Make-Believe Wife

by Anne Herries

  The thoughts went round and round in her head like a trapped animal trying to escape from its cage. If she could remember what had occurred to frighten her when she ran from her home, she might be able to understand what was happening now.

  ‘What is this I hear about Higgins?’ the earl asked when Roxanne visited him that evening before going down to supper. ‘What on earth was the fool doing in the tower in the first place? He knows it is dangerous.’

  She hesitated, then, ‘Do you truly wish to know the answer, sir? You might find it concerning.’

  ‘Damn it, I ain’t on me last legs yet. Tell me the truth, girl. All of it, for I shall know if you lie.’

  ‘I saw a face at the round window halfway up the tower earlier today. I told Higgins, because I knew the strong room was there somewhere. He went to investigate, found an unsuccessful attempt had been made to open the iron door—and someone knocked him unconscious. The tower has since been searched by some of the men and no one is there now.’

  ‘So the rogue has escaped. Is Higgins badly hurt?’

  ‘No. I think he has a sore head and is shocked—but the doctor said the blow was not severe enough to kill him. Perhaps whoever it was did not wish to murder him, merely to stun him while he made his escape.’

  ‘Humph. Got it all worked out, have you? Answer me this—why now? That strong room has been there for a hundred and fifty years and no one has ever tried to break in before this—couldn’t if they tried. It would take a team of men to break that door down—and then they couldn’t open it unless they knew the trick. It’s a secret puzzle lock known only to me and now Luke.’

  ‘I do not know why now, sir. Why do you think it happened?’

  ‘I knew there was something suspicious about that ruby. Who did you steal it from?’

  ‘I did not steal it.’

  ‘Where did it come from then? It ain’t the kind of thing a girl like you ought to have—unless you got it from a lover. Have you been the mistress of a rich man, girl? Did you steal it from him in a fit of pique?’

  ‘No, I have not been a rich man’s lover, sir.’ Roxanne hesitated, then, ‘I am not sure of its history. Luke is trying to find out what he can for me. I had it in my hand when—Sofia found me. I was about fourteen, very ill, alone and frightened—and I had lost my memory. I did not know my own name then and to this day I do not recall it. She says I would not let go of the ruby and claimed it was mine. When at last I did let her take it from me, she hid it and I forgot about it for years, until she reminded me as she was dying.’

  The old man’s eyes gleamed. ‘I knew there was something. You were too good to be true, miss. I suspected something was wrong from the start.’

  ‘Well, now you know it all. Do you wish me to leave?’

  The earl was silent for a moment, then, ‘You had best tell me all of it, girl. How did you meet my grandson—and why did he bring you here as his fiancée?’

  ‘After Sofia died I was not safe amongst the people we travelled with. One of them wanted me as his mistress so I ran away when he was making arrangements to give a performance at a theatre in the town nearby.’

  ‘You are an actress?’

  ‘Yes, I have been an actress—but Sofia was certain I had been properly reared, though I have no memory of my past.’

  ‘So it was a lie about your father being in India?’

  ‘It was just something that came into my mind. I believe there may be a connection between the ruby and India. I do not know who my father was—or if he is still alive.’

  ‘You think it has a connection with India, but you do not know?’

  ‘I am not certain, but recently the idea has become stronger.’

  ‘So how did you meet Clarendon?’

  ‘He had a tumble from his horse. His ankle was painful and we thought it might be broken, though it was actually a displaced bone. I helped him and then recaptured his horse. We went to an inn to stay for the night and a doctor was called. The landlord sent someone to break into the chamber and rob Clarendon when he was sleeping, because he was unwell and vulnerable—but I had stayed to care for him lest he took a fever. I was awake and I had a poker. When the intruder saw that I was ready to fight him, the rogue ran off. The next day, your grandson begged me to stay with him until he was safe in London—and he took me to stay with someone called Mrs Mills.’

  ‘Saved his backside for a second time, did you?’

  ‘He insisted I had saved his life, but I dare say it was no such thing. The lady I visited was very respectable. I might have been in London still, but at a fair on the Heath I saw Black Bob and told Luke I must leave. He asked me to enter into an engagement and—you know the rest.’

  ‘I knew it.’ The earl glared at her. ‘It was all a masquerade from start to finish.’

  ‘No…not quite. Luke wanted to make you happy. At first I agreed reluctantly, but then I came here—and I wanted to stay. If this had not happened I might have married Luke, if he wished it—and you agreed. I think we might have given you an heir and then, if he wished, parted. Now I think perhaps I should leave before he returns.’

  ‘Leave the sinking ship, eh? Is that all you’re good for—running away? I thought you had more spunk than that, girl?’

  Roxanne’s cheeks flamed. ‘No, that is not fair. I would have married Luke if he wished…but you cannot want me to stay now you know the truth. You cannot wish him to marry a girl who does not know her own family.’

  ‘Know my mind better than I do, do you?’ The earl stared at her hard. ‘You’ve told me the truth as you know it?’

  ‘Yes, sir.’

  ‘Held nothing back?’

  ‘Nothing, I swear.’

  ‘I ought to send the pair of you packing—but I want that heir. Clarendon isn’t going to oblige me in a hurry if I send you away, so you can stay. You will marry him in a month or so. No reason to wait for three months if a letter isn’t coming.’

  ‘You want me to marry Luke?’

  ‘Nothing the matter with your hearing, is there? I don’t know who your father was or whether he gave you that damned ruby, but I can see quality in you. Tell you the truth, our family goes back to a privateer who came from yeoman stock and rose to be an earl through pleasing Good Queen Bess. Since then we’ve married into good and bad blood. It may be time we had some fresh blood in the family. If you’ve lied to me, we may both be sorry, but I’m going to trust you—on one condition.’

  ‘That is?’

  ‘Luke is not informed that I know the truth.’

  ‘You wish me to lie to him?’

  ‘You have been lying to me.’

  ‘No—at least I didn’t actually lie. I merely allowed you to think what you would, sir.’

  ‘I said you were clever with words. I suppose that comes from being an actress. Is it all an act or do you actually care for the fellow?’

  ‘I believe you know the answer, sir.’

  ‘Humph. He’s bitten off more than he can chew, hasn’t he?’

  ‘I shall not demand more than he is willing to give.’

  ‘My grandson chose to play a little trick on me—now I’ve turned the tables, but it may all be for the best. So—what do you say?’

  ‘I can only say yes—and thank you.’

  ‘Nothing to thank me for, girl. I’ll still throw you both out on your ear if I discover you’ve spun me a tissue of lies.’

  ‘I promise you I have not—though in truth I do not know who owns the ruby. Perhaps I did steal it. I cannot know for certain.’

  ‘Damn the thing. If the owner wants it back, he can have it. You won’t want for jewels as my grandson’s wife—there’s a strong room full of the damned things if you’ve a mind to wear them.’

  ‘If there were some pearls I could wear to the ball, I should be glad to borrow them, but I have no great desire either for jewels or huge wealth. However, a beautiful home where I feel safe and might do some good is a precious thing I should value.’

  His e
yes glittered. ‘You are either a treasure or a consummate liar. We shall just have to see whether you fall flat on your face, Miss Roxanne.’

  ‘I still do not know why someone should attempt to break into your strong room. How could anyone know I had the ruby or that I had given it to Luke?’

  ‘Whoever it was may have tried to enter the strong room on the chance it was there. If he followed you here in the first place, the rogue must have discovered you have the ruby. Perhaps he has only just discovered that it is in your possession?’

  ‘Yes, perhaps.’

  Roxanne was thoughtful as she left the earl’s apartments. It did seem as though the intruder might have been after her ruby—if she was the rightful owner. How could she have come by it unless someone had given it to her?

  Why was it so important and why could she not remember her past life? What had happened to make her forget so completely?

  She tried to recall more of the game she had played with Sofia. Fragments of Sofia’s story came into her mind, but she had forgotten it as the years passed and she had become a woman.

  ‘Who was the prince, Roxanne? What did he look like?’

  Had Sofia actually asked her that question or was it merely a part of the game?

  Roxanne wished she could lift the curtain that hid her previous life, but it remained as firmly down as ever. Yet she was growing ever more certain that the ruby was part of a mystery that she must solve before she brought danger to the people she had come to care for.

  ‘That is a remarkable jewel, my lord,’ Mr Brandon remarked. ‘What exactly is that you wish me to do for you?’

  ‘My fiancée believes she was given this by her father as a child,’ Luke replied. ‘However, she wishes to be certain that she is the rightful owner. She has not heard from her father in years; he may be dead. We were thinking of placing an advert asking for information about the ruby and offering a small reward—say a hundred guineas.’

  ‘You want me to place the advertisement for you so that it cannot be traced to you?’

  ‘If you are willing, I feel that it may be for the best. We are not sure where the jewel came from and should there be a dispute would wish to hear the claimant’s story. However, an advertisement of this kind may bring unscrupulous rogues who would lie to gain something that was not theirs.’

  ‘Your wording is vague.’ Mr Brandon read the words Luke had written, ‘A ruby of good colour and size. Lost five years ago. Anyone with any information concerning this jewel should apply in writing to Mr Brandon of W. R. Brandon and Associates.’

  ‘I kept the wording vague on purpose,’ Luke agreed. ‘Nothing may come of it. If we do not hear within a few weeks, I think we may assume that my fiancée’s recollection is correct. We shall at least have tried and may then use or dispose of it with a clear conscience.’

  ‘I dare say most would simply have sold it,’ the lawyer said. He frowned as he looked at the jewel. ‘If I were you, I should place that in the bank for safekeeping. I do not think I have ever seen such a magnificent ruby—and yet there is something about it that makes me feel it may be dangerous.’

  ‘A ruby is simply a ruby,’ Luke said and laughed. ‘I shall not ask you to keep it here, sir. If no one comes forward to claim it as theirs, I may have it set as a pendant for my wife.’

  ‘The shape of it is unusual,’ Mr Brandon said. ‘It could almost be a large eye…’

  ‘It is an unusual shape,’ Luke agreed and slipped it back into his breast pocket. ‘I think perhaps I shall lodge it at my bank, Brandon. You will let me know if you hear anything of interest?’

  ‘Yes, of course, sir. As for the other little matter, I shall set that in hand at once.’

  ‘If you could bring the papers down, sir? You might like to attend the ball at Hartingdon next week.’

  Mr Brandon looked pleased. A short stay at the country house of a wealthy client was a break from the routine of life in London.

  ‘I should enjoy that very much, my lord. I am certain we can have the papers ready for your signature by the fourteenth—and I should be delighted to attend your engagement ball.’

  ‘We shall look forward to seeing you,’ Luke said and shook his hand. ‘I have ordered a gift for my fiancée. My bank is near the jeweller’s, so I may as well kill two birds with one stone.’

  Luke left the lawyer’s office and crossed the road. He was lost in thought and did not notice the man following a short distance behind as he walked the length of two streets and entered his bank, before making his way, some minutes later, to a large jeweller’s establishment at the opposite side of the road.

  He did notice the man who entered a few moments after him and asked to look at a tray of diamond rings, because he was young, attractive and spoke in a soft voice that sounded foreign and his skin was deeply tanned. An Indian of a high caste, perhaps, Luke thought as the man took his time examining the expensive rings, perhaps the son of a wealthy maharajah. His English was perfect and he was dressed in Western clothes, but his accent was definitely not English.

  ‘Your pearls, sir,’ the jeweller said and opened the black velvet box to show Luke the single strand of large creamy pearls. ‘I hope they are to your liking?’

  ‘Yes, they are perfect. My bank will settle your account as usual.’

  ‘Thank you, sir. Do you wish them wrapped?’

  ‘No, the box will fit into my pocket,’ Luke said. He noticed that the shop’s other customer had agreed to purchase one of the rings as he slipped the box into his pocket and left the shop.

  Outside, he hailed a hackney cab and asked the driver to take him to his club.

  A few moments later, the dark-skinned gentleman came out of the shop and stood on the pavement in thought for a few minutes before turning away.

  ‘Luke, you are back!’ Roxanne cried as she saw him leave the house by way of the French windows and enter the rose garden. She moved swiftly towards him, her hands outstretched and a smile of welcome on her lips. ‘Your grandfather thought you would not arrive until the day before the ball.’

  ‘I told you I should not delay,’ he replied and took her hands. ‘How are you? I hope the old scoundrel has not been too grouchy?’

  ‘Luke! You really must not.’ She laughed and shook her head reproachfully. ‘He has been very kind to me. I must tell you that time goes very quickly here. The curate has been giving me piano lessons. He comes twice a week in the morning—and the earl actually left his apartments so that he could listen. They are both of the opinion that I have been taught to play, but need to practise often to become proficient.’

  ‘And do you enjoy your lessons?’

  ‘Yes, I do,’ she said. ‘No, do not look so dubious. I find playing very worthwhile and relaxing. I may never be as good as your mama was, but if I play well enough for my own amusement and the enjoyment of others it will be sufficient. I tried my hand at sketching, but I do not think it will suit me. I have no talent for it, I fear.’

  ‘You have talents enough, Roxanne. Do not be bullied into doing anything you do not wish to do.’

  ‘No, I shall not. There is more than sufficient to keep me occupied here. I have with the earl’s permission begun to plan a wild garden at the back of the house and the kitchen renovations have already started. The invitations for the ball took two days to complete, but since they went out we have been inundated with kind letters—and also some generous gifts. I have written thank-you notes, which the earl was good enough to frank for me.’

  ‘And so he should since he insisted that we hold a ball.’

  Roxanne looked up at him, caught by an inflection in his tone. He sounded annoyed, almost bitter. ‘Did you not wish for a ball?’

  ‘It makes no difference to me one way or the other— I thought it might be difficult for you, since you do not know any of our friends and relatives.’

  ‘We have had several morning visits since the news got out,’ Roxanne said. ‘Just a few of the earl’s neighbours. They were all very pleasa
nt and friendly. I do not think the ball will make me uncomfortable.’

  ‘I am relieved to hear it.’

  The look on his face struck her as brooding and she felt her stomach twist with nerves. He was regretting the ball—and perhaps his impulsive suggestion that they should become engaged. Had he visited Mrs Fox in London? Was that why he seemed moody and disgruntled? If she was the woman he truly loved and could not wed, this arrangement must irk him. A sharp pain struck her to the heart, but she ignored her doubts and lifted her head to meet his gaze.

  ‘Yet the sooner it is all over the better.’

  ‘Is something wrong, Luke? It is not too late. If you wish to change your mind, I can leave. You could cancel the ball and tell everyone I jilted you—or was not suitable.’

  ‘Do not be foolish. Nothing has changed. Why should it? Grandfather seems to have accepted you and I see no reason to disappoint him. If you were agreeable, I might persuade him to have the wedding sooner than later—what do you say?’

  ‘If we are to be married, I see no reason to wait,’ Roxanne replied, though she could not meet his eyes. ‘I made a bargain with you, Luke—and I shall keep it to the last letter, if you wish.’

  ‘You mean you are willing to give Grandfather an heir?’ His gaze narrowed, intent and seeming to penetrate her mind, his look almost an accusation, though of what she did not know.

  Roxanne’s cheeks were burning, but she did not look at him as she replied, ‘Yes, I think we should not disappoint him if it is possible to oblige.’

  ‘Supposing an heir comes along—and then the old devil dies on us? What terms will you demand of me then?’

  ‘I have never demanded anything of you,’ Roxanne replied a trifle haughtily. Her head went up, her manner proud. ‘I should want to be a mother to my son, either here or somewhere else. Naturally, you would visit him, or, as he grew older, have him to stay with you wherever you wish.’

  ‘I do not much care for this place, but my son will inherit it one day. You could continue as its mistress, Roxanne. Unless you wish for your freedom, divorce is hardly necessary. I do not believe I should wish to remarry. I think I am not the domestic type.’