Laura Matthews (23 page)

A searing pain nearly took his breath away but with the aid of his cane he managed to begin the painful walk to the stables, constantly glancing behind himself to see whether the vicomte had come out on the balcony. It would not do to allow the stable staff to observe his pain or his awkward walk, so he compressed his lips and forced himself to walk as naturally as he was able.

Although the hired carriage was waiting, the staff advised against his leaving with brigands in the neighborhood. The thought of being forced to remain, with the certainty of the missing dispatches being discovered in a relatively short time, made Noah’s blood run cold, but he calmly turned to the coachman with a questioning look.

“Never listen to the wailings of such chicken-hearted fellows,” he said disgustedly, spitting into the dust beside the coach. “We’ve a blunderbuss on the box and a pistol inside; no one will bother us.”

Relieved, Noah climbed cautiously in and slumped against the aging upholstery. His leg throbbed with pain, and after the carriage was beyond the gates he rested it gingerly on the seat opposite. The rocking and jarring of the drive was an agony, but the need to put as much distance as possible between himself and the vicomte forced him to grit his teeth and settle back to bear the pain. Only once, after crossing a high-sided stone bridge, did they catch any view of the threatening mob, but a rock accurately pitched at the window sent a shower of glass shards hurtling through the carriage. One splinter lodged deep in Noah’s shoulder, and as soon as the carriage had proceeded beyond the range of the group, he ordered a stop so that he could probe the wound and remove the imbedded glass. The flow of blood which resulted drenched his coat and waistcoat, and he was forced to accept the coachman’s help to bind it property.

“Can’t travel like that,” his assistant remarked judiciously. “Best put up at an inn.”

“Off the main road,” Noah insisted. “Somewhere we won’t be found.”

Although the coachman regarded him with a puzzled frown, he did as he was bid. At an inn at Yzeure, Noah’s wound was cleaned and dusted with basilicum powder, his damaged ankle tightly bound and he was put to bed. The loss of blood, the pain and the frustration combined to make Noah a less-than-agreeable guest, but a rosy-cheeked maid eyed him with frank approval each time she brought or removed his tray. He was allowed an alluring view of her bosom whenever she bent over him to pump up his pillows or wipe his feverish brow. As he recovered his strength the girl offered herself in exchange for his taking her to Paris. Tempted by her light-hearted nature and attractive person, Noah yet felt a strange reluctance and teasingly put off her advances.

When the wound had healed sufficiently that it was not likely to reopen during his drive, and he was able to move about somewhat with the assistance of his cane, he announced to the maid his intention of leaving the next day and sought her assistance in having all ready. During the night he was slightly awakened, well after midnight, by the movement of someone climbing into his bed. A soft, naked body snuggled against him and he automatically encased it with his arms mumbling, “Olivia.” The girl’s titter of laughter brought him fully awake and he regarded her with amusement. “Persistent little thing, aren’t you?”

She dimpled prettily.
“Mais oui, monsieur.
Do you not... desire me?”

Noah could not deny his desire, but he gave her a gentle push, saying, “Run along now. I cannot take you to Paris with me.”

The girl pouted ludicrously, her face crestfallen, but she made no effort to climb from the bed. With an impatient gesture, Noah threw back the bedclothes and, grasping her about the waist, set her on her feet beside the bed. Her nightdress lay bunched on the upholstered chair by the moonlit window, and Noah gestured imperiously toward it. She walked hesitantly toward the chair and slowly retrieved her apparel, Noah’s eyes on her the while. Standing so that the moonlight clearly revealed her form, she whispered, “You would not have to take me to Paris. I know that English gentlemen are generous.”

With a groan, Noah shook his head determinedly. “Go to your bed, child, and stay there, if you please. I have a long distance to travel tomorrow.”

A shrug of resignation was followed by the rapid donning of the nightdress and a small curtsy before she slipped from the room. Noah buried his head in the pillow and cursed himself for a fool. If he had not awakened with his wife’s name on his lips ...

* * * *

July brought no improvement in the atmosphere at Welling Towers. Julianna continued moody and evasive; Lady Lawrence maintained an undercurrent of annoyance with her daughter. They were both thoughtful of Olivia, but she could not be unaware of their antagonism toward each other over Alexander Cutler. As the summer wore away with no word from Noah, Olivia’s spirits sank lower than ever. It was not until the last week of July, when she returned from a drive with Julianna, that she was finally presented with a letter.

Julianna regarded her anxiously as she broke the seal, but Lady Lawrence pointedly picked up her embroidery so that Olivia might have a chance to peruse the message in some privacy.

“Noah is in London now,” his wife announced after a few minutes. “He must go to Herstwood for a few days before returning home, but assures us that we will see him in just over a week. He says that he looks forward to being with us again.”

And he tells me that he has missed me, Olivia concluded silently. She had expected to experience a great relief when she learned of Noah’s return, but her hopes were now dashed.
It had not escaped the attention of anyone in the room that Herstwood was Mrs. Dyer’s present situation; and, though no one commented, Olivia was aware of Lady Lawrence’s silent disapproval and of Julianna’s agitation.

“I will barely have time to finish embroidering the cushions,” Olivia remarked to offset the heavy silence. “Noah’s room must be aired, of course, and his valet summoned from Attleborough.”

Lady Lawrence joined willingly into Olivia’s discussion of the provisions which must be set in motion before Noah returned, but Julianna abstractedly fingered her gown and said nothing. As soon as she possibly could without being reprimanded, she slipped from the room.

The warmth of the day precluded her wearing a cloak, and Julianna took care that she was not observed when she left through a side door. She was already late for her appointment with Alexander, and she did not wish to try his patience.
It was not that he did not understand the difficulties of her escaping from her family, she told herself, but it was his natural eagerness to see her which caused him occasionally to be short with her if she were tardy.

Julianna wound her way swiftly past the hedgerows and copses, ever careful to remain out of sight of the house. She arrived at the summerhouse slightly breathless to find Alexander pacing the floor, occasionally pausing to flick a bit of dust from his boots or coat sleeve.
He
turned at her entrance to survey her with some irritation. “I was about to leave, Julianna, thinking that you had forgotten me.”

“Oh, Alexander, you know I would not,” she cried, hurt. “I could not leave sooner, as Olivia has received a letter from Noah.”

His dark eyes showed a flash of interest before he asked dubiously, “Is he returning at last then?”

“Yes, in about a week.” Julianna turned from him sadly. “I think we shall not be able to meet so easily when he is here.”

Alexander pursed his lips thoughtfully and tapped his whip against his leg. Abruptly he grasped her hand and drew it to his lips. “It is time you decided, Julianna. You will never get your brother’s approval, or your mother’s.”

She gave a nervous shake of her head. “They cannot prevent my marrying you once I come of age in January.”

With an impatient gesture he muttered, “You wish to wait so long, my dear? I am not so complaisant, I fear. Half a year at the very least, and with doubtless no more joy from them at that time. We would do better to present them with an accomplished fact now; they will grow to accept it.”

“It would disgrace my family for me to elope,” she whispered piteously.

“Nonsense. They are very practical, and you refine too much on their reaction. Your brother dotes on you, and you are Lady Lawrence’s pet, except insofar as I am concerned.” He gave a mock bow and his mouth twisted awry.

“I know they will come to approve of you when they know you as I do,” Julianna protested fiercely as she placed a consoling hand on his arm.

“Of course they will, but only once we are married will they come to know me. And it would be well for me to marry now, as I will come into a little property from my great aunt when I do so. I have already exceeded my present funds.” There was a certain defiance in his tone as he spoke and a subtle threat. “I cannot wait until January for you, Julianna.”

“But it is not so very long,” she pleaded, pale-faced. “Perhaps I could lend you something from my allowance.”

“Don’t be absurd,” he barked. “Such a pittance would accomplish nothing. We would be very comfortable on what I will have from my great aunt, and your own settlement.” His eyes intently studied her frightened countenance.

“Noah could withhold my money until I am of age.”

Alexander laughed with no amusement. “He would not, though. To what purpose would he leave you unprovided for when it is only a matter of months before you come of age?”

Julianna hesitated, uncertain. It was true that Noah was unlikely to be spiteful or mean, and Alexander truly cared for her, she was sure. Not that he would not wed another if he were forced to do so by his lack of means, she thought with panic. His father would give him no more money, as he had roused that gentleman’s anger by continued solicitations. Julianna recalled the envy of so many young ladies in London who would have given an arm for Alexander’s attention. Esther Draskin, for instance. Would the beauty agree to elope with him? Dismally Julianna admitted to herself that Esther probably would, were he to approach her. She could not bear the thought of Alexander wed to another. “Very well,” she agreed. “I will go with you.”

Alexander smiled triumphantly and kissed her warmly. “Excellent. We must leave before your brother returns, of course. I’ll make arrangements for Tuesday night, my love, and advise you where and when to meet me. Now do not be a gudgeon and tell anyone or let on what you are about, Julianna,” he said sternly, holding her eyes with his, “We must be miles away before we’re discovered, so that we cannot be caught up.”

With a nervous nod she acquiesced and turned to go. “You do love me, don’t you, Alexander?”

His mind was on other matters by now and it was a moment before her words penetrated and he responded stoutly, “Of course I do, Julianna. How can you even ask?”

“I wished to be sure,” she murmured before, without meeting his eyes, she grasped her skirts in her hands and dashed out of the summerhouse. The elation of knowing that she would soon be his wife did not stop the tears which poured down her cheeks as she hurried back to the house.

* * * *

Noah’s journey had been anything but pleasant. The remaining pain from his ankle and shoulder permitted him to travel only moderate distances each day, and he endured the frustration of breakdowns in his hired carriage and adverse weather for the channel crossing. And then to be told he must travel to Herstwood to deliver the dispatches to Viscount Mortley! Noah could scarcely contain his impatience to see his wife again—to hold her in his arms and gaze into those trusting gray eyes, to make love with that beautiful, responsive body, to listen to her eager chatter. But what was he
to tell her of his own absence? How could he possibly account for such a prolonged absence?

Viscount Mortley listened with interest to all Noah had to relate of the recovery of the missing property and the situation in France. “In spite of your injuries, you appear to have enjoyed yourself,” he remarked laconically at the end of Noah’s recital.

“I did rather,” Noah admitted with a grin, “but I look forward to returning home.” His countenance grew grave. “At times I fear for my friend Mauppard.”

“With cause, I believe. Should you need assistance in the future to spirit him from France, I hope you will not hesitate to call on me. We owe him a debt of gratitude for his assistance.”

Noah was unaware of Lila Dyer’s presence at Herstwood until he met her at a ball that night, and he found himself chagrined rather than pleased. He wanted nothing to delay his speedy departure to his bride and, surprisingly, he found himself no longer attracted to her.

A slow smile spread over her lips as she divined his thoughts. “It is just as well, Noah, for I do not believe Viscount Mortley would approve.”

His startled look amused her, and he replied ruefully, “I dare say he wouldn’t, though I was not aware he was
your
viscount. You are looking well, Lila. Are you happy?”

“Yes, I should say so,” she replied judiciously. “He is a trifle stuffy at times; on the other hand he is rather distinguished, don’t you think?” Her eyes wandered over the crowd until they rested on the man of whom she spoke, who acknowledged her glance with a cordial nod.

“A most admirable man.”

Chapter Twenty-one

As the preparations for Noah’s arrival progressed at Welling Towers, Olivia became more concerned about her sister-in-law. It was perhaps natural that Noah’s sister had mixed emotions about his return. On the one hand, she would obviously be happy to see him after such a long absence; on the other, his presence would no doubt forestall many of the secret meetings Olivia suspected she had with Alexander.

But Julianna went about the house distractedly, her face looking rather pinched and her eyes often slightly reddened. Olivia thought perhaps her new sister had had a quarrel with her beau, but her tentative inquiries were softly rebuked.

Alexander had arranged for a carriage to be at the southwest gate of the estate at midnight and he cautioned Julianna to bring only a bandbox with her, as she would not be able to manage more. He did not offer to escort her in the dark from the house to the gate.