Love's Tangle (16 page)

Once outside, he called the mare from her shelter and offered Elinor his hand to mount. She knew she should refuse to go with him but her legs were so weary she felt unable to walk another step. She allowed herself to be thrown into the saddle and in a second Gabriel had leapt up behind her and was nudging the horse forward, away from the blocked lane and towards open fields. His arms at first cradled her in a loose embrace but gradually the mare’s gentle rocking melded their figures closer and closer together. At each new field he was forced to bend in order to unlatch the gate and she could feel his form lean into hers, hard and taut. She felt flushed, disturbed, her emotions hopelessly out of control—this was the very reason she should have refused the ride. It was as though she traveled in a dream, unaware of her surroundings and fixed only on the touch of his body. Unconscious of the miles passing, she was astonished to find they had arrived back on Allingham land and were journeying up the Hall’s long, winding drive.

He helped her dismount but did not look at her. Turning away to gather up the reins, he said over his shoulder, “You have only a short walk from here. My advice would be a hot bath and warm clothes.” And without another word he strode towards the stables.

****

“Was that Gabriel I saw you with?”

Taken aback, she turned to face Roland. She tried to look welcoming but his first words made it difficult. “I think you must know it was,” she said sharply.

He looked ruffled by her tone. “I have no wish to upset you, Elinor,” he protested. “My only desire is to protect.”

She was not disarmed. She did not wish for protection, least of all from Roland Frant. There was no stopping him though. “I am sure my cousin can be the most charming of companions,” he was saying, “but he can also be the most dangerous—at least for a girl such as yourself.”

The hairs on her neck bristled to attention. “What exactly do you mean—a girl such as myself?”

He had the grace to look uncomfortable. “Well, my dear, your story is a little irregular, wouldn’t you say? In cases such as yours, it is wise to be particularly careful of even the smallest breath of scandal.”

Her face registered growing anger but he ignored the storm signs. “I’m not saying you would encourage such a thing but Gabriel is arrogant and unthinking. He is used to women falling down before him and thinks of nothing but his own pleasure. He could easily ruin your prospects without a second thought.”

“My prospects, as you term them, are my own affair, Roland. But since you are so concerned, let me reassure you that I feel nothing more for the duke than grateful friendship. And however he may act with other women, I am sure I need have no fear for myself.”

He bridled. “Let us hope you are right. I had no intention of causing distress but I would be lacking in my duty if I did not warn you.”

“You have and now let it lie. If you will excuse me, I must return to the house.”

She left him looking slightly absurd in the middle of the carriageway and thought she had probably made an enemy, but he had infuriated her with his insinuations and she had been unable to mask her feelings. What upset her most, though, was that he had spoken a truth she did not wish to acknowledge.

****

“You had better devise a plan very rapidly, Mama.”

Roland plunged into the drawing room of the Dower House out of breath and slightly unkempt. He had almost run down the drive in the hope of finding his mother still at home. She was packing a small basket to take back with her to the Hall.

“Gabriel is becoming just a little too enamored with our unwelcome guest. I caught them just now riding together—on one horse!”

“I trust you put a stop to such flagrant conduct.”

“Naturally, Mama. He dismounted when he saw me. He must know I had no intention of leaving him alone with her, but I will not always be around.”

“You must not think me unaware. I have watched this unfortunate intimacy grow and made my plans accordingly. Miss Milford has spoken of her intention to find work but that will not be a permanent solution to our problem. If her employment is unsuccessful, she could come back at any time and Gabriel is quite capable of seeking her wherever she goes. It is a husband we need. A husband will take her off our hands for good.”

“It may be difficult.”

“Do not be such a faint heart,” his mother scolded. “I already have such a one in mind. A Mr. Ferrers. He is a respectable man, a lawyer I believe, but nevertheless enjoying considerable success as his practice expands. I know for a fact that he is looking for a wife and when he meets Elinor, I am sure he will take a liking to her. She is a little gawky—I find men generally balk at tall women—but attractive enough in a foreign kind of way. The courtship need only be brief. With a little judicious encouragement, he will admire her sufficiently I am sure to make an offer.”

“And Elinor?”

“She should be delighted with such a respectable marriage. A girl in her position cannot be too choosy and Mr. Ferrers will provide a comfortable home. He is coming to tea at the Hall tomorrow and she will need to look her best. I will tell her the good news before dinner this evening.”

Chapter Nine

“What? Let me get this clear, Lady Frant. You have invited a man to tea so that he can view me?”

Celia Frant shuddered. “You are unnecessarily coarse, Elinor, and I would certainly not phrase it so. It is simply an opportunity for him to meet you. You would do well to make yourself available and amenable.” This last was said in a severe tone. Elinor’s expression promised anything but amenable.

But Lady Frant sailed smoothly along as though she was not at this moment encountering rampant hostility. “You never know, my dear, you may find you go on very well together. And in a short time it could lead to a respectable offer. Mr. Ferrers is a professional man, it’s true, but he is doing exceptionally well in his business and has already acquired a sizeable house and a stable of thoroughbreds.”

“And I am to join them? Tomorrow’s little tea party is by way of being a reconnaissance mission for Mister, whatever his name is.”

“Mr. Ferrers,” Celia said in a quelling tone. “It would be wise to remember his name.”

“A reconnaissance mission,” Elinor repeated, “so he can pick over the goods before deciding on a definite purchase.”

“Really, your language does you no credit. You would do well to be pleasant to him.”

“And you would do well to cease meddling in my affairs.”

“How dare you accuse me of meddling! I would never have invited Mr. Ferrers if I had not known the duke’s concern over your future.”

“The duke asked you to invite this man?”

“Not exactly. But marriage is the most sensible solution to the predicament we find ourselves in. I have simply helped matters along.”

“The duke has made known his concerns for my future!” Elinor exclaimed wrathfully. “We will see about that.”

She banged out of the drawing room and rushed down the stairs and out through the huge oak front door. She went first to the estate office, which was locked and empty, then on to the stables. The grooms were mystified by her appearance since the duke had left hours ago. Was she to walk over the entire estate in order to vent her spleen? Then she remembered the study. It was unusual for Gabriel to take refuge there until after dinner but knowing of the invitation to Mr. Ferrers, he might have gone to ground already.

****

She burst through the door as the duke was pouring himself a very large brandy. He was hoping to sink into the liquor’s warm embrace and blot from his mind yet another disturbing encounter with Elinor. He’d kept himself on a tight rein in that cheerless shack, but only just. And then the ride home, his arms around her trim waist, her body leaning into his—it was too much to bear. As a servant, she had lived her life at a distance unless, he thought drily, she was poking around in rooms in which she had no business. But then he’d brought her into those rooms to live right under his nose and the more he saw her, the more he wanted her; the more he wanted her, the less he could have her.

His thoughts lost themselves in a haze of remembered pleasure. She had no idea how lovely she was. Today he longed to run his hands through that glorious mass of dark curls, longed to see those misty green eyes cloud with desire, to snatch more than will o’ the wisp caresses from those full lips. He wanted her all to himself. He was about to get his wish.

“You are unbelievable!”

Surfacing slowly from his dreamlike state, Gabriel’s eyes flickered in surprise at the rigid figure that confronted him. “Elinor, you are upset. What has happened?”

“Upset? No, I am not upset. But incandescent with rage—certainly!”

“Sit down please,” he gestured towards the chair directly opposite, “and tell me the problem.”

“I will not sit down, and you yourself are the problem.” Her figure was stiff with fury and her eyes flashing fire.

“Then if you will not sit, I must stand. Exactly how am I a problem?”

“You have all the arrogance of your class,” she almost spat out.

“I think we must have already established that somewhere along the line.” His languid tone concealed a rising irritation.

“You are haughty, controlling and utterly insensitive.”

“We could exchange insults all evening. Why don’t you get to the point?” He was bristling now.

“I will, you can be sure. It is not enough that your family has marauded through the neighborhood, causing pain and sadness, but now years later you must bury the evidence.”

He seemed bemused. “Bury the evidence?”

“Evidence of their wrongdoing. You and your relatives are determined to rid Allingham of my presence.”

He looked at her measuringly. “First of all, my
family
did not go marauding. It was one individual—I presume you are referring to Charles—who now lies dead, and incidentally, unmourned. And secondly, if you are the evidence of his marauding, it seems to me that far from getting rid of you, I have done all I can to make you feel welcome.”

For a moment Elinor looked shamefaced but only for a moment before she was on the attack again. “Any welcome I’ve received has been conditional—it is clear your family has always been determined to see me go from Allingham. I have already begun my own arrangements to leave—I told you as much a few hours ago. But that isn’t good enough. No, you have to control me to your own satisfaction. I must be married according to your dictate.”

“Married?” His tone lost its impassivity but Elinor hardly noticed.

“The best of it is that before I reach this blessed state, I must be touted around the countryside to all the likely men who might be interested in taking an inconvenient base-born daughter off your hands.”

“What nonsense is this?!” He strode towards her as though he wanted to shake some sense into her but she stepped to one side and without pausing, continued in a voice tight with anger.

“I have it on the best of authority—your aunt, no less, the sister of my late and unlamented father. And lest I should think she is acting as a sole agent, she assures me it is your concern for my future that has prompted her so diligently to seek a mate for me.”

He looked confounded and said slowly, “Are you telling me Celia has been matchmaking?”

“Matchmaking is far too romantic a term for the enterprise,” she said bitterly. “And I cannot imagine this is fresh news to you.”

“You better start imagining then. I have never, ever discussed the topic of your marriage with Celia, let alone asked her to scan the neighborhood for a likely husband.”

“If that is so, how does it come about that she has invited a Mr. Ferrers to look me over tomorrow? He owns a stable of thoroughbreds, she tells me. I must make sure my teeth are shining and bright or he may pass me over.”

“This is ridiculous. Ferrers? Who the hell is he?” His annoyance was once more getting the better of him and he made no attempt to apologize for the oath.

“Who indeed? But we must not quibble. Your aunt seems well satisfied with her choice. An illegitimate child cannot expect to aim too high, you see, even when the prospective bridegroom is paid handsomely to take her off Claremont hands.”

He reached out and grasped her by the shoulders. “Elinor, you must stop this insane rant. I am not paying anyone to take you off my, our hands. Nor do I wish to impose a bridegroom on you.”

“Your aunt is merely expressing the family sentiment, I’m sure. Tell her please that she is welcome to entertain Mr. Ferrers to tea tomorrow but I will not be there.”

“I will tell her more than that.” His voice was stern. “This whole thing has got out of hand. You will hear no more of it, I promise.”

“I will not be around to hear more. I expect to receive a reply from Malmesbury at any moment and will start on my journey immediately.”

She turned on her heels and was marching towards the door when Gabriel’s voice called after her, “You cannot really mean to go as a governess.”

She swung round, her expression still fiery. “Naturally my new position will lack the glory of a husband bought by Claremont money, but I will be well compensated by the pride of working for my living.”

“Think, Elinor! You are nobly born—and not just on the Claremont side. You cannot spend your life drudging in some humble home.”

“Humble maybe but blessedly free from humiliation.” She resumed her march towards the open doorway, saying in a clear, cold voice, “I wish to be private until I leave. Pray allow me that indulgence.” With a sharp snap, the door shut behind her.

Gabriel grabbed the decanter and poured himself another brandy. He needed a second drink and probably a third and a fourth. Of late, he’d rarely felt the impulse but now he decided, he would make a night of it. He did not want Elinor to marry a Mr. Ferrers; he did not want her to marry anyone. How could she believe him to be so crass as to plot such a thing with his aunt? He was incensed with her and incensed with Celia. Ever since the truth of Elinor’s birth had become known, his aunt had been hinting at her departure from Allingham. Perhaps she feared the long dead scandal would be reborn with all its shameful repercussions; perhaps she still held her elder brother in respect and Elinor was a constant reproach to her image of the dead man. Whatever the reason, it seemed she had decided the girl should leave and very soon.