Historical Romance – The Best Of The Year. Кэрол Мортимер

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СКАЧАТЬ I thought he was dead; then he seemed to rally but, as you know, he fainted again. Doctor Broome said it was from loss of blood. His wound was not deep for the ball merely scraped his shoulder, but we could not stop the bleeding for an age.’

      ‘I know,’ Madeline said and handed her a clean kerchief. ‘But Dr Broome removed the ball and said he would recover. It is merely the fever we have to watch for. I could watch over him while you have a rest—if you wished?’

      ‘You are kind to offer, my lady,’ Sally said, ‘but I shall not leave him until I know he is safe.’

      ‘Of course. I understand. You love him so very much, do you not?’

      ‘Very much,’ Sally said and wiped away a tear. ‘He has asked me to marry him so many times and I’ve begged him to wait—but if he lives I shall marry him as soon as it may be arranged.’

      ‘I am glad for you,’ Madeline said. ‘Do not lose hope, my very good friend. I believe Thomas will recover. He is a strong man and he has you. Why should he give in when he has so much to live for?’

      ‘Thank you.’ Sally smiled at her, and then, at a slight sound from the bed, she turned back to her patient. ‘Thomas...are you awake?’

      ‘Sally?’

      Madeline heard his voice and touched Sally’s hand. ‘Go to him. I shall see you later. Ask for anything you need.’

      She went out of the bedroom and walked along the landing to the room she’d asked her maids to prepare for her. Her old room had too many unhappy memories and she preferred what had been the best guest chamber. Once she knew that this house belonged to her she would sell it and find a new house.

      The marquis had claimed that Lethbridge owed him a huge sum of money, but he was dead. If he had an heir, that heir would no doubt claim what was owed in time. Madeline would pay what was asked if she could...but these things were for the future. All she wanted now was to see Hal, to speak to him...to explain what had driven her to run away from him.

      She was not sure that he would forgive her, but perhaps he might understand why she was afraid that she could never be the wife he deserved.

      She had hoped he might come to her that night, but it was now early in the morning and she was sure he would not visit at this hour for he would imagine her to have sought her bed long ago. She must rest and then tomorrow...she would see what the morning would bring.

      As she entered her room one of the maids was waiting to attend her.

      ‘Good evening, Maria. I am sorry to have kept you up so late.’

      ‘I know you were concerned for Thomas and Sally,’ the girl said. ‘How is he, my lady?’

      ‘A little better I think,’ Madeline said and sighed. ‘I see you have put out my nightgown. Thank you, I can mange if you unfasten the hooks at the back of my gown.’

      She stood as the girl attended her, then told her to go to bed. Sitting in the light of the candles, she brushed her hair and gazed into the mirror.

      What would she do with her life now that she was free? If Hal no longer cared for her... She had run away from him and he must think her a tiresome creature. She’d seen how angry he was when he came upon them on the Heath. At first he’d looked at her as if he hated her, though he had softened to her at the last—but had she killed his love for her?

      Madeline shook her head. It was no use in chastising herself. She was tired. She would go to bed and think about this in the morning.

      * * *

      A maid drawing back the curtains and letting the light flood into the room startled Madeline. She blinked for she had been sleeping and it was unlike Sally to draw her curtains before she rang. Pushing herself up against the pillows, she looked at the girl.

      ‘Why have you woken me like this?’

      ‘Mr Henry told me to wake you, my lady. He says it is important—there’s a person asking to see you.’

      ‘A person—what kind of person?’

      ‘Mr Henry thought him impertinent, my lady, for he demanded to see you immediately—and at this hour.’

      Madeline glanced at the clock on her dressing chest and saw it was almost ten. She frowned for she was unused to being demanded at such an early hour, especially by persons unknown to her.

      ‘I shall dress and come down,’ Madeline said. ‘Leave my breakfast for I shall eat in the breakfast parlour when my business is finished and then return to my room to change.’

      With the help of the maid, she slipped on a simple morning gown, brushed her hair and curled it up under a fetching lace cap. Leaving the girl to set out the gown she wished to wear later, she went downstairs to the front parlour where the visitor was waiting. A man dressed in a shabby black coat and grey breeches was standing by the empty fireplace. He looked round as she entered the room.

      ‘Lady Lethbridge,’ he said. ‘John Hedges at your service, clerk to Sir Anthony Ironbridge, Magistrate and Justice of the Peace. I must apologise for disturbing you at this early hour, but the gentlemen were most insistent that you would wish it once you knew the purpose of my visit.’

      ‘Of whom are you speaking?’

      He referred to a small notebook. ‘I am given their names as Major Ravenscar and Captain Mardle—do you know these gentlemen, my lady—and were you there on the Heath when a shooting took place last evening?’

      ‘Yes, of course,’ she said. ‘Has it not been explained to you what happened? An attempt to rob and kidnap me was made. The rogue had his pistol trained on us, as did his accomplice. I was ordered to ride the horse that my footman had been riding; he lay bleeding on the ground, shot by the highwayman. Captain Mardle was ordered to get down to assist me, but it was only when Major Ravenscar arrived on the scene unexpectedly that he had the chance to shoot at the highwayman. He saved my life and I am very grateful.’

      ‘Yet the man killed was the Marquis of Rochdale. Your account matches that of the gentlemen, my lady—but why would a man of such social standing attempt to abduct a lady such as yourself?’

      ‘I have no idea,’ Madeline said coldly. ‘He had shown an unpleasant interest in me, which I rebuffed. I believe if you enquire into his reputation you may find that he is not all you might think. He shot my footman who was riding with us and the poor man lies in bed in this house. He is lucky to be alive for he lost a great deal of blood.’

      ‘May I speak with this man?’

      ‘Thomas may be sleeping, but if he is awake and has no objection...’ Madeline raised her eyebrows, giving him an imperious look. ‘Do you doubt my word, sir? This is not the first time this man has tried to abduct me. Have you questioned the post boys and driver of my hired chaise?’

      ‘They had already left town. It was your testimony Sir Anthony required. No, I do not doubt you, my lady,’ he said. ‘I shall return to my master and give him your account of the incident and I am sure he will arrange to have the gentlemen set at liberty.’

      ‘What? Have they spent the night in the cells? This is outrageous! They rescued my maid and injured footman, and me from a vile rogue—and their СКАЧАТЬ