‘I’m beginning to think that this abduction was set up to blacken your name and that Percival had no intention of trying to marry you or any such nonsense.’
‘In which case, if your theory’s correct, then he won’t appear at that place. I expect the policemen will inform you in due course. Now, let me serve you. My mouth’s watering as I’ve not eaten since heaven knows when.’
He was amused by her admission that she had been as worried about infestation with lice as what was going to become of her in the morning. His expression changed, he lifted her from her place and settled her in his lap. He had his booted feet firmly on the floor so she thought that possibly this was just about acceptable.
‘Whatever had happened, know that I would have married you. If he had forced you to marry him then I would have made you a widow post-haste.’
She sighed and rested her cheek against his chest. ‘How belligerent you are, dearest, but I appreciate the sentiment.’ She studied her breathing which unaccountably had become more rapid the longer she sat on his lap. ‘If anything untoward had happened to me I would have refused to marry you.’
His arms tightened and then one hand cupped the back of her head and tilted her face to receive a demanding and most delightful kiss. When finally she had a moment to breathe she traced the outline of his mouth with her finger before speaking.
‘You always said you wanted to marry a widow with a child, sir, but I must own that I’m relieved it didn’t come to that.’
He trapped her hand against his cheek. ‘I’ve told you several times before, my dear girl, that you are a baggage and sorely in need of firm instruction in order to learn how to behave.’
Not for a moment did she think him serious. She settled more securely against his chest. ‘If I was a prim, well-behaved young lady you wouldn’t love me.’
‘True, darling girl.’ Then she was abruptly tipped from his lap, he stood up and busied himself at the tray as if he was in dire need of another slice of cake which was odd when he’d already consumed three.
‘I’ve been thinking, Edwin, what possible motive could Percival have for what he did? He could hang for his part in poor Daisy’s death, that’s if you don’t kill him first. He’ll be ostracised by everyone he knows. What advantage would he gain from ruining me if it wasn’t monetary?’
‘I think remuneration was his motivation. I intend to clarify matters as soon as I see him. Now, my darling, we must both retire. I’ll be gone when you get up but will be back as soon as I’ve news for you.’
‘Are we not to ride as planned?’
‘Even if I wished to the horses will not be fit to go out again so soon. It’s but a few hours until dawn – how can you be thinking about riding when you’ve yet to rest after your adventures?’
‘I was extremely tired, but I think somehow the coffee I’ve consumed has revived me. I only suggested that we ride together to demonstrate to anyone who might be around that not only am I here, but that we’re still engaged.’
‘God’s teeth! My wits are wandering, sweetheart. Being seen together in the park is exactly what we must do. Nonetheless, it will be more beneficial if we do so when there are more people around.’
‘That’s true, but surely the sooner we can prove the inevitable gossip about last night to be false the better. You can be very sure that everyone in Portman Square and Hanover Square will be well aware what took place last night.’
He held out his hands and she rushed to him. He embraced her, this time tenderly, as if she were something precious.
‘Go to bed, Lucy, I’ll make sure our horses are ready at eight o’clock. That means neither of us will get more than a few hours’ sleep so the sooner we go up the better.’ He kissed the top of her head and then gently pushed her in the direction of the door.
‘Good night, Edwin dearest, this evening’s events have just proved how much we love each other and how right we are to be getting married.’
The room that had seemed welcoming now seemed the reverse. How could she and Edwin have been celebrating, laughing together, when dearest Daisy was lying dead somewhere in the house?
She’d managed perfectly well to remove her ruined evening gown, wash and change into the clothes she was wearing now. Whoever had perpetrated this abduction had caused Daisy’s death and must pay for it.
She tumbled into bed in her underpinnings not bothering to find her nightgown. Nothing would ever be the same. She had lost not only her dresser but a friend. Her parents had gone to bed when it was possible that their daughter was in the gravest danger. How could they have been so uncaring?
She plumped her pillow and turned it again to try and find a comfortable and dry spot. Her tears wouldn’t bring back Daisy and they wouldn’t restore her respect for papa and mama. The sooner she was married and with the one person in the world she trusted to take care of her no matter what, the happier she’d be.
She was woken by the arrival of her dog who had no need to clamber on the bed in order to push his nose into her face. ‘Sydney, I know you were locked up last night and missed all the excitement, but why are you here now?’
‘I brought him up, sweetheart, because there’s no one else to wake you this morning.’
Edwin was standing in the doorway smiling at her. He was shaved, dressed immaculately as always, and obviously ready to ride while she was still in her bed.
‘Go away, you should not be here. Take this monster with you and I’ll join you in ten minutes.’
‘I wager you’ll not be down in less than an hour.’ He waved nonchalantly, snapped his fingers at the dog who immediately ran to his side, and then they both were gone.
What he hadn’t known was that she was already in her petticoats, albeit undergarments meant for an evening gown not a riding habit. She dressed speedily, rammed her long braid down the back of her neck, and then hastily pinned on the jaunty cap that matched her military-style habit.
If she took the guest stairs she could be in the stable and be there within the time. She arrived in a rush to find her beloved absent. Didi and Bruno were saddled and waiting, along with another gelding. Jed greeted her with a smile and a brief touch of his cap.
‘Good morning, miss, bright and early I see.’
‘We shall mount and wait in the lane for his grace.’ She caught a glimpse of a dark-haired gentleman striding towards them. She raised her voice a little. ‘He’s tardy – not a trait I approve of and disappointing in a duke.’
She was almost safe in the saddle when he was beside her. ‘Allow me to assist you, my dear, I’ve no wish to disappoint you a second time.’
He lifted her bodily and threw her onto her mare who, not surprisingly, objected to such rough treatment by bucking. Unable to keep her balance, or grip the pommel, she continued her precipitous journey and ended on the cobbles, on her bottom, on the wrong side of her horse.
Instead of being concerned the wretched man ducked down and looked at her through Didi’s legs. ‘Would you like my assistance, Miss Armitage, I hate to disappoint, you know.’
She was about to refuse but he pushed the horse aside and picked her up. ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean for you to fall. Are you hurt?’
‘Only my dignity, your grace. Now, stop this tomfoolery and assist me sensibly into the saddle.’
Once all three of them were mounted they trotted out into the streets and were soon entering the park. After an enjoyable but unexciting ride they returned to Portman Square.
‘I believe that was a waste of effort on our parts, Edwin, we scarcely saw another person the entire time.’
‘I can assure you that we were seen by many and word will be around by lunchtime that whatever rumours they’d heard to the contrary, you haven’t been abducted and our engagement is as strong as ever.’
Jed was there to help her down but Edwin stayed in the saddle. ‘Are you not to come in to break your fast with me?’
‘I’ve things to attend to. I’ll be with on you as soon as I’ve
completed it.’
Chapter Seventeen
Edwin intended to take Jed Smith with him. Lucy had made the right decision to employ this man as he was loyal to a fault, tough and resourceful. He waited until she had gone before speaking to him.
‘Jed, are you familiar with Bishops’ Commons?’
‘I ain’t been there personally, your grace, but recall someone went there once to get a special licence for his officer.’
‘Good man. I wish you to do the same for me. I have the written permission for Miss Armitage and I to be wed. There’s also a letter setting out our personal details and sufficient flimsies to cover the cost. Bring it to me here. It might well take you all morning as the place is notorious for completing business at the slowest pace.’
The man held out his hand and Edwin put the documents in it. He trusted Jed Smith absolutely. He viewed his valet, Rogers, in the same way and his man would be doing something equally important very soon. Jed pushed the papers into his pocket.
‘Forgive me, your grace, but if you’re going after that bastard, I’d prefer to be with you than kicking my heels elsewhere.’
‘Percival can wait until I have everything in place. I appreciate your offer and will have you at my side if I do go to settle the score.’
Jed saluted smartly and set off on this most important mission. Edwin had a task of his own that he wasn’t relishing, but it had to be done. First, he must visit his lawyers and then return to Grosvenor Square.
He’d had a frank and difficult conversation with his future father-in-law. Stanfield was in no doubt that his relinquishing all responsibility for Lucy yesterday had changed everything. Margate Manor wouldn’t be a gift – Edwin didn’t want anything from this man – but he would purchase it so that they could move there as soon as they were married.
He was halfway to the lawyers when he became aware he was accompanied by the dog. The clever animal had known he shouldn’t be seen so had been creeping along just out of his eyeline.
‘Sydney, old fellow, no need to hide back there. I’m delighted to have your company.’
The hound bounded forwards and slobbered on his knee much to the amusement of three elegant ladies on their way to Bond Street to shop. He stroked the huge head fondly and Hamlet seemed pleased to see the dog too.
What the legal crows thought of his canine companion he neither cared nor enquired. They listened to his requirements, scribbled, nodded and promised everything would be in place within the hour. Baggott himself intended to bring the documents to him once they were drawn up.
His expression was grim when he dismounted in Grosvenor Square. There had been ample time during the night to think about what had transpired and he’d come to the most awful conclusion. He wasn’t a great conversationalist when it came to the Almighty but he’d sent up a fervent prayer that his deductions were incorrect.
An impulse made him bring Sydney into the house and the animal trotted alongside as if this was an everyday occurrence. When he and Lucy were married, hopefully in the next day or two, the dog would be allowed to live inside with them.
He was ravenous and headed straight for the breakfast parlour. One would never know that he’d spent half the night riding in the garments he was wearing. The staff at Portman Square were exemplary and every mark, every horsehair, had been removed whilst he slept and the items were waiting for him.
Mind you, he had just had a gentle hack around Hyde Park so was no doubt less fragrant than he had been two hours ago. This was his house and he could do as he pleased and what pleased him was to fill his empty stomach immediately.
After three platefuls he was replete. The dog had been invisible under the table until Edwin put his cutlery down. The footmen had been unaware of his presence. When the shaggy head emerged, the unfortunate young man standing closest dropped the plate he was holding with a clatter.
There was now a liberal sprinkling of ham on the boards but Sydney stayed still, quivering with anticipation. ‘All right, old fellow, help yourself.’
The ham vanished in a few gulps and the servant laughed, not something Edwin was accustomed to hearing in his home.
‘My word, your grace, that’s a magnificent dog. Shall I give him what’s left in the other dishes?’
‘Why not? I apologise if his sudden appearance startled you. I’d forgotten he was with me. What’s your name?’
‘Danby, your grace, Jim Danby.’
‘Well, Jim, I’ll leave you to feed my dog. Would you take him into the gardens when he’s done and keep him safe until I call for him?’
The young man bowed and grinned at his companion who’d been watching this exchange open-mouthed. As he left the room he heard them happily scraping food onto the floor and this made him smile too.
Her grace didn’t come down for breakfast so there was only ever enough put out for him to have a decent selection. He couldn’t abide waste. He’d much prefer his staff to have freshly cooked food and not his leftovers.
He sent a hovering servant with a message demanding that her grace attended him in the drawing room immediately. He glanced at his pocket watch – almost eleven o’clock – so she should be downstairs with him soon enough.
He stood, his back to the door, staring sadly out into the street. This house would be sold – if Lucy wanted to come to London they could rent. He never wanted to set foot in this place again.
‘Well, your grace, I can tell you I do not take kindly to being summoned like a servant. Why do you wish to speak to me so urgently?’
He turned. She’d never been a loving mother, showed him no affection, that had come from his father whom he still missed. ‘Madam, what you did was quite despicable even for you. An innocent girl is dead because of your actions.’
She didn’t bother to deny his accusations. Her colour faded but she was on her feet staring at him with such hate he almost took a step backwards.
‘I did it for the good of our name. You would have tainted it by marrying a girl whose reputation was already in tatters. Now it is destroyed for good and even you must see that.’
‘I have sent for a special licence and Miss Armitage and I will be married today. When I’ve done here, I’ll be speaking to your godson. The money you promised him for abducting my betrothed, my future duchess, will not be paid to him. Instead he will be sent to India, disowned by his family and friends.’
‘You will be a figure of ridicule, a laughing stock, if you have a son then he’ll never be accepted, he’ll always be thought of as a bastard.’
Listening to her vitriol confirmed what he’d feared. This woman was dangerous, bordering on insane, and the arrangements he’d made for her removal would be put in place immediately.
‘Miss Armitage spent the night in her own home. We rode out together as usual this morning. The only person whose reputation is ruined is yours and your fellow conspirator.’
‘It matters not whether she spent the night in Portman Square – I made very sure that everyone last evening was aware that she left with Percival.’
‘And I was there last night after you had left and those that remained – and there were dozens – heard that the scoundrel arranged for the abduction but was never present himself. He spent the night in a gaming hell and there are countless witnesses to the fact that he didn’t leave the place until dawn.’
When Edwin had discovered this his fury at Evesham’s son had lessened. He had done what he’d been asked but made it very clear that at no time had he been anywhere near Lucy. For this reason he’d decided not to kill him, but to give him sufficient funds to make his way in India if he cared to give up his dissolute habits.
Whilst this woman had been with him her trunks were being packed, the carriage was being harnessed, and she would soon find herself removed from his life.
‘Whatever you might say to the contrary, I’ll be very sure to contradict. There will always be doubt about the legitimacy of your firstborn unless you delay your marriage until the summer.’
‘That leads me to the substance of this conversation. You will leave here immediately. You will live in future in Northumbria. You will have no funds of your own but rely entirely on my benevolence which I can assure you will not be generous.’
Finally, she appreciated what was to be her punishment for such vicious interference.
‘You cannot make me go. I refuse to leave. I am the Duchess of Rochester.’
‘You are nobody. Your behaviour has removed your right to use my name. It is you that has tainted the family. In future you will be known as Lady Sarah Forsythe. You will wish to change into something more appropriate for a long journey. Your abigail has declined to accompany you so I’ve appointed someone in her place.’
He left her without another word knowing he’d never see her again, that her pernicious influence on his life was finally over. He wondered now how much damage she’d done to Sarah in the few years they’d been married.
Now he had one more task before he was able to go back to Portman Square and marry his darling girl.
*
Lucy was woken several hours later by the sound of a bath being filled in the dressing room. She glanced at the overmantel clock and saw the time to be a little after two – she must hurry in case Edwin was there and she wasn’t down to greet him.
She was puzzled as to why Mama hadn’t come in to see for herself that her daughter had returned and was safe. There was something havey-cavey about this and she was determined to discover for herself why the two people she’d thought so caring and loving had taken so little notice of her possible demise.
A woman of around thirty or so came in and curtsied. ‘I am Thomas, Miss Armitage. His grace has appointed me to take care of you until you can find someone of your own choosing.’
‘How thoughtful of him. I must tell you now that anyone who takes care of me must be able to select my ensembles for me as I have no interest in such things but do wish to look my best.’
A Solitary Duke Page 16