Bought for Revenge(35)

'It's already put out, sir, on the bed. And as for Captain Duggan … do we know how long he means to stay here?'                       
       
           



       

'No idea, why do you ask?' He saw his man hesitate and added roughly, 'Well?'

'I just can't take to him, Major, with his gambling and his bullyin'  ways, but you knows that already. It ain't my place to say so, but I  don't like the way he turned up here and started giving orders, as if he  owns the place.'

'Well, he is my heir after all.'

George Stebbing chuckled. 'Ah, but that'll change-'

'I can assure you it won't,' snapped Lucas. He saw the man's surprised  look and cursed the ability of old retainers to know all one's business.  He said tightly, 'I am giving Oakenroyd back to Samuel Havenham, but  after that all acquaintance with the man and his daughter will cease. In  fact, I shall be moving from Stanton just as soon it is possible to do  so.'

Stebbing looked astonished and opened his mouth to speak, but Lucas's  scowl made him think better of it. Having silenced his man, Lucas  finished dressing and went downstairs to dine with his cousin.

He managed to keep the conversation to unexceptional topics until the  covers had been removed and they were alone in the dining room, when  Hugh asked him once more if he was worried about Morwood.

'Not at all. As I told you, the work is progressing to schedule.'

Hugh reached for the brandy decanter to refill his glass. 'You came back  covered in dust and looking like a labourer. Surely there is no need  for that.'

Lucas answered with a touch of impatience, 'I ask nothing of my people that I won't do myself.'

Hugh's lip curled. 'No, you were the same in the guards, weren't you?'

'It encourages loyalty.'

'Loyalty be damned,' scoffed Hugh. 'You were lucky your desire to be at  one with your men didn't get you killed. I never found the need for such  dedication.'

Lucas lifted his glass and studied the amber liquid. 'Perhaps that is  why you got a bullet in your back at Waterloo, as well as the one in  your leg.' He felt rather than saw Hugh's anger, and he added, 'That is  what happens to detested officers in battle, is it not? They are shot by  their own men. And you had not made yourself universally popular in  your regiment.'

'Because I insisted on discipline-'

'I, too, believe in order, but your name was becoming a byword for  flogging and hanging.' Lucas sipped at his brandy. 'I would never have  helped you buy your captaincy if I had known you would turn into such a  tyrant.'

Hugh shrugged. 'I had the scum of the earth in my company. It was necessary. No one ever questioned it.'

'Perhaps that was because you were betrothed to the Colonel's daughter. What happened there, by the bye?'

'She changed her mind,' said Hugh shortly. 'Dammit, Lucas, surely you do  not blame me for trying to progress? If I had a fortune like you-'

'If I remember rightly, my father left you well provided for in his will, but you chose to spend it.'

His cousin's brow darkened and he looked as if he would argue, but after  an inward struggle he thought better of it and gave a laugh.

'I was a young fool and I admit it, but let's not dwell on the past. You  are my only surviving relative, Lucas. I do not want to fall out with  you.'

Lucas felt his lip start to curl. 'Don't worry, I am not planning to  disinherit you.' He filled his glass and pushed the decanter back across  the table. 'Tell me instead how you fared last night.'

'At the Lion? Quite well. The play was not deep, but we arranged to play again tonight-'

'I was thinking more of the Rishworths' party.'

'The dinner was good.' He shrugged. 'The conversation was mostly on  local matters and not much to my taste, but the young ladies were  charming enough.'

'Miss Rishworth is considered something of a beauty.'

'Is she?' said Hugh, considering. 'I suppose so, but as far as I can tell she will have only a few thousand upon her marriage.'

'You want more?'

Hugh looked surprised that he should even ask the question.

'Well, you know, Cos, one has to look to the future.'

'Yes, the future.' Lucas sat back, the fingers of one hand drumming a  soft tattoo on the table. 'I saw Samuel Havenham this morning. I am  giving Oakenroyd back to him.'

'You are what?'

'I dispossessed him and his daughter because I thought Havenham was responsible for my mother's death. I must make reparation.'

'Of course, I understand you would want to do so, but you can't give  away your property just like that!' Hugh observed Lucas's raised brows  and put up his hands. 'Forgive me, of course you are at liberty to do  whatever you want. You took me by surprise, that is all. Unless … ' He  grinned. 'Of course, you old dog, you plan to marry Annabelle Havenham,  and since she will inherit everything from her father, you will be-'                       
       
           



       

'No.' The word cut across Hugh's speech like a rifle shot, silencing  him. 'I have no intention of marrying Miss Havenham. Or anyone else for  that matter.' His chair scraped back. 'It has been a long day. Excuse me  if I retire now. Please, stay and finish your brandy-have more, if you  wish, but I am going to bed.'

Lucas strode out of the room. He should not feel guilty for leaving his  cousin to his own devices. He had not invited Hugh to stay-the fellow  only turned up when he wanted something or his pockets were to let.  Lucas had been so preoccupied that he had no idea which it was this  time, but he did not doubt that Hugh would tell him at some stage. For  now Lucas had his own problems and he hoped that he had drunk enough to  ensure a dreamless night's sleep.

Market day in Stanton was always busy and Annabelle coaxed her father  out of doors, knowing that they would see many of his old friends in the  town. Apart from going to church on Sunday they had not ventured out of  the house since Lucas had visited Croft Cottage, and Samuel had asked  her to say nothing of Lucas's plans to reinstate them at Oakenroyd.

'Blackstone and I agreed it would be done discreetly,' he said. 'When  word gets out we will say an improvement in my fortunes has made it all  possible, which is no more than the truth.'

'Many in your position would want a public apology from Mr Blackstone, Papa.'

'Nay, I am as guilty as he.'

'Papa!'

'My dear, let us not forget that it was I who broke the Lord's tenth  commandment. If I had not done so, then none of this would have  happened. I always felt the young man was wronged, my love, and no one  suspects the connection between our hard times and his purchasing  Oakenroyd. I am happy for everyone to think he has generously allowed me  to buy my home back from him.'

And with that Belle had to be satisfied. Such reversals were not unknown  and as for her own situation, the less people speculated about the  connection between her and Lucas Blackstone the better. Time would tell  if there would be any physical evidence of their liaison. For now she  took her father's arm and accompanied him to the market, as if nothing  had changed.

The wide street before the Red Lion was bustling with activity. Many of  Oakenroyd's tenants were there and they hailed Mr Havenham cheerfully,  more than ready to pass the time of day with him. Annabelle left her  father talking happily with a group of local farmers while she went off  to make her purchases. With so many people in the town she should not  have been surprised to see Lucas, yet she had not considered what she  would do when they next met. He was coming towards her with his cousin  beside him. Momentarily flustered, she thought of slipping between the  market stalls to avoid them, but decided against it. That would be  cowardly and besides, to change direction so acutely would look as if  she was running away. Instead she fixed her eyes straight ahead and  hoped a slight nod in passing would suffice.

If Lucas had been alone then perhaps it would have been enough, but Captain Duggan was raising his hat to her.

'Miss Havenham, good morning to you.'

There was no help for it. She was obliged to stop, if only to exchange  civilities. The captain was inclined to be talkative, and while she  responded to his questions and remarks, she was very aware of Lucas  standing tall and silent beside him. He had barely acknowledged her and  now hovered impatiently, making it only too plain he wanted to be gone  from her company. She struggled to concentrate on what the captain was  saying and realised too late that she had agreed to let him take her for  a drive the following day.

Lucas was looking thunderous, but she could not take any notice of that.  If he had loved her, truly loved her, surely he would have pressed her  father to allow them to marry. He did not want her, so he could hardly  object to her enjoying herself with Captain Duggan.

Except there was no enjoyment in her life now. Only distraction from the nagging ache of loneliness.

Having arranged a time to call, Captain Duggan and Lucas moved on and  Annabelle continued with her shopping. when she had finished she went in  search of her father. She was on her way towards the Red Lion when she  heard her name and turned to find Lucas striding towards her.