by Anne Herries
‘She wanted to kill me…’ Amelia’s head was spinning as she tried to remember. ‘She was so…strong…’
‘She was ill, Amelia. Northaven has discovered the truth from Lieutenant Gordon. She is his cousin and he has always sloved her, though he knew she was wild even as a girl. Miss Horton has told us more. As a child Marguerite was prone to tantrums. That is why they had a strict nanny for her. When she grew up she seemed better, calmer, but when Lucinda became pregnant their father started to forbid the girls to go anywhere—and Marguerite had become moody. She sneaked out at night, walking in the woods alone and she was prone to bouts of melancholy. Mr Ross suspected that she had killed her own sister and decided that she ought never to marry, though he was too proud of his good name to admit it to the world.’
Amelia closed her eyes for a moment. ‘She was the one who planned all this, the abduction of me that went wrong and the rest…wasn’t she?’
‘Lieutenant Gordon says that she persuaded him; she said that he had to abduct you and kill you in front of Gerard—and then kill him. Only then would she give him what he wanted from her. He believed that Gerard was responsible for Lisette’s death and agreed, because she had bewitched him, manipulated him—but in the end he couldn’t go through with all the things she asked of him. When Northaven accused him of trying to shoot him in the back, he broke down and confessed that he had taken a pot shot at him, but swears it was more in the hope of scaring him off than killing him.’
‘You mean the marquis forced him to confess?’ Amelia’s head was clearing a little. She sat up with Susannah’s help and sipped a little water. ‘I wonder why Marguerite decided she would kill me herself.’
‘It was an impulse. You were in an isolated spot, alone—and she took her chance. She was always a little unstable…her nurse knew it. She said that both the Ross girls were inclined to be wild at times, but Marguerite got much worse after Lucinda’s death. Perhaps it was her guilt because she killed her.’
‘Poor Marguerite…’
‘Do not pity her, Amelia.’
‘I can only feel pity for her despite what she did.’
‘Alice Horton was resentful because you had her dismissed, but when Marguerite tried to kill you, she attempted to stop her. She might have agreed to help with an abduction for a ransom, but she drew the line at murder.’
‘Did she?’ Amelia’s brow wrinkled. ‘I cannot remember…’
‘You have been very ill, Amelia.’
‘Did they send for you?’
‘As soon as I heard what had happened, I was determined to come. Helene is here—and so is Emily. She put off her visit to Sinclair’s. We all love you, dearest Amelia.’
‘Helene should not be worrying over me. She must take care of herself and her baby.’
‘We haven’t let her nurse you. Emily and I have done most of it—and Martha, of course. Everyone wanted to do their best and Lisa has been crying for you. Gerard has been here much of the time, but today he had to see some people. Lieutenant Gordon has made a full confession. They are deciding what should be done with him—whether he should be sent abroad or given up to the magistrates.’
Amelia nodded. She closed her eyes. She was so very tired.
‘Thank you for explaining…but I think I should like to sleep now.’
‘Yes, of course,’ Susannah said and kissed her cheek. ‘Go to sleep, dearest. You will soon begin to feel better now…’
‘Well, it is over,’ Harry said as they sat together in the library. ‘I am of the opinion that Gordon has learned his lesson. When he discovered that Mar-guerite had murdered her own sister, I thought he would be sick. The look of revulsion on his face tells me that he will not be drawn into such an affair again.’
‘I still think he should have stood his trial,’ Max said. ‘You were too lenient with him, Gerard—he was behind the attempted kidnap on Amelia and the abduction of Miss Barton—and that shot outside the church at Pendleton, though he says it was no more than a warning.’
‘The shot might have been meant for me. Amelia suffered no ill effects and Emily was returned unhurt thanks to Northaven. I have a great deal to thank Northaven for…and I believe we all owe him an apology.’
‘Not certain of that,’ Harry objected. ‘His careless talk was almost certainly to blame for what happened in Spain.’
‘Yes, I am sure it was—but he did not deliberately betray us and we ought to show some mercy. I let Gordon go because he is genuinely remorseful. Besides, it was Marguerite who planned it all. He was merely her tool.’
‘I hope you have for given yourself too.’ Max laid a hand on his shoulder. ‘Lisette had been through a great deal, losing her lover, the rapes and then giving birth. Her mind was disturbed when she took her own life.’
‘And I refused her when she asked me for love.’ Gerard looked grave. ‘Perhaps that is why I am being punished. If I lose Amelia…’
‘Ridiculous!’ Harry said. ‘You cannot blame yourself for what happened to Amelia the other day. She invited that mad woman into your home.’
‘If she had not, I might not have been there when she needed me. She could have been attacked at any time…perhaps months after we were married.’
‘Amelia will pull through,’ Max told him. ‘She is surrounded by people who love her, and they will all do whatever they can to help. Just give it time, Gerard.’
‘Yes, I know—thank you.’ Gerard forced a smile. ‘You are the best friends a man could have at such a time.’
Gerard said no more. It was impossible to explain that he was afraid that when Amelia recovered her senses, she would not wish to marry him—that she might still believe the lies Marguerite had told her.
Amelia was dreaming. She was in the water and something was dragging her down. When she looked beneath the surface, she saw the eyes of a dead girl staring at her. Then the girl’s skinny claws reached out to pull her to the bottom. She could feel the air draining from her lungs…
‘Amelia…’ A gentle hand shookher shoulder. ‘It’s just a nightm are, my love. I am so sorry she hurt you. Please forgive me.’
Amelia opened her eyes. For a moment she could not focus, but then she saw Gerard. His face were pale in the candlelight and tears were wetting his cheeks. He was crying…for her. She lifted her hand as he bent over her, touching his face.
‘Don’t cry,’ she said. ‘I am better now, Gerard…’ She shuddered as she remembered. ‘It was just a dream…just a horrid dream.’
Gerard sat on the edge of the bed. He reached for her hand, holding it as if it were made of fine porcelain. ‘When I saw what Marguerite was doing I was so afraid. I thought I might be too late. My men had held off because they did not realise what she meant to do. She was your guest, not a stranger, so they hesitated and then it was almost too late.’
‘How could anyone have guessed what she would do? I had noticed small things that seemed odd, but I thought she was merely suffering from melancholy because of the life she led. Indeed, I suspect that her father may have pushed her over the edge by depriving her of her freedom.’
‘She tried to kill you, Amelia. You were lying there so still…I thought you were dead.’ His voice broke with emotion.
‘I think I almost was,’ Amelia said with a wry smile. ‘If you had not come…you and Northaven and the others…I owe the marquis an apology, Gerard. I once thought he was responsible for Lucinda’s death, because I thought him her seducer—but now I know that he is blameless. I know who seduced her and then left her to face her shame alone.’
‘He is a rake and more, but he is blameless in this instance.’ Gerard’s gaze narrowed. ‘You do not truly think that I…?’ Amelia shookher head. ‘Then who…?’
Amelia reached for his hand. ‘Before she tried to kill me, Marguerite told me it was Michael.’
‘Your brother…but he accused me…the morning he came here—he accused me…’
‘Of seducing her and then deserting her. Yes, he did—and he dr
ove us apart, Gerard—because he was mad with jealousy. He was besotted with Lucinda. I see it all so clearly now. Things I should have noticed when she came to the house. She pretended to visit me, but it was Michael she wanted to see. He bought her things…promised to divorce Louisa—and then he saw her kissing you. In his rage and disappointment he blamed you. He loved her, still wanted her even though they quarrelled. If she had not died, he might still have kept his word to her in the end. She may have known it in her heart. She did not take her own life.’
‘You are sure Marguerite was not lying?’
‘It all makes sense, Gerard—and Michael changed after that time. Before Lucinda died he was not so bad tempered. He has become worse over the years. He does not care for his wife or she for him. He is a disappointed, bitter man.’
‘Lucinda kissed me. I may have let her for a moment. It was a summer day and she was pretty that day, lit up from inside—but when she wanted me to lie with her I said no. At no time did I encourage her—or Marguerite. I hardly saw either of them. I was in love with you. You do believe me?’ His fingers tightened around hers.
‘Yes, I do. I think that was why Marguerite wanted to kill me. In her rage, she told me that Lucinda laughed at her, told her that you would marry me—-and she went for her. It may have been an accident, but in Marguerite’s mind she killed her sister. I think it played on her conscience. Her father had made her a virtual prisoner and she dwelled on her wrongs. You did not want her, so you became Lucinda’s murderer though she knew she had done it—but she wanted to punish you. When she suspected we were likely to marry it made her angry and somehow she persuaded Lieutenant Gordon to help her.’
Gerard nodded. ‘Alice Horton came to see me this morning. She apologised for what happened and told me that a couple of months ago Marguerite’s mother was taken by a stroke and can no longer speak. Because his wife was so ill, her father allowed Marguerite to help with the nursing. She took some of the sleeping draught the doctor had left for her mother and put it in her father’s ale—and then she left the house to come to us. He had no idea where she had gone. She had to take the letter you wrote to her mother—if her father had known where she was, he would have come after her.’
‘I suspected that something must be wrong at her home when I realised she must have taken the letter. I feel so guilty,’Amelia said. ‘She might have harmed Lisa.’
‘How could you know what was in her mind? Besides, she did not hurt the child. Alice told me that Marguerite desperately wanted a child of her own. I think if Marguerite had succeeded in her plans to be rid of us, she might have spirited Lisa away. We found silver from her room at Ravenshead and also some diamond earrings of yours, Amelia. No doubt she would have taken whatever she needed before she disappeared with my daughter. Imagine what might have been Lisa’s fate then…living with that woman…growing up as her child.’
‘It does not bear thinking of!’ Amelia closed her eyes for a moment. Gerard’s fingers tightened over hers. She looked at him. ‘Forgive me. I had no idea that she was unstable. Her letters were so sad…so pitiful…’
‘The work of a clever if deranged mind. Her father may have suspected that she had killed her sister, but no one could prove it. She had brooded on her wrongs. When Gordon came home from France and went to visit, he told her about Lisette and how she died. She saw her chance to take revenge on me.
‘Gordon was angry, but he had no thought of murder until she prompted him. He says that he resisted at first, but she was too strong for him. He had loved her since they were children, and she knew how to make him do her bidding. He wanted her, but she made him promise her that he would kill us both.’
Amelia shuddered. ‘And I invited her to come here.’
‘You could not have known what was in her mind.’
‘What will happen to Lieutenant Gordon?’
‘He is to live abroad. I have given him a letter of recommendation to a plantation owner in Jamaica. I met Jacques in France and he offered me help if I should go there.’
‘Should Lieutenant Gordon not go to prison?’ Amelia looked at him steadily. ‘Many would seek revenge, Gerard.’
‘I think he has suffered enough. He lost the woman he loved.’
‘Does he know that Lisa is his child?’
‘No. Perhaps it was harsh, but I thought it best for her to stay with us. She could not be more loved than she is now.’
‘I am glad—for her sake. You are her true papa, Gerard.’
‘Yes, I am—and you are her mama. We shall both love her and care for her, and she will remain our daughter even when we have children of our own.’
‘Yes, we shall always love her.’ Amelia smiled. ‘Can you forgive me for doubting you even for a moment? I am so sorry, Gerard. I should have known, but I was stunned…I could not think clearly. Once I had time to let my mind clear, I knew you were innocent of all their accusations.’
‘Can you forgive me for letting you walk into danger? You were close to death, Amelia.’
‘That was entirely my own fault. I had completely forgotten everything else when I left the house. Besides, it is over—it is over, isn’t it?’ She lifted her eyes to meet his anxiously.
‘Yes, my dearest. I am certain it is.’
‘Then there is nothing to stop our marriage—is there?’
‘Your brother…shall you tell him what you know?’
‘I shall tell him all of it, Gerard. You were blameless. His jealousy and anger were misplaced. I think he may have blamed himself for Lucinda’s suicide, because he told her he would not help her after he saw her kiss you—and he may find peace in the knowledge that she did not jump into the river because of his harshness. Perhaps he can find peace at last, and it may be the saving of him.’
‘Yes, he may find some comfort in that,’ Gerard agreed. ‘He may still not forgive us—either of us.’
‘If Michael wishes to remain a stranger to me, it is his choice. He may apologise and put an end to this feud if he wishes—if not…’Amelia shook her head. ‘I cannot condone the way he behaved with a young woman he knew to be my friend. Besides, he made me so unhappy when he sent you away, Gerard. I have you and Lisa and all my friends—why should I need anyone else?’
Amelia stood at the church door, her arm resting lightly on Gerard’s. The bells were ringing out joyfully and a large crowd of friends and local people had gathered outside to watch the bride and groom leave. Rice and dried rose petals were showered over them as they ran for the carriage.
Once inside out of the bitter February wind, Gerard drew her to him, kissing her softly, his hand moving at the nape of her neck. His eyes seemed to search her face.
‘What is it?’
‘You are happy? Truly happy?’
‘You know I am. How could I not be on such a day? We are married and we have our friends about us. I have all that I ever wanted.’
‘Your brother did not attend the wedding.’
‘No, but my nephew, John, did—and he brought me a gift from my brother.’ She touched the simple but beautiful baroque pearl that hung from a fine gold chain about her throat. ‘This is the pendant my mother wore when she married. Michael sent it to me. It is the closest he could come to an apology.’
‘Your mother’s…’ Gerard nodded. ‘I wondered why you chose something so simple, though it is a fine pearl.’
‘Mama’s jewellery was divided between us after she died. Michael was allowed to choose first. He realised afterwards that I would have liked the pendant and he told me I should have it on my wedding day. Sending it for my wedding was a symbol of forgiveness…an olive branch. I wore it to show I had accepted his offering. I shall have many occasions to wear the diamonds you gave me, my dearest.’
‘You hardly need diamonds,’ Gerard told her and kissed her once more. ‘Whatever you wear, whatever you do, you are lovely inside and out, my darling Amelia.’
‘I love you so much…’
‘I am the luckiest man to have fo
und you.’ Gerard took her hand as the carriage drew to a halt outside the house. ‘Only you would have asked that Lisa should accompany us on our wedding trip to Paris. You are a pearl amongst women, Amelia. Your brother’s gift was appropriate.’
‘Thank you for being so understanding. Most men would hold a grudge after what Michael did…but you don’t…do you?’
‘I may never for give him completely for what he did to us. It truly broke my heart and I wanted to die. I was reckless on the field of battle in the hope of death. However, I want you to be happy, Amelia. I know it would not suit you to cut your brother or his family entirely. I dare say I can greet him in a civil manner if it comes to it, though we shall never be friends.’
‘It is enough,’ she murmured as the carriage door was opened and a groom let down the steps. ‘We must not keep our guests waiting, Gerard.’
Gerard watched as his wife moved amongst her friends at the lavish reception they had given. He felt a swelling of pride as he saw the way people greeted her. She was liked, respected and loved by everyone here. Known for her generosity, her dignity and her character, she was a truly great lady and he felt privileged that she was his to love and protect for the rest of their lives.
‘Father wanted to come, you know.’ Captain John Royston spoke from behind him, making Gerard turn his head. ‘He is often bad tempered and lets his tongue run away with him—but he was upset when he heard what happened. Amelia looks well enough now, though.’
‘Thankfully, she has made a full recovery,’ Gerard said. ‘You may tell your father he may visit us in Hanover Square when he chooses. I dare say Amelia will wish for a ball when we go to town next Season. I should be pleased to see him and your mother and brother—and you, of course, should you be on leave from your regiment.’