The Wicked and Wonderful Miss Merlin (5 page)

Samantha drove her phaeton at a spanking pace.  Hearing her groom gasp as she took a corner more nearly on two wheels than four, she laughed.  One thing she had learned from Papa when she was very young was to handle her own rig and horses; her horses were a bang up pair and real goers and she made good time.  It was however past nine when she arrived at the inn, and almost dark.

Leaving the horses to her groom, Samantha ran into the inn.  The host came out to greet her, looking anxious.

‘I fear I only have a room with two beds, my lady,’ he said, addressing her as quality for she plainly was.  ‘A lady on her way to take up a position as a governess has already taken it, but I told her she might have to share if it was required and she was very agreeable.’

‘Oh…’  Samantha sighed, resigned to an uncomfortable night.  ‘Well, if it is all you have…but, tell me at once, do you have a Miss Brough staying here and a young man by the name of Brockleton?’

The landlord eyed her oddly.  ‘I alus did think as there was summat a bit smoky about their tale of being cousins…but she be staying with her companion and he be still abed with a sore head, tho’ much better than afore.’

‘Oh no, nothing wrong,’ Samantha said hastily.  ‘They are cousins – on the maternal side.  Are they still here…only I had Miss Brough’s letter and…’ She broke off as she saw a lady she knew come down the stairs.  ‘Miss Tompkins – you here too?  How glad I am to see you.’

‘My Toby wouldn’t come without me, because it would not be proper,’ Joan told her, her face breaking into a beaming smile.  ‘I’m that glad to see you.  Have you booked a room?’

‘A share of one,’ Samantha said.  ‘My groom will sleep in the stable but I would have preferred my own room.’

The landlord explained again and Miss Tompkins immediately offered to change places.

‘You could sleep with Miss Brough,’ she said.  ‘It would be more fitting for you, miss – and to tell the truth she has been afretting me to death, so she has.’

‘I dare say she is very distressed at what happened to poor Toby?’

‘Yes, indeed, miss.  Come upstairs at once and speak with her in private.  I’ll take you up and then I’ll see to moving my things.’

‘Thank you, Joan.  I hardly like to put you out but…’

‘I insist, Miss Merlin.  It’s the least I can do after you’ve come all this way…’

They went up the stairs together.  At the head and out of sight of the landlord, she shook her head, saying, ‘They’ve got themselves in a right pickle, miss, and no mistake.  We’ve been stuck here ten days now, and Master Toby not fit to drive, according to the doctor.  Whatever would her brother think if he knew?’

‘We must get them to Lady Merrill’s house as quickly as possible,’ Samantha said.  ‘My groom will drive them and you – and I’ll take my phaeton home in the morning.  I was anxious that Toby was badly hurt and wondered if I should let his parents know.’

‘No cause for alarm, miss,’ Joan said.  ‘Had it been a serious affair I would have done so at once, no matter what Miss Brough said.  ‘She is a very pretty girl and I know my boy is set on wedding her – but a little young and thoughtless to be a wife I think.’

‘Yes, perhaps you are right, but they are in love and I see no point in prolonging their agony.  If Eleanor’s brother can be brought to agree I should think the sooner the better – and we must somehow avoid a scandal.  As long as no one knows she has been here with Toby all this time we may scrape through with little harm.’

‘Well, miss, I hope you are right,’ Joan replied.  ‘I must admit I shall feel more comfortable when we reach Lady Merrill’s home.’

‘It would be advisable to set out as soon as possible, but we must see how Toby feels in the morning.’

‘This is the room, miss.  You go in while I go back and order some hot milk to be brought up for Miss Brough.  Would you care for some yourself?’

‘Well, that would be very nice – and perhaps a little ham and bread and butter.  I have not eaten since before lunch.’

‘I will see what the landlord has, Miss Merlin.’

As Miss Tompkins walked away, Samantha knocked at the door and then entered.  Eleanor was standing near the window looking out, and in repose her face looked a little sad.  Her heart went out to the young girl; she must be distressed to have found herself in such a pickle.

Eleanor turned and saw her, the colour washing from her face.  ‘Oh…Miss Merlin,’ she gasped.  ‘I did not think…I mean I did not wish to put you out…are you very angry with me?’

‘A little disappointed,’ Samantha said, ‘but not precisely cross.  I understand why you ran away, but do you not think your brother might have listened had you told him why you did not wish to live with your aunt?’

‘I do not see how he could,’ Eleanor replied.  ‘Aunt Grace is our only female relative – and she is such a dragon.  I’m frightened of her…and Robert when he is in a rage.  I’ve been so happy with you.  You made me realise that I have a right to be happy, to live my life as I wish and without fear.’

‘Yes, you do, my dear,’ Samantha said.  ‘However, we all have a duty to others.  Lord Brough has been tearing around the countryside looking for you.  He believes you’ve gone to Scotland and was very angry when he called on me, for he travelled there at once and could find no trace of you.’

‘No, he would not for we were heading south west not north,’ Eleanor said.  ‘Toby said it would not do for him to marry in such a hole and corner way.  He intended to take me to his aunt and then approach my brother.’  A nervous look came into her face.  ‘Do you think he will come here?’

‘Have you told him where you are?’

Eleanor frowned.  ‘I told him we were on our way to Lady Merrill’s house and I crossed out the heading on the inn’s notepaper.’

‘Then he may very well go there,’ Samantha said.  ‘If he arrives before you do, he will indeed be very angry.’

‘I dare say he will forbid us to marry,’ Eleanor said looking pale.  ‘Whatever shall we do, Miss Merlin?’

‘I am not certain what would be for the best,’ Samantha said.  ‘Do you think that Toby would be ready to leave in the morning – if my groom were to drive you?’

‘I think he might,’ Eleanor said uncertainly.  ‘His shoulder has healed but the bang to his head is still causing him to turn a little dizzy now and then.  He is fine if he sits in a chair but if he tries to go downstairs…he was determined to leave yesterday but nearly took a tumble down the stairs.’

‘That sounds a little worrying to me,’ Samantha said.  ‘I think he should see a more experienced doctor.  I know a very good one in London…I wonder…’

She was thoughtful for a moment or two.  ‘Supposing I were to send Toby to my doctor in his carriage with my groom to drive him and take you – either to Lady Merrill’s or back to my house?’

‘I won’t leave him!’ Eleanor cried instantly.  ‘If anything were to happen…’ Tears began to trickle down her cheeks.  ‘This is all my fault.  I was the one who wanted to run away.  Toby was all for speaking to Robert.’

‘I rather think the accident was due to the careless driver of that cart,’ Samantha said in a soothing voice.  ‘Toby is a man and capable of making his own decisions.  I think he should go to the doctor, Eleanor – but if you will not part with him, then perhaps we should all go to London.  We can stay with Annabel.  She is forever asking me to stay.  I have an open invitation to stay with her and Viscount Wrexham – and I know she would be delighted to have us all to stay.  She does have a very large and grand house.’

‘What if…what if Robert goes to Lady Merrill’s house?’

‘He will have a wasted journey and it will serve him right for not listening,’ Samantha said nonchalantly.  Inwardly, she felt some doubts for Lord Brough would no doubt blame her.  However, she owed a duty to both Eleanor and Toby, and the best way she could think of to keep them from harm was to transport them to a house where the hostess was of impeccable reputation, while Toby sought the advice of an excellent doctor.  It would give them time to sort out their affairs.  Then they could decide what to do next.

‘I’ll ask Toby what he thinks,’ Eleanor said and made for the door.

‘Where are you going, Eleanor?’

‘To his room…’ Eleanor blushed as Samantha very elegantly arched one eyebrow.  ‘Oh, I suppose…but he was ill and could not get up.  It was perfectly proper…’

‘I fear it was most improper for you to be in and out of his bedroom, Eleanor.  At the start some allowance might be allowed, but not now that he is almost recovered…  You will please not do it again.  I shall knock at his door and if he is decent, I shall tell him what I propose.’

‘Yes, Miss Merlin,’ Eleanor spoke in fading accents.

‘You need not look so chastened – and unless we are in school you may call me Samantha.  I am aware that you have done nothing wrong, my dear.  However, I must protect you from the censure of less forgiving natures.  It was reckless of you for you might have lost your reputation, but now that I am here there is no need to worry.’

‘But if you accompany us to London…what of your school?’

‘I appointed Miss Dickens acting headmistress while I am away.  Besides, I am due a little holiday and may visit my dressmaker while I am there.’

‘You are very kind to me, M…Samantha.’

Samantha smiled and shook her head.  ‘Think nothing of it, dearest.  My girls are precious to me, each and every one of you – and it will be delightful to visit with Annabel.’

So saying, she went out and down the corridor to Toby’s room.  He invited her to enter when she knocked and she found him sitting in a chair staring at the door.  His expression changed when she entered to one of shock and then apology.

‘I know, Miss Merlin.  If you have come to scold me you cannot make me more ashamed.  I have made a terrible mess of things – and I did hope we should brush through it all without a scandal.’

‘Well, we may do so even now,’ Samantha said and smiled.  ‘I must admit I was surprised that you had given in to Eleanor’s foolish urgings, but I understand that she means a great deal to you.’

‘I shall marry her, of course – at least, if her brother will allow it…’ He looked crestfallen.  ‘It is a devil of a coil, isn’t it?’

‘I dare say you may find he insists on marriage.  Unless we can arrange a credible story for the past few days there will be scandal.  Eleanor has told me of your unfortunate situation, and this is what I suggest…’

Toby listened in silence to all she had to say and agreed meekly.  Leaving him to mull over the foolishness of their escapade, Samantha returned to the room she was to share with Eleanor, and discovered that Joan had brought up their hot milk, ham and bread and butter.

‘Miss Brough has told me of your plans, Miss Merlin,’ Joan said.  ‘It sounds very sensible to me, and if people was to think that it had been their destination all the time…’

‘Yes, I am hoping that it will squash any scandal – and that Lord Brough will approve when we tell him.’

‘You will not tell him at once?’ Eleanor begged, looking apprehensive.

‘No, not until we are settled in London and have the eminent Mr Hasleton’s opinion of Toby’ condition.  It would be as well for Toby to be feeling more the thing when he explains to your brother, Eleanor.'

‘Robert will likely have given up looking for us by then,’ Eleanor blithely said.  ‘I am so glad you came, Samantha.  Everything will be wonderful now.’

Robert arrived at Lady Merrill’s house at a little after twelve the next morning.  His horse had cast a shoe when he was still twenty miles from her home in Northampton and he had been obliged to sit and wait while it was shod.  He had at least had time to eat a good breakfast and was therefore in a slightly better frame of mind.  Having left without touching one mouthful of the lovingly-prepared meal his chef had laboured over the previous evening, he rather doubted that Andre de Bourbon would still be with him when he returned to his home.

Chefs as good as Andre were damned hard to find, and he would regret it if the temperamental but brilliant cook were to leave his employ.  Another grievance to heap at his sister’s feet - or rather at that young idiot’s who had run away with her.

Robert hoped that at last his quest was ended.  A stately and refined butler answered his knock and invited him to wait while he inquired whether Lady Merrill was receiving visitors.

Left to kick his heels in a very elegant and modern parlour, styled by Mr Adam himself, if he were not mistaken, Robert’s mood began to deteriorate.  Lady Merrill had better receive him or he would want to know the reason why!

Hearing the sound of footsteps, he turned impatiently.  ‘Well?’

‘Lady Merrill asks if you will step into her boudoir, sir.  She has not yet dressed for the day and will receive you in private.’

Did the woman think he wanted an assignation?  Robert gritted his teeth and kept his silence as he followed the butler upstairs and along the landing to a pair of double doors, which were painted in cream with inlaid medallions of a pair of cupids in French porcelain.