by Karen Cogan
Mr. Grable nodded. "Indeed, it would seem likely that it would be Lady Eleanor's next intent."
"Then we shall likely meet again."
Lord Humphrey strode from the office, letting his visage change from studied mildness to rage that he had been blind to the truth. He had wasted time, time that had been costing him a nice profit to pay off his debts.
"Drive to the West End. I wish to visit the home of the departed, Lady Eleanor." He slung the words in caustic command to the waiting coachman.
They arrived in London's fashionable West End and found the home now occupied by Lady Eleanor's son and daughter-in-law. Lord Humphrey had been there on occasional visits to London with his parents before their deaths.
Lady Eleanor's disapproval of his father had extended to include his entire family, a disposition for which the Viscount had not forgiven her. Now, he would have the final revenge. He would thwart her wishes and have her beloved estate for himself. But first, he had to understand how Caroline fit into the plan.
He presented his calling card with the butler.
"The master is not home at present. I shall see if Lady Adela will see you."
He returned to escort the viscount to the parlor. "The Lady will see you momentarily. Please make yourself comfortable. I shall have tea delivered while you wait."
Lord Humphrey fought his impatience as he watched a maid deliver his pot of tea. On impulse, he asked, "Do you remember a Miss Caroline who lived here just before Lady Eleanor's death?"
"A Miss Caroline, sir? The only Caroline I remember was a lady's maid to Lady Aberly," she answered timidly.
"Lady's maid?"
"Yes, sir. This Caroline served here ever since she was a small girl."
"I see."
Lord Humphrey fell silent. He was so deep in thought, he nearly forgot to rise when Lady Adela made her appearance.
"I am sorry to have kept you waiting, my lord."
Lady Adela gushed with charm. She wore a pink gown that did not become her middle-aged frame, but make her look foolishly girlish.
Lord Humphrey bowed. "I hoped that you might supply me with information, my lady. I wish to locate a young woman who lived here before Lady Eleanor died. Her name is Caroline."
Lady Adela frowned. "The only Caroline I remember was a maid, a special favorite of Mother. She disappeared without bothering to give leave just after dear Mother's death."
"I see. And you have no idea where she has gone?"
"I do not. The ungrateful wench simply disappeared. It would not surprise me if she had gotten herself in some kind of trouble. If I may be so bold as to ask, is that why you seek her, my lord?"
"Indeed, she has stolen something from me and I wish to get it back."
"She must be punished, my lord."
"I quite agree. I see you are a woman of sound thinking. I have left a card with my address. I shall be returning to Bath. Would you be so kind as to contact me if this young woman should return here?"
"I would indeed. Now will you not sit and finish your tea? I have two guests also from Bath staying with me at present, Lady Aberly and her daughter. It is too bad they are out at present."
"It is regrettable indeed." Lord Humphrey covered his surprise at the close call.
For his trouble to learn Caroline's identity, Lord Humphrey was forced to endure the tedious company of Lady Adela. However, it seemed a small price to pay for the information he had gained.
At long last, Lady Adela flagged in her unceasing prattle and Lord Humphrey was able to make departure.
"I am in your service, my lady for your kind hospitality and the information you have given me."
Lady Adela tittered. "I was pleased to be of service. Do call again when you are in London. Perhaps my Herbert will be home and you may stay for supper."
"I should like that."
The Viscount tipped his hat, then hastened to his carriage.
He had new plans to make, ones that would not be pleasant for those who had deceived him.
###
The news that the Viscount had left for London had put Caroline in a rare state of nerves. She had turned to Geoffrey in a panic.
"We must warn Lady Aberly and Lavenia. He must surely mean them harm."
"Indeed, you are right. But I shall go alone on Victory. It will be faster than taking the carriage."
Caroline nodded her agreement, though she would like to have accompanied him.
Caroline watched as Geoffrey set out at once from Castlegate Manor. Her heart constricted as both magnificent horse and rider disappeared behind the line of trees. She did not want to think in what danger Geoffrey might find himself if he interfered in the plans of the unscrupulous viscount.
The next two days passed slowly. Caroline passed the hours reading in the library and walking in the rose garden. She dared not let herself think of the danger facing those she loved.
On the third morning alone with the servants, Caroline found her walk interrupted by the unwelcome presence of Lord Humphrey. A hulking brute of a man accompanied him.
Caroline nearly stumbled against them as she rounded the corner of a hedge.
"How pleasant to see you, Miss Stewart, is it? Where are your kinswomen, my lady?" His voice was thick with sarcasm.
Caroline felt her blood run cold. "You know perfectly well they are in London, my lord. And if you have done them any harm, you will answer to the constable."
"You are in no position to make threats, my dear girl."
Caroline backed toward the hedge. The large man who accompanied the Viscount circled behind her. Caroline was not sure of their intent, but if the cold expression in the Viscount's black eyes gave any indication, it boded ill for her.
She turned to push past the large man, hoping to surprise him and gain entrance to the house before he might stop her. But he had anticipated her reaction and caught her roughly, entrapping her with his trunk-like arms.
Before Caroline could call for help, he placed a beefy hand across her mouth, muffling her voice to a sound no louder than a crying kitten.
"Bring her to the horses," the Viscount commanded.
Caroline found herself dragged from the garden and handed as roughly as a bag of turnips onto a horse behind the Viscount. The other man mounted and they turned the horses toward the woods.
"You had better hold tight," advised the Viscount.
Caroline found she was obliged to accept his advice. They cut through a path in the woods that was barely wide enough for the horses. Branches scraped across Caroline's arms as she hunched unwillingly against the Viscount's broad back.
She longed to protest, to reason with him, but the rapid pace of the horses and her effort to remain seated kept her mute.
By the time they paused to let the horses drink at a small stream, Caroline felt her arms would no longer hold her onto the horse. She fell exhausted upon the stream bank. "You are making a terrible mistake. I am not who you think I am. Forcing me to marry you will not get you what you want."
She shrank under his dark gaze.
"I know precisely who you are. I made a visit to Lady Adela. It seems she knows of no Lady Caroline. However, she remembers quite well a servant girl who fits your description."
"It is true. You have nothing to gain by holding me."
"That is where you are wrong, my dear girl. Like your Geoffrey... and do not look so shocked, I know all about Geoffrey, my feelings for you do not depend upon your position. Once I have gained Castlegate Manor, I intend to have you, too. And you shall agree."
"I shall not," Caroline argued quickly.
"I think you shall. You see, I have the power to make sure you do not find employment. Indeed, Lady Adela already believes that I search for you because you are a thief. If would be no difficult matter to have you arrested. You would remain there until you agreed to be released into my custody. And I do not believe you would like the conditions."
Caroline shivered. The horror of such a choice made her feel
weak with revulsion. But she would not have to choose. Geoffrey would come for her. He would not let it end like this.
But Geoffrey did not know what had happened. He had gone to London to protect Lady Aberly and Lavenia.
Her mouth went dry. "You were in London. Did you harm Lady Aberly or Lavenia?"
"I did not. You see I had Lady Eleanor's solicitor read me the will. It seems I was mistaken in believing that Lady Aberly was the heiress. She is no use to me."
"Did you harm Geoffrey?" She could hardly get out the words.
"Not yet, my dear Caroline. But I shall."
They resumed their pace, coming at long last upon a wider path that led to a small stone cottage. Caroline could think of nothing except the Viscount's threatening words.
She longed to escape, to rush back to Geoffrey and warn him that the Viscount had learned his secret. Tears ran down her cheeks as Lord Humphrey shoved her roughly into the musty cottage.
The large man produced bread and cheese and stale water from a pouch. Caroline refused refreshment, then thought better of it. She needed to keep her strength should the opportunity for escape present itself.
The Viscount turned to her when they finished the simple meal. "Make yourself comfortable, Caroline. You shall be here for some time. My accomplice and I must make plans, so I must bid you good-night. You shall be locked in and Edgar shall stand guard outside, should I depart. Even so, I think it best that I tie your hands, so you will not entertain any silly ideas of escape."
He looped a rope snugly around her wrists before leaving her alone in the house. She paced the room, unable to make herself consider lying down on the dingy blanket that covered the narrow bed.
She glanced up at the high windows, liberally laced with cobwebs and realized, from Lady Aberly's description, this must have been the same house where she was imprisoned. The Viscount had told her, during their meal, that Lady Aberly's guards had killed each other. Caroline feared she would not be as lucky. She would have to find another way of escape.
Her hopes faded as the shadows grew long. She had pried at the two windows until her fingers ached and her bound wrists grew sore. At last, she climbed down from the rickety chair and gave up her efforts. The windows were wedged tightly shut, the door bolted. Her prison held her secure.
She laid her head upon the table and wept.
She did not remember falling asleep. Yet sunlight filtered through the dirty windows when she sat up with a start as the oaken door creaked open. The Viscount appeared carrying more bread for her breakfast.
"I am sorry I cannot offer you a finer meal. But, as you can see, circumstances do not permit me to bring along my cook. Perhaps this hardship will make you all the more grateful when you are installed in luxury as my wife."
Caroline stared at him, feeling he must surely be mad. If so, reasoning would gain her nothing.
"What do you plan to do to Geoffrey?" she asked.
The Viscount rubbed his chin as though deep in thought. "Let me see, I have sent Edgar this very morning to place a note with Nottington to give to Geoffrey when he returns from London. The note proposes a trade. He will sign away the estate for me, and in return, regain the woman he loves."
Caroline shrank from him as he attempted to cup her chin.
"Yes, my dear Caroline, you are tempting bait. He will come for you and he will come alone as I have required. It is regrettable that he will meet with an accident before he arrives."
With a scornful laugh, he left her alone to regard her unappetizing meal. Caroline pushed it away.
She had wanted, with all her heart, for Geoffrey to come and rescue her. Now she hoped that he did not.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
In London, Geoffrey waited until he saw Lady Aberly and Lavenia leave the house before calling upon Lady Adela. Lady Adela, being a woman unused to frequent attention from gentlemen, made him quite welcome.
"You say you are a friend of Lady Aberly and her daughter? It is a pity that you have just missed them. You are the second gentleman to call upon me in the last few days. The other man inquired about a servant girl who worked here. Quite an unpleasant matter. I do not like to speak of it."
Judging by her loquacious manner, Geoffrey did not believe she would dislike speaking about any sort of gossip. He decided to press for information. "Did you catch the gentleman's name? Perhaps he is someone I know."
"Yes. He left a card in case the girl should come back here. She stole from him, you know."
Lady Adela flitted to the lamp table and presented the card.
"Lord Humphrey," she announced. "Do you know him? He seemed quite the fine gentleman. He was most polite."
Geoffrey tempered his reply. "We are acquaintances. I shall keep my eyes open for this girl. Did he ask for her name?"
"He did. I told him it was Caroline. I remember her well. She worked for Lady Adela for many years."
"Did he say where he was going when he found that Caroline was not here?"
"Yes. Back to Bath, I believe. He thought he might find the girl there."
Geoffrey was gripped by sudden trepidation. If the Viscount had discovered the truth, he might have gone back to seek Geoffrey. Caroline was there, alone and unprotected. What might he do with her?
"Thank you, Lady Adela. You have been most hospitable. I shall have to call upon Lady Aberly when I am next in Bath."
"Will you not say and finish your tea?"
"I am afraid urgent business demands my departure. Perhaps another time I may enjoy your charming company and that of your husband."
Lady Adela's lips, painted a shade too pink, drooped with disappointment at loosing her guest. However, she answered politely, "It was a pleasure, sir. I do hope you will come again."
Geoffrey mounted Victory and turned his head toward home. He only hoped to arrive and find that his worst fears were unfounded.
###
Nottington frowned at the departing lummox who had brought the note. Coming from the likes of him, it could not be good news. Nottington wished to open it. Yet, it stated clearly that it was for his master.
He tucked it away and wished that Geoffrey would hurry and return. The house servants were all adither. It seemed Miss Caroline had not appeared for supper, nor come home the next morning. Now, there was gossip that she had run away.
Geoffrey did return, late the next evening, having driven poor Victory nearly to the grave.
"Take care of him, will you, Nottington. I have ridden hard. I must see about Caroline."
"Then you know, sir?"
Geoffrey whirled, a frown creasing his brow. "Know what?"
"That she has not come home. Been missing for over two days."
Geoffrey's fatigue vanished in a rush of fear. "Did anyone see her go?"
"No. But you got this note today. Came from a bloke I never seen before."
Nottington drew the note from his pocket and handed it to Geoffrey.
Geoffrey scowled as he read the fine script.
"I should have known better. I should not have left her."
"Is it bad news, then?" asked the old ostler.
"She is being held in exchange for my signature disclaiming my rights to the estate. I am to follow this map to a meeting place in the woods."
"You cannot be thinking of going. It could be a trap."
"I have no choice. He will hold Caroline until I come and I cannot bear to leave her in his clutches one moment longer than I must."
"You must wait the night, have rest and a meal."
Geoffrey glanced at the cloudy sky, with not even the moon to shine to guide his way. It was as though all was against him.
"Yes. I shall wait the night. I would not have enough light to follow the right path." He sighed in resignation.
Nottington turned his attention to the horse. "You cannot take him out again anyway. I have never seen him so done in."
"We will both take a night's rest and start at daylight."
Geoffrey joined Nottington
for a light meal that he did not taste, then tossed restlessly under his covers. It seemed forever until the sun made a weak attempt to light the sky.
He dressed hurriedly and pocketed cold biscuits to serve as his breakfast. He did not know when he would have a chance to have another meal. He vowed it would be after he had returned Caroline safely to the estate.
He was not so foolish as to believe the Viscount would allow him to live once he had signed the papers. With this thought, he kept a sharp lookout as he picked his way through the woods. At a turn in the path, he halted and scanned the foliage.
The sharp smell of damp earth filled his nostrils. A butterfly fluttered away. A rabbit hopped across the trail. The forest was alive with creatures. And, somewhere out among them, he feared one far more dangerous than any of these gentle inhabitants.
He rode on slowly.
He might have missed the man poised for ambush had the glint of a gun not flickered from the foliage. He withdrew his weapon and shot into the brush. He heard a grunt of pain and knew he had found a mark. He slid from his horse and walked cautiously into the bramble where he had heard the sound.
From behind a tree, a bear of a man crashed toward him so swiftly that Geoffrey had no time to react. They sprawled upon the thick carpet of vines. The crushing weight of the larger man squeezed the air from Geoffrey's lungs.
The man reached for Geoffrey's throat with his left hand. His strength would have been overwhelming had he not been hampered by the bullet Geoffrey had sent into his right arm.
Geoffrey struggled to breath. His hand clasped wildly among the vines. Finding a smooth stone, he brought it down with all the force he could manage upon his assailant's head.
The man fell limp. Geoffrey rolled from beneath him, panting. He caught his breath and surveyed the still form of the ruddy-faced hulk.
The blow that might have killed most men, had only rendered this man unconscious. Except for the wound that seeped red on his forearm, he might have been in a deep sleep. Geoffrey had seen similar injuries during battle. Should the man awaken in the next few hours, loss of blood and a painful wound would occupy his attention.