Mine for Ever Read online

  The clerk behind the desk recognised him instantly.

  “My Lord, this is a most pleasant surprise!” he said unctuously. “Welcome to The Mount Hotel.”

  “I am visiting Lady Marlow – she is expecting me.”

  “Ah, yes, my Lord, I believe so. She has asked that you be shown to her suite as soon as you arrive.”

  The Earl walked into her suite to find her in a green silk dressing gown.

  “Oh, I beg your pardon,” he said blushing, “I will wait outside until you have finished dressing.”

  Lady Marlow laughed coyly at his words and let the dressing gown slip open just a touch at the neck.

  “I prefer to wear it whilst I am resting,” she pouted, moving closer towards him.

  “Sophia,” he asserted, pushing her away, “no good will come of this. Why have you asked me here?”

  To his surprise she stamped her foot and picked up a cup and threw it to the ground so that it smashed into a thousand pieces.

  “Do you not realise?” she screamed. “I will not be abandoned by you! I will not!”

  “Sophia, have you now taken leave of your senses? You are overwrought, perhaps I should ask for a doctor to attend you?”

  “I don’t require a doctor – it is you I need!” she howled, throwing herself at him. “Oh, Robert! Can’t you see what this is doing to me? I have thrown away every last shred of pride through love of you!”

  The Earl moved away and then saw the decanter of wine that sat on the sideboard.

  “Come, a nice glass of wine will help soothe your nerves. I have no idea what has brought on this hysteria, but perhaps some wine will calm you.”

  She laughed – her eyes were wide and staring and her hair was beginning to come loose from its pins.

  “I have had enough, thank you, and do you really not know what has made me thus? It is you, my darling. Can you not see I am dying of love for you? And all you do is tease me and send me away. I know you have said you don’t want me, but I don’t believe you! Will you not change your mind? Your Lilliana is not coming back and you know that in your heart!”

  ‘Goodness! She is intoxicated,’ murmured the Earl to himself. ‘I must attempt to sober her up before she does something she will regret.’

  “I will ring for some coffee,” he muttered, reaching for the bell to summon a waiter.

  But she caught his arm and threw herself at him.

  A hot surge of anger rose up in him and he marched her firmly towards a chair and made her sit on it.

  In a second she began crying and wailing. She got up and walked unsteadily to the bedside table, where she picked up a small phial, looking at him desperately.

  “Do you know what this is?” she asked huskily, “it is poison! And if you refuse to reconsider your decision, then there is nothing left for me. I will drink it and put an end to this whole business!”

  “Don’t be foolish, Sophia,” he told her, as calmly as he could, “you must calm down and stop this nonsense at once.”

  “I cannot! If you really don’t love me, I cannot go on living!”

  “Sophia – ” he pleaded.

  But she just stared at him and took off the stopper from the bottle.

  Fearing the worst the Earl lunged towards her and attempted to take the bottle from her grasp. But she was stronger than she looked, even when in her cups, and he struggled with her as she held the open bottle aloft.

  At last he managed to grab her wrist and knock it from her hand. It fell to the floor with a crash and spilled its contents onto the carpet.

  The Earl let her go and she fell to the floor.

  He was so angry he could barely contain himself.

  “Don’t try to blackmail me by threatening to kill yourself again,” he said, in a voice that was as cold as ice. “Nothing you can say will make me change my mind. If you kill yourself, you will heap shame on the name of your family. I will never love you, never! Goodbye, Sophia, I do not expect to hear from you again!”

  He then opened the door and closed it firmly behind him.

  His heart was racing and he had sweat on his brow.

  He hoped that he had finally seen the last of Lady Marlow.

  He ran downstairs and left the hotel as quickly and as discreetly as he could.

  Climbing back into his carriage, he shouted to the coachman.

  “Home, please. And make haste.”

  “At once, my Lord,” came the reply, as the horses lurched off in the direction of Sherborne Castle.

  CHAPTER TEN

  The next day the Earl received a prompt reply from his mother’s cousins in Boston, saying that they would be delighted for him to stay with them.

  His plans were rapidly coming to fruition and now all that remained was the successful rescue of Lilliana.

  It was just two days before they would set off for London and he had tried on the coachman’s uniform and found it fitted him perfectly.

  Beech had been thoroughly drilled in secret.

  He had been with the family for so many years and was trusted implicitly. If the Countess did but know it, he had in the past covered up for many of the old Earl’s indiscretions and exploits.

  And now he simply assumed that the young Earl was following in his father’s footsteps!

  “Darling, you must learn not to fidget when you are on the driving seat,” his mother had chided him.

  “I do hope it doesn’t rain!” he laughed, “I just don’t fancy being soaked to my skin.”

  The plan they had formulated was quite simple.

  When the carriage came to a halt, upon hearing the words, “come, let us look at this fine Memorial,” the Earl was to get down and distract Lord Farringdon’s coachman by drawing his attention to some supposed fault on a wheel of his carriage.

  The Countess would then sneak Lilliana into their carriage and the Earl would return to their vehicle and they would drive off together.

  “It must work, Mother,” said the Earl nervously.

  “Robert, you are the military strategist in all this – if anyone can make it work, it is you.”

  “I do hope Lilliana has received your letter – ”

  “Of course she will have done. Where is all your dashing confidence that was so evident in India, if we are to believe the dispatches?”

  The Earl laughed.

  “You are right, Mother, to scold me for not having more confidence – it is because there is so much at stake that I am showing so much anxiety. Of course, I must not consider failure as any sort of option.”

  The anticipated letter from Lilliana duly arrived and the Countess read it quickly.

  “She says she will look out for me during her drive on Wednesday, but she will not be able to linger for long as Lord Farringdon’s brother will be with her.”

  “Then, it is up to me to do my best,” answered the Earl with a smile.

  As he retired to the drawing room, he suddenly felt a new surge of confidence.

  Nothing would prevent him from rescuing Lilliana, he resolved – nothing!

  *

  Lilliana had not been too confident in assuming that Andrew would agree to act as her chaperone the next day.

  Lord Farringdon had left early that morning before breakfast as he had an urgent business meeting.

  As she and Andrew sat down to eat, he waited until the servants had left the room and then he remarked,

  “You seem so very composed about your wedding, Lilliana, considering your hand was forced.”

  She looked at him in astonishment.

  “What do you mean?” she asked, as innocently as she could.

  “Lilliana, I had guessed that perhaps it had not been a normal courtship, but yesterday evening I was out dining with friends and discovered that you had a sweetheart who left last spring to serve in India. Is that not so?”

  Her lip trembled – she could not hide her emotions.

  “Y-yes, it is true,” she answered, trying not to cry. “I was being wooed by �
�� a certain gentleman.”

  “They said everyone expected that an engagement was imminent.”

  She cast down her eyes and set down her spoon.

  “I cannot deny it, but all that is history now. I am engaged to your brother and we are to be married this very weekend.”

  “Lilliana, don’t take me for a fool. I know only too well what my brother is like! I have always found it hard to understand how, after years of unsuccessfully searching for a bride, he happened on you! You are young, you are beautiful and it is beyond comprehension why you would agree to marry a man like him of your own free will!”

  He paused, but did not take his eyes off her face for a second. He waited for her reply and finally, she relented.

  “Your brother was very kind to my family at a time when we needed a great deal of help.”

  “Knowing him as I do, there were surely underhand dealings in his winning your hand. Why would your father agree to you marrying him, if there was the prospect of you marrying an Earl? A man with far more means and a far higher station in life than a mere Lord.”

  She remained silent, but could not prevent a solitary tear from falling.

  Andrew sighed and placed his hand over hers.

  “I am sorry, I have upset you, but I have long failed to agree with my brother’s methods for obtaining what he wants. I was told it was the Earl of Sherborne who was your suitor – I have heard of him by reputation, they say he is a very fine and good-looking man.”

  Lilliana burst into loud sobs and Andrew produced his handkerchief and gave it to her.

  “Please, don’t upset yourself. I only wished you to know that I do not agree with what he has done and if you were ever to attempt to leave him – either now or after the wedding – then I would not stand in your way. In fact, I want you to come to me if you are ever in need of help.”

  She looked tearfully up at him.

  ‘Can I trust him?’ she asked herself. ‘Is this a trick to win my confidence, so that he may report to his brother that I have expressed a wish to run away?’

  She now carefully considered his words and looked at him. She could see something very akin to love in his brown eyes and she knew then that she could trust him.

  “It is true,” she admitted, “that I was courted by the Earl of Sherborne before he went to India – ”

  “And did he speak with your father?”

  “No, he did not! And I do wish he had! Andrew, I cannot say any more than this – in our own hearts, we were betrothed. I agreed to marry your brother only because I had to.”

  Her voice faded away.

  “Forgive me for pressing the matter,” said Andrew, pacing around the room, “you say that my brother helped your family, but in what way? Your father is a rich and powerful man and I cannot see what could have come to pass for so terrible a bargain to be struck. It is typical of my brother to demand blood for favours rendered.”

  “You must swear not to tell a soul,” she implored him clasping her hands together beseechingly.

  “You have trusted me so far, you may tell me your secret and I will not breathe a word of it to anyone.”

  “Papa had some ill-advised dealings with a Russian Count and he was accused of passing secrets to him. Had he been tried I don’t care to think what the outcome would have been.”

  Andrew let out a sharp exhalation of breath.

  “The Chief Inspector demanded all of one thousand pounds for Papa’s bail. Our family has suffered a series of financial setbacks recently and suffice it to say we did not have the available funds. And then, your brother came along – ”

  “And to repay the debt, he insisted that you agree to marry him?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then he is shaming our good family name. No matter what it is that your father has done, he has taken full advantage of the whole sorry situation. He disgusts me! For the love of God, Lilliana, you cannot proceed with this wedding!”

  “Andrew, I am just a mere woman – what power or influence do I have?”

  “You have me. Whatever you wish, I will gladly do for you. You must know that I have become very fond of you these past few weeks.”

  ‘It is just as I suspected,’ she said to herself, as she looked into his eyes, ‘he is a little in love with me himself! I have to trust him and ask him to go with me tomorrow.’

  “There is one favour I would ask of you, Andrew. Tomorrow at three o’clock, the Countess of Sherborne has arranged to be in Hyde Park. I have reason to believe that Robert will be with her. If I could only see him once more, then I could endure marrying your brother. You ask if you can help me – well, do this for me and you will have my unending gratitude.”

  He thought for a long moment and then nodded,

  “Very well. I will accompany you. Leave it to me to make the necessary arrangements. I will suggest, with your permission, that Alice has the afternoon off and I will find some other task to occupy Mrs. Lock.”

  “Thank you!” she cried, taking his hand and kissing it. “Thank you, Andrew.”

  She did not see how his eyes filled with emotion as she bent over his fingers and wept.

  *

  Lilliana could hardly sleep for excitement.

  She tossed and turned as her heart knocked against her ribs. By the time that morning came she felt as if she had been through Mrs. Lock’s mangle.

  She did not touch her breakfast and, when luncheon was served, she barely managed a few spoonfuls of soup.

  Later she sat in the library and watched the hands of the clock that seemed to move more slowly than ever.

  At last at half-past two Andrew came to fetch her.

  “The carriage is waiting outside. You must go and put on your outdoor things.”

  Lilliana ran upstairs for her coat and hat.

  She pinched her cheeks and smoothed her hair.

  ‘If Robert is with his mother, then I do want to look beautiful for him,’ she whispered to her reflection.

  Andrew was already in the carriage when she came down the stairs.

  Her stomach lurched as she climbed in.

  The carriage jolted off and she felt the blood drain from her head.

  ‘What if the Countess has decided not to come?’ she said to herself, ‘and will I be disappointed if she does, and Robert is not with her?’

  They soon reached Hyde Park and turned into the narrow road that led around its perimeter.

  Slowly they drove across the Park and onto the road that ran behind the Prince Albert Memorial.

  ‘Please, let her be there!’ prayed Lilliana.

  Andrew sat silently next to her.

  As the Memorial came into view, Lilliana craned her neck out of the window. The sun glinted on the gold decoration and made it appear to be on fire.

  In the distance she could make out a shining black phaeton coming towards them.

  “Is that the Sherborne’s carriage?” asked Andrew.

  “I am not certain,” replied Lilliana, “it looks far too new and they usually have only one coachman.”

  She stared at the approaching phaeton.

  “Will you ask the coachman to stop,” she asked, her mouth dry and her throat closing up with anxiety.

  He pulled the team of horses to an expert halt just by the Memorial. At almost the same time the gleaming black phaeton came smartly alongside them.

  Lilliana looked into it and almost cried out for joy. For there smiling back at her was the face of the Countess of Sherborne.

  “Lilliana,” she called casually, “how lovely to see you!”

  “Lady Sherborne, I am so glad you are here.”

  Andrew touched her arm.

  “Will you not get out of the carriage and speak with her? It cannot be comfortable craning your neck so.”

  Lilliana looked at him for a moment.

  ‘Do I dare?’ she asked herself, and then, as he was smiling encouragement at her, she rose from her seat.

  At the same time the Countess climbed dow
n from her carriage. Lilliana thought how lovely she looked.

  “My dear!” she exclaimed, as she embraced her, “I cannot tell you just how pleased I am that you were able to meet me. How are you?”

  She tried hard not to cry, but it was difficult. Her emotions swelled up inside her and threatened to prevent her from speaking.

  She nodded mutely and then found her voice.

  “I am quite well. And Robert – how is he?”

  The Countess sighed.

  “He is dreadfully upset that you are to be married. Although he understands that you have done your duty.”

  She gave Lilliana a meaningful look.

  “I had so hoped he would come with you. I confess that I am desperately disappointed that he is not here.”

  The Countess did not reply. She simply smiled.

  “Come, let us go and view this fine Monument. It is a fitting testimony to a great man, is it not?”

  As she led Lilliana towards the Memorial, the Earl slipped down from the driving seat and made his way over to the Farringdon’s carriage.

  He made a show of walking around it and then let out a long whistle as he came to a halt by the rear wheel.

  “’Ere, mate,” he called out, affecting a rough voice, “you should come and look at this.”

  A look of irritation crossed the coachman’s face.

  “Is there something wrong?” he queried loftily.

  “Come and see for yerself,” said the Earl, enjoying his role play.

  Noticing that the Earl had engaged the coachman in conversation, the Countess hissed in Lilliana’s ear.

  “Hurry and come with me! Don’t utter any sound. Look as natural as possible. I have come to rescue you!”

  Lilliana wanted to cry out in pleasure, but she held her tongue.

  The Countess firmly took her arm and led her away from the Memorial towards the open door of her phaeton.

  “Look ’ere,” they could hear the Countess’s second coachman saying, “your wheel is loose. Look at that bolt!”

  The coachman was now bending over the wheel on the other side of the carriage. He was frowning and tutting.

  “I can’t see a thing!” he protested.

  “Look, there!” shouted the Earl, looking up to see if his mother had installed Lilliana in the carriage yet.