A Perilous Marriage (13 page)

“What’s wrong?” His voice was anxious. “Lady Lucie?”

“She is safe abed, milord. Can we speak privately? ’T’will just be a moment.”

“Yes, in the study.” Mounting the steps, Richard went straight to his study and, not bothering to sit, turned to face the door as Rowten followed him in.

“Well?”

“We had an intruder get into the house yesterday midnight. He clobbered Franklin, who was on duty—damn near killed him with the cut to his head, but he is recovering now. The varmint broke through the lobby door and went upstairs to your suite...”

Richard’s face whitened. “Where was her ladyship? In her bedroom?”

“The intruder must have thought so, for he was investigating other bedrooms, and he looked there too, and she heard him swear. As luck would have it, due to a spillage of water on her bed, Lady Lucie was in a bedroom down the corridor. Fortunately, she was awake and heard the man. She reacted magnificently by locking her door and ringing the bell continuously. The footmen were up there in a flash. But whoever it was escaped down the back staircase and off into the park. We were too concerned about Lady Lucie to give chase until it was too late. After that dire happening, we have naturally made certain no one can get into the house. The other bit of news is that I shall tender my resignation forthwith.”

“Resignation!” Richard’s bellow and scowl was, to say the least, highly intimidating.

Fearing the menacing look and its consequences, Rowten tried to hold himself together.

“I-I’ve let you down, sir. I should have taken better precautions, and I’m sure you will w-wish me gone. Don’t blame anyone else. It is entirely my fault.”

There was silence for long moments as Richard studied his butler’s face and allowed his alarmed temper to subside before saying quietly, “It has been a long, tiresome day, and London is one of the noisiest cities I’ve ever had the misfortune to visit. So much so, I’ve returned deafened with the noise. Can barely hear a word or understand what you say. I suggest we talk things over tomorrow after I have seen my wife and rested from the journey. I presume she has still not gone back to her own bedroom and you will point out which room she is in? Good!” He noted Rowten’s startled nod at his unexpected words.

“I shall retire and leave you to your usual duties, Rowten. It is such a relief to leave things in your capable hands.” Nodding at the butler, he walked out into the hall. “Which room is it?” he called out.

Still dumbstruck, Rowten pulled himself together to answer. “The Rose Room, milord.” Noting how his lordship clearly heard his words, he heaved a sigh of thankfulness as he realised he was not about to be dismissed and he could go on serving a man he was happy to devote his entire loyalty to. Once again, he thought of his duchess and her insightful plans, wondering if she had second sight or was so clever she could read the future.

Whatever the reason, there was no doubt that Richard Martell was the right man for Ashbury Mead, and he was honoured to serve him.

Richard had learned how to walk silently like an Indian after his sojourn in Canada where he had been taught by men gifted in that art, so his appearance in the Rose Room was only seen by Mary as he woke her with a light touch on her shoulder and a hiss of warning, his finger across her mouth to keep silent. Though startled, she at once recognised him, rose from the truckle bed, and went to the door. “I’ll go to my bed, sir, now you are here,” she whispered as quietly.

He smiled and nodded, lifted a hand to salute her, and closing the door, slid the lock. Time was on his side, and he intended to make good use of it.

* * * *

Removing his clothes, he went to the bed and, lifting the bedclothes gently, slid under the covers. She stirred, and he lay still, scarcely breathing. He did not want her to waken just yet. He heard a sigh and she turned away from him to face the other side of the bed and, seconds later, was deep in sleep again. He grinned in amusement…just how he wanted her.

Slowly and stealthily, he closed the gap between them until he was almost touching and waited till he felt her ease back towards his warmth and snuggle her bottom between his thighs. What an incredible feeling it was to be so close to her body and know she was his. A wife he never wanted to lose. Tired beyond measure, desperately needing to rest, and cocooned in warmth with her tight against his body, he shut his eyes and was soon asleep.

Several hours later, he roused instantly as he felt her stir, pause, and become rigid as her hand moved warily back to touch his bare thigh. He heard a gasp as she drew in a huge breath to scream, but before she did, his arm came round her waist and he said, “Hush, Lucie, it’s me, Richard. No need to be frightened. I came home earlier than I expected.”

“Oh, thank goodness. For a minute I thought...” She turned round quickly to be met with his kiss and felt his hands roam over her and begin to pull her nightgown up. When she was able to take a breath, she whispered, “You shouldn’t be here. Mary’s in the room—”

“Mary’s back in her bed, and you shouldn’t be here, you should be in my bed. It is bigger. Still, just as well, I believe, you
were
here. Rowten told me we had a prowler.”

“He got away, so we don’t know who he was. Rowten was so upset. I doubt he’ll ever rest after this. He blames himself for being too complacent.”

“Don’t worry, he’ll get over it. Now, let’s have off with this thing you call a gown. I need to feel you properly, feel your soft skin, kiss you all over...” He lifted it, stopped talking to place his parted lips against the tip of her bared breast, and licked the nipple with the rasp of his tongue before drawing it into the heat of his mouth to suckle it strongly, sending her into raptures of sensation

Closing her eyes to absorb and enjoy every bit of pleasure from being in Richard’s arms again, she slipped her own hand up to his neck and, entwining her fingers in his thick hair, heard him groan his enjoyment as he went to her other breast. He moved back to her mouth to kiss her with intense passion. While one hand curled round her shoulders and lifted her up against him, the other began smoothing over her body and down her back, lovingly massaging her rounded bottom before gliding round to her front and into the soft curls between her thighs. She gasped as his long fingers found her opening and glided into the silky wetness inside.

“It won’t hurt this time, darling, but I must still prepare you to accept me. You are so tight, and while that is enchantment to me, I must make sure you enjoy it too.”

Stroking his bare chest gently and tweaking his flattened nipples, her whispered reply—“Do what you want to me”—sent a red-hot surge of blood through his veins, and his erection expanded even more strongly against her belly. Greatly daring, she moved a hand down to take hold of it and was surprised how silky-smooth yet how rigid it was. Rubbing her thumb over the top produced a quivering shudder, and she chuckled as she said softly, “What’s sauce for the gander...or have I got that wrong?”

He laughed joyously. “Both ways are appropriate, my lovely. Don’t stop whatever you do.” He grasped her hand and showed her how to pleasure him, and she proved an able pupil.

It was a revelation to recognize that Lucie was both the most innocent and sensually exciting woman he had ever known. The innocence, the honesty of her comments, excited him more than any woman ever had or could. Fate had really come up to the mark this time, and he had the glory of possessing a woman he would love forever.

Soon, with passions escalating, he turned her on her back and moved over her. Without hesitation, she parted her legs and opened to him. When he entered her, he felt her flinch and immediately stopped. “Lucie,” he said, “am I hurting you?”

“No, well…yes, but I’m only a little tender, so don’t stop, oh please, don’t stop.”

It was slower, gentler than before, not so strange or unknown this time. She was able to feel the hardness, the firm rhythm of his movements, and the ache of heat that built up, layer on layer, until she burst into a kaleidoscope of sensation and he felt her muscles contract around him. At once, he plunged ever deeper, and in enchanted accord, she felt her orgasm continue until he released himself in a whirl of glory. In unison, they hit the heights of pleasure together. When he got his breath back, he moved and pulled her to his side. “My God, Lucie that was incredible. You were born knowing how to make love.”

He felt her smile against his chest as she said, “I have a good teacher.”

He thought she meant him. Instead, she was reflecting on a certain set of books. They slept and woke to another session of joy before sleeping again until mid-morning.

Chapter Ten

Lucie was first to wake. Peering at the clock, she pushed away the sheet and began to ease out of bed. A hand grasped her arm and a voice growled, “Where do you think you are going, my love?”

“Richard, let me go! We can’t stay in bed any longer, the servants will comment...”

“If they do, sweetheart, they know we are married. But perhaps you are hungry? I must confess that I am. I cannot remember when I last ate. We’ll have breakfast sent here.”

“You can if you wish. I am dressing and going downstairs. That’s if, you’ll grant me leave, my lord?” She stared at his hand still holding her arm until he released it.

“Oh, hoity toity, madam! Is that the way of it? I bow to your direction. Lead the way, my dear. We shall have breakfast downstairs after all.” He grinned at her in silent amusement as she gave a frown and humphed at his foolery and dressed quickly. He was equally quick, and together, they descended the stairs and went into the small dining room where a footman, already warned by an upstairs maid, was waiting with hot coffee and tea ready to hand. He bowed. “Breakfast will be here soon as, milord, milady.”

“Excellent!” he said, pleased the staff were ready and willing.

Breakfast was a quiet affair, overseen by Rowten who looked slightly better than he had the previous evening though his face still wore the same solemn look. Richard shared the day’s papers with Lucie, and on the whole stayed quiet, only now and again exchanging an item of news with her. For her part, she enjoyed the comfortable companionship and lack of pressure, thinking they had come a long way since their first meeting.

Towards the end of their meal, a knock on the door heralded Richard’s secretary. He looked most embarrassed at interrupting them dining. “So sorry, milord, I did not realise you were downstairs. I came to find Mr Rowten...”

Richard smiled and waved a hand. “He’s here, go ahead.”

“Well…actually, it was you I wanted...”

“Luckily, I’m here as well. Go ahead and tell me what you want.” Richard leaned back in his chair, thinking he was being a devilish swine to tease the poor man so. His wife evidently thought the same as she promptly cast him a surreptitious warning look beneath her lashes. He acknowledged it with a slight nod then went on. “First, may I introduce our new addition to the staff, darling? Mr Arnold Rigby has come to help us. I say us, Rigby, as I told you in the coach you will be helping Lady Martell as well with the accounts of the estate. My lady, meet Arnold Rigby. Mr Rigby, her ladyship.”

“I trust you were comfortable last night, Mr Rigby,” Lucie said kindly, taking pity on the poor man who seemed out of his depth. “Your journey from London was arduous, no doubt? My husband is not a lover of coach travel, I recollect, though it was likely less tiring than riding and undoubtedly better for you.”

Now how the devil does she know that, I wonder?

“Milord, bearing in mind my duties, I just wondered if I was to accustom myself to your study or if there was an estate office you wish me to use or anything in particular you wished me to do now.”

“Go ahead, the files are in order. There is an estate office for the land which the farm warden uses to note the expenditure and gains of all the cultivation and every item bought and the kinds of produce sold. The house finance ledgers are run from here in the study. They cover all aspects of the house and its staff as well as the rest of the people who work outside. The wages for everyone are recorded, and a constant check is made with payments made for those and moneys used for the estate. I shall see you there in...let’s say, half an hour…to bring you up to date.” He turned to Lucie. “If you can spare me time, darling, I wish to talk with you. Thank you, Rowten. We shall remain here for a while. Another pot of coffee would be acceptable in a moment, but that will be all for now.”

* * * *

The room cleared, which left Richard and Lucie gazing at one another. He was silent for a moment, gauging the uncertainty in her eyes, but he knew she was an intelligent person who would soon weigh any orders or ruling she was given to see if they suited her purpose. She was strong-willed and would rebel against every dictate if she did not think it right, hence her reaction in the bedroom before they left to come down for breakfast

He’d thought her a contrary minx at the time, but he recalled the upbringing she’d had from the Duchess and the social rules she would have followed, equating it with the training he was given in Canada to soothe a filly, and knew the only way forward was to be honest and upfront. She not only had to fit in with him as his wife, but he had to do the same with her if they were to enjoy the comradeship he wanted.

“Lucie, I promised to be open with you and apprise you of my wishes. I want us to be partners and have your help willingly. Even if you disagree with me, I would rather you say so than just fall in with my requests or attempt to do the opposite. Is that clear to you?”

She nodded but kept silent, her large jade eyes looking serious.

“I had planned to take time here for us to get to know one another before we departed, but the prowler incident changes the situation. I’ll not have you at risk, so we will get out of reach. Rowten can manage things without our presence. Fortunately, my trip to London resolved quite a few things with my estate, so if you can arrange to get packed by tomorrow, we will take the large coach with Mary and Edgar and the luggage. Hicks will drive and have a groom alongside, plus two groom outriders. The large wagon will follow behind with enough provisions for us all and camping equipment for the men if accommodations in the manor prove derelict. When I visited briefly, the main rooms in the place seemed adequate for our use, but it was such a quick look I cannot trust my memory. I only stayed overnight and that in the inn. Things may be worse than I recall.

“As for servants, although there were many when I was young, I don’t know what’s happened in the meantime. It was such a short stay on my return home, I did not see the whole place nor come to any conclusion what I would do. Your grandmother persuaded me to restore it. She has—had, I must say now—a love of the land and property since I first knew her, so I felt her advice was wise. I have hired a team of builders from London who will be starting on the renovations. This is where you come in, Lucie, for your suggestions will be an enormous help to turn it into a home. After living here, you will know what to do and will be able to choose everything you want.”

He ran his fingers through his hair, trying to jog his memory on all he wanted to tell her and also keep track of his plans for their escape. For, undoubtedly, it must be an escape to a safer place, at least at the moment with Tasker on the loose.

“The builders will be busy with the stonework and adapting rooms, but choosing paints and the paraphernalia that a fine residence needs will be down to you, my dear. Ashbury Mead is a beautiful place, but I think you can do better with the house, and you will be able to start afresh and have the things the way you like.”

A knock on the door brought Rowten in with the coffee.

“Ah, thank you, Rowten, the coffee is most welcome. We were just discussing our tactics to remove to Shropshire. When I have Lady Lucie’s agreement, I’ll speak with you.”

“Milord, I also have something to relate. In view of a certain Lord Tasker’s visit here, as you will recall, and the unfortunate happening while you were away, I took it upon myself to see if the man has returned from London, all supposing he went there in the first place. He has returned to his house and has a number of men staying there also, I believe in the region of four or five. I thought you should know, milord, and also, I am relieved you will be leaving soon.” Abruptly, Rowten flushed and coughed in embarrassment. “Not that I want you to go, milord...” he added hesitantly.

Richard smiled. “Don’t concern yourself, I take your point exactly, and it follows my own reasoning. You will be free to cope with things here without her ladyship and me getting in your way. Good thinking, man, especially for finding out about Tasker. Though I shall be taking some of our men when we go, I’m sure you will have a keeper or two to maintain the defences and also to keep an eye on that particular fellow.”

“Aye, milord, a very wary eye it shall be. Is there anything else you require, milord?”

“Thank you, no, Rowten. I shall ring for you when we have concluded our plans.”

The butler bowed and left.

“Now where were we?” Richard said after taking a gulp of coffee. “Oh yes, Shropshire. The final plan is that you and I will ride alongside the coach. We both need our mounts, so it makes sense. If you tire, there is always the coach, but we shall stop halfway to rest. I’m sending Walter Ellis, a nephew of Rowten’s, ahead to make sure of our lodging. He’ll stay on to work in the house. However, in view of Rowten’s news, I believe we must leave well before dawn tomorrow…sometime in the early hours would be wise. Any suggestions or do you agree with my preparations?”

“Oh yes, I do agree. In fact, I’d leave now, this minute, if we could.” She shuddered. “Tasker frightens me. He has done since I first knew him when he was courting my friend. There was something about him that repelled me, though I did not understand it at the time. I felt it originated from knowing how frightened my friend was. It was only recently, when he asked Grandmama’s permission to court me, that I realised how much I detested him. I can hardly bear to think what an escape I’ve had from how he could have pressured my grandmama into accepting his offer. I’m so glad you offered instead. Yet thinking of the night the prowler came, I would not have said it was him.”

“It probably wasn’t. His sort sends in others to do the dirty work in case of capture. If that occurs, it is easy for him to deny any involvement. It is likely, knowing I was away, you were meant to be abducted. Tasker would have his alibi, and we would be left mystified, not knowing where you were. You will understand now why I forbid you to go outside today?”

“I do, I do. I really will obey you, my lord”—she rose and gave a deep curtsey—“and be glad to.” She gazed up at him, grinned, and fluttered her eyelashes. “I am an obedient wife.”

“Minx! Yet this time, I do trust you to obey. There is too much at stake not to. Ring for Rowten, Lucie. We must move swiftly if we are to escape so soon.”

Looking grave, he rose and moved to the window to look out. “We need the weather fair for today but cloudy overnight. I’m going to despatch the wagon now. We will meet up with them en route. The coach will be loaded while still in the carriage house and driven off late evening. That means a quieter exit for ourselves and our escorts soon after. We won’t leave by the main gate. If anyone is watching the place, it won’t look like a huge expedition is under way.”

“I had no idea you were such a bold schemer. Have you done something like this before?” she said admiringly, surprised how quickly he had come up with the new plan.

“I have a tale or two that may amaze you, but we have no time now. There is too much to be done before tonight. Here’s Rowten. Let’s make a beginning.”

* * * *

A man hidden at the edge of the woods gave his report that night. “The day was quiet. Only a busy household like always, milord. I got close enough to see. A farm cart left early on, likely with ’taters. They always put a cover over ’taters, keeps ’em dry for storage, see. I didn’t have sight or sound of the toffs, ’cepting usual servants. Nary a glimpse of his lordship, reckon he’s not back yet from London, if it's where he's been. She must have kept indoors after that blunder Deacon made. Bloody fool! Told him he should have waited to catch her in the garden. Still, I gather he won’t be making more mistakes, milord. Harry said you were a mite displeased when you came back. Glad I wasn’t there to see it. I likes a quiet life, I does, and not too much violence. Milord, if I can make a suggestion, seeing as I was on duty all the time you was gone…I’d like to eat and sleep in me bed tonight. Them at the house are going nowhere tonight, ’specially as his lordship ain’t returned. Tomorrow, I’ll go back and stay as long as you want. I’ll be fresher, I promise, see, after a night’s sleep.”

“All right, if the place is as you say, you can. But tomorrow, you are on the job again.”

Relieved beyond measure, Tom Davis left his master’s study. He hoped to God that man never found out that he’d been absent from his post over the midnight hours, lying instead in the stables with the local inn’s barmaid. She was a right tasty piece, and he was going to meet her again later. He was not even aware he had missed the return of the coach from London or that he would miss the going of the very people his master was after. It did cross his mind to wonder where they would bury Deacon. A basket case his lordship was when he was in a temper, and he would be right glad when he was free of him and back to good old London. The money, such as was promised, was not worth all the aggravation.

Late morning, after nursing a subsequent hangover after a rebuff from the previously yielding barmaid who had found another younger customer to consort with, he was back in the bushes on the edge of the woods. All was quiet, almost too quiet, as he surveyed the area. The only living creature he could see was a cat that strolled leisurely across the courtyard towards the kitchen. The stable doors were closed, the mews empty and silent. He cast his eyes upward to look at the rest of the house, and as his eye travelled along the floor where the main bedrooms lay, shutters were closed tight against the windows.
Bloody Hell!