The Captain's Disgraced Lady. Catherine TinleyЧитать онлайн книгу.
‘So, Miss Milford,’ said Mr Wakely, who was walking much too close to her, ‘is your family from this area?’
‘No,’ said Juliana shortly. ‘We are simply visiting Lord and Lady Shalford.’
He nodded as if satisfied. ‘I see.’
After leading them to the parlour set aside for refreshments, Juliana waited while they loaded their plates—Mr Wakely with a single cake and a peach, and Mrs Wakely with a generous selection of pastries, fruit and cheese. With some relief, Juliana made her apologies and returned to the hall to find Charlotte.
‘Juliana!’ Charlotte hurried towards her, taking both her hands. ‘Thank you so much for rescuing us!’ She glanced around to make sure no one was listening, then added, ‘What awful people!’ She bit her lip. ‘I know I should not say such a thing about my guests, but...’
‘They are awful and you’re perfectly right to say it to me,’ said Juliana reassuringly. ‘Who on earth are they?’
‘They’ve recently moved into Glenbrook Hall, a house and grounds not five miles from here. I had heard they are not at all the thing and have not been accepted into local society.’
‘I can understand it, having seen them,’ said Juliana with a grimace. ‘Will they be here for long—are they leasing Glenbrook Hall, or do they own it?’
‘I can’t remember.’ Charlotte frowned. ‘There is some story there that I cannot quite recall. I shall ask Adam later. For now, I must help with the events.’ She had a quick word with the footman, reminding him to be on the alert for any intruders who might stray beyond the public rooms or pilfer small items. She then linked her arm with Juliana’s and together they stepped out into the sunshine.
* * *
Five hours later, Juliana sank down on to a wooden chair with some relief. She had finally located her mother, who was sitting drinking tea with Adam’s great-aunt Clara, Miss Langley, outside the Orangery.
‘Juliana!’ Her mother reached out and took her hand. ‘You look exhausted! Would you like some tea?’
‘I should love some, for I have had nothing to eat or drink since breakfast. I had no idea how much work there would be on this Public Day.’
Miss Langley poured her a cup, her wrinkled face a study in concentration as she carefully poured the warm liquid into a delicate china cup. ‘Oh, my dear Miss Milford! Here, have some cake!’
Juliana thanked her, and bit gratefully into the sweet sponge. ‘Charlotte has not eaten either, I know, for we have been constantly moving around, from competitions to the parlour and back again. Thankfully some of the guests are beginning to leave. It has been a long afternoon.’
‘Well, if you are tired, Juliana, it must have been busy, indeed, for you are rarely tired.’
Juliana was not listening. Out of the corner of her eye she had seen a dark figure moving furtively through the bushes and trees on the edge of the garden. Moving towards the house!
The manner of his movement was so suspicious that Juliana’s sense of danger was aroused. She remembered Charlotte’s warning to the footman and had asked her about it afterwards. Charlotte had said that in years past, there had been reports of thefts during Public Days, with thieves seeing it as the perfect opportunity to sneak in and purloin some small, expensive items while everyone was distracted with the guests and events.
She thought quickly. The footmen had been charged with keeping an eye on the corridors and entrances nearest the guest areas. No one had anticipated someone might try to sneak in through the Orangery!
‘Excuse me, Mama, Miss Langley, I have just remembered something.’ Acting nonchalantly, Juliana stood and walked casually to the Orangery door, just behind the terrace where the ladies were seated. Once inside, she moved quickly among the fruit trees and exotic plants towards the other external door—the one on the west side. She peered through the glass, scanning for any sign of the intruder. There he was—much closer and still moving stealthily through the shrubbery.
What could she do? There was no time to get help—everyone, apart from Mama and Miss Langley, was at the far side of the building. She looked around quickly, then spotted some tools resting in the corner. Choosing a short spade with a stout wooden handle, she positioned herself behind an enormous fern and waited.
She did not have long to tarry. She heard the door open, creaking slightly as it did so. It was closed again, slowly, then she distinctly heard a sigh, as if the intruder was relieved to have gained entrance, and now believed himself to be safe. Well! She gripped the spade more tightly. How dared he intrude into her friend’s home?
She held herself completely still, breathing as quietly as she could. She need not have worried. As he moved towards where she was hiding, she heard him whistle. What an arrogant thief! She felt the moment he passed her fern—its leaves moved as he walked along. Stepping out at exactly the right moment, she raised her spade and brought it down smartly on the back of his head.
‘Ow! What the deuce—?’ He wheeled around and grabbed her, at the same time hooking his right foot behind her calf and knocking her off balance. The spade flew out of her hand and clanged to the ground. She fell heavily, banging her left shoulder hard against the floor. He fell with her, his weight crushing all the breath out of her.
Uh-oh! Once again she had acted before thinking something through, and now she had left herself in danger. She had envisaged him falling, knocked out by her blow, which would have allowed her to run for help before he came to. She hadn’t thought that he would attack her! Her mind raced as she searched for a way out. She gasped for air, unable to scream, or even make a sound. His body pinned hers from shoulder to hip and all she could see was his shoulder, encased in a fine wool jacket.
He lifted his head. As his eyes met hers, Juliana’s widened in shock.
It was him—the man from the inn! Captain Fanton!
Juliana was all confusion. What was going on here? Had the arrogant Captain indeed followed her?
No. He looked just as shocked as she felt.
His eyes narrowed. ‘Well, well,’ he said. ‘Miss Juliana Milford! What the devil are you doing here? And what possessed you to hit me?’
‘Get off me!’ she said, finally finding her voice. She gave him her fiercest look, no longer afraid. Now that she knew it was him, her heart was racing in a very different way. This was not fear, but a novel excitement. She could feel the length of him with every part of her chest, stomach and hips. He was warm and solid, and heavy. She had never experienced anything like it.
‘This is an interesting dilemma,’ he said smoothly. ‘You have attacked me and I have disarmed you. I think I should get some answers before releasing you.’ He shifted his weight slightly, but did not get up. His slight movement was excruciatingly pleasurable. Juliana resisted the unexpected impulse to move a little herself, just to feel it again.
‘I have asked you to release me! People may come in at any second—my mother and Miss Langley are taking tea just outside—and if they came in and saw us like this, they might think—they might not understand—’ Her voice tailed away.
‘Why, what might they think, beautiful Juliana?’ He was looking intently at her mouth.
A new, disturbing feeling swamped Juliana. It was altogether confusing. Was he going to kiss her? Her heart, deaf to all sense, leaped in anticipation. Rejecting it, she hissed at him, ‘Let me go, if there is anything of the gentleman in you!’
His jaw clenched. ‘I am the one who was attacked without reason!’ As he said it, thankfully he rolled off to sit beside her, his hand going to the back of his head. ‘Ouch! A lump as big as an egg!’ He glared at her. ‘What did you mean by it?’
She