The Mysterious Lord Marlowe (9 page)

She was concerned lest he had discovered something and gone looking for George—or, worse still, for Captain Blake. He would do
much better to wait until Avonlea returned from London so that they could search together.

Uncertain whether her concern was more for her brother or for George, Jane was about to retire to bed when she heard something rattle against her bedroom window.

She went to look out and saw a man standing just below her in the courtyard. Fortunately, the moon was bright and she was able to see his face.

‘George—is that you? What are you doing here?’

‘Jane?’ He looked up at her. ‘Thank God you are here! Are you alone?’

‘The servants are in the house, but my brother is not here. Why?’

‘Come down and help me. I have Lady Fanshawe safe, but she has swooned and I think she may have a fit of hysterics if she opens her eyes and sees a strange man.’

‘Oh, thank God! I am coming. Wait for me…’

Jane threw on a warm dressing robe over her nightgown, easing her feet into sensible slippers. She ran quickly down the stairs and opened the side door that led out into the courtyard.

George came to her immediately, his eyes searching her face.

‘How have you been? Are you well?’

‘I am well enough, thank you. Where is Mariah?’

‘I brought her here on my horse, but she fainted. I have left her in your summerhouse. I wasn’t sure what to do—I dared not take her to the duke’s house. He would ask too many questions.’

‘Avonlea is in London,’ Jane said and fled across the lawn to the summerhouse. George was just behind her as she pushed open the door and went in. The moonlight revealed the unconscious figure of Mariah Fanshawe lying on a cane daybed, which Jane often used on summer days when she wished to be alone. She bent over her, feeling for a pulse in her throat. ‘She is still unconscious. We must take her into the house. Can you carry her—or shall I fetch help?’

‘I can manage. The fewer people who know of this the better,’ George told her. ‘She was just about conscious when I snatched her and she understood that I was helping her, but she fainted and I had to hold her for most of the time we were riding here. I strapped her to my
body so that she could not fall—but I fear she is ill.’

‘What has that devil done to her?’

‘He may have drugged her. She shows no signs of being beaten or assaulted, but she was certainly in a fever of some kind. She called me by her guardian’s name and I allowed her to think it.’

George had gathered the unconscious girl in his arms. Jane preceded him as they walked swiftly back into the house and up the stairs.

‘We shall take her to the guestroom next to mine. My godmother stays there when she visits and the bed is always kept aired.’

‘I thank God for your good sense,’ George said. ‘Blake led me to her and I took her when he left her to have his supper. It was only as I rode away with her that I realised that I could not take her home. Avonlea would have me arrested.’

Jane had pulled back the top covers and he gently placed Mariah in the bed, her head resting on the pile of soft pillows. She gave a little moan and her eyes flickered, but did not open. Jane touched her forehead. It was hot and damp.

‘The duke might be more grateful and more
understanding than you imagine,’ Jane said. She felt her cheeks grow warm as George’s eyes went over her and she realised that she was not properly dressed. He must think her lost to all propriety. ‘However, you did well to bring her to me, sir. She certainly has a fever. I shall send for a doctor and keep her here until she is well enough to go home.’

‘Thank you.’ George looked into her eyes. ‘I do not mind for my own sake, but as you know someone else would suffer if my part in this was revealed. Blake would destroy the happiness of someone I care for in revenge.’

‘You have not yet recovered your property?’

‘No, unfortunately not. I had hoped to find the things I need, but I discovered Lady Fanshawe first and acted on impulse.’

‘It was a good and noble deed,’ Jane told him with a look of approval. ‘I hope it will not bring retribution on your head, sir.’

‘I do not—’ George broke off as they heard the tread of a man’s footsteps in the hall. Then the door opened and a man entered. ‘Damnation, I thought you said you were alone?’

‘Jane? Who is…?’ Andrew’s attention was drawn to the bed. ‘Good God! Is that Mariah? How did she come to be here?’

‘This gentleman brought her to me,’ Jane said with an apologetic glance at George. ‘However, he wishes his part kept secret.’

‘I must go,’ George said. ‘She is safe now. Goodbye.’

Andrew stared at him, moving swiftly to block his path. ‘I suppose you are the man who helped abduct my sister—and then helped her to escape?’

George looked distinctly uncomfortable. ‘Forgive me. I never intended harm to Miss Lanchester. I dare say she has explained the situation?’

‘I should wish for a further explanation from you, sir. You will wait and speak to me in private. I wish to know more of—’

At that moment Mariah opened her eyes and gave a little scream of distress. Jane bent over her, smoothing her damp hair back from her forehead.

‘You are safe now, Mariah,’ she said softly.

Turning to look at Andrew, she said. ‘Please fetch the doctor and send word to the duke and Lucinda so that she has no further need to worry. Mariah is safe now. George has risked much to help us. He is not your immediate concern now, Andrew. Mariah comes first.’

‘Yes, you are right,’ Andrew said and glared at George. ‘Very well, I shall not prevent you from leaving. Just give me an idea of where I may find Blake—and your word that you will never come here again.’

George glanced at Jane, but she was busy bathing Mariah’s head with a cool cloth and taking no notice of him or her brother.

‘Very well,’ he said. ‘I shall tell you where I found Mariah—but Blake may be long gone. I do not know where he may have gone to ground, but he will be furious when he discovers Lady Fanshawe has been snatched and he may come looking for revenge.’

They went out of the room together, leaving Jane busy with her patient.

* * *

It was much later that evening, when the doctor had been by and given Mariah some medicine, that Jane had time to think and to realise that she still did not know who George really was—nor had she thanked him for what he had done for Mariah.

His visit had been so brief and interrupted by Andrew before they’d had a chance to talk. Her brother had asked him not to come to the house
again, which meant that Jane would probably never see him again.

A lump rose in her throat and tears stung her eyes, though she did not allow them to fall. Perhaps it was just as well. She could never have a future with George, even if he hinted he were willing—her friends and family simply wouldn’t allow it.

‘I
can never thank you enough for what you have done for Mariah, Jane.’ Lucinda kissed her cheek. ‘You have nursed her devotedly this past week or more, and now she is well enough to come home to her family. Justin is on his way home and he will be so thankful to have her safe again. We are so grateful for all you have done.’

‘It was a pleasure,’ Jane said. ‘I am just sorry I could not do more. She might perhaps have been rescued sooner had I not interfered.’

‘And she might still have been lost had your friend not found her and brought her to you. I think we have much to thank you for—and this mysterious George. He was wrong to be
involved in the affair in the first place, but had he not been we might never have found Mariah alive.’

‘She has not told us much of her ordeal,’ Jane said. ‘I think Blake meant to seduce her when he snatched her, but she fell ill and I believe he was frustrated in that intention. She seems much better today, though she is still very distressed, of course.’

Jane glanced towards Mariah, who was saying goodbye to Andrew. He had given her a posy of flowers from the hot houses, as he had every day since she recovered her senses and lay resting in her bedchamber.

Mariah came up to them then and offered her hand to Jane, who took it and held it to her cheek. ‘I can never thank you enough, Jane dearest. Andrew told me that you persuaded that man to search for me. Had he not found me—’ She shuddered. ‘I am fortunate to be alive for I should never have married
him
.’

‘Hush, you must try to forget what happened.’

‘Yes, I shall,’ Mariah said, a determined look in her eyes. ‘But I shall never forget what you and your brother have done for me.’

‘We have done nothing that you would not
have done for me,’ Jane said and kissed her cheek. ‘We shall call and see how you are another day—shall we not, Andrew?’

‘Yes, of course. Certainly. You are very welcome, Lady Fanshawe. You have my word that we shall not rest until the rogue who harmed you is arrested and punished.’

Mariah’s pretty colour left her cheeks for a moment, then she raised her head proudly, turned and followed Lucinda into the carriage.

* * *

‘How is Mariah today? You said that the duke was home. Did he discover anything about Blake when he was in London?’ Jane asked the following afternoon when Andrew returned from a visit to Avonlea. ‘Are you any closer to finding him?’

‘We know that Blake was due for court-martial on a count of cheating at the card table and assaulting the wife of a fellow officer. He was cashiered, but disappeared before he could be tried. He is not received in decent society and may be in debt.’ Andrew looked angry. ‘Mariah has not told us much, but I think she knew him before her abduction. She told me that she blames herself for being careless. I think that must mean that he was an admirer
at some time. Perhaps she fears she gave him reason to hope and the abduction was in part her own fault.’

‘I am very sure it was not. You should not jump to conclusions,’ Jane said and sighed. ‘What will you do now? Are you at home for a while—or have you some other business?’

‘I am not certain yet,’ Andrew said, a closed look in his eyes. ‘The affair that took me to Paris is not yet finished and I may be called on again.’

‘I suppose you do not mean to tell me what that business is?’ Jane saw the answer in his face and sighed. Her brother could be very secretive when he chose. ‘Well, I shall not tease you. Do you know what Mariah means to do next? Will she visit her husband’s relatives, as was planned before the abduction?’

‘She said that she had been invited to go on an extended trip to Italy with Lord and Lady Hubert, who were great friends of her late husband, and thinks she may accept their invitation. Apparently, Lady Hubert has a weak chest and cannot stand the English winters—which means Mariah would be away at least until late spring next year.’

‘That is a long time.’ There was an odd note
in Andrew’s voice, causing Jane to look at him intently.

‘I thought you might be interested in Mariah yourself, Andrew?’ His gaze narrowed and she sensed frustration or anger. ‘Forgive me if I intrude. Perhaps I am wrong, but I thought you might care for her. You were much distressed by her disappearance.’

‘Naturally I was concerned by the abduction of a friend,’ Andrew said, glaring at her. ‘However, even if I did feel something warmer towards her, there are considerations—problems that must first be overcome before I could ask any woman to marry me.’

‘I see that you have something on your mind,’ Jane said. ‘Clearly, you do not wish to share your concerns with me.’

‘It is not that I do not wish to. I am sworn to secrecy, Jane, and should not have told you so much. Please do not plague me, for I shall say no more on the subject.’

‘Very well. I was merely concerned for the happiness of two people I care for.’

Andrew was silent for a moment, then, ‘Avonlea says Mariah’s recovery owes much to your influence over that fellow George—if that is his name. The very fact that he brought
her to you shows he respects you. He refused to give me his true name, Jane. I believe he may be in some danger from Blake himself. If that rogue guesses who took her from under his nose, he may try to take revenge.’

‘Yes, I believe you are right. I asked him to confide in you. Together, you might have tackled Blake much more easily.’

‘Well, I would have pressed him if you had not ordered me to fetch the doctor.’ Andrew looked thoughtful. ‘You have seemed in low spirits since you came home, Jane. Is there something you have not told me? George did not…You were not harmed in
that
way?’

‘If you are asking if I was dishonoured, the answer is no. George did something foolish for the sake of someone he cares for—but he is a gentleman and has his own code of honour. He did what he thought best—and who is to say he was wrong? Without his help both Mariah and I might have been lost.’

‘I am relieved.’ He frowned. ‘Why are you so quiet and unlike yourself?’

‘I have been busy looking after Mariah.’

‘Is that all?’ Andrew studied her. ‘It would do you good to stay with your godmother.
Why will you not be sensible and accept her invitation?’

‘I shall think about it,’ Jane said. ‘I shall give you my decision this evening.’

‘Very well. I must speak with my bailiff about some estate matters.’ He hesitated, then, ‘You know I am grateful for all you did here when I was serving in the army, Jane. If anything should happen to me, you would be well provided for, my dear sister.’

‘Andrew! Why should anything happen to you?’

‘It very likely will not, Jane, but I shall not lie to you. There are those that would like to see me out of the way—and I am not speaking just of your infamous Captain Blake.’

‘You make me anxious for your safety.’

‘I am well able to take care of myself, but perhaps you will understand now why I wish you to stay with your godmother. If I am called upon, I must go and should be anxious for your sake if I were away from home, perhaps abroad. I intend to do all I can to help Avonlea find the man who abducted both you and Mariah—but there is another matter that may become urgent at any time.’

‘And of course you cannot tell me anything
more. Very well, brother, I shall consider my godmother’s invitation and give you my answer this evening.’

Sighing, she turned and went back into the house. It was an age since she had worked in her garden. The afternoon looked to be pleasant and she wanted to move some of the hyacinth bulbs, which had long since ceased to flower and would be best spread out from the clumps that had formed around the parent bulb. Now was the time to attend to these things before the cool of autumn turned to the bitter cold of winter.

* * *

Jane straightened up, putting a hand to her back. She had been on her knees in the garden for more than three hours, moving plants and bulbs to new beds. Her perennial borders were one of her chief pleasures and she had hoped her labour would lift this feeling of emptiness, but apart from the ache in her back she felt no different.

She stood, gathered her basket and tools and turned towards the house. Andrew had just ridden into the courtyard at the back of the house, his business with the bailiff done for the day. She lifted her hand and waved to him.

He waved back and then turned to the groom who had come to take his horse just as the shot rang out.

A slight breeze on her cheek was all Jane felt as the ball passed her and buried itself in the trunk of a flowering cherry. She gave a cry and whirled round, looking for the source of the shot.

Andrew charged towards her as she stood transfixed, swaying, her face white with shock. He drew his pistol and fired in the direction of the tall shrubbery from whence the shot had been fired.

‘Damn the rogue,’ he said. ‘I should go after him. Are you all right, Jane?’

‘Yes. Go after him, but take care,’ she whispered, then made a little murmur and fainted into his arms.

* * *

When Jane stirred and opened her eyes a minute or two later, she was lying on the sofa in their parlour. Andrew was bending over her and the housekeeper was waving a burnt feather under her nose. She coughed at the acrid smoke and sat up as her senses returned.

‘You should have left me and gone after him,’ she said. ‘It must have been Blake.

George said he might try to kill me if he discovered where we live.’

‘You fainted. I could not desert you,’ her brother said. ‘Blake will keep for another day, Jane.’

‘Yes, perhaps you should go to the magistrate and set up a hue and cry.’

‘I have my own plans,’ Andrew told her and frowned. ‘One of which includes you, miss. Tomorrow I shall escort you to Lady Mary’s house in London. You will be safer there. I am not going to take no for an answer. You will go to your godmother tomorrow, Jane—and there’s an end to it.’

‘Yes.’ Jane sat up carefully. Her faintness had gone, but she still felt a little shaken. The shot had taken her by complete surprise. During her flight with George she had known Blake might try to kill her if he found her, but she had begun to feel safe at home.

Somehow Blake had found her. He might even know that George had brought Mariah to her—and he was clearly determined on revenge. She wasn’t sure if the shot had been a warning or simply gone wide, but Andrew was right. She was not safe here. ‘Yes, I may as well go. I shall be safer in London. Be careful, Andrew.

Now you know how ruthless he is—he might kill you if you get in his way.’

‘He may try,’ Andrew replied grimly. ‘If I find him, I shall not wait for him to shoot first, believe me. He is destined for the hangman’s noose after what he did to Mariah—and to you. I thought to hand him over to the law, but after this…’

‘Be careful, Andrew,’ Jane said. ‘You could end up in prison yourself.’

‘At least that rogue would not bother you or Mariah again.’

‘But you still have to find him.’

‘Avonlea has hired a Bow Street Runner. I am going to do the same. While Blake remains at large he is a danger to both you and Mariah—perhaps to all of us.’

‘George told me he will not give up the search.’ Jane sighed. ‘If only he had told me where we could contact him. He might know something that would help you.’

Andrew’s gaze narrowed. ‘I hope you have not formed an attachment to that rogue, Jane? I should never agree to anything between you.’

‘Do not be ridiculous,’ Jane replied too hastily. ‘I hardly know him. If you will excuse me, I shall go up and pack. I just hope that my
godmother will be pleased to see me without notice.’

She walked away from her brother, knowing that he was staring after her. Had she given herself away? She could not help thinking of George even though she told herself it was foolish. He would not wish to meet her again—and if he did so, it might bring him into danger.

Besides, she had long ago decided never to marry. Accustomed to living alone with only her brother’s servants and meeting her friends as and when she chose, she had become very independent. It irked her that she must obey her brother and for the first time she considered whether she might do better to find herself a small house in Bath and take a companion. Andrew had never been dominant, giving her her own way in most things, but there was no doubt that his temper was shorter these days.

Jane’s eyes stung with tears. She was over the shock of being fired at in her own garden, but the feeling of loss and emptiness would not leave her.

Perhaps in London she would find solace in making new friends.

* * *

‘Of course I am glad to see you,’ Lady Mary Sommers said as she embraced Jane. ‘I am always
happy to see you. Andrew said you had been distressed over a distasteful incident. You must put whatever it was behind you, my love. My friends are all from the very best society and you will suffer no unpleasant incidents in my company.’

‘No, I am very sure I shall not,’ Jane said and kissed her cheek. Andrew had clearly not told her of the abduction or the attempt on her life, for which she was grateful. It would be best not to have these things talked of. ‘I am glad to be here and sorry I did not come before.’

‘Well, no doubt you had your reasons, dear child. I know your first Season was a disappointment.’

‘Well, if you recall, I developed a chill and had to go home.’

‘You know I should like to see you settled, dearest. Andrew will marry one day and you will not want to be a maiden aunt staying in a house where you are not truly needed. However, you may always come and stay with me so there is no rush to form an attachment.’

‘Even if there were haste, I could not conjure a suitor out of thin air,’ Jane said and laughed. ‘I have thought about the eventuality, you know. If Andrew decides to marry, I shall rent
a house in Bath and take a companion to lend me countenance. I might do so sooner if I find someone suitable I can like.’

‘Nonsense,’ her godmother said and frowned. ‘You are not in your dotage yet, Jane. You need a little town bronze, my love. I have no engagements for three days. Plenty of time to have some new gowns made—at least one and others ordered. You are attractive and your nature is lovely. I am certain you could find a suitable husband should you wish it.’