by Laura Martin
Chapter Thirteen
Amelia was a mess. She’d been a bundle of nerves for the last few days and it didn’t seem to be getting any better. She knew she should be pleased—after seeing McNair in the village it was quite clear she hadn’t killed the man, but that fact did leave him alive and most likely looking for revenge.
‘Amelia,’ Edward called as she roamed through the house aimlessly. ‘Come here. I have a surprise for you.’
Relieved she wouldn’t have to be alone with her thoughts any longer Amelia hurried to the hallway where Edward was waiting for her.
He grabbed her hand, obviously excited by whatever it was he wanted to show her, and pulled her outside. Amelia was aware of the tingle in her fingers as his skin met hers and wondered if any woman would be strong enough not to fall for him in these circumstances. He was her knight, her hero, and it was so typically unfair that she could never have him.
‘Where are we going, Edward?’ Amelia laughed as he pulled her along. She hadn’t seen him this excited before, there was something boyish and carefree about his demeanour. It suited him.
‘You’ll see.’
They dodged the gardener, who stared after them with a raise of his eyebrows and a knowing expression, and continued on to the outbuildings.
‘Here we are,’ Edward said, as he pushed open the door to one of the huge barns.
‘A barn?’ Amelia asked. ‘This is my surprise.’
Ever since Edward had tracked her to the village and escorted her back to the house Amelia had sensed a change in him. It wasn’t huge or obvious, but she noticed he was allowing himself to smile a little more, to spend a few more minutes conversing with her rather than hurrying off to his private rooms. It was as though he’d realised he was allowed to enjoy her company, that the threat of her leaving had been enough to prompt him to appreciate how human contact could enhance his life.
‘It’s what’s inside the barn.’ He pulled her inside and whilst her eyes adjusted to the darkness Amelia let her imagination run wild, hoping Edward might take advantage of the low light and kiss her just as she wanted him to. Of course it didn’t happen, Edward clearly didn’t see her as a romantic prospect, but since he’d brought her back from the village there was a greater sense of companionship, maybe even friendship between them.
In the gloom she heard a rustling noise and then a louder tapping, as if a hoof was hitting the floor.
Edward pulled her forward again and directed her to a stall. Amelia peered in and let out a squeal of delight. Inside was a beautiful light bay horse with a glossy coat and silky black mane.
More stomping and a quiet whinny was enough to tear Amelia away from the first stall and to look into the second. Inside was a massive black stallion, standing proud and tall and just a little bit haughty. All in all the perfect horse for Edward.
‘You bought two horses.’ Amelia turned to Edward with a smile. He glanced guiltily at the stall on the end.
‘Well...’ Edward said with a sheepish smile. ‘I actually bought three.’
Amelia was over there immediately and couldn’t help but smile. Inside the third stall was a heavily pregnant mare, barely able to stand but munching away happily on some fresh hay.
‘Who buys a pregnant horse?’ Amelia asked with a laugh.
‘I didn’t want to separate them,’ Edward said a little uncomfortably.
Amelia glanced back in at the black stallion and realised the depth of love the man standing before her was capable of. He’d even bought a pregnant mare just so his new stallion wouldn’t be separated from the foal. Edward might appear stern and sombre, but over the past week Amelia had caught glimpses of the man underneath, the man who sheltered damsels in distress, inspired loyalty in his servants and bought a pregnant mare for sentimental reasons.
‘And they threw her in for free with the other two.’
Amelia knew Edward would have bought her even if she had been at a premium.
‘Afternoon, sir,’ a young man said as he pushed open the door to the stable.
‘Amelia, this is Tom, our new groom. Tom, this is Miss Amelia.’
He doffed his cap and gave a little bow, before going straight in to see the pregnant mare.
‘Would you like to take the horses out, sir?’ he called from the stall, all the while petting and soothing the heavy horse.
Edward looked at Amelia with a raised eyebrow and allowed himself a low chuckle at her enthusiastic response.
‘I think the lady would.’
Amelia watched as the groom fitted the saddle on to the bay mare and Edward did the same with the stallion. He talked softly to the huge horse throughout, running his large hands over its back and calming the great beast. Amelia took one last look at the heavily pregnant mare still lying in her stall and sent a quick prayer that the foal would be delivered safely, then she helped to lead the two horses out into the yard.
Edward handed the reins of the stallion over to the groom and came up behind her.
‘Can you ride?’ he asked.
Amelia loved riding. There was an unrivalled freedom on horseback. In India she would often saddle up her horse, persuade someone to join her and roam the countryside for hours at a time.
‘I can ride,’ Amelia said. ‘The real question is can you keep up?’
As Edward helped her mount her horse Amelia felt some of the tension from the day slipping from her shoulders. Soon it would just be her and Edward and the open countryside. She wouldn’t have to worry about McNair or the future or even her burgeoning feelings for Edward.
‘Let’s ride,’ Edward said as he swung himself up on to his horse.
Amelia soon found her confidence in the saddle, despite not being correctly attired for riding and it being her first ride out for a few months. They rode in silence for a while, both enjoying the crisp, fresh country air and the sun on their faces.
‘We’ll stick to the estate,’ Edward informed her, ‘so there’s no need to worry about bumping into anyone we don’t wish to.’
‘Thank you,’ Amelia said quietly.
For now she just wanted to ride. She wanted to forget the feeling of dread that had planted itself deep inside her when she’d caught sight of McNair, she wanted to forget the sadness that had led to her leaving Beechwood Manor, sadness that she could never mean as much to Edward as his late wife. No, later she could dwell on all of that, but for now she was going to enjoy the fresh air and freedom being on horseback allowed.
Edward was a surprisingly good host, pointing out all the features of the estate, grimacing as he saw how some parts were overgrown or walls had fallen into disrepair, but generally cheerful. Amelia knew he was doing this all for her, trying to instil some normality into her life after the supremely stressful episode a few days ago. He didn’t bring up their encounter in the village whilst they rode, or the reason why she had left, but instead stuck to more mundane subjects.
‘This wall marks the edge of the estate,’ Edward explained as they reached the top of a small hill. ‘Those cottages over there are tenant cottages and the farm you can see in the distance belongs to the estate, too.’
Amelia noticed the long silence that followed as Edward surveyed his domain. She wondered if this was the first time he’d been out this far since the fire and whether he regretted his decision to ride up here.
‘I haven’t been to see my tenants for three years,’ he said after a few minutes.
‘I’m sure they understand.’
‘Mr Guthry ensures the cottages are well looked after and collects the rent, but I always imagined myself a hands-on landlord.’
‘You’ve had a lot to deal with.’
Edward fell silent and then turned his horse away so he was facing back towards his estate and the house. From up here there was a good view of the rolling
countryside and Beechwood Manor in the middle. Amelia grimaced as she, too, turned around and saw they were looking at the East Wing of the house.
‘I need to get that repaired,’ Edward said quietly. ‘One day.’
Amelia leaned over and placed a hand on his arm. Edward stiffened for a second, but did not shake her off.
‘Why did you leave?’ Edward asked eventually.
Amelia had known this question would come and Edward deserved an answer, but she wasn’t sure if she could tell him the truth.
‘I didn’t think you’d want me around,’ she said.
‘I don’t want you to ever put yourself at risk like that again.’
Amelia sensed he wanted to say more, but something was holding him back. She willed him to open up, to tell her he felt something for her, but he remained quiet. Allowing herself a moment of sadness, Amelia knew it was too much to expect. She should be content that Edward had realised he was allowed to enjoy her company, that they could live side by side in easy companionship—anything else was just pure fantasy on her part.
‘What do we do about McNair?’ Amelia asked.
‘Nothing. At least nothing for now. No one knows you’re here, apart from Mrs Henshaw and she’s the most loyal person I know.’
‘One of the servants might talk.’
Edward shook his head. ‘They don’t know who you are and they would have no cause to talk to McNair anyway.’
‘I thought I’d killed him.’
Edward must have heard the tremor in her voice because immediately he dismounted, took her horse’s reins in his hand and lifted her out of the saddle. His strong hands encircled her waist and once again Amelia felt safe and secure.
‘You didn’t kill him,’ Edward said softly. ‘And even if you had it was self-defence. He struck you, he hurt you. A man like that doesn’t deserve your pity or your regrets.’
Once again Amelia could picture the letter opener slipping into McNair’s flesh, the warm trickle of blood over her hand.
‘Stop it,’ Edward said sharply. ‘Whatever you’re thinking, stop it.’
‘Why is he here? Why is he looking for me?’
‘I don’t know the man, but I’ve encountered enough of his type in my life. To him a physical wound won’t be anywhere near as bad as a wound to his pride. You got the better of him and I’m sure he wants revenge for that.’
Amelia felt herself shiver. The murderous look that had flashed in McNair’s eyes just before he’d struck her was enough to scare someone much braver than her.
‘But he won’t get anywhere near you. I promise I will not let him hurt you.’
As Amelia gazed up into Edward’s eyes she believed him and some of the fear and the worry began to ebb away.
‘But—’ Amelia began, but Edward cut her off, tilting her chin up with a gentle finger so she had to meet his eye again.
‘I promise I will protect you.’
Amelia had been about to ask when she had to leave Beechwood Manor, but all thoughts were dashed from her head as Edward’s fingers touched the skin of her chin. For a moment she thought he might kiss her and her entire body willed him to dip his head and claim her as his, but it was not to be so.
Slowly Edward stepped away and Amelia fought to hide her disappointment. It was for the best. At least that was what she had to keep telling herself. Not that she truly believed that in her heart. If Edward leaned forward and kissed her she would be smiling for the rest of her days. Amelia knew she had doubted her burgeoning feelings for Edward these past couple of weeks, telling herself that her judgement couldn’t be trusted, that she’d fallen for a scoundrel before, but ever since Edward had promised not to let McNair hurt her Amelia had known the truth. He was a good man, a man no one would ever regret loving, if he loved you back, of course.
As Edward helped her back into the saddle he smiled up at her softly and a little sadly and Amelia wondered if he were thinking about his wife and son. Maybe wishing it was them he was out riding with instead of her.
‘I was thinking about your cousin,’ Edward said as they began the ride home.
Amelia frowned, wondering why on earth he would be thinking about Lizzie.
‘You said you had swapped identities to allow you to travel to Brighton.’
‘Yes, I hadn’t seen my aunt since I was very young so Lizzie was going to pretend to be me until I returned to London.’
‘Would you like me to ask Mr Guthry to send someone to check on her well-being? I doubt McNair would harm her, but if he pays someone else to look into the matter for him they might fall for your ruse and think your cousin is you.’
Suddenly all the blood drained from Amelia’s face and she felt a little light headed. Had she underestimated the danger Lizzie was in? She loved her cousin more than anyone in the entire world and she wanted to protect her from this mess above anything else. The letter she had penned a week ago would hopefully be well on its way to Lizzie by now, but maybe that wasn’t enough.
‘I’ll write again when we get back to the house. Perhaps Mr Guthry could pass on my letter so I know Lizzie receives it.’
‘I received a note from Mr Guthry yesterday. He is still following McNair’s trail, but promises to come and update us in the next couple of days. We shall ask him to organise someone to check on Lizzie’s safety then,’ Edward said decisively.
Amelia felt the tears welling in her eyes and tried to suppress them. Edward was thoughtful and considerate, he was even thinking of the safety of a woman he’d never met, and from what she had heard about his late wife she had been the same. Amelia would never be able to live up to her character, it was ridiculous to even dream she might.
* * *
As soon as they returned to Beechwood Manor, Amelia excused herself, went to her room and hurriedly began writing to Lizzie, hoping that nothing befell her cousin before the warning reached her.
Dearest Lizzie,
I do not know if you received my last letter, but I am in a perilous position and am worried for your safety, too. Captain McNair turned out to be exactly the scoundrel you suspected and as always I wish I had listened to you at the time. Then this entire mess could have been avoided.
Lizzie, I did something terrible, something I cannot bear to write down, and now McNair is out for revenge. I worry for you, for your safety as you pretend to be me. Please be careful.
Do not expend too much energy worrying for me. For now, at least, I am safe and cared for. When I was fleeing from Brighton I stumbled upon an old house inhabited by a gentleman. Edward has sheltered me and cared for me over the past two weeks and I could not ask for a better host.
Oh, he grumbles and sometimes is a little crabby. In fact he reminds me of that bear we saw once in the marketplace in Aska. Of course he’s completely harmless...in fact, underneath it all he’s one of the kindest people I’ve ever met.
Not that I mind his bearish demeanour. He’s been beset by tragedy. Three years ago he lost his wife and young son in a fire. Until I came into his life I think he’d barely spoken to another person for years. It’s terrible how such a kind and generous person can be struck by such sad circumstances.
Oh, Lizzie, I wish you were here with me. I need your sensible counsel, your words of wisdom. I think I might be falling for Edward.
I know, I know... I hardly know the man. But if you only could see him, Lizzie, and understand what he’s done for me already I truly think this time you would approve.
Of course none of that matters. Edward still mourns his wife and his son. His late wife sounds so lovely, so kind. I know I could never live up to her. And Edward does not deserve second-best. I am aware of all of this, but still my heart sings every time I see him.
What should I do?
Please keep yourself safe and I hope we will be reunited soon.
>
All my love,
Amelia
Chapter Fourteen
Three days later Mr Guthry made an appearance. Edward had been sitting at his old desk in the study, a room he hadn’t entered for at least two years. The furniture was recently polished and the room aired, but there was still a slight musty, disused feel about it.
He had spread out a number of documents pertaining to the estate and was going over his accounts for the past twelve months. Although he had kept abreast of what was happening to his birthright, Edward knew he had been a neglectful owner these past few years. It was the small things, like the Richardsons, who were one of his tenant-farmer families. They’d had to source someone to repair their roof when it had collapsed the previous year. In the past Edward would have never let one of his properties fall into such a state that a roof might even threaten to fall in. Someone could have been hurt.
A tap at the door made him look up from his papers.
‘Mr Guthry here to see you, sir,’ one of the new maids said with a deferential curtsy.
‘Show him in. And have you seen Miss Amelia?’
‘I think she’s out with the horses, sir.’
He hadn’t been sure of himself when he’d bought the horses, it had been an impulsive action, one that he hadn’t quite thought through. After chasing Amelia into the village of Denton he had allowed himself to acknowledge he actually enjoyed her company. When he had noticed the advertisement for the sale of the horses from a neighbouring estate he had felt an urge to do something to take her mind off McNair and what the rogue wanted with her. It had worked. Amelia had fallen in love with the three beasts and spent a lot of time out there rubbing them down or riding.
Mr Guthry entered and shook Edward’s hand, his face grim.
‘Miss Amelia should hear what I have to say,’ he said with a grimace as Edward indicated the man should sit.