The Unknown Heir

by Anne Herries

  ‘It may have been,’ Jared said, deciding that it was too soon to trust her with more details. ‘But you see why I would prefer not to travel alone just at the moment?’

  ‘Yes, I do see,’ she agreed. ‘My godmother will send me home in her carriage. I shall have my maid and the grooms—and of course you will be welcome to travel with me.’

  ‘I do not have any means of transport,’ Jared told her. ‘I could hire a horse, of course, but as I have no idea where to go…’

  ‘No, of course you don’t,’ Hester said. ‘What am I thinking of? Certainly I shall come with you. I thought you might have preferred to go alone, but I am happy to accompany you.’

  It had been her plan in the first place, but Lady Ireland had begged her to stay longer, and it would have been pleasant, for with the heir staying at Shelbourne her grandfather would not need her as much. A visit to London was a rare treat for her, but in the circumstances she could do no other than agree—and perhaps it was for the best after all. She might find some means of persuading him to stay longer than he planned.

  She took off her hat as she went into the hall, stopping to look through the pile of notes awaiting her and Lady Ireland. Picking them up, she took them through to the small salon at the rear of the house and gave them to her godmother. Lady Ireland glanced through them and then picked one out.

  ‘This is for you, dearest.’

  ‘Oh, I did not see it,’ Hester said. ‘It must have got caught in with yours. I think it is from Richard Knighton.’ She broke the wax seal and frowned. ‘Oh, this was written before I saw him last night. It must have been here when we returned last evening. It was just a note to say he looked forward to seeing us later.’ She frowned as she slipped it into a pocket. ‘Mr Clinton has asked me to go down with him to the country, ma’am. I had thought I might stay another day or two with you, but I cannot refuse.’

  ‘Well, I dare say he feels it will be more comfortable at the duke’s house with at least one person he knows,’ Lady Ireland said. ‘He may not be quite as awful as we feared, but I expect he does not go much into company—at least, not the kind your grandfather keeps.’

  ‘Perhaps,’ Hester said. Something was at the back of her mind, some small thing that she ought to remember, but she could not for the life of her recall what it was…

  Hester was sitting in the parlour with her godmother when Mr Knighton was announced. He smiled as he entered, going first to Lady Ireland and kissing her hand. She invited him to sit on the chair next to her and kept him busy with questions about his family until the tea tray was brought in.

  ‘Your sister is well, Mr Knighton?’

  ‘Maria is recovering from the birth of her third son,’ he replied. ‘I believe she is well in herself, though perhaps a little tired.’

  ‘I should like to have seen her,’ Hester told him. ‘However, I leave town in the morning. Perhaps another time.’

  ‘Mrs Tremayne would love to see you,’ he assured her. ‘She begged me to ask you to dinner tomorrow evening. She will be sorry that you are leaving so soon.’

  ‘I fear I must,’ Hester said. ‘But I shall write to her in a few days, and perhaps we shall meet soon. She may wish to come to Grandfather’s ball.’

  ‘The duke plans a ball?’ Richard Knighton frowned. ‘I thought he was quite the recluse these days?’

  ‘He has not entertained much since Papa…’ Hester felt the familiar tightness in her chest, for she sincerely mourned her stepfather. ‘However, as I told you last evening, the American heir has come to visit. It is for his sake that the duke intends to entertain his friends with a ball.’

  ‘This American,’ Richard said, frowning, ‘what manner of a man is he?’

  ‘I would say perfectly respectable, if not quite a gentleman,’ Lady Ireland said before Hester could reply. ‘He looks the part and his manners are polite—but his speech leaves something to be desired.’ She glanced at Hester. ‘Would you not agree, dearest?’

  Hester hesitated. She had invited her mother’s cousin to call with the intention of asking him to meet the heir and give her his opinion, but for some reason she was disinclined to speak freely.

  ‘He does have some unfortunate expressions,’ Hester said. ‘I think him a little…deceptive.’

  ‘You suspect that he is an impostor?’

  ‘No, that is not what I meant,’ Hester said thoughtfully. ‘It is just that I am not certain he is what he seems to be—though there is no doubt that he is Amelia’s son. There is a family resemblance, and his credentials have been checked. I believe Amelia wrote to her father several times after she was married.’

  ‘No doubt she hoped to be forgiven. I dare say her son is rather pleased with himself. He could not have expected to inherit both a title and a large estate.’

  ‘I am not sure that he wishes for either,’ Hester replied. She did not know why, but something in Richard’s tone displeased her. ‘After all, there is very little money.’

  ‘The house and land could be sold for a fair sum,’ Richard said. ‘The duke should be careful. He might do well to consult his lawyers, in order to be certain that the estate cannot simply be sold off after his death, and the money taken overseas.’

  ‘There is an entail,’ Hester said. ‘If it had been otherwise…but as long as there is a direct heir, it cannot be broken without a huge payment.’

  ‘If the American is the last in the line, I dare say he could do as he pleased with the estate.’

  ‘But he is not the only heir,’ Hester replied. ‘I did not realise it until quite recently. Grandfather has another male relative—the grandson of his half-brother.’

  ‘You have never mentioned the gentleman before?’ Richard’s eyebrows rose.

  ‘Grandfather quarrelled with his half-brother many years ago. He had nothing to do with the family, but Mr Grant wrote to him a few months ago. He has visited us, and is a gentleman of the cloth.’

  ‘That alters things,’ Richard said. ‘At least the American heir cannot sell the estate and take the money back to his home.’

  ‘I think Grandfather would be very distressed if that happened,’ Hester said and frowned. It had not occurred to her that something like that might be on the cards. ‘No, I am certain he would not, even if…’

  ‘Well, we must hope that it will not happen,’ Richard said. ‘It is most unfair that you cannot inherit, Hester. You have been a constant support to the duke for years. Such a sacrifice should be rewarded.’

  ‘I do not consider it as such,’ Hester replied. ‘Grandfather has given me love, and as much as he could afford in the material way; it is my pleasure to do what I can for him. I know that he has often expressed a wish that I…but of course it could not be. Do not forget that, though I call the duke Grandfather, I am not truly of his blood—as you well know, sir.’

  ‘I do not forget that your mother married for a second time after you were born,’ Knighton told her. ‘It is for your sake that I wish things were otherwise, Hester. You love Shelbourne so much, and when the duke dies you may have to leave.’

  ‘I know that,’ Hester said, unable to hide the pain his words had caused her.

  Lady Ireland picked up her gold-handled lorgnette and stared at him through it, her manner a little frosty. ‘As you may know, sir, I have no children of my own. I had a son, but he was killed in Spain…’ For a moment her voice throbbed with emotion. ‘But I do not speak of it. I love Hester as if she were a daughter, and she will always have a home with me, and when I die…’ She smiled fondly at her goddaughter. ‘Well, she will not be left penniless, let us put it that way.’ Diamonds flashed on her hands as she moved them in some agitation, for she had seen that Hester was distressed and it moved her.

  ‘Please, ma’am,’ Hester said, ‘you will not speak of such things. You are a fit, healthy woman and have years left to you.’

  ‘Yes, indeed I do,’ Lady Ireland said warmly. ‘But it is well that you should know, Hester—and it may help to set Mr
Knighton’s mind at rest concerning your future.’

  ‘As to that, ma’am, I am sure Miss Sheldon has many friends to care for her,’ he said. ‘But it is good to know that she has such a staunch one in you.’ He smiled at her and then turned his gaze to Hester. ‘I believe Miss Sheldon knows that I have a warm regard for her. I merely speak to set her mind at rest if she should be asked to leave her home.’

  Hester felt her cheeks growing warm. She had thought of Mr Knighton as a man she could turn to for help, but had seen him as nothing more than a friend; now she suspected that his feelings might be deeper than she imagined. She found it embarrassing; though she liked him very well, she had not entertained the idea of anything more than friendship. In that moment she made up her mind that she would not confide her doubts concerning Mr Clinton in him.

  She skilfully turned the conversation to a discussion about the Prince Regent’s latest ball, and how hot it always was at the pavilion in Brighton.

  ‘Mama took me there the year before Papa…’ Her voice caught. ‘Do you not think it beautiful in some strange way? I know it is fashionable to decry the prince’s dreadful taste, but I found it rather endearing; he dotes on the place, you know.’

  ‘You are generous to a fault,’ Mr Knighton said and stood up. ‘I think I have stayed long enough, ladies. I must leave you now for I have another appointment.’

  ‘I shall come with you to the door,’ Hester said and stood up. In the hall she offered her hand. ‘It was so good of you to call, sir. I shall be sorry to miss your sister’s dinner.’

  ‘She will be sorry not to have seen you, Hester. You know that she is very fond of you—as I am, my dear friend.’

  ‘Thank you, you are very kind,’ Hester said as he held her hand for a moment too long. She withdrew it gently, unwilling to offend him, but not wishing to give the wrong impression. ‘I know I can always rely on you if I need assistance.’

  ‘I am glad that you do know it. I was under the impression that you wished to tell me something about the heir?’ He flicked an invisible speck from the sleeve of his immaculate coat, his manner deliberately casual.

  ‘It was only that he had visited us,’ Hester replied untruthfully. ‘He seems pleasant enough, though it is early days yet.’

  ‘Remember that I shall stand your friend whatever happens,’ he said, lingering for a moment as if he were undecided. ‘I may call on the duke soon, and your dear mama. You will not be displeased by the visit?’

  ‘No, of course not,’ she replied. ‘You must know that Mama and Grandfather are always pleased to see you—as I am, of course.’

  He smiled and took his hat from the hall table. ‘Until the next time, Hester.’

  After he had gone, she stood for a moment in the hall, her expression thoughtful. His manner had seemed different that afternoon. Was she imagining it, or was he implying that he hoped for a closer relationship between them? Surely not! He was her mother’s cousin by marriage and considerably older than Hester. She had never even considered…No, it was impossible! Her instincts were at fault here. Mr Knighton had never previously given her any reason to expect a proposal of marriage. She had misread the signs. She must dismiss the foolish idea at once.

  Her godmother looked up as she returned to the small salon where she was seated. She was toying with a silver-gilt vinaigrette, which had a beautifully fretted interior to hold the scented sponge in place.

  ‘My late husband bought me this,’ Lady Ireland said, placing it back on the little table where several similar trinkets lay within her reach. ‘I think Mr Knighton means to make you an offer, Hester—shall you accept him?’

  ‘No! Pray do not say it,’ Hester replied and frowned. ‘Did you truly think it, ma’am?’

  ‘He was most particular, and the way he looked at you seemed to indicate a preference, my dear. Have you not noticed a change in his manner toward you of late?’

  ‘Well…’ Being an honest girl, Hester could not deny it. ‘I did wonder…but surely he could not be thinking of it? He is so much older and he is my mother’s cousin.’

  ‘The relationship is not close enough to preclude the possibility of a match, Hester. Though I do not as a rule approve of marriage between cousins, you are far enough removed for it to be thought allowable. However, I should be sorry if you married Mr Knighton.’

  ‘Would you, ma’am?’ Hester was surprised, for her godmother had often tried to persuade her to think of marriage. ‘Why?’

  ‘I dare say he is a decent gentleman, but I believe you could do better, my love—if you wished.’

  ‘As you know, I have no intention of it,’ Hester replied. ‘If Mr Knighton asked, I should refuse him; I hope he will not, for it might sour our friendship.’

  ‘Yes, that would be a pity,’ her godmother said. ‘Well, I dare say he may think better of it. He must know that you are devoted to the duke and your mama.’

  ‘Yes, I am certain he does,’ Hester replied, but for some reason she felt an icy tingle at the nape of her neck. ‘It would be most uncomfortable if he were to ask me, as I should certainly say no.’

  ‘Perhaps he won’t,’ Lady Ireland said. ‘I have been thinking that I should like to give you a little gift, Hester. Would you like the opal-and-diamond brooch that my husband gave me when we first married—or would you prefer the pearl bangle my mother gave me when I was sixteen?’

  ‘You should not consider parting with either of them,’ Hester told her. ‘I have no need of gifts, ma’am.’

  ‘You do not have much in the way of jewels,’ Lady Ireland said. ‘I think I shall give them both to you—and do not say no, for it would distress me. I like to give presents, and you are dearer to me than anyone these days.’

  ‘You are so kind to me!’ Hester went to kiss her. ‘I am sure that I have done nothing to deserve such wonderful gifts.’

  ‘Please do not be embarrassed. I had not meant to say anything, but Mr Knighton…well, he annoyed me. You are my heir, Hester. I have left small bequests to others, but you will inherit my estate. I am not outrageously rich, but you know that I have a very comfortable life—and you will too. I have said nothing about an allowance before this, for you live under the duke’s roof, but if the worst should happen, I shall see to it that both your mother and you are comfortable.’

  ‘You will make me cry,’ Hester said, her eyes stinging at this further proof of her godmother’s generosity. ‘I can only thank you sincerely on behalf of my mother and myself.’

  ‘You will say nothing to her,’ Lady Ireland said. ‘Indeed, I should have said nothing to you for the moment, but Mr Knighton made me aware that you might be anxious.’

  ‘Grandfather has already set up small trust funds for us both,’ Hester said. ‘He wished he might have given us more, but the entail prevents it and it is only what he has saved from his income that he may give freely. However, Papa left Mama a little money. In this instance, I mean my own father.’

  ‘Yes…’ Lady Ireland frowned. ‘It surprises me that you were not left more, Hester. I would have thought Sir Peter would have made more provision for his only child.’

  ‘If he did, I have heard nothing of it,’ Hester said and shook her head. ‘I do not think we shall starve, dearest Godmother. You must not worry about me.’

  ‘Oh, I do not,’ Lady Ireland said. ‘I am certain you could marry if you chose, my love—and to someone far more deserving than Mr Knighton.’

  Hester made no reply. She was surprised that her godmother should make her dislike of him so plain. She had never spoken of him in this manner before and it was a little strange that she should do so now.

  ‘Well, we may be wrong in assuming that he intends to make me an offer, ma’am. I think I shall go upstairs and change as you have guests coming this evening, and I need to make certain that Anna has packed my trunk.’

  ‘Yes, I shall go up myself after I have written a letter,’ Lady Ireland said, smiling at her. ‘Tell the duke that I shall be pleased to come and st
ay for his ball if he invites me.’

  ‘Oh, I am certain he will,’ Hester said and went out.

  She was thoughtful as she went upstairs. She had never thought of it before, but it was a little odd that her father had not left her at least a small bequest. His fortune had not been large, of course, but it was surprising that he had left nothing to her. Not that it mattered. She was content as she was.

  ‘Mr Clinton…’ The lawyer got to his feet with alacrity and came round the large mahogany partner’s desk, extending his hand. ‘An unexpected pleasure. Should I have been expecting you?’

  ‘Mr Roth, good to see you.’ Jared shook his hand warmly. They had done business many times in the past and he knew he could trust his discretion. ‘No, I didn’t write because I was here on other business—but now I have something I want you to look into, if you will?’

  ‘Yes, certainly, sir—a property, perhaps?’

  ‘It is rather more complicated,’ Jared said and sat down in the beautiful elbow chair provided for him. ‘First of all I must explain something to you, and then you will understand why this needs discretion.’

  ‘Oh, of course, sir. You know we are always very closemouthed about matters of business.’

  ‘You may not be aware that I am the Duke of Shelbourne’s heir,’ Jared said and saw astonishment in the other man’s eyes. ‘I do not wish to be addressed by my title, and it makes no difference to our business, sir. I tell you this only because I think it possible that my life and that of the old duke may be in some danger.’

  ‘Good grief! Are you saying that you think someone wants to murder you? But surely…the inheritance is nothing to your own fortune?’

  ‘My heir at the moment is my American cousin,’ Jared said. ‘My will provides for him and some other beneficiaries—but takes no account of the English connection. I am not sure what happens to that in the event of my death, though I understand there is another heir after me—a Mr Stephen Grant. I have been told he is a man of the cloth. Of course, there is also Miss Hester Sheldon. She is a cousin, too, but unable to inherit, I imagine, while there is a male relative alive?’