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There was a sudden quiet, and the viscount turned away from the door, feeling sick at heart. His Jess had been tricked into believing Rodrigo a devil. It had all been a hum! Hearing Jess talked about in that fashion by Warren made him want to charge into the room and land him a facer, and perhaps one day, he would do just that, but now...now he had to right a wrong.
He rushed back to his lodgings and took quill to paper.
Jess!
What a muddle we have made. Rodrigo is on his yacht in Southampton Harbor, not far from you. Don’t let him leave. I will explain when I arrive tomorrow evening. I will be leaving London soon and will be on the road a good part of the night, and then rest my horse and leave early in the morning. I am sending this off now.
Pauly
He called for his butler and said in some agitation, “Have this note taken by one of my grooms. Give him enough money to change horses at each of the posting houses. Tell him to ride hard to Wilton Manor in Lyndhurst’s New Forest. He must ride most of the night, then he must make certain only Lady Jessica gets this note personally.”
This done, he took a long breath of air, swallowed a glass of brandy, adjusted his clothing, checked the mantel clock, and saw it was just past seven. He sent his valet to pack a portmanteau while he attended to some mail he had originally thought to put off to the morrow but needed to take care of before he left.
~ Seventeen ~
THE NEW FOREST ALWAYS SEEMED to Jessie like a place captured in time. She could imagine the Normans, ferocious in their feudal reign, hunting through the forests. The wild ponies roamed, even as they had hundreds of years before. As she dreamed of times gone by, a herd of deer lunged through the park’s lush greenery, flew over the forest fencing, and vanished in the dark of the trees.
It was so lovely here. A full moon lit the gravel path she walked. The gardens lay behind her, the house ahead. She had been restless, and walking seemed to calm her nerves.
Her great-aunt’s house was warm, full with its history and friendly ghosts. The third lord of the manor had restored it, renewed, and redecorated it until it sported all its early glory. There was an aura about the mellowed grey walls with their dark oak beaming that she thoroughly loved. She felt the house’s invitation—come and enjoy my greatness. Indeed, being here had softened the blow of her loss, but it was the woods and the green open fields that drew her.
The hour was late, nearly two in the morning. She had been quiet about dressing and going outside. It was with some surprise she saw, in the distance, the diminutive form of her Aunt Charlie standing at the panoramic window. Jessie sighed. She really wished she could just sneak up to her room without a confrontation. She so wanted to be on her own.
She smiled as she approached the door her Aunt Charlie threw open. “Really, dearest Charlie,” she teased. “What did you think would happen to me on our own grounds?”
“I rather thought the fairies seeing such a wondrous beauty would abduct you and take you to the Isle of Tir for themselves,” her aunt bantered. “Then what would I tell the admiral?”
“You would tell him that I am a perfect hoyden who would drive the Fae mad with my antics so they would return me posthaste,” Jessie said, and patted her shoulder.
“Darling, perhaps it is time we remove ourselves to Brighton, where your uncle will be. He is supposed to meet up with Prinny, you know...and Prinny must now be in Brighton. It is very merry with the beau monde at this time of year. You will enjoy being there.”
“Perhaps,” Jessie answered listlessly. “But now, I love romping about on my horse, wearing britches, and taking a swim when no one is about, and you are enjoying your friends here.”
“Well, I wish to remove to Brighton, and shan’t wait much longer for you to fall in with the idea,” the dowager announced firmly.
“Oh? Well, as to that, I suppose you must do what you must, which I applaud, but I think I shall stay on. After all, I am of age—one and twenty, you know,” Jessie said with a dangerous edge to her voice. However, a loud banging at the front door caught their attention, and her Aunt Charlie put up a hand for quiet.
It was after two in the morning, but their weary butler had heard a very loud shout and someone banging away at the front door. He hurriedly threw on some clothes and made his way downstairs. Opening the door wide, he found a young groom covered in road dust at the front door demanding to be taken to Lady Jessica.
“Come on then, best take me to her loidyship, as this ‘ere note is from the Viscount Bellamy and is urgent.”
He knew his mistress and Lady Jessica were up, for he had heard them in the library, but should he show this urchin in at such an hour? He also knew Lady Jessica and the viscount were forever in one another’s company. What to do? Something might be wrong. Best to err on the side of caution and take the lad to her ladyship. He led Lord Bellamy’s groom to the library, where in resonant but stiff accents he announced the newcomer.
The dowager put a hand to her heart and said, “What...why...at this hour?”
The boy was no more than fourteen, dusty, and tired, but he stepped forward and removed his wool cap as he approached Jessie, whom he had seen many times in the viscount’s company.
“This,” he put the missive forward, “is for you and no other.”
“Tell me the viscount is well?” Jessie asked with some fear.
“Aye, that he is, m’loidy. Oi’ve been riding these last seven hours and more...changing horses at the posting houses to get this to ye.”
Jessie took the envelope and read the short message with some surprise. She turned the paper over, as though looking for more. She looked up at the butler and said, “Oh, you both...you and Tom here must be exhausted. I am so sorry to put this on you, Styles, but I am certain the boy is hungry. I would be ever so grateful if you would make sure the lad has something to eat, then show him to his accommodations for the night, and then get some sleep yourself.”
“Yes, miss.” The butler turned to the dowager. “My lady.” He took the boy off with a long sigh and left the dowager with her great-niece.
The dowager nodded as she watched the two leave and turned to Jessie. “What is it, what is wrong? Why should that young boy ride all night to get here?”
