Fenella J Miller (11 page)

She trotted over to him an
apologetic smile on her face. ‘Lord Weston, I’m sincerely sorry for causing
your fall. And I did not mean to take Bruno away with me.’ She saw a flash of
something in his eyes and prayed it was amusement. ‘Am I forgiven, my lord?’

He held out his hand. Nervously
she approached him, not sure if she trusted the gleam in his eyes. Penny was
forced to stand in her stirrup in order to pass down the reins. She felt
something grip her boot and the next moment she was falling headlong into his
arms.

‘My lord, you must not, we’re not
alone.’

She had no time to protest
further before his mouth covered hers in a kiss that made her forget all sense
of propriety. Her arms slipped around his neck and she buried her fingers in
the thick, silky hair at the base of his neck. She wanted the embrace to go on
forever. It was Mr Weston who recalled her to her senses.

‘Cousin, I think I am
de trop.
I shall continue my ride and
leave you and Miss Coombs in private.’

Flushing painfully she struggled
to remove herself from Ned’s arms.
‘Enough, my lord.
Please let me go.’

‘Never!
You’re my life and I intend to keep you by my side until the good Lord sees fit
to part us.’ His teeth gleamed as he reluctantly released her. ‘You’re an
infuriating baggage who richly deserves to be put over my knee.’

‘Ned!’ Her horrified exclamation
made him laugh out loud.

‘This time you’re forgiven, my
love. Pray do not make a habit of tipping your future husband into a thorn bush
if you wish to remain unpunished.’

Still chuckling he turned to
apologize to Mr Weston, but he had vanished, along with the two grooms. ‘Good
God! We must have offended him by our behaviour.’ He smiled ruefully. ‘I’m
deeply attached to my cousin, but unfortunately he has no sense of humour and a
far stricter sense of decency than either of us. I shall have to do a deal of
sweet talking to bring him round.’

‘I like him too. It’s strange
that you’re so similar in appearance but so different on the inside.’ She
reached into her pocket to find a handkerchief to remove some of the mud from
her face and her fingers touched the coin she had picked up earlier. ‘Look,
Ned. I found this on the bridge. It’s not often someone drops a silver coin and
doesn’t go back to look for it.’

He rubbed the mud from both sides
and held it up to examine it. His breath hissed through his clenched teeth.
‘This is a French coin, sweetheart. There’s only one way it could have been
dropped on the bridge. Smugglers must be using
my
land and
my
beach.’

Chapter Twelve

‘Smugglers?
How exciting – if I’d known living here was going to be so thrilling I should
have made a push to be invited sooner.’

‘This is no cause for amusement,
my dear. These men are murderous villains - not something from one of your
romance novels.’

Penny schooled her expression to one
of exaggerated apprehension. She pressed her fingers to her mouth and rounded
her eyes before exclaiming. ‘Oh, my lord, do not say so! It’s gratifying to
know that I’ve a strong protector to keep me safe.’ She fluttered her eyelashes
at him and saw his lips twitch. She didn’t like to see him looking so grim.

‘As I said before, my dear,
you’re a baggage sorely in need of restraint.’ He smiled as he pushed a strand
of hair from her face. ‘Good heavens! You have no hat - no wonder poor James
was shocked.’

She giggled. ‘I lost it somewhere
in the lane. Do we have to go back and search for it or am I to be allowed to
return in disarray?’

‘I’m not going back to find a
dratted hat. You look like hoyden and I’m forced to say that your behaviour
matches your appearance.’ Laughing, he tossed her back into her saddle and
remounted.

 
‘We’d better return, sweetheart. It’s getting
late. Let’s not add tardiness to our list of faults.

Two commendably straight-faced
grooms were waiting for them in front of the house. Ned vaulted from his horse
and was beside her before she had her boot removed from the stirrup. He swung
her to the path. ‘Do you have another evening gown? I think tonight the both
need to make a special effort.’

‘I have three others but none I
like as well as the green.’ She stood on tiptoe to whisper in his ear. ‘Please,
Ned, don’t look round, but there are several faces pressed up against the
drawing-room windows. I dread to think what Mrs Weston has been told.’

‘Shall we shock them further?’
His enquiry was teasing, but she recoiled in horror.

‘You’re incorrigible, my lord.
Dear Aunt Lucy will be mortified at my wanton behaviour.’ She stepped away, her
cheeks flushed. ‘I shall see you at dinner, my lord.’ She dipped in a hasty
curtsy before gathering up the trailing skirt of her riding habit and hurrying
inside.

Ned’s eyes gleamed with
appreciation. Why hadn’t he seen how beautiful she was last year? Had he
changed, or had she? He nodded his thanks to the grooms and strode into the
house. He needed a stiff drink before going upstairs to change for dinner. His
mouth curled, causing two footmen to step back in shock at the sight of their
master actually smiling.

 
Nursing a fall tumbler of brandy, he strolled
across his study to stare out across the park. He needed to think. The silver
coin found on the bridge proved beyond doubt that things had got out of hand on
his estate. These free-traders could well be involved in the gold smuggling. He
had spent too long serving his country and had been neglecting his own
property. This task would be his last for either Nosey or the government. In
fact he would pen a letter at once to that effect to Carstairs, making his
position quite clear.

He was just sanding his missive
when he was interrupted by a sharp tap on the door. ‘Come in, if you must,’ he
barked.

‘Ned, a moment
of your time, if you please.’

‘James, come in. I have just
finished.’ He smiled at his cousin. ‘I believe I owe you an apology, my friend.
You must forgive Miss Coombs and I, we are so recently engaged.’

‘No apology
needed. It’s I who has come to beg pardon for my curmudgeonly behaviour
earlier. I have no right to frown on you – you are after all affianced.’

‘And we’re to wed in less than
three weeks.’

James chuckled.
‘Not a moment too soon, if you want my opinion.’

‘I do not, cousin. Now if we’re
friends again there’s a boon I wish to ask of you.’ Ned waved towards an empty
chair. ‘I have reason to believe that an unscrupulous fortune hunter is trying
to abduct Miss Coombs. I find myself inundated with estate business and don’t
have the time to be with her throughout the day.’ He looked across at James.
‘Could I prevail upon you to take my place when I’m occupied with other
things?’

‘I should be delighted, Ned. Miss
Coombs and I have already become the best of friends. It will be no hardship to
be her companion and escort her when you’re too busy.’

‘Thank you. I know there are
grooms aplenty to accompany her, but I shan’t be sanguine unless she has
someone I can trust by her side.’ He smiled warmly. ‘Indeed, if I can’t be
there myself, you’re the next best thing.’

James stood up and bowed
formally. ‘If you’ll excuse me, I must take my leave. Mama is expecting me to
join her in the orangery for afternoon tea.’

‘I shall tell Miss Coombs of our
agreement and leave her to seek you out when she wishes to ride or drive into
Ipswich.’

Ned folded his letter, sealing it
carefully with a blob of wax and impressing his signet ring into the molten
material before it cooled. Had he done the right thing asking James to be Penny’s
close companion? Was there a danger that she would come to prefer the younger
man? James didn’t have his fiery temper and autocratic manner and was far
easier to jog along with. Well – it was too late to repine. He had made his
decision and would just have to trust her love was as strong and steadfast as
his own.

He frowned as
he leaned back in his chair to pull the bell-strap. She was so much younger
than him – so innocent and unspoilt. Was it possible she might compare and find
his cousin the better man? His mouth curved in a wicked smile. There was one
sure way to prevent her considering anyone else; he could anticipate his
wedding night by seducing her into his bed. Then she would never wish to look
at another man - his prowess between the sheets was legendary.

‘Lawks, miss!
Look at your hair?’ Mary exclaimed in horror.

‘I lost my
hat, that’s all. Do I have time to bathe before dressing for dinner?’

‘Why don’t you have a nice rest until
your bath is ready? It takes a while to get the water up here.’

‘Thank you,
Mary. At least here they have a room especially for the bath and the dirty
water doesn’t have to be carried back downstairs as it does at home.’

Her maid
deftly removed the soiled riding habit and Penny heard her
tutting
loudly about the state of it as she returned to the dressing room. The shutters
were open letting the late afternoon sunshine flood into her bedchamber,
filling the room with warmth and light. Ignoring the silk wrapper she slipped
on to her bed in her chemise and stretching out her bare legs flopped back in
to the waiting pile of pillows.

So much had
happened in the last few days her head was in a whirl. She closed her eyes and
let her mind drift, trying not to dwell on the more unpleasant incidents. She
recalled her fear when the balloon had ripped away from the ground. Then a
bubble of laughter rose as at the recollection of her beloved headfirst in a
thorn bush. She had never heard such profanities.

Smiling she
sat up, too restless to remain still. For some reason whenever her thoughts
turned to Ned she felt decidedly odd. What was it that made her limbs tingle
and her feminine parts glow with anticipation? Strange that thinking about Mr
Weston, who was Ned’s replica, had no such effect on her body.

The sound of
laughter and clinking crockery outside in the garden drew her to the window.
Hidden in the shadows she peeped out. Under the shade of a large oak tree a
table had been laid and sitting round it were Mrs Weston and her son and the
Remingtons
. Of the three aristocratic couples there was no
sign. From her vantage point Penny watched the interplay between the families.

Mr Weston was
putting himself out to be charming to the three giggling girls and they were
responding accordingly. The two boys were awestruck at being in the presence of
such a grand gentleman. She smiled as she noticed for the first time that Mr
Weston’s dress was similar to Ned’s. He too was wearing a blue superfine
topcoat with a grey waistcoat and his cravat was tied in an identical
arrangement as the one her be beloved favoured.

Mary was returning so she moved
away from the window. She knew very little about Mr Weston’s financial
circumstances apart from the fact that he was heir to the title if Ned should
die without issue. A wave of heat suffused her at the thought of what might be
involved in order for her to produce the requisite heir.

‘Mary, guests
are still on the lawn taking tea. I think I might postpone my bath until later
and go outside and join them.’

‘Very well,
miss. The water’s that hot it will keep warm for a good while yet. Shall I
fetch your walking dress with the white muslin skirt and pink bodice? You’ve
not worn that.’

‘That’s
because I don’t like the banded skirt – I much prefer a plain gown. However, as
it’s in the first stare of fashion I suppose I shall have to learn to admire
it.’

She hurried across the vast hall
glad she had agreed to slip a rose and white striped scarf around her shoulders
for, even with the elbow length sleeves and demure neck line of her gown, she
was chilled. Heavy footsteps alerted her and she paused to allow Ned to catch
up with her.

He arrived at
her side freshly garbed in buff trousers and dark blue top-coat. ‘Sweetheart,
are you going outside to join the tea party?’

‘I am. I’ve
hardly had time to further my acquaintance with Mr and Mrs Remington and this
seems an ideal opportunity to do so.’ He was standing too close. The warmth of
his breath was brushing her neck. Nervously she stepped sideways wishing to put
a safe distance between them. He matched her movement. This was too much! ‘Lord
Weston, kindly
leave
me room to breathe.’

He smiled down at her and her
resistance melted. She swayed forward and his arms enfolded her. ‘You’re so
lovely I cannot resist you.’ He took her hand and placed it on his heart. ‘Can
you feel it, darling girl? It beats solely for you. I’ve waited ten years to
fall in love and I burn to show you just how
much
I love you.’

Penny spread
her fingers, burying them into the snowy folds of his immaculate cravat. He was
so tall, so strong – and
she
was
making him tremble with desire. Slowly she raised her face and her lips parted
to receive his kiss. Her feet left the floor and a slipper dropped to the
tiles. She was lost in his embrace as eager as he to share their passion.

Ned, who was
facing the open front door, saw someone approaching and without putting her
down spun round and headed for the privacy of his study.

‘Put me down,
please. Someone will see us.’

 
‘Guests were approaching the hall, sweetheart.
I had to remove us or we would have been discovered.’

‘In that case, my lord, we’re
quite safe here and you may return me to my feet.’ He ignored her request and
his arms tightened. She was having none of this highhanded behaviour. She
pushed firmly against his unyielding bulk expecting him to release her. He
didn’t. ‘Lord Weston, if you don’t put me down at once
I
shall scream.’ This remark had some result but not the one she expected.

He chuckled. ‘Go ahead, my dear,
if you have no objection to being seen as a wanton with no decorum.’

She had no
alternative. She had given him an ultimatum and he had ignored her. Whatever
the consequences she had no choice. She would not be ignored. Taking a deep
breath she threw her head back and screamed as if her very life depended on it.

He dropped her to the floor as if
she was on fire. As she struggled to regain her feet without his assistance, a
gurgle of laughter welled as she saw his expression of incredulity. However,
the sound of running footsteps and concerned voices approaching made all desire
to laugh vanish. Deciding to leave explanations to him she fell back as if in a
deep swoon.

With her eyes closed she couldn’t
see what was happening. Ned dropped to his knees beside her as if concerned by
her collapse. He took one of her hands in his and she winced at his grip. Then
his second arm slipped under her and she was hoisted into the air once more.
This time if she was to maintain the pretence of being unconscious she could
not protest at his rough handling.

‘My lord, we heard the scream. Is
Miss Coombs injured?’ One of the guests enquired anxiously.

‘It was a ghost! Miss Coombs
believed she saw a spectre appear at the far end of this passageway which then
vanished through the wall. The sight was too much for her.’

Penny almost choked and decided
it was time to make a miraculous recovery. He had other ideas and her face was
firmly squashed against his chest giving her no opportunity to deny his
ridiculous explanation.

There were shocked exclamations
and murmurs of sympathy. They must think her a veritable pea-goose to believe
such nonsense. Disregarding the consequences she sank her teeth into his chest
and bit down. He flinched, but to her consternation, his arms remained locked
around her.

‘If you will excuse me, I must
carry Miss Coombs up to her chambers where she may recover in more comfort.’ He
waited politely for his guests to step aside then marched back towards the
hall. Even here he didn’t pause.

She had hoped
he would allow her to run upstairs under her own volition but this was not to
be. As if she weighed no more than a feather, he took the stairs two at a time
paying no regard to her comfort whatsoever. She was tossed from side to side
and the second time her knees cracked against the wall she squealed in protest.