Regency Buck (Alastair-Audley Tetralogy 3)

No tidings came from Worth. Judith believed him to be in London, but even Captain Audley could give her no certain intelligence on this point.

On Wednesday morning, more from an inability to be still than from any real expectation of finding a letter from her guardian, Miss Taverner put on a street dress, and a hat, and went out to call at the Post Office. But the night-mail had brought no letter for her, and it was with a heavy heart that she walked back to Marine Parade. She was within sight of her house when she suddenly heard her name called, and turned quickly round to see her cousin jumping down from a light travelling carriage which had drawn up behind her.

She hurried to meet him, her countenance expressing all the eagerness she felt on beholding him. ‘Cousin! Oh, have you discovered something? Tell me, tell me!’

He grasped the hands which she held out to him, and said in a repressed voice: ‘I was on my way to your house. But this is better still. I believe – I trust – that I have discovered something.’

His face, which was very pale, led her to suppose that his news must be bad. Her own cheeks grew white; she just found strength to utter: ‘What is it? Oh, do not keep me in suspense! I can bear anything but that!’

‘I think I have found him,’ he said with an effort.

Her eyes dilated. ‘Found him! O God, not dead?’

‘No, no!’ he replied quickly. ‘But in what case I dare not say!’

‘Where?’ she demanded. ‘Why do you not take me to him at once? Why do we stand here wasting time? Where is he?’

‘I will take you to him,’ he said. ‘It is some little distance, but I have brought a carriage for you. Will you come with me?’

‘Good God, of course I will come!’ she cried. ‘Let me but run home to leave a message for Mrs Scattergood, and we may start immediately!’

His clasp on her hand tightened. ‘Judith, most solemnly I beg of you not to do that! A message to Mrs Scattergood will ruin all. You do not know the whole.’

‘What are you trying to tell me?’ she said. ‘How could a message to Mrs Scattergood ruin all?’

‘Cousin, every suspicion has been confirmed. You are not meant to find Peregrine. The place where I shall take you is hidden away in the depths of the country. I believe him to be held there – you may guess by whom.’

She had the sensation of having received a blow that robbed her of all power of speech. She made a queer little gesture, as though to ward something off, and without a word turned, and hurried towards the carriage.

He assisted her to get into it, and took his place beside her. The steps were folded up, and in a moment the horses were turned about, and driven at a trot up the Steyne towards the London road.

Though the day was sunny, and very warm, Judith was shivering. She managed to articulate one word. ‘Worth?’

‘Yes,’ he answered. ‘It was he who kidnapped Perry; how I know not.’

‘Oh no!’ she whispered. ‘Oh no, oh no!’

He said in a constrained voice: ‘Does it mean so much to you that it should be he?’

She managed to control herself enough to say: ‘What proof have you? Why should he do so? This is not credible!’

‘Do you think Perry’s fortune is not enough to tempt him?’

‘He is not heir –’ She broke off, and pressed her hands together in her lap. ‘Oh, it would be too vile! I will not believe it!’

‘You are the heir,’ he said. ‘But do not flatter yourself you were ever destined to be Worth’s bride, cousin. Had I not discovered by the veriest chance the plot that was being hatched you would have been forced, by some devilish trick or other, into marrying Charles Audley.’

‘Impossible!’ she said. ‘No, that I cannot believe! Captain Audley has no thought of marrying me.’

‘Yet Captain Audley was to take you to London tomorrow, and Captain Audley carries a special licence in his pocket.’

‘What!’ she exclaimed.

‘I have seen it,’ he said.

She was utterly dumbfounded, and could only stare at him. After a moment he continued: ‘I imagine that you were to be safety tied up to him in the few days that remain before you come of age. Have you considered that by Friday you will be free from Worth’s guardianship?’

‘What can that signify?’ she said. ‘Oh, it will not do, cousin! Captain Audley is a man of honour, incapable of such baseness!’