The Lords & Ladies Box Set

by Fenella J Miller

  Instantly he was beside her, his face concerned. 'It is my fault. We shall postpone this conversation until you are recovered.' He strode to the bell-strap and yanked it hard. 'You must return to your apartment. Send word to me at this address when you are ready to receive me.' He removed a card from his inside pocket and placed it beside her.

  Sarah didn't wish to tell him she was fully recovered and was quite well enough to continue their conversation. Her supposed indisposition had given her back her independence; he was leaving it to her to decide when she wished to see him again. That suited her perfectly. Closing her eyes she sighed loudly.

  He spoke quietly to whoever had answered his summons and then she was alone. She didn't need to check, for some reason she'd known immediately when he had left her. There was the all too familiar throb behind her right eye. It served her right; dissembling was not something she was used to doing.

  Her abigail, Mary, bustled in. 'Miss Ellison, have you got the headache as well?'

  'I'm afraid I have. You know how too much excitement often has this effect on me. Jane and I shall suffer together.'

  Fortunately, Sarah was comfortable in bed before her megrim started in earnest. As she tossed and turned, she kept hearing his voice in her head and the fingers that had been in contact with his person tingled in a most disconcerting way. Her last thought as she fell asleep, aided by the soothing draught Mary had brought for her, was of a tall, dark man with grey eyes that could see into her very soul.

  *

  Perry reclaimed his outer garments and strode out. As he stood at the head of the steps he realised he had neglected to send word to his groom to bring the carriage round. His wits were wandering and he knew the reason. After all these years he had finally met the woman he wished to marry. He felt young again, invigorated at the thought of courting the lively young woman who had apparently stolen his heart.

  He strolled round to the yard and hailed his groom who was frantically harnessing his matched bays. The man's face paled and Perry realised he was expecting to be roared at for keeping his master waiting.

  'Miller, I apologise for not giving you due warning. Here, man, let me assist you, we'll get them tacked up quicker together.'

  He couldn't fail to see the astonishment on his groom's face. Was he such an exacting employer? He smiled and this time Miller stopped dead to stare at him in disbelief. When he took the reins of his phaeton he was still grinning. Love obviously did extraordinary things to a man. He hoped the adorable Miss Ellison did not take too long to contact him. Waiting for his summons was going to be like waiting in Purgatory.

  Chapter Four

  Three miserable days passed before Sarah had fully recovered from her megrim. As usual she requested that her staff bring up hot water so she could take a bath in front of the fire in the bedchamber she shared with Jane. As she relaxed in rose-scented water she began to feel more herself. Her hair was secured on top of her head, she still didn't feel sufficiently recovered to wash her hair. The screens arranged around the tub were keeping out the draughts and giving her the privacy she required. She heard the door open and assuming it was Jane, called out.

  'I shall be down directly, I'm feeling much more the thing this morning.'

  'Shall I sit with you? Aunt Isabelle is anxious to talk to you about your meeting with Lord Atherton. It would seem he left the stables in excellent humour.'

  Sarah pushed herself upright eager to tell her sister she believed that she had come out the winner in their first battle, but decided she would leave her news until she could share it with her aunt as well. 'Shall we rearrange our visit to see the menagerie for tomorrow? Perhaps Aunt Isabelle might accompany us this time.'

  Jane stood, staring down at her, strangely preoccupied, her brow creased. 'Yes, that would be very acceptable. Excuse me, Sarah, I have forgotten an errand I must run. I shall return immediately.'

  Sarah heard her sister hurrying across the bedroom and then the door slammed shut. Whatever had upset her? Never mind, no doubt she would hear all about it later on. The water was becoming cool when she eventually stepped out into the warmed towels Mary held out.

  'Have you put out my favourite morning gown? The one with rose pink ribbons threaded around the hem?'

  Her abigail nodded. 'I have, and the matching slippers. I've also found your cashmere shawl, for you need to keep yourself warm. You've been right poorly these past three days.'

  'Thankfully, I am quite well now, thank you, Mary.'

  Was the reason Jane was still closeted with her aunt the mysterious errand? On seeing Foster as she reached the entrance hall, she stopped.

  'Could you have hot chocolate, and whatever Cook has baked this morning, sent to the small drawing room for me, Foster?'

  'It has already been arranged, Miss Ellison. Lady Isabelle requested refreshments ten minutes ago.'

  Good, they were obviously expecting her. She swayed, her coordination was still a little amiss which was often the case after a bad attack. She steadied herself against the wall before pushing open the door. The conversation stopped abruptly on her appearance; her sister and aunt turned to stare. What was all this about?

  Aunt Isabelle patted the seat next to her on the long, silk covered sofa. 'Come and sit down with me, my dear. We have much to talk about. I'm afraid I have completely revised my opinion about Atherton. In future I intend to support you totally in your wish to distance yourself from the man.'

  'Good heavens, Aunt Isabelle, a few days ago you were most insistent that we fell in with his plans; indeed, you told me so more than once before I was unwell.'

  'Things have changed, as well you know.'

  Sarah was at a loss. Things were different, but better, not worse. 'What has made you change your mind about Lord Atherton?'

  Jane interrupted, her voice shrill with indignation. 'I saw the bruises on your arms, Sarah. They were made by him. The imprint of his fingers was clear.'

  Sarah had all but forgotten about the unpleasant start to her meeting. The interlude that followed, the excitement she had experienced at their exchange was what she remembered. Indeed, she knew she'd never been so invigorated in her life. She cordially disliked the man, that had not changed, but she was eagerly anticipating being able to pit her wits against him. He was a worthy adversary.

  'My dear, why didn't you tell us what had transpired between you? I would have had the brute thrown from the premises neck and crop if I had been aware he had assaulted you. I can assure you he will not be allowed in again.'

  'Aunt Isabelle, I think you're making too much of this. Admittedly he should not have caused the bruising, but we parted the best of friends. He is waiting for me to contact him. I had intended to do so this afternoon.'

  'You shall do no such thing, my dear. I am sending a note around to demand that he call here tomorrow morning. It would be better if both of you are out when he comes. I intend to tell him in no uncertain terms what I think of a gentleman who behaves as he did.'

  Sarah swallowed nervously. However much in the wrong he was she didn't think he would take kindly to being reprimanded by her aunt. She believed that, as her legal guardian, he had the same rights as a parent. 'Surely, Aunt Isabelle, however much we may deplore the rough handling I received, he did apologise most humbly. And he has the law on his side, has he not?'

  Her aunt snorted. 'Are you suggesting that because the law says a husband may beat his wife, or a parent his child, that this is acceptable behaviour amongst civilized people?'

  Sarah flushed. 'Of course I am not, Aunt Agatha. I'm just saying that it might be well to forget about it. I'm sure it will not happen again.'

  'No, indeed it shall not. For that man shall not have access to either of you whilst there is a breath in my body.'

  Nothing would persuade her aunt that Lord Atherton should be given a second chance. As far she was concerned he was a heartless bully and for the first time in her life Sarah was obliged to follow another's lead. She was tempted to write Athe
rton a note explaining that she had said nothing about the incident, but decided this would only confuse matters even more.

  She and Jane returned to the house with some trepidation mid-afternoon the following day after their jaunt to the Tower of London. Foster met them with a sober expression.

  'Lady Isabelle requires your company in the small drawing room as soon as is convenient, Miss Ellison.'

  'Very well. Inform Lady Isabelle we shall be with her directly we have removed our outer garments.'

  Once in the privacy of their bedchamber Sarah expressed her disquiet. 'Lord Atherton has every right to order us, he has control of the estates and could stop our funds if he so wished. You must understand, Jane, he is not to my taste, but I am pragmatic. You did not see him when he was in a rage. He will not be thwarted and it will be the worse for us if we continue to rub him the wrong way.'

  'But, Sarah, if we put ourselves under his control what is to stop him beating us if he doesn't like the way we behave?'

  'You are being too dramatical, my dear. He did no more than grip on my arms more tightly than he realised. I am absolutely certain he would never raise a hand to either of us, whatever we did to annoy him.' She sent up a fervent prayer to the Almighty that this was indeed the case.

  'We had better go down and see what havoc Aunt Isabelle has wrought. I must have your promise, Jane, that we do nothing precipitate. We owe our allegiance to Lord Atherton, it is what Papa wanted for us, not to Aunt Isabelle.'

  'You have changed your tune, it was scarcely two weeks ago that you dragged us to London in order to avoid him. Now you want us to bow to his every command.'

  Sarah laughed. 'Hardly, my dear. I am merely saying he is a powerful man and would not think twice about making our lives miserable if we continued to antagonise him. However, he is a man like any other and I'm sure, between us, we can charm him into letting us have our own way.'

  Aunt Isabelle greeted them with a cry of distress. 'Sarah, I have made things so much worse by my interference. If I had known I was poking a hornet's nest I would have left well alone.'

  'I take it Atherton was not overjoyed by your announcement?' Sarah said drily.

  'Pray do not jest, Sarah. You do not know what he said to me. I have never been so insulted in my life. We must leave immediately, I have ordered your trunks to be packed and we shall move to Barnet Manor. It is a small property left to me by my mama; he could not possibly know of its existence and we shall be safe from his attentions there.'

  Sarah sent a warning glance to her sister. She needed her support if they were not to be bundled unceremoniously into a carriage and trundled, for a second time in less than three weeks, back to East Anglia. 'What exactly did he say? I need to know. Did he threaten you or harm you in any way?' Her aunt looked at her as though she was recently emerged from Bedlam.

  'Of course he didn't. He might be a brute, but even he would not harm an old lady like myself. He said that I was an interfering harridan and that he had no intention of changing his plans for you, whatever I might wish to the contrary.'

  'And did he mention what these plans might be?'

  'No, Sarah my dear, he said he would call tomorrow morning and inform you himself. That is why we must leave this afternoon.'

  'I am sorry, Aunt Isabelle, but Jane and I are not leaving. Whatever our personal feelings about the matter, we have no choice. Don't you realise if we disobey him he can take Kesgrave Hall away from us? He could dismiss all the staff and then appoint his own choices. I cannot let that happen.'

  Her aunt deflated like a balloon. She looked every one of her five and sixty years. 'If that is your wish, both of you, then I shall say no more. However, I cannot remain here if he is to have free access to the house. I shall leave as planned this afternoon.'

  Sarah's heart twisted. That man had a great deal to answer for. He should not have upset her aunt and caused this rift in the family. The spark of attraction that she had experienced was extinguished to be replaced by an implacable dislike. She would reach her majority next summer, until then she would be obliged to remain under his control. She feared this was going to be extremely difficult.

  She went to join Jane, already sitting on the sofa next to her aunt offering what comfort she could. 'I wish you would stay, we have barely seen you.' Her aunt stiffened with indignation and there was nothing she could say to change her mind.

  'As neither of us should appear in public, I shall suggest to Atherton that he allows us to return to Kesgrave until December when our mourning will be over. Would you consider joining us there? If he is elsewhere, of course.'

  'I might consider it, my dear, you must send me word if you are able to return home.'

  Two hours later the trunks were loaded in the carriage. Sarah waved their aunt away from the front steps with a heavy heart. It had been a difficult parting. She would never forgive that man for causing her only other living relative so much distress.

  'Lady Isabelle will join us at Kesgrave Hall if you are allowed to go back, Miss Ellison. I know her ladyship is upset, but she will soon recover. I'm sure it will take more than Lord Atherton to destroy her peace of mind.' Miss Read patted her arm sympathetically.

  'You are correct. We must make sure we are at our most conciliatory tomorrow morning. Jane, you must promise to pinch me if I become too outspoken.'

  The next morning Sarah took more trouble over her appearance than usual. Both she and Jane had to look their best if they were to achieve their aims. She had selected a gown of golden jaconet.

  'The high waist emphasises your curves and the close-fitting sleeves show off your elegant arms,' Jane said admiringly.

  'I am not sure it is suitable for someone in mourning. He must think us disrespectful daughters to be wearing colours so soon.'

  'Papa was quite clear that we were to carry on as normal. It matters not what he thinks, we know we are doing the right thing. I can hardly credit it is four months since he died. So much has happened recently it makes it seem in the distant past.'

  Mary hurried in from the parlour. 'His lordship has arrived, Miss Ellison, and is prowling up and down the small drawing room with a face like thunder.'

  Sarah didn't ask how her maid could possibly know this, servants seemed to know more than she did about most things that went on in the house. She glanced at the mantel clock and squeaked in disbelief.

  'Look at the time, Jane. We are tardy. No wonder Atherton is annoyed. Come along, we both look our best, there is nothing else we can do but smile sweetly and agree with every word he says. I pray that is enough to smooth him down.' She saw the look of disbelief on her sister's face and chuckled. 'I know, but I shall do my best to bite my tongue, I promise you.'

  *

  Perry heard the clock strike the hour. He had been waiting for twenty minutes and was beginning to think he had been misled, and that the girls had actually left the house in order to avoid him. He addressed the mousy middle-aged woman who cowered in the far corner of the room.

  'Are the Ellison girls in residence?' He glared pointedly at the handsome tall-case clock that stood against one wall.

  'They will be down directly, my lord. Lady Isabelle left yesterday, but Miss Ellison and Miss Jane are here.'

  He smiled, after all it was not this poor woman's fault he had been given a bear-garden jaw yesterday, and kept waiting this morning. 'I take it Miss Ellison suggested that you are present during the interview?' His tone was bland, but he was sure she wasn't convinced and knew he was angry. A woman of less courage would have vacated the chamber long ago. 'Miss Ellison is correct to be careful of the proprieties, but I can assure you that as I am their guardian they are perfectly safe with me.'

  The look of relief on her face as she collected her bag and scuttled out diffused some of his annoyance. There was the patter of running feet and he turned to face the door. He must guard his tongue in order to achieve his objective. Miss Ellison was as mercurial as her aunt and would fly into the boughs if he started issuin
g commands. He was employed for his diplomacy, indeed he was to go away the following week on government business in Austria. He would have no difficulty remaining composed this time.

  *

  Sarah entered the room with her arm through Jane's. Her sister would remind her if she started to become agitated. Miss Read was no longer seated at the far end of the room. She frowned. Good grief! The wretched man must have seriously upset her normally unflappable governess for her to run away like this.

  'Good morning, Lord Atherton. Allow me to present my sister Jane to you.' She curtsied alongside her sister and he bowed politely.

  'I am delighted to meet you at last, Miss Jane. Shall we be seated, there is much to discuss?'

  Two chairs had been placed by the fire, a third a respectable distance away. Jane's arm stiffened and she guessed her sister was in awe of this formidable gentleman. His manners this morning were impeccable, but his eyes were watchful and his hands were clenched at his sides. This was not a good sign. She knew to her cost that he had a fearsome temper.

  Pinning a smile on her trembling lips she looked directly at him for the first time. 'My lord, I must

  apologise for being absent when you called yesterday.'

  She faltered. What had possessed her to mention yesterday's disastrous visit? That well-remembered anger flashed in his grey eyes and she feared it would now take a miracle for her to persuade him to send them back to Kesgrave Hall, and not send them to Chelmsford to join his mother.

  Chapter Five

  'It is unfortunate Lady Isabelle decided to return to Norfolk. I would much prefer to have had you living under my roof, but as matters stand, that is impossible.' Lord Atherton was making perfectly plain his opinion of Aunt Isabelle's departure.

  Sarah's eyes widened. 'Was it your intention to suggest, my lord, that we all remove to your town house?'

  He nodded. 'Indeed it was, Miss Ellison. But with your aunt gone, that is now impossible. I don't wish you to remain here unsupervised, word is already abroad that I have your guardianship.' He paused to see that this piece of unwelcome information had registered with both of them. 'As a member of His Majesty's Government I cannot have my probity questioned.'