Lord Deverill's Secret (16 page)

“It all seems incredible,” she said with a shudder.

“Believe me, the danger is very real. Will you at least think about it? Not only for your sake, but for your sister’s.”

“I was planning to return for a few days anyway.”

“Good.”

“The danger is real, you say?”

“Yes. Very real.”

“Then I’m worried about Lizzie. If anything happens to me…”

“It is not her fault that she has been caught up in all of this. If any harm befalls you, you may rest assured I will make her my ward.”

“Thank you. That means a great deal to me.”

“But nothing is going to happen to you. Cassandra—”

She turned up her face to his.

“Yes?”

He was about to speak, and then appeared to think better of it, because bending towards her he tried to kiss her softly on the forehead, but she turned away, confused.

“Cassandra!” came a voice, breaking the moment.

“It’s Maria,” she said. “I must go.”

He nodded. “You will remain on your estate until I have found out who is responsible for attacking you?” he asked.

“Yes,” she said. “I will.”

She did not like the idea of being driven out of Brighton, but she could not risk her life whilst Lizzie had no one else to rely on. She knew that Justin would keep his word if anything happened to her, but the little girl needed more than a guardian. She needed a family, and Cassandra was all the family she had left.

“I think you should go first thing tomorrow morning,” he said.

“Very well. Do you think I will be followed?”

“No. I will make sure you are not,” he said.

She was surprised at his uncompromising tone, but then reminded herself that he had spent years working for the government on dangerous endeavours, and that this sort of situation was not unknown to him. She was still learning things about him, which added to her confused feelings, which alternately drew her towards him then pulled her back.

She walked over to the door, then turned back. “Will you catch the ringleader?”

“Yes. We will. We’ve narrowed down our search and are closing in on him—or her. We have a list of a dozen names. It’s only a matter of time before we catch whoever it is.”

“And you will let me know if you catch them, so that I may return?”

“Yes, I will.”

She nodded, then opened the door and went out. Justin followed her. The rain had stopped, all but for a last few spots, and the sky was beginning to clear.

“I think it will be better if we don’t walk back together,” she said.

“Very well.”

She heard Maria’s voice again and began to walk towards it, but Maria was much closer than she had thought, and quickly came into view.

“There you are. We thought we had lost you.” Maria’s eyes moved to Justin. “Lord Deverill!” she said in surprise.

“Lord Deverill’s sister owns the house,” said Cassandra. “We met whilst walking round the lake.”

“Oh!” said Maria.

“Have you enjoyed your visit?” asked Justin, covering the awkward moment with a pleasantry.

“Yes, thank you, it’s a fine house. A very fine house.”

“Good. I’m glad you think so. My sister will be pleased. Nothing gratifies her more than to know that other people appreciate it!”

They began to walk back towards the stables, talking of the splendour of the mansion. They had almost reached the end of the lawn when a young woman rounded a corner of the house ahead of them. She was small and dainty, and was dressed in a bewitching carriage-dress of amber muslin with a matching pelisse. Yellow gloves formed a fashionable contrast, and a Roxborough hat adorned her dark curls. Behind her trotted Troilus, looking very pleased to have his mistress home again.

“Justin! They told me at the house that you were here! What a welcome surprise. You must stay to tea and tell me all about Troilus. Did he behave himself—Oh!” she went on, catching sight of the rest of the party. “You have guests.” Her eyes ran over Cassandra, Maria and Harry, and then returned to Cassandra. “How very charming. You must all stay to tea.”

“It’s very kind of you, but we mustn’t inconvenience you,” began Cassandra, sensing a feeling of constraint coming from Justin. And small wonder, for the atmosphere between them was far from easy.

“It’s no inconvenience. I insist. It isn’t often I have unexpected visitors, and as Justin will tell you, I love surprises.”

“If you’re sure it’s no trouble,” said Maria, delighted.

“None at all. Quite the reverse. I have been longing to show someone the new chimney piece in the dining-room, and now I will be able to do so. We don’t show the dining-room to casual visitors, but it is one of the best rooms in the house.”

“Thank you. We’d be delighted,” said Harry.

The five of them turned and walked back to the house together.

“You must allow me to introduce you,” said Justin, his attitude becoming less constrained. “My sister, as always, has run on, without a thought for the conventions.”

He spoke with a smile which took any sting out of the words.

“I confess, I had quite forgotten,” she said with a dimple.

“Might I present my sister, Lady Anne Carmarthon. Mr. and Mrs. Winter, and Miss Paxton.”

The introductions over, Anne said, “Now tell me, Justin, did Troilus behave himself?”

“In a manner of speaking,” said Justin.

Anne looked at him questioningly.

“He hid my cravat, chewed my best boots and horrified the Duchess of Loomonth by licking her face.”

“The Duchess invariably wears too much powder, and it must have offended Troilus’s sense of what was proper,” said Anne with a saucy smile.

Justin laughed.

In his sister’s company, at least, he could be relaxed, thought Cassandra. Listening to their light-hearted banter, she caught a glimpse of his family life. His sister obviously trusted him and loved him very much. Anne had been left in his care as a young girl, and had gone on to become a happy woman, and she hoped that she could do as well by Lizzie.

She turned to look at Justin. His face had lost its strained lines and become open and carefree. He looked younger, and his smile was appealing. He was a different man away from state problems, and she found herself wishing they had met in happier circumstances. Then she might have seen more of his lighter side.

“But you have not been looking after him properly,” Anne continued as they walked towards the house. “He looks overfed. You must have been giving him titbits. Either that, or not walking him enough.”

“It has nothing to do with that, and everything to do with the string of sausages he stole from the breakfast-table yesterday,” remarked Justin.

“A likely story! Justin always overfed the dogs, even as a boy,” said Anne confidingly.

“I can rely on my sister to destroy my reputation with anyone she meets,” he remarked.

“Of course. That’s what sisters are for,” she teased him.

“As long as you accuse me of nothing worse than over-feeding the dogs, I will be content.”

“I will say nothing more. Of the time you took father’s horse when he had expressly forbidden you to ride it I will say nothing. And talk of how you climbed on to the roof, pretending it was the turret of a castle, and then fell off and broke your arm will never cross my lips. Nor will I embarrass you by telling everyone how you rescued my doll when Cousin William threw her into the lake.”

It began to rain again and they hurried into the house. Footmen helped them remove their outdoor clothes and then Anne led the way into the dining-room.

“Oh!” said Maria.

“Do you like it?” asked Anne.

“It’s wonderful,” said Maria, going over to the chimney piece and admiring the intricately carved marble.

“Don’t encourage her,” said Justin fondly.

“I was so pleased when we found this house,” said Anne. “It had become very run down, and my husband and I have spent the last three years restoring it. This is my favourite room.”

Cassandra could see why. It was a large apartment, with high ceilings and elegant proportions. Decorated in shades of pale green, it had white plasterwork on the walls and ceiling, and the furniture was Louis XVI. Its graceful lines complemented the graceful proportions of the room. An Aubusson carpet covered the floor, adding an air of restrained luxury to the room.

After bidding them sit down, Anne rang for tea.

“How did you enjoy your stay in London?” Justin asked Anne.

“Well enough, but it was really too hot. Have you been to the capital, Miss Paxton?” she asked.

“Yes,” said Cassandra. “Not very often, but on occasion.”

“Aren’t the shops wonderful?”

“Yes, they are.”

“I visited Ackermann’s showrooms, and of course I went to Grafton House. Charles swears he will not go to Grafton House with me again, as I spent four hours there examining all the fabrics. I declare, it only felt like four minutes to me.”

“How is Charles?” Justin asked.

“Very well. He is coming home tomorrow. I like to arrive first,” she said to Cassandra. “Then I can have everything ready by the time he gets here.”

“Have you read any more of Mrs. Radcliffe’s novels?” asked Cassandra.

She looked from Cassandra to Justin in surprise.

“I came across Miss Paxton on the way to the library and we exchanged our views on the latest novels. I told her you were fond of Mrs. Radcliffe’s books.”

“I see. No, I have not read anything by Mrs. Radcliffe recently, but I have just read Maria Edgeworth’s
Belinda
.”

“I haven’t read that,” said Cassandra. “I have just finished
Castle Rackrent
.”

“Oh, that is much better. It is one of my favourites. Did you like it?”

“Yes, I did. My only complaint is that it is too short.”

“That is exactly what Justin said! But it is still a very good book. I like it almost as much as
Udolpho
.”

They talked of books until tea was brought in, comparing the different Brighton libraries and discussing their favourite novels. The butler and footmen carried in everything necessary on a succession of trays and Anne presided.

“Do you play at cards?” she asked Cassandra afterwards.

“Yes.”

“Oh, good. I am a terrible player, but Justin likes to play. This table is perfect for cribbage,” she said, pulling a table forward and taking out a deck of cards. She turned to Maria and Harry. “I hope you will indulge me by telling me what I have missed in Brighton whilst I have been away.”

“Of course,” said Maria.

Harry added his assent.

“You must forgive my sister,” said Justin.

“Not at all,” said Cassandra, not wanting to betray her feelings.

In truth, she scarcely understood them herself. She should not feel plea sure in his company, and yet she did. Confusingly, she also felt pain. There was no denying that her life had become difficult since meeting Justin, but she would not have foregone their meeting, even if she could have done.

“Will you go first?” he asked.

“Yes.”

He dealt the cards and they began to play. Justin was a good player, but Cassandra had the satisfaction of beating him. Her luck did not hold, however, and she lost their next game. A third game would have decided it, but as Justin began to shuffle the cards the clock on the mantelpiece chimed the hour.

“We must be going,” said Maria, standing up.

Cassandra glanced at the clock, and was surprised to see that two hours had passed. The visit had been far longer than was generally acceptable, but Anne did not seem to mind.

“I have been so glad to meet you,” she said. “I hope you will do me the honour of attending my ball the week after next.”

“That’s very kind of you,” said Maria. “Harry and I would be delighted.”

“I hope you, too, will come,” said Anne to Cassandra.

Faced with a direct invitation, Cassandra did not feel she could refuse. To her surprise, she did not mind. The afternoon had done much to dispel the awkwardness she had felt in Justin’s company. She had enjoyed talking to him and playing with him, discovering a companionableness that she had not expected.

“Good,” said Anne. “Then it is settled.”

The carriage was brought round. Cassandra took her place beside Maria and opposite Harry, and the coach rolled away.

“Well, I did not expect that,” said Maria with satisfaction.

“Nor I,” said Cassandra, thinking of her surprising day.

“And to crown it all, an invitation to a ball.”

“Yes.”

Cassandra could not decide whether she was looking forward to the ball or not. It would be difficult in some ways, and yet her spirits rose when she thought about it.

“We must spend the next few days shopping,” said Maria. “I need some new lace for my dress, and I am sure you need something, too.”

“I will not be here for the next few days,” said Cassandra.

“Not here?” asked Maria in surprise. “What do you mean?”

“I am taking the spare furniture back to the estate. I don’t want it cluttering up the house when I try to sell it.”

“Oh, I see. Can John not see to it?”

“It’s not fair to expect him to do it alone. Besides, he will not know where to put everything. I have not decided myself. If I go with him, I can sort it out before returning.”

“But you will not be gone for too long?”

“No, I hope not.”

“Then we will go shopping when you come back.” Maria hesitated, then said, “I should not tell anyone you are going away, Cassie. If you do, you will have to tell them why, and it is better not to let everyone know you are poverty stricken. There’s no need to mention selling the house until you are absolutely certain you are going to do so.”

“Some people seem to know about it already. It’s difficult to prevent such news leaking out.”

“Even so, there is no need to advertise it.”

Cassandra agreed, but for very different reasons. The fewer people who knew she was leaving Brighton, the better.

“Very well,” she said.

She found herself hoping that Justin would be able to find the traitors’ ringleader quickly so that she could return to Brighton and finish her business. And she could not disguise from herself the fact that she was looking forward to Anne’s ball.