Reforming Lord Ragsdale Part 23

"Did you just return, my lord?" she asked, her voice hopeful.

"Only just," he agreed. "But you have not answered my question."

Good. He cannot possibly have seen the note yet, she thought with relief. "The lord inspector has died suddenly, apparently. We will sail in a few days, my lord," she explained.

Lord Ragsdale managed a rather mirthless chuckle. "I never thought he was a man for the rigors of Australia, myself. He probably is only pretending until the ship leaves without him."

She laughed because she knew he expected it. Go upstairs like a good man, she thought, willing him to move away from the book room, where he stood now with his hand on the doork.n.o.b.

"If you do not mind, then, my lord, we will remain here a few more days until we sail," she said, when he continued just to observe her. And for heaven's sake, don't go in there, she thought.

"You know I do not mind, Emma," he replied, then opened the door and went in, closing it firmly behind him.

I think I will die of embarra.s.sment, she thought as she stared at the door. She held her breath, expecting any moment for Lord Ragsdale to come bounding out, note in hand, to scold her for being an idiot. Nothing happened. She let out her breath, and quietly climbed the stairs.

She spent the rest of the afternoon lying on her bed and staring at the wall, Tim curled up beside her, asleep. She dreaded every sound on the stairs, and panicked when darkness came and someone knocked.

"It's only me," said the footman.

"Come in then, Hanley," she said, hoping the relief in her voice was not too obvious. Tim sat up and rubbed his eyes as she opened the door.

"Lady Ragsdale would like you and Tim to have dinner with her," he said, then added, when he noticed the hesitancy on her face. "She does not like to dine alone, Emma."

"But isn't Lord Ragsdale available?" Emma asked.

The footman shook his head. "Oh, my, and didn't he tear out of here like a man with a mission!"

I wonder what that means, she considered as she ushered Tim out the door. I only hope he has not returned to his club and his former bad habits.

She and Tim followed the footman downstairs, and she sent them on ahead as she went to the book-room door, listened a moment, opened it quietly, and tiptoed to the desk. Relief washed over her. The note remained exactly where she had left it, tucked under the paperweight. She s.n.a.t.c.hed it up, crumpled it into a tiny ball, and threw the note into the fireplace, where she watched until it flamed and crumbled into ashes.

Her heart ten times lighter, she managed to make herself good company to Lady Ragsdale for the evening, never a difficult task. As much as she disliked cards, she knew she could while away an evening with them, nodding occasionally, making comments here and there as Lady Ragsdale chattered, cheated, and triumphed. She kept her ears open for Lord Ragsdale's return, but when she finally surrendered her cards at midnight, his candle was still waiting for him on the entrance hall table.

She decided the next day that he must have seen the note, after all, and had chosen to avoid her. It was the only conclusion she could make, because he left the house before she woke, and had not returned late that evening.

"I do not understand it," Lady Ragsdale commented as she signaled to Lasker to pour the sherry after another interminable night of cards. "Perhaps he is still with Clarissa. The wedding is planned for early June, after all, and these things take careful planning."

"I am certain you are right," Emma agreed, happy to end the discussion by yawning, stretching, then saying good night. What a sham, she thought as she climbed the stairs again. Now I will toss and turn and pretend to sleep, when I am in a perfect agony over Lord Ragsdale. Suppose he has returned to his former bad habits? she thought again. It seemed unlikely; the footman made no mention of anything out of the ordinary. I am stewing over nothing, she decided, but that thought did nothing to hasten sleep.

I cannot manage another day of sleeplessness, she told herself as she dragged out of bed and sat there until she had the energy to rise. Tim was already gone; in fact, his pallet was neatly folded. She rose, looked at the tangle of her own bed, and shook her head at her folly.

She was straightening the sheets when Tim burst into theToom.

"Emma, there is a message from the Atlas] We are sailing at noon!"

"Thank goodness," she said, and meant each word. The sooner I am gone, the better.

They arrived at the Atlas within the hour, after suffering through another round of farewells. She knew that Lord Ragsdale was in his chambers, because she heard him walking about as she tiptoed down the hall. There were more tears from Lady Rags-dale, and then they were safely inside the hackney. She made the mistake of looking back at the house, where, to her horror, she saw Lord Ragsdale standing at his bedroom window. To her further amazement, he opened it, leaned out, waved, and blew her a kiss.

This is so odd, she thought as she waved back, but omitted the kiss. There have been too many of those to unsettle a rational mind, she a.s.sured herself as she set her heart and mind on the journey ahead.

The Atlas was a swarm of activity this time as she and Tim went on board and found their cabin, a tiny cubbyhole crammed 'tweendecks. They drew straws, and Tim won the top berth. She sat on her berth and looked around her. For six or seven months this will be our home, she thought, and then we will be in a most hostile place, from which so few return. She considered the matter, and then realized that it did not make a difference where she was. There was no home anymore in Ireland; Virginia had been a pleasant interlude, but only a place to mark time; England was the enemy still.

She lay back and propped her hands behind her head. No, that was not true, she reasoned, thinking of Norfolk and the good people there. And Lord Ragsdale is in England. Silent tears rolled down to wet her hair. "Oh, Clarissa, please realize what a gem you have," she whispered. "Do you know that you are the luckiest lady in England?"

She dried her eyes before Tim noticed, and a.s.sured him that she would join him on deck later. There would be no pleasure taken in watching London recede as they worked their way to the Channel. The familiar numbness that had captured her heart the day after Robert Emmet walked up the lane to her house was returning again. She closed her eyes against it, knowing that she had not the strength to resist anymore.

But I must exert myself for Tim, she thought, sitting up. Even if we arrive in Sydney and find no trace of Da or Sam, I have Tim to think of. She straightened her dress and went into the compan-ionway.

It was full of trunks and boxes. She stepped around them and met the apologetic glance of the ship's steward.

"Sorry, mum," he said. "It's the new lord inspector's stuff, and where am I to put it, I ask?"

She shook her head over his dilemma, and hurried on deck, minding her steps around more luggage and rope, and casks. Tim had already attached himself to the seamen doing their slow shuffle around the capstan as the great anchor rose. He grinned at her in self-conscious delight, and she smiled back. This trip will be a boy's paradise, she thought. I wonder what I will make of it?

The captain and first mate were everywhere, bellowing orders to the men balanced on the yardarms. She glanced at the small knot of men standing forward, chatting by the railing, obviously the other pa.s.sengers. There was a lady with them, well-dressed and standing close to the man who must be the colony's new governor. Perhaps she will need a servant, Emma thought. I should make myself known to her.

She stayed where she was, shy again. I have seven months to make her acquaintance, she excused herself. It can wait. She turned to go belowdeck once more, but stopped and looked around again. Someone had called her name.

She looked at Tim, who was still pulling up the anchor, his attention concentrated on the sail above him that was slowly filling with air now. I must be hearing things, she decided, and moved toward the companionway again.

"Emma, I wish you would pay attention," Lord Ragsdale called to her.

She whirled around, and stood in dumbfounded amazement as one of the men separated himself from the group by the railing and strolled her way. She stared at him, then sank down on a hatch as he came closer, taking his time, ambling along as though he owned the ship.

"What a lot of clutter," he said with some distaste as he seated himself beside her. "The captain tells me that we will stop in Rio to take on livestock, and then it really becomes interesting."

Her mind was even more cluttered than the deck. If I look at him, I know he will vanish, she told herself, but could not bring herself to glance his way. She knew quite forcefully that the last thing she wanted was for him to disappear. I will just sit here and pretend another moment, she thought.

It would have worked, except that he took her hand then, and she knew he was real. She looked down at his fingers twined through hers and closed her eyes as she sighed and leaned against his shoulder, feeling safe again.

"Emma," he said after a moment, and there was nothing of a.s.surance in his voice now. "I hate to admit it, but I've made a real muddle of your excellent work of redemption."

She smiled, but did not open her eyes. "I suppose you will tell me now that there is a ferociously angry lady in London who would probably break you on a rack if she ever catches you."

"Well, yes," he said. "You Irish have such a way with a phrase, did you know?"

She giggled. "What have you done, Lord Ragsdale?"

He raised her fingers to his lips and kissed them. "I think I have made it impossible to return to London anytime soon." He paused a moment. "How fortunate then that I have taken on the job of lord inspector for Australia and Van Dieman's Land."

She gasped and looked at him then. "You can't be telling the truth!"

"Why would anyone lie about that? Really, Emma, you disappoint me."

He kissed her then, and as she let him fold her in his arms, she knew his disappointment did not extend to his lips. Or his heart, obviously; it was pounding as hard as hers was. She would have been happy to continue kissing him until they arrived in Sydney, but he stopped suddenly and looked up at the cheering sailors in the mast overhead.

"We should obviously continue this belowdeck," he commented as he tucked her close under his arm. "I am somewhat squeamish about spectators to my lovemaking. Call me prudish, but there you are."

"I could never call you prudish, Lord Ragsdale," she a.s.sured him.

"Yes, well," he said. "Neither are you, my dear. That was quite a note you left on my desk."

She blushed. "I had hoped I was able to retrieve it in time."

"So glad you didn't," he murmured. "It sent me out the door and on my most spontaneous errand ever. Clarissa Partridge- should you ever require this information-does not enjoy tumult, challenge, or change of plans." He kissed her head. "She'd have been a dead bore in a place like Australia, which will probably contain generous parts of all three."

'"It was the note?" she asked.

"Well, yes and no," he said. "I had decided several weeks ago that I loved you, but figured that was a lost cause. So I thought it would be less painful all around if I stuck with the original plans and married Clarissa. I did not want to return from Norfolk until 1 was sure you were gone." He chuckled and shook his head. "I owe such a debt to the defunct lord inspector."

"But I do love you," she a.s.sured him. "I didn't think you could ever be serious about me, so I left that note only because I knew you would never see it when I was around."

"Of course; makes perfect sense," he said calmly, with only a hint of a smile, then glanced at Tim, who stood beside Emma. "And you, lad, what does your expression tell me?"

"Only that I do not understand adults," he said honestly.

"Nor I," Lord Ragsdale confessed. He kissed Emma again. "I had to make some arrangements, obviously, to show you what a good fellow I am-hardworking, honest, and all that, and fit to be father to your children. I don't think your da would much approve if I were to arrive unemployed with you in Australia and tell him what a bargain he was getting for a son-in-law."

"And all this because I wrote, I love you," she marveled. "I am sure you have heard it before."

"Heavens, yes," he agreed, the picture of serenity. "Fae Moulle used to tell me that on a regular basis, so she couldn't have meant it." His voice turned serious then, and her heart pounded louder. "Actually, Emma, what no one has ever said before was that they liked me."

"I do," she said simply, and kissed his cheek.

"Thank you," he said, his voice equally quiet.

"And you are truly lord inspector?" she asked. "How did you manage that?"

"Simple, really. And let me state here how nice it was of the former lord inspector to oblige by dropping down dead during the first course of his farewell dinner."

"You are a rascal," she said with some feeling.

"We know that already," he reminded her. "After leaving Clarissa in strong hysterics and starting to foam, I dashed off to the Office of Criminal Business. Emma, I do not understand why our favorite porter gets so excited when I come around. Think how relieved he will be not to see me for a few years."

"Go on, and leave out the dramatics," she warned him.

"He took me right in to see Mr. Capper-imagine that, if you can -who walked, nay, ran me over to the Colonial Office, where they took me to Home Office. Oh, I love bureaucracy, Emma. Think what a politician I will make."

"I warned you . . ." she began, but stopped when he kissed her again.

"A kiss or two, and you are so easy to deal with," he murmured. "Imagine what can happen when we attempt something more strenuous! Well, to my narrative, if you insist."

"Oh, I do."

"Someone thought to check my military record at Horse Guard. It must have been sufficiently distinguished-my dearest, lose an eye and gain your country's love-because I waited in a few more anterooms, then was sent back to Home with a recommendation."

"Such exertion," she murmured, and held out her arm for Tim, who sat down on her other side. The ship was moving now, the sails filled.

"Actually, it was worth it. Emma, I cannot confirm this, but one of the senior clerks in Home told me that Spencer Perceval- the prime minister, my dear. Don't look so blank-even said, 'What a novelty. Did they finally get someone who might actually do the job?' " he concluded modestly.

"They did," she said. "Mrs. Larch always swore that you know how to handle people."

"Let us see if I can deal with felons, murderers, blackguards, a.s.sorted lowlife, and touchy Irish. Let me promise you that for every old idea I use, I will think up two new ones," he said, and reached into his pocket. "Which brings me to my next bit of effort. Emma, you see before you a special license. It cost me a bundle, and I would hate to waste it."

She took the writ from him and looked it over, then handed it back. "You've become so frugal, my lord."

"Yes. Economy is the key here, my love. Do call me John, by the way. I think our a.s.sociation is shortly to become somewhat intimate, and I think too much 'my lording' will quite put me off my best conjugal efforts."

"Really, John," she said, and blushed.

"Economy, dear. You see, I need a secretary for my new duties -if David Breedlow cannot be found-and I need a wife and mother for my children. As I am only allowed so much poundage for this voyage, I must economize and combine all that in one."

She smiled at Lord Ragsdale and nudged Tim. "Doesn't he carry on?"

Tim nodded. "I think he is asking you to marry him."

"Smart lad," Lord Ragsdale said with approval. "How about it, Emma? Will you marry me? It's an exertion, but I think I can manage."

"Of course I will marry you, John," she said promptly, "but I might remind you that we have left the dock."

"True," he agreed. "Isn't it our good fortune that the Colonial Office decided to send out a vicar to Australia? He's the one over there looking decidedly seasick already. Granted he is not Catholic for you, my dear, but he'll make us legal." He looked at Tim. "Will you mind having your cabin to yourself? I plan to be seasick and a devoted husband, in equal parts, and it won't be a pleasant sight for you. Perhaps Emma will be a loving enough wife to raise my head from the bucket every now and then."

Tim shook his head and grinned. "I won't mind, as long as you treat her well."

Lord Ragsdale stopped smiling then, and his face became so serious that Emma felt tears in her eyes. She brushed at them, then squeezed his hand tighter.

"I promise, laddie," he said softly. "She'll have no cause to regret her decision." He released Emma's hand and reached across her to take Tim by the shoulder. "And if for some reason we cannot find your father, I would beg the raising of you as my own, if that's agreeable."

"Aye," Tim whispered, his face as solemn as Lord Ragsdale's.

"Very well, then!" Lord Ragsdale said, and looked at Emma and Tim. "What a couple of long faces!" He slapped his forehead then in theatrical exasperation. "Oh, Emma, I know why you are so solemn right now! Didn't you once tell me that nothing would make you happier than a bed of your own?"

She laughed out loud, wondering at how she would manage a lifetime with the quixotic, outrageous Lord Ragsdale. One lifetime will never be enough, she decided, loving him with all her heart. "I did say that. Once."

"You will have to share your bed again, Emma. I'm sorry, but I must insist."

end.