Lord Ilchester's Inheritance (7 page)

The mare ambled along and Sapphire’s thoughts returned to Ned’s words. Canfield Hall was vast, accommodating a single house guest would make no difference at all. However, she was not comfortable at the notion of spending the next week in the company of this very attractive gentleman.

They would be obliged to dine together, even if they stayed apart during the day, this would inevitably lead to spending several hours alone in his company after her uncle retired. This would not be a good idea, in her opinion. For some reason she behaved like a shrew when he was close and said things she immediately regretted.

The mare shied as a pheasant flew out under her feet and Sapphire almost lost her seat. Once she was sorted and settled again she decided she would increase their pace. The sun-dappled path stretched invitingly ahead of her, quite long enough to gallop if she so wished.

She clicked her tongue and transferred her weight to the front of the saddle and immediately the horse responded. The wind whipped through her hair dislodging her hat and sending it flying into the branches. There was an inviting five-barred gate a hundred yards ahead and she decided to take the mare over it.

As the mare gathered herself to jump Sapphire realised she had no clear idea of what was on the other side of the obstacle. She sent up a fervent prayer to the Almighty that she had not made a catastrophic mistake.

Chapter Seven

Gideon was enjoying the early morning walk with the twins. He had been away at school and university when his siblings were this age and he sincerely wished he had not missed this delightful stage of their development.

He was leading Tom on his pony and Billy had David beside him. They walked sedately down the track that led towards the woods. ‘Billy, where does that path lead to? It should be cooler in the shade of the hedge.’

‘I’ve not been down it, my lord, but I reckon it runs around the wood and will bring us out behind the house.’

The path was on the right-hand side of the trees and on the left of the open parkland. ‘Then we shall take it. Are you enjoying your first experience of riding?’ Gideon asked. ‘You both seem to have a good seat.’

‘Can we go a bit faster, sir, we won’t fall off will we, David?’

‘Hold onto the neck strap if you feel insecure – whatever you do don’t snatch at the reins. Are you ready? Relax into the saddle and go with the motion of the pony.’ He patted the animal’s neck and began to walk faster – as soon as he was sure both boys were happy at the increasing pace he started to run.

The ponies trotted smartly and Tom and David screeched with excitement but both remained clinging, limpet-like, to the saddle. They were approaching a break in the trees. It was possible that there was fresh path ahead that led into the woods. This might shorten the distance back to the stables. They had been out for half an hour, and an hour was quite long enough for a first lesson.

‘David, Tom, pull gently on your reins for we are going to turn into the woods in a moment.’ Perspiration was trickling unpleasantly down his face and he wished he’d had the sense to leave off his stock and jacket before racing about in the sunshine.

The pony he was leading obediently dropped from a trot to a walk. He was about to dip into his pocket and remove his handkerchief when the unmistakable sound of a galloping horse made him pause. He flung himself against the pony and pushed it violently into the hedge not a moment too soon.

*

Sapphire peered through the mare’s pricked ears as they soared into the air and was relieved to see an open expanse of parkland the other side of the gate. Thank goodness! Then, to her horror, from the corner of her eye she saw there was someone directly in her path.

It was too late to take avoiding action. There was nothing she could do but pray that whoever it was would fling themselves out of the way. Unfortunately Starlight also saw the movement to her left and pecked on landing. Then she was sailing through the air and landed on her back with such a thud the breath was knocked from her lungs.

As she lay gasping she gradually became aware that someone was beside her. She was gaping like a fish out of water, her head was spinning and for a second she didn’t recognise the gentleman on his knees. Then her vision cleared. Lord Ilchester was preventing her from sitting up.

Slowly she recovered her breath and was able to speak. ‘The boys – are they unhurt?’ She struggled, but the pressure on her shoulders remained firm.

He nodded. ‘They are both perfectly well. Don’t move for a moment, you could have injured you spine. That was a hard fall you took.’

She relaxed and reassured him. ‘I can move all my limbs, and apart from being winded I am certain I have suffered no injury.’

He watched while she wriggled her toes and waved her fingers in the air and then sat back. ‘You may get up now, Miss Stanton.’ He did not offer to assist but turned his back and strode across to where her brothers were sitting quietly on their ponies. Billy was holding the leading reins of both animals.

Puzzled by his abrupt departure, she spent several minutes attempting to breathe normally and then to scramble to her feet. She winced when she put her weight on her right ankle and was relieved nobody else had been injured by her unexpected arrival. Her mare was grazing a few yards away and was obviously uninjured. She limped across and collected the reins which were trailing on the ground. ‘Well then, my girl, that was our first mishap. I am glad neither of us suffered from my foolishness.’

This detour to collect her mount had taken only a minute or so, but when she looked across she discovered she was alone. Her intention had been to apologise profusely for her stupidity and thank him for the speedy reactions that had kept her brothers safe from harm. Where on earth were they?

She stared down the path in both directions, but could not see them. How could they have vanished so speedily? She suppressed her anger at being abandoned; she deserved to be sent to Coventry, after all she could have caused a serious accident.

Although Starlight was not much more than fifteen hands, she could not remount without assistance. Obviously his lordship’s intention was to punish her by making her walk home. She ached from head to toe, and although she had insisted she was uninjured, she had twisted her right ankle quite severely. There was no possibility at all she could walk the mile or so back to Canfield Hall, so somehow she must get onto the saddle.

Then she remembered she had just jumped the gate. This would be ideal to use as a mounting block. ‘Come along, sweetheart, you must stand quietly for me so I can get up.’

Then she understood why she had been unable to see her brothers, the gate stood open, they had taken a different route home. With some difficulty she scrambled up the bars and manoeuvered herself until she was secure. Once she was safely settled she clicked her tongue and the mare moved smoothly forward.

Even with no weight on her injury every movement made by the horse sent waves of pain so severe she was forced to bite her lip to avoid fainting. At this painfully slow pace she would take an age to reach the stables. By the time she arrived she was no longer apologetic, but incandescent with rage. The pain from her ankle was making her feel quite nauseous, but she would not cast up her accounts until she had spoken her mind to Ilchester.

*

Once Gideon had made sure Sapphire was unharmed his rage at her stupidity made him want to shake some sense into her. When he had seen her crash to the ground his world had tilted on its axis. For a terrifying second he had believed her dead and he had ceased to breathe. This relief was rapidly replaced by ire and if he remained within arm’s reach of her he would do something he would regret.

He did not believe in corporal punishment, but at this moment he was barely restraining himself from administering a well-deserved spanking to the chit who could have killed herself and her brother. Now was not the time to tell her what he thought of her behaviour, that could keep until he had recovered his temper.

He left her struggling to sit up and strode back to the boys. ‘Billy, get the gate open, we are going home that way.’ He managed a feeble grin for the two children sitting immobile with shock. ‘Your sister is unhurt, lads, but we shall leave her to walk home as punishment for her almost killing us.’

Tom giggled nervously. ‘Are you sure she is alright? She’s making a funny noise.’

‘That’s what happens when you fall on your back, young man, she will be perfectly well in a moment or two. Now, did you get scratched when we went head first into the hedge?’

‘No, and Ned has checked Merry. That was ever so exciting. I never knew riding could be such an adventure.’

Satisfied his charge was not upset, Gideon snatched up the leading rein and followed Billy to the gate which was already being swung open.

David swivelled in the saddle and called back. ‘Saffy won’t be able to get on again, sir, shouldn’t Billy help her?’

‘She’s got to walk back because she’s been naughty, David, she shouldn’t have jumped over the gate and almost landed on us.’ Tom seemed almost gleeful at the thought of his sister having to trudge back on her own.

The ride was declared a great success by the twins and they thanked him prettily. He could hear them telling their nursemaid all about it as she led them away to wash their hands before they had their breakfast.

‘Ned, Miss Stanton will not be back for a while. There is no need to send out a search party – Billy will explain why.’

He would return to his chamber and try and spruce himself up before he went to break his fast. He was wearing a borrowed shirt and stock, but was hopeful his own would now be ready for him. After a strip wash he was handed his freshly sponged and pressed breeches, his jacket, his polished Hessians and his own clean shirt.

As he strolled past the nursery stairs he could hear the children laughing and chattering as they ate their breakfast. He had taken his time with his ablutions and when he checked his pocket watch be discovered the hour had moved on and the time was a little after ten o’clock.

No doubt Miss Stanton would be waiting for him in the breakfast parlour. He had intended to ring a peal over her, but his anger had dissipated and he thought being obliged to walk home was punishment enough for her foolishness. He sincerely hoped she would not bear a grudge.

On entering the parlour he was surprised to find it empty – not even his host was there. A footman was waiting to fetch him his choice of hot beverage and he beckoned him over. ‘Has Miss Stanton already eaten?’

‘No, my lord, she’s not back from her ride yet.’

Devil take it! There was something wrong, she should have been here by now. He turned on his heel and strode through the house and out of the side door that led directly to the stables. There was a commotion coming from the archway and he broke into a run.

*

Ned greeted her as Sapphire guided the mare onto the cobbles. There was no need to tell him she was in trouble, he had known her since she was an infant in leading strings.

‘Here, don’t you try and get down, miss, I’ll lift you from the saddle.’ He yelled for assistance and two stableboys appeared. ‘Here, hold onto the mare, she’s a mite skittish.’

‘I have injured my ankle, Ned, if I had not had the gate to use as a mounting block I would still be abandoned the other side of the woods.’

She did not feel at all the thing, perhaps she would leave the confrontation with Ilchester until she felt better. She was about to place her arm around Ned’s neck when his lordship burst into the yard. Without a by your leave he reached out and lifted her from the saddle. A shaft of agony from her ankle made her gasp and she did not have the energy to protest.

‘Sweetheart, this is all my doing. I should have stayed and not stomped off in high dudgeon.’ Holding her firmly against his chest he turned and headed for the house. ‘Ned, send someone for the physician. I want him here immediately.’

Somehow she managed to whisper to him. ‘Please, take care, every jolt of my ankle is so painful I believe I might faint from it.’

He said something so rude she hid her flaming cheeks in his jacket. ‘I beg your pardon for my language, but I am angry with myself for leaving you the way I did.’

He had slowed his pace, and at a gentle walk she felt more comfortable, well enough to respond. ‘I am too unwell to discuss the matter with you at the moment, my lord, but when I am feeling better I shall have much to say to you on the subject, and none of it will be pleasant.’

He did not seem particularly perturbed by this announcement. ‘And I do not blame you one jot, I have behaved despicably and deserve anything you throw at me.’

They were now at her bedchamber and he shouldered his way in, shouting for Jenny. Her maid arrived in a flurry of petticoats, her homely face etched with concern.

‘Lawks a mussy! Whatever next! Please put Miss Stanton on the daybed, my lord, and I will take care of her now.’

‘Very well, I shall leave her in your capable hands.’ He placed her carefully on the
chaise longue
and immediately moved away. From the open door he spoke again. ‘I have caused one disaster after another, Miss Stanton, and am well aware that you would wish me to Hades. I give you my word as soon as I am confident you are not seriously hurt, I shall depart. I apologise yet again for causing you such unnecessary distress.’

Sapphire didn’t want him to leave – she wanted to be able to castigate him and then laugh together and be friends. However, she was unable to call him back as Jenny inadvertently touched her ankle and the pain sent her into swooning blackness.

*

Gideon muttered imprecations under his breath as he went in search of Mr Bishop. The old gentleman would not be best pleased that his beloved great-niece had been treated so callously. The drawing room was empty. He would ask to be taken to his host’s private domain.

Thank God the young footman did not think it necessary to announce him, but merely knocked on the door and then slipped away unobtrusively as all good servants should.

Jarvis opened the door his usual smile absent. News of the accident had obviously arrived ahead of him – which was hardly surprising as he’d taken so long getting changed. ‘Would it be possible for me to speak to Mr Bishop?’

‘He is not well this morning, my lord, I don’t reckon he’ll be receiving visitors.’

That explained the man’s glum features. ‘I must have a word with him, it is urgent, kindly go and ask him if he is able to see me. I take it you have sent for his physician?’