The Earl paced impatiently up and down outside the room. He could hear the low murmur of voices inside, but could not decipher what was being said.
Mrs. Hopkins came along presently with some beef tea and she was admitted to the room. As she left, she gave the Earl a long hard stare.
“Miss Temia asks if you have washed and changed yet. Am I to tell her, next time I return, that you have not yet done so?”
The Earl’s fine features reddened. And now he felt ashamed of himself.
“Mrs. Hopkins, will you have Elliot draw me a bath at once, please?” he murmured, not meeting her eye.
“At once, my Lord,” she answered with a satisfied look on her face.
He did not worry about Mrs. Hopkins’s opinion of him, but what Temia thought was of great concern to him.
He took one last look at the closed door and then moved away. As he walked along the corridor to his room, he caught sight of himself in the large ornate mirror that hung near the staircase.
With mounting horror, he saw his bearded face and scruffy torn clothing.
‘Is this how I greeted Temia?’ he said to himself. ‘Looking as if I have been sleeping in a haystack and then struck by a threshing machine!’
He shook his head and wondered what had become of him. What Babbington had said to him, about how he had lost his way since his father had died, was true!
‘My father would not wish me to behave as I have,’ he said to himself. ‘He set great store by good manners and fine breeding. I have shown neither of late and to think I ignored Babbington’s well-meaning lectures! It should be me, laying there dying of a pistol wound and not him!’
He shook his head again and went up to his room.
As he entered, Elliot was supervising three maids, who were bringing cans of hot water to his dressing room. A large bathtub was in the corner and they were filling it.
“My Lord, shall I dispose of those clothes you are wearing? There’s your dressing gown warming by the fire and you can change into it until your bath be ready.”
He went to the fire, picked up the dressing gown and then went behind the screen.
He did not feel any self-consciousness as he peeled off his filthy clothes. He felt as if he was shedding an old dead skin like a snake and that he was about to be reborn. Elliot announced that the bath was ready and the Earl stepped out from behind the screen. Slipping into the deliciously hot water, he felt the tension flood out of him.
Elliot was standing by, ready to employ a cut-throat razor at the Earl’s command.
He soaped his aching body and thought of Temia.
What was she saying to Thomas? Would she re-emerge from the room with the news that she was going to marry him – out of pity? Was she bargaining with him –
‘Drink the beef tea and I will marry you?’
By the time he summoned Elliot to come and attend to his shaving, he was feeling desperate.
‘I love her so much!’ he told himself, as the razor was deftly whisked over his face. ‘I don’t think I could bear to lose her now.’
Later, as Elliot helped dress him, he began to feel more like his old self again. He was not a man to give up easily and neither would he in the battle for Temia’s hand.
Had she not told him that she loved him?
He walked slowly downstairs to dine alone. Mrs. Hopkins gave an approving look as she passed him and he smiled to himself as he sat down and waited for dinner to be served.
“Is there any sign of Miss Morris?” he asked, as the butler served him.
“Miss Morris, my Lord?” “Yes, the lady who is sitting with Sir Thomas.”
“Her name is Miss Brandon, my Lord, and not Miss Morris. She is the only daughter of Sir Arthur Brandon of Bovendon Hall. His horses are justly famous throughout the County for being the best in Northamptonshire, if not in England.”
“Really?” answered the Earl, taken aback. Even though Sir Thomas had mentioned in passing that Temia had told him she was fleeing from an arranged marriage, he had no idea her family were so well bred.
“Sir Arthur – is he in residence at the moment? “I believe so, my Lord. He is a country gentleman and does not own a London residence.”
He mulled over this information as he chewed on his lamb chops. Had not Thomas also told him her father was being blackmailed?
He resolved to make discreet enquiries as soon as the present emergency was over. The fact that Temia had not chosen to confide in him was of no consequence to him and it certainly did not make him love her any less. In fact, he thought it showed a remarkable strength of character and he did not care for silly females who cried for attention at the slightest excuse. He far preferred women with spirit and determination.
‘Yes, I shall explore this further,’ he decided.
His thoughts were interrupted by Elliot.
“My Lord, Miss Temia has sent me to you. It’s Sir Thomas.”
“He is not – ”
“No, my Lord. Quite the opposite. She has sent word that he has taken some nourishment and requests that the doctor be summoned first thing in the morning.”
“Thank Heaven! Will Miss Temia be joining me for dinner?”
“No, my Lord. She has requested that no one enter the room apart from servants bringing whatever she might require. Sir Thomas is still not out of the woods.”
*
In spite of being exhausted, the Earl could not sleep and he tossed and turned, half-dreaming, half-awake.
He longed to see Temia and to cover her face with kisses and tell her how much she meant to him.
At five o’clock in the morning, he arose from his large four-poster bed and paced the room. At six he rang for Elliot to bring hot coffee and boiled eggs.
By seven o’clock he was washed and dressed.
He decided to go for a ride to help ease the tension, and before he made for the stables, he went to the West wing to see if there were any signs of life.
As he passed the room where Sir Thomas lay, an exhausted Temia half-fell out of the door.
He caught her in his arms as she swooned.
“Richard!”
“Temia – are you all right?” he asked anxiously.
“I am – very tired. Is the doctor on his way?”
“Yes, is Babbington deteriorating?”
“No, Richard. He has awakened and asked for eggs and coffee!”
“Darling! My poor dear, brave darling!” he sighed, holding her closer to him.
“Excuse me, my Lord, Doctor Soul is here. Shall I show him in?”
The butler was standing there waiting expectantly.
“Show him in at once!” “I hope that he confirms my prognosis that Thomas has turned a corner,” whispered Temia in a voice that was hoarse with exhaustion.
Doctor Soul was quick to examine the patient and then to convey the good news.
“He will live and it is all thanks to this remarkable young lady. I see that he has eaten something at last.”
“Yes, he had two small cups of beef tea last night and then two eggs this morning,” Temia replied proudly.
“And now, young lady, I suggest that you rest.” Temia was taken to a guest room and brought some breakfast. The Earl gave his staff orders that she was not to be disturbed. Several hours later, just as it was getting dark again, Temia awoke to find herself in a strange bed. For a moment she could not remember where she was and then she realised.
‘I am at Yardley Manor and Thomas is better!’ She rang for a maid and asked her to bring some hot water and then noticed a clean dress hung on a hook.
“Whose is that?” she asked the maid.
“His Lordship said to leave it out for you, miss. It used to belong to his sister.” Temia bathed and then put on the dress. It fitted her to perfection.
She did her hair and thought how once she could not have done so, but working at the theatre had made her very self-sufficient and independent.
Once presentable, she hurried to Sir Thomas eager to discover his progress.
But the faithful Elliot barred the way.
“I am sorry, miss, but his Lordship has given strict instructions that they are not to be disturbed. He said to give you this when you awoke.”
Temia opened it and read,
“My darling, There are things that Babbington and I must thrash out, man to man. I will send for you when all is well. A carriage has been made ready to take you wherever you desire. Just know I love you very much whatever happens.
Your own Richard.”
‘He is sending me away!’ she thought. ‘Did he not mean what he said yesterday, after all?’
With a heavy heart, she gathered up the few things she had with her and went out to the waiting carriage. She knew that she could not go home to Bovendon Hall and so she asked the driver to take her to the hotel where Sophia would be waiting for news.
“I was so worried!” she cried, as Temia reappeared. “I didn’t know what to think when you didn’t return. I told the manager that we wanted the room for another day at least – are we staying?”
“I don’t know,” she answered, looking dazed.
“Temia. What’s happened. How is Sir Thomas?”
“I sat up with him all night and he is recovering.”
“And now?”
“The Earl has sent me away and said he will come and fetch me later.”
“You must not concern yourself. Men must be left to themselves and we should not interfere with them. Have you thought more of returning home to your parents?”
“How can I? Timing is now crucial. If I was to appear before my mother has had word from Mr. Burleigh that the affidavit has been drawn up to have Lord Alphonse arrested, it would spell disaster. No, we must wait here. I will write to Mama and tell her where I am.”
Temia began to write and after finishing the letter, Sophia took it to the concierge to be delivered at once.
“You should go back to bed, Temia. Look – you can scarcely keep your eyes open. Tomorrow, we’ll talk. I have some news for you!”
“What is it, dearest?”
“No,” smiled Sophia, mysteriously. “It can wait, but it is nothing to concern yourself with.”
Temia watched as Sophia almost skipped out of the room. ‘I wonder what ails her?’ she said to herself, taking off her slippers.
Sophia did not return to her room until quite late, but Temia was fast asleep by then.
*
They both slept soundly and were awakened by the waiter with their breakfast.
Sophia eagerly tucked into toast and kedgeree.
“I love it,” she exclaimed.
Temia laughed. “I am pleased you are so happy, now what is the news you wish to tell me, Sophia?”
“I’ve met a gentleman!” she cried with a brilliant smile. “At a piano recital in the hotel. Oh, Temia! He is so handsome and dashing! He’s a Captain and is stationed at Weedon Barracks. He saw that I was alone and asked if I needed a chaperone!”
“Sophia! That is quite shocking!”
“Oh, don’t concern yourself, Temia. He is quite the gentleman. I dined with him last night and I am seeing him again this evening! So, if we stay here for a month, I could not be happier!”
“Then, I am so pleased for you, dearest,” replied Temia, laying a hand fondly on her shoulder. They were disturbed by a knocking on the door.
“That waiter is efficient – we have scarcely finished our breakfast,” said Temia, as Sophia rushed to open it.
Lady Brandon swept into the room.
“You must be Sophia,” she smiled. “I should have known you at once as your eyes are just like Arthur’s.”
Sophia blushed and dropped a curtsy.
“My Lady!” she said with her head bowed.
“Now, now – what is this nonsense? You must not kowtow to me!”
“Mama! You have received my letter?”
“Yes, darling. And I have come to tell you that you must come to The Hall at once. Yesterday afternoon we received word from Mr. Burleigh that he is to arrive at The Hall the very same evening and then, as if by a miracle, a letter arrived from Lord Alphonse announcing that he was coming to call in his debt the next day.”
“He is coming to The Hall this afternoon?” “Yes. In his letter, he said that he would be coming to take away more horses, as the bargain we made was left unfulfilled. Mr. Burleigh is delighted at the timing and is meeting with the Chief Constable. He is arranging a little reception committee!”
“Mama, this is wonderful news.”
“And we shall naturally need you at The Hall. You are the lure to set the trap, Temia!”
“But Papa – he has agreed to this?”
“Darling, he is full of remorse with how he behaved towards you. He cannot wait to see you.”
“And Sophia?”
“I have told him of her existence, but we must take this one step at a time. It was quite a shock for him, as you can imagine. Now, make haste. I have the carriage outside and we must return to The Hall at once. Sophia, you don’t mind waiting here, do you?”
Sophia smiled shyly and bowed her head. She was so delighted that she did not wish to show her eagerness.
“Perhaps that handsome Captain of yours will take you for a drive,” suggested Temia. “I think I should stay behind in case the Earl comes for you. After all, we don’t want him thinking you have run off again, do we?”
Temia thought how wise she was and she had not considered that eventuality.
“Very well. But don’t stay a prisoner in your room. I am certain that your Captain would enjoy some tea in the restaurant should he come to see you!”
Sophia blushed and giggled.
Temia felt so happy to see the old family carriage outside the hotel that she almost wept. “How is Papa?” asked Temia, as they set off.
“Very eager to see you, my dearest. When I told him what we discovered in Hanwell, he was delighted. But first, we need you to help trap Lord Alphonse. You will, won’t you, after how shabbily you have been treated?”
Temia’s eyes filled with tears.
“Of course, Mama! You must not think that I have stopped loving you both because of what happened. I will help in any way I can.”
“I think it best to wait until Lord Alphonse is fully removed from the scene before we should introduce your father to Sophia, however.” “I agree, Mama. We have plenty of time to do so. Sophia will not mind. She has waited all these years and a few more days will not make any difference!”
By the time they reached Bovendon Hall, Temia was feeling nervous at the prospect of seeing her father again after all that had happened.
But she need not have worried. As soon as he saw her, he took her into his arms and held her fast.
“Darling! Can you forgive me for being so weak?” he said with a tremor of emotion in his voice.
“Papa, you must not even think of it. We have an important task ahead. Is Mr. Burleigh here yet?”
“He is now in the library with two Police Officers who have just arrived. He will outline the plan of action when you see him. You must be brave, Temia.”
“Don’t worry. I fear nothing from Lord Alphonse!”
Mr. Burleigh shook her hand warmly as she entered the library. The two Police Officers jumped to their feet as he introduced them.
“This is the Chief Constable and Sergeant Mills. They will hide in the room next to the library when Lord Alphonse arrives,” he explained. “We shall leave the door ajar and, once he has incriminated himself – as he will surely do – we will jump out and present him, first with the affidavit and then these two Officers will arrest him.”
“And the Duke?”
“He wanted to come, but I persuaded him that he would not be required. Between ourselves, His Grace has a filthy temper and I do not trust him not to lash out.”
“Quite, we don’t wish for our case to be diminished by a hot-tempered Duke!” remarked Lady Brandon. “Now, shall I ring for tea? We have something of a wait until the appointed hour arrives.”
*
Lord Alphonse was very punctual. As the clock in the hall struck half-past three, Ridley came into the library and announced his arrival.
“Everyone to their places!” urged Lady Brandon.
As she passed Temia, she squeezed her hand.
“Be brave, darling,” she whispered.
Temia took her place in the next room. The plan was that she was to come in a little after Lord Alphonse. Mr. Burleigh popped his head around the door and smiled.
Lord Alphonse then swaggered into the room as if he owned it. Without waiting to be asked, he sat down on a comfortable chair and looked at Sir Arthur expectantly.
“Well? Are the horses ready for me?”
“No, they are not,” answered Sir Arthur quietly.
“Then you leave me no alternative,” he snarled with a self-satisfied smile. “Either you give me the two horses I requested or, when I leave here, I will pay a call upon my friend who works for the Westminster Review. I am certain that he will be interested to hear how one of the respected gentlemen of the County has an illegitimate daughter by a common dancer!”
Sir Arthur paused, as if considering.
“I refuse,” he declared firmly. “So, not only do you not honour your bargain, but, also, you now deny me what is mine?”
“They are not yours. They belong to this family!”
Just then Temia entered the room. Lord Alphonse’s expression changed from one of anger to amusement.
“Well, well, what do have we here? The runaway bride herself! This time, madam, you will not escape me!”
He rose from his chair in a flash and grabbed Temia by the arm. Twisting the tender flesh, he brought his face level with hers.
“And this time, my very fine lady, you will not run away! I shall make certain of it. Sir Arthur, your daughter has unwittingly provided you with a reprieve. Of course, I shall require compensation for your refusal to give me the horses, but no matter, I shall return once I have made this woman my wife.”
“Let go, you are hurting me!” cried Temia, hoping that the Police Officers would not stay in the next room for much longer.
“And I will hurt you even more if you try to escape! I can see you need a firm hand. I shall not be sparing the rod with you, Temia!” An evil smile spread across his face as Temia stared into his cold eyes and shuddered.
Just as he was about to drag her from the room, Mr. Burleigh rushed in with the Police Officers.
“Hold on one moment, Lord Alphonse!”
Taking the affidavit from his pocket, he brandished it at the astonished Lord.
“You are in no position to marry again with a wife still very much alive!”
Lord Alphonse looked so shocked that he almost let go of Temia.
“What is this nonsense?” he sneered with a defiant curl of his lip. “My wife is dead – everyone knows that.”
“She lives still,” answered Mr. Burleigh, “and this affidavit is proof. Chief Constable, Lord Alphonse’s wife is an inmate of Hanwell asylum. Arrest him!”
The two Police Officers sprang forward and caught hold of Lord Alphonse. Temia wrenched herself free from his grip and ran to her father’s side.
“Lord Alphonse, I am arresting you on suspicion of attempted blackmail, extortion and bigamy on two counts,” intoned the Chief Constable with relish.
“Preposterous! Unhand me!”
But the Sergeant had already clamped the handcuffs around his wrists and was busy locking them.
“Let me go!” shouted Lord Alphonse. “I will sue for wrongful arrest! What occurs in this room is a private matter. It’s Sir Arthur you should be arresting for agreeing to my marrying his daughter and, then, encouraging her to run away! I am the injured party here and not him!”
“And His Grace, the Duke of Weybridge? Do you deny that two weeks ago you went to him and attempted the very same blackmail and demanded, in return for your silence, the hand of his sister?”
Lord Alphonse turned pale. He hung his head and refused to look at either Mr. Burleigh or the Chief Constable. “Mr. Burleigh here is his Solicitor and His Grace brought the matter to his attention. Now, if you will come with me, my Lord.”
“Whore!” spat Lord Alphonse at Temia, as he was forcibly taken from the room.
“He is no gentleman!” commented Mr. Burleigh, shaking his head. “My dear, are you all right?”
Temia felt a little shaken by the vitriolic way Lord Alphonse had cursed her.
“I am all right, thank you. If all he has are spiteful words, then, as you say, he is not a gentleman.”
Sir Arthur beamed and put his arm around her. “It is all thanks to you that this awful matter has been concluded. How can I ever thank you, Temia?”
“There is one thing, I would ask, Papa. It concerns Sophia.”
Sir Arthur looked a little shaken, but he nodded his head in agreement.
“What would you ask of me?”
“She is all alone in the world. Could she not come and live here with us? That is, if Mama will allow it.”
“Two daughters! Although no one can ever replace Jasper in my heart, another daughter I would welcome with open arms. This house is far too empty!”
Sir Arthur sat down and thought for a moment. He was not a man given to impulsive action.
“Let me meet her first and then I shall decide.”
“Thank you, Papa. “Excuse me, miss, but there’s a driver outside who says that the Earl of Wentworth has sent him. He requests that you come at once.”
Ridley stood there waiting for her reply.
“Go to him, darling,” urged her Mama. “I shall take the carriage to your hotel and bring Sophia back to The Hall. That is with your permission, Arthur.”
“Of course, I would like to meet her and the sooner, the better!”
Temia smiled as Ridley brought out her bonnet and coat and her heart was beating wildly as she climbed into the carriage. What lay in wait for her at Yardley Manor?
An hour later she felt sick as the carriage stopped. The Earl was waiting for her in the hall and he took her in his arms and kissed her gently.
“Come, Temia, Thomas is waiting. Don’t worry, he is much better. He is sitting up in bed and has eaten a great deal at luncheon.”
Temia wondered what had passed between the two men. She gave the Earl a puzzled look.
“There are matters that still require resolution,” he murmured, as he opened the door of Sir Thomas’s room.
“Temia!”
He was sitting up in bed and on seeing Temia, he shooed the nurse away.
“What was it you wanted to say to me, Thomas?”
Temia sat down on the bed and he gently took her hand and looked deep into her eyes.
“Dearest Temia, you know that I love you and wish to make you my wife, but Richard has said that it is he whom you love. If this is so, I need to hear it from your own lips. Don’t spare me. If you really love Richard, then I cannot stand in your way. I love you enough to want you to be happy and, if that means you marrying him and not me, then so be it. So tell me, Temia, who do you love?”
Temia felt startled. In spite of herself, tears sprang to her eyes. She knew that the time had come to be honest with him.
“I love Richard, Thomas – I do not love you. I am very fond of you and I am deeply flattered that you asked me to marry you, but you know I cannot.”
“Then, go and be happy with him. I have decided that once I am recovered, I will go on a Grand Tour. I will not attend your wedding, but you have my blessing. Now, go. Next time I see you, you will be Lady Wentworth!” “Thomas – ”
“No, don’t say anything more. You are a wonderful woman, Temia. You are beautiful as you are brave. Now you have to go. Wentworth is waiting for you. Don't keep him in suspense as he loves you so very much.”
Temia rose and kissed him on the cheek. She was crying so much she could hardly see his face.
Wiping away the tears, she left the room, her heart aching profoundly.
‘Never did a man give up so much – in the name of friendship,’ she mumbled, as she went back downstairs.
*
A servant came and asked her to go straight to the drawing room, where the Earl was standing by a blazing fire.
On seeing her, his eyes lit up and he raced to her.
“Temia!”
“Oh, Richard!” she cried, as he enfolded her in his strong arms. She could feel his heartbeat beneath his waistcoat, matching her own. He took her in his arms and kissed her tenderly. She felt herself overwhelmed by love that seemed to spring from Heaven itself and she felt that she was about to enter the Gates of Paradise.
Breathlessly, she pulled away from him. Her eyes full of emotion.
“Richard – he has set us free! He is going away.”
“I know, he told me. As soon as he is well again. There is no obstacle now. And Lord Alphonse?”
“Locked up in jail. He will not trouble me or my family again.”
“Then, my darling, are you free to marry me as soon as possible? Say you that will, Temia. I love you so much and cannot wait another minute for us to be together as one for ever. Man and wife!”
Temia thought that she had touched Heaven as she saw the love in his dark eyes, radiating out to enfold her. He stroked her face and waited for her reply.
“Yes,” she whispered, “I will.”
He kissed her again. And time stood still. Temia soared up to the clouds and felt certain that Jasper was looking down on her and smiling. What he had told her through Mrs. Sebright had come true, even though she had not believed it.
Nestling in the Earl’s sturdy chest, she felt as if they were already one. Their love was so strong! She could almost reach out and hold it. It pulsated between them and bound them together.
“I did not believe we could ever be together,” she sighed. “I felt our love was doomed.”
“And I did not know if I could bear it to see you marry my best friend.”
She put her fingers to his lips as if to silence him.
“Hush!” she whispered, “you must not have any recriminations. Our love has won through and Thomas will love again.”
“He says not, but I know there is someone out there for him. Someone almost as wonderful as you!”
Temia smiled as he nuzzled her neck.
“I never dreamed I could be so happy! And now it has happened, I never want it to end.”
The Earl moved back and looked at her. His expression was serious and yet searching.
“It will never end, my darling,” he said, with a voice full of emotion, kissing her shoulder as he spoke.
“God has blessed us with the greatest gift He can bestow. Love such as ours will last for ever.” “Yes,” she sighed, as his lips met hers once more. “For ever!”