, but a fire burned brightly in her eyes.

"What to we know of him, really?" she voiced to no one in particular. "It's been almost a year since he first turned up at our home in Kent. It was Charles's farewell dinner after his election to the Commons..."



On the morning prior to Charles's departure for London, the Darmon household busily prepared to celebrate their friend's admission to the Lower House of Parliament. A staff of fifteen servants paid exceptional attention to the arrangements, despite the fact that the affair was minor in size compared to the extravagant balls that the family was famous for hosting. At last, the huge thirty-two-room edifice known as Mayfair Hall stood ready to receive its cherished visitors.

Charles and Emily Bagwell frequently left their residence in Surrey to journey across the forty miles of rolling countryside to Mayfair Hall until an old friend of Charles, Kalon of London Square, solicited his interest in a Chair of the Commons recently vacated by Sir Malcom Boyd. With an affirmative reply, Kalon made the necessary contacts with leaders in the community and the election took place in record time.

"Maddy, see to it that the Dorchester service is used for the plum pudding," Elizabeth announced, adding one more detail to the list of last minute changes. "I would rather this be a casual evening for the eight of us, but you know Lady Catherine."

The Mayfair family had recently expanded with the addition of William's aunt, Lady Catherine Carlisle du Montclair, a woman of society with a reputation tainted by her French sympathies during the Bonaparte era. The crusty old woman spared no pretense with a sharp tongue feared by all who served her. Widow of Lewis, shipping magnate of the Montclair line, she gave up her own estate and moved in with her favorite nephew. As a lady of means, she was used to her own ways, and Elizabeth could only wring her hands at the numerous expressions of disapproval that fell on her management of household activities.

Last to arrive that evening, were Elizabeth's mother and father from Hayshire, together with their daughter, Victoria. Elizabeth and Emily's younger sister surprised everyone with the introduction to her newest beau, John Forthwait.

The small party gathered at a twenty-foot red oak table between the dining room's two rows of tall leaded glass windows with cusped arches. For hours, the hall echoed with boisterous laughter and frequent interruptions by participants eager to share their favorite memories.

Emily glanced at Victoria's friend who listened without comment for most of the evening. His lined face testified to an age twenty years older than her sister, but despite his maturity, he seemed ill at ease, often paying little attention to the conversation. She knew little of his past other than Victoria's comment that he had spent time in London and Paris. Her eyes narrowed: something about him made her feel uncomfortable.

William sighed, regarding his lifelong friend and brother-in-law.

Who could dislike a man so eager to please? Charles boyish grin and boundless enthusiasm reminded William of a favorite foxhound that never doubts his master. Yet, besides a blind faith in his fellow man, he could not fathom what had caused an entire community to elect this individual who could not tell the difference between a writ and a tort. An MP? What can he be thinking?

William climbed to his feet and offered a toast to his comrade and the venture awaiting him at Parliament Square.

Charles stood up smiling at his friends and relatives. "Thank you all, for your support. I leave here with some sadness to do our country's bidding, but it is with great honor and humility that I serve my district. I hope to perform a worthwhile role in government and do you proud. Thank you again, dearest family."

After a brief applause, William laughed. "Now, Charles, we all know it's your boredom with life in the country that has driven you to the excitement of the big city."

They all smiled, adding their endorsements to hearten the novice politician. Even Forthwait chuckled. Charles took his seat with a sheepish expression, thinking his comments had been too formal.

By midnight, the celebrants retired to their rooms so that Charles would have adequate rest for his three-hour journey to London.