The Regency Season: Blackmailed Brides: The Scarlet Gown / Lady Beneath the Veil

‘I did not mean to leave you so far behind.’

‘Nay, miss, that were my fault. Fair took me by surprise, you did, setting off so fast. I weren’t expecting you to be such a good rider.’

He looked at her with new respect in his cheerful, open countenance, and as they turned and walked on Lucy could not resist asking if he had accompanied Lady Adversane on her rides.

‘Aye, miss, for she wouldn’t ride out alone. Wouldn’t travel anywhere on her own, and that’s a fact. Very nervy she was, which didn’t suit my lord. Neck or nothing, he is. Bruising rider.’

‘Yes, he is.’ Lucy knew she should not ask, but Robin was a friendly lad, and there was no harm in her questions, surely. ‘How did they get on, riding out together?’

‘They didn’t, miss. My lady was frightened of all his lordship’s cattle, especially Jupiter. Horses knows, see, they can smell that sort of thing. The master said at first that my lady would have to get used to ’em, but it was no good, and after a few weeks he asked Sir James to send over the grey my lady had always ridden.’ He wrinkled his nose. ‘Overfed old mare, no pace at all. Mr Greg said he’d never expected to see such a slug in the master’s stables, and ’twas no wonder my lord never rode out with his lady.’ He stopped, flushing. ‘I beg yer pardon, miss. I should not be saying this to you.’

Guiltily aware that she had encouraged his confidences, Lucy hastened to reassure Robin that she would not repeat it to anyone. She knew she should put all thoughts of Lady Adversane out of her mind, but Lucy was beginning to feel a little sorry for her, if she did not share her husband’s love of horses. She could well imagine Ralph’s impatience, but surely he could have curbed it and indulged his wife in a gentle ride around the park occasionally? She shook her head. It was not her concern. She would only be here for another two weeks. After that nothing at Adversane would be her concern at all.

* * *

Lying in her bed, Lucy stared into the enveloping darkness.

‘You would think,’ she said aloud, ‘that after spending the day helping Ariadne arrange all the guestrooms I would be exhausted. So why am I now wide awake?’

She clasped her hands behind her head. Perhaps working in the house had brought it home to her that Ralph’s family would be arriving soon. She had grown very comfortable at Adversane with only her host and his cousin for company, but she would have to be on her guard once their guests arrived. She sighed, realising how happy she had been for the past week, but it could not continue. She had been employed for a reason, and she must play her part. Lucy blinked. The inky blackness around her was almost total, only relieved by the bluish square of the window. Silently, she slipped out of bed and padded across the room. After wrestling for a moment with the catches, she threw both casements wide.

Balmy night air flooded in, bringing with it the heavy fragrance of the newly scythed lawns and the faint, tantalising hint of roses from the flower garden. Lucy curled up on the window seat and rested her arms on the sill, leaning out to catch the cool air on her face. With a sigh, she dropped her chin on her arms and gazed across the drive to the park beyond. She felt the heavy weight of the single plait of her hair slide over her shoulder to dangle into nothingness. The darkness was not so thick out of doors, for although there was no moon the clear sky was sprinkled with stars.

“Well, Rapunzel, what are you doing out of bed at this hour?’

Lucy jumped and looked down to see a figure standing beneath her window. His face was little more than a pale blur in the darkness, but the deep voice was instantly recognisable.

‘One might ask the same of you, Lord Adversane,’ she retorted. ‘And what did you call me?’

‘It is from a German folk tale. Rapunzel is a maiden who is locked in a high tower and the only way her lover can reach her is to climb up her hair.’