Anne Ashley, page 19
‘But you’re not going to require it, are you?’
‘Then there’s Will Norman to consider,’ he continued, just as though she had not spoken. ‘I insisted that, for the time being, only I should know of his involvement in order to protect him. He’s of vital importance now. His cover must not be broken.’
‘That’s all very well, Luke,’ Briony countered, having become firmly convinced now that his intention was to involve himself further. ‘But you’re nowhere near strong enough yet to take an active part in any further developments. And don’t you dare to interrupt me again!’ she snapped, when he attempted to do just that. ‘Otherwise I’ll box your ears soundly!’
His response was to throw back his head and roar with laughter. Which, as he well knew it would, only served to annoy her still further. ‘If you imagine that, after spending many, many hours nursing you back to health, I intend just to sit back and calmly watch you put your life back in jeopardy once more, when there are others well able to take over from you now, then you can think again, Luke Kingsley!’
‘And how, my girl, do you propose to prevent me?’
Laughing again at this outrageous piece of deliberate provocation on his part, he bridged the distance between them in three giant strides, effortlessly pulling her to her feet before capturing her trim waist within the circle of his good left arm. Her reaction was instinctive and acted like a sharp slap in the face to a virile male. Absolute rejection to his advances might have been a new and vastly demoralising experience for him, but he had always played by the rules and accepted the rebuff with as much grace as he could muster.
Letting his arm drop to his side, he went over to the door. ‘Time, I think, to place myself in the hands of my excellent valet once again. I shall see you at luncheon, no doubt.’
Briony could only watch him leave in an agony of confusion and bitter regret. Although he had done his utmost to conceal the fact, and had even managed a semblance of a smile before closing the door behind him, she was under no illusions whatsoever that she had severely dented his pride. Yet it had never been her intention to do so.
Cursing herself for every kind of a fool imaginable, she took up his former stance before the window. When he had her pressed against him, every inch of her frame had suddenly grown taut, but not through any kind of revulsion to his touch. Dear God, how could it have been when she had grown to love him so! But he wasn’t to know that of course, she reminded herself. He wasn’t to know that when she had stiffened, visibly so, that it was simply the reaction of a naïve young woman who wasn’t sure what was expected of her, that it was merely the result of total inexperience when dealing with the more familiar attentions from members of the opposite sex. And the result, too, of her guarding herself against possible rejection on his part, she was obliged to acknowledge.
Oh, he liked her well enough; she knew that without a doubt. He was exceedingly grateful for what she had done for him, too. But there was a great chasm between mingled liking and gratitude and love. All the same, she couldn’t help feeling that yet again she had let slip a wonderful opportunity for a more meaningful relationship to develop between them. Would a proud man like Luke Kingsley risk rejection again by offering a further chance? Somehow, she didn’t imagine so. She very much feared that she would need to make the first move the next time if she stood any chance of saving their union and making it a marriage in every sense.
Chapter Thirteen
Two days later, while Briony was still attempting to pick up the threads of a normal routine after those many traumatic days spent nursing Luke, her peaceful morning’s sewing was interrupted by Janet announcing the arrival of none other than Lieutenant Henshaw, accompanied by a Colonel Maitland this time. Although Luke had ridden out earlier, Briony was aware that he had had every intention of returning to the Manor in good time for luncheon. Consequently, she felt obliged to entertain the visitors until his return, especially as she felt certain Luke would appreciate the opportunity to consult with the officers.
It wasn’t easy, but somehow she managed to suppress a twitching smile at the dagger-look, only partially disguised, the young Lieutenant shot in her direction on entering the room. She could appreciate his chagrin and would undoubtedly have felt much the same had someone deliberately gone out of his way to mislead her, as she had done by so successfully concealing Luke’s whereabouts.
Setting aside her tambour frame, she rose to her feet. ‘Do sit down, gentlemen,’ she invited politely. ‘May I offer some refreshment…Madeira, perhaps?’
Once again the Lieutenant seemed as if he was about to refuse both offers. The Colonel, however, undoubtedly a man of much wider experience, was quick to answer.
‘A glass of port would be most agreeable, ma’am,’ he assured her.
In view of this swift acceptance, his companion evidently felt it would appear churlish to refuse. Even so, this didn’t prevent him from favouring her with a further disgruntled look as she handed him a filled glass.
‘Your housekeeper gave us to understand that your husband is not at home at present, but is expected back at any time.’
It might have been pure imagination, but Briony suspected there was a hint of scepticism lurking there in the Lieutenant’s remark. And who could blame him for remaining aggrieved over the previous deception? Certainly she could not. Sadly, though, sheer devilment got the better of her and she couldn’t resist issuing the same invitation as she had at their last encounter.
‘You are quite at liberty to search the house, Lieutenant, if you do not believe my housekeeper. But I assure you he is not here. I understood him to say that he had an appointment with Mr Pettigrew in the local town, though why he should wish to consult with a lawyer at this time, I have no notion.’
‘Naturally not, ma’am,’ Colonel Maitland put in hurriedly, clearly having been made to feel uncomfortable by his companion’s thinly veiled hostility. ‘But what you could perhaps confirm is your husband’s state of health. I understand his injury was quite serious.’
‘Yes, Colonel, it was,’ she readily confirmed, all at once feeling chilled by the all-too-recent memory. ‘There was a time when I genuinely feared for his life.’ The heartrending recollection was all at once vanquished by a surge of annoyance. ‘However, like most single-minded gentlemen, he made an exceedingly tiresome patient, and one who, moreover, stubbornly refuses to admit that he is not yet sufficiently recovered to go jaunting about the county on horseback.’
‘None the less, he can readily confirm that, save for a slight stiffness in the shoulder, he is none the worse for having made the attempt,’ Luke put in, surprising everyone present by his sudden appearance in the room.
Briony was then the recipient of an outrageously provocative smile before Luke turned to his two gentlemen visitors. ‘Forgive me for not being here to welcome you. Truth to tell, I didn’t know just when to expect you, or even if I would receive a visit. And I think for the benefit of all concerned these meetings between us should be kept to a minimum. It would not do to arouse suspicion if we wish to achieve an all-round satisfactory result.
‘There’s absolutely no need for you to leave, my darling,’ Luke hurriedly added, as Briony rose to her feet. He wasn’t surprised by the startled glance she shot him before obediently re-seating herself, though whether the astonishment stemmed from his wishing her to remain or the unexpected endearment was anybody’s guess. Nor was he unduly concerned by his visitors’ disapproving expressions.
‘There have been only a handful of people throughout my life, gentlemen, whom I have trusted implicitly…my wife numbers among them,’ he assured them both. ‘You may speak freely in front of her, which I trust you will do in future if ever you should need to contact me urgently and discover me away from home.’
As far as Luke was concerned that particular subject was now closed. He poured himself a drink and seated himself beside Briony on the sofa, as though to confirm that bond of implicit trust between them.
‘Now, Colonel, I understand you’ve been informed as to my mission here in these parts, and are here to lend me every available assistance?’
‘Yes, sir. But as yet I do not know the name of the traitor.’
‘And it is better so,’ Luke told him bluntly. ‘The fewer people aware of his identity, the less chance there is of him becoming suspicious. Believe me, he is no fool.’
‘But surely if we are to be of any real assistance…’ Lieutenant Henshaw’s protestation faded at the steely look of determination that flickered across Luke’s face.
‘The greatest assistance you can lend me, Lieutenant, is to carry on as before. You’ve been keeping a vigilant eye on the comings and goings in this area. But be under no illusion about it—an equally watchful eye has been kept on you and will continue to be kept on you. Behave any differently and the traitor will soon learn about it. But what I can tell you is this, if you’ve not already been told—on the night of the last run, I was endeavouring to get close enough to the smugglers to be able to recognise some of them. Unfortunately, I got a little too close and was mistaken for a gang member. With painful results, I might add,’ he continued wryly. ‘Even so, all is not lost. Since that incident I’ve succeeded in making contact with one member of the gang, who is willing to offer his services.’
Luke smiled crookedly at the young Lieutenant’s eager expression. ‘No, Henshaw, I’m not prepared to divulge his name, not even to you. I pledged my word that I would do everything within my power to ensure his safety and the safety of two of his colleagues, both of whom, like himself, are very unwilling members of the gang. Their continued involvement has been forced upon all three by threats of reprisals against loved ones if they so much as attempt to break free.’
Again Luke could not suppress a wry smile as he stared down into the contents of his glass. ‘I did tell you that not all those involved in smuggling are hardened cutthroats, Henshaw. Through sheer desperation some resort to lawlessness in order to feed their families. Such a one, I believe, is known to you—one who has turned informer. For his sake and the sake of his young family, I would strongly advise you to avoid any further contact with him.’
‘But—’
‘Yes, I know what you are about to say, Lieutenant,’ Luke cut in. ‘He has been well paid for his services. But he is of little use to his family…dead. You may be sure the gang as a whole is suspicious and that each member will be subject to close scrutiny for some time to come. It might be fatal to use the same informant a second time. They might put it down to ill luck that the militia turned up last time, but should it occur again…’
‘You are proposing, are you not, that future runs should be allowed to take place unchallenged,’ Colonel Maitland suggested, having listened carefully to everything said.
‘Yes, Colonel, that is precisely what I’m advising,’ Luke confirmed. ‘I can appreciate that it goes against everything you’ve been trained and ordered to do,’ he went on, staring at the Lieutenant in particular, as Luke felt that, driven by ambition, he could quite easily jeopardise many months of painstaking planning by rash actions. ‘We are attempting to bring to justice someone who is of far more danger to this country than a gang of smugglers. Until I hear from London that the trap has been baited, I propose we carry on as normal. You, Colonel, will continue to go about your duties and ride out on your daily patrols. It will appear strange if you do not.’
Again he stared directly at the younger man. ‘Whereas you, Lieutenant, must be seen to patrol the coast road, just as you’ve been doing for several months. My contact didn’t lead me to believe another cargo of contraband is due to be landed in the area in the near future. But as he openly admitted himself, he doesn’t receive much warning—two, three days at most. Therefore, we must be prepared to act swiftly. If all goes well, gentlemen, every single gang member will stand trial and shall receive his just deserts, save those three I have pledged my word to assist.’ Luke stared down into the contents of his glass, his expression all at once very sombre. ‘And with luck I, too, shall be able to complete my task here.’
Whether or not the visitors were prepared to adhere strictly to Luke’s recommendations, Briony had no way of knowing. She, however, was not at all happy with what he had proposed, a fact that she made perfectly clear the instant the two officers had taken their leave.
‘So, despite everything I’ve said, you’re still determined to take an active part in proceedings.’
The half-smile that instantly curled his lips wasn’t destined to placate her, as he well knew. ‘I’ve come this far, Briony. I cannot now leave it to others. I want to see this thing through.’ He was all at once serious. ‘After all, it was my only reason for coming here in the first place. And should something happen to me, let me assure you, you will not be in any way adversely affected.’
Of course I shall, you idiot! I love you, she longed to retort, but the words once again seemed to stick in her throat. Now was not the appropriate time to declare herself. His mind clearly was on bringing Miles Petersham to justice. He had admitted as much. Besides which, wouldn’t she be placing him in the most invidious position if he couldn’t return her regard? After all, love was not the reason for their union—he’d confessed as much.
Frustration at her inability to declare herself gave rise to a sudden surge of annoyance, more with herself than with him, and she shot to her feet, very nearly knocking the tambour frame over in the process.
‘Where are you off to?’ he asked in surprise.
The simple enquiry only served to fuel her ill humour. ‘Out!’ she snapped, making a beeline for the door. ‘And do not delay luncheon on my account. I don’t know when I’ll be back!’
* * *
By the time Briony had ridden into the local town and had left her mare in the capable hands of the ostler at the White Hart, her temper had cooled, even if her heart remained heavy with the love she simply could not declare, at least not yet.
Without conscious thought, she walked down the town’s main street to the premises of someone who had her own problems at the moment with a male relative, and who would undoubtedly lend a sympathetic ear to Briony’s immediate concerns.
‘I just cannot understand why he continues to involve himself, when others are quite capable now of taking over from him.’ Briony noted her friend’s puzzled expression. ‘Oh, I know I’m not making sense, Mary. And I cannot reveal more. I’m sworn to secrecy. And it’s all so confoundedly frustrating!’
‘It’s only natural you’re concerned,’ Mary responded gently. ‘You’re in love with your husband and are fearful for his safety, just as I’m fearful for Will’s.’ She spread her hands in a helpless gesture. ‘But what can we do? Men will always be men, determined to have their way.’
Mary’s observations on the opposite sex only served to annoy Briony still further. ‘Yes, stubborn fools! I knew one day I would regret agreeing to marry that man, so I’ve only myself to blame!’
The admission was out before she realised what she was revealing. One glance at Mary’s shocked expression served to convince Briony that she would need to think carefully before she spoke from now on. She knew it would be a mistake to attempt to rectify the blunder, so she merely added, with a dismissive shrug, ‘Oh, don’t mind me, Mary. I’m just cross-grained today. What I need to cheer me up is a new bonnet.’ She paused to glance about at the vast amount of unused space in the storeroom; as she did so, an idea all at once occurred to her. ‘I don’t know why you don’t branch out into millinery. There isn’t a decent hat shop for miles around.’
‘Don’t imagine I haven’t considered it,’ Mary admitted. ‘I’ve been making a good profit these past couple of years, but even so, I’d need to find someone who would invest in the venture and there aren’t too many people willing to take the risk.’
‘You’re looking at one who would,’ Briony astonished her by admitting. ‘I’m not in a position to offer financial backing just yet. But in a few weeks from now, I…’ Her words faded and she shuddered involuntarily, as the icy-cold realisation that her marriage to Luke was more than half over filtered through her mind. ‘…I shall be in a position to help. We’ll discuss the matter further, after you’ve given it more thought.’
She rose to her feet, all at once accepting it had been a grave error of judgement even to attempt to find some respite from her woes in a friend’s company. She had to face the fact that there would be no comfort for her anywhere, nor with anyone, until she had conquered her demons of fear and uncertainty, and confided in Luke her complete change of heart.
Yet, as she left the shop the idea of helping Mary further didn’t completely fade from her thoughts. In fact, the uncertainty of her own future prompted her to pay a visit to her man of business, who was in a position to tell her exactly how much money she was destined to inherit once the six months was over. No matter what happened, she had no intention now of holding Luke to his word. If the marriage should end—and there was no earthly good her not facing that very real possibility—then she would insist that Luke had his fair share of his aunt’s money.
‘I’m afraid Mr Pettigrew is engaged with a client at present, ma’am,’ the young clerk informed her as she stepped inside the premises. ‘But if you’d care to take a seat, I’m sure he’ll be free to attend you quite soon.’
As she was in no great hurry to return home, Briony decided she would wait. Seating herself in one of the chairs provided for clients, she didn’t attempt to converse further with the young clerk, who returned to his desk to continue making a copy in the finest copperplate handwriting of some legal document or other.
Scarcely had he recommenced than he was interrupted by the sound of a tinkling bell in Mr Pettigrew’s office, the signal that his presence was required. After watching the door closing quietly behind him, ensuring the complete privacy of the client, Briony rose to her feet and for a few moments absently watched a carrier’s cart making slow progress along the street, then turned to consider her surroundings.
