Harlequin Historical September 2014 - Bundle 1 of 2: The Lone Sheriff\The Gentleman Rogue\Never Trust a Rebel (47 page)

Drew was well aware that such a weakness could spell disaster for a man who lived by his wits, but after a period of cool reflection he could put the whole incident into perspective. She was a pretty woman, he was a red-blooded male. Sparks were bound to fly when they were together. It was up to him to make sure it did not get out of hand.

* * *

By the time Drew made his way back towards Northfield Square later that day his good humour had returned and he found he was looking forward to dinner with Mrs Matthews and her niece. He had no doubt Elyse would still be at odds with him and who could blame her, when he had treated her so roughly? Perhaps he should not have questioned her about her betrothal to Reverson, but he had to be sure she was happy about it. He himself was uneasy about this whole business. Harry had not explained to his daughter why Lord Whittlewood had agreed to so unequal a match and Drew was convinced the viscount would not want the truth known.

Elyse and Reverson might have thought themselves in love during that brief, heady Season three years ago, but if they had been apart since then he suspected there could be little affection left, and although he thought Elyse a little spoiled he did not wish her to be hurt. He would have to be careful in his dealings with her. It had almost been his undoing when he had teased her, for he had been enjoying himself and relaxed his guard. Then she had turned those soft brown eyes to his and he had suffered a sudden rush of desire that had almost knocked him off his feet. It had driven all teasing thoughts from his head and he had wanted nothing more than to drag her into his arms.

Even worse, he suspected she had felt it too because she had pulled away from him and rushed off in a panic. But there was no harm done, he had been taken unawares, that was all. It would not happen again. And Elyse was obviously appalled by the attraction that had crackled between them, sharp as any electrical storm. Perhaps that little fright would do her good. She might now see the wisdom of keeping all men at a proper distance. He grinned, thinking again of the way she had ripped up at him. She undoubtedly had spirit and she was not unintelligent. He would do what he could to lay those ruffled feathers this evening and if he succeeded he thought she would prove entertaining company.

He arrived at Northfield Square at the appointed hour and was shown into an empty drawing room by a servant who was clearly distracted. However, Drew did not have long to wait before he discovered the cause. Miss Salforde came in and stood with her back to the door. She had not changed for dinner and was still dressed in her plain morning gown of black crepe, adorned only with a snowy apron. The simplicity of the homely garb only highlighted the delightful curves of her figure and he found himself once again indulging in highly inappropriate thoughts. However, when his eyes moved to her face he sobered immediately and his attention jumped back to the present, for her dark eyes were troubled.

‘Sir, you must cancel your arrangements,' she said without preamble, clasping her hands at her breast. ‘We cannot go to London tomorrow.'

‘Is something amiss, Miss Salforde?' His brows snapped together. There was no sign of the confident, teasing miss he had seen last night, nor the haughty ice maiden of this afternoon. Instead she was very close to tears. In two strides he was at her side, taking her arm and gently drawing her to one of the sofas. Her silent compliance only confirmed to him how upset she was.

‘Now,' he said when they were sitting down together. ‘Tell me what has occurred.'

‘M-My aunt has broken her arm. She has been hurrying hither and thither all day preparing for the journey and she tripped and fell on the stairs. If she had not been in such haste to make sure we did not keep you waiting—'

She broke off, hunting for her handkerchief. Drew gave her his own.

‘Ah,' he murmured. ‘So it is my fault. I should have known.'

She blew her nose and brushed away a rogue tear that had escaped on to her cheek.

‘No, of course it was not your fault.'

‘Very handsomely said, Miss Salforde.'

She gave a watery chuckle.

‘Well, you cannot be blamed for the accident. Aunt should not have been carrying those bandboxes down from the attic, but Hoyle was busy packing the trunks and—'

‘Hoyle?'

‘Our maid. She is my aunt's dresser, really, but she has always looked after me, too. I have never required a maid of my own but with so much to be done in such a short time...'

‘And where is your aunt now?'

‘In her room. The doctor is with her, setting the bone. He says it is a simple break, but she is very shaken up and he will not hear of her leaving her bed for at least a se'ennight.' She sighed. ‘So you see, Mr Bastion, we must cancel our journey to London.'

Drew's mind was racing. Mrs Matthews might be able to leave her room in a week but he doubted she would be fit to travel for several more—certainly not before Michaelmas. And those ominous words in Lord Whittlewood's letter were imprinted in his mind—if Miss Salforde was not delivered to him by Michaelmas then he would consider himself to have fulfilled his part of the contract, and the marriage would not go ahead.

‘No, we will have to go on and your aunt will follow as soon as she is able.'

He found himself subjected to a disconcertingly direct gaze from those brown eyes.

‘But that would be most irregular. I will not travel without my aunt.'

‘I'm afraid you must. Lord Whittlewood is expecting you.'

‘Then I shall write to him and explain, if you will not do so.'

‘If I thought it worthwhile I
would
do so, willingly, but I do not think the viscount would consider your aunt's broken arm sufficient excuse to suspend his plans.' He could almost see the questions forming in her head and added quietly, ‘Lord Whittlewood's instructions were very clear.'

‘Do you mean, if I do not comply, there may be no wedding?'

‘That is a distinct possibility, Miss Salforde.'

* * *

Elyse sat back. His words were like cold water, waking her from the nightmare of the past few hours into an even worse predicament. If she delayed, then she might lose William for ever. She had been seventeen when they had met, and William only a little older. There was no doubt that she had been dazzled to be singled out for attention by the son of a viscount. He was so handsome, too, everyone had said so. Was it any wonder that she had tumbled into love with him? Of course since then there had only been an occasional exchange of letters, but Elyse held his memory in her heart and longed for the day when he would claim her as his bride. Now the gentleman at her side was telling her that if she delayed that might never happen. She drew a deep, resolute breath.

‘Then I shall have to go to William alone.'

A faint, glinting smile warmed his piercing blue eyes.

‘Not quite alone, Miss Salforde. I shall be with you.'

Elyse found his words reassuring and that surprised her. Their encounters so far had been tempestuous, and occasionally disturbing, yet here she was preparing to travel to London and taking comfort from the fact that he would be with her. However, she had no time to consider such matters, especially since Aston was even now coming in to ask her what she wished to do about dinner.

‘I do not know,' she said distractedly, putting one hand to her temple. ‘I am not hungry.'

‘Is it ready to be served?' Mr Bastion interjected, addressing the butler directly.

Aston bowed. ‘Why yes, sir. It only needs a word and it can be on the table in a trice.'

‘Then we should eat.'

Elyse bridled. At this juncture any man of sensibility would withdraw and leave the family in peace.

‘I think not,' she contradicted him. ‘I should go to Aunt Matthews.'

‘The mistress is sleeping, miss,' said the butler, trying to be helpful. ‘Hoyle says Dr Carstairs gave her some laudanum before he left and doesn't expect her to wake up for a couple of hours yet.'

There was no hint of triumph in the smile her guest bestowed upon her, but Elyse still ground her teeth when he said with maddening calm,

‘Then we have plenty of time to dine and you can sit with your aunt afterwards.'

‘I am not hungry.'

Elyse bit her lip. She sounded like a sulky child. What was it about Andrew Bastion that brought out the worst in her? She tried to be thankful that he appeared not to notice her bad manners.

He replied in soothing tones, ‘Perhaps not, but it will do your aunt no good if you are fainting off from want of food.' He rose and pulled her to her feet, then he tucked her hand into the crook of his arm and patted it in an avuncular fashion.

‘Aye, that's the ticket,' chuckled Aston, taking advantage of his position as an old family retainer. ‘I'm sure you'll feel more the thing with some food inside you, miss, and I'll tell Hoyle to come and fetch you just as soon as the mistress wakes up.'

There was nothing to be done but to comply. Elyse had to admit that by the time she had partaken of several of the dishes displayed and enjoyed a glass of wine she was feeling much calmer. Her guest behaved impeccably during the meal, conversing on light, unexceptional topics that neither angered nor embarrassed her and she found herself relaxing. Her mind was occupied with the plight of poor Aunt Matthews and she could think of little else.

* * *

They had finished their meal when Hoyle came in to say that Mrs Matthews was awake and asking for her niece. Elyse went off immediately, following Hoyle through corridors littered with trunks and cases to her aunt's bedchamber. Aunt Matthews was propped up in the bed, one arm encased in plaster and resting on a mound of pillows. She was looking pale but composed in a nightgown and cap of frothy pink lace and when Elyse came in she held out her good hand, ignoring the maid who was fussing around her.

‘Oh, my dear, what a silly thing for me to do, I am so sorry.'

‘No, no, Aunt, you must not blame yourself. I am only relieved it is nothing worse. Dr Carstairs told me it would be a simple matter to set the arm and then you will be up and about again in no time.'

‘Yes, but not by tomorrow morning. I will not be able to get up for
days
.'

Disregarding Hoyle's tut of disapproval, Elyse perched herself on the edge of the bed and took the proffered hand. ‘You are not to worry about that. You can follow on as soon as you are well enough to travel.'

‘You plan to go without me?'

‘I must. Mr Bastion thinks the viscount would insist upon it.'

‘Well, there is no doubt that these great men are used to having their own way,' agreed Aunt Matthews, sighing. ‘And you have been waiting so long I am sure you must be eager to see your beau again.'

‘I am of course.' Elyse replied quickly, although now the moment was approaching she felt more than a little apprehensive. ‘But I would rather wait until you could come with me, Aunt.'

A knock made her turn and she saw Andrew Bastion standing in the doorway.

‘I beg you will forgive the intrusion, ma'am?'

‘Yes, yes, come in, sir. Do not stand on ceremony.' Mrs Matthews called to him, ignoring another disapproving sniff from Hoyle, who was tidying the pots and jars on the dressing table. ‘We must decide what we are to do about getting Elyse to London.'

‘My thoughts exactly, ma'am. I have hired a post-chaise to be here at nine o'clock tomorrow morning.'

‘Could we not delay it a little?' said Elyse. ‘I would like to know my aunt is improving before I leave Scarborough.'

‘Oh, I shall go on well enough, my love, you need not worry over me,' said Aunt Matthews. ‘And the roads being as they are you will want to have as much time as possible for your journey.'

This was very much what Andrew Bastion had told her, but it was no more palatable to hear it from her aunt.

‘I am sure another week would not hurt.' Elyse fixed her eyes upon Mr Bastion. He met their challenge but would not capitulate and she felt her temper rising. ‘Mr Reverson's letters tell me he is as eager as I am for us to be together, but if I explain everything I am sure he would understand if my arrival is a little delayed.'

‘But his father would not.'

‘Mr Bastion is right, my love. You must not give them any reason to reject you.'

‘You think they would cry off, over such a little thing? But William and I love each other.' She reached into her pocket and pulled out a crumpled paper. ‘Why, in his last letter to me he says he cannot wait for us to be united.'

‘That may be so, but there is no doubt that while this is a brilliant match for you the viscount might have looked higher for a bride for his younger son.' Her aunt's gaze had become disconcertingly shrewd. ‘If you want him, love, you must take him now, or it may be too late.' She squeezed Elyse's fingers, saying urgently, ‘This is a wonderful opportunity for you, my love. You must grasp it with both hands.'

‘I will, Aunt. I promise.'

‘Good girl.' Aunt Matthews's eyes were suspiciously bright and she blinked a little before turning her attention to the gentleman standing at the end of the bed. ‘My brother obviously thought a great deal of you, sir, to entrust you with the care of his only child.'

He bowed. ‘I shall endeavour not to disappoint him, ma'am.'

‘Good. Now, Elyse will be ready to go with you tomorrow morning. And Hoyle shall accompany her.'

There was a clatter as the maid dropped one of the hairbrushes.

‘That I won't, ma'am. My place is here, with you.'

Aunt Matthews gave an exasperated sigh.

‘Pray do not be tiresome, Hoyle. There is no one else to go with her.'

‘That's as maybe, but I've been your maid for nigh on thirty years and I ain't about to leave you now, not when you needs me.'

‘You'll do as you're told, Hoyle,' snapped her mistress. ‘Or you can pack your bags and leave this minute.'