A Wager for Love Page 9

  "You have a good deal of faith in your sister."

  All too aware of his meaning, Richard's eyes dropped. Yes he did. Dearest Lavinia, who had sacrificed a good part of her own fortune to help him. Her fortune and what else? It was this question that tormented Richard, and until he had heard from her own lips that Lavinia had married the Earl willingly, it would continue to torment him. These thoughts recalled to mind his original purpose in visiting the Earl. .

  He spoke a little stiffly. "No doubt you can well imagine my surprise on hearing of my sister's marriage to you?"

  "Oh indeed," replied the Earl politely. "It must have come as a great shock. Still we are none of us immune to Cupid’s darts you know, my boy."

  Richard waited warily. In all honesty his burning desire to run a rapier straight through Saltaire’s undoubtedly black heart, had become less pressing with every mile of his journey from London, as he began to recall rumours of his skill with the sword. Life could be very sweet, especially now he was his own man, and, as he assured himself, Saltaire and Lavinia were married. But despite all this, the "wager" mentioned by Charles nagged uneasily at his mind. If only Lavinia would come. With Kitty an extremely interested bystander, he could hardly demand that the Earl produce his sister, and at that very instant.

  At this juncture the door swung open to reveal Lavinia, wearing one of her simple gowns brought with her from Rome, and her hair dressed with matching ribbons. She gave Richard a calm reassuring smile and held out her hands to him. She had been preparing for bed when her husband had sent up a message that her brother had arrived, and fearful for Richard's safety, she had hurriedly dressed and returned downstairs.

  Relieved to see her looking so normal, although it was hard to say just what he had imagined she would look like, Richard rushed forward, grasping her hands in his and searching her face with eager eyes. She met his gaze steadily, and only a slight trembling of her fingers in his betrayed a degree of agitation.

  "Lavinia, are you all right?" Conscious of Kitty's interest, he changed his words hurriedly, "What I mean is, why on earth did you not tell me?"

  The Earl broke in smoothly, "Come, my love, your brother's surprise is natural, but hardly flattering. However, I understand brothers are wont to underestimate the charms of their sisters."

  He walked softly across the room taking one of Lavinia's cold hands in his own, carelessly raising her fingers to his lips.

  Lavinia, her colour heightened, tried to withdraw her hand, only to find it retained in a firm grip, the Earl’s face mocking. "But, my love . . ."

  She gritted her teeth at this endearment and had the satisfaction of seeing her husband’s eyes darken with anger, swiftly masked. "Your brother has a problem and seeks your help.”

  Worried, Lavinia turned to Richard, concern showing in her eyes, "Oh Richard, not more gambling . ."

  Ashamed, Richard broke in, "No, Lavinia, never fear, not that."

  Brother and sister exchanged a look of mutual understanding. No‑never again would be risk everything so foolishly. His one regret was that it was his sister who had paid the price and not himself.

  The Earl smiled grimly, "I collect the problem is of a different nature this time. Come, Richard, make your friend known to your sister."

  Following the direction of her husband’s eyes, Lavinia realised for the first time that they were not the only occupants of the room. Bewildered, she could only ask. "Richard, what have you done?"

  "That's rich indeed. What have I done? I ain't done anything," replied Richard indignantly, about to enter into a lengthy explanation, which was checked by a languid wave of the Earl's white hand.

  "Richard, I believe the housekeeper is preparing a room for your friend, perhaps you would be good enough to take Kitty to her, whilst I explain things to your sister."

  With a grateful look at his new relative, Richard conducted the now very chastened Kitty from the room.

  As the Earl outlined Richard's story, Lavinia found herself laughing in a manner she would have thought quite impossible twenty-four hours ago. However, she was rapidly learning that one could accustom oneself to anything, with a little will-power. "Oh dear, poor Richard,’ she said ruefully, "And to think I almost accused him of running off with the girl. No wonder he was so indignant." For a second her brow clouded. "I suppose the story is true?"

  The Earl shrugged, a gleam appearing in his eyes. "He is your brother, not mine. but I should think so. " With a wave of his hand, he dismissed Richard. "I confess, my dear, you surprise me."

  "I do, why?" Lavinia raised her eyes to his, puzzled.

  The Earl swung his quizzing glass thoughtfully on its slender ribbon. "Oh 'tis just that I had thought to hear that at the very least you had been overtaken with an attack of the vapours this morning, and certainly some malady necessitating your remaining in your room for the entire day. And yet what do I find?" His eyes sharpened. "I find instead that you are up and partaking of breakfast before me."

  Lavinia cast her eyes down demurely. "Well, as to that, My Lord, I fear I was hungry. You know I missed my supper last night." Not for worlds would she have him know what heart searching it had cost her to appear at the breakfast table that morning as if nothing untoward had occurred.

  For a second the Earl stood in silence. one booted foot resting on the hearth, the candlelight picking out the glitter of the embroidery on his waistcoat and throwing into relief his proud features. "Well, about this tiresome girl and your equally tiresome brother. I had intended that we return to London after a suitable interval." He watched the delicate colour run up Lavinia’s face with detached interest. "But now I think we shall have to return sooner than I had envisaged and, of course, take your Richard's orphan with us."

  "What, without telling her family?"

  "Of course not." The Earl smiled thinly, "I am no blue-beard, child, I content myself with carrying off one female at a time. However, unless I am mistaken we may confidently expect a visit from the girl’s grandfather before tomorrow is out. And now, Countess, perhaps a turn in the garden before retiring."

  She could not quite conceal her start of surprise. Correctly divining her thoughts, the Earl waited. "You find it strange that I should wish to walk with my new bride? I am quite human I assure you, Madam, so please desist from watching me as if I were some strange animal."

  "I fear you will have to excuse me, My Lord, I have no inclination for the garden."

  "Or my company," finished the Earl softly.

  Lavinia merely shrugged, turning at the door to drop her husband a small curtsey. "Goodnight, My Lord."

  6

  Whilst the Earl and his family were partaking of breakfast in apparent good spirits, a strange and assorted party were converging on the coffee lounge of the Green Man Inn.

  Lord Ware, who had deemed it advisable in view of the possibly delicate nature of his visit to his friend, to drive himself, drew his horses to a halt outside the Inn. "Well, Charles, we are only a few miles from Marlham now. I think a little refreshment is called for.”

  Charles was all compliance. "Yes indeed, Ware. very true. I would not care to face Saltaire on an empty stomach. Awkward fellow is Saltaire. There's no knowing how he might take at seeing us. He might welcome us with open arms. On the other hand, he might throw us out neck and crop."

  Restraining a smile, Lord Ware followed his brother into the coffee lounge. "Well, he can hardly welcome being interrupted on his honeymoon. However, as young Richard is already there . . ."

  "If he ain't dead," broke in Charles gloomily.

  An hour later an ample repast was placed in front of them by mine host, a shrewd man who recognised Quality when he saw it, and who had spent the last hour chivvying his wife and her maids into producing a meal which, although he said it himself, was fit for a Duke no less. Certainly, Lord Ware and his brother found nothing to cavil at in the fare set before them.

  Charles, helping himself to a large wedge of pigeon pie, stopped, knife poised, as an
irate voice reached him. "Ho there, landlord, where is the fellow?"

  Lord Ware turned in his chair, looking towards the open doorway from whence came the irascible voice. The landlord, who had been despatched to bring another bottle of wine, arrived at that moment puffing a little.

  "Be with you in a moment, Sir Gervase," he called to the newcomer.

  "Damn me, man, I want you now. Now, do you hear?" roared the other, erupting into the coffee lounge in the landlord's wake. "I want to know the meaning of this . . ."

  Charles, quite forgetting the pigeon pie, watched entranced as the man waved a piece of paper in the air. Lord Ware, delicately applying his napkin to his mouth, viewed the intruder with surprise. He was a man of some sixty years, his face mottled a rich purple with temper, and his heavy old fashioned wig a trifle askew.

  The landlord, hastily depositing the wine on the table with an apologetic glance at his two guests, advanced to meet Sir Gervase. "What can I do for you, Sir Gervase?"

  "Do? Do! I`ll tell you what you can do," roared Sir Gervase in an even more shattering voice, completely oblivious to his audience, "You can tell me how it comes about that one of your ostlers delivered this note to me this morning. My granddaughter has run off with some penniless adventurer. Calls himself Lord Arnedale. He can only have met her here. Now come, my man, tell me the whole."

  Upon hearing Richard's name, Lord Ware and his brother exchanged looks. Ware got to his feet pushing the chair away. "Perhaps I can help you, Sir."

  Sir Gervase stopped in mid-flow and looked up testily. "Help me, Sirrah. How, if you please? Some young rip comes in here and makes off with my grand-daughter. Says he is taking her to his sister or some such farradiddle!" The old man snorted. "Taking her to some lovenest, no doubt. I warned the silly chit."

  "You mistake the matter, I’m sure." Ware's voice was quiet and his manner calm, but there was no mistaking the authority of his person. "I can assure you that Lord Arnedale is a most honourable young man. If he says he is taking your grand-daughter to his sister, then you can be sure, that is what he means to do."

  Rolling a choleric eye in Ware’s direction, the old man sat down heavily in the nearest chair, fanning himself with a hat of ancient vintage. "You know this young sprig then do you, Sirrah? How do know that it is not you yourself who has run off with my Kitty then?"

  Patiently, Ware beckoned the innkeeper over. "Perhaps you would explain to this gentleman that my brother and I have only been here for the past hour or so."

  Willingly, the innkeeper launched into his tale. Sir Gervase sat back, plainly overcome. "Well, it is passing strange. First comes this young man, out of nowhere, carries off my Kitty to his sister, if you please. And then you arrive, two complete strangers, but apparently friends of this young man's."

  "Not really so strange," broke in Ware cheerfully. "Lord Arnedale`s sister is married to the Earl of Saltaire. Arnedale is but paying them a visit. We, too, are friends of Saltaire`s and are also paying him a visit." Ware smiled kindly. "You see, a simple explanation."

  Far from soothing his ruffled feelings. this information had the effect of turning the old man`s f-ace an even deeper hue. "You sit there and tell me that my grand-daughter, my only chick and child, has been taken to the house of that, that libertine?" he spluttered. "Damn, Sirrah," he roared afresh. "You make mock of me. If` my child is in truth in that house, she is lost to me forever." Grabbing his hat, and cramming it onto his head, he rose and made for the door.

  "Where are you going?" enquired Ware, perturbed.

  "I am going to see the Earl and get the truth from him, if I have to use my whip to do so. Aye, and you are coming with me. All the world knows the Earl has no wife. Nor would any decent female take him. You'll not gammon me with your fine London airs, even though you might my poor Kitty," he added darkly. "Come October she'll be married to my friend and that is the end of it. Now, Sirs, will you come with me willingly or do I have to take you at pistol point?" Suiting the words to action, he produced from a capacious pocket of his greatcoat an enormous horse pistol.

  Suppressing a sigh and aware of the gathering crowd of interested spectators, Ware motioned to his brother to follow the old man. "I take it you will allow us to follow you in our carriage, Sir. I give you my word, we shall not try to escape. "This was no more than the truth. Ware would not have missed the coming interview for the world.

  Grudgingly Sir Gervase acquiesced. "Aye, though I doubt much that the word of a gentleman means anything to the likes of you. Consorting with libertines, and despoiling innocent girls.” Grumbling the man swung himself into the saddle of a stout cob, and motioned to Lord Ware to follow him.

  Easing the collar of his cravat, Charles turned to his brother. "Lord, Ware, what on earth has Richard been up to? A pretty pickle he is in and so are we."

  "Let us wait until we reach Marlham," counselled his brother. "If indeed he has taken the girl there to his sister, then no doubt all will be revealed to us."

  "Lord," said Charles, a sudden diverting thought striking him, "I’ll have given a monkey to see Saltaire`s face when Richard showed up with the young Miss in tow."

  * * *

  Breakfast over, Lavinia informed the Earl that she and Kitty were going to take a ride over the grounds. The purpose of this exercise was twofold. Firstly, so that she might discover a little more about Miss Kitty, and secondly, it would take her away from her husband's unwelcome presence.

  Long before the riding party had returned to the house. Lord Ware and Charles had erupted into the hall, despite the strenuous efforts of the butler.

  Saltaire entered the room and surveyed the visitors through his quizzing glass, before allowing it to fall to his side. He then spoke in a soft murmur. "So, Ware, and er, Charles, is it not? I trust you do not intend to subject me to any University tricks, Charles."

  Relieved at this evidence of good humour, Charles hastened to assure him that nothing was further from his thoughts.

  "Ah, good, you relieve me excessively."

  As Lord Ware moved forward to greet him, the Earl had for the first time an unobstructed view of Sir Gervase. "Mon dieu, Sir," he exclaimed piously, shuddering a little. "l cannot. . . no really, `tis too much. . . That wig . . . It is a positive offence to mine eyes."

  Sir Gervase, striding forward, came to an abrupt stop. "My wig, sirrah, what is wrong with it? Damn fine wig this, cost me all often guineas twenty years ago. this wig did."

  "You amaze me, Sir, truly you amaze me," responded the Earl languidly, swinging his quizzing glass on its black velvet ribbon. He himself was dressed casually in boots, buff small clothes, and a riding jacket, but his cravat had been tied by the hands of an expert, and the lace ruffles at his wrists cascaded lovingly over his hands. As always his dark hair was unpowdered, sleek as a raven’s wing in the daylight. "Really, Ware, it is too much, this person‑who is he?"

  Sir Gervase, looking as if he were about to have an apoplexy on the spot, burst out, "I’ll tell you who I am, sirrah. I am the grandfather of that delicate child that your brother-in-law has abducted. That is always supposing he is your brother-in-law and you do indeed have a wife."

  "Ah." A small smile curved the Earl’s lips. "I owe you an apology, Sir. I have obviously made a mistake. From the young lady’s behaviour I had supposed her to be some farmer's daughter. or some such thing."

  "Impertinence . .." stuttered the old man. "I’ll have you know . . ."

  "Ah, Sir Gervase. I presume. Pray introduce me, my love."

  All eyes swivelled to the door to behold the figure entering the room. Lavinia. dressed in an afternoon gown of lemon silk, plain and unadorned, entered the room, her hand extended towards her husband.

  "Ah, my love, how charming," murmured the Earl. His eyes narrowed slightly. "Forgive me, I thought you were out riding."

  "We saw you had visitors and thus returned."

  Indeed they had, Kitty, catching the unmistakable figure of her grandfather on his favourite mount, had hurr
iedly favoured Lavinia with a desperate plea not to be handed over to this worthy, or condemned to a loveless and dull marriage. It could hardly be supposed that Lavinia`s heart could fail to go out to her, especially in view other own situation. Kitty would not be sacrificed she had promised, her mind on the Earl’s plans to take her to London. But still they must return to the house, and face her grandfather.

  She advanced towards Sir Gervase now, a pretty smile on her face, "Now, Sir Gervase, you must tell me all about this naughty grand-daughter of yours. What a dance she must lead you! A charming child, but a little flighty. She needs a firm hand."

  Taken aback, the old man tottered to a seat, his blusterings forgotten. No-one could mistake Lavinia for anything other than a lady. Gravely he bowed over her hand. "Your servant, Madam, you must forgive me . . ."

  "But of course." Lavinia`s voice was light. "I have already reprimanded my brother, you may be sure of that. He should have escorted Kitty back to her own home straightaway." Her kind words were like a balm to poor Sir Gervase, after the stinging barbs of the Earl.