Lady Sabrina’s Secret (14 page)

Deborah was a little anxious. ‘Please do not alarm Christabel, Miss Algernon, for her mother is quite well.'

The headmistress nodded at the maid.

‘Madam.' Bowing, she hurried away up the staircase.

Miss Algernon gave Deborah and the duke a rather
self-conscious
smile. ‘Would you, er, care for some refreshment? Some tea, perhaps?'

Before Deborah could reply, the duke accepted the offer. ‘That would be welcome, Miss Algernon.'

‘Please come this way, for there is a fire in my parlor.' The headmistress conducted them across the hallway toward a pedimented door, beyond which lay her own private room. It was very comfortable and warm, and when the curtains were flung back the early morning sunlight streamed in to brighten the gold-and-white furniture and striped gray silk on the walls.

When she had shown them inside, the headmistress evidently decided against risking further faux pas and so left them alone. Deborah went to the window and gazed out toward the grounds and the cedar drive. There were daffodils on the lawns, and just beneath the window the flowerbed was bright with crocuses.

The duke came to stand at her shoulder. ‘I trust you have recovered from your nightmare now, Deborah?'

She turned swiftly toward him, for it was the second time he'd used her first name.

He smiled a little, reading her thoughts. ‘Do you mind if
I call you Deborah?'

‘You may do so if you wish, sir.'

‘I wish, but only provided you pay me a similar
compliment
, and call me Rowan.'

‘I will do that.' Her cheeks felt warm, and her hand moved to touch the locket.

His glance followed the action and he turned away, deliberately changing the subject. ‘I trust Miss Algernon will not be long in bringing Christabel,' he murmured.

They said nothing more, for at that moment the door opened and a maid came in with a tray of tea. It was about half an hour after that that the headmistress returned with Lady Ann's rather bewildered daughter.

Christabel was the image of her portrait and the image, too, of her mother at the same age. She was on the verge of beautiful womanhood, with a flawless olive skin and the largest dark brown eyes imaginable, and she wore a simple white muslin dress with a wide pink velvet sash. Her dark hair was worn in ringlets, and her manner was timid and unsure as she looked at the two strangers into whose custody she was to be given.

Deborah understood her uncertainty and went quickly over to reassure her. Taking the girl's cold hands, she smiled. ‘Please don't be afraid, for we are your mother's friends. She wants to see you for a while, and—'

‘But she is in Bath for the cure at the moment, surely she cannot want me to be there?'

‘She will explain everything to you herself, and awaits you now. You will be with her soon.' Deborah prayed the girl would not press for too detailed an explanation, for it was difficult to know exactly what to say.

To her relief Christabel did not ask any more questions,
and a short while afterward, when the horses were
sufficiently
rested, the carriage departed from the school, soon coming up to a smart pace for the thirteen hilly miles back to Bath.

At one o'clock that same day, Deborah and Lady Ann waited with Rowan in the conservatory at his house, for at any moment Sabrina was expected to return from Claverton Down. She would have to return soon, for she had to keep her two o'clock appointment with Madame Beauclerc, the appointment at which she believed she was to be faced with the reproaches and accusations of Richard Wexford's sister.

They weren't waiting to bring everything to a conclusion now, for although Sir James would bring Sabrina home, he would be permitted to leave again without anything being said to him. It was Sabrina herself they wished to speak to now, so that she could be told the truth and a final plan could be hatched to turn the tables upon the man whose machinations were the cause of so much pain and
unhappiness
.

The sun stood high in the heavens now, and it was such a beautiful spring day that the doors of the conservatory stood open to the garden. Daffodils, jonquils, crocuses, and hyacinths bloomed colorfully beside the brick path, and there was blossom opening on the shrubs and fruit trees
growing against the wall of the mews lane. The two canaries sang in their gilded cage by the open doorway, their exuberance matched by the song of the wild birds outside, and to the earthy scent of the exotic plants in the conservatory was added the aroma of the Turkish coffee in the elegant silver pot on the table where the two women sat waiting.

Deborah wore her pink-and-white dimity gown, and her dark hair was piled on her head. The gown had a scooped neckline filled with frothy lace, and there was more lace at the cuffs. A gray cashmere shawl rested over her arms, and apart from some simple gold ear-rings, her only other jewelry was the locket. She tried to appear relaxed as she sipped the coffee from a dainty gold porcelain cup, but in truth she was filled with nervous anticipation.

In the seat next to her, Lady Ann was far more at ease, as if she had suddenly found a vast new store of courage. Her turquoise fustian gown was very bright in the sunlight streaming through the glass all around, and her dark eyes were alight, for now that Christabel was safe, she was determined to do all she could to see Sir James Uppingham punished. She was a new woman, no longer pale and ill at ease, but buoyant and heartened at the prospect of soon being free of Sir James.

Rowan stood in the doorway of the conservatory, his back toward them both as he gazed at the garden. His hair was almost silver in the sunlight and his full-sleeved shirt very white, for he had left his wine-red coat tossed idly over the back of one of the wrought iron chairs. He had been there for several minutes, and no one had spoken, but then he straightened and turned.

‘I think it best if Uppingham is invited to dine here
tonight,' he said. ‘I fancy he will be surprised at the fellow guests he finds waiting for him.'

Deborah smiled. ‘He can be guaranteed a severe dose of indigestion,' she murmured.

His blue eyes met hers. ‘I sincerely hope so,' he replied.

Just then there was a knock at the front door of the house. They all heard it quite clearly because the door into the entrance hall from the conservatory had not been closed. Without another word Rowan left the two women, who strained to hear if it was Sabrina and Sir James.

They heard the butler speak to Rowan. ‘It is a running footman from North Parade, Your Grace. He has brought a note.'

Deborah sat back, lowering her eyes.

There was a moment's silence in the hall as Rowan read the note, then they heard his reply. ‘Tell her yes, I will come, hopefully within the hour,' he said.

Deborah stared at the coffeepot on the table, for she was sharply reminded that the odds against her were
formidable
. How could any woman hope to compete against a rival like Kate Hatherley? The wisest thing was to stifle the
feelings
that had been so cruelly aroused since arriving here in Bath. But that was far easier said than done.

Kate's footman left again, and the butler began to close the door behind him, but then saw a carriage approaching along the crescent. ‘Your Grace, Lady Sabrina is returning!' he cried.

Deborah and Lady Ann listened as the carriage drew up outside, and Sabrina and Sir James entered the house.

Rowan's voice was all that was calm and natural. ‘I trust you enjoyed the display?'

Sabrina's reply was short. ‘Yes. Thank you.' The only
way in which she could have been more brief was to have merely inclined her head without speaking.

Deborah and Lady Ann exchanged glances. Hadn't the morning gone well?

Sir James cleared his throat. ‘I, er, think the ceremonials went on a little too long,' he explained.

‘I fear that is often the case,' Rowan replied lightly. ‘James, it occurs to me that it might be agreeable if you were to dine with us tonight.'

‘Thank you, Rowan. I will be delighted to join you.'

Sabrina remained silent.

Sir James cleared his throat again, for her
uncommunicative
manner was very marked. ‘I, er, will see you tonight then,' he said to her.

‘Yes.' It was plainly all she could do to be even remotely civil to him, and Deborah reflected that Rowan had been very wise indeed not to say anything to her before she'd set off for Claverton Down, for it was plain she could not have disguised her feelings.

Rowan saw Sir James to the door, and when it had closed he spoke to his sister. ‘I must speak with you, Sabrina.'

‘I … I have no time now, Rowan. I am expected at Madame Beauclerc's at two, and—'

‘And you also expect to meet Mrs Marchant there?' he interrupted.

There was a stunned silence.

He spoke again. ‘Sweeting, your secret is known to me. I am fully aware of your love for Richard Wexford, of your intended elopement with him, and of your hitherto concealed reluctance to proceed with the Uppingham match.'

The two women in the conservatory heard Sabrina's dismayed response.

‘No!'

‘Yes, Sabrina. Don't look so alarmed, for I am not angry with you, disappointed maybe, but not angry. Why didn't you tell me?'

‘I … I don't know what you're talking about,' Sabrina replied, her voice trembling with misgiving.

‘Sabrina, there is no point in denying it, for I have been told all about it. Besides, it may interest you to know that Wexford didn't steal Lady Ann's necklace, nor was he
intimately
involved with her. It was all a plot against him, and the hand behind the plot was Uppingham's.'

Sabrina was so shaken that she couldn't reply.

Rowan spoke again. ‘If you wish to see Richard Wexford's honor restored, I think you should come with me to the conservatory, where there are two ladies to whom you should speak.'

Deborah gazed toward the entrance as footsteps approached, and then at last she saw Sabrina. Her face was very pale, and her lilac eyes wide and nervous as she allowed her brother to usher her into the conservatory. But her steps faltered as she saw Deborah and Lady Ann.

‘Rowan, what is this?'

‘You must hear them out, Sabrina,' he replied.

Lady Ann rose to her feet. ‘Lady Sabrina, I am here because I wish you to know that Mr Wexford did not steal my necklace, nor was he anything more than an
acquaintance
to me. Sir James made me act against my will because I, like you, have a secret to conceal. I have a daughter about whose existence I have been shabbily reticent, and in order to keep the world from knowing about her, I allowed myself to be blackmailed by Sir James. He found out about you and Mr Wexford and was prepared to do whatever he
felt necessary in order to keep you. I am very sorry indeed for what I've done, Lady Sabrina, but now I wish to reverse all the damage if I can. Mr Wexford is innocent, and if we all four unite to prove it, then Sir James cannot win.'

Sabrina stared at her. ‘It … it was all a lie?' she
whispered
.

Lady Ann nodded. ‘I gave Sir James the necklace, and he hid it in Mr Wexford's carriage. The rest you know.'

Sabrina's gaze swung to Deborah. ‘Where is he? I must go to him….'

‘I don't know where he is, Lady Sabrina,' Deborah replied quietly.

There was pain in the other's lovely lilac eyes. ‘But you must know.'

‘I wish I did. He wrote to me and sent me the pocket watch to keep it safe, but he did not tell me where he would go because I don't think he knew himself.'

Tears welled down Sabrina's cheeks, and with a choked sob she hid her face in her white-gloved hands. ‘Oh, Richard, Richard …' she whispered brokenly.

Rowan put his arm around her shoulder and led her gently to one of the chairs, where he made her sit down. ‘If I'd known how you felt, I would never have gone ahead with the Uppingham match. You had only to have shown a little reluctance, and nothing on earth would have
permitted
me to force it upon you. It doesn't matter how much Father wanted the marriage, for your happiness is what counts.'

Trying to overcome her tears, she put a shaking hand over his as it rested on her shoulder. ‘I felt so guilty for having been seeing Richard in secret, and then I believed he had really stolen the necklace, and that he had been
betraying
me with Lady Ann. The thought of being found out and exposed to ridicule and scandal was too much for me, and I thought that there was sufficient affection between Sir James and me for the match to work. But the more I am with him, the more I dislike him, and today I could hardly bear to be in his company. Even if this hadn't happened, I was going to tell you that I wish to be released from the contract.' She drew a long, shaking breath. ‘And now that I know what he has done, I despise him with all my heart. Oh, poor Richard….' Fresh tears filled her eyes, and she was so overcome that she couldn't say anything more.

Rowan bent to draw her little hand to his lips, and then he enclosed it comfortingly in his. ‘As Lady Ann said, if we four unite, then Uppingham can be made to pay the
necessary
price. It is in order to embark upon this that I asked him to dine here tonight. It isn't going to be at all the
agreeable
social occasion he expects, for he is going to discover that the excellent hand he has held until now has been trumped in no uncertain fashion. I believe I know how to not only make Uppingham accept the blame himself for the theft of the necklace, and thus clear Richard Wexford's name, but also how to ensure that no scandal ensues for either you or Lady Ann. Believe me, my first impulse was to call him out for his crimes, but duels never remain secret, and the tale would get out. My second impulse was to see that he answered properly to the law, but too much would be broadcast over the land if he came to court. He would have the opportunity to invent what he pleased about you and Lady Ann. So, having considered all the probabilities, I think it best if Uppingham is, er, obliged to write a
confession
about the necklace, and if he is then allowed time to leave the country.'

Sabrina turned to look quickly up at him. ‘Allow him to escape scot-free?'

‘Hardly scot-free. He will have failed in his ultimate objective, winning you, and he'll be forced to kick his heels in some faraway place. I have Jamaica in mind, for a ship leaves Bristol on the morning tide. And he will know that you are with Richard Wexford.'

‘If only we can find him.' Sabrina got up slowly from her chair and faced Deborah. ‘Is there nowhere you can think of where Richard may have gone?'

‘Nowhere at all. He could have come to me at St Mary Magna, but he didn't, and it's obvious he didn't go home to Wexford Park, for if he had he would have been arrested. He could be anywhere.'

Sabrina bit her lip, trying to blink back the tears that were still so very close to the surface. ‘I feel so guilty. I should have known he wouldn't have done those things, but I was weak and selfish and chose to believe it rather than stand up for him as I should have done. I only hope that he will forgive me.'

Deborah smiled a little. ‘Lady Sabrina, he loves you, so of course he will forgive you.'

‘I will never forgive myself,' Sabrina replied softly.

Rowan took her hand again. ‘You and he will have a happy future together with my blessing, I promise you that, but first we must dispose of Uppingham. I want us all four to be ready for him when he arrives, for it is important that he knows we are unified against him. I know that Lady Ann and Mrs Marchant are strong enough to face him, but are you strong enough, sweeting?'

Sabrina smiled at him. ‘Rowan, now that I know Richard is innocent, I am strong enough for anything. I will do
whatever is required to see that he is exonerated, and after that I will do whatever I can to make up for failing him. I love him, and even if I admit it only belatedly, I mean to be true to him and to myself from now on.'

Lady Ann looked away. ‘You are fortunate indeed to have the chance to put matters right, Lady Sabrina. I now wish with all my heart that I had done the right things all those years ago, but for me it is too late.'

Deborah looked at her. ‘Not entirely, Lady Ann, for you could take Christabel to your father. Maybe he despised your late husband, but how could he possibly despise a girl as lovely and gentle as your daughter? Whatever his
feelings
about the past, Christabel is still his own flesh and blood, his granddaughter, and I cannot believe that he will reject her, or you.'

Rowan nodded. ‘I agree with Mrs Marchant, Lady Ann.'

‘I will think about it,' she replied but in a tone that conveyed grave doubts. ‘I would like to shake off all the secrecy, but I am still afraid of causing my father's health to fail. Such past transgressions on my part will seem very heinous to him and perhaps far too shocking and great for him to accept.'

Deborah got up. ‘I think perhaps you and I should go home, Lady Ann, for you must wish to be with Christabel now that she is here in Bath.'