“I have not said goodbye to Andrew,” whispered Lilliana, as she sat down inside the Sherborne’s carriage.
“There is no time for that. We must leave at once,” replied the Countess. “Coachman, return to your position! I am freezing cold and wish to return home.”
The Earl tipped his hat.
“Right away, your Ladyship!” he answered in his odd voice and, leaving the Farringdons’ puzzled coachman, he walked towards the phaeton.
Andrew leaned forward to see Lilliana safely in the phaeton and then he smacked the hatch as hard as he could and shouted with a catch in his voice,
“Make haste at once back to Park Street, coachman! We have lingered long enough.”
He pulled away leaving the phaeton behind.
As soon as the Earl saw the carriage depart, he leapt inside and sat opposite his mother and Lilliana.
“Heavens above!” exclaimed Lilliana, clutching at the Countess, “what are you doing?”
“Lilliana, do you not recognise your own Robert?” he cried, throwing off his hat and unbuttoning his overcoat.
“Robert!” Is it you?”
She threw herself into his arms and they embraced.
“Is it you? Is it really you?” was all she could say, as the tears flowed down her face.
“My darling, my very own darling,” he murmured, kissing her face, her eyelids and her hair.
“Yes, it is I, and furthermore, we are running away together! This phaeton will take us to a secret hiding place where we shall be married immediately. From there, we will travel to Bristol to catch a ship bound for America! I shall not allow you to escape me a second time.”
“America!”
“Yes, my darling – Mother has cousins in Boston and we can stay with them. We shall have to remain away for a few years until the fuss has died down, but then, we can return to England. Would you mind, darling? Would you mind not seeing your family for two years?”
“As long as I am with you, I can bear anything, my dearest Robert. I still cannot believe you are here!”
“I am, my darling, but we don’t have much time to waste – we must be on our way. Does Lord Farringdon know you are out of his house?”
“He does, but he is occupied with his business – he will not be concerned as to my whereabouts.”
They kissed and the Countess averted her eyes. It did her heart glad to see them so very happy and she was pleased that she had given her son every encouragement.
“We must be going now, Robert. Andrew will only be able to hide Lilliana’s absence for a short time. When his Lordship returns, he will inevitably send out a search party for her and by that time, you must be married!”
“Mother is right,” he agreed, “but first let me make certain that Beech knows where he is going.”
He leapt out of the carriage and Lilliana heard him speaking to Beech.
The next thing she knew, there was a most dreadful roar and the sound of a horse neighing.
Lilliana screamed as Lord Farringdon smacked his whip against the carriage window and shouted,
“Lilliana, are you in there? Come out or you will feel a taste of my whip!”
“It is Lord Farringdon!” she cried, throwing herself at the Countess and grabbing her arm. “What shall I do?”
“Have no fear, Robert will deal with him.”
Lord Farringdon got down from his horse – his face a picture of fury. He lunged at the carriage, wrenched open the door and forced his way inside.
“You untrustworthy slut!” he screamed, grabbing at Lilliana and trying to pull her out of the phaeton. “I turn my back for a second and you try to run away! You will feel my whip on your back, madam!”
“Let her go at once!” came the clear strong tones of the Earl. “How dare you threaten her, you bounder!”
Lord Farringdon spun round and released Lilliana. He raised his whip high over his head and went to strike the Earl.
But the Earl was the younger and stronger man.
He overpowered him and struck the whip from his hand. It fell with a clatter to the ground.
“You cad!” shouted Lord Farringdon. “I might have known you would stoop to steal another man’s woman!”
“She was mine before you set eyes on her – we love each other,” screamed the Earl back at him.
“Then, there is only way to dispose of a rival!” he yelled, reaching into his coat.
Lilliana shrieked in terror as he drew out a pistol.
He brandished it at the Earl with a menacing sneer.
“Let us see how brave you really are!” he goaded. “Would you face a speeding bullet for her? Would you?”
The Countess held tightly onto Lilliana for fear that she would attempt to leave the carriage.
She cried and pleaded through the window with Lord Farringdon, who seemed deaf to her words.
Seizing his chance the Earl hurled himself at Lord Farringdon and wrestled him to the ground.
The two men rolled over and over in the dirt as they fought.
And then,
Bang!
A single shot rang out in the cold afternoon air.
Lilliana screamed and fainted as the Countess rose from her seat and climbed down from the phaeton.
“Robert! Robert!” she cried, running over to where the two men were still entangled.
The Earl slowly pulled himself up.
He had blood on his coat and he appeared dazed.
“Robert, are you hurt?”
“No, Mother, not at all. By some queer stroke of fate, Lord Farringdon has shot himself. He is dead.”
Just at that same moment Andrew Farringdon drew up in his carriage.
“I knew no good would come of this,” he muttered grimly, as he hurried to where his brother lay motionless. “What happened?”
“It was an accident,” said the Earl, who stood in the road with blood everywhere. “He attempted to shoot at me and the gun went off. It must have been pointing towards his own heart.”
“Or he just turned it onto himself knowing he was beaten,” replied Andrew quietly.
“Robert, you must go to Lilliana at once – she has fainted!” cried the Countess.
The Earl dashed to the phaeton, while the Countess walked towards Andrew as he covered up the body of his brother with his overcoat.
“I am so very sorry – ” began the Countess.
“He was a fool,” said Andrew sadly. “I had only got as far as the Park gates when I saw him on horseback coming towards us. He had returned home early and had decided to meet us. However, when he saw the carriage with only myself inside, he flew into a rage and forced the coachman to hand over his pistol. He always carries one in case of robbers.”
“He came to kill whoever had abducted Lilliana?”
“Or to kill Lilliana herself. He was so full of hatred and rage I was terrified. I ordered the carriage to follow him, but it took an age to turn it around.”
“And you came to find him dead.”
“I had feared worse,” he admitted, looking over at Lilliana now in the arms of the Earl. “But I can see that she is safe and well – for that alone, I am thankful.”
“But your brother – ”
“We shall never know if he died by accident or by his own hand. I am inclined to believe the latter. He hated losing – and he would have rather died than live with the shame of his wife-to-be absconding with another.”
By now a crowd had appeared and at the same time a group of Police arrived on horseback.
Lilliana recognised the Chief Inspector.
She felt a surge of anger towards him and it was all the Earl could do to restrain her.
“Stay fast, Lilliana. You will only make it worse.”
The Chief Inspector examined the body and then, instructed his men to take care of it. Andrew went over to talk to him.
“Sir. Did you see what happened?”
“There was a terrible accident – I believe that my brother’s pistol wen
t off.”
“There was some kind of struggle?”
“I believe so, but I do not wish to press any charges against the Earl. It was a matter for two gentlemen to settle – the law need not be involved.”
“There will have to be an investigation, sir.”
“Officer, it was an accident. I am willing to make a statement to that effect.”
“Very well, I will come to Park Street later to speak with you,” he replied and walked away.
As three Policemen were carrying the body away, Andrew approached Lilliana, who was crying her heart out.
“You need not fear,” he told her, “I am now Lord Farringdon and I have insisted that no charges be brought against anyone. You are free to go, Lilliana.”
Lilliana looked up at him gratefully and leaving the Earl’s side, went up to him and kissed his cheek.
“I cannot thank you enough, Andrew. I hope that once this has died down we can be friends? You have done so much for me, if there is anyway I can repay you, you only have to ask.”
“Had things been different, I would have asked you to be my own wife,” he replied sadly, “but I can see how much you love the Earl, so do go and be happy. I am only sorry that I will not be able to attend your wedding. Now I must leave. God Bless you, Lilliana.”
Lilliana had tears in her eyes as she waved goodbye to his carriage.
The Earl came to her side and took her arm.
“What did he say to you?”
She simply smiled at him – there were some things that were best not discussed with one’s husband-to-be!
Climbing into the phaeton she sank into his arms, while the Countess looked steadfastly out of the window.
“I will never leave you again,” he promised, as they sped towards Downleigh. “This, I promise you!”
*
On the return journey they decided to go first to Abbotsbury Hall to see Lilliana’s parents.
“Mama and Papa will be very shocked that it is not Lord Farringdon I am marrying – but you!” she sighed.
The Earl laughed.
“I hope it will be a nice surprise for them and they will not be too upset that you are to be Lady Sherborne and not Lady Farringdon!”
“I can face anything as long as I have you by my side,” she murmured, resting her head on his shoulder.
They arrived at Abbotsbury Hall later that evening.
Holmes could not believe his eyes when the Earl helped Lilliana from the carriage and tried not to stare at the bloodstains on his coat.
“Lilliana! You are home!” called her father, as he ran towards her.
“Papa! Papa! Dreadful news – Lord Farringdon is dead!”
Sir William cast down his eyes and sighed.
“I will not say it is a pity for fear of sounding like a hypocrite,” he said, “but come to the library, Lilliana, there are some people you must meet.”
Lilliana gave him a puzzled look, but obeyed. Lady Parker took the Earl’s arm and smiled fondly at him,
“Holmes will see you have a fresh suit of clothing. Lady Sherborne, would you care for some tea? It is ready and waiting in the sitting room.”
The Countess now smiled and thanked Lady Parker – she had taken the hint that there was something going on, but that she would discover what later on.
The two women moved off down the corridor while Lilliana stood rooted to the spot.
“Come, dearest, don’t be afraid. It’s not the Police! It is someone far more important!”
Sir William took her arm and led her to the library.
As she walked in three most distinguished-looking gentlemen rose from their seats and bowed courteously.
“Miss Parker,” they chorused.
“Papa, who are these gentlemen?” she asked with a bewildered look upon her face.
“Darling – I’m sorry I could not tell you previously, but you see I am involved in top-secret matters – so secret, that even the Chief Inspector was not informed of my role. These gentlemen are from the War Office.”
“Yes,” said one. “You should be very proud of your father – he is an extremely brave man. He placed the good of his country before his own welfare.”
“I-I don’t understand,” stuttered Lilliana, sinking down into a chair.
“Allow me to explain,” he continued. “Your father has been helping us to trap the Russians into informing us about their secret plans for India. We knew all along that Count Vaslaski was one of their top men, and so we had your father befriend him – and make him believe he was on his side. Sir William fed him false information regarding the British military campaign in India and Count Vaslaski is currently under arrest in Bombay!”
“Oh, Papa!” she cried, flinging her arms around his neck, “so you were not a traitor after all!”
“I am sorry that you had to endure so much misery, my darling. I could not tell you that what you did was for the good of your country and it pained me to see you so unhappy – but I do hope you will forgive me. The greater good was at stake.”
The War Office gentleman resumed,
“You will be summoned to Court, Miss Parker, as Her Majesty wishes to thank you personally. She has been informed of your sacrifice and she has expressed a desire to meet you. Your father will also be awarded the highest possible honour for bravery and dedication to duty.”
“Oh, Papa! And I am to be married tomorrow to the Earl!”
“Then, all has ended well,” he replied. “Now, leave us, my darling – there are still some matters to attend to.”
Lilliana was overjoyed as she ran into her mother’s sitting room.
“Mama! Mama! Papa has told me everything. He is not a traitor after all and I am to meet the Queen!”
She laughed as she embraced her daughter.
“Congratulations,” came in the Countess, getting up from her chair. “We have been discussing your wedding, but for now, you must go to Robert and tell him your news.”
Lilliana did not need any prompting as she ran from the sitting room and up the stairs to find the Earl.
“Oh, Robert! Such incredibly good news! Papa is innocent! He has just told me that he was working for Her Majesty to stop the Russians invading India! So, you see, my darling – you were both on the same side!”
“That is good news, indeed,” he sighed, pulling her close.
“And I am to meet the Queen! And you will be by my side as my husband.”
He silenced her with a deep and lasting kiss.
“Darling, you are now mine for ever and I promise that no one will tear you from my side,” he murmured, as their lips parted.
“Oh, Robert, I never thought such happiness could ever be mine.”
“From this second on, it will always be so,” he said, kissing her hair. “Tomorrow we will be married and we shall never again part.”
“Do you swear, my darling Robert?” she asked, as she locked her fingers in his.
“I swear,” he vowed. “As God is my witness.”
They kissed again and her heart swelled with love.
She had never believed she would find such ecstasy and she thanked God in her heart for His gift of love that she knew would last for ever and ever until the very end of time itself.
“Darling Robert,” she murmured, as he pulled her close once again.
Where to buy other titles in this series
The Barbara Cartland Pink collection is available for download at the following online bookshops :-
www.barnesandnoble.com - epub format for the Nook eReader
www.whsmith.co.uk - epub format for the Smiths/Kobo eReader
www.firstyfish.com - epub format
ebookstore.sony.com - epub format for Sony eReaders
www.amazon.co.uk - For UK Kindle users
www.amazon.com - For international Kindle users
itunes.apple.com - for Apple iOS users
www.barbaracartland.com - Printed paperbacks
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Barbara Cartland, Mine for Ever
Mine for Ever Page 14
