The Inheritance (24 page)

"I'll stay
just for a few minutes. Just until she catches her breath," she
said, acquiescing.

"Good. I have
a flask of a delicious speciality of mine. It's very refreshing on
a day like this," he offered, taking her elbow as he walked her
over to the blanket.

"Really? Is it
like lemonade?" she asked.

"A little.
You'll see," he grinned.

"I'm sure it
will hit the spot," she smiled back.

Hit the spot? My dear girl, it will do that and
more
, he thought, very pleased his little
trap had snared the elusive prize.

They settled
on the blanket and Constance began munching on the delicious thick
grass, paying Zeus no mind. Andrew pulled two silver cups from the
basket and poured them a drink from a sizable silver canister. It
was heavy on alcohol but cleverly disguised with various juices and
mint.

"It's best
drunk like this," he explained, and taking his goblet to his mouth,
which had only a fraction of the amount he had poured for
Elizabeth, swung his head back and downed it in one gulp.

"My goodness.
I've never seen anyone drink in such a manner," she giggled.

"Go ahead.
You'll love it. I promise," he coaxed.

"Very well,"
she said, and raising the silver cup to her lips threw her head
back and splashed the beverage into her mouth and down her throat.
It was tangy and sweet and tasted like nothing she'd ever had
before, and made her smack her lips and shake her head.

"Heavens!" she
exclaimed. "I - that is quite amazing."

"Here - have
another. It's mostly just fruit juice," he said, a beguiling smile
crossing his mouth, and once again poured himself a tiny amount and
filled her goblet to the rim.

"You don't
seem to be having as much," she said, noticing the disparity.

"I don't wish
to be selfish," he fibbed, "and I've been drinking it since I
arrived here an hour ago.

"Oh Andrew,"
she gushed. "Aren't you such a gentleman?"

"Here's to
Constance and Zeus," he proclaimed, raising his drink.

"To Constance
and Zeus," she echoed, clicking his cup, spilling some of the
liquid across her hand. "Ooops," she giggled.

"Never mind,"
he said, "drink up."

She downed it
in several gulps and shivered as the sour note invaded her
tongue.

"That is the
most interesting drink," she said, staring at him. "You must give
me the - the - way to make it. You know, like a cake," she
stammered.

What is that word? The list of things and how to put it
together to
...

"I'm feeling a
bit strange," she mumbled. "A little dizzy."

"It's the sun.
It's quite hot here. Why don't you lay back and close your eyes,"
he suggested. "I'm sure it will pass. You had a long gallop and
you've not done that in a while."

"Hmmm. Perhaps
you're right. I shall," she said. "Just for a minute."

Having had
just a small breakfast of fruit and a little bread, her stomach was
basically empty and the alcohol had traveled directly to her
head.

Andrew watched
as she laid back. It would only take a few minutes and she would be
completely at his mercy. He would have his way with her and when
her betrothed found out and left her, he would be there to offer
his understanding and love, coming gallantly to her rescue.

He glanced
around. Zeus was standing quietly, snoozing in the late morning
sun, and Constance was thoroughly enjoying her grass. He munched on
a sandwich as he eyed her body and let the strong drink do its
work. Her breasts were full and proud and her waist tapered in
quite marvellously. Her hips weren't two wide but he suspected she
had a full, plump bottom. His cock was stirring and he licked his
lips. Rolling up his sleeves he leaned down on an elbow and ran the
fingers of his free hand across her forehead. She lifted a hand and
swatted at it, thinking it was some kind of insect.

"Aren't you
lovely," he crooned, leaning in to kiss her.

"What the
devil's going on here?" a voice boomed from across the meadow.

Andrew jumped
to his feet, spinning around, seeking out the voice of the
unwelcome visitor.

An older man
of some stature was cantering towards him. He didn't recognize the
horse or the rider but it was obvious the steed had been ridden for
some time. The animal was sweating profusely and breathing hard.
The man jumped from the saddle and marched forward carrying a
severe looking stick.

"I demand to
know what you are doing here and what you are doing with
Elizabeth!" he commanded, waving the stick.

Andrew
stumbled backwards, alarmed by the intruder's confidence and the
threatening manner in which he was striding towards him and waving
his stick. Losing his balance he fell onto the blanket and into the
basket of food and drink.

Hearing the
commotion Elizabeth moaned and tried to open her eyes. Lord Michael
glanced down at her as he approached the blanket, and seeing her
state his fury elevated to a depth he did not know he
possessed.

"What have you
done to her you cad?" he boomed, hovering over the cowering
man.

"I - uh - she
just had a little too much to drink," Andrew answered, crawling
backwards on his feet and elbows, his butt dragging across the
ground.

Lord Michael
knelt down next to her and patted her cheek gently.

"Elizabeth!
Elizabeth - can you hear me? Open your eyes my sweet. Do as you're
told now. Open your eyes."

"Master?" she
breathed, her voice barely a whisper. "I don't feel well at
all."

"I know my
pet," he said softly. "Rest a minute."

"Mmmm,' she
moaned. "It's all spinning."

Seizing his
opportunity of escape Andrew stumbled to his feet and began to run
toward Zeus. He was halfway there and turned back to see if the man
was pursuing him. He was, but much to Andrew's relief Lord Michael
wasn't running. He was stomping purposefully forward, and though he
was sporting a face as black as night, Andrew was convinced the man
would not be able to catch him.

But his relief
was shortlived. When Andrew looked back to Zeus his heart sank.
Holding the horse was another man. A younger man who looked
athletic and well built. Andrew frantically scanned for options.
There was the forest to his left and the pond to his right. Only
one choice. He darted toward the forest, running as quickly as he
could. But James was fast on his feet and within seconds Andrew's
path was blocked.

Panic seized
him. Lord Michael was gaining ground, and over the shoulder of the
advancing threat Andrew saw yet another figure. A woman leaning
over Elizabeth lifting her head.

"Now - now
look," he stammered, raising his voice as Lord Michael drew ever
nearer. "I can explain. I was just sitting here - having my
lunch..."

"You
scoundrel!" Lord Michael shouted, lifting his stick. "You are worse
than a scoundrel. Taking advantage of a vulnerable young woman! You
are a cad and a loathsome womanizer! A despicable coward! And
worse!" he bellowed.

"No! It wasn't
like that," Andrew desperately declared as Lord Michael reached
him. "She wanted to come here with me. It was her idea."

"And a weak
and feeble liar to boot!" Lord Michael exclaimed, and with a speed
that shocked even James, Lord Michael's closed fist flew through
the air landing squarely on Andrew's nose. With a high pitched wail
Andrew flew backwards, blood spurting from his nostrils.

"Be gone with
you," Lord Michael ordered, "before I break every bone in your
heinous, rotten, spineless body!"

Rolling onto
his hands and knees Andrew looked up frantically for an escape
route. James stepped aside, gesturing for him to enter the opening
in the forest.

"Go! Crawl and
hide in the woods like the animal you are," James growled
loudly.

Andrew
scrambled away and Lord Michael followed, giving him a swift kick
in the backside, and as he scrabbled past James into the trees,
James did the same.

"If I ever see
you again I shall personally carry out Lord Michael's threat!" he
called after him. "If you know what's good for you, you'll leave
the county!"

Lord Michael
was already running back to Elizabeth. Lydia had lifted her up from
the waist by supporting her shoulders, and was holding a container
of water she had discovered in the strewn contents of the picnic
basket. Elizabeth's eyes were half open.

"Food. Is
there anything to eat in all this mess?" Lord Michael asked
urgently as he approached.

"Yes.
Sandwiches. Just a couple and they look a bit stale," Lydia
offered, pointing to some bread half wrapped in white paper.

"It doesn't
matter. It will help," he said, grabbing it and taking it to
Elizabeth's mouth. "Eat this," he said firmly.

"No - sick..."
she mumbled.

"Eat it -
right now," he said sternly.

She looked up
at him, trying to focus.

"Is it you? I
thought I was dreaming," she managed. "I'm so happy you're
here."

"Never mind
that. Eat," he pressed, and pinched her nose.

"Aarrgh," she
bleated, but opened her mouth. Lord Michael dropped in the bread
and released her nose.

"Chew and
swallow," he said, then taking over for Lydia, sat down and held
Elizabeth in his arms.

"Will she be
all right?" James asked, having reached the blanket shortly after
Lord Michael.

"She'll be
fine. Probably have a dreadful headache when she comes out of it
though. Thank goodness for you both. You saved her."

Feeding her
more bread and getting more water down her throat they were able to
get her up and walking. Lord Michael mounted Constance bareback,
and with some help from James was able to sit Elizabeth in front of
him. The mare could sense something was amiss and was a perfect
angel as they manoeuvred Elizabeth onboard.

James led Lord
Michael's horse across to where Zeus was tethered and picked up the
rope, then mounted Coalpepper and lead Zeus behind them. Lydia,
afraid to get on such a big animal as Coalpepper, even with James
aboard, chose to walk alongside.

By the time
they had reached the stable yard Elizabeth was fully awake but
feeling very ill indeed. Lord Michael helped her down into Lydia's
waiting arms, who sat her on a bale of hay. Roy took Constance and
called for some help and two young stable hands came running to
assist with the other horses.

"Elizabeth,"
he said, sitting next to her and taking her hand as Lydia settled
on her other side, "how are you feeling?"

"So dizzy,"
she moaned. "Dizzy and very strange."

Lord Michael
sighed deeply and shook his head. Andrew Carrington was lucky to
have escaped with just a broken nose.

"Lydia, please
stay with her. I'll only be a minute but there's something I must
do," he said, standing up.

"I'll stay
too."

James had
arrived, bringing with him a fresh canteen of water.

"Good -
water," Lord Michael commented. "Make sure she has as much as she
can."

James took his
seat next to his sister as Lord Michael walked to where the boys
were taking care of the horses.

"Roy, may I
have a private word," he asked, placing his hand on the young man's
shoulder.

"Of course,
Sir," Roy replied and followed Lord Michael over to a quiet corner
of the barn.

"I am hugely
indebted to you," Lord Michael began. "You may well have saved
Elizabeth's life today. At the very least you saved her from a
dreadful experience," he said gratefully.

Roy shuffled
his feet and looked at the ground.

"Sir, I'm very
fond of Miss Elizabeth. I'd do just about anything for her. Honest
I would," he replied, feeling overcome by Lord Michael's effusive
thanks, and quite humbled that he'd been so instrumental in
Elizabeth's rescue.

"It seems to
me that you deserve a place here. A real place. I've seen you ride
and you have no problem with any of the horses here, not even Zeus.
Am I correct about that?" Lord Michael asked.

"Zeus is easy
as pie," Roy answered. "As soon as he knows you're the boss he
settles right down."

"Excellent.
Roy, Elizabeth and I would like you to be the head horseman here,"
Lord Michael announced. "You shall receive a very good wage and a
much nicer cottage in which to live. You shall have new clothes and
I shall see to it that you receive lessons in reading and writing.
Would you like that?"

The young man
was so stunned he was at a complete loss for words, but the large
tears brimming in his eyes told Lord Michael everything the young
man was unable to say.

"You're most
welcome," Lord Michael said gently. "Once all this nonsense is over
we shall have a meeting here, then up at the house."

"Sir - I -
will not let you down, Sir," Roy finally managed, wiping his nose
with one sleeve and his eyes with the other.

"I am sure of
it," Lord Michael replied, and with a squeeze of his shoulder,
turned and marched back to Elizabeth.

Lydia was
sitting with her holding her hand and encouraging her to drink from
the flask, but James was pacing nervously, still agitated by the
events.

"Come along my
dear," Lord Michael said firmly. "Let's get you back to the house.
You need some strong tea, some food and rest. And then we're going
to have a very long conversation."

C
hapter Thirteen

The
Aftermath

Elizabeth was
sleeping. On the trek from the stable she had become violently ill.
When the episode passed she was too weak to walk and Lord Michael
picked her up and carried her to the house and up the stairs to her
quarters. Grace had undressed her and put her to bed, but Lord
Michael insisted Elizabeth have some tea and bread before being
allowed to sleep. Now he was changing and freshening up, ready for
a late lunch with James and Lydia, thanking God for the sharp eyes
and quick thinking that had saved her.