The Lady Plays Her Ace (The Langley Sisters) (10 page)

She was a fool, and these feelings inside her were improper and wrong, but Thea couldn’t help it. Oliver Dillinger was the most handsome, intriguing man she had ever known, and she loved being in his company. She wanted him, wanted to have him in her life, but was as yet unsure how to convince him that he wanted her also.

His wit was dry, and his intellect sharp, but what Thea loved was when she could coax a smile from his lips. Those moments were like precious little gems uncovered, rare but so very rewarding.

The first morning she’d seen him on horseback, striving to keep his seat whilst the horse bolted, she’d felt ill inside at the prospect of him harming himself. When she’d caught up with him and he’d been looking like a thunder cloud, his body tense and his scowl fierce, she should have been intimidated but instead she was excited.

"Althea Ryder, you are indeed a sorry specimen," she sighed.

He was right that she should have no further contact with him, but not because of her reputation. No, she should not see him again because every time she did she felt herself getting closer to him and wanting that so much it was almost painful. Her chest felt tight when she rode to meet him, expectation nearly choking her at the thought of seeing him again.

She never felt like that when she saw Lord Howarth. In fact, she’d never felt like that before. Thea knew it was wrong but did not seem to be able to stop herself.

The Brown family lived in a terraced house with a dark brown stone façade and white windows. It was not the best part of London but very pleasant, with a park across the street that, even on such a cold day, had children running hither and yon.

"I shall not need you for this, Ted. Therefore, go with the carriage to keep the horses warm and return in a while, as I have much to relate to the Browns on behalf of their daughter."

"I will just wait until you are inside then, my lady, as you do not have your maid with you."

"You will not," Thea said, looking at her footman. "Keep the horses moving or they shall grow stiff and cold."

"Are you certain, my lady?"

"Absolutely."

Thea walked up the steps as the carriage rolled away and knocked on the door. It was answered minutes later by a maid.

"Good afternoon. I am Lady Althea, from Stratton House in Two Oaks. I wish to speak with the Brown family, please."

"Oh, but they are out I’m afraid, my lady, and not due to return for some time as they are visiting friends," the maid said, and Thea wished she had sent a note as Bella had suggested she do. However, as always she’d just come, such was her impetuous nature.

"Never mind. If you could just take these gifts and the message from Miss Helen Brown to say she has taken ill but that it is not serious, and that she will visit with them as soon as she is able," Thea said, handing the basket to the maid.

"Of course I shall, my lady."

When the door was closed, she wondered what she was to do now, as Ted and the carriage had gone. Seeing the children in the small park, she walked down the steps and made her way across to there. She could sit there for a while, if the weather was not to cold, or take a walk? Perhaps there was a tea shop nearby? Should she just knock on the door once more and ask to sit inside the Brown residence until Ted and the carriage returned? Looking towards the park, she made for there first. Her brothers were extremely protective, so it was quite liberating to be walking about on her own.

It was not full as the weather was cold, but there was a family there, adults and children. All were talking and making a great deal of noise. Walking by them, she laughed as a young boy ran away from an elder man. He stopped just before Thea, noticing her suddenly.

"Hello, young man. Are you having fun?" Thea bent at the waist and smiled at the child who smiled back.

"That’s my grand da. He’s old."

Thea followed the hand the boy pointed and saw that the man was now coming towards them. He was big, with a headful of gray hair and a lovely smile that lit his brown eyes.

"Liam, I hope you are being polite to this pretty lady."

"Indeed he is, Sir. He also told me that you were his old grand da," Thea added, smiling.

"Did he, now. Well, you can rely on a child for honesty," he said, ruffling the little boy’s head. "And the truth is that he makes me feel old with all his running about, but luckily as he is a grandchild I can send him home to his parents when I want rid of him."

Thea laughed as he gave the boy a menacing look, which made the lad giggle. There was obviously a great deal of love between grandson and grandfather.

"Well, good day to you, Sir." Thea gave him another smile before making her way towards a seat tucked away off the path, in front of some trees to await her carriage. It was peaceful here, and she could still hear the family playing, and the sounds of Liam’s laughter made her own lips twitch. It was nice to just sit quietly and think.

"Do not move or make a sound as I have a knife at your back."

The words were whispered into her ear, low and guttural.

"What do you want?" Thea said quickly.

"All your money and jewelry."

She wore her mother’s brooch today, and the small ring her father had given her that she removed only to sleep. To lose them would be devastating. Anger began to mix with the fear as she tried to think.

"The bag first," the voice said and a hand waved in front of her face, pointing at her reticule.

"I will give you what I have in here, but not the jewelry." Thea kept her words calm and tried to sound strong.

"You’ll do as I say."

She winced as the knife dug into her left shoulder.

"I will not!" Thea leapt to her feet and tried to run, but he was quick and in seconds he'd grabbed her, pulling her backwards into the trees. She fought with everything she had; punching him like Ted had taught her. His grunt told her she had connected with something. She screamed for help, and the man cursed and swung his fist at her, knocking Thea to the ground. She lay there, stunned, as her attacker fled, hardly daring to believe what had just happened.

"Dear God!" Gentle hands reached for her minutes later, lifting her into a sitting position. "Madam, are you all right?" Thea looked up at the large man before her. It was Liam’s grandfather with a worried look on his face.

"I-yes, thank you." Thea’s head was hurting now along with her jaw, and she lifted a shaky hand to feel the lump at the base of her skull.

"The man had fled by the time I reached you, Madam." He pulled out a handkerchief and pressed it into her hand. "Will you allow me to carry you to somewhere more comfortable?"

Thea nodded as she was feeling light-headed. Closing her eyes as he lifted her, she rested her head on his chest as he walked.

"Dear Lord, Mathew, what has happened to her?"

Thea didn't open her eyes as a woman spoke. Her head was spinning and she felt as if every part of her body was trembling.

"A man attacked her. I suspect he was trying to steal from her, Sarah."

Thea didn’t care where they were taking her as long it was warm. Her body was shaking so much now that her teeth were starting to chatter.

"A few minutes more, Madam, and we shall have you inside and comfortable."

"Thank you," Thea managed. She was sure in a few minutes she would be stronger, more like herself. It was just the shock of what had taken place setting in. If only Ted would return with the carriage. She longed for his familiar face.

She opened her eyes as she was carried into a warm room, and then lowered onto something soft.

"Can you tell me where you are hurting, Madam?" The man was crouching before her, his dark eyes concerned.

"It is my head and jaw, Sir."

"Madam, my name is Mathew Dillinger, and this is my wife, Sarah. Will you allow us to care for you until your carriage returns?"

Dear God, it couldn’t be.
Surely, there was more than one Dillinger in London, and not all were related to her Dillinger? The pounding in Thea’s head increased. He was a big man, though, and there was something about him of Oliver. Now she knew there could be a connection.

"Are you Oliver’s parents?" Thea whispered, hoping she was wrong.

"Do you know our eldest son?" Delight showed on the woman’s face as she reached for the ties of Thea's bonnet and gently removed it. She had a lovely, soft smile. Her hair, like her husband’s, was gray, which was not surprising considering the amount of children she had raised.

‘I actually had nine siblings, but my youngest sister, Beth, died in my arms. That was a dark day, Lady Althea. Watching a part of you suffer and slowly die, and know there is nothing I can do to keep her alive.’

Thea heard the words Oliver Dillinger had spoken as she acknowledged the woman who had lost that child, too.

"I do, yes, and my name is Lady Althea Ryder."

A look flashed between husband and wife before they faced her again.

"I shall fetch the doctor for you, my lady, at once." Mathew Dillinger rose with these words.

"No, please," Thea stopped him. "I have a sore head and my jaw aches but there is no need for a doctor. Perhaps just a cup of sweet tea and a cold cloth and I shall be set to rights."

"If that is your wish, my lady, but if you change your mind I shall send someone at once," Mathew Dillinger said.

They brought her a cold cloth that felt wonderful on her aching jaw, and then another was placed behind her head. She sat up when the tea arrived and even managed a smile for the worried family before her.

"There, you see, I feel much better already," she lied as she took the cup Oliver’s mother handed her. "Will you introduce me to the rest of your family, Mr. Dillinger?"

"We have only our grandchildren at home with us today, my lady," and she heard the pride in his voice. Mr. Dillinger loved his family very much. "You’ve met Liam." He patted the boys head.

She met Sally who was eight and the twin six-year-old boys, Phillip and John. Their coloring was varied, but some had Oliver’s dark hair and deep brown eyes. Thea tried to smile but felt her lips tremble, so she pressed them together.

"Now you boys go outside and wait for Lady Althea’s carriage, so you can tell the driver she is in here," Sarah Dillinger said, directing her grandsons from the room.

"I have no wish to throw your grandchildren out in the cold, Mrs. Dillinger," Thea said, speaking slowly as it hurt her face.

"They’re never inside so don’t you worry about them. They don’t feel the cold," the woman said.

"Will you have a currant bun with the tea, my lady?"

Thea’s stomach churned as she looked at the plate Mathew Dillinger held out to her.

"They look delicious, but I’m not hungry, thank you."

She let her eyes wander around the room as she slowly sipped her tea. Her strength was returning and with it, the memory of that man attacking her. Thea hoped he had a few bruises of his own. There were paintings and drawings on the walls, and papers and books on every available surface. It was a room that was lived in and had the circumstances been different, she would have loved it. It was a home, a place where you spent time with the people you loved.

"I have some salve, my lady, that will help with reduce the swelling. Will you allow me to put it on you?" Mrs. Dillinger moved to kneel before Thea now.

"Thank you." Thea nodded slowly, and then almost sighed at the woman’s gentle touch. Her mother had once touched her like that, so soft and caring.

Thea heard voices outside the door.

"Please excuse me a moment. I hear my son."

Son?
Dear Lord, please don’t let it be the eldest as she had no wish to disgrace herself by collapsing upon Oliver's large chest and sobbing, if indeed it was he who walked through that door. She’d half risen from the sofa as it was thrown open and in walked another Dillinger, however not her one…Oliver, of course she meant. He wasn’t hers, he was just…Oliver. Dear Lord, she was addled. The attack had left her wits scattered.

"Daniel, this is Lady Althea Ryder." Mrs. Dillinger made the introductions.

"Good God, is it really?" Daniel Dillinger walked forward and bowed elegantly before her. "It is a great pleasure to meet you, Lady Althea. My brother Oliver has told me much about you."

He had his father’s happy eyes but he was not quite as tall, perhaps more his mother’s size, which was still great indeed. In fact, they all made Thea feel small, and that did not happen often as she was taller than most women of her acquaintance.

"She was attacked in the park, son, and we carried her here to await her carriage," Mr. Dillinger said

"Our park?" He frowned. "How bloody dare someone do that to you here?"

"Daniel." The rebuke came from his mother. "Lady Althea has no wish to hear your coarse language.

"No, please," Thea said. "Really, I have two brothers who speak like that constantly. Do not apologize, Mrs. Dillinger, and good day to you, Mr. Dillinger," she added. "I-your father and mother were kind enough to invite me in here after the incident in the park, as my carriage has not yet returned, and I was visiting the Browns, you see, and they were not there."