His Unusual Governess (17 page)

Francesca stared at him. He was almost begging her. She’d been frightened at first, but now she saw he was weak. He wouldn’t dare to harm her because of what her relatives might do to him.

‘Abduction is a hanging offence, you know.’

He stared at her, his eyes popping. ‘It was an elopement. You know it was, Francesca. You didn’t really believe Miss Hardcastle was dying. She’s been fine for days… .’

‘You frightened me and I shan’t forgive you for that,’ Francesca said. ‘I love Sarah—she means a lot to me and I really did think something might have happened to her. Now, please, take me home.’

‘I can’t,’ he said, sounding desperate. ‘I have to keep you here until someone comes. Your family will send someone to look for you—and we shall be forced to marry to save your reputation. I’ll be good to you, Fran. I promise.’

‘Do not call me Fran,’ Francesca said. ‘My name is Francesca. Indeed, I would prefer to be called by my father’s name, if you please—because our friendship is at an end. I do not wish to speak to you again and I shall never marry you. You may keep me here for a month, but it makes no difference. I don’t like you and I will not be your wife.’

‘I could force you,’ he said and his tone was suddenly ugly. ‘I could seduce you. You would be ruined. I dare say you would marry me soon enough then.’

‘I care nothing for my reputation. I would rather never enter society again and live in obscurity
with a man I love rather than marry a rogue like you, sir.’

‘I suppose that’s what she taught you,’ Monks said, scowling. ‘Sir Roger tried to blackmail her into taking him, but she faced him down, told him to go to the devil. I thought you would give in… .’ He sat down, putting his head into hands, then lifted it to stare at her in desperation. ‘I shall be ruined if you do not marry me. They will throw me into the debtors’ prison and throw the key away.’

‘I am sorry for you. If you had spoken to Lord Myers, he might have arranged a loan for you, perhaps.’

‘Couldn’t do that … one gentleman to another.’ He stood up and raked his fingers through his hair, his cheeks flushed. ‘What the hell do I do now?’

‘I suggest you take me home,’ Francesca replied haughtily. ‘If you do that immediately, I shall tell everyone I was needed urgently at home, but we had an accident and the chaise overturned. We shall pretend that you were unconscious and I had to wait until you recovered… .’

‘Would you do that?’ He looked at her hopefully. ‘I’ve made a mess of this, haven’t I? It is all Sir Roger’s fault for putting the idea into my head.’

‘What did he say to Sarah? What did he think she had done that he could blackmail her over?’

‘I have no idea.’ Monks shrugged gloomily. ‘He was in a temper and went off without finishing his tale—just said she was a stubborn wench and he would get even somehow.’

‘Then he must have been the one who shot her.’

‘It might have been him, but I thought he’d left the district.’

‘Take me home. I have to tell Rupert—and the sooner we get back the better. You’d better wrap your cravat about your head if you don’t want my friends to kill you. Rupert wouldn’t have made me marry you, you know. He would just challenge you to a duel and send me abroad with Sarah until the scandal died down.’

‘In that case we’d better leave now,’ he said. ‘I don’t suppose you could forgive me and …? No, I didn’t think so. I can only say I’m sorry.’

It was almost dusk. Sarah was standing at her bedroom window when she saw the chaise draw up outside. Her heart started to race and she leaned forwards as she saw the man get down and help the girl out of the carriage.

‘Francesca! Thank God—oh, thank God,’ she whispered and went quickly out of the room.

She had reached the top of the stairs when
Francesca burst in. She looked up, screamed Sarah’s name and raced up the stairs to her. Sarah opened her arms to receive her.

‘I thought you were worse,’ she sobbed against her neck. ‘I thought you were dying.’

‘What happened, dearest? As you see I am fine now, even though I had a little headache this morning. Mr Monks exaggerated the situation—is that what happened, my love?’

Francesca looked at her, took a deep breath and nodded. ‘Yes,’ she said in a voice that carried to the people gathering in the hall below. ‘I asked to be brought here to you quickly. Mr Monks was kind enough to oblige. We went at such a pace that the chaise overturned. He was thrown and hit his head and lay unconscious for more than two hours. By the time someone came and helped us, half the day had gone. That is why we are so late… .’

‘You have had a terrible experience. Mr Monks is at fault for driving so carelessly. Are you hurt, dearest? Is there anything else you should tell me—in private, if you wish?’

‘Nothing at all. Mr Monks was good enough to bring me back, though he has a terrible headache.’

‘Where is he now?’

‘I left him outside. I could not wait to see if you were well.’

‘As you see, I am back to normal. Come into my room, dearest. I shall send for some tea and Mrs Brancaster will bring you some sandwiches.’

Francesca opened her mouth and shut it again. ‘Thank you,’ she said meekly. She turned to look at the people in the hall. ‘I am sorry if anyone was worried. It was all a mistake.’

Sarah could feel the girl trembling as she drew her inside her room. She led her to the bed, sat her down, then looked at her. ‘Now tell me the truth, my love.’

‘He told me you were dying and abducted me. He thought Uncle Rupert would make me marry him for the sake of my reputation. I told him I would rather be ruined and I would go abroad with you—and if this causes a scandal I shall. You wouldn’t desert me for a little scandal, would you?’

‘No …’ Sarah looked at her and, seeing the girl’s determined pride, she laughed. ‘No, my dearest, that would be foolish. We shall neither of us let the gossips hurt us. I am not going to run away as if I’ve done something terrible and neither are you. We shall carry on as we are and those who do not wish to know us may do the other thing.’

‘You haven’t done anything wrong, have you?’

‘I learned something recently—something
that I did not know when I came here. My mother was not the lady of gentle birth who loved me and married my father. She loved me as her own until the day she died, but she was not my birth mother.’

‘That is sad, but it just shows how kind she was to take you in. Who was your mother?’

‘I am told she was a prostitute my father paid to have his child,’ Sarah replied. ‘I am told she died of a disease women of her profession sometimes get in later life… .’

‘Oh, how awful for her—and for you to be told that,’ Francesca said and hugged her. ‘I was told Sir Roger threatened to blackmail you, but you faced him down. He gave Mr Monks the idea, you see. How horrible some men can be.’

‘Yes, they can,’ Sarah agreed. ‘But others are very different. Both Sir Freddie and Rupert have gone to search for you. Rupert swears he will kill Mr Monks, but when we tell him there is no scandal he might be prepared just to land him a facer … I believe that is the word gentlemen use for knocking someone down.’

‘Yes, it is.’ Francesca giggled. ‘I’ve heard them say it when they think one is not listening. He deserves it—but he did bring me back. He could have refused. He could have forced me …’

‘Had you been another sort of woman he
might have,’ Sarah said and smiled. ‘He thought you a silly girl, but you’re not. You are a young woman and perfectly able to stand up to a rogue like him.’

‘Yes, I am,’ Francesca said and smiled. ‘I wasn’t until you came. I should probably have run off with him for real—but you taught me about truth and honesty and thinking before doing something silly.’

‘Oh, my love, you make me want to cry,’ Sarah said and blinked hard. ‘I am so very glad you are back and unharmed.’

‘So am I. In future I shall think carefully before I get into a gentleman’s chaise alone.’

‘Had he been a proper gentleman it would not have happened—there lies the difference. You might travel anywhere with Sir Freddie and he would not lift a finger to harm you.’

‘If only he liked me enough to …’ Francesca sighed. ‘You did say he was helping to search for me?’

‘Yes, he is. I’m not sure when they will be back. I think we should ring for our refreshments and then I’ll ask Mrs Brancaster to tuck you up in bed, my love.’

‘I ate some sandwiches at the inn he took me to. I am not hungry.’

‘I couldn’t eat a thing all day for worrying,’
Sarah said and smiled. ‘We’ll have a light supper and you will be all the better for it. Do not argue, Francesca—in this case I know best.’

Francesca laughed. ‘You win. Are we truly going to London together?’

‘Yes, if Lord Myers agrees. I must, of course, tell him the truth—though I think Sir Roger may have done so already.’

‘No, I don’t think so. Mr Monks said he left in a temper without telling him the rest of it. So if he didn’t tell him, I doubt he told anyone. I think he realised that it was a waste of time. Who would care when we all love you so much?’

‘Dearest Francesca …’ Sarah was thoughtful. ‘I wonder why Rupert did not come to see me? I thought it was because he knew that I was the child of …’ She caught her breath because it still hurt so much.

‘It was because he was concerned that he might compromise you, of course,’ Francesca said. ‘He did visit twice late at night, because I saw him leave when I came to sit with you. Agnes said he gave her a guinea not to mention it to anyone.’

‘Oh …’ Sarah’s heart lifted a little. ‘It was good of him to be concerned for me.’

‘He likes you. I’ve told you before.’

‘Perhaps …’ Sarah shook her head. ‘It isn’t
important. For the moment I want you to eat your supper and be tucked up safe in your bed—and then we can all sleep soundly.’

S
arah was in her dressing robe and on the point of going to bed when she heard footsteps outside her door. Someone knocked and she rose from her stool, going to open it. Rupert stood there, his hair windblown and his look frustrated rather than angry.

‘Is it true that she got that scoundrel to bring her home?’

‘Yes, perfectly true.’ Sarah hesitated, then stood back. ‘You had better come in—oh, do not look so worried. We must discuss this in private if you want to save Francesca’s reputation.’

Rupert followed her in. He nodded as she locked the door. ‘You do not wish to be disturbed—tell me the worst. Did he violate her?’

‘Not at all. He did lie to her and make off with her, but only to an inn some twenty miles or so distant. It was his plan to keep her there until you arrived to force him to marry her.’

‘He was far off there. She would have been a widow before she was a bride.’

‘Fortunately, Francesca managed to keep her head. She told him that she would not marry him whatever he did and that you would kill him unless he brought her home. It seems he did not have the courage to force her, and after begging her to marry him without success, he brought her home and left again as swiftly as he could.’

‘I’ll thrash him when I catch up with him.’

‘Not if you care for Francesca’s good name. He brought her home because I was suddenly taken ill and their chaise met with an accident. He was thrown and rendered unconscious and it was some hours before he recovered enough to bring her home. That is her story and, if you do nothing to convince the gossips it is a lie, I think we shall brush through well enough. Besides, if Sir Freddie cares enough I believe her future is settled.’

‘Do you indeed? Are you her guardian now?’

Sarah flinched at the sarcasm in his tone. ‘No, I am not—and if you feel I have overstepped the mark I can …’ Her words died away,
for she could not simply leave. She had promised Francesca she would stay.

His gaze narrowed, nostrils flared as if in temper. ‘Going to run off and leave us again, are you?’

‘Perhaps if you would calm down a little I might explain why I felt it necessary to leave.’

‘It had better be good.’ He glared at her and then sat down in her chair. ‘I’m listening.’

Sarah told him the tale Sir Roger had told her in his effort to blackmail her, leaving no sordid detail to his imagination. Then she paused and looked at him.

‘I thought that I might ruin Francesca’s chances. She has begged me to stay with her until and during her Season. I have, of course, told her the chance we take, but she says she does not care. You must be the judge of the situation, Lord Myers. I am prepared to risk it, but if you feel Francesca may suffer too much I shall withdraw.’

‘And do what? Run away and hide?’

‘No, not at all. I am determined that Sir Roger shall not win. I shall go home for a time—and then I may take a house in London for the Season.’

‘Francesca would want to know you. No …’ He frowned and Sarah’s heart sank—he meant to forbid her. ‘I have a better solution. You will
become engaged and then in time you will marry me.’

Sarah gasped, feeling the colour drain from her face. It was the last thing she’d expected. Her heart leaped with joy, but the feeling was quickly followed by one of doubt. She would be a fool to think that his proposal meant that he loved her. Yet he was prepared to do so much to save her from public scorn—why?

‘But you can’t … I do not see why you should make such a sacrifice for my sake.’

‘Who said it was for your sake?’ His eyebrows rose imperiously and her heart sank. His offer had nothing to do with love or affection, but was intended to deflect more scandal from Francesca. The pain struck deep into her heart. ‘I have reached the age where I need an heir, Sarah. You cannot be unaware that I find you attractive. I have already taken steps to protect you from unscrupulous men who might wish to force you to sell your mills—which in the minds of most people adds up to an interest on my part. It will solve everything neatly, do you not think?’

‘Perhaps … yes, I mean, no.’ Sarah’s mind was reeling from the shock and she hardly knew what she said. If he’d spoken of love, she would have been so happy, for then a marriage between them would have been all she could wish
for. ‘Do you really want to marry the daughter of a low-born whore?’

Her mind was in a whirl. Sometimes she’d felt he was interested in her as a woman he would like to make his mistress, but she’d sensed that he held a part of himself in reserve. She’d wondered if perhaps he’d suffered some reverse or heartbreak in the past. Was that why he was willing to make a marriage of convenience to save them all from scandal? Had he been so hurt that it was impossible for him to love? The thought pained her and made her want to take the hurt from him, because whatever he felt she loved him with all her heart—so much that she did not think she could bear to lose him.

‘You are a woman of sense, Sarah. I think we should do well together—and it will suit me to marry. This tale of Sir Roger’s—do you mean to simply accept it as the truth? For my part I think him a liar and a knave. Had it not been for his prompting Monks would never have thought of abducting Francesca.’

‘You think he might be lying? He said my uncle told him. I have written and hope to hear the truth from his hand.’ She caught her breath, her heart taking a dizzying somersault as she thought what it might be like to marry Rupert. She knew it would bring her happiness to be
his wife and bear his children, even if she could never truly have his love.

‘I do not care if it is the truth,’ Rupert said flatly. ‘I’ve met whores who were more of a lady than some who call themselves by the name.’ His gaze narrowed. ‘Would it be so very hard to be my wife and bear my children, Sarah?’

‘No … of course not,’ she said, her breath expelling nervously. She must not betray herself for he would not want a clinging vine. She must remain the cool Miss Hardcastle despite the clamouring of her heart. ‘You know I need a husband I can trust and—and I like you very well. Are you sure you wish to? I am stubborn and can be quite difficult at times, I’m told.’

‘I imagine you can.’ He laughed softly in his throat. ‘I dare say I can manage you if I try. I should not want a woman who gave me all my own way. I need an equal, Sarah, and I believe you would match me in many ways.’

‘What of Francesca? You know I must see her safe and happy …’

‘Sir Freddie told me he has hopes of her. No doubt he will pet her and spoil her—and I dare say she will twist him round her little finger. That kind of relationship would not do for me. I want a woman of sense I can talk to about business as well as pleasure.’

Sarah was silent. What he was offering her
was not love, but affection, passion, at least for a time, and companionship. Well, she’d known that he did not particularly like or admire young women of his own class. Perhaps he had learned to distrust them for reasons of his own. Because of his past hurts, he’d decided that a woman of Sarah’s class might prove more trustworthy. He liked her, even desired her, but his emotions were not deeply involved. He would be her husband, give her children and a home and protect her from men like Sir Roger. She supposed it was enough. If she refused, she did not think she would have the chance of happiness again.

‘I thank you for your very kind offer … Rupert,’ she said and a shy smile hovered on her lips. ‘If you are perfectly content with the idea, I shall accept with pleasure.’

‘At these times one is supposed to declare undying love, but I shall not bore you with that nonsense,’ Rupert said, a mocking twist to his mouth. ‘We’ll announce it in the morning. Then I’ll leave you for a while …’ He laughed as she looked startled. ‘I am not prepared to let the rogue who shot at you get away with his crime, Sarah. You might have died—and that means he must pay. Also, I intend to have it out with Sir Roger—make him apologise—and then I shall set private agents on to discovering the truth of your conception. If your mother truly
was a whore, something caused her to be that way. I think you would like to know her story—and if you have another family somewhere. My agents are already working on your behalf and I dare say the mystery is halfway to being solved before we ask.’

‘You would do that for me?’

‘Once we are married, you will discover just how much I am prepared to do for the lady who honours me by becoming my wife.’

Sarah nodded, her throat too tight to speak for a moment. He was such a fine honourable gentleman. ‘If what you discover is too terrible …’

He touched his fingers to her lips and then hesitated before bending to kiss her lips. It was a very soft, sweet kiss, but it left her feeling weak at the knees.

‘You will not say foolish things. I am a man, not a boy, Sarah. I know what I want, believe me.’

‘Yes … I have thought you wanted me …’ She could feel the heat in her cheeks as she met his eyes. ‘Your … kind feelings were returned.’

He flicked her cheek with his fingertips. ‘I rather thought they might be or I should not have spoken. We shall do very well together. Now I should leave. If someone sees me coming from your room, you will have to put up
with odd looks from the ladies and the occasional wink from the men. We shall announce our engagement tomorrow.’

‘Very well, Rupert,’ she said, her heart racing despite her controlled speech and steady manner. ‘As you wish.’

‘We must arrange something for Francesca while we are away on our wedding trip, which need only be a few days to buy you a wardrobe in Paris. Perhaps Merrivale will come down—or Sir Freddie may take her off to stay with his mother.’

‘We must also think of John.’

‘He seems to like Dupree. He may take over as his tutor until he leaves for school—and of course the boy can live with us until he leaves home. I am sure you would always welcome him during the holidays.’

‘You seem to have worked everything out. What if I had refused?’

‘Then I should have been devastated,’ he said and gave her a mocking smile. ‘Fortunately, I was able to persuade you it was for your own good.’

Sarah’s expression altered, took fire. ‘You sound like my father when I did something that pleased him.’

‘Ah, I have struck a spark.’ His eyes gleamed. ‘Good. I like it when you fight back, Sarah. It
would be a mistake to let me have my own way all the time.’

‘I have no intention of it.’

‘I am very pleased to hear it, and now, my dearest Sarah, I must leave you—or I shall be tempted to sweep you up into my arms and carry you to that tempting bed …’

Sarah gasped. Before she could recover her breath, he had opened the door, let himself out and closed it behind him. She locked it immediately and heard him laugh.

He was an arrogant rogue and altogether too sure of himself. His plans were so neat that she thought he must have been plotting them for a while.

Yet he might have his pick of the young ladies looking for husbands. He was handsome, rich in his own right and charming—why should he choose her?

He wanted an heir and he wasn’t interested in a girl straight out of the schoolroom. He clearly had an aversion to women of his class. Rupert clearly felt a marriage of convenience to a woman he could trust would suit him well—and Sarah would be a fool to regret her bargain. He’d given her so much already and she could only think that being his wife would bring its own rewards. He might break her heart one day, but that was a chance worth taking.

Smiling to herself, Sarah removed her robe and slipped into bed. Before long she was sound asleep.

Rupert savoured his brandy and reflected on the future. He had gained part of his objective, but there was more to achieve. Sarah seemed content to accept his plans and he had much to do, much to sort out before he could relax and reveal all of them to the woman he intended to be his wife.

Had he truly considered making her his mistress? Only for a short time at the start; it had not taken him long to see her true worth or the potential of a match between them. Sarah might not like the idea of selling her father’s property at the start, but if the right buyer could be found it would be the best solution. Her fortune could be joined with his and used for the benefit of them all. As yet he had not spoken to Merrivale about Cavendish Park. It would one day be John’s inheritance, of course, but that was a long way off and the marquess was far from able to care for it, as it ought to be cared for. If Rupert did not take permanent charge it would dwindle into nothing by the time the lad was grown.

Of course he would need Sarah’s agreement to his plan, but he thought she might be willing
to listen. He would bring the subject up once their engagement was public knowledge and she had become used to the idea.

Sipping his brandy, he lay back against the pillows and smiled. Yes, it was all going his way, but he had to sort out this business of whoever had taken a shot at Sarah—and settle with Sir Roger. Not a pleasant business, but it had to be done. Either the rogue would take his punishment like a man—or he would have to be killed in a duel.

Either way, he must protect the woman he loved.

Sarah dressed and went down to breakfast. Some of the gentlemen were at table and rose with alacrity as she entered, making her welcome and enquiring after her health with such sincerity that she was overwhelmed by their kindness.

‘We were all so sorry to learn of your setback,’ Lord Phillips said. ‘Such an upset—with Miss Francesca being involved in an accident. I dare say you found that distressing?’

‘Yes, I did,’ Sarah agreed and smiled at him. ‘However, she was just a little shaken by her experience and will, I am sure, be herself today.’

‘I was mightily relieved to hear it,’ Sir Freddie said. ‘If no one minds I’ve decided to stay
on for a couple of days … talk to Rupert when I see him. I believe he went riding early this morning, had some important business, I understand.’

‘Did he?’ Sarah’s cheeks were warm, as she wondered whether Rupert had said anything to his guests about their engagement, but as neither gentleman mentioned it she thought perhaps he intended it later. ‘When do you leave, Lord Phillips? Or have you decided to stay on, too?’