by Anne Herries
‘No other woman has ever made me feel as you do, my love,’ he’d told her just before she fell deeply asleep.
She had slept so soundly that she had not felt him leave their bed. Perhaps he had tried not to wake her. Amelia was a little amused at his gallantry for her maid would know when she changed the sheets. Amelia’s blood had stained them, and the masculine smell of Gerard clung to them. Martha would know. She might keep the knowledge to herself, but it would not be long before it became common knowledge below stairs.
Once, Amelia might have worried that her good name might be soiled, but she was too much in love to care. She was engaged to the man she loved and in a few weeks she would be Gerard’s wife. Nothing else really mattered…but life went on. She had obligations she must fulfil.
Amelia rose, washed in the water that remained from the night before in the jug on the washstand and dressed in a serviceable gown, leaving her room before Martha arrived to open the curtains. She walked along the passage and up one short flight of stairs to the rooms nearer the nursery. When she reached Emily’s door, she knocked and called softly, ‘May I come in, my love?’
‘The door is open,’ Emily replied. ‘Please enter, Amelia.’
Amelia went into the bedroom to discover that Emily was already up and dressed, her bed neatly made. However, she was still a little pale and it was obvious that she had not slept well.
‘How are you feeling, my love?’
‘I am about the same as yesterday. I have not been sick, but my head still aches a little.’
‘I am so sorry.’ Amelia looked at her anxiously. ‘Shall I ask Gerard to send for the doctor, my love?’
‘No, I do not wish to trouble him,’ Emily said. ‘I am sure it is nothing serious, Amelia. I shall be better soon.’ She fiddled with the sash of her gown, pulling at a slight crease. ‘I should wish to be of use to you. Is there anything I can do…help you with the wedding invitations? You will have much to do if the wedding is to be soon.’
‘I should prefer that you rest as much as possible. I do not like to see you so low, Emily. Marguerite may help for the moment—and you may join me when you are feeling more the thing.’
‘I am much recovered—and I would rather help you than stay in my room.’
‘Very well. I have drawn up a list. You may look through it with me and see if I have forgotten anyone. When it is complete, Gerard will have the invitations printed and I shall sign them. I dare say you will be well enough to address some envelopes for me. And there will be thank-you letters to friends, for I believe his notice to The Times should be inserted any day now.’
‘You look so happy,’ Emily said and smiled. ‘Please do not worry about me, dearest Amelia. This should be a happy time for you—and I shall be well enough in a few days.’
‘I hope so, my love. Meet me in the little parlour at the back of the house at eleven, Emily. I am going to visit the nursery first—and then I shall accompany Mrs Mowbray on a tour of the house, but I should be finished by eleven o’clock.’
As Amelia had expected, she found Lisa wide awake and ready to play. She spent a delightful hour reading to her and helping her to draw pictures on her slate. Lisa drew a credible picture of a dog and then looked at Amelia.
‘Will Papa remember I wanted a puppy?’
‘I should think he might, but if he doesn’t I will remind him.’
‘You are so good to me! She told me he would forget…She said that he did not truly love me, because he did not love my mama…’ Lisa’s eyes were dark with anxiety. ‘Papa does love me…he says he does.’
‘Who said that to you, Lisa? Was it Emily?’ Amelia frowned. ‘Was it Emily who told you that your mama was dead?’
Lisa shook her head. She shuffled her feet and glanced over her shoulder. ‘She said if I told you Nanny would come back and punish me.’
‘Nanny will never come back. I promised you that, Lisa.’
‘But I saw her…I saw her outside in the gardens last night. I saw her from the window. I like to look out at the moon, you see…’
‘You saw Nanny? Miss Horton—you saw her here in the gardens last night?’
‘Yes. Nanny was talking to a man—and then they both walked away.’
‘I shall tell your papa about this,’ Amelia said. ‘Nanny has no right to be here and she will be sent away. Who told you that Nanny would come back, Lisa?’
Lisa opened her mouth and then shut it as someone entered the nursery, but her eyes flew to Amelia’s face and something in them answered her question. Amelia held her hand and smiled at her reassuringly.
‘Papa will not forget, my love,’ she said, holding her close to whisper in her ear. ‘Whatever anyone else tells you, I shall not let you be hurt or neglected.’
Lisa hugged her, clinging to her as if she did not want to let her go.
‘Run to your nurse now, my love. I have other things to do this morning, but I shall return later and we will go for a little walk in the garden this afternoon.’
Amelia turned and greeted Marguerite with a smile. ‘You are up early,’ she said. ‘Perhaps like me you like to be up with the lark?’
‘I often rise early. It is the best part of the day. I like to walk before anyone else is about.’
‘Excuse me, my dear. I have things I must do this morning…’ Amelia said.
Chapter Nine
After completing a tour of the house with Mrs Mowbray, Amelia consulted with her on various things. She was asked if everything was to her satisfaction and if there were any changes to the routine that she would like to instigate.
‘For the moment I think I am pleased with everything,’ she said. ‘However, I believe Nurse Mary needs more help in the nursery. She cannot do everything and I do not want Lisa to be left alone at any time.’
‘I thought Miss Ross was to have charge of the nursery, Miss Royston?’
‘Miss Ross is part-governess, part-friend,’ Amelia said. ‘She will spend time with Lisa—but I want another sensible girl to work with Mary. Someone who would know what to do in the event of an emergency. Do you have a suitable girl—or should we employ another?’
‘There is Beattie…’ Mrs Mowbray frowned. ‘She is a good-hearted lass and has eight brothers and sisters younger than herself at home—but she isn’t a clever girl. Beattie is very loyal, but she can’t help with Miss Ravenshead’s studies or anything of the sort.’
‘I think Beattie may be just the girl I am looking for,’ Amelia said. ‘Will you send her to my room in a few minutes, please?’
‘Yes, of course, miss. This will be a step up for the girl, Miss Royston. She will be pleased.’
‘She must have a rise in her wages. I leave it to you to decide what would be appropriate, Mrs Mowbray. ’
‘Now that is generous.’ The housekeeper beamed her approval. ‘ Beattie gives most of her money to her mother and this will be a help to them. I think five shillings a month would be fair.’
‘Then we are agreed,’ Amelia said. ‘I am going up to change my gown now. Please send Beattie to me as soon as you can.’
Amelia left the housekeeper and went up to her room.
She had finished changing her gown and was struggling with a hook at the nape of her neck when a knock at the door announced Beattie’s arrival.
‘Ah, there you are,’ Amelia said. ‘Could you do this up for me, please?’
‘Yes, miss, of course.’
Beattie fastened the hook and then stood before Amelia, her hands clasped in front of her.
‘Do you like children, Beattie?’
‘Oh, yes, miss. I love them. It’s as well I do, miss. Ma has nine of us at home and I helped with the young ones until I came to work here.’
‘Then you would enjoy looking after Lisa?’
‘Yes, miss. She is a lovely little thing.’Beattie was beaming all over her face.
She was a plump, homely girl with curly hair and blue eyes, but there was something sturdy about her and Amelia could s
ee why the housekeeper had recommended her.
‘I am asking you to help Nurse Mary, because I do not wish Lisa to be left alone at any time. Either you or Nurse Mary will accompany her at all times—in the nursery or when she goes out. The only exception is when the earl or I take her out ourselves. Nurse Mary is in charge of the nursery, but if there is anything that worries you at any time, you may ask to speak to me.’
‘Yes, miss. I understand,’ Beattie said. ‘You can trust me to keep an eye on her.’
‘Yes,’ Amelia said and nodded. ‘That is exactly what I need, Beattie…’
Amelia was in a small parlour that overlooked the rose gardens when Gerard entered. She had been going through the list of guests for the wedding with Emily, but when he entered Emily stood up.
‘If you will excuse me, Amelia. I shall go up to my room. I have a headache coming on and I think I shall lie down for half an hour before nuncheon.’
‘You must not come down for the rest of the day if you are unwell, my love. Something can be brought to you on a tray.’
‘Thank you. Martha will make me a tisane and I shall be better soon.’
Gerard frowned as Emily left the room. ‘Do you think Miss Barton is pining? I could write to Sinclair if you wish—ask him to explain himself.’
‘No. He had his reasons for what he did,’ Amelia said. ‘I dare say he will come here when he feels ready. Besides, I am not sure that is the reason for Emily’s headaches.’
‘If she is really ill, we should have the doctor.’
‘I shall send for one if she does not improve within a day or so.’ Amelia smiled and got to her feet as he came to her. ‘How are you this beautiful morning, Gerard?’
‘It may have escaped your notice, but it is raining and there is a gale blowing.’ Gerard laughed softly and held out his hands to her. ‘Yes, it is a beautiful morning, my dearest one.’He took her hands, gazing down into her eyes. ‘You have no regrets?’
‘None. Have you?’
‘You know the answer to that, Amelia.’ He bent his head to kiss her softly on the mouth. ‘I loved you before last night—but now I worship you, my lovely, passionate woman.’
Amelia blushed faintly. ‘I dare say you think me wanton?’
‘Deliciously so. I think myself the most fortunate man alive this morning, my love.’
‘Oh, Gerard…it was so wonderful…all that I had dreamed of, longed for, for so many years.’
‘And so many years wasted.’ Gerard frowned. ‘I was a damned fool to let your brother send me away. Nothing will stand between us now, Amelia. The only thing that can prevent our marriage is death.’
‘And your men will patrol the grounds, Gerard. Are they in place?’
‘Yes. I have given orders this morning. Why do you ask?’
‘Because Lisa saw Nanny Horton and a man in the garden last night…’
Gerard swore. ‘We must have been followed here. I had men riding behind us, some distance apart. None of them reported a shadow. I thought it would take a few days before anyone realised where we were.’ His brow wrinkled. ‘But why would Nanny Horton be here in the garden? I do not understand.’
‘I think I begin to—’ Amelia broke off as the door opened and someone entered. ‘Good morning, Mar-guerite. Have you just come from the nursery?’
‘Yes. I spent an hour reading to Lisa. She has a new maid. The girl refused to leave the room when I asked her to fetch something. I think she may prove insolent, Amelia. You may have to replace her.’
‘Oh, I think not,’ Amelia replied with a smile. ‘Beattie has been told that Lisa is not to be left alone.’ She glanced at Gerard, her eyes seeming to convey a message. ‘I think I should reveal something to you, Marguerite. The earl received a warning—a broken doll. We believe this may constitute a threat against his daughter. Perhaps an abduction for a ransom? Therefore I have asked that one of the maids is always at hand. If an attempt at abduction were to be made, you might be overcome if you were alone, but if two of you are there I think she should be safe for one may raise the alarm—do you not agree?’
‘A threat to abduct Lisa?’ Marguerite was clearly shocked. ‘That is terrible, Amelia. How upsetting for you! I understand why you have given orders that Lisa should never be left alone. I do not know how anyone can be wicked enough to threaten a child—and she is adorable!’
‘Yes, she is,’ Amelia said. ‘I think I would prefer to be threatened myself. If anyone harmed Lisa, I would never forgive them.’
‘Indeed, no,’ Marguerite said. ‘How could you?’
‘Was there something you needed?’ Amelia asked. ‘You came in search of me—for a particular reason?’
‘Oh…Emily told me that she is unwell again,’ Marguerite said. ‘She said that she would ask Martha for a tisane. I do not know what herbs your maid uses, Amelia—but some can cause headaches in certain people. However, I find camomile tea very soothing. Would you like me to make some for Emily?’
‘Did you ask her?’
‘She refused me, but perhaps if I took it to her room…’
‘That would be very kind of you, Marguerite. Emily might find it soothing. I do myself.’
‘Then I shall.’ Marguerite in clined her head towards Gerard and went out, closing the door behind her.
‘What was that about…?’ Gerard began, but Amelia shook her head. She went to the door and opened it, looking out. Gerard watched her, brows raised in inquiry. ‘What are you up to, Amelia? You did not tell me that you had arranged for another maid for Lisa.’
‘I should have done so in a moment had we not been interrupted. It was a precaution after Lisa told me about Nanny Horton.’
‘But the tale about the doll? We already know that it came from Northaven.’
‘I know that—but I wish others to believe that we think it a threat to Lisa.’
‘By “others” I take it you mean Marguerite Ross?’ He stared at her hard. ‘Something about her has been nagging at me, but I cannot think what…’ He stopped, his gaze intent on her face. ‘You know something—tell me.’
‘I am not certain, but I believe that Alice Horton may once have been in the employ of Mr and Mrs Ross…as a nanny when the girls were young. I believe she was dismissed when they were older, but she may have kept in touch with Marguerite…’ Amelia paused. ‘Marguerite likes to write letters, as I do myself. I think it possible that they have never lost touch.’ She looked at him. ‘Tell me, how came you to employ Alice Horton?’
‘I made inquiries at an agency…and she was one of those who applied for the post. She had letters of recommendation. I checked her last employer and they said she was reliable.’
‘I dare say she is in many ways, but too strict for my liking.’
‘I do not see the connection.’ Gerard looked puzzled. ‘You said Marguerite was a friend. You invited her here because you felt sympathy for her plight.’
‘Her sister was my friend. After Lucinda died I wrote to console the family. Mrs Ross wrote to me a few times and I responded—then Marguerite wrote to me and told me of her plight. She begged me to say nothing to her mother, because Mrs Ross’s health was precarious at that time.’
‘None of this makes sense. Why did Miss Ross come here?’
‘I believed she came to help us. I know that she has longed for a child, but did not expect to have one. She told me that she had no hope of marriage for she seldom mixed in society and the only gentlemen she met were her father’s friends and too old.’ Amelia frowned. ‘When I invited her here I was not sure she would be allowed to come. As I told you, I wrote to her mother to thank her for allowing it, but now I am sure that letter was not sent.’
‘So you think you’ve solved the mystery of the missing letters?’ His brow arched.
‘Precisely. I could not see why anyone would want to steal one of my letters. I wondered if perhaps one of them had been damaged and the ruse was to cover up carelessness on the part of someone. I was not sure if it was Emily
, Martha—or Marguerite.’
‘And now you think it was Marguerite? Why? Why would she wish to prevent your letter to her mother reaching her?’
‘I wish I knew. I think Nanny Horton knew we were coming here and perhaps came on ahead. If Lisa is right, Nanny Horton spoke to a man last night in the gardens. I do not know who the man was, but…’ She paused and gave him a significant look.
‘You are wondering if it could have been Lieutenant Gordon?’ Gerard pursed his lips as Amelia nodded. ‘It would explain some of the mystery.’
‘Yes, it would explain how they knew where we would be. I have been writing to Marguerite for more than a year now.’
‘So she knew you were at Pendleton the summer before last?’
‘Yes, she did.’
‘Damnit!’ Gerard took a turn around the room. ‘We may have invited our enemy into our home, Amelia.’
‘Marguerite would never harm a child.’ Amelia frowned. ‘If she has come under the influence of this man…’
‘You think he has turned her mind…that she has been giving him information? She may be infatuated with him.’
‘Perhaps.’ Amelia frowned. ‘I am not sure if she understands what he means to do.’
‘I wish that I understood,’ Gerard said in a tone of frustration. ‘Everything is speculation. We have heard nothing of Northaven—’ He broke off as they heard the ring of more than one person’s footsteps in the hall and then the door was opened and Mrs Mowbray entered. ‘Yes?’
‘Excuse me for interrupting, sir—but there is a gentleman…’ She had hardly finished when Toby Sinclair walked past her.
‘Forgive me,’he said. ‘ Amelia—I must speak with Emily. It is important.’
‘Toby!’ Amelia gave Gerard an apologetic look and moved towards him. They were being interrupted once more, but she could not deny Toby—she knew how important this might be to Emily. ‘I am glad to see you here. We were all so sorry to hear of your loss.’
