by Anne Herries
‘Well, I am here now to help, too,’ her aunt said. ‘Have you settled the menus? They are most important—your guests will expect only the best in a house like this, Lottie.’
‘We made a start last night, did we not, Henrietta? However, no one understands food better than you, Aunt. You must look at my suggestions and tell me if they can be improved.’
‘Yes, I shall certainly do so. Your cook has a light hand with pastry, Lottie. However, there might be some improvements I can make without giving offence.’
Lottie could tell that her aunt was looking forward to ordering the kitchens and hoped that Rothsay would have no objection. She had always left the menus to her aunt, for her own time was taken up with other things. Aunt Beth would be a great help to her when she was mistress here—and if Rothsay had some fault to find he could tell her when he came.
She glanced at the countess. ‘I suppose there has been no word from Rothsay?’
‘No, he is very provoking, is he not?’ Henrietta gave her a gentle smile. ‘It is so much more comfortable when the gentlemen aren’t here to give their opinion—though I think he will not interfere with your arrangements in the house, Lottie.’
Lottie stifled the faint irritation she felt at her fiancé’s absence. ‘I dare say his business is important. He will return as soon as he is able no doubt.’
‘Excuse me, Miss Stanton…Lady Selby…’ The housekeeper had entered the room and looked from one to the other, as if uncertain who to address. ‘There is a problem. I am not sure what ought to be done…’
‘What is it, Mrs Mann?’ Lottie asked. ‘May I be of assistance?’
‘Perhaps we could speak in private, miss?’
Lottie followed her from the room into the hall. It was obvious the housekeeper was ill at ease, uncertain what to do about something.
‘Is there a problem with one of the servants?’
‘No, miss. I should not have troubled you with that, for I am able to deal with domestic problems. It is just that Sam Blake was seen in the village. Apparently, he was talking wildly about getting even with his lordship. Mr Barton, that’s his lordship’s bailiff, was wondering whether to set more men on to patrol the grounds.’
‘Has Blake escaped, then? I am certain Rothsay told me he had been sent to prison.’
‘He must have escaped, miss. Barton wanted to speak to the countess, but I thought you might be the best person in the circumstances. I did not wish to alarm Lady Selby. To tell you the truth, she don’t seem quite like her old self, miss.’
‘No, I think she tires easily.’ Lottie frowned, because Rothsay had told her not to interfere in estate matters, but she did not see how she could avoid doing so. ‘Please tell Mr Barton to set more men on at once. If his lordship should return and be caught unawares he might meet with an accident.’ Remembering the shot that had caused her fall, she was anxious. ‘A message should be sent to the marquis in London, making him aware of the situation. I shall write the note myself and Mr Mann may send it on.’ She smiled at the housekeeper. ‘You were very right not to trouble the countess. You may always come to me if you are in doubt on any account.’
‘Yes, miss. I thought I might.’ Mrs Mann looked relieved. ‘I shall speak to Mr Barton immediately—and you will keep this to yourself?’
‘Yes, I would not alarm either Lady Selby or Lady Hoskins. They do not need to know about this. I shall tell them it was just a little hitch with the wedding arrangements.’
‘Yes, miss. That is very sensible of you.’
The housekeeper departed and Lottie returned to the parlour. She told her curious friends that it was just a problem with the supply of fresh salmon for the wedding, which had been easily resolved.
‘Well, I do not know why Mrs Mann should be concerned with that,’ Henrietta said. ‘Rothsay will have it sent down from his estate in Scotland, as usual.’
‘Yes, I am sure you are right,’ Lottie said, but did not enlighten her further. ‘Now, I must tell you that I chose the silk for my wedding gown today and it is beautiful. Rose took it up to my room. You must both come and see. I shall begin work on cutting the pattern tomorrow. I asked Mrs Blake if she would come at ten and help me.’
Lottie wondered if the woman would still come after what had been reported. If her husband was on the run from the law, she might be afraid of her reception. It might be best to send Rose with a message first thing in the morning.
Lottie broke the seal of the letter that had just been brought up to her. She frowned as she saw it was from her sister. What could Clarice have to say to her? She scanned the letter, lingering over one particular paragraph.
How clever of you to snare him, Lottie, Clarice had written. I know you must have agreed for Papa’s sake and to give Aunt Beth a home. I am a selfish wretch, but I am in love—and it couldn’t matter to you. You will have money and a home, and you can thank me for stepping back and letting you become the marchioness. I may visit you one of these days—and I shan’t stop you if you want to show your appreciation for my generosity. After all, you are supposed to be me—aren’t you?
Clarice went on to describe some of the places she was visiting in Paris, as if she had not made what might be a veiled threat of blackmail.
She frowned, because although Clarice had always been selfish, she seemed to have touched new depths. Sighing, Lottie put the letter to one side. She was not sure what Clarice expected, but she would face it when the time came. In the meantime, she had more pressing problems.
What ought she to do about Lily Blake after that disturbing news about her husband?
‘I wasn’t sure you would want me to come after what everyone was saying.’ Lily Blake made a slight curtsy. ‘But Rose told me you still needed my help…’
‘Yes, I do,’ Lottie said. ‘Come and sit down, Mrs Blake. I do not think we need to concern ourselves with the gossip or your husband’s intentions for the moment. You need to earn some shillings for your work and I need help.’
Lily looked at her for a moment, then, ‘It weren’t my Sam spreading threats about the village,’ she blurted out, her cheeks hot with colour. ‘I know he done wrong, Miss Stanton, and I ain’t trying to defend him—but it were his cousin Dickon what put him up to the poaching. They look a bit alike but Sam is still where his lordship put him and cursing the day he got in with a pack of rogues. It were Dickon as were shouting his mouth off at the inn.’
‘Sam’s cousin, you say?’
‘Yes. Dickon were alus a bad lot. He lost Sam his first job and after that my husband couldn’t get work. No one would give him a chance, miss, and Dickon plagued him to help him with the traps. We’ve three children all under the age of five and he didn’t want to see us starve.’
‘Yes, I understand it must have been hard,’ Lottie said. ‘In future I shall employ you—and when your husband is released from prison I will see what I can do for him, though I promise nothing in his case.’
Lily’s eyes brimmed with tears. ‘Sam told me you would’ve helped him, miss. He reckons you be too good fer the likes of his lordship.’
‘You must not say such things to me,’ Lottie said and smiled. ‘Now, I have heard you have some skill with your needle—can you also cut a pattern?’
‘Oh yes, miss.’ Lily brightened and brushed her tears away. ‘Afore I was wed I worked for a high-class seamstress. She had a smart shop in Northampton and I worked in the back room.’
‘Then I am sure we can create something special between us, Lily.’
‘Yes, miss. With your figure it will be easy. What did you have in mind?’
Lottie explained, bringing a look of admiration to the other woman’s eyes. ‘It is a style I know suits me and I have made similar gowns for myself and others before.’
‘It will suit you, miss—but perhaps we could change a few things here and there. After all, it is your wedding gown.’
‘Yes.’ Lottie was thoughtful as she watched Lily spread the silk on the floor and explain wha
t she meant about getting the full potential from the hang of the material. Lily was clearly a talented seamstress and she deserved her chance, regardless of her husband’s foolish behaviour.
After she was married, she would have a good think about the possibilities for Lily Blake’s future.
In the meantime, she was trying not to worry about the orders she had given for Mr Barton to increase the patrols both on the estate and the roads leading to it. Rothsay might not be best pleased when he returned, but he should have been here and then he could have made the decision himself.
Nicolas glanced at the letter that had just been delivered from Rothsay Manor. He did not recognise the handwriting and looked for the signature before reading the contents. Why would Lottie have sent it to him urgently?
He frowned as he read what had happened and the orders she had given to protect the estate and his person should the rogue try to kill him on his return. He had wondered if Blake were behind the shot that had almost resulted in injury for Lottie, but to his best knowledge the man was still locked up in a prison in Northampton. He could, of course, have escaped in the meantime, but it was more likely to have been his cousin. Dickon Blake had served a year for his own misdemeanours and would have been released recently. The pair were similar in looks and could be confused on a dark night, though, unlike Sam, Dickon was violent and dangerous.
Sighing, Nicolas crushed the letter in his hand, tossing it to one side. He supposed he ought to return and sort this mess out. His business had been finished in an hour for it had merely been an addition to his will. Lottie must be provided for in the event of his death. He had visited various merchants, giving them instructions for the wardrobe Lottie would need as the new marchioness. There was no need for him to wait on their delivery, for the clothes and other things would be sent direct to Rothsay—so why had he delayed?
Walking to gaze out of the window, Nicolas faced the dilemma he had created for himself. Lottie was expecting a marriage of convenience. She had agreed for the sake of her family—in truth, he had given her no choice. What he had done was despicable from start to finish. He should have set her free the moment he realised who she was…or, rather, who she wasn’t.
He had despised the woman he had seen rifling his friend’s pocket in Paris, but he had formed a deep admiration for Lottie. She was different in every way from her sister.
The trouble was he was in danger of liking her too much. Long ago, he had discovered that unrequited love hurt. Even his mother’s gentle but detached way of loving her son had been painful, and his father had ignored him after her death—apart from an occasional pat on the head or an instruction to work hard for his tutors.
It was quite ridiculous to hope that Lottie could ever care for him after the way he had treated her. He was in any case not sure that he wanted to love or be loved. He would do much better to continue as he had started, but that was easier from a distance than if he were with her.
That kiss in the moonlight had shocked him. It had been a mere experiment, just to accustom her to what it felt like to be kissed—but he was very much afraid that he was the one who had been most affected. Lottie had taken it in her stride. Yes, she had seemed to melt into him while he held her, responding so sweetly that he had wanted to make love to her instantly. Yet afterwards, she had behaved in that calm, composed manner that seemed to suggest it meant nothing at all.
Damn it! He wanted more than a complaisant wife. He wanted to know that, when he made love to her, she would want him as much as he wanted her.
He turned with a grim smile on his mouth. He couldn’t hide for ever. The ball was in five days and he must be there in time to make sure that everything was in order.
‘Lottie, do come and see all the packages that have arrived for you,’ Aunt Beth cried as she entered the house that morning after her customary walk to the lake. ‘I have never seen so many all at one time. Whatever can be in them?’
‘Rothsay said he would order a few things for me in London.’ Lottie frowned. ‘I told him not to be extravagant—I shall not need a huge wardrobe here. Besides, Lily Blake has made me such a wonderful wedding gown that I think I shall ask her to make all my clothes in future.’
‘Yes, she has created something of a miracle,’ Beth said. ‘Far more stylish than we ever managed alone, dearest. I think she is wasted as the wife of that rogue.’
‘Lily loves him, Aunt.’
‘Yes…’ Beth shook her head. ‘We women are such fools where men are concerned. My poor sister was much let down by your father. I do not know where he has got to these past few days.’
‘He went home,’ Lottie said. ‘He promised to return for the ball.’
‘We must hope he does not let us down.’ Beth frowned. ‘Rothsay has been a long time. I would have thought he would be here by now. If he is not here for—’ She broke off, for there was the sound of the knocker and a footman sprang to attention to open the door.
Lottie turned, heart pounding as she saw the tall figure of the marquis enter. She had forgotten how handsome he was, how strong and masculine. Her heart caught as her eyes absorbed every detail of his appearance; it looked as if his dark hair had recently been cut short in a new style and it suited him.
‘Rothsay, you are home,’ she said and went forwards to greet him, offering her hand. ‘I am glad to see you back. My aunt tells me several packages have arrived for me. I have not yet had time to examine the contents, but I think I should scold you for extravagance.’
‘My wife must do me credit, Lottie. I cannot have the gossips saying I have a dowdy marchioness.’ He took her hand, held it briefly to his lips. His eyes went beyond her to Aunt Beth. ‘Lady Hoskins, I presume. Forgive me for not being here to welcome you to my home, ma’am. I am sure Lottie has made you comfortable. You are, of course, welcome to stay here for as long as you choose—though while in London I have instructed my agent on the purchase of a house for Lottie’s benefit in Bath, and you may prefer to visit the spa together sometimes.’
‘Really, Rothsay—did I not tell you I was perfectly content here?’ Lottie’s eyes sparked.
‘Well, you must do as you choose,’ he said easily.
‘Thank you, sir,’ Beth said. ‘I like Bath very much. I am certain Lottie will enjoy visiting the town when she desires a change.’
‘Just as you say, ma’am. I see you are a lady of good sense. Lottie, my love—may I speak to you in private for a moment?’
‘Yes, of course.’
‘In my library, if you please.’
Lottie followed as he strode through various apartments to the large room in the east wing. She had visited it but once in his absence; it was clearly his own preserve and he had left books lying out on the table, as if he wished to return to them without having to hunt. Brandy and glasses were waiting on a side table for his convenience. Mrs Mann had asked if she ought to tidy them away. Lottie had told her to leave all as it was until he returned.
She stood waiting just inside the door as he gazed out of the long windows at the view of the gardens.
‘This business of Blake is unpleasant. I am sorry you had to be troubled with it while I was gone.’
‘It was not a trouble, my lord. I was merely concerned that I must give orders to increase the patrols. I know that you do not consider I should interfere in your business, but—’
‘Good grief, Lottie! What else could you have done in the circumstances? You said you had not told Henrietta or your aunt?’
‘Neither of them will be tempted to go beyond the immediate gardens. They do not need to know of any unpleasantness.’ She looked at him as he turned to face her at last. ‘You were not attacked as you travelled home?’
‘No, not at all. I dare say it is all a lot of fuss for nothing—but you did exactly as you ought. I should have thought of it before I left, but I was not thinking too clearly.’
‘You could not have known that Dickon Blake would decide to take revenge for his cousin’s imprisonment.
Lily told me Sam is still in prison, as no doubt you have learned.’
‘It is not only Sam’s incarceration that has angered Dickon. He has only recently been released from prison himself. I sentenced him to a year and he must have been freed just over a month back.’
‘So it could have been he who fired at you?’
‘Most probably. I shall have someone look into it. Extra keepers are all very well, but we must seek the cause and discover what is in his mind. I do not want to leave you alone until this business is resolved, Lottie. I shall hope to have it sorted before the wedding, but in the meantime the patrols will keep you safe.’
‘I am certain of it. I have been far too busy to walk further than the lake and I have not yet ridden out—I was not perfectly sure which horse you would wish me to use.’
‘I fear I have not treated you well, Lottie. I should have returned sooner. It was wrong to just leave everything to you. If you wish, we could ride out together tomorrow morning.’
‘I should like that very much,’ she replied. ‘I am glad you are not annoyed because I was forced to take charge. Henrietta could not have dealt with that kind of unpleasantness, you know.’
‘Yet you take it in your stride?’
‘I am accustomed to managing my father’s estate. Very little distresses me,’ she replied, a smile on her mouth. ‘I believe we have covered everything we could. You were warned not to travel alone and the keepers have increased their patrols.’
‘You are an unusual woman, Lottie. My mother would have screamed or fainted had she been asked to deal with such a decision.’
‘I doubt it. Most ladies are capable of far more than gentlemen imagine. We are not, as we are so often termed, the weaker sex—though at times we may acquiesce to being thought so.’
‘Is that so?’ She looked at him in surprise for there was a new teasing note in his voice that she had not heard before. ‘I believe I have a lot to learn about the fair sex, Lottie. I am but a man and cannot expect to understand the workings of the female mind. Besides, I think you are the exception and not the rule. I stand ready to receive instruction.’