Anne Ashley, page 11
* * *
At the end of the week, when Briony had more or less grown accustomed to the routine of eating meals alone and coming and going as she pleased, unbeknown to her, her errant husband was entering a fine town house situated in the more fashionable part of the capital. It was almost midnight, so he was reasonably confident that, should he be spotted entering the dwelling by way of the side entrance, it was highly unlikely he would be recognised, especially at this time of year, when most of the ton had deserted the capital for the fresh country air.
A moment or two only after he had made his presence known the door opened, signifying his arrival had been expected. The high-ranking manservant then relieved him of his outer garments before showing him into a well-stocked library where a tall, distinguished-looking gentleman sat awaiting him.
He rose at once to his feet, hand outstretched in order to clasp Luke’s warmly. ‘How goes it with you, m’boy?’ He took a moment to study the younger man. ‘You look well enough, I must say. Marriage appears to agree with you, though it was one development no one could ever possibly have foreseen.’ He shook his head. ‘I just wish there had been some other way to overcome that problem, that’s all. But I’m sure when this business is over, whether we succeed or not, I shall be able to pull a few strings in order to hurry through the divorce.’
‘Don’t concern yourself on my account,’ Luke assured him. ‘As you say, marriage was not part of the plan, but now it’s happened I’m prepared to make the best of it.’
After the servant had furnished Luke with a glass of wine, he received a nod of dismissal from his employer. Luke waited only for the major-domo to leave the room before revealing, ‘I’ve had contact already with my particular quarry. My wife and I held a dinner party last week. I considered it would be the most natural thing in the world for us to include several of our more affluent neighbours amongst our guests. I gained the distinct impression during the evening that my sudden desire to take up residency in the county had not resulted in any undue speculation… I’m positive he at least is not in any way suspicious. He, of course, has his own reasons for being in Dorset at the present time. He certainly didn’t give the impression that he was in any hurry to leave, either.’
‘It’s so confoundedly frustrating that, even at this late stage, we cannot be one-hundred-percent certain that he is our man,’ his companion, appearing unusually sombre, reminded Luke. ‘It could still turn out to be one of possibly four or even five others, all of whom, like your own trio of suspects, remain closely monitored.’
‘I do not foresee too many problems in keeping a close eye on my quarry.’
The older man studied his guest above the rim of his glass for a moment before reducing the contents. ‘So, what is it that does concern you, m’boy?’
Luke smile wryly, for he was well aware that appearances were very deceptive, especially where the gentleman seated on the opposite side of the hearth was concerned, and that behind the benign smile and dreamy grey-eyed gaze was concealed a razor-sharp intellect.
‘Nothing ever escapes you, does it, sir?’
‘I wouldn’t go so far as to say that, m’boy…but not too much, I hope.’ Again he paused to sample his wine. ‘Evidently you’re encountering some problems.’
‘A few,’ Luke admitted. ‘The Riding officer in the area is a stiff-rumped young devil, keen to get on. Met many of his sort in the army. But I don’t underestimate him. He’s determined to stamp out the trade…just as we’re keen for it to continue, at least for the time being.’
‘Do you want me to pull a few strings and have him removed to another area?’
‘No, no, don’t do that,’ Luke countered. ‘If I’m watching Henshaw, you can bet your life others are, too. If he’s suddenly removed, it would look mighty suspicious. No, I don’t want that. I’ve already aroused one person’s suspicions, I don’t want to arouse anyone else’s.’
‘Might I be permitted to know who?’
‘My wife,’ he revealed, staring thoughtfully down into the contents of his glass. ‘I rather think I overplayed my hand there. It’s always a mistake to underestimate the opposition, as you know.’
‘Is she likely to prove a problem?’
‘Very likely,’ he revealed, smiling in spite of the fact that he was deeply concerned. ‘I’m convinced she already suspects me of something. And in a way I’ve only myself to blame. I should never have insisted that she keep so strictly to her part of the bargain. She took me at my word. A room next to hers is hardly ideal.’ Again he smiled wryly. ‘And for more reasons than one!’
Grey eyes once again studied him intently. ‘Do I infer correctly from what you’ve just told me that your marriage—er—hasn’t been…?’
‘No, sir, it hasn’t…nor is it ever likely to be,’ Luke admitted softly. ‘Sadly it will not be a divorce I seek…but an annulment.’
The older man pursed his lips together in a silent whistle. ‘I see. So that was the price you paid in order to alleviate any suspicions: a marriage in name only. A heavy price, indeed!’
‘Yes, sir,’ Luke agreed. ‘And it most certainly isn’t what I want…not now. My wife is a most desirable young woman. I found her so from the moment we were reunited. I supposed, wrongly as things have turned out, that once the knot was tied and she had come to know me a little better, she might reconsider, and be willing to enjoy a union in the full sense. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of betraying my inclinations far too soon.’
His sigh held a clear note of bitter regret. ‘I promised her a marriage in name only and, as yet, she has given me no reason to suppose she wants it any other way. Quite the contrary, in fact!’ he revealed, recalling yet again with painful clarity that rejection on their wedding night. ‘But I have no intention of breaking my word…unless she gives me reason to suppose she wants it otherwise.’
‘Oh, dear, I am so sorry.’ There was genuine sympathy in the older man’s voice. ‘I know I’m against such things as a rule, and I must trust to your judgement, but might it not help matters if you told her the truth? Could you not confide in her fully?’
Luke shook his head. ‘Whether she can be trusted or not is not the issue, sir, not for me. I’ll not have her involved in this. Briony’s no sweet simpleton. It might almost be better if she were. She doesn’t lack spirit, either.’ Again he shook his head solemnly. ‘It isn’t that I don’t trust her… It’s that I daren’t do so, for fear of what she might do if she knew too much about me and why it was so important that we marry. It’s best if we leave things as they are, with her thinking the worst of me and not trusting me. It’ll be safer for her in the long run… I’ll just need to be more careful in the future.’
Chapter Eight
‘Excuse me, ma’am,’ the footman’s apologetic voice floated across the kitchen to where Briony stood, busily arranging bowls of fresh flowers, ‘only there’s a gentleman called, wishful to see the master. When I informed him Mr Kingsley’s away at present, he asked if you might spare him a few minutes of your time.’
‘Did he state his business?’
‘No, ma’am. But he’s a soldier, a Colonel Hugo Prentiss. I think he could be a friend of Mr Kingsley’s from his army days, though I’ve never seen him before myself.’
‘Very well, James, show him into the front parlour and tell him I’ll be with him presently.’
After removing her apron, Briony went through to the hall, pausing only briefly before the large mirror to check on her overall appearance before entering the small reception room. She then stopped dead in her tracks.
She had not considered what type of person would be awaiting her, but she had never expected to find a giant of a man, with an alarming crop of reddish-brown hair, matching side whiskers and a great barrel of a chest. Not by any standard could the front parlour ever have been described as roomy. All at once it seemed considerably smaller with the unexpected visitor taking up so much of the space.
Yet, when he took her tentatively offered, outstretched hand in his, it was with surprising gentleness and she decided in an instant that she liked this big stranger, with his merry twinkling blue eyes and friendly smile.
She looked about in some alarm, wondering which of the chairs could most withstand his weight, before gesturing to the solid-looking winged chair in the corner of the room and requesting him to be seated. ‘As I believe my servant told you, sir, my husband is away at present, visiting the capital, although I expect his return any day now,’ she said, pouring him a glass of Madeira.
In truth, of course, she couldn’t honestly have said when Luke might put in an appearance, but she could hardly own as much, otherwise the Colonel might consider it most strange. As it was, he might think it odd that a newly married man should wish to be parted so soon from his bride. ‘I assume you are home on leave, sir,’ she added, handing him one of the glasses and seating herself opposite.
‘Yes, ma’am. Took a ball in the shoulder during a slight skirmish some weeks ago. I was owed some leave, so decided to take it then. I’m due back in Plymouth at the end of the week, and shall be returning to the Peninsula. So I decided to call on my old friend Kingsley on the way, as I failed to catch up with him in London.’ He frowned. ‘Dashed odd! I was there myself a few days ago. Needed to visit the War Office. Was told Luke had already returned to the country. That’s why I expected to find him here.’
‘I can only repeat that I look to see him any day, Colonel Prentiss. I can only assume, like yourself, he must have stopped off somewhere en route to visit a friend.’ She hardly knew how to explain her ignorance concerning her husband’s whereabouts and decided it might be wise to stick to the truth as far as possible. ‘Given that Lady Ashworth, my godmother, died quite recently, we felt our wedding should be a quiet affair. I can only suppose Luke is catching up with some of his friends, those he felt unable to invite to the wedding itself.’
‘Undoubtedly that’s it, ma’am,’ he agreed jovially, after a prolonged stare that she found slightly unnerving. ‘At this time of year the capital’s thin of company. Most everyone has returned to the country. But if you think there’s a likelihood he’ll be back in a day or so, I’ll remain in the area. I’m sure you can direct me to a suitable inn.’
‘I wouldn’t dream of doing so, Colonel Prentiss. No, you must stay here,’ she invited, after only a moment’s consideration. Not only did she feel sure Luke would have asked his friend to stay, but she also hoped it might vanquish any suspicions the Colonel might be harbouring regarding his friend’s hasty marriage.
‘That’s dashed hospitable of you, ma’am!’ He rose from the chair with surprising grace for such a large gentleman. ‘I’ll away and arrange for my bags to be brought in and pay off the post-boys,’ he announced decisively, thereby offering her no opportunity to change her mind and withdraw the invitation.
* * *
Almost a week later, when they returned to the drawing room after having enjoyed yet another fine dinner quite alone together, Briony was exceedingly glad she had, on the spur of the moment, asked the very agreeable Colonel Prentiss to stay at the Manor.
Quite naturally, they had spent a great deal of time in each other’s company. Fortunately Luke’s favourite hack was up to the Colonel’s weight and they had ridden every day, thereby enabling Briony to keep her guest amused by acquainting him with some of the beautiful Dorsetshire countryside. She had even taken him over to the lodge, which had now been fully restored by local workmen, and wasn’t in the least surprised to discover that he was well acquainted with Luke’s trusted servant, Ben Carey.
All in all Briony believed she had been the perfect hostess, keeping her guest amused during Luke’s absence as best she could and ensuring he had everything he required to make his short stay at the Manor most agreeable, whilst by the hour growing increasingly fond of him.
Never in her entire life could she recall developing such a friendly rapport with anyone on so short an acquaintance. She had grown to adore everything about the big man—his manners, his humour and most especially his gentlemanly behaviour. Had she been blessed to have a brother, she would have wanted him to be just like Hugo Prentiss—kind, dependable, the sort of person one would instinctively turn to in times of trouble. She had thus far resisted the temptation to confide her own woes, but hadn’t hesitated to cease any formality between them.
In truth, she had become as much at ease with the Colonel as she had with Luke during those two weeks prior to his departure to the capital; perhaps even more so because with the Colonel she didn’t need to maintain a pretence; she could be entirely herself, with the result that a quite touching friendship had surprisingly developed between them.
‘Good gracious, it’s so very humid this evening!’ Briony remarked, throwing open wide the French windows in the hope of tempting the slight breeze to infiltrate the room. ‘Shall we see if we cannot find a shady spot in the garden somewhere, Hugo?’
Considering his comfort, Briony didn’t hesitate to invite him to remove his jacket and leave it behind whilst they explored the garden for that much-hoped-for shady niche. He needed no second prompting. As he peeled off his jacket and tugged at the folds of his cravat, his relief was palpable.
‘Ah, Briony girl, this is the kind of life a man dreams of having,’ he remarked, tucking her arm through his in the most companionable way as they crossed the terrace and wandered down the stone steps. He shook his head, appearing genuinely perplexed. ‘Can’t understand what ails our Luke. If I had a wife like you waiting at home, I wouldn’t go dashing off to the capital at a moment’s notice.’
Briony glanced up at him, not for the first time wondering why a man with such an abundance of natural charm had never married. True, one could hardly describe him as handsome, or even attractive, come to that, but his features were regular enough and his merry blue eyes twinkled disarmingly when he was amused. He was undeniably big, but one would scarcely describe him as fat, and although he boasted a large barrel of a chest, he carried his clothes very well for such a tall man, and was never less than impeccably attired at all times.
As they entered that most fragrantly scented area of garden, curiosity at last got the better of her and she asked without the least hesitation, ‘Why have you never married, Hugo? Does the thought of giving up your bachelor state terrify you so much?’
He chuckled. ‘Ah, lass, now I put it to you—what little lady in her right mind would take a great ox of a fellow like me to husband?’
‘I should,’ she answered so rapidly that he appeared quite taken aback. ‘You are without doubt the most delightful gentleman of my acquaintance.’
His expression changed to mock alarm. ‘Now, it isn’t that I’m not flattered, because I am, Briony girl. But don’t you go round saying things like that, especially not in front of that husband of yours. Like as not the fellow will call me out. Crack shot is Kingsley!’
‘Much you’d care if he did,’ she returned, having by this time discovered enough about Luke’s long-standing friendship with the man beside her to be sure they held each other in mutually high regard. ‘You’d merely refuse to accept the challenge, not that I suppose for a moment Luke would issue one.’ She was all at once serious. ‘You’ve both been through a great deal together, haven’t you?’
‘We have, yes,’ he admitted after a moment only. ‘At least enough for me to know there’s no one I’d prefer at my side in a tight spot.’ He stared ahead down the path, seeing something in his mind’s eye that instantly wiped every vestige of a smile from his lips. ‘Your husband’s immensely courageous, Briony. The men in his regiment worshipped him, would have followed him anywhere. Which tells you much about his character. Wellesley thought highly of him, too. Luke earned his majority through bravery, unlike me,’ he went on, a wicked twinkle returning. ‘I’m damnably lucky to have had such rich and influential relatives.’
Briony knew he was teasing her and made to give him a playful slap in response, only to stumble slightly when her right foot decided to find perhaps the only uneven surface along the whole length of path and she ended wrapped in a pair of strong, muscular arms.
‘Pray enlighten me, madam wife, as to why it is that whenever I discover you in the garden with a gentleman guest you invariably end up in his arms?’
Their reactions could not have been more dissimilar. Whereas Briony gave a guilty start before disengaging herself from the gentle hold, the Colonel uttered a whoop of delighted surprise before grasping his errant host warmly by the shoulders.
‘By heaven, Kingsley! If you were still in the army, Wellesley would have had you strung up as a deserter! Can’t understand for the life of me how you can bear to tear yourself away from this place! Was beginning to think I’d be obliged to leave on the morrow without having caught sight of you!’
‘Had I known you were here, Hugo, you great ox, I’d have delayed my return!’
Briony wasn’t fooled by the discourteous response and seemingly neither was Colonel Prentiss. The banter continued in much the same vein between the two men for some little time, leaving Briony in no doubt whatsoever as to the depths of their friendship.
Although she willingly accompanied them both back inside the house, she remained with them only until such time as she felt she could reasonably leave without giving the impression that what she suddenly craved most of all was solitude.
Unfortunately, she had reckoned without the surprisingly acute perceptiveness of Colonel Prentiss. He had dealt with far too many raw recruits not to recognise when people were attempting to conceal their emotions. He had not been fooled for a moment by the appearance of surprised delight at her husband’s unexpected return, once recovery from shock had been accomplished. Nor had he been blind to that touch of reserve that had surprisingly crept into her demeanour, something that had been singularly lacking in her character before Luke’s appearance had taken her completely unawares.
