by Anne Herries
Why would Miss Hazledeane creep out in the early hours of the morning with a valise? Unless… Susannah remembered Jenny’s tears of the previous night. Jenny had begged her to keep her secret and now…she had run off with her lover.
She must be wrong! Susannah shivered as the idea grew in her mind. She was almost sure that Miss Hazledeane had eloped with the Marquis of Northaven!
Susannah could not rest. She paced the floor of her bedchamber, wondering what she ought to do. She had to confide in some one! She had given her word to Jenny, but on the condition that she broke off her affair. She had made a terrible mistake. Instead of speaking to Jenny privately, she should have confided her suspicions to Harry. She should have told him the first time she saw Miss Hazledeane with the marquis. Now Jenny had run off with him and she would be ruined.
Was it too late to do anything? Susannah fretted as she went through to the sitting room. Who should she wake—her mama, Amelia or Harry?
Why hadn’t she told Harry of her suspicions sooner? Susannah was overcome with guilt. She had hesitated, because she did not like to create suspicion concerning another lady, but now she was wishing that she had spoken out. She was on thorns. How long must she wait until she could tell someone?
Susannah decided that the best person to tell must be Harry. However, she could not possibly go to his bedchamber, even had she been sure of its situation. She would go down stairs and see if the servants were stirring and then ask one of them to ask him if he would come down and speak to her. If no one was about, she would take a turn in the gardens to help her summon the courage.
Looking out of his bedroom window, Toby saw Susannah pacing up and down in the garden below. She was so obviously in distress that he dressed quickly and went down. They met just as she was returning to the house.
‘Susannah—are you ill?’ Toby enquired in concern. ‘What were you doing in the garden.’
‘Oh, thank goodness!’ Susannah cried, clutching at his arm anxiously. ‘I wanted to talk to someone. You are just the person. I am afraid Harry will be so angry with me….’
‘What have you done?’
‘I kept some thing back that I ought to have told him,’ Susannah confessed. ‘And now some thing terrible has happened—at least, I think it may have.’
‘Sit down and tell me,’ Toby said, leading her to a chair. ‘I am sure it cannot be anything very dreadful.’
‘But it is,’ Susannah said, a sob in her voice. ‘You know the man we saw leaving the boat house yesterday afternoon?’ Toby nodded. ‘Well, I am certain it was Northaven and that he has run away with Miss Hazledeane.’
‘No! She would not…’ Toby stared at her. ‘She has no fortune to speak of…Northaven would not marry her without…’
‘So much the worse,’ Susannah said and caught back a sob. ‘I saw them in Bath just before she left to come here. They were taking tea and the look on her face said it all. She is in love with him.’ Susannah saw the shock in his eyes. ‘She has been meeting him here and this morning she ran off. She was carrying a valise.’
‘Why did you not tell someone before this?’
‘Because… I was not sure and when I asked her she wept and begged me to keep her secret. I told her she must break with him and she promised she would—but very early this morning she ran away.’
Toby was stunned. ‘Stay here, Susannah. I shall wake Harry, if he is not yet awake. A maid must go to check whether Miss Hazledeane is in her room.’
‘Harry will be so cross…’
Toby was no longer listening. He took the stairs two at a time, clearly in a state of some anxiety. Susannah got up and began to walk about, studying the paintings in the hallway in an effort to ease her mind. However, her conscience could not be eased, for she knew that this calamity was her fault. If she had only spoken to Harry in the beginning, this could never have happened!
Some twenty minutes or more had passed before Harry came striding towards her. His expression was one of absolute fury and Susannah trembled inwardly. He did blame her and he was right to do so, for it was her fault!
‘It has been confirmed that Miss Hazledeane’s bed has not been slept in and that some of her things have gone.’
‘I am so sorry,’ Susannah said in a faint voice.
‘Did she tell you of her intentions? Did you help her to run away?’ Harry’s gaze was stern and cold. ‘Tell me now. I wish for no more lies.’
‘I have not lied…’ Susannah faltered. ‘I did not tell you what I had seen for I thought it was not my affair…and then she wept and begged me to keep her secret. She said that Northaven would have married her, but he needs money and her brother wasted her inheritance.’
The look on Harry’s face made Susannah wish to sink into the ground and disappear. ‘Not your affair when you saw a young woman not much older than yourself meeting secretly with a man you know to be unworthy! Miss Hazledeane is my ward! You must have known that I should wish to be informed so that I could protect her? You deliberately went behind my back, to keep a secret you must have known was wrong! You have behaved thoughtlessly…recklessly. I had thought you had more sense!’
‘I was not sure…’ Susannah could not meet his eyes, because she knew herself at fault. ‘She was in distress. I felt sympathy… Forgive me. I know this must pain you.’
‘It pains me more that you did not see fit to tell me in the first place, Susannah. It shows a distinct lack of trust on your part, and that is serious. A marriage without trust is not worth having!’
‘It was not that I could not trust you…only that I felt awkward. I had almost made up my mind to tell you what I suspected last night, but you… I did not see you to speak to alone. So I asked her for the truth and then…’ It was a weak excuse and she saw the disdain in his expression. Her heart sank and she wished that the floor would open and receive her. ‘I did not know what to do.’
‘I am afraid our driving lesson must be can celled for the moment,’ Harry said curtly. ‘I must go after Miss Hazledeane and see what can be rescued from this mess.’ He glanced up as Gerard and Max Coleridge came clattering down the stairs, closely followed by Toby. ‘Not you, Toby. My sister would never forgive me if any thing happened to you. Northaven has done this deliberately to draw me into a fight.’
‘I am prepared to shoot if I have to,’ Toby declared, looking stub born.
‘Thank you, but it will be settled in the proper manner if I have anything to do with it,’ Harry told him. ‘Please stay here and look after Susannah. I would not put it past Northaven to arrange some thing for her once my back is turned.’ He glanced at Susannah once more. ‘I shall speak to you when I return.’
‘Yes, Pendleton.’ Susannah watched as Harry and his friends strode towards the front door, which was opened by a sleepy-looking footman who had just arrived at his post. Her throat was tight and the tears burned behind her eyes. She glanced at Toby, her face pale. ‘He is so angry…’
‘Yes, but you might have expected it,’ Toby said, for once unsympathetic. ‘Why on earth did you not tell one of us? Something might have been done to prevent them running off.’
‘Do you think they will catch them?’ Susannah asked. She was filled with apprehension. ‘Is it too late? I dare say they may be half way to Scotland by now.’
‘I doubt he will have taken her to Scotland.’
‘Not—but surely they are eloping?’
‘Northaven will not marry her without a fortune. Harry told me she has only a few hundred pounds from her brother’s estate. Hazledeane was the guardian of her inheritance, but he misappropriated the funds—in short, he robbed his sister of ten thou sand pounds. Northaven might make her his mistress, but he will not wed her.’
‘But she will be ruined.’ Susannah was horrified.
‘That is the reason Harry is so angry. She was under his protection and he feels responsible for her. Unless he can force a deal on Northaven, Jenny Hazledeane will never be able to show her face in society again. In
deed, if her elopement becomes known, many will not receive her even if she is married.’
‘Oh…that is terrible,’ Susannah whispered. ‘I am to blame—I should have told Harry yesterday.’ The tears were so close now that Susannah could not hold them back. ‘Excuse me…’ she said and made a dash for the stairs before she could break down and disgrace herself further. Harry was so angry with her. No doubt he thought her careless and unfit to be his wife. He was probably wishing that he had not asked her to marry him.
‘You must not blame yourself,’ Amelia told her when Susannah spoke to her some half an hour later. She had conquered her tears and washed her face, but she could not ease her sense of guilt and distress. Amelia was still wearing her peignoir, a frivolous confection of white silk and lace, for she had not dressed fully. ‘I can understand why you did not wish to tell tales behind Miss Hazledeane’s back, Susannah. It is unfortunate that you did not mention it to me. I might have been able to help her—and I could have told her some thing about the marquis that would have warned her to have nothing more to do with him.’
‘What do you mean?’
Amelia hesitated, then, ‘I had a friend some years ago. I shall not name her for it is an old story. Suffice it to say that she was young and pretty, and very innocent. She fell in love and allowed herself to be seduced, but when she discovered she was with child her lover left her. Ashamed and distraught, she refused to tell any one his name. Instead she chose to take her own life in the river…’ Amelia paused, then, ‘At the time I suspected one of three gentlemen, but I have since ruled out two of them.’
‘You believe it was the marquis?’
‘He was not the marquis then, but it was known that he would inherit the title from an uncle. My friend was a simple country girl. He thought her good enough for seduction, but not for marriage. Northaven is known to be in financial difficulties and may have lowered his sights since then—but he will not marry without a fortune.’
‘That is what Toby and Harry say,’ Susannah said, a sob in her voice. ‘I am very much at fault, Amelia. I ought to have told some one. Even if I could not tell Harry, I should have asked you or Mama what to do.’
‘It is easy to say so with hind sight,’ Amelia agreed. ‘But many of us face similar dilemmas and are as hesitant as you, Susannah. I knew that my friend was meeting a young man, but I did nothing to warn or stop her. I did not know he had seduced her, but even if I had guessed I should not have gone to her mother. You hesitated to interfere in some thing that was not your affair, and Harry will under stand that once he is calmer.’
‘I fear that I have sunk in his estimation. Do you think they will prevail upon the marquis to marry her?’ Susannah asked in a subdued tone. ‘I did not like her—nor she me—but I would not see her utterly ruined and banned from society.’
‘She was a little strange in her manner,’ Amelia agreed. ‘To me she was quite friendly, but I dare say she was jealous of you. I saw her making eyes at Lord Pendleton, but he gave her no encouragement. I think if he had, she might not have run off with a man she probably knows is a rogue.’
‘I am not sure. The look on her face that day was of a woman in love… I think she is in love with Northaven.’
‘She may be in love with him now,’ Amelia said. ‘However, I doubt it will last more than a few months—if that.’
‘I feel sorry for her,’ Susannah said. ‘If she had stayed here I am sure Harry would have given her a dowry. She might have married well.’
‘He will probably give her a dowry now,’ Amelia said. ‘Indeed, I believe that may be her only hope.’
‘I hope that he will find her,’ Susannah said, her throat tight with emotion. ‘But I am afraid some thing terrible may happen. You did not see how angry he was—and Toby told me that he did not like the marquis. Do you think they will fight?’ Susannah’s hand crept to her throat. ‘If Harry should be killed because of this—’ She broke off on a sob. ‘Oh, Amelia, I feel so guilty…so responsible…’
‘You must not be anxious for Pendleton,’ Amelia told her. ‘He is a gentleman and will not become embroiled in an unseemly fight. I dare say it will all be settled in the manner of gentlemen. Now, my love, give me a moment to put on my gown, and then I think we should go down and join the others, for everyone will be wondering where you are.’
Chapter Nine
‘What makes you think he will have brought her here?’ Gerard asked as the three men dismounted and looked at the house. It was a country manor of medium size, modernised some twenty years before when the estate was more prosperous, to include an imposing portico of white columns at the entrance. There were no lights at the front of the house, though there was one in an upstairs room at the back. ‘If he intends to marry her, he could be on his way to Scotland even now.’
‘He does not intend to wed her,’ Harry said and looked grim. ‘Believe me, I know his mind, Gerard. Northaven has been looking for a way to strike back at me for a long time. A bullet in the back would have been easier, but too quick. He wants to see me squirm, to make me beg him to marry the girl.’
‘If that is his plan, why did he not strike closer to home?’ Max asked and frowned. ‘Miss Hampton means far more to you than the Hazledeane chit. If his plan was to destroy you, why not kidnap her?’
‘Jenny Hazledeane means nothing to me,’ Harry agreed. ‘Except that I gave her brother my word I would protect her from Northaven. I have failed in that, but I shall do what I can to put matters right. Northaven knows that if he laid one finger on Susannah I would kill him where he stood. I imagine he wants money from this….’
‘You know he won’t be satisfied with a few thousand,’ Max said. ‘Put a ball through his head and pack the girl off to a finishing school abroad.’
‘Yes, the thought had occurred to me,’ Harry drawled, anger mixed with amusement in his eyes. ‘You do not imagine that I have come here simply to force Northaven to marry the girl?’
‘He won’t take her without a hefty bribe.’
Harry pulled a wry face. ‘I suppose I can afford it, but that is not why I am here. I came to settle the score with Northaven, be cause I can no longer ignore it. If what Jenny told Susannah is true, he seduced her long before I was involved—but in meeting her at Pendleton, knowing she was my ward, he threw down the gauntlet. If I do not settle this now, he may attempt some thing further—some thing that would cause me more grief than I could bear.’
‘You mean Susannah?’ Gerard said and frowned. ‘Good God! You think…the attempt on Amelia was a mistake. They were meant to kidnap Susannah.’
‘It is my fear,’ Harry said. ‘I did think at first that it might simply be opportunist rogues, but now I believe they may have been after my fiancée.’
‘Then you have no choice but to challenge him.’
‘Exactly.’ Harry’s eyes glittered like cold steel. ‘Shall we take a look at the back of the house, gentlemen?’
‘Yes, that might be a good idea. I hardly think this is some thing we can redress by calling at the front door and offering our cards.’
The three men ran swiftly across the lawns, keeping to the shadows as much as possible and turning the corner to come up at the back of the main wing. Light was blazing from a down stairs window and the French doors stood wide-open. Harry looked at his friends and made up his mind instantly.
‘Wait for me here. I know it is a sultry night, but that open door is an invitation and I intend to answer it—but do not come unless I call or you hear the sound of a shot.’
‘It could be too late then,’ Gerard pro tested. ‘We are coming with you. I don’t trust that devil.’
Harry saw the expression on both their faces and grinned. ‘Very well, if I refuse you will follow anyway. Let’s see what the marquis has to say for himself.’
He set off ahead, Gerard following and Max in the rear. Harry had not drawn his pistol, but neither Max nor Gerard was taking a chance and each had his at the ready.
At the d
oor of what was clearly a library—the walls were covered on three sides with leather-covered books—Harry paused and looked in. Northaven was sitting at a reading table, his boots crossed as they rested on the leather surface, an empty wineglass in his hand. His eyes were closed as if he were sleeping, but as Harry cleared his throat, he opened them, his lip curling back in a sneer of mockery.
‘I have been expecting you, Pendleton.’ His gaze went behind Harry to the other men and he smiled oddly. ‘The holy trio together again, I see. Did you think it was a trap? Or have you come to be judge, jury and executioner? Should I repent my sins and ask for give ness from my Maker?’
‘Where is she, Northaven?’ Harry demanded. ‘What have you done to her?’
The marquis stood up, his expression one of amused malice. ‘You mean the lady you were so chivalrous as to take into your home and make your mother’s ward? How she disliked that, Pendleton. Your dear mama wished to turn her into a model of decorum and teach her how to behave in society,’ Northaven mocked, his lip curled back in a sneer. ‘Oh, yes, I knew all about that, and I admit that I was tempted to see if you would part with a small fortune to preserve her good name. I cannot say her modesty, for she lost that long ago. She was my lover before her brother died. Had she held out, I might have wed her in the end.’
‘You damned seducer!’ Harry’s hand shot out, slapping Northaven across the mouth with his glove. ‘How dare you malign the name of a lady! If you have seduced her, you will marry her!’
‘It would be interesting to see if you could force me to do that,’ Northaven said, eyes glittering. There was menace and hatred in his tone. ‘I might oblige if the sum were large enough. However, I fear that the bird has escaped us both. She demanded that I marry her. I declined and she ran away from me.’
‘She ran away?’ Harry and Gerard spoke together and Northaven laughed mockingly.
‘I dare say she may have gone to her aunt.’ Northaven shrugged carelessly. ‘Hazledeane did not tell you of her? You were duped, Pendleton. The man was a rogue. He probably hoped you would marry his sister if you thought her completely alone. Jenny has an aunt in the north of England. I dare say you will find her there if you try—though she will not thank you for it.’