‘May I introduce my wife, Claudia?’
They made their bows with the kind of flourish that made the Earl want to laugh out loud. He might have done had it not been extremely ill-mannered.
Falconbridge’s grey eyes registered admiration. ‘Delighted to make your acquaintance, my lady.’
A chorus of agreement followed.
She inclined her head graciously. ‘And I yours, gentlemen.’
Falconbridge turned back to the Earl. ‘What brings you to Brussels?’
‘The same thing as you, I imagine.’
Falconbridge laughed. ‘Well, it’s the best news I’ve heard for weeks.’
‘In truth it’s good to be back.’
‘Sabrina will be thrilled when I tell her.’
‘Is she here with you then?’
‘Of course. She would never have consented to be left behind.’
‘I rather think she would not.’
‘There is so much to tell you. Believe it or not, I became a father last year.’
‘Good Lord! Congratulations, Robert. A boy or a girl?’
‘A boy; John. We named him for Sabrina’s father.’
Anthony grinned. ‘That’s wonderful. Is the child with you?’
‘Yes, he is.’
‘I look forward to meeting him.’
‘So you shall. I know Sabrina would like to see you again, and to meet your beautiful wife. The problem is that I’m tied up with duties for the next few days. It’s a confounded nuisance.’ He paused, but then an idea dawned. ‘Do you attend the Somersets’ ball?’
‘Yes, we do.’
‘Excellent. We shall see you there. Then we can organise something properly.’
‘We’ll look forward to it,’ said the Earl.
‘Until then.’ Falconbridge stepped back and lifted a hand in token of farewell. His friends added their goodbyes and then moved aside.
As the carriage pulled away, Claudia regarded her companion with close interest. ‘A good friend of yours, I take it.’
‘Yes. We served together during the Peninsular Campaign. Fitzroy was there too, but I didn’t know him as well as Falconbridge.’
‘Was Colonel Falconbridge already married then?’
‘He met his wife while he was out in Spain. They went on a secret mission together and fell in love in the process.’
Claudia smiled. ‘How very romantic.’
‘Yes, I suppose it was.’
‘Was she working for the Intelligence Service as well?’
‘In a minor capacity, initially. Her father was a cartographer and he was captured by the French. Sabrina...Mrs Falconbridge...was offered a chance to obtain his release in exchange for her help on the mission I just mentioned.’ He shook his head. ‘It was exceedingly dangerous but she went anyway.’
‘She must be a very brave woman.’
‘She’s a very remarkable woman.’
The warmth and admiration in his voice caused an unexpected pang. It was evident that he wasn’t entirely indifferent to Sabrina Falconbridge. Had he once been a rival for her affections? There had been no sign of any tension between the two men that might indicate such a thing, but even so the lady had made a lasting impression. Once again Claudia was reminded how little she really knew about his past.
‘At one point she and Robert got caught and interrogated by the French,’ he went on. ‘It was tight spot and no mistake. They escaped by the skin of their teeth.’
Claudia recovered herself quickly. ‘Goodness, how exciting. I can’t wait to meet her.’
‘I think you’ll get on very well.’ He grinned. ‘After all, you have a lot in common.’
‘I think my feeble exploits can hardly compare to that.’
‘There’s nothing feeble about you or your exploits.’
‘How am I to take that?’
‘As a compliment, my sweet. Very much so.’
The accompanying look was as unmistakeably sincere as the tone. Both warmed her immeasurably. They also increased the feeling of guilt that she was not being entirely sincere with him. She had to find the right moment and tell him the truth. Yet the thought of his anger filled her with dismay. Their marriage had been a battleground for too long and they needed to put conflict behind them. Their recent conversations had given her a glimpse of something different, something that, suddenly, she wanted very much. Now it looked as though the obstacles in the path were of her making.
She was drawn out of thought by the sound of galloping hooves and the rumbling of iron wheels’ rims on stone, and looking up, saw the horse and cart thundering down the road towards them. Flattened ears, outstretched neck and white-rimmed eyes told of a frightened animal in headlong career. Behind it the cart swayed wildly, but there was no driver. As the vehicle bore down on them Matthew reined his horses over as far as he could, but in the narrow thoroughfare it was impossible to avoid collision.
Anthony swore softly and grabbed hold of Claudia, throwing her against the far side of the carriage, shielding her with his body. The thunder of hooves grew louder. Moments later the air was filled with flailing hooves and splintering wood and horses screaming. The carriage lurched, flinging them hard against the side. Claudia gasped, her startled gaze taking in leather upholstery and door and sky and the fabric of Anthony’s coat. Eventually the movement stopped, and for the space of a few heartbeats it was unnaturally quiet. Then, as from a distance, she could hear people shouting and the sound of running feet. She tried to sit up but the carriage was leaning at a drunken angle and she was pinned by Anthony’s weight. He eased himself back a little and looked down at her.
‘Claudia! Are you all right, darling?’
She managed a shaky smile. ‘I think so.’
‘Thank heaven for that.’ He leaned across to open the door and then took hold of her hand. ‘Let’s get you out of this.’
He jumped down and lifted her after him. They were joined by a white-faced Matthew.
‘Are you hurt, my lord? My lady?’
The Earl shook his head. ‘No, we’re all right.’
‘I’m so sorry...’
‘There was nothing you could have done, man. If you hadn’t pulled over so fast it would have been a damn sight worse.’
‘It’s bad enough, my lord.’
The impact had torn off the near-side rear wheel and done the same to other vehicle. However, the horses, though frightened, were unscathed. Claudia swallowed hard. They’d been lucky and no mistake. The Earl looked around at the group of people gathering nearby.
‘Whose cart is this?’
The men exchanged blank looks; then one stepped forward. ‘No-one knows, monsieur.’
The Earl turned back to Matthew. ‘No doubt the owner will be along soon. In the meantime, have a couple of these men help you to cut the horses free. I’m going to take Her Ladyship home.’
* * *
Claudia had little recollection of the journey in the hired fiacre. Neither she nor Anthony spoke. Reaction had set in and she was trembling, as much with the horror of the aftermath as with the knowledge of what might have happened. It was good to feel his arm around her and comforting to share his warmth, to feel protected. She remembered that he had protected her earlier too, using his body as a shield just before the impact. There had been no time to think; only for the swift, spontaneous act that put himself between her and danger. Not so long ago she would have found that to be inconceivable. Now it seemed only natural and right.
When they reached the house he suggested that she might like to go and lie down, but she refused.
‘I’m all right, Anthony, really.’
‘Are you sure? You still look very pale.’
‘Some hot tea will be a perfect restorative.’
He looked sceptical but didn’t argue. Having sat her by the fire in the salon he sent a servant to fetch some tea. In the meantime he poured two glasses of brandy and handed her one.
‘Here. This will help.’
In fact it did steady her and, along with the tea, helped to banish the sick sensation in her stomach. Anthony sat with her, quietly attentive, watching with relief as some of the colour returned to her face. They’d had a narrow escape. Had it been any other woman he knew he would likely have been treated to a fit of hysterics, or the vapours at least. Claudia had not only spared him that, she had behaved with a kind of courage that touched him far more deeply. It also filled him with pride. Only her eyes betrayed any sign of inner anguish.
He squeezed her hand gently. ‘It was a horrible experience but it’s past now. You must try not to dwell on it, my sweet.’
‘I know, but it won’t be easy. We came so near to disaster, Anthony.’
‘Too near.’
‘It all happened so quickly. It seems unreal even now.’
‘It’s the effect of shock.’
‘I know.’ She shuddered. ‘After experiencing all the dangers of Paris I ought to show more courage.’
‘You have courage and to spare.’
Something in his look caused her pulse to quicken. She had not thought before that a man’s approval could matter so much.
* * *
It was more than an hour later before Matthew returned. Claudia had retired to her room to change for dinner by then so Anthony was afforded the opportunity for private speech.
‘Did you find the owner of the cart?’ he asked.
‘No, my lord, I regret that I did not. I made numerous inquiries but no-one seemed to know anything about it or even to have set eyes on it before today.’
The Earl frowned. ‘Perhaps the fellow ran off when he saw what had happened, fearing to get into trouble.’
‘I wondered the same thing, my lord...until I had a closer look at the vehicle that hit us.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘The horse must have been badly spooked to run blind like that, which argued that it had either been frightened or it was in pain. So I checked the harness over and found these stuck through the leather.’ He held out his hand to reveal a half a dozen tacks.
‘Good Lord!’
‘This is just a sample,’ Matthew went on. ‘There were plenty more. Every movement would have caused pain. The poor brute must have been beside itself.’
‘Then what happened today was no accident.’
‘I think not, my lord.’
‘Keep this to yourself for the time being,’ said the Earl. ‘My wife has had enough unpleasantness for one day.’
‘Very good, my lord.’ Matthew paused. ‘I hope Her Ladyship is recovering from the shock.’
‘Tolerably well, all things considered.’
‘I’m glad to hear it, my lord.’
‘Thank you, Matthew, and for what you did today. Without your quick thinking it might have been very much worse. We have no way of knowing whether there was one intended victim or three. Nor do we know who was responsible.’
‘No, but unfortunately they know us. There may be another attempt.’
‘We’ll need to be much more careful from now on, that’s all.’
‘My thought exactly, my lord.’
Chapter Fifteen
When Claudia rejoined him for dinner that night he could detect no sign of their earlier misadventure in her countenance or bearing. Only her appetite was less than usual, a circumstance that did not surprise him in the least. However, she kept up her part in the conversation which he deliberately steered towards safe topics.
Claudia knew what he was doing and why, but at the same time the need for a frank conversation had become more pressing. He had put himself at risk for her yet again, and the least she could do was to be honest with him. Thus she went along with casual discussion and bided her time until they should retire to the salon.
By then her stomach was fluttering. She poured herself some tea from the tray that the servants had left and watched Anthony help himself to cognac. Then he strolled across to the pianoforte.
‘Will you play some music for me?’
She set down her cup and rose from the chair. ‘If you wish it, I will play for you later. First I need to tell you something.’
He smiled. ‘I’m all attention.’
Claudia swallowed hard, dreading to speak but knowing she must. ‘It concerns my reason for coming to Brussels.’
‘The fault for that was mine. You have nothing to reproach yourself with.’
‘But I do.’
‘How so?’
‘I didn’t just come here for the social round, Anthony.’
‘I don’t think I follow.’
‘While you were at Ulverdale I went to London.’
‘London?’
‘Yes, I...I went to see Genet.’
His gaze never left her. ‘Why did you do that, Claudia?’
The velvety tone caused a distinct tremor and her mouth dried. However, she had gone too far to retreat now. ‘I asked for another assignment.’
‘I thought I had made my views quite clear on that score, to both of you.’
‘Genet refused at first...’
He took a pace towards her. ‘At first?’
Claudia stood her ground. ‘I gave him to understand that we intended to come here anyway, and that there could be no harm in my undertaking a low-key assignment.’
‘And he refused.’
‘No, he agreed.’
His expression then raised goose bumps along her arms. ‘Then Monsieur Genet will rue the day. As for you, my girl...’
This time she did take a step back. ‘It’s not a dangerous mission, truly. It’s only to talk to someone and...’ She broke off with a gasp as his hands closed around her arms, dragging her very much closer.
‘I don’t give a damn what kind of mission it is. You won’t be taking it up.’ He glowered down at her. ‘I don’t know what tale you told Genet or how you managed to wheedle your way around him, but now you have me to deal with.’
Her heart thumped against her ribs. ‘Anthony, I didn’t mean...’
‘I know what you meant. You bided your time, didn’t you? Then you went behind my back.’
‘It wasn’t like that.’
‘It was exactly like that. Then you connived with Genet even though you knew I had expressly forbidden it.’
‘You had no right to forbid it.’
‘I have every right. I am your husband, and you’ve disobeyed me for the last time.’
‘What are you going to do?’
‘Tomorrow I take you back to England, and this time I’m going to take steps to ensure that you stay there.’
Claudia paled. ‘I won’t go back and you can’t make me.’
‘Oh, can’t I?’
She began to feel seriously alarmed. For all her bold words she had a terrible suspicion that he not only could but would. Moreover, feeling physically and emotionally drained by the events of the day, she didn’t even feel able to challenge the assertion, much less fight.
‘Why won’t you listen to me?’
‘I think I’ve heard quite enough.’
To her horror her eyes filled with tears. She tried desperately to blink them back but they overflowed anyway. Mortified, she tried to turn away but as he still had hold of her it proved impossible.
Anthony was appalled, his anger temporarily displaced by something quite different. He let out a long breath. ‘Claudia, please. There’s no need to cry.’
The sudden gentleness in his tone had the opposite effect to the one he intended, and the tears flowed faster.
She tried in vain to dash them away with her hands. ‘I’m s-sorry. I didn’t m-mean to.’
‘Come here.’ He drew her against him and folded his arms around her.
Completely overwrought she began to sob. Had it been a case of a few sparkling tears and a play with wet eyelashes, he’d have known exactly how to act. As it was, the shuddering sobs left him completely at a loss. Nor would he have expected the sound to hurt so much. He let her have her cry out, waiting until she quieted a little. Then he reached in his pocket for a handkerchief.
‘Here. Take this, before you ruin my coat entirely.’
The words were greeted by a watery and embarrassed smile. ‘I b-beg your pardon. I d-don’t know what came over me.’ She drew a deep breath. ‘I d-don’t usually d-do this sort of thing.’
‘I know.’ That, more than anything else, gave him pause. He glanced down at her. ‘Better now?’
She nodded and wiped away the last of the tears. ‘I
m-must look a p-perfect fright now.’
‘Hideous,’ he agreed. Privately, her pallor alarmed him, and his conscience smote him for losing his temper and behaving like a brute, especially after so terrible a day. He led her to the couch and drew her down to sit beside him. ‘Now, tell me.’
She took another deep breath. ‘I am sorry that I went behind your back, but I have to take this mission, Anthony. If I do, it may help to identify the man who betrayed Alain Poiret and the others in Paris.’
‘Poiret?’
She nodded and then proceeded to outline the substance of her talk with Genet. The Earl listened intently, torn now between the need to protect her and wanting to discover the truth. Sensing his hesitation Claudia laid a hand on his sleeve.
‘I cannot bear to think that Alain and the others died for nothing. If the traitor is not apprehended who knows what he may do next. Napoleon’s agents will stop at nothing.’ She paused, her gaze searching his face. ‘There can be no danger in my speaking to Madeleine Fournier. She may even refuse to see me. All the same, I have to try. I made a promise to Henry...please don’t force me to break it.’
The Caged Countess Page 16
