Snowbound With the Notorious Rake (14 page)

Lawrence swung round, but Abel had his head down, concentrating on rowing. With a shrug Lawrence accepted the rebuke and applied himself once more to the oars.

Rose quickly returned to the schoolroom where she found Mrs Reed had everything under control.

‘You may safely leave me to finish up today,’ she said, giving Rose’s arm an understanding pat. ‘The children are no trouble and I am sure you would prefer to be at home until you have news of your son. And if you need me to come in tomorrow, you only have to send word to the vicarage.’

So Rose made her way to the cottage, where she joined her mother in pacing up and down and staring out of the window at the deserted lane, knowing all the time there could be no news for hours yet. The short winter’s day came to an end and Rose put a lighted lamp in the
window. Janet prepared meals, but they were returned hardly touched.

‘Surely they should be back by now,’ she said, unable to settle. ‘What if they cannot find them?’ She shivered. ‘What if they have capsized…?’

‘Patience,’ said Mrs Molland. ‘The sea has not been particularly rough today and Abel Wooler is an experienced seaman. We will hear soon enough. The time would pass quicker for you if you had some occupation.’

An involuntary smile tugged at Rose’s mouth. ‘Like you, Mama? You have had your sewing on your lap for a good hour, but I have not seen you set a stitch. Besides, I have not been idle; I have built up the fire and brought down dry clothes and a blanket for Sam when he comes in. He is sure to be wet and cold.’ She glanced at the clock again and exclaimed, ‘Oh, what could have possessed them to go off like that? I shall give him
such
a scolding when he returns!’

Mrs Molland put up her hand, an expectant look upon her face. Voices could be heard in the hall and the next moment Sir Lawrence walked in with Sam in his arms.

‘Here he is.’ He handed the boy to Rose. ‘Wet, cold and tired, but unharmed, I think.’

With a little cry Rose hugged her son tightly.

‘It was as we thought,’ he added, easing his shoulders. ‘They had gone to Sealham Point to see where Jem’s father had carved his name on the rock. It was some sort of tribute to him on his birthday, but they misjudged the tide.’

Rose nodded, distracted. She carried Sam over to
the fire, where Mrs Molland was waiting to help her undress him.

‘Thank heaven you are safe!’ Rose’s fingers trembled as she struggled with the buttons of his coat.

‘I do beg your pardon, Mama,’ muttered Sam. ‘I never meant to be away so long. Jem said we’d be there and back before school ended.’

‘And did you think I would not worry if you did not turn up at school?’ demanded Rose. ‘Naughty boy, I do not know what you deserve for such a trick—perhaps we should have left you on those horrid rocks all night!’

‘Hush now, he has learned his lesson,’ soothed Mrs Molland. ‘And you are making a sad mull of undressing him, Rose. Give him to me.’

Realising she was far too tearful and shaken to be helpful, Rose left Sam to his grandmother’s care. As she turned she saw Sir Lawrence heading for the door. ‘Don’t go!’

He stopped at her words. Rose went towards him, saying shyly, ‘Will you not stay? I am sure Sam will want to thank you.’

He glanced across to make sure the others were not attending.

‘I thought I was not a fit-and-proper person?’

She flushed. ‘Did I say that? I beg your pardon! Please, do not go just yet. I—we would like to hear what happened.’

It was not until he gave a little nod that she realised she had been holding her breath and, with some difficulty, she invited him to sit down.

Within the warm glow of the fire he briefly relayed
the tale. Mrs Molland blanched as he described how Abel had guided the little boat into the shore, and Sam took her hand.

‘Do not be afraid, Grandmama, Jem and I were safe enough up on the rocks.’

Rose smiled.

‘You can see he has come to no harm, Mama. I have no doubt he will want to go out on his pony tomorrow, as usual.’ She tried hard to look severe. ‘Although I do not know whether we should allow him such a treat…’

‘Mama, you would not stop me riding, would you?’ Sam looked horrified. ‘Not when I have told you how very sorry I am for making you worry?’

‘No, not this time,’ she relented, unable to withstand the pleading look in his eyes and her heart still full of relief that he was safe.

She turned to Lawrence. ‘He is doing very well. Evans says he has a natural aptitude for riding.’

‘I never doubted it.’

After a slight hesitation Rose said, ‘You could come to the paddock tomorrow morning and watch him.’

‘Better than that,’ said Lawrence, ‘if it is a fine morning, why do we not go up on the moor?’

‘Ooh, yes, sir, if you please!’ cried Sam, clapping his hands.

Rose shook her head. ‘I do not think…’

‘Oh, please, Mama,’ Sam beseeched her, his eyes shining. He added, with a flash of inspiration, ‘It will be Sir Lawrence’s reward, for rescuing us!’

They all laughed at that.

Rose said slowly, ‘I
should
like to go riding, I have
not been out for over a week and my poor mare will be growing horribly restive.’

‘You have not forgotten we attend the Emsleigh ball tomorrow night?’ put in Mrs Molland.

‘We shall be back in plenty of time for that,’ said Rose, throwing caution to the winds. ‘Very well, sir, Sam and I will ride out with you tomorrow!’

The assignation made, Sir Lawrence took his leave, but by the time the maid returned after showing him to the door Rose was having second thoughts about the morning. To ride out with him, even with Sam and Evans in attendance, would be sure to cause comment, and she was certain Magnus would not approve.

‘I must catch him,’ she muttered, snatching up her shawl. ‘I must tell him I have changed my mind.’

Rose rushed out onto the path, but there was no sign of Lawrence, only the black outline of a lone rider clip-clopping up the lane towards her. She was about to make her way back indoors when she heard her name.

‘Magnus.’ She peered through the darkness at the rider.

‘I heard from Wilkins that Samuel had run away so I came to see if there was any news.’

‘He is here now, and safe.’ She could not prevent herself giving him a wide, relieved smile. Rose waited for him to tie his horse to the gatepost and accompany her inside. ‘He walked to Sealham Point with Jem Wooler and they found themselves stranded by the tide. Thankfully Jem’s uncle guessed where they would be and rowed out to rescue them.’

‘Indeed?’

He followed her into the sitting room. Sam was standing before the fire, concentrating on fastening the last buttons of his clean jacket.

‘Well, young man, what do you have to say for yourself?’ Sam jumped as Magnus addressed him sternly, but he was given no chance to speak as Magnus pressed on, hands clasped behind his back and glaring down at the little boy. ‘You have given your mama a great deal of anxiety. What were you thinking of, to run off without a by your leave, to miss your schooling and take off on such a foolish venture? I am surprised your mother has not spanked you for your disobedience. You would have been well served if you had been left to shiver on the rocks all night!’

Rose had said very much the same thing, but to hear Magnus utter the words roused her in defence of her son. She stepped forwards, as if to shield Sam.

‘Thank you, Magnus, he is well aware that he has done wrong and he has already begged my pardon.’ She glanced down at her son, noting the mutinous look about his mouth. ‘Mama, perhaps you will take Sam away. Janet can find him a little supper and then he should go to bed.’ She bent to kiss him, murmuring, ‘Run along. I will come up to tuck you in shortly.’

Rose waited until they had left the room and turned back to Magnus, who said heavily, ‘You are too soft with the boy, Rose. I would thrash any son of mine who was so disobedient.’

Rose fought down a sharp retort. Instead she said quietly, ‘In the main Sam minds me very well. He has had a fright, and that, I think, will do him good.’

‘He should be at school.’

‘And so he will be, when he is a little older.’ She put out her hand. ‘Please, Magnus, let us not fight. I have been in such a worry today. You cannot imagine how relieved I was when Sir Lawrence brought Sam back.’

‘Oh?’ Magnus’s brows snapped together. ‘What has Daunton to do with this?’

‘He was with Abel in the Ship when Maggie Wooler and I called. He rowed across the bay with Abel to collect the boys.’

Magnus stroked his chin.

‘I wonder what he was doing with Wooler?’

‘I have no idea. All I know is that when he heard Sam was in trouble he offered to help.’ Rose clasped her hands tightly together. And they were going riding tomorrow. To cry off would seem very churlish, when he had been such a good friend.

‘So Daunton brought the boy back,’ Magnus continued. ‘Did he mention me, or ask you any questions about me?’

Roes blinked.

‘No, why should he?’

‘Oh, no reason.’ He seemed to shake off his thoughtful mood and reached out for her hands, smiling. ‘I am glad little Samuel is returned unharmed, and partly for my own very selfish reasons. If he was hurt, it might have prevented you from coming to the Emsleigh ball tomorrow night.’ He squeezed her fingers. ‘Are you sure I cannot persuade you to stay at Emsleigh House after? There is no school for you to teach the following day, and you know we have rooms and to spare.’

‘Thank you, Magnus, but no. Mama and I will come home, as we agreed.’

‘Perhaps it is for the best.’ He drew her into his arms. ‘If you were to stay under my roof, I might be tempted to pre-empt our wedding night!’

Rose stood passively while his lips met hers, waiting for the tremor of excitement, the unfurling of desire deep in her belly that she had experienced when Lawrence had kissed her, but there was nothing. In fact, she had to steel herself not to pull away. Magnus raised his head, a crease wrinkling his brow at her lack of response.

‘I know what it is.’ The frowning look vanished, replaced by a kindly smile. ‘You are tired and distracted by Samuel’s little escapade. I shall leave you to rest then, for I want you in your very best looks tomorrow night!’

Sam was up early the following morning, none the worse for his adventure. Rose was relieved and amused to see him so eager for his riding treat and she allowed him to go off to the stables with Evans to saddle up the horses, promising to join them once she and Mrs Molland had broken their fast. When she did at last reach the stable yard, Rose was surprised to find Lawrence had arrived before her. He was standing in one corner, showing Sam how to make his small hands into very serviceable fists. They looked up as she approached.

‘I hope you are not teaching my son any bad habits, Sir Lawrence.’

‘On the contrary, I have been showing him how to defend himself.’

Sam’s face cleared when he saw that Rose was smiling.

‘Sir Lawrence has been teaching me to box, Mama. Extra things to the punches Abel has been showing Jem.’

She raised her brows.

‘Goodness, have I been so very long?’

‘Not only this morning,’ replied Sam in the tone of one explaining something to a simpleton. ‘He showed Jem and me some moves the other day, up at the farm.’

Rose was not sure she was pleased to hear that, but Evans brought her mare out at that moment and she decided to let the matter drop.

‘I hope you do not object,’ said Lawrence, helping her to mount. ‘When Sam mentioned to me that some of the bigger boys bully him, I thought it might help.’

Rose’s doubts eased a little.

‘If it gives him more confidence then I am very happy,’ she replied. ‘As long as it does not turn
him
into a bully.’

‘Very little chance of that.’ Lawrence looked across the yard to where Sam was scrambling up into the saddle. ‘His manners do you credit.’

He could not have said anything better to Rose. Praise of her son always raised her spirits and she trotted out of the yard, convinced that they would spend a very agreeable morning.

A bright, wintry sun beamed down upon the little party as they rode through the village, Sam proudly
putting his pony through its paces with Evans riding beside him.

‘Playing chaperon?’ queried Lawrence, nodding towards the groom.

‘Yes, if you like.’ An involuntary smile curved Rose’s lips. Indeed, she felt she had not stopped smiling since rising from her bed that morning. This excursion in Sir Lawrence’s company was not only a treat for Sam.

They rode up onto the moor. A chill wind was blowing in off the sea, scouring the hills and blowing away any warmth they might have gained from the bright winter sun.

‘Bracing,’ declared Rose, taking a deep breath.

They trotted along, taking care to keep Sam close, until they reached a stretch of open ground. After a nod from Rose, Sam allowed the little pony to dash off, Evans following closely behind. Lawrence put his hand on Rose’s bridle.

‘Wait. Let them get ahead of us and we can enjoy a good gallop to catch up.’ Rose tightened her grip as her mare snorted and sidled. ‘She’s eager to go,’ observed Lawrence. ‘Is she fast?’

‘Yes, there’s a touch of Arab in her.’ She leaned forwards to pat the mare’s glossy neck and added wistfully, ‘I wish I had more time to ride her. I suppose I should not really keep the horses; they eat into my savings, but riding is my one indulgence.’

‘Then why not,’ said Lawrence, ‘if it means so much to you?’

Rose was going to add that she could only afford to keep the mare because her circumstances would change
when she married Magnus, but somehow she did not want to mention that. Instead she laughed and said teasingly, ‘You speak as someone who has never had to go without.’

‘That is not true. I have gone without a great deal this past year.’

Colour rushed to her cheeks. The serious look in his eyes stirred a fluttering panic in her chest. Swallowing hard, Rose gathered up her reins.

‘I think Sam is far enough ahead now—shall we go?’

Thankfully Lawrence said no more, but set his horse to the gallop. Rose was left to follow on and the effort to keep pace with his sleek hunter over the uneven ground took all her concentration. When they caught up with Sam and Evans, Lawrence drew rein and addressed her in such a relaxed, matter-of-fact manner that it was easy for Rose to respond in kind, and to persuade herself that his earlier comments had not been a reference to his alleged reformation of character.