by Janet Woods
Jancy butted in, ‘Are you sure it’s an infant? It looks like you’ve got a suet pudding tucked away in there.’
Betty’s shriek doubled in sound and fury. ‘Did you hear that, Raff?’
‘Everybody in the county heard it, I reckon. Get yourself back to the inn and stop sticking your nose into my business … and don’t tell anyone about what you’ve seen, especially to any soldiers who might visit the inn. This has nothing to do with you, or with them, and there’s no ransom involved.’
Dominic had heard enough squabbling. Time was passing; they were already an hour late, which meant it would be nearly dark by the time they reached Poole. He wanted Grace out of the district before Maximilian Crouch and his cronies made their presence known. Placing his arm around Gracie’s waist and enjoying the way her body leaned into his, he helped her into the carriage and settled her inside. He stood on the step and smiled at her, then lifted her veil. Unobserved, he managed to slide a kiss across her cheek to linger a while on her mouth. ‘Try and keep out of trouble from now on, and promise me you won’t wed a sheik while we’re apart.’
This time her snort was soft, and her smile tenuous. There was a tremor in it that warned she was close to tears. She kissed her finger and placed it across his lips, then jerked her hand away as if she had admitted too much with the tender contact. ‘You’ll take care, won’t you, Dominic?’
The tentative caress warmed him. ‘This is strictly business and shouldn’t take too long once Crouch turns up.’
‘I keep thinking I’ve forgotten something important. Did you pack my medicine chest?’
‘Yes. It’s under your seat.’
Turning to Jancy he put some snap into his voice. ‘It’s time to go.’
Betty had followed after them and she stretched her neck this way and that, trying to see inside the carriage. Raff tried to block her view with his body, but seeing an opening Betty lunged at the quilt.
Jancy was quick, and had been expecting it. She jerked the quilt out of Betty’s hands, hurled it through the open door of the carriage and gave the woman a slap that sent her reeling backwards. ‘That’s all you’re getting of mine except my brother, and he’s too good for the likes of a thieving magpie like you.’
Betty would have fallen if Raff hadn’t caught her. ‘That witch hit me!’ she squawked and stooped to pick up a stone.
‘She should have made a better job of it.’ Dominic stepped in and took the stone from her, frowning. ‘Get yourself off home, woman, else I’ll bring a complaint against you. Jancy, get in the carriage and see to your mistress. Any more of this aggravation and I’ll leave you behind. Do you understand?’
‘Yes, sir.’
Raff said, ‘Apologize to Mr LéSayres, Betty, and get along home like I told you to.’
‘Sorry, but it weren’t my fault,’ the truculent Betty mumbled, and offered Jancy a baleful glare.
When Jancy laughed, Betty slunk off.
Jancy stuck her tongue out at Betty’s retreating back, muttering darkly to Raff, ‘You bloody lunatic, you’ll rue the day you met that little madam, mark my words.’
‘Enough now. Like it or lump it, I’m going to do the right thing for the infant. You know where I am if you need me, Jancy. And remember, half the cottage is yours.’
Dominic could imagine the cat fight if she ever tried to claim it.
Jancy had tears in her eyes as she hugged her brother.
Grace only just managed to swallow her giggle, but the earl caught her eye and chuckled.
Ten minutes later they were off. It was much later than Dominic had planned, and the lowering winter sun pointed long shadows towards Dorset. Soon dusk fell below the horizon and the moon illuminated the landscape with a soft incandescence.
Grace fell asleep, her head cradled in a cushion. She woke when the rolling motion came to a halt, and stretched.
The sound of voices filled her ears.
‘Why have we stopped?’ she called, her heart thumping as she hoped it wasn’t a highwayman.
The earl appeared. Opening the door he held out his hand to help her down. Jancy scrambled down after her. ‘We’ve reached Poole,’ he said. ‘Here, we’ll change carriages and Raff will return to Ringwood with his cousin. I thought you might like some refreshment while they transfer the luggage to the LéSayres carriage. There is a private room for your use with comfortable chairs, so your appearance won’t invite comment. I can recommend their pies and the landlady will make us some tea, unless you’d prefer ale, or cider.’
Grace guessed the cider would be the rough variety of scrumpy, which was highly intoxicating. She had tried it when she was fourteen, a tumbler full of the liquid that she’d mistaken for an oddly flavoured ginger ale. The result had been dire. She’d staggered all over the place and the guests had laughed and made fun of her. Eventually her father’s amusement had become irritation and a servant had been despatched to take her to her bed. She’d awoken the next morning with a ferocious headache and a lecture from her father on the proper behaviour expected from a lady.
Hastily, she told the earl, ‘We’ll have some ale, it will take less time and quench the thirst better. Would you thank Raff and the coachman for their kindness and their help on my behalf, please.’
‘I will, but please stay in the room until I come for you. The innkeeper’s wife will see to your needs if you have any.’
The refreshment was carried in and the landlady bobbed a curtsy. ‘Is there anything else you’d like, my Lord?’
Alex shook his head. ‘Thank you, but we’ll be on our way as soon as possible.’
Grace suddenly remembered what she’d forgotten, and delayed Alex with a hand on his arm and a tragic, ‘My cat … we’ve left him behind.’
The earl’s smile reminded her strongly of Dominic. What was he doing at that very moment, she wondered.
‘Don’t sound so tragic. We can soon find you another.’
‘Tabby helped save my life; can we go back for him?’
Alex looked askance at her, unbelieving. ‘Certainly not … it’s the middle of the night.’
‘You don’t understand, I promised Tabby he could come with me, and Raff promised to find a cage for him to travel in.’
‘Good lord … you mean it. The animal is a stray. Cats are resourceful and he’ll be adept at fending for himself.’
‘Because he had no choice; and of course I mean it. He might get himself shut in the house and starve to death. Or he might die in the snow.’
‘Hmmm … I don’t know if you’ve noticed it, my dear, but there isn’t any snow to die in.’
‘There could be some before too long, after all, it’s winter. Besides the soldiers might mistake him as vermin and shoot him.’
‘Dominic has told me your logic was dubious at times, and your imagination, vivid. It proves to be true and I’d be grateful if you’d control your wilder flights of fancy. However, perhaps you can describe your feline saviour.’
Head to one side Grace regarded him. She’d built up a picture of her cat in her imagination. He’d been handsome, with an abundance of striped fur, yellow eyes, a bushy tail and a loud purr. She related that description to the earl, then added, ‘Of course, I didn’t actually see him properly; I just saw his paw under the door and teased him a little.’
‘I see. There was a cat in the house; it stole a kipper from the larder. It was short-haired, had the end of his tail missing and its ears were tattered from fighting with other cats. Dominic suggested we made a stew out of it, but we couldn’t catch it. Besides, the meat would have been stringy.’
Despite his affability and the amusement in his eyes Grace knew she wouldn’t get around the head of the LéSayres household easily.
‘Come now … I was teasing you, my dear. All the same, I will not risk returning for the cat. You must see that.’
‘Yes … I was silly. It’s just … the presence of the cat provided me with hope and comfort when I despaired.’
Jancy soo
thed, ‘Don’t you fret, miss, I’ll send a message back with Raff to give to Mr LéSayres. If all else fails I’m sure Raff will give the creature a home.’
‘What about Betty?’
Jancy snorted. ‘Happen the fleas might do something useful, like jump off the cat and infest her instead. If they do they’ll drop dead from the poison in her blood.’
Alex sighed, obviously bored with the subject. ‘Cats are territorial, and I have a sufficiency of them in my barn. You can have one or two of the kittens and train them to be indoor cats once you’re settled in your own premises. We also have two Irish wolfhounds, and neither animal would welcome a strange cat let loose into our home.’
Gently, but firmly, the earl had just reminded her she was his guest. He would expect her to be mannerly, and observe the customs of his household. And, of course, he was right.
She hid her disappointment. ‘Yes, I’m sorry, my Lord. I wasn’t thinking, and you’ve been so helpful and kind. So has Mr LéSayres.’
‘Ah yes … my brother … Dominic seems taken with you. I must admit I was surprised when I learned that he’d hired a woman to be his clerk, especially one of your tender years. People will talk, I imagine.’
‘I expect they will for a while, but surely the interest will only last while the concept of a female clerk remains a novelty. I will try not to cause too much of a sensation. Would I be wrong in concluding from this conversation that you disapprove of me and would prefer the position was offered to another – a man perhaps?’
‘You do me an injustice if you think that’s the case, but there is more to your relationship with my brother, is there not?’
‘If more exists, it concerns nobody but us. I hope you will believe me when I say that nothing untoward has happened. Dominic has been quite charming, if dishonest in his approaches. If anyone needs guarding against being hurt, it’s me.’
‘Dishonest! My brother is the most honest person I’ve ever known and as far as I can see he treats you with the utmost respect.’
‘His interest is sometimes a little overwhelming. I’ve never had much to do with men, except older gentlemen of the medical profession … men of science.’
‘They are men, nevertheless. Are your feelings towards my brother based on indifference when my eyes seem to tell me otherwise?’
‘Far from it, I should charge you with lack of perception, my Lord.’
‘Why were you engaged in a servant’s position when you are so obviously intelligent?’
‘You think servants are unintelligent? Who would clean your home and cook your meals? Who would saddle your horses—’
‘Yes, yes … I get the point, Miss Ellis, and no, I do not think that. It was just badly worded. In fact, I will give them all a Christmas bonus for their trouble. Would you care to answer my question without descending into debate?’
‘It was a case of circumstance. I learned to run my father’s household from an early age. As I grew older he taught me some apothecary skills, plus some simple medical and diagnostic skills.’
‘Ah yes … your father’s skill as a doctor was well known.’
‘When he died I found myself penniless. I understand that Mr John Howard arranged the position I held, and I believe he provided my salary too. I hope to thank him personally before too long. As for my feelings towards Dominic, they are certainly not indifferent. But if anything comes of it other than shreds, remains to be seen.’
‘So there is a problem?’
‘I’m confused, since I’m constantly drawn to a path that will lead me astray – and I cannot believe I’m seriously considering taking that path. Furthermore, if Dominic feels the attraction for me, as he indicates, then he would not encourage my growing affection towards him.’
The earl cleared his throat, clearly nonplussed. ‘I see … at least, I think I do, and the conversation is not one I’d prefer to continue with. I shall converse with Dom about your future position within my household.’
‘I beg your pardon, my Lord. Dominic is your brother and he cares deeply for you … for all his family. I have no wish to be the cause of any friction.’
Firmly, he told her, ‘No doubt my wife will be happy to offer you counsel if you feel you need it. Now, I must go down and supervise the changeover.’
‘You did ask me, my Lord, so you must take some of the blame for my answer.’
Alex smiled to himself as he bowed his head. He supposed he had. Miss Grace Ellis was a dainty little maid. He liked her. His brother had certainly got this young woman on the run – or was it the other way round?
Dom’s way of thinking had always intrigued Alex and Grace Ellis was a bright and tender flower, but strong when she needed to be. No wonder his brother was enamoured by her.
Yet … he puzzled, what possible reservation could she have concerning Dom? His brother was intelligent, handsome, clean in his habits and honest. He also came from a good family. Did she need anything more in a man?
He reminded himself to ask Vivienne to put out some feelers. She’d soon ferret the truth out of Grace Ellis.
‘Dishonest … not my brother Dom,’ he said out loud.
Fifteen
They’d said goodbye to Raff ten minutes previously and were now on the road, heading for King’s Acres. They travelled in a well-upholstered vehicle with a crest on the door. The cushioning saved them from the heaviest assaults from the ruts – assaults that teased out every existing bruise in Grace’s body and tortured it to its limit.
The road was iron hard. Jancy didn’t seem to mind being tossed around. She’d found a position amongst the hand baggage on the opposite seat and was sleeping, her mouth open a little. Wrapped tightly in her quilt, her hands clutched it to her, as though determined to never let it go. A full moon sent bands of white light across Jancy’s face. It seemed like a lifetime to Grace since she’d almost been in the same position.
Grace left the maid to her dreams and hoped they were good ones. Her own dreams were intense, and mostly related to Dominic. She was enveloped in a blanket of soft cream wool and now, as her body was beginning to heal, her thoughts became increasingly intense, as if Dominic was a magnet drawing her to him. Little scenes played out in her mind, illustrations from the Indian book that her imagination reacted to.
She’d hidden the book, buried it at the back of the cupboard in the room Lady Florence had vacated. She wondered what people would say if they knew she harboured such thoughts. But did that matter, when she had no relatives to condemn her for her behaviour? She’d often dreamed of being claimed by a man of some note, who was caring and tender, one she could share her life, her interests, and her dreams with. Not one of the ilk of the sheik Betty Bunce had in store for her. She had found the man, but he had a serious flaw. According to Jessie, he was already married.
A niggle of doubt gnawed at her. Why hadn’t he mentioned it? Most men she’d been acquainted with usually spoke of their wives or their children with fondness, if only in passing.
She wrestled with the notion for a few moments, and then tried to drag her mind away from the temptation that was Dominic. Perspiring a little she pushed the blanket to one side.
Apart from the coachman, she recalled there were two armed outriders now, including Alex. Having tired of the cold, Sam had joined them inside the carriage, the lights of which were on but they threw only a small glow into the darkness surrounding them. They were there for the carriage to be seen, rather than provide light, though some did illuminate the interior. Sometimes the carriage slowed to a crawl, collecting tension to it, but nobody challenged them and as the road began to wind through the gentle curves of hill and dale the sense of danger eased.
Finally they came to a halt. The bark of dogs became louder and when the earl dismounted he was whipped by wagging tails. Wet noses thrust into his hands and the dogs turned themselves inside out vying for his attention, and then thoroughly sniffed Grace, the stranger amongst them.
For a short time she was surrounded by do
ggy breath. The earl had a few quiet words with the coachman. The horses whinnied as they were led towards the stable block, their flanks steaming. Jancy went with them.
The quiet of night gathered around them. Obviously she wasn’t going to be afforded the same relaxed familiarity that she’d had at the cottage, Grace thought.
‘Miss Ellis?’
The earl took her arm and led her up several steps into the candlelit hall. Two women stood there. Giving them a wide smile, the earl kissed the younger on the cheek, and the elder on the hand. ‘May I present Miss Grace Ellis to you both. My wife, Lady LéSayres, and my stepmother, Lady Eugenie.’
Grace bobbed a couple of curtseys and her muscles cramped. She staggered upright.
Lady LéSayres stepped forward and took her by the arm. ‘Steady, dear.’
‘My Lady,’ Grace said, and then turned to the older woman. ‘Lady Eugenie.’ To round her clumsy entrance off she remembered her veil and pulled it from her face.
The eyes of both women widened and Lady LéSayres gasped while Lady Eugenie whispered, ‘Good gracious, what on earth have you done to the poor girl, Alex?’
‘You know me better than that, Eugenie. As you can see, the young lady has been in the wars. Perhaps you’d be kind enough to take her under your wing.’
Eugenie stepped closer to examine her bruises more clearly. ‘What has happened to her?’
‘No doubt she will tell you herself, since her voice is still intact.’
‘Please do not blame the earl, my Lady,’ Grace begged. ‘It’s not his fault. I was set upon by a servant and locked in a room with no sustenance … not even water. A smuggler called Rafferty Jones rescued me.’
‘Goodness, what a terrible time you’ve had.’ Eugenie slid her arm around her waist and walked her towards the stairs. ‘You must tell me all about it.’
‘Mr LéSayres and the earl arrived to rescue me.’ Grace fell silent, though she was jittery, as though all her nerve ends were tied together in a great twitching knot that she couldn’t unravel.