Secret Heiress (11 page)

‘You must call me Jack,' he said and grinned at her. ‘I am certain we shall all be great friends. I shall ask Mama to invite you all to her dinner next week.'

As the bell to announce the end of the interval rang
then, Eliza was saved from making a reply as the gentlemen left. She caught the mischief in Kate's eyes, but refrained from asking what she thought so amusing.

 

The third interval brought another stream of visitors to their box, all of them gentlemen, or, in one case, a lady known to them with her nephew, who had just joined her in Bath. Eliza hoped that Lord Seaton might return, but he did not; though she enjoyed the performance very much, she was disappointed not to have seen more of him.

He was much in her thoughts when she went to bed that evening, but she slept peacefully without dreaming.

 

Next morning was spent running small errands for Lady Sarah, and greeting Kate when she arrived for nuncheon.

‘I am looking forward to our drive this afternoon,' Kate said. ‘Mama told me she intends to visit Lady Sarah so you must not worry that she will be alone.'

‘Your mama is very kind,' Eliza said. ‘Lady Sarah wished to stay home for once, but she will be pleased to see Lady Julia—they are such good friends.'

‘Yes, they are,' Kate agreed and put on an innocent air. ‘Mama has known her all her life. They remained friends after…the trouble with Lord Manners. Lady Sarah has no secrets from my mother.' Kate's eyes sparkled with mischief. ‘Mama generally tells me most things, but she has merely hinted at something concerning you…she thinks she knows your secret, Eliza.'

‘My secret?' Eliza's heart pounded. Could Lady Julia have discovered that she was a lovechild? ‘I have no secret, Kate. I cannot think what you mean.'

‘You need not be afraid. Mama has not told me exactly, and neither of us would wish to harm you—but you may confide in me, you know. You are not quite what you seem—are you?'

‘Kate…' Eliza's cheeks burned—it seemed that Lady Julia must know the secret of her birth. ‘Please do not mention…I would not wish it generally known.'

‘I knew it,' Kate crowed and squeezed her arm. ‘Not a word shall pass my lips, I promise. Now, tell me, what did you think of Mr Hastings? Does he not seem an agreeable sort of man?'

Eliza was relieved to have the subject changed. She could not imagine how Lady Julia knew that the Bancrofts were not her parents, but it seemed that she did somehow.

‘Mr Hastings seems very agreeable. I think he and Lord Seaton are close friends.'

‘Yes, that is a fortunate thing,' Kate replied. ‘I do hope we shall be invited to dinner. I should like to see more of the agreeable Mr Hastings—would not you?'

‘What bee have you got in your bonnet now?' Eliza was determined to put the embarrassing moment behind her. Kate had promised not to reveal her secret, and though the girl loved to gossip, she would surely keep her word?

Kate smiled and shook her head. Eliza laughed, because she suspected her friend thought Mr Hastings might make Lord Seaton jealous.

 

When the gentlemen arrived they were both driving smart phaetons with beautiful horses, and both had a young tiger standing up at the back. Kate walked confidently towards Mr Hastings's rig and was assisted up the steps to sit beside him on the driving box. Eliza
approached Lord Seaton's phaeton with less confidence, feeling a little shy. She had thought they might all go together in an open landau driven by a coachman and was unsure it was a good idea to be seen alone with a gentleman. It was perfectly acceptable for Kate, of course, because the tiger was there for propriety's sake, but Eliza was a companion and she feared it might look as if she were getting above herself. A gentleman of Daniel's rank would hardly be courting a humble companion.

However, Lord Seaton's smile made her forget her fears. His expression was warm, if a little troubled, and he showed great consideration in seeing her settled.

‘I do not think it will be too cold for you,' he said as she took her seat beside him. ‘However, my tiger has a blanket should you need it.'

‘I am sure I shall not be in the least cold. The sun is very warm and the breeze is most welcome.'

‘How little fuss you make on any account.' Daniel smiled at her, but she saw a shadow in his eyes. ‘Are you always so forgiving, I wonder? I think what I have to tell you this afternoon may prove upsetting, Miss Eliza…I hope I may call you by your name, as Jack does?'

‘Yes, certainly, my lord.' Her eyes opened wider as she looked at him curiously. ‘You sound very serious?'

‘I am. Do you think you could call me Seaton, as my friends do? I think Daniel in private, but that may be a step too far just yet?'

‘I think it might be inappropriate, my…sir,' Eliza said and felt her cheeks getting warm. ‘There is a distance between us, even though you have been kind enough to make nothing of it. Perhaps you should tell me what is in your mind? I think you are troubled—is it on my account?'

‘You are always so perceptive.' Daniel glanced at her as they left the busy main street and turned off into a quiet country lane. ‘It might have been better had I waited until we could walk alone—but my tiger may be trusted. Even if he could hear us, he would never breathe a word. Would you, Will?'

‘What's that, my lord?'

Eliza smiled. ‘Are all your servants so well trained?'

‘I rescued Will from the streets of London, where unscrupulous fellows were preying him on. He is grateful for some reason. I really do not know why. I am not an easy master to work for.' A smothered laugh turned hastily into a cough told Eliza that the tiger's hearing was perfectly sound. ‘So we may speak freely.' Daniel hesitated, then, ‘A rumour has started in Bath concerning you, Miss Eliza. I am sorry to tell you that stories are circulating concerning your fortune.'

‘Concerning my fortune? I have none.' She looked at him in surprise. ‘No, how foolish! Where do the gossips get these stories?'

Hearing an expelled breath, she turned her head to look at him. ‘You do not mean…you could not have thought…'

‘If I am the cause of the rumours, it was a careless remark I made to an acquaintance Carstairs on the evening of the assembly,' Daniel said. ‘I believe the gown you wore made some people think you were one of the débutantes and he was curious as to who you were. He asked me if I knew your fortune and I told him it would not be enough for him. Unfortunately, he took it into his head that I was trying to put him off, because I intended to make an offer myself. The story has spread, and, as
with all such tales, it has grown. You are now believed to be a secret heiress.'

‘But that is terrible,' Eliza cried, shocked by his words. ‘That must be why all those…how shallow people are…' Her hands trembled in her lap, but she clasped them firmly together. Had that been what Kate meant? She had thought something different. She would take the first opportunity of disabusing her friend of the idea that she was an heiress. ‘To make so much of a careless remark…'

‘I wish I had bitten off my tongue rather than cause you distress, Eliza. Please forgive me. I did not intend this to happen, believe me—but I should have remembered what a wicked tongue Carstairs has. He is looking for a rich wife, so you may expect him to call.'

‘How awkward,' Eliza said. ‘I fear he will be much disappointed when he discovers the truth.'

‘You will not tell him, surely?' Ahead of them the other carriage had pulled to a halt at a point of advantage to admire the view. Daniel did the same. His tiger jumped down and he assisted Eliza to the ground. ‘There is no need for anyone to know.'

Eliza was prevented from replying by Kate, who called to them to come and admire the view a little further along the rise. Eliza gave Daniel a speaking look and walked to join the others, he a step behind her. For some minutes they all admired the view of Bath as it lay below them bathed in sunlight.

Eliza's thoughts were confused, but she quickly had them in order. Had she been looking to marry, the situation might have been awkward, for she must have told any suitor the truth and it would soon have been common knowledge, but since she was not thinking
of marrying anyone the rumour could not really harm anyone.

When Kate and Mr Hastings wandered away to explore a little further, Eliza turned to her companion.

‘I believe you may be right, sir. In time the truth is bound to come out, but for the moment it is probably best to ignore it. Lady Sarah's friends know I am her penniless companion and will soon set the gabblemongers straight. It would not be proper for me to mention the rumour to anyone, let alone a gentleman who is inclined to speak too freely.'

‘I doubt if he would believe you,' Daniel said and frowned. ‘Once these idiots get an idea into their heads it is useless to deny it, because they think you are trying to cover it up—though why you should wish to conceal your fortune if you had one is a mystery.'

‘I suppose I might be afraid of fortune hunters.' Eliza suggested and gave a gurgle of laughter. ‘How silly people are, Seaton. Why can they not judge someone for what they are rather than what they have?'

‘I could not agree more,' he said. ‘You can see the amusing side to this situation. I admit that I feared you would be angry with me.'

‘In part, Lady Sarah and I are to blame. She has bought me such lovely clothes, clothes a débutante might wear. I did ask her if she was sure I ought to wear a gown like that, but she insisted. I hope it will not upset her when she learns what some people are saying. I am sure she will squash the rumours immediately. If some refuse to believe her, they have only themselves to blame. Besides, it cannot matter—I have no intention of accepting an offer from anyone.'

‘Indeed?' His brows arched. ‘Do you never wish to
be married? Have you a strong dislike of the institution of marriage?'

‘No, certainly not. My parents were happy together…' Eliza frowned. Her adopted parents had been the perfect couple, but she knew nothing of her true mother or father. ‘I suppose I might marry in the right circumstances, but that is something for the future. While Lady Sarah needs me as a companion I would not think of leaving her.'

‘Ah, I see. Your sentiments are commendable, Miss Eliza. She seems extremely fond of you. It is a shame that her generosity towards you has given some the wrong impression.'

‘Yes. However, if you and others deny the story, I believe it will soon be forgotten. I may not be so popular next time we attend a ball or the theatre, but I shall not let it overset me.'

‘You are such a sensible young lady. I fear a denial may turn some of the old tabbies against you. However, if you smile and say you do not know how the rumour started, I dare say it will go away.'

‘Yes, of course,' Eliza agreed. If only he knew she was not sensible at all, for she was very much afraid she had fallen in love with him. ‘I am glad you told me, sir, for I am prepared and I shall make a point of telling everyone that I am merely Lady Sarah's companion.'

‘Perhaps you need not go so far. I am sure that if I drop a few hints about your fortune having been exaggerated the speculation will die a natural death. After all, Lady Marianne Cheadle is in Bath and she is beautiful and an heiress.'

‘I believe she may soon be engaged. I think her parents expect it.'

‘So much the better. It will give the gossips something
more interesting to discuss.' He offered his arm. ‘Shall we stroll in the direction of our friends, Miss Eliza? I believe we ought, do you not agree?'

‘Yes, certainly,' Eliza replied and smiled at him. ‘You are forgiven, sir. Please do not trouble yourself further on my account. I am certain you have more important things to tease you.'

‘I cannot think of anything more important than the comfort and reputation of a friend,' Daniel replied. ‘However, I must tell you that I am going out of town for a day or two. Jack wants my advice in the matter of setting up a racing stable. He has been offered some horses and I am to help him purchase them and engage the services of a trainer.'

‘Are you a judge of these things?' Eliza's eyes were bright with interest. ‘I have always loved to ride, though I have not been able to for a year or two.'

‘That is a shame. When I return to Bath I shall hire a suitable mount and we may go riding—if you would care for it?'

‘Yes, perhaps—if my employer does not need me.'

‘Your employer seems to wish you to enjoy yourself as much as possible.' Daniel frowned as she turned her head to call out to Kate. Something about her profile made him think she reminded him of another young girl…but that was impossible. Or was it? He recalled the ring he had taken from Cheadle in that card game and the ring he had seen briefly as Eliza handed it over before he returned it to her. They were very similar in design, though one was obviously meant for a lady's finger. He thought the inscriptions were identical, though he could not be certain the same person had commissioned them. It was perfectly possible that two different
individuals had asked for a similar inscription—and yet in a certain position there was a definite likeness.

When Daniel held up the marquis's coach, his first thought had been that she was on her way to become Cheadle's mistress. Eliza had denied it. Her ring came from her mother. The marquis was merely doing her employer a favour by conveying her in his coach. He had accepted her explanation and given the coincidence of the rings no further thought. Now he had begun to wonder.

Was it possible that Eliza was Cheadle's bastard? She was not so like Marianne Cheadle that it struck you immediately, but for a moment in the sunlight he had seen a likeness.

It was possible that he had stumbled on the truth. It was also possible that the marquis had recommended his bastard to a friend as a companion.