Courted by the Captain

by Anne Herries

  ‘I shall survive.’ Adam looked grim. ‘What happened after that devil shot me? Did you get him?’

  ‘Paul shot him an instant later. His pistol misfired or he would have shot first—he feels bad about it so do not criticise him too harshly.’

  ‘I dare say I may thank him and the rest of you for my life. Is Fontleroy dead?’

  ‘Merely wounded in the arm. Unlike you, he suffered no fever. He was conscious by the morning and I understand he has recovered well. Naturally, he claims he was innocent and set upon by a gang of rogues. However, the evidence is too damning. He will come to trial no matter how he wriggles and twists.’

  ‘I hope they hang him, but you know there’s a chance he’ll get away with it—he’s not without friends.’

  ‘Will they stand by him now that he’s been revealed as a jewel thief? My agent tells me that he has been stealing from quite a few gentlemen who have sat down to cards with him in the past—at least they have all suffered thefts when at a party that Fontleroy knew they were to attend. I think he is finished in society for the tale is already circulating and we’ve received messages of sympathy and outrage. He made a point of being at the affairs his victims attended, which means he either employed rascals to do the actual burglary—or it was Lichfield who committed the crime.’

  ‘Of course, Fontleroy was too clever to risk his own neck. Dead men don’t talk.’

  ‘Which is why Fontleroy disposed of him as soon as he discovered what he’d done with the necklace.’

  ‘Fontleroy will not confess.’

  ‘Never! He’ll protest his innocence until the last—but he’ll get a shock when you testify in court against him.’

  ‘One man’s word...’

  ‘Not quite. We all heard him and we all saw him shoot you—we’ll have him for that if nothing else. It was attempted murder, Adam—and he should hang for that without the rest.’

  ‘If the law fails, I’ll kill him myself.’

  ‘Paul has already sworn to do it.’ Hallam smiled coldly. ‘I believe he will be tried and found guilty—but he may get away with transportation, if that is getting away with it. A man of his ilk would find it hard to accept.’

  ‘No doubt he’d find a way to ease his burden.’ Adam frowned. ‘I pray they hang him.’

  ‘Amen to that.’

  ‘Hal...’ Adam hesitated, then, ‘Did I imagine it—or was Miss Jenny Hastings here in my bedchamber alone with me?’

  ‘She was here with a maid. I was here and the doctor—and Paul for a moment. He was very cut up about it all, Adam. Felt he had let you down—and that he should have been the one to face Fontleroy. I’ve never seen him in such distress, even after Mark died.’

  ‘He knows why it had to be me.’ Adam was thoughtful. ‘So she came to visit me here and she made that mixture for me—I wasn’t sure if I’d dreamed it.’

  ‘I left her and the maid with you while I went to buy a few things she needed for her fever mixture. She might have sent the maid for something—why does it bother you that she was here?’

  Adam rubbed at the bridge of his nose. ‘It wouldn’t do her reputation much good if this got out, Hal. She has nothing, you know. Lady Dawlish took her in, but if there were a scandal...’

  ‘No reason why there should be. None of us are likely to say anything. Too much respect. She is a lovely person, Adam. If you thought of marrying her, I’m sure you could hardly do better.’

  ‘If only I had the choice,’ Adam said with a wry twist of his mouth. ‘You know my situation, Hal.’

  ‘Have you heard nothing about the mine?’

  ‘They were digging deeper the last time I had a letter—but I doubt there’s much hope. Even if a seam is found it will hardly be enough to pay off the earl’s debts, though it might help us to maintain the estate and pay the interest. Given a chance I might bring us about.’

  ‘The earl should not expect you to pay his debts. You must just do what you can to stave off bankruptcy, Adam—and when the time comes sell off what is left to pay the bank.’

  ‘I believe it may come to that...’ Adam sighed. ‘How can I ask a girl with no fortune to marry me? I shall likely be repaying Grandfather’s debts for years—though if she were compromised I should feel compelled to ask.’

  ‘I thought you might quite like her? You called for her repeatedly in your fever.’

  ‘Did she hear me? Damn it! Did you ask her to visit me?’ Hallam nodded and he swore again. ‘I may have ruined her good name for nothing. Even if I ask her to be my wife I have nothing to give her. My own estate would be adequate for us to live quietly, but...’ He shrugged and then groaned as his shoulder hurt. ‘I do not know what to do for the best, Hal. I admire Jenny more than any other lady I know.’

  ‘Are you in love with her?’

  ‘What is love? I’m not sure—are you?’

  ‘Oh, yes, I know just what it feels like,’ Hal said and a nerve flicked at his temple. ‘I was in love once and it hurt like hell when she—’ He broke off. ‘I try to forget her. No sense in living in the past—but real love takes a long time to die and the pain is worse than you are suffering now.’

  ‘Then I’m sorry for you,’ Adam said, struck by his cousin’s tortured look. He had not realised Hallam had suffered from a devastating love affair. ‘I’m not sure if that’s how I feel for Jenny. I know I want her...but that’s not love. I respect her and I should not wish to harm her, but the kind of love you’re talking of...I don’t know. Perhaps I don’t wish to know, because it is impossible.’ Yet even as he denied it, he felt the odd ache about his heart and knew that the day he asked another woman to wed him would be the day he gave up all chance of happiness.

  How could he not love a woman who had come to him when he was lying on his sickbed and nursed him, regardless of her own reputation? She was brave, lovely and kind...and he was very much afraid he was already deep in love with her. Yet how could he ask her to wed him, knowing that it would be years before he could give her the kind of life she deserved?

  ‘You could ask Ravenscar for a loan to help you recover the earl’s estate,’ Hallam suggested. ‘No, no, don’t poker up. He would not want to see you or your grandfather go under. It is possible to repay a loan in time, Adam. A few prudent investments and you might earn more than you think. I am considering setting up a wine import company and you might join me if you wish. With various schemes you might prosper in time.’

  ‘I was hoping to have my stables up and running as soon as possible—but if I can raise sufficient capital for both I should be glad to be your partner.’

  ‘You must be able to raise a few thousand, even if the bank is not willing to help.’

  ‘Do you think I have not tried to think of a way—but to ask for a loan from my uncle...’ Adam shook his head. ‘I suppose...I know he would make it easy for me, but I fear my pride stands in the way.’

  ‘It would be a solution, that’s all I’m saying.’ Hallam laughed. ‘Do not be angry, Cousin. My own estate is hardly in much better case. I think I can manage to set it straight in time. My father’s debts do not equal the earl’s and the bank has not asked me to repay them—but I know how you feel.’

  ‘I had not realised you were also in trouble, Hal.’

  ‘Fortunately, I think the bank may give me more time,’ Hallam said. ‘Besides, I do not have a beautiful young woman in love with me.’

  ‘You think Jenny cares for me?’ Adam’s gaze narrowed. ‘Hal, have I allowed her to hope? I am all kinds of a cad if she thinks I may offer for her.’

  ‘I have no idea what you may have said to her,’ Hallam said. ‘But she was very willing to nurse you—and I believe she cares for you deeply. It was there in her eyes—though it is wrong in me to say so, but you did ask. She did all she could for you, Adam. Indeed, were your problems not so very diff
icult I should say that you owed it to her to offer her marriage.’

  Adam swore. ‘Then I must consider my options again,’ he said. ‘I did not think I had aroused expectations, but if I have...’ A rueful laugh broke from him. ‘If someone would discover tin or copper in the mine everything might yet be perfect. I should much prefer to marry Jenny than any other lady of my acquaintance.’

  Prefer it? It was what he wanted with every nerve in his body, but he knew it was the last thing he should be thinking of...for his grandfather’s sake and for hers.

  ‘Then perhaps you’d best get up from that bed and court her?’

  Adam shook his head. ‘You may laugh, Hal—but it is the very devil. You are certain she does not prefer Paul?’

  ‘Good grief—what makes you ask?’

  ‘I thought I saw him kissing her. She had her arms about him and did not seem to dislike being held by him.’

  Hallam grinned. ‘It’s the fever, dear fellow. The things one sees when in a fever. You wouldn’t believe what I saw when I was wounded in France.’

  Adam laughed. ‘I may have a good idea. I’ve been wounded before, you know—and some of the stuff those quacks give one make one go out of one’s head.’

  * * *

  Jenny stared at the letter from her solicitor with a mixture of elation and despair. It seemed that she had far more money than she’d dreamed. Why on earth had her uncle sold her father’s possessions when there was absolutely no need? It just did not make sense. She knew her uncle was a nip-cheese and hated to waste money. He’d thought she did not need to keep a large house going and could perfectly well live under his roof, thereby saving the expense—but why all Papa’s carriages and horses? And without consulting her wishes? It really was too bad of him!

  And now so much money, more than she really knew what to do with. How could she ever confess to Adam that she was an heiress, after she’d allowed him to assume that she had nothing?

  He would think the worst of her, imagine that she had tried to entrap him. Her throat tightened and she was close to tears, because she loved him so very much and when he knew...he would despise her...

  ‘Oh, there you are.’ Lucy’s voice brought her out of her daze. ‘Mama is ready to leave. She sent me to find you.’

  ‘Yes, of course. I must just fetch my shawl. I had a letter...I am sorry to have kept you waiting...’

  * * *

  ‘Lucy...’ Jenny slipped her arm through the other girl’s as they were walking to the Pump room to join Lady Dawlish, after having been to the lending library. ‘You’ve been quiet all morning—are you upset with me?’

  ‘No—should I be?’ Lucy asked, but her eyes flashed an accusation. ‘Was there something you wanted to tell me, Jenny?’

  Jenny sighed. She’d tried to broach the subject once or twice, but Lucy had turned away or someone had interrupted them. There was no avoiding it now.

  ‘You read the note from Paul, did you not?’

  Lucy’s cheeks went bright pink. ‘You admit that the flowers came from him—that you let him kiss you? How could you? Are you in love with him?’

  ‘No, Lucy, I am not,’ Jenny said. Lucy had dropped her arm and stood facing her accusingly. ‘Paul broke down and cried when he saw Adam lying in his fever. He was in such distress that I put my arms about him to comfort him—as I would you or a brother, or any friend in distress. For some reason he suddenly kissed me. I allowed it for a moment because he was in such anguish, then pushed him back. He apologised and rushed off in a hurry, much embarrassed.’

  ‘So you did let him kiss you.’

  ‘Only out of sympathy,’ Jenny said. ‘It meant nothing to either of us. Please believe me, Lucy. I did not flirt with him, nor did I want or encourage him to kiss me—it just happened.’

  ‘He has fallen in love with you, because you offered him sympathy and held him while he cried,’ Lucy said, two red spots in her cheeks. ‘You deliberately tried to steal him from me...’

  ‘I did nothing of the kind,’ Jenny said. ‘Please believe me, Lucy. I am not in love with him—and he does not love me. It was the kiss of a man in terrible grief, nothing more. I think he is embarrassed over it. Besides, you did not say that you considered Paul yours.’

  ‘No, but you knew...’ Lucy choked on her tears, brushing them away angrily. ‘You must have guessed that it was Paul I—’ she broke off and pulled out a lace kerchief, dabbing at her cheeks. ‘Oh, no—I have no right to accuse you. I thought Paul cared for me, but it is obvious he does not. If—if he offers for you, you must accept him.’

  ‘Not for the world, especially now that I am sure you care for him,’ Jenny said, feeling troubled. She had suspected what lay behind her friend’s unhappiness, but it was worse than she’d thought. ‘How can you be certain Paul does not care for you, Lucy? Has he said something?’

  Lucy’s eyes filled with tears again, but she blinked them away. ‘That night we danced I thought...the way he looked at me, held me...but he has never once said that he loves me, and since Mark...died, I think he hates me.’

  ‘I am very sure he does not,’ Jenny said. ‘I think he is very mixed up in his head. If you had seen his distress over Adam...’

  Lucy brushed away her tears. ‘I am sorry for suspecting you, but you did not tell me and I thought...I thought you wanted him for yourself.’

  ‘I promise you I do not.’ Jenny’s cheeks flushed. ‘I like someone else, but I am not certain he feels the same for me.’

  ‘Do you mean Sir James?’ Jenny shook her head and Lucy frowned. ‘Are you speaking of Adam—surely you know that is impossible? He must marry someone with a fortune because of the earl’s debts.’

  ‘Yes, he told me,’ Jenny said diffidently. ‘I do have some money of my own, Lucy.’

  ‘Do you? Your uncle sold everything, so we thought... Everyone assumed there was nothing left for you.’

  ‘My uncle behaved very foolishly.’ Jenny sighed. ‘My lawyer has told me that neither the house nor the carriages need have been sold. I could set up my own establishment and employ a companion if I wished.’

  ‘Really?’ Lucy looked astonished. ‘Does Mama know?’

  ‘I did tell her that I had more money than I believed at the start—you were in the carriage when I mentioned it.’

  ‘Was I? I did not take it in. My mind must have been elsewhere.’ Lucy was thoughtful. ‘Does that mean you will leave us when we go home? I was hoping you might stay longer—at least until we go abroad. You could come with us if you chose, couldn’t you?’

  ‘We may talk about that when it happens,’ Jenny said. ‘Are you sure you don’t want me to go away? If you think I’ve been flirting with Paul behind your back...’

  ‘No, please don’t.’ Lucy blushed. ‘It was mean of me to accuse you. I didn’t understand why he sent the flowers and the note. I thought he was in love with you.’

  ‘Oh, Lucy. I should hate to part bad friends over such a silly thing,’ Jenny said as Lucy tucked her arm through hers once more. ‘We are neither of us very fortunate in our love affairs, are we?’

  ‘Not at all,’ Lucy said. ‘Though perhaps if Adam knew the truth...’

  ‘I do not wish to tell him—at least until I know how he feels about me,’ Jenny confided. ‘I should not wish to embarrass him by mentioning my money—and he imagines I am a sort of unpaid companion.’

  ‘Why should he think that? I’ve told everyone you are my friend—and so has Mama.’

  ‘He assumed it when he helped me after my carriage broke down—and I sort of allowed him to think it. Most people assumed that Papa had lost all his money, whereas, although the loss was large, he was much richer than anyone knew.’

  ‘Really?’ Lucy squeezed her arm. ‘Was he a nabob or something of the sort?’

  ‘Yes, perhaps you could say
that.’ Jenny laughed. ‘The lawyer said his money was made in trade with various steel companies, mills and factories, which is why he did not broadcast it to the world. Trade is a dirty word in my uncle’s house. He considered the house and land all my father owned, discounting all his shares in industry—which my lawyer is going to discreetly sell for me. He tells me I shall have quite a large sum at my disposal when the money is all in his client account. I already have ten thousand pounds from the sale of the estate and house, but I know that would not be enough to pay the earl’s debts.’

  Lucy looked stunned. ‘That is a huge sum, Jenny—and you may have some more. Do you know how much?’

  ‘My lawyer wasn’t sure exactly. He estimated it might amount to a similar sum but did not want to arouse expectations that might fail. I should be grateful if only a thousand or two was raised from the sale for every little extra must help, do you not agree?’

  ‘So I should think,’ Lucy said and squeezed her arm. ‘I shall have ten thousand when I marry—so we are both heiresses. I am sure you would have many more suitors if people knew the truth.’

  ‘Please do not mention it,’ Jenny begged. ‘I prefer that people think I have little or nothing. I should hate to be courted for the sake of money.’

  ‘Yes, it is unpleasant. Mama warned me to beware of fortune hunters when I was first out—but I had little trouble with them because everyone thought me promised to Mark, even before it happened.’

  ‘Well, they will not now,’ Jenny said. ‘You have some suitors already—but once you are out of mourning you will have more.’

  ‘There is only one I want,’ Lucy said and her voice suddenly rose to a squeak. ‘Oh, he is coming this way. Do not leave me, Jenny. Is my face stained with tears?’

  ‘Not at all,’ Jenny reassured her. ‘You are a little pale. Pinch your cheeks, dear one. He has seen us and we cannot avoid him.’

  ‘Miss Lucy, Miss Jenny,’ Paul said and swept off his hat. ‘You both look beautiful. I trust you are both well?’ He sent an oddly shy glance at Jenny.