by Anne Herries
‘I fear you are right,’ he replied and shook his head. ‘It is a pity that I brought her to you, Sam. I have given you a great deal of worry and I never meant it to be like this, my dear. I believed it would be a simple matter to deal with her greedy uncle, and indeed it was, but the Marquis is another matter.’
‘Perhaps I should not have pried into his family affairs.’
‘Had we known what he would do it might have been as well to simply see her married.’ Brock sighed. ‘But we may all think of such things in hindsight. I wish you had not spoken to him of his secret, because it provoked him to this and now he might try to harm you. You must be very careful when leaving friends at night. I really could not bear something to happen to you.’
‘Truly?’ She looked at him, then blushed. ‘Of course you do. I know how generous and protective of your friends you are, Brock. I know you are distressed over Rosemarie.’
‘Yes, for I should not wish harm to come to her. I once failed a young woman and it ruined her life, but that is a story for another time. However, I do not think I could bear for it to happen again.’
‘Brock...’ Samantha’s breath caught in her throat and her heart raced. ‘I know Rosemarie comes first, of course she does—but please take care. Your friendship means so much to me.’
‘Samantha.’ He clasped her hands, carrying them to his lips and kissing the fingers. ‘I cannot speak now, but I wanted you to know that I have always considered you to be a pearl amongst women. Percy was so proud of you and all of us officers adored you.’
‘Brock,’ Samantha said, and felt as if a large hand had squeezed her heart so that she could not breathe and the pain was almost more than she could bear. He was saying things that made her long to be in his arms, to taste that sweetness her senses told her she would find there, yet he had said nothing that made her think he spoke of more than true friendship, the love of comrades in arms. ‘Percy told me once that I could trust you implicitly and I always have.’
‘Samantha, you can have no idea of how I feel.’
Brock gave a little moan of despair and clasped her to him as through he would never let her go. His lips pressed against hers in a kiss of passion and need, and then he suddenly thrust her from him.
‘I want so much to tell you what is in my mind. You are all that any man could desire, but I have no right to speak until... No, this is not fair to you,’ he muttered. ‘You lost the man you loved so very much and now I would ask so much of you and yet I have no right until this business is settled.’ He smiled oddly. ‘Forgive me, Samantha. I should not have spoken and yet I wanted you to know how much you mean to me, just in case.’
‘Your luck will not desert you,’ she said, smiling bravely. ‘Percy always told me you were the brightest and the best, and he should know.’
‘I am sorry I must leave you like this.’
‘Go with my blessing. I shall wait patiently for your return, as I always have, Brock. I hope that young man may be more of a help than a hindrance to you.’
‘Oh, I dare say he can manage to keep out of trouble, he’s used to following orders.’
Samantha inclined her head; her smile in place until he had gone and closed the door behind him, then she sank down into a chair, bowing her head as she fought the tears that burned behind her eyes. She must be strong. She’d learned to be strong when she travelled with Percy and knew that he might be killed in every skirmish.
Yet, although she’d loved her husband truly, her love for him had never been as sharp and sweet as the feeling that was beginning to flower inside her now. For years she’d buried her young love for Brock deep inside her, hiding it from Percy, though he’d guessed it, hiding it from Brock and even from herself.
Now there was hope. Brock had not spoken of love, but she’d felt the passion and need in his kiss and knew that he wanted her as a man wants the woman he cares for. She could not be certain of his intentions, yet he was such an honourable man that she believed he would not take her love or her body lightly.
Was it Brock’s intention to offer her marriage? Her heart soared at the thought, love and desire flooding through her as she imagined the happiness that would bring her. He had not let himself confess his feelings towards her, because he knew that he was riding into danger. It looked as if Samantha might at last find true content in a life with the man she loved—and yet it could be snatched from her by a cruel fate before he had even told her of his intention.
No, she must not give way to such thoughts. Brock would find Rosemarie and he would not die. She had every confidence in him and it would be to let him down if she gave way to foolish sentimentality now. She would keep strong, as she had when she’d been the colonel’s lady in Spain and watched her husband and his young men ride out to battle.
Yet if Brock were to be mortally wounded, she did not think she could bear it.
* * *
Brock found that Robert Carstairs was already awaiting him when he returned to his home. He made him welcome, gave him a drink and instructed his manservant to bring down his luggage. Brock was in any case travelling light and intended to drive his curricle with only his groom to accompany him.
‘Harris is an old soldier and able to defend himself and he’s a good shot,’ Brock explained. ‘The man I believe to be holding Miss Ross is dangerous. I think you should ride rather than come with me, just in case. I would prefer that he thinks I have come alone at first.’
‘You have a plan of how to tackle this rogue?’ Robert asked, his eyes glinting with anger.
‘Yes, indeed. I shall go alone to the house and confront him if he is there, but I want you and Harris to follow and come in by the back way or something. Your mission is to find Miss Ross and get her to safety. She will probably be upstairs—her window may be shuttered. Scout the house first and then, if you think you know where she is, come in and get her. I dare say you’ve been on similar missions in the army?’
‘Oh, yes, sir,’ Robert replied. ‘Surveillance first and then take ’em by surprise.’
‘If you should hear a shot you must try to find Rosemarie. Do not consider me, find her and take her to safety.’
‘You’re taking a great risk, if this man is as dangerous as you say. Shouldn’t you have brought more men?’
‘A commander always has his reserves,’ Brock said with a smile. ‘I have sent a message to some friends and they will make all speed to join us, but time is of the essence. I am hoping to surprise Barchester. He will think that I’m either mad or have no idea that he is to blame and I expect him to greet me with a show of bravado. I am counting on you and Harris to get to Miss Ross before he can overpower me and...’
‘You think he might dispose of her, too?’
‘Only if he thinks he is safe,’ Brock said. ‘He has to keep her alive for a specific reason and until then I believe we have a good chance to get her free.’
‘If he could kill you, would he then think himself safe?’
‘I intend to tell him that Rosemarie’s grandfather knows his secret and that all my friends are aware of it. If she is not returned to us, he will be exposed. He will not know how many people he has to fear and I expect it will arouse his anger. Naturally, he may try to kill me in revenge, but I hope my ruse will stop him wreaking harm on her.’
‘You are prepared to risk your life for Rosemarie?’ Robert stared at him, half suspicious, half angry. ‘Does she mean so much to you?’
Brock smiled. ‘Not at all, Lieutenant. I have no interest other than friendship in your lady. However, I saved Rosemarie’s life and feel responsible for her. Indeed, I would do my best for any young woman I knew to be in a similar situation—and I know Samantha is very fond of her.’
‘I see.’ Robert frowned. ‘Forgive me if I seemed suspicious, but I adore her and I hope she will become my wife.’
‘I
know she feels the same,’ Brock said. ‘I believe you may have to speak to her grandfather concerning the permission you need to marry, but I shall be very happy to see her safely restored to you.’
‘I would do anything for her.’ Robert choked on his emotion. ‘Give my life if need be.’
‘Let us hope that no one need give so much,’ Brock replied. ‘Now, I see my manservant signalling to me. Everything is ready and I think we should leave.’
‘I am happy to accompany if you need me, sir?’ his manservant said, looking at him anxiously.
‘No, Chalmers. I need you here in case any of my friends come to enquire. I shall be in touch shortly, but you have my instructions if I should not survive? The letter is on my desk in the study.’
‘Yes, sir.’ Chalmers frowned as his master left the room, accompanied by the young officer.
He had not felt anxious once during the time Major Brockley had served abroad for his country, but this time he had an icy prickle at the nape of his neck.
Chapter Fifteen
‘It was gracious of you to see me at such short notice,’ the Earl of Sandeford said when he was shown into Samantha’s parlour. He bowed over her hand as she offered it and she thought that he looked a little fragile and old.
‘Please, do sit down, my lord,’ she said. ‘It is a pleasure to see you.’
‘How kind, when you might have thought poorly of me.’
‘For what reason, sir?’
‘For having my granddaughter’s background explored before I made up my mind whether I wished to know her,’ he said honestly, his faded blue eyes meeting hers with a challenge that showed his spirit was still strong even if his health was failing. ‘I am an old man, Mrs Scatterby, and I shall admit that I was shocked to discover that Miss Ross was in town, and, seemingly, taking the ton by storm.’
‘Yes, she was very popular,’ Samantha said, ‘until these wicked rumours began. I fear some people have since decided that she is not a fit person to know.’
‘Yes, well, perhaps I may help her a little in that,’ the Earl said. ‘I wish to make amends for the way I behaved towards her mother. She let me down and that hurt me badly for she was always my favourite—the only girl, you see.’
‘Yes, I can understand that her behaviour would hurt you. I imagine it was a long time before she could decide on a course of action—but she was young and in love, and she had to accept that the man she loved could never marry her.’
‘Had they both lived long enough they might have married in the end. That wife of his is dead now, God rest her soul, but it wasn’t well done of Ross. He should have done the right thing, either divorced that poor creature who was his wife or left my daughter alone. He ruined her and that made me very bitter towards them both.’
‘Yes, of course that is how you must see it,’ Samantha said gently. ‘It was a terrible thing to happen in a respectable family, but your daughter was a remarkably brave woman, sir. She chose the path of love despite the fact that it meant she lost the love of her family and would be shunned by all those she called her friends. It takes great courage to do something like that.’
‘Yes, you are right, though few see it that way,’ he agreed heavily. ‘My daughter was brave and honest. She told me what she meant to do, you know. I threatened to cut her off and she apologised for hurting me.’ He choked as if the memory was almost too much for him. ‘I believe I will sit down if you do not mind.’
‘Of course. May I get you some brandy?’
‘No, thank you, my dear. As I was saying, I threatened terrible things, but it didn’t stop Leonie. He came for her one night and she went to him. Of course, I could have locked her up, but that isn’t my way. I hoped her loyalty to me would keep her from throwing her life away, but her love for him was too strong.’
‘True love will often make one blind to everything else. I fear many young women have thought the world well lost for love.’
‘Later, I regretted it,’ he went on, sighing. ‘I missed her so dreadfully and I wanted to tell her so, but I couldn’t. She had betrayed everything I stood for.’
‘It is very hard to forgive.’
‘I forgave her in the end and swallowed my pride and wrote to her, but my proud girl returned my letters unopened. I understood that she believed I wanted her to leave him and abandon the child, but I would not have asked that of her. She would never have consented, but I hoped that Ross might see sense and divorce that mad creature.’
‘It is a pity that she would not read your letters, for it might have comforted her.’
‘Well, perhaps she did not see them. It may have been Ross who returned them. I learned later that by the time I decided to write to her, she was very ill.’
‘Ah, I see. It is very sad,’ Samantha said. ‘She died and the quarrel was never made up. But perhaps you can make amends to Rosemarie?’
‘It is my intention,’ he said, a glow in his faded eyes. ‘I wanted to offer her a home, to give her the protection of my name. But I’m too late, she has disappeared and I fear that she may be in desperate trouble.’
‘Major Brockley is looking for her, as is the young man Rosemarie hopes to marry.’
‘What? This is the first I’ve heard of a young man.’ He frowned severely.
‘He is an officer—a lieutenant. I met him recently when he came looking for her. I believe they are very much in love.’
‘Is he suitable?’ the Earl barked.
‘That is not for me to say, my lord. Only Rosemarie—and perhaps you—can decide that, sir. I can only say that he seemed pleasant and perfectly respectable when I met him.’
‘Well, well, I suppose if he is of decent family—and doesn’t have a wife tucked away—it may be best for her. I don’t have long, you see, but I want to do what I can for my girl’s child. I want her respectably settled.’
‘Yes, I do see that,’ Samantha said, and smiled at him. ‘I think that if it were known that you acknowledged her, it might very well help to smother those horrid rumours.’
‘Yes, but if she is harmed, or dead, I shall never forgive myself. I should have protected her long ago, taken her from that wretched uncle of hers and introduced her into society myself. If anything happens to her, I am to blame.’
‘We must hope and pray that Brock is in time to save her from any harm,’ Samantha said. ‘I wish that it had never happened, but Barchester had her snatched before any of us knew what to expect.’
‘I shall personally see to it that if his guilt is proved beyond doubt, he will no longer be accepted into society.’
‘I should warn you that he is a vindictive man,’ Samantha said, and a shiver of fear went through her. ‘I pray that Rosemarie and the others come through this ordeal unharmed.’
Samantha’s thoughts were of Brock as the Earl took his leave. She had carried her love for him inside all these years and if she were to lose him now she did not know how she could bear it. Her thoughts were constantly with him, wondering just where he was and what he was doing.
* * *
‘You know what to do, both of you?’ Brock said to Robert and his trusted groom. ‘Give me ten minutes and then enter through a back or side entrance. I’m sure that shuttered room at the back must be where they are holding her. Leave me to deal with Barchester. You must find Miss Ross and get her away in the curricle.’
‘But what of you, Major?’ Harris asked with a frown. ‘I wouldn’t trust that devil an inch.’
‘I can take care of myself. As soon as you have Miss Ross get her to London and stay with her until I come.’
‘As you wish, sir,’ Harris said, but he was frowning. ‘Good luck, sir.’
‘Yes,’ Robert agreed. ‘Ten minutes and then we come in and get Rosemarie away.’
Brock clasped his hand, ‘I know I can rely on
you to take care of her. She must come first, no matter what you hear, do you understand, both of you?’
Both men agreed and they parted, Brock to approach the house by the front drive while they made their way round to the back of the house. They’d arrived in the early hours and had explored the grounds and studied the house. The whole place seemed to be neglected and there was no sign of the usual servants employed on a large estate. Only three riding horses were in the stables, together with a pair of carriage horses and a smart curricle, which must belong to Barchester. It was three against four, but the three were all armed with pistols and all of them experienced in combat.
Brock rang the doorbell. He could hear it clanging eerily in what was clearly a deserted house, apart from the Marquis and his rogues. Since seeing the appearance of the old family estate, Brock understood the Marquis’s desperation. In London he was still thought to be the possessor of a thriving country seat and a large fortune. Few knew that Barchester’s father had gambled away the family fortune. But the family’s low ebb was not Brock’s concern. Instead, he needed to hold the attention of Barchester and his rogues until the others had Rosemarie safe away.
Brock had hoped that some of his friends might have caught up with them by now, but it seemed that his urgent messages had not reached them for no one had answered his call. He believed the three of them could carry it off, but it was risky, for if Barchester smelled a rat he might harm Rosemarie before any of them could get to her.
For a moment it seemed as if no one would answer the summons and Brock wondered if he should simply have gone in the back with the others, relying on the element of surprise. Then he heard a noise and bolts were drawn back, the door swinging back slowly to reveal a man wearing clothes more suitable to a groom than a house servant.
‘What do you want?’ he muttered. ‘Ain’t no one lives here now.’
‘Presumably, you live here for the moment,’ Brock said pleasantly. ‘I believe that curricle in the stables belongs to your master, the Marquis of Barchester, and I should like to speak with him.’