The Foundling Bride

by Helen Dickson

  The following morning, Marcus’s mother, Lady Alice Carberry, welcomed him warmly, unashamed of the tears of overwhelming joy and relief that he was safely home at last which filled her eyes as she embraced her son. They sat across from each other as they ate breakfast, and she told Marcus the details of her husband’s heart problem that had resulted in his death. The lingering sadness that shadowed her eyes told him how deeply the loss of her husband affected her, and he knew she would quietly mourn him until the day she died.

  Tall and slender, with silver-grey eyes like her son and a shock of dark brown hair streaked with grey, arranged neatly in an array of curls by her maid, Lady Alice led a full and happy life despite her sorrow. She was a woman highly thought of and respected in the area. She was also a strong woman, renowned for her ability to maintain her composure even in times of stress. She had run Tregarrick with precision and with perfect etiquette, demanding perfection from all who worked in the house. She could appear autocratic at times, but this was tempered by the softer side to her nature and her ability to balance the two perfectly.

  ‘You have seen Edward?’ she asked after a while, knowing the subject of his half-brother could be avoided no longer.

  Marcus nodded. ‘Last night. He had no right to turn you out.’

  ‘Why not? It is his house now. I was thinking of moving out before Isabel died, but—well, it was such a sad time that I put it off.’

  Marcus shifted uneasily. He had loved Isabel deeply, and found her betrayal of him with Edward still painful to deal with. He had no wish to discuss it now.

  ‘I do wonder what will become of Edward,’ Lady Alice said. ‘There is something terrible about him—not only terrible, but merciless and self-destructive, and it will eventually destroy him. Unlike before his marriage, his smuggling is no longer the adventure he was seeking but a distraction. Perhaps from his grief—which is an emotion unknown to him—or from the guilt that chases him...misplaced guilt over Isabel’s death. He blames himself for that. Isabel had told him she was to bear his child. He believes that if he had forbidden her to ride with the hunt things might have been different.’

  Marcus’s reply was abrupt. ‘Isabel was headstrong. She would have found a way to defy him.’

  ‘Yes, I think you’re right. It saddens me when I think how Edward has always resented me for marrying his father. And I regret to say nothing has changed. It was best that I came to live in the cottage.’

  ‘But Father made provision for you to remain at Tregarrick until your death.’

  ‘I know, but I will not live in a house where I am not wanted.’ She smiled. ‘Try not to worry about me, Marcus. The cottage is a lovely house. Your grandmother lived here when your grandfather died and your father brought Edward’s mother as a bride to Tregarrick. That is what it is for—to house the dowager mistress of Tregarrick when a new bride arrives. I have always loved this house and I am quite content living here. It will be even better now that you’re home. I also gave some thought to you and what would be best when you came back. The two of you are better apart.’

  ‘I have to agree, but I wish things could have been different.’

  ‘So do I. Edward’s behaviour towards me and then you hurt your father deeply. But he left you and Juliet well provided for. He was not a frivolous man, and as you know he made shrewd investments in coal mining in the North and banking in London. He died an extremely wealthy man.’

  ‘Nevertheless, Edward deeply resents the fact that Father left me the mine.’

  ‘It’s what you always wanted. You won’t mind living here, will you, Marcus? When I have gone to London you will have the cottage to yourself.’

  ‘You are going to stay with Juliet?’

  ‘Your sister is always asking me to go to her. I miss Juliet and the little ones. I would ask you to come with me, but I know you have no liking for the city.’

  His mother was right. London held no delights for him, but he was impatient to see his sister. They had always been close. Now she was married to Lord Simon Mallory and had left Cornwall to live in London. They had two children Marcus had not yet seen. He was impatient to rectify this.

  ‘You are right. London is not for me, but I would dearly like to see Juliet again. I will consider accompanying you—although if we are going then we must do so soon if we are to return to Cornwall before winter sets in. The roads—which are bad at the best of times in Cornwall—will become unpassable. I hope you don’t mind Lowena coming to the cottage too?’

  ‘Not at all. There’s always room for another pair of hands in the house.’ She gave Marcus a thoughtful look. ‘According to Mrs Seagrove, you didn’t arrive until the middle of the night. What made you bring Lowena with you?’

  ‘You may not know about it, but last night there was a smugglers’ run. Edward had her on the clifftop, manning the beacon, and I came across her. Edward also has an eye for her. I thought she would be safer here at the cottage with you.’

  ‘Oh, dear!’ Lady Alice said, deeply troubled to hear this. ‘I didn’t know—but then her duties are as a kitchen maid, so I rarely see her. Tregarrick is large, and we have such a large number of servants it’s difficult keeping track of them all. I leave that to the housekeeper. Edward has his own ideas, and it suits his needs as a gentleman to employ a large number of staff.’

  ‘It is also common practice for the gentry to take advantage of young women in their employ. My brother is no different—but why must he cast his eye on Lowena, who is little more than a girl?’

  Lady Alice laughed softly. ‘If you think that then your eyesight is sadly impaired, Marcus. Lowena is a beautiful young woman.’

  ‘She is also a rare jewel and quite unique—as Izzy was always telling me.’

  Marcus fell silent, recalling the night before and how Lowena had so boldly stood her ground and spoken her mind. Marcus cursed beneath his breath as he realised what those impressions had extracted from him—admiration and desire.

  His awareness of the latter left him both outraged with himself and shaken by its swift encroachment on his life at a time when he had vowed never to become enamoured by another woman. But, try as he might to dismiss them, those thoughts gave birth to an impractical possibility that he would not let himself consider just then—for to do so would unleash the pain and heartache he had locked away when Isabel had betrayed him with Edward.

  But he would not allow himself to think for another moment that the young girl he had teased and laughed with, who had enchanted and amused him, was romantically entangled with Edward. Such an idea was insane. It was obscene. He would not believe it—because he couldn’t bear to believe it.

  But if there was no truth in it then why had she not come right out and said so?

  ‘When I said she is a girl,’ he went on, ‘what I really meant was that she is a child compared to Edward and his vast experience with women.’

  ‘Then we must keep an eye on her and keep her away from him.’

  ‘Yes, I intend to do just that. Much as I applaud Edward for his good taste, I can’t help thinking that if we let Lowena find herself in his clutches it would be like feeding her to the wolves.’

  ‘I think you underestimate her, Marcus. I strongly suspect that she has the courage to pit her will against any man—including you,’ Lady Alice said quietly.

  Marcus’s face tensed and he gave his mother a sharp look. ‘Rest assured, Mother. Lowena is quite safe from me. Now, tell me what you have been up to since you were removed from Tregarrick.’

  ‘I’ve been to Devon to stay with my dear friend Anne Holland and her family—she thought some time away after the funeral would be a comfort to me. But never mind that. We must make arrangements for Lowena.’

  ‘Very well. What do you suggest?’

  ‘I shall see that she is given responsible work. In fact Dorothy, my personal maid, i
s not as young as she was, and I have noticed that she is slowing down of late—not that I would say anything...the last thing I want to do is upset her. Lowena is a bright young thing, and if she is in agreement—even though I think her talents would be wasted—I will train her as a lady’s maid. I’ll give her a few days to settle in and then I’ll discuss it with her. Leave it with me. I will deal with it.’

  ‘Thank you—that is a relief. Although I worry about what will happen to her when we leave for London. Would you think of taking her with you?’

  ‘Certainly, if she accepts the position I offer her. Without Izzy, and with Hester and Kenza married now, and Annie having gone to live with Hester, she is quite alone in the world, poor girl. I often wonder about her—who were her parents and where did she come from?’

  She sighed.

  ‘I’ve always had a fondness for her—and I know you have too, and that because you were the one who found her you have always felt responsible for her. However, for all her provincial ways, I feel she is not of the servant class. My heart goes out to her, for I cannot imagine what it would be like to be without family.’

  ‘Lowena always considered Izzy’s family her own.’

  ‘I know, but it’s not the same, Marcus. After all this time I don’t suppose we will ever know where she comes from. She’s such a bright girl, with an intelligence I have not witnessed before in a young lady. Not even Juliet. Izzy taught her well—although a great deal of what she has learned she’s gleaned from the books she borrows from the library at Tregarrick. Izzy was disappointed that her own girls did not have the same enthusiasm for learning.’

  Gazing at her son she smiled.

  ‘You really do look very handsome in your red coat, Marcus, but I imagine you’ll have to discard it now you’re no longer a soldier.’

  ‘I intend to. But I’ve worn uniform for so long that I’ve outgrown most of my clothes. I thought I’d ride into St Austell and visit the tailor. I intend to call at the mine on the way.’

  * * *

  Sheltered in the protective folds of low hills was the Tregarrick estate. It dated back several centuries, and each generation of the Carberrys had made its mark on the house with some addition or alteration. It was a beautiful house, with an air of permanence and importance about it. Built of Cornish granite, its very solidity gave it an air of solemnity. Large mullioned windows allowed light to pour into the interior, the gardens were beautifully landscaped, and the high surrounding walls and tall iron gates concealed the private lives of those within.

  Lowena put her hand on the gate at the same moment as a skein of geese left the lake and took to the air overhead in a V formation, and she did not see the curtain that was let fall to cover a window as the watcher moved to follow the girl.

  Once through the gates, Lowena headed towards the sea. When it reached the coastal path the land sloped down towards the village, which had clung to the Cornish cliffs for centuries. Life there was something of a challenge, fishing, farming and mining being the bedrock of the community, but the village was not to be Lowena’s destination today.

  Heading west, she followed the coastal path. Lady Alice had been kind enough to allow her a day to settle in at the cottage, so she had taken advantage of the fine weather to walk by the sea. She was grateful to Mr Marcus for removing her from Tregarrick. At least now she would be free of the predatory attentions of its owner.

  As she walked along she took delight in the wild flowers that grew in abundance, along with the overgrown prickly gorse bushes, ablaze with yellow flowers, and the brambles and honeysuckle running rampant in the hollows and thickets.

  Having walked some distance, she suddenly had an eerie sense that she was being followed. Halting her step, she turned and glanced back. Apart from the distant faint rhythm of the sea breaking gently upon the shore she could hear nothing, and there was no one in sight, but she had an unsettling feeling—as though someone was watching her. After a moment she carried on walking, thinking that perhaps she was imagining it.

  Focusing her attention on the endless miles of sea, she saw that today it was calm, the waves breaking lazily on the soft smooth sand. A small fishing boat heading towards the village sailed slowly by on the calm water, followed by squawking gulls. Ahead of her, about half a mile away, was the cursed cove, and beyond that the Carberry mine, Wheal Rozen. Its tall chimney was clearly visible.

  Below ground its shafts stretched right out beneath the sea. A shudder made its way down her spine, as it always did when she thought of the men who toiled in cramped, hot and airless conditions, working in fear of rock falls and many suffering chest conditions which would shorten their lives.

  At nineteen, Lowena was in the uncertainty between being a young lady and a woman. Since Izzy had died she had been cast adrift, alone in a world she did not understand. Before, she had been an orphan too, she supposed, but she had never felt like one. Izzy had loved her family and sacrificed so much for them, and Lowena would be eternally grateful to her for making her a part of that family.

  They had been a joyous family—full of fun and laughter—and throughout Lowena’s childhood they had shaken their heads and teased her whenever she’d studied too long at her books, laughingly saying—not unkindly—what a cuckoo it was that had arrived in their nest from nowhere.

  The description hadn’t concerned her, because the fact was that she was different. Izzy’s teachings and encouragement to advance herself had inspired Lowena. She had often reflected on her future, and before Izzy had died she had considered following the same path she had taken and becoming a governess. Her world and her aspirations for the future had fallen apart when Izzy had died, and her passing had left her bereft until Lady Alice had been kindness itself and taken her on as a servant at Tregarrick.

  But Lowena was a restless soul, with a yearning to be free of all constraints, and her spirit was as wild as the moor to the north. With a sudden release of energy she broke into a run as if the Devil himself pursued her. Her skirts flapped about her legs and her unbound hair streamed behind her like a ship’s pennant.

  Not until she reached her destination did she slow her step.

  Cornwall had hundreds of coves along its coastline, many of them ideal for smuggling. Protected by high ragged cliffs, giving shelter to the east and west, the cove below her now was small in size. The tide was out, but at high tide it was inaccessible. Hidden from the cliff path, making it completely private, this cove was Lowena’s favourite, and she did not fear it as she did the cursed cove, which she always avoided.

  Breathless from her exertions, she left the path and pushed her way through a narrow opening in the gorse bushes. Her cheeks were flushed pink, the colour heightening the intensity of her amber eyes. With care she climbed down to the beach and walked to the edge of the surf, taking in deep breaths of clean air. The sun was sitting on the distant horizon and the sky was an azure blue. Last night the sky had been red. Sailors said a red sky at night meant sailors’ delight. How she hoped that was true.

  She was snatched from her preoccupations when she heard a sound behind her. Spinning round, she saw Edward Carberry swaggering towards her. She shuddered, and felt herself shrink as he approached her. She hated him with a vengeance, and distrusted his presence now as she had distrusted it many years ago, when she had become aware of him as the future Lord Carberry and he had so cruelly called her ‘that foundling bastard’.

  But that had never stopped him looking at her, watching her, biding his time until Izzy or the servants she now worked with were not there to protect her.

  When Edward stopped in front of her there was a sneer on his mouth—and it was a cruel mouth, twisted in perpetual contempt for those who, in his opinion, were beneath him. His eyes were heavy-lidded, beguiling, gloating and hungry. He looked at her with impudent admiration, letting his gaze travel from her eyes to her mouth and then, after lin
gering on its soft fullness, moving down to the gentle swell of her breasts beneath her bodice.

  ‘Well, well, Miss Trevanion! They do say as how, if one is patient enough, one will get what one wants in the end. My half-brother may have removed you from the house, but you are not out of my reach.’

  As she tried to force words to her lips Lowena hated the smile which twisted his mouth. Standing stiffly, every nerve of her body tense, she knew her eyes were wary as they watched him.

  ‘I cannot imagine what you mean, Sir Edward,’ she replied, her look one of pure innocence even while she knew perfectly well what was in his mind. ‘Please be so kind as to step aside.’

  ‘Not yet, Miss Trevanion.’

  Lowena stared at him with fear-filled eyes. Lord Carberry was a powerful man, and if he attacked her she would not be strong enough to fend him off. All she had was her determination to escape him and two good legs. Fair-haired and blue-eyed, his features handsomely wrought, his bold gaze swept over her once more, taking in every detail of her flower-sprigged blue dress, and all the while he continued to smile that hateful twisted smile, so much more suave and slippery of manner than any man she knew.

  In the depths of his cold eyes something stirred, and she felt a strong desire to push him away. There was an air of menace about him that entered her heart like a sliver of ice.

  Realising she was in terrible danger, she backed away, feeling sea water fill her shoes but uncaring at that moment. ‘I asked you to let me pass. I have to get back to Lady Alice.’

  ‘Oh, such a proud beauty,’ he said, laughing softly. ‘I’ll be happy to let you pass...for the price of a kiss.’

  ‘I will not. You—you followed me—’

  ‘I thought that was what you wanted when I saw you turn on the cliff path and look back. At any rate, I am at liberty to seek you out whenever I please.’ Tilting his head to one side, Edward cocked a smooth, elegant brow, the glint in the depths of his eyes needle-sharp. ‘You did know I was following you, did you not, Lowena?’