‘Are you sure you wish to come to Coleridge? If you would prefer to go to Bath until I am settled at Ravenshead, I would understand.’
‘Of course I wish to come. I am looking forward to seeing Helene.’
‘You know that Toby Sinclair may be there for the ball?’
‘We are bound to meet in company,’ Emily said. She lifted her head; her face was proud though her mouth trembled a little. ‘I have accepted that he has rejected me. I am in control of my feelings now, Amelia. I shall not break down again.’
Amelia reached for her hand and squeezed it. It was Emily’s hurt that had prompted her to have a search made for her child. If she could arrange for
Emily to visit her little girl now and then, it would be something.
‘I think you have behaved with dignity, my love. It is natural that you should weep for your lost hopes. I must tell you that Mr Sinclair is not the man I thought him.’
‘I cannot blame him. I should have told him the truth when I first knew he was becoming interested. It was my own fault for allowing him to think me something I am not.’
‘You must not think of yourself as a fallen woman, Emily. The fault was not yours.’ Amelia saw that her companion was unconvinced. ‘I told you of my friend Lucinda, did I not?’ Emily nodded. ‘Lucinda took her life because she was too ashamed to have her baby. You were braver. I am proud of you, my love. ’ She touched her hand. ‘Now, I have a request to make of you…’
‘Anything. You know I am always happy to oblige you,Amelia.’
‘Lucinda had a sister. She was a year older than Lucinda and not as pretty. When Lucinda took her life and her parents understood that she had been seduced, they became much stricter with Marguerite. They refused to let her go to dances or anything where she might be alone with gentlemen. She is taken out only when her mother goes into company with her friends, which is, as you can imagine, a tedious life for a young woman.’
‘Poor Marguerite.’ Emily smiled. ‘I can guess what you mean to ask me, Amelia. You are going to invite her to live with us.’
‘I have written to her parents and asked if she may be allowed to live at Ravenshead to help carefor Lisa. I am not sure Marguerite will wish to come, but if she does I hope you will make her feel at home with us.’
‘Naturally I shall. It is most unfair that she should be denied the pleasures of society just because her sister was seduced…I know just how she feels.’ Emily’s voice quivered with passion. ‘She has been treated most unfairly!’
‘Of course you know, dearest,’ Amelia said and smiled at her. ‘I thought you could help Marguerite to find her way in society again. She may find it a little frightening after so many years of being almost a prisoner in her parents’ home.’
‘I shall do all I can to help her,’ Emily said and looked thoughtful.
Amelia felt a warm satisfaction. Emily would find some ease for her own pain in thinking of others—and perhaps soon both of her friends would find happiness.
In the meantime, she could only hope that their journey would be accomplished peacefully. She could not help but be aware that they were surrounded by grooms, far more than she would normally dream of travelling with—and all of them armed. Gerard and Harry were taking no chances and she could only be grateful for their care of her.
They stopped briefly to change the horses, and, in the case of the ladies, to relieve themselves in private at a good posting inn. Lisa transferred to the main carriage and was as good as gold, perhaps
because Amelia had thought to bring along a book filled with bright pictures. The ladies ate a picnic in the carriage and fortunately did not need to get out again at any point. In consequence, they were able to make good time and it was not yet dark when they arrived at Coleridge.
Helene came to greet them eagerly, kissing Amelia and then Emily. She looked radiant and very happy, as she told her friends that she was increasing.
‘I believe Max thinks it is a little soon, but he is merely concerned for me,’she said as she led the way upstairs. ‘Your rooms are adjacent and there is a connecting door should you wish to use it. I hope you will both be very comfortable with us. I have been looking forward to your visit so much. Did you enjoy yourselves at Pendleton?’
‘Susannah made us very welcome, as always,’ Amelia said. ‘I am delighted at your news, my love. I must tell you that I have a little news myself. I am to be married.’
‘Amelia! I am so pleased. You must be promised to the Earl of Ravenshead?’
‘Yes. Gerard asked me to wed him at Pendleton and I agreed. However, I fear there is someone who does not wish us to marry and has already tried to prevent us.’
‘Amelia?’ Helene looked at her in alarm. ‘Are you speaking of your brother?’
‘Michael does not wish for it. Indeed, he forbade me—but this is someone else: someone who would
prefer to see us dead rather than happy. As yet we are not certain of his identity, though we believe he may use the name of Lieutenant Gordon.’
‘How can that be? Who would wish to see you dead?’ Helene looked shocked.
‘We are not certain.’ Amelia frowned. ‘I do not wish you to worry, Helene—especially in your condition. If you would prefer that we leave…’
‘Certainly not. How could you think it? After all you have done for me, Amelia, I would never close my door to you—and I am sure that Max will wish to help Gerard in whatever way he can.’
‘Thank you, dearest.’ Amelia smiled her gratitude. ‘I was sure you would feel that way. We have decided to announce our engagement at the ball.’
‘I am so happy for you. I must admit that I thought you might never marry, but now you are to wed the earl and I know you will be content—he is a good man.’ Helene turned to look at Emily. ‘How are you, dearest? I have thought that you might also have some news for me.’
‘No, I fear I have not,’ Emily replied, avoiding Helene’s bright gaze. ‘Besides, I should not dream of leaving Amelia while she had need of me.’
‘I could not bear to part with you,’ Amelia told her, guessing how much it was costing her to keep her smile in place. Helene would never deliberately hurt Emily and she could have no idea how much her careless remark had wounded her. ‘I expect you will have many guests for the ball, Helene—but I hope you will find room for one
more. I mentioned Marguerite to you in my last letter, did I not?’
‘Yes—and I sent her an invitation, Amelia. I have had no reply.’
‘I dare say her father would not permit it. However, I have appealed to her mama to let her come to help me with my stepdaughter. You have not yet met Lisa, Helene. Her nurse took her straight upstairs, as you may have noticed. She is lovely and also a little charmer.’
‘I shall look forward to meeting her,’ Helene said. ‘You know that I once wished to find a position as a teacher in your orphanage, Amelia. Lisa is so much luckier than the children you help, because she has you and Gerard.’
‘She will also have Emily and possibly Marguerite to make a fuss of her.’ Amelia laughed softly. ‘It will be a wonder if she is not utterly spoiled—but she lost her mama when she was a small child and the nanny Gerard employed when he brought her to England was not kind to her. I want her to be content and I think it will be a happy release for Marguerite to come to us. I told her we should be here until a day after the ball and then we shall go down to Ravenshead. If I find the house acceptable, and Gerard assures me I shall, we shall spend most of our time there. We shall visit Bath and London in the Season, naturally, but our home will be at Ravenshead.’
‘Will you not miss your home?’
‘Perhaps at first—at least the garden. However, I
shall make a garden of my own at Ravenshead. We shall keep my aunt’s estate for our second child.’
They had reached the upper floor, which housed the bedchambers. Having seen Emily installed in hers, Amelia looked at her own with pleasure.
‘This has been freshly refurbished in the colours I love, Helene.’
‘Yes, it has. It was done especially for you—for the best friend that I could ever have.’ Helene reached forwards and kissed her cheek. ‘You are such a generous person, Amelia. I cannot imagine that anyone would wish to harm you.’
‘Well, it may be all a storm in a teacup,’ Amelia said and laughed in a dismissive manner. ‘Gerard and Harry took great precautions to safeguard us on the way here, but nothing happened. I dare say having made a blunder once the rogue has decided it is not worth the effort to try anything of the sort again.’
Helene was clearly puzzled. Amelia told her about Emily being kidnapped and then restored to them by the Marquis of Northaven.
‘He told you that Emily was taken in mistake for you?’ Helene was amazed. ‘Oh, Amelia—it is almost like when attempts were made on Max’s life and we thought it might be his cousin, but in the end it turned out to be his cousin’s physician. When someone wishes you harm, it is difficult to know who they are.’
Amelia nodded but looked thoughtful. ‘I hope this will not distress you, my love. I wonder if perhaps it would be better if we did not stay for the ball…’
‘I should be most distressed then.’ Helene lifted her head proudly. ‘I was not frightened when that awful man threatened to kill me in order to get to Max…at least only a little and not until it was over. I do not want you to leave, Amelia. Max will help Gerard discover who this wicked rogue is. Gerard helped us—as did Mr Sinclair…’ She frowned. ‘I had thought that Toby Sinclair might propose to Emily.’
Amelia hesitated, then, ‘In actual fact he did at Christmas, but she turned him down.’
‘Emily turned down Mr Sinclair? Why? He is perfect for her.’
‘She has her reasons, I dare say. It would be best if you did not speak of him to her, Helene—unless she takes you into her confidence, which she may. I know you were good friends.’
‘We still are. Emily writes to me once in a while.’ Helene looked thoughtful. ‘I know she has a secret. I shall not ask you or her to reveal it, but I have seen the sadness in her eyes.’
‘I shall tell you only that she had had an unhappy life before she came to me. I too had hopes of Mr Sinclair for her, but it seems that it was not to be. He left the same night and we have not heard from him since.’
‘Then you do not know that his father died?’
‘Oh, no! That is sad news indeed. I had wondered why he went so suddenly. Susannah told me he had an urgent summons to return, but I had no idea it was so serious.’
‘Extremely serious. I know Max had a letter only this morning. Toby gave us the news and said that he was not sure if he could attend the ball. His mother and sister are in great distress. I dare say he cannot leave them immediately, especially for a ball. I am sure Toby will have written to Harry and Susannah, but perhaps the letter had not reached him before you left.’
‘No, I dare say it had not, for he would have mentioned it,’ Amelia replied. ‘It is a sad time for the family and I do not expect that Toby will feel able to attend your ball. Indeed, it would look wrong if he did. I think too that Harry’s sister will need him at her side at this difficult time.’
Helene chattered on for a while, but Amelia was thoughtful. She might have misjudged Mr Sinclair somewhat. She had thought him cruel and rude to abandon Emily so abruptly, but if he had received terrible news and then arrived home only in time to see his father on his deathbed, it was not to be expected that he would write immediately to Emily.
‘His mother and sister must come first—and of course there will be business to be done. He must be very distressed, I imagine.’
‘Yes, very sad. I am sorry that Emily refused him—but perhaps she will reconsider.’
‘I should be happy to think she might. However, at the moment I do not think it possible.’
Left to herself, Amelia took off her pelisse and furtrimmed bonnet. The news about Mr Sinclair’s father was shocking. She did not know if his family had expected it, but even so it would have devastated
them. Susannah had certainly not expected it. The very fact that Toby Sinclair had intimated that he might come to Coleridge even now made Amelia think that he had not completely given up the idea of wedding Emily. She would tell her companion the sad news, but she would not speculate about Toby Sinclair’s intentions.
If he had any he would make them clear himself in time. Amelia’s thoughts turned once more to Marguerite. She fully intended to make sure that Marguerite had every chance to meet a decent gentleman—and to help persuade her parents if the chance of a marriage presented itself.
‘M
r Sinclair’s father has died?’ Emily was shocked and distressed when Amelia told her the news the next morning. ‘How terribly sad! I had no idea that he was so ill.’
‘I do not believe anyone realised quite how precarious his health was—at least no one outside the family.’
‘I thought…how selfish of me to be so upset about my own concerns.’ Emily blushed. ‘If Toby has been caught up in family problems—’ She broke off and shook her head. ‘No, I must not allow myself to hope. If he wished to communicate with me he could have sent me a letter.’
‘I dare say he may have had too much on his mind.’
‘You said he wrote to Helene to tell her the news—could he not have written to us?’
‘He could…but perhaps he felt a letter inappropriate. What he has to say to you must be said face to face.’
‘You are trying to make me feel better, but you did not see his expression when I told him about my child.’ Emily raised her head. ‘It would be foolish to imagine that this changes anything. If Mr Sinclair comes to the ball, I shall greet him as if nothing has happened between us, but I dare say his mama will need him with them for some time.’
‘Yes, I think you may be right,’ Amelia agreed. ‘However, you should not give up hope entirely, dearest.’
‘It was foolish of me to think that I might marry. My father told me that no decent man would want me and he is right.’ The sheen of tears was in Emily’s eyes, but she held them back. ‘Perhaps we should go down now, Amelia. We do not wish to keep everyone waiting.’
Amelia did not answer. She knew that Emily was suffering, but there was no cure for a broken heart, as she had discovered to her cost when she was younger. Time alone would soften the hurt. She could only hope that Toby Sinclair would not visit Coleridge unless he was prepared to say something of importance to Emily.
‘Now that I understand the circumstances I am prepared to make allowances for Toby,’ Amelia told Gerard when they walked together in the long gallery later that day. ‘However, I think that he might have made an effort to write to Emily—if only to tell her of his father’s death.’
‘Letters are sometimes too difficult to write,’
Gerard said. He stopped walking and looked at her. ‘Think of the wasted years, Amelia. Had I written to you at the time, we might have saved ourselves so much unhappiness.’ He reached out to touch her face, remembered sorrow in his eyes. ‘If you knew of all the tortured nights I spent thinking of you…longing for you. I should never have let your brother poison my mind against you. I should have known that he lied when he said that you had asked him to send me a message.’
‘Is that what he said to you? How dared he? You must know that I would never have done something like that.’
‘Afterwards, when I had time to think it over, I began to see that I had been a fool to believe him, but at first I was too bitter. I married Lisette while still resenting both you and Michael, Amelia. And then it was too late…’
Amelia took a step towards him. Her body throbbed with a deep and urgent desire, making her discard her usual reserve. ‘You were not alone in your despair, Gerard. I thought that I should never know the happiness of loving…never feel the touch of a lover’s hand…because I could not forget you even though others asked for me.’
‘That would have been a sin.’ He smiled, his eyes warm with laughter. ‘I know there is passion in you.’ He reached forwards, bending his head to kiss her. Amelia did not hold back, clinging to him, giving herself to him without reserve. ‘I can hardly wait for our wedding night.’
‘Nor I.’
‘Perhaps we need not wait…’ Gerard was about to kiss her again when they both heard something. He looked beyond her at a woman who stood watching them from the other end of the gallery. ‘We are not alone.’
‘Forgive me,’ the woman said and came forwards. She was a tall woman, slim with silky blonde hair that was caught back from her face in a severe style, and her gown was a dull grey that did nothing for her complexion. ‘Lady Coleridge thought I might find you here. I wanted to let you know I had arrived, Amelia—but I did not mean to intrude.’
‘Marguerite!’ Amelia exclaimed in surprise. ‘My dear friend. I am so pleased that you came. I hoped your parents would permit it, but I was not sure. I have had no word that you were coming.’
‘I have not been well. Nothing serious, merely a chill. However, Mama thought it would do me good to have a change of air—and of course she is always willing to oblige you, Amelia.’
‘How is your dear mama?’
‘Very well, thank you.’
‘Gerard—this is Miss Marguerite Ross.’ Amelia turned to him. ‘I am not sure if you know each other? Marguerite’s family lived near my father’s home when I was a girl. You may have met her when you visited the area. You stayed with friends for some weeks one summer—Max and one other were also visiting in the district…Marguerite, this gentleman
is the Earl of Ravenshead. We are engaged and it is his daughter that I have asked you to come and meet.’
Gerard extended his hand. ‘I do not think we can have met. I am certain I should have remembered. It is a pleasure to meet any friend of Amelia’s, Miss Ross.’
Amelia realised he was puzzled and explained, ‘Marguerite’s parents do not go out much in society. I asked her to come and stay with us. I believe she might enjoy helping me with Lisa. I do not think we need another nanny. Lisa has her nurse and Marguerite has often told me that she adores children—is that not so, my love?’
‘Yes, indeed that is true, Amelia.’ Marguerite did not take Gerard’s hand. Instead she dipped a curtsy, her head bowed. ‘I am sure we have not met, sir. I am delighted to be here and I hope I may be of service to Amelia and you.’
‘I am certain you will.’ Amelia smiled. ‘You are not to think you are a servant, Marguerite, though I shall of course make you an allowance. It will be a pleasure to me to have you live with us—and I shall always be certain that Lisa is safe in your care.’
‘I promise you that the child will be cared for as if she were my own,’ Marguerite said. ‘I shall not intrude on you longer, Amelia. I merely wanted you to know that I was here.’ She turned to leave, but Amelia put out a hand to stop her, giving Gerard an apologetic glance. ‘Forgive me, Gerard. I want to make sure that Marguerite is settled in—and to introduce her to Lisa…’
‘Yes, of course. I must speak to Max about something. I shall see you this evening.’
‘You will excuse us?’
‘Yes. Please go with Miss Ross.’
Amelia held out her hand to Marguerite, who smiled and took it. She felt a little regretful as she glanced back at Gerard and saw him staring after them. They had reached a new stage of their relation ship and it was a pity they had been interrupted. However, they had a whole lifetime ahead of them and she did want to make sure that Marguerite was comfortable.
Gerard stared after them as they left. He had said that he did not recognise Miss Ross; indeed, he could not recall having met her—and yet there was something at the back of his mind. She had looked at him oddly when he said that they had not met, a flicker of annoyance or resentment in her eyes.
Was it possible that they had met at some time in the past? He knew that any woman might feel offended if a gentleman they remembered claimed not to recall their meeting. The name Ross seemed to ring a chord in his subconscious, but he could not immediately find a reason for it.
He must be mistaken. Had they met before he would surely have remembered. Miss Ross was not beautiful, but she was not unattractive. Indeed, she might look very well dressed in a different style. She reminded him of someone, but he could not place the memory.
It would come to him in time. He gave it up and went in search of Max. He had hoped to spend an
hour or so with Amelia, but since she was otherwise engaged, he would seek out his friend.
‘You look thoughtful.’ Max, Lord Coleridge, raised his brows as Gerard entered the library. ‘Has something happened to trouble you? You have not received another threat?’
‘No. Though the broken doll was, according to Northaven, a warning and not a threat. As you know, I expected there might be an attempt to hold up the carriage on the way here. It would have been easy enough to make it appear the work of a highwayman. However, we were strong enough to fight off a gang of ruffians and perhaps they knew it…which begs the question: how do they know where we go and what we do?’
‘A spy in our midst, you think?’ Max Coleridge frowned. ‘A servant, perhaps—the nanny you dismissed?’
‘She could certainly have passed on information after I asked Amelia to marry me, but I doubt she knew anything of her until then.’
‘Do you trust Northaven?’ Max asked. ‘You told me that he brought Miss Barton back to you after she was abducted—but could that not have been arranged to gain your confidence? A ruse to get close to you?’
‘Harry and I thought of that, but we believed him genuine in his desire to make amends. I believe we may have misjudged him. He is by no means a knight in shining armour, but may not be the traitor we thought him in Spain.’
‘You say he believed he knew where he might find this Lieutenant Gordon—if that is the rogue’s real name?’ Max picked a speck of fluff from his otherwise immaculate coat. ‘I suppose you have heard nothing from him?’
‘Not as yet,’ Gerard said. ‘Perhaps Gordon will give up his attempts now that he knows we are aware of him.’
‘Do you really believe that? If he hates you, as seems to be the case, can you see him just giving up and walking away?’
Gerard sighed. ‘If I speak truly, no. I suppose I hoped that he might have decided we are too well protected, but I dare say he will simply become more devious.’
‘Exactly. We must remain alert at all times, Gerard. Helene has invited so many guests to the ball that it would be an ideal moment to strike. I shall have the grounds patrolled all night, every night—-but I think we should have a man on guard outside Amelia’s door at night too, just in case.’
‘As long as the ladies are not aware of it. We must dress the guard as a footman or we may alarm the guests.’
‘Certainly. I am sure we have enough livery to accommodate your men, Gerard.’
‘Would you rather we went home and saved you the bother? It is a lot to ask of you, Max. I should not have brought this trouble to your house.’
‘Damn you, Gerard! We swore to be true friends in Spain, to help each other in time of need. If it had
not been for you, Helene might have died last summer. You stood by me then and I shall stand by you now.’
‘Thank you. Both you and Harry have been the best friends a man could have,’ Gerard said. ‘I do not know why I am so uneasy. I have a feeling that the danger is closer than we imagine—but I have no idea why…’
‘Emily, my love. This lady is Marguerite Ross—I mentioned to you that she was coming to live with us.’
‘Miss Ross.’ Emily dipped a curtsy. ‘I am so happy to meet you. I am Emily Barton—Amelia’s companion. I hope you will be happy with us. Indeed, I know you must be. Amelia is the most generous of friends.’
‘Miss Barton—may I call you Emily?’ Marguerite gave her a nervous smile. ‘I am so fortunate that Amelia wrote to Mama. My life has been…less than happy since…’ She sighed and shook her head. ‘No, I shall not dwell on the past. I am here now and I am looking forward to my duties and helping Amelia where I can.’
‘You will not find your duties onerous,’ Amelia said. ‘Lisa has her nurse. Nurse Mary will continue to care for her clothes and to give Lisa her meals. All I ask of you is that you will read to Lisa, play with her—and perhaps help her to study books I shall provide for her pleasure. She is too young for a governess as yet, but she needs friends. I want you to be her friend, Marguerite.’
‘She is an adorable child. It will be no hardship to be Lisa’s friend,’ Marguerite said. ‘She is a fortunate
child to have a stepmother like you, Amelia. Most women in your place would not wish to take on the daughter of their husband’s first wife. They would employ a strict nanny and stay away from the nursery.’
‘The earl has just dismissed one nanny for being too strict,’ Emily said with a little frown.
Marguerite turned her gaze on her. ‘Has he, indeed? I remember our nanny was very strict. Papa told her she must make sure we behaved ourselves. I dare say it did us no harm.’
‘I am sure it did not,’ Amelia said, ‘but I love Lisa as if she were my own. I intend to spend some time with her myself most days. However, there will be times when I cannot and then I shall be able to relax in the knowledge that you are caring for her. I know my dear Emily would care for her, but she may have other concerns. Emily does so much for me.’
Amelia smiled at her companion. Had it not been for Emily’s hopes of marriage she would probably not have thought of bringing Marguerite here, but she was pleased that she had done so. The young woman had been living a terrible life, because her parents had made her suffer for her sister’s shame and it was not fair.
‘However, you must not think that I asked you here simply to be Lisa’s friend, Marguerite. You will live as one of the family and accompany us when we go visiting. Lady Coleridge is holding a ball this weekend. I hope you have a suitable gown?’
‘I have not had a new ball gown for years.’ Marguerite looked distressed. ‘I have nothing suitable. I
did not realise that I should need one and brought only a few things with me.’
‘We are of a similar size.’ Amelia’s eyes went over her. ‘I think that my clothes may fit you, though you may need to adjust the hems slightly. I have a new green gown that I have not worn. I think it will suit you well, Marguerite.’ She glanced at her feet. ‘I do not think my shoes will fit, for I have smaller feet than you do. Emily—do you have a pair of dancing slippers that might fit Marguerite?’
‘Yes, I think I have a pair I have worn only once. You can try them on and see,’ Emily said. ‘I shall be very happy to give them to you, for I have several pairs to choose from.’
‘You are both very kind.’ Marguerite’s eyes held a glimmer of tears. ‘I do not know how to thank you.’
‘When we go down to Ravenshead I will commission a seamstress and a shoemaker. I shall need a trousseau and you may as well be fitted out at the same time,’ Amelia said. ‘No, do not thank me, Marguerite. I have been very fortunate and it is my pleasure to help others less so. All I truly want is for us to live comfortably together.’