Annabel's Christmas Surprise/Regency Romp 2

by Sole, Linda

  ‘Someone fired at you?’ Annabel was horrified. ‘Who could wish to harm you, sir?’

  ‘I dare say it was merely a careless gamekeeper shooting at a fox or some such thing,’ he said, but his expression was so stern that she did not quite believe him. ‘Please do not distress yourself, Miss Annabel. No harm was done.’

  ‘But it might have been,’ she said and moved towards him, her hands outstretched. ‘I know there is some mystery, sir. I should be glad to hear an explanation from you rather than be told a fairytale.’

  ‘Yes, I dare say you would,’ Robert agreed. ‘If I knew for certain I would tell you – but for the moment I know very little…’

  ‘Do you think it was Mr Savage who fired at you?’

  Robert hesitated, then, ‘I can see no reason why he should – unless he saw me that night…’ He shook his head as Annabel questioned with her eyes. ‘I may not tell you all for I have no proof – but I shall tell you that a very dear friend of mine recently told me a tale of ruin at the card tables, at the hand of a cheat and worse besides.’

  ‘You believe Mr Savage to have ruined your friend?’

  ‘Yes, very possibly,’ Robert said and looked grave. ‘If that were all I should not trouble myself so very much to discover the truth but…my friend was murdered even as we spoke of his tragedy and…he gave me a name before he breathed his last.’

  ‘Was it…’ Annabel caught her breath as she saw the answer in his eyes. ‘No, you do not need to say it for I know there is more you have not told me. I am warned and grateful to you for being so open. My father would not like me to be aware of such things, but I do not care to be treated as a child or have everything wrapped in clean linen.’

  ‘Well, as I said, I have no real proof, only the word of a dying man. However, he was a man I would trust with my life and what he told me was terrible indeed. You would do well to take great care when a certain gentleman calls – your sister and her friend too.’

  ‘Mary said he spoke too intimately of her friend Suzy. She is dining with the family today and hopes to learn the truth.’

  ‘I wish I might have warned her friend,’ Robert said, ‘but I should be a blackguard if I spoke out of turn, for I cannot know the whole. Yet it concerned the honour of a lady and I felt I must warn you, Annabel.’

  The look in his eyes was so passionate that she took another step towards him, her hand outstretched. Her heart was beating very fast and once again she felt the heat pool low in her abdomen. Her eyes were drawn to his mouth – a soft sensual mouth that she thought perfect for kissing. She was yearning to be drawn into his arms and felt herself melting in the heat of her desire. Robert was staring at her as if he had suddenly seen an oasis in the desert and she did not know what she might have done had the door of her parlour not opened to admit her father.

  ‘Ah, Major Goss,’ he said, smiling in delighted fashion. ‘You asked for me and I was out attending to a small matter with a tenant. I trust that Annabel has made you welcome – no wine brought? You forget your manners, miss. You will stay to take nuncheon with us, sir?’

  ‘I thank you, sir, I shall,’ Robert said and smiled. ‘I have been here no more than a minute or so and we were speaking of a slight accident that occurred on my way here. A careless gamekeeper misfired and scared my horse – but as you see no harm was done.’

  ‘Not one of my men I hope?’

  ‘No, sir. I had not yet started to cross your land when the shot was fired.’

  ‘Then it will be on Sir Harry Marling’s land,’ Lord Savage said and frowned. ‘He would not be pleased to hear it for he takes a pride in running a tight ship.’

  ‘Mayhap the fellow did not realise anyone was near. I should not wish to be the cause of trouble for any employee of Sir Harry’s. I am thinking of buying a parcel of land that lies between his and my own land. I was thinking of buying another estate, but Sir Geoffrey thought I could not do better than to buy the land that once belonged to my father and is now for sale. He seems to think that I could employ an architect to improve the house I have and I shall consider the plan.’

  ‘You mean to settle in the area then?’

  ‘I have a house in London and shall I dare say live there for some part of the year, but we all need a country house do we not – for the sake of family and children?’

  ‘I am glad to hear it,’ Lord Savage said. ‘The acres you mention are decent arable land with good soil – and I happen to know of an excellent architect who has just finished working on a project for one of my friends. I will give you his name. I imagine he could transform your house to your liking.’

  ‘I should be grateful for an introduction,’ Robert said and glanced at Annabel. ‘I believe that the ladies are the best placed to guide us in the matter of refurbishment, once the building is done. Perhaps Miss Savage and Miss Annabel, with your good self, would give me the benefit of your opinions. We are not fit to entertain yet, but my uncle was able to put me in the way of finding a good housekeeper, as well as various other servants and we should soon be able to receive guests.’

  ‘Oh, Mary would love that,’ Annabel said and dimpled. ‘She is so good with colour schemes but…’ She caught back the words she almost said, for it was not for her to suggest that the right person to choose the new furnishings was Major Goss’s intended bride. Surely, if he was thinking of settling and having a family he must have a lady in mind…and yet her heart told her that a certain look in his eyes seemed to say that he liked Miss Annabel Savage very well.

  Oh, but she must not hope for too much lest she were disappointed in his intentions. He had forgot her for years, while serving in the army, and she had no reason to expect that it would not happen again when he returned to London and his life there.

  ‘When do you expect to return to London, sir?’ she asked, heart thudding and cheeks faintly warm.

  ‘I had intended to return at the end of the week, but my house grows more comfortable and the weather makes the roads difficult for a journey of that length. I believe I shall stay for another week or two at least.’

  ‘If you need more servants I know of a very good man who might make you a good agent,’ Lord Savage said. Robert instantly took up his suggestion and they talked of business as they all repaired to the small parlour for nuncheon. Lydia had invited her fiancé Tomas Milliband, Jane had come downstairs after finishing the packing and the six of them chatted in an amicable way until both Tomas and Robert spoke of leaving.

  ‘I hope Lord Savage, your sister and you, Miss Annabel, will visit me next week, perhaps for nuncheon? I should greatly appreciate your opinion of the house, for I am undecided whether to build on or buy another house in the district,’ Robert said before he left with a smile for her.

  Annabel said that she would very much enjoy a visit, Tomas and Robert left together and Jane was just sitting down in the parlour with her needlework when she was apprised of her visitor. Michael Bentley had called to see his fiancée. His smile when he entered told its own story and he was soon telling Jane that his father had accepted their engagement with only the minor restriction that they must live with him for the time being, to give him a chance to provide them with a house of their own.

  ‘He has always thought you a very sensible and charming young woman, but feared that the estate might be in difficulty. However, Tomas has explained that he will take me into partnership and I now have prospects of making a tidy fortune in time, which has relieved his mind. He is therefore determined to do what he can for us, and gave me this for you, dearest, to welcome you to the family.’

  Michael slipped a very pretty daisy diamond ring onto the finger of her right hand, carrying her hand to his lips to kiss it. ‘I shall buy you something of your own as soon as I am sufficiently in funds,’ he said, ‘but I thought you would like to have this – it was my grandmother’s.’

  Jane was pleased with her ring. She showed it to Annabel and was congratulated on her good fortune and the pretty ornament. She then excu
sed herself and Michael took her away for a drive in his chaise, leaving Annabel to her own thoughts once more.

  Her mind returned to the incident, which Robert had related to her when he arrived. If it were truly merely an accident it could be forgotten, but if it had been an attempt to wound or kill him…

  She wished that Robert might have confided in her father, but knew that he considered himself to be bound to reveal only a part of his story. He had revealed a part to her merely because he thought it necessary for her safety, and because she had guessed something was wrong on Christmas Day.

  Was it possible that Mr Savage was a wicked rogue who had cheated at the card table and was guilty of worse? Robert’s hints made her frown, for together with what Mary had had to say concerning her friend it was rather worrying.

  Suzanne Makepeace must take great care or she might find herself in danger.

  Mary’s look as she came in that evening told Annabel that she had a deal to say on the subject. She looked pale and uneasy, and, when her father asked if she were well, begged him to allow her to retire early as she had the headache. He was concerned and bid her sister go with her.

  ‘Something has disturbed you,’ Annabel said as soon as they were alone together.

  ‘Yes. Please come to my room for I must tell you, Annabel. You were right to suspect him of being a rogue. Suzy told me that when they met in Worthing he

  declared his love for her and begged her to elope with him. She refused and asked him to leave her in peace, but he persisted and followed her here to renew his pleas.’

  ‘How distressing for her,’ Annabel said. ‘Why does she not tell her father?’

  ‘You must say nothing to anyone else for it was told to me in confidence…’ Mary glanced at the door, then locked it so that no one could enter. ‘Suzy says that her father owes him money. It was he that won most of what he lost at the card table and he has not yet been able to pay his debt. He begged Mr Savage for time but fears he may have to sell his estate…’

  ‘Oh, how wicked!’ Annabel frowned. ‘I have learned that Mr Savage has been accused of cheating at cards…how wicked if he has deceived Suzy’s father in the same way.’

  ‘Who told you this – Major Goss?’ Annabel nodded. ‘In confidence. You must not tell anyone else, Mary. I believe he may even be guilty of worse…’

  ‘I do not disbelieve it, for he has told Suzy that unless she goes away with him he will ruin her father.’

  ‘He could not be so evil!’ Annabel was shocked for it was so much worse than she had imagined. ‘Does he mean to wed her…you mean he will seduce her and then…oh, no, no, she must not go with him.’

  ‘She does not mean to and has told him so, but she fears for her father. She dare not tell him, because she thinks he would try to force a duel on Mr Savage and…he would most likely be killed.’

  ‘Oh, the wicked man,’ Annabel said. ‘If Papa knew he would not have him in the house.’

  ‘Do you think I should tell him?’ Mary asked. ‘I cannot bear that Suzy should be in such distress…and yet what can Papa do?’

  ‘I think we should tell Major Goss,’ Annabel said. ‘If anyone can help poor Suzy it is he. We had made arrangements to visit and take nuncheon with him next week, but I think we should both ride over tomorrow and tell him.’

  ‘It would be most improper for us to visit his house without Papa,’ Mary said. ‘We could not ride – but perhaps if we took the chaise and a maid and groom, and begged him to come out to us…’

  ‘I think we must risk it,’ Annabel said. ‘For if we do nothing…who knows what might happen to Suzy?’

  ‘Very well, we shall go tomorrow,’ Mary agreed. ‘I should hate anything bad to happen to my friend.’

  Annabel kissed her cheek and smiled. ‘Major Goss already suspects him and this new evidence cannot but help him in his mission to unmask the rogue. Do not lie awake worrying, Mary, for I am sure he will help us.’

  She left her sister and went along the passage to her own room. It was a pitiful tale that Suzy had told Mary, and unless someone helped her she might find herself being forced to go off with Mr Savage with no hope of marriage and the certainty of ruin.

  Annabel had great faith in Robert Goss. She was not precisely sure what he could do to help Suzy, but she was sure he would think of something.

  Chapter Four

  The next morning the two girls were ready to leave by ten o’clock. Their father had gone off to see a tenant and they breakfasted alone, both determined to carry out their plan to call on Major Goss and beg for his help. However, just as they were about to set out, a horse and rider galloped into the courtyard. Seeing that it was Mr Makepeace, Mary ordered the groom to wait and got down to speak with him. Annabel soon followed her for she could see that something was greatly amiss. She was in time to hear that Suzy had eloped with Mr Savage.

  ‘I think she must have gone off with the rascal for she went out this morning while I was with my bailiff and there was a letter in her room addressed to her mother. She begged her pardon but said she had no choice…’

  ‘Oh, how terrible,’ Mary said. ‘He must have used threats against you, sir, for she told me only yesterday that she would resist no matter what he said.’

  Mr Makepeace’s face looked grey, guilt in his eyes. ‘I guessed something of the sort was afoot. My poor foolish child! She will be ruined and it will not change anything for I am more in debt than she knows.’

  ‘We have heard…do you think you might have been cheated at the tables, sir?’ Annabel asked. ‘Mr Savage…I cannot say but perhaps you felt something was wrong when you lost so heavily?’

  He looked at her, in too much despair to grasp the straw she offered. ‘I know not what happened for I drank too much and by the time the night was over they carried me to my bed. I was later shown my vouchers for more than I could pay. The signature looked like mine – but if there was cheating at the table I knew nothing of it.’

  ‘You blame yourself for this, sir,’ Mary said. ‘But indeed, I think another is much to blame. Suzy told me she did not like or trust him. If she has gone with Mr Savage it is under protest.’

  ‘Well, I knew him for a villain. I should never have sat down at the table when he was already there,’ the distraught man said. ‘She has said naught to you of where he planned to take her – do you think the border?’

  ‘No, sir, I do not,’ Mary told him. ‘She did not think he meant to wed her.’

  ‘Then it is worse than I thought…’

  ‘He must be stopped,’ Annabel said. ‘We are on our way to speak with Major Goss, who may be able to help you. Perhaps you would care to ride with us?’

  ‘Major Goss – I do not know him?’

  ‘He is a friend of Sir Geoffrey Harlow and has recently returned from the army. He plans to live here.’

  ‘Ah…’ Mr Makepeace nodded. ‘A trustworthy fellow I dare say – but why should he help my poor daughter?’

  ‘Because he has prior knowledge that may relate to your case,’ Annabel said. ‘I know very little and that was told me in confidence, but I think he would help you if he could.’

  ‘Then I shall ride with you for I am at a loss to know what to do,’ the unhappy father said. ‘I would do anything to save her from the fate that devil has in store. It matters little what happens to me. I care only for my wife and daughters. My little Lizzie is but ten years of age and I would not have her live under the shame of Suzy’s disgrace.’

  ‘Perhaps if we do not delay something may be done to stop the worst of it,’ Annabel said. ‘Please ride with us, sir. We shall go as fast as we can for I think delay can only harm your cause.’

  ‘Yes, yes, let us go,’ he said. ‘I dare not think of her fate should we not find them before the day is out…’

  The masked man stood in the shadow of the trees watching as the closed carriage came towards him at a great pace along the country road. His pistol was light in his hand but it felt wrong for he had never don
e such a thing before and hoped this would be the last time it would be necessary. Yet he had been unable to think of a better plan. Had his agents not warned him of what was planned the previous evening, it would have been too late to save an innocent lady from a fate she must consider worse than death.

  It was now or never! Riding forward, he levelled his pistol at the coachman.

  ‘Stand and deliver,’ he commanded and cocked the hammer. The driver pulled his horses to a halt and the groom took aim with his own wicked-looking pistol, but before he could fire a shot came from the other side of the road, hitting him in the arm and making him drop his weapon. Turning his head to see he realised there was yet another masked man waiting in the trees and his hands shot in the air above his head.

  ‘What is all this?’ an irritable voice asked and a man got down from the coach. He looked furiously at the highwayman. ‘I’ve only my signet ring and a handful of coins in my pocket. You’ve wasted your time, sir, for it’s of little worth between the two of you.’

  ‘I do not want your money,’ the highwayman said. ‘Tell your companion to get down.’

  The traveller swore then went to the coach and jerked his head at the slight figure inside. ‘It’s you they want. Get down and do as they tell you – though if I discover that this was a trick to deceive me, your father will be ruined before nightfall.’

  ‘I knew nothing of it, sir. You cannot abandon me to them…’

  ‘What do I care for you?’ he asked roughly and sneered at her. ‘You’ve done nothing but weep ever since you climbed into the coach. I’ve decided I would prefer to be paid in coin. You’re not worth what your father owes me.’

  ‘Damnation, sir!’ the highwayman said. ‘That is no way for a gentleman to speak to a lady.’

  ‘She is the daughter of a weak fool and an insipid watering pot. Take her and be done with it – and I’ll be on my way.’