“Could I not remain just Jack?” she asked in some agitation. “It is better that I am not recognized. Though I must admit, sir, I am aware of who you are.”
“Am I that notorious?” Vale smiled his incredulity, as he too took a seat at the table the better to study his visitor’s face.
“Perhaps I should say well known amongst society, my lord,” she replied, attempting to return his smile but wincing at the movement.
“We divert from the issue here,” he said, once more frowning at her injuries. Placing his fingers beneath her chin, he turned her face slightly toward him, the better to view the cuts and bruising. “These are fresh wounds. When were you attacked?”
“This morning, sir.”
“And you have wandered around like this all day?” he asked in amazement.
“I had nowhere to go. If I had gone to family, I would have been found out, and that I must not be. There is no possible way that I could return to my home, the situation is untenable.” Again her pleasantly low voice shook with emotion, as if she was once more about to succumb to weeping.
“Was it a member of your family who attacked you?” he insisted, astonished at the thought. “Whoever it was must be brought to justice. To beat a woman is insupportable; you must tell me what has occurred.”
“It was my brother, sir...”
“My God,” he expostulated. “What brother would do this? He has thrashed you shamefully.”
“It was my own fault—though I cannot regret it.”
“Whatever could you have done to bring about such retribution, such dire results?” and he rose to pace the room.
“My brother wishes to be rid of me and pledged my innocence on a bet against a considerable sum of money. Needless to say, he lost the wager and I cannot accept the consequences of the situation. He would force me to go to his so called friend but there is no way that I could comply.”
“What of your parents in this situation?” he asked, halting his perambulations to stand incredulously before her.
“They are both dead, sir. My brother is my guardian. He was ever a violent man but my mother always stood between us when she was alive, she at least could wield some control over him, until he started to drink. The situation came to a head over breakfast this morning and then he thought he could beat me into submission. Once I had lost my senses, he locked me in my room, intending to try to coerce me later, but my younger brother unlocked the door. These are his clothes, though not the coat,” she said, eyeing the offending garment and giving a wan smile. “That belongs to the groom, which I suspect you can guess from its state. I left the house and hid in the grounds until I was sure that my brother had gone out, and then I just ran through the streets. I had nowhere to go. I wandered until the light began to fade and then I sought shelter in your portals where you found me. I beg your pardon, sir, I would not have involved you in this coil, and if you would but let me go, I will be on my way.”
“To where and at this time of night?”
“I don’t as yet know, but I will evolve a plan. I will trespass on your hospitality no longer.”
“You certainly will. There is no way that you could find shelter at this hour. How much money do you have?”
“None, sir.”
“Exactly! You will remain here until morning and we will see what is to be done. In the meantime, your face must be bathed and a cold compress applied to the swelling. Now wait here and I will find some cloths and salve. There is no need to disturb my man, we will manage quite creditably.”
*****
Returning a short while later with the required objects, the earl set about bathing Jack’s face. She said nothing, but he could see by her expression that she found it painful.
“Thank you, sir,” she said quietly, when he eventually laid aside the cloths. “But now you must let me leave. I have encroached on your kindness long enough. It is not right that I remain here.”
“You cannot be left to wander the streets,” said Vale, reasoning. “Who knows what kind of ruffians you will come up against and what their treatment will be. Although this is not a situation I would have wished to be involved in, it is not one that I can ignore.” Or take advantage of, he said beneath his breath, a thought those of his acquaintance would not have believed him capable of; his reputation amongst the fairer sex rivaling that of his father.
“I have been thinking,” he continued. “The most reasonable course open to me is to place you under my mother’s protection. Now don’t look at me with those frightened eyes; I assure you, she is the soul of discretion. You will find her most understanding and sympathetic to your cause. I can think of no one better to whom you could be entrusted. I have two younger sisters so you will have some company whilst under her roof. I am convinced she will know exactly what is best to be done, she always does.”
“The Duchess of Lear will not welcome my being thrust upon her, sir; especially if informed of the circumstances of our meeting. She will not believe me blameless, I am sure. Perhaps if you would but lend me some money I could make my departure from London. I promise to repay you as soon as I can find suitable employment.”
“As what?” he mocked skeptically.
“I know not, sir, but I am sure something will present itself. I am not without resolve,” she said, straightening her shoulders as if to prove the fact.
“I can well believe it,” he said, suppressing a smile. “But consider, my dear, employment is not easily found and you have no experience to offer a would-be employer. Who knows what will befall you should you fail in your efforts. I would gladly give you money but my pockets are to let. No, the only course open to you is to seek my mother’s protection. Indeed, I insist upon it. You do her an injustice to suppose that she would not believe your plight.”
Her thoughts in turmoil, she gave no answer. Surely the duchess would insist that she be returned to her family, yet how was she to affect her escape from Vale’s protection? She could not embroil him in this dreadful tangle. She knew her brother and would not lay the earl open to his reprisal, the consequences of which could be disastrous. Seeing him stifle a would-be yawn, she took the opportunity to delay the ordering of her future, thinking that once he had taken some sleep and the remaining effects of the brandy had been allowed to dissipate, he would view the situation more logically. Though exactly what she was to do, she knew not.
Vale rose and taking her silence as agreement to his ordering, took her arm and said, “Come now, we are both in need of rest. All will seem a deal better in the morning.” Then seeing the terror in her face as he would have lifted her to her feet he smiled. “Have no fear, my dear, you are quite safe. I have no thoughts of seducing you. I am not in the habit of ruining ladies of quality. You will sleep in my chamber and I will do very well in the chair by the hearth.” Grinning he presented her with the fruit knife. “You may take this with you for protection as I know you will have no compunction in using it. However, may I suggest that the next time you feel the need to protect yourself, you aim for my ribs and not my arm as it will have far more effect.”
“I certainly will not, sir!” she said indignantly. “I have done you enough harm, and I have every confidence in your intentions. However, I must admit I am tired and would be grateful for your bed.”
“Then away with you, Jack,” he said, leading the way to his chamber and opening the door for her to enter. “I will attempt to forestall my man in the morning. It would not do that he should find you in my bed.”
She entered and turned just as the door closed in her wake. “Goodnight, sir,” she whispered to the empty room, “and thank you for your great kindness to me.”
Vale did not hear her words, and turning wearily from the door, retreated to the chair by the hearth. The effects of his night’s carousing were starting to take effect and he wished nothing more than to seek his own repose. Stretching his long legs out before him he rested his head against the winged back, his eyes closing automatically. Immediately, he fell
into a deep slumber from which it would have taken a thunderbolt to wake him, the effects of the spirits rendering him as one in a coma.
Chapter Two
The earl awoke to the sound of his man going about his business and, seeing by the mantle clock that the time approached noon, he sat upright in the chair, easing his aching limbs to a more comfortable position.
“Ah, Peters,” he said guardedly. “I trust you have not woken our visitor?”
Peters, a tall angular individual looked somewhat taken aback. “I was not aware that we have a visitor, sir,” he said, glancing toward the bedroom door. “I thought you to have fallen asleep in the chair last night and have tried my best not to wake you. Should I lay covers for two then, my lord?”
“Firstly I must see that my guest is awake,” said Vale, rising from the chair and stretching his stiffened limbs. “In the meantime, I would be grateful if you would prepare your brew. I have the devil’s own hangover.”
“Immediately, sir,” replied Peters making his way toward the kitchen. It was not unusual to find his young master in need of repair after an evening at his clubs and he had evolved a remedy that appeared to alleviate his symptoms.
Waiting for Peters to disappear, Vale quietly knocked on the door to his bedchamber, but as there was no answer, he knocked again somewhat louder. Still no reply and, becoming impatient, he tried the door only to find it unlocked and, thrusting it wide, peered into the now empty room. “Where the devil has she gone now?” he expostulated, slamming the door shut and returning to the parlor. Snatching up his discarded coat, he felt in its capacious pockets for the key, but it was not there and striding over to the door found it to be in the lock.
“Stupid little fool,” he snapped, cursing softly and long at her need to be gone from his protection. “I suppose now I will be obliged to go in search of her, though exactly what is to be done should I find her, I know not. Damnable females! Nothing but trouble, and obstinate into the bargain! Surely she was not in fear of me? For once in my life, my intentions were of the most honorable. I wished nothing more than to help her.” Then as if reaching a decision, “No, I will not scour the streets for her. She must make what best she can of the situation. I offered my assistance and she has rejected it. So be it. I will give it no more mind; I have problems enough of my own to contend with.”
Nonetheless, despite his resolve, his mind could not be easy. Even after changing his raiment and partaking of a hearty, if somewhat late breakfast, his thoughts could not be free of the girl and her plight. However, he was prevented from taking any action by Wroxham arriving and demanding that he accompany him to a horse race which was to take place on the downs at four o’clock.
Even though Vale attempted to cry off, Wroxham would not be shaken from his course and endeavored to push the issue.
“Thought it would be just in your line, Dominic,” he reproved, taken aback by his friend’s lack of enthusiasm for the proposed outing. “What has occurred to put you so out of frame? Thought it might give you a chance to win back some blunt. However, if you have a mind not to accompany me, I will go alone. Besides, I would not wish your company if you present so sour a demeanor, ‘twould spoil the sport.”
“Damn you, John, I’ll come,” grinned the earl reluctantly. “I have needs of an outing to redress my mood. Though whether I will prove good company I know not. My pockets are completely to let now and I don’t even possess a guinea to my name. However, I know you will be delighted by the information that I have at last broken with La Belle.”
“Ho, found a replacement have you?” beamed Wroxham. “About time. I wish you joy of her.”
“Not exactly, but I am sure one will present herself in time, of that I have no doubt. Had a surfeit of petticoats for the moment, I am in more immediate need of restoring my finances.”
“Then you come?”
“I come!”
*****
Reaching the downs with barely fifteen minutes to spare before the start of the race, both Wroxham and Vale were hailed by various acquaintances as they rode amongst the crowd of spectators that had converged on the gently rolling grassland, eager for the contest to begin.
“Fitzwilliam and Reid finally make a match of it,” called a young nobleman from the comfort of his chaise, as he waited along with his cronies. “Care to lay a wager, Vale?”
“Keep your money, Drummond,” replied the earl, as he rode up to the carriage and acknowledged the three friends. “Everyone knows Reid to have the superior nag. Can’t understand Fitz taking the wager.”
“Has so much blunt he don’t care,” assured Drummond. “Will do anything for some sport. Damme if he didn’t bet on two ’roaches at his club last night, never seen anyone so eager to part with their money. Still, there are those more than willing to take it, though I could never see the sport of money so easily won.”
“Then you have never been in need,” scoffed Vale.
“Hear tell you’re on your uppers after last night though, my lord,” mocked Drummond, smarting at his friend’s tone. “They say it’s pockets-to-let with you.”
“That shows how little they know me,” responded Vale. Turning his mount away from the carriage, he cantered to what was both the start and finishing line, where Wroxham awaited him, along with several others eager for the commencement of proceedings. Within minutes, the race had begun, the crowd cheering from varying vantage points as the two opponents galloped headlong along the chosen course. Each in turn took the lead until a few yards before the finish, Reid’s mount surged forward, taking the line. Reid, standing in his stirrups, loudly proclaimed his victory whilst Fitzwilliam followed grinning good-humoredly. “An excellent outing my friend,” he hailed. “Had it been but ten yards further, I swear I would have had you. What say you to a re- match?”
“Enough,” cried Reid, dismounting and slackening his girths. “My mount is spent. I will push him no further.”
“Then we will make it another day, what say you to Tuesday week?”
“I leave for Paris on the morrow and know not when I return,” replied Reid. “If you would but hold the wager until then, I will gladly oblige?”
“Tis done,” said Fitzwilliam bringing his horse alongside Reid and bending from the saddle to clasp his outstretched hand. “We will make a proper match of it, what say you to ten miles? Do you have a good enough piece of horseflesh to accept such a challenge? One thousand guineas to the winner.”
Reid looked doubtful. “I would not push anything I have in my stables to attempt that distance. Could we not make it five?”
“I will take the ten, Fitz,” hailed the earl unexpectedly. “I have a fine piece of blood in my stables, game for anything.”
A sea of faces turned toward him as he rode up to Fitzwilliam. “I will take your wager,” he said extending his hand, which Fitzwilliam took with some alacrity.
“As good as done, Vale,” he said eagerly. “Does the morrow at two suit, I am promised elsewhere later in the day.”
“Assuredly,” replied Vale, “but shall we make the wager five thousand—just to keep the interest you understand?”
“Five it is,” Fitzwilliam grinned. “I like your odds, my lord, makes it that much more interesting.”
The earl made a sweeping bow, bending low in the saddle. “‘Til the morrow then, Fitz, certainly it will be nothing if not interesting!”
*****
“You damn fool, Dominic,” Wroxham expostulated, as they rode away from the gathering. “Where in the devil’s name are you to find five guineas let alone five thousand? Have you taken leave of your senses? You take your gambling too far. Thought you said you would not issue notes of hand?”
“And neither shall I,” responded Vale. “I will have no need! Have you no faith in me? My Thor will outstay anything in Fitzwilliam’s stables, and yours too if you care to try me. This is one wager I don’t intend losing; it provides me with the chance to come about. Do you lay me a side wager? Say a monkey?”
/> “I do not,” replied Wroxham, turning his mount away from his companion in some disgust. “Will you never learn? I have done with you; I am heading toward my lodgings and some sanity.”
“What, you will not accompany me to Lady Northam’s soiree this evening?” laughed Vale, watching his friend’s departure with some amusement.
“No,” came the reply as Wroxham urged his horse to a canter.
“So be it,” replied Vale to the thin air, as he too headed for his apartments, his spirits much lifted at the thought of the projected race.
Chapter Three
The crowds that gathered on the downs to witness the race between Fitzwilliam and The Earl of Vale rivaled those of the previous day. All waited with a great air of anticipation. News of the wager had spread rapidly amongst society, many of whom arrived determined on making a day of it, lending an air of festivity to the occasion. A town-chaise of obvious quality stayed on the fringe of the gathering. Its occupant, a petite lady with dark hair and expressive blue eyes who, although entering her forty-sixth year, retained a youthful appearance, waited anxiously for the riders to arrive.
She had not long to wait however. Promptly at the allotted time the two horsemen presented themselves at the starting line. Both appeared in the best of humors, neither being intimidated by the other. A great deal of good natured banter accompanied their rivalry, none being aware of the earl’s desperate need for victory except for Wroxham who, against his better judgment, had accompanied his friend and now sat on his horse waiting for the race to begin.
Thor proved to be a huge iron-grey stallion with a good breadth of chest and powerful quarters. The inactivity proved too much for him and he fretted restlessly, eager to be off. Vale sat as ever, thoroughly at ease in the saddle, allowing the horse to fidget without too much interference, as eager as his mount to have the matter over as expediently as possible. However, Fitzwilliam’s mount was not to be ignored. He was a rich blood-chestnut stallion obviously built for speed and equally as enthusiastic as Thor to be away, his large hooves churning up the turf at the enforced idleness.
Dominic (Books We Love historical romance) Page 2
