Journey's End (Marlbrook) (5 page)

Thomas congratulated the woman.  Laura had answered without committing.  Thomas had no reluctance to share.  He had nothing to hide.

“I returned from the
Americas
to undertake the restoration of the Manor.  However, I admit that memory did not serve me well as to the demands of the land upon a man.  The estate is a hard taskmaster, and ours is a slow re-acquaintance.”  Thomas’ mood light
ene
d.  “Aye, madam, it is a while since company has joined me, especially a guest
who
owns a civil tongue.”

Laura produced a radiant smile, her unfeigned reaction
holding
Thomas spellbound, her exquisite features animated by her cheerful response.  In a day or two
,
Laura would leave for Marlbrook.  Any longer and Thomas would have to reconsider his guarantee of her safety.

Thomas approached the old oak hutch dresser and removed two bottles and
two
rose coloured goblets from the cabinet.  The glass collided, the crystal chiming its unintelligible tune
,
as he filled one vessel with aged port and Laura’s with
Madeira
.

Thomas nodded to Laura, indicating that she should join him by the open hearth.

Talk absented itself and
,
as they sat in quiet harmony sipping their beverages, Thomas saw in his mind’s eye the image they must portray.

“Sir, at daybreak -?” Laura began,
and then
abruptly halted.

Thomas had not anticipated speech.  Startled, liquid spilled from his glass to mark the upper thigh of his pant leg.  His reaction brought forth Laura’s warm, rich laughter
,
and he had no choice but to join her.

The firelight danced in the black mirror of his eyes,
mesmerizing
Laura with their performance
,
until the warmth of the fire, assisted by the small intake of alcohol, obliged her to declare her imminent withdrawal.

Thomas did not intervene.  Instead
,
he sat contemplating a new awareness.  Under his roof lived a woman that he would undeniably welcome in his bed.  He did not dispute that truth.  This was something more.  Respect?  Thomas groped for words to explain his confusion but none seemed adequate.  When the time came for Laura to depart, he would be interested to learn what his reaction would be.

CHAPTER
EIGHT
–
The Stranger

Dawn arrived on the second day.  Laura had slept peacefully
,
untroubled by dark thoughts as tiredness had played its part.  Her routine followed a similar pattern to the previous morning
,
except
today
Thomas had arrived in the kitchen first.

“
Mis
s
Jennings
,
” Thomas
welcomed
, while exiting the kitchen to attend to his duties, leaving Laura to warm the room and supply the
morning
meal.

When the plates had been placed in their respective positions, Thomas returned.  “The roof is in need of repair
,
and the fields require tending.  Every day another task demands my attention.”

“And don’t forget
the
walls and floors
of your home
could do with
a good scrubbing,” came Laura’s playful reply.

With
the feast complete, and
a contented smile,
Thomas set about
his daily routine
.

Laura spent an uneventful morning targeting cobwebs for destruction
,
displaying little patience with disorder.  She explored, inspecting
h
istory.  The experience rewarded her on many levels.  Treasures existed to stimulate her imagination
;
however
,
the truth that they were just common items
,
if one removed the mystic
al
,
Laura chose to ignore.

On completion of the evening meal
,
the fireside again beckoned and
,
with glass in hand
,
Laura and Thomas took up their respective positions.

Laura resumed the discussion they had discarded the previous night.  “You made mention of your recent return to
England
-.”

Thomas’ explanation never arrived.  Horses’ hooves clashed on the cobblestones outside, evaporating the informal atmosphere.  Thomas was w
ell versed with the situation.

“Stay where you are
,
Laura, and I beg of you
,
do not move until I give you permission.”

Thomas made a grab for his pistol.  Highwaymen seldom roamed nowadays, but caution was always a wise move.  Positioning himself at the window nearest the door,
Thomas
took up his vantage
point.  He observed the uninvited caller in relative secrecy.

Laura’s recall was immediate, as the image surfaced of her own courtyard ordeal.  Upon her arrival, the caretaker had chosen to let her suffer.  Anger blinded Laura to any threat from the outside, as she witnessed firsthand how the caretaker would have profited at her expense.  Laura swore a private oath that she would reprimand him before ever drawing breath again.

Thomas paid Laura no heed.  Whatever her complaint, he decided she would have to wait.

The pounding on the wooden door showed no signs of abating and Thomas had to shout his instructions above the din.  The bolt fought against its release
,
as Thomas surrendered the fight to the exacting intruder.

Well-proportioned features surrounded eyes overlaid with a dark blue glaze.  Laura could only think to describe the man as handsome.  Debonair in appearance, expensive riding clothes hugged his masculine frame.  A leather riding crop beat a steady rhythm against an outstretched leg.  The stranger’s coat swayed in time with his movements, the garment maintaining its momentum as the man strode with confidence into the room.

Laura judged the stranger to be roughly the same age as the caretaker.  He carried about him an air of superiority and sophistication, obviously the outcome of good breeding.

The new arrival offered speech first.  “So Thomas, you have returned home at last.”  The stranger’s manner was every bit a gentleman’s, his tone jocular in nature.

Vigorous banter followed the questioning statement and expressions of welcome filled the chamber.  The newcomer halted only when he spied Laura.

Up until now
,
Laura had managed to isolate herself, shielded by the height of the fireside chair.

The gentleman directed his flattery at Thomas while targeting Laura with his stare.  “Let it never be said that you are not without hidden talents
,
old man. Thomas, I insist you grant me the right of introduction this very instant!”

The stranger performed a polite bow in reference to Laura.  The proficiency of the action affirmed his rank
,
before he pivoted on his heels to face the caretaker.

“Tell me, Thomas. Have you travelled the world to find this fair maiden
,
or shall you spin an untruth and have me believe you discovered her in this remote spot?”

Laura witnessed events in the good humour in which they were offered
;
the playful rivalry between the men
was
infectious.  She
w
ould wait until they recovered their composure for a formal introduction.

The stranger
manoeuvred
himself into an intimate position
beside
Laura.

Ill
at
ease, Laura was about to comment on the man’s close proximity when he directed the
most
handsome of smiles her way.  Laura could do nothing but react with equal enthusiasm.  Laura tried vainly to hold onto her light-
heartedness
, as Lord Henry Marlbrook made his name and his title known.

The caretaker was obviously entertained by
Laura’s
predicament
;
however
,
his black eyes contained something else
that
Laura could not quite discern.  Regardless, she had no care for
his manner
.

The tone of the evening was about to change, as Laura hurriedly curtseyed to Lady
Catherine
’s son and her new Master.  However, despite her immediate distress
,
Laura’s focus remained with the caretaker.  She considered his behaviour
to be
shameless and his neglect to inform Lord Henry of her circumstances
was
unforgivable.

“What is this
,
Thomas
,
that your guest must be so formal?”  Lord Henry spoke with good temper and genuine bemusement.

Thomas knew only too well what Laura was thinking.  “My Lord, perhaps it is because the lady is in your employ that you find her troubled
?
”

The caretaker’s candid answer infuriated Laura.  Neither man paid her any courtesy
.  S
he began to suspect that she had been wrong in her estimation of the caretaker
’
s standing.  The openness exhibited between the caretaker and Lord Henry was uncommon between th
ose
of unequal classes
. 
Laura’s heart beat erratically at that prospect being true.

Lord Henry halted Laura’s anxious thoughts.  “I see that my mother’s taste has not deteriorated with age, Thomas.”

“Agreed, but I am afraid
that
we are embarrassing this young woman with our observations.”

Laura made a mental note to thank the caretaker for
her
small lifeline.

Lord Henry withdrew a respectable distance. 
“Madam
,
Thomas has correctly shown me the error of my ways.  I beg you to forgive my lack of manners
,
for I have not the slightest intention of promoting any offence.”  The courteous declaration at an end, Lord Henry stooped to place a delicate kiss upon Laura’s hand.  “Never let it be said that I am not gallant in my ways
.
”

“Where is your ale,
Thomas
, and what delays its progress to the table?”  Lord Henry voiced his order in mock dismay before proceeding to make himself at home.

Laura remained standing.  When the opportunity arose, she would politely withdraw from their company.

The moment never arrived.

A short time later, casually seated on the wooden bench next to the dining table, Lord Henry’s attention inevitably returned to Laura.

“Tell me then,
Miss Jennings
. My mother hired you in
London
?” 

“Yes, my Lord. I remained in
London
to oversee the closure of your townhouse, while her Ladyship travelled ahead.”  Laura went on to provide details of her failed journey, her lone query of Lord Henry
was
one concerning Sarah.  “May I ask if you can confirm my sister
’s safe arrival at Marlbrook?”

“Unhappily, I cannot. I have not had the privilege of meeting her, but if
,
as you say
,
she accompanied my mother
,
then all is well. Lady
Catherine
is definitely in residence. I can testify to that.”  Lord Henry’s laughter was natural and unconstrained.  “The main reason
you find me
in your company is due to my mother’s constant utterances of marriage and responsibilities.
However
,
now that I have had the privilege of meeting you, I must state my regret at not making your sister
’
s acquaintance. If she is as comely as you, then by my own hand
,
have I been robbed of a delight.”

Thomas glanced across the room at Laura, and he could only imagine
how
such
a sudden infusion of colour must feel in a person’s face.  He decided to rescue her.

“Mis
s Jennings
will resume her journey when the driver returns with the replacement carriage.” 

“Well, ma’am, then it is to my benefit that I stopped here on my way to
London
,” replied Lord Henry.