The Paradise Will (27 page)

‘I’m sorely tempted to go further and wring your neck, you young fool!’ retorted Gil through shut teeth, his eyes blazing.

‘I sympathize with the idea, but don’t think any useful purpose would be served by it, Gil,’ she said. The storm of anger began to die out of her face as she gave Piers a long measured glance. ‘It seems my cousin is already suffering torment because of his misdeeds. Piers, I’ve never seen you look so cowed. Your contrition is obviously no act and, quite apart from torturing yourself over your part in this, what fate might have befallen me, and being obliged to explain to Gil, no doubt confessing what you had done to Letty was a punishment akin to
tearing
out your heart with your bare hands,’ she observed intuitively.

‘It was,’ he admitted, with a shrug and a rueful sigh.

‘I thought so. How
did
Letty react?’

‘She was bitterly disappointed but has not rejected me. In fact – oh, she is an angel! I’m not worthy of her, damn it!’

‘At last you are talking sense,’ observed Alyssa tartly. ‘Of course you are not worthy of her regard now, but she obviously considers you might be in the future. You are a lucky man indeed to have gained her affection, and even more fortunate to retain it; don’t jeopardize that good fortune.’

‘I don’t intend to.’

‘Your behaviour I find hard to excuse but your remorse has the ring of truth,’ remarked Gil, subjecting him keen scrutiny. ‘And you acted promptly this
morning
.’

‘Deuced handsome of you to say so, after everything,’ said Piers, flushing again. ‘If Letty had been inside that barn, I’d want to murder whoever was responsible.’

‘Oh, I would still like to murder you – and Draper,’ Gil observed, his tone scathing. ‘I’m only prepared to show leniency because your cousin escaped unhurt. Had she been injured, or worse, I would have swiftly become your nemesis.’

‘Lord, I believe you would,’ replied Piers approvingly after a pause. He gave a reluctant laugh. ‘Knew you were a great gun the moment we met.’

‘Thank you for the compliment,’ said Gil, with awful sarcasm.

A tinge rose again to Piers’s cheeks. ‘Well, it’s true – and I’d far rather have you for a friend than an enemy, Gil.’

‘Then oblige me in not causing Alyssa anxiety again and you will find me the most affable of men.’

‘Piers, I don’t want to hear you talk of throwing yourself in the river,’ said Alyssa. ‘You have been excessively stupid and it is fortunate that there is no lasting harm done. The signs which tell me you are mending your ways are there and with Letty’s help, you can and will do well. For your sake – and hers – put your energies to that task and let it be recompense for what you have done. And we are family after all; Uncle Tom would not want us to be adversaries.’

He took both her hands between his and clasped them tightly. ‘You’re a
capital
girl, Coz! I owe you a debt of gratitude after cutting a sham like this. I had been thinking I might enlist to get away but that would have been deuced difficult because I’d have to buy a commission, and my scruples would not allow me to touch you for money after my curst folly.’

‘You considered joining the army as penance?’ said Alyssa, with a flicker of a smile.

‘Yes, although I wouldn’t have liked it above half,’ he admitted ruefully. ‘But I could not have stayed in England and would have sold my estate if necessary. There would have been nothing left for me here anyway if you and Letty had shunned me.’

‘Then it is as well you confessed, for I agree life in the army would not suit you at all,’ she said. ‘There is, however, one more thing I want you to do.’

‘Willingly, Coz – just ask.’

‘I leave it to you to ensure Draper is caught—’

‘But
I
had determined to deal with that scoundrel!’ interjected Gil, his eyes kindling.

‘Don’t you trust me to apprehend him?’ asked Piers in an aggrieved tone.

Gil’s lip curled. ‘No, by God, I don’t!’ he cried, savagely. ‘Why should I? Alyssa almost died today because
you
encouraged a dangerous man. Your cousin is
willing
to forgive you and I must concur with her wishes, but how can I have any confidence you will find Draper and deal with him appropriately? I prefer to oversee his capture and punishment personally.’

Alyssa laid a hand on his sleeve. ‘Well, I can see why you wish to Gil,’ she said calmly, ‘but as Piers has admitted to being the cause, I think he should be given the chance to bring the matter to a close, don’t you?’

‘Only if he can be relied on,’ came the sardonic response.

‘Damn it, I give you my word,’ said Piers, a mulish look about his mouth.

Gil surveyed him in silence. ‘You are prepared to swear it, as a gentleman?’

‘Yes!’ Piers snapped. ‘Despite what you may think, I do have some morals! You can leave the rogue to me and I will see that he receives suitable retribution—’

‘No: the law must decide his punishment,’ Alyssa interpolated, firmly.

‘But then I won’t have the satisfaction of dealing with the cur,’ argued Gil.

‘Nor I!’ cried Piers.

Alyssa, suddenly feeling very weary, gave an exasperated sigh. ‘I understand how you both feel – indeed, I share your impatience to see justice done – but arguing will not help,’ she said. ‘This matter must be settled in the proper way and not with violence.’ She raised her eyes to Gil’s face, and, taking his hand in hers, she pressed it, saying, ‘Please, let Piers find Draper.’

He looked down at her, and the fury in his eyes subsided as he caught her hands between his and kissed them. ‘Forgive me, my love,’ he said, instantly contrite. ‘It is unpardonable that we are squabbling like recalcitrant children when you are exhausted.’ With a shrug and a wry smile, he added, ‘Very well: since you think Piers should seek out Draper, and he has given his word, I must agree, albeit reluctantly.’

‘Then it is settled,’ she said, smiling warmly. ‘Piers, you will deliver Draper to the authorities.’

‘Consider it done,’ he said quietly, his glance at Gil a peculiar blend of remorse, indignation, and respect.

‘And, in spite of providing fare for the scandalmongers, I think you must also declare your part,’ said Alyssa.

‘Naturally; that was always my intention.’

‘You will have me to answer to if you do not,’ declared Gil, grimly. ‘However, leave Draper’s wife and family out of it – Alyssa and I will secure their
immediate
future. I don’t believe they knew of this, and he always treated them
abominably
; they do not deserve to find themselves in the poorhouse as a result of his exploits.’

‘I agree, and—’

Wearily, Alyssa interjected, ‘There is nothing more to be said at present, Piers. Go now – he cannot have travelled far – and come to Hawkscote later to tell us what success you have had.’

Piers nodded and extended his hand to Gil, who, after an infinitesimal pause, returned his grasp with a clipped smile even though his features were set in forbidding lines. Piers, grateful that this man whom he admired was still prepared to acknowledge him, then hurried away to collect his horse.

As she watched his retreating figure, Alyssa sighed and said, ‘Did I do the right thing, Gil? Should I have forgiven him so soon, if at all? He acted appallingly, but oh, he is good at heart, I’m sure of it, and he has learned a valuable lesson. I don’t believe he ever meant harm to befall me and he is still my cousin, indeed my only blood family now Uncle Tom is dead.’ Frowning, she added meditatively, ‘Yet perhaps I am allowing
who
he is to colour my judgement.’

Gil, who had been watching the expressions flit across her face rather than Piers’s departure, kissed her cheek. ‘You chose the right path, love,’ he said,
heavily
. ‘I am furious with him but, on measured consideration, it is better this way. He is eager to make amends and seems ultimately an honourable, if impulsive, young man. His conscience will prove more effective punishment than any we could administer. Let us hope it will also make him behave less like a peep-o-day boy from now on.’

‘And do not forget Letty – he loves her.’

‘If he truly cares, then he will strive for her good opinion, and love.’

There were shouts and cries from the far side of the field.

‘More help appears to have arrived at last,’ he said, eyeing the small crowd of farm workers hurrying towards them. His gaze wandered back to hers as he said softly, ‘Come, it’s time I took you home.’

Alyssa returned his smile and slipped her hand into his.

*

Gil still intended to obtain a special marriage licence and mentioned this to Alyssa after dinner on the evening following her rescue. Initially, she demurred over the extortionate cost of five pounds and suggested they could wait for the banns but he silenced her, first with a kiss, then by saying resolutely, ‘My love, twice I have almost lost you: once through your illness, the second time to the fire and I am not prepared to wait another three weeks to make you my wife. Besides,’ he continued, with a grin, ‘when my desire for you grows hourly, would you be so cruel as to prolong my agony?’

‘No, indeed!’ she said, smiling. ‘That would never do.’

‘Of course, if, after all my protestations, you still wish for the banns then so be it; I will perfectly understand if you want more time to make arrangements. The details are more important to a woman than a man, I believe.’

She shook her head. ‘I prefer a quiet ceremony and as it is not yet a year since Uncle Tom died, it would also be more appropriate.’ Alyssa, blushing rosily, then whispered, ‘It is shockingly forward to admit it but I-I desire you very much, Gil. A special licence will be just the thing.’

He made a low sound of approval before kissing her again.

Moments later, he asked, ‘My love, you understand Henry, as a local
magistrate
, is now aware of Draper’s crimes and your cousin’s role in the affair?’ When she nodded, he added, ‘Henry thinks Draper’s probable sentence will be
transportation
. With regard to Piers’s involvement, I believe we can trust Henry to be discreet.’

‘But what if Draper speaks of it?’

‘He may do so to try to save his own skin. He may even claim Piers was involved in the arson, but he was well known as a malcontent before this and no one will give his story credence. Besides, Piers committed no actual crime: he is only guilty of selfishness, and stupidity,’ he observed. ‘At least arrangements have been made for Draper’s wife and children; your idea to employ her as a
dairymaid
is an excellent one and means they will not be disadvantaged. Piers told me she was crying when he reached their cottage yesterday. Her brute of a spouse had only stayed long enough to collect a few clothes and then, without a word of explanation, tossed three shillings towards her and the children and left.’

‘Piers did well to find him so soon. I believe he was on the Salisbury road, making for London?’

‘Yes. He admitted his guilt almost immediately and did not resist, probably realizing to do so would be pointless when every farmhand and landowner for miles would be looking for him.’

‘Transportation to the colonies is not a pleasant thought,’ she observed, with a shiver.

‘No, but he will be considered lucky not to hang.’

She nodded, and gave a little sigh. ‘The children can attend school in Dorchester when everything is settled.’

‘You know I will help with setting up the school, but we have more important things to attend to first, love,’ he murmured, before his lips captured hers once more.

Alyssa sat in the large bedchamber on the west front of Eastcombe, sipping wine with Gil. Their marriage day had passed in a happy blur; now, dinner was over, the servants had retired and finally, they were alone. The glow of a spectacular sunset shimmered outside the open window and the warm evening air carried the scent of honeysuckle and stocks from the gardens below. They relaxed on the sofa, ostensibly to watch the sunset but more often to observe each other in the fading light.

The day had heightened Alyssa’s anticipation for the night to come. Gil’s eyes burnt with a fierce unadulterated passion which sent shudders of desire rippling through her body. The touch of his hand engendered the same effect, and as for his kisses … the sensations that pooled in her stomach when he kissed her were both delicious and shocking in their intensity. She sipped her wine and watched her new husband over the edge of her glass, her mouth curving with
amusement
.

‘Why do you smile,’ he murmured.

‘Because I am happy.’

Gil grinned. ‘And I, profoundly so, but something particular made you smile then,’ he said. ‘I know your smiles, my love, and adore them all, but I am
particularly
fond of that one.’

‘Which one?’ she teased.

‘You know exactly what I am referring to,
Wife
.’ His quiet purr made the final word a caress. ‘The smile which tells me an amusing thought crossed your mind.’

She pulled her face into an expression of dismay and fluttered her eyelashes. ‘Fie on you, sir! We have been married less than a day and already you can read my thoughts. Is a lady to have no secrets?’

‘None she need keep from her husband,’ he replied, a roguish gleam in his eye.

She laughed softly. ‘I was thinking I am glad you obtained a licence, otherwise we would still not be married.’

‘And you would be at Hawkscote, while I—’ He leaned closer and continued, ‘I would be lying alone in my bed dreaming of you as I have done every night since we met. But tonight’ – he nuzzled tiny kisses along her jaw – ‘you are here and I don’t have to dream any longer.’

‘Neither do I,’ she whispered, contentedly. After a pause, she said, ‘You know Gil, he did not say it but I could tell Piers was pleased I asked him to give me away.’

Gil leaned his head against the cushions, glass of wine in one hand, Alyssa’s fingers clasped in the other. ‘He did seem pleased,’ he admitted. ‘And despite being somewhat preoccupied myself during the ceremony, I noticed he could not take his eyes from Letty.’