Runaway Miss (24 page)

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.’

A
lex 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.’

‘Shall I take Annie with me? She would be company for Lady Emma, look after her, like.’

‘Good idea, if Mrs Granger can spare her.’

They went into the house together. Mrs Granger, who was very fond of Miss Draper and as worried as anyone when she disappeared, was glad to hear she was safe and agreed to let Mrs Yates go with Joe. Alex beckoned Lizzie. ‘I am going up to change my clothes, before meeting the company,’ he said. ‘Will you go and tell Mrs Summers that I am back and ask her to come to my room. Say it quietly so no one else hears. Do you understand?’

‘Yes, my lord.’

He went through to the front of the house and crept past the drawing room, where he could hear the sound of voices, and up the stairs to his room. He had stripped off his coat, waistcoat and shirt and was pulling on a fresh pair of riding breeches when he heard light footsteps and a knock on his door. He hastily buttoned them and went to admit his aunt.

She tumbled breathlessly into the room. ‘Alex, wherever have you been all this time? Have you found her?’

‘Yes.’ He fetched a clean shirt from the chest and pulled it over his head.

‘Thank the good Lord for that. Where is she?’

‘In Kendal. Safe for the moment.’

‘Sir George is here with Emma’s mother and I just don’t know what to say to them. I told them she was out visiting, but I do not think they believed me. I have given them nuncheon and tea and cakes and endured his lordship going on and on about how upset his wife was at not finding her daughter waiting to greet her, pretending to be concerned for her welfare and saying her fiancé is out of his mind with grief that something dreadful has befallen her at the hands of her abductors. It made me shiver, I can tell you. As for Marianne, she is nothing like the bustling, cheerful woman I used to know.

‘When they first arrived I took her up to my room to refresh herself and she told me that they had had no response to the advertisement in the newspapers offering a reward for the return of Emma and the apprehending of her kidnapper, but then one morning about a week ago Lord Bentwater had come to them, waving a letter and crowing that she had been found. The letter gave this address and included a very good likeness of Emma. Someone had sketched her and it is my belief—’

‘James Griggs!’

‘Yes, at the picnic. I was going to tell you I had seen him and Lord Bentwater together at the ball, but you were asleep and worn out, so I did not disturb you. I have had to pretend I am not acquainted with Marianne, that we have never met before today. She was most insistent on that—I think she is afraid that if her husband should find out she sent Emma here, he will beat her—but it means that it is all down to you. I am sorry, Alex. None of this is your fault.’

He smiled. ‘I have broad shoulders, Aunt.’

‘What are we going to do? I long to reunite Marianne with her daughter, but I don’t want to hand her over to her stepfather for him to dispose of, like a horse he has tired of.’

‘You won’t have to. Emma has agreed to marry me.’

‘I am glad of that, of course I am, but how will that help?’

‘I am going to offer to buy Sir George’s vouchers off Bentwater, then he will have no hold over him.’

‘Do you think he will agree?’

‘I do not know, I hope so.’ He finished dressing, put on his riding boots, tweaked his cravat and ran a brush through his hair. ‘I am going to take Bonny. Poor Salamanca has had a hard day.’

‘You are going now?’

Alex smiled and bent to kiss her cheek. ‘No time like the present.’

‘Please speak to our visitors before you go. I am past knowing what to say to them. They are making no shift to leave and I am sure they expect me to ask them to stay.’

‘Then you had better do that.’ He picked up his hat and followed his aunt down to the drawing room. Sir George was sitting in a wing chair, a glass of wine at his elbow, looking very much at home. His wife, whom Alex had never met, was a strikingly handsome woman, or would have been if she had not been so pale. Even her lips had little colour. Her brow was creased with worry and her eyes were dull; it was as if the life had been drained out of her.

Amelia forced a smile. ‘Sir George, I believe you are acquainted with my nephew, Viscount Malvers.’

Sir George got to his feet, but he did not offer his hand. ‘Malvers.’

Alex bowed. ‘Sir George.’

‘May I present my wife, Lady Tasker.’

Alex bowed low over her hand. ‘My lady, your obedient.’

She smiled wanly. ‘My lord.’

‘Where is my stepdaughter?’ Sir George demanded, resuming his seat.

‘She is visiting friends—did my aunt not tell you? I believe she may stay the night with them.’

‘Who are these friends? Are they to be trusted?’

‘Oh, absolutely. If you will excuse me, I have an important meeting to go to. I shall hope to see you later.’

‘It’s a dashed smoky do,’ Sir George grumbled. ‘Anyone would think you are deliberately keeping Emma from us. I cannot think why. My wife is out of her mind with worry that her cherished daughter has been cruelly treated.’

‘I can reassure you on that point, Sir George. She is also cherished by everyone here, from my aunt and myself down to the scullery maid and the potboy. We would not, nor will we, let any harm come to her, you have my word on it. Now, please excuse me, I must go.’ He bowed to her ladyship, winked at his aunt and left them, glad to escape.

He found Lord Bentwater at the Unicorn playing cards with James Griggs and two gentlemen he did not know. Impatient as he was to have his business over and done with, he knew he must not rush it. He ordered a glass of ale and strolled over to the card players with it in his hand. Bentwater had a pile of coins at his elbow, James a slightly smaller one and the two strangers nothing at all and they were scowling.

‘Evening, Malvers,’ James said. ‘We missed you at the ball last night. What happened to you?’

‘I had a lot of clearing up to do after the regatta, men to pay, accounts to make up. Always best to get these things done promptly, I always say.’

‘You missed a grand occasion. Miss Pettifer was quite put out you were not there. I believe you are acquainted with Lord Bentwater.’ He waved a hand at him.

‘We have met.’

Bentwater grunted. ‘What do you want, Malvers?’

‘What makes you think I want anything?’

‘Have you come to tell me where I might find my fiancée?’

‘No. How could I? I am not acquainted with your fiancée.’

‘I say, Malvers, that’s a whisker,’ James said. ‘You know very well who Miss Draper is.’

‘Oh, you mean my aunt’s one-time companion. She has left her for pastures new. And I do not care to be called a liar.’

Bentwater threw down his cards and turned to the man on his right. ‘Salter, this is the man who abducted my future wife. Arrest him now and we can get on with our game in peace.’

‘Can’t do that, m’lord, not without speaking to the lady herself,’ the man said. ‘Have to have proof that she was kidnapped, d’you see? And by this gentleman.’

‘I am telling you she was. She would never willingly have left a home where she was loved and cosseted, her every whim granted. Dammit, man, do your duty.’

‘All in good time, m’lord, all in good time. We have to find the lady first.’

‘He knows where she is.’ He indicated Alex. ‘Make him tell you.’

‘Are you going to tell us?’ the man asked.

‘Will you give her up?’ Alex ignored the Runner and addressed Bentwater.

‘Certainly not. I do not see why I should.’

‘I see.’ He was very calm. ‘Now, can it be because you have a genuine regard for the lady or because Sir George Tasker owes you twenty thousand pounds and has offered his stepdaughter in lieu?’ He heard James gasp, but ignored him.

‘What sort of Banbury tale is that?’

‘I think you know. I was there when you agreed to it. And so was Mr Maddox. He will testify to it.’

‘We have broken no law. It is a private matter between me and Sir George. It is you who have broken the law by abducting her, taking her from the bosom of her family and leaving her poor mother to weep, not to mention depriving me of my bride.’

Alex turned to the man called Salter, whom he had assumed to be the most senior of the Bow Street Runners.
‘What would happen if the lady herself refused to agree to such an arrangement?’

‘She did agree,’ Bentwater put in triumphantly. ‘But it makes no odds; as a dutiful daughter she is bound to be guided by her parents on such matters. You are wasting your time, Malvers.’

‘I do not think so. Perhaps there is a way out for all concerned. I will purchase those vouchers off you in return for your giving up this nonsense about being betrothed to her.’

‘Why? Want her for yourself, do you?’

‘That is for me and the lady to decide. What do you say to my offer? Twenty-five thousand, that’s five more than Sir George owes you.’

‘Fifty.’

‘Thirty.’

‘Forty.’

‘Thirty-five.’ Alex paused. ‘Think about it, my lord. She is unlikely to be a compliant wife. In truth, I know she is very contrary and self-willed. Do you really want the bother of such a one?’

‘I can vouch for that,’ James said suddenly. ‘Bad-tempered chit, and not above kicking out. I should take the money and be thankful.’

Alex glared at him.

‘I should take it, my lord,’ Salter put in, all reasonableness. ‘A gambling debt is not recoverable in law. Oh, I know that is why it is called a debt of honour, but it would be unwise to insist on the terms Viscount Malvers has just outlined. You might have trouble proving your case if you persist in saying she was kidnapped…’

‘She was. How else did she get up here?’

‘Perhaps she had help, my lord,’ the Runner said. ‘That does not mean she was forced. Until I have spoken to her, I make no judgement.’

‘Oh, very well. There’s plenty more fish in the sea.’

‘Good.’ Alex turned to the others at the table. ‘You will bear witness that I have offered thirty-five thousand for Sir George’s vouchers and Lord Bentwater has accepted.’

‘Aye,’ the Runners said in unison.

‘Will you also witness the handing over of the money and the vouchers? We can do it tomorrow as soon as the bank opens.’

They agreed and he left them to return to Highhead Hall. It was going to be a long night and he was half-inclined to go to Kendal and spend it with Emma, but he knew she would not allow that. Mrs Yates would look after her and, with Joe also on watch, he could rest easy that nothing would happen to her.

He was thankful that Sir George and Lady Tasker had retired when he arrived; he would not have to answer any more of their questions. The next time he saw them he hoped to be able to hand over the vouchers. He would ask nothing in return except Emma’s hand in marriage. Thirty-five thousand pounds was going to take almost all he had in ready money, but he did not care; Emma was worth every farthing of it.

He imagined her in that hotel room, waiting for him, trusting him to save her. Oh, to see the look on her face when he told her all was well and they could be married just as soon as she gave the word. He hoped it would be soon. Their tumble on the bed earlier that day had given him a foretaste of what was to come and he could not wait to make her his wife in fact as well as name.

He had his boots in his hand and was creeping towards his bedroom, when his aunt’s door opened and she came down the corridor towards him in a dressing gown, her hair in a long plait down her back. ‘Well?’ she whispered.

He ushered her into his room and shut the door. ‘He
accepted and in front of witnesses and tomorrow those witnesses will stand by when the exchange is made. We are home and dry, Aunt. Home and dry.’

‘I shall believe that when I see Emma with her mother, and Sir George in a frame of mind to accept the situation. Do not count your chickens, Alex.’

‘What can he do? He has been exposed for the charlatan he is. Now go back to bed, Aunt. Tomorrow I will have those vouchers and then I will go and fetch Emma.’

He was up early the next morning, too anxious to stay in bed, too wound up to eat breakfast. It was too early to go to the bank, so he went out to talk to the men about his plans. ‘I have to go back to Norfolk very soon,’ he told them. ‘But you will not be forgotten. The outbuildings here will become workshops. The profit we made from the regatta will be used to set you up in businesses according to your talents, or to help you look for employment. Highhead Hall will become a school for your children. A head teacher will be appointed, and a manager to deal with all the other concerns, since I cannot split myself in two. Any problems you have, go to him. Mrs Summers has agreed to stay as housekeeper. When I come back for next year’s Windermere Regatta, I hope to see you all thriving.’