by Jenny Hambly
As he left the room, they heard a carriage pull up outside.
“Who the devil—”
Even as Miles spoke, Lady Brigham came into the room, followed by Lady Bassington, Georgianna, and Marianne.
“I thought, my dear,” Lord Brigham said without an ounce of surprise in his voice, “that I asked you to wait for news.”
Lady Brigham quickly embraced her son, before turning to him. “I do not like to go against your wishes, but it occurred to me…”
Lady Bassington cleared her throat.
“To us,” she continued, “that there might be a few things you had forgotten. We have brought Doctor Carston and a change of clothes for Miss Edgcott should she need them.”
“Eleanor!” Miles suddenly said. “I must go to her.”
This did not prove to be necessary as she just then appeared in the doorway.
“I have found Stanley,” she said. “He is tied up in the barn and has a huge lump on his head. Tibbs is seeing to him.” She looked at the empty chair. “Is... is Lord Sandford dead?”
“No, Somerton has taken him upstairs. Come here, you little fool.”
Miles opened his arms, and Eleanor ran into them.
Lord Brigham turned to the slender, bespectacled man who stood in the hall.
“Ah, Carston. I am pleased to see you. I believe your patient is above stairs.”
“Very well, sir,” he said.
Lord Brigham pulled out his snuffbox and deftly took a pinch.
“Carston is a good man, very discreet, you did well there, Julia. However, I cannot help but think that we are a little overcrowded.” His cool grey eyes swept over the company and came to rest on his son. “Miles, you are to be congratulated on your friends. We did not need them all perhaps, but once they knew what was in the wind, I could see there would be no stopping them. Perhaps if Sandford also had such friends, we would not now find ourselves in this predicament.”
“What will happen now, sir?” Eleanor asked, her voice subdued.
“That remains to be seen. I suggest you ladies wait for us at The Bull, on the Highgate road. I expect you are in need of some sustenance, Miss Edgcott. In fact, I consider that we will all need some sustenance presently for it is nearly seven o’clock.”
He went to his wife and kissed her hand. “Julia, secure us a private parlour at the inn, large enough to hold us all, and bespeak us some dinner, will you? I expect we will be with you in about an hour.”
Lady Brigham briefly laid her hand on her lord’s cheek and nodded.
“Come, child,” she said, wrapping her arm about Eleanor and leading her from the room.
Chapter 22
Eleanor found herself wedged between Marianne and Georgianna in the carriage, but she did not mind; she needed the comfort and when they each took one of her hands, she smiled gratefully at them.
“How did you find me?”
“Miles came to Berkeley Square to see if you had paid us a visit,” Lady Brigham said. “When Brigham discovered that he had found your hat crushed in the park and you and your footman had been missing for some time, he sent for Lady Haverham and your maid, wishing to question them himself.” She smiled gently. “Miles you see, was quite out of his mind with worry and Brigham felt that he would do a better job of it. Meanwhile, at Miles’ request, Lord Haverham had sent out servants to see if you had visited either of your friends and so not only the Haverhams but also the Cranbournes and Somertons descended upon us.”
“Closely followed by Lord Carteret,” Lady Bassington chimed in. “He was on the hunt for Miles; apparently, he had lost a bet with him over the cricket match and wished to pay his debt.”
“Thank you, Frances,” Lady Brigham said. “Now, where was I? Oh, yes, Brigham was about to question Lady Haverham. He wished to know if there was anyone who might bear you a grudge.”
“She wasn’t much use,” Lady Bassington said dryly. “She kept throwing anxious glances at her husband, wringing her hands together, and saying she could not think.”
“And so I mentioned that Lord Sandford had not been very pleasant to you on the night of Lady Brigham’s ball because you had been keeping him away from Lady Haverham,” Georgianna said.
“Yes, and she burst into tears and said it wasn’t her fault,” Lady Bassington said.
“I could have boxed her ears,” Lady Brigham said, “because then precious time was wasted whilst he comforted her and told her of course it wasn’t.”
Lady Bassington snorted. “I’ve never known a man yet who didn’t chase a woman if he hadn’t had a little encouragement. I told him, of course, that I had also thwarted Sandford that night at the theatre. But I did point out that Lady Haverham had seemed frightened.”
“Yes, and so we wasted yet more time while he demanded to know why he hadn’t been told of it,” Lady Brigham said.
“What did she say?” Eleanor asked.
“Nothing,” Lady Bassington said. “She just snivelled into her handkerchief.”
“I told him it was because she was afraid he would call Sandford out and told him about our plan,” Marianne said.
“That was very clever of you,” Eleanor approved.
“And then Mrs Linwood spoke up,” Lady Brigham said. “She, I am pleased to say, seems to have a great deal of sense. She saw it all immediately. She thought to mention what had happened between Sandford and Miss Finchley, and how you had discovered that Mr Pavlov was in love with her and arranged for them to meet.”
“Oh,” Eleanor said. “And how did Miles react?”
Lady Brigham smiled. “I think we had better draw a veil over that. But Lord Haverham was quite impressive in his defence of you, dear. Miles seemed to have the impression that she was not quite the thing, but Lord Haverham insisted that she was the sweetest girl and that both you and Lady Haverham were, er, ministering angels.”
Eleanor said in a voice that was not quite steady, “And what did Miles say to that?”
Lady Bassington chuckled. “I fear we need another veil.”
Eleanor seemed pleased by this, but after a moment said, “But how did he know where to find me?”
Lady Bassington and Lady Brigham exchanged a look.
“You have run out of veils,” Eleanor said firmly.
“Mrs Linwood said that he had intended to bring Miss Finchley to a cottage somewhere near London,” Lady Brigham said.
Eleanor frowned. “Well, that was not very much to go on, was it?”
Lady Brigham waved an airy hand. “He had been to a bachelor party there, apparently, years ago.”
As Eleanor’s eyes narrowed, Marianne squeezed her hand and said gently, “so had Cranbourne. You can’t blame men for the disgusting way they behave before they marry, you know. They all do it.”
“My Adolphus never did,” Lady Bassington said in a tone of regret.
“In that case,” Eleanor said decisively. “I think I would like to be married as soon as possible.”
“Splendid,” Lady Brigham said. “Ah, we have arrived.”
Fortunately, The Bull did have one parlour large enough to comfortably accommodate nine people. Once Lady Brigham had discussed with the innkeeper what dinner he could provide for so many in an hour, she acquired a bedchamber for Eleanor and went up to it with her. When Eleanor had washed, she helped her into the dress she had brought for her. It was of a pale green silk, and if it was a little more daring in its cut than Eleanor was used to, at least it fitted perfectly.
“You look charming, my dear,” Lady Brigham said. “It is fortunate we are the same height, build, and colouring, is it not? Now sit down and I will comb out your hair.”
When she had finished, she laid her hands lightly on Eleanor’s shoulders and met her eyes in the mirror.
“You have made me very happy, my dear, and you are the perfect girl for Miles. Welcome to our family.”
“Thank you.” Her thoughts turned to Frederick. “I am surprised my cousin did not also come. Is he very cross wit
h me?”
“He was not best pleased that you had taken the matter of Sandford’s dealings with Diana into your own hands,” she admitted. “But he was far more worried than angry. He did not come because he knew Brigham and Miles would do what was needed, and besides, Lady Haverham was quite overset by the whole thing and he could not leave her.”
“Of course.”
“May I give you a little advice?”
“Yes,” Eleanor said quietly.
“You remind me very much of me in some ways. I used to find myself in scrapes. I was,” she smiled, “I am quite strong willed, and I did not like to be chafed and constrained by the restrictions set upon ladies. But I have learned to be guided by Brigham. I do not like him to be made unhappy by my actions, and he, in turn, does not like me to be made unhappy by restricting me too much. So, he does not object to me racing a curricle, but he prefers that it is done at Brigham. He does not mind me gambling, but I must set a reasonable limit on my play, and so on.” She suddenly laughed. “I make it sound so easy, but it is not. It has taken us years of negotiation, something I am sure you will understand. And yet it is not that hard either, if you love each other.”
When they returned to the parlour, Eleanor paid little heed to the chatter of the other ladies, but sat by the fire, sipping the glass of wine Lady Brigham had insisted she take. She had been very kind, and the relationship she had described with her husband was, she realised, very similar to the one she had shared with her Papa. But she had not been able to bear the idea of anyone else taking over that role and had decided that she was quite old enough to make her own decisions without any counsel from anyone else.
It was her actions that had led to this horrible day. Linny had always said that one day she would come by weeping cross, and she had been proven right. She knew her motives in all her dealings had been good, but it had all gone horribly wrong somehow. She closed her eyes, but instead of a restful darkness, she saw her bullet tear into Lord Sandford’s shoulder. Her fingers tightened on the wine glass. She hoped she had not killed him.
The sound of footsteps and voices in the hall brought her to her feet. The door opened and the gentlemen came into the room. Her anxious eyes fixed on Lord Brigham.
“Be easy, child. Lord Sandford has lost a great deal of blood, but the injury is not fatal and will cause no lasting damage. The doctor will stay with him tonight, and then a nurse will be found to watch over him whilst he recovers. When he is fit enough, he will go back to his estate and remain there until at least next season.”
Lady Brigham gasped. “Is that all you mean to do?”
“Remember that he has already suffered a bullet through the shoulder, my dear.”
“It will be torture to him,” Lord Cranbourne assured her. “It is in Devon, and he cannot bear to be so far from civilisation. It was Carteret who suggested it.”
“It will have the added benefit of hopefully restoring him to health in body and mind,” Lord Brigham said gently.
“But how do you know he will stay there?” Eleanor asked.
Lord Brigham’s lips curled. Eleanor had never realised that a smile could look quite so menacing and sinister.
“Oh, he will stay there,” he said softly. “When he opened his eyes to discover us all standing around his bed, he understood the danger he was in.”
His smile gentled. “Carteret has ridden back to Town to inform Lord and Lady Haverham that all is well. Now, Miss Edgcott, my son is waiting for you in the parlour across the hall.”
Eleanor flew across the room, surprising Lord Brigham when she suddenly raised herself up on tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “Thank you, sir.”
“For what it is worth, you have my blessing on both your marriage and your business venture. And when you are ready, there should be no difficulty in arranging for a girl from the Foundling Hospital to be apprenticed to Rebecca Willis.” He took her hand. “Do not judge yourself too harshly, child. Your actions have not all been wise, but you meant well.”
Eleanor felt her heart lighten. She was, she realised, very fortunate to have found a family who were prepared to love her despite her faults.
“Thank you, Lord Brigham.”
She entered the much smaller parlour opposite and closed the door firmly behind her, leaning back against it for a moment. Miles stood, legs astride, in front of the fireplace. She felt his eyes roam over her for a moment and then a wicked smile curved his lips. He crooked his finger.
“Come here, Eleanor.”
The words sounded like a caress, and Eleanor shivered in anticipation. She was no longer in the state of high anxiety she had been earlier, however, and did not fling herself in his arms, but walked slowly towards him, a shy smile on her lips.
He watched her appreciatively for a moment before reaching out one long arm and pulling her hard against him. She wound her arms around his waist, looked into his glittering eyes, and sighed as he cupped her face between his hands. They stood like that for some moments, speaking without words, apologies were offered and accepted and declarations of love made. Then he lowered his head until his lips whispered gently against hers.
“If you ever,” he murmured, “scare me like that again, I shall lock you in a tower and throw away the key.”
She smiled and nuzzled her lips against his neck. “But that would be against the terms of our agreement,” she whispered. “Perhaps I should reconsider.”
He growled and kissed her deeply. She felt heat rise both within herself and all around her, as if the very air shimmered, and when he finally pulled his head away, she sighed, pressing herself closer. He laughed, picked her up, and sat in the armchair set beside the fire. She curled up on his lap, her head resting against his chest, listening to the rhythmic beat of his heart.
“Eleanor,” he said softly, “will you marry me?”
She tipped back her head and smiled up at him. “Yes, my love, but I have thought of a few amendments I would like to make to our agreement.”
He raised a brow.
“Will you bring me breakfast in bed?”
“It will be my pleasure,” he grinned.
“And will you promise never to go on a drinking spree before a long journey?”
“Yes, my darling.”
He looked wary as mischief suddenly danced in her eyes.
“And will you teach me to fence?”
“Never!” he said, stopping her words with another kiss.
Also by Jenny Hambly
Thank you for reading Allerdale!
Thank you for your support! I do hope you have enjoyed Miles’ and Eleanor’s story. If you would consider leaving a short review on Amazon, I would be very grateful. It really helps readers know what to expect and helps raise my profile, which as a relatively new author is so very helpful.
I love to hear from my readers and can be contacted at: [email protected]
Other books by Jenny Hambly
Belle – Bachelor Brides 0
Rosalind – Bachelor Brides 1
Sophie – Bachelor Brides 2
Katherine – Bachelor Brides 3
Bachelor Brides Collection
Marianne - Miss Wolfraston’s Ladies Book 1
Miss Hayes - Miss Wolfraston’s Ladies Book2
Georgianna - Miss Wolfraston’s Ladies Book 3
About the Author
I love history and the Regency period in particular. I grew up on a diet of Jane Austen, Charlotte and Emily Bronte, and Georgette Heyer. Later, I put my love of reading to good use and gained a 1st class honours degree in literature.
I have been a teacher and tennis coach. I now write traditional Regency romance novels. I like to think my characters, though flawed, are likeable, strong, and true to the period. Writing has always been my dream and I am fortunate enough to have been able to realise that dream.
I live by the sea in Plymouth, England, with my partner, Dave. I like reading, sailing, wine, getting up early to watch the sunrise in summer, and long quiet eveni
ngs by the wood burner in our cabin on the cliffs in Cornwall in winter.
Acknowledgments
Thank you Melanie Underwood for catching so many things that I missed!
Thank you Dave for patiently waiting for me to return from Regency England!
