He was taken aback. Though Amanda had received offers she had shown no special preference for any of the men she had met in London.
'Are you – that is, who are you proposing to marry? Not Sir Martin Carruthers, I trust? He has no fortune, and he's far too old for you.'
'Of course it's not him, nor Sir Humphrey Smithers. Let me see. I will only accept a man no older than you are yourself. You can scarce object to that, as Fanny is my age. And naturally he will be as wealthy, if not more so, than I am. That's another thing you cannot object to, so eager as you have been to steer me away from fortune hunters. How do you say to that? He'll be handsome, naturally, and he'll love me to distraction.'
Lucien laughed. 'My dear Amanda, you are romancing! You haven't met anyone remotely like that.'
'Would you be happy for me if I had?'
'Of course.'
'Don't worry about Fanny. She is quiet, but she has great strength of character, and she will do her duty, she won't do more than consult me, or you, if she needs advice, but she will make her own decisions. She'll be a perfect wife for you, a wonderful hostess, and the best mother for your children that you could ever find.'
He was puzzled. Had Amanda someone in mind when she described all these many virtues? Or, and he became more convinced as time went on, she was simply dreaming, as he supposed all girls must, of their ideal husband. But he must leave her to her dreams. He would ride home on the following day.
*
Jethro Wilkes had discovered, in Gerard, someone with an interest in business. Though he had spent years as a soldier, since coming home to take over his father's importing business he had developed a keen sense of what was profitable.
'Would you care to see some of my own businesses?' he asked one morning at breakfast. 'I've a salt mine in Cheshire, a coal one near Wolverhampton, and shares in some of the local toll roads and canals. We might have to stay away overnight, but you can depend on Lady Charlotte to look after your sister. I don't think you export much, and there are many opportunities, especially now we can export to the continent again. You need to know about them. It could double your profits.'
'I've thought of it, but I don't have my own ships. I rent space where I can, which I think may be easier importing than it would be for exports. The ship owners, usually, are after all transporting the same goods I am most of the time.'
'I wish I could take you to see my shipyard in Bristol. But it's too far at the moment. When your sister is settled, maybe. It would be worth your while to build a couple, then you'd not be dependent on others so much.'
They agreed to visit the coal mine first. If they started very early in the morning it would be possible to make the visit in a day. They'd take Jethro's chaise, and he would arrange for changes of horses so that they could make good speed. They would go the same day Lucien left for home.
'And leave the ladies in peace, without having to entertain us,' Jethro chuckled.
*
Though Fanny still mourned her mother, and tried not to think of how she had died, she was enjoying her stay at Dean House. She had not been able to sketch a great deal while in London, there had been so much else to do, but here she could take her sketch book and paints into the gardens and stay there all day if she wished.
She no longer leaned so much on Amanda for company, and since Amanda preferred to ride, her friend would often ride about the estate while she sketched or painted. She did not venture outside unless Lucien was with her, but the estate was large and there were plenty of rides. Lady Charlotte, who still rode to hounds, had a new mare, and Amanda was teaching it to jump. She had devised a course at the edge of the south wood, she told Fanny, where she had laid down logs of varying sizes. The mare was now happy to jump the smallest, and would soon progress to larger obstacles.
'Though I doubt she'll manage a full hedge by November,' Lady Charlotte said, 'but I am very grateful to you for schooling her.'
Both Lucien and Gerard had planned to leave the following day, but during the night Lady Charlotte felt unwell, and Jethro said he did not wish to leave her until the doctor he normally consulted came from Shrewsbury. Lucien put off his own departure, but there was little any of them could do.
'It's a beautiful day, don't miss it,' Lady Charlotte said, her voice weak. 'Please, don't all sit around looking gloomy. It makes me feel worse.'
'You wanted to finish that drawing you were doing of the walled garden,' Amanda said to Fanny. 'And I don't want to miss a day's training of the mare.'
'Go on out, both of you,' Lucien said. 'Gerard and I have to discuss settlements. For some reason we have not dealt with it before.'
Fanny went to collect her sketch book, while Amanda changed into her habit. She would have preferred to wear breeches, as she sometimes did at home, but her aunt rode side saddle, so the mare must be accustomed to that. Fanny, carrying her small stool and her drawing materials, was out of the house first, and making her way towards the walled garden at some distance from the house. She had been sitting in one of the entrances to the garden, near the thicket which edged the whole of the estate, apart from the main drive and a smaller one that came in at the side of the walled garden and went directly to the stables. Here she had a good view of the interior of the walled garden.
Amanda collected the mare, and mounted. Then Megan appeared from the house.
'Miss Amanda, Prue says Miss Fanny forgot her hat. Where is she? I offered to take it to her. The sun's hot today, and will be hotter soon.'
'I'll show you. It's not far. I'd offer to take the hat, but this silly mare hates me to be carrying anything, and shies away from it.'
Amanda took the mare across to the mounting block and was soon in the saddle. She arranged the skirt of her habit, and led the way out of the stable yard, Megan following. She had rounded the corner past the coach houses when she saw Fanny struggling in the arms of a burly man. She shouted, but was too far away to be heard, and Fanny was dragged back into the gateway leading to the lane.
'Megan, go straight to my brother, run as fast as you can, tell him Miss Fanny has been kidnapped, and I'm sure it was my cousin John. I'm going to follow him. Quickly, go now!'
*
CHAPTER 12
Before she had time to scream Fanny was flung over the Earl's shoulder, and all the breath knocked from her body. She kicked out, but his arm was round her legs and that was ineffective. She pummelled his back with her fists, but it did nothing to stop him. Then she was flung face down into some cart, which she thought was a gig or governess cart, her arms were pulled roughly behind her and her hands tied. Then as she gathered breath to scream some material was thrust into her mouth and tied there with another length of the thin rope. Finally her legs were bound together.
The Earl scrambled onto the seat and with his feet on her back, urged the horse into a wild gallop. Fanny was saved from being thrown around helplessly only by the Earl's feet. She was furiously angry, but became terrified as he, panting slightly, began to talk.
'You thought you'd got away from me, did you? Now your mother's dead you think there's no one supporting me? But we'll see what your precious brother says when he knows I've got you. No one else will want you now, when I've finished with you, so he may as well give me what I want.'
He went on repeating variations of these words, and his tone became more and more triumphant. After a while the horse's pace slowed, and Fanny realised they were climbing a steep hill. She struggled to suppress the sobs that threatened to choke her. No one had seen what happened, no one would know where she was. Did he mean to send for a ransom? Yet his words did not make sense if that was his intention. She was horribly afraid he meant to try and force her to marry him, so that he would control her fortune. Yet surely, in these modern days, no girl could be forced into marriage? If he dragged her to an altar, she would refuse to say anything. It should have calmed her, but it did not. He was so determined. Perhaps he would make threats against Gerard, and then she would have to submit.
Or, and the thought made her go cold, he might kill Gerard. Then she would inherit all their father's fortune. She would do anything to keep Gerard safe, but she was aware of the Earl's implacability. Gerard would be in danger for the rest of his life, unless he married. Then, of course, his wife would inherit. But any such wife would also be in danger from this madman who had her in his power.
They were going downhill now, and the horse was being urged to go faster. The cart rocked from side to side as they drove over rough ground, and despite his feet on her Fanny was thrown around until she thought her whole body would be bruised if, and that seemed likely, the cart was not overturned and both of them thrown out.
Finally the cart stopped, and the Earl jumped down.
'Now we'll see how far your stubbornness goes,' he said as he dragged her from the cart and once more threw her across his shoulder.
She was in some stable yard, she saw as he turned, but there was no one about, and the doors to some of the boxes hung off their hinges. Wherever it was, it was deserted and derelict, and she could expect no help here. He carried her through a low doorway, along a passage and up some stairs. They were steep and narrow, and he took no care to prevent her from being banged against the wall. More bruises were added to those she already had.
At the top of the stairs he turned into another passage, then through a low doorway into a small room. The walls were panelled, there was just one small window covered with cobwebs, so the room was dark, though there were flickering shadows and Fanny could hear the crackling of what she took to be a fire. Then she was thrown to the floor, her head hit something hard, and she lost consciousness.
*
Amanda emerged onto the small lane and looked around. There was no one in sight. Which way could he have gone? They were at a junction of small lanes. The road which led to the estate's main entrance was on the east side. To the right, to the north, the lane led to a bigger road that went to Shrewsbury, and surely he would not want to risk passing toll gates with an unwilling passenger, or meeting people. In front, to the west, an even narrower lane wound its way to where the menacing range of hills known as the Long Mynd reared. She shivered. She had never been there, it was dark and mysterious. In former centuries it had proved a barrier against Welsh invasion. It was possible John had some hiding place there, known to him from childhood, but it was far more likely he had gone south, towards the Priory. Lucien had told her the house was in ruins, but until just over a year ago her uncle had lived there, with a few servants. It had not yet been sold, and some rooms must be habitable, though all the servants had now left. That was the obvious place for John to go. She turned the mare and set off. Another long ridge of hills was in front, Wenlock Edge, with a steep escarpment facing her. There were, she knew, some tracks leading to the summit. She hoped this lane might be one of them.
After a mile the lane divided. To the left it was in better condition, and would, she thought, eventually meet the road that went past Dean House's main entrance. A narrower track led straight on, towards the hills. That would be the way he would take to the Priory. She had to go more slowly now, for fear the mare put her foot in one of the many depressions, often hidden by flourishing weeds. It would not serve her to have the mare lamed, and she stranded in unknown country.
It was a steep climb, but eventually the mare reached the top, and Amanda could see more ranges of gentler hills in front of her. She had not been to the Priory since she was a child, and only recalled that it lay in a long valley running east to west, with a small river threading through it. It could be any one of these valleys in front of her. At least the lane carried on down the hill, less steep now, and all she could do was to follow it and hope she recognised the lane which led to the Priory.
Where were Lucien and Gerard? Surely, when Megan gave them the message, they would follow? They would reason as she did, and head for the Priory. Their horses would be faster than the mare, and although they could have been ten minutes or more after her to begin with, they should be close behind now. But she could not wait. Fanny was in danger, and she had to try and reach her as soon as she could.
*
Megan was breathless when she reached the breakfast room, and clasped the doorway while she regained her breath. Only the men were there.
'My dear girl, what is it?' Jethro demanded.
'Miss Amanda, she sent me,' Megan gasped. 'Oh sir, someone's taken Miss Fanny! Miss Amanda said it was her cousin. She's gone after him.'
Lucien was already on his feet, his face grim.
'Come on, we'll follow. Where was she?'
'By the back drive, sir.'
Gerard was already by the doorway.
Jethro had thrown down his napkin and was pushing back his chair.
'You go, my boys. If the fellow's making for the Priory, take the lane from the back drive, then the track straight ahead that goes over the Edge, it will take you most of the way if you keep going south.'
'I'll get my pistols,' Lucien said, making for the stairs. 'Have them saddle my horse, I'll be with you as soon as I can.'
Both men had been dressed for riding, having expected to leave Dean House that morning. Lucien stopped for a moment to make sure his pistols were loaded, then snatched up a cloak and ran back down the stairs. Gerard had saddled his own horse, and was already mounted. A flurried groom was leading out Lucien's mount. With a word of thanks Lucien grabbed the reins and flung himself into the saddle. Without a further word they set off towards the back drive.
'Look!'
Fanny's small stool and her sketching book were there, clearly tossed aside in a hurry. His expression boding John no good when they caught him, Lucien led the way along the short drive to the lane. He turned to the south, and set the horse to a gallop.
'Do you know the way?' Gerard asked as he drew alongside.
'I've never been this way before, but it leads across the Edge and then I can find my way. I swear I'll kill the fellow if he's harmed her!'
'Can he be killed twice?'
They said no more, following the same tracks Amanda had travelled before them. They breasted the top of the escarpment and paused to look ahead.
'I had hoped to catch Amanda before now,' Lucien said. 'Heaven knows what she'll do if she catches up with them. He's evil, my cousin. He'd have no hesitation in killing her.'
'Then we'd best hurry.'
Gerard set off at a gallop. Lucien followed. They passed through a couple of valleys, then Lucien turned aside.
'This way. In a few minutes we'll be able to see the Priory.'
*
When Fanny came to she could feel rough material beneath her. It smelt faintly of horse, and she drowsily assumed it was a horse blanket. Quite why she should be lying on a horse blanket she could not understand. Her head ached abominably. The gag had been removed, and as she began to recall what had happened, she found her hands and feet had been untied. She flexed her wrists. They felt sore from where the rope had chafed them. She moved her feet, and then realised she felt cold. She rubbed her arms. Something was not right. With sudden horror she discovered she was naked. Her clothes, all of them, had been removed.
In panic she tried to sit up, and winced as her bruised body protested. She looked round. The room was vaguely familiar, and she remembered she had seen it when she was first carried here. Her glance fastened on a figure seated on a bench near the fire. He looked round at her, and grinned, then stood up. He too was naked.
'Well, my dear, I see you are ready for me. I would hate it for you to be unable to enjoy what I have in store for you.'
He moved towards her, and she screamed, and scrabbled to get away from him as he loomed over her. He laughed, and dragged her back, roughly forcing open her legs with his knee.
'You'll enjoy it, my dear, if you are sensible and don't fight me.'
He leered and slowly lowered himself onto her, and Fanny, terrified and helpless, once more fainted.
*
Amanda reached the Priory
and rode into the stable yard. Her mare was sweating heavily. A small cart, with a sweat-drenched horse in the shafts, stood there. At least she had reached the right place. Now where had that monster taken Fanny? She heard the sound of hooves behind her, and turned to see Lucien and Gerard riding in.
'They must be here,' she gasped as she slid from the saddle.
'That door's open,' Gerard said, pointing towards the older wing, and Amanda was running towards it when they heard a scream, suddenly cut off.
All three horses, blown and with heaving flanks, were left to their own devices as the three of them raced for the open doorway. There was a steep staircase to the left. Amanda was first, and she could hear noises coming from above. She picked up her skirts and raced up the stairs, Lucien and Gerard hard on her heels.
At the top of the stairs she saw another open door, and could hear grunting noises. She ran towards it. Halting on the threshold, all she could see were two naked bodies, but hearing her gasp of horror John looked round. Amanda then saw Fanny had been pinned beneath him, and in fury she ran forward and tugged at his hair, the only part of him she could grasp. Then she was pushed aside as Gerard grabbed at his arm and dragged him upright. Gerard in his turn was thrust away and Lucien pulled John towards the centre of the room, and hurled a ferocious punch at his chin.
Amanda wanted to punch him herself, but Fanny, naked and apparently insensible, needed her. She knelt beside her friend, and could feel her heart pounding. Glancing round she saw Fanny's gown tossed into a corner of the room, and went to retrieve it. It had been torn right down the front, but Amanda lifted Fanny and wrapped it round her shoulders. She looked round the room. There was a fire, and a jug of what probably contained wine or ale on a small table beside it. Avoiding the swaying figures of Lucien and her cousin, who were trading punches in the middle of the room, she went to get it, and found two tankards there also. She lifted them just as John fell against the table and upended it.
Gerard had gone to his sister, and was cradling her in his arms. As Amanda made her way back Fanny opened her eyes and gave a shuddering sigh, then burst into tears.
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