‘I do not speak lightly, ma’am. I have reason to believe…I mean…my eyes did not deceive me…’ He would say no more.
‘I don’t care what you thought you saw,’ Charlotte interrupted. ‘Where was Amy at the time?’
He was forced to answer her. ‘She was in the annexe.’
‘And with whom?’
James was silent for even longer…until Charlotte turned to Sir William, who had followed her. ‘This is ridiculous!’ she said sharply. ‘Amy may be in distress and still your friend will not speak. You have surprised me, Sir James! I had not thought that you, of all people, would put your pride above Amy’s safety.’
Her words brought him to his senses. ‘Pride does not enter into it. I was thinking more of Amy’s reputation. The gossips will be delighted to hear of her clandestine meeting with the Comte de Vionnet.’
‘A clandestine meeting?’ Charlotte repeated in disbelief. ‘My dear sir, you must be mad! She sent him about his business not an hour ago when he tried to speak to her.’
James shook his head. How could he tell her of the scene which had greeted him when he opened the door of the annexe? The sight would not fade from his memory. He groaned as he thought of Amy in the Comte’s arms with her gown in tatters. She had seemed to be voicing no objection as he fingered the bodice of her dress. Perhaps he himself had driven her to this folly by his cruel rejection of her love.
Charlotte saw his anguished look and laid her hand upon his arm. She could not bear to see him so distressed.
‘Is it not possible that you were mistaken?’ she asked gently. ‘There could be another explanation… Think, sir! How did Amy look?’
He knew that she had offered him a lifeline, and he was grateful for it. Suddenly he began to think more clearly.
‘She did not look herself,’ he admitted. ‘In fact, I thought her rather dazed, and she did not speak.’
Sir William stiffened. ‘There is something smoky here, I fancy. Richmond, where is this annexe room?’
James led the way in silence. As he had expected, the room was empty, but the single glass which stood upon the sofa table still bore traces of a brownish liquid.
Sir William picked it up and sniffed. Then he tasted the dregs, before handing it to James.
‘Drugged?’ he asked.
The colour drained from his friend’s face. Then James began to curse beneath his breath. ‘What a fool I’ve been!’ he cried. ‘The Comte has abducted her! I saw a closed carriage in the street. Quick, there is no time to lose.’
Chapter Fourteen
Amy was awakened by the raucous cries of gulls. Then, through the open window she heard the suck and surge of the sea. She could taste salt air upon her lips even as she lay upon the shabby cushions of a dilapidated chaise longue.
Her head was pounding and as she struggled to sit up the pain grew worse.
‘Drink this! It will counteract the effects of the drug.’
She looked up to find the Comte approaching her with a glass of some liquid in his hand. She motioned him away.
‘What is this place?’ she whispered. ‘Why have you brought me here?’
‘It is a long story, my dear. I doubt if you will wish to hear it yet. Now don’t be foolish, Amy. I have no need to drug you further…you cannot escape from here.’
He raised her head and forced the liquid between her lips. She tried to turn away, but his grip was vice-like. When she had drained the glass he smiled at her.
‘You will soon feel better,’ he promised. ‘Believe me, I have no wish to see you suffer.’
Amy did not answer him. As her head began to clear she started to examine her surroundings. The open window seemed to be her only chance of escape, but as the flock of gulls continued to wheel and soar outside she realised that they must be in some attic room.
‘Quite!’ The Comte had followed the direction of her gaze. ‘I do not advise that route. It is some fifty feet to the ground below.’ He strolled over to the window and closed it. ‘Pray don’t consider calling for help. It will avail you nothing. This place is empty.’
‘Where are we?’ she demanded.
‘Why, hadn’t you guessed? We are at Bristol. I recalled how much you liked the city.’
‘You are a fool, sir! You cannot keep me here.’
‘But I don’t intend to, Amy. This place is quite unsuitable for a woman of your refinement. Alas, my dear, you have not looked yourself of late. I felt that a sea voyage might be beneficial to your health.’
‘On a slave ship?’ Amy shuddered. She didn’t lack courage, but the prospect chilled her soul.
‘Great heavens, no! For one thing you could never stand the stench. Humanity in the mass has an unpleasant side… No, I have booked passage on a merchantman…we sail upon the night tide.’
Amy looked her contempt. ‘I repeat, sir, you are a fool! It cannot be long past first light. Will you keep me here all day? My friends will come to find me.’
‘They might try, my dear, if they had the least notion of where to look. You are right, of course, in believing that your absence will have been remarked. Sadly, I forgot to tell your aunt that you were unwell and that I had offered to take you home. It was careless, of me, I admit, but I feared that she would insist upon accompanying you. As it was, we gained a little time.’
Amy’s head had cleared. Now she challenged him directly.
‘What is your purpose, monsieur? Is this an abduction?’
‘I fear so, ma’am.’
‘Well, I must tell you here and now that you are wasting your time. I have no money of my own, but in any case I should never agree to marry you.’
‘Have I suggested it?’ His smile was chilling and as Amy looked at him she wondered how she could ever have thought him handsome. There was something vulpine about his expression, and his eyes were as hard as stones.
Her chin went up. ‘So you intend to ruin me?’
He laughed then. ‘Always so dramatic, Amy! I have not suggested that either, have I?’
She decided to try a different approach. ‘You claimed to be fond of me,’ she said in a gentler tone. ‘Was that a lie?’
‘Strangely, it was not. I have the greatest admiration for your courage and your strength of character. It was no part of my plan to grow to like you, but I could not help it.’
Amy was mystified. ‘What plan was this?’ she asked.
The Comte took a turn about the room. ‘It is an old story, my dear. Let me assure you, first of all, that although I appreciate the value of money as much as any man, to gain it was not my prime motive in your case.’
‘You could hope for nothing more from me.’ Amy flung the words at him. Now she was growing frightened. She had thought money to be his God. What stronger reason could he have for seizing her?
‘You are wondering, I see. Have you ever considered the power of vengeance, Amy?’
‘No, I have not! If I have thought about it at all it was to consider it a destructive emotion which eats away at a person’s soul.’
‘It can also give a purpose to one’s life. Let me tell you a tale from twenty years ago. You must picture a small boy living with his mother in the slums of Genoa. His father was not a wealthy man, but he hit upon a plan to make his fortune.’
Amy stared at him. ‘What has this to do with me?’
‘Be patient. Let me continue with my story. The only answer to the young man’s problems was to marry a wealthy girl. He had not far to seek and the young lady was agreeable.’
‘You mean that he became a bigamist?’
‘No, my dear. The child’s parents had not, as yet, decided upon marriage.’
‘Poor little soul! It could not have been an easy life for him.’
‘Nor for his mother, but the couple took a sensible view. Marriage would provide the means to keep the woman and her child in comfort. It was all that they could hope for.’
Amy was intrigued in spite of herself. ‘What happened then?’
; ‘The young lady’s father took a hand. Against her wishes she was smuggled aboard a British ship and brought from Italy to England. Unfortunately for her betrothed, she fell in love with an English officer on the journey.’
Amy had a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. He was telling her the story of her father and her mother. The Comte saw the dawning realisation in her eyes, but he continued without pause.
‘Her discarded lover followed her to England where he tried to persuade her to return to him. Sadly, he fell foul of the naval officer’s powerful family. He was shipped off to Barbados in chains.’
‘But there must have been a reason,’ she protested. ‘They would not have taken such drastic action merely because the young man was persistent.’
The Comte smiled again. ‘Of course not. Perhaps his methods were not those acceptable in polite society, but he was desperate, you see.’
Amy took her courage in both hands. ‘Why are you telling me this?’ she said. ‘You have been speaking of my mother and father, but what has this to do with you?’
She knew the answer before he spoke.
‘I was that child,’ he said softly. ‘I am not French, but Italian, although I do not use my father’s name. He was Cesare di Tavola. Perhaps you know of him?’
Amy was very pale. ‘I knew there was someone…’ she admitted. ‘But I did not know the details.’
‘Then let me describe them to you. Without her protector my mother was left destitute. Her family had disowned her and she had no skills, other than to sell her body for gain. I watched her die, Miss Wentworth. Such food as she could beg she gave to me. At the end she was just skin and bone…’ His face crumpled and he was unable to continue.
Amy forgot that she was his prisoner and she put out a hand to him.
‘No, don’t!’ he said in a muffled tone. ‘I am all you think me. I’ve sold human beings for my own gain, but I did try to save some of the children.’ He turned his head away.
‘It is still a dreadful trade,’ she said quietly. ‘Must you go on with it?’
There was no amusement in his laugh. ‘I doubt if I shall have the opportunity. Public opinion is against it and certain powerful men, including members of Parliament, are working to bring it to an end. In ten years’ time no British ship will carry slaves.’ His face darkened, though his smile was fixed. ‘Such a pity!’ he mocked. ‘It is a lucrative business.’
Amy guessed that he was already regretting his earlier display of emotion, but she tried to appeal to that small spark of human kindness.
‘Don’t make matters worse!’ she pleaded. ‘Take me back to Bath! If we leave now I will think up some excuse to account for my absence. I’ll explain that I was not feeling well and I begged you to take me for a drive. I promise to say nothing of what has happened here.’
He looked at her in astonishment. ‘What an innocent you are, my dear! Even if I were to agree, you could not possibly return to Bath. No one would receive you. You have spent a night alone with a gentleman. Your reputation is already in shreds…’
Amy lost her temper then. ‘I would not describe you as a gentleman, monsieur.’
‘I don’t expect you would, and nor would your charming friends, cushioned as they have been against poverty and disaster. I know what they think of me. In India they branded me a thief and in Africa a slaver. It is easy enough to sneer when they have had food and shelter all their lives. They have not had to beg for scraps or sleep upon the street.’
‘Others have suffered poverty, but they have not turned to villainy. There are worse things.’
‘And how would you know? Will you not give me the benefit of your vast experience?’ It was a cheap gibe and Amy flushed.
‘Pray don’t waste your sarcasm upon me, Comte. Sir James lost his wife and child. He would give all his wealth to have them back again.’
‘Are you quite sure of that, my dear? Possibly I am wrong, but I gained the strong impression that his heart had healed. Now he has lost it again, and all to no avail.’
Amy stared at him. ‘I don’t know what you mean. True, Charlotte hopes to wed Sir William, but he tells me that he never thought of her.’
‘Ah, you English! Sometimes you can be so obtuse. Have you not yet realised that Richmond is in love with you?’
Amy’s heart gave a great leap of joy. If only he were right! Then she recalled her last interview with James.
‘You are quite mistaken, sir,’ she said. ‘Sir James does not think of marrying again.’
‘Perhaps not! It does not change the fact that he is besotted with you. His eyes never leave you and he is always at hand when you need him.’
‘He is my friend,’ she asserted in cutting tones, ‘as you claimed to be… You have an odd notion of friendship, sir.’
He gave her a speculative look. ‘I mean you no harm, Amy. I like you. I am even prepared to wed you.’
‘But you will not let me go?’
He shook his head. ‘No! I swore on my mother’s grave that your family would pay for her life of misery.’
‘I told you that I have no money of my own. Do you intend to hold me for ransom?’
‘I considered it. The decision was not an easy one. Would it hurt them more to be forced to pay for your safe return, or would they be less happy with the notion that their darling had been spirited away to share the somewhat uncertain fortunes of an adventurer?’
‘Don’t you mean a criminal?’ she hissed. She had no need to ask for his decision. He’d already told her that two passages were booked upon a merchantman.
Looking at his set face, she realised that it would be useless to argue further.
‘My head is no better,’ she lied. ‘Perhaps if I were to bathe my face.’
‘Ah, yes, and doubtless you have other needs.’ Ignoring her slight blush, he opened a door at the far end of the room.
Amy stalked past him and closed the door. Then she looked about her, but the place offered no hope of escape. Even if she stood upon the commode she could not reach the skylight. In any case, it led only to the roof.
Her thoughts were racing. Philippe de Vionnet would not be allowed to steal her away without a struggle. His great mistake had been to assure her of James’s love. Those words had revived her courage. She looked about her for some weapon, but there was nothing.
If she could get him out of the adjoining room, she might be able to throw some message or even a token from the window. Her strength was no match for his own, but if she could she would stun him with anything at hand, possibly a candlestick or even a bottle. Her chin went up as she rejoined him.
‘I’m hungry!’ she announced. ‘Is there anything to eat?’
He smiled at that. ‘Well done!’ he said. ‘I see that I have misjudged you. Give me a few moments, Amy. I will send out for some bread and cheese.’
‘And wine,’ she added carelessly. ‘I feel in need of something to revive me.’
He gave her a long, considering look. Then he began to chuckle. ‘I have a hard head,’ he warned. ‘I shall not become disguised, though you may try it if you will.’
‘Disguised, sir?’ Amy was all innocence.
‘Foxed…a trifle bosky…or, if you will have it plain, you will not get me drunk, my dear.’
Amy forced a laugh. ‘I never doubted it. Is it so strange that I should feel in need of refreshment myself?’
‘Not in the least.’ He bowed. ‘You will forgive me if I don’t trust you.’
Amy did not answer him. She lay down upon the chaise longue and closed her eyes, wondering if he would leave her even for a few moments. Clearly, he was in no hurry to do so, so she occupied herself with her own thoughts.
James would come after her…she was sure of it, but there was every likelihood that he would be too late. Once she was aboard the merchantman, her fate was sealed, but now she promised herself that the Comte would not find it easy to abduct her.
What could she throw from the window? And were his accomplices
waiting in the street below? He had said that he would send out for food rather than go himself. That meant that others must be willing to do his bidding. How many, she wondered to herself?
Her eyes filled only when she thought of James. She might never see him again and that thought she could not bear. She thrust it out of her mind. James and Sir William knew the Comte. They would find some way to outwit him, but there was so little time…
Then the door closed and she realised that she was alone. She jumped up at once and began to inspect the room, searching for some heavy object, a vase, or even a loose chair-leg, which might serve as a weapon. There was nothing. It would have to be the bottle. Now she prayed that the Comte might bring more than a single glass of wine. If he did not, she would send him back for more.
Then she considered what she might throw into the street. Her timing must be right. She must wait until the accomplice had come indoors again. She glanced down at her slippers. They would indicate her whereabouts, but the Comte would see at once that she had discarded them.
The same was true of her jewellery and the ribands in her hair. No, it must be something that was not immediately apparent. She lifted her overdress and the satin slip beneath it and began to tear at her petticoat. She had nothing with which to cut it and the stitches would not give. In despair, she draped it over the edge of the chaise longue and threw her weight upon it. There was a ripping sound as the fabric gave way. She tore off a length of the garment and examined it with satisfaction. Thrown from the window it would float like a banner, but would there be anyone to see it? James and Sir William might be far from here, engaged upon a wild-goose chase.
She had misjudged her friends. Once convinced that Amy had been abducted, James had acted quickly.
‘Where will he take her, Linden?’ he asked his friend. ‘Are we agreed on Bristol?’
‘Undoubtedly! He has friends there, and connections with their merchantmen if he intends to get her away.’
The Matchmaker's Marriage Page 24