The Mysterious Lord Marlowe

‘Yes, I am sure she would if she had the chance.’ Andrew frowned. ‘I spent some time looking in the wood near the house. I found some deep tracks—as if a horse might be carrying two people.’

‘Did they recapture her?’

‘That, too, is possible. I know that Jane would do her best to get word to me if she could.’

‘Were you not engaged on some business or other for the regiment?’

‘That business is on hold,’ Andrew said. ‘If Jane and Mariah are not found, I must leave the matter to another, because I shall not rest until I know they are safe. Just as you cannot rest until Mariah is found.’

Avonlea nodded. ‘My wife is concerned for Mariah, as I am. You have not received a ransom note?’

‘No. I am certain the rogue means to compromise Mariah, perhaps even force her into marriage for the sake of her fortune.’

‘Yet her trustees have heard nothing. I told them what had happened and they were greatly distressed. They begged me to find Mariah and see her safely wed to a decent man—and I have promised to do all I can, but Mariah has a mind of her own. Apparently, they have the power to veto a marriage if they think it unsuitable, but I was assured that if I approved the match they would not object.’

‘You do not think she agreed to this abduction to force her trustees to release her money?’

‘Mariah is inclined to be reckless, but she would not endanger a friend. Had this been a sham abduction, Mariah would simply have disappeared and a note been immediately delivered. I think the rogue that has taken her means to hold out for marriage to ensure he has the whole of her fortune.’

‘What will her trustees do if he makes such a demand?’

‘I have been asked to manage the affair to prevent a scandal. If she is forced into anything, her abductor will very soon regret it.’

‘Be careful, Justin,’ Andrew said. ‘Whoever planned this is a clever devil. He will not simply hand Mariah over. You may have to release at least a part of her fortune if you wish to see her safe.’

‘Damn it, I don’t care for the money—but the rogue deserves to hang.’

‘Yes, he does,’ Andrew agreed. ‘If I have anything to say in the matter, that is exactly what will happen—but first we have to find them.’

‘I wish you good luck,’ Justin said. ‘Lucinda is in a delicate situation, therefore I can only do so much to help in this investigation. I fear that most of the burden must fall on you, Andrew—though you may call on me if necessary.’

‘I wish Lucinda a safe confinement when the time comes and congratulate you,’ Andrew replied with none of the pain the announcement might once have caused him. ‘You should take care of her and leave this business to me. I shall call on you only if I need you.’

‘Lucinda comes first with me—but I feel responsible to Mariah in a way and will do all I can to recover her. I shall send to London for another agent to help in the search.’

‘I already have a good man on the trail, but we need as much help as we can get,’ Andrew said and his expression was both grim and determined. ‘I am fairly certain that Mariah will not be found locally. This rogue will have her somewhere secure by now. We had a chance that we might find them at an inn nearby, but too much time has elapsed now. You will, of course, let me know if you hear anything?’

‘Of course. I wish you good luck in your search for Jane,’ Avonlea said. ‘If you find her, you may also find Mariah.’

‘It is my fervent prayer that we shall find them both—though I think not together, for I am certain they were separated.’

Andrew’s face was set as he made his farewells and left Avonlea’s house. He knew that it might be impossible to find Jane. She might even be dead. Mariah was probably being kept safe in the hope of her fortune. Andrew drew some comfort from that, but his feelings were in such turmoil that he hardly knew whether he was more concerned for Mariah Fanshawe or for his sister.

Something told him Jane might have escaped her captors and if that were the case his highly independent sister might even now be on her way home.

If only that were so. He would then be able to concentrate all his efforts on finding Mariah.

Chapter Three

‘It is a pity your caretaker did not have a horse you could borrow,’ Jane said as they stopped by a river to let George’s horse rest and drink. Dusk was falling softly over the countryside, hiding the contours of roads, houses and barns, making her feel they were alone in all the world. ‘Or perhaps you did not trust me to ride alone?’

George looked at her in silence for a moment. ‘I thought you had agreed to trust me?’

‘We could have travelled faster with two horses.’

‘Yes, that is true—but Mrs Muffet would have wondered how two gentlemen had arrived with only one horse between them. I wished to protect your reputation.’ His eyes seemed to burn into her, making her tremble inwardly. ‘Will you not give me your trust, Jane?’

Jane looked at him in silence. Her mind wavered between trusting him and understanding his predicament, and condemning him for his part in the affair. She sighed, because she was stiff, her ankle had begun to ache again and she was tired of being so uncomfortable. The thought of her home and her brother made her eyes prick with tears. Andrew would be out of his mind with worry.

‘My name is Jane Lanchester,’ she said as George turned away and then handed her a flask of water he had brought with them. ‘We live at Hillcrest. It is a lovely Queen Anne house not ten miles from the Avonlea estate. My brother is Lord Andrew Lanchester. Blair was my mother’s maiden name.’

George smiled at her, and once again Jane felt that odd pull at her heart. She ought not to feel anything for a man she did not know and was not sure she could trust, yet there was something about him and their situation that made her want to let down her guard.

‘Thank you. I shall try to send word to your brother, tell him not to worry.’

‘Why do you not confide the whole in Andrew?’ Jane asked and rubbed at the back of her neck tiredly. ‘He would be grateful to you for helping me and he might be able to help you find Blake.’

‘I think it more likely he would call the magistrate and have me arrested. In his shoes I should certainly do so. Besides, I still believe you should remain hidden, Miss Lanchester. Should Blake discover who you are and where you live, you would be at risk …’

‘Yes, I know the risk.’ Jane frowned. She bit her lip. ‘I suppose he would kill Andrew as well if he stood in his way. I had not thought of that—it would be my fault for becoming embroiled in this affair. How much damage one might do without intending it.’

‘It is a sobering thought, is it not?’ George looked grave. ‘Perhaps now you begin to understand what compelled me to do something I should not otherwise have contemplated.’

‘Yes, perhaps I do a little,’ Jane agreed. Her heart pounded, for she was very much affected by him in a way she hardly understood. Surely she could not be attracted to a man she ought to despise? She drank some of the water and splashed some on her face. ‘Have we far to go?’

He looked at her in concern and once again her heart raced. ‘You are tired? I have pushed you too hard, but I am concerned that Blake may be looking for you—or us. I think he may suspect me of helping you.’

‘I am sorry. I have caused you a great deal of trouble. I should have stayed out of it, as you told me, and looked for help after they took Mariah.’

‘You thought only to help someone in distress. It was brave of you, Miss Lanchester—but reckless.’

‘Andrew would say exactly the same.’ Jane felt rueful. ‘I know I am at fault. I have always acted first and thought after. My brother has scolded me for it many times. Had you not had to worry about me, you could have been looking for Mariah. You might have found her and rescued her by now.’

‘It is not as easy as that,’ George said. ‘This situation is hardly your fault, Miss Lanchester. I have to locate Blake and then follow him without being seen. My chances of success are slim, because he will be on his guard—but I do know some of the places he likes to visit. He is often at a rather sleazy gambling hall in London. I may look for him there first.’

‘You intend to leave me with your nurse and go to London?’

‘You look alarmed. You should be safe enough with Martha. I cannot stay to protect you if I am to search for Lady Fanshawe.’

‘No, of course not.’

He was right, of course he was right, but she was somehow bereft at the thought of being abandoned with a woman she did not know. For a moment her heart sank, then she thrust the unworthy thought from her mind. She had no need of a man to help her. Had she not made up her mind long ago that she would be independent and live her life as she pleased rather than be beholden to a man, who would inevitably ill use her and break her heart? How foolish she would be to allow her situation to make her weak.

‘Come, we should go on. It is not far now.’

George held out his hand to her. Jane took a step towards him. Her foot slipped on a stone buried in the grass and she stumbled. George caught her and held her to him for a moment. He looked down at her.

‘Are you ill? I have been thoughtless. You were knocked unconscious. You fell and hurt your ankle and we have ridden all day. I do not think another lady of my acquaintance would have put up with so much. Forgive me.’