A Lord In Disguise

by Fenella J Miller

  Chapter Sixteen

  Bond Street was quiet when Penny strolled along it with Mary walking sedately behind her. With her best bonnet on, a delightful confection lined in the same dark blue silk that edged her pale blue spencer and gown, she was certain she looked what she was – a member of the ton, albeit an unfashionable one.

  Most ladies of her class would be snug in their beds at ten o'clock in the morning recovering from the party, ball or musicale they had attended the previous night. They would not emerge from their bedchambers until noon and would then receive or make morning calls for the remainder of the afternoon.

  Even if she hadn't known the exact address she was looking for it was immediately obvious which house belonged to the earl. There were two constables positioned on either side of the front door and another two guarding the archway through which a horse or carriage would emerge.

  She increased her pace, her heart skipping about inside her bodice at the thought that she would be reunited with her beloved at any moment. There could not be any possible reason for Bow Street runners to be outside his house if he wasn't inside it.

  'Mary, you must go ahead of me and knock on the door. You must ask if Lord Stonham is receiving this morning as Miss Bradshaw would like to speak to him most urgently.'

  The girl curtsied and hurried ahead to do her bidding. The constables didn't stir as Mary ran up the steps and knocked. She remained a few steps from the handsome railings hoping to be called forward.

  The front door swung open, Mary delivered her message and immediately turned and nodded. Penny gathered her skirts and all but ran to the front door. A liveried footman bowed her in. She had taken no more than a few steps into the vast interior when she was snatched from her feet and swung about in the air like a child greeted by a loving parent.

  'My darling girl, I have been lurking here in the vain hope that you might arrive without me having to send out search parties.'

  Her hands were already clasped around his neck and she melted into his embrace. His kiss was hard, passionate, it told her everything she needed to know.

  Too soon he slid her down his body until her feet were back on the tiles. 'Come with me, sweetheart, to my apartment where we shall be undisturbed.'

  With her hand in his she hurried up the stairs beside him not caring that to visit the rooms of a gentleman was quite beyond the pale. His sitting room door was already open and the room was occupied by a handsome young man with dark hair worn long, in the old-fashioned style.

  'Allow me to introduce you to my closest friend, Lord Richard Dunwoody. Richard, this is my future wife, Miss Penelope Bradshaw.'

  There was another person in the room and there was no need to introduce him. He was obviously a clerical gentleman. 'You have a special licence? I was going to ask you to get one. Are we to be married at this very moment?'

  His eyes blazed and she caught her breath. 'We are, Richard and Frobisher are to be our witnesses.'

  This was not how she had imagined her wedding day – no flowers, no beautiful gown, no family present and no church. As long as she was to become his wife nothing else was of importance.

  There was no time to enquire why the earl was not to be there, or why she wasn't to be allowed to invite her mother and sisters. She must presume he had heard his court case had been moved forward to that very day for there could be no other reason why they must marry in such a hurry.

  She stood beside him and they exchanged their vows. The marriage certificate was signed by the witnesses and the curate. She was no longer Miss Bradshaw but Lady Stonham. She turned to speak to Lord Dunwoody but he took off as if his coat-tails were alight. There was something very strange going on.

  Frobisher made himself scarce, the clergyman bowed and departed leaving them alone. She glanced nervously at his bedchamber door and he laughed.

  'Do not look so worried, my love, I have no intention of making love to you until this wretched business has been settled. I wished us to be married so you are protected by my name, so you have everything I own for yourself…'

  'Edward, don't speak like that. It sounds as if you have already resigned yourself to being… to being…' She could not continue, her throat clogged and her eyes brimmed.

  He drew her into his arms and held her tight. 'We must be ready for whatever happens. I shall not be hung, but it is possible I will be transported.'

  She pushed herself away and stared at him. 'Then I shall come with you.'

  'You will do no such thing, darling girl. You will return to Ravenswood, or to Bradshaw Manor with your mother, if the worst occurs I shall go alone. I can only endure the deprivations involved knowing that you are safe and well and waiting for my return.'

  Whatever he said to the contrary she would follow him to Botany Bay. She would not be parted from him for a year or more. Why else had they got married so quickly?

  He smudged her tears away with his thumbs. 'You will promise me that you will remain in England until I return.'

  She rested her head against his chest for a second considering her answer. 'I will give you my word but only if you do something for me.'

  'I will do anything within my power, just tell me what it is you need.'

  'I want to be your true wife. I think I could bear being away from you for so long if there was the possibility of a child. Even if there isn't, then it will make the first few weeks much easier.'

  She had expected him to argue but instead he picked her up and shouldered his way into the bedroom. 'You have given me the two things I wanted most. Did you think I would argue?'

  Several hours later she woke with a jolt. 'Mama. She will be in a conniption fit because I haven't returned.'

  He smiled lazily and gently pulled her back so she was once more entangled in his naked limbs. 'Frobisher took care of that.'

  She relaxed. 'Two things I have to know, why didn't your father attend the ceremony and why did Lord Dunwoody leave in such a hurry?'

  'My father would have insisted that we used the family chapel, that there was a wedding breakfast despite the circumstances. I believe that Lady Bradshaw would have been equally insistent. Therefore, I thought it best that we married immediately. We shall have a celebratory dinner tonight when they are all here.'

  It took a few seconds for this information to register. With a horrified squeak she pushed him away. 'Are you telling me that my family are here? That they know what we have been doing all afternoon?'

  His rich, baritone laugh filled the room. 'I think they would both be more shocked if we had not spent the afternoon making love.'

  Her clothes were scattered around the floor. She had no intention of emerging from the sheets with no clothing on at all despite the fact that her husband had seen and kissed every inch of her.

  He had no such reservations and threw back the covers and strolled across to the dressing room as nature intended. Just seeing him with the sunlight bronzing his broad shoulders made her hot all over.

  He emerged with one of her dressing robes draped over his arm. He looked at her and her breath stopped in her chest. He tossed the garment aside and in two strides was back in bed with her.

  They would have resumed their lovemaking if she had not at that very moment heard her mother's voice outside in the corridor. Her desire vanished and she pushed him away.

  'No, we must get up at once. I should like to bathe before I dress for dinner. I am not meeting your father for the first time as I am.'

  He made no attempt to stop her as she rolled out of bed and hastily covered her embarrassment with the robe he had dropped. His smile was wicked and she was sorely tempted to return to his arms but resisted the temptation.

  'Am I to assume that my belongings are here somewhere?'

  'They are indeed, sweetheart, and your maid is just waiting for your instructions.'

  'I cannot bathe and dress with you leering at me from the bed. Is there not another bedchamber for me to use?'

  'There is, of course. We have adjoinin
g rooms – go through that door.' He stretched and she couldn't look away. He saw her hesitation and started to move. She turned and ran into her own domain.

  *

  Edward let her go. They would have at least one night to share together before he was possibly taken away. He was certain that eventually his name would be cleared but once he was in the system he became like any other prisoner – just a nameless number. It would probably take at least a year for him to be released and be able to return to England.

  He yelled for his valet to have hot water ready for his ablutions. Although he had laughed at her, he had no intention of dining with his father and mother-in-law smelling of the bed.

  Thorogood sent word that he was hopeful he would have the proof he needed very soon but would appreciate some assistance in the matter. This was why Richard had left so precipitously.

  He walked to the communicating door and listened. His lips curved at the thought of what was going on behind it. The bath at Ravenswood was large enough to accommodate them both and he had every intention of sharing it with her when they eventually moved in together.

  There was little point in dwelling on what might or might not be in the future. Tomorrow his fate would be decided. He might be exiled or transported. If the former then he could take Penny with him, the latter and she would have to remain at Ravenswood Hall.

  Somehow Frobisher was aware he was needed and mysteriously appeared with hot water and everything else necessary to make him presentable. No doubt his father would be aware that the marriage had taken place without him. Edward wasn't looking forward to the inevitable lecture he would receive when he went to speak to him before dinner.

  His wife would take much longer to get ready, he would go down first and then come back and collect her nearer the time. Despite the dire circumstances he couldn't keep the smile from his face. He was about to go in search of his father, who usually sat in the library with his newspapers, when he heard voices coming from the drawing room.

  He stepped in and was astonished to see his irascible parent sitting, rather closer than was seemly, to his mother-in-law. They were deep in conversation. What was equally surprising was that the usually garrulous Lady Bradshaw was actually listening to his father and not interrupting or waving her hands around.

  He cleared his throat and they moved apart guiltily. The earl jumped to his feet and strode towards him. 'Edward, my boy, congratulations. I cannot tell you how delighted I am that you have married Miss Bradshaw. From everything I have heard from her ladyship she is the perfect match for you, I had my doubts about the simpering girl you had intended to wed. She would have bored you in a month or two.'

  'I thank you, sir, for your kind words. I apologise to both of you that we had such a hurried ceremony, but I feared to delay it a moment longer than necessary. I have arranged for a celebration dinner, Lord Dunwoody and Mr Thorogood will be joining us.'

  'Excellent, excellent.' His father turned and beamed at Lady Bradshaw. 'If you will forgive me, my dear, I must speak to my son on other matters not suitable for the delicate ears of a lady.'

  'I must go up and change, my lord, I have no wish to be tardy tonight.'

  She was on her feet and swept regally past, leaving them to converse privately.

  'Dunwoody and Thorogood are pursuing a line of enquiry that I sincerely hope will be enough to have the magistrates drop the case.'

  'I have called in all the favours I can, and am hopeful there will be a satisfactory outcome. On another matter entirely, my boy, I have offered to sponsor Lady Bradshaw's younger daughters and they are to have their come out next Season.'

  'Papa, if I am found guilty and transported then it would be better for them to remain in the country. They will not be welcome in the best drawing rooms.'

  'That will not happen. I gather from her ladyship that you are the girls' guardian.'

  'That has no legal standing as it was done under my false identity...

  'As I thought. I shall take on that role myself. I have always wanted daughters and it will be delightful to have a house full of young things, parties and musicales.'

  If his parent had suggested he was going to parade in his undergarments around the square he could not have been more surprised. This was quite out of character – there had never been any jollity or enjoyment in the house and, as far as he was aware, nothing had ever been considered delightful.

  'You must change, sir, you will not wish to keep your guests waiting.'

  He was too stunned to comment on what had just been said – he would need to digest this extraordinary information before saying anything. His intention had been to escort his wife downstairs but he was still gazing into the fire when a slight sound at the door made him look around.

  His breath caught in his throat. He had never seen anything so beautiful in his life. She was wearing a pale blue confection with silver sparkles, her hair had been arranged elaborately and her smile sent shivers to his toes.

  'Darling girl, you look lovely. I was about to come and fetch you.' In two strides he was by her and she walked willingly into his embrace. A satisfying few minutes later he reluctantly raised his head.

  'Have you spoken to your mother or your sisters?'

  'Briefly, they are ecstatic to be here. Did you know that your father is usurping your position as guardian? Mama seems very taken with him.'

  'Whatever happens tomorrow, my love, at least now I know you will all be looked after.'

  'I have no intention of accompanying my family to your ancestral home. Our home is Ravenswood Hall, and that is where I intend we reside as…' She stopped in midsentence and shook her head. 'I apologise, it is not for me to say where we are to live.'

  'I wish to live nowhere else. I do have an estate somewhere in Hertfordshire, but have no intention of moving us there.'

  *

  The evening was everything she could have hoped for. Champagne was served and she and Edward were toasted several times. It was as if tomorrow didn't exist. Lord Dunwoody and Mr Thorogood were charming guests and added gaiety to the evening.

  Her sisters behaved impeccably and seemed in awe of their surroundings and especially of the earl, even though he treated them with surprising benevolence. What did interest her was the fact that he had positioned her mother close to him at the head of the table and devoted most of his attention to entertaining her.

  Was it possible he had formed an attachment to her mama the moment he had met her? After all, had not Edward said he had done the same with her? Once the notion was in her head she could not rid herself of it. Her mother was an attractive woman, why should she not find a new love? Papa would not want her to be miserable.

  When the final cover was removed she waited for her mother to rise but Mama smiled and indicated it was her role tonight. Penny had no wish to spend a moment without her husband at her side, she did not know how long she had him before he might be taken from her.

  She stood and was delighted when Edward did so as well, much to the surprise of his father. He glanced around the assembled guests. 'I know it is unusual, but I suggest that we all move into the drawing room as one tonight.'

  There was a general murmur of approval. He slipped her hand through his arm and led her across the passageway, she could hardly stare rudely over her shoulder to see how the others were progressing. She was unsurprised when the earl came in escorting her mother. Dunwoody was doing the same for Mattie and Thorogood for Beth.

  They remained a short while and nobody objected when they said their good nights and retired. Edward had his arm around her waist and together they raced up the stairs and into his bedchamber. This overlooked the road. The shutters were still closed and the curtains open, letting in the late evening sunlight.

  'I shall close these, if you don't mind, before we retire.'

  He joined her by the window and then seemed to lose his balance. He fell forward with his hands spread on the glass. His face was ashen. What had he seen that had so alarmed him
?

  She peered out and for a second didn't understand. 'The constables have gone. Those men guarding the house are no longer there – does this mean what I think it does?'

  His colour had flooded back and she had never seen him look so happy. 'The charges have been dropped. I am a free man. Thank the Lord for that.'

  'Then we can go to Spain for our wedding trip and find my brother.'

  He snatched her up and kissed her breathless. 'We can indeed, but first we have something far more enjoyable to do.'

  A long and wonderful time later she was resting in his arms when something extraordinary occurred to her. 'Did you notice how taken our parents were with each other?'

  'I did. I believe you are thinking the same thing as me. If they were to make a match of it then our family will be doubly entwined.'

  'I can think of nothing I should like more. I can hardly credit that a few short weeks ago I had not met you and now I am your wife.'

  His hold tightened. 'I had thought my life ruined, but if I had not fought that duel I should not be the happiest man in Christendom.'

  'And I the happiest woman.'

  'And very shortly I intend to make you even happier.'

  The End