Her father looked pleased as Punch.“Your Aunt Abbie shall be called upon to assist you with yourbridal clothes and the other necessities.”
Erin glanced at Harry. They had lessthan a week to come up with an alternate scheme. “Are you planningto leave today, Sir Ambrose?”
Sir Ambrose beamed. “Don’t wish to seeHarold go, eh? Won’t be long before you two can be together as manand wife, m’dear.”
“Sir Ambrose has decided tospend another night,” her father said. “So that you and Harold canenjoy one more evening together.”
Harry grinned at her. “What shall weplay after dinner? Draughts? Cards, chess?”
She was suddenly suspicious. Itoccurred to her that Harry was becoming more reconciled to the ideaof their marriage. Was he merely pretending to find a way out? Mencould continue their lives as comfortably after marriage as theycould before it. He would just tuck her away somewhere and join hisfriends in London.
She smiled sweetly. “You haven’t metmy horse, Jessie. It’s light enough outside for a walk to thestables after dinner. May I show her to you?”
“Really Erina, that horseof yours…” Her father clamped his lips, no doubt fearing she’dpresent as an unattractive horsey female to Sir Ambrose, as ifbeing too tall wasn’t bad enough.
Harry looked startled but recoveredquickly. “But of course. Look forward to it.”
Chapter Five
Jack hunched his shoulders as icywater dripped down the back of his neck from the trees arching overthe road. With a few miles to go, the journey to Ivywood Hall wasproving unpleasant but thankfully uneventful. Rain drizzled on andoff as the well-sprung coach ploughed through potholes filled withmuddy water. No highwaymen or any other person foolish enough to beabroad on such a night, had thus far appeared to confrontthem.
While he rode behind the coach, heconsidered his plans. It seemed that his services would not berequired for more than a day at most. Apparently, LadyButterstone’s brother was expected. He could well arrive beforenightfall. Whatever lay behind the attack on Lord Butterstone, itwas none of Jack’s business, and he was eager to get back on theroad. Jack didn’t want to become enmeshed in their grief. He wasescaping London to contend with his own.
The night sky lightened to a violetgray as they entered the elaborate gates of the Hall. Ahead of him,the carriage lamps faded with the first signs of dawn along a roadas straight as an arrow, surrounded by acres of lawns and finetrees. Highlighted against the sky, stood a tall, elongated shape:Ivywood Hall.
The Hall revealed itself as theyapproached, pale stone tinged with pink by the rising sun,perfectly symmetrical, immense, and grand, and not unlike Stamford,his father’s ducal seat. Braziers burned along the front andcandlelight still flickered in the long windows. From beneath thetowering portico, a short darkly clad figure emerged to greetthem.
The coach pulled up onto the carriagecircle before the house. With a pat on Arion’s neck, Jackdismounted. Bone-weary, he imagined the occupants of the coach wereno better. A fair-haired footman yawning behind a hand, had joinedthe butler, and came forward to put down the steps.
Lady Ashley descended first, dressedin a fur trimmed pelisse and hat. “Thank you for seeing us safelyhome, Captain Ryder. My mother and I felt a little easier knowingyou were there.”
Jack removed his hat. Bowed. “You’rewelcome, my lady.”
While the footman assisted her mother,Lady Ashley addressed the butler. “We bear the most dreadful news,Billings. I shall explain inside.”
Billings watched the despairing LadyButterstone leave the empty coach. “I expected you home hours ago,my lady,” he said. “The trunks, the maids and his lordship’s valethave arrived.” Billings glanced anxiously at Jack.
“This gentleman is CaptainRyder,” Lady Ashley said. “He has kindly escorted us home. Herequires food and a bed. Would you see to it?”
“Yes, milady.” Beside theyouthful broad-shouldered footman, Billings looked aged andsomewhat confused. “Sir, the stable groom will see to yourhorse.”
“Thank you but I prefer todo it.”
Billings nodded and assisted histeary-eyed mistress into the house to learn the worst.
Lady Ashley’s finely boned face waspinched with strain and sorrow. After watching her enter the house,stiff-backed and determined, Jack smoothed his hair, replaced hishat, and walked Arion along the gravel drive in the same directionthe coach had taken. His thoughts turned to breakfast, hoping foreggs and bacon and a pile of toast; kippers may be, plus goodstrong coffee. Something to set him up for the road ahead. A fewhours’ sleep beforehand would be welcome.
The crunch of a vehicle’s wheels onthe gravel carriageway awakened Jack. It was past noon; the sun waslow on the horizon sinking into the west. Raised voices brought himto the window of the bedroom assigned to him. A coach stood beforethe house while footmen and grooms scurried around.
Jack dressed quickly and went into thecorridor. Below him, in the marble-tiled entry hall, a group ofpeople gathered around Lady Ashley. He remained where he was at thebannister not wishing to intrude if Lady Butterworth’s brother hadarrived.
Lady Ashley raised her head. Saw him.One glance at her anguished face and he ran down thestairs.
~~~
In the stables, Harry stroked thesleek neck of Erina’s bay, Jessie. “Nice mare. Now, why are wehere?”
In the feeble light cast by thelantern, she couldn’t read his expression. But it didn’t matter.She’d made up her mind. “I wanted to tell you what I’ve decided.Thought I should although I don’t really owe youanything.”
