Lord Ilchester's Inheritance Read online

  He did not believe in corporal punishment, but at this moment he was barely restraining himself from administering a well-deserved spanking to the chit who could have killed herself and her brother. Now was not the time to tell her what he thought of her behaviour, that could keep until he had recovered his temper.

  He left her struggling to sit up and strode back to the boys. ‘Billy, get the gate open, we are going home that way.’ He managed a feeble grin for the two children sitting immobile with shock. ‘Your sister is unhurt, lads, but we shall leave her to walk home as punishment for her almost killing us.’

  Tom giggled nervously. ‘Are you sure she is alright? She’s making a funny noise.’

  ‘That’s what happens when you fall on your back, young man, she will be perfectly well in a moment or two. Now, did you get scratched when we went head first into the hedge?’

  ‘No, and Ned has checked Merry. That was ever so exciting. I never knew riding could be such an adventure.’

  Satisfied his charge was not upset, Gideon snatched up the leading rein and followed Billy to the gate which was already being swung open.

  David swivelled in the saddle and called back. ‘Saffy won’t be able to get on again, sir, shouldn’t Billy help her?’

  ‘She’s got to walk back because she’s been naughty, David, she shouldn’t have jumped over the gate and almost landed on us.’ Tom seemed almost gleeful at the thought of his sister having to trudge back on her own.

  The ride was declared a great success by the twins and they thanked him prettily. He could hear them telling their nursemaid all about it as she led them away to wash their hands before they had their breakfast.

  ‘Ned, Miss Stanton will not be back for a while. There is no need to send out a search party – Billy will explain why.’

  He would return to his chamber and try and spruce himself up before he went to break his fast. He was wearing a borrowed shirt and stock, but was hopeful his own would now be ready for him. After a strip wash he was handed his freshly sponged and pressed breeches, his jacket, his polished Hessians and his own clean shirt.

  As he strolled past the nursery stairs he could hear the children laughing and chattering as they ate their breakfast. He had taken his time with his ablutions and when he checked his pocket watch be discovered the hour had moved on and the time was a little after ten o’clock.

  No doubt Miss Stanton would be waiting for him in the breakfast parlour. He had intended to ring a peal over her, but his anger had dissipated and he thought being obliged to walk home was punishment enough for her foolishness. He sincerely hoped she would not bear a grudge.

  On entering the parlour he was surprised to find it empty – not even his host was there. A footman was waiting to fetch him his choice of hot beverage and he beckoned him over. ‘Has Miss Stanton already eaten?’

  ‘No, my lord, she’s not back from her ride yet.’

  Devil take it! There was something wrong, she should have been here by now. He turned on his heel and strode through the house and out of the side door that led directly to the stables. There was a commotion coming from the archway and he broke into a run.

  *

  Ned greeted her as Sapphire guided the mare onto the cobbles. There was no need to tell him she was in trouble, he had known her since she was an infant in leading strings.

  ‘Here, don’t you try and get down, miss, I’ll lift you from the saddle.’ He yelled for assistance and two stableboys appeared. ‘Here, hold onto the mare, she’s a mite skittish.’

  ‘I have injured my ankle, Ned, if I had not had the gate to use as a mounting block I would still be abandoned the other side of the woods.’

  She did not feel at all the thing, perhaps she would leave the confrontation with Ilchester until she felt better. She was about to place her arm around Ned’s neck when his lordship burst into the yard. Without a by your leave he reached out and lifted her from the saddle. A shaft of agony from her ankle made her gasp and she did not have the energy to protest.

  ‘Sweetheart, this is all my doing. I should have stayed and not stomped off in high dudgeon.’ Holding her firmly against his chest he turned and headed for the house. ‘Ned, send someone for the physician. I want him here immediately.’

  Somehow she managed to whisper to him. ‘Please, take care, every jolt of my ankle is so painful I believe I might faint from it.’

  He said something so rude she hid her flaming cheeks in his jacket. ‘I beg your pardon for my language, but I am angry with myself for leaving you the way I did.’

  He had slowed his pace, and at a gentle walk she felt more comfortable, well enough to respond. ‘I am too unwell to discuss the matter with you at the moment, my lord, but when I am feeling better I shall have much to say to you on the subject, and none of it will be pleasant.’

  He did not seem particularly perturbed by this announcement. ‘And I do not blame you one jot, I have behaved despicably and deserve anything you throw at me.’

  They were now at her bedchamber and he shouldered his way in, shouting for Jenny. Her maid arrived in a flurry of petticoats, her homely face etched with concern.

  ‘Lawks a mussy! Whatever next! Please put Miss Stanton on the daybed, my lord, and I will take care of her now.’

  ‘Very well, I shall leave her in your capable hands.’ He placed her carefully on the chaise longue and immediately moved away. From the open door he spoke again. ‘I have caused one disaster after another, Miss Stanton, and am well aware that you would wish me to Hades. I give you my word as soon as I am confident you are not seriously hurt, I shall depart. I apologise yet again for causing you such unnecessary distress.’

  Sapphire didn’t want him to leave – she wanted to be able to castigate him and then laugh together and be friends. However, she was unable to call him back as Jenny inadvertently touched her ankle and the pain sent her into swooning blackness.

  *

  Gideon muttered imprecations under his breath as he went in search of Mr Bishop. The old gentleman would not be best pleased that his beloved great-niece had been treated so callously. The drawing room was empty. He would ask to be taken to his host’s private domain.

  Thank God the young footman did not think it necessary to announce him, but merely knocked on the door and then slipped away unobtrusively as all good servants should.

  Jarvis opened the door his usual smile absent. News of the accident had obviously arrived ahead of him – which was hardly surprising as he’d taken so long getting changed. ‘Would it be possible for me to speak to Mr Bishop?’

  ‘He is not well this morning, my lord, I don’t reckon he’ll be receiving visitors.’

  That explained the man’s glum features. ‘I must have a word with him, it is urgent, kindly go and ask him if he is able to see me. I take it you have sent for his physician?’

  ‘No, my lord, he won’t let me. I don’t like the look of him at all – he must have overdone it yesterday. His valet is taking care of him.’

  Gideon marched straight in, he intended to convince Bishop to see the doctor when he arrived to attend to Miss Stanton. No – in future he would think of her as Sapphire – a strange and inappropriate name for a beautiful young lady with startling hazel eyes and russet hair. Some maggot had got into her parents at her birth, no doubt, and this accounted for the folly.

  Jarvis stomped in from what was presumably the bedchamber. ‘He reckons as he will see you, my lord. Will you come this way, if you please?’

  Mr Bishop was looking remarkably perky, his colour was good and his expression animated. A wave of relief washed over him – he had become inordinately fond of the elderly gentleman in the short time he had known him.

  ‘Come in, come in, my dear fellow, Jarvis is making too much fuss. I am a trifle fatigued after all the excitement yesterday, but not at all unwell, as you can see for yourself. So, my lord, why the long features?’

  Gideon told him the whole sorry tale. ‘I have sent for the doctor, I hope you
will let him examine you before he departs.’

  ‘I shall have no peace until I agree, what with you, my valet, Fullerton, and Jarvis making such a fuss about nothing. I am sure that Sapphire has suffered no serious harm from her fall, she will need to rest and keep the foot elevated for a few days, but she will be perfectly well after that.

  ‘Now, do sit down, my dear fellow, you are making me dizzy prowling around the room as you are. There is something I wish to speak to you about.’

  Gideon folded himself onto a convenient upright chair, crossed his legs at the ankle and waited expectantly.

  ‘I told Sapphire that you were her legal guardian, this is fustian and we both know it. I stand in that role for all three of them. However, I have sent for my lawyer and intend to add a codicil to the effect that, at my demise, you will assume responsibility – I am making you the boys’ guardian. My great-niece is quite able to take care of herself and will be a very wealthy young woman.’

  ‘I should be honoured to be officially named, sir, but surely you would wish Miss Stanton to be involved with their upbringing? Unless you are anticipating kicking the bucket in the next couple of years, I’m certain she will be married by then. She and her husband would expect to raise her brothers.’

  The old man smiled. ‘Exactly so, my dear fellow. My plan is faultless; if she wishes to remain with her siblings she will not contract a marriage. Therefore she will remain here and not leave me on my own.’

  This seemed a selfish point of view, and not one Gideon expected from his host. The old gentleman looked remarkably smug, there was something else going on here that he was not privy to.

  Gideon got to his feet and bowed politely. ‘I believe I see the doctor’s gig approaching down the drive. If you would excuse me, sir, I wish to speak to him before he visits your niece.’ He strode to the door and then remembered the other reason he had wished to speak to Bishop.

  ‘I would like to borrow your carriage, if I may, I think it best if I depart immediately after what took place today. Miss Stanton holds me in extreme dislike and will be delighted that I have gone.’

  ‘We must do as you see fit, my lord, after all you are a peer of the realm and must be eager to get away from us commoners.’

  This outrageous comment made Gideon laugh out loud. ‘Indeed, sir, you have the right of it. I am far too top lofty to remain here. However, I sincerely hope that my invitation to attend the house party with my family will not be withdrawn.’

  ‘You can be very certain it will not. Please say your farewells to the children; they will be sad to see you go. Thank you for coming to see me in person – I cannot tell you how much it means to me to be back in contact with my relations, however distant they may be. A few weeks ago I considered myself quite alone in the world, now I have an abundance of family and am determined to remain on God’s earth for at least another decade.’

  ‘I’m delighted to hear you say that, Mr Bishop. Thank you for your hospitality. I shall take my leave very soon but will return with my mother and sisters next month to celebrate Miss Stanton’s birthday. By the by, I have left a note of the names and addresses of acquaintances of mine who live within an hour’s drive of here. I can guarantee that all of them are acceptable and several have daughters of a similar age to Miss Stanton.’

  He had deliberately omitted from this list any family that had sons who might be considered a suitable match for his delectable cousin.

  Chapter Eight

  ‘There, Miss Stanton, I have finished. A very nasty sprain, but fortunately no worse than that. Keep your limb elevated and remain upstairs for at least two days.’

  Sapphire smiled her thanks. ‘I cannot believe something as insignificant as a sprain could be so painful. I thank you, Doctor Smith, and I shall endeavour to abide by your instructions.’

  The doctor departed and she sent word to the nursery that she was ready for visitors. Her brothers had been prevented by Meg, the nursemaid, from immediately charging downstairs when they had heard about her ankle.

  They burst in and were about to fling themselves on top of her when she held out both hands. ‘No, boys, you have to be careful and quiet. See, the doctor has bandaged up my ankle and I have it resting on a cushion. You cannot climb onto the bed because it will really hurt me.’

  ‘Can we sit on the floor beside you?’ David asked.

  ‘Of course you can, there are plenty of cushions and footstools you can bring over if you don’t wish to sit on the floor.’

  Eventually they were settled to their satisfaction and after being reassured that she was perfectly well, apart from being stiff, bruised and having a sprained ankle, they told her all about their riding and how much they loved their ponies. She found it rather unsettling that they mentioned Ilchester’s name a dozen times during their tale. ‘Ned and Billy are going to give us lessons every single day – Lord Ilchester thinks we will be off the leading rein in no time at all,’ David said.

  ‘As soon as I am able I shall come down and watch you. When you are proficient enough we can go out together in the mornings. I shall also continue your swimming lessons.’

  The rattle of cutlery and crockery heralded the arrival of her eagerly anticipated, but very delayed, breakfast. ‘I am sharp-set, boys, I do hope they have brought up enough for all of us. If they haven’t, then I fear I shall not feel inclined to share.’

  For a second they looked shocked and then giggled. ‘We had our breakfast ages ago, but I am quite hungry again, aren’t you, David?’

  Two of the new parlourmaids staggered in with loaded trays – more than enough for half a dozen starving people let alone the three of them. After they had eaten Sapphire sent the boys out to play with their puppy. ‘Jenny, I wish to speak to Lord Ilchester. Do think you could find him for me?’

  Her maid returned with the news that his lordship was speaking to her brothers and would come and see her after that. What seemed like an interminable time later there was a sharp knock on the door. Sapphire had dismissed Jenny, what she had to say to this gentleman was best said in private.

  As far as she was aware it was perfectly in order to entertain a member of one’s family in one’s own sitting room without causing eyebrows to be raised.

  ‘Come in, if you please.’ She was relieved that her voice didn’t betray her nervousness. Her initial fury had abated, and he had apologised most handsomely, but she wished to have matters right between them, especially if he was leaving later today. Also he had begun to sprinkle his conversation with unnecessary, and inappropriate, endearments and she wished him to stop that at once.

  The door slowly opened, somehow she had expected it to be thrown back dramatically, and Lord Ilchester stepped in looking remarkably smart for a man who had arrived with no change of raiment.

  ‘You have changed your jacket, my lord, am I to take it your valet and baggage have arrived?’

  ‘How observant of you, Miss Stanton, they have indeed. I must admit I looked a trifle shabby, I am famous for my sartorial elegance, a veritable tulip of fashion as you can see.’

  His jacket was superbly cut, but a plain dark green, nothing flamboyant at all. His waistcoat was grey silk and his shirt points and neckcloth nothing out of the ordinary. Then she saw he was having difficulty hiding his amusement at her expense.

  For a second she intended to give him a severe set down for his teasing, then she laughed instead. ‘I do so enjoy the company of a gentleman with a sense of humour.’ She waved airily towards an armchair a suitable distance from her daybed. ‘In fact, my lord, if you had not abandoned me without ascertaining how I did, I might almost like you.’ He made no move to follow her gesture.

  ‘I should not have done so, but I was furious with you. Didn’t you realise that jumping over a gate without ensuring there was no one passing by was the height of foolhardiness? If I had not pushed Tom and Merry into the hedge they could have been killed.’

  A wave of nausea engulfed her and for a moment she thought she might
disgrace herself. She swallowed hastily, took several deep breaths, and the danger passed. ‘I had no idea we had come so close to a catastrophe. Small wonder you were angry and decided I should walk home.’

  ‘Promise me you will never do anything so stupid again? I might not be your guardian, but I am head of the family and believe I have the right to an opinion on this matter.’

  ‘Of course I will not do it again. And on another subject entirely, sir, as you now have your man and your luggage, why don’t you stay until your stallion is sound?’

  He had been leaning nonchalantly against the wall but at her suggestion he appeared to lose his balance. He recovered smoothly and his smile made her feel decidedly peculiar.

  ‘Unfortunately, I have already bid my adieus to your brothers and your uncle so can hardly remain after that.’

  ‘That is doing it too brown, sir. I am quite certain you do exactly as you please with little regard for anybody’s opinion on the matter.’ She should not have said that – what had got into her today?

  He didn’t bother to answer until he was settled opposite, and then he folded his arms and pursed his lips before replying. ‘I cannot tell you how happy it makes me, my dear, to know you hold me in such high opinion. For I am thoroughly disliked at home and my staff live in constant fear of being dismissed, and my family of being locked in the attic on a diet of bread and water.’

  She put her finger on her lips as if considering his outrageous statement. ‘In which case, my lord, the longer you remain here the better it will be for those at Ilchester Abbey.’

  ‘You are without doubt, miss, an impudent baggage. I believe that it behoves me to stay here until I have shown you the error of your ways.’

  His lips twitched, but for a horrible moment she had thought he was serious. ‘I think, Lord Ilchester, you would have more success teaching a pig to fly.’