Lord Whitsnow and the Seven Orphans
Page 20
“Have you a plan for her punishment?” she asked.
“Lock her in the dungeon.” His voice was menacing as he whispered in her ear. His breath tickled, and it made her giggle.
“You do not have a dungeon.”
“What about the secret tunnel?”
“That leads to our bedchamber.”
“Hmm, true. I should hate to think of her listening to your cries of pleasure as I do that thing to you that I did last night.”
“Robert.”
“You enjoyed it.”
“I did but…”
“She needs to be far away from here.”
“Prison?”
“Is that what you would like to see happen to her?”
Lucy glanced back at the pathetic snivelling creature who was stumbling along behind.
“No. Do you imagine she thinks that is where she is going?”
“There is a very real chance.”
“She must be terrified.”
“It will do her good to think on what she has done.”
“I feel terrible.”
“You are far too kind-hearted, my love. She should be strung up by the ears for what she has put you through.”
“Mayhap.” But Lucy was not altogether convinced.
Eventually they crested a rise and the manor came into view.
“My Lady.” Lucy turned to see Susan standing, her gaze moving from the manor to Lucy and back again as if not sure what to focus on.
“What is on your mind?”
“Before Edward…” Susan took in a deep breath. “When we were girls, you were a very dear friend to me. I was always honoured that you chose to spend time with me. Miss Lucy Butterworth, friends with the daughter of a mere blacksmith. You were so kind. Then Edward. He turned my head. He promised me… it was as if he was promising me a happy ending like ladies in novels get. A handsome gentleman to love them forever. He danced with me at the village assembly. I saw him dance with you too but did not think much of it. Then he asked to walk me home. Your brother escorted you in your carriage. He took me down the alley beside the smiddy and kissed me and undid the top of my dress and stays. He was kissing me all over. He said It would be all right. Then he was touching me down there and unbuttoning his trousers.
I said we probably should not, but he laughed and said all the girls did it. Besides he would make it right. I was sweet and I was just the kind of girl his mama would approve of. And then he pushed into me. It hurt. It hurt so badly but it was over quickly. And then the next night I saw him disappear into the cowshed. I wanted to speak to him. I wanted to tell him that I loved him. That was when I saw him kissing you. Then he sat on the hay and asked you to suck…”
“I know,” Lucy said quietly. “I was there.”
Susan bit her lip. She glanced at Robert. “I am so very sorry. I have harboured this for such a long time.” She turned back to Lucy. “I do not even understand why you would wish to do that again. It was so painful.”
Lucy smiled slowly. “It is not painful with a kind, caring man who takes time to prepare your body. Edward was a brash and selfish young man. His behaviour to both of us has proved that. I doubt he would have married either of us.”
Susan nodded then bowed her head. “I am pleased you found someone who loves you. I apologise that jealousy has eaten me up for so long. Please do not punish my family for my actions. Will you still use my father’s smiddy?”
“Your father has always taken care of my horses. I have no concerns about his work. He shall always be my smiddy.”
Susan seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. Lucy was warming to her that her main concern was the welfare of her family and that her behaviour not impact unfairly on them.
“Come, let us retire to the drawing room for tea.”
They entered the house and into the drawing room. Emily was sitting embroidering. Tommy was reading a book to her and she glanced over and helped him with a word with which he struggled. They both looked up as the trio entered.
“Miss Davis?”
“Miss Davis came to collect the money.” Robert nodded at Tommy who looked up, wide-eyed and snapped his book closed. He sat up straight and looked to Lucy for direction.
“Tommy, may I apologise for how I treated you when I last saw you?” Miss Davis was approaching the boy with caution, but her gaze roved between Tommy, Robert, Emily and Lucy in case one of them would try to stop her. She knelt near the child but not too close, giving him the option to avoid her. “I was terribly unkind to you and it was very wrong of me. I am very sorry. I hope you can one day forgive me.”
Tommy looked at Robert who gave the young boy an encouraging smile. “And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us,” Tommy intoned.
“Pardon?” Susan’s voice was gentle but confused.
“We say that every night. It means God will forgive us if we forgive other people. I forgive you Miss Davis.”
Miss Davis’s eyes suddenly became very bright and shiny again and she swallowed hard. “Thank you, Tommy. You are a very special young man. Your mama would be very proud of you.”
“I know. Miss Butterworth, I mean the Countess, says she watches over me.”
“I remember.”
He looked at Emily. “I think they’re playing pirates in the nursery. Can I go?”
“Yes Tommy. Save some booty for me.”
“All right.” He grinned and hurried out the door, after bowing quickly to all the adults.
Emily rubbed her rounded belly as Lucy sat down opposite her.
“Robert, would you ring for tea please?”
Robert made a courtly bow and Lucy pursed her lips at him. She would deal with him later. But he walked to the fireplace and pulled the rope. Miss Davis stood, looking lost.
“Do sit down, Miss Davis.”
“Where?” She looked at a seat in the far corner of the room.
“Next to Lady Beattie, I think.”
Miss Davis perched on the seat as Robert dropped into the chaise beside Lucy. At that moment, both the butler and Gideon arrived.
“What have I missed. Did you find your quarry? Beat him to a pulp, I hope?”
“Gideon,” chastised Emily.
“Tea,” Robert commanded of the butler.
“Yes, My Lord.”
Lucy watched Miss Davis who was white as a ghost. Emily was gesturing behind Miss Davis’s back at Gideon. Gideon was mouthing at Emily. As soon as the door clicked shut, Robert spoke.
“Yes, Lord Beattie. Miss Davis was blackmailing the Countess. She and my wife have a history of… umm… having a tendre for the same gentleman. That gentleman toyed with both their tender hearts and made promises that he possibly had no intention of fulfilling, though we shall never know. Miss Davis was badly hurt and has carried her hurt feelings for a long time. I believe the green monster of jealousy may have played a part in her recent behaviour.”
He was speaking as if to a child and Susan sat, her eyes downcast, her head bowed, and her face obscured by the brim of her bonnet.
A dark spot appeared on her knee, spreading on the green muslin. A large teardrop testament to the shame she felt. Lucy reached for her handkerchief, but Emily was quicker.
“How long will it take for the magistrate to come?” she asked. Robert turned his gaze to Lucy and arched an eyebrow. Did she want him to call the magistrate? She knew he would do it if she wanted him to. Susan had committed a crime.
Lucy shook her head.
“The magistrate shall not be called.”
“Oh God. Oh, please don’t hurt me.” She seemed to curl in on herself and started to rock. “Please.”
“Robert, you’re frightening her.”
Robert frowned. “I don’t mean to. Now see here, Miss Davis. No one is going to hurt you.” Lucy was on her knees and tugging off Susan’ s bonnet, trying to get the woman to look at her.
“No one is going to hurt you. Susan you must believe us. Please stop this.”
“B-b-but you are going to punish me.”
“Oh aye,” said Robert. “I have the perfect punishment. You shall wish you had not been born after this punishment.
All eyes alighted on the gleeful Robert. He looked at Emily and smiled. “Does Aunt Gertrude not need a companion?”
Emily’s eyes lit up. “She does. She was just saying the last time I was in Town how much she misses my company now that I am wed. A companion would be perfect for her.”
“That does not sound like a punishment” hiccupped Miss Davis.
Emily laughed. “You may not say that after a Season in Town with her.”
“Is she so very bad?” Lucy asked.
“She shall not beat her, but Miss Davis will not have it easy. She is meticulous and requires things done just so. Emily never came up to scratch.”
Emily grinned. “Alas I did not. But my husband is happy with me. So, I care not.”
“You may wish we had called the magistrate, Miss Davis. My Great Aunt is cantankerous. But you will earn a salary and you shall not be ill-treated. The Lord tells us to practice mercy. I hope you shall do so in your dealings with others. I shall ask my Great Aunt for reports on you and I shall contact a magistrate if I am not happy. I have no issue with pulling rank and seeing you suffer the true consequences of your actions if you are lazy or ill-tempered.”
“I promise I shall not be.”
“Fine. Then we leave in two weeks for London. Can I trust you not to leave Aelton village?
“You can, My Lord.”
He took a moment to consider her and Lucy could tell she was being truthful too.
“Fine. Let us have tea and then you can go home once your face shows fewer signs of your tears.
Miss Davis looked around them.
“Thank you. Thank you all. You are all so kind. I have no words to express my gratitude.”
“Well, I am sure that once Aunt Gertrude is through with you, you shall not be thanking us.”
Epilogue
“How delightful to find my two favourite ladies in Hyde Park on a sunny afternoon.”
Lucy looked up into the glinting eyes of her husband who plucked Eleanor off her knee and hugged the child. Eleanor wrapped her arms around her father’s neck and planted a kiss on his cheek. He chuckled as he sat down on the park bench.
“Are the boys all behaving?”
“All the pirates are discovering plenty of booty as usually, Captain.”
They watched for a few moments as the boys snaked around in a line, clearly in search of treasure. Then Henry noticed that Robert had joined Lucy and he grinned and waved, giving the earl a slight salute. Robert saluted back, chuckling.
Eleanor sat back on Robert’s knee facing him and signed a question. Where?
“I was visiting someone, but they were not home.”
Where?
“I do not know.”
“The Marquess of Gretell was not at home? Is he in the country?” asked Lucy.
“His cousin was at his townhouse. He said he was indisposed. In hospital.”
“Hospital. They are for poor people.”
“Unless…”
“Unless what?”
“Unless they mean an asylum.”
“But only lunatics end up there. Is he a lunatic?”
“He was always perfectly sane when I spoke to him in the House of Lords. Saner than most of the Lords if you ask me.”
Eleanor was tugging on Robert’s cravat now. He pressed his lips to her forehead briefly.
“Henry,” he called. “Can you not include Eleanor in your game?”
Henry frowned for a moment and then sighed.
“Yes, My Lord.” He came over and gestured to Eleanor to come along. She grinned at him and gestured she would be a pirate. Henry made a face.
“Girls can be pirates too. They are tough,” said Robert.
“Girls are not tough.”
“Henry!” scolded Lucy.
“Oh, you are now officially in trouble, young man. You have upset my Countess and she is the toughest lady in London.”
Henry stopped and bowed low. “I apologise, My Lady.”
Lucy laughed. “Apology accepted.”
“Do I still get a biscuit when we get home?” he asked, his face lighting up. Lucy pretended to consider this.
“Only if Eleanor becomes Captain of the ship.”
Henry rolled his eyes and looked at the little girl who was looking between them all completely bemused. Henry kneeled down. “You can be captain.” Her face lit up and she pumped her little fist in the air.
“You were saying about Lord Gretell.”
“Aye. It got me thinking. Joanna Rose-Reid was friendly with him when they were young. The Gretell’s estate bordered theirs. Joanna learned sign language. I had planned to speak to Jo about helping Eleanor since the governess in Derbyshire fell through but since we saw her at the Asylum I assumed she was out of Town. What if she is looking for Gretell?”
“Why would she be doing that?”
“Gretell’s cousin was always a bit of an arse. Someone you would not trust. He also seemed to be hiding something from me. I do not like it. Not one bit. I plan to check in on Reid tomorrow and see if he has heard from his sister or Gretell. She was trying to say something about Gretell.”
“You did not allow the poor girl to speak, Robert. Had I not been out of my own mind, I would have told you so at the time.”
“I wish you had now.”
“So, we’re no further forward in a proper education for Eleanor.”
“Not yet, but I promise my love, I shall get her a tutor. I have started asking around in Brooks’s. Someone will know of someone good.”
“And how was your Great Aunt.”
“Bloody woman adores Miss Davis and Miss Davis seems to like her.”
“Stop swearing.”
“I shall swear if I damned well please. There is no one else about. Are you well? I heard you shitting through your teeth this morning.”
“Robert.”
“What.”
“Yes, I cast up my accounts. Please stop being vulgar. I am not your friends in your Gentleman’s club.”
“I know but you love me when I am vulgar. You had no complaints last night when I…”
“Robert.”
“Yes, my love.”
“My courses.”
“Are they what made you cast up your accounts?”
Lucy rolled her eyes. “No. They are one week late.”
“And?”
“And I am casting up my accounts in the morning. My breasts are tender and I feel tired.”
“Do I need to sack the cook. Has she poisoned you?”
“No Robert. I fear I may be with child.”
“With child?”
“Pregnant. Increasing.”
“With my child?”
Lucy rolled her eyes. “No, I fear it may be the Prince Regent’s.”
This seemed to bring some sense to Robert’s mind.
“You have a sharp tongue, wife.”
“I need to have one.”
“I feel a little befuddled.”
“It is early yet. I could lose it easily so soon, assuming I am increasing. We should not say anything for a few months.”
“Fine.”
“Robert, I do not know for sure. Do you understand?”
“I do.”
He looked out at the children all running around with wooden swords, Eleanor in the middle, directing her crew with hand signals.
The babe that had seemed like a curse when she had first found out she was increasing but whom she loved with all her heart had helped her find true love. For if it had not been for Eleanor, she would not have helped the other six boys. And had she not helped them, she would not have approached the dour yet adorable Earl of Whitsnow.
One day her boys would all have jobs and her daughter would have a respectable husband and it would all be thanks to her husband. She was so much i
n love. But she really should stop him kissing her neck in public. People would talk. She would stop him…. In just a moment or two.
She did hope that Lord Gretell was alright. Lady Joanna had seemed very nice….
THE END
Authors Note
The illness that the children all catch in the story is German measles/Rubella. It can cause several birth defects including deafness, which is why Lucy remembers having such an illness around 6 years previously, when she would have been pregnant with Eleanor.
Around the time that the book was set, some doctors were beginning to question whether Rubella was distinct from Measles and Scarlet Fever, but it was likely not common knowledge yet. And certainly, the danger to pregnant women was not known. This is why it is only ever called measles in the book, but it lasts a very short time and the children are not terribly unwell. Rubella does come with flu-like symptoms but has a short duration, hence its other moniker – the three-day measles.
I was careful to make sure Emily had already had the disease as a child. Whereas such happy circumstances are not always possible in real life, they are in fiction. Unfortunately, the consequences of Rubella can be much worse than deafness.
Other Books by
Em Taylor
The Contrary Fairy Tales
Sleeping Lord Beattie - http://a-fwd.com/asin=B075NKLTRS
The Cinder Earl’s Christmas Deception -http://a-fwd.com/asin=B076DK7LGG
Lord Rose Reid and the Lost Lady - http://a-fwd.com/asin=
The Eversley Siblings Series
Saved by a Rake - http://a-fwd.com/asin=B00GTA9WS6
Restoring Lady Anna - http://a-fwd.com/asin=B01FPUO55K
Saved by a Rake/ Restoring Lady Anna (together) - http://a-fwd.com/asin=B013NO6LLG
Individual books
Seven Rogues for Christmas - (Anthology) – (The St Nicholas Day Wager) - http://a-fwd.com/asin=B0753XJ987
The St Nicholas Day Wager - http://a-fwd.com/asin=B00Q8V1VOO
Lady Harriet’s Unusual Reward - http://a-fwd.com/asin=B00TXZYCK2
A Desperate Wager - http://a-fwd.com/asin=B00N29FRR2
A Love Remembered - http://a-fwd.com/asin=B01LWDHVY4
Contemporary Romance
An American Cowboy in Scotland - http://a-fwd.com/asin=B010GGX2S4
A Cowboy Wedding in Scotland - http://a-fwd.com/asin=B01M1H3083