by Anne Herries
‘I think it likely. My own fortune is slight, but even so, Andrew controls it until I marry or I am four and twenty.’
‘A husband’s rights will usually supersede a trustee’s,’ George replied. ‘Avonlea could hardly refuse if his ward was in danger—or would he?’
‘No, perhaps not, but he might demand Mariah’s return. He could then fight Blake through the courts.’
George looked troubled. ‘I think her life would truly be in danger if that were to be the case. Blake is a vengeful man. Unless he gets what he wants, he is unlikely to let Lady Fanshawe leave her captivity—and he might well decide she is of no further use to him.’
‘You mean he would—kill her?’
‘Let us hope that it does not come to that. Perhaps if I can discover her whereabouts, she may be released before Blake realises that he is unlikely to get what he wants from her trustees.’
Chapter Four
They walked in silence for a time. Jane felt shocked. She was more than ever convinced that she ought to return home and tell her story. She would not feel comfortable until she had spoken to her brother and the Duke of Avonlea. The knowledge that she had what might be vital information regarding Blake’s appearance was gnawing at her conscience.
It was all so horrid and her nerves felt frayed. She knew she needed to go home and yet a part of her wanted to stay here with the man walking beside her.
‘I shall take you home before I go to London,’ George said, breaking into the silence that had grown between them. ‘I think it may be for the best after all. However, I must ask you to promise that you will take—’ He broke off and swore as they came in sight of Martha’s cottage again, having walked in a semi-circle and come to it from another direction. ‘There are horses outside the cottage. Stay here in the shelter of these trees, Jane. I must discover what is going on.’
She looked at him, feeling stunned and suddenly fearful. ‘You think it may be Blake and some of his men?’
‘I can think of no other explanation. Forgive me, Jane. I should have taken you home immediately. I thought you would be safer here, but it seems he has managed to find us here somehow.’
‘If you could discover his home, he would be able to discover the whereabouts of your old nurse.’ Jane touched his arm urgently. ‘Martha is old and alone. Please go quickly. She may be in some trouble.’
‘I shall try to get them away. Wait here out of sight until you see them leave.’ He hesitated, then, ‘If I am forced to go with them, you must make your own way home. It would be too dangerous for you to remain here now.’
‘Yes, I shall,’ she agreed. ‘Please be careful, George. I should not like anything to happen to you.’
‘I wish—’ He broke off, shaking his head. ‘Forgive me. I must go. Remain here until they have gone—promise me?’
‘Yes.’
George hesitated, then suddenly took her into his arms. This kiss was very different from those he had given her before, filled with a hungry, almost desperate need that made Jane cling to him.
‘George…’ she whispered as he let her go.
‘Forgive me. It is impossible. In another life…’ he said and turned away abruptly. ‘May God protect you.’
Jane watched him stride away. She closed her eyes against the sting of tears. She wanted to call him back, but knew she must not. Blake was a ruthless devil and she feared for George if the part he had played in her escape had been discovered.
Drawing back into the trees, she watched him go inside the cottage. Nothing happened immediately and the minutes seemed to crawl by as she waited. What was happening in the cottage? Was George all right? Had Blake harmed George or Martha?
She was on the point of disobeying George and going to investigate when the cottage door opened and the men came out. There were four of them, including George. She could not tell whether he was going with them willingly or under force. He mounted his horse and rode off with them. He did not glance once in her direction.
All the horses had gone. Jane ran as fast as she could towards the cottage. She was fearful that one of the men had been left behind to wait in case she returned, but when she entered the kitchen Martha was alone. The old woman was sitting in a chair by the fire and there was blood on her face.
‘Martha!’ Jane cried in distress. ‘Did they hurt you?’
‘They thought you were here and tried to make me tell them, but I refused to answer. They searched the house and then were about to hit me again when Master George came. He hit two of them and I thought they would kill us both, but then the leader told them to stop. He said it was obvious you were not here.’
‘Why did George go with them?’
‘He was ordered to at the point of a pistol,’
Martha said. ‘He went with them and that’s all I can tell you.’
Jane saw that Martha’s hands were trembling. She was clearly in shock and some distress.
‘I will make some tea for you,’ she said and knelt by Martha’s side. ‘Will you let me bathe your face?’
‘Thank you,’ Martha said. ‘It is kind of you, lass, and I feel too shaky to do it for myself.’
Jane fetched water in a bowl and bathed away the blood. She found a balm on Martha’s shelves and applied a little to the cuts and bruises on her face; then she poured boiling water into the large brown pot and stirred the leaves. When the brew was strong, as Martha liked it, she poured tea into a cup and sweetened it with honey, pouring another smaller amount for herself.
Martha drank her tea and then looked at her. ‘You will have to go, lass. It isn’t safe for you now. They could return at any time.’
‘Yes, I know,’ Jane said. ‘George told me I must make my way home alone. I’ll stay until the morning to make sure you are all right—then I’ll go.’
‘I think you should go now. I can manage alone. I’m used to looking out for myself—and I wouldn’t want you to fall into that devil’s hands if they should come back.’
Jane hesitated, feeling uncomfortable. ‘I should have asked George for money…’
‘I’ve no money to give you, but there’s a pony in the field. It belongs to a farmer over the way, but he lets me use it for the pasture. Take it and send it back when you’re safe. It is the best I can do for you, lass. You’ll find a side saddle in me barn—it belonged to Miss Verity. She had it as a girl and I kept it for her.’
‘Miss Verity?’
‘Master George’s sister. She came here a few times, kept her horse here until…but that’s gone now. I’ve only the pony to offer you.’
‘It is generous of you to do so much. I promise I shall return your pony.’ On impulse, Jane kissed her cheek. ‘I am so sorry for what happened to you. I should not have come here. George should have let me take my chances rather than put you at risk.’
‘You were exhausted and ill when you came here, lass.’ Martha caught her hand. ‘I would keep you here no matter the risk, but now they know about this place they may come back.’
‘Then I shall go,’ Jane said, feeling emotional.
She had not known Martha long, but she hated to leave her alone and in distress. Yet it was the way the old lady chose to live and there was nothing she could do to change things—though when she had her brother’s groom return the pony, she would also send a good milking cow. ‘Forgive me for being so much trouble to you.’
‘’Twas not your fault, lass. You can come and visit me one day when this business is over and done.’
‘Yes, I shall,’ Jane promised.
She was troubled as she went out to the barn and found the saddle that George’s sister had used when she visited her old nurse. He had not mentioned he had a sister, but she could not help wondering if it was his sister he was protecting from Blake’s spite.
Catching the pony was not easy. It came when she called, expecting food, but when she tried to put the saddle and harness on, the pony bolted. Three times she had to coax it back to her and eventually managed to put on th
e harness and then the saddle.
Glancing back at the cottage, she tucked the little packet of food Martha had insisted she take inside her shawl, then mounted the reluctant pony. She looked back at the cottage and saw Martha in the doorway; she lifted a hand to wave as she put the pony to a walk and then a trot.
Martha had told her to follow the high road, which was through the woods and just past the village.
‘You’ll see a sign for Alderbury before you’ve travelled more than a mile,’ Martha said. ‘I know you’ve no money, but if you ask for Widow Merry Martin in Alderbury she’ll give you supper and a bed for the night. After that, you’ll have to fend for yourself.’
‘Will everyone know of her?’
‘Go to the Three Crowns Inn. Ask for her there and the landlord will direct you.’
Jane was thoughtful. She had heard her brother speak of the Three Crowns. His hunting box was not too far from Alderbury and he visited often in the Season. She believed he had stayed there more than once and might be known. Jane thought it might be better to ask for a bed there. She could then send word to her home, which was across the border in Hampshire and no more than fifty miles or so distant as the crow flies. Andrew would come for her and pay the bill. However, she had said nothing of her thoughts, simply thanking Martha for her advice and left.
It was lonely riding the pony through the woods. Jane knew the beast had no real speed, though it was strong enough. She could not escape if Blake or his men pursued her, but she must just hope that George had managed to convince them he did not know where she was. Fortunately, Martha had burned her ruined gown under the copper and since she had slept in the old lady’s bed there was no evidence that she had ever been to the cottage.
Jane felt angry that Blake’s rogues had hurt Martha. She hoped that Blake and his evil cronies would soon be behind bars where they belonged. If they were ruthless enough to harm an old woman because she told them she did not know Jane’s whereabouts, what might they have done to her if they had caught her—and what was Mariah suffering even now?
Her mind turned to George. She had no idea of his true identity or where he lived. No doubt he would forget her now that he had advised her to go home.
She might never see him again. Jane knew that she ought not to care. He might not be the rogue behind Mariah’s abduction, but he was involved with the men who had planned it. She should put him from her mind. It was more than likely that he, too, would go to prison for his part in the kidnap. Yet she could not help the sensation of loss that hung over her as she followed the high road, branching off at the crossroads towards the ancient village of Alderbury. For the first time in many years she had let down her guard with a man she liked and he had seemed to feel something for her—yet his parting words had told her that he thought a relationship between them was impossible.
Why should that hurt? She hardly knew the man.
* * *
It was dark when Jane finally reached the inn she had been searching for. The light had faded soon after she left the forest road behind and in the gloom she had almost given up hope of finding the inn she sought when she saw the lights spilling into the dark street and realised she had found the Three Crowns. As she dismounted in the yard and gave the pony’s reins to the young groom who came running, Jane glanced down at herself and realised that she did not look like Miss Lanchester of Hillcrest. Indeed, she had no bonnet, a dress that was too long and past its best, and a shawl that had worn thin with use.
Hesitating outside the back door of the inn, Jane wondered if she had the courage to walk inside and ask to speak to the landlord. She must look a fright and she might be turned away if she explained that she had no money. She took a step towards the door just as it opened and a man came out. He stood full in the light as he looked about him and Jane’s heart leaped as she recognised him.
‘Andrew…’ she cried and ran towards him. ‘Oh, Andrew—I am so glad you are here. I was going to ask if they would send you word, but now you are here and I am saved…’
‘Jane?’ Her brother’s face registered disbelief, astonishment as he saw the state of her, then relief. ‘I have been out of my mind with worry. Where have you been? What happened to you?’
‘Andrew…’ Jane choked, tears trickling down her cheeks. ‘Please do not be cross. I’ve ridden miles on a wretched pony that refused to go above a trot. I’m tired and cold and worried to death. Will you please take me to your hunting lodge before you scold me?’
Andrew put his arms about her, holding her pressed to his chest. ‘I may scold you later, dear one, but for the moment I am just glad to have found you. I believed the men who took Mariah Fanshawe had abducted you.’
‘Yes, they did, but someone helped me get away.’ Jane wiped her face with the back of her hand. ‘I’ll tell you everything, Andrew—but can we please go home?’
‘I’ll hire the landlord’s chaise,’ Andrew said. ‘My horse can stay here for the moment. You can’t ride in your state and I didn’t bring my own carriage.’
‘Why are you here? Did George tell you where to find me?’
‘Who is George?’ Andrew frowned. ‘I came down on business. If you want the truth, someone has made me an offer for the lodge and I am of a mind to sell.’
Jane was stunned. ‘But you love to hunt with the Wiltshire crowd.’
‘I have friends who will invite me for a few days’ hunting should I wish it. Besides, I have always lived well from my income and investments, but have little spare capital lying idle. I thought I might have need of a cash sum.’
‘You thought a ransom might be asked for me?’ Jane frowned. ‘I know too much. He couldn’t have risked it—no, he would kill me if he got the chance.’
‘Are you speaking of this fellow George?’
‘No, someone very different. He is a dangerous man, Andrew.’
‘Do you wish to tell me what you know?’
‘I shall tell you when we are home. Also, we should speak to the Duke of Avonlea as soon as possible.’
‘I’ll send word as soon as we are home,’ her brother said. ‘You will go to bed as soon as we’re home, Jane. There’s nothing to be done tonight that will not keep for the morning.’
‘What do you mean? Mariah is still being held hostage.’
‘Yes, I know, but the duke received a letter yesterday afternoon telling him she is safe and will remain so if he signs the release for her fortune.’
‘Avonlea is not her guardian, but he must think it. George said he would—’
Andrew looked down at her in the light of the lamps hanging above the inn door. ‘Who is behind this, Jane? How did you manage to escape—and who is George?’
‘Take me home and I shall tell you everything.’
‘Of course, you must be so tired. You may tell me when you are ready.’
* * *
‘He was one of the men who abducted us,’ Jane said. She had bathed and was dressed in a soft pink wool wrapping gown, sitting before the fire Andrew had lit in her private sitting room. ‘No, do not look so angry. You do not understand. George was blackmailed into helping them—and he believed Mariah willing. When he realised it was abduction and not an elopement, he planned to help her escape as soon as he had the chance—but I pretended to be her and they decided to take me, too. I was unconscious when they separated us and I do not know where they took her.’
‘Jane, why did you do such a foolish thing?’
‘I have no fortune. I thought they would soon release me when they realised it—but it was foolish. I did not realise what a ruthless man Blake is then.’
‘Who is Blake? Not this George fellow, I take it?’
‘No, they are very different.’
She sipped her wine and lifted her eyes to his. ‘I know I was foolish. Mariah was hurt and I didn’t stop to think. They tried to bundle her into the carriage and I attempted to stop them. I pulled the mask from one man’s face and I saw another’s eyes—the most unusual eyes, Andrew, fo
r they were different colours. I fought them and told them they would hang if they persisted in their wickedness. Then someone hit me over the head and I knew no more until I woke up in the bedchamber of a neglected country house.’
Andrew nodded. ‘Yes, I found the house and signs that someone had been there. How did you escape and where have you been since then?’
She set down her wineglass and told him the whole story, up to the point where she’d ridden out alone from Martha’s cottage.
‘George went with them after they found us, because he had no choice. I stayed hidden until after they left, then went back to help Martha, but she sent me away, because she was afraid they might return. The pony is hers—at least, it belongs to a farmer who lends it to her—and she needs a cow, Andrew. I must buy her a good milking cow. She looked after me when I had a fever.’
Andrew was glaring at her. Jane drew a shaky breath.
‘Why are you looking at me like that?’
‘You never think,’ Andrew said in a scathing tone. ‘Had you been sensible you might have been left to return home in safety. We might have found Mariah before this—and you should certainly have come home as soon as that rogue left you alone at the cottage. You were not a prisoner, so why did you not leave immediately?’
‘My ankle was still sore. Besides, George thought I was safer there than here.’
‘Nonsense! Do not tell me you believed him?’
‘You don’t know what kind of a man Blake is, Andrew. George saved my life. I trusted him—and I didn’t know what to do. He said he needed time to find something before he went to the magistrates.’
‘I dare say he wants time to make his plans before he runs off overseas. The man is a blaggard and deserves to hang with the rest of them.’
‘That isn’t fair,’ Jane protested. ‘If it were not for George, I might be dead. He lied to protect me. He led the others away from the hut where I was hiding, then came back for me later. He bound my ankle and found food for us—and then took me to Martha’s cottage. I had a fever because I was exhausted and—’ She broke off, looking at him in distress. ‘George isn’t like Blake and the others. Please believe me. I don’t know what hold that evil man has over him, but he is trying to find Blake’s hideout—and Mariah. I am sure he will rescue her or send someone to find her as soon as he locates where she is being held.’
