Bought for Revenge (16 page)

‘Lucas, let me help you—’

‘No.’ There was a finality in his voice that silenced her. ‘No one can help me, especially not you, Belle. I have my father’s quick temper. I know now that it destroyed him and everything he held dear. I will not risk the same thing happening to you.’

‘But I don’t believe—’

‘It is not a question of what you believe, it is what I
know.’

‘But you have been wrong before,’ she challenged him. ‘There may be some other explanation.’

‘I think you are clutching at straws, my dear.’ He picked up her cloak and put it around her shoulders. ‘How did you get here?’

‘In the gig we hired to take us to Rishworth Lodge. It is in the stable yard.’

‘Who knows you are here?’

‘Only Clegg. He heard me arrive and is looking after the horse.’

‘Good. We can trust him to say nothing. I’ll have him saddle Sultan and tie him to the back of the gig. I am going to drive you home.’

Silently Belle fastened the strings of her cloak. Her hands shook a little but she managed. Everything had taken on an unreal quality, as if she was in some dream from which she would wake up very soon. Lucas put his hand in the small of her back to move her towards the door, but she resisted him. One last attempt.

‘What if…what if there is a child from, from what we have done? Will you not marry me then?’

Lucas closed his eyes. Marriage. If only he could take her as his wife, but it would not work. The bitter memories he had shut out for so long rose up again to taunt him, the sadness in his mother’s eyes when she looked at his father. There had been fear there, too. Why had he not recognised it at the time? He would not risk hurting Belle like that, nor any child she might be carrying. And to give them a tainted name, how could that make things any better?

‘I will do all that I can to protect you, Belle. Neither you nor your child would want for anything, but marriage—no. You would come to hate me.’

‘But—’

‘Enough,’ he broke in roughly. ‘It is time to go.’

The cold chill returned at his implacable tone.
She had given herself to him and he was turning her away.

Foolish Annabelle. It was your choice, now you must pay for it
.

She moved towards the door, but stopped suddenly. ‘Lucas.’ She raised her hand and pointed. Lying on a small table beside the door was a pistol, the long barrel gleaming dully in the dim light. ‘Oh heavens, Lucas, were you—?’

Her voice trailed off and she looked up at him, aghast.

‘What?’ He glanced towards the little table. ‘Oh, that. It is my cousin’s, he was showing it to me before he went out and must have left it lying there. Damned careless of him.’ He frowned at her. ‘Did you think I was contemplating blowing my brains out? That is not my way, believe me.’

He escorted her out of the room and Belle kept her eyes firmly away from the wicked-looking pistol as she went past it.

The moon had almost set and there was barely enough light to see the road as Lucas drove the gig into Stanton. Annabelle was silent beside him, her thoughts dulled by everything that had occurred. He pulled up a little before the turning to the livery stable.

‘You had best return the gig,’ he said. ‘I will wait for you here and walk you home.’

Without a word she took the reins and when he had jumped down and unfastened Sultan, she drove the gig into the livery yard and handed it over to a sleepy stable hand.

Lucas was waiting for her when she returned to the High Street, the solid shape of his horse standing silently behind him. Nothing else moved and she was glad of his escort for the short distance to Croft Cottage.

‘You are coming to see my father tomorrow.’

‘Yes.’

‘He will forgive you,’ she said confidently. ‘He will tell you not to be so hard on yourself.’

‘After all I have done, especially the harm I have done to you?’ Lucas shook his head. ‘I doubt it.’ He stopped at the door of Croft Cottage.

‘Do not knock,’ she whispered as he raised his hand. ‘I have a key.’

‘Very well.’ He turned to her. The lamp beside the door was behind him, and his face was in deep shadow. ‘Until tomorrow. I shall insist upon seeing your father alone.’

‘Of course. You will tell him what happened this evening?’

‘I must.’

‘And if…’ She stopped to run her tongue nervously across her lips. ‘If he should insist upon you marrying me?’

‘He won’t.’

With a nod he left her. Annabelle watched him scramble into the saddle and ride away before she let herself quietly into the house.

Annabelle was not looking forward to seeing her father the following morning, but it could not be put off. Abel had been dozing in the chair when she had let herself into the house and would be sure to tell his master that she had not come home until almost dawn, so some explanation would be required. Samuel had been both father and mother to her as she grew up and they had always been very close. They had agreed there should be no secrets between them, but even so it would be difficult to confess to him the enormity of her actions, yet she was determined that he should not learn of it from Lucas.

As soon as her father came downstairs she followed him into his study. The interview that followed was both difficult and painful, but Belle was determined to lay before her father everything that had occurred at Oakenroyd last night and to impress upon him that her visit there had been entirely her own idea. No blame should fall upon Lucas for what followed.

‘It was not his fault at all, Papa. I—’ She was on a low stool beside his chair, her hand resting on his arm, her head bowed because she could
not bring herself to look at him. ‘When he spoke of his father, he was so hurt, I just wanted to comfort him…’

‘You let your kind heart run away with you, Belle.’

‘Do you think I was wrong, sir? To—to give myself to him like that?’

‘It was not wise, my love. In fact, I am very sorry for it, but it is not for me to judge you, when I myself had planned to run away with another man’s wife.’

Her father’s gentle restraint hurt Belle more than any amount of angry blustering and she reached for her handkerchief to wipe away a tear. Samuel put his hand on her hair.

‘There, there, my love, it is too late to go back now. We must decide what is to be done. You say Lucas is coming to call upon me?’

‘Yes, he wishes to atone for his behaviour towards you, Papa.’

‘And how will he atone for his treatment of
you
, Belle? In such cases it is customary for the injured party to demand marriage. I have already advised you once against marrying Lucas Blackstone for the wrong reasons, but if you are carrying his child then that is a very different matter. Are you still opposed to marrying him?’

She looked down, the colour stealing into her cheeks. ‘Not any more, Father.’

When he did not speak she looked up at him and was alarmed at how pale and grave he looked, but he was quick to assure her that he was not ill.

‘You have given me a great deal to ponder, my love. Have Abel bring me a glass of wine and water, and leave me to consider all you have told me while I wait for my visitor.’

She could do no more until the two men had met. Knowing the time would pass much faster if she was busy, Annabelle went off to attend to her household duties. If all went well, in a few weeks she and her father might once again be at Oakenroyd, but for now Croft Cottage was her domain and she would have it spotless. She brushed and cleaned and polished until the little sitting room glowed and when she had finished she busied herself in the kitchen. She wanted to be at home when Lucas arrived, so she resolutely ignored her basket and the shopping list waiting for her on the table.

The morning turned to afternoon and still there was no knock at the door. The daily shopping could be delayed no longer and Belle set off for the market. She did not tarry over her purchases and when she returned she was informed by Abel that the master was closeted in
his little study with Mr Blackstone. Her heart beating hard against her ribs, Belle put away her purchases and went upstairs to tidy her hair and change her gown. She wished she could know what they were saying, but she forced herself to be patient and took her embroidery to the sitting room.

She had slept very little, her thoughts too full of Lucas. She did not regret kissing him, nor anything that followed, save that he would not marry her. That he cared for her she was certain. In fact, he cared for her too much and was afraid he might hurt her, but she did not believe his temper was ungovernable. His quest for revenge had been cold and calculated, as were his plans now to make amends. She wanted to share his life, for good or ill, but he was afraid of making her unhappy. She gave a little sigh. Did he not realise that she would be wretched without him?

A heavy footstep in the hall and the banging of the front door brought her out of her reverie. She looked up in time to see Lucas’s shadow fall across the window. He had gone, and without a word to her.

‘Papa?’ Annabelle peeped into the study. Samuel was sitting in his chair, fingers steepled and a look of profound sadness on his face. She
closed the door and crossed the room. ‘Papa, you have spoken with Lucas?’

‘Yes. He called, as you told me he would, my love.’

‘And what did he tell you?’

‘He said he had been wrong, that he no longer believed I started the fire at Morwood.’ Her father sighed. ‘He made me a very full apology.’

‘And you accepted?’

‘Of course. I was very happy to do so. He is gone now to instruct his lawyer to draw up another deed of transfer for Oakenroyd. And he does not want a penny for it. In fact, he says he is going to write off the debts I incurred at Harrogate. I protested, of course, but he insisted. When all is done we shall be better off than before.’

‘He is a good man, Father.’

‘Yes, I think he is. He would have had us move back to Oakenroyd immediately, but I convinced him we should wait until he has seen his lawyer and everything is legally signed and settled.’ He bent his kindly eyes upon her. ‘We also talked about you, my love, and what occurred last night.’

She bit her lip. ‘What did he say about it?’

‘That he had taken advantage of you.’

‘That is not true, Papa. I told you—’

‘But he could have sent you away. He
should
have done so and he admitted as much to me.’

‘He was not himself, Papa. I am sure he cares for me.’

‘I do not doubt it.’

‘Did he tell you so?’ she asked hopefully.

‘It was evident in the way he spoke about you.’

Samuel paused, considering his words and Belle said quietly, ‘He is not his father, Papa.’

Samuel gave a long sigh. ‘No, he is not Jonas, but his actions have shown him to be a hard-hearted man. I honour him for his candour in talking to me. He was very honest, very much the gentleman and has offered to make you his wife, especially if there are any…consequences of last night’s encounter. However, he knows how much you mean to me and said he would let me decide the matter.’

Belle clasped her hands together. ‘Well, Papa?’ She fixed her eyes upon him. ‘What is your decision?’

Samuel looked at her sadly.

‘I witnessed Maria’s suffering when she was married to Lucas’s father and I was too weak to prevent it. You are all I have in the world now, Belle. I will not risk your happiness.’

‘But—but what if I am with child, Papa?’

‘Then we will deal with it. You might go away for the birth, or we might move far away, where we are not known. We can start a new life and pass you off as a widow with a young child.
Lucas has promised to assist in any action we decide upon.’

‘How can we leave here, Papa? How can I take you away from all your friends, everything you have known?’

‘We can make new friends, Belle. I would rather do that than risk your marrying a man who admits he might do you harm.’ The world tilted as Annabelle listened to her father’s soft voice. ‘I told him no. I cannot give my consent, Belle. You must forget him.’

I
t was done. Lucas rode away from Croft Cottage with the feeling of having completed an unpleasant duty. the interview with Samuel Havenham had been every bit as painful as he had thought it would be and the outcome, too, was as he expected. Lucas had set out his case very clearly and Samuel was too fond a parent to want his daughter married to such a rogue, even if she should be carrying his child. His child. The very idea cut him deeply. That his thirst for vengeance should have caused so much damage! He had told Belle that suicide was not his way, but now he almost wished he had taken Hugh’s pistol and blown his brains out before she had arrived at Oakenroyd. At least then he would not have added this final calumny to his sins. He made his way directly to Morwood. There was work
aplenty there to occupy him and he was determined to finish the house, although he doubted now that he would ever live there.

Hugh was waiting for Lucas when he finally returned to Oakenroyd. He came out of the drawing room, a glass of wine in one hand, as Lucas crossed the hall.

‘Ah, there you are, Cos. I almost suggested to your butler that we put dinner back, only I plan to ride into Stanton later—another little card party, you know,’ he explained. ‘You are very late. Is there some problem at the manor?’

‘No, everything is well.’ Lucas made directly for the stairs. He was in no mood for company, but he knew he would have to dine with his cousin or face more questions. ‘Give me half an hour to change and I will join you.’

Lucas escaped his cousin, but it was impossible to avoid George Stebbing’s censorious tongue when he saw the state of Lucas’s clothes.

‘If you intended to be working at Morwood, Major, you should’ve come here to change first. It’ll take me hours to get the dirt off that coat and your waistcoat is fair ruined, and no mistake.’

‘Then I shall buy another one.’ Lucas felt the old soldier’s shrewd gaze upon him and said roughly, ‘Damn you, George, I don’t pay you to criticise my actions.’

‘Oho, so who’s put your nose out of joint?’ retorted the valet, not noticeably dashed.

‘None of your business!’

‘It is if it means I have to send to that London tailor o’ yours for more clothes,’ retorted George, taking Lucas’s coat from him and eyeing it with disfavour.

Despite his black mood Lucas laughed.

‘Do your best with it, George, but first you had best find me something suitable to wear for dinner with my cousin. Lord knows I would rather eat alone tonight, but I suppose I must join him.’

‘It’s already put out, sir, on the bed. And as for Captain Duggan…do we know how long he means to stay here?’

‘No idea, why do you ask?’ He saw his man hesitate and added roughly, ‘Well?’

‘I just can’t take to him, Major, with his gambling and his bullyin’ ways, but you knows that already. It ain’t my place to say so, but I don’t like the way he turned up here and started giving orders, as if he owns the place.’

‘Well, he is my heir after all.’

George Stebbing chuckled. ‘Ah, but that’ll change—’

‘I can assure you it won’t,’ snapped Lucas. He saw the man’s surprised look and cursed the ability of old retainers to know all one’s business.
He said tightly, ‘I am giving Oakenroyd back to Samuel Havenham, but after that all acquaintance with the man and his daughter will cease. In fact, I shall be moving from Stanton just as soon it is possible to do so.’

Stebbing looked astonished and opened his mouth to speak, but Lucas’s scowl made him think better of it. Having silenced his man, Lucas finished dressing and went downstairs to dine with his cousin.

He managed to keep the conversation to unexceptional topics until the covers had been removed and they were alone in the dining room, when Hugh asked him once more if he was worried about Morwood.

‘Not at all. As I told you, the work is progressing to schedule.’

Hugh reached for the brandy decanter to refill his glass. ‘You came back covered in dust and looking like a labourer. Surely there is no need for that.’

Lucas answered with a touch of impatience, ‘I ask nothing of my people that I won’t do myself.’

Hugh’s lip curled. ‘No, you were the same in the guards, weren’t you?’

‘It encourages loyalty.’

‘Loyalty be damned,’ scoffed Hugh. ‘You were lucky your desire to be at one with your
men didn’t get you killed. I never found the need for such dedication.’

Lucas lifted his glass and studied the amber liquid. ‘Perhaps that is why you got a bullet in your back at Waterloo, as well as the one in your leg.’ He felt rather than saw Hugh’s anger, and he added, ‘That is what happens to detested officers in battle, is it not? They are shot by their own men. And you had not made yourself universally popular in your regiment.’

‘Because I insisted on discipline—’

‘I, too, believe in order, but your name was becoming a byword for flogging and hanging.’ Lucas sipped at his brandy. ‘I would never have helped you buy your captaincy if I had known you would turn into such a tyrant.’

Hugh shrugged. ‘I had the scum of the earth in my company. It was necessary. No one ever questioned it.’

‘Perhaps that was because you were betrothed to the Colonel’s daughter. What happened there, by the bye?’

‘She changed her mind,’ said Hugh shortly. ‘Dammit, Lucas, surely you do not blame me for trying to progress? If I had a fortune like you—’

‘If I remember rightly, my father left you well provided for in his will, but you chose to spend it.’

His cousin’s brow darkened and he looked as
if he would argue, but after an inward struggle he thought better of it and gave a laugh.

‘I was a young fool and I admit it, but let’s not dwell on the past. You are my only surviving relative, Lucas. I do not want to fall out with you.’

Lucas felt his lip start to curl. ‘Don’t worry, I am not planning to disinherit you.’ He filled his glass and pushed the decanter back across the table. ‘Tell me instead how you fared last night.’

‘At the Lion? Quite well. The play was not deep, but we arranged to play again tonight—’

‘I was thinking more of the Rishworths’ party.’

‘The dinner was good.’ He shrugged. ‘The conversation was mostly on local matters and not much to my taste, but the young ladies were charming enough.’

‘Miss Rishworth is considered something of a beauty.’

‘Is she?’ said Hugh, considering. ‘I suppose so, but as far as I can tell she will have only a few thousand upon her marriage.’

‘You want more?’

Hugh looked surprised that he should even ask the question.

‘Well, you know, Cos, one has to look to the future.’

‘Yes, the future.’ Lucas sat back, the fingers of one hand drumming a soft tattoo on the table. ‘I
saw Samuel Havenham this morning. I am giving Oakenroyd back to him.’

‘You are what?’

‘I dispossessed him and his daughter because I thought Havenham was responsible for my mother’s death. I must make reparation.’

‘Of course, I understand you would want to do so, but you can’t give away your property just like that!’ Hugh observed Lucas’s raised brows and put up his hands. ‘Forgive me, of course you are at liberty to do whatever you want. You took me by surprise, that is all. Unless…’ He grinned. ‘Of course, you old dog, you plan to marry Annabelle Havenham, and since she will inherit everything from her father, you will be—’

‘No.’ The word cut across Hugh’s speech like a rifle shot, silencing him. ‘I have no intention of marrying Miss Havenham. Or anyone else for that matter.’ His chair scraped back. ‘It has been a long day. Excuse me if I retire now. Please, stay and finish your brandy—have more, if you wish, but I am going to bed.’

Lucas strode out of the room. He should not feel guilty for leaving his cousin to his own devices. He had not invited Hugh to stay—the fellow only turned up when he wanted something or his pockets were to let. Lucas had been so preoccupied that he had no idea which it was this
time, but he did not doubt that Hugh would tell him at some stage. For now Lucas had his own problems and he hoped that he had drunk enough to ensure a dreamless night’s sleep.

Market day in Stanton was always busy and Annabelle coaxed her father out of doors, knowing that they would see many of his old friends in the town. Apart from going to church on Sunday they had not ventured out of the house since Lucas had visited Croft Cottage, and Samuel had asked her to say nothing of Lucas’s plans to reinstate them at Oakenroyd.

‘Blackstone and I agreed it would be done discreetly,’ he said. ‘When word gets out we will say an improvement in my fortunes has made it all possible, which is no more than the truth.’

‘Many in your position would want a public apology from Mr Blackstone, Papa.’

‘Nay, I am as guilty as he.’

‘Papa!’

‘My dear, let us not forget that it was I who broke the Lord’s tenth commandment. If I had not done so, then none of this would have happened. I always felt the young man was wronged, my love, and no one suspects the connection between our hard times and his purchasing Oakenroyd. I am happy for everyone to think he has
generously allowed me to buy my home back from him.’

And with that Belle had to be satisfied. Such reversals were not unknown and as for her own situation, the less people speculated about the connection between her and Lucas Blackstone the better. Time would tell if there would be any physical evidence of their liaison. For now she took her father’s arm and accompanied him to the market, as if nothing had changed.

The wide street before the Red Lion was bustling with activity. Many of Oakenroyd’s tenants were there and they hailed Mr Havenham cheerfully, more than ready to pass the time of day with him. Annabelle left her father talking happily with a group of local farmers while she went off to make her purchases. With so many people in the town she should not have been surprised to see Lucas, yet she had not considered what she would do when they next met. He was coming towards her with his cousin beside him. Momentarily flustered, she thought of slipping between the market stalls to avoid them, but decided against it. That would be cowardly and besides, to change direction so acutely would look as if she was running away. Instead she fixed her eyes straight ahead and hoped a slight nod in passing would suffice.

If Lucas had been alone then perhaps it would
have been enough, but Captain Duggan was raising his hat to her.

‘Miss Havenham, good morning to you.’

There was no help for it. She was obliged to stop, if only to exchange civilities. The captain was inclined to be talkative, and while she responded to his questions and remarks, she was very aware of Lucas standing tall and silent beside him. He had barely acknowledged her and now hovered impatiently, making it only too plain he wanted to be gone from her company. She struggled to concentrate on what the captain was saying and realised too late that she had agreed to let him take her for a drive the following day.

Lucas was looking thunderous, but she could not take any notice of that. If he had loved her,
truly
loved her, surely he would have pressed her father to allow them to marry. He did not want her, so he could hardly object to her enjoying herself with Captain Duggan.

Except there was no enjoyment in her life now. Only distraction from the nagging ache of loneliness.

Having arranged a time to call, Captain Duggan and Lucas moved on and Annabelle continued with her shopping. when she had finished she went in search of her father. She was on her way towards the Red Lion when she heard
her name and turned to find Lucas striding towards her.

She waited for him to come up to her. Despite the busy market bustling all around them there was no one close enough to hear their conversation and they might as well have been alone. He stopped in front of her, irresolute. There was so much to say, yet Annabelle could not voice any of it. Perhaps it was the same for Lucas. At length he cleared his throat.

‘I did not have the opportunity to say goodbye to you last week, Miss Havenham.’

Miss Havenham
. So formal, after she had heard her name on his lips in the most tender of moments. It stung her to retort.

‘I was in the sitting room when you left, sir, as you could have ascertained, had you wished to do so.’

‘I was afraid,’ he said bluntly. ‘My mood was such that I might have uttered words better left unsaid.’

‘And should I be grateful for that?’

He winced at her scornful tone. ‘Yes. Your father and I agreed—we are both doing our best to protect you.’

Anger and misery welled up inside her. Perhaps they were right, perhaps they were protecting her, but should she not be allowed some say in her own future? Apparently not. She thought it
best to remain angry, since the alternative was to give way to the threatening tears, so she waved him away.

‘Let me pass. You can have nothing more to say to me.’

He caught her wrist as she tried to step around him. ‘Why did you agree to drive out with my cousin? was that to punish me?’

‘Perhaps.’ She would not admit she had not known what she was agreeing to.

He pulled her closer. ‘Promise me one thing,’ he muttered urgently. ‘I have to go to London shortly, to see my lawyers and organise for Oakenroyd to be restored to your father. Promise me, while I am gone, you will do nothing…rash.’

She drew herself up. ‘I think, sir,’ she replied with icy calm, ‘you have forfeited any right to tell me what to do.’ He was still holding her, his grip like an iron band around her wrist. She said coldly, ‘Please let me go now.’

‘Belle!’

She hardened her heart. She had tried to help him, to comfort him, but her forgiving nature had brought her nothing but wretched unhappiness. She could not allow herself to weaken.

‘Let me go!’

‘Not until I—’

‘So there you are, Cousin! I thought you had left without me.’

Whatever Lucas was going to say was interrupted by Captain Duggan’s hearty call. Belle pulled herself free from his grasp and hurried off. Tears were not far away and she would not for the world have anyone see them.

Lucas stared after her. Blast Hugh for interrupting. Or perhaps he should be grateful. He had given his word to Samuel that he would keep away from Annabelle and give her time to forget him, yet here he was already seeking her out. Hugh came up to him, panting slightly from the exertion.