A Country Miss in Hanover Square (20 page)

‘Oh…that is terrible,’ Susannah whispered. ‘I am to blame—I should have told Harry yesterday.’ The tears were so close now that Susannah could not hold them back. ‘Excuse me…’ she said and made a dash for the stairs before she could break down and disgrace herself further. Harry was so angry with her. No doubt he thought her careless and unfit to be his wife. He was probably wishing that he had not asked her to marry him.

‘You must not blame yourself,’ Amelia told her when Susannah spoke to her some half an hour later. She had conquered her tears and washed her face, but she could not ease her sense of guilt and distress. Amelia was still wearing her peignoir, a frivolous confection of white silk and lace, for she had not dressed fully. ‘I can understand why you did not wish to tell tales behind Miss Hazledeane’s back, Susannah. It is unfortunate that you did not mention it to me. I might have been able to help her—and I could have told her some thing about the marquis that would have warned her to have nothing more to do with him.’

‘What do you mean?’

Amelia hesitated, then, ‘I had a friend some years ago. I shall not name her for it is an old story. Suffice it to say that she was young and pretty, and very innocent. She fell in love and allowed herself to be seduced, but when she discovered she was with child her lover left her. Ashamed and distraught, she refused to tell any one his name. Instead she chose to take her own life in the river…’ Amelia paused, then, ‘At the time I suspected one of three gentlemen, but I have since ruled out two of them.’

‘You believe it was the marquis?’

‘He was not the marquis then, but it was known that he would inherit the title from an uncle. My friend was a simple country girl. He thought her good enough for seduction, but not for marriage. Northaven is known to be in financial difficulties and may have lowered his sights since then—but he will not marry without a fortune.’

‘That is what Toby and Harry say,’ Susannah said, a sob in her voice. ‘I am very much at fault, Amelia. I ought to have told some one. Even if I could not tell Harry, I should have asked you or Mama what to do.’

‘It is easy to say so with hind sight,’ Amelia agreed. ‘But many of us face similar dilemmas and are as hesitant as you, Susannah. I knew that my friend was meeting a young man, but I did nothing to warn or stop her. I did not know he had seduced her, but even if I had guessed I should not have gone to her mother. You hesitated to interfere in some thing that was not your affair, and Harry will under stand that once he is calmer.’

‘I fear that I have sunk in his estimation. Do you think they will prevail upon the marquis to marry her?’ Susannah asked in a subdued tone. ‘I did not like her—nor she me—but I would not see her utterly ruined and banned from society.’

‘She was a little strange in her manner,’ Amelia agreed. ‘To me she was quite friendly, but I dare say she was jealous of you. I saw her making eyes at Lord Pendleton, but he gave her no encouragement. I think if he had, she might not have run off with a man she probably knows is a rogue.’

‘I am not sure. The look on her face that day was of a woman in love… I think she is in love with Northaven.’

‘She may be in love with him now,’ Amelia said. ‘However, I doubt it will last more than a few months—if that.’

‘I feel sorry for her,’ Susannah said. ‘If she had stayed here I am sure Harry would have given her a dowry. She might have married well.’

‘He will probably give her a dowry now,’ Amelia said. ‘Indeed, I believe that may be her only hope.’

‘I hope that he will find her,’ Susannah said, her throat tight with emotion. ‘But I am afraid some thing terrible may happen. You did not see how angry he was—and Toby told me that he did not like the marquis. Do you think they will fight?’ Susannah’s hand crept to her throat. ‘If Harry should be killed because of this—’ She broke off on a sob. ‘Oh, Amelia, I feel so guilty…so responsible…’

‘You must not be anxious for Pendleton,’ Amelia told her. ‘He is a gentleman and will not become embroiled in an unseemly fight. I dare say it will all be settled in the manner of gentlemen. Now, my love, give me a moment to put on my gown, and then I think we should go down and join the others, for everyone will be wondering where you are.’

Chapter Nine

‘W
hat makes you think he will have brought her here?’ Gerard asked as the three men dismounted and looked at the house. It was a country manor of medium size, modernised some twenty years before when the estate was more prosperous, to include an imposing portico of white columns at the entrance. There were no lights at the front of the house, though there was one in an upstairs room at the back. ‘If he intends to marry her, he could be on his way to Scotland even now.’

‘He does not intend to wed her,’ Harry said and looked grim. ‘Believe me, I know his mind, Gerard. Northaven has been looking for a way to strike back at me for a long time. A bullet in the back would have been easier, but too quick. He wants to see me squirm, to make me beg him to marry the girl.’

‘If that is his plan, why did he not strike closer to home?’ Max asked and frowned. ‘Miss Hampton means far more to you than the Hazledeane chit. If his plan was to destroy you, why not kidnap her?’

‘Jenny Hazledeane means nothing to me,’ Harry agreed. ‘Except that I gave her brother my word I would protect her from Northaven. I have failed in that, but I shall do what I can to put matters right. Northaven knows that if he laid one finger on Susannah I would kill him where he stood. I imagine he wants money from this….’

‘You know he won’t be satisfied with a few thousand,’ Max said. ‘Put a ball through his head and pack the girl off to a finishing school abroad.’

‘Yes, the thought had occurred to me,’ Harry drawled, anger mixed with amusement in his eyes. ‘You do not imagine that I have come here simply to force Northaven to marry the girl?’

‘He won’t take her without a hefty bribe.’

Harry pulled a wry face. ‘I suppose I can afford it, but that is not why I am here. I came to settle the score with Northaven, be cause I can no longer ignore it. If what Jenny told Susannah is true, he seduced her long before I was involved—but in meeting her at Pendleton, knowing she was my ward, he threw down the gauntlet. If I do not settle this now, he may attempt some thing further—some thing that would cause me more grief than I could bear.’

‘You mean Susannah?’ Gerard said and frowned. ‘Good God! You think…the attempt on Amelia was a mistake. They were meant to kidnap Susannah.’

‘It is my fear,’ Harry said. ‘I did think at first that it might simply be opportunist rogues, but now I believe they may have been after my fiancée.’

‘Then you have no choice but to challenge him.’

‘Exactly.’ Harry’s eyes glittered like cold steel. ‘Shall we take a look at the back of the house, gentlemen?’

‘Yes, that might be a good idea. I hardly think this is some thing we can redress by calling at the front door and offering our cards.’

The three men ran swiftly across the lawns, keeping to the shadows as much as possible and turning the corner to come up at the back of the main wing. Light was blazing from a down stairs window and the French doors stood wide-open. Harry looked at his friends and made up his mind instantly.

‘Wait for me here. I know it is a sultry night, but that open door is an invitation and I intend to answer it—but do not come unless I call or you hear the sound of a shot.’

‘It could be too late then,’ Gerard pro tested. ‘We are coming with you. I don’t trust that devil.’

Harry saw the expression on both their faces and grinned. ‘Very well, if I refuse you will follow anyway. Let’s see what the marquis has to say for himself.’

He set off ahead, Gerard following and Max in the rear. Harry had not drawn his pistol, but neither Max nor Gerard was taking a chance and each had his at the ready.

At the door of what was clearly a library—the walls were covered on three sides with leather-covered books—Harry paused and looked in. Northaven was sitting at a reading table, his boots crossed as they rested on the leather surface, an empty wineglass in his hand. His eyes were closed as if he were sleeping, but as Harry cleared his throat, he opened them, his lip curling back in a sneer of mockery.

‘I have been expecting you, Pendleton.’ His gaze went behind Harry to the other men and he smiled oddly. ‘The holy trio together again, I see. Did you think it was a trap? Or have you come to be judge, jury and executioner? Should I repent my sins and ask for give ness from my Maker?’

‘Where is she, Northaven?’ Harry demanded. ‘What have you done to her?’

The marquis stood up, his expression one of amused malice. ‘You mean the lady you were so chivalrous as to take into your home and make your mother’s ward? How she disliked that, Pendleton. Your dear mama wished to turn her into a model of decorum and teach her how to behave in society,’ Northaven mocked, his lip curled back in a sneer. ‘Oh, yes, I knew all about that, and I admit that I was tempted to see if you would part with a small fortune to preserve her good name. I cannot say her modesty, for she lost that long ago. She was my lover before her brother died. Had she held out, I might have wed her in the end.’

‘You damned seducer!’ Harry’s hand shot out, slapping Northaven across the mouth with his glove. ‘How dare you malign the name of a lady! If you have seduced her, you will marry her!’

‘It would be interesting to see if you could force me to do that,’ Northaven said, eyes glittering. There was menace and hatred in his tone. ‘I might oblige if the sum were large enough. However, I fear that the bird has escaped us both. She demanded that I marry her. I declined and she ran away from me.’

‘She ran away?’ Harry and Gerard spoke together and Northaven laughed mockingly.

‘I dare say she may have gone to her aunt.’ Northaven shrugged carelessly. ‘Hazledeane did not tell you of her? You were duped, Pendleton. The man was a rogue. He probably hoped you would marry his sister if you thought her completely alone. Jenny has an aunt in the north of England. I dare say you will find her there if you try—though she will not thank you for it.’

‘It was you he told me to watch…’ Harry frowned, a little un certain. Had he misjudged the man? ‘I am not fooled by your lies. Where is she—upstairs?’

Northaven laughed mirthlessly. ‘I almost wish she was,’ he said. ‘I should enjoy watching you play out the role of avenging angel.’

‘Damn you!’ Harry cried. ‘You ruined an innocent girl and you should pay for it.’

‘Leave it,’ Gerard said. He and Max held Harry by the arms as he reached for his pistol. ‘He isn’t worth the bother. The girl isn’t blame less, though I dare say he seduced her.’

‘She was willing enough…’ Northaven sneered. ‘It is a pity I could not convince the innocent Miss Hampton to run off with me. I should have enjoyed seeing your face then.’

‘You will meet me for this,’ Harry said. ‘I shall have satisfaction.’

‘Delighted,’ the marquis replied and his eyes gleamed with malice. ‘I have been waiting for this for many years. I shall send my seconds to Pendleton to wait on you tomorrow.’

‘You were not to blame for any of this,’ Lady Elizabeth told Susannah as they sat in her private sitting room and drank tea. ‘I cannot under stand why the girl has run away. She must have known that she would be ruined.’

‘It is distressing for you,’ Susannah said, for get ting her own trouble for the moment. ‘I did try to warn her—but she was in love with him.’

‘It was very foolish of her, for she has ruined herself,’ Lady Elizabeth said. ‘I wish now that Harry had never brought Jenny here, for I was beginning to be fond of her—and now I feel let down.’

‘She has betrayed your trust,’ Susannah said. ‘It is sad that she should do such a thing.’

‘If only she had confided in me. I could have made it possible for her to marry. I would have given her a dowry had she told me the truth.’

‘I do not think Pendleton would have permitted her to marry the marquis.’

‘No, perhaps not—though Northaven is still received in many houses. It would have been better to do the thing properly than have her run off in such a sly way! I am sure marriage would have been the lesser of two evils.’

‘Perhaps if I had told Harry that I saw them in Bath, he might have warned her—pre vented her from throwing her life away.’

‘Well, you were not to know that the foolish girl would behave so badly. No, I shall not have you blame yourself for this, and I shall give Harry a piece of my mind for up set ting you, dearest.’ Lady Elizabeth frowned. ‘He is inclined to be hasty at times. I hope you will forgive him. I shall tell him that he must apologise.’

‘Oh, no, you must not. Truly, you must not.’

‘Do not distress yourself, dearest. Well, if you do not wish it, I shall not scold him—but it was his own fault for bringing the girl here. He should have sent her to finishing school somewhere.’

Susannah did not reply. Harry had been very angry with her for not telling him what she had seen. He had accused her of not trusting him and looked at her so coldly that she had wanted to die. She did not think he could look at her like that if he truly loved her, and she felt very unhappy. Had she not consented to marry him, she would have begged her mama to take her home immediately, but that would cause such a fuss that she could not bring herself to do it. She must speak to Harry when he returned.

However, Harry had not returned by the time Susannah retired for the night. She un dressed, but could not rest and sat on a stool in the window, looking out, watching for his return. It must have been the early hours of the morning when she saw the three men ride up to the court yard at the back of the house and dismount. One of them took the reins of all three horses and headed in the direction of the stables; the other two walked towards the house. Susannah’s window was slightly open and she caught a few words as they passed through the door beneath her window.

‘You were a fool to challenge him! It is what he wanted, Harry, what he has been itching for these past years—his chance to kill you.’

‘He may try…’

Susannah felt a chill trickle down her spine. The rest of their conversation was lost to her as they went into the house, but what she had heard was clear enough. Harry was going to fight a duel with the Marquis of Northaven!

Oh, he must not! Susannah put a hand to her mouth as she realised that Harry could be killed or badly injured. She wanted to scream and shout, but she held the agony inside, because it would not help her. She knew instinctively that if she begged Harry to with draw he would look at her in that cold, proud way and tell her she did not under stand—or he would simply lie to her and pretend that she was mistaken and there was no duel.

What ought she to do? Susannah believed that duels had been outlawed in recent years. If she told a magistrate, he might put a stop to it…but what could she tell him? She had over heard a scrap of conversation that she believed meant Harry intended to fight a duel, but she had no proof—and she had no idea where or when the duel was to take place. Besides, he would be so angry he might never speak to her again!

Susannah paced the floor of her bedchamber. There must be some thing she could do… If she knew where and when the duel was due to take place, she would do some thing to stop them. She must do some thing—she could not bear it if Harry were killed.

Dared she go down stairs? She might hear a little more if she was bold enough, though it would be dangerous, for it would be thought most improper of her to be wandering about the house after every one else had retired.

‘You must know this is madness,’ Gerard said as they took a glass of wine together in the library. Max had joined them after handing the horses over to a sleepy groom. ‘The chit isn’t worth risking your life for, Harry.’

Harry arched his right eyebrow. ‘You don’t imagine I am doing it for Jenny’s sake? Northaven has been spoiling for a fight for a long time. If I don’t settle this now, it will drag on—and who knows what he may try next? As you said, Gerard, it could have been Susannah. Oh, I do not mean that she would run off with him, for she has too much good sense. However, he might try to abduct her. He said as much—and that was why I challenged him. He hates me because of what happened in the war.’

‘And you think that by fighting this duel you will put an end to the ill will between you?’ Gerard asked and shook his head. ‘I dare say it may if you kill him.’

‘I hope that will not be necessary.’ Harry looked serious. ‘It will not suit me to chase after that wretched girl.’ He looked at Gerard. ‘I know you spoke of leaving for France soon. Could I ask you to see if you can find Miss Hazledeane before you go—make sure that she is with her aunt?’

‘And if she is not?’

‘Then I can do no more. She has been foolish, but Mama is fond of her—and for her sake, I would settle a small sum on Jenny.’

‘Very well,’ Gerard said. ‘I shall leave in a day or so, and then I have business in France. I do not know if I shall manage to return for your wedding, Harry. If not, give my good wishes to your bride—and I shall leave a gift for her with Lady Elizabeth.’

‘That is if there is a wedding after the way I spoke to her,’ Harry remarked wryly.

‘I dare say Susannah will take you—despite your show of temper,’ Max said and grinned. ‘I am not sure you deserve her—but she has a kind heart.’

‘Thank you,’ Harry said and pulled a wry face. ‘I think we should seek our beds. I have no idea when Northaven’s seconds will call, but I dare say the duel will take place the day after tomorrow at dawn…’ He glanced at his watch. ‘Good Lord, the time! Make that tomorrow, for it is past one.’

Outside the library, Susannah caught her breath. She had heard only a few words—she had wrestled with her conscience before coming down stairs and knew she had missed much that went be fore. Instinct had told her that the men would take a last drink together in the library. Finding the door slightly ajar, she had shamelessly listened and she had been just in time to hear Harry say that the duel would probably take place the following morning.

Hearing sounds, which told her the men were about to leave the library, Susannah fled up the stairs. Her heart was beating very fast, for she had been shocked to have her suspicions confirmed. She knew she must not let the men see her, because if Harry knew that she was aware of the duel he would be at pains to keep the location a secret from her.