A Victory for Love Read online

  But before he could speak the high silver cross on the altar slipped forward and crashed down on top of the Parson’s head.

  He collapsed on the floor and, as the Earl let out a shout of anger, a man sprang swiftly from behind the altar and hit him with a resounding punch on the point of the chin.

  He seemed to fly through the air and crash down, hitting his head as he did so on the corner of a carved pew and to lie there unconscious.

  Then before she could scream, move or even breathe, Farica found herself caught up in Ivan’s arms and he was carrying her away towards the door, leaving the two unconscious men behind them.

  The door opened just before they reached it and Hagman was outside grinning.

  Ivan did not speak, but carried Farica along the passage and out through a door that led into the garden at the back of The Castle.

  He crossed the lawn, avoiding the Rose Garden and stepped into the bushes.

  He had not gone far before waiting for them tied to a tree was Waterloo.

  Ivan put Farica down on the ground and as he did so she gave a little cry and spoke for the first time.

  “Oh, Ivan, Ivan – you saved me – I was so – terrified!”

  “I knew that you must have been, my darling,” he said, “but I had to leave it until the last moment just in case he could escape before I knocked him unconscious.”

  “It was – so clever of you.”

  “I must get you away.”

  Ivan picked her up again as he spoke and put her on the front of his saddle as she had ridden once before.

  Then he led the horse through the shrubs until they reached the edge of the garden and beyond where there was an open field.

  While they were moving, Farica took off her bonnet to tie it by its ribbons to the saddle.

  Ivan then mounted up behind her and she leaned back against him and gave a little sigh of relief and happiness as she did so.

  “How could I have guessed – how could I have – imagined,” she asked in a low voice, “when he told me a window in the Chapel needed repairing – what he was – really planning?”

  “You have to thank Hagman for saving you, my darling one,” Ivan replied. “When he arrived to see me this morning after you had left, he told me that two strange things were happening at The Castle that he could find no explanation for.”

  Ivan kissed Farica’s hair before he went on,

  “The first was that white flowers had been ordered for the Chapel, which had surprised all the servants as his Lordship had never been to a Service of any kind since he had inherited. And then later a Parson had arrived from London.”

  “Hagman knew that he was – a Parson?” Farica asked.

  “He said he was a strange sort of Parson considering that the moment he stepped into the house before having breakfast he asked for brandy!”

  “And Hagman came and told you what was happening?”

  “When I heard what he had to say I was frightened,” Ivan replied. “I was well aware how much my despicable cousin wanted your money and, because I understand how his devious mind works, I recognised that he was determined to have it.”

  “How could he think of anything so horrible – so bestial – as to mutilate my face?” Farica muttered.

  “He is lucky I did not kill him!” Ivan said. “But I had already decided before I went to the Chapel to save you that the position we are in at the moment cannot continue.”

  “What are you going – to do?” Farica asked anxiously. “Oh, my darling, be careful. Suppose something should happen – to you?”

  “Nothing is going to happen and I will not have you upset,” Ivan replied. “I am going to London.”

  It was the last thing that Farica had expected him to say and it took her a second or so before she could repeat the words,

  “To – L-London?”

  “When Hagman brought me the newspaper this morning,” Ivan explained, “I saw that the Colonel of my Regiment and two of my brother Officers who know me well have returned to England from Paris where they had been in the Army of Occupation. I am going to find them and explain my position and I feel certain that they will help me.”

  “Oh, Ivan, that is a wonderful idea. If you have soldiers behind you – I shall not feel so afraid.”

  “There will be a scandal, which is most regrettable,” Ivan said in a hard voice, “but something has to be done, as I knew even before that devil terrified you.”

  Farica turned her face against his shoulder and he kissed her forehead before he said,

  “It’s all over, my darling, but I do want you to tell your father what has happened.”

  “You really want me – to tell Papa?”

  “But do not mention me,” Ivan said quickly. “What I want you to do is to make him realise that you cannot see the Earl in any circumstances, that he is very dangerous and that you must be strongly guarded both in your home and anywhere else you go.”

  “I am sure if I tell Papa that your cousin tried to marry me by force he will be determined to prevent it from happening again. But how shall I tell him I was saved?”

  “Tell him it was one of the servants in The Castle who just placed you outside the door and then hurried away in case he should lose his job.”

  “I think Papa might believe that – but surely he will think it strange?”

  “All that matters,” Ivan said, “is that he should make sure that it cannot happen again or anything like it in my absence. I think we can count on Fergus, even if his jaw is not broken, which it probably is, feeling very sorry for himself for the rest of the day and perhaps all day tomorrow. But I intend to be in London by tomorrow evening. After that I will be in charge, at least I hope so!”

  “You will be,” Farica said prophetically, “and I know, with you directing everything, that I shall be safe.”

  “With God’s help,” Ivan said quietly and Farica added very softly,

  “I am sure He will help us.”

  She thought as she spoke of how Ivan had pushed the silver cross down onto the Parson’s head, knocking him unconscious before he dealt with his cousin.

  She knew it was not only Hagman who had warned them of what was happening, but God, who moving in a mysterious way had first brought them together and then helped them so far in every movement they had made.

  “I know you will be successful,” she cried. “At the same time I am afraid for you to go away, and you must not travel alone.”

  “I have thought of that,” Ivan replied, “and perhaps I can borrow a horse from someone. I cannot afford to buy one for the moment.”

  Farica laughed and it was a very tender sound.

  “You know perfectly well that you must ride Pegasus and he will be very proud to carry you. Hagman can ride Waterloo and the first thing I am going to find you when I get home is, of course, some money.”

  She saw Ivan’s lips move as if to protest, and she put up her fingers to his mouth to prevent him speaking.

  “If after all we have been through,” she said, “you are going to pretend that you are proud, I think for the first time I shall be angry, or if not angry with you, offended.”

  As if he could not help himself, Ivan laughed.

  “I suppose considering you have housed me, fed me and kissed me. I am splitting straws, but I can only promise, my sweet, that I will pay you back.”

  “As a sharp usurer,” Farica laughed, “I shall expect one hundred percent for my money – in kisses!”

  “You shall have the first one of them now,” Ivan said pulling her close to him and at the same time reining in Waterloo.

  Farica’s lips were ready and waiting for him and he kissed her until everything vanished except the sunshine, which seemed not only to be round them but in them and glowing with a fierce fire.

  Then Ivan rode on and a few minutes later they came to the outskirts of The Priory garden.

  “Before I tell Papa, I will come back to you with – everything you need,” Farica said. �
��I know he will be working in his study on the plans for the slate mine until it is time for him to go to tea at The Castle. I am therefore going to the stable to collect Pegasus and later I will tell the grooms that I have left him with a friend for the night. Then I will come straight back to you.”

  “You are quite certain that you will be all right?” Ivan asked and she laughed.

  “I don’t think that even your appalling cousin will feel strong enough to attack me for an hour or so!”

  He held her close against him as if the idea of her being attacked by anyone was terrifying.

  Then he said,

  “Very well, go quickly, and try not to let anyone ask questions. Remember that Riggs and his accomplices will not yet know what has happened at The Castle.”

  He saw her slip through the bushes and trees before she reached the stable yard.

  There seemed to be no one about and she guessed that the stable boys were exercising the horses while the old groom was taking a rest before getting the carriage ready that would take her father to The Castle.

  She went into Pegasus’s stall to bridle and saddle him herself and there was still no sign of anyone.

  She then entered the house by the door that led only into the garden.

  Without being seen she hurried along the passages until she came to the office used by her father’s secretary, who she knew was away for three days dealing with her father’s affairs in London.

  She knew where the keys of the safe were hidden, which contained not only her and her mother’s jewellery but also the money that was paid out in wages either weekly or monthly.

  Without any difficulty she extracted one hundred pounds and, closing the door of the safe, she put the keys back in their hiding place and returned to the stables.

  It was still very quiet except for the movements of the horses in their stalls and she led Pegasus out into the yard, mounted him, and rode away along the twisting path that led first to the gardens and then on towards the doll’s house.

  Ivan was waiting for her long before she reached him and he lifted her down from the saddle, kissing her as he did so.

  “Who saw you?” he asked as he set her down on the ground.

  “Nobody,” she replied. “And here is your money. But don’t forget that you have to pay me for it!”

  He kissed her again and slipped the bag that she had carried the money in into his pocket without looking inside it.

  Then he led Pegasus up the overgrown narrow path to the doll’s house and put him in the small stall that had hitherto held Waterloo, who was tied to a tree.

  “He will resent being displaced by Pegasus,” Farica smiled.

  “He is quite prepared to give way to his elders and betters!” Ivan replied.

  He unsaddled Pegasus and took off his bridle, then, as they walked to the front of the doll’s house, Ivan said,

  “I am sorry, my darling, that I cannot come with you to explain to your father how wonderfully brave you are. I know of no woman who would behave as you have in such horrifying circumstances.”

  “They were not horrifying – once you had – saved me.”

  “Nevertheless, you are as brave as you are beautiful! There has never been anyone like you, as you well know.”

  He kissed her fiercely and demandingly and then he said,

  “Therefore, my darling, remember that we have not yet won the battle. This has only been a skirmish, which will put the enemy on their guard.”

  “I will remember,” Farica said solemnly, “and I know that Papa will protect me in every possible way once he learns what has happened.”

  “Promise me that you also will be very careful. You know now that a cornered rat will fight viciously and that is exactly what Fergus is!”

  Farica was frightened, but she did not want Ivan to see it.

  Quickly she put her arms around his neck and kissed him and without saying anything more slipped away through the bushes towards The Priory.

  She found her father as she expected poring over maps in his study.

  “Farica!” he exclaimed. “Why are you here? What has happened?”

  “I have something rather – terrible to tell you, Papa,” Farica replied.

  She threw the bonnet she had carried in her hand since leaving the doll’s house on a chair and then sat down beside her father to take his hand in hers.

  “I do not want you to be upset about what I have to say, Papa,” she began, “although it is in fact – very upsetting.”

  “What are you talking about and why have you come back alone?”

  He sounded slightly perturbed and Farica, holding tightly onto his hand, told him exactly what had happened, only saying that she had no idea who the servant was who had knocked out the Earl and carried her from the Chapel.

  “I cannot believe it!” Sir Robert exclaimed in astonishment. “How dare the Earl do such a thing! How dare he threaten you in that monstrous manner!”

  “Well, I am safe, Papa. The only thing is he may try again.”

  “Over my dead body will he marry you now!” Sir Robert asserted angrily.

  Farica shivered in case what he was saying was unlucky.

  Then she said,

  “I think, Papa, the kindest way we can look at it is to think that the Earl is a little mad. He needs money so urgently that he is prepared to do anything to get hold of it – but I know that you will save me from it being my money.”

  “That is certainly true,” Sir Robert agreed. “I am only upset, my dearest, that you should have suffered such an unpleasant experience, though one that none of us could possibly have anticipated. When I see that young man, I will tell him exactly what I think of him!”

  “No, no, Papa, that will do no good! I think the most dignified thing would be to pretend it has not happened. I do not imagine we shall be seeing the Earl, for some time at any rate.”

  She paused and then, thinking of what Ivan had said, she added,

  “Unless, of course, he wants money so badly that he will try again.”

  “If you really think that he might try and kidnap you for a second time,” Sir Robert said, “that is something I will most certainly prevent!”

  He rose from his chair and walked about the study as if only by movement could he relieve his feelings.

  Then after a moment he remarked,

  “One consolation, if a small one, is that you and I have to be away from here tomorrow, at least for a day, if not longer.”

  “Away, Papa? But why?”

  “After you left a groom arrived from my sister Alice to say that she has had a heart attack and wishes to see us immediately.”

  “Oh, poor Aunt Alice. How terrible for her,” Farica exclaimed.

  Her father’s sister, Lady Burton, lived about twelve miles away and, although for the moment she had no wish to leave the Priory, just in case she might be of assistance to Ivan, she knew as he was going to London first thing in the morning, it would not matter if she left too.

  “We will leave early,” Sir Robert suggested, “which means that we should get there at about noon for luncheon. We will then see what we can do for Alice and return in time for dinner.”

  “I would like that, Papa. I have no wish to stay too long in that uncomfortable house.”

  “I agree with you,” Sir Robert said, “so we have to rise early. And to make sure we do not have any unpleasantness before we leave or during the journey I will take James and Henry with us as outriders.”

  He paused before he added, almost as if he spoke to himself,

  “They are both good shots with a pistol.”

  “I think that would be wise, Papa, and undoubtedly much safer than if we went alone.”

  “Safer!” Sir Robert shouted. “It is an outrage that in my own vicinity I have to be afraid of my own neighbours. All I can say is, I would rather see you in your coffin than married to a reprobate like that!”

  The way he had changed his mind so completely made Farica want to smi
le.

  At the same time she thought that, if her father knew of the murders the Earl had committed and the way he was hunting the true Earl at this very moment, he would be even more incensed than he was already.

  However, she did not say anything, but only rose to her feet and lifted her face to kiss her father on his cheek.

  “I love you, Papa, and let’s not think or talk about the Earl again. He frightens me.”

  “The young swine!” Sir Robert growled.

  But he said no more.

  Chapter Seven

  Farica awoke early, but not early enough to enable her to slip away and see Ivan without her absence being noticed.

  She dearly wanted to do so, but she knew that it would be a great mistake if her father discovered at this particular moment that Ivan was alive and hiding in the doll’s house.

  She was well aware without his saying so that what Ivan wanted was to be able to meet her father as himself and not as a fugitive from one of his own relatives.

  She therefore got up and dressed and by the time she was ready in a pretty gown with a bonnet and a shawl to match in which she was to travel, it was time for breakfast.

  She was not surprised to find that her father was already downstairs, because he was always an early riser.

  She had a feeling that he was still so interested in his plans for the slate mine that he had been taking a last look at them before he had to leave The Priory for the day.

  He ate a large breakfast as usual in the small dining room, and Farica, as she helped herself, was hoping that Ivan was sensible enough to eat plenty of breakfast before he set out on what she was well aware would be an arduous ride to London.

  He would have to stay one night on the way, if only to give the horses a rest.

  It was usual when her father made the trip for him to stay for two nights on the way if possible with friends.

  Then Farica began to worry in case Ivan was seen and recognised in the village and Riggs or some others of the Earl’s assassins followed and killed him while he was unprotected at some wayside inn.

  But she told herself she was being faint-hearted. Ivan had said she was brave and that was what she must be.