‘Well, we have had some excitement,’ she said, trying to be cheerful. ‘I had a morning visit today, from Lady Chelston.’
‘The devil you did!’ ex claimed Nick.
‘Yes. She knew my mother. She said they had lost touch when they both married. I cannot imagine that Mama liked her—I did not take to her at all.’
‘And what did she want?’ asked Nick eagerly. ‘Did she ask to look around the house, or was she looking for you to invite her to stay?’
‘Quite the contrary, she wanted me to join her house party next week. At Chelston Hall. Of course I declined. It would be most improper, especially as she is holding a masquerade.’
‘Is she, by Gad?’
‘Yes. Although she tells me I need not attend.’ A reluctant smile dragged at the corners of her mouth. ‘She sees herself as Persephone, with Chelston as Hades.’
Nick laughed. ‘How appropriate, Hades being known as both the unseen one and the rich one! That fits very well with my idea of the man.’
‘But not so appropriate for his lady.’ chuckled Eve, ‘Persephone was an innocent, and I cannot think that term applies to Lady Chelston!’
‘True, but I like the idea of a masquerade, it could be very useful to us.’
‘Now what are you planning?’ she asked, suspicious of Nick’s wicked grin.
‘Well it would be an advantage to have someone inside Chelston Hall. We might learn some thing.’
Eve backed away, shaking her head. ‘Oh, no!’
Nick gave her a pained look. ‘I would not expect you to search the house, sweet heart, merely to open a door or a window to let me in.’
‘Certainly not! It is impossible for me to go. I am a widow.’ Nick raised an eyebrow at her. ‘Well,’ she temporised, ‘I am still mourning my sheltered.’
‘Of course you are,’ he agreed, reaching out to clasp her hand. ‘You could not be expected to attend the ball, or even to join the company after dinner. Your widow’s status would make it perfectly acceptable for you to keep to your room a good deal, but think how useful you could be, inside Chelston Hall.’
‘I thought you wanted me to live retired,’ she argued. ‘It would be most improper for me to go out in public.’
‘This is a private party at a country house where no one knows you. Your situation would allow you to keep your distance from the other guests.’ He squeezed her hand and gave her the full force of his charming smile. ‘I promise you will come to no harm.’
She felt herself weakening and rallied a final, desperate argument. ‘You cannot know that. Lord Chelston may be planning to coerce me into giving up Monkhurst, or even to have me murdered in my bed.’
‘Chelston is out wardly very respectable. I would not send you if I thought you would be in any real danger. I do not believe he would show his hand quite so plainly. You will take Martha with you, of course.’
‘And where will you be?’ asked Eve suspiciously. She was not reassured by the wicked gleam in his eyes.
‘Oh I shall be close at hand, never fear.’ He squeezed her fingers. ‘Say you will do this for me, sweet heart. Write to the lady and tell her you have changed your mind.’
‘I shall do no such thing! I can think of nothing more likely to rouse her suspicions.’
‘I thought you wanted to help me.’ His reproachful gaze made her falter.
‘Lady Chelston did say she would send me an invitation, even though I told her I should not come. If she does so, then I will accept.’
He lifted her hand and pressed it to his lips. ‘Thank you. I knew I could rely upon you.’
‘Should I go too, sir?’ asked Granby. ‘If there is any danger—’
‘No, I do not think Mrs Wylder will be in any serious danger while she is at Chelston Hall, Richard. I would rather you stayed here, in case they try to break into the house.’
‘You still think there is some thing here that they want?’ ex claimed Eve, snatching her hand away. ‘And you are happy that I should continue to live here, when I may be in mortal danger? Oooh…’ She almost stamped her foot in vexation. ‘You are des pi cable!’
Chapter Twelve
Eve wanted to believe that Lady Chelston’s visit had been no more than a neighbourly gesture and that, having done her Christian duty, the lady would forget all about it. She was there fore disappointed and somewhat surprised when an invitation to visit Chelston Hall arrived a few days later. Having given her word to Nick, Eve sent back a civil acceptance, but it was not to be expected that her decision to visit Chelston Hall would be welcomed by her house hold. Aggie tut-tutted at the idea of her mistress going away so soon after her arrival at Monkhurst.
‘There is so much yet to do here, mistress,’ she complained. ‘We have but emptied the attics!’
‘I shall not be gone more than a se’ennight,’ said Eve. ‘And you do not need me in residence to have the house swept out from top to bottom. In fact,’ she added, ‘I would as lief not be here.’
They were sitting in the kitchen, where Eve had been going through the week’s menus with her house keeper. She looked up from her lists as the outer door opened and Sam strode in with an armful of logs.
‘Morning, mistress,’ he greeted Eve cheer fully as he dropped the logs into the basket. ‘There now, Mother, dry logs from the store. Nat and I should finish clearing the shrubbery today and then I’ll chop some more firewood for ’ee.’
As he straightened and turned to go, Eve noticed his left eye was blackened and there was a livid bruise spreading over his cheek.
‘Heavens,’ she ex claimed. ‘What has happened to you?’
Sam grinned and put his fingers to his face. ‘Oh, we had a set to a few nights ago with some lads down at Jury’s Cut. There was a bit of argle-bargle going on: they wanted to stop us using the inlet. Jumped us, they did, when we was lying up there.’
Aggie shook her head as she stirred the contents of the black kettle hanging over the fire. ‘There’s been a fair few fights recently,’ she said. ‘I do hope we aren’t going back to the bad days. Some says it’s the Hawkhurst gang come back.’
Eve frowned at Sam. ‘Silas promised me that if I could find you work you would all give up the smug…free-trading.’
‘And so we will, mistress, surelye, but there’s some obligations that has to be dealt with first.’
‘It is a matter of honour,’ put in Aggie, anxious that Eve should under stand. ‘Some o’ the villagers has already paid you see, but once the final orders are settled then the boys will not be going out again. And glad of it I shall be; I shan’t rest easy in my bed until they’ve completed their final run.’
Sam looked pained. ‘Now then, Mother how can you say that when Father has been free-trading all his life?’
‘Ah, but it weren’t so dangerous in the past, it’s been a gentlemanly business since the worst o’ the gangs was taken out…’
Eve went out, leaving them to argue, and ran upstairs to inform her maid of the forth coming visit. Martha was even more disapproving than the house keeper, and much more vocal.
‘Well I don’t like it, Miss Eve and so I tell you! To be putting yourself in the hands of that villain, not to mention the disrespect to your sainted sheltered.’
‘There will be no disrespect,’ returned Eve with quiet dignity. ‘I shall wear full mourning, and I have made it clear in my letter to Lady Chelston that I will not participate in any of her entertainments.’
Martha sniffed ‘Nevertheless, to be staying in the house of the captain’s enemy is a risk, miss, you cannot deny it.’
‘You seem to know a great deal about this, Martha; I suppose you have been talking with Richard Granby.’
Her maid blushed rosily. ‘Mr Granby and I do have an understanding, madam.’
‘Ahh. So that’s it; you do not wish to leave him and come with me to Chelston Hall.’
‘Miss Eve! How could you think that I would ever see you go off without me to look after you! And you to be thinking that Ric
h—Mr Granby would countenance such a thing! Now cease your teasing, do, and leave me to get on with the packing, since you are determined to go!’
Chelston Hall was a sturdily-built Palladian villa which had been extended at some recent date with two new wings and an imposing pediment over its entrance. It stood atop a slight hill, affording its occupants unrivalled views over the surrounding country side and even, on a good day, a glimpse of the sea. The wind whipped around Eve as she stepped from her carriage. Through her black veil she observed the tall, wooden-faced lackey who welcomed her to the house and took her into the huge marble hall. A grand stair case led up to a gallery that ran around the upper floor, sup ported on gleaming marbled pillars. A second footman escorted her to her room. Sounds of laughter drifted down to her from the main reception rooms leading off the gallery, but she was in no hurry to see her fellow guests and re quested that Lady Chelston be informed that she would rest until the dinner hour.
Her allotted bed chamber was in the east wing, overlooking a wide terrace and formal flower gardens. Ivy leaves surrounded the window and spilled over the stone window sill, the growth so abundant it threatened to invade the room. A quick glance assured Eve that the stout door to her room had a serviceable lock and key and there was a small ad joining dressing room that also contained a narrow bed for her maid. She set Martha to the task of unpacking her trunk, deciding that her gowns would be better hung on pegs in the dressing room rather than folded in the large linen press, which already contained a colourful assortment of folded satins and velvets. Eve then lay down upon her bed until it was time to join the other guests for dinner. Despite her outward calm she was excited at the thought of what was to come: she had a part to play, but although she was a little nervous, she did not think that any harm could come to her in a house full of guests. Eve wondered how soon Nick would contact her. She had sent Richard Granby to him with the news that she was going to Chelston Hall, but Nick’s reply had been disappointingly brief; he would seek her out.
‘What?’ she had ex claimed upon hearing this. ‘Did he give no indication of when I might expect to see him?’
‘The captain prefers to leave matters to take their course, Mrs Wylder,’ Granby replied woodenly. ‘He finds that the most satisfactory way to work.’
‘Well, I find it most un satisfactory,’ retorted Eve. ‘I am to put myself into danger with no idea what I am expected to do.’
She thought she saw a faint curving of the valet’s lips, but it was gone in an instant. He said quietly, ‘Captain Wyldfire runs with the wind, ma’am. That is his way. But you need not be anxious. He will always come about.’
‘Well, let us hope that this time is no exception!’
‘Mrs Wylder, how glad I am that you could join us!’
Catherine Chelston hurried forward in a rustle of satin skirts to greet Eve as she came into the drawing room. Lady Chelston gestured to the lavishly dressed gentleman following more slowly in her wake. ‘Madam, may I present to you my husband?’
Eve observed the man bowing before her. Lord Chelston was of slight build, not above average height, but there was a sense of ruthless strength beneath the satin and lace, and when he fixed his eyes upon her they held such a cold, calculating look that Eve had to suppress a shiver. His thin face was very pale with a high forehead and she guessed that beneath his powdered wig his own hair would be thin and receding. He took her hand in a limp, almost damp clasp.
‘My dear Mrs Wylder, it is very good of you to honour us with your presence, especially when you have suffered not one, but two losses so recently—’
‘I told my lord that you were reluctant to take up my invitation,’ broke in Lady Chelston.
‘I am still not sure if I should be here,’ murmured Eve, with drawing her hand and resisting the impulse to wipe her fingers on her gown.
‘Your scruples do you credit,’ returned Lord Chelston. ‘And be assured, no one will intrude upon your grief, but on these occasions it is some times better to be amongst friends.’
Eve inclined her head. ‘Did you know my husband, sir?’
‘I regret I did not have that pleasure, but you are not to be thinking that you are totally alone here in your grief, for your cousin is also staying with us.’ He stepped aside and Eve saw Bernard smiling at her from across the room. She looked away without acknowledging his bow. Catherine laughed gently.
‘Poor man, he told us he had allowed his passions to run away with him and declared himself far too early. But you need not worry, my dear Mrs Wylder; I have his word that he will be on his best be ha vi our here.’
‘You will forgive me, madam, if I reserve judgement on that,’ returned Eve.
‘Of course.’ Lady Chelston reached out and touched her arm briefly. ‘But I beg you will allow him to take you into dinner tonight. We would not wish to give the gossipmongers cause to think there was any dissention in your family, now would we?’
‘Very well, ma’am, to oblige you. However, please let me say, as I made plain in my letter, I cannot join in all your entertainments, and I certainly cannot attend your masquerade.’
‘No, no that is quite under stood,’ agreed her hostess. ‘I hope you will be able to join us for the dinner be fore-hand, but after that you may keep to your room and you can send down for such refreshments as you require.’ Lady Chelston patted her hands. ‘We want you to feel at home here, my dear; I hope we can be of some comfort to you at this time. Mayhap your visit here will help you to forget your grief, at least for a short time.’
Eve inclined her head. ‘I think we can be sure it will do that, Lady Chelston.’
‘We have been here for three days, and still no word from him!’
Eve stared into the mirror as Martha brushed out her hair.
‘Hush madam. The captain will come to you when he is ready.’
‘And in the meantime I feel such a fraud,’ sighed Eve, keeping her voice low. ‘Everyone is so very considerate to me as the poor, grieving widow. My host and hostess have not said or done anything out of place and even Bernard is keeping his distance!’
‘As well he might,’ growled Martha. ‘Now sit still Miss Eve, do, while I put up your hair again. You cannot go down to my lady’s grand dinner looking a fright.’
Eve slumped a little. ‘I wish I did not have to go. Lady Chelston knows I will not attend the ball, but she has planned her dinner table to include me. I shall feel so out of place in my widow’s weeds.’
‘The black show off your fine complexion,’ returned Martha in a bracing tone. ‘Every lady will envy you and the gentlemen will all admire you excessively.’
Eve pulled a face in the mirror. The thought shot through her mind that there was only man she wanted to admire her, and he would not be present. She watched as Martha fixed the black lace cap over her curls, then she stood up and shook out her gown. She had chosen to wear a black over dress of cobweb-fine lace over her silk skirts, the deep mourning relieved only by a single string of pearls around her neck. ‘I thought it an unnecessary extravagance when I bought this gown, but now I am glad I have it. The feel of the silk gives me more confidence. Well…’ she gave her skirts a final twitch ‘…wish me luck.’ An irrepressible gleam of humour tugged at her mouth. ‘I may well find that my grief is too great and I shall be obliged to rush away from the dinner table.’
She set off along the maze of corridors, keeping her gaze modestly lowered and taking no notice of the statue-like footman who were on duty at regular intervals along her route. Within hours of their arrival at Chelston Hall, Martha had passed on to her the servants’ gossip that the mistress of the house had a predilection for handsome young footmen and Eve noted that every one of the liveried menservants in the house was over six feet tall. Observing Lady Chelston’s lingering glances at these lackeys, Eve suspected that some of them at least provided her with more intimate services than was usually required of a footman. She was approaching the main gallery when one of these liveried statues spoke to h
er.
‘Good evening, sweet heart.’ The sound of the familiar voice was so unexpected that Eve’s knees threatened to buckle and she put out a hand to the wall to support her. Raising her eyes, she gazed in astonishment at the tall figure in the white-powdered wig and blue coat with its gold facings. The deep blue eyes and wicked grin were un mistakable.
‘Nick! What in heaven’s name are you doing?’ she hissed.
With a quick glance to make sure the corridor was deserted, he gripped her wrist and pulled her through the nearest door into a small, empty bedroom. ‘I told you I should come.’
‘But not like this! You look…strange.’
He grinned. ‘And you look breath taking. I have missed you.’ His eyes darkened with desire and she looked away quickly, finding it difficult to catch her own breath.
‘This is madness! You will be recognised.’
‘You did not know me,’ he pointed out.
‘That is different.’
‘No, it is not. People only see what they expect to see. Besides, who is there here that knows me?’
‘My cousin Bernard, for one!’
Nick shrugged. ‘He will not notice me. I had thought to look through Chelston’s papers while I am here.’
‘As far as I can tell, there are two places where he might keep important documents. There is a desk in the library, but that room has been opened up for his guests tonight. However, his office is below here, on the opposite side of the hall to the kitchens and servants’ rooms. The passage leads only to the office and the back stairs for the east wing, so it should be very quiet this evening.’
‘Well done, Eve. You have been busy.’
‘I have had little to do but acquaint myself with the house.’
‘I commend your fore sight.’ He cast an appraising glance over her. ‘Are you going down to dinner in that? The gentlemen will have eyes for no one else.’
She flushed. ‘That was not my intention.’
‘No, but you do not appreciate just how beautiful you are.’
Wicked Captain, Wayward Wife Page 14
