The Guardian Duke: A Forgotten Castles Novel (7 page)

So, she'd written him another letter telling of the poor sheep and the well that had gone dry. Which was true. Never mind that that particular well had been dry for the last decade, they could always use a new one, couldn't they? Just a few hundred pounds more and she could at least stay as long as she needed in Ireland. She tapped her finger against her chin, deep in thought. If only she knew someone there. She was going to need some help. She bent her head and prayed for such help.

The soft rays of morning sunlight brightened as the afternoon crept by, warming the inside of the carriage. Alex leaned her forehead against the window and watched as the Cheviot Hills rolled by. Much of the grass had turned brown, but there were patches of green pastureland still to be seen. They had an undulating quality that seemed peaceful and serene. The white furry shapes of slow-moving sheep dotted one distant hill. Alex smiled. She would miss her small herd. Twenty-three in all, she had named each one, knew their various temperaments, and treated them more like pets than livestock. A fact that Ann despaired of, throwing her hands up in frustration whenever Alex had the gall to bring one inside the castle due to some malady or injury. It wasn't unusual to hear one bleating from her bedchamber. Alex chuckled and closed her eyes as the carriage dipped and swayed her into a light sleep.

When she awoke, it was dark outside the windows. The air, too, told that night had come with a deep chill that made her nose feel numb. She rubbed it with cold hands and stretched the stiffness from her back. Wondering how close they were to the town of Carlisle, she knocked at the front window to gain Mr. Howard's attention. The carriage lumbered to a slow stop.

Alex let herself down and stretched out her arms, looking around for a place to do her necessary business. There was a stand of trees not far. That should do.

"Mr. Howard, are we close to Carlisle?"

"Aye, miss. Less than an hour away if I don't miss my guess."

"Oh, good. I'll just be a minute, right over there." She pointed toward the trees and ducked her head, hoping the reason would be obvious. When he didn't say anything, just grunted and turned away, she breathed a sigh of relief and trudged through the thick grass. Clouds skidded across the half-moon causing eerie shadows to move across the grass. Alex shivered and hurried. The carriage seemed quite warm and cozy compared to the wind-whipped landscape surrounding her.

She had just turned back when the pounding of horses' hooves coming from behind her made her freeze in her tracks. Slowly, with a heart that was pounding almost as loud as the approaching men, she turned and peered into the dusky light. The white fluttering of flags and the dark shapes of the horses was all she could see.

"My lady! Quick! Get back into the carriage!" Mr. Howard hissed at her.

Snapping from her statuelike trance, Alex turned and ran back the way she had come. With a great leap she jumped inside and slammed the door shut, but wanting to see what was happening she opened the door a crack and shouted up at the driver. "What shall we do? Who do you think they are?"

"Shush, now," was his only reply, but he started the horses and they continued down the narrow road, toward the coming men, in a slow roll of the wheels against the road. Alex shut the door again and leaned back onto the seat, praying highwaymen weren't about to steal all her belongings. And before she had even made it out of England! That would certainly not be fair.

A shout came from somewhere in front of them. Alex opened the door a crack and pressed her ear to the opening.

"Stop, in the name of the prince regent, I command you."

Her heart sped up. The prince regent?

"We are the prince regent's soldiers and we patrol this road. What is your business?"

"I've been hired to take my lady to Whitehaven, sir. We were hoping to make Carlisle and an inn before dark, but alas the road has been trying and we are somewhat later than I imagined."

"A lady?" The man sounded curious and intrigued. "Who is this lady and what is her business?"

The sound of horses came nearer. Alex shut the carriage door with a soft sound, only to have it wrenched open a moment later. A sudden blaze of light came forward as another soldier lit a lantern and handed it to the man at the door. "So, what is your business, my lady?" He asked with one dark brow raised.

Alex rallied her courage and sat up as tall as she could, adopting a superior mien by staring down her nose at the soldier. She'd practiced this particular look in the mirror many times and as yet had not found an occasion to use it. This just might be the perfect time to try it out.

"I am Lady Alexandria Featherstone of Holy Island and I have business to attend to in Whitehaven. And you, sir? You mention our dear prince regent for whom I have a great regard and friendship. In what capacity do you serve His Majesty?" It was a sad truth that lies had always flown out of her mouth with the ease of a bard telling a tall tale. She couldn't seem to help it.

The man's mouth cocked up on one side in a smile that was both insidious and admiring. He bowed with flourish, the lantern waving shafts of yellow light around the carriage. "I am Lieutenant Haggerty of the 12th Light Dragoons. At your service, my lady."

Alex dipped her head in a slight bow. "Thank you, Lieutenant." She studied his face for clues. Was he really a friend? He had dark hair and a thick mustache that tipped up in an almost comical manner on either end. His face was lean, almost too much so, giving him a gaunt look, but his dark eyes made her uncomfortable. He seemed to be looking right through her cloak and trying to judge her figure. "Pray tell, how far to Carlisle, Lieutenant? I confess exhaustion and the need of an inn as soon as may be."

"Not far. About thirty minutes yet. But my lady, do you travel alone? Where is your maid? You must at least have a servant with you?"

The disapproval in his voice was thick with accusation. His gaze flicked down again and then around the carriage as if the invisible servant must be hiding.

"She became ill at the last minute and I was forced to journey alone. I have Mr. Howard though. A true servant and guard. He is quite handy with the rifle and has bested all the local men of Beal at fisticuffs."

Her coachman made a coughing sound as that falsehood settled around them.

"I see." The lieutenant appeared to see right through her. Alex lifted her chin another notch and directed. "We really must be on our way, sir."

"Lady Featherstone, as I can see you have no idea of the dangers of these roads at night, I insist that you allow me to accompany you into town. I'm sure your
friend
the prince regent would have my head should I let trouble befall you."

Oh, dear. He wasn't buying a word of it. Alex dipped her head and pasted on a fake smile. "Very well. That is most kind of you." She reached over and grasped the door handle, pulling it firmly closed in his face.

As soon as he rode out of sight, darkness flooded the interior of the carriage. She let out a big breath and leaned back against the seat with a groan.

True to his word, Lieutenant Haggerty led the small company of soldiers right into town. They passed through the town gate, saw a massive stone structure that was probably an abbey or ancient castle, and then rumbled down a cobblestone street to the main part of the town. The old carriage shuddered to a stop in front of a building. Light flooded the street in yellow squares from the windows and she could hear a bow gliding over the strings of a fiddle. The sign hanging above the door read
Black Friars Inn.
Alex wasn't sure she should trust the lieutenant's choice, but she was really too hungry and tired to care. As long as they would give her some supper and a bed, she would take it.

The carriage door swung open before she had a chance to open it herself and there stood the lieutenant, dressed in a bright red uniform. She gave him a weary smile and allowed him to take her gloved hand in his to help her down.

"The place seems quite busy, sir. Do you think they will have an available room?"

"I shall be sure of it, my lady. If you would be so good as to allow me to escort you inside and transact the business of it on your behalf?"

"Thank you, Lieutenant Haggerty, but I am perfectly able to arrange for my own room. I would not be indebted to you in such a manner."

"To assist a beautiful lady as yourself would only prove the highest honor. Please, I beg you." He leaned over her hand, still grasped in his, and brushed a kiss across the back of it.

Alex gasped and snatched her hand from his. "You do me great honor with the escort, sir. No further assistance is required." With her teeth gritted she turned away from him and marched into the inn without looking back, Mr. Howard on her heels.

Mr. Howard leaned forward toward her ear and muttered, "Sorry, my lady, but I know these types. You must give them what they want or else be the sorrier for it."

Alex cast a long-suffering look over her shoulder. Sure enough the soldiers were following them into the inn, Lieutenant Haggerty in the lead and looking none too happy. "He'll not be getting what he wants," she murmured to herself but loud enough to be heard by the coachman who only coughed and looked away.

There was a long counter with a man standing behind it at one end of the room. Alex rushed over to him and had arranged a meal for Mr. Howard and herself and paid for two beds before the lieutenant made it through the throng and by her side.

"You rushed off so quickly, my lady. Please, allow me to share your table for dinner."

"Why, Lieutenant, I thought you must have more pressing matters to attend to than keeping me company. Are the roads safe without your patrols?"

He had the audacity to narrow his eyes at her and touch her cheek. "Nothing would give me more pleasure than keeping you safe. I fear the inns of England are no place for a lone woman. I shall sup with you and then place a guard at your door. . . . I may even guard it myself."

Genuine fear spiraled up Alex's spine. He looked serious and sounded threatening in the promising way a rapier being pulled from its sheath was threatening.

Alex backed away from his reach and turned quickly aside. "You do me too much honor, sir." Her gaze darted about the room for help if she needed it, seeing a large man with meaty arms; a group of younger, well-dressed gentlemen; and then lighting on an older man with long, white hair.

He leaned back in his chair with elegant ease, one foot propped on a knee, his elbow braced on the table beside him, chin in hand. She looked into intelligent blue eyes and paused without meaning to. There was a confident kindness in those eyes, but when his gaze switched to Lieutenant Haggerty, it hardened like blue glass and his whole being transformed to tightly coiled strength, ready to spring. She had the silly desire to run to him and cower behind his chair but she didn't know him at all. Might be a case of jumping from the pot into the fire. Looking straight ahead she followed the innkeeper to a quieter room in the back, the coachman, Lieutenant Haggerty, and several other soldiers trailing her like a horde of bees she couldn't shake.

Lord, send angels to protect me.
She threw the silent prayer up as she took a seat, Lieutenant Haggerty seating himself next to her on the narrow bench.

The first course of lentil soup and fresh bread was hot and smelled delicious, but she didn't know how she would swallow it around the knot in her throat. She dipped her spoon, keeping her eyes glued to her bowl and trying to ignore the lieutenant's thigh, which seemed to be getting closer and closer to hers. By the time the second course arrived, his leg was touching the folds of her skirt and his arm would upon occasion brush against her arm. She took a little scoot away, glancing at him to see if he noticed. That was a mistake. His hand reached out and grasped hold of her upper thigh like a tight, painful vise.

She gasped. Her face filling with heat. "Unhand me this instant," she hissed.

No one seemed to notice their conversation. The room was loud and they were all busy diving into the roasted chickens that had been placed in front of them.

His hand moved but slowly and with sensual intent. Alex's heart was beating so that she thought it must come out of her chest. She had to get out of there.

With a sudden motion, she stood, bowed her head to the table at large, and announced, "I'm very tired and would retire, gentlemen. Thank you for your kind escort and company, but I must bid you good night."

Several men stood and bowed, wishing her good night as she fled the room, and the lieutenant had an angry scowl on this face. Hopefully, he would give up and be gone by morning. But she wasn't so naïve as to think it likely. He seemed most determined to do what, exactly, she wasn't sure, but she had to escape him. The thought that she could be in serious trouble, packed back to Holy Island or some other alternative to her plan—jailed even, for traveling alone—made her bite down on her lower lip as she made her way up the stairs to her room.

Her room turned out to be over the taproom and was sure to be noisy, but thanks be to God, it had three other women staying in its two big beds. She would gladly cuddle up to the large woman named Trina who smiled at her with two missing teeth and took up most of the bed. Gladly!

Hopefully, such company would keep her safe until morning.

Y
our Grace."

Meade stepped inside Gabriel's dressing room where his valet, George, was putting the finishing touches on his cravat. He paused on the threshold and waited while Gabriel slipped into his waistcoat and checked his appearance in the full-length mirror.

"Good choice, George." Gabriel murmured the praise, careful not to speak too loud, causing the young man's neck to redden in embarrassed pleasure. He was dressed in a cream-colored waistcoat with scrolling embroidery of same color on the lapels and a stark white shirt and cravat. The word
snowy
did come to mind as he studied the perfect folds under his chin. Below, he wore dark blue trousers after the newest French style tucked in his boots, lighter than his usual Hessians, for dancing.