Disgrace and Desire(33)

Her head came up at that. She fixed him with a steady gaze.

‘Let us understand one thing, Sir Ronald. I shall not make any decision until Alex Mortimer is quite well again. It is in your interests to make sure he comes to no more harm.’

His look of surprise gave her some small satisfaction

‘Perhaps you think Major Clifton will protect you,’ he muttered. ‘Let me warn you, madam, that I shall not be caught unawares again. Any attempt by the major to interfere in this affair will have disastrous results, for you both.’ He added silkily, ‘I shall not hesitate to kill him, my lady, do not be in any doubt about that.’

‘Oh, I believe you capable of any base act,’ she retorted haughtily. She turned on her heel and walked away, head held high, yet a deadly depression was already seeping into her bones: if she was to protect everything she held most dear, she could see no alternative. She would have to marry Sir Ronald Deforge.





London was cold. Eloise ordered fires to be lit in every room of her house in Dover Street but the chill never seemed to leave her. She told herself she was anxious for news of Alex, but even when his letters arrived, and she knew he was recovering well, still something was missing. She found herself re-reading the letters, searching for any mention of Jack Clifton, but Alex told her very little, save that Jack intended to accompany him back to town, as soon as he was well enough to travel, and with that crumb she had to be satisfied.

Everyone welcomed Lady Allyngham back to town and she threw herself into the round of breakfasts, parties, routs and balls that filled the days and nights of any society lady, but although she was relieved to be away from Sir Ronald’s presence she could not relax. At one particularly tiresome party she began to think of going to Allyngham until Alex returned. She was idly making plans for this when Lord Berrow sought her out and invited her to tell him more about the foundling hospital she intended to build. He hinted that he might be persuaded to sell her the land she needed at Ainsley Wood, and it occurred to her that she should make sure that her plans for the hospital were well under way, and a trust set up for its support as soon as possible: she was all too aware that if she was forced to marry Sir Ronald she would lose all control of the Allyngham fortune.





Alex came in to London sooner than she expected. Eloise returned from the Green Park one afternoon to find a hastily scrawled note awaiting her.

‘When did this arrive, Noyes?’

‘It was delivered shortly after you left the house, my lady.’

She looked up, smiling.

‘Mr Mortimer is back in town. Since I am dressed for walking I shall go and see him immediately.’

‘I will summon your maid, madam.’

‘No, I will not wait for that.’

‘But, my lady!’

She waved an impatient hand at him.

‘It is only a few doors away and not yet dark. Open the door, Noyes. I shall not be long.’

Ignoring the butler’s tut of disapproval she hurried along the street, holding her skirts up to avoid the dirty pavement.

If Alex’s butler was shocked to find an unescorted lady at his master’s door he was too well trained to reveal it and merely ushered her to the drawing room. Alex was stretched out on a day-bed, one arm in a sling and a brightly coloured rug thrown over his legs. Eloise ran forwards and bent to hug him.

‘Oh, my dear, I am so pleased that you are back! I am sorry I did not come earlier, but I was out walking with Lord Berrow when your note arrived. How was your journey, was it terribly painful for you?’

‘Not as bad as I feared. Jack brought me in his new carriage, which is very well sprung. I scarcely noticed the bumpy road.’

‘Oh, I beg your pardon. I did not realise you had company.’

She straightened and turned to see Major Clifton standing by the window. As he walked forwards she observed the warm look in his eyes and heat seared her cheeks. He was not deceived by the cool, polite smile she was giving him, and she scolded herself for allowing that first, initial burst of irrational pleasure to show. Jack bowed to her.

‘You will want to talk alone,’ he said. ‘I shall leave you—’

‘The devil you will!’ retorted Alex. ‘You promised to keep me company at dinner, Clifton, and I will hold you to that.’

‘Then I should go,’ said Eloise quickly. ‘I wanted only to assure myself that you had survived your journey.’

Alex reached out and gripped her hand.

‘No, there is no need for you to rush off, Elle. We three know each other well enough to take a glass of wine together, do we not? My dear, ring the bell for me. Then you must sit down. A gentleman should not lounge around in a lady’s presence, but you know very well that I cannot get up.’

‘Allow me,’ said Jack, pulling up a chair for her.

She did not look at him but sank into it with a murmur of thanks.

‘Have you seen Deforge?’ Alex’s question brought her eyes to his face and he said impatiently, ‘For heaven’s sake, Elle, there’s no need to look daggers at me. It is not as though Clifton does not know what is going on.’

‘But Lady Allyngham would prefer not to discuss the matter while I am here…’

She put up her hand.

‘No,’ she said carefully. ‘I have no objection to you being here, Major. After all, you saved Alex’s life.’

Alex nodded. ‘I am glad you are being sensible at last, my dear.’

‘Sir Ronald left Renwick Hall two days before us,’ explained Jack. ‘He said he was calling upon friends, but I thought he might try to steal a march by coming straight to town.’

‘I have not seen him,’ said Eloise. ‘I have no doubt he will seek me out when he is ready.’

‘Then we must decide what is to be done,’ declared Alex.

‘You will do nothing, my dear,’ she said quickly. ‘At least, not until you are well again.’

‘Then perhaps Jack—’

‘No!’ She sat up very straight. ‘Major Clifton need not involve himself further in our affairs.’

‘But I should like to help,’ said Jack mildly.

She glanced across at him. Her heart lurched at the sight of his smiling face and she squeezed her hands together in her lap, reminding herself of her resolution.

‘That is very kind of you, Major, but there really is nothing to be done at the present time.’

She was relieved that the entry of a footman carrying the wine caused a diversion.

‘Yes, yes, that will do,’ said Alex, impatiently waving away the servant. ‘Clifton, will you pour? I am weak as a cat.’

‘Hardly surprising after a long journey,’ said Jack. ‘You will feel better when you have had a good night’s sleep.’

He held out a glass of wine to Eloise, saying with a faint smile, ‘I insisted he send for his doctor to call upon him in the morning.’

‘I am glad of it, thank you.’

She was very aware of her fingers brushing Jack’s as she took the wine. She remembered the feel of them on her skin and experienced a little frisson of pleasure at the memory. Giving herself a mental shake, Eloise put both hands around the wine glass. Heavens, she must curb such thoughts!

Jack had turned away to carry a glass of wine to Alex and she was able to watch the two men as they conversed. She remembered the icy dread she had felt when Alex had been wounded. It was nothing to the fear that now enveloped her when she thought of anything happening to Jack Clifton. She regarded his broad back. He was so strong, so assured, but even he was not proof against an assassin’s knife or bullet. Deforge had promised to kill him, and she had no doubt that he would carry out that threat, if he thought Jack was involved. She squared her shoulders: she would talk to Alex tomorrow and make him promise not to divulge anything more to Jack Clifton. She finished her wine.

‘I must go. I am promised to attend Parham House this evening.’

‘But I thought you did not like Lady Parham above half.’

Eloise gave a little shrug. ‘I do not, but I have hopes that I might be able to settle the question of Ainsley Wood this evening, so you see I must attend. I shall call upon you again tomorrow, Alex.’

Jack put down his glass.

‘It is growing dark. I will escort you to your door, my lady.’

‘Aye, please do, Jack,’ said Alex, before Eloise could refuse. ‘I’d rather not have her walking alone. It is only a step and you can be back in ten minutes.’ He scowled. ‘Do not argue with me, madam. Bad enough that you should risk your reputation by coming here!’

Jack grinned.

‘I think we should humour him, my lady: opposition could render him feverish.’ He held out his arm. ‘Shall we go?’

Silently, Eloise allowed him to escort her out on to the street. The chill autumn night was already setting in and she was glad to push her hands deep into the large muff she was carrying.

‘You said you were walking with Lord Berrow this afternoon,’ said Jack, matching his step to hers. ‘Was Lady Berrow with you, too?’

‘No, she was not.’

‘But she knows of your outing?’

Eloise shrugged. ‘I presume so, Major. Why do you ask?’

‘I think you should have a care, that is all.’

‘Lord Berrow’s estates border my own. We are neighbours. It is only natural that we should discuss matters together.’