The Lady And The Military Man_Conquer My Heart Page 8

  "I would!"

  Jane shook her head, and forced a laugh to interrupt their argument. "I have no wish to marry."

  Lady Linton stared at her, curiosity in her gaze. "You've never been in love?"

  "No, your ladyship," she smiled. Lady Linton believed in love… She couldn't credit it. The lady was married to the Earl of Linton, one of the most powerful men in the country.

  "I see — not even once?"

  "I'm not sure I grasp your meaning." Jane frowned. What was Lady Linton getting at?

  "Do you know how I knew that I would marry Linton? I found that I missed him when I wasn't with him. I was unhappy — miserable. That's never happened to you?"

  "No, ma'am."

  "Then that's what I wish for you, Jane, above all things. I wish you to fall in love…" Lady Linton cleared her throat. "Some women fall in love before they marry — and if they're lucky, very lucky, they marry the man they love."

  Jane couldn't doubt her sincerity. Lady Linton believed what she was saying.

  "Some women realize that they love their husband after marriage. So, Lady Jane, do rethink your position. A woman alone… consider."

  Lady Linton was very pretty; curvaceous, and small. Her indigo blue eyes darkened when she looked at Jane, who felt as if she had been rebuked. Then the countess smiled at her, and hurried to her servants who were setting several long tables with china and crystal.

  Catherine, who'd been listening, chuckled. "Ignore her, my dear." She stepped closer, so that she couldn't be overheard. "Melly's always been one for marriage. She spent years insisting that she was betrothed to Talverne, if you can imagine it. A more unlikely pair you never saw. Talverne will always be an overgrown boy, completely unsuitable for Melly… As you can see, she likes ordering everyone about."

  "You don't believe in love?"

  "I don't know. It happened to Melly, and to Elaine… And to Anne of course. But not to me, and not to you." Catherine cleared her throat. "For which blessing we should be thankful. D'you remember Lady Vickers? She bolted with a footman two years ago… Love indeed."

  Was the countess right? Jane wondered. She knew what happened to women who didn't marry. They became spinster aunts, sad women who took charge of their nephews and nieces. They never had a home of their own, nor children of their own. She winced.

  "Catherine! There you are," Henry said, marching up to them and looking both annoyed and distracted. "I've been looking for Babette, but I can't find her anywhere. She's been avoiding me ever since I told her about her father."

  Catherine frowned. "Is Grove here?"

  "I suppose he must be, but I haven't seen him."

  Catherine turned to Jane. "Will you find Babette? I don't trust my husband at all."

  "You think that he might abduct Babette?"

  "I'll just feel happier if we keep our eyes on the girl. I don't want her to go about alone, in this crowd — too many people from London. I should have organized a footman for her… Cormac, will you take charge of Henry and Lady Jane, while they look for Miss Severin?"

  Cormac nodded. "Of course, ma'am — but here she is."

  Babette smiled when she reached them. However, Jane noticed that she didn't meet anyone's gaze.

  "Ma'am," Babette curtsied to Catherine.

  "My dear, I was about to set everyone hunting you. You're to stay with Henry and Cormac, or Lady Jane. I don't want you going about alone in this crush. Please give me your word that you won't wander off again."

  "Of course, ma'am."

  Inwardly Jane sighed. This was Eva Bywater all over again. Why was she saddled with recalcitrant misses to bring out?

  Then she told herself that she was being unjust. Babette had quarreled with Henry, so she felt a little constrained in Henry's company. Moreover, she'd only recently become acquainted with the Eardleys. Of course she was shy and awkward.

  Lady Linton's butler announced that the picnic was ready, and Melly encouraged them to take plates and serve themselves. "Everything is completely informal," she smiled.

  Jane prepared plates for Henry and Babette, and sat down on one of the long benches beside the two girls. Henry began to chatter immediately, but Jane noticed that Babette remained quiet.

  Suddenly Lord Keaton Beaumont appeared, and bowed to them. He held out his arm to Jane. "Lady Jane, will you watch the races with me?"

  It was time for the first race.

  Although Jane had no desire to leave the two girls, Catherine encouraged her to go with his lordship. "They haven't finished their dessert, and I'm here with them. Cormac's here as well, so go and enjoy yourself my dear."

  Lord Keaton Beaumont knew everyone so within a few minutes Jane found herself part of a large circle of his friends. The women looked at her curiously, but accepted her at once. They seemed to take for granted that she and his lordship were together. Was he truly looking for a wife?

  Then Jane saw Kelly and the lovely Lady Gamlinghay, who was hanging on his arm, looking up at him and smiling. He laughed at something she said, then looked up and his gaze met Jane's.

  He nodded to her cheerfully, and she returned the acknowledgement. Then she turned her back on them and paid closer attention to what Lord Keaton Beaumont was saying.

  He'd insisted that she call him Tommy, because he said that he felt that he knew her already.

  No one in their group had bet on the winner of the first race, a rank outsider. Amid groans, they all made their way back to the countess's picnic. Footman offered glasses of champagne, and Tommy handed a glass to Jane.

  "May I call on you in London?" He asked suddenly, his blue eyes sparkling and warm.

  "I'd like that," she said. She realized that she would. Perhaps Lady Linton was right. Where would she be ten years from now? Would she still be Lady Delmere's estate secretary?

  Jane stayed with the group of Tommy's friends, and they watched the races together. He'd told her that he was a part-owner of a horse in the sixth race — The Pirate's race.

  "May I take you back to Mrs. Grove and Lady Linton?" He asked. "I'd like to speak to the trainer."

  She readily agreed, because she'd started to feel tense and anxious. She wished Tommy success, but she hoped Alex's horse would win.

  He took Jane back to Catherine, telling her that he would look for her after the race.

  "What are you doing with that stodgy fool?"

  Kelly. He had suddenly appeared beside her, and was looking at Tommy walking away, his eyes narrowed.

  "Why do you call him stodgy?"

  "You're surely not thinking of taking him on, with all his debts, as well as his children, are you?"

  "Major, please don't denigrate my friends to me," Jane said, her tone prim. She was surprised at her own words. Was Tommy her friend?

  "Friend, eh? Well, I don't like that man."

  "That's rather obvious, Major Baker-Cornhill. Why?"

  Kelly was still staring at the crowd into which Tommy had disappeared. "Why what?"

  "Why don't you like —" Jane closed her lips abruptly. She wouldn't argue with the major about Lord Keaton Beaumont.

  "Come and watch the race with me."

  Chapter 7

  Kelly didn't wait for Jane's response. He took her arm, tucked it under his elbow, then maneuvered them expertly through the crowd, until they reached the rail.

  Then he set her in front of himself so that she would have a clear view of the race. Jane felt him close behind her. His proximity disoriented her. With every breath, she inhaled his Floris scent, and another scent that she knew was him.

  Silly, she told herself. Forget the major, and pay attention to the race. Where was The Pirate? Please let The Pirate win, for Alex, and for Kennystowe.

  "You're nervous," Kelly said. He squeezed her shoulder. "I can feel you shaking."

  She wasn't about to tell him that she was more nervous of him standing behind her than of The Pirate losing the race.

  Forcing her awareness of the major from her mind, she focused
on the horses, which were gathering behind the starting line. A small black horse reared when his trainer tried to leg his jockey into the saddle, and danced away. The groom at the black's head hung on grimly, while three other men hurried over.

  Jockeys who'd already mounted either circled their mounts, waiting for the Head Steward's command to line up for the start, or sat their mounts, involved in conversations with a trainer or owner. Several horses were still making their way onto the track.

  The Pirate's jockey had mounted. The tall chestnut stood out from all the other horses. He had superb conformation, and his coat was shinier, so he caught the eye immediately. He tossed his head proudly, and swished his tail. When another horse bumped him, he lashed out with a hind leg. Lord Alex, who was speaking to The Pirate's jockey, stepped up to the horse's neck and patted him to calm him.

  Jane felt the excitement of the crowd around her. The Newmarket Cup was the biggest race of the day. Then her gaze sharpened on The Pirate when his jockey moved The Pirate up to the other horses in the starting line. "There's something wrong," Jane said. Her eyes widened. "That's not right." She'd just caught a glimpse of The Pirate's side for a moment, but she was sure of what she'd seen.

  "What is it?"

  "Look at The Pirate — he's at the starting line… You can't see his side at the moment, but his coat is darker. He's sweating." She kept her voice low. People pressed in on them from both sides. She frowned.

  "What did you say? Couldn't catch it," Kelly ask, leaning over her to listen.

  She turned to look up at him. His face was inches from hers; his eyes a clear grey, edged with blue.

  "I —" She didn't want to speak more loudly. He bent his head down to her. "I said," she said into his ear, "That there's something wrong with the horse. He's sweating, and he shouldn't be."

  Kelly lifted his head, so that he could meet her gaze again. "You're sure."

  "Yes."

  She felt him straighten. His hands were warm on her shoulders, and he didn't say anything for a long moment.

  They watched the horses lining up for the start of the race. They were looking at the horses head on, but Jane was certain that she was right. Kelly bent down to her ear again, and muttered, "I can't see his side — too many horses in the way."

  Then they were off.

  It happened right in front of her, but Jane couldn't believe her eyes.

  The start of the race was chaos as the horses sorted themselves out. Several horses sprang away into into the lead immediately. Jane tried to find The Pirate, but she couldn't see him in the melee.

  Then suddenly, she saw him. Other horses raced out of the bunch, and she saw that The Pirate had stumbled to his knees. Several yards away, his jockey rose from the grass. He must have come off when The Pirate stumbled. "Oh no…"

  Kelly's hands tightened on her shoulders.

  The Pirate tried to get up. He struggled, then slumped again. His jockey ran to him.

  The rest of the field had gone. The race was over for The Pirate.

  "I have to get to Alex." Her mind still on the horse, Jane tried to push through the crowd, but it was impossible.

  Kelly took her arm. "Let me," he said. He grasped her hand tightly, then began to shove through the crowd, knocking men aside easily, and pulling her with him.

  Tugged along behind Kelly, Jane heard people's anger.

  "That's the favorite — do you credit it!"

  "He pulled the horse…"

  "As blatant a case of trickery as I've ever seen."

  "I hope there's an enquiry – I had a lot of money on that horse. Outrageous."

  "If I get my hands on that jockey –"

  To her horror, Jane realized that because The Pirate was the favorite, people thought that the race was fixed. They believed that the jockey had deliberately pulled up the horse and caused the accident.

  "Alex," she whispered. She had to get to her brother.

  Kelly put his arm around her. "The horse is up — the stewards have him. Come, we'll go to the Stewards' room, that's where Lord Alex will be."

  Yes, the stewards would want to speak with Alex.

  "Move! Stand aside… Out of the way." Kelly's deep voice cleared a path for them even before his arm did. He felt no compunction in pushing men aside, Jane realized. He had an air of command that worked even on civilians.

  Suddenly, Jane formed a mental image of the major in the heat of battle, riding his charger toward the enemy with his sword in his hand. As quickly as it appeared, the image vanished. She shook her head in confusion.

  "There they are," Kelly said.

  Jane saw her brother speaking with two men — stewards. Where was The Pirate?

  When Kelly released her hand Jane walked up to her brother and grabbed his sleeve. All three men turned. The two strangers bowed, then moved aside to give her a moment with her brother.

  She looked up at Alex, who was very pale. "The Pirate was sweating before the start of the race," she told him.

  Alex stared down at her. "I know. The horse was nobbled. I told his grooms to stay with him… I don't know what happened, but someone got at him. I'll get to the bottom of it I promise you that."

  "Is the horse all right? The jockey?"

  "The jockey is well. He said that the horse suddenly stumbled – then crumpled. He felt the horse go down and was just lucky enough to get out of the way before the horse fell on top of him." He ran both hands through his hair. "It's a mess. The stewards are looking for the person responsible — and that's me. I own the horse… Most of him, anyway."

  "We'll discover who did this," Jane said.

  Alex nodded, then looked up at Kelly. "You'll look after my sister?"

  "Of course."

  "Jane, I have to go. Stay with Kelly — he'll take you back to the countess and Mrs. Grove. Get away from the racetrack. The Pirate was the favorite so there could be some ugliness."

  He nodded to Kelly, shook his hand, then turned and went back to the two stewards.

  Jane stared at her brother. She wanted to do something.

  "Lady Jane, Lord Alex is correct," Kelly said. "You heard the crowd — they want to blame someone." Kelly took her hand, and tucked it into his elbow. "Come, I'll return you to the countess and Catherine — then I'll escort you back to Linton Lodge."

  Although she wanted to stay with her brother, Jane knew that her presence would only distract him. She felt tears start to rise, then blinked them away angrily. Someone had nobbled the horse. Who would do such a thing?

  When they reached her, Catherine looked distracted. "My dear, how horrid. How is the horse? And the jockey?"

  Jane assured her that both were well.

  "I've sent a footman to look for Henry and Babette. I think we need to go."

  "I'll escort you back to Linton Lodge." Kelly's voice didn't brook any arguments. He bowed to Catherine, and then to Jane. "I'll find Miss Eardley and Miss Severin."

  Catherine took Jane's arm. "Come and sit on this bench. Wait a moment, you need smelling salts — no bother the salts, I'll get you some brandy."

  Someone had nobbled the horse. Jane knew that Lord Alex would have had the horse guarded carefully. He knew that The Pirate was the favorite, so there was a chance of skulduggery. When the favorite won, bookmakers could be ruined.

  "Ma'am," a deep voice said.

  "Doyle, thank you," Catherine said to her footman. "Our party will return to Linton Lodge — will you get a carriage?"

  "Immediately, ma'am."

  "Drink," Catherine handed Jane a glass of brandy. Jane sipped it obediently.

  "Lady Jane — Catherine?" Jane looked up to see Henry, who looked distraught.

  "Where's Babette?" Catherine asked. "She wasn't with you?"

  "No — I'm sorry, I was watching the race. I haven't seen her in an hour. I sent Cormac to find her after the race… Why?"

  Catherine shook her head. "It's all right, Henry. Kelly and the footmen are looking for her. Stay here — we need to return to L
inton Lodge."

  Jane stood up. She took a deep breath. She had to stop worrying about Alex and the horse, and help to find Babette.

  The countess sent a footman back to Linton Lodge to discover whether Babette had returned there.

  Major Baker-Cornhill insisted that the ladies return to Linton Lodge. "My lady," he bowed to Lady Linton. "We've checked for Miss Severin everywhere at the course. We've sent men to Newmarket. There's nothing more to be done here."

  He looked at Jane. She saw the concern in his face. "Stay away from Newmarket until the crowds have gone," he said to her. "Doyle has the carriages, and he's armed. Use a carriage — don’t return on horseback, it’s too dangerous.”

  He hustled their party into several carriages.

  "He's right," Henry said. "We can't stay here… There's a lot of ill feeling about The Pirate."

  Jane didn't want to leave without speaking to Alex. Kelly assured her that he would let Alex know that she was safe.

  When they reached the Lodge, Lady Linton ushered her sisters and Jane into the large drawing room. "She's not here — she's gone."

  "What do you mean?" Catherine asked her sister.

  "The butler tells me that Miss Severin returned to the Lodge with Major Grove a couple of hours ago. She packed a small bag, while he waited in the carriage… They've gone."

  "Find them," Catherine said to Doyle, who was standing with Cormac beside the doors.

  He nodded, and left the room.

  The decision was quickly made that Catherine, Henry and Jane would return to London, since that was most likely where Major Grove had gone with Babette.

  They'd been in London just a day, when Doyle found Babette. She was staying with Leonoria, Grove's spinster aunt. The lady lived quietly at Tyre Hill, a small estate a few miles from London.

  A day later, a letter arrived from Major Grove, who was at the Albany.

  "Listen to this," Catherine said, holding the letter as she paced. Catherine always paced when something upset her.

  Catherine, Henry, and Jane were in the library. Jane was working on several letters which Mr. Kettering had required her to write.