The Paradise Will

by Elizabeth Hanbury

  Gil placed a featherlight kiss on her lips. ‘I know,’ he said softly. ‘It must have been far worse for you, alone and incarcerated inside that hellish place. But I am a birdwitted rattle, Alyssa, I should have asked immediately if you are hurt.’

  ‘No, I don’t think so. I still feel a little faint though.’

  ‘Hardly surprising, given your ordeal. Thank goodness, you seem to have suffered nothing more serious than shock and the effects of inhaling smoke,’ he said, relieved.

  She nodded, and then coughed again. ‘Can you help me to sit up?’

  ‘Is that wise?’

  She gave a shaky laugh, saying, ‘Perhaps not, but I believe I will feel more the thing if I do.’

  Alyssa struggled to raise herself and, with Gil’s help, soon lay with her head against his shoulder. Slowly, after some minutes held thus, her breathing returned to normal and her body stopped trembling. She sighed deeply and placed her hand against his cheek: she had somehow regained this exquisite sanctuary when it had seemed forever lost to her. Tender understanding shone in his eyes and, as he turned his head to place a kiss in her palm, she whispered, ‘I feel much better already. You know, my fate would have been sealed if you had not arrived when you did.’

  Gil, who glanced at the fire still blazing with unbridled menace, felt another shudder run through her body as her gaze followed his. ‘It is best not to dwell on what might have been, love. You are safe now and that is all that matters.’

  ‘Yes, you are right, of course.’ She cast another concerned look at the barn. ‘But should we at least try and stem the flames – in case the fire spreads?’

  ‘No,’ he said, emphatically shaking his head. ‘It is too dangerous to go near the building again. There is little chance of it spreading because the wood is some distance away but when the labourers arrive, they can dig a fire break as a precaution. The flames will most likely burn out in an hour or two once the roof has been consumed.’

  ‘I hope so,’ she replied, obliged to be satisfied. Alyssa chewed at her bottom lip as she mused on her escape and then, looking into his face, she smiled and added, ‘What excellent timing you have, Gil! Thank God you did not wait to receive word from me before coming here.’

  ‘So, I am forgiven then?’ he asked, raising an eyebrow.

  ‘Forgiven? For what?’

  ‘Why, for deliberately riding roughshod over your instructions last night. I have been quaking in my boots as to your opinion of me for doing so, but now perhaps I shall be absolved.’ Amazingly, considering the horror of only a short while ago, his lip quivered as he struggled to preserve his countenance.

  Her eyes laughed back at him. ‘Oh! Detestable creature! I should have guessed you were bamboozling me.’ She feigned a grimace, saying, ‘Well, I suppose I can forgive even an unprincipled, overbearing wretch like you under the circumstances.’

  ‘Flatterer!’ he asserted, with a rich chuckle. ‘That deserves a fitting riposte.’

  ‘Oh?’ she replied teasingly, opening her eyes a little wider, ‘And what do you suggest?’

  ‘Only this, my beautiful termagant.’ Tightening his embrace, he crushed her mouth under his in a fervent kiss. Long moments later, he whispered with a smile, ‘Now, do you still think me detestable?’

  ‘No, indeed,’ she said, sighing in contentment. ‘Mad perhaps, but not detestable. However, it is an axiom that lunatics must be humoured so I am prepared to let you kiss me again.’

  ‘Gladly,’ he said, laughing, and did so.

  ‘But Gil, how can you think me beautiful?’ she protested afterwards, a little breathlessly. ‘To be sure, I must look ravishing with my face and clothes covered in soot and my hair in disarray.’

  He grinned. ‘Must you argue over every point? My good girl, you look a bewitching hoyden and I will brook no disagreement on the matter.’

  Alyssa’s smile quickly vanished when she noticed the deep red stain amongst the dirt and grime marking the front of his shirt and she started forward in alarm, crying, ‘There is blood on your shirt!’

  ‘From a veritable scratch, nothing more.’ He shrugged and held up his palm to show the deep cut there, still oozing blood.

  ‘Indeed, it is more than a scratch!’ she exclaimed, sitting up. ‘Give me your handkerchief so I may bind it.’

  ‘Very well, if you have recovered sufficiently,’ he said, relinquishing the item.

  ‘I have and you don’t need to fear I will be sent into another swoon by the sight of blood.’

  ‘I didn’t imagine you would be,’ he replied, with another grin. Watching as she knelt beside him and began to wrap the cloth around his hand, he waited a moment before asking tentatively, ‘Can you recall what happened?’

  Alyssa nodded and described it in detail, from receiving the note, to her plight in the barn. ‘It has to be Draper who is responsible,’ she concluded, ‘but I can’t comprehend why. Surely he cannot be so angered by his situation that he wished to kill me? Perhaps Piers can shed some light on his motives.’ She put her head on one side to examine her handiwork critically. ‘There, I have done now.’

  ‘Thank you – a definite improvement on what I could have achieved.’ Gil’s brows drew together in a frown as he considered her words. When she had already endured so much, was it was right to subject her to further disquiet now? On balance, he thought it was: she would want the truth and it was important she heard her cousin’s confession as soon as possible. He watched her face as he ventured, ‘My love, there is something else you must know but Piers will need to explain.’

  ‘Oh dear, that sounds ominous,’ she said, wrinkling her nose. ‘He is here then?’

  ‘Yes, we travelled together.’ Gil looked up to see Piers walking back from the river. With shoulders slumped and head dipped low, his demeanour was one of self-loathing. Gil, pointing out the solitary figure, said, ‘Piers must have wandered away while we talked – he is returning now.’

  With his assistance, Alyssa rose to her feet and waited.

  ‘Hello, Coz,’ said Piers, in a subdued voice when he reached them. ‘I-I’m damned glad to see you are all right. Gil had things in hand so I left the two of you alone once I realized that you weren’t badly hurt. Thank God you are well, but it’s no thanks to me you haven’t been injured, or even killed.’

  ‘What do you mean?’ asked Alyssa, noting his hands trembled.

  ‘Has Gil spoken to you yet … regarding me?’ His glance flicked nervously from one to the other.

  ‘No, he has only said you have something to explain.’

  ‘I thought you would prefer it that way, Piers,’ said Gil grimly.

  He nodded. ‘Yes, of course. Thank you.’ He turned to his cousin. ‘This is my fault, Alyssa,’ he said, gesturing hopelessly towards the fire, ‘the result of my wretched folly.’

  ‘You take too much upon yourself,’ she said soothingly, ‘I believe Draper is to blame. You cannot be held accountable.’

  ‘No, I am to blame,’ he said, gloomily candid, ‘and if it were not for Letty and her faith in me, I’d drown myself in the river.’

  Alyssa stared. ‘What on earth! It is not like you to say such a thing and I see from your face you mean it, too. You had better tell me the whole.’

  He did so while she listened in stunned silence. ‘I can only say I’m devilish sorry, Alyssa,’ he concluded, reddening.

  ‘Upon my word,’ she cried explosively, her eyes sparkling with wrath, ‘I can hardly credit what you have told me and yet I know it is true – it explains many things. You should be ashamed as well as sorry, Piers!’

  ‘I am.’

  ‘What a selfish irresponsible blockhead you have been!’

  ‘I know.’

  ‘Why?’ she urged. ‘Why didn’t you speak to me on this subject when you came to Dorset? You should have told me how deeply you felt.’

  ‘But if I had, it would have not have changed anything.’

  ‘I wish you had confided in me all the same. At least we could
have discussed the matter in a civilized way and it might have prevented you from behaving like an idiot. I knew, of course, that Uncle Tom’s will had angered you – you made that plain enough in London – but I did not realize you would act in this underhand way,’ she exclaimed, still incensed.

  He shrugged disconsolately. ‘I offer no excuses. You’ve always been fair, Coz; Tom’s will was not your doing and you promised to help me financially when you could, but I was blinded by selfishness, wanting a share of Hawkscote. Please believe me when I say, however misguided my motivations and deeds were, I truly never intended things to go this far.’

  ‘Am I supposed to take consolation from that?’ she demanded.

  ‘Yes – no!’ Piers raked his fingers through his hair. ‘Oh God! I admit to making a mull of everything. I have been racked with guilt for weeks and that was why I arranged to see you this morning – so I could confess – only to discover instead that Draper had decided to take revenge on you.’ He flushed scarlet and said in a despairing voice, ‘I wanted to cast up my accounts when I heard! Gil has every right to land me a facer for putting you in danger.’

  ‘I’m sorely tempted to go further and wring your neck, you young fool!’ retorted Gil through shut teeth, his eyes blazing.

  ‘I sympathize with the idea, but don’t think any useful purpose would be served by it, Gil,’ she said. The storm of anger began to die out of her face as she gave Piers a long measured glance. ‘It seems my cousin is already suffering torment because of his misdeeds. Piers, I’ve never seen you look so cowed. Your contrition is obviously no act and, quite apart from torturing yourself over your part in this, what fate might have befallen me, and being obliged to explain to Gil, no doubt confessing what you had done to Letty was a punishment akin to tearing out your heart with your bare hands,’ she observed intuitively.

  ‘It was,’ he admitted, with a shrug and a rueful sigh.

  ‘I thought so. How did Letty react?’

  ‘She was bitterly disappointed but has not rejected me. In fact – oh, she is an angel! I’m not worthy of her, damn it!’

  ‘At last you are talking sense,’ observed Alyssa tartly. ‘Of course you are not worthy of her regard now, but she obviously considers you might be in the future. You are a lucky man indeed to have gained her affection, and even more fortunate to retain it; don’t jeopardize that good fortune.’

  ‘I don’t intend to.’

  ‘Your behaviour I find hard to excuse but your remorse has the ring of truth,’ remarked Gil, subjecting him keen scrutiny. ‘And you acted promptly this morning.’

  ‘Deuced handsome of you to say so, after everything,’ said Piers, flushing again. ‘If Letty had been inside that barn, I’d want to murder whoever was responsible.’

  ‘Oh, I would still like to murder you – and Draper,’ Gil observed, his tone scathing. ‘I’m only prepared to show leniency because your cousin escaped unhurt. Had she been injured, or worse, I would have swiftly become your nemesis.’

  ‘Lord, I believe you would,’ replied Piers approvingly after a pause. He gave a reluctant laugh. ‘Knew you were a great gun the moment we met.’

  ‘Thank you for the compliment,’ said Gil, with awful sarcasm.

  A tinge rose again to Piers’s cheeks. ‘Well, it’s true – and I’d far rather have you for a friend than an enemy, Gil.’

  ‘Then oblige me in not causing Alyssa anxiety again and you will find me the most affable of men.’

  ‘Piers, I don’t want to hear you talk of throwing yourself in the river,’ said Alyssa. ‘You have been excessively stupid and it is fortunate that there is no lasting harm done. The signs which tell me you are mending your ways are there and with Letty’s help, you can and will do well. For your sake – and hers – put your energies to that task and let it be recompense for what you have done. And we are family after all; Uncle Tom would not want us to be adversaries.’

  He took both her hands between his and clasped them tightly. ‘You’re a capital girl, Coz! I owe you a debt of gratitude after cutting a sham like this. I had been thinking I might enlist to get away but that would have been deuced difficult because I’d have to buy a commission, and my scruples would not allow me to touch you for money after my curst folly.’

  ‘You considered joining the army as penance?’ said Alyssa, with a flicker of a smile.

  ‘Yes, although I wouldn’t have liked it above half,’ he admitted ruefully. ‘But I could not have stayed in England and would have sold my estate if necessary. There would have been nothing left for me here anyway if you and Letty had shunned me.’

  ‘Then it is as well you confessed, for I agree life in the army would not suit you at all,’ she said. ‘There is, however, one more thing I want you to do.’

  ‘Willingly, Coz – just ask.’

  ‘I leave it to you to ensure Draper is caught—’

  ‘But I had determined to deal with that scoundrel!’ interjected Gil, his eyes kindling.

  ‘Don’t you trust me to apprehend him?’ asked Piers in an aggrieved tone.

  Gil’s lip curled. ‘No, by God, I don’t!’ he cried, savagely. ‘Why should I? Alyssa almost died today because you encouraged a dangerous man. Your cousin is willing to forgive you and I must concur with her wishes, but how can I have any confidence you will find Draper and deal with him appropriately? I prefer to oversee his capture and punishment personally.’

  Alyssa laid a hand on his sleeve. ‘Well, I can see why you wish to Gil,’ she said calmly, ‘but as Piers has admitted to being the cause, I think he should be given the chance to bring the matter to a close, don’t you?’

  ‘Only if he can be relied on,’ came the sardonic response.

  ‘Damn it, I give you my word,’ said Piers, a mulish look about his mouth.

  Gil surveyed him in silence. ‘You are prepared to swear it, as a gentleman?’

  ‘Yes!’ Piers snapped. ‘Despite what you may think, I do have some morals! You can leave the rogue to me and I will see that he receives suitable retribution—’

  ‘No: the law must decide his punishment,’ Alyssa interpolated, firmly.

  ‘But then I won’t have the satisfaction of dealing with the cur,’ argued Gil.

  ‘Nor I!’ cried Piers.

  Alyssa, suddenly feeling very weary, gave an exasperated sigh. ‘I understand how you both feel – indeed, I share your impatience to see justice done – but arguing will not help,’ she said. ‘This matter must be settled in the proper way and not with violence.’ She raised her eyes to Gil’s face, and, taking his hand in hers, she pressed it, saying, ‘Please, let Piers find Draper.’

  He looked down at her, and the fury in his eyes subsided as he caught her hands between his and kissed them. ‘Forgive me, my love,’ he said, instantly contrite. ‘It is unpardonable that we are squabbling like recalcitrant children when you are exhausted.’ With a shrug and a wry smile, he added, ‘Very well: since you think Piers should seek out Draper, and he has given his word, I must agree, albeit reluctantly.’

  ‘Then it is settled,’ she said, smiling warmly. ‘Piers, you will deliver Draper to the authorities.’

  ‘Consider it done,’ he said quietly, his glance at Gil a peculiar blend of remorse, indignation, and respect.

  ‘And, in spite of providing fare for the scandalmongers, I think you must also declare your part,’ said Alyssa.

  ‘Naturally; that was always my intention.’

  ‘You will have me to answer to if you do not,’ declared Gil, grimly. ‘However, leave Draper’s wife and family out of it – Alyssa and I will secure their immediate future. I don’t believe they knew of this, and he always treated them abominably; they do not deserve to find themselves in the poorhouse as a result of his exploits.’

  ‘I agree, and—’

  Wearily, Alyssa interjected, ‘There is nothing more to be said at present, Piers. Go now – he cannot have travelled far – and come to Hawkscote later to tell us what success you have had.’

/>   Piers nodded and extended his hand to Gil, who, after an infinitesimal pause, returned his grasp with a clipped smile even though his features were set in forbidding lines. Piers, grateful that this man whom he admired was still prepared to acknowledge him, then hurried away to collect his horse.

  As she watched his retreating figure, Alyssa sighed and said, ‘Did I do the right thing, Gil? Should I have forgiven him so soon, if at all? He acted appallingly, but oh, he is good at heart, I’m sure of it, and he has learned a valuable lesson. I don’t believe he ever meant harm to befall me and he is still my cousin, indeed my only blood family now Uncle Tom is dead.’ Frowning, she added meditatively, ‘Yet perhaps I am allowing who he is to colour my judgement.’

  Gil, who had been watching the expressions flit across her face rather than Piers’s departure, kissed her cheek. ‘You chose the right path, love,’ he said, heavily. ‘I am furious with him but, on measured consideration, it is better this way. He is eager to make amends and seems ultimately an honourable, if impulsive, young man. His conscience will prove more effective punishment than any we could administer. Let us hope it will also make him behave less like a peep-o-day boy from now on.’

  ‘And do not forget Letty – he loves her.’

  ‘If he truly cares, then he will strive for her good opinion, and love.’

  There were shouts and cries from the far side of the field.

  ‘More help appears to have arrived at last,’ he said, eyeing the small crowd of farm workers hurrying towards them. His gaze wandered back to hers as he said softly, ‘Come, it’s time I took you home.’

  Alyssa returned his smile and slipped her hand into his.

  *

  Gil still intended to obtain a special marriage licence and mentioned this to Alyssa after dinner on the evening following her rescue. Initially, she demurred over the extortionate cost of five pounds and suggested they could wait for the banns but he silenced her, first with a kiss, then by saying resolutely, ‘My love, twice I have almost lost you: once through your illness, the second time to the fire and I am not prepared to wait another three weeks to make you my wife. Besides,’ he continued, with a grin, ‘when my desire for you grows hourly, would you be so cruel as to prolong my agony?’