‘Sir James is not with you tonight?’
‘No, ma’am, he is accompanying Marshall Blücher to a dinner in the city.’ Lydia glanced briefly at Felicity and gave her a smile. ‘But I am not unaccompanied.’
‘No, I noticed.’ Lady Charlotte sat up very straight. ‘I saw your companion earlier. She was dancing.’
‘Why, yes. Miss Brown is a very elegant dancer.’
‘That is not the point,’ declared Lady Charlotte. ‘I saw her dancing with Gerald. It will not do.’ She beckoned Lydia towards her. ‘You should drop a hint to her, my dear Lady Souden. My son is a very engaging young man, but she must not set her sights in that direction. Gerald is not for her.’
Her carrying whisper reached Felicity’s ears and continued on to the surrounding tables.
‘No,’ continued Lady Charlotte with a regal disregard for the smiles and smirks around her. ‘He is Rosthorne’s heir, you know. Gerald is destined for Great Things.’
Lydia’s eyes darkened with anger, but she returned a noncommittal answer and neatly turned the subject. Felicity kept her head down and picked at the choice morsels provided by Lady Templeton for the delectation of her guests. It was depressing to realise that if Lady Charlotte thought her too lowly for her son, she would certainly not consider her a fitting consort for Lord Rosthorne.
She was relieved when at last Lady Souden rose from the table and carried her back into the ballroom, murmuring as she went, ‘Poor Fee, what an evening we are having. Shall we go home?’
‘When you are ready, my lady.’
‘Then pray go downstairs and bespeak our wraps. I will take my leave of our hostess.’
Felicity hurried out of the room, but just as she reached the top of the stairs a drawling voice stopped her.
‘Are you planning to run away without seeing me?’ Nathan stepped towards her. Instinctively she put out her hand as if to ward him off. He took it in his own.
‘L-Lady Souden wishes to leave.’
‘But you would have sought me out, to say goodnight.’
‘I—’ All she could think of was his thumb gently massaging the inside of her wrist. It robbed her of any power of speech.
‘So have you decided upon a meeting place for us tomorrow?’
‘It—it is so difficult,’ she stammered. ‘I am very busy.’
‘So too am I,’ he growled, pulling her closer. ‘Let it be early then. Shall we say six o’clock? I do not think even Lady Souden will require your services at that time in the morning.’
She swallowed. ‘N-no, of course not. A-and where shall we meet?’
‘Green Park—the Queen’s Walk. I shall be there at six.’ He lifted her hand to his lips. ‘Do not fail me!’
Felicity nodded. As Nathan turned and walked away, a movement to one side caught her eye—Lady Charlotte was standing at the supper room door, her cold eyes snapping.
‘Quite the little belle of the ball tonight, are you not, Miss Brown?’
Without a word Felicity hurried off down the stairs.
London was surprisingly busy at six o’clock on a summer’s morning. The haut ton were still in their beds, but an army of servants was already hard at work scrubbing and cleaning and polishing the grand houses while in the streets a steady stream of carts and wagons rumbled by, carrying everything from fresh vegetables for the markets to paper and board for the bookbinders. Felicity slipped out of the quiet house in Berkeley Square and into this busy, bustling world. No one took any notice of a little figure in a serviceable cloak and bonnet and she moved without incident through the early morning streets until she came to the gated entrance to Green Park. The path Nathan had mentioned was easily found. It was lined by trees and to her left the tall houses of Arlington Street rose up, their rear windows overlooking the path. One of those houses, she knew, belonged to Lord Rosthorne. She would be living there now, if Nathan had his way. She pushed the thought aside.
She moved deeper into the park, where the buildings were screened by high walls or bushes and the noise of the streets was replaced by birdsong. An early morning mist clung to the trees and she pulled her cloak about her, unnerved by the stillness around her after the bustle of Piccadilly.
Felicity began to wish that she had brought a footman with her. The path was deserted, but she glanced left and right, half-expecting a menacing figure to jump out. She had reached a slight bend in the path when her straining ears heard sounds that set her heard pounding: a grunt, succeeded by several dull thuds. She should turn and run, but instead her feet carried her on past the bush that obscured her view.
Nathan arrived at the rendezvous early, admitting to himself his eagerness to see Felicity again. He was still angry with her for hiding from him for all these years, but she was his wife and he was anxious now to bring this matter to a close. He swiped at one of the bushes with his cane; Sir James had told him to court Felicity, but he was damned if he would do any such thing. Confound it—a man should not have to woo his own wife! A still, small voice in his head whispered that if he had courted her properly five years ago she might never have run away from him, but he swiftly quelled the thought.
A sudden sense of danger intruded into his thoughts. He was instantly on the alert. A slight sound behind him made him turn, just in time to see a heavy cudgel swinging towards his skull. Nathan ducked, but not quick enough and the club caught him a glancing blow to the head, sending his hat flying off. He dropped his cane and closed with his assailant, seizing his wrist in an iron grip and twisting until the club fell from his nerveless fingers. His vision clearing, Nathan drew back and delivered a well-aimed fist to the man’s body. He grunted and as he bent forward, winded, Nathan sent a second blow slicing upwards to his chin. The man collapsed and Nathan stood back, pausing to drag one arm across his eyes to wipe away the blood. In that brief moment his opponent scrambled to his feet and dashed off into the bushes. Nathan was about to give chase when he heard a noise behind him and he looked round to see Felicity staring at him, white-faced.
‘I beg your pardon,’ he said. ‘I would not have had you witness that.’
‘You are bleeding.’
‘It’s nothing.’
‘No, do not use your arm, you are wiping the blood over your face.’ She came forward, pulling a handkerchief from her reticule.
Nathan reached into his pocket, saying, ‘I have my own—’
‘Then use it as a pad over the cut, while I clean your face.’ She guided his hand to his head. ‘There, you have covered it.’
Nathan held his breath; she was standing very close to him, her whole attention on the wound, but her face was only inches from his mouth. He was greatly tempted to lean forward and kiss her. As if suddenly aware of his thoughts she dropped her hand and stepped away.
‘I am sorry,’ he said. ‘So much blood on my face—and with my scar, too, I must look monstrous.’
She smiled at that. ‘Hideous,’ she agreed. She moistened her own small handkerchief with her lips. ‘Allow me to clean you up a little.’
He stood passively while she wiped the blood from his cheek and brow. Her hand faltered as she touched his scar.
‘When did this happen?’ she asked.
‘Spain. We were withdrawing from a little village called Pozo Bello. I got in the way of a French cavalry sword.’
‘I am so sorry.’
Nathan shrugged, uncomfortable with her sympathy. ‘I was one of the fortunate ones. Elliston died there.’
Felicity’s large grey eyes filled with tears. ‘Adam Elliston? Oh, I did not know.’
‘No, you had disappeared and I had no way of informing you.’
She recoiled at his tone and Nathan cursed himself for his clumsiness. He tried to think of something conciliatory but she forestalled him, saying in a matter-of-fact tone, ‘You look a little more presentable now, sir. Has your head stopped bleeding? We should move back towards Piccadilly, I would prefer to be able to call for help should your attacker return.’
He picked up his hat and placed it gingerly upon his head, wincing a little as the brim pressed upon the fresh wound.
‘He will not come back.’
‘You cannot be sure of that.’ She handed him his cane. ‘I wish you will take care, my lord.’
‘I do take care, but footpads are a hazard in London. I do not heed them, I have broad shoulders.’
‘And a broad back for an assassin’s blade!’
‘Now what nonsense is this?’ demanded Nathan.
‘Three attempts upon your life, sir—’
He laughed. ‘Are you thinking of the supposed intruder at the Stinchcombes’ garden?’
‘There was someone there, my lord, I know it, I saw them. And I saw something glint, like the blade of a knife. And the shot that took off your hat—’
‘That was merely an accident.’
‘But what if that was meant for you and not the Tsar?’ she persisted.
With a smile he caught her hand and pulled it on to his arm. ‘I am touched by your concern, but you must not let these events worry you. Why should anyone want to kill me?’
‘I do not know, but—’
He put up his hand. ‘Enough, now. I will give the matter some thought, I promise you.’
They began to walk back towards Piccadilly. Felicity tried not to cling too tightly to Nathan’s arm, but her spine tingled uncomfortably as they made their way to the park entrance and she breathed a sigh of relief once they were in sight of the busy road.
‘You are shaking,’ observed Nathan. ‘I shall escort you back to Berkeley Square.’
‘There is no need, my lord.’
‘There is every need.’
Felicity inclined her head. Secretly she was relieved that she did not have to make her way back to the house alone. She had been shaken to come upon Nathan fighting off an attacker and her knees were still inclined to be a little wobbly.
‘You have not yet told me why you wanted to meet, sir.’
‘Because I only ever see you in company. I confess I did not intend to put you in any danger; I thought the park would be safe enough at this time of day. Which puts me in mind of something,’ he said suddenly. ‘What in heaven’s name are you doing abroad unattended? Why did you not bring a footman with you, or at the very least a maid?’
‘I was trying to avoid gossip,’ she retorted. ‘Like you I thought it would be safe enough at this early hour.’
‘Thank God that you did not arrive first in the park and fall victim to that ruffian. He was probably loitering near the gate, waiting for someone to turn into the park.’
Felicity bit her lip. She was still convinced that it was no random attack and was about to say so again when Nathan forestalled her.
‘You are too careless of your own safety, Felicity. I begin to think it might be better for you to leave London after all.’
‘But why should I do that?’
‘Until it is known that you are my wife I cannot protect you.’
‘I do not need your protection,’ she retorted, nettled.
‘No? Appleby is already paying you far too much attention.’
She raised her brows. ‘Are you jealous of him, my lord?’
‘Good God, no! I am merely concerned for you. Discretion is not one of Gerald’s strong points.’ He glanced down at her. ‘So will you go out of town?’
Felicity hesitated. ‘I am sorry, I cannot,’ she said at last. ‘Lady Souden needs a companion and her cousin cannot be here until the end of the month.’
‘Two weeks! Surely Lady Souden can manage without a companion until then.’
Felicity shook her head. ‘You know, of course, that Lady Souden is expecting a happy event in the autumn and Sir James wants someone to be with her at all times.’ She paused and added with some difficulty, ‘I know you cannot like the fact that she helped me to deceive you, but she has been a very good friend to me. Besides, carrying a child is an anxious time for any woman. I want to be with Lydia, to support her.’
Nathan did not reply immediately, but at last he put up his hand and briefly covered her fingers where they rested on his sleeve.
‘Very well, we will keep to the original plan.’ He exhaled and Felicity heard a wealth of frustration in the sound. ‘But you must take care—remain in the house as much as you can.’
Her lips twitched. ‘That would hardly make me a good companion, sir.’
‘Lady Souden cannot be out all the time!’
‘Well, during the day there are carriage drives and morning calls to be made and at night of course there are parties, routs, balls—’
Nathan swore under his breath.
‘My lord?’ She glanced up innocently.
‘And you have to be present at all these events?’
‘Oh, no, not all of them. Only those that Sir James cannot attend.’
His jaw was clenched. ‘Then when you are out make sure you do not attract attention.’
‘Yes, my lord,’ she answered meekly.
‘And at the balls you are not to dance.’
‘No?’
‘No,’ he said forcibly. ‘At least, you are to dance with no one but me!’
Chapter Nine
Felicity’s return to Berkeley Square did not go unnoticed and it was not to be expected that Lady Souden would let her rest until she had given her all the details of her morning adventure. Felicity was disappointed when Lydia made light of the attack upon Nathan.
‘My dear, it happens all the time. No one is safe on the streets—and that reminds me: you should not have gone out without a footman—Sir James’s staff are most discreet, especially if you slip them a few extra shillings! But what is this about Rosthorne wanting you to go out of town?’
‘He is anxious for my safety.’
Lydia gave her a sideways look. ‘He is very possessive of you, Fee.’
‘He is not jealous, if that is what you mean.’
‘No? Yet you say he gave you orders to dance only with him.’
‘Yes.’
With a little cry of delight Lydia clapped her hands. ‘It is a Case, I know it! Oh, if only we can persuade a few more gentlemen to flirt with you under Rosthorne’s nose…’
‘No! I will not tease him, Lydia. When he is in a passion he is…ungovernable.’
‘That is because he is desperate for you, my love,’ replied Lydia sagely.
Felicity shook her head. ‘It is merely that he does not like to be crossed.’
‘We shall see—oh, I know what I shall do!’ declared Lydia, jumping up. ‘I shall dash off a note to the earl now, asking him to join us for dinner before we go to the reception at Carlton House tonight.’
‘Lydia, no!’
‘Felicity, yes!’ retorted Lady Souden, adding with spurious sympathy, ‘Poor man. It pains me to think of him dining alone in that enormous town house of his.’
‘Lydia, please do not write to him,’ Felicity begged as she followed her down to the morning room. ‘I would as lief not see him again so soon.’
‘My dear, if it would upset you so very much then I shall not invite him, but why, my dear?’
‘I am in turmoil, in here.’ Felicity pressed her fist against her chest. ‘I need a little time to think everything over.’
‘What is there to think of? He had a mistress so you packed your bags and left him. That was five years ago, my love. He was very angry that you ran away, but now you have explained it all to him, have you not?’
Felicity said nothing. There was a secret that she could never bring herself to share with anyone, especially Nathan Carraway.
When Sir James declared that he would be escorting his wife to the ridotto the next night, Felicity declined an invitation to accompany them.
‘Pray do not think that I shall be bored here alone,’ she explained, smiling. ‘I have my books, and I think perhaps I should write to my uncle’s lawyer, to advise him of my direction. If there is anything due to me from Uncle Philip’s estate, it would be a co
mfort to know I do not go to Rosthorne penniless.’
As soon as Sir James and Lydia had left the house, Felicity made her way to the morning room. After several false starts she managed to compose a satisfactory letter and was fixing the seal when she heard the low rumble of voices in the hall. Some premonition of danger made her jump up, but before she had reached the door it opened and Lord Rosthorne entered.
‘Miss Brown—please—do not run away.’ Without taking his eyes from her he raised one hand and dismissed the footman. The door closed and he stood for a moment, watching her. His lips twitched. ‘Poor Fee, you look as if you have been locked in a cage with a tiger.’
‘S-Sir James and Lady Souden are out, my lord.’
‘I know, I met them at the ridotto. That is why I am come here, to see you. Will you not sit down? I promise I mean to behave myself.’ He guided her to the sofa and gently pushed her down, seating himself at the other end and turning a little so that he could look at her.
‘How is your head now, sir?’
‘Sore, but mending.’
Felicity bit her lip and twisted her fingers together nervously.
‘You were not wont to be afraid of me, Fee.’
‘You were not wont to be so severe.’
‘No. Those years fighting in the Peninsula have taken their toll. I am not the same man I was five years ago.’
‘I followed your progress as closely as I could,’ she told him. ‘Sir James has the London newspapers sent to Souden; I read all the reports.’ She glanced at him. ‘Such a long campaign. It must have been very difficult for you.’
‘I found it more difficult when I sold out and took control of the Rosthorne estates.’
‘But war is so terrible, so much violence and death—the loss of your friends, like Mr Elliston.’
He frowned and she thought for a moment he would not reply.
‘Yes, that was bad,’ he said at last. ‘His parents live near Rosthorne Hall. I brought back what possessions he had when I came home, but at the time, writing to tell them Adam was dead was the hardest thing I ever had to do, I think.’
He stared down at his hands, his thoughts far away. Felicity let the silence settle around them for a few minutes, then she spoke again, trying to keep her voice light and indifferent.
The Earl's Runaway Bride Page 11
