“As my wife and I are of the same opinion, I cannot criticise you, but I do hope you meet someone who will offer you the happiness you are looking for.”
“What about Mr O’Hara?” Charlotte asked.
“I have told him that if you had had a change of heart overnight, I would invite him here immediately, but that I would not expect him to pester you in the future.” Michael could see the relief in Charlotte’s face once she had realised her actions would not force her into a marriage with the young man. He felt sorry for the young girl, but there was nothing he could do to help.
They were interrupted by a knock on the study door. The butler entered at Michael’s command. “My Lord, I am sincerely sorry to interrupt you, but there is an urgent item of correspondence that has just been delivered. The rider is waiting for a response and has insisted that you see the letter most urgently, otherwise I would have not disturbed you,” the butler explained apologetically.
“Don’t worry, we were just finishing up here,” Michael said with a smile at Charlotte. “We had nothing left to discuss but the state of the weather.”
Charlotte smiled at the quip, but was soon on her guard. Michael had taken the letter and sliced it open. As he read, the colour had literally drained from his face and his frown had developed. Charlotte leant forward in her seat; desperate to know what the letter contained that could have such a grave impact on her host.
When it seemed that Michael had forgotten he was in the room with anyone else, Charlotte said quietly, “Is it bad news?”
Michael stirred himself and looked at the girl sitting before him. Was it only seconds ago he was joking with her? “Charlotte you will have to excuse me. This letter contains information that I have to act on immediately, it will change my upcoming plans, it will change all of our plans.”
“It’s not...Is he well?” Charlotte asked, feeling completely selfish at thinking only of how the news may affect her, but she could not stop herself from asking the question.
Michael smiled slightly. “It has nothing to do with Lord Halkyn; he is well as far as I am aware. Please excuse me for a moment. I will join everyone in the drawing room in a short while and inform you of the contents of this correspondence.”
Charlotte left the room, both relieved and worried. Lord Dunham was such a calm, commanding person, the news must be serious to have shaken him so much.
As the door was closed by the butler, leaving Michael alone in his study, he sat forward in his seat and placed his head in his hands. When he had read the news he had been gripped by such fear, it would have brought him to his knees had he been standing. He had to protect her, there was no other alternative, but he had almost failed her once before, what if he failed this time?
*
Michael had sent word that everyone should gather in the drawing room. This was a strange summons, so everyone was a little uneasy. Eventually they were joined by Michael, who looked grim, but in control. He approached Elizabeth, sitting next to her and taking her hand in his.
“I’m afraid, Violet and Edward that I’m going to have to ask you to postpone your trip to London and John; if you can stay on here I would be much obliged.”
Normally John would have been flippant with his friend, but he could sense his unease under his grim demeanour. “I am at your service Michael. What is it?”
“Yes, what has happened?” Elizabeth asked.
“I’ve had some news today, that I hate having to tell you Elizabeth because I know it will unsettle you,” Michael said, bringing his wife’s hand to his lips and kissing it.
“What is it?” Elizabeth asked gently. She was concerned for her husband; she had always disliked seeing him worried, especially when it was on her account.
“I’ve received communication to say that George Watson was not on the ship when it arrived in Australia,” Michael said quietly.
The news stilled the people in the room. It was obvious that everyone, apart from Charlotte knew the meaning of the name, but she kept silent. When people such as Mr Anderton and Miss Fairfield take sharp intakes of breath at the mention of a name, Charlotte knew it was not the time to ask for explanations.
“I don’t understand,” Elizabeth said frowning. “I’m presuming by your demeanour that he did not die on the journey?”
“No,” Michael confirmed. “Apparently, Miranda was very sick by the time they had reached Australia, she had not travelled well. There had been an outbreak of fever onboard. She was very ill, but lucid at the time they docked. When it was realised that George was missing, she took great pleasure in saying that he had never been on board. He had escaped before the ship set sail.”
“Why did he not take Miranda with him?” Elizabeth asked quietly.
“She cursed him to the others, saying that he had only looked after himself. Although if he had taken her, there would have been more chance of them being caught, so just another example of their selfishness,” Michael said bitterly, remembering the lengths the brother and sister would go to in order to gain something for themselves.
“So, he didn’t leave this country?” Violet asked.
“No. All this time, we have been under the impression that they were both out of the country and the reality is, he could be anywhere,” Michael snarled, angry that he had tried to be fair and now his family, his wife and unborn child were in danger.
Edward intervened, “We will stay as long as needed. You will need help in trying to track him down, send word to Bow Street.”
“I will, but he could be anywhere!” Michael said.
Elizabeth squeezed her husband’s hand. “Tell us the truth Michael, what else did the letter say?”
Michael sighed after a moment. “Miranda was quite clear that George’s aim was to finish what they had set out to do, to ruin you. She did not survive long after that, the authorities thought it was the thought of her being able to gloat to them that had kept her alive. She enjoyed being able to tell them that they were all incompetent fools.”
“He can’t ruin Elizabeth now, she is a married woman,” Violet said, pointing out the obvious difference in circumstances since the last time George and Elizabeth had met.
“We know what he wanted to do, it is obviously still his aim. He could be here now! Damn them for not finding out sooner! You have been in danger for weeks!” Michael exploded.
Everyone had jumped at the outburst, but Elizabeth responded calmly to her husband. “I am surrounded by people; my socialising can easily be cut short because of my condition. I am happy to confine myself to the locality and not put the baby at any risk. He will be found.”
“Michael, she will not be left alone for a moment,” Violet assured her brother. “Charlotte, could you please accompany me? I have some errands that I need help with, if we are to stay here indefinitely.”
“Certainly,” Charlotte replied, and the two ladies left the room together.
Violet led the way to her bed chamber and sat at her dressing table. She invited Charlotte to sit on the chaise lounge at the end of the bed. “My dear, I think you should consider returning to your uncle while all this is going on.”
Charlotte was shocked. “I don’t understand. If you want me out of the house, of course I will go, but is there nothing I can do to help? It seems from what has been said that the more people that remain here the better. If I can be of assistance, I will.”
“You are a dear girl, I was hoping you would say that, but you may not when you realise what we are up against.”
Violet told Charlotte about Elizabeth’s cousin, his wife and brother approaching Elizabeth to try and obtain her money. When she had refused, they had plotted to have her compromised by George, the brother. That way she would have been forced into marriage and they would have had access to her fortune.
“They drugged her and took her to an inn. Only for her cousin being afraid for his life when Michael got to him, Elizabeth would have been ruined by George. Michael never talks about it, but Elizabeth once
told me that if Michael had arrived even five minutes later, it would have been too late.”
Charlotte was horrified at the thought. It was far worse than anything she had been through, and that still gave her nightmares. She wondered how Elizabeth could seem so at peace. “My goodness! What happened to her cousin?”
“He was killed, George had a gun and it went off in the fight after they had been discovered. Miranda and George were held until the magistrate could be found and then they were put on trial. We thought that they would be hanged, but Michael asked for the sentence to be that they be transported to Australia for their crimes. He didn’t think that Elizabeth would rest easy with their deaths on her conscience. It has all taken so many months, we thought everything was settled until today. George will be a desperate man, everyone will understand if you want to leave, you must consider what we will be facing by staying here.”
“No!” Charlotte said firmly. “I would not dream of leaving now. You need the help of everyone here, and I will do whatever I can to help.”
“Thank you my dear, the more people there are around Elizabeth, the less likely it is that he will approach her.
Chapter 16
For a week after Stephen had attended Baron Kersal’s den of iniquity, he did not leave the house. His food intake was limited, but his brandy intake was steady. He rose late and refused to see anyone, he remained undressed and unshaven, something previously unheard of. Walter had watched his employer without comment, but had started to secretly dilute the brandy. He could do very little, but he was determined to try and prevent his master from drinking himself to death.
All the staff were worried, as his Lordship had always been in control. They may not have agreed with everything he did, and they all longed for the day when he would settle down, but they had not expected this. Walter had informed the key staff that Lord Halkyn had been refused in a marriage proposal and they all came to the correct conclusion that their employer was in love and suffering the consequences of rejection. The only person still in denial about being in love was Stephen himself.
He did not know what to do with himself. Until he had finished his business with Peters, there had been a purpose. He had said that he would seek revenge on Baron Kersal and that is what he had done. He could do no more. The problem was that once his task was complete, all he could think of was Charlotte and how she had refused his proposal. He was bitter and angry, but instead of doing his usual trick of going out to experience every social activity that polite society could offer and quite a few that it could not, he could not find the motivation to do anything. So, he sat at home, dwelling on a pair of green eyes in a beautiful face and tried to deaden any feeling by drinking himself into a stupor.
A week into this and the pain had subsided into a bitter case of self-pity, another emotion that Stephen was unused to feeling. He was withdrawing into himself and he did not know what to do to return to his former self. He questioned himself time and again, how could such a girl get under his skin so much? She was barely out of the schoolroom, he should have run in the opposite direction as soon as he had discovered that, but instead, he had been drawn to her, had found could not leave her, or forget her. Every time he closed his eyes, she was there, pulling those faces that showed each emotion she was thinking, or coming out with a comment that would surprise him and set him rocking on his heels, unsure of what to say in return.
Walter entered the study quietly; any slight noise gained an abusive outburst these days. He suppressed his frown as he approached Lord Halkyn, who was slumped in the chair, looking barely conscious.
“My Lord, a letter has arrived,” Walter said gently.
“Put it on the fire when you light it, it will have more use there,” Stephen slurred, not opening his eyes.
“I think it may be important, my Lord,” Walter persisted.
“Have you a hidden talent Walter?” Stephen asked, still slurring, but the sarcasm was clear. “Have you started being able to see through parchment, or do you just read my letters?”
“Neither, my Lord,” Walter responded calmly.
“Well then, throw the bloody thing away!” Stephen muttered angrily.
Walter decided to take another approach. “The letter has Lord Dunham’s seal.”
Stephen froze, opened his eyes slightly, but then shrugged. “There is no reason why Dunham would be contacting me.”
“Perhaps Lady Dunham is ill,” Walter suggested, purposely not mentioning the name both men were thinking about.
“She’s as strong as a horse, that one!” Stephen responded, but he had sat up in the chair and run his hands through his hair.
Walter decided to use the information that Stephen had muttered in one of his drunken rants about love, marriage and children. “Ladies who are in a delicate condition can sometimes ail more than they normally would. I do hope she is well. By all accounts she is a fine lady, but not to worry, I shall destroy the letter as you have requested, my Lord.”
“Has anyone ever told you that you could not be devious if your life depended on it?” Stephen muttered, but there was the ghost of a smile on his lips.
“I believe that Napoleon did not fear for his country’s defeat when I offered to help with our nation’s defence,” replied Walter seriously.
“And instead I’ve been cursed with you,” Stephen muttered. “Give me the letter.”
Walter handed over the letter and waited while Stephen opened it and read its contents. He saw Stephen sit up further and grip the letter with more force. When he had read and reread, he crumpled the paper as he slammed his fist down. “Damn the man for being so bloody noble!” He cursed.
“My Lord?” Walter asked gently, almost regretting forcing the letter onto his employer.
“Bloody Dunham! Why couldn’t he be like the rest of us and want to see the people that wrong us hang for their crimes?” Stephen growled. “I need tea, Walter! I need to be able to think. Bring lots of tea!”
Walter left the room with a sense of relief. He was not sure of the contents, but its initial impact had been for his master to want to be sober, which was a step in the right direction.
*
Far too much tea later, along with some ham and bread, and though Stephen did not feel completely sober, his head was clearer than it had been for days. He pondered over what Michael’s letter had said.
There is no one else we would trust and with your recent involvement with Bow Street I hope it will give you an insight into how best to use them. Elizabeth is in real danger, this man has nothing to lose, he has lost everything and has no family left alive to my knowledge. For the first time in my life I am afraid of the consequences. If he should reach Elizabeth before we track him down..., these thoughts and worse have kept me sitting awake at her bedside since I received the news. Please find out what you can and send a reply at the earliest opportunity. He would not have initially known where Dunham Park was located, so I am presuming that his first approach would have been to the London house. Act quickly Halkyn, please.
Michael had enclosed full particulars of the dates that everything had happened, the trial and the sentence. He had finished by giving a full description of George.
Stephen had at first ranted at Michael’s stupidity. This is exactly why he did not want to tie himself to someone whom he loved; if they were ill or worse, how did one continue afterwards? His thoughts were that of someone defensive and still in denial. When he again looked over the letter, his concern for Elizabeth grew. Dunham had been a hit with the ladies in his prime, but one of his attractions was that he was confident about his abilities. He was not one to show fear or uncertainty in public.
Stephen realised the letter must have cost Michael a great deal of pride to write. His panic came through the words as clearly as if he was standing before Stephen and that was what caused the frown on Stephen’s face. Elizabeth was in danger and she was one of the most genuine people that he knew. He considered her a friend, her more than Dunham, an
d for that reason he would help all he could.
Charlotte had not been mentioned in the letter and it had frustrated Stephen, but he should not have expected it. A man almost out of his mind with worry over his wife and unborn child would not think of mentioning his house guest. Even if she was the last person that Stephen actually wanted to know about. She could even be engaged by now; Elizabeth had said that she was going to introduce her to Society. Well they would be welcome to her. He’d like to see what the gentlemen of Somerset thought of a Miss who was determined on romance, without a dowry to encourage it!
Stephen almost reached for the brandy bottle, but stilled as his hand touched it. If he started again he would be no help to Elizabeth. He owed her friendship enough to stay sober. He rang the bell and while waiting for Walter, scribbled out a note.
Walter entered the room and Stephen handed him the sealed letter.
“I need this delivering to Mr Peters tonight. Into his hand, and only into his hand, no matter where he is. Pay whoever or whatever you have to in order that he receives it. I am at home to Peters at whatever time he calls, day or night, and tell Lowe that I need to bathe, to have a change of clothes, and a shave!” Stephen commanded, rubbing his hand over his chin that had the evidence of almost a week worth of stubble.
“Yes my Lord,” Walter replied and left the room. He was going to brighten the day of Lowe the Valet, who had been in a decline since Lord Halkyn had refused to dress.
*
Peters had been shown into Stephen’s drawing room as the clock struck midnight. He had been hard to track down, but had been finally caught up with near the docks, not usually a place to be alone on a dark London night.
Stephen stood when the gentleman entered. “Thank you for coming,” he said, reaching out his hand in greeting. “I did not expect to be seeing you quite so soon again.”
“No my Lord,” Peters said. “I take it from your letter that this has nothing to do with the Kersal case?”
An Inconvenient Trilogy - Three Regency Romances: Inconvenient Ward, Wife, Companion - all published separately on Kindle and paperback Page 33