The Secret of Castlegate Manor (13 page)

"No thank you, Edwards. You may retire if you like. I am just going up myself."

Edwards nodded. He retreated after casting a last reproving glance at Geoffrey.

"Only Nottington knows your true identity?" Caroline whispered.

"Yes. He served with my father in the military before coming back here to work. He knew me as a boy. That is why I knew I could trust his loyalty."

"As I trust you."

She placed her small hand back atop his own. He picked it up and placed a kiss upon her palm.

"Sleep now, my Caroline. Tomorrow, I shall try again to locate Lady Aberly. With a bit of luck, I may even catch the miscreants as well."

Caroline lay awake long into the night, mixing prayers for Lady Aberly's safety with those of thanksgiving that Geoffrey could still love her in spite of what he knew of her past. She had expected to marry a squire of small estate and keep her guilty secret. It was more than she could have hoped to find a man of fortune who loved her in spite of her lowly position.

The next day yielded no new information in the search for Lady Aberly. Though Henry came and tried to comfort her, Lavenia's reddened eyes and pale cheeks spoke the despair she suffered.

"You must go to Lord Humphrey. Promise him whatever he wants. I must know what has happened to Mother," Lavenia implored Caroline.

"You mean marry him?"

"He may have a genuine fondness for you. Perhaps it would not be so bad." Lavenia paused in her pleading and surveyed the dismay on Caroline's face.

"I am sorry, Caroline. Of course you cannot marry him. The man is a monster. It is just that I am so worried about Mother."

Caroline nodded. "I do understand. And I believe you have come upon a good idea. I shall go to Bath and see Lord Humphrey. Perhaps I may learn something useful."

Lavenia shook her head. "You must not. I am in no state to travel and I would be beside myself with worry that he would not allow you to return."

"I shall take Nottington and Geoffrey with me. And I shall make it very plain that they have orders to see to my safe return.

"Perhaps I should come along," Henry suggested.

Caroline shook her head. "He might not speak as freely with you about."

Lavenia grasped Caroline's hand. "You are brave. I am grateful for your effort on Mother's behalf."

Caroline patted her hand. "I must retire to my chambers and think of a plan. Somehow, I must fool him into revealing the whereabouts of Lady Aberly. I fear it will not be easy, for he is wily and not easily deceived."

Lavenia smiled a wavering smile. "Whatever happens, I shall always be grateful for the effort you make."

When a note from Geoffrey summoned her for a meeting in the rose garden, Caroline had her plan carefully in place.

Moonlight bathed his discouraged visage. "Nothing. Not a sign of her anywhere."

Caroline licked her lips, wondering about his reaction to her plan. "I have given it much thought. As Lord Humphrey is apparently behind this misdeed, it is to him that I feel we must go. If I can make him believe that his plan has failed and Lady Aberly is deposited safely home, he might reveal the location at which she is held."

Geoffrey's forehead puckered in thought. "Do you think he would believe you?"

"I do not see what I have to lose. If you are available to protect me, I do not fear danger. And perhaps I will learn something useful."

She studied his face, eager for his reaction. After what seemed an eternity he said, "I have no better plan. Indeed, I seem to have come upon a dead end. Therefore, I will agree to this scheme only if you insist upon my being present in the room with you at all times."

"I would have it no other way."

"Then I will tell Nottington to ready the carriage. Tomorrow, we will face the fiend together. With any luck, he will tip his hand. Until then, I bid you good-night."

He kissed her gently, then disappeared into the shadows. She shivered as she thought of the horror Lady Aberly must have experienced with an abduction from this very garden. Tomorrow, she would attempt her best play-acting. Perhaps if she were good, she would meet success.

CHAPTER TEN

The coach rocked and swayed on its way to Bath. The early morning sun burned through the high clouds, scattering them like a consuming army. Caroline was grateful they would reach their destination before the warmest part of the afternoon. And she was grateful for Geoffrey's comforting presence across the seat.

Since Nottington had known of Geoffrey's position all along, he showed no surprise when Geoffrey seated himself inside the coach with Caroline.

"Lord Humphrey's attempts to frighten us have set me on edge every time I must travel," Caroline admitted.

"I believe we will be safe as long as Lady Aberly is being held as reward for your compliance in marriage," Geoffrey said.

Caroline shuddered. "I can hardly imagine what horrors she must be suffering, held captive by the likes of those Lord Humphrey would employ."

"With any luck, she will provide the proof to tie the Viscount in with this evil deed. Then, we can send him packing, far away where he will not bother us again."

Caroline smiled. "That does sound good."

They rode in silence until she caught him chuckling to himself.

"And what is so funny, my lord?"

"When you told me you were Grandfather Stewart's granddaughter. Our family in India is quite small. Grandfather had only one child, my father, and he had only one son and daughter. Imagine my surprise upon learning I had a second sister."

Caroline felt her face grow hot. "You make fun at my expense."

He could not resist leaning across the seat to take her hands. She sat stiffly, though not resisting his attentions.

"I do not make fun. I find you delightfully resourceful. You could not have known my identity. I simply find it amusing that you should present your pretense to the one person who would find you out."

His eyes lacked malice. Caroline could not help seeing the humor in spite of her embarrassment.

"I might as well be your sister for the danger I have put myself into."

He kissed her palm. "I am glad that you are not. I like to look upon you and admire your beauty."

She withdrew her hand with proper modesty.

"Tell me about this sister whom I was so foolish as to impersonate."

He sat back in the seat. "She is happily married to an officer and occupies herself with visits to our mother and local gossips."

Caroline frowned. "It sounds rather dull."

"The happily married part?"

"No, the visiting and gossip."

"Perhaps is is because she has no groom to take her riding."

A teasing light danced in his eyes.

"Perhaps," she agreed softly.

She thought back to the intimate conversations they had shared, the fun of sharing the outdoors. "I hope we may still go riding."

"Every day if you like."

"Are you sure you wish to be seen with me? It is possible that someone from London may recognize me someday and disclose my identity. Would that not be an embarrassment to you?"

"Of course not. No one would dare to suggest so humble a background for so fine a lady. And no one would believe them if they did so. They would be left feeling quite the fool."

She lowered her eyes. "You really do not mind? I could not bear to have my former position flung in my face by someone for whom I cared deeply."

He raised her chin and gazed lovingly into her eyes. "I will never throw this in your face, nor with the last breath in my body, would I allow anyone else to do so."

His sincerity touched her to the core and melted her last reservation. "I shall be pleased to have you as my knight- errant if only we have the fairy tale ending that is every little girls' dream."

"Then I shall do all in my power to make it so."

They fell silent as the carriage continued to rock along. Geoffrey gave into the exhaustion of two long days of searching for Lady Aberly. He nodded into sleep, leaving Caroline content to study his handsome features and wonder how she had missed the sure signs of aristocracy that marked his speech and bearing.

They arrived in Bath late in the morning. Geoffrey suggested taking lunch at one of the fine tea houses before setting out for the Royal Crescent. Caroline felt too nervous about the imminent encounter with Lord Humphrey to do more than pick at her food. Geoffrey ate with the forced discipline of one who had to keep up his strength in battle. Yet, even he could not finish the last of his pork pie.

Caroline noticed the grim set of his jaw as Nottington drove them to the Royal Crescent. They were greeted by a pasty-faced butler who told them that he would inform Lord Humphrey of their arrival.

The Viscount ambled into the room, an assessing look in his eyes that belied his smile. "Why, Miss Stewart, so good of you to come and visit me. And I see you have brought your groom. Did you perhaps think I had a horse in need of tending?"

Caroline did not dignify his question with an answer. "I wish it were a social visit, my lord. However, I have come to inform you of the failure of your latest effort."

Lord Humphrey offered her a stiff-backed chair, then seated himself across the tea table. He raised a brow, the only indication of his interest in the conversation. "My latest effort? I am sure I do not know to what you refer."

"I believe you do, sir. You had Lady Aberly spirited away in hopes to gain the upper hand."

The Viscount waved a hand, dismissing her accusation. "I assure you I know nothing about such a disappearance. If your relative is missing, I can only extend my sympathies. Considering the circumstances of your blatant disregard of my highest intentions toward you, I hardly feel I am obliged to assist you in locating her."

"La, sir. I do not need assistance. It may surprise you to learn that Benson has turned against you. We discovered the location and he has admitted that you were behind the plan. Soon the constable will come for your arrest."

Lord Humphrey narrowed his eyes. His face paled in spite of his obvious struggle to remain composed. "These accusations are ridiculous. I should have you evicted from my presence for even making them. I can certainly assure you that, should Benson fall in with your plot to discredit me, the constable would take my word before that of a man I hired as a groom."

"Perhaps you are right and there is no need to bring charges. After all, Lady Aberly is safe and well. And perhaps Benson acted on his own in hopes of gaining ransom. You know him better than I do. Why do you suppose he chose such a terrible place to hold her?"

Caroline held her breath. If he were to lapse and reveal a clue that would help them, it would be in answer to this question.

Her hopes fell as he sighed in exaggerated patience. "If Benson acted on his own, it is hardly my concern. You have come a long way for nothing. Perhaps you will have some tea with me while your groom sees to the carriage."

He gave Geoffrey a nod of dismissal.

Geoffrey remained at attention a few discreet feet behind Caroline.

"I do not require refreshment and I would rather he remain. I see that we have no case against you, so I plead only that you would satisfy my curiosity. How did Benson choose the location to confine Lady Aberly?"

Lord Humphrey's smile did not reach his eyes. "I am afraid your curiosity will have to remain unsatisfied. If you were to prove more cooperative..." He let the words trail off.

"So you admit you have a part in the plot?"

"I admit nothing. I warn that, only in marriage, will you learn my secrets."

"And the innocent will suffer if I do not?"

Lord Humphrey shrugged helplessly. "I wish no one to suffer."

Caroline felt defeated. The interview had not gone as she had hoped. Either he suspected she was lying, or knew the constable would not believe Benson if the Viscount maintained his own innocence. Either way, he had made it plain that he would reveal nothing that might aid them.

Caroline rose. "Our conversation would appear to be over, my lord. So I shall depart."

He grasped her wrist as she turned to leave.

"Not so fast, my lady. Do you not wish to reconsider the advantages of our marriage? My man, Benson, tells me you have been riding alone with your groom. Surely, you know the impropriety of this act. It is not good for the reputation of a lady of fine breeding. If you do not watch yourself, no man of worth will be willing to wed you. I suggest you think about your position. If we wed, you could live in security instead of fear."

Caroline could no longer hold her temper in check. His threat to blackmail her reputation was more than she could bear.

"Unhand me this moment."

Geoffrey stepped forward.

The Viscount released Caroline and reached toward into his waistcoat. Caroline was horrified to see the glint of a pistol. She feared that he would murder them both.