The Lady And The Military Man_Conquer My Heart

by Penelope Redmont

  Kelly had taken to calling her by her Christian name, and she was too distracted to object as she usually did. He bowed to her, and she curtsied briefly, then sat on a sofa. "Please sit down, Major. I beg your pardon… Perhaps I have made an error…" She rubbed her forehead. No doubt he would think her a fool.

  He smiled, then sat on the sofa opposite hers. "I'm always pleased to see you, Jane. You're looking well — Morley's already told me that everyone in the household is well. So, how may I serve you?"

  To her annoyance, she found herself blushing when he inspected her from the top of her head, to her half-boots. Finally he lifted his gaze to her eyes. His eyebrows lifted, when he realized that she was discomforted, and waited for her to speak.

  She clasped her hands, and looked down at them. "The girls and I were in Hatchard's this afternoon, where I saw Tommy and Madame Parisi — I am certain that it was that woman, even though she was dressed as man… I couldn't be so mistaken. I recognized her voice, and her laugh."

  He shook his head. "Madame Parisi? No, I think not — you must be mistaken." He paused. "Jane, it's not possible. I saw her onto the ship myself."

  "She was in Hatchard's. With Tommy. They didn't see me – I made sure that they didn't."

  He stared at her. "You're sure you couldn't have been mistaken?"

  “It was Madame Parisi.”

  "Forgive me for doubting you, but perhaps you glimpsed a fashionable member of the demimonde in male attire… and assumed that it was she?"

  She grew annoyed that he didn't believe her. "I'm not such a fool as that, Major. It was definitely Tommy, and definitely Madame. Dressed as a man — an elegant man. Her attire would have done credit to Brummell. I couldn't be mistaken, because when I first saw them I could not have been more than ten feet away from them. They didn't see me, because I was behind some shelves. I didn't want them to see me, so I moved back even further."

  "You are a friend of Tommy's — why didn't you make yourself known to him — to them?" He sounded surprised, and curious. "You might feel some hesitation, yes, because the woman is… but you were in Madame's company at Lady Tinerbrow's ball at Heath House. It would be thought unexceptional for you to greet her, since she's become known as a close friend of Wellington's, even if she were in male attire."

  "I've been trying to avoid him. I've put him off, but he keeps sending me invitations which I decline. So I had no wish to see him — it would have been awkward… And of course, Madame…"

  "You're sure that his companion was Madame Parisi?" He asked again.

  She nodded.

  He was silent for a moment, then he leaned towards her, his elbows on his thighs. "It's gratifying that you took heed of my words of warning about Tommy Keaton in the face of his persistence in furthering his acquaintance with you. If you're sure of what you saw…"

  "If I'd wanted to see more of him your words would not have weighed with me," she snapped.

  "Settle your feathers, Jane."

  "So you didn't know that Madame was still in London." She refused to be baited by him.

  "Tell me everything that you saw, and heard. What were they talking about?"

  "They were speaking about…" she thought carefully. Tommy and Madame had been speaking about a carriage, and a pair of horses, she remembered.

  She closed her eyes for a moment, then recounted as much of their conversation as she could remember. Their words had been innocuous, and she hadn't paid much attention to what they said, because she had been so shocked at seeing Madame, dressed as a man.

  When she had finished, Kelly stared down at the carpet for a long moment. "Thank you, you've given me some important information." He paused. "You will let me know if you see Tommy Keaton again? And if you see Madame Parisi again?"

  "Of course."

  "Did they see you?"

  "No, I'm certain that they didn't. When I first heard his voice, Tommy had his back to me, and I moved behind a shelf. Then they strolled into the room. They were busy talking, and neither looked in my direction."

  He stood. "If Lord Beaumont should ask you to go walking, or riding… will you do me the kindness of refusing him?"

  "Certainly I will refuse him. But could you give me a reason?"

  "Tommy Keaton is involved in some matters which I can't explain to you. It's best to avoid him, so you will have my gratitude if you take my advice."

  "I haven't told Catherine — may I tell her?"

  "Yes, of course. She needs to tell Morley and the other servants that you're not at home to Tommy Keaton. But tell no one else."

  Jane found an opportunity to speak to Catherine later that evening. Catherine was dressing to go to a musicale given by one of Mrs. Eardley's friends. Jane was staying at home with Henry and Bunny.

  Catherine glanced at Jane's face, then waved at her maid to leave the room. "What is it my dear?"

  "I need to tell you what happened today, at Hatchard's… I asked Kelly to call."

  "Yes, I heard that he called on you, and then left again. Tell me."

  Catherine frowned, but made no comments at all while Jane told her story.

  When Jane had finished relating what she'd seen, and what Kelly had said, Catherine remained silent. She stared down at the carpet, then she sighed. "I knew that there was something — very well, Tommy must be refused the house. Of course when we see him, if he makes an attempt to speak to us, we will be polite. To do otherwise would cause chatter."

  "Of course… I'll leave you to continue dressing." Jane had reached the door when Catherine asked her to come back and sit down. "Just for a moment." She studied Jane's face. "My dear, you know that Kelly is in the pay of the Duke of Wellington?"

  "Yes."

  Catherine shivered. “Kelly is involved in dangerous matters, which are not mentioned in good company. Or in any company. Secret matters. Not to put too fine a point on it, I assume that he suspects Tommy Keaton of treason…"

  Jane put her hand to her neck.

  "So," Catherine went on, "we will avoid him as much as we can, if we can do it without giving offense and causing talk. He's been pursuing you, and if you merely greet him politely when in his company, that will be thought unexceptional. He's hunting for a wife, you've no wish to marry… Tommy's been rolled up for years. No one will be surprised if you’ve cooled on him, since no one ever expected him to offer for you."

  The topic made her uncomfortable, and she put her hand on the door knob to leave the room.

  Catherine studied her for a long moment, then nodded. "Good night, my dear."

  Jane fervently wished that she would never see Tommy Keaton again, but that wish wasn't granted.

  The day of Babette's wedding arrived. Catherine and Henry attended the short service at Mr. Knightsbridge's home while Bunny and Jane oversaw the preparations for the wedding breakfast in the gardens at Eardley House.

  Jane had already seen Babette in her wedding gown. The pale green of the gown, with its bodice of ivory lace and softly flowing sleeves, brought out the brilliant blue of Babette's eyes.

  When Babette was having the final fitting for the gown at Madame Lola's Jane had asked her whether she was happy. Babette opened her bright blue eyes wide and smiled. "Lady Jane, I am more than happy. This is beyond anything."

  "And Mr. Knightsbridge?"

  She laughed. "He is most — bashful."

  Jane couldn't keep the incredulity from her tone. "Bashful?"

  "Indeed. He defers to me in all things. His aunt…" she hesitated. "Perhaps she is a little overbearing. But I'm sure that we shall be happy. I never thought to have a home of my own, and a carriage, and a dress allowance. And I'm to have an emerald parure for my wedding gift, can you imagine?"

  She pressed Jane's hand. "Thank you, Lady Jane. For everything — you've been most kind, and so concerned for my welfare… From the moment we met. I owe you everything."

  Jane shook her head, and laughed, although her throat was tight. "I did nothing — you deserve the best of everythi
ng. I know that Catherine wishes that you were her daughter."

  "And I wish that I were truly an Eardley — but everyone has been so kind to me, that I feel that I am… I never expected so much. I know that you think that my father is —"

  "Your father has done well by you," she said quickly, because whatever might be said against him, Major Grove had behaved well.

  "Mrs. Grove insists that I call her Catherine… I could not have expected such immense kindness. I was so reluctant to come to London, and to meet my father, you could not imagine. I was terrified. But now, I have never been happier in my life."

  Jane had to be satisfied with Babette's words.

  Standing on the terrace looking out over the garden, she thought that they might have been at Gostwicke Hall, rather than in London. The sun shone, birds twittered in the trees, and the servants bustled about arranging chairs and laying ivory cloths over the long tables.

  "My lady, the guests have begun arriving," a footman told her. "Mrs. Smythe-Hamill is still in her rooms. Could you —?"

  "I'll come at once."

  Half an hour later, many of the guests had arrived. Catherine had organized a breakfast for a hundred people, but Jane soon realized that many more than a hundred had already arrived. She had to ask Bunny about the food — would there be enough?

  "Jane, how wonderful you look," she heard a male voice behind her.

  Jane blinked up at Tommy. "You – what are you doing here?" She was certain that Catherine hadn't invited him.

  He bowed over her hand. "My dear, I've been determined to see you, but you are never at home when I call." His smile was broad. "No, I haven't an invitation, but I had to come — to see you. You will forgive me?"

  She pulled her hand from his abruptly, and forced a smile.

  "Tommy, how are those wonderful girls of yours?" Bunny rescued her by taking Tommy's arm. "Come, my boy — you must tell me about your stay in Tuscany soon. How I envy you… But we haven't time to discuss that now, because there are people I wish you to meet."

  Smoothly, Bunny led Tommy away from Jane.

  Bunny had been skillful in removing him from Jane's side, and she was glad of it. Bunny was unaware of the reasons that Tommy had become de trop — Catherine had merely told her and Henry that Major Baker-Cornhill had encouraged them to sever the connection. They knew that he had reasons for the request, and wouldn't question those reasons.

  Then Mr. Morley told her that Mr. and Mrs. Knightsbridge had arrived, and what should he do, because they would soon run out of champagne? So Jane had no time to think about Tommy, until Kelly arrived.

  He found her on the servants' back staircase, emerging from the cellar with Mr. Morley.

  "There you are — I've been looking for you." He held out his arm to her and she was forced to take it.

  She couldn't prevent the tingle she felt on touching him. It seemed to extend to every part of her body. She bit her lip. Why was she so intensely aware of him?

  "I wish to speak with you," he said, and drew her into one of the small town receiving rooms on the lower floor of the house. "Why is Tommy Keaton here?" He closed the door behind them, and turned to her.

  Jane walked into the room. She faced him, and raised her eyebrows. "I assure you that Tommy wasn't invited. By now, he's been refused the house so many times, that he knows very well that we've severed our connection with him. I don't know why he's here."

  Kelly's gaze narrowed on her. He folded his arms and leaned against the door. "How often have you seen him?"

  Whatever did he mean? "Seen him?" She was confused. "I haven't had a conversation with him if that's what you mean, although we've exchanged greetings in Bond Street, and in the park, but I've always excused myself as quickly as was polite."

  "You haven't had a private conversation with him?"

  She didn't understand. "Most assuredly not — what are you implying?"

  "I've had him watched. You're sure that you saw him with Madame Parisi in Hatchard's."

  It was inappropriate for them to be alone in the small room. However Jane was determined that he would never see how uncomfortable he made her.

  She told herself crossly that he should not make her uncomfortable at all. She knew him well. He was Lord Delmere's close friend, and he had often called at Kingston house. She didn't like that he disconcerted her. "I told you… unless Madame has a twin brother, who looks exactly like her, including the shape of her face, the color of her complexion, the shape of her body… not to mention that he has similarly small feet," she said, "I saw her. In male attire. In Hatchard's. I could not mistake."

  He stared down at the floor, and shook his head. "There's no sign of the woman. She's visited no friends, indeed every one of her connections believes that she is on her way to St. Helena. Only you have seen her and I don't know what to think."

  "Kelly — I know what I saw. Madame Parisi was in London."

  "I don't like it. I most especially don't like the fact that Tommy Keaton seems intent on you. I've been here for half an hour, and I've watched him, and you. He is watching you."

  "He wasn't invited," she repeated. "I didn't invite him, if that is your concern. He knows very well that he is not welcome in the house. I haven't told anyone about Hatchard's except Catherine. Bunny and Henry merely know that the man is no longer welcome — that Catherine wishes to sever the connection… That you wish it."

  "You must have encouraged him — somehow."

  She blinked at the accusation. "Encouraged him?" Whatever was he suggesting?

  "What else am I to think? You spent much of the day with the man at Newmarket. He calls at Eardley House."

  Jane realized that she had clenched her fists. How dare he? Was he suggesting that she had some clandestine connection to Lord Keaton Beaumont? That was beyond anything. "I wish that I had never told you about seeing the woman in Hatchard's."

  She walked toward the door, determined to leave the room.

  He stepped backward, so that stood in right in front of the door, blocking her way.

  He didn't move. He stared down at her, his arms folded.

  "You will pardon me, Major Baker-Cornhill — this conversation is at an end." She glared up at him.

  The green in his grey eyes glittered, so that they looked like the eyes of a large predatory cat.

  If he didn't get out of her way, she would shove him out of the way. "Your pardon," she said tightly. "I said, our conversation is at an end." Drat the man, she thought.

  Still he stood, and her gaze narrowed. He aimed to intimidate her — how dare he? "Get out of my way, you enormous lump!"

  His eyes widened for an instant. Then his lips twitched, and finally, he stepped aside. She opened the door, and slipped through it.

  She hoped never to see him again, although that was a futile hope, she realized. But at least she need never speak to him of Ninon Parisi.

  That was also a futile hope.

  Over the next week, when she wasn't closeted with Mr. Kettering, Jane was busy running errands. She didn't see Kelly, although he never far from her mind.

  The morning before they were due to leave for Norfolk, Catherine and Jane were alone in the breakfast room. Henry was still at the stables, and it was too early for Bunny to join them downstairs.

  Catherine would be busy all day. She asked Jane to pick up some walking gowns that they'd ordered at Madame Lola's. "She promised that they would be ready," she said. "And when you return from your errands, could you remember check Henry's trunks? The girl thinks of nothing but horses."

  "And her guns," Jane said, amusement in her tone. Henry had announced that when they reached Lord Ferrymore's, she would teach Jane to shoot.

  Jane hadn't told her that Alex had already taught her to handle guns. He'd insisted that she become a good shot. At Kennystowe Castle, she and Alex went hunting out of necessity. They ate everything that they shot; it wasn't mere sport to them.

  The evening before, Catherine had sent a message to Madame L
ola, telling her that Jane would collect the packages early, and that everything must be ready, so Jane ordered the carriage immediately after breakfast. She would make an early start — after she collected the gowns at Madame Lola's, she had to deliver some letters to Mr Kettering. No doubt he would have other tasks for her as well.

  "My lady," Madame curtsied when Jane entered the shop, "everything will be ready for you in a few minutes. Our new creation books for spring have arrived… Here are three of them for you to take with you — you'll tell Mrs. Grove that I'll send samples of the new winter wools to Gostwicke Hall?"

  Jane was forced to wait. She idly inspected the new designs — she liked several, and decided that she might order them. However her mind was also busy with the arrangements for packing, and on a letter she had received from Alex.

  The letter was partly cryptic; in code. She knew that the coded paragraphs were something to do with the treasure. Alex had insisted that when they mentioned the treasure, they must use a code. She decided that she would decode them when they reached Norfolk.

  She looked up when a shopgirl bowed to her. "My lady, would you come with me into a workroom? I have something for you to see."

  "Of course," Jane said politely. She lay down the design books and followed the girl through the shop, and down a corridor.

  The shopgirl opened a door for her and bowed her through it, then closed the door behind her. The windowless room was dark, lit by a single lamp.

  It was a store room. Jane looked at the rolls of material in tubs, and stacks of boxes in bewilderment. Why had the girl brought her here?

  "Lady Jane?"

  Jane blinked. It was Ninon Parisi, dressed as she had been when Jane saw her in Hatchard's. She made a credible young man. "Madame?" Jane stared. She couldn't help it. How did the woman manage to appear flat-chested?

  "You are wondering why I asked to see you?"

  Her French accent had gone. Jane blinked. "You're not French at all."

  Madame smiled. She waved a hand. "No, but I suspect that you already knew that."

  "May I ask why you wished to see me?"