The Duke's Challenge (19 page)

‘No, Harry. You
have made your apologies now you will go upstairs to the nursery and stay there
until I give you leave to come out. Is that understood?’ Jack’s tone was enough
to frighten a far larger person than an almost five -year-old.

The boy turned
and fled; the sound of his crying audible in the hushed drawing-room. Jack
walked out to check the miscreant had indeed gone upstairs and Beth threw
herself into Charlotte’s arms.

‘Lottie, he was
so frightened. He’s only little. Cousin Jack is horrid to be so cruel.’

Charlotte
agreed but knew if Jack’s disciplining was not to be undone she had to hide her
feelings. ‘Harry has been sent upstairs, that is all Beth. He is not been
whipped or spanked, although as I said before, he deserved to be. He has to
learn that his actions have a consequence. I know he is not five years old, but
if he is old enough to climb that oak tree, he is quite old enough to be
punished for his foolhardiness.’

Beth sat back.
‘But you always cuddle him after he has apologized. He will think you don’t
love him anymore.’

Jack spoke from
the doorway. ‘That is nonsense, Beth. He is upset but will recover his spirits
soon enough.’ He strolled into the room to stand beside her. ‘I said Harry was
to stay upstairs, Beth, I did not say you could not join him there.’

‘Can I? Thank
you. Are we allowed to play or has he to sit still on a chair?’

‘Heaven
forefend! Of course you can play but he must not leave the nursery floor.’

Beth stared at
him. ‘What would happen if he did?’

‘I should put
him over my knee but I am sure it will not come to that, so you have no need to
look so worried, little one.’ He gently smoothed back Beth’s hair. ‘I am not an
ogre, Beth, and Harry has learned his lesson.’

Charlotte
waited until Beth’s footsteps faded before speaking. ‘How did you get him
down?’

‘I told him to
hold onto my neck and he did so, I rather think he was delighted he was not
obliged to negotiate the descent unaided.’

‘Was he very
scared?’

Jack chuckled.
‘No, but when I got him safely down it was another story. I treated him to a
scold he will not forget in a hurry.’

‘Thank you, I
have to admit you’re correct. He does need a man’s hand on the reins.’

‘Not all the
time, sweetheart. Children need love as well as discipline and you supply an
abundance of that.’ He folded himself on to an adjacent chair. ‘I haven’t told
you what transpired in Ipswich yesterday, do you want to hear or am I still in
bad odour?’

She had the
grace to blush. ‘Please tell me, do not tease.’

At the end of
his account she frowned. ‘So we are no nearer finding the answer? Discovering
who is behind the attacks?’

‘I’m afraid
not. However, with Captain Forsythe camped at Thurston, and an armed guard
around the Hall, I am sure we are safe, for the moment, from further ambush.’

‘How long will
the militia stay? Will they not be wanted elsewhere?’

‘They will stay
until the culprits are apprehended. I had not fully understood my position in
the county. I am the Duke of Lenster and attempts on my life are taken very
seriously.’

‘Then we can
attend church on Sunday?’

He nodded. ‘The
path has been cleared so we are able to walk. I am assured the building is
clean and fresh chairs have been found for us.’

‘I am so glad.
I’ve not attended a service since we arrived and I do miss it. And talking of
churches reminds me that I have been thinking about our wedding. Have you
arranged for your groomsman? And I have no one to lead me down the aisle, no
witness of my own.’

‘Would you like
me to send out invitations? I, like yourself, have no living family but I do
have comrades from the army, men I spent half my adult life fighting beside.’

‘It will seem
more… more acceptable an arrangement if we have guests and a wedding
breakfast’.

‘Very well,
several of my friends are married; they could bring their wives, if that’s what
you would like. But I have not corresponded with them since I came to
moulder
here- I cannot promise to be able to contact them in
time. However, I’ll do my best.’

‘But is this
place fit for guests? Do we have sufficient bed-chambers ready for occupation?’

‘There are
still two weeks, plenty of time to decorate if needed. I don’t intend to ask
more than two couples. But this doesn’t solve the problem of your escort on the
day.’

‘I was
wondering if I could ask Dr Andrews.’ Seeing his sudden scowl she added
hastily. ‘He would not be my first choice, obviously, but he has been kind and
offered to assist us in any way he could.’ Jack looked unconvinced. ‘And he is
the nearest gentleman. Remember, Upton Manor borders your land. He is your
neighbour. You’re going to have to learn to deal amicably with him.’

‘If there’s no
one else then I’ll ask him.’

‘It’s not
ideal, but we have no alternative unless I am to progress down the church by
myself.’

‘Then the matter’s
settled. Notice of the eleven o’clock service has been posted in the village so
it is to be expected the doctor will attend. I’ll speak to him after church.’

‘I have all the
arrangements for your party on Monday in hand. Do you wish me to invite the
doctor?’

‘God forbid! He
may be our nearest neighbour, but I don’t want to become bosom bows with him.’

She giggled. ‘I
rather thought not, it will be a family occasion, just the four of us.’

‘That’s what I
should prefer. I’m not a sociable person, have never really enjoyed doing the
pretty at routs and balls.’

‘But you’ll not
object to a small celebration being held in the barn for the staff and their
families? They’re all working so hard to get the place restored, they deserve a
reward.’

‘That’s quite
different; it’s my duty to provide suitable entertainment for my people. But I
had thought to do something on our wedding, would it not be better to leave it
until then?’

‘Too late!
The arrangements have already been made. It is a
celebration of our betrothal as well as your name day. There’s to be a hog
roast and ale and all the ladies have taken provisions to bake something for
the feast. And they’re providing their own entertainment— a fiddler or two, so
I am told.’

‘I suppose I
must leave things as they stand. How long an appearance should we make? I don’t
wish to spoil their enjoyment by staying overlong.’

‘The party
starts at four o’clock - before it gets quite dark - I thought we should start
them off, then leave after an hour to have our own special dinner.’

‘I am in awe of
your superior knowledge of such matters, my dear. How do you know all this?’

She laughed.
‘Mama was always organising parties for the troops and their families when we
were travelling with the army. She believed it raised morale.’

‘What did your
papa, Major Carstairs, think of all this jollity?’ Jack would have stamped on
such nonsense in his brigade.

‘He never
argued. I expect he thought it good for mama’s morale, providing her with
something other than the dangers and deprivation to consider.’

‘A wise man.
In fact, I wish I’d met both your parents. I
believe I’d have liked them.’

Charlotte’s
eyes filled. The loss was still too recent to accept his remarks unmoved. ‘I
wish you had met them too. They would have approved of you, I’m certain.’

A discreet tap
on the door interrupted their conversation. The butler asked if trays should be
sent up to the schoolroom for luncheon or if the children would be coming down.

She looked at
Jack. This was his decision.

‘The children
are to eat in the nursery. But Miss Carstairs and I will eat in the parlour
right away, thank you, Meltham.’

The butler
bowed and backed out. Her stomach rumbled loudly and they both laughed.

‘I don’t
believe either of us had the opportunity to eat much this morning and I for one
am famished.’ He stood up, offering his hand to her. She took it willingly and
he pulled her up.

She stood a
hand’s breadth from him and could feel his heat pulsing towards her, knew he
wanted to embrace her, but he remained true to his word and merely folded her
hand into his arm and guided her out. She had no idea the effort such restraint
required, how close to breaking he was.

Chapter nineteen

At fifteen
minutes past ten on Sunday morning the Carstairs family were assembled in the
hall ready for the short walk to church. They were dressed in the garments that
had been purchased in Ipswich earlier in the week. Beth twirled sending her
ruby red skirts flying out around her calves.

‘This is the
best gown I’ve ever owned, Lottie. And I have a spencer and bonnet to match; I
feel I’m a real lady of fashion.’

‘Indeed you
are,’ Charlotte replied, ‘but please stop spinning like that, you’re making me
dizzy.’

Harry in his
navy velveteen breeches and matching jacket was not as sanguine. He tugged at
his stiff collar and neatly tied cravat. ‘This is too tight, it’s strangling
me.’ He pretended to choke, clutching his neck and staggering around the hall
sending both of his sisters into peals of laughter.

‘I hadn’t
realized attending morning service was the time for merriment, I rather
believed it to be a time for reflection and contemplation,’ Jack said. He was
resplendent in buff pantaloons, spotless Hessians and a square cut, navy- blue
topcoat.

‘We shall have
more than enough time for quiet reflection during the sermon,’ Charlotte
answered, ‘so do not be so curmudgeonly.’

He chuckled and
the children relaxed, they hadn’t realized he was jesting. ‘My, we do look fine
this morning; I’m afraid, Harry, that you and I will have to slowly strangle to
death in order to be smart enough to accompany these lovely ladies.’ He gestured
to his high jacket collar, stiff shirt points and exquisitely folded cravat.

Harry giggled
and flung himself into Jack’s arms. ‘Will the service be very long? I fall
asleep halfway through and Lottie gets cross with me.’

‘I promise to
poke you in the ribs if you should happen to nod off, if you will do the same
for me.’

‘I will. Can I
sit next to Cousin Jack, just this once?’

‘If he has no
objection of course you may.’ Charlotte smoothed down her moss-green satin
spencer and adjusted her matching green and cream striped scarf. She was
delighted with the walking dress and jacket she had purchased and was certain
she, like Jack, appeared to advantage.

He stepped away
tipping his head one side the better to admire the ensemble. ‘That particular
shade of green is perfect for you, my love, and the cream skirt with the little
folds along the bottom is delightful…’

‘But?’

He smiled. ‘But
I have sincere reservations about the bonnet. It’s strongly reminiscent of a
coal scuttle and I can hardly see your face inside it.’

Beth and Harry
collapsed in fresh fits of giggles at his outrageous comment and even Charlotte
smiled. ‘I did wonder about the length of the brim, but it is the height of
modernity, you know.’

‘That’s as may
be; I prefer your little straw confections, with narrow edges and long silk
ribbons that match your gown.’

She was
surprised he’d noticed so feminine a detail. ‘But you must admire my boots?’ He
pretended to consider his answer, shaking his head, and dropping to his knees
to hold the proffered foot. Beth and Harry believed he was playacting for their
benefit - Charlotte knew he was the using opportunity to his advantage.

As his long
supple fingers caressed her ankle she felt the all-too-familiar heat and the
accompanying throb in her lower regions.

‘Let me go. I’m
about to lose my balance. Standing like a heron has never been a skill I
mastered.’

He sprang up
and taking her neatly gloved hand threaded it through his arm. ‘Let us depart;
Mr Peterson
awaits
.’

Charlotte
attempted to ignore the militiamen shadowing them on either side of the track.
She wanted the day to be perfect with no unpleasant reminders intruding and
spoiling it. She watched Beth and Harry skipping happily the danger forgotten
in the pleasure of the moment and wished she could be like them. But there was
an ever present sense of foreboding, as if something catastrophic was about to
happen; some evil stalked them she was certain of it.
  

‘What is it,
sweetheart?’ He had felt her fingers tighten on his arm.

‘Nothing, I’m
quite well, thank you.’ She didn’t wish to him to think her fainthearted, she
was a soldier’s daughter after all not a gently bred debutante.

She tried to
enjoy the fifteen minute walk; the late September sun was shining warmly, the
brambles that bordered their way were a spectacular show of red, crimson and
gold and she was on the arm of the man she loved. What more could she want?

Her happiness
shrivelled. She wanted him to love her for without this she faced a long and empty
future. Sharing passion was not the same as sharing love, for what would be
left when desire waned?

She was
surprised to find the tiny stone church packed with worshippers. The rear of
the building was full of standing villagers who touched their forelocks or
curtsied as they passed. On the chairs were families of well-to-do farmers and
even a squire or two. Her face was stiff from smiling by the time they reached
their designated place.

Thurston staff
had been given leave to attend the service and Harry spotted both Annie and
Betty sitting at the rear of the church. ‘Can I go and sit with Annie? There
are children at the back,’ Harry whispered, for once remembering to lower his
voice.

‘No, your place
is here, at the front, with me. Sit down and be silent, Harry,’ Jack said.

The child
subsided instantly. Beth sat next to him and Charlotte beside her on the seat
closest to the aisle. There were still fifteen minutes before the service so
the murmur of voices continued giving Charlotte the opportunity to speak
without fear of being overheard.

‘I didn’t
expect so many in the congregation. Do you recognize any of the seated
families?’

He shook his
head. ‘Word we would be attending must have spread through the neighbourhood. I
expect people are curious to catch a glimpse of the reclusive Lord Thurston and
his intended bride.’

‘That’s what I
thought. I’m finding it uncomfortable to be the centre of attention like this.’
She straightened to face the front, glad there was no one either side, that
everyone was seated behind them. What was gratifying, however, was to know they
were all looking their best. She hadn’t spotted a single lady dressed more
fashionably than
herself
. Her satisfied smile faded as
she realized where she was - the Lord’s house was not the place for vanity.

She bent down
and pulled the horsehair cushion forward then knelt to say her prayers,
starting with one asking for forgiveness. She had regained her seat when she
heard a stir at the rear and the vicar hurried in, his face pink, his cassock flying
wildly round his ankles. It had obviously taken him longer to travel the few
miles from his earlier service to join them at Thurston church.

The
congregation stood and the vicar began by giving the second reading of their
bans. A shiver of anticipation flickered down her spine, only one more Sunday
and she would be a duchess, the tall man standing next to Harry would be her
husband.

An hour and a
half later Jack led her down the aisle to say their farewells to the vicar. The
rest of the congregation waited politely for them to pass but she was aware of
curious eyes boring into her back.

‘Thank you for
the service Mr Peterson. Your sermon was most uplifting,’ she said politely.
Jack merely nodded. He pulled gently on her arm and she was moved on, allowing
the next worshippers to take her place As they left first they were able to
make good their escape without being obliged to speak to anyone else.

Eventually he
slowed down when they were out of sight of the church. ‘Excellent! I find I’m
not yet ready for social chitchat, perhaps in a few weeks I shall feel more
comfortable in a crowd of strangers.’

‘That was very
long, do I have to go every week?’ Harry asked.

‘You do, Harry;
we all do, it’s expected of us.’

‘We go for
other reasons as well, Harry. It’s the time to commune with God in peaceful
surroundings.’

Beth slipped
her hand into Charlotte’s. ‘I loved it, Lottie; it’s so long since we’ve been
able to attend.’

Jack and Harry
drifted ahead, seeking nuts and other interesting things on the path. She watched
them and knew she was doing the right thing whatever her personal reservations.
He loved her brother and sister; he would take care of them and give them a
position in society they could never have if she attempted to raise them on her
own.

‘You can run on
if you wish, Beth, I’m quite content to stroll on my own.’

Beth grinned.
‘If you’re sure, then I’ll catch them up.’

The soldiers
had followed Jack, obviously considering him their priority, leaving her to
walk on unescorted. Without them the path became less attractive, the hedges
too close, the overhanging branches claustrophobic. She glanced round
nervously. She had a distinct feeling she was being watched and not by anyone
friendly.

She increased
her pace but was aware corresponding noises behind the bushes were keeping up
with her. She picked up her skirt and ran, bursting round the corner to find
Jack crouched on the ground buttoning Beth’s boot. He was on his feet and she
stumbled into his arms.

‘Charlotte, what is it?’

She struggled
to catch her breath, unable to answer for a moment. She didn’t see him gesture
with his hand for a couple of the soldiers to go back and search the fields
that bordered the path. Eventually she pushed herself away. ‘There was someone
following me, I’m certain of it. I heard them moving in the bushes on the other
side of the hedge.’

‘You’re safe
now, sweetheart. But we must go back to Thurston if you’re recovered enough to
walk with me?’

She forced a
smile. She didn’t wish the children to be more frightened than they already
were. ‘I am. I was being very silly. I have an over active imagination, mama
was always telling me so.’ Harry’s cold hand clutched hers. Instinctively she
pulled him closer. ‘There’s nothing to be worry about. I must have heard a deer
in the fields and panicked. Was I not a silly goose?’

‘Lottie is a
silly goose, Beth. I wasn’t scared ’
cos
I’m a big
boy.’

‘We had Cousin
Jack with us and the soldiers, Lottie had no one.’ Beth moved in beside her sister,
preventing Jack from offering his arm. They were all relieved to reach the
safety of the park without further mishap.

‘Annie and Mary
are not back from church so we shall have to manage for ourselves. Shall we
change out of this finery? By the time we’re ready luncheon should be served.’

‘Me first, me
first,’ Harry chanted. ‘Then I can go down and see Buttons, he’ll be wondering
where I am.’

‘You can’t go
down without Annie or
myself
, Harry, so it makes no
difference in what order we disrobe.’

It was late
afternoon before Charlotte and Jack had time to talk about the morning’s
incident. He sought her out, finding her in her usual seat curled up in front
of the fire in the drawing-room.

‘Charlotte, you
were right to be concerned, we found evidence to confirm your suspicions.’

‘I had hoped I
was mistaken. Does that mean whoever it is has recruited more men to do his
murderous work?’

He sat down
beside her. ‘I fear so. We must be extra vigilant; these are no amateurs, they
are ex-soldiers, expert in stalking their prey. We’re in danger every time we
leave the house. Riflemen can hit a target from a quarter of a mile away.’

‘Are you saying
that we have to stay inside from now on?’

‘For the moment, yes.
Captain Forsythe is sweeping the
grounds. When that’s done we should be safe for a while. But it’s far too easy
for a determined man to infiltrate the park. It would take a regiment to ensure
no one got through. And these men, although willing, are not real soldiers and
they have never fought a battle. They are up against veterans with nothing to
lose.’

‘Shall we
cancel the party tomorrow?’

‘No, with so
many here it will be safer and they’re not trying to harm anyone apart from us.
We’ll be endangering no one else.’

‘I wish we
would hear something from Ipswich; not knowing why we’re being targeted makes
it so much worse.’ Ignoring his previous strictures to keep her distance, she
slid closer to him and snuggled into his arms. Only there did she feel safe.

He stroked her
hair, running his hand back and forth across her rigid shoulders until the
tension ebbed. With a sigh she sat back. ‘I cannot wait for Monday week, then
you can be beside me all night and I shall be able to sleep without fear.’

He chuckled.
‘Darling girl - I am counting the very minutes to that time - I rather think
it’s for a different reason to your own.’

‘Jack!’ She sat
back with feigned outrage. ‘You must not say such things.’

‘But I promised
never to
lie
to you, my dear.’ He cupped her face and
scanned her features as if imprinting them on his memory. ‘You are so
incredibly lovely. I don’t deserve you.’ He kissed her, hard, and stood up.
‘But I’m keeping you; you are mine - I shall kill anyone who tries to harm you
or take you away from me.’ His tone was light but he meant every word.

‘You are the
man I want to marry. We’re a perfect match for we understand each other.’

He bent down to
whisper in her ear, his breath on her neck sending waves of heat around her
body. ‘I promise that eight days from now you will understand a great deal more
about me, my sweet.’ Then he straightened, striding off to assist Captain
Forsythe with the search.