by Janet Woods
‘That’s no excuse. What have you and Simon Mortimer been up to? You can tell me now, or you can explain what’s been going on to a magistrate.’
‘Unhand me, sir, you’re crushing my cravat,’ he bleated.
Alex dropped him into a chair. ‘Who else knows what’s happened?’
‘Nobody, I swear, and neither Simon nor I used our names, and it was too dark for us to be recognized, so Miss Fox is unaware of who her assailants actually are.’
Freddie must be stupid if he thought Vivienne wouldn’t have recognized them … and now he’d confessed. Had Freddie told Adelaide what had occurred, he wondered? If so, half of London would know by now.
‘You know, if this gets out Miss Fox’s reputation will be ruined, for nobody would believe she wasn’t a party to a lover’s tryst that went horribly wrong. What sort of men would carry out such a despicable action? You should be ashamed of yourself.’
‘Oh, believe me, sir, I’m totally ashamed. It started out as a prank. We’d been drinking, and Simon got it into his head that if he waylaid her she would have to wed him or suffer the scandal.’
‘Wed him … is Mortimer in love with Miss Fox to go to such lengths to capture her interest? Surely a man in love would seek to protect the lady of his heart.’
‘It’s more that he’s in love with her supposed legacy. Simon doesn’t like to be thwarted or proved wrong.’
‘He attacked her for money? The girl only has a few pounds from a legacy to enjoy.’
‘Simon is convinced she has a fortune stashed away, and he’s been investing heavily and looking to recoup his losses by marriage. Plus his sister, Sophia, isn’t quite … tidy. He wants to get her off his hands at any cost. Nothing will convince him that Miss Fox is anything less than the fatted calf.
‘I went along with him considering that he might sober up on the way to Maidstone and think better of it. He had no intention of harming Miss Fox … at least, I didn’t think so. We hired a carriage and followed the stagecoach, and then we got in front of them and waylaid her. It was easy to nab her because she and the maid were on foot. But things got confused and out of hand. Stephen planted a facer on her when she refused to get in the carriage and that’s when I intervened. I managed to restrain Simon and told Miss Fox to run.’
‘Very laudable,’ he said caustically. ‘You suffered no injuries yourself in your heroic rescue of her, I see.’
Freddie looked miserable. ‘I was turning the carriage round while the struggle was going on. By the time I got down from the driver’s seat it was all over and Simon was on the ground, doubled up in pain and protecting a pair of crushed acorns.’
The thought of that instilled an enormous sense of pleasure into Alex’s growing anger. Vivienne Fox was no shrinking violet, but no amount of pluck would help her weather the storm that would beat around her ears once this affair got out. It would be intolerable. Because she was innocent, her instinct would be to brave it out, but if she came back to London it would be with her reputation soiled beyond redemption.
‘I want this affair bottled up, Frederick, and I’m holding you responsible for doing that. I’m going to Maidstone to see Miss Fox and get her side of the story. In the meantime, tell your friend to close his book and call off the wolf pack. I’ll call on him when I get back, and if I hear anything derogatory said about Miss Fox in the meantime then he’d better start running, for I’ll follow him to the ends of the earth and strangle him with my bare hands. Understood?’
‘Yes, My Lord … what about Almack’s?’
‘Sod Almack’s! If you think I’m going to prance around a dance floor dressed like a turkey cock while your friend conspires to ruin the reputation of an innocent young woman, think again.’
‘But what of Miss Mortimer … she will never forgive you if she misses the appearance of the Regent?’
‘Miss Mortimer is not my responsibility, and I’m sure she’ll get over her disappointment. She’ll have to, especially since I had no intention of escorting her in the first place.’
The young ladies had begun to descend the stairs. Adelaide displayed a frizzled fringe on her forehead. ‘Mama has developed a headache.’
Looking smug, Sophia said rather imperiously, ‘We are ready, My Lord.’
‘Since my chosen and named partner is unable to accompany me I have no desire to dance, so I must change my plans. I hope this hasn’t inconvenienced you, Miss Mortimer. Perhaps the baron will be allowed two partners if he explains the situation.’ He gave a short bow, then turned on his heel and left them to it. He knew he was being rude but he didn’t want the company of any of them after the way they’d treated Vivienne.
Alex made plans as he strode rapidly to his boarding house. He took Mrs Crawford into his confidence over Vivienne’s plight, since the woman had a tight mouth about personal matters. ‘I doubt if her relative will welcome her back into her home, and other than yourself there is nobody I can trust with it.’
Mrs Crawford took it all in her stride. ‘I can offer refuge to the young lady should the need arise. Would you allow me to inform John Howard of the affair, since Miss Fox is his niece?’
‘I’d rather you waited until I’ve got to the bottom of it. I want to see her injuries for myself, and her father must take precedence over her uncle.’
‘Of course.’
‘It’s up to him if he wishes to take John Howard into his confidence. I’d be obliged if you kept your ears open though. I don’t need to tell you how urgent this is. I need to hire a horse, but have very little money left.’ He took the family ring from his finger. ‘Can you recommend a stable? I can offer this ring as security for the horse.’
‘There’s no need, My Lord. I know a man who has a stable and Mr Howard instructed me to provide you with anything you need, should you ask. He’s a very generous man. I’ll send my Ned with a note and he’ll bring a horse to the door before you’ve had time to change out of those fancy clothes. It will probably be the nag Mr Howard uses when he’s here.’
Alex paused on the bottom stair. ‘You speak of John Howard with affection. Excuse my curiosity, Mrs Crawford, but may I ask what your relationship is?’
She gave a faint smile. ‘Not what you imagine, My Lord. John Howard is my half-brother. I didn’t know I possessed one until ten years ago when he sought me out. I’d just been widowed and he purchased this house for me, so I’d have a living as well as a home to raise my stepson in. John usually resides here when he visits the city, unless he has business, or wishes to impress a new client, for which he will use his office or his club.’
John Howard rose in his estimation, and although Alex didn’t like owing the man money he accepted the purse Mrs Crawford offered him. ‘In case you have need of it,’ she said.
On impulse he kissed her cheek. ‘Thank you.’
She chuckled. ‘Thank John Howard, and save your kisses for the younger women, where they’ll make more impression.’
He managed a grin. ‘I would if I could find a suitable one.’
‘Perfection has always been hard to come across. If you stop looking, a suitable woman might find you. Do you have a pistol? You might need one if you’re on the road alone.’
He nodded. ‘I’m pleased to say I haven’t needed to kill anyone yet. Excuse me now if you would. I must hurry if I’m to stop this turning into a scandal.’
‘You’d have a better chance of stopping a forest fire. There’s only one way of stopping it, My Lord … marry the young woman.’
He laughed so hard on his way upstairs that he didn’t notice that Mrs Crawford had been serious.
He placed Vivienne’s journal on the table. He was tempted to read it, but it wouldn’t be fair to her, and it would embarrass her if she found out. Before he left he hid it under his pillow.
His mount was saddled and waiting for him fifteen minutes later. A former army officer’s horse, the sturdy grey gelding had been named Boots, because the bottom halves of his forelegs were black. The horse ey
ed him with a certain amount of suspicion.
Alex took him by the bridle and spoke to him for a few moments. ‘We’re going to Maidstone, but I promise not to push you too hard.’
Once the horse had familiarized himself with his smell and voice, Alex mounted. The saddle moulded to his behind like a second skin.
He gazed down at Ned from his superior height. ‘Has he got any quirks I should know about?’
Ned grinned. ‘He has a tendency to high-step if he hears an army band, but you won’t find any of those on the way to Maidstone. Other than that, he should give you a comfortable ride, My Lord.’
And that proved to be the case.
The journey was without incident, the road crowded with travellers looking to make their journey while it was still light. It was just gone nine and the air was a soft and misty twilight when he reached Maidstone. It was too late to go on since he wanted to clearly see the place where Vivienne and her maid were attacked.
Boots was stabled for the night while Alex took a room at the inn. He ate a hearty dinner, washed it down with a tankard of ale and went to bed. The rumbling blend of mostly male voices, laughter and colourful curses coming from the bar downstairs kept him awake for only a short time. But no wonder Vivienne had chosen to push on. This establishment was certainly no place for a lady.
All the same, he needed to speak to the landlord for he’d left London in so much haste he hadn’t found out where Vivienne lived.
‘Reverend Fox?’ The man scratched his head, and then gave Alex a gap-toothed smile. ‘You be the second gentleman who asked after the good reverend’s whereabouts … two day ago it were, come to think of it. It were a pair of them, and they went off without a thank you … didn’t drink ale, but bought a bottle of brandy and port. Not that they needed it because the bigger man reeked of it. A nasty bit of work, he were.’
Alex took a shilling from his waistcoat pocket and handed it over.
‘Thank you kindly, sir, though there weren’t any need for it since I thought they might be up to some jiggery pokery and I didn’t tell them nuthin’. Someone else may have though. Then the London coach came in and I was busy changing the horses for the return journey.’
‘Did you see any young women get off the coach?’
‘May I ask why you’re making this your business, sir?’
‘You may. One of the passengers was a young woman who is a particular friend of mine. I believe she was travelling with her maid. I need to speak to her father, to satisfy myself she got home safely.’
He nodded. ‘Normally I would tell you to mind your own business, sir, but I can see you’re a gentleman, and I reckon you don’t mean them any harm, at that.’ He drew in a deep breath. ‘Apart from a woman with her family, there were two of them. Trim little duchesses, they were, but I couldn’t see their faces. They didn’t have much baggage, just a piece each.’ He slid the coin into his pocket. ‘Reverend Fox, you said … he lives over Chausworth way. Take the south road out of town for a mile or so past the church and he lives in the old manor house. It’s called Rose Cottage. You can’t miss it.’
‘Tell me of the men you spoke of. Can you describe them?’
‘The one driving spoke like gentry and his voice was high-pitched and twitchy. He was a bit of a showy gentleman. He was arguing with his companion and was pushed in the chest and told to shut up for his trouble. The other … well, I know a bad ’un when I see one,’ and he spit into the sawdust. ‘Fact is he had a sly look and his eyes were mean. I wouldn’t turn my back on him in the dark. I recognized the carriage he was driving though. It were hired from Adams and Son.’
The man had become loquacious and Alex let him ramble, though he filed that piece of information in his mind and slid another shilling his way.
The man slid it back. ‘I reckon you be looking into what happened to them two young women.’
‘Could be.’
‘I heard a whisper they had been set upon. Would that be right?’
‘I heard the same whisper.’
‘A downright shame if you ask me. That pair of felons need a good flogging. Later in the night they came back and pounded on my door, demanding a room. The drunk’s face was all scratched and bloody and he was doubled over and ready to cast his accounts up on the doorstep my missus had just scrubbed. When I gave him a talking-to he threatened to come back and burn the inn down. The other one kept apologizing for him. You should keep better company, I says, and I sent them both packing. Likely they ended up sleeping in a haystack, and serve them right, though it’s more than they deserved.
‘I’ll send my lad to fetch Boots for you. He’s eaten his breakfast and is looking forward to a bit of a gallop. He’s a good horse with a strong heart.’
Alex shook his hand. ‘Thank you, landlord, you’ve been most helpful.’
The man doffed his hat. ‘Pleased to make your acquaintance, My Lord.’
Fourteen
‘We look as if we’ve been to war.’
The doleful face of Maria was reflected in the mirror behind Vivienne, who managed to drown her sob in a watery huff of laughter. ‘The cat hid under the dresser and hissed at me this morning.’
‘You came off far the worse, Miss Fox. Your face is all swollen up and the skin around your eyes is bruised. Then there are the bruises and welts on your body. My only injury was a crack on my head and some scratches from the holly bush I was thrown into. At least we can be thankful they didn’t … well, you know … do something worse, otherwise you might have been obliged to wed Simon Mortimer.’
Simon Mortimer would have violated her if she hadn’t fought back, she knew. Vivienne shuddered at the thought of becoming his wife. ‘I would rather kill him first.’
In the cold light of day the assault of two nights ago would have seemed far-fetched and unbelievable, were it not for their injuries. On the odd moments when reality set in, Vivienne had bouts of weeping that she couldn’t seem to control, and Maria sometimes joined in.
‘Perhaps I should call the doctor,’ her father had said, helpless in the face of these flooding tears from the usually most calm and sensible of his three daughters.
‘No … you mustn’t, Papa. I don’t want anyone to know, since you know what the gossip will be like.’
‘I could send a message to your sisters.’
‘That would worry them needlessly, since by the time they get here I’ll be back to normal. The injuries aren’t serious and will heal and I’ll just stay indoors until they do. I’m just a bit shaken.’
‘Do you know who did this to you? We could take them before a magistrate.’
‘No …’ she’d lied. ‘Let it be, Papa. The fewer people who know, the less gossip there will be. It was my own fault for believing the note was from you. I was so worried I didn’t stop to think it may have been a hoax and somebody had set a trap for me.’
He’d gently patted her cheek, and then kissed her. ‘You’re a good daughter, Vivienne, but you’re being evasive and that makes me sad. I understand you have to be careful of your reputation, but no blame can be laid on you for what happened.’
‘You don’t understand, Papa. People will always believe the worst.’
‘You will be letting your aunt down if you don’t return to London.’
‘Aunt Edwina will no longer have any need of me since Adelaide has made a match that she approves of.’ And God help her for accepting the proposal from a man as weak as Frederick, she thought.
‘The men who attacked you … you know who they are, don’t you?’
She hung her head at that. ‘It was dark and I have no proof. I don’t want to unjustly accuse people of wrongdoing when they may be innocent, and when there is the possibility of disruption to the lives of others. I need to think about what the point of this attack might be – and then decide what to do about it. The whole episode has been a shock, so allow me a day or two to find my strength and recover.’
‘Of course you must. When you do decide you must c
ome to me for guidance, because your happiness means much to me and I don’t want you martyred. I’m going to the church for a while. I’ll pray for a solution to this problem and I’ll bring your bags back.’
A mixture of the mystical and the practical, of which the latter would be of more use to her right at this moment, she thought. Overnight her bruises had worsened, and her body was now stiff and sore. Maria had got over her fright, but she’d been unconscious for most of the struggle.
As for herself … well, it could have been worse, she conceded. She’d been unfair in branding Freddie as weak because if it hadn’t been for his intervention she might not have got off so lightly.
‘I was supposed to go to Almack’s afternoon dance yesterday. I wonder if the earl went without me, or found himself another partner. Sophia Mortimer, perhaps.’
Maria snorted. ‘Had Lord LéSayres intended to take anyone else he wouldn’t have asked you in the first place. That woman throws herself at him, and he knows it. He’s only got eyes for you, Miss. You should tell him.’
‘Tell him what?’
‘That you do have the fortune everybody is talking about. I heard your father say so.’
‘You don’t understand, Maria. I promised myself that I’d only marry a man who loves me for myself. Telling him about the fortune is the last thing I can do now. He has pride in himself and his family, and he is an honest man. He’ll never forgive me for lying to him when he has taken my side at every turn. He regards me as a sister.’
‘If he doesn’t forgive you, he doesn’t deserve to have you and you’d be better off without him. I must go through your gowns here. That one you’re wearing is so shabby.’
‘They’re old. I must write to my aunt and ask her to send my trunks on as soon as possible. I doubt if I’ll return to London now. I’m thinking I might buy a cottage and settle down. I’ll compensate you for what you went through because of me, Maria. I’ll also pay you a year’s wages if you’d prefer to look for another position. Think about what you want to do and let me know. My aunt might take you back for the rest of the season.’