The Highborn Housekeeper

by Sarah Mallory

  She desperately wanted to see him, but she was honest enough to know it was not just to discuss the missing documents. Seeing him again at the ball, having him pay court to her, even if it was only a pretence, had brought back all the desire she had tried so hard to suppress. His voice, deep and seductive, those blue eyes with their disturbing gleam, set her body tingling with anticipation. She curled up in her bed, trying to ignore the building excitement at the thought of meeting Gabriel in the morning.

  * * *

  The overnight frost was sparkling in the first rays of the early morning sun when Nancy set out on her father’s bay mare. It had not been difficult to leave her bed before dawn for she had slept fitfully again and had been relieved to get up and dress for the coming meeting. Davy had brought her mount out on to the drive some way from the stables, so that they did not disturb the other servants, and she had ridden off, her spirit soaring with a delicious expectation.

  The snow still lay in thick drifts where the road was hedged by trees, but the more open ground was clear and she enjoyed a gallop across the fields. Garmore Hill was situated halfway between Masserton and the Blickers’ property and when it came in sight, it was just as Nancy remembered it, partly wooded and offering a good view of the surrounding countryside. She trotted up the gently rising track and as she approached the summit a lone rider emerged from the trees. Her heart leapt and a smile tugged at her mouth, but she kept her tone light and friendly.

  ‘Why, Lord Gabriel, this is a pleasant surprise.’

  ‘Yes, isn’t it? Quite a coincidence to find you here.’

  She laughed. ‘I used to ride here often when I was a child. It is a popular picnic spot in the summer, but not used as much in winter. However, it is a good choice. Anyone seeing us might well believe we met by chance.’

  ‘They might also expect me to take the opportunity to flirt with you.’

  ‘And of course that is what you do with every female, is it not?’

  He grinned at her. ‘Indubitably. Therefore, let me entice you into the cover of the trees, where we may talk unobserved.’

  They guided their horses into the small wood, away from prying eyes, and when Gabriel suggested they should dismount and walk a little way, she readily agreed. She waited until he was standing beside her, then kicked her foot free of the stirrup and slid down into his arms. It was the most natural thing in the world to look up into his face and smile. Immediately he lowered his head and captured her mouth. His lips were cold, but his kiss set her body on fire and she responded hungrily. Everything was forgotten, she revelled in the taste of him, the desire that was unfurling as his tongue worked its magic, dancing and teasing, drawing out her very soul.

  She gave a little moan when he broke off and she heard his answering sigh.

  ‘I would like to take you, here and now,’ he murmured, pressing delicate butterfly kisses over her eyes, her cheeks.

  She wanted that, too, so much so that her body ached at the very thought of it. Her breath caught as he began to work his way along her jaw then, with another sigh, he released her. She clung to him for a moment, afraid she would crumple without his support. Dear heaven, she was weak with need. Almost shaking. When had it come to this, that she had allowed a man such power over her?

  He gave her a wry smile. ‘I suppose we must turn our attention to more pressing matters.’

  ‘Yes, we must.’

  She quickly silenced the wanton voice in her head that confessed she would much prefer him to make love to her. This was only ever meant to be a brief liaison, a little flirtation. That was all either of them wanted. All they could have.

  She saw the familiar teasing gleam in his eyes. He said, ‘Perhaps one day, in another season.’

  In another life!

  ‘Perhaps.’

  It took every vestige of her willpower to reply with a flirtatious smile, knowing all the while that when this was over, they would go their separate ways. He would soon forget her and she—well, Nancy would always have the memory of his lovemaking.

  He pulled her hand on to his arm and they began to walk. Nancy glanced up. Gabriel was looking solemn now and she envied his ability to move so easily from pleasure to business. She must do the same. After all, the suspicions surrounding Masserton Court—her father’s involvement with smuggled documents, old Peter’s death—they were serious enough to warrant her full attention. The very thought of it sobered her.

  He said, ‘You have found no trace of the missing papers in the house?’

  ‘No, nothing.’ She sighed. ‘I cannot believe my father would be involved in anything treasonous.’

  ‘Not knowingly, perhaps. And the only carrier from London to call recently was for Lady Craster?’

  ‘Yes.’ Small comfort, to think her father might be duped, but Nancy clung to it. ‘They delivered her ballgown. I tried to find the packaging, to see if there was any clue there, but the servants tell me it has all been burned. If the documents were delivered on that carrier’s wagon, then it is very possible they will be moved on in a similar fashion.’

  ‘Indeed it is. Not only possible, but highly likely. I wish we could wait until I hear something from London about Meldrew and Sons, then we might be more sure of our ground and I could have Captain Graves and his men tear the house apart, but I needs must tread carefully. The problem is that the snow is thawing. Once the documents are moved on, we might never be able to prove the connection. We might also lose track of them, and if they reach the Netherlands there will be hell to pay.’

  Nancy stopped. ‘Perhaps you should investigate Mr Hewitt, who is supplying the wall hangings for the Court,’ she suggested. ‘Lady Craster was angry that he would not call this morning to collect the sample book. More dismayed than the situation warrants, I think. And something else that puzzles me. The blue room is always locked when Lady Craster is not in it. Why would anyone want to secure an empty room?’

  ‘If I was Hewitt, I would want those papers in my possession for as little time as possible,’ said Gabriel. ‘He might be waiting until the roads from Lincoln to the ports are clear.’

  Nancy gave a little hiss of exasperation. ‘The blue room is the only place that Hester and I have not been able to search. Lady Craster keeps the key.’

  ‘Do you mean to tell me that you do not add lock-picking to your accomplishments?’ he asked her, his voice teasing.

  ‘No, of course not. Do you?’

  ‘As a matter of fact, I do,’ he murmured. ‘It is a very useful attribute for seducing a lady.’

  Nancy’s cheeks flamed at the message in his laughing eyes. She looked away quickly, reminding herself that such outrageous comments came easily to a hardened flirt. But she had to admit it eased the tension of the situation, just a little.

  ‘You are shameless,’ she scolded him. ‘And I cannot believe you would stoop to such base tactics.’

  ‘Well, no,’ he confessed. ‘So far it has not been necessary.’

  She choked upon a laugh.

  ‘Quite shameless! I pray you will concentrate upon the problem of the missing papers.’

  ‘I beg your pardon,’ he said meekly.

  She looked up suspiciously, but he appeared to be quite serious now, so she continued.

  ‘There is one other possibility. Lady Craster has summoned a Dr Scotton to call tomorrow and examine my father. A precaution, she says, but this is a new physician. She has persuaded my father to abandon the excellent Dr Gough, who lives in Darlton and has attended our family since I was a baby. I know nothing of the new man, save that he has a practice in Lincoln, but it seems odd to make him travel all that way for no good cause. He is to stay overnight, which I suppose is not unreasonable, with the weather as it is.’

  ‘Then it is possible he could be the courier. I will have John make enquiries about the man.’

  She stopped, saying with a little
cry, ‘Oh, I hate being so suspicious of everything and everybody!’

  ‘I know, my dear.’ Gabriel pulled her into his arms. ‘I dislike it very much, not being able to trust anyone.’

  ‘Then why do you do it, Gabriel?’ She looked up at him, searching his face. ‘Is it for the money?’

  He grinned. ‘I may not be rich as Croesus, but I am not without a feather to fly with! I have a very comfortable fortune of my own, thankfully. No, I needed some sort of occupation, the church did not appeal, I had tried the army, but I found it too confining. What I am doing gives me a way to help my country while providing a chance to use my wits. And there is an element of danger, which stops me getting bored. The life has suited me.’ He paused, then added thoughtfully, ‘Until now.’

  ‘Are you growing tired of it?’

  ‘I think perhaps I am.’

  There was an enigmatic look in his blue eyes as they gazed down at her. She could not read it, but he looked very serious. It unsettled her. Or perhaps it was merely the chill wind that soughed through the trees at that moment. Nancy glanced up at the sky, where the sun was creeping higher.

  ‘Susan—Lady Craster—has asked me to meet the doctor, when he arrives, so I had best get back.’

  ‘Of course.’

  They returned to where the horses were tethered and Gabriel pulled her close for one last kiss. She leaned against him for a moment, her head resting on his shoulder.

  ‘When shall I see you again, Gabriel?’

  ‘Tonight.’ He grinned when she looked up in surprise. ‘Did the Earl not tell you? I, er, bumped into him yesterday and he invited me to shoot with him today. He suggested I come to the Court for dinner, afterwards.’

  ‘He has said nothing of this to me.’

  ‘I think he sees me as a potential suitor.’

  ‘Quite possibly. I know he would be glad to have me gone from the Court.’

  ‘There you are then.’

  She gave a rueful chuckle. ‘I do not think Susan shares his optimism, she thinks you a rake. Although she did tell me I should do my utmost to secure you.’ She added, as he threw her up into the saddle, ‘She wants me out of the way, you see.’

  ‘Casting her in the shade, are you?’

  Nancy laughed at that. ‘A Long Meg like me? I do not think so. She might perhaps fear my influence with my father, although I doubt that, very much.’

  ‘She might be afraid you will discover something they would rather keep hidden.’

  ‘Such as handling stolen documents. That still seems very unlikely to me. I do not like the woman, but what reason would she have for passing on government secrets?’

  ‘That I do not know, but everything I have seen and heard points towards Masserton Court being used as a transfer point.’ Gabriel had been holding the horse’s head while Nancy settled herself, now he checked the stirrup and saddle girth. ‘I think it very likely that the papers are hidden in that locked room and even more likely that they will be leaving the Court tomorrow. If I cannot find an opportunity to search that room when I join you for dinner this evening, then I shall have to come back later in the night. I shall take the precaution of warning the Blickers not to wait up for me, in case that event becomes necessary. And I will need you to leave a door unbolted.’

  He rested his hand on her knee and even through the thick folds of her skirts she could feel its warmth, its strength. Her mind wanted to wander off to the memories of that same hand roaming over her naked skin and it was with difficulty she dragged it back to the present.

  ‘I can do that,’ she told him. She bit her lip. ‘If you should find the missing plans at the Court, is there anything we can do to protect my father?’

  ‘I will do what I can. You have my word. I am sorry you had to become mixed up in all this.’

  ‘So, too, am I. But even if your theories are completely wrong, old Peter’s death is suspicious.’ She gathered up the reins. ‘I believe something is going on at Masserton and I want to know what it is.’

  Chapter Thirteen

  Nancy rode quickly back to the Court, where the butler met her at the door. He informed her, a faintly anxious note in his usually imperturbable voice, that breakfast was over and the Earl wished to see her. Immediately.

  Nancy nodded and went off to find her father. She was aware of a familiar unease knotting her stomach, as it had done when she was a child and had been summoned to account for some misdemeanour. She pushed it aside. She was a grown woman now and no longer answerable to her father for her actions.

  She found him with Lady Craster in the drawing room.

  ‘Where the devil have you been?’

  She opened her eyes at his angry demand and spread her hands.

  ‘As you see from my dress, I have been riding. I took your hack up to Garmore Hill. I am sorry if you wanted to use her...’

  ‘But, my dear, you were unaccompanied,’ put in Lady Craster, her voice dripping with spurious concern. ‘What if you had taken a tumble and no one to help?’

  Nancy gave her a cool glance. ‘I have always ridden out alone here.’

  ‘You were always too independent for your own good! Susan was looking for you. I only allowed you to remain here because she put in a good word—’

  The lady gave a gentle laugh and laid a hand on his sleeve. ‘Pray do not work yourself into a pelter, dear sir. Lady Ann, you must understand that it is natural for your father to be concerned for you. In future you will not ride out without a groom.’

  ‘As you wish. If you think one can be spared, now Peter is no longer here.’ She turned to her father. ‘What happened to him, Father? Davy told me only that he died.’

  ‘A bad business.’ Her father shook his head. ‘Very bad. Poor fellow went out one night and didn’t come back. They found him in the morning, on the road. Frozen to the spot.’

  Her father had never been one to hide his true feelings and she felt sure that his sorrow was genuine. That, at least, was some small comfort.

  ‘But that is not why we wish to speak to you,’ declared Susan. ‘Your father is about to take his gun out—’

  ‘Oh, has Dr Scotton arrived already? Has he examined you, Father?’

  ‘Bah! I don’t have time to wait in for the fellow!’

  The flash of anger in Susan’s blue eyes confirmed Nancy’s suspicions that the doctor had been summoned at her behest and not the Earl’s.

  ‘No, of course the fellow hasn’t had time to ride here from Lincoln,’ he went on.

  ‘That is why you must be on hand to greet him when he arrives.’ Susan gave Nancy one of her steely smiles. ‘I am very busy today and the doctor will need to be entertained, given refreshments and so on. He can examine your father before dinner. It should not take long.’

  ‘Then if you excuse me, I shall go and change.’

  ‘Aye, do,’ growled her father. ‘And one more thing. I expect Lord Gabriel to be joining us this evening. I’ve invited him to come back here for dinner, ain’t that so, Susan?’

  With her lips pressed together and the tight set of her jaw, Lady Craster looked less than pleased with the Earl’s announcement, but she made efforts to appear complacent.

  ‘We are just giving you the hint,’ she purred, like a cat ready to show her claws at any moment. ‘That you might be prepared for company.’

  ‘That I might be suitably attired?’ Nancy suggested. She had not missed Susan’s disapproving look towards her riding habit, tailored to accentuate every curve of her full figure, and she added mischievously, ‘Mr Hopwood always liked to see me rigged out in the very best style.’

  ‘Lord Gabriel is accustomed to moving in the highest circles.’ Susan’s eyes flicked over Nancy again, this time fixing on the large buttons and profusion of silver frogging on her mannish jacket. ‘Something a little less...exuberant might be in order. There will be no need
to dress up, because his lordship is coming to take pot luck with us and even though the good doctor will be here, too, we will be dining informally. But you do not want to give Lord Gabriel a disgust of you.’

  ‘And he mustn’t think you would accept anything less than marriage,’ growled the Earl. ‘Ravenshaw has a reputation as a dangerous flirt.’

  Nancy did not wish to be warned about Gabriel’s reputation. She responded sharply.

  ‘Thank you for telling me, but I think I had ascertained that for myself. However, I must go, if I am to be fit to receive Dr Scotton.’

  With that she whisked herself out of the room and hurried up the stairs, almost shaking with the tumult of emotions swirling around inside. She knew her dress was too extravagant, designed to cause comment, she had been prepared for that, but what shocked and surprised her was her reaction to their disapproval. She felt all the raging emotion of an angry child, trying to provoke some sign of affection from her neglectful parents and instead only drawing their criticism.

  When she had decided to return to the Court, she had not imagined she would feel so overwhelmed by the past. She had thought all the hurt and anger and loneliness was gone, but it was still there, reinforced by seeing Lady Craster as the recipient of her father’s affection. The only spark of comfort during the past weeks had been Gabriel’s company but even that was only temporary, she understood that. When his work here was finished he would move on and she would return to Prospect House to resume her life there.

  ‘And the sooner that happens the better!’ she muttered, storming into her bedchamber and throwing her crop and gloves on to a chair.

  But somehow, the words did not ring quite true.

  * * *

  Nancy changed into a sober morning gown of green cambric and went to the kitchens to inform the cook that there would be two guests for dinner and to approve several extra dishes. She was on her way back upstairs when she heard the sounds of an arrival. A quick peek into the hall confirmed it. A gentleman was divesting himself of his wide-brimmed hat and heavy greatcoat. The butler had been given his instructions, so she hurried to the morning room to receive Dr Scotton. She was relieved to find Hester already waiting there for her, calmly knitting a pair of socks.