The Lady And The Man Of Fortune: A Wicked Secret: The Eardleys Of Gostwicke Hall, Book 3

by Penelope Redmont

  Anne blushed even more when she remembered Belinda Wentworth, naked in Delmere's bed. So Mrs. Wentworth was still determined to catch Delmere for her daughter. Well, it was none of Anne's concern.

  An hour later, Anne went downstairs. Marie trailed her, carrying additional clothes for Anne. She carried another jacket, as well as two cloaks. Thomas would keep them in his saddle bags.

  The colonel, in pink, looking very official, had arrived with his hounds milling about his horse. He nodded cheerfully at Anne. "A merry Christmas to you my dear — we'll have a wonderful day today."

  She waved and smiled, and was relieved to see that Mr. Morley had organized the footmen. They were moving around the courtyard, handing up silver foxhound stirrup cups to the hunt's riders.

  When she realized that she was searching for Delmere, she forced herself to stop looking.

  Henry rode up from the stables, on a big grey hunter, leading Anne's chestnut mare, Flora. "Here you are," she said, handing the chestnut's reins to Anne. "Be strict with Flora. She's been stuffed with oats for a week, so she'll have you off her back if you fail to watch her."

  "Thank you," Anne said crisply. She didn't need instruction on how to manage her horses from Henry. Then she realized that she was foolish to be annoyed, Henry was being kind. Henry, she reflected, was looking a proper young lady, with her glossy hair smoothed under her hat. The jacket of her dark blue riding habit outlined her trim figure.

  Then Anne met Henry's amused gaze. When had Henry's chocolate brown eyes become so pretty, she wondered? Already, Henry was showing signs of becoming a debutante who would turn heads.

  She led Flora to a mounting block. Thomas held the mare's head while Anne settled in the saddle. He adjusted her stirrup when she'd gathered the reins.

  Anne was still shortening her reins and soothing Flora, when she saw Delmere and Pierce ride into the courtyard. Her heart jumped, then thudded. She knew that she was smiling foolishly, and told herself that she mustn't make a show of herself.

  Delmere's head was turned to speak to someone, and she frowned when Belinda Wentworth, riding a grey job horse, rode into the courtyard behind him.

  "Would you look at that — the sauce of the chit."

  Anne glanced at Catherine, who'd ridden up beside her on a big bay gelding.

  "I'll go and send her away — no one invited her," Catherine said.

  "No, leave it!" Anne said. She moved Flora into the path of Catherine's horse to prevent Catherine's attempt to talk to the girl. "Let Miss Wentworth be."

  Catherine rolled her eyes. "You know what she's doing, she —"

  "Let it be," Anne insisted.

  13

  Finally the hunt moved off, with the colonel and his hounds in the lead. Catherine rode immediately behind the hounds. She met Anne's gaze, and waved to her.

  Henry had offered to stay with Anne, but Anne had sent her on her way with the main body of the hunt. She asked Henry and Talverne to watch Lady Jane.

  Eva was a capable rider, and was riding alongside one of Talverne's friends, but Jane might need assistance. For a moment, Anne had considered asking Jane to chaperone Eva and the young man, but she was becoming heartily tired of Eva.

  Anne had found the girl trying to open the drawers in her private desk one evening. Although Eva denied trying to force the locks — she said that she was looking for sealing wax — Anne didn't believe her.

  As soon as the Eardleys removed to London in February, she'd summon Lady Fraser to Kingston House. The woman had to take charge of Eva, or make her daughter understand that Anne wasn't her enemy — Anne wanted the best for her. Remembering the spat she'd indulged in with Eva — even accusing her of trying to break into the desk — Anne flinched.

  When Flora shied at a footman, who'd slid on the courtyard's icy cobblestones and landed on his breeches, Anne remembered where she was with a start. She'd been lucky that Flora's head hadn't hit her face when the mare reared then twisted her body.

  Anne would remain in the courtyard until all the riders had got away safely. The carriages which would accompany the hunt had already left with their passengers. Inevitably, several riders would have problems with their horses — the horses been stabled for several days without exercise. Combine a lack of exercise with excellent feeds on grain, and any horse could become a keg of gunpowder.

  Although Anne hoped that the inevitable injuries would not be too severe, Catherine had hired a London physician to stay at Gostwicke Hall until the middle of January. The physician was known to many of their guests.

  As Catherine had told Anne, it was best to provide their guests with a fashionable doctor, someone who was called out to attend the occasional duel, and had once attended on the Prince Regent himself. Aristocrats and the wealthy did not take kindly to country doctors.

  The morning was bright and clear, with a weak winter sun. They'd had a mild frost overnight. When the last rider had left the courtyard, blessedly without incident, Anne and Flora clattered out onto the driveway accompanied by Thomas and her groom.

  The hunt was long gone, of course. Changing her weight slightly so that Flora collected herself into a slow canter, Anne had time to think. She'd seen Belinda riding with Delmere, but she put Delmere out of her mind. No doubt Belinda would stage another "accident." The girl would have her orders from her mother to trap Delmere in any way she could.

  By the time Anne caught up with the riders trailing the hunt, Colonel Marsden and Catherine had vanished. They were casting the hounds in the home wood, a couple of miles distant. Anne knew the colonel's plans — where he would draw, and when —so she knew roughly where the hunt would be during the day.

  Suddenly, the colonel's horn and then the belling of the hounds sounded faintly. They'd found, and would be off on their first run of the day. Anne sighed. She hated missing the run, but her duty was make sure that their guests enjoyed themselves.

  As always, the first hour of the hunt saw several riders unhorsed. They sat on the muddy ground, in various stages of discomfort, while their horses galloped away into the distance. Catherine sent grooms after the horses, and reached down to help one rider to his feet. He'd injured his leg and couldn't stand without assistance.

  When a couple of servants had propped the rider between them to wait for a carriage, Anne rode on alone. She said to Flora, aloud: "Why do people think that they can ride unschooled horses?"

  Flora tossed her head in response, which made Anne laugh. She had to give Flora a run because the horse had been shying at every blown leaf. Flora knew what the horn meant, and was as frustrated as Anne at not being with the hunt. Anne struggled with her, and had sympathy with the individuals who had come a cropper.

  Thomas and her groom had caught up by the time the next person needed assistance — Henry.

  Anne rode Flora up to a hedge, and jumped her over it. She was just in time to see Henry unhorsed when Henry attempted to take a hedge on the other side of the field. Henry's gelding balked, and Henry sailed straight over his head.

  Anne felt the blood leaving her face. Although Henry was a competent rider, falls were unpredictable. Anne straightened Flora and flew across the field with Thomas and her groom slightly ahead of her. They reached Henry before she did.

  "Catch him," Henry said, standing up and pointing to her horse.

  Anne was so relieved that Henry was on her feet that she felt faint. She waved Thomas on, sending him after the horse. "How are you?" Anne asked her sister.

  She slid off Flora and handed her reins to Henry's groom, who was looking upset, and holding Henry's riding crop. Anne took Henry's elbow, and Henry gasped.

  "It's all right." Henry was very pale, and from the way she was holding her arm, Anne knew that she had wrenched it badly when she landed on it.

  "It's not broken, I can move it," Henry assured her. "See —" She wiggled her fingers. "I just need to catch my breath — and the wretched horse, then I'll ride on." Henry straightened her arm, and gasped again.

&nb
sp; Anne waited for Henry to realize that she had finished riding today. From the way that Henry moved her arm, she hadn't broken it, but neither would she have the strength to control her horse.

  Anne looked up at Henry's groom, who'd mounted, and nodded to him. He'd ride and find a carriage to take Henry back to Gostwicke Hall. She wanted to hug Henry, who headed resolutely for her horse, cradling her arm.

  "Check his legs for me," Henry said to Thomas. She'd tried to grab her horse's reins, but winced.

  Thomas ran his hands over the horse's legs. He straightened. "He's fine, Miss Henry, not hurt at all."

  Thomas met Anne's gaze. She shook her head slightly, telling him that Henry was done with hunting today.

  "Here's Delmere," Henry said, pointing at far side of the field. "With Belinda Wentworth… he's leading her horse. I wonder what happened."

  "I'll take the horses and wait for the carriage in the lane," Anne said. She had no wish to deal with Belinda Wentworth.

  She asked Thomas to look after Henry, while she led the horses to the other side of the field, and out of the gate.

  Once she'd closed the gate, the high hedgerows hid her, but she heard Belinda's titter clearly.

  Anne realized that she was jealous of the chit. She rolled her eyes at her own behavior. What did it matter that the chit hunted Delmere with zeal? She told herself sternly that she had to have some charity. Belinda was annoying, but she was harmless. If she managed to bring Delmere up to scratch, she should applaud the girl.

  Delmere surprised Anne.

  When the carriage arrived to collect Henry, he insisted that Belinda get into the carriage with her.

  "Miss Wentworth, you must return to Gostwicke Hall with Miss Eardley. You've become chilled, and I am not convinced that you were uninjured when you took that tumble… You're much too delicate and fragile to hunt. Ladies should not hunt… allow me to help you inside the carriage. Now, let's find a hot brick for your feet…"

  Anne had to turn away, so that no one would see her smile. He sounded so concerned about Miss Wentworth's wellbeing. Then she frowned. Perhaps he was concerned. She shouldn't presume to know him well: she didn't.

  When the carriage pulled away, he mimed wiping his forehead with relief, and turned to Anne, who was in Flora's saddle, watching his performance. "She fell off her horse — again?"

  He shrugged, and winked. "She told me she did. Her groom was helping someone else, so he didn't see her…" he said, "still, I've managed to rid us of her for the rest of the day."

  "I admire your adroitness and optimism, but I think that as soon as she arrives at the Hall, Mrs. Wentworth will set her on your trail again."

  Delmere looked down for a moment, then paused. He stared at her, clearly hesitant. "Would you ride with me to Belton Devering?"

  His question bemused her. "Why? No one has the house, and it's ten miles distant. The last time I saw it, it was well on its way to becoming a ruin. It hasn't been occupied in years."

  "I've been thinking that I'd buy Belton Devering… There's several farms with it, but I want to see what condition the house is in. And as you say, Belinda will be forced to ride out again by the redoubtable Mrs. Wentworth."

  Seeing that she was about to refuse, he persisted. "Please say that you'll come — I value your advice. On the house, and on the country around it. You know the district — you can tell me whether it's a good purchase, or a waste of my time."

  She felt flattered that he thought her opinion worth having, and made a sudden decision. "Yes, I'll ride with you." She had meant to refuse, and was surprised at herself for agreeing. Catherine would not be pleased that she had left the hunt.

  "Excellent. I've had the cook at The Oaks make up a hamper for us; the servants are already on their way to the house."

  She smiled. He'd been so sure of her then? Oddly, she didn't mind, and returned his broad grin.

  Although she dreaded Catherine's temper, she told herself that she didn't care. Why shouldn't she spend the rest of the day with Delmere? The hunt would proceed as it always did. No doubt she should follow the hunt and take care of their guests, but Henry's fall had frightened her. It had spoiled her enjoyment.

  The road to Belton Devering was good for part of the way. For the rest, Anne knew several shortcuts that they could take across fields.

  As an added inducement, Delmere told her that he'd arranged for a change of horses to be waiting for them at the house. "You'll forgive me, but I ordered that Midnight be sent… If you had not agreed to accompany me, I'd be forced to apologize to you for commandeering him!"

  Anne had to chuckle. "Brazen doings, indeed."

  Then, as if by agreement, they focused on their horses.

  The lane took them out onto the main road, and from then on, by trotting and cantering alternately, they made good time.

  Anne was relieved that the hunt was nowhere in sight. She knew that Colonel Marsden wasn't drawing in the direction that she and Delmere were riding. However, no one could control a fox. If they came up with the hunt, Catherine would be outraged that Anne was with Delmere.

  They cantered over frozen ground, the only sound their horses' hoofbeats and the cold wind in the trees. Steam rose from her breath, and from the horses as they became heated.

  She asked herself why she cared what Catherine thought. After all, Anne was a widow, a mature woman. Her decisions were her own. As for propriety… Well, Thomas was with her, as always, and they were accompanied by two grooms. Surely the fact that she was a widow counted for something? She could ride out with a man — and she would.

  Wincing, she suddenly realized that if it became known that she had ridden out with Delmere alone, except for male servants, and without so much as a maid — it would raise expectations.

  Delmere would be expected to offer for her.

  He wouldn't, she was certain of that. She was less certain whether she would welcome a declaration of his intentions. When had she become so uncertain of her own mind?

  She straightened her back in the saddle. The massed Eardley relations at Gostwicke Hall would have a great deal to say, and she forced her mind away from them.

  "What is it?"

  Anne shook her head.

  "Tell me, please."

  "I was just thinking of what my cousins and my great aunt would say if they heard that I had accompanied you to Belton Devering — and I've concluded that I've somehow become much too meek and accommodating," she said.

  They'd slowed their horses to a walk.

  Delmere looked amused. "Meek? Well — perhaps you are concerned with propriety, and the appearance of things, and I praise you for that."

  Although she realized that he hadn't meant to criticize her, Anne winced again. Concerned with appearances… was she? When she examined her behavior for the past months critically, she realized that she was.

  Delmere knew that Kingston had been impotent. He didn't seem to care. Was it such a wicked secret? What if everyone knew? She lifted her head. Yes, it would be embarrassing… but she'd had her fill of humiliation. Beyond a certain point, hiding her past became exhausting.

  He sensed her distraction. "What is it?" Delmere stopped his horse, and stared at her.

  "I beg your pardon… I was thinking."

  "About?"

  "It doesn't matter. Tell me about India."

  He complied amiably, and told her a couple of stories of how green he'd been when he first arrived on the subcontinent.

  Finally, Anne became aware of the time. "If we want to look about the house, we'd better ride on — we mustn't be late for the Hunt Ball. Catherine won't forgive that."

  Anne hurried up the steps at the entrance to Gostwicke Hall. Darkness had fallen many hours since, and she knew that she was very late.

  She also knew that she should be concerned. And guilty. Catherine would be angry — she had every right to be, because Anne should have helped her with the hunt. How could she have left the management of the Eardley's biggest event of the year t
o her sister?

  Instead of a frown however, Anne smiled.

  Mr. Morley had opened the front doors and bowed low when he passed him.

  "Dinner?" She asked.

  He shook his head.

  Dinner was over, then. In the distance, she could hear carriages rolling down the Hall's long drive, bringing guests for the Hunt Ball.

  When she reached her rooms, Marie told her that Catherine had been looking for her. "Mrs. Grove is very angry," the maid said. "She has argued with Miss Henry, and with Lady Jane… Mrs. Bunny tried to make peace, but Mrs. Grove would not listen."

  Marie's face was pale; she was wary of Catherine. "Calm yourself," Anne said. "Quickly now. My bath, and please lay out my gown."

  Anne had just stepped out of her bath when Catherine swept into the room.

  "You've missed dinner." Catherine sat on the stool at Anne's dressing table and glared at Marie. "Hurry up — where is Lady Kingston's chemise? Why aren't her clothes laid out ready for her? Sometimes I wonder why we have so many servants."

  "Leave Marie alone," Anne said mildly. "I'm sorry that I left the hunt, and that I'm late, but I'll be ready quickly — how is Henry?"

  "Sleeping. She wished to join us at dinner, but I could see that her arm and shoulder pained her. Where did you go? You vanished for the entire day… I thought that you were lying dead in a field somewhere, until I realized that Delmere was also missing. Have you any idea of how concerned I've been?"

  "Delmere and I went out to Belton Devering. He is thinking of buying the property."

  "I relied on you — and you just decided to leave?"

  "Did anyone die?"

  "If you're going to be flippant – I hope that you've brought Delmere up to scratch," Catherine said, narrowing her gaze. "You needn't imagine that I was the only person who noticed that you and he were missing together. I've already had three cousins, an aunt, and Bunny, commenting on it. And speculating that you and Delmere are betrothed… Or about to become betrothed. He's asked you, hasn't he?"