Never Too Late

by Christina Courtenay

  Well, that’s a first, Luke wanted to say, but swallowed the words and suppressed a frown. Eliza gossiped entirely too much, in his opinion, but if she wanted to play games with him, he wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of seeing that he was rattled. He abruptly changed the subject, pretending that Anna was doing something wrong so that he could ride up and show her how to do it correctly, but he couldn’t get Eliza’s words out of his mind.

  Perhaps he ought to be practical himself and marry her for convenience. He couldn’t deny that finding a rich wife would be a lot easier than trying to sort out the mess his cousin had left behind. Having wrestled with the ledgers for nearly a week now, he had come to the conclusion that it would take quite a lot of work in order to return the estate to its previous prosperity. Edward had bled it dry.

  He couldn’t help but wonder, however, what had driven Edward to such excesses. The solicitor had confirmed that there had been huge gambling debts to settle and this seemed like the acts of a very reckless man. So why hadn’t he been happy with his beautiful wife if she adored him as much as Eliza hinted? Even if they’d lost their son, surely with time, they could have had other children apart from Anna?

  It was a mystery, and one he wasn’t going to solve this afternoon.

  Chapter Five

  By Sunday, Maude had recovered sufficiently to go to church with everyone else. Luke and Thomas escorted the two ladies and Anna, both gentlemen deciding to ride, rather than travel in the carriage. Luke didn’t know why, but since the ride with Eliza he’d been loath to spend too much time in her company. At least not until he’d decided whether or not he should court her.

  ‘My lord, how very nice to welcome you back to the parish.’ The vicar, a Mr Smedley, who was a large, jovial man in his middle years, stood by the entrance to the little church. He shook hands with Luke. ‘I do hope you haven’t found your new tasks too onerous. But then I’m sure Lady Hexham has given you every assistance. Such a kind lady. If only ...’ Mr Smedley broke off abruptly. ‘But we mustn’t dwell on sad things. She seems happy enough now.’

  ‘Yes, she has recovered from her grief remarkably quickly,’ Luke couldn’t help saying. Come to think of it, he couldn’t recall Maude saying a single thing about mourning Edward. If she’d been as in love as Eliza claimed, he could only conclude that she was a very fickle woman indeed, as witness his own involvement with her.

  Mr Smedley, however, looked startled at his words and blinked at Luke. ‘Surely that is understandable in the circumstances?’

  ‘And which circumstances would those be?’

  ‘Well, I mean ... the way your cousin died and ... in short, I’m not surprised that she ...’ The vicar coughed and glanced around furtively, as if making sure that no one was within earshot. ‘What I mean to say is, naturally it is none of my business. I’m only glad to see Lady Hexham looking much more like her normal cheerful self. And now, if you’ll excuse me, my lord, I must go and prepare for the service.’

  Luke was left feeling yet again as though he was missing a piece of the puzzle. He could, of course, ask Maude directly what had happened to Edward, but since everyone kept hinting at some sort of a scandal, he didn’t want to embarrass her. They had established a truce of sorts and it would be a shame to rock the boat, especially as she’d been so hesitant to stay at Hexham Hall in the first place. He realised she didn’t want to be perceived as a charity case – her insistence on working for her keep showed that clearly – and she would welcome his pity even less, he was sure. No, as soon as he could, he would ask Stetson to find out for him. Servants always knew more than they should and he would bet his last penny they’d be able to tell him how his cousin died. He should have asked them first.

  ‘What a disagreeable, scowling man he is sometimes, to be sure.’ Eliza glanced at Luke and whispered in Maude’s ear. ‘It’s just as well you have me to act as a buffer between you or else he might kill you with one of those dagger looks of his.’ She didn’t look as though she minded too much though, but rather like she would relish the challenge of protecting her friend.

  Maude resisted the urge to stare at Luke. She had no idea what had made him cross this time, but Eliza was right – he did spend a lot of his time acting like a bear with a sore head. She only wished she knew why. It probably didn’t help that he was having to sort out the shambles that was now his inheritance, but she couldn’t help but feel that her own presence contributed to his black moods.

  Why then had he told her to stay?

  She decided to ask him again whether he would prefer her and Anna to leave. It might be the best thing all round. Not that she couldn’t cope with an ill-tempered man – she’d had enough practice at that with Edward. She’d learned to tiptoe around the place every day until she could gauge his mood, keeping Anna out of his way in case the child disturbed him in any way. Happily Luke never seemed to mind Anna’s antics and hadn’t complained once about the noise she made. Unlike her own father, who’d considered her a nuisance.

  Maude tried to concentrate on the sermon instead of thoughts of the past. Edward was gone and now she had to deal with his cousin instead. She’d have to speak to him and make sure he hadn’t changed his mind. Now that he’d lived with them for a while and knew what it entailed, it would only be fair to give him the option again of them leaving. He may not have realised what he’d let himself in for to begin with.

  Upon their return to the house, however, she forgot all about it when she was once again struck down with nausea and stomach cramps after lunch. She retired to her room and stayed there, being nursed by Eliza, for the next three days.

  She couldn’t travel anywhere, whether she wanted to or not.

  ‘He did what? You must be joking.’

  Luke stared at Stetson in disbelief, but the man held his ground. ‘Certainly not, my lord. I have it from the butler himself and I doubt Mr Donne has ever lied in his life. That would be far beneath him. Your cousin was killed in a duel, fighting over another man’s wife. It’s the truth and no mistake.’

  ‘But that would mean ...’

  ‘He didn’t want his own wife, yes. I told you, my lord, he upped and left her here for months on end. Wasn’t a happy marriage, so I hear.’

  Luke shook his head. ‘I find that strange. My cousin wanted Maude – that is, Lady Hexham – from the moment he returned from Cambridge and found that she’d turned into a beauty. He pursued her relentlessly and although she refused him initially, I have heard recently that she came to love him deeply. So why wouldn’t he have been satisfied with that?’

  Stetson shrugged. ‘Like I said, apparently he didn’t like taking someone else’s leavings. Pr’aps he thought she wasn’t, er ... pure, like?’

  ‘Nonsense. Of course she was. Maude is a lady through and through.’

  And I should know, he thought to himself. But was that what Edward had believed? That Luke had seduced Maude even before their supposed elopement? It would make sense, but it still wasn’t a very good reason for treating her so badly and it wasn’t true.

  ‘I take it my cousin lost this duel?’ he asked curtly.

  ‘In a way, although the other man died of his wounds as well. It would appear the scandal was hushed up since your cousin’s opponent was someone high up in government circles.’

  ‘Dear Lord ...’ Luke sighed. ‘Well, thank you for letting me know. I shall have to find out more.’

  Stetson was just about to leave, but turned and asked, ‘Did you know that Lady Hexham is ill again, my lord? Second time this week she’s had food poisoning, although why she’s the only one who keeps eating bad things, I’m sure I don’t know. She’s one unlucky lady, I’d say.’

  Luke narrowed his eyes at the man. ‘The only one you say? Yes, very strange, to be sure. I think I’d better go and speak to the cook, don’t you? If she’s serving Lady Hexham something different to the rest of us, it will have to stop. Thank you.’

  ‘My lord? May I have a word, please?’

  Luk
e looked up from the papers on his desk and focused on Donne, who had presumably knocked, although he hadn’t heard him. ‘Hmm, what? Oh, yes, enter.’

  ‘It’s about the rats, my lord.’

  ‘Rats? What rats?’

  ‘Well, there was an infestation in the cellars not long ago and although I had the ratter in, afterwards I decided I’d put out some poison, just in case. Only, I’ve nearly run out and I wondered whether you’d allow me to order some more.’

  ‘Yes, of course, no need to ask. I told Lady Hexham to just have all household bills sent to me.’

  ‘I know, just thought I’d check. Arsenic is a bit expensive as you probably know.’

  ‘Arsenic?’ Luke blinked, a terrible suspicion entering his mind like a flash of lightning. Years of being on his guard at all times while fighting in the Peninsular War had honed his senses and he trusted his instincts. Something about the butler’s request made alarm bells sound in his head. ‘Remind me, Donne, what does it look like?’

  The butler seemed perplexed by this question, but answered all the same. ‘Er, white, a bit like sugar or salt, I’d say. Why?’

  ‘Oh, nothing.’ Luke clenched his fists under the table. ‘Could you do me a favour though? I don’t like the thought of such poison being readily available here, so would you mind keeping it under lock and key, please? Preferably in a secret location.’

  ‘Certainly, my lord. I’ll see to it right away.’

  ‘Excellent, thank you. Oh, and one other thing, Donne?’

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘Please ask Cook to throw out all the sugar in her cupboards. It didn’t taste right and I’d rather pay for a new cone. Wouldn’t want anyone else to go down with food poisoning. I was going to tell her myself, but I haven’t had the time.’

  Donne narrowed his eyes and nodded. ‘Indeed, my lord. I will do.’

  Luke continued to allow Anna to eat dinner with the adults, even though Cousin Thomas didn’t seem to approve of this any more than Eliza did. Luke had even decreed that they would dine earlier, to suit Anna’s tender years better, which Maude thought was very considerate of him. The little girl had eagle eyes, however, and never hesitated to voice her thoughts.

  ‘Is there something wrong with Mr Hexham’s neck, Mama?’ Anna whispered as she followed Maude and Eliza to the drawing room to await the two men that evening. ‘It seems a bit stiff.’

  Maude stifled a gurgle of laughter and tried to keep a straight face. ‘No, dearest. I would hazard a guess that he’s just not used to dining in the company of six-year olds.’

  Thomas had in fact spent a large portion of his time during every meal gazing down his long nose at Anna, who was seated opposite him at the table. Maude had been afraid his eyes might pop out of his head the first time Luke had announced that Anna was eating with them and Thomas didn’t seem to have become used to it yet. He regarded the child as if she were some sort of curiosity, to be studied and catalogued. Fortunately, his good manners forbade him from arguing with his host, however much he might want to. And Maude had a feeling he wanted to very much.

  Luke never lingered long over the port and Maude happened to be standing by the door as he came in, alone. She raised her eyebrows at him. ‘Where’s Cousin Thomas this evening?’

  Luke shrugged. ‘Said he’d had a long day and begged to be excused so he could retire early.’ He added with a wry grin, ‘Perhaps the thought of having to spend the rest of the evening talking to Anna had something to do with it. I told him she’d be joining us in a game of cards.’

  Maude shook her head at him. ‘Really, my lord, that was too bad of you. And you shouldn’t have insisted on her presence again. You did say she was only to eat with us if we didn’t have guests. Poor Mr Hexham, it’s obviously not what he’s used to and you’ve inflicted her on him every night so far.’

  ‘Well, he’s family so I don’t consider him a guest. Besides, he came uninvited and therefore I have no sympathy. Anna stays.’

  The little girl must have heard her name, because she looked up and smiled at him. ‘Are we playing cards, Uncle Luke?’

  ‘Indeed we are. Your turn to deal.’

  He was teaching Anna simple card games most evenings and Maude was very grateful for his attention to her daughter. It amazed her that he wasn’t out socialising with their neighbours instead, but so far he’d shown no inclination to accept any of the invitations that had come flooding in when he arrived. It was strange, but she for one, wasn’t complaining.

  If only she could have such an easy relationship with him herself, but that was impossible. She sighed and concentrated on a book.

  ‘Maude, do you have a moment, please?’

  Luke managed to catch her as she came down the stairs before breakfast. She looked up in surprise, her lovely eyes like forget-me-nots covered in shining dew, but then she frowned. ‘Of course. Is something the matter?’

  ‘No, I just need to ask you something,’ he said and added in a whisper, ‘In private.’ He nodded meaningfully towards the breakfast room, where Cousin Thomas could be heard arguing over some trifling matter with Eliza. The two hardly ever saw eye to eye, which was unfortunate to say the least. Thomas had told Luke he considered Eliza a ‘fribble’ with not a serious thought in her head. He had also dared to comment on her ill-treatment of a maidservant, although Eliza disputed that vehemently and said the girl had deserved being shouted at. Luke agreed with Thomas for the most part, but he didn’t see why it should irk the man so. He didn’t have to live with her.

  Luke led the way into the library and closed the door. ‘I’m sorry to drag you away, Maude, but I didn’t want either of our guests to hear me. I just wanted to know ... how are you feeling?’

  ‘What, me? I’m very well, thank you for asking.’

  Luke studied her face, which although pale, seemed healthy enough. In fact, she was as beautiful as ever and the only change he saw was in her manner, which was far more serious than he remembered from years before. ‘No more nausea?’ he asked.

  ‘No, not since that bout that started after church last Sunday.’

  ‘I thought so.’ Soon after that was when he’d had Donne lock up the rat poison. The thought made him clench his fists behind his back. He hadn’t wanted to be right in his suspicions.

  ‘What do you mean?’ Maude blinked at him, obviously alarmed now, and he hastened to reassure her.

  ‘Nothing, I just meant that it’s good you’re better.’

  ‘Yes, well, I had words with Cook and she’s being extra careful when preparing food now, so hopefully we should all be fine. Was that all?’

  Luke noticed that Maude seemed on edge, almost as if she couldn’t wait to get away from his company. That made him annoyed, but he didn’t know why he should expect anything else after all. She hadn’t wanted his company eight years ago, so why should she have changed her mind now?

  ‘Yes,’ he said curtly, then changed his mind. ‘Actually, no. Is there anything we can do to get Thomas out of the house for a while? The fellow’s been here for over a week now and shows no signs of leaving. He’s been hanging around the estate office, pretending he wants to help me, but I suspect he’s just snooping. It’s damned irritating, if you’ll pardon my language.’

  Maude raised her eyebrows and a hint of a smile crept into her eyes, making them sparkle again. Luke wished for the umpteenth time that they weren’t such fine eyes, the kind a man could drown in. It made it much more difficult to stay angry with her for what she’d done to him.

  ‘You think he’s trying to see whether there’s anything left for him to inherit?’ Maude asked.

  ‘Of course. Why else would he be here? Although why he should think I won’t do everything in my power to make sure he’s not my heir, I don’t know.’ Come to think of it, maybe that was why Thomas was here, to find out if Luke had any intention of getting married soon. Or maybe to stop him? That thought made Luke frown. Could it be that Thomas thought Luke had designs on Maude and had therefore set o
ut to poison her? No, surely not. He seemed like such a mild-mannered and non-violent sort of man, not capable of hurting a fly. And yet, wasn’t there a saying about still waters running deep ...?

  ‘Quite,’ Maude murmured, jolting Luke back to the present. ‘Well, the weather has been lovely these last few days. We could always arrange a picnic or some such outing and invite a few of our neighbours? You’ll need to meet them if you’re to find a wife. And if Mr Hexham sees you paying court to the young ladies, perhaps he’ll take the hint and leave?’

  ‘I doubt it, he hasn’t taken any so far,’ Luke muttered. ‘But it’s an idea, to be sure. How soon can you arrange it?’

  ‘If I ask Eliza to help me, we might be able to go this afternoon. It’s a perfect day for it, after all, and I doubt anyone is all that busy at the moment. Leave it with me.’

  ‘Thank you. I appreciate your help.’

  She fled the room, like a deer running from a hunter, and he leaned his head against the cool wood of the door frame. He had to stop thinking about the past and concentrate on the future. This afternoon he would meet some of the young ladies of the neighbourhood and he sincerely hoped there was a diamond of the first water among them. She would have to be outstanding, in order to catch his interest, because he’d never yet come across anyone who equalled Maude and he was beginning to think he never would.

  Despite her treachery, she was the only woman he’d ever wanted. She still was.

  But she didn’t love him and Cousin Thomas – or whoever had administered the arsenic to Maude – was wrong if he thought there could ever be a match between them.

  Chapter Six

  With Eliza’s help, Maude had a picnic organised in hours. Life in the country was nowhere near as exciting as the social whirl of fashionable places like London or Bath where the ton gathered to enjoy themselves and, as she had guessed, all their neighbours were as bored as they were and jumped at the chance of some socialising. They were also curious about the new Lord Hexham, and not a single one turned down the invitation to join their little cavalcade. It helped that it was a glorious autumn day, almost as warm as late summer.