Chapter 28
Lucy walked into the library ten minutes before they were due to leave for their rendezvous with the blackmailer. They were arriving one hour before he or she was due to arrive.
Robert had a knife in hand and was slicing pages out of a book.
“Robert, what the devil are you doing?”
He looked up and grinned. “I do believe my foul tongue is rubbing off on you, wife.” She arched an imperious eyebrow as a memory of Robert, his head between her legs that morning sprang to mind. Robert wiggled his tongue and she knew he’d had the same thought. “I am slicing pages out of a book to make it look like a pile of bank notes in a bag. We do not wish to tip our hand too early and reveal ourselves.”
“Why are you destroying a perfectly good book? They cost a fortune.”
“It is only Institutes by John Calvin. We are not even Presbyterian, my love. It is rather dry. If you are desperate to read it, I shall purchase a new copy when we are next in Town. I fancy we shall go there in a few weeks. You need to be introduced properly and make your curtsey to the Queen. I have sent a letter to Aunt Gertrude to see if she will sponsor you. Of course, already being married there shall not be such a big fuss for you but…”
“Curtsey? To the Queen?”
“Yes. Of course. You… Lucy you knew this. Your brother is a baron. You should have had a proper come out.”
“But I did not. I had a child out of wedlock.”
“And now you are a countess.”
“I am. Oh dear. I really am a countess.” She straightened her spine and drew in a deep breath. “Well I have faced down more difficult challenges than the Queen. If I can labour and give birth to a child, then I can manage a curtsey in an ugly gown.”
“That’s the spirit.” Robert’s pile of cut up pages had grown, and he lifted them, bound them with string, then stuffed them in a small linen sack. He rounded the table and caught her in his arms, backing her against the desk and pressing himself against her. He was growing hard. “I am sure if we are quick we have time for a…”
“Robert, no. I am not turning up at this looking tumbled. This person already calls me a whore.”
“You are not a whore. They are clearly uptight and lacking any understanding of innate sexuality. You have it in abundance which is why I want you constantly.”
“I want you too, but not right now. We have something to do.”
He pressed himself once more against her then stepped away.
“Come Lady Whitsnow. Let us find your blackmailer and put her in her place.”
“You are determined that it is a woman.”
“If it were a man, he would have shot and robbed you. I am convinced.”
They rode part of the way to the waterfall with two grooms then sent the grooms back to the manor with the horses, walking the rest of the way. They did not want to alert the blackmailer that they were still in the area. Robert deposited the little sack in the hole in the tree and then they found a clump of bushes behind which to hide.
It was torture. Robert removed his watch from his pocket almost every minute to check the time. She made a daisy chain and hung it around Roberts neck and smothered a giggle when he frowned.
“Eleanor will think it pretty,” she whispered. He seemed not to mind it after that. She made one for herself and a chain for her head. She had just placed it over her coiffure when they heard movement. Robert put his finger to his lips. She had the urge to kiss them. He eased himself up and peeked over the edge of the bush.
“She has her back to us,” he mouthed.
Lucy popped her head up and glanced over. She did not recognise the woman at first, but she recognised the pale green walking dress. She had helped sew that dress and add some of the adornments.
The owner of the dress had just opened the little sack and a cry of annoyance tore from her lips as she looked around for the people who had cheated her.
Lucy stood as Robert tried to pull her down, but Lucy was furious.
“Susan Davis. You evil, horrible…” She had no words. And Susan’s face was red with anger as though she had the right to be upset at being cheated out of money that was never rightfully hers.
“What is this? You owe me seven hundred pounds.”
“We owe you nothing.” Robert’s voice was calm. Low and deadly, but calm.
“You do not know everything about her. You cannot marry her. She is evil.”
“Lucy is not blackmailing anyone. You are. But allow me to play your game. What should I know?”
“She is a harlot.”
“In what way.”
“She is no innocent.”
“If you mean she already has a child, I know. The child is mine.”
“It is not. It is Lieutenant Dick’s. I saw them together in the cowshed. Rutting like animals. It was disgusting.”
“What were you doing in the cowshed, Susan?” asked Lucy, finding her voice at last.
“I saw Edward go in there. I wanted to speak with him.”
“That was silly of you. What if you had been caught? A young lady alone with a gentleman.”
“I… I was in love with him and he with me. He had promised.” The air whooshed out of Lucy’s lungs.
“He promised? What did he promise?”
Susan waved her arm about. “He said he had a high regard for me. He said I was the one.”
“He said that to me, Susan.”
“Because you had loose morals. He knew you were a lightskirt. He was going to marry me.”
“I thought he was going to marry me too.”
“I hate you Lucy Butterworth. You took what was mine. He was mine. You should pay so I can move away. I can never marry. You somehow managed to find someone who could overlook your disgraceful behaviour and that bastard child. I shall never manage that. I am ruined and always shall be.”
“I think you shall find that fewer men than you think care if you are a virgin, Miss Davis,” put in Robert.
“What would you know about it?”
“Well I am a man.”
“But you were willing to have her.” The venom in her voice was unmistakable.
“I would advise you to speak about my wife with more care, Miss Davis.” Robert’s voice had turned cold.
“Your wife?”
“We married a few days ago at Gretna Green.”
“You are already with child again?”
“Not as far as I am aware,” Lucy said.
Susan threw the packet of pages from Calvin’s Institutes on the ground. “You disgust me.”
“You make me sad. I thought we were friends. Edward played us both for fools. He told us both what we wanted to hear. He ruined us and left me with child. It could just as well have been you.”
“No, I would never have…”
“Did you and he… make love?” It was the kindest way she could say it. Susan put her hand over her mouth as if to stop herself from saying the word, but she nodded. Of course, Lucy had known from the earlier conversation, but Susan had to admit it. She had to see that the two of them were really no different and that Edward…. Well…
“If he was not already in that place I would kill him.” It was Robert. Lucy could see the disgust and fury in his features.
“He shall surely recover,” protested Susan.
“No, he shall not,” said Robert. “He is very confused. He remembers for a few moments then forgets. He even asked if his mother was my wife when she followed Lucy into the garden.”
“He did?” asked Lucy.
Robert merely nodded.
“I have been hoping all this time.” Susan sounded miserable.
“It is time to move on, Susan.”
Susan’s eyes filled with tears. “Mayhap. You shall take me to the magistrate, shall you not? Shall I hang for this?” Horror was etched on the young woman’s face as the magnitude of her crime seemed to sink in. “Oh God, I blackmailed a countess.” She sank to her knees. Lucy looked helplessly at Robert. She had no idea what his plan had been.
“I do not think hanging is necessary in this case. Do you, my love?”
She looked up into his face. He was stern but there was a gleam of humour in his gaze. It seemed he wanted her to play along.
“Well, I suppose that no money did change hands and my secrets have not been revealed, have they?”
“N-n-no.”
“How did you know that I knew about Eleanor? And that I planned to tell everyone she is mine.”
“My mother and Mrs Dick are particular friends. I heard them in conversation. My mother would never tell Mrs Dick’s secrets. Mrs Dick was in two minds as to whether to accept your offer to visit the child.”
“I see. Come. We must get back. You walk behind us. The path is narrow.”
Lucy took her husband’s arm and he led her along the path. She felt terrible as she heard Susan sniff every so often. She really was a wretched creature.
“Have you a plan for her punishment?” she asked.
“Lock her in the dungeon.” His voice was menacing as he whispered in her ear. His breath tickled, and it made her giggle.
“You do not have a dungeon.”
“What about the secret tunnel?”
“That leads to our bedchamber.”
“Hmm, true. I should hate to think of her listening to your cries of pleasure as I do that thing to you that I did last night.”
“Robert.”
“You enjoyed it.”
“I did but…”
“She needs to be far away from here.”
“Prison?”
“Is that what you would like to see happen to her?”
Lucy glanced back at the pathetic snivelling creature who was stumbling along behind.
“No. Do you imagine she thinks that is where she is going?”
“There is a very real chance.”
“She must be terrified.”
“It will do her good to think on what she has done.”
“I feel terrible.”
“You are far too kind-hearted, my love. She should be strung up by the ears for what she has put you through.”
“Mayhap.” But Lucy was not altogether convinced.
Eventually they crested a rise and the manor came into view.
“My Lady.” Lucy turned to see Susan standing, her gaze moving from the manor to Lucy and back again as if not sure what to focus on.
“What is on your mind?”
“Before Edward…” Susan took in a deep breath. “When we were girls, you were a very dear friend to me. I was always honoured that you chose to spend time with me. Miss Lucy Butterworth, friends with the daughter of a mere blacksmith. You were so kind. Then Edward. He turned my head. He promised me… it was as if he was promising me a happy ending like ladies in novels get. A handsome gentleman to love them forever. He danced with me at the village assembly. I saw him dance with you too but did not think much of it. Then he asked to walk me home. Your brother escorted you in your carriage. He took me down the alley beside the smiddy and kissed me and undid the top of my dress and stays. He was kissing me all over. He said It would be all right. Then he was touching me down there and unbuttoning his trousers.
I said we probably should not, but he laughed and said all the girls did it. Besides he would make it right. I was sweet and I was just the kind of girl his mama would approve of. And then he pushed into me. It hurt. It hurt so badly but it was over quickly. And then the next night I saw him disappear into the cowshed. I wanted to speak to him. I wanted to tell him that I loved him. That was when I saw him kissing you. Then he sat on the hay and asked you to suck…”
“I know,” Lucy said quietly. “I was there.”
Susan bit her lip. She glanced at Robert. “I am so very sorry. I have harboured this for such a long time.” She turned back to Lucy. “I do not even understand why you would wish to do that again. It was so painful.”
Lucy smiled slowly. “It is not painful with a kind, caring man who takes time to prepare your body. Edward was a brash and selfish young man. His behaviour to both of us has proved that. I doubt he would have married either of us.”
Susan nodded then bowed her head. “I am pleased you found someone who loves you. I apologise that jealousy has eaten me up for so long. Please do not punish my family for my actions. Will you still use my father’s smiddy?”
“Your father has always taken care of my horses. I have no concerns about his work. He shall always be my smiddy.”
Susan seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. Lucy was warming to her that her main concern was the welfare of her family and that her behaviour not impact unfairly on them.
“Come, let us retire to the drawing room for tea.”
They entered the house and into the drawing room. Emily was sitting embroidering. Tommy was reading a book to her and she glanced over and helped him with a word with which he struggled. They both looked up as the trio entered.
“Miss Davis?”
“Miss Davis came to collect the money.” Robert nodded at Tommy who looked up, wide-eyed and snapped his book closed. He sat up straight and looked to Lucy for direction.
“Tommy, may I apologise for how I treated you when I last saw you?” Miss Davis was approaching the boy with caution, but her gaze roved between Tommy, Robert, Emily and Lucy in case one of them would try to stop her. She knelt near the child but not too close, giving him the option to avoid her. “I was terribly unkind to you and it was very wrong of me. I am very sorry. I hope you can one day forgive me.”
Tommy looked at Robert who gave the young boy an encouraging smile. “And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us,” Tommy intoned.
“Pardon?” Susan’s voice was gentle but confused.
“We say that every night. It means God will forgive us if we forgive other people. I forgive you Miss Davis.”
Miss Davis’s eyes suddenly became very bright and shiny again and she swallowed hard. “Thank you, Tommy. You are a very special young man. Your mama would be very proud of you.”
“I know. Miss Butterworth, I mean the Countess, says she watches over me.”
“I remember.”
He looked at Emily. “I think they’re playing pirates in the nursery. Can I go?”
“Yes Tommy. Save some booty for me.”
“All right.” He grinned and hurried out the door, after bowing quickly to all the adults.
Emily rubbed her rounded belly as Lucy sat down opposite her.
“Robert, would you ring for tea please?”
Robert made a courtly bow and Lucy pursed her lips at him. She would deal with him later. But he walked to the fireplace and pulled the rope. Miss Davis stood, looking lost.
“Do sit down, Miss Davis.”
“Where?” She looked at a seat in the far corner of the room.
“Next to Lady Beattie, I think.”
Miss Davis perched on the seat as Robert dropped into the chaise beside Lucy. At that moment, both the butler and Gideon arrived.
“What have I missed. Did you find your quarry? Beat him to a pulp, I hope?”
“Gideon,” chastised Emily.
“Tea,” Robert commanded of the butler.
“Yes, My Lord.”
Lucy watched Miss Davis who was white as a ghost. Emily was gesturing behind Miss Davis’s back at Gideon. Gideon was mouthing at Emily. As soon as the door clicked shut, Robert spoke.
“Yes, Lord Beattie. Miss Davis was blackmailing the Countess. She and my wife have a history of… umm… having a tendre for the same gentleman. That gentleman toyed with both their tender hearts and made promises that he possibly had no intention of fulfilling, though we shall never know. Miss Davis was badly hurt and has carried her hurt feelings for a long time. I believe the green monster of jealousy may have played a part in her recent behaviour.”
He was speaking as if to a child and Susan sat, her eyes downcast, her head bowed, and her face obscured by the brim of her bonnet.
A dark spot appeared on her knee, spreading on the green muslin. A large teardrop testament to the shame she felt. Lucy reached for her handkerchief, but Emily was quicker.
“How long will it take for the magistrate to come?” she asked. Robert turned his gaze to Lucy and arched an eyebrow. Did she want him to call the magistrate? She knew he would do it if she wanted him to. Susan had committed a crime.
Lucy shook her head.
“The magistrate shall not be called.”
“Oh God. Oh, please don’t hurt me.” She seemed to curl in on herself and started to rock. “Please.”
“Robert, you’re frightening her.”
Robert frowned. “I don’t mean to. Now see here, Miss Davis. No one is going to hurt you.” Lucy was on her knees and tugging off Susan’ s bonnet, trying to get the woman to look at her.
“No one is going to hurt you. Susan you must believe us. Please stop this.”
“B-b-but you are going to punish me.”
“Oh aye,” said Robert. “I have the perfect punishment. You shall wish you had not been born after this punishment.
All eyes alighted on the gleeful Robert. He looked at Emily and smiled. “Does Aunt Gertrude not need a companion?”
Emily’s eyes lit up. “She does. She was just saying the last time I was in Town how much she misses my company now that I am wed. A companion would be perfect for her.”
“That does not sound like a punishment” hiccupped Miss Davis.
Emily laughed. “You may not say that after a Season in Town with her.”
“Is she so very bad?” Lucy asked.
“She shall not beat her, but Miss Davis will not have it easy. She is meticulous and requires things done just so. Emily never came up to scratch.”
Emily grinned. “Alas I did not. But my husband is happy with me. So, I care not.”
“You may wish we had called the magistrate, Miss Davis. My Great Aunt is cantankerous. But you will earn a salary and you shall not be ill-treated. The Lord tells us to practice mercy. I hope you shall do so in your dealings with others. I shall ask my Great Aunt for reports on you and I shall contact a magistrate if I am not happy. I have no issue with pulling rank and seeing you suffer the true consequences of your actions if you are lazy or ill-tempered.”
“I promise I shall not be.”
“Fine. Then we leave in two weeks for London. Can I trust you not to leave Aelton village?
“You can, My Lord.”
He took a moment to consider her and Lucy could tell she was being truthful too.
“Fine. Let us have tea and then you can go home once your face shows fewer signs of your tears.
Miss Davis looked around them.
“Thank you. Thank you all. You are all so kind. I have no words to express my gratitude.”
“Well, I am sure that once Aunt Gertrude is through with you, you shall not be thanking us.”