Lady Ellingham and the Theft of the Stansfield Necklace: A Regency Romance (5 page)

‘I will meet you on
Hampstead Heath at 6am, The South Wood at the back of Kenwood’s Pond. I have a
suitable pair of Manton’s if that is to your satisfaction.’ Thorndale nodded.
‘As you wish, my man will be inspecting them anyway. I will see to procuring a
doctor.’

      Richard gave Thorndale
a stiff nod. ‘Then if you will excuse me I shall be off to make my preparations.’ 
Richard grabbed his stunned sister by the elbow and propelled her back into the
ballroom. ‘Well this is a fine mess Flick, I hope you are satisfied. I do not
know exactly what you said to the man but I did warn you.  We need to find
mother and make our excuses.  I am escorting your home!’

      Felicity did not
argue but stood meekly as Richard spoke to his mother. ‘Mother Flick is feeling
unwell I am taking her home.’ The Countess looked concerned and a little disconcerted.
‘Oh dear Flick you do look pale, I hope it is nothing serious.’ Felicity blanched
but managed to give her mother a weak smile. ‘I shall be fine mama, it is only
a headache.’

      The Countess
looked undecided. ‘Richard I am not quite ready to return home yet, it is still
early. Will you be returning to collect me?’ Mr Haswell stepped forward. ‘Do
not worry Lealholme, my wife and I will see your mother safely home, you need
not worry for her safety.’

      Richard gave Mr
Haswell his grateful thanks and just about dragged Felicity out of Almack’s and
into their waiting carriage. The carriage pulled away.  Richard sat opposite
Felicity anything but amused.  He sat upright with his arms folded across his
chest and addressed his sister. ‘Well now we are alone would you care to
explain?’

      Felicity looked
stricken. ‘I am sorry Richard, it just came out and I certainly did not expect
it to turn out as it did. The man is a monster. He just brings out the worst in
me.’

      Richard was angry.
‘That is the trouble with you Felicity, you do not think, it always just comes
out.  Really Flick you will be the death of me.’ Felicity blanched.  It was an
expression Richard often used when exasperated with her, but in this particular
instance, it could turn out to be literal.  ‘Richard,’ she replied. ‘There is
no need to meet Thorndale, just let me apologise.’

      ‘What!’
Richard retorted. ‘He will think I put you up to it and believe me a coward.’  

      ‘But please
Richard I will explain everything, he need not think you so.’

      ‘No Felicity it
is too late for that.  The meeting will go ahead as planned and mind you, you
are not to say anything of this to mother.’

      The short
carriage journey soon ended and Richard dropped Felicity off unceremoniously at
Upper Brook Street. He ordered the Coachman to continue on to Mount Street
hoping to find his friend Jeremy Leighton at home.  To his frustration, Jeremy
was not there so he climbed back into the carriage and ordered him on to St James
Street where he expected he would find him in one of the clubs. Jeremy’s
favourite haunt was Brooks so he made that his first port off call.

      Richard was in
luck.  Jeremy was there seated at one of the Faro tables.  His friend greeted
him with a welcome smile. ‘Why Richard you have come to join us.  I thought you
were escorting your sister to Almack’s tonight.’

      ‘No Jeremy I am
unable to join you this evening but I do need to speak to you on an urgent
matter. Can you spare a moment?’ Jeremy noting Richards serious expression
responded, ‘Certainly Richard just gave me a moment and I will finish off
here.’

      Richard waited
patiently while his friend finished his hand, paid his debts and bade farewell
to his company, and the two ventured out into the street. Once out into the fresh
air Richard turned to his friend.  ‘I am sorry to have dragged you out in the
middle of your game but something urgent has come up and I need your
assistance.’

      ‘Anything Ricky
old boy, always willing to oblige.’

      By the time they
reached Mount Street Jeremy was in full possession of the facts and he felt no
hesitation in obliging his friend, however he was puzzled. ‘Is your sister sure
of her facts. Thorndale has his faults but I find the accusations astonishing
and impulsive as she is, it is not like her to hurl accusations of such a
nature without reason.’

      Richard frowned.
‘No I do not understand it, but you know what she is like and she is quite
adamant that she is right.’

      Jeremy enquired.
‘An apology is out of the question then?  You know Ricky I must try to
encourage it.’

      ‘Good Lord Jeremy
yes,’ he expounded.  ‘Felicity is eager to apologise but I have forbidden it.’

      Jeremy frowned,
and you have chosen pistols did you say? That is not good Ricky old boy; you
should have picked swords for I have seen the man shoot a wafer out at 30
yards.’

   Richard grimaced.
‘You don’t have to remind me.  I am a fair shot myself but I do not fool myself
that the odds are even. It would hardly have mattered; I hear the fellow is a
fine swordsman as well.’

      Jeremy gave his
friend a reassuring pat.  ‘We are going to have to hold out for a longer
distance if we are to come about.  Did you say his second is Giles Kavanagh?  I
know the man; he is fair. I think I can get him to agree to a longer distance.
I will try to hold out for not less than 50 yards, a little irregular perhaps
but that way you may both have a chance of coming off unscathed. One more thing
Ricky, did you get the impression that Thorndale was wishing to make it a
killing matter.’

      ‘I don’t know
Jeremy.  I hope not, however I cannot take the fellow for granted, the charge
is serious and he is a damned unpredictable fellow.  I will leave you now.  I
need to get some rest if I am going to be fresh at 6 o’clock in the morning. 
Pick me up at 5.30am and make sure you do not sleep in.’

      Richard returned
home to Upper Brook Street.  It was not quite 11 o’clock and his mother had not
yet returned home.  He made his way upstairs and gently knocked on Felicity’s
door to see if she was still awake.  Felicity was sitting in bed looking quite
pale.  He had never seen her looking so forlorn and he knew the reason, this
time she had gone too far and the stakes were high.

      Richard sat on
the bed and took her hand.  I have come to say goodnight Flick and assure you
that all will be well, these things rarely end up in a killing, but if anything
should happen tomorrow do not blame yourself.  It is as much my fault as yours
as I could have handled things differently. I saw him lay a hand on you and it
raised my temper, so there was no way I was going to back down. I will not deny
that I would have preferred you had left things unsaid but it is done now. Before
I go tell me, have you evidence to prove your accusation?’

      Felicity bit her
lip. ‘She could hardly tell Richard that the evidence sat right under his very
nose, nestled in a black velvet pouch in the drawer of the bedside table.  He
would want to know how she had acquired it and if he knew that, he would have
an apoplexy.’

      Richard misread
her silence. ‘No I thought not,’ he replied. ‘We shall have to make the best of
things, but Felicity you must not speak of this to anyone, without evidence you
could be prosecuted for libel.’

      He bent down,
kissed her on the cheek, and got up to go.  She grabbed his hand. ‘Richard it
is not too late.  If you take me around to Thorndale’s house now, tonight, I
will apologise and you will not have to meet tomorrow.’

      ‘No Flick,’ he
sighed. ‘The arrangements have been made. The meeting shall go ahead as planned.’

     It was nearly
midnight and Felicity could not sleep.  Richard had tried to put her mind at
rest but the fact remained, he could be seriously hurt or even killed and no
matter what he said, it would be all her fault.  Richard was as stubborn as she
was impetuous and had not let her apologise.  Very well then, she would need to
think of something else.  She sat up in bed, her mind racing to search for a solution.

       Perhaps she
could visit Thorndale herself and offer an apology.  She need not go unescorted,
after all for she could take Sarah.  Felicity was intrepid but she recollected
her experience of the previous night, and another encounter with a footpad was
more than she cared to repeat or even contemplate. Moreover what would Lord Thorndale
think of her.  A woman visiting a single man alone with only her maid in
attendance at this time of night was beyond all bounds of propriety. No doubt, Thorndale
already viewed her unfavourably, but she could not have him thinking that she
was a light skirt.  No, that solution would not answer at all.

      Perhaps she could
waylay Thorndale’s carriage.  Harry’s clothes were still under the bed.  She
could disguise herself as a highwayman and hold up his carriage, but then what
would she do?  She could not keep them at bay forever and she certainly would
not be able to bring herself to shoot anyone. What if Thorndale suspected that
the attack was a ruse and managed to overpower her, all would be lost.  It also
occurred to her that if she was wearing Harry’s clothes he would recognise her
as the intruder from the night before, exposing her and then the game would be
truly up. No, that would not answer either. 

      However, he had
to be stopped and stop him she would. She racked her brains for a solution. If
only she could make him late for the appointment.  Richard would only need to
wait for him for as long as etiquette required and when Thorndale did not turn
up her brother could leave the field honourably.  Felicity did not have much of
a plan but she knew the time and the place where the duel was to take place. 
If she could just lie in wait and waylay Thorndale’s carriage, perhaps she
could cause it to overturn, which would delay him enough to make a difference.  How
hard could it be?

      At 5am and with
her mind made up Felicity arose and quietly dressed.  She quickly threw on her
dark blue riding dress fashioned in the popular military style with gold frogs
on the bodice and roughly tied her unruly golden curls back in a band. To
complete her attire she perched a matching hat with a silver grey feather
jauntily on her head.  The house was quiet and she silently crept down the staircase
across the hall to the front door.  Thank goodness, the rain had abated.  Quickly
she made her way to the Mews to collect her loyal steed Artemis.  

      Artemis was a tan
thoroughbred hunter that she had brought down from Yorkshire and she had named her
suitably after the Greek goddess of the hunt, not that there was much hunting
to be done in London.  The streets were deserted, there were no footpads out
and about at this time in the morning and even the hardened revellers had long since
retired to their beds.  Felicity’s short trip to the mews was uneventful. 
Artemis whinnied and nuzzled her nose into Felicity’s neck as she recognised
her mistress. ‘Come Artemis,’ she whispered. ‘Are you ready for an adventure? 
We have some work to do, come girl.’  She quickly saddled the mare and led her
into the yard and within minutes, she was galloping out toward Hampstead Heath in
the direction of the South Wood. 

      Richard had no
idea that Felicity had left the house before him and Jeremy Leighton called for
him dutifully at 5.30am. Richard was ready, he had managed to grab some rest
but had tossed and turned, anxious that he should not oversleep. He dressed
himself in a coat of drab grey, which he hoped would blend unobtrusively into
the grey of the dawn.  He was not going to make himself an easy target for Thorndale
to put a bullet through him. He handed the Manton pistols up to Jeremy and
climbed up into the phaeton beside him. Jeremy looked uncommonly cheerful and
patted his friend on the shoulder. ‘Don’t worry old chap, I spoke to Giles last
night.  He says that Thorndale rarely shoots to kill.’

‘Do you mean he makes a
habit of this?  I can well believe it but all the same I will be pleased when
this morning is over.’

      Jeremy urged the
horses on, the carriage moved forward and the two companions made the rest of
the journey in uneasy silence.

      Unknown to Richard,
Felicity was a good way ahead.  She left the London Streets and was in open
ground.  She needed to find a suitable place to hide where she had a good long
view up the lane and to wait for Thorndale to come along in his carriage.  She
only hoped that he was not on horseback as that would ruin everything but she
knew that Richard was travelling in Jeremy’s phaeton and hoped and prayed that Thorndale
would choose a similar mode of transport.

      Felicity chose a
dense thicket of trees in which to hide and waited. It was fifteen minutes
before she could hear the sound of carriage wheels approaching.  She looked out
into the gloom of the early morning and could just distinguish Richard and
Jeremy Leighton bowling along at a stately canter. Artemis was restless with
standing still for so long and she whinnied at the approaching sound.  Felicity
held her by the muzzle and stroked her neck. ‘Quiet girl,’ she whispered
comforting the horse. ‘You must not give us away.’ 
AArtemis
whiined

      As always Richard
was early, a fact on which she had relied, everything was working to plan, at
least to what little plan she had.  She quickly retreated behind the thicket
until they passed and waited impatiently for Thorndale to arrive.  It was a
full ten minutes before Thorndale came into view and Felicity was starting to
shiver in the early morning cold.  The Marquis was seated in a high-perched
phaeton and he was driving himself with Giles Kavanagh seated up on the perch beside
him. They were ambling along at a sedate trot. Thorndale appeared to be in no
hurry having timed his arrival to the minute.

       All Felicity
needed to do what gallop towards the phaeton and cause it to overturn, how hard
could it be.  She could be away before they realised what had hit them and had
time to come about.  It was a risky strategy but it was all she had.  She
nimbly manoeuvred Artemis down onto the road, dug in her heels and coaxed the
hunter into a speedy gallop, careering towards the approaching phaeton.  The
pair saw the rider approaching and Thorndale reigned in.  ‘I think we have company
Giles,’ he said frowning. ‘A strange time of morning for highwaymen, who can it
be?’

      Giles was not
taking any risks and took out his pistol. ‘I don’t know,’ he replied but I am
ready for him whoever he is.’ Giles had his pistol at the ready as the rider
got closer. ‘Good God Alex, she is not going to stop.’

      Alex trained his
eyes on the tall slim figure, now keenly aware of the female garb and sharply conscious
of Giles’s sudden use of the female pronoun. He skilfully manoeuvred his
phaeton to the side of the road to allow the Lady to pass but she was heading
straight for them and showing no signs of stopping.  This was obviously no
bridle cull but a Lady whose horse had bolted wildly out of control.  What a well-dressed
Lady of obvious gentle breeding was doing out at this time in the morning, and
so close to Hampstead Heath, he had no idea, but neither had he the time to
contemplate for she was upon him.  Her horse had come to an abrupt stop and was
rearing up causing his own pair of bays to panic and back the rear nearside of
the phaeton well and truly into the ditch.

      Giles and Alex
managed to keep their seat on the high perch but by this time, Artemis was rearing
genuinely out of control. Felicity slipped out of the saddle and fell onto the
cold damp ground with an unceremonious thump, straight into a puddle, rendering
her planned retreat impossible. The two men climbed down off the phaeton. Giles
went to the heads of the horses to calm them and Alex went to the assistance of
the Lady. He caught Artemis by the reigns and expertly reined her in. He stared
down at Felicity with incredulity. ‘You!’ he barked. ‘What the devil...’  He
had not words suitable to utter in front of a Lady. ‘Are you hurt?’ he demanded
roughly.

      Felicity nodded,
she was shaken but seemed unhurt so Thorndale bent down and yanked her unceremoniously
to her feet. He held her by the arm so that she was going nowhere and turned to
Giles. ‘What is the damage?’

      Giles who had
walked around and examined the nearside of the carriage nodded.  ‘Nothing broken,
everything is in order but if we are to get this damned wheel out of the ditch
I shall need some assistance.’

     Felicity looked
mutinous. ‘Well you shall get no help from me.’ Thorndale sighed. ‘No madam I
think you have done quite enough.’

      ‘I certainly hope
so,’ she rejoined with a triumphant smile. Thorndale dropped her arm in
frustration and walked over to the nearside of the carriage where Giles was
still standing.  Giles had already uncoupled the horses and made a few attempts
to lift the carriage on his own but to no avail, so Thorndale dropped down into
the ditch to add his own weight to the proceedings.

       Felicity eyed
her horse out of the corner of her eye. Artemis was peacefully nibbling a piece
of succulent fresh grass by the roadside.  She considered slipping away when
the two men were occupied but decided against it.  Her hopes of remaining
anonymous were scuppered anyway and perhaps if she stayed, there was still yet
time to persuade Thorndale to abandon this ridiculous duel.  She began to have
hopes that even this would not be necessary.  She had succeeded in delaying
them considerably, maybe that would be enough and Richard would be long gone by
the time they arrived at the rendezvous.  To her dismay however, she noticed
that the two men had already set the carriage to rights and Giles was now re-coupling
the horses.  

      Thorndale
returned to her side. ‘I suppose your graceless brother has but you up to this
trick in the hope of delaying me,’ he snapped sarcastically.  Felicity was
indignant. ‘He certainly did not! Richard would never do such a thing; he has
not a dishonourable bone in his body.’

      Thorndale
believed her. He did not know Lealholme well but he had encountered him often
enough, and had a fair idea of his character.  He was serious and solid unlike
his feisty twin sister who stood defiantly before him with steely determination
and fire in her flashing violet blue eyes.

      ‘I know what I
would do with you if I was your brother,’ he remarked. ‘I would whip the living
daylights out of you for such a trick.  He might do so yet and you would
deserve it.’

      ‘Well you are not
my brother,’ she retorted. ‘So you can spare yourself the thought.’

       ‘No I am not,’
he quipped, with a rakish grin. ‘And therefore I can think of much more
pleasurable things I can do with you.’  He moved ominously towards her and took
her by the arm. Felicity stepped back in alarm, but Giles’s voice intervened.
‘Alex the horses are put too, we will have to spring them if we are to make it
in time.’

      Thorndale looked
up. ‘Giles, can you take Lady Ellingham’s horse and proceed ahead to let the
party know that I am delayed? The Lady will ride in the phaeton with me.’

      Felicity moved to
object but Thorndale unceremoniously grabbed her around the waist, threw her effortlessly
up into the high-perched seat and climbed up beside her. Giles mounted Artemis
and coaxed her back onto the road. To Felicity’s vexation, the faithless
creature responded readily to his command and the pair disappeared in a cloud
of dust down the lane.  To her dismay, she was alone with the rake. Thorndale
turned and looked at her as she watched Giles disappear in the distance. ‘You
are not very wise my Lady Ellingham. You know my reputation yet you have put
yourself in my power.  You are fortunate that I have more pressing matters on
my mind for I cannot renege on an affair of honour.’ 

      ‘Not
intentionally so, I assure you,’ she replied angrily. ‘And if you were any kind
of a man you would not be picking a fight with my brother when your grievance
is with me. If you call that honour you are sadly mistaken.’

      He smiled, ‘
A
nd what kind of man would you have me? 
I can assure you that I am also not the kind that would pick a fight with a Lady.
It is the way of things madam.’ At that, he sprung his team and Felicity nearly
fell back in the seat as the horses jolted forward.  She grabbed onto his arm
to maintain her balance but quickly released him as he let out a mischievous
laugh. ‘I have an appointment madam and despite your interference I do not
intend to be late.’

      Felicity had not
anticipated that Thorndale would send his second on ahead and knew from that moment
that her plan was doomed to failure.  She observed to her chagrin that he was
an accomplished whip and handled the reins well.  She raised her eyes, no doubt
a member of the Four Horse Club, ‘typical,’ she thought to herself, ‘a bruising
rider as well as a renowned shot.’

Despite the speed, she
could hope for no more accidents.  They would arrive at their destination and
the duel would take place. She held on to the carriage for dear life and Thorndale
had a chance to view her profile.  Even at the dawn of day and unadorned with
feminine trappings, she was beautiful.  Her golden curls had been hurriedly
brushed back in a blue band and her skin was like silky cream alabaster, and
even though her violet blue eyes looked anxious, she remained quite charmingly
attractive.  He hated himself for it, but despite her distain, he still desired
her for she was like no other woman he had ever met.