by Anne Herries
‘I had not considered marriage until I met you,’ George said and touched her gloved hand on the table. ‘And then, when I understood my heart, I thought you would never forgive me for what I had done.’
‘I knew that I owed my freedom—and perhaps my life—to you,’ Jane said, looking into his eyes. ‘At first I was angry with you, but my anger soon turned to admiration for your courage and resourcefulness. I know that you risked your life for Mariah and for me. Yet even then I was not sure I truly wished for marriage—but then I began to see that without you I should only be half-alive. I know that I would risk anything to share your life, even if we did not have for ever and a day.’
‘I would give my life for yours,’ George said. ‘Without you I should not wish to live.’
‘Then we are in perfect agreement,’ Jane said. ‘Tell me, where are we to live, George? I know you have a fine town house—but shall we live at the country house you took me to that first night?’
‘I dare say we may choose to spend some part of the year there. I have had some of the rooms refurbished since then,’ George told her. ‘The estate was left to me by my great-aunt, but I have another in Sussex. My father’s estate is small, but the house is very pleasant. I think we shall go there for a few days before we leave for our honeymoon so that anything you wish changed can be set in hand and ready for our return.’
‘Two country estates and a town house.’ Jane arched her right eyebrow in a teasing manner. ‘Am I marrying a wealthy man?’
‘I do not think myself the richest man in England, but we shall go on very comfortably—what makes you ask?’
‘When I ran away from Blake that morning, I was lost in a maze of poor streets near the river,’ Jane said and a shadow passed across her face. ‘The children wore rags. Their feet were bare and their faces were covered in sores. The men had sullen eyes and the women looked as if all hope had gone. If we are rich, George, could we not do something to help the poor in those slums?’
‘I sit on the board of two charities for orphan children,’ George replied and his look was one of warm approval. ‘I am certain that you would be very welcome to join any charity you wished or you could even set up your own, Jane.’
‘I shall begin by joining an established board,’ Jane said. ‘I need to learn about the way things are done, but then I should very much like to set up a charity of our own, George. Something we could take an interest in together.’
‘I should be delighted to join you in your venture when you are ready,’ he said. ‘As my wife you will have an independence of your own and may do as you wish with your own money, but I should certainly contribute and I have generous friends.’ He smiled. ‘Does that ease your mind a little?’
‘Yes, it does. I had not realised how hard life was for some people until that morning, George. I have seen poverty in the country when the mines close or a hard winter means the crops are scarce, but I have never seen anything like those slums.’
‘The area you were in is one of the most deprived in London,’ George agreed. ‘I have heard talk of a slum clearance, but sometimes all that does is to move the problem on, because the people are driven from their homes.’
‘New homes must be provided before the houses are pulled down, I think.’
‘I agree with you,’ George said. He took out his gold pocket watch. ‘I believe we should return to the pump rooms now, Jane. Lady Mary will wonder where we are.’
* * *
The following days had been spent as pleasantly as the first, Jane discovering day by day how much she liked the man she was to marry. He was charming, amusing and generous, well liked by everyone. They visited friends, welcomed others who called with wedding gifts and prepared for the dance to celebrate their coming nuptials.
‘People are so very kind,’ Jane said on the morning of the dance. ‘I have received so many gifts today. Most are flowers and bon-bons, little tokens for the dance, but some of the wedding gifts are very generous.’
‘That diamond bracelet from Lord and Lady March is very handsome,’ George said. ‘Lady March is a great friend of my sister, you know.’
‘I hope Lord and Lady Markham will come to our wedding, George. I have invited them both.’
‘Then I am sure they will. My sister is most eager to get to know you better, Jane.’ He hesitated, then, ‘You might care to know that she has told her husband everything. He asked about the brooch that was lost and she decided it was best to confess. He had suspected something and was glad it was over. I think they will do better together in the future.’
‘I am glad for her sake that she has done so. I suspected that he knew something the evening I was invited to dine. Her confession will clear the air between them.’
‘Had she been brave enough at the start, perhaps none of this business with Blake would have happened.’
‘Your sister might then have been his victim. What happened, happened, dearest. It is over and forgotten.’
‘It is almost over.’
‘Surely he must have given up and gone off abroad by now, do you not think so?’
‘I hope so.’ He smiled at her. ‘If you would care for a drive about town this morning, my love, I am at your service. I have sent for my curricle and the groom will have it ready in an instant. I know you plan to spend the afternoon quietly at home to prepare for this evening, but the day is fine and a short drive would be pleasant.’
‘I should like that very much, if you will wait one moment while I run upstairs and put on my bonnet and pelisse?’
‘Of course.’
George nodded his approval as she went off, then turned to Andrew, who had just entered the room.
‘I have had a report that Blake was seen here yesterday,’ he said. ‘I do not think he will dare to try anything in Bath, but we leave the day after tomorrow. It is then that we should be on our guard.’
‘You think he will not dare to attempt anything in Bath?’ Andrew frowned. ‘You have your people watching for him, I know, but the man is sly and may adopt a disguise. Be careful, Marlowe. His pride was mortally wounded when Jane floored him and escaped. For a man of his nature I think that would be more galling than my shot, which merely winged him.’
‘I would to God you had killed him,’ George said, then lowered his voice as he heard Jane returning. ‘Not a word of this to Jane. I do not want her pleasure in the dance to be overshadowed.’
‘You need not remind me,’ Andrew replied. ‘I am truly fond of her, as you know.’
George inclined his head, going into the hall to meet Jane. ‘You are lovely as always,’ he said. ‘That shade of green suits you very well, my love. I have noticed that you often wear green—is it a favourite?’
‘Yes, I do like green,’ she said. ‘It suits my colouring. What did Andrew have to say?’
‘Nothing that need concern us this morning,’ George said. ‘Just some business. We have an appointment at my lawyer’s office this afternoon—just a mere detail to clear up.’
‘I see.’ Jane took the arm he offered and they went out into the warmth of an exceptionally sunny late August day. ‘This is the first time you have taken me in your curricle, George. I should like to drive a rig when we are married. Will you teach me?’
‘Yes, certainly,’ he agreed. His groom had a very smart curricle with yellow-painted wheels drawn up at the side of the road. George offered his hand to Jane and helped her up, then went round to climb up himself. Just as he was putting his foot to the step someone called out a warning. An instant later a shot rang out, followed instantly by a second.
‘George!’ Jane cried as the horses shied and one of them reared up. The groom, who was at their head, held on to the reins for dear life and managed to stop them bolting and trampling over the body of the man who lay in the road. ‘George, my dearest love.’
Jane hurriedly dismounted and ran round the back of the curricle to where George lay on the road. A moan of distress trembled on her lips as she knelt down a
nd turned him. She could see that the assassin’s ball had passed through his coat sleeve and his arm was bleeding. The impact had knocked him down, but he was recovering and opened his eyes, attempting a smile of reassurance.
‘It’s just a flesh wound. I’ll be fine in a moment.’ Jane rose and offered her hand just as a man came up to them. He bent down and helped George to his feet, supporting him as he swayed.
‘You, sir! Did you shoot my fiancé?’
‘No, it is all right,’ George said, his face very pale. ‘If I am not mistaken, it was this gentleman that shouted a warning and then—did I not hear a second shot?’
‘Blake will not be troubling you again, sir,’ Stark said grimly. ‘I shot to kill. If I had shot first, I should be guilty of murder. I am sorry you were hurt, but I tried to warn you, sir. I was not sure he meant to fire until that moment. He has been following Miss Lanchester and your good self for days. You had the note I sent you earlier?’
‘Yes, I did,’ George said. ‘I shall…’
Whatever he meant to say was lost as he gave a slight moan and fainted. Jane cried out in distress, but Andrew had come out of the house and rushed to help Stark support George into the hall. Glancing behind her, Jane saw that two men were bending over a body on the ground at the far side of the street. A small crowd of onlookers had begun to gather and some were looking at her curiously. She hastily followed George and her brother into the house.
It was most unfortunate, but the tale would be everywhere by the end of the day.
‘I’ll go for the doctor,’ Stark said once they had George sitting on the daybed in the parlour. ‘I’d best go to the magistrate as well and report Blake’s death.’
‘Leave that to us,’ George said, coming out of his swoon in time to hear what was said. ‘We’ll see to this, Stark. If you tell them you killed a man, they will put you in prison and ask questions later. It may be best if you fetch the doctor and return with him. You should be on hand to answer questions. Andrew, you go to the magistrate and tell him what happened here. Stark undoubtedly saved Jane’s life, for had Blake disposed of me, he might have finished the job by killing her.’
‘Lie still while I look at your wound,’ Jane said. ‘I think your coat is ruined, George. You will not mind if I slit the sleeve? The doctor may not come at once and I think we should bind your arm for the moment.’
‘It is deuced painful. I believe the ball may be lodged in my arm after all,’ George said and leaned back against the cushions. ‘Forgive me, Jane. I am so sorry to have ruined your dance.’
‘Foolish man,’ she scolded and fetched her scissors from her sewing box. Slitting the sleeve of his coat and his shirt, she saw the neat hole where the bullet had pierced the flesh of his arm. Blood was still oozing, but slowly. There was no corresponding hole at the other side, which seemed to confirm that he was right and the ball was lodged in the fleshy part of his upper arm. ‘I fear the surgeon will have to cut for the ball. We should perhaps get you to bed before Mr Stark goes for the doctor.’
‘Damn it,’ George muttered, looking very white. ‘I do not think I shall be able to attend the dance this evening, Jane.’
‘We shall cancel it,’ she said. ‘Please do not worry, my dearest love. I care only for your pain—and I am so grateful that Blake’s aim was not true, for I am sure he meant to kill you.’
‘Mercy on us,’ Lady Mary said, coming into the parlour at that moment. ‘There is a small crowd across the road, Jane. I dare say the constable has been fetched. I was upstairs and did not hear what happened.’
‘Blake tried to kill George and Mr Stark killed him,’ Jane said. ‘I fear we must disappoint our friends this evening, Godmother.’
‘No, please do not cancel,’ George said. ‘If I am able, I shall make an appearance, but the dance must go ahead.’
‘First things first,’ Lady Mary said. ‘I’ll have the footmen assist you to bed, sir. Once the doctor has been and we know you are in no danger, we shall discuss what ought to be done.’
‘I shall go for the magistrate,’ Andrew said. ‘The sooner this business is finished and done, the better. For myself, I can only say that I am heartily glad Stark shot to kill. We can stop worrying every time Jane goes out of the house.’
Stark and Andrew took their leave. Lady Mary summoned two footmen, who, being large, strong men, carried George up the stairs to his bedchamber despite his protests. A maid had prepared the bed, pulling the covers back. The unpleasant experience had left George a little faint, but once propped up against a pile of feather pillows, he recovered enough to smile at Jane and tell her not to worry.
Lady Mary brought a bowl of cool water. Blood was wiped away and George’s arm bound to the ladies’ satisfaction.
‘I shall bring you up a tisane,’ Lady Mary said. ‘Please try to rest, sir. I am sure the doctor will not be too long in coming.’
‘You are very kind, ma’am.’
Jane turned to leave, but George caught her by the wrist, holding her.
‘Please do not go,’ he said. ‘Sit here and talk to me until the doctor comes. I am sorry that you had to witness such a distressing incident, Jane. I had hoped we might prevent this, but I was not expecting it to happen in broad daylight in the middle of Bath.’
‘No, I dare say not,’ she said. ‘I am not sure, but I think Blake had been following me even before you returned to Bath. He was wearing a disguise, but he looked different from the men you set to protect me.’
George took her hand. ‘It is over now, Jane. You must try to forget all this unpleasantness. Put it from your mind.’
‘I am not distressed, George. I am anxious for your sake, but the rest is already forgotten.’
‘Sure?’
‘It is over. The shadow has passed and as soon as you are well again, we shall be married. We shall forget this ever happened.’
‘Indeed, we shall,’ he agreed and kissed her hand. ‘Do you have any idea how very much I adore you, my darling? I wish for nothing more than to claim my lovely bride.’
‘You cannot long for our wedding night more than I, my very dearest George. My feelings towards you are quite shameless. I am afraid I am not at all the modest bride I ought to be, for I do not in the least fear becoming your wife in every way.’
‘You are lovely in every way and I want you so much.’
Jane bent down to kiss him softly on the lips. ‘You must rest, my dearest. I know you are in pain.’
‘I shall be better after some sleep. Now promise me you will let Andrew take you to the dance this evening and make my apologies.’
‘Is that truly what you wish?’
‘Yes, it is. I shall rest and sleep the better for knowing that you have not disappointed all our friends.’
‘Then I shall go for a short time. Lady Mary will stay to the last to entertain our friends, but I shall return after the first few dances.’
‘You must stay until supper,’ George said. ‘Now, be a good girl and promise me—and I promise to rest and get well for our wedding.’
‘Very well, since you wish it.’ Jane smiled as she bent to kiss his lips. ‘I shall stay long enough to please everyone and then I shall come home.’
Chapter Twelve
‘Are you sure you feel able to travel?’ Jane asked anxiously. ‘You promised me you would rest and I think to travel after just two days in bed may be too much for you, my love.’
‘As I recall, you promised to stay at the dance for supper, but came home after dancing only three times.’ George sent her a challenging look. ‘I have rested for two days and think I can manage to be conveyed in a carriage. I have no intention of riding my horse at this stage. Besides, I would be at your home this weekend to hear the banns read. I wish for no delay to our wedding plans.’
‘I stayed at the dance long enough to receive the kind wishes of our friends and give your apologies, George. Everyone understood and accepted that we had done what we thought best, but I am sure they would have thou
ght me heartless had I danced the night away while you lay sick in bed.’
‘I was not fatally wounded, merely in some discomfort,’ George replied with a twinkle in his eye. ‘However, we shall not quarrel, for it is far too tiring, my love. You must consider my state and humour me, Jane.’
‘You, sir, are a tease,’ Jane replied and laughed. ‘I can see there will be no living with you if you do not have your way, but you must promise to rest as soon as we are home.’
‘Yes, I dare say I shall have no choice,’ George said. He hesitated, then, ‘I promised Stark a place in my household. I have decided to make him my agent for the estate in Sussex. You will have no objection, Jane? I know what he did—if the idea upsets you, I shall find him something elsewhere.’
‘He saved our lives, George. Had Mr Stark not killed Blake he would have fired again, at you and me. Besides, he behaved with respect even when he kidnapped me and I believe everyone is entitled to a second chance.’
‘You are very forgiving,’ George kissed her hand. ‘I think I am a fortune man to have found you, my love.’
‘We are both lucky,’ she said. ‘We had best not keep the horses standing for we have a long day ahead of us.’
* * *
The journey was accomplished without incident, though George had been pale and quiet in the later part of the first day. He had gone straight to his room without complaint and Stark had taken him up his dinner on a tray and then had dressed his wound, proving himself an excellent valet. The next morning George had been refreshed and they had continued their journey, arriving just in time for tea on the second day.
This time George was feeling able to meet the servants, who had known Jane all her life, and to receive their good wishes. He took tea with them in the small parlour, then retired at Jane’s insistence and was given supper in his own room.
* * *
By the next morning George’s arm was not as stiff as it had been and he was almost back to his old self. He came down just before noon and after nuncheon they spent a pleasant hour or two walking in the garden.