Thirteen

Gwendeline wakened with a start to the sound of pounding and a rasping voice calling, “’Ere, who locked this door?” She was furious with herself for sleeping and leaped up immediately. The room was unchanged; it appeared no one had entered, and she wondered where Mr. Blane had gone. She crossed to the door as the pounding continued, undecided whether to answer or stay quiet. Finally, she called, “I cannot open the door; I’m locked in.” Silence fell and lasted so long that Gwendeline became frightened.

“It’s the young ’oman,” the voice said at last and chuckled. “Bless me, I forgot.” Footsteps retreated, then returned after a few minutes. The key turned in the lock, and the door opened to reveal the woman from the kitchen swaying in the doorway. Gwendeline backed away a few steps.

The woman looked her over. “A pretty one,” she said. “But then they’re generally pretty. What a fine dress that is. Hello, dearie. My name is Calkins, Mrs. Calkins. Welcome to ye.” She grinned, revealing several gaps among her teeth.

“Oh please,” said Gwendeline. “Won’t you help me? I must get away from here. If you will only let me leave the house, you need do no more.”

“Say,” answered Mrs. Calkins, frowning, “you talk like a regular toff. Where did he find you, then?”

Gwendeline threw back her head. “My name is Gwendeline Gregory. I am the daughter of Baron Gregory of Brooklands.” She tried to sound confident and impressive. “And Mr. Blane has kidnapped me, a very serious crime. If you do not wish to be implicated also, you’ll help me to escape.”

The effect of this speech was not what Gwendeline had hoped. Mrs. Calkins looked frightened, indeed, but she simply exclaimed. “Lordy, a baron!” and slammed the door, locking it again. Gwendeline heard her return to the kitchen, and the clink of glass followed soon after.

Gwendeline thought of calling to Mrs. Calkins, but she had no money to offer her, and the promise of payment in the future didn’t seem likely to lure her. If only there was some way of getting out of the house, she thought desperately, she could hide and make her way to some refuge after dark. The sound of carriage wheels entering the yard came to her ears. Blane, returning! Gwendeline grasped the brass candlestick on the table and moved over behind the door.

At first, nothing happened. There was pounding on the front door, and Mrs. Calkins’s footsteps going to it. Then Gwendeline heard loud angry voices and the clattering of pots in the kitchen. This was followed by silence, then a quieter conversation. Gwendeline strained her ears, but she could catch none of the words. Finally, a man’s footsteps ascended the stairs. Gwendeline took a deep breath and tightened her hold on the candlestick. She felt as if she could kill Mr. Blane and feel no guilt.

The key turned in the lock, and the door began to open. Gathering all her courage, Gwendeline rushed from behind it and struck the man whose hand was on the knob a sharp blow on the head. He fell heavily to the floor. “My dear Gwendeline,” said the Earl of Merryn from the hall, “if you’ve killed Andrew, what are we to tell my mother?”

With a cry, Gwendeline sank to her knees, for she had indeed struck Major St. Audley rather than Blane. “Oh God, what have I done!” she said and burst into frantic tears.

The earl bent to place a hand on her shoulder. “It’s all right. You didn’t hit him nearly hard enough to kill him. It was a poorly timed joke. Forgive me, Gwendeline.”

But her tears had been building for nearly twenty-four hours, and she couldn’t stop them. Lord Merryn put his other hand on her hair, and they remained thus for a moment. Then his face twisted and he pulled her to her feet. “Gwendeline, Gwendeline,” he repeated and pulled her into his arms.

She could think of nothing but how safe it felt to be pressed to his chest. She cried even harder as he stroked her hair and murmured comforting phrases. After a while, her sobs began to subside. She sniffed and looked up at him. “I am s-sorry,” she stammered. “I’ve been so frightened.”

He nodded, showing no signs of letting her go. “I know. I only wish we might have reached you sooner. When I thought of you in the hands of that scoundrel, I was nearly beside myself. Thank God you are all right. He didn’t hurt you?”

Gwendeline shook her head, looking down. His arms tightened around her. “Thank God for that.”

There was so much feeling in his voice that she involuntarily looked up at him again, and the expression she saw in his eyes then made her heart beat fast. “Oh, Gwendeline,” he said again. “What a fool I’ve been.” Before she could ask what he meant, there was a low groan from the floor.

“Major St. Audley,” cried Gwendeline. The earl released her, and she fell to her knees. “I’m so sorry. Please forgive me. I hope I didn’t hurt you terribly.”

“No, no,” said the major from the floor. “Only stunned me for a moment. My head is much too hard to be cracked by a blow like that. And very plucky it was. I’ll be perfectly fine directly.”

The earl bent to help his brother up and seated him on the bed. He checked his head and pronounced it unwounded. Gwendeline found that her knees were trembling and she sat down on the chair. Watching the earl minister to his brother, she could think of nothing but the feel of his arms around her. But when he turned and smiled tenderly at her, she remembered that he was engaged to Adele Greene, and a cold lump spread from her stomach. How could he have held her that way and looked at her so when he was to marry someone else? She’d been mistaken. He’d been comforting her, being merely kind, and she’d misunderstood because of her love for him. She must be more careful to mask her feelings in future.

Lord Merryn helped his brother to his feet, and Gwendeline rose also. “I fear we must ask you to travel a little farther, Gwendeline,” said the earl. “I think it would be best for you to leave before Blane returns.”

All thoughts of love left her mind in an instant. “Yes,” she said. “Oh, we must get away. There is a woman in the kitchen. You must have seen her?”

“We did,” replied Lord Merryn grimly. “She won’t trouble you further.”

“Did…did you kill her?” asked Gwendeline, for the earl’s eyes were chilling.

This drew a laugh from the major. “We did not,” he said, “but you seem more worried about her welfare than about mine.” Ruefully, he rubbed a large lump forming on his head.

“No, no, I’m so sorry I hit you.”

“Let us save recriminations for the journey,” interrupted the earl. “Shall we go down?”

There was a post-chaise in the yard, along with several riding horses and a group of men. The major escorted Gwendeline to the chaise and handed her in, while the earl went to speak to one of the group. “What’s happening?” Gwendeline asked Major St. Audley.

“We brought constables,” he answered. “Mr. Blane will be arrested.” He walked over to confer with his brother, and soon, they returned together.

“One of us will come with you, Gwendeline,” said the earl. “What do you think, Andrew? Do you feel well enough to stay and manage this business?”

“Of course,” replied the major. “What do you think I am made of, spun glass?”

Lord Merryn laughed. “Well, then I will take Gwendeline to the inn.” He started to climb into the chaise, smiling at Gwendeline. The look tore her heart, and before she thought, she said, “Alone, my lord? In a closed carriage? Whatever will Adele say when she finds out?”

Her tone drew a surprised look from Major St. Audley, but Gwendeline’s gaze was focused painfully on the earl. Would he deny the engagement? But he merely raised his eyebrows, then smiled sardonically. “What indeed?” he replied. “A telling point, Gwendeline. Andrew, perhaps you should ride beside Miss Gregory’s carriage. That should be unexceptionable, should it not?” He looked at Gwendeline. “As a free man I suppose he may ride beside you?”

The major looked from one to the other of them, but neither noticed him. Dismayed at the effect of her impulsive remark, and deeply ashamed for having made it, Gwendeline could only nod and pull her head back into the chaise. The earl strode away.

The major shrugged. “Very well. I shall accompany you to a respectable inn out on the main road not far from here. We sent a messenger to your friend Miss Brown last night, and we hope she may be arriving there soon. In any case, I shall stay to escort you both to London.” He walked over to his horse and mounted. “Goodbye, Alex,” he called. “We’ll meet in London.” The earl turned to bow distantly to Gwendeline, then resumed his conversation with the head constable.

Gwendeline wished she might speak to him again, but the chaise began to move, and they rode out of the yard and away. She had no chance even to thank him.

By the time they reached the inn, her fright and exhaustion had caught up with her, and she was near collapse. Miss Brown had not yet arrived, but Gwendeline was taken up to a comfortable bedchamber and brought hot water. She undressed and washed, pulling on a nightgown borrowed from the landlady’s daughter. Gwendeline got into bed and was instantly asleep.

She didn’t wake until the morning sun came through the curtains and fell across her bed. Then she sat up, stretched, and luxuriated in her relief. It was like waking after a long nightmare. The sunshine and cheerful room roused a deep gratitude in her, and she felt more glad to be alive than she had for months. Jumping out of bed, she found that a trunk containing her things had been brought in. She put on a fresh gown, wondering if she would ever be able to bear the one crumpled in the corner again. It would always remind her of Blane.

Downstairs, she found that Miss Brown had arrived and was sitting at breakfast with Andrew St. Audley. Seeing her, the older woman rose and came to hug her. “Oh, Gwendeline,” she exclaimed. “Thank God you’re all right. I was frantic with worry.”

Gwendeline smiled at her. “I am all right,” she said. “I feel splendid.” She eyed the breakfast table. “But hungry,” she added. The others laughed.

“That is easily remedied,” replied the major. Soon, she was seated and eating hungrily. “If you ladies will excuse me for a moment,” the major went on, “I want to check on my horse. He’s very particular about his food.” When he’d left them together, Gwendeline poured out the whole story of her abduction. Miss Brown was horrified, outraged, and astounded. She could hardly believe in such villainy. “So he is arrested, and I am glad,” finished Gwendeline. “I don’t care if they hang him.”

“Gwendeline!”

“Well, he deserves it, almost. But let’s not talk of him. How did the earl and the major find me? Do you know?”

Miss Brown nodded. “It seems Mr. Woodley is acquainted with Mr. Ames.” Gwendeline nodded. “And the former told Lady Merryn of Ames’s new pupil and where you were. Then, Lillian Everly received your letter, and everyone looked forward to your arrival. But the earl had seen Blane talking to Mr. Woodley at some length, by no means a usual occurrence I gather, and he became concerned. He went to call on Blane the next morning and found he had gone out of town mysteriously. Lord Merryn made some inquiries. He evidently had some knowledge of that house from the past.” Miss Brown paused, but Gwendeline nodded again. “And thus, he arranged your rescue.”

“And very dashing it was, don’t you think?” put in the major, who returned to the room at that moment. “Of course, I cut a rather poor figure, floored by the damsel in distress, but otherwise it was highly romantic.”

“Yes,” agreed Gwendeline. “And I’m so very grateful to you. Is Lord Merryn… Does he go straight back to London?”

“Yes,” he answered. “He wished to make certain Blane’s arrest is handled properly. I’ve never seen him so angry.” There was a short silence, then he continued. “I came back to discuss our plans,” he said. “The landlady wishes to know whether we’ll be staying long.” He grinned. “She’s in quite a flurry. I take it this inn is not much frequented by ‘gentry and such.’”

Miss Brown smiled. “Perhaps I should speak to her. You’ll wish to rest a few days, Gwendeline?”

“No, I want to get to London as soon as possible.”

“Bravo!” said Major St. Audley. “That’s the spirit.”

“Are you sure?” asked Miss Brown doubtfully. “After what you’ve been through…”

“Really,” said Gwendeline, “I’m perfectly recovered. Can we leave today?”

Major St. Audley laughed and jumped up. “I’ll inquire,” he said, and went out.

They were on their way by noon and expected to reach London the following evening. The major rode with the two ladies in the chaise for part of the journey, keeping them in high spirits with his flow of stories and anecdotes. Gwendeline decided he was a thoroughly likable young man, though not as exciting as his brother. It appeared that he had seen a good deal of Lillian Everly since that first afternoon. “How is Lillian?” Gwendeline asked him. “I’ve missed her very much.”

“And she you,” he answered. “She was overjoyed when your letter arrived. I’ve seldom seen her so happy as when she showed it to me.”

“Oh, did she show it to you?”

“Yes, well, that is, I’d called, you know, and she naturally wished my family to have the news.”

“You’ve spent a lot of time with Lillian this season?”

“Not so much,” he floundered. “That is, some, but…” He paused. “Dash it, Miss Gregory. I’ve been in love with Lillian Everly for more than a year. I wanted to ask her to marry me last season, but her parents gave me to understand that it would not be allowed. Nothing against me or my family, but they’re looking higher than a younger son with a commission in the army. Can’t blame them; Lillian has a large fortune. So I never spoke to her. I took that assignment abroad, thinking to forget. It was no use, of course.” He stopped and seemed to recollect himself. “I shouldn’t have said any of that. I apologize and hope you will keep my confidence. I have been driven nearly mad in these last weeks, seeing Miss Everly almost every day and not telling her how I feel.”

“But you should tell her,” said Gwendeline. “Surely her parents couldn’t refuse if you truly love one another.”

Major St. Audley smiled thinly. “No? But I won’t ask her to defy her parents. They’re right. I have nothing to offer her. It would be her money, and society would call me a fortune hunter.” His mouth hardened. “And I have no assurance that Lillian cares for me. Sometimes I think…but I don’t know.”

Gwendeline kept her views on Lillian’s feelings to herself. “Well, you’ll never know unless you tell her how you feel,” she said. “I think you’re foolish to delay.”

“Gwendeline,” put in Miss Brown.

“It’s all right,” said the major. “I daresay you’re right, but I must do as I think best.”

“It’s what your brother did, after all, isn’t it?” Gwendeline continued daringly. “When he found he cared for someone, he told her immediately and became engaged.” She waited for his reply with muscles tense.

He made a face. “Oh, Alex,” he replied. “I find that situation incredible. And so does my mother. That girl is…” He pressed his lips together. “I shouldn’t say anything about it. In any case, it has no bearing on my position. No sane parent would refuse Alex permission to marry his daughter. I’m not so eligible.” He was silent after that. When they next stopped to change horses, he mounted his own and rode behind them.

Gwendeline received a brief scolding for her part in the conversation, but that didn’t keep her from resolving to find out Lillian’s opinion of the major. If she cared for him, Gwendeline was determined to find some way of uniting them. Her own happiness was ruined, but Lillian’s shouldn’t be.

They slept that night on the road and continued early the next morning. The day passed slowly, and all of them grew tired. Finally, late in the evening, they reached London. The major escorted them to Gwendeline’s house. They bid him farewell with gratitude, and he promised to call the next day.

Inside, they found a gala welcome. Reeves was jovial; Ellen was crying noisily in her joy. And Alphonse came up from the kitchen to caper hilariously about the hall. In addition, they found flowers everywhere, and notes from Lady Merryn and Lillian. The first insisted they come to dinner the following day. Lillian expressed her gladness at their return and promised to call at the first opportunity.

Gwendeline fell into an armchair in the drawing room, touched and very happy. It was good to be back, she thought, and at this moment, she had to believe that everything would work out for the best.