Gerald gazed at her without a hint of sympathy or warmth in his eyes. “The Lord demands honesty so I shall obey.”
“Which lord?” Harriet asked.
He shook his head, either with reproach or because he believed she lacked intelligence. “I was about to say that if The Lord God took your son to his bosom I would become my Uncle’s heir.” He waved a finger at Harriet. “No, no, I did not mean to distress you. I came to assure you neither I nor my dear wife would ever be wicked enough to make an attempt on an innocent child’s life.”
Suspicious, Harriet caught her lower lip between her teeth as she scrutinised his face. He had more to gain by her son’s death than anyone else.
“What is more we cannot approve of my uncle’s shocking attempt to force Arthur to shoot his pony.” A shake of Gerald’s head emphasised his words. “If you do not wish to remain at Clarencieux, Mrs Stanton and I would be pleased to accommodate you.”
“Thank you for your kind offer which I shall consider -”
“Don’t refuse without careful consideration,” he broke in. “It is my Christian duty to help you and your fatherless child.” He glanced at his wife, who stood motionless with her head bent. “Mrs Stanton, please tell Lady Castleton she and her son would be welcome at the rectory.”
“Yes, indeed you would, for one cannot help sympathising with you.” Sarah said, in even tones as though she were like a puppet manipulated by her husband.
“Thank you for your invitation but I shall not impose on you and your husband, so there is no more to be said. Shall we return to the nursery?”
Harriet held the door open for the Stantons, and smiled at the sound of Arthur’s giggle.
On all fours, Jack looked towards her. “You see me at a disadvantage, Aunt Castleton.” He scrambled to his feet, heightened colour in his cheeks.
“A bear,” Arthur shouted, “Cousin Jack pretended to be a bear.”
“You should not over excite children,” Mrs Stanton protested.
Bessie picked up Frederick and handed him to his mother, while Jack, in spite of Arthur’s protest, left the nursery, followed by Mrs Stanton.
“You are welcome, most welcome to stay with us,” Mister Stanton persisted, before he followed his wife.
Certain Bessie would keep a close watch on Arthur, Harriet went to the drawing room in which Mister Markham waited.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Dominic bowed when Harriet entered the drawing room. A swift glance at her pale face aroused his compassion and confirmed his decision. “You may tell Lord Castleton that, whenever he wishes, he is welcome to visit Prince to see the pony is contented in his new stable.”
“Thank you for your thoughtfulness.”
“There is no need to thank me.”
Do unshed tears glint in her ladyship’s eyes? Dominic asked himself before he spoke again. “My lady, please accept my sympathy. Your situation is intolerable.”
Harriet sank onto a chair. “You are not the first person to say so. Lady Isobel, the Buckleys and the Stantons also expressed the same sentiment, and assured me they were not guilty of attempted murder. Each of them suggested Arthur and I should visit them. Of course, I refused their invitations.”
Dominic took a seat. “Because you don’t trust any of them?”
She nodded.
“Although I understand why you declined, you cannot remain here. Until now, Pennington has been considered eccentric. Today, his behaviour indicates his intellect is unsound.”
“You are charitable, Mister Markham. I think he is as crazy as a mad dog.”
Dominic chuckled. “Amongst other things, I admire your forthrightness.”
Harriet’s arched eyebrows rose but she did not respond to his compliment.
“When I first set eyes on you kneeling by your son after he nearly drowned, I compared you to an exquisite fairy with a crown of glorious brown hair.” He smiled. “Now, I believe you wove magic when I first looked into your beautiful blue eyes.”
Colour crept into Harriet’s cheeks. “Lud, sir, you flatter me. I am a mere mortal incapable of weaving magic.”
“Don’t you believe there is more than one kind of spell? I do, and I confess that I am bound by yours?”
“Please don’t flirt with me.”
“I am not.”
Her long eyelashes fluttered, then stilled, concealing her eyes.
“Lady Castleton, please look at me. I know you love your son, and would do anything to protect him. so, you must agree it is plain neither of you should remain here. At first, I intended to invite you and Lord Castleton to stay at the rectory until other arrangements can be made.”
Discomposed when Harriet laughed, Dominic broke off.
“I apologise for my amusement.” She gazed up at him. “Mister Markham, you know, you are not the only person to offer to accommodate us up. Thankfully, unlike another gentleman, who asked me to marry him, you have not made a well-meaning proposal of a marriage of convenience, which would protect me and my son.”
His blood seemed to freeze. She would not, could not marry for such reason. “Did you turn him down?”
Harriet nodded. “Yes, I explained that when my husband and I first met, the sweet music, which Shakespeare described as the food of love, seemed to play. So, I hope he understood I could never agree to such a marriage.”
“Even if he did not, I understand.” Dominic clenched his hands. “When I suggested to Gwenifer that we should invite you to stay at the rectory, she feared that, if you agreed, it might cause scandal. Her recommendation is for you put up with my parents until your future is decided.”
Harriet sighed. “My future? What future? Perhaps it would be for the best if Arthur and I drown in the lake.” She put her hands over her face. “No, don’t listen to me. I am foolish beyond belief.”
“Not so, you are frightened.” Shocked by her reaction, Dominic knelt by her chair. “Look at me, Lady Castleton. Matters are better than you know. He clasped her hands in his. “I have received an answer to one of the advertisements.”
Her eyes widened. “Good news?”
“Yes, it seems so. Your father’s nephew, Sir Julian, has written. He hopes to meet you when he visits London in the second week of September, and invites you to call on him with your son.”
Harriet sprang up from her chair like an excited child. “A cousin! I have a cousin. My own flesh and blood. Thank you, Mister Markham, thank you for your help.”
When he stood, Lady Castleton hugged him. Fire raged through Dominic. With an urgent finger, he tilted her chin towards him. For a second, her eyes blazed. With desire? She turned her head aside. “I am sorry.” When she tried to withdraw from his arms, he could not bear to let go of her.
Pennington entered the drawing room. “A tender scene. It touches my heart,” he drawled.
Dominic held back a curse. Absorbed in each other he and Harriet had not heard the door open.
Pennington’s eyes gleamed. “I shall arrange a splendid wedding breakfast. My dear child, after you go to your new home, Arthur and I shall live here.”
Like an agile mother cat with claws extended to attack her tormentor, Harriet turned in Dominic’s arms. “I would never abandon Arthur to your care. Besides-”
“Good day,” said Major Tarrant, who had followed the earl with his wife. “I hope Mrs Tarrant and I are not interrupting an important discussion.”
“You!” Pennington glared at them while Dominic released Harriet.
Georgianne smiled. “Lady Castleton, may I be the first to congratulate you on your betrothal to Mister Markham, whose acquaintance I look forward to furthering?” The expression in her china-blue eyes hard, she looked at Pennington as though she considered to be him no more than a fillet of malodourous fish. “It is out of the question for Arthur to remain with his grandfather after the wedding.”
In turn, the earl sniffed as if he smelt something offensive. “Mrs Tarrant, Arthur’s future is my concern. I once told you that
I have never harmed a child so there is no reason why my grandson should not live with me.”
“There is every reason-” Harriet began.
Georgianne’s hand waved her to silence. “Lady Castleton, since I introduced you to your father-in-law, you have been much on my mind. Due to his character I wondered if you would have done better to forge a new life elsewhere. A life my husband and I would have facilitated.”
“Thank you. Indeed, Arthur and I should not have accepted my father-in-law’s hospitality.
Pennington took a step towards the major’s wife. “Mrs Tarrant, there is no need to concern yourself with either my heir or his mother. I have provided for them. When she marries Mister Markham, I shall give Lady Castleton a generous dowry and take good care of Arthur.” If his tone of voice could have turned Mrs Tarrant into a pillar of ice, it would have done so.
Dominic frowned. Petite as Harriet, Mrs Tarrant’s self-assurance compensated for her diminutive height.
“You are mistaken, my lord.” Harriet spoke clearly and slowly. “I will not relinquish my son, and I will not accept a dowry from you.”
Major Tarrant inclined his head towards Harriet. “I understand why you no longer wish to be under any obligation to your father-in-law.” He bowed. “Lady Castleton, Mister Markham, may I add my congratulations to my wife’s? Indeed, Lady Castleton, Mrs Tarrant has been concerned about your welfare. Since you cannot wish to stay here for a moment longer than necessary, you are welcome to visit us for an indefinite period.”
Anxious, Dominic looked at Harriet. The Tarrants had witnessed Harriet enfolded in his arms. What would the major and his wife think of them if they declared a misunderstanding occurred, and explained they were not betrothed? Dominic squeezed Harriet’s hand to warn her not to declare she would not marry him.
Mrs Tarrant smiled. “Harriet, I am sure my husband is right. I daresay you wish to be gone without delay. I suggest you order the servants to pack for you and Arthur. Afterwards we may immediately be on our way.”
Dominic squeezed Harriet’s hand again to warn her not to arouse suspicion. “In spite of your kind-heartedness, I regret we must disappoint you, Mrs Tarrant. Lady Castleton and I have decided she and her son will visit my parents.” Dominic squeezed Harriet’s hand again to warn her not to arouse suspicion.
“No!” Pennington pointed at his daughter-in-law. “Arthur shall not take one step out of the abbey with that woman. I have enough strong footmen to prevent him leaving. As for you and your husband, Mrs Tarrant, neither of you are welcome here. Leave Clarencieux Abbey now.”
“I think not!” Georgianne exclaimed before Harriet could speak. With complete composure she sat on a sofa. “All of you, please seat yourselves.”
Major Tarrant obeyed, his false leg stretched out in front of him. Dominic escorted Lady Castleton to a chair. He stood next to it instead of sitting down. Pennington, his face a furious mask of powder and rouge, remained on his feet, his back to the fireplace.
“If Lady Castleton wishes to, we shall leave with her and her son.” Georgianne waved her forefinger at Pennington. “My lord,” she began, her intonation making a mockery of the title, “you seem to have forgotten my wedding day when, in spite of my guardian’s consent, you burst into the church in an attempt to prevent the marriage. Have you also forgotten that, outraged by my refusal to become your wife, you later kidnapped Barbara, my youngest sister in an attempt to take your revenge? Next, you tried to blackmail me by forcing me to agree to spend a night in your bed before you released my sister.”
If Mrs Tarrant intended to kill the earl in a duel, her eyes could not have been more deadly.
“Even kidnapping a little girl did not enough to satisfy you,” she continued, in an ice cold, level tone, “you abducted Helen, my younger sister, with the intention of marrying her with the hope she would bear you a son.”
Horrified by the revelations, Dominic gazed at Harriet. To judge by her rounded eyes, her astonishment seemed to match his own.
“Why are you dredging up the past?” The earl’s hands trembled. He clasped them together. “It can be of no interest to anyone.”
“Can it not?” Georgianne’s laughter mocked Pennington. “The broadsheets are always willing to report crimes, and there are some the ton will never forgive. Do you wish to be ostracised? If the truth is told, I would not be surprised if you were no longer welcome at your London club. And I doubt you would be received at court.”
“Damn you!” Pennington shook from head to foot, and maquillage could not conceal his cheeks, scarlet with rage. “You are mistaken, it is you and your sisters who would be ruined.”
“In a worthy cause, if it prevented you from spoiling Lady Castleton and her child’s lives,” Georgianne retorted.
Dominic whistled low. His respect for the lady increased with every word she spoke.
“And,” drawled the major, “Don’t forget my wife’s pocket pistol which she threatened you with when she rescued her younger sister. Armed with the pistol and her dagger she is worthy of her father, who was a gallant officer in The Glory Boys.” With a strong resemblance to a crocodile gliding towards potential prey, the major eyed Pennington. “We shall not linger to partake of nuncheon.” He stood. “Come, my love. Our bandboxes have been packed and loaded onto the carriage.”
Tarrant bowed to Harriet. “Please remember that should you ever be in need, my wife and I are at your service. Mister Markham, if your future wife and stepson have caused to complain, you shall be answerable to my wife. And,” he smiled ruefully, “believe me, it is something no gentleman with a sense of self-preservation would wish. Honesty compels me to admit I cower when her temper is aroused.”
Georgianne laughed. “Nonsense Tarrant. What a shocking fabrication. Don’t believe him. Good day to you, Harriet, Mister Markham.”
She ignored Pennington when, her arm linked with her husband’s, they left the drawing room.
The earl scowled and followed the Tarrants out of the room.
Alone with Dominic, still perched on the edge of the gilt-legged chair, Harriet looked up at him. “What should we do? My mind is awhirl. I was grateful to my father-in-law for providing a roof over my head and Arthur’s, but I never liked him.” Agitated, she clasped her hands together. “No matter how shocked I am by Mrs Tarrant’s revelations; I cannot impose on you or your parents.”
“I am confident they will sympathise with your situation and make you welcome.”
Doubtful, Harriet looked up at him. “What a twisted coil. How shall we unwind it?”
“You refer to our betrothal?”
Harriet nodded.
For the second time that morning, Dominic knelt in front of her. This time, he took possession of her hands. “I shall be proud to introduce you to my parents as my future wife.”
Harriet clutched his hands. “You are too good, but for you to be forced into marriage is unacceptable. Besides, I am certain they expect you to wed a lady whose birth equals your own, and who has a large dowry.” Distraught she wrenched her hands from his gentle clasp.
Dominic recaptured them. “Hush. My parents’ marriage was arranged by their families, yet they fell in love and have remained so ever since. Although circumstances have arranged our betrothal, don’t you think you might learn to love me?”
The door opened. Jack bounced into the room with all the enthusiasm of a young man. “Look at both of you, a pair of lovebirds if ever I saw any. Be careful, Mister Markham, my Aunt Castleton will have you caged, cooing and tamed before you can draw breath.”
Dominic stood, his shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter. “Irreverent pup, please spare my future bride’s blushes.”
“I beg your pardon,” Jack apologised, without the slightest sign of repentance. “Must say I never expected to be so entertained when Mamma insisted I visit the earl. Attempted murder, lovers only with eyes for each other and, best of all, the tale of Grandpapa’s shocking misdeeds, which I chanced to overhear through an
open window. All of us knew the old rascal is eccentric. None of us guessed how wicked he is. I could not be more entertained at the theatre.”
Harriet stood. “How dare you speak so cold-heartedly with regard to the attempt on your cousin’s life?”
“My apologies, Aunt Castleton. The thing is, Arthur is safe and all the grooms and stable boys are being questioned about the loose girth. I did not mean to distress you.”
“I accept your apology, but, in future, I suggest you should consider your words more carefully,” Harriet scolded, as though he had reminded her of some of the high-spirited, junior officers she had known in the peninsular. “After all, you are a member of the Upper House with great responsibilities.”
“Yes, and so is grandfather, and he does become heated over certain government policies.” Jack looked at them whistling low. “Whatever you might think, he is not insane. He is a tyrant. However, there is no excuse for him riding roughshod over everyone.” The colour in Jack’s cheeks increased, an indication of his embarrassment. “Grandfather believes his title and his wealth entitle him to do whatever he wishes regardless of anyone else’s sensibilities, which he never considers.”
“Thank you for your explanation,” Harriet murmured after a brief silence.
When Jack did not reply, Dominic spoke. “Lady Castleton, I shall ride back to the rectory to tell my sister we are betrothed, before returning in the carriage within the hour to collect you and Arthur.” He looked at Jack. “In the meantime please don’t allow Pennington to bully your aunt.”
* * *
Dominic’s mare trotted from Clarencieux towards the Rectory. She needed little guidance from him for she knew her way back to the stable.
So, he would be shackled for life, yet, if he could win her love, the chains would be insignificant. Dominic pressed his lips into a firm line. After he was discovered with a lady in his arms, only an unscrupulous man would have refused to propose marriage to her. What a tangled knot, from which there was no escape. If either of them cried off, Harriet’s reputation would be tarnished. Something he could not be responsible for.
Tuesday's Child (Heroines Born on Each Day of the Week Book 3) Page 22