Claire Thornton

by The Wolf's Promise

  ‘It wasn’t obvious,’ said Sir William dryly. ‘You reminded me very much of your father in one of his more autocratic moments!’

  Angelica blushed and bit her lip ruefully.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ she apologised again.

  ‘Never mind, m’dear,’ said Sir William gruffly. ‘You’ve had a lot to contend with these past two years.’ He took her hand and patted it with rough sympathy. ‘But if the Earl didn’t bring you here who did?’ he asked.

  There had been no sound to alert Angelica, not even a creak on the wooden stairs, but somehow she knew he was there.

  She looked past Sir William straight into Benoît’s dark, amused eyes. She had been desperately longing for his support, and now her heart leapt with joyous relief at his unexpected appearance. Despite the hard riding he must have done since they’d last met he was as elegant and assured as ever. His composure contrasted devastatingly with the magistrate’s unfocused bluster.

  Angelica’s hand fluttered in Sir William’s, and a brilliant smile lit up her face as she looked at Benoît. All the anxiety and tension were stripped from her eyes and she glowed with bright, happy radiance. Her warmth and pleasure seemed to illuminate the gloomy landing.

  Benoît’s expression had been watchful as well as amused as he’d mounted the stairs, but for an instant, as he returned her look, his eyes blazed with a passion to match her own. Then the familiar, wolf-wary gleam returned to his eyes, and he turned to face the magistrate.

  ‘My God!’ said Sir William, staring at Benoît in stunned disbelief. ‘Not you, Faulkener?’

  Benoît grinned. Angelica saw a flash of his white teeth in the poor light.

  ‘Why not?’ he asked mockingly. ‘Don’t you think I’m capable of protecting a lady?’

  ‘Dammit! Faulkener!’ Sir William growled. ‘That’s not what I meant. Although—’

  ‘Although that would, in fact, appear to be the case,’ Benoît interrupted smoothly ‘Forgive me, my lady.’ He took Angelica’s hand and kissed it gracefully. ‘I had no idea you were going to have such an unpleasantly exciting time this morning.’

  ‘Not…unpleasant,’ said Angelica, trying to keep her voice steady at his touch.

  She had spent a lot of time imagining their next meeting, but it had never occurred to her that it would take place under the eye of the magistrate. She was acutely aware that Sir William was staring at them in open amazement, and she was desperately trying not to appear self-conscious.

  ‘Sir William is an old friend of my father,’ she continued. ‘I could never find it unpleasant to talk to him, but the situation is a little awkward.’

  ‘It is indeed,’ said Benoît. He smiled faintly and squeezed her hand reassuringly. Then he turned to Sir William.

  ‘You should have confided in me, Faulkener,’ said Sir William brusquely, recovering from his initial surprise. ‘Then none of this unfortunate business would have happened. I’d no idea you were acquainted with Lord Ellewood. But you’ve always been secretive and irresponsible!’

  ‘That’s not true!’ Angelica burst out indignantly before Benoît could speak. ‘He—’ She broke off, biting her lip, as Benoît caught her eye.

  ‘I think,’ said Benoît deliberately, ‘that we have spent enough time on this dark and draughty landing. We might proceed better with a little more illumination.’ And he opened Adam’s door.

  He did it with so little drama that for a moment Angelica didn’t even realise what he’d done.

  ‘But—’ she protested, as it dawned on her he was inviting Sir William to enter the room.

  ‘After you, my lady,’ he said, with unruffled courtesy. ‘Sir William.’

  ‘What game are you playing now, Faulkener?’ said Sir William suspiciously, but he went into Adam’s room without further protest.

  Angelica felt as if the world had turned upside down. After all her efforts to protect Adam from the magistrate, she couldn’t believe Benoît was just going to hand him over to Sir William! He must have some scheme in mind—but she couldn’t imagine what it was.

  Sir William took three paces across the room and stopped dead as he met Adam’s strained expression.

  ‘By St George!’ the magistrate breathed, completely stunned. ‘I thought you were dead, boy!’

  ‘Just an unfounded rumour, I’m glad to say,’ Adam replied, letting his head fall back against the pillow as some of the tension ebbed from his eyes. ‘Although I came a bit too close for comfort this time.’

  Sir William recovered from his first shock and strode over to the bed.

  ‘What the devil have you been up to?’ he demanded roughly. ‘I heard you were going to try your fortunes in India—and then you took the fever. What did you mean by disappearing like that without a word?’

  ‘Events…overtook me,’ said Adam. ‘I apologise for my lack of courtesy.’

  ‘Damned improvident, reckless, thoughtless…’ Sir William seized Adam’s hand and held it very tightly.

  Angelica stared at the magistrate in confusion. She was sure there were tears in his eyes, although he was doing his best to disguise his emotion beneath his customary blustering manner. She glanced at Benoît and saw that he was smiling. Thomas was looking both unhappy and uncomfortable in the furthest corner of the room.

  ‘So you’re the one who brought Angelica the letter about Harry!’ Sir William exclaimed at last.

  Adam hesitated. He looked pale and tired. Sir William’s exuberance had pleased him, but it was also exhausting.

  ‘He has just returned from France,’ said Benoît quietly. ‘It was a French agent who wounded him. You can understand why we didn’t want to draw attention to his presence. I was going to take him to Holly House, but the Manor would be an easier journey for him—you could take the carriage along the sands at low tide.’

  Sir William frowned.

  ‘And what will you be doing in the meantime?’ he asked bluntly. ‘Getting Harry out of France?’

  Angelica gasped. She hadn’t expected the magistrate to be so acute. He glanced at her sardonically.

  ‘They may have led me on some merry dances over the years, my lady,’ he said dryly. ‘But I’ve known both these idle scoundrels since they were in short-coats. They’d never let a challenge like that go unanswered.’

  ‘Well, we have a number of challenges at the moment,’ said Benoît briskly. ‘I suggest we start tackling them. Sir William, if you will be kind enough to organise Adam’s departure for the Manor, I will take Lady Angelica back to Holly House. Perhaps you would collect whatever you need from your room, my lady.’

  Angelica hurried to do Benoît’s bidding. She was beginning to feel somewhat indignant that her efforts to protect Adam had apparently been entirely unnecessary, but she wasn’t about to argue with Benoît in front of the others. Besides, the sooner they left, the sooner she would be alone with him.

  It was another bright, windy March day, with a clear blue sky and a pale, glistening sun.

  Benoît had come back to collect Angelica in his curricle, and she was able to watch the countryside pass by in reasonable, though chilly, comfort.

  ‘Do you mean I did all that for nothing?’ she demanded as soon as they were on their way. ‘If Sir William is going to take Adam back to the Manor I needn’t have tried to hide him at all!’

  ‘I wouldn’t say that,’ said Benoît, grinning. ‘You put up a spectacular defence. I was very impressed.’

  ‘You were?’ Angelica looked at him suspiciously, half afraid he was making fun of her. She felt almost shy in his presence, but that was ridiculous.

  He glanced at her and smiled, and she felt her heart turn over at the warmth in his eyes.

  ‘Yes,’ he said. ‘I was proud of you—though I dread to think of the rumours we’ll soon have to contend with!’

  ‘But if there was no harm in Sir William knowing, I might have saved myself the trouble,’ Angelica protested, although her heart was beating a quick rhythm of happiness at his praise. ‘An
d now I come to think of it—Thomas was terrified of Sir William discovering us! None of it seems to make any sense at all!’

  Benoît grinned.

  ‘Thomas’s involvement with smuggling is rather more recent than mine,’ he explained. ‘And he’s never had quite the same relationship with Sir William that Adam and I had. It’s hard for him to believe that Sir William is not always a threat to our interests. And it would have been unfortunate if Blunderbuss Billy had gone stampeding into Adam’s room with half his men gawping behind him. It was just as well you got him to send them away. He can be discreet when he wants to be—but it doesn’t come naturally to him!’

  ‘It doesn’t, does it?’ said Angelica, remembering the magistrate’s argument with the innkeeper, and then his long debate at the top of the stairs with her. ‘If that’s how he normally goes about his business, I’m not surprised he hasn’t caught many smugglers!’

  Benoît laughed.

  ‘He was in a difficult position today,’ he said fairly. ‘Joe was one of Toby’s cronies, so Sir William must have been almost certain, even before he arrived at the inn, that any smuggler it contained wasn’t one of the band he fought on the beach two nights ago. That gang is far more vicious and violent than any of Toby’s old friends—and Sir William knows it. He may even have guessed that Joe was betrayed by a less scrupulous rival—but he had to be seen to act on the information he received, even if he didn’t relish the task. He’s usually behaves a little more circumspectly!’

  ‘I should hope so!’ said Angelica forcefully. ‘Was it always like this, Benoît? I mean, Sir William seems so fond of you and Adam, even though he admits you led him a merry dance—yet we heard pistol shots on the beach that night, and Thomas said one of Sir William’s men was killed.’

  ‘Toby always kept violence to a minimum,’ said Benoît grimly. ‘There have been a lot of unfortunate changes since his death. It may be time to do something about them. Too many men have died, and Sir William is getting too old for pitched battles through the countryside.’

  ‘What do you mean?’ said Angelica quickly, suddenly afraid for Benoît. ‘What are you going to do?’

  He glanced briefly at her, then his rather tense expression relaxed and he drew the horses to a stand-still beside the road.

  ‘Nothing at the moment,’ he assured her. ‘I was thinking aloud. Don’t worry.’

  ‘Don’t worry!’ Angelica exclaimed. ‘How can I help it when…?’

  He transferred the reins into one hand and reached up to touch her hair. Her pulse began to race and she caught her breath as she looked into his face. They had spent so long in the dark together that it was almost a shock to meet his eyes in the bright morning sunlight. There was so much warmth and admiration in his expression that she felt light-headed.

  ‘I’m sorry you had such a difficult time in my absence,’ he said softly. ‘If I’d thought for one moment that you’d be troubled at the inn I wouldn’t have left you there. I should have had Thomas take you back to Holly House last night.’

  ‘I wouldn’t have gone,’ Angelica whispered breathlessly. ‘Benoît, it was real, wasn’t it? I mean…’

  He smiled and bent to kiss her.

  As his lips met hers she closed her eyes, giddy with relief and happiness. She hadn’t imagined any of it. The way he looked at her and the way he made her feel were both quite real. She twisted towards him, responding with her characteristic lack of reserve, and as usual it was Benoît who drew back first.

  He laughed softly, stroking her sunshine-bright curls with teasing fingers. She gazed up at him, her wide blue eyes dark with glowing, undisguised emotion.

  ‘Going anywhere with you is about as safe as carrying a live coal in my pocket!’ he declared, a wicked gleam in his eyes. ‘We are on the King’s high road, my love. A little more decorum may be in order.’

  Angelica blushed. Her lips were still burning from his touch and her body was throbbing with unfulfilled passion.

  ‘Then you shouldn’t have kissed me!’ she said energetically, secure in the knowledge that he was teasing her.

  ‘The temptation was irresistible.’ He grinned, winding a golden curl idly around his finger, and sending a shiver of pleasure down her spine. ‘What happened to your protestations of false modesty?’ he enquired provocatively. ‘Weren’t you telling me only two days ago you had no intention of kissing me again?’

  ‘I don’t remember saying anything of the kind!’ Angelica replied firmly, although a faint smile played on her lips as she spoke.

  ‘What an adaptable memory,’ he said admiringly.

  ‘I have a very good memory,’ she said placidly. ‘What did the Admiralty say?’

  ‘They thanked me for my time and effort,’ Benoît replied wryly. ‘I’ve a feeling it was old news to them. They have more than one iron in the fire. But the matter’s in their hands now.’

  ‘You mean Adam nearly got killed for nothing!’ Angelica exclaimed indignantly. ‘That’s wicked!’

  ‘That’s war,’ Benoît replied dryly. ‘We shall have to see what develops.’

  ‘I think it’s disgraceful!’ Angelica declared forcefully. ‘Did they waste any thanks or sympathy for Adam?’

  ‘He didn’t do it for a reward,’ Benoît said quietly. ‘He did it because several of his French relatives died on the guillotine—and they weren’t aristocrats. He hates the new regime more than most but I think he’s had his fill of spying now. It goes against the grain with him. He’s done some good work in the past, more than sufficient to earn him an honourable retirement. I doubt if he’ll go back.’

  ‘But you will,’ Angelica whispered, feeling a shadow of fear, despite the bright sunlight.

  ‘For Harry? Of course,’ Benoît said calmly.

  Angelica closed her eyes, finally confronted with the true magnitude of the task she had asked Benoît to perform.

  She was bitterly torn by her love for her brother and her love for Benoît. She wanted to tell him not to go—but if she did that she was afraid she was sealing Harry’s fate. She knew her brother would never wait patiently in a French prison. At the first opportunity he would make another escape attempt—and next time he might be killed.

  She gripped her hands tightly in her lap, unable to speak, because nothing she could say would help. She knew better than to suppose Benoît would break his word because she was afraid for him. He would keep his promise to the Earl, and to her, no matter what it cost him.

  She felt him cover her hands with his own, and opened her eyes, looking at him with a strained, tense expression.

  ‘Don’t be afraid,’ he said softly. ‘I will bring Harry safely back to you.’

  ‘I can’t help it,’ she whispered. ‘I am so frightened for both of you. I never saw the danger so clearly before. When I think how I tried to force you—if anything happened to you…’

  ‘You didn’t force me into this,’ said Benoît gently.

  He squeezed her hand reassuringly, then reached up to wrap a glowing curl around his finger.

  ‘I made a promise to your father years ago,’ he reminded her. ‘Even if you hadn’t brought the letter to Sussex yourself, I would still have rescued Harry. But I would never have met you.’

  ‘I’m not sorry I came.’ Angelica tried to smile. ‘I just wish I could go to France with you.’

  ‘I know.’ He stroked her cheek. ‘Waiting is always the hardest part. I’ve never relished it myself. But we will come safely home, don’t ever doubt it.’

  ‘I won’t.’ Angelica took a deep breath, trying to banish her anxieties. They served no useful purpose, and they only clouded the time she had with Benoît. They had not discussed the future, but she felt more than ever now that they would share it.

  ‘Did you see Papa?’ she asked after a moment. ‘Benoît, what is it?’ she said sharply, as she saw a flicker in his eyes. ‘Is Papa ill?’

  ‘No,’ he said instantly, ‘far from it! But I didn’t speak to the Earl—he’d left London befo
re I arrived.’

  ‘What?’ Angelica could hardly believe it.

  Her father hadn’t left his town house since the accident.

  ‘I understand that neither your letter, nor mine, reached him,’ said Benoît. ‘I don’t know what happened to my messenger.’ A flicker of concern glowed briefly in his eyes. ‘Simpson’s an old sailor. He’s served with me for the past five years. He’s utterly loyal. I hope he hasn’t come to harm.’

  For a moment Benoît’s eyes remained clouded as he thought of his friend and servant, then he focused on Angelica’s face. ‘The Earl is at Holly House now,’ he said quietly.

  ‘Here?’ Angelica gripped Benoît’s hand convulsively. Not for an instant had she considered the possibility that the Earl might follow her. ‘Have you spoken to him?’

  ‘Not yet,’ Benoît replied. ‘I realised he was ahead of me when I was on the road. He probably arrived last night. He’s come after you, and I thought the sooner he found you the better—so I didn’t delay.’

  ‘Oh, my God!’ Angelica felt almost sick with anxiety and guilt.

  What fear or anger had driven the Earl to leave the security of his home after being secluded there for more than eighteen months?

  ‘He must be so worried about me,’ she whispered. ‘I should have gone home straight away. Oh, God! What have I done?’

  ‘He will surely understand you had doubts about me,’ said Benoît bracingly. ‘As I remember, he is not the kind of man to accept another man’s opinion without question. Your actions were entirely natural in the circumstances.’

  ‘I suppose so,’ said Angelica doubtfully.

  She was still stunned by the fact that the Earl had travelled all the way into Sussex when he had refused point blank to go anywhere by carriage since his accident.

  ‘I never thought he’d leave the house again,’ she said wonderingly. ‘I kept trying to make him go out, but he wouldn’t. Perhaps…’ A smile suddenly lit up her eyes. ‘Perhaps his nightmares have receded and he’s no longer so afraid of the outside world. Perhaps he didn’t realise it until I came into Sussex. He used to like visiting Sir William.’