‘I do not know. Northaven said that Gordon hates me and I can only think he must be bitter because Lisette died. I told you that she took her own life some months after the birth of her child. If he went looking for her in the Spanish village where we lived and was told that she slashed her wrists, he would be horrified, angry. In his shoes I might want revenge.’
‘Why did she marry you if she had a lover?’
‘She believed he was dead. She was alone and in desperate need.’
‘Lisette died four years ago, Gerard. Why has this man never tried to kill you in all those years? Why now?’
‘I have no idea. I cannot even be sure that Northaven is telling me the truth. He could have planned the whole thing to gain some advantage for himself.’
‘Surely he would not?’ Amelia looked thoughtful. ‘There must be some other reason that has kept this man from moving against you, Gerard. Something must have changed. Perhaps he did not know how Lisette died and then discovered it.’
‘I wish I knew…’Gerard hesitated. ‘You know in what danger you stand. Would you prefer it if I went away? I should still try to discover my enemy, but you would be safer. And in time I could return. It would be merely a postponement.’
‘You know my answer. I refuse to hide in the shadows. Besides, he would not be fooled. If this man knows so much about us, he would soon learn the truth. If we let him part us, it would be for ever. Do you want that?’
‘No! Damn it, no.’
‘Then we have no alternative but to go ahead with our plans.’
‘It is odd that he knows where we are. I told only a few people I was coming here this Christmas.’
‘Most of my acquaintances knew I would be here,’ Amelia said. ‘However, I told no one that I expected to see you for I did not know if I should.’
‘It is a mystery,’ Gerard said. ‘I may have been followed, of course. I feel like a blind man stumbling about in the dark.As Harry says,we cannot be certain even now for it is all merely theory.’
‘I believe the only way is to carry on as normal and hope that he will make a mistake.’
‘You are very brave.’Gerard looked at her gravely. ‘I would rather give you up than have your death on my conscience, Amelia—but, as you say, if we give way now it does not follow that you will be safe. I think it is better than we go ahead with the wedding as soon as possible so that I am in a position to take care of you.’
Amelia felt as if her heart had been squeezed. Gerard would rather give her up than have her death on his conscience. How could he say such a thing to her? She would rather die than give him up, but it seemed he did not feel the same way.
Lisette had been desperately unhappy because he did not love her. Amelia could not help but wonder if she were laying up pain for herself in the future. She loved him so very much. Would she one day feel desperate because Gerard was unable to love her? Would she ever feel so alone that she would be driven to take her own life?
No, she had known heartbreak and lived through it. She was stronger than Lisette.
‘I am certain there is more to this mystery than you yet realise,’ she told him. ‘Your enemy knows where we are and what we are doing. He knows all about me. How can that be? We must have a mutual acquaintance. Someone close to us who knows where we intend to be.’
‘Yes, that would seem to be the case. I am damned if I know who it is, though!’
‘We must both think hard. Since I was the target, you cannot be certain that he is your enemy, Gerard. He might very well be mine.’
‘You are sure she means to go to Coleridge?’Lieutenant Gordon asked of the woman he had met late at night in the shadows of a summerhouse. ‘If I have men waiting on the road and she goes to another location, I may miss my last chance of surprising them.’
The woman’s mouth curled in a sneer. ‘Your fools bungled it once. Do you imagine that you still have the element of surprise? No, you lost that when you involved Northaven in your plans. Why did you not ask me? I should have told you that he would not do it. I know he spoke of hating them, but he hated only that they distrusted him—thought him a traitor. He is no angel, but neither is he a murderer. I could have told you had you asked my advice.’
‘How do you know so much about him?’ Gordon asked, looking at her jealously. She was his second cousin. When they were children they had played together in the meadows. She had given herself to him when she was thirteen. Wild and enchanting, she had had the power to command him, making him her slave, but when he joined the army as a young man he had broken free of her. He had fallen in love, but Lisette had betrayed him. He had searched for her when his wounds healed, and when he discovered the truth of her death he had been devastated. On his return to England some months ago, he had sought his childhood
love out, discovering that her power to enslave him had become stronger. ‘Is Northaven your lover?’
She laughed mockingly. ‘I may once have indulged myself with the gentleman for an hour or so one summer, but I never loved him. You have no need to be jealous.’ She laid her hand on his arm, giving him a seductive smile. ‘Have I not helped you by telling you where you could find Miss Royston? Have I not helped you to plan your revenge on the man who stole your lover?’
‘Lisette was a silly little fool. I was angry when I discovered that he had married her and made her unhappy—but I never loved her in the way I love you. I have always adored you. You are the one who hates him. Or is it Miss Royston you hate?’
‘She is nothing to me. I care not whether she lives or dies, but he loves her and so her fate is sealed. You want Gerard Ravenshead dead and so do I—we are agreed on this, are we not?’ He nodded, though it was she who had demanded Ravenshead’s death as her price—the price he must pay to have her. ‘Then there is nothing else you need to know.’
He moved towards her, reaching out to pull her hard against him. His mouth was demanding on hers, bruising and possessive. ‘You know I love you. I have hated him for what he did to Lisette, but—’
‘You would have let him live?’ Her eyes snapped with scorn. ‘She cut her wrists…bled to death…and you would let him live? You snivelling coward! I thought you had more courage. Perhaps I should find another to help me.’
‘No!’ Gordon caught her wrist as she would have turned away from him. ‘I will see her dead and he shall witness her death, as I promised you.’
‘She must be ravished and he must see it! I want him to suffer. His death is not punishment enough.’
‘Why do you hate him so much? What did he do to you?’
‘That is my affair,’
she
told him and her eyes blazed with bitter anger. ‘I want revenge and I know how to get it. Forget your ideas of ambushing them on the road. They will have outriders and grooms and all will be armed. The rogues you employ will turn tail and flee at the first shot fired at them. No, I have a much better idea. Listen well, because this is what we shall do…’
‘I wish that we were coming with you.’ Susannah hugged Amelia as they parted. Christmas was over and the snow had cleared, but the overnight frost had turned the ground hard. ‘I know that we shall see you at Coleridge, but I am concerned for you on the journey.’
‘You must not be, dearest.’ Amelia kissed her cheek. ‘Thank you for giving us such a wonderful Christmas. Perhaps another year you may come to us.’
‘I doubt if the relatives would give up the Christmas visit. It is tradition, you know—but I shall be very glad to stay with you at other times. The
Old Crusties
, as Toby Sinclair calls them, enjoy their stay. I shall be fortunate to get to Coleridge before the day of the ball.’
‘You make them too comfortable.’ Amelia laughed.
‘Well, I must not keep Gerard waiting; I know he is anxious that we should make good time.’
‘I shall see you soon. You must write to me as soon as you arrive.’
Amelia laughed. ‘You sound like Marguerite. She is always anxious to hear my news. I must write to her again soon.’
Susannah frowned. ‘Marguerite? I do not think I know her.’
‘No, perhaps I did not mention her to you. We did not communicate for some years following a family tragedy, but then she wrote to me and I learned how miserable her life has become. Since then I have written to her at least twice a month and sometimes more.’
‘Is she another of your lame ducks, Amelia?’ Susannah laughed teasingly.
‘Marguerite’s situation is more difficult. Her parents are not poor. Indeed, they have money enough to give her a Season in town if they wish—but they refuse to allow it. Marguerite never goes into company without her mama. She is kept very strictly at home.’
‘That is such a shame. Poor girl! What has she done to deserve such a fate?’
‘She is hardly a girl. I believe we are of a similar age. She may be a year or so older. Marguerite has done nothing to merit her fate, which is why I feel for her so strongly. Her parents blame her for something that happened to her sister and that is unfair.’
‘You must ask her to stay with you,’ Susannah said. ‘Perhaps you could find her a husband. After all, she is old enough to marry without permission, is she not?’
‘Yes, but her father is a bully. I think she is afraid of him. However, I do have something in mind, though I am not sure she would wish to accept. I did invite her to stay with me in Bath, but her father would not allow it at that time.’
‘That is so unfair, especially if she has done nothing wrong,’ Susannah said and hugged her again. ‘She is lucky to have you as a friend, Amelia. I am sure you will do something to help her if you can.’
‘I have written to Marguerite with my suggestion. I wrote as soon as I knew Lisa would need a new nanny. Marguerite’s parents will not allow her to have a Season in London or Bath, but they may allow her to stay with me in the country to help to care for a motherless child. If Lisa were in her care, I should feel that we could safely leave her sometimes.’
‘And you entertain a great deal so she would have company and make friends.’ Susannah clapped her hands. ‘How clever you are, Amelia! It is exactly the thing. I do not see how her parents could object to such a suggestion for their daughter.’
‘Well, we shall see. Marguerite may not like the idea of becoming a child’s nanny—but she will live as one of the family and have the opportunity to meet all my friends. In time she might meet someone suitable that she might marry.’
‘I do hope it all works out for her,’ Susannah said. ‘And now you really must go, because I can see Gerard in the hall and he looks impatient.’
‘Farewell for now, dearest Susannah. I shall write
to you and you will join us at Coleridge within the week.’
Amelia parted from her friend and went into the hall where Gerard was in close conversation with Harry. He turned as soon as she came up to him, looking relieved.
‘We must go, Amelia. I am sorry to hurry you, but I wish to reach Coleridge before dark. We shall change the horses, but we shall not stop for refreshments. Harry’s chef has put up a picnic for us and we may eat on the road.’
‘Yes, of course. I understand perfectly.’ Amelia glanced at Harry. ‘You will not forget what I asked of you, sir?’
‘The matter is already in hand. I have the details and my agent will deal with it as a matter of urgency.’
‘Thank you. I am in your debt.’
Harry bowed over her hand. ‘No, no, Amelia. You brought Susannah to me. I shall forever be in your debt.’
Amelia shook her head and smiled as she followed Gerard outside. He looked at her oddly.
‘What was that about, Amelia? If you need the services of an agent, I could have arranged it for you.’
‘I know and I would have asked, but you have enough worries as it is—and it is a matter for someone else, Gerard. It is not personal and need not concern you.’
‘Very well,’ he said but there was a jut to his chin, as if it had not pleased him that she had asked Harry to execute her commission.
Amelia was prevented from saying more because Emily was standing by the carriage. She could not tell Gerard that she had asked Harry to see if he could find Emily’s daughter at that moment. Besides, though she had been forced to confide the details to Harry, she had done so in confidence and would not speak of it more than she need, even to Gerard.
He looked a little serious as he handed both ladies into the carriage. Amelia wondered if she had offended him and regretted it. She did not wish anything to overshadow their wedding. Gerard’s careless words had given her a restless night, but eventually she had told herself that she was being foolish. Gerard cared for her safety, which meant she was important to him. It was foolish to wish for the romantic love of their youth. Had she not already decided that a marriage of convenience would do very well?
She was impatient for their wedding so that they could begin their new life together. This threat hanging over them was unpleasant, but she had perfect faith in Gerard and his ability to protect her. She could not help feeling relieved that he no longer believed her brother had been trying to murder her. Michael would not be pleased when she wrote to him to tell him that she intended to marry the man he had expressly forbidden her to wed. She frowned as she wondered just why her brother was so much against the marriage. He had gone to great lengths to prevent it when she was younger, but Gerard had inherited an estate he had not expected to inherit. He was not as wealthy as Harry Pendleton or Max Coleridge, but
he was certainly not a pauper and his estate was free of encumbrances. It was unreasonable for Michael to be so against the marriage now.
Amelia turned to her companion as they settled in their seats. Gerard had chosen to ride behind the carriage for the first part of the journey and the ladies were alone, Amelia’s maids following in the second coach with Lisa’s nurse and the child.
‘Nurse insisted that Lisa ride with them for a while, but I think when we stop I shall tell her to come in with us—you will not mind that, Emily?’
‘Of course not. She is a delightful child, intelligent, and seems older than her years, though she is almost five now…’ The shadows were in Emily’s eyes, though she was no longer weepy and was clearly making an effort to be cheerful.