The Secret of Castlegate Manor

by Karen Cogan

  The dangerous glitter in his eyes chilled Caroline. He turned away and made his courteous departure to Lady Aberly. Caroline would not dream of ruining this merry occasion by reporting the thinly veiled threat. Yet, she chided herself on the irony of her deceitful masquerade should it prove to place her in mortal danger. Yet, she could not tell Lord Humphrey the truth. If it were known, she would have no chance of escaping a destiny in the poor house.

  After the guests departed and she had gone upstairs to slip into her night rail, she lay awake sipping hot chocolate and pondering her choices. If only she had someone she could trust to give her counsel. Lady Eleanor had known her guilty secret and taken it to her grave. If only the dear lady were still alive, Caroline would never have come here, nor fallen into such a disastrous position.

  It would be a burden off her shoulders simply to share her true identity with someone she could trust. Mentally, she listed her choices and summarily dismissed them. The shock would be too much for Lady Aberly and Lavenia. Lady Aberly's social conscience would never allow Caroline to remain under her roof should Caroline turn to her as confidant.

  Her thoughts turned to Geoffrey. Had he not been retained to resolve the threat to the true heir's interests? Surely he would have nothing to gain by revealing her secret. Yet if he should reveal her identity to the true heir, in time, it might be made known and become an embarrassment to her future husband. She debated deep into the night, before falling into a troubled sleep.

  She awoke early to a quiet house. Only the occasional subdued voice of a servant convinced Caroline she was not all alone on the large estate. Since the ball had concluded at a tardy hour, Lady Aberly and Lavenia would doubtlessly sleep late into morning.

  Caroline gave into her impulse and the memory of Geoffrey's competence and donned her riding habit. She paused briefly in the sitting room for a crumpet and spot of tea before striking out for the stable.

  The snap of a branch along the wooded path caused her to jump. She glanced fearfully into the brambles and saw a moor hen scoot away with her chicks on their way to the creek below the path.

  She admonished herself for letting her nerves rule her mind. No gunman skulked behind a tree, no one followed her steps waiting to harm her. Lord Humphrey had surely exaggerated his threat in order to frighten her.

  She found Geoffrey currying Victory.

  He cast her a glance that seemed to appraise her, then continued his chore as though dismissing her presence. Caroline found his manner disconcerting.

  "Do you intend to ignore me?" she questioned.

  "You would wish a ride, my lady?" he asked without looking up.

  Caroline bit her lip, feeling suddenly uncertain. She had little to lose. Even is she decided not to confide in him, perhaps the fresh air would clear her mind.

  "Yes, please see to making my horse ready."

  She found some satisfaction in taking command. No matter what might be on his mind, he was bound to do her bidding, keeping her company whether he desired it or not. This one thing she had learned from her years in service.

  She waited impatiently for him to bring the horses. Nottington passed by with a polite nod.

  "Nice morning for a ride, Miss," he offered politely.

  Caroline returned his smile. "Indeed."

  She wondered at the arrogance of Geoffrey's manner. Surely, Nottington did not put up with such insolence. The thought struck her that Geoffrey did not truly work for Nottington. He had been hired by the master of the estate. Perhaps he believed this position raised him above the status of the other servants.

  "You need not accompany me if you have pressing duties here. I shall not go far," she said.

  Geoffrey shot an impenetrable look. "It is my duty, my lady."

  Caroline assumed her most dignified posture as they walked the horses down the trail to the open meadow. A palpable tension stood between them. Caroline began to wish she had not chosen to come for a ride.

  She cantered ahead to the crest of a hill which looked down to the valley below. Smoke rose from the cottage chimney and a small child played a carefree game of chase with a goose in the yard. She smiled in spite of her pressing difficulties.

  She had been too absorbed in her reverie to see that Geoffrey had dismounted and now reached to lift her from the saddle.

  She shot him a questioning look. "Is something wrong with the horse?"

  "No, my lady. There is something amiss with you, I believe."

  She clutched for the saddle, but was too surprised by his action to manage a retaining grip.

  He set her rather unceremoniously onto her feet.

  "The horses will enjoy the opportunity to devour this sweet grass while we talk."

  Caroline rebelled at the firm set of his jaw. They had enjoyed a tender rapport when they had met in the woods to discuss their mutual distrust of Lord Humphrey. Where had it gone?

  "I do not like the way you order me about. Hand me back on my horse. I wish to return," Caroline asserted.

  He smiled unwillingly. "But I do not wish to return. Not just yet."

  She wheeled away. "Then I shall walk back."

  He grasped her arm in a steely grip that frightened and surprised her. She turned to face him and the steely determination in his eyes.

  "You shall not go back until I get some answers. I fear you have lied to me and I must insist on knowing the reason for your deceit."

  "My deceit?" Caroline had shared her fears regarding Lord Humphrey. She struggled to understand his accusation.

  "I have lived in India. And I must inform you that cows are sacred animals to the Hindu. Such a servant would never prepare your beef. And you were quick to concur that frangipani was quite a delectable dish. It is, in fact, a flower that we had in multitude in our gardens. These are things any British lady who has lived in India would know. Why did you not know these things?"

  Caroline longed to run, yet she had nowhere to go. Her worst fear had come to pass and now her hopes for the future lay in ruins. Yet, somehow this dismal thought bothered her less than the look of distrust in Geoffrey's eyes.

  "You are right. I have not lived in India. For personal reasons, I wished to present the impression that I had done so."

  "And why would that be?"

  Caroline turned away.

  "I beg you not to press me on this. As I said, it is of a most personal nature."

  "But, I am afraid I must insist. You see, I have come to the unpleasant idea that your deceit and that of Lord Humphrey may be entwined. If so, I have already confided more in you than good judgement should have allowed."

  Her shock deepened that he would accuse her of being in league with Lord Humphrey.

  "I assure you, I have no reason to aid the Viscount and everything to lose should he get his way."

  "And why is that?"

  Caroline met his eyes, her defiance wavering at the accusation in their green depths. She reminded herself that he was only a groom. Still, it was hard to admit her real position in life and see his respect for her vanish.

  She pulled from his grip and turned away, fighting the tears that welled in her eyes. "Lady Eleanor wished me to make a good match and live the life of a lady here in the country."

  She caught her lip, too aware of his presence as he waited for her to continue. "She wished to help me by allowing me to assume an identity as her great-niece. She even schooled me in a bit of family history. I was to be from India so that no one would question my background in London."

  "So you are not related to Lady Eleanor?"

  Caroline shook her head.

  He turned her to face him. Caroline shuddered beneath the power of his hands upon her shoulders.

  "Who are you?"

  "I am a maid, a simple ladies' maid. Lady Eleanor employed my parents. My mother was a favorite of hers and we became very close after Mother's death. Lady Eleanor did not wish for me to stay in service. So, she sent me here."

  Caroline could feel her cheeks flame with emba
rrassment. She did not meet his eyes, or attempt to extricate herself from his grip. She stood mutely, feeling as though the life had drained from her body, leaving her as lifeless as a doll.

  "You are telling me that my great-aunt is behind this deceit?" Geoffrey dropped his hands.

  "She knew she was dying. So she sent a letter of introduction before I arrived. It is in the possession of Lady Aberly. If only I could procure it, I could prove my recount is true."

  Caroline stared in shock as he burst into laughter. Her discomfort turned to outrage. "How dare you laugh at me. I don't care if you believe me or not. You are a horrid man. I wish they had shot you instead of John Coachman."

  She stumbled away, tears blinding her eyes.

  Geoffrey caught her arms and pulled her into a firm embrace. Caroline struggled, mistaking his effort to comfort her as an attempt to take advantage of her newly revealed demotion in social status.

  Imprisoned in his arms, she became aware of his words of comfort. "My poor Caroline. I am sorry for what I have put you through. You are not the only one for whom Lady Eleanor has been benefactress."

  She ceased struggling. "Whatever do you mean?"

  "Leave it that I have learned that Lady Eleanor has helped another friend maintain an assumed social status."

  Her heart was filled with humiliation. Yet as she looked into his face, she was relieved to see that the animosity had left his eyes, replaced by an amusement that she felt sure was at her expense.

  He raised his hand and gently wiped a strand of tear-dampened hair from her cheek. "My dear Caroline, do you really think that I care if you are a servant or from the haut ton? I have met many of both high and low position and have liked or disliked many from each."

  He bent toward her and whispered softly. "It is not your position which intrigues me. It is you."

  His lips claimed her in a gentle kiss. Caroline accepted him with a willingness that should have caused her shame. And yet she could not think of anything other than the fact that he had not shunned her. She did not think she could have borne it had he treated her with scorn.

  The spell was broken as Victory nudged his nose upon his master's shoulder. Geoffrey pushed him away. "What is it ole boy? Can you not stand for me to spend my affection on anyone but you?"

  Caroline could not help smiling at the sublime but demanding creature. "I fear I shall not be able to compete with Victory. His bloodline is, no doubt, above question."

  Geoffrey cupped her face in his hands and looked into the chocolate-brown eyes that had mesmerized him since he first met her. "Grandfather spoke of my great-aunt Eleanor with the utmost respect. If she felt you were a lady of quality, I shall make no quarrel with her judgement. I have seen for myself that she was correct. Your secret is safe with me. Like Aunt Eleanor, I shall go to my grave without revealing your past."

  "We never meant any harm." Caroline could not express the relief she felt at his promise of secrecy.

  "And you have caused none. I fear, however, that you stumbled into danger when you assumed this identity. Lord Humphrey does not know that you are not a blood relative of Lady Eleanor."

  "He does not. And I cannot tell him, for he would not be so kind as you in keeping my secret."

  "It is not only kindness that motivates me, Caroline."

  Caroline was not completely sure of his meaning. "I hope you would not attempt to blackmail me into a compromising position, for I would not agree."

  He cast her a disapproving look. "Your lack of charity wounds me. Can you not credit me with as much integrity as I have extended to you?"

  His swift reaction gave Caroline no doubt as to his sincerity.

  "I am sorry to have offended you. Please understand that it is hard for me to believe that you do not hold my position against me."

  "Does this reassure you?"

  He kissed her lightly on the lips.

  Caroline found herself longing for it to last forever. She managed, however, to gather the presence of mind to say, "Perhaps there are eyes where we do not see. It would not do either of us good to have witness to this scene.

  He smiled. "You are right. We should go back. You cannot know the relief you have given my mind to find that you have no part in Lord Humphrey's schemes. I could not sleep last night for the worry that my fondness for you was misplaced."

  "I assure you there are no other secrets hiding in my past."

  He helped her onto her horse, then settled himself upon Victory. The sun seemed to shine brighter, the flowers to smell sweet again now that the distasteful matter of his suspicion had been dislodged. He could now smile at the memory of the poor servant girl thrown suddenly into a ballroom.

  He watched her small, erect figure cantering just ahead of him across the meadow and felt a measure of pride grow in his heart. Despite the disadvantage of her background, she had done well. Had it not been for her mistakes regarding India he would not yet suspect the truth. This servant girl possessed more natural charm and grace than many of the well-bred young women to whom he had been introduced and to whom his parents would like him to have wed. He deducted that, to a degree, manners could be taught. But the inner beauty of a girl such as Caroline could neither be taught nor feigned.

  They reached the stable. Geoffrey turned to her before leading the horses to be unsaddled and brushed. Caroline longed for more intimacy yet feared the intensity of her attraction to the self-assured groom. If he were to ask for her hand, would she throw her dreams aside and agree? Caroline knew the temptation was growing beyond her ability to control.

  She had prayed for the depth of love she had witnessed between Lavenia and her Henry. Caroline wondered if it did not serve her deceitful intentions right that she should fall in love with a groom. She did not deserve a man of high position. Now it seemed as though she would have to choose between love and comfort.

  Her thoughts were thus occupied when she entered through the drawing room. She was surprised to see Mr. Blois perched nervously on the edge of his chair. A cup of tea sat untouched upon the table.

  He rose swiftly. "It is wonderful to see you. Edwards told me he did not know where you had gone. I see now that you have gone on a ride."

  Caroline attempted to smooth her crumpled skirt. "Yes. I have always believed fresh air to be good for the constitution."

  Mr. Blois nodded. "And you are positively blooming. I admire a woman who takes care of her health."

  Caroline assessed his nervous demeanor and inwardly groaned at the understanding that he had come to make a declaration in form. While she found him agreeable company, she would no sooner marry him than Edwards or the elderly Nottington.

  She deftly avoided his attempt to turn the subject to an amorous nature. When Lavenia entered, apologizing for the intrusion, Caroline was quick to invite her to join them.

  "Are you sure I will not be interrupting? I only wanted to ask if you have seen Mother. I cannot think where she might be," Lavenia said.

  Caroline frowned. Though Lady Aberly often reposed late, the morning was well advanced, even for her to lay abed.

  "You have not seen her all morning?" Caroline asked.

  Lavenia shook her head. "She is not in her chambers. Edwards has not seen her and she is not in the habit of taking a walk."

  They sat for tea. Mr. Blois soon excused himself, seeming disappointed that his mission had been less than successful.

  Caroline retired to her room to change from her riding attire. A note lay upon her pillow. Caroline approached it with curiosity, then dismay as she scanned the carefully penned warning regarding Lady Aberly.

  CHAPTER NINE

  A slow, spreading horror invaded Caroline as she read the note once again. The warning that the safe return of Lady Aberly depended upon Caroline's own choice made it quite clear that Lady Aberly was not missing of her own volition.

  Caroline stood uncertainly, peering into her own pale face which stared back at her from the looking glass. Due to the deception Caroline had waged in c
oming here, she would feel responsible if Lady Aberly were harmed.

  Even though the note was unsigned, she had no doubt that it had originated with Lord Humphrey. His veiled threats and attacks upon property and servants had not served to force her compliance. It did not surprise her to learn that he possessed no compunction about stooping to blackmail.

  She clutched the note in her hand as she searched the house for Lavenia. She found her in the downstairs parlor in worried conversation with the Baroness who had come to call on her mother.

  Lavenia turned to face her, a worried frown marring her usually cheerful countenance. "I have been telling the Baroness Tarrington that I cannot imagine what has become of Mother. I am nearly beside myself with worry and do not know where to turn."

  Caroline composed herself as much as her pounding heart would allow. She pressed the note into the folds of her skirt and wished desperately that the Baroness had not chosen this morning to extend a visit.

  "I am sure there is an explanation," Caroline said, attempting to attract Lavenia's attention with the tone of her voice.

  Lavenia, however, appeared too upset to understand. She employed the manners her mother had instilled and offered the Baroness a cup of tea.

  Fortunately, the grand old lady did not wish to linger and visit with the young women. If Lady Aberly were not at home, she had another matron with whom she wished to pass the morning.

  Caroline waited, eager for her departure, as Edwards called a footman to escort her to her carriage. She did not think she could have borne an hour spent with tea and cakes and speculation as to what was keeping Lady Aberly.

  As soon as Lavenia had finished her farewells, Caroline pulled her into the drawing room. Her questions froze on her lips as Caroline said, "I have word about your mother. I found this note deposited upon my pillow."

  Lavenia read the note with an expression of disbelief. "I do not understand. Surely someone could not come into the house and take Mother from underneath our noses."