Ladies and Their Secrets: Regency Romance Collection

by Alec, Joyce

  And then, without warning, Lord Pallson lowered his head and kissed her soundly.

  4

  “Good afternoon, Lord Pallson!”

  Joseph bowed to Lady Millington, Lady Fareham, and then greeted Lord Brighton, who was sitting quietly with the two ladies, staring intently at his hand of cards. “Good afternoon to you all,” he replied with a smile. “Are the rest of your guests gone out, Brighton?”

  Lord Brighton looked up, his expression vacant. “What did you say, old boy?”

  “I asked if your guests have gone out of doors,” Joseph asked patiently. “I thought to take a short stroll myself after what was a very hearty luncheon.”

  Lord Brighton grinned, evidently pleased with just how well his house party was going. “Capital, Pallson, capital! Yes, indeed. Some have taken a carriage ride to the village, simply to take in the scenery about these parts. Some are simply walking in the gardens, taking in the air—for although the sun insists on remaining hidden behind the clouds, it is still fairly warm. Your niece and Miss Thorpe have gone to the stables with Lord Winchester and Lord Franks to have a look over my horses.”

  Joseph found all thoughts of taking a short walk in the grounds flying from his head upon hearing that Miss Thorpe was out at the stables. “Indeed,” he murmured, seeing Lord Brighton’s gaze return to his cards. “Then I may join them. Do excuse me.”

  Inclining his head, he turned on his heel and strode from the room, his thoughts suddenly caught up with Miss Thorpe.

  It had been two days since he had kissed her in the library, and since that night, Miss Thorpe had made every effort to remain entirely out of his company. She had never once caught his gaze, had not even so much as looked in his direction, and had made sure to retire early, apparently heading straight to her rooms.

  Even though he had gone to the library in the hope that she might have returned there, he had never found her present. They had not had even a single moment alone, and that in itself was frustrating Joseph terribly.

  The kiss had been quite unexpected and certainly not intended, but the way she had looked up at him, the warmth in her expression and the sheer beauty of her had practically demanded that he do so. He had found himself quite caught up with her, just as he had been since their first introduction. Her beauty still overwhelmed him, but it was the sweetness of her character and her gentle consideration of Helen that had warmed his heart. He had seen how she had really taken his niece under her wing these last few days, had seen how Helen had been trying to improve herself with the gentle encouragement that came from Miss Thorpe. Helen had begun to leave her bashfulness behind, even though her cheeks had still mounted with color whenever she spoke to one or two gentlemen in particular. Joseph was glad to see such a change and could not help but think all the more highly of Miss Thorpe in the process.

  Their kiss had been wonderful. It had been quite clear to him from the moment he had pressed his mouth to hers that she had never been kissed before, for she had remained almost frozen in place until, ever so slowly, she had begun to respond.

  That had brought a fire to his bones that he had not expected. She had not stepped back from his embrace and slapped him hard, which he would well have deserved, but rather she had let her arms lift around his neck, which had allowed him to hold her close, his hands settling on her waist. She had been warm and soft and sweet – and it had only been the sound of voices coming along the hallway that had broken their kiss.

  Her face had flushed red, as she had stepped back from him, one finger lightly on her lips, as her eyes had widened. Without another word, she had turned and almost ran from the room, her book forgotten. He had not known what to do, picking up the book from the table and thinking about going after her, but in the end, choosing not to do so. There was no good in finding her only to apologize again—for he had done enough of that already. The truth was, however, he could not get Miss Thorpe from his mind. Companion or no, he wanted to spend a good deal more time with her and certainly did not want their first kiss to be their last.

  You cannot toy with her.

  Hesitating at the front door of the house, Joseph considered what he was doing. If he was to pursue Miss Thorpe, then that would suggest that he had intentions for her and for their future together. To his surprise, no doubts or fears immediately burned into his mind. Instead, he found himself almost glad at the prospect, as though he had suddenly become quite certain that Miss Thorpe was exactly the kind of lady he wished to make his wife.

  Swallowing hard, Joseph tried to clear his thoughts. He was thinking much too quickly and certainly much too far ahead. He did not know much about Miss Thorpe and certainly knew very little about her family or her past. Besides which, she was a companion, which meant that she would have no dowry to speak of and would certainly come from reduced circumstances.

  Steady.

  Giving himself a slight shake, he tried once more to remove all thoughts of the lady and their potential future from his mind, aware that he was reacting much too quickly to the sudden rush of affection and desire that had overwhelmed him ever since the very first moment he had seen the lady.

  That being said, however, it did not appear as though Miss Thorpe was entirely unaffected by his presence, although certainly, he thought, not in as intense a way as he. That brought him a good deal of satisfaction in the knowledge that, should he pursue her with intentionality, then Miss Thorpe ought to be a warm recipient of his affections. Then again, given her reduced circumstances, he would expect her to accept him regardless of whether she felt anything for him or not.

  Having deliberated long and hard as to what he ought to do, Joseph found himself striding out towards the stables, intending on at least being in Miss Thorpe’s company for a time. At least whilst he thought about what he might do with regards to his future with the lady he would be able to spend a good deal of time with her without raising an eyebrow from any other guests. She was his niece’s companion, and therefore it was quite acceptable for him to be with her often. A small smile tugged onto his lips as he approached the stables, hearing the sound of laughter coming from within.

  However, it was not Miss Thorpe who greeted his eyes, but rather Helen, standing with Lord Winchester and Miss Sophia. Miss Sophia’s maid was with the group also—although standing to one side. A frown caught his brow, as he moved towards them, wondering why his niece’s companion was entirely absent.

  “Oh, Lord Pallson,” Miss Sophia exclaimed, greeting him warmly. “How good to see you. I am sure you know all about horses, do you not? Might you give us your opinion on Lord Brighton’s new matched greys? They are quite the prize, I believe, and appear to be very gentle indeed.”

  Joseph cleared his throat and attempted to appear interested in the creatures, whilst unable to remove his thoughts from Miss Thorpe. He waffled for a few minutes as best he could, seeing Miss Sophia’s attention never flicker from him, whilst Helen, his niece, gently stroked the horse’s velvety nose.

  “I thought you had Miss Thorpe with you, Helen?” Joseph murmured, as Lord Winchester engaged Miss Sophia in conversation. “She is not with you?”

  Helen shot him a sharp look. “You need not think that she is neglecting her duties, Uncle. Lord Franks wished to take a short ride around the grounds, but none of us wished to join him. I could see that Miss Thorpe was looking longingly at the greys, and even though she had no riding habit, I insisted that she join Lord Franks. After all, I have Lord Winchester, Miss Sophia, and her maid here for company, and Lord Franks had a groom attend with Miss Thorpe. There can be no impropriety, Uncle, truly.”

  A little surprised at the spirit in which such words came from his niece’s mouth, Joseph nodded slowly. “I see. And have you been enjoying your conversation with Lord Winchester and Miss Sophia?”

  A slow flush crept up Helen’s cheeks, as her eyes drifted from him towards Lord Winchester. “I am doing my very best to speak calmly and slowly, just as Miss Thorpe has suggested,” she replied in a lo
w voice. “It is helpful to have a small number of companions with which to continue the conversation. You do not think I am an embarrassment, do you, Uncle?”

  Her eyes were searching his, a tension in her expression for which Joseph could not help but reproach himself. He had not meant to have her question herself and, pressing her hand lightly, smiled just as brightly as he could. “No, indeed not. I am very glad to see you so improved these last few days. You are doing marvelously well, my dear girl. I did not mean for you to question yourself in such a way.”

  Helen looked immediately relieved. “Miss Thorpe has been so marvelously helpful. I do hope you do not mind that she went riding—for I thought she ought to have a little enjoyment of her own instead of simply watching me!”

  Joseph ignored the disappointment that had seared his chest on hearing that Miss Thorpe had gone riding with another gentleman. “No, of course not. You are quite right and very kind natured to think of her, Helen. Now, what can I—?”

  His conversation was immediately cut off by the sound of loud shouting that seemed to grow ever closer. He, along with the others, immediately hurried out of the stables to see that Lord Franks was riding furiously towards them, his shouts filling the air. What on earth had occurred? And where was Miss Thorpe?

  “I must get inside at once!”

  Lord Franks practically jumped down from his horse and flung himself towards Joseph, grasping his shoulders.

  “Shield me, Pallson!”

  The man’s voice was wild, his expression terror-stricken, as Joseph struggled to understand what was going on. He nodded in agreement with whatever Lord Franks was asking, only for Lord Winchester to step forward to grasp the horse’s reins.

  “Whatever is the matter, Franks?” Lord Winchester asked, irritated. “Where are Miss Thorpe and your groom? What is the trouble?”

  Lord Franks, however, shook his head, let go of Joseph’s shoulders, and with eyes darting everywhere, ran headlong towards the front door of the estate. Joseph turned to watch him in surprise, thinking he had never seen the gentleman move so quickly.

  “That was very odd,” Helen commented, as Miss Thorpe and the groom appeared in a much more sedate fashion. “What on earth was the matter?”

  “Miss Thorpe?” Miss Sophia called, as the groom helped her down from her mount. “Is Lord Franks unwell?”

  Joseph was horrified to see Miss Thorpe sway suddenly, leaning heavily on the groom for a moment. Dashing forward, he took her arm, as she murmured something at the groom.

  “Miss Thorpe?” he asked, as the others drew a little closer. “What is the matter?”

  She looked up at him wordlessly, her eyes a little vacant as her face paled.

  “There was a shot, my lord,” the groom said, looking a little frightened himself. “Lord Franks’ horse bolted. Without warning, he made off for the stables.” He shook his head, looking at Miss Thorpe with concern. “There came another shot almost the moment he rode away, which tore past Miss Thorpe’s arm.”

  Joseph’s stomach turned over. “You have been shot, Miss Thorpe?”

  Her voice was faded and quiet, as though she could not find the energy to speak loudly. “It is nothing more than a graze, my lord. I am quite all right.”

  His mind filled with questions, Joseph immediately slipped his arm around Miss Thorpe’s waist, aware that he had to get her inside almost at once. “You will permit me to aid you, Miss Thorpe?” He looked at Helen, his anxiety suddenly rising. “You must all go inside until we ascertain where such a shot came from. Lord Franks seemed to think that it was aimed at him, but we cannot be certain.”

  “It may have been nothing more than a poacher,” the groomsman suggested, even though his face was a little pale. “They have been known to be on Lord Brighton’s estate and—”

  “A poacher would not shoot twice,” Joseph interrupted darkly. “Take care of the horses. Come, Helen, Miss Thorpe. We must return inside. Lord Winchester take Miss Sophia back to the house.”

  Thus taking charge of the situation, Joseph insisted on helping Miss Thorpe walk back inside, even though she tried to state that she was more than able to do so herself. Helen walked beside them in stunned silence, clearly quite overwhelmed as to what had occurred.

  “Come to the drawing room, Miss Thorpe,” Joseph murmured, as they walked inside. “Lady Millington is within and will want to speak to you, I am sure.”

  Miss Thorpe did not make a sound as they walked together into the room but was immediately met by a frantic looking Lady Millington, whilst Lord Franks, who had been pacing up and down the room, looked up towards them, guilt and fear mingled in his expression.

  As Joseph handed Miss Thorpe into Lady Millington’s care, he felt anger burst through him. Lord Franks had ridden away with the only concern being his own safety. He had left Miss Thorpe to the care of the groom, and in doing so, he had allowed her to become injured. He was no gentleman.

  “What the devil did you think you were doing?” he hissed, stalking towards Lord Franks, who was now rather grey in the face. “You left Miss Thorpe with the groom and rode on back the stables yourself? She has been shot, Franks!”

  Lord Franks swallowed, his eyes a little wide. “I--I did not think, Pallson. I simply reacted. I knew they had been after me. I knew they were chasing me, but I never once thought that…”

  “Who?” Joseph asked angrily.

  Lord Franks shook his head. “I have not paid my gambling debts,” he muttered, shoving one hand through his carefully styled hair. “They warned me, but I did not listen.”

  “And you believe they shot at you—here?” Joseph asked, disbelief running through him. “That seems highly unlikely, Franks.”

  “No, it is more than likely,” Lord Franks replied, sounding desperate. “It is a warning, is it not? I must pay them else my life will be forfeit!”

  Joseph did not know what to say, still feeling quite unsure about it all. It did not seem possible that those who had been chasing Lord Franks would follow him all the way to Lord Brighton’s home and then attempt to shoot him whilst he was out riding. But yet there did not appear to be any other reasonable explanation.

  “Is--is she quite all right?” Lord Franks asked hoarsely. “The injury, is it—?”

  “It is a graze only, I believe, but the doctor will be sent for,” Joseph interrupted darkly. “You owe her a decent apology, Lord Franks. To leave a lady out there alone was both cruel and selfish.”

  Lord Franks’ eyes flickered. “She is a mere companion, Pallson,” he muttered, clearly thinking that he had not done anything particularly terrible. “You need not rail at me so.”

  For a moment, Joseph was forced to battle the urge to strike the man where he stood. Lord Franks must have seen the look on his face for he immediately began to back away, his hands raised as though he were trying to make amends for what he had said without actually issuing a word of apology from his mouth. Joseph, struggling to keep a hold of his temper, turned back to where Miss Thorpe now sat with Lady Millington and Helen, relieved to see that her face was now a little less pale.

  “Lady Millington,” he murmured, coming closer to the lady. “How does Miss Thorpe fare?”

  “It is a graze only,” Lady Millington replied, getting to her feet. “What is the explanation for it all?”

  Joseph explained quickly but saw that Lady Millington did not look as though she believed the story. In fact, she looked rather skeptical and turned her gaze towards Miss Thorpe more than once, as though there was something to do with the lady herself that might explain it all. Dismissing this idea almost at once, Joseph saw Lady Millington shake her head, her breath coming out a little more slowly.

  “Whatever the reason, I believe it best that Miss Thorpe remain inside for a few days in order to recover,” she suggested, a little cautiously. “Might you find a maid to accompany your niece, should she wish to go outside?”

  “I will accompany her myself,” Joseph replied with feeling. “But I may
suggest that she also remains within, for I do not feel entirely comfortable with the idea of her being out of doors when there are poachers – or creditors as they may be – about the place.”

  “Very wise,” Lady Millington replied, her expression now very strained. “Thank you for your understanding, Lord Pallson. I will take Miss Thorpe to her rooms now and will make sure to have Sarah, her maid, fetch whatever she needs. You need not worry, my lord.”

  Joseph let his gaze linger on Miss Thorpe for a moment or two, seeing how her eyes glanced up at him before returning to Lady Millington. He felt the urge to reassure her that she was quite safe, that he would protect her from any further danger, but nothing issued from his lips. Instead, he simply looked at her as she rose and walked from the room, feeling his heart follow her.

  5

  “How are you?”

  Emily tried to smile, her nerves still taut even though it was now the day after the traumatic incident had occurred.

  “I am quite all right, Lady Millington, truly.”

  Lady Millington sank down into a chair opposite, clearly taking the opportunity to talk to Emily alone, whilst the rest of the houseguests were still abed.

  “Your arm?”

  “Recovering quite well,” Emily replied quietly. “As I said, it was just a graze.”

  Lady Millington shook her head. “The shock of it, however….” Trailing off, she looked at Emily with an uncertain look in her eyes. “Do you believe the story Lord Franks told?”

  Emily, who had been troubled by this ever since the incident had occurred, let out a shaky breath. Tears began to flood her eyes as Lady Millington reached across and took her hand, evidently seeing her fear.

  “You believe that the shot was not meant for Lord Franks?”

  Swallowing the lump in her throat, Emily tried to shrug. “I cannot tell, Lady Millington. If it had been but one shot, then I might have believed that it was either a poacher or someone attempting to scare Lord Franks, but the fact that there came a second shot soon after, as he was riding away, and that it was near to me has made me increasingly concerned.”