by Anne Herries
* * *
‘No luck?’ Jack asked as Sir Mordred entered the dining room. He had just returned himself. Had his shoulder not pained him damnably, he would still have been out looking. Hillsborough had seen that his colour was ghastly and insisted on bringing him home.
‘You must rest for a while, eat something, and then we’ll try again, my lord.’
‘Yes, of course.’ Had Jack been able to drive himself he might have told his faithful groom to go to hell, but the man deserved something to eat and Jack knew that if he did not drink a brandy he would probably collapse. Now he frowned as his future father-in-law shook his head and looked grim. ‘Do not give up, sir. We’ll find her. I promise you.’
‘Yes, I hope to God you are right.’
‘There are still a few places left to search. I thought of somewhere, but I’m afraid I havn’t the strength to go on. I shall go out again now—and you must rest, sir. Charlie won’t forgive me if she discovers her father is ill.’
‘Why do we not go together?’ Sir Mordred asked. ‘I do not know the area well. It seems useless to waste time on the villages, for she would not have gone that far herself. If she were abducted, he would have taken her somewhere isolated.’ He hesitated as the butler entered. ‘Yes, have you news?’
‘A note has arrived for Captain Delsey.’
Jack moved towards him, snatching up the sealed paper and breaking the wedge of wax. He read swiftly and swore, then handed it to Charlotte’s father.
‘Good grief! The man must be a lunatic,’ Sir Mordred cried. ‘Fifty thousand! Who would pay such a sum? Even a tenth of it would be impossible for me.’
‘But not for me,’ Jack said. ‘It would take time, but it could be done.’
‘You would not consider it, even with your wealth—’
‘If it is the only way to have her safely back,’ Jack said grimly, ‘it must and shall be done.’
‘Surely you will go on looking for her? To give in to such blackmail would go much against the grain with me, Delsey.’
‘What is money against her life?’ Jack smiled grimly. ‘I would gladly sacrifice my estates in the north for Charlie’s sake. It is my duty to protect her, for this abduction was meant to punish me. Even if I did not care for her I would be bound to do all I could for her, and as it is I am deeply concerned for her safety.’
‘Yes, but...’ Sir Mordred was clearly distressed at the idea of Jack being pushed into such a sacrifice, but even as he paused there was a commotion in the house and then one of the footmen burst in, looking wild-eyed and excited. ‘What is it, man? My daughter—’
‘My lord,’ Johnson said, ‘it’s your lady. She rode into the courtyard not a moment ago, exhausted and near to fainting, but she’s here—and alive.’
‘My God!’ Jack took a step forward, swallowing convulsively as the emotion swept over him. ‘Where is she, Johnson?’
‘Mr Scott took her. He carried her up to her room.Her mother and Mrs Moore went with her. We’ve sent for the doctor, my lord.’
‘Yes, that was right.’ Jack felt suddenly faint and sat down on the nearest chair. ‘Good grief, I’m shaking like a leaf. Was she alone? How did she get away? Does anyone know what happened?’
‘No, my lord. We saw her and Mr Scott reached her just as she fell from the horse. Somehow she’d held on, but she must have been riding for a long time for the horse was sweating and she... Well, she looked close to death, sir.’
‘I must see her.’ Jack’s strength came back. He strode from the room, taking the stairs two at a time in his haste. Sir Mordred was running to keep up with him. They reached Charlotte’s apartments at the same time and Jack entered, closely followed by her father.
‘How dare you come in here?’ Charlotte’s mother rounded on them, her voice thick with fury. ‘This is my daughter’s room for the duration of her stay here and I will thank you to remember it. As soon as she is recovered I am taking her home—where she will be safe, which she is not thanks to you, sir.’
‘My dear,’ Sir Mordred said, ‘please consider whom you are speaking to. We must consider Charlotte’s happiness. She cares deeply for Captain Delsey and it must be for her to decide whether or not—’
‘No,’ Jack said clearly, his voice carrying further than he realised in the sudden silence. ‘I agree with Lady Stevens, sir. As soon as Charlotte is well enough, you must take her home with you. We shall postpone the wedding until such time as I know she will be safe here— If that can be achieved, which for the moment I doubt since only carelessness could have led to her abduction. It might be better if she were no longer connected with this family if we cannot guarantee her safety.’
Lying in clean fresh sheets, having her forehead bathed with cool water, Charlotte heard his voice as if from a distance. She wanted to call out, to tell him that she would never leave him, but her throat hurt and she could not speak. Whatever that wicked man had given her had made her throat very sore and she had not stopped to drink or rest until she’d reached the safety of Ellingham. She’d been on the verge of collapse when she arrived, but with her head upon the cool pillows she was fully aware of what she’d just heard.
Jack was saying that she must go home. He wanted to postpone the wedding, to call it off. He no longer wanted to marry her. Clearly, he no longer considered his bargain worthwhile. It had never been more than a marriage of convenience on his side—and now he wished he had never offered for her. He wanted to send her home...away from him, for her safety, but also because she’d caused him so much trouble. She could not bear it that he should send her away, but her mother would not allow her to stay here unless Jack insisted. And he had agreed with Mama.
Realising that she had finally tried his patience too hard, Charlotte closed her eyes, letting the tears trickle down her cheeks. She was too weak to protest, though the knowledge that Jack didn’t truly love her was breaking her heart. It had seemed the last few days that he might truly care for her, but had he done so, he would not send her away.
He had thought she would make him a conformable wife, but she was just too much trouble. It was her fault that Jack had been shot...because she’d stolen that necklace and he’d quarrelled with Lord Harding...over her. Tears trickled down her cheeks because she knew that her wonderful dream was over. She would have to release Jack from his promise.
‘It’s all right, my dear,’ Mrs Moore said, stroking her forehead. ‘You have a nice sleep and when you wake up everything will be fine.’
Charlotte found that she was too tired to do anything but sleep, but she knew that nothing would ever be right for her again, because Jack no longer wanted to marry her.
* * *
‘Are you feeling better, Charlotte?’ Mama looked at her when she entered her private sitting room and found her dressed the next morning. ‘The doctor said that you should stay quietly in bed for a few days.’
‘I am quite recovered, Mama,’ Charlotte said. ‘It was just that I had been drugged and I had to ride for such a long time before I found anyone to direct me—and then I realised that I must have ridden at least ten miles in the wrong direction, so I had to turn back. I got lost twice and seemed to wander for ages, and my head started to ache. I could barely speak loudly enough to ask the way, then I saw a sign and I knew where I was.’
‘Why did you not ask for help at an inn? Someone could have sent word and your papa would have come for you in the carriage. There was no need to ride all over the countryside like a harum scarum.’
‘Do not scold the child,’ Sir Mordred said, entering the room at that moment. He bent to kiss Charlotte’s cheek. ‘I see that you are feeling better, my dear.’
‘Yes, Papa,’ she said. ‘It was merely the aftermath of that foul drug and tiredness. I dare say Mama is right, but I had no money and I must have looked such a sight. All I could think of was that I mus
t get home before you all went out of your minds with worry.’
‘You were very brave,’ her father said and sat down next to her, taking her hand in his. ‘Do you feel able to tell us what happened now?’
‘As much as I know,’ Charlotte said. ‘I was near the folly. I was thinking of picking roses for Jack... How is he, Papa? Is he recovered?’
‘Yes, much better today. Yesterday he was in a deal of pain and it was made worse because he insisted on helping in the search for you.’
‘Yes, of course. He would feel responsible,’ Charlotte said. ‘I meant to give him some roses to cheer him, but someone put a rag over my mouth and it rendered me senseless and then...I woke up in the loft of a stable. I was bound, but was able to break free of the ropes. But then I realised the ladder had been taken away...’
‘How frightened you must have been!’ Mama exclaimed.
‘At first,’ Charlotte said hesitantly. ‘Then I managed to find the uprights and the dividing structures of the horses’ stalls and realised I could climb down—’
‘It is a wonder you did not break your neck,’ her mother interrupted.
‘No, Mama, I am good at climbing,’ Charlotte said. ‘I got some splinters in my hand and they are a little sore still, but I scrambled down and fell over the horse. It is a lovely little horse, Papa. I should like to keep it, for it did not try to throw me off or bite me—and I was able to ride away, after letting the two other horses free.’
‘That was clever of you,’ her father said. ‘It must have hampered their pursuit—for it sounds as if there were three men who captured you.’
‘Yes, I suppose there must have been,’ Charlotte said. ‘Though I only remember one voice as he grabbed me. He said that if I screamed he would...’ She shook her head. ‘I do not quite remember, but I should like to speak to Jack. There is something he should know.’
‘I am sure Captain Delsey has plenty to do without listening to you, Charlotte,’ her mama said harshly. ‘They are still trying to find where you were taken and the culprits.’
‘Don’t you see, that is why I must speak to him.’ Charlotte appealed to her father with a look that spoke volumes. ‘If he may not come to me, then I shall come down. I must speak to him.’
‘Don’t fret, my love,’ Papa said. ‘Be damned to propriety, he shall come up to you. Lady Stevens, I should like a word with you later. Please leave me with my daughter. I have something to say to her.’
If Charlotte had not been feeling so sad she would have laughed at her mother’s outraged expression, but she could not forget that Jack wanted her to go home, because he wished to postpone the wedding—perhaps for ever. There was a dull ache in her chest and she felt as if a dark shadow lay over her world.
‘Well, I have acted only in my daughter’s interests,’ Mama said, but got up and left the room without further protest.
‘Now, then, Charlie,’ Papa said and took her hand in his. ‘Your mama thinks you should go home and postpone the wedding, but I do not agree. It was hardly Delsey’s fault that you were kidnapped. He was ill and could not oversee the arrangements. We believe that whoever abducted you was mistakenly accepted as one of the new keepers and thus able to move freely about the estate. Delsey has been reading the riot act and I imagine the men will be more alert in future. I have been taken into the marquis’s confidence and I realise that some further measures must be taken to protect you both—but I cannot think you would wish to leave at this time?’
‘No, Papa, I do not,’ Charlotte said, then bit her lip. ‘But if Jack no longer wishes to marry me...’
‘Is that more of your mother’s meddling?’ Papa looked grave. ‘I am very certain that Delsey thinks only of your safety, but I think you safer here where you can be protected. After all, what is to stop that devil snatching you from us at home?’
‘I agree with you, sir,’ Jack’s voice spoke from the doorway. ‘In my first distress at Charlotte’s abduction I thought as her mama so clearly does—that she might be safer away from me. But I have since given it much thought and think we should marry as soon as possible. I have taken steps to make certain that she will be properly protected in future. I am distressed that she should have been subjected to such an ordeal.’
‘Then there is no more to be said.’ Papa rose and touched Charlotte’s head in passing. ‘I shall leave you together. I think Charlotte has much to tell you, Delsey.’
‘Thank you, sir.’ Jack walked to the door with him, then returned to take the seat next to her. His gaze was soft and yet grave as he looked at her. ‘Forgive me, my dearest. I would not have had you suffer as you have these past few days for all the world.’
‘It was not your fault. I should have been aware. Besides, I was more afraid when you were shot than when I awoke in that stable...’
‘You were taken to a stable? Do you know where?’
‘I’m not sure, but I think the nearest village was signposted as Wintersmere...’ She faltered as his eyes narrowed. ‘I cannot be certain for I was riding so fast at first, and then I saw no one or even a house for miles. Mama thought I should have gone to an inn, but indeed I did not pass one for such ages and by then I was nearly home, Jack.’
‘You would not have seen an inn out that way, at least none that would be safe for you to frequent. I believe I know the village—it is but a hamlet in truth, with few houses in the district, and they are mainly farmhouses and set back off the road.’
‘I’m sure it was a farmyard that the stables led into,’ Charlotte said and nodded, ‘but disused. I saw no sign of stock or even a few hens, though it was night when I escaped and the moon would keep disappearing behind the clouds.’
Jack touched her wrists, which had been bound with clean linen. ‘You were hurt. He shall pay for that, whoever he is,’ he vowed. ‘When I find him, I shall thrash him to an inch of his life and he will spend what is left of it in prison—if I have my way it will not be long before he pays the ultimate price.’
‘Oh, Jack,’ she said brokenly. ‘You said it was not my fault you were attacked—but it was indeed. You see, I know who abducted me. He only spoke a few words, but I could never forget those sneering tones—it was Mr Patterson. The man who chased me through the park. Lord Harding must have sent him to be revenged on us.’
‘No, my dearest Charlie. Lord Harding is dead.’ She gasped and felt the chill touch her neck. ‘Do not blame yourself or me, for the blame is another’s. It appears Harding had a visitor the night he died and that person distressed him so much that he had a severe attack and this time died of it. I believe that person may have been Patterson. I dare say Harding had been his banker for some time and he feared losing his source of income. Very likely he threatened him with exposure if he did not receive more money and that was likely the cause of Harding’s seizure and subsequent death.’
‘I did not like him, but I did not wish him dead.’
‘You might have done for you had cause, but I had more, Charlie. Harding paid to have my father killed...or more accurately his cousin was the paymaster for them both. Harding arranged it and I believe that Patterson was one of the rogues that carried out the foul deed. Indeed, now that you have named him as your abductor, I am certain of it.’
‘You know they killed your father?’ She looked at him in shock.
‘I knew that Harding was involved, but then I realised that he could not be the instigator of what happened to me, and then you. Only a man with a guilty secret to protect would go to such lengths to warn me off. Therefore it must have been one of the assassins—and that man is Patterson.’
‘If he wanted you silenced, why did he not kill you—and me?’
‘Because he also wanted money and Harding’s money was no longer available to him,’ Jack said grimly. She was trembling and he held her hand tighter. ‘It seems that fifty thousand pounds was the price h
e put on you.’
‘Jack! Oh, no, how could he think you would pay such a ridiculous sum?’
‘He must have known that you are more precious to me than my estate, my horses or my very life,’ Jack said. ‘I would have paid his price and more to have you back.’ A slow smile started in his eyes. ‘But poor fool that he was, he underestimated you, Charlie. He did not know that you would escape and so save me from falling prey to his greed.’
Charlotte swallowed hard. ‘You couldn’t really think me worth so much...’ she whispered. ‘I thought... I thought you were sending me home because you no longer wished to wed me. That I had caused you too much trouble.’
Jack stared and then the penny dropped. ‘You heard me speaking to your mama just after you arrived back in a state of exhaustion. I was at my wit’s end, Charlie. I could not think straight, as I told your father just now—and I was angry that we had not protected you as we ought. How he got to you with so many men patrolling the grounds I cannot imagine. In the circumstances, I thought perhaps you would be safer at your father’s house, but then I realised that Patterson would try again. He is deeply in debt and needs money—to live abroad, I dare say. Nothing will stop him, for he knows that I mean to see him hang if he remains in England. If he had killed me he would have been safe from justice, but without money he was lost—and so he decided to extort money rather than finish me off.’
‘What are we to do?’ she asked. ‘We cannot live in fear of our lives.’
‘Nor shall we.’ Jack smiled and kissed her hand, holding it firmly. ‘This morning I went to see a friend of mine who happens to be the local magistrate. I lodged a complaint against Patterson and gave a good description—and offered a reward for his capture. The result is that there is now a warrant out for his arrest.’
‘Jack!’ Charlotte stared at him in wonder. ‘How could you give a description of Patterson to the magistrate? Do you remember what he looks like?’
