'Emma, I love you to distraction, will you do me the inestimable honour of becoming my wife?'
'Of course I will, my darling, but do get up and stop making a cake of yourself.'
At these bracing words he jumped to his feet and gathered her close. She could feel his heart pounding against hers and tilted her face to receive her first real kiss. A satisfying ten minutes later she stepped away, her eyes sparkling, her lips rosy. She led him to the love seat by the window.
'There's so much I wish to tell you, but I cannot find the words.'
'We don't need words, sweetheart, I know how you are feeling for I am experiencing the same joy as you.' He reached in to his pocket and flipped open the ring box. 'This is for you, darling, it matches your eyes to perfection.'
Holding out her hand she watched him slide the ring over her knuckle and she knew that with this token their love and lives were irrevocably joined together.
THE END
.
LADY CHARLOTTE’S DECEPTION
Chapter One
Charlotte hovered outside her half-brother's study. Rupert was in his sanctum, she could hear him muttering. Should she risk being shouted at for having the temerity to disturb him? She was tempted to flee, but she'd come this far, she would not turn back this time.
She pushed the door open and stepped inside, deliberately leaving it ajar so she could make her escape if necessary. The Earl of Southway looked up from the paper he was studying. When he saw who it was that interrupted him his eyes narrowed and his lips thinned.
'What the devil do you want? Have you not enough to do teaching my brats their letters?'
'I must speak to you on a matter of urgency. I have had an invitation to visit an old school friend, Martha Frobisher and I intend to accept.' There, she'd said it. She was a few months from her majority, it was high time she took a stand against his bullying tactics. Why should she remain at his beck and call, an unpaid governess to her nieces and nephew? Not that she didn't love them dearly, for without her they would have precious little in their lives. His mother had died at his birth and their father had promptly remarried an heiress. To his disgust his new wife had only managed to produce one daughter, (herself) before she too expired.
'You will not go. I forbid it. You are needed here. Now go away, I have work to do.' He waved a hand as if dismissing a servant and resumed the perusal of his papers. She retreated without further argument. However, on this occasion she had made up her mind to visit Martha whatever his opinion on the matter. Her sister-in-law, Elizabeth, was a weak woman and so much in awe of her domineering husband she wouldn't dream of questioning any of his dictums. Charlotte was made of sterner stuff.
Expecting to be rebuffed, her plans were already in hand. Her personal maid, Mary, had been into the nearby town and purchased two seats on the mail coach for tomorrow afternoon. Their bags had been left with the landlord, there was no danger of him revealing their deception. Her brother was cordially disliked throughout the neighbourhood; he was a dilatory landlord and his bills were rarely paid on time, if at all.
She hated any kind of deceit, but if she was ever to see other than the four walls of Siddon Manor before she was an old maid then she had to take things into her own hands. Her home was in a sad state of repair, first her father and now her brother, spent every penny on gambling. This meant there was nothing left to ease the lot of the tenants or improve their own surroundings. The interest from her trust fund was keeping the family afloat.
This money had been left to her by her mother who had died many years ago. The principal could not be touched until she achieved her majority, but the interest until that date was paid to her brother and she knew very well what he spent it on.
Rupert had sold the town house long since, also any land that wasn't entailed. Indeed, if she and Mary were not proficient with their needles none of them would have clothes fit to be seen.
The earl, of course, dressed to perfection. His garments came from Weston's and when he went to town he drove a smart travelling carriage with matching chestnuts. No one would know that the rest of his family lived in poverty, huddling together in the one wing of the house that was still habitable.
Fortunately she had discovered several trunks of fine material from India hidden away in the attics. It must have been purchased by her grandmother when the family was prosperous. By studying the fashion plates Charlotte had been able to make gowns for both herself and her sister-in-law that were quite acceptable in the limited company they moved. Their only expense was for footwear which the local cobbler could supply. She knew herself to look more like the daughter of a tradesman than an aristocrat, but this did not bother her. She was also relieved that she had dark brown hair, like her mother's, and did not look at all like him.
She had done her duty and asked permission and it had been refused. Her brother only had himself to blame for what was going to happen next. She returned to the nursery floor to be greeted by her two nieces and nephew.
'Aunt Charlotte, what did he say? Are you to go to see Miss Frobisher?' The speaker was the oldest, Edward, referred to in the nursery as Ned.
'No, he refused his permission. However, I shall not be deterred by that.'
Three small faces smiled up at her. The twins, Jennifer and Beth, at seven were quite old enough to understand and to keep her secret.
'I am going to go anyway, but I'll need your help if I'm to escape satisfactorily. Not a word of this must reach your father.'
'We won't tell, even if he locks us in a dungeon and tortures us.'
'Don't be silly, Ned. You're frightening your sisters. Your papa will not even think to question you, but your mama might come up to the schoolroom. This is what I want you to say.' When she had explained their role the children giggled. They were delighted to be asked to pretend they had the measles. This meant they could avoid lessons and play all day.
The countess had a morbid fear of illness and would not set foot on the nursery floor if she thought her children had something contagious.
'Who shall take care of us whilst you're gone, Aunt Charlotte?' The more nervous of the two girls, Jennifer, asked, her face crumpling.
Immediately Charlotte gathered the little girl in her arms . 'You have Sally and Martha, you will do very well with them in my absence. Remember, sweetheart, I'm going to be gone three weeks, not a lifetime by any means.'
The little girl sniffed 'But what if Papa shall shout at us?'
Her sister, Beth, pinched her arm. 'Don't be so such a goose, Aunt Charlotte told you we shall pretend to have the measles, no one will come up here and bother us before she returns.'
'Will you be meeting many people? Are you going to any parties?'
'Good heavens! Ned, I'm not going into society, I'm going to visit a school friend who lives in a town called Colchester, in Essex. Miss Frobisher is getting married next month, I am to help her assemble her bride clothes. I shall not be attending the wedding.'
'Well I think it's a great shame you do not go to parties or have the opportunity to meet a suitable gentleman to marry. I think you are quite the prettiest lady in the neighbourhood.' Ned continued, 'Poor Aunt Charlotte has no opportunity to meet a suitable gentleman because Papa has spent all her money on gambling. How are you going to find yourself a husband?'
'Ned, my love, I'm not searching for a husband. I'm going to visit a school friend, that is adventure enough for me, I can assure you.'
The rest of the day passed pleasantly in a lively game of hide and go seek. In some parts the grass was knee-high which made searching for the children an interesting challenge. They loved to play outside, and although the nights were drawing in, the trees beginning to shed their leaves, games would be played outside at Siddon Hall until the snow arrived.
Charlotte retired that night too excited to sleep. She'd already told her sister-in-law that the children appeared to be sickening, that she suspected they were coming down with the measles. With luck her absence might not
even be noticed, her brother and his wife would think her too busy taking care of the invalids to join them for dinner. Tomorrow she and Mary would set out ostensibly to make purchases to ease the children's suffering. She had sufficient funds for her journey, and had written ahead to book a room at the Green Man in Romford for the night.
Her escapade would be easier if Rupert was away in Town, but he was on a repairing lease and would not return the until the next quarter's rents and her interest were paid into his account. If she had been able to catch the early-morning coach she wouldn't have the expense of staying overnight.
However, it would have been remarked if she had departed during the morning, as it was her
custom to visit the nearby village in the afternoons.
Sally, the chief nursemaid, was prepared to cover for her absence; she wished her brother had not forced her to be deceitful by his unreasonable behaviour. Being obliged to wait until the afternoon meant she would not reach London until early evening. She hoped there would be sufficient light to continue to The Green Man as she disliked travelling in the dark.
She had bespoke a bedchamber and private sitting room, for she had no intention of sitting downstairs in the common snug. Although she had not been about much, in fact not at all, she was well aware that a young lady must not be seen in such a place. In fact, she should not really be travelling with just her maid as chaperone. After all, she was an aristocrat; even impoverished as she was, she would be disgraced if her jaunt ever came to light.
*
James glanced at the occupants of the coach satisfied there was no one amongst them that would interrupt his much-needed rest. He had been travelling almost two days, making his way back from Vienna where he had attended a symposium on the new medical practices for treating the insane. He had a lucrative practice in the West End of London but his main work was with the poor in the East End. There was little he could do to alleviate their suffering, but he treated them free of charge and liked to believe he was making a difference.
The rich could afford his exorbitant fees; he was personal physician to many influential men
in the city. He did not treat Society, was not fashionable, but he had the respect of all those wealthy politicians and bankers he dealt with. He had no time for the aristocracy, saw them as the idle rich.
The coach rocked and bucketed along the road from Colchester. If they didn't lose a wheel or
overturn in a ditch they should reach Romford before dark. He had booked his accommodation on his way through the previous week. It was a decent hostelry, served good food and the rooms were clean. Last week there had been group of young bloods returning from a prizefight and the place had been the worse for it. He trusted that tonight, being a weekday, the place would be quiet. He wanted to study his notes before he retired as he was intending to give a lecture on what he had learnt the following Monday.
The Green Man was heaving, the yard bursting with folk who'd just alighted from the mail coach from London. The ostlers had a quarter of an hour to change the cattle, the passengers barely time to get down and use the privy. Certainly not long enough to take refreshments.
He noticed a young woman, her unusual height made her stand out amidst the press of people. He could not see her face as she had her cloak pulled round; the other female, carrying two portmanteau must be her attendant. The young woman was plainly but expensively dressed, perhaps the daughter of a wealthy farmer or a legal gentleman? He overheard her talking quietly to her servant, her tone well-modulated and genteel. It was unusual to see a lady of her sort travelling on the common stage.
James shouldered his way through the crowd in order to stand behind the girl as they entered the overcrowded vestibule. For some reason he was intrigued by her presence, his fatigue forgotten in his eagerness to see her face.
*
'I had not realised it would be so busy, I do hope they have kept our rooms.'
'You should stand to one side, miss, it's not right you being bustled in this way. I'll go and ask the landlord about our rooms.'
Charlotte stood beside the two portmanteau, still reluctant to push her hood back and reveal her face. She was booked under an assumed name, had dropped her title to become plain Miss Edwards on her way to stay with friends in Colchester. Her brother had no notion where Martha Frobisher resided, if he discovered her absence he would not know in which direction to look. She shivered. She would not put it past him to send two of his rough grooms, led by Hodgson, his unpleasant man of business, to drag her back if he knew her actual direction. Good, Mary was returning with a maid.
'Would you care to come this way, Miss Edwards, Pa says I'm to take you to your rooms. Supper will be sent up as soon as the rush is over. I've put hot water in your room already.'
'Thank you, I hope everyone will find themselves accommodation. I had no idea the Green Man was such a popular place to overnight.'
The girl seemed happy to chat. 'It won't be like this in a while, miss, it's not often we get two coaches arriving at once. Just you wait, in half an hour the place will be more seemly.' She stopped in front of black oak door and opened it with a flourish. 'Here's your parlour, it ain't big, but it's got a good fire, you'll be snug enough.'
Charlotte was pleasantly surprised, the room was indeed small but well-appointed and spotlessly clean. 'Go in with the girl, Mary, I shall wait here by fire.' She was relieved to see her room was at the back of the building overlooking the paddock. She could just discern the outlines of several horses grazing contentedly. She had achieved her first objective without mishap. Tomorrow she'd see her dear friend again after being apart since they'd both left an exclusive seminary more than three years ago.
Supper arrived twenty minutes later. This was a substantial meal and well cooked. Replete, she decided to retire early. They were catching the eight o'clock mail coach and would need to be
downstairs waiting when it rolled in. Mary was to sleep in a truckle bed at the end of hers and there was no need to unpack. The clothes she required for the next morning were the same as she had been wearing today. Only their nightgowns and washing necessitates would have to be pushed into the open bags and they would be ready to leave.
The bed had a hard, knobbly lump in the middle of the mattress making it impossible for her to settle. A nearby church clock was striking midnight when, with a sigh, she sat up. She was not going to get any sleep. Mary was having the better of it on her little bed; the sound of her snoring gently was audible in the darkness.
Charlotte carried her garments into the parlour. She kindled two candles from the glowing embers in the fireplace and dressed quickly. All her gowns were simple and she required no assistance to fasten the back. She refused to wear a corset much to her sister-in-law's disgust.
She was lacing up her second boot when something alerted her. She cocked her head in the silence to listen. This was no more than the creak of the old building as it settled for the night, and the odd screech of an owl outside. She was imagining things; it was the first time she had been away from Siddon Manor since her return from school.
Perhaps the noise had come from the corridor, she moved across to listen. She sniffed and her stomach clenched, she knew what it was that had disturbed her. It was smoke. The inn was ancient, mainly timbered, it wouldn't take many minutes for it to become a burning inferno.
The guests might not be able to save their belongings, but God willing, she would be in time to rouse them so they could save themselves. 'Mary, get up, put on your cloak and boots, there's no time to dress, you must come at once. The place is on fire. We must alert everyone to the danger.'
*
James had fallen asleep in a chair in front of the fire and his notes had slipped from his lap to fall in a pile about his feet. He was woken by a thunderous knocking on the door and the dreaded cry no one wished to hear in the middle of the night. 'Fire! Fire - you must get up at once, the building is on fire.'
Instantly awake, he thanked God he hadn't gon
e to bed but was still dressed and with his boots on. Snatching up his coat he ran to the door. Facing him was the young woman he'd admired the evening before. He'd recognized the voice instantly.
'You must leave the premises, madam, I shall rouse the rest of the building. It is a man's job to take care of things now.'
The smoke at the far end of the corridor was thickening. People were emerging from their rooms coughing, sleep befuddled, but so far no one was panicking.
'I am quite capable of rousing people, sir, and there is still the floor above to do.'
Without another word and totally ignoring his instructions, she dashed up the narrow stairs, banishing in a blur of skirts. Another woman was shouting at the far end of the corridor and her cry was being picked up. He followed the young woman; she should not be up there; these were the dormitories, for those less fortunate men who could not afford a private room for themselves.
She was hammering and shouting for the occupants to get up.
'Miss, it's not a good place for you to be, this chamber is likely full of rough men. Don't fret, I shall make sure everyone is out. You go down and see if you can assist the ladies in any way.'
For a moment she hesitated, then smiled and nodded. 'I beg your pardon, sir, I did not think this through. The smoke is getting thicker, do not delay, you must hurry or you will be trapped.'
James flung open the door and roared at the sleeping forms. 'Get up, the building's on fire, if you don't move fast you'll be roasted alive.' His words had the desired response and instantly the chamber was full of half clothed men, cursing and swearing as they collided in the darkness.
He had a single candle and guided them downstairs. The ominous crackle of flames was audible, James prayed that those at the far end of the inn had been woken in time. He handed his candlestick to the first of the night gowned men. 'Go ahead, sir, I must return to my room to collect my medical bag. I fear it might well be needed tonight.'
The Lords & Ladies Box Set Page 18
