Love in the Highlands (6 page)

"A blot on my record," he said, deeply offended. "Which, I may say, has never been blotted before."

"I'm asking a great sacrifice, I know."

"Will the Queen send me to the Tower of London for losing her letter?"

"I won't let her," Lavina promised.

"Well, I may have given it to the under footman to look after. He is notoriously forgetful. Leave matters to me, My Lady."

"Thank you, Denton. And when the messenger returns, kindly tell him that he can find us at the Towers.

"Very good, Your Ladyship."

"You will explain about my engagement – "

"Then it is not a secret?"

"Oh no. You may inform the household, and the Queen's messenger."

She hurried away to her room.

Luckily the visit to the Marquis involved very little

preparation, as they had only just arrived from London, and most of their clothes were still packed. Mrs Banty received her instructions with a brief nod, and assured Her Ladyship that everything would be attended to.

The closed carriage, with fresh horses, was waiting. Lavina and the Earl hurriedly climbed aboard and they were on their way.

For the first part of the journey they each peered nervously out of a window, just in case the messenger returned to be sure his letter was delivered. But they saw nobody, and at last they began to relax.

"I can't believe that we're actually going to get away with this," the Earl murmured.

"We will if we keep our heads," Lavina told him. "And if the Marquis learns how to play his part properly."

"Why, whatever do you mean by that, my dear?"

"I'm talking about the way he refused to say goodbye to me. In fact, he put his hands behind him rather than touch me."

Her Father nodded and she continued,

"He spoke of behaving like a devoted fiancé – "

"Did he? I don't remember hearing him say that."

"It was while you were looking round the library. He said he would play his role with conviction – which, frankly, I doubt – and expected me to do the same."

"I suppose that's only reasonable. I'm afraid you will have to endure a certain amount of attention from him."

"Just as long as he doesn't try to kiss me," Lavina said, setting her chin stubbornly.

"I'm sure such an idea has never crossed his mind."

"Yes," she said crossly. "So am I. Did you see how he behaved when we left? It would be quite obvious, to anyone with any sense, that he was being forced into matrimony, rather than begging me to honour him by becoming his wife."

The Earl sighed.

"I have to admit, my dear," he said, "that he does not play his part well. I'm not looking forward to this visit."

Their second arrival at Elswick Towers was as different from the first as anything could be. Clearly the Marquis had reflected that his earlier distant treatment of his 'fiancée' would not produce the desired effect, and had decided on a different approach.

He was there on the step to greet them, personally handing Lavina down from the carriage. Then, to her astonishment, he raised her hand to his lips, bending his head to kiss it with an air that would have looked like reverence to anyone who did not know the truth.

From behind him there came a great cheer from the assembled staff, lined up to greet the woman whom they supposed would be their new mistress.

"I didn't expect this – " she stammered.

"It is only proper that the future Marchioness of Elswick should receive suitable greetings from those over whom she will rule," he said smoothly.

"I – thank you." She tried to withdraw her hand, but he did not release it.

"You're supposed to look delighted by my attentions," he reminded her.

Lavina looked directly into his face, giving him the most dazzling smile at her command.

"My Lord," she breathed, "what joy it is to me to be

once again with you. How my heart beats with happiness – "

"Be careful," he murmured, "don't overdo it."

"Can a woman overstate her pleasure at being in the presence of he who is to be her lord and master?"

Just for an instant the stone mask of his face seemed on the verge of cracking. She almost thought a smile hovered on the edge of his lips. But he mastered it.

"Your lord and master, indeed," he replied. "I'm glad you understand that. Now, my dearest love, let me introduce you to the staff that will be yours."

There were over a hundred of them, bowing or curtseying as she went along the line.

"I'm rather understaffed at the moment," the Marquis observed. "As I said, this is a bachelor residence, and I do almost no entertaining. Many of the people you see here work in the grounds or the stables. Naturally, the presence of a Marchioness would make all the difference."

"Naturally," she murmured, feeling rather dazed.

"This is Perkins, the head butler, who runs this establishment."

Perkins, one of the few servants who had seen her earlier, bowed, concealing his bewilderment at this incredible development.

There were several under-butlers, then countless footmen, all powdered and wigged, each nodding his head to her. There followed the under-footmen, and beyond them the chief cook, a magisterial French presence called Laurant, and two under-cooks.

There were, as the Marquis had said, several maids, smart in black dresses and gleaming white frilly aprons; also several scullery maids. But there was no doubt that they were heavily outnumbered by the men.

"And now, allow me the pleasure of escorting you into

your new home," the Marquis said gallantly, taking her hand and leading her through the front door.

As soon as they were inside, Lavina said urgently.

"I must speak to you."

"Has something happened?"

"Yes, something terrible. The Queen has written to Papa."

"Saying what?"

"I don't know, I didn't allow him to open it."

"You didn't allow – ?"

"It would have been fatal," she said hurriedly, missing his implication. "Once he has read that letter he must obey the orders contained within it. As it is, he hasn't even received it."

"I thought you just said that he had."

"It arrived at the house, but we didn't."

He frowned.

"Didn't what?"

"Arrive at the house."

"Lady Lavina, you must forgive me for appearing dull-witted but I was under the impression that you had been home, and if you have not I'm at a loss to understand how you knew the letter was there."

"Of course we've been home."

The Marquis passed his hand over his eyes.

"Perhaps we began this conversation at the wrong point," he said faintly. "I have been used to starting at the beginning, but clearly you have devised another method."

Lavina stamped her foot.

"I wish you would stop talking nonsense. My meaning is perfectly clear."

"Not, unfortunately, to me. Did this letter arrive or did it not?"

"Yes, it arrived while we were here with you, and was waiting for us when we returned home. But Papa must not receive it, so I handed it back to the butler and we left at once.

"When the Queen's Messenger returns he will be informed that we never came back at all, and he must bring the letter on to deliver it here."

"Where he will find us all assembled to greet him," the Marquis said, his eye gleaming with appreciation. "Well done! Now that we have sorted out your somewhat tangled explanation, I am proud of you."

If he meant to placate Lavina by these words he was mistaken. Praise was pleasant, of course, but how dare he patronise her! Did he think she cared whether he was proud of her or not?

"Where are the maid and dresser you threatened me with?" the Marquis asked.

"They are following immediately. Since haste was important we left ahead of them."

"Then one of my maids shall show you to your room. You have the room always occupied by the mistress of the house."

Lavina soon discovered that what he called a 'room' was, in fact, a palatial apartment. Built on a corner, it had large windows on two sides, flooding it with light.

The furniture was all valuable, antique, but well kept. Dominating the room was a vast four poster bed, hung with honey coloured silk damask, and with a richly carved gold cornice.

Over the fireplace was a huge mirror set in a cream and gold frame that matched the bed. The ceiling too was a match. Everywhere Lavina looked she saw gold, from the chandelier to the chairs.

It was breathtaking. Evidently the Marchioness of

Elswick was expected to live in style.

The maid showed her around, pointing out the private bathroom, and the door that led to a dressing room.

One of the great windows looked out over the entrance, and to her relief Lavina saw the coach bringing her servants, followed by a fourgon piled with luggage.

"Thank goodness," she murmured.

She was more relieved than she could have said, for now she could employ her most formidable weapon in the strangest situation in which she had ever found herself. Her beauty, her glamour, her magnificence.

With these she could face the Marquis. And he would come off worse. She promised herself that.

Mrs Banty's entrance into her domain was made with almost as much ceremony as Lavina's. Dressed in black bombazine, her head adorned by a black straw bonnet, trimmed with black lace, she made a haughty progress up the grand staircase, and along the corridor to Her Ladyship's apartment.

Jill, Lavina's personal maid, crept along in the rear like a lady-in-waiting.

Behind them came troops of footmen bearing luggage, which they proceeded to set on the floor, until halted by a commanding voice.

"This will not do!"

"Banty dear, whatever is the matter?" Lavina asked.

"You cannot sleep here. It is disgraceful. I never heard of such a thing."

She looked sharply at the footmen, who were regarding her in amazement.

"What are you doing here? Take yourselves off, and somebody tell your master that I wish to see him without delay."

Their jaws dropped, and they looked at each other, wondering who was brave enough to inform the Marquis that a woman had sent for him as though he were an under servant.

Luckily for everyone's peace of mind the Marquis himself put in an appearance at that moment. In seconds every footman in the place had vanished.

"I came to assure myself of your comfort," he said courteously to Lavina. "But I see your servants have arrived, and so all is well."

"All is certainly not well," Mrs Banty said, glaring at him. "I was never more shocked in my life."

Lavina held her breath, certain that this was disaster. The Marquis would never tolerate being spoken to in this manner, by a woman and a servant.

But instead of being offended he regarded Mrs Banty mildly.

"May I ask in what manner I have offended?" he asked.

"This apartment is totally inappropriate for Lady Lavina."

"It is the apartment of the mistress of the house. I meant to do her honour."

"But she is not yet the mistress of the house, and it is therefore scandalous for her to be in a bedroom that connects with your own."

"Indeed it does not," the Marquis said, astonished.

"It connects with this dressing room," Mrs Banty said, opening the door, and indicating another door on the far side of the dressing-room.

"Beyond that door lies Your Lordship's apartment," she said in a voice of thunder.

"Well yes," he agreed, "but you will observe that there are two beds in the dressing room, and I imagine that you will occupy one, and the maid will occupy the other.

"Were I to attempt to creep through this room with the intention of assaulting Lady Lavina's honour, I feel sure that you would prevent me. Besides, the door to my apartment is locked."

But Mrs Banty was made of stern stuff, and did not relent.

"I have no doubt that Your Lordship has a key."

"Which I shall be happy to give to you."

"How do I know that you don't have another key?"

"Very well," said the Marquis. "I will give you a pistol, and if you find me creeping through the dressing room you have my permission to shoot me."

Mrs Banty glared.

"Banty dear," begged Lavina, "please leave this. He's making fun of you."

"He thinks he is," Mrs Banty declared. "He thinks I wouldn't shoot him."

Incredibly, Lord Elswick's lips twitched.

"On the contrary," he said, "I feel fairly sure that you would. But if you would agree a compromise ma'am, suppose I send for the estate carpenter and instruct him to put some bolts on the door leading to my room. Once you have slid them home, Lady Lavina would be perfectly safe from my evil intentions."

Mrs Banty graciously signalled her assent to this negotiated settlement, and returned to her task, unpacking Lavina's wardrobe.

"My Lord, I apologise," Lavina said distractedly, anxious to protect her dresser from the Marquis' wrath, "Mrs Banty is very protective of me – "

"Do not," he said, his hand over his eyes, "even consider apologising for Mrs Banty. I would not have missed meeting her for the world."

"But the way she spoke to you – "

"Reminded me of my old governess. I was rather fond of her. Now I must hasten to give the order for those bolts. If she were to return and find the job not done, I would fear for my life."

"Ah, but you have not yet given her the pistol," Lavina reminded him, amused.

"I feel sure she has one of her own somewhere."

He hurried out, leaving Lavina looking after him, wondering at this man who kept revealing different sides of himself.

When the Earl collected his daughter to take her down to dinner his eyes popped with admiration.

"You look wonderful, my darling," he said.

"Doesn't she!" exclaimed Mrs Banty, who had every reason to be pleased with her work.

The gold of the room had inspired her to dress her darling in a dress of gold coloured satin, edged with a lavender ruche. Over this was a half skirt of lavender satin, and beneath the gold dress peeped a white silk petticoat with a white lace flounce.