A Country Miss in Hanover Square (17 page)

‘You look beautiful, as always, Susannah. Thank you for coming so promptly.’

‘I knew you were waiting for me,’ Susannah said and smiled at him a little un certainly. ‘You wished to talk to me?’

‘Yes.’ Harry reached for her hand, taking it and kissing it, as he had earlier. Susannah felt a tingle down her spine as she looked up and saw his hot gaze. She could no longer doubt that he had feelings for her. ‘I wanted to give you this…’ He took her left hand and slipped a beautiful diamond-and-emerald ring onto the third finger of her left hand. ‘I ought to have given you a ring sooner, but I had this made specially and it arrived this afternoon.’

‘Thank you. It is lovely, but…’ She hesitated, gazing up at him earnestly. ‘Are you certain that I am worthy to be your wife? I know you offered and I accepted, but…are you perfectly sure that you truly want me?’

‘Worthy…’ Harry frowned. ‘I suppose you mean this wretched house and its treasures? You will discover that they are a liability we have to cope with as best we can. If I could please myself, I should sell them and live modestly, but we are merely the custodians and must preserve them for the future.’

‘Your mama explained,’ Susannah told him shyly. ‘She said that she too felt overcome when she first came here and almost broke off her engagement.’

‘Yes, she told me that too.’ Harry laughed wryly. He moved closer, reaching out to touch her face. His fingers stroked her cheek lightly, sending little shivers up and down Susannah’s spine and making her long for something that she did not under stand. ‘How can you doubt that I want you, Susannah? I have thought that perhaps it was not fair to expect so much of you. The house is a responsibility, of course, and I am older…’

‘But I care for you,’ Susannah said impulsively. ‘Surely that is more important than any other considerations?’

‘My wise little love,’ Harry said in voice made deep by emotion. ‘I shall speak to your mama about the date of the wedding, but we shall not rush, for we need to know each other better, I think.’

Susannah looked at her ring. The emerald was a bright, clear green and flawless, the diamonds surrounding it brilliant and white.

‘It is beautiful,’ she breathed. ‘I have never seen anything as lovely. Thank you so much for giving it to me.’

‘It pales into in significance beside your beauty,’ Harry said. He reached for her, drawing her close and kissing her softly on the lips. ‘I have been wanting to kiss you all day, but it is difficult to be alone with you while everyone is here. Perhaps you will allow me to teach you the ways of love, dearest? You are very young and I prefer to take things slowly.’

‘Do you, Harry?’ Susannah’s eyes were bright with mischief. She felt a surge of confidence as she saw the heat in his eyes. ‘I rather think I should like you to kiss me again, please.’

‘Minx!’ Harry laughed and drew her hard against him, kissing her in a way that took her breath and was very different from the first kiss. She trembled as she felt a rush of desire, awakening feelings she had not realised existed. ‘You will get more of that if you tease me, miss!’

‘Shall I?’ Susannah asked and giggled. ‘Then I must think of ways to tease you, sir.’

‘What happened to Harry?’ he asked, his eyes on fire. ‘You used my name just now and I like it. I think you will lead me a pretty dance, Susannah, but you have found the way to my heart and I am never happy unless you are near. I suppose we must go and face them all now, my love. My fond relatives have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of my bride. It is our duty to entertain them.’

‘Did you know that Toby calls them the old
crusties
?’ Susannah said innocently. She laughed as she saw his expression. ‘Yes, it is too bad of him, isn’t it?’

‘He will lead you into trouble or you him,’ Harry said and looked resigned. ‘Come along then, Susannah. Dinner awaits us….’

Now that she was wearing the ring, everyone decided that their engagement was official. Before this evening the relatives had been watching her curiously, but now the barriers were down and they all tried to talk at once, wanting to be the first to wish her hap pi ness. Susannah thought she would drown under the weight of congratulations. Everyone came to kiss her and the gentlemen shook Harry’s hand. Lady Elizabeth presented her with a small gift, which turned out to be a beautiful pearl necklace.

‘I thought he might give you the ring this evening and I brought this with me just in case,’ she told Susannah. ‘I am so pleased, my dear. Everyone is happy that Harry will be settled at last. We had begun to think he might never marry.’

Toby’s mother, Lady Sinclair, added her good wishes. ‘I am very fond of my brother. I have been telling Harry to find a bride for the past two years. He could not have chosen better, Susannah. I am so pleased that you accepted him, my dear. I shall look forward to having a sister.’

Since everyone seemed of the same opinion, Susannah was carried through the evening on a wave of excitement. Harry’s relatives had accepted her; they were willing to give her a chance to prove herself and she knew that she must not let them down.

‘I wish you all the hap pi ness in the world,’ Toby said and kissed her cheek. ‘I have a gift for you. I shall give it to you tomorrow.’

‘Thank you.’ Susannah smiled and glanced at Harry, surprising an odd look in his eyes. He looked serious…no, there was some other emotion in his eyes, but she was not certain of its meaning.

Toby moved on and she saw him talking with Amelia. Susannah found herself alone for the first time that evening.

‘You must be very pleased with yourself. Pendleton is a wonderful catch for a girl like you.’

Susannah turned as she heard Miss Hazledeane’s voice. It was clear that she was both annoyed and jealous, her eyes hard with dislike. Susannah wondered if she had hoped to catch Harry for herself.

‘I am very fortunate,’ she said, keeping a fixed smile in place. For some reason her eyes were drawn to a lace kerchief tucked into the sash at Miss Hazledeane’s waist. She knew at once that it was exactly like the one she had found near the lake. ‘Have you lost a kerchief? I found one near the boat house this afternoon. It is in my room.’

‘It cannot be mine,’ Miss Hazledeane said and, if anything, her look of dislike deepened. ‘I do not know why you should think it. I have never been there.’

‘Oh…’ Susannah frowned—she would swear that the kerchief matched the one Miss Hazledeane had and her perfume was the same as that which lingered on the kerchief. ‘I must be mistaken, then.’

‘Yes, you are. Besides, my kerchief is a gift from Lady Elizabeth, so if you found one it is most probably hers.’

‘Perhaps…’ Susannah was thoughtful as the other woman moved away from her. It had been clear to her from the beginning that Lady Elizabeth’s ward did not like her. However, why stress the point that it was not her kerchief so strongly? There could be no harm in her having dropped it near the boat house.

‘Well, dearest,’ Harry said, driving the thought from her head. ‘We must go into dinner or my chef will hand in his notice and that would be a disaster. I have engaged to play billiards with Gerard and Max later—but if I do not see you alone again this evening I wish you sweet dreams.’ He pressed her hand. ‘Do not forget our arrangement for the morning, my love. I cannot wait to get you to myself again. There are far too many people here….’

Susannah laughed, for get ting the small mystery of Miss Hazledeane’s kerchief. She would return it to Lady Elizabeth in the morning and then perhaps the mystery would be solved.

Chapter Eight

S
usannah left the kerchief lying on the chest in her bedchamber when she went driving with Harry the next morning. It had slipped her mind in the excitement, for she had found a pile of presents by her plate when she took break fast with Amelia in their sitting room. Everyone had sent her some thing—some were small gifts like lace kerchiefs, but there were several gifts of silver, and one that she liked very much was a whip of soft leather with a chased silver grip from Toby.

‘Isn’t that thoughtful of him?’ she said, showing it to Amelia. ‘Lady Elizabeth gave me those beautiful pearls last evening—and now all these. I am so fortunate.’

‘They are merely tokens of affection,’ Amelia told her, giving her a small box, which contained a gold stickpin to wear in her cravat when she went riding or driving. ‘I am certain you will receive many more expensive gifts when you marry.’

‘But everyone is so kind,’ Susannah said. ‘You in particular have given me so much, Amelia. I owe everything to you!’

‘I have done very little,’ Amelia told her. ‘It was your own sweet nature that secured you Harry Pendleton’s affections. However, I should like to give you a wedding at my estate—unless you plan to marry here at Pendleton?’

‘I do not know,’ Susannah said. ‘I think I should like to be married from your house, Amelia, but I must ask Harry what he thinks. Are you sure you would wish all the trouble and expense of a wedding?’

‘It would give me the greatest pleasure,’ Amelia said. ‘If you would prefer it, I could speak to Harry and ask him if he would be agreeable to letting me give you the wedding as my gift to you both.’

‘Yes, perhaps that might be best,’ Susannah agreed happily. ‘And now I must go down, for I do not wish to keep Harry waiting.’

‘No, you must not keep him waiting,’ Amelia told her. ‘I shall speak to Harry about the wedding this afternoon. Have you any idea of when it might be?’

‘We have not discussed it as yet,’ Susannah said. ‘Perhaps I shall know more when I return.’

‘Yes, I am sure you will,’ Amelia said. ‘I believe I shall go for a walk this morning. The weather has been so lovely of late. I am not sure how long it will last.’

‘Oh, I hope it will not break before tomorrow,’ Susannah said. ‘Harry has promised us a picnic by the lake.’ She smiled because everything was so wonderful and nothing could possibly spoil her hap pi ness now.

That morning’s expedition proved even better than her first attempt at driving Harry’s horses. Harry was solicitous for her com fort and did everything possible to make the outing a happy one for her. They drove through the park and reached a secluded area, well out of sight of the house, and there he suggested they stopped, looping the reins and securing them, before helping Susannah down.

‘The horses will do well enough under the trees for a few minutes,’ he told her, his smile making her heart race. ‘I thought we would walk for a moment, because I cannot kiss you as I would wish to in the curricle.’

‘Harry…’ Susannah was breath less as he took her into his arms, gazing down at her with such heat that she felt a tingle of some thing she realised must be desire. Her heart raced as his lips touched hers, her body melting into him, her own lips parting as she felt the touch of his tongue. His kiss made her feel very strange and filled her with longing for things she hardly under stood. He caressed her cheek and pressed his lips to her throat, making her whimper his name. ‘Harry…I do like that very much…’

‘Do you, my dearest?’ His hand caressed her breast over the soft ness of her habit, making her stomach spasm with desire. She wished that there was nothing between his hand and her skin, for she would have enjoyed the feel of his fingers on her flesh, but she did not dare to say it. ‘I like it very much too. I want so much more of you, Susannah. I had planned to wait, but would you mind very much if we were to marry as soon as the banns are called?’

‘I should like that,’ she said and gave him a shy smile. ‘Amelia is going to ask if you would permit her to hold the wedding at her home. I was not sure…’

‘Is that your wish?’ Harry asked, gazing at her. ‘We must invite all my relatives and it would be easy here, but if you should like it I will agree to holding it at Amelia’s home.’

‘I think I should like it,’ Susannah told him. ‘Could we not have a small wedding at Amelia’s and then hold a large reception here for everyone?’

‘Yes, we could,’ Harry agreed. ‘I think I should quite like a quiet wedding myself—perhaps twenty or thirty of our closest friends and relatives. Mama would enjoy giving a huge reception here a day or so later.’

‘Then perhaps you would suggest that to Amelia when she speaks to you?’

‘Certainly,’ Harry agreed. ‘We shall say one month from now—and that will give me time to make some changes to my apartments here. I had them refurbished a year or so ago, but you may wish for changes.’

‘Oh, I should like to see them as they are now—will you show me?’

‘Yes, of course. You might like to help choose the colours for your own bedchamber?’

‘I think that would be fun,’ Susannah told him. ‘Amelia had made changes to her aunt’s home and I thought she had done them so beautifully that I would enjoy doing some thing similar one day.’

‘You may make as many changes to my homes as you please,’ Harry said. ‘I think perhaps—’ He broke off as they both heard screaming and the sounds of a struggle. ‘That sounds as if it is coming from over there…look! Is that not Amelia?’

‘Yes…’ Susannah saw her friend running towards them. She appeared to be in great distress. Without thinking, Susannah ran to meet her, Harry close behind. ‘Amelia…what is it? What has happened to you?’

Amelia stopped, gasping for breath and holding her side. Her dress had been torn and it was clear that she was in some distress. Her eyes sought out Harry as she gathered her breath and panted out the words, ‘I was attacked…two men…back there…’ She pointed in the direction she had come. ‘I think they were trying to abduct me, though I cannot be sure it was not just an attempt to rob me. I struggled and I bit one of them. He let go and I managed to escape….’

‘My God! Attacked? Here at Pendleton?’ Harry was astounded. ‘Susannah, take the rig and get Amelia back to the house. I must investigate this and I want you both safe.’

‘Harry—what of you?’ Susannah cried. ‘You should fetch help.’

Harry took a pistol from the pocket of his coat. ‘I always carry this in case, Susannah, though I did not expect to need it on my own estate. My apologies, Amelia. A search shall be made. The culprits shall be brought to account, I promise you.’

‘Pray take care, Pendleton,’ Amelia said. ‘I heard them say I was not to be harmed, which is perhaps why I am still alive—but they may not be so scrupulous with your person.’

‘Susannah, do as I ask, please. Go now!’

‘Yes, Harry.’ Susannah took Amelia’s hand. ‘Do you feel well enough to walk to the curricle, dearest? I should get you home in case there are more of them, as Harry says. I am sure he can manage.’

‘Yes, of course I can walk,’ Amelia said, recovering her composure. ‘I am not harmed, merely distressed. It was such a shock to be attacked like that, Susannah. Had you and Harry not been near by, I do not know what might have happened, for they pursued me—but when they heard voices I think they stopped.’

‘I wish Harry had someone with him,’ Susannah said. ‘However, I am sure we must leave this to him and go home.’ She saw Amelia safe into the curricle and then got in beside her and took the reins. ‘This is the first time I have driven without guidance, but I must be capable or Harry would not have told me to take you home.’

Amelia was silent as Susannah put her horses to a walk and then a trot. Her face was white and it was obvious that the incident had distressed her more than she would allow, even though she had tried to make light of it. When they arrived at the house, a groom came running to take the reins. Susannah explained what had happened while Amelia went up to the house.

‘Please send someone to assist your master,’ she begged. ‘He has a pistol, but these men are dangerous and may be armed.’

‘Yes, Miss Hampton,’ the groom said. ‘Some of the men will go immediately. Don’t you worry, miss. His lordship is capable of dealing with poachers or the like—and the gamekeepers are in the woods. If they should hear a shot, they will be there in an instant.’

Susannah did not find his words reassuring. In the event of a shot it might mean that it was already too late. However, she hurried into the house and went upstairs, finding Amelia in their sitting room. She was standing by the table and about to pour herself a glass of wine from a decanter set on a silver tray, but her hand was shaking. Susannah took it from her.

‘Sit down, dearest. Let me do that for you.’

Amelia obeyed. ‘I am very foolish. It was the merest incident, and I am not harmed. I do not wish to make a fuss—but I am sure they meant to abduct me.’

‘Why would they do such a thing? Who would wish to harm you?’

‘I have no idea,’ Amelia said. ‘I cannot think of anyone who holds a grudge against me…’ She frowned. ‘I can only think that they wished to hold me for a ransom.’

‘That is horrible,’ Susannah said. ‘Drink your wine, Amelia. It may make you feel a little better. If Harry catches those wicked men, he may be able to discover who put them up to it.’

‘Yes, perhaps.’ Amelia drank her wine and then summoned a smile. ‘I am better now. It was quite frightening for a moment. I should not have walked so far from the house alone, but I have al ways walked alone and it did not cross my mind that some thing of the kind could happen here.’

‘No, I do not expect it would. Harry will be most distressed that some thing of that nature should occur on his land.’

‘It was not his fault. It could have happened anywhere.’ Amelia looked thoughtful. ‘I suppose it is well known that I am the heiress to a considerable fortune. I shall have to take more care when walking in future.’

Susannah shivered. ‘It is a sobering thought that people exist that would do such a thing,’ she said. ‘I am so sorry that it happened to you, Amelia. You have no idea who it might be?’

‘None at all,’ Amelia replied. ‘We must hope that Harry and his men will catch whoever it is.’ She stood up. ‘I shall change my gown and then go down. You should do the same, Susannah. We do not wish to make a fuss over such a foolish incident.’

Susannah knew that Amelia was trying to make light of the affair, and decided to take her lead from her. She watched Amelia enter her bedroom and then went into her own chamber. She rang for her maid, looking at the fresh gown that had been laid out for her. It was a pretty yellow silk and she would want her seed pearls or perhaps the pearls Lady Elizabeth had given her. She had placed them in the top drawer of her chest the previous night. She opened the drawer and frowned, for the box was not where she had left it.

‘You rang for me, miss?’

‘Yes, Iris. I am ready to change for nuncheon. I thought I might wear my pearls. I was sure I put them in this drawer last night.’

‘Yes, miss, I saw you do it,’ Iris said. ‘Are they not there? I put away a scarf when I tidied your room just after you left. They were there then…’ Iris looked and pointed to the place Susannah had placed them, which was now empty. ‘Right there, miss.’ She looked horrified. ‘I swear, I have not moved them. Cross my heart and hope to die!’

‘Do not worry, Iris. I do not suspect you of taking them. Perhaps Mama moved them for safekeeping. I shall wear my seed pearls for now and enquire…’ She frowned as she realised some thing else was missing. ‘Did you take a kerchief to wash it, Iris? There was one on top of the chest and that has gone too.’

‘No, miss. I took some undergarments that you had left lying on the chair, but nothing from the chest, Miss Susannah. You do believe me?’

‘Of course I do,’ Susannah said. ‘Mama might have put the pearls somewhere safer, but even if they are…’ she could hardly bring herself to say the word ‘…stolen, I should not dream of blaming you.’

‘Please ask Mrs Hampton at once,’ Iris said. ‘The kerchief might have got in with the laundry without my knowing it, miss—but those pearls are valuable.’

‘Yes, they are, and a gift, which makes them more important. How ever, you shall not be blamed, I promise you.’

‘Thank you, miss—but others may not be so inclined to believe me.’ Iris looked distressed. She began to look about the room, searching all the drawers without discovering the pearls. ‘I swear to you, Miss Susannah—I would rather lay down my life than touch anything of yours!’

‘Do you think I do not know that?’ Susannah smiled at her. ‘I had already decided to ask if you will come with me when I marry—and this does not change my opinion of you.’

‘Oh, miss…’ Iris held back a sob only by pressing a fist against her mouth. ‘I do hope your mama has those pearls.’

‘Yes, so do I,’ Susannah said, for otherwise it would mean that there was a thief at Pendleton.

Coming on top of the attack on Amelia, she could imagine that Harry would find the news very distressing.

‘No, Susannah, I did not touch your pearls or a lace kerchief—why ever would I do such a thing?’

‘I thought perhaps…to make sure the pearls were safe.’ Susannah frowned. ‘I believed they would be safe in my drawer.’

‘As they ought to have been,’ Mrs Hampton said, looking shocked. ‘I do not say that you were careless, dearest, but it is a pity that you did not ask if they could be locked away in the strong room until you needed them.’

‘I have never needed to do anything of the sort,’ Susannah said. ‘I must tell Lady Elizabeth and apologise to her for losing her gift.’

‘Yes, you must,’ Mrs Hampton said. ‘You questioned your maid, of course?’

‘I asked Iris at once, for I thought she might have put them somewhere she thought safer, but she says did not touch them, Mama—and I believe her.’

‘Yes, I am inclined to think her honest—but someone is not, Susannah. This is most unfortunate…’ She looked anxious. ‘And the attack on Amelia too…I think they must be linked, do you not agree? Perhaps they are desperate rogues and they meant to rob Amelia rather than abduct her?’