Mine for Ever Read online

  “Sophia, I do not deny that I think you are an attractive and interesting woman, but the fact is my heart belongs to another.”

  “What are you saying?” she came back, with her face falling. “You have spoken before of this other and I don’t believe she exists! Who is she?”

  “Sophia, do not press me to be ungentlemanly.”

  “No, I demand to know who my rival is!” she cried, almost getting up from her chair.

  “Her name is Lilliana Parker. We were sweethearts before I went to India and I had every intention of making her my wife on my return. However, she is now engaged to another.”

  “Then, how can she be a rival when she isn’t free to marry you?” exclaimed Lady Marlow in exasperation.

  “No, Sophia, you still don’t understand what I am saying to you. I just cannot love another – Lilliana has my heart and soul and there is no other for me. I will go to my grave loving her and that is the truth. There is no chance that you and I will ever be more than friends and I am sorry if you thought otherwise.”

  There was a long silence and her lower lip began to tremble.

  “So, you have led me on,” she said coldly.

  “Sophia, I am very sorry if you believe that to be the case.”

  She stood up to compose herself, even if tears were now running down her face.

  “You just cannot know what you are saying. Your mother told me that you were unwell when you came home from India and I know you will change your mind. I love you, Robert, and I believe that you love me.”

  The Earl looked at her in disbelief.

  “I think it might be best if we did not see each other for a long time, Sophia,” he muttered, ringing for Grimm. “Perhaps one day we will be able to resume our friendship, but for now, I think that is the wisest course of action.”

  Before Grimm could answer, she had picked up her bag and stalked out of the room.

  The Earl let out a deep sigh as Grimm came in.

  “You rang, my Lord?”

  “Nothing. The lady has shown herself out,” he said in a resigned tone.

  His attention was then distracted by a commotion in the hall. One of the footmen burst into the room.

  “Begging your pardon, my Lord, but her Ladyship has come home unexpectedly.”

  His mother was looking tired and drawn as she was helped from the carriage.

  “Mother! I thought you were staying overnight?”

  “Bristol was tiresome and I did not care to stay, I have had an argument with Lady Armstrong and I will not be returning again in a hurry!”

  “I, too, have had a difficult afternoon, but come, let me ring for tea. You will be tired from your journey.”

  “I am tired of life!” she cried. “It is a sad day when one’s friends insult one!”

  The Earl smiled to himself – his mother was rather prone to falling out with her old friends, but soon they were as thick as thieves once again!

  She chattered on about her friend’s slight and then the tea arrived with her post.

  She took the letters from Grimm with interest.

  “A letter from my cousin in Ireland – this looks like an invitation, and oh, what is this? I don’t know the hand!”

  Opening the letter she read eagerly and, slowly the expression on her face changed.

  “Goodness!” she exclaimed, almost in a faint.

  “What is it, Mother? Surely not an apology from your friend already?”

  “No, darling. Heavens!”

  She clutched at her throat and fanned her face.

  “Robert, you must read this at once!”

  The Earl sighed and put down his cup.

  “Mother, your correspondence is private, I have no wish – ”

  “It’s from Lilliana! You must read the letter – it explains everything! Oh, my dear boy! There is no time to lose – if you act now, you may yet save the day!”

  The Earl turned white as the blood drained from his head.

  With a shaking hand he took the letter from his mother’s outstretched hand –

  CHAPTER NINE

  “Well?” she asked, anxiously watching her son’s face.

  “Oh, my Lilliana!” he exclaimed, “why could she not have told me of all this?”

  “Darling, she has made it clear in the letter what the circumstances were. Her mother was not telling you a lie – she did not have time to write to you and it was imperative that she acted in order to release her father from prison.”

  “And Lord Farringdon took advantage of her when she was at her most vulnerable and alone – the blackguard! How dare he!”

  The Countess shook her head in disbelief.

  “Not all men are as upright and morally strong as you are. Lilliana is surely a beautiful young lady and he obviously wanted her at any cost.”

  “Lilliana does not say what her father has done, or whether he was, indeed, guilty – ” he said, looking off into the distance, “but whatever it was, as an MP, the slightest whiff of scandal would be enough to ruin his career and his reputation.”

  “Can you understand now why she has had to agree to this marriage? Darling, if I had been in her shoes, I would have done the same. Her devotion to her father is to be admired.”

  “Yes, at what cost? My own dear sweet Lilliana! It makes me love her even more to think of her sacrifice.”

  “The question remains, Robert, what are you going to do about this? There is so little time.”

  “Yes, we must think of something.”

  “It will be very difficult to get to her, Robert, if, as she says, she is being kept a virtual prisoner in the house in London.”

  “But this brother who is helping her – ”

  “Has it not occurred to you that he might be just a little bit in love with her himself? No, we cannot count on him to do anything except perhaps to ensure her letters are posted without being vetted by Lord Farringdon.”

  The Earl paced the floor. To and fro he walked, his brow furrowed and his fist punching the air in front of him as he wracked his brains for a solution.

  But none came.

  Seeing his anguish his mother re-read the letter.

  “I have an idea,” she said quietly, “it is a wild plan, but perhaps it will work.”

  “What is it? I do not care if it is the most fanciful scheme I have ever heard, if you have found a way, then let me hear it.”

  “Darling, in the letter she says she has managed to persuade her fiancé to allow her out in the carriage each Wednesday for a drive. Perhaps I could go and meet her in my carriage? I cannot think that one lady greeting another in the park would arouse any suspicions.”

  The Earl thought for a while.

  “And if you did this – how would that help with rescuing her?”

  “Robert, you always loved dressing-up games when you were small and if you donned a coachman’s uniform you could accompany Beech and perhaps speak to her.”

  “Or I could snatch her and we could then run away together!” shouted the Earl eagerly.

  “Robert, she says that she always has a chaperone with her. If you snatched her, it would create a scene. No, we require a more subtle plan if we are to entice her into my carriage. There must be no struggle and no fighting – that would only make matters worse.”

  “Oh, the situation is hopeless!” he cried, throwing his hands in the air.

  “Robert, we must remain calm and think logically. Come, it is no different to an attack in India! Think! You must have encountered this scenario before.”

  “Nothing of this kind, no. Although there are many Hindu legends that tell of daring exploits when the heroine has been abducted by a wicked Prince.”

  “And how did they perform the impossible?”

  “By doing something so very simple and obvious that one would have sworn that it could never possibly work. Mother, those are just fairy tales – ”

  “I believe in fairy tales and happy endings. How do heroes rescue their loves from a fat
e worse than death?”

  “By disguising and outwitting their enemies!”

  “So, we shall do the same. Disguise yourself as a coachman and I shall lure Lilliana into our carriage whilst you distract Lord Farringdon’s coachman. For Lilliana’s part, she shall have to choose her chaperone most carefully on the day. Perhaps this brother would be a good choice?”

  “But you said he may be in love with her.”

  “I could be mistaken. He may just be a kind man who has a strong sense of right and wrong. However, we shall let Lilliana worry about that detail. The next thing we need to decide is what happens once you have taken her.”

  “We shall be married at once, of course.”

  “My headstrong son – then, Lord Farringdon could begin legal proceedings for breach of promise on the part of Lilliana. No, you will have to leave the country where the law of this land cannot touch you.”

  “America?”

  “Exactly. My cousins in Boston would be only too delighted if you were to make it your new home. I am certain they would aid you in any way they could.”

  “But to never see these shores again – ”

  “Don’t be so stupid. You would be able to come home after just a few years – when you had children and your marriage could not be dissolved.”

  “But the estate – who will run it?”

  “We managed very well when you were in India!”

  The Earl walked over to the window and stared out.

  It was a daring plan and one that might work.

  ‘Without Lilliana I will not be living but merely existing,’ he moaned to himself. ‘Why am I hesitating to act when she is all I wish for? Am I a man or a mouse?’

  “Mother,” he said at last, “would you write to her and tell her that you wish to visit the Albert Memorial this coming Wednesday? We have so little time before it will be too late and we must act now or all will be lost.”

  She rose from her chair and went over to her son to kiss him on the cheek.

  “At once, dearest,” she said, squeezing his arm. “I will choose my words carefully so that Lord Farringdon does not get wind of anything. And we shall just have to pray that she chooses a suitable chaperone that day.”

  “Lilliana is nothing if not resourceful,” added the Earl, “she will think of some way.”

  “Good, now, leave me – I have a most important letter to write.”

  Deciding to go for a ride, he could hardly contain his excitement as he spurred his horse onwards.

  ‘Oh, Lilliana! I am coming for you, my darling! Stay strong!’ he whispered, as they galloped across a field.

  *

  Many miles away in London Lilliana was doing her best to remain in Lord Farringdon’s good books.

  She had even allowed him to kiss her – albeit on the cheek – and so, a few days later, a magnificent diamond necklace had found its way onto her dressing table.

  Although she was still required to have a chaperone wherever she went, she was allowed out more frequently.

  The weekend before the wedding she was thrilled when Elizabeth arrived one morning.

  She embraced her friend and kissed her fondly.

  “This is such a lovely surprise,” she enthused with tears filling her eyes. “What brings you to London – or should I say, who?”

  “I am staying for three days with Aunt Victoria in order to see Gordon again. Of course, I shall be returning to Downleigh for your wedding next weekend.”

  Lilliana gave her such a sad look that Elizabeth wanted to cry.

  “It does not seem right – ” began Elizabeth.

  “Hush, Mrs. Lock will be hiding in the next room and will report every word to his Lordship. We must talk quietly to make sure she cannot hear us.”

  “You have heard no doubt that the Earl has been seen around the village?” Elizabeth asked in a voice barely above a whisper.

  “Yes,” sighed Lilliana, “I wrote to him to explain what had happened, but Mrs. Lock intercepted my letter. I have now made one last attempt to reach him – I recently smuggled out a letter to his mother explaining all about my marriage. God willing, it would have reached her by now.”

  “But I fail to see how informing him of those facts will prevent your marriage to Lord Farringdon?”

  “Robert is a very clever man. He will realise that the letter, although addressed to his mother, is for him. In it I have stated that I am in the habit of taking the carriage to Hyde Park each Wednesday afternoon.”

  “And you hope for a daring rescue?”

  “Elizabeth, it would be beyond my wildest dreams. I think the best I can wish for is a meeting of some kind.”

  “But you are not allowed out of the house without a chaperone. I cannot imagine Mrs. Lock or Alice would stand for you talking to a strange man in the park.”

  “If his mother was there, then I believe it would be acceptable. Oh, Elizabeth, I only ask to see him once more – that is all! I have to know that he still loves me. I could endure all if I knew that. If he can only find a way to be in Hyde Park next Wednesday, I will be overjoyed.”

  Elizabeth regarded her friend and patted her hand, comfortingly.

  “Then, I will just pray for it to come to pass, dearest friend. Now, I have some purchases to make in Oxford Street – will you accompany me?”

  “Let me ring for Mrs. Lock and ask,” said Lilliana, embarrassed that she could no longer do as she wished.

  Mrs. Lock was agreeable, but, as they expected, she donned her own bonnet and cape to go with them.

  Much later when they had returned to Park Street Elizabeth took her leave.

  “Please send Aunt Victoria my regards and ask her to forgive me for not coming to see her,” urged Lilliana.

  “Farewell, my darling,” cried Elizabeth, “I do hope that next week brings you all you would wish.”

  She smiled as the carriage drew off and Lilliana felt so envious of her and her freedom to see Gordon McCloud whenever she chose.

  As she went back inside, Mrs. Lock came towards her, holding a letter in her hand.

  “This has just arrived for you, miss. It is from the Countess of Sherborne.”

  “An old family friend. Unfortunately Mama told me that she will not be able to attend the wedding and so has probably written expressing her regret.”

  Mrs. Lock nodded and went back below stairs.

  Lilliana could hardly breathe for sheer excitement, although she tried not to show it.

  ‘The Countess must have received my letter!’ she thought, as she took the letter into the drawing room.

  Lord Farringdon was out and would not be back for some time and she knew that Alice was occupied upstairs.

  She closed the door and then ripped open the letter.

  The Countess was short and to the point.

  “Dearest Lilliana,

  I am sorry that I will be unable to attend your wedding. However, I am visiting London next Wednesday and perhaps I may call upon you – I also have a desire to see the Prince Albert Memorial. If you are busy, I do understand, but please send word so that I do not waste a journey.

  Fond regards,

  Anne Sherborne.”

  Lilliana was ecstatic – although the Countess had not made any mention of the Earl, she knew that she would have shown him her letter.

  ‘Hopefully he will be with her,’ she prayed, as she gazed out of the window. ‘Oh, please God, he will be!’

  She ran to the fireplace and threw the letter into the flames.

  ‘Wednesday it is, I pray I am not disappointed.’

  She then picked up a sheet of paper and began to compose her reply.

  *

  The Earl was relieved that he had not heard from Lady Marlow for some time and he assumed that she had either returned to India or was in London.

  He was totally preoccupied with his plans to steal Lilliana away from Lord Farringdon.

  He had written to his cousins in Boston and asked if he could stay with them, bu
t did not mention that he was expecting to be travelling with his new wife.

  ‘I don’t wish to tempt fate,’ he had said to himself. ‘Should anything go awry, I still intend to visit America as I may need to make myself scarce for a while.’

  He knew he was taking a tremendous gamble. If it all went wrong, he might find himself imprisoned and if he succeeded in whisking Lilliana away from Lord Farringdon – then he might still have the Police to contend with.

  ‘No amount of money will buy my freedom if I am found guilty of kidnapping another man’s bride, but I do not care if she and I spend the rest of our lives as fugitives – the most important thing is that we are together.’

  Just then there came a knock at the door and one of the footmen came in bearing a salver.

  “My Lord, this has been delivered by a messenger. He says it is most urgent.”

  His heart leapt – could it be from Lilliana, saying that she had escaped from the clutches of Lord Farringdon?

  He opened it at once and his heart sank as he read the note.

  “Please come to The Mount Hotel in Southbury – it is a most urgent matter. Sophia.”

  The Earl thought for some moments. What was it that she wanted this time?

  ‘I thought I had heard the last from her.’

  He was aware that the footman was still waiting for an answer.

  It would be so easy to just disappear without a reply – after all there were only a few more days to go before he set his plans into action.

  Next Wednesday he would be on board a ship from Bristol bound for New York and a new life with Lilliana.

  But the Earl was a gentleman and was not the kind to let matters ride as some men were wont.

  “Tell the messenger I will be at The Mount Hotel at four o’clock this afternoon,” he said in a resigned tone.

  He rang for Grimm and asked that his carriage be made ready.

  He set off with a heavy heart and the feeling that he was about to wander into deep waters.

  Lady Marlow was an emotional woman who found it difficult to control herself. Some men might think it very exciting, but he only felt burdened by it.

  An hour later his carriage drew up outside The Mount Hotel and he walked into the plush lobby, wishing he was visiting under happier circumstances.