The Reluctant Heiress

by Dilly Court

‘You said you might have a job for me? I need to know, miss. I’m a marked man as far as Monks is concerned.’

  ‘Annie’s brother is a soldier, or rather he was until he was badly injured. I thought you two might get on well together and he needs someone to do things that present a problem to him.’

  ‘Sounds all right, I suppose.’

  ‘You don’t have to make up your mind now. Just find Harry and bring him here. That’s all I ask.’

  ‘Yes, miss.’ Spears was about to leave the room when Perry breezed in, almost knocking him over.

  ‘I beg your pardon, sir,’ Perry said hastily. ‘I was in such a hurry that I didn’t see you.’ He paused, staring at Spears. ‘Is that really you, Spears?’

  Kate clapped her hands. ‘That’s excellent. You passed the test, Augustus. You can be assured that no one will recognise you.’

  Spears jumped to attention and saluted. ‘Yes, miss.’ He marched out of the room leaving Perry staring after him.

  ‘I wouldn’t have believed the transformation. I’ve only met Spears once or twice, but had I seen him in passing I would not have recognised him. What are you up to, Kate?’

  ‘Sit down, Perry. I’m glad you’re here. I’ve sent for Harry, but I don’t want Monks to get wind of our plans. If Harry can spread the word that there’ll be rich pickings at the ball, I want Monks to think it’s too good a chance to miss.’

  ‘Can you give me a copy of the guest list? The police will need to know who will be in attendance.’

  Kate moved to her mother’s escritoire in the corner of the room and lifted the lid. ‘I have one here. I made a fair copy because I knew you would need one.’

  Perry took it from her, smiling. ‘You think of everything, Kate.’

  ‘I do hope so,’ she said fervently. ‘It feels as if this will be our last chance to live a normal life again.’

  ‘I plan to propose to Annie when this is all over.’ Perry glanced at her nervously, as if expecting her disapproval.

  Kate flung her arms around him. ‘About time, too. It was obvious from the start that you two were a wonderful match.’

  ‘You don’t feel put out? I mean I know I led you to think that …’

  ‘Perry, it doesn’t matter. That is all in the past. You met and fell in love with Annie and that’s all that matters. I might have felt a little piqued at the start, but now I see it is the best thing that could have happened. You and I were not meant to be together.’

  He raised her hand to his lips. ‘You are a very special person, Kate. Harry Lyndon will be a very lucky man if you decide to take him as your husband.’

  Before Kate had a chance to respond the door opened and her mother walked into the room, coming to a sudden halt when she saw them. She threw up her hands. ‘Oh, how wonderful. Have you two come to your senses at last? Kate, I couldn’t be more pleased. Now we’ll have another announcement to celebrate at the ball.’

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  It took Kate and Perry some time to persuade Arabella that they were not romantically involved, and even then Kate doubted if her mother was entirely convinced. However, the subject of the ball was closer to Arabella’s heart and she was quite open about her wish to become a leader of fashion. Kate made an effort to sound encouraging, but entering society was the last thing on her mind.

  After a brief meeting with Harry that evening, Kate was even more determined to see an end to the activities of Monks and his gang. Harry agreed that the ball was an excellent idea, but he insisted on returning to Wapping that night.

  ‘If I don’t go back to my room at the pub they will get the wrong idea. Some of Monks’ men are suspicious because I was released from prison so early. I’ve worked hard to get their trust, but it’s like walking a tightrope – one slip and it’s all over. If I return there now I can continue to spread the word about the valuables that will be there for the picking at the ball.’

  ‘Yes, Harry,’ Kate said. ‘But I think you’ve done enough. I’m planning to go to Warren House in the morning. Why don’t you stay here tonight and travel with me tomorrow? The people in Wapping won’t know where you are.’

  ‘No, my love, they won’t, but if I don’t return word is sure to get back to Monks and he’ll be on the alert. He’s not stupid, Kate. I don’t want to leave you, but I must. For now, anyway.’

  She nodded. ‘All right. I understand what you’re saying, but I don’t like it, Harry. As you said, one slip and they won’t have any mercy. Spears has told me something of the way they treat people who cross them. It’s not pretty.’

  Harry took her in his arms and kissed her. ‘Don’t worry about me, my darling. I can take care of myself. I just want you to be safe.’ He left through the servants’ entrance and Kate made her way slowly to her room. As she undressed and slipped her nightgown over her head her whole body ached for more of his caresses. The touch of his lips on hers still very real, and she realised how much she missed the intimacy they had shared on board ship. The ball was only a week away and yet it felt like an eternity of waiting and worrying. It would be a relief to leave London and spend a day or two in Warren House, but at the back of her mind was the nagging fear that if Monks had any suspicion that he was being led into a trap it would be the worse for Harry. She climbed into her cold bed, and lay shivering as the dark night wrapped itself around her. Eventually she fell into a fitful sleep.

  Spears was not the most cheerful travelling companion. He grumbled all the way to Warren House and Kate could not wait to alight from the carriage. They were greeted by Frankie, May and Nellie, who appeared as if from nowhere.

  ‘Mr Spears,’ Frankie said, grinning, ‘you look like a proper toff. What are you doing here?’

  ‘Have you come to stay?’ Nellie asked shyly.

  ‘Not if you youngsters persist in asking questions. Ain’t you supposed to be in school?’

  Frankie grinned cheekily. ‘We come to the big house every morning. Tilly gives us cake, but don’t tell Ma.’ He winked and raced off towards the road, with May and Nellie chasing after him.

  Spears followed Kate into the house. ‘You don’t want me to look after them nippers, do you? If that’s the case I’ll be on me way back to London. I prefer Monks’ men to them kids.’

  Kate laughed and patted him on the shoulder. ‘No, they live with their mother and father in a cottage on the estate. If you see Ivy don’t tell her you saw them or they’ll be in trouble and so will Tilly. But that’s by the bye … I’ll take you to the kitchen and introduce you to Martha and her husband. She is a wonderful cook, so you’d better be nice to her if you want some tasty treats, and Arthur looks after the property. He may seem stern, but he’s a very nice person when you get to know him.’

  ‘So I’ll be working for Annie’s brother. Is that right, miss?’

  ‘We’ll have breakfast and then I’ll take you to the cottage where he lives. You’re both old soldiers, so I’m sure you’ll get along splendidly.’

  ‘I ain’t said I’m staying yet,’ Spears said gloomily. ‘I’m town born and bred. I don’t like the countryside.’

  ‘Everything looks better on a full stomach.’ Kate led the way to the kitchen where they were welcomed by the aroma of baking bread and sizzling bacon.

  Spears sniffed appreciatively. ‘I ain’t smelled anything like that since me ma died twenty years ago.’

  Martha looked up as they entered the room. ‘Miss Kate, it’s good to see you back, but who’s this?’

  ‘Martha, I want you to meet Augustus Spears. He’s going to work for Joe, or at least that’s the plan. I’ll have to see if Joe agrees.’

  Martha looked him up and down. ‘I suppose you’ll be wanting to be fed then, Augustus. Or do I call you Gus?’

  ‘You calls me Mr Spears until we get to know each other better, Mrs, er … I didn’t catch your surname.’

  ‘It’s Boggis.’ Martha unhooked a side of bacon from the inglenook where it had been smoking gently for some months. She brandished a vic
ious-looking knife and sliced the bacon with a meaningful down stroke. ‘Don’t get cheeky with me, Gus. I’m the head of the kitchen, so unless you want the burned leftovers or things I don’t deem fit for the pigswill, you’d better show some respect.’

  Kate tried not to laugh. The look on Spears’ face was so comical, and she could hear Tilly giggling in the scullery. ‘I’ll leave you two to get acquainted, but I’d appreciate some breakfast when it’s ready, Martha. We were up very early, and I want to introduce Augustus to Joe before he goes out on his rounds.’

  Half an hour later Kate and Spears were on their way to Joe’s cottage.

  ‘I dunno what exactly I can do for him,’ Spears said warily. ‘I mean, it sounded like a good idea yesterday, but the more I think about it the less likely it seems that he’ll want to have me hanging around.’

  ‘You don’t know him, Augustus. He’s very proud and he doesn’t like to ask for help, but he’s limited physically and even tacking up his horse must prove quite difficult.’

  As if to prove her point a large black horse came cantering towards them, with its saddle coming adrift. In the distance Kate could see Joe standing in the middle of the path, leaning heavily on one crutch.

  ‘Whoa there.’ Spears held out his arms and the horse came to a halt, snorting and pawing the ground. ‘Steady there, old fellow.’ Speaking gently in a tone that Kate had never heard him use, Augustus soothed the agitated animal.

  ‘I couldn’t fasten the girth properly and he bolted,’ Joe said apologetically. ‘I don’t know if I’m fit for this job, Kate. I think Mr Pomeroy-Smith will have to find someone better suited.’

  ‘I don’t think that will be necessary. I may have the answer for you.’ Kate waited until Spears was within earshot. ‘Joe, this is Augustus Spears. He’s a military man like yourself and he’s looking for work. You need someone to assist you and I thought you might be able to help each other.’

  Spears came to a halt, clicked his heels together and saluted in a dramatic way that seemed to impress Joe. ‘Good morning, Captain.’

  Joe grinned. ‘No need for formalities, Spears. I was only a private.’ He held out his hand. ‘Joe Blythe.’

  ‘I know your sister, sir. Me and Annie are old friends.’ Spears shook hands and the horse nodded as if in approval.

  ‘As you can see, I do need some help if I’m to continue working for Mr Pomeroy-Smith, but I can’t afford to pay you, Augustus. It wouldn’t be fair to keep you from getting a better position.’

  ‘Money doesn’t come into it,’ Kate said hastily. ‘There’s a grant available for ex-soldiers. I know someone who applied for it and is now in full employment, all expenses paid for by a grateful government.’ It was, of course, pure fabrication, but Kate could see that they believed her. She would fund Spears’ wages herself, but there was no need for anyone to find out, and she would be putting her uncle’s legacy to good use. It was a well-intentioned lie and surely she could be forgiven for that. She looked from one to the other. ‘Well? Are you willing to give it a try?’

  ‘I am, most certainly,’ Joe said with feeling. ‘What about you, Spears?’

  ‘I’m very willing, sir.’

  ‘Wonderful.’ Kate patted Spears on the back. ‘Now both of you can do something for me and for Harry. I want you to attend the ball in Berkeley Square, which is being given to celebrate my mother’s engagement to Mr Pomeroy-Smith.’

  Joe stared at her, shaking his head. ‘Why would I attend a ball, Kate? I can hardly walk, let alone dance.’

  ‘It’s going to be a trap to catch Monks and his gang and put them in prison where they belong. We think, or rather we hope, that the lure of expensive jewels and priceless artworks will be enough to tempt Monks out of hiding. I think Harry and the police will need all the help they can get.’

  ‘Look at me, Kate.’ Joe lifted one of his crutches. ‘I’m not much use with these things.’

  ‘I dunno, mate,’ Spears said, chuckling. ‘A hefty swipe with one of those would do the trick. You look as though you know how to handle yourself in a set-to.’

  ‘I haven’t any suitable clothes,’ Joe said stubbornly. ‘Unless you want me to wear my uniform.’

  ‘Me neither,’ Spears added. ‘I only got these duds because you gave them to me, miss.’

  ‘There’s a shop in Covent Garden where Mr Moss sells very good second-hand garments,’ Kate said firmly. ‘I want you both to come to London as soon as possible and we’ll get you kitted out.’

  ‘If you put it like that I suppose I can’t refuse,’ Joe said, grinning.

  Kate smiled. ‘That’s settled then. Hopefully you won’t have to do anything but stand by, looking impressive.’

  ‘I want to see Monks get his comeuppance,’ Spears said grimly. ‘Nothing would please me more.’

  ‘I’ll leave you two to get acquainted, and in the meantime I’m going to see Ivy. She wasn’t at the big house so I expect I’ll find her at home. I think Ted would be a handy man to back you two soldiers up.’

  ‘Ted’s a good chap,’ Joe said earnestly. ‘We’ll be there, Kate. After everything you’ve done for Annie and me, I owe you my life.’

  ‘Nonsense,’ Kate said briskly. ‘We’re as good as family, and that means we stick together.’ She was about to walk away but she hesitated. ‘You’ll need a horse, Augustus. I’ll tell Goodfellow to find you a suitable mount.’ She did not wait for an answer and she set off again, this time heading for Ivy and Ted’s cottage at the edge of the spinney.

  Ivy was in the garden hanging the washing on a clothes line, her breath curling round her head in the cold air. Kate called her name and Ivy took a peg from her mouth to answer with a cry of delight.

  ‘Kate! I didn’t expect to see you today. What a lovely surprise.’ She picked up the empty willow basket. ‘Come inside where it’s warm.’ She entered the cottage, leaving the basket and bag of wooden pegs in the porch. ‘I’ll make a pot of tea as it’s you. I have to be careful with money now that we’re supporting ourselves, but I’m not complaining. We’re doing very nicely, thanks to you.’

  ‘I’m glad.’ Kate pulled up a chair and sat down at the table. ‘You seem to be very comfortable here, Ivy.’

  ‘It’s wonderful being a family again, and living here there’s no temptation for Ted to get in with the wrong people.’ Ivy busied herself making a pot of tea. ‘But what’s happening in London? Why have you come back so soon?’

  ‘That’s partly why I’ve come to see you.’ Kate accepted a cup of tea with a nod and a smile. ‘Harry and Perry have been working with the police and they have a plan to catch Monks and his men. I’ve explained it all to Joe and he’s willing to be a part of it. Do you think Ted will help?’

  Ivy took a seat opposite Kate. ‘I dunno. You’d better tell me exactly what this plan is and whether it would put my Ted in danger of being on the wrong side of the law.’

  ‘It won’t do that, I promise.’ Kate leaned her elbows on the table, fixing Ivy with a serious gaze. ‘I’m going to tell you everything, but it mustn’t go any further.’

  ‘You know you can trust me. What can my Ted do for you?’ Ivy listened in silence while Kate outlined the plan.

  ‘So, you see, Ivy,’ Kate concluded. ‘We will all be able to live a normal life when Monks is locked up. Harry will get a full pardon and Lady Lyndon will be able to return to her home in Finsbury Circus. My mama and Giles will be married at Easter and we can breathe easily again.’

  ‘And what about you?’ Ivy said earnestly. ‘Will you marry Harry?’

  Kate felt herself blushing and she looked away. ‘That depends.’

  ‘On what?’ Ivy asked, chuckling. ‘Come on, Kate. You can tell me.’

  ‘Life has been so uncertain and I’ve hardly seen Harry since we returned from India. Ask me again after the ball, and I might be able to give you an answer.’

  ‘Are you going to the ball, Kate?’

  ‘Yes, of course, I am. I wouldn’t miss it for the world
.’

  ‘Then you’ll need a lady’s maid in attendance. Preferably one who can keep calm in a fight, and I’ve seen enough of those when we lived in Wapping. Them villains won’t get close to you while I’m around. I can use me fists if I have to.’

  ‘Of course I’d like you to come, but who would look after the children?’

  ‘Tilly is a good girl. She can stay here overnight. The nippers love her and Tilly loves them. I could do with a bit of excitement. You can count me in.’

  Kate left Ivy’s cottage filled with plans for the upcoming event. She went straight to the stables to see Goodfellow, and she gave him permission to purchase a more suitable mount for Spears at the next horse sale. According to Goodfellow, there was an ageing horse that would do very well for Spears until he was a more proficient rider, and Kate left him, satisfied that it was a job well done. Joe had the help he needed and Spears had found employment and a more healthy way of life. Out of politeness, Kate called briefly on Marie Goodfellow, who was as loud and cheerful as ever, although she did complain about the size of their cottage and the smell from the stables. Kate nodded politely and when Marie stopped to draw breath Kate took the opportunity to wish her well and backed away. She returned to the house where she found Martha looking ill at ease.

  ‘Will you be coming back to Warren House soon, Miss Kate?’ Martha eyed her curiously. ‘I mean it’s not my place to ask questions, but Lady Lyndon didn’t give me any instructions when she left. It was all a bit sudden.’

  ‘Yes, I know it was, but you mustn’t worry, Martha.’

  ‘I’m sorry, miss. But of course I’m concerned. I’ve served Lady Lyndon and the family all my life. If she isn’t coming back ever, will they sell the property? It does happen, you know. My friend Elsie Brown used to work at Chestnut Grove and the owners fell upon hard times. The property was sold, and with no family of her own, poor Elsie ended up in the workhouse.’

  ‘That won’t happen to Warren House, I can promise you that, and should Lady Lyndon decide to sell, which she won’t, I would buy it myself. I love this place and the village. I’d be more than happy to make my home here.’