The Rake's Rebellious Lady Page 19

  Freddie kissed his fingers to her as he left the room. Jenkins was waiting for him at the top of the main staircase and he was conducted along the passage to the Marquis’ suite of rooms.

  ‘Please go in, sir,’ Jenkins said. ‘His lordship is waiting for you.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Freddie said. ‘Is his lordship well?’

  ‘Yes, sir, better than might have been expected. The doctor said that he was not to be upset, but I have no fear that you will come to blows.’

  Freddie smiled and nodded, going into the room that was indicated. He discovered that Lord Bollingbrook was sitting in a wing chair next to the fireplace, where a small blaze cheered the room. He was a man of some seventy years, his hair silvery white, as were his brows, but there was strength in his features, and he was clearly in possession of his wits, for his eyes blazed with a fierce vitality.

  ‘Good evening, sir,’ Freddie said. ‘I am Sir Frederick Rathbone. I believe you asked to see me?’

  The Marquis looked at him through narrowed eyes. ‘Humph,’ he said in a tone that boded very little good will. ‘So you’re the one, are you? What have you to say to me?’

  ‘I hope you are feeling better, sir,’ Freddie said. ‘There is much I would wish to say to you at another time, but this may not be the right occasion.’

  ‘Don’t pass me off with that flummery,’ Bollingbrook muttered sourly. ‘What are your intentions towards my girl?’

  ‘Ah…’ Freddie nodded pleasantly. ‘It is my intention to make Caroline my wife quite soon.’

  ‘Not without my permission you won’t,’ Bollingbrook said and glared at him. ‘I shall want to know a lot more about you before I give it. Who are you and what are your prospects?’

  ‘My fortune is adequate, I believe—and in the fullness of time I shall inherit my uncle’s title and at least as much of the estate as is entailed. For although we have our disagreements, he cannot avoid it.’

  ‘Damnedentails!’ Bollingbrook growled. ‘I’minthesame boat meself—bound to leave this place to me eldest son, but he won’t get a penny more, I can tell you. I’ll leave most of the money where I please.’

  ‘That is your prerogative, sir.’

  ‘Well, go on then, sir—who is this uncle you mentioned?’

  ‘The Marquis of Southmoor. He knows you very well, I believe?’

  ‘Southmoor? I thought the fellow was dead—as he ought to be by rights! We fell out years ago over your mother. Selina would have married me had he not forbidden her. He had no right to do it, for I cared for her and should have treated her well. I married badly that time—and that was his fault.’ Bollingbrook glared at Freddie. ‘I demanded satisfaction when Selina turned me down, and we fought a duel. Not that it gave me much satisfaction.’ He looked at Freddie, his expression harsh with dislike. ‘Well, that’s it then, sir. You can take yourself off and never darken my door again. I shan’t give you my girl—not if you went down on your knees and begged for it. I won’t have Southmoor’s breed in my family! You can forget Caroline.’

  ‘That I shall not do for you or any man,’ Freddie said. ‘Pray tell me why a quarrel between you and my uncle should prevent my marriage to Caroline? Surely it happened too long ago to matter now?’

  ‘Insolent pup,’ Bollingbrook snapped. ‘This conversation is at an end. Please have the goodness to leave.’

  ‘Certainly, sir. This is your house and I shall not enter it again without an invitation, but my intention remains the same. You are the head of the family, but not Caroline’s guardian. There are others I might apply to for permission, and you may be sure that I shall do so.’

  ‘I am the head of this family…’

  ‘As you say,’ Freddie said, a glint of steel in his eyes. ‘I shall not say more at this time, but Caroline has a mother and brother who may think differently.’ Bowing his head, he turned and walked to the door.

  ‘Damn you, sir! What do you mean by that?’

  Freddie glanced back at him, a slight smile on his lips. ‘If you should reconsider, please feel free to let me know that you would like me to visit you again.’

  ‘Never! Damn you!’

  Freddie looked grim as the curse was flung after him. He walked along the hall and down the main staircase. At the bottom Nicolas was standing speaking to one of the footmen. He turned as Freddie came up to him, extending his hand.

  ‘I believe I am to wish you happy?’

  ‘You may do so, for I intend to be,’ Freddie said and took his hand in a firm grip. ‘However, you should know that Lord Bollingbrook has forbidden me to marry Caroline.’

  ‘Why in God’s name should he do that?’

  ‘He once wished to marry my mother, but my uncle forbade it and they fought a duel over it,’ Freddie said, his tone dangerous. ‘I believe there is no love lost on either side, for my uncle tried to dissuade me from making Caroline an offer—but I have and Bollingbrook shall not stop me. I think I have your blessing and Tom’s—and I shall apply to Mrs Holbrook.’

  ‘Tom would not deny you, though he has recently had reason to be grateful to Bollingbrook.’

  ‘Whether I have Tom’s blessing or not, I intend to marry her.’

  ‘Good for you!’ Nicolas said. ‘You may count on me, and as for the rest…I leave the details to you.’ Nicolas frowned as Freddie picked up his hat, gloves and driving whip from the hallstand. ‘You are leaving?’

  ‘Your grandfather threw me out, figuratively speaking.’

  ‘But what shall I say to Caroline?’

  ‘Say that I was called away, but shall see her tomorrow.’

  ‘Nothing else?’

  ‘Only if the subject is causing her distress. If Lord Bollingbrook should upset her—then you may tell her that nothing is changed between us.’

  ‘Oh…’ Nicolas grinned. ‘Like that is it? He will kick up a fine dust, I dare say. He’s had his own way for years. It may do him good to discover that at last he has met his match.’

  ‘He would already have discovered it had he not been so recently ill,’ Freddie replied grimly. ‘But one thing you may be certain of, Nicolas—I do not intend to give her up.’

  Nicolas inclined his head. Had he been wearing a hat, he would have taken it off to the man he was beginning to like very much. Freddie nodded in return and then went out, leaving Nicolas to stare thoughtfully after him.

  * * *

  ‘But why did he leave?’ Caroline asked. ‘It seems strange that Freddie should go without a word to me.’ Her eyes narrowed as she looked at her brother. ‘You’re hiding something from me, aren’t you? It is something to do with Grandfather, isn’t it?’ Had he decided that it would not suit him to marry her knowing that she might not be able to give him an heir? For a moment her heart contracted with pain and she thought that she would not be able to bear it if he withdrew. Yet she must do so. Indeed, she ought to have expected it in the circumstances.

  ‘Sir Freddie told me to tell you that he would explain tomorrow, Caroline.’

  ‘Explain what? Has Grandfather made him angry?’

  ‘He wasn’t angry, merely determined. Oh, if you must have it—Grandfather refused permission, but Sir Freddie says that nothing is changed. He intends to apply to Mama, and of course both Tom and I like him.’

  ‘But Grandfather is the head of the family…’ Caroline was confused, upset by the news that the Marquis had refused his permission. She had expected something quite different. ‘Why did he say we might not marry, Nicolas?’ Caroline was very pale, for she suspected her grandfather’s true reasons, whatever excuse he might have made to Freddie.

  ‘Some tale of a quarrel between Rathbone’s uncle and Grandfather,’ Nicolas said. ‘But you should not let it weigh with you, Caroline. He does not have the power to prevent you, though it would have been better to have his permission. I think he had promised that he would give you a substantial dowry.’ Caroline made an impatient movement of her head. ‘Well, I dare say it doesn’t matter. Sir Freddie isn’t shor
t of the readies.’

  ‘I do not care for the money,’ Caroline said, ‘but I feel hurt that Grandfather should wish to deny me this happiness.’ Her eyes were stinging with unshed tears, but she lifted her head proudly, refusing to let anyone see how distressed she felt. Perhaps her grandfather had done the right thing. Oh, she did not know what she ought to do!

  ‘Do not let it upset you,’ Nicolas said, guessing at how she felt. ‘Tom and I will support you and I dare say Mama will be glad if you are happy.’

  Caroline heard a little cough behind her and turned to see her grandfather’s valet. ‘If you would care to step up to his lordship’s rooms, miss?’

  ‘Miss Holbrook is about to dine, Jenkins. Say that she will come up later.’

  ‘No, Nicolas, I shall go,’ Caroline said. ‘You and Tom must not wait. I shall come later, but I am not hungry.’

  Nicolas cursed as he watched her run up the stairs. He had always liked his grandfather despite his testy ways and his faults, but he was damned if he would let the old devil ruin Caroline’s life!

  * * *

  Caroline knocked at the door and went in, finding her grandfather sitting in his favourite chair. She was pleased to see that he was feeling well enough to leave his bed, but her heart was heavy as she saw his forbidding expression.

  ‘I dare say you have heard the news?’

  ‘Yes, sir. I do not understand why you have done this to me. It made me happy when Sir Freddie asked me to marry him—why could you not just accept that he was my choice?’ She looked at him, feeling close to tears.

  Bollingbrook did his best to ignore the signs of distress. ‘There are plenty more fish in the sea, girl. He isn’t good enough for you. Besides, he needs an heir and I told you that you might not be able to have a child.’

  ‘You do not know that for sure, sir. Besides, it should be for me to decide whether or not I wish to be his wife. Did you tell him about the hereditary illness?’

  ‘There was no point. He isn’t the man for you. I shan’t have it, Caroline, and there’s an end to it.’

  Caroline raised her head. Tears glittered in her eyes. ‘I should never wish to hurt you, sir, but I do not think it is proper for you to decide. I believe my mama and Tom…’ She quailed as she saw the anger in his face. ‘I do not mean to be rude or disobedient, sir—nor to blame you for what happened so many years ago. But I cannot obey you in this. I love him…’

  ‘Stuff and nonsense. You don’t know what love is. Besides, in law I am your grandfather and the head of the family. You will obey me.’

  ‘You told me yourself that love cannot be denied,’ Caroline reminded him. ‘You married Angelica despite everything. Why should you deny us the happiness you found with her? I would be willing to take the risks she did to give my husband his heir. Forgive me, but I cannot obey you. I do not wish to disoblige you, Grandfather, but it would break my heart.’

  He gave her a stern look. ‘If you disobey me, you will not get a penny from me, either when you marry or when I die.’

  ‘I have never expected anything other than the small portion my father left in trust for me,’ Caroline told him. ‘If you think that I care for such things, you do not know me, sir.’

  ‘Care for your brothers, don’t you?’ Bollingbrook growled. ‘Well, if you go against me in this, they won’t get a penny either!’

  ‘But that is unfair,’ Caroline gasped. ‘How could you hold such a wicked thing over my head?’

  ‘Didn’t you tell me there were others who asked for you?’ He glared at her. ‘Take one of them and I’ll keep my word to Tom—defy me and there’s an end to his hopes.’

  ‘You are very cruel, sir,’ Caroline said, stifling a sob. ‘I shall never forgive you…’ She turned and ran from the room before the tears could fall.

  Chapter Ten

  Caroline had been lying on her bed, but sat up as her brother tapped at her door. Her tears had dried, but she knew that she must look dreadful and she asked Tom to wait. Leaving the bed, she went over to the washstand and bathed her face with cool water, then called out that he might enter.

  ‘Nicolas told me what happened,’ he said as he came in. ‘When you didn’t come down after dinner, I knew that I would find you crying. You must not upset yourself, Caroline. Grandfather has no real power to forbid you. I am the head of our family—the Holbrook family. I do not like to disoblige him, but in this I must think of your future. Besides, after the way he has behaved, I think he has no moral right to demand anything of us. He may decide to cut you out of his will—but you will be no worse off than before.’

  ‘I know that,’ Caroline said. ‘As for myself, I do not give a fig for his money, though I would have preferred his blessing. I have always cared for him—but I cannot…’ She shook her head, her voice catching. It was impossible to tell Tom what their grandfather had threatened.

  ‘Well, I think you must make up your own mind,’ Tom said. ‘If you love Sir Frederick and wish to marry him then you must. Do not allow anything Grandfather said to influence you.’

  ‘I must think about it,’ Caroline said and forced a smile. She was torn in two. If she chose to follow her heart, she might destroy Tom’s hopes of a future. She suspected that he liked Julia more than he let anyone see, but until his fortunes were settled he could not ask her to marry him. And there was the question of Freddie’s heir. She must tell him that it was possible she could never give him a son. ‘When are you going out to Jamaica, Tom?’

  ‘Next week. I have discussed it with Nicolas and we decided that it would be best for me to go soon. As for this other business, Nicolas will shortly be back with his unit and does not fear that anything untoward will happen to him. If you were married, the threat to your safety would be at an end…one way or the other.’

  ‘Yes, I see.’ Caroline felt a surge of indignation. ‘It would have been better if Grandfather had never changed his will in our favour, then we should not have this shadow hanging over us.’

  ‘I must admit that I am grateful to him for settling the most pressing of my debts. Father had made a mess of things, Caroline. I imagine he spent much of his money on his mistresses and gambling. Not that I care for that so much. I am capable of earning my own living, I dare say. If this business goes well in Jamaica, I might even stay there for a while, see if I can make my fortune out there. Nicolas may take care of things here.’

  ‘I do not precisely understand what it is you have to do in Jamaica, Tom?’

  ‘Grandfather says that the estate must be sold, and that I am to have what it yields.’

  ‘Oh…’ Caroline wondered what would happen if she defied her grandfather. ‘Supposing Grandfather changed his mind, Tom? Would you still wish to go?’

  ‘I have the deed for the property and his authority to sell it,’ Tom said. ‘What makes you think he might change his mind?’

  ‘Oh, no reason. I suppose he will not.’

  ‘It is but a small part of what he intends to leave us,’ Tom said as he saw her worried expression. ‘Just what did he say to you this evening?’

  ‘It does not matter,’ Caroline replied and shook her head.

  ‘You should have some supper,’ her brother said and looked at her anxiously. ‘Will you allow me to have something sent up for you?’

  ‘No, please do not. I shall ask my maid for a glass of hot milk. I really need nothing more.’

  ‘Very well,’ Tom acquiesced and gave her a look of encouragement. ‘I shall leave you now, but remember that Nicolas and I are on your side, Caroline. Do not let Grandfather make you unhappy.’

  ‘No, I shan’t,’ she said and raised her head proudly as he went out.

  After he had gone, she sat down at her dressing table and picked up a hairbrush, beginning to smooth it over her long bright hair, which hung about her shoulders in a cloud of red-gold waves. The action soothed some of her distress, but it could not prevent her mind from going round and round in circles. What was she to do? If she defied her gra
ndfather, he had the power to deny her brothers the money that might have given them better lives. Yet how could she let him destroy her happiness? Would Sir Freddie even wish to marry her once he knew that she might carry a hereditary illness? If she had daughters, she might pass the curse on to them. It was a heavy burden her grandfather had laid on her shoulders.

  At the very least, she must talk to Freddie and hear what he had to say on the matter. Even if he said it was not important, it would still not solve the problem of her brothers’ inheritance. She could do nothing for the moment. She needed to talk to the one person she felt able to confide in. Having made up her mind on that point, she went to bed, and, after some initial tossing and turning, fell into a deep sleep.

  * * *

  Caroline did not take leave of her grandfather the next morning. When she inquired after him, Jenkins told her that he was out of sorts and did not wish to see anyone.

  ‘You will please give him my good wishes for his health,’ she said, her face pale and distressed.

  ‘Yes, miss,’ the valet said, looking at her sorrowfully. He was well aware of the dreadful ultimatum his master had delivered the previous evening, and had already tried to take the Marquis to task over it, for which he had had his head snapped off. ‘He will come about, miss. Never you fear.’

  ‘Yes, perhaps,’ Caroline agreed, though she had no hope of it. ‘I must not keep the horses waiting. Forgive me.’

  ‘Keep your chin up, miss,’ Jenkins said with the familiarity of a long-serving retainer. ‘I shall do my best for you.’

  Caroline smiled, but made no reply. She went down the stairs, taking a warm farewell of Tom, who was not accompanying them to Bath.

  ‘If I do not see you before I leave, remember that you have my blessing, Caroline,’ he told her. ‘Grandfather will regret his unkindness. I think he will come to see that he has been unfair to you.’

  ‘Thank you, dearest Tom,’ she said and kissed his cheek. ‘I love you. Take good care on your journey. You will write to us when you can?’