At ten minutes before the appointed time she was ready. She did not look exactly pretty, but with her hair freshly washed and arranged in a more becoming style she would do. Her newly refurbished dress gave her confidence; she looked better than she had done for years. Sally had suggested she pad the bodice to give her a more feminine outline but she had declined.
The last thing she wished to do was attract unwanted attention from her future husband. What took place in the bedchamber between a man and his wife was a mystery and she wished it to remain that way. Neither her mama nor Jane had appeared to derive any pleasure from it.
“There, my lady, you look grand. I don’t reckon anyone will recognize you.”
“Thank you, Sally. I am going up to the nursery to see the children; they must be most concerned about my disappearance.”
Eleanor waited until the girl had gone and then headed for her boudoir. She opened the door to the corridor and peeked around. She had no wish to meet any of the other guests and be delayed. Thankfully, it was still too early for most to be up. She sped across and on to the back stairs that led directly to the nursery floor.
Emerging slightly breathless at the door, she paused and checked her skirt was hanging as it should and then stepped through. She could hear the sound of male voices coming from the schoolroom. Her stomach hollowed. She was tardy; would he be angry with her? It was imperative she made a good impression today of all days.
Her feet dragged, her palms were damp, she hesitated—staring out through the gable end to the driveway that stretched into the distance.
Oh God!
A carriage was approaching at a canter; her brother was returning from Town. There was no time to delay. Unless the ceremony was conducted immediately it would not take place at all.
Alex glanced at his fob watch for the third time. There were still two minutes to the appointed time. The children had been removed and taken to the maze by an under nursery maid. Foster had told him the nursery maid had been delighted on hearing the news of the marriage. He supposed, like everyone else, the servant believed he had no other option having ruined the reputation of her mistress.
No, not her mistress; Thorrington’s wife held that position. Whatever the relationship, clearly Lady Eleanor was much loved by all who knew her. He began to feel more enthusiastic about the forthcoming marriage. His children would have a mother. They must scarcely remember Anna for they had all been little more than babies when she died.
He would introduce Lady Eleanor to his staff, ensure his estate manager and everyone else within his employ knew she had carte blanche in his absence. Then he would depart and leave her to establish herself. After this he would go at once to his lawyers in London and sort out the financial side of things. Whatever else he might be, he was not an ungenerous man.
The nursemaid moved to the door. Lady Eleanor had arrived. He hoped he could remain conscious long enough to say his vows; he was feeling decidedly faint. His eyes blurred. He clutched the back of the chair praying his knees would not buckle beneath him.
He blinked several times and swallowed the bile that rose in his throat. The young woman who stepped into the nursery was a stranger to him. What unfortunate quirk of fate had brought one of the guests up to the nursery at this particular time?
Chapter Six
Eleanor paused. Why was Lord Bentley staring at her with such dismay? The time was barely two minutes past the appointed hour, surely he was not annoyed? Far too late to turn back. She was committed to this loveless union, for she would never get another chance to escape.
“Lord Bentley, I must apologize for being a little late.” She hesitated, concerned by his unnatural pallor. “You do not look at all well. Are you sure you wish to proceed?”
His eyes lost their frosty look and he bowed slightly. If his valet had not grasped his elbow he might have pitched forward onto his face. “I did not recognize you, Lady Eleanor, which is why I appeared confused.” He shook the hand from his arm and turned to the curate who was shifting from foot to foot, his Bible clutched tight to his chest. “Let us get this done, Lady Eleanor is here now.”
Somehow she stumbled through her vows and before she knew it he was pushing a plain gold band over her knuckle. She was no longer Eleanor Thorrington, but Eleanor Bentley. Her brother could not touch her now. A wave of relief flooded through her. She felt the weight of the past few years lift, and she looked up at her husband, her eyes shining and her mouth curved.
“My lord, you cannot know what this means to me. I shall not let you down. I know you wish to leave here today, but permit me to suggest you return to your chamber. You are not well enough to travel at the moment.”
He appeared bemused by her statement, staring at her for the second time as if he didn’t recognize her. He was wandering in his wits; his head injury must be worse than it appeared. “Foster, we must get him back to bed and send for the physician. I am most concerned for his lordship’s well-being.”
“Am I not to have a say in this matter?” Her husband’s tone was remarkably firm for someone who looked at death’s door. “I have no intention of returning to bed, my dear, I wish to leave here today. I take it you do not have much baggage?”
“I do not, but I cannot leave without saying my farewells to the children. Could we compromise on this, sir? Will you not agree to lie down for an hour or two? This will allow me sufficient time to make ready.”
She thought he would refuse. His eyes narrowed and he stared at her thoughtfully before answering. “Very well—two hours, no more. My carriage shall be outside at half past one. I expect you, and whatever belongings you wish to bring, to be in it.”
Foster smiled at her and she knew she had at least one friend. Curtseying gracefully, she nodded. “Thank you, my lord.” She intended to take his other arm but his valet shook his head and she remained where she was.
Walking slowly, but definitely unaided, Lord Bentley left the schoolroom, followed by his manservant. No sooner had the door closed behind him than she was enveloped in a hug. Unused to such demonstrations of affection, she stiffened instinctively and Betty immediately released her.
“I beg your pardon, Lady Eleanor, but I’m that pleased for you. He’s a good man, whatever the circumstances. You’ll be better off with him then you are at the moment.”
A slight cough behind them reminded them they were not alone. The curate was waiting for the marriage certificate to be signed by the witnesses.
“This has to be done in front of me, my lady. I cannot leave the premises until Mr. Foster has made his mark as well.”
“I am sure he will return immediately once he has escorted Lord Bentley to his chambers. It will be in order for you to wait up here until he does so. Betty, please send down for refreshments for Mr. Anderson. I am going to arrange for my packing to be done, and then shall go out to the maze and speak to the children. I doubt that I shall see you again, at least not today.”
Eleanor couldn’t continue, Betty and Mary were the only friends she had. They had been good to her and she would miss them. She prayed Edward did not vent his spleen on his children when he discovered her defection. He could keep her inheritance. As long as she was out of his reach, that was all she cared about.
“Good luck, my lady, and don’t worry about us. We shall manage well enough.”
Eleanor met no one on her on her way downstairs. The tall clock on the landing struck midday. Good heavens! In the space of less than half an hour, she had irrevocably changed her life. She was tied to a complete stranger, had agreed to honour and obey him. What had possessed her to take such an impulsive action?
The noise of someone entering through the front door spiralled up from the vast entrance hall and into the gallery a few yards from where she stood.
Edward.
The thought of meeting him shocked her into movement and she ran to her apartment. She burst in to find Lady Haverstock and her sister-in-law waiting for her.
Somehow Alex found the
fortitude to walk unaided to his own chambers. Foster knew better than to offer to assist, but he was aware his man was hovering beside him in case he collapsed. Fortunately, he reached his destination without disgracing himself.
“If I lie down I doubt I shall be able to get up again today. I shall sit quietly in this armchair, Foster, and leave you to get things organized.” He gripped the padded arms of the chair and carefully lowered himself; any sudden movement made his head swim disastrously.
He was seriously concussed. Foolish to think about travelling the fifty miles to his home, but it was imperative to remove his wife from the insidious influence of Thorrington.
Once stationary, he risked opening his eyes again. Foster had vanished; he was alone. He settled back and let his mind drift over the last half hour. What must the poor girl have thought when she entered the room and he’d failed to recognize her? He hoped she had not been offended. He could hardly credit how different she looked this morning. Her gown was elegant, her hair transformed to a lustrous chestnut brown.
After the ceremony when she had smiled up at him, she was another woman entirely. She had looked years younger, as if she was delighted to be his wife. No, it was more than that. She had looked triumphant. Why was that?
He thumped the arms of the chair. Why could he not remember what had taken place the day before?
There was something decidedly havey-cavey about this past twenty four hours. As soon as he was himself again he would make it his business to discover exactly what it was.
“Eleanor, where ever have you been? I can see the children at the maze, so you were not with them.”
“Jane, Lady Haverstock, I do hope you have not been waiting here long. I went up to the nursery to speak to the children, but as you so rightly point out they were not there so I stayed to talk to Betty” She kept her left hand firmly behind her back.
“I do not recollect seeing that gown before and your hair is arranged differently this morning.”
“I am amazed that you do not recognize it, Jane. I have had it this age. I have merely added fresh trimmings from my sewing box.” She smiled at her hostess. “I’m sure Lady Haverstock would not wish me to appear in my work clothes, not when I am sleeping down here.”
The two ladies exchanged anxious glances. “We have come to speak to you about your accommodation, my dear.” Jane looked decidedly uncomfortable. Eleanor guessed what was coming next. “As you are now fully recovered from your unpleasant experience we thought you would not mind returning to your previous chamber. There are unexpected guests arriving later today. I’m sure that you understand, my dear.”
“Of course. I shall pack my belongings immediately. If I could borrow a footman to transport them I should be most grateful, Lady Haverstock.”
“Send the girl when you are ready, Lady Eleanor. You are most gracious, and I apologize for discommoding you in this way.”
The reappearance of her brother had prompted this request. He would be furious if he discovered her mixing with the other guests. The ladies fluttered out and she rang the brass bell to summon the maid.
“Sally, please repack all my belongings in my trunk, but do not have it taken upstairs. I am going out to speak to the children and shall arrange for its removal myself when I return.”
The girl looked disappointed. “Oh, my lady, what a shame. I doubt you’ll have need of me now.”
Eleanor had no maid of her own; would Sally agree to accompany her? “Are you happy here? If I was able to offer you a position as my abigail, would you take it?”
“I am mostly a maid of all work, my lady, but it has been a right pleasure looking after you. I would be ever so pleased to work for you permanently.”
“In which case, Sally, I’m going to trust you with a secret.” Eleanor held out her left hand. “I am now Lady Eleanor Bentley. I shall be leaving here in less than two hours. Do you wish to come with me?”
“Lawks a mussy! Married? I’m right pleased for you, my lady. Of course I will come with you. I shall pack your trunk and then slip upstairs and get my things. Rest assured, no one will hear your news from me. Thank you for giving me this chance. I shan’t let you down.”
“I’m sure that you won’t. If Lord Thorrington sends word for me to visit him can you lie for me? Tell him I shall come at two o’clock. By then we should be away from here.”
To put on her chip-straw bonnet was the work of moments. Her newly appointed maid fussed over her in a way she was not accustomed to and she found it irksome. The girl meant well, and after all her duty was to see her mistress was turned out correctly.
She met no one on the stairs or in the vestibule and for that she was grateful. Using the side door, she hurried across the lawn to the maze in which she could hear the four children racing about in excitement. There was no good time to say farewell to her niece and nephews. God knew when she would be allowed to see them again. Leaving them happy was the best she could hope for.
Amanda spotted her first and squealed with delight. “Aunt Eleanor, we have missed you. Are you coming back to us now?”
“No, darling, I am not. I have come to tell you something very important. Boys, can you come out and join us?”
She led them over to a secluded arbour in which there was a stone seat large enough for the children to be seated. When they were settled, she smiled at them. How could she bear to leave them like this? Who would protect them if she was not there?
“I am sorry that you were obliged to lie yesterday. I had no wish for you to be involved in my crime. I should not have attacked Lord Bentley in that way. I could have killed him.”
“He was so angry, Aunt Eleanor. I could not let him hurt you like Papa does.”
“I know, Ned, you were so brave to rush to my defence. When I saw him shaking you, I acted out of instinct. The branch was within my hand’s grasp and I took it without thinking.”
Jonathan spoke up next. “He is back. What will happen now?”
“That is what I have to tell you. I am leaving here shortly. I am now Lady Bentley. In future, I am to look after Lord Bentley’s children. I shall not be able to live with you.”
Amanda launched herself into her arms, sobbing wildly. The boys, including Ned, joined them on the ground. The children took some time to recover sufficiently for Eleanor to explain as best she could why she had decided to marry a complete stranger.
“You know how things are for me. Your father has made my life intolerable these past few years, and I honestly believe that you will be better off without me.” The wails of protest that greeted this remark told her she still had work to do to convince them she was doing the right thing. “Children, you must understand: without me, your father will not be so angry. For some reason he dislikes me and uses you as an excuse to bully me. Your mother has let things remain as they are because she knows I stand between you and your father. Now she will intervene herself.”
Even as she spoke, she knew all she had done by marrying Bentley was to transfer the problem to Jane’s shoulders. Her sister-in-law was not as strong as she was. If Edward treated her as brutally, she would crumble and then the children would have no one to protect them.
The sound of the stable clock striking the half-hour told her she must leave. There was barely time enough to get back to her room and arrange for her trunk to be taken down to the carriage. “You must be strong. Ned, I am relying on you to take care of your brothers and sister. Once I am established and secure in my position, I shall invite you and your mother to come and stay with me.”
Mary was obliged to prise Peter and Amanda from her legs; Ned and Jonathan stood silently, holding back their tears with difficulty. What had she done? In order to save herself, she had broken the hearts of these dear children. It was too late to repine, they were no longer her responsibility. She must trust Jane and Betty to take care of them now.
Lord Thorrington stared at his wife incredulously. “You did what? You moved Eleanor downstairs where she could be seen by
other guests? How many times do I have to explain to you, you stupid woman, that however appalling she looks she is still a wealthy heiress and a member of the aristocracy? People have forgotten about her. If she is recognized, some fortune hunter might well persuade her to marry him.”
“I beg your pardon, my lord. Lord Haverstock insisted she was moved downstairs after she returned covered in blood and so distraught she could not answer a question coherently.”
“That’s as may be. At least have you had the sense to move her back.” He turned away, smiling to himself.
This assault on his sister was the best thing that could have happened. She was damaged goods now and no one would want to marry her however enticing her fortune. The lawyers he had been closeted with assured him that as long as she did not marry before her next birthday he could continue to control her trust fund.
Not being able to dip into the capital more often was a damnable nuisance, but the interest was sufficient to keep his family in relative comfort. He had been on a repairing lease these past few months. In October his dividends would be paid, the quarterly rents from his various estates also. Then he would be solvent again.
He scowled. What a pity Bentley had not finished Eleanor off; as her next of kin he would have inherited all her money. Sometimes when she defied him and he was forced to beat her into submission, he had difficulty containing his rage. Her death from natural causes would suit him very well, but he was not a monster. He would not deliberately dispose of her however tempted he was to do so.
“My lord, are you not going to call Lord Bentley out for his temerity? That is what everyone expects.”
Edward spun and his open hand cracked against his wife’s cheek, sending her reeling backwards. “How dare you tell me what to do? I have no interest in what people think or expect. I shall speak to the man and demand an apology. If one is not forthcoming then society will ostracise him. I have no need to put myself outside the law.”
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