The Mistress of Hanover Square (24 page)

‘Don’t cry,’ she said. ‘I am better now, Gerard…’ She shuddered as she remembered. ‘It was just a dream…just a horrid dream.’

Gerard sat on the edge of the bed. He reached for her hand, holding it as if it were made of fine porcelain. ‘When I saw what Marguerite was doing I was so afraid. I thought I might be too late. My men had held off because they did not realise what she meant to do. She was your guest, not a stranger, so they hesitated and then it was almost too late.’

‘How could anyone have guessed what she would do? I had noticed small things that seemed odd, but I thought she was merely suffering from melancholy because of the life she led. Indeed, I suspect that her father may have pushed her over the edge by depriving her of her freedom.’

‘She tried to kill you, Amelia. You were lying there so still…I thought you were dead.’ His voice broke with emotion.

‘I think I almost was,’ Amelia said with a wry smile. ‘If you had not come…you and Northaven and the others…I owe the marquis an apology, Gerard. I once thought he was responsible for Lucinda’s death, because I thought him her seducer—but now I know that he is blameless. I know who seduced her and then left her to face her shame alone.’

‘He is a rake and more, but he is blameless in this instance.’ Gerard’s gaze narrowed. ‘You do not truly think that I…?’ Amelia shookher head. ‘Then who…?’

Amelia reached for his hand. ‘Before she tried to kill me, Marguerite told me it was Michael.’

‘Your brother…but he accused me…the morning he came here—he accused me…’

‘Of seducing her and then deserting her. Yes, he did—and he drove us apart, Gerard—because he was mad with jealousy. He was besotted with Lucinda. I see it all so clearly now. Things I should have noticed when she came to the house. She pretended to visit me, but it was Michael she wanted to see. He bought her things…promised to divorce Louisa—and then he saw her kissing you. In his rage and disappointment
he blamed you. He loved her, still wanted her even though they quarrelled. If she had not died, he might still have kept his word to her in the end. She may have known it in her heart. She did not take her own life.’

‘You are sure Marguerite was not lying?’

‘It all makes sense, Gerard—and Michael changed after that time. Before Lucinda died he was not so bad tempered. He has become worse over the years. He does not care for his wife or she for him. He is a disappointed, bitter man.’

‘Lucinda kissed me. I may have let her for a moment. It was a summer day and she was pretty that day, lit up from inside—but when she wanted me to lie with her I said no. At no time did I encourage her—or Marguerite. I hardly saw either of them. I was in love with you. You do believe me?’ His fingers tightened around hers.

‘Yes, I do. I think that was why Marguerite wanted to kill me. In her rage, she told me that Lucinda laughed at her, told her that you would marry me—-and she went for her. It may have been an accident, but in Marguerite’s mind she killed her sister. I think it played on her conscience. Her father had made her a virtual prisoner and she dwelled on her wrongs. You did not want her, so you became Lucinda’s murderer though she knew she had done it—but she wanted to punish you. When she suspected we were likely to marry it made her angry and somehow she persuaded Lieutenant Gordon to help her.’

Gerard nodded. ‘Alice Horton came to see me this morning. She apologised for what happened and
told me that a couple of months ago Marguerite’s mother was taken by a stroke and can no longer speak. Because his wife was so ill, her father allowed Marguerite to help with the nursing. She took some of the sleeping draught the doctor had left for her mother and put it in her father’s ale—and then she left the house to come to us. He had no idea where she had gone. She had to take the letter you wrote to her mother—if her father had known where she was, he would have come after her.’

‘I suspected that something must be wrong at her home when I realised she must have taken the letter. I feel so guilty,’Amelia said. ‘She might have harmed Lisa.’

‘How could you know what was in her mind? Besides, she did not hurt the child. Alice told me that Marguerite desperately wanted a child of her own. I think if Marguerite had succeeded in her plans to be rid of us, she might have spirited Lisa away. We found silver from her room at Ravenshead and also some diamond earrings of yours, Amelia. No doubt she would have taken whatever she needed before she disappeared with my daughter. Imagine what might have been Lisa’s fate then…living with that woman…growing up as her child.’

‘It does not bear thinking of!’ Amelia closed her eyes for a moment. Gerard’s fingers tightened over hers. She looked at him. ‘Forgive me. I had no idea that she was unstable. Her letters were so sad…so pitiful…’

‘The work of a clever if deranged mind. Her father may have suspected that she had killed her sister, but
no one could prove it. She had brooded on her wrongs. When Gordon came home from France and went to visit, he told her about Lisette and how she died. She saw her chance to take revenge on me.

‘Gordon was angry, but he had no thought of murder until she prompted him. He says that he resisted at first, but she was too strong for him. He had loved her since they were children, and she knew how to make him do her bidding. He wanted her, but she made him promise her that he would kill us both.’

Amelia shuddered. ‘And I invited her to come here.’

‘You could not have known what was in her mind.’

‘What will happen to Lieutenant Gordon?’

‘He is to live abroad. I have given him a letter of recommendation to a plantation owner in Jamaica. I met Jacques in France and he offered me help if I should go there.’

‘Should Lieutenant Gordon not go to prison?’ Amelia looked at him steadily. ‘Many would seek revenge, Gerard.’

‘I think he has suffered enough. He lost the woman he loved.’

‘Does he know that Lisa is his child?’

‘No. Perhaps it was harsh, but I thought it best for her to stay with us. She could not be more loved than she is now.’

‘I am glad—for her sake. You are her true papa, Gerard.’

‘Yes, I am—and you are her mama. We shall both love her and care for her, and she will remain our daughter even when we have children of our own.’

‘Yes, we shall always love her.’ Amelia smiled. ‘Can you forgive me for doubting you even for a moment? I am so sorry, Gerard. I should have known, but I was stunned…I could not think clearly. Once I had time to let my mind clear, I knew you were innocent of all their accusations.’

‘Can you forgive me for letting you walk into danger? You were close to death, Amelia.’

‘That was entirely my own fault. I had completely forgotten everything else when I left the house. Besides, it is over—it is over, isn’t it?’ She lifted her eyes to meet his anxiously.

‘Yes, my dearest. I am certain it is.’

‘Then there is nothing to stop our marriage—is there?’

‘Your brother…shall you tell him what you know?’

‘I shall tell him all of it, Gerard. You were blameless. His jealousy and anger were misplaced. I think he may have blamed himself for Lucinda’s suicide, because he told her he would not help her after he saw her kiss you—and he may find peace in the knowledge that she did not jump into the river because of his harshness. Perhaps he can find peace at last, and it may be the saving of him.’

‘Yes, he may find some comfort in that,’ Gerard agreed. ‘He may still not forgive us—either of us.’

‘If Michael wishes to remain a stranger to me, it is his choice. He may apologise and put an end to this feud if he wishes—if not…’Amelia shook her head. ‘I cannot condone the way he behaved with a young woman he knew to be my friend. Besides, he made
me so unhappy when he sent you away, Gerard. I have you and Lisa and all my friends—why should I need anyone else?’

Amelia stood at the church door, her arm resting lightly on Gerard’s. The bells were ringing out joyfully and a large crowd of friends and local people had gathered outside to watch the bride and groom leave. Rice and dried rose petals were showered over them as they ran for the carriage.

Once inside out of the bitter February wind, Gerard drew her to him, kissing her softly, his hand moving at the nape of her neck. His eyes seemed to search her face.

‘What is it?’

‘You are happy? Truly happy?’

‘You know I am. How could I not be on such a day? We are married and we have our friends about us. I have all that I ever wanted.’

‘Your brother did not attend the wedding.’

‘No, but my nephew, John, did—and he brought me a gift from my brother.’ She touched the simple but beautiful baroque pearl that hung from a fine gold chain about her throat. ‘This is the pendant my mother wore when she married. Michael sent it to me. It is the closest he could come to an apology.’

‘Your mother’s…’ Gerard nodded. ‘I wondered why you chose something so simple, though it is a fine pearl.’

‘Mama’s jewellery was divided between us after she died. Michael was allowed to choose first. He
realised afterwards that I would have liked the pendant and he told me I should have it on my wedding day. Sending it for my wedding was a symbol of forgiveness…an olive branch. I wore it to show I had accepted his offering. I shall have many occasions to wear the diamonds you gave me, my dearest.’

‘You hardly need diamonds,’ Gerard told her and kissed her once more. ‘Whatever you wear, whatever you do, you are lovely inside and out, my darling Amelia.’

‘I love you so much…’

‘I am the luckiest man to have found you.’ Gerard took her hand as the carriage drew to a halt outside the house. ‘Only you would have asked that Lisa should accompany us on our wedding trip to Paris. You are a pearl amongst women, Amelia. Your brother’s gift was appropriate.’

‘Thank you for being so understanding. Most men would hold a grudge after what Michael did…but you don’t…do you?’

‘I may never for give him completely for what he did to us. It truly broke my heart and I wanted to die. I was reckless on the field of battle in the hope of death. However, I want you to be happy, Amelia. I know it would not suit you to cut your brother or his family entirely. I dare say I can greet him in a civil manner if it comes to it, though we shall never be friends.’

‘It is enough,’ she murmured as the carriage door was opened and a groom let down the steps. ‘We must not keep our guests waiting, Gerard.’

Gerard watched as his wife moved amongst her friends at the lavish reception they had given. He felt a swelling of pride as he saw the way people greeted her. She was liked, respected and loved by everyone here. Known for her generosity, her dignity and her character, she was a truly great lady and he felt privileged that she was his to love and protect for the rest of their lives.

‘Father wanted to come, you know.’ Captain John Royston spoke from behind him, making Gerard turn his head. ‘He is often bad tempered and lets his tongue run away with him—but he was upset when he heard what happened. Amelia looks well enough now, though.’

‘Thankfully, she has made a full recovery,’ Gerard said. ‘You may tell your father he may visit us in Hanover Square when he chooses. I dare say Amelia will wish for a ball when we go to town next Season. I should be pleased to see him and your mother and brother—and you, of course, should you be on leave from your regiment.’

‘Thank you. I’ll make that known to my father.’ John offered his hand and shook on it, then he nodded and moved away.

Harry Pendleton came up to him. ‘So we are all three wed,’ he observed. ‘I think we have done well for ourselves, Gerard. There was a time in Spain when I believed none of us would ever see this day.’

‘We were lucky to escape with our lives.’ Gerard’s mouth formed a grim line. ‘And we have all had our
troubles since. However, I believe we can all look forward to a more peaceful future.’

‘With Napoleon safely tucked up in his island prison, I dare say England will be at peace—and I think the same may be said for us.’ Harry looked thoughtful. ‘I wrote to Northaven and thanked him for the part he played in this last affair, Gerard. You were right—the past is gone and should be forgotten.’

‘It was harder for you to forgive, because of what happened to Susannah, but, from something he said when we talked, I believe that when he saw her fall with his ball in her shoulder it changed him. I dare say, given the chance, he may lead a better life in future.’

Harry shrugged and then grinned. ‘Susannah wanted me to write the letter. It is amazing what we do for love, Gerard.’

‘Indeed, I agree with that,’ Gerard said and laughed. ‘Excuse me, my dear fellow, but I believe they are about to play a waltz and I should like to dance with my wife…’

Amelia turned in her husband’s arms. She thought he was sleeping and she smiled as she traced the line of his mouth with her fingertip. Sometimes he could look stern, forbidding, but in sleep he looked younger and at peace, very like the young man she had first fallen in love with so many years ago. The previous night, he had made love to her passionately, hungrily, but with such tenderness that she had wept tears of happiness. She bent her head to kiss his
lips softly and found herself caught in an imprisoning embrace.

‘I thought you were asleep,’ she said and smiled down at him.

‘Were you trying to take advantage of me?’ His eyes mocked her lovingly.

‘Foolish man…’ She tried to pull away but he moved swiftly, rolling her beneath him, gazing down at her. Her hair was loose and tumbling about her face in disarray, her skin pearly pink and smooth as his eyes feasted on her sweetness. ‘Gerard…it is almost time to get up.’

‘This is our honeymoon and I may not leave this bed for a week.’

‘Is that a threat or a promise?’ she teased, touching his beloved face. ‘I think I should be quite happy to stay right here for as long as you wish.’

‘I shall take that as an invitation,’ he murmured huskily, bending his head to suck gently at her nipples, which peaked at his touch. ‘You are so beautiful, my love. I think I can never have enough of you.’

Amelia moaned softly, her body arching, tingling as he stroked her, coming vibrantly alive as the desire pooled inside her. She ran her hands over his back, loving the satin feel of his skin, the hardness of toned muscles. His maleness felt hard and hot against her inner thigh as he sought the sweet moistness of her femininity, entering her with a deep thrust that made her cry out with pleasure.