* * * *
Elinor jumped. The delicate chimes of the drawing room clock were telling her it was nine o’clock. She must have dozed off in her chair after Fletton had removed the dinner tray. Her book lay open on the floor beside her and as she bent to retrieve it she wondered what had roused her; most likely the thud of her book falling to the ground, she reasoned. The fire had burned low, and Elinor was about to send for more wood, then decided against it. Perhaps she should go to bed, there was after all no reason for her to wait up. She shivered, feeling suddenly cold and a little nervous. The house was silent save for the ticking of the clock, and Elinor gave herself a mental shake. She was being childish: had she never been alone in a house before – and could you call it being alone when there were an army of servants below stairs!
Elinor glanced about the room. Only the candles in the wall-brackets by the fire had been lighted, giving that area a cosy glow, but leaving the rest of the large room in semi-darkness. Her eyes moved to the windows. Every one was closed, and she had herself fastened the terrace door. She got up. Perhaps if the heavy drapes were pulled across the windows she would feel more secure and dispel this feeling that someone was watching her. She unfastened the ties that held the drapes on the first window, allowing the heavy velvet to shut out the night. Yes, that was undoubtedly an improvement. She moved on to the second window, then to the terrace door, but as her fingers closed on the ties, a figure stepped out from the shadowed embrasure and caught her in a vice-like grip. She gave one startled cry before a large hand was clapped over her mouth. Elinor’s eyes widened in alarm as a second figure came out of the shadows, and she found herself looking into the cruel face of Guy Morellon, Marquis of Thurleigh.
‘Good evening to you, Madame. We have not been formally introduced, of course, but I have no doubt you remember me. If you promise to behave, my groom will take his hand from your mouth.’ He saw her nod, and at his sign the servant removed his hand, still pinning her arms so that she could not move.
‘How did you get in here? How did you find me?’
‘It was too simple. I followed Davenham when he left Town, and a little surveillance soon proved that my instinct was correct. Since then I have had the house watched, and when I learned that the estimable earl and his family were gone out, I decided it was time we – ah - renewed our acquaintance. So obliging of you, Madame, not to bolt this door when you came in earlier. It was such an easy matter to force the catch.’
‘But I am not alone – the servants –’
He laughed softly: ‘Oh come now, Madame. You know the servants are in their own quarters and in all probability enjoying some of their master’s wine. There is very little chance that they would hear you, even if you were unwise enough to make the devil of a noise – which I would not advise you to try,’ he added. ‘Jason, my groom, would most certainly prevent you, and I should perhaps warn you that he is very experienced in subduing spirited fillies – is that not so, Jason?’
The man bared his teeth in a cruel grin. ‘As you say, my lord.’
‘Then at least let me sit down,’ said Elinor, her brain racing. ‘Surely there can be no harm in that?’
‘As you wish.’
The marquis pointed to one of the chairs beside the fire, taking one opposite for himself. As she sat down, Elinor noted that he had put himself between her and the door, while the groom stood at a little distance, watching them both. The marquis sat back, crossing one booted foot over the other and regarding her with chilling amusement.
‘Well, Madame de Sange – or would you prefer me to call you Elinor? I remember that night we met very well, you see.’
‘You may call me what you will. It makes no difference to me!’
‘Then it shall be Elinor,’ he purred. ‘Where is the ruby, my dear? I take it you still have it.’
‘It is safe. You will never find it.’
‘But I have no intention of searching for it. You will tell me where it is.’
‘Never.’
‘My dear child, do you really think you can hold out against me?’
Elinor threw back her head, squarely meeting his gaze.
‘Answer me one thing, sir. That night at the Black Goose – since you have told me how well you remember it – was it you who killed my father?’
‘I seem to recall there was some impudent fellow who dared to challenge me. His impertinence was justly rewarded.’
At his careless words Elinor’s cheeks grew as white as her petticoat. Her voice was barely above a whisper when she spoke again.
‘Then I will never help you! Do you not believe me? Pray tell me, what else can you do to me now? Thanks to you I have no family to be threatened, and I care nothing for myself. My only wish now is to see you punished for the traitor you are!’
The marquis was no longer smiling. He got up and came to stand before her. Elinor kept very still, hoping he could not hear the fearful pounding of her heart.
‘Perhaps you will be more co-operative when you realize I am in earnest.’ He turned to his groom. ‘Hold her!’
The servant moved behind Elinor’s chair, pinning her down. Thurleigh raised his hand and hit her hard across the face. Her head snapped back, senses reeling.
‘Tell me where to find the ruby!’
Elinor tasted the blood in her mouth. She shook her head, tensing herself for another blow, but it never came. A door banged somewhere in the house, a rumble of voices and footsteps could be heard coming towards the drawing room. Signalling to the groom to return to the window embrasure, Thurleigh strode across the room to stand behind the door, drawing his sword as he went. Still dazed from the blow she had received, Elinor looked up as the door opened and Lord Davenham stepped into the room. At the sight of her he stopped, his hand moving instinctively to his own blade.
‘Elinor! What the –!’ His words were cut short as the marquis stepped up behind him and delivered a stunning blow with the hilt of his sword, which sent the viscount crashing to the floor.
‘Jonathan!’ With a cry Elinor flew from her chair and fell to her knees beside the unconscious form. The groom stepped forward to pull her away, but his master waved him aside, his cold eyes gleaming.
‘This is all very touching, my dear,’ he drawled, watching her closely, ‘but content yourself, he will recover. Unless you give me occasion to take further action.’
She turned towards him, her body poised as if to shield the viscount.
‘What do you mean?’
‘Jason, take the lady to one side while I deal with the viscount.’
The groom roughly dragged her away, and through Elinor’s mind flashed the vision of Ralph Belham, his laughing face glowing with life and energy as he had told her, Care for no one, child, ‘tis the only way to survive. But Ralph had broken his own rule. He had become too fond of her and now he was dead, along with her father and her mother – how many others would perish before this matter was ended?
‘Well, my dear? It is up to you.’ Thurleigh flourished his sword, placing the tip at the viscount’s throat.
She gave a strangled cry. ‘No! No more, I beg you! I will give you the ruby.’
The marquis waited.
‘If I tell you – do you swear you will not touch him again?’
‘But of course, my dear. Just give me the jewel and the viscount shall be spared.’ He saw her hesitate and added, ‘You have my word, ma’am.’
‘It – it is in the library desk, in one of the drawers. But it is locked and Lord Hartworth has the only key.’
Lord Thurleigh nodded, and returned the sword to its sheath.
‘Where is the library?’
‘Directly across the hall.’
‘Very well.’ He pulled two of the tassled curtain ropes from their hooks and tossed them to his groom. ‘Tie her to a chair while I am gone.’
Passively Elinor allowed herself to be bound to one of the chairs, making no protest as the bonds pressed into her arms. The groom had just finis
hed making her secure and was admiring his handiwork when the marquis returned.
‘I have it.’ His lips parted in a smile that was as terrible as it was triumphant. He glanced down at the viscount’s motionless form. ‘You are a very fortunate young man, Davenham. This young lady has undoubtedly saved your life tonight.’
‘Do you think you are above the law?’ cried Elinor, ‘When I tell them you broke in here –’
‘And do you think you would be believed? You have no proof. Who would believe the word of a nobody?’
‘Lord Davenham and the earl will know the truth!’
‘Mere speculation,’ replied the marquis, making for the terrace. ‘And unfortunately for you, it comes too late, my dear. Soon I will be in a position of such power that not even the King himself will be able to stop me!’ Then, laughing, he stepped out into the darkness and was gone.
Chapter Twenty-two
A return to Town
Slowly regaining consciousness, the viscount became aware of the sickening pain that throbbed in his head, and a distant voice calling his name. He opened his eyes, but the room was spinning round so much that he closed them again, groaning.
‘Oh Jonathan, thank God! I thought you would never wake.’
He risked opening his eyes again, this time moving his head towards the voice, which sounded vaguely familiar. His vision blurred and cleared and he stared at Elinor, blankly at first, then in horror as he realized she was bound to her chair.
‘Oh my poor girl!’ He struggled to his feet and staggered across the room, fighting down the nauseating dizziness as he fumbled with her bonds.
‘Who did this?’
‘It was Thurleigh.’ Once untied, she rubbed her arms where the ropes had bitten into her skin. ‘Jonathan, he has the ruby. We must go after him, he has been gone but half an hour!’
‘We’ll deal with that later,’ he replied. ‘First, we’ll get you some brandy.’
‘No!’ cried Elinor, close to tears, ‘Don’t you see, he will destroy the brooch!’ She jumped up, but her legs would not support her, and she would have fallen had not the viscount caught her. Holding her close, he guided her to a sofa and obliged her to sit beside him.
‘I’m sorry, my lord, I am not usually so feeble.’
‘I know – my Lady of Stone!’ He smiled. ‘And pray, must you go back to calling me my lord? I prefer you to call me by my name.’
The lady flushed. ‘It was merely the stress of the moment that caused me to do so, sir, I assure you!’
The viscount went to the sideboard and poured two glasses of brandy, giving one to Elinor. ‘Drink all of it, there’s a good girl. It will make you feel better, then you can tell me what happened.’
She eyed him frostily, but did not argue, merely taking the glass and sipping resolutely at its contents. Lord Davenham, she noted, drained his glass in one gulp. Elinor pushed her mind back to the events of the evening.
‘The marquis forced his way in through the terrace door. He had his groom with him, and they overpowered me. I was closing the curtains when they came upon me and I could not call out for assistance.’ She looked up at him anxiously but the viscount’s smile reassured her. ‘What of the ruby, my lord? Shall we see it again?’
‘I doubt it. Thurleigh will not risk it falling into the wrong hands again. By the bye, how did he know where to find it? He could not search the house without the servants hearing him.’
Elinor finished her drink and sat turning the empty glass between her fingers, not daring to look up.
‘I – I told him. I had to do so, for I could not bear – Davenham, I am so sorry!’
‘Well, you must not blame yourself, child.’ He sat down beside her again, removing the empty glass and possessing himself of her hands. ‘I can see from the mark on your face that he did not treat you kindly. God knows what he would have done if you had not told him. It is better that you let him have the brooch than that he should hurt you further.’
‘Oh, but …’She broke off as the sound of voices could be heard outside the door and in another moment Lord and Lady Hartworth came in. My lady’s laughing conversation was cut short as she observed the scene, and she flew across the room to Elinor’s side.
‘My dear child, what has happened here? Get up, Davenham and let me sit beside the poor girl. Good gracious, your face, child!’
‘It is but a scratch, ma’am. I am not hurt.’
‘Perhaps, Davenham, you would be good enough to tell us what has occurred?’ suggested the earl, stripping off his gloves.
‘Unfortunately, sir, I can tell you very little of what happened,’ said the viscount. ‘I arrived here some time before ten, to be informed that Madame de Sange was still in the drawing room. I dismissed the footman and came in here. I remember seeing Elinor slumped in her chair, but then someone hit me over the head and I lost consciousness. When I recovered, Elinor told me Thurleigh had been here and had forced her to tell him where the ruby was hidden.’
‘He has taken the brooch, sir. It is all my fault, I have ruined all your plans.’
‘Nonsense, child.’ The countess patted Elinor’s hands. ‘We shall come about. I am only too thankful that you suffered no greater injury. And you, Jonathan,’ she called across to her son, who was conversing quietly with the earl, ‘have you recovered from the blow to your head? Perhaps I should summon Doctor Grey to attend you…’
‘Nay, Mama, save for a slight headache I am well enough now, and quite happy to set off after Thurleigh immediately, if you wish it, sir!’
The earl shook his head.
‘No, Jonathan. I agree with you that there is little point in chasing around the country at night. I will tell Fletton to check the house is secure, but I think there is little chance Thurleigh will return. He will make it his business to destroy the brooch at the earliest possible moment. I think our best course would be to go to Town tomorrow and try what we can achieve from there.’
‘I too, am of that mind,’ put in the viscount. He turned to Elinor. ‘Madame, there is nothing more to be achieved tonight. Pray allow me to escort you to your room.’
‘Yes, take her upstairs, Jonathan,’ urged the countess. ‘The poor child is looking quite worn down by all this.’ She kissed Elinor lightly upon the cheek. ‘Go along, my dear, and you need not be afraid to lean upon Jonathan, he is as strong as an ox.’
Elinor allowed herself to be guided from the room, and as they crossed the deserted hall she glanced up at her escort. The viscount’s mouth was set in a harsh line, and his countenance so severe that her step faltered. Davenham looked down at her, and his face softened.
‘Nay, Madame,’ he said, misreading her distress. ‘I am anxious only to see you safely to your chamber. It is not my intention to inflict my company upon you longer than is necessary. Nor shall I attempt to press upon you those attentions that you have told me you find so abhorrent.’
‘Did – did I say so?’ she asked in a small voice.
‘You did.’ came the grim reply, ‘and a great deal more.’
‘Oh.’
They ascended the stairs in silence, Elinor grateful for the support of the viscount’s arm, for her own limbs felt treacherously unsteady. When they had gained the landing, Elinor could not resist the temptation to ask: ‘Why did you come back so early from the Goodrows, sir?’
‘I wanted to talk to you before going to Town. It is not important.’
‘Oh.’ She stole another glance, discovered the viscount regarding her with some amusement and could not suppress a smile.
‘Well, my lord,’ she said, ‘can we put our silly quarrels behind us and be friends, do you think?’
‘I would like to try, Elinor.’ They had stopped at her door, and the viscount removed her fingers from his arm. ‘Goodnight, my dear.’ He carried her hand to his lips and would have released it, had not her fingers suddenly clung to his.
‘Jonathan, I have just remembered something Lord Thurleigh said before he left here – he to
ld me it was too late to stop him, that he would soon be more powerful than the King himself!’
‘He’s planning mischief, we can be sure of that,’ the viscount answered grimly. ‘Mayhap we shall discover more in London. Don’t look so anxious, child. We shall stop him, never fear. In the meantime, you should try to rest.’ He squeezed her hand. ‘Goodnight, Elinor. We will talk again in the morning.’
* * * *
The earl’s party arrived in London shortly before midnight two days later and thanks to my lord’s foresight in sending a servant ahead to warn his household, they found rooms prepared and a light supper set out to welcome them. Despite the exhausting journey, it was a long time before Elinor slept. The viscount had promised to go personally to Knight’s Bridge the following day to fetch Hannah to her, it being agreed that Elinor would be safer if she remained under the earl’s protection, and the thought of seeing again one who had been as a mother to her filled Elinor with a mixture of delight and anxiety.
So much had occurred, and she was not sure she could explain everything, even to Hannah. There was also a feeling of guilt for what her servant had suffered during the worrying months of her mistress’s absence. However, when Hannah Grisson arrived at Hartworth House and was shown into the small sitting room where Elinor was awaiting her, all these nagging doubts were dispelled by the joy of the reunion. Lord Davenham, who had ushered Mistress Grisson into the room, observed their rapturous meeting before he quietly withdrew, leaving the ladies to their privacy.
‘Oh Hannah, I can’t find words to tell you how good it is to have you here!’ cried Elinor between tears and laughter. ‘It was wretched of me to leave you alone all this time, but indeed I could not help it!’
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