The Wicked and Wonderful Miss Merlin

by Anne Herries

  ‘Ah, Lord Brough,’ she said trying to look composed despite the wild racing of her heart. ‘How nice to see you. When did you arrive in town?’

  ‘Last night, rather too late to come calling, since I have been travelling back and forth across the country for more than a fortnight.’

  ‘Oh, have you,’ Samantha replied apparently unmoved. How dreadful! ‘Did you perchance expect to find Eleanor with Lady Merrill?’

  ‘After I had scoured every inn between your school and Scotland I returned home to be greeted by a letter from my sister informing she was going to stay with…your aunt, I believe, sir?’

  Toby squared his shoulders manfully. ‘You will not be angry with Eleanor or Miss Merlin,’ he said. ‘I am aware that this bother is all my fault – but I am willing to take the blame…’

  ‘That is just as well since I intend to deal with you later, young man.’ Eyes of cold steel stabbed into the softer eyes that faced him so proudly. ‘Eleanor, will you explain why you deliberately mislead me not once but twice?’

  ‘That is hardly fair, sir,’ Samantha said. ‘Eleanor certainly misled us both but she did not intend it. It was Mr Brockleton’s good sense that saved them from eloping to Gretna Green – and an unfortunate accident that prevented them from arriving at Lady Merrill’s in good time.’

  ‘You will allow my sister to answer the question,’ Robert said, his mouth drawing into a thin line as he glared at her. ‘I shall speak to you alone later, ma’am, in private.’

  ‘You may blame me as much as you wish, but I shall not have you browbeat these young people,’ Samantha said, seeing the sparks in his eyes. ‘They have been foolish perhaps but they are not wicked and if you will be guided by me they may brush through it easily enough. Everyone thinks I am Eleanor’s chaperone and that she is…’

  ‘I am aware what everyone thinks,’ he snapped. ‘I was told this morning on my way here that I had a delightful sister who had entered into an understanding and would shortly be engaged. Pleasant hearing for a brother who has been told nothing – not even that his sister was in London. I should have thought that you, Miss Merlin, would have had the common decency to write and let me know what you planned.’

  ‘Robert, I begged Samantha not to,’ Eleanor cried. ‘Poor Toby isn’t well and I wanted him to feel better before you raged at him. You have such a temper and I really do not…’

  ‘Be quiet and go to your room,’ Robert said. ‘You will pack your things. I am taking you back home with me tomorrow.’

  ‘No! I shall not go,’ Eleanor said proudly. ‘If you force me I shall run away again. I am not a child and I will not be parted from the man I love.’

  ‘Ridiculous girl! Anyone would think I was an ogre,’ he said, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes.

  ‘You are,’ she said. ‘Once you were kind and I loved you but now…I shall not live with Aunt Grace. She frightens me. I want to be with people who care for me…like Samantha and Toby.’

  ‘I say, sir,’ Toby said. ‘That’s a bit harsh isn’t it? I want to marry Eleanor and she loves me. I may not be as rich as some others, but my father will give me an increase in my allowance and my grandfather left me a decent little estate in Hampshire…’

  ‘We shall discuss terms in private later,’ Robert said. ‘I have not forbidden the match – it may well be for the best in the circumstances, but if you think I shall allow my sister to junket about London in the company of…’ He turned to glare at Miss Merlin and suddenly went quiet before turning away, his hands clenching at his sides. ‘I shall speak to both of you later. Please leave me alone with Miss Merlin.’

  ‘You must not bully her,’ Eleanor protested.

  ‘Please do as your brother asks,’ Samantha said and smiled at her. ‘Perhaps we can settle this between us.’

  ‘He is so horrid…’ Eleanor said and rushed from the room in tears. Toby hesitated, his face a little red, then,

  ‘She did not mean that, sir. She is upset,’ he said and inclined his head, following Eleanor in a more dignified manner.

  For a moment there was silence, then, ‘Well, I suppose I have you to thank for this,’ Robert said without turning to look at Samantha. ‘I hope you are pleased with yourself?’

  ‘I am very sorry for it,’ Samantha replied. ‘You are correct, Lord Brough. I ought to have written at once, before we left the inn. I did not realise that Eleanor had told you she was on her way to Lady Merrill’s house. We came to London, of course, because Toby needed to see an eminent doctor. The bang to his head has made him dizzy.’

  ‘I saw no sign of it just now?’

  ‘It comes suddenly and goes as suddenly.’

  ‘What does the doctor say?’

  ‘He believes it may get better gradually but Toby has another appointment next week and cannot leave town before then.’

  ‘That is unfortunate – but he does not need my sister here to hold his hand I think?'’ Robert turned to look at her, his eyes blazing with something she did not immediately recognise. ‘I intend to take her home with me – and Mr Brockleton may come to me when he feels more the thing and discuss the terms of a marriage contract. If I feel it is the best thing for Eleanor I shall allow them to become engaged.’

  Samantha moved towards him, her hand reaching out as she said, ‘Do you not think that is a little unkind, sir? Yes, they were foolish, but does Eleanor deserve to be punished for her thoughtlessness? She was very unhappy when you brought her to me. Her aunt was not kind to her and she was a lonely girl. If I encouraged her to this mad escapade I am sorry for it, but I wanted to make her see that life could be so very different.’

  ‘Indeed? Explain yourself.’

  His eyes were burning into her in a way that made Samantha feel very odd. She was breathless and her heart was racing wildly.

  ‘I find that girls often need to lift their eyes from the ground, to look for the stars and the beauty in life, which is to be found all around us. There is magic in a smile or the fluttering of a butterfly’s wings, in poetry and music and laughter. To be always thinking of how to achieve a good marriage or of one’s station in life and wealth…that leads only to the stale existence that so many men and women endure. I think too many young women are forced into arranged marriages and that is why they are unhappy and their husbands seek entertainment outside the marriage bed.’

  ‘Do you indeed?’ Robert’s eyebrows met in the middle. ‘And is that what you preach to your pupils?’

  ‘Not in so many words. I have spoken frankly to you, sir – but I do teach the girls to look for the beauty in life, and I may have warned them that marriage without love is a waste of life.’

  ‘I wonder if their mothers know?’ Robert’s eyes were so intent on her that Samantha felt her throat constrict. It was so difficult to breathe when he stared at her so…so hotly. Had she not known better she would have thought he was almost lusting after her…ridiculous of course. He did not wish to kiss her. He disliked her and thought her a wicked woman.

  ‘My girls are taught all they need to equip them in a world that is often cruel and disappointing. At least they know that there might be something more than marrying a man twice their age for money.’

  ‘For the benefit of their family in many cases,’ he said. ‘It might surprise you to know, Miss Merlin, that I happen to agree that too many marriages are made for the wrong reason. However, that does not mean I wish to see my sister marry a wastrel who cannot support her.’

  ‘I assure you that Toby is a very respectable young man.’

  ‘I have seen that for myself, which is why I am agreeable to their seeing each other – on my terms.’

  Samantha caught her breath. She could see that he was no longer angry, but why was he staring at her in that very odd way?

  ‘And your terms are?’

  ‘Eleanor will return with me to my home in the country. Mr Brockleton will come down when he has seen his doctor – and you, Miss Merlin, will accompany us.’
<
br />   ‘Me? But why? I do not understand…I thought…’ She had imagined he could not wait to be rid of her influence over his sister.

  ‘My sister will not run away if you are there to bring her to her senses.’

  ‘I have a school to run…’ her words caught in her throat and she suddenly realised that she wanted to agree, because it would mean that she would see him again, would be in his company often. ‘For how long would you require my presence?’

  ‘For as long as it takes,’ he said, his eyes scorching her with their heat. Samantha felt an answering heat low in her stomach and knew that she could not refuse him. ‘Those are my terms – if you wish my sister to see this young man again.’

  She ought to refuse, to tell him that she would not be bullied into doing his wish, but her will was weakening and she felt as if her limbs had turned to jelly. She licked her lips, barely able to stop herself swaying towards him, to beg him to take her in his arms and…No, this must stop.

  ‘You have no right to demand such a compromise from me.’

  ‘No? I think after the way you and my sister have led me a dance up and down the country I should be well within my rights to lock her up in her bedchamber and tell everyone that you are not fit to be in charge of a school – but instead, I am offering you a way to redeem yourself. Tell me, Miss Merlin – is that so very much to ask?’

  If he put it that way, of course it was not. She could hardly refuse him – and Eleanor’s happiness was at stake.

  ‘Well, I suppose I could take an extended holiday…’

  ‘I dare say the school will not fall apart without you. There are competent teachers I suppose?’

  ‘Yes, of course. They are perfectly capable of…’ Samantha realised he had set a trap, but it was true. Her school could continue without her, though something would be missing. It would become much like every other school in the country – and the lady of the well would have no visitors. ‘If you think it the only way…?’

  ‘Yes, I do. Pray go and tell them. I shall not read Mr Brockleton a lecture today since he has not yet recovered from his tumble…I dare say in another week or two he will be better. I have seen it before in the army; it takes a while to recover from a nasty blow to the head, especially if he was unconscious for a time.’

  ‘You are leaving?’

  ‘I shall call for you in the morning, Miss Merlin.’

  ‘Very well, we shall be ready. I have my phaeton with me – shall I drive it or…’ She saw his frown. ‘Very well, my groom may remain here and bring Toby down when he is ready.’

  ‘I shall take my leave,’ Robert said. ‘Please do not let me down, Miss Merlin. If Eleanor runs away again I shall not be so lenient and I shall know who to blame…’

  Outside in the sunshine, Robert put on his hat and smiled. He was not quite sure where his anger had gone, but it had suddenly evaporated as he looked into a pair of beguiling eyes. He had fully intended to take Eleanor home and restrict her to the house and garden for a month at least before allowing the Brockleton boy to visit. Quite suddenly, another plan had come to mind, a plan that seemed so urgent and necessary to his own comfort that he had been prepared to go to any lengths to secure it.

  He did not know why it was imperative that Samantha Merlin should visit for a lengthy stay. His sister would he was sure have settled once he had calmed down enough to explain that he intended she should marry the Brockleton boy – but after he had got to know him a little.

  Why then had it suddenly seemed imperative to impose the clause including Miss Merlin?

  He could only think it was something to do with the way he had not been able to take his eyes from her mouth, or to get the picture of her lying in his bed out of his mind.

  He had burned to kiss her, but had he attempted it after raging at her, she would have been within her rights to dismiss him from her presence and refuse to admit him ever again – and he could not bear that thought.

  She was definitely a witch. Robert had fallen under her spell. What else could it be but a spell?

  He was not in love with her. Robert did not believe in this romantic nonsense; it was generally enough to feel affection and perhaps desire…but the kind of life or death love that Eleanor claimed she felt for Toby was ridiculous, wasn’t it?

  Of course it was and yet he was humming a tune as he set off towards one of the exclusive clubs he frequented and there was definitely a spring in his step.

  Chapter Seven

  ‘Please try to be on good terms with your brother,’ Samantha said as they prepared to go downstairs the next morning. I dare say you feel a little out of temper with him, but be sensible and I am certain all will be well, my dear.’

  ‘Since you are to visit with us for a while I suppose I can bear it,’ Eleanor said, still a little sulky. ‘I do not see why we could not all have stayed in London until Toby is better. My second gown and your gowns are still to be finished.’

  ‘Well, they may be sent on to us and if a little extra fitting is necessary we can summon a village dressmaker – or do it ourselves. I think my girls are taught to sew as well as any seamstress?’

  ‘My stitching is good, Miss Lemon always said so,’ Eleanor said and sighed. ‘I suppose I must accept it for Robert will not change his mind.’

  ‘I do not think he will,’ Samantha said. ‘He was very set on taking you home – but it might have been much worse, dearest. I thought at one time he meant to forbid you to wed – and it is no use in saying you would run away for now that he knows you are capable of such behaviour he would prevent you.’

  ‘Then I must try to please him,’ Eleanor said. ‘I cannot bear the thought of parting from Toby when he is ill but I must.’

  ‘He is not so very ill now, my love,’ Samantha said. ‘Last evening I do not think he had one dizzy turn.’

  ‘No, perhaps not,’ Eleanor smiled. ‘You have been so very patient, dearest Samantha – and I think Robert was far more cross with you than with us.’

  ‘Yes, he blames me for the whole, and in a way he is correct. I should have sent word when I discovered you at the inn. I ought to have written when he left for London. I might have saved him time and anxiety.’

  ‘Do you think he was truly worried about me?’

  ‘Yes, of course. You might have chosen a rogue. Had Toby not been an honourable gentleman you might have been ruined – and even as it was, you might have suffered a loss of reputation had the accident occurred near a busy inn that had more clients from your own class.’

  ‘Yes, I think we were lucky to get away with it. I did see one gentleman leaving. I was at the top of the stairs and he turned and looked at me, but Joan was with me and he did not seem to notice for he went off without another glance.’

  ‘How fortunate that Joan was with you the whole time. No one can say that you were alone with Toby for days and nights on end – for no one else can know that you spent some time alone in his bedchamber, can they?’

  ‘No, of course not,’ Eleanor said but looked away. It was possible that some ladies who had stopped for lunch might have heard her asking the landlord for a tray to take up to her cousin – but they could not have known her or the name of her cousin, could they? Dismissing the anxious thought, she looked at Samantha. ‘Shall we go down? We do not want to keep my brother waiting.’

  Samantha looked at the house as she descended from the chaise. She had not really known what to expect but the colonnade of Portland stone columns and the classic lines of what she thought was a very stylish house were really rather attractive. The stone of the walls was a creamy buff and the roof slanting down was clad with bluish-grey tiles; there were many long windows on the ground floor, which must have cost a fortune in window tax at one time – and the formal gardens out front were immaculate.

  Eleanor had gone straight in, as if wanting to get away from her brother, whose company had been a little difficult for her throughout the journey. Samantha took her time, looking at the house with interest. She t
hought parts of it looked quite old – the east wing was definitely older than this main frontage. The house had obviously been improved in the last half century, made more stylish and modern. She would be very interested to see the inside.

  As she walked into the hall, she saw that it rose to a considerable height with what appeared to be a lantern tower of glass. Some of the glass was coloured and the sun shining through it sent rays of dancing colour over the tiled floor. Impressive, but a little too magnificent, she thought.

  However the warmth of the butler’s greeting for Eleanor and her could not be faulted. They were shown into a very pretty parlour at the back of the house while some refreshments were brought and their rooms prepared.

  Clearly, Lord Brough had not been sure that he would be bringing his sister and a friend home to stay. Eleanor’s room was of course always ready, but a maid and one of the footmen were sent scurrying to prepare the best guestroom.

  Hearing the order given, Samantha glanced at Lord Brough, one eyebrow arched, her eyes quizzing him. Was he actually giving her the best guestroom, as if she were an honoured friend rather than the woman he blamed for his frustration of the past few days?

  ‘Annie will look after you,’ he said, nodding briefly as a young maid entered and stood ready to conduct her upstairs after they had been served refreshments in a pretty but too formal parlour. We have no housekeeper here, Miss Merlin. It has been a gentleman’s residence too long and it is probably time that I employed such a person, though we have managed well enough until now.’

  ‘It matters little to me,’ Samantha replied, though it was not quite true. The housekeeper was quite often a friendly, gossipy woman who knew everything about everyone and would put a guest at her ease. If Eleanor had been brought up with only the maids, footmen and butler she would not have had a motherly influence to help ease her through the pangs of leaving childhood behind. She thought it helped to explain the girl’s loneliness when she came to the school. Eleanor had lost her mother, her nanny and was hungry for female companionship. ‘I am sure we shall all be perfectly comfortable together.’