Lady Vengeance

by Melinda Hammond

  ‘I told him what I knew of you, but that was scant knowledge.’

  ‘Then I am doubly grateful to his lordship for befriending me, since what you know of my life has led you to believe only the worst of me.’

  ‘Since you would not trust me with the whole story! But let us not fall into an argument. I suspect my father told you that you could help him to bring down Lord Thurleigh. Am I right?’

  Elinor nodded.

  ‘The ruby brooch bears an inscription, naming Thurleigh and four others as loyal to the Stuart cause in the uprising of ‘forty-five. Your father believes it will provide damning evidence against those named.’

  ‘Where is the brooch, may I see it?’

  ‘I have it with me,’ she said, reaching into her pocket. ‘I was going to give it to Lord Hartworth for safe keeping this morning.’

  ‘Very wise.’ The viscount leaned forward to take the brooch from her outstretched hand. ‘A fine piece of craftsmanship,’ he added, turning it between his fingers.

  ‘There is a small catch concealed on one side. Amongst the smaller leaves.’

  His fingers roamed over the finely-wrought gold until he felt a slight movement in the setting. A little gentle pressure and the back of the brooch fell open. The viscount carefully studied the inscription. At last he looked up.

  ‘Three of the men named here are no longer alive.’

  She met his gaze squarely. ‘I am aware of that.’

  For a moment an unasked question hung between them. Then, ‘Did you arrange for their deaths?’

  ‘No.’ She continued to hold his gaze. ‘I wanted them dead, I do not deny that I was quite prepared to – to kill them myself, but it was not – necessary.’

  Davenham looked away. Thoughtfully he walked over to a large desk in the centre of the room and opening a drawer he dropped the ruby into it, closing and locking the drawer afterwards and pocketing the key. Elinor watched him: now that she had shared her burden and handed over the blood stone, she felt as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.

  The viscount returned to stand before Elinor.

  ‘Where did you go when you left Weald Hall?’

  ‘You knew of my visit there?’

  He gave a harsh laugh. ‘My dear Madame de Sange, when Mistress Boreland took you off to stay with her, everyone in Town knew it was as a prospective bride for her son!’

  The blood warmed her cheeks, but Elinor retorted with spirit.

  ‘Since my affairs are such common knowledge, sir, you have no need of my explanation!’

  ‘Oh pray don’t play off your airs on me!’ he returned impatiently, ‘I know – from sources that I believe to be reliable! – that you went to Weald Hall in early December and that you made a somewhat hasty exit on Christmas Day!’

  ‘Your sources are most assuredly reliable, sir!’

  He pulled his chair closer to her own and sat down.

  ‘Yes, but they do not tell me why you were obliged to run away.’

  ‘It is very simple, my lord. Boreland knew I had the ruby and he wanted me to give it up to him.’ She paused, frowning. ‘I do not think he himself recognized me, but he had visited Lord Thurleigh and upon his return he came directly to my room and challenged me. I did not know at that point why Thurleigh should be so anxious to have the ruby returned to him. He is after all so rich that he could purchase a dozen such jewels! It was not until much later that we discovered why this one was so important.’ She looked up to find Lord Davenham’s eyes fixed upon her, a deep frown upon his brow. ‘You find my story too incredible, sir?’

  ‘It seems odd to me that Lord Thurleigh should allow such an important jewel to go astray in the first place.’

  ‘On the night I - met - Lord Thurleigh and his accomplices, one of them must have put the stone into my pocket, not realizing its importance.’

  ‘But why did Thurleigh not come after you and recover his property? Would you have me believe that the innocent child you have described could outwit such a powerful man?’

  Elinor’s green eyes flashed. ‘You would rather believe that he gave me the stone in a moment of infatuation?’

  ‘I do not want to believe it, Madame, but it is by far the more credible story. There is no telling what a man might do for a beautiful woman.’

  For a long moment their eyes remained locked, then with a sigh Elinor looked away. She did not know why it was so important to her that he should understand.

  ‘We fled to France the very night Papa was killed. Mama had relatives there, who took us.’ She put up her chin, saying with brittle cheerfulness, ‘So you see, my lord, how I thus evaded the powerful marquis!’

  ‘But now that Thurleigh knows you are in England, he is most anxious to find you, even lowering himself so far as to come to me for information.’ He observed her startled look and shook his head. ‘You need not worry, I did not give you away. Indeed, at that time I knew no more than he did where to find you. He did, however, tell me that you had escaped from Weald Hall. Is it true Boreland set his dogs to hunt you down?’

  ‘Yes, it is true.’ She forced herself to speak steadily. ‘I had reached the cover of the woods before I heard the hounds in pursuit. I chanced upon a lane, which I guessed would lead me to the London road. Happily for me a – a traveller was abroad, and hearing the commotion he came to investigate and took me upon his horse.’ She paused to smile briefly. ‘He was only just in time, too, for as he took me up the dogs were snapping at my heels.’

  ‘You had not arranged to meet this man?’

  She looked surprised. ‘No indeed, sir! Until that evening I did not even know that I would be leaving Weald Hall.’

  ‘And he carried you safe away.’

  Elinor hesitated. ‘Yes. He carried me to safety.’

  ‘And what is his name, this gallant knight who came so opportunely to your rescue?’ Davenham could not resist the question, nor prevent the sneering tone of his voice.

  The lady looked away, but not before he had observed the glitter of tears in her eyes.

  ‘Ralph Belham. But you need not concern yourself with him, my lord. He is no longer alive.’

  The viscount fought against his desire to comfort her.

  ‘You appear to have a rare talent, ma’am. Any gentleman that falls within your sphere comes to an untimely end!’

  ‘Perhaps I am cursed.’ She murmured, covering her face with her hands.

  In an instant he was beside her, his arms drawing her close so that she was obliged to rest her head upon his shoulder.

  ‘No, no, forgive me, Elinor. I should not have spoken so!’ His cheek rested against the chestnut curls. ‘You are involved, yes, but not to blame for these deaths. I cannot look into your lovely face and believe you are anything but the victim of a cruel fate. Oh my dearest love, pray dry your eyes!’

  She pulled away and stared at him in horror.

  ‘Good God, sir – what is this?’

  He gave a shaky laugh. ‘God knows I have fought against it, but from the first time I saw you I was attracted to you as to no one before! I fear you have bewitched me.’

  With a sob she turned away, angrily wiping her eyes.

  ‘Have you not insulted me enough?’ she cried. ‘You have from the start despised me, accused me of being in league with the likes of James Boreland and Lord Thurleigh, questioned my honour and suspected me of witchcraft! And now, when I have told you my story, laid open every scar and bitter memory that you might better understand me, you repay my efforts by making May-game of me!’

  ‘No, Elinor, I swear that is not so –’

  ‘And I have never given you leave to use my name!’ she flashed, spots of rage flying upon her cheeks.

  ‘I beg your pardon, Madame –’

  ‘How dare you!’ she continued, paying him no heed. ‘How dare you think that I will suffer your taunts and insults! If it were not for the fact that I have promised to help Lord Hartworth I would leave here this instant. Oh how I hate you! You can
not know how much I despise you, my lord!’

  Davenham stood rooted to the spot while her tirade raged over him. He remained silent, his face pale, and only by the quivering of a muscle at the side of his mouth did he betray his emotion. When the lady paused for breath, he said in a tight voice: ‘I beg your pardon for my outburst, Madame. It was mistimed, I admit, but I was not aware that my attentions would be so abhorrent to you. It shall not happen again.’

  ‘You may be assured I am most relieved to know that!’ she threw at him, still in the grip of her own anger. ‘I have suffered much in the past, my lord, but nothing – nothing could be less welcome to me than a declaration from you! Do you understand me?’

  ‘Perfectly, Madame.’

  For some incomprehensible reason Elinor found his calm acceptance of her invective even more infuriating. Dashing away a tear, she threw one last taunt at him.

  ‘And I will furnish you with even more evidence of my – my murderous talent! Ralph Belham died at the hands of the very man who was pursuing me. By some mischance he met James Boreland upon the road one night last winter and in an exchange of shots he killed Boreland but himself took a bullet in the stomach. R-Ralph was able to g-get back to the inn, but he – he died before we c-could fetch a surgeon.’ She drew a shuddering breath and added bitterly: ‘Do you think I can exonerate myself from all blame in that tragedy too? I tell you sir, that I hold myself most decidedly culpable for the death of Ralph Belham, but it only increases my determination that the men whose names are inscribed on that blood stone should all be brought to justice, and I will not ask forgiveness of my sins until they have paid for theirs!’ She stopped, her breast heaving with emotion as she fought to regain her composure, then, with a muttered ‘Excuse me’ she ran to the door.

  ‘Madame!’ the viscount’s voice halted her as she was about to leave the room. ‘Please – Elinor, you must believe that I am honoured by the disclosures you have made to me. If I can be of assistance to you in any way, at any time, pray do not hesitate to tell me.’

  Elinor did not look back, but he saw her nod her head before hurrying away.

  Chapter Twenty-one

  My Lord Thurleigh wins the trick

  When the Earl of Hartworth had completed a late and leisurely breakfast, he enquired after his son and was informed that the viscount had ridden out. Glancing out of the window at the grey sky and steady rain, this lordship opined that no one would wish to remain out of doors longer than necessary on such a day and he left instructions that the viscount should be sent to him as soon as he came in. In the event it was nearly two hours before Lord Davenham returned, and a while longer before he appeared before his father, the inclement weather making it necessary for him to change his sodden clothing. He found Lord Hartworth in the library, seated at the large desk with his account books spread out in front of him.

  ‘You wished to see me, sir?’

  The earl looked up from his books and his shrewd eyes did not fail to notice the pale face and grim demeanour.

  ‘Yes indeed, Jonathan. You talked with Madame de Sange this morning, as I suggested?’

  ‘I did, sir,’ came the short reply.

  A gleam of understanding appeared in the older man’s eyes.

  Lord Davenham gave his attention to smoothing the snowy lace ruffles that covered his wrists.

  ‘I am thinking of going back to Town, sir. I had formed the intention of leaving in the morning, if you have no further need of my services.’

  ‘This is rather sudden: may one enquire the reason you wish to leave us so abruptly?’

  The viscount turned away. He said with difficulty, ‘I think – indeed I am sure – it would be more comfortable for Madame de Sange if I were not here. We – cannot agree on a number of points, and I have no wish to cause the lady further pain by inflicting my presence upon her for any longer than is necessary.’

  ‘I take it the lady rejected your suit.’

  ‘She has left me in no doubt of her feelings towards me,’ came the bitter reply, which caused his father to smile, but he said merely that they must wait to hear what Lady Hartworth had to say to her son’s plan.

  When the matter was mentioned to that lady, she cried out vehemently against the idea of her son leaving them so soon. The reason for so sudden a departure – that there were a great many matters in Town requiring the viscount’s attention – she dismissed as nonsense, and accused her son of becoming bored with his family and preferring the gay life he was used to in London They were gathered in the drawing room, as was the custom before dinner, and when Elinor came in Lady Hartworth immediately drew her into the discussion.

  ‘Elinor, my dear, how glad I am that you were able to join us for dinner. Is your migraine completely cleared? So tedious for you to be obliged to keep to your room all day.’ She beckoned to her guest to come and sit beside her. ‘Do help me persuade Jonathan to give us a few more days of his company. He has been with us such a short time and already he is declaring that he must return to Town.’

  Elinor blushed faintly and could not bring herself to look up at the viscount as she replied.

  ‘I am sure, ma’am, that only the most urgent business could persuade Lord Davenham to leave you.’

  ‘But Hartworth has informed me that we shall ourselves be returning to London in a few days! Surely Jonathan’s business can wait a little while, that he may escort us.’

  Elinor’s eyes flew to the earl.

  ‘Is it true, my lord? You go to London?’

  He nodded.

  ‘I hope to be back in Hartworth House by Friday. I want to hand over the ruby to those loyal to the King. I think it best that you come with us, Madame. You will be safer under my protection than alone in your own house.’

  ‘You see!’ cried the countess. ‘Davenham has but to delay his journey for another three days. And besides,’ she added, ‘I have this minute remembered we are to dine out tomorrow night. Squire Goodrow and his sister called this afternoon and pressed me so earnestly to accept that I could not find the heart to say them nay. Of course, I made no mention of you, my dear,’ she continued, turning to Elinor, ‘for we agreed from the start, did we not, that you were to remain here in strict seclusion?’

  ‘I wish you had found some way to put off this engagement, Mama.’

  ‘I know, Jonathan, I do not like it myself, to be going out and leaving dear Elinor by herself, but Miss Goodrow was so persistent, and we have excused ourselves from dining with them so many times in the past that I found myself quite at a loss.’

  ‘It is never a good idea to offend one’s neighbours, Davenham,’ put in the earl. ‘You will attend tomorrow night, sir, with as good a grace as you can muster. The Goodrows do not keep late hours, and you may make an early start for Town the following morning, if you think it necessary.’

  The viscount looked far from pleased, but he merely inclined his head.

  ‘As you wish, sir.’

  Lord Hartworth smiled benignly at his son and the evening proceeded in what Elinor could only describe as a most uncomfortable fashion. Dinner seemed interminable, and when at last the ladies withdrew, she was able to tell her hostess truthfully that she had the headache and to retreat to the seclusion of her bedchamber.

  * * * *

  The bright sunshine to which she awoke did nothing to lift her spirits, and it was with some trepidation that she entered the breakfast room the next morning. She was relieved to find only the countess there, a casual enquiry eliciting the information that the gentlemen had taken advantage of the fine weather to ride over the earl’s extensive estates. Elinor was thus able to avoid the viscount until the evening, when the family gathered in the drawing room before travelling to the Goodrows for dinner. She delayed as long as she dared in changing her gown and tarried so long that the earl’s carriage was at the door before she came downstairs, entering the drawing room just as the family were preparing to leave.

  ‘Ah, my dear,’ remarked Lady Hartworth, her cloak
already about her shoulders, ‘how unfortunate that you must remain here alone. However, it cannot be helped and I have told Fletton to serve your dinner in here by the fire. So much more comfortable for you than to sit in that draughty dining room by yourself.’

  ‘Thank you, ma’am.’ Elinor bent to receive my lady’s salute upon her cheek, smiled farewell to the earl who was holding open the door for his wife. She then turned to face the viscount: for an instant she was transported back to their first meeting in Paris, for then, as now, she had been impressed by the simple style of his attire, which so complemented his lean handsome face. On that occasion he had been dressed in black, but now he wore a plain velvet jacket and breeches of the darkest blue, the severity or his raiment relieved only by the froth of snowy lace at his neck and cuffs. As was his preference, his dark hair was unpowdered, and confined by a thin velvet ribbon. Elinor noted his gleaming riding boots and the heavy greatcoat thrown over a nearby chair, and could not resist and enquiring glance. A faint smile lightened his features.

  ‘I never travel by carriage if I can ride.’

  ‘And you will be leaving in the morning?’

  ‘Yes. I intend to make an early start.’

  ‘Then let me wish you a good journey, sir, for I doubt I shall see you again before you leave.’

  ‘Thank you.’ He took her hand, wondering that her fingers should tremble as he raised them to his lips. For a moment they looked at each other, both wishing to speak, neither knowing how to begin. A discreet cough from Lord Hartworth broke the spell.

  ‘It is time we were away, Davenham.’

  With a final bow the viscount snatched up his greatcoat and strode out of the room. When the door had closed upon her Elinor stood for a few moments, listening to the receding footsteps, then she ran to the window, peering out into fading light. Unfortunately, the drawing room was at the back of the house and gave her no sight of the drive. She ran to the glazed door that led out onto the terrace, and after a few moments spent struggling with the catch she managed to open it. She stepped out. The terrace ran the length of the house, but a high wall at each end prevented her from seeing the earl’s carriage as it moved off, although the sounds carried clearly to her on the still air. Disappointed, Elinor went back inside. The air was chill, but before settling herself by the cheerful fire that blazed high in the hearth, she went off to the library in search of a book with which to while away the evening.