Page 30 of A Kiss to Stop a Wedding

The man’s smile was strained, but it was there.

He said, ‘And very glad of the work I shall be! Now, if you’ve finished your ale, I’ll take these tankards back downstairs.

’ He gathered them up, saying, ‘You know, sir, I was thinking that meeting Lord Whilton again was the worst thing that had ever happened to me. But now, well, perhaps it was meant to be.’

Matt frowned. ‘What do you mean, meeting him again ?’

‘I recognised him, see, when I was a beggar in London. I saw this fine gentleman walk by and so I spoke to him. Thought he might remember me and spare me a few pence. Didn’t know he was a viscount then, of course.

When he offered to set me on at Whilton Hall I thought he was being charitable.

But now I’ve thought more of it, I do believe he was buying my silence.

Didn’t want his new friends to know that he was such a bad officer.

’ He shook his head. ‘Worst thing I ever did was to help Captain Gask.’

Matt sat up. ‘Wait, you mean, he was a soldier?’

‘That’s right, sir. I met him in Portsmouth.

I’d been there for some months, because of my leg, and that’s when I met His Lordship.

Only he wasn’t a viscount then, of course.

No idea how he ended up there, but he’d been attacked and lost everything save the clothes he stood in.

It being winter, I gave him my cloak and we got chatting, friendly like.

‘A month or so later I met a couple of troopers who’d been under his command and from what they told me I wished I hadn’t.

’ He scowled. ‘He ran out on his men during a skirmish on the way to Corunna. The officers preferred to believe he’d been killed in the fight, but a few troopers saw what happened and knew he’d deserted. ’

‘Interesting,’ said Matt. ‘I—’

He was interrupted by a knock at the door and the landlord came in to say that the doctor had arrived.

‘Oh, very well, send him up.’ Matt held out his good hand. ‘Off you go, Jepps. Safe journey into Gloucestershire.’

He watched the man walk out with that awkward, halting gait, then lay back against the pillows and prepared himself for the doctor’s examination.

* * *

Flora kept herself busy all morning, but she could not relax. She knew at some point the Viscount would call and she did not know when. It was something of a relief when he eventually appeared, late in the afternoon.

She was in the morning room, mending a flounce on one of her gowns when he was shown in. She put aside her sewing and rose to greet him, schooling her features into a look of polite welcome.

‘My lord.’ She held out her hand. ‘I am sorry, my aunt and uncle have gone into Whilton, although I expect them back before very long.’

He came forward and kissed her fingers.

‘No matter, it was you I wished to see, my dear.’ He looked up at her, smiling, although there was a wary look in his blue eyes. ‘You came directly home last night, I hope?’

She inclined her head.

‘As I told you last night that I would.’ He was still holding her hand and she made no move to pull free.

‘However, I did order the coach to stop for a while on the road.’ A tiny sigh escaped her.

‘I was too angry to come back immediately, I needed to compose myself. I did not wish my aunt and uncle to know we had argued.’

‘Ah, Flora, you do not know how I regret our little…contretemps. I could not sleep last night, thinking of it.’

‘I, too, spent a restless night,’ she replied, with perfect truth. ‘I can only beg your pardon for my little outburst. Whatever your quarrel with Mr Talacre, it is no concern of mine.’

‘No, no, you were right to chide me, my dear. I fear I allowed my jealousy to override my judgement.’

‘Jealousy!’ Her eyes widened. ‘My dear sir, why on earth would you be jealous of Mr Talacre?’

‘Because you appear to regard him very highly.’

With another smile she freed her hand and moved away to sit down in an armchair, indicating with a gesture that he should do the same.

‘I admit he is very charming,’ she said, arranging her skirts more becomingly. ‘But, Quentin, he is hardly a gentleman. He makes his money from…pleasure ga rdens.’ She let the words hang there, knowing he despised anything that hinted at trade.

He sat down, his face losing some of that wary look.

‘I am glad you have not grown too fond of the man, Flora,’ he said, becoming serious again. ‘Because I have some bad news. Unless you have already heard?’

She shook her head, eyes wide and questioning. When had she learned to be so devious and deceitful? Heavens, her acting would rival the great Mrs Siddons!

He went on, ‘Mr Talacre appears to have left town.’

‘What!’

‘Yes. Without paying his shot, too, which is inexcusable.’

‘And you are sure he did not return to the hotel last night? Perhaps something has happened to him.’

‘I fear I am to blame.’ Flora’s eyes flew to his face at that, but her racing pulse steadied when he continued. ‘I refused to sell him that statue and now he is gone scurrying back to Gloucestershire, like a kicked dog.’

Voices could be heard in the hall. Flora looked around just as the door opened and Mrs Farnleigh hurried in.

‘Lord Whilton, this is a pleasant surprise!’

‘It is indeed,’ exclaimed her husband, following her close behind. ‘If we had known you intended to call, we should not have gone out.’

Flora listened as pleasantries were exchanged and refreshments ordered. She kept her eyes on the Viscount. She wanted to know what steps he had taken to find Matt. She was wondering how she could introduce the subject again when her uncle saved her the trouble.

‘Goodness me, what a to-do in Whilton this morning, my lord, have you heard?’

‘Mr Talacre has absconded without paying his bill?’ said the Viscount, his countenance grave, ‘Yes, I had heard.’

‘No, no, worse,’ cried Mrs Farnleigh, sitting down and fanning herself vigorously. ‘The poor man was set upon!’

‘Indeed, ma’am?’ murmured Quentin, sitting very still. ‘Pray tell me more.’

Aunt Farnleigh was only too happy to oblige.

‘Well, we were visiting the Albrights this morning and on the way back we stopped off in the High Street. I needed a new pack of sewing needles, you see, and that is where I heard it. From Mrs Newsome, the haberdasher! Her son is an ostler at the Red Lion and he had it from one of the chambermaids. She said that someone had called on Mr Talacre’s behalf to pay his bill and collect his bag. ’

‘Oh? And do we know where the gentleman is now?’ asked the Viscount.

‘No! That’s the thing,’ replied Mr Farnleigh. ‘The messenger said Talacre was attacked by footpads last night and was too afraid to disclose his whereabouts.’

Mrs Farnleigh clasped her hands together. ‘He must have been on his way back to Whilton after dining with you, my lord. I have never heard of anything like this in the area before. Thank heavens they did not come upon Flora!’

‘The road to Birchwood does not go anywhere near the town, Aunt,’ she replied. ‘I was never in any danger. I had John Coachman and Amos with me, too. Any rogue would think twice before stopping the carriage.’

‘But this is all very worrying,’ declared the Viscount, frowning.

‘You see, one of my own men has absconded. I thought nothing of it at first, but now you have told me about Mr Talacre, I wonder.’ He looked across at Flora.

‘You know Jepps, my dear, the lame groundsman. My people have been searching for him, checking in all the barns and outhouses.’

‘Oh, heavens, do you think he has been set upon, too?’ cried Mrs Farnleigh, even more alarmed.

‘Possibly, or he may even be the culprit,’ murmured the Viscount. ‘But do not upset yourself, madam. That shambling walk of his cannot be disguised. If he is still in the area, my people will find him.’

‘In the meantime, I shall have an extra man on the carriage whenever we go out,’ Uncle Farnleigh decided. ‘And if you ladies step out of doors, then Amos must go with you.’

Lord Whilton nodded. ‘A very good idea, sir. I believe this means you must give up your solitary walks to Whilton Hall, Flora. I would not for the world have anything happen to you, with only a month until our wedding.’ He held his hand out to her.

‘I must take my leave. My love, will you accompany me to my curricle?’

With her aunt and uncle looking on, she could not refuse. She rose and went out of the room on the Viscount’s arm.

‘This business with Talacre is very odd,’ he remarked as they walked along the drive to the stables. ‘Why should the fellow wish to hide away?’

‘Perhaps he is fearful of another attempt on his life.’

‘And you are sure you saw nothing on your way home last night?’ he asked her.

‘I am quite sure,’ she replied. ‘There was no one on the road when I returned to Birchwood House.’

‘And Talacre has not been in touch, to tell you where he is?’

She managed a very creditable laugh. ‘Good heavens, Quentin, why should he do that? As your fiancée, I am the last person he would contact.’

‘But we both know the man finds you very…desirable.’

‘And I know Mr Talacre is a gentleman, whatever you may think of him!’ she said, sharply. ‘He is far too honourable to encroach on another man’s territory. You are allowing your suspicions to run away with you again, my lord. ’

‘Yes, I beg your pardon. I thought for a while it was not only the statue of Mars the man coveted.’

‘Yes, you said as much at the Midsummer Ball,’ she retorted. ‘I have not yet forgiven you for that remark!’

He laughed gently. ‘Pray, do not glower at me in that way, my love, you should be flattered by my concern.’

‘I assure you, Quentin, you have no need to be concerned about Mr Talacre.’

‘I am sure you are right,’ he agreed. ‘I have no doubt that if the fellow was attacked, it has given him an aversion to Whilton and he has now scuttled back to Gloucestershire.’

‘And do you think he will continue the dispute over the statue?’ she asked him, as casually as she could.

He waved a hand. ‘He may try, of course, who knows? It is a small matter.’ He paused for a moment, then said smoothly, ‘Once we are married, I may be minded to sell him Mars, as a mark of my munificence. What say you?’

A chill shivered down Flora’s spine. Was that a threat, or was he merely saving face, knowing Matt had a legal claim to the statue? Her reply was suitably cautious.

‘You must do what you think best, Quentin.’

‘I shall. As soon as I have you safe.’

His words and the smug tone he used convinced Flora it was a warning.

‘I have to leave for London tomorrow,’ he said, when they had almost reached the stables.

‘I regret I cannot stay here myself, but I shall send over one of my own men to protect you until I can install you at Whilton Hall as my wife. They are all out searching for Jepps today, but one will come to Birchwood House at first light.’

‘Really, Quentin, there is no need for that!’

‘There is every need, my sweet. Your safety is paramount with me and I will take no chances.’

She heard the implacable note in his voice and knew there was no point in arguing. She would be a virtual prisoner until the wedding. And after that…

She shuddered, not wanting to think of the future.

Flora’s betrothal to Lord Whilton had given her a great deal more freedom over the past two years.

Not because the Viscount was there to escort her—in truth, he had been absent for a most of the time—but her aunt and uncle, considering her to be a sensible young woman, had allowed her to do very much as she pleased.

As long as she was accompanied by a servant, they rarely enquired closely into her movements.

That would change once Quentin’s man was installed at Birchwood, her every move would be reported back to him. It shattered the faint hope she had of seeing Matt once more before he went back to Gloucestershire.

The Viscount’s curricle was waiting in the stable yard and he stopped and took her hands.

‘You will explain it all to your uncle and aunt for me, if you please. I am sure they will appreciate my concern. And when I return to Whilton,’ he said, carrying her hand to his lips, ‘I shall claim you, as my bride!’

Flora pinned on a smile as she watched him drive away, his tiger clinging on to the back.

Her anger and unease were growing. She had no illusions about her forthcoming marriage.

Quentin did not care for her, she was just another possession, to be guarded and kept safe at Whilton.

And why should he think it necessary to provide her with an escort, unless it was to keep her away from Matt Talacre.

The memory of their parting reared up. There had been no words of love, but it had been warm, affectionate.

So different from this chilly farewell. She was overwhelmed with a sudden, fierce longing, a need to see Matt just once more.

She knew there could be no hope of lasting happiness with him, but the surge of desire was a physical ache, too strong to ignore.

Turning, she noticed the coachman standing in the doorway of the coach house and went over to him.

‘I trust there have been no repercussions from last night, John?’ she asked quietly.

‘No, miss. No one suspects that we did more than drive you home from Whilton Hall.’ He paused.

‘His Lordship’s tiger was asking a lot of questions, though.

Asked if we’d heard something on the road, a gunshot or the like.

But don’t you worry, Miss Warenne. Amos and me knows better than to be taken in by his sort and we wouldn’t have said anything, even if you hadn’t greased our palms so generously last night.

’ He smiled down at her and tapped his nose.

‘We’ll stick to our story and no one will be any the wiser. ’

‘Thank you, John, that is a comfort.’ She hesitated. ‘I wonder if you would now do something else for me.’