“And he would have done if he were not engaged with an even greater disaster.”
“What disaster?” Faith asked, her sister’s worry making her more alert.
“Lord Vardemere was at the ball and met with Mercy. Our dear sister is to wed that snake! It is all a muddle.”
Faith put a hand to her mouth. “How can that be?” Faith sneezed again. “Isaac will never allow it! Surely, it cannot be. Tell me, how could such a thing come to pass?”
“It is Mercy’s story,” Hope said. “But I am afraid there is no way to avoid the wretch. The discussion with our brothers went long into the night. They only just went to bed. So absorbed with Mercy’s plight they were, that they did not give your absence a thought. I was worried you would find your way home while they were still discussing. With the ordeal, they did not miss you. I simply told each of them that you rode home in the other carriage, that you felt ill and retired, but I was so worried.”
“I am sorry. But marriage to Vardemere? ” Faith said worried for their sister, Mercy, who had only just begun to smile again.
“Isaac has plans to try to stop it.” Hope soothed.
Faith had begun to shiver even though Hope had removed all of her wet clothes and hung them about the room to dry. She stood wrapped in a cotton quilt.
Hope frowned at the cold embers. “I should call for a fire,” Hope said concerned. “You are chilled.”
“I shall be fine,” Faith protested as she slipped on her shift. “We cannot have a fire lit without alerting the house. It is bad enough that the stable-master will see Mr. Titherington’s horse in the stable in the morning. There is no help for it.”
“We could move him to the old barn where we write,” Hope suggested, “but what happens when Mr. Titherington comes looking for his horse? Surely, he will figure out that Mr. Emerson took him.”
“I don’t know,” Faith said. “And I am too tired to think of it just this moment. My head is still spinning. I will decide in the morning.”
“You better hope that Mr. Titherington is not an early riser.”
“He is not,” Faith said as she climbed into bed. “At least, he will not be tomorrow. “ Faith was still shivering, and Hope climbed into bed with her to share her warmth. They fell asleep curled together like they had as children: a perfect pair.
When Faith awoke she was first aware that her mouth felt as if she had been chewing on cotton batting, and her head felt at least twice its normal size. There was a pounding in her temples. The thought of breakfast made her nauseous, but Hope was determined to get her out of bed. “We must speak to Mercy before she leaves. It may be a long time before we see her again.” The words, if ever, were implied in Hope’s speech.
Faith nodded and then stilled to stop the aching in her head. “I believe I have a megrim,” she said.
“What you have is too much drink,” Hope said. “Do you not remember Father upon such mornings?”
“I truly feel wretched,” Faith said holding her head. “Why would a man drink the stuff if he felt so poorly after?”
“Nonetheless,” Hope said, pushing open the draperies and letting in the morning sun.
Faith blinked at the sudden brightness.
“Up with you.”
Faith threw her legs over the side of the bed and winced. Her inner thighs ached from the unaccustomed riding astride and a sneeze tickled her nose.
“Hurry,” Hope urged. “We must speak with Mercy before she leaves.”
The sneeze came with gusto, and sent racks of pain to Faith’s head. She held it and groaned.
“Hurry up,” Hope said.
Faith found walking difficult, but she soon dressed. Sniffling, she followed her twin downstairs. The house was grim. Faith sipped some weak tea with the family and her stomach started to settle. The table was near silent as they all wondered what would happen to Mercy, but her sister seemed resigned. “I shall do what must be done,” she said. Faith worried for her, but applauded her bravery.
After the carriage carrying Mercy left the manor, the brothers closeted themselves in the library to try to think of a solution. Faith and Hope offered what help they could, but it was soon decided that their brothers would all be going to London to try to stop the marriage.
The task of rescuing Mercy was in the hands of the gentlemen, and it was nearly unbearable to be able to do nothing. The mood of the entire Baggington household was somber.
“We should return Demon’s Reach to Mr. Titherington,” Faith said latching onto some form of action, although her nose was stuffed and her head was still aching. “He will come looking for his horse. I practically stole him.” That was the truth of the matter, and she had to correct the fault. She rubbed a hand across her forehead and reached for her handkerchief as she spoke.
“Just how are you suggesting we do such a thing?” Hope’s eyebrows rose in disbelief. “You cannot be proposing that we return the animal ourselves?”
“I am not afraid of Demon.”
“That is not what I meant.”
Faith knew that Hope was right. It would be terribly forward to show up at Titherington’s doorstep. Still, she had enjoyed her time as Emerson at the ball, and she could not deny that she wanted to see Titherington again, this time as a lady. Although, he probably would not be home yet anyway she reminded herself. That was the entire point of going early; so she would not see him. It was highly irregular. She supposed that it was better to see the gentleman in town, or she could walk along the road until they had another chance meeting, but she was impatient. Other women managed with such chance encounters,;Faith preferred a more direct approach. When she saw an opportunity she took it.
“Faith?” Hope urged, interrupting her musings.
“Sorry,” Faith said. “My mind’s a muddle.”
“You cannot take the horse back as yourself,” Hope argued. “A lady would never return a horse. We should send a note of apology from Emerson, informing Titherington of his horse’s whereabouts,” Hope suggested.
“I suppose we could send a note,” Faith said glumly, “Emerson would take the horse back himself and apologize in person.”
“Yes, but you are not Emerson.” Hope admonished. “A note will have to suffice.”
Faith felt her face sporting its colors. She wondered which of the servants would deliver the message without expecting some explanation of how the animal got here in the first place. No. That would not do. Isaac would hear of it. The servants loved him and would not keep something of this magnitude from him. Besides, they could not have Titherington come to the Manor looking for Demon, asking about Emerson. When Faith explained, Hope had to reluctantly agree.
“We should do it now,” Faith insisted. “As of this moment, no more than the stable-master may know of our adventure or possibly young Jerry, but the stable lad is somewhat beetle-headed so we can hope he does not mention it or that he is disbelieved. The longer the horse remains here, the more possibility that Isaac will learn of it.”
“Perhaps we can manage to get the horse back without being seen,” Hope said cautiously. “You said the man was in his cups last night. He will not be early to rise. Remember Father after a night of drinking.”
Faith bit her lip. She did not think that Titherington was anything like their father, but Hope’s words gave her pause. The man was handsome, but he did imbibe. Yet, last night so had she.
“Alright then,” Hope agreed at last. “Quickly, before the man returns from the Baron Torsford’s home.”
Faith told herself it did not matter that she would not see Oscar Titherington. She had long ago decided never to marry. Men called marriage leg-shackled, but it was the woman who was bound. He was only comely to look at; that was all.
The girls went to the kitchen to get a few apples. They told the cook they would be working at the old storehouse, and slipped out of the manor.
“It’s so wretched about the Miss,” the cook said wiping her tears on her apron. “Your lady mother has gone to
the church.” Faith and Hope nodded, in sad-faced unison. Faith felt a stab of guilt that she was not praying for Mercy’s safe return with their mother, but God knew she was more a woman of action than a woman of prayer.
The twins snuck into the stable while the stable-master and grooms were also bemoaning Mercy’s loss. They led Demon’s Reach from the stable. Rather than taking him to the baron’s home, they led the animal to Mr. Titherington’s rented cottage, which was much closer. They turned Demon out in the paddock behind the cottage and hung his bridle by the door where Titherington would see it. They left a note by the bridle containing an apology and an explanation that Mr. Emerson had been called away on an urgent family matter. He had been forced to travel to London post-haste, and he begged that Mr. Titherington would keep his books for a while longer.
“Don’t you think Mr. Emerson would have sent word to baron’s home as well,” Faith said.
“Yes,” Hope agreed, “but there is no help for it now.”
Faith sniffled and the twins began the walk back home.
16
It was half past ten when Oscar Titherington rose, and another quarter hour before he realized that Emerson was gone. He discovered the man’s absence in the most peculiar way. He headed to the stable for an early ride…although it was no longer quite early. Riding before breakfast cleared his head. He peered around the corner of the stable to be sure he would not have a chance meeting with Mary-Elizabeth who also liked a ride in the morning.
The stable-master saw him and gestured him forward.
“The imp is not lurking about is she?” Oscar asked looking around the quiet stable and seeing for himself that she was not.
“She is hardly an imp any longer,” the stable-master said a bit chagrinned at Oscar’s treatment of the lady. Oscar shrugged. He knew she had an attachment to him, but Oscar was sure once she found the man who would eventually marry her, any feeling she had for him would pass.
“Saddle Demon,” he told the stable-master.
“Well, the thing is, sir,” the stable-master said wringing his hands. “The horse is not here.”
“Fiend seize it!” Titherington exclaimed as he entered the stable and saw that indeed, his horse was gone. He deduced what had happened instantly. “What is wrong with that man?”
“I am terribly sorry, sir,” the stable-master said bowing. “Demon was gone when I arose this morning. I can only guess that Mr. Emerson had some urgent business and took the horse to ride to the Baggington’s this morning.”
“Did he not have his own horse?” Titherington grumbled.
“I believe, he arrived with the Baggingtons,” the stable-master said. “And then they left in quite the rush.”
“Yes, well, what was all that about?”
“I am sure I do not know, Sir.” The stable-master sniffed as if he would not be party to gossip. Titherington knew that was simply not so, but if the man knew anything he would have shared.
Titherington sighed. “I shall have breakfast I suppose,” he said running a hand through his hair. “Then, saddle Renny. Have him ready for me in an hour. I shall ride over to the Baggington’s and fetch my horse myself. I tell you, the man has terrible manners, thieving someone’s horse, without so much as a by your leave.” Titherington muttered.
“I am sure he did not mean any offense, Sir.”
“No. I suppose not, but did he have to take Demon?”
“He is a high stepper, Sir; the best horse in the stable.”
“That he is,” Titherington said as he went back into the manor to break his fast.
Later that day, Titherington mounted Renny and kicked him into a trot. The horse was a placid thing and even pushing him, the horse barely managed a canter as if a stretch of such speed was the utmost effort. Still, it was perhaps a good thing Oscar was not traveling at his usual pace because the horse did not have the responsiveness that Demon had, and there on the road near the Baggington home, he saw both Baggington twins walking. Oscar pulled up short. Perhaps he would have to forgive Emerson for taking his horse since he could speak to Miss Faith this fine day. The thought filled him with delight.
The ladies were returning home when Mr. Titherington, came trotting up the path astride a completely different horse. “Hoy there,” he said, dismounting and giving the twins a gallant bow.
“Good morning, ladies,” he greeted them, his eyes flashing with charm. Faith could not help but notice how fine he looked this morning. Her gaze settled somewhere in the middle of his broad chest and she dragged her eyes back up to his face. He seemed not the worse for his drinking last evening. His eyes were bright and his hands were steady on his reins as he pulled his mount up. Faith was not sure if that was a good thing or not. Mother had said a wretched morning was punishment for drinking the previous night.
“I hope my visit is not inconvenient,” he said. “But your cousin borrowed my horse last evening when your family left in such a hurry. Some emergency, Lady Torsford said.” He paused as if waiting for an explanation, and then continued. “Truly, it is a wonder Demon did not pitch him off; he is not fond of strangers.” The gentleman chuckled. “Would have served the man right for stealing my horse.” The words were said without rancor.
Faith paled slightly. It had not occurred to her that no one but Titherington ever rode Demon’s Reach or that the animal may not be receptive to another rider.
“Is everything alright?” He inquired.
“Yes,” Hope said.
“No,” Faith answered at the same time. She shot her sister a look. “Our sister Mercy…” Faith began again.
“It is a family affair,” Hope interrupted. “I am sure you are here for your horse. Well, he is safe in your paddock. Emerson returned him this morning.” Faith could not believe Hope’s rudeness. That was very unlike her, but Faith thought she was perhaps worried that Isaac might come upon them any moment.
“Actually, I was hoping to visit with your cousin, Mr. Emerson,” Titherington said.
“He is not in. He has gone to London,” Hope said.
“I see.” Titherington dithered a moment more, and Faith could see that he expected to be invited in for refreshment, but Mother was indisposed due to the trouble with Mercy, and Faith knew they could not entertain a gentleman without a chaperone. Worse, any moment, her brothers may ride out intent upon London. As much as Faith would like to stay here and chat with Titherington, she could not. She thought of a small lie that might urge the man on his way.
“Mr. Emerson along with Isaac and my other brothers have made off for London this morning, a matter of some urgency concerning our sister, Mercy,” she said. That was not the exact truth. The gentleman were planning to leave, but had not quite gotten underway when the ladies had left the house, but she did not want Mr. Titherington inviting himself for a visit and inquiring about their nonexistent cousin: one Mr. Arthur Emerson.
“When will they return?” he asked.
“I am not sure,” Faith answered.
Oscar nodded. “I hope all will be well with your sister,” he said. “I cannot say how I would feel if a sibling of mine was in distress, for there is only me and my grandfather left in our family, but I would not want any displeasure to come upon you, Miss Faith.” He stopped talking to pull the recalcitrant horse out of a patch of thistles he seemed to want to munch on, and when he pulled the horse’s head upwards, the tenacious thing took a bite from the branch of a bush. “Or to you, Miss Hope.”
“You understand, we are not accepting visitors,” Hope said, “until this business with Mercy is decided.”
That was true, Faith mused. The thought made her sad. Normally, she was not one for visits, but with Mr. Titherington, visits would be tolerable; perhaps more than tolerable.
“Let us walk a bit,” Faith said, hoping to gain at least a few moments with the gentleman, aware of the possibility that her brothers may come upon them as they left for London; if they had not left already while the ladies were busy putting Demon in his
pasture. Hope followed, ever aware of propriety. Faith did not particularly care what others thought of her, but for her family, she knew she should. “My sister is correct. I am afraid that we will not be accepting visitors until this trouble is resolved,” she said, “but I am sure that Mr. Emerson will be happy to see you when he returns. I will tell him of your visit.”
Hope shot her a sharp look, but Faith ignored it. They would still need to get the books. Hope seemed to forget that in her effort to give Mr. Titherington the cut. She was not sure why Hope had taken a dislike to the man. He was charming and handsome. Sure, the gossips had run him through the mill, but they had done the same to the Baggingtons. Faith was of a mind to make her own decisions on the matter and not rely on the word of gossipers. Hope knew that.
The three of them walked with Titherington leading his horse, all the while singing the praises of Mr. Emerson’s work, which made Faith smile.
Hope kept glancing towards the Manor. Faith knew she was worried about Isaac appearing. She was not sure what she would do if her brothers came riding by and saw them. What would she say? Isaac would surely demand an explanation. On the other hand, perhaps his thoughts were too full of Mercy’s trouble. The little group came at last to the gate of Mortel Manor.
“We will leave you here,” Hope said, urging Mr. Titherington to return down the path to his own cottage. Hope turned to the manor and hurried up the lane. Faith hung back.
“I missed you, at Baron Torsford’s Ball,” Titherington said lightly taking Faith’s hand in his own. “The stars seemed to be less bright in your absence, and I found myself quite in the doldrums. I found no pleasure in the evening.”
“Truly? You did not find another lady with whom to dance?”
“None of your beauty.”
“My sister is exactly of my beauty, and you danced with her. Would you give her affront?”
The Lady to Match a Rogue: Faith (The Baggington Sisters Book 4) Page 14
