Lady Ellingham and the Theft of the Stansfield Necklace: A Regency Romance (21 page)

Alex reached into his
pocket for the key. He realised that she was far too worked up for reason and he
was annoyed with himself for being so heavy handed.  He sighed, ‘I will let you
go but tell me before you do; does Richard know anything of this?’

‘Of course not,’ she
retorted, ‘I am not a total fool. He would be as mad as you are, so I pray
don’t tell him or I shall never forgive you, ever!’

‘And yet he would still
love you.’ Alex added, ‘think about it Flick,’ and with that cryptic comment he
unlocked the door and let her go.

Alex returned to the Queen
Anne chair by the fire and poured himself a stiff drink.  He had let his anger
get the better of him and things had not gone well. His feelings towards Flick
had not changed, he still loved, he still wanted to marry her, but he had only
succeeded in letting her think he despised her.  He admired her spirit but she
had to know that by breaking into a gentleman’s home, she had gone too far and
the outcome could have been extremely different.  On the other hand however, he
knew that he had gone about it the wrong way, and now all she wanted to do was
leave this place and him.

  Alex cursed under his
breath, he should not have let her leave the library without telling her his true
feelings but she had worked herself up into such a fury that somehow, he did
not think she would have listened. He put his head in his hands in despair.  He
would have to wait until they had both calmed down and had time to think and
then he would remedy the situation. He knew she loved him and now that her
secret was out there was nothing standing in the way of their marriage, she
would just have to be made to realise it.

Felicity made her way
back to her room. Her secret was out and she was mortified. She looked at the
offending scar on the underside of her arm and could not have believed that
such a simple thing could have given her away. It was so second nature to her
that it had never occurred to her that Alex would have spotted it on the night
she had escaped from him. She rued the day she acquired it for that had also been
as a result of her own reckless behaviour when she was a child, and she had not
changed much since.  She reached her bedchamber and flung herself down on the
bed. Drat the man. Oh how could she face him in the morning, she had to leave
this place.

 Felicity knew Richard
would not be prepared to leave on a moment’s notice without so much as an
explanation and she certainly was not going to tell him. Persuading Richard
would be almost impossible as he was enjoying himself so much.  What is more
she suspected that after having met Jennifer Allon this very evening, he would
have added impetus for staying.   She only hoped Alex would keep a silent tongue
in his head, for she did not relish a repeat of this evening’s interview with
her brother.  His temper was not easily raised but he had his limits and she
did not doubt that he would remonstrate at this escapade.

Felicity lay on the bed
with only the light of the moon lighting up her chamber.  It was now 3am and
she had long since stopped crying.  She was not one easily prone to tears and
could never be overcome for long, for her own impermeable spirit always won
through.  It was not long before her impetuous mind began weave and work its
magic. Two things she was sure of, she had no desire to face the Marquis of Thorndale
tomorrow at the breakfast table and she could not keep avoiding him forever.  ‘Oh,’
she murmured discontentedly, ‘I do not care if I never see him again. Oh how I
wish I could just go home.’   She knew that she would not be able to persuade
Richard to leave but as she pondered, she concluded that there was no reason
why she could not return home herself.   It could only be about 40 miles from
Harrogate to Lealholme Manor, her own countryseat in Richmond. A distance that
was not impossible on horseback.  If she stopped to rest her horse, it should
take no longer than a full day to reach home and if she left at the first light
of dawn, she could reach home before darkness began to fall, even in the
shortened November light.

 She was not sure of
the way but she was not discouraged, surely, it would be clearly signposted.  She
was well aware that they were not too far away from the Great North Road and
once she found it, the journey home should be a simple one.  The thought
daunted her a little.   She knew there would be tollgates and perhaps a woman
on her own would be questioned.  In addition, it had not escaped her that
although highwaymen were not the problem they used to be, there was still a
small risk that one could accost her.  She was also aware that the Great North
Road had been one of their most popular haunts.   No, she thought to herself,
she would make her way up through Ripon and Masham.  It may be a little longer
but she reasoned that there would be fewer obstacles along the way.  She would
less likely be noticed, and she would still reach home for dinnertime.  Besides
Richard would probably guess that she would take the Great North Road and the
last thing she wanted, was Richard on her trail trying to haul her back to
Stansfield Park.

Her decision made, Felicity
jumped out of bed and reached into the wardrobe.  She carefully dressed in warm
clothes and donned her favourite deep blue riding dress and feathered hat.  A
large pistol would have been as asset but as Richard kept his Manton’s beside him,
she would have to make do with her own small jewel encrusted pistol, which she
had used on the night she had broken into Alex’s London house.  She scribbled a
quick note; it was short but said all it needed to.  

Dear Richard and Mama

I feel that I have
overstayed my welcome and I am on my way home. Please give my apologies to Lady
Stansfield for my abrupt departure and thank her for her wonderful hospitality.
 She has been most kind to me along with his Grace, Lord Sheraton.  There is no
need to worry about me as I expect to be home before sundown. It is only 40
miles so all will be well. Love Flick

She propped the note
upon her pillow, and stuffed a bundle of money into her reticule, not noticing
as she did so that the note fell onto the floor at the side of her bed.  Before
she had time to think about what she was doing she was creeping down the back
stairs of the servant quarters towards the back door.  Tiber jumped out of the
shadows to greet her, eagerly wagging his short tail, excitement mounting at
the anticipation of an unexpected early morning walk. She grabbed his snout,
‘Hush Tiber! Hush, you will give me away,’ she whispered, ‘and no I cannot take
you with me.’  She gave the dog a comforting pat. ‘I know,’ she said but I will
send for you I promise.  Now be a good little dog and please please be quiet.’ She
slipped out of the back entrance regrettably leaving Tiber whining and scraping
the door with his paw. Fortunately, he did not bark and as it was still very
early and the servants were not up to hear him whining.

 Felicity crept down to
the stables to saddle Artemis, all was quiet in the stable yard and Artemis
whinnied in greeting of her mistress.  ‘Shhh lass.’ Felicity admonished as she
stroked her nose, I am sorry my beauty but once again I must trouble you so
early in the morning. We have a long ride ahead of us but together we can do
it.  I know you will not let me down.’  She quickly saddled the horse and led
her into the stable yard and before she knew it, she was heading out for the
road in the direction of home.

That morning Sarah came
into her mistresses’ room to wake her with her usual cup of hot chocolate only
to find her bed empty.   At home, Flick was well known for going for an early
morning ride but here at Stansfield Park, she had never done so and Sarah had
the uneasy feeling that something was not quite right.  She hurried along the
corridor to wake the Countess who was equally puzzled and after a quick search
downstairs and in the kitchens The Countess decided it was time to inform
Richard.  Richard was not too concerned thinking that Felicity had gone for a
ride and hobbled to the stables to check the horses. He was not surprised to
find that Artemis was missing from her stall and somewhat annoyed that Felicity
would take herself off without having told anyone. He stormed back to the house
promising that he would give Felicity a good ear bending when she returned. He
had no doubt she would be back in time for breakfast.

It was not until Alex
arrived downstairs that the family became really concerned.  Alex called
Richard to the library to inform him of their argument the night before and he
suspected that her disappearance might somehow be connected.   He refused to
divulge the nature of the argument but told Richard that Felicity had taken it
very badly and had stormed off in a temper. Richard was understandably angry. ‘For
the love of God, what did you say to her Alex, you should know her well enough
by now to realise that she could go off and do something rash?’

  Alex looked somewhat
abashed but was spared from answering, for they were disturbed by a knock on
the door.  Sarah entered, curtsied and handed Richard a note. ‘Your Lordship I
have just found this note swept partially under the bed. I am really sorry but it
must have fallen on the floor so I did not notice it straight away.’  Sarah
tactfully left and Richard read the note. It was pitifully short but at least
Richard now knew where Felicity had gone.  He handed the note to Alex. ‘Would
you care to explain yourself?   Read that, she obviously feels that she has
outstayed her welcome.’

Alex raised his eyes
and cursed to himself and was taken by surprise as Richard threw a well-aimed
punch at is Jaw. Alex balled his fists in anger but then relaxed them again, ‘I
will not retaliate for I deserved that but I would advise you not to do it
again,’ he muttered, rubbing his jaw to alleviate the pain. ‘We will not
resolve anything by standing here fighting.  I suggest we follow hot on her
trail for I suspect she will already have had a good few hours head start and
anything can happen to her on the road.  Do you know what route she would take?’

Richard calmed down,
knowing he could not completely blame Alex and gave it some thought.  Would she
take the Great North Road or meet up with the Ripon Road from Harrogate? 
Felicity could have taken either one of them and there was really no way of
guessing which route she would decide on.  ‘I have no idea,’ he replied, ‘but I
am inclined to believe that the Great North Road would be the better option.’ 
He ran his finger through is dark blonde hair in frustration and swore aloud,
‘and when I catch up with her I will have her hide. This latest antic goes
beyond the bounds of enough.’

Alex nodded
sympathetically but being painfully aware of his own behaviour the night before,
he could not really blame Felicity for bolting.  He had been extremely angry
but had regretted it the moment he had witnessed the look on her plucky but
terrified face.  She had looked guilty and ashamed, but much worse despite her
bravado and gutsy spirit, he had frightened her and the whole affair was
completely his fault. ‘There is only one thing for it.’ Alex replied, ‘you take
the Great North Road and I will take the other route.  That way one of us
should catch up with her.  She has had a good head start so it is possible we
will be nearer to Lealholme Manor when we catch up and probably it will be wiser
to continue the journey to your home rather than returning here. Come we cannot
waste any more time we must prepare to be on our way.’

Richard offered Alex
his thanks, ‘I only hope that she is alright and does not run into any
trouble.  The journey may only be forty miles but she probably just thinks it
is like going on a picnic. The daylight hours are short and the weather is
unpredictable and goodness knows what she will meet on the road.’

Within twenty minutes,
the two men were mounted on their horses and ready to leave.  Lady Ellingham
waved them off looking very pale and Lady Stansfield put an arm around her
shoulders and led her back into the house.  Unlike Felicity, Alex and Richard
were slightly better prepared with sturdy pistols, waterproof clothing and victuals
from the kitchen, which upon instructions from the Dowager, the kitchen maid
had hurriedly packed for them. They stopped at the crossroads beyond the park
where they were due to part and Alex grasped Richard’s hand. ‘Do not worry my
friend; we will all be at Lealholme Park tonight in time for supper.’

Richard gave a weary
smile, ‘I certainly hope so,’ he replied, ‘She is a nightmare but she is my
twin sister and life would be very dull without her. If anything happened to
her, part of me would fade away and die.  And by the way Alex if you are the
one to find her, I will trust you.’

The two men said there
farewells, Alex needing no translation of Richard’s last comment. Alex prodded
his horse into a gallop as he made his way towards the Ripon road and Richard turned
toward the Great North Road that would take him up through Boroughbridge.

By the time Alex and
Richard left Stansfield Park, Felicity had already reached Ripon but not without
incident.  The first encounter with trouble was at the Killinghall Pike.   At
the sound of horse’s hooves, the tollgate keeper ran out to greet the
traveller.  He was somewhat surprised to see an attractive Lady riding astride
a beautiful tan hunter, dressed in an azure blue, frogged riding habit and a
matching feathered hat.  He eyed her up curiously and stroked his stubbly chin. 
She was a pretty piece for sure, decidedly a lady and as such she should have been
safely tucked up in bed at home.  Felicity waited upon him but as he appeared
in no hurry to open the gate, she issued her order. ‘To the gate man if you
please!’

  ‘Well I am not sure
about that Miss,’ he deliberated, eying her up curiously.  ‘Are ye travelling
on yer own?’

‘As you see,’ she replied
imperiously.  She was struggling to control Artemis who was restless and
straining at the bit. ‘Now if you will kindly let me through!’

‘Now that would be
costin yer 6d Miss but I am not really so sure I shud be lettin yer through. 
It don’t look quite right to me, yer travelling up that there road all by
yersel and unescorted like.’

‘It is hardly your
decision to make sir and as far as the toll is concerned, I am sure this Pike
is the first on the Road South to Dudley Hill and I should not need to pay you
to be going in the opposite direction!’

‘A right corky one we
have here I see,’ he replied impudently.’   Yer might be havin me there pet but
there is no use getting on yer high ropes with me.’ He gave the matter some
thought and gave a huge grin, ‘Mebbees I cud be letting yer through for a kiss if
yer like.’  He reached up to grab her but Felicity was quick and kicked the
toll man square in the chest with her foot.  ‘And maybe I should be reporting
you to the turnpike trust,’ she retorted, backing up her horse as far as she
could.  She eyed the gate; her beloved Artemis had jumped hedges that were
higher.  With one intake of breath, she made a run and before the tollgate
keeper had risen to his feet, Felicity had cleared the gate in one graceful
leap.  She galloped on and only dared to look back when she knew herself to be
at a safe distance.  She only hoped that this was not the start of what had the
making of a very tedious journey.

She reached Ripon
however without further incident.  She rode up to the obelisk in the town
square under the disapproving eyes of early female shoppers and the curious
gaze of the men who were out.  Felicity dismounted and looked around her, she
had come 12 miles from Harrogate and both she and her mare were in need of refreshments
and a well-earned rest.  She led her horse across the square to the Unicorn Inn
where a young Ostler ran out to meet her.  He could have been no more than
seventeen and was dressed in the distinctive emblazoned livery of the
establishment.  The Ostler looked past her, as if expecting her to be followed
by her escort but when no one else arrived, he looked at her suspiciously. 
‘Can I help you ma’am,’ he asked, somewhat judgementally.

Felicity ignored the
slight in his voice and dismounted, ‘Some water and feed for my horse if you
please,’ she replied firmly reaching into her reticule. ‘I shall return for her
in an hour.’ She handed the ostler a crown, ‘here is something for yourself for
your trouble.’

The Ostler looked at
the coin in his hand; no one had ever tipped him a bull’s eye before. He forgot
his disapproval and gave her a wide toothy grin. ‘Leave her with me Miss; she
will be alright in my hands. I will take care of her personally I will.’ With
the coin safely tucked in his pocket, he walked Artemis to the stables, leaving
Felicity to let out a sigh of relief.  She watched after them as they retired
to the stalls.  She was in a dilemma, if that was the reception she received in
the stable yard, she doubted a very much warmer welcome in the Inn. The Innkeeper
may not be so easy to bribe with a crown and she had to admit that with her
dusty habit and rather dishevelled appearance, she must have looked decidedly
odd.

 She looked down at her
dusty blue riding habit and began to realise that her feminine garb was nothing
but a hindrance.  If only she had brought along Harry’s clothes, but it was no
use repining over something she could do nothing about.  She walked into the
market square with its varied shops and still under watchful eyes; she made her
way through the square.  At least she had the forethought of providing herself
with plenty of money.  Ripon was just a small market town and she stood out so
obviously as a stranger. The fact that she was on her own won her no favours
and she felt uncomfortable.  

 She came upon a
general store where she saw clothing of all sorts displayed in the window. 
Felicity stood for a long time perusing as if making a decision, and then
gingerly made her way into the shop.  Fifteen minutes later she came out of the
premises wearing a pair of mans’ riding breeches, a shirt, a waistcoat, a
riding cape and a tricorn hat. Her blue riding habit and feathered hat were
wrapped in a brown paper package under her arm.   The shop assistant was quite
taken back when Felicity asked him if he had somewhere she could try them on,
but led her to the back of the shop where there was a small changing room. As
Felicity left the shop he stood there open mouthed not quite believing his eyes
and clucking in disapproval.  He had worked there for 10 years and had never
seen anything like it.

Felicity by now was
feeling hungry and knew that she would need something to eat.   The square was
by now full of morning shoppers and the warm smell of freshly baked bread led
her to a small bakery, where she purchased some hot rolls and an apple pie.  It
was hardly good etiquette to consume them on the street, so she put them in her
bag in order to eat them later on the road.  After all, she found no need to
draw any more attention to herself than was necessary.  However, Felicity found
that in her new garb she hardly drew a glance, just the polite nod of residents
acknowledging a stranger.   All that was left to do now was while away a little
time so that her horse could have a sufficient rest before she went on her way.

She returned to the
Unicorn to collect Artemis prompt on the hour but the young Ostler, not
immediately recognising her stood there stubbornly.  At first he started to
refuse her, telling her in no uncertain terms that the hunter belonged to a Lady
and he was not going to hand her over to just anyone.  ‘The young Miss gave me
a bulls eye she did, and I promised to look after her mare good and proper, and
I am not going to hand her over to no stranger.’

Felicity gave him her
most disarming smile, ‘you are very vigilant young man and I thank you for it
but I am the young Lady, only I have changed my clothing, you see.’

The Ostler looked at
her closely.  It took a moment for his eyes to focus properly on her face and
he stood there in disbelief with his mouth wide open. ‘Well so you are,’ he
managed to utter. ‘Well I never.’

Felicity left the Inn
not only under the incredulous eye of the Ostler but also of those of his
colleagues who had spilled into the yard to see the Lady for themselves for they
had not believed young Jimmy when he had told them.  As it was Felicity was
pleased to be leaving Ripon.  It had not been a comfortable experience and she
cursed the fact that even here in a small provincial country town, she could
not enter as a female on her own without raising a few eyebrows.  Oh how she
longed to be back in her own market town of Richmond where her freedom was
relative but being known in the community at least she had a little.

Richard could not have
known that he was on a wild goose chase up the Great North Road as he made his
way toward Boroughbridge.  Alex on the other hand had reached the Killinghall
Pike where he had the first indication that Felicity had indeed travelled this
way.  Felicity was two miles out of Ripon and sitting on a huge boulder eating
the rolls she had bought from the bakery when Alex enquired of the Killinghall
Pike man. ‘Has a young Lady in a blue riding habit passed this way?’

‘Aye that she has,’ he
confirmed, ‘I thought it was funny at the time but I had no choice but to let
her through.’ He was not going to admit that the chit had got the better of
him. ‘Run away then has she?’

Alex ignored his
enquiry, ‘How long ago since you saw her?’

The pike man rubbed his
chin in contemplation. ‘I’d say nearly three hours ago.’ He grinned, ‘you have
some riding to do if you are to catch up with her because I can tell you now,
she galloped down that there road like a cat out of hell she did.’

Alex cursed.  It was as
he had expected. Felicity must have left at the first light of dawn and was
certainly wasting no time. He thanked the pike man, tipped him and proceeded on
his way.  Unlike Felicity who for the sake of Artemis was taking her time, Alex
was pushing hard, intent on changing his horse every ten miles and had gained
an hour on her by the time he had reached Ripon.  He pulled into the Unicorn to
change his horse.  An Ostler ran out to meet him. ‘Has a young Lady been this
way,’ he enquired as he jumped down out of the saddle. The Ostler looked at him
expressively. ‘Hold on a minute I will go and fetch Jimmy, he’ll be able to
help yer.’

He returned with Jimmy
who greeted Alex with a friendly nod. ‘A young Lady passed this way two hours
ago sir, a pretty lady with golden blonde hair, if she be the Lady you are enquiring
about.’

‘Was she wearing a blue
habit and a feathered hat?’

Jimmy gave an affable
grin, ‘Aye that she was, but she was not wearing that when she left sir.’

Alex gave a quirk of an
eyebrow, ‘No? What was she wearing then?’

Jimmy hesitated. ‘She
had on a pair of breeches, a grey cape and a gentleman’s tricorn hat sir.  I hardly
recognised her.  Wasn’t going to give the Lady her horse at first, but it was
her alright.  A proper top of the trees Lady if yer don’t mind me saying so.’

‘Thank you Jimmy,’ Alex
replied.  He handed Jimmy his horse.  Look after my horse for me until I can
send someone to collect him.  I need to hire a fresh horse.  Have one saddled
and ready to go in ten minutes. And I am in a hurry Jimmy so do not saddle me
up a slug.’

‘Aye sir.’ Jimmy
enthused believing himself to be aiding in the reconciliation of a pair of
lovers. ‘I will saddle up Victory for you sir, best horse in the stables he is.
He won’t let you down.’

Alex left Jimmy a half
crown and walked into the Inn for a glass of ale and a snack, fortifying
himself for his continuing journey.

Felicity was two hours
ahead ambling at a leisurely pace ignorant of the relentless push Alex was
making behind her.  If Richard were fool enough to follow her, he would most
likely take the Great North Road.  She was certainly not worried about Alex. 
Last night he had made it very clear what her thought of her and she did not
for one moment, think that he would venture in her wake.  All Felicity had to
beat was the diminishing daylight, or so she thought but as she looked up she
realised that there was the possible complication of the deteriorating weather. 
Dark clouds had started to gather and she only hoped that the rain would keep
off.  She had felt a few drops of rain on her cheek but so far it had not lived
up to its promise.

By now, she was perhaps
3 miles south of Masham, a market town famous for its annual sheep fairs.  It
was a town she was familiar with; its square surrounded by its beautiful
Georgian houses and St Mary’s church with is striking stained glass windows.  Being
approximately 15 miles from home, she had visited it and the nearby Jervaulx
Abbey with her parents four years previously and the memory gave her the
comfortable feeling of being much closer to home.  She was making good progress
and the decision to change her clothing had been a good one.   Fellow
travellers on the road, although few at this time of year had waved a cheery
acknowledgement or tipped their hats as they passed by. She had received none
of the condemning stares that she had endured at Ripon. 

Felicity had just
passed the Marmion Tower with its beautiful oriel window when she came upon a
huge flock of sheep blocking the road.  Farmers were bringing them to safer
pastures ready for the onset of winter.  There were hundreds of them vying for
space as they walked down the road trying to climb on each other backs and
making a general racket as they went.  And the flies were everywhere.  Felicity
could hardly believe how many flies could have survived the cold of November
but the insufferable insects buzzed around her making their presence detestably
felt.  Felicity could not get around the flock and approached the farmer
bringing up the rear. ‘Where are you going,’ she asked impatiently, ‘is there
no way around you.’ The farm hand looked apologetic, ‘Sorry sir, he replied,
‘we are heading to pastures just this side of Masham; you will just have to be
patient.’

Felicity was frustrated
for she had not anticipated such a delay and those annoying flies were intolerable.
They must have survived in the warmth of their hosts woolly fleeces and rose up
in irritation at having been disturbed.  Felicity reached a small stream
surrounded by large boulders so she decided to stop and let the flock get
ahead.  Artemis needed to rest anyway and this was as good a place as any. The
mare bent its head for a drink and Felicity climbed up the side of the streambed
to a small flow of water streaming gently over a small waterfall.  She cupped
her hands to scoop some of the clear liquid, drank deeply and waited for a
while before she continued on her way.