The Reluctant Heiress

by Dilly Court

  ‘I promise you it won’t be anywhere near that long, Mama. It will be a matter of a few weeks or even a couple of months, if I have anything to do with the matter.’

  ‘Are you sure about that?’ Kate said warily. ‘If what you say is correct, all of us who have had anything to do with you are in danger while this is going on.’

  ‘Yes, I’m afraid that’s true. Which is why I need you to be out of London as well, Kate. Warren House is large enough to give shelter to all of you.’ He grasped his mother’s hands. ‘Can I depend upon you to do as I ask, Mama?’

  ‘I suppose so, since you put it so strongly, Harry,’ Lady Lyndon said, drawing away from him with a sigh. ‘You were always such a good little boy. I don’t know what happened to you. I never imagined you would mix with villains.’ She walked to the door and banged on it with her fist. ‘Let me out. I want to go home.’

  Chapter Twelve

  Next morning Kate was about to leave for Nightingale Lane when Perry arrived, and it was obvious from his grim expression that this was not going to be a social call. He shook his head when Henry offered to take his hat and cane.

  ‘I’m not staying. I want a word with you, Kate.’

  ‘I have an urgent appointment. Can it wait until later?’

  ‘No, it cannot. You know very well why I’m here.’

  ‘Thank you, Henry. That will be all.’ Kate waited until the footman was out of earshot. ‘Well, what is it, Perry?’

  ‘Why didn’t you tell me about the fire? And why did you take Lady Lyndon to Newgate Prison without first asking my permission?’

  ‘I didn’t know you needed to be informed if Harry’s mother wanted to visit her son. As to the fire, I don’t see what it has to do with you.’

  ‘I thought we were friends, Kate.’ He moderated his tone, sounding almost apologetic, but not quite. ‘Your wellbeing is important to me and it’s obvious that the fire was arson. Luckily the building wasn’t totally destroyed, but that’s not the point. I’ve seen the police report and I’m only too well aware of the rivalry between the Monks gang and Trader.’

  ‘Then you must know that Harry is working with the police to bring Monks to justice.’

  ‘Of course I do now, but if word of that gets out you will be in even more danger. Just think how it would suit Monks to abduct someone close to Trader, either his mother, Annie or yourself.’

  ‘I’ve thought of that, and it’s not only those closest to Harry. Ivy has had a brick thrown through her window. She and the children are an easy target for the Monks gang, and that’s where I’m going now. Don’t try to stop me, Perry. I’m going to get them to safety, and then I’ll make sure that Lady Lyndon and Annie are taken care of.’

  ‘But who will look after you? Your father is an invalid and he cannot protect you.’

  ‘What are you suggesting? What is your answer to the problem?’

  He hesitated for a few seconds, meeting her angry gaze. ‘Marry me, Kate. Forget about Trader and his family; forget about soup kitchens. Marry me and let me take care of you.’

  ‘You are asking me to marry you?’ Kate stared at him in astonishment.

  ‘Don’t look so surprised. You must know that I have feelings for you.’

  She shook her head. ‘No, it never occurred to me. We’ve known each other since I was little more than a child, but we were apart for three years.’

  ‘And when I saw you again I knew that you were the woman for me.’

  ‘I suppose a wealthy wife would be a definite advantage in your line of business.’

  ‘Kate! How could you think such a thing of me?’

  ‘I’m sorry if I’m doing you an injustice, but surely love ought to come into it somewhere? You’ve never demonstrated any particular fondness for me, so why would you want me to be your wife?’

  ‘Just because I haven’t showered you with flowers and compliments doesn’t mean that I don’t have deep feelings for you.’

  Kate glanced at the towering grandfather clock that stood in the corner of the entrance hall. As a child it had always scared her, especially at night. The striking of the hour had sounded like the knell of doom, and she had imagined that the door might fly open and a hideous goblin-like figure would leap out to terrify her. But she was a grown woman now and all she saw was the clock face – she was going to be late.

  ‘I’m sorry, but I really have to leave. Ivy and the children are depending on me to take them to a place of safety, so perhaps we could have this conversation at a more appropriate time?’

  ‘I take it that means no to my offer of marriage.’

  ‘Don’t put words into my mouth, Perry. I imagine most young women would ask for time to consider such a proposal, especially if it were flung at them so unexpectedly, and so early in the morning.’

  ‘Now you’re laughing at me.’

  She laid her hand on his arm. ‘No, I am not. I’m very flattered and conscious of the honour you do me …’

  He held up his hand. ‘Don’t say any more. I’ve made a fool of myself. I see that now.’ Perry strode to the door and opened it. ‘I don’t know what happened to you in India, but you aren’t the same person you were. You’ve changed, Kate. And not for the better.’

  ‘Then I’m even more surprised that you want to marry me.’ Kate marched past him and ran down the steps to the waiting carriage.

  The older children were bubbling with excitement when the barouche drew up outside Warren House, but Ivy was pale and nervous.

  ‘What if the housekeeper don’t like nippers, Kate? Did you warn her that we was a large number?’

  Kate opened the carriage door without waiting for the coachman to climb down from his box. Frankie and Nellie leaped out first, followed more slowly by May and Jimmy, leaving Kate to help the twins to the ground. Charlie teetered on the top step but Kate caught him before he fell and Ivy clambered out with baby John clutched in her arms.

  ‘Calm down, children.’ Ivy sighed. ‘Remember your manners or we might get thrown out onto the street, and we’d have to live off grass like cows.’

  ‘We’ll go round to the back of the house,’ Kate said firmly. ‘The children can run round for a while and I’ll tell Mr and Mrs Boggis that we’re here.’ She turned to the coachman. ‘I won’t be long, Goodfellow.’

  ‘You heard what Kate said.’ Ivy rounded up her excited flock, leaving Kate to show them the way.

  Let loose in the flower meadow that had once been a lawn, the children gambolled around like lambs, while Ivy perched on a low balustrade. ‘I’ll wait here, where I can keep an eye on them, miss.’

  ‘I won’t be long.’ Kate made her way to the kitchen, where, as expected, she found Martha. ‘Good morning, Martha. I know it’s early but I have a surprise for you.’

  ‘Is Lady Lyndon with you, miss?’

  ‘No, but she will be here later. I have a family who will be staying here for a while. It’s not permanent, but the poor lady has eight children and their father is serving time in prison for theft. He’s not a bad man but he was desperate for money to feed his family.’

  ‘Stealing is stealing, as far as I’m concerned,’ Martha said, pursing her lips. ‘I don’t hold with robbers, and I don’t like nippers.’

  Kate’s heart sank. She had not expected such a reaction – surely all women loved children? She tried again. ‘The Harris youngsters are very well behaved and eager to please. Ivy is a good woman and she’s been working hard to keep the family together, but it’s vital that she and the children leave London for a while.’

  ‘As I thought,’ Martha said, sniffing. ‘I can smell trouble, miss. No good will come of it.’

  ‘It’s only temporary, and I’m sure the children will benefit from your high moral standards. They will do their bit to help you and you’ll hardly notice they’re here. After all, there’s plenty of room, and you will have Lady Lyndon and Miss Blythe to take care of, so you’ll have very little to do with the Harris family.’

  ‘I suppose
I haven’t got much choice, but I don’t know what Arthur will say. If her ladyship don’t mind, then who am I to say anything?’

  Kate took a heavy purse from her pocket and placed it on the kitchen table. ‘There is money to cover their needs and there will be more when it’s needed.’

  Martha weighed the purse in one hand. ‘That feels like a tidy sum, miss.’

  ‘It should suffice. Anyway, the children have not had breakfast, so I hope you might be able to find something for them. They haven’t eaten since last evening, and even then it would have been a very frugal meal.’

  ‘Youngsters need good food if they’re to grow and thrive. Luckily I’ve made a big pan of porridge, which would normally last us for days. I might not like children, but I know my duty. Better send them in, miss.’

  ‘You’re very kind, Martha.’ Kate hurried outside and found Ivy where she had left her.

  ‘Everything will be fine now, Ivy,’ Kate said cheerfully. ‘Martha Boggis is all right if you know how to treat her. I’ve told her that this is a temporary arrangement, which it is, of course, although I didn’t tell her the real reason for your stay in the country – I think that would have been too much for her to take in. Anyway, I’m sure you can handle Martha and she’ll give you a good breakfast.’

  ‘Aren’t you staying?’ Ivy asked anxiously.

  ‘I have to go to Finsbury Circus and make sure that Lady Lyndon is ready to make the move. Don’t worry, Ivy. When her ladyship and Annie arrive, Martha will be too busy taking care of them to bother about anything else.’

  ‘But you will come back later?’

  ‘Yes, I’ll travel with Lady Lyndon. I want to make sure she gets here safely.’

  When Kate arrived at Lady Lyndon’s house in Finsbury Circus it was almost midday. Annie said that the servants had been rushing round for hours, packing things that Lady Lyndon was certain she would need. Kate stood by and watched the last of Lady Lyndon’s trunks and bandboxes being loaded onto a cart and she was impressed. Harry’s mother might seem to be a quiet, gentle person, but when stirred by the prospect of losing her precious belongings, she was as fierce as any battle-scarred general.

  ‘You must accompany us, Kate,’ Lady Lyndon said, wrapping a cape around her shoulders, even though it was a hot afternoon. ‘And, of course you will stay.’

  ‘Surely you don’t need me to be there,’ Kate protested.

  ‘I’ve avoided visiting that country cottage ever since my husband passed away. I barely know the housekeeper and her husband. I will be living amongst strangers.’

  ‘But, Aunt Margaret,’ Annie said hastily, ‘you’re taking Miss Hattersley with you, and Warrender will be on hand should you require his services. I’ll be with you, too.’

  Lady Lyndon gave Annie an affectionate hug. ‘Yes, my dear. All of that is true, but I’m used to having a whole household at my command. I don’t know how we will live with just two servants. It all sounds very compromising to me.’

  ‘Ivy is there already and she will help you, as I said before.’ Kate took a deep breath. ‘And the older children are quite capable of doing jobs around the house or in the garden. They are used to working.’

  ‘Children?’ Lady Lyndon raised an elegant eyebrow. ‘How many?’

  ‘There are eight of them, but they are very well behaved.’ Kate waited for Lady Lyndon to raise a list of objections. If Martha Boggis disliked children, it seemed likely that her ladyship would feel the same, but Lady Lyndon was all smiles.

  ‘How delightful. I simply adore little ones, although older children can be tiresome at times. However, I might consider hiring a governess for them. If they can all read and write and do simple arithmetic it will help them to get better jobs in the future. I’ve missed having a baby to hold.’

  Annie smiled and tucked her hand in the crook of Lady Lyndon’s arm. ‘Why are we wasting time here, Aunt Margaret? I think time spent in the country will benefit us all.’

  ‘You’ll travel with us, of course, Kate,’ Lady Lyndon said firmly. ‘Send your carriage home and we will enjoy the journey together.’

  Kate was about to refuse on the grounds that she would not have any transport for her return journey to Finsbury Square, when she heard someone calling her name and Jenny rushed past a startled footman, who had been standing by the open front door.

  ‘I thought I might catch you here, miss,’ Jenny said breathlessly. ‘You’re wanted at home urgently.’

  ‘What’s happened?’ Kate grasped Jenny’s hand. ‘Calm down and tell me what’s wrong.’

  ‘It’s your father, miss. He’s taken a turn for the worst.’

  ‘I’ll come immediately. Get in the carriage, Jenny.’ Kate turned to Lady Lyndon. ‘I’m sorry, ma’am. I can’t come with you.’

  ‘That’s quite all right, my dear. Your family come first, but I hope you’ll join us soon. If it’s unsafe for Annie and myself to remain in London, then it must be doubly so as far as you’re concerned.’

  ‘I can’t think about that now.’ Kate laid her hand on Annie’s shoulder. ‘I’ll come to Walthamstow as soon as possible.’

  ‘I hope your pa recovers soon,’ Annie said softly.

  Kate hurried from the house and climbed into the carriage. ‘What happened, Jenny?’

  ‘Fellowes found him unconscious in his bed, miss. The doctor was sent for and he was with Sir Bartholomew when I left the house. Your ma told me to find you, and I just hoped you might still be here with Lady Lyndon.’

  ‘Another few minutes and I might have left with them for Walthamstow.’ Kate sank back against the padded leather squabs. ‘I’ve been so busy with the soup kitchen and trying to help Ivy and her family that I fear I’ve neglected Pa since his illness. I’ll never forgive myself if he dies thinking I don’t care about him.’

  ‘I’m sure he don’t think nothing of the sort, miss.’

  Kate had no answer for this and she sat in silence during the short drive to Finsbury Square.

  Henry opened the door, his expression grave.

  ‘Is the doctor with my father, Henry?’ Kate asked anxiously.

  ‘I believe the doctor is with Lady Martin in the drawing room, Miss Kate.’

  Kate took off her bonnet and handed it to Jenny, together with her shawl. ‘I’ll be in the drawing room,’ she said hastily.

  The sight of her mother in tears and Sir Jasper Fey standing with his back to the fireplace confirmed Kate’s worst fears.

  ‘Mama?’

  Arabella looked up, tears coursing down her pale cheeks. ‘It’s all your fault, Kate. I blame you for your father’s condition. Your stubbornness contributed to his illness, of that I’m certain, and now he’s dead. Where were you when I needed you?’ A fresh bout of sobbing put an end to the tirade and she covered her face with her hands.

  ‘I’m sorry.’ Kate could think of nothing else to say. She looked to Sir Jasper for confirmation and he nodded.

  ‘It was a peaceful end, Miss Martin. Your father did not regain consciousness. It made no difference if you were present or not – he would have known nothing about it.’

  ‘Thank you, Sir Jasper.’ Kate went to sit beside her mother on the sofa. ‘I’m sorry I wasn’t here, Mama. I had urgent business, but I wouldn’t have gone if I’d known that Papa was so ill.’

  Arabella dropped her hands to her lap, her fingers tearing at the fine silk as if trying to punish the material for her distress. ‘You always put others before your own family. You are an ungrateful daughter. Go away and allow me to grieve in peace.’

  Kate rose slowly to her feet.

  ‘Try not to be upset by your mother’s remarks,’ Sir Jasper said kindly. ‘Grief takes everyone differently. Give her time and I’m sure she’ll see things more clearly.’

  ‘I doubt it. I’ve never been able to please my mother, Sir Jasper, but thank you all the same.’

  ‘There’s nothing more I can do. Although I could notify a suitable undertaker, if that would help you?’

>   ‘Thank you. Once again I am most grateful.’

  ‘Have you any relatives who could be with you at this time?’

  Kate shook her head. ‘No, sir. My mother and I are the last in the line on both sides of the family.’

  Sir Jasper walked swiftly to the door and opened it. He glanced over his shoulder with an attempt at a smile. ‘I’ll see myself out, but if there’s anything further I can do, just let me know.’

  Kate nodded, at a loss for words. His kindness was in stark contrast to her mother’s harsh words.

  The sound of the door closing made Arabella look up. ‘I hope you’re happy now. You own everything and I have nothing.’

  ‘I’m sorry, Mama. I don’t know what you mean.’

  ‘Don’t pretend ignorance, Kate. You know that this house belonged to your uncle. It was part of the estate he inherited, but he allowed us to live here. Now it’s yours and I am a penniless pauper.’

  ‘Don’t say things like that.’ Kate stared at her mother in dismay. ‘I’ll look after you, of course I will.’

  ‘I’m still a young woman and yet I have to depend upon your charity. I suppose I will end up queuing for food in your soup kitchen.’

  ‘Mama, you’re being ridiculous. I can only put it down to shock and grief or you wouldn’t say such dreadful things.’

  ‘Go away, Kate. Leave me alone with my grief.’

  Kate hesitated but she could see that there was little point in continuing the conversation while her mother was in this mood. She left the room and found Jenny waiting outside.

  ‘I’m sorry, miss. I didn’t know that Sir Bartholomew had passed away.’

  ‘It’s all right, Jenny. You did right in coming for me.’

  Jenny eyed her anxiously. ‘Ma would like to know who’s in charge now, miss. Lady Martin won’t speak to any of the servants and they don’t know what to do.’

  ‘I’ll go and see your mother, Jenny. I have to be practical and there will be funeral arrangements to make.’

  ‘I suppose we won’t be going to Warren House then?’

  Kate managed a wry smile. ‘I think that Lady Lyndon and Ivy can manage without us. They’re both capable women and they will have to contend with Martha Boggis. I’m sorry I won’t be there to see it for myself.’