Fenella J Miller (15 page)

“There, my love, you shall be better soon. I’ll be back to see you later, rest again until I come.”

She was so tired. Her eyes drooped. Then unexpectedly he clasped her face and his lips brushed hers in the gentlest of kisses. He loved her. A warm glow flooded through her. She rested until he returned and repeated the process. This time he offered delicious vegetable broth; chewing was difficult, but she could swallow liquids well enough. Each time he murmured loving words, and kissed her briefly before departing.

She woke the following morning as happy as a lark. She was still weak, but the blood was fizzing round her body. She had never imagined she would be held tenderly in her husband’s arms or that he would say he loved her. How had this happened? It was remarkable. From the moment he’d spoken to her two months ago when she and her niece and nephews were playing cricket, she had been drawn to him. She could not have married him otherwise, however desperate her situation.

Her lips curved and she stretched. Only now could she admit she returned his love. From today their marriage would be a loving union, the ghost of his first wife finally laid to rest. Not only did she have Alex, but she had three wonderful children to complete her happiness. A flood of heat engulfed her.

Good heavens!

Next year there might be an extra member of their family, a baby of her own to hold in her arms. How was it possible someone as handsome, charming, kind and loving as
him
had fallen in love with
her
?

She moved restlessly. How much longer would it be before the children came to visit? It had been an age since they’d been with her. Alex told her last night he was taking them to the stables this morning to continue their riding lessons.

Poor Lucy, her party must have been cancelled and all that planning and preparation gone to waste because of her. She must get up today and set another date for the event. She tingled from head to toe. She would be back on her feet in a day or two, and she had more to look forward to than just a children’s party.

As soon as she was well enough Alex would come to her, and she would tell him she loved him and discover the secrets of the marriage bed.

There was a soft knock on the parlour door; Sally moved across to open it. She turned with a puzzled frown. “Mr. Foster wishes to speak to you, my lady.”

A band of pain tightened across her chest. The things she’d been pushing away came flooding back. Foster knew what had taken place, knew her brother had come to kill her husband. She and Alex had not talked about that afternoon; he didn’t know why he’d been targeted.

When he discovered her secret he would never forgive her. Their marriage would be over before it truly began.

Eleanor straightened in the armchair; she must be strong. Foster was good to have remained silent until this point. She could not ask him to lie to his master any longer. “Ask Mr Foster to come in, please.”

He entered and bowed formally. “I’m glad to see you well, my lady. I apologize for intruding, but I must speak to you in private.”

She gestured and her abigail retreated to the bedchamber. “You are welcome, Mr Foster. Until you were announced I had all but forgotten what happened. No, if I am honest, I deliberately ignored the terrible incident which caused me to become unwell.” He stood, shifting uncomfortably. “Please be seated, sir, you must tell me what has transpired these past few days.”

He cleared his throat. “Well, my lady, no one else knows and his lordship is still of the opinion that these were opportunists; ex-soldiers passing through. He believes it’s possible they heard he was in residence, and decided to try and abduct him and hold him for ransom. When that failed, they took you instead.”

“He has not thought it through properly. His happiness these past few days has prevented him thinking clearly and has made him ignore what is perfectly obvious.” She could not go on, needed a moment to recover her composure. “I must thank you, Mr Foster, for not revealing the truth. But there is something else you do not know.”

Should I tell him my secret?

“Yes, my lady?”

She took a deep breath and told him the true circumstances of her marriage. She waited for his condemnation.

“I’m relieved to hear your story, my lady. I’ve always been bothered by his lordship’s behaviour. Such unpleasant conduct was out of character. It makes no never mind now.”

He didn’t understand.

“I can’t continue to live this lie. I must tell him everything.”

Foster shook his head. “I shouldn’t do that, my lady. Let sleeping dogs lie, if I were you. Your brother’s an evil man if he thinks to gain back your inheritance in this way. His aborted attempt will not be repeated. Lord Bentley has alerted the authorities; they are scouring the surrounding area for the remainder of the gang. Unfortunately the two that were shot died before they could be questioned.”

She thought it was fortuitous they had died, for they could have revealed the truth. She shuddered. How could she be glad that two men had perished? This nightmare was turning her into someone she didn’t like. “Will my husband be charged for killing them?”

“No, he was protecting his property.” Foster blushed painfully. “I beg your pardon, my lady, I meant no offence. I’ve come to tell you that I will not disclose what I know. I have been in Lord Bentley’s employ these past fifteen years; when his first wife died I thought he would go mad with grief. I can’t believe the change in him this past week. I shall do nothing to endanger his happiness; you would be wise to do the same.”

Eleanor closed her eyes. Her husband believed he had assaulted her. Could she continue to deceive him on this point if she admitted her brother was behind the attack? No, it was either reveal everything or remain silent.

She had been enjoying a fool’s paradise. Now harsh reality had come back to claim her. “I have no wish to cause him unnecessary grief. You’re right, Foster, I can never tell him. I could not bear to lose him now, I will make him happy in spite of this.”

Foster grinned, his craggy face looking years younger. “A wise decision, my lady, if you pardon me for saying so. The reason for your marriage is unimportant. Nobody knows what happened, apart from you and I and those that were involved. And on the other matter, I hardly think Lord Thorrington is going to admit to what he did. I think it best it stay that way.”

“I have no choice but to agree. However, when Lord Bentley has time to consider the matter, he must realize that those men were trying to
kill
him, not take him captive. How shall you explain that to him?”

“I have thought of that, my lady. I shall tell him that they must have decided he was too fearsome a target to abduct, that he was more likely to kill them than come quietly. They aimed to scare him away, not kill him. Your arrival on the scene gave them another chance so they snatched you instead. You must tell him they threatened to kill you if you did not go quietly.”

So be it. She would be obliged to live a life based on perfidy. “You couldn’t possibly know these facts. I must tell him this fustian. I must compound my faults with falsehoods. If Lord Bentley should ever discover the truth, our marriage will be at an end. Surely it’s far better to bring matters into the open now, before things have moved on?” She stopped, embarrassed at talking so freely to a servant.

“My lady, I implore you, don’t consider revealing the true facts. This would ruin his life. You can’t want to bring him down again?”

“No, of course not. I just wish it could be done some other way. The children are happy now they have their father with them; I’ve no desire to be the one to break their hearts a second time. I shall rehearse my part and explain it to him later.”

“Thank you, my lady. In a year or two it will be as if this never happened. You will have built a happy life together and even if, somehow, he discovered the deception, it would no longer be of any importance.”

“I pray you’re correct, Foster. I think you’d better go now, I don’t wish Lord Bentley to know that you have been to see me.”

He rose and bowed again. “You can trust me, my lady. Although I am his lordship’s man, I would lay down my life for you as well.”

He left the room, taking her happiness with him. A weight was pressing her down, preventing her lungs from filling. She must fight this blackness or she would sink into oblivion. The sound of childish voices approaching roused her before she gave in.

The children were finally coming to visit. Whatever her reservations about lying to her husband, where
they
were concerned there were no barriers. They spent half an hour talking about their riding lessons; the new ponies were a great success. They were obviously delighted to see her well, and made no mention of the missed birthday party.

“Mama is tiring, children. Time you returned to the nursery. You may come down again and visit after tea.”

Lucy and Elizabeth obeyed their father immediately, embracing her fondly before moving to the door. Alexander, who was cradled on her lap, ignored the instruction and smiled trustingly into her face.

“Did Papa tell you he fell right into a smelly midden? He was so stinky he had to have a bath in the duck pond.”

Eleanor’s eyes widened in astonishment. Her husband grinned, looking almost boyish. “That’s quite true, my dear, I’m surprised you don’t remember it. I’ve disposed of the garments I was wearing and my favourite top boots will not be the same again.”

The little ones giggled. She returned his smile. “I’m sure the experience was educational, sir, for there’s nothing so humbling as being up to your knees in muck.”

Alex interrupted. “Lucy, Elizabeth, Alexander, run along to the nursery; I wish to speak to your mama.”

Alexander gazed at his father, his lower lip trembling. “I want to stay here with Mama. She has been poorly and she needs me to keep her safe.

“No, darling, you shall see me later. Do as you’re told, my love. I shall look forward to seeing you again this evening.”

The little boy was reassured. “I shall go then, Mama, but you must promise not to be ill again. I don’t like it when you’re not with us every day.”

“I will do my best, darling. Off you go, your sisters are waiting for you at the door.”

The room seemed empty without them. She wasn’t sure she wished to be alone with Alex. She wanted to postpone the deceit for as long as possible. However, he remained with her, strolling across to join her on the daybed. Her pulse raced, she felt something she didn’t understand flickering between them.

He took her hand in his, carrying it to his mouth. His eyes held hers, he kissed each finger in turn. A delicious warmth pooled deep inside. She couldn’t look away.

He raised his head, his eyes glittering, keeping her left hand in his. “My love, we have much to talk about. First there’s something I must give you.” He reached into his waistcoat pocket and removed a small velvet box with gold filigree on the front. He flicked it open revealing a stunning diamond and emerald betrothal ring. “I love you, Eleanor, I want you to have the family ring.”

Her fingers were trembling as he pushed it over her knuckle. “There, now you are a Bentley bride. As soon as you’re well enough I wish to make you my true wife.” The love in his eyes was almost her undoing. How could she bear to keep her secret from him? “Will I be welcome in your bedchamber, my darling?”

She couldn’t answer; her throat was clogged with tears. Instead she nodded and that was all he needed. He gathered her close and the next ten minutes took her to a place she hadn’t known existed—where she was loved and could be herself.

“I must stop, or I shall not be able to.” He was breathless, a hectic flush across his cheek bones and seemed reluctant to move away from her.

“Alex, I am—”

“I understand. This is a shock to me as well.” He claimed her hands, caressing her palm with his thumbs, sending shivers up and down her spine. He was so close, his words brushed her cheek.

Then the light was blotted out. His hands cradled her face, his mouth covered hers and his kiss sent shock waves through her body. This was no gentle brush of the lips, but demanding, his mouth slanting hard across her lips. She was burning, pressing herself against him, knowing she wanted something more from him but not sure what it was she craved.

Again he sighed and moved to the far end of the
chaise longue
. “This will not do, my love. I’m taking shameful advantage of you. But having discovered I’m in love with you I want to tutor you in the pleasures of the bedroom.”

When her pulse returned to normal she swung her legs to the floor and stood up. “I’m as eager as you, my dear, to experience everything a wife should know. However, I believe these things are best done in the privacy of the bedroom and not in full view of the staff.”

He chuckled. “Exactly so, you have a wise head on your shoulders. Now we must converse of something mundane, turn our minds away from these exciting things.”

“There is something I wish to talk about, Alex. What happened on Lucy’s birthday? Was the party cancelled?”

“Of course it was. The children were more concerned about you than anything else. The cake was cut and we gave Lucy her gifts. Alexander has his name day shortly, shall we hold the event on his anniversary instead?”

Eleanor turned away, not wanting him to see that tears filled her eyes. Three weeks was a long time; would she still be his
dearest love
then?