A Reason to Rebel (16 page)

“Thank you, my lord.”

She spoke quietly, with heartfelt dignity. Strange things happened to him as he felt the full force of her gratitude shining from the luminescent eyes that rested upon him with transparent faith in his abilities. He knew then that he would move heaven and earth, do whatever was necessary, to ensure that her trust in him was not misplaced.

“But presumably, when your sister first went missing, you acquainted your father of your suspicions in respect of her attraction towards Porter?”

“Well, no, actually I did not.”

“Really!” Alex did not have to feign his surprise.

“I suppose I should have done so but, even in my anxiety for her, I did not wish my father to know that I had allowed her partiality for the young man to develop beneath my roof. I decided to write to Mr. Porter myself, thinking that if Marianne was with him he would not be so cruel as to prolong my suffering and would confess to it. And, of course, the situation was delicate. Had she been so, well…”

“Had she been living with Porter they would have had to marry and your involvement need not have been disclosed.” He inclined his head. “I understand completely, you have no need to berate yourself. Anyone in your position, with such a parent to answer to, would have acted in a similar fashion.”

“Thank you.”

“But you still did not alert your father to Porter’s possible involvement when you received his reply to your letter?”

“No, I did not. But you must appreciate that I had just lost my husband, my baby and my senses and was not thinking coherently.”

“The fact that your father is ignorant of their attraction towards one another is to our benefit. He will not think to look for your sister in Ramsgate—or for you either, since what possible reason could you have to visit the town?”

“Indeed, that is a comforting thought, my lord.”

Alex shifted away from her, profoundly moved by her apparent faith in his ability to keep her safe. “Since we are now partners in this investigation, perhaps it would be more expedient for you to address me as Alex.”

She inclined her head. “Thank you. When we are not in company I shall, but I would not presume to do so in front of others.”

“As you wish.” He leaned his shoulder against the corner of the carriage, wriggled into a more comfortable position and closed his eyes.

“We have some distance to travel yet,” he said. “It would be as well to try to rest.”

Chapter Ten

Alex fell asleep immediately, evidently untroubled by the guilty conscience that prevented Estelle from following his example. She had been relieved beyond words when he insisted upon sharing the burden of responsibility for her sister’s welfare. Watching him set about doing so in a competent manner that suggested he was unused to failure encouraged her to hope.

But that did not mean she intended Lord Crawley to take complete control of matters. She wondered whether she should wake him in order to emphasize her determination in that respect. She was on the point of doing so but the sight of his craggy features relaxed in repose, of the unruly curls falling across his brow making him appear years younger than he was, gave her pause. There would be time enough later to make her feelings known.

Estelle turned her thoughts to that kiss, her face flooding with colour as she recalled its searingly passionate nature. She should not have permitted it, of course, and certainly should not have allowed him to see quite how much she enjoyed it. But having reached the conclusion that he entertained no such aspirations she had relaxed her guard and his advance had taken her completely by surprise. Her reaction had been entirely spontaneous and for once she simply went with her feelings instead of trying to decide how she ought to behave.

And thus the elegant sophisticate sprawled on the seat beside her had, with one impulsive gesture, engendered in her an explosion of sweet sensations the like of which she had long ago despaired of ever experiencing. But the memory would have to last a lifetime. She would be more vigilant whilst in his presence in future and it would not happen again.

Satisfied that she had her emotions under control, Estelle closed her eyes and attempted to sleep, convinced she would never manage it. Which was why, when she felt the carriage slowing and opened her eyes, she was so surprised to discover that they were pulling to a halt in front of Fairlands, Susanna’s home. It was a good two hours away from Crawley Hall, which meant she must have slept soundly the whole way.

“What are we doing here?” She sat up and blinked the sleep from her eyes.

“We need to travel on in something a little less conspicuous. I do not think it likely that your father will send his spies in pursuit of me but, just in case, it is better to be cautious.”

“Yes, that is true, I suppose.” The distinctive Crawley family crest was emblazoned on the doors of their current conveyance. Estelle was grateful for Alex’s caution yet miffed because he had not bothered to share his thoughts with her before turning in the direction of Fairlands.

“I was rather hoping that Michael might loan us a phaeton. I will then send my coach back to Crawley Hall and we can travel on anonymously.”

“Do you not have a phaeton of your own? Is it really necessary to throw ourselves upon Susanna and Mr. Cleethorpe at a time when Susanna is not feeling quite the thing?”

“Of course I possess a phaeton but I could not have concealed you in it so easily. If your father was abroad, as proved to be the case, he would have seen us driving away together.”

“Oh, I see.” The stinging retort she had been formulating died on her lips.

“Oh look, here are Michael and Susanna.”

“Estelle, is that you?” Susanna broke away from her husband and tripped lightly down the steps. She embraced Estelle as soon as Alex assisted her from the carriage. “What a delightful surprise. But what brings you here, darling?”

“It is a long story.” Estelle blushed self-consciously, aware of Mr. Cleethorpe looking from her to Alex and back again, a flicker of amusement in his eye.

“Then come inside and relate it.” Susanna linked her arm through her friend’s. “And you are just in time to join us for luncheon.”

“Thank you,” Alex said. “We are famished.”

The meal was a rowdy affair, attended by all of Michael’s sisters. They greeted Alex with casual affection and proceeded to bombard him with a litany of impertinent questions, which he countered with an air of tolerant forbearance. When they had eaten their fill, Alex and Michael retired to his library for a few words in private, the girls returned to their lessons, and Susanna and Estelle were finally in a position to exchange their news.

“Now tell me at once what brings you here, alone with the dashing Lord Crawley.”

“Well, he discovered who I really am, found out about Marianne and now insists upon helping me to locate her.”

“Does he indeed!” Estelle was not surprised when Susanna’s grin broadened, doubtless already drawing inappropriate conclusions. “I wonder what could have moved him to such feats of chivalry.”

“My father, most likely.” Estelle explained about his unexpected appearance at Crawley Hall.

“Fustian! Does the man never give up?”

“I have never known him to be swayed from his purpose before but perhaps he has met his match in Lord Crawley.”

“Very likely.”

“Which is why we wish to borrow a phaeton from your husband, just in case he has somehow contrived to have Lord Crawley watched.”

“Humph, I would not put it past him.” Susanna ground her teeth. “How I wish I could accompany you to Ramsgate, what fun we should have! But, of course, Michael will not hear of it.”

“I should think not, in your condition.”

“I am perfectly well but I shall go out of my mind if I must spend the time until my confinement being mollycoddled. Michael does not allow me to be alone for more than two seconds at a time. If he is not able to bear me company himself at least one of his sisters is always by my side. It is as though he does not trust me to behave myself.”

Estelle chuckled. “He clearly begins to understand your character.”

“I suppose he does.” Susanna pouted. “And I would not have you think that I resent his sisters’ company. They are enchanting, all four of them, but I miss my freedom and your society. But I daresay you have scarce spared me a thought, what with Lord Crawley being so keen to be of service to you.” Susanna’s mutinous expression gave way to one of devilment. “And pray, what is the precise nature of the service he wishes to offer you?”

“You are reading too much into his chivalry.” Estelle wagged a finger beneath her friend’s nose, furious that her cheeks flooded with colour when she recalled the nature of the kiss they had enjoyed. “But I suppose that ought not to surprise me.”

Susanna watched the blush creep up her cheeks and grinned triumphantly. “I thought as much!”

“He merely wishes to assist me in locating Marianne.”

“Of course he does! Which would explain why his eyes scarce left your face during the course of luncheon.”

“Nonsense!” Estelle blushed deeper still. “He hardly looked in my direction. Besides, his mother expects him to make a splendid match and he is all but engaged to his neighbour’s daughter.”

“Then why is he gallivanting around the countryside with you?”

Good question! “That is different, I think that—”

Susanna chuckled. “Estelle, my darling, I think you underestimate your charms.”

The door opened to admit Lord Crawley and Mr. Cleethorpe, for which Estelle was exceedingly grateful. She had no wish to be the subject of Susanna’s wild conjectures. It
was
rather singular, the manner in which Lord Crawley was putting himself out for her. But Susanna’s partiality for her was clouding her judgment. Lord Crawley’s future lay with the likes of Miss Jenkins. Lady Crawley had made that abundantly clear. And even if Miss Jenkins did not suit, Estelle was realistic enough to appreciate that the middle-class daughter of a bombastic bully would never be considered a viable alternative.

“Everything is in readiness for our departure, if you feel sufficiently rested,” said Alex.

Estelle rose gracefully to her feet. “I am more than ready.”

And five minutes later they were bowling down the Fairlands drive, waved off by Susanna and Michael. All four of the latter’s sisters were there too. They had seized upon the excuse to abandon their French verbs and wish their guests a rowdy adieu.

“Thank you for thinking to stop here,” said Estelle, her annoyance at his arbitrary actions forgotten as they passed through the village and Alex set the matching pair of bays to a steady trot on the Ramsgate road. “It was pleasant to see Susanna. I had been concerned about her but she appears much better.”

“I would never be forgiven if I passed this way without stopping to see Michael.”

“His sisters are a lively bunch.”

Alex smiled with obvious affection. “They are wild hoydens, every one of them, but I have known them since their infancies and have become accustomed to their impertinent ways.” He rolled his eyes. “Charlotte has her come-out next season but the prospect does not appear to have tamed her behaviour in any discernable fashion.”

“She has years ahead of her to be sensible. Let her enjoy her freedom whilst she can.”

“True.” He was silent for a moment. “Are you quite warm enough?”

“Yes, I thank you.”

Estelle enjoyed being driven by such a competent whip and watched the passing countryside with interest, not feeling any need to fill the silence between them with mindless chatter. Far sooner than she would have imagined possible they reached the outskirts of Broadstairs.

“We will put up here for the night.” He reined in his team and turned into the mews attached to the Albion Hotel without waiting for her to voice her agreement. Two lads came running to take the horses’ heads as he assisted her to alight. He tossed a coin and one of them caught it in mid air, doffed his cap and still kept one hand on the bridle of the near-side horse.

Estelle released his hand as soon as her feet touched the ground, her mellow mood replaced with one of annoyance. Once again he was taking control without troubling to consult her first. “But we are not yet in Ramsgate. There is plenty of daylight left and the horses are not tired. I think we should continue.”

Alex grasped her elbow and steered her towards the hotel doors. “And I think we should stay here tonight.” He glanced down at the mutinous set to her features and chuckled. “Trust me, I have my reasons.”