A Vow for an Heiress

by Helen Dickson

  He laughed at her light-hearted remark. ‘Who knows, Miss Ingram. I may be prepared to offer you more—for a price, of course.’

  Rosa laughed in turn. ‘Of course. I would expect no less.’

  William gazed at her for a moment in silence, his eyes sweeping and appreciating her lovely face. ‘The colour of your hair, all shades of autumn, is unusual—beautiful like your eyes.’

  Rosa stared at him, somewhat taken aback by his reference to her eyes, then she decided he’d meant nothing by it. ‘I think you flatter me, Lord Ashurst.’

  ‘No. Flattery is nothing but empty words without true feeling. I meant what I said.’

  There was something in his expression that made her feel more than she wanted to feel. Her pulse raced. In that moment, Simon and Antigua seemed very distant. In fact, every time Lord Ashurst looked at her, Antigua felt more and more distant. His tall and lean, yet athletic, stature had a splendour to it with which few other men of her acquaintance could compete. He rode with an air of utter assurance, exuding a strong masculinity she imagined few women could resist, giving them the impression he was a man of lusty, unashamed appetites—with merely a look and a cynically humorous smile she suspected he had the ability to charm his way into the most rapidly beating heart. Listening to the steady rhythm of her own, she looked away, unable to prevent a certain excitement from sweeping over her, making her realise that she was not as immune to his powerful masculine personality as she had thought. She must not let him affect her like this.

  ‘How is Dhanu settling in at Fountains Lodge?’

  She laughed. ‘Very well. He is adored by one and all—especially Clarissa—and keeps everyone on their toes.’

  ‘I can’t pretend that I am not concerned about him.’

  ‘Don’t be. He is fine but you must call and see for yourself.’

  ‘I will.’ A gentle expression spread over his face.

  ‘We didn’t get off to a very good start, you and I,’ he said softly.

  ‘No.’

  He looked at her. ‘I find I have to reconsider my options.’

  Tilting her head, she returned his gaze. ‘Do you have any?’

  ‘It would appear not. Can we talk about it?’

  ‘What—here?’

  ‘Ride back to the house with me. We will talk there.’

  ‘Oh—I don’t know if I should.’

  ‘If you are afraid that your reputation is in danger of being ruined should you be seen riding alone with me, then do not be concerned. There is no one to see.’

  Rosa smiled. ‘It is considerate of you to be so concerned for my reputation, Lord Ashurst.’

  His blue eyes twinkled merrily. ‘I am well aware that once a young woman’s reputation is lost it can never be retrieved, Miss Ingram.’

  ‘Then my reputation must be protected at all cost. We must see to it that we keep away from prying eyes.’

  ‘Does that mean you agree to come back to the house?’

  ‘How can I refuse?’

  He looked at Thomas hovering some yards away. ‘Send the boy back. I will ride with you when you return to Fountains Lodge.’

  Rosa did as he asked, instructing him to go to the house and explain to Clarissa where she was and to tell her not to worry, before riding with Lord Ashurst down the hill to the road that skirted the lake. He rode with the casual ease that could only come with a lifetime’s acquaintance with horses.

  ‘You ride well,’ William said, with an admiring smile. She was light and lovely in the saddle. Earlier he’d watched her ride at breakneck pace, taking each jump with an effortless, breezy unconcern for style that William had never seen before. ‘I’d been watching you for a while. You are one of the most skilled female riders I’ve ever seen.’

  Glancing sideways at him, she laughed lightly. ‘That is praise indeed from you, Lord Ashurst. I started to ride before I could walk. I love horses. My father kept a fine stable on Antigua.’

  William looked at her with unconcealed appreciation as he surveyed her perched atop her mount. She lifted her head and the sunlight glistened on a chestnut curl that fell to her neck. She was smiling broadly, her generous lips drawn back over perfect white teeth, and her colour was gloriously high.

  ‘Do you normally dress in breeches?’ he enquired.

  ‘Not all the time, but I hate riding side-saddle and I find breeches are so much more comfortable and offer more freedom. Of course, Grandmother didn’t approve. She was forever chastising me over one thing or another.’ She cast him a conspiratorial glance. ‘When I ride out I try to keep away from the village. I am not unaware that I am supposed to be dressed in mourning and behaving with more decorum, but I’m afraid I did not conform to the idea of a proper English miss.’

  William laughed. ‘I have to say, Miss Ingram, that I agree with that.’

  On reaching the house, William swung himself out of the saddle and went to assist Rosa, but she’d already leapt from her horse as sprightly as a young athlete and was handing the reins to a groom who seemed to appear from nowhere. They entered the house.

  ‘Have you eaten?’ William asked.

  ‘No. I usually eat after my ride.’

  ‘Then join me for breakfast. I would appreciate the company.’

  ‘Thank you. I would like that.’

  ‘Come,’ William said, taking her elbow in a firm grip. The conversation was not going to be easy for either of them. ‘We’ll eat in the garden where we are less likely to be interrupted and there are no staff within earshot to carry tales back to the village. Besides, it’s too nice a day to sit inside.’

  Instructing one of the maids to have breakfast sent out to the terrace, he escorted her through a set of large French windows out on to a raised veranda which offered a splendid view of the gardens. Seating her at a wrought-iron table, William took a chair across from her, resting one booted foot atop his knee. For a moment he observed his companion. There was a subdued strength and subtleness that gave her an easy, almost naïve elegance that she was totally unaware of as she sat. Few women were fortunate enough to have been blessed with such captivating looks. Her eyes were clear and calm as the waters he had seen lapping a stretch of hot sand in India and were an exquisite mixture of green and brown. In fact, Rosa Ingram was blessed with everything she would need to guarantee her future happiness. Yet here she was, prepared to marry a penniless earl for reasons that he failed to understand.

  Breakfast was carried out to them on silver platters—eggs, mushrooms, bacon and delicious warm bread and butter. Rosa was strangely content as she ate and drank her tea, gazing out over the gardens and to the orchards beyond. The gardens were beautiful in their wild and wonderful state of neglect, with roses and honeysuckle climbing and tumbling in profusion. With the sun warm on her face she felt its calmness and tranquillity. Everything was so still that not even a leaf moved, only the heady scent of flowers hung in the air. Aware of Lord Ashurst’s scrutiny, she managed to control her emotions. She watched the swallows swooping low and looked at the patches of blue sky between the branches of the tall trees.

  At length, William spoke, breaking into her reverie. ‘I think we should both put our cards on the table, don’t you? We have both had to leave the place of our birth to come to England, no matter how reluctant we were. You were happy on Antigua?’

  ‘Always.’ She looked at him. ‘I imagine you felt the same when you left India, having lived there all of your life.’

  ‘Yes, although I did come here for my education. I am the only issue of a second son. My father’s older brother, who became the Earl on my grandfather’s demise, had two sons. My father had no reason to believe he would inherit the estate and was allowed to make his own way in life. He qualified as a doctor. With a desire to see the world he became employed by the East India Company. He met and married my mother in India. When my uncle died, followed by hi
s eldest son in the Peninsula War, Charles, my cousin, inherited the title and the estate. His death was a great shock to me,’ he said, pain at the remembrance of his passing in his eyes for Rosa to see. ‘We were close—like brothers. Being his heir and duty-bound to take up the reins at Ashurst Park, I had no choice but to leave India.’

  ‘That must have been difficult for you. Are either of your parents still alive?’

  ‘They died when I was in my youth. Had my father still been alive, he would have taken the title. Like my father before me I forged myself a successful career and pledged my life to the Company. Something of India remains deep inside me and will course through my blood for ever—distant memories—the smell of the soil, the fragrance of the desert sands.’

  As they talked he seemed more relaxed. He clearly loved the land of his birth and it was not the first time Rosa had met a man who was truly committed to the land of his adoption. There had been many on the Caribbean islands. She realised that despite the antipathy he had aroused in her on their previous encounters, William Barrington was remarkably easy to talk to and it surprised her how much she enjoyed talking to him.

  ‘But they were dangerous times,’ William went on quietly. ‘The states were constantly at war with each other. When the letter came informing me of the death of my cousin I was unprepared. Now, as heir to Ashurst Park, my place is here. I quickly learned from my cousin’s lawyers that the estate had been left in dire financial straits. In fact, it is bankrupt. Not having seen either my uncle or my cousins for several years, I had no idea of the extent of the debts. I regret not keeping in touch more. Perhaps then I would have been able to help in some way before things became so bad.’

  ‘How did that happen? I remember Grandmother telling us it had something to do with the Battle of Waterloo, but I didn’t pay much attention at the time.’

  ‘She was right. Rumours reaching London that Wellington had lost the battle at Waterloo ignited panic in the financial markets and caused the Stock Exchange to crash. In their desperation, London stockholders wanted out of their investments immediately, believing they would need the money to survive. The market panic was halted when news of Wellington’s victory at Waterloo arrived. Unfortunately, it was too late for the countless innocent people who lost their investments and hundreds of reputable merchants and noble families were ruined—including my own.’

  ‘And your cousin?’

  ‘Unable to live with the loss, Charles committed suicide.’

  Rosa was unable to conceal her shock. This was something she did not know. ‘How dreadful. I am so sorry. Mrs Hope told me he drowned in the pool below the cascade. I—I thought it must have been an accident.’

  ‘I’m afraid not. Initially I was of the opinion that he could have managed his affairs with a little more finesse, but when I learned the full extent of what had happened, I realised he was unable to live with the guilt he felt over his haste to sell off his shares. It was too painful for him to bear. Sadly, he wasn’t alone. As a consequence the estate is bankrupt. It costs a king’s ransom to run. I am beginning to realise the weight of the responsibilities heaped on me. They have become like jewels too heavy to carry, too valuable to neglect and too enormous to ignore.’

  ‘I can see that.’

  ‘My solicitor has pointed out that if I do not come up with a solution very soon, I will lose the estate. The many creditors are becoming impatient. They could foreclose on the estate. My cousin was a gambler, which does not help matters.

  Not only are there gambling debts to be settled but the estate has been mortgaged up to the hilt and the tenant farmers are suffering very badly.’

  ‘Accept my offer and all the debts will be cleared,’ she said softly.

  ‘That is a hard offer to refuse. Maybe I was a trifle hasty in dismissing it initially. Circumstances have forced me to reconsider. It could work out to be beneficial for us both. I realise that although it galls me to do so, as a solution to my problems I will have to marry a rich woman. Unfortunately, I do not have the time to go hunting for a wife.’

  ‘Then why did you refuse me when you knew you had no other means of settling the debts on Ashbury Park?’ she retorted, unable to remain calm when faced with such contradictory behaviour.

  ‘I didn’t realise the urgency of the situation. I cannot rest knowing others are owed because of my cousin’s folly. It is not right. It should not impact on the livelihood of others.’ His lips curled in a thin smile. ‘Lord knows what my father would make of it all. When he died he thought my life was all mapped out with the Company.’

  ‘Were you close to your parents?’ He nodded. ‘My own father was such a strong force in my life, my mother such a loving support to all of us. Things began to fall apart when she died. It would seem the cards haven’t turned out the way we wanted for either of us.’

  ‘It would appear not. So, Miss Ingram. Do you still wish to live at Ashurst Park?’

  ‘As your wife?’

  ‘What else?’

  Slowly she let her thoughts dwell on what he was saying, realising just how uncertain her future was. She did realise that with the death of her grandmother and no longer forced to marry anyone if she did not want to, she was free to go to her Aunt Clara and try to coerce her into letting her work with her on her charities and put her wealth to some good. But the temptation to marry Lord Ashurst and make this beautiful house her home beckoned.

  ‘What else! you say.’ She sighed deeply. ‘What else is there? What else will there be when Clarissa has married and gone back to the Caribbean? I have lost most of my family and am about to lose Fountains Lodge. I realise that I don’t need to marry anyone.’

  ‘What else is there?’

  She smiled. ‘You might think me quite mad but I have considered helping my aunt with her many charities—not just putting some of my father’s wealth to good use but to take an active part.’

  ‘I don’t think that’s a bad thing. It’s very noble of you to consider others in that way and I am sure that with all the misery I see every time I go to London your money will be welcome to whichever charity you decide to support. Of course it is something you can take up when you are married.’

  ‘Yes—yes I could,’ she remarked, uplifted by his suggestion. ‘And you wouldn’t mind?’

  ‘Of course not. Why would I?’

  ‘I can’t tell you how much that means to me. I won’t have to go to London after all—where my wealth will make me a target for unscrupulous fortune hunters.’

  William’s lips curved in a cynical smile. ‘Better the devil you know.’

  Chapter Five

  Rosa looked at him, her senses dazed, snared by the light blue eyes that roamed leisurely over her features, pausing at length on her lips and then moving back to capture her eyes. They glowed with a warmth that brought colour to her cheeks. Compared to Simon and the numerous men of her acquaintance, William Barrington was as near to perfect as she had ever met.

  A calm came over Rosa. Thinking back to the day she had come to Ashurst Park to propose he marry her instead of Clarissa, when he had refused her she had been swamped with regret that she had been foolish to come to humiliate herself before this penniless Earl of Ashurst. She had reached the conclusion that no one could push him into any decision not of his own making, and for the first time since she had devised the wild scheme, she had known the feeling of failure. Yet here he now was, telling her he was willing to accept her offer. She realised how much such a decision was costing him in both pride and self-respect.

  ‘I do understand how difficult this is for you, Lord Ashurst. I think I would feel exactly the same in your shoes.’

  ‘Believe me, Miss Ingram, you can have no idea.’ Sighing resignedly, he held out his hand. ‘Come, let’s walk. I’ll show you the garden.’

  Rosa ignored his hand and got to her feet.

  ‘Ashurst Park needs some mo
ney injected into it right away and the creditors have to be paid what they are owed to keep it from being sold.’

  ‘Then it would seem my offer is timely. Console yourself with the fact that the money that will come to you on our marriage will outweigh your concern at marrying a sugar planter’s daughter.’

  ‘Your background is not an issue—or how your father came by his wealth. Although my Christian upbringing taught me that it is not acceptable to enslave an unconsenting individual. There is nothing noble or honourable in that. It is against all humanity and reason.’

  Rosa looked at him steadily. ‘I told you that I share your abhorrence for the trade—in fact it’s refreshing to find someone who shares my views. I was raised in a world where slavery was commonplace, a way of life, and I never thought to question it or paused to consider how others might feel. I led an insular existence in a loving home with loving parents, totally ignorant of who kept the wheels turning in that privileged world. It was only when I was older that I began to realise the true nature of the evils of slavery, that it was maintained by force and people were treated as pieces of property.’

  ‘And you were shocked.’

  ‘Yes. Unlike many other plantation owners, my father abhorred unnecessary brutality where the slaves were concerned—and you are going to tell me that that still does not make it right and I would agree with you. But right or wrong it is a state of affairs that exists—one, which I am certain, can be changed. The plantation owners insist that slaves are necessary for the plantation system to survive. I am not very knowledgeable with the British political system but I have read a great deal about it and I am aware that there are anti–slave trade activists. When you take your seat in the House of Lords, as a peer of the realm you will be in a strong position to influence bringing about changes. It would be marvellous if you could use some of the money that will come to you through me to do that—and it will make me feel that I am compensating in some way.’