He’d been a bit groggy that day in the Harveys’ bedroom when Justin and de Dalmy had visited him, for the doctor was still dosing him with some concoction to keep his pain at bay. However, he now recalled Justin’s tale of a blonde French girl he had forced to go to France with him as a guide. He had called her Mary and said she claimed to be the daughter of the chef of the de Mérchans. It could be no other than Merriana, he realized, and his brow wrinkled in worry. Was Merriana an impostor? Was she merely a chef’s daughter who was taking advantage of his uncle’s love for his dead sister? Charles knew that he must find out as much as possible from Justin about this girl.
He grimaced as he moved to follow Justin, who was hurrying toward the door of the ballroom. His leg was causing him a great deal of pain by the time he ran Justin down in one of the salons that had been set aside for those who preferred cards to dancing.
“Cardleigh,” he called just before Justin was to take his seat at one of the tables. Justin turned and walked to him with an expressionless face. “You wished to see me, Charles?” Charles noted that the muscle was still jerking in Justin’s jaw.
“Yes, but not here. I’m leaving shortly. This damn leg of mine is kicking up. The doctor told me to limit my activity, and I’ve ignored his instructions for too long. I fear I may have quite a bit of swelling in the leg tomorrow and should stay off it. Would it be an imposition to ask you to call at my uncle’s house tomorrow morning?”
“Not if you feel you need to see me.”
“I do,” Charles said firmly.
Justin nodded although his frown suggested this was not a visit he looked forward to. “Would eleven o’clock be convenient?”
“I’ll be expecting you,” Charles replied. He turned and limped toward the door. The one time he glanced back, he realized that Justin’s eyes were still fixed on him, an expression of worry in their depths.
Chapter 13
Justin arrived at the Duke of Daughrity’s house two minutes before eleven o’clock on the following morning, and a footman promptly escorted him to the library where Charles sat with his leg propped up on a small footstool.
“Forgive me for not getting up, Justin. As I predicted, this blasted leg is quite swollen today. Uncle Sylvester sent for his own surgeon early this morning, but there’s nothing he could do. Just told me to stay off it or suffer the consequences, as I am doing now.”
“Should you not be in bed, Charles? I can’t feel that propping your leg up would be as effective as bed rest.”
“Damn, Justin, but you sound just like my uncle’s doctor. I assure you, however, that I will go to bed soon. But I must talk to you first.”
“You sound quite grim, my friend.”
“Perhaps the situation is grim. Frankly, I could use a touch of brandy. There’s some in that decanter on the sideboard against the wall. Pour us both a glass, will you?”
Justin strolled to the sideboard, poured each of them a glass of brandy, and then returned to seat himself in a chair facing his friend.
“Well, Charles, what is it that you wish to talk to me about?”
Charles swirled his brandy and sat staring into the amber liquid for a moment, as though it could tell him how to begin his question.
“You remember, Justin, that day when you and de Dalmy visited me at the Harvey farm? Yes? Well, then, you probably remember it better than I do, because that doctor had me dosed up on some sort of medication to relieve pain. Only last night, when I saw you and Merriana dancing, did I recall your conversation from that day. Justin, was Merriana the suspected French agent you took to France with you to rescue de Dalmy?”
“Yes, she was.”
“And do you still think she’s a French agent?”
“No.”
“Well, then, do you think she’s my sister?” Charles was watching his friend’s face very closely and noted Justin’s wince.
“Frankly, I don’t know. She consistently claimed to be the daughter of your old chef, but that proves nothing. She could have had legitimate reasons for doing so. If she didn’t trust me, for example.”
“She ran away from you at the Drake and Cock,” Charles stated in a flat voice, but there was still a question in his tone. Justin jumped to his feet to pace to the windows on the far side of the room that looked out on an enclosed garden. He stared out at the greenery for a few seconds before turning to face Charles.
“I had offered Merriana carte blanche,” he said.
Charles nodded. “If you are expecting the denouncements of an enraged brother, Justin, you’ll be disappointed. We are both aware that for you to offer carte blanche to the daughter of a chef is not the insult it would be to make such an offer to my sister—if she is my sister. Still, I don’t understand why she ran away from you. You’re not a man to apply pressure when a suggested liaison is rejected.”
Justin laughed, although he was obviously not amused. “No more do I understand it, Charles. If you know why Merriana fled as she did, I wish you will share the information with me.”
Charles merely shook his head. “I’ve not had time to become well acquainted with her, and I doubt that she’s mentioned you to Uncle Sylvester, for surely he would have told me about it if she had.” He sighed. “I’ll have to investigate her claim someday,” he said softly. “And I pray that her story is true. Her arrival has delighted my uncle. Having an opportunity to care for her is renewing his interest in life.”
“Does Merriana possess nothing that can serve as proof of her claim?”
“One small item only. But it was enough to convince my uncle to take her on faith—in great part, I suspect, because he wants so very much to believe that her story is true. He’s a man who takes his responsibilities seriously, and he always felt responsible for the welfare of his younger sister, even after she married my father and moved to France. Unfortunately, even though he’s a powerful and wealthy man, he wasn’t able to save his beloved sister when her life was in danger. Now, being able to love and care for her daughter appears to be easing his grief over that failure.”
“I can understand that,” Justin said, “and I, too, hope Merriana’s claim is true. But you mentioned some item she brought as proof of her identity. What was that?”
As Charles opened his mouth to respond, the door to the library was jerked open. Aware that Charles had left word they were not to be disturbed, Justin’s prior training kicked in and he quickly stepped behind one of the floor-length draperies where he could see who entered the room without being seen himself.
The Duke of Daughrity stumbled through the doorway and slammed the door behind him. “Thank God, Charles, I have found you. The most unbelievable thing has just occurred. Daniels came to tell me that a young woman had called and—”
He stopped speaking because the door was slowly being pushed open again, and this time a strange young woman entered. Tall and slender, she was dressed fashionably in a dark wine traveling dress with a wide poke bonnet and dainty halfboots. Her voice, when she spoke, was well modulated and very well bred.
“Forgive me, sir, for following you, but I was most concerned about your welfare. I’d given you quite a shock, and I feared for your health. However, I see that you have found the gentleman you were seeking.” The young woman turned to regard Charles with clear gray eyes. Her hair was dark brown, and her features very closely resembled those of the duke.
“Are you Charles?” she asked softly. At his nod, she curtsied gracefully. “Then you must forgive me for upsetting your uncle, and for my unorthodox behavior in following him. I can only plead that I was quite worried that my news had caused too severe a shock for him. You see, I am your sister, Merriana.”
Charles quickly dropped his left arm beside his chair where it could be seen only by Justin, then made an imperious gesture with his hand to indicate that Justin was not to move into view of the other occupants of the room.
“You surprise me, Miss,” Charles stated calmly. “Has my uncle informed you that there is another cl
aimant to the role of my sister?”
A slight frown marred the young woman’s forehead. “Yes, he did. I was quite shocked, as you may imagine. To think that an impostor has arrived before me is most disturbing. So few people were ever aware of my birth that I find it difficult to imagine who can have concocted this farce.”
“I’ve sent for Merriana,” the duke said as he lowered himself into a chair. “This must be cleared up.”
“Be calm, Sir,” Charles begged his uncle in fond tones. “It will be cleared up.” He turned then to the young woman. “Do you have proof of your claim?” he asked.
“Of course.” She smiled at him with confidence. “I would not be such a fool as to offer my claim without proof. I have pages from my mother’s diary that speak of my birth, and I have several pieces of her jewelry that were left for me with those who raised me.”
“And who might they be?”
“My nurse, primarily, although when she later married, her new husband also helped care for me.”
“Who else knew of your birth?” Charles asked, but before the young woman could respond, the library door opened a third time and Merriana entered the room.
From his vantage point, Justin was able to observe the others in the room quite clearly. Now, as Merriana stepped toward her uncle, a puzzled look on her face, he watched her intently. She had obviously been out riding, for she was still dressed in a habit of soft blue velvet, and a matching cap was perched at a jaunty angle on top of her golden hair. She had never looked more beautiful.
“Uncle?” Merriana spoke into the sudden silence. “Daniels said you wished to see me right away. He seemed upset. Is something wrong?” She stopped by her uncle’s chair and placed her hand on his shoulder, but she was gazing in some puzzlement at the strange young woman. Still no one spoke.
“I beg your pardon,” Merriana addressed the newcomer. “I feel as though I should know you, for you look quite familiar, but I don’t believe we’ve been introduced. I’m Merriana de Mérchan.”
A smile that could very easily have been described as a sneer touched the strange woman’s lips. “I beg your pardon,” she said with a lift of her eyebrows, “but I am Merriana de Mérchan.”
Justin watched closely the play of emotions that flitted across Merriana’s face. There was surprise, then anger, and finally, he was sure, doubt.
“W-what do you mean?” she stammered.
“I believe you know, miss whoever-you-are. You are an impostor. I am the real Merriana de Mérchan and niece to the Duke of Daughrity. Did you really think you could get away with impersonating me? I have irrefutable proof of who I am. What proof do you have?”
Charles didn’t give Merriana time to attempt to formulate an answer. Instead, he shot a question toward his uncle. “A diary was mentioned, Sir. Can you tell if it’s authentic?”
The duke nodded. He appeared almost too stunned to respond, but with a visible effort, he pulled himself together. “It’s in my sister’s handwriting,” he said in a shaky voice. “She wrote of her little daughter, Merriana, and of her concerns for the child’s safety. She also wrote that she knew I would care for the child if only she could be smuggled to England. What are we to do, Charles? What are we to do?”
Charles struggled to his feet and limped to his uncle’s side. “For the moment, you must take both young ladies and retire to your estate in the country. I will put it about that you’re unwell. We will, until this is cleared up, introduce this second Merriana as a distant cousin, Anna. This will give me time to investigate both claims and see if I can find the truth.”
“An excellent idea,” exclaimed the newcomer. “Will you go to France right away? As I am sure you are aware, the truth of my claim can be substantiated at our old estate.”
“No,” Merriana exclaimed loudly and with a note of desperation in her voice. “Charles, you cannot go back to France. You know you can’t. You, eh, that is, your leg will not permit it.”
“Oh?” the stranger queried in a cool voice as she turned to stare at her rival with a penetrating gaze. “My brother hardly appears to be a cripple. Or is there another reason you don’t want him to go to France? Are you afraid of the truth being revealed?”
“Enough,” Charles said sharply. “I’ll do what must be done. Perhaps you will all leave me alone a few minutes to think. Uncle, you should lie down and rest a while. And Anna—if I may call you that—you, too, must be weary. Merriana will request that a bedchamber be made ready for you.”
For a second it looked as though the stranger would object, but then she shrugged her shoulders. “Thank you,” she muttered. “I suppose I must be thankful for small favors.”
Merriana helped her uncle to his feet and guided him into the hall, where Daniels had been waiting anxiously. The butler was quick to support his master until a strong young footman could be summoned to take his place. Merriana then asked Daniels to tell the housekeeper to prepare a room for their guest. The two listeners in the library were silent until the sounds of the other voices faded away.
Charles sank back into his chair and reached for his brandy as Justin came forward and picked up his own glass.
“Well, Charles, what do you think?”
“I would appreciate your reactions first. You are less closely involved than I.”
Justin looked first into the amber liquid in his glass and then directly into Charles’s eyes. “I would stake my professional reputation on the original Merriana being your true sister.”
“Why?”
“I watched her throughout the entire episode. For a few seconds, she doubted her own identity. If she were an impostor, she would have no doubts. She would know exactly who she is—or is not.”
Charles nodded his head. “I see what you mean, and I agree with you. But if the second young woman pushes her claim, as I feel sure she will, our observations and feelings are worthless. I must have absolute proof. I suppose I will have to return to France after all.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Charles. You’re in no condition to return to France, even if there were not a price on your head. Even Merriana realized that. Fortunately, I’m at loose ends at the moment. I’ll go in your place.”
“Now who’s being ridiculous?” Charles demanded. “This is my problem—not yours.”
“I hesitate to contradict you, Charles, but it is very much my problem. I want to help find proof of Merriana’s identity as soon as possible. You see, I wish to marry her.”
“Well I’ll be damned,” Charles stated, slumping back into his chair as astonishment and disbelief vied for expression on his face. Disbelief won. “Why?” he inquired quietly.
“Why?” The question seemed to surprise Justin, as though it were one that never needed asking. But having had the question addressed to him, he seemed to feel some necessity to give it consideration. “I don’t know,” he admitted at last. “I only know that I can’t envision my future without her.” Justin’s answer seemed to surprise him as much as it did Charles.
“And does Merriana reciprocate your feelings?”
“She told me last night she would sooner marry a snake.”
Charles dissolved into laughter while Justin looked on, a smile mixed with chagrin on his face. “I’m delighted, of course, to be able to provide you with so much amusement, Charles, but I’d hoped rather for your sympathy. Your sister is an enigma and the most exasperating woman I’ve ever met. But I can truthfully say that she is the only woman I have ever met who doesn’t bore me to tears.”
Charles at last managed to bring his mirth under control, although he was still chuckling. “A snake, eh? Considering the fact that women have been throwing themselves at your feet since you were seventeen years old, Merriana’s statement must have come as quite a shock.”
“I was not completely surprised. Our conversation leading up to that point had been less than amiable.”
“But you think you can change her mind—appear less reptilian in her eyes?” Charles again went into gale
s of laughter. Justin glared at him until he sobered.
“I hope to have an opportunity to impress her with my higher-order characteristics at the proper time. If I can bring back from France proof that she is your sister, perhaps she will forgive me for my less than chivalrous treatment of her in the past.”
“I say, Justin,” said Charles, suddenly deadly serious, “you didn’t, well, eh, that is to say, did you ever—”
“Of course not, Charles,” Justin answered, also quite serious. “I was rude and boorish and tyrannical, but I never forced any attentions on your sister except for a kiss when I first met her and thought she had been sent as an agent to seduce me.”
Charles, looking relieved, grinned again. “I beg your pardon, Justin, but I find I’m growing fond of the girl, and, you must admit, your association with her has been less than conventional.”
“My association with her has been damnably unconventional,” Justin said. “But I hope to change all of that as soon as I’ve gathered proof of her identity.”
“Lud,” Charles exclaimed, “for a minute I forgot the problems facing us. You will have to first visit the de Mérchan estate and then find Jacques Martone, our old chef. Do you have any idea how to locate him?”
“That shouldn’t be a problem. Merriana mentioned the name of an inn in Paris where she was raised after leaving the de Mérchan estate. I should be able to locate the inn easily enough. Let’s just pray that he’s still there.”
“When will you leave?”
“As soon as I can make arrangements, probably within two days. Will you go to the country with your uncle?”
“Not immediately. I’ll have to stay here to explain his and Merriana’s sudden departure. Besides, there’s another matter I can be investigating while you’re away. Although I’m certain the young woman who appeared today isn’t my sister, she certainly appears to be related to me. Did you note how closely she resembles my uncle?”
The Mysterious Merriana Page 11
