Giles smiled at his sisters. 'Don't tell me that you believe that nonsense?' he said lightly. 'Mother should have tried a career upon the boards. There is nothing she likes better than a drama.'
'She was upset,' Letty reminded him.
'So were we all.' He glanced at India's face and decided not to pursue the subject. 'Tell me, what did you think of the improvements to the Grange?'
'I liked them,' Letty said at once. 'In a way I was dreading going back in case I should remember nothing but the day we left. We were all so sad, if you recall.'
'I'll never forget it,' Giles agreed. 'I thought our world had come to an end.'
'In a way it had.' India shifted slightly on the couch to relieve her aching bones.
'Shall we help you to your room?' Letty had seen the grimace of pain. 'Would you be more comfortable in bed?'
'No! I'm not an invalid—just a little stiff—and expecting bruises of every shade by the morning. Letty, will you speak to Martha? She should set the mutton on to cook...'
'My God! Are we to have Martha's efforts inflicted upon us once more? Rather than that I'll roll up my sleeves and undertake the task myself. Letty, will you help me?'
'Giles, you are unkind! Martha does her best.'
'Does she? That sour face is enough to curdle the cream...I wonder that Mother keeps her on.'
'There was no one else,' Letty said lightly. 'Pray set your mind at rest. Isham insisted upon sending along a hamper filled with luxuries of every kind. India is to dine upon cold fowl in aspic with a sallet, and to take both syllabub and fruits in jelly. Those, at least, were my orders...'
'Was there anything else?' Giles was reminded that he had not eaten for some time.
'There is enough to feed an army. You will have your work cut out to make the smallest dent in it.'
'That I should like to see.' Giles strolled off towards the kitchen.
'India, I don't mean to fuss, but you are very pale. Will you not rest upstairs for just an hour or two?'
'I think I shall do so, after all.' India struggled to her feet. 'I don't feel quite the thing...'
It was a relief to step out of her clothing and to slide between the sheets. Her cuts and scratches were beginning to hurt quite badly and she-was glad of the draught which Letty gave her to still the pain.
'Shall I make you a tisane?'
'No, love, just allow me to sleep.'
Letty nodded and slipped away, but India found that sleep would not come. She began to tremble violently as she recalled the full horror of the accident—the terrifying sensation as she fell—and the certainty that her body would be broken on the flagstones far below.
It took a supreme effort of will to thrust those thoughts aside. The worst had not happened, so she must not dwell upon what might have been. Apart from a few bruises she was unharmed. At last the opiate began to take effect and she slept.
Isham himself was granted no such respite from his troubled thoughts. Back at the Grange he assembled all his staff and every workman on the place.
Yet his enquiries as to the identity of the culprit met with no success, in spite of a promise to consider extenuating circumstances.
Finally he gave up in disgust and stalked into his study. Henry followed him.
'Anthony, are you not making too much of this?' his brother remarked unwisely. 'Accidents happen every day. They can't always be avoided.' He recoiled a little at Isham's savage look.
'This one might have been,' his lordship snarled. 'It was sheer carelessness to leave that door open. We might have had a corpse upon our hands...' He turned away as if ashamed of an emotion which threatened to overwhelm him.
'But India is unharmed,' his brother soothed. 'She will soon recover her spirits, if I am not much mistaken in her.'
'Oh, she has courage enough. I saw it earlier this week when we were almost driven off the road on our way back from Northampton. I was sure that we must overturn, but her only concern was her bonnet!'
Henry did not smile. 'You did not tell me of this? Why not?'
"We decided to forget it.' A curse escaped his lips. "Damn it! I bring her nothing but ill luck, and have done so from the first.'
"But how can that be?'
"You do not know?' The firm lips curled in a bitter smile. 'She blames me for her father's death.'
"That is ridiculous!' Henry was quick to protest.
'You did not force the man to sit down at the tables, nor did you run him over.'
'I think that India knows it in her heart, but she isn't yet ready to admit it. I believe she loved her father dearly.'
'Even so...'
'No, I must defend her! India has a brave and loyal heart. I only wish that I could win it.'
'You will do so,' Henry laughed. 'I never saw the woman yet who did not yearn to pick up your handkerchief.'
'You have met one now.' Isham was thoughtful for a few moments, but at last he shrugged. 'Come!' he said abruptly. 'Let us ride out for an hour. I want to inspect the ditching by the boundary fences.'
It was clearly an attempt to divert his thoughts from the near-tragedy of that morning and Henry made no protest, but it was not until the following day that his brother's black mood lifted.
At Lilac Cottage India and "her sister were busy with their correspondence, whilst Mrs Rushford checked off the list of wedding guests. As he bowed to her Isham's eye fell upon the list, and he twinkled as he looked across at India. Then he walked over to her and took her hands in his.
'How are you today, my love?' His voice was tender as he raised her fingers to his lips.
Annoyed by his pointed lack of enquiry as to her own state of health, Mrs Rushford sniffed.
'India is feeling better than she deserves,' she announced. 'Such folly! And to give us all a fright like that? It might have been the death of me!'
The thought occurred to all three of her companions that the accident was far more likely to .have resulted in the death of India, but it was Isham who answered her. He gave her a brilliant smile.
'I'm glad to hear that India is better, ma'am. She must continue to obey Dr Pettifer's instructions—no worries or alarms, and plenty of rest, I think he said?'
His gaze rested upon Isabel for a long moment and his message was clear. He decided to reinforce it. 'I trust that she will not suffer a set-back. In such a case our marriage would have to be postponed.'
Isabel stared at him. Was he trying to warn her not to upset India? Her eyes fell before that level look. The more she saw of his lordship the less she liked him. Generous he might be, and he was always courteous, but in her heart she knew that tantrums, hysterics, tears and swooning fits would never sway this man. India was welcome to him. In the meantime she would moderate her tone.
'Mr Henry Salton is not with you, sir?' she asked.
Isham accepted the olive branch, cheered by a look of gratitude from India. She had suffered more than one tirade that morning.
'Henry is returned to London,' he said cheerfully. 'He will accompany his mother to Abbot's Quincey for the wedding.'
'Oh, dear, yes! The happy day is growing close. In fact, this very morning Sir James is to send his carriage for us. My sister wishes to discuss the arrangements for the celebrations.' Isabel looked with satisfaction at the pile of envelopes beside her. 'So many acceptances!' she marvelled. 'There is certain to be a crush, and the villagers are sure to attend. I had hoped that India would make the effort to come with us, as it concerns her more than anyone.'
'Out of the question!' Isham said firmly. 'I must forbid it, ma'am.' He too had begun to marvel, but it was at Mrs Rushford's lack of concern at her elder daughter's welfare.
'I shall go with you, Mama, since his lordship is here to bear India company.' Letty gave her future brother-in-law a smile of complicity. Then she glanced at the clock. 'We must make haste to fetch our cloaks. It is almost eleven, and Uncle will not care for us to keep his horses waiting in this weather.' She swept her mother out of the room.
> Isham drew his chair up to the sofa and possessed himself of India's hand. 'Was I masterful enough?' he grinned.
'More than enough,' India said demurely. 'You terrified me, my lord.'
'Now that I shall never believe. You are roasting me, my dear. Now tell me, are you really feeling better?'
'I am a little stiff, but that is to be expected.'
'And otherwise?'
India laughed. For once she felt at ease with him. 'My bruises have appeared in all the colours of the rainbow, but I think I shall survive.'
Isham's smile had vanished. He made as if to draw her to him, then, afraid of hurting her, he thought better of it. 'I still blame myself,' he said bitterly.
'But that is foolish, Anthony. It was an accident.'
I suppose so. I questioned the staff and all the workmen, but no one will admit to taking the key or opening the door. Joe, I feel, knows something, but he will not speak of it.'
'You don't suspect him, I hope?'
'No, I don't. Neither he nor his brother opened the door, but I think he knows who did.'
'He was looking very frightened,' India said thoughtfully. 'Perhaps he is too terrified to speak.'
'Don't trouble your head about it. As I recall, you have been ordered not to worry, though I suspect that you have had a trying time this morning...'
'Yes, Mama was cross with me, but that is nothing new. Oh, I had forgot, I must thank you for the hamper which you sent. We dined right royally last night, but you should not have done it.'
'What! Do you dare to scold me, woman?' he said with mock severity. 'Clearly, I have not been masterful enough.' Then he gave her a guilty look. 'In any case, I've brought another one...'
'Oh, no!' she cried in laughing protest. 'How are we to eat it all, my lord?'
'You might invite me to join you?' he suggested wickedly. 'After all, I have not yet heard the details of your bride-clothes...'
'All of which are sure to fascinate you,' she teased.
He refused to be daunted. 'Then I must study the guest list. It did seem to be growing larger...'
'Shall you mind that, Anthony? I'm afraid that Mama got a little carried away. Many of our friends will be in the neighbourhood for the wedding of Beatrice Roade. She felt that they would expect to be invited to ours...'
'And you were longing for a quiet wedding?' It was his turn to smile. 'I don't mind in the least, my love, as long as you do not.'
'You have not said...I mean, is there no one of your own who must be invited?'
'Just Henry and his mother, and Stillington, who will be my other supporter. You know of him, of course. This time you will be introduced with all formality.'
'Then the lady will not accompany him?' she murmured in amusement.
'Most decidedly not!' Isham frowned at her, but his eyes were twinkling. 'Shall you never forget that episode?'
'It is engraved upon my memory.' Belatedly, India remembered her duties as a hostess. 'Will you take some refreshment, sir?'
She struggled to sit upright, but as she set her feet to the ground she winced.
Isham saw it at once and pushed her back against the cushions. Then, with scant regard for propriety, he threw back the skirt of her gown to reveal a scarred and badly swollen ankle.
'That foot requires treatment,' he announced. He strode across the room and rang the bell.
As usual, Martha did not hasten to answer it. When she appeared at last she did so with no good grace.
'Your mistress requires two bowls of water,' Isham told her. 'One must be hot and the other cold.'
'She is not my...' Martha's objection died away as she looked at the harsh face.
'Yes, Martha? You were saying...?' Isham's voice was silky with menace.
'At once, sir!' Martha scuttled away.
'What a creature, India! Why-on earth do you keep her?"
'There was no one else, and she is devoted to Mama.
Don't think of her too hardly. She does try my patience sometimes, but she is an excellent ladies' maid. She is disgruntled at this present time, believing that she has come down in the world.'
'Not far enough, in my opinion. Will your mother wish to take her to the Grange?'
'I fear so, if you have no objection.'
'None whatever, my love, though she must accept that you are the mistress now. I will brook no disrespect, or sullen behaviour.'
India gave him a curious look. 'Anthony, where do you find your staff? They are all so very pleasant.'
'I leave it to my London agent. He knows my views. You will have need of a personal maid yourself. I have taken the liberty...I mean, the girl is already at the Grange. I had thought to let you meet her yesterday, but we shall leave it until you are recovered. If she does not suit you there are others...'
India smiled to herself. She was beginning to know her formidable suitor. That the girl was already at the Grange indicated beyond a doubt that she would be eminently suitable for the post. She guessed correctly that not only would she have been interviewed by the London agent, but also by Isham himself. It might be unusual for a man in his position to do so, but he would not care about that. Isham made his own rules.
She looked up as Martha reappeared with a tray. Not only had she brought the bowls of water, but she had added soft cloths of her own accord.
'Shall I help you to bathe your foot, Miss India?' Clearly, Martha was attempting to make amends for her previous ill behaviour.
'That won't be necessary,' Isham replied firmly, though his words were accompanied by a smile of thanks. 'Miss Rushford will follow my instructions as to the required treatment.' He waved Martha out of the room.
'Now, my love, take off your stocking.'
This simple request proved impossible to follow. India could not move her bandaged arm.
He pushed aside her skirt, ignoring her feeble protests and her rising colour.
'Don't be a fool!' he said sharply. 'This is no time for modesty! In any case, I am unlikely to be roused to uncontrollable passion by the sight of two bandaged knees and a badly swollen ankle.'
The justice of this remark struck India forcibly. She struggled to keep her countenance, but it was impossible. She laughed aloud.
'That's better!' With infinite care Isham rolled down the stocking and plunged her foot into the hot water and then the cold. As he continued the treatment she looked down at the dark head and the swarthy face so intent upon its task. The long fingers had been surprisingly gentle and almost instantly the pain in her ankle began to subside.
He was drying her foot when the door opened and the doctor was announced.
'Splendid, splendid!' he enthused, as he studied Isham's handiwork. A quick examination convinced him that India's cuts were healing with no risk of infection. 'Now, my lord, if we can keep this young lady off her feet for the next week, I am persuaded that we shall not see her hobbling down the aisle.'
'A fate too terrible to contemplate,' Isham agreed. "You hear the doctor, India? Either you obey him, or I must consider crutches. They will add nothing to the splendour of your wedding-gown.'
India laughed again. Try as she might, it was difficult to ignore Isham's sense of humour, which coincided so exactly with her own. There lay the danger, of course. She had heard it said so often. That particular quality was irresistible to women. Men without it would never understand the appeal, but it was there. It was disarming to find a gentleman clever enough to make one laugh. She resolved to guard against it.
'His lordship was about to leave,' she murmured to Dr Pettifer.
'I am in no immediate hurry,' Isham assured her. He acknowledged the doctor's bow of farewell. Then he resumed his seat beside her. 'I believe I heard some mention of refreshments?'
'Oh, yes, I had forgot!' India could see that he was determined to stay. 'Sir, will you ring the bell?'
Martha appeared with surprising speed, removed the clutter on the tray, and returned with a bottle of claret and two glasses.
'Y
ou will join me, of course?' Without waiting for her reply he poured the wine.
'Anthony, it is not yet noon,' she protested. 'Mama would not care to see me drinking at this hour.'
'Your mother is not here. Besides, this is for medicinal purposes only. Trust me, my love, this will not develop into an orgy. For one thing, it would be difficult to find an uninjured part of your person which I might kiss with wild abandon.'
India laughed again, this time without embarrassment. Really, he was impossible.
'You may laugh, my proud beauty!' He pretended to twirl a villainous moustache. 'Those bruises will heal and then you may beware of me...'
'A knight in shining armour may come to my rescue,' she teased, falling in with the joke.
'We've had too much rain just recently. The armour will have rusted. I shall defeat him before the blacksmith can extricate him.'
'By that time I may have run away.'
'No, you shall escape me never!' Grinning, he struck a heroic pose and India warmed to him in spite of herself. She might never learn to love him, but possibly they might be friends.
'You are happy with the arrangements for our marriage?' he asked suddenly. 'Is there anything...any way in which I might serve you?'
This reminder of her coming wedding day struck India forcibly. It was now so close. She fought down a twinge of panic and answered him.
'I think not, sir. All seems to be in hand. My aunt and uncle have been more than generous. They suggested that we move to Perceval Hall before the ceremony, but I prefer to be wed from here. Uncle will send his carriage for me...'
She was clinging to her old life to the last, Isham thought privately, but he made no comment on her decision. Instead he dropped a kiss into the palm of her hand and closed her fingers over it.
Again, the touch of his warm lips sent a thrill of excitement through her, though it was mixed with apprehension. She meant to keep her part of their bargain. Isham should have his heir, but every instinct cried out against this cold arrangement.
If she was to give herself to any man, she had dreamed of doing so in love, but now it was too late for regrets. Isham would find her gauche and inexperienced in the arts which he understood so well. Doubtless it would send him back into the arms of his opera-dancer.
The Reluctant Bride Page 14