Clare gasped and put her hand to her mouth. “Looks as if I will have to steer clear of him,” she said.
One week later
Jeremy Hetherstett decided to pay his half-brother a visit again. No improvements had seemed to come off him, after getting to know Michael, except the land which was given as a gift to his mother or rather, their mother.
“Where are you off to, Jeremy?” asked Elizabeth.“
“I thought I’d go and visit Michael,” said Jeremy.
Elizabeth looked worried. “Don’t go putting ideas into Michael’s head. He’s got more to think about than falling into trouble like you seem to be doing most of the time,” said Elizabeth.
“Oh, Mother, would I do that to him?” asked Jeremy, feigning shock.
“You, Jeremy, can never be trusted,” said his mother as she scrubbed the pine table vigorously.
Jeremy walked onto the verandah and sat on a chair.
Jane, who was in the garden, looked up at him and grinned. “I heard what Mama just said, dear brother, and I think she is right. I have this uncanny feeling that you have something up your sleeve and it is definitely not music to my ears,” said Jane as she dug into the ground with a small shovel she kept for her rose bushes.
“Well, when I met Michael at the Red Ball, he invited me to Hampshire Castle and it is right that I go and see him,” said Jeremy.
It was useless trying to tell Jeremy anything. He was a law unto himself and that attitude was what had gotten him in deep trouble repeatedly. He never listened to his parents and always did what he thought was right.
Picking up his hat, Jeremy walked toward the stables.
Michael was delighted to see Jeremy. “What a lovely surprise,” he said as he slapped his half-brother on the back.
Paul grunted and walked away, heading for the kitchen. He’d never liked Jeremy and thought that Jeremy was a bad influence on Michael.
“What’s with you, Paul?” asked Leticia.
Paul grunted and sat down at the kitchen table as Leticia placed a steaming cup of tea before him. “That no-good Jeremy Hetherstett is back again and I am sure he has something up his sleeve. One of these days Lord Michael is going to realize who Jeremy really is and the newfound relationships will turn sour,” said Paul as he sipped his tea.
“Well, you keep your mouth shut, Paul, and don’t comment to Lord Michael. Who are we to advise him?” said Leticia as she peeled potatoes for the stew she was preparing.
Paul nodded. “Indeed,” he said.
Michael poured Jeremy a glass of port and helped himself to some as well. “So what have you been doing?” asked Michael.
“Nothing much. I saw you and Lady Clare were too close for comfort at the dance,” Jeremy said and grinned.
“Aha, Lady Clare is a beautiful woman, but stuck up and upstart, I must say,” said Michael with a grin.
“But don’t give up on her, Michael,” said Jeremy.
“No, I won’t, but a man has his pride too,” said Michael as he trained his gaze toward the window. Jeremy nodded.
As the port took effect on Jeremy’s mind, he began talking nonstop. “I was once in love with a beautiful girl,” said Jeremy.
“Oh, and who is that? Someone I know?” asked Michael with a grin.
Jeremy nodded. “Indeed, you know her; she is your cousin Charlotte,” said Jeremy.
“You mean to say the Duchess of Cumberland?” asked Michael, shocked.
Jeremy nodded. “Indeed, dear petite Charlotte,” said Jeremy as he dreamily looked out of the window.
“And what happened?” asked Michael, becoming interested.
“Oh a lot happened, but it does not matter anymore,” said Jeremy as he waved, not wanting to give away Stephen and Maria.
Michael was thoughtful. He had missed a lot since he’d left Hampshire. No contact had he had with his relations, and so anything that happened during his absence was a mystery to him. He did not bother to pursue questioning Jeremy, for the simple reason that he did not wish to hear Jeremy say anything untoward regarding Edward or Charlotte, since he was fond of them.
Jeremy left Michael’s home a dejected man. Even today he could not get through to his half-brother and he wondered what he lacked by way of charm and slyness put together. Michael was no pushover and Jeremy knew it.
Michael watched Jeremy ride away and rubbed his chin. Although he was great friends with his half-brother, something inside told him to be aware of Jeremy. He had to be more careful in dealing with his brother.
10
CHAPTER TEN
UNNERVING NEWS
UNNERVING NEWS
“I know what I am doing. I know I am shocking you.” ~ Unknown Author
The round clock above the door in the first-floor hall said seven minutes past nine, but the sun, steaming across the granite tile floor of the castle, was already hot. Paul was wandering around, inspecting the brass arranged neatly on the mantelpiece, when he heard the sound of hooves. Turning, he half expected to see Jeremy Hetherstett dismount, but instead he saw Jane Hetherstett. Now what does she want? thought Paul as he walked to the door.
Jane dismounted her stallion and stood looking around, a look of fright obvious upon her face. “Oh dear, why did I come,” she muttered to herself and almost jumped when she heard Paul’s voice.
“Miss Hetherstett,” said Paul.
“Oh, I am here to see Lord Michael. Is he in?” asked Jane twisted the reins of her stallion nervously.
“Indeed, Lord Michael Havenshire is in,” said Paul as he stood aside to let Jane climb the stone steps of the castle.
“Oh, could you tell him that I am here to see him if he has the time?” asked Jane.
Paul softened toward the young girl, as she was known to be a good girl and quite different from her brother.
Jane stood in the hall waiting for Paul to come back, but instead of Paul, Michael came bounding down the stairs as he grinned at his half-sister. “What a lovely surprise. Do come into the living room, Jane,” said Michael.
Jane smiled at her half-brother. “I hope I am not intruding on your time, Michael,” said Jane.
“Of course not, I always have time for my little sister,” said Michael as he ushered Jane into the living room and closed the door quietly. “I hope you have come to spend the day with me,” said Michael.
Jane grinned. “No one at home knows that I have come to see you,” she said softly as she admired the tapestry in the living room.
“Oh and why is that? I mean, why are you so secretive?” asked Michael.
Jane sighed and looked at Michael, her doe-eyes scanning his face. “Michael,” said Jane as she walked to stand beside the window. “There is something I have come to warn you about,” she said.
“Warn me?” asked Michael, looking surprised. Jane nodded.
“Michael, I know you would be surprised that I should speak of my brother in this way, but I came to warn you to stay away from Jeremy. He may seem as if he would give the world to you, but he is trouble, big trouble, wherever he goes,” said Jane.
“Jane, what are you saying?” asked Michael, looking shocked.
Jane slowly turned to face Michael. “There is so much you don’t know about Jeremy and so much has happened since you went away,” she said.
Michael saw that Jane did not use the word banished, and he then knew that Jane was genuine and a respectable girl. “Come and sit, Jane,” he said softly.
Jane turned, walked to the sofa and sank into it with a sigh. “The worst thing that Jeremy did was connive with Lord Stephen and Maria Beaumont when she worked as governess for the Duke and Duchess of Cumberland’s children, Lady Sophia and Lord William,” said Jane.
“Maria Beaumont was a governess at Frampton Castle?” asked Michael in surprise. This was news to him. Jane nodded.
“The three of them, that is Jeremy, Lord Stephen and Maria, plotted to kidnap Lady Sophia and Lord William and then ask for ransom from the Duke and Duchess of Cu
mberland, but the plan backfired when Duchess Charlotte happened to hear them discussing their plans. She informed Duke Edward at once and Lord Stephen, Maria Beaumont and Jeremy were banished from the castle forever,” said Jane with a sigh.
“Goodness me,” said Michael as he wiped his brow with a pristine white handkerchief. “I am shocked.”
Jane nodded. “I knew you would be, seeing that you trusted and befriended Jeremy, or rather he befriended you, I had to warn you,” said Jane.
“Oh Jane, my little sister, you are indeed a good lass,” said Michael as he put his arms around Jane and hugged her.
“Be careful, Michael, and don’t fall for any plans that Jeremy may bring to you that involve money,” said Jane as she picked up her hat and prepared to leave.
“Will you stay and have lunch with me?” asked Michael.
Jane grinned. “Now that would be grand; having lunch with Lord Michael Havenshire at Hampshire Castle,” said Jane.
Michael enjoyed his day with Jane and when she prepared to leave, he was sad to see her go. “Do come back again, Jane,” he said as Jane stood on tiptoe and kissed him on the cheek.
“I will, Michael, and please do not tell Jeremy of my visit,” she said.
“Of course not,” said Michael as he watched Jane mount her stallion. He stood watching her until she was out of sight and then, sighing, he walked back into the castle.
I
11
CHAPTER ELEVEN
SILENTLY LOVING
SILENTLY LOVING
“It hurts to love someone and not be loved in return. But the most painful thing is to love someone, and never have the courage to tell them.” ~ Unknown Author
Lady Clare Hatherton was subdued and quiet all the time, which worried her parents greatly. “Why do you think Clare is so quiet?” asked her mother.
“There must be something worrying the girl, Louisa, why don’t you talk to her?” said her husband.
“I shall if she is available this afternoon,” said Louisa.
However, Clare had other plans. She wanted to go riding, as she had not been out of the house since the Red Ball. She walked out of her bedroom and headed for the living room. She knew her parents would be there having their tea.
“Oh, there you are, Clare,” said her mother.
“Mama, I am going riding,” said Clare.
“But it looks as if a storm is brewing on the horizon,” said her father as he looked out of the window.
“Oh, I should be back before the storm hits, Papa,” said Clare with a smile.
Her parents nodded. “Be careful, and if you think that the storm is coming up fast, return home at once,” said her father.
“Yes, Papa,” said Clare as she kissed her parents and left the living room.
“I am glad she has gone out for a while. She’s been closeted in her bedroom for too long,” said Louisa.
Clare loved riding in the woods and took the road leading to them, raising her head as the cool wind whipped across her face. “This is bliss,” she murmured.
Clare did not know how far into the woods she rode, but when she realized that she had gone too far, she turned back in a bid to get home fast. However, large drops of rain that fell onto her face told her that she was going to be caught in the storm. The storm was right above the woods and everything looked dark and gloomy too.
Clare shivered as she rode through the woods in the pouring rain. She knew she would not make it to the castle in this storm. In the distance, she saw an old dilapidated house. “Thank God there is a house over there. I can take refuge until the storm clears,” she said to herself as she guided her stallion toward the house and tethered him to a tree.
However, Clare was not alone. Taking refuge from the storm was Jeremy Hetherstett. Jeremy squinted when he saw a woman dismount and he almost jumped for joy when he saw that it was Lady Clare Hatherton.
What is she doing riding in a storm like this? he asked himself. Clare rushed into the dilapidated house, soaked to the skin. Her dress highlighted the contours of her body and Jeremy watched with an intense, violent hunger that no man should have felt for a woman. Looking at Clare’s shapely body through her drenched clothing made Jeremy shamelessly crave to take her in his arms immediately. He tiptoed into the second room and hid within the overgrown shrubs that had entered the open window.
Clare looked around and an eerie feeling shot through her body. Thinking that she would be much safer inside the house, Clare walked into the second bedroom, where Jeremy was hiding. Clare shrieked when a bat flew just inches above her head, whipping off her hat. “Bollocks,” said Clare as she groped in the dark, looking for her hat.
Jeremy took his chance while Clare was on her knees and came up behind her.
Clare spun around when she heard the crushing sound of leaves behind her. “Who’s there?” she called out, but there was no answer. Clare continued to grope in the dark and again she heard the sound of crushing leaves, this time quite close behind her.
“Who’s…there…?”called Clare, but the hand of a man cupped her mouth from behind.
“Don’t scream and you will not be hurt,” said a man’s voice, slowly releasing her mouth.
“Who are you?” asked Clare, tears stinging her eyes.
“Let’s say that I have been in love with you for a long time,” said the voice.
“You……Michael, is that you?” asked Clare, her thoughts racing to Michael.
Jeremy laughed out loud. “Oh, so you wait for your knight in shining armor, do you? Well, dear Lady Clare Hatherton, this is not Michael, but his half-brother Jeremy Hetherstett,” said Jeremy as he laughed aloud again and dragged Clare further into the house.
Clare fought valiantly to free herself, but to no avail. Jeremy was definitely stronger than she was. The storm grew intense and lightning zipped across the sky, followed by dual claps of thunder. Clare found herself praying for her safety and for someone to rescue her, but who would be out in a storm like this? However, Clare was wrong; there was someone else out there braving the storm to get back home.
12
CHAPTER TWELVE
TO RESCUE A DAMSEL IN DISTRESS
TO RESCUE A DAMSEL IN DISTRESS
“This is a turning point. I am not going to stand by helplessly becoming the damsel in distress.” ~ Unknown Author
Lord Michael was returning from visiting Oliver Longman when the storm hit. The winds were so strong that Michael had to hold onto his stallion. “It’s no use stopping to take shelter under a tree with such a storm just overhead,” muttered Michael as he rode faster and faster through the woods.
Lightning zipped across the sky and struck an old tree, scattering silver colored sparks in every direction. Michael’s stallion skidded to a halt as the tree that had been struck by lightning caught fire and crashed to the ground.
“Oh God,” said Michael as he dismounted his stallion and looked around. A few yards away, he saw a dilapidated house, and upon hearing an odd sound, he strained his ears. Did I hear a woman scream? he asked himself. Michael listened intently, but there was no sound, and then he heard it again. A woman had definitely screamed and the screams were coming from the direction of the dilapidated house. Michael dropped the reins of his stallion and rushed across to the structure.
The screams were barely audible and he imagined how much the woman’s voice carried over the storm. He ran inside the house and stood in what he thought must have been a sitting room, once upon a time. Through the streaks of lightning that illuminated the house, Michael saw a man on top of a woman, trying to molest her.
“You bas…” said Michael as he grabbed the man and wrenched him away from the woman who lay on the ground. An ugly fight ensued as Michael brandished his sword, and then there was a deadly silence when the sword brushed against the man, who escaped, his leg bleeding profusely.
Michael turned as the woman got up rather unsteadily, clinging to the wall behind her. “Who are you?” he asked.
Michael thought he had heard that voice somewhere, but with the storm raging outside, he almost smiled to himself when he thought that the woman had a voice similar to Lady Clare. “What is your name and where are you from?” asked Michael.
“I am Lady Clare Hatherton,” said the voice.
Oh God, said Michael to himself as he stood stock still, afraid to tell her who he was.
“I am very grateful to you, kind gentleman, for saving me. I am sure my parents will be very grateful to you as well,” said Lady Clare.
“Did that man harm you?” asked Michael.
“No, he did…not. You arrived… just in time,” stammered Lady Clare as she slid against the wall and sat down with a thump.
Michael knelt beside Clare and saw that she had fainted. “Good God, just what I needed, a woman fainting,” said Michael as he squeezed the water from his cloak onto Clare’s face. It was difficult trying to revive her, as the lightning had stopped and the whole house was in darkness. Clare came round and settled herself against Michael’s arm.
As the streaks of dawn shed its beams around the dilapidated house, Michael moved carefully away from Clare so as not to wake her. She muttered in her sleep, but did not awaken. Michael stood looking at the woman who had unknowingly changed his life completely, and then he slowly walked out of the house and stood in the garden, taking in his surroundings.
Regency Romance: To Capture The Duke’s Heart (CLEAN Historical Romance) (The Inheritance Saga) Page 12