Fenella J Miller

by Lady Eleanor's Secret

  title page

  Lady Eleanor’s Secret

  Fenella J. Miller

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  Aurora Regency

  An imprint of

  Musa Publishing

  Copyright Information

  Lady Eleanor’s Secret, Copyright © Fenella J. Miller, 2011

  All Rights Reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without prior written permission of the publisher.

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  This e-Book is a work of fiction. While references may be made to actual places or events, the names, characters, incidents, and locations within are from the author’s imagination and are not a resemblance to actual living or dead persons, businesses, or events. Any similarity is coincidental.

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  Musa Publishing

  633 Edgewood Ave

  Lancaster, OH 43130

  www.musapublishing.com

  ...

  First Published by Aurora Regency Historicals/AMP, March, 2011

  Aurora Regency is an imprint of Musa Publishing

  ...

  This e-Book is licensed to the original purchaser only. Duplication or distribution via any means is illegal and a violation of International Copyright Law, subject to criminal prosecution and upon conviction, fines and/or imprisonment. No part of this ebook can be reproduced or sold by any person or business without the express permission of the publisher.

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  ISBN: 978-1-61937-073-9

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  Editor: Celina Summers

  Cover Design: Kelly Shorten

  Interior Book Design: Coreen Montagna

  Prologue

  “My dear Alex, the time has come for you to seek a wife.”

  He raised an elegant eyebrow and smiled at Sarah’s reflection. “I do hope you are not…applying for the position, Sarah, my love?”

  Her generous lips curved and she laughed. “Good God! You know I cannot bear the country and have no interest whatsoever in children. You may relax, my dear, I have no designs on your inheritance. Nutley left me more money than I can spend in my lifetime.”

  She threw back the covers and stepped, unashamed of her voluptuous nakedness, to the floor. “No, Alex, you spend far too much of your time worrying about your motherless children. So, find yourself a well-bred young woman who prefers the country and adores children and marry her.”

  “It’s a good suggestion, my darling, but how am I to find such a paragon? I can’t imagine any suitable young woman would accept a marriage of convenience with no opportunity to socialise or appear in town during the Season.” Satisfied his neck cloth was arranged as it should be, he reached for his jacket.

  “Allow me. This is new, is it not? I think that dark blue a perfect colour for you; it exactly matches your eyes.”

  He was tempted to ignore the proffered garment and tumble his delectable companion back between the sheets, but she saw his expression change, dropped his coat into his hand and vanished into her dressing room. She called through the closed door.

  “You have an appointment with the Prime Minister and I don’t intend to come between you and your duties. Think about what I said, Alex. The Haverstocks’ annual house party takes place at the end of the month. I think this an excellent place to start your search.”

  “May I call again this week?”

  “No, I do not wish to see you until you’ve found yourself a compliant bride.”

  This was the outside of enough. Ignoring the closed door, he strolled into the dressing room where his mistress was luxuriating in a rose-scented bath. “Do not push me too far, Sarah. I have no intention of being manipulated by you or any other woman.”

  “Do not scowl at me, my darling, I did not say you had to be married, merely to have found a girl that will do.”

  She was irresistible and she knew it.

  “Very well, I shall attend the house party. But that is as far as I shall go with this nonsensical demand. If there is anyone suitable I shall make them an offer, but if there is not…?”

  “I can ask no more of you, my dear. Although I have no fondness for children myself I do not like to think of your three languishing at Blakely Hall with only servants to take care of them.”

  Alex knew where this was leading and walked smartly out of the room, closing the door with a decided click. He was not prepared to discuss his lack of parental concern for his children with anyone, and especially not his mistress. When Anna had died giving birth to their fourth child in as many years he had vowed he would never again put a woman in such jeopardy.

  His beautiful young wife had been the love of his life. He had left his home, and his three small children, unable to face the future alone. Sarah Nutley’s timely intervention had saved his sanity and perhaps his life. She had dragged him from the brink and he was now able to go about in Society, apparently recovered from his grief.

  What had not changed was his reluctance to spend time in what had been a place of happiness. He paid duty visits to his offspring, but never remained above one night. His mouth twisted. He blinked back tears. What would Anna think of his lack of concern for her beloved children? His home was an empty shell without her there to share it with him. Snatching up his hat and gloves, he strode from the bedchamber.

  Sarah was right to castigate him; Lucy, Elizabeth and Alexander deserved better. He scarcely knew how old they were now. They were paraded in front of him by the nanny and nursemaid and always looked presentable. But were they happy? How could they be left in the care of servants?

  Chapter One

  “Who is that woman playing with the children, Haverstock?” Lord Alexander Bentley stepped back from the stone balustrade to talk to his host.

  “Oh, that one? That is the Lady Eleanor, the younger sister of Edward Thorrington. You know, he inherited the title of the Earl of Tendring a few years ago when his father blew out his brains.”

  Alex frowned. “I remember the incident. He gambled away everything that wasn’t entailed, did he not?” He stepped back to stare down at the painfully thin young woman. She was dressed more like a governess than a member of the aristocracy. Her dark hair was scraped back in an ugly arrangement and did nothing to improve her looks.

  Sir Reginald Haverstock was hailed by someone inside the billiard room and left him alone on the terrace.

  Was this the woman he was looking for? He must make further enquiries.

  Alex strolled into the billiard room. “Haverstock, tell me how many guests are you anticipating?”

  His hosts shrugged. “No idea, Bentley; best ask the wife. But usually we expect to accommodate around forty.”

  “Are we to expect a plethora of children?”

  “God forbid! No, those four are family. My wife is cousin to Lady Thorrington and we make an exception for her brood.”

  “Aunt Eleanor, who is that man staring at us? I have not seen him before this,” Ned, her brother’s heir, shouted as he caught the ball Jonathan hurled in his direction.

  She glanced over her shoulder. A tall, fair, gentlemen of aristocratic mien was looking down from the terrace. She straightened from her crouch over the cricket bat. How long had he been there? He must be a recent addition to the gathering as she did not recognise him.

  She nodded and the man bowed. Etiquette satisfied, she returned to the lively game she was enjoying with her three nephews and her niece.

  “Aunt Eleanor,” Amanda said from behind the stumps. “That man’s coming down. Do you think he wants to join in our game?”

  “I doubt it, my dear, but I shall ask him for you. We are desperately in need
of another fielder, for the boys are quite worn out fetching back my magnificent hits.”

  Her face was glowing and no doubt liberally streaked with dirt, but she did not care. Playing with her charges, away from the stifling atmosphere inside the house, was the only time she was happy. The four children gathered around her. Ned at almost twelve was already old enough to feel himself her protector.

  He was the only one she had.

  The man approaching was above normal height and not especially broad, but substantial enough not to need extra padding in the shoulders of his jacket. He wore his hair fashionably short and his eyes were an unusual shade of dark blue. He was every inch the aristocrat. What possible reason could there be for him to wish to speak to her?

  “I apologize for disturbing your game, Lady Eleanor, but may I be permitted to join you?” He smiled at the children. “Lord Bentley, at your service, madam.”

  Without waiting for a by your leave he removed his jacket, tossing it carelessly to the ground, and then took up a position in the outfield. She had no choice. For some obscure reason, his lordship was now part of the children’s game of cricket.

  Gathering her wits, she hastily introduced her niece and nephews. They were in no doubt: his addition to the fielding side was most welcome. Resuming her stance, she braced herself to receive the next ball. She forgot about the unwanted fielder and concentrated on striking the ball cleanly.

  “Gracious! Lord Bentley will have to go into the lake to fetch that ball, Aunt Eleanor.”

  “Jonathan, you must not let his lordship wade into the water. You run over and fetch it for us.”

  “Too late! He’s taken his boots off already.”

  Ned laughed. “I doubt he’ll find it; you definitely hit a six. I’d better go and assist in the search if we wish to continue the game.”

  Eleanor hesitated, not sure if she should join in or remain where she was with Amanda. “The afternoon is decidedly warm, don’t you think? A paddle in the ornamental lake is exactly what we all need to cool us down.

  Taking her niece’s hand, she ran across the grass to join her nephews who had already removed their stockings and were about to plunge into the shallow water. Lord Bentley had his back to her and was poking about amongst the lilies with the stick he had found on the bank. This was the ideal opportunity for her to remove her own slippers and step into the lake without revealing her bare feet in an unseemly manner.

  “Are you coming in as well, Aunt Eleanor?” Ned called out in surprise.

  His words caused Lord Bentley to turn sharply and his foot slipped. To her horror, he fell backwards and disappeared under the water. Ned did not hesitate; he jumped in and plunged across to offer his assistance. Peter and Amanda huddled closer to her. She could feel them trembling beside her.

  Before she could offer them any reassurance, Lord Bentley emerged wearing a lily pad on his head.

  Alex felt his feet sliding from under him.

  God’s teeth!

  He was in for a soaking. Fortunately the weather was clement and the water warm. He pushed himself upright but found his passage obstructed by the plants which grew in profusion in the water. Grabbing the stems of the offending lilies, he wrenched them from the bottom of the lake and stood up, knowing his appearance dressed in greenery would cause much hilarity.

  Why were they not laughing? The oldest boy was at his side, his face pinched with fear. “My lord, it wasn’t Aunt Eleanor’s fault; it was mine.”

  “It was nobody’s fault; it was an accident. Here, help me remove these plants from my head. I must look like King Canute dressed as I am.” He laughed heartily and deliberately tripped the boy up, making him as wet as he was.

  He glanced for a second time at the tableau on the bank and was relieved that his antics had removed the look of terror from their faces. “Come on in, we haven’t found that wretched ball yet, and I refuse to leave this place until we have it.”

  “Go along, children, join Lord Bentley. I shall remain here and watch you play.”

  Immediately Alex was surrounded by gambolling children and the search for the missing cricket ball was soon abandoned in splashing and jumping. He wished the pale girl on the bank felt able to join in, but she was constantly glancing over her shoulder as if expecting to be reprimanded for allowing the children to get wet.

  He reached down and scooped up the littlest girl. “Well, my little mermaid, I think you must return to your aunt. Come along, boys, I shall replace the ball myself. We will resume our game of cricket tomorrow.”

  “This has been capital fun, sir. Normally we should not have been allowed to…” Ned’s voice trailed away but his meaning was clear.

  “There will be no repercussions, young man, on any of you. I shall speak to your father and explain the circumstances.”

  The look of relief on the boy’s face told him everything.

  “My lord, I must thank you for playing with the children. I can’t remember when they last had such fun. If you would speak to my brother, I should be most grateful. I do not wish the children to be blamed in any way for ruining their clothes.”

  “I have not met Lord Thorrington. Has Lady Thorrington accompanied her husband here?”

  “Yes, sir, but she and Lady Haverstock, have gone into the village this afternoon.”

  “In which case I suggest we return to our chambers and change.” He surveyed the dripping group in front of him, and his heart lurched. Did his own children ever get the opportunity to play cricket or lark about in his ornamental lake? Time he took matters in hand. Four long years had passed since Anna died. She would be disappointed in him for ignoring the little ones she had adored.

  Lady Eleanor curtsied. The little girl copied her and the three boys bowed. “Thank you, Lord Bentley, for making the children’s afternoon so wonderful. I shall look forward to meeting you here tomorrow to resume our game of cricket.”

  With the children close beside her, almost as if they were protecting her from harm, she hurried off to the house. He picked up his boots and stockings and walked across the grass to collect his jacket. When he turned to follow them, they had already vanished.

  Deliberately, he chose to re-enter the abbey via the billiard room as Thorrington had been expected there. There was something worrying about the behaviour of the children and their aunt and he intended to make it his business to find out what it was.

  Alex’s appearance at the billiard room window was greeted by exclamations of horror and amusement. A man he did not recognize viewed him with disfavour. Could this be Thorrington?

  “I beg your pardon, gentlemen, but I had a mishap in the lake and four delightful children rushed to my rescue.” He bowed feeling slightly ridiculous as the water pooled about his bare feet. “I believe they might be your offspring, sir. Are you Thorrington by any chance?”

  “I am. And you are?”

  “Bentley, at your service. Lady Eleanor was most upset that the children got wet, but I assured her the soaking was in a good cause.”

  The earl did not return his smile. “I do not approve of children putting themselves forward in this way. I shall have words with my sister on the matter.”

  “I hope you will not, Thorrington. As I have just told you, if fault there was, then I shall claim it.”

  The other man did not reply, but nodded and resumed his game. Alex felt a surge of anger. There was nothing more he could do now, but as soon as he was changed he would take the man to one side and make his point as forcibly as necessary. Neither the children nor their aunt would be admonished for what took place this afternoon or there would be repercussions of a different sort, and directed entirely at Thorrington.

  “Hurry up! We shall take the back stairs; we are less likely to be observed if we do.”

  Eleanor thanked God her sister-in-law was absent for the afternoon. With luck this escapade would go unremarked. She shivered at the thought of what might happen if Jane reported the matter to her brother.

  The nurse
ry had been given over to the exclusive use of the Thorrington children and herself. The Haverstock offspring were grown and no longer had need of it. The two nursery maids greeted their appearance with dismay.

  “Look at the state of you! You’ll catch your death of cold if we don’t get you out of your wet garments.”

  “Thank you, Betty. The children were assisting Lord Bentley in his search for the cricket ball which unfortunately ended up in the lake.” Eleanor decided it would be wise to mention his name straightaway to make the episode seem more acceptable.

  “We can manage ourselves, Betty. I shall help Peter with his buttons,” Jonathan said.

  “Thank you, sir, that’s most kind of you. Mary and I shall take care of Lady Amanda.”

  “Excellent; then I can change my gown whilst you do so. I think it best if we remain upstairs for the remainder of the day. Shall we play hide and go seek in the attics once we are clean and dry again?”

  Her suggestion was greeted by a chorus of delight. Even five-year-old Amanda enjoyed this game, as long as she was allowed to hide and seek with Eleanor. Betty handed the little girl over to her junior.

  “I shall launder the clothes myself, Lady Eleanor. I promise you word of this will not leave the nursery.”

  “Lord Bentley has said he will speak to my brother so I am hopeful there will be no unpleasant repercussions. I shall keep the children out of sight until tomorrow. If anyone saw us by the lake, hopefully, by then, they will have forgotten about it.”

  The maid smiled sympathetically. “Leave your gown out and I will have it clean and ready to wear by tomorrow, my lady.”

  Eleanor was fortunate to have the support of Betty and Mary. Without them her life would be intolerable.

  Chapter Two

  The afternoon passed pleasantly enough but Eleanor jumped every time a door opened or she heard footsteps in the passage. The children were washing their hands, ready for nursery tea, when the footmen arrived with a message demanding that she go downstairs immediately to her sister-in-law’s apartment. She prayed Jane was the one who wished to speak to her, not her brother.