“I am not leaving Frederick,” Annabelle said firmly. “You would never leave Mr Heaton; don’t expect me to leave Freddy, but we need Peter!”

  Eleanor nodded and carefully edged around the room until she reached the door. Once through it she ran to Rosalind’s bedchamber. It was still relatively early, and she knew Peter shared Rosalind’s room rather than using his own. She banged on the door, the need for urgency removing any decorum she might normally have shown. She hesitated from walking straight in; she did not wish to cause embarrassment for any of them, but she desperately needed a response from them.

  She heard a voice and opened the door. Peter was walking across the room, tucking his shirt into his breeches; he paused when he saw the expression on Eleanor’s face. “What is it?” he asked, grabbing a waistcoat and throwing it on.

  “Frederick and Mr Wadeson are having an almighty battle in my room. Mr Wadeson was threatening all sorts of violence and worse to myself and Annabelle; Frederick overheard it,” Eleanor babbled.

  “Why are they in your room?” Peter asked, pulling his boots on.

  Eleanor blushed, but spoke quickly, there was no time to lose. “Mr Wadeson has been trying to get access to my chamber, although I didn’t realise he was also watching it. Annabelle had come to see if I was well. Both of them saw Joseph leaving my chamber.”

  Peter’s eyes flickered to Eleanor’s, and her blush deepened, but she did not see condemnation in his expression. He stood and moved to leave the room. Eleanor followed him, but Peter put his hand on her arm. “Stay here. I need to know where you are. There is going to be fall-out because of what you told me; I can’t imagine a man like Wadeson keeping quiet about what you have been doing.”

  “Oh,” Eleanor said, realising life was going to become even more uncomfortable, but then she remembered Annabelle. “He may hurt Annabelle,” she said, once more moving to leave the room.

  “I know, Eleanor,” Peter said softly. Eleanor looked at him. “He won’t get to her, not while there is breath in Frederick’s or my body,” he said gently.

  Eleanor nodded and stepped back, allowing Peter to leave the room. She turned to her sister who had been quiet through the exchange and saw her smile slightly at her.

  “I think you’d better tell me what’s been going on,” Rosalind said, patting the side of the bed that was now empty. “I would imagine we had best get a plan together before father comes rampaging through the house looking for you.”

  Eleanor went gratefully to her sister and told her everything, including how she felt and what was troubling her. She was not used to keeping secrets from Rosalind, and it felt a relief to be able to speak about it.

  *

  Peter returned to Rosalind’s bedchamber some thirty minutes later. His clothing was bloody, but there did not appear to be any marks on his face. Rosalind and Eleanor had remained on the bed talking things over, and both let out exclamations of worry at Peter’s attire.

  “Don’t worry yourself, this is Mr Wadeson’s blood,” Peter said, taking a seat in relief.

  “And that is supposed to reassure us?” Rosalind said drily.

  Peter smiled. “I suppose not. Mr Wadeson came off the worse from the encounter, and I can’t say I’m sorry for it. He may think twice when hurting someone related to Frederick in the future.”

  “How is Frederick?” Eleanor asked, worriedly.

  “He’ll be sporting some interesting colours once the bruising develops, but he hasn’t suffered any permanent injuries,” Peter reassured them both.

  “What about Annabelle? She must be beside herself after witnessing a fight,” Rosalind said with a shudder.

  “She’s purely concerned with how Frederick is,” Peter said. “To be honest, it was good to witness her concern. I know they have seemed happy enough while they have been here but, with the rocky start to their marriage, I did wonder. I’m under no doubt now; she is clearly besotted with him, and I’m glad. Frederick deserves to be happy.”

  “I’m relieved they are both well,” Rosalind said.

  “Yes, although Annabelle said we probably won’t see them for the rest of the day. She is insisting Frederick have complete bed rest, at least for today. He tried to insist he was well, but she was not listening,” Peter said in amusement.

  “Mr Wadeson?” Eleanor asked tentatively. She was not really interested in his welfare, but what happened to him unfortunately had an impact on the others in the family, especially her.

  “I carried him to his room and sent for water and cloths. I refuse to put members of staff at risk of him, so I told him he must treat himself or arrange his own nurse. I did suggest he seek help from your father,” Peter said with a small smile. “But he didn’t seem too enamoured with that suggestion for some reason.”

  “Father will find out about this; there is no doubt,” Rosalind said.

  “He will, but I have a few things to say to your father myself,” Peter said grimly.

  Rosalind and Eleanor decided wisely it was probably best to not to question what Peter intended to say.

  *

  Peter did not wish to visit Mr Wadeson at all, but propriety led him to his guest’s room later that afternoon. The man was propped up in bed, barely moving. His face was a mass of cuts and bruises, and his eyes were beginning to close because of the swelling.

  Peter did not open the conversation with concern about his welfare; he was not a man to lie. “You have behaved in the worse possible way while staying as a guest in my house. I do not take kindly to such disrespect to myself or my family,” he said sternly.

  Before Mr Wadeson could reply the door opened, and Mr Johnson entered the room. “Good god man, what on earth foolery is this?” Mr Johnson said at Mr Wadeson’s appearance.

  “Your protégé decided he was going to inflict harm on two of your daughters; thankfully Frederick arrived before any harm was done and dealt his own punishment as you can see,” Peter said grimly.

  “What has got into you? Could you not wait a week before the marriage?” Mr Johnson asked Mr Wadeson.

  “They were making a fool out of me,” Mr Wadeson muttered, not able to speak properly.

  “I think the time for planning a marriage has passed,” Peter said.

  “Why?” Mr Johnson asked sharply.

  Peter looked at the man astounded. “Surely you are not considering allowing the marriage to continue?” he asked incredulously.

  “One mistake does not warrant the marriage being cancelled. It is a good match for Eleanor,” Mr Johnson insisted.

  Peter looked dumbfounded. Rosalind had told him what Annabelle had been forced to endure, and he thought it appropriate Mr Johnson be told of the reality of Mr Wadeson’s character. “He forced himself on Annabelle when he thought they were to be married. He likes to inflict pain on those he lies with. Now he has spent the last few days trying to gain access to Eleanor’s bedchamber. Do you honestly wish your daughter to be connected to such a man?”

  Mr Johnson paused. It was clear he had not known what had occurred between Mr Wadeson and his daughters. His colour faded a little, but he looked Peter in the eye. “Eleanor will marry Wadeson,” he said quietly.

  “Thank God, most of your daughter’s no longer need your protection; at least they are safe. God help Eleanor; you are condemning her to a life that doesn’t bare thinking about! I hope your decision keeps you awake at night.”

  “You weren’t being so disrespectful when you wanted my money,” Mr Johnson said defiantly.

  “It is not a case of being disrespectful; I am trying to protect your daughter, a pity you can’t,” Peter responded. “I wish you and your puppet to leave tomorrow. I will not be a part of this, although I insist that Eleanor stays with us until the wedding.”

  “What, so there can be more liaisons with the Duke sniffing around her?” Mr Wadeson growled.

  “I shall be asking him to leave today,” Peter said sharply. “I do not wish for anyone in my household to behave inappropriately no matter who they are.”

  Peter left the room with no respect remaining for either gentlemen. He went to speak to Joseph; he was going to ask him to leave, but not for the reason he had stated. A plan was forming in his mind, and he needed Joseph to co-operate with him for it to work.

  Mr Johnson turned to Mr Wadeson when the door closed behind Peter. “Are you a complete fool?” he asked.

  Mr Wadeson’s eyes sparkled with menace. “Remember who you are talking too. I may have to put up with the likes of his sanctimonious words, but I don’t with you.”

  For once Mr Johnson snapped at the man before him. “You forced yourself on one of my daughters, and you ask me to watch what I am saying?” he asked in disbelief.

  “Is it my fault you let her go off and marry someone else? As far as I knew she was to be my wife,” Mr Wadeson replied, showing no remorse.

  “I don’t think this is a good idea anymore,” Mr Johnson started, before the glare from Mr Wadeson stopped him from continuing.

  It hurt every time Mr Wadeson spoke, but he was determined to put Mr Johnson back under his control. “It doesn’t matter whether you think it is a good idea or not; the deal for my silence was one of your daughters. The wedding will go ahead, unless you wish the whole of your family to find out what you have been doing.”

  Mr Johnson paled again, “You can’t keep threatening me with that for the rest of my life!”

  “I can, but once I’ve married and had your business handed over to me officially, I think it is time you retired to somewhere warm,” Mr Wadeson said.

  “I’m not going to retire!” Mr Johnson almost shouted. All that was precious to him was related to work, and the panic he felt at it being taken away from him almost took his breath away.

  “Oh, yes, you are; it’s time for a change, I think. I’ve had you moaning around me for too long now; I’m sick of the delays and sick of you. Mrs Johnson will enjoy a trip to the West Indies, I think; it will do you both the world of good.”

  “I wish I’d never set eyes on you!” Mr Johnson spat, knowing he could not argue against anything his nemesis demanded.

  “You should have stuck to an honest income and not been so greedy, and you wouldn’t have,” Mr Wadeson said unsympathetically.

  “One day Wadeson, you’ll regret meeting me,” Mr Johnson threatened.

  Mr Wadeson smirked as much as his injuries would let him. “If you had any way of getting rid of me, you would have done it by now. No, things are still going to end as I want; I marry your daughter and get handed your business. How much she gets beaten will depend on how good you are to me; if you moan at me all day, I will arrive home very angry.”

  Mr Johnson looked sickened and left the bedchamber. He was at a loss as to how his circumstances could change in such a short period of time. Wadeson was right; there was nothing he could do but hand over his daughter and business and watch both be destroyed. He hoped Eleanor could forgive him if she ever found out the truth, but he was not sure if he would ever be able to forgive himself.

  Chapter 17

  Peter left Joseph’s bedchamber. It had not been an easy conversation as, once he explained what Mr Wadeson had done, Joseph had to be physically restrained from going and finishing the job Frederick had started.

  “If you do anything to him, it will ruin Eleanor,” Peter said, not releasing Joseph until he relaxed from the tension currently straining against his arms.

  “It won’t matter; I will marry her,” Joseph snarled.

  “For some unknown reason Mr Johnson won’t agree to it,” Peter said, the fact still not making any sense to him. “You have to accept she isn’t yours.”

  Joseph slumped, the fight going out of him. “I don’t know how I’m going to carry on if her marriage goes ahead.”

  Peter had some sympathy with Joseph; it was obvious he adored Eleanor. “We’ll deal with that when we have to, but for now I need you to leave.”

  Joseph had frowned at him. “Don’t do this.”

  “I have to; you have behaved inappropriately in my house: I cannot allow you to stay,” Peter had said firmly.

  Joseph looked at him and wondered if he had changed over the years; he had never seemed so unyielding. “She said we were to be together until her marriage took place. How can I leave behind the promise of some happiness, however temporary?”

  “You must, but I think you will approve of where I want you to stay,” Peter said and went on to explain his plan to Joseph.

  *

  Bryant was at his post in the hallway when Mrs Adams called to pay her morning visit. “Good morning, madam,” Bryant said with a slight bow.

  “Morning Bryant. Is the Duchess still above stairs, enjoying the reprieve from receiving the local fools?” Mrs Adams would never approve of most of the people in her neighbourhood.

  Bryant never flickered in response, but he was in complete agreement with Mrs Adams’s opinion of most of the locality. “His Grace would like a word with you before you join Her Grace; if you would be so kind as to follow me?”

  “Oh, really? What’s amiss now?” Mrs Adams muttered half to herself as she was led to Peter’s study.

  Peter looked up from his desk and smiled as Mrs Adams entered. “Good morning!” he said, standing and going to greet her. “I’m glad you’ve arrived; we have a lot to talk about.”

  “What have you done wrong this time?” Mrs Adams said, taking a seat.

  Peter smiled. “It will always warm my heart the way you always presume the worst from me,” he said with amusement. He was fully aware of Mrs Adams’s high regard for him.

  “Harrumph,” came the response, but there was a twinkle in her eyes.

  “So, to business,” Peter said, returning to his seat. “I’m sorry to say that tomorrow you are going to injure your back.”

  Mrs Adams looked suspiciously at Peter. “I beg your pardon?” she asked. “There is nothing wrong with my back. What tomfoolery is this?”

  “A back injury is very serious, I shall have you know, in a lady of your advanced years,” Peter said and started to explain exactly what was on his mind.

  *

  Eleanor was summoned to say goodbye to her father. She had been in her room heartbroken over Joseph leaving before she had the opportunity to say goodbye to him. Peter had been firm with her; she was not to see him before he left, and it was impossible for Joseph to stay after what had happened.

  The thought of not seeing him again devastated her, and she had not been able to keep the tears from streaming down her face as she argued with Peter. Eventually she had accepted defeat and spent the next hour in her bedchamber, crying into her pillow.

  Peter had sent a summons to her to join him downstairs. She reluctantly complied, but he had wrapped her in an embrace, kissing the top of her head. “Forgive me, Eleanor,” he said gently. “Your father and Mr Wadeson are leaving, and it is important you say goodbye to them.”

  “No!” Eleanor wailed, the tears starting again. “Please, Peter! I don’t wish to see either of them.”

  Peter took hold of Eleanor’s face between his hands and forced her to look at him. “Trust me, Eleanor; I would not be doing this unless it was important. I’m going to be inviting your father for supper tonight; I need you to be there.”

  “I don’t wish to speak to him,” Eleanor said defiantly.

  “I’m not asking you to, just be there, and you will see him tomorrow as well,” Peter said.

  “Why?” Eleanor asked, feeling Peter was showing a cruel streak she had not seen previously.

  “Trust me, Eleanor,” was all Peter said in response.

  They went into the hallway to see the flurry of activity the leaving of guests created. Mr Johnson had seen the Duke of Adlington leave and was not surprised his youngest daughter looked devastated. He felt some remorse, but Mr Wadeson was watching him from the seat he had been led to, so Mr Johnson decided against trying to comfort his daughter. It would only increase her suffering at Mr Wadeson’s hands.

  “Mr Johnson, please join us for supper tonight,” Peter said amenably. “Mr Wadeson, the invitation does not extend to you.”

  Eleanor was surprised Peter did not drop down dead, the venom in the look that Mr Wadeson sent him was so strong. Mr Johnson nodded his head and hurried the footmen along. The faster they left the building, the less Mr Wadeson could get upset.

  “The Crown do a reasonable meal,” Peter continued referring to the hostelry that was located a mile away. “The beds are clean and no undesirables frequent there.”

  “Until now,” Eleanor muttered and received a smile of appreciation from Peter.

  “We shall see you at six, Mr Johnson,” he said and turned away, directing Eleanor into the drawing room. They left the gentlemen to remove themselves from the building without further delay.

  *

  Mr Johnson arrived promptly. He had been sent to check on Eleanor by Mr Wadeson and, in some respects, had wanted to see her himself. He was surprised when entering the dining room, he saw Rosalind seated at the head of the table.

  “Isn’t it a little early for you to be leaving your chamber after your confinement?” he asked his eldest daughter.

  “With the events of the past day, I thought it best to come and offer my support to my sisters,” Rosalind said coolly.

  Grace and Harry had not joined the family, so a subdued Frederick and Annabelle joined Eleanor, Rosalind, Peter and Mr Johnson. There was little talking, and less frivolity; none of the three sisters could forgive their father for lack of support, but they could not openly voice their opinion.

  Frederick, Peter and Mr Johnson shared a glass of port when the ladies withdrew. Conversation was stilted, but Mr Johnson decided he needed to get something off his chest.

  “What is the meaning of the Duke of Adlington staying at the Crown?” Mr Johnson asked Peter.

  “Is he?” Peter responded. “He’s a fool for staying close; he won’t get access to this house.”

  “I hope there is no funny business going on,” Mr Johnson said as surly as a spoiled child.

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20