Almost a Countess by Jenna Jaxon
Chapter 10
Relief so strong it almost made her knees buckle swept through Dora. He was alive. Not injured, not recaptured, not fled to his uncle in London. Here. Unaware of what she was doing, she ran to the dripping Lord Aberfoyle, stopping short just before she flung her arms around him. “Thank God above you made it back here, my lord.”
His hair lay plastered to his head; his jacket, shirt, and breeches clung tightly to his frame, revealing every muscle from top to bottom. A sight she would not soon forget.
Her heart pounded with the wild beat of the storm surrounding them. “What happened to you?”
“’Tis actually quite a story, Miss Harper.” He peeled the jacket away from his chest, and a rivulet of water streamed onto the floor. “Perhaps I can repair my appearance, and ye can listen tae the tale over a hot dinner?”
“Of course, my lord. You must be freezing.” She strode into the foyer. “Hanson!”
The butler appeared, looking more than a little startled at the sight of Lord Aberfoyle. “I beg your pardon, my lord. I didn’t hear you at the door.”
“I dinna knock, Hanson. I just came in tae get out o’ the wet.” He looked down at his thoroughly soaked body. “Although I seem tae have brought a good deal o’ it in with me. My apologies. I hope ye dinna hold it against me.”
“Not at all, my lord.”
“Hanson, call James, please.” Dora turned back to Lord Aberfoyle, her indignation rising now the crisis was over. “Why did you disobey my orders this morning?”
For once, the Scotsman looked discomfited. “I beg yer pardon, Miss Harper, for that bit o’ mutiny, but I couldna cool my heels the whole morning when what I needed was tae see if I was able tae ride. The sooner I could ascertain that, the sooner I could be on my way and out from under yer feet.” Lord Aberfoyle ducked his head. “Ye must believe I dinna wish tae disrespect ye.” His head came up and he looked at her with contrition in his blue eyes. “Truly.”
Though it had been on the tip of her tongue to berate him for his ungentlemanly behavior, Dora could summon no words to that effect. His contrition was completely sincere. And since he’d returned the horse, he obviously had no intention of stealing it. Apparently, she’d misjudged him.
“Very well, then, my lord. I will accept your apology.” Somehow that seemed inadequate but would have to do. Gathering her dignity, she pulled herself up to her full height. “James can serve as your valet while you are here. He won’t be trained as such, but he will be a great help with your clothing. Especially the wet ones.” She looked expectantly at the earl. “Will you change and come down for dinner or do you prefer a tray in your room in light of all the excitement?”
“I think the former, if ye’ll wait for me.” He bowed. “A stirring tale needs tae be told while ’tis fresh in the mind.” Shooting her a quick grin, he left for his room, wet footprints trailing behind each squishing step down the corridor.
“Send James to his chamber, Hanson. Assist him if need be. Be sure there is sufficient toweling.” Dora hoped the cold rain wouldn’t result in the earl catching an ague. “And inform Cook that we’ll need supper hot and tasty in about half an hour.”
“Yes, miss.” Hanson left at a trot while Dora sat on the sofa, her strength at an end.
What had happened to Lord Aberfoyle? A better question might be why she was so concerned for the man. She’d been on the brink of heading out into a bad storm in search of him, a foolish action that might have led to her own harm. What was this spell the man had cast on her?
Shrugging off the obvious answer, and gathering her strength, Dora rose and headed into the dining room, the table there set for the two of them. She settled in the chair at the head of the table, as was her custom, and waited for James. Of course, James wouldn’t wait at table until he’d finished with Lord Aberfoyle.
She rang for Hanson.
“Miss Harper?”
“Please bring me the wine.”
“Very good, miss.” The butler looked as though he approved of her command. He gave a quick nod, disappeared into the kitchen, and returned with a bottle of red wine. He poured, and Dora thankfully took a sip. “As James is now doing double duty as valet, can you please assist him at table, Hanson?”
“Of course.” He bowed and removed the wine decanter to the sideboard.
“Good evening, Miss Harper.”
Dora’s head came up so quickly her neck creaked.
Lord Aberfoyle stood in the doorway, dressed impeccably for dinner in more of Simon’s clothes, a suit of blue worsted wool with a cream waistcoat that fit him better than Dora would have expected. His rich auburn hair had been dried and combed, making him look more than a little civilized.
He bowed and came forward, taking his seat at the opposite end from hers. “The storm seems tae have worn itself out.”
“Yes, thank goodness.” She dropped her napkin into her lap, not certain she wished to meet his gaze. “I was fearful you’d drowned for good this time.”
“Och, there were other dangers tae be considered.” He settled his napkin as James entered with the first course. “After that, a little rain was naught. May I have some wine, Hanson?”
“Of course, my lord.” The butler hurried forward clutching the bottle and poured.
“Thank ye.” Lord Aberfoyle took a long sip and sighed. “That was quite necessary.”
“You said you would tell me about your adventures.” She glanced at him and caught the rueful set to his lips. She returned her attention to her plate as she helped herself to roast beef in a rich gravy.
“I did, although the ride itself was uneventful. When I dismounted tae get a drink o’ water, however, things got…interesting.”
“Indeed.” She helped herself to the Yorkshire pudding, which smelled divine. “You were in the park?”
“Alas, nae.” Lord Aberfoyle loaded his plate with the beef and pudding when James presented them to him. “I fear I wandered a good deal further afield than I intended—all the way tae the burn where ye found me, in fact.”
Dora’s head shot up at that. “What were you thinking, my lord? The soldiers could have been anywhere.” Her gaze met his, and something in his all-too-innocent eyes made her suspicious. “You came upon them, didn’t you?” Her appetite vanished. They could be on their way here to arrest him this very moment. “What happened?”
“Well,” he paused to spoon a generous portion of creamed vegetables onto his plate, “I did mean tae ride only in the park. However, as I was woolgathering, the horse took over our direction and the next thing, Hannibal had taken me across the road and intae a field. We rode down it for a bit then I recognized the wee burn. The horse wanted a drink, as did I.” The earl took up his wineglass, raised it in a salute to her, and drank deeply.
“Didn’t it occur to you that it was dangerous to be out in the open like that?” Picking at her food, Dora let out an exasperated sigh. “That if the soldiers came upon you, there’d be no place to hide?”
“I did have the presence o’ mind tae tether the animal on the opposite side, under the trees, before getting my drink.” Lord Aberfoyle seemed almost insulted at her accusation. Lord, but the man could be infuriating. “I was just in the process o’ lowering my stirrup tae mount when I heard the troop thundering down the bank.”
Heart racing, Dora couldn’t repress a shiver. This could have ended so badly for him.
“I kenned I’d never outrun them if they saw me, which they certainly would have, sae I sent the horse off, hoping he would go home, and burrowed under a thicket o’ sticker bushes. Then Scarlet and his men appeared.” He twirled the stem of his wineglass and stared frankly at her. “I expected I would be taken for sure.”
“But you were well hidden?”
“Apparently sae.” He set the glass down and lifted his arms, palms upward. “For here I am.” He picked his silverware back up, dug into the beef, and closed his eyes, a blissful look on his face.
“So then they rode on?” From his earlier words, Dora had supposed there would be more to the story.
“No’ exactly.” He eyed her then grinned. “One soldier, Sergeant Gates, heard me rustling under the bushes.”
“Good lord!” Dora sat straighter, unable to take her gaze from his face. Had he been frightened or merely determined to evade capture?
“Gates crossed the burn and ended up standing right over me. I truly thought he’d found me. I even grasped a stick, ready tae attack him and flee as best I could, though I kenned I wouldna get far.” Lord Aberfoyle leaned toward her, and Dora held her breath. “When he drew his pistol and cocked it, I thought I was going t’ die.”
Unable to utter a sound, Dora swallowed hard. Finally, she managed to ask, “Did he shoot you?”
“Nae. He shot at, and missed—at almost point-blank range, mind—a rabbit under the next bush over. Close enough tae make my ears ring.” That infectious grin was back. “That’s when Scarlet called him back and they mounted up and rode off the way I’d come. I waited a good hour tae make certain they weren’t going tae return then crawled out and started home. I never found Hannibal, sae I hope he returned.”
“He did.” With a sigh of relief, Dora picked up her wine and sipped avidly. Of course she’d known his encounter had turned out well, but the intensity with which he told it had quite swept her along, as though she didn’t know the happy ending. “I was still from home, but Hanson sent James out to find you as soon as the horse appeared riderless. When Alfred arrived, he was sent out as well. I would have done so, but there was no one left to saddle Gretchen for me.”
“’Tis a good thing ye couldnae, Miss Harper.” He stared at her over his all but empty plate. His face had sobered, his eyes darker than before, his brows in a determined frown. “Ye had nae business traipsing around in the storm looking for me. Especially when ye kenned there were soldiers on the prowl.”
“I would have been perfectly fine.”
“I am glad we dinna have tae find out the truth o’ that statement.” He finished off his wine and set the glass down with a clink. “One near miss with those soldiers was enough for one night.”
“With that I must agree, my lord. Although we will need to be on our guard tomorrow. I fear they will put in an appearance here at last. Lord Trevor said they had been to his estate today and would come here next.”
“I ken. I heard them discussing it when I was under the bush.” Lord Aberfoyle met her startled gaze. “I think this would be a good time tae formulate a plan for their visit, dinna ye?”
****
Of course the best way to assure Miss Harper’s safety would be for Finn to disappear. If he rode out tonight, he could likely make Leeds by first light, follow the lady’s idea and lose himself in the poorer section of the city. From there, he could write to his uncle for assistance.
A good plan, save for two complications. First, the storm had turned the roads to muck, making it more dangerous, nay treacherous, for a man to ride at night with no moon to light the way on unfamiliar roads. And second, the two mile walk home, mostly in slippery wet boots, had aggravated his ankle. It had swollen when James had taken the boots off. Finn was now wearing someone’s slippers that were too big but at least comfortable. Still, Finn doubted he’d be able to put the boots on again for a day or two at the least.
A third reason hovered in Finn’s mind. He didn’t want to leave Miss Harper here all alone. She had servants, of course, though precious few of them, but they would be no match for a determined intruder bent on mischief. After the chilling comment Scarlet had made, Finn knew the lady should not be alone on the estate. His presence here might deter anyone who attempted an attack. Unfortunately, to be effective as a deterrent, his presence must be known. And such a revelation would have disastrous effects for them both. He’d be recaptured immediately, and her reputation would be in shambles. When her parents heard of it, he’d probably be forced to marry her, and while he wasn’t actually averse to the idea, he doubted Miss Harper would be particularly sanguine about it. Neither would her father, most likely. Oh, he had a title to be sure, and the earldom’s properties were doing well enough, but to have his daughter forced into marriage with a Scotsman accused of treason would not be any Englishman’s ideal.
“First, I need tae ask when yer parents can be expected tae return. While that would precipitate my leaving, it would help ye in the event the soldiers prove unruly.”
“I doubt I will be in any danger from them, my lord.” Miss Harper’s face reddened.
“I think ye dinna ken the danger ye’ll be in.” She might not wish to discuss such unsavory ideas, but she had to understand how vulnerable she actually was. “When will yer parents return?”
Miss Harper sighed. “I believe I may have exaggerated a bit about my parents, my lord.” She took her wineglass and drank until it was dry. “They are currently residing in Wiltshire, at my father’s primary residence. To my knowledge, they have no plans either to come here or send for me.”
All Finn could do was stare at her and attempt to quell the anger that licked through him. Why would anyone abandon their daughter in an obviously vulnerable and dangerous position on a remote estate in the Yorkshire countryside? It was unheard of in good social circles. A young woman’s reputation was paramount if she were to marry well. To be sent to the country without benefit of chaperone or protector or even a full complement of servants was reprehensible. “May I ask why they have taken such an exception tae yer company, Miss Harper?”
The lady examined her empty wine glass with intensity, careful to keep her gaze on the glassware and not him. “I think I had told you something of that earlier. Last year, I was betrothed to Lord Trevor. I had been promised to him since I was seven years old.” She paused and looked at him, as if awaiting a reaction she’d seen before.
Finn merely nodded. He’d heard of lasses as young as twelve marrying in Scotland, so to be betrothed at seven seemed no great stretch for the law to allow. “Did ye dislike the gentleman?”
Shooting him a curious glance, she shook her head. “I never even met him until early last year, just before my eighteenth birthday. My father had insisted the wedding could not take place until I reached an acceptable age.”
“Sae ye could see if the gentleman would suit?”
A sharp bark of laughter met his question. Miss Harper then signaled James for more wine. “To keep this property—Bromley—as long as he possibly could for his own purposes. I was the bargaining chip, you see. Lord Trevor’s family had wanted it for generations. They bided their time until a son of their house was of a suitable age to be married to a daughter of ours. My father had married off my older sisters for other considerations before I was born. When I came along, the Trevors saw their chance. The current Lord Trevor was only ten years old when I arrived, so he was made to wait for me until I was old enough to marry him. We neither of us had any choice in the matter.”
“And this Lord Trevor was agreeable tae this scheme?” Finn’s hackles rose. The gentleman should have spoken up about such a business deal disguised as marriage to a child.
“The first time I met him, he seemed rather indifferent to the whole affair.” She shook her head. “I don’t think I even registered as a person to him. He wasn’t mean or rude, just disinterested. Like he’d thought only about acquiring the property and didn’t realize that the marriage would also bring him a living, breathing wife as well.” She smiled and looked away, as if lost in thought.
“He sounds like a loun, Miss Harper.” Good thing the man wasn’t present. It would not have ended well for Trevor.
“He is actually a very good and extremely kind man, my lord.” She continued to smile, and enthusiasm returned to her voice. “When we met again, last fall in London, he tried very hard to put me at my ease with him. It was as if he understood I was unsure of everything and tried to make the situation easy for me.” Sadness crept over Miss Harper’s face. “I suspect I’d have fallen madly in love with him, to my grief, had Fate not stepped in.”
“The current Lady Trevor?” Finn’s heart went out to the lovely woman across from him.
“Yes.” A pensive look came into her eyes. “I’m not certain where or when he met Violet, but I believe it was in London that autumn. He’d changed then from when I’d first met him. Much kinder and more attentive to me, more interested in seeing to my comfort when he came to Wiltshire in January, to prepare for the wedding—it had been postponed from the fall when my sister-in-law Judith had an accident. We were most distraught at her condition and, in hopes of her recovery, put the wedding off until after the holiday.”
“Ye and she were good friends?” Fascinated, as Miss Harper poured her heart out to him, Finn couldn’t help but prompt her for even more information. He wanted to know everything he could about this kind, caring woman who was carving out a small niche in his heart.
“Yes, we were. She has since recovered her faculties, I’m glad to say.” Her smile returned, like a blaze of light on a dark day. “She is now happily remarried to a childhood sweetheart. But please forgive me. I’m so sorry to have taken over the conversation with my sad little tale, my lord. I would not wish you to think me a bore.”
“Never would I deem ye boring, Miss Harper. Far from it.” He signaled James to bring the wine again. “Ye may leave the bottle.”
Miss Harper nodded to the footman. “That will be all for now, James, Hanson.”
“Very good, miss.” The servants disappeared into the kitchen, and Finn filled both their glasses, finishing the bottle.
“Noo, please continue, Miss Harper. I am all ears.” The wine was delicious and had likely loosened his hostess’s tongue. What better way to discover her than this?
“Well,” Miss Harper sipped the fresh wine and continued, “Violet came to our house in Wiltshire as governess to my niece Anna. What we were unaware of was that ever since Judith’s injury, my brother had been molesting the governesses. When he tried the same thing with Violet, Tris saved her quite spectacularly and challenged Simon to a duel for her honor. By then, I knew Tris was deeply in love with Violet. Anyone who saw the way he looked at her would have known. But he was betrothed to me and, as you know, could not jilt me without becoming a social pariah. So when he issued the challenge, I told Tris in front of my whole family, that under these circumstances, I must release him from his promise to marry me.”
“Ye did that knowing yer own reputation would suffer?” That kind of sacrifice made him esteem her even more.
She turned a liquid gaze on him. “I would never have that look of love from him, my lord. Not if we were married a hundred years. Would you wish to live the rest of your life waiting and hoping for something you know you will never have? I wanted my freedom so I could perhaps find a gentleman who would feel for me what he feels for Violet.”
If anyone deserved that, this woman did.
“Of course, my father was livid that I had thwarted his plans. After the duel…” She swallowed hard. “After my brother died of his wounds, my parents mourned him as though they only had the one child. My father sent Judith to her parents and me here as punishment for breaking the betrothal.” With a sigh, she sat back, still holding her wineglass. “I suppose when I turn twenty-one, I can take my grandmother’s inheritance and do what I wish.” She smiled brilliantly. “Buy my own property. Or travel, perhaps. Everyone says Italy is a marvel. I would enjoy experiencing their culture for a while.”
“I believe ye will, Miss Harper.” Finn had explored the cities and countryside of Italy on his Grand Tour four years ago. He wouldn’t mind at all seeing it once more…with a new companion, perhaps.
She leaned forward suddenly, reaching across the table and touching his hand. A shock crashed through his body, and he stiffened all over. “Won’t you please call me Dora? I feel as though we know one another too well now to stand on ceremony.”
The shock turned into a warmth that had nothing to do with the wine he’d drunk. “I would be honored t’ dae sae, Dora. If ye will call me Finn. All my friends dae.” His family as well.
“Wonderful, Finn.” She beamed at him, her cheeks prettily pink. “This is a good start for us if my plan is to succeed.”
“What plan?” Dora already had a way of catching him off guard.
“My plan to thwart the soldiers when they arrive tomorrow.”