by Janet Woods
‘I’m doing the very same thing. Don’t you find the concept of running away together just a little bit daring ... and a little bit romantic perhaps?’
If he had any ideas in that direction she must dispel them at once. ‘Romantic ... certainly not!’ Liar! Liar! If only he knew the stinging excitement churning inside her. She fizzed with it, as if her blood was filled with fireflies. The voice of reason prevented her from enjoying the feeling. Her reputation would be shredded when her flight became public knowledge.
As it would have been if she’d stayed there, she reminded herself. Patrick would have made sure of that. She shuddered as she thought of the way his companions had treated her. He’d made no real effort to stop Stephen Gould. Only this man - a complete stranger - had come to her aid. She felt as though she’d known him all her life and softened towards him.
‘I admit I do find my flight a little adventurous. This morning I was just an ordinary woman who’d spent her life as an obedient companion to a grandfather she loved. Now, not only am I homeless, but I’ll have a tarnished reputation I don’t deserve by morning.’
‘Cast aside the notion that you’re ordinary. In fact, you’re exquisite, and unexpected. And I’d really prefer my honor not to be measured against the likes of your cousin and his companions.’
‘Please accept my apology. If I did measure you against them I’m certain you’d stand so tall in my estimation that I wouldn’t be able to look you in the eyes.’
His smile was a joy to her. ‘Prettily put, Miss Hartford.’
Such beautiful blue eyes, she thought, and brought him down a little. ‘I will also have to say that I fear there’s absolutely nothing that’s safe about you, Lord Costain. You can take that as you will.’
‘Then I’ll believe it to be a compliment. As for you, Amber Rose, the sight of you warms me considerably, so perhaps you’re right to feel scared. In all sincerity, would you prefer it if I returned you to Hartford House?’
It was she who felt warmed now, and thank goodness he couldn’t see her blush. She felt quite disgruntled by her inability to reply with drawing room wit. Flirting with young men was something she’d never been given a chance to learn. The best she could manage was, ‘Since there was nothing at all sincere about that question I shall ignore it. And despite my suspicions that you’re not quite the gentleman you lead me to believe you are, I do trust you ... I think. You may let go of my hand now, then we can be on our way.’
‘A pity to allow such a soft hand to escape.’
So saying, he gave it another kiss and set it free. Gently he confined her in the dark interior of the carriage with Jake and the family of cats by closing the carriage door. She would rather be riding with him in the soft moonlit night, she thought, as he gave a low whistle and the carriage lurched forward.
* * * *
The journey was uneventful. Either Patrick Hartford and his companions had drunk themselves into a stupor, or they had taken the more popular road.
The moon was shining brightly now. Their driver took them across the heath, following the bone white ribbon of a path with a surety of one totally familiar with it. Benedict wouldn’t have taken such a risk. Not only had he never been across the heath before, but he knew the place would be full of traps and bogs for those without local knowledge.
It was after midnight before they reached the harbor town of Poole. It was not a good place to be in at night, for danger lurked in the shadows. The town was swarming with seamen, light skirts and lawless smugglers who brought kegs of brandy and other goods ashore.
Suspecting that the coaching inn might be watched, Benedict asked the driver, ‘Do you know of other lodgings that are more suitable for a lady, Matt?’
‘Aye, my sister has a room and takes in boarders now and again. She’ll give you a good breakfast.’ He took them to a house on the edge of town - one that was owned by his sister, a plump creature called Meg who came downstairs grumbling at being disturbed and rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
‘Oh, it’s you, Matt. And you’ve brought boarders this late? Well, I won’t say we can’t do with the money.’ Her eyes softened when she saw Jake asleep in Benedict’s arms. ‘The nipper’s fair tuckered out. I reckon I can find you a room, at that.’
‘Two rooms,’ Amber said primly. ‘We’re not man and wife.’
Gazing from one to the other, Meg nodded. ‘Well, I hope you know what you’re doing, Miss, running off with him in the middle of the night, though I don’t blame you. He has a right lusty look to him. I’ve always liked a man who knows what he wants and how to go about getting it.’ She poked a finger in Benedict’s chest. ‘You make sure you put a ring on her finger before you bed her, mister. No creeping up the stairs during the night.’
‘I intend to wed her and bed her as soon as I get the opportunity.’ Or the other way round. Having now met Amber, Benedict wasn’t bothered over which event happened first.
He grinned when Amber turned a pretty shade of pink, opened her mouth to retort then shut it again. Her naivety amused him. You haven’t begun to live, little bird, he thought.
‘I daresay the gentleman can make do with the chair in the parlor and a blanket. ’Tis all I’ve got.’ She eyed the basket with the cats. ‘The cat can have the run of the kitchen for tonight. I’ll give her a dish of milk, and she can catch herself a mouse or two in return for her lodging. Pesky creatures, mice are. Matt, are you staying or going?’
‘Going. I’ve got some business along the coast.’
‘Take our Tom a meat pie then, and put one in the basket for yourself. Stable the gentleman’s horse first, then be off with you. Be careful, and tell my Tom to be careful, too. It's a bright moon out there.’ She took Jake from Benedict’s arms and said to Amber, ‘Follow me, Miss.’
‘My thanks. If anyone asks I’d appreciate it if you haven’t laid eyes on us,’ Benedict murmured to the coachman a little while later, and slipped him an extra guinea with the fare he’d been quoted.
‘I imagine you mean those three men in the inn who were plotting the young lady’s downfall, and your own.’ He held out a hand. ‘Matt Striker, revenue man at your service.’
Benedict chuckled. ‘I thought you were a rogue. Those men are Miss Hartford’s cousin and his cronies. They’re a bad lot. I’m Lord Costain.’
‘Aye. They mentioned your name and the girl’s when I overheard them talking. I thought I’d give you a hand, since two guns are better than one. How far are you going? I can send a trustworthy man with a rig in the morning to take you there if you like, and I might be able to make arrangements for your pursuers to be delayed meanwhile. A few hours in a cell while you get away might do the trick.’
‘On what charge?’
‘Could be we’ll find a bottle of smuggled brandy in their saddlebags when we search them.’
‘I was right, you are a rogue,’ Benedict said with a chuckle. ‘I’m going to Lyndhurst, where I’ll be leaving Miss Hartford at my sister’s house. She’ll be safe there for the time being.’
‘She’s a sweet one, if you don’t mind me saying. A real lady.’
‘She most surely is. Thank you for your help, Matt. I hope I can do you a favour in return one day. Good luck in whatever you’re involved in tonight.’
‘Thanks.’ The two men shook hands, then giving a secretive grin Matt slipped the money back into Benedict’s hand, touched his hat and disappeared into the darkness.
* * * *
The few hours sleep had refreshed Amber and the delicious smell of cooking woke her. It seemed like months since she’d eaten a well-cooked meal.
Washing her hands and face in a bowl of warm water someone had thought to leave her, she brushed out the length of her hair and braided it before pulling on the gown she’d been wearing the day before. It was grubby, and she’d have changed into a fresh one if the wicker basket hadn’t been downstairs.
It was early, the sun just coming up over the horizon. There had been some light rain during t
he night and the air was filled with a pearly, drifting mist.
Her mouth watering she followed the smell of cooking down to the kitchen, where two young girls were cooing over Tansy and the kittens. Meg gave her a broad smile. ‘The girls are hankering after a kitten, but they’re too young to leave their ma just yet. If you want a home for the litter I’ll take them off your hands. I can place the kittens in homes when they get older. Your man told me to ask you.’
He wasn’t her man, Amber thought crossly, but said, ‘That’s kind of you, Meg. I couldn’t leave them behind because they would have starved to death.’ Or worse, she thought, remembering the result of Patrick’s stray shot. ‘Is Lord Costain about?’
‘He’s at the pump, taking a wash. Have you made yourself comfortable, Miss.’
‘Yes, thank you.’
‘Then sit yourself down.’ A plate appeared, laden with eggs, ham and tomatoes. And there was a thick slice of bread fried to a crisp on both sides.’
She’d never eaten such a large breakfast and had just swallowed the last delicious morsel when Lord Costain came in, his shirt open at the neck. Her heart lurched and her breath left her body when she set eyes on him, his hair damp and curling and his eyes as blue as summer cornflowers.
He set a pale pink rose on the table in front of her and offered her a smile that warmed. ‘Good morning, Miss Hartford. I hope you feel rested.’
Meg beamed a smile at him, and another at Amber. ‘There you are then,’ she said to nobody in particular.
Amber was sure her face turned as pink as the rose as she picked it up and breathed in its fragrance. She lowered her gaze to the cup of steaming tea Meg had set before her. ‘Thank you, Lord Costain. I do feel rested.’
The huge breakfast Meg gave the viscount had the addition of sausages. He set to with gusto while Amber sipped her tea. She suddenly remembered the lad. ‘Have you seen, Jake?’
‘He had his breakfast with my girls, earlier. Your brother thanked me. I like a child who knows his manners.’
Amber exchanged a smile with the viscount over Meg’s mistake, but didn’t bother putting her right. He told her, ‘You needn’t worry about Jake. He’s keeping a look out for the transport. We must be away as soon as possible.
‘Thank you, My Lord. I’ll not hold us up.’
It wasn’t long before they’d said their goodbyes. As the viscount helped her into the chaise he whispered to her, ‘You needn’t be so unfailingly polite with me. My name is Benedict, but my family call me Ben.’
‘I’m not your family. May I remind you that up until yesterday we were complete strangers, Lord Costain.’
If he was upset by the curt rebuff he didn’t show it, apart from a tincture of hurt in his voice when he said, ‘So we were, Miss Hartford, but we’ve shared to much together that it seems longer. I beg your pardon for being so forward.’
Guilt tore at her. This man had rescued her from a fate so degrading she couldn’t even imagine it. She was treating him like a pariah. She reached out, placing a hand on his arm to detain him. ‘No, it’s me who should beg yours. I was too sharp, and I’m an ungrateful wretch to be so standoffish. Thank you for being so kind to me ... Benedict. Please continue to call me Amber, if that’s your wish.’
‘It is my wish. Amber Rose is such a pretty name it would be a shame not to use it.’
Because he was now on a level with her she leaned forward to kiss his cheek, but he turned his head and for one surprising moment his lips claimed hers in a clinging little kiss. Her eyes widened when he withdrew, but she couldn’t help but smile as she scolded, ‘You’re an opportunist, Benedict Costain.’
‘Indeed, not. It was merely a fortunate accident.’ He laughed and turned away, calling to Jake to join him on his horse, since there was hardly any room left in the chaise. It was full of her luggage.
* * * *
They were in Lyndhurst by noon. A leafy lane led them to the country residence of Lord and Lady Stratton, an ivy-covered manor house set amongst the trees.
Emma Stratton burst through the opened front door, her face wreathed in smiles as Benedict paid the chaise driver and sent him on his way. Her ringlets bobbed as she gave him a tight hug. Her eyes were as blue as his, her hair a lighter color.
‘Ben, how wonderful. Archie’s not here at the moment, he’s in London but should be home tomorrow.’ A speculative glance went to Amber and Jake, and her smile widened even more. ‘Will you introduce me to the young lady?’
‘This is Miss Amber Hartford. Amber, this is my elder sister, Emma. She has the title of lady, but rarely acts like one.’
‘Nonsense, Ben. Miss Hartford I’ve decided to take a leaf from my brother’s book and call you Amber. And I insist you call me Emma. Welcome to my home.’ She reached out and ruffled Jake’s hair. ‘Is this lad your brother? He doesn’t look much like you.’
Amber took Jake’s hand. ‘We’ve decided to look after each other, so I rather think of him as my family. His name is Jake Selby, his mother was a seamstress and his father was a teacher by profession.’ She exchanged a smile with him. ‘Jake is clever with numbers.’
‘Goodness. How frightening in one so young.’
Emma eyed the clothes basket, saying drily, ‘Well, Ben, am I to have unexpected guests?’
‘If you wouldn’t mind for a short time. Through no fault of their own Amber and Jake were forced to escape from an unpleasant situation with a relative. If it will set your household at odds then Caroline will make room for them, no doubt. I don’t want to take them to the family home because that will be the first place her cousin will enquire.’
‘And if he enquires for her here?’
‘You have only to look at the bruise on her face to know you must lie. No doubt she has more on her body. Patrick Hartford and his friends must not be underestimated and I’ll stay here with you until Archie returns.
Emma’s voice softened. ‘Did you help them abscond from this bully? Really, Ben! Whatever will you think of next? But, by absconding with Miss Hartford you’ve compromised yourself as well as her.’
Amber stammered. ‘It’s not what you think, My lady. Lord Costain just happened to be there at the time. He had no choice but to rescue me from the situation, which was not of his making, nor mine. For that I’ll be forever grateful. My Lord, perhaps it is not a good idea to burden your sister with my presence.’ She hauled in a shaking breath, for the ramifications of what had occurred were being forced home to her. ‘I know you acted out of chivalry. Pray, do not think you must ... that I’d expect, or even contemplate . . .’
He chuckled. ‘See what you’ve done, Emma ... you’ve scared the young woman into going all formal again, and she’s losing her tongue into the bargain. The word you’re struggling to avoid Amber Rose, is marriage.’
‘Is it?’ she said vaguely.
‘Indeed it is, and you might as well know that I have every intention of proposing to you. It was the raison de’ être of my visit to Hartford House in the first place.’
‘Oh! But you said–’
‘I know what I said. Looking over the property was the other reason.’
Amber didn’t know whether to laugh or cry so she did neither, just stared at him, her mind struggling with the enormity of it as she said faintly, ‘I cannot marry a man I’ve only just met.’
Her protest was lost in Emma’s exclamation of pleasure. ‘You are to be married, Ben. Why didn’t you tell me?’
He kissed his sister on the cheek and laughed. ‘I just have, but it must remain a secret until after the event, which will take place as soon as Amber turns twenty-one in two weeks time.’
Marriage? To Benedict - this titled stranger with his pleasing manners and looks. But he couldn’t be that perfect, else some other woman would have claimed him by now. ‘My Lord,’ she said, ‘Do you have any imperfections I should be told about?’
‘Not one.’ And he laughed when Emma snorted.
‘I haven’t agreed to this yet,’ she said in
a tired voice, for she felt rather strange.
Benedict caught her as her knees buckled, and his voice came from far away, ‘When you’ve thought it over I’m sure you will . . .’
Chapter Six
As Benedict had requested of his parents, the reason behind his decision to wed had not been revealed, even to his sisters.
It was better for Amber Rose to think he was attracted by her charms, which he couldn’t fail to be, than for her to know that the initial approach had stemmed from something entirely mercenary.
Amber been orphaned at birth. She’d recently lost her grandfather, her home and most of her possessions, which from necessity had been left behind. She’d also taken on the responsibility of a child. Jake would need to be fed, clothed and educated for the foreseeable future. Benedict had appeared at the precise moment she’d needed help, and he knew she felt beholden to him. There could be no objection to the marriage on her part. Not only was he a desirable suitor, one of higher social standing than she’d have expected to marry, but her back was now to the wall. She’d be a fool to turn him down.
He smiled as he reasoned: If he allowed Amber to think she brought nothing but herself to the union she’d be grateful when he redeemed her reputation through the marriage and gave her the security of a comfortable home. Amber Rose Hartford needed him, though life would be more pleasant if she fell in love with him.
Now Benedict had made up his mind to the course he was about to embark on nothing was going to change his mind. He paced up and down at the bottom of the stairs like an expectant father. What the devil was going on up there? Surely the girl had recovered from her faint by now.
It was twenty minutes before Emma came down, her face set to scowl like a thunderstorm. ‘Men!’ she scorned as she flew past him.
He caught her by the wrist on the way back, allowing a maidservant carrying a box of medicines and unctions to go on alone. ‘What’s the matter with her, Emma?’
‘The girl’s body is so bruised you can hardly see her flesh. She must have been in extreme discomfort. The person who did this to her should be flogged.’
