The Marriage Truce

by Ann Elizabeth Cree

  He realised as he kept vigil that he couldn’t bear to lose her. And through his own arrogance, just as he had with Mary, he’d nearly sent Sarah to her death. For he had no doubt it was his kisses and words that had sent her fleeing down the tower steps.

  When Sarah woke again, she could see from the way the sun fell across her bed that it must be late afternoon. She turned her head a little, the movement making her wince.

  Lady Coleridge sat near the window, reading a book. She looked up and put her book aside and smiled. ‘Hello, my dear,’ she said, rising. She came to Sarah’s side. ‘I’m glad you are awake. Are you in much pain?’

  ‘A little, but it is not bad.’ She did not want more laudanum.

  ‘I hope not. We have all worried so much about you.’ She touched Sarah’s hand, concern and affection in her eyes. ‘And there is someone else here who is waiting anxiously to see you. Your brother.’

  ‘Nicholas?’

  ‘Yes. He is staying at Harrowood. As soon as he heard of your accident, he rode over. He will dine with us tonight, but first he wants to see you.’

  Nicholas was to dine at Ravensheed? It was almost beyond her comprehension. And when he walked into her bedchamber, his tall, broad-shouldered figure so very familiar, she could scarcely believe it.

  He came to stand next to her bed. ‘What do you mean by falling like this?’ he demanded, his voice gruff. ‘Huntington should be taking better care of you.’

  ‘Oh, Nick! It was hardly his fault.’ She tried to smile at him, but felt tears dangerously close. ‘What are you doing here?’

  ‘I am at Filby’s house party. Just came yesterday and then discovered my sister was injured the very first thing today. So, of course, I rode over and demanded entry.’ His grin was wry. ‘Amazingly enough your husband actually let me in.’ His face sobered. ‘So, what happened, Sarah? Did you trip?’

  ‘I must have.’ It had all happened so fast. She had reached the small landing and then had fallen. Except there had been the other thing. And then she remembered. ‘I think that someone pushed me.’

  Dev walked to the sideboard. ‘Brandy?’ he said to Nicholas. They had dined early. Jessica and Lady Coleridge had left the men to themselves. Their mutual concern for Sarah had forced them into an uneasy truce, but it was quite apparent Nicholas would rather be any place than here.

  ‘If you please.’ Nicholas leaned back in his chair.

  He poured one for Nicholas and then himself. Nicholas accepted the glass, the same brooding look on his face Dev had glimpsed more than once during dinner. Dev suspected it was more than the irony of finding himself at Ravensheed.

  He sat across from Nicholas. ‘What is it?’ he asked abruptly.

  Nicholas took a swallow, then set the glass down. ‘She said she was pushed. Down the stairs.’

  Dev stared at him, cold fingers gripping his heart. ‘Who?’

  ‘She has no idea. There is a small landing with a room, I believe. She thought she heard footsteps inside and then felt a blow to her back. She never saw her assailant.’ His face was grim. ‘Do you have any idea who would want to harm her?’

  Dev rose. ‘The door to the old house was left open when Jessica went for help. So anyone could have come in and hid in the room.’ He paced to the window and half-turned. ‘But I can think of only one person who might wish her harm.’

  ‘Cedric Blanton.’

  Dev whipped around. ‘What do you know about that?’

  ‘I met Blanton over a week ago. After informing me he was invited to Filby’s house party, he hinted you had forced yourself on my sister that night. I demanded the truth from my grandfather. Consequently I found myself ordered to spend a few nights under Filby’s roof as well.’ He polished off his brandy and slammed his glass down. ‘And then I’m too late.’

  ‘No, damn it! I am the one who should’ve protected her. I let her go down the staircase by herself. She was upset. It was my fault. We had argued.’ The memory would haunt him for the rest of his days. ‘When I saw her there, lying so still, I thought—’ He stopped. ‘I thought I had lost her.’

  Nicholas regarded him with a curious expression. ‘So you care for my sister?’

  ‘Yes.’ His mouth curved in a cool smile. ‘I care for her and I’ll go to the devil before I’ll allow Blanton or anyone else to harm her. And as soon as I’ve proof of this he’ll rue the day he laid eyes on me.’

  Nicholas met his eyes. ‘I think, Huntington, we may have something in common after all.’

  Sarah put her book aside and sighed. She lay on a sofa which had been drawn near the window in the drawing room so that she had a view of the park. A week had passed since her fall. Already she was tired of spending her days reclining on the sofa. Despite the visitors—Lady Coleridge, Mrs Kenton and Caroline, and Nicholas every day—she was quite bored. Although her left wrist was the injured one, she still found it difficult to do much drawing. And Dev had insisted she was to strictly follow Dr Milton’s orders to remain in bed or on the sofa.

  Her brow creased into a frown. Dev visited her for a few minutes each day, inquiring about her health with polite formality. He paced around the room and acted as if he hardly knew what to say. Then he would leave. It was very peculiar. She would almost prefer his sardonic remarks to such uncomfortable civility.

  She wondered if she dare leave the sofa to steal to the library without Mrs Humphries or Jessica bustling in to scold her. She swung her legs over the edge of the sofa and was about to stand when she heard very familiar footsteps in the hall.

  She quickly resumed her prone position and looked up just as Dev stepped into the room. And then her mouth fell open.

  Dev stood in the doorway, a large grey tabby cat in his arms. They both regarded her with similar expressions, as if they could hardly wait to escape their predicament.

  ‘You…you have a cat,’ she said faintly.

  ‘A correct observation. I’d rather hoped you would relieve me of it.’

  ‘Yes, but…’ She watched, completely astonished, as he walked across the room, an iron grip around the cat. The animal struggled as Dev approached the sofa and then leaped out of his arms, landing neatly at Sarah’s feet. He stared at her for a moment with huge yellow eyes. Purring, he made his way up to Sarah’s chin and rubbed against her face.

  She scratched behind his ears and looked at Dev. ‘Is this not Hannah’s cat? What is he doing here?’

  ‘She insisted he should be yours. She thought it might make you feel better.’

  ‘How very kind of her. But, Dev, do you not mind?’

  ‘No.’ He shrugged. ‘I agreed with her.’ But she sensed he was not as indifferent as he appeared.

  She bent her head towards the cat for a moment and then looked back at him. Tears pricked her eyes. ‘Thank you. You are very kind as well.’

  ‘Not at all.’ He shifted uncomfortably. ‘If it proves to be a decent mouser, Cook will undoubtedly be extremely grateful.’

  ‘So you will not banish him to the stables?’

  ‘Why would I? I’ve no intention of having you visit it there.’ A swift frown crossed his brow. ‘I assume you want it for a pet?’

  ‘Oh, yes.’ She smiled through the tears. ‘I do. He is the nicest present I have ever been given.’

  His brow shot up. ‘Surely not?’

  ‘But he is.’ She looked down at the cat, which had settled on her lap and started washing his face. ‘Did you bring him all the way here?’

  ‘Yes.’ He grimaced. ‘Hardly an experience I wish to repeat. He started out in a basket in my curricle and protested most of the way before he managed to escape. He then crawled out and decided my lap would make the most appropriate seat. I fully expected him to jump out, but he did not. Probably because he used me as a foothold. And my coat is covered with fur.’

  He sounded so affronted by the latter, that she couldn’t help the bubble of laughter that escaped. ‘How very dreadful for you! I know how much you adore cats! Jessica is right, you re
ally are very nice, you know.’

  ‘Hardly.’ He moved to the mantelpiece and leaned against it, something she realised he did when he was uncomfortable.

  ‘So you don’t consider yourself nice?’ she asked, wanting to tease him a little. ‘I do, even though you try your best to hide it.’

  ‘No, I do not.’ A hint of colour stained his cheeks. He shifted from his position. ‘I had best leave you.’

  ‘Must you?’ She felt disappointed. ‘Cannot you stay and talk?’

  ‘Perhaps later.’

  ‘Very well.’ So, despite his gift, he really didn’t wish for her company after all. ‘Thank you again for my present.’

  ‘Of course.’ He glanced at the cat. ‘I suppose you know what it needs. Mrs Humphries can help you.’

  ‘Yes. And it is really not an “it”. It is a “he”. Does he have a name? I never asked Hannah.’

  He frowned a little. ‘I believe she said it was Merlin.’

  ‘Merlin.’ She stroked the animal’s head. ‘It suits him quite well.’

  ‘How can you tell? All cats appear remarkably alike to me.’

  ‘They aren’t really. No more than people are.’ He looked sceptical. ‘I can see you’ve never been personally acquainted with a cat. How unfortunate,’ she added with a smile.

  ‘Something I don’t intend to remedy.’

  ‘No?’ Despite his earlier words, he seemed in no hurry to leave.

  ‘No.’ A slight smile curved his mouth as he looked down at her.

  ‘My lord.’ The footman appeared behind them.

  Dev turned. ‘Yes?’

  ‘You have a visitor. Lady Marleigh.’

  Amelia stepped into the room, a blue cloak over her fawn gown. Her gaze took in Dev and then fell on Sarah. ‘Good heavens. I thought I’d best come and see for myself how Sarah is.’ She looked at Dev, a slight arch to her brow. ‘But I can see I have arrived rather too late.’

  Chapter Fifteen

  Amelia glanced over at Sarah. ‘So, my dear Sarah, what exactly is going on between you and your charming husband?’

  They were sitting in the small flower garden at the side of the house. This was Sarah’s first excursion from the house since her accident. Dr Melton had examined her the previous day and pronounced her healing well, although she was to continue to wear a sling until her wrist was completely healed. However, he allowed that short visits to the garden would be beneficial.

  Sarah flushed a little and stroked Merlin, who had jumped up beside her on the bench. ‘Nothing. That is, nothing to signify. We are very amiable together.’

  ‘I can see that,’ Amelia said drily. ‘You carefully avoid the least contact with each other, you speak as if you’re bare acquaintances and then pretend you are not staring at each other over dinner every night. Really, Sarah, I had hoped that by now you’d have everything resolved.’

  ‘We’d have what resolved?’

  Amelia rolled her eyes. ‘The fact that you are both very attracted to each other.’

  ‘We aren’t.’ Sarah looked away, praying Amelia wouldn’t see the truth in her eyes. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t put the memory of his kiss from her mind. Neither did telling herself it was some sort of reaction to being locked up together in a cold tower help.

  Thank goodness, he’d finally left for London two days ago and she would no longer have to worry that he would see her feelings in her face.

  ‘You are,’ Amelia said firmly.

  Sarah turned to look at her and Amelia fixed her with a little smile. ‘I knew it even when we were in London. A man doesn’t spend his time staring at a woman like that unless he’s developing the most violent tendre for her.’

  Sarah scowled. ‘If he has, it is completely against his will. He told me he must stay away from me. And if you must know, our marriage is nothing but a…a business arrangement.’ There, she had said it. She waited for the look of shock on Amelia’s face.

  Amelia did not appeared the least bit surprised. ‘I have quite suspected that. Although I must own I am surprised it has remained a business arrangement for this long. So, my dear cousin, what are you planning to do about it?’

  ‘Nothing at all,’ Sarah said stiffly. ‘He does not want anything done about it and neither do I.’

  Amelia smiled and patted Merlin. ‘I somehow doubt that. Any man who brings a woman a cat when he dislikes them must be truly head over ears.’

  ‘Amelia! Will you stop this?’ Sarah snapped. Then she sighed. ‘I am sorry, but I would prefer to discuss a different topic.’

  ‘Oh, very well. If you both wish to remain miserable.’ She gave Sarah a sidelong glance. ‘Of course, I would be more than happy to help you bring Dev to heel, if you wish.’

  ‘No!’ Sarah’s cheeks heated. ‘I’ve no intention of throwing myself at him.’

  ‘Well, it wouldn’t be throwing yourself at him. There are very subtle ways. Seducing one’s husband can actually be quite fun.’

  Sarah stared at her cousin. ‘Have you done so?’ She had never asked about the intimacies between Amelia and her husband. Although on more than one occasion she had seen the unspoken but very apparent desire pass between them and, once, the look on John’s face as he closed the door to their bedchamber. She had felt curious and slightly embarrassed, and envious all at once.

  ‘Oh, yes.’ Amelia’s eyes danced. ‘It is quite satisfying and gives one such a heady sense of power.’

  ‘Amelia!’ She was shocked, but not half as shocked as she should be. What would it be like to hold such power over Dev, to have him look at her across a room with a hot flare of passion in his eyes instead of his dark scowl? She felt almost weak at the thought.

  Whatever was wrong with her? Even if she was inclined to do such a thing, he’d probably give her one of his stiff looks and back away. ‘I doubt if it would work,’ she told Amelia.

  Amelia grinned. ‘You will never know until you try. If you change your mind, let me know.’

  Sarah stood, her cheeks still heated. ‘Perhaps we should return to the house.’

  They entered the drawing room and found Lady Coleridge seated there with Jessica, taking tea. Lady Coleridge rose when Amelia and Sarah entered. She greeted Amelia warmly and took Sarah’s hand. ‘You look much better, my dear. A little more colour in your cheeks at last. You must sit, however. And I will tell you my proposition.’

  They each took a wing chair and Lady Coleridge resumed her seat. She smiled at Amelia. ‘I had intended to throw a dinner party for Sarah to formally introduce her as Devin’s wife but, with all that has happened, I fear it had to be postponed. However, we hold a midsummer’s eve ball each year. I had a sudden thought that perhaps it could be held in Sarah’s honour. I have discussed it with Jessica and she quite agrees, do you not?’

  ‘Oh, yes!’ Jessica said with great enthusiasm. ‘I thought it a splendid idea!’

  Lady Coleridge took a sip from her china cup and set it back on the saucer. ‘The invitations have already gone out. My son and daughter-in law have just returned from Scotland and Jane agrees that Sarah should be the guest of honour. Sarah has only to show up properly attired. And with Devin in tow, of course.’ She turned to Sarah. ‘So, my dear, what do you think?’

  ‘You are very kind, but I don’t think…a ball is too much work.’ She felt more than a little stunned and completely unworthy of such a thing.

  ‘Not at all. We hold the ball every year, it is only a matter of introducing you as the guest of honour. It will be in a fortnight. Your arm should be much better by then.’

  ‘I…’

  ‘And I would very much like to do it for you. If you please.’ For the briefest instant, something vulnerable and sad flashed across her face. And Sarah knew she could not say no.

  ‘Thank you. I would be very honoured.’

  Lady Coleridge cleared her throat. ‘Then it is settled. I wondered if it would be possible for me to talk to Sarah alone for a moment.’

  ‘Of course,�
�� Jessica said. ‘Amelia and I can look at the latest Belle Assemblée. We can find a gown for Sarah. Mrs Remington is quite expert at copying the latest fashions and she will fall over herself in delight to make one up for the new Lady Huntington.’

  ‘An excellent idea,’ Amelia said. She cast Sarah an amused glance and followed Jessica out of the room.

  Lady Coleridge finished her tea and patted the place next to her on the sofa. ‘Come and sit by me, Sarah.’

  She waited until Sarah had seated herself next to her before speaking. ‘So, tell me, my dear, how are things between you and Devin?’

  Sarah managed a smile. ‘They are fine.’

  ‘Are they?’ Lady Coleridge asked, her gaze direct. ‘I would like to think that, but I sense not all is completely well. It is quite apparent he has strong feelings towards you, but I am not certain he knows what to do about them. And you, my dear, I fear are trying your best to keep from falling in love with him. Is this true?’

  Sarah folded her trembling hands in her lap. ‘Yes.’ She looked at Lady Coleridge, the guilt she never failed to feel in her presence rising to the surface. ‘I am sorry.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Because I am certain it must be so difficult for you…to have me at Ravensheed. I…my family has caused so much unhappiness. He should be married to Mary. Not me.’

  Lady Coleridge regarded Sarah for a moment, sudden understanding in her eyes. ‘My dear, I had no idea. Is this what is stopping you?’ She leaned forward and caught Sarah’s hand. ‘You had no part in the whole affair.’

  Dev had said much the same thing. Sarah bit her lip. ‘But I did. You see, when Mary came to visit, I…I sent her off with Nicholas. Mama was so ill and I could not leave her side very often, and they seemed to deal so well together. And I never thought, never dreamed that they would…would…’