The Dangerous Lord Darrington(48)

'My perfidy!' Miles laughed. 'You have been careering around the  country with Darrington-even staying in his house! What of your  reputation, madam? Everyone will think I am a saint indeed not to cast  you off! Besides,' he added softly, 'there is the deposition.'

Beth stiffened. 'What about it?'

His hateful smile appeared. 'I have it. If you can persuade your  brother not to challenge my claim to the Priory, then I will make you a  present of it on our wedding day.'

Beth put her hands to her mouth. Guy put his hand on her shoulder.

'You will not marry him, Beth,' he said grimly. 'Whatever else may happen, you will not marry that villain.'

'I will do anything to save Simon,' she whispered.

'Beth, listen to me-' Guy broke off when there was a loud 'ahem!' and  he looked around to find a footman hovering in the entrance.

'Yes, what is it?' barked Guy.

The servant approached and murmured into his ear. Guy turned back to her.

'I must go-someone is waiting for me.'

'But-'

'I have no time to explain now.' He gripped her hand. 'But I will  explain, you have my word. Trust me, Beth.' He was gone. Out of the  alcove and swallowed up by the crowd.

'How very convenient,' murmured Miles.

She put up her chin. 'He said he will be back.'

'Are you sure of that?' He moved closer. 'Come, Elizabeth, let us continue with our betrothal celebrations.'

She turned away, but he leaned over and continued to murmur his insidious words into her ear.

'Marry me and you will have everything. Your family can continue to live at Malpass, Simon will be freed.'

She shrugged him off. 'Never! How can you expect me to marry you now?'

'As you wish,' he murmured. 'Pity, because you are quite beautiful and I  would enjoy having you as my bride. But there it is-if you wish to cry  off, then your brother will hang for his … crimes, and as the sister of a  murderer, are you sure Darrington will want to marry you? He has been  trying to re-establish his position, you know. There are calls for him  to return to the Cabinet. He won't be able to do that if he is involved  in another scandalous liaison.' He stepped up and held out his arm.  'Come, madam. Be sensible. Do what is right for your family.'

Beth hesitated. A sudden break in the crowd gave her a clear view  across the room to where Lady Arabella was sitting, the Malpass diamonds  glittering in the candlelight. She must buy time. Time to consider.  Time for Guy to come back to her. Slowly she raised her hand and laid  her fingers on his arm.                       
       
           



       

'For tonight we will continue,' she said coldly. 'I cannot think properly.'

He put his hand over hers. 'Very well, my dear. Look, there is a new set forming. Let us join the dancers.'

She allowed him to lead her out and into that same crowd, more dazed than ever.

As they took their places in the set he leaned closer. 'Did I tell you how ravishing you look tonight, my dear?'

She averted her head. 'Please, Miles, people are staring at us.'

'Let them,' he said, carrying her hand to his lips. 'We will soon be  husband and wife, will we not? They should not be surprised if we act  like lovers.'

Lovers. Beth could barely suppress a shudder at the word. The music  began and she went mechanically through the steps, her smile fixed, but  all the time she was trying to order her thoughts. Panic was beginning  to fill her: she would have to break the engagement. But how? When? It  was impossible to say anything tonight, in so public a place. When Miles  led her off the floor and they began a tour of the room, gathering  congratulations as they went, she felt she was being swept inexorably  along in the wrong direction.

Suddenly her wandering gaze alighted upon a group of gentlemen gathered  about a voluptuous lady in gold satin, ostrich plumes nodding from her  blonde head. She stopped.

'Ah.' Miles followed her gaze. 'Mrs Cordonnier. Shall we speak to her?'

'I would rather die first!'

He laughed softly. 'Very well, we will turn away.'

'I could tell Sir John-'

'And what would be the point of that, when I have told you that I have  the paper now?' His hand tightened. 'Smile, Elizabeth. Remember this is a  happy day.'

Reluctantly Beth curbed her impatience and allowed Miles to take her  down to supper. She was tired and dispirited. She longed to go home,  away from the whispers and curious glances, but Miles was determined to  show her off. Her grandmother was also content to stay; when Beth  suggested to Davey that he might wish to retire he quickly denied it,  saying how much he was enjoying the company. Since he had spent the best  part of the evening with Sophie beside him Beth could well believe it.  She looked around her, trying to conceal her desperation. Where was Guy?



Miles claimed her hand for the last of the country dances, but as soon  as the music ended she begged to be taken back to her grandmother.

'Forgive me, Miles, but these past few days have been very anxious for me.'

Miles patted her hand. 'I understand, my dear. Perhaps it is time I  moved into the Priory. I could be of more help to you-and there will be  much to do. I will need to draw up an inventory.'

Beth threw up her head, an angry retort springing to her lips, but at  that moment their attention was claimed by a flurry of activity at the  entrance.

'Good Gad,' said Miles, 'who can be arriving at this time of night?'

Beth's fatigue vanished as she looked towards the door. Guy had  returned and on his arm, looking about her nervously, was Madame de  Beaune. So this was why he had asked her to trust him. They did not need  the deposition if they had the lady herself to give evidence!

'What does Darrington think he is about?' muttered Miles, beside her. 'To bring a guest in now, when all the dancing is ended.'

He did not recognise her, thought Beth. But why should he? When he had  seen her she had been a pretty French bride, powdered and bewigged. Now  she was merely a sober young widow in an unremarkable gown and with her  own hair curled neatly around her head.

Beth hid her smile and gave his arm a little tug. 'Come along, then. I will present you!'

Sir John Marton and Mr Davies were talking with Guy and the lady as  they approached and Beth slowed her step, reluctant to interrupt, but  almost immediately Sir John spotted her and broke off, beckoning her to  come forwards.

'Well, well, Mrs Forrester, this is a turn up and no mistake!' cried  the magistrate, beaming at her. 'It would appear Lord Darrington  arranged for this lady to come here and speak in your brother's  defence.'

'And I am delighted to see her,' replied Beth. 'Madame de Beaune, you  must allow me to tell you how grateful I am that you have come here.  Allow me to present Mr Miles Radworth to you, Madame. You may recall he  was with Simon on that fateful night.'

Miles had dropped behind but now he stepped up and made a flourishing bow. Madame de Beaune curtsied.

'Of course I remember you, monsieur. You were travelling with poor Monsieur Wakeford.'

'He will not be "poor Monsieur Wakeford" for much longer,' declared Sir  John. 'My lord, bring this lady to me in the morning and I will take  her statement, If all you have told me this evening is true, then  Wakeford will be a free man by noon.'                       
       
           



       

From the corner of her eye Beth noticed Clarice slipping out of the  room. She wanted to call Guy's attention to the fact, but only for a  moment. Clarice Cordonnier was no longer important.

She said with a smile, 'That is excellent news! I must tell Grandmama and Sophie!'

'Of course,' said Miles, stepping back for her to pass him. 'But if you  will excuse me, I think I should be going. It is getting late.' He  began to move towards the door.

'Just a moment!' Guy stepped forwards. 'What has happened to your watch, Radworth?'

'My …  I didn't bring it tonight.'

'That's odd, I am sure I saw you looking at it earlier,' remarked Davey.

Guy reached out and hooked his finger around the chain at Miles's  waist. The watch slid out from beneath the flowered waistcoat. Guy held  it out, allowing the distinctive face to catch the light.

Madame de Beaune gave an anguished cry. 'My husband's watch!'

'Is it, now?' Guy turned it over and read out the letters engraved on the back. 'F. D. B. Hardly your initials, Radworth.'

'It belonged to my husband, Fernand,' stated Madame de Beaune clearly.  'It is a Breguet. One of the best watchmakers in the world.' Her face  paled as she stared in horror at Miles.

'It was you,' she whispered. 'You attacked us!'

Even as she was speaking Miles pulled the timepiece from Guy's hands  and made a bolt for the door, pushing Beth out of his way so that she  cannoned into Guy, preventing his pursuit. There were screams and  confusion, but just when Beth thought Miles could escape, Davey thrust  out his cane to catch Miles's legs and he crashed to the floor. Sir John  immediately ran forwards and stood over him, fists curled menacingly.