A Most Unusual Governess (20 page)

'I don't want you to come back as a governess,' he interrupted. As he looked into her eyes, her sea green eyes, he could not believe it had taken him so long to realise the depth of his feelings for her. But now that he had realised he loved her he wanted to waste no more time. He took her hands in his and a warm smile spread over his face.

Sarah felt her spirits lift. The touch of his hand was so magical, the look in his eyes so warm and sincere, that her impossible dream seemed real. She felt the breath catch in her throat.

'Sarah,' he said, his smile softening his whole face. 1 want you to come back as my wife.'

It is a dream, she thought. It can't be true.

Seeing her dazed expression he said, 'Are you really so surprised? Sarah, my life is empty without you. I didn't realise how much I need you until you had gone. It shouldn't have taken your brother's letter to make me see it,' he went on, remembering how it was the news that Sarah would not be returning that had finally made him acknowledge the true nature of his feelings for her, *but once I had read it I knew I must make you my wife... '

He stopped. A queer expression had come over Sarah's face. At the moment he had mentioned her brother's letter, something had changed.

'It was the letter that decided you?' she asked in a small voice.

Yes, he said with a smile.

'I see.' Her tone was lifeless.

He looked at her, puzzled. You see?'

Yes. I see.'

Would you care to explain that remark?' he asked curiously.

'I think I would rather not.' Her voice was now as hard as stone.

'I think you must.' He had the disturbing feeling that the young lady in front of him was a stranger, and that the open, warm-hearted person he had fallen in love with was no longer there. Her manner was so different from her honest and outspoken manner at the Grange that he felt he was talking to someone he had never met before.

Very well, then,' she said, turning to look him directly in the eye. 1 see that you only decided to offer me your hand once you discovered that I was no longer a lowly governess, but was instead the sister of a wealthy baronet.'

'A baronet?' he echoed in astonishment, for Nicholas's letter had mentioned nothing of that. But then his face darkened. 'And this is your estimation of my character?' he asked, his eyes looking deeply into her own as though he could read the answer there. You believe I could be swayed by such a mean consideration?'

'Do you deny it?' she demanded, remembering the look of horror on his face in the woodland, and remembering, too, the way in which he had prevented his friend from making an unequal marriage.

He looked at her searchingly for another minute and then his expression changed to one of contempt. What is the point?' he demanded. You have already made up your mind. I will not demean myself by refuting such an absurd suggestion, even if you can demean yourself by making it. I never thought anything could change you, Sarah, but you have changed. Your good fortune, instead of improving you, has destroyed your open and honest nature and made you cold, hard and cynical. I wish you joy of your new-found position - and your new-found personality. And as for my proposal,' he went on, his arrogance hiding the deep hurt that was threatening to consume him, 'pray do not trouble yourself to give me an answer. I see now it is repugnant to you, and I assure you that in this matter, if no other, we think as one.'

And with a look of disgust that aroused Sarah s anger he strode away from her. How had he twisted everything, making it appear that she was the one who was in the wrong? She turned on her heel and, eyes blazing, returned to her aunt.

'But where is Lord Randall?' asked Aunt Claire.

'Lord Randall was unavoidably called away,' said Sarah shortly. She was certainly not going to furnish her aunt with any clearer explanation; she had no intention of letting her affairs form the main substance of her aunt's next session of gossip.

That is most unfortunate,' grumbled her aunt. 1 was so hoping that Lady Harmon would notice him as we walked past her window.'

'Lady Harmon will just have to be disappointed,' retorted Sarah.

'Ah, well,' said Aunt Claire. 'He may be the first, but he certainly won't be the last. You are a baronet's sister now Sarah. You will soon have no end of young men falling at your feet.'

Leaving Sarah to wonder why, when she herself had accused James of being influenced by her new station in life, she deeply resented her aunt for voicing the same opinion.

There is a gentleman to see you, miss.'

It was the following morning, and Sarah was busy arranging fresh flowers in the drawing-room when the butler made the announcement.

'A gentleman?' asked Sarah.

Her heart missed a beat at the words, although outwardly she remained calm. She added another flower to the vase. Who is it, Hoskins?'

The gentleman said you would know who it was, miss.'

'Did he, indeed?' she asked.

Yes, miss.'

'In that case, you had better show him in.'

She was annoyed to find that her fingers trembled as she finished the arrangement. After all that had passed between them on the previous day, why had James returned?

And why was she so pleased that he had?

Could it be because she hoped that he really had not known of her change of circumstances? That Nicholas had not sent him any details, and that it had all been a horrible misunderstanding?

She took a deep breath to steady herself and put a final flower in the vase as she heard the gentleman enter the room. But as she turned round she saw to her surprise that it was not James who was being ushered into the drawing-room. It was Mr Haversage.

She was so astonished that she could do no more than gasp, 'Mr Haversage,' whilst she adjusted herself to this unexpected visitor.

'And who did you expect?' he asked, as he walked into the room with a swagger. He lifted his eyebrows. 'James?'

Sarah's expression hardened. She had been momentarily taken aback, but now she had had time to gather her wits and she went over to the bell.

1 wouldn't do that, if I were you,' he said. Sarah did not falter, and so he added, That is, if you wish to see Lucy again.'

Sarah stopped, surprised. What has Lucy to do with anything? she asked. For one confused moment she wondered if James had perhaps sent Mr Haversage to ask her to teach Lucy until he could find a replacement governess, but she quickly dismissed the idea as nonsensical. Leaving her to wonder how Mr Haversage had discovered her whereabouts, and what he was doing there.

'A great deal. May I?'

He indicated a chair.

Sarah did not want the man there, but she was curious. She was in no danger. One tug at the bell would bring a footman to her assistance. She gave a cold nod.

He sat down.

We parted on bad terms,' he said. His manner was friendly; apologetic even. 1 don't like to be on bad terms with anyone, Sarah - '

'I have told you before. I don't think you should call me that.'

'My apologies. Miss Davenport,' he said.

Sarah did not reply. Even though he was being polite and friendly there was something about Mr Haversage that unsettled her. She felt the small hairs on the back of her neck rise and she wondered again what he was doing there.

Mr Haversage looked around the room. This is a pleasant house you have - or, should I say, your brother has. I heard about his good fortune - and yours. My own fortune, alas, has not been so good. There are so few opportunities open to a man of my talents. But all that is about to change.'

He took something out of the inside pocket of his coat and put it on the table.

Sarah looked at it in disbelief. It was a lock of Lucy's hair, still tied with the pink ribbon she had worn at the concert.

Her eyes flicked to his. Where did you get that?' she demanded.

'From Lucy's head, of course. Where else? Don't worry. The rest of her is in one piece - for now.'

Sarah felt cold fingers gripping at her insides. Her instincts were to ring the bell and have the servants take Mr Haversage in charge, but she didn't want to do anything to provoke him. At least not until she had discovered what was going on. She did not know what Mr Haversage had done,

or what he might be capable of doing, but she did know from her own experience that he was dangerous. She had to find out how he had come by Lucy's lock of hair.

‘
Why have you come here?' she asked. She kept her voice calm and level.

He put his feet up on the exquisitely inlaid table. To claim my reward.'

'For what?' asked Sarah, trying not to show her surprise. Mr Haversage was unpredictable. He was also clearly unbalanced.

Why, for finding Lucy, of course,' he said.

'Lucy isn't lost,' returned Sarah. But already she was beginning to have an uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach.

'Of course she isn't,' he said with a smile. The smile was odd, deepening Sarah's unease. 'She's safe with me.'

'I don't see her.' Sarah looked around her meaningfully.

'Not with me here,' he said, thrusting his hands into his trouser pockets and staring at the lock of hair. 'She's in a little cottage I have, just a few miles out of town.'

You don't have a cottage,' remarked Sarah.

'Didn't have a cottage,' he corrected her. But, knowing that a large sum of money was coming my way - a very large sum of money - I decided to indulge myself. It is a sweet little cottage out in the country, in the fresh, clean air. Just the sort of place for a little girl to flourish.'

'I don't believe you.'

'Oh, don't you? Then how did I come by her hair?'

You could have come by it any number of ways,' replied Sarah. But she was growing more and more uneasy, and Mr Haversage sensed it.

Then, if I don't have her, you don't have anything to worry about, do you? If, on the other hand, I do have her - well, then, that puts a different complexion on things. Don't you agree?'

Sarah did not reply.

I'd say it does. To the tune of - oh, say, about twenty thousand pounds.'

'Twenty thousand pounds?' Sarah was astonished. You surely can't think I have that kind of money, and even -'

Oh, but you do, replied Mr Haversage smoothly. 1 have been making a few enquiries. It is the exact amount your brother has settled on you. News of it is all round town. But, of course, if Lucy's life isn't worth it -'

'If you really had Lucy you would have gone to Lord Randall, instead of coming to me,' said Sarah wisely. 'He could give you far more than twenty thousand pounds.'

'Go to a six foot two ex-soldier when I could go to a five foot six governess?' He laughed. 'I think not.' He stood up and held out his hand. 'Goodbye, Miss Davenport.' He gave her a smile. 1 don't expect we will meet again.'

His apparently normal manner was chilling; more chilling than an obviously mad manner would have been.

'You won't hurt Lucy,' Sarah said. *You would be caught and punished. What's more, you are intelligent enough to know it.'

'Perhaps I would, and perhaps I wouldn't,' he said. 'But would it really be any consolation to you? Knowing that I was dead? If Lucy was too? But still, if you're not interested... '

He crossed the room, and had almost reached the door when Sarah said, Wait! If I am to give you money - any money - although I make no promises; but if I am to give you money then first of all I must have proof that you really do have Lucy.'

'You're not very trusting, are you?' he asked. 'But then, you've no reason to be. Very well, then, if you want proof, you can come with me. I am going to Lucy now.'

'I can't come with you to an isolated cottage. It would be stupid.'

She was prolonging the conversation in order to buy herself time. Time to think of some kind of solution to the appalling problem that had presented itself.

'Not stupid,' he shrugged. 'Simply desperate.'

Sarah was thinking even as he spoke. If she did not go with Mr Haversage now she would have no chance of finding Lucy. But if she went alone she would be completely in his power. Nicholas, Geoffrey and Aunt Claire were out of the house, but even if they had been there her thoughts would still have turned to James. Much as she loved her brothers they were untried boys; James was a seasoned man. No matter how estranged they had been the day before, she knew he would not fail her.

But Mr Haversage was not going to let her send James a message, or indeed send a message to anyone else. And it would be useless to try and enlist the help of the servants. Even if they overpowered Mr Haversage they would not be able to force him to say where Lucy was.

Desperation sharpened her wits and an idea came to her. Speaking as though she was thinking aloud she shook her head and muttered, 1 can't go with him now... .'

'In that case... ' said Mr Haversage, making once more for the door.

You don't understand,' she said out loud. I'm meant to be meeting James in an hour. If I don't turn up hell know something is wrong.'