by Anne Herries
‘From what I have seen of Amelia Royston, she would never have been a party to something of that nature, Gerard. She could not have known what her brother did to you.’
‘I am certain of it,’ Gerard replied. ‘At first I was bitter. I needed time to lick my wounds and I joined the army. I came to realise that I had been a fool to let Royston drive me away, but by then I was married and my daughter was born.’ He frowned. ‘I did have thoughts of asking Amelia to marry me last summer, but I am not certain that she wishes for it. Or that it would suit my plans. Besides, there were other things to settle…’ Gerard frowned. ‘You have given me something to think about, Max. However, I would say your own problems are more pressing.’
‘They are certainly something I could do without,’ Max agreed. ‘You are the first to know, but I have asked Helene Henderson to be my wife. She has agreed. We are going down to Coleridge after Amelia Royston’s costume ball. I intend to ask Sinclair and a few others to stay, you included, of course…make a party of it. Mrs Henderson has not yet agreed the date of the wedding, but I hope it may be sooner rather than later.’
‘I begin to understand,’ Gerard said. ‘I see your thinking, Max…why you put two and two together in the matter of Amelia’s little fright in Pendleton woods. I suppose the situation is somewhat similar in a way.’
‘Amelia is quite an heiress these days…’
‘Unfortunately.’ Gerard grimaced. He laughed as Max raised his brows. ‘It is a part of the reason I hesitate to ask her. Pride—foolish, I dare say. In your own case, your thinking may be sound, my dear fellow. Once it is announced that you are to marry, there may be some urgency in someone’s mind. Another attempt is almost certain to be made quite soon.’
‘They might wish to make certain that I do not make it to the altar.’
Gerard looked thoughtful. ‘Yes, I see that it might spoil someone’s plans if you should marry. It could be dangerous, Max—and not just for you.’
‘That is why I need your help, Gerard. Last year you arranged protection for Amelia. I rather think I may need a similar plan.’
‘Yes, of course.’ Gerard’s mouth settled into a grim line. ‘I am at your disposal, my friend. You know you may call on me. As Harry once said, we are bound together by a single thread after what happened out there in Spain. You will not ask him to assist you?’
‘He is settled in the country with Susannah, and she expects her first child. I should not want to take him away from his wife at such a time.’
‘No, indeed, that would be inconvenient—and we shall do very well with Sinclair, a few fellows I know, and ourselves, of course. I have a lot of time for Sinclair.’
‘Yes, I think he is coming along nicely,’ Max agreed with a smile. ‘Well, that is settled. We shall go down at the end of next week.’
‘Shall you invite Amelia Royston?’
‘I was considering it. She has been a good friend to Helene—and me.’
‘Then please do so,’ Gerard said. ‘It will be interesting to see if anything happens, if nothing else.’
Max managed to squeeze himself into a size larger coat than he normally wore the next morning and set out for his destination. He drove himself in his curricle with his groom beside him and Jemmy up on the back as usual. It was unlikely that he would be attacked again so soon, but he certainly would not be walking alone for a while.
Max had given his situation much thought; someone wished him dead and the obvious suspect must be his cousin. Yet Max could not quite believe that Robert was behind the attempts on his life. There was something more…something hidden. It was difficult to see what benefit his death would be to anyone else…unless… Yes, of course!
Max’s brow cleared as he began to see the fiendishly clever thinking at the root of the plot. He must be very careful—the mind that had formed this devious plan was dangerous.
Robert would inherit if Max were dead, but if he should marry things would be different. The title might still pass to Robert unless Max had a son, but Max’s estate was not entailed and he would be making a will that would make certain that his wife and children inherited everything. Therefore a further attempt must be made before it was too late.
He was taking a huge risk, which might lead to his death. Max could take certain steps to make sure that Helene would be wealthy even if he died before their wedding; it should not happen if he could help it, but some risk could not be helped. If he left things as they were, something worse than his own death might occur.
Arriving at Miss Royston’s house a little over an hour later, Max asked for Mrs Henderson. He was shown into one of the best parlours and asked to wait. The lady arrived, looking anxious, some twenty minutes later.
‘Forgive me for keeping you waiting, sir. I was dressing.’
‘I am sorry if I called too early,’ Max told her. ‘Had you sent word, I could have returned later.’
‘It is best to get this over with,’ Mrs Henderson replied. ‘You may tell me your intentions towards my daughter, sir—but I must warn you that I have reservations.’
‘I have learned of some injustice towards you when you were first married,’ Max replied. ‘I am sorry that you were treated so harshly. It will not happen again. I have spoken to Annesdale. He knows that if he wishes to attend the wedding—or any other function that my wife may care to hold—he must treat both you and her with respect. I do not believe that that gentleman or his daughter-in-law will cut you in future. I cannot promise that they will welcome you to their homes, but they will behave properly in mine.’
Mrs Henderson looked a little disbelieving, but there was an air of authority about Lord Coleridge at that moment that was very impressive. ‘I should not wish to be invited to their homes—but I shall wish to see Helene and her children sometimes.’
‘Whenever you please,’ Max told her. ‘At the moment my aunt and her son occupy the dower house. I may find another house for them somewhere. It would then be made ready for you, if you wished to live there—or you may live in Bath if you choose and visit us when you wish.’
‘I should be able to see my family most days if I lived at the dower house,’ Mrs Henderson said. ‘But I should not wish to take your aunt’s home from her.’
‘Let me see what I can arrange,’ Max said. ‘Something will be agreed that will suit us all. In the meantime, I shall be pleased to have you stay with us—if you care to?’
‘You are generous, sir,’ Mrs Henderson said and then frowned. ‘But what of this other business? I have not asked how your arm goes on, sir.’
‘Very well,’ Max said. ‘I was fortunate. It is little more than a scratch. If I had been stabbed in the back, I dare say I should be dead.’
‘You will take better care in future—of yourself and Helene?’
‘I assure you that Helene will be watched over,’ Max said. ‘I should not want anything to happen to the lady I love.’
‘You do love her, I know.’ Mrs Henderson studied him for a moment and then nodded. ‘Very well, you have my consent. When do you wish to marry—at Christmas?’
‘I think I would prefer the wedding to be in one month’s time,’ Max told her. ‘The church at Coleridge is not large, but I dare say it could hold more than a hundred guests. If you wish for a larger wedding, we could come back to town…’
‘I have only one brother and a couple of real friends,’ Mrs Henderson said. ‘I dare say you may have many friends, sir.’
‘Only a few I truly count as friends,’ Max replied. ‘We shall have a family wedding and then hold a large reception in town a month or so later.’
‘Yes, I believe that would suit both Helene and myself,’ Mrs Henderson replied. ‘It seems that things have been agreed between us. You will, of course, settle something on Helene?’
‘Helene will be wealthy even if I die before we marry,’ Max told her. ‘There is no need to mention this to her, for she would not care to know such things—but you may set your mind at rest, ma’am.’
‘Thank you. I did not want her to be left in poverty as I was when my husband died.’
‘If Annesdale had been any kind of a man, he would have made you an allowance,’ Max said. ‘In future you will be secure, ma’am. The papers are already in hand.’
‘You leave me nothing to say but to offer my sincere gratitude.’
‘That is unnecessary. You are giving me your daughter—and she is more precious than any marriage settlement.’
Mrs Henderson smiled. ‘In that case I shall go upstairs and send her down to you, sir.’
Chapter Ten
Helene touched her fingers to her mouth. She could still feel the tingle of Max’s kisses, which had made her body throb with what she now understood was desire. The feeling was so new to her, her joy so complete that she felt she must be dreaming. Surely it was not possible to feel as happy as she did now? She glanced at the magnificent diamond-and-sapphire ring on her finger. She found it difficult to believe that she was actually engaged to be Max’s wife. He had left her for a few hours, because he had some business to arrange, but he would dine with them that evening. They had no other guests, because they had decided on a quiet evening at home on the eve of Amelia’s costume ball.
Helene could not help smiling as she glanced at herself in the mirror. It was really true! She would soon be Max’s wife, because her mama had agreed that the wedding should be set for the following month. Only a short time ago she had resigned herself to a life of service, because she was certain nothing good could ever happen to her again, and now she was to marry the man she had come to love so very much. It was far more than she had ever expected!
Helene knew that she owed her happiness to Amelia’s generosity. Not only had she made this Season in town possible, she had also made Helene’s mother see that it would be unjust to deny her the happiness of being married to the man she loved. Helene owed her so much. She was filled with a desire to see Amelia and tell her how truly grateful she was for all she had done.
Having dressed for the evening, Helene went along the landing to Amelia’s room. She tapped in the door, which was opened by Amelia’s personal maid.
‘Oh, Miss Henderson,’ the woman said. ‘Miss Royston has gone down to the parlour. I am sure you will find her there.’
Helene thanked her and went down the stairs, still feeling as if she were floating on a cloud. The door to the parlour was slightly open, and as Helene approached she heard a man’s angry voice. Helene would have turned away immediately, for she would not have dreamed of eavesdropping, but the words were so harsh that she was frozen to the spot.
‘I hear that you have been seeing that rogue again, Amelia. I told you last summer that I shall not stand for it. If you continue to defy me, you will be sorry!’
‘You may be my brother, Michael—and I would not wish to show you disrespect,’ Amelia replied in a much calmer tone. ‘I believe I told you last year that I should not stand for this dictation. Aunt Agatha made me her heiress and because of that I am independent. If I wish to count the Earl of Ravenshead as one of my friends, I shall do so.’
‘On your own head be it!’ Sir Michael thundered at her.
Helene was startled as the door to the parlour was thrown back and Amelia’s brother came storming out. She had retreated to the stairs, but he did not even glance her way as the footman opened the front door for him.
Helene ran back down the stairs. She knocked at the parlour door and then entered. Amelia was standing by the fireplace, leaning her head against it, her shoulders hunched as if in some distress.
‘Amelia…are you all right?’
Amelia straightened. She paused for a moment before turning to look at Helene, her face pale but determined.
‘Yes, I am perfectly well, Helene. You may have overheard something my brother said to me. Michael sometimes forgets himself. He will shout and that is foolish—a quiet word is often more effective.’
‘It was unkind of him to be so harsh to you,’ Helene said. ‘It was not my business to listen and I would not have done so had he not shouted so loudly that I could not help hearing.’
‘I acquit you of eavesdropping,’ Amelia said. ‘My dearest Susannah did so quite deliberately at times—she was concerned for my sake—but I know you did not mean to pry.’
‘No, I did not,’ Helene said. ‘I am, however, concerned for your sake. I came to thank you for what you have done for me, Amelia. Had it not been for your kindness—your generosity—I would not have met Max. I know I owe my happiness to you and I wanted to thank you.’ Helene took a step towards her, impulsively kissing her cheek. ‘I do thank you from the bottom of my heart—and if there is ever anything I may do for you, you have only to ask.’
‘Thank you, Helene,’ Amelia said and smiled. ‘Helping others to find their happiness brings me a great deal of pleasure, you know. However, you must not be concerned for me, because I am well able to stand up to my brother. His visits can be unpleasant, but I know that I have good friends to support me. Now tell me, when do you leave for the country?’
‘It is your costume ball tomorrow. We shall leave at noon the following day for Max’s home. I know he has asked you to stay with us—I hope you will do so.’
‘I shall certainly come down in a couple of weeks and then stay until the wedding,’ Amelia told her. ‘Emily and I have decided to go down to Bath a day or so after you leave us. I have some business to set in hand there. When it is complete we shall come to you.’
‘And after we are married—you will stay with us sometimes?’
‘Yes, I hope so,’ Amelia told her. ‘I am not certain of my future plans. It is possible that we may travel for a while—but I shall certainly be at your wedding.’
Helene nodded. Amelia had made light of the incident with her brother, but she suspected that Sir Michael’s visit had upset her friend more than she would admit. She wished that there was something she could do to help Amelia, but it was not her place to meddle in Amelia’s affairs.
Helene considered telling Max about what she had overheard when he came to dinner that evening, but after some consideration she decided that it would be wrong of her to discuss what was a private family affair. Amelia would not have spoken of it to her had she not happened to hear Sir Michael shout at his sister. Besides, Max was full of his plans for the wedding and their honeymoon, and the incident was soon put to the back of Helene’s mind.
She had already sent word to the seamstress who had made several beautiful gowns for her, and received a message that the lady would wait on her on the morning of Amelia’s ball to discuss materials. She was prepared to make the journey into Hampshire to do the final fitting and finish Helene’s wedding gown in time for the wedding.
‘You may wish to order a few new gowns for the honeymoon,’ Max told Helene. ‘But I want to show you Paris, my love—and we shall visit the best couturiers to buy your wardrobe. You look well in rich colours and I shall enjoy helping you choose.’
Helene’s pulses raced as she gazed into his eyes and saw the love reflected there. How fortunate she was to have found a man like Max Coleridge.
Helene did think about the argument she had overheard when she undressed for the evening, but plans for her wedding pushed it from her mind as she snuggled down into her feather mattress and fell asleep.
Amelia’s costume ball was a brilliant affair. Everyone was masked and their disguises ranged from pirates to eastern sheikhs and sultans, pharaohs and even one Viking for the men. The ladies ranged from Roman vestal virgins to Marie Antoinette and Elizabeth I—and one daring lady came dressed as a pageboy in satin breeches, silk shirt and fancy waistcoat. Her face was completely masked, her hair covered by a wig. All the gentlemen were trying to discover her identity, but she was deliberately disguising her voice.
‘I should think she will disappear before the unmasking,’ Emily said to Helene. ‘I doubt she will dare to reveal her identity.’
‘Oh, my dear, it is not half so shoc
king as what Lady Caroline Lamb wore—or rather did not wear!—when she masqueraded as Lord Byron’s little black pageboy,’ Sally Jersey said. ‘Now that was totally beyond the pale and it began her downfall, you know. Poor Caroline. I wonder that she ever dared to show her face in society again, but she continued her scandalous behaviour until she sank into a decline. Her behaviour was outrageous, but I have always felt a little sorry for her.’
Helene listened, but did not join in the conversation. It was a little shocking to appear in public wearing a man’s clothing, of course, but she did not think it so very wicked.
Helene danced for most of the evening, often with Max or his particular friends, who wished to congratulate them both. It was almost supper time when she went to stand by the open window for a moment, because the room was so warm and her own costume of an early Tudor lady was a little heavy. Max was dancing with Emily and Helene was waiting for Toby to claim her. He was wearing a pirate costume, but there were several gentlemen wearing similar costumes and as yet Toby had not found her.
‘Will you dance, lady?’
Helene turned and saw a man wearing a pirate costume. She smiled, thinking it must be Toby at last, though it was difficult to tell.
‘Would you mind very much if we just stood and talked for a few minutes?’ she asked. ‘It is rather hot in here.’
‘We could go on to the terrace if you prefer?’
‘Yes, I think—just for a moment,’ Helene said. She turned and went outside, drawing a breath of air. It was so much fresher out here! ‘This is fun, isn’t it? I cannot guess who some people are—can you? I knew you were wearing a pirate costume of course, because Max told me, but—’
She broke off as the man grabbed her arm, his fingers digging into her flesh so deeply that she winced. ‘Stop gabbling, you little fool!’ the man’s voice was harsh and it struck a chill into Helene. Something was wrong! This was not Toby! Now she thought about it, he was of a different build. ‘Listen to me, girl! I shall give you one warning. If you go through with this marriage, you will be a widow before you have hardly become a wife!’