Lady Henrietta's Dilemma: Regency Suspense Romance Book 2 (Lords of Sussex) (17 page)

Within a couple of hours, they were ready, Esther looked over the one small trunk, although loathe to leave her gowns and pelisses at the apartment she had no choice. They could not possibly carry the larger trunks.

She left a note on the table for Vaughan, although heartbroken, she had no wish to leave in dire bitterness. He did at least save her from starvation three years   ago, and cared for her in that time.  Lottie thought otherwise, but just thinned her lips and said nothing. Her mistress was too good for the likes of that monster, but then no woman deserved his cruelty.

‘Come Lily, we must not leave you behind.’ Esther said bending to pick up the little spaniel.  ‘First Lottie, we visit that awful place, then we shall repair to my friend Marissa’s apartment. She will know of cheap lodgings for us. I will need a couple of days rest before we attempt a sea journey.’

‘Milady, could you not find the lodgings first?  It would give you time to think about things.’

‘I have no choice. It would be selfish of me to bring a child into the world only to starve to death.’ Yet as she said the words, fresh tears ran down her pale cheeks as she placed her hand on her stomach. Stifling a sob she murmured, rose. ‘Come Lottie, tis time to go. We shall leave quietly, so as not to awaken his lordship. I care not for another row.’

At such an early hour the streets of Brussels were
deserted  except for tradesmen setting up their goods for market.   With a sore heart, Lottie and Esther carried the trunk between them, with the little King Charles Spaniel following. The streets became more and more dilapidated and run down with scarcely anyone abroad except for a woman here and there scrubbing the front door step. A third of the way down a row of terraced stone cottages, Esther stopped.  ‘We are here. Oh Lottie, I wish this did not have to be. I fear I cannot go through with it.’

Lottie looked up and down the street. ‘Then don’t milady, come away. We can find cheap lodgings and just catch the boat back to England. Oh please, give yourself just a little more time. I beg you.’

Shaking her head, her eyes wide with fear, Esther turned and knocked on the door. It opened to a swarthy looking man, sturdy of shoulder, wearing a stained apron. Looking piercingly at Esther, and then at Lottie and the dog, he nodded. Esther trembled, and cleared her throat to speak, when a hand clasped her shoulder, and a voice rang out. ‘Esther, my darling girl, come with me.’

Gasping she turned to see David standing there his face compassionate, his eyes so tender.  Feeling the strength drain away from her, she swayed only to be lifted in his arms, as he carried her out to
the awaiting carriage.  A tearful Lottie followed, carrying little Lily, whilst a footman heaved the trunk up onto the roof of the vehicle. In the carriage, Esther rested, clasped in David's arms, her head on his shoulder.

‘My dearest girl,’ he said, ‘you are safe now. I would have come to you earlier, but I did not arrive home until the early hours, to find your maid Blanche with the ring and a footman waiting. Blasted meeting, ruined all my plans. ’ He looked over to Lottie. ‘We have you to thank you Lottie; you're
a  brave girl to take such a step.’

Esther murmured, ‘Lottie, how can I thank you? We must rescue Blanche; we cannot leave her there. I fear Vaughan will send her away too for helping us.’

‘Never fear, I told her to stay. She awaits us at my place.’ The viscount smiled, hugging her close, kissing her forehead.

Safely ensconced in David’s parlour, she watched, as he poured a brandy ‘Come drink this, it will not harm the baby just this once.’

She sipped, feeling the warmth surge through her chest when he knelt before her. ‘Why – why didn’t you tell me?’

Lottie rose from her chair, ‘I can find my way to the kitchen
my lord.’

‘I’m sure cook will be pleased to see you again my dear,' he smiled.

Once the room was clear Esther said, ‘I could not impose upon you, my lord. I had to tell Lord Bruges – had to give him the chance to claim his child. But he—’ 

The viscount’s kiss stifled her sob. Taking the glass from her, he held her hand. ‘I already knew my darling. I also knew I had to wait, but I would have waited forever. And
it’s David from now on – promise? ’

Esther nodded. ‘But how could you know? I said nothing. Did the doctor tell you?’

‘No, it was when we were in the copse in the forest, when you graciously allowed me to … err … your bosom was swollen and your veins quite prominent. I recognized the signs. My dear wife had the same….’

He stopped, his chocolate eyes darkening.

‘David I am sorry.’

‘I never thought I could love again Esther.’ His eyes cleared, as he gazed at her, but then I saw a beautiful young woman in a tent and fell in love.’ As he kissed the knuckles of her hand, Lily jumped up, her tail wagging, her large eyes upon David.

‘I just worry it is because I so look like her, that you wish it was—’

‘In looks yes but in everything else, you are so utterly different. I cannot tell you how much you mean to me. I just hope that you—’

‘David, I love you so much. I wanted to come to you. Your face, your voice were with me every minute. At night, I dreamt of you, and in the morning,  I would stand by the window just to catch a glimpse of  you, if you should chance to pass by.’

‘Darling –
marry me, make me the happiest man on this earth.’

‘But my reputation?’

‘You  are the daughter of a baronet, and that is how it will be. No-one will dare gainsay me. You will be the Viscountess of Palmerston and no-one will question that.’

‘But the babe?’

‘My child. From this day forth, I claim the baby as my own. We will be married –that is with your permission in two days hence. Pray my love, be mine. Please tell me you will agree?’

‘Oh David, yes – yes.’

He grinned hugging her close, ‘As you do not show yet, it will be presumed it is mine.’ He placed his hand on her stomach, ‘You may have guessed I lost my dear wife and baby in childbirth, so this is a precious gift, my lost child, and I promise you; he will not wish for anything, nannies, schools, fencing lessons—’

‘David.’ Esher could not help but laugh.  ‘What if it is a girl?’

‘Then she will be my princess,’ he said beaming, ‘the darling of my heart, after her mother that is.’  She shall have silks, satins, and—’

‘Tutors?’

‘Oh yes, our daughter will be beautiful and intelligent, a writer, poet—’

Esther drew his face to hers, and kissed him. 

Peeking through the door, Lottie saw their joy, and hugged herself.

Henrietta awoke with a start, to see a maid bustling over the ewer. Glancing at the clock she saw it read ten of the clock.  It was hardly credible she slept at all after the fiasco of last night.

Seeing the mistress awake, the maid smiled, ‘Good morning milady, I am to serve you, my name is Juliette. Would you like to do your toilette now? I have just carried up a jug of boiling water.’

‘Yes – yes please. I would prefer a bath, but a wash will suffice for now.’ Yawning she threw back the covers, and slipped out of bed, as the maid poured steaming water into the ewer.

‘Her ladyship has some rosewater for you to perfume the water, and a new sponge and lavender soap. She has also sent up some perfumed oil to clean your hair. ’

‘Now that is welcome. It was so smoky at the ball last night. The smoke covered our skin and clothes. It even went through the wigs we wore. They will have to be cleansed with oils or burnt. Ugh, I wish I could have bathed before getting into bed, I am sure the sheets are awful now.’

Never fear
mi’lady. I will send a laundry maid up to change the bed for you.’

‘You are very thoughtful.’

The maid smiled knowingly; there was nothing much the downstairs staff did not know. The latest gossip was the two mistresses dolled themselves up as doxies, and actually ventured into a Cyprian ball. My, what will they get up to next. Twas a good thing they had the Earl as an escort.

Henrietta relaxed as the maid vigorously brushed her hair cleansing it with the fine perfumed oils. Yet, she missed Milly’s touch, and would send for her later.

On entering the breakfast room the footman informed her that Alex and Isa would be down later.   Obviously, they were still abed.  Even though saddened with the upset last night, Etta felt a tremendous rush of relief, she was free, free to choose, to act, to love. 

Attracted by the aromas of kippers and smoked haddock, she made her way to the breakfast room. Sunshine sparkled on a burnished sideboard laden for breakfast with tureens and plates. The mahogany table and Hepplewhite chairs, gave a sense of modernity to the room. Moving to the open window, she gazed up at the sky across which scudded delicate wisps of cloud. Inhaling the sweet scents of honeysuckle and lavender, she surveyed the garden, where a riot of colour boasted numerous flowering shrubs and exotic blooms.  She wistfully thought of her own home; only the week before she was a young woman in love, excited at the prospect of marriage, but even then Vaughan nearly broke her heart, forbidding her to travel with him to Brussels and there was also that wretched book. Maybe in time she would have understood and enjoyed the act of love, but he forced her to examine a book full of erotic positions filling her with fear. Now she was alone, her life in tatters. Yet she would rather embrace the tatters than the chains of slavery.

Frowning, she thought of Ambros.  He was definitely the highwayman who accosted their carriage on the night of her marriage. He had yet to explain. What was she to think? Did he really love her? If so, why did he steal the parure – Vaughan’s wedding gift to her?  He’d laughed it off last night, as if it was some minor incident which he would explain. Well he had a lot of explaining to do.

Musing thus, a hand patted her shoulder and turning, she looked up into Ambros’s handsome face. Bending, he kissed her lightly on the lips. ‘
My what a way to start the day, sunshine, flowers, and the lips of a beautiful maiden. What more could a man ask for?’

‘Ambros, you can delay no longer, you said you would explain.  Really it is too
much, you accosted me and tried to steal the jewels. Then the night you were my protector, they vanished from the hotel bedroom. Please –explain.’

He pursed his lips, the cobalt blue eyes serious. ‘Firstly I apologise, Henrietta, I do not wish you to suffer anymore hurt. But evidently,
I cannot just sweep this away. His handsome eyes gazed into hers, his hands on her shoulders. ‘The parure of which you speak is my mother’s, a family heirloom. Bruges cheated my youngest brother out of them. Matthew, only seventeen years, without permission decided to visit the gaming hells with his pals. Oh yes, they thought themselves to be invincible young bucks. But, they were not prepared for the likes of Bruges. Even though realizing their youth, he plied them with liquor, encouraging them to higher and higher stakes, The result was Matthew lost all, and stole a family heirloom to pay the debt, namely my mother’s parure given to her by my father, to wear on their wedding day.  Suffice to say, on learning of Bruges deceit, I tackled him, but he refused to return the jewels, even after I offered a healthy sum for their return. My mother was distraught, not only had she lost her beloved husband, but also the precious gift he bestowed on her. After much thought, I devised a plan to retrieve them. Highway robbery seemed the easiest and most speedy. That was when I met and fell in love with a young girl brandishing two smoking pistols, a maiden who promptly shot one of my friends in the leg. I was determined to meet you again my darling, and I thank God I did for what would have befallen you in Bruges’s evil schemes?

‘I never knew he was such a bastard.’ She flushed at using such a strong term. ‘So, you did take the jewels from the hotel that night?’

‘To that I must confess, I must also confess I drugged you to do so.’

Frowning Henrietta sat down on a chair, ‘I blame you not,
they must be so beloved by your dear mother.’ 

‘Yes. I had the pleasure of getting a message through to her that I was once again in possession of them. So my little angel, forgive me and kiss me.’

Her eyes brimming with love, Henrietta put her arms around his neck, and kissed those firm lips. Drawing her closer, he cupped the back of her head and pressed his lips on hers long and tenderly, his tongue pushing through the pearly teeth.

Henrietta felt she could swoon with desire, her stomach rippling, her senses delighted.  This was so different to anything she had ever experienced.  She pressed her body nearer as if she could not get close enough.  Giving a soft whimper, she lifted her arms around his shoulders, her fingers stroking and pulling at the dark curls at his neck.

Pulling away for a breath, Ambros looked down at her. ‘My mother pledged the jewels to me for my bride. Dare I dream of placing the jewels around your neck on our wedding day?’

Henrietta looked down, biting her lips, her ardour cooling, shaking her head gently she took his hand. ‘My love I do not deserve it.’

‘But why – my love?’

Taking his hand, Henrietta drew him outside to the garden, she remained silent trailing
her  hands through tall sprigs of lavender. Eventually she stopped, and looked up at him. ‘It was all my fault you see.’

‘Never, how can you say that?’

‘I rejected him – I turned him away, time after time, lying – I was so cruel to him.’ she cried, her eyes stricken with pain.

‘Darling –
don’t, he—

‘I was
cold, I am all that he said, icy and cruel.’

‘But there must be a reason.’

‘Mine not his. I could not bear him near me – felt ill at his touch, it made me squirm.’

Ambros fell silent watching her, seeing the slender body tremble once more.

Wringing her hands she said, ‘There is a reason for my – my coldness. Something I have never told anyone.’

‘You can tell me Etta, don’t blame yourself.’

She whirled around to him, trying to say the words. ‘’I have never told anyone, not even Isabella or Phillipa. It is something I had to bury – bury so deep.’

Alarmed at the whiteness of her face, he grabbed her, holding her close. ‘Come now, there is nothing that will shock me. Etta
don’t punish yourself like this. Tell me.’

Lifting her chin, he said, ‘Look at me, trust me.’

Taking a deep shuddering breath she lowered her eyes, putting her head against his chest, the words almost stifled, ‘I was young, only six years old when – when my mama was attacked. Papa was away, mama and I were playing at the dressing table ….’ She stopped her body shivering. Stroking her hair, Ambros waited, he wanted to take away all the hurt, but he could only wait.

‘I was playing with Mama, brushing her hair … the door opened. A man came in and stalked over to Mama, lifting her from the chair
... I screamed running after him, but he kicked me away – threw her on the bed.  Oh Ambros, she tried to scream, but he covered her mouth. He told me he would kill her if I screamed. She tore free so he hit her – hit her until she fell quiet.  Then he....’

‘Oh my dear girl, my dear—’

‘I ran to the door but it was locked.’

Pulling away, Henrietta stood, facing away, her hands to her face. Ambros walked over and held her, his chin on her head. Brokenly she said, ‘Mama never said another word about it. She swore me to silence.  ‘Papa never knew – no-one knew. It was just me and her.’ 

Gently turning her around to face him, Ambros took her hand and led her to a garden seat. Lifting her onto his lap he held her, comforting the child within her, the hurt child who could never forget. ‘I share your pain. I love you dearest, love you with all my heart. I wish I could take the pain away but —’

‘Oh Ambros, how can I ever give my—’

‘Hush, you will in time.’

‘But Vaughan?
I did refuse him—’

‘You refused a cur
,  a man who married you for his own selfish ends and I know that in your heart you felt that. Dammit, he gave you that wretched book.  Never blame yourself my darling – never.’

As Henrietta looked up at him her eyes puffy and red, the tears sliding down the side of her lips, she felt a strength filling her, a steadiness. ‘I think perhaps …
oh Ambros, how can you marry me, a weak, hapless—’

‘Never – never.
You saved my life and a child’s at the risk of your own. Leif, you shot a man to save your husband. I believe in you, seen you in action and adored you.’

For moments they did not speak, just sitting feeling each other’s love, strength, sorrow and joy. ‘Marry me, Henrietta – marry me.’