A Christmas Surprise (13 page)

“Good, now get ye’self upstairs and into a hot bath. I’ve already had the footmen take the water up. It should be just the right temperature by now. Then I want to attend to your injuries. The dressings are due for a changing.”

Aleece started for the back stairs expecting Debbi to follow. When she didn’t hear her footsteps, she paused to glance over her shoulder as to why.

On seeing the two in a hushed huddle, she started to become concerned until Mrs. Linna glanced her way, gave her a knowing smile, and released Debbi to her duties.

In her suite and out of earshot she leveled a glare on the poor girl. “What was that about? I’m not in trouble with her am I? Or where you discussing your gentleman?”

“No, miss. She noticed the rosy color to your cheeks and lips. She wanted to confirm that you’d been behaving yourself. It seems she’s aware that a certain wickedly handsome gentleman has been seen out and about the district.”

With arms across her chest Aleece started to pace, worried that their secret was out. Part way across her bedroom she stopped and spun on her heel.

“Does she think my parents know?”

“No, she said she heard it from the second upstairs maid who’s sweet on one of the stable hands at the inn. Mrs. Linna told the girl to keep it to herself and if word got back to either her or your parents she’d be sacked. That was enough to put the fear of the devil in the girl.”

Aleece let out a relieved sigh, started to unbutton her riding habit, then stopped. “Do you think my parents will suspect anything?”

“Fear not, by the time we get you bathed and everything set to rights it will look like nothing happened. Now let’s get you out of these and into the bath.”

The bath was so relaxing Aleece started to fall asleep but the sound of the housekeeper entering startled her awake.

“I will be ready in a minute,” she called out from the room off hers where she handled her personal needs.

Moments later Aleece emerged, a towel wrapped around her and another covering her wet hair. What was a surprise Mrs. Linna and Debbi, who had changed into a plain grey dress, were looking through her gowns.

Aleece had already picked a lovely satin dress in robin egg blue for dinner. The sleeves stopped at her elbows, and she’d wear a pair of gloves to keep her arms warm. The collar came to the base of her neck and she planned to wear her pearl necklace and drop earrings to finish off the outfit.

Aleece noticed neither were aware of her presence, so she cleared her throat. “I have a gown for this evening,” she uttered, her brows raised in question.

Mrs. Linna turned. “Yes, but while you are making your call, Her Grace asked about a ball gown for Christmas Eve. I couldn’t remember if you had something suitable, so she asked if, when you returned, I could see.”

“Well, do I? I know, at least for my parents it is an important occasion, and I wouldn’t want to disappoint them.” The last said with a touch of sadness in her voice.

“Yes. This deep red gown will be perfect. I also know it’s a favorite of His Grace,” Mrs. Linna said with a smile.

Aleece gave the woman a smile, slipped out of the towel around her, and into the dressing gown held by Debbi. She then sat on the stool in front of her dressing table while her injuries were treated.

“How do they look?” she wondered aloud, not able to comprehend the housekeeper’s expression seen in the mirror.

“They’re healing quite nicely. Nary a mark left. You were lucky,” she said. “Now go sit by the fire and let Debbi brush out your hair so you can finish getting ready for dinner.”

Over dinner Simon briefly questioned his daughter if she’d been able to remember anything else to positively confirm it had been Seth Travers.

When she, disappointed, answered she couldn’t, the conversation turned to a topic Aleece didn’t want to think about: the upcoming ball.

Chapter Twenty-four

After the chaste kiss at the fork in the path, Thomas watched as his lady love rode off toward home. It was all he could do to stop himself from turning Trooper back to chase after her. When Debbi had politely excused herself so they could have privacy, it took all his willpower not to make love to Aleece right then and there. What prevented him from satisfying his baser animalistic needs was his undying love for her, which he knew was reciprocated.

That in addition to being heir to one of the most influential and powerful dukedoms, he wanted, nay needed to do right by her. Of all the women whom he’d been attracted to, Lady Aleece was the only one who stirred emotions in him he didn’t think existed.

If he could have he might have discussed these feelings with his father. He knew, as evident by his sire staying in seclusion for the entire year of mourning, his parents had married for no other reason than love. Maybe then, he would have told Aleece who he really was, but by the time they both realized undying love existed between them, it was too late.

Now he was forced to maintain this charade, which, as he’d learned yesterday, was harder to keep up than he’d first imagined. Having his hands around her waist when he lifter her into the saddle compounded by the lovely sight of her ankle had been almost more than he could tolerate.

All he knew was that someone was going to be marrying his love and nothing, not even the knock on the head, would stop it from being him.

Now that his brain was clearing, not from the kisses given and taken freely, Thomas replayed in his mind what little he’d seen before being struck down. Nothing had changed, the piles of burnt timbers lay on the ground, the few worldly possessions not taken were tarp-covered.

Nothing only a slight vision of the young man whom he now knew to be Seth Travers stepping up and striking him down. That act alone was enough evidence to prove guilt.

As he rode up to the inn, he spied several mounts being held by stable boys. Each horse bore the saddle and trappings of a Guards’ steed. Quickly he wheeled Trooper into a copse, not wanting to be spotted. In particular by one of the riders, his former commanding officer, Colonel Martel.

Last he knew the man was in London arranging for more supplies and troops to fight in Spain. Thomas leaned forward and stroked Trooper’s neck, so he wouldn’t get excited and sound an alarm of their presence. When he saw the tavern door open and not only the colonel but several of his friends from his old company emerge he began to get concerned at the unlikely appearance. A second or so later remembering he’d never said who in London he was calling upon, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Thomas waited for the sound of steel shoes on cobbles to fade before stepping out from the trees. With a calm demeanor he rode up to the same young boy who’d always been there to help him before and halted.

“Good afternoon, young master. There seems to be a bit of a hubbub going on. Not another fire, I pray,” Thomas said, as he dismounted and passed the reins to the boy.

“Aye, no sir. Thankfully. We jist had a bunch of soldier types here. Right smart they were in them uniforms. Even dem ‘orses was all decked out fine as ya please. I’s even got to hold the colonel’s ‘orse. Right fine piece o’ flesh he were. But not as nice as yours,” the young lad spoke, a wide grin on his face.

Thomas couldn’t hold back the smile on his face seeing the boy talking and puffing out his chest as he did.

“Why, thank you, son. Trooper is the best charger I have had the pleasure to throw a leg over. Put him in his stall, and I will be out shortly to give him a grooming.”

“Aye, sir.”

With his curiosity still peaked as to why the colonel was here, Thomas forced himself to maintain a calm demeanor as he entered into the tavern. Looking around, he noticed Jacob was in the tap wiping down one of the many round oak tables.

Instead of walking straight up to Jacob, Thomas angled toward the bar. Not that he was one to drink a pint, but he knew this would be the least obvious way to enquire as to the purpose of his former comrades in arms being in the area.

“Thank you,” Thomas said, tossing a few coins on the bar. As he lifted the tankard he said, “I noticed you had some visitors earlier. Passed them leaving as I was coming in.”

“Yes, sir. Several Guardsmen. Stopped here for some of the missus’s food,” the tavern owner gloated.

“Strange to find them so far from the social life of London,” Thomas commented, in hopes of drawing more from the man.

“Aye. The Colonel, least I think he was one, says they was here for the ball His Grace, the Duke of Carlisle was ‘aving on Christmas Eve. Seems they come down a few days early to see if’n they can’t get some recruits to help fight Boney.”

“I presume they will be staying here then? Bit early to arrive for a ball.”

“No. They’re staying at one of the officer’s friends in the next district. This bloke Ainsworth, I think he was called, said there be good pick-ins there. Too bad they can’t catch that Seth Travers boy. Do him a world of good to be in the army, especially after torching that house yesterday. Prison hulks and gaol too good for him. Boy’s just lazy, if you get my drift.”

“Well, thank you. I shan’t keep you, and I have a horse to look after.” Thomas set the half-empty jug down and headed to his room.

After enjoying a dinner of Sophie’s meat pie in a flaky crust and potatoes, Thomas sat near the fire in the tavern section of the inn. In his hand, a pint bought by one of the farmers for thanks in helping with the near disaster yesterday. Only when necessary or directed to did he speak, as he preferred to listen to the latest talk.

What didn’t surprise him was the praise the men and the few women present had for Lady Aleece. Risking life and limb by going into the building to rescue the babe seemed to be the high point. Several of the wives made mention of her helping out other families in need always with the duke and duchess’s blessing.

Even Lady Aleece’s suggestion to have the Smyth family occupy the vacant hunting lodge, instead of them being put out or with other families, was met with glorious praise of her caring for people.

Thomas had all along known when he’d met and gotten to know Aleece the decision to marry her was right. All this praise coming from people who depend on the duke about his daughter cemented his resolve.

As he lay in bed later his only question, that still bothered him, was the sudden appearance of the colonel and friends in the area.

Chapter Twenty-five

“Come,” the Duke of Carlisle said in response to a knock on his study door.

As the entrance opened, he glanced up from one of the many estate reports he was reviewing. “Yes, Horsfall?”

He watched as the butler stepped inside the cavernous room. “Your Grace, the Duke of Somerset.”

Simon rose from behind his antique oak desk and strolled around to meet his friend, hand extended in a warm greeting. “Somerset, it is good to see you again. Do come in, unless you need to refresh yourself first.”

“No, I am fine, thank you,” he replied.

“Have a seat,” Simon said then turned his attention back to Horsfall. “We will be having luncheon here, and I want you or one of the burliest footman standing guard outside the door. We are not to be disturbed under any condition.”

“Very good, Your Grace. I’ll make sure the mansion doesn’t catch fire then.”

Simon couldn’t help but notice the beginnings of a smirk on the man’s face. It didn’t help matters when he heard a chuckle emanate from his friend.

“Somerset, do not encourage the man.”

“Cheer up, friend, mine is just as bad. If I didn’t know better I’d say our two butlers were related,” Kenneth added.

With a wave of his hand, Simon dismissed Horsfall. Walking over to the sideboard, he lifted a cut crystal carafe. Turning back to his guest, he raised the container. “Brandy?”

“French?” he queried.

“But of course. I have several locals with smuggler connections get it for me. Just because we are at war with Boney does not mean we cannot enjoy some of the finer pleasures in life.”

“In that case, I do believe I will partake of a glass. After all, ill-gotten goods always taste better,” Kenneth responded, taking the proffered glass from his host.

“How are you faring these days? I know it must have been difficult this past year. First Mary dying at this time of year then Thomas being wounded.” Simon walked around his desk to retake his seat.

“Yes, it has been trying, but with my Thomas and your Aleece falling in love, that has help cushion the blows somewhat. And from all reports the children do not know we know about them.”

“I got a report several of Thomas’s Guards friends have started arriving. You do not think he will get suspicious with them here, do you?” Simon’s voice hinted at worry.

“Fear not. Before leaving for here, I posted a letter to Colonel Martel. I mentioned if they were to arrive early, yes they could mention the ball but to use the excuse of looking for fresh recruits and mounts.”

“Ah, good. That corresponds with what I heard. No wonder we cut such a wide swath through the
ton
in our youth. Always watching the other’s back,” Simon declared, rising from his chair glass in hand and together the men adjourned to refill their drinks.

Over the next hour they ruminated about their youth and the women they’d seduced or tried to.

“I still cannot believe we both fell for the same trap much less at the same time in getting our wives to marry us,” Simon said as a knock on the study door announced their luncheon.

They ate in companionable silence and only when the trays were removed did they return to the topic of the soon to be announced wedding.

“Somerset,” his host started then paused as they put flame to cigars. “Are you sure Thomas will be able to rein in that hoyden of a daughter of mine. There are times I fear she will act without think of the consequences of her actions.”

To reinforce his point Simon told about the fire and what Lady Aleece had done. At which Kenneth laughed.

“I do whole-heartedly believe those two will be perfect for each other. I know my Thomas would have done the exact same thing.”