The Dangerous Lord Darrington (34 page)

‘But Wakeford is an irrelevance, my love.’

Beth turned away, distressed. In two strides Guy was beside her. He put his arms around her and held her until the shivering subsided.

‘I am well. Please, Guy, you do not need to worry about me.’

She spoke bravely but he was not convinced, and turned to his friend.

‘Davey, I would be glad if you could see the ladies home while I accompany Sir John—’

‘Madame de Beaune is welcome to stay at the Priory,’ said Beth. She added shyly, ‘And you, too, Guy. Please come back when you have finished here.’

His heart soared at her words. He kissed her hands. ‘Gladly,’ he muttered. ‘I will be back as soon as I can.’

She gazed up at him, a smile trembling on her lips. ‘I shall wait up for you.’

After all the bustle and excitement of the evening, it was a relief to climb into Lady Arabella’s large travelling carriage. Its roomy interior comfortably accommodated them all, with Beth explaining to Sophie and her grandmother that Madame de Beaune was to be their guest for a few days.

‘You are very welcome,’ declared Lady Arabella graciously. ‘I do not think I know you.’

‘No, Grandmama,’ said Beth patiently. ‘You will remember I told you that Madame met Simon at Portsmouth. She is come now to testify to his innocence.’

As the carriage trundled its way home Beth and Davey explained everything that had happened.

‘From our seats on the far side of the room we had no notion of what all the commotion was about,’ said Sophie.

‘They say Mr Radworth has been arrested,’ stated Lady Arabella.

‘Yes Grandmama. It was he who attacked poor Madame de Beaune and put the blame for it all upon Simon.’

The old lady snorted contemptuously. ‘Hmmmph! I never liked the man, always thought he had a lack of breeding.’ She put her hand up to her neck. ‘And I did not like the way he stared at my diamonds. As if he could not wait to possess them.’

‘There is no possibility of his possessing anything of ours now,’ replied Beth. ‘I shall instruct our lawyer in the morning—a contract based upon such villainy and deceit cannot stand.’

‘I do not think there will be any difficulty there, ma’am,’ affirmed Davey.

‘And when will my grandson be home?’

‘Very soon, I hope, Grandmama.’ Beth clasped her hands. ‘I hope by tomorrow evening we shall all be together again.’

The tranquillity of the old Priory welcomed them and Beth immediately went in search of her housekeeper.

‘We will need a room made up immediately for Madame de Beaune,’ she informed her. ‘Lord Darrington will be returning, too, before the morning, Mrs Robinson, but you had best make up one of the other guest rooms for him.’ She added, unable to prevent herself from smiling, ‘I believe Mr Simon will need his own room tomorrow.’

‘Oh dear, oh lord, ma’am, that is good news,’ cried the housekeeper, wiping her eyes with the corner of her apron. ‘I will not tell you how hard I have prayed for this moment! I was that shocked when the soldiers came and took him away, and Kepwith told me he had been living in the undercroft all this time—! But is he really free, ma’am? Will he have to go to court? What—?’

Laughing, Beth raised her hands to stem the flood of questions.

‘I am afraid I do not have all the answers just yet, Mrs Robinson, but I shall know more once the earl returns. Prepare the rooms, if you please, and I will explain everything to you tomorrow.’

In a very short time everyone was settled and Beth sank down on a chair in the great hall, pleased for a little solitude to think over the events of the evening. She asked Kepwith to build up the fire, then sent him off to bed, saying that she would wait up for the earl.

The old house settled around her like a well-worn cloak. She looked up to the ceiling, the soaring rafters disappearing into the gloom. The firelight glinted on the swords and trophies that covered the walls. A feeling of peace stole over her. She leaned back in her chair, gazing at the fire while the steady tick of the clock soothed her into a doze.

Beth had no idea how long she slept, but she woke abruptly as the great oak door burst open and hasty footsteps rang out on the stone flags.

‘Simon!’ Beth flew out of her chair.

‘I knew you would not want to wait until tomorrow,’ said Guy, standing behind them and grinning broadly. ‘So I persuaded Sir John to let me fetch him home.’

Beth emerged from her brother’s bear-like hug and threw herself into Guy’s arms.

‘So
that
is why you have been so long. You have been to Thirsk and back! Thank you! And thank goodness I ordered Mrs Robinson to prepare rooms for you both before she went to bed!’ She disengaged herself from Guy’s embrace. ‘Simon, come and sit down by the fire. Are you hungry? Thirsty? Shall I ring for Kepwith—?’

‘No, no, I want nothing, sis, thank you, save to sleep in my own bed.’

‘Your room is ready. Shall I come with you—? ‘

‘No! I have had my fill of being accompanied everywhere! Besides, I am sure I can remember my way.’ He planted a kiss on her cheek, bade them goodnight and strode off across the hall, whistling.

Beth watched him disappear up the stairs. ‘Despite his incarceration he is so much better than when I last saw him.’ She turned back to Guy. ‘How can I ever thank you for bringing him home to me?’

‘I will show you.’ He pulled her into his arms and kissed her, sending all coherent thought flying from her head. When at last he broke away she leaned against him, sighing.

‘I have missed you so much. I am sorry I ever doubted you.’

‘No, I should have been more open with you.’ His words were murmured into her hair.

‘We were foolish not to trust one another.’ She turned her face up to him for another lingering kiss. ‘We must make sure we share everything in future. Let us start with you telling me what happened after we had left the Assembly Rooms. Is Miles safely locked up now?’

‘Yes, my love. He will not trouble us again.’

‘And what of Mrs Cordonnier?’ asked Beth. ‘In all the confusion she escaped without notice.’ She sighed. ‘I know it is very uncharitable of me, but I would have liked to see her punished for her part in all this.’

‘She will be,’ Guy told her. ‘Clarice was waiting at the door when we went out to Sir John’s carriage and she launched herself at Radworth, declaring he had promised her two thousand guineas to destroy Madame’s letter.’

‘But I do not understand. Miles and Mrs Cordonnier—they were working together?’

‘Not really. Clarice met Radworth when she visited your sister at Malpass and immediately recognised him for the villain he is. Unfortunately she did not realise that she was just another pawn in his game.’

‘So what will happen to her?’

‘She was so incensed at Radworth that she admitted everything to Sir John, how she stole the letter from you and tried to obtain money for its return. Sir John bundled her into the coach and took her to the lock-up, too.’ He grinned. ‘It was quite an—ah—acrimonious journey.’

Beth frowned. ‘But tonight Miles said
he
had the letter. He said he would give it to me…he lied about that, too?’

‘Yes, my love. He was just trying to make sure you married him. The letter was destroyed days ago. Clarice never had any intention of returning it to you. But she still hoped to persuade
me
to part with ten thousand pounds.’

‘And I was so cross that you would not help! Can you ever forgive me?’

‘If I had shared with you all my suspicions, you might have understood why I would not pay.’ His arms tightened around her. ‘We can do better than this, Beth. Shall we start again, my love—my one and only love?’

‘Yes, please. Let us put all this behind us. Oh, I do love you, Guy Wylder.’

She saw the look of triumph burning in his eyes and it fanned her ever-present desire for him into a blaze. She tilted up her face, inviting his kiss. He swooped down on her, taking her mouth, demanding a response. Beth’s lips parted, she returned his kiss, leaning her body into him, giving herself up to the pleasure of his touch. It liquefied her insides while excitement grew and pooled low in her body. She remained pressed against him, her head thrown back as he raised his head.

‘Tell me now if you want me to go, or it will be too late.’

His voice was ragged and husky with passion. Her response was to reach up and drag his head down so she could kiss him again. Her heart was already beating wildly, but when she heard the low growl in his throat it leapt alarmingly, leaving her giddy with desire. In a single movement Guy swept her off her feet, cradling her against him as he carried her across the hall and up the stairs. She clasped her hands around his neck and buried her face against his cravat. He smelled of sandalwood and spices and an indefinable scent that she had learned to associate with him. She tingled with the anticipation of what was to come, her body aching, preparing itself for the feast of sensations he would rouse in her.

When she looked up again they were in her bedchamber. He set her on her feet, kissing her while his fingers swiftly unhooked her bodice. Beth knew no hesitation, no coy shyness. She set about undressing her partner with equal fervour. The fire Tilly had thoughtfully built up had warmed the room and now its rosy glow was all that they needed to light their way to bed. Their naked limbs were pale against the blackness of the hangings as they fell together on to the covers, memories of their earlier union making their kisses eager. Passion surged between them, but they held back, savouring the delicious moments as they explored each other’s bodies, kissing, teasing, caressing, tasting, until their senses were so heightened that the merest touch provoked a soft moan of ecstasy.

Beth had never known such intense pleasure. She lay back against the covers, her arms stretched out, fingers clutching at the silk as Guy took her to new heights, working her body with his hands, his mouth, his tongue, until she thought she would die from the pleasure of it. She reached out for him as his hand caressed her breast, the thumb circling one hard, erect nub while his mouth and tongue teased even more intimate areas.

Excitement grew inside her, a wild exhilaration, spreading, increasing until it was such an unbearable pleasure that she was writhing beneath him, trying to pull away from the exquisite torment, but he held her firm. She was a prisoner of her own pleasure. She cried out, begging him to stop, to go on. Momentarily the pleasure ceased as he moved over her, measuring the length of his body against hers. He entered her, matching his rhythm to hers, carrying her inexorably onwards. She was open, receptive. Her legs wrapped themselves around his waist as their bodies moved together. She dug her fingers into his shoulders, feeling the hard muscle beneath the skin, sensing her power over him as they moved ever faster. It was a tense, rigid, dizzying culmination. Guy gasped, his hands holding her in a blood-stopping grip as he pushed into her and tensed, his head thrown back. She half expected to hear a triumphant howl as she clung to him, her own body racked and exhausted by the physical and emotional effort of loving.

His breathing softened. Guy supported himself on his arms above her, looking down. She could not see his face, but she could feel the love and gentleness emanating from him. He lowered his head, searching for her lips. She lifted her face to receive his kiss, light as a feather. Silently, they slipped between the sheets. Beth shivered slightly as the cotton struck cold on her bare skin, then Guy gathered her in his arms, warmed her with his own body and she fell asleep.

It was a beautiful autumn morning. A light frost coated the grass and the rising sun was a gilded orb against the pinky-blue of the clear sky. Beth stood amongst the ruins of the old church. She avoided the chill shadows, enjoying the warmth of the rising sun on her face. A faint mist hung over the river while on the other side of the wilderness it hovered between the trees, dimming the glow of their crisp golden leaves. She picked her way between the tumbled stones, moving away from the standing walls until she could see across the gardens to the Priory, its old stone turned to mellow gold in the morning sun.

Something, not exactly a sound, more a feeling, made her look round. Guy was approaching. He was wearing his greatcoat over his shirt and breeches, but it was unbuttoned and billowed about him. He stopped.

‘Do I intrude?’

‘You were sleeping. I did not want to disturb you.’

‘Thus when I did wake, you were gone.’ The smile in his eyes reassured her.

‘How did you find me?’

‘There were footsteps in the frost. When I realised they were heading through the cloisters I guessed where you were going.’ She saw the uncertainty behind his eyes. ‘Is anything wrong?’

‘No-o.’ She wrapped her arms around herself. ‘I was thinking. About the future.’

‘Well. Radworth booked the church for three weeks’ time, I suggest we use it. There is still time to read the banns. Would you object to that?’

She blushed. ‘No. I would like that. Very much.’

His relief was palpable and that pleased her.

‘I will have to go to Wylderbeck before then. I would like to take you with me. I want to show you my home.’

‘Yes, of course.’

She turned and walked back into the main body of the abbey. The air was very still and the sun had crept high enough to shine over the remains of the walls, bathing the area in warmth and light. It came to her that, centuries past, couples would have stood in this very spot, making their marriage vows.