Historical Romance – The Best Of The Year. Кэрол Мортимер

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СКАЧАТЬ the magistrates asked you for an account of that shameful affair?’

      ‘I have given a statement in writing. You may receive a rap over the knuckles for having taken part in a duel, but I think there will be no further charges, Major Ravenscar. There are plenty to speak against the late count and you have more friends than you may realise.’

      ‘I thank you, sir, and will take my leave of you.’

      Once he was out in the cool air of early morning, Hallam felt the pain in his arm. It had taken him four days to recover from the wound and the bout of fever that had kept him restless and tossing for the first two days. The wound itself was not serious and healing well, but the fever had pulled him down more than he liked and he was anxious.

      What had happened to Madeline during the last few days? Her husband could no longer bother her, but he could not rest easily in his mind. Lethbridge had been ready to give her to the marquis.

      But surely she was safe at home, preparing to wear black for her husband and instruct her advisers to arrange a fitting funeral? All she need to do now was to wait a short time and she would be free to live her life as she chose. Her husband must have left her some sort of jointure and so she would not be penniless. If she could be persuaded to marry Hallam, he would have no use for her husband’s money—but would she be satisfied to live quietly in the country as his wife? He had so little to offer her.

      He could not quite forget that she had chosen to marry the count after Hallam’s father had lost his fortune. Madeline had explained that her father would have been ruined had she refused—but now that she was free, might she prefer to find herself a wealthy husband, a man she could respect and love?

      There was only one way to find out. He would call on her at her London home and ask to see her. If she received him kindly, he would ask her to marry him. Out of respect for her late husband’s family, she could not marry again for at least six months, but if they had an understanding it would not matter. Hallam would spend the months between preparing his home and doing what he could to pay off his father’s debts.

      He saw a cab drawn up at the side of the road and spoke to the driver, giving him the address of the countess’s home.

      * * *

      ‘I am sorry, sir. We are a house in mourning,’ the butler said in answer to Hallam’s request. ‘My late master was foully murdered and my mistress is out of town.’

      ‘Out of town?’ Hallam frowned. ‘When did she leave? Do you know where she has gone?’

      ‘I fear I am unable to answer those questions, sir. My late master’s lawyer, Mr Symonds, is arranging the funeral since there is no one else. He is not here at the moment, but should call in later this afternoon. If you wish to know more, you might like to return and speak with him.’

      ‘Thank you... Answer me this, if you will—did the countess leave before or after her husband was killed? I am her friend and very anxious to find her.’

      The butler hesitated, then glanced over his shoulder. ‘I understand it was the previous evening, sir, but I can tell you no more. None of us know anything, but the count was angry and—’ He shook his head. ‘It is not my place to say, but things were not right here.’

      ‘I see.’ Hallam nodded and thanked him, giving him a guinea before taking his leave. He was thoughtful as he walked back to his lodgings. If Maddie had left the previous night and her husband was angry, had she run away—or, more worryingly, had she been abducted by Rochdale?

      His pace increased, for if she’d left on her own account, surely she would have contrived to send him word somehow? He was on fire with impatience, cursing the ill luck that had caused him to lie in a weak state for so long. Doctor Phelps was correct in saying that he needed to rest, for he was not yet himself and began to feel a little light-headed as he hurried home.

      * * *

      When he let himself into the house, Mrs James, his landlady, came hurrying out into the hall. She gave a little shriek as she saw him, her face stripped of colour.

      ‘Lawks a’ mercy, Major,’ she cried. ‘I’d given you up as dead, so I had. Not a word in four days and people asking after you—I was sure something wicked had happened.’

      ‘Someone was asking for me? Was it a lady?’

      ‘No, sir. A footman by the looks of him, handsome he was and had a nice smile. He brought a letter first and then came asking after you three days later—seemed anxious to find you.’

      ‘You have the letter?’

      ‘Why, yes, sir. I kept it in my parlour for you, just in case.’ She went back into her parlour and then returned with two small sealed notes. ‘This came that day as well, sir. I meant to give it to you, but you left and I couldn’t catch you.’

      Hallam took the letters and broke the seal of the first in haste. Madeline had asked him to meet her that afternoon. Opening the second letter, he scanned the few lines and frowned. Maddie had fled from her husband because he had threatened to kill Hallam and to force her to lie with the marquis.

      ‘You say this came three days ago?’

      ‘It would be four now, sir, for it was the day after you went missing.’

      Hallam cursed softly. Maddie would think he had deserted her!

      ‘Thank you. I am sorry to have worried you. I shall be back later.’

      ‘You’re not going out again, sir? It’s a raw day and you look as if you could do with a warming drink and a good meal inside you.’

      ‘I shall hold that thought, Mrs James,’ Hallam said and smiled at her. ‘A lady needs my help, but I shall return as soon as I can.’

      * * *

      Madeline stared out of the window at the countryside. It was a cold bleak day and there was a light coating of frost on the trees and bushes. The hot brick a thoughtful landlady had placed at her feet had gone cold now, but her hands were warm inside the fur-lined muff that Sally had brought for her. She was fortunate in having all the comforts that two small portmanteaux could provide. Thomas had not had time to bring more, but she must be grateful that she had so much. Had she tried to flee without their help she would have had nothing.

      She would not need expensive silk gowns in the country, but had she been able to bring more, she might of course have sold them. Try as she might, Madeline could not think how she was to live without money. Lethbridge had paid her bills, but never gave her more than a few guineas to play at loo. She supposed he had wanted to make her dependent on him, which she had been. Had she planned to leave him in advance, she might have kept a valuable necklace or bracelet, which might have paid her lodgings for months. Surely there must be some way she could earn her living without being a burden to her friends?

      Yet what did any of this matter if Hal were dead? Emotion caught at her throat, but she would not allow herself to weep. She must remain calm. Somehow she must make a home for herself and her friends, for they could not live on charity for ever. Hattie would take them in for a time, but after that?

      It was too difficult to think about. Madeline’s thoughts returned to Hallam. He’d been so passionate, so determined to save her from her cruel husband and she feared that he had suffered for her sake.

      ‘Oh, СКАЧАТЬ