The Rake's Redemption (22 page)

“Guilmor is pleased with the Volunteers, Edmund too. Nearly all the trained men have signed to the regulars, to Thomas’ battalion. And Thomas is now a colonel.” Amara had a ready audience in father. He read everything published on the course of the war in Spain with a fervour that sometimes alarmed her. It was as if he saw beating the French as compensating for Jeremy’s death. As if anything could bring him back.

“You must make sure you trounce the French, Thomas.” Grateful as she was that the visit bringing father out of himself, he was embarrassing when he was like this. In a few short weeks he had lost much of his normal reserve.

“Let us hope the war will be over soon. But if it is not I will do my duty, Lord Hampton.” Thomas managed a reply she could not disapprove of, but it still sparked father into a torrent of questions about the coming campaigning season and just where Thomas thought the Peer would strike. As she listened to the patient replies and the never ending questions Judith lulled herself with the thought that father hadn’t enjoyed himself this much for many weeks. Thomas was answering him with enough detail to satisfy him and she felt a rush of gratitude for his kindness. Until she saw that little smile still playing round Amara’s lips.

“Judith, I think I will take a rest now. If our guests will excuse me.” She had been too busy dreaming to watch father for signs of fatigue. As she rang for Mrs Rogers and a footman Judith damned herself. She should have noticed how tired he was before he was forced to ask for himself. Amara’s decision to accompany the little group leaving the drawing room was made unexpectedly but Judith wasn’t fooled. Lady Guilmor might well enjoy a few more words with her old friend Lord Hampton, but it wasn’t her exclusion from the conversation with all the talk of war that led her to leave. Scheming to set Thomas and Judith together was much more likely cause. Mrs Rogers would be too busy with father for a little while to play chaperone and if Judith knew Amara, and she did, that little while would be extended.

“I should congratulate you on your promotion, Colonel.” Someone had to say something before the silence stretched to impenetrable gloom.

“You should, Judith. But I still thank you.” His smile told her he was about to say something more. “Kind words from you mean so much.”

Damn him, everything that was weighing down on her and he chose to flirt and tease. Of course he had no care for her problems if he even considered them. Colonel Stainford would lead his regiment to glory in Spain and his connections would mean he would soon overcome the minor inconvenience of being disinherited. She was a fool again as she’d been a fool so many times. This time for hoping that one effect of Charles’ conversation with his father would be that the Earl would reinstate Thomas.

He was still smiling as though he expected her to reciprocate with some meaningless drivel. When it would have taken only a single word for her to throw the whole mess in front of him and ask him for his help. But what was the use when Thomas didn’t have the money to bail out the Hamptons, and probably wouldn’t help if he could. That left only the option of challenging Horsley. Would Thomas really risk his rejuvenated career for her sake? That was too much to ask: for him to risk his position and his life.

“Horsley was very angry about the volunteers.” Thomas checked himself. That was about as informative as telling her that Christmas was on December the 25
th
this year. “I am sorry if that will make matters difficult for you.” Why didn’t he have the strength to come out and tell Judith that she was making a gigantic mistake and she should shun Horsley like the plague.

“Why should it make matters difficult for me?” Judith seemed startled by his disclosure. Or maybe she was angry at his criticism of Horsley. The man she was betrothed to after all.

“St Petersburg will help smooth his feelings no doubt.” There was no way to explain why it would make matters difficult for her without launching into a full denunciation of the man as unfit to be in the same room with her.

“St Petersburg? Why should St Petersburg be involved, Thomas?” Judith looked so mystified that it was obvious that Theodore Horsley hadn’t bothered to inform her at all about this morning’s offer.

“Horsley was offered a position as military attaché to the Russian court to sooth his disappointment over the Volunteers.”

“You mean to buy him off?” Thomas couldn’t help loving her for the sarcasm of her reaction. Not a word of self pity for the prospect of being exiled to the cold chill of the Muscovy realm. Just a direct question that spared no one’s sensitivities.

“If you like, though he’ll get precious little money out of it compared with what he’s spent on the Volunteers. Still the country and the government are grateful to him for his expensive patriotism. I believe the offer was meant to appeal to his sense of social worth.”

“So quite cheap for the King’s ministers then?” Judith was delightful in her cynicism and Thomas could feel the thrill of being with her sparking in him. If it were so easy to slip back into the way they had been maybe he could save her from her mistake.

“Judith, St Petersburg will be very far from home.” The cloud that appeared in her eyes nearly stopped him there, but he held his nerve. “Your position will be so very dependent on your husband. Yet Theodore Horsley is... unpredictable.” He still couldn’t bring himself to repeat what Horsley had said. Surely she would see his doubts and understand he would not have spoken unless he had good cause?

“A grave deficit, Thomas. In a man.” Judith’s first thought had been to tear through Thomas for his arrogance.
‘Unpredictable.’
Theodore Horsley was only too predictable, evil, manipulative and dangerous to those weak enough to have to fear him. Which unfortunately included the Hampton family. Thomas was as right in that as he was wrong in fearing her dependency on her husband. She would have no husband. If Horsley took her to St Petersburg it would only be as his convenient. Maybe a foreign clime would make the shame easier to bear. At least there would be no one she knew there.

She could see the tension relax in his face when she responded in so considered a way. What had he expected? That she’d scream at him? She was trembling with the anger but she wasn’t going to give way to it. Far better to hit back. “You would never be unpredictable Thomas. Not when you left for Spain without warning. Not when you took advantage of your brother’s nature to amuse yourself with his wife.”

Judith knew she’d hit home by his reaction to her last jibe. Till then he’d shown little response other than that smile of his, but that changed when she mentioned his brother’s nature.

“Charles is unfortunate in his choice of wife.” As a stilted, understated excuse for the man’s true nature it was unbeatable.

“Charles does not need a wife, Thomas. His is a character that should not marry, and he has told me he feels he has let Jane down.” Please let him accept that and not deny the truth because it was difficult to face.

“My brother needs a wife more than ever now he is heir to Penwick.” Right then Judith knew the conversation wasn’t going to end as she wished. And the more she pressed him the more stubborn Thomas was likely to become.

She still had to try even if it was futile. “There is no shame Thomas. Charles is as he is, and you can do nothing about it.”

“It was my responsibility to protect him, Judith. It still is.” It was useless to make any further effort. Nothing was going to shake Thomas into acknowledging his brother’s true nature. A treacherous little part of her was whispering how marvellous it would be to have Thomas take responsibility for protecting her and that clinched the decision. Besides if she went on she’d only start to worry whether Thomas would blame her if the Earl reacted badly to his son’s confession when Charles reached Penwick.

“When will you leave for Spain?” Let him think her as interested in the war as her father if he liked,  there was too much hurt in trying to make a man who knew he was right see that he was wrong. Thomas would live his life by his code whatever it cost those about him.

Conversation was stilted thereafter though Judith learned much more about the difficulties confronting Wellington than Thomas had vouchsafed to her father. She was almost pleased when Amara returned, gushing breezily about how cheered father was by keeping John at Oakenhill. Judith didn’t miss Thomas avoiding the inquiring glance from his godmother though, or the frown that instantly replaced Amara’s bonhomie.

As they gathered themselves together to leave she knew a sense of deep desolation. Not only might she never see Thomas again, if she did she would be indelibly altered from the woman she was now and would have fallen far below his orbit.

“Be careful Thomas. please.” It was too heartfelt a plea to be mistaken for convention but he only grinned back at her.

“The devil doesn’t want me yet, Judith. I’ll see you again before you know I’m gone.”

At least this time he’d said goodbye, even if it was to more than he knew. Judith watched the coach whipped up and driven out of the courtyard before she resumed her desultory examination of the estate account book. The figures were not improving and every time she insisted the book be made up to date it provoked a row with the insolent Tomkins.

Depressing as that activity was it was far preferable to the interruption she suffered within the hour. John could barely cling to his horse as the animal cantered onto the gravel in front of the house. As Judith ran to him she saw that in fact he was only held in the saddle by the ropes lashing him to his mount. The scarlet of his tunic had hidden how much blood had been spilt and he was barely conscious as the footmen lifted him down. Aware enough though to whisper to her.

“Theodore says this is your fault. For not coming to him.”

Thomas watched the coach wheel into the Trefoyle drive with mild interest. This morning should have been a jubilant one. He would have the regiment on the road within two days and Sir Edmund was departing for London with the Guilmors today to confirm their success to Horseguards. If it weren’t for the fact that eight in the morning was too early for a cigar he should by rights be standing here on the terrace, feet braced as he surveyed the manicured landscape, puffing away in celebration of a remarkable coup.

Only he wasn’t. Not because of the hundred and one things to be checked at the barracks, he’d be leaving shortly to encourage those of his officers who would benefit from a reminder of how he expected their duties to be discharged. The battalion would leave on time and in good order, Thomas had no doubts on that score. Judith was the problem: stubborn, prickly, and unreasonable. And those were her good qualities. Lord knows he tried. If she’d only been prepared to listen he could have explained why he thought Horsley unpredictable.

But she had to jump in and attack him. Then talk about Charles’ nature as if that were a subject fit for a lady to raise. Instead of a secret that if it were exposed would leave his brother with no option but to put a pistol to his temple. For all that he couldn’t quite believe that might have been the last time he would see Judith Hampton, or that if he did see her again it would only be as another man’s wife. As the carriage came closer Thomas recognised the Hampton’s slightly shabby town coach, and he couldn’t stop the surge of hope that Judith might have seen sense.

As it was he was disappointed to see the Hampton’s housekeeper descend from the coach when it pulled to a halt in front of the house. Then alarmed to see that she was alone. Without thinking about it he started walking over then quickened his step when he saw the level of her agitation.

“Mrs Rogers, what brings you to Trefoyle?” Not original certainly, but Thomas was only concerned with what lay behind the highly unusual occurrence of the incredibly proper Oakenhill housekeeper paying a call in her employer’s coach.

“His lordship’s pistol is taken, milord.”

“Disturbing, but why come here? Do you think I’ve taken it? And it’s no longer milord, Mrs Rogers. Colonel Stainford will do fine.” Levity was entirely inappropriate to the poor woman’s state of mind but Thomas couldn’t think of any other way to divert her. And if he was to get any sense he needed to break what was obviously a fixated line of thought.

“Walnut handles and ten inch barrels, milord. The frizzen so light it takes no pressure at all to move it. His lordship had them made when he was nineteen. The old master was furious, but all we maids thought he was so dashing.”

“Do you have any idea who has taken Lord Hampton’s duelling pistol?” It would be highly unusual for only one pistol to be stolen. The pistols and their case would be highly valuable, but not one pistol on its own.

“Miss Judith of course.” Mrs Rogers was looking at him as if he’d lost his senses. “That’s why I’ve come to you.”

“Mrs Rogers, you’d better come inside. I’ll have them get you a tisáne. Hartshorn spirit I think would be best.” Whatever had prompted this he was unlikely to get much sense out of her, so best to hand her over to the servants for safe keeping till her wits returned.

“There isn’t time. You have to go after her.” Her insistence was so emphatic Thomas stopped his effort to usher her inside.

“Where has she gone?”

“After him. That wretched man. To stop his wickedness.”

This was still making little sense on the surface but Thomas had the deeply unpleasant feeling that the story was about to get nasty and that Theodore Horsley would be at the centre of it.

“Take your time and tell me what has happened, Mrs Rogers. I need to understand. But I promise you I will rescue Judith from whatever threatens her.”

There was a little group assembled by the front door of Trefoyle and Thomas beckoned Wright forward. “Horse, sword and pistols. As quickly as you can, Wright.”

Then he turned back to the distraught housekeeper. It all came tumbling out then: Judith’s withdrawn silence over the past few days; John Hampton’s return to Oakenhill beaten and bloodied; Judith and John’s implacable opposition to their father summoning the magistrate; and finally her departure that morning alone with the subsequent discovery that one of her father’s duelling pistols was missing.

“He’s an evil man, milord. Not fit for my wee lamb. But to kill him. She’ll hang.”

There was nothing else he could do but reassure the woman that he would not allow Judith to hang, that he’d catch her before she could commit the capital crime and bring her back safe. Privately Thomas knew it wasn’t that simple. Judith had a good head start, she was well mounted on Sherbery and if there was one thing she could do well it was to ride. Reaching her in time would be extremely problematical.

He should have foreseen this, forced Judith to talk to him instead of accepting her rebuffs. If this ended as badly as it looked he’d never be able to forgive himself. Judith was too precious, too dear to be allowed to sacrifice herself. If Horsley needed killing he’d do it, not her. “Mrs Rogers, tell your story to Lady Guilmor. And don’t worry, I’ll bring Judith back. But make sure no one comes after us. I will do this alone.”

Or at least with only Wright for assistance, for the man was waiting in the saddle of his horse holding Swiftsure by the reins, and obviously intending to accompany his master.

~

Judith had no doubts about her course as she pounded toward Horsley Hall. She would get Theodore Horsley alone and shoot him. A bullet in his chest would put an end to his malevolence. She had no doubt either about her own fate. She would hang. That was the prescribed punishment for a capital crime and she had no argument with that. It would be a fitting ending for a life gone wrong. No need to worry about being a ruined woman, no shame to endure, no ongoing humiliation under a fumbling Theodore Horsley. John’s gambling debts would be unenforceable with his creditor dead. Oakenhill would be lost to the Hamptons for father was too feeble to hold it and John too reckless to be trusted. But she would be free of the struggle to save it.

Thomas might regret her passing a little. She would like to think so, but in truth he would be busy fighting his battalion in Spain and her death would be no more than a footnote in his life. A tidying up of old business. The bleakness of the thought nearly made her weep, she had hoped so much that their love would be the core of her life. Even now she could remember so clearly the joy that had suffused her body when she rode to meet him. Nothing so foolish as a silly young girl. On this ride her stomach was cold and clenched and that was reality. What had been before was just a dream that had passed.

Self pity never was attractive so she put it aside. There was no choice, anyone who had seen John lifted out of his saddle would realise that. Thank goodness father hadn’t seen that. He’d been too slow and Mrs Rogers had been quick thinking enough to impede him so that he hadn’t seen his son till John was abed and cleaned up a little. Even then he’d looked bad enough, but nothing compared to the living corpse their footmen had lifted down.

It had taken all her powers of persuasion to stop father calling the magistrate. Only John’s whispered entreaties added to her voice had finally convinced him. Even then the suspicion in his face had torn at Judith. It was simply impossible to explain that while they knew why John had been attacked again, there was no way to bring the culprit before the law. At least no way without exposing the debts and shame that her brother had brought to their door. Besides Sir William Selby was not renowned for his perspicacity. Proving that Theodore Horsley was behind the attack would tax the magistrate’s powers too far. Even if he believed them.

Father gave her a bad time though when he asked if she was sure she wanted to marry Theodore Horsley. It had come from nowhere, just after they’d left John’s room to let him rest. Father gave no hint that the question was linked to the injuries John had suffered, he just came out with it. She’d been slow to answer, too concerned with how he’d made the connection, if he had. When she did answer she was gauche enough to assure him she did and then ask him why he asked. Anything more likely to arouse suspicion she couldn’t have contrived.

‘I’d not have you unhappy, Judith.’
The words had twisted into her like a knife. She knew father meant them, knew he guessed more than he could admit, but he couldn’t be allowed to know the whole sordid story. He still thought Horsley intended to marry her. If he once knew the truth he’d act as any decent man would and die for it. Even Sir Theodore Horsley would be brave enough and strong enough to kill an invalid.

John by contrast displayed all the courage of a frightened rabbit. The first time she was alone at his bedside he was importuning her to go to Horsley, blaming her delay in degrading herself for his injuries. No thought for the shame and humiliation she was to face, just fear for his own skin. She’d made her decision then, that she’d kill Horsley before she’d submit to him. There would be scandal which father would suffer from, but nothing like as much as having a daughter trolloping about as Horsley’s mistress.

Her resolution nearly failed when she cantered into the grounds of Horsley Hall. Even patting the butt of father’s duelling pistol hooked beneath her riding skirt did nothing to reassure her. Would she actually have the resolution to pull the trigger when she was face to face with Theodore?

If the footman thought an unaccompanied lady arriving odd he took care not to show it in his face. Which was only wise when as far as he was concerned she would shortly be mistress of the house and not just its master. Unfortunately Florinda Horsley was crossing the hall just as Judith was admitted and consequently quite unavoidable.

“Judith. How pleasing to see you. Does Theodore know you are come?” There was triumph in her tone that shouted she knew what her son’s bargain with Judith was, and approved of it.

Nothing else to do but tell the truth but that didn’t mean she had to do it apologetically and Judith made sure Florinda Horsley felt every inch of her defiance. “No, Lady Horsley. I called without arrangement.”

“The man will fetch him.” Florinda nodded to the footman hovering at the side of the hall and Judith felt herself cringe. Till she remembered her true purpose here. Not as a sacrificial victim to Theodore Horsley’s lust but as his nemesis. She’d leave his mother mourning him, and the prospect didn’t cause her a moment’s unease. Did that mean she was wicked?

“I must see the housekeeper. Why don’t you wait for Theo in the library, Judith?” That was calculated to put her in her place. Florinda Horsley kept smiling as she spoke, drifting away from Judith all the while to emphasise the casual humiliation. The calculated mortification had the opposite effect to the one intended though. It hardened Judith’s resolution. Accept the position of mistress that the Horsleys intended for her and it would be only a matter of time before the footmen were smirking as they admitted her.

“I shall, Lady Florinda. With much anticipation.” She must have put too much coyness into the retort for Florinda Horsley favoured her with a look of pure malice as she left the hall. Or maybe the woman wasn’t as insensitive as Judith took her for and recognised the incorrect title as the put down it was intended to be.

Whatever the explanation it didn’t really matter, there was no option but to take herself off into the library and wait. Unless she cut and ran, it wasn’t too late for that. The thought of mounting Sherbery and just riding off was tempting in the still quietness of the Horsley library. Let someone else sort it all out while she coached down to Aunt Chloe or Aunt Matilde. Only that someone else would have to be father and he didn’t have the strength any more.

At least she wasn’t waiting to surrender herself to Theodore Horsley. That would be truly awful, to have the man on top of you, sweating and grunting while he took his pleasure. Judith had to check herself there. What she was about to do was far more serious, only justified by Sir Theodore Horsley’s malicious scheming and disregard for those who would be hurt by his actions. It just didn’t feel as if she was sitting here waiting to commit murder.

No jury in the land could call it otherwise, not even if she were to explain what had brought her here, and that she could never do for the shame it would bring on her family. Yet what she was turning over in her mind was not the crime she was about to commit but whether he would try to force himself on her here or take her upstairs to a bedroom. Being distracted was one thing, this verged on insanity. She hadn’t even considered how to produce the pistol from its repository hanging in her skirt, let alone what to say to him.
‘I’m sorry to disappoint you, Theodore, but I’ve come here to kill you not submit to you.’ 

The opening door cut off her thoughts, probably as well before she became properly hysterical. One look at Theodore Horsley’s lustful, gloating face removed all her doubts. This was the only possible way to end this man’s depredations and she would do what had to be done.

“Hello Judith. I am pleased to see you, even if this visit is overdue.” Every word dripped with innuendo and Judith felt her skin crawl. This was the true Theodore Horsley, carefully hidden when he mixed in society and candidly displayed now when he felt safe in his lair.

“Is that why you had John beaten?” If he felt no need to dissemble why should she? Judith felt her chin tilt up as she spoke, uncaring that the gesture betrayed her defiance.