Fenella J Miller (6 page)

The library was on the ground
floor and she was due to meet her host there. The tall case clock struck six as
she arrived in the hall. No less a gentleman than the august butler himself
stepped out of the shadows to conduct her to the room she sought.

Her previous nervousness at being
closeted alone with Lord Weston had evaporated to be replaced by an anxiety of
a different type. She was no longer apprehensive he would overwhelm her with
his masculinity. Now she wished to tell him of the mysterious man hiding in the
trees. He could send servants to the chambers of all the male guests to see who
was missing. Then they could unmask the villain.

It occurred to her the person she
had spotted might be on legitimate business and was no more a miscreant than
she was, but Lord Weston would be able to reassure on that point. She sailed
down the passage eager to impart the news.

‘Miss Coombs, my lord.’ The black
garbed gentleman stepped aside.

Weston was standing in the centre
of the room, his hands clasped loosely behind him. He was dressed in formal
black; his evening trousers emphasized his height, the close fit of his jacket
the breadth of his shoulders; the snowy white of his intricate neck cloth drew
her eyes to the strong column of his neck.

She dipped in a low curtsy before
raising her head and she wished she hadn’t. An invisible thread was connecting
them – he was waiting for her to come to him. She must not - it would be
disastrous if she allowed herself to be overawed. But, of
their
own
volition her feet inched slowly forwards.

She wanted to end the suffocating
silence - to speak of mundane things - to break free – to catch her breath but
her voice had vanished like her willpower and she was helpless. Something in
his eyes drew her closer until she was at arm’s length from him.

Why didn’t he move? Why didn’t he
say something? Her knees began to shake and she feared she would collapse in an
ignominious heap of silk at his feet.

Chapter Six

Ned heard the clock strike the
hour and positioned himself centrally on the closely woven Brussels carpet. He
glanced sideways at his reflection in the over-mantel mirror. It was a long
time since he had allowed his valet so much time to dress him. He wanted his
guests and family to believe this false betrothal was genuine and his
immaculate appearance would add credence to their story.

He wondered if Miss Coombs had
gone to as much trouble as he had to look the part. She had changed since he
had escorted her around last year. He gathered from his discreet enquiries that
since her majority she had sole charge of
Nettleford
and her substantial fortune, such responsibilities had given her confidence and
an added sparkle to her beautiful eyes.

The library door was open so he
could hear her approach. The sound of footsteps focused his attention on the
doorway. He drew himself up, for some reason wishing to make a good impression.
Foster appeared in the entrance blocking his view.

‘Miss Coombs, my lord.’ The
butler stepped to one side and vanished.

Ned was speechless. He had never
seen anything so lovely. The young woman who stood so proudly before him was a
sea nymph not a mortal. In that moment everything changed.

Swallowing convulsively, knowing
he must speak, but could find no words to express his feelings. He was
captivated – mesmerised. For the first time in his life he was no longer in
control of events. His razor-sharp brain was swamped by an emotion he didn’t
recognise.

He willed her to walk towards
him. Even at this pivotal moment he managed to restrain his baser passions.
Every muscle in his body twitched, but somehow he held himself in check
allowing her to make the decision that would irrevocably change their lives.

Like a hound on a leash he tensed
praying for the moment when he could move forward and take this girl into his
embrace. She appeared to move unwillingly as if fighting the magnetism between
them. His heart pounded. He was burning. He had never felt anything like it
before.

His heat was pulsing in waves
towards her. She knew little of such matters, but ignorant as she was, still
realized if she took the final step there would be no turning back. She would
be totally compromised and they would have no option but to make the engagement
genuine.

She hesitated, her knees shaking
like a
blancmanger
,
trying to find the strength to back away. He was tense. He was fighting the
same battle and was leaving the decision to her.

Slowly she lifted her hand, not
sure if she was warding him off or inviting him to move closer. He swayed
towards her, a minimal movement, but enough to cause her fingertips to brush
his chest. That was enough. His arms shot out and she toppled into them.

‘Miss Coombs, Penny – sweetheart
-are you sure about this?’ His whispered words brushed her overheated cheek.

‘I am. I’ve never been more
certain about anything. This is where I belong.’ She smiled, her face
illuminated. ‘But I didn’t understand it until this moment.’

This was all the encouragement he
needed. He drew her nearer, so near the hardness of his chest was pressing into
her breasts. She was awash with exquisite sensations. Her skin was on fire. She
wanted something from him but didn’t understand what it was she desired.

She rested her burning face
against the roughness of his coat and his heart pounded beneath her cheek.

‘Darling, look
at me.
Please don’t hide your face.’

She raised her head, her lips
parted in unconscious invitation and her feet left the floor as he lifted her.
When his lips touched hers her arm came up to encircle his neck, her questing
fingers buried themselves in his thick hair.

He deepened the kiss and she
responded. She wanted to be part of him – to not know where she ended and he
began. All the pent-up grief was pouring out of her. She was drowning and
didn’t know how to save herself.

Weston slipped one hand under her
knees intending to carry her over to the
chaise
longue
to complete what they had started. As he spun his feet became
entangled in her demi-train which was held aloft by the ribbon around her
wrist.

Unable to release her hold she
clutched tighter as his struggle to retain his balance tightened the
constriction round his feet. They landed in a heap of tangled arms and legs.
Sanity returned as she realized her beautiful gown was about to be ruined.

‘Lord Weston, Stop struggling
this instant. You’re breaking my wrist and about to tear my gown.’

Immediately he stilled.
‘Tarnation
take
it! What’s wrong with me? I’m behaving
like a lovesick greenhorn.’

He deftly unhooked the ribbon and
the trailing silk fell to the floor and his feet were free. He rolled sideways
placing her on the floor. Before she had time to protest he regained his feet
taking her with him.

Her elaborate hairstyle had begun
to
unweave
and she had lost her right ear bob
somewhere on the carpet. The whole situation was ridiculous. She felt the
irresistible urge to laugh and pressed her lips firmly together hoping to
contain her mirth.

‘Good God! What was I thinking
of? I apologize….’

‘Please don’t. This was as much
my fault as yours. I have no regrets.’ She stopped, suddenly unsure. She looked
up at him, searching for the answer to her unspoken question.

‘Darling girl, I’m not
apologizing for kissing you, but for losing control and wishing to take matters
further. I can’t understand it. I managed to keep my behaviour within bounds
last year.’ He grinned, making him look almost boyish. ‘I blame it on that
gown. You never wore anything half so alluring before.’

This time she made no attempt to
stifle her giggles. ‘Thank you, my lord. It’s always pleasing for a lady to
know she was considered a
dowd
on her come out.’
Spluttering and hiccupping, she raised her hand in order to rummage in her
reticule for a handkerchief.

‘Good God! Did I do that to you?’
With gentle fingers he lifted her wrist to examine the rent in her flimsy silk
evening gloves that revealed a band of dark red where the ribbon had bitten
into her flesh.

Penny stared down at the strong
fingers encircling her slender arm. A wave of tenderness engulfed her. ‘It’s
nothing. I bruise easily. It hardly hurts at all. Indeed the other elbow, the
one I damaged this morning, is far more painful.’

 
‘Show me.’

She twisted her other arm and was
shocked to see fresh blood marring the pristine silk of her elbow length
gloves.
‘Oh dear!
I must have banged it when I fell.’

‘My dear, I’m a brute. You’ve
been in my care barely a day and already I’ve caused you serious harm.’ As he
spoke he expertly wrapped his handkerchief around her elbow and tied the ends
neatly. ‘I had intended this evening to be memorable but it’s turning out to be
a disaster.’

He sounded so
despondent,
instinctively she reached out to comfort him. The moment her fingertips grazed
his face his eyes darkened and he placed his hand on top trapping it there.
‘You mustn’t do that, darling. Your slightest touch fans the fire inside me
that I’m doing my best to bank down.’

‘I don’t understand what you’re
telling me. Am I never to feel your arms around me until we’re married?’

He shook his head, taking the
opportunity to trail hot kisses across her palm.
‘No, of
course not.
However, I’m begging you to keep your distance tonight. I
fear I would be unable to prevent matters getting out of hand and I’ve no wish
to cause a scandal so soon in our relationship.’

Reluctantly she pulled her hand
away from his cheek. ‘Very well, I shall be a model of propriety.’ She smiled
ruefully down at her disarray. ‘But I can no longer appear in public as I am. I
look like a hoyden.’

‘You look adorable, my love, but
I agree you need the attentions of your maid before you can leave here.’ He
surged to his feet and yanked the bell-strap. When Foster answered the summons,
Weston explained the problem and the butler vanished. At no time had the
butler’s gaze travelled across the room to stare at Penny.

‘We have a few minutes alone
before your maid arrives. I’ve something for you. But first I’ve something to
say.’ To her astonishment he dropped to one knee. ‘Miss Coombs, would you do me
the inestimable honour of becoming my wife?’

‘Get up, my lord. There’s no need
for playacting.’ Then she saw his expression and realized the words came from
his heart. ‘Yes, Lord Weston, I shall be delighted to marry you.’

His wide smile said it all. She
watched him spring easily to his feet and reach into his inside pocket to
remove a small velvet covered box.

‘I had intended to give you this
as a loan, but now, sweetheart it’s yours by right. You realize that ours is a
true betrothal? Tonight you have consented to be my wife and I have every
intention of holding you to that promise. We shall be married in September.’

She held out her left hand and he
carefully unbuttoned her glove and removed it. ‘You can’t wear these anyway,
they’re both quite ruined.’ He flicked open the box and removed the ring
nestling inside.

‘It’s beautiful. It exactly
matches your eyes, my lord.’

‘Any progeny we produce might
well have green eyes and probably my red hair as well.’

Colour suffused her cheeks.
‘Heavens above!
We’re only just engaged; it’s far too soon
to be thinking of such matters.’

‘I’ll be thinking of nothing else
until the night I can share your bed and make you mine. It cannot come soon
enough for me.’ He slipped the ring over the knuckle of her third finger and
smiled triumphantly. ‘There; it fits as if made for you. Every countess has
worn this and it’s never needed to be altered.’

‘Like the glass slipper in the
fairy story - only the true bride can wear the ring.’ A loud knock on what
appeared to be a blank wall startled Penny. ‘Whatever’s that? Surely you don’t
have a servants’ door in the library?’

‘We do. My grandfather had this
place constructed with a warren of passageways and staircases running through
it. Every room can be reached without a servant ever being seen.’

‘Well! I’m surprised Mary has
been able to find her way down here.’

‘We had better let her come in
and repair the damage to your
ensemble.
It’s
ten minutes to seven and our guests will be gathering
in the drawing-room soon.’

Mary bustled in followed by two
chambermaids carrying a variety of bowls and brushes. They all curtsied and
waited to be given permission to approach.

‘I shall leave you to restore
your appearance, Miss Coombs. I shall return in fifteen minutes.’

The room seemed flat and empty
after he’d gone. Penny beckoned her maid over to her side. ‘I took a tumble and
have torn my gloves. Lord Weston trod on my train.’ She blushed under the
knowing scrutiny of the three young women. She had to tell someone the news
which was bursting to escape.

‘Lord Weston and I are betrothed,
Mary. We’re to be wed in September.’

‘Oh! Miss Coombs I’m that pleased
for you.’ She glared at the two giggling chambermaids. ‘That’s enough from you
two. There’ll be no gossiping about this if you wish to keep your position
here.’

‘Yes, madam.
We beg your pardon, Miss Coombs.’ The young girls, in smart grey cotton dresses
and crisply starched white aprons, eyed Penny nervously.

She realized her announcement had
changed everything. She was no longer a house guest, but the future mistress of
the establishment. It would be her duty to hire and dismiss the indoor staff.

‘I hope you brought fresh bandage
and the wherewithal to repair my hair?’

‘We did, Miss Coombs.’ The girls
bobbed in unison.

‘I have lost one of my ear-bobs.
I need one of you to find it.’

The fifteen minutes allotted for
restoring her appearance was almost up and the second ear bob had still not
been found. Mary scrambled up from her knees her face a picture of puzzlement.

‘Well, it’s a mystery and no
mistake. Shall I ran upstairs and find you something else to wear?’

‘There’s no time, Mary. Lord
Weston will be returning at any moment. I shall have to remove the other one.’
Penny patted her hair. ‘This is as good as new, thank you. And I have no need
for evening gloves; I wish to be able to show my ring to Lady Dalrymple.’

‘It’s a pity the dressing on your
elbow is so noticeable, miss. A pair of evening gloves would cover it up
nicely.’

A soft tap on the door caused the
two maids to grab the bowls, and bits and pieces, and vanish hastily through
the concealed door. Penny smiled. It would seem that none of her future
husband’s staff wished to remain in a room with him at any longer than was
necessary.

‘That will be all, Mary.’ She
waited until her
abigail
had also disappeared before
inviting him to enter.

He strolled in, his eyes alight
with laughter. ‘I believe, my love, that I’ve something of yours.’ He waved the
missing jewel in front of her eyes.

‘We’ve been searching everywhere
for that, my lord. Where did you find it?’ She had risen on his entrance and
walked eagerly towards him tilting her head so that he could replace it.

He chuckled. ‘It was snagged on
my stock. I wonder how it might have lodged there.’

‘I cannot imagine, my lord. It is
one of life’s great mysteries.
Which reminds me, on my way
here earlier, I saw a suspicious figure hiding in the woods on the far side of
the park.
He was too far away to identify, but there was something
familiar about his outline.’ She had his full attention and he wasn’t smiling.
‘I had intended to suggest you send footmen to each apartment to see who was
missing. However, it’s too late to do that now. Whoever it was has had ample
time to return to the house undetected.’