Sally James (17 page)

Would it be better if she obtained some sort of position to support herself? The prospect was not enticing. She was too young and too poorly trained in ladylike accomplishments to become a governess, even if she had the least idea of how to set about such a task. She could work in an inn, she supposed, but she was realistic enough to know that such a course would damage her reputation irreparably, and bar her for ever from any return to polite society. Of course she still intended to earn money from writing novels, but she would need a post immediately in order to live.

‘Oh, I do wish Aunt Sophie wasn't so bemused by the wretched man! If only she would support me we could go back home to Oxfordshire and forget all about him,' she said wistfully.

'Don't worry, it will only be a day or so before we're in Yorkshire with Amelia and William, and then he will take steps to ensure you are safe.'

Kate did not breathe easily until they left the streets of London far behind them, but it was a bright, though cold day, the sun was shining and the horses were unusually good ones for hired hacks. In the open air, where she felt able to see any danger represented by Adam from a distance, she could banish her fears to a far corner of her mind and enjoy herself and concentrate on the present.

They stopped for a nuncheon four hours later. Realizing her complete lack of necessities Kate insisted on doing some shopping, and Darcy grumblingly lent her some money when she pointed out that she had none herself. Kate's spirits had revived rapidly as there was no sign of pursuit, and she found Darcy friendly and entertaining, and if Kate was a trifle shocked at some of the amusing stories he related about the doings of his friends, she reminded herself she was just a simple girl from the country, not a sophisticated young lady out in Society who would doubtless think little of such tales.

So she laughed at the exploits he described, and told him a great deal about her life in the village in Oxfordshire, and for most of the time managed to forget the difficult situation they had left behind them in London.

Chapter Fourteen

When Darcy said they must stop for the night in Huntingdon all her fears surged back.

'There's no sense in pushing too far,' he said, stifling a yawn. 'We can dine, go to bed early, and set off at first light tomorrow.'

'Can't we press on further? He might catch us up.'

'He won't know where we are, and don't worry, he cannot harm you,' Darcy said, laying a comforting hand on her arm.

How could he know what Adam Rhydd might do, she thought, and what protection would he be against an enraged, determined Earl of Malvern, whatever the rights and wrongs of the affair?

She had few illusions about the relative willpower and determination of the two men. She knew instinctively that Darcy would be no match for Adam in any direct encounter, but she was so stiff from the long hours in the chaise that despite her fears that they were still too close to London she agreed. It would be bliss to eat a good meal, and possibly even command a tub of hot water and soak some of the stiffness out of her limbs.

Darcy obtained two bedrooms connected by a private sitting room. 'Told them I was your cousin, which is near enough,' he said, grinning, as the maid who had shown them upstairs left the sitting room. 'No need to set tongues wagging unnecessarily.'

Kate nodded heedless agreement. She sat warming herself by the fire while the maid brought a large tray and set the table, and then, despite her previous hunger, ate only a few spoonfuls of chicken soup and picked listlessly at the slices of beef Darcy carved for her, pushing her plate away after a few minutes.

'Don't worry, you'll feel more the thing the further away from London we get,' Darcy reassured her, his own appetite unimpaired. 'Some more of this claret? It's dashed good for a country inn. I’ll order another bottle.'

'No, thank you,' Kate replied. The one glass she had drunk was making her feel decidedly sleepy. Darcy refilled his own glass and rang for the landlord, who promptly delivered a second bottle of claret and a decanter of port.

Kate refused helpings of apple pie, syllabub, and stewed fruit, but she did take an apple and sit peeling it while Darcy ate a large helping of pie.

The table had been cleared, and the landlord had been to ask whether they would like more port, or perhaps some of the best brandy, when Kate stood up.

'I'm going to bed now, Darcy. Good night,' she said and moved towards the bedroom door.

'No, Kate, wait. I've thought of something.'

'What?'

'You could marry me,' he said, standing up close beside her, one hand grasping her arm.

'Marry? Marry you?' she exclaimed, startled, and trying to free her arm.

'There's no need to look so astonished,' he said crossly. 'You must have seen how I feel about you, Kate. You are so lovely and adorable, and I wanted to ask you almost as soon as I saw you. I wouldn't have said anything so soon, but it does offer us a way out.'

'But Adam would never permit it,' she said blankly.

Darcy moved away from her and faced the fire. 'He has no power to forbid it,' he replied coolly.

'But he - he promised Grandfather that he would marry me,' she explained.

'You did not, and if you were married to me he would have to abandon this foolish pursuit of you.'

'But if I don't marry him, I wouldn't get any of Grandfather's money,' Kate said slowly.

Darcy laughed, turned round, and took her hands in his. 'I have enough for us to live on, my dearest Kate. Surely you are not so mercenary? Oh, I'm not rich, not anywhere as wealthy as Malvern, but I can provide you with a home better than the cottage you've lived in until now. And when Adam sees that it's useless to persist in his stupid notion, he might feel guilty and bound to give you some of it.'

'I wouldn't take it from him!' Kate declared vehemently, her eyes flashing.

'You have the income until you are of age. But this talk of money sounds so calculating. I'm not interested in it, my love, it's you I want. It's you I love, my sweet adorable little Kate!'

Kate sat down suddenly, drawing her hands away from Darcy's clasp.

'I've never thought about the possibility of marrying you.'

'But you don't hate the very idea?' Darcy asked, moving towards her again and laying his hand on her shoulder. 'You could consider it?’

Kate looked up at him, her eyes frank and open. 'I didn't really think of marriage at all, except in a general way, until I came to London and had Grandfather's ridiculous suggestion thrown at me,' she said slowly.

'Then you don't love anyone else? There's no one down in Oxfordshire who might be my rival?'

Kate laughed. 'No, there were no men down there, suitable men, that is. Thomas is only my age, he doesn't count, though sometimes I used to think it would have to be him if I married anyone. Aunt Sophie was always bemoaning the fact that I would never meet anyone she could be happy to see me marry.'

'Kate, we're friends, we get on so well together. I love you, and I know that I could make you love me in time. Well, what do you say?'

A picture of Adam Rhydd's handsome face swam before her eyes, and she felt a sudden indescribable panic. She was tired of hiding from him and terrified of every step she heard, afraid that he would capture her and force her to marry him, not because he loved her but because of that ridiculous promise made to her grandfather.

She shuddered. It was too terrifying to imagine what it could be like married to Adam. But she didn't want to marry Darcy either. Even less, she admitted to herself as she looked across at his slack mouth, which suddenly seemed weak, and his eyes, bloodshot from drink and lack of sleep.

'No, Darcy, I can't,' she said quietly. 'I don't love you any more than I do Adam.'

'What has love to do with it? Don't be afraid because you're under age. We can go to Scotland, be married there, and then Adam Rhydd can do nothing about it.'

She shook her head. 'No, Darcy, I'm sorry, and I must go to bed.'

He chuckled. 'A good idea, my love. We'll celebrate our betrothal.'

Kate stared at him, aghast. 'You know that wasn't what I meant!' she raged. 'How despicable you are!'

He laughed. 'Actually, although we know the truth of it, most people would look askance at the time we've spent alone,' he murmured. 'I want to marry you, Kate, there is nothing in the whole world that I want more, but if people knew that we had been together for two nights without even a servant in the house, and then stayed together at an inn there would be many raised eyebrows. Even your Aunt Sophie would say I had a duty to marry you to protect your good name.'

'Duty? Are you suggesting this because you feel compelled to make an offer?' Kate demanded.

'Of course not, I thought you understood that. But the world is harsh, and your reputation would be in ruins if this story got out. And consider, as my wife you'd be safe from Adam Rhydd, and we could go back to London and enjoy ourselves. There would be nothing Malvern could do about it.'

'I'm not afraid of gossip, and I don't wish to marry you.'

Darcy moved close to her. 'You don't know what gossip can do,' he said bitterly, and caught her arm so that he swung her round and she half fell against him. 'People get jealous, then try to make out you're cheating, not just lucky, and before you know where you are they won't even sit at the same table, let alone play cards with you!'

'Darcy, please,' she protested when she could break into his mournful tirade. She pushed at his chest and tried to widen the distance between them.

He was stronger than his slender frame indicated, and before she could force him away he had both arms round her and was pulling her even closer. The fumes of wine from his breath wafted over her face and she wrinkled her nose in disgust and twisted her face away.

'I don't love you, and I won’t marry you!'

'Foolish excuses!' he muttered. 'I'll wager you won't be tired or so reluctant in an hour or so. Pretty Kate, lovely Kate, be kind to me.'

To her dismay he suddenly bent down and tried to kiss her on the lips, his mouth moist and hateful. Exerting all her strength she pushed him hard and he lost his footing, stumbling backwards and collapsing into a chair which rocked precariously and almost deposited him on the floor before it righted itself.

'You are despicable!’ she gasped, swiftly moving behind the table and searching for a weapon. 'Did you intend this all along? Is Amelia in Yorkshire or not?'

'What if I did?' he snarled. 'You wouldn't have come with me if I'd said anything about it before.'

'No, I certainly would not,' Kate returned, edging towards the decanter of port which was still on the end of the table. 'You're drunk, Darcy.'

'I'm not too drunk to make sure you'll accept me, and be glad to, before the night's over.'

'You can't force me into marriage, whatever else you may try to do,' she replied, and, as she grasped the heavy decanter, had an insane desire to giggle. She had the oddest sensation that she was participating in one of the lurid romantic tales she had read from the circulating library

'We'll go to Scotland, we can be spliced in a few days, and you're in too deep for escape now, so you might as well accept it.'

'I have no intention of accepting it,' Kate raged.

'I didn't think you a prude. Oh, Kate, it's been difficult enough keeping my hands off you these past few days. You're a tempting morsel, and I'm hungry for you, do you understand?'

'I understand you're a rogue and you don't love me at all,' Kate snapped. 'You're hoping Adam will allow me to keep the money my grandfather left me, and you'll get your odious little dirty hands on it! Well, he won't. If I don't marry him it all goes to him, so you'd have a penniless bride, Darcy. How would that suit you?'

'Don't be foolish,' he pleaded, suddenly maudlin. 'He couldn't survive the scandal if he did that. He'd have to provide for you. Then we'd be all right. Besides, I do love you, Kate, but it's more than a man can stand to be with you all day, and see you looking so desirable, and know you'll be just beyond the wall of the bedroom all night.'

He rose, somewhat unsteadily, to his feet, and staggered across the room towards her. She slipped to one side, and then realized she had made a mistake for he was now between her and the door. She should have made for it, despite the commotion that would undoubtedly have ensued, and now she would have to depend on the strength of her arm and the decanter.

With a gleeful smile he fumbled with the key and locked the door, then held the key aloft.

'Imprisoned, my love, until you do as I say,' he chortled. 'Now come here, Kate, let me show you it's not so bad after all. Some women enjoy it, there's no reason why you shouldn't.'

'Darcy, be sensible,' she said placatingly, but he did not seem to heed her, he was swaying slightly and his eyes seemed hazy.

Pleas and arguments were having no effect on him, and she wondered if she might wrest the key from him, whether she might trick him without having to hit him, for he seemed considerably affected by the drink. Before she could move towards him, loath as she was to put herself once more within reach of those clutching hands and slobbering lips, he staggered to the window and tossed the key out into the yard below.

'Now I've all the time in the world to persuade you,' he said with satisfaction.

'I shall scream,' Kate warned, still reluctant to attack him.

'Then your reputation really would be torn to shreds,' he said with a laugh.

'I don't care a thimble for that. Better than having you force your loathsome attentions on me,' she snapped back.

He began to walk unsteadily towards her, and although she dodged away from him there was too little room for her to escape for long. Despite his tipsy state he caught her and pulled her into a strong embrace. She raised the decanter and brought it down hard, but at the last minute he swung round and it glanced harmlessly against the padded shoulder of his coat. Kate, struggling to keep her balance, lost her grip on it and gasped as port wine splattered all over them both. He crowed with triumph and grabbed her hair to twist her face towards his searching lips, just as a sharp knock came on the door.