The Portrait (16 page)

"Ah, our second meeting was not quite so glorious," sighed
Randall, returning his gaze. "It was in the field hospital after
Salamanca and in the convent for a short while afterward. They really thought you were done for, sir, but I told 'em you were a
fighter. Couldn't help but notice how you clung to the little
portrait. We all saw that it did you good...

"That may be," interrupted the earl once more. "Now tell
me, how did you come to be at The Sow's Ear?"

"Well, sir, because of my injuries I couldn't continue in the
Twenty-ninth, which meant I must find myself a civilian profession. But that was not easy, as there were so many others in
a like situation. Eventually I turned to Bow Street, and I became a constable-a runner-call it what you will. When you
saw me at The Sow's Ear, I was working incognito, so to
speak. Hence my current mode of dress" He grinned, indicating his foppish garb. "Not at all to my liking, I assure you, but
we were on the trail of a thief who targets such gentlemen as
yourself. Hence my need for disguise."

"You say `we.' You were not alone at the inn?"

"No, sir, I had two other constables working with me, but
you didn't see them. They were in the taproom at the time of
our encounter."

"Was it you who came to my door in the night?"

"No, sir, it was our quarry."

"And to my companion's door?"

"Again the quarry. But have no fear-we had him under
close watch at all times. Your `companion' was never in any
danger. We arrested our man at daybreak and relieved him of
the evidence of his guilt. He now faces quite a hefty term in
jail or even deportation to the Americas."

Smiling, the earl came to his feet and extended his hand,
taking Randall's in a firm grasp. "Then I must thank you for
keeping my portrait and my `companion' safe," he said. "You
will be well rewarded, I assure you"

"I want no reward," affirmed Randall, also coming to his
feet and taking the hand offered. "It is an honor to serve you,
sir." Then, after a moment's pause, he added, "However, there
is one thing I would ask of you, my lord, if I may."

"Ask"

"Should you hear of anyone requiring a steward or agent or some such, would you bear me in mind? I've no liking for the
law."

"I have need of a steward at Fly Hall," said Sinclair.

Randall's plain countenance broke into a hesitant smile. "Do
you manufacture the post for me? I wouldn't wish you to feel
obligated, sir. It was not my intention in returning your property to you"

"It is certainly not manufactured," lied the earl, "and I would
welcome someone with your loyalty in my employ. Such a man
is rare"

Much pleased with the outcome of the interview, Randall
took his leave so that he could make his arrangements to
travel to Fly Hall.

Left alone, the earl examined the portrait, relief flooding
his senses at its return. Assuring himself that it had received
no harm during its absence, he whispered, "So, at last you are
returned to me, my love. I can't tell you what it cost me when
I thought I'd lost you. All else is in turmoil, yet you remain the
same. I don't know how I would have borne your loss." Rising, he left the library, and, returning the miniature to its resting place in his bedchamber, he determined to travel to
Ravensby on the morrow.

As the earl sat alone over supper, he heard a commotion in
the hall, and just as he was about to inquire of its origins, Perry
burst into the room, his disheveled appearance proclaiming a
hurried journey.

"I thought I told you to stay with Flora until I came to you,"
said Sinclair, turning in his chair to face the newcomer.

"It's that damned Rutledge," stated Perry hotly, defiance
showing in his every line. "I can't stand his pompous ways.
He's forever ordering me about. Why, a chap can't even take
the dogs out to find game of a morning without his wanting to
know where I was going and what I was doing. If you ask me,
he's addlepated, bats in his belfry."

"Rutledge remains at Ravensby?" asked Sinclair, incredulous. "I was of the opinion he would have returned to Buxton by
now."

"Oh, aye, that was his intention right and tight, but damn
me if he didn't find it necessary to wheedle an invitation out of
Carlton to stay. The poor man could scarcely refuse without
seeming disagreeable. Rutledge is falling over himself to pay
attention to Jenny, and you can see she doesn't want it. The
only one pleased to see him stay was Freddie, and even his patience wears thin. Even he can't abide his forever keeping
tracks on us. We're not still in short coats, yet that's how he
treats us. Flora's in one hell of a tiz. Wants to know when you're
coming down. States she's had enough of the fellow."

"It had been my intention to travel down on the morrow,
but perhaps it would be more prudent of me to await his departure"

"If you do, Ned, Flora will never forgive you." Perry
grinned, seating himself at the table and helping himself to
the fruit in the bowl in its center. "Carlton's taken himself off
to God knows where, and she swears it's because Rutledge remains. Perhaps if you were to present yourself, he'd return to
Buxton."

"Jenny may not be so pleased if he does; they appear to deal
extremely well together."

"Not so well that it shows at the moment. She appears quite
downcast. We even offered to drive her to the old ruins, but
she showed no interest."

"What, not interested in a pile of old stones? I can't believe
it," mocked the earl.

"You may laugh," reproved Perry, "but we only wanted to
cheer her up. Take her away from Rutledge, so she didn't have
to listen to his interminable prosing."

Returning to Ravensby after an afternoon's ride in the company of his sister and Phillip Rutledge, Freddie Lynton quickly
drew rein and pointed an imperative finger toward the stables as
a team of matching bays were led across its yard.

"They're Ned's-I'm sure of it! I'd know them anywhere," he cried enthusiastically, and, urging his horse to a canter, he
headed in their direction, Jennifer doing likewise.

Having no desire to follow in their wake, Rutledge held
back, cursing roundly. An unreasoning anger overtook him at
thought of Sinclair's arrival, and he turned his horse away, desiring to prolong his ride. He most certainly had no wish to
greet the earl. Knowing that Jenny had been awaiting his arrival, he saw his coming as an intrusion.

However, if Jennifer had been awaiting his arrival, she was
determined not to show it. Instead of going immediately, as
Freddie had done, to the rear salon, where the earl and his
brother sat taking tea with Flora, she took her leisurely time in
changing before making her presence known.

"My lord, how delightful to see you," she said nonchalantly
upon entering the room and extending her hand as he rose to
greet her.

He frowned slightly at the formal greeting but bowed briefly
over her hand and attempted to mirror her indifferent mood.

Freddie had long since disappeared in the company of Perry,
and Flora looked between the two, not knowing what to make
of their reunion. They stood facing each other, saying nothing
and appearing ill at ease. Seeing their awkwardness and not
wishing to intrude, she made her exit on the pretext of ordering supper.

Being left alone had the desired effect of loosening Jenny's
tongue, but the words were not what Flora would have expected. "You left me without a word, Edward Thurston," she
accused him. "Surely I deserved better than that"

"Sit down, Jen, and I will explain," he cajoled, attempting
to take her hand, but she snatched it away, hiding it behind her
rose-colored skirts.

"I thought we'd come to a better understanding than that
you should treat me in such a cavalier fashion," she said accusingly.

"I'm sure you wouldn't have thanked me for knocking on
your door at dawn, for that is when I left for the inn."

"What was this thing that you'd lost and was so valuable
that it necessitated your immediate departure?"

"A keepsake," he answered defensively. "Something that
need not bother you-indeed, would not interest you"

"How do you know what would interest me?"

"Jen," he cajoled, "you are being quite unreasonable. Come,
can we not cry truce?"

"I will cry truce when you tell me why you've found it necessary to remain in London for so long when you promised to
come to Ravensby as soon as you could. Phillip was sure
something or someone of more interest had sidetracked you"

"We are squabbling again, Jen" He chuckled. "How is it
that, when I'm in your company, we are reduced to the role of
schoolchildren? We sound like babes arguing over a toy."

"I'm sorry, Ned," she said contritely, her voice uneven, "but
I've been waiting for you for what seems an eternity, and
Phillip insisted that you'd no wish to return. He was adamant
that you'd forgotten me. What could I think?"

He had the desire to put his arm about her to comfort her
but was acutely aware of her reaction to his embrace at their
last meeting and instead, managing to capture her hand, led
her to the chaise, seating himself at her side.

"Rutledge could not be more mistaken," he said quietly,
.,and if I've offended you, I wholeheartedly apologize. I've
spoken to Hawley, and I do believe that, between us, we have
succeeded in averting a scandal. Some may still have their suspicions, but when they see that we don't seek each other's
company, even those will vanish."

"Was Arthur very difficult?" she asked tentatively, wincing
at thoughts of what her brother's reaction would have been
when approached by Sinclair.

"Shall we say that after discussion, we reached an acceptable understanding? He knows all but recognizes it would be
foolish to attempt to broadcast the facts or to attempt to force
us into marriage. You will be welcomed home"

"Oh," she answered flatly.

"These arrangements don't sit well with you? You desire
something different?"

"Yes ... No ... I don't know," she replied, seeming confused. "Flora has invited me to stay at Ravensby until Carlton
returns and then to travel to London with them"

"And it is what you wish to do?"

"I believe so. It's preferable to returning to Arthur for the
moment. I've a liking for Flora, and it will allow my elder
brother more time to cool his temper."

A silence fell, and it was a moment before the earl became
aware that Jennifer appeared to be distracted.

"What troubles you, Jen?" he asked solicitously. "Don't tell
me 'tis nothing, for I can see it clearly on your face"

She turned fully to face him and took his hand in both of
hers. "I wanted to thank you, Ned," she said solemnly. "You've
been so good and kind to me, even offering for me when it's
not at all what you wish."

He would have spoken, but she laid two fingers on his lips.
"Please, say nothing," she implored. "Let me thank you. I may
not have the chance again. I thrust myself upon you. Indeed, I
allowed you no option other than to accompany me. If I had
had my true deserts, you would have sent me packing, but you
were ever the gentleman. Many in a like situation would have
attempted to take advantage of it, but you did not. Phillip has
pointed out to me that I behaved like a hoyden, and I believe he
is right. I never thought of the position I was putting you in. As
he says, I acted no better than an opera girl...

"Damn Rutledge," swore Sinclair passionately. "What right
has he to judge your actions?"

"I believe every right," said a pompous voice from the
doorway as Phillip sauntered in, slowly drawing off his riding
gloves. "In fact, I am ever hopeful that Jenny will become my
wife. Therefore, my comments are quite within keeping. I
foresee no opposition from Hawley. In truth, it will resolve a
very awkward situation, and I see no reason for him to issue
a refusal."

"No!" cried Jenny, coming quickly to her feet. "I've told
you, I have no intention of marrying anyone."

A look of insufferable superiority flitted across Phillip's
haughty countenance. "We will see how long that intent lasts
when you are confronted by censure at every turn, my dear.
Indeed, we will see what Hawley has to say on the subject."

"Arthur will have no say in the matter," replied Jennifer
hotly, "and neither will you, Phillip. I order my own life."

The earl, too, came to his feet, but she pushed past him,
and, casting Rutledge a look of complete dislike, she ran from
the room.

"There's no need to cast me such darkling looks, Sinclair,"
sneered Rutledge, advancing into the room and depositing his
length in a hearthside chair. "You had your chance-now it's
mine. Have no fear, she will soon come about and see the
sense of accepting me-I'm sure of it. We've dealt so well together in the past, I'm certain we will do so again."

"You are very confident of something that is far less than
certain," replied Sinclair coldly. "You issue censure where
none is warranted. The child is far too innocent. She saw no
impropriety in seeking my aid, and the thought that it could
be misconstrued never entered her head. If you must apportion blame, lay it at my door. It is I who should have had
more sense"

"You had a great deal of sense, my friend-sense enough to
know that if you compromised her, she would be obliged to
marry you"

The earl strode toward Rutledge, his face dark with anger,
his hand clenched at his side. "If my desire was to marry her,
I would not stoop to trickery to achieve my ends. I have the
sense not to attempt to coerce her into a disastrous marriage. I
would take no unwilling bride, but you obviously would not
balk at the thought."

"Then we shall see how unwilling she is once she has returned to London," sneered Rutledge, rising and moving away.
"She will soon realize that even an heiress is not allowed to
flaunt the laws of propriety." Watching his companion, he liked not the look on the earl's severe countenance. It came to
him that it would not serve his purpose to enter into a situation
over which he had no certain control, a situation that could remove his influence over Jennifer. He was no fool. To remain
would give her the opportunity to draw comparisons, and he
was far from confident of the result.