It took him all of his iron will to roll back onto his side. His heart was hammering in his chest and his loins were aching. He propped himself up on his arm and looked at her lying there wonderfully bewildered and not quite sure what should happen next. Her golden hair was splayed about on the straw in tight curls, having dried that way after getting wet in the rain and she was breathing heavily, watching him and looking temptingly adorable. Alex could have cursed Richard. Damn the man he had made a promise and must keep it but for God’s sake, he had to spend a whole night in a deserted barn with this beautiful woman. This was going to be one long night!
Felicity watched him for a while longer before she spoke. ‘Have I done something wrong Alex?’ He rolled back and kissed her on the cheek, ‘you could never do anything wrong. It is I who has done something wrong.’ He stood up and brought over some logs to rekindle the fire. ‘I am sorry Felicity I should not have done what I did, please forgive me. I think we should get some sleep now and have an early start in the morning.’ Felicity propped herself up on her elbows and watched him as he proceeded to collect a handful of hay and pile it up in the corner to build a makeshift bed. ‘I shall sleep here,’ he added in a hardened voice to hide his disappointment. He lay down on his back with his hands behind his head looking up at the rafters in the dim glow of the small fire.
Felicities melodious voice carried through the barn. ‘My horse is lame, what shall we do tomorrow if it is still raining?’
Alex gave it some thought. ‘I will ride into Middleham myself and procure us a carriage to take us on to Lealholme Manor. If it is not raining we will ride in together slowly on Victory. I do not think your horse is lame; she has just lost a shoe. We shall take her to the blacksmith, and then it is up to you whether you wish to continue to ride. I can still hire a carriage if you wish it.’
‘No.’ Felicity almost whispered, ‘I can ride. I am a little stiff after today but I am sure I will be fine tomorrow.’
‘Go to sleep Flick, we must be up at first light and we still have a long day tomorrow.’
Alex did not know how long he lay there aware of the woman just a few yards away from him. Sleep was going to elude him this night and he watched as the embers of the fire began to diminish. He decided that he could not let the fire go out and got up to replenish it before returning to his lonely straw mattress. He heard a rustle and Felicity was standing before him rubbing her arms and shivering and dragging over his coat. ‘I am cold,’ she murmured self-consciously; ‘can I stay here beside you?’
He was lost and patted the ground beside him in invitation and she lay and nestled up beside him. He put his arm around her neck and drew her in; noticing to his surprise that she genuinely was cold. It had not been a forward ploy or a ruse and he admonished himself, ‘blast it,’ he thought he should not have let the fire get so low. He pulled his grey coat over them for extra warmth. She was tired and exhausted and fell asleep in the crook of his arm. Alex kissed the top of her head as she slept and smiled at her artlessness. Damn her, did this beautiful, impulsive and spontaneous woman not know what she did to him. He lay there. Yes, this was going to be a very long night, a very long night indeed.
Felicity woke up to the light of the early dawn. She looked across to where Alex lay but he was not there. A rustling sound drew her attention to the far side of the barn where Alex still bare to the midriff was attending to the horses. He glanced over. ‘Are you up sleepy head? It is time to get dressed and be on our way, which reminds me I would not mind having my shirt back. Your shift and riding habit are over there nice and dry.’
Felicity hesitated as if in a dilemma. ‘You will have to leave the barn so that I can change then, if you please.’
Alex laughed, ‘You expect me to go out into the cold semi naked? Oh no my girl, not me. I have no desire to catch pneumonia.’ He grinned at her distress. ‘Alright I will agree to turn my back but for Lords sake I do not know why, it is I who put you in that shirt in the first place.’
Felicity blushed crimson. That is not fair, I was unconscious at the time and could not have cared, but now I am very much awake and you are not being very much a gentleman.’
Alex grabbed his grey riding cape and made for the door. ‘Very well, I shall oblige you. You have exactly five minutes but mark this you will not receive the same consideration once we are married.’
Felicity dressed in record time for she knew she could take him for his word and when he returned in exactly five minutes, she handed him his shirt still warm from the heat of her body. The aroma of sweet perfume assailed his nose as he put it on and he raised an eyebrow in perverse amusement.
They were soon ready to leave and he led the horses out into the fresh air. Looking at Felicity, he gave a smile. She had brushed back her hair as best she could and tied it up but the only thing that really would have improved it was a good washing. The feather in her hat lacked its former glory and drooped limply looking very sorry indeed. Alex reached up to pluck it off. ‘I think this feather Flick, has had one drenching too many, we must remember to buy you a new one.’ Even now without the proper provisions for washing and brushing up, she looked radiantly beautiful with her classic looks and her fair silken skin.
Alex climbed up into the saddle and reached down for Felicity’s hand. ‘Up you come,’ he ordered as he hauled her up in front of him, ‘hold on tight, you will have to put up with me until we reach Middleham.’
Felicity held on as they made their way down the country lane. She leaned into him and wished she could have stayed there forever. It was a cold crisp and damp morning but she almost wished that Middleham were a hundred miles away for she felt warm and content in Alex’s strong arms. ‘This is a beautiful stallion,’ she ventured after having had time to observe its paces.
‘Indeed he is,’ Alex agreed, his rich deep voice sounding in her ear, ‘but unfortunately he is not mine. I had to change horses at the Unicorn Inn at Ripon if I was to have any chance of catching up with you.’
‘Don’t talk to me about the Unicorn Inn,’ Felicity sniffed. ‘The Ostler looked at me as if I was dirt on his shoe.’
‘Funny,’ Alex responded, ‘I seem to remember him calling you a regular top of the trees.’
‘That is only because I gave him a crown. I considered it an extravagant tip necessary for my survival.’
‘Alex laughed, ‘and here was I only giving him half that amount. He obviously had a very profitable day. He must have been pleased for he provided me with their finest horse.’ He patted the stallion’s long sleek neck, ‘I am so impressed I have a mind to buy him.’ He chuckled, ‘I do believe Jimmy thought he was aiding an anxious lover chasing after his quarry. I do not think he was far from wrong.’
Felicity responded by nestling tightly up and resting her head back against his broad shoulder. ‘No and I am truly glad you caught up, really I am. I do not think it is easy travelling as a woman alone. I did not expect quite so many obstacles but I hardly think it is fair.’
‘Indeed it is not Flick that is why someone had to come haring after you.’ he mused. A woman alone is considered fare game for any kind of predator. I agree it is not fair but that is how it is. I am just surprised that your experience is Ripon was your only problem.’
Felicity sighed. ‘Well I did have a little problem with the Pike man at Killinghall. I nearly came a cropper there. He tried to lift me off my horse but I gave him one fierce kick with my boot and he fell to the ground like a stone. It is a good job Artemis is a good jumper. That gate was nothing for her. She sailed over it like a breeze.’
Felicity felt Alex momentarily stiffen but then he relaxed again. If she could have seen his face, she would have noticed a secret smile. ‘That is my girl Flick, is that why you bought that ridiculous garb?’
‘Yes,’ she sighed reminiscently, ‘it was ridiculous wasn’t it,’ but it served its purpose.’
‘‘So ridiculous Felicity I have left it behind in the barn.’
‘I am glad
you did. They were nothing like Harry’s clothes; those breeches itched like the devil. You should have seen the shopkeepers face when I left the shop wearing them. His jaw had dropped to his knees and he looked ever so comical. If I had not been a little apprehensive I would have laughed at him, but it is always best to keep a low profile in such situations, don’t you think?’
Alex shuddered at the thought of it. ‘Felicity I truly hope there is not going to be any more ‘such situations,’ you cannot go racing about the countryside dressed in men’s clothing,’
It was only five miles to Middleham but as they were travelling slowly with Artemis in tow in took them nearly an hour. They reached the town square, Felicity dismounted, and Alex jumped down onto the pavement beside her. ‘Well the first thing we must do is find the blacksmith and after that I think breakfast may be a very good idea. I do not know about you but I am famished.’ He looked around him and spotted the White Swan situated in the square. ‘Stay here for a moment with the horses, I shall go to that Inn and order a private parlour and some breakfast. We can breakfast while Artemis is being shoed.’
‘Is it not too early?’ she asked doubtfully.
‘Nonsense,’ he countered,’ it is never too early if you let them name their price.’
The Blacksmith was none too pleased about being knocked up so early but on the discovery of Lord Thorndale’s’ identity and the promise of generous remuneration he soon revised his ideas. Before they knew it, he was up dressed and quickly leading Artemis into his workshop.
After seeing Artemis settled they walked back into the town square Felicity keeping up with his long stride. ‘I say Alex; the blacksmith looked none too pleased. I really thought he was going to refuse.’
‘So did I,’ he replied, ‘I deliberately made a point of telling him exactly who I am, something I do not like to do, but I have got to say a title can come in rather useful sometimes. Anyway, let us get back for some breakfast for my throat is as dry as sticks. I could really do with a coffee.’
As they were crossing back over the town square, a rider came cantering into view. They both looked up together to see who was approaching so early in the morning. He spotted the pair and headed straight toward them.
‘Richard!’ Felicity squealed as she ran across to greet him. He looked grey and tired, his face was lined with pain and he appeared very grim indeed. Felicity thought she had seen a brief look of relief on his face but the look only proved momentary. ‘I will have words with you later,’ he boomed as he climbed down from his horse and limped across to Alex. ‘And pray, where did the two of you spend last night!’ he demanded in high dudgeon.
Alex scowled and gritted his teeth. ‘Get off your high horse Richard, nothing is ever as it seems.’
Felicity not realising the source of his anger interjected. ‘Oh is it all right Richard, We found a nice dry barn and Alex lit a fire to warm us through, and we had food, so we were just fine. Weren’t we Alex?’
Alex smiled at Felicity’s artless disclosure, ‘Flick I suggest that you be quiet for you are only making matters worse.’ He turned back to her brother, ‘Come Richard I have bespoken breakfast at the White Swan. I suggest we discuss it in the privacy of the parlour instead of out here in a public square.’
Richard by no means pacified, acquiesced. The street was no suitable place for a public brawl, even a deserted one. Moreover, he was more tired than he realised. He had reached Lealholme manor after dark, being cold and wet and having had a fruitless journey. He had given himself an hour to dry off, change and eat some food before he had ventured out again on the Richmond to Middleham Road.
After thirty minutes on the road, it had been necessary to turn back. The moonless sky, the relentless darkness and the rain had beaten him back and his horse had stumbled numerous times on the uneven roadway. He had not slept a wink and had tossed and turned in the realisation that he could do nothing but put his trust in Alex. In normal circumstances, this would have not been a problem but Richard was well aware of Alex’s reputation and was assailed with doubt. Richard cursed to himself for he did not like losing control and when they did not arrive, he had saddled up in the dark and left Lealholme Manor at the first light of day.
The three entered the White Swan, Richard limping badly as he entered the parlour. ‘Oh your poor ankle, is it no better?’ Felicity cried looking at the pain on her brother’s face.
‘No! Neither will it be if I have to go chasing across the countryside every time you decide to go on a jaunt,’ he snapped.
Felicity lifted a determined chin, ‘I told you I was just going home and it could be no more than 40 miles away. You did not have to follow me.’
Richards’s normally sober face looked furious. ‘Only 40 miles! Let me tell you Flick that forty miles on a cold, wet November day with shortening daylight is a long way and when we get home you have not heard the end of it.’
Alex decided it was time to interrupt their quarrel and interceded. ‘Do not blame Felicity for running away. It is entirely my fault, if you must, take it up with me.’
Richard turned on Alex, ‘Maybe that is true, but that gives Felicity no right to be running off like she did. Does she not realise that I have been tearing my hair out. And what kind of argument you could have had, to have caused such a thing I cannot imagine, unless!’ He turned to Alex with renewed fury.’
Alex just laughed and held up his hands. ‘Before you say anything, it is not what you are thinking. I have never forced myself on a woman in my life. No it was entirely something else and as I am not prepared to discuss it you will have to take my word for it.’
Richard turned a questioning look to Felicity, ‘Flick?
‘I am sorry Richard but I am not prepared to discuss our argument either, but I am sorry for the trouble I have caused. I did not think that the journey would be so arduous and did not expect you to be so worried.’
Richard looked frustrated and turned back to Alex growling through gritted teeth. ‘You have not answered my question. Felicity said you spent the night in a barn. You have some explaining to do.’
‘Richard I am quite happy to tell you everything if you can get down off your high ropes for long enough to listen. I think you will find that things are not as bad as they appear.’
After Alex had related an accurate account of finding Flick half frozen on the road and that the decision to take shelter in the barn was made out of necessity, Richard calmed down but Alex could still see the flicker of doubt in his eyes and the hard set of his chin. He turned to his sister.
‘I know that you once refused this man but you do realise that you will have to marry him now, whether you wish to or not.’
‘But I do wish it and I accepted his proposal last night,’ she retorted in exasperation.
‘So it is as I thought,’ he stormed taking hold of the wrong end of the stick. ‘Damn where is that landlord with the coffee? Flick go and seek him out will you.’
‘Oh Richard, you are intolerable, you could at least congratulate us,’ she stormed, as she flounced out of the room in search of their host.
Richard turned to Alex, ‘Well now she has gone you may tell me!’
Alex grinned. ‘I well know what you are asking. You want to know if she is still a maid. Well at the risk of permanent damage to my reputation, I can reassure you that I behaved impeccably. I will not deny that my restraint nearly killed me, it is as much as any man can stand to be cooped up with such a beautiful woman for a whole night and not be tempted.’
Richard slumped in his chair visibly relieved. ‘Thank god for that.’
Alex could not resist the final teasing word. ‘Well impeccable may not be quite the word but as we are to be married, what passed between us is neither here nor there. I am sure you would not begrudge me a stolen kiss. We are to be married so I do not see that you need to be so disturbed.’
In the light of his previous suspicion, Richard accepted his explanation with equanimity, ‘I am sorry. I should have kno
wn I could trust you.’
‘Yes Richard, you should have. I would have you know that your final words to me yesterday when we parted taunted me the entire night.’
‘Eh what was that? I do not remember what I said to you when we parted?’ He frowned trying to recollect.
‘If you do not remember Richard I am not going to remind you, but your words were a plague on my conscience and I was cursing the ground you walk on.’
‘Well, I can’t remember what I said but if it did the trick I am well pleased, you can hardly blame me for being worried. You cannot deny that you have a reputation. You told me a few weeks ago that you no longer see that Ladybird in Russell Square but I do not know how many others you have dancing on a string.’
‘Is my reputation really as bad as that?’ Alex laughed. ‘How wonderful even I would not have thought it. You misjudge me Richard. I am no paragon but I only ever had room for one ladybird at a time. In Felicity I have found what I have been looking for my whole life and if it makes your mind any easier I am not intending on straying.’
Lady Ellingham and the Theft of the Stansfield Necklace: A Regency Romance Page 21