The Hidden Legacy

by Julie Roberts

  Unbidden, she kissed each finger, raised her face to him with tears in her eyes. ‘I will become betrothed to you, Adam. But marriage is out of the question. Should Frederick’s felony implicate me, then you will be free to break our contract.’

  ‘No. You must be under my protection.’ Her half-promise was not enough.

  ‘You have known me but a short time. You were not acquainted with Frederick. A magistrate would accuse me of using you. That our marriage was my way of securing your name and protection.’ Meredith broke away from him. ‘It is just a betrothal or I will return to Ludgate Hill.’

  She had him cornered, leaving him no other option but to agree. ‘Very well, we will make our announcement.’

  As if to seal their bargain, the gong sounded in the hall.

  The repast was its usual ritual. Aunt Izzie announcing the soup required more seasoning; and Simms refilling her sherry glass.

  Miss Fox’s voice filled the silence. ‘Well, out with it. Since you did not return to the house last night, Adam, there is something afoot?’ The old lady sat upright with her bony hands clasped together in her lap.

  Meredith had to give Adam credit for the way he sat at ease, while she was a coiled spring waiting to gain release and flee the room.

  ‘There was a matter to be settled at the warehouse. I’m sorry, I should have sent a message, but it became very late and I did not wish to disturb the household.’

  His aunt was not going to let him off lightly, as she said, ‘I can assure you, there was little to disturb. I hardly slept a moment after the clock chimed three.’

  ‘Everything is in order now. There is another matter I wish to discuss with you.’ He stood up and just for a fleeting second, his eyes locked with hers.

  ‘Miss Sanders and I are betrothed, Aunt Izzie. As she has no known relative, I have asked her to come and stay here, under your chaperonage, until we are married.’

  ‘Betrothed! When did this happen? Why wasn’t I informed of your intention?’ She stared at Adam, the shock paling her face and then she turned to Meredith. ‘Betrothed, Miss Sanders? You are going to be mistress of this house?’

  Such a thought had not entered Meredith’s head, but of course, by marrying Adam she would take over what his aunt had administered. Her face burned hot. What should she say?

  Adam went to his aunt and took hold of her hand. ‘Izzie, you know you will always have a home here. Miss Sanders is well aware of our household circumstances. I’m sure you will fare well together.’ He kissed her on the cheek. ‘Life at Tallow House would be a very sad place without you.’

  ‘Thank you, Adam, for your kind words.’ The stiffness left her and she clasped his arm. ‘Unexpected shocks like this are not good for an old lady of my age.’

  Just for a moment, Meredith expected an unpleasant scene. But instead Miss Fox smiled. ‘You have my felicitations, Miss Sanders. When do you expect the wedding to take place?’

  Meredith had no intention of letting the pretence of marriage go unchecked and firmly replied, ‘We have not spoken on this, but it will not be for some time.’

  ‘It must be by the end of the next three months, Miss Sanders. That is the accepted period after a betrothal.’ Miss Fox’s reply was just as firm.

  Adam offered no help as he pulled the bell-cord.

  What had seemed a reasonable compromise, his aunt was pushing into a confirmation she couldn’t give. Wondering how to answer, Simms saved her replying as he came into the room.

  ‘Simms, please bring a bottle of champagne to the drawing room.’

  The butler looked a little surprised and Adam grinned like a schoolboy who had just won the biggest prize. ‘Miss Sanders and I are betrothed. We will celebrate the occasion with champagne.’

  Simms returning smile gave Meredith a flutter in her stomach. Things were definitely getting out of hand; she was losing control of her life again.

  Miss Fox waved her hand at the butler. ‘I think I can forgo my nap. I’m sure champagne will settle my nerves far more than the sherry.’

  Adam offered his help as she rose from her chair. ‘Oh, I’m sure it will,’ he replied as they left the dining room.

  Entering the drawing room, Meredith hesitated. Did her status of fiancée now permit her to sit without the formality of it being offered? Her dilemma was diverted with the arrival of the champagne.

  ‘I will open it, Simms. Perhaps this evening you would like to serve a bottle of wine at your own dinner table.’ Adam’s smile was infectious and the butler’s eyes sparkled.

  ‘Thank you, sir. On behalf of the staff I would like to offer our sincere blessings to you and Miss Sanders.’ And on that note, he left.

  Still standing, having not been offered a seat, Meredith wondered if Miss Fox was showing she was still the official mistress of the house. But her betrothal had been too much of a shock for any scheming plans of hierarchy. The popping of the cork and Adam filling three wine glasses banished any other silly ideas. He handed one to his aunt, then picked up the remaining two and came towards her. His brown eyes had taken on that blackness she had captured in her drawing. He was her confidant, rescuer, and lover. To think him her husband was a fantasy she could only dream about.

  There was nothing he could do to help her. Madame Lightfoot had been right, without the return of the original painting the law would start probing and could eventually arrive at her door. Without Frederick alive to explain, all she had was the mysterious dark woman to point her finger at.

  ‘Meredith?’ Adam’s questioning voice brought her back to the drawing room. ‘Are you all right?’

  ‘Yes. I’m sorry I was just thinking about yester …’ She stopped, seeing his lips tighten. She took the offered glass. ‘Thank you.’ The moment of tension passed and he smiled as he took her arm and drew her towards Miss Fox.

  He raised his glass, ‘A toast to our betrothal, Meredith. And to my aunt, I’m sure she will be of invaluable help to us.’

  ‘To Meredith and Adam,’ Miss Fox nodded to each in turn. ‘It is time you settled into married life, Adam Fox.’ A wide smile creased her cheeks and her sparkling eyes made her seem much younger. ‘Now that sign Fox and Son, will become true again.’

  The implication was clear and Meredith suspected that she had not been fooled by Adam’s carefully planned ploy.

  ‘Thank you, Miss Fox.’ Any other reply would only complicate the situation.

  She tasted the pale liquid. So this was the famous wine the nobles and gentry drank. She sipped again; yes, this was definitely something she would like to have at her wedding. But a wedding with Adam was something she could not have, because he didn’t know her other secret. That she was the daughter of a riverfront man and nothing could change that.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  An hour later, Adam made his excuses and Miss Fox went to take a nap. This left Meredith free to find Sarah. She was in the schoolroom busy with a palette of watercolours, her brush stroking carefully along the lines of her drawing.

  ‘Bravo, Miss Weston. You have captured the stonework, door, and kitchen seat in such detail.’

  Sarah’s face beamed with pleasure. ‘It’s how you told me to always look carefully at what I wanted to draw. Before you came, I wouldn’t have thought to draw in the marks on the wall, or the broken seat. I’m going to save it for Papa and write the day on the back.’ Like a puff of smoke, her happiness faded. ‘Do you think he will ever come home?’

  Meredith stooped beside her chair. ‘I’m sure he will. You will continue to improve with each painting and then he will be even more delighted. Shall you stop now? There is something I wish to tell you.’

  ‘Oh, I know all about you being betrothed to Uncle Adam.’

  ‘You do?’ She should be annoyed, yet the child’s face was so full of delight she laughed instead. ‘My, it didn’t take your butler long to spread the word.’

  ‘Isn’t it wonderful, Miss Sanders? You will be living he
re and I can have painting lessons every day.’

  ‘That is not what your uncle wants. He wishes for us to continue as before –’ Unprepared for Sarah’s enthusiasm, she toppled backwards as the girl threw her arms round her neck and they both ended up lying on the floor.

  ‘Please, Miss Sanders, just one extra day?’

  ‘No, Miss Weston, but maybe a little extra tuition before your bedtime?’ There she was again, making plans for a fairy-tale future that couldn’t be.

  Sarah got up and held out her hand. ‘May I help you up? I didn’t mean to hurt you.’

  ‘I am not harmed, but a little pull would be appreciated. Do you have any work to complete for when Miss Thomson returns?’ Her silence told Meredith she had. ‘I see. Wash your brushes, and then finish your school work. I must go and see Mrs Clements.’

  The stairs to the attic rooms were steep and narrow and Meredith found Clemmie in a small and sparsely furnished room sitting in a chair by the window. The light emphasised the lines on her face and Meredith realised she had missed the signs that her dear friend and companion had aged.

  She touched Clemmie’s shoulder and her eyes opened. ‘Is everything all right with you?’

  ‘It is, Meredith, thank you. Mrs Hooper has been very kind. I have this room and take my meals with the staff, but she has refused any help. She told me to use this as a respite! Idleness is for masters. I have to look after you. Will you explain to her I have always seen to your needs? And I’m not stopping now. Apart from visiting my relatives a few times a year, I’d not left Appleton House since becoming Mr Sander’s housekeeper.’

  Meredith knelt and took her hand. ‘Was it selfish of me to bring you to London? I’ve taken you from everything and everyone you know. I’m so sorry.’

  ‘Goodness me, what are you saying? Where else would I be? When Mr Sanders brought you home that day, you filled an empty space in my life. I wouldn’t want to be left somewhere on my own, even at Harlington. Never have regrets, Meredith.’ She picked up a handkerchief from her lap and wiped the tears from her eyes. ‘Mr Fox will see that you are well cared for, but I would have liked to hear about your betrothal first. But Miss Sarah couldn’t keep it to herself for one more minute. So she whispered in my ear, saying, it would only be a half telling. She is such a lovely child.’

  ‘Yes, and very strong willed, but I have come to adore her very much. I hope to be able to finish her portrait soon.’

  Mrs Clements started to get up, but Meredith stayed her move. ‘No, sit here and enjoy your rest. I’ll go and fetch you a pot of tea and speak with Mrs Hooper.’

  The dinner gong was to be at six o’clock.

  Meredith had deliberately deceived Adam about marrying him. She should have been honest and forbade the announcement. If her life had been as her father planned, Adam would be treating her as he did Sal, the tavern wench. He would never ask a girl like Merry for her hand in marriage. Like a roaring lioness with a thorn in its paw her anger rose – but her thorn lay deep, ten years deep, festering all the time she lived at Appleton House. She had studied extra hard at her schooling and painting to hide her past. But coming to Ludgate Hill, almost within touching distance of Newgate prison, her father was more and more in her mind. She had nurtured a hatred for him that she thought could never be appeased. Yet when she had seen him it hadn’t been hate she had felt.

  Meredith tried to analyse her feelings, remembering his words of regret that evening, pleading with her to understand. But the horror had driven her to run away. Why hadn’t she thought more about her mother? She was being worn close to death working to feed her children. She had depended on her for help. Had it been her running away that killed her?

  Her father had found a way out – somehow. That question ran round and round, spiralling until a pain filled its place. What was she to do?

  The answer was simple. Tell Adam, break the betrothal and go back to Ludgate Hill. The painting had to be returned to the Royal Academy the day after tomorrow. She had to either solve the crime or face any consequences.

  Her mirror reflected a lady with her hair swept away from her temples and held in place by ivory clasps, her gown was muslin over deep green finely woven cotton. This gown belonged to her second life. Would Adam be prepared to accept her first – the ragged urchin? A girl so frightened and hungry that when she saw a man with a knife in his hand she had wanted to run back to Blackfriars.

  Tallow House was beautiful. The bedchamber she had been given was part of a suite with a connecting door to a room beyond – Adam’s bedchamber – but the door was locked and there was no key. No doubt Mrs Hooper considered such close intimacy quite inappropriate.

  Yet she had already given herself to him, wantonly, in a riverside inn. In her imaginative mind she saw him lying naked on a large bed, his dark eyes looking directly at her. A flutter of desire ached low and she ran her tongue along her lower lip, remembering that same action by Adam.

  The turmoil of her thoughts was broken by the sound of knocking and then voices from the hall. Meredith hesitated, but her curiosity overcame good manners and she went out on to the landing and looked down the stairs.

  Below, a coachman was dragging the last of some baggage inside. A stranger handed him his fare. From along a passage leading off the landing Sarah’s door opened and she came running out. ‘What is happening? Why is there so much noise?’

  ‘You seem to have a visitor, with a large number of trunks.’

  Sarah leant over the landing rail. ‘It is Papa, he has come home.’ The next moment the child was running down the stairs, calling out, ‘Papa?’ The man speaking with Simms turned and swept Sarah up into his arms. Meredith was overwhelmed that Sarah’s wish had come true and she couldn’t stop the tears of joy. From various parts of the house, doors opened: Miss Fox sent her maid to find out what was going on. Adam looked baffled, his brows drawn together and she was extremely self-conscious that he should see her crying.

  Then Sarah wriggled out of her father’s arms and came running up the stairs shouting, ‘Uncle Adam, Papa has come home. Come down, Miss Sanders, come and meet my papa.’ She pulled at Meredith’s hand and dragged her down the stairs.

  ‘This is my painting tutor and Uncle Adam’s going to marry her and she has almost finished my portrait that we were going to keep for you.’ It all came out in one breath in her excitement.

  From the landing, Adam called to his brother-in-law, ‘Victor, why didn’t you send word?’ He ran down the stairs and took hold of the man by his shoulders. ‘It’s a surprise, but the best ever. Come into the drawing room.’ He looked over at Simms. ‘Another setting for dinner and tell Cook to wait until Mr Weston has had time to change. His room, Simms, is it ready?’

  ‘Yes, sir, it is always ready.’

  There was such pride in the butler’s voice that Meredith couldn’t help suffer a moment of regret. This would be a wonderful family to be part of. She waited, holding Sarah’s hand and wondering whether she should follow, but the child pulled her forward and they trailed after the two men.

  Victor Weston looked tired and travel worn, to the extent that his clothes and boots were filthy and his neck-cloth grey, never to be white again. His face was much lined for a man who was no older than Adam.

  Without hesitation, Sarah sat on the sofa next to the father she had not seen for years. Yet there was no shyness, only pure delight.

  ‘Come here, Meredith.’ Adam held out his hand. ‘We have an official announcement to make. Victor, may I present Miss Sanders, my fiancée.’

  ‘Sarah was the bearer of this good news the moment I arrived.’ He stood up and bowed. ‘I offer you my most sincere congratulations, Miss Sanders. And you, Adam, have chosen a beautiful lady to be your wife.’

  Adam laughed. ‘That, I am well aware of.’

  Everything was spiralling out of control again. Mr Weston added another layer to her deceit, but she replied easily, ‘Thank you.’

  Now Me
redith had time to assess the tall man, she realised his years in the sun had made his face very brown and his blond hair almost white. He would stand out like Adonis, the Greek god, to the shaded and protected genteel ladies. There was a familiar facial likeness to Sarah, the same colour eyes, the same nose, perhaps even to her hair colour, in a few months’ time.

  Adam went to the cabinet and poured two glasses of amber liquid and handed one to him. ‘Welcome home.’

  ‘Oh, Papa, will you tell me all about your adventures? If you go back, will you take me?’

  Victor’s features changed and the happy smile he had given to Adam faded. ‘No, Sarah. It is no place for a child. I will not promise something I could not do.’

  ‘But, you were going to take Mama, so why –’

  Her father raised his hand for silence. ‘No more. I may never go abroad again. I have had my fill of foreign lands. Let us not spoil your Uncle Adam’s evening. I must change, but first present myself to Aunt Izzie. Tell Cook I’m famished and have been looking forward to her dinner platter since I decided to come home.’

  ‘I’ll go and tell Cook, Papa. You will love her pudding because I saw the apples on the table this morning.’

  ‘My favourite; I hope she has put them in a pie. I’ll be down in a half-hour.’

  After they left, silence filled the room. Meredith didn’t know what to say. She knew what she should be saying – the truth to end this illusion of respectability.

  ‘Is everything all right, Meredith? I would rather you spoke your mind than look at me as though I were some sort of monster.’

  He could never be that. She would love him for the rest of her life.

  ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t … I mean … pretence is difficult for me. A betrothal which is being played out for appearances’ sake will end with a lot of hurt.’

  ‘It is no pretence for me. I fail to see why you repeatedly throw your distaste of a marriage at me? Would you sooner be shamed? If you became an unmarried woman with a child, you would find it very difficult to maintain a position of respectability, even in London. Added to that, you already know competing in the artistic circles is almost impossible for a woman.’