by Alec, Joyce
He took them from her and then caught her hands in his, his dark eyes filled with an inexplicable emotion.
“Come with me.”
He led her from the room out into the hallway, his arms encircling her waist almost immediately. She leaned into him, breathing him in and drawing his strength into her own, weakened frame.
“I am not angry with you,” he murmured in her ear. “I want you to know that I understand why you were not able to call yourself as you truly are. This is not something that you need to worry over, Lady Emily.”
Emily wanted to say that she was not worrying, that she was able to believe everything he had said without any kind of concern, but one look up into his face and she knew it was not true. Ever since she had walked into her bedchamber, she had been afraid that Lord Pallson would turn away from her, that even if he stayed to defend and protect her, what they had shared would be nothing more than a memory.
“My dear girl,” he murmured, brushing her cheek with the back of his fingers in a tender gesture. “You have courage and strength that I am entirely in awe of. How you have been able to endure this almost alone astonishes me. You are quite wonderful, Lady Emily, truly.”
“Thank you, Lord Pallson,” she whispered, feeling tears prick at her eyes. “You do not know what this means to me.”
His smile was warm. “You do not know what this means to me, either,” he replied with a quiet chuckle. “I will be able to consider my future in a new light, and you will not have to fear about hiding the truth from me any longer. I intend to have you in my life, Lady Emily. The feelings I have for you have not dimmed.”
“But I am not all that Miss Thorpe appears to be,” Emily protested, looking at him with wide eyes. “I am not quiet nor almost silent in conversation. I do not particularly enjoy reading novel after novel, nor do I stay away from dancing and cards, even though I have been forced to do so as Miss Thorpe. Does that not concern you, Lord Pallson? Does that not suggest that you know me very little? How can you feel such affection for me when I am not as I seem?”
His smile did not fade. In fact, it spread across his face as he looked at her with a light burning in his eyes.
“Because, my dear lady, I know that you are sweet and kind, that you are strong and courageous. I know that you consider others with thoughtfulness, that you look at someone like my niece and wish to do all you can to help her. These outward things mean very little. It is your kind heart that has called to me, and whether you be Miss Thorpe or Lady Emily, your sweetness remains the same.”
His lips pressed to hers for only a moment, but it was a kiss of reassurance and of tender affection. Emily sighed into him, as she wrapped her arms about his neck, feeling, for the very first time, that there was some hope for her future. A future where she was safe, where she was secure, and where she was in the arms of Lord Pallson.
8
Over breakfast the next day, Joseph could not help but look about the room at the other guests with a trifle more suspicion in his gaze. He did not know which of them had attempted to steal the diamonds from Miss Thorpe, but he was quite sure that, whoever it was, they were still within the grounds. It could not be a servant working alone, he considered quietly, eating the last of his eggs, but it could be a servant working alongside one of the guests. After all, the only way someone could have entered Miss Thorpe’s room was if they had used a key. He had inspected the lock last evening and discovered that it was quite perfect in every way. There was nothing wrong with it, nothing to suggest that it had been damaged by the person attempting to gain entry. That meant that they had been in possession of the key.
Frowning, he sipped his coffee and let his gaze settle on Lady Millington, who was looking a little pale this morning. She was in conversation with Lord Brighton – whom, Joseph had noticed, appeared to be quite enamored with the lady of late. Joseph considered her for a moment or two but then dismissed the idea altogether. He had seen just how distraught the lady had been and just how determined her expression had been as she had comforted Miss Thorpe. It was evident that she cared for Miss Thorpe very deeply, and Joseph could not find anything in him to believe that the lady would attempt to steal the diamonds from her.
Draining the last of his coffee, Joseph continued to assess the guests but found that he either did not know some of them particularly well or immediately dismissed the idea altogether, especially when it came to considering Lady Alberta. It was equally frustrating and tiring, looking at each of the guests with fresh eyes and realizing that he could not immediately come to any sort of conclusion.
“Is Miss Thorpe not with you today?”
His whole body tensed as he heard Miss Thorpe’s name. Turning his head, he saw Miss Sophia asked Helen about Miss Thorpe, his eyes a little narrowed. Helen, being entirely unaware of what had taken place last evening, answered truthfully. Miss Thorpe was taking a tray in her room, having decided to stay abed this morning. Joseph watched closely to see if any particular expressions would flash across Miss Sophia’s face, but the lady appeared to care very little. In fact, she simply shrugged and continued the conversation, turning it to another matter entirely.
Frustration rained down on him. He wanted so desperately to help the lady, but he was at as much of a loss as he had been last evening. Of course, he often was involved in facts and figures when it came to his estates, but discovering who had broken into a lady’s room and attempted to steal the family diamonds was not something he was used to working through. In fact, he had very little idea of where to begin.
“Did not see you last night, old boy.”
Turning his head, Joseph saw Lord Franks looking back at him, seemingly a little more relaxed than he had been of late. His hair was smoothed back neatly, with barely a single hair out of place, and there was no fear nor frustration haunting his expression.
“Managed to be in touch with your creditors, have you?” Joseph asked, ignoring Lord Franks’ comment. “You seem a good deal more at ease this morning.”
Lord Franks chuckled. “I have been in touch with my man of business, who wrote to assure me that he would assuage the situation as best he could. I feel a good deal of relief in knowing this.”
“But that does not mean you will pay them outright,” Joseph replied with a slight frown. “Surely that is best?”
Lord Franks shrugged. “My funds must earn a little more interest before I can begin to consider paying some of them off. My man of business knows what to do.”
Joseph resisted the urge to roll his eyes. “And you believe now that there will not be any more attempts on your life, is that right?”
“Quite,” Lord Franks replied with a broad smile. “I believe I shall very much enjoy our final few days here. Although, given how you disappeared last evening, I would question whether you are finding enjoyment with all that goes on?”
Shrugging his shoulders, Joseph reached to pour himself some more coffee. “I find things more than adequate,” he replied nonchalantly. “I do, however, enjoy the quiet at times. Sometimes the continuing conversations grow a little too much for me to bear.”
Lord Franks nodded slowly, his eyes glittering. “As do some others of our party, I believe.”
Something hard poked into Joseph’s spine, a hard stab of concern. “Is that so?” he murmured, looking back at Lord Franks with a firm stare. “I confess I have not seen anyone else during my time away from the rest of the crowd.”
Lord Franks looked back at him steadily for a moment or two before lifting one shoulder and turning his attention elsewhere. In fact, he ended his conversation with Joseph rather abruptly, talking with Miss Sophia instead, who was seated just to his left.
Draining the last of his coffee and feeling slightly unsettled by Lord Franks’ rather abrupt change in demeanor, Joseph rose from his chair and excused himself, citing the urge to walk in the gardens for a short time after his rather splendid breakfast. Lady Millington enquired whether she might join him, and with a quick smile, he agre
ed at once.
“Where is Miss Thorpe this morning?” he asked, almost as soon as they had set foot outside. “I do hope she is not unwell.”
Lady Millington shook her head. “After last evening, she is simply resting. She was quite afraid to return to her bed, as I am sure you can imagine, but Sarah did a wonderful job of settling her.”
“Sarah has been with her for a long time?”
Lady Millington nodded. “I believe so. She has been Emily’s maid for a number of years, ever since her mother passed away.”
A little reassured by this, Joseph nodded slowly, his gaze fixed on the path that lay ahead of them. “And are you quite all right, Lady Millington?”
She smiled at him. “You are a very good sort to ask, Lord Pallson. I am quite well, I thank you, although my concern for Emily has grown substantially, I must confess. I do so want to take her from here, but I can well understand your reasons to state that I must not do so.” Shaking her head, she let out a long breath. “Shall we walk towards the lake, Lord Pallson? It is just to the right.”
Not particularly caring where they went, Joseph agreed and began to walk towards the lake, his mind still full of Lady Emily. Lady Millington did not particularly seem keen to talk either, and so they walked in companionable silence.
Only for Joseph to see a figure walking towards them. Her head was bowed low, her bonnet hiding her face, and yet he knew it was Lady Emily. She was walking slowly, meandering alongside the lake without any sense of purpose. His heart clenched for her as warnings began to crash over him all at once.
“Goodness!” Lady Millington exclaimed loudly, seeing her. “Whatever are you doing out here, Emily?”
Her voice was whipped away by the wind, and Lady Emily did not so much as raise her head.
“She often complained about not being able to go out of doors,” Lady Millington murmured, as they began to walk towards her. “I could not let her go anywhere but the walled garden back in London and she missed the freedom dreadfully. After what has happened last evening, I would imagine that she simply wishes to clear her fractious thoughts by taking a walk in the gardens.”
Joseph shook his head. “But still, she ought not to be out here alone.”
“I am sure her maid is here somewhere,” Lady Millington replied, quickening her steps. “But you are quite right to sound anxious, Lord Pallson. Now that I think about it, she ought not to—”
Joseph stopped dead for a moment as a tall, thin figure, wearing nothing but black shot out from behind the copse of trees that lined the lake on one side and rushed towards Lady Emily.
“Emily!”
Lady Millington’s scream did not reach Emily, who was then grabbed by the figure in black and dragged further towards the lake. To Joseph’s horror, the figure then leaned her back toward the water, clearly demanding to know something, and if given the information, she would be let go.
Joseph moved with determination, leaving Lady Millington in his wake as he rushed towards them both. He would grasp the man by the collar and shake him so hard his teeth rattled before planting him a facer that would leave him unable to move. Finally, they would be able to discover who it was that had been frightening Lady Emily so.
“Let her go!”
His voice finally reached the man’s ears, for he turned his face towards him, but Joseph saw nothing but a pair of dark eyes glinting at him. The man wore a cap that was tugged down over his forehead and a thick black scarf was tied around his nose and mouth.
“Lord Pallson!”
Lady Emily’s voice was weak and filled with terror. Her bonnet was dangling from her head, touching the water as she was forced backward, her fingers trying desperately to grasp at the man’s arms as he held her there.
“Where is it?” the man screamed, his voice filled with rage. “Tell me now!”
Lady Emily could not reply, such was the raggedness of her breathing. She tried to speak, but nothing came out.
And then, just as Joseph was about to reach them both, the man let Lady Emily go.
She fell backward, hitting the water with a splash that flung water all over Joseph. The lake was deep, right from the edges, and she immediately began to flounder. The man ran headlong towards the trees from whence he had come, leaving Joseph with a terrible choice. He could either run after the man and capture him, or he could go to Lady Emily’s aid. Lady Millington, encumbered by her skirts, was still struggling to reach them and, having only a second or two to make his decision, Joseph turned his attention to Lady Emily.
Bending down, he reached for her cold, white fingers, seeing her pale face staring back at him as he grasped her hands.
“Oh, Emily!” Lady Millington cried, falling on her knees beside the lake edge. “Oh, my dear!”
“Are you quite all right?” he asked, pulling her from the bank and feeling her shiver violently as she clung to him. “You are not hurt?”
She shook her head, her teeth beginning to chatter as the cold wind caught at her clothes.
“Whatever were you doing out here, Emily?” Lady Millington chided gently, grasping Emily’s hand and chafing it between her own. “You ought not to be out here by yourself, not after last evening.”
“Sarah was with me, and I thought to only be a few minutes,” Emily whispered, as Joseph shrugged out of his jacket and placed it gently over her shoulders. “I wanted to leave my room, but I did not want to see anyone else. I thought they would all be breaking their fast, if they were not still abed.”
Joseph wrapped one arm about her shoulders, aware that they needed to get her inside almost at once. “I cannot see your maid anywhere, Lady Emily. Where has she gone?”
Emily shook her head, her lips a little blue. “I cannot say.”
“And did you know the man who had you?” Joseph asked, persisting with his questions as they began to walk back towards the house. “Did you know him at all?”
Shaking her head, Emily looked up at him tearfully, her eyes spilling with moisture. “No, I did not. I am sorry for coming out here alone, but I did not think that...”
She had been struggling to think clearly, he realized, possibly overwhelmed with everything that had occurred of late. The stepping outside without a chaperone had been foolish, but she had clearly been so distraught over the ransacking of her rooms that she had left the house without thinking. As for that maid, wherever she had gone to, he could not imagine, but he knew full well what sort of talking to she would receive once he found her.
“Take her up to your room, Lady Millington,” he stated calmly, as he snapped his fingers for the footmen to aid Lady Emily. “Her room may bring her too much distress.”
Lady Millington nodded, looking almost as white as Lady Emily.
“Draw a bath for Miss Thorpe,” Joseph said to the footmen as they approached. “She has had a terrible accident and needs to be warmed immediately. Have towels, blankets, and brandy sent to Lady Millington’s rooms for Miss Thorpe will be in her care. And ensure the fire is well lit.”
The footmen nodded, goggling at Lady Emily for a moment before rushing away to do their duties.
“I will go in search of the man who had you, Lady Emily,” Joseph murmured, just as the footmen left. “You need not be afraid. Lady Millington has you, and you will soon be warm and dry. I shall return the moment I have news.” He made to leave, only for Lady Emily to catch his hand.
“Thank you, Lord Pallson, for what you did,” she whispered, barely able to get the words from her lips. “I am sorry for being so foolish.”
He shook his head, giving her a small smile. “You need not apologize, Lady Emily. Now go. Lady Millington will take very good care of you, I am sure.”
Lady Millington nodded, her eyes fixed on his. “An accident, did you say?”
“An accident is what we will call it,” Joseph replied firmly. “There is little point in bringing alarm to the rest of the guests. But have no doubt, I will do all I can to find the culprit.”
Lady
Millington nodded and then drew Lady Emily away, helping her to climb the stairs. Ignoring the fact that he was without a jacket and was, in fact, rather wet from all he had done to help Lady Emily, Joseph hurried back outside and made his way towards the lake.
As he strode towards it, he saw another figure making their way back towards the house and, on seeing it to be Lady Emily’s maid, Sarah, hurried towards her. He was about to rail at her for leaving her mistress alone, for allowing her to step outside, but the blood trickling down the side of her face forced those words away.
“Sarah,” he said firmly. “Whatever has happened?”
“I--I do not know, my lord,” Sarah said, in a quiet voice. “I was walking with Lady Emily and then something struck me, hard.”
Gingerly, she lifted her hand from where she had pressed her handkerchief against her forehead, revealing a small jagged cut, which was still oozing blood.
“That looks nasty,” Joseph muttered, immediately feeling a little guilty that he had been so angry with the girl when it was quite obvious that she had been injured herself so as to get her away from Lady Emily. “Did you not try to stop Lady Emily when she requested to go outside?”
The girl’s eyes flickered. “She would not listen to me, my lord. She wanted to go out, and that was it. I could say nothing to stop her.”
It was just as he had feared. Lady Emily had not been thinking clearly, overcome with shock and perhaps fear. “I understand. Your mistress has fallen into the lake and is with Lady Millington at this present moment. Ensure you have been cleaned up and that the housekeeper takes a look at your head. Rest if you need to. Lady Emily will not require you for some time.”
The maid nodded, although she did not look in the least bit surprised at this news. “At once, my lord,” she whispered, pressing the handkerchief to her head again before stepping by him and making her way into the house.
