The Wicked and Wonderful Miss Merlin

by Anne Herries

  ‘Well, miss, I’m sure I don’t know,’ Miss Tompkins said with a sniff. ‘To my mind this is a little improper, even if I am with you to see that nothing…well, to guard your virtue. Running away without asking permission of your teachers and brother! That is not proper behaviour to my way of thinking. They will be imagining that you were eloping.’

  Eleanor swallowed but did not reply, since she had imagined that was just what she would be doing when she wrote her tearful note to Miss Merlin but had not dared to tell Joan of her intentions. What she would have said had they arrived in Scotland she did not know…but Toby had scolded her for leaving such a note.

  ‘I agreed to take you to my aunt, who will very willingly give you a home until I’ve seen your brother and done my best to persuade him to allow us to marry, dearest. We cannot elope to Scotland for that would ruin you – both of us, for the scandal would be terrible. No, no, my love. You shan’t go to that dragon of a woman you dislike so. Aunt Merrill is a lovely lady and will enjoy having you to stay.’

  Eleanor had known there was no use in dissolving into tears or pleading. Toby loved her and generally went out of his way to please her, but he would not behave so recklessly as to risk their future together. He had fully intended to deliver her safely to his aunt, but now he was lying in a hotel bedroom, his arm was severely sprained, so the doctor said and he had received a blow to the head that had rendered him unconscious for two hours. When he at last came to himself he had a splitting headache and the doctor had given him something to ease the hurts he had suffered, but it had sent him to sleep and left Eleanor to her own devices. With only Joan for company – Toby’s elderly and trusted nanny, she was both anxious and bored.

  She supposed that she ought to have written to Robert and told him that she would be staying with Toby’s aunt, had fully intended to do so when they next stopped in a town, but now they were marooned in a country inn while Toby recovered and their curricle was repaired. However, it was an honest, well run inn and they had been lucky to be given the rooms they needed.

  Sighing, Eleanor sat down at the desk provided in the room she was sharing with Miss Tompkins and drew out a sheet of paper. She saw that it was headed with the inn’s name and direction so she struck it through with bold strokes. That done, she stared down at the blank sheet and sighed in frustration. Whatever she said, Robert was going to be angry.

  Well, there was no avoiding it. Toby said she must explain to her brother and he would be cross with her if she had not done it when he woke up.

  My dear Robert, she wrote, I daresay you are very cross with me. Well, I wish you would not be, because I have not done anything so very bad. Toby is taking me to stay with his aunt, Lady Mary Merrill, in Northampton. I cannot bear to stay with our great aunt, and besides, I no longer wish for a season, as I have promised to marry Toby.

  I know I told Miss Merlin that I was eloping to Scotland, but Toby would not have it, as he thought it improper and scolded me for writing such a letter. Please do not bother yourself on my behalf. I shall be quite safe with Lady Merrill.

  Your affectionate sister, Eleanor.

  PS. Toby will call on you as soon as he has recovered from the accident.

  Eleanor perused her letter. She felt that it was a much better effort than her letter to Miss Merlin, which had been penned in haste with many tears and mistakes. This was much neater and straightforward. If Miss Merlin had shown her brother her earlier letter this ought to set his mind at rest. She could only hope that it would.

  Ought she to write to Miss Merlin and tell her what had happened? Perhaps she should for she very much liked her teacher, who had made her shrug off the fears and apprehension living with Aunt Grace had instilled in her. Yes, she would write a fuller letter to Miss Merlin and tell her everything. After all, she owed her the truth after leaving that foolish note. She took out another sheet of paper but did not strike the heading through this time. Miss Merlin would not come chasing after her – but she would be happy to know that they were safe.

  Deciding that she could do no more for the moment, Eleanor took her letter downstairs and asked if the landlord could have it taken to the collecting office.

  ‘Post won’t go until Friday,’ he told her. ‘That will cost you one shilling and sixpence, miss – and tuppence for the boy.’

  ‘Thank you, sir.’ Eleanor took the silver shilling, a sixpence and two pennies from her reticule and gave them to him. She thought it expensive for two letters of one sheet each, but supposed it must cost more in the country than in town. ‘They will go on Friday, won’t they?’

  ‘You can trust me to see to it, miss,’ he told her. ‘How is your cousin now?’

  ‘Oh…’ Eleanor faltered, because Toby had insisted that she should be known as his cousin during the journey. ‘He is still sleeping. I think he should be better when he wakes, sir.’

  ‘Good. Doctor Caine is a good man, none better. Your cousin will be hale within a few days, but until then you and he – and your chaperone are welcome to stay here, miss.’

  Eleanor thanked him and turned to go back to her room. Miss Tompkins had gone out for a walk earlier but she had not felt like accompanying the older woman. She was too anxious to leave the inn while Toby’s state of health was unknown. Yet she disliked being cooped up in her room. Thankfully, Miss Tompkins always carried some books in her bag and so at least, Eleanor had a novel to keep her company.

  Why had that stupid man driven his cart out into the middle of the road like that and caused the accident? If it had not happened they would even now be sitting in Lady Merrill’s parlour…

  Samantha had welcomed her new pupil by inviting her to take tea with her and found Miss Hampden a very pleasant young lady with good manners and a bright way about her. She herself had been a little subdued, keeping to subjects that were perfectly proper for any young woman and not in the least inclined to make them think it proper to run off with a young man.

  Miss Anne Hampden was a little disappointed and mentioned it to her new friend Susanne, as they returned to the room they shared with two other girls.

  ‘Miss Merlin did not mention the wishing well. Is it in the woods? I long to see it. Have you visited it and made a wish, Susanne?’

  ‘No, I haven’t dared,’ Susanne said and hugged her arm. ‘I know Merry and Annabel did – one night at midnight. It was just before they left school and they both married well soon after.’

  ‘How exciting,’ Anne said and squeezed her arm. ‘We could go together if you like?’

  ‘We are not allowed in the woods after dark. I’m not sure I would dare…not until my last term anyway. Mama would be so angry if I were expelled.’

  ‘Surely you would not be for such a little thing?’

  ‘Perhaps not…’ Susanne looked at her. ‘Let me think about it.’

  ‘Yes, of course,’ Anne said. ‘Cook sent a hamper filled with goodies for me. It arrived this morning. Do you like chocolate cake and ginger biscuits?’

  ‘Oh yes.’ Susanne smiled at her. ‘But I mustn’t have too many or I shall not be able to get into the new dress Mama has promised me…’

  Unaware that her reticence in speaking of the wishing well had awoken a burning desire to see it in at least one of her pupils, Samantha took her classes the next day and then walked into the village, to send the letters she had written to Merry and Annabel. She could not get Eleanor out of her mind and was increasingly anxious for her as the days passed and no news came.

  Had something happened to the naughty girl? Samantha prayed that there had not been a terrible accident. If they had been on the way to Scotland it was strange that Lord Brought had not discovered them, either at an inn along the way or in Gretna Green itself, where they were surely hoping to marry.

  Yet she still could not quite believe it of Toby Brockleton. It was completely out of character for the young man she knew and liked. Surely there must be some explanation?

  More than a week had passed since Lord Brou
gh had come here to rage at her and she’d heard nothing from him. It was disturbing, for he would surely have let her know if he had heard?

  Should she write to him? Or would he think it impertinence since he had as good as told her that he would never allow his sister to return to the school? If he made his views known, Samantha feared that some of her pupils would not be returning next term.

  Her affairs were not important; it was Eleanor that mattered. Wandering into her private hall, Samantha saw a letter lying on the silver salver on the side table and picked it up. She saw at once it was written in Eleanor Brough’s hand, but the usual neat script she would expect rather than the hurried and much blotted note Eleanor had left when she eloped. Samantha ripped open the seal and gave a cry of relief.

  Eleanor had not eloped. Toby was taking her to stay with his aunt, because she could not bear to live with her Aunt Grace. Yet as she turned the page, Samantha realised things were not as they ought to be. The curricle had been forced to stop abruptly for a cart that had turned across in front of them and Toby had been thrown to the ground. He was at that moment unconscious.

  Samantha’s relief turned to anxiety. Was Eleanor alone at the inn while Toby was ill?

  She must go to her immediately. It was the only way. Sir Matthew and Lady Brockleton ought to be told if their son were ill, but she did not know exactly for Eleanor had not told her all the details – and if they did not know their son had eloped…

  Samantha knew she had no choice but to go to their rescue herself. She would send for his parents urgently, should it be necessary, but she did not wish to alarm them for nothing.

  What ought she to do about letting Lord Brough know?

  If she wrote to him now it would only delay her, and besides, he would rant and rave and poor Toby was in no fit state to meet his prospective brother-in-law.

  No, she would wait until she discovered the state of affairs at the inn, and then, if she found all well, she could let Eleanor’s brother know that she was safe. If, however, Toby was desperately ill, she would send for his parents at once.

  Her mind made up, Samantha rang the bell and asked that her phaeton be made ready. She would take her groom and enough clean clothes for a couple of days and then she would be off.

  Home at last! Robert sighed wearily as he took off his hat and gloves and handed them to his butler. He had spent the past ten days scouring the countryside between Miss Merlin’s school and Scotland, but found no trace of the errant pair. He’d been told about an accident to a carriage and gone chasing off to find out the details, but it had been a wild goose chase. No one had seen or heard of a young girl resembling his sister travelling with a young man, who Robert had described as being her cousin.

  Miss Merlin was unjust to accuse him of losing his temper and risking Eleanor’s reputation. He had been patient, diligent and discreet – and it had availed him nothing. The pair seemed to have disappeared into thin air.

  ‘What time would you care to dine, sir?’ his butler inquired.

  ‘Oh, my usual time I imagine,’ Robert said and scooped up the pile of letters awaiting him on the hall table. He carried them into his library and sat down in a very comfortable wing chair before the fire that was always kept burning for his convenience, even if he was not at home. He had hardly slept for worrying about the chit and he was damned if he would allow this state of affairs to continue. She had ruined herself by now – or she would have if the story had got about.

  Could he trust Samantha Merlin to keep it from the other girls?

  He scowled as he leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes for a moment.

  It was three hours later when his butler woke him with a discreet but loud cough.

  ‘What is it James?’ he asked, feeling worse than he had when he fell asleep.

  ‘Your dinner is ready to be served, my lord.’

  ‘I will have it in here – and pour me some brandy, will you?’

  James inclined his head, only slightly disapproving. Robert smiled, understanding his butler’s point of view. He would prefer that his lordship used the small dining parlour rather than having his meal in the library; it was certainly not a habit he would encourage, for Lord Brough was too young to be settling into such slovenly ways. He was quite correct, of course, but Robert was in no mood for the niceties.

  Amused by his butler’s dignified retreat, Robert sipped his brandy. He understood very well that James did not approve of him eating by the fire but he was too tired to bother with a formal meal this evening. All he truly wanted was a piece of pie and some bread and cheese, but he supposed he would be served at least five different courses. His chef prided himself on always being able to serve up a feast at a moment’s notice.

  Remembering the pile of mail that awaited him, he slit the first envelope. It was an invitation to dinner three days previously, which meant he would have to ride over and apologise to a friend in the morning. He opened three more, which proved to be accounts and was inclined to abandon the rest until the morning when he saw a letter addressed to him in Eleanor’s hand.

  At last! A mixture of relief and anger swept over him as he broke the seal and began to read. The relief very soon evaporated as he read the first few lines.

  The stupid, stupid girl! Did she have not one ounce of sense? She had been staying at a country inn when the letter was sent, and though her intention was not to elope but to stay with the Brockleton boy’s aunt, she had ruined herself as surely as night followed day. He crumpled the letter without bothering to finish it once he knew her destination.

  Damnation! He glanced at the clock. It was seven – time for his dinner. Had he opened his letters earlier he might have already been on his way. She had given her destination as Lady Merrill’s home in Northampton. His brow creased. He had heard of that lady…now where…? His frown deepened as he recalled that he knew her. These days she was perfectly respectable, though in her youth…he shook his head over the memory. He had been told that six men had fought duels over her; she had had three husband and probably half a dozen lovers; she had also driven a high perch phaeton past the coffee shops and clubs frequented by gentlemen in Brook Street for a wager when she was a slip of a girl. There was even a rumour that she had once fought a duel dressed as a man – and wounded her opponent in the arm.

  Rather notorious for a chaperone, he thought grimly, not certain that he wished his sister to spend even one night under the lady’s roof.

  Damn it! This meant that he must go out again, and he would have to forgo his dinner.

  If he drove all night, he might arrive by midday tomorrow!

  Chapter Five

  Samantha drove her phaeton at a spanking pace. Hearing her groom gasp as she took a corner more nearly on two wheels than four, she laughed. One thing she had learned from Papa when she was very young was to handle her own rig and horses; her horses were a bang up pair and real goers and she made good time. It was however past nine when she arrived at the inn, and almost dark.

  Leaving the horses to her groom, Samantha ran into the inn. The host came out to greet her, looking anxious.

  ‘I fear I only have a room with two beds, my lady,’ he said, addressing her as quality for she plainly was. ‘A lady on her way to take up a position as a governess has already taken it, but I told her she might have to share if it was required and she was very agreeable.’

  ‘Oh…’ Samantha sighed, resigned to an uncomfortable night. ‘Well, if it is all you have…but, tell me at once, do you have a Miss Brough staying here and a young man by the name of Brockleton?’

  The landlord eyed her oddly. ‘I alus did think as there was summat a bit smoky about their tale of being cousins…but she be staying with her companion and he be still abed with a sore head, tho’ much better than afore.’

  ‘Oh no, nothing wrong,’ Samantha said hastily. ‘They are cousins – on the maternal side. Are they still here…only I had Miss Brough’s letter and…’ She broke off as she saw a lady she knew co
me down the stairs. ‘Miss Tompkins – you here too? How glad I am to see you.’

  ‘My Toby wouldn’t come without me, because it would not be proper,’ Joan told her, her face breaking into a beaming smile. ‘I’m that glad to see you. Have you booked a room?’

  ‘A share of one,’ Samantha said. ‘My groom will sleep in the stable but I would have preferred my own room.’

  The landlord explained again and Miss Tompkins immediately offered to change places.

  ‘You could sleep with Miss Brough,’ she said. ‘It would be more fitting for you, miss – and to tell the truth she has been afretting me to death, so she has.’

  ‘I dare say she is very distressed at what happened to poor Toby?’

  ‘Yes, indeed, miss. Come upstairs at once and speak with her in private. I’ll take you up and then I’ll see to moving my things.’

  ‘Thank you, Joan. I hardly like to put you out but…’

  ‘I insist, Miss Merlin. It’s the least I can do after you’ve come all this way…’

  They went up the stairs together. At the head and out of sight of the landlord, she shook her head, saying, ‘They’ve got themselves in a right pickle, miss, and no mistake. We’ve been stuck here ten days now, and Master Toby not fit to drive, according to the doctor. Whatever would her brother think if he knew?’

  ‘We must get them to Lady Merrill’s house as quickly as possible,’ Samantha said. ‘My groom will drive them and you – and I’ll take my phaeton home in the morning. I was anxious that Toby was badly hurt and wondered if I should let his parents know.’

  ‘No cause for alarm, miss,’ Joan said. ‘Had it been a serious affair I would have done so at once, no matter what Miss Brough said. ‘She is a very pretty girl and I know my boy is set on wedding her – but a little young and thoughtless to be a wife I think.’