Fenella J Miller (14 page)

Penny grinned. ‘I can hardly do
anything else, wrapped up like an Egyptian mummy.’ Her aunt smoothed the covers
and Penny could see tears glittering in her eyes. ‘Please, Aunt Lucy, don’t be
upset. I have had three brushes with danger and death and you know what
everyone says?’

‘What is that, my dear?’

‘
That things
go in threes, Aunt Lucy. Now I shall be safe.’

‘I’m wondering, my dear, if we
should return to
Nettleford
for the time being. No
such accidents befell you there. We can return for the ball, of course.’

‘And my wedding to Lord Weston?
Are you having second thoughts about that?’

‘No, but I do consider an
engagement of scarcely three weeks is indecently short. Perhaps it would be
better to postpone your marriage until later in the year.’

Penny was about to tell her
elderly relative
that
even two weeks was too long.
That she was eager to spend her nights with Ned learning the joys of being a
wife. She would be wise to keep such information to herself – this admission
might cause her aunt to have an apoplexy!

‘I think you’ll find Lord Weston
would not allow it. He’s determined we shall be man and wife as soon as the
banns are called.’

‘Very well, I shall not
interfere. By the by, Penelope, Weston asked me to tell you he would be up to
see you later this afternoon. You are to send word when you wish to receive
him.’

A long soak in
hot water completed the job of restoring her circulation. Penny insisted she
would get dressed again and Mary could not persuade her otherwise. She consumed
a hearty luncheon brought to her on a tray and by two o’clock was more than
ready to see her beloved.

 
The all too familiar heat was travelling
around her body as she recalled his promise. Was that why he asked her to send
for him? She glowed in anticipation and wished she hadn’t insisted on wearing a
long sleeved tea dress with a decidedly demure neck line.

‘Mary, I shan’t require you until
I dress for dinner later.’

The maid bobbed a curtsy and with
a rustle of starched petticoats she returned to her duties elsewhere. Penny
stretched out on the
chaise-longue
,
carefully arranging her skirts to cover her ankles. It wouldn’t do to give him
too much encouragement.

She was still smiling at the
thought, when the expected knock came on her door. ‘Come in, Ned.’

Chapter Fifteen

Ned watched his butler’s bushy
eyebrows shoot up in shock at his disreputable appearance and decided he had
better return to his chambers and put on a fresh neck cloth and jacket.
Upsetting Foster had repercussions! The last time he had ignored such a
gesture, his dinner had appeared cold for three nights in a row. He had been
intending to go straight from Penny’s apartment to the stables to get things
organized.

‘I need a fresh stock and another
coat,’ he shouted as he entered his rooms. His valet was waiting with both
items by the time he got to his dressing-room. ‘Make sure Mr Weston has
everything he needs
. His
man is
totally inept.’

That was as close to a compliment
as he got. The valet bowed and stepped back to allow him to continue on his
way.

He arrived in the stable-yard to
discover Phoenix tied to the iron ring outside his loose box. Two stable boys
were busy rubbing him dry with handfuls of folded straw. He noticed the grey
James rode was in his box contentedly munching his feed. It hadn’t taken as
long as he’d anticipated for them to return along the beach.

Perkins met him, touching his
forelock politely. ‘My lord, come and look at this. See what you think.’

Ned examined the chestnut horse.
There was no mistake. The animal had two deep cuts on his left rump. ‘A
catapult and stones, do you think, Perkins?’

‘Something
like
that, sir. Poor beast had no chance. With the railings tampered with, when he
shied sideways, he would have lost his balance.’

‘How could the attackers know
Miss Coombs would be riding over the bridge that morning? I doubt they would
have hidden there every day on the off chance.’ His expression darkened and he
glared around the yard. Every groom and stable boy became feverishly occupied.
‘We’ve an informant in this yard, Perkins. There’s no other way they could have
known.’

He drew his man aside, away from
prying ears. ‘Find out who it is. It will be one of the younger men, no doubt
up to his ears in debt and prepared to take dirty money in order to clear
himself.’

Perkins shook his head
doubtfully. ‘
Beggin
’ your pardon, my lord, but I
doubts
anyone working here would risk their position for a
bit extra. I reckon there’s someone watching the stables and the house and it’s
them what takes the message.’

‘I hope you’re right. Get the men
to check for evidence of hidden watchers, but also make a few discreet
enquiries, see if any of the grooms have had an unexpected windfall lately.’

‘I’ll do that. It’s going to be a
high tide and a full moon next week. We’ll have to keep our eyes peeled for the
next ten days.’

‘Indeed. I want four men with
Miss Coombs wherever she goes, even when she’s in the park. I’ve no idea why
she’s been targeted, but until we’ve captured the traitor and his gold we’ll
have to be extra vigilant.’ He beckoned Reynolds over. ‘Ride to Ipswich and ask
the militia to make their presence felt along the beach and the surrounding
area.’

He instructed Perkins to take
several men to search the area around the bridge and sent a message to his
estate manager to arrange for the immediate repair of the railings. Satisfied
he’d done all that was necessary he returned to his study to write a letter
summoning Major Carstairs. He needed a second opinion on this matter. For the
first time in his life his full attention was not on the task. How could he
concentrate on government business when Penny appeared to be in mortal danger?
The missive was complete when Foster tapped at the door. At last - Penny was
ready to see him.

The door opened and Penny felt
excitement ripple through her already overheated body. She had been in company
of other more handsome men but it was only her
darling
Ned who made her feel like this.

Her smile of welcome appeared to
have the same effect on him. His eyes reflected his desire and she revelled in
her power. ‘Ned, come and sit next to me. There’s plenty of room.’ She bent her
knees to give him the space he needed.

He shook his head as he ran his
finger around his stock.
‘No, sweetheart.
I think it
would be unwise for us to be within touching distance. I have serious matters
to discuss with you.’

He collected the same upright
chair he had used a day or so ago, but this time he swung it round and
straddled it.

Her pleasure in the moment began
to fade at his sober expression. ‘What is it? Have you more bad news?’

‘What I’m going to tell you is in
the strictest confidence. It must never leave this room. Both our lives depend
on it.’

She forgot her coquettish
behaviour and placed her feet firmly on the carpet, her face as serious as his.
‘I promise. Whatever you reveal, I’ll not pass it on, even to Aunt Lucy.’

‘Good girl. I’m not what I seem;
I’m a government agent and have been so since my majority. That is why I’ve
never set up my nursery. A man in my position can’t allow himself to be
distracted.’

‘Is that why you left me so
abruptly in London? You were called away?’

He grinned ruefully. ‘As I’m
being totally honest, my dear, I’m forced to admit that I never had any
intention of offering for you last season. I used you as cover.’

She stared at him, appalled. She
drew breath to comment and he raised his hand in supplication. ‘Please,
sweetheart, hear me out without interruption. I have more to confess. I wish to
get matters absolutely straight between us.’

‘Very well, I shall be silent
until the end.’

‘I selected you from the list of
debutantes precisely because you’re intelligent as well as beautiful. Even for
King and country I couldn’t spend my time escorting a ninnyhammer. When I was
asked to root out the traitor believed to be travelling with this balloon party
it was suggested I renewed my association with you, letting people believe I
was about to make an offer.’

She had heard enough. Whatever
she had promised she’d no intention of hearing any more. She jumped up, tears
of anger and disappointment glittering in her eyes. He faced her and she knew
he wouldn’t let her run away.

‘Sit down, Penny. You must hear
the whole before you decide if you wish to break the connection between us.’

She subsided, her face stony.
Whatever he told the next, her mind was made up. She would have none of him.
However much she loved him he had treated her abominably.

He resumed his
story, his face watchful. ‘I’m convinced the traitor is Count Everex.’ He
rested his chin on his folded arms and fixed her with his penetrating stare. ‘I
agreed reluctantly to set up a house party and invite both you and Ducray.
However, everything changed when I saw you again. Before I realized what was
happening I was head over ears in love with you.’

He reached across to capture her
hand; she was tempted to snatch it back. ‘Please, don’t look at me like that. I
love you. You’re the most important thing in my life. I have already written my
letter of resignation and I intend to devote my life to you and any children we
might have together.’

Her heart melted. His every word
rang with sincerity. How many other men would be brave enough to admit their
faults? She sprang to her feet and before he could refuse her she was on his
lap with her arms tightly wound around his neck. ‘I forgive you, Ned. You used
me abominably, but at least it wasn’t for personal gain. And, my love, you have
a promise to keep.’

 
She tipped her face and his lips covered hers
in a tender kiss, she pressed herself closer. Eventually he called a halt. He
stood up, placing her firmly away from him. ‘Sweetheart, that’s enough. If we
continue making love like this I shall lose control. Holding you in my arms is
exquisite torture. I ache to take this to its conclusion – as I’m sure you’re
aware.’

Penny had no idea to what he was
referring. Her knowledge of what actually took place between man and his wife
was sketchy. She had seen animals mating but could not credit that the same
extraordinary practice occurred between human
kind
.

‘Sit down in the window seat with
me, my love. As usual you distracted me and there are still things we must talk
of.’

She took the place he indicated
and he sat sideways, the tails of his coat flicked aside to rest across his
lap. She supposed he didn’t wish to crease them. When she was comfortable he
returned to the subject of his government work.

‘As I told you, I’m convinced the
Frenchman is the traitor. It’s he who is orchestrating these attacks on you.’

‘Attacks?
Are you saying that today’s incident was no accident? That someone deliberately
caused Phoenix to rear and throw us into the river?’

‘I’m afraid that I am. Until this
matter is resolved I must ask you to stay within sight of the house. The trip
to Ipswich tomorrow must be postponed.’

‘Of course, I’ll do everything
you ask. We will defeat the evil that’s stalking us. The count cannot be
working alone. Who else is involved in this, Ned?’

‘Smugglers, my
dear.
There are many of them hereabouts and any one would happily slit
your throat for a gold coin. Thousands of gold coins are involved in this.’

By the time he had explained
everything she knew exactly what she could do to help.

‘Allow me to charm the count;
he’s a venial man and has already made overtures to me. If I pretend to be
interested in his flirtation then it’s possible he will inadvertently reveal
his true self.’

‘And it’s possible that he will
murder you. I absolutely forbid you to attempt any such thing. It’s far too
dangerous.’

‘I’m not
suggesting I promenade with him alone. I thought I could spend time with him
after dinner, and over the supper tray. I’m not a goose. I should do all this
in full view of your guests.’

He laughed. ‘In which case I
agree – you may try and charm some information from him. But, have you
considered how the rest of the house party might view your antics? Don’t you
think they might expect me to call him out?’

‘Now you’re being silly. I shall
do no more than I’ve seen the other ladies do when they have been conversing
with him. A little fan fluttering and a few fulsome compliments was all I had
in mind.’

He patted her knees and stood up.
‘I must take my leave, darling. Remember what we’ve spoken about is a secret
between us. The gold bullion is expected to arrive before the high tide next
week. Until then we must be extra vigilant.’

‘Thank you for taking me into your
confidence, Ned. I don’t believe there’s a man anywhere in England who would
have done the same. I consider myself privileged to be part of this and blessed
to be marrying you.’

He hesitated and his eyes burned
with passion, but somehow he found the strength to turn away and didn’t speak
until he was opening the door. ‘I’m the luckiest man in Christendom to have
such a woman at my side. I promise you, my love, that when this wretched
business is over I shall show you just how happy you make me.’

That evening Penny chose to wear
the same evening gown that had prompted Ned to declare himself. Then she had
been so caught up in the announcement of her engagement, she had been unaware
of anyone apart from him. Tonight it would be different. She was like an
actress in a play; whatever she did would be done by someone else. She was
going to perform her part as an irresponsible young lady to perfection.

Knowing she looked her best she
didn’t bother to check her appearance before gliding downstairs, her eyes sparkling
with excitement. She could hardly believe she was the only one who knew the
austere and irascible Lord Weston was in fact a government agent. He had
trusted her with his secret, indeed, possibly with his life and she wouldn’t
let him down.

What would dear Aunt Lucy make of
her behaviour? Her reputation for being a well-brought up young lady could well
be
in tatters by the end of this evening. It didn’t
occur to her that when Ned had agreed to her forming a liaison with the
handsome young Frenchman, he hadn’t actually believed she would have the
courage to carry it out.

She nodded regally at the two
footmen waiting to direct the guests out on to the lantern-lit terrace. Ned had
not told her they were to gather outside tonight. She hadn’t brought her diaphanous
Indian silk wrap and the deeply cut neckline and short cap sleeves of her gown
would offer no protection from the chill of the evening.

She beckoned one of the footmen
over. ‘Kindly go to my chambers and ask my maid to bring down my wrap.’

 
The young man bowed and vanished through an
invisible door in the wall. She smiled and shook her head. Would she ever get
used to the way the staff appeared and disappeared as if by magic? She sound of
tinkling crystal and voices was drifting in through the open French doors of
the drawing-room.

She walked gracefully across the
elegant room and yet another servant bowed her through the door and out on to
the terrace. She wasn’t the last to arrive neither the count, nor Mr Weston was
amongst the people chatting and drinking champagne.

‘Sweetheart, you look
ravisante.
’ Ned took her hands and
raised them to his mouth. The desire in his eyes made her knees tremble. How
was she going to pretend she was interested in any one else when she burned for
him?

‘And you look wonderful as well.
Black and white doesn’t suit every gentleman – but on you evening dress looks
magnificent.’ His throat convulsed and she winced as her fingers were crushed.
Instantly he released her.