Regency Society. Ann Lethbridge
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here, but I would not advise you to return once you leave.’
He was furious as he mounted his horse and rode off. It had taken all his strength of will not to go for the man and give him a good hiding. Only the knowledge that there were more than a dozen men watching him prevented him from seeking physical revenge. The whole tribe would no doubt have set him on and it was more important to keep searching for Roxanne than to make a fool of himself by indulging in a fight merely for his own satisfaction.
Feeling frustrated by his inability to discover Roxanne’s whereabouts and afraid of what might be happening to her, Luke rode towards his grandfather’s house. It was six days since he’d last visited. Perhaps there might be some news. The earl might have received a ransom note. He must speak to his grandfather before going out to search again, though he did not truly know where to look next. He’d tried every posting house, every inn and every village within a thirty-mile radius of the estate. He was beginning to think she must be in London—or, worse still, on a ship bound for India. Her beauty would be appreciated by certain men who thought nothing of holding women captive in their households.
No! It must not be. The thought was so terrible that it tore him apart, a groan leaving his lips. Rumours and tales of the white-slave trade passed through his mind. Roxanne was so beautiful. Once this man had her, he might think she was of more value than that damned ruby.
Roxanne looked at the clothes Shulie had brought her and smiled. She had wondered if she would be given something similar to the clothes her nurse wore, but instead she was being offered a beautiful silk gown of French design and make. As she slipped it on, her heart raced wildly. She had remembered more about Prince Ranjit and she seemed to recall that he was charming, but a little selfish, inclined to lose his temper if he did not get his own way. Yet as a child she had admired him, following him about and hanging on his every word. He had grown up to be a handsome man with an exotic and slightly dangerous air.
What did he want to tell her himself? Why had he not allowed Shulie to tell her about the ruby?
She decided to fasten her hair back in a severe knot at the nape of her neck, but, glancing at her reflection, Roxanne knew that it did not make her look any less attractive. The gown was so very elegant and flattering that she needed no jewels to appear to advantage.
‘The memsahib is beautiful,’ Shulie said and looked at her oddly. ‘My lord has always admired you—and I think he looks for another wife. I have been his wife for nine months and I have given him no sons.’
‘Nine months is not long,’ Roxanne said and smiled. ‘You do not need to fear me, Shulie. I would not seek to take your place. I am grateful for all you have done.’
‘My lord does not acknowledge the word no,’ Shulie replied and looked doubtful. ‘If he wants you, he will take you for his wife.’
‘At home Prince Ranjit may soon rule in his father’s place,’ Roxanne said. ‘This is England and he cannot take me as his wife against my will. Besides, I am already promised to another man. I am betrothed. I do not think Prince Ranjit would take the wife of another man.’
‘No, perhaps not, if you belong to another.’ Shulie’s face cleared and she handed Roxanne a spangled drape to wear over her head and shoulders. ‘If my lord wished you for his wife, I think I should not mind too much. You are lovely of nature as well as face; there are some who look for the honour who do not deserve it.’
‘Perhaps the prince will be satisfied to have just one wife.’
Shulie shook her head sadly. ‘It is the custom for a man to take several wives. If I had given him a son, my place as his chief wife would be assured, but now he may put another in my place.’
‘You must make him understand it would hurt you. If he loves you, you will remain the first in his heart even if he takes other wives.’
‘Perhaps.’ Shulie beckoned her. ‘We should not keep my lord waiting, memsahib. I know he will want you, but if you belong to another perhaps he will not insist that you become his wife.’
Roxanne’s heart raced as she followed Shulie out of the room and along the hall. There was no point in thinking of trying to escape. She had no idea of where she was being held and the prince’s men would be watchful. They had not gone to the trouble of kidnapping and then nursing her when she was in a fever simply to allow her to escape. The prince wanted something. Roxanne must pray that it was only the ruby he required from her. She knew that Shulie believed he wanted her for his second wife, but Roxanne had no intention of being taken off to India to live in a harem as one of the prince’s wives.
‘Nothing,’ the earl said and shook his head. ‘I cannot understand it, Luke. How could she have disappeared so completely? Had she been seen walking the roads we should have heard. She has not visited an inn or attempted to buy food at the markets or someone would have reported it to us for the reward money. I fear that she is either dead or kidnapped.’
‘From what I now know, I think she was taken by the servants of a wealthy Indian man,’ Luke said, his mouth pulled into a grim line. ‘I believe they want the ruby. It may have some religious significance, but that is merely a guess. Why they did not simply come and ask for the damned thing I do not know. I would willingly have given it.’
‘That gypsy fellow told you it is cursed,’ the earl said and his hand trembled. His eyes held an urgent appeal as he said, ‘You don’t think…she’s not dead, is she? Our girl’s not gone?’
‘No, Grandfather. I’m sure she is still alive. I would know if she were dead.’ Luke ran tormented fingers through his thick hair. He had dark shadows beneath his eyes and his face looked haggard from lack of sleep. ‘She can’t be dead. She must be a prisoner somewhere. I’m certain she would have written to you otherwise. It is too cruel to just disappear like this. I do not believe Roxanne is that careless of another’s feelings, especially someone she cares for. If she could have got word to us, she would by now.’
‘We must pray for her safe return,’ the earl said. ‘Have your agents heard nothing?’
‘I shall ride to the village and ask if there is a communication for me,’ Luke said. ‘Do not look so distressed, Grandfather. I shall find her. I swear to you that I will never rest. She shall be brought home…’ The words he added in his own mind were not meant for his grandfather’s ears.
Even if she is dead I shall find her body and bring her home to us. His throat closed and the agony in his mind was fearful. Roxanne, my love, please be alive. Your death will kill him…and me.
‘Come, sit here near me,’ Prince Ranjit said and captured her hand, leading her to an elegant little sofa. He took the gilded chair just opposite and waited for her to sit before sitting himself. She recalled that his father the Maharajah Jankara had had impeccable manners and he, too, behaved as a gentleman should. ‘Please tell me what happened to you, Miss Pearson. My father has been trying to find you for many months. Your family had no knowledge of your whereabouts and believed you dead.’
‘Some years ago I found myself in danger and I ran away from my aunt’s home. I became very ill and was rescued by a wonderful lady; she cared for me and became like a mother to me. Her name was Sofia and she lived with a band of travelling players. She had been a lady and the mistress of aristocrats and princes and we travelled together until she died.’
The prince nodded and Roxanne realised he already knew this part of her history. Somehow he or his agents had managed to trace her, not only to the camp, but also to the Hartingdon estate. He wanted to know the things his men had not already discovered about her life.
‘My father gave me a ruby to keep for him, your Highness,’ she said. ‘He said I must keep it with me always because it would make our fortune. He was returning to England to set up a home for us. However, my uncle and aunt coveted the jewel and they planned to sell me to a revolting man—a man who meant to use me in a way I cannot bring myself to mention. This was the reason I ran away.’ She paused, then, ‘Can you tell me where my father is living, please? Has he been looking for me?’