The Reluctant Bride

by Meg Alexander

  India agreed. The crumbling walls and rotted paintwork were now restored and all was light and airy. Not everything had been discarded, and she was glad to find that many of the old family treasures were still in place.

  Isham drew India aside. 'Do you approve?' he asked. 'If not, anything can be changed. Perhaps I should have consulted you, rather than your mother, but at the time I thought it politic to apply to her.'

  'Very wise!' India said drily. 'You have found your way into the hearts of all my family, so it would appear.'

  'Even yours?' He was looking at her intently.

  'It is all delightful.' She was quick to avoid the question. 'Pray do not consider changing anything on my account.'

  She was surprised to see that he was looking disappointed. 'Anthony, I need to talk to you,' she whispered. 'May we not be private for a moment?'

  'Certainly, my love.' He led her into a small room which he had furnished as a study. 'What is it, India?'

  'I think that you have heard about the murder, is that not so?'

  He nodded.

  'Then that was why you rode beside us to Northampton?'

  'Not altogether.' He gave her a brief smile. 'I had a natural wish to see you.'

  'Be honest with me, please. Do you think that there is serious danger?'

  'I doubt it. The Government will send troops to settle the disorder. Meantime, it might be wise to stay close to home. You are in no danger at the cottage.'

  'I see.' India hesitated. 'It was kind of you to speak to Giles about his interests.'

  Isham grinned at her. 'I am all good nature,' he said solemnly. 'Do I take it that his hackles have died down?'

  'You know it.' Again she hesitated, and then she decided to take the plunge. 'I have been wondering...I mean, only if you agree...but would it be possible to let him manage the estate?'

  'It is yours to do with as you will, my dear, though I confess that it is what I had in mind. I hear good reports of him from all the workers.'

  On an impulse she laid her hand upon his arm. 'That is good of you,' she said warmly. 'You will have no cause to regret it if only...'

  'If only he will accept? Leave it to me. I shall make severe conditions and ask his leave to doubt if he can manage the place. If that does not spur him into action I do not know what will.'

  'Oh!' she uttered. 'I am so grateful to you.'

  'I do not want your gratitude, my dear.' Isham's tone was oddly harsh. 'Come, you will wish to see your protégées...' He took her arm and led her down the passage and into the kitchens.

  She could hardly recognise Joe and his brother. Scrubbed clean and clad in warm but serviceable clothing, they were seated at the table devouring a hearty meal. As India entered the room they stood up and bowed.

  'Mrs Dowling, you are not feeding them again?' Isham murmured in mock horror. 'These lads will burst.'

  'Now, my lord, you said as they were to 'ave all that they could eat.' The plump cook was untroubled by her master's teasing. 'Clemmed, they was, poor lads!'

  'They look so much better now.' India smiled at the woman.

  'Thank you, ma'am.' Mrs Dowling bobbed a curtsy.

  'This is your new mistress. She is Miss Rushford now, but in two weeks time she will be Lady Isham.'

  'And much happiness I wish you, ma'am, and you too, sir. Now Joe, take those plates, and see that they are properly washed. Then you can fetch me some potatoes.'

  Obediently, Joe slid off his stool, followed by his brother. India stopped him as he passed.

  'Joe, are you happy here?' she asked.

  The look in his eyes was answer enough for her, as was the glance of dumb devotion which he fixed upon his lordship. Then he nodded and hurried off to carry out his orders.

  'Are they behaving themselves?' she asked the cook.

  "Yes. ma'am. Trouble is, they tries to do too much.

  That Joe now, 'e's a grand little chap. Looks after the young 'un like a mother.'

  'Thank you for looking after them.' India held out her hand.

  'Nay, ma'am, no call for that. I'm covered in flour as you can see, but thank you kindly all the same.'

  'You have made another conquest, India.' Isham chuckled as he drew her away. 'I suspect that in future all my staff will respect your wishes rather than my own.'

  'Then let us hope that they coincide, my lord.' India gave him a demure look.

  'Witch! I doubt that they will do so, at least not upon all subjects.' He looked up as Giles and Henry came towards them.

  'Anthony, do you have the keys to the gun-room? Giles would like to see your latest pair of shotguns.'

  'It was not your idea, of course?' Isham chaffed. 'India, my brother cannot wait to get his hands upon my latest purchase. Will you excuse me for a few moments? I prefer to handle the guns myself.'

  India nodded. She was glad to see her brother looking so relaxed.

  'Perhaps you would care to inspect the upper rooms?' Isham suggested. 'Let me know if you think of anything we need. I shall join you shortly.'

  Letty and her mother were nowhere to be seen, so India climbed the staircase to her old room. She found to her surprise that it was the one apartment in the house where nothing had been changed at all.

  This was clearly another example of Isham's thoughtfulness. He was determined, she guessed, that change was to be her choice and hers alone, in this room where she had spent so much of her childhood.

  She moved on through the upper rooms, noting how tastefully the faded curtains and upholstery had been replaced. Even the tattered bed-hangings had been taken down and the new ones were a perfect match for the other fabrics in the room.

  She found herself reflecting upon the curious character of the man with whom she was proposing to spend the rest of her life. Would she ever understand him? Since he had won her hand he had been kind and thoughtful, determined to please her in every way.

  Yet he had a darker side. She could neither forget nor forgive the fact that the choice of a bride had been a matter of indifference to him. She or Letty? Either sister would have suited his purpose.

  She shrugged. It was fortunate that her own affections were not involved. Then she heard her name. Someone was calling her from below.

  By now she was close to the doorway leading to the back stairs. She opened the door and gave a cry of terror as she stepped out into space. The stairs had gone and she was hurtling towards the stone-flagged floor twenty feet below.

  Chapter Nine

  In a frantic effort to save herself, India flung out her arms towards the banister rail, twisting as she did so. As her fingers closed about the solid oak she flung herself bodily over the rail and, resting on her stomach, she began to slide towards the ground.

  When she was a child the newel-post at the foot of the stairs had always stopped her reckless progress, but this was no childish game. She was heavier now and found that she was sliding fast. Glancing towards the end of the rail, she saw that the newel-post had been removed. She slipped off the end of the banister and landed on the ground with a dull thud.

  It was enough to drive the breath from her body, and for several seconds she lay there winded, unable to move or to call for help.

  Then she heard the approach of footsteps from behind, but no hand reached down to aid her. Next moment a childish scream rent the silence of the room and Joe was on his knees beside her.

  'Say you ain't dead, miss...not you!' The boy was sobbing wildly. India opened her eyes to see a look of terror on his face.

  'I've had an accident, that's all,' she reassured him feebly. 'Will you fetch his lordship?'

  'No, miss, I ain't leaving you.' Joe signalled to his brother, who shot out of the room at speed.

  'Don't look so frightened, Joe. I am not much hurt, I think. Nothing seems to be broken.' Cautiously India tried to move her arms and legs. She had skinned her knees against the banister rail and grazed her elbow badly as she hit the ground, but otherwise she seemed to be unharmed.

 
; 'Can you help me to sit up?' With Joe's aid she managed to raise herself a little, and suddenly she felt sick.

  A strong hand forced her head between her knees. Then Isham's arms were round her. 'Are you able to move?' he asked.

  Conscious that she must present a sorry spectacle, India attempted to get to her feet.

  'No!' he said decisively. 'Stay where you are for a moment!' Gently, he began to explore the extent of her injuries. Then, satisfied that none of her limbs were broken, he cradled her head against his shoulder.

  'Can you tell me what happened?' he murmured.

  For answer India looked up at the open door above the missing staircase. 'It was my own fault, Anthony. I did not look where I was going. I had no idea that the stairs had been removed.'

  The swarthy face paled. 'My love, you did not fall from there?' His eyes were filled with anguish.

  "Not all the way. I caught hold of the banisters. They broke my fall.'

  There was a scream from the open doorway, and Mrs Rushford fainted.

  Isham did not even spare her a glance. 'India, can you put your arms about my neck?' he asked quietly.

  Obediently she did as she was bidden. Then, without apparent effort, he lifted her in his arms and carried her into the salon. There he laid her gently upon the nearest couch and rang the bell for his butler.

  White-faced, the man appeared at once. 'Send someone for the doctor,' Isham ordered. 'And then come back to me.'

  'Anthony, there really is no need to fuss,' India protested. 'No harm has been done...'

  'None whatever, except that you were lucky not to break your neck.' Isham's face was grim, and it grew even darker when the butler reappeared.

  'Tibbs, did I not give orders for the door above the kitchen staircase to be kept locked at all times?'

  'You did, my lord. It has not been opened.'

  'Really? You will find that you are mistaken. Please fetch me the key at once.'

  When the man returned he looked nonplussed. 'My lord, the key has vanished.'

  'Sometimes I wonder why I pay you, Tibbs. Have you an explanation?'

  'None, my lord. There are so many workmen about the place. One of them may have taken it.'

  'For what purpose, pray?'

  'I cannot tell you, sir. Oh, my lord, I would not have had this happen for the world.' The man was badly shaken. Someone had clearly acquainted him with the story of the accident. 'Madam might have been killed.' Beads of sweat stood out upon his brow.

  'She might indeed! You will now go at once and have the door nailed up. I shall have more to say to you later.'

  When the man had gone India tugged at Isham's sleeve. 'Don't be too hard on him,' she whispered. 'It was not his fault.'

  Isham's expression did not soften. 'I pay my staff to do their duty,' he announced. 'Tibbs knows that he must check the Grange each day.'

  'He could not take up residence outside that door,' India pleaded reasonably. 'To remove the key would take no time at all. Anthony, a strange thing happened whilst I was lying on the ground. Perhaps I was confused, but I thought that someone came to me and went away again.'

  'Possibly one of the workmen, afraid of the consequence of his mistake?'

  'I don't know. I thought he might have tried to help me, but the first face I saw was that of Joe.'

  'You gave the boys a terrible fright, to say nothing of us... Joe looked petrified. Will you just say a word to reassure him?' He crooked a finger to summon the two lads, who were crouched in a corner of the room.

  India managed a smile for them. 'I am not hurt, my dears. You shall not trouble yourselves on that score, but Joe, I'd like some water, and do you think you could find my reticule?'

  Both boys sped away and India chuckled. 'They will feel better if they have something to do.' She looked up as Giles and Henry entered the room.

  'How is Mama?' she asked. '

  'Recovering,' Giles told her briefly. 'India, what on earth were you about? Why did you choose to use the staircase to the kitchen quarters?' Anxiety caused him to speak more sharply than he had intended.

  India stiffened, and beside her she could sense that Isham was about to reprimand her brother for his obvious anger. She laid a soothing hand upon his arm.

  'Why should I not?' she said lightly. 'I was at that end of the house. Besides, someone called to me. At least I think they did...'

  'From where?'

  'I thought it was from the ground floor, but I may have been mistaken.'

  'Did you recognise the voice?' Isham's tone was casual.

  'No, but it was certainly a man...'

  Isham rose to his feet as the doctor entered the room, accompanied by Letty.

  'My lord, I was on the premises attending one of the maids. Now what's all this...a convention of some kind? Small boys, gentlemen and altogether far too many people in this room! I can hardly see my patient. You will leave us, except for Miss Letty, if you please.'

  India winced as he examined her battered knees and the bleeding graze on her arm. Letty was instructed to wash her injuries thoroughly. Then, as he bandaged the wounds, Dr Pettifer pronounced her fit to undertake the journey home.

  He shook a warning finger at her. 'But that is on condition that you rest for the next few days. You'll be mighty stiff tomorrow, but you've had a lucky escape.'

  He looked at Letty. "The shock will be considerable too. Warmth and rest is what your sister needs. Can you guarantee it?'

  'I will guarantee it.' Isham had re-entered the room. 'She will stay here.'

  'No!' India's face grew rosy with embarrassment. 'Mama would not permit it. I must go back to Lilac Cottage.'

  'Very well. I'll call on you tomorrow to make quite sure that you have taken my advice.' The doctor picked up his bag and departed, accompanied by Isham.

  Letty tucked a rug more closely about her sister. She looked badly shocked herself. 'Isham blames himself, I think. Oh, India, what a thing to happen! Dearest, we might have lost you.'

  'But you didn't! Now, Letty, may we not have an end to all this fuss? The fault was mine, and it must be a lesson to me. In future I shall look where I am going.'

  Isham had returned and was gazing down at her. 'India, won't you reconsider?' he pleaded. 'Stay here, and I will promise you the best of care.'

  She smiled up at him. 'You will smother me with attention, I suspect. I shall be treated like some feeble invalid, and it is unnecessary. Is Mama recovered enough to make the journey back to Abbot's Quincey?'

  'Quite recovered.' Isham's face was severe. 'You will find that she blames the boys for opening the door...'

  'No, no! She can't think that! You do not believe it, do you? Anthony, for them your word is law.'

  'I don't believe it, India. I've questioned them and both deny it. Neither is a liar.'

  India sighed with relief. Joe had looked terrified as he sank to his knees beside her prone figure, but she hadn't thought at any time that either he or Tom were responsible for the accident.

  Isham rang the bell and ordered the carriage to be brought round to the entrance. Then he seated himself beside India on the sofa and took her hands in his.

  'I won't forgive myself for this. Oh, my dear, I would not for the world have had it happen.'

  India squeezed his hands. 'Try not to think about it,' she advised. 'You shall not blame yourself. It is over, and all is well again.'

  'You are very good, my darling. Even so, I shall make enquiries...'

  'Will it serve any purpose? We may never find out who removed the key after opening the door. In any case, it cannot signify...' She looked up at him and was surprised to see a look of speculation in his eyes. 'Do you know, or suspect who did it?'

  'Not at all!' His face was expressionless. 'As you say, it may be a mystery for all time.'

  At that moment Giles and Henry re-entered the room. Between them they supported Mrs Rushford, who tottered feebly to her daughter's side.

  'Not dead, thank God!' Mrs Rushford swayed and
seemed about to faint again.

  'Far from it, Mama! Dr Pettifer assures me that in a few day's time I shall be fully recovered from the fall.'

  'And India is to be spared all excitement and worry,' Isham said significantly. 'She is to have warmth and rest to counteract the shock.'

  'I understand! He has prescribed the same for me. My constitution will not stand alarms...'

  'Then, ma'am, my carriage shall take you home without delay. We shall accompany you.'

  He was as good as his word, but on arriving at Lilac Cottage he and his brother could not be persuaded to stay. With a promise to return the following day they left for the Grange at once.

  Mrs Rushford sank into her favourite chair and glared at India. 'You are to blame for all of this,' she accused. 'Perhaps in future you will pay more heed to your mother's warnings.'

  India stared at her in astonishment. 'What have I done, Mama? I know it was thoughtless of me to have opened the door without thinking, but...'

  'Stupid girl! Who do you suppose unlocked the door . and took away the key if it was not those two limbs of Satan? Nasty, dirty urchins!'

  'Anthony does not believe it, and nor do I.'

  'At this present time Lord Isham will say anything to please you, but this time you have gone too far.'

  'I trust his judgement.'

  'Bah! At times I think he is as big a fool as you.'

  'That will do, Mama!' Giles bent a severe look upon his mother. 'I had thought that you were pleased with his generosity and the improvement to the Grange.'

  'Well, of course!' Mrs Rushford gave her son an uneasy look. She did not care to upset him. 'But, Giles, this is quite another matter. India has behaved so foolishly in persuading his lordship to interest himself in those two frightful creatures.'

  'Lord Isham did not seem to think so.' Letty spoke quietly, but there was a determined set to her chin.

  And there is another thing. Both he and Dr Pettifer insist that India is not to be worried in any way.'

  'I see! Only her mama is to bear the brunt of all this trouble. And now my children too are turned against me. Oh, how sharper than a serpent's tooth is base ingratitude!'

  Weeping bitterly, Mrs Rushford allowed herself to be supported from the room by a grim-faced Martha.