The Rake's Rebellious Lady (14 page)

Caroline nodded, following her brother into Tom’s bedchamber. He had been sitting up and reading a book, but he threw it down with a joyful cry as he saw Nicolas.

‘Thank goodness you are here,’ he said. ‘Perhaps you can convince Mama that I am not on my deathbed, Nicolas. It is true that I have a little pain still, and my arm feels awkward in this splint, but I shall expire of boredom if I am forced to stay here for two days. I am promised to Bollingbrook next weekend and that only gives me a few days to enjoy myself.’

‘Indulge her for one day,’ Nicolas advised. ‘By what I hear, you were lucky to escape so easily and will need to rest for a while, otherwise you may find yourself fainting. And that, dear brother, would cause our much-loved mama to go into a decline herself.’

‘No, I do not think so,’ Caroline said, eyes sparkling. Her mood of despondence had been lifted by Nicolas’s arrival.
‘She has seemed much better of late, brighter in herself and happier. I think she has a secret admirer…’

‘Mama—an admirer?’ the brothers exclaimed in unison. ‘You are roasting us, Caroline!’

‘No, indeed I am not,’ she said. ‘Please say nothing to her yet, for she has not told me anything, but I have met him once or twice now…and she likes him. I think he likes her very much, but I do not know how far they have progressed.’

‘I thought it was you who came here to catch a husband,’ Nicolas said and laughed in delight. ‘Well, if I ever heard such a blessed thing! I should be much pleased if she were to take him. I think she and Papa went on tolerably well, but it wasn’t all April and May with them, and she has been down in the dumps since he died. Yes, it would be a good thing for her.’

‘That is how I feel,’ Caroline said, ‘but I am not sure there is anything to celebrate yet. It may all fall through.’

‘Good for her,’ Tom said. ‘You may not know this, either of you—but Aunt Louisa has been bullying her into making a home with her when I marry or before that if she can persuade her to it.’

‘Good grief,’ Nicolas said and looked revolted. ‘Poor Mama would be truly under the cat’s paw. We must save her from that at all costs.’

‘I think she would not like it at all,’ Caroline said. ‘She spoke wistfully of living in a cottage so that she might live as she pleased, but I think Mr Milbank is wealthy enough to provide her with a decent home of her own.’

‘I can see you have been busy, little puss,’ Nicolas said. ‘Now tell me, how did you come to be in town, Tom—and why do you have to visit Grandfather next weekend?’

‘Grandfather stumped up the readies to settle most of my
debts and allow me a short visit to town,’ Tom said. ‘He has asked me to do something for him in return, and I think I shall, though it means I shall have to go abroad for a while.’

‘Shall you like that?’ Caroline asked, recalling how upset Julia had been when he was hurt. ‘Would it not affect plans for—?’ She broke off because she had no idea whether or not her brother returned Miss Fairchild’s affections.

‘I have no immediate plans for the future, except to put the estate into good heart,’ Tom said with a slight frown. ‘I could not think of marriage until I could support a wife, if that is what you were wondering, Caroline. Mama has no need to rush into anything, though I would be happy to see her settled if she wished it—but I am not on the catch for a rich wife, or a wife at all for the moment.’

‘Oh, I see,’ Caroline said and felt sorry for her friend, because it was obvious that her brother was too proud to ask Julia to be his wife, at least until he had something more than a rundown estate to offer her. ‘Well, you must do as you please, of course.’

As she finished speaking, their mother came into the room. She was delighted to see all her family together, and immediately charged Nicolas with taking his sister to the ball that evening.

‘Tom was to have come with us, you see,’ she said, ‘but I am sure Lady Jersey will be only too happy to accept you in his place. I shall stay here, of course, in case my son needs me, but Louisa will go.’

‘Why do you not let me stay with you, Mama?’ Caroline asked. ‘I am sure Nicolas may find his own amusement for one night.’

‘No, dearest,’ her mother said. ‘It is a matter of choice, and I
shall not be entirely alone. A friend has promised to call, just for a few minutes. We shall have a quiet supper together, and talk…’

‘Mama, do tell,’ Caroline said, mischief in her eyes. ‘Is it Mr Milbank?’

Marianne flushed and then smiled. ‘I can see you have guessed it, Caroline, and since we are all together, I must confess that Herbert has asked me if I will consent to be his wife. I have asked him here this evening to give him his answer—and now, perhaps you will all have your say?’

‘You should marry him, Mama,’ Caroline said. ‘He seems a pleasant gentleman and likes you very well.’

‘Take the fellow,’ Nicolas said and grinned wickedly. ‘You are too young to wear the weeds for ever, Ma.’

‘Marry him if you wish,’ Tom said, ‘but there will always be a home for you with me, Mama, whatever happens.’

‘Bless you, dearest,’ Marianne said, looking at Tom. ‘But I must tell you that I feel happier now than I have for a long time. Papa and I did well enough together, and I was fond of him until he died—I would not want any of you to think that I had entirely forgot your father.’

‘We should not have thought anything of the sort,’ Caroline said. ‘I hope you will take Mr Milbank, Mama.’

‘Well, it is you it will affect most,’ Marianne told her daughter. ‘If you do not form an attachment this time, you will be obliged to live under his roof, which he is very happy for you to do—so you must not think you are forced to accept an offer you cannot like. I think you would be well suited with a certain gentleman if he should offer, but there is no saying he will.’

‘What is this?’ Nicolas asked, mischief in his eyes. ‘You did not tell me this, Caroline!’

‘Well, there was too much else to say,’ she replied. ‘But if you would like to take me driving this afternoon, I shall tell you all there is to know.’

‘G
eorge, a moment if you please!’ Freddie hailed his friend as he saw him leaving the premises of a gentleman’s hat shop in Brook Street. He ran across the road, dodging between the traffic to catch him. ‘How is Julia today? I trust she took no harm yesterday?’

‘No, no, I do not think it,’ George said with a little frown. ‘She was merely distressed. It was a shocking thing to happen. You do not know any more concerning the incident, I suppose?’

‘I have made further inquiries and it is quite certain that the rope had been tampered with, as we suspected. It must have happened under our noses, for Jackson swears that it was sound when he began to set up the balloon and I trust him completely. However, with so many people milling around before the flight, it might have been anyone. I do not imagine we shall discover the culprit, for we have nothing to go on. It was fortunate that things were no worse. Despite her denials, I am sure that Caroline was much shaken, and bruised, and Tom must think himself lucky he is no worse.’

‘Miss Holbrook was very brave and acted with calm good sense. But why should anyone want to hurt her—or her brother, for that matter?’ George looked puzzled.

‘I have no idea,’ Freddie said with a frown. ‘However, I intend to make inquiries into this affair. It will not stop here.’

‘No, it cannot,’ George agreed. ‘I don’t suppose it was aimed at someone else…?’ He lifted his brows.

‘Exactly,’ Freddie said. ‘I was meant to be in that balloon with Miss Holbrook.’

‘Then you think it may have been aimed at you?’ George was shocked and stared at him incredulously. ‘Although she could easily have been killed—both of you might have died, to say nothing of Jackson. If that is the case, you have a dangerous enemy, Freddie. He is ruthless and cares not who he harms.’

‘Yes, unless it was merely a malicious act from a mindless idiot who did not understand what he did.’

‘You think it might be simply that?’ George raised his brows. ‘But why would anyone do such a thing?’

‘At this moment I have no idea, but I intend to discover the truth. We want no more
accidents
, George. I shall set an agent to work to discover what he may and I think I may take a trip out of town myself.’

‘Were you thinking of going immediately?’

‘Why do you ask?’ Freddie saw something in his friend’s eyes. ‘Spit it out, man. It clearly bothers you.’

‘There are some spiteful rumours circulating, Freddie—about Miss Holbrook…’

‘You mean because of that business with the balloon, I suppose? I know it was a little bold of her, but surely nothing that could cause her to be censured?’

‘That and other things…’ George frowned. ‘Apparently,
she was seen alone at the inn, coming from the bedchamber. Obviously, she had been with her brother, so that may be set to rights easily enough, but it seems that she was also seen leaving an inn early one morning quite recently…with you.’

‘Damn!’ Freddie glared at him so fiercely that George was taken aback.

‘Didn’t mean to offend you, old fellow. Dare say it is all lies?’

‘That is the devil of it,’ Freddie said. ‘I did take her to an inn—and that’s not the worst of it, George. I took her to a mill and she was dressed as a youth.’

‘That was somewhat reckless of you, Freddie.’

‘I know it,’ he said with a rueful smile. ‘She demanded it of me in settlement of a wager, George—but that is no excuse. I admit that I was at fault. I wanted to see if she would dare and she did! Sneaked out in borrowed clothes, as game as anything. We left before the fight finished, as it happens—but she would have seen it out if I’d let her.’

‘She is very spirited,’ George said, ‘but quite innocent, you know. It would be a sad thing if she were to lose her reputation for a lark, Freddie.’

‘Yes, you are right, of course,’ Freddie replied. ‘This other business must wait for the moment. There is something I must do first…’

* * *

‘That was no accident,’ Nicolas said and frowned as he looked at his brother when they were alone. ‘Caro told me the rope had been deliberately frayed. It must have been done in the hope of causing harm—either to you or Caroline.’

‘But it was a last-minute decision,’ Tom said, wrinkling his brow. ‘That I should go up with her, I mean. It was to have been Sir Frederick.’

‘Damn it!’ Nicolas was concerned, angry. ‘She might have been killed! I cannot think that Caroline has an enemy…but it might have been intended for Rathbone. Besides, he is to blame for risking her safety in that ridiculous thing!’

‘No, no,’ Tom said. ‘I do not think you can blame him for this, Nicolas. Caroline teased him into letting her go up and he would have been with her had I not intervened.’

‘Then the intended victim must have been Sir Frederick…’ Nicolas frowned. ‘Though I cannot think why anyone might want to harm our sister in the process.’

‘It might have something to do with the money…’ Tom mused thoughtfully. ‘Grandfather has decided to leave a large chunk of his fortune to us—not the entail, of course, but it is a sizeable amount as I understand it.’

‘You mean to suspect our uncles—cousins?’ Nicolas looked dubious. ‘I know they are not exactly fond—but murder?’

‘No, of course not. Uncle Sebastian will get what is his, naturally. The entail cannot be broken, nor should it. Uncle Claude will also get something—the London house and a small estate in Cornwall, which came to Bollingbrook through his second wife, I believe. However, there is someone else who might stand to gain if we were not around when Grandfather dies.’

‘I don’t understand you,’ Nicolas said. ‘Who could possibly benefit?’

‘I dare say Grandfather won’t mind me telling you this much in the circumstances,’ Tom said. ‘There is a fellow in Jamaica who might benefit if the named heirs were dead. I suppose he
is
an uncle of sorts, though illegitimate. Grandfather wants me to sell the plantation out there and I’m to do something for this uncle fellow.’

‘You mean the old gentleman had another son in Jamaica?’ Nicolas was fascinated, his eyes bright with amusement. ‘He hasn’t been out to the plantation since before he married our grandmother. I understood he had left the management of his property there to his overseer…’

‘It is a wonder that there is anything left to sell, for it has been shamefully neglected,’ Tom observed. ‘But it seems that the man was entirely trustworthy. Now he has died and Grandfather says it is time to sell. Whatever I get for it will come to me, and that may be very little. Apparently Grandfather had property elsewhere, which did not come to him through the estate. It was sold some years ago and the money invested safely. Caroline is to have something and you, I imagine—but there should be a couple of hundred thousand pounds, and Grandfather is determined that his elder sons shall not touch a penny of it. I think he intends to divide it between us and the fellow in Jamaica.’

‘Good grief!’ Nicolas ejaculated, feeling astonished at the size of the bequest. ‘Now that alters things somewhat. As lazy as he undoubtedly is, even Uncle Sebastian might consider stirring himself for that kind of money.’

‘No, you cannot think it? His wife was an heiress and both daughters married well. Come to think of it, Uncle Claude married to advantage and he has but one daughter. Grandfather gave her ten thousand when she married.’ Tom frowned. ‘I cannot say with any certainty that it was truly an attempt on Caroline’s life or mine. Besides, Uncle Sebastian has no sons at present and the Bollingbrook estate may well come to me in the end—or you, if I die.’

‘But if it were the bastard…surely he is in Jamaica? And surely you would be his intended victim, not Caroline!’

‘He may not be in Jamaica. Apparently, he wrote to Grandfather a while back and told him that he intended to visit England and that he would call on him.’

‘Do you think his letter was intended as a threat of some kind? I dare say he might think himself ill used if nothing has been done for him.’

‘Yes, that was in my mind,’ Tom said.

Nicolas frowned. ‘Shall you risk going out to Jamaica?’

‘I think I must. The overseer’s daughter is to marry, and she wants to know if her future husband may purchase the estate. An offer has been made, but it is paltry. I must see what can be done elsewhere.’

‘You will need someone to watch your back.’

‘Any ideas?’

‘I might have. I shall ask around and see if I can find a suitable man for you. You need an old soldier, Tom. A man you can trust in a fight.’ Nicolas was thoughtful. ‘Meanwhile, you must take more care—you and Caroline.’

* * *

‘I trust I may rely on you to behave yourself this evening?’ Lady Taunton looked at Caroline with something not far from dislike. ‘We can only hope that the rumours circulating town have not become so strong that we shall be asked to leave. The patronesses of Almack’s are extremely strict, as you very well know, and if you are treated with some coolness you have only yourself to blame. The very idea of going up in a balloon! It is not the behaviour expected of a respectable young lady, I can tell you. And as for being seen coming from the bedchamber of an inn alone…’ She clicked her tongue in disgust. ‘It is no wonder if people are talking.’

‘I promise you that I shall be circumspect this evening,’ Caroline replied, feeling unusually chastened.

‘We must hope that that is an end to it,’ Lady Taunton replied with a sour look. ‘All I ask is that you do not disgrace me, Caroline.’

It was not to be expected that Caroline went with a light heart to the assembly that evening. Her mother had declined to accompany them, because she was worried about Tom, who seemed a little less well that day, but she would not hear of Caroline staying at home.

‘You must go, my dear,’ she insisted. ‘Especially if there are silly rumours circulating. To stay at home might cause people to think they were true.’

Caroline knew that her mother was right. To stay away when she had been given vouchers would look as if she had something to hide. It was usually a very insipid evening, for she knew that Sir Frederick would not be there. Mr Bellingham had told her that Sir Frederick had never attended these gatherings, had not done so since he was first on the town. The most that she could hope for was to dance twice with Mr Bellingham and perhaps stand up for a waltz or two with others of her friends, for there was often more ladies than gentlemen present.

She wished that she might have seen Sir Frederick—she was afraid that he was still angry with her and that had left her feeling rather low. Since the incident at the balloon ascension, he had seemed to change towards her—what could have happened? And why did she mind so much?

Caroline was aware of something different as she went into the ballroom with her aunt. People turned their heads to look at her and she heard a little buzz of noise, as if they were whis
pering. For a minute or two she and her aunt stood alone, and then Mr Bellingham brought Julia across to speak to them.

Caroline’s cheeks were a little warm, for her friends usually surrounded her as soon as she entered a room; she felt wretched, for clearly her aunt had been right. After a moment, one or two others drifted over to join them and she began to feel better. However, she was aware of an odd atmosphere, and even when Sally Jersey came over to speak to her, she felt that there was something a little chilly in that lady’s manner.

Caroline lifted her head and danced with George, determined to brave the evening out whatever happened. He, of course, was just as usual, making her laugh and complimenting her on her gown so that she began to relax a little and wonder if she had imagined that she was being given the cold shoulder by some of the older ladies. It was just as their dance was drawing to a close that she heard a little gasp of surprise that seemed to echo from the assembled company as one. And then, turning her head towards the door, she saw that a gentleman had entered, accompanied by an elderly lady.

‘Good grief!’ Bellingham said, clearly startled. ‘I never thought I would see the day. Freddie here and his godmother too! He intends business…’

‘What do you mean?’ Caroline asked, looking at him.

‘Lady Stroud hardly ever attends this sort of affair these days,’ George said. ‘She was one of the leading hostesses of her day, of course—a stickler in all matters of propriety. Clever devil!’ A look of appreciation had entered his eyes.

‘I do not understand…’ Caroline said, her voice fading as he nodded at her encouragingly, a flicker of amusement in his eyes. She began to see what he was getting at. ‘Oh…’

‘Trust Freddie to see you right, m’dear,’ George said and smiled at her. ‘Knows he got you into it, up to him to see you safe.’

‘No, please…’ Caroline said, her cheeks becoming hot. This was dreadful! George was suggesting that it was up to Freddie to make her an offer because he had compromised her, and that wasn’t right at all. ‘It was all my fault. He mustn’t—’

‘Freddie might be a bit reckless, careless, even, at times,’ George said, still smiling rather oddly at her. ‘But he knows what is expected of a gentleman—and he is fond of you, m’dear. He’ll see you right and tight.’

Caroline knew that he was leading her towards Sir Frederick and Lady Stroud. She wanted to break away from him and seek a place to hide, but his hold on her arm was quite firm and it was clear that there was no escape for her.

‘Lady Stroud,’ George said. ‘May I say that I am delighted to see you here this evening, ma’am. It is too seldom that we see you in company these days.’ He looked at Caroline. ‘May I present you to a young lady I admire, ma’am? This is Miss Caroline Holbrook.’

‘I am aware of the gel’s name,’ Lady Stroud said a little testily, her steely gaze fixed on Caroline’s face as she addressed her godson. ‘Pretty enough, I’ll grant you that, Freddie. I dare say you’ll know how to steady her.’ She fixed Caroline with a bayonet look. ‘A spirited gel, so my godson says. He often talks a great deal of nonsense, but in this instance I have been prepared to listen to him. Miss Holbrook, I believe they are about to play a waltz. I give you permission to dance with Rathbone. Off you go, now, and try to look as if it pleases you.’