Secret Heiress

by Anne Herries

  ‘Could you not employ an agent to find your child?’

  Lady Sarah stared at her unhappily. ‘I suppose I might, but this gossip has upset me. The same might happen again and it is so painful—not to say awkward for me. If my husband’s lawyers hear…’ She shook her head. ‘No matter. I shall not mind it.’

  ‘Would you like me to leave, ma’am? If you sent me away, the gossip would soon die.’

  ‘Yes, it would—but I shall not allow it to spoil our pleasure. You are a great comfort to me, Eliza. Please do not leave.’

  ‘I shall stay for as long as you need me, ma’am.’

  Lady Sarah nodded, but Eliza thought there was a little reserve in her manner. She was no doubt wondering why Eliza would not confide her own secret. Eliza made up her mind that she would do so once the gossip had died down. She would show her employer the ring and then tell her of how she came to be adopted by the Bancrofts. In the meantime, she would take every opportunity to deny the foolish rumours.

  Daniel walked from his meeting with Cheadle feeling relieved that the business was over. He had returned the marquis’s ring, refused to take the money offered, asking quite bluntly to be told what Cheadle knew of his cousin’s affairs.

  ‘Marcus Standish was a fool,’ Cheadle said, answering in as blunt a fashion as Daniel asked. ‘He was in with a crowd of whom I know little and wish to know less. If you imagine I am mixed up in their shady business, whatever it may be, you mistake the matter. You should address your questions to Kettleton. I believe they were thick together at one time—but I can be of no more help. As far as your cousin’s debt was concerned, I regret now that I spoke to Standish of the matter.’

  ‘Had you waited a while, I think he would not have minded as much. A gambling debt must be paid, after all.’ Daniel frowned. ‘I do not think I know Kettleton—where may I look for him?’

  ‘I think he has a house in the country somewhere. It may be somewhere near your uncle’s home, but I can tell you no more. I have played cards with the man—who is a cheat, I may tell you. It was because he tried to fleece me that I was angry over your cousin’s debt. I thought it a plot between them to recover Marcus’s debt, but I may be mistaken.’

  Cheadle frowned. ‘I am known to be ruthless in play and I do not suffer fools gladly—but I am not a cheat. Your father drank too much the night he lost heavily to me. I warned him to give it up, but he would not listen. Indeed, he increased the stakes. I dare say you hate me for it, but I could hardly refuse to play with him.’

  ‘My father was suffering from grief after my mother’s death. What he did was foolish but, as I said previously, a gambling debt must be paid.’

  ‘Yes, it must. However, had I known of your mother’s recent death, I might have forgone the debt. I am sorry for it if it has caused you difficulty?’

  ‘My affairs are my own,’ Daniel said stiffly. ‘I believe our business is at an end, Cheadle. You have your ring—and I accept that you knew little of my cousin’s affairs.’

  ‘Kettleton is a dangerous man,’ Cheadle said as Daniel prepared to leave. ‘Be careful of him, Seaton.’

  ‘Thank you for your concern. Good day, sir.’

  Daniel was thoughtful as he left the marquis. His warning was uppermost in his mind as he walked towards his lodgings.

  Eliza wore her white gown again that evening. She glanced at herself in the mirror when she was ready, wondering why people should have become convinced that she was Lady Sarah’s daughter. She did not think they looked alike for Lady Sarah’s colouring was not the same. Her hair was much darker, her eyes that greenish-brown that some people called hazel.

  If Kate had caused this distress, it really was too bad of her!

  Putting the troublesome thoughts from her mind, Eliza went along the hall to her employer’s room. Lady Sarah looked at her thoughtfully.

  ‘You must hold your head high, Eliza, and do not mind what people say to you—but remember, if you are in distress, we shall go to my home. I am determined not to part with you whatever happens.’ She sighed. ‘I have decided to employ an agent to find my daughter, as you suggested, but I am not sure how to begin.’

  ‘You must be very careful, for your husband’s lawyer might make trouble for you.’

  ‘He might try…’ Lady Sarah shook her head. ‘I do not care for what he may say, but my son might be upset—and I should not like to be turned out of my home.’

  ‘I am sure one of the Bow Street Runners would be discreet, ma’am.’

  ‘What do you know of such men?’

  ‘Nothing personally, but I have heard that they can sometimes find people.’

  ‘I imagine Lord Seaton might know more,’ Lady Sarah said, looking thoughtful. ‘I may ask him how one goes about these things when he calls on us.’

  ‘I believe he is going out of town for a day or two,’ Eliza said. ‘A matter of some horses.’

  ‘Well, I dare say it will keep until he returns.’

  The subject was dropped as they went out to the waiting carriage.

  The ballroom was even more crowded that evening, if that were possible. Eliza tried to find a seat next to Lady Sarah, for she would have preferred not to dance, but Kate would not allow it.

  ‘You must not allow the gossips to win,’ she said and took Eliza’s arm firmly, guiding her to the ballroom. ‘You will dance with everyone just as before and let people think what they will. And I am sorry, Eliza, if something I said carelessly has led to this gossip. I truly believed you were Lady Sarah’s daughter and so did Mama. She is most upset to have distressed her good friend and she’s very cross with me—though all I said was that it was fortunate Lady Sarah had found someone she could love as a daughter. I did not mean to start a rumour.’

  ‘Yes, I think I see how it happened. The gossips already imagined I was a secret heiress and it was a short jump from there to thinking that Lady Sarah had decided to introduce her lovechild to society. Were there many that knew at the time, do you think?’

  ‘Her friends must have known. Mama said there was some gossip concerning her seclusion, and people do not forget. Years later they still remember scandal and often make things worse by inventing what they do not know—as we did. I am very sorry, Eliza. I thought it so fortunate for you—but I have hurt you and I would not do so for the world.’

  ‘I should have been plain with you, Kate. I thought you meant something else.’ She shook her head as Kate questioned. ‘Not here. People already think ill of me. I would not have them overhear something that would convince them all they were right in the first place.’

  ‘Well, it was an easy mistake to make, considering how fond Lady Sarah is of you, Eliza.’

  Kate did not know that Eliza had been adopted as a baby or she would have been convinced of the truth of her theory.

  They had entered the ballroom and Eliza tried to put her distress from her mind. Almost immediately, gentlemen wishing to dance approached Eliza and Julia. The first were Mr Thatcher and Lord Smythe. Mr Thatcher was as polite as on the first evening. She could detect no change in his manner and acquitted him of being affected by the gossip. Their dance was pleasant, as was the one she enjoyed with Lord Smythe. It had no sooner ended than she saw Daniel coming towards her, a look of determination on his face. Her heart stopped for one moment and then raced on as he inclined his head.

  ‘I believe you have saved two dances for me, Miss Eliza—may I enquire when I am to have the pleasure?’

  ‘The next set of dances, if you please—and a waltz later in the evening, sir.’

  ‘I am delighted to have arrived in time. I was delayed for a few minutes or I would have been here at the start.’

  ‘I did not reserve the first dances for I was not perfectly sure at what time we should arrive ourselves, sir.’

  Without meaning to, Eliza had given something of her feelings away. Daniel looked at her intently. ‘Has something more happened?’

  ‘No… Yes,’ she replied. ‘Nothing I can sp
eak of here, sir. Lady Sarah hopes you will call on her soon.’

  ‘I would do so tomorrow if I could, but I am promised to Hastings. I shall be away only two days. Will that be soon enough?’

  ‘I am sure it will.’ Eliza smiled. ‘I assure you it is not urgent. Shall we enjoy our dances?’

  ‘Yes, of course.’ Daniel took her hand, leading her into the formal dance. It was the kind where sets of steps were performed in rotation and partners changed, returning to one’s original partner at the end of the formation.’

  It was impossible to do more than exchange a few words when they performed their set at the end of each change. After the music ended, Daniel took her arm and steered her towards the long windows that led out on to the terrace.

  ‘Would you not like a breath of fresh air, Miss Eliza? It is very warm, is it not?’

  ‘Yes, it is a little,’ she agreed, glancing at the stern set of his chin. ‘Is something wrong?’

  He did not answer until they were on the terrace, and even then he waited until they reached the shadows at the far end before turning to her fiercely.

  ‘Why did you not tell me immediately?’

  ‘Oh…you overheard something?’

  ‘One of my partners was agog with the news. She whispered to me in confidence that you were Lady Sarah’s lovechild.’

  ‘Of course it is utter nonsense,’ Eliza said. ‘You really should not listen to gossip, sir. People will make these things up. I have no idea why it pleases them to imagine such things.’

  ‘Are you sure it isn’t true?’ Daniel’s gaze narrowed suspiciously as he looked at her. ‘Tell me the truth, Eliza.’

  ‘If I thought… It is just rumour,’ Eliza said. ‘It cannot be true. Even if…no, it is not my story to tell. I shall not add fuel to the flames. You should ignore the stories. They are exaggerated and foolish.’

  ‘I should not be happy if I thought you had made a fool of me, Eliza.’ He looked at her hard. ‘I will ask you again—is there any chance that these stories could be true?’

  ‘No…’ Eliza moved away from him. How could the rumours be true when she had been found in the church and Lady Sarah’s daughter had been given to a good family? It was mere coincidence. ‘Do not press me. I think I shall return to the ballroom.’

  ‘Eliza…’

  She ignored him as he seemed to call her back. It was very wrong of him to demand answers, and at such a time. Anyone might overhear. She could not be sure of anything and she would say nothing to anyone. There was only one person she was prepared to ask for the truth and she would do that as soon as she could.

  Eliza returned to the ballroom and sought her employer. Lady Sarah was talking to a rather beautiful young lady, who turned as Eliza approached.

  The girl had dark honey-coloured hair and blue eyes. She was very lovely, the line of her cheek perfect, as was her skin. Her dress was white and sewn with sparkling stones that looked like diamonds, and she wore a pendant of diamonds at her white throat.

  ‘Eliza, my love—this is the Marquis of Cheadle’s daughter, Marianne. She has just asked us to her dance next week. I have said we shall be delighted to go.’

  ‘Miss Bancroft,’ Marianne said and her voice was soft with a lilt of musicality, ‘how nice to meet you. My father spoke of you to me. I shall be happy to know you as a friend.’

  ‘Thank you, Lady Marianne. You are very kind…’ Eliza hesitated. ‘You will think me rude, but you are not like your father?’

  ‘No, I take after Mama in looks.’

  ‘Your mama was a great beauty in her day,’ Lady Sarah said. ‘And your father is still a handsome man—you would be fortunate to favour either of them.’

  ‘Papa says I am like him in other ways.’ Marianne smiled at Eliza. ‘Shall we go back to the ballroom together? I know most people here, but I always feel awkward until someone asks me to dance—and we have only just arrived because Mama was not satisfied with my dress and called the seamstress to make some adjustments.’

  ‘Your dress is lovely,’ Eliza assured her. Her eyes went to her employer. ‘You are quite comfortable, Lady Sarah?’

  ‘Perfectly, my dear,’ her employer replied. ‘Go and enjoy yourself while you can.’

  Eliza nodded. She walked back into the ballroom, standing just inside the doorway at Marianne’s side just as Daniel walked back through the French windows. She saw him staring hard, watched his eyes narrow and the thin line of his mouth as he turned and walked into the card rooms.

  Eliza’s heart beat rapidly. He was angry because she had refused to answer him, leaving him standing on the terrace. There could be no other reason for his hard look.

  She was aware that more than one person had turned their head to look in her direction, but accepted that most were staring at Marianne Cheadle, who was undoubtedly one of the most beautiful girls in the room. Within minutes, she was surrounded by young men begging her for a dance, and when Eliza’s partner came to claim her Marianne was already dancing.

  ‘Have you known Lady Marianne long?’ her partner asked.

  ‘We met just this evening,’ she replied. ‘I am sure I could introduce you if you wished to ask her for a dance, though she may not have many left.’

  ‘I know Lady Marianne,’ he replied. ‘I believe she intends to marry a duke…but Accrington’s family is very high in the instep. They would cry off at the hint of a scandal.’

  Eliza did not reply. Was he hinting that it would not do for Marianne’s name to be linked with hers? She felt a hot rush of embarrassment and almost missed her step.

  It was so foolish. All this innuendo and gossip over nothing. Yet if it would harm Marianne, an innocent girl of unblemished reputation, to be seen with her, it must be avoided at all costs.

  Eliza felt as if she wanted to weep, but would not allow herself to give way. She held her head high and managed to smile and converse with her partners as usual. No one else mentioned Lady Marianne and she told herself she was being too sensitive. No one knew anything for sure. She was not even certain herself.

  Lady Marianne danced for most of the evening, but just before supper she came up to Eliza and took her arm.

  ‘Do say you will eat supper with me, Miss Bancroft.’

  ‘I ought to look after Lady Sarah—’ She broke off as she saw the Marquis of Cheadle staring at them. He was frowning as he came up to them.

  ‘Your mama wants you, Marianne.’ His eyes moved from her to Eliza as his daughter immediately obeyed his unspoken order. ‘Miss Bancroft. I have something I wish to ask you—would it be convenient if I were to call in the morning?’

  ‘Yes, of course, if you wish, sir.’

  Eliza was relieved for it meant she would not have to go out of her way to speak to him. He seemed angry, though his anger was controlled, the only sign a flicker at his temple. He bowed his head and walked off, leaving her standing alone.

  She turned, intending to look for Lady Sarah when a man moved across her path. Lifting her gaze to his face, she saw that it was Daniel and he still appeared to be angry.

  What had she done that was so terrible?

  ‘I came to tell you that Lady Sarah is feeling a little unwell,’ he said, his mouth drawn into a thin line. ‘Her carriage has been sent for, but she wished you to accompany her home.’

  ‘Yes, of course. I shall come immediately. I was about to seek her out.’

  ‘What were you speaking to the marquis about?’ Daniel asked as he took her arm and steered her from the ballroom to the small anteroom where Lady Sarah was sitting. Lady Julia and Kate were both with her, but she looked distressed until she saw Eliza.

  ‘Ah, there you are, dearest,’ she said and held her hand out. ‘Forgive me for spoiling your evening, but I have such a terrible headache.’

  ‘I am quite ready to leave,’ Eliza replied and took her hand, holding it gently for a moment. ‘I fear you have been doing too much, ma’am—or perhaps you are upset?’

  ‘Just a little,’ Lady Sarah a
dmitted. ‘People are so unkind at times. Someone had the effrontery to suggest that you might be a fortune hunter and told me to be careful. I am afraid I was sharp with her. Give me your arm, Eliza. I am rather tired this evening.’

  Eliza felt as if someone had poured cold water over her. She pressed trembling fingers to her lips.

  ‘Let me help you, ma’am,’ Daniel said and offered his arm. ‘I am stronger than Miss Eliza and you do look a little pale.’

  He took her hand, placing an arm about her as he helped her from the Assembly Rooms out into the night air, which was considerably cooler.

  ‘That is better. It was rather hot inside,’ Lady Sarah said and he helped her into the carriage. ‘You are so kind, sir. I thank you for your attention. Please visit me soon. I do need to talk to you quite urgently.’

  ‘I shall call as soon as I return to town.’ Daniel looked at her in concern. ‘Would you like me to call a doctor for you?’

  ‘No, thank you. It is merely a headache. I shall be quite well once I am at home.’

  ‘I wish you better,’ he said and glanced at Eliza sternly. ‘Take care of your mistress, Miss Bancroft.’

  The coldness in his tone and his manner of address shocked Eliza. He had never looked at her in quite that way, and she felt his anger once more. What had she done to upset him? Did he think her a fortune hunter, as it seemed others believed?

  The question fled her thoughts as she attended to Lady Sarah, finding her smelling salts and then her lozenges in her reticule. Her employer placed a lozenge on her tongue and sat back with a sigh.

  Eliza looked at her anxiously. She had not realised how frail Lady Sarah truly was until now. Tears stung her eyes. She would hate to be the cause of so much distress to a woman of whom she was becoming very fond.

  Lady Sarah was much recovered in the morning. She declared that it had just been a headache, but Eliza suspected that there was more. However, she did not question her employer—she would surely tell her if she wished her to know.