She kept her pistol in her pocket as a talisman, and slept with it under her pillow at night. The small pistol hadn’t been out of her reach since Kelly and his men had rescued her from the house in St. James’s Square.
“What about the treasure?"
Alex ran his fingers through his hair. He shook his head. "I've given up digging. Father hasn't been well these past weeks, and when we received news that you were missing, I found that I didn't care about the treasure at all. We have a new start my dear. No debts… that means that finally, I’ll be able to make something of the estate." He rubbed his hands together. “With our debts paid, we’ll be able to put Mr. Dewrigan’s plans in train and make the estate pay at last. We’re free of debts.”
Jane blinked at him. She couldn't believe that he would give up treasure hunting. However, Alex seemed sincere.
Jane intended staying at Kennystowe Castle for a week, then she would travel to Gostwicke Hall. While she was still in London, Mr. Kettering had called at Eardley House. She had had a long conference with him. He was now traveling around Lady Delmere's estates.
Doyle and Alex got on well together. They went shooting several times, and Jane rode Midnight around the estate.
Her sisters were happy. They were pleased to see that she was well, but Dorinda begged her to stay home at Kennystowe. "My dear, I worry about you. And now that Mr. Killock is in such trouble, and we’ve no fear of debt, there’s no reason for you to work.”
“No, darling… I enjoy working for Lady Delmere, and I’ve agreed to bring out Lady Margaret next year.”
Although Jane tried to reassure her, Dorinda was concerned that Jane’s reputation would suffer because Killock had abducted her. “No one knows, and Mrs. Grove is more than capable of managing my reputation," Jane told her.
On her final evening at Kennystowe, Jane made a long list of tasks she had to complete when she arrived at Gostwicke Hall. Lizzie had packed her clothes, and left Jane to read a box of Mr. Kettering’s correspondence with the stewards and tenants on Lady Delmere’s estates.
If she thought of Lord Keaton Beaumont at all, it was only in connection with Kelly. She wondered whether Kelly had captured him. The last place she expected to see him was in her bedroom at Kennystowe Castle.
When Jane heard the door of her sitting room open and then close, she didn't look up from the letter she was reading. "Lizzie? It's all right — I'm not wearing stays so I won't need your help to undress. Take yourself off to bed."
"Lady Jane, you’ve caused me a lot of trouble and bother,” a smooth male voice said.
Jane froze. Lord Keaton Beaumont stood in front of the door.
"How did you get into this room?"
He kept the pistol pointing at her while he turned the key in the lock. “Easily enough — by the servants’ stairs while you were at dinner… I found a small room in which to hide myself. What happened to your furniture? Your home is depressing, Lady Jane."
Although her legs felt weak, Jane forced herself to rise from her chair and face him. He leaned against the door. Her gaze focused on the pistol in his hand. Then she lifted her gaze to his face. "What do you want?"
"You’ll help me to leave England. You've made it impossible for me to take ship and get to the continent. I will use your life to bargain for my freedom… Kelly won't try to stop me because he knows that I will shoot you. I have nothing to lose, Lady Jane… You're the cause of my troubles, so you owe me your cooperation."
Jane was very aware of her own pistol in her pocket. “You have horses?"
“Two horses. Tied up in a small wood about two miles away — so put on your walking shoes. It's a moonlight night tonight, and we’ll be able to cover a few miles before daylight… We could leave immediately, but your brother is still awake, he’s in the library. Your father is also awake. He’s in the kitchen. Most of the servants have retired. We'll wait for the house to settle, and then we'll leave."
"Very well. I’ll accompany you,” Jane said. She tilted her head to the side. “But I’m curious. Will you tell me why you wanted Madame Parisi? How could she help you?"
“Ninon is a very clever woman. She was selling information – the whereabouts of Bonaparte’s gold. She was selling to the highest bidder, and I couldn't afford to bid. I suppose they’ll get the information about the gold out of her at Horse Guards. So that avenue of funds is closed to me, but luckily I still have some of my own money on the continent. Getting there is the challenge."
"I'm quite willing to accompany you,” Jane repeated. “But the sight of that pistol makes me very nervous, so please put it down. You could overpower me easily — you gain nothing by threatening me."
He stared at her intently.
She met his gaze and pressed her hands together at her waist. She knew that she was pale, and looked frightened. She wasn't pretending. She was terrified.
He didn't know that she had her pistol. He'd been unaware that she had it when Killock abducted her, and she had never used it nor shown it to anyone other than Kelly’s men at the house in St. James's Square. "Tell me, were you spying all those years that you were in Tuscany?"
He chuckled at that, and moved to a comfortable chair in front of the fire. He lowered the pistol, and waved her over so she could take the other chair.
She walked across the room, telling herself that she had to be patient and wait for exactly the right moment. She wanted him to turn his back on her, because she had already decided that she would never leave the house with him.
"Long before that my dear. My grandfather and father both traded in information. So you might say it's by way of being a family tradition. I needed to leave the country, and my wife's death provided an excuse."
She shook her head. She had to bite her lip to stop herself asking whether he had murdered his wife. She didn't want to hear the answer.
"But why?"
"You're living in a castle with the wind slicing through gaps in the walls, and barely a stick of furniture, and you can ask that?"
"So, you were paid."
"I was paid. I was paid then and I will be paid again, but now I need to get out of England and as I said before, you owe me."
"Very well then. You'll allow me to change into a riding habit? And to pack a small bag? I assume that you wouldn't want me to attract attention on our way to the coast?"
“Change if you wish, but I'll accompany you to your dressing room. I've no intention of letting you out of my sight, Jane. I haven't forgotten that you went on Lord Ferrymore’s shoot. You’re somewhat notorious.”
Jane managed a tight chuckle. "My Mantons are downstairs. I’d hardly keep them in my dressing room."
The gun was resting on his lap. He waved his hand carelessly. "I've no designs on your virtue, my lady. I admit that you’re quite appetizing in your own way. I've heard men discussing you, and I know that Baker-Cornhill is very taken with you… Which makes you the perfect weapon to use against him.”
She forced herself to smile. "Very well then, I'll go and change." She left her chair, and walked into her dressing room.
A bag. She need a small bag, and a riding habit. They would likely be on the road for a couple of days, and although she had no intention of going with him, she had to pretend that she was taking his instructions seriously.
She found a bag she could tie on behind her saddle, and selected a riding habit. Ignoring him totally, she bustled about, although her knees felt weak and her throat was dry.
As soon as she got the opportunity, she’d use her pistol.
That opportunity presented itself a couple of minutes later.
When a door slammed somewhere in the house, Lord Keaton Beaumont turned and left her dressing room. He held his pistol in his right hand, and went to the door of her sitting room.
Now. It had to be now.
She put her hand in her pocket and withdrew the pistol. She raised it, and held it in both hands to steady it. Then she aimed at his right shoulder and pulled the trigger.
Waving away the smoke, she saw that he’d dropped the pistol… He collapsed against the door.
She set her pistol on a table, and picked up his.
Chapter 16
Jane forced herself to step over Lord Keaton Beaumont so that she could unlock the door for Alex and Doyle.
"You shot me!" Tommy sounded outraged. He clutched his shoulder. Blood welled through his fingers.
"I did, and it’a nothing less than you deserve."
He looked befuddled. Jane swallowed hard. She backed away from him. There was a great deal of blood, but she couldn't bring herself to touch him.
Doyle threw open the door, hitting Keaton’s head and making him yell.
Doyle stared down at him, and then at Jane. “Well — Lord Keaton Beaumont! Very well done, my lady. My lord — it appears that we needn't have hunted you. All we had to do was wait for you to come to us."
Alex pushed Doyle aside looked at Tommy Keaton dispassionately. “He’s bleeding, and I’ve no wish to blind him up…Bleed away, my man.” He shook his head at Jane. “Thank heavens you still had your pistol, my dear.”
Telling Doyle that he’d better see whether Tommy had any confederates who were about, Alex left the room.
Dorinda and Edie peered around the door, staring at Lord Keaton Beaumont.
Jane’s knees were weak. She shook her head at Doyle’s questioning look, and hurried into her bedroom. She sat in a chair and closed her eyes. She had begun shaking again.
She’d shot Lord Keaton Beaumont. She still couldn't believe that she had done it.
No one slept that night. By the time dawn arrived, the commander of the local militia had called, as had the magistrate, and the doctor. They agreed that Lord Keaton Beaumont would be taken to York under armed guard.
“He’s not badly injured," Alex said to Jane, sounding disgruntled. "You’ll have to spend more time practicing. You took a chunk out of the top of his right arm, but you've done no real damage. They’ll be able to haul him to London to deal with him.”
Next morning, Jane was questioned by the magistrate, and then told that she could leave if she wished. However, Dorinda insisted that she remain at the Castle for another day. By that time, it late afternoon, and Doyle was still in York.
Alex had decided that he would accompany her to Gostwicke Hall. "You've got Doyle, the coachman, and a couple of grooms, but I'll see you there myself. For all we know there's another couple of brutes who mean you harm. I'm not allowing you to travel without proper protection."
Next morning, Jane groomed Midnight in preparation for the journey to Gostwicke Hall. Doyle had returned, and Lizzie was packing Jane’s bags. Jane was already dressed in her riding habit; she was ready to leave.
She heard horses and a carriage clattering into the Castle courtyard, and left the stables.
She blinked when she saw Kelly striding towards her.
"I've been to York. Lord Keaton Beaumont is on his way to London. They’ll deal with him at Horse Guards.”
"What are you doing here?"
“Looking for you, of course. It’s just as well I did. I heard about Keaton Beaumont — I’ve been to York. I asked Doyle not to tell you that I saw him.”
“Why?”
“I wanted to surprise you — I thought that I would be able to see what your reaction to me was…” Before she realized what he was doing he pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly. Then he released her abruptly. “Come, I wish to speak with you.” He tucked her hand under his elbow.
Jane was silent. She still couldn't believe that he was here, at Kennystowe. She didn't want to speak about Tommy Keaton. He strolled out of the stable yard, and escorted her through the gate into the orchard.
Apples hung heavy on the trees. They were already ripening, and their perfume engulfed them.
Finally, Kelly stopped. He set his hands on her upper arms. She looked up at him. She was well aware that he was about to kiss her, and made no attempt to move away. When his lips met hers, she raised her hands to his neck, and kissed him back.
Kelly held her away from him and laughed shakily. "You'll have to marry me now. I can't have you going about the countryside shooting people. Do you have your pistol?”
She bit her lip. He saw her hand move down to her pocket and laughed out loud. "Very well, I suppose there are worst habits that you could have. But I'm not quite sure that I’ll be comfortable with a wife who goes about armed.”
She forced herself to think. "I won't stay on your estate and breed children. I won’t be that kind of wife,” she announced.
She met his gaze frankly.
His mouth dropped open. “What kind of wife?"
“You can’t leave me in the country, while you travel and conduct your life as you've done before."
“I’ve told you, I resigned my commission,” he frowned down at her. “Wellington knows that he can’t call on me as he used to. And why would you think that I wanted my wife to stay on my estates and breed?"
"It's what wives do."
He took her hand and kissed it. "Jane, all I want from my wife is that she become my friend and my companion. I don't expect her to give up anything and retire to the country. If we were to marry you could continue to bring out young ladies if you wished. Of course, I will try to avoid escorting you to Almacks, but I daresay I could manage it, once or twice a season."
"Well sir, if you wish to ask me again…”
"Very well." He looked down at her, and pressed her hands to his chest. She felt the pounding of his heart. "Lady Jane, will you do me the immense honor of becoming my wife?"
"Major, I will." She slid her hand up to his neck, and lifted herself on tiptoes to meet his kiss.
A month later, Kelly and Jane were wed at Kennystowe Castle in a joyous celebration with 200 guests.
Catherine had organized everything. Rather than Jane traveling to Gostwicke Hall, she and Henry had come to Kennystowe. Catherine had insisted, and wouldn’t be gainsaid. She brought servants from Gostwicke Hall, and Henry brought her horses.
Kelly’s father the earl had arrived, with many members of Kelly’s family. Jane saw that Kelly was stiff with his father, but the earl seemed pleasant enough. Lady MacKenzie and Meggie had also arrived from London.
Jane had received congratulations from everyone. Her wedding gifts included a London home from the earl. To her amazement, Lady Delmere sent her best wishes — and gifted her Midnight.
Jane and Kelly had escaped their wedding guests, and were standing on the motte, looking down at Kennystowe.
"Mrs. Baker-Cornhill,” Kelly said to her, “it's time we were on our way.”
She and Kelly were spending a week at the country home of one of Kelly's friends. Then they would travel to their new home in London.
“It's also time that we begin your education."
Jane frowned. She still had no idea what “education” meant.
She didn’t know whether she should be intrigued, or terrified, but she trusted Kelly. "Is there a lot to learn?"
Kelly kissed her deeply. "There is indeed, my lady…. And we’ll begin your lessons tonight.”
Preview: Tara's Enchantment
Tara's Enchantment: Regency Time Travel Romance, Book 1
By Penelope Redmont
Copyright © 2016 Penelope Redmont.
Tara’s Enchantment is available now.
Prologue
"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy."
― William Shakespeare, Hamlet
Devon Ballantine wanted her three stepdaughters gone, and she finally had the perfect way to do that. She'd considered many different methods. She was the wife of a billionaire, so money was no object. She was endlessly resourceful — and ruthless.
Murder. Kidnapping…
She had no objection to them, and was prepared to pay, but there was always the chance of leaving evidence.
Ideally, Devon wanted Tar
a, Molly and Priscilla to vanish, as if they'd never existed. And she might just have found the perfect way, if everything she'd heard was true.
This way was perfect. If it worked. She'd brought her elegant self to a Fitzrovia art gallery, which was almost as elegant as she was, to make sure that it worked.
She caught her reflection in a glass door, and smiled. As little Tillie Smith, she'd seen the value of her beauty at 16. She'd monetized her height and good looks as an international model. She became Devon, a style icon. Not quite a supermodel, but close. In her modeling years, as a side hustle, she cashed in on all the men who were prepared to pay well for her company. There were a lot of men.
Those years were in the past. Time moved swiftly, and no one remembered Tillie Smith, but she did. She was 36. When she looked in the mirror, she knew that her beauty was fading. It was time to put the past away, and walk into her future. A future of money and power, and that future did not include three stepdaughters.
"Mrs Ballantine?"
She turned towards the door. "Mr Cantor?" Her eyebrows lifted. What a strange little man. He had white hair, and pinkish skin. Although he was dressed in Saint Laurent, the suit hung on him oddly, as though it was about to fall off. When he moved closer, she saw that he was an albino. He was quite elderly; he might have been any age between 60 and 80.
He stared at her intensely. "You're ready to transmit the money?"
"Five million now — if we come to an agreement. And five million in six months, if there's no… reappearance."
"Per woman." His deep voice was scratchy.
Devon felt chilled. She stood straighter, amused at herself. This man could do things that no one else could do, and she expected him to be normal?
"Per woman," she agreed. "Fifteen million US dollars, transferred to a bank account of your choosing, today. And when the other two… are gone, another fifteen million. All you need to do is convince me that you can do what you say you can do."
The Lady And The Military Man_Conquer My Heart Page 19
