Wendy Soliman (16 page)

Perkins raised his smuggler’s bat and brought it down across the back of Johnson’s head with all of his strength. Barker and son ceased their scrap and appeared ready to rejoin forces against Felix and Perkins, but again Perkins was ready for them. He was younger and faster than both men, and casually raised his bat a second time, on this occasion making Barker his target.

Assimilating events with a speed that surprised the helpless Felix, Charles held up his hands to Perkins, dropping his own bat in the process. He was carrying no other weapons as far as Felix could tell.

“I’ve no intention of swinging for him,” he said with surprising dignity, indicating the prostrate figure of his father. “And I’m through with doing his bidding.”

“Untie his lordship,” Perkins said.

Charles did so, leaving Felix to massage his bruised limbs and staunch the flow of blood from his wounded arm.

“Thank you, Perkins.”

“It was my pleasure, my lord. I would’ve come sooner but — ”

“Later!” Felix held up a precautionary hand. “Let’s get these three tied up. What about the rest of the crew?”

“Already dealt with.”

And fifteen minutes later, Perkins rowed the two of them back to shore.

T
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Felix and Perkins left Riverside House in the earl’s barouche, bound for Western Hall. As soon as word reached the earl of Felix’s entrapment, and that he had survived only thanks to Perkins’s quick wits, he was apoplectic with rage and blamed Smithers for leaving his son thus exposed. Upon learning that Felix had been injured into the bargain, only the assurance that he was not in mortal danger and was intent upon returning home prevented the earl from travelling to Swyre and collecting him in person. As it was he contented himself with sending his fastest, most comfortable, and best-sprung carriage, together with a decent set of clothes.

Intense activity followed Felix’s escape. Upon their return to Riverside House, Felix and Perkins found Smithers and his men assembled there, summoned by an anxious Mrs. Rivers when Felix failed to return. Their relief at seeing both men in one piece was palpable. It appeared that the two men whom Smithers had set to keep Riverside House under observation assumed the household to be settled for the night and left their post for the purpose of visiting Swyre Inn. Smithers promptly put them under guard for dereliction of duty.

A physician attended to the cut on Felix’s arm. It was deep but hadn’t severed any ligaments and merely required stitches. The cut below his eye was considered superficial but would leave Felix in possession of a black-eye and ugly bruising for some days. He had two broken ribs, now restricted by a vicious bandage which caused him some discomfort. There were deep marks and bruising around his hands and ankles — where he’d been bound so tightly and for so long — as well as to his chest, thanks to the attention it had received from Johnson’s boot. But by far the worst injury Felix had sustained was to his pride. He knew he’d behaved with breathtaking arrogance, walking into what now seemed such an obvious trap without so much as a dagger about his person, casually endangering not only his own life but that of his valet too.

Mrs. Rivers informed him, with satisfaction, that as soon as Fothergill heard of Barker’s arrest he visibly paled, packed his few possessions, and left the house without a word to anyone. Mr. & Mrs. Jenkins, outraged to find themselves at the centre of such an unseemly scandal, expressed their intention of leaving the following day. No one attempted to prevent them. Captain Fanshaw and Miss Willoughby would be Mrs. Rivers’s only remaining residents, but as Felix was able to assure her that her income from her late- husband’s estate would soon be restored to her, she had no concerns on that score.

Southview Manor was taken over by Smithers’s men, who proceeded to search for evidence to reinforce Barker’s guilt, since he refused to admit to any wrongdoing. The absence of any illegal natives on his boats currently in the harbour made it difficult to prove their case, and thus far the only crime they had to lay at his door was that of kidnapping Felix. That, in itself, was probably enough to have him transported, but Smithers and Felix still felt it was a most unsatisfactory outcome.

At last their carriage turned into Western Hall’s immense, tree-lined driveway and started the long haul toward the house. As they neared the lake, Felix saw his father and Luc fishing there, together with a very familiar red-headed child. Ordering the coachman to pull up, Felix alighted and walked toward them. His father saw him approaching almost immediately and stepped forward to greet him son.

“Felix, there you are!” Lord Western was thoughtful enough not to clasp his son’s shoulder as he normally would. “Are you all right?”

“Never better, Father. Fear not, it looks far worse than it is.”

Lord Western regarded his son’s battered face with a mixture of horror and amusement in his expression. “God alone knows what your mother will make of it all. I told her you’d been involved in a carriage accident.”

“That’s probably best.” He grinned ruefully. “But tell me, Father, how has she responded to Saskia and the twins?”

“Oh, well, you know your mother.” He flapped a hand, which told Felix all he needed to know. “But I have to say, Felix, that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed their company. The children are a right pair of scallywags.” He settled a shrewd glance on his son’s face. “And Mrs. Eden is a refreshing change from the predictable norm.”

Before Felix could respond, Luc joined them and shook his friend’s hand.

“Knew I should have stayed with you,” he said, smirking as he regarded Felix’s injuries.

Once again Felix was prevented from responding as Josh joined the group.

“Hello, Mr. Beaumont,” he said, apparently too full of his own news to notice Felix’s battered state. “Their lordships have been helping me to fish, but the girls didn’t want to join us, so they’ve gone walking in the woods with her ladyship and Mama. I think they’re picking wild flowers to put in Amy’s hair.” He wrinkled his nose at the thought of such passive activities.

Felix smiled and ruffled his hair. “Hello, old chap. How many fish have you caught?”

“Only two so far. Do you want to help us?”

“Tomorrow, perhaps.”

“Good!” With that he trotted happily back to his rod, which was being held by a footman.

Lord Western told Felix and Luc all he’d learned from Smithers. None of the people who’d been captured were prepared to admit to any knowledge of importing slaves, aware, naturally, that the penalties would be severe. Even Johnson and Charles Barker were keeping quiet on the subject, but were willing to supply any amount of information on Barker’s other illicit activities.

“Unless we are prepared to offer them immunity in return for their intelligence, then I think they’re unlikely to talk. But I, for one, would be reluctant to take such a step when it’s obvious that they’ve been fully involved themselves.”

“I agree, Father, but what other option do we have?”

“Well, we can prosecute them on the smuggling charges and, of course, for your kidnap. But again, you see, they will attest that you entered that ship with criminal intent. It’s something of a farrago, I fear.” Lord Western rubbed his chin, highly agitated. “The only bright note is that Barker’s operation in Burton Bradstock is over. No one will risk dealing with him, now, and no one of significance will wish to receive him. But there’s still nothing to prevent him from starting up again elsewhere.”

“What sentence can we expect him to receive for what we can prove against him?”

“Hard to say. Doubt that we have enough, though, as things stand, even to get him transported.”

“So I’ve failed.” Felix was unable to hide his bitter disappointment. “All these risks have been for naught.”

“No, Felix, not failed, I — ”

“Felix, whatever has happened to you?” He hadn’t heard Clarissa, Saskia, and the children join the group. “Oh my dear, how are you?” Clarissa appeared horrified.

“Pray, don’t overset yourself, Clarissa, it’s nothing.” He kissed her cheek before holding out his hand to Saskia, who accepted it without hesitation.

“Are you sure you’re all right?” she asked. “We’ve been so worried about you.” Her lovely green eyes, full of concern — and Felix fervently hoped, something more — assessed his injuries with a horrified shudder.

“I’m perfectly all right. Please don’t worry about me.”

She smiled. “It’s a little late for that.”

He peered round the ladies and grinned. “And who have we here, I wonder?”

Rosie and Amy ran to him. Ignoring the protests from his injuries, he bent down to speak to them both. “Hello, sweethearts, did you pick those flowers for me?”

“Do gentlemen like flowers, Mr. Beaumont?” Josh asked, doubt in his voice.

“He’s not Mr. Beaumont anymore, Josh,” Amy said bossily. “Mama explained it all us, remember? He is a lordship too.”

“Well,” said Felix easily, “this lordship likes flowers very much if they’re picked for him by his favourite girls.” Rosie and Amy, both now beaming broadly, offered up their wilting posies, and Felix gravely accepted them.

“I have an idea, girls,” Clarissa said. “Why do we not seek out Miss Adams and see if she will show us how to press the flowers? Then Uncle Felix will be able to keep them forever.”

Two little girls, two dogs, and even Josh, fishing abruptly abandoned, loped off toward the house, Clarissa scurrying to keep pace with them. Lord Western and Luc diplomatically returned to their fishing and left Saskia and Felix alone.

They regarded one another for several minutes without speaking. It was Saskia who finally broke the silence.

“Thank you,” she said simply. “Without your interference I would have been forced by necessity to return to Southview Manor. As it is, my aunt and I should be able to run her establishment now without any external sabotage.”

He smiled at her and reclaimed her hand. “That won’t be necessary. Your aunt’s stipend will be restored to her, and there should be something for you, as well, from your late-husband’s estate. Luc’s brother, Anthony, is an attorney, and he’s looking into the matter.”

“That’s very obliging of him.” Her translucent smile lit up her huge eyes, and it took all of Felix’s willpower not to sweep her into his arms and kiss her witless.

“Well,” she said, unaware of the nature of Felix’s concupiscent thoughts, “at least now I shall be able to return home and not concern myself with thoughts of the future. I think we will leave tomorrow, if it can be arranged.”

Felix was aghast. “Please stay.”

“No.” She shook her head. “I think it would be for the best if we left.”

“You haven’t enjoyed your stay here?”

“Indeed, yes! How could one fail to appreciate such a beautiful house? But I wouldn’t wish to outstay our welcome.”

Felix was alive to her slight hesitation, her careful choice of words, and understood her problem immediately. His mother had doubtless made little attempt to disguise her disapproval. He cursed inaudibly before addressing her again.

“Please stay a little longer.” He summoned up his most persuasive smile. “I promised to fish with Josh tomorrow, and besides, we must still find a moment to have that conversation, remember?”

“All right, since I’m so very obliged to you, I don’t see how I can refuse. But only a day or two more. My aunt will have need of me.”

“Thank you.”

He patted the hand which now rested on his arm, and together they turned onto the lawns only to find all of the ladies seated there taking tea. As one they turned in Felix’s direction, and all conversation was momentarily suspended. Just as quickly they all started talking again at once, several of them rising to their feet and covering their mouths in alarm at the sight of Felix’s injuries. Lady Western dashed forward to meet him, closely followed by her daughters and, inexplicably, Lady Maria Denby. Lady Maria had never before demonstrated initiative of any sort, and was far too timid to put herself forward without encouragement. Felix sighed. It was proof positive of his mother’s less than subtle hand.

Lady Western declared that their own apothecary should be summoned at once, since she would find no peace until she’d been personally assured that her son’s injuries were not life-threatening. Felix was pulled from one lady to another, soon to be swallowed up within their midst, all contact with Saskia broken.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, Felix became conscious of a lady at the edge of the group staring fixedly at him, her expression concerned but otherwise entirely predatory. Angelica Priestley, beautiful yet deadly in cream muslin, had him firmly in her sights. Felix’s supply of exasperated sighs seemed inexhaustible that afternoon, and he instinctively expelled yet another. He was appalled that she should be here, now of all times. She tilted her parasol by way of greeting, and sauntered away.

That evening, Felix, impeccably turned out by Perkins, entered the drawing room to find everyone already gathered there. His eye immediately searched out Saskia. She was wearing her changeable silk gown and was seated beside Clarissa. That particular gown had looked spectacular at the ball in Burton Bradstock and, to Felix’s eye, was just as lovely in this setting. But he could tell by the openly scathing looks which were being cast upon her by some of the other ladies present that his opinion was in the minority.

Anxious to reach her side, Felix could scarce conceal his frustration as he was waylaid at every step with enquiries as to his injuries and requests for firsthand accounts of how they’d been sustained. Punctilious as ever, Felix answered with every appearance that his questioner was holding his complete attention; thus it was sometime before he was able to reach Saskia.

Finally managing it, he lifted her gloved hand and brushed it against his lips.

“At last!” he breathed quietly. “Good evening, Mrs. Eden. You look ravishing.”

Saskia responded with something resembling a snort.

“M’dear,” he drawled, “you put them all to shame. I wish I could tell you what I — ”

“Lord Western.”

Felix frowned and turned slowly, well recognising the voice that had the audacity to interrupt his hard-earned conversation with Saskia.

“Lady Towbridge.” Felix bowed, but for once even his exquisite manners were insufficient to conceal his irritation.

So it went on. Naturally, his mother engineered it so that he escorted Lady Maria into dinner. He noticed, with relief, that Luc had placed himself at Saskia’s disposal, both escorting her in and ensuring that she was entertained for the duration of the meal. He felt impotent, seated close to his mother and deliberately, he felt certain, as far away from Saskia as the table would permit. The meal seemed endless and was an agony for him. His mother and sisters lost no opportunity in promoting Lady Maria, treating her as though she were a part of the family, their union a foregone conclusion. Felix set his jaw in a stubborn line of determination. His mother would soon be gravely disappointed.