A Shadow's Bliss (10 page)

Strong hands tugged at him. Jennifer was saying breathlessly, “Let go! Lord Green—you are safe now, you can let his wrist go.”

He was lying on the turf! Jonathan thought, ‘Halleluiah! We're up!'

The pack was being unwound from his arm. Jennifer was peering into his face, rolling back his sleeve. “Oh, but you will have some horrid bruises! Does it pain you very badly?”

He tried to tell her that his arm was numb, but his words were drowned by a wrathful howl.

“Never mind
him!
Spare a moment's compassion for … for your guest!”

Jennifer turned to the baron. Her first irreverent thought was that he looked like a beached whale. Ashamed of such unkindness, she saw that his face was brick red. Dreading lest he suffer a seizure she knelt beside him and took his hand. “Poor soul. Thank heaven Jack was able to pull you up.”

His sense of ill-usage exacerbated by the uneasy suspicion that he had been made to appear ridiculous, Green gulped chokingly, “Had it not been … for your … missish airs, I'd not have … been thrown.”

Her nerves were in shreds, but she managed to refrain from pointing out that it was his own deplorable conduct that had plunged him into such peril. She was unable, however, to infuse any warmth into her voice when she enquired, “Can you stand? Or shall I ride for a carriage?”

He did not at once reply. Then, he growled, “You may help me up.”

She helped as best she could, and he leaned on her heavily as he struggled to his feet. He was still puffing, but his physical strength, together with a complete lack of imagination, was already enabling him to feel more the thing. He kept his arm about her, murmuring, “Well, now. This is better. Be damned if you ain't a choice armful.”

“I see you are recovered,” said Jennifer dryly. “Let me go, if you please. I must help poor Jack. He has—”

Green spared a glance at his rescuer. “The looby don't need you. He's— Hey!” He pushed Jennifer aside. “What the devil have you got there?”

Jonathan had managed to get to his knees, and was looking at a small glittering object he had found lying in the grass. It was a piece of quartz, no more than three inches in height, about half an inch thick, and shaped rather like a gravestone with a rounded top. The primitive outline of a large head, with stubby legs beneath, was carved into the front, and two fine opals formed the eyes. He thought inconsequently that it must be very old; probably quite valuable … Vaguely comprehending that Green had bellowed something, he glanced up in time to see his lordship's heavy riding crop whizzing down at him. Instinctively, he jerked his head aside, but the crop slammed against his temple, and sent him sprawling again.

Green wrenched the small figurine from his lax hand, and, apparently in the grip of an uncontrollable fury, rained blows at him, while Jonathan tried dazedly to get to his feet, and threw up an arm to protect his head. “Filthy scum!” snarled his lordship. “Thought you could slip it in … your pocket, did you?… I'll teach you some respect for—”

Jennifer, who had been momentarily frozen with outrage, ran to seize his arm. “Are you gone demented? Stop that at once!”

His countenance almost purple, his lordship thrust her away. “If there's one breed of vermin I cannot abide, 'tis a sly … worthless … thief!”

His whip cracked down to emphasize each accusation.

A blinding wrath seared Jonathan.

Jennifer saw his eyes narrow to slits of steel, and the long hands clench into fists. Horrified, she thought, ‘Do not hit back! For pity's sake, do not! They'll hang you!'

Jonathan's hand flashed out and caught the flying thong of the whip.

His lordship gave a startled growl.

Trying to come between them, Jennifer demanded, “Have you no gratitude? This man just saved your life!”

Green swore blisteringly and jerked at the whip. Jonathan hung on and pulled himself to his feet, eager to deal with this carrion that called itself a man.

‘Never, whatever
the
provocation…'

He thought prayerfully, ‘God,
please!
Just this once…?' But he had sworn on what was left of his honour, and honour must be obeyed. And thus, though it took every ounce of his willpower and left him trembling with frustrated rage, he mastered his temper, and relinquished his hold.

“Did you see the swine?” bellowed Green, swinging the whip high. “Tried to attack his betters, be damned if he didn't!”

“He tried to stop you only,” countered Jennifer, tugging at his upraised arm. “You know very well he dare not defend himself 'gainst you!”

“Did you hear how the scum called me? ‘Green!' he said!
Green,
damme! As though he were my equal! Stand aside, madam!”

“Did you expect him to bother with titles when every second counted? How can you be so
foolish?
He did not steal your silly jewel!”

Green saw that Jennifer's lovely face was flushed with fury. “Well, well,” he sneered. “Here's a heat. Taken a fancy to the half-wit, have you?”

Her head tossed upward. She said haughtily, “I think you forget yourself, my lord! But I'll not deny I admire courage. And your own behavior leaves much to be desired!”

Briefly, an ugly expression came into his eyes. Then he grinned broadly. “For my part, I admire a woman of spirit, so I promise not to hold your impertinence 'gainst you.”

“You are too good,” she said.

Her sarcasm was lost on him. He jabbed his whip at Jonathan. “As for you, fellow, I am a Justice of the Peace in my own county and have sat in judgment on several of your kind. I shall have a word with Sir Vinson Britewell. You belong in Bedlam, where you can't turn on some helpless woman or child!”

It wouldn't take much, Jennifer knew, for the villagers to speak out against “Crazy Jack,” and Howland would be glad enough to see him condemned to that ghastly asylum. She said with icy contempt, “I cannot believe that any gentleman would repay gallantry in so shabby a way!”

“Gallantry, is it?” Green picked up the knapsack and the broken length of leather. “Lunacy, more like. No man in his right mind would have entrusted our lives to this makeshift rope. Lucky it lasted till the mare was dragging us on the turf, else I might have been killed!”

Jennifer assisted Jack to a group of boulders and said over her shoulder, “I take it you'd have preferred that he let you fall.”

She expected an impassioned response, but Green was silent, frowning down at the knapsack. “Sit here, Jack,” she said kindly. “You must be quite exhausted, poor soul. And only look at your hands! Much thanks you got for your bravery!”

Lord Green wound the leather around the knapsack and said, “Don't set all those scrapes to my account, Miss Jennifer. He was well marked before he climbed down. Likely got into a brawl with some public spirited Roselley folk.” He strolled closer. “Tell the lady the truth, fellow. That's it, ain't it?”

Breathing hard, and clutching his left arm, to which feeling was returning with a vengeance, Jonathan muttered, “No.”

“Leave him alone, for mercy's sake,” exclaimed Jennifer.

“Why, so I will. When he answers me politely. Explain why you look as if you'd swum through a bramble bush, looby, or my lady will be blaming me! And address me properly, unless you enjoy the feel of this whip.”

Jonathan said wearily, “I had climbed … up the cliff. My lord.”

Jennifer gave a start and stared at him, her eyes wide.

Green's jaw fell. “You—had—climbed up—the cliff?” He threw back his head and bellowed with laughter. “What a rasper! Oho, but you've chose a fine liar to pity, Miss Jennifer! Climbed up the cliff, indeed! No one could make that climb—save maybe a monkey!” Laughing still, he marched to the bay horse, which grazed nearby, and mounted up. “I offer you my escort, ma'am.”

“And I decline it,” she said disdainfully.

To her surprise, he voiced no argument, but turned his mount and rode away. Watching that erratic departure, she said through her teeth, “Horrid,
horrid
creature!”

She was very sure of the tale that would be poured into her brother's ears. For her own protection she should go home at once, and yet … She glanced at the man who sat on the boulder, head downbent and eyes closed. The boorish baron had taunted her with having “taken a fancy” to him. How typical of Green to have uttered such a vulgarity. She was interested in Jack because … because he was a puzzle. And because she had never been able to see anyone suffer and not want to help.

She touched his shoulder, and said gently, “I am truly sorry that Lord Green treated you so badly. You were magnificent, and I shall see to it that you are rewarded for…” She faltered to a halt as she felt him stiffen.

Not looking up, he said, “Thank you. You had best go, ma'am.”

She had offended and had been politely set down. Torn between astonishment and vexation, she said, “Yes,” and took a step towards Chanteuse, who was cropping the turf contentedly. But she could not bring herself to leave him in such a way. She thought, ‘I suppose I was clumsy, and should have known the poor man still has some pride.' She turned back. “Are you all right?”

“Perfectly. I thank you.”

But his voice was less sure and he hadn't once looked at her. She crossed to take his chin in her hand and tilt his head up.

My lord's whip had left a long crimson welt from his left temple to the corner of his mouth, and another blow had reopened the cut on his brow. “Oh, my!” she gasped, and in an attempt to hide her rage and the sense of being partly responsible because one of her father's guests had done this, she said with a tremulous smile, “I see I must sacrifice another kerchief. I seem to spend a good deal of my time tending your hurts.”

Although he had allowed her to raise his head, his lashes were lowered and he still would not meet her eyes. He said expressionlessly, “You are very kind. But—but I can manage now. There is no need for—for you to stay.”

“Oh, none,” she responded, his humility only adding to her mortification. “I am very sure you would be happy to bleed all the way home. Dear me, this will not do. Perhaps I must form the habit of carrying one of my papa's handkerchiefs with me if you will persist in your show of humble martyrdom!”

At that his eyes opened wide, and a flood of colour lit his scratched and dirty face. “Show!” he exclaimed. “What could I have—”

“Oh, I know. I know.” Amazed that she should have made such a waspish remark, she flashed a repentant smile at him. “'Tis the very thing I said to Lord Green, is it not? That you dare not resist a peer of the realm. And, do you know, for a moment I was sure you meant to give him back his own.”

A twinkle came into his eyes. “So was I.”

“Thank heaven you did not! Though I cannot help but marvel you were able to restrain yourself.”

The twinkle faded. He muttered, “I have not the right to—to raise my hand 'gainst any man.”

“Of course you have! 'Twould be folly were you to strike an aristocrat, of course, but—” She bit her lip, and knowing that had sounded patronizing, she added hastily, “Though I'd not be surprised to find that you're as well born as Lord Green.”

“A dubious distinction, madam.” The dry response was out before he could check it.

Again, Jennifer had caught a glimpse of another man. She burst into laughter, her merriment warming his captive heart and bringing his slow smile into being.

“Oh, Jack,” she said breathlessly. “How he would rage if he'd heard us! Here,” she gave him the gory handkerchief, “this will help a little. Now— What are you about, sir?”

He stood. “I must gather—gather my—”

“Your wits!” She tugged at his sleeve pulling him back down again and sitting beside him. “You are scarce able to stand straight, and white as any sheet, and small wonder! When you have rested a little you shall ride Chanteuse as far as Triad, and—” Relieved to see his lips twitch at this prospect, she said laughingly, “Ah, you can still smile, thank goodness!”

“I think 'twould make a quaint picture, ma'am, for me to ride sidesaddle, while you walked! A few minutes rest and I will be very well, I promise you. If you would be so—so very kind as to send someone here with my knapsack, I—”

“I will be so very kind as to tell you to stop trying to be rid of me.”

Be
rid
of her? He stared at her speechlessly. He ached from head to foot, his arm throbbed miserably, and he was crushingly tired, but to be near her, to be able to talk with her alone without shocked or disapproving glances, was joy beyond measure.

He had, decided Jennifer, what Caro Morris would term “speaking eyes.” She said firmly, “Oh, you may stare, but I know very well that the instant I go away you will start bustling about, pretending to be some mythical being, above such mortal things as pain and exhaustion.”

“Lord Green was evidently able to overcome such weaknesses.”

“Lord Green is twice your size and has never known what it is to go hungry, much less practically starve for—for heaven only knows how long! Besides which, all he had to do was hang onto a rock until he was rescued. A far cry from what you very bravely achieved. Now, sir, although I am very willing to sit and make sure you do as you are bid, I'm not willing to discuss that—nobleman, so we will talk of something else, if you please.”

Briefly, the quirkish grin touched his mouth. He sketched a bow, and said meekly, “As you wish, Miss Jennifer. Would you like to comment upon my—building materials?”

Slight as it had been, the bow was rendered with unconscious grace, and reinforced her belief that he was of gentle birth. She said, “Aha! You took my advice, I see. Then that is for your little bird? How is he? Have you given him a name?”