The Belle Dames Club

by Melinda Hammond

  She put up her chin, blinking to clear the tears that threatened to spill over.

  ‘So do I, my lord.’ She took a couple of deep breaths to calm herself. ‘We are nearing the nine-mile stone on the heath: pray ask your man to stop there for a moment.’

  The marquis looked mildly surprised, but he pulled the check-string and the carriage came smoothly to a halt. Lady Wyckenham stepped down and looked about her. Despite the sunshine the heath looked bare and desolate, and she could not repress a shiver. She walked toward the shallow, stagnant pool beside the road, opened the first letter and dropped it into the dark water, which quickly distorted the black writing until it was nothing more than grey smudges on the paper. The other letters followed suit and, as the last one touched the surface, my lady stooped to pick up a stone and place it on the paper. With no more than a few bubbles the stone and the papers disappeared into the black pool. She straightened up to find the marquis standing beside her.

  ‘Well, Helen?’ Gently he turned her towards him, putting a finger under her chin and forcing her to look up at him. ‘I have no hold over you now: will you take the first opportunity to leave me?’

  She forced herself to look at him, her little chin tilting up proudly as she said, ‘No, Elliott. I have told you: I play square.’

  ‘But I do not.’

  ‘What the devil—’ The marquis jumped back and Helen turned, open-mouthed to see Sir Robert Ingleton standing on the far side of the road, a serviceable pistol in his hand. A second armed man, mounted on a black horse, was keeping watch on Lord Ullenwood’s servants, who remained motionless on the carriage.

  ‘The fools were too busy gawping at you to keep watch on the heath,’ grinned Sir Robert. ‘You should turn ’em off.’

  ‘I should indeed,’ replied Lord Ullenwood evenly. His cold glance flickered to Lady Wyckenham. ‘Is this your idea of playing square, my dear?’

  ‘No, no,’ she said, quite dazed. ‘I knew nothing of this.’ She blinked and stared at Sir Robert and his companion, who were both wearing caped greatcoats and dark tricorne hats. ‘You look like highwaymen.’

  ‘I think that is the idea, my dear,’ drawled Ullenwood. ‘They have come to steal you from me.’

  ‘The lady is not your property,’ retorted Sir Robert. ‘She is here under duress.’

  ‘You think so?’ The marquis curled his lip. ‘Perhaps we should ask the lady.’

  Sir Robert grinned.

  ‘Oh no,’ he said. ‘I shall not give you the chance to appeal to her sense of honour, Ullenwood.’ He whistled, and his long-tailed bay came trotting up. ‘Come, Helen. You will ride before me.’

  My lady hesitated, and Lord Ullenwood spoke quietly.

  ‘Go, my dear – if your conscience will allow.’

  ‘Conscience be damned,’ said Sir Robert cheerfully. ‘If you don’t come with me, Nell, I’ll put a bullet through his black heart.’ He dropped the pistol into the pocket of his greatcoat and held out his hand. ‘Come, madam.’ He threw Lady Wyckenham up on to the saddlebow and climbed up behind her. She felt Sir Robert’s arms tighten around her as he gathered up the reins. ‘I am sorry if this is not very comfortable for you, Nell.’ His voice was warm and comforting in her ear and she leaned back against him, revelling in the feeling of security that had suddenly enveloped her. He lifted his head. ‘Are you ready, Alresford, shall we go?’

  She stifled a gasp as she recognized Sir Robert’s accomplice, but she was still too overwhelmed by events to speak. They moved off, gradually picking up speed, and Lady Wyckenham clutched at her travelling cloak, which had begun to billow out around her. She risked a glance up at her rescuer. Sir Robert was intent on keeping up with the earl’s black hunter, but despite the look of concentration, there was an upward curve to his lips, and when he glanced down at her she saw the familiar devil-may-care gleam in his blue eyes.

  ‘Don’t worry, sweetheart, you are safe now.’

  She leaned against him, smiling. It was quite nonsensical, she knew, but now at last she really did feel safe.

  As the two horses galloped away, Lord Ullenwood’s coachman scrabbled for the shotgun.

  ‘Leave it,’ the marquis barked out. ‘You should have been ready with that when they were approaching.’

  ‘My lord, they are still within range. I could—’

  ‘No.’ The marquis watched the riders gallop away. ‘No, let them go. It is over.’

  CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

  ‘We must find a chaise or something to carry you home. We were in such a hurry to set out that I had not time to arrange it.’

  Lady Wyckenham sighed happily and leaned her head on Sir Robert’s shoulder. Once they were sure they were not being pursued they had slowed to a walk.

  ‘I am very comfortable here,’ she murmured.

  ‘Aye, sweeting, but have some compassion for the poor horse, having to carry the two of us.’

  ‘Mayhap we should have taken Ullenwood’s carriage,’ suggested the earl.

  Lady Wyckenham raised her head and looked in surprise at Lord Alresford.

  ‘My lord, I had always thought you the very model of respectability.’

  Something almost like a grin softened the earl’s severe features. ‘So I was, ma’am, until I came off my horse in a wood near Tottenham: I think it gave me a brain fever. But Ingleton is right, my lady: we need a carriage to take you home.’

  ‘And I suppose I must take you back to Charlotte Street. My lodgings are not suitable for a lady.’

  She gave a little cry.

  ‘Oh goodness! I left a note!’

  He rolled his eyes.

  ‘What woman does not? Be still, sweetheart. We may yet get you back before any of the family have left their rooms.’

  Realizing there was nothing else to be done, Lady Wyckenham turned her thoughts to the events of the past few hours.

  ‘But Robert, how did you know what was happening, who told you?’

  ‘Alresford saw you getting into the carriage.’

  ‘At five o’clock in the morning?’ She looked at the earl. Returning from some gaming hell, she supposed. ‘But what made you go to Sir Robert?’

  A pair of strong arms tightened around her.

  ‘Everyone knows we are desperately in love, Nell.’

  ‘They – they do?’

  Sir Robert was smiling down at her in a way that put all rational thought to flight.

  ‘Yes, they do! Now be quiet and keep your eyes open for anyone who might have a vehicle we can use.’

  An inn was soon reached and the landlord produced a very shabby gig that he agreed they could have at what Lady Wyckenham considered an extortionate fee. Once the transaction was completed, Sir Robert tied his horse to the back of the gig and climbed up beside her. Lady Wyckenham turned to the earl.

  ‘Will you ride with us, my lord?’ She hoped her warm smile would draw some response, but he merely bowed.

  ‘If you will excuse me, I will leave you here. You have no further need of my services.’

  ‘I hope not,’ agreed Sir Robert, gathering up the reins. ‘Goodbye, Alresford – and thank you.’

  With a final salute the earl trotted off and was soon out of sight.

  ‘Well, I cannot understand that man,’ declared my lady. ‘Always so correct and yet he was willing to come with you on this escapade. If only he would smile more – one cannot but think he is carrying some great unhappiness.’

  ‘Very likely,’ agreed Sir Robert, driving out of the inn yard. ‘He is certainly not about to marry the love of his life, as I am.’

  ‘Oh!’ My lady blushed. ‘Robert, pray do not say such a thing.’

  ‘Do you think I have gone to all this trouble to have you refuse me?’

  ‘Oh no, of course not, but—’

  ‘But what?’

  She began to pleat the edge of her cloak between her fingers.

  ‘You have not asked me,’ she said quietly.

  ‘Is that all? Well, madam, will you marr
y me?’

  She did not look up, but a dimple appeared in her cheek.

  ‘Yes, Robert, I think I will.’

  ‘Good. Then it is all settled.’

  My lady gave an indignant little cry.

  ‘No, it is not all settled! There is much to be considered, like – like Clarissa, and William.’

  ‘Clarissa I agree we must consider. She will have a home with us, if she so wishes, but please do not ask me to think about William. I find him a prosy bore, do not you?’

  ‘Oh stop it!’ she cried, torn between indignation and laughter. ‘You know what I mean – this is all so sudden.’

  ‘No it is not. I have loved you for years, Nell, and if I hadn’t been sailing on the other side of the world when Wyckenham died I would have made sure you didn’t get involved with a man like Ullenwood.’

  ‘Oh.’

  ‘That was foolish beyond belief,’ he said severely.

  She hung her head.

  ‘I know it, and I have always regretted it.’

  ‘And all this business with the Belles Dames Club. I can see that it was very diverting for you, but highly irregular.’

  ‘But no one was supposed to know about that.’

  ‘Impossible to stop the servants from gossiping. Before you know it, tales are being spread all over town.’

  ‘You are right, of course. News of it even reached William in Bath, which is why he came to town to put a stop to it.’

  ‘Well, for once I have to agree with him. I have no objection to you trying your skill at dice and cards, and for your visits to Vauxhall and Ranelagh I have no doubt that you were masked but … wrestling matches in your drawing-room, Nell?’

  ‘We only did that once, Robert, and – and it was very entertaining.’

  His lips twitched.

  ‘I can imagine. Who thought of that little diversion?’

  ‘Well, Dorothea….’

  ‘Lady Gaunt; I should have known! The sooner Gaunt comes back to take her in hand the better. I suppose the idea of holding up Ullenwood’s coach was hers, too.’

  ‘You knew about that? Well, at least I was not prepared to allow them to go ahead with that hare-brained scheme. And how can you criticize,’ she said, turning to him, ‘when you have just done the very same thing yourself?’

  ‘Not at all the same thing,’ he said firmly. ‘When we are married, I think I shall carry you off to Newfield Hall out of harm’s way. You need not be bored; there will be plenty to do. I will set up a studio for your painting and if you grow tired of drawing plants and landscapes and have a desire to try a life study you will have to make do with me for a model.’

  The thought of Robert lying naked on a couch made Helen’s insides liquefy. She peeped up and found that he was looking at her, his blue eyes twinkling wickedly.

  ‘As a matter of fact, I quite like that idea,’ he added.

  My lady resolutely turned to stare at the road ahead.

  ‘Be quiet and drive,’ she said severely. ‘You had best let me recover my composure, Robert, for I really would like to arrive at Charlotte Street with some degree of decorum.’

  CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

  Clarissa was in the morning-room with her brother when Lady Wyckenham and Sir Robert were shown in. Clarissa jumped up.

  ‘Mama-Nell – I thought – your letter!’

  ‘Yes,’ Lord Wyckenham waved a sheet of paper. ‘My dear madam, what is all this nonsense?’

  ‘Just that, nonsense,’ said Lady Wyckenham, untying her bonnet and casting it aside. ‘You will burn that note, if you please, William.’

  Sir Robert came forward.

  ‘Perhaps my lady should explain.’

  ‘What have you to do with all this?’ demanded William. ‘This says Lord Ullenwood—’

  ‘You have already been told to ignore that letter,’ Sir Robert cheerfully interrupted him. ‘I have come to inform you that Lady Wyckenham and I are to be married, as soon as possible.’

  ‘Married!’ exclaimed William.

  ‘Oh I knew it!’ Clarissa ran to her. ‘Oh, Mama-Nell, I am so happy for you. But I thought—’

  My lady gave her a warning glance.

  ‘I will explain everything later, my love,’ she murmured, squeezing her hands. She looked up. ‘I was foolish enough to get embroiled with Lord Ullenwood, resulting in my going off with him this morning. William, you will not ask for more details, if you please. It is all over now and far too sordid for you to hear. Thankfully Sir Robert came to my rescue.’

  ‘Embroiled – married? What … I do not understand,’ Lord Wyckenham spluttered and frowned.

  Sir Robert smiled at him.

  ‘All very simple, Wyckenham. I am off to arrange a special licence, so that we can be married as soon as maybe. Now, why don’t we step into the library to discuss settlements? I am sure you will want to know something of my circumstances.’

  ‘But I don’t want you discussing my affairs with William!’ objected Lady Wyckenham.’

  Sir Robert took her hand and kissed it.

  ‘No, I am sure you would rather deal with all that yourself my love, but you must see that as head of the family, Wyckenham will want some say in the matter. You stay here with Clarissa. I am sure you will have much to talk about.’ With a reassuring smile he turned and ushered Lord Wyckenham out of the room.

  When the gentlemen had gone, Clarissa and her stepmother looked at each other in silence for several minutes.

  ‘You told us the wrong day, Mama-Nell,’ said Clarissa reproachfully, sinking down on to a sofa.

  ‘I am sorry.’ Lady Wyckenham came to sit beside her. ‘I could not have you all risking yourselves for my sake. I went to Ullenwood and made him change his plans.’

  Clarissa nodded.

  ‘And you told Sir Robert. I cannot be sorry, he clearly dotes on you.’

  ‘Yes; but I did not go to him: I had made up my mind to go with the marquis. It seemed the only way to protect you and William. I remembered what Dorothea had said about the pool so I made Ullenwood stop and I destroyed the letters. It was there that Sir Robert and Lord Alresford appeared.’

  Clarissa stared.

  ‘Alresford! What was he doing there?’

  ‘He told Sir Robert I was being abducted. I do not know how he came by such an idea, but I am very glad he did, and that he called on Sir Robert to help him.’

  Clarissa hugged her, blinking rapidly.

  ‘It does not matter how he knew. All that matters is that you are safe.’

  ‘Thank you. And’ – Lady Wyckenham looked closely at Clarissa – ‘you do not object to my marrying Sir Robert?’

  ‘Object? Of course not, I think it is just what you need, Mama-Nell. The two of you have been making sheep’s eyes at each other ever since he came back to town.’

  ‘Clarissa, how can you be so vulgar! We have done nothing of the kind.’

  Clarissa laughed at her stepmother’s outraged countenance.

  ‘Admit it, you are very much in love with him.’

  ‘Well, yes, I am, but I hope we know better than to wear our hearts on our sleeves.’

  Clarissa’s eyes twinkled but she did not reply, and Mama-Nell continued, ‘Robert says that you are to make your home with us, Clarissa, if you would like that. I cannot see that you would want to live in Devon with William.’

  Clarissa threw up her hands in horror.

  ‘Oh heaven forbid! We should be ready to murder one another within the first week. I could go back to live with Anne for a while, of course, but,’ she paused, wondering if it was too early to disclose her plans, ‘I am thinking of going abroad, Mama-Nell. You and Sir Robert will want to have some time to yourselves. Augusta Maramond and Lady Alicia are planning a trip to Rome this winter: I thought I might go with them.’ She saw the surprise in Mama-Nell’s face and hurried on, ‘I have always wanted to see Rome, and Augusta says they will be engaging a courier, and will have an escort, so it will be perfectly safe.’

  ‘Ye
s, my love, I am sure but – Augusta and Alicia are so much older than you. Surely you would prefer to go with someone more your own age?’

  ‘Rome will look the same, whatever the company.’

  Lady Wyckenham touched her cheek.

  ‘That is not quite true, my love,’ she said, smiling. ‘I think you should be with young people.’ She hesitated, then blurted out, ‘You are too beautiful to remain single!’

  Clarissa froze. Something of her despair must have shown in her face for Mama-Nell was looking at her with concern and she quickly veiled her thoughts.

  ‘Well, plenty of time to think of that,’ she said with forced brightness. ‘For now I am too excited about your wedding to think any further ahead.’

  She encouraged Lady Wyckenham to talk about Sir Robert and her plans for the future, and the subject kept them occupied until the gentlemen returned. Sir Robert took his leave, promising to join them for dinner and when William went off to his study Clarissa persuaded Mama-Nell to lie down for a few hours. Only then was she free to pursue her own thoughts. The knowledge that Lord Alresford had been involved in the morning’s events gave her some comfort: she had been regretting taking him into her confidence, but she had no doubt it was the reason he had sought out Sir Robert. The little clock outside her room chimed the hour. Twelve o’clock. She wondered if Sir Howard had left town or if he intended to meet the earl. The thought made her grow cold with fear. Mr Norwell had said his friend was a crack shot, but things could go wrong. Her apprehension grew as the day wore on. She scribbled a hurried note to Norwell House, but although Julia replied by return she could give her no comfort: Barnabus had told her nothing of the matter.

  By dinnertime Clarissa was in such a state of anxiety that she could barely eat. A few seemingly careless questions to Sir Robert elicited no information other than he had not seen the earl since that morning. Unfortunately this gave Lord Wyckenham the opportunity to lecture them on the dangers of travel. The servants had withdrawn and Sir Robert was the only guest at dinner, so Lord Wyckenham did not scruple to comment upon Sir Robert’s nomadic existence.