The Mysterious Lord Marlowe

Jane seized her opportunity. ‘If you help me, we might be able to find her—and I wouldn’t tell anyone you helped abduct us. You could be a hero and no one need know the truth.’

‘You talk too much, Miss Blair,’ he said and turned towards the door. ‘Eat your food. If anyone else comes, pretend you don’t know anything. I’ll help you if I can. You have my word.’

‘The word of a kidnapper?’

‘Be careful, Miss Blair. I may be your only chance.’

His look was angry as he went out.

Jane sat on the edge of the bed as he locked the door again. Her legs felt like jelly and she was in sudden need of something to eat. After a few minutes to catch her breath, she took a piece of bread and spread it with butter, swallowing a few mouthfuls before washing it down with wine. The wine was a dark red and tasted dry on her tongue. She would have preferred water, but there was none in the room.

At least the food took away the shaky feeling she’d had in her legs. She wondered if he had told her the truth about there being three other men in the house. He called himself George. It wasn’t his real name, of course, but it was something to fix in her mind. She’d heard him speak to someone else he hadn’t named, and their leader was Blake.

Jane cautiously tried the window. It opened easily and she wondered why it hadn’t been locked. Did they imagine that she could not escape from here? Perhaps most young women would not dare, but Jane had climbed trees from early childhood. She glanced at the tree, which was sturdy and grew to the right side of the window. She could climb out onto the wide stone window ledge and edge her way along to the tree. It would be a risk because there was still a small gap between the ledge and the nearest branch, but she thought she could probably do it if she tried.

Seeing two men riding towards the house, Jane closed the window and drew back, keeping watch from behind the curtain. The men dismounted and walked towards the main door, disappearing inside. Her head was throbbing, but she forced herself to think slowly and not panic. She could not dwell on how far up she was or how much her head hurt. Unless she took her chance now, she might die.

One of the riders was probably Blake. Had he come to tell them what to do with her? No doubt he would want her silenced for good. There was no time to lose. She must take her chance for escape now—or the ruthless Blake would almost certainly murder her and dispose of her body. The other men were wary of him. George had promised to help her, but she could not rely on his word. None of them would risk their own lives for hers.

Opening the window, Jane cautiously climbed out on to the ledge. At least it was in reasonable repair and felt solid beneath her feet. Her back pressed against the glass, she edged her way along the stone sill and then realised that she was too far from the branch to reach out and grab it. The branch itself was thick and substantial enough to take her weight, but there was a gap of perhaps two feet beyond what she could reach.

Jane’s heart was racing and her palms were damp. She knew that she would have to jump and grab at the branch. If she missed, she might fall to the ground and break her neck, but if she stayed here the infamous Blake would undoubtedly break it for her.

Taking a deep breath and looking at the branch rather than the ground, Jane jumped and grabbed. Her hands touched, but could not hold the branch she was aiming for and she felt herself slithering and falling—but she was falling into the tree. Sharp bits of twig scratched her cheek and her bare arms as she crashed downwards and then, suddenly, she stopped. Her skirt had caught on a broken branch, breaking her fall a short distance from the ground.

Jane caught hold of a stout branch and clung to it as she recovered her breath and tried to stop shaking. She had come close to death and the shock was making her feel sick and weak, but her head was telling her she couldn’t stay where she was for long. After a few seconds, she was able to think clearly again. She tugged at her gown, which held stubbornly to the branch for a few seconds before ripping and setting her free. Steadying herself with deep breaths, she clambered down and then fell the last few feet to her knees.

Jane’s hands were stinging and so were her arms and legs. She glanced down and saw blood on her leg where the silk had torn away. Her right palm was bleeding and her cheek was stinging like mad, but these were not the worst of her injuries. As she stood up the pain in her right ankle shot through her and she gasped. Had she broken it? She tried to put weight on her right foot and found she could stand, though the pain was too bad for her to do more than limp.

She had to walk or hop as far as the woods that bordered the gardens. If the men looked for her and saw her here, they would recapture her easily. There was no choice but to hide somewhere until her ankle became a little easier. Let it be a sprain and not broken!

It was all she could do not to cry out each time she put her right foot to the floor, but she gritted her teeth and did a sort of hobble skip. Every movement hurt and she was afraid that someone would look out and see her before she reached the safety of the wood.

Fortune was with her. Battered, bruised but triumphant, Jane reached the trees and disappeared into them. She tasted the salt of tears on her mouth, but they were tears of relief and she brushed them away. It was impossible to move quickly and she knew she wasn’t safe yet. The men were sure to come here as soon as they discovered she was missing.

Jane had to keep moving, but the pain in her ankle was getting worse and she wasn’t sure how much farther she could go. She had almost reached the limit of her endurance when she saw the hut just ahead of her and hobbled towards it. The door opened easily and she went inside. She could make out a pile of old sacks in the darkness and sank down onto them.

She couldn’t go any farther until she had rested her ankle. All she could do now was pray that the men would not find her.

Jane couldn’t be sure how much time had passed when she heard the sounds of shouting. Her stomach clenched; the voices were very near and she knew the men must be searching the wood for her. For a moment panic swept through her. She ought to have kept on walking, got as far away as possible. Perhaps she might have found help, but her ankle was still throbbing.

When the door of the shed started to open, Jane’s heart jerked with fright. If Blake had found her, he might kill her.

Her breath caught as she saw George enter. He pushed the door almost closed behind him, putting a finger to his lips.

‘Keep quiet. There’s nothing I can do for the moment, but I’ll come back later and help you. Wait for me.’

Jane opened her mouth to protest, but at a warning frown from him said nothing. Her chest felt tight and she could scarcely breathe as he went out again.

‘Anything in there?’

The voice was so close. Harsh and angry, she was sure it must be Blake and her heart hammered in her breast. If he came in and found her … but she could hear George answering him.

‘Just some old sacks. I told you she would be long gone by now. Why would she hang around here?’

‘The lot of you are damned fools. Why didn’t you tie her up or at least make sure she was in a room she couldn’t get out of?’

‘She must have climbed into the tree,’ a third voice said on a whining note. ‘You’ve got to admire a girl like that, Captain. It took a lot of pluck. Besides, what harm can she do? She doesn’t know who we are or what is going on.’

‘She hadn’t better or I shall know who to blame,’ the harsh voice muttered. ‘I suppose she’s gone now and there’s not much we can do about it. She saw my eyes, but if she doesn’t know my name it is a chance in a million that she can identify me.’

‘How could she know who you are?’ George said. ‘We should go back to the house. I have things to do. I only agreed to help with this because I thought the Fanshawe girl willing, Blake. Though it leaves a bad taste in my mouth, I’ve fulfilled my part of the deal. I want what you owe me and an end to this whole rotten business.’

‘You’ll get what I promised when I’m good and ready—which will be when I get what I want.’

‘That isn’t what we agreed …’

Jane heard the angry note in George’s voice as the men moved away. He had told her his motive was not money, so what did Blake have that was so important to George that he would help abduct an innocent young woman to get his hands on it?

He had told her to trust him, but what kind of a man was he?

Shivering, Jane hugged herself and wondered if she should try to get away on her own once the men had gone. She wasn’t sure she would be wise to trust George—yet he had discovered her hiding place and kept it secret.

Jane walked to the door of the shed and stopped. If anything, her ankle felt worse than just after she had sprained it. It seemed as if she didn’t really have a choice. She would just have to wait and hope that George kept his word.

Night had fallen and Jane was beginning to turn cold when she heard something outside the hut. Then the door opened and a dark shadow entered. Her heart caught as she held her breath and waited for him to speak.

‘Are you there, Jane Blair?’

‘George?’ Her breath expelled in relief as she hobbled towards him. ‘I was beginning to think you had forgotten me.’

‘It took a while to get rid of the others and circle back,’ George said. ‘I didn’t want to arouse their suspicions. Blake is a nasty devil when his temper is up. I shouldn’t be surprised if what they say of him is true.’

‘What do they say?’

‘That he … well, he is supposed to have been thrown out of the army for causing the death of ten French prisoners during the campaign on the Spanish Peninsula in a particularly nasty manner. He is a bully and a cheat, I know that much, but I’ve never been certain of the rest.’

‘What does he owe you? What hold has he over you?’

Jane looked up at him. They had moved outside the hut and the moon had just sailed out from behind the clouds. For a moment she glimpsed an odd expression in his eyes, but in another moment it had gone.

‘It isn’t my secret. I can’t tell you,’ he said. ‘I know it must be hard for you to trust me after what has happened, but, believe me, this is the first thing I’ve ever done that I feel truly ashamed of—and I had a compelling reason. I just cannot tell you what it is.’

Jane gazed at him for a little longer, then inclined her head. ‘Perhaps I am foolish, but I do trust you, George. I trust you—and I am grateful for your help. I hurt my ankle when I fell through the tree and I can hardly walk.’

‘I knew it must be something of the sort when I found you here.’ A smile flickered at the corners of his mouth. ‘You must have jumped from the ledge to the tree. It takes courage to do something like that.’

‘My brother would say it was reckless and foolish—but I thought my life might be in danger.’

‘It might have been, had Blake found you himself. He was furious that we let you escape. For a few minutes I thought he would shoot us all, but it seems he may still have a use for us.’

‘Would you go to the law if you were not in such an awkward position?’

‘I could be hung for my part in the affair,’ George said. ‘Yet if I could be sure … What happened has left a sour taste in my mouth. I wish with all my heart I could go back to the start, but it is too late for regret. I am in this up to my neck. The only thing I can do is to help you get away.’

‘I cannot walk far.’

‘Lean on me—or shall I carry you? My horse is not far away. It will support us both until we can find somewhere to stop and rest while I take a look at your ankle.’

‘If you could find a horse I could borrow, I could go home. I have no money with me, but I will repay whatever you spend on my behalf.’

‘The hire of a horse would be little enough,’ George said. ‘I’m not sure it will be safe for you to go home just yet, Miss Blair—especially alone. Blake means to search for you.’

‘He cannot know who I am or where I live?’

‘I dare say your family will be looking for you—making enquiries, perhaps even offering a reward.’ George heard her indrawn breath and nodded. ‘It will not take Blake long to discover who you really are—and if you are sitting at home he may take things into his own hands. Once he has what he wants and takes himself off abroad, you should be safe enough, but until then …’

‘Until then my life is at risk? And my friend’s?’

‘I fear it may be so.’

‘What shall I do?’

‘I’m not sure. I’ve been thinking what to do for the best. It may be expedient to stay hidden for a while.’

‘What about you? Are you afraid that I shall betray you to the authorities?’

Jane winced as she took a step forwards. George hesitated, then swept her up in his arms, carrying her to where his horse was tethered. He thrust her up into the saddle, then mounted behind her.

‘Press back against me and hang on to the saddle. I’m going to ride hard for a bit. Blake might get suspicious and come looking for us. If he finds us, it will not be just you he murders.’

Jane was silent as she obeyed, holding on tight as he put his horse to a canter, then urged the animal on faster as it gathered speed. George had not answered her question.

It was obviously her duty to tell someone all she knew as swiftly as she was able. Mariah was in terrible danger, because Jane was certain that Blake was a ruthless man. If he discovered that Mariah’s fortune was tied up in trust and could not be released, he might decide it was best to kill her.

She had to escape and get help for Mariah! Now that she was with George her own fears had become less acute and it was her friend’s safety that worried her.

Riding through the darkness, her body pressed close to that of the man who had rescued her and now held her in his arms, Jane thought hard.

Could she escape George—or would it be best to befriend him and ask for his help in tracing Mariah?

‘Thank God you are back!’ Justin, Duke of Avonlea, exclaimed as he was admitted to Andrew Lanchester’s parlour and found him still dressed in his travelling cape, his boots spattered with mud. ‘I thought you might still be in Paris.’

‘I have just this moment arrived,’ Andrew said and frowned. ‘Something is wrong—Lucinda has not disappeared again?’

‘My wife is at home and in good health,’ Avonlea said, a smile on his lips. Then the smile disappeared as he recalled his news. ‘I am very sorry, Lanchester, but the news I bring must distress you. Your sister and Mariah Fanshawe were abducted this morning on the road to London …’

‘Mariah—Jane! Good grief.’ Andrew looked thunderstruck. ‘Why? Where were they going?’

‘Mariah received an invitation from Sir Matthew Horne and his wife—she is the late Fanshawe’s sister, of course. Mariah did not wish to go for some reason and would only consent to it if Jane accompanied her. The two have become such good friends of late.’

‘Damn!’ Andrew smote his forehead with his fist. ‘Did Mariah not tell you she was afraid of fortune hunters when she came to stay with you some months back, Avonlea?’

‘You think she may have been abducted by a scorned suitor?’

‘That is possible,’ Andrew replied and looked thoughtful. ‘Mariah is something of a flirt, I imagine. She might have led someone to believe she was interested and then changed her mind.’

‘Desperate men will do anything for money.’ Avonlea looked at him enquiringly. ‘Why should they take Jane, too?’

‘If they were together and the abductor believed Mariah to be travelling alone he might have acted on impulse. Jane can be very rash at times. She might have tried to obstruct them.’

‘You think she may have been taken because of what she saw?’

‘I fear that may be the case. She would not let her friend be taken without putting up a fight.’

‘Brave but foolish.’

‘I have told her to be careful a hundred times, but she puts her heart over her fences. Jane ought truly to have been my brother rather than my sister—and in part that is my fault. After our parents’ death I treated Jane as an equal. We were inseparable until I joined up, and since then she has looked after the estate for me. I fear she is too independent and perhaps reckless—but I would trust her judgement above any agent.’

‘You have only just arrived, so you will not know if a ransom note has been received,’ Avonlea said. ‘Mariah’s coachman came to me at once, but nothing has been delivered to me. Of course, the note might be addressed to the trustees of her fortune.’

‘You are not her trustee?’

‘No. I believe they are Fanshawe’s sister—and a lawyer. No doubt they will be approached for the ransom if a demand is made.’

‘It must have been Mariah they were after. I know nothing of her fortune, but I imagine Fanshawe was a warm man. Jane has only a few thousand. I would pay for her return, of course—but I doubt she was the intended victim.’

‘What will you do?’

‘I must visit Mariah’s trustees and discover if they have been approached—and I shall instruct an agent to discover what they can. What will you do?’

‘A Bow Street man? Good idea,’ Avonlea agreed. ‘In your situation I think it the best solution. I think you should leave Mariah’s trustees to me, Andrew. Instruct your agent by all means. I will talk to Sir Matthew and see what I can discover—then I’ll report to you.’

‘Yes, I dare say you are anxious for Mariah’s sake. She is like a sister to you, I believe?’

‘She was my father’s ward until he died, and of course Lucinda has become very fond of her,’ Justin said. ‘I know Mariah intended to ask my advice about some fortune hunter, but perhaps because of various problems it never happened. I feel responsible and must certainly do what I can to help recover her.’

‘Then we shall work together.’

‘Of course. You know I was grateful for your help with my problems.’ Avonlea smiled. ‘We may not always have seen eye to eye over the methods you employed, Andrew—but we are friends, and in this we are united.’

‘Yes. Good grief, I need all the help I can get,’ Andrew said and frowned. ‘I suppose the ladies’ abduction is for a ransom? Only I’ve been involved in a bit of business—secret stuff for the regiment that I cannot reveal even to you—but it might have a bearing.’

‘Well, you know your own business best—but I shall do what I can to recover them both.’

‘I pray to God that they are both still alive.’

‘Yes.’ Justin looked grim. ‘I can imagine how you feel. I suffered enough when my wife disappeared—but she was found unharmed and I believe we shall come through this in good order, Andrew.’

‘I can only pray that your instincts are correct.’

Chapter Two

They seemed to have been riding for hours. Jane was beginning to think she was in some kind of mad dream that would never end when George at last brought his horse to a standstill and helped her to dismount.

‘Where are we?’ she asked, glancing towards the house, which looked silent and dark in the gloom of night. ‘Who lives here?’

‘No one at present,’ George replied. ‘It belonged to a relative of mine and has recently been left to me in a will. I have been meaning to visit and have it set in order.’

‘Are there any servants?’ she enquired in a dubious tone that made her companion look at her.

‘No, I fear not,’ George answered. ‘I know it is asking a great deal—but you have to trust me, Jane.’

‘You do realise that if I stay in an empty house with you for even an hour or so my reputation could be ruined?’

‘Yes, I know that it is a risk, but I really think we both need some rest. I have food. I dare say I can get a fire going and we shall find somewhere to curl up and sleep. I promise you are quite safe with me, Miss Blair—and no one need know the details. In the morning I shall take you somewhere more suitable—at least, to a place where you can be chaperoned.’

‘I really have no choice,’ Jane admitted ruefully. When she reflected on her capture, she realised that she had been compromised from the beginning. While most would sympathise, others would think her at fault for her reckless behaviour. ‘My ankle is throbbing and I shall fall asleep in the saddle if we go any farther tonight.’

‘Exactly.’ George smiled at her in a way that calmed her fears. ‘Truly, I mean you no harm, Miss Blair—and I shall endeavour to get us both out of this mess.’

‘I prefer it when you call me Jane,’ she said.

‘Our situation makes formality ridiculous. I have no choice but to call you by your name or sir. In the circumstances I think we should forget convention. Since we are forced into each other’s company, I suppose we must make the best of things.’

‘How sensible you are. I have seldom met a lady with your strength of character, Jane. Most of the ladies I know would have screamed or fainted given the situation you found yourself in.’

‘You need not tell me that I am too independent for modesty’s sake. It has been said before and not so politely.’ Jane laughed softly. ‘Had I been so faint-hearted I might never have been abducted. I dare say my brother will scold me for being reckless and thoughtless—and I believe I may owe you my life. The loss of my reputation can be nothing compared to what might have been.’

He inclined his head to her, applauding her courage. ‘Just so—now we should turn our minds to gaining entrance. I think I may have to break a window and climb through. You must wait here. I shall open a door and save you the indignity of clambering over the sill.’

Jane studied the small leaded windows. ‘Are there no French windows? I fear these windows would scarcely open wide enough for a man of your size.’

‘Yes, there is such a window at the rear. That is an excellent notion, Jane. Much better than a window, through which I might find it difficult to fit.’

‘I do not think you would make a competent burglar,’ Jane said, her humour asserting itself as she followed him to the rear of the house. There was no use in repining or complaining. They found the glass doors, which led out to the pretty and secluded garden. George stood looking at it for a moment, seemingly in deep thought. ‘What will you use to break the window? Or had you not thought so far?’

‘There you wrong me. I was merely remembering some good times I had here as a boy. It seems sacrilege to disturb the place, but it must be done.’ George took a pistol from his coat pocket, and turning the handle against the glass, gave it a sharp rap. It shattered at once. He pushed the jagged glass in and put his hand through the opening. Finding the catch which secured it, he was able to open the door.

‘I shall go first and light a candle,’ George said. ‘Be careful for there is broken glass. I do not wish you to stumble in the dark and hurt yourself.’

Jane hesitated just inside the door, allowing him time to explore. A few seconds passed and she heard him strike a tinder and then light flared in the darkness. He lit a branch of wax candles, the yellow glow illuminating the pretty if neglected parlour in which she now stood. She looked about her with interest, noting the delicate furniture, workbasket, spinet and the French cabinets filled with porcelain figurines.

‘This parlour must have belonged to a lady.’

‘Yes, it did—an elderly lady. She was my great-aunt and more than ninety years of age when she died.’

‘I hope she would not mind us breaking in?’

‘I should imagine she might find it exciting. I believe she was rather a dashing lady in her youth. She took a shine to me because I was considered a bruising rider to hounds as a youngster—and she was fond of hunting herself.’

‘A lady after my own heart, though it is the thrill of the chase I love. I usually leave the field before the kill.’

‘Aunt Augusta would not have approved of that,’ he said and smiled. ‘However, I seldom hunt these days. I saw enough death and killing in the army. I have no desire for more.’