The Lords & Ladies Box Set

by Fenella J Miller

  Sarah couldn't help herself, she burst out. 'We must go to Chelmsford? Surely, sir, it would be better for us to return to Kesgrave. After all, you were quite content to let us live there unsupervised after our father died in December. More than three months went by before you contacted us.' His eyes narrowed. She'd annoyed him yet again

  'If you had permitted me to finish, Miss Ellison, I had been about to say that it was my intention to send you to Chelmsford. However, that is now impossible as my younger sister has the measles.'

  He glared at her, waiting for her comment, wisely she remained silent. 'Therefore, as you have so kindly suggested, I think it would be best if you return to your home for the summer. Sir John has only been buried four months, you should not be here at all. You should be at home until the year is up.'

  Sarah flushed. He was quite right, she had known the mad dash to London was ill-advised but, as was often the case, she had allowed her temper to overrule her common sense.

  'In which case, my lord, we shall both get what we want. I have been running the estates these past nine months and although my agent is excellent, it is a bad time of year to be away.'

  'Ah, yes, the estates. I was intending to come to that, Miss Ellison. I have sent my man of business down to examine the books and tour the farms. Whilst you are under my control I shall, of course, be in charge of them. It is not something a young woman is equipped to do efficiently.'

  Her eyes blazed. How dare he impugn her ability? Papa had been happy to leave her in charge, he had no right to criticise her father's decisions when he was not here to defend them. She was about to jump to her feet, but there was a restraining hand on her elbow. She subsided, biting her lips to stop an intemperate reply.

  Jane spoke for them. 'That is excellent news, my lord. Sir John said to me just before he died that Sarah was doing too much. He would be pleased to think she could enjoy the summer untrammelled by responsibilities.'

  He relaxed and a more kindly expression softened his features. 'Then Sir John was right. I shall be away

  on business until late summer; I shall come down to see you as soon as I return. It is my intention to launch my sisters on an unsuspecting Society next season. I shall expect you to be there too.'

  He stood up and strolled towards the window, blocking the light with his broad shoulders. Before Jane could restrain her, Sarah slipped from her chair and crept across to stand a yard behind him. She was certain he had not heard her approaching.

  'Lord Atherton,' she said loudly and was gratified to see him rise a full two inches into the air. She hastily took several steps backwards and waited for the explosion. He turned, a look of incredulity on his face.

  'Devil take it! I have been saddled with a mad woman! What is it, Miss Ellison?'

  Sarah curtsied, not wishing him to see the amusement on her face. 'Do we have your permission to leave for Kesgrave as soon as we are ready, my lord?'

  'You do. But be very sure, miss, that I shall be aware of everything you do. I advise you to be on your best behaviour whilst I'm away.'

  He was going to spy on them? Sarah prepared herself to launch an attack, but Jane placed her arm around her waist and gave her a warning squeeze. Instead she said frostily. 'As you are so busy, Lord Atherton, I shall not detain you further. No doubt you have pressing affairs of state to attend to.'

  He stared at her; she could see him fighting a battle to gain control of his temper. He nodded curtly. 'You're quite right, Miss Ellison, to remind me of my duty to His Majesty. I shall bid you good day, Miss Jane, Miss Ellison. Expect me at the end of August.'

  Without a further word being spoken he strode out. Sarah’s knees wobbled and she was grateful Jane still supported her. 'My word, I don't know what it is about him, but I can't help myself. He is such an objectionable man, so arrogant, so full of his own importance, and so determined to get his own way.'

  'I think, without you goading him, Sarah, he might be quite pleasant. The problem is, as I see it, that you are of similar character. Both stubborn and headstrong and with tempers to match. I thank the Lord that he will be away for the next few months.'

  Sarah looked her sister realising at once what she was suggesting. 'I am like him? Have you taken leave of your senses? If I was as objectionable as he, I should shoot myself.'

  Jane dissolved into giggles. 'Now who is being dramatic? It is a good thing we are leaving. You have been behaving decidedly strange since our arrival in London.'

  The summer passed uneventfully and apart from the fact that she now only had the house to run, and not the estates, Sarah's life was much the same as before her meeting with Lord Atherton. The only difference being that now she had to submit the household expenses to her man of affairs, who then sent them to London where the lawyers paid the bills for her.

  They were still in mourning so could not attend picnics or parties, but she was content to ride, read and play the piano. She did this with such attack that Jane said she was an excellent deterrent for the mice.

  August was over. She had now almost convinced herself that the two encounters with her guardian had meant nothing. 'Jane, didn't Atherton say he would be here by now?'

  Her sister who was playing cards with Miss Read glanced up. 'I believe he did. I seem to recall his parting words were that he would see us at the end of August. It is now the beginning of September, so he must be due to visit any day.'

  'The apartment has been ready these past two weeks,' Miss Read said, 'so there is nothing else to do, but wait. One must hope that he is in a better temper when he comes here.'

  Sarah smiled. 'I promise I shall do nothing to antagonise him. I'm not exactly looking forward to spending several months gallivanting around London, however, I am resigned to my fate.'

  'Sarah! How can you say so? You have been perusing the pages of La Belle Assemblée and Ackerman's Repository as eagerly as I. In fact, I can safely say that you have ordered as many gowns as I have for the coming season.'

  'Very true, which is why I shall do nothing to annoy Atherton, after all he now has to pay all our expenses. As we shall all be obliged to live under his roof for several months it would be most uncomfortable if we were permanently at daggers drawn.'

  That night her dreams were filled once more with images of a dark-haired man from whom she was perpetually running away. Her dream companion's features were indistinct, but his rich baritone echoed clearly in her ears. Having been a constant topic of conversation in the first weeks after her return, Atherton had not been mentioned during Lady Isabelle's visit. Her aunt had departed, not wishing to be in residence when he did arrive; she had vowed never to be under the same roof with him for as long as she lived.

  They had received no word from him about the coming season. His man of affairs had visited twice, but as far as Sarah knew no one else had been spying on them. She would not have decided to ride to a place she knew Sir John had forbidden her to go if she had thought her actions were being watched.

  The next morning dawned warm and golden; Sarah was determined to make the most of it. 'Jane, I'm going to go out for a jaunt on Sultan. It's a perfect day and could be the last time I get to gallop along the sand. Can't I persuade you to accompany me?'

  'No, thank you. I shall spend time in the garden tending to the roses. I should not go too far, Foster says that a change in the weather is overdue. There are storms coming in from the sea any moment now.'

  Sarah stared out of the window, the sky was a perfect blue, the trees still. 'Well, if there is bad weather coming, I doubt it will be today. I intend to take a picnic with me.'

  'Tell them in the stable yard exactly where you intend to go, just in case our visitors arrive and I need to send for you.'

  She knew if she told Jane where she was actually going her sister would try and prevent her. The beach she preferred was difficult to access, but well worth the effort. 'Yes, of course I will. I must get organised if I am to enjoy a full day out.'

  'I suppose you shall be riding a
stride, as usual?'

  'You know I shall. It is far safer, and although I'm going to the beach, I shall remain on Ellison land. I shall not be outraging anybody's sensibilities as the only people who are likely to see me flouting convention will be our own tenants, and they have no opinion on the matter.'

  *

  Perry stretched his legs along the squabs and smiled at his companion. 'We should be there in another hour or so, Dickon. I must say I'm glad to have your company, travelling to Ipswich would have been tedious without you.'

  His companion grinned, and ran a hand through his mop of blond hair. 'Always happy to be of service, Perry. From what I've heard, the Ellison girls are both diamonds of the first water. You've been remarkably close-lipped about your wards, why is that, I wonder?' He bent forward to rub his leg. 'I can't imagine why you feel you needed me for support. You should be in your element, flirting with a beautiful young women. What more could a man want after an arduous summer jawing with politicians?'

  'I am their guardian. It would be outrageous for me to take advantage of my position.' He closed his eyes and even after all these months he could still see an image of Miss Ellison; her green eyes had haunted him all summer. 'In fact, I object to nothing about the younger girl, Miss Jane, she is everything she ought to be. It is the older, Sarah Ellison, that I find impossible to deal with. I find myself either wishing to strangle her or….' He didn't finish – one did not discuss such things, even with one's closest friend.

  He was three years older than Dickon but had forged a friendship when they had met at Cambridge many years before. Colonel, Lord Mainwaring, had served in Wellington's army, but had resigned his commission after being injured at Waterloo.

  'How's the leg, Dickon? You are limping less nowadays.'

  'It'll never be quite the same; I shall not cut a pretty figure on the dance floor again. I'm lucky I didn't lose my leg.' The carriage rocked and Perry thought they had hit some unevenness in the road, but then it rocked again. This time he heard the horses panic. He surged to his feet and lowering the window, stuck his head out. Immediately, his hair was blown into his eyes by the howling gale.

  'There's a storm brewing, the wind's got up, and there are black clouds thundering in from the sea.' The carriage rocked as his friend moved to the other window to see for himself.

  'It's no more than three miles to Kesgrave,' he shouted to his coachman who was having difficulty controlling the spirited horses. 'Take it carefully. I'm sure we shall arrive before the storm breaks.' He settled back, this time with his boots firmly on the floor. He grasped the leather strap by the window to brace himself as the carriage lurched its way forward. But by the time they arrived at Kesgrave Hall he was relieved to step down on to the gravel turning circle in front of the handsome entrance.

  The air was filled with swirling green and gold leaves and his coat-tails flapped about him. From here he could see that the storm would be soon upon them. They had barely made it in time.

  He was pleased that his arrival had been noted by a vigilant butler. The front door opened and a trio of footmen raced down to collect their trunks and escort them inside.

  Foster bowed. 'You are expected, my lord. The best apartment has been prepared.' He glanced enquiringly at Dickon.

  'This is Lord Mainwaring, have rooms made ready for him.'

  'The guest apartments are always prepared, my lord.' He waved an imperious hand and two further footman materialized. 'Conduct Lord Atherton and Lord Mainwaring upstairs to their chambers. Lord Mainwaring to the blue room, Lord Atherton to the green.'

  Perry had no intention of traipsing up to his apartments. He wanted to see Sarah. He had thought of little else in the last few months.

  'Where are Miss Ellison and Miss Jane? I wish to see them immediately.'

  'Miss Jane is in the orangery at the side of the house, my lord. I'm not sure of the whereabouts of Miss Ellison. But I'm sure Miss Jane will be able to help you in this matter.'

  'Dickon, I must speak to Miss Ellison and Miss Jane straight away.' His friend waved cheerfully and proceeded slowly up the stairs.

  Foster conducted him through the house and he glanced approvingly at the immaculate carpet on the floor, the freshly painted walls and newly gilded frames on the paintings. In fact, he couldn't fault the house. Kesgrave Hall was a grand house, equally as spacious as any he owned, but for some reason he immediately felt more at home here than at any of his own establishments. His lips twitched. He wondered if he'd still feel the same after his first brush with the adorable Miss Ellison.

  The butler paused at the entrance to the glasshouse and announced him loudly.

  'Lord Atherton to see you, Miss Jane.'

  The young woman was not tending to the orchids but staring out of the window. She turned to greet him, and he saw her face was pale, her eyes anxious. 'My lord, I have never been so glad to see anyone in my life. Sarah went out before nine this morning taking a picnic with her. The storm is almost upon us and

  she has not returned. I fear something terrible has happened.'

  'She has her groom with her?'

  The girl nodded. 'Sarah always takes a groom, she is not completely without sense.'

  He begged to differ, but refrained from saying so. 'In which direction has she gone? Did Miss Ellison tell you where she was intending to picnic?'

  'I have discovered that she went to a beach that is a good hour's ride from here. It is still on our land, my lord, but it is wild and desolate, I believe that it's used by smugglers. My father never let her go down there; I cannot think why she chose to do so when there was a storm coming.'

  'Are you telling me, Miss Jane, that your sister knew the likelihood of bad weather and still chose to ride in that direction?'

  The girl nodded miserably. 'When she left the sky was blue, no wind at all. Even though the seagulls had been flying inland since dawn she refused to accept the signs.'

  He stepped forward and gently grasped her hands. 'Do you have a horse that is up to my weight?'

  'Yes, we still have my father's hunters, we could not bear to part with them. I'm sure either of them would be suitable.'

  'Excellent. I have a companion with me, Lord Mainwaring, he was a military man. Excuse me, my dear, I shall collect him and then go in search of your sister. I'm sure she has come to no harm. She has a groom with her, whatever else she might be, she is intelligent enough to take shelter if needs be.'

  He gave her hands a comforting squeeze and ran back to the vast entrance hall. Dammit! He had a bad feeling about this. If nothing untoward had happened she would have returned hours ago. He shouted to a footman. 'Direct me to my apartment. Send word to the stables to saddle the hunters. I shall require someone who has knowledge of the area to accompany us.'

  Barely a quarter of an hour later he was astride a handsome hunter of more than sixteen hands, Dickon on a similar mount, and two grooms on sturdy cobs beside them. He had the foresight to pack blankets and rope. It would seem the cliffs were steep; he prayed he would not have need of the climbing gear to find Miss Ellison.

  Chapter Six

  Sarah was sitting contentedly on the beach watching the waves rippling in when a sudden gust of wind covered her in sand. She stood up and a second flurry almost removed her hat. She turned to call to her groom who was sitting whilst holding the two horses as they grazed on the springy turf at the top of the bank.

  'Bill, I think we should head back. The wind is getting up and I'm certain I can see black clouds on the horizon.'

  'I shall have them tacked and ready in a few moments, miss. It was becoming a mite breezy up here these past few minutes.'

  After securing her hat more firmly she shook the sand from her habit. It had been a pleasant morning and she was sorry to leave before having eaten her picnic, but the cliff path they had to negotiate would not be safe in the rain.

  Sultan nuzzled her. 'I know, silly fellow. You are as eager as I to return.' Up here the wind was more ferocious and her divided sk
irts flapped wildly around her booted ankles. She turned for Bill to toss her into the saddle. She gathered her reins and turned her horse in the direction of Kesgrave Hall. To her horror in the short time since she had left the beach the waves were no longer ripples but white crested and racing in far quicker than before.

  'What time is high tide, Bill?'

  'Not for another hour, that gives us ample time to get off the beach.'

  Sarah wasn't so sanguine. They had to ride along the clifftop for a mile or two and then drop back to the beach as the terrain became impassable. This section would be difficult if they arrived there at high water. It had been her intention to remain where she was, eat her picnic and return when the tide was ebbing; this was no longer possible. Although the beach she was on would remain dry it offered no shelter from the gale.

  Deciding it would be better to risk a tumble by galloping than be caught by the icy North Sea, she dug in her heels. They thundered along the turf without mishap to arrive at the narrow path which led down to the beach. She could hardly hear the sea over the noise of the wind. She was already chilled to the marrow. It was hard to believe that an hour ago she had been basking in the warm September sun.

  Not waiting to see if her groom was following, she guided her horse down the track. His hooves slithered in the loose shale and twice she was forced to grab his mane in order to avoid a fall. She glanced over her shoulder and was relieved to see Bill close behind.

  When the path emerged from between the scrub she could see they were in time. The sea was decidedly rough but still a reassuringly long distance from the base of the cliff. However, the clouds that had been a thin black line twenty minutes ago were now rolling in as fast as the tide. She resigned herself to the fact that she was in for a soaking.