Abandon

by Moors, Jerusha

  Finally the older couple said their goodbyes and walked out the door. Harriet moved as if to follow them, but George held her in place and laughed.

  “You have done your duty, wife. Let them go now. It’s time for you to attend to your new husband.”

  Harriet blushed as she turned back.

  “Aubrey! I did not see you standing there,” she lied prettily.

  “I am sure,” he replied with a searching look.

  George was in a jovial mood. The wedding was past and he had his wife all to himself - mostly. It was obvious that he was ready for Aubrey to find something else to do.

  “So, it was a nice wedding and all, was it not? But you will have to pardon us as I would like to speak to my new wife.” George raised an eyebrow and looked up the stairs, failing at his attempt at discretion.

  “Just a minute, George. I am still looking for Lucy. Harriet, do you know where she is?”

  “I suppose that she is about.” Harriet bit her lip.

  George looked thoughtful. “I have not seen Lucy since the ceremony itself. Surely she should have been at the breakfast.”

  “Perhaps she is lying down. She worked hard to help bring this all about.” Harriet was tugging at George's sleeve, impatient to be gone.

  Aubrey narrowed his eyes. “I was just at her room. A maid is cleaning it up and says she has left the estate. I did not see any of her things about.”

  “Harriet, what do you know? Where is Lucy?” George was acting as the lord of the manor, frowning at his new wife.

  Harriet sighed. “She has gone. She needed to leave right after the ceremony.”

  “Without saying farewell to any of us? That does not sound like Lucy.” George was puzzled.

  “Where did she go? Is she headed back to London?”

  Harriet pouted. “I suppose so. You might find her at the townhouse. She did not really say.”

  “Or you did not ask so as not to have to lie to us when asked?” George turned in astonishment at Aubrey's tone, ready to defend his new wife, but Aubrey paid no mind.

  Harriet shrugged her shoulders and fiddled with the lace at the front of her dress. A sudden thought struck Aubrey.

  “Which coach did she use when she left? She arrived here in yours.”

  Harriet bit her lip again and George crossed his arms across his chest, encouraging her to confess.

  “Her brother had sent a carriage for her use in her return. She could be staying in London for a few days or she might be returning north. I do not know.”

  George put his arm around his new wife and looked at Aubrey. “You are going after her?”

  Aubrey nodded, already headed for the stairs to get the essentials packed. “Send whatever I might leave onto my townhouse if you would. I’m leaving for London within the hour.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Aubrey had been riding in the rain for most of the day and he was soaked to his skin by the time he rode through the gates of Lovell Moor. It had been a rough several days and he was weary to the bone. Part of him wanted to ride over to Wakefield Park immediately and beard his elusive quarry in her lair, but he was too tired and wet to go just yet. First he wanted something hot to eat and a strong brandy to go with it.

  He had sent a message from London to let the staff know that he would be arriving, but he was happy when a stable boy ran out to take his horse.

  “Rub him down good and give him a warm mash. He’s had a hard few days.”

  The front door opened as he arrived, Jemison, his butler, taking his coat and hat with a broad smile.

  “Welcome home, Master St. Clare, or should I say Lord Lovell. It is good to see you, sir. It has been far too long since you have been home.”

  “Thank you, Jemison. I am glad to be home. Everything seems in good order.”

  “Indeed, sir. Jones, your estate manager, ensures that all runs well on the estate.” Jemison handed the wet gear off to a footman. “Your dinner is ready in the dining room when you say the word, my lord.”

  Aubrey nodded and walked to the dining room without bothering to get further cleaned up. The staff had laid out a meal for him to eat in solitary splendor. There had been few occasions for him to use this room in the past. Before he had left his parents had considered him too young and then he had been away at school. On the occasions that he was at home, his parents were often away and so he took his meals in the smaller breakfast room, preferring the atmosphere there.

  The room was quiet, the only noise the scrape of a fork on china or the rustle of cloth as a footman poured more wine in his goblet. Aubrey tried to picture Lucy sitting across from him down the long table. His parents had often sat thus, communicating politely only occasionally. He and Lucy would never be like that. He intended that they have a very different type of marriage, one based on love and mutual respect. Of course, that was only if he could finally find her and wed her.

  He had been delayed in London hoping to find her there. But the Wakefield townhouse was empty, excepting the housekeeper and her husband, once he finally gained admittance on Sunday afternoon. Still the time spent had been worthwhile, thinking of the special license he had procured. And he would find Lucy tomorrow at her brother’s estate. She had nowhere to run from there.

  The door to Wakefield Hall swung open without a sound. Williams, a tiny Welshman who had been the butler here as long as Aubrey could remember stood there. Williams obviously remembered him or perhaps he was expecting Aubrey to turn up if Lucy had alerted him.

  He bowed. “Welcome, my lord. How may I serve you?”

  Aubrey handed him his hat. “Hello, Williams. It has been a long time. Is your mistress at home?”

  “I will have to check to see if the Countess is receiving visitors.” He turned away, but stopped when Aubrey spoke again.

  “Excuse me, I am here to see Lady Lucilla.”

  Williams turned back to him with a frown, but then wiped the expression off his face.

  “Just so, sir,” With that enigmatic statement he walked off leaving Aubrey to cool his heels in the hallway.

  In just a few minutes Williams was back. “Follow me please.”

  He led Aubrey into a parlor where Lady Anne was sitting on a settee, needlework set to her side. She was a pretty blonde and far gone with child.

  “Forgive me for not greeting you, my lord. I am somewhat limited in my movements at this point.”

  Aubrey seated himself just as a tall slender man with dark-blonde hair came through the door. He rose to greet to the Earl of Wakefield, Lucy’s brother, or rather, half-brother.

  “Lovell, welcome home. It has been some years since you were in these parts.” The Earl was polite, but only had eyes for his Countess who was smiling at her husband reassuringly.

  “Thank you. I am quite glad to be home.”

  “Have you met my Countess? My dear, this is our neighbor, Viscount Lovell, who has just returned from a sojourn in Europe, Italy I believe. Lovell, my wife, Lady Anne.”

  “I am glad to meet you, Lady Anne. You have my belated good wishes on your wedding.” Aubrey did not mention the expected child feeling that was too personal. Lady Anne was not so shy.

  She smiled and inclined her head. “Would you like some refreshments, my lord? I find that I must eat every few hours at this point. It is a wonder that I can move from place to place.”

  “Thank you, my lady. I appreciate your kindness.”

  The Earl stepped to the hallway and murmured to a footman, then returned and sat by his wife. She patted his hand in thanks, her display of affection noted by Aubrey. Apparently Earl Richard and his wife were not afraid to show small exhibitions of tenderness in public.

  “How do you find matters over at Lovell Moor? Your steward seems a good man.”

  “The estate is in fine shape from what I could see. I only arrived last evening and will meet with him later today.”

  “You just arrived last evening and are paying neighbor visits already? I am honored.” The Earl was
plainly surprised, but too polite to voice it.

  “Yes, I had met Lady Lucilla in London and I was hoping to speak to her this morning if she is available.”

  The Earl exchanged looks with his wife. “Lady Lucilla is not here. I believe that she went to visit friends north of here directly on her return from London.”

  Aubrey was flabbergasted. At the last posting inn the hostler had told him that Lucy’s coach was headed to Wakefield Park. There had not been enough time for her to change plans or leave again. Lady Anne had her head down, not meeting his eyes, but her husband appeared unconcerned.

  Aubrey tried again. “She did not stop at Wakefield Park? Forgive me, but I was sure that she would want to rest at home for a few days after her journey and reassure herself as to the health of Lady Anne.”

  Lady Anne’s head sunk even further and she started to nervously rub at her belly.

  “No, we received a note that she was going further north.” The Earl did not appear to wish to discuss his sister’s movements any further, but Aubrey persisted.

  “Would you know where her friends are staying? She did not indicate that she was undertaking another journey when I last saw her at Lord Aversley’s wedding.”

  Lord Richard’s tone was distinctly cool when he answered. “Lady Lucilla is a grown woman and able to guard her own movements. I suppose that if she wanted you to know where she was she would have told you.” Lady Anne winced and reached for his arm, but Aubrey knew when to hold his fire.

  “Of course, my lord. I just wanted to ensure that she had concluded her journey safely. I would have traveled with her if she had apprised me of her plans earlier.”

  The Earl nodded, but said nothing further as Williams brought the tea cart into the room. Lady Anne fussed with serving, and the conversation became general discussion about families in the neighborhood and conditions at the estate farms. Aubrey was thwarted in any further talk about Lucy and he finally rose to leave, convinced that the Earl was not telling him everything. His Countess was not in agreement with him, but she would not dispute her husband’s word. Aubrey did not think the Earl was lying, but he was definitely concealing something.

  Aubrey was sure that Lucy would be at Wakefield Park and he had not an idea where else she might be hiding. He was not aware of any other friends or relatives who might be sheltering her, especially further north.

  As he rode home he reflected that Lucy was probably not far away. If he was any judge, Lady Anne was near her time. Lucy would want to be near so that she could be at the Park when the babe arrived. He would have to keep a look out and contain his impatience. The special license burned a hole in his coat pocket, but it would keep.

  The bigger question was why Lucy had fled to begin with? She would not play games with him, he thought, not about this. Had someone, his mother perhaps, said something to make her leave so precipitously? He would get to the bottom of the matter, but meanwhile he needed to meet with his factor.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Aubrey had been home nearly a week before he finally received word that Lady Anne was giving birth. He had found a groom in his stable that was walking out with one of the maids at Wakefield Park. With persuasion and some coin he had convince young Jack to keep him apprised of the goings-on at the Park.

  It was late evening when Jack had come to the house to notify Aubrey of the events taking place nearby. Aubrey had ordered his horse immediately. Surely Wakefield would summon Lucy for the birth of her nephew or niece.

  Aubrey rode straight to Wakefield Park. It was only when he was near that he realized that he had no idea of what he would do when he arrived. He had no relationship with the Earl or his family that would currently allow him entrance at such a delicate time. He could not demand entrance and ask to see Lucy at such a time. The Earl would have him tossed out on his ear.

  He headed for the stable still not sure how he should proceed. It was late in the day for a social call even if he tried to pretend that he did not know a birth was in progress. A groom ran out to take his horse and he swung down.

  “Here, my lord, I can take him.”

  “That’s all right. Do you know if the family is at home? I just realized that it is rather late in the day for a call.”

  The groom was young and his excitement caused him to confide more than a good servant should. “The doctor has been called and we are waiting for news. A new heir for Wakefield is the hope, though we will be happy with a healthy babe.”

  The boy amused Aubrey. He acted as if he was the proud papa, but the Earl was a good master and his people were loyal to the family.

  “And Lady Lucilla? Has she arrived yet?”

  “Oh yes, my lord. She rode in an hour ago. The earl sent Thomas off to get her. I have got her mare settled down for the night as I expect she will be here for a while.”

  Aubrey made a quick decision. “Perhaps I should not disturb the family at this time. I’ll return in the morning and hopefully there will be news then.” He swung back up on his horse and leaned down to pass the groom a coin. “No need to bother the family that I was here.”

  The groom tipped his hat while Aubrey rode home. He would deal with Lucy in the morning.

  Lucy sat with care on the edge of the bed watching her sister-in-law with her new son. Richard stood next to them, his face filled with wonder as he held his son’s tiny fingers within his own large hand.

  “I think Ned suits him,” Anne said, her eyes tired, but a tender smile on her face.

  “Edward George Blount is a lovely name.” Lucy felt her eyes tearing up at the tableau in front of her. “He is a beautiful baby. I think he will keep his blonde hair and blue eyes like both his parents.”

  Anne laughed. "There is not much hair on his head yet."

  There was a knock on the door and Richard moved to answer it. Lucy heard him murmuring to Williams. “I’ll speak to her. Meanwhile, keep him downstairs in the small drawing room.”

  A quiver ran through Lucy. It was very early in the morning, much too early for callers. She knew from Richard’s face immediately that Aubrey had arrived downstairs.

  “Lovell is here. He knows that you are here and wants to speak to you.”

  Anne struggled to sit up without disturbing the baby. Richard picked the child up from her as if he had been carrying babies his entire life. Anne leaned forward and took Lucy’s hand.

  “What will you do? How could he know that you were here?”

  Lucy grimaced. “I imagine he heard about the baby somehow and knew that I would come. But I do not want to see him. He will importune me to return to London and I do not want that.”

  Richard laid the baby in his crib. “I can send him off so that he will not bother you again.”

  “He has been very persistent,” Anne said doubtfully. “I’m not sure he will leave until he speaks to Lucy.”

  “He will leave if I bring several footmen along to greet him.” The long night had tired Richard and he was in no mood to be trifled with.

  Lucy huffed out a breath. “I did not mean to bring this trouble on you on this happiest of days. I certainly do not want some sort of fracas to occur.”

  “Perhaps you should speak to him, Lucy. Surely if you are firm with him he will leave you alone.” Anne picked at her coverlet. “Besides, are you so certain of what he wants? It may be that he desires something else entirely.”

  “What is it that he wants anyway?" Richard demanded. "I can think of only one reason a man would accost a young lady in her home and that is marriage. If that is so, why not speak with him?”

  Lucy exchanged glances with Anne and sighed. She had not shared everything with her brother. If she told him that Aubrey only wanted her as a mistress, Richard would explode. Although he did have a good point. Why would Aubrey expect that he could ask that of her in her family home?

  “Lucy? What would you have me do?” Richard distracted her from her thoughts.

  Lucy squared her shoulders. “Distract him please. I
will escape out the side and make my way to the stable. If you can give me a quarter hour I will be away. He only keeps coming here because he does not know where I abide and he cannot be certain that I am here now.”

  Richard frowned. “I can send him away, Lucilla.” He was using his big brother voice, trying to be assertive. Lucy put her hand on his arm.

  “He could wait and follow me if you do that. I think it would be better for me to slip away.” Lucy kissed Richard on his cheek and then embraced Anne. She walked over to the crib to look at her nephew. “Goodbye, Ned. I will be back soon.”

  “Very well, let me send Richards up with your cloak and have a footman get your mare ready. I will take Lovell into the breakfast room so you should be able to reach the stables unseen.” He shook his head. “But I do not like this, Lucy.”

  Richard started to walk away, but stopped and looked back. “You will be careful please, Lucilla.”

  She nodded her head, unable to speak. He looked past her to his wife. “Rest, love. I will be back as soon as I am able.” He left the room.

  “He will do anything for you, you know.” Anne smiled and put out her hand to draw Lucy to her side. “As will I.”

  “I know,” Lucy whispered.

  “But I think you are making a mistake. You should speak to Lovell.” Anne paused and then went on. “You love him and I think that he loves you also. I watched him when he was here looking for you. He is miserable without you.”

  “That’s not the issue. I cannot be his mistress and he must marry someone whose reputation is not as besmirched as mine.”

  “That is not true. I think that Richard is correct, Lovell would not show himself here if he did not have honorable intentions towards you.”

  “Then it is even worse.” Lucy closed her eyes in pain. “I have not told him yet, Anne. And it will break him when he finds out what I have kept from him. He cannot marry me.”