by Anne Herries
‘The marquis’s mother used to hold a children’s party here once a year, miss. I was wondering whether you might wish to start the tradition again?’
‘That is an excellent idea,’ Lottie said. ‘I am glad you mentioned it to me. I should like to know of anything that I can do to help make our people happy, Mrs Bent. Now I must go, for we have guests and I ought to see if they have all they want.’
Lottie walked from the room. Mrs Bent nodded her approval as the housekeeper entered.
‘She will do for us, Mrs Mann. The marquis’s fiancée is a real lady if you ask me.’
‘Yes, she is,’ the housekeeper replied. ‘It was a little odd that her father was not here for the ball. We must hope that he turns up for the wedding.’
‘Yes, that is a bit strange,’ Mrs Bent said, ‘but I dare say there is a reason for it.’
Unaware of the speculation in the servants’ hall, Lottie carried on being a charming hostess for the rest of the morning. She did venture out into the garden for a stroll amongst the shrubbery when some of the ladies came down to join her, but did not venture further than the immediate gardens.
Catching sight of one of the keepers, Lottie remembered Uncle Freddie’s warning and wondered just who the dangerous men were. She could not think that Sam Blake was one of them, for he had not seemed particularly violent to her—just a rather weak man who had let life push him down.
Before nuncheon, she wrote a note to Lily and asked her to call when she was feeling better and sent Rose with a basket of sweetmeats for the children.
In the afternoon, she went driving with Uncle Freddie. She was impressed with the fertile fields and the fat stock grazing in their meadows. Everywhere they went, men took off their hats to her and bowed their heads respectfully. One or two women came to the doors of their cottages and called out good wishes for her wedding—and she smiled to see a group of children playing happily around the maypole that had been set up on the village green with some other amusements.
However, on the way home, they passed a huddle of very poor cottages that looked in bad repair. Lottie asked Uncle Freddie to stop, which he did reluctantly.
‘You don’t want to look there, Lottie. That’s the Hollow. All the scum of the neighbourhood live there. Rothsay should pull it down. It is a blot on the landscape.’
Leaning over to look, Lottie caught an unpleasant smell, which, she guessed, came from an open ditch that ran through the middle of the cottages. She could see that the people here did not wave or smile, but looked at her with sullen indifference. One man came out to stare at them in a way that made Lottie shiver. He was tall and heavily built, but she saw the resemblance to Sam Blake instantly and realised it must be his cousin Dickon. His look was one of such malevolence that she sat back in her seat.
‘I wouldn’t come this way again if I were you,’ Uncle Freddie said as he whipped up his horses. ‘These people are not like the villagers. They resent interference and do nothing to help themselves.’
‘It must be very unhealthy to live in such a place,’ Lottie replied thoughtfully. ‘Perhaps Rothsay would consider putting in a drain for that ditch and at least doing some repairs.’
‘He did make some such suggestion once, but it was met with hostility. There are some folk you simply cannot help in this world, Lottie m’dear. Save your efforts for those that appreciate it.’
Lottie murmured something appropriate. She would like to see improvements made to the Hollow but again it was something that might annoy Rothsay and would be best left until after the wedding.
There were only a few days to go now. All she had to do was make the best of things and see her part of the bargain through. No doubt Rothsay would soon take himself off back to London and she would be able to do small things herself. He surely could not object if she spent her own allowance on improving things for the tenants of the Hollow just a little?
Chapter Eight
After that afternoon, Lottie seemed to have little time for thinking of the changes she would make once she was the mistress of Rothsay. More guests arrived for the wedding as the time grew nearer and most of her day was taken in entertaining them and making sure the arrangements for the wedding went well.
She and Aunt Beth, together with Rose and a footman to carry all the paraphernalia, visited the church the day before the wedding and decorated it with masses of beautiful flowers, mostly in white and pink.
‘It all looks absolutely lovely,’ Aunt Beth said when she had finished. ‘Are you happy, dearest Lottie? You seem so busy and there are so many guests…I have hardly had time to speak with you alone for days.’
‘Yes, of course I am happy,’ Lottie told her. ‘Who could not be when everything is so perfect? The house is filled with people who are all very kind, and I have never seen so many lovely things—all those beautiful gifts in the long gallery, valuable silver and jewels to say nothing of wonderful porcelain and all the other things we have been given.’
‘I know you have everything in a material sense—but are you happy, Lottie? I thought at first you were, but just recently you have been very quiet.’
‘Oh, I have been busy. Forgive me if I have neglected you, dearest. I knew you were quite happy helping with various little tasks, and I think Henrietta has come to rely on you very much.’
‘The countess had been kind enough to say I have helped her, but anyone could have done as much. I was not complaining, Lottie. My concern is for your happiness.’
‘I am perfectly happy. What more could I want?’
Aunt Beth shook her head. ‘Well, if you are as happy as you say, then I am content. I love you dearly, Lottie, and I do not wish you to be miserable in the life you have chosen—not that you did choose it, really.’
‘Oh, yes, I did,’ Lottie corrected her. ‘You must not think I was forced into it.’ She frowned. ‘I do hope Papa will return by this evening. I am not sure what we shall do if he does not.’
‘He has behaved very badly,’ her aunt said and frowned. ‘I really do not know what has got into him. He knows he must be here for the wedding.’
Lottie nodded, feeling a little uneasy about her father’s reasons for not joining the wedding party at Rothsay’s before this.
However, when they returned from the church later that morning, she discovered her father sitting with Uncle Freddie and Rothsay, sharing a glass of wine.
‘You have arrived, Papa. I was a little anxious.’
‘Well, you know me. Not much of a one for all this fuss,’ her father said and came to kiss her cheek. ‘I had something to do, but I am here now. I couldn’t miss my little girl’s wedding, could I?’
Lottie smiled and allowed him to charm her, as he always had. He was thoughtless and careless, but he was her father and she loved him.
‘Come and see all the wedding gifts,’ she said and took his arm. She wanted a little time alone with him and it was a perfect excuse to draw him from the rest of the company. ‘People have been so amazingly kind…’
Sir Charles looked at her uneasily as they entered the long gallery. ‘Now don’t scold me, Lottie. I did not intend to stay away so long, but I got caught up in something.’
‘A card game, I suppose?’
‘Yes, I cannot deny it—but it worked out very well for me. I won a small fortune, Lottie, and I offered to pay Rothsay my debt, but he has refused me. I signed the new contract, which is very generous for you as well as me.’
‘Yes, I believe it has been changed from the original.’
‘Did you not read it?’
‘No, I had no wish to know what was in it.’
‘You will be quite a wealthy young woman should anything happen to Rothsay—and your allowance is extremely generous. I dare say you may not spend the half of it.’
‘I shall use some to help others.’ She stopped and pointed to the table where so many valuable things had been laid out. ‘Look at all these gifts. People have been so generous.’
Her father fr
owned. ‘Do you not think it a risk to leave all this stuff lying around? That sapphire-and-diamond set must be worth a king’s ransom.’
‘Yes, I expect it is,’ Lottie said. ‘Rothsay’s great-uncle gave us that. I asked Rothsay if it should be put away, but he said it was quite safe. The grounds are patrolled at night, you know—and I am sure neither the guests nor the servants would touch anything. After all, the house is full of treasures, is it not?’
‘Yes, I suppose so. Just makes me a bit uneasy, that’s all,’ her father said. ‘I’m in funds at the moment but I know I would find it tempting if I were short.’
‘Papa!’
Sir Charles smiled oddly. ‘I wouldn’t touch anything of yours or Rothsay’s. You must know that, Lottie—but I’ve known the time I might have felt tempted.’
Lottie looked at him. ‘Have you heard from Clarice? She is back in England. She hid in the gardens the other day to speak to me.’
‘After money, was she?’ Sir Charles frowned. ‘Do not give in to her blackmail, Lottie. She will spend it all on her lover.’
‘Do you know who he is, Papa?’
‘I dare say it is that rogue de Valmer. I think she may have married him,’ Sir Charles said. ‘I would not have allowed it had I been asked—but she is beyond me, Lottie. I have given up on her, to tell you the truth.’
‘You must try to discover where she is after the wedding,’ Lottie said, looking at him earnestly. ‘Clarice is reckless and she behaves in a way she ought not—but I would not have her fall into desperate trouble. Please see if she is all right, Papa.’
‘Yes, well, if you ask it,’ he said and sighed. ‘Are you settled here, Lottie?’
‘Yes, I am. Do not worry for me, Papa. It is Clarice you should be concerned for.’
‘She will go her own way.’ He fished in his pocket and brought out a small velvet box. ‘I refuse to give Rothsay a penny, Lottie. He has more than any one man needs, including you—but I got this for you.’
He offered the box. She opened it to find a beautiful diamond star set in silver on gold and gave a little cry of pleasure.
‘This is lovely, Papa. Thank you so very much. I shall treasure it.’
‘Well, it is little enough for all you’ve done for me over the years.’
‘It is perfect.’ She reached up to kiss his cheek. ‘I am so glad you are here. I was afraid you would not come.’
‘I’ve let you down enough times, but I wouldn’t let you down on your wedding day.’ He smiled at her as they walked the length of the room. ‘Tomorrow is your big day, Lottie—after that you will be Rothsay’s wife.’
‘Yes…’ Lottie’s stomach clenched with nerves. She had been so busy she had hardly thought about it, but tomorrow night she would be Rothsay’s wife in truth. How would she react when he came to her bed? One part of her longed to be his, but a small voice told her that without love her marriage would be a hollow sham. ‘It is almost time for nuncheon, Father. We must join the others.’
Lottie woke suddenly in the middle of the night. She sat up in bed wondering what had woken her, and then she heard the shouts and the sounds of running feet. Throwing back the bedcovers, she went to the window and looked out. Men with lanterns were everywhere and, as she watched, one of the keepers raised his gun and fired into the darkness. The sound shocked her. What on earth was happening?
She hastened to dress in a simple gown and went out on to the landing. Several of the gentlemen were already dressed and moving about the house with a look of purpose that made her call out and ask what was going on.
‘Don’t come down, Lottie.’ Sir James came briskly up the stairs to where she was standing. ‘I am sorry you were disturbed, m’dear. There is no real cause for alarm—just an attempt to break into the house. Fortunately, Rothsay had trebled the guards patrolling the ground because of—’ he broke off and looked conscious, as if he were in danger of saying too much. ‘I suppose some wretch thought to steal your wedding gifts.’
‘Papa did say they might tempt rogues to steal from us, but Rothsay did not think it possible.’
‘Well, it was not, as it turns out,’ Sir James said. ‘You should return to bed, Lottie. There is nothing you can do.’
‘Very well. I do not wish to cause you more trouble.’
She went back to her room, but did not retire immediately, instead, she sat in the window embrasure and looked out. The activity was dying down now and she thought that the would-be thieves had been scared off. She was about to undress once more when someone knocked at her door. She went to open it and saw Rothsay. He had dressed hurriedly, his shirt open at the neck, his hair looking rumpled. For some reason the sight of him like that made her catch her breath and she felt a spiral of desire spread through her body. She wished that he would reach out and take her in his arms, kiss her until she melted into his body—but she could see that lovemaking was far from his mind.
Lottie moistened her lips. ‘Has the rogue been caught?’
‘No—may I come in, Lottie?’
‘Yes…’ Lottie stood back uncertainly, for it was hardly proper, but they were to be wed in the morning. It could not matter now. ‘Of course.’ She stood watching as he went to the window and fastened it. ‘I was about to shut that, Rothsay.’
‘I doubt anyone would climb up here, but it is best to be certain. I should not forgive myself if anything happened to you.’
‘I think the intruder was after valuables, don’t you?’
‘Perhaps.’ He frowned. ‘They chose to try to break in at the back of the house and were spotted instantly. We chased them off and Larkin thinks he may have winged one of them.’
‘Then they will surely not come back in a hurry.’
‘I do not think it.’ He frowned at her. ‘I wanted to tell you that Larkin believes Sam Blake might have been one of them. I preferred you to hear that from me.’
‘I thought he was in custody?’
‘He was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment a couple of days ago, but escaped with some others. They are dangerous fugitives, Lottie, because after this they will almost certainly hang.’
‘No, surely not?’ Lottie looked at him in distress. ‘Surely imprisonment… Three years was too long for what he did. I am not surprised he chose to escape.’
‘Blake has fallen in with murderous rogues. One of them fired a pistol at the keeper who raised the alarm. If Blake was one of them, I shall not be able to save him from the noose.’
‘If…?’ Her eyes met his. ‘You have some doubts?’
‘It may have been his cousin. They look much alike.’
‘Yes, except that Dickon Blake is a bigger man—but facially, yes, the resemblance is there.’
‘What do you know of Dickon Blake?’
‘I think I saw him when Uncle Freddie took me driving the day after the ball.’
‘You went to the Hollow?’ His face darkened. ‘How could he be such a fool as to take you to that hellhole? I have been meaning to have the whole place pulled down. It is a nest of rats and the sooner it has gone the better.’
‘Could you not cover the ditch, drain it and make some repairs—for the sake of the women and children?’
Nicolas’s brow furrowed. ‘Do not interfere in what you do not understand, Lottie. You have a compassionate heart, but this is men’s business. Please leave this to me.’
‘Very well.’ Lottie felt her eyes sting with tears. Nothing had changed between them. He was as harsh and determined to go his own way as he had been at the start. ‘Forgive me for interfering. I thought that some gesture of goodwill might win hearts and minds—but you must do as you see fit.’
‘Thank you.’ There was a note of sarcasm in his voice. ‘I am still master in my own house. Goodnight, Lottie. You had best get some sleep or you will be tired tomorrow.’
Lottie stood motionless as he went out. She did not cry or rage, but inside she felt as if she were being torn apart. He had made his feelings quite plain once more. She wa
s nothing to him. Just a means to an end—as he had made plain from the start.
What a fool she was to care.
What had made him snap Lottie’s head off that way? Nicolas cursed his hasty tongue as he returned to his room. He had gone to her because he was concerned for her safety and her peace of mind. Then she had told him she had seen the Hollow and touched some secret part of him that was ashamed. In his heart Nicolas knew that the hovels were a disgrace. They had been wretched enough in his father’s time. As a young man he had thought he would pull them down and build new when he came into the estate, but then had come disillusion and the constant pursuit of pleasure that had kept him in town. The Hollow had been banished to a distant corner of his mind, though occasionally it pricked at his conscience.
He had avoided the place for years, because he knew that it was a disgrace—and because it had been the cause of his mother’s death. For the most part he had been a good landlord; his tenants had no cause to complain of his treatment and his agents had orders to keep the labourers’ cottages in good repair. While the village bordered his land, it was not actually part of his estate. He owned some of the houses and they were in perfect order. The church was another beneficiary—but he had ignored the Hollow and he was not quite sure why. It was one of those things that the longer you put off doing something, the harder it became to right the wrong.
The only way to deal with a slum of that order was to pull it down—but where would the occupants of those hovels live then?
Nicolas’s brow furrowed because he knew the answer. Most of them would have to camp in the open until they gave in and moved into the workhouse or drifted away from the area. Many of his neighbours would think that a good thing. The petty crimes, which so annoyed the local gentry, could nearly all be traced to the nest of rogues that had settled there over the years. Freddie had told him it was time he tore the whole place down.
Nicolas scowled as he put the unpleasant matter from his mind. In a few hours he would be getting married…and he had sufficient concerns of his own without trying to work out a problem that had defeated his father all of his life.
