*
Jack plodded down the drive on his rented nag and couldn’t bring himself to look at the smoking ruins of his home. He had yet to discover how many had died in the fire, but he must ensure any survivors were taken care of properly and he had decided he would offer financial help to the bereaved families.
He had ridden in along the tradesmen’s track he had left by the previous night. Idly
he wondered if Captain Forsythe had found the remains of the two rifleman. He took the path that led round to the stables, glad to see that they, at least, were still standing. He could hear voices next door, the militia must be here. Was it only yesterday he had been watching a celebration in the barn?
Where was everyone? Why did no stable boy or groom come to take his weary mount? He led the mare through the archway. Jethro was talking to the captain; both glanced up to see who the intruder was. He watched Jethro turn deathly pale and stagger backwards. Captain Forsythe did not look much better.
Then the young man leaped forward and Jack found himself being pummelled on the back. ‘My God! My God! We thought you dead in the fire - we all did. Miss Carstairs is beside herself with grief.’
‘Dead? Good God - it didn’t occur to me anyone might think that. When you found the bodies I assumed you would guess who had despatched them. There was a …’ He choked. ‘Christ in his heaven, did you say Miss Carstairs? Is she alive? She was not trapped in the fire?’
Captain Forsythe was crying with joy. ‘No, your grace, she led the staff to safety, no one was hurt, they all got out through the boot-room in the nick of time.’
Jack felt his head spin and for a moment thought he would faint. Then his world spun back into focus, a world in which his beloved Lottie was still living. ‘Everyone was saved, you say?’
‘All safe and well and accommodated at Upton Manor.’
He had to get to Charlotte, hold her in his arms and be sure she was a living breathing woman and not a cinder in the house. He needed a fresh horse; Captain Forsythe’s mare was standing beside him. Without a second’s thought he snatched the reins and sprung onto it. ‘I need this horse, I’ll return it to you later.’
Seconds later he was galloping flat-out down the drive. He covered the distance to Upton Manor in a dangerously short time and, fatigue forgotten, he thundered down the drive.
*
Harry was kneeling on a window seat in his sister’s room, Annie beside him, but his nurse-maid had her back to the window, listening to Beth reading. Harry recognized the rider.
‘It’s Cousin Jack, Annie, I knew he would come. Lottie will get better now.’
Annie had seen nothing and when she turned back Jack had already dismounted and was on his way to the front door. ‘Master Harry, if you dare to say such a thing to Miss Carstairs I shall be forced to punish you severely. Your poor sister does not need to be told such lies.’
Harry’s eyes filled. ‘I did see him, I promise, Annie, I wouldn’t lie to Lottie.’
His protest had alerted Beth who dropped her book and ran over to her brother. ‘Who did you see, Harry? Tell me.’
He sniffed. ‘Cousin Jack, she says I’m telling Banbury tails, and I’m not.’
Charlotte had heard this exchange. She rolled over and pushed herself upright. It wasn’t Harry’s fault. They should have told them the truth. ‘Harry, darling, you could not have seen Cousin Jack, for he is dead. He was killed last night by the intruders.’ Her face was haggard, her voice cracked from crying.
Harry shook his head. ‘No, Lottie, I promise he’s not dead and in heaven like mama and papa. I saw him on a different horse, a big grey one like Captain Forsythe rides.’
Annie rarely got angry with her charge but this time she did. She was about to snatch him up and take him away for his spanking when the bed chamber door flew open. Harry screamed in delight.
‘I told you, I told you; Cousin Jack, you’re not dead at all.’ He threw himself across the room and Jack scooped him up, swinging him round as he kissed his upturned face.
‘No, young man, I am here, it has all been a horrible misunderstanding.’ He bent down and included Beth in his embrace. ‘Little one, I am so glad to see you, you will never know just how glad.’
Annie had tears streaming down her face and was unable to do more than nod and curtsy simultaneously. His gaze was fixed on Charlotte, staring at him in a way that only he could understand. He had worn the very same expression ever since he realized the woman he loved more than life itself was still alive. Without tearing his eyes from her he spoke to the nursemaid.
‘Take the children somewhere, anywhere, I need to be alone with Lottie.’
Annie bundled them out of the room, but neither of them was aware of their leaving.
‘I thought they killed you, I heard them say they’d done so. Then the fire. I knew you couldn’t have escaped from that.’
He flung himself on to the bed, tears streaming down his cheeks, and pulled her unresisting into his arms. ‘Sweetheart, Lottie, my little love, when I thought you trapped in the fire I wanted to throw myself in, to die with you there. Darling girl, I should have told you last night how much I love you. I cannot believe I’ve been given a second chance and can tell you now.’
He was punctuating his words with kisses of such sweetness, such tenderness, she was incandescent with happiness. ‘I love you, my darling, I love you. You are my life. I am going to make you the best husband any woman could have.’
‘And I love you; I have longed to be able to tell you and thought I never could.’
Many kisses later he sat back. ‘We have no home and not sufficient money to rebuild but I shall sell some of the estate and build you another house. I thank God we have each other.’
‘As long as you and the children are with me I care not where we live.’ She frowned. ‘Do you realize you have nothing to change into and I’ve no clothes of any sort? I’m dreading the imminent arrival of Mrs Thomas’s bombazine gown.’
‘I’ll go into Ipswich and purchase what we need but before we talk of clothes there are other things I need to tell you.’
He omitted the details of the death of the riflemen and she was content just knowing that they were dead. But when he explained who was behind the past four weeks of terror she was as shocked as he.
‘Your lawyers? I can hardly believe it. To wish to kill us for a few thousand pounds! Why did they not just flee with what they had stolen? It makes no sense, it is quite extraordinary.’
‘It is; by now they will be in jail and their property forfeit. My new legal team will be applying to search their premises and with luck we’ll recover the value of the silver and paintings they stole. It won’t be enough to rebuild Thurston Hall; however I think there is a decent property near Diss, we can move there and take as many of the staff as we can with us.’
‘I have just thought, what about your friends? Where will they be accommodated when they come for the wedding?’ She struggled to remove herself from his embrace. ‘I have nothing to wear and it is only four days until we marry.’
Reluctantly he rolled off the bed. ‘I’ll see if I can have a bath and borrow some of Andrews’ clothes and then ride back into town and organize the replacement of essentials. If I take Annie and the children they can help me choose.’ He stopped. ‘Why are you laughing, Lottie?’
‘You cannot wear Dr Andrews’s clothes, my love. He is half your size.’
He grinned. ‘Well, perhaps not, but I refuse to wear these any longer. They stink of smoke and are beyond repair.’
Charlotte rather thought some of the darker stains might be blood, but didn’t wish to enquire too closely. ‘My goodness, what about Buttons and the kittens? Did the stable burn?’
‘No, thank God. The roof was a little damaged from flying cinders but nothing that can’t be patched. Which reminds me, I stole Captain Forsythe’s horse; I must return it and collect the landau.’ He walked over to the window. ‘There’s a closed carriage coming up the drive, followed by Captain Fo
rsythe and his troop. I hope they’ve not come to arrest me for a horse thief!’ He heard her laughing and then cry out in pain. He spun round and his face paled as he saw the bandages on her ankles and feet.
‘What have you done, my darling? I’d no idea you had been injured.’ Forgetting the visitors he rushed to her side. ‘Tell me, Lottie, are you badly burnt?’
‘Dr Andrews says my ankles might be scarred but the burns are not too deep. My skirt caught fire.’ She hesitated not sure if she should tell him, then decided it was something he had to know. ‘I was trying to walk into the house, to join you there.’ The shocking words struck a chord with him.
‘Thank God you did not do so. What stopped you? For me, it was my determination for revenge.’
‘Dr Andrews stopped me, but he had to knock me unconscious to do so. Then Robert, Mary, and he put out the flames with their bare hands. They were so brave, we owe them so much.’
Jack felt sick. To think they had both so nearly thrown their lives away needlessly.
He thanked God for his intervention; for he knew what had happened was nothing short of miraculous. A loud knock on the door startled them both. He chuckled. ‘I expect they don’t wish to find us occupied in unseemly behaviour and are giving us due warning.’ He helped her settle back under the covers before answering.
‘Enter.’
The door opened and Raynham hovered at the door. ‘Your grace, if you could spare a few minutes, Captain Forsythe and your legal man are downstairs and wish to speak with you. Both say it’s on matters of utmost urgency.’
‘Thank you, I shall be down directly.’
‘Come straight back and tell me what they wanted.’
‘I shall, darling. But only when I have had a bath.’
‘You may have it here. I shall organize it in your absence.’ He didn’t reply but blew her a kiss as he shot out of the door. She reached out and rang the small brass bell. Rose appeared from the dressing room.
‘I should like something to eat, I don’t care what it is and could you have a bath prepared, Lord Thurston requires one when he returns.’
Rose almost choked with shock. ‘Yes, Miss Carstairs. But I believe that…’
‘Rose, the duke and I are to be wed in four days’ time. Until an hour ago we thought each other dead. I’m afraid this household will just have to accept our outrageous behaviour.’
The girl smiled. ‘Of course, miss, but the notion did give me quite a turn. You’re as good as wed anyway and it’s no-one’s business but your own.’
‘Exactly!’
Charlotte wished she could share a bath with him but her burns were to be kept clean and dry at least until the blisters healed. But even the thought of doing so sent her pulse racing. The maid had returned with a tray, Charlotte had spoken to the children and the bath was ready before she heard the footsteps she was waiting for.
‘Jack, you’ve been so long. What is it? You look so odd. I hope there’s no more bad news.’
He carefully closed the door. ‘No, my love, it’s quite the reverse. It appears your grandfather’s fleet didn’t go down in the tropics. They berthed safely. The lawyers stole, not thousands, but millions of pounds. We are wealthy, sweetheart, now we can rebuild Thurston Hall. You can have a new gown for every day of the week, if that is what you want.’
She giggled. ‘I want only one thing, my love, for you to have your bath and join me here, in bed.’
He returned to the door and turned the key. His bath was stone cold by the time he finally stepped into it.
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