A Cornish Maid Read online

  Chapter Ten

  The tide was in and only a strip of yellow sand was running along the base of the cliff. The blood-red streaks trailing across the water as the sun set made the vista even more picturesque.

  Her eyes filled. Lucas should be here to paint the scene. He’d showed her some of his work, and although he professed to be an amateur his paintings were beautiful. He’d captured the light and colour of Cornwall in a way she’d never seen before.

  This evening, she would sit on the beach and allow herself a few moments to recall what might have been. She skidded down the path, arriving at the bottom in a rush. Her ankle turned and with a yelp of pain she tumbled forward.

  Botheration!

  Could she climb back with a damaged ankle? No, it was too narrow and twisting to go backwards as she had done on the stairs. She must wait until Martha realised something was amiss and sent one of the men to assist her. The sea was not far away. If she ripped a piece from her petticoat and soaked it she could bind her ankle. The cold and brine would help to reduce the swelling. She hopped to the water’s edge, dipped in the material and then crawled back to lean against the warm cliff. She removed her boot and bound up the injury. Her ankle throbbed unpleasantly. Hopefully, she’d not done anything more serious than a sprain.

  She closed her eyes and the sound of the waves gently breaking was soothing. She might as well relax until she was rescued. She was in no danger from the incoming tide as there was always a few feet of sand left dry. The day would have been perfect if Lucas had been there to share it with her. She had not enjoyed brushing off the enquiries from neighbours who wondered what had happened to him. She had become tired of telling the same story, that he had been recalled urgently to take care of business matters in Hertfordshire.

  Why had no one come to help her? She pushed herself upright but even the slightest pressure on her injured ankle was agonising. There was little point shouting as no one would hear her voice above the waves. She shivered. Now the sun had gone it was decidedly chilly so close to the sea. She pressed herself against the warm cliff praying someone would come to her aid soon.

  Lucas vaulted from the saddle, calling for Bill or Silas to come and take his exhausted gelding.

  Devil take it! Where the hell are they?

  “Come along, old fellow, I’ll sort you out myself.”

  Twenty minutes later, he strode into the kitchen. That, too, was empty. “Demelza, Mrs. Smith? Anyone?”

  There was the patter of feet in the corridor. The door burst open and Josie appeared. “Oh, sir, such a to do! Miss Tregorran has not come back from the beach and everybody, apart from myself and Mrs. Smith, has gone to the village.”

  “How long has Miss Tregorran been gone?”

  “Since I put the children to bed.”

  He ground his teeth. “When was that? An hour? Two?”

  “I don’t rightly know, sir. It was still light and now it’s full dark — it must be two hours.”

  Lucas ran to the terrace. Where was Mrs. Smith? A flickering lantern was moving toward him. He hurried to meet her.

  “Oh, Dr. Fairfield, I cannot tell you how pleased I am to see you. I’ve called over the cliff but Demelza doesn’t answer. I daren’t descend that path in the dark. It’s too steep for me.”

  “I shall go down at once. I’m sure she’s perfectly well, madam. I expect she’s fallen asleep on the warm sand.” He frowned. “It’s unfortunate the entire staff are absent. I shall need a blanket, Josie; fetch me one at once.”

  The maid vanished. Mrs. Smith looked apologetic. “Indeed it is, Dr. Fairfield. I gave them permission to go once the debris from the party had been cleared away.” The redoubtable lady was looking at him strangely. “Dr. Fairfield, we didn’t expect to see you here again.”

  “I know. I asked Demelza to marry me but she refused. She said she couldn’t leave Tregorran. I couldn’t remain here under those circumstances. I love her, Mrs. Smith, and have returned to try again.”

  “My dear boy, I was sure you felt the same as Demelza. She has been so miserable these past few days. I’m at a loss to know why she should have refused your offer. But you’re here now and you can ask her again.”

  “My circumstances have changed, madam.” The French doors flew open and the children emerged.

  “Uncle Lucas, Uncle Lucas, you’ve come back! We knew you would. You promised to be here for our anniversary.” Jack flung himself forward and Tom followed. Even Serena joined her brothers.

  He knelt and hugged them. “Children, I’ve missed you. I’m here to persuade your sister to marry me. But first I must fetch her from the beach.”

  Josie arrived with a blanket. “My word, what are you all doing down here and in your nightshirts too?”

  Serena answered. “We heard Uncle Lucas and just had to come down. He’s going to marry Demelza.”

  “Enough, young lady.” Mrs. Smith admonished. “If you wish to remain out here you must behave yourself.”

  Lucas threw the rug over his shoulder and set off at the double. He didn’t take the lantern as this would make his descent more difficult.

  The noise of falling stones woke Demelza. For a moment she was disoriented, then remembered she was on the beach and it was now pitch dark. Thank goodness there was sufficient moonlight to see. Silas or one of the other men must be coming at last to see why she was lingering on the beach. She twisted, wincing as her ankle moved. Her eyes widened and tears brimmed over. Her breath stopped in her throat.

  How could Lucas be here?

  Even in the gloom she recognized his massive outline. No one else had his height or breadth of shoulder. She couldn’t speak. Her hands trembled as she reached out to him.

  “My darling girl, come here to me. You are shivering.”

  He gathered her close and she entangled her fingers in his hair. His lips claimed hers and she was lost in a wave of love. Heat coursed through her. His tongue traced the outline of her mouth and he trailed kisses across her jaw and down her neck.

  Eventually he raised his head and cradled her face in his hand. “Sweetheart, you could have been hurt coming down here in the dark.”

  “My love, the sun was still up when I descended. I’ve damaged my ankle. That’s why I am marooned down her. Why have the men not come to fetch me?”

  “I thought it must be something of that sort that kept you here.” His teeth flashed white. “Thank God I did return. Mrs. Smith is beside herself as she gave your men leave to go to the village; no doubt they will return too inebriated to be of any use. If I had not returned you might well have spent an uncomfortable night on the beach.”

  She snuggled close. “But now you are here to rescue me.” She pulled back and stared at him. “Why are you here? I thought you gone for good.”

  “I couldn’t stay away. I love you. Somehow I shall convince you to marry me. I can

  not live without you at my side.” He slid his hands underneath her and straightened in one easy movement, gathering her close.

  Her euphoria at his unexpected return vanished. “Put me down, Lucas, I shouldn’t have allowed you to take liberties. It matters not that you love me — you do not want Serena and the boys and therefore — ”

  His arms tightened and he scowled. “Devil take it, what nonsense is this? Why should you think such a thing of me?” He shook her none too gently. “I’m tempted to toss you in the sea for your stupidity.”

  She tugged his collar and stared at him in horror. “But you never mentioned them, when you asked me to marry you — ”

  “Of course I didn’t. I assumed you would know they were included without me having to mention them specifically. What a pea goose you are, my darling. I can’t believe you have put us both through this misery over such a misunderstanding.”

  How could she have got this so wrong? She could think of only one way to answer his quite justifiable complaint. She pulled his head down until their lips met in a kiss that told him everything. She forgot the pain in her
ankle, forgot everything, and just gave herself to the moment. He smiled down at her.

  “I’ve so much to tell you but this is not the place. First, I want to know if you have changed your mind? Will you marry me, my love?”

  “I will. As long as the children are included, I don’t care if we have to leave Cornwall. I want to be at your side; that’s more important than remaining here.” She stroked his bristle-covered cheek. “However, my love, I’ve yet to receive a formal offer from you. Am I not to get one?”

  He chuckled. “I can hardly go down on one knee again at the moment, but I shall do so with all ceremony as soon as we are home safely. Now, hold tight, I should hate to drop you whilst I’m climbing the path. Be brave, my love, I shall attend to your ankle when we are safe in the house.”

  She relaxed in his embrace. She trusted him. From now on, nothing could hurt her or her family. She gritted her teeth until they were on the grass. Despite his care, her ankle was knocked several times. When they emerged on the grass, Tregorran House was ablaze with light and three small figures and a larger one were standing on the terrace.

  “Good heavens. I left the children fast asleep. What are they doing up?”

  He dropped a kiss on the end of her nose. “They came down when they heard my voice. Mrs. Smith gave them permission to remain. Also I wish to give Tom and Jack the full set of soldiers I’ve purchased for their name day. These will complete their army.”

  “I’m glad they are up. I want those I love the best to share in my happiness.” She paused and touched his lips. “My darling, I do hope Martha is included in your plans? I couldn’t bear to be without her now.”

  He stopped abruptly. “I suppose I’m to take your cook and handyman as well?” He sounded fierce but she knew he was joking.

  “And a leaking puppy who answers to the name of Scrap. I fear your well-ordered life will be upturned when I become your wife.” Forgetting they were being observed from the terrace, she stretched out and kissed him tenderly. “I love you, Lucas. I knew from the moment I saw you on the beach that you were going to change my life.” The sound of cheering and applause echoed through the night. When eventually he raised his head, she could scarcely speak for joy. She would worry about what was to become of Tregorran House tomorrow. Tonight, she would enjoy her happiness.

  The children could scarcely contain their excitement. He raised his hand and they fell silent. “Quiet, all of you. I shall answer everything in a while. I must take care of your sister’s injury.” He marched into the drawing room and placed her tenderly on the sofa. “However, there’s one thing I must do first.”

  He dropped to one knee, taking her hands in his. His eyes glittered. He was as moved as she.

  “My darling girl, will you do me the honour of becoming my bride?”

  “I will. I love you, Lucas, and will do everything I can to make you happy.”

  Tenderly he slipped an emerald ring over her knuckle. “I hope you like this. It reminded me of your lovely eyes.”

  “It’s beautiful, Lucas. Thank you.”

  Before she could say anything further he sprang to his feet and gestured to Martha and the children. “Now, I have exciting news for you all. I received a letter from my lawyers informing me that my brother had gambled his inheritance away. The estates don’t belong to me but the bank. Even if I wished to restore the house I could not afford to do so. It is going to take me years to redeem the mortgage.” He beamed at Demelza. “I hope you don’t mind if we remain in Cornwall once we are married.”

  “You know it’s what I’ve always wanted.” She smiled sweetly. “You have always acted as if you were the master here, so things will continue as before.”

  His smile sent waves of excitement swirling around her body. “Touché, sweetheart. I see we are going to deal famously together.”

  Then Serena spoke up, her expression anxious. “Does that mean, Uncle Lucas, that you have lost all your money as well?”

  Martha immediately took the child to task. “Serena, don’t be impertinent.”

  “No, Mrs. Smith, Serena has said what you must all be wondering. I had no wish to inherit my brother’s wealth. To be rich beyond my wildest dreams because he and his family had perished stuck in my craw. I’m not fabulously wealthy, but have more than enough to restore this magnificent house to its former glory and take care of all of you.”

  Demelza caught his hand in hers and pulled him closer. “I don’t care how much money you have. As long as you are here at my side I shall be the happiest girl in Cornwall.”

  About the Author

  I am a full time writer of historical fiction and love every minute of it. I have a husband, two children and two grandchildren. I also have an ancient Border Collie called Zoe.

  www.fenellajmiller.co.uk

  Several of Fenella’s books are now available at Musa Publishing, including:

  A Cornish Maid

  Lady Eleanor’s Secret

  Miss Bannerman and the Duke

  Miss Peterson and the Colonel