Fortunately, judging from the sounds beneath the blanket, it appeared the chit was none too pleased with him at the moment. Of course, that also meant she might try getting him in trouble with Clayton.
“Lady Angelique,” he began, as he watched the girl try to emerge from beneath the blanket. “As much as I am honored by your visit tonight, I should tell you that by allying yourself with me, you would be marrying into a family with an illegitimate sibling.” Technically, there were two siblings with questionable parentage, but he wasn’t about to betray that secret, though it was all but common knowledge. “Not only am I as poor as the proverbial church mouse, but any and all money I do obtain will go to ensure my sisters’ well-being and to shore up the estate for future generations. I expect my own life to be lived in modest circumstances, mostly on my estate and only going to London as often as required for my responsibilities in the House of Lords. Further, I….”
But he was cut off by the wrath of Lady Angelique who’d finally fought her way out from under the blanket and was now furiously tying up her dressing gown. “I wouldn’t marry you if you were the last earl standing and all the princes, dukes and marquesses were dead. Even if I had to choose between you and a viscount. A baronet even. You threw a blanket over my head. A blanket! My head! And I wanted to marry you even though I knew about your brother and your sister. It’s one thing to have an earl for a bastard brother. But if you think I would have allowed that bastard sister of yours to remain under our roof, you…”
“Enough!” Colin could withstand any humiliation regarding himself, but never his family. “Leave my room now and I shan’t tell your brother of your deplorable behavior.”
“I don’t know what that means!” shouted Angelique. “But you have been a beast. In fact….”
Her tirade was interrupted by Stemple entering the room in a hurry, followed by the kitchen maid Maude.
“My lord,” said Stemple, barely glancing at Lady Angelique. “Have you seen Miss Conway?”
Colin’s attention was immediately captured. “I thought she was in her room.”
“The butler came to fetch her a moment ago. He said Lady Angelique needed her.”
“What would I want with her?” asked Angelique.
“It’s Lord Clayton, sir. It’s got to be,” said Maude. “He’s had his eye on Ava and means to have her. I know he does.”
Colin was out the door before Maude had even finished her sentence. He thought his warning to Clayton had been sufficient. But evidently it had not been.
*
The door slammed behind her and Ava heard a key turning. Ferguson had evidently locked her in. All of her senses were on alert, even as her eyes were adjusting to the dim light. She was in the sitting room of one of the empty bedchambers in the family wing. She could see candlelight approach from the adjoining bedchamber. Then the person holding the candle came into view.
Lord Clayton.
“How happy I am you could join me, my dear,” he said, as he lit a large candelabra.
Ava did not give in to panic. That was what Clayton wanted.
“I was told Lady Angelique was in need of my services. If you will unlock this door I shall go in search of her.”
“Did Ferguson lock you in? I am sure that was quite unnecessary.” Yet he made no move to unlock the door. “You were very clever tonight. At first, I must admit I was a little irritated by your disobeying my command. But once I thought about it, I understood. You had no desire to kiss Ridgeway. I cannot blame you. The man is hardly a proper earl. But you did look quite fetching performing for all of us. Perhaps you should consider a career on the stage.”
“I am happy with the one I have chosen. Now, if you will allow me to do my job and attend to your sister.”
“I believe you know by now that my sister does not require your services. Indeed, I have heard countless times how neither of them wants you around. It is only through my intercession with Mama that you still have a position in this household. What would you do, dear Ava, if you lost your job?”
Ava tried to control her breathing as best she could. If she lost her job, she would be in dire straits for she felt sure she would not get a character reference from Clayton. How would she support herself if that were to happen?
“I can see I distressed you,” said Clayton. “I did not mean to do that. Pray, have a seat. I have taken the liberty of pouring you a glass of wine.”
Ava looked at the glass, but did not touch it. She would not put it past this man to drug her. He was not the gentleman Lord Ridgeway was.
“Sit down, Ava.”
It was a command, rather than an invitation.
She sat in a chair.
He chuckled. “I was hoping we might sit next to each other on the settee. But please be seated wherever you feel comfortable.”
She waited for him to speak again.
“Will you not have any wine?”
She picked up the glass from the table in front of her.
“Ava, it is not enough to pick up the glass. You must also drink from it.”
“I have not given you leave to use my Christian name, my lord.”
“There are a great many things you have not yet given me leave to do, though I like to think that will all change. It must be such drudgery for a spirited woman like yourself to have to work as a governess. For one thing, the clothing is horrid, though you look most enticing tonight in your prim flannel nightrail. How would you like a silk one, my dear? That could be arranged. As could a new position. Several positions. All under me.”
She stood. “My lord, your innuendo becomes tiresome. I have no intention of becoming your mistress tonight or ever. You will unlock that door at once.”
“Or what?” he asked with amusement.
“Or you shall regret it.”
He was on his feet in an instant, but instead of moving to the door, he swept her into his arms. She stomped on his foot, but since she was not wearing shoes and he was in boots, it hurt her much more than him.
“So you like it rough, do you?” Clayton pulled her hair back, exposing her neck, which he began to nuzzle.
Ava swung the heavy crystal wine glass in the direction of his head but was only able to land a glancing blow before she dropped it. It was, however, enough to get him to loosen his hold. She screamed, then ran toward the door. However, he was able to grab her dressing gown.
“You’ll pay for that. But you’ll enjoy it just the same.”
Someone in the hall tried the lock, then pounded on the door. “Miss Conway!”
It sounded like Lord Ridgeway.
“Let go of me, Lord Clayton!”
“Not yet, my dear,” he said as he pulled her toward him again.
Then two things happened simultaneously. The door came crashing open and Ava brought her knee up to Lord Clayton’s groin.
Lord Ridgeway was by her side in an instant, then he pushed her toward Maude. Just as Clayton was able to stand upright Lord Ridgeway planted him a facer that sent him sprawling across the room.
Lord Ridgeway advanced on Clayton. Ava went to Ridgeway and physically pulled him back. “No, my lord. It is not worth it.”
“He had you locked in here against your will! I heard your cry for help.”
“Yes. But, thanks to you, I am no longer in need of assistance.”
“In truth, you were doing quite well for yourself. Did you really knee him in the bal….painful area?”
She smiled just a bit. “Yes, my lord. My father taught me that.”
“Ridgeway!” Clayton was still on the floor. “I think you broke my nose, you bastard.”
“I’m considering calling you out, Clayton. If the worst you end up with is a crooked nose to remember me by, consider yourself lucky.”
“Call me out? I was only having a bit of fun with that lightskirt.”
Lord Ridgeway took two steps toward Clayton, though Ava was doing everything in her power to hold him in place. “Say that again and you’ll meet m
e at dawn.”
“Gentlemen, please!” said Ava. “I will not have this on my conscience. And you are attracting an audience.”
Most of the houseguests – at least the ones who weren’t passed out drunk – were in the hall gawking at the two men. A few were laying wagers about the outcome of a prospective duel.
Then Lady Angelique stepped into the room, followed by her sister. “Clayton,” said Angelique. “Make Ridgeway leave this house at once! He is poor! And ungrateful! He is ungratefully poor!”
“Get out of my house, Ridgeway,” said Clayton from the floor. “Immediately.”
“I will not leave Miss Conway unguarded.”
“That is none of your concern,” said Clayton.
“Get rid of Conway, while you’re at it,” said Anastasia. “And the next time you hire a governess, make sure you get one with better fashion sense. I cannot bear those dreary gowns of hers.”
“Miss Conway will leave when I want her to go,” said Clayton. “And at the moment I very much want her to stay.”
Lord Ridgeway was still breathing hard. Ava suddenly realized she had been holding him. She stepped away. He caught her arm.
“You will not be safe here, Miss Conway,” he said.
“I managed him once. I can do so, again.”
“Even if that were true, do you really want this constant battle?”
She didn’t. She was terrified as to what would happen. Sooner or later Clayton would catch her. Sooner or later he would have his way. She had to find the means to leave as soon as possible. In the morning, she would send inquiries to employment agencies in London.
She looked at Ridgeway. “I will find a way to persevere.”
“Miss Conway, once again I regretfully must inform you of the obvious. I have no money other than the blunt Clayton gave me last night.”
“And I would like that back,” said Clayton, still from the floor.
Ridgeway ignored him. “I cannot offer you employment at my estate since my sisters already have a governess. Even the invaluable Stemple is working without wages. But I can offer you safe passage with us and you can remain at the estate until you find another position. I will help in any way I can. It will not be luxurious by any means, but it will be better than remaining here. I am sure of it.”
Ava was sure of it, too. “I am not in the practice of asking for favors.”
“By coming with us now, you would be granting a favor. Your removal from this house is the only thing that will prevent me from beating Clayton to a pulp. Though there is a part of me that believes I should do it anyway.”
Ava had to smile. “Thank you, my lord. I would like to come with you.”
And suddenly, it was as if a weight had been lifted from her.
Clayton laughed mirthlessly. “If given a choice between watching that touching scene and being kneed in the bollocks again, I’d choose the latter.”
“And I would be happy to oblige,” said Ridgeway.
Ava turned to see Maude looking at her, stricken. Maude. Her only friend. Maude, who would now be completely unprotected in this house.
Perhaps Lord Ridgeway saw the sadness on Ava’s face. Or the devastation on Maude’s. Or his valet’s despair. Whatever the reason, it made him speak again. “Miss Maude, I do not believe I need to mention yet again my dismal financial affairs. But if you would like to accompany us, I will do what I can to find you a position.”
Maude’s eyes filled with tears and her lips trembled as she bobbed a curtsey. “Thank you, milord. I would like to come with you.”
Ridgeway turned back to Clayton. “I trust you will pay the ladies their wages. You have a house full of witnesses. You wouldn’t want it spread about town that you don’t pay your debts.”
“Well, you would know what that’s like,” replied Clayton. “I will pay them their wages. However, I shall send their earnings to your estate. After all, I wouldn’t want you to rob them on your journey home. Now, if you will all four leave the premises with some haste. I expect you to be gone within the hour.”
“With pleasure, my lord,” said Ava.
She had no idea what her future would bring. But it had to be better than working for Clayton.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Not quite an hour later, Colin and Stemple, along with the two ladies, stepped out of the manor. This was about as far from a successful conclusion to his overall mission that Colin could imagine. Not only had he failed to secure a rich bride during the last few months in town, but he was now bringing home three additional mouths to feed. But he couldn’t have left either of the women behind. He had a feeling Stemple was especially pleased that Maude was accompanying them.
It wasn’t yet five in the morning when they set out from the manor toward the village. Clayton had made it clear that his carriage would not be available to take them to town. Thank God the viscount hadn’t insisted on having his blunt returned from the night before. At least they would be able to rent a carriage once they reached the village.
“Might I take your valise?” Colin asked Miss Conway. Stemple had already packed Maude’s sack into his own bag. The two of them were now walking behind Colin and Miss Conway.
“Thank you, my lord, but is it not heavy and I am well able to carry it.”
“Yet it is not very gentlemanly of me to expect you to do so.”
“While I thank you for the offer, you are an earl and I am a servant, my lord.”
“By some error of birth, that is a correct assessment. But the next day of travel could be difficult. I am better able to bear the physical burden of carrying the bags. And will you not call me Colin? We will be spending a great deal of time together.”
“It would not be proper, my lord.”
“I am not suggesting an elopement to Gretna Green, Miss Conway. Only that we dispense with formalities, especially since your reputation would still be in peril if people found you were travelling with me, regardless of Maude’s presence. So, please call me Colin. You can ‘my lord’ me to your heart’s desire once we reach my estate.”
“All right, Colin,” she said, as if trying out the name to see if it fit. “My name is Ava.”
“Thank you, Ava. Now, how much longer is it until we reach the village?”
“About two miles, sir.”
“No ‘sirs,’ Ava. A sir is simply an abbreviated ‘my lord.’”
“Will there be many more rules, my…Colin?”
“If there are, I shan’t hesitate to let you know. Part of me is very earl-like. If only I had the corresponding purse.”
They walked along in silence. Colin could hear the quiet murmurings of Stemple and Maude behind them. He and Stemple hadn’t had much of a chance to speak as they packed, since Clayton’s guests had come in to regale him with their drunken wit. But Colin had a feeling Stemple would be willing to walk across England if he could do so with Maude beside him. And just from a few glances at her face, it appeared the cook’s assistant was not at all unhappy with the arrangement, either.
The light pink of dawn was just beginning to brighten the sky when they reached the village. Though warmed somewhat by the walk, Colin still felt chilled to the bone. His boots had apparently been made for fashion and not long walks in the snow.
“Maude said the inn rents carriages,” said Stemple, pointing to a ramshackle business in the lane. It was still early, but there was smoke coming from a fireplace.
The four of them walked to the inn and Colin asked a sleepy stable lad to fetch the owner. Several minutes passed before the man appeared before them, looking none too happy to be called out into the cold.
“I would like to rent a carriage,” said Colin.
The innkeeper surveyed them, taking note of the cut of Colin’s coat. “I got none to rent you.”
Colin looked at the stable before them. “It appears that you have plenty of horses and more than a few carriages.”
“That I do. But I got none to rent to you.”
Colin could not u
nderstand the man’s reticence. He even had coin to pay him. But then he recalled the sound of a rider setting out from the manor as he’d been packing. What had Clayton done?
“I must return to my estate. Surely you have some conveyance to rent me?”
The innkeeper looked truly conflicted. “But you’re the Earl of Ridgeway, ain’t you?”
Damn Clayton. “I am.”
“Then I can’t do nothing. Viscount Clayton’s orders. He told everyone in the village the same thing.”
“I can pay you.”
“Not much from what I hear. And if I take your coin now, Clayton will see to it that I never get any business from his estate ever again. He’s got a long memory, he has. Can’t afford to make him angry.”
“He would never know.”
“He would. Got spies everywhere, he does.”
Colin considered going door to door, hoping to find someone willing to help them. But the innkeeper had the right of it. Clayton was vindictive. Anyone who defied him would suffer, and Colin had no wish to be the cause of someone’s punishment at the hands of his old school chum.
“How far is it to the next village?” asked Colin.
“Ten miles or so. But that’s just a small one. If’n you want to get to a town of any size, it’s another six miles after that.”
Colin wanted to groan aloud. He wanted to go back to the manor and break Clayton’s nose again. But he couldn’t do either of those things because he had to find a way to get everyone to his estate in time for Christmas, whereupon he would retire to his nice warm suite and sleep for a good week.
Speaking of sleep, he realized neither Stemple nor, he suspected, Maude had slept at all the previous night. He and Ava had only slept a few hours. It was imperative that he find a carriage to rent. But even before that, they needed food.
“Can you serve us breakfast?” he asked the innkeeper.
The man considered it for a moment. “Well, his lordship’s man didn’t say nothing against it.”
“Excellent.”
“But he didn’t say that I could, neither. And I have a feeling Lord Clayton would prefer it if I didn’t serve you.”
“We shall not tell him if you don’t,” said Colin.
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