by Dilly Court
‘Not exactly,’ Caroline whispered. ‘I’ll tell you everything later.’
‘Who is that handsome man you’ve brought with you?’ Cordelia’s eyes twinkled with anticipation. ‘Is he your latest beau?’
‘Captain Reid? Good heavens, no. I’ll introduce you in a minute.’
Cordelia’s laughter echoed off the ornately decorated high ceiling. ‘I can’t wait. This is the most exciting thing that’s happened since I left London. I’ve had the most boring summer imaginable at Euphemia’s house, and yet here you are in the middle of an adventure. You must tell me everything.’
Chapter Eighteen
They crowded round the elegant Carrara marble fireplace in the drawing room with steam rising from their damp clothes. The refreshments were more than welcome, but Caroline’s main concern was for Grace, who was obviously in a great deal of discomfort, although saying very little.
‘Of course you may stay as long as you like,’ Cordelia said in answer to Caroline’s tentative request. She glanced anxiously at Grace. ‘I’ve sent a maid to make your rooms ready. The poor lady looks as though she ought to be in bed. Should I send for the doctor?’
Caroline was about to reply when she realised that Gilbert was trying to attract her attention. ‘What is it, Gilbert?’
‘If you summon the doctor it would draw attention to our presence here. You don’t want Quick to discover Grace’s whereabouts.’
‘I think that’s a chance we’ll have to take,’ Caroline said firmly.
‘I agree.’ Cordelia treated him to a charming smile. ‘We have a small army of servants to protect us, Captain, and you look like a man who could defend us, should the need arise.’
‘I’m flattered, Miss Bearwood.’
Cordelia laid her hand on his sleeve. ‘I think we can drop the formalities, Gilbert.’
A groan from Grace put a stop to Cordelia’s flirtatious behaviour, much to Caroline’s relief. Delia collected men’s hearts in the way others collected fans or seashells, and she discarded them just as easily. Gilbert Reid was obviously impressed, and Caroline suspected that he was an innocent when it came to dealing with such blatant feminine flattery.
‘I think we ought to take a risk and send a servant to fetch the doctor. Perhaps you could do that, Delia?’ Caroline said pointedly. ‘Will you help me take her upstairs, Gilbert?’
‘Yes, of course.’ Gilbert leaned over Grace, lowering his voice. ‘I’m going to lift you up and take you to your room. I’ll try not to hurt you.’
Grace’s eyelids fluttered and her lips moved soundlessly.
Cordelia was suddenly serious. ‘I’m hopeless when it comes to dealing with sick people.’
‘I can help put Mama to bed,’ Maria offered.
‘That’s even better.’ Cordelia hurried to open the door. ‘I told them to make the Jade Room ready for her, Carrie. You see to Grace and I’ll send for the doctor.’
The doctor was visibly shocked when he saw Grace’s injuries, but after he had examined her he said that they were superficial and there was no evidence of broken bones. He advised arnica for the bruises and laudanum for the pain, but he said that rest and nourishing food were what the patient needed most.
His advice was followed to the letter and Grace received the best attention possible. Maria spent a great deal of time at her mother’s bedside and Caroline was pleased to see their relationship improving, but their respite at Daumerle could only be temporary. She sent a message to Starcross Abbey, informing Freddie that Grace was staying at Daumerle, and she invited him to join them for dinner, but, to her surprise and annoyance, she received a curt response from Jenifry stating that Mr Dorincourt had paid a brief visit to the Abbey, but had now returned to London. Caroline read the scrawled note twice, and was suspicious. She wondered if Freddie had received her letter, or if Jenifry had intercepted it in an attempt to keep him from seeing Grace. If that were so, it did not take a leap of imagination to picture Dickon riding post-haste to Wolf Tor Farm to inform Grace’s husband of her whereabouts. Her fears were justified when, after breakfast one morning, Quick arrived at the gatehouse, accompanied by a police constable.
‘I’ve given orders not to admit them,’ Cordelia said urgently. ‘From the injuries inflicted on poor Grace I’d say the man is a fiend.’
‘I’ll speak to the constable,’ Gilbert moved to the door. ‘Quick should be reported for ill-treating his wife.’
‘Wait a moment,’ Caroline said urgently. ‘That won’t do any good. Quick will deny everything and twist things so that it looks as if we kidnapped her.’
‘Grace will tell the police what happened.’ Cordelia peered out of the window. ‘They’re still there, and it looks as if they’re arguing with Rawlings.’
‘Grace isn’t in a fit condition to stand up to that brute.’ Caroline pushed past Gilbert and opened the door. ‘I’ll speak to the constable. He might just believe me.’
Maria hurried to her side. ‘I’m coming with you, Carrie. I’ll vouch for everything you say.’
‘All right,’ Gilbert said reluctantly. ‘But don’t allow Quick into the grounds.’
‘You may depend on that.’ Caroline slipped her shawl around her shoulders. ‘Are you coming, Maria? We’ll sort this out together.’
‘They’re lying, Officer,’ Quick said angrily. ‘My wife was kidnapped from our home.’
‘He’s the one telling untruths.’ Maria clenched her small hands into fists. ‘You should have seen the state my mother was in, Constable. That villain beat her black and blue.’
The constable glanced from one to the other. ‘Mr Quick has the law on his side, miss. He wants to see his wife and that is his right.’
‘She doesn’t want anything to do with him,’ Caroline said icily. ‘You wouldn’t treat a dog in the brutish way he abused his wife. She’s been ill for days and it will take her a long time to recover completely.’
‘You’ve only their word for it, Officer.’ Quick made an aggressive move towards Caroline and Maria, who had ventured out through the side gate, but he was restrained by the constable.
‘There’s no need for violence, Mr Quick. I suggest you remain here while I go to the house and speak to the lady in question.’
Rawlings had been standing silently with his muscular arms folded across his chest, but he stepped forward, placing a large hand on Quick’s shoulder. ‘The policeman said you was to stay here, mister.’
Caroline ushered Maria and the constable into the grounds. ‘Don’t let him follow us, Rawlings.’
‘You’ll regret this,’ Quick muttered beneath his breath, but just loud enough for Caroline to hear.
She ignored him and shut the gate with a clang of metal against metal.
The constable stood in the doorway of Grace’s room, cap in hand, staring in horror at her bruised face. He cleared his throat nervously. ‘Er – the gentleman, Mr Quick, said you fell downstairs, ma’am, and that’s how you come to get your injuries.’
Grace twisted her swollen lips into a semblance of a smile. ‘He’s lying. He did this to me.’
‘Surely you can see that she’s telling the truth,’ Caroline said softly. ‘This poor lady has been through hell for years, and no one has lifted a finger to help her, until now.’
‘Well, miss, it’s like this, you see. We’re not empowered to intervene in what is a domestic issue.’
‘Do you mean to tell me that a man can brutalise his wife, and you can’t do anything about it?’
‘I don’t make the law, miss. I just do me best to uphold it.’
‘I’m not going back to him,’ Grace said feebly. ‘I’d sooner kill myself.’
Maria went down on her knees at her mother’s bedside. ‘Don’t say that, Mama. We won’t let him near you, will we, Carrie?’
Caroline edged the constable out of the room. ‘You can see how it is, Officer. I’d be grateful if you could tell Mr Quick what his wife said. He won’t be admitted here, no matter what threats he use
s.’
‘I’ve done my duty, miss. I’ll pass on the message and I’ll advise the gentleman to abide by the law as it stands. I can do no more.’
Caroline grabbed his hand and shook it. ‘We can’t ask any more of you than that, but if he should try to break in he will be forcibly ejected and sued for trespass.’ Caroline spoke with authority although she was bluffing, but the constable seemed a little vague, and was obviously impressed by her manner and overawed by his surroundings. She led the way downstairs and let him out of the house, ignoring Digby, who was hovering in the background.
‘Do I take it that I am not to admit a certain person to the house, miss?’
She closed the door, meeting Digby’s disapproving gaze with a steady look. ‘That’s right. Under no circumstances is Mr Quick to be allowed access. You may call a constable should he give you any trouble. Miss Bearwood will confirm that.’ Caroline headed for the drawing room to join Cordelia and Gilbert.
‘Well?’ Cordelia raised her delicate eyebrows. ‘What did the constable say?’
‘I think he was shocked when he saw Grace’s injuries, but there is very little he can do other than warn Quick not to trespass on your mother’s property.’
Gilbert rose from his seat and went to look out of the window. ‘It seems to me that the sooner we get Grace back to London, the better.’
‘I agree.’ Caroline sank down on the sofa. ‘Although I’m not sure whether she’s well enough for a long train journey.’
‘And you can’t take her to Starcross Abbey,’ Cordelia added, frowning. ‘I didn’t tell you before, but I’ve had a letter from Mama ordering me to join her in London. I’m sorry, but I’ll be leaving tomorrow.’
Gilbert turned away from the view. ‘Unfortunately I’ve almost come to the end of my leave, so I too must return to the city.’
‘I doubt if Quick will give up easily, and who knows what he’ll do next?’ Caroline said urgently. ‘I suppose we could hire a carriage and take Grace by road, but that will take longer and be more arduous than travelling by train.’
‘In the old days people would have gone by boat,’ Gilbert said thoughtfully. ‘There are plenty of ships in these waters, and a sea voyage might be good for her. At least she would be safe from that husband of hers.’
‘Would that be possible, Gilbert?’ Caroline eyed him hopefully. ‘I’d do anything to keep the poor woman away from that brute.’
He turned to Cordelia. ‘If you’ll allow me to take one of your horses, I’ll ride to Teignmouth straight away and see if I can find a suitable vessel.’
‘Of course you may take any animal you wish. Just tell the head groom you have my permission.’ Cordelia tilted her head, giving him a sweet smile. ‘I promised Mama that I would join her very soon, so we could travel to London together; otherwise I’ll only have my maid for company, and you are much more entertaining.’
A dull flush coloured Gilbert’s face and he hurried from the room.
‘Don’t tease him, Delia,’ Caroline said sternly. ‘He’s a good man, but he’s not one of your London beaux. I don’t think he realises that you’re simply flirting.’
‘How do you know that’s the case?’ Cordelia tossed her head, smiling impishly. ‘I might be falling in love.’
‘Don’t break the poor man’s heart, that’s all I ask. He doesn’t deserve that.’
‘Oh, Carrie, you take things too seriously.’ Cordelia’s smile faded. ‘As a matter of fact I’m spoken for, or at least my mother thinks I am.’
‘Why didn’t you mention it before?’
‘I’ve been trying to pretend that I have a choice, but Lord Bridechurch has made an offer for my hand, and both Mama and Papa think it’s a wonderful match. That’s why I have to return to London.’
‘Who is he? I don’t think I know him.’
‘He’s middle-aged and seems quite amiable. His family own great tracts of land and he’s never been married, so there are no children to complicate matters.’
Shocked by Cordelia’s cool and calculating attitude, Caroline was almost at a loss for words. ‘But do you like him, Delia?’
‘I can’t say that I know him very well. I’ve danced with him at balls and we’ve met at dinner parties and the theatre, but that’s all. He’s pleasant enough and I dare say I could twist him round my little finger, if I chose to do so.’
‘And your parents consider this is a good basis for marriage?’
‘Don’t look so appalled, Carrie. The aristocracy have been making marriages of convenience for centuries. Apparently Bridechurch is willing to settle a huge dowry on me, and he has a house in London and a large estate somewhere in the Midlands, as well as a villa in the South of France.’
‘But you wouldn’t marry for money, would you, Delia?’
‘I don’t know. I’ve never been in love so perhaps I have no heart, in which case it cannot be broken. Maybe I’m the sort of person who has to use her head, and I would certainly lack for nothing if I married Bridechurch, and I do love luxury.’
‘Maybe you’re right, and that’s the best way to be,’ Caroline said, sighing. ‘After all, you just have to look at Grace and see what terrible things can occur if you fall in love with the wrong person.’
‘Does Maria know the identity of her father?’
‘No, she says that her grandmother refused to tell her, and I can believe that. Mrs Colville is a hard woman. I think she has a block of ice where her heart should be.’
‘She sounds a bit like me,’ Cordelia said, giggling. ‘Don’t look so worried, Carrie. I promise not to upset Gilbert. I’ll try not to flirt with him, but he is rather sweet.’
Caroline rose from her seat on the sofa. ‘You are impossible, Miss Bearwood.’
‘Miss Bearwood – it doesn’t have the same ring as Lady Bridechurch, does it?’ Cordelia subsided into a fit of giggles, making it impossible for Caroline to keep a straight face, but at that moment the door opened to admit Gilbert.
‘I’m leaving now and I hope to return by early evening.’
Caroline came to a sudden decision and she jumped to her feet. ‘I’m coming with you, Gilbert. If you’ll send for another mount I’ll change quickly and be with you in ten minutes.’
‘Really, Carrie,’ Cordelia protested. ‘Is this necessary?’
‘I can’t sit about any longer, Delia. I’m sorry, but I have to do something useful.’ Caroline turned to Gilbert with a persuasive smile. ‘You needn’t worry. I’m a good horsewoman. Teignmouth is only four miles or so from here and I promise I won’t slow you down.’
‘You can’t desert me,’ Cordelia said angrily. ‘What will I do if Quick returns?’
‘You have plenty of people to protect you.’ Caroline headed for the doorway. ‘You don’t mind, do you, Gilbert?’
He smiled. ‘I can pick a seaworthy vessel, but you would be a better judge of what you need to make Grace comfortable. I’ll send to the stables for a suitable mount.’
They reached Teignmouth in the middle of the afternoon and made straight for an inn situated close to the harbour, and a groom rushed out to take care of their horses.
‘I can’t go any further without something to eat and drink,’ Caroline said, sniffing hungrily as the aroma of roast beef wafted from the kitchen.
‘We can make enquiries about the ships in the harbour.’ Gilbert shielded his eyes as he scanned the forest of masts. ‘The landlord will probably have an idea of what ships are in port and where they are bound.’ He led the way into the taproom and went straight to the bar, leaving Caroline standing in the middle of the crowded room – an object of curiosity. The male drinkers turned their heads to stare, making her feel like a sideshow in the fairground.
Gilbert hurried to her side. ‘I’ve ordered food and there’s a dining parlour at the back of the bar. We’ll be more private there.’
‘Lead on. I don’t think they’re used to seeing women in the taproom.’
‘I doubt if many ladies frequent this
place.’ Gilbert took her by the arm, forging a path through the interested onlookers. ‘It will give them something to talk about other than the price of fish.’ He opened the door to the dining parlour and ushered her inside.
Caroline came to a halt, realising that they were not alone. One of the tables was occupied by three men, who, judging by their salt-stained garments, must have come off one of the ships moored in the harbour. The two older men glanced over their shoulders and then turned back to concentrate on their meal, but the man with the look and bearing of a gentleman rose to his feet, staring at Caroline as if he could not believe his eyes. She knew she ought to ignore such blatant rudeness, but she found she could not tear her gaze away. He was undoubtedly a person of some standing, and he could be any age from forty to fifty. His dark hair was streaked with silver and his eyes were startlingly blue, set beneath straight black eyebrows.
Gilbert pulled up a chair for Caroline, but she remained standing – the stranger’s expression was both embarrassing and unsettling. ‘Do I know you, sir?’
He shook his head. ‘I believe not, and I apologise for my rudeness, but you remind me of someone I once knew.’
One of his companions turned his head. ‘You must excuse my friend, signorina. The poor man has been living in Australia for so many years, he has quite forgotten his manners.’
‘Are you off one of the ships that we saw in the harbour, sir?’ Caroline asked eagerly.
He stood up, bowing theatrically. ‘Captain Enrico Falco at your service, signorina.’
‘Captain Falco?’
His dark eyes sparkled with pleasure. ‘My name is still known in these parts?’
‘Who is this, Caroline?’ Gilbert asked in a low voice. ‘Do you know these men?’
Caroline shook her head. ‘I don’t think so, but I’ve heard the name Falco somewhere.’
The oldest of the three, who had so far sat in silence, stood up slowly. ‘You’re from London, miss?’
‘Yes, sir.’ Caroline met his curious gaze with a smile. ‘And so are you, if I’m not mistaken.’
