Snowbound With the Notorious Rake
Autore
Sarah Mallory
Letto da
18,9K
Capitoli
11
Chapter One
The drawing room of Knightscote Lodge was considered by many to be the ideal room for a cold winter’s night, the beamed ceiling and polished oak panelling being declared perfect by the romantically minded. Certainly with a cheerful blaze in the huge fireplace and the golden glow of the candles, the room looked warm and welcoming. However, its present occupant was sunk low in his armchair, his booted feet resting on the hearth as he stared moodily into the fire, a half-filled wineglass held casually between the long, lean fingers of one hand.
It had started to snow earlier in the day and now it was swirling against the tiny diamond panes of the windows, driven by the howling wind. Sir Lawrence Daunton raised his head as a particularly fierce gust rattled the casements. It occurred to him that if the blizzard continued no one would be able to get along the lane for days.
‘Good,’ he muttered the word aloud as he drained his glass.
It was Christmas Eve. When he had ridden down to his hunting lodge on the edge of Exmoor a few days earlier he’d had two objects in mind. The first was to avoid all company during the festive season; the other was to get very, very drunk. With the second of these worthy aims in mind, he reached for the bottle standing on the table at his elbow. It was empty and he was making his way to the servants’ quarters in search of another when he heard a loud hammering at the door. Lawrence stopped.
‘Who the hell can that be?’
With great deliberation he put down the empty bottle and picked up a lantern. His footsteps rang on the flagstones as he walked to the door. It took him a moment to wrestle with the locks and the catch, but at last he flung the door open.
A blast of icy air took his breath away.
As did the vision standing in the shelter of the porch.
Before him was a young woman enveloped in a powder-blue-velvet travelling cloak. The hood was edged in white fur that framed a pale, delicate face with a straight nose, generous mouth and a pair of blue-grey eyes fringed with dark lashes.
All this Lawrence took in immediately, but even as he blinked to see if the vision would disappear, she stepped quickly into the hall, saying, ‘Do not keep me standing in the snow! Pray tell your mistress that Mrs Westerhill would like to see her. Immediately.’ This last word she added a little sharply, for Lawrence was still staring at her. She continued, ‘And my groom is outside with the horses. Perhaps before you shut the door you could direct him to the stables.’
Lawrence blinked. A gust of wind sent another flurry of snow into the hall where it fell gently onto the dark flags and dissolved.
‘Yes. Excuse me.’ Quickly he stepped outside, pulling the door closed behind him, and ran across to where the hapless groom was holding the reins of two horses. A few words of instruction and Lawrence hurried back into the house. The hall was empty, but a trail of wet footprints led off towards the drawing room, where he found the lady warming her hands by the fire. She had discarded her cloak to reveal a high-necked gown of deep-blue wool, unrelieved by any ornament save a small edging of white lace at her throat and wrists. The severity of the gown was alleviated by her abundant honey-brown hair, which fell in soft ringlets to her shoulders.
‘Well? Have you told Mrs Anstey that I am here?’
‘Er…no.’
She straightened, fixing him with a frowning look.
‘This is Knightshill Hall?’
‘Alas, no,’ he replied. ‘This is Knightscote Lodge. Knightshill is on the Stoke Pero road.’
‘Oh, heavens. Then this is not Mrs Anstey’s house.’
‘No. You must have missed the turning.’
Lawrence watched as her small white teeth momentarily gripped a bottom lip that was as full and red as a ripe cherry. Her eyes travelled about the room and for the first time she seemed aware of its untidy state.
‘Is there a mistress in this house?’
Lawrence’s eyes danced. ‘Not at the moment.’
‘Then perhaps you would inform your master…’ She trailed off as she looked up and read the merriment in his face. ‘Oh, heavens.’ Her hands came up to her mouth, and her eyes with those ridiculously long lashes stared at him in horror. ‘Oh, pray do not tell me you are master here.’
‘Very well,’ he said promptly, ‘I won’t.’
Her eyes twinkled, but she said severely, ‘Pray do not be absurd. If you are the master, then tell me your name.’
‘You do not know?’
She shook her head.
‘I must appear dreadfully ignorant, sir, but I do not venture abroad often; we keep very much to ourselves.’
‘I am Daunton,’ he announced, watching her closely. ‘Lawrence Daunton.’
Immediately the humour left her face and she re treated a step.
‘Rake Daunton?’
He grinned, saying with some satisfaction, ‘So you do know me.’
‘I know of your reputation,’ she retorted. ‘When I said we keep to ourselves I did not mean we do not know what is going on in the world. I have an aunt in town who writes regularly and the society pages of the London newspapers provide a rich source of entertainment. Your name is never out of them!’
‘All gossip and innuendo, I assure you.’
‘Oh, heavens!’ She put her hands to her cheeks. ‘This is so dreadful!’
He folded his arms. ‘More dreadful than it was five minutes ago? I thought we were getting along famously.’
Her eyes flashed.
‘Not only am I stranded miles from my home, but my companion is one of the country’s most notorious rakes.’
Lawrence spread his hands.
‘I pray you will acquit me of planning this!’ Some spirit of mischief made him add, ‘I have never yet had to employ such base tactics with any woman.’
She did not appear to believe him and looked about her anxiously.
‘Are there any other females here?’
‘Not one.’
‘Oh, good gracious!’ She snatched up her gloves. ‘Then I must go immediately.’
‘Go where?’
‘To Knightshill Hall. Coming here was a dreadful mistake. The snow was covering the sign at the gateway and only the first few letters were visible. I was sure this must be it.’ She straightened her shoulders, put up her head and announced formally, ‘I will take my leave now; I beg your pardon for disturbing you.’
She walked to the door, but Lawrence made no effort to open it for her.
‘Oh, but I cannot let you go.’ Her eyes widened with sudden alarm and he added, ‘You cannot cut across the moor in this snow, and it is too far to travel by road; it is a good mile back to the crossroads and another few miles from there to Knightshill Hall.’
‘Oh. Well, there must be another family close by who will give me shelter.’
She fixed her hopeful gaze upon him and for a moment Lawrence was almost sorry to disappoint her. Almost.
‘I’m afraid not. This is a hunting lodge, you see. Designed to be away from all other habitation. We are in the middle of nowhere.’
She took the news very well, her dismay only showing in her eyes, which darkened a shade to slate grey.
‘Well,’ she said at length, ‘then we must try to get home. If you will show me the way to the stables, I will talk to my groom.’
Lawrence shook his head.
‘He has probably just finished settling the horses.’
‘Then he must unsettle them,’ she retorted. ‘We must be on our way again, and as quickly as possible.’
Lawrence walked over to the window.
‘Of course, but I do not think that will be tonight.’ He held out his hand, inviting her to join him. ‘Come here and look.’
She approached, but was careful not to stand too close to him as she peered out. It was still snowing heavily, the wind driving the flakes almost horizontally across the window.
‘But we might get through it, at least back to Exford…’
‘Out of the question.’ He drew the curtains together, belatedly shutting out the night. ‘There is no house or shelter within miles of here, and in this blizzard it would be madness to attempt it.’
‘Then what am I going to do?’
For the first time Lawrence heard a note of uncertainty creep into her voice. He put his hand under her elbow and guided her back to the fire, gently pushing her down onto a chair.
‘I am going to fetch a bottle and you are going to drink a glass of wine with me.’
As soon as she was alone, Rose jumped to her feet again. She walked back to the window and peeped out through the curtains. Perhaps she had been mistaken; perhaps it was not as bad as she had first thought.
If anything it was worse. The snow continued to fall in thick white flakes, tossed about by the wind that gusted and howled around the old house. Restlessly she picked up her cloak and spread it over a chair to dry, then she returned to her seat by the fire to consider her predicament. She was alone in this house with a libertine. No, not quite alone—Evans, her groom, was with her, although she had no idea exactly where he might be. Perhaps Sir Lawrence had overpowered him. Poor Evans might even now be languishing in a cellar! Quickly Rose dismissed such thoughts, scolding herself for being fanciful. So far Sir Lawrence had behaved with perfect decorum. True, he was dressed very informally, but then he had not been expecting visitors. A fierce gust of wind rattled the window and whined down the chimney, reminding her of the tempest raging outside. She had not taken much notice of the house as they rode up, too thankful to see the welcome light shining from the window. It was similar to other old manor houses in the area, a low, rambling building with a gabled roof. Inside, it was furnished for comfort rather than fashion: heavy dark furniture and panelling was alleviated by richly coloured cushions and wall hangings as well as quantities of gleaming brass and copper. She looked about her. The room was clean enough but it had an air of untidiness, cushions disturbed, empty glasses on the mantelpiece, as if there was no one to clear up after the master.
The master.
Rose found her thoughts turning to that disturbing individual. Really, it was no wonder that she had thought him a servant, appearing in topboots and breeches, with his waistcoat undone and his shirt open at the neck to display a very improper view of his chest with its smattering of crisp, black hair. And that dark shadow on his jaw, too, signalling the fact he had not shaved today. When he’d opened the door to her she’d had the impression of a giant, his black hair brushing the lintel and his wide shoulders filling the doorway. Standing together in the narrow hallway, she had found him quite overpowering. That was why she had made her way to this room, preferring to have a little more space between them. Of course, now she knew just who he was, she realised she was right to feel nervous.
She jumped as the door opened and her host came in carrying a bottle. He went to a sideboard and proceeded to fill two glasses. His hand was steady enough, but it occurred to her that he might be drunk—that would account for the glitter she had noticed in his blue eyes. It was more of a glint, really, a twinkle, inviting her to share his amusement. She found it both alarming and attractive, which was extremely worrying. She would need to keep her wits about her and resolved to take no more than one glass of wine with him.
‘Where is my groom?’ she asked as he handed her the wine.
‘In the kitchen. I told him to make himself comfortable there. And if he keeps the fire going it is one less task for me.’
‘You have no servants here?’
‘No. I sent them away to enjoy Christmas with their families.’
‘Why—?’
He shook his head, lowering himself into a chair on the opposite side of the hearth.
‘I have answered enough questions. I think you should tell me what you are doing abroad on such a wild night.’
Was there anything she could say that would not add to her vulnerability? Playing for time, Rose took a sip of the wine. It was rich and fruity and surprisingly comforting.
‘I have been taking flowers to my husband,’ she said at last. ‘I am a widow, you see. My husband died on this day four years ago, and since that time I have visited Exford twice a year: on his birthday, and every Christmas Eve, to place flowers on his grave.’
‘But that is not where you live now?’
‘No. I live at Mersecombe.’
‘Mersecombe! It must be all of ten miles from there to Exford.’
‘No more than eight, surely. And it was not snowing when I left home.’
‘And of course one expects perfectly sunny weather in December.’
‘I have made the journey quite safely for the past three years!’
‘Only a ninnyhammer would set out on such a journey at this time of the year.’
‘Then I am a ninnyhammer,’ she said, sitting up very straight.
For a moment he stared at her and she tensed herself, expecting another sharp response. Instead he said quietly, ‘I beg your pardon. To make the journey to Exford in the middle of winter—I admire your devotion.’
Almost without realising it Rose fluttered her hand, dismissing his comment. It wasn’t devotion that had drawn her away from Mersecombe that morning. A touch of guilt, perhaps, that her husband was so rarely in her thoughts these days, combined with a restlessness that was increasingly hard to bear. Riding to Exford with just her groom for company gave her a temporary freedom from the ties of duty and responsibility. Not that she resented those ties, they were forged out of love, but when she had left home that morning she had been aware of a longing to be free to do just as she wished, even for a short while.
Seeing the gesture, Lawrence smiled.
‘At least accept that you have great determination.’
‘Thank you, but it does not help my predicament. There is no getting away from the fact that I am in the most horrendous fix, being here, alone, with you.’
‘Many women would envy you.’
‘And I would gladly exchange places with them!’
Her candour made him laugh.
‘Point taken, madam—by the bye, what is your name?’
She shook her head at him.
‘I do not think I should tell you. It is not fitting that we should know one another.’
‘Dash it all, I cannot call you “ma’am” for ever! Besides, I have only to ask your groom.’
Rose imagined an undignified race to the kitchen, where she would order Evans not to disclose her name. It would be too foolish.
‘I…am Rose Westerhill.’
‘Very well, Mrs Westerhill, let me assure you that I have no designs upon your virtue. I came here to get away from the world.’
‘Why?’
‘That, madam, is no concern of yours.’
He sounded irritated, which suited Rose very well—surely there was less chance of him becoming amorous if he disliked her? She replied with great cordiality, ‘No, thankfully it is not. Well, there is no hope of going anywhere until the morning.’ She slanted a challenging look at him. ‘Is there a spare bedroom, or shall I be obliged to sit up here all night?’
‘Oh, there are plenty of bedchambers, but none is prepared.’
‘If that is all, I am sure I can manage to put sheets on my bed.’
‘Yes, but it’s where to find the sheets.’
A smile tugged at her mouth.
‘If you will show me your housekeeper’s quarters, I will endeavour to locate them.’
‘Very well.’ He emptied his glass and jumped up. ‘Shall we go and look now?’
She put a hand to her rumbling stomach.
‘I would rather find something to eat first.’
He nodded.
‘To the kitchen, then!’
Rose followed her host through the dark, chilly passages to the kitchen, where they found Evans sitting in a chair beside the hob-grate. He took off his cap and rose as they came in.
‘So you have banked up the fire here—good man.’ Lawrence nodded. ‘You found all you needed in the stables?’
‘Aye, sir. I shall check the ’orses again before bedtime, but they are snug as bugs out there.’
‘You will need somewhere to sleep,’ said Rose, casting an enquiring glance at Sir Lawrence.
‘There’s plenty of space above the stables, but the scullery boy has a bed in the small room off the kitchen—behind the fireplace. You might be more comfortable there.’ Lawrence paused as another icy blast spattered against the window. ‘You would certainly be warmer.’
‘Aye, I spotted the bed.’ Evans nodded. ‘I’ll settle down there, if you’ve no objection.’
‘Just make sure you take your boots off before you climb between the sheets,’ Rose warned him and earned a pained look.
‘I’s lived in a gennleman’s ’ouse for long enough to know that,’ the groom retorted.
Lawrence strode across the room and lifted the lid of a small black cooking pot balanced on the hob. An appetising aroma filled the room.
‘I guessed this was for your supper, sir,’ remarked Evans, ‘so I put it in the flames to heat up.’
‘Yes, my housekeeper, Mrs Brendon, said she had left something for me. Hmm. Not much for three of us.’ He went into the larder and began to investigate the pots and tubs kept there. ‘There’s a little bread, and a ham—plenty of rice and flour—and a basket of vegetables. Oh, and lemons.’
Rose had found an apron and tied it over her gown. She picked up a wooden spoon and gave the soup a stir.
‘Is there a hen house?’
‘Why, yes,’ said Lawrence, backing out of the larder. ‘I believe there is, on the far side of the yard.’
‘Then there may be an egg or two, even at this time of the year. Perhaps you would go and fetch them.’
Sir Lawrence’s black brows went up.
‘Me?’
Rose gave him an innocent smile. ‘I would ask Evans, or course, but I need him to fetch in more peat for the kitchen fire.’ She held out a small basket. ‘You may need this.’
Without a word Sir Lawrence took the basket and slouched out of the room.
‘I could’ve done that and fetched in the peat, Miss Rose,’ opined Evans, when the door had closed again.
‘I am sure you could,’ murmured Rose, stirring the soup. ‘But it will do Sir Lawrence no harm to cool his—er—head out of doors for a while.’
Lawrence pulled his hat a little lower over his face and tucked his chin into his muffler as he bent into the wind that howled across the yard, throwing icy needles of snow against his cheeks. Damnation, he had been looking forward to a quiet evening, drinking copious amounts of wine and perhaps helping himself to a little soup and bread before he went to bed. Now all that had changed and he was obliged to find enough food for his visitors.
He wished it had been a man at the door; then they might have enjoyed a drink together, perhaps played at cards and made do with the ham and cheese from the larder. Or even a lightskirt—that would have been entertaining! Instead he was saddled with a respectable widow who looked set to take over his kitchen. One, moreover, who expected him to work for his supper! A laugh shook him. This was not how he had envisaged spending his Christmas!
Half an hour later Sir Lawrence was back in the kitchen, shrugging himself out of his greatcoat.
Rose counted the eggs in the basket.
‘Half a dozen, how clever of you to find so many, and in the dark, too!’
‘Thank you, ma’am.’
She glanced up at him, her eyes alight with laughter.
‘Oh dear, do I sound as if I am talking to a child? Forgive me, but you remind me very much of my own little boy.’
Lawrence almost winced. A masterly set-down, designed to put him firmly in his place! He looked around the kitchen.
‘Where is Evans?’
‘I sent him to the drawing room with more logs. I thought we should eat there; I had a quick peep in your dining room, but it is so cold it would take for ever to warm up.’
‘You are willing to risk dining alone with me?’
‘It cannot be helped. Poor Evans would not eat a thing if we imposed ourselves upon him here in the kitchen. I shall have to trust you to behave yourself.’
Again that minatory tone.
‘I believe I can remember how to act as a gentleman.’
‘I do hope so. It will be much more comfortable for us all if you do.’ She treated him to a smile. ‘Perhaps you will be good enough to set the table? It will take me but a moment to cook the eggs.’
‘I take it you know how to cook?’ he challenged her.
‘But of course. My mother thought it very important that I should learn something of the art. I am going to make a pancake of the eggs and add a little ham. We will follow it with the soup.’
‘Excellent.’ Lawrence realised how hungry he was. ‘I will fetch out a bottle of good wine to enjoy with our feast!’
Sir Lawrence said nothing untoward during dinner, but Rose could not forget his fearsome reputation. Since her husband’s death she had not dined alone with any man and sitting at the small dining table with Sir Lawrence seemed almost indecently intimate. She was disturbingly aware of her companion. With his tall, athletic form and darkly handsome features she could understand why he was so successful with women; even his informal dress and the dark shadow of a beard on his chin did not detract from his charm—if anything, it was enhanced by the element of danger. She sipped at her wine, determined to have no more than one glass: Sir Lawrence might be a model of propriety now, but there were many long hours to go before morning.
As the evening wore on and his behaviour towards her remained perfectly correct, Rose began to relax and their conversation became more natural. He asked her about her life and she found herself telling him about the home she shared at Mersecombe with her mother and her young son.
‘Why did you not stay in Exford, if your husband is buried there?’
She made no comment as he filled her glass again. Should she tell him the truth—that she had wanted to escape from the pitying looks and whispers? That she had found the memories just too painful?
‘I was obliged to sell up to pay his debts.’ That was also the truth. Suddenly it was a relief to talk to someone. ‘Harry was a dreamer. When we moved to Exford he thought the farm would provide a living, but he would not listen to advice.’ She sighed. ‘He sacked his manager, who was a local man, and brought in another who knew nothing of the land. By the time Harry died there was nothing left but debts and the deeds to Hades Cove, a worthless mine. I sold the house and the farm, but by the time I had paid off the creditors there was precious little left. I took Samuel back to Mersecombe, where my mother has a neat little house. We manage very well and I supplement our income by running the church school.’
‘Ah.’ His eyes glinted as he smiled at her. ‘You are a schoolteacher. That explains your managing ways.’
His smile robbed the words of offence and she found herself smiling back at him, fascinated by the way the candlelight gleamed in his blue eyes. It really was very attractive. A tiny wisp of desire stirred deep inside. She looked away, conscious of the need to maintain her defences.
‘You should be thankful for my managing ways,’ she replied crisply. ‘Heaven knows what would have happened if I had not taken charge of the kitchen this evening.’
‘I would not have been sent off like a lowly scullery boy to collect eggs!’
‘Oh dear, did you really object to that?’ She turned back to him, a laugh gurgling in her throat. ‘But you did it so well!’
‘Do not try to turn me up sweet with your flattery, madam.’
The glinting smile in his eyes reassured her.
‘Well, if you had not been such a ninnyhammer as to send all your staff away…’
He laughed at that, a real, full laugh, and Rose thought how much younger he looked. How carefree. Again she felt that little tingle of desire and quickly repressed it. The man was a rake; she must keep her distance.
Their meal over, Evans came in to collect the dishes and carry them away to the kitchen. Rose would have followed, but he shook his head.
‘You prepared the meal, madam, ’tis only right that you should rest awhile.’
She sat back, glancing across the table at Sir Lawrence, who said, ‘I am in your debt, Mrs Westerhill, I do not know when I have dined so well. Since the rest of the house is so chill, I cannot suggest that you withdraw, so instead I will invite you to join me in a glass of brandy.’
It was tempting—the glowing candlelight, the wine, the roaring fire—but Rose dared not relax her guard.
‘That is very kind, sir, but there is more work to do. We have yet to prepare a room for me.’ She spoke as if it was the most natural thing in the world for her to be sleeping in his house. Not by a blush or the flicker of an eyelid would she betray her nervousness. ‘Perhaps we could seek out the linen cupboard?’
She tensed, half-expecting a knowing look or risqué comment, but Sir Lawrence merely nodded and pushed back his chair.
‘Come along, then. I am not familiar with Mrs Brendon’s part of the house, but I am sure we shall find something.’
The house was cold, dark and full of echoes. Rose kept close to Sir Lawrence, who was carrying the lamp. Too close. When he stopped suddenly she cannoned into him. His hand shot out to steady her, but his warm touch through the thin sleeve of her gown made her tremble even more.
‘I—I beg your pardon.’ Her voice was little more than a croak. ‘I stumbled. The uneven floor…’
‘Ah.’ His hand slid down her arm and he caught her fingers. ‘Then let me help you.’
She did not pull away. It was only sensible to accept his support. And she felt so much safer with her hand tucked into his large, comforting grasp.
They walked on in the little pool of lamplight until they reached a corridor with a series of cupboards built along one side. Lawrence began pulling open the doors. One was crammed with pewter dishes and an old dinner service, another held neatly folded suits of servants’ livery. A heady scent of summer herbs wafted over them as he opened a third door.
‘This is it,’ murmured Rose.
Sir Lawrence stood to one side, holding up the lamp to display orderly stacks of white linen.
‘Very well, madam. Help yourself.’
Rose stepped up. Soon she had a pile of sheets, pillowcases and bolster covers in her arms.
‘Let me carry those for you.’
Rose shook her head at him.
‘No, no, they are not heavy. If you will just show me the way to the bedroom?’
He placed his hand under her elbow and guided her back along the corridors.
‘I think you would be most comfortable in the Blue Room,’ he told her. ‘It is one of the smaller chambers, but that will make it easier to keep warm.’ He threw open a door. ‘Here we are.’
Rose did not move from the doorway as he went around the room lighting the candles in the wall sconces. A large tester bed took up most of the floor, the mattress shrouded in a plain white cover.
‘It has no hangings, I’m afraid,’ remarked Lawrence, twitching off the dust sheet. ‘But there are plenty of blankets and an elegant cover, embroidered by some previous lady of the house, no doubt. And the mattress is very comfortable.’
Rose found herself wondering how he knew that—what sort of guests had he entertained here before?
Best not to think of that. She put down the pile of linen.
‘Thank you,’ she said briskly. ‘Now, if you will excuse me, I will get to work.’
‘Can you manage on your own?’
‘Perfectly well, thank you. I am not such a lady that I cannot make my own bed.’
‘Very well. Then I will light the fire for you.’
‘Oh, there is no need. Evans can—’
‘Evans will have plenty to do checking on the horses before he retires.’ He added, ‘I am not such a gentleman that I cannot light a fire.’
‘No. Of course.’ She smiled at him. ‘Very well, then, thank you.’
In a remarkably short time the bed was made and a fire was burning steadily in the hearth. Sir Lawrence stood to admire his handiwork for a few moments.
‘It is still early,’ he said, turning to her. ‘Will you join me in the drawing room for a little while and give the fire a chance to warm the room?’ When she hesitated he shook his head at her. ‘I have nothing more sinister in mind than conversation, madam.’
‘I thought you had sent your servants away because you wanted to be alone.’
‘I did, but your presence in my house precludes me from carrying out my original plan, which was to drown my sorrows in a bottle.’
He spoke lightly, but Rose heard the underlying bitterness in his voice. She caught the fleeting shadow of pain in his eyes.
‘Perhaps you would like me to prepare some coffee?’
‘No, we will save that for the morning.’ He was smiling again. ‘I shall make us some hot punch!’
