Love's Harbinger (13 page)

“The fresh air is all that is keeping that beefsteak where it belongs” was Lady Lynne’s reply. A glance at her yellowing face told Delamar this was true. Knowing that ladies disliked casting up their accounts in front of a gentleman, he returned to the horses and left them alone.

As soon as the second crossing was accomplished, the ladies retired to their carriage and the trip continued. They were drawing close to their destination now. Thomas might be seen at any moment, and from both carriages eager eyes scanned the road for him. As they proceeded westward, they entered New Forest, the royal hunting ground set apart by William the Conqueror to hunt the tall deer.

Had their trip been less harrowing, they would have enjoyed the view of ancient oaks, yews, and holly bushes that distinguished the forest. The scenery was varied by heath and even farmland, for the forest was not a real forest. But Lady Lynne was by no means recovered from the crossing. She felt chilled to the marrow by her damp clothes and sat with eyes closed, moaning occasionally.

When they drew near to Bournemouth, the rising ground, rich in pines, gave them a view of the city below nestled at the mouth of the little Bourne River at Poole Bay. The cliff line was interrupted by chines that split the rock open as it fell straight to the sea below. Bournemouth was coming into popularity as a watering place for invalids, who appreciated its garden setting and scenic beauty.

At their descent into the city, nerves drew taut. Already hotels were springing up along Holdenhurst Road. Where Holdenhurst Road becomes Bath Road, Delamar had his carriage stopped and came back to speak to the ladies. The Lansdowne Hotel was on their right, another on their left.

“If I read Lord Thomas aright,” he said, “he’ll be staying at one of the better establishments. Perhaps the Royal Bath—it’s the only hotel on the East Cliff that has a view of the sea at any rate. I suggest you ladies go there to recover,” he said as he noticed that Lady Lynne was still distressed.

Faith was loath to speak to him, but she was on thorns to learn his plans. “What are you going to do?” she asked.

“I’m going to check in and have lunch.”

Lady Lynne got her eyes open long enough to give approval to this destination, and the carriages resumed motion. She noticed the Pleasure Gardens on her right and thought a walk there in the afternoon might resuscitate her. The hotel was not yet as full as it would be after the King’s Garden Party on the fourth of June, which marked the official close of the Season. There were plenty of rooms, and when the ladies were taken upstairs, they were astonished to find that Mr. Delamar had hired them two adjoining rooms. From their windows, they looked out over the East Cliff Promenade to the sea. This was not where the boats would dock; it was the bathing place.

While Faith stood gazing at the vast expanse of water, all gray and shiny like crumpled steel, she heard a knock on her aunt’s door. The voice that wafted through to her belonged to Mr. Delamar, which caused her spine to stiffen and her feet to remain frozen to the floor. She was sure she’d be called, and when this didn’t happen, she was so incensed she refused to acknowledge knowing that he was there.

“Do you feel up to tackling lunch?” Guy asked the dame.

“Perhaps toast and tea, sent up here. I’m for a lie-down.”

“What about Faith?” he asked hopefully. She noticed the reluctant interest, and her hopes in that direction revived like magic. With careful handling, she might land him for her niece yet. The stupid chit must be given time to cool down, however.

“She’s feeling less peaky. We’ll have a regular lunch sent up for her.”

“There are private parlors to be had if you think she’d like to get out and stretch her legs,” he tempted.

Such blandishments were easily resisted when it was the niece’s company he was after. “No, she’ll want to remain with me. I suppose you’ve inquired after Thomas?”

“He isn’t here. I’ve tried for him by name and by description, and they haven’t seen him. There are dozens of other hotels and inns here; he’s probably at one closer to the dock. Bournemouth is becoming a bit fashionable. He’d keep a low profile. I have recruited a few helpers to check out other inns, but if all else fails, I’ll catch him when he tries to board ship tonight. I’d prefer to get the thing done before dark, if possible. Darkness offers too many chances of a slipup.”

“He wouldn’t stay at an inn at all if he’s wise. Why should he when he has a friend living not two miles away?”

“What!” It was a howl of protest. “Why didn’t you tell me? Who is this friend? Where does he live?”

Well experienced in deception, she looked only mildly surprised as she said, “Young Stokely lives just north of here, between Bournemouth and Lymington. You know Everett Stokely.”

“No, but I’ll find him.”

“What helpers have you hired?”

He gave a mocking grin. “I shan’t tell you. Your niece wouldn’t approve.”

“Millie?” she asked. He didn’t answer, but not denying it was answer enough. “A wise move! Thomas wouldn’t want to be without a woman for long.”

His grin faded, and a frown creased his brow. When he spoke, he lowered his voice. “How could you let her marry a man like that?”

Faith heard the softer sounds and drew nearer to the door to eavesdrop.

“Lud, you sound as though
partis
grew on trees. The more eligible ones are impossible to nab. They’re spoken for from the cradle. So many of the second sons are marrying untitled fortunes that it makes hard foraging for gels like Faith who are expected to marry a title but haven’t much to barter with.”

“The solution seems obvious. They should marry untitled fortunes as well.”

He tried to sound casual, but she didn’t misread the alert set of his shoulders. To throw a rub in his way and increase his ardor, she said, “It’s not so easy as that.”

“I know a commoner doesn’t automatically assume his lady’s title, but . . .”

She bridled up to hear him outline the lack of advantage to himself in this merger. “He makes excellent connections though. What I meant was that the Mordains have never married mere gentility. Lady Faith would be the last woman in the world to take a social step downwards.”

“I see.” Something in his face froze. She felt as if a door had been closed right while she stood talking to him. “She knows what is important to her, of course. If she feels the necessity of mingling more blue blood with hers, then of course my suggestion is ineligible.”

They both fell silent. Faith’s patience broke, and she walked into the room to learn what was being discussed. Guy lifted his eyes and stared at her. She had never seen such a malevolent gaze. His nostrils were pinched and his lips were drawn into a thin line, but it was his glittering topaz stare that froze her.

“What are you talking about?” Faith demanded.

“About catching Thomas, of course. That’s why we’re here,” Guy reminded her. Her own icy glare froze the blood in his veins. How could a woman be such a fool?

Lady Lynne looked from one to the other and decided it was time to give Mr. Delamar a little encouragement. “I really am astonished that Thomas should be so daring and innovative as to have arranged this business,” she said. This would give Guy a chance to outline his superior innovation.

He failed her entirely. “It isn’t his lack of morals that astonishes you?” he asked.

“That goes without saying,” Faith rushed in. Guy’s slow, mocking grin greeted her words. “That he is innocent, I mean!” she exclaimed angrily.

“You certainly won’t hear me say anything of the sort,” he gibed. “I’ll leave you ladies now. I have a million things to do. I’ll send a waiter up for your order.”

He left, and Faith flounced back to her room, then flounced back again to her aunt. “Are we just going to sit here while he goes and arrests Thomas?”

“Of course not, ninnyhammer!” The last trace of distress faded from Lady Lynne’s face, to be replaced by a lively smile. “We are going to search the hotels and inns and find Thomas, while Guy wastes his time out chasing mares nests.” She quickly outlined her maneuver.

It sounded possible of success to Faith, and she went along with it. Of course her aunt had to have a snack before leaving the inn, which wasted nearly an hour. It gave Faith time to consider what she was about to do. Was it morally right to help a criminal escape justice? She knew perfectly well it was not but rationalized that she’d urge Thomas to return all the money. Then it would be all right.

She sat jiggling with impatience while her aunt stolidly ate her way through not only the toast and tea but also a couple of coddled eggs. “Now can we go?” she asked as the last bit of yolk disappeared.

“Do you know, I am feeling a trifle queasy,” was Lady Lynne’s answer. “Really, I am not feeling at all well,” she added. One had only to look at her to see that it was true. She looked like a dying camel. She had turned very pale, and her eyes looked rheumy.

“Then I’ll go alone,” Faith said. “With the groom, I mean.”

Much as her chaperone wished to accompany her, it was impossible. She straggled to her bed and lay down. “Oh, very well. Run along then, but be careful, Faith,” she said in a weak voice. Then she pulled the counterpane over her and closed her eyes.

Faith got her bonnet and pelisse and darted downstairs. While she was waiting for the carriage, she saw Delamar enter the lobby. He looked ready for treason. He couldn’t be back from the wild-goose chase so soon! But she knew he was, and he knew as well that it had been a hoax. She stood silent, hidden by a potted palm, and watched to see where he went next. He pulled out his watch, glanced at it, then looked around the lobby, obviously expecting to meet someone. Her first fear was that he had laid a plan to ambush Thomas. She watched, her heart in her throat.

In less than two minutes, Guy spotted his quarry and hurried forward. Faith followed him with her eyes and saw not Thomas but Millie, the lightskirt from Fareham. When Guy put out his hand and took Millie by the elbow, some uncontrollable demon entered Faith’s soul. She strode forward from behind the concealing palm and accosted him. The angry glow in his eyes incited her to further madness.

“I see I was worried unnecessarily that you’d find Thomas,” she sneered. “I made sure the story would take precedence over everything else, even your lechery.”

“Congratulations, Lady Faith. You have misjudged my interest like everything else. Don’t worry. I’ll have his giblets on a platter despite your best efforts to thwart me.”

Millie listened eagerly to this exchange. She noticed that Guy was fumbling with his watch. She also noticed that while he continued to ring a peal over the pretty lady about deceiving him, he put his hand on her arm and tried to lead her back upstairs.

“I am appalled that your aunt permitted you out alone in a watering hole like this,” he said sternly, and as he held the lady’s interest with this charade, he deftly opened her purse and dropped his watch into it. Now what the devil was he up to? Millie wondered.

“It’s none of your concern,” Lady Faith said loftily.

“And I don’t need lessons in propriety from you, sir,” she added, casting a withering sneer on Millie, who enjoyed the altercation immensely. It was like having a front seat at a play. “I am going for a drive along the promenade in the carriage with the groom.”

“Then I shall accompany you to your carriage,” he insisted.

“I think not. There is some company that is less respectable than a young lady’s being alone.” On this cutting speech she turned and stalked away.

“Bravo,” Millie congratulated her escort. “Where are we off to?”

“The constable’s office,” he said blandly. “It is shocking that an earl’s daughter should steal a gentleman’s watch when he is only trying to help her.”

“You’re never going to have a lady locked up in the roundhouse!” Millie gasped.

“It will keep her out of a worse prison, one that would last the rest of her life,” he said grimly. Yet he knew this daring step might kill any chance of forgiveness. He walked to the window and watched for Faith’s carriage to emerge from the yard.

“They’ll never lock her up,” Millie warned. “A warning—that’s all the likes of her will get.”

“You underestimate me. I don’t plan to call just any old constable but Mr. Mather, who owes me a rather large favor.”

“Old Jem Mather, the one you helped to catch the smashers.” Millie smiled. “You let him take the credit for that when it was you and your lads who found the plates they used for forging money.”

“Now you see how my modesty pays off. I
got the story and let the constables have the honor. There’s no money in that.”

“She won’t really be driving along the promenade,” Millie said.

“Very true, but she’ll be in the carriage scouting the inns for word of that maw worm she’s engaged to. I have to get to the constable’s office immediately before we lose her. You see if you can find out what the aunt’s up to, Millie. And if she leaves here, follow her.”

“I was going to talk to the abbess and see if she’s done any business with Lord Thomas,” Millie reminded him.

“I’ll do that as soon as Lady Faith is under lock and key. You’re sure Elwood is at the Exeter Hotel?”

“Calling hisself Mr. James, unless there’s two London gents with red hair and freckles hiding in Bournemouth. It’s odd the two thieves ain’t putting up together.”

“Not that odd. There is no honor between this particular pair of thieves.”

“Why don’t you have Elwood arrested at least?” Millie urged.

“He doesn’t have the money, not in his room at any rate. Isn’t that what you said?” She nodded. “Besides, if I fail to find Thomas, there’s a chance Elwood will succeed. He knows him better than I do and might have some ideas. Tessie is keeping an eye on Elwood, so he won’t go far. Meet me back here in, say, an hour if you aren’t out following Lady Lynne.”

“What if she leads me to this Lord Thomas gent? What do I do?”

“Just keep following them till you can send word back to me. If any of your friends turn up here, you might enlist their aid.”

“Us girls don’t work the Royal Bath, Guy. The clerk is already giving me funny looks. If I wasn’t with you, he’d’ve showed me the door long ago.”