“No, my dear boy, but I’ve had an exciting day, so thought it prudent to rest.”
“I saw your carriage leaving the inn,” Ralph said.
“Ah, I thought I glimpsed you, but I wasn’t sure,” Lady Pensby said pleasantly. “I like your friend’s sister.”
“And how did you come to meet Lady Edith?” Ralph asked coolly.
“Am I to be scolded?” came the amused question. “I didn’t think our roles had changed quite so far. Am I no longer the parent?”
Ralph gritted his teeth. “I’m curious to know why you met with Lady Edith and why you thought travelling in the carriage was a good idea.”
“It wasn’t a good idea, it was a grand adventure!” Lady Pensby laughingly replied. “Oh, my dear boy, stop trying to hide the scowl on your face. The expression you are wearing isn’t becoming. Now sit by me and I’ll tell you all about it.”
Ralph reluctantly sat on the edge of the bed and listened as his mother told of her escapades since the day before. When Lady Pensby had finished extoling the virtues of Lady Edith, she lay back on her pillows. “You see, I’m being very sensible and resting and there have been no ill effects. I do believe it was worth the little bit of risk, for it was such a lovely feeling to escape for a short while.”
“Mother, you are precious to me, please don’t take such risks in future,” Ralph pleaded.
“Lady Edith said it was hard when one had such a small family. I suppose it’s different for me, because I know it is natural for me to leave you at some point in your life. Lady Edith understood why you would be angry with me. Do you know she wouldn’t rest easy until I was back in my carriage? The child was virtually bouncing in her seat when I refused to leave.”
“That’s something I suppose,” Ralph muttered darkly.
“Now, now, Ralph, don’t start blaming the wrong person. It was all my doing. I imposed on a young lady, who clearly was worried about my wellbeing. I did feel a trifle guilty, but I couldn’t completely feel conscience-stricken because I had so much enjoyment travelling out of the grounds. Don’t take that away from me with dark looks and quiet mutterings,” Lady Pensby chided.
“But if they hadn’t come to the area on some trumped-up reason, none of this would have happened.”
“And I would have missed out on meeting the delightful Lady Edith. I do like her. Don’t you?”
Ralph refused to answer, but reached over to kiss his mother. “Rest now. There has been far too much excitement for my liking.”
“Oh pfft,” Lady Pensby responded, but didn’t force the point she’d been trying to make. She was fully aware that if she pushed too far, Ralph would rail against her out of bloody-mindedness.
Ralph left the room and indicated to his footman. “Send a message to prepare the carriage. I’m going out.”
Chapter 19
Edith was apprehensive when Ralph was shown into their parlour. She’d known he would come and, in some ways, his arrival was preferable to the waiting. Now he was here and her stomach started to knot. His eyes blazed even if he had the appearance of calm.
“Longdon, Lady Edith,” Ralph bowed stiffly.
Miles stood. “I don’t want an argument, Pensby,” he said quietly.
“I just want a word with your sister,” Ralph said coolly.
“Miles, leave us be,” Edith said. “This is because of my actions. I don’t wish you to be dragged into a dispute between myself and your friend.”
Miles shrugged and walked to the door. “I shall enjoy a cigar whilst walking down the lane,” he said. “I don’t expect to hear raised voices.”
With the warning given, he left the room. The two combatants faced each other, one angry, one wary.
“Do you have no consideration about your impact on other people’s lives, or is it just my life you insist on interfering with?” Ralph snapped.
Edith winced. “I’m sorry your mother came out here today. I wasn’t easy until she was on her way home. I never for a moment thought she would drive here when I sent my apologies to her.”
“But you went to Lymewood yesterday.”
“Yes. I didn’t see any harm in that and I made sure to only stay for fifteen minutes,” Edith said defensively.
“You didn’t consider that the exertion a visit would cause my mother was enough a reason to deter you?”
“Is Lady Pensby ill?” Edith asked, immediately stepping towards Ralph.
“No, but she returned to bed, exhausted when she got home today.”
“But she hasn’t had one of her episodes?”
“No,” Ralph reluctantly admitted.
“Oh, thank goodness,” Edith said with relief, her hand unconsciously coming to rest on her heart.
“Why did you really come here? The reason you gave was flimsy at best,” Ralph changed the subject. He was staring at Edith intently. She wasn’t sure if he was going to throttle her, but there certainly seemed some difficulty in restraining himself.
“I came to see you,” Edith admitted, her shoulders slumping.
“Yes, you explained it was to see if I was well, but that was a ridiculous excuse. What was the real reason?” Ralph persisted.
Edith flushed and chewed her lip. She noticed Ralph watching her lips and flushed even more. “I wanted to see you,” she repeated.
Ralph looked as if he were going to explode but then paused. “Nothing in my actions could have given you reason to suspect I had any intentions of offering for you, if that is what you are implying. I’m sorry if I gave you false hope.”
“A kiss is nothing?” Edith asked incredulously. “Do you regularly offer kisses to the females you know?”
“That was a moment of… a mistake after a difficult day for us all,” Ralph said cruelly.
Edith sucked in her breath. If he’d struck her she couldn’t have felt any worse. “I see. A mistake. Yes, I suppose it was. A mistake on both our parts.”
“I’m sorry to have upset you, but I’m always very clear in my intentions. I accept that by kissing you, I overstepped the mark. I assure you, I don’t always act like that,” Ralph said stiffly. His hands had clenched at his sides when he’d seen the impact his words had on Edith. He’d wanted to enfold her in his arms, but he couldn’t.
“But the letters hinted at something else. Some deeper connection between us,” Edith said, taking a risk.
There was a stillness for a few moments. Edith half wished she’d held her tongue, but he needed to be completely honest with her. His actions and words were so contradictory, she had no idea who the real man was anymore.
“How did you guess?” Ralph eventually asked gruffly, his own colour heightened.
“I didn’t really. I guessed wrong initially, but I always hoped. It wasn’t until the last letter that there were just too many coincidences to ignore the connection to you,” Edith admitted.
“I shouldn’t have sent them.”
“I’m glad you did. Without them I’d have just put you down as a rude, arrogant cad.”
Ralph spluttered. “By gad! Don’t hold your opinion back, Lady Edith. Say whatever you feel.”
Edith smiled tentatively. “Even now, I can’t do that for fear of more rejection. You say your actions are a mistake, but your words would suggest that they aren’t.”
Blowing out a breath, Ralph walked across the room, putting more distance between himself and Edith. “It’s complicated.”
“Life usually is,” Edith shrugged.
From outside a sound cracked which made them both start. “What was that?” Edith asked.
“A gunshot, by the sounds of it,” Ralph answered. “Strange at this time of night. Unless one of the farmers is shooting at a fox.”
It seemed to take only a moment before loud shouting and running in the main areas of the inn brought them both to action.
“Miles!” Edith exclaimed, running towards the door.
“Edith! Stay here!” Ralph commanded, grabbing hold of her around the waist before she rea
ched the door.
“But Miles!” she protested, wriggling against Ralph in order to be free.
“I will check on him. We don’t know what’s out there yet. Promise me you’ll remain here,” Ralph commanded.
“But—,”
“Please. I’ve got to know you’re safe.”
Edith nodded and stopped her struggle. Ralph seemed to assess whether or not he was being duped but decided she was willing to go along with his request. He left the room at speed, while Edith waited near the now open door.
One gunshot in the night didn’t mean that anything was wrong with Miles, but she wouldn’t be happy until she saw that her brother was well.
Staff and customers had run out of the inn to see what had occurred, but it wasn’t very long before a loud murmuring of many voices approached the inn. Edith was tempted to go to the main doorway of the building, but she couldn’t go against her promise to Ralph. She remained at the parlour doorway in an effort to find out what was going on.
The colour drained from her face as she saw the unconscious figure of her brother being carried into the inn by three men. Ralph was giving instructions and Miles was quickly taken upstairs.
Edith had sagged against the doorframe, needing the support of the centuries-old wooden structure. Ralph approached her and gently took her into his arms.
“Come. We’ve sent for the doctor. There are two wounds but I don’t think either are life-threatening. He was just overcome because he was moved,” he said gently.
Haunted eyes sought out Ralph’s. “What happened?” Edith whispered.
“An unfortunate encounter with a footpad,” Ralph explained. “The thief must have just been passing through, but Miles tackled him and he’s been caught. He’ll swing on the gallows for this.”
“I need to go to my brother,” Edith said, trying to move, but her legs were unable to support her and she stumbled. Ralph’s strong embrace was the only thing which stopped her from dropping to the floor.
“You there, bring some brandy. Now,” Ralph commanded a servant and remained supporting Edith until a glass of the amber liquid was brought. “Here. Drink this. You need a little boost,” he said gently.
Edith numbly drank the brandy and then returned the empty glass to the servant. “Thank you.”
“Ready?” Ralph asked.
“Yes.”
Ralph kept his arm around Edith’s waist as they walked up the stairs. It was wholly inappropriate, but he was afraid she might falter once more. He hoped Miles’ valet had removed most of his master’s clothing by the time they reached the bedchamber. There had been a lot of blood, which he didn’t want Edith to see. She wouldn’t have been able to see much when Miles was brought through the inn as there was so many people around him. In his chamber it would be a different matter.
Ralph was relieved to see that the valet had removed all he could and Miles, although his colouring was grey, looked comfortable in the bed. The room was quite calm after the bustle and noise the incident had caused. Miles’ eyes flickered open as they entered the room.
“Oh, Miles!” Edith cried, her voice low. She moved to her brother’s side and stroked his face. “What mischief have you been causing?”
“The blasted fellow took me by surprise,” he said faintly. “He’s a rum padder all right. His mount was impressive. That’s what caught my attention in the first instance.”
“You and your horseflesh,” Edith chided gently.
“The cove wouldn’t believe I had no funds on me, the fool. I dragged him off his horse when he wouldn’t listen and that’s when he shot me,” Miles said, the words costing him, as he grimaced and spoke with difficulty.
“You managed to hurt him even though he was armed. He’s been restrained and will be locked away for the night. I’ll be dealing with him in the morning. He’ll either go before the assizes or I’ll just send him to London to be tried there,” Ralph said grimly, speaking as one of the local magistrates.
“You’d best wait to convict him until you find out if I’ll die or not from my wounds,” Miles said.
Edith took a sharp intake of breath, but Ralph responded quickly. “He’ll swing whatever happens to you. Although, the fact that you’re talking in such a way convinces me that you’ll soon be up and about. Stop worrying your sister, you buffoon.”
Miles glanced at Edith. “Sorry. Black humour is standard military speak.”
“How are you feeling?” Edith asked.
“My leg is burning,” Miles said, trying to rub his leg to relieve the uncomfortable sensation, whilst at the same time not wanting to touch the bullet hole. “I don’t know what happened, but my side is also wounded. There was only one gunshot, so I don’t know if I’ve just fallen and grazed myself.”
Both Edith and Ralph could see that the second wound was more serious than a graze, but neither mentioned the fact.
They were soon interrupted by the arrival of the doctor and the pair were ushered out of the room whilst Miles was being examined. Edith protested, but Miles asked her to leave. “I’d rather not cry in front of my sister. Anyway, Pensby here, looks like he could faint at any moment. Take him away, Edith. Please.”
Standing outside the now closed bedchamber door, Edith wrapped her arms around her middle. “This is because of my folly. If anything should happen to him…”
Ralph moved over and, without thinking, instinctively wrapped Edith in his arms. Looking into her eyes, he spoke quietly, but firmly. “Don’t try take the blame for something you could not have foreseen. This is a safe area, no one would suspect an evening walk would result in an attack.”
“But if he should get a fever… My eldest brother Charles caught a chill. Everyone dismissed it as nothing and then the fever started. He raged with delirium for days, until his body became so weak that he couldn’t fight any longer. I’ve only Miles left. Oh, I know I have Mama, but it’s not the same. Miles is the last of my siblings. To lose him – I can’t. I just can’t!” She finished on a choked sob, trying to hold back her tears, but struggling to do so.
Ralph rested his head on her forehead. “I will do anything that is needed to keep him alive. I will spend every last penny if I have to, but don’t despair, he is strong. He is in good spirits.”
“Charles could speak at first,” Edith said dully.
“This is different,” Ralph said. He pulled Edith towards him, embracing her fully. She rested her head on his shoulder with a sigh.
“I felt so alone when Papa and my brothers died. It happened that I was the main carer and although I wouldn’t have had it any other way, there was no one of whom I could ask advice. Charles and Richard were away from home when Papa was ill. Richard was there when Charles was ill, but he’d gone to pieces. I knew exactly how he felt but I couldn’t allow myself to falter.”
“You were so brave,” Ralph said. “You were very young to have to deal with so much loss. I’m sorry there was no one to support you, but you have an inner strength which obviously helped to get you through it. I admire that and I know your brother does.”
“I didn’t feel strong or brave at the time,” Edith admitted. “I seemed to be a constant watering pot when I went to bed.”
“I think I would’ve been exactly the same. In fact, I’m impressed you managed to keep them contained until you went to bed. I’d probably have cried over everyone,” Ralph admitted. He was gratified that his words received a gurgle of appreciation.
“I haven’t told anyone about how I felt, not even Miles,” Edith admitted quietly. “And I can only do so to you because I’m not looking at you.”
Ralph moved, so that he could hold Edith’s face in his hands. “You are not alone this time. Your fears aren’t foolish, or silly. Look at the way I react with regards to Mother’s condition. We respond in the way we do because we care about those we love. You won’t receive censure from me for that. But know this, I’m here and I will do anything I can to ease your burden.”
“Thank you.”
Ralph kissed Edith’s forehead and released her as the door opened on Miles’ room. The doctor exited, closing the door behind him.
“Your brother has been very fortunate on two accounts, my lady.” The doctor started. “The bullet in his leg has travelled straight through without hitting any bone along the way. From what Lord Longdon told me, the gun went off in the struggle the pair were embroiled in.”
“What happened to injure the side of his body?” Ralph asked.
“A knife,” the doctor responded. “Again, a fortunate hit in the circumstances. It has entered the body, but at the very edge of the torso and not very deeply. I think it was the attacker’s last attempt to try and escape. Even with a gunshot wound, Lord Longdon was still putting up a good fight. I have treated the two wounds and bound them, and I’ve given him a dose of laudanum because he suffered during the examination.”
“What about the risk of fever?” Edith asked.
“There’s always a risk, but he is young and healthy, so let’s hope not.”
“Thank you, Doctor,” Ralph said.
“Glad to be of service. I’ll call on him tomorrow, unless he does develop a fever. Don’t worry if he does,” he said noticing the panic on Edith’s face. “Just send word and I shall return with haste. I’d advise you both to get some rest, his valet is staying with him for the moment. Our patient won’t be stirring tonight with the dose of medication I’ve given him.”
Ralph and Edith entered the bedchamber once the doctor had taken himself downstairs. Miles was fast asleep, looking not quite as grey as he had.
“I’ll stay with him,” Edith said to the valet.
“No,” Ralph said. “You need to rest. Your room is close, I presume?”
“Next door,” Edith confirmed.
“Then this capable man can knock on your door if his condition should worsen,” Ralph reasoned.
“But—” Edith started.
“If he develops a fever, we will all be required to nurse him. Better to have rest now, because there won’t be any time to sleep if he worsens,” Ralph argued.
Lady Edith's Lonely Heart: A Regency Romance (Lonely Hearts Series Book 1) Page 15