The Elusive Earl

by Anne Herries

  ‘You are Rotherham’s son, aren’t you?’ Lady Mitchell looked at him for a moment, her eyes narrowed. She had noticed her niece dancing with him once or twice, though not recently. ‘You don’t look much like him. Perhaps you favour your mother?’

  ‘Yes, ma’am, I have that honour,’ Harry said, stiffening. He expected some sharp remark concerning his mother, but it did not come.

  ‘I have heard that she was very beautiful,’ Lady Mitchell said, surprising him. ‘I knew your father well. He was very friendly with my husband. When we married, he stood up with my husband – and he was good to me when Lord Mitchell died. You must give him my compliments when you see him.’

  ‘Yes, ma’am, I shall certainly do so,’ Harry said. ‘Thank you…’ He tipped his hat to her and turned away.

  ‘And you must dine with us,’ Lady Mitchell said. ‘Make it next week if you have a free evening, on Thursday perhaps, for we shall return home soon if Annabel does not receive a proposal she favours.’

  ‘Yes, I shall, thank you,’ Harry said and bowed his head to her. He was thoughtful as he left her, going out to take the reins of his curricle from his groom. He had believed that Lady Mitchell would oppose his marriage to Annabel, but there had been something in the way she looked at him that made him think he might have been wrong.

  He smiled slightly as he set out towards the park. If Annabel was walking in the park, he might spend a little time with her for perhaps there was a chance that he might succeed in obtaining her father’s permission after all.

  He was not worthy of her, but he loved her and if she had not met anyone else she liked…perhaps he had been foolish to wait so long. He was not the educated gentleman she deserved, but he could learn…he would learn to be what she needed, because he loved her.

  * * *

  Merry told her aunt’s coachman that she would not need him again that day. She and Annabel would walk home from the park in time for nuncheon. Afterwards, Lady Mitchell had agreed to send her home in their carriage.

  ‘Just as you please, miss,’ Coachman tipped his hat to her and drove off.

  ‘Now, we can really be alone,’ Annabel said as the two girls linked arms. ‘Are you feeling truly well again, Merry? You do look much better than you did when I came to visit you at home last time.’

  ‘I am much better,’ Merry agreed. She gave her friend a guilty look. ‘Sir George sent a note to say that he was calling on my aunt this morning. I do hope that she can persuade him to withdraw. It would be so much better that way – and the engagement has not been officially announced.’

  ‘No, but everyone has heard something,’ Annabel said looking thoughtful. ‘But you must not marry him, even if it means your name is blackened. It would be like me wedding Mr Forrest when I know that he is only interested in the inheritance my grandfather left me.’

  ‘No, I shall not marry Sir George. As long as my aunt supports me against mama I am safe enough…’ Merry sighed and looked at Annabel, her brows raised. ‘Did that man – Mr Forrest - ask you to marry him?’

  ‘He has tried several times, but I refuse to be alone with him, and I will not dance with him. I think he is very angry because I have prevented him from speaking, but I shall not let that upset me. He has some influential relatives, and one day he may come into a title himself – but I do not like him. I have received seven proposals of marriage in all, Merry. As yet I have not told my aunt about most of them.’ She looked at her friend. ‘I cannot wait to see Harry tomorrow evening. I shall ask him to speak to Papa as soon as he can arrange it.’

  ‘Perhaps I shall be invited to your wedding soon.’

  Annabel’s eyes sparkled with mischief. ‘It is more likely that I shall elope to Gretna Green…’

  ‘Oh, Belle! Are you sure that is what you want?’

  ‘I want to marry Harry Wrexham,’ Annabel told her, a determined look on her face. ‘Oh, look! Look at that family playing cricket. It reminds me of the fun we had at school. Shall we watch them for a while?’

  ‘Yes, why not?’ Merry smiled for the happy scene had brought back memories for her too.

  They walked towards the family group, unaware that they being watched. The park was not yet as busy as it would be later in the day, but one or two carriages were driving slowly along the intersecting paths. The girls had been engrossed in their conversation, and had not noticed that one in particular seemed to follow them.

  Now they were intent on the family playing cricket. There were two young boys, a girl of perhaps twelve and an older brother. He was in charge of the game and looked to be about sixteen. His sister was batting and he was bowling to her. As the girls watched she hit the ball, which came hurtling towards them. Merry jumped to her left and caught it neatly.

  The young man clapped his hands in approval, though his sister looked a little annoyed at being caught out.

  ‘Oh, well done,’ the young man cried. ‘That was very clever of you, miss. Please come and join us if you will.’

  ‘Shall we?’ Annabel asked. ‘Oh, do say yes, Merry. It looks like fun.’

  ‘Well, I suppose it can do no harm,’ Merry said and smiled as the young man came over to introduce himself as Peter Andrews. She returned the honours and shook her head when he offered her the bat. ‘No, no, it was a lucky catch and your sister did not expect to be caught out. Let her continue for a while and we shall field until it is our turn.’

  ‘Did you hear that, Susanna?’ Peter said grinning at his sister. ‘What amazing luck for us that you came along, Miss Hamilton. ‘It will be far more fun now for the little lads cannot run very fast – though do not tell them that I said so.’

  The game began again, and after three balls, Peter caught his sister out. He then insisted that Annabel took the bat, which she did with some success until Merry caught her out.

  ‘You mean thing,’ she said laughingly. ‘You wait, I shall have my revenge very soon.’

  ‘Yes, I am sure you will,’ Merry said. She took the bat and squared up as Peter bowled to her. As luck would have it, she caught the ball full toss and sent it high and long, causing Annabel to run after it. It had disappeared into some bushes, and she was forced to look for it. ‘Oh dear, is the ball lost?’ she called when her friend did not reappear after several seconds. ‘Annabel…I’ll help you look.’

  Quite suddenly, she had a horrid feeling that something was wrong, and even as she began to run towards the spot where Annabel had entered the bushes, she heard her screaming.

  ‘Stop it! I shall not go with you. I shall not…’ Annabel’s voice screamed out. ‘Help me…Merry…’

  ‘Annabel…’ Merry ran even faster and was just in time to see that two men had her friend by the arms and were dragging her away with them. Without thinking, she ran at them and attacked one with her cricket bat. He let go of Annabel and turned on her with an oath.

  ‘Damn you, bitch!’ he muttered, and too late she saw that he had a thick cudgel in his hand. He raised his arm and brought it down on hers with such force that Merry screamed and dropped the bat. She sank to her knees because the pain was so awful, and she was hardly aware that a third man had joined the two rogues who were abducting Annabel.

  However, as she heard Annabel scream out again, she looked up and saw the third man put something over her mouth…and then she dropped and fell into his arms. He shot a scared look in Merry’s direction, and then scooped Annabel up and went off with her to a closed carriage that stood waiting nearby.

  For a moment Merry thought that the man who had attacked her was coming back for her, but then she heard running feet and Peter Andrews arrived with his sister and brothers in tow.

  ‘What do you think you are doing?’ he demanded, taking in the situation at once. He picked up the bat and started after the rogues, but Annabel was in the carriage and it had already begun to move. The other two rogues had taken to their heels as soon as they saw him, and after pursuing them for a few moments he came back to Merry.

  She was s
till kneeling on the ground, holding her arm. He came to her as he realised that she had been hurt, and looked at her white face.

  ‘I am sorry that I did not realise you were in trouble sooner,’ he said. ‘I think you must be in pain, and the first thing we must do is to find a carriage to take you home. Wait here with Miss Hamilton, Susanna, and you boys. Do not move from here until I return.’

  ‘Are you hurt badly,’ Susanna said, her pique at being caught out long forgotten. ‘I am so sorry that those horrid men hurt you. My brother will not be long and then you will soon be home.’

  ‘But they have taken my friend,’ Merry said desperately. ‘I must tell someone…’ Her mind was racing wildly for she did not know what to do for the best. By the time she reached her home the rogues who had stolen Annabel would be long gone, and yet who else could she turn to? She held her arm gingerly as she attempted to stand up, feeling a little sick and dizzy. Her arm was very painful though she did not think it had been broken.

  What was she going to do? She clearly needed the attention of a doctor, but she must let Annabel’s aunt know what had happened – and she must do something to help her friend. She had recognised the man who had drugged Annabel and she had a good idea why she had been abducted. She believed that it was an attempt to force Annabel into marriage, and that relieved her fear a little. Mr Forrest would not harm her while he had hope of becoming her husband – but what if Annabel was obstinate? Merry knew her friend too well to think that she would give in easily to his blackmail. She must do something to help her – but what?

  She had risen to her feet when she noticed a gentleman driving an open carriage. He had seen her and he was even now handing his reins to his groom and getting down to investigate.

  ‘Thank God!’ she cried, the relief sweeping over her as she realised that he was the answer to her prayers. ‘Thank goodness you have come, sir!’

  ‘Are you in trouble, Miss Hamilton?’ Viscount Wrexham asked looking at her in concern. ‘Have you hurt yourself?’

  ‘I am so glad to see you,’ Merry cried. ‘He has abducted Annabel! That wicked man. I tried to stop them but one of his rogues hit my arm and it was so painful I could do nothing. I think he put something over her face…something that made her faint…’

  ‘Someone has kidnapped Annabel?’ Harry Wrexham felt a pang of fear, and then the anger came raging over him. ‘When did this happen? You are sure it was an abduction?’

  ‘Yes, of course,’ Merry said. ‘She dislikes him and she would never have gone willingly. She was screaming and fighting…’ Merry saw some explanation was needed, ‘We had been playing cricket with some new friends and I hit the ball into the shrubbery. Annabel went to find it and then I sensed something was wrong. I ran as fast as I could and saw that two men were trying to drag her off. I attacked one of the men with the cricket bat, but he retaliated and I fell. Then a third man came and took Annabel and I knew him – it was Mr Steven Forrest. He has been trying to get her to listen to a marriage proposal. She says that he wants her fortune…’

  ‘Damnation!’ Viscount Wrexham looked murderous. ‘Which direction did their carriage take? Can you describe it to me at all?’

  ‘The wheels spokes were painted red,’ one of the young boys piped up. ‘And it had a trunk bound with rope tied on the back, sir. And the horses were chestnuts – real goers I should say.’

  ‘Thank you, lad,’ Harry said and threw him a half sovereign, which he caught neatly. He glanced at Merry, obviously torn between concern for her and the girl he loved. ‘Can you manage to get yourself home, Miss Hamilton? I must follow immediately for if I do not catch up with them quickly it may be too late.’

  ‘You must rescue Annabel,’ Merry said. ‘Do not worry about me, sir. I shall manage. I have friends to help me…’ She was in a great deal of pain from her arm, but she was even more concerned about her friend. ‘Please go at once!’

  ‘Forgive me, I think I must,’ Harry said. ‘If he intends to force her into marriage he may make for Scotland, but I cannot be certain of that and I must lose no time in going after them.’

  ‘Yes, hurry…’ Merry held back a sob of pain as he walked away from her. She was feeling very unwell, and it was with a feeling of relief that she saw Peter Andrews coming towards her. ‘Have you found a cab for me?’

  ‘Yes, I was lucky and he is waiting at the gate, Miss Hamilton. We shall go with you and see you safely home – if you can put up with us?’

  ‘Yes, thank you,’ Merry said. ‘It might be best, because I think I may faint and I should not wish to be alone…’

  ‘We shall look after you,’ he said and looked grim. ‘And you may want witnesses to the crime. I saw what they did to your friend, and I shall be pleased to speak out if you wish?’

  ‘Thank you,’ Merry said. She was feeling rather strange and she did not quite know how to tell Annabel’s aunt what had happened to her. ‘I shall be glad of your help…’

  CHAPTER SIX

  ‘You are certain Annabel was abducted?’ Annabelle’s aunt said, looking shocked. ‘She did not go off with some rogue of her own accord.’

  ‘No, ma’am,’ Peter said. ‘I was there and I saw them drag her off into a coach. She screamed and struggled – and Miss Merry tried to stop them but they knocked her down.’

  ‘Mercy on us,’ the lady said looking shocked. ‘Are you in pain, my dear?’

  ‘A little,’ Merry admitted. She had come straight to the house where her friend had been staying but now she was feeling decidedly unwell and, as she took a step forward, she swayed uneasily. Lady Mitchell gave a little cry of alarm and moved towards her, but Peter already had her by the arm, guiding her to a chair. ‘Thank you. I think I should go home now – if you could find me another cab…?’

  ‘You shall be taken home in my carriage,’ the lady said. ‘But what am I to do about Annabelle?’

  ‘Lord Wrexham has gone after her,’ Merry said, ‘but is there anyone else who would help us, ma’am?’

  Lady Mitchell seemed flustered and unsure. She sat down and shook her head. ‘This is terrible. I really do not know what to do. If I call on one of my friends Annabelle might be ruined…’

  ‘Is there no one you could trust to be discreet?’

  ‘Perhaps…’ She looked anxious and uncertain, and Peter made a little noise in his throat.

  ‘I know it is not my affair, ma’am – but my uncle is a very good sort of man in awkward situations. I could have a word with him if you wished?’

  ‘Who is your uncle?’ Merry asked, because she hardly knew him.

  ‘Uncle John – the Earl of Sutherland…’

  ‘Sutherland?’ Lady Mitchell seemed shocked. ‘Do you think he would…?’

  ‘Oh yes, please ask him,’ Merry urged. ‘Go now if you will, sir. I shall be taken home in Lady Mitchell’s carriage – but I cannot rest until I know what has happened to my friend.’

  ‘Very well. I shall go to his lodgings immediately – and if he is not there I shall find him. He will know what to do. Uncle John is always very capable.’

  Peter went off immediately. Lady Mitchell sat for a moment, still too upset to think clearly, but then she summoned her housekeeper. Merry’s arm was attended and pronounced as being bruised but free of any real damage. She was given a glass of restorative wine, then escorted to her hostess’s carriage and accompanied to her aunt’s house.

  Lady Melbourne listened to what they had to say and nodded. ‘You did right to send that young man for the earl, Merry. Sutherland was here earlier this morning. He was out of town you know, but has returned. I am sure he will help to find Annabelle – if she can be found…’

  Lady Mitchell gave a little shriek of alarm. ‘My poor, poor niece…’

  ‘I am sure that man will not have harmed her,’ Merry said, seeing that Lady Mitchell was in danger of having hysterics. ‘He wants to marry her – but any such marriage would be illegal and could be set aside I’m sure.’

  ‘Think of
the scandal…’ Lady Mitchell looked as if she might faint.

  ‘Nothing matters except that she should be returned to us unharmed,’ Merry said staunchly, though she knew it might matter a great deal to Annabelle’s marriage chances. ‘She will still be my best friend.’

  ‘Yes, of course,’ Lady Melbourne agreed. ‘You must not make too much of this, Justine. We shall brush through it somehow – even if you have to take the gel abroad for a year or two…’

  ‘I must go home,’ Lady Mitchell said in a faint voice. ‘Though I do not know how I shall bear to be alone while I wait…’

  ‘Nothing can happen immediately,’ Lady Melbourne said firmly. ‘You will stay and have some refreshments with us. Merry can rest and change and then she will come home with you and keep you company until Annabelle is found – will you not, my dear?’

  The last thing Merry needed was to spend time in the company of the fractious Lady Mitchell, but she could not refuse, though she would much rather have lain down on her bed for an hour or two. Her arm was really painful, even though Lady Mitchell’s housekeeper had declared that nothing was broken, but she was too anxious about Annabelle and too polite to deny Lady Mitchell whatever comfort she could offer.

  ‘Yes, of course,’ she said. ‘If you would excuse me while I change please.’

  She left the ladies together and went up to her room. Her arm was almost too sore to move but she removed her gown with the help of a maid, a little shocked at the dark bruise spreading across her arm and shoulder. However, she gritted her teeth, submitting to having her hair brushed. Her thoughts were all with Annabelle.

  Where was she and what was happening to her? She could only hope that both Lord Wrexham and the Earl of Sutherland were out looking for her.

  * * *

  Harry had taken the most likely road if the abductor had decided to head straight for Scotland, which he must if he hoped to marry his victim before her friends and relatives could find her. Within half an hour he’d sighted the coach travelling north at a furious pace. It matched the description given him by the youth with Miss Hamilton and because of its speed, he was fairly certain that he’d been fortunate enough to find Annabelle’s captors. Had he been armed, he would have overtaken it and shot whoever tried to prevent him taking her back, but such precipitate action was forbidden him, which, on calmer reflection was perhaps as well. A shooting match might have resulted in Annabelle being hurt.