Lady Winterbourne's Entanglement: A Romantic Regency Adventure

by Miriam Rochester

  ‘I thoroughly intend to,’ he retorted as he made his way to the staircase.

  The ladies waited nervously while Captain Monaghan conducted his search. He finally returned to the kitchen looking bewildered. Although he had not actually seen the young man enter, he could have sworn that he was here. Surely, he could not have mistaken the horse. The stallion had been worked hard and glistened with perspiration. He looked across at Penelope. Something was not quite right, but he could not put his finger on it. It was a warm night, but the fire was burning fiercely and Penelope was sitting with a shawl wrapped around her shoulders. He walked across the table and Jorgie snarled as he approached her. He stopped short of the table and just out of reach of the snarling dog. ‘What about you Miss Penny,’ he asked. ‘Have you seen a young man in the vicinity?’

  Penelope reached down to assure the dog, wincing as she did so. She looked up into his determined eyes and gave a wan smile. ‘I am sorry, Captain Monaghan, but I have been sitting here with my book the whole evening, and I think I would have noticed if a young man had entered.’

  Captain Monaghan frowned. He had noticed her wince. ‘Forgive me for saying so, Miss Penny, but you are looking rather pale and it is rather hot in here. Are you feeling cold?’

  Penelope drew the shawl around her and replied rather caustically. ‘I am tired and it is late. We were all thinking of retiring to bed before you came calling.’

  Rosie stepped forward. ‘You will have to forgive Miss Penny. She is still getting over the shock of being abducted by Captain Blackmore two days ago, and you calling here making ridiculous claims about mysterious young men is not productive to her recovery.’

  ‘Ah, yes, I heard something about that,’ he acknowledged. ‘A friend of mine was in the Ham two nights ago and witnessed the whole thing.’ He turned back to Penelope and smiled deceptively. ‘Forgive me, Miss Penny. I hope you are feeling better soon.’

  Hannah stepped forward indignantly to add her contribution. ‘And you must realise that it is most disconcerting to think that we may now have a prowler lurking on the premises, Captain. I now feel quite anxious.’

  Captain Monaghan felt almost guilty, but not quite. He was not certain, but he could have sworn that they were pitching the gammon. He glanced at Penelope. Blood had seeped through the sleeve of her dress and was now staining the shawl. At great risk of being bitten, he stepped closer to take a closer look. ‘You appear to have sustained an injury Miss Penny. What have you done to your arm?’

  She raised her good arm to stem the flow. ‘Oh that. It is the wound I received in the sword fight I had with Captain Blackmore. It is quite deep and it has started bleeding again.’

  Captain Monaghan did not believe it. It was possible that one of his bullets may just have hit its target, and he was now directing his suspicions at Penelope. Could it have been a woman he was chasing? He did not think so, but it would fit with the facts.

  Rosie knew what he was thinking and interrupted his thoughts. ‘Do you not believe it, Captain Monaghan?’ She walked over to a cupboard to retrieve Penny’s sword. ‘Here see for yourself. There is still blood on Miss Penny’s sword. I can assure you that it was quite a battle and blood was drawn on both sides. Miss Penelope’s wound is quite deep and will take some healing.’

  Captain Monaghan hesitated. Their story about the abduction was undoubtedly true, so why should he not believe the rest. Why did he get the impression that they were shamming it to bamboozle him? If they thought he was going to be that easily gulled, they had another thing coming. He decided that he would like to see this wound for himself. Keeping a wary eye on the dog, he stepped a bit closer and asked Penny to remove her shawl. She did as she was bid, but not being satisfied with that, he then requested that she slip down the bodice of her dress.

  Penelope’s eyes widened in horror. Not only would it expose her, but also his request was positively indecent. She was frantically looking for an excuse when an imperative voice echoed from the doorway. ‘I beg your pardon! How dare you ask a lady to remove her dress, sir!’

  Everyone turned. They were so intent on their conversation that they had not heard Lord Lyndhurst and Nat enter the kitchen. Jorgie strained at the rope securing him to the table and then reaching its limit, sat down and thumped his tail off the floor in excited welcome.

  ‘And who are you, sir?’ Captain Monaghan asked indignantly.

  Lord Lyndhurst introduced himself and Captain Monaghan was taken aback. He could not fathom why the Earl of Croxdale would be standing in Rosie’s kitchen. The Captain had an aversion to dealing with the aristocracy. In his experience, they projected and maintained a certain authority and unnerved him, but all the same, they were not above the law, and he knew it.

  ‘More to the point, who are you?’ Lord Lyndhurst asked imperiously.

  Captain Monaghan, not to be intimidated, explained who he was and why he was there, and Lord Lyndhurst listened carefully to the whole account. It did not take him long to sum up the situation and realise that Penelope had once again adopted her persona of ‘Mr. Penistone,’ and in the process had landed herself into a whole heap of trouble.

  He turned on the Captain. ‘All the same, your authority does not give you licence to ask a Lady of the realm to remove her dress, or any other lady for that matter. I think you should apologise to Lady Winterbourne. The Dowager Countess is not used to such ill manners.’

  Captain Monaghan’s jaw dropped and he stared at Penelope in disbelief. ‘Lady Winterbourne? Dowager Countess? I beg your pardon, my Lady, I was not aware,’ he stuttered.

  Penelope graciously nodded her head at his apology and smiled weakly.

  ‘I can vouch for Lady Winterbourne,’ Lord Lyndhurst continued, ‘She did receive that sword wound in a fight with Captain Blackmore. Mr Penistone and I have just returned from delivering the man up to the courts in Newcastle.’

  He walked over to Penelope. ‘It appears that those stitches may have broken, my love. I think that we may have to call the doctor back.’ He stood by her, reached for her hand and turned back to the Captain to present a united front. ‘Now Captain, if you have conducted your search, I suggest you leave these ladies in peace. The young man you are seeking is obviously not here and we really need to send for a doctor.’

  Captain Monaghan walked to the door and then paused and turned. ‘But the stallion, what about the stallion?’ he murmured as an afterthought. ‘It was tired and sweating. It has been out this night.’

  Lord Lyndhurst raised his black brows. ‘The black stallion you mean? I arrived fifteen minutes ago and was at the back of the yard chatting with Nat when you arrived. The stallion is mine, and of course he is sweating, he has just made the journey back from Newcastle. It is strange, we thought we heard a rustling noise coming from the barn, but we just thought it was the farmyard cat.’

  Captain Monaghan had no alternative but to retire. He had the nagging suspicion that he had been gulled, but had no means of proving it. They seemed to have a reasonable answer to everything. He was not happy, but there was little else he could do. He was not undone yet however, he would stick around for a while to see what transpired. There was undoubtedly a contraband run tonight and he was sure that at some point, the goods would arrive here at Rosie’s farmstead.

  After Captain Monaghan had left, Lord Lyndhurst turned on the party with pent up exasperation. ‘What the hell is going on here, and how is it that Penelope was out trying to evade the riding officers in the first place?’

  ‘Please Xavier,’ Penelope begged, ‘not tonight, I am so tired.’ She started to stand up, but swayed, knocking the chair over. Lord Lyndhurst reached out just in time to catch her as she fainted and he swept her up in his arms. ‘Where is her room?’ he demanded, ‘She has lost a lot of blood. I think we need to put her to bed and fetch the doctor.’

  Lord Lyndhurst carried her upstairs, laid her on the bed, and in his imperious way started shouting out orders. Instructing Nat to ride out and fetch the doctor
and Hannah to bring up some laudanum, bandages, scissors and hot water, he began to peel back the bodice of her dress. A bullet had penetrated the soft flesh of her upper arm and the wound was raw and angry. Lord Lyndhurst examined the injury and looked relieved. ‘The shot is clean. I think the best we can do for the moment is stem the flow of blood until the doctor arrives.’

  Rosie stepped forward. ‘Here, let me, I have some experience with simple bullet wounds,’ she said, pushing him aside. ‘I thank you for your assistance, but I can manage now, and besides, I do not think you should be here in the bedroom with Miss Penny in a state of undress.’

  Lord Lyndhurst glanced over to the bed and satisfied that Rosie and Hannah were in control, left with mixed emotions. Her injuries were not as complicated as when he had attended on Andy. He could not decide on whether to strangle Penelope for getting involved in something dangerous or kiss her senseless, because the injury was just a simple bullet wound. Either way, he had to get Penelope away from here before Captain Monaghan returned with re-enforcements.

  Chapter 19

  The doctor, having removed the bullet and dressed the wound announced that Penelope should make a complete recovery, and Penelope sedated with a copious dose of Laudanum fell asleep.

  Lord Lyndhurst paid the doctor and watched in astonishment as Rosie gave thanks of her own. ‘Our usual arrangement, Dr Trehearne. I will arrange for a keg of brandy to be delivered tomorrow. It will be left in the usual place, and just to make sure that we are in accord, we told Captain Monaghan that Penelope’s injury is a sword wound.’

  Dr Trehearne grinned. ‘As always, Rosie, my lips are sealed, and thank you.’

  The doctor left and Lord Lyndhurst returned to the table where Hannah poured him a large glass of brandy. He downed it in one gulp and Hannah refilled his glass. Penelope’s close shave with death had disturbed him, and as soon as she had rested, he would take her to his Croxdale Estate, even if he took her kicking and screaming all the way. Rosie was indeed lovable, but Penelope’s continued residence at the farmstead could only lead her into more trouble. Lord Lyndhurst thought that the evening could not get much worse, when Rosie made an announcement.

  ‘Our problems are not over,’ she declared, her brow creased with concern. ‘The Sloop will be unloaded by now and some of the contraband will be heading here. There is every possibility that Captain Monaghan is still snooping around, hoping to catch us receiving. He has made it more than plain that he suspects that I have a hidden cellar. I cannot take the risk.’ She turned to Nat. ‘Nat I know it is late and you have had a long day, but will you go out again to head off our men and divert the consignment to other safe houses. Andy tells me that Jem has bolted. He fears that Captain Blackmore may escape again and come looking for retribution, so I think it will be safe enough to use the Crypt and the fake grave in the churchyard again. It certainly cannot be brought here tonight.’

  ‘And have you a hidden cellar?’ Lord Lyndhurst enquired; no longer surprised by anything he heard or saw at Rosie’s farmstead.

  ‘Well, it is hardly a cellar,’ Rosie replied cautiously. ‘Nevertheless, it is concealed enough to frustrate the good Captain.’

  Lord Lyndhurst raised his eyes to the heavens and watched Jorgie as he paced restlessly back and forward to the door, woofing and growling simultaneously. ‘Lord preserve us,’ he muttered. ‘Rosie, I think there is every possibility that Captain Monaghan will be waiting to pounce. Something is making Jorgie restless.’

  ‘Yes,’ Rosie agreed. ‘I would set the dog on him if I thought it would serve, but I think the Captain will just shoot him. He has made no bones about the fact that he would like to put a period to Jorgie’s existence and I cannot take the risk.’

  The Earl meditated. ‘If he is hanging around and sees Nat leaving, he may just follow him and then the whole run will be in jeopardy. Where did you say your men were landing the Cargo?’ he enquired, trying to establish the best thing to do.

  ‘They have been directed straight into the harbour. I figured that was the safest place, since we discovered that the riding officers were watching the beaches. They cannot be in two places at once.’

  Lord Lyndhurst made his decision and resolutely stood up, donning his cape and gloves. ‘I will go instead of Nat. If the Captain is hiding in the bushes, he may not think me worth following. If he does, I shall do my best to shake him off. If everything goes well, I shall return to the Swan Inn and will call back in the morning.’

  He walked to the door and then turned. ‘Nat, one more thing. Can you arrange for Penelope to be moved to Daniel’s house first thing in the morning? I do not think that Captain Monaghan is convinced, and it will not be long before he realises that he has been well and truly duped. He may be back with a less sympathetic doctor of his own choosing. Ask Daniel if Penelope can stay with his family until I can arrange to have her taken to Croxdale. I will pay Daniel any expenses.’

  Rosie stood up and took his hand. ‘Thank you Lord Lyndhurst, I am eternally grateful for your help.’

  Lord Lyndhurst nodded tolerantly. ‘Well, I cannot say I approve of what is going on here, but neither have I a love of excise men. I have downed my fair share of illegal liquor in the past, so think nothing of it. I will see you in the morning.’

  He turned to Nathanial. ‘Nat, I wish to speak with you tomorrow. Make sure you are available.’ he ordered abruptly, not stopping to wait for a reply. Holding Jorgie back with a firm hand, he departed.

  Nathanial frowned. He was annoyed by the Earl’s tone, but not surprised, as matters were getting out of hand, and despite his brusqueness, Nat knew that he could trust him.

  Chapter 20

  Lord Lyndhurst, having successfully accomplished his mission to divert the contraband to Whitburn graveyard, retired to the Swan. He suspected he had heard someone prowling in the bushes when he left Rosie’s, but that person did not attempt to follow him. Captain Monaghan had indeed been lurking. He was convinced that a delivery would be made at the farmstead, and it was his life’s mission to find the location of Rosie’s cellar. Nothing was going to shift him from his vigil this night. He had waited until the early hours of the morning without success, and then realising, in annoyance, that he had wasted a whole night, collected Lieutenant Bartoft from his vigil at the Wherry, and the pair returned, foiled and frustrated, to their base at Sunderland Docks. Wherever the contraband was now, it would be well dispersed. Captain Monaghan cursed in exasperation. If he did not know better, he would think the old girl was a witch and had spirited the contraband away by magic.

  The next morning, Lord Lyndhurst called at Rosie’s farmstead. Nat had already carried out his instructions and taken Penelope to Daniel’s house, and had returned to Rosie’s to await the Earls arrival. Nat was not particularly looking forward to the encounter. Lord Lyndhurst’s request had been more like a command and Nat sensed that the Earl was not quite pleased with him. Although he had developed an easy interaction with Lord Lyndhurst, he still knew his place, and he had the distinct impression that he held him responsible for his mistress’s strange entanglement with Rosie’s smuggling ring. If the Earl thought he was able to stop Lady Penny doing anything she desired, he must have windmills in his head, and he was prepared to tell him so. And where else could he have brought her in her time of need? Nat was not a man of means with unlimited funds at his disposal, and he would remind Lord Lyndhurst, should it be necessary.

  However, Nat need not have worried, because when Lord Lyndhurst arrived, he had something completely different on his mind. After greeting Rosie, he asked Nat to accompany him into the yard. The Earl looked preoccupied as if he had just made an important decision. He turned to Nat in earnest enquiry. ‘Nat, in the last few days, I have come to know you well, especially since we have spent some time together in Newcastle. You strike me as a reliable and trustworthy man. My estate manager will be retiring soon and I was wondering if you would be interested in the position?’

  Nat stood astonished. H
e was expecting a dressing down not an advantageous job offer, but the situation only provoked him. Did Lord Lyndhurst really think that he could separate him from Lady Winterbourne so easily, and leave her completely alone! Lord Lyndhurst had praised him for his loyalty with one breath, but expected him to abandon her in another. Nat stiffened in vexation and replied formally. ‘I thank you for your offer, your Lordship, but I am a groom. I know nothing about estate management, and besides, I could not leave Lady Winterbourne completely alone in this world, even though I am only her groom.’

  Lord Lyndhurst smiled. He knew exactly what Nathanial was thinking and put his mind at rest. ‘Very commendable Nat, but if things go according to plan, Lady Winterbourne need not be alone. I have asked her to be my wife once already, and she refused me, but I am hoping this time to succeed. She appears to have an unreasonable prejudice against men, and I am hoping to persuade her that she is quite in error.’

  Nathanial relaxed and broke into a broad grin. ‘I cannot tell you how pleased I am to hear that, my Lord, and I sincerely hope she consents. As for her prejudices, you must realise that she has gone through a lot. Her father disowned her when she married Lord Neville Winterbourne. The current Lord Winterbourne has made it quite clear that she is quite unwelcome at the family seat in Scotland, and now there is this bad business with Captain Blackmore. You cannot blame my Lady for being cautious.’

  The Earl nodded in sympathy. ‘Of course Nat, I understand, but if I can persuade Lady Winterbourne to be my wife, would you take me up on my offer? The gatehouse stands empty and is in need of habitation. You would do me a great favour if you were to live there.’

  Nathanial looked rather despondent. The offer was something beyond his wildest dreams, an opportunity to better himself. Most men would have bitten off the Earl’s hand to accept such an opportunity, but Nat had little experience of the job and felt compelled to decline. He sighed regretfully. ‘I know little of estate management, your Lordship, I would not be able to do you justice,’ he replied. ‘But I am honoured that you thought of me.’