Journey's End (Marlbrook) (6 page)

A gentleman in style and manners, Lord Henry puzzled Laura.  She could not fault him, and yet his friendly cover belied a quality of character that she could not comprehend.

The conversation continued
,
lively of topic
,
and the evening wore on without incident.  Laura avoided active participati
on
in the discussions, mindful that she was under Lord Henry’s constant scrutiny and conscious that they were both under the caretaker’s surveillance. 

“Madam!”  Lord Henry’s sudden outburst made Laura visibly jump.  “The conversation begins to bore me. Your silence deprives us of a refined point of view, one that would normally quell our reckless remarks. After all, Thomas is perhaps not the most suitable of conversationalists.”

Lord Henry’s words achieved their end, renewing the banter that had threatened to falter.

Lord Henry concealed his true motives. His birthright bestowed power and he played a well-exercised game. Women had always been drawn by his attention. He had tested his influence over Laura, but
thus
far his attempts were ineffectual. Laura
had chosen to
ignore his flattery.

The lull in conversation gave Laura her chance to escape.  “Gentlemen, I thank you for extending the courtesy of an invitation to converse but you
,
as friends
,
have ample accounts to discuss. An outsider could only restrict your personal expressions.”  Laura’s undertaking was not as demure as she would have liked.

Laura's rejection affected each man differently.  One found her reply consistent
,
the other enticing.

To permit hired help to display such outright defiance can only be tolerated if one is happy to help tame such behaviour, and Lord Henry decided that he would find the task more than agreeable.  It was a great pity that
London
called
,
and
that
he could not delay.  However
,
he was not leaving yet.  The possibility of some sport before he left was not an impossibility
;
likewise
,
the anticipation of a diversion, his for the taking and resident in his home, proved to be an enticement that made him uncomfortable
in his seat
.

Once a
gain
,
Thomas
came
to Laura’s assistance.  “You are gracious in your gesture, madam, for it displays your nature in a decidedly good light. If it is your wish, you may remove yourself from our undeserving company.”

Laura accepted the caretaker's charity.  With the expressions of goodnight dealt with
,
Laura left the
men
to their merriment, their laughter resounding in the corridors as she ascended the stairs.

Laura shook her head.  To have met his Lordship under such circumstances was unfortunate.  She determined the best way forward was for her to remain in her room and venture out only for meals.  Any unfit thoughts that come from being housed under the same roof as two drunken men would be cleared.  Her departure could not come soon enough.

Jealousy was a new emotion that had taken Thomas by surprise, and he had to concede that he had long forgotten the art of swooning over females.  His problem, while not hard to comprehend, made the remedy difficult to secure.  Henry could make life difficult for Laura. 
As well
, from what Thomas had gauged thus far, his friend would not hesitate in taking what he judged to be rightfully his.  He would have to ensure that Henry was not capable of any dishonourable exploits.  Laura would be safe at Marlbrook in the company of Lady
Catherine
, surrounded by her household.  His qualms did not extend that far.  Whatever her son had become, Lady
Catherine
would not condone Henry’s behaviour in her home.

Thomas and Henry’s reunion supplied an insight into two mismatched lifestyles.  As boys
,
their roads had contained the same merit, but circumstances had seen their adult paths divide.  Today had brought them back into unity, two men eager to forge a way ahead.  The gulf between them was wide and the years many.  Ale flowed, quenching their thirst,
and
the past
was
relived until the early hours of the morning
,
when they finally conceded defeat.  Thomas knew Laura would be asleep, secure behind closed doors.

Henry spoke in words thick with drink and deep
ly
rooted in ignorance.  “Let us talk freely, Thomas. Is this delightful woman yours
,
or would you be prepared to share her with an old friend?”

“I think you should take yourself off to bed
. B
esides, what would a lady see in a scoundrel like
you
?”

“Thomas. You forget that I am not only your guest but also a Lord. Surely you are duty bound to afford me comfort as I travel these dusty roads?”  Henry laughed. “The beer has not dulled everything I own. I could still make it worth the woman’s while for a bit of exertion. No? Ah! You are unsympathetic my friend. Or is it that you are unwilling to share?”  The last query stated, Henry fell backwards and lay slumped against the wall.

“I shall talk to you tomorrow, Henry. Tonight I think
you are incapable of anything.”

Henry failed to recognise the rage welling in Thomas, the drink dulling his perception.  Had he done so
,
he might have desisted.

“You are defending the wench. She must be good at her work to have you so bound
,
Thomas. This is a woman who is prepared to remain alone in a house with two men. She cannot be an innocent. I say
,
let the maid choose between us. Let us awaken her and name the man
for whom
she would rather spread those lovely legs.”

The loud, debauched comments echoed in the quiet
,
following Henry in his wake
,
as he tried in vain to navigate a s
traight line to his apartment.

Infuriated, Thomas’ rage flared and permitted no restraint.  He threw Henry, with a great deal of vigour, against the nearest door, a string of curses rolling off his tongue.

Henry answered with a stupid grin that sent Thomas to the brink of his endurance.  Fists at the ready, Thomas longed to wipe the smirk from his friend’s lips.  Instead
,
he tossed Henry
,
unceremoniously, headfirst into his bed.

Henry had indicated that he would pass another day or two at the Manor.  Thomas knew that in due time
,
the land would again call him to his obligations and away from the house.  Thomas could not guarantee Laura’s safety, and the thought of hands other than his upon Laura made him feel ill.

CHAPTER
NINE
– Flight

Laura’s sleep-
befuddled brain argued that thunder was not unusual
,
but her waking
self understood more.  Her bedroom door was under attack.

“Who is it?” Laura cried, a dramatic scramble ensuing
,
as she clambered from her bed.

The command that met her was harsh.

“Open the door.
At once
!”

Laura’s reaction was swift.  Her feet moved of their own accord
,
delivering her to the entranceway. 
T
he click
that a
key makes, as it circles in the lock, w
as
the last rational sound Laura heard that morning.

The caretaker’s demanding, unshaven face replaced the grainy wood of the door.

“For mercy sake, what has happened?”  Laura searched the familiar features, examining his rugged face for warnings of fire or the like.  When no answer
was
forth
coming
, the state of her undress dictated Laura’s next move.  Laura pushed at the offending portal, expecting to banish the caretaker from her view, but Thomas rejected the assault.

Thomas
entered the room without consent and desirous of none.

Laura ignored
Thomas
.  Targeting her shawl, located on the chair beside her bed, her need for protection propelled her across the bare floorboards.  The article, large and comforting, afforded some bravado - pretence mattered.  Only then did she
again
formally acknowledge his presence.

“Sir, please explain. What dire event has occurred that would bring you to my chamber at this hour and with such malice?”

Laura’s hands shook with fright, but she
could not afford
to
let
the caretaker view her unease.  This, her third day in his company
,
was obviously not going to follow the same path as the previous two.

Shadows lingered, but the need for candles had long since expired.  Laura’s confusion mounted.

Thomas’ appearance was unruly.  Alcohol, Laura assumed, had played its part, but she did not want to believe that he had come to harm her or cast their friendship aside.

Thomas
spoke
, his voice teeming with deceit.
“Marlbrook estate
is some distance from here.”

“You are correct, sir, but you confound me with your statement. You know that I cannot verify your claim.”

For Thomas
,
the sanctity of sleep had come in bursts
.  H
is night
had been
spent in the pursuit of answers, a task hindered by the addition of drink.  However, his conviction was sound and had not been relinquished in the dawn light.  He had to send Laura from his home - away from Henry.

Henry was no different
than
the majority of men, but he had the added complication of being Laura’s employer.  And for Laura, Thomas judged work to mean survival.  Thomas also suspected that she would not withstand any onslaught Henry might have to offer. 
Also
,
perhaps, if he were truly honest, it was not just his friend that he
was sending
her from.  Thomas hauled his manner back under
control
.

“There are lodgings within a day’s ride to the West of here.”  Thomas
hesitated, his
resolve threaten
ing
to abandon him.  “A state of affairs has arisen that demands you take your leave forthwith. This is the destination to which you must travel.
I will send word to your driver to collect you from there.
I shall leave you to your preparations. Do you understand what is expected of you?”

Laura did not understand.  The man’s comments were severe, and she could not recall any provocation on her behalf that could warrant his
cruel
treatment of her.

Thomas had rallied her from her sleep and then introduced her to sorrow, this
from
the
man she had begun to call friend.  Disappointment rose
,
bitter and malformed.

“Sir. I thank you for providing a roof over my head,” Laura stated without faltering
.
“
I
shall gladly move to new lodgings. However, I must express my one regret. Had I known earlier that this accommodation existed, we may both have been saved a great deal of trouble.”

Thomas’ face bore the mark of Laura’s success.

Laura’s eyes locked with Thomas’, fury serving a purpose.  “I take it that I may leave my belongings here for collection at a later date? I do not think that even you would insist on my undertaking their cartage.”

Self-disgust sat with Thomas, but unlike Laura
,
he governed his reply.  “I did not intend to wound you
,
Laura. I came here this morning with a reasonable request that you, madam, not
I,
have chosen to turn upon myself. A horse has been prepared for your journey and the kitchen is yours before you leave. I have business to
which to
attend. Good day, madam!”

Thomas retired, and Laura felt as though the room crumpled inward under the strain of the climactic pause.

The courtyard was deathly quiet, a hoard of grey clouds filtering the new sun.  Foreboding piggybacked Laura.  A snort, followed by the impatient stomping of hooves, reminded her that she did not travel alone.  Laura’s companion, a regal chestnut
-
coloured mare, appeared anxious to depart.

Thomas entered the yard.  Holding Laura’s mount steady, he imparted directions while Laura scaled the animal’s heights
.
T
o the surprise of both
,
hostility managed to absent itself.  Thomas’ duty dispensed with
,
he made his way back to the house
,
and the gnarled wooden door of the kitchen removed him from
Laura’s
sight.