Return of the Runaway (21 page)

‘Raoul, I—'

‘Hush now.' He settled her more comfortably in his arms again. ‘It is time to rest. Or are you afraid of your dreams?'

She gave a sigh of contentment.

‘Not now. Not when I am with you.'

Raoul closed his eyes, satisfied.

‘Thank you,' she murmured, so softly he could barely hear her. ‘Thank you for listening.'

He held her close, overwhelmed by the urge to protect the dainty, fragile creature beside him. Once she was in the care of her family it would be a different matter, but he hated the thought of her being alone and defenceless, even for a single day.

* * *

Arrandale's low groans woke Raoul. He gently disengaged himself from Cassie's sleeping form and went to tend his patient.

‘Where the devil am I?'

‘In the vaults of the church,' murmured Raoul, making a swift examination of the wound. ‘I have removed the bullet from your shoulder. You fool, why did you not tell me about this the other night?'

‘I was anxious to be on my way.' Arrandale drew in a sharp, hissing breath as Raoul touched a sore spot. ‘I did not want to bring the officers to your door.' He raised his head to peer at his shoulder. ‘How is it now?'

‘The bleeding has stopped. It will heal, given time.'

‘Good.' He sank back, closing his eyes again. ‘Speaking of time, did Cassie get away?'

‘No.'

‘What!'

‘She stayed to help you.'

Arrandale followed Raoul's glance towards Cassie's sleeping form and he muttered angrily under his breath.

‘Your captain friend says he will return for her tonight,' said Raoul.

‘Aye, he's a good man—' Arrandale broke off as Cassie stirred and sat up.

‘Wolfgang. You are awake. How do you feel now?'

‘I'll live. But what the devil do you mean by staying here?'

‘I wanted to help,' she said simply.

‘Confound it, Cousin, you have jeopardised your chances of getting to England. What if the weather is bad, tonight? What if—'

‘Hush,' said Cassie, putting a hand on his good shoulder. ‘Do not concern yourself, Cousin. Your captain has promised to return, I trust that he will.' She added shyly, ‘Will you not change your mind and come back to England with me?'

‘You know I cannot do that, Cassie. I am a wanted man.'

She shook her head.

‘Grandmama has never believed it, I am sure she will help you.'

‘Nay, Cousin, it will need more than that to save me from the gallows.'

Raoul listened in silence to their exchange. He was sure now that Cassie was not in love with her cousin, but he could not help a prickle of jealousy at her concern for Arrandale's welfare. He said curtly, ‘You should go with your cousin, sir. She should not be travelling alone.'

‘If that's the case, then you should go with her, Doulevant.'

‘Impossible,' said Cassie immediately. ‘Raoul is going back to Brussels to join his family and take up his work again.'

‘He could work in England, now he has his papers,' Arrandale pointed out. ‘If anything, my friend, you would be safer there than here, for if Valerin finds you before you reach Brussels he will not let you live long enough to prove your innocence.'

Raoul said nothing. Arrandale was right. The journey to Brussels was fraught with danger and he might even bring more trouble to Margot. But to go to England, to be so close to Cassandra, knowing he could never have her—

A sudden noise at the door had Raoul reaching for his pistol, but it was the
curé
's servant carrying a heavy pot from which emanated a most appetising aroma.

‘
Mon père
has sent you dinner,
madame
,
messieurs
. And he says to tell you it is growing dark now.'

‘A thousand thanks to him for his goodness,' said Raoul, going forward to relieve the man of his burden.

* * *

By the time they had finished their simple meal of stew and bread Raoul noted that Arrandale was looking much better and was even talking about getting up.

‘You should rest a little longer,' Cassie advised him. ‘You are very weak.'

‘Nonsense, I am as strong as an ox.' He struggled to his feet, wincing a little. ‘Although an ox has four legs, which would help considerably.' He looked about him. ‘Where is my shirt?'

‘The priest took it away to burn it, along with your coat. They were both beyond repair.' For the first time that day Raoul grinned. ‘He has left you some clothes from the poor box.'

‘What? They are mere rags!' Arrandale looked with distaste at the old shirt and badly patched jerkin that Raoul was holding up. ‘Well, help me into the shirt, if you please, it will at least keep off the damp chill of this place.'

It was soon done and despite Arrandale's protests Raoul fashioned him a sling from the remains of the sheet they had been tearing up for bandages.

‘You will need to keep that arm still and rest the shoulder.' He took out his watch. ‘It is nearly midnight. Your sailor friends should be here soon.'

‘Aye. I will see my cousin safely away before I set off. Can I ask you to saddle the horses for me, Doulevant? I doubt I will be able to do that tonight and we shall have to take Cassie's mount away with us.'

‘Of course,' said Raoul absently. ‘I will slip out and see to it shortly.'

‘Where will you go?' asked Cassie.

‘It is best that you do not know that.' Arrandale flicked her cheek with a careless finger. ‘Trust me, I shall survive.'

‘Perhaps Raoul will ride with you,' she suggested. ‘At least for a few miles.'

‘No.' Raoul had at last come to a decision.

You are a fool, man. You are only delaying the inevitable parting.

Perhaps he was a fool, but he could not bear to think of sending Cassie off alone into the night, with only strangers for company.

‘If you will not go with your cousin to England, Arrandale, then I must go.'

‘That is excellent news, my friend, and what I expected. You will find I have already paid for your passage, and sent instructions to the inn at Newhaven to expect you.'

Raoul's brow darkened and he scowled at Arrandale.

‘You
knew
I would go?'

‘I thought it very likely and made my plans accordingly.'

The tall Englishman was grinning broadly, but it was the soft shine in Cassie's eyes that alarmed Raoul. He should not be raising false hopes in her.

‘It will be safer for me to quit France for a while. I will not risk leading Valerin to my sister.' He looked at Cassie and said meaningfully, ‘This changes nothing between us, milady. I will stay with you only until you are safe in your grandmother's care.'

Cassie dropped her gaze.

‘Of course,' she said quietly. ‘I understand.'

She would have Raoul's company for another few days and she could not help herself, she was glad of it. She was not ready yet to say goodbye.

* * *

At a few minutes before midnight Cassie followed the men up the stairs, reaching the nave of the church just as the
Antoinette
's captain and first mate entered. Wolfgang cut short their expressions of delight at seeing him on his feet again.

‘Never mind that, my friends. You have two passengers tonight. Make haste to get them away.'

He broke off as the church door was flung open. The priest's servant stood in the doorway.

‘
Messieurs
, you must leave, now. This instant. There are riders approaching!'

‘Are they customs men?' demanded the captain.

The servant bent over his knees, gasping for breath. ‘No, no, they are not
douaniers
. They are in uniform and look more like soldiers, or
gendarmes
. It is difficult to see in the dark. There are a dozen of them at least.'

‘Valerin,' muttered Raoul, drawing his pistol. ‘Captain, take milady and get her down to the beach. Arrandale and I will cover your escape—'

‘No,' gasped Cassie.

Wolfgang caught Raoul's arm. ‘Do not be foolish man, what do you expect us to do, fight them all?'

‘Yes, or die in the attempt.'

Wolfgang put his hand on Raoul's shoulder, saying urgently, ‘If we stay here we are all lost. Get Cassie away while you can, man. The path to the beach is perilous and she will need your help. I cannot manage it in my present condition, but I
can
ride. I am well acquainted with this coast, I'll take the horses and draw them off.'

‘Quickly, quickly,' cried the servant, his voice rising with panic. ‘They will be here any moment!'

Cassie held her breath. Time seemed to stand still as she waited in an agony of suspense for Raoul's answer.

‘Very well,' he said at last. ‘Take my pistol.'

‘Aye, your hat and jacket as well,' said Wolfgang. ‘If I hunch low in the saddle it should be enough to fool them that I am the man they want.'

Hastily Raoul exchanged his riding jacket for the worn leather jerkin. Wolfgang fixed the hat on his head.

‘Goodbye, Doulevant. I rely on you to get my cousin safely to her grandmother.' He gripped Raoul's hand for a moment, then turned to Cassie.

She hugged him fiercely, being careful to avoid his injured shoulder.

‘Goodbye, Cousin.' He held her close with his one good hand. ‘Give my daughter a kiss from me.' He turned and grabbed the servant by the arm. ‘Come along, my man, you can help me with the horses. Thank heaven Doulevant has already saddled them.'

He went off, dragging the protesting servant with him, while Cassie and Raoul followed the sailors out of a side door and through the graveyard to the cove path.

At the cliff edge Raoul stopped, a stifled exclamation escaping him.

‘My papers,' he muttered. ‘Arrandale has them, they are still in my coat pocket.'

Cassie gave him a little push.

‘Go after him, quickly,' she urged him. ‘We will wait for you. Captain—'

The sounds of shouts and hoofbeats filled the night as Wolfgang rode out of the stable, leading the two spare horses.

‘Too late,' said Raoul.

The captain gave a little grunt of satisfaction.

‘It's so dark now the
gendarmes
might well think you are all riding away. Yes, look, there they go, after him.' He turned back to Raoul, saying urgently, ‘
Monsieur
, we must go.'

Raoul took Cassie's hand. ‘Come on.'

They stepped on to the path. It dropped steeply away and the church was soon lost to sight. The descent was steep and they went slowly, picking their way in the darkness. Cassie held her cloak tightly about her with one hand, the other clinging to Raoul's fingers. They had not gone far when a shot sounded, quickly carried away by the breeze. They all stopped as several more followed, a distant sharp crackle of sound in the night.

‘It looks like Lagrasse has got their attention,' muttered the captain.

Cassie said nothing, she felt sick with worry for her cousin, but there was nothing to be done now, except go on. By the time they reached the beach her whole body was aching from the strain of negotiating the steep path in near darkness. Every step was fraught with danger on the rocky, uneven path and without Raoul's firm clasp on her hand Cassie thought her legs might seize up altogether. On the beach they were sheltered a little from the stiff breeze, small waves lapped softly against the shore, and Cassie could just make out a small rowing boat pulled up out of the water, little more than a blacker shape against the darkness. As they scrunched across the pebbles several shadowy figures loomed up and pushed the boat back into the waves.

Without ceremony Raoul lifted Cassie into his arms and waded out to place her in the boat. Everyone else jumped aboard, she heard the scrape and splash of the oars, and they were moving swiftly away from the shore. A dark shape loomed up ahead of them and she guessed they had reached the
Antoinette
. She suffered in silence the indignity of being thrown over Raoul's shoulder as he climbed aboard and she sat with him in a sheltered spot on deck while the crew raced around them, weighing anchor and setting the sails.

‘As long as we avoid the British warships we should make good time,' said the captain, coming up. ‘We have a fair wind and the tides are in our favour. I expect to be putting you ashore near Newhaven early tomorrow evening.' He grinned. ‘The gods are smiling on us; the weather is unusually good for this time of the year. You should enjoy an easy crossing.'

‘Thank you, Captain.' Cassie put up her hand to smother a yawn.

‘We have very few luxuries aboard this vessel,' he said, ‘but there is one cabin below, if you would like to rest there?'

‘Yes, indeed,' said Cassie. ‘We are both in need of sleep.'

She reached for Raoul's hand, but he moved away from her.

‘I will sleep on deck. Milady can have the cabin. Perhaps, Captain, you would show her the way?'

There it was again, that note of steel in Raoul's voice that told her he would not be moved. Silently she followed the captain down the ladder-like steps to the lower deck and resigned herself to a long, lonely night.

Chapter Eleven

E
ngland. Enemy territory. Raoul stood beside Cassie on the shingle beach as the rowing boat that had brought them to this shore slowly drew away. The moon was just rising and the
Antoinette
was no more than a shadow against the starry sky. A chill wind was blowing, cutting through the worn leather jerkin and making him shiver.

‘We will be warmer if we walk,' said Cassie. ‘And we must speak English now.'

‘As you wish,' he replied in her own language. ‘I do not speak it quite like a native, but enough to get by, I think.'

‘You speak it very well, Raoul.'

They set off along the beach, heading for the distant lights that the captain had told them were from the port of Newhaven.

Raoul reached for her hand.

‘You are tired, milady?'

‘No.'

‘Then what is it, why are you so quiet?'

‘I am...sorry that this will soon be over.'

He laughed, deliberately misunderstanding. ‘I am not. I cannot wait to get into clean clothes and a real bed!'

‘Not that. Our time together.'

‘Ah.' The lead weight that had settled in his gut that morning grew heavier. Perhaps it was better to speak the truth now and get it over with. He said gravely, ‘After all that has occurred I should ask your
grandmère
for your hand in marriage, but she would not allow it. I have nothing to offer you,
ma chère
.'

‘I do not expect you to marry me,' she replied quietly. ‘I am a widow, not some innocent virgin that you have deflowered.' She fell silent. Then, ‘What will happen to you, Raoul?'

‘It is most likely that I shall be locked up.'

‘But you are not French. You are not an enemy!'

‘Who will believe that, when I have no papers to prove it? War, she is cruel, my love.' He tightened his grip on the leather-bound case in his hand. ‘But look, I have my surgeon's tools now. It is possible I shall be allowed to tend the other prisoners of war.'

‘What if...?' She hesitated. ‘What if I am with child?

He hesitated, torn between desperately wanting her to be carrying his baby and fear for a child he could not protect.

Misunderstanding his silence, she hurried on. ‘You need not worry if that is the case. I am sure Grandmama will take care of matters.'

‘I am sure she will,' he answered bitterly.

* * *

It took them an hour to reach Newhaven and they soon found the Bridge Inn, a busy hostelry where they discovered that they were expected. The landlord greeted them in person, bowing low.

‘Good evening, my lady, sir. Your rooms are ready. I hope you will find everything is in order. Pray send word when you wish dinner to be sent up.'

They were escorted to an impressive suite of rooms on the first floor. Servants were waiting to show them to their separate bedchambers. Cassie followed the maid into a large chamber with a cheerful fire blazing in the hearth, hot water in a jug on the washstand and a clean set of clothes spread out on the bed. There was even a truckle bed made up in the corner for the maid, a tacit reminder to Cassie that the proprieties were to be observed now she was back in England.

* * *

When she emerged some time later she found Raoul waiting for her in the sitting room. He was attired in riding jacket, buckskins and top boots, the epitome of English country fashions, and with his sleek, dark hair, near black eyes and lean cheeks freshly shaved, he looked every inch a gentleman.

He turned to her and bowed.

‘Your cousin, he surpasses himself with the arrangements,' he said, putting a hand to his snowy neckcloth. ‘The coat, it is a little tight across the shoulder, but overall it looks very well, I think?'

He looked so handsome that Cassie felt almost sick with longing for him, but she hid it behind an even brighter smile.

‘From the maid's chatter I believe he sent a full purse here with instructions for our every comfort. I have no idea where he came by so much money.'

‘I think it is best not to enquire too closely into the affairs of your cousin,' said Raoul.

‘Very true. I do hope he managed to get away.' Her smiled faltered, but after a brief pause she recovered, saying brightly, ‘And this gown suits me very well, does it not?' She glanced down with satisfaction at her walking dress of pale-pink muslin over white cambric. ‘In truth, it was too big at first, but with a little judicious pinning and tucking it now fits me perfectly. There are gloves, too, and a pelisse and bonnet for me to wear, when we go out.'

‘Your cousin has truly thought of everything,' remarked Raoul. ‘The landlord tells me the—what did he call it?—the
shot
here is paid until Lady Hune's coach arrives to fetch you, however long that may be.'

She looked up quickly. ‘To fetch
me
? You will come with me to meet Grandmama, Raoul, will you not?'

The look he gave her tore at her heart.

‘We must part sometime, milady.'

‘Not yet,' she begged him. ‘Please, Raoul, do not leave me until you have met the marchioness. She will be able to help you, I know she will.'

He inclined his head and said politely, ‘As you wish. Shall I send down for dinner?'

* * *

Two days later Lady Hune's travelling chaise arrived to carry them to Chantreys.

‘At least it is closer than Bath,' Cassie remarked as they set off. ‘We should be no more than three nights on the road.'

Raoul said nothing, but kept his eyes fixed on the window as the houses dwindled and they rattled through the open countryside. How was he to survive another three nights, knowing Cassie was so close, but that he could not hold her? It must be done. They were both agreed there could be no future for them, but it cut him to the heart to see Cassie trying to be so brave. They were perfectly civil to one another, but occasionally he would look up to find her watching him, such sorrow in her eyes that he could hardly bear it.

Yet bear it he must. His mother had died as much of a broken heart as the growth in her body, pining for the man she loved. Raoul knew he was his father's son, he was committed to his work and he would not risk making the same mistake, of neglecting those he loved until it was too late. It was better that he left Cassie now, while she was young enough to find another man to love her, to cherish her. One who could give her the life she deserved, the life of a lady.

* * *

By the time they reached Chantreys, Raoul was exhausted. He and Cassie had maintained the pretence of being nothing more than acquaintances, retiring each night to their separate beds, but at one of the inns the walls were so thin that he had caught the sound of muffled sobs coming from her room. And in the morning she was looking so wan and hollow-eyed only his strong conviction that it was for the best kept him from taking her in his arms and kissing away her sadness.

As the chaise bowled up the drive he studied the house. It was a fine building, but it was not the grand palace he had been expecting. Cassandra had informed him that Chantreys was not the Earl of Davenport's principal seat, yet it was where he and his family had chosen to make their home. A house suitable for a gentleman, certainly, but with none of the magnificence Raoul thought essential for a peer of the realm. He wondered if he would ever understand the English.

When they alighted at the door they were met by the butler, Fingle, who informed them that the dowager marchioness was resting and would see them later. He then passed Lady Cassandra over to the care of the housekeeper and personally escorted Raoul upstairs to his bedchamber. The significance of this gesture was not lost on Raoul, who had half-expected to be treated as a hired courier and lodged in the servants' quarters. When a footman came in carrying a supply of fresh linen for him and asking if he would like hot water brought up for a bath, Raoul accepted readily. He was anxious to wash away the dirt of the road and refresh himself before his meeting with Lady Hune.

* * *

‘There you are, my lady, this is your room.' The motherly housekeeper showed Cassie into a light, airy bedchamber overlooking the gardens. ‘The fire has been burning all morning so 'tis nice and warm in here. Her ladyship's maid said she would come in when you are ready to dress, but perhaps you would like to rest, first?'

‘Thank you, Mrs Wallace, I think I would like to lie down for a while. Tell Duffy I will send for her when I am ready.'

The housekeeper had been chattering non-stop and Cassie felt the beginning of a headache nagging at her temples. As soon as the woman left her she lay down on the bed and closed her eyes. Unhappiness weighed upon her like a heavy cloak. She felt so
tired
. Her body ached with longing for Raoul, with the effort of keeping that longing hidden from him. They had agreed that they must part and she was determined not to make it more difficult for him than necessary.

She heard a soft knock at the door and sat up. Had she slept without knowing it? Another knock followed and the door opened. A golden head appeared and a pretty, musical voice spoke.

‘Ah, you are not asleep, Lady Cassandra. Good. May I come in?' Hardly waiting for Cassie's assent the young lady slipped into the room. ‘I wanted to introduce myself to you, my lady. I am Ellen Tatham.'

‘Ah yes. Of course.' Reluctantly Cassie slid off the bed. ‘Will you not sit down, Miss Tatham?'

When they were sitting down on either side of the fireplace, Miss Tatham continued.

‘Pray, do call me Ellen. Your grandmother has been kind enough to take me under her wing for my come-out. She has looked after me in London for most of the Season, but I wanted to assure you that I have not in any way usurped your place in her affections, Lady Cassandra. She has been so worried for you, but I hope I have helped her to bear it.'

‘Thank you,' said Cassie politely. ‘I am sure you have helped to divert her mind. But you must be sorry to have left London.'

‘Not a bit of it,' Ellen reassured her. ‘I had had quite enough of balls and parties. I was delighted to come here while Alex and Diana are away. And you must not think I allow Lady Hune to tire herself out running after the children. They spend most of their day with Nurse and myself.'

‘Ah, yes, the children. I have not seen them for some years. How are they?'

‘Quite delightful, and they are growing so fast, Florence especially. She celebrated her ninth birthday recently and is going to be very tall, I think.'

‘Like her father,' murmured Cassie.

‘I beg your pardon?'

‘Oh, nothing. When do you expect Lord and Lady Davenport to return?'

‘Lady Hune had a letter from them only today: they are even now on their way back to Chantreys and should be with us in two weeks. As soon as they return I shall rejoin my stepmama and the marchioness plans to take you to Bath with her.' Miss Tatham rearranged the folds of her white-muslin skirts. ‘And the gentleman who escorted you to England—Monsieur Doulevant, is it not? Will he accompany you to Bath?'

‘Oh, no, I would not think so.' Cassie hoped she sounded indifferent. ‘Although I shall ask Grandmama to give him her patronage. He will require help, I think, if he is to avoid being taken as a prisoner of war. Not that he is French,' she hurried on. ‘He is from the Southern Netherlands, which was under Austrian rule for a long time. Raoul deeply resents Bonaparte claiming his country as part of France.'

She felt the heat in her cheeks when she realised she had used Raoul's name, but her visitor feigned not to notice and she was grateful for that.

‘And is he from a noble family?'

Cassie could not prevent a heartbeat's hesitation before she responded.

‘No. He is a surgeon. A very skilled surgeon.'

‘Ah. I see.'

Cassie doubted it, but she said nothing more.

‘I had best go.' Miss Tatham rose gracefully. ‘I am so pleased to have met you, Lady Cassandra.'

‘Please, call me Cassie.'

‘Very well, then, Cassie. We will meet again at dinner, when you shall introduce me to your very skilled surgeon.'

‘Of course. Tell me, which room is Lady Hune occupying?'

‘Her door is the last one on this passage and she may well be awake by now.' Ellen twinkled at her. ‘You need not be afraid to go and see—her terrifying dresser will soon send you about your business if she is asleep!'

With that she whisked herself out of the room and Cassie was alone again, but she no longer wished to lie down. Quickly she washed her face and hands and went off to find her grandmother.

Duffy opened the door to her and Cassie was well enough acquainted with her grandmother's dresser to recognise the relief and affection behind the woman's brusque manner.

‘Oh, so you've come back to us, have you, my lady? And about time, too, if you forgive my saying so.'

She was interrupted by an imperious voice.

‘Who is it, Duffy? Is it Cassandra? Let her come in.'

The dresser stepped back and Cassie entered the room. Lady Hune was sitting in a wing chair by the window, regally attired in her customary black with white-lace ruffles at her neck and wrists.

‘Yes, Grandmama, I am here.'

‘Then come closer, where I can see you.'

Cassie took a few slow, hesitant steps forward, but then the marchioness put out her hands and with a sob Cassie threw herself on her knees before her chair and buried her face in her skirts. Her grandmother gently stroked her curls.

‘Well, my love, what is the matter this time?'

Cassie gave a watery chuckle.

‘You used to say that to me whenever I was in a scrape.'

‘And is that not the case now?'

‘No.
Yes!
Oh, Grandmama, I am so unhappy!'

* * *

Between gulping sobs and fresh tears Cassie told the marchioness what had happened since she had left Bath a year ago. The narrative was not quite complete; she spoke of Gerald's gambling, but not his weakness for women, nor did she describe those final few months in Verdun when money was short and Gerald's mood had changed. When it came to explaining her meeting with Raoul she said merely that he had been her escort. She did not mention the heavenly night she had spent in his arms, but Lady Hune was not deceived.