His Christmas Countess

Henry stared like a mesmerised rabbit in front of a stoat until Grant slapped the crop harder against his boot and Henry twitched. ‘Yes, well...’

‘And you put her in the way of a confirmed rake in the first place? Yes, I assume so. And not content with ensuring that he pays a suitable sum to your sister to raise her child decently you decide to keep it all yourself—and to ask for as much money as you think you can possibly extract. Yes?’ There was another slap of whip on leather.

‘Yes. But now she wants it all! She threatened me!’

‘With me. Very wisely. I am trying to recall what the judicial penalty for blackmail is.’ Grant rocked the heavy chair back and studied the ceiling, deep in thought. ‘So few people come forward with a complaint, that is the problem. Most seem to deal with it by other methods. Direct methods.’ He brought all four chair legs back to the floor with a thud and Henry cringed back in his own seat.

‘You mean murder? Catherine said you were an honourable man!’

‘And she is correct, I hope. Let me think now. The navy is always short of men. That would give you a healthy outdoor life with plenty of fresh air and exercise, and we are not at war at the moment, so there are only falls from the mainmast, shipwreck and over-amorous shipmates to worry about. Oh, and the food, of course. Or there’s the East India Company—always on the lookout for men, I understand. A pity India is such an unhealthy country, but we can’t have everything. I am making new acquaintances all the time these days. Men of influence in the navy and the East India Company for example.’

‘You wouldn’t.’ Henry was pale now—in fact, Kate thought he might vomit on his shiny new desk. ‘I’m a married man.’

‘From what I hear Lady Harding would be quite relieved by your absence. Of course, your loving sister would support her in remaining here, make sure she had a good bailiff and not the useless one you inflict on your tenants now.’

‘I’ll pay! I’ll find the money somehow, although I don’t know how...’

‘We’ll work it out, never fear, Harding.’ Grant stood up and nodded to Kate. ‘Ready, Lady Allundale? I’ll be back tomorrow, Harding. Oh, and don’t try to make a run for it. I know far too much about you.’

Kate was confused, anxious and deeply relieved to have Grant there, all at the same time. The mixed emotions might be uncomfortable, but at least he now knew the truth about her. But how did he feel? There was no way of telling, not when she could not ask him, could not take his hand and look into his eyes. He was in control of himself, of Henry and of the situation, but whether he was furiously angry, disgusted or merely resigned to her betrayal she had no idea, and a chaise containing a lady’s maid and a footman was not the place to find out.

She thanked Giles for his attentiveness and Wilson for her patience and then sat, hands folded in her lap, her mind utterly blank of any kind of meaningless small talk while Grant surveyed the flat farmland on either side of the road back to Southend. He had tied the hired hack on behind the carriage, so she had not even had the time to sit and think without looking at him and having that steady green gaze look straight back at her.

Perhaps this was how a prisoner in the dock felt as she watched the faces of the jurors. Guilty or not guilty? Condemned or pardoned?

Somehow she kept control of herself on the interminable drive back. Kept her chin up, her back straight, her expression composed. One did not show weakness in front of the servants. Besides, pride would not let her give way.

* * *

When they reached the Ship Inn and Grant issued orders for the hired horse’s return she dismissed Wilson and Giles and climbed the stairs to the large suite of rooms she had taken. Jeannie and Anna were bright-eyed and pink-faced from a chilly walk along the beach. Charlie and Mr Gough were still out there, swathed in scarves, skimming pebbles, prodding driftwood and doing whatever men and boys did by the seaside.

‘His lordship has returned with me. Please let everyone know that we are not to be disturbed until dinner time. His lordship has a great deal of business to attend to.’ Such as dealing with his deceitful wife.

‘Which is our room, my lady?’ Grant had come up the stairs while she stood on the landing, steeling herself.

‘Through here. I took virtually the entire floor.’ He was addressing her formally and the chill of it was like the touch of a cold finger on the nape of her neck, unpleasant yet bracing. She walked in through the door he opened for her and took the chair by the window, let the light fall on her face. There was no hiding anything now.