by Anne Herries
Adam clambered over piles of fallen stone and a cross that had broken as it fell from one of the ruined walls. Now he could see the heavy creepers that must be hiding what Lucy thought was a secret passage and just a few inches away Fontleroy was struggling with Jenny and trying to compel her to go with him. She had clearly resisted with all her strength and the marquis had deep welts across his cheek where her nails had scored him.
‘Vixen, I’ll make you pay for this,’ Fontleroy cried furiously and drew back his hand to slap her. ‘I’ll teach you to spit in my face.’
‘Unhand me, sir,’ Jenny said. ‘I shall not—’
‘Take your hands off her,’ Adam cried, drawing his pistol. ‘Stand away from her and face me like a man.’
‘You are a cheat and a liar,’ Fontleroy spat. ‘I know how to treat men like you.’
‘And I you,’ Adam said. ‘Let her go or I’ll shoot you where you stand.’
‘I’ll kill her first,’ the marquis said and grabbed Jenny by the throat, his powerful hands pressing hard. In that moment, Jenny brought her knee up sharply into his groin and he gave a howl of pain, letting go of her for one instant. She jerked away from him, stumbling out of his reach just as the shot rang out and falling to the ground in what looked to be a faint.
The ball hit Fontleroy square between his eyes and a look of astonishment came over his face as he pitched to his knees, stared at them for a few moments and then felt forwards to the ground. The next moment Adam was on his knees beside Jenny, lifting her into his arms. Tears trickled down his cheeks as he saw her pale face.
‘Jenny, my love, my love,’ Adam cried in an agonised tone. ‘Please do not be dead... That devil...if he has killed you I shall not bear it...’
Her eyelids flickered, but she did not open her eyes. Paul bent over the man Adam had killed, turning him over with a grunt of satisfaction.
‘He’ll do no more damage,’ he said. ‘You finished him, Adam.’
‘I fear he has done too much already. He has choked the life from her...’ A moan from Jenny’s lips gave the lie to his words. ‘She lives yet. I must get her home and to a doctor.’
‘I’ll see to things here,’ Hallam said. ‘Leave the magistrates to me. Paul, take the ladies home and send one of the servants to fetch a doctor to Lady Dawlish’s house. I’ll send one of the men for the magistrates and see to this business. Don’t give it another thought, Adam. I shall come and see you later.’
Adam nodded and turned away. He strode off in the direction of the carriages. Lucy had alerted her mother and cries of consternation greeted the sight of Adam carrying Jenny’s limp body towards them.
Hallam looked down at the dead man and frowned. How had he discovered where they would be today? Had one of their servants betrayed them—or had he simply followed discreetly? Clearly Fontleroy had known something about the abbey they did not. He decided to investigate behind the curtain of creepers. If there was a secret tunnel perhaps the authorities should know about it.
Chapter Fourteen
Jenny stirred soon after Adam had placed her tenderly on the seat of his chaise, with her head lying on his lap. He’d taken off her bonnet and his hand stroked her brow. She coughed and cried out as her throat stung and he looked down at her anxiously.
‘Are you in pain, dearest?’
‘My throat...’ Jenny rasped. ‘It hurts...I should like some water...’ She pushed herself up into a sitting position, glancing at him in an embarrassed manner. ‘I am so sorry.’
‘You have nothing to be sorry for,’ Adam said in such a stern tone that it chilled her. Why was he so angry? ‘I am at fault. I should have called off the picnic.’
Jenny shook her head. She wanted to tell him that no one blamed him and that the picnic had been a success, but her throat hurt—and she suspected that Lady Dawlish might indeed blame Adam for taking them on the picnic when the marquis was at large.
‘Not your fault...’ she managed. Adam had taken a little flask from his pocket and offered it to her. She drank some of the water, which was warm and tasted a little bitter.
‘My servants have gone for the doctor,’ Adam told her, his expression grim. ‘He will give you something to ease your throat...and I can only beg you to forgive me for putting you at risk. I believed we had covered all possibilities, but I did not realise there was a secret way into the ruins.’
‘Lucy found it...’ Jenny managed and took another sip of the water. It was not pleasant, but better than coughing as she must without its soothing effect. Remembering some lozenges in her reticule, she looked for it and saw it on the floor at her feet. She picked it up, ignoring the slight dizziness it caused her to bend her head, untied the strings and took out the little box of sweets. Putting one of the lemon-flavoured lozenges into her mouth she sucked and felt it ease her throat. ‘That is better...’
‘You will be better soon,’ Adam promised. ‘I shall never let anyone harm you again, Jenny. I am so very sorry.’
‘Please, Adam. I do not blame you.’ Jenny reached for his hand and held it. ‘Do not distress yourself. No one could have known what he would do.’
‘I did think he might attack one of us and ladies are always more vulnerable...’
‘I do not think he found me particularly vulnerable.’ Jenny smiled to reassure him. Her throat still hurt and she could feel a graze on her cheek where she’d fallen hard and her side was a little bruised, but she knew that she had escaped lightly. Had she not fought back and kneed the marquis where it hurt him, he could have killed her quite easily. ‘But I am glad you were there. Is he dead this time?’
‘Yes, I made certain of it. My pistol did not misfire, nor did I miss my mark. He will not trouble any of us again.’
‘I am glad of it,’ Jenny said and smiled at him. ‘I do not wish harm to any, but I think he was an evil man—had he lived he would have killed again and again.’
‘I wish he had tried to kill me rather than you.’
‘He told me that he wanted me as his wife. It was not his intention to murder me had I gone with him. He has always wanted me. I do not know why.’ Unless it was because he knew she had a small fortune?
‘You are very lovely, Jenny. I dare say quite a few men want you—including Sir James.’
‘Sir James very kindly asked me to marry him. I declined because I did not love him.’
Adam looked at her for a moment in silence. ‘Do you love me, Jenny—enough to marry me?’
‘I think you know the answer,’ she said shyly and smiled up at him. ‘I should like to marry you very much Adam.’
‘I cannot get down on my knees to ask you here,’ he said, an odd smile in his eyes. He reached for her hand and kissed it. ‘I shall be very honoured to make you my wife, Jenny Hastings.’
‘Thank you. You are very kind, sir. I shall be very happy to be your wife.’
‘You know that I cannot give you all the things you are entitled to expect...’
Jenny hesitated, knowing this was the time to speak. ‘I do have some money of my own, Adam,’ she murmured softly. ‘I am not certain whether it is—’
Her confession was brought to an abrupt halt as the chaise stopped outside Lady Dawlish’s house and the door was opened, several anxious faces peering in at them from the pavement.
‘Jenny, my sweet child,’ Lady Dawlish cried. ‘How are you? I feared you were dead when Adam carried you off. I have never felt so ill in my life. I swear my heart almost failed when Lucy told me what was happening. That wicked man—and you, sir. How dare you look me in the face? You knew that Fontleroy had escaped and yet still you took us on that picnic.’
‘Please, ma’am,’ Jenny croaked. Her throat felt sore now that the lozenge had gone and her head ached a little. ‘You must not blame Adam. I shall be perfectly well in a an hour or so—if I could just li
e down on my bed and be quiet.’
‘You must have the doctor,’ Adam insisted. He looked at Lady Dawlish awkwardly. ‘I admit my fault, ma’am. I shall not easily forgive myself for what happened—but I hope to make it up to Jenny. She has generously forgiven me and accepted my offer of marriage.’
‘Offer...’ Lady Dawlish stared incredulously as Adam handed Jenny from the carriage. She seemed torn by indecision, shaking her head once. ‘I am not sure...are you certain you can provide her with the kind of life she ought to have? I stand almost as a guardian to her, Adam. You should properly have consulted me before making Jenny an offer.’
‘Jenny knows my circumstances and is prepared to accept me as I am,’ Adam said and smiled at his intended.
‘That is wonderful,’ Lucy said and came forwards to take Jenny’s arm. ‘I am so happy for you, dearest.’
‘Well, that is all very good,’ Lady Dawlish floundered uncertainly, becoming aware that she was on the pavement and the subject of amused looks from passers-by. ‘We cannot discuss this here, sir—but I shall ask you to step inside and be kind enough to explain yourself.’
She turned and stalked into the house, looking a picture of outrage. Paul raised his eyebrows at Lucy and she giggled, then shook her head, following her mama with Jenny leaning slightly on her arm.
Once inside, Lady Dawlish assumed command, giving Adam a regal look. ‘Come into the parlour, sir. I wish for words with you. Lucy, you may take Jenny up to her room, for I am sure that she will wish to lie down and rest. Paul, please go into the garden or the back parlour. I wish to be private with Adam for a time.’
‘Of course, ma’am,’ Adam said and frowned.
‘No,’ Jenny said. ‘I shall not be sent to my room, though it is what I dearly wish for. Much as I love you, dear Lady Dawlish, I shall not allow you to question Adam without me. He has made me a proposal of marriage, which I have accepted—and nothing you can say will change that.’
Lady Dawlish looked uncertain. She, Jenny and Adam were now in the parlour, Lucy and Paul having taken themselves off elsewhere.
‘You know your uncle would not approve of an imprudent marriage, Jenny.’
‘I care nothing for my uncle’s approval. He would have seen me married to Fontleroy and thought it a good match.’ Jenny sighed and pushed the hair back from her eyes. ‘If you are concerned that Adam has little money and must find the wherewithal to meet his grandfather’s debts, I know all of the story, ma’am. It does not matter. I would happily live in a cottage with Adam—’
‘I think it need not be quite that bad, my love,’ Adam said, but there was a gleam of appreciation in his eyes. What a revelation and a delight she was. He folded his arms and watched as she prepared to do battle.
‘I am certain it need not,’ Jenny said and sent him an uncertain look. ‘Please do not be angry with me, Adam. I know that I should have told you before—and I did not mean to deceive you, but I did tell you I had some money...’
The smile left his eyes and his brow furrowed. ‘I thought you meant a thousand or so.’
‘It is considerably more,’ Jenny said. Her throat ached and the last thing she wanted to do was to explain with Lady Dawlish watching, but she could not stop now. ‘My father lost some of his money and everyone assumed there was nothing left—but that was not the case. My lawyer told me before I left London that I was something of an heiress...and now I have his accounts...’ She faltered uncomfortably.
‘Go on...’ Adam’s mouth had set hard.
‘My uncle sold the house and land, which amounts to...’ Jenny swallowed hard. ‘I think the letter said a little over ten thousand pounds.’
‘Ten thousand pounds!’ Both Lady Dawlish and Adam stared at her, with varying degrees of astonishment.
‘I did tell you, ma’am, though not how much...’ Jenny faltered, her heart sinking as she saw Adam’s grim look. ‘And then there is whatever comes from my father’s investments in industry...which my lawyer is selling for me presently.’
‘And how much is that likely to be?’ Adam asked coldly.
‘I do not know. I did not ask.’ Jenny’s hands trembled. She was more afraid of Adam’s disgust than the marquis even when he’d had his hands about her throat. ‘Forgive me, Adam. I knew... I heard you say that you disliked having to look for an heiress and—’
‘So you decided to play me for a fool,’ he said bitterly. ‘You allowed me to think you almost penniless. Did it amuse you when I told you of my difficulties?’
‘No, of course not. How could you think...?’ Tears started to Jenny’s eyes. ‘You must know I did not. I did not intend to deceive you, Adam. Please believe me...’
‘This alters things.’
‘Certainly it does,’ Lady Dawlish said, beaming at them. ‘You can afford Adam now, Jenny. He will be able to clear most of his debts and I have no doubt that he will soon bring the estate about and keep you in the style that you are entitled to expect. Had I known you were a considerable heiress I should have had no objections to the match.’
‘I, on the other hand, have several,’ Adam said and caused Jenny to look at him in distress. ‘You have been through an unfortunate ordeal and I shall not keep you further. Please go and rest, Jenny. I shall speak to you another day.’
‘Adam, please don’t go like this.’ Jenny caught at his hands. ‘You know I love you.’
‘Do I?’ He looked at her coldly. ‘Excuse me, I must have time to think. We shall discuss the future in private at another time.’
Brushing off her hold, he strode from the room and the sound of the door closing hard behind him made Jenny jump.
‘Well, I am surprised at him,’ Lady Dawlish said. ‘Whatever can be the matter?’
‘Adam’s pride has been hurt,’ Jenny said softly and blinked back her tears. ‘Please excuse me, ma’am. I must lie down.’
‘I shall have a maid bring you some honey and lemon,’ Lady Dawlish said kindly. ‘Do not worry, Jenny. Adam is a sensible man. He will realise how fortunate he is and then he will beg your pardon.’
Jenny shook her head. The tears were very close. She did not wish Adam to beg her pardon, nor to think himself lucky because she had a fortune at his disposal. She wanted him to smile at her as he had in the carriage on the way home and tell her he loved her.
Walking from the room, she hurried upstairs and threw herself down on the bed as the tears shook her body. For some minutes she was held by a storm of weeping, but then they subsided and she began to think more sensibly.
Adam had asked her to marry him. He was too much of a gentleman to go back on his word—but would he ever forgive her for deceiving him?
* * *
Adam walked swiftly through the streets, having dismissed his chaise. He was in no mood to be driven home. Too restless to speak to either Hal or Paul, he needed to walk. He needed time to think, because his mind was in a whirl.
Why had Jenny lied to him? Not just for a few days, but for weeks—months. How could she listen to his explanations of why he must marry an heiress and not tell him the truth? Why had she not told him? She must have made the decision to keep her secret—but what was her motive?
She knew of his reluctance to marry an heiress. He’d unburdened his soul to her—even in the carriage on the way to the picnic she had not spoken. No, she had mentioned that she had some money, but he’d assumed she meant pin money, enough to perhaps buy her own clothes—but ten thousand pounds...
With just a part of that Adam could buy time from the bank. If they were no longer breathing down his grandfather’s neck, it would give Adam time to find a way of making enough money to restore the estate. The income from his own estate would enable him to set up his breeding stables. Hal had suggested importing wine—and there were other investments he might make with the rest of Jenny’s money. Investments that w
ould bring them in an excellent income...
He stopped walking, almost causing a man following to walk into him, and apologised. No, he couldn’t use Jenny’s money—it would be as if she’d bought him...something he knew he would hate. His pride would not let him accept her money...yet it would solve all his problems.
Adam felt as if he were on the rack, pulled this way and that. How could he expect her to share the privations of life on a tight budget when she was a considerable heiress? He would be a fool to ignore his wife’s money when it could provide the key to the lifestyle they both preferred.
His pride wanted to reject it out of hand, but that might hurt her for he knew instinctively that she would want him to do what he needed to do for the sake of the estate.
It was a damned coil! He knew that common sense decreed that he should use the money, even if he paid every penny back as soon as he could. The thought of using Jenny’s money at all left a nasty taste in his mouth, though he knew it would be sensible. He would tell her that it would be paid back, even though it would in law become his when they married. Had he not been in such dire need, he would have secured her fortune to her and her children in the marriage contract—but he could not in all honesty afford to do it.
Suddenly, Adam laughed and his frown cleared. He realised that despite his anger at being deceived and his dislike of being forced to accept that her money could solve his problems, he had not once thought of drawing back.
Now why was that? As a gentleman he could have offered her the chance to reject him, but Jenny would not have taken it—and so he could not in all honour withdraw his offer. The amazing thing was that he did not wish to. Indeed, he had suddenly discovered that it was the last thing he would want—the very worst outcome.
Because he was in love with her. When had that happened? Adam smiled as he reviewed his relationship with Jenny and realised that it must have begun almost from the first time they met...when she’d sat beside him as they drove to Ravenscar. He’d been aware of lust, which he’d acknowledged even then to be unusual when in the presence of an innocent young lady. He’d begun to respect and like her when she acted so calmly in the face of unspeakable tragedy, and his feelings had intensified over the weeks. Knowing that she’d come to him at some considerable risk to her reputation had made him realise how much he liked and respected her. Yet he had not known how much she meant to him until he saw her struggling with Fontleroy.