Chapter Thirteen

At the Horse Guards two gentlemen pored over a map. Beside the map lay a thick document entitled ‘Summer Campaign.’ One of the gentlemen dipped a pen in the ink and began copying portions of the map on to a fresh sheet of vellum. His penmanship was superb, and the finished product looked very similar to the original. There were, however, a few deviations from the original; the route of a few walking tracks had been altered and in particular he had interchanged three place-names.

His partner leaned over the new map. “Excellent,” he proclaimed. “That should do it. Close enough to be probable, and devious enough to throw them right off the track.”

****

Helena arose early the next morning and peered into the unforgiving mirror. Heavens! She looked as though she had spent six months in a dark room with no hope of escaping into the light. Even her hair looked lackluster. Unable to face anyone over the breakfast table she sipped coffee in her room then paced restlessly back and forth waiting until the hour was respectable enough for her to go downstairs.

She paused in Robert’s doorway.

“Good morning, Robert. I shall be back to see you shortly. Just going for a walk.” And without further ado she sped downstairs. She had to get away and a long, hard walk was called for. Hopefully she could escape without Caroline noticing. The last thing she wanted was company of any sort.

She hesitated until Timms had finished talking to one of the housemaids in the foyer then slipped quietly out of the front door, which was ajar. As she pulled on her kid gloves under the portal of Stafford House, a housemaid called out, “Miss! If you be going for a walk, I need to come with you. Master says!”

Stiffening, Helena pretended she had not heard and hurried past the boxthorn hedge onto the flagstones of the Square. How dare he? Now he was setting the housemaids to keep watch over her! What next? If she wished to walk alone, she would walk alone. As a governess she did not need an escort and even as ‘Miss Marshfield’ she had frequently walked and ridden about the countryside near Marshfield Manor unescorted. “Stuff and nonsense,” she muttered as she stepped out briskly.

She was not quite so enthusiastic when she realized that yet again it had been raining. A closed carriage passed by her, splashing water from last night’s rain puddles over her kid half boots. So lost in thought was she that when the carriage stopped a few yards in front of her she did not take any notice. The door of the carriage swung open, and its owner descended and stood stock still, right in front of her.

“Lord Elverton!”

“Yes, Miss Marshfield. Well met,” he said pleasantly, and then without warning grabbed her around her waist and hoisted her up into his carriage.

“Put me down! Please…” She trailed off as he climbed in beside her and slammed the door. With his cane he banged on the roof, and his carriage started off, trotting at a brisk pace out of Eaton Square.

“What do you think you are doing?” Helena tried to make her tone haughty and demanding but failed miserably. Her voice came out frightened and querulous. “I demand to be set down at once!”

“Oh you demand do you? Be quiet, woman. You will do as I bid you from now on. You could not have pleased me more,” he added sarcastically. “There was I racking my brains as to how I could extricate myself from my present predicament, and along came Helena Marshfield. Just the woman to help me.”

“I…help you?” Helena stuttered. “How?”

“Yes, you will help me.” His voice had changed to a silky soft threat. “You have no choice in the matter. But first I shall take you to a place where we may have a sensible discussion.”

Helena stayed in the corner of the carriage where he had flung her. Her thoughts scrambled about in her head. Her deepest fears had been realized. Of all people to meet twice in a month when she had so assiduously avoided him for five years! And she had no idea what he was talking about, but she knew it boded no good for her.

Then he made a comment under his breath and leaned across her to pull the curtains together. As he did so, his arm brushed hers. Involuntarily she pulled away and his eyes narrowed. “By tomorrow you will not be so missish, I promise you, Helena.”

He emphasized her name in a contemptuous manner and, trying to regain her courage, she snapped, “I did not give you leave to use my name, sir.”

He laughed shortly. “By the time I am finished with you, I will not need permission to use either your name or your person.” He had been leaning over her, but on these words, he flung himself backward into the far corner and propped his booted feet on the seat beside her.

Petrified, she knew that to show fear to this man was tantamount to handing him a weapon with which to abuse her. She must gain command of herself and show him a bland face, not give him the satisfaction of knowing how desperately ill equipped she was to deal with one such as he. This man had been her worst nightmare since the days when he had brushed against her, seemingly by accident, on the staircases and garden paths of her father’s house. She had known him then for the unprincipled villain that he was. That was what frightened her most. It was no consolation to discover that her assessment of him had been right, and her father’s had been wrong.

Worst of all, nobody knew where she was, thanks to her own foolishness in avoiding Sir Ivor’s housemaid so she could be alone. She might not be missed for at least another two hours, then probably Robert and Caroline would begin to wonder where she was. How stupid she had been to rush off in a pet, to nurse her wounds on her own. Stricken, she wondered if she really knew herself at all. During the past five years she had lost her confidence and self-assurance and replaced it with the mien of a starchy governess. She had allowed herself to lose all sense of proportion. So she had had to become a governess? So what? Many young women were faced with the same fate. Lady Stafford had done so. She had survived.

And many poor young women were faced with a lot worse than becoming a governess. She could have ended up on the streets. Much good her pride would have done her then.

Stricken with self-loathing she huddled in the corner of Lord Elverton’s carriage, struggling with her own epiphany. She might well have wasted the most wonderful opportunity life would give her. She had thrown away the love of a wonderful man and if she read Elverton correctly, she might also have thrown away her liberty. Even if she could escape him, after spending time in his company unchaperoned, her reputation would be such that it was unlikely she would ever again attain a situation with a respectable family. And Elverton would undoubtedly see to it that everyone got to hear about his conquest.

Not only would Sir Ivor withdraw his offer—as a man of good family he would have no alternative—but she would never again be considered a suitable wife for anyone. Of course, she didn’t want just anyone, she wanted Ivor Stafford. Really, Helena? Now was a fine time to discover that. Her secret hope that Sir Ivor would renew his addresses today receded into oblivion.

As time passed, she began to feel less sorry for herself and more determined to escape as soon as she had a chance to do so. Some time ago the rhythm of the coach-wheels had changed. There was no longer any noise of voices or horses’ hooves outside the coach, and it was clear that they were leaving London behind. Locked into her own misery she had not taken note of the direction the coach was traveling in. In short, she had no idea at all of where they were.

She began to plan a campaign. Somehow, she would get through this. Even if Elverton ruined her, she could still rely on Robert. Elverton probably didn’t know or care that Robert was back in London. She wished she knew why the Special Advisory Committee was interested in Lord Elverton. After all, the Committee was concerned primarily with the war on the Peninsula, rather than the questionable behavior of various members of the aristocracy.

Elverton suddenly spoke. “I’ve waited a long while to get you to myself, Helena Marshfield. How fortuitous that I happened to notice you in the Square. You have a very distinctive walk you know,” he said conversationally, as if he were prepared to pass the time of day. “Your walk is brisk as though you are on an important mission, and you hold your head up high as if you were a member of the ton.” Then he snorted derisively. “An actor like your father was. He pretended to be a gentleman. But of course, when things became difficult, he could not act any longer. He chose the easy way out.”

Helena, intending to say nothing to him, was unable to remain silent. “Easy way out!” she stormed. “Do you think choosing death is easy?”

“Of course it is. It takes courage to live.”

Unexpectedly, Helena realized that she agreed with him. He was correct. If she did not have Robert to turn to after Elverton was finished with her, she did not know whether she would have the courage to kill herself. Without Robert, it might have been the only option. She would not be the only young woman who chose that road. She nodded her head slowly.

“Come, Helena! We are agreed on something at last,” he said in an amused tone. He had behaved in this whimsical manner sometimes when he had visited Marshfield Manor. No doubt he thought he was being charming. With her father he had at first been all friendly politeness, but later his manner had changed to a thinly veiled contempt. He had had hardly anything to do with Robert. But with Helena he had always maintained a watchful amusement, rather like a cat with a mouse.

Her disquiet returned, and she hunched a shoulder away from him and settled her clothes about her. It was best to feign sleep.

To her surprise she must have actually fallen asleep. After rejecting Ivor’s suit, she had slept little the night before, and the rhythm of the wheels lulled her into a light doze. She awoke some time later when the pace of the carriage slackened as it turned a corner. Then it proceeded down what appeared to be a well-used carriageway and slowed even more. When the carriage turned sharply into a driveway, Helena was thrown along the length of the seat. A hard arm shot out to grip her about the wrist. Without ceremony Elverton shoved her back on to the seat. “We don’t want the goods damaged just yet, do we?” he said, and all Helena’s fear came rushing back. “By the way, what were you doing in Eaton Square so early in the morning?” he asked suddenly. “I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw you there. Just the person to strengthen my hand.”

She didn’t answer. The coach had stopped, and after a quick look at his face Helena stayed where she was. His persona had rapidly undergone a change. She had seen this before. The harsh, saturnine look had returned, and with it his customary viciousness. Grabbing her by the arm he hustled her in front of him and kicked down the steps at the carriage door. Helena glanced around for help but there was only a groom in attendance and there was no help from that quarter. The young man was standing, wooden-faced, at the horses’ heads and purported not to have noticed Helena at all.

Foxhyth propelled her in front of him up a narrow path to what looked like the back door of a large home. Overhead the sun shone brightly, and Helena estimated that it was now well past noon, possibly as much as two o’clock. She was prodded through a kitchen where nothing was cooking and no kitchen maids were working, into a small empty room that looked like a disused stillroom.

“There, Miss Marshfield. This will be your home for some while. You will have to remain here while I tie up some loose ends, and then you and I will have a little talk about this and that. We need to discuss your future, don’t we?”

Helena stared up at him, her face and hands as cold as ice. He turned toward the door, then retraced his steps. “Here’s a little something to be going on with, my dear.” To her shock he bent and kissed her full on the lips. His lips were hard and bruising. It was a travesty of a kiss, a punishment. Before he pulled away, he savagely bit her bottom lip. She recoiled and brushed her glove across her mouth. He laughed. “Let me give you something to really complain about, my little Puritan.” He tugged her toward him, belly to belly. Cringing backward she desperately struggled to escape. Grinning, her held her tightly with one arm while the other stroked down her body, lingering at her breast. Then he tweaked her nipple—hard. So hard that a streak of pain bolted through her body.

Gasping, she felt tears come to her eyes. He laughed again and headed for the doorway. At the door he turned and blew a kiss. Then he slammed the door shut, and she heard a key turn in the lock. Helena struggled to swallow a whimper.

His footsteps receded across the kitchen and out along the pathway. Within a few minutes she heard the carriage moving out along the driveway again. She was alone, which was at least preferable to his company.

She slithered down the wall and sat on the floor, rubbing her breast. The room was empty; there was not even a stool. Taking her handkerchief out of her reticule, she dabbed at her lip again. It was bleeding badly, but that was of little consequence. By tomorrow she would be his mistress and she would have more injuries than just a sore lip. If he could hurt her by barely touching her, what would he do to her when he had her at his mercy? Maybe he would simply use her and discard her, but she did not think so. This was a man who liked to make people pay and pay and pay. He enjoyed witnessing the pain of others, and she suspected he also enjoyed inflicting pain.

It was all very well to sit in his carriage and try to make a plan to deal with this. Left on her own in a strange place with no chance of assistance to hand, she had no idea how she was going to save herself. And she would have to save herself. Nobody else could do so because they had no idea where she was. Even if Robert did, by some miracle, find out where she was, he was bedfast and unable to come to her aid. Sir Ivor had no doubt washed his hands of her by now, and anyway, like Robert, would have no idea where she was. It was just possible that the housemaid who had wanted to accompany her might have seen her scooped up into Lord Elverton’s carriage, but she could not pin her hopes on that. It was not likely. A large tear of self-pity trickled slowly down Helena’s cheek, and she brushed it away angrily. Now was not the time to cry.

She tossed aside her reticule and took off her gloves. The room had no windows at all. There was only the door through which she could escape. She knelt down and peered through the keyhole, hoping against hope that the key had been left in the other side. She knew a trick with keys which Robert had taught her years ago. She hoped to push it out of the lock on to the ground, then, if possible, use a handkerchief to pull it toward herself under the door provided the gap was big enough.

But Lord Elverton knew all about keys too. He was no doubt experienced when it came to locking people up. Helena was certainly not the first prisoner he had held. He had taken the key with him.

She took off her bonnet and pelisse and set about checking all the wall panels, in case one was loose. Then she checked the flagstones. Impossible. There was simply no means of escape. As a last resort she snapped a piece off the Spanish comb in her hair and tried to insert it in the lock. The lock was a big, old-fashioned, rusty one, and the tines of the comb had no effect on it at all. She smiled crookedly at the beautiful Spanish comb Robert had brought her.

What now? A hero such as the one in Mrs. Radcliffe’s latest romance would be welcome. But she should not look for someone else to rescue her. This horrible dilemma was all her own doing. And she had two choices.

She could succumb to Lord Elverton’s power, or she could fight him. She had no delusions about her ability to oppose him for long.

She might be disappointed in herself at the moment, but one thing she did have confidence in was her ability to work her way through a problem. And this was the worst problem she had ever had to surmount. On the face of it there was no solution to this one. All she could do was await his return and see what he had in store for her.

The room had obviously not been opened up for some time, and the air was stale. At first it was stuffy and hot but as hours went by the room cooled. Helena began to feel faint from lack of fresh air and the fact that she had had only a cup of coffee all day. By now it must surely be the end of the afternoon.

Half in a swoon she was slumped in a corner of the room when she heard carriage wheels again. She sat up and straightened her clothes. Several pairs of footsteps approached the room, and the door was unlocked. Still sitting on the floor, Helena gulped in lungsful of the fresh cold air that swirled into the room.

A cup of water was thrust into her face. She glanced up through the mist in front of her eyes and saw a rough, swarthy face in front of her. The man must be a servant of Lord Elverton’s. She took the cup and drank gratefully. As her head cleared, she became conscious that there was quite a commotion outside the room. The door which had stood half-open was suddenly thrust wide. “Greetings, my dear,” said a hateful voice. “I have brought you a companion,” and to her dismay, Ariadne was pushed willy-nilly through the doorway and the manservant left, slamming the door shut on his way out. Stumbling drunkenly, Ariadne lurched to a stop in front of Helena. She was tousled and red-faced.

“What are you doing here?” she demanded. Then she turned toward the door and called, “Lord Elverton! What are you doing? What is this place?”

“Have patience, my dear,” he called through the door, “and all will be revealed.”

Helena was aghast. What on earth did Ariadne have to do with Elverton? The only possible solution was that Elverton had gotten wind of Josh Yardley’s opinion that he was involved in some havey-cavey business. Even so, that would hardly explain the necessity for Elverton to kidnap both her and Ariadne. He certainly believed in holding the whip hand.

At least, it looked as though Ariadne had been kidnapped, but Helena was not sure about that. Ariadne, though puzzled, did not appear to be worried. On the contrary, she seemed her usual petulant self. Unable to stand properly with her head swimming with faintness, Helena propped herself up against the wall. What use was she to Lord Elverton if he had Ariadne? His attitude to Ariadne was vastly different to the way he treated her. He sounded unctuous, if he could ever be said to sound anything but vicious or sarcastic.

“We are to be married, you know,” Ariadne announced chattily. “This is the man I told you about before you and Caroline went away. Is he not the most famous of men? Of course we kept it quiet for a time. After all,” she said knowledgeably, “there is a disparity in our ages. But I am to be m’Lady Elverton. Won’t Caroline and the Morris girls be envious! This will make Papa stare. He was so pleased yesterday with Caroline when she became affianced to your brother, Helena. But I have gone one better. M’lord has vast estates and huge wealth. He is not a mere baronet like your brother.” She giggled inanely, setting Helena’s teeth on edge. “What? Have you nothing to say?”

In truth, Helena did not have anything to say. She saw how clever Elverton was. He had achieved his aim very neatly. Mr. Yardley and Robert would not move against him whilst he held herself and Ariadne. Of course, he might not know that Robert was returned from the Peninsula. Ariadne, being so self-centered, may not have mentioned her sister’s engagement. If that was so, Helena stood in even greater peril because it meant he had kidnapped her for his own ends only, wanting power over her and to satisfy his unhealthy desire for her. She would be a useless pawn, expendable and ruined. And eventually discarded if she survived.

On the other hand, if he knew Robert had returned, she could be considered a bargaining chip so that Robert would keep quiet about Foxhyth’s dubious dealings. How could she find out exactly what the Committee suspected him of? She propped her aching head on her arm. Lord, what a predicament.

Ariadne was tired of being ignored. She was not used to it. “Well? I asked you what you were doing here.”

“Ask Lord Elverton. He brought me here. I have no idea what he wants of me.”

“Perhaps he thought I needed a chaperone? But I do not care for that. If we are to be married shortly, it is of no account that there is someone to accompany me. The silly man!” She gave a little trill of laughter.

The smug expression on her face revolted Helena. “You have no idea what Lord Elverton is capable of. I have known him for years, Ariadne. I would not recommend him as husband material.”

“Faugh! You are jealous. You are left sitting on the shelf whilst I have made the catch of the Season.” She laughed again.

“It is not marriage that Lord Elverton has in mind for you.”

“What? How dare you!”

“You will see shortly. I think he wishes to hold you captive so that your father falls in with his wishes.”

“My father? What has he to do with this?”

“He seems to know something about Lord Elverton which is dangerous. I am not sure what it is all about, but I know that your father meets with important people in the government, and they are interested in Lord Elverton’s business dealings. That is all I know. But be careful, Ariadne.”

Ariadne eyed her uncertainly. “I don’t believe you. If I knock on this door, I am sure he will let me out.”

“Perhaps. He certainly won’t let me out.”

Ariadne marched smartly to the door and rapped on it. “Let us out at once, m’lord!”

“In good time, ma belle, all in good time.” The unctuous tones set Helena’s teeth on edge. She would rather he was an honest villain, passionate about a cause or stealing to live. But this man did not want money; he wanted power, and if it was not forthcoming, he took it. How she hated him.

The door opened, and a fat servant woman waddled in. She set a tray down on the floor and jerked a head at Helena. “Come with me.”

Lord Elverton stood in the doorway, waiting.

Helena’s pulse thrummed so that it almost crammed her throat. What now?

“Water closet,” was all the woman said, and she jerked at Helena’s arm. Helena wasn’t sure if it was a trap to get her into Elverton’s clutches without upsetting Ariadne, but she went anyway, because those words were the sweetest she’d heard all day. The fat woman spent some time tying a piece of string around Helena’s wrist, and she then attached the other end to her own wrist. There was no chance of undoing those knots as they were the tightest, biggest knots Helena had ever seen. However, she was relieved to find the surly, dirty woman would not be accompanying her right into the water closet.

When she came out, Elverton was nowhere to be seen. The woman produced a sharp knife with which she simply cut the string, not bothering to unknot it. Before she could step back Helena pushed into her, trying to wrest the knife from her. It was like pushing into a large suet pudding. Taken by surprise, the fat woman stumbled, her great weight carrying her backward with Helena pressed close to her like a lover. Triumphantly Helena grabbed the knife and the blade sliced into her hand. She winced. It hurt but it wasn’t serious. She hitched up her skirts and ran toward the kitchen door but as she got there, she heard a shrill cry from the next room. “Stop it! What do you think you are doing, sir? Helena, help me!”

Ariadne. Helena skidded to a halt. If she had only herself to consider she could have escaped. But technically Ariadne was still in her charge, and anyway, how could she leave anyone at Elverton’s mercy? It sounded as though Ariadne was already learning that her ‘fiancé’ was not what she had supposed.

Unwillingly Helena tiptoed quietly back into the stillroom. Elverton was standing with his back to the door. He held Ariadne tight in his arms. She was struggling and panting in her effort to break free. He laughed. “You didn’t really think we would be married, do you? A little chit from the manufactories? And here I thought you were up to every rack and row! I thought you knew exactly what I wanted from you, and I’m sure you were willing. You can’t change the rules now, my sweet.”

Helena hesitated. She had never harmed anything or anyone in her life. Could she attack this odious creature? She would have to strike deep in order to wound him. The pocket knife in her hand was a very small one.

The decision was taken away from her as the fat woman waddled up behind her calling out, “’Ware sir! She’s free!”

Elverton swung around still holding Ariadne with one hand, and with the other he smote Helena hard across her face. She dropped the knife as her hands went instinctively to her face, and her head rang. Stumbling against the door frame she slid to the ground.

“Helena! Don’t hurt me, Foxhyth!” Ariadne shrieked at Elverton as she dropped to her knees in front of Helena.

Through stinging lips Helena snarled, “You devil. Leave her alone.”

“That’s right, my dear. Sport your canvas! You are worth two of this sniveling child here. How I look forward to schooling you! We will have such sport together. In the meantime, I suggest you both cool down. I hold all the cards.” He pushed them both to the far side of the room and slammed the door shut.

Ariadne began to cry in loud, gulping sobs.

Helena sagged against the wall, closing her eyes while she tried to gather herself together. Her whole face burned with pain. Her lip must have split again because she felt the warmth of blood on her chin.

She had known it would come to this but had not allowed for Ariadne’s presence. All those years ago she had sensed that Elverton had it in him to do this sort of thing; that was why, without any just cause, she had mistrusted him. It stunned her that Papa had been impervious to this man’s nature, but more to the point, had her father been well aware of it yet still called him ‘friend’? That was what Helena could not stomach; that the father who had given them such a privileged childhood should have sunk to the depravity of gambling their livelihood away with a monster like this. How had Papa allowed himself to sink so far as to disregard his children’s futures? She had no respect left for him. If he had used her as a gambling chip with Elverton, then he was no better than the revolting Elverton himself.

It stung deeply. From an early age she had been encouraged by her father to run his household. She was his darling Ellie. Although he occasionally checked her when her high spirits went beyond what was acceptable, he was proud of her accomplishments. He had had no patience with the current vogue for feminine megrims and die-away airs and had discouraged her from ‘simpering’ as he had called it.

And yet in the end, he had sold her as if she were a commodity he was tired of.

When she had said no to Sir Ivor’s offer, it was because she knew herself to be unfit to marry into his family. Not because she was a governess. Well, not much. Not because she thought he was fonder of Caroline than he was of her. No. Those were excuses she’d used for a smokescreen. It was because she would not bring disrepute upon the Stafford family when it became known how low her father had sunk. It was all very well saying that an on dit faded with time, that other scandals took their place. If she married Ivor, and if the full extent of her father’s depravity became known, the Stafford name would also be dragged through the mud. Elverton would make sure that everyone knew her secret. He would revel in her downfall.

She would not do it to the Staffords. Sir Ivor’s mother and sisters were wonderful people, and Ned was a darling. As for Ivor, well…he was everything that was good and honorable. She could not help but love him. Look how he’d helped Robert and herself. Look at his attitude toward his siblings and his mama. They were a truly estimable family, and she would not bring them down by association with her. One did not do that to the people one loved.

Noisily Ariadne wept into her handkerchief. “What shall we do, Helena? What shall we do? I shall be ruined. Papa will be furious. I should not have gone out to meet him.”

Helena was amazed. For the first time ever, Ariadne had actually admitted a fault. The girl must be very frightened indeed. Helena put her arms around the young woman and cradled her until she stopped crying.

“There now. We will just have to wait and see what happens. Dry your eyes.”

Helena eyed the tray on the floor. She was exceedingly hungry. She selected a piece of bread and stoically chewed her way through it, dipping it into the cold soup. She did not expect to come out of this situation with her honor intact, but she was damned if she was going to lie around weakly succumbing the way her father had. She chewed thoughtfully. Even if she was ruined, if she came out of this alive, she knew that Robert would do his best to provide for her. She glanced sideways at Ariadne, dabbing at the tears on her cheeks with a minuscule handkerchief. Compared to another year of being that damsel’s chaperone, a life of ruin looked almost tolerable.

“Now let us think, Ariadne. There must be a way out of this.”

“Think?”

“Sorry,” Helena rejoined acidly. “I forgot that thinking was not one of the things you do best. But if you continue to snivel, you will play right into Lord Elverton’s hands. Try for a little courage. Pull yourself together and have some food. We may need our strength later.”

“Ugh! I could not possibly eat…”

“Suit yourself. Just give your mouth a rest, would you? Let me think.”

Ariadne gasped. “How dare you speak to me like that!”

“Good. I thought it wouldn’t be long before your normal nature asserted itself. Now listen. I think it probable that Foxhyth wants to keep me, not you. I don’t mean any disrespect, but I think he only captured you as insurance. I must pay for a long-standing dispute between my father and Lord Elverton. So if there comes the slightest chance that you might escape, I want you to do so speedily. Do not look back or worry about me. I will try to divert him.” Helena smiled wryly as she reflected that it was highly unlikely Ariadne would worry overmuch about her. However, she wasn’t entirely sure. The girl was still shaken and might want to cling to Helena, since she had always been shielded from unpleasantness. Unpleasantness? That was a polite term for what was going to happen to Helena. She had a mental vision of Elverton ripping off her clothes till she stood before him naked, cold, and terrified. Oh God.

She swallowed. “Tell me, Ariadne, did your father or mother or even Betsy or Katy have any idea where you were going?”

“Not Mama or Papa. Of course not! But I left a note, and I had to get Katy to pack my valise. Oh…where is it?” Ariadne began looking about her as if her valise would suddenly appear.

“Never mind where it is. We don’t have time to worry about it. That is the least of our concerns. Now do you know exactly where this house is? I have no idea where we are, you see.”

“Oh! Well, Foxhyth said this was one of his estates on the Weald. He said that after we had broken our journey here, we were to go on to The Priory at Elverton village and he would send a message to my father. We were eloping of course.” She gave a watery giggle that made Helena’s teeth itch.

“But why would you need to elope? I’m sure your father would be delighted to have you marry Lord Elverton.”

“I don’t precisely understand. He said something about ‘forcing Papa’s hand.’” Ariadne shrugged negligently. Details never interested her. So long as things went her way, details were for other people to sort out.

“Do you not realize that Elverton never had any intention of marrying you?”

Ariadne was recovering fast. “Of course he did! Anyway, just because he is disagreeable to you does not mean he dislikes me.”

“So why did he not apply for your hand in the normal way? And what was the scream I heard from you before all about?”

Ariadne began to pout.

“Ariadne, we are in a dangerous position. There seems to be some conflict between your papa and Lord Elverton. I think you have played right into his hands, meeting him secretly. Anyway, how did you meet him?”

Ariadne rolled her eyes. “Betsy went with me to Bond Street several weeks ago. I dropped my reticule while I was looking in one of the shop windows and he was walking by. He kindly picked it up for me, and we met often after that…” She shrugged.

Helena ground her teeth. Any other well-bred young woman would not have continued an association with such a casually met acquaintance. A well-behaved young woman would simply thank him prettily and move on with her maid. But nobody could ever accuse Ariadne of being well-behaved. No doubt Lord Elverton had selected his quarry carefully. He had probably done the groundwork at Caroline’s coming-out. He must have been watching the Yardley family for some time. Yes, that was it. He would have watched Ariadne and planned the best way to scrape an acquaintance with her. Susceptible to flattery as she was, she was an easy target. Even now her self-importance would not allow her to admit she had been duped.

“We must find a way home. If we are here after nightfall, we are both ruined,” Helena said. “It does not matter for me so much, but your papa has faith in me to protect you. I cannot do this alone, Ariadne. Please help me. Stop worrying about what might-have-been and try to remember which roads you took on your journey here.”

“I saw the signpost to Folkestone,” Ariadne muttered resentfully.

“Folkestone! Why, that is not so far from London at all.”

“No, but I don’t think we are actually at Folkestone yet. I saw no sign of a town. But I have never been to Folkestone so I would not know.”

“Nor I. Do you have any money? If we are able to escape, we might have to hire a carriage to get back to London. I have no idea if the stage comes through this part of the world.”

“I have money. He asked me to bring some clothes and jewelry and whatever money I could find. I was not to return home till we were safely wed.”

“Ariadne, I think you know that he was not going to wed you.”

“He might.” Ariadne tilted her chin.

“Ariadne, I must be cruel to be kind. You have no value for him except as the object of blackmail. He is very dangerous, and you would do well to fear him.”

Ariadne seemed confused and did not look convinced. However, all doubts fled when the door opened again and Lord Elverton stood on the threshold.

“Ah…my blushing bride from the stews.” He saluted Ariadne with an exaggerated bow. “So easily duped. Did you seriously think that a Foxhyth would ally himself with a little nobody whose father dabbles in national secrets best dealt with by the nobility?” He laughed jeeringly. “The daughter of a trader! No, I think not.”

Helena saw that he had left the door open this time. She edged unobtrusively toward it while his attention was on Ariadne.

He spun around suddenly. “But you, my little Miss Marshfield, now you are a prize I’ve long awaited. Your father promised you to me you know,” he said conversationally.

Fearing the worst, she was still devastated to be confirmed in her suspicions.

“No.”

“I had a vowel from your father. He promised.” His words ended rather like a little boy’s, whose treat had been denied him. “But I have you now, my dear Helena. I have you now. And I shall keep you.”

Swallowing hard, Helena glanced at Ariadne. She jerked her head toward the open door, encouraging her to escape. But from outside there came the sound of voices raised in altercation. The three of them stood still like chess figures on a board, straining to hear what was happening. Elverton swung around abruptly and left the room, pulling the door closed behind him.

“Do you think someone has come to rescue us?” Ariadne asked hopefully.

“Unlikely.” Helena scurried toward the door. If she stood here, she might have a chance to escape when Elverton returned and swung open the door. Could she slip out behind him? But whatever she planned would be hampered by Ariadne. She could not leave the girl behind. Yes, she knew deep down that if Ariadne and she were in reversed positions, Ariadne would have no hesitation in deserting her. But that was beside the point.

There seemed to be a tremendous amount of noise outside now—shouting and stamping. Then it grew quiet again.

Then unexpectedly the door was flung back, and a circumstance Helena had not allowed for occurred. As the door swung it hit her full on her bruised face and she cried out.

“Helena!” Ivor Stafford exclaimed. He pulled her out from behind the door and to Helena’s eternal shame she flung herself bodily into his arms. “Sir Ivor, Sir Ivor…” she stammered and buried her sore face in his driving cape. Shaking helplessly, she clung to him. The shock of seeing him when she had thought all was lost was too much to bear. “Safe, safe,” her silly heart chanted. His arms folded around her and for the first time on this appalling day she wondered if there might be a way out of this dreadful maze. Leaning gratefully into him, sinking deeper into his embrace, she absorbed the faint aroma of freshly laundered shirt and the warm-skin smell that was uniquely Ivor. Safe. She was safe.

Then as she felt his arms tighten around her and his lips on her hair she was suddenly recalled to her senses. Horrified at having thrown herself into his arms—what option did the poor man have but to catch her—she tried to draw back.

“Too late, Athena. After that welcome, don’t imagine I could let you go. Ever. I have you now.” He chuckled, sounding more relieved than amused.

His words unconsciously echoed Lord Elverton’s and Helena shivered, but Ivor murmured “Ssh” as he stroked loose tendrils of hair away from her sore face.

God, the sheer relief and comfort of having him with her.

Gradually she became aware of where she was and what she was doing. What had she done? Embarrassed, she hung her head.

He moved her back in order to examine her face. In a totally different tone, he said sharply, “Helena, surely I did not do all that to your face? Did this happen before we got here?”

She nodded.

“What a pity I knocked him senseless straight away. There was no time to play with him, because although there are three of us, we didn’t know what opposition we would find. Never mind, when he comes to, I am sure I can continue with the treatment before we hand him over to the Runners.”

“How-how did you know…?”

“Where to find you? We didn’t. But when I sent one of the housemaids to find you, she said you were not at home. To my surprise, Mary said she had seen you in the Square being taken into a carriage with a crest on the panel. Naturally I asked her what the crest looked like and, as soon as she told me, I went straight to your brother to see what we should do.”

“Robert?”

“Yes. Now that he is on the same Committee as I am, I thought it best to hold a council of war. The other two gentlemen I brought with me are from the Horse Guards, and one of them is on our Committee.”

“But what have they to do with Elverton?”

“We have been after Elverton for at least a twelve-month. In that time, he has done irreparable harm to England. But he has friends in high places, and we have been unable to touch him until now.”

Helena’s eyes grew round. “I don’t understand.” Then she shrugged helplessly. “How did you find us here?”

“We sent the militia to all his known land-holdings. We presumed this one was the most likely, it being near the coast, so my colleagues and I chose to come here first. Thank God we did.”

“Sir Ivor!” a peremptory voice interrupted. They had completely forgotten Ariadne. She was not happy about that. “I wish to leave this place and return home immediately.”

Still holding Helena within the protection of his arm, Sir Ivor told Ariadne, “I’m afraid that’s not possible at the moment, Miss Yardley. We have many things to do before we can return you to your relatives. Be assured that your father knows what has transpired.”

“I don’t care! I just want to go home.” Her voice rose to a wail.

“Miss Yardley, your distress is understandable. But you must wait. While we question Lord Elverton, perhaps you could tend to Miss Marshfield. She has need of help.” Ivor’s voice had turned contemptuous. He held Helena’s face to the light flowing in through the open doorway and tucked some wayward strands of hair behind her ears. “This will take some time, Helena. Ignore any noises you hear, and make yourselves as comfortable as you can. ’Tis still light outside. Perhaps you should get some air after being locked in here.”

He threaded Helena’s arm through his and led her away from the back part of the house toward the front door. The whole house had a closed-up, musty smell. Cobwebs draped every corner and, as they moved forward, the cobwebs’ inhabitants scurried out of the way. Though normally terrified of spiders, Helena was past caring. She did not even squeak when a large black specimen trundled over her foot and tried to hitch a ride on her skirts.

Ivor dragged open the heavy oak front door and settled her in an old cane chair, the only furniture he could find, where she could look out into the dying rays of the setting sun.

He took off his driving cape and wrapped it around her. “Darling Helena, you must stay here. Do not come to the back of the house no matter what you hear. You are safe now. No further harm will come to you at Elverton’s hands. Where is that wretched girl?”

From the back of the house, Ariadne’s voice could be heard calling peremptorily, “Helena, come here at once! Where are you?”

Even in her exhaustion, Helena could not help feeling a catty satisfaction that he regarded Ariadne as a liability, nothing more. He returned to fetch the girl, and their progress toward Helena was punctuated by Ariadne’s shrieks as she passed the festooned cobwebs.

“What a tiresome young woman you are,” he commented as he left them.

Helena could not agree more, but she was too lethargic to object when Ariadne demanded that Helena give up the chair to her. Helena sank to the floor and cuddled into Ivor’s driving cape. It was still warm from his body.

Dusk was setting in, and it was growing chilly. Huge oak trees were etched against the darkening sky. A blackbird sang its evening song, and under other circumstances it would have been pleasant and peaceful, gazing out on to the sleeping, overgrown garden.

But Ariadne prattled ceaselessly. “I would never have thought Lord Elverton would behave so ill. Are you sure we could not talk to him and discover why he has acted thus? And goodness me, Helena! Was it not unseemly that Sir Ivor held you in his arms as he did?”

Helena made no response but snuggled farther into the cape.

When she could see no reply was forthcoming, Ariadne started off again. “I’m so cold. I should like that cape.”

“No.”

There was a startled silence from Ariadne, but she did not press the issue.

Just as well. The comfort Helena was deriving from Ivor’s coat was worth any amount of griping from Ariadne.

“When do you think we may return home?”

Eventually Helena, goaded beyond what was proper snapped, “All in good time. You silly girl. I did my best to get us out of this coil, and you did not help at all—not one bit. Thank goodness for the Committee. I still don’t understand what Elverton has got to do with this Committee, but I am extremely thankful Sir Ivor was able to find us.” She did not say “in time”, but even Ariadne understood that. Ariadne sniffed and did not deign to reply. No doubt she was storing up a multitude of complaints to present to her parents.

The stars were beginning to peer through the clouds when there came the crunch of carriage wheels on gravel and Sir Ivor’s carriage was driven around to the front entrance where it stopped. The groom jumped down and approached Helena.

“Miss, Sir Ivor asks if you would care to step into the carriage? It will be a squeeze, but we know you wish to get home as soon as possible.”

When he assisted them into the carriage, they saw what he meant. On the bench seat facing them Lord Elverton sat, flanked on one side by Sir Ivor and on his other side by a gentleman they had not met. He was wearing a heavy greatcoat, and the Regent’s insignia was engraved on the buttons. Sir Ivor did not introduce him, and most of the long trip back to town was undertaken in silence. Elverton looked the worse for wear. His shirt was in tatters and his coat had disappeared. He sported a large bruise on one cheekbone and his nose was hugely swollen and occasionally droplets of blood from it dripped on to the carriage floor. Yet he retained his haughty, supercilious air, as if he had divorced himself entirely from the proceedings. He spoke only once, and that was to address Helena. “Your father promised you to me. You know he did. You should have come willingly. The rest is nothing. It was good sport, and you would have been useful.”

Helena felt sick. Everyone in the carriage now knew that her father had sold her like a commodity to this evil creature. She could feel the heat of scalding shame flushing her face and neck and kept her eyes down.

Surprisingly, Elverton leaned forward again. “And then he reneged. Your father reneged on the deal! He acted like the veriest peasant.” Elverton sibilantly spat out the words in contempt.

Sickened, Miss Marshfield glanced away and noticed that the knuckles of Sir Ivor’s hands were considerably grazed. He followed her glance and smiled ruefully at her. She smiled back wanly and then looked directly at Elverton for the first time. “I am glad my father would not keep to the deal. I have hoped for years that he did not sink that low. Now you have confirmed that we have nothing to be ashamed about. I can respect his memory again. Thank you.”

Elverton snorted with contempt and vouchsafed no answer.

Slowly Helena became conscious of a sense of relief, of freedom from that appalling sense of hurt she had felt for five years. Knowing that her father had loved her enough to say no to Elverton was an immense satisfaction. No doubt her sense of self-worth would take some time to heal. But hearing from Elverton himself that John Marshfield had drawn back from that iniquitous arrangement restored her love and respect for her father as nothing else ever could. Thankful, she eased back on the seat and closed her eyes.

No further conversation took place for the remainder of the journey. After showing revulsion at the steady dripping of blood on to the carriage floor, Ariadne fell asleep, but Helena remained upright in her corner of the carriage, holding on to the strap as the well-sprung carriage swayed along in the dark. All three men stayed alert, jailers and prisoner alike. It was apparent that Sir Ivor and the unknown Committee member considered it imperative to keep a sharp eye and a firm hand on their prisoner. Elverton’s alert demeanor no doubt kept them on their toes, knowing he would take advantage of any slackening of their concentration.

Finally the pace slowed as they entered the city environs, and Helena roused Ariadne. “Are we to be put down in Eaton Square or Russell Square?” she asked Sir Ivor.

“At Stafford House,” he answered. “Mr. Yardley and Robert are waiting for you.”

“Papa?” Ariadne asked. She blinked nervously, as well she might. Obviously, the thought of her father waiting for her, well-armed with the truth and impervious to her cajoling, unnerved her.

Ivor said to Helena, “I’m sorry I cannot hand you down from the carriage. James will attend to you. I shall probably not return home tonight, but we shall talk in the morning.” He smiled encouragingly at her, and she nodded her understanding as the carriage drew to a halt in Eaton Square. She handed his greatcoat to him saying simply, “Thank you.”

As Helena and Ariadne gratefully descended from the carriage, at Sir Ivor’s gesture, one of his footmen exchanged places with them. The captors were taking no chances that their prisoner might escape.

Helena and Ariadne hurried into the house where Timms and Mrs. Annerwith waited anxiously in the foyer.

“Miss Marshfield, we have all been so worried about you,” Timms said. He stared hard at her face. Mrs. Annerwith bustled forward, her skirts rustling, and in the background, even at this late hour, several servants hovered.

“Oh, my dear, your poor face! We are so relieved to see you. And who is this young lady?”

“This is Miss Yardley, Miss Caroline’s sister. She is tired and upset, Mrs. Annerwith. Would you please take her to her sister? And perhaps some tea and bread and butter might make her feel better.”

Mrs. Annerwith bobbed a curtsey and Ariadne, for the first time in her life known as “Miss Caroline’s sister”, meekly followed her upstairs.

Helena had a fence to mend, however, before she could retire to her room. “Timms, if Mary is still awake, would you be so kind as to fetch her for me? I think she saw me go out this morning, and her information helped Sir Ivor find us.”

“She is here, waiting for you, Miss Marshfield.”

Helena held out her hand to the little maid who was hovering, trying to hide herself behind Timms’ bulk. “If I had turned back when you called me this morning, Mary, I should not have got myself into the fix that I did. I have you to thank, I believe, for noticing the crest on the coach panel?”

Mary bobbed a curtsey and wrung the corners of her apron. She seemed unsure about taking Helena’s hand. “Oh, ma’am. I were that worried.” She took a deep breath. “When I saw you taken up into that coach, I didn’t know what to do. I couldn’t quite see what the whole crest was, but I told sir and he understood.”

Yes, he would, if he had been trying to catch Elverton out for some time. He would definitely know the Elverton crest. “All’s well that ends well, Mary. Thank you very much.”

Mary bobbed again and raised trustful eyes to Helena. “I am right glad to be of help, miss.”

Feeling dreadful about eliciting such loyalty from someone she had virtually swatted to one side, Helena smiled wearily and dragged herself upstairs to her room. She would tidy herself up before meeting Robert. He must be beside himself by now, although hopefully the efficient Mrs. Annerwith had apprised him of her arrival. She washed her face and hands, trying not to gaze too long into the mirror. Flinching, she saw that her face had swollen considerably and looked lopsided. But her worst wound was her cut hand. It stung every time she moved her fingers.

She had changed her clothes, dropping them in a pile on the floor—for she never wished to wear those clothes again—when there came a tapping on the door and Caroline flew in. She embraced Helena with tears in her eyes. “Helena, your poor face! Whatever happened to you? We were all so worried. Sir Ivor and Robert would not tell me anything. Then Papa arrived. Then two other men came, and they all began…” She finally ran out of breath.

Helena gave her a one-armed hug, trying not to nudge her hand.

“I am so sorry to have given all this trouble. But even if I had taken Mary with me, I doubt that would have stopped Elverton. He would simply have kidnapped Mary too.”

“I don’t understand about Elverton. I saw at my party how you feared him, but why?”

“He was a crony of my father’s, and I’ve always feared him. His attitude toward me was such that…that…oh I can’t explain it, but he acted as if it was his right to have control over me. However, it seems that Sir Ivor and your papa have been suspicious of Elverton for some other reason. I do not know precisely why, but I suspect.”

Caroline’s eyes grew round. “Lady Stafford and Erica and Nerida kept asking me questions all day, and I didn’t know what to say. Now Ariadne is in my room storming about and complaining that you have ‘spoiled everything.’ Poor Mrs. Annerwith is horrified.”

“Just one minute and I shall try to pacify Ariadne. There, is my hair better?”

“Your hair is as neat as a pin, Helena, apart from a streak of bl-blood over one ear.”

“Drat it.” Helena swiped at the blood and made matters worse.

“Let me see that.” Caroline took Helena’s hand and examined it. She searched quickly through the big armoire in the corner of the room and came up with a scarf. “Here, this will do. I shall bind it up to stop the bleeding.” She glanced up with a half-smile. “I’m getting used to doing this since Robert persists in moving his injured leg about instead of lying still. There now. That should stay in place. Helena, you must rest. You look exhausted.”

“Thank you, my dear. Our roles are reversed. Here you are ministering to me.”

“Of course. I am your friend.”

Helena surveyed Caroline mistily. “You are the best friend anyone could have, Caroline. I thought of you when I was left alone in that house for hours and wondered if you had missed me.”

“Of course I missed you! I shall not tease you now, but you must tell me all about it tomorrow. I think Nerida and Erica have gone to bed, but Lady Stafford is waiting up for you. And you had best see Ariadne and Robert as soon as possible.”

Helena grimaced, and Caroline giggled. “I asked Mrs. Annerwith to organize some tea for Ariadne but she said she didn’t want it. She wished only to go home. But Papa is here and will take her home.”

Papa was indeed there. He was not impressed with his older daughter and did not mince his words. His wife was prostrate, having found Ariadne’s carelessly penned note informing her parents of her elopement with Lord Elverton. As Helena approached Caroline’s room, she heard Ariadne’s angry weeping and Mr. Yardley’s measured tones. “We are deeply disappointed in you, Ariadne. I have decided that you will go to my sister in the country for a few months. Perhaps she may succeed where we have not.”

“Aunt Warren? No!”

Mr. Yardley was unmoved. “Miss Marshfield endeavored to school you both in the ways of gentlefolk, and with Caroline she succeeded admirably. But you have come to believe yourself perfect because of your prettiness. Your mother and I are partly to blame because we have much indulged you. Your Aunt Warren may not be able to divest you of your sense of self-importance, but at least she will keep you away from London temptations for the time being.”

Approving heartily of that speech Helena began to tiptoe away, but he had caught a glimpse of her. “Miss Marshfield…Helena! We are so pleased to have you back, safe and sound. But your face looks very sore indeed. My dear, I shall speak to you tomorrow. Just at this present your brother is anxious to see you. It has been a long, terrible day for us all.” He pressed her hand speakingly, and she flinched as the cut from the knife wound began to bleed afresh.

She brushed his apology aside. “Thank goodness for your Committee, Mr. Yardley. No doubt Robert will tell me exactly what all this is about, but I am pleased Ariadne has come to no harm.”

“For which I thank you. But if she had not been so silly, she would not have been put in that position in the first place. No,” he said shaking his head, “we do not blame you, Helena. You are an excellent governess and companion. But some of the fault lies with us. We indulged our girls too much, and this is the result.” He seemed to be rather despondent, so Helena mentioned how pleased she was to be getting Caroline for a sister-in-law and he brightened up considerably.

“Yes indeed. You two ladies have always dealt well together. But I must take this young woman back to her mother now,” he said, indicating Ariadne. “Sir Robert will explain to you all about the work of the Committee.”

Helena peeked around Robert’s door, wondering if he had given up waiting for her and fallen asleep. After all, he was not yet recovered from his severe injuries, and it was now well past midnight. But as soon as he saw her, he called out, “Ellie, at last! I have been so anxious.” As she approached his bed he stared and exclaimed, “Your face! What happened?”

She settled down to tell him about the day’s adventures. Then she queried, “Robert, why is the Special Advisory Committee investigating Lord Elverton?”

“Ellie, I think you’ve guessed. He was supplying information regarding army maneuvers to the enemy.”

“I thought so. How long has it been going on?”

“We are uncertain, but we think he has been doing it ever since Bonaparte’s invasion of the Low Countries. I wonder how many men have died because of him,” Robert ended bitterly.

They both sat silent, reflecting on the appalling damage done by a traitor such as Elverton, how many lives had been lost.

“Apparently Ivor and Joshua and the others have been suspicious of him for almost a year but were unable to find out how he was operating. And they had to be very sure, because he is an influential person. Then there was a death at the Horse Guards and unexpectedly the fellow left a letter. It seems that Elverton’s modus operandi was to blackmail people into joining his smuggling ring. He winkled out their secrets then left them with no alternative but to work for him, else he would inform on them. He only smuggled information, never goods. Apparently that would have been too tame for him. He would have been just another smuggler. You were quite right about him, Ellie, and I apologize for not taking you seriously when you said you feared him.”

“It is not your fault, Robert. I spent much more time with him than you did, not that I had any idea he was a traitor. But somehow, I could not trust him. He seemed to revel in other people’s difficulties. Several times when he visited Marshfield Manor, he commented upon men getting into gambling difficulties or some such, and it seemed to me that he was amused.”

“Yes, I think our father was one of those he especially pursued to ruin. But I don’t think he tried to turn Father into a traitor, because Father had no political leverage nor much of an interest in politics. I suppose he simply enjoyed having power over him.”

“Exactly. I hope that now he is caught, other people he has forced into that way of life can be free.”

“They, too, might be taken up as traitors, Helena, if they are found.”

“How unfair!”

“Perhaps there may be mitigating factors, but the laws on treason are harsh. And rightly so.”

Helena knew that on this matter she and her brother would never see eye to eye. She deplored treason but could not help but sympathize with anyone caught in Lord Elverton’s coils. She roused herself. “And how are you, Robert? How is the shoulder?”

“My dear, it’s just like you to worry about me. Apart from the frustration and boredom of lingering in bed, all is well with me. I can help the Advisory Committee a little from my sickbed because I have more time than the other members have. While they are out making inquiries, I am mulling over maps, assessing the proposed military plans for next season. At least that way I am contributing to the cause.” He grinned. “And of course I have Caroline who asks me every few minutes if my shoulder or my leg pains me.” He was a happy man, and Helena envied him.

She herself had come too close to evil today to feel free just yet. Exhausted, she stood. “Robert, I must go to bed. It must be nigh on two o’clock.”

“Later than that I should think.” He looked searchingly at her. “Poor Ellie. You will have a very bruised face tomorrow. And I heard from one of the footmen that Ivor contributed to it. How I shall chafe him about it! I shall pretend to be indignant that he treated you so, and that all that bruising is solely his doing. I shall demand an explanation.”

She forced a smile which pained her swollen lip. “He will come about, I assure you. He has the confidence not to mind being teased.”

“Do you like him, Helena? He seems to be very taken with you.”

“He is a good man,” she responded quietly with her head bent and would say no more. She was away to her bedroom before he could question her further.

Lady Stafford was lying in wait. She had heard from Timms and Mrs. Annerwith about the state of Helena’s face and was waiting to see for herself how Helena did.

“Here, my dear.” She held out an ointment jar. “Use this arnica on your face straight away. When you wake in the morning you must apply some more. It will work wonders.”

Helena nodded and smiled mistily. Everyone was so kind.

Lady Stafford unclasped Helena’s dress and, when she attempted to undress herself, told her to simply stand there and she would do it all. “For I can see that you are totally exhausted. ’Tis a nervous reaction. Now here is your night-rail which Mrs. Annerwith has warmed by the fire. You shall shortly have some tea and bread and butter, but while we are waiting for it, I will brush your hair. There, that feels better, doesn’t it?”

Helena relaxed thankfully and submitted to her ministrations. This must be what it was like to have a mother. She had never known her own but had seldom felt the need of one. Her father and governess had seen to her every need. But lately she had felt the need of a loving companionship such as the Morris girls had with their mother.

Lady Stafford’s voice held only kindness and concern. She was not curious, just anxious to see that Helena was made comfortable. Helena reveled in the feeling and let the lady’s conversation flow over her like soothing syrup.

“My goodness, Ivor was beside himself this morning. When Mary told him you had been dragged up into a carriage, he went so white I didn’t know what to do. Then later on when he and the other gentleman set out to bring you back, he said to me, ‘Don’t worry, Mama. I shall bring her back safe or I won’t be back,’ and my son is not given to dramatics, let me tell you.”

Helena wondered just how much Lady Stafford knew. Probably most of it. “He was wonderful, Lady Stafford. If it weren’t for him, I’d be…I’d be—”

“Hush! Don’t think about it anymore. Ah! Thank you, Mary. Here’s your tea, my dear. I shall cut the bread and butter into tiny pieces so you will find it easier to chew. Your mouth looks very sore.”

How kind everyone was. Ivor made her feel cherished. He had subjugated his anxiety and had searched intelligently for her so that he had found her in time. Caroline had been dreadfully worried about her. Her brother had been half out of his mind with worry.

And now here was Lady Stafford, determined to ensure that she was put safely to bed. When she could eat and drink no more, Lady Stafford tucked Helena into bed as if she were a child. Exhausted, Helena fell asleep before she could thank her.