The Ragged Heiress Page 3

  Lucetta patted the mare’s sleek neck and with a gentle pressure of her heels encouraged the animal to walk on. Within minutes she was riding through a village lined with minute dwellings constructed of bamboo, with dirt floors and thatched roofs. Open at the front and sides, they were so different from the brick and stone buildings with which Lucetta was familiar that she could hardly believe that whole families lived in such a way. Chickens roamed freely, pecking at the ground, and mangy-looking curs lay sleeping in the shade, apparently indifferent to Lucetta’s presence. Small children stopped their play, plugging their thumbs in their mouths to gaze at her wide-eyed, while their mothers barely glanced up from washing clothes in what was little more than a drainage ditch at the side of the road.

  Feeling like an intruder, Lucetta allowed her horse to continue plodding along the dirt road, which seemed to be leading nowhere. Just as she was thinking that she must have come the wrong way the track opened out into a clearing at the foot of steep cliffs. She gasped in wonder at the sight of a temple hewn into the rock and covered in intricate carvings of strange-looking beasts and deities. Without thinking, Lucetta dismounted and, clutching the reins, she approached the gaping mouth of the god figure that framed the entrance to the pitch-dark interior of the temple.

  Without warning, she found herself surrounded by monks in blue robes who were shaking their fists and shouting at her in their native tongue. The mare reared in terror and the reins were snatched from Lucetta’s hand. Terrified and unable to make them understand that she meant no harm, Lucetta looked round for a means of escape, but found her way blocked by women and children who had appeared seemingly from nowhere. They surrounded her, pointing and staring as if she were an animal in the zoo. A small boy wrenched the riding crop from her hand and ran off shrieking with laughter as he wielded it in the air, and a toothless old woman snatched Lucetta’s hat and put it on her own head. The other women began to laugh and taunt her, but the monks turned on them and started pushing them away. In the midst of all this chaos Lucetta did not hear the sound of approaching hoofbeats until a group of men, dressed in the manner of European sailors, burst into the clearing and reined in their horses, throwing up clouds of grey dust.

  ‘Hello there.’ A young officer leapt off his horse, pushing his way through the chattering women and children. The Balinese were small by comparison and they scattered before him as he approached Lucetta. He doffed his cap. ‘You seem to be in a spot of bother, ma’am,’ he said, grinning broadly.

  Lucetta couldn’t help noticing that his companions were laughing as they dismounted, and instead of rushing to his aid they stood back watching with obvious amusement.

  ‘You save your maiden in distress, young Galahad,’ one of them shouted above the din.

  Lucetta felt her cheeks burning with humiliation. Fear was replaced by embarrassment. She knew that she must look a sorry sight, hatless and with her hair having escaped from the tight chignon at the nape of her neck. Her cream linen riding habit, made especially for her by Mama’s dressmaker in London, was stained with sweat and dust and her plumed riding hat was now perched jauntily on the head of the old woman who had stolen it moments earlier. Lucetta brushed a stray lock of hair from her brow and drew herself up to her full height. ‘Thank you, sir. But it was a simple misunderstanding.’ Despite her brave words she was uncomfortably aware that her voice shook and she was trembling from head to foot.

  ‘Are you hurt, ma’am?’

  She shook her head but her reply was lost as one of the monks stepped forward uttering a tirade of angry words. The women and children fell silent as he spoke, or perhaps, Lucetta thought, it was due to the fact that the sailors wore side arms and had formed a tight line behind the young officer. He stood his ground, and taking a handful of coins from his pocket he dropped them into the monk’s outstretched hand. This brought an immediate reaction from the women, who surged forward clamouring for money, but this time it was the monks who stepped in and with a few words delivered in ominous tones they dispersed the crowd. With a final impassioned few words from their leader, the monks disappeared into the dark interior of the temple and there was silence except for the chattering of monkeys in the trees and the background chorus of the tropical birds.

  Shaken and secretly ashamed of herself for causing such a scene, Lucetta forced herself to appear calm although she was inwardly quaking. ‘Thank you. I’m very grateful to you, sir, but it was a simple mistake. I was out riding and lost my way.’

  He held her hand for a brief moment. ‘Which could have proved extremely dangerous for you, Miss Froy.’

  ‘You know my name,’ Lucetta said, staring at him in astonishment. ‘Have we met before?’

  His serious expression melted into a charming smile. ‘You would not have noticed me, ma’am. I’m the first mate on the Caroline.’

  ‘I’m afraid I don’t remember you, Mr …’

  ‘Sam Cutler, miss.’

  Lucetta felt her blush deepening. This was so embarrassing. She must have seen this young man every day during their six-week voyage and yet she had absolutely no recollection of him. ‘I’m sorry, but then it was a big ship, and …’ Her voice tailed off as she realised that the men accompanying Sam Cutler were listening with unconcealed interest and obvious amusement.

  ‘And you were strictly chaperoned by that stern missionary lady with no sense of humour,’ Sam said helpfully. ‘Miss Trim, wasn’t it? I believe she even tried to convert some of these heathen fellows with me.’ He turned to his shipmates. ‘No success there then, mates? They have neither manners nor morals according to that lady. You must forgive my men, Miss Froy; they meant no disrespect to you earlier.’

  The man who had spoken out before had the grace to look slightly abashed. ‘No offence meant, miss.’

  ‘None taken,’ Lucetta said, smiling. ‘It was fortunate for me that you all happened along when you did.’

  ‘I would escort you home, Miss Froy, but we have important business to attend to. Have you far to go?’

  ‘Only to the British consulate, but I’d be grateful if you would put me on the right road.’

  Sam bowed from the waist, signalling to the man who had teased him for his chivalry. ‘Bates, fetch Miss Froy’s horse.’

  ‘Aye, aye, sir.’ Bates ambled over to the mare. She had found a patch of grass in the shade of a pandanus tree and was munching away placidly. He led the animal back to Lucetta and tossed her effortlessly onto the saddle. ‘There you are, ma’am. Best get back home as fast as you can. There are a couple of dangerous men on the loose.’

  ‘Thank you, Bates. That will do,’ Sam said, frowning.

  Lucetta was quick to hear the warning note in his voice and her curiosity was aroused. ‘Who are these men, Mr Cutler?’

  ‘Two criminals who were transported to Australia for life, but somehow managed to escape from the penal colony and made their way here, goodness knows how, but they did. We have the unenviable task of taking them back to London in irons, but they jumped ship last night.’

  ‘But isn’t that a task for the army or the Navy? Aren’t there any policemen in Bali?’

  ‘Apparently we’re the best they’ve got at the moment,’ Sam said with a wry smile. ‘You’ll be safe enough on the main road, so there’s no need to be afraid.’ He swung himself up into the saddle with the ease of an accomplished horseman and when the animal attempted to unseat him, he brought the spirited creature under control with a firm hand and a few softly spoken words. ‘Follow us, Miss Froy. We’ll put you on the road to Denpasar, if you’re sure you can make it back from there.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Lucetta murmured shyly. ‘I hope you catch your criminals, Mr Cutler.’

  He smiled and his teeth gleamed white and even in his suntanned face. ‘We will, never fear. And may I suggest that you take a groom with you next time?’

  Lucetta knew that she had been foolish, but she didn’t need a ship’s officer to speak to her as if she were a naughty child. The admirati
on she had felt for him just moments ago was replaced by indignation, quickly followed by humiliation. She was about to put him in his place when he leaned towards her and planted a kiss on her lips. It was over in a flutter of a butterfly’s wing and his touch was just as light, but the brief salute brought a cheer from his men and a gasp of shock from Lucetta.

  ‘H-how dare you?’ she murmured breathlessly.

  ‘I’m sorry, Miss Froy, but you have the most adorable pout that I’ve ever seen. You must forgive my bad manners, but I couldn’t resist the temptation.’

  ‘Come on, sir.’ Bates called from the edge of the clearing. ‘We’d best leave the temple before the monks turn nasty.’

  ‘Lead on, Bates. We’ll follow.’ Sam tightened the reins, wheeling his horse around. ‘We will escort you as far as we can, but do take care on the way back to the consulate. Don’t stop for anyone or anything.’

  Angry, shaken and yet oddly disturbed by the fleeting touch of his lips, Lucetta chose to ignore this last warning and she urged the little mare forward at a brisk trot. She had not realised how far she had strayed from the beaten track, and as she followed the cloud of dust thrown up by the horses’ hooves she had to admit that she would have had great difficulty in getting back to the main road on her own. When they parted at the crossroads, Sam reined his horse in so that they were side by side with their knees almost touching. ‘We have to leave you now, Miss Froy.’

  ‘Thank you, I know my way now,’ Lucetta said, avoiding his intense gaze. ‘I hope you catch the criminals.’

  ‘And I hope that you sail with us again on the Caroline. Perhaps we might be on nodding acquaintance then.’

  This brought her chin up and she met his eyes, suspecting him of teasing, but to her surprise she saw no hint of mockery in them. He was not handsome, she thought, or even particularly good-looking but his eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled and his mouth curved humorously even when he was being serious.

  Lucetta gulped and swallowed. She had lost her riding hat to the old woman at the temple and she was most likely suffering from a touch of the sun. ‘I must be on my way,’ she murmured. ‘I have to get back to the consulate before I’m missed.’

  She was about to ride on but he reached out to hold the reins. ‘Take care, Miss Froy.’

  ‘Lucetta. My name is Lucetta.’

  He took her hand and raised it to his lips. ‘Goodbye, Lucetta. We will meet again, I’m certain.’

  ‘I don’t want to hurry you, sir,’ Bates called from a little further along the road where the men had reined in their horses, ‘but we’ll never catch them at this rate.’

  Sam rode off, leaving Lucetta staring after him. She had lost her riding crop as well as her hat, and she could almost hear the freckles popping out on her nose and cheeks. She would be in for a scolding from Mama when she reached home. The sun was high in the sky and the heat was oppressive, but the ride back to the consulate was uneventful until Lucetta came to a stall by the wayside where two men had stopped to buy fresh coconuts. Her heart sank as she realised that it was her papa and his guide Agung who were sipping the cool sweet coconut milk. There was no chance of getting past them without being seen and she reined in her horse.

  ‘What in heaven’s name are you doing riding out alone?’ Henry Froy demanded angrily. ‘Have you no idea how dangerous it is for a young person such as yourself to be abroad unchaperoned in a foreign country?’

  ‘I’m sorry, Papa. I just wanted to get some fresh air.’

  ‘Fresh air? Are you mad, girl?’ Henry peered at her through the heat haze. ‘Just look at you, Lucetta. How did you come to be in that dishevelled state? Where is your hat? You’ll get a touch of the sun, that’s for certain.’

  Lucetta could see Agung staring at her with his mouth open and her father’s face had flushed to the colour of a boiled beetroot, but before she could think of a suitable reply a sudden tropical downpour spilled from the skies as if someone up above them had turned on a tap. The rain hit the ground hissing and spitting as it evaporated into steam and in seconds they were all soaked to the skin, but at least it put a stop to the interrogation and saved her the necessity of making excuses. She dared not tell Papa about the near catastrophe at the temple. If he knew the extent of her foolhardy escapade he would be justifiably angry and she would be punished. Granted a temporary reprieve by the rainstorm, Lucetta suffered an uncomfortable ride back to the consulate following in the wake of her father and Agung.

  The downpour ceased as suddenly as it had begun and their clothes were almost dry by the time they rode through the gates of the consulate compound and into the stables. Henry dismounted and tossed the reins to a groom but he left it to an underling to help his daughter from the saddle as if to underline his displeasure. ‘Go to your room, Lucetta. I’ll deal with you later.’

  ‘Yes, Papa. I’m very sorry. I didn’t stop to think …’

  ‘No, that’s your trouble, Lucetta. You do things without giving a thought to the consequences.’

  ‘It won’t happen again, Papa. I promise you.’

  ‘That won’t wash this time, Lucetta.’ Henry glared at her, his dark eyebrows drawn together in a frown. ‘You have been foolish in the extreme. There are dangerous men on the loose and anything could have befallen you. If I can’t trust you to behave like a grownup then I must treat you like the child that you undoubtedly are. You may be seventeen but you have behaved as irresponsibly as a six-year-old. You will remain in your room until I have decided on the most suitable punishment for you. Do you understand me, miss?’

  Chapter Three

  It was evening before Lucetta was allowed to leave her room. The tropical night had come down suddenly like a black velvet curtain. Paper lanterns cast a soft glow over the gardens and formed lazily shifting shadows on the veranda. The air was filled with the croaking of frogs and the noisy chorus of cicadas. In the drawing room, Eveline Froy reclined on silk cushions, fanning herself vigorously. Her pale oval face glistened with beads of perspiration and her voice was raised in querulous complaint. ‘How could you be so silly, Lucetta? Why did you go riding without a hat? You’ve got freckles all over your face and you’ve ruined your complexion.’

  ‘Calamine lotion will help with the sunburn,’ Lady Boothby said briskly. ‘And lemon juice will make the freckles fade, but it was both foolish and dangerous to ride out unattended, young lady. Heaven knows what might have happened if the men from the Caroline had not been out hunting for the escaped convicts.’ She glared at Lucetta over the rim of her coffee cup. ‘You could have caused a serious political incident by such irresponsible behaviour.’

  ‘I realise that now, ma’am,’ Lucetta said humbly. ‘It won’t happen again.’

  ‘Quite right. It won’t happen again.’ Lady Boothby slammed her cup and saucer down on the sofa table. ‘Sir John has given orders to the grooms that you are not to be allowed out on your own again under any circumstances. You will not leave the consulate without a chaperone. Is that understood?’

  Lucetta nodded her head mutely. She knew that she had done wrong, but she was weary with apologising. And was she sorry? If she were to be quite honest, no, she was not. Now that the danger was past, she realised that she had had a great adventure and she had received her first kiss from an impossibly attractive young man. She might have been outraged at the time, but in retrospect she could still feel the soft touch of his lips on hers and the memory sent her heart fluttering wildly in her breast.

  ‘Is that understood, Lucetta?’ Lady Boothby repeated forcefully. Her impressive bosom rose and fell as she took deep breaths, causing the strands of pearls that hung round her neck to clatter together as if her rather large, prominent teeth were chattering with cold – a virtual impossibility in this steamy heat.

  Lucetta came back to earth with a start. ‘Yes, ma’am.’

  ‘I’m so sorry, Pamela,’ Eveline murmured, clasping her hand to her forehead. ‘You’ve been so generous in your hospitality, and I’m as
hamed that my daughter has seen fit to abuse your trust.’

  ‘Now, now, Eveline, don’t upset yourself. You’ll only bring on one of your megrims again.’

  ‘Yes, you’re right.’ Eveline closed her eyes and sighed. ‘It’s your fault, Lucetta. I thought a trip abroad might tame that rebellious spirit of yours, but it seems I was mistaken. I don’t know what I’m going to do with you.’

  Lady Boothby raised her lorgnette and stared hard at Lucetta. ‘Marry the girl off at the first opportunity.’

  ‘But she’s only seventeen, Pamela. Lucetta won’t be eighteen until Christmas.’

  ‘I was married at seventeen,’ Lady Boothby said stiffly. ‘My papa arranged the match and I did as I was told. You may be in trade, my dear, but I’m sure that Mr Froy could set the girl up with a handsome dowry. There are plenty of young men from good families who will overlook the lack of breeding.’

  Lucetta held her breath, glancing anxiously at her mother to see if she had taken offence at the slur on their background, but to all outward appearances Mama seemed quite calm.

  ‘I expect that’s true,’ Eveline said meekly. ‘But I’m afraid we don’t move in those circles at home in London. We live a quiet life in Islington.’

  ‘Then you must think about changing your way of living. If your husband makes as much money from this voyage as he hopes, then why not arrange a London season for the girl? There are plenty of dowagers who will happily undertake the responsibility for a generous remuneration.’