Briar Patch (10 page)

‘I should have fallen had you not caught me. I'm not badly hurt but I feel a little dizzy and I'm shaken.'

‘I'll help you. If you will lean on me, I'll take you home.'

‘Not to the dower house, not yet. I have to find Rascal. My brother will be furious if anything has happened to that horse.'

‘My house is nearer. You're on my land here. Why don't I take you there for a while? I'll find the horse and bring it back to you. You should ride him again straight away if you can.'

‘I'm not afraid of a tumble.' Roz smiled suddenly. ‘You are very kind. Will your mother mind if we go to your house? I'd like to sit down for a little while – and if you could find Rascal for me that would be wonderful.'

‘Don't worry about my mother, Miss Thornton. She was upset when you brought those things for Carrie but she didn't mean to be so rude to you.'

‘I saw Carrie afterwards, and the baby. She is lovely – just like your sister.'

‘Aye, she is, but Ma says she's much brighter.'

‘Your sister isn't stupid, Mr Blake. She goes off somewhere in her mind now and then but that doesn't make her mad.'

‘You've seen more than most,' Tom said. ‘I'll give you my arm, miss – but if you feel faint tell me and I'll carry you.'

‘My head is clearing now but I'd still like to sit down and perhaps drink some water.'

‘Ma will give you one of her cordials. Work wonders, they do. Years ago they would have burned her as a witch.'

‘They didn't burn witches in this country, they hung them – but sometimes they burned the bodies afterwards to stop the evil spirit returning.'

‘Fancy you knowing that,' Tom said. ‘I read about Joan of Arc. They burned her as a witch but that was in France.'

‘Yes, it was.' Roz had taken his arm and the touch of her hand made Tom very aware of his body's urges. ‘Do you like reading history, Mr Blake?'

‘I read whatever I can get my hands on, miss – when I have the time. It's not often because there's always a job to do these days.'

‘Losing your brother must have been terrible for you.' She hesitated, then: ‘I am so sorry for what happened. I know you must hate our family.'

‘I don't hate you, miss. I know it wasn't your doing.'

‘No, not mine.'

Tom noticed the hesitation. ‘If there's something on your mind you'd best say it.'

‘I'm simply ashamed that a member of my family could use your sister so ill – and I wish that keeper had thought before he killed your brother.'

‘It's a wonder you don't hate us.' Tom turned his head to look at her. ‘Dick killed your father. He shouldn't have done it. I'd have done it differently – gone through the courts and demanded compensation for Carrie. Your father should have been made to pay but he didn't deserve to die.'

‘No, my father didn't deserve it – a thrashing might have sufficed.'

‘Aye, well, that's water under the bridge. We're at the yard now, miss. It's muddy. Shall I carry you to the door?'

‘I've had mud on my boots before, Mr Blake. I think I can manage.'

Tom nodded. ‘Mind your step then because it can be slippery.'

As they approached the back door it opened and Tom's mother stood watching.

‘What's happened, Tom?'

‘Miss Thornton took a tumble from her horse on the common. I brought her here to rest while I find her horse. She asked for a drink of water but I promised her one of your cordials.'

‘Aye, come in, lass,' Ellen said. ‘You'll be shaken and needing something to steady your nerves a bit. Will you sit by the fire and have a glass of my elderflower wine?'

‘Thank you so much. Your son has been very kind, Mrs Blake.'

‘Aye, Tom's a good lad. He's got more sense than my elder son – God rest his soul.'

‘It was a tragedy for us all, Mrs Blake. I am truly sorry for what my family did to yours.'

‘I'm away to find the horse.' Tom turned back as the women disappeared into the kitchen and closed the door.

He felt the tightness in his stomach ease. Holding Roz Thornton in his arms, inhaling her delicate perfume and being so close to her was something he wouldn't forget in a hurry. He was a damned fool to let her get under his skin, but if he were truthful it had happened the first time he spoke to her.

She was above his station, and besides, she was going to be married in a couple of weeks. He had to put Miss Thornton out of his mind and think of something else. Mounting his own horse, he set off across the common. Hopefully he would find the wretched beast that had unseated her before it damaged itself or returned to the stables. She didn't want to confess she'd come off to her brother's grooms.

Tom admitted to himself that he'd fallen in love with a woman he could never have. He was a fool but he'd get over it. Mary Jane was willing, even eager to wed him. Once she was his wife he'd have better things to do than moon over Roz Thornton like a lovesick calf.

Roz reined in her horse and turned to look at the man who had insisted on accompanying her back to the hall.

‘I can manage now. How can I thank you?'

‘I need no thanks, miss. Just make sure you watch how you go in future.'

‘I don't think I'll ride him again. Besides, I shan't be here much longer. You know that I am getting married soon?'

Why had she told him? Was it because for a few minutes as he'd held her she'd felt something between them? No, that was stupid. His brother had murdered her father. The gap between them was too wide to be breached. Yet she'd felt the need to make him aware of her marriage – why?

‘It's common knowledge in these parts. I wish you every happiness.'

‘Thank you.' Roz sighed. ‘I'm not sure I'll be happy but I may be content.' She urged her horse forward at a walk, then glanced back. ‘I'll take some books to the farm, Mr Blake. You can return them to the dower house when you wish – keep them as long as you like.'

She thought he shook his head but she had already made up her mind to select some of her books for him. He said he read anything but he probably did not have access to some of the latest novels. She would take him Mr Stevenson's
Treasure Island
, something by Henry James and of course George Eliot's
The Mill on the Floss
, which she had just read for the second time herself.

As she rode into the yard Roderick came hurrying out to take the bridle as she dismounted. She saw him checking the horse for injury and smiled inwardly. She was fortunate that Tom Blake had caught the horse for her. If Rascal had returned to the stable alone and injured she would have found it humiliating.

Smiling, she nodded to the groom and set off for the dower house. She had been away longer than she intended because Mrs Blake had been talkative and she had felt it would be rude to rush away even when Tom returned with the horse.

She had enjoyed herself. The farmhouse kitchen was large and clean. Roz suspected it was cleaner than the kitchen at the hall and there had been a lovely smell of herbs and baking. Sitting in the rocking chair by the inglenook, Roz had been reluctant to leave. She thought that if she'd been Ellen Blake's daughter she would have been content to stay at home.

Laughing at her own thoughts, Roz shook her head. Her future was set; to change things now would cause unnecessary hurt and scandal. Besides, what changes were open to her? The smile faded as Roz faced reality. She had escaped for an hour or two but nothing had changed.

‘Do you think I'm pretty?' Mary Jane asked as Tom brought her a glass of lemon barley. ‘Jack Dawson was here a minute ago. He wanted me to dance but I said I was with you.'

The village hall was not large and crowded with men and women: some young couples and others who had come as a family for a Saturday night treat. The noise of laughter and children's voices could be heard above the fiddler and Mrs Swindon banging away with more enthusiasm than skill on the pianoforte.

‘Well, I brought you here, but you can dance with anyone you like.' Tom gave her a brooding look. ‘You're pretty, Mary Jane – the prettiest girl here, but I've promised nothing. You're free to dance with Jack if you want.'

‘Don't be so sharp, Tom,' Mary Jane said. ‘You know you're the only one I want.'

Tom drank deeply of his beer. It was his third that evening. He couldn't shake off his feelings of loss and regret. Mary Jane was here and willing. He only had to say the word and she'd do anything he asked. It was ridiculous to lie in bed at night with his body and mind on fire with need, thinking of Roz. Sometimes he let himself dream of kissing her – of taking her. Tom wouldn't take her in a hurry the way his mates took girls down behind the riverbank. Silk sheets and Roz in a white gown of lace . . . Tom brought his thoughts back to the present. Mary Jane was looking at him oddly. He put his empty glass down.

‘This one is a barn dance. I can do that – give me your hand.' She hesitated and he arched his brow. ‘Do you want to dance or not?'

‘I want to dance – but you know what I want more, Tom Blake. I want you to wed me.'

‘Well, mebbe I will,' he said and grinned at her. ‘You be nice to me later, Mary Jane, and we'll see.'

‘I'll be good to you,' she said and giggled. ‘You'll be bound to marry me then, Tom Blake – or your ma will take her stick to your backside.'

Tom smiled and pulled her close to him, whispering in her ear. She giggled and nibbled at his neck. Tom felt his body respond. She was pretty and tempting – and she was available.

Seven

‘You look beautiful.' Lady Thornton dabbed at her eyes with a lace kerchief. ‘I am so proud of you – and so pleased you've found a decent man to marry.'

Roz kissed her cheek. ‘Harry says we shall be away for about three weeks. I think he is taking me to Paris but I'm not certain. Philip should be home before then so you will have Julia for company.'

‘It won't be the same as having you,' Lady Thornton said and sniffed. ‘Mr Rushden says I shall be welcome at the Towers whenever I wish. You will invite me to stay sometimes, Roz?'

‘Of course, Mama. I think we should go down now. I don't want to keep Harry waiting at the altar.'

‘You are happy about this?' Lady Thornton laid a gloved hand on her arm.

‘Why should I want to change my mind?' Roz lifted her head. ‘You can visit your friends or us whenever you wish, Mama. If you're lonely you could take on a companion.'

‘I suppose so.' Lady Thornton smiled but Roz saw regret in her eyes.

Picking up the spray of white lilies and roses that Harry had sent for her, Roz gathered her long skirt for the slow walk down the stairs. In the hall several servants, relatives and friends had gathered. Her uncle, Matthew Rooke, looked up at her and smiled. He was her mother's elder brother: white-haired, gentle and a bachelor, he lived alone in a house filled with dogs and clocks, which he loved in equal measure.

‘Beautiful,' he murmured as she reached him. ‘I never expected this honour, m'dear. Philip should have given you away, but I'm glad you chose me.'

‘Harry didn't want to wait – and I would rather it was you.' Roz took his arm. ‘Your gifts are much appreciated by us both.'

‘I wanted you to have something nice for yourself as well as the silver candelabra.' He nodded as she showed him that she was wearing the pearl and diamond bracelet he had given her. ‘You won't be forgotten when I've gone, m'dear.'

‘I would rather have you than anything you might leave me. You've always been a second father to me – and someone I can trust.'

Her uncle patted her hand. ‘I've told your mother she can come and stay with me if she's lonely, but I doubt she will.'

‘That was kind of you, uncle.'

‘Well, I felt I ought to ask, but truth to tell I'm used to my own ways and I dare say Amelia is the same.'

Roz laughed softly. They went out to the waiting carriage. The sun was shining but there was a definite bite to the air. Roz shivered and her uncle glanced at her in concern.

‘Are you cold, girl? Do you want to send for a shawl before we leave?'

‘I shall be fine. The breeze is a little cool but once we're in the carriage it will be warmer.'

‘Might be cold in church,' her uncle warned but she took the groom's hand and climbed into the carriage. Matthew followed and gave the order to move off.

Roz waved to the servants who had waited outside to see her off. Many of them had come down from the hall for the occasion and her mother had given orders that a celebration should be held for the servants at the hall. Yet her mind seemed to be wandering, skittering here and there like spring lambs. She couldn't stop thinking about Ellen Blake's kitchen – how warm and comfortable it had been, and Tom Blake holding her when she felt faint. He was one of the most attractive men she'd ever met – apart from Paul Richmond. A shudder went through her and she hastily blocked out the memory of that night.

‘I told you it was cold.'

‘I'm not cold, uncle. Just a little nervous.'

‘Rushden is a decent fellow. He'll be good to you. If he isn't you let me know and I'll sort him for you.'

‘Harry loves me.'

Would he know that he wasn't the first with her? Roz had tried not to think about it but the guilt had stayed at the back of her mind all this time. She ought to have been honest with Harry, even if he had claimed whatever she told him wouldn't matter.