Lady Vengeance (30 page)

 ‘I know, Jonathan, I do not like it myself, to be going out and leaving dear Elinor by herself, but Miss Goodrow was so persistent, and we have excused ourselves from dining with them so many times in the past that I found myself quite at a loss.’

 ‘It is never a good idea to offend one’s neighbours, Davenham,’ put in the earl. ‘You will attend tomorrow night, sir, with as good a grace as you can muster. The Goodrows do not keep late hours, and you may make an early start for Town the following morning, if you think it necessary.’

 The viscount looked far from pleased, but he merely inclined his head.

 ‘As you wish, sir.’

 Lord Hartworth smiled benignly at his son and the evening proceeded in what Elinor could only describe as a most uncomfortable fashion. Dinner seemed interminable, and when at last the ladies withdrew, she was able to tell her hostess truthfully that she had the headache and to retreat to the seclusion of her bedchamber.

* * * *

The bright sunshine to which she awoke did nothing to lift her spirits, and it was with some trepidation that she entered the breakfast room the next morning. She was relieved to find only the countess there, a casual enquiry eliciting the information that the gentlemen had taken advantage of the fine weather to ride over the earl’s extensive estates. Elinor was thus able to avoid the viscount until the evening, when the family gathered in the drawing room before travelling to the Goodrows for dinner. She delayed as long as she dared in changing her gown and tarried so long that the earl’s carriage was at the door before she came downstairs, entering the drawing room just as the family were preparing to leave.

 ‘Ah, my dear,’ remarked Lady Hartworth, her cloak already about her shoulders, ‘how unfortunate that you must remain here alone. However, it cannot be helped and I have told Fletton to serve your dinner in here by the fire. So much more comfortable for you than to sit in that draughty dining room by yourself.’

 ‘Thank you, ma’am.’ Elinor bent to receive my lady’s salute upon her cheek, smiled farewell to the earl who was holding open the door for his wife. She then turned to face the viscount: for an instant she was transported back to their first meeting in Paris, for then, as now, she had been impressed by the simple style of his attire, which so complemented his lean handsome face. On that occasion he had been dressed in black, but now he wore a plain velvet jacket and breeches of the darkest blue, the severity or his raiment relieved only by the froth of snowy lace at his neck and cuffs. As was his preference, his dark hair was unpowdered, and confined by a thin velvet ribbon. Elinor noted his gleaming riding boots and the heavy greatcoat thrown over a nearby chair, and could not resist and enquiring glance. A faint smile lightened his features.

 ‘I never travel by carriage if I can ride.’

 ‘And you will be leaving in the morning?’

 ‘Yes. I intend to make an early start.’

 ‘Then let me wish you a good journey, sir, for I doubt I shall see you again before you leave.’

 ‘Thank you.’ He took her hand, wondering that her fingers should tremble as he raised them to his lips. For a moment they looked at each other, both wishing to speak, neither knowing how to begin. A discreet cough from Lord Hartworth broke the spell.

 ‘It is time we were away, Davenham.’

 With a final bow the viscount snatched up his greatcoat and strode out of the room. When the door had closed upon her Elinor stood for a few moments, listening to the receding footsteps, then she ran to the window, peering out into fading light. Unfortunately, the drawing room was at the back of the house and gave her no sight of the drive. She ran to the glazed door that led out onto the terrace, and after a few moments spent struggling with the catch she managed to open it. She stepped out. The terrace ran the length of the house, but a high wall at each end prevented her from seeing the earl’s carriage as it moved off, although the sounds carried clearly to her on the still air. Disappointed, Elinor went back inside. The air was chill, but before settling herself by the cheerful fire that blazed high in the hearth, she went off to the library in search of a book with which to while away the evening.

* * * *

 Elinor jumped. The delicate chimes of the drawing room clock were telling her it was nine o’clock. She must have dozed off in her chair after Fletton had removed the dinner tray. Her book lay open on the floor beside her and as she bent to retrieve it she wondered what had roused her; most likely the thud of her book falling to the ground, she reasoned. The fire had burned low, and Elinor was about to send for more wood, then decided against it. Perhaps she should go to bed, there was after all no reason for her to wait up. She shivered, feeling suddenly cold and a little nervous. The house was silent save for the ticking of the clock, and Elinor gave herself a mental shake. She was being childish: had she never been alone in a house before – and could you call it being alone when there were an army of servants below stairs!

Elinor glanced about the room. Only the candles in the wall-brackets by the fire had been lighted, giving that area a cosy glow, but leaving the rest of the large room in semi-darkness. Her eyes moved to the windows. Every one was closed, and she had herself fastened the terrace door. She got up. Perhaps if the heavy drapes were pulled across the windows she would feel more secure and dispel this feeling that someone was watching her. She unfastened the ties that held the drapes on the first window, allowing the heavy velvet to shut out the night. Yes, that was undoubtedly an improvement. She moved on to the second window, then to the terrace door, but as her fingers closed on the ties, a figure stepped out from the shadowed embrasure and caught her in a vice-like grip. She gave one startled cry before a large hand was clapped over her mouth. Elinor’s eyes widened in alarm as a second figure came out of the shadows, and she found herself looking into the cruel face of Guy Morellon, Marquis of Thurleigh.

 ‘Good evening to you, Madame. We have not been formally introduced, of course, but I have no doubt you remember me. If you promise to behave, my groom will take his hand from your mouth.’ He saw her nod, and at his sign the servant removed his hand, still pinning her arms so that she could not move.

 ‘How did you get in here? How did you find me?’

 ‘It was too simple. I followed Davenham when he left Town, and a little surveillance soon proved that my instinct was correct. Since then I have had the house watched, and when I learned that the estimable earl and his family were gone out, I decided it was time we – ah - renewed our acquaintance. So obliging of you, Madame, not to bolt this door when you came in earlier. It was such an easy matter to force the catch.’

 ‘But I am not alone – the servants –’

 He laughed softly: ‘Oh come now, Madame. You know the servants are in their own quarters and in all probability enjoying some of their master’s wine. There is very little chance that they would hear you, even if you were unwise enough to make the devil of a noise – which I would not advise you to try,’ he added. ‘Jason, my groom, would most certainly prevent you, and I should perhaps warn you that he is very experienced in subduing spirited fillies – is that not so, Jason?’

 The man bared his teeth in a cruel grin. ‘As you say, my lord.’

 ‘Then at least let me sit down,’ said Elinor, her brain racing. ‘Surely there can be no harm in that?’

 ‘As you wish.’

 The marquis pointed to one of the chairs beside the fire, taking one opposite for himself. As she sat down, Elinor noted that he had put himself between her and the door, while the groom stood at a little distance, watching them both. The marquis sat back, crossing one booted foot over the other and regarding her with chilling amusement.

 ‘Well, Madame de Sange – or would you prefer me to call you Elinor? I remember that night we met very well, you see.’

 ‘You may call me what you will. It makes no difference to me!’

 ‘Then it shall be Elinor,’ he purred. ‘Where is the ruby, my dear? I take it you still have it.’

 ‘It is safe. You will never find it.’

 ‘But I have no intention of searching for it. You will tell me where it is.’

 ‘Never.’

 ‘My dear child, do you really think you can hold out against me?’

 Elinor threw back her head, squarely meeting his gaze.

 ‘Answer me one thing, sir. That night at the Black Goose – since you have told me how well you remember it – was it you who killed my father?’

 ‘I seem to recall there was some impudent fellow who dared to challenge me. His impertinence was justly rewarded.’

 At his careless words Elinor’s cheeks grew as white as her petticoat. Her voice was barely above a whisper when she spoke again.

 ‘Then I will never help you! Do you not believe me? Pray tell me, what else can you do to me now? Thanks to you I have no family to be threatened, and I care nothing for myself. My only wish now is to see you punished for the traitor you are!’

 The marquis was no longer smiling. He got up and came to stand before her. Elinor kept very still, hoping he could not hear the fearful pounding of her heart.

 ‘Perhaps you will be more co-operative when you realize I am in earnest.’ He turned to his groom. ‘Hold her!’

 The servant moved behind Elinor’s chair, pinning her down. Thurleigh raised his hand and hit her hard across the face. Her head snapped back, senses reeling.

 ‘Tell me where to find the ruby!’

 Elinor tasted the blood in her mouth. She shook her head, tensing herself for another blow, but it never came. A door banged somewhere in the house, a rumble of voices and footsteps could be heard coming towards the drawing room. Signalling to the groom to return to the window embrasure, Thurleigh strode across the room to stand behind the door, drawing his sword as he went. Still dazed from the blow she had received, Elinor looked up as the door opened and Lord Davenham stepped into the room. At the sight of her he stopped, his hand moving instinctively to his own blade.

 ‘Elinor! What the –!’ His words were cut short as the marquis stepped up behind him and delivered a stunning blow with the hilt of his sword, which sent the viscount crashing to the floor.

 ‘Jonathan!’ With a cry Elinor flew from her chair and fell to her knees beside the unconscious form. The groom stepped forward to pull her away, but his master waved him aside, his cold eyes gleaming.

 ‘This is all very touching, my dear,’ he drawled, watching her closely, ‘but content yourself, he will recover. Unless you give me occasion to take further action.’

 She turned towards him, her body poised as if to shield the viscount.

 ‘What do you mean?’

 ‘Jason, take the lady to one side while I deal with the viscount.’

 The groom roughly dragged her away, and through Elinor’s mind flashed the vision of Ralph Belham, his laughing face glowing with life and energy as he had told her,
Care for no one, child, ‘tis the only way to survive.
But Ralph had broken his own rule. He had become too fond of her and now he was dead, along with her father and her mother – how many others would perish before this matter was ended?

 ‘Well, my dear? It is up to you.’ Thurleigh flourished his sword, placing the tip at the viscount’s throat.

 She gave a strangled cry. ‘No! No more, I beg you! I will give you the ruby.’

 The marquis waited.

 ‘If I tell you – do you swear you will not touch him again?’

 ‘But of course, my dear. Just give me the jewel and the viscount shall be spared.’ He saw her hesitate and added, ‘You have my word, ma’am.’

 ‘It – it is in the library desk, in one of the drawers. But it is locked and Lord Hartworth has the only key.’

 Lord Thurleigh nodded, and returned the sword to its sheath.

 ‘Where is the library?’

 ‘Directly across the hall.’

 ‘Very well.’ He pulled two of the tassled curtain ropes from their hooks and tossed them to his groom. ‘Tie her to a chair while I am gone.’

 Passively Elinor allowed herself to be bound to one of the chairs, making no protest as the bonds pressed into her arms. The groom had just finished making her secure and was admiring his handiwork when the marquis returned.

 ‘I have it.’ His lips parted in a smile that was as terrible as it was triumphant. He glanced down at the viscount’s motionless form. ‘You are a very fortunate young man, Davenham. This young lady has undoubtedly saved your life tonight.’

 ‘Do you think you are above the law?’ cried Elinor, ‘When I tell them you broke in here –’

 ‘And do you think you would be believed? You have no proof. Who would believe the word of a nobody?’

 ‘Lord Davenham and the earl will know the truth!’

 ‘Mere speculation,’ replied the marquis, making for the terrace. ‘And unfortunately for you, it comes too late, my dear. Soon I will be in a position of such power that not even the King himself will be able to stop me!’ Then, laughing, he stepped out into the darkness and was gone.

 Slowly regaining consciousness, the viscount became aware of the sickening pain that throbbed in his head, and a distant voice calling his name. He opened his eyes, but the room was spinning round so much that he closed them again, groaning.

 ‘Oh Jonathan, thank God! I thought you would never wake.’

 He risked opening his eyes again, this time moving his head towards the voice, which sounded vaguely familiar. His vision blurred and cleared and he stared at Elinor, blankly at first, then in horror as he realized she was bound to her chair.

 ‘Oh my poor girl!’ He struggled to his feet and staggered across the room, fighting down the nauseating dizziness as he fumbled with her bonds.

 ‘Who did this?’

 ‘It was Thurleigh.’ Once untied, she rubbed her arms where the ropes had bitten into her skin. ‘Jonathan, he has the ruby. We must go after him, he has been gone but half an hour!’

 ‘We’ll deal with that later,’ he replied. ‘First, we’ll get you some brandy.’

 ‘No!’ cried Elinor, close to tears, ‘Don’t you see, he will destroy the brooch!’ She jumped up, but her legs would not support her, and she would have fallen had not the viscount caught her. Holding her close, he guided her to a sofa and obliged her to sit beside him.