Gina spent the following weeks in a daze of happiness. She seemed to be living in another world, where every sense was heightened. Suddenly, she felt like a girl again, for the sensation was familiar from those long-ago days when she and Giles had first fallen in love.
Now she could look forward to daily visits from her lover, smiling at his protestations that every hour spent away from her was like a lifetime. They dined together, walked in the gardens talking eagerly, and learned to know each other again as they renewed their vows of love.
Then he came to her one day, his face alight with joy.
‘Mother and Letty have returned,’ he said. ‘Now, my dearest, we can decide upon our wedding day.’ His mouth came down on hers in a passionate kiss.
‘Would all your family care to dine here at the Mansion House?’ she asked a little breathlessly.
‘India and Isham hope that you will dine with them. She plans to give a small party for you, your mother and father and your brother and sister, as well as Mair and Elspeth. Do say you agree! It would give her so much pleasure.’
‘How can I refuse? She is so kind, and my parents will be delighted.’
It was no more than the truth. After their initial disappointment when they heard that her cousin was not to be her choice, George and Eliza Westcott had rejoiced in Gina’s happiness.
‘This is a surprise to us, my dear child, but I can’t fault young Rushford,’ her father had admitted. ‘He’s twice the man his father was, and his life has not been easy. It was pitiful to see all his efforts go for naught when Gareth Rushford was alive.’
‘Now, Father, don’t rake up old scandals,’ Eliza Westcott begged. ‘We’ve always liked Giles. He was such a merry lad and full of mischief, though there was no harm in him. I never found him other than polite. He’ll make you happy, Gina, I am sure of it.’
They said as much to Giles, welcoming him as one of the family without the least trace of self-consciousness. George Westcott was his own man. He had done well in business and though he was aware of the social gulf between the aristocracy and those in trade, he sensed that times were changing. His wife was not so sure.
When Gina arrived with the invitation to dine with Lord and Lady Isham she met with some resistance from her mother.
‘I don’t know,’ Eliza looked uncomfortable. ‘We’ve been taught to keep our place, and to look up to our betters, not to dine with them.’
‘Mother, please! How can you speak of “your betters”? Lord and Lady Isham are human beings like ourselves…no better and no worse…You knew India as a girl. How can you think that she has changed?’
‘She’s married to Lord Isham now…’
Gina laughed. ‘So that is what is worrying you? Believe me, he is nothing like you might imagine. His boon companion at the moment is Mrs Clewes, the widow of a ship’s chandler.’
This won a reluctant smile from Mrs Westcott. ‘That may be so, but I can’t abide that Rushford woman. She never exchanges a civil word with me.’
‘I think you’ll find she has changed.’ Gina gave her mother a wicked look. ‘Now I am her dearest Gina, a paragon of all the virtues…’
‘Then she doesn’t know you, love,’ George Westcott chuckled. ‘Come wife, your own daughter has a title now. You cannot let her down.’
It was enough to stifle all objections, and later that week, although claiming that she felt like Daniel about to enter the lion’s den, Eliza Westcott accompanied her family to the Grange.
Her fears were soon allayed. Isham’s easy greeting soon set his visitors at their ease, and Letty and India were their usual charming selves, insisting that Mrs Westcott sat between them.
‘You shall not stand on ceremony, ma’am,’ India said prettily. ‘You’ve known us all our lives. May I make you known to our dear Lucia, the Dowager Lady Isham?’
Mrs Westcott nodded shyly.
‘And here is Mrs Clewes, a friend of ours, as is Mr Newby. My mother you know already as a neighbour.’
‘How pleased you must be to have dear Gina home again,’ Mrs Rushford gushed. ‘And now to hear this happy news! I declare that I am over the moon about it…’
Eliza viewed the speaker with a sardonic eye. She was under no illusions. Gina’s fortune had brought about this startling change in Mrs Rushford. Without it the woman would not have given her the time of day.
Mrs Rushford noticed nothing amiss. ‘Two of my children to be wed this year!’ she continued in sentimental tones. ‘I hope that you won’t consider a double wedding, Gina? A bride’s day should be hers alone.’
‘We haven’t decided yet,’ Gina said truthfully.
‘Well, time enough, my dear. You will wish to go to London for your bride-clothes. If you wish it I will give you an introduction to Madame Félice…She has provided Letty’s trousseau.’
Gina laughed. ‘I thank you, ma’am, but I think not. I am not quite her style…’
‘Perhaps not!’ Mrs Rushford subjected her future daughter-in-law to a searching inspection. ‘Letty is, after all, a beauty…not that you do not always look charmingly, Gina, though you might consider something a little more modish.’
Gina hid a smile. Mrs Rushford’s penchant for extravagant trimmings was well known. She could see no virtue in understated elegance. It had escaped her notice that Gina’s shawl of the finest Norwich silk had cost the best part of fifty guineas.
‘Well, Mama, at least you and Letty are prepared for all occasions.’ India hastened to divert her mother’s attention from Gina. She had caught her friend’s eye and she realised that Gina was struggling to keep her countenance. ‘I never saw so many packages in my life…’
‘The shopping was tiring,’ Mrs Rushford admitted grandly. ‘You must blame Isham, my dear India. He insisted that Letty must have the best of everything.’
Letty shot an anxious glance at her brother-in-law. ‘But not quite so much of everything,’ she said in a low voice. ‘Oh, Anthony, I am so sorry. I couldn’t stop her. We shall be forever in your debt.’
Isham drew her into the window embrasure. ‘Not nearly so much as I am in yours, Letty. Your mother was filling India’s head with foolish fancies. Had you not taken her away I should have been forced to speak severely. That would have upset my darling wife.’
‘India looks so much better now. Gina’s company has been good for her, I think.’
‘That’s true! And now, with the two weddings to occupy your mother’s mind, India will get some peace. When does Oliver arrive?’
‘In time for the feˆte at Perceval Hall, I hope.’ Letty was radiant at the prospect of seeing her betrothed again. ‘When I wrote I warned him of the date, so I expect him by Thursday at the latest. The feˆte is on the eighteenth, is it not?’
‘It is. That is Friday of next week. I had best rally the troops. Lady Eleanor will be hoping for a good attendance…’
Mrs Rushford caught his last words. She leaned back in her chair with a gracious smile. ‘My sister’s gatherings are always well attended,’ she announced. ‘One is often surprised by some of the guests, but times are changing, as we all know, and the villagers enjoy the opportunity to mingle with their betters.’ She leaned towards the Westcotts and for an awful moment India feared another gaffe. She was saved when dinner was announced.
Local gossip would prove to be the safest subject at the dinner table, she decided, but none of her guests could throw any further light upon the mysterious murder of the Marquis.
‘But what of the Prince’s men?’ Gina was puzzled. ‘Have they discovered nothing?’
‘Not yet, so I understand.’ Isham turned to Mr Westcott. ‘What is your opinion, sir?’
‘I won’t speculate, my lord. The facts are few, it seems, in spite of the enquiries made throughout the village. Burneck, the single remaining servant at Steepwood Abbey, is thought to know far more than he’ll admit. Pressure may be brought to bear on him…Otherwise he’ll keep his secret.’
‘Truth will out!’ Mrs Clewes said cheerfully. ‘I confess I’d like to know before I leave for Bristol…’
There was a general outcry.
‘Ma’am, you don’t think of leaving us yet?’ India was dismayed. ‘Won’t you attend the feˆte?’
‘I’d love to,’ Mrs Clewes said promptly. ‘But it’s my feet, my dear. I ain’t in the way of being able to walk about so much.’
‘Then you shan’t do so, my dear ma’am.’ Isham grinned at her. ‘If you’ll accept the offer of a bath-chair I shall challenge you to a duel at the coconut shies…’
‘Done! What is your wager, sir?’
‘If you lose we hold you prisoner here for the rest of the summer…’ He gave her a conspiratorial wink.
‘Bless me, my lord, you’ll have me ruined with this life of luxury.’ Mrs Clewes beamed her pleasure at the invitation. ‘I’ll be naught but a parasite…’
‘No, ma’am, I have ulterior motives. Giles tells me that you like a game of cards. With Mrs Rushford we shall make up a useful foursome…’ Isham gave her a long look, and Mrs Clewes was quick to understand. With her support India would have some protection from her mother’s gloomy prognostications.
‘I play for pennies, sir, but there, you won’t mind that. Besides, I don’t intend to lose the wager…if this fine weather holds, which I make no doubt it will.’
She was right, and on the following Friday the entire party joined the queue of carriages at the entrance to Perceval Hall.
Mrs Rushford was in the best of humours. The long wait did not trouble her in the least as she nodded and smiled at her acquaintances.
‘July is just the best of months for a function of this kind,’ she said approvingly. ‘With the Season over, so many of our friends are returned to the country. I declare, we shall never be at home. Since the announcement of your betrothal appeared in the London papers, Giles, we’ve had kind messages and invitations by every post.’
The villagers too were pressing close to the open carriage, offering their good wishes to the future bridegroom. India glanced at him and then at her sister.
‘Dear Giles!’ she said softly. ‘He looks as radiant as any bride. Is it not wonderful?’
Letty pressed her hand, but her gaze was fixed on Oliver. ‘We are all so lucky, India. A year ago we could not have imagined that we should be here, within weeks of our marriages to those we love so much.’
India looked at the sea of faces that surrounded her. ‘Your weddings will be well attended, love. The news has spread like wildfire since the first of the banns was called.’
‘I can’t believe it yet,’ Letty’s eyes were dreamy. ‘Oh, look! There is Gina with the girls…’
Giles was out of the carriage in an instant, though the procession was already beginning to move. Minutes later he handed Gina down, tucking her hand beneath his arm.
‘Let me make you known to my aunt and uncle, my darling…’ He glanced back to see his mother deep in conversation with one of her bosom bows.
Mrs Rushford had prepared her story carefully, stressing Gina’s title, hinting at her fortune, and glossing over the previous background and unfortunate antecedents of her future daughter-in-law.
‘Mother will be fully occupied for the day,’ he predicted as they approached Sir James and Lady Perceval. ‘Later we’ll slip away somewhere on our own.’
Gina looked up at him with laughing eyes. ‘And what of Mair and Elspeth?’ she asked. ‘I have certain responsibilities, my dear.’
‘Nonsense!’ he said fondly. ‘Look at them! They have already found their friends…’
It was true. Mair and Elspeth were surrounded by a group of girls, many of whom attended Mrs Guarding’s Academy, and included the Vicar’s younger daughters, Frederica and Henrietta.
Gina was welcomed kindly by Sir James and Lady Perceval.
‘Shall you care to attend the running races?’ Lady Eleanor enquired. ‘They are always well supported, and the Vicar will present the prizes…’
Gina and Giles strolled off in company with their host and hostess and for the next hour they were fully occupied in clapping home the various contestants. There was keen competition among the villagers for the chance to win a new smock for the men, and lengths of material and ribbons for the girls.
Giles looked round as the smell of roasting meat drifted across the lawns.
‘I’m starving,’ he announced ‘Will the ox be ready, Aunt?’
‘I hope so, Giles. The fire was lit at first light yesterday. Gina must be hungry too. Will you take her over to the tables?’ She turned to Gina. ‘In the ordinary way we should dine en famille, my dear, but today is open house, and all are welcome to as much as they can eat and drink. We don’t stand on ceremony.’
Gina looked at the milling crowds. ‘You are generous, ma’am.’ She twinkled at her hostess. ‘Your guests appear to be taking full advantage.’
‘I’m glad of it,’ her ladyship said simply. ‘Times have been hard for everyone in these past years and we have felt so helpless. This is the least that we can do…Now off you go, and enjoy yourselves…’
‘Your aunt feels strongly for the local people,’ Gina observed as they strolled away. ‘My mother and father have the highest praise for her.’
‘She deserves it, Gina. Had Steepwood Abbey not have been lost to the Marquis, it would have been the Earl of Yardley who looked to the welfare of the villagers. Now those duties have fallen upon my aunts and both my uncles.’
‘I’m glad that your uncle William is to marry us,’ she told him shyly. ‘Are you happy with this notion of a double wedding?’
For answer he slipped an arm about her waist and held her close. ‘Can you doubt it? I’d have agreed to anything, my love, just so long as you become my bride.’
Gina blushed. ‘People are looking at us, Giles.’
‘Let them look!’ He helped her to a generous portion of roast meat. ‘I think we need not stay for long. No one will miss us in this crush if we slip away.’
‘First I must find the girls and let them know. They will wonder if we are nowhere to be found.’
‘Will they?’ he teased. ‘You forget, my darling, Mair and Elspeth are almost women grown, and Mair, in particular, soon found out our secret.’
‘Even so, I don’t wish to desert them.’ Gina looked about her. ‘I don’t see them anywhere, do you?’
‘Were they not with Frederica? She is with her sister, over there. Shall I ask for them?’
As he moved over to speak to the girls, Gina followed him.
‘Why, Mr Rushford, we all went to see the hermit’s grotto in the grounds,’ Frederica told him. ‘Mr Westcott sent us back to find some of our friends. He felt that they would like to see it…’
Gina’s blood turned to ice in her veins. ‘Mr Westcott? Are you speaking of my father?’
She knew the answer before the girls replied. ‘No, ma’am,’ Henrietta said politely. ‘It was Mr Samuel Westcott who mentioned the grotto to us…’
‘There now, you have no further need to worry…’ Giles turned to Gina, only to find that her face was deathly pale.
‘Where…where is this grotto?’ she choked out.
‘Why, ma’am, it is along that path…’ The girls were startled by the urgency in Gina’s voice.
‘Giles, will you get my father?’ Gina threw the words at him as she sped away. She was ploughing through mire on leaden feet, unable to gain speed. Pray heaven that she was not too late. Ignoring the stitch in her side, she hurried on, until the shell-lined grotto came into view.
Now common-sense returned. She slowed, approaching the grotto from the side. Hopefully, nothing untoward had happened. Peering into the gloom, all she could see was the vast bulk of her uncle. He seemed to be pleading with Elspeth.
‘Were you hoping to see the hermit?’ he asked. ‘He won’t appear if there are two of you.’
‘I don’t believe that there is a hermit,’ Elspeth told him scornfully. ‘How would he live here in the winter? This place is cold and damp.’
‘Then fetch Gina,’ he suggested. ‘She will tell you the truth of it. Mair and I will wait for you…’
‘I think not!’ Gina stepped into the cavern. ‘Mair, you and Elspeth must return to others…’
‘But, Gina, this place is fascinating,’ Elspeth stared at her. ‘Just look at all the shells! It must have taken years to build them into the walls…’
‘Do as I say!’ Gina’s voice was verging on hysteria. The girls did not argue further. They hurried away.
Samuel Westcott turned towards her, his small eyes alive with malice. ‘Gina to the rescue?’ he jeered. ‘You’ll do instead, my dear.’
Gina faced him squarely. ‘I warned you, uncle,’ she said quietly. ‘This time you have gone too far…’
He laughed in her face. ‘For showing the girls a grotto? It seems innocent enough to me…’
Gina stood her ground. ‘I know you all too well,’ she replied. ‘You were trying to get rid of Elspeth. What would have happened had I not arrived?’
‘Shall I show you, Gina?’ He waddled towards her then, his fat hands reaching out for her. ‘Are you to be wed? I’ll have you first, you vixen.’ Then he was upon her, tearing at her gown. ‘I’ve waited long enough for this…’
Gina screamed as he ripped her bodice open to the waist. His hands were everywhere, fondling her breasts, sliding over her hips, and tugging at her skirts.
‘Don’t fight me!’ he said thickly. ‘You know it’s what you want. How long is it since a man has bedded you?’
Gina didn’t answer him. With a sigh she let herself grow limp within his grasp. To struggle would be useless. He was much too strong for her, but she might outwit him with guile.
‘Fainted, have you?’ he grunted. ‘Pity! I wanted you to know exactly what I’m going to do to you…’
Gina thought quickly. Her thin kid slippers were too soft to hurt him if she kicked out, and he was holding her too close for her to raise a knee and sink it into that amorphous mass of flesh.
He shook her roughly, and when she didn’t respond he loosened his grip just enough for Gina to bend her arm. Then she drove her elbow into his stomach.
He doubled up with a gasp. He was standing between her and the narrow entrance to the grotto, but when she tried to push past him, his hand shot out and gripped her waist. Gina bent her head and tried to bite him, but he wound his fingers into her hair and pulled until the pain was unbearable.
‘Still up to your old tricks, my girl? I’ve owed you something for these many years. Now It’s time to pay…’
‘Let me go!’ she cried. ‘Giles is following me…’
‘Giles is following me!’ he mimicked. ‘He ain’t here yet, my dear. Thought you’d trick me, didn’t you, by making up to George? But I know you, you bitch! George ain’t good enough for you. Will Rushford want my leavings…?’
Her situation was hopeless, but Gina fought him tooth and nail, clawing at his face and drawing blood.
With a curse he slapped her hard across the head, knocking her to the ground. Then he threw himself upon her, fumbling at her skirts.
Gina writhed beneath him, but she felt that she was suffocating. Nausea overcame her at the smell of his stale sweat, but the lascivious mouth came ever closer to her own.
Then, suddenly, the weight was gone and she heard a crash as her uncle was thrown bodily across the floor of the cave to land against the stone wall.
Giles was upon him in an instant, his hands around the bull neck. He hadn’t uttered a word and somehow his silence was more terrible than any shouts of outrage.
Gina watched in horror as Samuel Westcott’s feet began to drum upon the ground.
‘No!’ she cried. ‘Don’t kill him! He isn’t worth a hanging!’
Giles seemed not to have heard her as she struggled painfully to her feet.
‘Let him go, I beg of you!’ Her hands were upon her lover’s shoulders, but he didn’t look at her.
Then she was gently set aside, as her father took her place. By exerting all his strength he broke the death grip which Giles had upon his brother.
‘Gina is right,’ he said quietly. ‘This animal isn’t worth a hanging. He won’t trouble you again. I’ll make sure of that.’ He looked in disgust at the cowering man upon the ground.
‘Get out!’ he said in icy tones. ‘You are no kin of mine. Show your face in Abbot Quincey ever again and I’ll destroy you. Don’t forget that I own most of your London business…’
With a speed surprising in so large a man, Samuel Westcott scuttled away.
Gina was shaking uncontrollably. Only the fact that Giles was holding her enabled her to stand upright.
‘Come out into the light,’ he urged gently. ‘Shall I carry you, my love?’
‘Just give me a moment,’ she whispered. ‘I shall be perfectly all right.’ Weakly, she tried to draw together the edges of her gown, which was ripped from bodice to hemline. ‘It’s ruined!’ she said inconsequentially. Then she burst into tears.
‘My dear child!’ Her father was still deeply shocked. ‘Let me take you home…You need to rest…’
‘Sir, with respect, I will take Gina home. If you’d be good enough to find the girls and follow us…?’
‘No!’ Gina wiped away her tears. ‘No one must ever know what has happened here. Let the girls stay…I want to change before I see them.’
‘Then I’ll come with you to the Mansion House,’ her father said firmly. ‘I have much to say to you…’ His eyes were so sad that Gina reached out to him.
‘How much did you hear?’ she asked.
‘Enough to know the answers to much that has puzzled me for years. Why did you not tell me, Gina?’
‘I couldn’t!’ she confessed. ‘He is your own brother. Would you have believed me?’
‘I no longer have a brother,’ he said sternly. ‘Was this why you ran away from us, my dear?’
She nodded, but she could not trust herself to give him the details of those far-off attempts upon her virtue.
‘I’ve been a fool,’ George Westcott said. ‘The truth has been staring me in the face for years. Other incidents have been reported to me. I didn’t believe any of the complaints, putting them down to envy and ill-will.’
‘It’s over now,’ she comforted. ‘You know the truth about him. He will not face you ever again.’
Gina turned to Giles. ‘Will you take me home, my darling?’
Wordlessly, he put his arm about her and held her close, burying his face in her hair.
‘I might have been too late,’ he whispered. ‘When you were most in need of me I wasn’t there…Oh, my dear, why did you decide to confront your uncle on your own?’
‘I didn’t think,’ she told him frankly. ‘When I heard that he was alone with Mair and Elspeth I forgot the danger. I’d fought him off before, you know.’
Giles held her away from him and looked down at the vivid little face.
‘What am I to do with you, my love? Will you still be battling on when we are old and grey, forgetting that you have a husband to take care of you?’
‘I doubt that I shall forget my husband…’ Gina raised her face to his, reaching up to trace the outlines of his mobile mouth with her fingertips. ‘You are dearer to me than life itself…’
He kissed her then, and the world was lost to them as they pledged their love in a passionate embrace.
Gina released herself at last, and, blushing, she looked round for her father. Discreetly, George Westcott had disappeared.
‘We had best go before we are discovered.’ Gina managed a faint smile. ‘I am in no fit state to greet the world at present.’
Giles grinned at her. ‘Fear not! Our friends will think only that my passion got the better of me…’
‘Why, Giles, that would cause a scandal!’
‘And shall you care, my love? What happened to the woman who had no regard for conventions?’
‘I intend to change when we are married,’ she said demurely.
‘God forbid!’ Giles looked at her in mock horror. ‘What shall I do for entertainment…?’
‘I’m sure you’ll think of something…’ With a wicked smile Gina whisked away from him and slipped through the entrance to the grotto.
As Gina had hoped, no breath of scandal was ever attached to the sudden departure of Samuel Westcott from Abbot Quincey. He’d given pressure of business as his excuse, and this was generally accepted. George gave a sigh of relief and announced his intention to marry Ellie without delay, since Gina was already spoken for and his father could no longer pressure him.
Gina herself had soon recovered from her ordeal. As her wedding day approached she was fully occupied in making arrangements for Mair and Elspeth to stay with India for the duration of her honeymoon.
‘Are you quite sure?’ she asked anxiously. ‘The girls would be happy to visit their relations in Scotland.’
‘Oh, let us have them,’ India begged. ‘It is such fun to have the young about the place…’
‘But you say that about the old, my dear. What of Mrs Clewes?’
‘Gina, she is a boon! My mother is now fully occupied. Mrs Clewes is a marvel. Mama has not even interfered in the arrangements for your wedding…’
‘Still playing cards?’ Gina twinkled at her friend.
‘That, and gossip, my dear. Anthony is off on some mysterious errand at this very moment. He won’t get through the doorway before they pounce on him…’
There was much truth in her remarks, but Lord Isham was looking thoughtful as he entered the room.
‘Anthony, what is it?’ India’s eyes searched her husband’s face. ‘Do you bring us news?’
‘I do.’ Isham sat down by her and took her hand. ‘I’m sure it will delight you. I hear that there is now a real possibility that the Earl of Yardley will regain possession of the Abbey.’
There was a general murmur of approval.
‘Is it certain?’ Giles said doubtfully. ‘I thought there was at present no visible owner…’
‘It won’t happen overnight,’ Isham agreed. ‘But, as you know, Yardley was in the process of negotiating to buy it back from Sywell, though the sale was not confirmed before the Marquis died.’
‘But what of the Marchioness? Suppose she reappears?’ India looked concerned.
‘Yardley has considered that possibility. If his lands are returned to him and she returns he has promised that she will be cared for, both financially and in every other way.’
‘How like him!’ India’s face was alight with pleasure. ‘Oh, my dear, just think what it will mean to the local people to have Yardley back again! How soon shall we be certain?’
‘Not before November, I imagine. There are the legalities to consider, and these matters take time. Representations have been made to the authorities.’
Isham saw that Mrs Clewes was looking puzzled. ‘Ma’am?’
‘I was just wondering, My Lord…who is the Earl of Yardley? I have not heard of him…’
Mrs Rushford gave a gusty sigh. ‘My dear Madam, the Earls of Yardley were the greatest landowners in this district. They have owned Steepwood Abbey for generations, that is, until some twenty years ago, when the place was gambled away to Sywell.’
‘All of it?’ Thomas Newby was incredulous. ‘The Earl could not have been in his right mind…’
‘He wasn’t!’ Giles said bluntly. ‘Mother, you know the story better than any of us. Won’t you explain?’
Delighted to be the centre of attention, Isabel Rushford settled back in her chair. ‘It started with a scandal,’ she said with relish. ‘Viscount Angmering, Yardley’s eldest son, returned from his Grand Tour with some young French aristocrat. The Earl refused his consent to the marriage because the girl was a Catholic. When Angmering refused to give her up his father threw him off.’
Mrs Clewes pursed her lips in disapproval. ‘I’d have stood by my child no matter what he’d done,’ she announced.
‘And so would I!’ India said warmly. ‘Up to and including murder!’
‘Women!’ Isham shook his head at them but he was smiling. ‘Isabel, will you go on?’
‘Well, the news came from France that Angmering had been killed in a bread riot. His father was distraught, blaming himself for banishing his heir. The Earl went up to town and started drinking. Somehow he found himself in Sywell’s company at one of the gambling clubs. That night he lost everything at the tables—the Abbey, his lands, the house in town and his estates in the north of England. Then he shot himself…’
India looked at her mother in concern. Mrs Rushford was pale and trembling. Her story was all too close to home. To a lesser extent Gareth Rushford had done the same.
Isham offered her a glass of wine, but she waved it away, determined to continue her story. ‘Thomas Cleeve is the present Earl. He inherited after the death of the Earl and Viscount Angmering. He’s tried for years to buy back Steepwood Abbey.’
‘He’s wealthy, then?’ Mrs Clewes was fascinated.
‘He made his fortune in India, so I understand. I never heard scandal of him. What a boon it would be to have the family back at Steepwood Abbey…’
‘Most certainly.’ Isham looked round at the assembled company. ‘Yardley takes his responsibilities seriously. Already he has paid off monies owed to the local tradesmen, but we must be patient. Now it has been discovered that Sywell gained the Abbey by murdering the old Earl, rather than honourably, if all goes well the present Earl’s heritage will be restored to him before the year’s end.’
‘Why, then the local people may look forward to better times. There will be work for all. Yardley intends to restore the Abbey and improve his lands. He speaks of repairing the workers’ cottages, hedging, ditching, rotation of crops, and general profitability.’
Giles did not attempt to hide his pleasure. ‘And the tenant farmers on his land? Are they to get some help?’
‘With your assistance, Giles. The Earl is hoping to see you soon. He intends to make full use of your inventions.’
‘Then we must invite him to our wedding.’ Gina’s smile was radiant. ‘Will he come, do you suppose?’
‘I don’t doubt it, Gina.’
Isabel Rushford touched a handkerchief to her eyes. ‘Just two more days and my children will be gone from me,’ she mourned. ‘What it is to be old and lonely…!’
‘You will be much in need of company,’ Isham agreed. ‘What do you say to a trip to Brighton with Mrs Clewes? Many of your bosom bows will be there for the Prince’s stay. He will be happy to make your acquaintance…’
Mrs Rushford brightened at once. ‘Do you say that we shall be received at the Pavillion by the Prince himself? That is something I have dreamed of. We shall meet the highest in the land…and the shops…! Oh, my dears, if my health will stand it, I shall be happy to undertake the journey.’ Then she bethought herself of her proposed companion. ‘Mrs Clewes may not wish to go…’ she said sadly.
‘Whyever not?’ the lady replied. Earlier she had been primed by Isham, who assured her that the Prince was anxious to make her acquaintance. Isham was on safe ground. He had already entertained the Prince with stories of the redoubtable widow from Bristol, and he knew that Mrs Clewes was quite in the Regent’s style.
‘Then if you insist…!’ Mrs Rushford allowed herself to be persuaded into undertaking an extravagant holiday at her son-in-law’s expense.
‘This is such a happy time for all of us,’ she said brightly.
That sentiment was echoed in many a heart.
On the day of the wedding the sun shone upon both brides. They arrived together at the church in Abbot Quincey, with Letty upon Isham’s arm and Gina with her father.
The crowds overflowed into the churchyard, commenting with awed approval upon the gowns, the bonnets, the flowers, and the handsome appearance of the guests.
Gina was unaware of it. She had dressed with care that morning in an elegant gown of finest ivory silk beneath a tunic of spider lace in the same shade. A tiny head-dress sat upon her shining hair, trimmed only with a few pearls.
She would never outshine the beautiful Letty, and she had no intention of doing so. The girl beside her was a vision of loveliness in her bridal gown, but the onlookers could not decide which of the two looked the happier.
For Gina there was only Giles, waiting for her at the altar steps. She looked long into his eyes, and saw there a man restored to love and life, waiting to claim her as his bride.
When they made their vows she found that she was trembling, but he gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, and she smiled up at him with misty eyes.
The rest of the day had a dreamlike quality and later she had little recollection of the celebrations, the sumptuous wedding breakfast at Perceval Hall, and the congratulations of her friends.
Giles stole her away at last, laughing as he hurried her to the waiting carriage.
‘I thought we’d never get away,’ he said, as he slipped his arm about her waist. ‘Now I can kiss you as I’ve longed to do all day, my darling wife.’
Gina lifted her face to his. ‘Is it really true?’ she asked in wonder. ‘I can’t believe that we are wed at last.’
‘Why, Mrs Rushford, I am deeply shocked! Here we are, about to live together for the next fifty years or so, and you doubt that we are wed?’
Gina hid her face in his coat. She was blushing deeply. ‘Don’t tease!’ she whispered. ‘Giles, I have not told you this before, but I have never been a wife in the true sense.’
He looked down at her and his eyes were filled with tenderness. ‘I guessed as much, my dear one. You have never lost that look of innocence you had when I first met you.’
‘Then I did not deceive you?’
‘Never, Gina!’ His lips found hers in a lingering kiss, and Gina forgot the wasted years in an overwhelming sense of rapture. She threw her arms about his neck, murmuring inarticulate words.
His heart beat strongly against her own and she revelled in the old familiar sensation of his closeness, his strength, and the delicious feeling of being protected from all harm.
‘I love you so,’ she whispered.
‘Then show me!’ he demanded as he nibbled gently at her ear.
Gina threw all decorum to the winds as she cupped his face within her hands and drew it down to hers. She teased him then with feather-light caresses, tracing the curve of his eyebrows with her fingertips, dropping kisses upon his eyelids, and finally seeking his mouth.
The strength of his response left her breathless, but she looked at him with perfect trust. ‘I want you, my love,’ she said. ‘When you make me your wife in truth, my happiness will be complete.’
Giles kissed her again, and in that kiss there was the promise of a lifetime of devotion.