* * *
They had finished their meal when Hoyle came in to say that Mrs Matthews was awake and asking for her niece. Elyse went off immediately, following Hoyle through corridors littered with trunks and cases to her aunt’s bedchamber. Aunt Matthews was propped up in the bed, one arm encased in plaster and resting on a mound of pillows. She was looking pale but composed in a nightgown and cap of frothy pink lace and when Elyse came in she held out her good hand, ignoring the maid who was fussing around her.
‘Oh, my dear, what a silly thing for me to do, I am so sorry.’
‘No, no, Aunt, you must not blame yourself. I am only relieved it is nothing worse. Dr Carstairs told me it would be a simple matter to set the arm and then you will be up and about again in no time.’
‘Yes, but not by tomorrow morning. I will not be able to get up for days.’
Disregarding Hoyle’s tut of disapproval, Elyse perched herself on the edge of the bed and took the proffered hand. ‘You are not to worry about that. You can follow on as soon as you are well enough to travel.’
‘You plan to go without me?’
‘I must. Mr Bastion thinks the viscount would insist upon it.’
‘Well, there is no doubt that these great men are used to having their own way,’ agreed Aunt Matthews, sighing. ‘And you have been waiting so long I am sure you must be eager to see your beau again.’
‘I am of course.’ Elyse replied quickly, although now the moment was approaching she felt more than a little apprehensive. ‘But I would rather wait until you could come with me, Aunt.’
A knock made her turn and she saw Andrew Bastion standing in the doorway.
‘I beg you will forgive the intrusion, ma’am?’
‘Yes, yes, come in, sir. Do not stand on ceremony.’ Mrs Matthews called to him, ignoring another disapproving sniff from Hoyle, who was tidying the pots and jars on the dressing table. ‘We must decide what we are to do about getting Elyse to London.’
‘My thoughts exactly, ma’am. I have hired a post-chaise to be here at nine o’clock tomorrow morning.’
‘Could we not delay it a little?’ said Elyse. ‘I would like to know my aunt is improving before I leave Scarborough.’
‘Oh, I shall go on well enough, my love, you need not worry over me,’ said Aunt Matthews. ‘And the roads being as they are you will want to have as much time as possible for your journey.’
This was very much what Andrew Bastion had told her, but it was no more palatable to hear it from her aunt.
‘I am sure another week would not hurt.’ Elyse fixed her eyes upon Mr Bastion. He met their challenge but would not capitulate and she felt her temper rising. ‘Mr Reverson’s letters tell me he is as eager as I am for us to be together, but if I explain everything I am sure he would understand if my arrival is a little delayed.’
‘But his father would not.’
‘Mr Bastion is right, my love. You must not give them any reason to reject you.’
‘You think they would cry off, over such a little thing? But William and I love each other.’ She reached into her pocket and pulled out a crumpled paper. ‘Why, in his last letter to me he says he cannot wait for us to be united.’
‘That may be so, but there is no doubt that while this is a brilliant match for you the viscount might have looked higher for a bride for his younger son.’ Her aunt’s gaze had become disconcertingly shrewd. ‘If you want him, love, you must take him now, or it may be too late.’ She squeezed Elyse’s fingers, saying urgently, ‘This is a wonderful opportunity for you, my love. You must grasp it with both hands.’
‘I will, Aunt. I promise.’
‘Good girl.’ Aunt Matthews’s eyes were suspiciously bright and she blinked a little before turning her attention to the gentleman standing at the end of the bed. ‘My brother obviously thought a great deal of you, sir, to entrust you with the care of his only child.’
He bowed. ‘I shall endeavour not to disappoint him, ma’am.’
‘Good. Now, Elyse will be ready to go with you tomorrow morning. And Hoyle shall accompany her.’
There was a clatter as the maid dropped one of the hairbrushes.
‘That I won’t, ma’am. My place is here, with you.’
Aunt Matthews gave an exasperated sigh.
‘Pray do not be tiresome, Hoyle. There is no one else to go with her.’
‘That’s as maybe, but I’ve been your maid for nigh on thirty years and I ain’t about to leave you now, not when you needs me.’
‘You’ll do as you’re told, Hoyle,’ snapped her mistress. ‘Or you can pack your bags and leave this minute.’
The maid did not look unduly worried by this threat. Drawing herself up she said with dignity, ‘That’s for you to decide, ma’am, but I ain’t going.’
She stumped to the door, closing it behind her with a bang.
‘Well,’ Mrs Matthews stared after her. ‘Of all the...she knows I won’t turn her off, of course, but all the same.’
Elyse gave a little shrug. ‘Hoyle has always been a little jealous of me. But even if she were not, you really cannot expect her to leave you now, Aunt, when you are confined to bed.’
‘We must find some female to accompany you,’ stated Mr Bastion.
Elyse was already smarting from Hoyle’s rejection, and the note of impatience in the gentleman’s voice only added to her hurt.
‘Every other maid in the house would be more of a hindrance than a help,’ declared Mrs Matthews frankly. ‘They would most likely fall into hysterics if I suggested they travel more than a mile out of Scarborough.’
He exhaled sharply. ‘Then I shall have to hire someone. Though who I might find by nine o’clock tomorrow morning—’
‘You need not trouble yourself on my account,’ said Elyse, holding herself very stiff.
‘You cannot travel alone,’ he retorted.
‘You are my guardian, are you not? There can be no impropriety in our travelling together.’
She glared at him. He was only trying to help, but suddenly the excitement of her forthcoming marriage was gone, replaced by a feeling that she was merely an inconvenience. It was not a pleasant thought. The gentleman regarded her in silence for a moment and when he spoke his tone was decisive.
‘Very well. If there is someone from the household that you can persuade to go with you it would be an advantage, but as you say, it is not necessary. We can always arrange for a maid to attend you at the inns.’ He turned to Aunt Matthews. ‘I wish you a speedy recovery, ma’am.’ His gaze flickered to Elyse and the indifference she saw in his eyes only added to her dismay. ‘I shall call for you at nine o’clock sharp, Miss Salforde. Be sure you do not keep me waiting.’
* * *
Once more Drew walked away from Mrs Matthews’ house with his mind in turmoil. He had been in England for less than a week and already what should have been a simple task of escorting a young lady to London was turning into a nightmare. First of all there was Lord Whittlewood’s ultimatum, making it necessary to reach London with all speed; and now her aunt, the most proper person to act as a chaperon, could no longer travel with them. Such a trifle would not have worried him unduly, if it was not for the fact that his ward was no schoolroom miss but a very desirable young woman.
He recalled that immediate tug of attraction he had experienced the first time he had seen Elyse in her aunt’s drawing room. In their subsequent meetings, even when she was at her most tiresome, it had only grown more powerful. Whenever their eyes locked he could feel the energy crackling between them, a pleasurable anticipation of what it would be like to pull her into his arms and kiss her, to unlock the passion he felt sure she possessed.
Impossible, of course. Not only was she a gently reared young lady and the future wife of another man, she was also his ward, the daughter
of his friend, and he was sworn to protect her. And if she was not his responsibility, and not another man’s fiancée, what then? Would he seduce her? Of course not. Elyse Salforde was a gently reared young lady; he could not take her for his mistress. Yet what else had he to offer her? He was a rogue, a traitor. He had decided years ago that he could not ask any woman to share that burden.
He let his breath go with a hiss. This was not about his misfortunes. He must concentrate upon Elyse. She might be damned attractive but he would cope with that. He was her guardian, he would employ a maid at each inn to share her room at night and preserve her reputation. If she was happy to make the journey to London without a chaperon of any sort then so be it. He was damned if he would worry about it.
Yet worry he did. He had agreed to Harry’s dying wish to take care of his daughter, and that would not include ravishing her before she could be delivered to her fiancé.
* * *
The next day dawned clear and bright, only a slight mist on the sea indicating that it was no longer high summer. Elyse donned her travelling dress, a riding habit of olive-green twill with a collar of buff velvet and small gilt buttons. She had added black ruffles at her neck and cuffs and a black lace veil was suspended from the rim of her bonnet. The veil was folded back at present but when it was pulled down it completely obscured her features. It was all very sober and no one, not even the infuriating Mr Andrew Bastion, could doubt she was in mourning.
Aston came to tell her that the carriage was at the door and once she had directed him to have her baggage taken out she went off to take leave of her aunt.
‘I wish we could wait until you could come with us,’ she said as she gave Mrs Matthews a final hug, taking good care to avoid her injured arm. ‘I do not know how I shall go on without you.’
‘You will do very well, my love, if you remember your manners.’
Elyse pulled a face. ‘I am sure that will not be difficult when I am with Lord Whittlewood, but I am not looking forward to the journey with that man.’
‘You mean Mr Bastion?’ Aunt Matthews patted her cheek. ‘Your father wrote in his final letter that he would trust Drew Bastion with his life. I have no doubt he will look after you, for Harry’s sake. But...’
She paused, the restless fingers of her free hand pleating and re-pleating the edge of the sheet until Elyse felt compelled to prompt her.
‘Yes, Aunt?’
‘I beg you will be careful when you are with Mr Bastion, Elyse. He is not a man to be crossed. There is steel behind his charm.’
Elyse’s solemn mood was routed by her aunt’s last words. Her eyes twinkled and she gave a merry laugh.
‘Charm? I have not seen any charm, Aunt. He is rude and overbearing.’
‘Well, tread warily my love.’
‘I will, I promise.’ She leaned over the bed to give her aunt another kiss on the cheek. ‘But what can he do, after all? He is only a man.’
With a cheery wave she sailed out of the room and her aunt listened to her dainty boots tapping down the stone stairs. She shook her head.
‘Yes, he is a man, Elyse,’ she murmured. ‘And that is what worries me.’
* * *
Elyse was impressed with the elegant equipage at the door. It may only have been a hired post-chaise but it was freshly painted and had four spirited horses harnessed to it, under the care of two smart postilions. Mr Bastion was waiting to hand her in, his hat tucked under one arm. She noted his appearance with approval, the exquisitely tailored riding coat in dark-blue wool, the pale buckskins and shiny top-boots that covered his legs. They all fitted to perfection. The first time she had seen him he had appeared the perfect society gentleman, at home in any drawing room. Now he was dressed for travel, ready for action and adventure.
It flashed through her mind that a young lady might easily lose her heart to such a man and Elyse was relieved to think that her own heart was already engaged. It belonged to William and she was therefore in no danger. Yet she was troubled by a niggling thought that perhaps she was not being completely honest with herself.
Those disturbingly blue eyes glinted down at her and she wondered again if he was able to read her thoughts. She looked away and moved to the carriage, silently putting her hand into his as she prepared to climb in. Immediately she was aware of the strength in his lean fingers. Her mouth went dry. Neither of them had yet put on their gloves and Elyse realised that this was a mistake, because a bolt of excitement shot through her when skin touched skin. Her heart leapt into her mouth and then settled high in her chest, where it beat a rapid and irregular tattoo that disrupted her breathing. It reminded her of the thrill of receiving admiring glances, or allowing a gentleman to kiss her fingers. Only ten times more exciting.
And far more dangerous. Elyse realised that this was beyond anything she had experienced before. She was no fool, all her life she had been pampered and cossetted. She knew she had been protected from the harsher realities of life. Mr Scorton’s attempts to kiss her should have warned her that the power she had so far enjoyed over the gentlemen of her acquaintance might not always be under her control. It was also daunting to know that she was just as vulnerable; she could not rely upon her own body to behave itself, as proven by the fact that she had to make a conscious effort before her hand would release those long, lean, masculine fingers.
Elyse sat down quickly, aware that Andrew Bastion was watching her but determined not to meet his eyes, lest he should see the consternation in her own. He jumped in after her, casting his hat upon the seat between them. Almost before the door had closed the chaise set off. Elyse had been so preoccupied she had not settled herself comfortably. Her skirts were tangled and without thinking she stood up to shake them out. At the same time the chaise lurched as it swung around the corner and out of the square. She lost her balance and collapsed back, directly into the lap of her companion.
Drew reacted instinctively and caught her in his arms, laughing. She was very light, a deliciously scented, complicated bundle of serviceable twill and frothy lace, but beneath it was the tantalising outline of her body, hinting at luscious curves beneath those layers of cloth. For a moment she remained gazing up at him, her shock quickly replaced by a twinkling look as if she, too, realised the absurdity of the situation.
‘Well, this is an unexpected pleasure.’
Why the deuce did you say that?
The rakish response had been automatic and Drew cursed himself as the glow in her eyes fled, replaced by horror and alarm.
‘Oh, I do beg your pardon.’ Her voice was a little breathless as she struggled in his arms.
Quelling the desire to hold her even tighter, Drew helped her on to the seat.
‘Pray do not make yourself uneasy,’ he said, leaning down to recover his hat, which had been knocked on to the carriage floor. ‘I am quite aware that you did not fall upon me intentionally.’
He grinned at her and was pleased when she responded with a wary smile.
‘Thank you.’ She shifted her position to look out of the window. ‘I was taken unawares by the speed of the carriage. Shall we travel like this all the way to London?’
‘I have instructed the postilions to keep up a good pace, but it will be dictated by the state of the roads. The highways leading from Scarborough are in reasonable repair and as long as the weather remains dry we will make good time. I hope we need spend no more than three nights on the road. However, if it rains the track could turn into a quagmire and that could slow us down considerably. It might even take longer than a week to reach London.’
‘Oh, good heavens,’ she said, without turning around. ‘I do hope that is not the case.’
‘So too do I,’ muttered Drew, regarding the delectable view she was presenting. She had her back to him, but her close-fitting jacket hugged her body, tapering in at her waist before flaring out again
over her hips and the soft buttocks that moments earlier had been resting in his lap.
Drew settled himself into the corner of the carriage and closed his eyes, trying to ignore the way his blood was stirred at the sight of her. Even three days of this would tax his self-control to the limit.
* * *
They travelled long and fast, stopping only to change horses and swallow a mouthful of food and coffee before setting off again and at the end of the first day Elyse was so bone-weary she ate her dinner and retired, making no demur when her escort ordered a truckle bed to be made up in her room for a serving maid. The second day was better, she was anticipating the punishing pace and her youthful resilience made the journey much more enjoyable.
She gazed at the unfamiliar landscape flying by, trying to take in as much as possible. Her companion spent most of his time lounging in the far corner, his hat pulled low over his eyes. If he was tired then she had no wish to disturb him for he was decidedly out of humour. She had tried to talk to him but while he had been coolly polite and answered the questions she put to him, he made no effort to prolong the conversation and she had the distinct impression he was not enjoying the journey, or her company.
She thought ruefully that she could not blame him, for she had behaved very badly to him when he’d arrived in Scarborough. More like a spoiled schoolgirl than a young lady about to be married. And then the embarrassment of falling into his arms! It had been an unfortunate accident and she had been tempted to laugh it off until he had made the sarcastic remark that had filled her with shame and remorse. It did not matter that he had tried to recover the situation afterwards. The damage was done. One thing was certain; Mr Andrew Bastion was no gentleman.
By the time they reached the Three Bells where they were to put up for the night Elyse was not only ready for her dinner but also longing for a little conversation—even if it was only with the vexatious Mr Bastion. Really, it was no wonder that she was out of temper with the man since he had been ignoring her most of the day. She listened to him issuing his orders to the landlord, who fawned and bowed in the most sycophantic manner, and recalled her aunt’s words, that Andrew Bastion was not a man to be crossed. Well, she did not wish to cross him. Elyse had by now recovered her natural sunny spirits and she hoped she might be able to charm him into a better mood.
Harlequin Historical September 2014 - Bundle 1 of 2: The Lone SheriffThe Gentleman RogueNever Trust a Rebel Page 49