Marianne & the Marquis

by Anne Herries

  As she walked in the direction of the rhododendron valley, Marianne was puzzled by hoof marks in the wet earth. She knew that Joshua had gone riding the previous morning, and the grooms sometimes exercised the carriage horses—but these seemed too many and too regular to have been one horse. Her suspicions were immediately aroused when quite suddenly the marks disappeared.

  It was not possible for them to vanish at this point. She was puzzled as she looked around her, for there was nowhere that the horses—or ponies as the tracks seemed to indicate—could have disappeared into other than thin air. The valley of rhododendrons ended at the face of a rise that became rocky, but which looked impossible for even the sure-footed pack ponies that were often used for carting ore from the mines. Was there a hidden entrance here, somewhere that led into a cave…but surely it was too far inland?

  Marianne moved towards a clump of tall bushes, a little hesitant, still puzzled by the disappearing tracks, and then she saw one of the bushes move and froze, fearing that she was about to be confronted by a smuggler. The next moment a man came out. He was wearing leather breeches and a miner’s hat with a candle fastened to the front, his shirt open at the neck. He saw her at almost the same moment as she saw him and frowned.

  ‘Marianne,’ he said in a harsh tone. ‘What the hell are you doing here? I thought you were going to leave this business to me?’

  ‘Mr Beck,’ she replied, raising her head proudly. His accusation was unfounded and put her on her mettle. ‘There is no need for such language, sir. I came this way as I normally do and saw the tracks. I naturally wondered how they could simply evaporate like that.’

  ‘Naturally,’ he said, a reluctant smile tugging at his mouth. Most young women would not even have noticed the tracks, but he had realised from the start that she was not like most young women. ‘If you look carefully, you will see that there are more shallow tracks leading to this clump of bushes. There is a carefully concealed entrance into a tunnel behind these bushes, and it leads into a set of caves. I imagine the caves have been in use for centuries and I believe that the ancient miners probably made the tunnel many years ago. There are some old iron workings at the far edge of your great-aunt’s land, and they may perhaps have taken the ore out by sea.’

  ‘Yes, that is possible, for the roads would have been impassable at certain times of the year,’ Marianne said. ‘When did you discover the tunnel?’

  ‘Soon after I first came here,’ Drew replied. ‘I was not able to locate where they hid the contraband for a while, but I think we shall discover that these tracks lead to the old mine workings.’

  ‘Does it not seem strange to you that they risked bringing goods in during such terrible rain?’ Marianne asked. ‘Surely they must have been aware that the tracks might be seen…and that they might be followed to their hiding place?’

  ‘Perhaps they had no choice. Or perhaps a trap has been laid. In either case, I would ask you to stay away from this part of the estate for a few days. It may be simply that the smugglers have used the estate for a number of years without being discovered. Or they may have grown careless…either way, it could be dangerous to come here alone.’

  ‘Yes, perhaps.’ Marianne stared at him, her eyes dark with sudden apprehension. ‘Do you think it may be a trap for you, Mr Beck? Are they trying to lure you to a place where they can arrange an accident for you? It might look too suspicious if you were to fall from the cliffs—but your body might never be discovered in a deserted mine shaft.’

  ‘The thought had occurred to me, though I have been careful not to arouse suspicion.’ Drew’s eyes were thoughtful as he looked at her.

  ‘I never believed your story of being ill,’ Marianne reminded him. ‘It is possible that others have become suspicious, too.’

  ‘Then I shall take Robbie with me,’ Drew said. ‘I had hoped to be joined by a friend of mine, but he has not answered my letter. However, Robbie will watch my back, as he often did when we were in Spain.’

  ‘He must be a good friend to you,’ Marianne said. ‘I shall take care not to come here again for a while. But I have news for you, too. Mr Hambleton left this morning. He says that he has business in London.’

  ‘It was a long way to come for such a short visit. Something does not ring true here. You have done nothing to arouse his suspicions? It would need only a careless word or a look.’

  ‘I have been confined to the house for three days because of the rain. He…seems to like me and I have tried not to let him see that I do not like him. I am sure he learned nothing from me, sir.’

  ‘Then perhaps he truly had business in town.’

  ‘Perhaps…’

  ‘I shall rest easier knowing that he is not sleeping in the same house,’ Drew said. ‘I am sure that you locked your door at night—but even so…’

  ‘I feel safer now that he has gone,’ Marianne agreed. ‘I am fairly sure that neither the doctor or Jane wish my great-aunt any harm, which means that he is the main suspect.’

  ‘I believe he must always have been so,’ Drew said. ‘Whether or not he is the man I think him is another matter. I wonder…’

  ‘What are you thinking?’ Marianne saw his expression. ‘Are you wondering if he left because he did not want to meet you at dinner? He also left the house rather hastily when you were expected to tea…and not by the front door. I was watching at the window and I did not see him leave. You have seen him, though from a distance. It may be that he has also seen you when you were not aware of it.’

  ‘You are a clever girl,’ Drew said and his eyes gleamed. ‘It is possible that he did not want to meet a man who might be able to identify him as the disgraced Lieutenant Humble. Besides, his business here may have been done last night.’

  ‘Yes, perhaps…’

  ‘Now what are you thinking?’

  ‘I am not sure. If he did tamper with my aunt’s medicine, he must have been desperate for the legacy she intends to leave him. With me living in the house…’ She shook her head. ‘If he came down here secretly once before, he might do the same thing again.’

  ‘You mean he may not have returned to London?’

  ‘Yes, I suppose that is what I am thinking,’ she said slowly. ‘But I may be wronging him.’

  ‘It is a pity I did not chance to see him out walking,’ Drew said. ‘When I caught sight of the man I thought I knew, he was too far away to be certain. I could be completely mistaken about all of this…’

  ‘Then neither of us can be sure,’ Marianne said. ‘But I am delaying you. I dare say you are wishing me to blazes, for you have work to finish.’

  ‘Would you care to know what I am wishing?’

  Marianne saw the gleam in his eyes and her heart leapt—she knew without his saying that he wanted to kiss her. ‘Perhaps it would not be wise to ask,’ she said. ‘I think that we must not let ourselves be distracted from the business in hand, sir.’

  ‘May I kiss you, Miss Marianne?’ he asked, his voice suddenly husky.

  ‘No, Mr Beck, you may not,’ she replied. She was on her mettle, deliberately keeping him at bay, for she knew that her heart was close to surrender. ‘This is neither the time nor the occasion. I must return to the house—my aunt has several tasks for me. I shall see you tomorrow evening, if not before.’

  ‘I must give you your way,’ he said, but his bold look challenged her. ‘But I warn you that it will not always be so—especially if you look at me like that, Marianne.’

  ‘Goodday, sir,’ she said. ‘I shall look forward to tomorrow evening.’

  ‘Be careful,’ he cautioned. ‘I cannot always be there to watch over you, though I shall come if you send for me.’

  Marianne walked away without answering. The look in his eyes when he’d asked if he might kiss her had sent delicious shivers winging down her spine. She hoped he had not guessed how much she had wanted to say yes, but she knew that she must not give way to such urges. If anyone should see them kissing in such an isolated spot her reputation wo
uld be gone—and who was to say that it would stop at kissing? She knew that, once started, if he did not let her go, she might not want to break free of him.

  He was attractive and she liked him. Indeed, she believed her feelings might be something much deeper, but she had no way of knowing his intentions. She did not even know if he was married. A part of her felt that she was ready to cast modesty aside and taste the delights of the pleasure they could find together, but she was a properly brought-up young lady and she knew that such behaviour would be the end of her hopes of a respectable marriage.

  Men did not marry their mistresses—and though she knew that Drew Beck wanted to make love to her, loving her, wanting to marry her, were very different things.

  Marianne was kept busy for the rest of the day and the following morning by requests from her aunt. Lady Edgeworthy was determined that her dinner party would be a splendid affair, and all the best linen had to be brought out and washed. Silver must be cleaned, and Marianne was sent to discover if the best china dinner service had been washed and prepared. Flowers were picked from the gardens and arranged in the various rooms the guests would use, and the maids were in a flurry of expectation. It was so long since their mistress had bothered to entertain in this way that they were anxious to make certain that everything was just right, and took it for granted that Marianne would know. For her part, she enjoyed all the flurry and the sense of expectation.

  It was not until after tea that Marianne had a chance to slip away for a few moments. She decided that she would look to see if there were a few more roses that she might pick for a vase that was still empty, and made her way towards the rose arbour at the back of the house.

  As she approached, she heard laughter coming from within its shelter and recognised the voices of Jane and Dr Thompson. She hesitated, not wanting to intrude on their privacy, but then they emerged, their arms about each other. From the way that Jane gazed up into his eyes, Marianne guessed that their relationship had reached another level. At that moment the doctor saw her and spoke to Jane. She looked at Marianne in her turn and blushed bright pink.

  ‘Oh…what must you think of me?’ she asked, looking distressed. ‘I dare say you need me for something?’

  ‘No. Everything is ready. I came only to see if there were more roses I could pick. I am sorry to intrude.’ She turned away, but Jane came running after her, laying a hand on her arm.

  ‘Please, you will not say anything to Lady Edgeworthy? I shall tell her that we hope to marry soon…’ She glanced back at the doctor, her cheeks pink. ‘Doctor Thompson has just asked me to be his wife. We have been good friends for some years, but thought we could never marry—but now things have changed. He has heard that his uncle has left him some money. It is only a few thousand pounds, but it means that he can afford to take a wife at last.’

  ‘I am pleased for you, Jane,’ Marianne said. ‘I know my great-aunt will miss you, but I am sure she will wish you every happiness.’

  ‘She will not miss me so very much, for she has you now,’ Jane said. ‘However, I do not want to tell her today, because of the dinner party. In a day or two, Simon will call on her and we shall tell her together.’

  ‘Yes, that must be for the best,’ Marianne agreed. ‘I am very happy for you, Jane. I suspected that perhaps you felt something.’

  ‘I was a little jealous of you that day, when Simon came to tea,’ Jane admitted. ‘You are so beautiful and intelligent—and I am merely a companion. But he loves me and it was only because he had no money that he did not ask before.’

  ‘I am sure that you will both be happy,’ Marianne said. ‘It is fortunate that Dr Thompson has been left some money—but Lady Edgeworthy may give you a present, Jane. You have been her companion for a long time.’

  ‘Oh…’ Jane shook her head. ‘I do not expect it, Marianne. I am paid for what I do and I have been content here…but I could not help falling in love with him.’

  ‘No. I think that one can never control these things,’ Marianne said. She smiled at Jane. ‘Do not let me disturb you. I dare say we have enough flowers.’

  She turned and walked back to the house. Her great-aunt would miss her companion, and even though she might employ another one, it would be some time before she felt comfortable again. It was obvious that she would need Marianne to stay with her for some months to come.

  Marianne went to her great-aunt’s bedchamber once she had dressed ready for the evening. Lady Edgeworthy was sitting in an elbow chair, staring out of the window, a pensive expression on her face.

  ‘Is something the matter, Aunt?’ Marianne asked.

  Her great-aunt turned to look at her. ‘I was thinking of something,’ she said. ‘It is a decision I must make in the future—but it does not matter this evening, my dear.’

  ‘I am very willing to listen, if you wish to tell me.’

  ‘Perhaps tomorrow,’ Lady Edgeworthy said and picked up her fan, which was made of stiffened buckram and painted with flowers. ‘We must go down, Marianne. Our guests will be arriving quite soon.’

  It was clear to Marianne that her great-aunt was anxious about something, but did not wish to spoil the evening they had all worked so hard to make perfect for her.

  Jane was already in the large drawing room when they arrived. She was wearing a pale grey silk dress that Marianne had never seen before and her hair had been dressed in a much softer style. She had colour in her cheeks and her eyes glowed, evidence of the new confidence and happiness she had gained from the prospect of her marriage.

  She smiled at Marianne and complimented her on her gown, which was the new pale blue silk that Mama had bought for her. Marianne told her that she looked lovely, too, and Jane blushed, shaking her head.

  ‘It is quite true,’ Lady Edgeworthy voiced her agreement. ‘I have never seen you look quite so well, Jane.’

  The guests had begun to arrive and were introduced to Marianne. Most of them were ladies and gentlemen of Lady Edgeworthy’s age, apart from Dr Thompson and Mr Beck. However, they all seemed pleasant, friendly people who were delighted that their old friend had begun to entertain again, which they rightly put down to the visit of her great-niece.

  ‘She seems in much better spirits,’ Mr Pembroke said when he took Marianne into dinner. ‘I was surprised when the invitation arrived, but Mrs Hammond told me you were staying, Miss Marianne, and the dinner was being given in your honour.’

  ‘I think my great-aunt was missing her friends,’ Marianne said. ‘She was low in spirits when I arrived, but I believe she is feeling better now.’ She was thoughtful as she sat down at the table. She had been placed between Mr Pembroke and Mr Beck. Drew had brought in Lady Edgeworthy, who was sitting on his left at the head of the table. Marianne glanced his way briefly, but resumed her conversation with Mr Pembroke until he turned away to talk to another lady.

  ‘You look beautiful this evening,’ Drew said, an unholy light in his eyes as he looked at her. ‘That colour becomes you—but then, I believe you might look stunning in a flour sack.’

  ‘You jest, sir,’ Marianne said, because the wicked expression in his eyes was unsettling her. For a moment as she looked into his face, she was swept away to the day they had met in the rhododendron valley and he had kissed her. She knew a sharp sweet longing to have him kiss her again, but denied it. Now was not the time for such thoughts! She was not sure that the time would ever be right, for somehow she did not think that he had marriage in mind. ‘I think Jane looks very well this evening. She is happy at last.’

  ‘What do you know that you are keeping to yourself?’ Drew asked, amused. ‘Or perhaps this is the wrong time to ask?’

  ‘Yes, it is,’ she said softly.

  ‘Then meet me tomorrow at our place.’

  Marianne inclined her head. ‘What do you think of the situation with France now that Austria has declared war on Napoleon Bonaparte?’ she asked in a voice loud enough for others to hear.

  ‘I believe that Wellington and the A
llies will need to tame him,’ Drew said, taking the subject seriously. ‘He has rampaged all over Europe and must be contained one way or the other, though I do not know how it is to be achieved.’

  ‘Surely the only way is to hang the fellow?’ a gentleman said from the other side of the table. ‘Damned upstart calls himself an emperor—madman, I call him!’

  ‘Major Barr, you are unkind,’ Lady Smythe reproved. ‘I met Bonaparte in Egypt when my husband was in the diplomatic service. I found him charming—but of course that was some years ago now.’

  ‘Napoleon Bonaparte is a dangerous man,’ Drew said. ‘If it were not for Wellington, we might have found ourselves under threat of invasion.’

  ‘Oh, surely not?’ the lady said and frowned. Her eyes narrowed as she looked at him, for she believed that she might have seen him when she was in London a few weeks previously, but could not be sure. For the moment the memory had eluded her.

  ‘Military man yourself, are you?’ Major Barr said. ‘Sorry, didn’t catch your rank?’

  ‘I have none now,’ Drew told him. ‘But I was never more than a captain, sir.’ He had preferred to remain a captain, for that way he stayed close to his men in the thick of battle, and had resisted all attempts to transfer him to headquarters, refusing promotion to a higher rank.

  ‘Ah, Captain Beck.’ Major Barr nodded his approval. ‘Thought you had the cut of a military man—entitled to keep your rank if you wish, you know. Doesn’t matter that you had to retire for your health’s sake.’

  Drew smiled, but made no reply and the conversation turned to general affairs. Marianne was conscious of him sitting beside her, but they did not have a chance for private conversation until much later that evening when he was leaving.

  She went to the door with him. ‘It was good of you to come, Captain Beck,’ she said. ‘I think you may as well use your title, for you are bound to be known by it now.’