by Mary Nichols
‘And before you say a word, I did not ask for it,’ Davy said. ‘It was her own idea. She wanted to read it and find out if the earl really was engaged to Miss Gilpin.’
‘She could not understand the writing,’ Mrs Hay said. ‘She asked me to read it to her. It is not from Mr Gilpin.’
Alex took the letter, which came from a firm of lawyers. He scanned it quickly and learned the coachmaker had never recovered from his immersion in the noisome waters of the Thames. He had been in his bed for a week and finally succumbed.
‘This is dreadful news,’ Alex said. ‘Charlotte must be told and I dread to think how she will receive it. She is all alone in the world now and I am incarcerated in here.’ He flung the letter down and began pacing the room, banging one fist into the other palm. ‘The earl told everyone he had had a letter from Mr Gilpin giving his consent to the marriage.’
‘He was lying,’ Davy said.
‘Obviously and hoping no one would ask him to produce it. But if he finds out where Charlotte is...’ He stopped, imagining the scene, a mourning and tearful Charlotte, with no one to turn to except the earl. Would she? And if she did, had he any right to interfere? He was no longer on the case. The man who had employed him was no more. He regretted, more than he could possibly express, that he had not told Charlotte of his love for her the last time he had seen her. At least then, she would know and it might have given her strength to fight Lord Falsham.
He turned to Mrs Hay. ‘Madam, can nothing be done?’
‘We must wait for my husband to return. He understands about Portuguese justice and will know what to do.’
‘We’ll get you out, my lord,’ Davy said. ‘Do not despair.’
‘Thank you, my friend.’
‘And don’t disclose where Miss Gilpin is no matter how hard they try to get it out of you,’ Davy added. ‘While they do not know where she is, you will live.’
‘I have already thought of that, Davy,’ he said, with a half-smile.
‘For that reason we have decided not to visit her, in case we are followed,’ Mrs Hay said. ‘It means she will not learn of her father’s demise until you can tell her, but she is worried enough about you, so perhaps it is for the best.’
‘Someone followed me after I left you, my lady.’
‘Yes, it was one of the footmen who was tempted by the reward the earl offered. He has been dismissed.’
‘It seems there are few people we can trust,’ Alex said. ‘I am grateful for those who stand by me.’
‘I have known you for many years, Alex, and I have always found you honest and thoughtful of others,’ she said. ‘I pray you will get out of this coil safely and take your Charlotte home to London. She will make you a splendid marchioness, I think.’
‘If she will have me.’
‘Oh, I do not doubt that for a moment.’ She was smiling as she stood up and shook out her skirts. ‘You have only to ask.’
The door was opened to let his visitors out. Alex sank back on the bed, unsure whether to be optimistic or not.
* * *
Charlotte, who knew this was the day of Alex’s so-called trial, was on hot coals the whole day, wondering what was happening. Sister Charity had said none of the nuns would go to the court for fear a nun showing an interest in the proceedings would attract attention and though there were men employed at the convent to do the heavy work, they could not send them because no one knew who she was or why she was with them and it was best they did not. So how was she to find out if Alex had convinced them of his innocence or been condemned?
She washed and fed the babies, hugging them to her for comfort, hers as well as theirs. No one came to her with news, not even the Minister’s wife. She felt abandoned, just as the little ones for whom she cared had been abandoned, their survival dependent on the nuns who did their best for them, but it wasn’t like having a loving family. Was that to be her fate too?
She tried telling herself that Alex would not leave her to her fate, but supposing he had no choice? Surely they would not condemn him on the word of that fiend, Lord Falsham? If only she could give evidence, she would soon convince the judge of the truth. Why was Alex trying to do this all on his own? And why had she not heard from Papa? Why would he write to the earl and not to her? Would the nuns stop her if she tried to leave?
And then an idea came to her. Nuns were covered from head to foot and no one would dare molest one of them, would they? She began to lay plans.
* * *
Alex jumped up from contemplating the floor when Edward Hay was admitted to his cell. ‘Edward, thank goodness, you have come,’ he said. ‘Can you get me out of here?’
‘I have spoken to the Count of Oeires, his Majesty’s Chief Minister, and he has intervened on your behalf. He is anxious to maintain good relations with the British Government and he does not want this affair to escalate into a political storm. On certain conditions, you will be released into my custody.’
‘Conditions? I will wager one of them is that I reveal the whereabouts of Miss Gilpin.’
‘That is hardly necessary, since I know where she is.’
‘And you have told the Portuguese, I suppose. How could you do that? Falsham will grab her back as soon as he learns it.’
‘No, for she is to reside with me until she can be repatriated with a suitable escort and a female companion. Falsham would not dare defy my ruling on the matter.’
‘You know her father is dead?’
‘Yes, and I am sorry for it.’
‘She will need comfort and support.’
‘It will be provided.’
‘Is she already at your house?’
‘No. I came straight here as soon as my wife told me what had happened. I will fetch her after I’ve left you.’
‘What are these conditions, then?’
‘You do not attempt to see Miss Gilpin and you do not confront the Earl of Falsham. You will leave Lisbon on the first available vessel going to England.’
Alex’s face, which had hitherto been sombre, lit with a smile. ‘And will it also be the one Miss Gilpin travels on?’
Edward shrugged, but he was smiling. ‘Who is to tell? We shall have to wait and see.’
‘Does Falsham know of these conditions?’
‘He will be informed.’
‘Then I wonder what he will do. I cannot see him giving up.’
‘He will have no choice, and now there is no Mr Gilpin for him to fall back on, I do not see what he can do. Unless, of course, Miss Gilpin decides to accept his suit, but I cannot see that happening, can you?’
‘I sincerely hope not.’
‘If he asks for her and she agrees, I will let him see her for a few moments, in my presence, so that she may confirm to him and to me that she will not marry him.’
‘Thank you.’
‘Now, come with me. My carriage is outside. I will take you to your lodgings. Your man is waiting for you there. You will stay there until I send you word.’
* * *
Half an hour later he was being greeted by a jubilant Davy. ‘Good to see you, my lord. I knew they would have to let you out.’
Alex smiled wearily. ‘It is a start, but I am under house arrest and may not attempt to see Miss Gilpin.’
‘I reckon she’s safe enough where she is.’
‘Mr Hay is going to fetch her to stay with him.’
‘It makes a difference, her pa being dead, don’t it?’
‘Yes. It means she is independent and may conduct her own affairs and marry or not marry as she chooses.’
‘Then your work is done.’
‘In a way, yes.’
‘What do you mean “in a way”?’
‘Do you think I could leave her here, alone and unprotected?’
‘So he will, but he is a diplomat and he won’t do anything to upset the Portuguese authorities. I don’t feel happy about it. Something in my bones tells me we are not at the end of the road yet.’
‘You are too glum, my lord. I heard there was a ship due in soon from the Cape on its way to London.’
‘Good. I shall not breathe easily until it weighs anchor and we are all safely on our way to England.’
* * *
Alex’s premonition was borne out when Edward returned half an hour later. ‘I have just come from the convent,’ he said. ‘Miss Gilpin has slipped her leash and disappeared. You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you, Alex?’
Alex, who was having a meal Davy had brought in from one of the nearby eating houses, jumped up in alarm, his cutlery clattering onto his plate. ‘No, I do not. How can she have gone? I asked Mrs Hay to impress upon her the importance of not leaving the sanctuary of the convent.’
‘She evidently did not think that advice worth heeding.’
Alex was both alarmed and angry. Why was she so independent, so stubborn, but so courageous? ‘We have to find her before Falsham does.’
‘He cannot harm her now,’ Edward said. ‘He has shot his bolt.’
‘She doesn’t know that,’ Davy pointed out. ‘She thinks the captain’s still in gaol. She’ll be off to persuade them to let him out.’
‘In a nun’s habit,’ Edward put in. ‘She stole one from a laundry basket. She left a note promising to return it.’
‘We must go to the gaol then and intercept her, otherwise they may hand her over to Falsham.’ Alex was already halfway to the door. ‘The judge was not sympathetic to my case and I think he believed the earl’s story.’
‘Get in my carriage,’ Edward said. ‘It will not take many minutes.’
Davy climbed up on the box beside the driver and Alex tumbled into the carriage with Edward. He was anxious and afraid. Portuguese justice was not like British justice, although sometimes even that could be bought, though not so easily since the blind magistrate, Sir John Fielding, had taken over and the Piccadilly Gentleman’s Club was becoming a force to be reckoned with. There was no one like that in Portugal.
The horses were toiling up the hill towards the castle and could not go fast enough for Alex. ‘Just when it seemed everything was going right for a change, the foolish girl had to go and take matters into her own hands,’ he said. ‘I shall have strong words to say to her when I see her.’
That would not happen as soon as he had hoped. When they reached the castle they discovered the lady had been and gone.
Chapter Twelve
After a wait of two hours in the vestibule of the castle governor’s quarters, Charlotte had been shown into his presence, only to discover he did not speak English and could not understand her questions. The odd few phrases of Portuguese she had learned from the nuns was not sufficient to make herself understood. She found herself repeating ‘Captain Carstairs, where is he?’ over and over, until he realised she must be talking about the trial.
He had shrugged. ‘Gone.’
She had understood that word; one of the orphans had used it in a game they had been playing. ‘Where? Onde?’
He spread his hands wide. ‘Não sei.’
‘But you must know. Find someone who speaks English.’
He had called his clerk from the outer office and held a lengthy and voluble conversation with him, while she waited impatiently. ‘The prisoner was taken away in a carriage,’ the clerk told her.
‘Where was he taken?’
‘I have no idea. He was fetched.’
‘By whom?’
‘An English gentleman. I do not know his name.’
Realising she was getting nowhere, she had turned away. There were many English people in Lisbon, including the Earl of Falsham, but Alex would never go in a carriage with him, unless he had been told she wanted to see him. Would Alex believe that? There was the British Minister, of course, but he was out of town, and there was Grosswaite and Davy Locke. Davy would have the landaulet Alex had hired from Manuel Rodrigues, but would the prison authorities allow him to take Alex away? It had to be Lord Falsham and there was nothing for it but to confront him.
It was a long walk to the villa, especially as she did not know any of the short cuts and was obliged to go down into the lower town, cross the Rossio and climb the hill to the house. She was anonymous in the nun’s garb, but it was a warm day and she was growing hot and sticky. She was plodding up the last and steepest part of the hill when she was aware of a carriage coming up behind her. She stepped into the shadows to watch it pass and it was then she noticed the Minister’s coat of arms on the door. He was back in Lisbon and he would help her. Eagerly she stepped out into the road, but the driver took no notice of her and the coach rolled past. She stood in the middle of the road, looking at the back of it, weeping with frustration and disappointment.
And then it slowed to a stop. She began to run after it.
* * *
‘My lord, there is a nun on the road,’ Davy said, turning almost upside down to look into the carriage. ‘She is running after us.’
Alex was out of the carriage in an instant, just as Charlotte reached them. Her cheeks were pink and she was panting for breath. Her wimple, which she had not known how to fasten properly, had slipped and her rich brown hair was tumbling about her shoulders. When she saw who it was standing in the road, she cried his name and fell into his arms.
‘In with you,’ he said, picking her up and depositing her on the seat beside Edward. He climbed in to sit opposite her. He was so tense with anxiety, so annoyed with her for frightening him so badly, he wanted to kiss her and spank her both at the same time. If Edward had not been there, he might very well have done so. He waited for her to regain her breath while the driver found a place in the road wide enough for him to turn the carriage back the way they had come.
‘Where did you think you were going?’ Alex demanded after Edward had told the driver to take them to the Residency and they were once more on their way.
‘To see the Earl of Falsham. I wanted to plead with him to drop the case against you.’
‘Do you think he would listen?’
‘He would if I made it worth his while.’
‘By doing what?’
‘Agreeing to marry him.’
‘Good God!’ He found it hard to believe she would make such a sacrifice for him. What had he done to deserve it? ‘Why on earth would you do that, after assuring me you never would?’
‘Because I could not bear the thought of you being locked away, perhaps losing your life, on my account. It was too much to ask of you.’
‘You did not ask it of me,’ he said stiffly. ‘I am responsible for my own actions.’
‘He would not have forfeited his life,’ Edward put in. ‘The British government would have had something to say about executing a British citizen and the Portuguese authorities know it.’
‘I did not know that, did I? No one came to tell me what happened at the trial. I had to do something. You are very unkind to be so cross with me.’
‘I am not cross,’ Alex said, softening at last. ‘I am horrified to think what might have happened to you if we had not come upon you before you reached the earl.’
‘I am so glad you did,’ she said softly. ‘Now are you going to tell me what happened at the trial?’
Alex recounted everything, who was there, what was said and the delay while he was supposed to make up his mind to tell the court where she was.
‘But you would not?’
‘No. I could not be sure they would not hand you over to Falsham, but it gave me a breathing space and then Mr Hay turned up. It was through his good off
ices I was released.
‘Into my custody,’ Edward reminded him.
Alex smiled at him. ‘As you say. You have my eternal gratitude.’
‘And am I also in your custody, Mr Hay?’ she asked him, smiling.
‘You will be my guest until arrangements can be made for you to return to England’.
‘We are going home! Oh, how wonderful! I am so looking forward to seeing Papa again.’
The men looked at each other and were saved from commentating because they had arrived outside the Residency and the carriage was coming to a stop.
‘Here we are,’ Edward said. ‘Let us go in and tell my wife all is well. She has been worrying about you both.’
As they left the coach, Alex turned to Davy. ‘Go back to our lodgings, Davy, and bring the brown portmanteau I left in my bedchamber. Miss Gilpin will need her clothes.’
‘Take the coach,’ Edward said.
It rolled away and Edward led the way into the house where Mrs Hay hurried forwards to greet them, taking a hand of each. ‘Oh, you have got them both back safe and sound, how relieved I am. But, my dear Charlotte, what are you doing dressed like that?’
‘Let us go into the drawing room,’ Edward said. ‘Mary, order some refreshments for our guests, if you please. And then you shall hear the whole story.’
She turned to speak to a hovering footman and then followed them into the elegantly furnished drawing room. Alex and Charlotte sat together on a sofa, Edward took a wing-backed chair and Mrs Hay another sofa. ‘I am all agog,’ the lady said. ‘Which one of you will tell the tale?’
Alex began and was interrupted now and again by Edward, who told what he had done while Alex had been pacing about his prison cell trying to think of a way out, and then Charlotte took over with her story, until all three came together at the end. ‘Alex was very cross with me,’ she said. ‘I do believe he still is.’
‘You should not have left the convent,’ he said. ‘You put Mr Hay to great inconvenience, driving all over town looking for you, not to mention upsetting the nuns who looked after you so well, especially Sister Charity.’