Authors: Elizabeth Hanbury
Tags: #Fiction, #Romance, #Historical, #General, #Regency
He grinned. ‘No, my head ached like the devil, although I should not complain when my discomfort was self-inflicted.’
‘I expect you will travel back tomorrow?’
‘Yes, I am sorry that I cannot be of more use, but I wish to return immediately,’ said Freddy.
‘To see Lady Julia?’ she ventured.
‘Yes.’
Blushing, Isabella admitted, ‘There are … difficulties between myself and Lord Bramwell and that is why I left London suddenly.’
‘When my head had cleared, I knew that something must have happened; I saw how upset you were last night.’
‘I’m sorry, but I can’t discuss it at the moment,’ she said, biting her lip. ‘I hardly know what to think anymore and I need to reflect.’
‘Of course, Lady Vane,’ replied Freddy, ‘I don’t wish to pry. I would advise you, however, to beware of Lady Portland. She is a spiteful, heartless creature.’
‘Those are almost the same words that Harriet used to describe her.’
‘Lies fall from Lady Portland’s tongue as easily as the truth,’ he said.
Isabella stared back at him for a long moment. ‘Thank you for the advice.’
After a pause, Freddy remarked quietly, ‘You realize that it is only a matter of time before Hal finds you – I cannot lie to him about your whereabouts.’
‘I would not ask you to, but he may never wish to see me again.’
Freddy shook his head. ‘No, he will still search you out – Hal is not a man who gives up. I hope matters between you can be resolved.’ She made no reply, so he said, ‘I’ll be off to the stables. Shall I take Dominic and keep him amused for an hour or two?’
‘That would be helpful,’ said Isabella, with a grateful smile. ‘It will cheer him up to be in your company – you are one of his new heroes, you know.’
He laughed at this and went out to find Dominic. An hour and a half later, the house looked more welcoming. Fires had been lit in most of the rooms and, although the house still felt cold despite the warm late spring weather outside, there was enough cheer in her surroundings to make Isabella feel,
physically
at least, more comfortable. Mrs Johnson had produced tea and cake and, after Freddy had ensured that the horses had been attended to, he had busied himself chopping
firewood
. Stripped to the waist, he wielded the axe so effectively the pile of firewood at the side of the barn soon doubled in size. After returning to the house to wash and replace his shirt and coat, he was now taking Dominic on a tour of the house. Shrieks of laughter could be heard from upstairs as they played hide and seek, while Harriet and Isabella sat in the drawing-room.
Isabella considered that the drawing-room could be very pleasant when the decorations had been replaced; it was not large, but it faced south and looked out on to the lawns. Two large windows let in the afternoon sun and threw a more cheerful hue on the dilapidated furniture and wall coverings. There were a few chairs, some worn rugs and two sofas arranged around the fireplace. A bookcase full of mildewed volumes ran along one wall, and card tables sat against the walls either side of the fireplace. The air of disuse and damp that permeated the room had not dissipated, but at least the fire created an
impression
of warmth.
Now the initial bustle of their arrival was over, recent events were once again occupying Isabella’s thoughts. She relived continually what Lady Portland had said last night, as well as the image of her kissing Hal, but then she would recall Harriet and Freddy’s advice and her resolution wavered. Harriet was convinced of Hal’s innocence and Freddy, notwithstanding his natural allegiance to his friend, had warned her about Lady Portland. She could not banish Hal from her mind and could not escape the ever-growing conviction that she had made a terrible mistake.
Harriet, who had been observing her niece’s troubled
expression
, said, ‘The repairs are progressing well, but it will be uncomfortable here for some time yet. The chimney in the hall is smoking badly.’ Harriet looked under her lashes at Isabella. ‘Have you considered what I said to you this morning?’
‘Yes,’ murmured Isabella.
‘And what are your conclusions?’
‘I am beginning to doubt Lady Portland’s words – even Freddy said she is an inveterate liar – but, if I was wrong to listen to her, it makes no difference now because the damage is done,’ said Isabella. ‘Hal must hate me for not giving him a chance to defend himself.’
‘You could return to London and ask Lord Bramwell yourself if you want to get to the truth.’
Isabella looked at her aunt, a glimmer of hope in her eyes. ‘Do you think he would see me?’
‘I’m certain of it,’ replied Harriet. ‘He must be very worried about you, Isabella. Last night, you made no allowance for the constancy you have seen in Lord Bramwell. His love for you was no act, but if you still have doubts, consider how he rescued Dominic. If Lord Bramwell wanted to win a wager regarding you, he did not need to search for your son in those dreadful places. Hal did it because he loves you and Dominic, and for no other reason. He had nothing to gain by it.’
The doorbell sounded in the distance and Harriet rose to her feet. ‘That must be Mrs Johnson’s niece. I’ll go and answer the door – it will take Johnson ten minutes to get there and he’s already struggling to prepare dinner.’
Leaving Isabella in the drawing-room, she went into the hall and opened the door, but to her amazement, instead of Mrs Johnson’s niece, Sir Seymour stood before her.
‘Dinny!’ she exclaimed.
‘I had to come and find you, Harriet,’ he said with a smile, before stepping over the threshold to enfold her in a tenacious embrace.
When she emerged, blushing and breathless, Harriet said, ‘Oh, this is a delightful surprise! How good you are to have travelled all this way, but there was no need – I would have returned soon.’
Dinny, continuing to hold her in his arms, said, ‘I know, but I intend to have your answer today.’
‘You are most persistent, sir,’ she replied, her eyes twinkling. ‘Very well, having travelled nearly sixty miles, you shall hear it at once: I accept your proposal of marriage – that is, if you still want me.’
‘If I still want you?’ echoed Sir Seymour, indignant. He said no more, but he placed one finger under Harriet’s chin and kissed her again, this time more slowly while she remained within the circle of his arm.
They stayed so for a time, until Harriet gave a contented sigh. ‘We should move out of the hallway, Dinny. The servants may come in, or even Isabella. She is upset and confused, but I think I am making progress.’
Sir Seymour laughed indulgently, ‘Now, my love, what mischief are you up to? Your note was very brief.’
Harriet told him about the events that had led up to their departure and that Freddy had accompanied them. Eventually, Sir Seymour said, ‘Bramwell is an honourable man. I’d stake my life that he is not involved, more likely that Lady Portland’s story was apocryphal.’
‘I have spent the day telling Isabella just that, and she is gradually coming to see it herself.’ Suddenly, Harriet noticed Sir Seymour’s bedraggled, mud-splattered state. ‘My dear, your boots … your clothes … everything – including your new
waistcoat
– is ruined.’
‘Oh, that,’ he remarked insouciantly, ‘my chaise became stuck so I helped the postillions to lift the axle. However, I am not concerned – the loss of a waistcoat cannot be measured against the pleasure of becoming engaged.’
Sir Seymour’s reward from Harriet for this remark was most gratifying: it led to further moments of exquisite silence.
When they were all gathered in the drawing-room and Isabella had heard the news, she said, ‘Harriet, you deserve all the happiness in the world and let me be the first to congratulate you.’ Isabella kissed her aunt’s cheek before turning to Sir Seymour. ‘You must know already how fortunate you are to have won Harriet’s heart, Sir Seymour. I wish you joy.’ She then bestowed an affectionate embrace on him.
‘Thank you, Lady Vane,’ he said, flushing darkly, ‘you have been most understanding, both in relation to me and with my desire to take your aunt away.’
Isabella smiled. ‘I won’t listen to such nonsense. Promise me that you will indulge and cosset Harriet shamefully, and allow her to visit us often.’
‘I could not have induced Harriet to accept my offer
otherwise
,’ he replied.
‘Can I offer my congratulations too?’ asked Freddy, offering his hand to Sir Seymour. ‘I’m delighted to hear that you are engaged.’
Dominic, who had been listening to this conversation, asked suspiciously, ‘What does engaged mean?’
‘It means that you have promised to marry someone,’ said Harriet. ‘You see, today I have promised to marry Sir Seymour.’
‘Oh,’ he murmured. ‘Will that happen soon?’
‘Quite soon, I expect,’ she replied.
‘And Aunt Harriet will not live with us anymore afterwards, Mama?’
Isabella knelt down beside her son. ‘Well, no – but Harriet and Sir Seymour will visit us often, so you will hardly notice.’
Gloomily, Dominic disagreed. ‘Yes I will.’
‘Now, Dominic,’ said Sir Seymour in an encouraging tone, ‘I give you my word that we will visit often, and you can stay with us on my estate in Gloucestershire whenever you like. There are enough sheep, cattle, horses and ponies there even for your tastes.’
‘Thank you, sir. I will enjoy that very much,’ replied Dominic politely, before muttering, ‘I wish that Hal was here.’
No one seemed to know what to say to this until Freddy suggested, ‘Shall we go and play hide and seek again, Dominic? There are more hiding places here than in any other house I have been to.’
Dominic’s expression brightened. ‘Yes, please! It’s your turn to find me this time.’ He ran to the door and disappeared into the hall; Freddy, giving a rueful grin, followed him.
‘Dinner will be in one hour,’ cried Harriet. When a muffled affirmation that Freddy had heard floated back down the stairs, she added, ‘Dinny and I are going to the kitchen, Isabella – the Johnsons are struggling to cope, so we have offered our
assistance
. Would you like to help too, or stay here until dinner is ready?’
‘If you don’t mind, I would like to be alone for a while,’ she replied.
Harriet nodded and went out with Sir Seymour, and Isabella sat down on one of the threadbare sofas, glad of the silence and an opportunity to think. She decided she had much to be thankful for. There was her property, such as it was; she had a comfortable income and could provide for her son; Harriet was happy and settled; and she had the emotional and financial independence she had craved for during her marriage. Why, then, did she feel so empty? Her heart told her why – she missed Hal. Isabella found she wanted to believe in him, to give him the chance to defend his honour and prove his love. As a handsome and wealthy
nonpareil
, he would always be admired and coveted by other women, but it was wrong to assume that he would succumb to that temptation. Not all men were like Edward and if she did not go to Hal and ask him for the truth, she could be allowing her past to ruin her future.
Grappling with this and a hundred similar thoughts, Isabella was unaware of the bell being rung for the second time that afternoon and, when the door of the drawing-room opened a short while afterwards, she assumed it was Harriet and did not look around. ‘Having thought about everything a great deal, Harriet, I have decided I must speak to Hal.’
There was no immediate reply, until a deep and familiar voice said softly, ‘I’m very glad to hear it.’
I
SABELLA
thought that she had made Hal’s voice materialize by the intensity of her yearning for him. She was afraid to look, knowing he could not be there and yet she had heard him so clearly. Slowly, she rose to her feet and turned; Hal stood in front of the closed door, watching her and waiting.
When she realized that he was not an apparition conjured from her subconscious, all other considerations were set aside and she rushed towards him instinctively. ‘Hal! It
is
you.’
He folded her in a crushing embrace, planting frantic kisses on her mouth, her hair, her cheeks, her eyelids, her ears, and her neck before returning to her lips; no part of her that he could reach escaped his caresses. ‘Oh, my darling,’ he murmured, ‘you will never leave me again – I won’t allow it.’
She returned his kisses until suddenly she regained a little of her senses. ‘No, wait! I cannot – that is, we must talk,’ she
whispered
, placing her hands against his chest and trying to put some distance between them.
Hal groaned, but he let her go. ‘I agree that we must talk, but I would prefer to kiss you senseless first.’
She gave a tremulous smile at this. ‘But I cannot concentrate if you do.’
‘Then I promise I will not touch you while we discuss what has happened. However, I warn you that afterwards, you will not concentrate on anything but me for some time,’ said Hal in a low, ardent voice. After removing his coat and cravat, he went to sit on the sofa on the far side of the fireplace and leaned forward, forearms resting on his knees, as he waited for her to speak.
Sitting opposite, Isabella could still scarcely believe he was here and her gaze absorbed every detail: the dark hair that fell over his forehead, the grey eyes now regarding her with fierce intensity, and the familiar tall, loose-limbed, muscular frame. Lack of sleep and concern was etched into his features, but his presence felt as vital and reassuring as ever and Isabella had to stop herself from reaching out to him.
She began hurriedly in an unoriginal fashion. ‘How did you find me?’
Hal proceeded to explain, adding, ‘The coincidences were such it seemed the best chance to locate you quickly, and yet still I have cursed my lack of speed with every expletive I know.’
‘D-Did you wait long in the garden?’
‘Twenty minutes perhaps. I thought at first you must be delayed, but I soon recognized that something must be wrong or you would not have stayed away.’ He studied her intently. ‘You must have known what I was going to ask you then, Isabella.’
‘Yes,’ she whispered.
‘Then you can appreciate my torment. Mrs Forster said that you were ill, but I thought you might have left for another reason. It was too late to talk to you then so I had to wait until morning.’ Hal pushed his fingers through his hair. ‘My torment turned to desperation when I arrived in Curzon Street the following day to find you had left hours earlier. I went straight to Half Moon Street to see Felicity Portland—’
Isabella started in surprise and intervened, ‘You already knew she was involved?’
‘I suspected something. You see, my darling, I know her devious ways so it was logical to assume she had said or done something to upset you. Lady Portland wanted to ruin our relationship.’
‘But why?’ asked Isabella in confusion. ‘I had never spoken to her before last night.’
‘Because she was jealous and I refused to be the partner in her next affair.’ Hal, aware of her gasp, continued, ‘Lady Portland is a woman with no propriety, no morals and no heart, Isabella. She is bored with her marriage and offered herself to me without embarrassment. She asked me first at the theatre when I was leaving your box after the interval. She assumed she only had to lift a finger and I would be as infatuated as I was eight years ago. Even though my refusal was unequivocal, she still behaved provocatively, trying to convince me with the methods she no doubt employs with other men.’
Isabella made an anguished sound. ‘Oh, if only I had known! I watched you together, Hal – I came out for some air and saw you with her. Her hand was on your cheek … I couldn’t bear to watch any longer. Afterwards, I was bewildered and upset because you had appeared very intimate.’
He stretched out his hand towards her and then, recollecting his promise, withdrew it. ‘My dearest girl, why didn’t you ask me? I would have explained everything; I want no secrets from you.’
‘I wish I had now – what a fool I have been.’ She shook her head, tears welling in her eyes. ‘I did not know who she was then, but I could not put it out of my mind. A doubt remained, and somehow I could never find the right moment to mention it. Then, when I found out you were once engaged, I wondered if you might still care for her.’
‘No,’ he said emphatically. ‘I thought I did once, but, as I told you before, I was very young and blind to her character.’ Hal stopped, watching as a tear trickled down her cheek. He swallowed and said in quite a different voice, ‘I cannot keep my word if you cry. God, it is purgatory to sit so near and not touch you! You will be sorry you asked me make that promise, Isabella. In fact,’ he concluded, a wicked half-grin spreading across his face, ‘I will spend the next thirty years making you sorry.’
Isabella gave a weak smile at this. ‘I’m sorry, Hal. My only excuse is my fear of making another mistake – a sad legacy of my marriage. Did Lady Portland tell you what she had said to me?’
‘After a little … er … persuasion,’ he admitted, ‘I threatened to choke it out of her.’
Isabella raised her brows, but amusement shimmered through her tears. ‘You callous creature.’
‘She deserved it.’
‘I believed her spiteful lies,’ acknowledged Isabella. ‘She must have sensed my vulnerability, and she knew I had just seen her with you in the garden.’
‘But I threw her away from me afterwards,’ said Hal urgently. ‘Isabella, I cannot lie to you – you are referred to as the Ice Angel in the clubs because of your beauty and your reserve, and no doubt there are wagers surrounding you because that is the way of things in London. However, you must believe me when I say that I am not involved.’ He ended on a desperate note, his eyes searching her face and seeking reassurance.
‘I do, Hal,’ she replied. ‘I should never have listened to Lady Portland and I was wrong to run away. I thought you’d hate me for doubting you.’
‘Hate you?’ He gave a wry laugh. ‘I can dissemble no longer; I fear my actions when I arrived have exposed the truth – I love you to distraction. I can’t think clearly; I’m eaten up with
jealously
if I see you talking with, or smiling at, another man, and I feel that time not spent with you is wasted. I admit that I was briefly annoyed you thought me capable of being involved, but I hardly knew what I was saying at the time. It was my mother who pointed out that there were probably reasons why you believed Felicity Portland’s lies.’
‘There are reasons … painful memories which have influenced my behaviour and clouded my judgement. I want you to know what happened to leave me so lacking in trust.’
‘And I want to hear everything when you are ready to tell me, sweetheart,’ he said. ‘By the way, I have ensured that Lady Portland will not interfere again; I felt it was justified after what she had done.’ Smiling, Hal then murmured, ‘I think the time for discussion is over now, my darling.’
In reply, she reached out to place her hand in his. ‘I love you, Hal. My doubts have caused you pain, but I can only say that whatever anguish you felt, mine was in equal measure.’
He stood up, pulling her gently to her feet and towards him.
‘“Hear my soul speak: the very instant that I saw you, did my heart fly to your service”,’
he said, his tender gaze skimming her features. ‘Will you be my wife, Isabella?’
‘Yes,’ she said, smiling up at him. ‘I cannot live without you.’
‘Let me begin to show how much I love you,’ he said huskily. He lowered his head and, like a man starved of his vital life essence for too long, crushed his mouth to hers. With delight and satisfaction, he sensed her physical and spiritual release as her body relaxed completely, her hands moving to encircle his waist before gliding upwards over his back and shoulders. He moved his mouth over hers, savouring her sweetness and the exquisite sensation of having her in his arms. Her untutored, fervent response fuelled his desire and his kiss grew more compelling, more demanding until he ran the tip of his tongue across her lips.
Isabella quivered and moaned softly. Parting her lips, she opened to him, welcoming his taste and his warmth as she drowned in wave after wave of sensation. His fingers slid through her hair to cradle her closer and the rest of the world retreated – there was only Hal and, for the first time in her life, Isabella allowed her sensual instincts to guide her. She felt languid yet alive, content yet wanting more, and for long,
delicious
moments, Hal’s lips and hands continued their odyssey.
Lingering kisses played over her throat, her neck and the delicate whorls of her ear, and Isabella gasped and closed her eyes, revelling in the pleasure. Then, as he traced the outline of her face with his lips, his hands gently stroked her body and coaxed shuddering thrills from her core. She arched towards him, a rush of need sweeping through her. Her fingertips
skittered
over the sculptured muscles of his chest and shoulders and she kissed the pulse at the base of his throat, his skin feeling hot and silken under her touch, before he groaned and claimed her mouth in another searing kiss.
Afterwards, they moved to the sofa, where there was no need for conversation, only whispered endearments and kisses as each welcomed the pleasure of having the other so near.
The knock at the door took some time to register. When there was a second, more insistent tap, Hal murmured reluctantly against her lips, ‘At least Harriet has given us a little time, for which consideration I am very grateful.’
‘I hope it won’t be too long before we can be alone again,’ whispered Isabella, her eyes drowsy with passion, her face tinged with colour.
He smiled and placed another tender kiss on her lips. ‘Later – I promise.’ Taking her hand, Hal led Isabella to the door.
He opened it to reveal Harriet, who began to apologize for interrupting until she glanced from one to the other and cried out, ‘Oh, I was certain you would sort out your differences – you were too much in love for it to be otherwise!’ She hugged Isabella. ‘I wish you happiness, but it is clear that you don’t need good wishes to achieve that.’
‘We don’t, but thank you, Mrs Forster,’ replied Hal. ‘I
understand
that you and Sir Seymour are to be congratulated.’
Harriet blushed faintly and nodded. ‘Today is becoming quite a procession of engagements.’
‘Which reminds me – we must expect Theo and Julia’s arrival at any moment. Julia is very anxious to see Freddy.’
‘Julia and Theo?’ echoed Isabella, in surprise.
‘Theo happened to witness your departure from London, my love,’ said Hal. ‘He did not realize it was you, but he was amazed to see a parrot in a cage strapped to the back of the coach and when he announced that he had seen Freddy accompanying this procession….’ He grinned and added, ‘Well, Julia was ready to murder Theo for suggesting Freddy stay away from her last night. If my brother and sister have had no delays and have not strangled each other
en route
, they should be here any minute.’
Isabella laughed. ‘Freddy will be overjoyed. He has been miserable all day, and not because of his aching head.’
‘Where is he?’ asked Hal.
‘Upstairs, playing hide and seek with Dominic,’ replied Harriet. ‘Dinny and I are trying to prepare dinner and if Julia and Theo are coming, we must set two more places.’
While this discussion was taking place, the bell was rung again violently. Johnson, who was used to a slower place of life and already exhausted by all the unusual activity, trudged to the door once again, opening it to reveal yet more new arrivals in the gathering gloom.
‘Ah-a,’ said Theo, who was standing in front of an impatient Julia. ‘Good evening. Is this Haystacks?’
‘Why, yes, sir,’ replied Johnson.
Julia hissed irritably into Theo’s ear, ‘I told you this was the right place! Had you listened to me, we would have been here earlier instead of going to the other side of the village.’
‘Please come in and wait in the hall.’ Johnson cleared his throat expectantly and when Theo did not respond, asked, ‘Er, who shall I say is calling, sir?’
‘Eh? Oh, I forgot to tell you, didn’t I? Lady Julia Cavanagh and the Honourable Theodore Cavanagh,’ he declared, as he stripped off his driving gloves and looked about the musty hall with interest, coughing at the smoke belching from the
fireplace
.
‘I wonder if Hal is here yet?’ whispered Julia, removing her fetching straw bonnet trimmed with cherries as Johnson went out.
‘He should be, Ju,’ muttered her sibling. ‘The landlord at The Plough must think a pot of gold has been unearthed here, with so many people anxious to reach it today. Lord, what a ramshackle place! There’s only that old servant to be seen – I hope nothing has gone awry.’
‘Nothing has gone awry, Theo,’ said Hal, walking into the hall with Isabella. ‘In fact, everything has been resolved perfectly – Isabella has accepted my hand in marriage.’
Julia, giving a cry of delight, rushed over to embrace them. ‘I knew from the beginning that you were meant for each other. How I shall love having you for a sister, Isabella.’
‘Thank the Lord,’ said Theo, with a grin. ‘I know you will make him extremely happy, Lady Vane.’
‘Thank you, Theo, but please call me Isabella – I am to be your sister too. Sir Seymour and Harriet are also to be married. Sir Seymour is in the kitchen; he travelled down today from London.’
Theo’s mouth fell open. ‘Dinny and Mrs Forster! Well, this is a day for surprises.’ He chuckled as a sudden thought occurred to him. ‘I can’t wait to see the waistcoat he wears at his wedding.’
‘I am pleased for you both,’ declared Julia, ‘and for Sir Seymour and Mrs Forster, but I am desperate to sort out my own affairs.’