The Secret Life of Miss Anna Marsh (22 page)

Emma stood staring out the window of Lady Rutherford's elegantly furnished parlor. Cream and gold mixed with greens and blues. She missed Harry already, and the sooner she could get an address, the sooner she'd see him, but she had quickly learned Lady Rutherford was not to be rushed.

Though she never took Emma with her, her godmother seemed to need an extraordinary amount of time to visit with friends. Her godmother had taken Emma to the theater one evening and to the British Museum the other day. But Emma's gowns, shoes, and accessories were ready, and she didn't wish to dally in London.

At least Mr. Reynolds was no longer a problem. He'd tried to find her room, had got lost, and had entered the chamber of another lady. The shrieks from down the hall had been loud enough to garner a crowd. Mr. Reynolds had been taken off by a constable, who said the bailiff had been searching for Reynolds. Apparently, he was now in debtor's prison.

The weather was holding, yet one of the older guests had said it would soon change.

“Did your chaperone go off safely?” Lady Rutherford asked.

“Yes, my lady.”

Mrs. Wickham's relatives had sent money for her to take the mail coach. A circumstance about which she was none too happy.

“Emeline, or Emma, though Emeline is such a lovely name, we shall have a wonderful time. I thought you might be well suited to my son, but he is recently betrothed.” Lady Rutherford frowned. “A mere baronet's daughter. Although, she
is
a great heiress and took very well during her Seasons.”

Clearly, Lady Rutherford did not like her future daughter-in-law.

Emma didn't need to look back to see the dissatisfaction on her godmama's face. “She is a lucky lady.”

“Yes, yes, she is.” Lady Rutherford smiled tightly. “We shall look much higher for you, my dear.”

Emma closed her eyes. A vision of Harry floated before her. She wondered how he was, if his family embraced him or scorned him for being a spy. She gave thanks to her father for giving her the power to control whom she'd marry.

“I'll have the ballroom at Rutherford House re-decorated. You and Althea, my daughter, will be introduced together, and I shall give a ball in your honor.”

“Thank you, my lady. That's very kind of you.” All Emma wanted was an address so that she could write Harry.

Seven days had passed and another six remained until his sweet packages arrived. Georges moved each night, arranging to arrive at yet another inn each day after breakfast. He'd heard from Désirée; the shipment was still on schedule.

Georges thought of bringing her to him. He needed some sort of release, but it would be too dangerous. No one could know where he was. He ate in yet another common room. The serving maid was friendly and gave him a good view of her breasts as she asked if he'd like anything else. He considered taking her up on her offer, but thought better of it. He couldn't afford the complications. He'd wait until he was safe, at least safe enough.

He hated this hiding and waiting, but it would be worth it to have his lands and his title back. Then he could approach the Honorable Miss Charlotte Marling. She looked like, what did the English call it? Ah, an ice princess. But he'd sensed a hunger in her. He'd school her like he'd schooled Désirée. Except the lovely Charlotte would be his personal courtesan.

Anna woke in Sebastian's arms. He snored softly in her ear. She pressed back against him, and his almost flaccid member awoke. She sighed happily. This was an addiction. He was an addiction. His shaft grew hard against her. She hoped he'd soon waken. Or perhaps, she could take him while he slept. Maybe the book would have something. Sebastian's hand traveled from her waist to her breast. The ache between her legs grew as he played with her nipple. She pushed back against him in encouragement. When he thrust forward, Anna moaned.

He rolled her on to her stomach, shoved a pillow under her hips, and trapped her legs. When he mounted her from behind, Anna cried out with anticipation into the mattress and tried to touch the flames she knew would come, but he slowed. She moved her hips in frustration. He chuckled, held her legs tightly against him and thrust into her. She had no purchase and couldn't move.

Finally, her tension rose, and she trembled as bliss enveloped her. He groaned and collapsed, bringing her close to him.

He kissed her. “My heart and my life are in your hands.”

A light tap came on the door. “Miss, you've got to come now.” He held her close one last time. “You need to go.”

She closed her eyes and burrowed against him. “I know.”

Anna groaned as she lifted the covers and slipped out of bed to pull her nightgown over her head and shrug into her wrapper, before disappearing through the door.

The breakfast room was empty when she and Sebastian arrived.

“Do you want to stay here or shall we meet your new tenants?” he asked.

“
My
new tenants?” She handed him a cup of tea. “I like the sound of that.”

They ate in companionable silence until Harry arrived. “Good morning. What are you doing today?”

Anna turned. “Good morning. We are going round to Rutherford's tenants.”

“Take your time,” Harry said. “I'll entertain the girls after their lessons.”

Anna stood. “Thank you.”

“Have you seen either Mama or Papa?” he asked.

“No. I'm beginning to wonder if we're ever going to see our parents again.” Anna turned to Sebastian. “I'll meet you at the stable.”

“I take it all went well yesterday?” Harry asked.

“That depends,” Rutherford responded dryly. “If you're asking whether the staff likes Anna, the answer is yes. All went well.”

“Then what?”

“My mother. It appears she's been using the household account to replenish her wardrobe. What I do not understand is the reason she's doing it.”

Harry finished making his breakfast selections and poured a cup of tea. “What will you do?”

“I don't know. I don't know if she'll accept Anna, and I am not in favor of Althea's coming out so early.” Rutherford sat back shaking his head. “I can't put my finger on any one thing, but something is not right.”

“Do you know how long her pilfering the household account has gone on?”

Rutherford sat back in his chair. “No. We only looked at the accounts for this quarter. We'll need to look further back.”

He stood and walked to the door. “Thank you for looking after the girls.”

“My pleasure. Let me know what you find and if you need help.”

“As always.”

Rutherford and Humphrey brought the horses out as Anna crossed the yard.

“Just in time.” He threw her on to Thunderer. “Harry suggested we look back further in the accounts. If you don't mind, I'd like to do it this afternoon.”

“If we have the time. Like you, I want to know what we are dealing with.”

“Come then, my love.” He spurred his horse forward.

The Priory's acreage was large. Even so, they managed to visit all of his tenants and take notes.

They arrived back at the house in mid-afternoon. As he and Anna had not eaten since breakfast, he ordered a nuncheon.

“Your steward, Mr. Stanley, has been doing a good job.” Anna said. “There are not many complaints and not much to do.” She glanced up from her list. “Though there are some enlargements of the tenants' houses to make, and there is a definite need for a school.”

He'd noticed the same problems and agreed. “Do you think the Hill might be interested in a combined school?”

“I don't know why not.” Anna sat back. “I can't think why we didn't think of it before. We might be able to have the younger children in the building we're currently in and build another one.”

Rutherford glanced at her. How could he have been so blind not to have noticed all she'd done at Marsh Hill? Even his steward was following her lead.

If he could just convince her to let Harry take over the smugglers before the spies were brought in, he'd be happier. If she didn't agree, he'd have to take measures to stop her involvement.

A knock sounded on the study door. Griffin entered and announced that their meal would be served shortly.

“Griffin,” Rutherford said, “please have the household accounts for the past year brought to my study.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“A wine, my love?” he asked as they entered the drawing room.

“Yes, thank you. Don't you want to eat while we work?”

He handed her a glass. “No, I don't want to get into that habit. I'd like my sisters to join us for meals, if you don't mind.”

“Not at all. Shall we make a deal that we'll always dine with the children when we don't have company?”

“Does Harry count?”

Anna's dimple popped out. “No, of course not. Nor his Emma, when we find her.”

Rutherford stopped in the middle of taking a sip of wine. “That sounds much more interesting than trying to figure out what my mother is doing.”

A knock came on the door. “My lord, Miss Marsh, your nuncheon is served.”

Anna smiled. “Thank you, Griffin.” She turned to Rutherford. “Shall we go?”

He put her hand on his arm, and they walked across the corridor into the family dining room. “Sit next to me.”

They had a leek and cod pie with sautéed carrots and parsnips, and a salad of greens from the succession houses.

“This is really very well done.” Anna signaled for a footman. “Please convey my compliments to Mrs. Pippin.”

The corners of Rutherford's lips turned up. “She'll be your devoted slave for that. I can't remember the last time any of us sent her a compliment.”

“You, my love, need to treat your servants better.”

He covered her hand with his. “You're a breath of fresh air.”

She met his gaze, and he raised her hand to kiss.

“Yes, well, let us get on with the more unpleasant work.” She stood to push back her own chair, only to find a footman doing it for her. “Thank you. What is your name?”

“Joe, my lady—I mean, miss.”

Anna bestowed a smile on him. “Thank you, Joe.”

Rutherford took her hand, and they walked to the study. “Which time periods do you want?”

“How far back are we going?”

“When I think of the condition of the drapes, I'd say years, but probably only the past twelve-month.”

Anna tilted her head. “I'll take the first two quarters of this year.”

“Why those months?” he asked, perplexed.

“Your mother will have been preparing for the Season, and when it comes to that, I daresay I know more about what is required than you do. I seem to remember she only buys her clothing in London.”

Rutherford responded slowly. “Yes, of course.”

He handed her the books. An hour later, he called for refreshments. After two hours, he closed his ledgers. “I can't make anything out of it.”

Anna was munching on a biscuit. “What would have occurred late last spring?”

He sat back in his chair. “Nothing much in England, but the last two battles of the war we fought were Orthez and Toulouse.”

She didn't know what that would have had to do with the spending. Shaking her head thoughtfully, she said, “I don't know what it was, but that was when the accounts were depleted. Your mother didn't do much refurbishing here, and there was a great deal of money in the bank. Then over a few months' period, it was spent.”

“On what?” he asked perplexed.

“That's just it.” Anna shrugged. “The entries for this house don't make sense. She was in London during that time. It's as if she made them up out of whole cloth. I know you don't want to hear this, but you'll have to discuss the expenditures with your mother.”

“I'll send a letter to Hoare's and tell them she is no longer authorized to draw on any of the Priory's accounts.”

Anna frowned. “Do you think you should take such a drastic step?”

“Sweetheart, what would you have me do? The letter probably won't arrive until she's back.”

“Yes, well then. You must do as you think best.”

“But?”

She raised one slender shoulder. “I don't know. I thought you might want to speak with her first.”

He closed his eyes briefly. “Very well. I'll wait until she returns.”

“I think you've made a good decision.” Anna smiled softly.

“I hope so,” Sebastian said, chagrined. “I don't want her to run through all the money currently in the bank.”

There must be some way to accomplish what Sebastian wanted without hurting his mother. “You'll have to add me to the household account soon any way. Open a new one and have any sums left over transferred.”

“Now that's a good idea.” He sat up and reached for a sheet of paper. “I'll write the letter and have it executed on the date of our marriage.”

Anna glanced at the clock. “Yes. If we leave now, we won't be late for dinner with Harry and the girls. Shall we go?”

Less than thirty minutes later, they'd reached the Hill, and Sebastian lifted her down, holding her for several moments.

“I must change,” Anna said.

“Where shall I meet you?”

“Find Harry, and I'll find you.” She strode off to the side door.

“She's someat, ain't she?”

Rutherford turned to see Humphrey sitting on an old stool mending a harness. “She is indeed,” Rutherford replied. “You'll miss her?”

“Oh, aye, that we will.” The groom took a stitch. “But ain't no use her stayin' here. Her ladyship's back, and Mr. Harry will marry someday. She's got to find her own life. She'll do ye good at the Priory.”

Rutherford smiled. “She will at that.”

He changed for dinner and found Harry in the morning room. It was the place he remembered best from his childhood, cozy and warm, with cream walls and soft yellow hangings. “Have your parents made an appearance?”

Harry grinned. “Not yet. Have you figured out what your mother's doing?”

“No, but we're closer. Anna discovered the date things started going wrong. She thinks I'll have to talk with her. That, I can tell you, it's not a discussion I'm looking forward to.”

Harry glanced at him. “I don't blame you.”

Rutherford moved over to the window and decided to voice a concern that had been bothering him. “It occurs to me, I may leave this earth sooner than Anna.”

Harry's brows lowered. “What's brought this on?”

Rutherford shook himself. “I don't know. Thinking about my parents. My father was so much older than my mother, and they didn't have the same type of marriage your parents did.”

“How could you expect them to?” Harry asked. “Your father was probably twenty or more years older than your mother. They didn't even like being in the same room together for more than a few minutes at a time. That's probably why there's such a gap between you and Althea.”

Rutherford frowned. “It certainly wasn't due to the types of problems your mother had.”

“Lord, no,” Harry laughed. “You'd have thought the sun had come up for the first time the day Anna was born.”

Nodding, Rutherford said, “I remember. So different than Althea's welcome, or the others'. My father barely acknowledged the girls. I guess he only wanted boys. I want so much more for Anna and me.”

“Don't let it bother you.” Harry walked over to him and slapped his shoulder. “You and Anna will have an excellent marriage.”

“Of course, you're right.” Rutherford glanced at the lawn and could imagine children running. “Do you remember the games we played out there?”

“We'll do so again with our children.”

After dinner, when tea was brought, Althea sat beside Anna.

“You do know how to serve?” Anna asked his sister.

“I've seen it done, but I've never actually poured,” Althea said.

“There is no time like the present to learn.”

He watched as Anna made gentle corrections while Althea poured. “There, well done.”

“Do you really think so?” His sister colored with pleasure.

“Of course.” Anna smiled. “We'll have to bring you up to snuff before you come out.”

Althea glanced at Rutherford and frowned. “I wonder why Mama never thought to teach me any of this.”

“A very good question.” He wondered why as well. What had his mother been up to?