Forgotten Friend (Roselund Heights)

by Miranda D Nelson

  “I believe I have some idea.”

  He chuckled. “Yes, I suppose you do.” He shook his head again before looking around. “Where is your horse?”

  “In the trees. I did not know who you were, so I hid.”

  Christopher placed his hand on her arm. “Wait here. I’ll go get him.”

  Coralyn pointed him in the right direction and waited anxiously for him to come back. As soon as he broke through the trees, she asked, “How did you find me?”

  Christopher looked up at the now dark sky. “Would you be against my answering that while we ride? We ought to be going.”

  “I would not mind that in the least.”

  Christopher brought her horse to her side and lifted her into the saddle before mounting his own and turning toward the road. “Then let’s be off.”

  They rode at a steady pace back to the last split in the road, where Coralyn should have turned to the left. Christopher began his explanation just after they began to ride.

  “It was the most fortunate thing. I happened to stop at the same inn as you and Lord Seton to break my journey to London.”

  “But you left hours before we did.”

  Christopher paused. “I had business to attend to in Roselund this morning that delayed my travels.”

  Coralyn smirked. “You always have business to attend to.”

  She could hear the smile in his voice. “Yes, but aren’t you glad for it today?”

  “If it meant you finding me, then yes, I am thankful you were delayed.”

  “The delay meant that I arrived at the inn shortly before you. I was paying the bill for my meal when Seton came to the counter, looking angry, as usual. I asked him what he was doing there.” He paused and Coralyn could feel the anger ebbing off of him. “He told me you had agreed to marry him and he was escorting you home for the wedding tomorrow. It took all my effort not to punch the man then and there.”

  “I would not have held you back.”

  He cleared his throat. “I have been working under the assumption that you did not actually agree to marry him. I hope you can affirm that for me.”

  “I most certainly have not agreed to marry that man. And I never will.”

  “Good.” He sounded relieved. “As I was saying, he asked the innkeeper for your room number, saying he had been waiting half an hour for you to come down. I sensed something was amiss and insisted I be allowed to check in on you as well. Your maid was still there and answered Seton’s knocking. She told him you had left for London on your own, but would not say when exactly. Seton became furious and spent some time yelling at the innkeeper.”

  Coralyn frowned. “The poor man. He had no idea I’d gone.”

  “I assumed you would need transportation and as a coach had not left since my arrival, I knew you must have gone to the stables. The groom told me all I needed to know, as well as informing me that you seemed confused with the directions.” He chuckled. “Thank goodness he told me that.”

  “How did you know which road I had taken wrong?”

  “It was a feeling I had. Something told me to take that path.”

  She wanted to reach out to him, but feared releasing the reins. “Thank you for looking for me.”

  He turned to her. “I promised you I would protect you.”

  Coralyn wished she could see his expression more clearly. The passion in his kiss left her fairly certain of his feelings, but as he had not said the words directly, she worried she would be disappointed.

  “Where is Lord Seton now?”

  Christopher looked up the road. “I am not certain; when I left the inn, he had not yet left. He could be anywhere between there and London.”

  “Let us hope he has not yet made it to my home.”

  “What to do you plan to do?” he asked.

  “I have to try to convince my father to reject the contract.”

  “And if he does not?”

  Though it was dark, Coralyn looked over at him. He was looking at her, as well. She shook her head. “I do not know. But I will not marry him.”

  “I will do whatever I can to prevent it.”

  Coralyn did not know how to respond, so she said nothing.

  “Why are your parents so insistent you marry him, if they know you are against the match? If I am not mistaken, your grandfather’s wealth leaves you with a substantial inheritance.”

  “They do not want him for his wealth, although they are certainly not opposed to it. Between them, my parents have enough of a fortune to keep us all in good circles.” She sighed. “Father would never say it aloud, but I believe he regrets not being a part of the upper peerage. He is a baron, but Mother is the daughter of an earl, and I think he feels at times that he falls short. It seems he feels he can atone for that by ensuring I marry a man with a fitting title.”

  “Do they not realize there are other, far more agreeable men who have titles?”

  Such as yourself.

  Coralyn was grateful thoughts could not be heard. She laughed humorlessly. “I am certain they do, but for some reason, they have selected Lord Seton. I cannot say why, exactly.”

  Silence fell between them, one that was at once comfortable and anxious. Within a short time they were within the streets of London and soon after arrived at her home. They handed off the horses to a stable hand and Coralyn was relieved she did not see Lord Seton’s carriage.

  Coralyn let herself in the front door and Christopher followed her inside. “I’m sure Father and Mother are in the drawing room. I want to speak to them alone.”

  “Of course.”

  “Would you be opposed to waiting in the library?”

  “Not at all.”

  She led him to the library door.

  “Please come get me if you need anything at all.”

  “I will.”

  He lifted her hand and brushed his lips across her knuckles.

  Her heart pounded at the tenderness in his eyes.

  “I’ll be back soon,” she whispered.

  She turned and hurried to the drawing room, eager to have this done.

  But when she opened the door it was not her father who was within.

  Lord Seton stood near the table, pouring glasses of wine. He looked up at her with dark eyes. “Ah, there you are. I wondered when you might scamper home.”

  Coralyn’s heart thundered at the cold look he gave her. “What — How can you be here?”

  He smiled that cold smile at her. “I told you I had superior horses. Though I did not see you on the road. Where did you go?”

  “I… I…” Coralyn could not focus enough to form her thoughts into words and she leaned against the wall for support. Where is my father?

  “It is no matter. Although,” a hard edge formed in his expression, “such defiance will not be tolerated when we are wed. Am I understood?”

  Coralyn did not respond, but he seemed to take her silence as acceptance.

  He sipped his glass of wine. “What is important tonight is that we have both arrived without incident, everything is in order for tomorrow, and the contract has been signed.”

  A pit fell into Coralyn’s stomach. Her father had signed it. What could she do now?

  Lord Seton went on. “Your father went to fetch your mother. They ought to be here shortly and we can all celebrate the upcoming union.” He raised his glass in a toast before taking a long drink.

  Something inside Coralyn snapped. There were times to follow the rules and times to break them. This was a time to be firm, a time to break the rules.

  She rose to her full height and leveled her most hate-filled stare at Lord Seton. “I will never marry you.”

  He lowered the glass from his lips and narrowed his eyes. “Excuse me?”

  She took a step toward him. “I said I will never marry you.”

  He slammed the glass on the table, spilling wine over its surface. In three long strides he crossed the room, knocking over a vase as he came. It shattered on the floor, spilling its con
tents.

  He took her by the arms and pressed her against the wall. His voice was cold and filled with rage. “You will not refuse me. I am the Marquis of Seton. There is power in my name, and I will not be rejected by anyone. I will ruin you if I have to, but you will marry me.”

  A wave of terror swept over Coralyn, as she was certain he meant his threat. A sudden movement to her left made her cringe and she felt Lord Seton’s hands tear away from her arms as he fell to the ground.

  She looked first at him, climbing to his feet and holding his hand to his bleeding nose. The sight of it made her sick. As she turned her head away, Christopher stepped in front of her, breathing heavily, arms raised to strike again.

  “I will kill you first,” he growled.

  Father came into the room at that moment, Mother holding his elbow. His eyes swept the scene before him. “What in the name of the devil is happening?” He looked at Christopher. “Who are you?”

  Christopher lowered his fists. “Lord Christopher Eversley, at your service, sir.” He offered a crisp bow before returning to stand between the marquis and Coralyn.

  Mother looked at him with wide eyes. “Lord Eversley? My, how you’ve grown.” She seemed to notice Lord Seton’s state for the first time. “Good Heavens! What has happened here?”

  Lord Seton removed his handkerchief from his pocket and held it to his face. “I have been attacked by this man here.”

  Father’s angry gaze turned to Christopher. “And why did you attack my future son-in-law?”

  “Because he threatened your daughter, sir.”

  “What?” Father cried.

  “He is lying!” Lord Seton spat.

  Coralyn stepped forward and she felt Christopher shift to remain between her and the marquis. This was not how she wished to discuss the matter, but this was her choice to defend. Her life to fight for.

  “Father, I know you have signed the contract. But I refuse to marry Lord Seton.”

  Her father’s agitated expression showed confusion now. “What do you mean, you refuse?”

  “Exactly what I say, Father. I will not marry him. You may punish me with whatever you desire, but it will pale in comparison to what it would be to spend my life with him. My original complaint was minor in comparison to the cruelty he has shown me these last days. My life as his wife would be miserable and I will not accept that for myself.”

  Lord Seton made a move to come forward, but Christopher stepped into his path.

  Father watched her carefully. “Then you have changed your mind?”

  Coralyn stared at him. “I do not have the pleasure of understanding you. I have never desired to marry Lord Seton.”

  Mother walked over to the side table next to her favorite chair. “But you sent this letter before he left for Roselund Heights. You said you had changed your mind and wished to accept his proposal. He came yesterday to finalize the contracts.” She pulled a small envelope from the drawer and handed it to Coralyn.

  Fingers tore through the thin paper in an effort to discover what had happened.

  Lord Seton swore under his breath as Coralyn read. True enough, the letter said just what her mother had told her. And there was her name signed at the end.

  “But this is not my hand.” Coralyn looked up at her parents. “I did not write this.” She reached into her reticule and handed the letter Lord Seton had brought her to her father. “Did you write this?”

  Father took it, opening it slowly. “I did not write to you at all. We formed the contract and Lord Seton agreed to escort you home.” He read the letter and turned his own sharp gaze on the marquis. “You forged my name.”

  Coralyn felt her own desire to beat him. “You forged both our hands to arrange this marriage.”

  Lord Seton straightened his shoulders. “I did what was necessary.” He sneered at her. “The contract has been signed. It is too late to walk away now.”

  Now it was her father who swore, though he made no attempt to hide it. “You are a deceitful, arrogant man, and I will be speaking to my attorney about this.”

  Lord Seton snorted. “If you wish. The shame you will bear if you call off our wedding will be enough to cast your family from the realms of society you’ve grown so accustomed to. Hold up your end of the contract and I will ensure that your station only rises from this point on.”

  Father and Mother were silent, and Coralyn watched with a pit of horror in her stomach.

  “Father, please, do not go through with this.” She lifted the sleeve of her dress to show him the dark bruises that inked her wrist. Mother let out a shriek and fell into her chair. The shock in Father’s eyes made her want to cry. “This is what he has done already. Christopher attacked him because he threatened to ruin me if I do not agree to marry him.” She nearly gagged as she spoke the words and she felt tears in her eyes. “Would you curse your daughter with such a life in order to maintain your station in London?”

  His eyes were pools of emotion, and they changed so quickly Coralyn could not name one before another appeared. He said nothing, but left the room.

  Lord Seton made a move to follow him, but Christopher pushed him back. Lord Seton eyed him as if to weigh his odds at besting him. There was danger in Christopher’s eyes that made Coralyn nervous and feel safe all at once. Lord Seton must have noticed this as well, for he remained where he stood, still dabbing his nose from time to time as blood trickled out. “Is there a reason we are all standing around? I for one have preparations to make for tomorrow and would like to see to them.”

  Coralyn’s father walked in then, a sheaf of papers in his hand. He cast a glare at Lord Seton before striding to the fireplace.

  Lord Seton stepped forward. “If you retract our agreement, you will regret the decision the rest of your life. I assure you of that.”

  When her father did not even slow his step, Lord Seton persisted. “No one will want her. This act alone will taint her beyond repair. You’ll never find her another suitor, much less a husband with a title.”

  Father did not hesitate and threw the contract into the glowing flames.

  Coralyn fell to her knees and buried her face in her hands as relief washed over her and tears of joy ran down her cheeks. She would not have to marry Lord Seton.

  I am free!

  She felt someone kneel beside her and did not even need to open her eyes to know it was Christopher. He laid his hand on her back and she fell into him, letting the tears fall onto his chest. She could hear her father and Lord Seton shouting at each other, but did not listen close enough to their words to comprehend them. All she cared about now was being near Christopher. Despite the madness of the night, she felt peaceful with him and she clung to that peace.

  Christopher tipped her head back and looked into her eyes. “I want her,” he said.

  Coralyn was certain he could not have been heard over the shouting, but the other men became silent, looking at them. “What?” Lord Seton spat.

  Christopher took Coralyn’s hands and stood, pulling her up with him. “I said, I want her.” He turned his gaze to her father. “To be honest, sir, I was on my way to London when your daughter fell in need of my help. I had hoped to be allowed an interview with you where I intended to ask for your daughter’s hand. If you find me an acceptable prospect, you need not worry for her future. I can guarantee she will be well taken care of.”

  Coralyn’s heart felt it would burst clear of her chest.

  He wants to marry me!

  Father was breathing hard but it looked as if there was respect in his eyes. “I would very much like to have that interview.”

  Christopher nodded. “Thank you, sir.”

  Lord Seton swore loudly. “You are all fools and will regret this evening.”

  He moved toward the door, but Christopher reached out and grabbed his arm, bringing him to a halt. “Make no mistake. If you harass Miss Fairchild or her family further, you will receive my challenge directly. And I am quite adept with both sword and pistol.” />
  Coralyn drew likely too much pleasure from the look of alarm that crossed Lord Seton’s face. Christopher released the marquis and he stormed from their home.

  Christopher turned to Father. “I do not know that the House of Lords would sentence him with anything. They so rarely convict one of their own. But if you wish me to take the matter to them, I am willing.”

  Father nodded. “Thank you. And thank you for helping Coralyn. We are indebted to you.”

  “All I want is your daughter’s happiness.”

  Father put his hand on Coralyn’s shoulder. “It is high time I learn to honor her as you do.” He met Coralyn’s gaze. “I cannot contemplate how blind I have been. I am so sorry to have caused you so much pain.”

  For the first time in as long as she could remember, Father embraced her and placed a kiss on her head.

  Mother came up behind them, fanning herself furiously. “What a terrible evening!” She put her arm around her daughter. “Coralyn, let me take you upstairs. You need rest.”

  Coralyn could certainly agree with that, but her gaze went to Christopher.

  “I’ll call on you tomorrow. Go and rest.”

  She blinked back the last of her tears and smiled at him. “Thank you, Christopher.”

  Her mother pushed her through the door and up the stairs to her room. She lingered near the door as a maid helped her change into a nightgown. Before she climbed into her bed, Mother drew near and took her hand in hers.

  “I am so very glad you are not going to marry Lord Seton. Aside from his horrendous actions, I would hate to have Lady Seton as a relative.”

  Coralyn looked at her mother with surprise, but then a smile tugged at her lips. “She would make a terrible mother-in-law.”

  Mother laughed lightly, kissed her daughters cheek, and told her goodnight.

  Before Coralyn even laid down her head, she felt the first waves of sleep threaten to overcome her. She could scarcely believe all that had happened in a single day, and she offered a silent prayer that she would never have to endure such an exhausting day again. Her last thoughts, however, were not of the argument with Lord Seton, or of her sneaking from the inn or of being lost.