Bedeviled

by Kate Pearce

  For a second, she’d thought he’d said Devil Lancaster. He did indeed resemble a devilish sort of man, with his dark blond hair and green eyes.

  “And you are Lord of what?” she blurted out without thinking. Heavens, what was wrong with her? She wanted to knock her head against the wall. “I’m sorry. I meant only that—that is, your title—”

  “I don’t have one,” he answered cheerfully. “I’m the fourth son of the Viscount Newbury. I’m nothing but a mister.” He eyed the dog and took another step toward him. “And you are?”

  “Jane Hawkins,” she answered. “Also Lady of nothing. I’m a friend of Lady Marjorie’s.”

  “Any relation to the late earl?” he asked.

  “None at all.” She offered a sheepish smile. “I feel like an imposter, just for being here. Marjorie insisted that I come with her family, but I don’t really belong.”

  Mr. Lancaster leaned in and murmured, “Don’t tell anyone, but I shouldn’t be here either. I’m friends with Lord St. Giles and Lord Michael Beck, and I joined them at their invitation.”

  “Then we’re both imposters.” Jane relaxed somewhat, for it did feel that neither one of them ought to be here. And now that she knew he was not a titled lord, she felt less conspicuous.

  “So we are.” He took another step toward the dog, who was sniffing at the steps and snarling. “I’m going to pick him up on the count of three. I think I can come up behind him before he notices. One…”

  “I don’t think he’s going to let you do that.” Her own dogs would delight in racing away, provoking her to chase after them.

  “Two.” Mr. Lancaster held up his hand in a pause. “Three.” He lunged toward the poodle, who shot across the hallway in a full run.

  “Blast it.” He took off after the dog, and Jane joined him in a run, laughing as she did.

  “I told you he wouldn’t let you seize him.” She gripped her skirts while her shawl slipped down her shoulders. “Dogs love to be chased. Or at least, mine do.”

  “What do you suggest?”

  They continued running down another narrow hallway until the dog scampered halfway to the end.

  “We need to corner him,” Jane said, huffing as she kept up with Mr. Lancaster. “If we can trap him inside one of the rooms, that will do. And then we can find his owner.”

  “Good idea.” He motioned for her to spread out, and they slowed their pace as they reached the end of the hallway.

  “Oscar!” The young woman who owned the dog came running toward them, her dark hair falling loose from its chignon.

  “Don’t worry, we’ll help you catch him,” Mr. Lancaster reassured the woman. “Let’s try to drive him toward an open room, and we can close the door.”

  “How about the room at the end of that hallway,” Jane suggested. “You could run ahead of the dog and cut him off so he can’t go down the other way.”

  “All right. And the two of you try to herd him inside.” Mr. Lancaster moved toward the end of the hallway, racing past Oscar to block his path. As he took a step toward the animal, the poodle scampered in the opposite direction—exactly as they’d hoped.

  “Perfect,” Jane said. “Now let’s guide him toward the doorway.” She joined with the other young woman, and as they moved forward, Jane introduced herself and Mr. Lancaster.

  “I am Lady Cassandra Priske,” the woman answered. “Thank you so much for helping me catch up to Oscar.”

  “You’re welcome.” Jane offered a friendly smile, and when Oscar saw the pair of them approaching, he ran into the room. “Trapped,” she proclaimed in triumph.

  “Bless you both.” Lady Cassandra hurried after him, and Jane blocked the doorway so the poodle could not run away. She thought about joining Lady Cassandra, but stopped herself when she realized there were two gentlemen already inside the billiards room.

  “I think she has control of her dog once more,” Mr. Lancaster said. “You did well, Miss Hawkins.”

  She stepped away from the billiards room, feeling her cheeks warm beneath his praise. “So did you. And now I am hopelessly lost within this castle. I don’t suppose you know the way back to the drawing room?”

  “I do indeed. Will you allow me to escort you there?” He offered his arm. “And if we find any escaped animals along the way, I am certain we will manage well enough.”

  His charming smile slipped past her defenses, making her all too aware of his masculinity. She rested her hand upon the crook of his arm, feeling her heartbeat stammer within her chest.

  This isn’t real, she reminded herself. He’s only being a gentleman.

  And yet, she was entirely too conscious of the way his coat clung to his broad shoulders. His green eyes gleamed with a blend of amusement and a hint of wickedness.

  When they reached the drawing room, Jane felt the need to apologize. “I am sorry to have disturbed you,” she said. “I imagine you never intended to spend your evening chasing after a poodle.”

  “No,” he agreed. “But were it not for Oscar’s misbehavior, I might not have met you, Miss Hawkins. And it was a pleasure, indeed.”

  Chapter 2

  “It was a mistake to bring her with us,” Regina Hambly, Lady Banfield, said to her husband. She motioned for the elderly footman to bring the tea tray, and the servant obeyed, setting it down on the end table. Regina poured two cups, adding a nip of sugar to her husband’s tea.

  “We had no choice,” the earl countered. “She was summoned.”

  “But it will only cause a scandal if anyone finds out who Jane really is. If they discover that she’s—”

  “They won’t.” The earl took his cup and sat across from her. “I see no reason to tell her anything. Let Jane believe she is here as Marjorie’s companion. And if we are careful, we can arrange to give her whatever portion she is entitled to, without anyone ever learning the truth.”

  Regina steepled her fingers together and nodded toward the footman. “Bronson, leave us, if you will.”

  The older servant had difficulty hearing and likely hadn’t heard a word of their conversation, but she didn’t want to take any chances. Once he had closed the door behind him, she turned back to Allan. “We have no idea how much Jonathan Hambly left her. If it’s a small amount, no one will think anything of it, and we can hide the scandal. But if he left her a fortune, everyone will want to know why.”

  “We will handle that once we know.” Lord Banfield straightened. “For now, we will keep her identity quiet. I think it would be best.”

  “Sometimes I wish we had sent her away.” Regina sighed. When Jane was born, they had felt sorry for the newborn child. A child born out of wedlock could never have a respectable life. It had seemed kinder to let her be raised by the vicar and his wife instead of sending her to an orphanage. At least Jane had been given a home with a loving family. Regina had thought it a perfect solution at the time, never imagining that the past would come back to threaten everything.

  “We did the right thing for Jane,” Allan said quietly. “I believe that.”

  She moved beside him and took his hand. “I am only glad that Evelyn did not live to hear about Jane. It would have broken her spirit.”

  Her husband squeezed her palm. “No one can know of this, Regina. Especially Jane.”

  “It will be our secret.”

  “You should come with us to breakfast, Jane,” Marjorie said. “Why would you take a tray in your room? Don’t you want to see Mr. Lancaster again?”

  Jane mustered a smile and shook her head. “It’s better if I stay here. I really don’t belong with everyone else.”

  Marjorie frowned. “And what about me? And Tamsyn and Rose and Morgan and Gwyn? You don’t think you’re worthy of eating with us?” Her friend rolled her eyes.

  “That’s different. I’ve known you all my life.” Marjorie was practically a sister to her, as were the other girls. They had played together as children and not once had the girls looked down on her, despite their family’s comfortable we
alth.

  But her true reason for avoiding public gatherings was a sense that she didn’t truly belong among the nobility. Everyone else had been summoned to receive a portion of their inheritance. Jane was merely here as a companion.

  Marjorie sighed. “Jane, you must come. Otherwise, you’re behaving like a long-suffering martyr.”

  The invisible blow was more hurtful than she’d imagined. Jane tightened her lips and admitted, “All of my clothing was handed down to me. Whenever I’m around the other ladies, I cannot help but feel their disapproval.”

  “Then borrow one of my gowns.”

  “I cannot do that, Marjorie. It would be a lie. This is who I am. I’m not trying to behave like an heiress.”

  Her friend rolled her eyes and opened her trunk. She rummaged around until she found a white long-sleeved muslin gown. It was very plain with only a bit of ribbon trim along the hem and cuffs. “Wear this. And if you do not, I will have Tamsyn hold you down while I dress you. You are coming with us to breakfast, or we will drag you by your hair.”

  Her pride burned at the thought. “There’s no need for this, Marjorie.”

  “Good. Then you must realize that my sisters drive me into madness. I need you there as my friend so I won’t murder them. You’re keeping me from being arrested.”

  Marjorie waved her maid to come over. “Penny, help Jane into this gown.” She crossed her arms and waited.

  Although Jane felt like a caterpillar being pinned with butterfly wings, she held still and allowed Penny to dress her in a chemise and short stays. The gown had no buttons and the maid helped slide it over her head, pulling the laces tightly around the bodice to fit it to her. Jane sent a dismayed look toward Marjorie. “I look as if one good sneeze would cause me to pop out of this.”

  Her friend smiled brightly. “Well, that would give us an interesting discussion over breakfast, wouldn’t it? Do try to keep your bosom under wraps.”

  Jane seized a pillow and swatted her friend while Marjorie giggled. “Careful, or you might tear a seam.”

  A knock came at the door, and she heard the voice of Lady Tamsyn calling out, “Are you both ready?”

  “Not yet. But come in and see Jane,” Marjorie answered.

  Her older sister opened the door, and the moment Tamsyn spied Jane, she smiled. “You do look beautiful.”

  The white gown made her feel entirely too conspicuous. “I still don’t think this is a good idea. It doesn’t truly fit, and I—”

  “Nonsense,” Marjorie took her hand and half-dragged her to the door. “You’re coming with us, and that is final.”

  Lady Tamsyn took her other hand. “I couldn’t agree more.”

  Despite her misgivings, Jane promised herself that she would try not to speak very much and blend in as well as she could. One meal might not be so bad.

  But her stomach was twisted into knots of vicious nerves. In this gown, every curve was accentuated, and she worried that the other guests would get the wrong idea about her. They might believe she was one of the ladies meant to inherit.

  She followed Marjorie and Tamsyn into the dining room and saw several other guests milling about. The room reminded her of a cathedral with its tall Gothic windows and the ribbed vaulted ceiling. Upon the wall, she saw four pointed stone arches, and a fire burned in the hearth behind the large mahogany table.

  Lord and Lady Banfield greeted their daughters and nodded a welcome to Jane. She steeled herself and followed Marjorie to the sideboard where she took a plate. A short older man with graying hair stood behind her. He smiled brightly, “Good morning to you. I don’t believe we’ve met as of yet. I am John Hunt, solicitor to the late Earl of Banfield.”

  Jane nodded in greeting. “Good morning.” With an apologetic shrug, she said, “I’m not related to Lord Banfield. I am Jane Hawkins, a friend of Lady Marjorie’s. I came as her companion.” She chose a slice of toast for her plate, along with a spoonful of strawberry jam.

  The solicitor blinked a moment. “Didn’t Lord Banfield tell you? You were summoned along with the others. In fact, it was most important that you be here, Miss Hawkins.”

  “Let’s not speak of this right now,” Lord Banfield interrupted. With a sharp look toward Mr. Hunt, he stood beside Jane. “She is here, and that is all that matters.” The solicitor muttered an apology and took a step back.

  But Jane felt as if the floor had dropped out from beneath her. “What is Mr. Hunt talking about, Lord Banfield?”

  “We will discuss this in private,” the earl promised. “Not in front of all these people.” Again, he glared at the solicitor. “Is that quite clear, Mr. Hunt?”

  The solicitor seemed taken aback. “Do you mean to say that she doesn’t know?”

  “Know what?” A sense of alarm had gathered inside her. Mr. Hunt was behaving as if she were related to the late earl.

  But the new Lord Banfield stepped between them. In a low voice, he added, “One more word from you, Mr. Hunt, and I will deduct a portion of your salary.”

  “Well.” The solicitor let out a sigh of air and added, “Don’t the eggs look delicious? I believe I shall have to try some.”

  But Jane had lost her appetite. Her mind was reeling from the solicitor’s revelation. To Marjorie, she whispered, “What was your father talking about?”

  Her friend appeared just as bewildered. “I have no idea.” She took Jane by the hand and brought her to the table. Leaning in, she added, “But I promise you, I will find out everything.” She beamed and whispered, “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you turned out to be a secret heiress?”

  Jane picked at her toast, swirling the strawberry jam in a circle around the surface. “I don’t know about that.”

  She had always known she was adopted. The vicar and his wife had made certain she was aware of her birth circumstances. Her real mother, Emily Hawkins, had been a governess in the household of a neighboring family, before she had been seduced and left pregnant. Once she had begun to show, she had been dismissed at once from her post.

  The Hambly family had felt sorry for Emily’s plight and had arranged for her to stay with the vicar and his wife, John and Mary Engelmeyer. The Engelmeyers had taken Emily into their home, offering to raise the baby as their own. But the young woman had died in childbirth, and it was a miracle that Jane had survived.

  We were so grateful that the good Lord blessed us with you, her adopted mother, Mary had told her. I could not have children of my own, but I thank God every day that your mother gave you into our care.

  Jane had never known any other parents, save the Engelmeyers, but it hadn’t mattered. They had loved her and reared her as their own. Now, it felt as if her safe life had been ripped apart. Her real father was somehow related to the Earl of Banfield, it seemed.

  What if he was here now, at Castle Keyvnor? Her mind couldn’t quite grasp it, and she pushed her plate away, untouched.

  “Are you all right, Jane?” Marjorie asked.

  “I think I need to take a walk. Some fresh air might help,” she admitted. She stood from her chair and pulled her gray shawl over her shoulders.

  Just as she was leaving the dining room, she nearly bumped into Mr. Lancaster. He wore a bottle green coat and buff-colored breeches. His expression turned warm, and he teased, “Are you fleeing at the sight of me, Miss Hawkins?”

  Her cheeks flushed. “No, I simply thought I’d take a walk after breakfast.”

  “It looks as if it will rain,” he pointed out. She bit her lip, feeling foolish for not even considering the weather. And when she glanced at the dining room window, she realized he was right. Dark clouds hovered in the sky and a light sprinkling of rain was spattering against the glass, sliding down in rivulets.

  “Well, then, I suppose I shall simply explore the house.”

  “Be wary of the ghosts,” he warned, with a light smile. “Beck was telling me about a screaming noise he heard from one of the turrets. Or it could have been the wind.”

  “I don’t b
elieve in ghosts,” she said. “But thank you for the warning.” She couldn’t help but smile in return, and her heart fluttered at the intense warmth in his green eyes. He was staring at her with unconcealed interest.

  “You look lovely this morning. The gown suits you.” His deep voice warmed her, and Jane felt her blush deepen at his compliment. She wasn’t accustomed to men noticing her, and she hardly knew how to respond. She almost blurted out, It’s Marjorie’s, but thought better of it and simply voiced a thank you.

  “Enjoy your breakfast,” she bade him. “I’ll go wandering through the halls instead of outside.”

  Mr. Lancaster’s smile faded, and he turned serious. “You’d better take an escort with you. While I don’t think anyone here would harm a lady, it’s never wise to go anywhere alone.”

  She gave a noncommittal nod. “I understand.” Though truthfully, she didn’t really want to be around anyone just now. Her friends were all enjoying their breakfasts, and she’d lost all appetite for food after Mr. Hunt’s revelation. Right now, she wanted a moment to be alone and think about what to do.

  Lord Banfield held the answers she wanted. It was clear that he’d known she was meant to be here. But why? No one had ever told her anything about her father, except that he had seduced her mother and left her. A tightness gathered in her stomach. She didn’t want to meet the man, even if he was here. Anyone who would take advantage of a woman and then leave her behind with a pregnancy deserved absolutely nothing.

  She excused herself, but before she could go, Marjorie handed her a note. “Jane, I was asked to give you this.”

  She took the message and opened it. Lady Banfield asked to meet with her in the kitchen in private. Jane wasn’t certain why she had chosen that location, but the countess might be busy planning the menu for tonight’s dinner with the cook. It was a strange note, but she saw no reason to question it.

  Perhaps Lady Banfield would have the answers Jane was searching for.