The Dangerous Lord Darrington

by Sarah Mallory

  By the time she had settled her grandmother, Beth was exhausted, too tired even to pay much heed to Tilly’s description of the trials she had endured whilst travelling to Malpass in the earl’s baggage coach. She merely told her maid how pleased she was to have her home again and tumbled into bed, falling asleep the instant her head touched the pillow.

  The following morning brought another trial for Beth in the form of a visit from Miles Radworth. She had just finished breakfast when he was announced. She made her way to the great hall and as she descended the stairs he came forwards, his hands held out to her.

  ‘My dear, such dreadful news about your brother!’

  ‘You know of it, then?’

  He took her hands, lifting first one, then the other, to his lips.

  ‘It is was all over Fentonby when I arrived home last night. There was no avoiding it. My dear, you must tell me everything.’

  She looked up at him and read the concern in his face. ‘Yes,’ she said slowly, ‘I think I must. Come along into the library, Miles, and I will explain.’

  ‘…so there you have it,’ she finished, spreading her hands. ‘I did not go to Ripon, as everyone thought, I went to London, thinking I might be able to help Simon.’

  ‘I wish you had told me, Elizabeth.’

  ‘I wish I had, now.’ She sighed. ‘Perhaps I should not be in this predicament if I had trusted you.’

  ‘And Darrington insisted upon accompanying you?’

  ‘Yes.’ She glanced down at her hands, clasped lightly in her lap. ‘I cannot deny that he was very helpful.’

  ‘Because he is in love with you, perhaps?’

  Beth kept her eyes lowered. ‘No,’ she said quietly. ‘I do not think he loves me.’

  She heard Miles’s chair scrape back as he rose and took a turn about the room.

  ‘But you travelled with him back to Malpass—alone?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘I see.’

  I doubt it, she thought miserably. She prayed he would not ask her any more questions; she did not want to explain just how intimate she had been with Lord Darrington.

  ‘You realise if—when—word of your exploits gets out, your reputation will be ruined?’

  Beth closed her eyes. He would cry off, and who could blame him? Besides, she could not be sorry for it, now she knew her own heart.

  ‘Yes. I—’

  ‘In the circumstances I think it best we bring the marriage forwards.’ He continued as if she had not spoken. ‘So far our betrothal has been a private affair, but now it should be made public. The banns will be called and we shall be married within the month.’

  Beth stared at him. ‘You still wish to marry me?’

  ‘Of course.’ His thin lips curved into a smile. ‘An announcement will put paid to any rumours that may arise from your recent—ah—adventures. We will invite everyone to celebrate with us at the Fentonby Assembly next week. My hired house in Fentonby is too small for such a celebration, and the Priory is not suitable for such a gathering, especially in the present circumstances.’

  ‘But, Miles, how can I think of celebrations with Simon in prison—’

  ‘Hush, my dear. You must see that once you are my wife I shall be much better placed to help you. From all you have told me, I think the Cordonnier woman is using you to get at Darrington. She thought you could persuade him to pay her off.’

  ‘She did.’

  ‘Our betrothal will show her she has mistaken the matter and with Darrington out of the way she may well reduce her demands.’

  She looked up at him, saying hopefully, ‘Do you really think so?’

  ‘I am nearly sure of it.’ He walked over to her and held out his hands, saying, ‘Well, my dear—what do you say?’

  Beth allowed him to pull her to her feet. She had planned to tell Miles she could not marry him, but all that had changed now. She felt battered by the events of the past few days, especially Guy’s refusal to help her. The turmoil within resolved itself into a blazing fury. She would show the precious earl how little he mattered to her—she did not need him any more. Resolutely she lifted her head.

  ‘I say yes, Miles.’

  She did not move as he lowered his head and pressed his mouth over hers. She waited for his kiss to ignite the flame of desire that had leapt to life so readily whenever Guy had taken her in his arms. Desperately she forced herself to respond, but inside she felt nothing.

  Chapter Twenty

  Miles did not remain at Malpass for long. Lady Arabella had not yet left her apartment and he declined Beth’s suggestion that he should accompany her to Thirsk, saying he had engagements in Fentonby that would not wait. Beth was therefore left to break the news of her forthcoming marriage to her family. She went first to her grandmother’s room, where she found Lady Arabella taking breakfast, her maid informing Beth that her mistress had not slept well. When Beth gently explained to her that she and Miles had at last set a date for their wedding, the old lady merely looked blank.

  ‘Are you not going to wish me well, Grandmama?’ murmured Beth, kneeling at the side of her chair.

  ‘Nothing will be well until Simon is home again,’ stated the old lady.

  ‘No.’ Beth blinked back the hot tears that were never far away. ‘No, you are right, Grandmama.’

  Sophie’s response was a great deal more vociferous. Beth had waited until they were on their way to Thirsk to tell her. Mr Davies was with them, but she had accepted that he and Sophie were inseparable.

  ‘You are joking me!’ cried Sophie, when Beth broke the news.

  ‘Does Darrington know of this?’ demanded Davey.

  ‘I am not funning,’ retorted Beth, two angry spots of colour burning her cheeks. ‘And it is no business of Lord Darrington’s what I do!’

  ‘Oh, Beth, what are you about?’ Sophie caught her arm and gave it a little shake. ‘When you came back the other night, and said that you had been in Darrington’s company for the past week—’

  ‘That is neither here nor there,’ she flashed. ‘If Miles does not object to that, then it is of no consequence.’

  She glared at her companions and they sat back, silenced. It could not be forgotten, but it was certainly pushed to the back of Beth’s mind when they reached the gaol to learn Simon had been moved to another cell.

  ‘A bigger apartment and clean bedding,’ joked Simon, when they were shown in. ‘The view is not so fair—this one overlooks the courtyard, whereas my previous room had a view of the sky. Oh, and I have a new gaoler.’ He pointed to the burly individual standing guard at the door. ‘Logan is perfectly civil, but insists on keeping me within sight night and day.’

  ‘How perfectly horrid.’ Sophie shuddered. ‘At least you are no longer shackled.’

  ‘No, and the food has improved, too.’ He grinned. ‘All in all it is not so bad and a lot better than the undercroft at Malpass.’

  ‘I hope we shall have you free soon,’ muttered Beth.

  ‘Oh.’ Simon looked up. ‘Is there news?’

  ‘I am afraid not, but Miles has vowed to help us.’

  ‘Is Radworth still here, then?’

  ‘Oh, yes.’ Sophie nodded. ‘And at last they have set a date. Miles and Beth are to be married at the end of the month!’

  ‘Really?’ Simon beamed. ‘Let us hope I shall be free to give you away.’

  His brave attempt at humour overset Beth and she collapsed against him, sobbing.

  ‘There, there, sis, no need for this.’ He patted her shoulder awkwardly. ‘It won’t help, you know, and I hate to see you cry.’

  She pulled out her handkerchief and began to wipe her eyes, huskily begging pardon for such a display of weakness, but the tears continued to flow for some moments and she did not know whether she was crying more for Simon or herself.

  They arrived back at Malpass in good time for dinner; as they entered the great hall, Kepwith held out a silver tray.

  ‘Lord Darrington called while you were out, ma�
��am. He left this note for you.’

  The silence in the great hall was thick with apprehension. Beth knew that Sophie and Davey were watching her carefully. She raised her brows.

  ‘Indeed?’ She picked up the letter and broke open the seal. She was concentrating so much on keeping her hands from shaking that she barely understood the message. One thing was quite clear from his first sentence: he would not be lending her the money to pay off Clarice. That was the only thing she wanted to know—his warnings to her to be on her guard she dismissed. Clenching her jaw tightly to prevent any show of emotion, she tore the letter in two and threw it on to the fire.

  ‘There is nothing in it that need concern us.’ She dusted her fingers. ‘Shall we join Grandmama for dinner?’

  Beth found little time for reflection during the next few days as she busied herself with preparations for her forthcoming nuptials. She had sent an express to Mr Spalding in London, asking him to resume his search for Madame de Beaune, and received a note by return informing her that he believed the lady had left the country with her sister and brother-in-law. Certainly Bourne Park was no longer occupied.

  This missive was quickly followed by a letter from Mrs Cordonnier, couched in the friendliest terms, but leaving Beth in no doubt that unless she found the money soon, the deposition would be destroyed. When she told Miles he begged her not to worry.

  ‘I will reply,’ he said, taking the note from her. ‘I shall advise her of our betrothal and that she can expect to receive nothing until after we are married.’

  ‘But Simon could be taken back to London at any time.’

  ‘We will deal with all these matters as they arise,’ he said mildly. ‘Trust me, Elizabeth.’

  With that she had to be content, but anxiety nagged at her as she went downstairs to dinner. She had invited Miles to join the family and when Beth reached the drawing room she found him making polite conversation with Mr Davies and Sophie, while Lady Arabella looked on in disapproving silence. Taking in the scene in one swift glance, Beth was obliged to put her worries to one side and take on the role of perfect hostess. It was clear her grandmother did not approve of her intention to marry Miles, but if he could win Simon’s freedom it would go a long way towards helping Lady Arabella to accept him.

  It was growing dark as Guy trotted up to the Priory. He thought back to the very first time he had called here, with Davey stretched out on a farm gate. The black outline of the building had towered over them, dark and menacing. Heaven and earth, if he had known the cost of getting involved with Beth Forrester he would have chosen to carry Davey all the way to Highridge rather than come within a mile of Malpass!

  ‘Don’t be a damned fool, you know that isn’t so,’ he muttered angrily to himself as he dismounted and looped the reins over a post near the steps. Visions rose up before him. Beth directing the servants to carry Davey inside, Beth with a lamp in her hand, her eyes large and nervous as a deer when he met her in the corridor in the middle of the night. Beth with her glorious hair over her shoulders, lying naked in the moonlight…?.

  Savagely he dragged his thoughts back to the present as he ran up the steps. Kepwith opened the door, but barred his way.

  ‘I beg your pardon, my lord,’ he hesitated, and looked a little embarrassed. ‘My mistress has ordered that you should not be allowed into the house.’

  ‘The devil she has! Then tell your mistress that I wish to see her out here!’

  The door was closed again as the butler went off to deliver his message. Guy looked at his watch. The family dined early, so they should have finished by now. Would she come? As the minutes dragged by, he began to doubt it.

  At last the door opened and he looked up quickly, only to have his hopes dashed when he saw who was standing there.

  ‘Davey! Will she not see me?’

  ‘No, she will not.’ Davey stepped outside and pulled the door almost closed behind him. ‘Radworth is here, but I doubt if she would have admitted you, even had he not been.’ He tucked his hand in Guy’s arm. ‘Let us walk away from here, where we will not be overheard.’

  They descended to the drive and walked away from the house, Guy slowing his stride to match Davey’s limping step.

  ‘Did she receive my letter?’ he asked bluntly.

  ‘Aye, but she burned it.’ Davey shook his head. ‘She thinks you have deserted her.’

  ‘Because I refused to hand over the money to that blood-sucking woman? I asked her to trust me and the next I hear is that she and Radworth are to be married in three weeks!’

  ‘She is very angry with you, my friend.’

  ‘I thought she knew me better than that!’ He gazed up at the darkening sky, his breath escaping in a hiss. ‘Davey, when Clarice came here demanding money she had a surprising amount of information, more than she could have gleaned from Madame de Beaune’s letter—and before you fire up at me, I do not think that she learned any of it from Sophie!’

  ‘And do you know now who is her accomplice?’

  ‘No, but I have my suspicions. I fear this matter is not purely about the money. Forgive me,’ he said quickly, when Davey opened his mouth to speak, ‘I have a plan, but it depends upon total secrecy and I will not divulge it to anyone, even you. But believe me when I say I am relieved that you are staying at the Priory.’ He stopped. ‘I have not asked you about your leg, my friend.’

  Davey shrugged. ‘It is healing slowly. As you see, I can manage well enough with a stick now.’

  ‘But perhaps that is far enough for today.’ Guy turned and they began to walk back towards his horse. ‘I am going away for a couple of days. Watch over Beth for me while I am gone, Davey.’

  ‘Where are you going?’

  Guy shook his head.

  ‘It is better that no one knows. But I intend to return in time for the Fentonby Assembly.’ They had reached his horse and Guy turned and gripped Davey’s hand. ‘I will be back as soon as I can.’

  ‘Do you have a message for Mrs Forrester?’ asked Davey as Guy scrambled up into the saddle.

  ‘Would she receive it?’ Even in the deepening gloom he read the answer in Davey’s face and said bitterly, ‘No, of course she will not, but I shall leave one anyway. Tell her—if you can make her listen—tell her to keep faith with me a little longer.’

  Beth looked at the shining gown spread out on the bed. The kingfisher-blue silk gleamed in the candlelight. It was her newest gown, the only one she had bought since her father’s death that did not signal mourning.

  Less than ever did she want to wear bright colours, but she had promised Miles she would dress appropriately for the Fentonby Assembly and the formal celebration of their betrothal. Miles had told her that, once they were married, he would be able to help Simon. He did not say how, but she clung to that hope. Only the day before he had dissuaded her from making Clarice an offer for the deposition.

  They had been on their way back from Thirsk after visiting Simon, and Beth had been desperately trying to think of ways to raise the money.

  ‘Sophie and I could sell our jewels, then there are the Malpass diamonds and the silver from the house—’

  ‘My dear.’ Miles raised his hand, saying gently, ‘You forget. The contents of the Priory are not yours to sell now.’

  She shook her head, saying impatiently, ‘Oh, I know I have signed the contracts in readiness for our marriage, Miles, but surely, to save Simon—’

  ‘My dear, saving your brother is uppermost in my thoughts. We shall attend the Fentonby Assembly tomorrow night, I shall be at your side and this Mrs Cordonnier will realise she has me to deal with.’

  Dear Miles. Beth could not think that Clarice would be at all impressed, unless Miles was willing to pay her the money she wanted. However, there had been no further demands so she could only hope that Miles was right. She put on the kingfisher-blue gown and allowed Tilly to put up her hair with a single, glistening ringlet hanging over her bare shoulder. All the local families would be at Thirsk tonight, read
y with insincere condolences over the fate of her brother and equally false congratulations for her forthcoming wedding. She disliked being the object of so much gossip, but it could not be avoided and Miles insisted this show of solidarity would be beneficial to Simon. Beth could only be thankful that Sophie was going to be there to support her.

  She picked up her wrap and made her way to the great hall.

  ‘Grandmama!’ Her surprised exclamation echoed to the rafters, but did not discompose Lady Arabella.

  ‘I have decided I shall come with you,’ the old lady announced, rising from her chair beside the fire. ‘We will show them that the Wakefords have nothing to be ashamed of.’

  ‘No indeed, ma’am.’

  ‘Does Grandmama not look well?’ demanded Sophie.

  Beth gazed with affection at her grandmother, admiring the severe black gown, high to the neck with white lace ruffles at the sleeves and worn with a black silk apron. She had a black-lace cap over her white hair and was wearing diamonds, a family heirloom consisting of an aigrette that was pinned into the lace cap, dainty ear-drops, a diamond collar and a wide bracelet clasped over the top of one of Lady Arabella’s black gloves. The pieces had been passed down through the years; although Sophie might consider the enamelled gold setting adorned with diamonds and sapphires to be out of date and too conspicuous to be worn with the fashionable light muslins, there was no denying that they looked magnificent against Lady Arabella’s black silk.

  ‘She looks exceedingly well! But are you sure you want to come with us, Grandmama? It is some time since you ventured out…’