Courted by the Captain

by Anne Herries

  It would be sensible of her to encourage one of her suitors if she wished to marry. Once they were in the country she might not meet many single gentlemen. Most of Lady Dawlish’s friends were married or already engaged to someone they had known for years. Had they been to all the balls, dances and dinners that had been planned, it might have been different, but amongst their immediate circle at home, only Paul Ravenscar and Adam Miller were single.

  Most evenings in Bath they had attended either a dinner or a soirée at the houses of Lady Dawlish’s friends and Adam had not been present at any of the affairs they’d attended. It was almost as if he were avoiding her and that was hurtful.

  Fortunately, in Jenny’s opinion, the marquis had not been invited to many of them either. She’d seen him once or twice at the Pump room or in the town, but avoided speaking to him if she could.

  ‘Yes, Jenny must certainly dance,’ Lady Dawlish said, making her blush as she gave her an arch look. ‘I must think of Jenny as well as my darling Lucy. I am as a guardian to her and must promote her welfare as much as I can.’

  Sir James looked pleased with himself. Jenny felt a little apprehensive. Clearly, he’d pressed the invitation for Jenny’s sake, so that he could dance with her himself. She realised that his pursuit of her was serious and knew that she must be careful, for it would not do to encourage him too much and then refuse the offer she was certain he meant to make. She had been thinking of him as a friend, but he wanted more from her.

  ‘That is excellent news, ma’am,’ he said and beamed at Lady Dawlish. His gaze moved on to Jenny. ‘You will please save me the first set of dances, Miss Jenny—and the dance before supper if you will.’

  Jenny could only smile and thank him. If her situation had been as others perceived it, she would undoubtedly have been fortunate to receive an offer from Sir James. Had she no money of her own and no kind friends, she might have been forced to consider him—but happily for her she was able to choose for herself.

  Her situation was far from desperate and even if Captain Miller had no interest in her she did not need to marry. She would consider her options for the moment.

  * * *

  The trip to a local beauty spot was organised for two days ahead and the party broke up. Sir James had an appointment elsewhere and took his leave, looking very pleased with himself. Lord Mallory stayed with them until Lady Dawlish sent for her carriage and then left them regretfully.

  ‘Well, my dears,’ Lady Dawlish said and smiled at them both as they were driven back to their house. ‘I think this little trip may turn out most fortunately for both of you. I would never dream of interfering, Jenny—but if Sir James were to offer it would be such a chance for you.’

  ‘You are very kind, ma’am,’ Jenny said. ‘I find the gentleman kind enough, but I have no thought of marriage just yet.’

  ‘Too soon?’ Her kind hostess raised her brows. ‘Well, you must do just as you wish, my love. You are very welcome to stay with me for as long as you wish—and to accompany Lucy and me to Italy later in the year should you care for it. However, Sir James is a good catch—as is Lord Mallory for you, Lucy.’

  ‘I do like him, Mama,’ Lucy admitted. ‘But pray do not expect me to think of marriage for at least nine months or a year, for I could not.’

  ‘No, no, of course not. I should not dream of pressing you,’ her mother said. ‘I just wanted you to be aware that a match like that does not come along often. Similarly, you should consider seriously before you turn down an offer from Sir James, Jenny. He is a gentleman I would trust and you might not receive another offer as good.’

  Jenny took a deep breath and smiled. ‘Thank you for your kind sentiments, ma’am, but I would prefer not to marry unless it is for love or a warm affection. I do like Sir James—far more than certain other gentlemen who have paid court to me—but I do not wish to marry him. At least, I have no wish to think of it as yet.’

  ‘Well, it is not for me to press you, but I am a little anxious for you, Jenny.’

  ‘I am quite happy as I am for the moment, ma’am—as I told you, my lawyer says I am not penniless.’

  ‘Of course, my dear.’ Lady Dawlish nodded. ‘However, I still think you might consider Sir James. He would, I think, be a kind husband and that is most important after all.’

  Jenny did not argue further. She was uncertain of her feelings on the matter. A part of her wished to be married with a home of her own and a husband who loved her—but she would not wish to settle for second-best. Much as she might long for her own home and a family, Jenny knew that only one man had made her heart race. Only one man had made her want to be held in his arms and kissed until she melted into him.

  If Adam Miller had cared for her—as he’d seemed to at the start—she would gladly have married him. She would be a fool to settle for less, even though she did not wish to be a spinster all her life.

  She thrust the troublesome thoughts to the back of her mind. She need not decide in a hurry, for in the autumn she could travel, either with Lucy and Lady Dawlish or an older companion. By then she would know for certain what Adam Miller thought of her...

  Chapter Ten

  Adam frowned as he approached the house Lady Dawlish had taken and saw the small cortège of three carriages set out. It was a lovely day and he’d hoped to find Jenny at home this morning and take her for an impromptu drive in his phaeton. However, this was the third time he’d meant to call, only to find the ladies not at home, though he’d left his card but once—having seen them leave the house on two occasions and turning away. It would seem that they were popular and enjoying the visit to Bath.

  A flicker of something like jealousy went through Adam. He was not the only man to have noticed how good natured and pretty Jenny was—and there were plenty of men with sufficient fortune not to worry over her lack of it. If he could not speak others would and if the right one asked, Jenny might accept him. The thought of her as another man’s wife smote him, making him aware of a pain in his chest.

  Damned fool! He could not afford to fall in love with her. He had struggled with his feelings and his frustration at not being able to ask her—but he might not have the chance to ask, for someone else might do so first.

  He ought to have called sooner, but his thoughts had been focused on one thing and that was to trap Fontleroy into making a mistake. It had taken some time and effort to run the marquis to ground, but he’d succeeded the previous evening, finally cornering him at a gentlemen’s gaming club. Adam had joined a table at which Fontleroy was seated and had managed to lose every hand, rising some five hundred guineas down at the end of the evening and cursing his luck.

  ‘Another time, Miller,’ Fontleroy suggested as he gathered Adam’s gold. ‘I will give you your revenge tomorrow if you wish.’

  ‘Happy to oblige you, if you will take my notes,’ Adam replied carelessly. ‘I fear my pockets are entirely to let.’

  ‘I know the feeling,’ Fontleroy said and smiled oddly. ‘I am always willing to take another gentleman’s notes. I am certain you will come about another day.’

  Adam cursed just loud enough to be heard. ‘If it were my own debts alone...’ He shook his head, as if regretting he’d spoken. ‘I must not say, but things have come to a desperate pass. I need a large sum of money for another’s sake and I am not sure how to obtain it.’

  ‘The answer is not at the gaming table,’ one of the other players remarked. ‘You will find yourself staring into the abyss, Miller.’

  ‘I was not thinking of relying on Lady Luck,’ Adam said and glanced at Fontleroy. ‘It so happens that I may have another way to redeem my fortunes...’

  He’d risen from the table then, only to be followed from the room by the marquis. It was raining outside and Adam called for a cab to take him back to his lodgings.

  ‘Do you have something to sell?�
� Fontleroy asked.

  Adam looked at him, surprised by his direct question. ‘I’m not sure I understand you, sir?’

  ‘Oh, I think you do,’ Fontleroy said and smiled thinly. ‘You have never sought me out before. I know you’ve been looking for me; I’ve been told of your enquiries. Your little charade this evening was unnecessary. You should just have stated your price. You have something that belongs to me—how much do you want?’

  ‘Ten thousand pounds.’

  Fontleroy’s brows lowered. ‘It is not worth as much.’

  ‘But what I know about it is worth at least that sum. I’m not a greedy man. Ten thousand will set me right and keep the bank from foreclosing. It’s that or nothing.’

  ‘Damn you, that’s blackmail.’ Fontleroy glared at him, a deadly glitter in his eyes that warned Adam he was treading on dangerous ground.

  ‘Is it?’ he asked innocently. ‘What have I said that leads you to such a conclusion?’

  ‘You do not need to. We understand each other perfectly.’

  ‘Yes, perhaps.’ Adam’s pulse was racing. ‘Do we have a deal?’

  ‘The necklace and any letters pertaining to the damned thing?’

  ‘Of course. One would be no use without the other, I think. One is perhaps more damning than the other...’ Adam’s lie was calculated to thrust home and he saw the marquis’s jaw tighten. His meaning could not have been clearer and Fontleroy’s guilt was written all over him. He was Mark’s murderer.

  It took all Adam’s strength of will not to fly at the man and take him by the throat. He longed to thrash the devil to within an inch of his life, but controlled the urge, because it was his word against the marquis’s. Nothing had been said that could convict the man of murder—it was merely innuendo. A casual observer would have heard nothing that might lead him to understand what was being said here.

  ‘So he did leave something. I suppose he trusted you more than his brother. Paul had everything to gain from his brother’s death, whereas you had nothing.’

  ‘Nothing but what I might gain from the sale of a very charming necklace and a letter explaining the whole,’ Adam replied, a cold smile on his lips. ‘Were I not in such dire circumstances I should have taken both straight to the authorities, but needs must when the devil drives.’

  ‘None of us are very different when the chips are down,’ Fontleroy said. ‘Damn Lichfield for being a fool. He should never have used the necklace to pay his debts. If I’d guessed what he meant to do, I should have stopped him—but I didn’t realise until it was too late.’

  Fontleroy had been careless, but there was no one close enough to hear. The very fact that the marquis was willing to speak so frankly told Adam that his fate was sealed. Fontleroy could not allow him to live—though he would pretend to go along with the blackmail.

  ‘I suppose he was afraid of being hanged. Thought he would save the hangman the trouble by blowing his brains out?’ Adam arched his brow, his manner making it clear he did not believe one word he was saying. Fontleroy had killed the man who had betrayed him, though Adam could never prove it.

  ‘Since you know so much you may as well know the whole,’ Fontleroy said and scowled. ‘I guided his hand—he was too much of a coward to go through with it, though it was his idea. He was afraid of the consequences if he were caught. I’ll pay your ten thousand pounds, Miller—but betray me and I’ll kill you.’

  ‘Naturally.’ Adam arched his brows. ‘Yet why should I? I should ruin myself with you, should I not? You may rest assured that if you play fair with me I shall return the compliment. Where and when shall we exchange?’

  He made the offer, knowing that Fontleroy had every intention of killing him. His carelessness in confessing his guilt had made that plain. Adam would always be a danger to him for he could demand further payments. Fontleroy now had no choice but to murder him.

  ‘I am going to a small dance on Thursday evening. Shall we say at midnight? I should be free by then.’

  ‘Yes, of course. Furnish me with your direction and I shall meet you there.’

  ‘I’m engaged to Padstowe for the evening...’

  ‘As am I,’ Adam said and smiled. ‘We shall attend to our business after we leave, I think.’

  ‘Yes. Good lord, I don’t want any of the guests to see the exchange. You leave at eleven-thirty and I’ll follow. We’ll meet by the statue in the square just beyond Padstowe’s house. I’ll give you the money and you can give me my property.’

  ‘Delighted,’ Adam said and extended his hand, only to have it ignored. ‘Suit yourself. There are others who would pay as much for the privilege of catching a gang of jewel thieves...especially one with so much inside knowledge.’

  Fontleroy glared at him, but made no answer. The marquis would see him dead as soon as he had his property safe.

  He could only hope that his friends would cover his back and catch Fontleroy in the act.

  * * *

  ‘Hallam, my dear boy—and Paul,’ Lady Dawlish said and extended her hands. ‘It is good to see you both. How is your dear father, Paul?’

  ‘He was recovered enough to insist that Hallam and I came down to Bath for a few weeks,’ Paul replied. ‘We have called twice before, but you were out, ma’am. I trust that both you and Lucy are well.’

  ‘Yes, we go on very nicely. Lucy has gone walking with Jenny. They enjoy the good weather as much as possible. We have been driven out to several beauty spots—and two days ago we had a lovely picnic up in the hills overlooking the city. Tomorrow, we have accepted an invitation to Padstowe’s dance.’ She hesitated, then, ‘I hope you will not be offended, Paul? Lucy does not mean to dance, but I felt that Jenny should have her chance. We do not attend the public assemblies.’

  ‘I have noticed your absence, ma’am,’ Paul said. ‘We attended one the other evening, but, like Lucy, we do not dance.’ He smothered a sigh. ‘I had hoped I might see her—is she bearing up?’

  ‘Her spirits have recovered a little, sir,’ the doting mother said. ‘Jenny is very good for her and they enjoy the simple pursuits that are acceptable in the circumstances. It is not what we had all hoped for this summer...but nothing can be done to bring your dear brother back.’

  ‘No, I fear not.’ Paul’s jaw tightened. ‘I hope to see the devil who took his life brought to justice sooner rather than later.’

  ‘Have you discovered who it was?’

  ‘We have few clues,’ Hallam replied hastily, giving Paul a warning glance. ‘Well, we shall leave you now, ma’am. We do not go to Padstowe’s dance for we have a prior engagement. Pray give our regards to the young ladies, ma’am.’

  ‘Yes, of course. They will be sorry to have missed you. Had I not been feeling low with a little headache I should have gone with them—so I am glad to have seen you. Please send my regards to your father, Paul.’

  Paul promised he would and the gentlemen took their leave. Outside, he looked at Hallam.

  ‘I should not have told her for she is a rattle and Fontleroy would have heard of it sooner rather than later.’

  ‘Adam has placed himself in great danger,’ Hallam said and frowned. ‘Even though we have someone watching his back all the time, I know that something could go wrong.’

  ‘We know Fontleroy is guilty because he practically confessed it.’ Paul’s eyes were glacial. ‘Adam should allow me to call him out and have done with it.’

  ‘He would not meet you in a duel,’ Hallam warned. ‘If it were that easy Adam would already have done it—besides, he confessed the necklace was his, but said nothing of Mark’s murder. We still have no proof—and he would deny it all in a court of law. Adam’s way is the best, Paul.’

  ‘I know...’ Paul cursed and clenched his hands. ‘I just want to see him dead.’

  ‘We all want that,’ Hallam agreed. ‘Ha
nging is best, as Adam says, but if need be I shall shoot to kill. It is all set for the night of Padstowe’s dance. We shall wait with the others, taking turns in watching Adam’s back so that Fontleroy does not become suspicious.’

  ‘Supposing he decides to kill him before then?’

  ‘He would not dare. Adam might have left the necklace with someone he trusts; he might have left a letter to be given to one of us if he is killed. Fontleroy has heard that we have fallen out with our cousin, but he cannot be certain that Adam has not protected himself in some way. No, he will take the necklace from him and pay him the money—then shoot him in the back and take it back.’

  ‘We must hope his plan is that simple,’ Paul said. ‘But he will know that Adam has the necklace with him.’

  ‘He cannot be certain,’ Hallam said. ‘I think he will wait to shoot when he has it in his hand.’

  ‘I wish I could be at the dance tomorrow. We ought to be there to see what is going on.’

  ‘Padstowe did not invite us. Besides, Adam said it was not a good idea. He was afraid we might give ourselves away by a look or a glance.’ Hallam laid a hand on his shoulder. ‘Patience, my friend. It is all set. All we have to do is wait...’

  * * *

  ‘You look lovely in your new gown,’ Lucy said, admiring the dark-blue silk Jenny had chosen for her ballgown. ‘It is very unusual and it suits you.’

  ‘Yes, I think it does,’ Jenny said and glanced at herself in the mirror. She had taken a risk by choosing such a deep shade of blue, because most girls of her age wore pastels or white. The gown was of heavy silk and trimmed with silver lace at the shoulders, on the puffed sleeves and at the waist. She had chosen to wear a necklace of moonstones set in silver, which had been her mother’s favourite, and a matching bracelet. She had tiny eardrops of moonstones and diamonds and her slippers were leather with silver buckles. ‘Your gown is also charming, Lucy.’