by Mary Nichols
‘Did anyone see you coming?’
‘No, ’twas still dark and they was all asleep.’
‘Everyone?’
‘Reckon so. They went to a ball last night. I heard the carriage come back real late. I brought you some pecker.’
‘Thank you, Sam. I’ll keep it for later.’
‘You still set on goin’?’
‘Yes, I am, and we must set off at once or I will miss the carrier.’
‘I wish you wouldna’. I don’ know what Mr Lord will say when I do tell ’im. He’ll fly into the tree tops, I knows ’e will. He’ll say I should ha’ told ’im sooner.’
‘He won’t be angry with you, Sam.’
‘Ma will be, if ’e ain’t.’
‘If you are worried, you do not have to come with me. Go home and no one will be the wiser.’
‘Ain’t leavin’ you to go alone, not nohow.’
‘Then let’s go.’
Alex hid behind the building as they came out and started off down the track. He let them go a hundred yards, then followed. He was elated. She had been found and now he could keep her safe, though she was making a fair job of doing that herself. After two nights alone on the fell, she seemed cheerful, ready to be her old intrepid self, to meet whatever befell her with stoicism, so long as she did not have to come face to face with Bentwater again. But perhaps it was not just Bentwater she was afraid of, perhaps it was him too. He had been prodigiously clumsy in the way he had asked her to marry him and she had likened his manner to Bentwater’s. He hadn’t deserved that, had he? But he would not give up. Curious about her intentions, he crept closer.
‘Where you goin’?’ the boy asked.
‘I told you. On the carrier’s cart to Kendal.’
‘Then what?’
‘I am going home to London, Sam. It’s where I belong. My mother needs me. I should never have left.’
‘Why did you? Was it ’cos of the bad man?’
‘Yes.’
‘But Mr Lord ain’t a bad man, is ’e?’
‘No, Sam, he is a very good man.’
‘But you are angry with ’im.’
‘No, I’m not angry with him. But when the bad man comes, he will blame Viscount Malvers for hiding me. He might be arrested. And Mrs Summers too. And I shall still have to go with the bad man.’
‘Seems to me, you’re in a fix,’ Sam said.
‘Yes, and I have to get out of it as best I may.’
They had reached the road and were walking towards Waterhead. Alex left them and returned to Highhead Hall. He did not go inside, but saddled his horse and rode out again. If he went across country, he would be in Kendal before the carrier’s cart arrived.
Emma climbed down from the cart and shook out her skirt. After two nights sleeping in it, and sitting on a sack of grain the carrier was delivering in Kendal, it was looking very bedraggled. And her hair was all over the place and, though she had tried to comb it out, it was still full of knots. She smiled grimly. No one would mistake her for Lady Emma now, would not even mistake her for Fanny Draper. She had sunk even lower.
She would have liked to go into the Woolpack and ask for a room so that she could make herself look respectable again, but she dare not spend the money. Besides, they knew her in there; she had been in with Alex and Mrs Summers several times. Instead she went and sat on a bench to wait for the coach going south.
She shifted along when someone came and sat beside her, but did not look up from studying her filthy hands. She really ought to have gone down to the lake and washed them, but that would have delayed her and she might have missed the carrier.
‘Emma.’ The voice was no more than a whisper.
Startled, she looked at the man who sat beside her. ‘Alex!’
He smiled lopsidedly. ‘Did you think I would not find you?’
‘Sam—’
‘No, not Sam. At least, not knowingly. I wondered why he found it necessary to break into the house and steal food, so I followed him.’
‘Oh.’
‘Why run, Emma? Did you not trust me to protect you?’
‘You might have tried, but Lord Bentwater is very powerful. If he brought Runners with him, he will have you arrested, though you have done no wrong. And dear Mrs Summers, who has been so good to me. She does not deserve that.’ She spoke in a flat, hopeless tone and would not look at him for fear of weakening. Already she was shaking. Before he arrived, her resolve had been fixed, but now she knew it was going to be a hundred times more difficult to maintain.
‘I agree she does not. But she is very anxious about you, as I have been.’ He paused and took one of her grubby hands in his. ‘Emma, I have been out of my mind with worry, imagining all manner of disasters. If anything happened to you, I should not want to go on living. I love you to distraction.’
She turned and looked at him at last. ‘You cannot mean it. I have been nothing but trouble to you.’
He was about to retort sharply that he was not in the habit of saying things he did not mean, but thought better of it. That was a soldier’s retort, not a lover’s. ‘Emma, I do mean it. I have loved you for a long time, possibly ever since we left London. I love your courage, your compassion, your determination, but more than that, I love your luminous eyes, your aristocratic nose, your bright hair, your kissable mouth.’ He touched each item with a gentle forefinger as he spoke. ‘Your sunny smile and your tears, every little thing about you, the person you are even when you are at your most infuriating.’ He smiled. ‘You do not know how many times I have cursed you in the last two days for leading me such a dance.’
‘I am sorry, but you never said any of that before.’
‘No, and I regret I did not. I regret more than anything that clumsy attempt at asking you to marry me…’
‘Oh, so that was what you were doing.’ In spite of everything, she could not resist teasing.
‘Yes, and I made a mull of it. My only excuse is that I have never proposed to a lady before and I could not seem to find the right words.’
‘Have you found them now?’
‘I do not know. Shall I test them out?’
He slipped to his knees on the cobbles. She laughed. ‘Alex, do get up, you will have everyone looking at us and that is the last thing I want. We are not out of danger, far from it.’
He resumed his seat beside her as the sound of a horn heralded the arrival of the stage. ‘Emma, I love you dearly and what I want most in the world is to make you my wife and spend the rest of my life devoted to your happiness. So, my darling, will you wed me?’ He was obliged to raise his voice at the end because the coach clattered into the yard and the noisy business of disgorging passengers and changing horses was begun.
‘Oh, Alex, you know I love you, but what about my so-called betrothal to Lord Bentwater?’
‘You told me you had not accepted him.’
‘Of course I did not. That won’t stop my stepfather saying I did.’
The coachman approached them. ‘Are you wanting to board the coach, miss? If you are, we are about to depart.’
‘No, she is not,’ Alex said. The man went away and climbed up on the box.
‘Alex, I cannot go back to Waterhead, not while Lord Bentwater is looking for me. I had much better take the coach and go home.’
‘No point in that. There is no one there. Sir George and your mother are on their way here.’
‘Oh!’ She watched the coach leave, not sure whether she felt sorry or relieved. ‘What am I to do?’
‘I have had an idea.’ He picked up her bag in one hand and took her hand with the other. ‘Come on.’
Meekly she followed as he led her to the Fleece Inn. It was only a small establishment, but as its guests had come only for the regatta and had departed that morning, it had vacant rooms. The proprietor came forward as soon as he saw Alex. ‘Mr Lord, I have your room ready.’ He looked from Alex, obviously the gentleman, to the bedraggled woman standing beside him and wondered at the incongr
uity of it. In spite of her problems, which did not seem nearly so insurmountable now she was with Alex, Emma smiled. Mr Lord, indeed!
Alex noticed the innkeeper’s raised eyebrows and realised an explanation was called for. ‘My wife has been in an accident with a cart,’ he said. ‘If you can bring hot water to the room and try to press her dress, I should be much obliged.’
The innkeeper did not believe him, but decided it was none of his business. ‘Come this way, sir, Mrs Lord,’ he said, leading them up the stairs. Emma tried to pull back, but Alex tugged her after him. The man threw open a bedroom door. ‘There you are, sir. I will have the water sent up. Do you wish for refreshment?’
‘Yes, breakfast, if you please.’
The man disappeared and Alex went and shut the door after him. ‘Now,’ he said firmly, taking Emma by the hand and pulling her down beside him on the bed. ‘We will continue our conversation.’
‘No, Alex, no. I cannot believe you have so little sense as to compromise me in this fashion. My reputation will be ruined.’
‘Whose reputation? Lady Emma Lindsay’s, Miss Fanny Draper’s or some unknown going by the name of Mrs Lord?’
‘Mine. The person I am. What’s in a name?’
‘Quite,’ he said. ‘But there is one name that will make a difference and that is Viscountess Malvers. Now, are you going to answer the question I asked you a few minutes ago? Will you marry me and be my viscountess?’
‘Are you compromising me on purpose to influence my answer?’
He laughed. ‘Would it serve?’
‘No, it would not.’ She was emphatic. ‘If you are looking for a wife, you might be better settling for Miss Pettifer.’
He laughed. ‘You are not jealous of that chit, are you? She is nothing but a spoiled schoolgirl. I only asked her to take part in the regatta because I was out of all patience with you. And with myself. And as it turned out, it was fortuitous; Bentwater was at the regatta and he was poking into everything. The fact that you were not there puzzled him greatly, I think.’
‘It is not a jest.’
He stopped laughing immediately and took both her hands in his. ‘I am not jesting, my love, my dearest Emma, I am perfectly serious. And if you had not been so nervous of being seen, I would have continued my proposal in the street. It is all the same to me where we are. I need an answer. And if it means promising to give up gambling, then I will. It will be no hardship.’
‘Alex, you cannot make promises like that. So many things in life are a gamble, don’t you think? For instance, if I agree to marry you, you will be gambling your future happiness on me.’
He laughed. ‘That’s not a gamble it’s a certainty. So what do you say?’
‘Is a lady not supposed to ask for time to consider?’
‘Do you need time?’
‘No, but if I say yes, how are you going to fetch us out of our predicament?’
‘Leave that to me. I am not without influence myself. So, how much longer are you going to prevaricate?’
‘Are you sure?’
‘I have never been more sure of anything in my life. Go on, repeat after me, “I love you, Alexander Malvers, and I will marry you.”’
She smiled and repeated his words, then added, ‘It is my dearest wish. Now tell me how you are going to bring it about.’
He did not answer, but put his arms about her and kissed her soundly. ‘To seal the bargain,’ he said, then kissed her again. And again. He kissed her hair, her forehead, her nose, her chin, her lips, sending shivers of desire rushing through her. His mouth roamed from her mouth to her throat. His hands fumbled with the buttons on her dress and, opening the bodice, he kissed the tops of her breasts. She clung to him, a low moan escaping from her lips at what was happening to her body. It was melting, there was no other word to describe the strange sensation that made her feel soft and compliant, without strength or will. Her surroundings disappeared; the room, the bed on which they lay, were gone; there was nothing but two people locked in each other’s arms, floating on another plane altogether.
What would have happened next if there had not been a sharp rap on the door, she could not even guess at. Reluctantly he dragged himself away from her and went to open it. Emma sat up and quickly buttoned her bodice and tried not to look flustered as a maidservant came in with a jug of hot water, which she stood on a wash stand beside a bowl and a towel. She was followed by a man with a huge tray containing breakfast, which he put on a table near the window.
‘Shall I take madam’s dress?’ the girl asked.
‘I will bring it to you directly,’ Alex said, because Emma could not find her voice.
‘Very well, sir. Madam,’ they said and took their leave.
Alex turned back to Emma and grinned. ‘Don’t look so stricken, sweetheart.’
‘They knew, they knew what we had been doing, I could tell.’
‘A man making love to his wife, I am sure they have seen worse than that in their time.’
‘But I am not your wife.’
‘You soon will be.’ He opened her bag and pulled out the crumpled blue dress. ‘This is almost as bad as the one you are wearing. You must have packed in a devil of a hurry.’
‘You know I did.’ She took it from him and shook it. ‘It will have to do.’
‘Then change quickly.’
She looked about her. There was no privacy. ‘Are you going to sit there watching me?’
‘No, I am going to help you.’ He came forward and began undoing the buttons of her bodice all over again. And began kissing her all over again.
‘Alex, no. I can manage. Go and sit over there.’ She pointed to a chair in the window. ‘Watch the road.’
‘I would rather watch you.’ He sighed melodramatically. ‘But I will be good.’ He sat down and turned his back on her.
She slipped out of the dress as quickly as she could and used the hot water to wash. ‘How did you reach Kendal before me?’
‘My horse is much faster than a carrier’s cart.’
‘And you had already taken this room by the time I arrived.’
‘Yes. I want you to stay here until I have persuaded Lord Bentwater to give up his claim on you and have obtained your stepfather’s agreement to our wedding.’
‘Supposing you cannot persuade them?’ She was struggling into the blue dress as she spoke.
‘Oh, I will, never fear.’ He turned to face her and then strode over to help her fasten the dress. ‘I like doing this,’ he said. ‘Though I like undressing you better.’
‘But I have only just put it on.’
‘I know.’ He bent to kiss her forehead. ‘Let us eat. I am famished and I am sure you are.’
‘Yes, I am.’
They sat at the table and did justice to ham, eggs, pork chops, chicken legs and bread and butter washed down with coffee. When they had eaten their fill, he rose to go. ‘I’m going back to Waterhead, my darling. You stay and rest. I will return as soon as I can.’ He took her hand and raised her to her feet to enfold her in his arms and kiss her again.
She responded willingly, clinging to him. ‘I wish you did not have to go.’
‘The sooner I go, the sooner I will be back.’
‘Supposing he comes?’ She did not need to name the man.
‘Why would he come here? If he asks Sam, which I doubt he will, having no reason to, all he will be able to tell him is that you intended to take the stage back to London.’
‘What about Mr Maddox?’
‘What about him?’
‘Sam said you tried to strangle him.’
‘Did he? Well, I was angry, worried out of my mind. I accused him of betraying your whereabouts, but he convinced me of his innocence. He is no more a friend of Lord Bentwater than I am and, like me, he thinks the man is a despicable rakehell, if you will pardon the expression. He is not fit to walk the earth.’ He picked up her grey dress. ‘I’ll take this down to the innkeeper’s wife on my way.’
He kissed
her again, reluctant to leave her, but on the other hand anxious to sort out the mess they were in and return to claim her openly. He pushed her gently from him. ‘I will be back as soon as I can.’ And then he was gone and she was alone again.
But this loneliness was different. Now there was hope. And love. She fell on her knees beside the bed and prayed. She prayed as hard as she had ever prayed before. ‘Let him come safely back to me. Make Sir George agree. And keep Mama and Mrs Summers and Sam and everyone safe.’
Chapter Twelve
Alex rode back to Highhead Hall, humming ‘Moll in the Wad’ as he went. His morning had been the most satisfactory one of his life. Emma had said she loved him and had accepted his proposal; what more could a man ask of the woman he adored, body and soul? All he had to do was convince her stepfather there was nothing to be gained by opposing them. And he thought he knew how to do it.
It was late afternoon when he arrived back at Highhead Hall. He dismounted outside the stables and Sam ran out to take his horse. ‘Mr Lord,’ he said, in whisper, ‘I got summat to tell you.’
Alex ruffled his hair. ‘I know all about it, young shaver.’
‘You do?’ He was astonished.
‘Yes. Where do you think I have been?’
‘I dunno.’
‘To see a lady, a very special lady, who was going to catch the London coach.’
‘Oh. I telled ’er not to go, I said to come home, but she wouldn’.’
‘I know, but she is safe, Sam, so do not worry any more.’
‘There’s new people in the ’ouse, Mr Lord. Visitors. Mrs Summers is all of a shake, she is.’
‘Thank you for warning me. Rub Salamanca down well, there’s a good fellow, and give him oats and a good long drink. And ask one of the grooms to put my saddle on Bonny. I will need her in half an hour.’
‘Yes, sir.’
He relinquished the horse’s reins and went in search of Joe. ‘I have a job for you,’ he said. ‘I want you to keep an eye on the Fleece Inn in Kendal. Lady Emma is there, waiting for me. Just make sure no one goes anywhere near her until I get back there. Take the carriage.’