‘I’m sorry, my lord, I am not usually so feeble.’
‘I know – my Lady of Stone!’ He smiled. ‘And pray, must you go back to calling me my lord? I prefer you to call me by my name.’
The lady flushed. ‘It was merely the stress of the moment that caused me to do so, sir, I assure you!’
The viscount went to the sideboard and poured two glasses of brandy, giving one to Elinor. ‘Drink all of it, there’s a good girl. It will make you feel better, then you can tell me what happened.’
She eyed him frostily, but did not argue, merely taking the glass and sipping resolutely at its contents. Lord Davenham, she noted, drained his glass in one gulp. Elinor pushed her mind back to the events of the evening.
‘The marquis forced his way in through the terrace door. He had his groom with him, and they overpowered me. I was closing the curtains when they came upon me and I could not call out for assistance.’ She looked up at him anxiously but the viscount’s smile reassured her. ‘What of the ruby, my lord? Shall we see it again?’
‘I doubt it. Thurleigh will not risk it falling into the wrong hands again. By the bye, how did he know where to find it? He could not search the house without the servants hearing him.’
Elinor finished her drink and sat turning the empty glass between her fingers, not daring to look up.
‘I – I told him. I had to do so, for I could not bear – Davenham, I am so sorry!’
‘Well, you must not blame yourself, child.’ He sat down beside her again, removing the empty glass and possessing himself of her hands. ‘I can see from the mark on your face that he did not treat you kindly. God knows what he would have done if you had not told him. It is better that you let him have the brooch than that he should hurt you further.’
‘Oh, but …’She broke off as the sound of voices could be heard outside the door and in another moment Lord and Lady Hartworth came in. My lady’s laughing conversation was cut short as she observed the scene, and she flew across the room to Elinor’s side.
‘My dear child, what has happened here? Get up, Davenham and let me sit beside the poor girl. Good gracious, your face, child!’
‘It is but a scratch, ma’am. I am not hurt.’
‘Perhaps, Davenham, you would be good enough to tell us what has occurred?’ suggested the earl, stripping off his gloves.
‘Unfortunately, sir, I can tell you very little of what happened,’ said the viscount. ‘I arrived here some time before ten, to be informed that Madame de Sange was still in the drawing room. I dismissed the footman and came in here. I remember seeing Elinor slumped in her chair, but then someone hit me over the head and I lost consciousness. When I recovered, Elinor told me Thurleigh had been here and had forced her to tell him where the ruby was hidden.’
‘He has taken the brooch, sir. It is all my fault, I have ruined all your plans.’
‘Nonsense, child.’ The countess patted Elinor’s hands. ‘We shall come about. I am only too thankful that you suffered no greater injury. And you, Jonathan,’ she called across to her son, who was conversing quietly with the earl, ‘have you recovered from the blow to your head? Perhaps I should summon Doctor Grey to attend you…’
‘Nay, Mama, save for a slight headache I am well enough now, and quite happy to set off after Thurleigh immediately, if you wish it, sir!’
The earl shook his head.
‘No, Jonathan. I agree with you that there is little point in chasing around the country at night. I will tell Fletton to check the house is secure, but I think there is little chance Thurleigh will return. He will make it his business to destroy the brooch at the earliest possible moment. I think our best course would be to go to Town tomorrow and try what we can achieve from there.’
‘I too, am of that mind,’ put in the viscount. He turned to Elinor. ‘Madame, there is nothing more to be achieved tonight. Pray allow me to escort you to your room.’
‘Yes, take her upstairs, Jonathan,’ urged the countess. ‘The poor child is looking quite worn down by all this.’ She kissed Elinor lightly upon the cheek. ‘Go along, my dear, and you need not be afraid to lean upon Jonathan, he is as strong as an ox.’
Elinor allowed herself to be guided from the room, and as they crossed the deserted hall she glanced up at her escort. The viscount’s mouth was set in a harsh line, and his countenance so severe that her step faltered. Davenham looked down at her, and his face softened.
‘Nay, Madame,’ he said, misreading her distress. ‘I am anxious only to see you safely to your chamber. It is not my intention to inflict my company upon you longer than is necessary. Nor shall I attempt to press upon you those attentions that you have told me you find so abhorrent.’
‘Did – did I say so?’ she asked in a small voice.
‘You did.’ came the grim reply, ‘and a great deal more.’
‘Oh.’
They ascended the stairs in silence, Elinor grateful for the support of the viscount’s arm, for her own limbs felt treacherously unsteady. When they had gained the landing, Elinor could not resist the temptation to ask: ‘Why did you come back so early from the Goodrows, sir?’
‘I wanted to talk to you before going to Town. It is not important.’
‘Oh.’ She stole another glance, discovered the viscount regarding her with some amusement and could not suppress a smile.
‘Well, my lord,’ she said, ‘can we put our silly quarrels behind us and be friends, do you think?’
‘I would like to try, Elinor.’ They had stopped at her door, and the viscount removed her fingers from his arm. ‘Goodnight, my dear.’ He carried her hand to his lips and would have released it, had not her fingers suddenly clung to his.
‘Jonathan, I have just remembered something Lord Thurleigh said before he left here – he told me it was too late to stop him, that he would soon be more powerful than the King himself!’
‘He’s planning mischief, we can be sure of that,’ the viscount answered grimly. ‘Mayhap we shall discover more in London. Don’t look so anxious, child. We shall stop him, never fear. In the meantime, you should try to rest.’ He squeezed her hand. ‘Goodnight, Elinor. We will talk again in the morning.’
* * * *
The earl’s party arrived in London shortly before midnight two days later and thanks to my lord’s foresight in sending a servant ahead to warn his household, they found rooms prepared and a light supper set out to welcome them. Despite the exhausting journey, it was a long time before Elinor slept. The viscount had promised to go personally to Knight’s Bridge the following day to fetch Hannah to her, it being agreed that Elinor would be safer if she remained under the earl’s protection, and the thought of seeing again one who had been as a mother to her filled Elinor with a mixture of delight and anxiety.
So much had occurred, and she was not sure she could explain everything, even to Hannah. There was also a feeling of guilt for what her servant had suffered during the worrying months of her mistress’s absence. However, when Hannah Grisson arrived at Hartworth House and was shown into the small sitting room where Elinor was awaiting her, all these nagging doubts were dispelled by the joy of the reunion. Lord Davenham, who had ushered Mistress Grisson into the room, observed their rapturous meeting before he quietly withdrew, leaving the ladies to their privacy.
‘Oh Hannah, I can’t find words to tell you how good it is to have you here!’ cried Elinor between tears and laughter. ‘It was wretched of me to leave you alone all this time, but indeed I could not help it!’
‘Nay, Miss Nell,’ Hannah patted her shoulder, her own voice gruff with emotion. ‘I know you would have kept me better informed, had it been possible. It was enough for me to know you were safe.’
‘So much has happened since I last saw you.’ Elinor sank down upon the sofa, drawing Hannah down beside her. ‘I hardly know where to begin.’
‘Lord Davenham has told me much of your story, my dear ma’am.’ The careworn face creased into a smile. ‘Such a considerate gentleman, and when he told me that his father had been such a close friend of your own dear papa, I knew you were in good hands.’
‘Did he also tell you about the brooch? It was vital evidence against Lord Thurleigh and I – I allowed him to regain possession of it!’
‘Well, the viscount is a most resourceful gentleman and I daresay he will think of something,’ replied Hannah complacently, displaying, in Elinor’s opinion, unwonted faith in Lord Davenham’s abilities, considering their short acquaintance.
‘Tell me,’ said Madame, shaking off such ungenerous thoughts. ‘In what order are things at Knight’s Bridge? I understand Lord Thurleigh frightened away my staff.’
Hannah’s eyes snapped angrily.
‘Aye. He came to call, and turned the house out of doors looking for the brooch. When he couldn’t find it he flew into a violent rage.’
‘And the list, the one I obtained from Poyntz?’
‘My Lord Davenham found it inside the family bible, just as you told him it would be, and he has it safe now.’
‘Thank Heaven for that! But – poor Hannah! I am so sorry you had to suffer for my sake. Did the marquis hurt you?’
‘Nothing more painful than such ravings and threats one would expect from a madman. I took little heed of it, but he terrorised the servants and they all ran away, save Cook and myself, and one poor dab of a maid who has nowhere else to go. Lord Davenham sent his own servants to help secure the house, and he has promised that they will continue there for the present.’ She saw her mistress’s frown and added defensively, ‘I thought you would not object, Miss Nell, for I hardly liked to leave the house with only Cook and little Clara in charge.’
‘No, of course not. You did right to accept my lord’s help.’
‘And I have brought with me your clothes,’ added Hannah, anxious to relieve the moment. ‘The trunks have been taken up to your room ready for unpacking.’
‘Then let us go upstairs immediately,’ cried Elinor, jumping up. ‘I have been living in country fashions and cast-offs for so long I am longing to step into one of my own gowns again!’
Later, attired in a gown of russet-coloured silk embroidered with green acanthus leaves, Madame de Sange made her way to the earl’s book-room. There she found the viscount engaged in writing a letter. He rose as she entered and came to meet her.
‘I was told you were still here,’ she said, holding out her hands to him. ‘I wanted to thank you for bringing Hannah to me. You have made a hit there, my lord, she thinks you a most competent gentleman!’
His eyes reflected her smile.
‘If one wishes to win a lady’s favour, it is always wise to be on good terms with her servant. Mistress Grisson has been with you a long time, I think?’
‘Yes, for as long as I can remember. She was Mama’s maid, I think, before she became my nurse. And she is extremely attached to me. That is why it was so good of you to fetch her yourself. A mere note summoning her to join me would have put her in a rare taking, but you were able to allay her worst fears. Thank you.’ Realizing that he was still holding her hands, Elinor blushed and gently drew them away, continuing in a rallying tone, ‘And you must also know, sir, that I am most grateful to have my own clothes again. I have been away so long I had forgotten the half of my wardrobe.’
‘I am pleased to have brought you so much pleasure, ma’am.’
Elinor paused, running her fingers along the edge of the desk as she asked carelessly, ‘Will you be staying to dinner this evening, sir?’
‘Unfortunately not. I must return to my own lodgings in Warwick Street very shortly. Just as soon as I have completed the note I am writing for my father.’ He indicated the letter lying on the desk, the paper half-covered with a neat, dark script.
‘Of course. There must be any amount of business requiring your attention.’ She smiled. ‘I must not delay you any longer from your task.’
She turned to go, but looked back when the viscount called her name.
‘I may be able to call in for a few moments after dinner, ma’am, if you think you would not be too tired to receive me?’
She made him a small curtsy.
‘I shall look forward to it, sir.’
* * * *
‘I pray you, Mistress, keep still or I shall never finish your hair!’
Hannah’s stern voice called Elinor to order and she obediently assumed a posture of statue-like immobility, only her eyes dancing as she watched her old nurse’s reflection in the mirror.
‘Oh do hurry, Hannah! It wants but a few minutes to dinner and I have yet to decide whether the pearls or the emeralds would be best with this gown.’
‘Such a fuss over a quiet dinner with the earl and his lady! Well, the way your eyes are shining, Miss Nell, you have no need of jewels tonight.’
Elinor laughed. ‘Pray you be serious, Hannah! Which is to be?’
Before Mistress Grisson could give her opinion, there came a light scratching at the door, and Lady Hartworth hurried in.
‘Oh Elinor, my dear, such a to-do! My lord has this minute come in and now all our plans must be changed.’
‘What is amiss – the viscount?’ cried Elinor, growing pale.
‘No no, my love, ‘tis nothing to do with Jonathan. Hartworth has learned that there is a reception at St. James’s this very evening in honour of some ambassador or other, and he has decided we should go. You look astonished, my dear, and indeed I cannot blame you. To be obliged to put on court dress at such short notice –’ She broke off, as a sudden horrifying doubt assailed her. ‘Heavens, Elinor, do you
have
a court dress?’
Mistress Grisson drew herself up and answered somewhat indignantly in her mistress’s defence. ‘But of course! Madame, do you not remember, we had the embroidered satin made up shortly before we left Paris. It will take but a minute to fetch it out.’
‘Then do so immediately,’ cried the countess, ‘Oh – and you must powder your hair, Elinor. I have told Cook to put dinner back half an hour, which I hope will be long enough for me to achieve a creditable appearance. I must go now; I will see you at dinner – but hurry!’
Upon these words, my lady bustled out of the room, leaving Elinor staring after her, feeling very much as if she was caught up in a whirlwind. Upon Mistress Grisson, however, the news that Elinor was to attend court acted like a spur, and she alternately coaxed and bullied her mistress into her clothes until, some forty minutes later, she was able to send Madame on her way, safe in the knowledge that no-one would be able to fault her appearance.