Jack Chiltern's Wife (1999)

by Nichols, Mary

  She was right. Half an hour later they were all seated in the back parlour, eating a hastily cooked meal of fish, listening to the blacksmith telling them the latest situation in impeccable English.

  ‘The town is being systematically starved into submission,’ he said. ‘Nothing is coming in by sea and nothing comes down from the north because Paris commandeers what there is. There is talk of surrender. Admiral Hood’s launch comes almost daily to offer terms and the local government is on the point of accepting.’

  ‘Can you get me aboard the launch when it comes next?’ Jack asked.

  ‘Get you aboard!’ James exclaimed. ‘What about us?’

  ‘It will have to be arranged,’ Jack said. ‘Four extra passengers in a small launch would not go unnoticed by the port authorities.’

  ‘That is true, Mr Harston,’ their host put in. ‘If his lordship goes first, something can be arranged. Though how you expect to get to England once aboard, I don’t know. There are no plans that I know of to lift the siege.’

  ‘Despatches have to be sent home regularly,’ Jack said. ‘We go with the despatches.’

  ‘You too?’ the blacksmith demanded. ‘Do you not stay behind and continue your work?’

  ‘I have done what has been asked of me. Now I must take my wife home.’ He looked at Kitty as he spoke, smiling a little crookedly. His wife! What a mockery! ‘We have not long been married.’

  ‘Is that so? Then may I offer my felicitations to you both.’ He looked from Jack to Kitty as he spoke, forcing her to smile and bow her head in acknowledgement.

  ‘It is the same for us,’ James said, reaching across the table to take Nanette’s hand. ‘I cannot wait to get out of this barbarous country and return to my homeland. Begging your pardon, monsieur.’

  ‘Oh, you do not have to spare my feelings, Mr Harston. Now, I will go and find out when the Admiral’s launch is expected and let us hope he has not given up trying to negotiate. You must wait here and you’ll oblige me by staying indoors.’

  They wiled away the time by playing whist, at the end of which James had lost several guineas. ‘I don’t mind in the least,’ he said when Jack commiserated with him. ‘Unlucky at cards, lucky in love. I know which I would rather be.’

  Kitty stole a glance at Jack, who was gathering up his winnings, but he did not look at her. She had lost too, so the old saying could not be true. Her luck was abysmal on both counts.

  Towards evening the blacksmith returned to tell Jack to be ready to leave the following morning. ‘I told the bo’swain in charge of the launch that you had important information which you would only impart to the Admiral himself.’

  ‘That is true.’

  ‘They listened as he explained how Jack was to be smuggled aboard while the launch was tied to the quay, waiting for the Admiral’s party to return to the flagship. Once on board it was up to the Admiral whether he helped them or not.

  ‘You mean he might not?’ Kitty asked, her hopes plummeting again. ‘Surely he would not leave us here to fend for ourselves? Supposing he won’t let Jack come back for us?’

  Jack smiled crookedly. ‘Why, I do believe my loving wife cannot bear to be parted from me.’ He rose from the table and took her hand to kiss it, making her shiver with desire. She hated herself for her weakness. ‘You don’t know how gratifying that is.’

  James gave him a curious glance and then laughed in an embarrassed way. ‘Are you surprised? You have hardly been married a se’ennight. I know Nan would feel the same if I went off on my own.’

  ‘Of course. Leaving Kitty, even for a minute, breaks my heart. But you know how I like to tease.’ Jack’s little show of temperament was over almost as soon as it had begun, but it left Kitty feeling more uneasy than ever, if such a thing were possible. It seemed there was to be no expunging of that dreadful wedding night from their memories.

  She freely admitted she had been as much at fault as he had, but she had not been able to tell him so because he made sure he was alone with her as little as possible and, when it could not be avoided, he discouraged conversation by pretending to be busy with other things, or asleep, or so deep in contemplation that she could not interrupt him. Gone was their earlier affinity—now they could not communicate at all.

  Not wishing to intrude on James and Nanette, she spent the waiting time alone, pacing up and down their room or sitting in the corner of the forge, away from the heat of the fire, pretending to read. Most of the time she was mentally rehearsing conversations with Jack, conversations in which she was open and eloquent in explaining her feelings and he listened attentively and told her how much he loved her. All fantasy.

  He returned late the following afternoon with the news that a boat would be sent secretly at dead of night to pick them up at a little cove further along the bay and take them directly to the sloop which was due to sail for England, just as soon as the wind was favourable. The blacksmith would guide them along the top of the cliff and show them a way down. After that it was up to them to make the rendezvous on time.

  With Kitty and Nanette wearing dark clothes and hoods, provided by the blacksmith, and the men in naval coats with no embellishments, they set off at dusk, following the bulky shape of the blacksmith. By the time they reached the tortuous path which led from the cliffs to the beach, the moon was up, lighting their way.

  The blacksmith pointed. ‘Down there. Bon chance, mes amis.’ Before anyone could thank him, he had melted away, making no sound.

  ‘Look!’ James said, pointing out to sea. ‘There’s a small craft, rowing out from that ship. We must make haste.’

  They scrambled down. Jack went first, stopping every now and again to help the ladies over a difficult piece of ground, leaving James to bring up the rear. Several times they dislodged loose scree which went tumbling down, making a noise that sounded loud in the silence of the night. They waited to see if any sentries had been alerted, then continued down.

  Once on the beach, they made for the water’s edge, standing with their feet in water, ready to jump into the rowing boat which was only a few feet from the shore. ‘Chiltern?’ queried a voice from the boat as the oars were shipped and one of the rowers jumped out to pull the small craft inshore.

  ‘Yes. All present and correct.’

  ‘In with you then, quick as you can. If this night’s work becomes known to the local citizenry, it might well foil the negotiations.’

  They needed no second bidding, but waded knee-deep to scramble into the boat. The rowers had dipped their oars almost before they were safely aboard and Jack had to be hauled in by James as they began to pull away again.

  Twenty minutes later they were among the British ships and making for a sloop on the outer edge of the fleet. A rope ladder was flung over the side and caught by Jack as they came alongside. He turned to Kitty, holding out his hand and smiling reassuringly. ‘Up you go, my dear. James will be right behind you.’

  Now was not the time to have qualms, to have doubts about her fitness or wonder whether she might fall. Now was the time to grit her teeth and climb. She took a deep breath and began, one rung at a time, while Jack steadied the swaying ladder from below. She could hear James’s heavy breathing as he followed her. As her head reached the top, many hands reached out and unceremoniously hauled her on board.

  James came next, then Nanette, sobbing because she had almost slipped and had looked down to see the sea, inky black below her, and lost her nerve. Only Jack, climbing almost over her to steady her, had kept her going. But now all four were aboard.

  ‘I’ll take you down to the Captain’s cabin,’ one of the sailors said, as Kitty and Nanette shook out their skirts and patted ineffectually at their hair.

  They followed him down the companionway and were soon being ushered into the Captain’s presence, a young man with untidy blond hair and very blue eyes.

  ‘Edward!’ Kitty and James exclaimed in unison.

  He laughed. ‘The last person you expected to see, eh? I have the honou
r of commanding this vessel, His Britannic Majesty’s sloop, Lady Lucia.’ He bowed with as much of a flourish as he could manage given the size of the cabin and the number of people in it.

  To Jack he offered his hand. ‘Good to see you again, my lord.’

  ‘And I you. May I present my cousin, Nanette.’

  ‘My wife,’ James announced proudly.

  Edward bowed to her. ‘My felicitations, ma’am. I hope I may make you comfortable.’ He turned to Kitty. ‘And you, Miss Harston …’

  ‘Lady Chiltern,’ Jack corrected him.

  ‘Is that so?’ Edward looked from one to the other with amusement. ‘Then may I wish you happy?’

  ‘Thank you.’ Kitty said, her voice slightly too brittle to be natural.

  ‘Who would have thought when I last saw you that it would all turn out so well?’ Edward said, beaming at her. ‘I must say, I am vastly relieved. I often wondered if I was right to help you escape. I would certainly have thought twice about it if I had known where you intended to go.’

  ‘Did my uncle know it was you?’ she asked.

  ‘I do not think so. He never said, though I have seen little of him since because of my naval duties. War keeps a man from home, you know.’

  ‘Quite,’ Jack said cryptically. ‘Kitty’s debt to you will be repaid just as soon as we reach home.’

  ‘Pray, think no more of it,’ he said. ‘It was a gift, and if it has made Kitty happy, then I am content.’

  Kitty did not reply and neither did Jack. There was nothing they could say. The silence stretched uncomfortably.

  ‘I shall look forward to hearing all about your adventures tomorrow.’ Edward said, smiling round at them all, making Kitty wonder if he had detected the strained atmosphere or whether it was her imagination. ‘Now, I am afraid duty calls. We are sailing at once. The intelligence I have for the War Department cannot wait. The second lieutenant will show you to your quarters. This is a ship of war and not built for passengers, so the accommodation is somewhat spartan. On the plus side, we are fast and will have you in Portsmouth in no time.’

  Portsmouth. England. Kitty viewed the prospect with mixed feelings. Not for the first time she began to wonder about her uncle and stepmother. What had happened in her absence? How was little Johnny? What would be said about her marriage? Would she be forgiven? Had her uncle received her last letter sent from Calais? Seeing Edward Lampeter again had brought it all home to her, long before she had expected to face it.

  James seemed unconcerned when she found him alone, looking over the ship’s rail at the oil-dark sea. She had delayed going down to her cabin, knowing Jack would be there. On board ship there were no horses to see to, no provisions to buy, no more despatches to write. They could not escape each other and the tension between them was tearing her to shreds.

  ‘There will be no scandal,’ James said. ‘Why, you have made a catch, don’t you know that? Married to the Earl of Beauworth’s heir. You won’t be living at home any more, will you? You will be with your husband in Wiltshire. Alice won’t be able to say a word against you. You have come up trumps. Edward did you a good turn.’

  Her brother would not have said that, she told herself, if he had known the truth. She had gambled and lost and all because of one wrong move. ‘I am not so sure …’

  ‘What are you saying? You love Jack, don’t you? You are not sorry you married him?’

  ‘No, no, of course not. I was thinking of the manner it came about.’

  ‘Oh, you will soon live that down, don’t worry. Jack will be there to protect you from gossip. And so will I. If anything is said, I shall tell everyone I was with you the whole time. Now, go to bed.’ He kissed her cool cheek. ‘Goodnight and God bless.’

  Only partly soothed, she went down to her cabin. Jack was in the upper bunk, apparently fast asleep. She undressed in the dark and crept into the lower one.

  He heard her settle down, wondered whether to ask her where she had been, but decided against it. It might provoke another argument, she might say it was none of his business and he could not bear that.

  They rose next morning to a calm sea and warm sunshine. After breakfast they went on deck where they met James and Nanette. Chairs were found for them and they sat down to a day of idleness. James was looking forward to taking his bride home and, confident that his reports of life in Revolutionary France would be accepted by a publisher, was full of plans to become a writer.

  He had given Kitty his manuscripts to read and that furnished her with an excuse not to join in the general chatter. How could she talk of the future when she could see no further than the end of each day?

  Towards noon, Edward joined them. ‘All’s well,’ he said. ‘We’re on course in a good following wind, so now I have a little time to hear all about your adventures. How difficult is life in France these days? One hears such dreadful tales of the guillotine and rivers of blood. Surely they have been exaggerated?’

  ‘Not knowing what accounts have reached England, it is difficult to say,’ Jack said. ‘Our own experiences were hair-raising enough. Kitty still bears the scars of an attempted hanging.’

  ‘Good God! I beg your pardon, ladies, but that has really shocked me. How did it happen? How did you two come to be together in France? Surely that was not coincidence.’

  ‘It was,’ Kitty said, and told him how she had met Jack on board the packet, how Judith had died and her own ordeal. ‘Jack looked after me, until we joined James,’ she said.

  ‘The last time I was home, my father told me that your uncle had had news of you,’ he said. ‘He knew you had gone to stay with the Marquis de Saint-Gilbert; your stepmama even boasted of it.’

  ‘How could he possibly have known that? The last time I wrote was from Calais.’

  ‘I wrote to him from Paris,’ Jack said. ‘I had intelligence to send, and enclosed news of you and told him where we were going, so that he would not worry about you.’

  ‘Why didn’t you tell me?’ she demanded. ‘I could have written myself.’

  He smiled enigmatically. ‘I could not tell you I was in touch with London, could I? It would have contravened all the rules of espionage and put you in very grave danger if the despatches had been intercepted. It was all done in code. By the time we reached Haute Saint-Gilbert, it became too difficult to send word overland, so I am afraid your uncle does not know we are married. That is something we shall have to tell him when we arrive, my dear.’

  It was the longest speech he had made to her since their wedding night and the most exasperating. Long after Edward had left them to return to his duties, she went over and over it. Why had he taken all that trouble? The risk must have been enormous. Nanette said she thought he had been helping aristocrats to escape, but it was much more than that.

  Wherever he went, he was known. There was the couple at Calais, the Claviers, Thomas Trent, the blacksmith and others along the route. And there had been times when he left her at their lodging in the evening, telling her to go to bed and not wait up for him. She imagined him relieving the boredom of escorting her by drinking and gambling. Sometimes he had called for pen and ink and wrote far into the night. Despatches. Letters to her uncle.

  And there was Gabrielle. He had learned of her death in Paris and yet he had kept it to himself, bottled it up. Why could he not have confided in her? Why, oh, why had he married her?

  Chapter Nine

  Edward was right; the Lady Lucia was fast. Five days later they docked in Portsmouth with nothing to complain of but a little rough weather in the Bay of Biscay. The formalities were soon concluded, they said goodbye to Edward and stepped ashore, back in peaceful England at last.

  Jack hired a coach to convey them all to his home where James and Nanette were to stay overnight before proceeding on to London. It was taken for granted that Kitty would remain at Chiltern Hall when James and Nanette left. Why wouldn’t she? She was Jack’s wife and, however brutal the circumstances of it, the marriage had been consummated.
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  She was filled with apprehension and misery, wondering what the Earl of Beauworth and his wife would think of their son’s new wife. She looked like a peasant, had lived like one for so long she was even beginning to think and behave like one: ill clad, rough and unmannerly.

  Both the gowns she had taken with her were torn and dirty, her stockings were full of holes, though she had tried mending them. She had no hat and her hair, a little longer than when Judith had cut it for her, stuck out like a bush. How could she face her new in-laws like that?’

  Jack smiled when she ventured to express her concern. ‘My dear, clothes mean nothing. You are who you are whatever you wear and my parents will understand. Nanette is also dishevelled and as for James and me …’ He spread his hands, laughing at his disreputable appearance in black trousers, second-hand naval jacket and a plain tricorne hat. ‘Hardly the stuff of gentlemen, are we? We are not returning from just a grand social occasion, but an adventure of epic proportions.’

  An adventure, she thought, an adventure of my own making. Did I once envy James his independence? Did I really long to test my mettle in new experiences? Did I once wish I were a man? How foolish of me! Now I shall be labelled a hoyden and, if it had not been for Jack Chiltern, it would be much worse. She sighed. There was nothing to be done but brave it out.

  ‘What you need, what we all need, is a bath and a good meal and a day or two to recuperate,’ he went on. ‘After that, you can go shopping for your immediate necessities in Winchester and, later, you can go to London and buy whatever fripperies take your fancy.’

  Not one word about how he was going to explain their marriage so soon after he learned about the loss of his first wife, not one word about an annulment, or how they were going to go on, when they were so obviously not going to suit.

  Chiltern Hall was a huge mansion set in acres and acres of parkland and reached by a private road lined with ancient elms. It had hundreds of windows and almost as many chimneys.