Angeline had the strongest desire to push it gently back and run her fingers through his hair. He was so dear to be upset for her, but nothing truly had happened. She was fine. And, even if he hadn’t arrived when he did, she had gained enough room between herself and the viscount if he hadn’t let her go her knee would have done him a serious injury.
“Geoffrey, I am sorry. I am all right. I did think the note was from you and I was so looking forward to a few minutes alone with you.”
He turned then as the carriage moved up her father’s driveway. His dark gaze met hers. “I was so afraid, Angeline. He could have hurt you. He could have compromised you amidst all the local gentry.” He leaned forward then and took her hands in his. “I know you say it wouldn’t matter, but if it were Hexford, he would never let you live it down. He would force your hand and you would be compelled by everyone. Except, possibly your father and me. You must take greater care. You must stay away from him.”
The carriage stopped before her front steps.
“I am sorry, Geoffrey. I had thought, hoped, it would be you in the library.”
She looked to the door. “You brought me home. Should I not come to the cottage tonight? Should we go there now?”
“Darling, I think we have both had enough excitement for one evening.” He squeezed her hands gently, then moved to open the door and step down. He turned to take her round the waist and plant her on the gravel driveway in front of him. “You need rest. I will come by tomorrow. For luncheon, if you desire. We can walk in the garden and talk. Then, tomorrow night, I will meet you at the cottage. I will think up something very special to entice you.”
“Oh, Geoffrey.” Angeline sighed as he drew her into his arms and held her tightly against his chest. She could hear the steady beating of his heart. So precious was he to her now. She turned her face up for his kiss. It was the merest brush of his lips. There were people present. Thomas had opened the front door.
Geoffrey walked her up the steps, then bowed as he said, “Goodnight, dearest. I will see you tomorrow.”
She waved to him, then turned to go inside.
Chapter 13
Geoffrey settled against the black leather squabs to contemplate the error of his ways.
He could have killed Hexford.
It had been a near thing. It had taken every ounce of his formidable control to refrain from beating the viscount’s bloody brains out. As it was, the punch he had thrown should have blackened his eye, if not broken his jaw.
He tried to resettle on the seat but could not get comfortable. He hadn’t felt such rage, such hatred since his days in the Burmese War. It seemed Great Britain’s desire to conquer the world would always generate conflict and interests in India and the surrounding territories gave ready excuses. Young and unfettered, he and his friends bought commissions so they could travel and slake their need of adventure. Little did they know the horrors they would experience during their quest.
He remembered one day in particular in 1825, and too clearly at that. One of his best friends, George Standish, had been shot dead beside him. Right between his eyes. Fortunately for George, death had been instantaneous. But for Geoffrey it had been a nightmare.
In a mere matter of seconds, he had reloaded and turned toward the Burmese troops. He shot and reloaded with a speed and precision he had never experienced before. Despite the enemy advance, Geoffrey decimated the oncoming troops. When some survived to fight with sabers, he drew his sword and continued his onslaught. His company won the day and he received commendations from the commanding officers.
It had taken him hours to clear the blood from his mind. And the hatred—it had taken days to regain control of his rage.
Tonight he had felt that hatred and rage surge forth again. He had almost lost his grip upon it. If he had, Hexford would surely be dead.
In all his years in the Ton he had never, ever been so close to violence over a woman. True, he had fought duels with outraged husbands. It had only happened twice, when he was younger and not as adept at reading the intentions of married ladies willing to dally. He learned quickly he would resist those who only had aims of making their husbands jealous. He had no desire to die as a pawn in some woman’s games of amore with her husband. From then on, he only concerned himself with wives of men who had their heir, their spare, and no interest in further intimate dealings with their spouse.
Sad to say, there were quite a few women in London in just such a predicament.
All of that did not explain this evening. Of course, he would have come to any woman’s aid if her honor was in jeopardy. But there would not have been the anger, the madness.
But then he knew the answer to his own dilemma. He refrained from accepting it, even though he knew exactly why he was so overly protective of Angeline.
And it was much more than just wanting her for his wife.
The carriage jolted to a stop, fracturing his reverie. He leaned over, opened the door, and started the climb to the front door. Geoffrey expected to let himself in since he had instructed Graham, his butler, not to wait up.
What he did not expect, once he opened the door, were the many candles lit in the front hall and up the staircase. What the devil was going on here? Taking the stairs two at a time, he rapidly ascended and continued to follow the trail of lit candles.
Had guests arrived?
He bounded up two more sets of stairs and toward the open door that led to the attic rooms.
He heard a woman’s heart-wrenching scream come from the servants’ quarters. Not more drama! he lamented as he headed for the rooms his staff occupied.
On the topmost level a scream scorched his ears again as he ran down the hall toward another open doorway spilling light. To his astonishment he discovered not a man and woman in the throes of some passion, but his butler and housekeeper attending Brenda, the maid.
In the light of two oil lamps, Brenda’s face was wet with sweat and red with effort as Mrs. Nash took a damp cloth and wiped her cheeks and forehead. The pregnant woman lay on her back, her belly huge atop her as her hands grabbed and clutched at the babe held within, and another scream was released.
Graham stood to one side, staring as if the poor woman would explode right in front of his eyes.
“Mrs. Nash, how long has she been in such pain?” demanded Geoffrey.
“It started about an hour ago, my lord. It was rather sudden and we rushed in as soon as we heard her first cry.”
“Graham, has someone gone for the doctor?”
“Not yet, my lord. Not all the masters will get a doctor for their servants.” The butler’s face was as white as the sheet Brenda lay upon.
“Well, I will. Graham, go get Lester and his brother. Bring them both to the blue bedchamber.” Graham started to move toward the door. “And, be quick about it.” Geoffrey had the satisfaction of seeing the aged butler hasten his step.
Geoffrey approached the bed and took the girl’s small white hand in his. “Brenda, I know you are in pain but I will get you help. I’m going to lift you now. I’m going to take you to a more comfortable place to have your baby.” As he bent over to slide one arm behind her back and the other under her knees, he commanded the housekeeper, “Mrs. Nash, go before me and open the doors. As I said, we will take her to the blue room. She’s in a fine state and she should be made as comfortable as possible.”
“My lord, you are too generous. But it’s just not right to put one of the hired help into a manor bedchamber. This young thing is sure to get uppity when this is all over.”
“We will worry about that when the time comes. At present, this girl is in pain and it will continue until her child arrives. Then we will see what happens next.”
Geoffrey followed Mrs. Nash through the door, down a flight of stairs to the chamber he had appointed. Once thr
ough the door, Mrs. Nash hustled to the bed and drew back the covers. Geoffrey laid Brenda down with the worn woolen blanket that had covered her from her own room. “Mrs. Nash, remove this rag and have it burned. If every other servants’ blanket is in such a state, have them burned too. Have them all replaced within the week.” He lit the candle next to the bed. then walked over to the mantle and lit two more.
“Yes, my lord.”
Geoffrey turned as he heard footsteps trundle down the hallway. Lester and his brother, Michael, spilled through the doorway, then Graham made a dignified entrance after them.
Another scream pierced the air. “Graham, start a fire in this room.” Geoffrey’s eyes lit on Lester in a stern stare.
“Lester, the babe is coming. Your babe is coming!”
“My lord, I can explain . . .” Lester’s face paled and his hands wrung nervously before him.
“I want no explanations. I am perfectly aware of exactly where babies come from and how they get there in the first place.” Geoffrey took a step forward and was gratified to see the ostler flinch. “Now, there is much to be done and it had better be done quickly if we are to assist this mother and her child. Lester, I want you to go back to the stable, saddle Zeus and ride as quickly as you can to Hartfield. Do you know how to get there?”
The stunned lad mumbled, “Zeus? Hartfield?”
“Lester, get hold of yourself.” Geoffrey grabbed him by the shoulder and gave him a quick shake. “Do you know how to get to Hartfield?”
“Yes, yes, my lord, I know the way.”
“Good. Now when you get there, bang on the front door.”
The lad started again.
“That’s right, I said the front door. Bang on the front door until someone answers it. Tell them where you are from and have them rouse Lady Angeline. Don’t leave until you’ve talked to the lady and told her we need her here at Colburn Park. Can you do it?”
“Yes, yes, my lord. I can do it. I will do it.”
“Now, don’t go just yet. Saddle up the next fastest horse in my stable and have Michael ride for the doctor. I have no idea where he is but start at his house and then track him down.” Geoffrey turned to Michael. “You do know how to ride, too, don’t you, lad?”
“I do, my lord. I’ll take Spit Fire. Next to yours, he’s the fastest one. I know where the doctor lives. He’s not too far from me mum’s. I can get there right quick. I’ll ride like the wind.”
Geoffrey ruffled the twelve-year-old’s hair as he said, “I know I can count on you. And you too, Lester. Your babe’s life may depend upon it. Now get going.”
Feet ran from the room as Brenda grunted from the bed and then screamed again.
“Mrs. Nash, is it always like this?” Geoffrey moved back to the bedside and looked down on the girl whose face showed pain and fear.
“I’m afraid, my lord, this is only the beginning. It can get much worse than this. I hope Lady Angeline gets here quickly. I don’t know how long Brenda can hold on.”
“My thoughts exactly, Mrs. Nash. Now, I expect Lady Angeline will be needing a few things when she arrives. Do you happen to know what they might be?”
“Hot water, clean rags, scissors or knife, maybe some thread.” The housekeeper tucked the counterpane up under the maid’s chin. The roundness of Brenda’s belly resembled a small mountain amid the large expanse of bed. Geoffrey was sure the girl had never lain in a bed so fine. It would be a wonderful story to tell the child when it was older.
“You go collect those items. I’ll stay here with Brenda.”
“My lord, that’s not right. It’s not your place to stay.”
“Nonsense. I could not locate the items you feel will be needed so you must do that task. I can stand here and console the chit as well as anyone. Go get what is needed so all will be ready when Lady Angeline and the doctor arrive.”
Mrs. Nash gave a slight curtsey. “As you wish, my lord.”
Once the housekeeper was out of the room, Geoffrey pulled up a chair from near the window and sat down next to the bed. He picked up Brenda’s hand just as another contraction rolled through her. The girl grabbed onto his hand with a strength that belied her small frame. The piercing scream assaulted his eardrums. Did every woman go through such pain?
“Brenda, take deep breaths. That’s what they tell us in the army when we are shot and the pain is great. Breathe deeply. Come on, girl, you can do it.”
Brenda turned her face toward him. One minute it was ashen, the next, when a contraction occurred, it turned red from the trauma. “My lord,” she whispered, “it is much greater than I ever expected. And they are coming quicker now.” She took a deep breath and tried to exhale but the pain was too great; another scream emerged.
“Brenda, help is on the way. Hold on to my hand. Grasp as tightly as you need. Just hold on until someone is here to assist you. I know nothing of delivering babes, but Lady Angeline is on her way and she has done it many times before. Hold on.” Geoffrey reached out his other hand to wipe the damp cloth over the maid’s face. He felt so helpless. Never had he felt so utterly useless and unprepared.
Chapter 14
Angeline was exhausted and confused. Geoffrey had been so angry when he left her at her door. She reviewed her actions over and over and could find nothing she had intentionally done to make him so angry. Finally, when her body and mind could take no more, she had fallen into a deep sleep.
It seemed like only minutes later when someone was rapping urgently and loudly on her door.
“Lady Angeline. Lady Angeline, you must wake up. You are needed immediately.”
As Angeline sat up in bed, she rubbed her eyes and called, “Come in, Margaret.”
Her maid was not in the habit of waking her in the middle of the night for no purpose. Upon entering, the urgency of the matter showed on Margaret’s pale face as she pulled her dressing gown tightly around her.
“What is it? What has you in such a state, Margaret?”
“The stable boy from Colburn Park is here, my lady. He rode over in a fit. He says there’s a girl there about to have her baby who needs help. The boy said Lord Colburn sent him over to fetch you and asked you to come right quick.” Margaret was out of breath by the end of her story.
“Please get my blue morning gown. Don’t bother with petticoats.” Angeline climbed out of bed, hurried over to the washbasin and splashed cold water on her face. When her maid approached, she shed her night rail and threw on her dress.
“I will be ready in just a minute now. Go get our stable boy to saddle Aphrodite.”
“Oh, miss, you should take the carriage. It’s the middle of the night and you’re a lady.”
“I don’t have time for that, Margaret. There is a woman having a baby and I must get there as quickly as I can. Wake Jimmy and have him saddle my horse. I’ll be right down.”
The maid ran out of the room to do her bidding as Angeline turned toward the mirror to fix her hair. She would have to get it out of the way so she could concentrate on her task. Moments later, she had twisted and pinned it into a bun at her nape. She hurried out of her room and down the front stairs.
Lester, Geoffrey’s stable boy, stood in the front hall wringing his hands. As she reached the bottom of the stairs, she said, “Don’t worry, I’m ready to go and we’ll get there in plenty of time. Do you know how long ago she started?”
The boy opened the door and let her walk through. “Not exactly, my lady. They called me into the room and Lord Colburn sent me to fetch you quick. I rode as fast as I could. It looked like Brenda was in a heap of pain. Will she be all right, my lady? She looked awful.”
As Angeline hurried down the steps and placed her foot in the hands of her own stable boy for a leg up, she said, “It’s always that way. It takes a lot of pain to bring a child into the world.
But the mother seems to forget the pain once she has the babe in her arms. She’ll be all right. I will help her all I can.”
Once Lester gained his saddle, they were off. Angeline seldom rode at a full gallop but this night she rode as quickly as the moonlit darkness would permit. Instead of taking the long way over the roads, she led the ostler back over the fields and fences for the most direct route possible.
Geoffrey felt as if a year had passed as he continued to hold Brenda’s hand and wipe her perspiring face. Mrs. Nash had returned with all of the supplies she thought would be needed, and had placed a large kettle containing hot water on the hearth to keep warm. Now she stood on the other side of the bed holding Brenda’s other hand and talking in soothing tones.
It seemed the contractions were getting closer together and Geoffrey had not a clue as to what should be done next. He would rather have been on the battlefield in Burma with a wounded soldier than sitting next to a woman, a girl really, about to deliver a new child into the world.
The door flung open and Angeline rushed in. “Am I in time?”
Geoffrey couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief and thank the heavens the woman he had chosen would not lose her head in an emergency. How many times had she been through this trauma with other women? What would she really think of going through it herself? After seeing such pain and suffering in Brenda, he was not sure any man had the right to ask a woman, especially one he cared so much about, to go through it. He also knew not all women came through the ordeal.
An Improper Seduction Page 13