In All Honour

by Beth Elliott

  ‘The fact that Percival is currently in Bath does make him look suspicious.’ Greg rubbed his chin thoughtfully. ‘So my job is to get the evidence.’ He smiled. ‘Preston will be delighted to have some action.’

  They sat in silence as the light outside faded. The log hissed and shifted, sending out sparks. The room was warm, the brandy good. Greg felt himself relax as he had not done since his return from Spain. Better than anyone, Theo understood what these changes in his life meant.

  But his oldest friend also understood another side of Greg’s character.

  ‘Tell me,’ said Theo, his blue eyes glinting in the firelight, ‘is James Davenport’s sister in Bath?’

  For a long time Greg remained silent. His face was unreadable in the dim light. At last his lips twisted in a wry smile. ‘Sarah Davenport is a charming young lady and I like her very well,’ he said carefully. ‘But I am utterly determined to solve the mystery of Henry’s debt and his accident before I get involved in any other kind of … er … relationship.’

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  ‘Surely that is enough for the first session,’ panted Richard. He wiped an arm across his sweating forehead and looked in appeal at his older brother. ‘We have been here for well over an hour.’

  ‘Come on, one last bout.’ Greg took up the en garde position and flicked his foil menacingly in front of Richard. They fenced energetically for a few minutes until Richard parried a thrust from his brother and saw Greg wince.

  ‘That really is it!’ he declared, lowering his blade. ‘In any case, I cannot wait any longer to pay my respects to Miss Gardiner.’

  Greg raised his eyebrows. ‘Oho. Taken a fancy to Lizzie, have you? Well, little brother, I hope you have the energy to keep up with her.’

  ‘I shall be very glad to dance with her at the assemblies, if that is what you mean.’ Richard towelled his face vigorously. ‘Who is the other young lady you mentioned?’

  ‘Her old schoolfriend, Sarah Davenport.’

  ‘Is she the blonde ice maiden we met at the ball in London?’

  ‘Ice maiden …’ spluttered Greg.

  Richard gave his lopsided grin. ‘You have made her thaw, have you?’ He shook his head. ‘Wish I knew how you do it, Brother. I always get treated like a badly behaved puppy.’

  ‘That is because you are one.’ Greg dodged his brother’s mock punch and laughed. He realized it was the first time he had laughed with sheer enjoyment in a long while. Richard’s easy temper was doing him good. Even though he had enjoyed his short visit to Theo and Kitty, it had not been without its darker side. He snatched the towel from Richard and wiped his own face. Yes, he also was anxious to see the girls again. Who knew what they had been up to since he had had his ‘accident’?

  The brothers were in luck. Both girls were at home and very glad to put aside their sewing when they heard Greg and Richard announced.

  ‘What a welcome surprise,’ exclaimed Lizzie, jumping up. ‘And Mr Richard as well. You must stay for tea.’ She inspected Greg’s face. ‘Oh, my goodness! You certainly did bruise yourself.’

  Greg brushed her concern aside. ‘It is not so bad, Lizzie. Just a foolish accident.’ He was looking beyond her to where Sarah stood quietly by the window. ‘Excuse me,’ he smiled, ‘I must say my thanks to my rescuer.’

  He left Richard to talk to Lizzie and turned towards Sarah with a gleam in his eyes. At once he noticed something different about her. As he came close, he took in the dull frock and the hair scraped back severely. However, nothing could disguise that translucent skin or the lovely oval of her face. She watched him come towards her, and in response to his smile her lips curved and her eyes sparkled.

  Greg took her hand and pressed a kiss onto it. ‘I have not yet told you how very grateful I am for the help you gave me,’ he murmured. ‘It could have been a lot worse if you had not acted so promptly.’

  A delicate rose coloured her cheeks. ‘I wish I could have done more,’ she said, looking at his bruises, ‘I am happy to see that you are so well recovered. But have you wondered why such a thing should happen to you?’

  He glanced round. Richard and Lizzie were chatting happily and most certainly not listening. Even so….

  ‘Perhaps we could discuss this at a more convenient time?’

  He received a very sharp look from those jewel green eyes. She nodded. ‘Of course.’ They sat down and, after a slight hesitation, Sarah gave him a shy smile, ‘I must thank you for the gift you sent.’

  ‘Please do not mention it.’ Greg waved his hand and stopped in mid gesture. He gave a sharp intake of breath at the stab of pain. The muscles in his arm were protesting at the violent exercise they had endured that day. He knew that Sarah had heard him but before she could say anything, Lizzie called across.

  ‘Greg, your brother says you have started strengthening your arm. Does that mean it is completely healed now?’

  ‘As good as ever,’ he said stoutly, ‘just a little more exercise needed to get the muscles back in practice.’

  ‘Yes, but does that mean you are ready to drive us to Wells?’ persisted Lizzie.

  Greg shook his head in mock despair. ‘You never give up, do you? Grant me a little longer. You know very well that we need to make a big party and persuade someone to act as chaperon.’ He turned back to Sarah. He inspected her drab clothes and severe hairstyle. She lifted her chin and met his gaze gravely. Greg thought he could guess what she was trying to achieve. She was a determined fighter and he admired her spirit. He hoped his own mission would be the means to solve Sarah’s problems as well. If he could catch Lord Percival red-handed in his criminal activities she would never have to see the villain again.

  Somehow he had clenched his fists and all his muscles were tense as if for a fight. He made himself lean back in the chair and gave Sarah a conspiratorial smile. ‘Have you been very busy over these last few days?’

  She understood what he was asking. Her finger began to tease out a strand of hair and wind it as she answered. ‘I have not been out much. There has been plenty to occupy me here. However, we went to the last assembly. It was quite a squeeze; suddenly everyone is arriving in Bath.’

  ‘Mostly old people,’ chipped in Lizzie with a sigh. She poured out the tea and brought a cup to Greg. ‘Lord Percival was there. He introduced us to a newly arrived friend of his. You never saw such a quiz of a man … so wasp-waisted … such a high collar to his jacket that he could scarcely move his head!’

  ‘I would lay a monkey that is Lord Montallan,’ said Richard. He grinned as both girls burst out laughing and nodded agreement. ‘He is well known at all the London balls. Fancies himself on the dance floor. We shall have to cut him out at the next assembly, hey, Greg?’

  ‘Perhaps Lizzie is secretly looking forward to dancing with her new acquaintance.’ Greg gave her that teasing look that Sarah had noticed so often. At once Lizzie protested and they both laughed. Greg downed his tea then rose to take leave. Everything seemed well with Sarah and Lizzie for the moment.

  Now he was anxious to talk to Preston. He had sent his valet in disguise to spy out the mysterious Josiah Whitby at the Three Bells Inn at Seldon. It was not until he was nearly home again that he recalled how cool Sarah had been when he said goodbye. Perhaps Richard’s name for her was appropriate. And yet he could have sworn she had been truly pleased to see him when he first arrived at the house.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  When the two brothers had bowed themselves out, Sarah took up her sewing again. She sat and stared at it absently as she thought about the conversation. Greg had seemed really pleased to sit and talk to her but then, without being aware of it, he had shown how warmly attached he was to Lizzie. Sarah could not mistake the evidence of her own eyes. In addition, Lizzie was comfortable in his company and the general already seemed to consider him a member of the family.

  She stabbed her needle into the cuff she was hemming and pricked her finger. That woke her up to her surroundings. Lizzie was devouring
a thick novel, curled up in a huge armchair. The teacups were still dotted around on the side tables, where their guests had left them. Sarah knew she was being foolish but she went and picked up Greg’s cup. It rattled in its saucer as she carried it over to the tray. Lizzie stirred.

  ‘Are you tired of your needlework?’ she asked. ‘Sorry I am poor company but I have reached a really exciting part of my story.’ She plunged back into her reading. Sarah wandered over to the window. She put up a hand to her hair and realized she had made several ringlets down one side. She hastened over to the mirror and bit her lip at her image with one side so severe and the other all tendrils and curls. She must cure herself of this silly habit!

  She quickly smoothed her hair back again and surveyed herself once more. The quakerish image looked back at her gravely. Had it had the desired effect on the brothers? Sarah rather thought so. Richard had hardly spoken to her and she had caught Greg’s eyes on her grey gown more than once. If only it would have the same sobering effect on Lord Percival. Perhaps she should blacken her teeth with soot from the fireplace….

  The following day was sunny and the girls ventured into the park for a refreshing walk after dawdling along Milsom Street window shopping. Lizzie was complaining about Sarah’s appearance.

  ‘Just what is your scheme?’ she demanded. ‘You have even taken the trimming off your bonnet. And that grey dress is giving me the dismals!’

  Sarah nodded. ‘That is just what I wanted to hear. I wish to pass unnoticed.’ ‘What … you mean like a governess, or a companion? But why?’ Lizzie’s voice rose to a squeak of frustration.

  ‘Hmm,’ Sarah looked at her thoughtfully. ‘That gives me another idea. Perhaps I could find a pair of spectacles.’

  Lizzie sank down on a bench. She shook her head angrily. ‘You are the strangest creature. You are deceiving yourself if you think that any of this disguises your good looks.’

  ‘Oh, I think it does – at least, it sends a message that I am not very interesting.’

  ‘I assure you that you are wrong,’ snapped Lizzie. ‘Come, let us put it to the test.’ She slipped an arm through Sarah’s and started marching her firmly towards the Pump Room. ‘You will see,’ she said, rather breathless from the rapid walk, ‘you will not pass unnoticed.’

  They reached the Abbey Churchyard and were making for the entrance to the Pump Room when James came hurrying up to them. He scarcely had time for a civil greeting.

  ‘Need to speak to you,’ he told his sister, ‘in private.’

  ‘I shall see you inside then,’ Lizzie walked on. Sarah examined her brother. He looked even more haggard and a little untidy. His eyes were heavy and his mouth grim. He put a hand under her elbow and steered her towards the abbey, out of the way of the main flow of people.

  ‘Has something happened to Alice?’ asked Sarah, alarmed at this manoeuvre.

  James shook his head. He grimaced, shot her a glance then looked away. ‘Fact is, I … er … I lost a deal of money to George last night. Now he really could claim pretty well everything I own.’

  Sarah felt the blood drain from her face. ‘D-do you mean Russeldene as well…?’ she faltered.

  He shifted uneasily and nodded.

  ‘How could you?’ Her voice was like a whip and he flinched at the anger in it. ‘Do you have no control over yourself? How do you think so much money is to be found? Why do you waste your time in such a way?’ A tear ran unheeded down her cheek.

  ‘For the Lord’s sake, do not cry here,’ muttered James. ‘And no need to behave like a shrew. George is top of the trees, plays high, y’know.’ He gave his irritable shrug. ‘What is a fellow to do when he invites you to play?’

  ‘When he sets out to fleece you, more like!’ she hissed. ‘Now he has taken all your worldly goods, perhaps he will drop you. When he has the keys to our home, no doubt!’ Two great tears rolled down her cheeks. Her stomach churned with the fear of what would happen to them now, cast adrift in the world.

  James shifted again. ‘Do not look so stricken,’ he managed to say. ‘Know for a fact that George is mighty taken with you. Won’t demand payment if you will entertain the idea of letting him court you – with a view to marriage,’ he added hastily.

  Her green eyes flashed. The look she gave him made James take a step back. ‘Lizzie likes him well enough,’ he protested feebly.

  ‘Can you not see that he is a villain? He has robbed you. Do not mix me up in your schemes. I would rather starve than entertain such a grotesque idea.’ She turned on her heel and walked blindly away from him.

  ‘Miss Davenport? Sarah, whatever is wrong?’ A hand touched her arm.

  She dashed away the tears and darted a glance upwards. It was Greg standing in front of her. At that moment, Sarah could not have uttered a word. She was holding back heavy sobs of anger and despair at the way her whole life had crumbled. She shook her head. The next moment a handkerchief was thrust into her hand.

  ‘Come,’ said Greg, his voice gentle, ‘let us walk down towards the river. You can sit in the Parade Gardens and recover your composure. Perhaps this time I can be of more help.’

  She let him guide her, too preoccupied with the storm of feelings raging inside her to give any attention to the way they went. Just putting one foot in front of the other was hard enough. Images of Russeldene and the people there came into her head. The lump in her throat was almost choking her. She was conscious of Greg by her side, his arm firmly supporting her. He seemed like the only solid and secure thing left to her.

  At length she felt herself being pressed gently down on to a seat. She looked around and saw she was on a park bench. There were bushes on both sides. Sarah wiped her wet cheeks and heaved a sigh. She attempted a smile.

  ‘Once again you have come to my rescue, Major Thatcham.’

  ‘Not Major any longer, alas,’ he replied, ‘but that is of no importance. And, by the way, I thought we agreed to use our given names.’ He sat down beside her, leaned his elbow on his knee and examined her face. Sarah looked back steadily, breathless at the closeness of those wonderful amber eyes. His lean face was so open and honest, she felt a rush of longing to lean her head against his broad shoulder and shelter from her problems. Then she remembered Lizzie and her heart contracted again. She raised her chin.

  Greg swept off his hat and ran a hand through his coppery hair. His jaw clenched. He frowned, looked at Sarah from under his brows then, with a little difficulty, he said, ‘This is perhaps not my affair, but I cannot see you reduced to this state and not ask what the problem is? Please tell me how I may be of service to you.’

  Sarah plucked at her skirt. It was some time before she could answer. She cleared her throat. ‘I am most grateful for your kind help. I always seem to meet you at a … a difficult moment in my life.’

  Greg shifted his long legs. He took her hand. It was quite swallowed up in his large one. ‘No young lady should have to be so very distressed. It makes me imagine all kinds of dreadful things.’

  She shot him a scared look and knew her cheeks were going red. She could not explain the problem without disgracing her brother. ‘It is not so bad,’ she murmured, sliding her hand out of his. ‘I was angry as well as upset.’ She gave her eyes a final wipe. ‘You must think I am nothing but a watering pot.’

  ‘Certainly not,’ he replied promptly. ‘If you are in need of help that I can give you, you have only to say the word.’

  She gazed at his face, read in it his kind concern and wished with all her heart that she could lean on his strength. Since her father’s death there was nobody in her own family who paid any attention to her concerns. She suppressed a sigh and nodded, forcing her lips into a smile. ‘You are very good.’

  She rose and shook out her grey skirts. The time for sentiment was over. She would not give in to such weakness again. She was going to make it clear to Lord Percival that his suit was unacceptable. Greg again offered his arm and they set off back towards the Abbey churchyard.

 
‘Do you know,’ he said, escorting her safely across the road, ‘I did expect you to twist a few curls.’

  She put up a hand to her cheek. ‘I must stop that foolish habit.’ But she smiled and he smiled back, obviously pleased to have diverted her thoughts.

  They went up the step and into the Pump Room. James was lounging in the wide entrance hall. When he saw them, he gave a start and moved forward. Sarah frowned at him to keep his distance.

  She glanced at Greg and saw that hard expression on his face as he spotted her brother. He placed his other hand over hers, still tucked in his arm and kept walking through into the crowded Pump Room.

  ‘No doubt we shall find Lizzie here,’ he remarked in a bland tone. ‘Ah, there is my brother as well.’ He glanced down with a faint smile. ‘A cheerful group of friends to give your thoughts a new direction.’

  Sarah drew a shuddering breath and nodded. She had seen Lord Percival. He was standing very erect, his hand on his hip, eyes narrowed as he watched Greg and Sarah advance into the room.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  Greg felt Sarah’s arm stiffen as she looked at Lord Percival. Damn that arrogant swine, glaring at them! Why was he standing in a pose suggestive of drawing a sword? Greg was now certain that Sarah’s distress had a lot to do with this man. And her brother seemed to be adding to her problems. He felt an instinctive urge to protect her, so delicate and lovely a creature, from the web in which she was caught.

  He kept his grip on her hand and steered her towards Lizzie. As usual this lively young lady had managed to assemble a group of friends around herself. Greg’s mouth quirked as he saw his brother by her side. Lizzie was introducing Richard to everyone. Greg winked at his brother and was rewarded with the lopsided grin. Richard’s eyes moved to survey Greg’s companion. His eyebrows lifted, but he made no comment, merely exchanging a bow.