I shook my head in an attempt to clear it.
‘I suppose the accident was my fault, Will,’ I said soothingly. ‘If I hadn’t urged you to go so fast, it probably wouldn’t have happened.’
He shook his head. ‘I crawled under to have a look, and I don’t think it was an accident, miss. The side pieces have been cut halfway through.’
I digested this information in silence. It couldn’t be deliberate; it must have been a case of neglecting to renew whatever bits and pieces had rotted. I struggled to my feet with difficulty.
‘The question is: What are we going to do now?’ I said, wincing at the pain in my ankle.
‘I’ve thought of that, miss,’ Will said quickly. ‘I reckon we’re nearer to Winston than to town, so I’ll walk back while you rest here. We’ll soon get help for you.’
I wasn’t too thrilled at the prospect of spending an hour or two alone, but I didn’t feel up to walking very far; and in any case, Will was young and strong.
‘What about the other horse? Isn’t he fit to ride?’ I asked hopefully.
Will shook his head decidedly. ‘No, he’s lame. Don’t think anything’s broken, though. Don’t worry, miss; I won’t be long.’ He looked around ruefully. ‘I wish we’d picked a better spot for it,’ he said. ‘These trees make everything look darker, and I think it’s coming on to rain again.’
‘Go on then, Will. The sooner you go, the sooner you’ll send help back.’ I squeezed his arm. ‘Don’t worry about me. I’m quite tough really.’
He grinned cheekily. ‘We all know that, miss. We’ve heard you shouting often enough!’
He loped off, and I watched until he was out of sight and the road was an empty twisting band with no one on it but me.
I lifted my skirt to inspect my ankle. It was slightly swollen, but after pressing and exploring carefully with the tips of my fingers, I came to the conclusion that nothing much was wrong.
‘Well, Edmund, it looks like our meeting is fated not to take place!’ I said the words out loud, and they echoed among the trees, making me feel more alone than ever.
After a while, I became aware of the sound of a running stream. It didn’t sound too far away, and the thought of a sweet fresh drink was very tempting. I could also take the opportunity to bathe my ankle, which by now felt three times its normal size.
Taking my time, I hobbled through grass and boulders, closing my eyes in relief when at last I saw the stream. The water trickling through my fingers was a delight, and so engrossed was I that for a moment the sound of horses didn’t register. I heard voices back on the road, and as quickly as I could made my way back through the trees.
Darkness seemed to be falling swiftly, and I began to call out for fear that I wouldn’t be seen. Finally I burst out onto the road and only then realised that these men could not have been sent to help me. There were roughly dressed, and one of them was brandishing a firearm.
‘Take any money and jewellery, and let’s get out of here,’ one of them said.
My arm was grasped roughly and twisted behind my back. I began to struggle but quickly realised how futile that was. I might just as well try to resist a wild bull! Instead, I slumped backwards as if in a faint, leaning heavily against the man. For a moment the man released me, and then I was away, forgetting the pain in my ankle, forgetting everything in my fright except the need to escape.
Surprise gave me the advantage, and I darted into the shelter of the trees, hearing shouts and the sound of stamping horses behind me. A shot that was frighteningly close spurred me on, though my heart was pounding as if it would burst, and I thought that at any moment I would fall into a faint.
Suddenly I felt myself grasped from behind, and as a scream rose to my lips a hand covered my face, half smothering me. I expected to feel cold steel against me at any moment and stood still, paralysed by fright.
Slowly I was turned around and, still held in an iron-like grip, was drawn slowly away from the road and further into the trees. Briefly I wondered if there was any point in struggling.
Abruptly I was released. Amazed, I turned to look at the man who towered above me. It was my cousin Greyson.
Chapter Two
‘Really, Uncle, I don’t know why you are making such a fuss. I feel quite well this morning. There is no reason I should remain in bed.’
All the same, I was quite enjoying the attention everyone was giving me. The doctor had bound up my ankle and seen to my bruises, and now, looking back on the experience from the comfort of my bed, the happenings of the previous night seemed to be almost an adventure.
‘You’ll do as you’re told for once, my girl!’ My uncle sat beside me, his smile softening the sternness of his words. ‘You’ve had a nasty shock. I knew I shouldn’t have allowed you out alone.’
I patted his hand. ‘Well, I’m all right now. But I still haven’t seen Edmund. He’ll wonder what’s become of me.’
My uncle looked at me from under his bushy white eyebrows, a smile crinkling the corners of his eyes.
‘Ah, now I see what all the fuss was about! Why didn’t you tell me you wanted to see the young man?’ He got to his feet stiffly. ‘Old age doesn’t come alone, so they say. I think I’ll ask the doctor for a remedy before he leaves.’ He went to the door, pausing with his hand resting on his cane. ‘I’ll have a message sent round to that young man of yours, and you can come down to the drawing room, for a treat, just for an hour or two.’
‘I shall enjoy that.’ I smiled as he left the room, amused at the way he insisted on treating me like a child.
There was an abrupt knock on the door, and Greyson let himself into the room. Colour raced to my cheeks as I became aware of my tangled hair falling on to my shoulders and the plainness of my nightgown.
‘I hope you are feeling all right,’ he said in a tone that didn’t sound very solicitous. ‘As soon as possible you are to go down to Wales. I don’t want too much delay.’
‘I’m sorry if my presence is an inconvenience!’ The angry words tumbled out before I could think. ‘Probably you think last night’s little episode was a plan to keep me longer at Winston!’
He sat down without any ceremony. ‘Don’t be silly, Charlotte. You were very lucky to escape from that situation with your life.’
I leaned back against the pillows. ‘Yes; I should thank you for that, I suppose. It was good of you to ride on ahead of the others.’
I stared at him challengingly, but his expression didn’t change.
‘You flatter yourself, cousin. It was pure luck that I was riding that way at all!’ He bowed his head over my hand. ‘Yet I admit the situation had its better moments.’
The ready colour came to my face again as I thought of the closeness with which he had held me.
‘You might have been a little gentler in your handling of me!’ I snapped. ‘At one stage I thought you were going to dispatch me yourself.’
He rose and grinned down at me. ‘Perhaps I was tempted. You are not the sweetest person to be with.’ He moved toward the door. ‘The point of my visit is this. Early next week you must travel down to Wales. If my father isn’t well enough to take you, I shall have to travel with you myself.’
He nodded as if to emphasise his words and then, before I could think of a reply, went out, closing the door quietly behind him.
* * *
I dressed with special care that evening, more to please Uncle Tom than to impress Edmund. He’d known me in my tomboy days, when I’d done my utmost to beat him at climbing trees, and more often than not succeeded, too!
‘There, your hair does look lovely, Miss Charlotte.’ Jess stood back to admire her handiwork, and I had to agree that she had nimble fingers when it came to coaxing curls to stay in place.
‘I’ll do,’ I said, ‘though the effect will be spoiled by the fact that I’ll have to limp into the room!’
‘Just think of it this way, miss.’ Jess grinned mischievously. ‘All the gentlemen will rush to your side in
order to help you to a chair.’
I sighed. ‘That will most likely be Uncle Tom. Edmund lacks the imagination. And I can’t see my cousin Greyson rushing to help anyone.’
I was wrong. When I entered the drawing room, Edmund and Greyson reached me almost simultaneously, and smiling to myself, I leaned on both their arms.
‘You look very beautiful, Charlotte.’ My uncle beamed at me from his chair beside the fire. His normally ruddy cheeks were pale, and he seemed to have a slightly pinched expression on his face.
‘Thank you, Uncle; it’s kind of you to say so.’ I went forward to have a quiet word with him while Greyson attended to the wine. ‘Are you feeling all right, Uncle? You look a little pale.’
He waved my concern aside. ‘Of course I’m all right. Now stop worrying and enjoy yourself. I’m feeling the cold, that’s all.’
He might have been right, because after a few drinks his colour returned and he began to look more relaxed.
Edmund seemed to be more than a little uneasy. Several times I tried to sit beside him and engage him in conversation, but he appeared to avoid any direct questions I put to him. It seemed only a few minutes before he rose and made his apologies for having to leave so early.
‘Pressure of work, you know,’ he said with a brightness that was quite out of place.
Greyson rose, too. ‘In the circumstances, Charlotte, I will see your friend out.’
To my annoyance, Edmund quickly agreed. ‘Yes, of course; no need to disturb yourself, Charlotte. You rest that foot as much as possible.’
Greyson returned a few minutes later and poured himself another drink.
‘Nervous chap, that friend of yours. He looked at me as if I had two heads or something. Couldn’t get away quickly enough.’
‘The whole evening had a damper on it, I thought,’ I said quickly. ‘You may be right, Greyson. It could be due to your peculiarities.’
I saw by the flash of anger in his eyes that I’d struck home, but he wasn’t going to let matters rest there.
‘No doubt you have grown accustomed to entertaining men alone, but it isn’t the correct way to behave.’
I smiled with false sweetness. ‘Why, cousin, I hadn’t realised what a nasty turn of mind you have.’
Near the fire, Uncle Tom stirred, our raised voices apparently have brought him out of his doze.
‘What are you two quarrelling about now? Can’t an old man have some peace?’ He struggled to his feet. ‘I’m going to my bed. I’ll leave you to your disagreements.’
As he made his way to the door, I hobbled after him.
‘Wait for me, Uncle. Greyson thinks it’s terribly wrong for me to be alone with him.’
I looked back over my shoulder, but my cousin had turned his back and was pouring himself more wine, quite oblivious to my attempts at sarcasm.
* * *
I had begun to think that a meeting alone with Edmund would be impossible when Uncle asked me to accompany him into town.
‘We can look around the shops a little. I need an hour to myself to conclude some business matters, but after that, we can enjoy ourselves. Would you like that, Charlotte?’
Greyson quite obviously wasn’t taken with the idea. He stood, hands thrust into his pockets, glowering at me.
‘I don’t think a trip into town is a good thing just now, Father, as you haven’t been feeling very well lately.’
‘I’ll be all right.’ Uncle Tom smiled. ‘It’s a splendid day. And in any case, I can buy some remedies from the excellent shop in the High Street.’
Greyson said no more, and shortly afterward, the coach was brought around to the front. It was with an almost childish feeling of excitement that I followed my uncle out into the morning brightness.
The tang of autumn was enlivening the air, and the leaves were shades of copper and red, ready to fall at the slightest breath of wind.
‘This must surely be your season,’ Uncle Tom remarked as Will drove slowly through the gate. ‘With that bright hair of yours, you are a perfect picture.’
I was happy to see there was colour in his cheeks this morning.
‘I’m sure you are flattering me out of kindness, Uncle,’ I said, smiling, ‘hut I won’t pretend I don’t enjoy it.’
Soon we had reached the cobbled streets of the town, and I couldn’t help comparing the calm uneventful journey with the strange happenings of my last one. I smiled happily. Now I would surely find the opportunity to ask Edmund the reason for his hastily scribbled message.
‘Enjoy yourself, Charlotte. But don’t walk about too much on that ankle. It still isn’t strong, you know.’ Uncle Tom kissed my cheek lightly. ‘I’ll be at the banker’s if you need me.’
As I stood there in the crisp sunshine, watching him walk away, I felt a sudden ache of affection for him. He was the father I’d never had, and he looked so frail that I wondered if Greyson had been right after all in disapproving of the trip.
In any event, it was too late to think of that now. I was in town, and I might as well enjoy myself.
Edmund’s office was a small, dusty room just off the High Street. No sunshine ever seemed to penetrate the windows, and there was always an intriguing smell of leather permeating the place.
He opened the door, an expression of surprise on his honest face.
‘Hello, Edmund. Aren’t you going to invite me inside?’
I didn’t wait for his answer. I knew from experience that he wasn’t given to quick replies.
‘What are you doing here, Charlie?’ He used his old childhood nickname for me, and I smiled at him warmly, wondering if it was the unexpected sunshine that had put me in such a good humour.
‘Your note,’ I said briefly. ‘Well, what was it all about?’
I seated myself firmly in his large leather-bound chair, resting my arms on the scratched surface of his desk.
‘My note?’ His brow furrowed, and I sighed in exasperation.
I took the crumpled paper from my pocket. ‘You gave this to Jess for me, isn’t that right? It says, ‘Come to my office; I must see you.’ Well, here I am’.
Edmund sat down opposite me. He was obviously struggling for words. I almost laughed at his comic expression of embarrassment.
‘I was hasty in sending you that note, Charlotte. Since then, matters have been explained to my satisfaction.’
‘Well, not to mine!’ I said angrily. ‘Edmund, I wish to know what Aunt Grace said about me in her will. She couldn’t have neglected me altogether.’
‘Leave things alone,’ Edmund said abstractedly. ‘There is nothing of importance; merely a few trinkets and such. Your cousin is the rightful heir, I assure you of that.’
‘Can’t you show me the will?’ I smiled as charmingly as I knew how, and Edmund swallowed with difficulty.
‘I don’t have it now.’
He stared miserably at me, expecting me to fly off the handle as I usually did. But there was no point in that now. Edmund was as honest as anyone could be, and if he gave his word that Aunt Grace had left everything in Greyson’s name, he must be telling the truth.
‘Thank you, Edmund.’ With a sigh, I got to my feet and walked disconsolately to the door. Edmund came across to me and put his hand gently on my arm.
‘Why don’t you marry me, Charlie? You know I’ll look after you.’
For a moment, looking into his eyes shining with admiration, I was very tempted to say yes and take the easy way out. True, I wouldn’t be living at Winston, but I would still be in the vicinity.
Taking advantage of my hesitation, he bent forward, and for a moment, his lips were warm on mine.
I drew away and shook my head.
‘I’m not ready for marriage, Edmund, though I’m aware of the honour you pay me. Anyway, think of the life you’d have with me having a tantrum every five minutes!’
He smiled. ‘I won’t give up, Charlotte. I’ll keep asking you. One day you may say yes.’
I inclined my head. ‘You cou
ld be right about that. For now I must be free. But thank you for everything, Edmund.’
I found myself out in the sunshine once more, walking aimlessly along the street, my cheeks burning, wondering why I hadn’t said a quick yes to Edmund. It wasn’t every day that I received a proposal from an eligible young man, and only a few short weeks before I’d imagined it was just what I was waiting for.
‘Hey, wake up; you’re in another world.’ Uncle Tom was standing before me, his face wreathed in smiles. ‘What on earth did that young man say to make you look like this?’
I linked my arm with his and smiled mischievously.
‘For one thing, he proposed to me! A very nice compliment, you must agree.’
I felt my uncle stiffen. He stopped walking and looked down at me in consternation. ‘You haven’t accepted?’ His tone was sharp. I looked at him in surprise.
‘Why, no; as a matter of fact, I haven’t. But why? What’s wrong?’
He squeezed my arm. ‘I’m a selfish old man, my dear. I’ve been so looking forward to taking you to Wales that the thought of you getting married and remaining here really gave me a turn.’
Indeed, he did look quite pale, and his hand shook as it rested on mine.
‘Well, I refused him; but I didn’t burn my boats! I’m too cautious for that!’ I said, and laughed, hoping to cheer him.
‘Very wise, I’m sure, Charlotte; in Wales there will be plenty of young men for you to meet. I’d like to keep you near me if possible.’
‘You are very sweet, Uncle,’ I said softly, ‘and I’ll certainly look over these eligible young men you are going to introduce me to. But I’m warning you now: I’m not yet ready for marriage, in spite of my age!’
We went back to the carriage then. Uncle Tom seemed to be quite exhausted, and my own spirits were low; I looked forward to some good hot tea.
‘Here, my dear; a little something I promised you.’
As we settled ourselves into the seats, Uncle Tom handed me a small parcel, and a lump came to my throat as a riot of green ribbons tumbled onto my skirts.
Emerald Page 2