Saved by a Rake (10 page)

Chapter
Fifteen

Rebecca sat up straight as the carriage pulled into the courtyard of a rather shabby looking inn. She had awoken to a strong
shaking motion, a few shouts and another couple of shudders. She looked around, somewhat disorientated as Daniel leaned over to look out of the window.

“
Is it time for dinner already?” she asked. She had not planned to sleep and chided herself for not keeping her husband company.

“
No, it is only mid-afternoon.”

“
Oh good. I have not slept the entire journey.”

“
No, though I do wonder what is going on.”

As soon as the carriage stopped, Daniel got to his feet, opened the door and jumped down, not waiting for James to lower the step.

“What the devil is going on? Why are we stopping here?”

“
Need t’ change horses, m’ lord. This poor thing has a stone or sommat in her hoof. Luckily, it happened just sixty yards from the entry to the courtyard. Poor thing nearly stopped and caused us to over-turn. But she seems a clever thing and managed to limp. Enough steps to allow the others to slow down and for me to get them under control. It is maybe not so bad but it does need seen to.”

The ostlers had hurried over and were now dealing with the horses as
the carriage shook again, telling Rebecca that the coachman had jumped down from atop his box.

Rebecca peered out the door at the rather
drab-looking inn and bit her lip. Was she really expected to go in there? The windows were covered in grime, the courtyard seemed to be coated in horse manure and the thatch of the roof had definitely seen better days.

Daniel came to the door and smiled.

“It looks as if we are stuck here either until the horse is changed or until the horse is feeling better. I suggest we have a refreshment, at least.”

“
Are you sure? It looks rather grubby.”

Daniel chuckled.

“You are with me, and James is here too. I’ll slap a glove in the face of any man who looks at you in an impertinent manner.” There was a twinkle in his eye and she blushed, knowing he was teasing her. “Come on.”

He held his
hand out to her and she took it before he handed her down onto the courtyard. As they walked towards the door of the inn, neatly side-stepping the piles of manure, she clung tightly to his arm. He placed his other hand over hers and rubbed it, silently reminding her of his protection.

Was it her imagination that he walked nearer to h
er than usual? What she really wanted was him to throw his arm around her. But she lifted her chin just as a couple of young men staggered out of the tap room door. One of them looked bleary-eyed at Rebecca before attempting to straighten. He staggered against his friend, but the two men managed eventually to steady themselves.

Rebecca froze, clasping Daniel
’s hand. He merely raised an eyebrow and waited.

“
Begging your pardon, m’ lady. My friend here was just celebrating the birth of another young ‘un.”

“
Shush, Joseph. You shouldna talk of such things in front of the nobs.”

“
Oh aye, right, sorry m’ lady. He reached to doff his cap but, in his excitement, managed to knock it off his head. Instead he tugged his forelock and dragged his friend out of the way.

“
Thank you,” she said quietly. “And congratulations to you and your wife.”

“
Thank you kindly, Your Ladyship,” said the new father and dragged his friend away. As Daniel and Rebecca entered the tap room, she could hear much cursing about the forgotten cap, still lying on the cobbles.

They walked into a dank, drab taproom. Rebecca schooled her features rather than be caught turning her nose up a
t the pungent aromas from the large room. It was full of men who worked the land and tended livestock. The countryside smell mingled with sweat and hops, and a cacophony of talking and laughter assailed her before suddenly the room went silent. Clearly the men were not used to ladies venturing into their tap room—most especially aristocratic ladies. Daniel patted her hand on his sleeve and ventured towards the bar.

A pretty woman, only a few years older than Rebecca
, came over and smiled at them, raising a delicate eyebrow at Daniel.

“
Anna?” Daniel said in an undertone. The woman shook her head almost imperceptibly.

“
Good afternoon m’ lord. How can I help you?”

“
Our horse is lame—a stone caught in its hoof I think. My coach man is bartering with your ostlers just now, though we hope the animal will be able to continue. I wondered if you have a private parlour where my wife and I could partake of a cup of tea.”

“
I am afraid not, my lord.” The woman’s accent seemed to become more refined as she spoke. “But I would happily take you into my own parlour at the back of the inn. The tap room is not a suitable place for a lady.”

“
Indeed!” said Daniel with a pointed edge to his tone. Rebecca looked at him. He too had raised an eyebrow at her. Did he know her?

“
If you would like to follow me. My mother-in-law should have my daughter in her room for a nap, so the parlour should be empty.” She led the way, and Rebecca cast enquiring glances at her husband, who seemed to be pointedly ignoring her.

As soon as she showed them into the parlour and shut the door, Daniel turned to her.

“Lady Anna, may I introduce my wife, Lady Ramsey. She is the sister of Lord Eversley, who is masquerading as my footman outside.”

“
James?” Her hand flew to her mouth, and she looked shocked for a moment before composing herself, sticking her chin in the air and plastering a smile on her face. “How interesting. Pray, why, may I ask, is he masquerading as your footman?”

“
It is a long story. And why, may I ask, are you the landlady of this”—he waved his hand dismissively —“establishment?”

“
It is my…um… husband’s inn. Now let me get you some tea and cakes. Will I ask James to join you?”

“
Yes please. No one will question our desire to have our own servant attend us in such an establishment.”

“
I am sorry it does not live up to your exacting standards, my lord. I will have my barman fetch Lord Eversley immediately.” She whirled out of the room before Daniel could say any more.

“
I think you offended her, Daniel,” said Rebecca, realising as she did so that she was stating the obvious.

“
Perhaps, but then she offended half the
Ton
when she ran off with that servant. You must remember it. It was about five years ago.”

“
The year after my come out. Is she the daughter of the Duke of Ratcliffe?”

“
The very one.”

“
I remember the scandal. I do remember my mother saying that all was not as it seemed. I do believe that James was rather taken with her. But he was young. Certainly too young to be marrying and setting up his nursery, I am sure.”

“
Indeed! There is definitely more to that story than meets the eye. But it is none of our concern. James may think differently, of course. Please, sit and we shall have tea.”

He led her to the table and pulled out a chair. She sat down delicately and removed her gloves.

The landlady bustled back in a few minutes later with a tray laden with sandwiches and small cakes while a big burly man brought in a pot of tea and a tray with crockery.

“
Thank you Rob,” said the landlady, smiling at the big man. He bobbed a slight bow to Rebecca and Daniel then left.

“
Lady Anna, I want to…”

“
Lady Ramsey, I am just Mrs Johnstone now.”

“
I believe a daughter of a duke never loses her title, my lady,” persisted Rebecca.

“
Even if said duke has disowned his daughter?”

“
Your father never disowned you, Anna. But no one knew where you were. He is not a well man and he has hired detectives to locate you but to no avail. You certainly managed to hide yourself.”

“
Hiding is easier than you might think. I am happy here.”

“
You cannot possibly be happy, Anna. You were in love and then suddenly you made off with a footman. My friend has pined for you all these years.”

“
It is all in the past, and I do not wish to discuss it. I will take my leave now, my lord, my lady.” She bobbed a curtsey, and just as she turned to leave the door opened.

“
My lord, you asked…to…see me.” His eyes had alighted in their landlady, and his jaw fell open. “Anna.” His voice was barely a whisper. Rebecca looked quickly at the other woman to find that she had turned almost grey and her hands trembled.

“
James.”

“
Anna,” he repeated as if he could not quite believe that is was her.

“
I must go.”

“
No!”

Rebecca jumped as her brother shouted the word and tore off his powdered wig.

“I must.”

James
’s eyes narrowed and his jaw set. “We will talk. It has been far too long. I will take an ale in the taproom and you can explain to me all that has happened and why you broke my heart.”

“
It was a long time ago.”

“
Not that long ago. I have not been able to look at another woman with a mind to marry her because I cannot get you out of here.” He pounded his chest. Rebecca still had no idea what was happening, but her own heart leapt. She could see that James loved this woman very much. They should be together. Whatever had caused her to break his heart must be possible to fix. She wished she knew how to help them.

Pain, love and desire fought a war in his bright blue eyes. Lady Anna looked at Daniel for help, but Daniel gently shook his head. She then turned to Rebecca, a pleading look on her face. She swallowed hard and
raised an eyebrow at her brother who had not removed his gaze from the other lady.

“
Please,” he almost begged.

Seeing that she would get no help from her other guests, Lady Anna inclined her head slightly and swept out the room. A look of hope flashed across James
’s features, and he shot Daniel a triumphant smile. Daniel winked at him as he left.

As the door closed, Rebecca turned to
Daniel, who was looking decidedly pleased with himself.

“
Are you going to explain what is going on?” she asked.

“
No. Suffice to say that James and Anna once had an understanding. A number of factors tore it asunder and she eloped with a servant. The rest of the story, you will have to elicit from the lips of your brother. It is not my story to tell.”

“
But I am your wife.”

“
And that is no reason for me to break the confidences of my best friend.”

He was just too honourable at times. She narrowed her eyes at him, hoping to coerce him into telling her more but he seemed not to notice. In fact, the twitching of his lip just before he bit into a
sandwich suggested he was enjoying her annoyance.

****

“I cannot believe we left my brother in that awful place. You should have convinced him to come with us.” They were sitting in the carriage again, Rebecca holding herself upright as Daniel leaned back against the Padua silk and removed his leather gloves. He was looking very handsome in a dark brown coat, buff breeches and brown polished top boots. His mustard-coloured waistcoat set the outfit off perfectly.

“
Rebecca, my love. Have you ever tried to change James’s mind when he is set on a course of action?”

“
Yes,” she admitted, then pursed her lips. “But it was to no avail.”

“
Quite. Which is why I saved my breath. He is four and thirty years old and is more than capable of getting himself back home. Good God, he has more money than Croesus. He could buy a golden carriage to transport himself back to town.”

“
And what about the private detectives?”

“
James did not see them once today, and he does not believe they are staying at the inn. Perhaps they had nothing to do with Newthorpe. Anyway, if Anna can stay hidden in that place for years, I believe James can too.”

“
And if she breaks his heart again?”

“
Then he will survive, as he survived before.”

“
And this is the opinion of the most notorious rake in the
Ton
?”

“
Oh, my love, you give me more credit than I am due. There are much worse rakehells in the
Ton
than me. I was a mere amateur in comparison. I did not prey on innocents, and I slept with very few married ladies. I preferred widows who were knowledgeable in the ways of the world, as I really dislike the word ‘adulteress.’”