Abbeyford Inheritance (14 page)

Jane's cry of indignation was fuel to Adelina's own anger and disgust. “Oh, madam, your face and your beautiful habit. It's a disgrace and no mistake!”

Gently, Adelina sponged the blood from her face, wincing slightly as she did so. Once clean again she stared at herself in the mirror. There, for all to see, was the reason for her screams. Across her forehead and down each cheek were two scratch marks, one quite deep so that even now it oozed blood – her own. The other, fainter scratches, merely marking the surface of the skin.

‘Just wait till his lordship sees
that
!' Adelina thought, and said aloud, “ Jane, go and find out what is happening downstairs.”

After a few moments her maid arrived back a little breathless. “His lordship is in the library, madam, with all his guests – the gentlemen, that is. The ladies are in the drawing-room.”

Adelina nodded, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. Regally, she descended the stairs and went towards the library. A footman opened the door for her and she stood, just inside the doorway, watching the assembled company.

One of Lynwood's guests was the first to notice her standing there. His mouth dropped open at the sight of her lovely face marked by the ugly scratches. He nudged Lynwood, who turned and then, gradually, every gentleman in the room had seen her and everyone fell silent.

Adelina saw the last traces of anger, which still lingered in Lynwood's expression, disappear at the sight of her.

She saw his lips form her name in a soft whisper, saw the mute apology in his eyes. He made a step towards her, but Adelina, satisfied to have proved her point not only to Lynwood but to all his aristocratic friends as well, turned on her heel and walked sedately through the hall and into the drawing-room.

Later, when all his guests had departed, Lynwood sought her out.

“Adelina – my love,” his voice was hoarse. “I apologise most humbly. I had no idea. It must have been a sharp piece of bone sticking out.”

He held out his arms to her and, with a little sob, Adelina turned to him and was enfolded in his embrace. He held her close, murmuring endearments, whilst she wound her arms about him and hugged him.

That night their lovemaking was the joyous, tender union of two people who loved each other – yet still neither could speak aloud the very words the other so longed to hear.

Still the shadows were between them!

The weeks and months passed and still no word came that they could return to London. Adelina, when Lynwood left her alone, took long, solitary rides on horseback to try to alleviate the boredom.

So far, she had kept away from Abbeyford, but one afternoon she found herself, almost against her will, taking the road through Amberly and towards Abbeyford. She felt an overwhelming desire to hear news of her grandfather. There had never been a day pass – even during the time she had spent in London – when she had not thought of him. A shadowy figure built in her imagination from the faded miniature in her locket. If only she could meet him – just once – so that she could carry a true likeness of him in her mind.

There was a need to see him, a need to feel close, for over the past two weeks there had been a secret fear in her mind, a fear she had not even confided to Lord Lynwood. But if it were to be true – then she had more need than ever of her family.

Though it was still March and the air sharp, the sun was bright.

As she passed through the village of Amberly, a crowd of ragamuffin, barefoot children gaped at the fine lady on horseback. Then one boy, older than the rest, recognized her.

“Why, it's 'er as went an' ran off to London wi' Lord Lynwood. Ha-ha – you know what
she
is? She's 'is whore!”

Suddenly something hit her horse's flanks, making the animal rear and snort and then bolt, with the sound of the children's laughter ringing in her ears. Adelina, though startled, managed to keep her seat and soon brought the animal under control once more. The boy had thrown a stone at her! Adelina was outraged. She turned her horse round to ride back and give the boy a box on the ears. As she did so she saw that now the crowd of children were ranged across the road and all were armed with missiles. A shower of stones and sticks came towards her and, though she was too far away to be in danger of being hit this time, the children's actions and their cries of derision unsettled her horse again. Adelina noticed that several of the women had now appeared in the doorways of their cottages, but far from chastising their children, they appeared to be encouraging them.

Adelina turned her horse about again and spurred him into a gallop. When at last she slowed to a trot again, she herself was breathless, her cheeks aflame, her eyes bright and sparkling with anger, her auburn hair flowing loose and free.

And this was how Wallis Trent saw her again.

He was on his way, riding his black stallion, Jupiter, to Amberly village when, cresting the hill, he saw Adelina riding towards him. He reined in and sat upon his horse, watching her. Still thinking of the insults of the village children, Adelina did not see him until she was upon him. She pulled on the reins and her horse stopped.

Wallis's face was expressionless.

“Mr Trent,” Adelina greeted him cautiously.

At last he spoke. “ So, Miss Cole, you have dared to return. I doubt you'll find much of a welcome in this vicinity.”

“I did not expect one, Mr Trent,” she replied tersely. “ I merely wish to – to enquire after my grandfather. Is he well?”

Wallis Trent smiled, a small quirk of his lips, but there was no pleasantness. “ Your determination surprises me, Miss Cole. Are you
still
harbouring hopes of reconciliation?” He laughed sarcastically. “You're wasting your time.”

“Is he well?” Adelina persisted, determined to have him answer her.

“Yes, he's well.” Wallis Trent leaned forward, his eyes hard and cold, boring into her. “ Happily anticipating the arrival of my son. He's already made a generous settlement upon the child – even before its birth!”

Adelina gasped. So Wallis Trent and Emily were married and she was to have a child. A child who would eventually inherit Lord Royston's entire estate.

Adelina did not care about the inheritance, but the news did make her feel even more excluded from the family to which she rightfully belonged. Lord Royston's affection was to be lavished upon Emily's child – instead of upon his own granddaughter. She swallowed the lump in her throat and raised her head in proud defiance. She would not let Wallis Trent see how the news upset her, but she could not bring herself to speak the words of congratulation.

“So your inheritance slips a little farther out of reach, my dear.”

“I care not for any inheritance – I've told you that!”

But how could she expect an avaricious man like Wallis Trent to understand her longing to be loved, her need to belong?

“Wallis,” Adelina asked suddenly. “What – what happened to Evan?”

Wallis shrugged. “He disappeared from the village the same night as you. For a time it was thought that you and he …” His eyes glinted. “ Then we heard you were with Lynwood.” His lips curled disdainfully.

Embarrassment coloured her face at the innuendo in his tone. And then fear crept into her heart. That night – had Lynwood killed Evan? She swallowed, torn between the desire to know the truth and the need to protect Lynwood. He was in enough trouble already over de Courtney. Then Wallis said, “Shortly afterwards Lucy Walters disappeared from the village too, so I rather think she went with him, away from Abbeyford. All I hope is that they
stay
away!”

Adelina felt relief flood through her for Lynwood's sake.

At that moment three riders appeared out of the wood and rode across the open fields a short distance away. One horseman slowed down and drew apart from the others. He stopped and looked towards Adelina and Wallis Trent, their horses close together as they talked. He watched them for a few moments then spurred his horse, and, with the wild abandon of jealous rage, galloped madly away.

“Oh no!” Adelina whispered. “That was Francis. Oh
no
!”

On her return to Lynwood Hall Adelina tried to seek out Lynwood, but he had shut himself in the library and posted a footman at the door with the strictest order – on pain of dismissal – that he was available to no one.

He did not appear at dinner, nor did he visit her room that night. Adelina sent a note to him, begging ‘
please let me explain
', but there was no response.

The following morning Adelina found that Lord Lynwood had left early for London – without her!

Adelina hurried to Lady Lynwood's apartments. Without pausing to knock, she burst into the small room Lady Lynwood called her boudoir.

“How dare he go back to London without me? How dare he leave me stranded here?”

The old lady showed no surprise at Adelina's sudden, unheralded appearance, nor at her anger. An amused smile played upon her lips. “ It seems you haven't yet tethered him as securely as you thought, miss.”

The fire of Adelina's rage died and she sank miserably into a chair. “What shall I do – what am I to do? He can't leave me – not
now
!” It was a cry of anguish from the heart.

Lady Lynwood eyed her shrewdly, seeming to be able to look deep into Adelina's mind and read even her most secret fears. She nodded thoughtfully, then, appearing to come to a decision she said quietly, “Then go after him, my dear.”

Adelina raised her head slowly. “ Go – after him?” she repeated dazedly.

“If I'm not much mistaken,” the Countess said briskly, “ you're in love with him, and – I think you have an even greater need of him now than ever before. Am I right?”

Adelina gasped and the colour flooded her face. “ How – did you know? How could you?”

“Women know these things, Adelina,” she nodded wisely, then she added with a snort of derision, “ but you cannot expect a
man
to guess. You'll have to tell him – then see what he'll do about it.”

“Yes, yes, I must tell him.”

“Come along then, girl, go and pack your belongings. We'll leave the day after tomorrow.”

The coach bumped and rattled over the rough roads until Adelina felt herself shaken limb from limb. So, as they reached the outskirts of the great sprawling city, Adelina was irritable and weary, though Lady Lynwood seemed unruffled.

Towards evening the vehicle drew up outside Adelina's apartment. Tired and hungry and feeling dusty from so much travelling, what she most wanted was to fall into bed and sleep and sleep. But determination drove her on.

Lady Lynwood peered out of the coach as Adelina alighted. “No doubt I shall be seeing you again shortly?”

“I guess you will, my lady,” Adelina said and, as she hurried up the steps to her apartment, she heard Lady Lynwood's laughter before the carriage rattled away over the cobblestones to her own home.

Some two hours later Adelina descended the staircase and entered a hired cab which she instructed to drive to Lynwood's Mayfair house.

The windows were ablaze with light and the sound of music met her as she alighted. Obviously Lynwood was entertaining and in great style.

When she entered the ballroom, there was, for a few seconds a stunned silence, swiftly followed by a babble of voices as everyone tried to appear disinterested.

Adelina's eyes scanned the dancing couples until she saw Lynwood. He was dancing with Helene Lyon! So, Adelina thought grimly, it had not taken him many hours to seek out his former mistress.

Lord Eversleigh and his wife, Madeleine, soon found their way to Adelina's side through the throng of people.

“Adelina, my dear,” Madeleine smiled revealing her ugly teeth. “How good it is to see you again.”

“Well, my lord, are you going to dance with me?” she asked Eversleigh. His eyes met hers and he smiled. “Delighted, madam,” he quipped and raised her hand gallantly to his lips. Adelina refused to see the hurt in Madeleine's eyes, her only thought was to make Lynwood jealous.

Adelina danced the whole night away, determined to captivate, to flirt, even to break a few hearts, but every moment she was aware of the time Lynwood spent with Helene Lyon.

Not until dawn did the guests begin to depart in their carriages. Adelina was exhausted. The long, wearisome journey followed by a night of merrymaking had taken their toll. Her aching limbs felt like lead and she could scarcely force her eyelids to stay open. But, doggedly, she refused to leave until she had spoken to Lynwood – and alone!

Breakfast was being served for those guests who still lingered. Adelina found a cold colation laid out in the dining-room and the guests were helping themselves in a casual and informal manner. There was much laughter and banter and a few malicious whisperings of the way Adelina and Helene had, by mutual silent consent, tried to ignore each other for the most part, and, when obliged to come face to face, had been icily polite.

Adelina sighed as she ate. They were still too many people about for her to speak to Francis in private and yet she could not leave the matter unresolved much longer.

Helene Lyon seemed to be making no preparations for her departure. It was as if each one were weighing up the odds, pitting her hold on Lynwood against the other.

Meanwhile, Lynwood seemed unconcerned. He sauntered amongst his guests, laughing and talking and when his glance rested upon either Adelina or Helene, there was the cynical half smile upon his lips.

At last Adelina could bear it no longer. Touching Lynwood lightly on the arm she said meekly, “My lord, may I speak with you?”

“Of course, my dear,” Lynwood's eyes challenged hers, then lazily he scanned the whole of her body as if, mentally, he were seeing her in all her naked loveliness.

“What is it you want to say to me?”

“May we speak – in private?”