by Anne Herries
‘Yes,’ Drew said ruefully. ‘I liked Major Barr—just the kind of bulldog officer that we most admired in our junior days, but I wish that he had not made such a point of it.’
‘Why?’
‘I shall tell you tomorrow,’ Drew said. ‘If you will meet me?’
‘Yes, I shall—a little earlier than last time. My aunt will need me later.’
‘She seemed a little distracted at times this evening—do you think she has something on her mind?’
‘Perhaps. Goodnight, sir. I must go back or I shall be missed.’
‘Goodnight, sweet lady,’ he said and kissed her hand.
Marianne was smiling as she went back to the drawing room. There was still some mystery about Mr Beck, or Captain Beck as he was entitled to call himself—but was that his name at all? The smile left her face, for although she liked him very well, and her instincts told her that she could trust him, she was still sure that he was hiding something from her.
‘What did you discover, Captain?’ Robbie asked as they drank a glass of brandy together in the kitchen later that night. ‘Do any of them know what is going on in the cove?’
‘Lady Smythe may be a supporter of Bonaparte, but I doubt she is a traitor, just a woman won over by a young man’s charm. I dare say Napoleon was charming enough when he was in Egypt. Major Barr would cheerfully hang any French spy that came his way. He could be a useful contact, Robbie. He invited me to dine with him, and I may do so…for he will know which Revenue officer I may rely on in an emergency.’
‘You know where they took the stuff this time,’ Robbie said, looking thoughtful. ‘But if you want to catch them bringing it in, you must wait for another shipment, and that might not be for some weeks for they will need to move this lot on first.’
‘Yes. One of us will need to keep watch, Robbie, because if they move it on we might discover where it goes from here, though it is likely that it will rest in many safe houses before it is sold. It is a pity that Hal did not answer my letter—three of us might have had more chance of catching them in the act.’ He had deliberately asked only Robbie to accompany him down here, but now thought it might have been handy to have a burly groom to back them up.
‘Well, they will not move it this night, because of the company up at the house—too risky. Besides, they will probably wait for the ground to dry out. You might never have discovered their tracks if the ground had not been sodden when they took the ponies through. It was odd that they should choose to bring it in that night.’
‘Yes, unless they had good reason. It had occurred to me that the mine workings might be one of their caches,’ Drew said. ‘But you are right, I could have searched for weeks before I found proof.’ His thoughts were deep and complex, and he had too many theories to make sense of anything as yet. ‘It is not the smuggling of contraband that bothers me, Robbie. It robs the government of much-needed taxes, but I would not have come here for that…I cannot give information against the smugglers yet. It is the spy I want—or perhaps I should say spies, for there must be more than one concerned in this affair. We know there is an Englishman, but there is also his French counterpart.’
‘Do you think that Mr Hambleton is the man you seek?’
‘I think that Lieutenant Humble may well be the traitor,’ Drew said, his lips drawn into a thin line. ‘If they are one and the same man…’ his eyes were as cold as ice ‘…he deserves to hang for what he did!’
Robbie nodded. ‘He will be dangerous, Captain. Not so much to you, because you know how to handle him, though a shot in the back would be his most likely way of getting rid of an enemy—but the old lady and the beautiful niece…’
‘Lady Edgeworthy and Marianne Horne,’ Drew said with a sharp glance at him. ‘Give respect where it is due, if you please, Robbie.’
‘Right you are, Captain. Taken a bit of a shine to the young one, have you?’
‘That is not your business,’ Drew said. ‘I may allow you to be disrespectful to me on occasion—but not to Miss Horne.’
‘Ah, so that’s the way of it,’ Robbie said and grinned. ‘Congratulations, Captain. I wondered if you would ever settle for petticoat rule, being so wild as you were in the old days, but she is certainly a prize piece—and a lady to boot.’
‘I should dismiss you instantly for insolence,’ Drew said and laughed ruefully—his batman had never minced words, nor had he asked it of him. ‘But I am not sure that anyone else would suit me quite as well.’
‘I’ll turn in now, sir, if you don’t mind,’ Robbie said, as unmoved as ever by his master’s threats. ‘On sentry duty tomorrow night.’
‘Yes, goodnight, Robbie.’
Drew sat on in his chair, looking into space. Robbie’s jest had made him consider his plans for the future. He certainly found Marianne irresistible—but marriage? He had expected to marry a suitable girl for the sake of an heir, but Marianne had got beneath his skin; she was like a fever in his blood. No other woman had ever made him feel this way.
He got up and began to pace about the room, much as a caged tiger might his prison. His thoughts were not comforting, for he was restless, plagued by memories.
Both Drew’s parents had died when he was a small child. He could remember nothing of them. His uncle Marlbeck seemed a stern, remote man to the lonely boy he had been then, though later they had formed a kind of bond—but it was never love or even affection. Respect might have been a better word. Drew had been given into the care of a dry old tutor for years, and sent away to school at the age of fourteen. He was not sent for until he was eighteen, when he had been offered the choice of an academic life or the army. At that time his uncle had had a son he expected to inherit the title, but Barney had died of a fever a year or so later, and the estate had passed to Drew on his uncle’s death.
Drew did not know if he was capable of loving someone. He had formed strong bonds with his friends, grieving for them deeply when they were lost in battle—but that was a different kind of love. No one had ever shown him softness or the kind of gentle love that came from a tender woman. He was not certain how he would respond to that kind of love…or if he could make a woman like Marianne happy. Would he chafe at the bonds of matrimony after a time? If he returned to his wild ways, it might destroy her. And that would be unforgivable!
Thus far he had thought only of the fierce desire she aroused in him. Robbie’s jesting had made him consider more deeply. Perhaps now he should think of her instead of his own needs.
Marianne left the house early the next morning, for she wanted to keep her appointment with Drew and return before her great-aunt came downstairs. She had sensed that Lady Edgeworthy was anxious about something, and it would be best if they spoke privately in her room.
Her heart quickened as she saw Drew waiting for her and she smiled at him, anticipating that look in his eyes that set her heart racing. However, his expression was more serious than of late and she wondered if she had done something to offend him.
‘You have news for me?’ she asked as she reached him. ‘Have you seen anything of Mr Hambleton?’
‘No. I found the cache of brandy and what I imagine are bales of silk in the old mine, as I expected—though not as much as I had expected. Robbie and I will take it in turns to keep watch at night and see where it is moved on to next—but you had something you wished to tell me?’
‘It was merely that my aunt seemed anxious again. She would not tell me last night, but she may do later today. Oh…yes, I wanted to tell you that Jane and Dr Thompson are to be married. She told me yesterday evening and was so open and honest about her circumstances that I believe I can put aside any thought of her being the one to interfere with my aunt’s medicine.’
‘Then we must settle on Mr Hambleton,’ Drew said. ‘If he did not go to London, I wonder where he is? He must be staying somewhere nearby[ ]Of course!’
‘You have thought of something?’
‘He will have gone to the next safe house to wait for the co
ntraband to be brought there to him. He must be their agent in this country. It all fits so perfectly. I should have realised it before. You told me that he visits every few weeks—and that would be the perfect cover for his activities…’
‘He did say that he had found a new source of income…’ Marianne’s eyes widened as she looked at him. ‘Do you think…?’
‘Everything seems to be pointing his way,’ Drew said. ‘So I must ask you again to be very careful.’
‘Yes, I shall take care whenever he is staying with us,’ Marianne said. ‘And yet he may be more dangerous when he is not actually my aunt’s guest.’
‘Yes, perhaps,’ Drew agreed. He hesitated—it was impossible to say the words that trembled on his lips, because he did not know what he wished to say to her. She was beautiful and the need to touch her and kiss her was strong—but was he fit to be the husband of a girl like this? ‘The sooner this business is finished the better. I believe it would not be wise for you to walk this way again, Marianne. It may be better if you stay closer to the house for the time being.’
‘But when shall I see you?’ She spoke thoughtlessly from her heart and then wished she had not.
‘I shall come to you when I have news,’ Drew said, his voice harsher than he intended, because he was fighting against his own desires. ‘If the smugglers suspect that I have discovered their hiding places, it may be dangerous for you to meet me. Send a note to the house if you need me and I shall come.’
Marianne stared at him, her cheeks flaming. Had she shown her feelings too plainly? Was this his way of telling her that he had meant only to flirt with her?
‘I think I must return to the house,’ she told him and turned away, her eyes pricking with the tears she was too proud to shed.
Drew stood watching her go. He knew that his brusque manner had hurt her and he cursed himself. She had begun to trust him and now she would think him a villain and harden her heart against him—but perhaps that was best. He did not know what might happen, for things were bound to become more dangerous in the next few days and weeks. And even if he survived, he would still be that same wild lonely spirit who had never known or given love. She deserved someone better. Someone who could love her and give her the tenderness she needed.
‘Oh, there you are,’ Jane said as Marianne entered the house. ‘Lady[ ]Is something wrong, Marianne? You look distressed.’
‘No, it was just a bit of dust in my eyes,’ Marianne lied and forced herself to smile. ‘Did you mean to say that my aunt was asking for me?’
‘Yes. I believe she is worried about something, but I do not know what it is,’ Jane said. ‘She asked if you would go up to her when you came in.’
‘Thank you, I shall go now,’ Marianne said. ‘When do you expect Dr Thompson to call next?’
‘On Friday as usual,’ Jane said. ‘I am a little nervous of telling her—though she has you, of course. Had you not been here, I should have delayed my wedding, but Simon wishes us to be married soon.’
‘Do not concern yourself,’ Marianne reassured her. ‘My aunt will be happy for you and I shall stay with her until she is settled with a new companion.’
She went up the stairs and along the landing to her great-aunt’s room, knocking and entering. Lady Edgeworthy was still in bed, a tray of hot chocolate and biscuits on the chest beside her bed. She had her writing slope on her lap and what looked like a pile of correspondence beside her.
‘Are there any letters for me, Aunt?’
‘Oh, no, these have not come today,’ Lady Edgeworthy said. ‘They are letters from friends and acquaintances who live too far from here to visit. I was just looking through them, Marianne.’
‘If you wish to write some letters, I can return later.’
‘No, my dear, it was just thoughts of the past…’ Lady Edgeworthy sighed. ‘I have been wondering if this estate is too much for a woman alone and whether it might be better to sell it and purchase a smaller house in Bath or somewhere of the sort.’
Marianne perched on the side of the bed, studying her aunt’s face as she tried to judge what was on her mind. ‘Is that is what you have been worrying about, Aunt Bertha?’
‘Joshua has asked if he might purchase a lease on the estate,’ Lady Edgeworthy said. ‘He pointed out all the advantages, and even said that he might be able to borrow the funds if I wished to sell…’
‘I think he ought not to press his claims,’ Marianne said with a frown. She might have known he was at the back of this! ‘This is your home, Aunt Bertha. You must do exactly as you please with it. Joshua Hambleton may be your rightful heir, but it is not yet his to command.’
‘As to that, it was not my husband’s estate and therefore Joshua does not have a natural right to it. My father left the property to me, but my husband rightly took it over, for it was his place to do so. Still, my father’s will secured it to me and it was not entailed to my husband’s relatives. After my cousin died, I believed that Joshua ought to inherit the estate, for my husband invested some of his own fortune here, though he was never a rich man. He had a title and I had money—it was a marriage of convenience, though we were happy together. We should have been happier had we had a child that lived…’
‘Mama told me that part of it,’ Marianne said. ‘I am so sorry, Aunt. It must have been a great sorrow to you.’
‘It was and yet I had Cedric. He was my aunt’s child. She had him late in life and after she died he became like a son to me. His father was a military man and died of a fever in India. Cedric lived in the cliff house and visited me every day. I loved him and his death almost killed me, for he was young and it was such a shock…and then, a few months later, Joshua came to visit and for a while I thought perhaps…’ She shook her head. ‘I do not like to think ill of him, Marianne, but he was…a little threatening.’
‘He threatened you?’
‘Not exactly. It was more his manner than his words,’ Lady Edgeworthy said. ‘He seemed to imply that if I stayed here I should become morbid and might lose the balance of my mind…at least, that is how it seemed to me. He urged me to make the move to Bath for my health’s sake—and he said it would be better for you to have more company.’
‘Do not even consider selling your home for my sake,’ Marianne said. ‘I am happy here with you, and I think Mama and Lucy would be pleased to come and stay now that their period of mourning is over.’
‘Well, that has put my mind to rest on your account,’ her aunt said and smiled at her. ‘But he may be right, you know. I have an agent to run the estate, but of late the income has not been what it once was, though of course the mine was finished ten years ago, and the farm does not truly pay for itself. I cannot imagine what Joshua wants with the place, unless he hopes to find another seam of copper or tin. It is possible, of course. I know that he visited the old mine workings when he first came down here.’
‘He would need to discover a rich seam to open them up again, for it would be expensive,’ Marianne said. She suspected that she knew the true reason for his desire to persuade Lady Edgeworthy to move to Bath and lease the estate to him. Under cover of looking for a new seam of copper or tin, he could carry on bringing in his smuggled goods without suspicion.
‘I have told him that,’ her aunt said, ‘but he insists that he would find a way to make the estate pay.’ She looked distressed. ‘He made me feel as if I owed him the chance to restore his fortunes.’
‘He has no right to put such pressure on you,’ Marianne said. ‘It is your home and only you can decide what you wish to do.’
‘Yes, you are right,’ Lady Edgeworthy said. She looked fondly at Marianne. ‘It has given me such pleasure to have you here, my dear—and I should like to see your mama again. I must think about things, but I feel better for telling you what was on my mind.’
‘That is why I am here,’ Marianne said. ‘I want to make your life more comfortable—and I shall not allow you to be bullied into making a decision that may not suit you.’
>
‘You are such a comfort to me,’ Lady Edgeworthy said. ‘Jane is all very well in her way, but she is not like you, Marianne.’
‘I want you to promise me that you will not worry about anything,’ Marianne said. ‘I am here and I shall not allow you to be browbeaten or made ill by worry.’
‘I have begun to feel better since I stopped taking the peppermint cordial,’ Lady Edgeworthy said. ‘Perhaps it simply did not suit me.’
‘Yes, perhaps,’ Marianne agreed. Privately, she thought the answer lay in locking her cupboard and bedroom doors. If Mr Hambleton had hoped to avoid suspicion, perhaps laying the blame on Dr Thompson or Jane, he had discovered that his plans had come to nothing. Was that why he had now decided to try and force Lady Edgeworthy to leave her home?
What was he planning that needed extra security? There must surely be a reason for his wanting the estate to himself…
Chapter Six
Marianne woke early. Her thoughts had been muddled and uneasy, keeping her restless until past midnight and now she was awake again. Much of her concern was for her great-aunt, but she could not help wondering about the change in Captain Beck’s manner. What had she done that had caused him to keep his distance? The difference in him had been marked and she could not think what had caused it—unless she had let something slip that made him believe she was setting her cap at him. She was not, of course, for even if he had been inclined to ask her, she could not think of marriage at this time. Her great-aunt was dependent on her for the immediate future at least. However, he might have realised that his attentions to her could result in her being compromised, and that in such an eventuality he would have no choice but to offer her marriage.
It was a humiliating thought and one that she found distressing. She would certainly not wish to be offered marriage in those circumstances!
Feeling restless, she decided that she would go down to the village that morning. She had been hoping for a letter from Jo and was disappointed that nothing had come since her last short note. It was the first time that she had been apart from her sisters for more than a day or so and she missed them. She had written a letter to her mother, enclosing one each for Jo and Lucy.
