A Country Miss in Hanover Square (21 page)

Susannah knew that it would be useless to plead with Harry to withdraw from this foolish duel. He could not in all honour do so and she knew it would go ahead whatever she said. However, she was determined to discover where the gentlemen were to meet. She would follow if she could and then…

Susannah had no clear idea of what she would do. She was distressed at the thought of Harry risking his life because Jenny Hazledeane had run off with the Marquis of Northaven. Harry had clearly had some feeling for the woman or he would not have reacted as angrily. He had called Northaven out and he might be killed—and if he died Susannah would have no one to blame but herself, for if she had spoken out at the start, none of this need have happened.

Back in her room, Susannah leaned back against the door and closed her eyes, fighting the tears. She could not bear it if Harry died…but what could she do to stop him fighting this awful duel?

Susannah was walking in the formal gardens with Amelia when she saw Harry coming towards her the next morning. It was almost time for nuncheon and the two ladies had decided that a stroll in the gardens would suffice as neither of them cared to go for a long walk after Amelia’s unpleasant experience in the woods.

‘Good morning, Susannah—Amelia,’ Harry said. His expression was serious, but not angry. Susannah felt her stomach spasm with nerves as he looked at her. ‘May I ask for a few moments of your time, Susannah? You will excuse us, Amelia?’

‘Yes, of course,’ Amelia said. ‘I am thinking of leaving the day after tomorrow…perhaps we could speak later?’

‘Yes, of course.’ Harry smiled briefly. ‘We must talk. I hope you will allow me to send an escort with you when you leave…to be certain of a safe journey.’

Amelia inclined her head and walked away, looking thoughtful.

‘That was kind of you,’ Susannah said, trying to quell her nerves. ‘Amelia was upset by that incident in the woods.’

‘Yes, of course she must have been, for it was most unpleasant. It may have been a random attack with robbery in mind, or some thing more sinister, there fore I have asked Max and Gerard to accompany Amelia to her home.’

‘Yes, that would be ideal,’ Susannah agreed and glanced at him un certainly. ‘Your mama tells me that Miss Hazledeane was not with the marquis, but may have gone to her aunt.’

‘It would appear to be the case,’ Harry said. ‘Gerard will journey to the north to enquire after he has escorted Amelia home. I shall do what I can for Miss Hazledeane—despite her foolishness. I would wash my hands of the business, but Mama has a fondness for her.’

‘I see…’ Susannah bit her lip. ‘I am sorry I did not tell you that I witnessed her meeting with Northaven. It was wrong and misjudged.’

‘You did what seemed right at the time, but I dare say you have learned a hard lesson.’ Harry hesitated, looking rueful. ‘Once again I subjected you to a shocking show of temper. I believe in the heat of the moment I was harsh to you.’

‘You accused me of not trusting you. I believe I have lost your trust—and your good opinion?’ Susannah could not look at him, for she was too ashamed.

‘Please look at me, Susannah,’ Harry said in a gentle voice that brought her head up. ‘I hope to earn your for give ness if I can. I was angry because of what had happened, but more than that it hurt me that you did not feel you could trust me with your confidences. Even when you began to realise that Miss Hazledeane might have run off, it was to Toby you confessed your fears. I had hoped that you might feel closer to me, now that we are engaged to be married.’

‘Toby saw me walking in the garden. He came down. I would have told you if I had seen you first,’ Susannah said. ‘Forgive me, Pendleton. It was not lack of trust that caused me to hold back. I felt that it would seem sly or ungenerous to cast doubts on a lady’s character. I hardly knew her….’

‘Yes, I realise that—and I do under stand, Susannah. However, I should prefer it if you were to confide in me in future.’ He looked grave. ‘Unless anything has happened that has made you think you would prefer to be released from our engagement?’

‘Oh, no!’ Susannah said and then blushed. ‘No, I do not wish to be released, Pendleton—but if you wish it…’

‘Not at all,’ he said and gave her what she felt was a rather forced smile. He reached out to stroke her cheek with his finger tips. ‘I care for you a great deal, Susannah. If…anything should happen… If anything pre vented our marriage…I want you to know that you are the only lady I have ever wished to make my wife.’

‘Harry…’ Susannah’s heart raced as he bent his head. His kiss was light, soft and brief. ‘Please do not say such things! They frighten me. What could happen to prevent our marriage?’

‘Nothing, of course. I should not have mentioned it,’ Harry said and his smile warmed her. ‘It was foolish talk. Have you forgiven me, my dearest? The force of my temper has caught you three times now. I hope it has not made you take me in dislike?’

‘I could never dislike you,’ Susannah told him. She was tempted to tell him that she knew about the duel, to beg him not to go through with it, but she could not find the words. ‘I cannot wait for our wedding day.’

‘Can you not?’ Harry looked thoughtful. ‘When you go to Amelia’s, I shall take a trip to London, to buy your wedding gift. Tell me, Susannah, what is your favourite stone?’

‘I like pearls and perhaps diamonds,’ Susannah said. ‘My emerald ring is lovely. I really do not mind. The pearls your mama gave me are perfect.’

‘There are others of equal merit in the family jewels, but I intend to buy some thing new for your wedding gift—some thing that has not been worn by any other Pendleton lady.’

‘Thank you,’ Susannah framed the words, but she really wanted to say,
All I want is you, Harry. Please do not risk your life by fighting a duel
.

They heard a gong sounding from within the house. Harry turned his head and frowned—he had noticed un certainty in Susannah and he was not sure what was causing it.

‘I think we should go in, for I would not wish to keep Mama waiting, Susannah.’

‘Yes, of course,’ she said and smiled as they turned towards the house.

It was unlikely that she would get another chance to talk to him alone, for she had been invited to play croquet on the lawn with Lady Elizabeth and some of the others that afternoon. She felt a knot of nerves in her stomach as she wondered how she could pre vent Harry fighting that duel!

Wild thoughts of sending a servant for the magistrate or locking Harry in his apartments went through her mind and were instantly dismissed. It seemed that there was nothing she could do—she was certain an appeal to Harry would fall on deaf ears.

Perhaps Toby would know what she could do? She could at least confide her fears in him this evening.

‘How do you know about the duel?’ Toby looked shocked when she told him she had over heard Harry talking of it with his friends. ‘That sort of thing isn’t for the ears of delicate ladies.’

‘I am not a delicate lady,’ Susannah said. ‘Harry is going to risk his life to defend
her
honour and it isn’t fair. She won’t care if he dies, but I shall. It will break my heart, Toby. Can you not do some thing to stop it?’

‘What would you have me do?’ Toby asked and shook his head. ‘Nothing I said would change his mind, Susannah. It is a matter of honour. Surely you know that?’

‘Yes, I know gentlemen have foolish notions, but I do not think it is honourable for two grown men who should know better to try to kill each other!’ Susannah was cross with him, for he was clearly on Harry’s side. ‘Couldn’t you make sure Harry went to the wrong place—or persuade them to shake hands and make up their quarrel?’

‘Have you tried to persuade Harry not to go ahead with it?’

‘No…he wouldn’t listen to me.’

‘Do you imagine he would listen to me?’ Toby made a rueful face. ‘Harry would soon tell me to mind my own business.’

‘Then you can offer me no help?’ Susannah looked at him in appeal. ‘Please, Toby…’

‘Susannah, I would die for you,’ Toby told her. ‘But I cannot pre vent this duel. Besides, there is no need. I dare say it will end with them both firing in the air.’

‘Do you really think so?’ Susannah asked. ‘I could bear it if I thought it was all some silly nonsense—but I am afraid they hate each other and that the marquis will try to kill Harry.’

‘Well, if he does, he will fail,’ Toby said. ‘I promise you that Harry is an excellent shot—the best. He was given awards for bravery when he fought with Wellington. You don’t imagine he will die in a foolish affair like this?’

‘There you are—you think it foolish too,’ Susannah said and Toby frowned. ‘At least keep this to yourself, Toby. If you tell Harry that I know, I shall never forgive you!’

She turned and left him, feeling un ac count ably cross. Men were all the same with their talk of honour and their stupid duels! Well, she was going to keep watch from her window in the early hours of the next morning, and when she saw the men leave the house she would follow them. She did not know what she could do to stop the duel, but she had made up her mind that she would do some thing.

Susannah had lain on her bed, fully clothed, because she had had no intention of wasting time dressing later. She’d rested for a while, because the duel would not take place before dawn, then closed her eyes, but slept only fitfully, and was out of bed long before the first rays of the morning light began to creep over the silent gardens. She saw four men leave the house when it was still hardly light. A groom had horses waiting for them. Susannah waited to see which way they would ride before going quickly down stairs.

She hurried towards the stables and found a sleepy yard boy beginning to sweep the cobbles. Bestowing a brilliant smile on him, she went confidently towards him.

‘Good morning, lad,’ she said. ‘Would you prepare my rig for me, please? I have a fancy to go driving before anyone is about.’

The lad stared at her, lifted his cap and scratched his head, clearly startled by her request, but then he laid aside his broom and went to do her bidding. Susannah waited impatiently for him to get the rig ready for her. She climbed in and took the reins from him, but on an after thought told him to hop up beside her.

‘I may need you to hold my horses for me,’ she said and smiled at him. ‘You won’t mind that, will you, lad?”

‘Me name is Tim, miss,’ he told her and grinned. ‘I should like to hold ’em for you. I like ’orses, but ’ead groom says I ain’t fit fer nuthin’.’

‘Well, if you take good care of my horses, I shall ask his lordship to see that you are taught to be a groom. In fact, you can be my groom—if it would please you?’

‘You’re a good ’un, miss—a rare sport.’ Tim grinned at her. ‘You handle them ’orses a treat.’

‘Thank you,’ Susannah said. She was glad to have the lad with her, because otherwise she would have felt nervous of leaving the horses alone. ‘Do you know the woods well, Tim? Is there a clearing of any kind in that direction?’ She pointed out the direction that the riders had taken earlier.

‘Yes, miss. I reckon I could show yer where,’ Tim said and looked at her curiously. ‘Yer up to somethin’—ain’t yer?’

‘Yes, I am,’ Susannah said. ‘It is our little secret, Tim. You mustn’t tell anyone else about this.’

‘Cross me ’eart and ’ope to die.’

Susannah smiled at him. So far her plan had worked well. She did not know what would happen when she reached the clearing, but if she was in time, perhaps she would think of some thing….

Harry stood with Max, Gerard and Toby as they waited for the arrival of the marquis and his seconds. A doctor had been summoned to attend and was partaking of a snifter of brandy from a small silver flask. Harry glanced at his gold watch, for it was a minute to the time agreed.

‘It seems that Northaven may have changed…’ he began and frowned as the sounds of horses arriving made him hesitate. ‘I believe this may be he.’

Three men rode into the clearing and dismounted. Northaven walked towards them, inclining his head brusquely to the small gathering. He was immaculately dressed in black from head to toe; Harry wore a coat of blue super fine and cream breeches.

‘We are not late, I hope?’ Northaven asked. ‘We were delayed and this clearing was not as easy to find as I imagined.’

‘I believe you are on time, sir,’ the physician said. ‘I am Dr Barnes, my lord. I trust you are happy to accept my services if need be?’

‘Certainly,’ Northaven replied in a careless tone. ‘My seconds, Mr William South—and Sir John Travers.’

‘Pleased to meet you, gentleman,’ the doctor said. ‘You have agreed terms?’

‘Yes, the usual rules apply,’ Sir John said. ‘I would like to inspect the pistols, if you please.’

‘Certainly,’ Doctor Barnes said. ‘I have looked at the pair and they seem nicely balanced, as perfect a weapon as I have seen. Look for yourself. I can find nothing out of order.’

‘Yes, a nice pair,’ Sir John agreed after a brief examination.

Doctor Barnes cleared his throat. ‘Gentlemen, will the seconds please confer and then we shall choose the weapons.’

Gerard and Sir John agreed. They weighed the pistols in their hands, examined them, checked the barrels and loaded each pistol with one shot and powders.

‘Gentlemen, choose your weapon, please.’

Harry waved his hand to indicate that Northaven should choose first, taking his own without appearing to look at it.

‘Please take your places,’ Dr Barnes said. ‘Are either of you inclined to reconcile your differences?’

‘Damn it, no!’ Northaven said, his eyes glittering.

‘I believe we are agreed,’ Harry said. ‘Pray continue, sir.’

‘I must ask you to stand back to back,’ Dr Barnes said. ‘Take measured paces and do not turn until I have finished the count.’ He paused, then, ‘Gentlemen, we shall begin. One, two, three…’

It had been darker in the woods and not easy to follow the bridle path in her rig, but the light was gathering now. Susannah could hear the voices just ahead of her. She had left Tim tending the horses after he had told her that the clearing was just through the trees. She had wondered at first if they would ever find the right place, and her nerves were tumbling low in her stomach as she crept nearer to the clearing. She could hear someone counting and she knew that she was only just in time. On the count of ten they would turn and fire at their discretion.