Yorkshire

by Lynne Connolly

  “Then it’s no use my making a push.” She smiled, not really concerned. “In any case, Martha has said we can go to London next year. Oh, Rose. It’s just what I always dreamed of.” She caught her hands together in delight.

  “Yes, I know.” I sipped my chocolate. “Did Martha say I might get up?”

  “If you wish, she says,” my sister replied. “She won’t let anyone see you until you are ready to see them.”

  “You mean Richard, don’t you?”

  “Yes.” She looked at me for a few moments consideringly. “I would never have thought of you doing those things.”

  “What things?” I said sharply.

  “Accepting him without referring him to James, and when he’s still contracted to somebody else…” Then she burst out with, “I know I’m not supposed to excite you, but, really my dear, I have to tell you.”

  This sudden burst of excitement from her woke me out of my lethargy and I sat up straight. I knew what she was about to tell me. “What now?”

  “Martha said I could tell you if you seemed ready, and I think you look well enough.”

  I finished my drink and put my cup down.

  She took both my hands in hers. “They put Steven in his room last night, to make sure he came nowhere near you. James said he would send him away without a character this very morning. He wouldn’t have him under his roof any longer, and you should have seen how wild Drury was.”

  “Furious, I imagine.”

  Lizzie continued with her story. “Lord Strang put his man Carier outside to guard him. You know Carier came and dressed your foot?”

  “Yes.”

  “Well, while he did that, Mr. Drury got a note to Miss Cartwright, and it seems they have run off together.”

  “What?” Completely restored, I threw the covers aside and made to get out of bed, but my swollen ankle reminded me forcibly of its presence and I was compelled to put my hand back on the bed for support. The adventure last night must have made it worse.

  Lizzie grinned, delighted at the response she had received. “I thought you would be interested. They must have left quite early, because when James sent a rider to the village, it seems they were seen before dawn, riding towards York. James has sent people to every inn there, but they seem to have got well away. They might have caught the mail, or bespoken a carriage, but if they did, they didn’t use their real names. We don’t even know if they’ve gone north or south.”

  I knew.

  I tried to take my weight on my foot, but it felt very tender this morning. “Lizzie, don’t stop, but will you help me to dress? Just a loose gown or something, but I must get up.”

  Lizzie collected petticoats, stays, gown, stockings and shoes and talked. “They both left notes.” I threw off my night rail and put on a fresh shift. “Lord Strang has them,” Lizzie told me, lacing my stays for me at the back. “James and his lordship spent half the evening closeted together last night, but they seem to be in accord this morning. I’ve seen them say good morning to each other, but they’re both a bit stiff, even after the excitement of finding Drury missing. I think this is new to both of them.”

  “I hope so,” I said, with a smile.

  Barely half an hour later Lizzie had me ensconced in the sunny room near the small parlour. A manservant had carried me downstairs, but I had taken my sturdy hazel stick. I sat on a sofa that was new to the room, my ankle up on a stool, staring into the fire when the door opened on the one face I wanted to see most.

  Richard came straight over to me, took my hand, and looked for a long time into my face. Reassured by what he saw there, he sat by my side without taking his gaze away from mine. “Miss Golightly, would you do me the honour of becoming my wife?”

  “Yes.”

  An end and a beginning. I was glad he had been so direct, made it easy for me, so different to Steven’s histrionics of the day before. He gave me a gentle kiss, cherishing me. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” That made him smile, and his smile made me smile.

  “I shall give you a ruby for a ring. It would suit you.”

  “Get me a ring from a fair if you like, I don’t care.”

  “You want a gypsy? I should disappoint you then.”

  We didn’t speak for a while. When we did, I was leaning against his shoulder, his arm comfortably about me. He took me in another kiss and I had no doubt that if he could ensure we wouldn’t be interrupted, he’d be making love to me soon.

  “I asked Carier to give you a sleeping draught. These experiences can return to haunt one, and you needed the rest.”

  I was taken aback to be so peremptorily treated, and said so.

  “I’m sorry, my love, but you were very distressed. Believe me, it was the best way.”

  Since I did feel much better this morning, and I was now so happy, I couldn’t do anything but forgive him instantly, but I warned him not to try that again. We kissed.

  “Well then,” he said eventually. “When Carier came to care for you I was going to see Drury, but Gervase stopped me. I had every intention of killing him, but Gervase made me see it wouldn’t do. It would be doing us both a disservice. Didn’t I tell you other people’s problems were easier? If it had been anyone else, I would have been far calmer, but that he should do that to you—” He broke off. I saw the diamond pin fastening his neckcloth glitter as he took a few deep breaths. “But he won’t touch you any more.” He looked at me gravely. “Did Drury hurt you very much, my love?”

  “Not very much. Though if I hadn’t screamed he might have done. I kicked him and screamed.”

  “Very resourceful.”

  “Well if I’d panicked, he might have been able to—to do what he wanted. I think,” I continued thoughtfully, “he might not have been entirely aware of what he was doing. He seemed beside himself with rage.”

  “That seemed to be Julia’s main reaction. They deserve each other. Julia was very upset. I went to see her after she had gone to her room, but it did no good. I was in no mood to be conciliatory. She was in a temper and I couldn’t reason with her, so I left.” He shrugged. I found I didn’t want to imagine that scene. “This morning, at about seven, when the maids went up to light the fires they discovered they had both gone. There are notes, one from Drury to you, the other from Julia to me.” He leaned forward to reach into his coat pocket and bring out the notes in question. They had both been opened.

  “Your brother took the view he didn’t want to see you insulted by him any further, so he opened Drury’s letter. It contains invective, but I asked him to give it to me, so you could see it if you wanted to.” I held out my hand, and silently he put the note into it. There, within the protective arc of his arm, I read the letter.

  “Dear Rose,

  We’ve meant a great deal to each other, but I’m afraid we must part. I loved you truly. I never meant to hurt you, but the thought of you with that man overwhelmed me. I lost my head. I can’t ask your forgiveness. It was only my right, and you did this to yourself. You acted with such wantonness…”

  I looked up at Richard. “And James saw this?”

  “I told him Drury had seen you in my arms. I didn’t say we were both naked at the time.”

  I looked hastily at the letter, memories of past delights coming back too richly for me. I read on.

  “I’d become aware Miss Julia Cartwright was sadly neglected by Lord Strang. He took no more notice of her than he would his servant. I attempted to comfort her in her loneliness, and I think she may have become fonder of me than I meant. I certainly became more aware of her charms than can be thought proper.”

  “They’ve been meeting in secret.”

  “Undoubtedly. Julia said they’d been meeting for some time. She said she found him attractive, but she would still forgive me if I sought her pardon properly.” He stopped, and smiled down at me. “So I didn’t ask her pardon.”

  I continued to read.

  “After the insult delivered to her yesterday, she
was in such distress, she felt quite overcome. Strang visited her later, trying to force his attentions upon her. This overset her so much, she was insistent she must get away. I volunteered to take her, and accordingly, we intend to make for Gretna Green. I’m sorry we must part like this, but I see no other way.

  Yours in sorrow,

  Steven Drury.”

  I looked up in amazement. “You didn’t do that, I’m sure. Force your attentions on her?”

  “Her aunt can vouch that I didn’t, as she was there the whole time. They didn’t think to take the elder Miss Cartwright, so I fear they are sadly compromised. If they don’t reach Gretna in time, she may very well be a wronged woman before too long, if she isn’t already.” He smiled. “Much as you are, my sweet life.”

  I smiled back. “Not at all as I am,”

  He tipped my chin up with his finger. “Not at all as you will be,” he promised. I’d have dropped the letter, but he drew back after one gentle, loving kiss.

  “I have something to tell you. I woke up in the night. My mouth was dry.” I proceeded to tell him about my encounter with Steven and Julia. He listened in silence until I had done.

  “First, you should never have gone down alone. There was a maid within call—I made sure of it. You should have sent her.”

  “But then I would never have met them. And I’m not used to having maids within call at night.”

  “You’ll have more than a maid soon enough,” he reminded me, tenderly. I blushed, and he laughed softly. Touching my cheek, he said, “I can’t wait.”

  “I don’t suppose we can marry before I’m out of mourning.”

  “No,” he said, regretfully. “Hareton insists on waiting until April.”

  “April.” My breath caught. He smiled at my eagerness. “I still can’t believe it.”

  “I’ll make you believe it.” Another gentle kiss, then he drew back. “What made you confront them last night? I should be angry with you, especially after what he did to you.”

  “I wasn’t in danger. And I didn’t plan it, it just happened. When they came down, there was nowhere to hide.”

  “You should have called out.”

  “And awakened everyone? They’d have been returned to their rooms. You’d still have to return Julia to her father and face a breach of promise suit.”

  He smiled. “So I would.”

  “Should I have called out, roused the house?”

  “Only if you were in danger. They’ve put themselves in the wrong. Hareton is no longer required to find a living for a man I can’t help thinking would make a most unsuitable vicar, and Julia has reneged on our contract. Even if they catch them, she is disgraced, and I can’t be expected to go through with it now.” He caressed my neck. “Clever girl,” he murmured, and kissed me again. “But had he hurt you again, this time I would have killed him.”

  “Oh, Richard.”

  “What is it, my love?”

  “I love you so much, it makes me afraid sometimes.”

  “Don’t be. I’ll care for you, love you, make you happy. I worked hard to convince Hareton. He’s a good man. He’s still not entirely convinced, but he knows it’s what you want, so he’ll give his blessing.”

  “What happens now?”

  “Now?” He leaned back, and caught sight of the hazel stick. “Now, I go upstairs and fetch you something more suitable to support you while your foot is getting better.” That made me laugh, and he looked at my face once more and smiled. “I have a malacca cane you might like. Then, I’ll stay a few more days before I go to Eyton. I won’t be gone above a week, it’s not far, and I don’t have to take the detour to Surrey, where Julia’s father lives. I’ve written a letter to my father, explaining Julia’s actions, asking him to cancel the contract. I won’t tell him about you until I see him. I think he’ll be pleased.”

  “How so?”

  “My love, I could marry a chambermaid, if she’ll give him an heir. The way I feel about you—”

  I blushed, so he didn’t continue.

  “Martha wants to go home. She’s decided to rebuild in Devonshire, rather than continue here.”

  “I can’t blame her. This place is a mausoleum. Even your redoubtable sister-in-law would have her work cut out to make it a comfortable family home.” I looked at him speculatively and he laughed. “Are you thinking about Eyton?” I nodded. “Don’t worry. You won’t be needed there for some years yet, and in any case, it’s both smaller and more comfortable. I have a couple of places, but if you don’t like them, we’ll buy somewhere else. No need to worry about that now.” He kissed me again. “Gervase will look after you while I’m gone. So will you go back to Devonshire with your family?”

  “Until April.” I hooked an arm about his neck. “Then, we’ll see.” I pulled him to me for a more passionate kiss, but he drew back after a short time.

  “Hareton said I wasn’t to over excite you, and I have to agree with him. You’ve had a great shock. You must have time to recover.”

  “What did Julia say in her letter?”

  “Mainly invective. You may read it, if you like, but I wouldn’t recommend it. She was in a fine temper when she wrote it, and very little of it makes much sense.”

  I leaned forward as far as I could without hurting my foot, rolled Steven’s note into a ball, and tried to throw it into the fire, but it fell short. Laughing, Richard leaned forward and retrieved it, crumpling up Miss Cartwright’s letter with it. He threw them into the heat of the flame. We watched them curl, flare up, blacken and fall into ash.

  “I doubt Mr. Cartwright would care to see what language his daughter has acquired. I wish Drury joy of her, and her fortune.” He turned to me decisively. “That’s enough of that sordid adventure.” He took my hand again.

  “April,” I whispered.

  “I can begin to repay your gift then.”

  I lost no time in convincing him that would be most welcome.

  About the Author

  To learn more about Lynne Connolly, please visit www.lynneconnolly.com. Send an email to lynneconnollyuk@yahoo.co.uk or join her Yahoo! group to join in the fun with other readers! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lynneconnolly. She can also be found at MySpace, Facebook and the Samhain Café.

  Look for these titles by Lynne Connolly

  Now Available:

  Triple Countess

  Last Chance, My Love

  A Chance to Dream

  Met by Chance

  A Betting Chance

  Secrets Trilogy

  Alluring Secrets

  Seductive Secrets

  Tantalizing Secrets

  Richard and Rose

  Devonshire

  Venice

  Harley Street

  Eyton

  Hareton Hall

  Maiden Lane

  Coming Soon:

  Richard and Rose

  Lisbon

  He has everything to gain by letting her in. And everything to lose.

  Devonshire

  © 2009 Lynne Connolly

  Richard and Rose, Book 2

  Now that she’s engaged to Richard, one of the most admired—and passionate—men in society, shy, awkward Rose Golightly can finally hold her head high. She never anticipated that her elevated position would make her the target of a dangerous gang of smugglers.

  Behind Richard’s aloof, sophisticated facade lies a man of shrewd intelligence, fierce loyalty, and deep devotion to those he loves. He’s willing to fight fair when necessary, dirty when cornered. Rose is one of only two people he trusts. All she’s ever asked of him is that there be no secrets between them, but there are a few lingering dark corners he’s reluctant to reveal.

  Now, Rose’s childhood friend has made a stand against the smugglers that rule the coast, unwittingly putting Rose in danger. With her life at stake, there’s only one way Richard can save her—even if it means his bride has to trade her wedding gown for widow’s weeds.

  Enjoy the following excerpt for Devonsh
ire:

  The door to the parlour opened and my sister-in-law bustled inside. A gust of wind followed her stocky shape and some of the pasteboard invitations on the mantelpiece fluttered to the floor. I put down my book and stood, then bent to retrieve the cards. We couldn’t accept most of them. We were still in mourning, our shield from our importunate neighbours, but not for much longer.

  Martha held a wicker basket covered with a fine linen cloth. “Rose, dear, I have some treats for old Mrs. Hoarty in the village. Will you take them to her?”

  Restless and bored, I was glad of any distraction. “I’d love to.”

  I tucked the invitations back behind the clock to join the others. “Never mind,” Martha said, following my wistful look. “We should be able to attend social events again soon.”

  “The end of this month. I never thought I’d miss attending those dreary functions, but I’d welcome anything that killed some time.”

  Martha smiled. “Never mind,” she repeated, and then went, as was her way, to the heart of my dissatisfaction, “I’m sure he’ll be here soon.”

  She meant my betrothed and beloved, Richard Kerre, Lord Strang. After a month apart, I missed him terribly. And I could not distract myself by attending the local social functions, although invitations arrived every day, not unconnected, I suspected, with the news of my betrothal. But we were in mourning, for cousins we had only met once, and felt little for. But since my brother James had inherited the title they’d held, we had to enter the required period of three months’ full mourning and three months’ half.

  “Is Lizzie coming?” I paused before the mirror to tidy my hair. I’d never found a maid who could cope with my thick, curly chestnut mane, and it was forever tumbling out of its pins. I sighed and tucked the loose strands away. I smiled at my reflection, then sighed again. No, I still couldn’t see it.

  “What is it, dear?” Sharp-eyed Martha had seen my doubt.