In the bed chamber Jago held Allegra, rocking her back and forth as she sobbed onto his shoulder. ‘Darling, it was a bad dream. You’re safe, you’re safe now. I’m here to hold you.’
‘Mr Tremayne, shall I take over now? I have dealt with Lady Allegra’s nightmares many times before.’ Miss Murrell spoke quietly from behind him.
He was reluctant to release his love, fearing she was so agitated she might lapse back into the strange semi-comatose state she had suffered from less than a week ago.
Miss Murrell was insistent. ‘It will not do, sir, for you to be in here much longer. Please allow me to take care of Lady Allegra.’
He stepped back and Allegra’s tearstained gaze followed him. ‘Do not go, Jago, please stay with me. I had such terrible dreams.’
‘I cannot, sweetheart. But I shall stay in the parlour, next door, as I did before. Miss Murrell will take care of you.’ He backed out to find both the unknown gentleman and the landlady conversing quietly in the parlour.
‘I’ve sent my girl, Annie, to ask after Miss Tremayne, sir. Your daughter seems much better and she’s sleeping comfortably.’
‘That’s kind of you, madam. I’m sorry we’ve been such a trial to you.’
‘That is no matter, sir. It’s what we’re here for. If you require nothing else, please excuse me, good night.’
‘A good-hearted woman,’ the stranger commented. ‘She’s allowing my friends and I to pass the night here in the bar. We neglected to reserve our accommodation and the place is full.’ The man bowed. ‘Robert Forsythe, at your service, sir.’
‘Jago Tremayne, at yours.’ They shook hands. ‘I must thank you for your prompt action. A broken foot would not have helped the situation.’
‘I was in the vestibule, trying to persuade the night porter to find me some food. I could not ignore the screams, they were heartrending.’
‘Lady Allegra has undergone several unpleasant experience lately. It’s hardly surprising she was overwrought.’ Jago told him.
‘No, indeed. But at least she had one piece of good fortune. A friend of Lord Witherton’s, a Captain Pledger, joined our party this evening, and was able to offer her some assistance. That was a fortunate coincidence, was it not?’
‘Is he here now, do you know?’
‘No, he left a while back. He saw Lady Allegra arrive and excused himself, told us he was an old friend. He didn’t come back. He hadn’t booked a room either so I’ve no inkling where he is. Perhaps he’s decided to sleep with his mount?
Jago suspected this was not the case. ‘I believe he passed us on the road, heading back towards Brentwood. Lady Allegra must have asked him to deliver a message to her brother. My daughter, Demelza, is betrothed to Witherton.’
Robert Forsythe yawned hugely. ‘You have the right of it, I’m sure. Now, I’ll keep you from your bed no longer, Mr Tremayne, and shall bid you goodnight.’
‘Forsythe, I’m sleeping in here, on the chair. Although Lady Allegra’s companion is sleeping in the chamber with her, I wish to be nearby in case I’m needed. So please take my room. It would be a pity to leave the bed unoccupied.’
Forsythe bowed again, grinning. ‘Presumably you want to collect your jacket and boots before I retire?’
‘Good grief, yes!’
*
Allegra heard the voices fade and pushed herself up anxiously. ‘He is gone. Miss Murrell I cannot sleep if Mr Tremayne is not outside.’
‘Don’t fret, my dear, he’ll be back. I believe I heard him offering the use of his room to the young man who helped him earlier.’
‘Please go and see; I do not want to take any poppy juice and shall not dare to close my eyes until I am certain he is there.’
Her companion returned a few moments later. ‘Mr Tremayne is back now, he merely went to collect his boots and jacket, that is all.’
Satisfied, Allegra fell back onto the pillows but she couldn’t sleep. Jago was prowling around next door so he too was awake. Miss Murrell, stretched out comfortably on the far side of the large bed, a bolster pushed between them, snored gently until morning.
Heavy eyed, Allegra slipped out of bed to investigate the sound of a vehicle arriving in the yard below. It was scarcely light, even the cockerels were crowing half-heartedly. A post chaise had just pulled up. A sleepy ostler shambled forward to open the door. To her delight she watched Abbot and Sam Perkins descend. She saw the ostler hurry off to the rear of the building, presumably to fetch help to carry in the baggage.
‘Miss Murrell, Abbot and Perkins are here. Will you go down and direct her up to me, please?’
Her companion scrambled off the bed, shaking out her skirts. ‘This is excellent news, my dear. They’ve made good time. We’ll all feel a deal better when we have a change of garments.’ She hurried from the room but paused to speak to Jago.
‘Good morning, sir. Your man’s here with your baggage.’ She paused. ‘Oh dear, you have no room to use. You gave your chamber up.’
He laughed. ‘I’ve things to do outside that don’t require clean clothes. Please tell Lady Allegra I’ll be back to see her later. Time enough to rouse Forsythe on my return.’
Allegra smiled. He had raised his voice so that she could overhear his words. She greeted Abbot with enthusiasm. ‘I am so glad you are here for I wish to go outside and cannot do so until I am suitably attired.’
‘I’ll go down for hot water, my lady. It’s early, but the place is stirring. The ostler said the overnight mail coach is due soon.’
Allegra hurried to the window. She saw Jago come out and he glanced up and waved, blowing her a daring kiss. She blushed and retreated, realizing she was still in her chemise.
Breakfast came up on a tray. It would not do for her to venture into the public rooms already overfull with passengers from the coach. Of her beloved Jago there was no sign. Abbot had visited Demelza and found her awake and devouring a healthy breakfast with Miss Murrell and Jenny in attendance. What was Jago doing outside for so long? The gentleman, who had occupied his room, had gone downstairs some time ago.
‘My lady, if you put on your bonnet and spencer, I could accompany you downstairs. It would not be unseemly to visit your horses and see how they are doing.’
Abbot was not happy about her choice. ‘That peach skirt will show every mark, my lady. You would have been better in the moss green.’
‘I am not changing, Abbot, so it will have to do. Hand me my gloves, if you please, I am impatient to discover for myself what is keeping Mr Tremayne so long from my side.’
The entrance hall was deserted, even the ever vigilant innkeeper absent elsewhere. Allegra
hurried through. She was preparing to march round to the stables when she spotted Jago talking to a stranger, a tall young man with an unruly mop of light brown hair.
‘There he is, Abbot.’ She viewed the dirt and dung strewn yard with disfavour. ‘I think I shall wait here for him, after all.’
Her abigail nodded. ‘Shall I go over and tell him you are here, my lady?’
‘If you would, thank you. I was thinking of waving to attract his attention.’
‘No, my lady, you must not.’
Allegra watched her maid pick her way carefully through the mire until she reached the two men, so immersed in their conversation they did not, at first, notice her abigail. Then Jago looked up, spoke to Abbot and turned towards Allegra. His face was transformed by his smile. She felt her knees weaken and was forced to grip the door frame for support.
Within seconds he had covered the ground and was beside her. ‘My dear, how are you this morning? Did you sleep at all?’ He clasped her hands, scrutinising her face.
‘Is that a roundabout way of telling me I look dreadful, Jago?’
‘You are enchanting, as always. My love, allow me to present a recently acquired young friend of mine, Robert Forsythe.’
Forsythe bowed deeply and Allegra dipped her head in acknowledgement. ‘I am pleased to make your acquaintance, my lady
.’
‘And I yours, Mr Forsyth. Do you think we had better go inside? We are creating an obstruction and I fear we could be mown down by the passengers returning to their coach?’
Laughing, she led the men upstairs to her parlour. The room which had earlier seemed adequate was now overcrowded. ‘There is scarcely room for us to sit in here, but we must make do,’ Allegra said, indicating to Abbot she should absent herself.
Jago propped himself casually on the windowsill, Allegra took an upright, bentwood chair which left Forsythe to perch awkwardly on the one remaining seat, a chintz covered armchair.
‘Now, Jago, tell me everything that has transpired since I last saw you.’
For some reason none of them thought it strange that a virtual stranger should be included in the conversation. When he concluded his story she asked eagerly.
‘And were there any clues on the body, Jago?’
‘Better than that, my dear, Forsythe recognized the man.’
‘What? That is extraordinary. Who is he, sir?’
‘He was, I’m sorry to say, an officer in the Essex Regiment to which I was attached until recently.’
‘You are a soldier? I should have guessed it; you have the carriage of a military gentleman.’
‘Thank you, my lady. I was forced to resign my commission - family matters I’ll not bore you with.’
She waved her hand. ‘There is no need to explain, it is none of our business. But please tell me the name of the man?’
‘Lieutenant Giles Symons, an impecunious gentleman, always lived above his means and was involved in more than one unpleasant incident, to my certain knowledge.’
Allegra hardly dared to ask the question. ‘Was he, by any chance, stationed at Colchester or Weeley barracks?’
Forsythe nodded. ‘Yes, he was recently at Colchester, involved with recruitment, I believe, why do you ask?’
Allegra felt her head spinning. If the man was from Colchester then he might have known Captain Pledger. This was too much of a coincidence to be ignored. White faced she stared at her beloved. ‘Jago, what have I done? I have sent Pledger to Richard. I cannot bear it; it is too much.’
Chapter Sixteen
The two gentlemen stared at her with astonishment. Jago shook his head. ‘My dear girl, what cork-brained notion is this? Pledger is a friend of Witherton’s, weren’t they at school together?’
Her breathing steadied; she thought maybe she had overreacted. ‘Yes, they were. I cannot like him, but I suppose he is Richard’s closest friend. I am sorry, I am jumping to conclusions; that was silly off me.’
Forsythe hastened to add his reassurances. ‘You must remember, my lady, that Colchester has over six thousand men and Weeley considerably more. Unless Captain Pledger was billeted at one of these barracks, I doubt he would even have met our villain.’
‘Richard and Captain Pledger did sometimes frequent the officer’s mess in Colchester but it involved an overnight stay so more often they went to dine in Weeley, which is considerably nearer to the Priory.’
Jago pushed himself away from the window. ‘I think I see the doctor on his way up. I wish to speak with him.’
His guest took his cue. ‘And I must not detain you. Thank you for your hospitality.’ He bowed to Allegra. ‘I’ll make enquiries at Colchester, the adjutant is a friend of mine and he should be able to ferret out the scoundrel’s associates.’
‘That’s kind of you, sir,’ Jago said. ‘We’ll be in Town for the next three weeks, could you send anything you discover to me there? You have the address.’
Dr Canning pronounced Demelza, against all his expectations, fit enough to travel that day. A flurry of activity ensued as bags were packed and arrangements made.
‘Jago, do you promise you will be in London in time to take me out this evening?’ Allegra asked.
‘I shall. I must speak to Sir Bertram but then I’ll, reluctantly, travel post chaise.’ He chuckled at her wry expression. ‘No expense is too great, my love, when it means I can be at your side more quickly.’
The last stage of the journey was uneventful and the carriage pulled up outside Witherton House at noon. Thomas handed the reins to Billy and climbed down. In the absence of her father or betrothed he was designated to carry Demelza inside.
‘Do you think there’s a note from Lucy, Lady Allegra? Could you please find out for me?’ Demelza called as she was being taken up the white marble stairs. Miss Murrell immediately hushed her charge, reminding her of unladylike behaviour. Allegra smiled, how quickly life moved on; a few weeks ago it was she who was being gently told to behave correctly.
There was a neat stack of cards awaiting her attention. The letters she had sent in advance of their visit, informing her acquaintances she was going to be in town, had obviously been received.
She flicked through them. Yes, there was a note for Demelza amongst the invitations.
Whilst on her way up to the apartment allocated to Demelza and Miss Murrell, she continued to glance through the cards. Was there one for tonight that she could take Jago to? She was eager to introduce him to society, proud to claim to be his future wife. She smiled as she considered the way her opinions had altered over the weeks. Her society friends would be busily speculating what was the truth behind her betrothal to a man she would have ignored last time she was in Town.
A wave of heat swept through her as she recalled the farewell embrace he had given her. No one who saw them together could doubt her reasons. Hers was a love match. Their original motivations were irrelevant; neither money nor pedigree came into it. She could hardly wait to see the faces of the town tabbies when she sailed in on the arm of the most attractive, and unlikely, man in England.
Her sudden laugh startled the footman waiting to open the door to the apartment. She was glad to find Demelza reclining on a chaise-longue, a patchwork coverlet across her outstretched legs.
‘There is a note from your friend, Demelza.’ She handed it over. ‘And I wish you to call me Allegra, after all we are almost family.’
‘Can I not call you, Mama?’ Demelza asked hopefully.
‘I would prefer not. I am only eight years your senior. But I hope to be a loving sister and friend to you instead.’
‘I love you already, Allegra. And do you know, I believe you and Papa will be the perfect match. I have never seen him so happy.’ She giggled. ‘I’ve even seen him laugh once or twice as well.’
‘Baggage! Have you no respect for your father?’ Allegra pulled the covers straight. ‘Well, what does your Lucy say? Is she to visit you here, or does she wish you to go to the hotel?’
‘She’s coming this afternoon to see me. She does not know of my injury, should I put her off?’
‘If you stay resting on your day bed, do not move around too much, I see no reason why your friend should not come. Do not make too much of the shooting, Demelza. It will become the talk of the town and it is uncomfortable to be the subject of idle gossip.’
‘Shall I tell her we were set upon by thieves and I was shot? I expect it happens to people all the time.’
‘I sincerely hope it does not. In fact, you have the distinction of being the only person of my acquaintance who has been so distinguished.’
‘Well, apart from military gentlemen. But it is their trade to be shot at, isn’t it Allegra?’
‘Indeed it is, my love; also, if Captain Pledger is to be believed, stabbed, slashed and blown to bits.’
Miss Murrell interrupted. ‘I think we have discussed this quite enough, Miss Demelza. At what time is Miss Carstairs coming? I think you should have a light repast and a rest before she arrives, You don’t wish to be too fatigued to enjoy the visit, now do you?’
‘No, Miss Murrell,’ Demelza chimed obediently.
‘Then I shall leave you. I intend to have a sleep as well.’ Allegra leaned down to hug Demelza, who whispered in her ear.
‘I expect more soldiers die from cholera and dysentery them from battle wounds, don’t
you?’
‘Horrible girl! What a lowering thought! I shall see you later, when we are all rested.’
Allegra selected an invitation to an intimate supper and card party to be held by the Dowager Duchess of Avondale, a grand dame with her finger in every society pie. If she approved of Jago, then all the other hostesses would fall in to line. She quickly penned a note to be sent round informing him he was to present himself at Witherton House, in formal attire, no later than twenty minutes past seven. After leaving instructions for Abbot to wake her at five o’clock, she retired to her chamber.
She hoped she would be able to sleep more easily when the sun was up, that its brightness would keep her bad dreams at bay. Even after an absence of more than three years the familiarity of her bedchamber was reassuring. She had not slept in this room since her nightmares began and it had no unpleasant associations. She prayed this would be enough to allow her to rest undisturbed.
At seven o’ clock Allegra was bathed and dressed in her evening finery, an exotic Indian silk in palest blue with a darker blue gauze overskirt. The cap-sleeves and matching long, silk fingerless gloves were embroidered with tiny blue glass beads in a floral pattern. With her white gold hair piled high on her head, her sapphire and diamond parurre, which included ear bobs, a collar and a bracelet, she knew she had never looked better.
‘I am going along to see Miss Demelza, Abbot. I shall require you to be in the hall with my
cloak and reticule at twenty minutes past seven.’ Abbot handed Allegra the ribbon that allowed the demi-train to be held from under her feet and made a few small adjustments.
‘That is a beautiful gown, my lady. The colour is unusual but on you it’s perfect.’
The footman knocked on the door to Demelza’s apartment. A maid opened the door and
curtsied.
‘Miss Tremayne has retired, my lady, but she is still receiving.’
Allegra’s heart sunk. It was far too early for a young lady to retire unless she was feeling unwell. ‘Demelza, my dear, are you feeling worse? Here, let me feel your forehead.’ Allegra was relieved to find the skin cool under her fingertips.
To Marry a Duke Page 16
