“Miss Crawford, please be seated. I shall not expect such impertinence when we are married,” came the calm response.
Isabelle was concerned at his words, they suggested she was dealing with a man who had lost all sense of reality. She had the feeling that the time was running out in which her words would have any impact on him. “Mr Ollerton, how do you really think we shall ever marry? Are you absolutely convinced that the Earl of Standish with accept you kidnapping his betrothed. He is no longer the boy you dealt with many years ago.”
“His Lordship will definitely throw you over my dear. If it is not enough that we have been alone, I will tell him that I have compromised you. Do you think he will want to take the risk that you are not, especially as I will spread it from coast to coast that I have made love to his mother and his future wife. I will also inform everyone that his little sister spent days alone in the company of her husband in a dash to the border and that I aim to make her my next conquest, keeping it in the family so to speak. Oh, I think you will find his affection for you will wane somewhat.”
Isabelle paled slightly, she had no idea how he had heard about the dash to the border, but Tom would recoil from having his private family business spread far and wide. He would avoid such exposure and he could not always protect Sophie if Mr Ollerton decided to harm her. For the first time Isabelle felt the possibility that Mr Ollerton might actually achieve his goal. Panic rose in her chest, but she fought it back.
“He would not respond well to such threats,” she said calmly.
“A desperate man often finds he is an excellent shot Miss Crawford, should I have the need or be challenged in any way,” Mr Ollerton replied fingering one of the pistols that had constantly been his companion since he had loaded them.
“You forget I have two brothers Mr Ollerton,” Isabelle said stiffly, ignoring the cold feeling creeping over her at the expression in Mr Ollerton’s eyes.
“Ah, yes your brothers. I am more than happy to meet James in a duel, a pity to make Mrs Crawford a widow so early in her marriage, but such is life. As for your other brother, he has been trying to marry you off for years, if the rumours are correct. I feel he may prove to be an ally,” came the mocking response.
Isabelle had to acknowledge the truth in his statement. She had no idea if he could beat both Tom and James in duels, even if it got so far, but if he did, Frank would certainly see her married off. If that nightmare happened, she would have lost everything, the love of her life, a dearly beloved brother and her standing in society. She would never survive the scandal, but Mr Ollerton would not care, as he still would have her fortune. She took a deep breath, this was all untenable and time that it ended.
“Mr Ollerton, you should have listened to me, I am sorry if my actions gave you hope. I never and I repeat, I never will marry you. If you kill those I love my life will not be worth living and I shall find a way to end it, before we are married. My fortune will then go to my nephews and not to you. I am here against my will, but you cannot keep watch over me every moment until you find someone to marry us. I will take my life rather than marry you. Is that clear enough? Please give this foolish scheme up.” Isabelle stood firm and hoped that she would convince him.
“Brave words, but you would not attach such scandal to your family,” Mr Ollerton sneered.
“You really don’t understand do you?” Isabelle said in exasperation. “You are threatening to take away those I hold most dear. My life would mean nothing without them. Mary would understand and forgive my actions. Frank does not warrant any concern. You are correct, he would force me into a marriage that I did not want; so I shall not dwell on any discomfort of his. He will be reconciled with his children receiving my fortune. In fact, once he has heard of my plan, he may help me, there has never been overmuch affection between the two of us. My death would benefit his family far more than my marriage would.”
Mr Ollerton rose slightly, as if he wanted to leap across to her. “You are a cold bitch!”
Isabelle flinched at such language, but her voice remained calm. “And you sir, have threatened the lives of those I love. I refuse to stand by meekly and allow this to continue any further.” She moved to the door. “I am ending this now.”
Mr Ollerton jumped to his feet, but Isabelle kept walking. She did not know if the doors were locked, or if she would come across the coachman, who may prevent her leaving, but she continued. The doors were unlocked, probably he thought the threat of the guns would keep her in place and his goal was to have them discovered after all. No use if doors were locked. If she showed any sign of weakness her opportunity would be lost, so she walked through the entrance and onto the steps outside. There were only five steps, but it felt as long to descend as if there were fifty. When she reached the gravel at the bottom, she sighed, but her elation was short lived.
“You really thought I would let you make a fool of me didn’t you?” came the sneer behind her.
Isabelle turned to face him, her heart sinking to see one of the guns pointed at her, the other resting on his shoulder. “I never set out to do anything. You started this foolishness.” She may be afraid, but she was not going to beg for her life if it put others in danger.
“Why can’t you just agree to marry me?” Mr Ollerton, almost sounded like his old affable self when he uttered the words.
“I cannot marry without love. My husband would be the most important person in my life. I am sorry that I could not feel that way about you, I liked you, but I could never love you.”
“His Lordship would destroy you, like his father destroyed his mother.”
“Some would say his mother’s unfaithfulness destroyed his father, but we are all destined to be different from our parents. We all have to make our own mistakes.”
“And you were prepared to risk an unhappy marriage with him?”
“I was,” Isabelle replied simply. She heard the sound of hoof beats in the distance. Tom! If she delayed any longer he would be in danger. It was time to act. “You took away that option though didn’t you? Because of your greed and lack of control you have destroyed your family and my chance of happiness. My family will be greatly affected by all this and yet they are innocent. This is all your doing Mr Ollerton, you started it, through lack of control and foolishness and you will end it, but I cannot stand idly by while you do it. I am leaving, there is only one way you will stop me, so make sure the bullet counts.”
Isabelle turned from Mr Ollerton and began to walk. Her legs felt a little wobbly, but inside she felt calm. There was nothing else she could do, so she focused on the sound of the horses that must be at the edge of the parkland.
“I will do it, I have nothing else to lose!” Mr Ollerton’s voice rang out behind her.
“Neither have I because of you!” Isabelle retorted over her shoulder, but kept walking.
Two horsemen appeared through the woodland that opened into the main drive. Isabelle recognised one to be Tom, she would know his figure anywhere. The other man she did not immediately recognise, but she increased her speed. She had to reach them before they came into range of the pistol.
The crack of the first shot did not startle Isabelle, but the way that her body spun did. She landed on the ground stunned. Her mind did not seem able to focus, but she could make out the clouds in the sky. There was no pain, but a burning sensation. Mr Ollerton had obviously not lied when he had said he was a good shot. The thought that seemed to eventually squeeze through all the confusion was that Tom was still in danger. There were two guns. Isabelle struggled to lift herself up, she could feel the hoof beats closer now. She gritted her teeth against the burning, Tom could not die.
The second shot rang out and Isabelle slumped to the ground. The world seemed to be very quiet now, it all seemed very peaceful after the tension of the day. Isabelle sighed, two shots, Tom was safe. She let the blackness wash over her.
Chapter 21
The voices were so far away, why did they not come closer? It was ha
rd to understand what they were saying at such a distance. She wanted to tell them to come closer, but everything seemed too difficult to do. She had never realised that eyelids were so heavy. It was just too hard to open them. Perhaps she should move a hand instead? The problem was, even the thought of moving made her so very very tired. The blackness welcomed her, somehow she knew that the blackness would stop her feeling tired. A thought niggled that perhaps she should fight the blackness, but she did not want to. The blackness offered peace and no more voices.
Isabelle eventually opened her eyes to a darkened room. She had no idea how long she had slept but her head felt heavy and groggy. Everything seemed muddled and she struggled to try and remember what had happened. Her fire was lit but was low in the hearth, it was late if the candle stubs were anything to go by. She moved her head slowly, the wool inside it seemed reluctant to move.
When she turned her head she was not surprised to see Tom asleep in a chair. He was dressed, although he wore no cravat or waistcoat. He did not look very comfortable, but Isabelle made no sound to disturb him, she did not want to wake him. At least by seeing Tom, it helped to clear her thoughts a little. She remembered what must be now the previous day and shuddered. She remembered the burning sensation when she had been shot. She had no idea where the bullet had landed, but it had obviously not been life threatening.
She quietly tried to move herself further up the bed, but the movement caused such a pain to shoot up her left arm that she gasped. The sound raised Tom to instant alertness. He blinked when he saw Isabelle looking ruefully at him, but then gathered himself and moved to her side.
“So, you’ve decided to wake up then?” He drawled, but there was a twinkle in his eyes.
“What are you doing in my bedchamber my Lord?” Isabelle asked.
Tom grinned at the reference to the almost the exact first words he had uttered to her when he had woken from his fever. “I am trying to be as good a nurse as you were. How do you feel?”
“My arm hurts and my head feels peculiar,” Isabelle said, sinking back into the pillows. “What happened? I heard two shots and then I must have fainted like the feeble Miss I know you will consider me.”
Tom smiled and sat on the edge of the bed. Isabelle felt as if it was the most natural thing in the world for him to do. “I should be shouting at you for what you did. Fancy standing up to a man who had two pistols aimed at you!”
“He was going to use them against you,” Isabelle responded simply.
An unfathomable expression passed over Tom’s face. “So, you thought it best if he aimed them at you instead?”
Isabelle could not answer truthfully, Tom had never mentioned love, had never offered love and in some respects she did understand why. He felt so betrayed by his mother, it was natural that he would mistrust love. But she loved him so very much that she could not make him uncomfortable with her words.
“I could not stand by and let you walk into a situation that was not of your doing. I don’t remember anything after being shot. It was a strange feeling.”
An expression of pain passed over Tom’s face and he seemed to hesitate before speaking. “It’s over now, time to forget it.”
“What happened?” Isabelle asked. “I need to know. Is he likely to try again?”
Tom took hold of Isabelle’s hand and squeezed it. “He shot you once, luckily for you the bullet passed through your arm, but missed the bone. I believe he did it on purpose, he could have so easily hurt you.”
“There was a second shot,” Isabelle said with certainty.
“Yes, he turned the gun onto himself,” Tom said quietly.
“Oh,” Isabelle replied. To have got to such a state was unthinkable. She was a little ashamed to feel relief at Tom’s words, but also sadness, if she mentioned anything to Tom, he would not understand, but she would always feel remorse at any contribution her vanity had added to the situation. If she had been firmer earlier in their friendship he might not have held out hope of securing her. She thought over the fact that she had been shot once. “Why does my head feel so groggy if I was shot in the arm?”
“The Doctor thought it wise to give you a draught. He was worried that the shock of what had happened would overset you when you came around.”
“How long have I slept?” Isabelle asked.
“Two days, you certainly respond well to laudanum,” Tom smiled.
“Two days! Goodness,” Isabelle could still feel the effects of the drug. “He knew about Sophie’s elopement. I did not tell him,” she wanted to explain. If Mr Ollerton knew there was a chance that others knew too.
“Did he? I wonder how?” Tom mused, but instead of flying into a rage as Isabelle had expected, he seemed untroubled by the words.
“Tom, I have to say it now, although my mind isn’t working as it should, but please believe me I know what I am saying, I am just very tired again,” Isabelle babbled before her eyes closed as they seemed to want to do. “I will understand if you want to call off the wedding. It cannot be hidden that I was alone with Mr Ollerton for some time. He wanted people to believe that I had been compromised and we were probably seen by half of Bath entering his carriage together. After what happened with your mother, I know you will not want to associate yourself with me. I do understand.” The words were hardly out of Isabelle’s mouth when her eyes closed.
If she had been able to stay awake, she would have been reassured, Tom remained by her side, stroking her cheek and murmuring endearments to her long after her breathing regulated itself into that of the deepest sleep.
When Isabelle awoke, the sun was high in the sky, the curtains were open and there was no sign of Tom. Although Isabelle had been so utterly tired she could not keep awake, she did know what she had said and the lack of Tom in her room confirmed that he had been relieved to hear her words and had now left. She felt desolate at the thought of never seeming him again.
A noise at her dressing room door revealed Mary quietly entering the room. Her cousin smiled when she saw that Isabelle was awake. “Good afternoon my dear. I am glad you are awake. There are a lot of people who would like to visit you, but I thought you may wish to bathe before entertaining in your room.”
“Oh yes,” Isabelle murmured. “I am not fit to see anyone at the moment.”
Mary helped an unsteady Isabelle into her dressing room and with the help of her maid, bathed and dressed her. Isabelle insisted on getting dressed although Mary had wanted her to put fresh nightclothes on and return to bed.
“No, I am not ill, just have a sore arm and the after effects of too much laudanum,” Isabelle said firmly. “If I am to have visitors, I shall greet them properly attired.”
First to enter the room when Isabelle was seated comfortably in a chair, with support under her arm, was James. He walked over to his sister and dropped a kiss on her forehead and then joined his wife on the chaise.
“You are looking a lot better than you did when they brought you in,” he said, making light of the feelings he had experienced at seeing his sister, lifeless in Tom’s arms.
“I have unintentionally caused a stir, of which I am sorry,” Isabelle said contritely. “I hope the gossip isn’t too hard to bear. I could imagine Frank’s scold if he was here.”
“The gossip is more concerned about the state of Ollerton’s finances and all the stories that have emerged since everything has come to light. Each day more reports of debts are being circulated, you my dear, are being forgotten in the light of far more interesting chatter.” Her brother said with an indulgent smile.
“I am thankful for small mercies,” Isabelle answered. “James I need to talk to you about something.”
“Anything.”
“I have released Tom from his offer of marriage,” Isabelle said quietly.
“What?” Both Mary and James said in unison.
“I cannot tell you what connection Mr Ollerton had with Tom’s family, but it wasn’t a pleasant one. I could not bear that every time Tom look
ed at me, he was reminded of that connection.”
“Do you love him Isabelle?” Mary asked.
“More than anything, but while I was with Mr Ollerton I realised if it had been anyone else, Tom would have accepted my word that I had not been compromised, but with Mr Ollerton, there would always be doubt. Our marriage was starting off on the shakiest of foundations anyway, to add this to it, was making it an impossible task,” Isabelle said frankly.
“What does he say about it?” James demanded.
Isabelle smiled, “I’m afraid I dropped it on him before I fell asleep, although I did know what I was saying. The fact that he is not here now speaks volumes though, don’t you think?”
“We can discuss it later,” Mary said. “Now is not the time, Mrs Arnold is waiting downstairs to see you and Mr Beckett is calling round soon. We promised to let him know when you were able to receive visitors and I have sent a note round to his home.”
Isabelle nodded and allowed Sophie to be ushered in. Her friend was all concern and aghast at what had happened. She sat for half an hour going over what had happened and expressing her wish that she had accompanied Isabelle on the fateful day.
“Do not distress yourself Sophie,” Isabelle reassured the young woman. “He was waiting for any opportunity, it is not my nature to be constantly accompanied, he would have been able to act at some point I have no doubt.”
Sophie reluctantly left Isabelle’s side when Mr Beckett was shown in by Mary. She promised to return in the morning, but Isabelle wondered if she would once Tom had made her aware that they were no longer going to marry. Mary left Mr Beckett alone with Isabelle, the door was left open as was proper, but his actions in helping to recover her had elevated him to particular friend.
“My dear Miss Crawford,” he said bowing over her outstretched hand.
“Mr Beckett, I have so much to thank you for,” Isabelle replied.
“When we arrived, you seemed to be managing to draw things to a conclusion yourself, although we all would have preferred if it you could have avoided being shot in the process,” he said dryly.
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