Sacrificing the Untamed Lady Henrietta: A Historical Regency Romance Novel

by Hamilton, Hanna

  “That wretched devil!” Aaron spat, his eyes flickering with livid fury. “How did I fail to see that?”

  “Papa?”

  Aaron held his head in his hands for a moment before speaking again. “I also received a note. Indeed, it is the reason we are here, for I suspected that your life might be in danger.”

  Henrietta gasped. “You received one?”

  “I did. It must have come around the same time.”

  “What did it say?” Ewan pressed, whilst Tabitha sat in silent shock. Henrietta realized she had known nothing about this letter, and the understanding made her stomach twist with guilt. This was a lot for anyone to take in at once.

  “It said that all was not well with you, Henrietta. It mentioned that trouble was brewing for you and spoke of the ghosts of the past. It said that I should involve myself if I did not wish any harm to befall you. They signed it in the same way.” He shook his head. “I did not even think of Mr. Booth— but now that you mention it—it all seems perfectly, horribly clear.”

  “And you did not think to tell me any of this?” Tabitha snapped.

  “I did not want to worry you, my dear.”

  “And this is a better means of easing my concerns?”

  He had the decency to look sheepish. “No, I suppose it is not.”

  “You may be assured that it is not! This is outrageous! We must go to the magistrates at once and have this man arrested.”

  “We lack the evidence, Mrs. Oliver,” Ewan chimed in. “That is why we require the assistance of General Oliver.”

  “In what way?” Aaron asked, his expression rageful. “I will do anything to see that cretin brought to justice. Why did I not even consider him? I have been foolish… so very foolish. I ought to have known he would seek vengeance for that dismissal.”

  Tabitha jabbed him in the arm. “I told you to give him a recommendation regardless of your feelings towards him. But you simply would not listen to reason, would you?”

  “And I am paying for it, Tabitha,” he shot back. She recoiled from his harsh tone like a hedgehog curling into itself when a predator neared. “Please, both of you, tell me what I can do to help. I must fix this.”

  Henrietta and Ewan exchanged a glance before telling Aaron about their plan to catch Seth in the act. As soon as they had finished, her parents fell into a stunned silence. Henrietta just hoped that her father would agree.

  “So, you see, we require your men to help us in this,” Ewan added. “In order to keep Henrietta safe, they are necessary.”

  Aaron nodded. “It is a risky plan, but I agree that it may be the only way to capture Mr. Booth before he can cause any further damage. If he has already gone so far as to push masonry and shoot at your horse, there is no telling what else he may do, if he is left on the loose. I will send word to my men and have them join us at the ball next week.” He glanced at Henrietta. “I will not let any harm come to you. I promise you that.”

  “She is brave, is she not?” Ewan prompted. “This was all her ploy.”

  “I always knew she was courageous,” he replied quietly. “She proved as much at your wedding.”

  Henrietta dropped her gaze, feeling sudden tears well in her eyes. She did not want her father to see her cry, not now. And yet, his words had brought her a sense of joy. Have you finally seen the error of your ways? She reasoned it would be a long time before she received any sort of apology, but his kind words would have to do for now.

  “Well, I think this is all entirely ludicrous,” Tabitha interjected.

  “It will work, Mama. I know it will.”

  She only wished she believe in her own sentiment. For, in truth, she was terrified of what may happen. If one thing went awry, then her life might well be on the line.

  Chapter 29

  Ewan lingered on the threshold between their bedchambers watching Henrietta as she let down her hair and began to brush it. She had already dressed for bed, as had he, and now he did not know what to do. Much had passed between them, but he remained uncertain of his own position. She was beautiful, and he was beginning to care deeply for her, but a line remained between them that he would not, and could not, cross.

  What do I do, Patricia? How would you have me behave? As always, no voice returned to him. The absence of her continued to leave him bereft. And yet, for the first time in a very long while, he found that his constant thoughts were not fixated on his loss. Instead, they were firmly focused on what he had somehow gained.

  “Is something the matter, my Lord Marquess?” Henrietta asked.

  “Will you not call me Ewan?”

  “I would still prefer to call you Lord Marquess,” she replied, with a nervous smile.

  He nodded, feeling the barrier between them still. The kiss had done little to tear it down, though he felt that a few bricks had been chipped away. Perhaps it is for the best.

  “The dinner was a success,” he went on, changing the subject.

  She nodded. “Rather frightening too, if I am being entirely honest. If Mr. Booth has taken measures to involve my father, then the situation must be more serious than even we have contemplated.”

  “Do you think it has something to do with the mother and sister?”

  “How do you mean?”

  “Well, perhaps he seeks revenge for them, too. It could not have been easy on them, losing their only source of income. They clearly rely upon Mr. Booth, and your father took away that security.”

  She frowned. “It seems rather risky though, does it not?”

  “Perhaps there is more to this than meets the eye.” Ewan had been pondering the situation for a while, trying to figure out the missing pieces. “Maybe Mr. Booth intends to extort your father in return for your safety. He may simply need to build the level of threat before he makes the request for money, to let your father know that he is serious in his conviction.”

  She looked pensive. “It would explain why these two incidents have been near misses, rather than outright attacks.”

  “That is what I thought.”

  She shuddered, as if a draught had crept in. “Then, I pray that next week comes quickly, for I do not know if that may be too late.”

  “I will protect you until then and beyond,” he said, moving towards her.

  “It warms me to hear you say that.” She peered up at him. “Did you speak to Gerome about the tickets?”

  He nodded. “I caught him on my way up. He will arrange them tomorrow, and he has promised to take money to Fordham’s for your gown. Truly, you will look remarkable in that dress, I am certain of it.” He flashed her an irreverent grin. “Although, I almost prefer you in your nightgown—simple and beautiful.”

  She blushed. “Perhaps you ought to take your rest, my Lord Marquess. It is getting rather late and I must take to bed soon, in the hopes of healing these bruises.”

  “Are you sending me away?”

  She could not look at him. “I think it might be for the best.”

  “As you wish, Henrietta.” He turned to leave, feeling crestfallen and somewhat foolish. What else had he expected when they had both made the rule not to touch in any sort of marital way?

  “Do I not get a kiss goodnight?” she asked, his heart leaping into his throat. Turning around, he crossed the room towards her and scooped her up in his arms. He held her in a bridal carry, a small squeak of surprise escaping from her lips as he picked her up. A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth as she looped her arms around his neck.

  “You may always have one, if you so desire it,” he said thickly. Leaning his head down, he grazed her lips in a kiss. He did not know what had come over him, but he felt a newfound desperation to hold her close. There was a comfort in it that he had almost forgotten could exist.

  “I would be content just to hold you like this,” he said. “But may I kiss you again?”

  She nodded.

  He dipped his head and planted a kiss just on her forehead. She chuckled, as though it tickled her. He kissed he
r again, on the apple of her cheek, before turning and placing a third kiss on the smooth skin of her forearm, where it wrapped about his neck. He inhaled the sweet lavender scent of her oil and knew that scent would always remind him of her.

  Carefully, he set her down on the edge of the bed and moved a step or two away. She held out her hands to him, but he did not dare to get too close. Instead, he grasped for her outstretched wrist, and planted a delicate kiss on the underside of it, moving all the way up to the crook of her elbow. There, he stopped, a smile on his face.

  He closed the gap between them and gathered her to him in a warm embrace, placing a small kiss on the far edge of her shoulder. Her hands toyed with his hair, tousling it, as she giggled against his neck.

  “Goodnight, my darling,” he said, his heart thundering wildly as he released her.

  “Goodnight,” she whispered breathlessly.

  Standing straight, he retreated to his chambers without another word and lay down beneath the coverlet of his bed. There, he stayed awake for an hour, staring at the far wall in confusion. He was not supposed to be feeling this way about Henrietta, and yet, he could not stop the emotions from overtaking his senses.

  Finally, realizing that sleep was not going to come, he got out of bed and returned to Henrietta’s chambers. She lay on the bed, curled up in the fetal position, her back to him. Judging by the rise and fall of her shoulders, she was in a delicate slumber. He did not want to disturb her, but he felt he had to be by her side. After all, he had sworn to protect her. What if someone came in the night to hurt her?

  Walking gingerly over to the bed, he lay down in the vacant space beside her. She stirred in her half-sleep, pressing closer to the warmth of him. Smiling at the sight, he slowly slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her in, his other arm forming a protective arc above her head as she slept on.

  “Goodnight, my love,” he whispered, kissing the small of her neck.

  “Goodnight, Ewan,” she murmured, nestling ever closer into the protection of his body.

  * * *

  The following morning, Henrietta awoke in Ewan’s arms. She could vaguely remember him returning to her in the night, so it did not come as a complete surprise. However, she had thought it to be a dream. In waking, she realized it was not.

  Slowly, she turned, looking up at his sleeping face. He looked so peaceful and vulnerable, lying there beside her. It made her wonder what their life might be like, once they returned to Nightingale. Would they always sleep side-by-side like this? Would she be able to marvel at his slumbering face each morning? Moreover, did she want to? Yes… yes, I think I do.

  He stirred, his eyes blinking slowly awake. “Good morning, wife,” he said sleepily.

  “Good morning to you.”

  “I hope you do not mind that I came through last night. I worried that someone might try and harm you as you slept, and I did not have the energy to spend another restless night on the chaise.”

  She chuckled. “I do not mind, though I confess, I thought you were a dream.”

  “Is that why you called me Ewan?” he teased. “Am I Ewan in your dream world?”

  “I did not call you that!” she protested.

  “Oh, but you did. Nevertheless, if I can hear it but once, whilst you are drifting in and out of sleep, I will be satisfied.”

  She flushed with embarrassment. “You ought to return to your room before Gerome finds you abed with me.”

  “How scandalous, to discover a husband in bed with his wife. Whatever will the papers say?” He grinned, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear.

  “You know what I mean.”

  He flipped back the coverlet and got out of bed, moving back through the adjoining doors to his chambers. Henrietta lay still a while longer, remembering the way he had held her close. She had never slept so well in all her life.

  Shaking off the memory, she clambered from the covers and dressed quickly, leaving the corset loose to give her ribs chance to recover. She could hear Ewan getting ready in the opposite rooms. Knowing he would meet her downstairs for breakfast, once he realized she was gone, she took off out of the door.

  Her parents had taken rooms in the same inn, though they were nowhere to be seen. Henrietta breathed a sigh of relief and stopped by Mr. Chambers on her way to the dining room.

  “Good morning, My Lady. I trust you slept well?”

  She dropped her shy gaze. “Yes, thank you. I don’t suppose there is any mail for me this morning?”

  “Only the one.”

  Her heart leapt with excitement. Perhaps, one of my letters managed to get through.

  Mr. Chambers handed her the small letter, which she took gladly. Holding it like a precious jewel, she took it into the dining room and sat down. A bright sun shone across the sea, which had stilled to an even calm, like a millpond. She loved wintry days like this, where the sky was crisp and clear, and the sun glanced down with unexpected warmth.

  Turning to the letter, she unfolded it and began to read. Her blood ran cold as she took in the words:

  My dear Lady,

  I warned you about the applications, did I not? Indeed, I took measures to ensure they were not sent, and yet you went against my wishes. It is a mistake to attempt to defy me. It is even more foolish to attempt to discover my activity. I told you, I am watching you. No matter how safe you may believe yourself to be, rallying these men around you, I will be waiting.

  Sincerest regards,

  A Friend

  She flung the letter away from her as though it were poisoned. A few of the other diners glanced at her in bemusement, but she did not care. Her breath came in short, sharp gasps as she attempted to make sense of the note. Seth must have known that she had visited with his family. He must have found out that they were onto him. But how? Who told him?

  Just then, Aaron appeared in the doorway to the dining room, his face ashen. He espied Henrietta at once, making his way towards her. He had not even reached the table when she saw the letter in his hand. Without him saying a word, she knew he must have received a similar note. His scared face said a thousand things.

  “You got one too?” she asked, though she already knew the answer.

  He nodded. “It arrived in the morning post.”

  “What does it say?”

  He handed her the letter, before sagging down onto the opposite chair. By the looks of him, even before the letter, he had not slept a wink. She felt a pang of sorrow for him. Despite their misgivings, he was still her father, and that love would never disappear. Her forgiveness would be harder to gain back, however.

  She held the letter in trembling hands, reading what their mutual ‘Friend’ had said to Aaron:

  General Aaron Oliver,

  Did I not tell you that all was not well with your beloved daughter? She has defied direct orders and, I imagine, your fondest wishes for her. She is rather fiercely spirited, is she not? Indeed, I should hate to have to break that spirit. Although, I assure you that I will, if you cannot rein her in. Your arrival does not mean that she is safe, you may assure yourself of that.

  These ghosts are getting louder, and they will not be held back for much longer. Do not think to send your daughter away, either. Wherever she goes, I will be watching.

  Genuinely,

  A Friend

  His note was more terrifying than her own. Clearly, Seth had figured out that her father had come to Scarborough. Indeed, his first letter had made it impossible for Aaron Oliver to remain at home. She wondered if that was the point, though she did not say so aloud. Why would Seth want father here, unless he means to punish us all in one fell swoop? The thought gave her an outbreak of goosebumps.

  “Seth knows we are here,” Aaron said, stating the obvious. “He must have someone working for him at home—someone he has instructed to pass word to him when we departed.”

  “Who?”

  “I do not know. I thought my staff to be loyal.”

  A thought popped into Henrietta
’s head. “Molly…”

  “Pardon?”

  “Molly—maybe Molly is the one who is working for Seth. After all, she has plenty of reason to wish revenge upon me, just as Seth may wish revenge on you. I dispensed with her, remember?”

  He tapped his chin in anxious thought. “But she seems like such a sweet girl. Surely, it cannot be her?”

  “Is she still at the house?”

  “Yes.”

  “And has she been herself since I sent her away?”

  He frowned. “I pay little attention, Henrietta. Your mother will know more than I do.”