Last Gentleman Standing

by Jane Ashford

Jane laughed. “And you are right. Good day, Mr. Jarrett. You will post the cheque to me in London. You know the consequences if I don’t receive it.”

  Jarrett bowed again.

  Jane turned. “Crenshaw, is the fly outside?”

  “Yes, miss, just as you ordered.” Crenshaw was looking from Jarrett to Jane with some puzzlement and eying the gun fearfully.

  “Good.” Jane backed toward the door.

  Elisabeth moved abruptly. “Jane, take me with you. Do not do this thing.” She started toward her friend, but one of Crenshaw’s broad arms restrained her.

  Jane paused, surveying her with hard eyes. “I’m honestly sorry for it, Elisabeth, for you have been generally kind to me. But it’s necessary.”

  “Why?” cried Elisabeth.

  “I must have my independence,” replied Jane. “And for that, I must have money. A great deal of money. This was my chance to get it. I shall go abroad, perhaps to Italy.” A faraway look came into her eyes. “I’ll travel for some time, then settle abroad. I’ll really write then.” She recovered herself. “Goodbye, Elisabeth, I’m sorry.”

  “But Jane. I would have given you money, if you had asked,” said Elisabeth. “Indeed, I will, if you take me with you.”

  Jane smiled tightly. “Everything is so easy for you, isn’t it? But I prefer to do this for myself. I will take the money, not receive it with meek gratitude. I’m sick of meekness.” And with this vehement statement, she backed out of the room, shut the door, and was gone.

  Elisabeth heard quick footsteps, then the sound of a horse. She bowed her head a little, feeling terribly alone. She turned back to the fireplace, facing Mr. Jarrett. He smiled. “Well, Miss Elham,” he said, “won’t you sit down before the fire? You must be chilled. And we have a great deal to discuss.”

  Twenty-six

  The crackling fire made the only sound in the inn parlor as Elisabeth struggled with her anger. She was trembling with the effort to control herself, not to lash out or burst into tears.

  “Shall I take the lady to the sofa?” asked Crenshaw after a few moments.

  “No, no, Jud,” replied Mr. Jarrett. “In fact, you may return to the hall. I am sure we’ll have no problems. Watch the road; I’ll call if I need you.”

  The burly man nodded and left the room, shutting the door behind him. Mr. Jarrett turned his gaze on Elisabeth once more. “Won’t you sit down?” he asked. “You look quite done up.”

  “You cannot mean this,” said Elisabeth. “You are not so foolhardy.”

  Jarrett shrugged. “I’m not foolhardy,” he answered, “but I assure you I do mean it. I have no choice, you see. I must have money, and I must have it soon.”

  “But you can’t think to ransom me. It’s an insane plan. You’ll be caught straightaway.”

  Jarrett appeared surprised. “Ransoming?” he echoed. Then, he laughed. “Oh no, I have no plans to ransom you, none at all.”

  Elisabeth frowned. “But you said…you called it a kidnapping.”

  “It is, but not for ransom. That is nearly always clumsy. An abduction should have a more easily accomplished purpose.”

  “Indeed? You seem very conversant with the subject. What might this purpose be?” Elisabeth tried to put the scorn she felt into her voice.

  Mr. Jarrett looked into the fire meditatively. “Motives can be various. In the case of your young cousin, for example, the purpose was actually quite harmless.”

  Elisabeth was struck speechless; she swallowed. “You!” she said at last. “You kidnapped Tony?”

  He smiled. “Well, let us say I was behind it, at any rate. I didn’t seize him myself, of course.”

  His careless manner shocked Elisabeth and made her more fearful. “But why? You sent no ransom note.”

  He gestured impatiently. “My purpose was otherwise, as I told you. Actually, I did it hoping to win your regard.”

  This statement left Elisabeth gasping. For a moment, she couldn’t speak, then she stammered, “You kidnapped my cousin and held him prisoner in order to win my regard? You must be mad.”

  Jarrett laughed. “It’s ironic, is it not? But I assure you I’m not mad. I planned, you see, to hold him for a short time, long enough to create anxiety, and then to gallantly rescue him and bring him to you. Your gratitude and admiration were to be the groundwork for a lasting passion. Clever, was it not? Unfortunately, I rather underestimated the young man’s resourcefulness.”

  Elisabeth said nothing, merely staring at him incredulously.

  Jarrett held his hands to the fire and continued to smile at her over his shoulder. “You are struck dumb by the neatness of it, I see. I tell you the story to impress upon you my seriousness in this venture. I shall not give in.”

  The girl put a hand to the side of her throat. “What do you wish of me?”

  “That is better. Sit down and be warm by the fire. We won’t leave before dark, you know. You will be here some time.”

  Elisabeth hesitated, then walked to the sofa and sat down. It was indeed much warmer on this side of the room, and some of her trembling subsided with the chill. She looked at Jarrett coldly. “What will you do?” she asked.

  He shrugged. “Having failed in all other schemes, I shall hold you until you consent to marry me. Jane informed me that Wincannon has become very particular in his attentions and that you appear to be encouraging him, for which you cannot be blamed, of course. But I couldn’t allow it. Such a waste, to unite two such large fortunes.”

  Elisabeth made a gesture of loathing. “I’ll never marry you.”

  “Ah well, we shall see. There are one or two points I will make on that subject later. But now, are you hungry? Do you require something? I must leave you for a moment. Can I have Crenshaw get you something?”

  Elisabeth shook her head angrily and turned away.

  “Not even a cup of tea?” When the girl made no response, Jarrett shrugged and left the room.

  Elisabeth heard him say something to Crenshaw, confirming her guess that the burly man would be left to guard the door, and then his footsteps continued down the corridor and into the back of the inn. As soon as they died away, she got up quietly and hurried to the window at the front of the room. It was smudged with dust and very small, but she had some hopes of forcing her way through and escaping into the driving rain she could see outside. She unhooked the clasp and pushed with all her strength. It was meant to open outward, but the pane did not move an inch when she threw herself against it. Impatiently, she repeated her effort, but it was either fastened on the outside or stuck; she couldn’t move it.

  Finally, she gave up and returned to the sofa. She was trembling again. Holding her hands out to the flames, she thought furiously. It seemed to her impossible that Jarrett could force her to marry him; she knew that her consent was necessary, and she would never give it. But this fact in itself didn’t better her situation. She must get away.

  She was about to return to the window when she heard footsteps approaching along the hall outside. She rose quickly and faced the door.

  Jarrett entered, rubbing his hands together and looking pleased with himself. “All is well,” he said to her. “Our travel arrangements are complete.”

  “Where are you taking me?” asked Elisabeth.

  “To London. I can get cheap rooms there.” He smiled. “You see how it is with me. I’m all to pieces.”

  Elisabeth turned her back on him and faced the fire again. “You’re wasting your time,” she said. “This scheme will not succeed.”

  “Ah, yes, that is what we must discuss now. All would be so much easier if you would agree. Indeed, I should much prefer it. I’m not a cruel man, Elisabeth, merely a desperate one. I shan’t be a bad husband. Can’t you reconcile yourself to me?”

  Elisabeth looked at him scornfully. “So that you may serve me as you did your first wife? No, tha
nk you.”

  Jarrett looked at her sharply. “What are you talking about?”

  “You killed her, didn’t you? I never believed it till now. But I see you are without scruples. Her brother was right.”

  The surprise on Jarrett’s face had been building until her last remark, then it cleared. “Did Étienne get to you as well? He was damnably thorough. I owe my present penniless state to him, in fact. But those accusations were false. My wife died of a fever.” He stared out the window, his expression stony. “And if you think I wished her to die or had any hand in it, you are greatly mistaken.” For a moment, he stood so, his hands clenched at his sides, his eyes hard, then he recovered control of himself with a visible effort and relaxed. “After all,” he said, with an attempt at lightness, “one does not kill the goose that lays the golden egg.”

  His strong reaction to her words made Elisabeth pause a moment before replying, then she said, “Nonetheless, you married her for money. You cannot deny that.”

  Jarrett shrugged. “Nor do I attempt to. I should as soon disavow any wisdom or cleverness in dealing with the world. What else should I marry for, having no income of my own? But having married, I did my best to make her happy. And I did so, except when her family got at her and upset her with attempts to separate us. They all hated me, especially Étienne. They hoped she would marry a man they’d chosen, a very rich man, of course. I was not an acceptable son-in-law.”

  Elisabeth remained silent, gazing at the fire.

  Jarrett came nearer. “I swear you would never regret marrying me, Elisabeth. My regard for you is real. Everything shall be done just as you wish.”

  The girl flung up her head. “You dare to say this to me,” she said contemptuously, “when you hold me here against my will? Don’t expect to win my agreement by such means.”

  Jarrett sighed. “You really have decided to take Wincannon, haven’t you? I feared it. He is a formidable rival, possessing so much I do not.”

  “Yes, indeed,” snapped Elisabeth before she thought, “honesty and consideration, for example.”

  Jarrett surveyed her speculatively. “I see how it is. Very well, I shall have to use other means. I had hoped to avoid it.”

  “You may say what you will. It will make no difference.”

  “We shall see. I tell you, then, my terms. I’ll hold you until you consent to marry me. We shall live together, without chaperone, in London. Your reputation will be ruined; you will be forced to marry if you are ever to go about in society again.”

  Elisabeth’s lip curled. “Do you think I care for that? I can live very well without society. And you can’t watch me every minute; I’ll escape.”

  “You speak of what you know nothing about,” replied Jarrett. “Your friends will not see you; you will be left utterly alone if you run away from me. For understand that when I say you will be ruined, I mean it.” His face was hard with purpose. Elisabeth’s eyes widened slightly, but she made no answer. “I see you understand me,” he finished.

  Elisabeth raised her chin. “If you treat me ill, that will only strengthen my resolve never to marry you. Your threats defeat your purpose. You must have my consent, and you will never get it.”

  Jarrett bowed his head slightly and continued as if she had not spoken. “And after a reasonable interval, if your stubbornness persists, I’ll be forced to reveal to the world the true paternity of the Duke of Sherbourne.”

  Elisabeth’s head jerked and her eyes narrowed before she could control herself. Then, she sat back on the sofa and cocked her head. “Whatever are you talking about?” she replied.

  Jarrett smiled. “Come, come, you are very good, but your response was still unmistakable. And Jane Taunton overheard all of your tête-à-tête with the duchess yesterday. I will publish that information unless you come around to my way of thinking. Those are my terms.”

  Elisabeth sat still for some time, furiously thinking over her alternatives. She couldn’t allow the duchess’s secret to be revealed, yet neither could she consent to marry George Jarrett. She put a hand to her forehead. “I must have time to think,” she said.

  Jarrett smiled like a man who has won his point. “Of course. You will have hours to think. It is only now noon; we leave for London at dusk.” He turned away as he spoke. “I’ll have Crenshaw bring you some tea.” With that, he left the room again.

  When he was gone, Elisabeth slumped a little in her seat. She was overwhelmed by Jane’s treachery and at a loss as to what to do. She didn’t even look up when Crenshaw entered the room. Only when he drew up a small table before her and put a tray on it did she notice him. As he started from the room, she spoke. “Mr. Crenshaw.”

  The man turned. “Yes, miss.”

  Elisabeth swallowed and plunged on quickly. “I must get away from here, back to my home. Has Jarrett offered you money? I will give you more. I’m very rich, you know.”

  Crenshaw looked startled for a moment, then chuckled. “Bless me. Of course you’ve got money. We wouldn’t be here else.” His expression sharpened. “Have ye got it here?”

  Elisabeth shook her head. “But I can get it as soon as I’m home.”

  The man’s face fell. “Ah, well, it was an unlikely chance,” he muttered, and he started for the door.

  “Will you help me?” asked Elisabeth urgently, puzzled by his behavior.

  Crenshaw turned and raised his eyebrows as if surprised. “Oh, I couldn’t do that, miss. Mr. Jarrett and me, we’ve been together since the islands. Saved my life he did, and he’s always took good care of me since, too. I couldn’t sell him out.” He turned toward the door again and left Elisabeth alone.

  Twenty-seven

  When Jane Taunton left the inn, she drove very rapidly back along the now muddy lane. The roof of the fly didn’t provide much shelter from the rain, but she’d pulled a heavy hooded cloak from the leather case she carried, and was thus able to keep fairly dry. She drove past the place where the footpath from Willowmere intersected the lane, turning right onto a road about half a mile beyond it. This thoroughfare curved gradually back toward the estate, at its closest point coming within a hundred yards of the house. Here a small wicket gate led into the park, and here Jane pulled up.

  Quickly she turned the vehicle around. Then, pulling her case from behind the seat, she climbed down, carefully holding her skirts up out of the mud. She slapped the horse’s rump once, starting him moving; the docile beast was trained to return home when given his head. Jane watched until the fly was out of sight, then she turned and slipped through the gate and back to the house.

  Once inside, she was able to reach her room without encountering anyone. It was a quarter past eleven, and most of the staff was busy belowstairs. When she had put away her cloak and sketching case, she started downstairs. On the landing, she paused, hearing voices in the hall below.

  “Yes, I had an appointment with Miss Elham,” a man’s voice was saying. Jane recognized Derek Wincannon.

  “I’m sorry, sir,” answered Ames. “I believe she sent someone with a note to Charendon. Perhaps that explains it.”

  “Ah. I drove out to see my land agent this morning; I wasn’t at home to receive a note. Will Miss Elham be gone long?”

  “I couldn’t say, sir, not knowing where she has gone. I believe she may be out walking.”

  “In this rain?” exclaimed Derek.

  “Yes, sir,” answered Ames, his tone reflecting similar disapproval. “One of the undergardeners saw her go through the back garden.”

  “Alone?”

  Ames hesitated, as if a bit offended by this intense questioning, but he unbent at the concerned look on Wincannon’s face. “I believe so, sir.”

  Derek pulled his gloves through his hand uneasily. “She will be soaked; it is pouring rain out there now.”

  “I’m sure she must be sheltering somewhere until it passes,” replie
d Ames. “Indeed, I haven’t looked for her return for just that reason.”

  “Perhaps you’re right.” Derek paused, frowning. “Still, I think I’ll drive about a bit on the nearby roads. I can take her up if she hasn’t found a haven.”

  At this moment, Jane judged it best to continue her descent. She turned the corner from the landing and came into sight in the hall. “Good day,” she said. “I thought it was your voice I heard, Mr. Wincannon. Did you not receive Elisabeth’s note?”

  Derek looked up quickly. “No,” he answered. “I was out all morning. Do you know where she has gone?”

  Jane raised her eyebrows very slightly. “Why, I believe she was bound for the house of one of the tenants who has requested some aid. I’m not certain. I offered to accompany her, but she said she wished to go alone.” Jane hesitated for an artistic second. “I believe, I am not sure, but I believe Elisabeth may have gotten some bad news yesterday.” She made a deprecating gesture. “I daresay I’m quite wrong, but she has been preoccupied. She appeared to want some time to think.”

  “Ah. Still,” Derek said, “I wonder if I shouldn’t go in search of her.”

  Jane frowned. “Is something wrong?” she asked, her tone very innocent.

  Wincannon shrugged. “This rain,” he said, “she may be caught in it.”

  “Oh, I doubt it. I am sure she is in a cottage nearby waiting for it to pass.”

  “There is no nearby cottage on the way she took,” replied Derek. “In fact, it is altogether the wrong way to go to visit any of the estate’s tenants. I wonder what she was thinking of?”

  Jane shrugged. “Perhaps I misunderstood or she changed her mind. But I don’t understand your anxiety. What do you fear has happened?”

  Derek seemed a bit embarrassed. “I did not mean… I know you must be right. I wished only to save Miss Elham a wetting or a muddy walk.”

  Jane smiled slightly. “So kind,” she murmured. “But I daresay she may find someone to bring her back if the rain keeps up.”

  “You’re right,” answered Wincannon. He began to pull on his gloves.