A Shadow's Bliss (25 page)

“Or some scheme of Prince Frederick's,” said Morris. “He'd purely delight to overthrow his father.”

Jonathan pointed out, “But both Pitt and Prince Frederick are themselves aristocrats.”

“As are the members of the League of Jewelled Men,” agreed Falcon.

Trying to comprehend it all, Jonathan asked, “How are you able to act against so secret a group?”

“You saw the list of those we know about, or suspect,” said Falcon. “The names crossed out are former members—now dead. The Squire don't condone failure. As for the rest, we keep watch on them, and try to circumvent their ploys wherever we can.”

Morris put in brightly, “Been lucky here and there. I think they don't love us.”

“Then they know who you are?” Jonathan exclaimed, “Jove! I wonder they haven't had you all killed!”

“I think they dare not—at least not too obviously,” said Falcon. “Gideon Rossiter, he's our leader, has lodged some accusations at Whitehall. We've been laughed at, but a number of people know of our beliefs. If we were to be murdered, the authorities might really start to see the light.”

“Trouble is,” Morris observed with a sigh, “‘to a mole there's no such thing as a rainbow.'”

Falcon moaned at the ceiling, and said bitterly, “If you decide to join us, John Coachman, you shall have to endure his rubbishing homilies.”

“What Lord Haughty-Snort didn't tell you,” said Morris, suddenly very serious, “is that they
have
tried for us. Been a close-run thing now and then.”

“So there you have it,” said Falcon. “Are you with us?”

Jonathan said eagerly, “If you'll have me, you may believe I am!”

*   *   *

Wandering among the rather stifling greenery, Jennifer tried not to allow imagination to get the best of her. Jonathan should have been able to search the rooms of Mr. Falcon and Lieutenant Morris by this time. In fact, he should have been able to search every room on the third floor! It was silly to be so apprehensive. If he'd been caught there would have been an uproar, and she'd heard nothing untoward. Oh dear, oh dear, how dreadful was this waiting! If only—

The door opened. With a gasp of relief she hurried around the end of the narrow pathway.

Looking cool and pretty in a lime green brocade gown with a train of sweeping Watteau pleats, Caroline Morris exclaimed, “So here you are! I have been searching forever! One of the footmen said you had something to show me.” She peered about curiously, “Is it in here?”

Jennifer faltered, “Er—no. That is—I had told my coachman to bring his pet so I might show it to you, but I think someone must have commandeered him.” She saw the puzzlement in her friend's eyes and added, “I have wanted to see the conservatory, so I—” From the corner of her eye she saw the door swing open once again, and said a relieved, “Ah, here he is! Whatever became of you, Coachman?”

Jonathan answered respectfully, “Mr. Falcon was admiring Duster, ma'am. My apologies an I kept you waiting.”

“Fetch it here,” said Caroline. “Oh, what a funny little creature. I never saw the like. Is it true they can talk?” She bent to peer in the cage. “Pre-tty bir-die. Say ‘pre-tty bir—'” She uttered a small scream as Duster, leaning to look up at her, lost his balance and toppled from his perch. “It is
deformed!
” she wailed. “Ugh, how horrid!”

Jennifer apologized, and said, “Coachman, take it away. And do not forget that I wish to ride in the morning and shall require your escort. Pray have the horses ready by seven o'clock.”

He bowed and drew back as they swept past. Caroline held a dainty kerchief to shield her eyes from the terrible sight of Duster, allowing Jennifer to meet Jonathan's gaze with one of anxious questioning. He smiled and winked reassuringly.

Lady Morris came towards them, already dressed for dinner in a charming rose satin gown with very wide panniers. Looking past the two girls, she said, “Is that not your coachman, Jennifer? Why is he inside the house? Oh—is this the bird I've heard of? You may fetch it here, Coachman.”

“No, no, Mama,” said Caroline, shuddering. “It has a twisted foot. Perfectly horrid!”

“What a ninny you are, child! Of course 'tis spoilt. How else should a servant afford to buy such a rare creature?” Her ladyship stooped to view Duster. “Why does it rush about so? Can it talk, Coachman?”

Jonathan said quietly, “I've not been able to coax a word out of it, my lady.”

Surprised by his cultured accent, she straightened and fixed him with a keen stare. “Your voice is likely too deep for it to hear. Hold the cage higher.” He did as she asked, and she called in a high-pitched cooing tone, “Hel-lo, bird. Say ‘hel-lo … Hel-lo…'” Caroline, standing at a safe distance, began to giggle. My lady dismissed her, advised Jonathan that he had a stupid pet, and sent him off. “A word with you, Jennifer,” she added.

Obediently, Jennifer walked slowly beside her hostess. Maids and footmen were beginning to bustle about now, and voices could be heard as preparations went forward for the dinner ceremony.

Lady Morris asked about Sir Vinson and his sons, and expressed an interest in Lord Green's plans to reopen the Blue Rose. “Such a generous creature,” she said. “It will be a great thing for the tinners, you know. I fancy you must be prodigious grateful to him.”

Jennifer hesitated.

“Oh, how clumsy of me to speak of the mine! I had quite forgot that dreadful accident. Poor child.” Lady Morris squeezed Jennifer's arm and added coyly, “But perchance there is a Prince Charming waiting around the bend, after all. And from all I hear, an exceeding wealthy one, eh?”

‘Prince Charming?'
thought Jennifer. ‘That revolting baron?' She felt affronted, and said, “Not that I am aware, ma'am.”

“Yet you blush, you sly minx! Well, I'll not tease you. We shall turn the subject. This coachman of yours. He is an educated man, no?”

‘Eton, and Addiscombe College,' thought Jennifer proudly. But that was Johnny's business, and she said, “He speaks like one, certainly. But we know very little of him. An injury of some kind robbed him of his memory.”

“Good gracious! An afflicted man with an afflicted bird. How very odd. Surely Sir Vinson must know something of the fellow, else he'd never have allowed him to drive you.”

Her eyes seemed very piercing. Jennifer wondered angrily if Tilly had been sharing confidences in the servants' hall. “All we know, ma'am, is that he is an honest worker and a fine craftsman. In fact, he built the furniture for my school.” She could have bitten her tongue for having mentioned her “lowering” interest in the village children, and hurried on, “And he has besides done some translating for Fleming, which has pleased him, so—”

“
Translating?
Is he proficient in a foreign language?”

“My brother says his pronunciation is not good, but—yes, he can read Latin.”

“Well, well. Fancy that…” Lady Morris looked thoughtful, then said as if recollecting herself, “Er, there is something odd there, my dear. Be on your guard. Faith, but I cannot think where your father has stored his wits! Lord Kenneth would
never
permit that such a misfit be employed! Of course, all great houses are not run in the same way, but…”

She rambled on and on.

Keeping meekly silent, Jennifer sent up a small prayer concerning tomorrow's weather.

C
HAPTER
XI

When she reached the cluster of standing stones near the edge of the cliff, Jennifer drew her rather somnolent gelding to a halt, and slid from the saddle. Jonathan rode up and looked down at her gravely.

Gathering the reins, she said, “Oh, do get down and come and talk to me! I have worried and worried. Why you must persist in keeping behind me all the way here, I do not know! Lots of grooms ride beside their ladies.”

“But many would not consider me to be a groom. It were wiser for me to stay mounted. If anyone should see us—”

“Who is to see us? There is not another soul for miles, I dare swear. Johnny—please…”

He sighed and swung down with easy grace. Tethering the horses to a shrub, he said, “But you must not come near to me, because—” And turning, he found her breast to breast with him, her eyes tender with love.

“Because—what, my very dear?” she murmured, her hands sliding up his shoulders.

He gave a gasp and wrenched away. “You know—why.”

She was beside him again at once. “Dearest, I—”

“Jennifer—do not.” Stern and unbending he gazed at the far horizon. “Don't make me add to my shame.”

“I am a selfish woman.” She caressed his averted cheek. “I refuse to marry my only suitor, so I shall never marry. If this is—is to be my only time for happiness, Johnny, do not deny me.” And when he still refused her attempt to turn his head towards her, she said wistfully, “Never be afraid, my dear. When you have cleared your name, I won't really demand that you wed me.”

At that he did turn, to face her with blazing angry eyes, and to grip her arms hard. “How
dare
you think such things! If ever my name could be cleared the greatest joy of my life would be … to…”

She leaned to him, but though every fibre of his being longed to hold her close, he held her away. Surely, this was the cruellest part of his punishment. For so long he had dreamed of such a moment, without the faintest hope that it would ever come to be. But the miracle had happened; against all reason this pure and lovely girl offered him the wonder of her love. And Fate decreed that he must leave her. Surely everyone had a right to some happy moments? And if those moments were to be brief and few, had they not the right to gather them as though they were the jewels of life, to be marvelled at and cherished, and called back to warm the heart through all the empty years ahead? He gazed down at her and she smiled up at him. His heart ached with love for her. Involuntarily, his fingers were tracing the beautiful curves of her lips. He whispered her name and her arms slid up around his neck. She was soft and warm and yielding against him. Her hands were pulling his head down … Her eyes closed, her rosy lips slightly parted, she lifted her bewitching face. And he was lost. With a muffled cry he wrapped his arms around her and restraint was swept away. All his long repressed adoration went into that kiss so that when at last their crushing embrace ended, she was weak and breathless, and clung to him feebly, while he kissed her brow and her eyelids and her throat.

“Johnny,” she gasped. “Oh, my Johnny…”

As shaken as she, he thrust her from him, and after a moment said harshly, “You must be stark raving mad. You've not a hope in hell to bring it off…!”

*   *   *

“Thank heaven! How you frightened me!”

Jennifer's face was blurred and deathly pale. Inexplicably, she was bending over him, pressing a wet handkerchief to his forehead. Equally inexplicably, he lay on the turf. Awareness came, and with it mortification. He groaned and sat up. The cliffs and the standing stones swung sickeningly. Jennifer's arm was about him. Resting his head on her shoulder, he said wretchedly, “I did it again, didn't I?”

She pressed a kiss on his temple, and said with a quivering attempt at a laugh, “I'd not dreamed my kiss would have such an effect on you, love.”

Dreading her answer, he asked, “Was I—very bad?”

“Fortunately I have brothers who often fail to guard their tongues before me. You—you've a remarkable store of oaths, Johnny.”

“Oh, my dear! I am so sorry. Was … was I cursing anyone in particular?” He sat up straighter, and daring to glance at her gave a cry of horror. “Dear God! I
struck
you!”

She touched the burning ache on her cheekbone. “Never look so stricken. 'Twas not me you attacked, but another lady. My goodness, how I had to fight you! I hope your Mimi knew how to defend herself.”

His eyes dilating, he stared at her. “Please—tell me what I said.”

“You informed me that I must be raving mad, and said I would never be able to bring something off. Then, while I was wondering whatever you meant, you went down. I ran to find some water, and when I came back and tried to tend you, you were raving.”

He touched her cheek remorsefully. “My poor girl. What did I rave about?”

“It was…”—she knit her brows—“all jumbled up. Something to do with reefing the sails, and mumbles about the hold and the cargo, and that
they
would know. You kept shouting that. ‘They'll know! They'll know!' You were clutching your head, as though it pained you terribly, and then you were whispering about changing course, and saying ‘No more, Mimi.' That's when you began to fight.”

“Is that—all?”

“Yes, I think so. It was—er, rather hectic now and then.”

“So I see. Do you understand now what a—a menace I am?”

“What stuff!” She touched his head lovingly. “I understand that this dear article was damaged and is, I think, trying to tell you something. Have you said the same things in your other attacks?”

“I'm not sure. Father Mason said I used shocking language. The people in Garrison Pen said I was—possessed. I … can scarce blame them.”

“I can blame them! They almost killed you, and only because you were ill! Poor darling, when I think what you've suffered,” her hand clenched, she said fiercely, “I could strangle them!”

He took that small fist and pressed it to his lips. “How very good you are, not to be disgusted by—by such a stupid performance. I can only be grateful that it was a mild attack compared to some. At least, I didn't start climbing, or go rushing off.”

“Thank heaven! With the cliff so close you'd not have rushed far.” He was not quite so terrifyingly white now, and she probed cautiously, “Dearest, it sounded very much as though you had been held 'gainst your will!”