by Tia Siren
He left her standing beside Arabella and went in search of her cousin. When he returned, Caroline was gone, and Arabella was fuming. “These people.” She hissed and named four well-known women.
“Came over and deliberately snubbed Miss Carstairs. I will not be coming to any more of these balls, I think. Badger can get the carriage and take me home.”
“I’ll talk with you tomorrow,” he said and went over to his aunt. “I think it is time to take out leave, my dearest aunt.” He held out a hand, and Aunt Agatha had no option but to accept it.
*****
His aunt tried to talk to him about the traditions of these balls and how people should not be offended when they broke the rules, but he would have none of it and went off to his bed. Sleep was a long time in coming, and visions of Caroline were ever in his head. He had never before felt so much for anyone and had never been so annoyed on behalf of someone else, and it came to him that if he were to return to London that he would not see the delicious Miss Carstairs again. He drifted into slumber eventually wondering if he could persuade her to return to the city as well.
After breakfast and a few stern words with his aunt he set off for Badger’s residence and had only been with his friend for minutes when Arabella ran into the room in a most unladylike fashion. “Arabella, for heaven’s sake, calm yourself.” Badger admonished, but his sister shook her head, panted for breath and waved a hand in the air. “She has gone. Caroline. Driven off to London on her own in a carriage.” Both men were instantly at her side and waiting for more details. “How did she go?” Badger demanded. “Who is with her?”
“And how long ago?” Bertie added. Arabella caught her breath and said that the servants told her that she had left in her own carriage with just a driver about an hour ago. The two men were horrified, and Arabella knew as well that the risks of being held up by robbers was always on the roads. Even when the large stage coaches were guarded, they were still stopped and robbed. Sometimes it was just for the valuables, but sometimes the robbers attacked the victims as well. Bertie made a quick decision. In fact, he did not really think about it. It was enough to know that Caroline was in danger. He turned to Badger and was already heading for the door. “My horse is ready. I will chase after them. An hour is not long. Get some help and follow me.” With that and not waiting for agreement Bertrand Collins- Margrave ran to the stable yard, flung himself onto the still saddled stallion and galloped off along the main drive which was the quickest route to the road. It was a mad and crazy ride, but the horse answered the call, and the pair thundered along the road towards London heedless of the looks they were attracting from anyone who was out and about. He was an excellent horseman and a strong young man. Bertie prided himself on his appearance, and that included having a trim body. That body was using all of its strength to urge the horse forward. His mind was calculating that an hour in a carriage would not have made a lot of progress, and he thought that maybe half of that time would catch them up. He had not thought about what would happen when he found her. “Maybe she will not listen. Maybe she will send me away.” He thought as he travelled but kept on going and after some time, he saw in the distance a carriage on the track ahead and then his heart sank as he realised it was stationery, and there were two men in front of it blocking the way. Bertie did not slow down. As he drew near, he saw Caroline hand out a bag from the carriage to the nearest robber who was waving a pistol in the air. The other one was waving another gun at the driver who was still sitting on the seat holding the reins.
Bertie kept on galloping towards the scene and instead of slowing he sent his mount directly at the man taking the bag. The horse saw the collision coming and slowed involuntarily, but it was still travelling at some speed when it knocked into the robber. Bertie jumped from the horse and let himself fly at the second robber in front of the carriage. The first one was on the ground and trying to get under the vehicle away from the horse’s hooves. Robber number two was taken by surprise and when he was leaped upon by an enraged gentleman. In panic, he fired the gun, and Bertie felt a hot pain in his shoulder, but it was not enough to slow him down. Bertie pulled back his arm and punched the robber directly onto the nose which spurted blood everywhere. The gun clattered to the ground. Caroline screamed as she saw the blood and thought it belonged to Bertie. The footman who had been driving had now leaped to Bertie’s aid and between them, they immobilised the second robber. The first one scrambled out from under the carriage and ran off as fast as his legs could carry him. Bertie let him go and found some cord to tie up the one they had caught. The penalty for highway robbery was death, and the man was now pleading to be let go, but they took no notice.
“You are not hurt are you?” Bertie asked Caroline anxiousl,y and her reply was to come forward and hold out her arms. “I am fine, but you are hurt. Let me see what is wrong.” He took a step forward and collapsed into her arms. The driver rushed to her aid, and they propped Lord Haverbrook against the carriage wheel. The driver caught the free horse and Badger and another two servants came galloping post haste down the road to assist. “Oh Mr Tomkins, I am so glad to see you. Bertie is injured.” Badger knelt down on the road beside his friend and pulled away the jacket. Caroline gasped as she saw that blood was spreading across is white shirt and cravat from his shoulder. “I need cloths,” Badger said looking around. Caroline darted to where her bags were in the carriage, ripped one open and produced a white petticoat. Badger grabbed it and staunched the wound. He looked at Caroline. “Hold that against him and when the bleeding stops, we will get him into the carriage. He sent his two servants off to find someone to take the robber into custody and tied his own horse and Bertie’s to the rear of the carriage. “I think it has stopped now.” Caroline ventured and raised the cloth a little. Badger looked and agreed. He called the driver, and together they lifted Bertie into the carriage. Bertie himself was coming round and could help a little as the two men struggled to get him onto the seat. Once there, Badger asked Caroline to come and hold the cloth again. She sat beside him and the driver started to turn the carriage back in the direction of home. Badger saw, with relief that the footmen had brought the law and when he gave details and his own and Bertie’s names and addresses they took the robber away.
Badger came to sit on the other side of Bertie, and the party set back the way they had come. “Oh, I am so sorry,” Caroline said after a while. “I have caused all this trouble, and poor Lord Haverbrook has been shot- all on my account.”
Badger told her that Bertie had simply chased off at high speed as soon as he knew she had gone off alone. “I have been such a fool,” she said. “Doing the stupid dance and then rushing off when people didn’t like it.” There was a slight moan from Bertie, who opened his eyes.
“I can hear you, Caroline,” he whispered. “They are stupid, arrogant people.”
Badger said he agreed with that. “Just let’s get you home and the wound cleaned up,” he told him. “Lie still. It won’t be long.” Bertie did the opposite. He opened his eyes and looked at Caroline Carstairs. “I could not bear it if anything happened to you.” He paused for breath. “Can I have fallen in love in such a short time?” Caroline gasped at took his hand.
“I went away to save you and your friends embarrassment,” she answered and both Bertie and Badger said that they were not embarrassed at all. Bertie opened his eyes again and looked at the girl holding his hand and still pressing the cloth to his shoulder. “Miss Carstairs, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife please? Please be Lady Haverbrook. Please say yes.” Badger Tomkins had no place to go so he looked studiously out of the side of the carriage and grinned quietly to himself. He would never let Bertie forget this one.
There was a pause whilst Caroline took in the enormity of what he had asked. Bertie opened his eyes again and looked worried. “Maybe you do not feel for me like I do for you.” He ventured but Caroline gave him that marvellous smile that lit up the whole world. “I do love you Bertie Collins- Margrave.
I loved you from the first moment I saw you trespassing in my stable yard.” He gave a small laugh. “So the answer is yes?” She bent forward and kissed his lips.
“Yes. Yes. Yes. I will marry you and be the happiest woman in the world.” Bertie brought around his good arm and pulled her close. He claimed the kiss that he had been dreaming of and he knew that Badger Tomkins was grinning like a madman. He didn’t care. The kiss ended and Carline checked the wound again. “The bleeding has stopped,” she said.
“You can turn around now, Badger.” Bertie said and realised that he felt stronger than before. “I know you are having a really good laugh but you can prepare yourself to be best man at the forthcoming festivities. “Congratulations to both of you,” Badger said. “I accept the best man invitation.” The carriage turned into the gates of Bertie’s stately pile, and the two riders had gone ahead to prepare the servants to receive the wounded warrior. Bertie said he could walk and did go into his house on his own legs but aided by Badger and his butler. Aunt Agatha was fluttering in the background and frowned when she saw Caroline. “This is your fault, you silly girl.” The older woman said, but it stopped Bertie in his tracks. He turned to the whole group of people. “This is the fault of ignorant people who are nasty to others. You included, Aunt Agatha.” He looked around. “Miss Carstairs has agreed to marry me.” There was a gasp, and some of the servant girls clapped their hands. “We will wed and pull this place into the modern world.” He held out his hand, and Caroline ran to take it.
The butler said, “Let me be the first to say congratulations, My Lord.” And Bertie thanked him as the staff gave a little cheer. “Let’s get you to a bed and clean this wound.” The butler finished and took over operations much to Badger’s relief.
It seemed that the bullet had gone straight through the top of the shoulder and although there were two wounds it was not as bad as the blood would let you think. Warm water and gentle washing revealed a clean wound. Wrapped in clean bandages and a soft jacket pulled into place, Bertie felt human again and held out his hand for Caroline to come and sit beside him.
“Thank you for riding to my rescue,” she said. “You were truly a knight in shining armour.”
“And I claim the hand of the maiden in distress.” He grinned at her. “We will do that waltz at the wedding, and nobody will be brave enough to complain.”
“My cousin will be delighted. He will be able to teach Arabella how to waltz as well.” His bride to be added and he drew her towards him for the kiss that took them both into another realm entirely where time stood still.
“Happy ever after, Caroline, Lady Haverbrook. Happy ever after.” He murmured into her hair. She nestled against him and smiled.
*****
The Storm of the Season – A Regency Romance
Chapter 1
“Ernest, thank heavens. You're back. I can't find Charlotte anywhere, and I can't find Mary either,'' Lady Melbourne shouted, as her husband climbed the steps to their mansion, Eaton Hall. ''I've been waiting an age for you to return. Why do those regimental dinners go on for so long? You're just a bunch of old soldiers, what on earth do you have to talk about until deep into the night?''
''Deep in the night? It's only ten-fifteen. We talk about old times and have the odd glass.''
''And the way you climbed those steps, it looks as though you've had a few too many. Really, Ernest, you are a shambles. Now go and find Charlotte. I really do not want to have to tell the Duke, that his beloved Charlotte has disappeared.''
''When did you last see her?'' Lord Melbourne asked, slightly unsteady on his feet. He'd spent the evening at the monthly dinner of his old regiment, the Hussars. In his day, Lord Melbourne had been a dashing officer, who'd led his men into battle. Now he was a henpecked, fifty-three year old, with little to do all day, but remember past campaigns.
''Before you left. I think around four o'clock. She had tea in the drawing room. I haven't seen her since.''
''And where do you suggest I look at this time in the evening? It's pitch black outside. And by the feel of it, it's about to pour down.''
''Ernest, please don't talk to me like that. We have a household of fifty servants, half of them male. Take them, and find the blessed girl.''
Lord Melbourne took four footmen, three stable hands, two gardeners and Lewis, the butler. He knew their search would prove fruitless, but if he didn't appease his wife, he wouldn't hear the last of it. After twenty-five years of marriage, he knew that incurring the wrath of his wife was not a good idea. ''Listen, men, it's started to pour down. My daughter won't be out on the estate in this weather. I suggest we go down to the village and have a brandy.''
The men nodded in agreement. They were grateful they would be able to sit in front of the warm fire at the Ship Inn, and drink.
****
''And, did you find her?'' Lady Melbourne shouted as the men walked back up the drive, some hours later.
''No dear, we've searched every inch of this three hundred hectare estate. She's nowhere to be seen,'' her husband slurred.
''Ernest get inside now. And as for you men, you should be ashamed of yourselves. Do you think I was born yesterday? By the look of you, you haven't been searching for my daughter at all, you've been getting drunk in the Ship. None of you have mud on your boots. There will be consequences for all of you. Now be off to with you.” Lady Melbourne sighed. “And sit down Ernest, before you fall down. You're a disgrace to the family name. I have no idea why I married you. You've always been a drunk and a scoundrel. How many wenches were there in the Ship this evening? You're a Lord. You should behave like one.''
''My dear, calm yourself, and please don't start mentioning the fact that this estate belongs to you. I am perfectly aware of it. You remind me almost daily. However, I am Lord Melbourne, not you.''
''You're drunk. You only had the name Lord, when I married you, nothing else. You were penniless. Without me, you would be living in a tiny house, on your paltry army pension. Now get to bed. When I wake up in the morning, I'll inform the Duke.''
****
''Miss, it's raining so hard, we'll have to put into the next Inn. It looks like it may thunder and I don't want the horses frightened.''
''Of course. That would be very dangerous indeed,'' Charlotte said to the coachman. ''Oh Mary, did you hear that? We're going to have to stop. We've only been traveling for five hours. It's much too close to home. Somebody will surely discover us.''
''Calm yourself, Miss Charlotte. I think, we have come a long way. It won't be easy for anyone from Eaton Hall to find us.''
''I'm not worried about anybody from Eaton Hall. But I am worried the Duke will send some of his henchmen to find me.''
''Miss Charlotte, I hate to see you so upset. Please try to calm yourself. If you continue to worry, you'll make yourself ill.''
''Oh Mary, you're so kind. I really don't know what I would do without you. I am so thankful to you for accompanying me.''
''Not at all. I am your faithful servant. I will always do as you ask. It has pained me greatly to see you so unhappy since your betrothal to the Duke.''
''Forced betrothal, I may add. I hate that man, and my mother, for doing this to me. My mother just wanted me to marry him because he is a Duke. He's old, unpleasant and cruel. I'm afraid to say, my mother is so engulfed in status, that she knows nothing of love. She only married my father because he had a title. I don't believe she loved him. She just wanted to be Lady Melbourne. She bought my father with her vast wealth.''
Mary was concerned about Charlotte's welfare. Mary had come to Eaton Hall some five years earlier, when Charlotte had just celebrated her sixteenth birthday. She was Charlotte's first lady's maid. The two young women got on famously, from the very first day. On some occasions, they'd filled Eaton Hall with so much laughter and gaiety, even the servants began to smile again. That hadn't happened for many a year. Charlotte's mother had tried to dampen their spirits by telling her daughter, that Mary was just a servant and s
hould be treated as one. Charlotte hadn't listened, and their relationship was more that of two friends, than mistress and servant.
''It looks like we're here,'' Mary said, as the coach lunged into a deep rut in the road. ''I'll wait, and get our bags, you go inside and warm yourself. It's a foul night, and I don't want you catching a cold.''
Charlotte nodded, and when the coach pulled into the Inn's courtyard, she accepted the coachman's arm, dismounted, and went inside.
The Innkeeper looked at Charlotte and raised his eyebrows at her beauty. When he studied her, he noticed her piercing green eyes and the fine features of her face. She was tall and delicately built, but he did notice her ample bust.
''Miss, please, take a seat by the fire. It's a dreadful night. I heard this storm is likely to last for two days. No point in frightening the horses. You might as well stay here until the weather improves.''
Charlotte was upset to hear they may be held up for longer than one evening. She wanted to put as much distance between her and the Duke as possible, in the least amount of time.
When Mary arrived at the bar with their bags, the Innkeeper took both ladies upstairs and showed them to their chambers. Charlotte was surprised that an ordinary coaching station had such beautiful rooms. Inside, there was a small four-poster bed, a fireplace, and a wash stand. Some kind person had lit the fire, and it was beautifully warm.
''I'll hang your dresses up, and put your things in the drawers. The coachman told me; we might be here for quite a while. I don't want to leave your things in the damp bag,'' Mary said.
