I cannot do it.
She wound her arms tightly around her stomach, trying to suppress her nerves. She must do it. Twenty people had been invited to the engagement party this evening. A lot of money and effort had been invested. And more importantly, so many people would be bitterly disappointed if she reneged. Her parents. Grandmama. And, of course, Mr Hardy.
I must have courage. It is for the good of everyone. It is the best option open to me.
Her eyes filled with tears. She hadn’t realised it until this very moment, but she had been secretly hoping that somehow – someway – it could still change. Perhaps a last-minute letter from Lady Henrietta, informing her that she was not blackmailing her anymore and that she gave her blessings for a union between Emmeline and Benedict?
A single tear ran down her cheek. There wasn’t going to be any last-minute letter. There wasn’t going to be anything that would save her from what was to come. This was her fate, and she must accept it. She must make the best of it.
Benedict, she thought yearningly. My one true love. Farewell … forever.
***
Benedict opened the front door of Churchill Lodge, awaiting the rider on horseback. His heart seized with expectation. It was Ralph, thundering down the driveway towards the house. He hadn’t even known his cousin was coming; it was only by chance he had been gazing out the parlour window and seen him in the distance.
Ralph drew up the reins on the horse sharply, dismounting. He looked tired and dishevelled. His hair was sticking up in tufts, and his eyes were bleary.
“Ralph,” rapped Benedict. “Why are you here? What has happened?”
His cousin grimaced. “My backside is afire from the saddle, cousin,” he said ruefully. “I have ridden through the night to get here in time.”
Benedict waited impatiently for his cousin to get to the point. If Ralph had ridden through the night like this, then it was obvious the news was important.
“We have struck gold,” he declared, as he caught his breath. “I have found something that shall turn everything around.” He paused dramatically. “A scullery maid at the Wynns’ estate blurted out everything about what happened to Lady Henrietta when she was merely sixteen years of age. With the help of a few shillings, of course.”
“What?” Benedict’s heart almost stopped beating while he waited for the answer.
“It seems that Lady Henrietta had a liaison with her music-master,” replied Ralph triumphantly. “A quite intense liaison. Her parents discovered it and sent the man away, paying him off. Lady Henrietta has never seen him since.”
Benedict slowly smiled. “This is brilliant, Ralph! Where is the man now?”
“I have tracked him to a village on the Essex coast,” said his cousin. “Apparently, he gives pianoforte lessons there now.” He hesitated. “I did not want to approach him without you. He has been paid off handsomely and may be reluctant to confirm it. He might need a little … persuasion, of the monetary kind.”
Benedict’s eyes gleamed. “I shall bring plenty, cousin. More than he received from the Wynns if it persuades him to talk about his dalliance with the good lady.” He suddenly slapped his cousin on the back heartily. “You have done well! Shall you have some refreshment before we head off? You look as if you might fall off the saddle if you do not.”
Ralph hesitated. “Believe me, I would like nothing more, cousin. But I think we should head to this village immediately. Time is of the essence.”
A cold shiver ran down Benedict’s spine. “Why?”
Ralph took a deep breath. “There is other news,” he said quietly. “I only just got wind of it before I left.” He paused, gazing at his cousin steadily. “Emmeline is about to announce her betrothal to Mr Lewis Hardy, Ben. The engagement party is this evening.”
Benedict staggered forward, feeling as if Ralph had just punched him hard in the gut. His head was spinning. “No,” he breathed. “No!”
“Yes,” said Ralph grimly. “It is true. Father told me himself. Mr Hardy whispered the news to him privately.”
“How could she?” cried Benedict, his eyes wild. “How could she do this?”
Ralph shook his head. “She obviously believes there is no hope for the two of you,” he said in a quiet voice. “That is the only explanation, cousin.”
Benedict turned away, feeling sick to the pit of his stomach. Emmeline was entering into an engagement with Lewis Hardy, intending to marry him. If he didn’t get this appalling situation resolved quickly, she would be lost to him forever.
“Right,” he said in a determined voice. “I shall saddle a horse now, and you can grab a fresh one. As you said, time is of the essence.”
His heart twisted with anxiety as they sped off towards the Essex coast. So much was hanging on whether they could talk to this music-master. And if he would indeed be willing to confirm the details of what had occurred between him and Lady Henrietta all those years ago.
***
Three hours later, thirsty and exhausted, they finally galloped into the seaside village. It took them another ten minutes to locate the small cottage where Ralph had been informed the music-master lived.
“What is his name?” barked Benedict as they raced to the front door.
“Mr Aloysius Barker,” said Ralph breathlessly. “He held the position with the Wynns over ten years ago. It has been a long time, Ben.”
Benedict nodded, rapping on the door sharply.
His heart was in his mouth as he waited to hear footsteps approaching the door. What if Mr Barker was out for the day, or even away from home?
It seemed to take forever, but eventually, they heard footsteps inside. The door opened, just a crack. A heavy-set man with thinning sandy coloured hair peered at them balefully.
“Yes?” His voice was unusually deep. “Can I help you?”
“I hope so,” said Benedict. “Am I speaking to Mr Aloysius Barker?”
The man hesitated, then slowly nodded. “I am he. Why do you seek me?”
Benedict took a deep breath. “I need to speak to you on a matter of great urgency, Mr Barker,” he said. “It is a somewhat delicate matter. May we talk inside your cottage, perchance?”
***
The man led them into a small living space cluttered with furniture. A pianoforte took pride of place against the only window. He indicated they should sit down.
“Now,” he said, settling opposite them. “What is this about?”
Benedict and Ralph exchanged quick glances. So much was riding on this. And Benedict knew that even though time was pressing upon them, he must proceed carefully to get the result he needed.
“You were music-master with the Wynn family ten years ago, were you not?” asked Benedict slowly. “You tutored their children?”
The man’s eyes grew wary. “Why do you wish to know?”
Benedict felt a surge of triumph. The man would not be so cagey about his previous service with the Wynns if he did not have something to hide. He could almost smell his panic. Mr Aloysius Barker’s service with the Wynn family was something he wanted to forget. Something he wanted to keep buried.
“I shall get straight to the point, Mr Barker,” continued Benedict, his heart beating rapidly. “We have it on very good authority that you were … close with the Wynns’ eldest daughter, the Lady Henrietta.” He paused. “So close that the lady’s good parents grew rather alarmed and paid you handsomely to leave the district and never contact their daughter again.”
The man blanched. “That was a long time ago. I was a younger, reckless man. And she lured me into it.” He paused. “She was a minx, that one. So high and mighty but a little temptress just the same. A man didn’t stand a chance with her.”
“I am not concerned with the morals of the situation, Mr Barker,” interrupted Benedict. “I am sure you have atoned for the indiscretion. I just need to know if you would be willing to attest to the liaison if pressed.” He paused. “I shall pay you handsomely for the assurance. Far more than
the Wynns gave you at the time to stay silent on the matter.”
There was a tense silence in the room. Benedict’s breath stilled. The music-master stared at them both, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. The moments dragged on.
“How much?” he asked eventually, his eyes narrowing. “It will have to be a decent amount. Times have been tough. I have not been getting many pupils lately, you see.”
Benedict’s heart surged. He felt like jumping into the air with joy. “I am sure we can negotiate a sum that will satisfy us both, Mr Barker. Believe me.”
***
After some haggling, the amount was agreed upon. Within twenty minutes, they were back on the street mounting their horses. Benedict felt as if he could finally breathe again.
It was an excellent result, but it was not over yet. Not by a long shot.
“What now?” called Ralph, turning his horse around.
Benedict smiled grimly. “Now the real fun begins,” he said. “We must confront Lady Henrietta with this new development. We must make her understand that she will be the loser if she continues blackmailing Emmeline. And we must have her word that she will desist immediately.”
“Right you are,” said Ralph, grinning broadly. “This is going to be rather fun. I must admit I cannot wait to see the look on that lady’s face when she realises her goose has been well and truly cooked.”
They headed back through the village. Benedict lowered himself over the horse, spurring it on. They didn’t have much time. The clock was ticking down now towards the moment that Emmeline publicly announced her engagement to Mr. Hardy. They had to get there and stop it before it happened. But they still had the formidable Lady Henrietta to deal with.
He sighed heavily. That lady was not just going to roll over and play dead. He just knew it.
Chapter 29
The sun was casting long shadows over the countryside when they finally rode into the Wynn estate. Benedict glanced anxiously at the sky. It was late afternoon, now.
It had taken them longer to get here than they had anticipated when Ralph’s horse had started slowing down, exhausted by the miles they had been riding long and rough. They were forced to rest the beast in a village they passed through, using the enforced stop to grab some food and ale from a pie shop. It had replenished them but had also delayed them considerably.
They were off the horses almost as soon as they were at the house. Benedict ran to the front door, rapping quickly. There was not a moment to lose.
A butler with an angular face opened the door. “May I help you?”
Benedict smiled. “Yes, I think you can. Please inform the Lady Henrietta that Lord Benedict Montagu is here to see her. I am sure she shall be eager to receive me.”
***
Lady Henrietta’s face was wreathed in smiles when she came into the drawing room. She clapped her hands together with glee.
“Oh, My Lord,” she breathed, her green eyes glittering as she focused on Benedict. “This is most joyous! An unexpected visit!” She glanced at Ralph, suddenly looking uncertain. “And your cousin is here as well.”
Benedict took a deep breath. “My Lady. It was a matter of urgency that we call upon you.” He paused. “May we sit down?”
Lady Henrietta looked baffled, her eyes sliding from one to the other. “Of course. Shall I send for tea?”
Benedict shook his head as they took their seats. “We shall not be staying long enough for tea,” he said slowly. “I shall get straight to the point, My Lady. It has come to my attention that you have been communicating with Miss Emmeline Vaughan.”
Lady Henrietta stared at him hard. “Miss Vaughan has informed you of this?”
Benedict shook his head. “No. Rather, she has ceased all contact with me. A fact which puzzled me greatly considering the great love between us.” He paused. “I have discovered through another source that you are the reason behind it. That you have been threatening her with exposure of the love affair we had together many years ago.”
Lady Henrietta stilled. It was so silent in the room that Benedict was sure he could hear a pin drop. The lady straightened, throwing back her shoulders and gazing at him imperiously.
“I am aware of the love affair,” she said slowly. “Have you come to my home to intimidate me, My Lord? Do you think I shall meekly back down at your command?” She laughed mirthlessly. “You do not know me very well then. I shall not back down. And Miss Vaughan’s life and reputation shall be quite ruined. All it takes is for me to whisper the details of your sordid little affair with her into the right ears, you see.”
Benedict glared at her, trying to control his loathing. “You would still do such a thing even though you realise you have lost? I will never marry you, My Lady. I never would have – even if you had succeeded in your blackmail of Emmeline.”
Lady Henrietta’s green eyes sparked viciously. “Ah well, that is the price of going into battle,” she said crisply. “But I can still ruin her. I can still destroy your precious relationship with her. And I will not hesitate to do so, My Lord.”
Benedict leaned forward. “I rather think you will, My Lady. You see, you are not quite the prim and innocent lady you present to the world, are you?”
She gazed at him steadily. “I am sure I do not know what you are talking about, My Lord.”
“No?” Benedict’s voice was deceptively mild. “I think that Mr Aloysius Barker, your former music-master, might disagree. He has assured me that he conducted a rather indiscreet liaison with you when you were merely sixteen years of age. A liaison that worried your good parents so much they paid him to sever all contact with you and leave the district.”
Lady Henrietta reeled back, shocked. Her face blanched. Benedict felt a deep stab of satisfaction. He had her in the palm of his hand at long last.
“It is a scurrilous lie,” she spat. “It is slander! Why, no one would believe such a preposterous thing.”
Benedict smiled slowly. “They would. The music-master will vouch that it happened. And other servants in your service can also be easily persuaded to speak of it. For the right price, of course.” He paused. “Your life and reputation would be ruined, My Lady. You do not want such a thing to happen, do you?”
She glared at him, her eyes shooting sparks. She was not happy at how he had turned the tables on her, not happy at all. But he could see that she knew she was defeated at last.
“This is what you are going to do,” he continued slowly. “You are never going to breathe a word about the affair to anyone ever again. If you do, you shall find that details of your own past indiscretion will suddenly be leaked to all of good society. Do I make myself perfectly clear?”
She kept glaring at him. “Perfectly.”
“Good.” He stood up. “I am glad that we finally understand each other, My Lady. And now, I must bid you a good evening. I have somewhere pressing to be.”
Ralph was by his side in an instant, grinning broadly. He couldn’t remember when he had last seen his cousin looking so happy.
Lady Henrietta stared stonily ahead, refusing to look at them.
“Oh, and by the way,” said Ralph quickly, turning back to the lady. “I would treat poor Miss Adelaide Colby better if I were you. Otherwise, you might just find that you shall have no friends left in the world at all, My Lady.”
Lady Henrietta looked furious but did not say a word.
A Lord's Flaming Return: A Historical Regency Romance Book Page 20