Page 53 of Snowbound Surrender

“I wish you joy of your... arrangements, Lady Lushington,” he said with perfect politeness and complete indifference. “I’m sure Lord Pemberton will give you great joy.”

And then they were gone, filing out of the room with murmured farewells, leaving Arabella standing alone with Algernon, who was practically purring with satisfaction.

“That went rather well, don’t you think?” he said, moving to close the door behind the departing guests. “Mr. Morley seemed quite convinced of your...priorities.”

Arabella sank back into her chair, her legs no longer able to support her. Through the window, she could see the group climbing into their carriage, Nicholas’s tall figure unmistakable even in the gathering dusk. He didn’t look back at the house. Didn’t spare a single glance for the woman he was leaving behind.

“You see how easily men abandon women they believe to be unworthy?” Algernon observed with cruel amusement. “How quickly their devotion turns to disgust when they think their beloved has chosen wealth over love?”

Through the partly open window, she heard the carriage wheels crunch on gravel as it pulled away, carrying with it any hope Arabella had harbored of rescue, of understanding, of redemption. Nicholas was gone, and he would never know the truth. He would live the rest of his life believing she had betrayed him twice—once for Lord Lushington’s fortune, and again for Lord Pemberton’s diamonds.

The sound of the carriage faded into the distance, and with it, the last of Arabella’s composure crumbled. She buried her face in her hands and wept—for her lost love, for her impossible situation, for the cruel irony that in trying to save everyone she cared about, she had destroyed the only chance she had ever had for true happiness.

“There, there,” Algernon said mockingly. “I’m sure Lord Pemberton will console you adequately. Now, shall we return to those documents? I believe we were interrupted at a rather crucial moment.”

But Arabella could only weep, her heart shattered as completely as if it had been made of glass and struck with a hammer. Nicholas was gone, and she was utterly, irrevocably alone.

CHAPTER 16

The carriage had barely clearedthe gates of Lushington Hall before Nicholas was leaning forward, his mind already racing with plans and contingencies.

“Steady, old fellow,” Colonel Shankshaft said, clapping him on the shoulder. “You look ready to leap from a moving carriage.”

“Because I am,” Nicholas replied grimly. “We can’t leave her there alone, thinking the worst. Algernon made clear what he intends to do. Regardless of her culpability, she cannot face such a fate.”

“Which is precisely why we’re heading to Magistrate Whitmore’s residence,” Lady Fenton said. “We need legal authority, not heroic gestures that might get us all killed.”

Nicholas nodded. “You’re right. But what if Whitmore isn’t home? Every moment is precious.What if he won’t act on our word alone? ”

“We’ll cross that bridge if we come to it. While the magistrate may believe our story, we also don’t know if he’s in sympathy with Algernon. Or in his pocket. We’ll want witnesses, regardless,” Lady Quamby said with surprising practicality. “There’s the innkeeper who saw Algernon’s suspicious travelingsupplies, for one. And evidence of his crimes. Surely there must be documents at Lushington Hall that prove his theft from Arabella’s estates.”

“The servants,” Colonel Shankshaft added. “That little maid seemed terrified of him. She might testify to his treatment of Lady Lushington.”

Nicholas nodded. However, whisking Arabella out of her immediate danger would not provide her with the long-term solution she needed.

She needed to be kept safe?—

He stopped his wayward thoughts. Arabella had played with his heart once too many times.

The rhythmic clatter of carriage wheels was suddenly overlaid by the sound of approaching hoofbeats. Glancing through the window, Nicholas could see a lone rider approaching at breakneck speed.

But instead of passing by, the rider slowed, and then drew alongside them, his mount dancing with nervous energy. He was a young man, perhaps five-and-twenty, his clothes travel-stained clothes, an anxious frown creasing his forehead.

“I beg your pardon,” he called out breathlessly, “but might you know the way to Lushington Hall? I’ve been riding since dawn and fear I’ve taken a wrong turn in this confounded snow.”

Nicholas studied the stranger’s face, registering with shock the familiar cast of his features. Yes, he had met the fellow before. He opened the door and leaned out. “What is your business at Lushington Hall?”

“I’m seeking my sister—Lady Lushington. I was told she might be found there.” The young man’s voice wavered. He looked exhausted. “My name is James Beecham. Perhaps you know my sister. I believe her home is not far from here and I’mvery anxious to see her again. You see, I’ve only just returned to the country after five years away and?—”

He broke off, and the Colonel leaned forward. “Five years away?” He hesitated, then said abruptly, “Perhaps you do not know that her late husband’s heir is trying to take control of her finances. We are this moment on our way to exhort the magistrate to intervene before it’s too late. But if you hurry in that direction, you can help your sister by ensuring she doesn’t sign her financial future away in the meantime.”

“Lushington?” The young man grimaced. “I never understood why she broke off her betrothal to marry that man when she was so in love. But then, I left soon afterwards, in disgrace…which I did not deserve.” He pushed out his chest, then added, “Now I want to clear myself ofallcharges. I have gathered the necessary evidence to prove my innocence. My sister did not need to do what she did because I wasnotguilty?—”

“Not guilty of what?” Nicholas’s mind churned.

James looked evasive as his horse shifted restlessly beneath him. “The real culprit was Sergeant Morrison who had been embezzling for months before I even arrived at the regiment.” He pressed his lips together before saying righteously, “I only borrowed a small amount that I was going to pay back but suddenly I was charged with everything—Sergeant Morrison’s theft too. I told Bella it was a hanging offence, and, Lord knows, she did what she could to help. But now I’ve run to ground witnesses to Morrison’s crimes and I need to know exactly what my sister told the tribunal when she testified.” A petulant look crossed his face. “I can’t be staying to protect her when time is of the essence so I can clear my name completely.”

Nicholas felt his chest tighten. In fact, it took all his effort not to react with sudden violence as the truth hit home. Instead, he asked coldly, “How, exactly, did your sister help you?”