The Christmas Promise: Regency Romance (Rogues and Laces) Read online

  The vision of her bloodied and bruised back came back swiftly to his mind, sending a shudder through him. Whilst he had every intention of returning to England, they would need to find somewhere to stop where the lady might be taken care of. They would require a doctor, if not a surgeon, and he would have to purchase new gowns for her also.

  “You need not worry,” he said to Florence, although fully aware that he was reassuring himself as much as the maid. “Everything will be quite all right now. Your mistress is safe. You need not fear that monster anymore.”

  Florence turned her head to look at him, her eyes shimmering with tears as the moonlight caught her expression. “Thank you, sir,” she whispered. “I do not even know your name.”

  He cleared his throat, feeling a little awkward. “The Honourable Charles Ingraham,” he said with a small shrug. “I am glad to have been able to help Miss Wade.”

  “I will tell her of your kindness and bravery as soon as she wakes,” the maid promised, turning her gaze back onto her mistress. “She will be so grateful, sir. You have saved her from torment, Mr Ingraham, possibly even from death. To show her such kindness, sir, is goodness indeed. Bless you.”

  FOUR

  Pain sliced through her. It did not relent but seemed to grow, as something stabbed at her afresh. A groan escaped her lips, forcing her to remove herself from the blackness that bound her.

  “Careful now, miss.”

  Florence’s voice came to her as she let out another hiss of pain, blinking rapidly to clear her vision.

  “You’re quite safe,” Florence said gently, pressing her hand. “You’re safe from Lord Faversham.”

  “Where am I?” Julianna tried to sit up but realised that she was lying on her front. The pain from her back almost overwhelmed her.

  Florence smiled brightly, although Julianna could see the upset in her eyes. “We’re at a doctor,” she said quietly. “He’s going to bind your back, and then we’ll be on our way. Look, there’s a new gown for you here!” She indicated just behind her, and Julianna saw a beautiful gown of light blue waiting for her. It looked warm enough, her eyes alighting on the cloak, muffler, bonnet, and boots that went with it.

  “I don’t understand,” she whispered, fear rising in her throat. “Lord Faversham? Where is he?”

  Florence shook her head. “He’s been left behind,” she said calmly. “Like I said, you don’t need to worry about him no more, Miss Wade. We’ve been saved.”

  “Saved?” Julianna repeated, her throat rasping. “By whom?”

  Her maid’s smile gentled. “A gentleman who was in the inn,” she explained as the doctor muttered something under his breath, his fingers careful and yet bringing Julianna a good deal of fresh pain. “He heard what Lord Faversham was doing and came to help you. I’m just sorry we couldn’t get to you before Lord Faversham started.” Her eyes began to fill with tears, her smile wobbling. “He is a terrible man, miss.”

  Julianna let out a long breath, her eyes fluttering closed as relief wound its way through her, chasing away some of her pain. If Florence was to be believed, she had nothing to fear any longer. The memory of what Lord Faversham had done to her began to resurface, forcing her breath to catch in her chest as she tried to battle against it.

  “You’ve been hurt pretty badly, Miss Wade,” the doctor said gruffly, his English tinged with what Julianna presumed to be a French accent. “Whoever did this to you ought to be hanged.”

  Julianna felt tears sting at her eyes and kept them firmly closed. “I’m afraid, doctor, that no one much cares about what he did,” she said quietly, her heart aching terribly with the painful, dreadful truth. “Is it quite bad?”

  He grunted again. “They will need to be bandaged daily,” he said, directing his words towards Florence. “I shall give you a poultice for them. Some will require a longer time to heal than others, although the sea air will do them some good.”

  Julianna’s eyes shot open. “The sea?” she repeated, looking at Florence.

  “Yes, miss,” Florence said, letting go of Julianna’s hand and getting to her feet. “We are to take the ship back to England.”

  “Back to England?” Julianna repeated, feeling as though she were lost in a cloud of questions. “But why? And where am I to go thereafter?”

  The doctor clicked his tongue, making Florence hurry around to Julianna’s head once more.

  “You must calm yourself, miss,” she whispered, as the doctor prodded painfully at one of the wounds on Julianna’s back. “It is all taken care of. We shall be quite safe, and you will be very well looked after once we return to England’s shores. This Mr Ingraham has been very kind and has done everything he can to take care of you. I do not doubt that he will continue to prove himself to be a gentleman in these next few days.”

  Julianna was forced to lapse into silence. She was encouraged to sit up and, thereafter, endured the indignity of having her back bound by the doctor, who appeared to care nothing for her nakedness. The agony of her back was still severe, but Julianna gritted her teeth and forced herself to bear it, slowly becoming aware that she had been given something of an escape, saved from Lord Faversham’s monstrous behaviour by this Mr Ingraham, who was nothing more than a stranger to her. An overwhelming sense of gratitude filled her, rendering her almost speechless as she thought of this unknown man.

  She had thought herself quite without hope, enduring Lord Faversham’s blows as best she could until they had overcome her. His whip had been hard and relentless, breaking her skin as she had done her best to shield herself from his wrath. Lost in her despair, she had prayed that her uncle would hear her cries and be moved to help her, even though he had been the one to drug her senseless with laudanum and take her to France.

  It had all been for naught, and eventually, from the agony of her wounds and the brokenness of her mind, she had surrendered to the darkness, welcoming it as though it were a friend. She could remember very little else.

  “There now.” Florence smiled as the doctor finished securing her bindings in place. “You shall have a new gown and then meet Mr Ingraham, if you are ready to do so.”

  “No tight bindings,” the doctor warned, snapping his bag closed. “And you must keep a careful watch over those wounds.” He addressed Florence, giving her a sharp look that had her nodding in agreement. “I am sorry for whatever has occurred to give you so much pain, Miss Wade,” he finished, now turning to her. “But I am glad that I have been able to assist you in this matter. I wish you a safe return to England.”

  “Thank you,” she replied quickly. “Can I pay you for your trouble?” She did not know precisely how she was to do so, given that she had no money of her own and certainly no easy means of getting some.

  “No, I thank you,” the doctor replied with a graceful inclination of his head. “Mr Ingraham has taken care of it all. Good day to you.”

  “Good day,” Julianna murmured, staring after him in astonishment. This Mr Ingraham, whoever he was, was clearly a man of great generosity, which meant, she hoped, that there was reason enough for her to trust him.

  “Come, miss,” Florence encouraged, as Julianna looked around the small room which held nothing more than the bed she was lying on, a chair, and a small table in the corner. “We must get you dressed. You will feel much better soon, I am sure.”

  Thankful that the fire in the grate was blazing merrily, Julianna carefully rose to her feet, feeling as though she was already on-board a ship, such was her unsteadiness. Florence was there in a trice, ready to take her arm and help her towards the chair, where she was able to sit again, in between Florence placing various garments over her head. Eventually she was dressed and warm, although still rather weak from lack of food.

  “If you are able, we may join Mr Ingraham in the private parlour for some food,” Florence suggested, carefully pinning up Julianna’s hair. “He did say that you were not to be pressed, however. It was only if you feel able.”

  More than intrigued to
meet her saviour and ask him specifically why he had been so inclined to help her, Julianna rose to her feet again and settled her shoulders, ignoring the stabbing pain that lanced her back. “Yes, I think I should like to meet him,” she said as Florence fussed around her. “Might I lean on your arm?”

  “Of course,” Florence replied, still looking rather anxious. “Here, let me lead the way.”

  Walking into the private parlour took some time, given the state of her back, but Julianna managed it with a head that was held high, determination rippling through her. She was more grateful than she could express to Mr Ingraham but did wonder what it was he expected to gain from such a rescue. Neither Florence nor the doctor had given her any indication of how old the gentleman was, so it was with some surprise that she greeted a rather handsome young man.

  “Mr Ingraham?” she asked cautiously as the gentleman rose to his feet, his brown eyes filled with concern.

  “Yes,” he said, offering her his arm. “May I say you are looking a good deal better than before, miss. Please, do sit down here.”

  She accepted his arm gratefully, allowing Florence the opportunity to fetch her something to eat. On placing the plate of food by her elbow, Florence then hurried off in search of tea.

  Julianna allowed herself to study Mr Ingraham as he took his seat opposite her, glad of the blazing fire that warmed her toes. He was not overly tall but appeared rather broad in the shoulder, giving him an appearance of brute strength. She might have been somewhat afraid of him were it not for the kindness in his eyes and the warm smile on his lips. There was a little stubble around his chin, reminding her that he had, most likely, been very busy caring for her.

  “Mr Ingraham,” she began, trying not to wince as she leaned back against the cushions. “I cannot thank you enough for what you have done for me. Truly, it is the greatest kindness anyone has ever given me.”

  Mr Ingraham smiled back at her, although his expression remained veiled with concern. “You are most welcome, Miss Wade, and you need not fear that you shall be left alone now. I have every intention of escorting you to London and setting you up with the most wonderful gentleman imaginable as your husband.” He leaned forward, apparently fervent in his determination. “I shall not let Lord Faversham lay another finger on you.” So saying, he sat back in his chair, clearing his throat a little abruptly. “Although, that is to say, if you will allow me to aid you, of course.”

  She flushed, a little taken aback by his determination for her future. “You are most kind, Mr Ingraham, but there is no reason for you to help me in such a way.” She watched him closely, seeing the way his eyes dropped from her face to fix themselves on the fire in the grate. “Is there a reason that you came to my aid?”

  There was silence for a moment, broken only by the crackling of the fire. Mr Ingraham appeared to be considering her question, for it was some time until he spoke again.

  “Miss Wade, if I might be so bold as to speak frankly with you, I will tell you the truth. Your maid, Florence, was the one to beg for my help. She must have seen me watching Lord Faversham and the other gentleman – St James, I think his name was – talking about you. I did not do as she asked at once, but it was only after I heard your cries that I felt I could no longer allow such an abhorrent act to continue.” Something in his eyes flickered, his jaw tight.

  “I am not a man well used to considering others, Miss Wade, given that I am the second son of an Earl and, less inclined to think of anyone other than myself. But in this matter, I will not be moved. I had to do something for you, and having decided as such, I intend to see the matter through. A gentleman who treats you such as Lord Faversham did should never be allowed to marry and most certainly not to produce children of his own, who might then follow their father’s stead.”

  He closed his eyes, a small shudder rattling his frame. “That is the truth of it, Miss Wade. The reason I wish to aid you is because I believe it the right thing to do.” His eyes were fixed on hers once more. “I believe your maid told me that you are quite alone in the world.”

  A sob caught in her throat, but with an effort Julianna swallowed it down. It was almost too much for her to take in – the kindness of a stranger in helping her do what she had been unable to do herself in escaping from her uncle and Lord Faversham quite overwhelmed her. “My father is presumed dead,” she managed to say, her throat working hard. “Having no children other than myself, the title then passed to my uncle, who is now Viscount St James.” She hesitated, seeing the shock flickering in Mr Ingraham’s eyes. “Yes, the man you saw talking to Lord Faversham is my uncle,” she confessed, the shame of it rising within her. “He did not care for me in any way.”

  Mr Ingraham leaned forward in his seat, his eyes bright. “Then I am all the more glad that I was able to help you,” he said softly. “Does your back trouble you terribly?”

  She shook her head, ignoring the rippling pain. “I will manage,” she replied honestly. “The knowledge that I am far from Lord Faversham and my uncle brings more relief than you can know. My uncle will presume I am wed to Lord Faversham and will remain at my father’s estate, and Lord Faversham may take some time to search for me before returning to England. For the time being, I believe myself to be quite safe, thanks to your consideration, Mr Ingraham.”

  Mr Ingraham smiled at her, and despite his unshaved cheeks, she thought him quite handsome. The kind and generous spirit he had displayed towards her made her immediately think highly of him, her heart quickening just a touch as he brushed her fingers with his.

  “I intend to ensure that relief is ongoing,” he replied in a soft voice. “You will find a suitable gentleman of your own choosing and shall be wed by Christmas, I am quite sure of it. After all, it is the little Season in London, and everyone shall be quite bedazzled by you. What say you to that, Miss Wade?”

  She could not find any words to speak. Her heart seeming to glow with happiness. Nodding, she pressed his hand for a moment, praying that he could sense her gratitude.

  “Very good,” he murmured, leaning back into his chair. “Then tomorrow we shall catch the boat back to England’s fair shores, and thereafter we will see about setting you up in London. You need not fear any longer, Miss Wade. I shall be by your side until we find another to take my place.”

  “Thank you, Mr Ingraham,” she whispered, feeling a single tear splash onto her cheek. “Finally, I will be able to allow myself a little hope.”

  FIVE

  “Miss Wade?”

  Julianna rose to her feet, her back stiff and sore. She stumbled forward just a little, embarrassment rushing into her features as she did so.

  “Please,” the lady said, grasping her hand. “You need not be ashamed. I’m afraid Ingraham has told us all about it, and you must not trouble yourself. Please, remain seated, if that would suit you better.”

  “Thank you, my lady,” Julianna replied, a little unsure how to address Lady Christiana Thayne, who apparently was acquainted with Mr Ingraham.

  She smiled. “You must just call me Christiana, for I am sure we will be fast friends,” she said firmly.

  Julianna smiled. “Then please call me Julianna.”

  Christiana beamed at her. “I am very glad that Ingraham wrote to my husband and I about your requirements, Julianna. I am delighted to welcome you into our home.”

  Julianna swallowed hard, awash with relief. “Thank you for your willingness to accept myself and my maid into your household,” she stammered, still a little uncertain of this beautiful young lady. “Are you quite sure your husband will not mind?”

  Christiana laughed and shook her head. “Thayne – that is, my husband – was once very good friends with Mr Ingraham and was quite delighted to hear that he was returning to London. I can assure you that Thayne has no concerns as to your presence here. In fact, I think it will distract him a little from the boredom that comes with the little Season!”

  Seeing Julianna’s confused look, she laughed again, her eyes sparkl
ing. “My husband cares very little for the London Season,” she said with a quick smile. “In fact, he cares nothing for town at all, although he does come here for my sake, which I am grateful for. We shall have you a husband in no time, I am quite sure of it.”

  Julianna managed to smile back, her heart still racing madly in her chest. So much had happened over the last few days that she felt as though she were still struggling to keep up with it all. Mr Ingraham had promised to find her suitable lodgings but had not mentioned that she would be residing with Christiana until just before the carriage had arrived at the door. Mr Ingraham himself had lodgings elsewhere in town, meaning that there would be no suggestion of impropriety between the two of them, even though they were pretending to be cousins.

  “Now,” Christiana continued, patting Julianna’s hand. “Ingraham has made it quite clear that you are to have as much rest and recovery as you need.” Her eyes grew a little dark, her lips thinning. “I heard what Lord Faversham did to you, Julianna, although Ingraham did not delve into the details in any way. I am truly sorry that such a thing occurred. I can understand what it is like to be at the mercy of another gentleman.”

  Julianna wondered at this remark but did not ask any questions, knowing that it would be rude to do so.

  “My sister and her husband, the Duke of Essington, will be throwing a Christmas ball,” Christiana continued with a quick smile in Julianna’s direction. “It is in ten days’ time and usually comes at the summation of the little Season. Do you think you will be able to attend a few balls and musicales before then? We must at least find you a suitable and amiable gentleman before the Essington’s ball!”