by Janet Woods
He patted her cheek, causing her to recoil. ‘There’s a clever girl, then. Go and clean that scratch up now, before it turns bad and leaves a scar on your pretty face.’
There was an aloe plant in a pot in the kitchen. Washing the wound Grace snapped off a small piece of the plant and applied the inner jellied substance to her inflamed skin. The wound lost most of its sting almost immediately.
Dominic and Sam returned an hour later, just as she’d finished the tasks he’d set her. Sam was swamped in a greatcoat.
Gently taking her chin between finger and thumb Dominic turned her towards the light. ‘Who’ve you been fighting with?’
He was so near to the truth that she stumbled over the first plausible lie that came into her head. ‘The pen … I picked it up too fast and scratched myself.’
‘Hmmm … is that all. I detected a bit of temper in the atmosphere when I came in.’ As if it were the most natural thing in the world he planted a lingering kiss on her mouth and then let her go.
‘My head aches, I think there’s a storm coming,’ she said, when it would have been much easier to tell him the truth.
‘I think the storm might have been and gone, and taken the pen with it. You wouldn’t lie to me, would you?’
‘Depending on the circumstances, it’s entirely possible.’ At least that was the truth.
His smile widened and he ran a finger gently down her nose.
Deciding it would be a shame to change Dominic’s mood by complaining, she took Brian’s advice and dismissed the incident from her mind.
Except for the kiss. That seemed to be branded on her in flaming red letters. Dominic LéSayres’ woman.
She ran her tongue over her lips when he began to walk away.
‘Libertine.’
He laughed. ‘You could be right, at that.’
Seven
It was early morning when Dominic and Sam departed, stomachs filled to the brim with the breakfast Grace had cooked for them. Sam quivered from the excitement of going somewhere new and carried his sack of worldly goods tied around his waist.
Dominic had bought the lad some warm clothing at the onset of the colder weather, including the greatcoat that reached to his ankles.
‘He’ll grow into it,’ Dominic had said when she’d teased Sam and ruffled his hair.
Nobody knew where Sam had come from. He’d turned up on Lady Florence’s doorstep three years previously, thin, cold and sickly. He could remember being in a gypsy caravan with an old man and woman and waking in a stable to discover them gone. There was a wound on his head he couldn’t account for, and he couldn’t remember his name.
Lady Florence had taken Sam in and made sure he was nursed back to health. Without being given a clearly defined position in the household, he made himself useful to anyone who needed an extra pair of hands, and for that he received two meals a day.
He was a shy lad who rarely spoke unless spoken to. Lady Florence had told Grace the boy had the same look to him as her late husband and he was probably his by-blow, so it was her duty to take him in. Once her mistress got an idea in her head nothing would dislodge it.
When Grace had entered the household Lady Florence had charged her with teaching a reluctant Sam his letters and numbers. When he protested she’d told him he was born with a brain, and if he didn’t want to use it he could take that up with Lady Florence. After an initial struggle he’d discovered he could learn after all, something that opened the world to him.
The morning was cold, but clear. Argus danced on the spot, impatient to be off. Every exhalation of warm breath evaporated into small clouds of steam that surrounded their heads and then quickly evaporated.
The stallion didn’t seem to mind its extra burden but Sam didn’t weigh much and Argus was a strong horse. Besides, it wouldn’t be for long because they’d ordered a hire horse from the blacksmith for Sam to ride for most of the time – that would make the journey more comfortable for all of them.
Before they were gone from Grace’s sight, Dominic twisted in the saddle and waved to her. The image stayed on in her mind, and she thought, Dominic treated Sam as though he cared what happened to him, and the boy responded.
Dominic would make a good father … but then, perhaps he already had children. Unaccountably her heart sank.
As a girl she’d daydreamed of falling in love with a handsome man, and of marriage. The first part had come true. The second seemed unattainable at the moment. Now she was grown up her expectations had fallen by the wayside one after the other, along with her status in the world.
She doubted if any of her father’s friends would recognize her as the precocious child who’d amused them just a few years previously. Sometimes she hardly recognized herself. She wallowed in a moment of self-pity. She had sunk too low in society and was now just another servant struggling to exist and to be ordered about. Though she missed her previous life she didn’t want to revisit her former hopes and dreams.
One thing she did know. She had fallen in love, and if Dominic wanted her she didn’t think she’d have the will to resist.
What if he did have a wife and family? Then she would be placing her foot on the first rung of a very slippery ladder. Neither she, nor anybody else – and that included Dominic – would hold her in any great respect.
She sighed. Perhaps it would be better if she went mining in Australia. But then there was always marriage to Brigadier Crouch to consider. She brightened. The brigadier might be too old to become a husband and father. Lady Florence had indicated that he didn’t have much time for women.
After a sunny morning the clouds rolled over the sky. The wind turned cold just after Dominic and Sam crossed the border into Dorset and the air threatened rain.
They bought some lamb pies from an inn and washed them down with a hot toddy to warm their insides. They’d gone easy on their mounts but even so Argus had lost a bit of his ginger.
Dominic’s glance fell on Sam. The lad was beginning to look weary. ‘Have you the strength to carry on? Otherwise we’ll rest here until morning? The journey should only take a couple more hours.’
Sam nodded. ‘I’m strong enough, and the horses are good for a while longer if we take it easy.’
‘You’re a good horseman, Sam. Who taught you to ride?’
His face screwed up in thought. ‘Couldn’t say … I could ride when the old lady took me in, I reckon.’
‘Do you have a second name?’
‘Not one I can remember. Lady Florence called me Sam.’
‘It might be a good idea to give you a second name. What would you like it to be?’
Worry etched across the lad’s face, and then he said doubtfully, ‘Reckon I could use your horse’s name. Sam Argus.’
The stallion’s snicker sounded like laughter and Dominic grinned. ‘If I call you Argus then you’ll both come running at the same time and I won’t know which is which.’
‘I’d be the one without a tail, I reckon. Would you give me a name then, Mr LéSayres?’
Dominic thought for a moment, searching his mind for a name that might give the lad some dignity, and identity in his occupation. ‘Rider … Sam Rider?’
Sam’s face lit up. ‘That’s me all right. Sam Rider. Thank you sir. It’s a grand name.’
Dominic stretched the truth a bit. ‘I recall it was Miss Ellis who planted it in my brain. Sam’s a good rider, she said.’
‘Miss Ellis is a lady with a good heart.’
Dominic seized the moment to prompt, ‘Tell me about her.’
‘She taught me my letters when the other servants said I was too buffle-headed to learn. We’ll show them, Sam, she says to me. Your brain is as good as anyone’s. It just hasn’t been given any work to do and has become lazy.’ After a moment of silence while Sam seemed to search for words, the lad mused, ‘I reckon it wasn’t so hard, at that, and she stopped the other servants from giving me a clout whenever they felt like it. She can be fierce when she needs to be, like a terr
ier snapping up a rat.’
‘One must hope the result isn’t quite as lethal.’ Dominic stroked his recently slapped face reflectively and then smiled, because Sam’s face had lit up like a beacon.
‘A name of my own,’ he said with quiet pride. ‘I reckon I’ll be able to hold my head up when I walk down the street from now on. I’ll be someone.’
Yes, young Sam would be someone, and he deserved to have a name of his own. It would give him a sense of belonging. Dominic thought, and he’d be proud to help him on his way.
The lad fell silent when they remounted and they conversed no more for the rest of the journey.
It was late afternoon and the sky was darkening as they came over the hill and looked down on King’s Acres, a tract of land gifted by a king to a lady for her favours.
To Dominic’s left the sea was a crumpled sheet of pewter grey, the waves topped with whitecaps. The smell of salt and the cry of the seagulls riding the wind reminded him he was home.
He and Alex had grown up here, raised by a father who’d loved his two sons dearly, but whose gambling habit had lost them nearly every possession. It was no small matter of pride to Dominic that he’d helped his brother restore a small portion of the fortune in the early days after his father’s death. Neither of them could remember their mother but she had died giving Dominic life.
The King’s Acres estate was up ahead and slightly to the right. It was a solid country estate occupied by the incumbent earl and his family. The family consisted of Dominic’s brother Alex, his wife, the Countess Vivienne, and his nephew, Nicholas Ambrose, the heir of the house despite him not yet reaching his second birthday.
Then there was Eugenie, who’d been stepmother to Alex and Dominic after their mother had died, and who had raised them.
Dominic was always welcome here, and had never thought to buy a home of his own, but his mind was now moving in that direction. Town property usually increased in value long term and it was about time.
Smoke flowed from the chimney pots of his childhood home and it was whipped away by a capricious wind.
Dominic reined in at the top of the hill, stuck his fingers in his mouth and whistled. Argus whickered and jerked at the reins, obviously sensing a warm stable and a feed waiting for him.
A couple of tall, shaggy dogs left the stable yard and raced up the hill. Making little yips and yaps they sniffed at Sam’s ankles, tails wagging. When Dominic clicked his tongue they moved off at a walking pace so the horses cooled down gradually. The dogs escorted them down to the house.
Leaving the horses with the stable hand the pair made their way to the house and Dominic told Sam, ‘You must address my brother and his wife as my Lord and my Lady, as befits their rank.’
‘Yes, Mr LéSayres, sir.’
Alex didn’t stand on ceremony, but he did wait for them to come to him in the hall, his smile a mile wide. ‘Dom, at last,’ he said, as they hugged and slapped each other ‘I was thinking of sending out a search party.’
Standing back Alex winked at him and then gazed at Sam. ‘Tell me, is there someone inside that grinning greatcoat?’
‘May I introduce Mr Sam Rider. He has a fine hand with horses and I thought you could fit him into your stable staff. Other than myself he’s the only person I’ve met who can handle Argus.’
‘Then he has my utmost admiration. The last time I tried to ride Argus he bucked me off, arse-over-head.’ Alex nodded. ‘How do you do, Mr Sam Rider? If my brother has recommended you then it’s good enough for me.’
Sam seemed to swell at the courtesy offered him, and gave Alex a sweeping bow. ‘I’m doing nicely, my Lord.’
Alex nodded to a hovering footman. ‘Take Mr Rider to the stable, where he can assist the groom. Tell him to make sure the lad is fed, look after him and find him a bed. Tell Cook there will be one extra for dinner, and one staff. He looks as though a good meal wouldn’t harm him.’ Alex’s arm came round his shoulders in a brotherly hug. ‘I’m glad you’re back, Dom. We’ve missed you. Tell me, how can a lad of that size control that stallion of yours?’
‘Sam has a way with him.’
‘It’s about time you had the beast gelded.’
‘I’m thinking about it. I’m only here for a couple of days while I make a few arrangements. The old lady’s will is turning out to be more vexing than I expected. It might have to be decided in court. Also John Howard wants to see me. How’s Vivienne?’
His brother’s smile grew even broader. ‘Vivienne is beyond compare. You’d consider yourself lucky if you had such a wife.’
‘I certainly couldn’t argue with that. You were lucky I didn’t see her before you did.’
Alex laughed when he saw Vivienne hastening down the stairs, a lantern held aloft and a smile illuminating her face. ‘Did you hear that, Vivienne, my love? Be careful he doesn’t run off with you.’
‘Dominic, how lovely to see you again … and such a lovely compliment. You must tell us what you’ve been up to.’
He kissed her hand. ‘First I must tidy myself up.’
‘Of course you must, and you will find everything ready for you, including Alex’s personal servant.’ When she moved to Alex’s side he pulled her against him to touch a kiss against her hairline. She was tall for a woman, yet still had to gazed up at him. ‘You must allow Dominic time to rest and rid himself of the dust from the road.’
‘Of course I must since he’s not fit company for a lady at the moment.’
Alex had met his match in Vivienne and Dominic envied him that.
Half an hour later and Dominic was up to his chin in a tub of warm water. He closed his eyes and sighed as the tension in his body gradually dissipated. Alex’s man went about his business, tutting over Dominic’s scruffy discarded clothing. Fresh garments were laid out on the bed for him to wear, his boots were polished to a high standard.
The firelight was soothing and he wondered what Gracie was doing at that moment. Uneasiness touched him. There had been a sullen atmosphere at Oakford House the day before that had made him reluctant to leave. The politeness of the two remaining servants had almost been a mockery.
When Alex came in and drew up a stool, Dominic grinned at him. ‘I hope you don’t want me to pay you homage with a bow, my Lord.’
‘In your present state of undress there’s no fear of that. Tell me, Dom, where did the lad come from … is he a side-slip of yours?’
‘Good lord, no! I’ve been more careful than that. Sam was part of Lady Florence’s household. He was left on her doorstep a few years ago and she took him in. Apparently she believed he was fathered by her late husband.’
‘On what grounds?’
‘Wishful thinking, mostly. She had no children of her own.’
‘What about his name?’
‘Lady Florence called him Sam and I gave him the second name. He wanted to be named after my horse at first.’
‘My horse. I won him from you in a wager, remember?’
‘Was it my fault he preferred my arse to yours on the saddle?’
‘You knew damned well he’d throw me off.’
Dominic grinned. ‘About Sam’s name … you’re a magistrate and I wondered if you’d be able to formalize it so Sam has some sort of background. He can’t remember anything much before he was left at Oakford House by gypsies at the age of eight. He was suffering a head wound. I understand Gracie has been teaching him to write.’
Dominic became the recipient of a suspicious look. ‘Gracie?’
He didn’t want to talk about Grace; his feelings towards her were ambivalent and his family would jump to conclusions. He must think things through, make sure any decision he reached was the right one. ‘Gracie is a servant … and nothing to sing about.’
‘You were ever a good liar, Dom, but not good enough to fool me. You’re gone on this one, I can see it in your eyes.’
Dominic thought fast. He didn’t want his brother to push him into anything and came up with an evasion that wasn’t
really a lie. ‘Gracie is my new clerk, you bonehead.’
‘So why did you say he was a woman?’
‘I didn’t. It was an assumption on your part.’
Alex spread hand came down over Dominic’s face and pushed his head under the water. Dominic’s legs thrashed about as though they had a life of their own. Just as he thought he might drown he realized Alex’s weight was gone. He surged out of the water spluttering threats and shook the droplets from his body as he headed for the door, muttering, ‘Just wait till I catch up with you, Alex.’
The valet pushed past him and got to the door first. He spread himself across it like a stranded starfish.
‘Out of my way, Edward.’
Edward stayed put, saying firmly, ‘You must not leave the room in that state, sir. You are undressed and the ladies are about. What would they think?’
Nothing complimentary in his present state, unless one collected miniatures, Dominic thought, looking down at his relaxed appendage. But no, it wouldn’t do to scandalize the ladies.
Water flew from his hair when Dominic shook himself again.
‘Shall I snip some off before you dress for dinner, sir?’
Snapped out of his reverie Dominic cupped his hands protectively over his haft. ‘I wouldn’t try it if I were you.’
The man chuckled. ‘I was referring to your hair, sir.’
Slipping his arms into the robe the valet held out Dominic smiled, his humour fully restored. ‘Thank goodness for that.’
When he was ready to present a tidy appearance to his family he went down to the drawing room and gave his stepmother a warm hug. Eugenie had been a wonderful substitute for his own mother, a woman he couldn’t remember. She had also been his father’s lover before their marriage, but neither he nor Alex felt any the worse off for that.
In return Eugenie said, ‘Alex tells me you’re only here for a couple of days. That is far too short a visit.’
‘I agree but I have a complicated will to sort out.’
‘Such a shame, my dear.’ She kissed his cheek. ‘Will your business be finished in time to celebrate the Christmas festivities with us, do you think?’
