by Anne Herries
Almost at once, Amelia found that Harry and Susannah were at her side, assisting her. Everything else was confusion as people shouted and rushed about, some of the men setting off in pursuit of the would-be assassin.
‘ Amelia dearest,’ Susannah cried, looking at her anxiously. ‘Are you hurt? I do not know what happened…’
‘The earl saw him just in time,’ Emily said, for she too had rushed to Amelia’s side. ‘I noticed someone lurking over there in those trees. However, I did not realise what he meant to do until I saw him lift his arm.’
‘Did you see his face, Miss Barton?’ Harry asked. ‘I’m dashed if I noticed anything until I heard the shot.’
‘He was wearing a dark hat and a muffler,’ Emily told him. ‘I am sorry. I know that is of little use to you, but it was all I saw.’
Harry nodded and looked grim. ‘Forgive us, Amelia. We expected something might happen, but not like this…on such a night. What kind of a man would attempt murder on Christmas Eve?’
‘What do you mean?’ Amelia stared at him. Her wrist stung where a thorn had penetrated her glove and she was feeling a little sick inside. ‘Why did you expect something to happen?’
‘Come, get inside the carriage, ladies,’ Harry said. ‘We must take you home. Gerard will explain later. He is coming now…’ He glanced at the earl, who had gone after the assassin. ‘Any luck?’ Gerard shook his head and Harry swore.
‘Amelia, forgive me for pushing you into the holly,’ Gerard apologised. ‘I knew I must act quickly—but have you been hurt?’
‘A mere scratch,’ Amelia told him. ‘Had that ball found its mark, I might be dead.’
‘I think it was meant more as a warning to me,’ Gerard said. He climbed into the carriage with her and Emily. Susannah had gone with some of the other ladies and Harry. ‘I received a threat this morning, when I returned from our walk, Amelia. It was somewhat obscure and I was not truly certain of its meaning, though I had an idea that I was being warned to stay away from you.’
‘To stay away from me?’Amelia stared at him in dismay. ‘What can you mean?’
‘I think someone had guessed that I meant to ask you to marry me—and whoever that person is he has decided that he does not wish for the marriage to go ahead.’
‘He would rather see me dead than as your wife?’ Amelia’s hand shook and she felt cold all over. ‘Who could be so evil? I do not understand who would do such a thing.’
‘Your brother threatened you,’ Emily reminded her. ‘He warned you against renewing your acquaintance with the earl.’
‘Is this true?’
Amelia met Gerard’s concerned look. ‘Yes. Michael has warned me that you are interested only in my fortune many times. I told him that I did not believe you to be so mercenary—and he did tell me that I would be sorry if—’ She broke off and shook her head. ‘I cannot believe that my brother would try to shoot me like that.’
‘He knows that if you marry me he would no longer have a chance of claiming your fortune for himself. I am sorry to say that there are some men who would stop at nothing where a large amount of money is concerned.’
‘Michael is a bully—but I am not certain he would murder for gain.’
‘At the moment he is our most likely suspect.’ Gerard reached for her hand and held it. ‘Do not fear, Amelia. You will be protected. I have already set measures in hand to have you watched all the time. I had not thought it necessary while we stayed at Pendleton. I imagined that you might be at risk once we announce our engagement, but my men will be in place by then.’ His expression was grave. ‘Unless you wish to withdraw in the circumstances?’
‘I refuse to let anyone dictate to me!’ Amelia lifted her head proudly. ‘Whoever this person is, the threat would not go away if we postponed the announcement of our engagement, Gerard.’
‘You are as brave as I imagined.’ Gerard squeezed her hand comfortingly. ‘I had planned to tell you all this after Christmas. I did not want to spoil the celebrations for Susannah and her guests—but I am afraid that this unpleasant incident will cast a shadow over things.’
‘Can you not let people think it was merely a poacher or some such thing?’
‘At half an hour past midnight?’ Gerard smiled. ‘I could try, Amelia, but I doubt I should be believed. We might tell everyone that it was an attempted robbery.’
‘That would be much better—and it may even be the truth,’ Amelia said. ‘You say that you were warned, Gerard—how exactly were you warned?’
‘I was sent a doll that had been mutilated. A note in the wrappings said that if I cared for her I must stay away from her.’
‘Could that not have meant Lisa?’
‘Very few people even knew that I had a daughter until today,’ Gerard said. ‘Besides, why should I stay away from my own daughter—who could that benefit? She does not have a fortune…’
‘No one could benefit from her death. It would in any case seem that I am the target after what happened this evening.’ Amelia looked at him steadily. ‘It is most unpleasant, Gerard…that someone should wish to kill me for money.’
‘It is wicked!’ Emily burst out, obviously upset. ‘I think he should be ashamed of himself! Oh, do not look at me so, Amelia. It must be Sir Michael behind this monstrous plot. Who else could it be?’
‘I do not know—yet I am loathe to think my brother would stoop so low.’
‘You think well of most people,’Gerard said as the carriage began to slow down. ‘Forgive me for allowing that evil man to get near enough to take a shot at you this night, Amelia. I promise it will not happen again.’
He jumped out as soon as the carriage drew to a halt, helped Amelia down and sheltered her with his body as he hurried her into the house. Once inside, he saw how pale she looked and took her into his arms for a moment, holding her close. Amelia wanted to cling to him and weep, but controlled her feelings. Gerard would not care for a clinging wife. She stood unmoving within his arms and he let her go as they heard the other guests, who had attended mass with them, arriving.
‘Perhaps you would prefer to go straight up?’
‘Yes, I should. I do not wish to discuss the matter further at the moment. Excuse me, I shall see you in the morning.’
Amelia went quickly up the stairs, followed immediately by Emily. She was conscious of an irritation of the nerves. When Emily tried to follow her into her bedroom, she turned to her with a hasty dismissal.
‘Please excuse me, Emily. I would prefer to be alone.’
‘Yes, of course.’
Emily looked a little hurt at her tone, but Amelia was in too much distress to notice. It was bad enough that someone should try to shoot her, but to know that they all thought it was her brother who was behind the plot to murder her was lowering. Amelia had suffered much at the hands of her brother and sister-in-law—but murder was too terrible to comprehend.
She took off her bonnet and shawl, feeling glad that she had put on a gown that fastened at the front and told her maid not to wait up for her. At the moment her mind was in such turmoil that she could not speak to anyone.
Amelia slept fitfully and was awake long before the maids brought breakfast to her room. However, she had recovered from her irritation of the nerves and asked that the breakfast be laid in the sitting room. Wearing a pretty new lace peignoir, she went through to the little parlour and found that Emily was already there.
‘Good morning, my love. May I wish you a Happy Christmas?’
‘Thank you—Happy Christmas to you, Amelia. I hope you will like my gift. It is not much, but was chosen with care.’
‘I am sure I shall.’ Amelia presented her with an exquisitely wrapped parcel and smiled as Emily gave a cry of pleasure on opening it. Inside was an evening purse made of delicate links of gold, which fastened with a crossover clasp set with diamonds. It was a very expensive gift and reflected Amelia’s true regard for her companion.
‘This is so beautiful…you are always so generous t
o me…’ Emily’s lashes were wet with tears. ‘To think that anyone could wish—’ She broke off and wiped her hand across her cheek. ‘I know you will not wish me to mention it, but I have not slept for thinking of what happened. Had the earl not been so alert you might not be here this morning…’
‘You must not let a silly incident upset you. It will not happen again,’ Amelia said and opened her parcel. Discovering a scarf she had admired some weeks before Christmas, she went to embrace her friend. ‘This is exactly what I wished for, Emily. How sweet of you to remember it.’
‘I bought it the day after we saw it,’ Emily said and helped herself to some toast and honey. ‘Lady Pendleton gave me a lovely scent flask with silver ends last evening, but this purse…it is the most beautiful thing I have ever owned.’
‘I am glad you are pleased with it, my love. Has Mr Sinclair given you a gift?’
‘No—but I think he has one for me. I believe he intended it to be a ring…’ She fiddled with her toast. ‘I bought a horn-and-ivory card case inlaid with gold for him, but I am undecided as to whether I should give it to him or not.’
‘I am certain that you should exchange gifts with Mr Sinclair, Emily. He is a close friend and I also have a gift for him. You may deliver mine at the same time if it makes you feel better, my love.’
‘Yes, I think it would. I should not feel so particular. May I ask what you have bought for Mr Sinclair?’
‘I purchased a rather fine diamond stickpin. It has the shape of four hands linking and I thought it might appeal to him.’
‘It will be the very thing for him,’ Emily said and laughed delightedly. ‘He was so very desperate to become a member of the Four-in-Hand Club and he delights in wearing the special waistcoat.’
‘I am very fond of that gentleman,’ Amelia said with a smile. ‘He played his part in the fortunes of both of my protégées. Susannah and Helene have both been lucky. I should be happy to see you settled as well, Emily my love.’
A delicate blush appeared in her companion’s cheeks. ‘I think I may say without fear of boasting that Mr Sinclair does care for me—but whether he could accept my shame…’
‘Emily, that is enough! The shame belongs to the man who forced you, my love. I will not have you hang your head. I was thinking that I would ask you to be my bridesmaid—and, of course, Susannah and Helene will be matrons of honour if they can spare the time from their busy lives—and Lisa must be a bridesmaid also, of course.’
‘I should be honoured,’ Emily told her and finished eating her toast. ‘Mr Sinclair asked me if I would be paying my usual morning visit to the nursery and I said yes. I have a gift for Susannah’s son—and also a little ring that I had as a girl, which I mean to give to Lisa.’
‘How thoughtful of you, my love,’ Amelia approved. ‘I bought a doll for Lisa…just in case she was staying here with her father this Christmas. I think I shall come with you this morning—if you would not mind waiting until I dress?’
‘I should be delighted. I usually go for a walk after I visit the children, but it snowed early this morning. Not enough to make walking impossible, but I felt…’ She floundered to a halt.
‘Yes, I understand.’Amelia nodded. ‘I too shall be very careful when and where I walk until Gerard has his men in place. It may be as well to remain indoors for the moment—and we may blame the weather for it is inclement.’
‘You wish to keep last night’s incident as private as possible? I doubt that it will be possible, Amelia. Not everyone will keep it to himself or herself. I dare say the incident will be whispered of, if not openly admitted.’
‘Yes, I fear that it may.’ Amelia sighed. ‘We, however, shall make light of it—there was a rogue near the church who sought to rob us. It is a weak excuse but it will suffice. Excuse me while I dress.’
‘There is no hurry. I have something to do first—besides, you have not yet opened all your letters.’
‘I have rather a lot of them, but I shall open one or two before I dress.’ She looked with pleasure at the pile of letters waiting for her.
One of Amelia’s chief pleasures in life was in writing to her friends. It was a good way of keeping in touch with many acquaintances she hardly ever saw. Amongst the cards and greetings she had received that Christmas morning was one from a lady for whom she had profound sympathy. The lady was very much in the position Amelia had been for years, at the mercy of her family. Except that Marguerite had no chance of marriage at all and Amelia might have married if she had wished.
Something must be done for her friend, Amelia thought. A Season in town would not solve Marguerite’s problem, but perhaps she could think of some way of getting her away from her family for a while. She wrote a long and cheerful letter and sealed it. It had occurred to her that she would need someone she trusted to help her care for Lisa. Marguerite adored children and she might enjoy helping with Lisa’s education.
Glancing at the clock, Amelia realised that it was time she paid her visit to the nursery. Lisa would have had her breakfast and she would be waiting for the gift Amelia had promised her. She hoped the child would be pleased with the doll she had chosen.
Amelia spent a pleasant half an hour in the nursery, playing with Lisa, who had been given several presents, including a pretty doll from her father. Lisa was delighted to have two dolls, especially as Amelia’s had curly hair.
‘She is like me,’ she said and put the doll up against her face. ‘Thank you, Mademoiselle Royston.’
‘You may call me Amelia. We are going to be friends, Lisa.’
‘Papa says you are to be my mama.’ Lisa’s eyes were large and apprehensive. ‘Will you live with us, Melia?’
‘Yes, I shall live with you and your papa,’ Amelia replied. ‘That is why I want us to be friends, dearest. As you grow up, it will be I who buys your dresses and teaches you to be a young lady. You will have a governess, but she will be kind and I shall make certain that your studies include games as well as the dull things.’
Lisa’s face lit up, then a shy expression came into her eyes. ‘Will you love me, mademoiselle?’
‘I already love you,’ Amelia said and took her into her arms, hugging and kissing her. ‘You are a delight to me, Lisa—and perhaps one day you may have brothers or sisters to play with you.’
‘I should like that but…Papa will not send me away when you are married?’
‘No, of course not. Why should you think that?’
‘Nanny told me it would happen if I did not do everything she told me.’
‘That lady has been dismissed. I shall choose another nurse to help look after you, and I assure you that she will be kind.’
‘I love you,’ Lisa said as she climbed on Amelia’s knee and put her arms about her neck. ‘Nanny hasn’t left yet, Melia. I saw her in the garden as I looked from my window. She was talking to someone—a man. I have seen her talk to him before, but she said that if I told Papa she would whip me.’
‘She was very wicked to threaten you like that.’ Amelia controlled her anger. ‘Your papa has dismissed her. If she has not already left this house, she will do so within a few hours. I dare say your papa thought it would be unfair to make her leave at Christmastide. However, she will not be allowed near you again.’ Amelia touched her hair. ‘You must always tell Papa or me these things, Lisa, if someone hurts or frightens you—or if you see someone who makes you feel uncomfortable.’
‘I will tell you. Papa might think I was telling tales—and gentlemen do not approve of such things.’
‘There are times when telling a grown-up the truth is important. If someone frightens you, Lisa—or threatens you—you must tell us. Please promise me you will?’
‘I promise.’ Lisa slid from her lap as some of the other children came running into the nursery school-room. They were all clutching new toys of some kind. ‘I must not keep you, mademoiselle. Nanny said that mothers only spend a few minutes with children; they are too busy to waste their time with us.’
Amelia smothered a sigh. Gerard had not dismissed that woman a moment too soon!
‘When we are all living together, you will spend a part of your day with your papa and me when he has the time. It is true that gentlemen have their business to keep them busy, but I assure you that I shall take you for walks and I think your papa might teach you to ride a pony.’
‘Ride a pony?’ Lisa’s face lit up. ‘Truly? Would Papa truly teach me to ride himself?’
‘I am sure that he will, as soon as he considers you are ready.’ Amelia kissed her cheek. ‘I must go now, my love, but I shall ask your papa if he will take us both for a little carriage ride after dinner.’
Amelia received an enthusiastic hug. She was smiling as she went downstairs. As she turned towards the large drawing room where she knew many of the other guests had gathered, she was unaware that she was being watched from the gallery above.
Turning away to return to the room she would have to leave in the morning, Lisa’s former nanny, Alice Horton, gave a spiteful smile. The Royston woman was riding for a fall. She had not hesitated to use her position and influence to have Alice dismissed from her position, but she would not see herself installed as the Earl of Ravenshead’s wife. There were plans afoot that would prevent their marriage. When he had first approached her, Alice had been reluctant to give him any informationa bout her employer or his daughter. However, she had no such scruples now.
He had paid her well for the news that Lisa was to have a new mama very soon.Alice had enough money to see her through the next few months without having to apply for a new position—and if she did what he asked, she might never have to work again…
Amelia saw Gerard standing near the window in the large salon. He had been in conversation with Harry, but as soon as he noticed her, he said something to his friend and came to greet her.
