A Worthy Gentleman

by Anne Herries

  ‘Yes, that was a nasty thing to happen,’ John said. ‘It was fortunate that Miss Redmond opened it, for she is a sensible woman, and it saved you from the harm that might have resulted, did it not?’

  He had decided that it would be best if Sarah did not learn of the letter he had received. She would naturally be distressed and anxious for his sake, and he wanted to avoid giving her more worry over this unfortunate affair. Besides, he was struggling to make sense of it all in his own mind. Charles was sure that Andrea had had a lover, perhaps a soldier, and that it was he who was making these threats, but John had another theory of his own, and at the moment he was not quite sure how the pieces fit together.

  ‘Tilda has been a good friend to me,’ Sarah said. ‘She was so grateful to me for nursing her when she had the smallpox, and I think she tries to look after me in her own way. I know she was very brave standing up to Mama for me when she thought I should marry the duke.’

  John nodded. He smiled at her, but his eyes held an odd, distant expression that made Sarah wonder what he was thinking.

  ‘Are you comfortable, dearest?’ John asked, helping her into the second carriage, which had been waiting at the inn for them. ‘Our baggage was sent ahead with this coach to disguise our carriage. If we were being followed, whoever it is will see the carriage standing outside the inn, and when, after some hours, it is driven back to Charles’s estate, it will be too late for anyone to follow our trail.’

  ‘I am quite comfortable,’ Sarah said. ‘But this is all a little unsettling, John. It makes me anxious to think that you have an enemy.’

  ‘I think it is just spitefulness,’ John replied untruthfully. ‘I dare say it will all blow over in time. Besides, we have people looking after us, Sarah. I am sorry that we had to resort to such cloak-and-dagger tactics, but your brother wanted to be sure that we should be able to enjoy our honeymoon without any nasty surprises.’

  ‘Charles is very protective of me,’ Sarah said and smiled. She decided that she must put all this unpleasantness from her mind. She was John’s wife and it would be foolish to let anything spoil her happiness. ‘But I am sure you are right, John. It is just someone being spiteful and no doubt they will tire of their sport soon enough and leave us alone.’

  Sarah rose from the bed and walked over to the window, gazing out at the moon, which had just sailed out from behind a bank of clouds and was shining directly into their window.

  They had not bothered to draw their curtains the previous night. The hunting lodge was situated in woods and very secluded. This was their second night at the idyllic cottage, and Sarah was feeling happier than she could ever have dreamed. Their lovemaking had been all that she could have desired, and any shadows from the past had been forgotten as soon as John drew her into his arms that first night. His touch had been so gentle, his kisses so sweet, that she had felt no fear as he led her gently along the path of sensual delight.

  She was surely the most fortunate woman alive, Sarah thought as she gazed out at the night sky, watching the branches of trees sway in the breeze. It was a little cooler here in Scotland than it had been at home, but she did not mind, for it was a magical place and she had already become enchanted by the wonderful scenery.

  The mountains and lakes had such a presence that she felt as if she were living in a world of splendour and majesty that had little to do with real life. This was a time apart, a time of learning to know her husband and loving him more each day, of leaving behind the past and becoming someone new. She was no longer the innocent girl who had known nothing of the pleasures of love, but a woman discovering her own sensuality in the arms of a passionate man. John was the truly gentle man she had always thought him, but he was also a strong, generous lover who had surprised her with the intensity of his desire.

  Behind her John stirred, feeling the bed cold and sitting up as he realised that she was standing by the window. ‘Is something wrong, my darling?’ he asked, getting out of bed to come and join her by the window. He put his arms about her, kissing the back of her neck as they stood together gazing out at the moonlight. ‘Couldn’t you sleep?’

  ‘I woke and saw that the moon was shining in at the window,’ Sarah said, leaning back against him, feeling the strength of his body at her back, the heat of his flesh warming her. ‘We forgot to draw the curtains, John.’

  ‘We were in too much of a hurry,’ John said and rubbed his face against the side of hers. She could feel the slight rasp of his unshaven cheek and she turned towards him, offering her lips for his kiss. ‘Forgive me, my darling. I cannot seem to have enough of you, Sarah. I am like a starving man offered a feast…’

  Sarah laughed huskily, pressing her body against his as she felt the heat of his arousal and knew that he wanted her again, as she wanted him. At this moment her body was singing with need and a strong, hot desire that made her moan a little as he bent down and swept her up into his arms, carrying her back to their bed.

  They lay looking at each other for a while, kissing slowly; tiny, tantalising little kisses that only stoked the fires within. John’s hand stroked the satin arch of her back, down over her buttocks, holding her close to him. She felt the heat of his arousal against her thigh, her legs opening to his seeking hand as he caressed her, bringing her to a state of sensual delight that had her gasping as he took her. She writhed and arched beneath him, giving herself up to the sweeping tide of desire that engulfed her, urging her on to a place that she had never been. And when at last it was over, she clung to him, her legs curling over his back, holding him to her as her body convulsed with pleasure.

  Afterwards, they lay holding each other and talking until they both fell asleep once more, safe and secure in their love and the warmth of their bed.

  In the morning they made love again. Later they parted to bathe and dress, Sarah eating soft rolls and honey in bed while John consumed a quantity of cold ham, pickles and bread in the breakfast parlour. After that they went walking together until it was time to eat a light nuncheon, and in the afternoon John drove them to see more of the beautiful scenery.

  They stood by the side of a lake, watching the dark ripple of the water as a breeze sent little waves skidding across the surface. Away on the side of the mountain they saw a proud stag, its head high, magnificent antlers outlined against a darkening sky. Sarah shivered as she felt the temperature drop all of a sudden and a few droplets of rain dimpled the water.

  ‘I think it is going to rain,’ John said. ‘Perhaps we should go back, Sarah. Even in summer it can turn quite cold in the Highlands.’

  ‘Yes, I think you are right,’ Sarah said and turned towards the carriage. As she did so she saw a flash of something bright from amongst the trees that shadowed one edge of the lake. ‘John…’ she cried and something made her push him to one side. ‘Be careful!’

  The shot echoed in the clear air, seeming to reverberate from the mountain, achingly loud and somehow distorted so that it seemed to fill Sarah’s head. She whirled around, but the flash of silver had gone and there was nothing to be seen but the blue-green haze of the ancient trees and the mist that seemed to be swirling over the water towards them, making what had been beautiful suddenly menacing and eerie.

  ‘Who can it have been? A poacher misfiring?’ Sarah looked at him anxiously as she saw his expression of anger. ‘You do not think it was intentional? Oh, John…not here…after all our precautions…’

  ‘Damn it!’ John swore and grabbed Sarah’s arm, hurrying her into the curricle and climbing up beside her. The shot had not come close enough to harm either of them, but it was clearly a warning—a warning that his enemy was always watching them. He would have gone after the man, but dare not risk it. John had no fear for himself, but he would not hazard Sarah’s life. He knew that he must get her to safety first and consider what this meant afterwards. ‘I cannot think it an accident, nor do I imagine it was a poacher. I had thought we were safe here, but it seems that I was wrong. We must go home, Sarah.’

/>   Sarah glanced at his profile, seeing the stern set of his jaw and the grim expression in his eyes. ‘Thank God he did not hit you, John.’ She shivered, feeling an icy tingle at the nape of her neck. ‘Surely it was not the man who fired at me that day at Charles’s estate? How could he have found us? Why is he pursuing us like this?’

  ‘I have no idea,’ John said angrily. ‘But it seems he has and that means we must go home, Sarah. I mean home to Elworthy. I can better protect you there. Here we are too isolated for safety.’

  ‘Go home?’ Sarah was stunned by what had happened. Their beautiful day had turned into a nightmare and she was filled with apprehension. ‘But we were to stay for the rest of the week…’

  ‘I know and I am sorry to disappoint you,’ John said. There was something odd about him, something tight and angry, as if he were somehow blaming her—or shutting her out. ‘We shall find other ways to amuse ourselves, Sarah. Perhaps another time we can return, when this business is all over. For the moment it is not safe. I should never forgive myself if anything happened here…you would be alone and vulnerable. No, we must return home immediately.’

  Sarah was silent. The shimmering delight of the past few days was somehow shattered, leaving her feeling ill at ease. She had a feeling of foreboding, her mind haunted by a nameless fear that she refused to acknowledge.

  Why had John’s enemy followed them here? Why did he hate John so much that he was determined to destroy them? The thought flickered into Sarah’s mind that perhaps some of the rumours concerning Andrea might be true, but she quashed it immediately. No, she would not let her mind be poisoned against him! She loved John and trust went hand in hand with love. He would never, never do anything to harm any woman, let alone the woman he had promised to care for and protect.

  They hardly spoke to each other on the return to the hunting lodge. John gave immediate instructions to the servants to pack their belongings and follow, stopping only long enough for Sarah to pack a few things she needed on the journey.

  He handed her into the carriage, telling her that it would be best to draw the curtains and try to get some sleep, but he did not climb in with her.

  ‘I shall ride just ahead, Sarah,’ he told her. ‘We have grooms to accompany us, dearest, but I want to be ready in case we are attacked. Do not be scared. You are well protected.’

  Sarah was not frightened for herself. She believed the shot had been meant for John, though she knew that it would have been easy for the assassin to kill first John and then her. She wanted to beg him to ride inside with her, but she knew that her plea would have been ignored. John had suddenly become a stranger, his manner cold, angry and tense. She could hardly believe that this was the same man who had made love to her so tenderly the previous night.

  Why was he angry with her? Surely she had done nothing wrong? She had pushed him to one side, hoping that the shot would go wide, as it had. Indeed, it had fallen short for they were too far away from the would-be assassin. Perhaps the shot had never been meant to kill, but merely to taunt and frighten. Was it John’s enemy’s intention merely to spoil their happiness and create tension between them? Somehow the sending of that poisonous posy and spiteful letters did not seem in keeping with the attempt to shoot John. Was it possible that he had two enemies? And why were all these things happening now?

  Sarah sat silent and tense within the carriage, her nerves stretched taught as she felt every bump in the road and wished that she could be back in their hunting lodge, wrapped in John’s arms safe and warm. She had the oddest feeling that everything had changed and she was frightened. Not only of the assassin that had waited in the shadows, taking his chance to fire at them—but of this new silent, angry John. She did not know him. He wasn’t the man she had married or the quiet, gentle man she loved so very much.

  Sarah stepped from the carriage, feeling weary and exhausted by the journey. They had stopped only to change horses at the posting houses. Once John brought her a glass of wine and some bread and meat, but she had drunk only a few sips of the wine. The food would have stuck in her throat for her throat and chest felt tight and she found it difficult to hold back her tears.

  John was speaking to his men, giving orders, hardly seeming to notice Sarah until he suddenly turned and saw her, his expression so reserved and cold that it sent a quiver down her spine.

  ‘Do not stand here, Sarah,’ he said sharply. ‘Go up to the house. Mrs Raven will have your room ready and I shall be in shortly. I have things to do for the moment.’

  It was not the homecoming she had imagined, the servants lined up to meet their new mistress and John leading her into the house, smiling and proud of his new bride. She approached the front door, which opened as she reached it. Mrs Raven bobbed a curtsy to her, her expression openly curious as her eyes swept over her. Sarah was conscious that her gown must be crumpled and that she had not stopped to change her linen before setting out on the journey. She felt dirty and dishevelled and not at all like the mistress of this great house.

  ‘If the master had sent word you were returning early, we might have been more prepared to receive you, miss…ma’am,’ Mrs Raven said, a hint of insolence in her tone. ‘Your room has been prepared, of course, but there is no food ready and the girl who is to serve you does not arrive until the day after tomorrow. I’ll send Ruth to you. She was a lady’s maid once, so I dare say she will know what to do for you.’

  ‘Thank you, Mrs Raven,’ Sarah said, giving her a straight look. ‘My own maid will probably arrive in the morning. The baggage cannot be far behind us, I think.’

  ‘Yes, ma’am. Shall I show you the way—or do you remember where to find the master’s bedchamber?’

  ‘Thank you, I believe I can find my own way, Mrs Raven.’

  Sarah walked up the stairs, her head high. The housekeeper would not have dared to speak to her in that tone had John taken her into the house as she had expected he would. By returning early and riding off immediately, he had created the idea in Mrs Raven’s head that he was not particularly interested in his new wife.

  Her cheeks stinging with embarrassment and her eyes gritty with tears of disappointment, Sarah made her way to John’s apartments and then through the connecting door into the apartments that had been refurbished for Andrea, but never used by her. She was immediately aware of a sweet perfume; it smelled of flowers and was very light and fresh. Sarah rather liked it, looking around for the bowl of flowers she thought must have been put here. However there were no flowers in the room, and she could not find the source of the scent. It just seemed to cling to everything, almost as though it had been sprayed recently on to covers and curtains. When she opened the large armoire, she discovered that the perfume was much stronger here—and then, tucked into a corner, she discovered a fine linen shift. Taking it out, she could smell that the perfume was very strong, more than would have been the case had it got there by someone simply wearing it. It must have been soaked in the perfume—but why?

  She was still staring at the shift when the door opened and Ruth walked in. She smiled oddly as she saw what Sarah was holding.

  ‘Did you find that in the armoire, Mrs Elworthy? I must have overlooked it. Forgive me. I shall put it where it belongs with the rest of her things in the attics.’

  ‘I don’t understand—what did you mean by saying that you had overlooked it? Did this belong to Andrea?’

  ‘Yes, miss…I mean, ma’am,’ Ruth said and her slanted eyes gleamed with a secret amusement. ‘These were her rooms. I was told to clear everything out, but I must have missed this somehow. Do you want me to unpack for you, ma’am?’

  John had told her that his first wife had never used this room. Was he lying or was it Ruth? If John had lied about that…but she had only the girl’s word and it would be foolish to trust her. ‘Thank you, I can manage for now,’ Sarah said, rejecting her help. ‘I have only this small bag until my baggage arrives, which should be in the morning.’

  ‘Was there an accident t
o the coach, ma’am?’ Ruth looked at her, her dark eyes narrowed, almost impertinent.

  Sarah had taken little notice of her the first time they met, for she had been interested only in making sure that Nathaniel was not tormented by his unkind nurse. Now she saw that the woman was not in the first flush of youth, though to a casual observer she looked no more than twenty-five or six—but she was perhaps nearer thirty. She might have been beautiful dressed in the right clothes with her hair dressed loosely about her face, instead of pulled back into a confining knot at the back of her head. Her dark eyes were sly and mocking and she seemed too confident for a servant who had once been dismissed.

  ‘No, there was no accident. We decided to return earlier than we had intended, and the baggage was not packed. It will arrive tomorrow, I expect.’

  ‘Yes, I expect so, ma’am,’ Ruth said. ‘But what will you wear in the meantime? You can hardly sit down to dine with the master in that gown?’

  Sarah glanced down at herself, realising that she looked as if she had slept in her gown, which indeed she had, in the coach.

  ‘Perhaps you would press it for me, Ruth? I have clean lingerie, but that is my only dress until the baggage arrives.’

  ‘Yes, ma’am. It might look better for a press.’

  Her tone suggested that it was highly unlikely, but Sarah decided to ignore it. Her personal maid would arrive the next day. Ellie had agreed to come with her and Sarah was glad of it—she had a distinct sense of being unwelcome in this house.

  Oh, why hadn’t John come in with her? Sarah took off her gown and handed it to Ruth, retiring behind a pretty Chinese screen to take off her other things.

  ‘Please bring me some warm water when you return,’ she said, but there was no answer, and when she poked her head round the screen she saw that the room was empty. ‘Oh, bother!’