The Secret of Castlegate Manor

by Karen Cogan

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Caroline accepted her tea with the hope that the turmoil, which churned within, did not show on her face. While Lady Aberly talked on about the ball, Caroline could not keep her thoughts on a word that was spoken. At last Lady Aberly said, "You seem distracted, my dear. Whatever is on your mind?"

  This provided just the opening for which Caroline was hoping. She set down her cup and composed her countenance.

  "I had a visit with Lord Humphrey in the library. It was most troublesome."

  Lady Aberly frowned. "Was it? Why was that?"

  Caroline did not wish to alarm the ladies, but she did want to give fair warning in case Lord Humphrey's evil schemes affected them as well as herself.

  "He said that we would find life uncomfortable here if I did not agree to marry him."

  Lavenia gave a startled gasp. "How horrible. Whatever could he mean by that?"

  Caroline was loath to reveal the riding mishap for fear her aunt would forbid her from returning to the stable. "He hinted that a mischief would come to us, an accident perhaps."

  Lavenia's lips parted in astonishment.

  Lady Aberly clicked her tongue. "Oh, la. I think you must be making more of it than is wont by the circumstances. You must have misunderstood. Lord Humphrey can be tedious when he is in his cups, but I do not believe he would do anything to harm us."

  Caroline would not presume to disagree with Lady Aberly, so she took a different approach. "Perhaps you would help me understand why he wishes to rush into marriage. We have not known each other long enough to develop a true attachment."

  Lavenia set aside her cup of tea. "Perhaps he believes that it is his only way to gain control of Castlegate Manor. He must believe that you will inherit it. He wishes to marry you before another suitor claims you and takes his place."

  Caroline frowned. "But I have inherited nothing. Does he not see you and your mother living here after Lady Eleanor's death? Surely he knows you are the heirs. It is you he should still wish to wed."

  Lady Aberly appeared flustered. "I suppose he got the idea from me. You must not tell him about not having a part of the inheritance. Please, if you speak now, he may bring trouble about Lavenia's wedding. After the wedding, simply tell him the truth."

  Caroline caught her lip. What was the truth? It was getting harder for her to imagine.

  "Of course I shall say nothing. I would not do anything to disturb a wedding of two people who are so obviously in love."

  Lavenia placed her hand atop Caroline's hand. Her eyes shone with emotion. "You are truly like a sister to me."

  Caroline smiled. "I am an only child, too. Like you, I have always wanted a sister."

  It felt good to share a little of her past. She was an only child and that much was the truth.

  Lady Aberly seemed pleased that the unpleasant conversation had come to an end. For her part, Caroline tried to ignore the resentment she felt toward the older woman. Lady Aberly had put her in an awkward and perhaps dangerous position in order to free her own daughter to marry. The best that could be done now was to stall Lord Humphrey until after Lavenia's wedding. Then Caroline could tell him that it was Lady Aberly and her daughter who had inherited this lovely estate, in entirety, and not herself.

  The next morning, they arose early for a light repast. Each lady eagerly anticipated the trip to Bath to visit the famous salon of Madam Marian. There they would choose the material she would use to create their gowns.

  Caroline felt a mixture of excitement and anxiety. She had gone with Lady Eleanor on several occasions to choose material for new ball gowns. Yet, she had never chosen one for herself.

  She must choose well and make a good impression. The ball might be her chance to meet a suitable match. She could not afford to come ill attired.

  Fortunately, Lavenia misunderstood her anxiety to reflect upon Madam Marian. "You must not worry. Madam Marian is the best dressmaker in all of Bath. She will produce a perfect fit."

  Caroline smiled. "I am sure she will."

  John Coachman brought the carriage round and the old groom, Nottington, helped the ladies inside. Despite her careful preparations, Caroline keenly felt her pretense of being a lady.

  She silently chastised herself with the fact that, if she talked and dressed like a lady, no one would know the fears and insecurities that plagued her existance. She would simply have to be careful at Madam Marian's and do exactly as Lady Aberly and Lavenia did.

  They talked of fabrics and fashions and what had been popular in London as they clattered from the estate onto the road that led to Bath.

  "My, but this is a most bumpy ride. I wonder if the rains last night have done damage to the road," Lavenia complained.

  Caroline was inclined to agree. She had not remembered this road being so bad on their previous trip to Bath.

  However, Lady Aberly not wishing anything to abandon her favorite topic of fashion and fabric, dismissed the jolting with a flounce of her fashionable curls. "I dare say we will be past the worst part soon."

  Suddenly the carriage gave a massive lurch that sent the three ladies tumbling together into a colorful pile of skirts and bonnets. They tilted sideways as the broken carriage came to rest with a powerful thud.

  The moment of silence following the violent rasping and jolting gave Caroline a chance to take stock of her circumstances. The ladies rested against the side of the carriage with poor Lady Aberly on the bottom of the pile.

  Caroline pushed away to free the other two ladies of her weight. She was glad to note by their moans and protests of discomfort that each was conscious.

  John Coachman's head appeared in the carriage doorway which now tilted to face the sky. His face looked ashen with fear. "Is everyone alright? I can't imagine what happened. Let me help you, Miss."

  He reached down and lifted Caroline out of the carriage. Nottington stood ready to help her to the ground. After all the ladies had been rescued and it had been determined that no one had suffered permanent damage, John Coachman made a study of the damage.

  Lady Aberly brushed her crumpled skirts. "I can't think why you let this coach come in such need of repair as to endanger our travel."

  The coachman frowned. "Begging your pardon, my lady, but I don't believe this happened because the carriage was in need of repair. See these lynch pins? Someone replaced the ones that used to be here. These look as though they could never hold a hat in place."

  Caroline gasped. "You mean, you believe this occurrence was deliberately arranged?"

  Caroline could feel Lavenia's hand shaking as she grasped Caroline's arm. "Who would have done such a thing?"

  "That's what I'm wondering, my lady," said the coachman. He turned to Nottington. "Who has been in the stable?"

  "Just me and the two grooms."

  The coachman frowned. "Both new, are they not?"

  Nottington nodded.

  "A bit suspicious," said Lady Aberly. "But why would grooms wish us harm?"

  Caroline studied the broken carriage. "One of the grooms was hired by Lord Humphrey." The possible significance gave her a bone rattling chill.

  Lady Aberly shook her head. "I still can't believe he would stoop so low as to harm us."

  She turned to Nottington. "If you believe someone has deliberately caused this mischief, you must send them packing."

  "Yes, my lady."

  "This will take awhile to fix, I presume?" Lady Aberly asked.

  The coachman nodded. "I am afraid so, my lady. I had best arrange for your transportation home. Nottington can ride back for the smaller carriage. Though it is too old to be comfortable to travel to Bath, it should get you home in safety."

  Lady Aberly nodded. "I do not feel up to further travel today. We will plan our trip when you finish these repairs."

  The ladies settled in the shade of a hornbeam while Nottington cantered toward the estate.

  "I shall take to my bed after this frightful scare," Lady Aberly declared as she administered her fa
n in front of her flushed face.

  Lavenia cast Caroline a worried glance. "Do you really think Lord Humphrey might be plotting to harm us?"

  Caroline shook her head and felt the loose pins give way that had held her hair in place. She ran a smoothing hand to find the loose curls and re-pin them. "I do not know if he wishes us any real harm, but I believe he may have set us up for several uncomfortable mishaps as his way of warning. "

  Lavenia shuddered. "Such a horrible thought. I tremble to think of what he might plan next."

  Lady Aberly broke into the conversation. "I do believe we are getting ahead of the facts. We do not have any proof that Lord Humphrey had any hand in this."

  Lavenia brushed a leaf from her skirt. "This is true. But what if he did? What shall we do?"

  "We shall marry you off. Then, if Caroline has no desire to marry the Viscount, we shall see that she is safely settled wherever she chooses to go, perhaps back to her family in India or some other relative here."

  Caroline felt the blood drain from her face. Her future seemed suddenly bleak. If she did not marry Lord Humphrey, where would she go? She had no relatives, either here or in India. Unable to admit her deceit, she would be trapped. And when Lord Humphrey discovered she did not inherit the estate, would he find a way to dispose of her?

  The sound of a coach rattling toward them told Caroline rescue was forthcoming. It rounded the corner and Caroline was surprised to see Geoffrey accompanying Nottington on horseback.

  The old ostler stopped the coach and said, "I'm sorry to be so long, but as this coach is so old, I thought as to how I should not rattle it too hard."

  Geoffrey dismounted and offered the ladies a hand into the carriage. His eyes slid over Caroline in a particularly concerned appraisal. She blushed under his gaze, her hand instinctively reaching to straighten her bonnet. Why she should care what this groom thought of her appearance still caused her dismay.

  The old carriage had been in disuse for many years. The musty smell so overwhelmed the ladies that they were obliged to hold perfumed handkerchiefs to their noses to abide the journey.

  Though Lady Aberly rested her head against the corner squabs, her rigid bearing told Caroline she was just as worried about the incident as the younger women.

  They arrived at the manor and were helped from the carriage.

  "I must say, it is a relief to be home, though I am disappointed to have had our trip spoiled," Lavenia said.

  Lady Aberly shook her head. "Indeed. It was been quite an unsatisfactory morning. Perhaps we shall all feel better after a spot of tea and a rest."

  She turned to Nottington. "If you fix the carriage today, we shall try again on the morrow."

  "Yes, my lady."

  Edward swept open the door to announce that their tea was awaiting them in the parlour. They hastened to draw comfort as Caroline followed behind. Before Caroline stepped into the marbled foyer, Geoffrey touched her sleeve, displaying a most improper conduct for a groom. "I must speak with you. Meet me on the path to the stable after tea. I will watch for you."

  Appalled by his boldness, Caroline intended to rebuke him. The grave expression in his eyes changed her mind. No convention of society could have prevented her effort to hear what he intended to say.

  She nodded and turned away quickly, relieved to see that Lady Aberly and Lavenia had already entered the house.

  Sparse conversation accompanied the tea and, soon, the ladies drifted apart to seek rest. Caroline lingered in the parlour until she felt sure her companions had retired to their rooms. Heart in her throat, she slipped out the French doors into the rose garden and followed a path that connected with the wooded path to the stable.

  She stopped among the roses, taking time to admire them in case someone should see her wandering about. She did not wish it to appear that she was keeping an appointment, but rather enjoying a stroll. If she were glimpsed in clandestine conversation with the groom, she would have no end of explaining to do. And Caroline had no ready explanation.

  She slipped into the cover of the trees and paused to master her unsteady breathing. She gasped as someone touched her arm, then turned quickly to see Geoffrey standing behind her, silent as a wraith. He put his finger to his lips and motioned her to step into the forest.

  Caroline's heart skipped a beat with the understandng that she had come, unattended, with no one to know her where abouts. If Geoffrey was involved in Lord Humphrey's plot, she would have no one to turn to for help.

  He drew her into the trees, his warm hand clasped firmly on her arm. Caroline shivered, wondering what had possessed her to trust him. And now, it was too late to turn back.

  He released her and, with difficulty, ignored the creamy paleness of her face and soft parting of her lips. He concentrated on the wide, worried eyes that stared into his own.

  "Mr. Nottington told me the carriage occurrence was not an accident. I don't mean to frighten you, but there is someone who wishes to inherit the estate. He will stop at nothing to get it."

  Caroline assessed him and found only concern in his eyes. "La, but I know that already. It is Lord Humphrey. Did he hire you as well as the other new groom? If so, I am not at all sure I should trust you."

  "You may rest assured, my lady, that I have no more interest in aiding Lord Humphrey than you do."

  Caroline felt an overwhelming longing to share the details of Lord Humphrey's overtures. Perhaps Geoffrey could help her. Or, perhaps, he was not telling the truth and was merely employed to win her confidence and share what she told him with Lord Humphrey. Was her longing for a knight-errant overcoming her good judgement?

  She would proceed with caution. "Lord Humphrey told me life would become uncomfortable if I did not agree to marry him."

  Geoffrey's eyes darkened. "He doubtless thought the carriage incident would frighten you into agreement."

  "It will not."

  "Of course not. We both know he has nothing to gain by such a marriage."

  Caroline caught her breath, wondering if he had somehow learned her secret. She turned away. "I am sure I have no idea what you mean."

  "Then Lady Eleanor was less than candid with you. If her death wish was for you to inherit her estate, she neglected to have the necessary changes recorded in her will. I have it on reliable source that neither you nor Lady Aberly and her daughter have gained inheritance of Castlegate Manor."

  Caroline whirled to face him. "I believe Lady Aberly has lived there for some time. I assumed that she was the rightful heiress to the estate."

  "And this is what I wish Lord Humphrey to continue to believe. In truth, the heir is a gentleman from abroad, a great-nephew, I believe."

  "How do you know this?"

  I shall not reveal my source, my lady. Let us say I was told in confidence when I was engaged to look into the matter."

  "And your master from abroad is hiding behind the skirts of three women so he will not be in danger?"

  Geoffrey stared away, the hard muscles in his jaw becoming tight. "The best way to draw Lord Humphrey into a trap is to let him continue in error. I will personally endeavor to see that no harm comes to anyone."

  "So, I am to understand you have been hired by this gentleman to depose Lord Humphrey?"

  "Have you a better plan, my lady? Perhaps you would prefer to marry him."

  Caroline shivered. Geoffrey did not fail to note the effect of his words.

  "I do not wish to marry Lord Humphrey."

  "Then I have not misjudged your character, my lady. But be wary. I should not be able to abide myself should any misfortune befall you."

  Caroline smiled, peering to see his handsome features shaded by the shadows of the trees. "It relieves my fears only to know that you shall be espying the possible misdeeds of the Viscount."

  Geoffrey looked into the upturned face and knew if he did not escape, he would pull her to him and claim the bright lips with a kiss. Such a grave social error would shock her to the core and, no doubt, erase the trust he
saw shining in her dark eyes.

  She thought of him as a groom, hired by a nobleman to secure his estate from the clutches of the iniquitous Lord Humphrey. He must be careful to sustain that impression. Until he completed the task before him, he must put all amorous thoughts from his mind. He must remember the necessity for this beautiful young lady to remain lure for the trap he would lay. Yet the longer he knew her, the more difficult it became to believe the risk worth the possible price.

  He studied her face, his thoughts in turmoil. "You had better return, my lady, before anyone suspects ill of your absence." His uneasy emotions made his words curt.

  He turned from her and paced to the stables. Caroline watched the retreat of his broad shoulders, struggling with the confusion in her heart. She had seen the concern in his eyes when he had promised to look out for her. Did his promise rise from a sense of duty or a deeper sentiment?

  She picked up her skirts and hurried to the house. She had come here to marry a member of the ton, not a simple groom, no matter how powerful his employer might be. She would carry out her plan. And she would ignore any attempt by her traitorous heart to bewitch her into changing her mind.

  CHAPTER SIX

  The carriage was repaired and the trip into Bath commenced the following morning. This time Geoffrey accompanied John Coachman to act as footman and protector of the ladies. His formal behavior chilled Caroline after their intimate talk in the woods. She chastised herself for wishing it otherwise.

  The conversation of gowns and guest lists lacked the giddy abandon of the first attempt. Though they had been assured that the carriage had been personally inspected by John Coachman prior to the trip, the occupants struggled with the memory of the frightening misadventure of the preceding day.

  Spirits lightened as they rolled across Pulteney Bridge. Safely into town, a sense of security enveloped them. Lady Aberly chatted in light-hearted abandon about the various shops they would visit and the tea room at which they were to meet Lady Ruyter.

  Madame Marian's sign for her establishment came into view. John Coachman drew the carriage to a stop. Caroline's hands trembled as she disembarked in front of the famous modiste.