Claiming the Chaperon's Heart (20 page)

The truth was that she had provoked Captain Smythe into speaking by saying that she was to return to her aunt’s house and did not know if she would ever return to town. Managing to shed a tear, she’d had him gallantly trying to comfort her and when he’d suddenly proposed she had accepted him—and now she wished she hadn’t.

Oh, what a bother it was! She had been so sure that Viscount Hargreaves was in love with her, but when she’d tried to push him towards a declaration he’d told her he couldn’t afford to marry her. Melia had blamed her guardian, because Adam had told her of the rewards her guardian had received while he had only a few guineas. She’d resented that, because she was sure that Adam would have wed her if she’d had more fortune.

Then, after it was made clear to her that she would never persuade the viscount to wed her, she had met Captain Hershaw. He’d set out to captivate her from the start and, though she did not think him as handsome as Adam Hargreaves, he’d seemed to like her—but he had not spoken and so she’d seized her chance when Captain Smythe proposed. Now she wished that she had waited, for it seemed that only a lifetime of boredom lay ahead.

So it was with a mixture of anticipation and surprise that she heard Viscount Hargreaves announced as she sat alone in the parlour that morning. He entered and her heart raced at the sight of him. How handsome he was and she loved him. Yes, now that she saw him again, she knew that it was Adam Hargreaves she had always wanted.

‘Miss Bellingham, forgive me this intrusion,’ Adam said and looked awkward. ‘Your guardian has allowed me a short time to speak with you alone...’

‘You wanted to speak to me alone?’ Melia asked and her heart raced. There could be only one reason for him to come all this way to speak to her! Her engagement had made him realise that he cared for her and he had come to beg her to break it off and marry him. The excitement was so intense that at first his words did not penetrate her mind.

‘It was very wrong of me to let you think I was free,’ Adam said and at last the words reached her. ‘I found you attractive and I was disturbed by other things. I should not have been so free in my manner towards you, because I have a wife and child in India...’

‘You have a wife...?’ Melia stared at him in dismay. ‘You let me think and you knew...you always knew that you were married...’

‘Forgive me. I have regretted what I did and perhaps, had I been free...’

‘How dare you come here?’ Melia demanded. ‘Why should I care what you have to say?’

She threw him a look of malice and ran from the room before she could shame herself and weep before him. Adam called her name but she did not look back. Her disappointment was such that she could scarcely bear it and she ran from the house, through the back gardens to the orchards beyond.

Leaning with her back against a tree, Melia let her tears fall. How could he come here just to tell her that he had a wife? Oh, how she hated him, and her guardian. Lord Frant must have known of the wife—why had he not told her at once? Why had he allowed her to humiliate herself by running after that hateful man—and why had he brought him here to hurt her in this way?

She hated them both. She wanted to strike out and hurt someone—to punish those who had wronged her.

‘Miss Bellingham, I do not like to see you in distress...’

The voice broke into her fevered thoughts, bringing Melia’s head up. She gasped as she saw him and dashed her hand over her cheeks.

‘Captain Hershaw,’ she said. ‘I did not expect to see you here.’

‘I could not stop thinking of you,’ he said softly and smoothed his fingers over her cheek to wipe away the tears. ‘I should have spoken sooner, my dearest Melia, but I dare not because your guardian hates me.’

‘And I hate him,’ Melia said, firing up immediately. ‘He does not care for me—no one truly cares for me...’

‘Then come away with me now,’ he urged. ‘Let me take you to France, where we can live and be happy. I shall find a way to...’

Before he could say more, a voice called out to him. ‘Stand away from her, you dog! Melia, move away from him. He is a coward and a murderer...’

Melia saw her guardian striding towards her and, a little distance behind him, Adam. She lifted her head defiantly.

‘You have never wanted me to be happy,’ she said. ‘I am going with Captain Hershaw now and you cannot stop me.’

‘Think about what you’re doing,’ Paul warned. ‘He is wanted for a hanging offence and means only to lure you away to get at me...’

‘And I nearly had her,’ Hershaw snarled, reaching out to grab Melia around the throat with one arm. He levelled a pistol at her head. ‘I am taking her with me and I shall dishonour her and you, Frant. When I’ve done with her I shall kill her—and if you come near me I’ll kill you too.’

Melia gasped. Her throat hurt where his arm pressed against it, but the pain of humiliation was far worse. She had come here to weep in private and he had offered her comfort, but it was just a trick. Filled with rage and hatred against the whole world, Melia bit his hand as hard as she could and heard him scream and jerk his hand away. In that moment of freedom, she wrestled with him and tried to take the pistol he’d held to her head. In her thoughts was only one desire—to see him dead at her feet.

He knocked her back so that she was felled to the ground and then fired at her guardian. Hearing the muffled oath, Melia thought he must have hit him and she rolled over, flinging herself at his leg and pulling at it so that he stumbled. He kicked out at her, his boot landing hard against her mouth so that she tasted blood and then he fired again.

Getting to her feet, Melia glanced round and saw that Adam lay bleeding on the ground. She ran to him, screaming, as she flung herself down on her knees and looked into his face. He was dead, Hershaw’s ball having found its target too well. A pistol lay beside Adam. Melia’s hand reached for it. She took it, turned slowly and aimed. Her shot caught Hershaw in the groin and he screamed in agony but levelled his pistol at her, and in that moment another shot rang out and Hershaw pitched to the ground.

Melia fell back, faint and sick of heart. She wished that it had been her ball that had killed him, but knew it was her guardian who had fired. She was aware of being lifted gently and carried indoors. People were around her. She heard their voices but did not know what they said, nor did she wish to know. Adam was dead. He had loved another, but still she loved him and she grieved that his life was lost. She turned her face to the wall and let the blackness take her.

* * *

‘It is so shocking,’ Mrs Bellingham said as she came from her niece’s bedchamber after the doctor had been. ‘To think that he might have made off with her, had you and the viscount not been there and seen what he was about.’ She mopped at her cheeks with a lace kerchief. ‘My poor niece—and it was all to be arranged for her wedding this very day.’

‘Yes, well, that may have to be postponed,’ Paul said, looking grave. ‘Adam was badly wounded. I am sure she thought him dead, which is why she fired. I had been wounded and it took me a moment to steady my aim and he might have killed any of us if Melia had not acted as she did—she is a brave girl, madam.’

‘Yes, indeed, but I think it has shocked her fiancé and his sister. They do not know quite what to make of her actions—and I must say it was not what I would have expected of my niece, or of any gentle girl.’

‘I had not expected so much of her,’ Paul said. ‘I hope that she will soon feel better and I shall delay my departure until I am sure she improves. I must speak with her and see what can be done to sort out this mess.’

‘He...that awful man is dead now?’

‘Yes. I should have made sure of it before this, but I thought to bring him to justice. If Melia or Adam had died I should not lightly have forgiven myself.’

‘Well, I cannot like what has happened, Lord Frant. I do not think my brother would have approved of the company she has kept since you became her guardian.’

‘I would willingly have given her care to you, madam,’ Paul said. ‘But now I owe her something and I shall make sure she is happy with her chosen course before I abandon her to you or her fiancé.’

Paul walked down the stairs to write a letter to Jane to explain why he could not join her as planned. His arm was painful, but he was fortunate to have escaped further injury. Adam’s wound was far worse and had barely missed his heart; another inch to the left and he would indeed be dead. As it was, he would be ill for some time and the doctor had stressed that he must not be moved for the moment.

It would be awkward for all concerned. Melia had not taken his apology well and Paul believed that she had been on the verge of running off with Hershaw, perhaps to spite them all. She, like Jane, was safe from Hershaw now, but she would be bitter and it would be painful for her to know Adam was lying in his sickbed in her aunt’s house. Paul was not sure what he could do to help her, but he blamed himself for what had happened. Adam was his friend and, in paying court to her, he had not been fair to Melia. Perhaps worse still, Hershaw’s actions had been meant against Paul and Melia had unfortunately been caught up in the sorry mess. It was a miracle that she was not badly wounded or dead. Her bruises were superficial and Paul suspected that it was her broken heart that had caused her to turn her face to the wall.

Had he been careless in his duty towards her? Paul knew that he had been caught up in his own affairs, labelling the girl as a flighty miss. Yet now he felt that he might have been remiss and if there was a way to help her, he must find it. For the moment his own affairs must wait, even though he was impatient to be with Jane once more.

Chapter Sixteen

P
aul’s letter did not reach Jane for four days and she had begun to wonder why he did not come as he’d promised. Wild thoughts went through her mind and she pictured him lying dead or injured, so the truth was not so very shocking. He had a flesh wound, but Adam’s was so much worse he feared for his friend’s life—and Melia had taken to her bed and refused to leave it.

I wish I might be with you, planning our wedding.
Yet I know you will understand why I cannot leave this house for the moment. I must make arrangements for Adam to be properly cared for when he is well enough to be moved—and I feel in part responsible for Melia’s despair.

It seems I wronged her in believing that she would soon recover from her infatuation. I now believe she truly loved Adam, and his confession that he was married to Annamarie deeply wounded her.

Had I not followed she might have gone with Hershaw and, in his hatred for me, he would have used her ill.

I would not ask it of you, Jane, but I believe she needs a friend she can speak to of what is in her heart. Her aunt is a good woman in her way but she fusses foolishly. Come if you can, and perhaps together we can heal her wounded heart.

Jane took her letter to Will and showed him. She found him with Sarah in the parlour. They had been talking earnestly, but Will saw at once that Jane was in distress and read the letter she handed him. He agreed that she must go to Melia and Sarah offered to go with her.

‘The viscount will need nursing and I have some skill in that,’ Sarah said, and looked at Will shyly. ‘We have something to tell you, Jane...’ She faltered and he smiled and nodded.

‘Yes, my dearest sister. I am sure you have long guessed it was my intention—but I must tell you that I have asked Sarah to be my wife. We shall announce our engagement but the wedding will wait until after your own has taken place.’

‘I had hoped that might be quite soon,’ Jane said, ‘but, should it be long delayed, you must not delay your plans to suit me—I can quite easily stay with Mama until my affairs are settled.’

‘I knew you would say that,’ her brother said and gave her a quick hug. ‘Sarah insisted we must wait, but we shall call the banns for one month hence and hope that Lord Frant’s friend will have recovered before that...’

‘He is severely wounded, but wounds of the heart may heal sooner than a broken heart,’ Jane said. ‘I think Paul is more concerned for Melia than he has written. I shall go to him this very day, Sarah. Are you sure you wish to accompany me?’

‘Yes.’ She looked at Will and he nodded. ‘We must all help each other and I shall come with you, Jane.’

Jane accepted her offer and went at once to set plans in motion for their journey. She could not know how long they would have to stay with Mrs Bellingham and would take clothes for a few weeks, as well as all the medicines and clean linen bindings she thought necessary.

Will had decided to accompany them. ‘I shall not stay to be a burden to Mrs Bellingham,’ he said, ‘but I have friends nearby who will welcome me and shall ride over each day to see how you go on.’

‘I am glad of it,’ Jane said, because she did not wish to be the cause of their parting at a time when they should be planning their wedding.

The journey took several hours and it was past six when they arrived at Mrs Bellingham’s house. She had been expecting them and her relief was obvious for she welcomed Jane with open arms, sniffing into her lace kerchief.

‘I am at my wits’ end,’ she declared to Jane as she ordered tea and cakes to sustain them until supper. ‘Melia will not even speak to me...’

‘Is Paul here?’ Jane asked, looking about her, for she had expected he would meet her.

‘He is with the doctor attending the viscount,’ Mrs Bellingham said and gave a little sob. ‘That such a thing should happen here! I have never been so shocked. We have had the magistrate here and doctors... Lord Frant was not satisfied with our local man and sent for a man from town. I am sure I do not know what things are coming to...a man shot dead, another dying and my niece refusing to eat or drink...’

‘I shall go up to her,’ Jane said. ‘You may send a tray of tea with two cups and a little bread and butter and some chicken to the bedchamber, if you please, and I shall do what I can to encourage her to drink.’

‘I will show you to her room,’ Mrs Bellingham said. ‘If your brother and cousin will take some tea...’ She seemed torn between being polite to her guests and Jane’s request.

‘Your footman may show me up,’ Jane said and pressed her hand. ‘Pray do not worry so, ma’am. I am sure that Melia will be better soon.’

‘Oh...well, if you think so...’

Jane left her with Sarah and Will and enquired direction from the footman who had admitted them. He took her up the stairs and she thanked him as he directed her to Melia’s room. She knocked and entered, though Melia did not invite her to do so. The room was in darkness and Melia was lying hunched up on the bed, still dressed in what she had been wearing for days judging by its state. She had her face turned to the wall and did not look round as Jane spoke to her.

‘Why are you in such distress?’ she asked. ‘Your aunt is distraught because you will not speak to her—and with Adam so ill...’

She saw Melia stiffen and then she rolled over on to her back and pushed herself up against the pillows, staring at Jane in disbelief.

‘I saw him die...he was so pale and still...that devil killed him and it was my fault...’

‘How could it be your fault?’ Jane asked. ‘I must tell you that Adam is badly wounded, but he is yet alive. I had it from your aunt but a moment ago. A new doctor has been summoned and Lord Frant is with him now.’

‘He is truly alive?’ Melia looked at her and for a moment there was light in her dull eyes. ‘He was not killed?’

‘No, he lives. I cannot promise he will not die, but he lives at this moment.’

‘I am glad...’ Melia gave a little sob. ‘I hated him for a time that morning. He told me that he has a wife—and I loved him. Why did no one tell me that he was married? Had I known...’

‘The viscount told no one of his marriage. It remained a secret until Hershaw spread a whisper that Lord Frant was secretly married to the Indian Princess and had deserted her. I was told in such a way that I became distressed and left the house alone—which led to my capture and imprisonment.’

She saw the shock in Melia’s face. ‘Yes, I was imprisoned by Hershaw’s men, and he meant to kill me when he had finished his evil work against Paul—as he would have killed you, my love.’

‘Oh, Jane, I did not know what was in his mind,’ Melia said and tears rolled down her cheek. ‘It is all my fault...I brought him to your house and encouraged him. I told him all the things he wanted to know about you and my guardian...I told him you had an understanding...’

‘Yes, I thought it must have been you,’ Jane said and saw the girl flinch. ‘No, do not blame yourself for what happened, Melia. He would have found a way even if you had not told him anything...’

‘I am to blame,’ Melia insisted. ‘I was selfish and thoughtless—and if Adam dies it will be my fault.’

‘If you regret what you have done, give up this selfish remorse that is so distressing for your aunt...’ There was a knock at the door and then a maid came in with a tray and Jane asked her to set it down.

After she had gone, Jane poured two cups of tea, giving one to Melia and taking one herself. ‘There is a little bread and butter and some cold chicken, my love. Please try and eat a little and drink your tea. I have been travelling and truly need mine.’

‘You are so kind to me and I do not deserve it,’ Melia said and sipped her tea. She discovered that she was thirsty and drank it all. Jane poured them both another and Melia ate a few mouthfuls of the bread and butter and Jane tried one of the delicious cakes.

‘Your aunt has a good cook, Melia.’

‘Yes, she does,’ Melia said and put down her empty cup. ‘What am I to do, Jane? I am not in love with Captain Smythe—but I have promised to wed him...’

‘You know that even if the viscount lives he will return to India—to his wife and child?’

‘Yes...’ Melia’s complexion was pale but her expression was set. ‘He never loved me. I was foolish to fall for a pretty face and charming manners. I see now that when he made excuses he was only being kind...’

‘I fear there was a little more to it,’ Jane said. ‘He felt some resentment towards Paul and perhaps he flirted with you in a mood of mischief. It was not kind in him, Melia—but I think he relented when he realised the damage he had done. Paul has forgiven him and perhaps in time you will be able to do the same.’

‘I do not know if I can forgive,’ Melia said, ‘but I pray that he will live and...be happy with his family.’

Tears were running down her face. Jane wiped them away with her kerchief. ‘In time the pain of a love lost will lessen,’ she said. ‘I think you must decide whether you wish to marry Captain Smythe or not and tell him. He left to take his sister home, but said he would return in a few days. You should tell him at once that you cannot marry him if that is your wish.’

‘I shall be an outcast from Society,’ Melia said. ‘When word gets out there will be a terrible scandal.’

‘No, I do not think it need be so. Some people may be cool towards you and think you a jilt, but others will be kinder—as for the other business, it will be hushed up and your name kept from it, I am sure. Lord Frant will do all he can to protect you.’

‘I shall never marry...’ Melia said and looked so miserable that Jane leaned forward to kiss her.

‘Do not despair, Melia. For a time you will grieve but in time your heart will mend. One day in the future, Paul and I will take you travelling—perhaps to France and Italy. You may find happiness again. Besides, in a year or two your brief engagement will be forgotten.’

‘Yes...’ Melia sighed. ‘I suppose it will...’

A knock came at the door then and Paul asked if he might enter. Melia said that he might and he came in looking apprehensive, but smiled as he saw her sitting up and the teacups.

‘You are feeling a little better,’ he said. ‘I am glad, Melia—and I beg you to forgive me for all that has happened to you.’

Melia smiled, perhaps the first natural smile she’d given him. ‘You were never anything but generous to me, sir. I was foolish and greedy, and I beg your pardon for the hurt I have caused.’

‘I came to tell you that Adam is conscious. He asked after you, Melia, and said that he would like to see you when you felt able...’

‘I will go and see him,’ she said and then looked down at her crumpled gown, as if she had not realised the state she was in. ‘Perhaps I should change first...this has his blood on it.’

‘I shall help you,’ Jane said and looked at Paul. ‘We will talk later, my dearest.’

‘Yes—and thank you for coming to our aid...’

He left the room and Melia stood while Jane unfastened her gown and helped her to change into a clean one. Melia chose a plain blue dress that had none of the fashionable style she had adopted in London, her hair caught up in a simple knot at the back. Jane thought she looked prettier than she ever had before.

‘I shall leave you,’ she said. ‘Perhaps you will come down to supper later?’

Walking down the stairs, Jane went to the parlour where the others had been taking tea earlier. Paul was alone, drinking a glass of brandy. He turned as she entered and held out his hands to her. She went to him and he took her hands, drawing her into his arms and holding her.

‘You spoke of a wound?’

‘It was a mere scratch to my arm,’ he said. ‘I should not have mentioned it, but I had to explain... I needed you here, my darling. I could not reach Melia, no one could...she would not listen to us.’

‘She thought Adam dead,’ Jane told him. ‘She blamed herself for his death. I think she both hates and loves him. He hurt her badly—and yet she could not bear to think her foolishness had led to his death.’

‘Even if he had been dead it could not have been her fault,’ Paul said. ‘The blame is mine. I should have been more careful. I thought it right to leave Hershaw to the law, but I should have known that he would never rest until one of us was dead.’

‘Why should he hate you so?’ Jane touched his cheek.

‘It was many things...mostly envy and greed, I think,’ Paul sighed. ‘Truly, I hardly understand such hatred myself. I once warned our superior officer that he cheated at the card tables and he was sent away in some disgrace, but that was many years ago. I can only think that he fell prey to the charms of a jealous woman...or perhaps it was his losses at the card tables...’

‘We shall never know for certain,’ Jane said. ‘I am relieved that he is dead, Paul, though a man’s death is never cause for celebration, I know.’

‘No, it cannot be,’ he agreed. ‘Yet, unless the law dealt with him harshly, I think a shadow would have hung over us. He tried to kill Adam and he would have killed Melia had I not fired first.’

‘Then it ended the only way it could,’ she agreed. ‘I hope that we shall never have to speak of him again, Paul.’

‘I see no reason why we should,’ he said. ‘All has been settled with the magistrates and, though an inquiry may be held, there is naught to fear. We must wait until Adam is on his feet again—and then perhaps we can be married...’ He smiled at her. ‘You must decide where we go on our wedding trip, my love.’

‘I think we should live a week or so alone somewhere—and then perhaps we could take Melia on a trip to France or Italy...’

He gazed into her eyes. ‘I know of no other woman who would be willing to share such a precious time with her but I am grateful to you for the offer. I feel the need to make some recompense for her hurt.’

‘Yes, I know, and I have promised that she shall go travelling at some point,’ Jane said. ‘Her heart weeps now for her grief but she is young and I believe she will recover well, given the opportunity.’

‘Has she decided against marriage to Captain Smythe?’

‘Yes—how did you guess it?’

‘I knew from the way she wept over Adam that she still loved him. I wasn’t sure whether she would marry for position and wealth.’