by Anne Ashley
While waiting for her purchases to be made up into a parcel, Jennifer began to browse through an old edition of the Lady’s Journal. The sudden tinkling of the shop bell announced the arrival of another customer, but she did not trouble to see who had entered, until she heard her given name spoken in a hoarse whisper. Then she turned, the colour draining from her face when she finally recognised the slender gentleman standing near the door.
‘Geoffrey?’ She could hardly believe the change in him. He looked so thin and drawn, his complexion the colour of parchment, that it was difficult to believe that he was not yet eight-and-twenty, for he bore the appearance of a man well into middle age. ‘I—I didn’t realise you were planning to return from Italy. I saw your sister only last week, when we dined at a neighbour’s house, and she never mentioned anything.’
‘Melissa doesn’t know I’m here.’ He took off his hat, revealing a head of hair that was more grey than golden now. ‘I’m putting up at the inn here in town.’
‘The inn?’ Jennifer echoed, panic rising now that she had recovered from the shock of seeing him so vastly changed. Her eyes flew to the window. If Julian were to discover them together… Why, oh why must Geoffrey decide to return now—now when everything in her life was perfect?
‘I was wondering how I could manage to see you. I thought of sending a note to the house, but I’ve been saved the trouble,’ he informed her, little realising that he was the very last person in the world she ever wished to see again. ‘I was on my way to pay a call on Dr Arnold, and I saw you slip in here.’
He took a step towards her, and she would have backed away had not the counter stood directly behind her. ‘I must speak with you, Jenny. There is something you must know.’
Jennifer detected Mrs Goodbody’s footsteps. ‘We cannot talk here, Geoffrey. Besides, Julian is in town, and I…’ Her voice tailed off.
‘You’d rather he didn’t find us together,’ he finished for her. ‘Yes, I can understand that. Could we meet tomorrow? You could come to the inn. It’s very important that I see you.’
‘Very well, I’ll come in the morning,’ she hurriedly agreed.
So eager was she to be gone from the town that she didn’t delay in returning to the inn, and almost collided with a customer as she entered the coffee-room. ‘Was that not one of Melissa’s employees?’ she asked, joining his lordship at the table where he sat enjoying a tankard of the landlord’s home-brewed ale.
‘Yes, her steward. Cannot abide the fellow myself, but he seems efficient enough at his job.’
Julian regarded her in silence for a moment before offering to order her some refreshments which she politely declined. Thankfully he did not linger long in finishing his ale, but Jennifer was conscious all the time of those shrewd eyes peering at her over the rim of the pewter tankard.
As they went outside to collect the curricle, she could not resist darting a glance down the main street in the direction of the doctor’s house. Fortunately there was no sign of Geoffrey, but she found she could not relax until they had left the town’s limits behind them.
Then grave doubts and a guilty conscience began to plague her, forcing her to wonder anew what on earth had possessed her to agree to the meeting on the morrow. But then, she reminded herself, she hadn’t been given much choice. She certainly didn’t want him sending notes to the house or, worse still, turning up on the doorstep, though what in the world he could have to say to her after all these years that was so important she simply couldn’t imagine. One thing was certain, however, she could not, would not, sneak off in the morning to meet him clandestinely.
‘Julian, I have something to tell you,’ she said hurriedly, before she could change her mind. ‘I saw Geoffrey Wilburn in town this morning. He walked into Mrs Goodbody’s premises whilst I was there.’ There was no response. ‘I hardly recognised him.’
‘No, neither did I.’
Jennifer almost found herself gaping. ‘You saw him too!’
‘Yes, I was on the point of crossing the street in order to escort you back to the inn, when I noticed him entering the shop. So I decided to await you as arranged.’ He glanced at her. ‘Thank you for confiding in me, Jenny.’
‘There’s more, Julian,’ she responded, secretly moved by the respect she could detect in his eyes. ‘He asked me to meet him at the inn tomorrow. Seemingly, he’s putting up there.’
He frowned at this. ‘Why not at Wilburn Hall?’
‘I don’t know. I do know that he hasn’t apprised Melissa of his return.’
A brief silence, then, ‘And will you go?’
‘In all honesty I cannot say that I particularly want to, but I rather think I must. There is something I wish to ask him.’
Again he took his eyes off the road to cast a fleeting glance at her. ‘Then, of course, you must go.’
‘Will you come with me, Julian?’
‘No.’ There was no mistaking the finality of that decision. ‘I trust you, Jenny, trust you implicitly. I do not, however, trust Geoffrey Wilburn. So I will make only one stipulation before permitting you to keep that appointment… Don’t be alone with him.’
‘Of course, I will do as you ask, but I do not suppose for a moment that Geoffrey would ever deliberately do me harm.’
‘He may have done so once before.’ He watched the frown of puzzlement crease her brow. ‘Has it never occurred to you to wonder why you cannot remember all that took place in that cottage all those years ago? Has it never occurred to you that you might not have willingly given yourself to him?’
It was patently obvious by her astonished expression that it had not. ‘Geoffrey might have forced himself upon me, you mean? No, Julian, I don’t believe that for a moment.’
‘From what I remember of him it does, I agree, seem highly unlikely. None the less, I would ask you not to put yourself in a position whereby you cannot call for help should the need arise.’
‘Very well, Julian. I shall do as you ask.’
Chapter Sixteen
The following morning Julian stood at his library window watching the light travelling carriage taking Jennifer to the town sweep up the driveway. He was plagued by misgivings, but hadn’t allowed these to surface. Understandably, he was anything but happy about the appointment she was about to keep. To have refused, however, might have given her reason to suppose that his faith in her was not absolute; worse still, it would have denied her the opportunity of finally putting the past firmly behind her.
He was sure that bitter self-recrimination didn’t plague her often these days. And God only knew he had tried his very best in recent weeks to assure her that he no longer held her in any way to blame for their long separation! Nevertheless, he had chanced upon her more than once, staring sightlessly out of a window, those lovely eyes shadowed with sadness and regrets. The poor darling didn’t deserve to suffer these periods of torment, rare though they were nowadays, and if talking to Wilburn could help, then Julian had no intention of standing in her way.
These reflections were interrupted by Slocombe entering the room with a pile of correspondence collected from the receiving office earlier that morning. Normally Julian would have left the job of sorting through them to his efficient secretary, but decided this morning to deal with the correspondence himself. He had almost completed the task when he clearly detected the sound of a cheerful voice raised in the hall, and a few moments later the beaming countenance of his friend Mr Dent appeared round the door.
‘Theo, my dear fellow! Come in, come in!’ Julian rose from the desk to shake his visitor warmly by the hand. ‘Didn’t expect to see you this early in the day.’
‘Put up at an inn this side of Devizes, and made an early start.’
Julian, having poured out two glasses of burgundy, handed one to his friend, before seating himself in the chair opposite by the hearth. ‘May I be the first in this household to offer my heartfelt congratulations on your recent betrothal. Have you decided upon a date yet?’
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��Providing the house is anywhere near in order, early next month, we hope. I’ll have a clearer idea when I ride over tomorrow.’ A faint look of uncertainty flickered over his homely features. ‘I say, Julian, if you’re not happy about us holding the festivities here, you only have to say so. It was Serena’s idea, and you know what the ladies are like when they take these foolish romantic notions into their heads.’
‘My dear Theo, we shall be delighted. We were unable to attend Patrick and Mary’s wedding, mainly because it took place so swiftly after their return to Ireland, although we are determined to pay them a visit some time next year.’
Relief clearly showed. ‘Well, thank you, Julian. Neither Serena nor I wish for a large London affair—just the immediate family, and a few friends, you understand.’
‘There will be no problem. We’ve plenty of room here. Jenny is very much looking forward to it, providing you do not delay in fixing a firm date.’
Theodore frankly laughed. ‘In a hurry to see me leg-shackled, is she?’
‘Possibly, but that’s not the main reason. Like a typical female, she’s more concerned with her attire.’ A faintly proud smile softened the aristocratic features. ‘You see, my dear Theo, you are not the only one to be congratulated. I am to become a father for a second time.’
It took a moment or two for Theodore to digest fully what he had just learned, then his plump features once again wore a delighted smile. ‘By Jove! This is good news! My dear fellow, I couldn’t be more pleased. So everything between you is fine?’
‘Almost, but not quite. I’m very much hoping, however, that it will be before the end of this day.’ His lordship’s sigh, though faint, was clearly audible. ‘Unlike myself, Jenny isn’t quite able to put the past firmly behind her, so she’s meeting with Geoffrey Wilburn this morning.’
Theodore was stunned, and it showed. ‘Geoffrey Wilburn is back? And—and you’re letting Jenny meet with him!’
‘I have the utmost faith in her,’ Julian announced, with a return of that haughty tone of old. ‘Wilburn poses no threat, I assure you. He never did, except…’
Theodore was not slow to detect the faint look of concern, and cursed himself silently for his thoughtless remark. ‘Of course you’ve no need to worry. Besides, Mrs Royston will be there, won’t she?’
‘No, Jennifer is meeting Wilburn in town.’
‘Oh, I see…’ As Theodore sampled the excellent wine something occurred to him. ‘Well, I expect everything will still be fine. I thought I passed Mrs Royston’s carriage on the road. She was heading in the direction of the town.’
It was evident from his lordship’s sudden, darkly intense gaze that this intended reassurance hadn’t had quite the desired effect. ‘You passed Melissa’s carriage? Are you positive Mrs Royston was the occupant?’
‘I didn’t get a good look,’ Theodore freely admitted, wondering what was making his friend appear so very anxious all of a sudden, ‘and the carriage was travelling at a cracking pace. But, yes, it certainly looked like her.’ He gaped in astonishment as his lordship suddenly stalked across to the door. ‘Devil take it, Wroxam! Now what are you about?’
‘I’ve always considered Geoffrey a weak and ineffectual person. His sister, on the other hand, is a different matter entirely.’ Then, calling for his hat and crop, Julian went out into the hall, Theodore at his heels. ‘I’m riding into town. You’re welcome to accompany me if you wish.’
‘Of course, I’ll come, if you think Jenny’s in any kind of danger,’ he answered, easily keeping up with his lordship’s long-striding gait, as they went outside. ‘Got anything suitable for me to ride?’
‘You can take my grey.’
‘Fine. He’s certainly up to my weight. But what are you going to ride?’
‘Jemmy! his lordship called the instant he reached the yard. The boy came scurrying from the stable. ‘Have my saddle put on Oriel at once!’
The moment Jennifer arrived at the inn she began to suffer her own misgivings when one of the tavern maids showed her up a flight of stairs and into a private parlour.
‘Can I fetch you anything?’ the maidservant asked, addressing Geoffrey, who had risen from the table, where he had been sitting for the past hour, absently watching the comings and goings in the street below through the open window.
He had observed the Wroxam carriage pull into the inn yard, and could see now that his one-time friend the Marchioness was looking anything but happy and relaxed to be here, and thought to remedy this.
‘Would you care for some refreshment, Jenny—a glass of wine, perhaps?’ He could not resist a wry smile at the prompt refusal. ‘Well, yes, perhaps you’re wise to refuse. Supping wine with a member of my family can be a somewhat hazardous undertaking.’
She frowned at this, but let it pass without comment, as she took the precaution of re-opening the door a fraction, after the serving maid, having withdrawn, had closed it behind her. ‘I promised Julian I would be back in time for luncheon, so I would be obliged if you would come straight to the point of your request to see me.’
He stared at her in silence for a moment, his pale blue, lacklustre eyes adopting a faraway look. ‘I cannot recall your being quite so forthright. You’ve changed, Jenny.’
And so have you, she thought, studying the lined, thin face which had lost every vestige of the youthful handsomeness she well remembered. A mere shadow of his former self, he looked so pale and weary that when he pulled out a chair, she felt obliged to take it, fearing that if she did not he would remain standing himself. He appeared not to possess the strength to do even that, let alone attempt some physical attack upon her. Surely Julian’s concerns were without foundation?
‘You and Wroxam are happy together, Jenny?’ he enquired, after coughing into a handkerchief which bore those telltale red stains, making her realise just how ill he was.
‘Yes, we’re happy…. very happy, Geoffrey.’
‘I’m glad…truly. It makes my being here all the more worthwhile. As soon as I learned of your return, I felt I must return too to warn you.’
‘Warn me…? Warn me about what?’
‘Melissa.’ He watched a look of utter bewilderment take possession of those exquisite features. ‘You really have no idea, do you, Jenny? You look precisely as you did that afternoon when you woke up in the cottage.’
His unexpected rumble of laughter turned into a fit of coughing, and it was a few moments before he began speaking again. ‘The wine I gave you that day was drugged—drugged by my beloved stepsister in order to bring about your ruin, and attain for her what she most craved in the world. But that was all I did, though God forgive me that was dishonourable enough. And if it’s any consolation, not a day has passed since when I haven’t been tormented for my weakness in agreeing to Melissa’s dastardly plot.’
‘But why, Geoffrey?’ Jennifer was having the utmost difficulty in understanding what she was being told, and was beginning to doubt her own intuition. ‘Does Melissa hate me so much? Is she truly in love with Julian?’
Fortunately this time when he gave way to mirth it didn’t result in a further bout of coughing. ‘Love is an emotion quite foreign to dearest Melissa. No, she doesn’t love Wroxam, and never has in my opinion. But she has always dreamt of becoming his wife. Social position is what Melissa craves.’ He shrugged his thin shoulders. ‘Understandable enough when you consider the stigma she has lived with all her life. Most people, no doubt, have forgotten that the first Mrs Wilburn was merely the daughter of an apothecary. But Melissa has never forgotten.
‘She resented my mother very much,’ he went on, ‘mainly because the second Mrs Wilburn was well born. That is why Melissa went to live with her aunt for so many years, and where she learned all she needed to know about the mixing of potions which would prove so useful to her in later years.’
‘Dear God!’ Jennifer muttered, suddenly realising what a lucky escape she had had on that day she had visited Wilburn Hall. If she had drunk all her wine, perhaps
she wouldn’t have been here now.
‘Melissa had no choice but to marry Royston,’ Geoffrey continued, and Jennifer listened intently. ‘It was either that, or risk losing the family home in order to pay the debts Father had left. She knew at the time that there was no earthly chance of extracting a proposal of marriage from Wroxam. Being only a couple of years her senior, he was nowhere near ready for marriage. And my dear sister is nothing if not a realist. She also has a keen regard for appearances, and so bided her time before deciding widowhood would suit her very well.’
It was an effort, but Jennifer managed to suppress a gasp. ‘Are you trying to tell me that Royston did not, in fact, die of natural causes?’
‘Personally, I have never believed so, no. But obviously I cannot prove it.’ His shrug betrayed a certain amount of indifference. ‘She was still young, and Wroxam was only three and twenty. All she needed to do was wait a decent period, and then the man she was determined to snare as a husband might consider her for a wife, or at least she hoped. Time means absolutely nothing to Melissa. Only she miscalculated, and delayed a little too long in attempting to snare the Marquis. His lordship left Wroxam Park one spring morning, and returned a few weeks later, bringing with him his pretty young wife.’
Jennifer could only marvel at how credulous she had been. ‘And from that moment your sister planned my downfall.’
For the first time he seemed reluctant to meet her gaze. ‘Yes, with my help. She couldn’t have made the attempt on her own, Jenny. But I’d like you to know that my friendship was genuine. Unfortunately my desire for independence was stronger. She offered me money to live in Italy if I helped her… And may God forgive me, I agreed!
‘It was an easy matter to discover precisely when Julian had planned to return from London. In your innocence you disclosed all we needed to know. I invited you out riding. It was my intention to take you to the cottage, and when it came on to rain that afternoon I had my excuse. Then I poured you wine, and a second glass, carried you over to the bed, and waited for Melissa. I remained outside whilst she undressed you.’ His lips were twisted by a bitter smile of self-disgust. ‘I possessed that much decency at least. All I had to do then was wait for Melissa to return with Wroxam, and slip into the bed beside you.’