Angelina (16 page)

“Your happiness touches my heart.” Rafe turned towards the decanter. “Will you take a glass of madeira before I show you the rest of my humble home? Near the river is a sheltered glade, once my grandmother’s favourite place. At this time of day it’s shaded from the sun, and perfect for a picnic.”

“I’ve no head for madeira. Let’s inspect Ravenswood then proceed to your grandmother’s glade before the sun encroaches upon it.” Her mother sounded determinedly gay. “The difficulties of handling a parasol whilst trying to eat are almost insurmountable, do you not think so, Angelina?”

“Undoubtedly.” She wondered if her face reflected the happiness she felt here. “And I promise you, Rafe, I’m so hungry I shall probably eat an entire pie all by myself.”

Rafe chuckled as he ushered them from the room. “Be careful, Angel. The pie is as big as a carriage wheel. You may be forced to don a larger gown to accommodate it if I hold you to that promise.”

The day passed pleasantly, but too quickly. Angelina was charmed by Ravenswood’s gentle shabbiness. There was a sense of quiet hope about the place, of longing. It breathed with a magic all of its own and touched her spirit, drawing her into the unmistakable warmth of its welcoming aura.

When she and her mother returned to the more formal, and much larger Wrey house, Angelina realised, with a touch of sorrow that it could never feel like home to her.

Chapter Ten

“You’re giving her Moonlight?” Rosabelle gazed with storm filled eyes at her brother. “I thought you disliked Angelina as much as I do.”

“I can’t recall saying I disliked her.” William gently drew a brush through the mare’s silky mane. “She’s our sister, after all.”

He grinned when Rosabelle gazed furiously at him. “Moonlight is a pretty horse. Why didn’t you give her to me?”

“Your temperaments wouldn’t suit.” Rosabelle’s tantrum was beginning to bore him. “Moonlight had a placid disposition, but she’s shy of the whip and you’re heavy-handed. You’d lose patience with her.”

“And you think that whey-faced little cat will be able to manage her?” Her laugh was malicious. “By her own account, she cannot keep her seat on a rocking horse.”

“I intend to teach her to ride,” he murmured, slipping a ladies saddle on the horse.

“That’s a new saddle. Where did you get the money?”

He shrugged. “Father bought a horse from me for Frey’s birthday.”

 “From you?” She suddenly grinned. “I wager you sold him a broken down old nag.”

 William said casually. “None of my horses are broken down old nags. Have you ever considered where Angelina’s fortune would go if some mishap befell her?”

 Her face lost a little of its colour. “What are you suggesting, that you’d kill her to get at it?”

He offered her an amused glance. “Don’t be so melodramatic, Rosie. I just thought it might pay you to swallow your pride and be nicer to her. She seems a pleasant little thing, and with all that wealth at her disposal she might prove to be generous to those she likes.”

Rosabelle’s eyes began to glitter. “She does not have a robust appearance. Perhaps I’ve been hasty in my judgment of her. I will try and be kinder.” Mounting the spirited chestnut gelding she usually rode, Rosabelle followed after him.

* * * *

“William, thank you sp much; she’s so lovely.” Moonlight was a pretty creature, Angelina thought, admiring the cascading tail held high above her silver patterned rump and her high-stepping gait. Even so, she couldn’t quite conceal the panic she felt. “She’s a most wonderful and generous gift. Alas, I’ve never learnt to ride.”

Thomas, who’d come to witness this unexpected gesture by his second son, smiled in encouragement. “Will has just said he intends to teach you, and you couldn’t have a better riding master. Go and change into your riding habit, my dear.”

“I do not possess one.” She bit her lip when her father sighed in exasperation. “I’ve never needed one before.”

“I’ll give you one I no longer wear.” Rosabelle shrugged. “There’s a tear in the skirt but I daresay it will do until you get one of your own.”

“Thank you, Rosabelle.” Suspicious of her sister’s sudden change of attitude Angelina’s eyes narrowed. “Perhaps morning will be a better time for my first lesson.”

“If I’d realised you were scared of riding I wouldn’t have bothered.” Will seemed a little put out.

“Of course I’m not scared.” Noticing the earl’s vexed frown she shrugged, admitting. “Perhaps I am a trifle nervous, I’ve only ridden on a plough horse before.” 

“There’s no need to be afraid of Moonlight.” William led the horse towards her. “Come, make her acquaintance, then when you’ve changed I’ll give you your first lesson. I promise you, you’ll be quite safe on her back.”

Moonlight snickered softly when she stroked her velvety muzzle. Her soft eyes were ringed with dark lashes, her mane and tail flowed like spun silver in the breeze. Angelina fell instantly in love.

In a short space of time Angelina was perched on Moonlight’s back. The red velvet habit Rosabelle had given her was worn, and stained with perspiration under the arms. Her nose wrinkled at its musty smell. The colour ill-suited her and she resolved to purchase a new outfit as soon as possible. The boots were too large, the leather stiff and cracked with age. They chaffed her calves unmercifully.

Ignoring the discomfort she concentrated on remembering William’s instructions as he walked them up and down the carriageway. He was surprisingly patient, showing her how to hold the reins, how to set the horse in motion and rein her in. Eventually he gave her control. She found her little horse well schooled and responsive to her instructions.

 Satisfied she’d mastered the rudiments, Will smiled. “Do you feel confident enough to go for a short ride to the edge of the forest and back?”

Angelina had thoroughly enjoyed her riding lesson. She nodded, her eyes shining. “This has been a wonderful day. Thank you for making it so.”

William sucked in a breath, trying to ignore the pleasure her words gave him. Unlike Rosabelle she was easy to please. He stored the thought in his memory.

He slowed to a walk when they reached the forest so he could observe her progress. She hadn’t done badly for a first lesson, but watching her forge ahead he doubted if she’d ever be a good horsewoman.

  Having grown up on the edge of the forest, William knew its paths and secrets. When Angelina disappeared from view he was annoyed because he’d told her not to go into the forest. However, she was on one of the main tracks so he saw no reason to worry. If she became lost she’d call out and he’d find her. It might teach her to heed him, and give her reason to be grateful.

When Angelina reached a clearing where several tracks met she slowed Moonlight to a halt. Pleased with herself, she turned in the fading light, expecting William to be behind her.

A bird flew out of a bush, making her jump. She remembered she wasn’t supposed to be in the forest and called out. “William!” She inhaled a deep steadying breath as she waited for him to answer. The forest was quiet, the sunlight that had previously dappled the forest floor in dusty shades of gold, had gone. She shivered as she turned Moonlight’s head around. She was lost.

She took a grip on herself. All she need do was retrace her path. She’d soon find William. Ten minutes later the path narrowed as it curved downward to the left. She frowned. Surely she should be out of the forest by now.

“William?” she whispered dejectedly. “It’s getting dark and I’m scared. Please find me.”

An owl hooted. She shuddered as stories of goblins and evil witches came into her mind. The forest became a mass of gloomy, shifting shadows pressing in on her. Quite suddenly a horse snickered, causing her to sigh with relief.

“William, I’m over here.” Goose-bumps prickled her skin when she received no answer. “Will?” In the shifting shadows she made out a shape coming towards her. It was not William, but the dark visage had a familiarity about it. The highwayman? Her blood ran cold when she remembered his cold eyes and his threat. Her tongue clove to the roof of her mouth and without thought she flicked the reins, sending Moonlight crashing wildly down the nearest bank.

“Stop!” 

 Even in her panic Angelina knew the voice was not William’s. There was a footfall of a horse behind her, the man was gaining on her. A hand grasped her reins and slowed her mount to a halt.

“A few more strides and you’d have ended up in the bog.”

“Do not kill me, sir,” she begged, cringing away from him. “My brother, the Viscount Romsey will willingly pay a ransom to get me back.”

“Why should I want to kill or ransom you?” There was a hint of laughter in the man’s voice.

“You’re not a highwayman then?”

“Do I look like one?”

She gave the man a quick glance. He was about her own age. She gave him a longer, more surprised look. “Indeed not,” she blurted out. “You look exactly like my father.”

“Aye. There are those who say I resemble him.”

Remembering her first meeting with William, and the disagreement he’d had with the earl, she smiled. “You must be my half-brother, Frey. I’m Angelina Wrey, and I’m glad to make your acquaintance. “

In the descending darkness she saw a bitter smile etch Frey’s lips. “Tell me that if we meet under different circumstances and I might believe it.” He turned her horse about, starting to lead her back to the path. “What are you doing in the forest alone at this time?”

 “William was teaching me to ride. I became lost.” Her muscles were beginning to ache from the unaccustomed exercise. “He’ll be angry with me for going on ahead.”

“If William let you go on ahead he’d have had a motive. He knows the forest almost as well as I do, and if nothing else, he’s a superb rider.” Frey suddenly grinned. “I’d best guide you out of here before it gets dark.”

They took a twisted route through the forest. Before too long, Angelina found herself on a sloping meadow behind the stables.

“You can go the rest of the way alone. If I run into William I’ll tell him you’re safely home.”

She placed a hand over his to restrain him a moment. “Thank you, Frey. I hope we’ll meet again.”

“I daresay we will.”  He looked down at her hand, gave a wry smile and squeezed it. “Take care of yourself, Angelina Wrey. It would be best if you didn’t tell your family we met. They’ll not like it.”

Her chin lifted a fraction. “I was brought up by a woman who believed people were equal in the eyes of the Lord. I’ll not allow anyone to tell me how to think, nor lower my estimation of you.” She smiled when their eyes met in an instant of rapport. “Not even you, my reluctant brother, Frey.”

Frey inclined his head, giving a hint of a smile before turning his mount back towards the forest. She watched him go, but he didn’t turn. When she could see him no more she headed downhill towards the stables.

* * * *

William was in a foul mood after spending over an hour searching the forest.  Eventually, frantic with worry, he’d ridden a good horse almost to the point of exhaustion to return to home and organise a search party.

He discovered Moonlight safely stabled for the night, Angelina with the rest of the family in the drawing room where a lively game of cards was in progress. It took every shred of willpower he possessed to return her smile when she rose from her seat and came towards him.

“I’m so sorry I caused you inconvenience,” she apologised straight away. “It was silly of me to get lost. I hope you’ll forgive me.”

“No harm done,” he grunted, longing to put his hands around her slim, white throat and choke the life from her.

His father took the opportunity to warn him, “Angelina insisted this incident was her fault so I’ll not censure you. Nevertheless, Will, you must take more care with your sisters. Bear in mind, a highwayman is still at large. From now on I do not wish the ladies to be abroad at dusk.”

“Yes, sir.” He answered Rosabelle’s amused glance with a cautious frown before excusing himself for the evening. He and his sister were often abroad at night, sometimes frequenting the local playhouse or the gaming rooms, where Rosabelle went masked. Life would be dull without their forays into town, and he doubted if anything would change.

He encountered her maid on his way to his quarters, and smiled grimly when she gave him a flirtatious look. Taking her by the shoulders he propelled her ahead of him, watching her hips sway in invitation from side to side. They’ll not twitch like that when you leave, he thought darkly. You need teaching a lesson.

Reaching his chamber, which was isolated from the rest of the house, William carefully locked the door behind him and threw her, face down, on the bed. She twisted, her smile fading when she saw him take a riding crop from his dresser.

“Ere, what are you going to do?”

“I hear you’ve been sharing your favours with one of the footmen,” he growled.

“No, sir, I swear I haven’t. “ She scrambled to her feet, her face blanching when he pushed her down again. He threw her skirt above her head so her cries wouldn’t annoy him, then raised his crop and lowered it with a short, sharp motion.

Loosening his breeches with one hand he raised the crop again with the other. This time his groan was louder than hers when he saw the faint pink stripe laid across her taut, white buttocks.

His third stroke lifted a ruby welt against the skin. His mouth dried as his finger traced gently along its length. Sliding his hands under the girl he lifted her up and against him. The aroma of Rosabelle’s perfume surrounded her. William closed his eyes. The maid’s sobs were music to his ears as he took her, gently at first, then with increasing strength. He felt the power in him rise to fever pitch, felt her respond like a bitch in heat, closing around him and pulling him into her moistness.

“Slut,” he whispered, over and over again. He prolonged the punishment until his reeling senses could take no more, then suddenly shuddered as he spent all his rage inside her. When it was over, he stared dispassionately down at her. She was an attractive, sloe-eyed little piece. She opened her eyes, staring at him with excited satisfaction. He grinned and grazed his hand down the side of her face. She had enjoyed her pain and its ultimate outcome.