An Artful Deception

by Karen Cogan

  “Oh, Lizzy, I have done something to displease everyone, even myself. How could I have gotten myself into such an intolerable mess? I can see no way out. It is quite hopeless.”

  Lizzy patted her shoulder. “You must not talk that way. Nothing is hopeless.”

  She handed Katharine a simple cloth handkerchief and said, “Wipe your eyes and tell me what has happened.”

  Katharine accepted the handkerchief and dabbed at her tear stained face. “I have told a lie and it has turned out very ill. It is my own fault and I can blame no one else for it save my uncle, the horrible insufferable man.”

  Lizzy laid a hand upon her arm. “I do not understand, Ginny. Perhaps you should start at the beginning.”

  “That is the point. I am not Ginny.”

  Katharine proceeded to explain how she had come to be in such difficulty. Lizzy’sfrown grew deeper as she listened. At last she said, “It is a most fantastic story. I do not wonder that Lord Philip would have a hard time believing you, especially with the man you say is your uncle denying it also.”

  “My uncle wishes me to return with him for his own reasons. He has squandered his money and has little left for the upkeep of the estate. He lets out his previous small and ill-kept estate of Graynor, which he inherited upon the death of his wife, for she had no relatives to inherit it, but it provides him little income. If he can force me to marry Cedric, he will tell my solicitor that reports regarding my death were in error. Then, he will collect the money that Papá left me as a pension.”

  Lizzy looked skeptical. “Is there no one who can identify you?”

  “Not in London. And I do not have the funds to travel elsewhere.”

  “What will you do?”

  “I do not know. I only know that, even if I freeze on the streets of London, I will not return with Lord Graynor. I am leaving here at daylight before I may be compelled to accompany him.”

  “You cannot simply disappear with nowhere to go. You would surely freeze.”

  “I would rather freeze than to return with my uncle. I only have a little money, but perhaps I can find a room somewhere.”

  Lizzy twisted a lock of dark hair around her finger as she thought. At last she said, “I have an aunt in London. My mother often spoke of her. She lives in Cheapside. I only know her name, but I have heard she is a kind soul. If you mention me, perhaps she would take you in until this can be sorted through.”

  Katharine felt a ray of hope, like a drowning person feels when thrown a rope. “Do you think she would, just until I have time to think? I could pay her a little.”

  “If you are determined not to return with Lord Graynor, I do not see where you have any choice other than to ask her. Yet, are you sure it would not be better to marry this Cedric? If you are a lady, you would live the life of a lady. If you go to my aunt, how will you support yourself? It will be hard to get work in a respectable household without the good references of Lady Charlesworth.”

  Katharine shuddered. “I do not know how I shall manage or what I shall have to do. Yet, nothing could persuade me to place my comfort above my heart in a matter such as this.”

  “Then I shall help you in any way that I can.”

  Katharine smiled at the girl. “You are a kind friend, Lizzy. Someday, I shall find a way to repay you.”

  “Repay me by proving the truth of what you have told me.”

  Katharine looked into Lizzy’s troubled eyes. “Do you believe me, Lizzy?”

  Tears welled in Lizzy’s eyes. “I do not know. Either you are telling the truth or you are quite mad. Either way, I believe you are innocent of deliberate wrong doing, for indeed, I could not believe you capable of it.”

  Katharine gently squeezed her hand. “I am not mad, dear Lizzy and I shall prove it to you.”

  They packed all the clothes and belongings with which Katharine dared try and escape into a reticule and a small trunk she borrowed from Lizzy. “Try to send me my large trunk, Lizzy. Lord Philip forbade me to take it, but it is mine and I must have it if I am to improve my position.”

  “I shall try.”

  It was late when they finally got to sleep and Katharine knew that she must make an early escape. She allowed herself to doze until just before daybreak. Then, hidden by the shadows of pre-dawn, she rose and dressed. Lizzy sat up and rubbed her arms. With no fire yet in the kitchen, the room was chilly.

  She got out of bed and lit a candle. In the dim light, she helped Katharine brush out her hair and neatly arrange the copper waves. When they finished, Lizzy dressed and helped Katharine carry the trunk out the garden gate and down to the corner, where a hired coach would spy her and she might buy a ride.

  As she panted beside her, Lizzy told Katharine, “My aunt’s name is Rose. Rose Baker. She is a seamstress. Ask for her on Cheapside, for I am sure she will be easily known.”

  Katharine shivered in the damp and foggy cold. “You had better go back before you are missed. I do not want to cause you to lose your position. With any luck, we will meet again soon.”

  Lizzy embraced her. “God speed, Ginn…or should I say, my lady? I shall miss you dreadfully.”

  “And I shall miss you. I shall try to get word to you somehow.”

  They parted as the clatter of a coach sounded in the fog. Lizzy pulled her cloak close around her head as she turned, waving once before she disappeared into the mist. Katharine waited alone until the driver spotted her. He pulled to a stop and asked if she required a ride. Katharine replied that she wished to go to Cheapside, causing him to eye her curiously before stowing her trunk. Why would she travel from Park Lane to a far less impressive side of London? She had the look of gentry, but he supposed one could never tell.

  Katharine told the driver the name of the lady that she wished to find. Then the coach rattled away taking her across the city to throw herself upon the mercy of a stranger. She rubbed her arms vigorously to warm herself from the cold and to steady her nerves, for she found that she was shaking.

  When they reached Cheapside, she heard the driver ask a passerby for the house of Mrs. Baker. The man replied and the coach rolled on. Katharine clasped her arms tightly about her.

  At last, they stopped. She peered from the window to see a rather careworn structure with paint peeling from a door that was once dark red. It nestled on each side against other residences of equal disrepair.

  She heard a scraping sound as the coachman lifted down her trunk and set it on the walkway. She bit her lip, hoping that Mrs. Baker would not find her presumptuous. If she refused her, Katharine did not know where she would go.

  The driver opened the door and assisted Katharine down the steps. She paid his price and, holding tightly to her reticule she squared her shoulders. All that was left was to knock upon the door and hope that Lizzy was right about her aunt.

  ###

  Philip discovered she was missing when he sent Lizzy in to awaken her. Lord Graynor was at his breakfast and eager to leave first thing that morning. When Lizzy returned with word that Katharine was not in her chamber, Philip scowled and snapped, “Then find her. Lord Graynor is not to be kept waiting upon a maid.”

  Lizzy curtseyed and took refuge in the kitchen. After an appropriate length of absence she appeared timidly again and began to clear the breakfast dishes. Lord Philip placed his linen napkin upon the table and asked impatiently, “Have you found Ginny?”

  He said the name as though he found it distasteful.

  “No, sir. I have not. I do not believe she is in the house.”

  “Not in the house. Where could she have gone?”

  Lizzy wished to avoid answering the question. So she replied, “Wherever she has gone, she has taken her reticule.”

  Lord Graynor snorted. “The foolish girl has run away.”

  Philip felt his heart constrict. Ginny, alone in the city of London, was a picture that he did not want to entertain. Though he wished to deny it, he could no more ignore his fear for her safety than he could stop his heart from beatin
g. She had told him that she knew no one in the city. Where would she stay? Who would care for her?

  He pushed the unwanted images from his mind. Ginny had lied to him, had used his family to her own ends. She deserved whatever fate she was dealt. Yet, he could not help wishing that he had not discovered her at Almack’s. He would rather have continued in ignorance and seen her married as a lady than have her cast alone upon the street.

  His thoughts were interrupted by Lord Graynor’s firm pronouncement. “I want her found. She has not been punished for her trickery and betrayal. She must choose between my offer and jail.”

  Philip sighed as he got to his feet. “If she does not return, I believe she will find punishment enough on the streets of London.”

  Lord Graynor left that morning after a promise by Philip to send word if Ginny should return or be found. Lady Charlesworthhad been so greatly distressed by the incident that she had taken to her bed for the day. Philip, unable to concentrate on anything except the missing girl, paced the library and tried to erase the memory of her face.

  He conferred with his father regarding the matter, but found no comfort. “She is only a maid. When Lord Graynor gets over the insult to his charity, he will find another, said the elder lord.”

  Philip settled at the desk in his own chamber where he could stare out at the street. Normally he would have sought distraction at the club when he felt at loose ends. Yet, he took no pleasure in the thought. He could not keep his mind on diversion when he wanted only to solve the riddle of Ginny’s disappearance. Surely, someone must know where she had gone.

  He stared morosely at the coaches clattering along on the damp cobbles, carrying their passengers near and far. Suddenly, he thought of a possibility. It might be a long shot, but it was worth considering. He would order the coach brought round first thing in the morning and check it out. If he was lucky, he just might find Ginny.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Philip arose at dawn and boarded the coach, his expression grim like his thoughts. He traveled alone, having told his parents that he would be gone overnight on a matter of importance. His father did not pry, but Lady Charlesworth, unhappy to have him cancel his attendance at the Friday night assembly, was insistent as to his reason.

  “I am hesitant to explain for fear of upsetting you. But, since you insist… I am riding back to the estate.”

  “Why on earth would you do so just as the season is beginning? And what will Miss Buckley think? Do you wish to have her place her attachments elsewhere?”

  “I will not be gone long. I believe it is possible that Ginny has gone there. She is a clever girl; she must be to have pulled off such a charade. It may have occurred to her that it will be some months before our return. Perhaps she returned and told Mrs. Parker that she did not please you as lady’s maid and was sent back to serve as a parlor maid. Such a story would buy her several weeks of shelter. ”

  Lady Charlesworth gasped. “I did not think of it. Would she be so bold?”

  Philip grimaced. “I believe she has proved that she can be as bold as she desires.”

  Lady Charlesworth quickly acquiesced. “You are quite correct. If you find her, you must demand that she be exposed. For she has put us through too much misery to overlook.”

  “If I find her, I will bring her to the constable, though it gives me little pleasure. Then he may decide what is to be done with her.”

  His resolve was firm, though his heart felt heavy. He could not forget how disappointed he had been when Lord Graynor had confirmed her identity. Not until that moment had he realized how much he had wished to believe her. And now, he dreaded meeting her again. He did not relish being the instrument that would put an end to her deceit.

  His thoughts remained grim when they stopped to water the horses and eat lunch at a small inn nestled between his estate and Eastmoor. Philip, feeling recalcitrant, barely acknowledged the owner’s solicitous attentions. He was troubled and on edge about apprehending the woman who had confused and muddled his emotions.

  After lunch, they boarded the coach, arriving at the estate in late afternoon. Philip brushed aside the apologies from the butler as the man took Philip’s hat and greatcoat.

  “I would have warmed your chamber, sir, had I known you were coming.”

  “It is of no importance. I have come to determine if a copper-haired maid has returned here, saying that she was sent back from London. She was serving as lady’s maid to my mother when we left here.”

  The butler looked perplexed. “I do not believe so, sir. Please warm yourself in the sitting room and I shall send for Mrs. Parker. Perhaps she will know.”

  Mrs. Parker entered after Philip had been made comfortable with a roaring fire and a glass of ale in the sitting room. “You sent for me, sir?”

  “I did. I have traveled all this way because I wish to know if the maid known as Ginny has returned. Has she come back to you?”

  “No, my lord. I have not seen Ginny since she left with your mother. Is something wrong?”

  Philip sighed. He saw no reason not to relate the tale to the housekeeper. “Yes, something is very wrong. After we arrived in London, the girl attempted to pass herself off as Lady Katharine. I caught her at a ball, dressed in the finery of her late mistress. After that discovery, we could no longer allow her to remain in our employ.”

  He took a sip of ale and continued. “Lord Graynor graciously offered to employ her at his estate. Instead of accepting his offer, she ran away. I thought that she might have come here for lodging, lying to you about the reason until we were expected to return.”

  Mrs. Parker wrinkled her brow. “I you do not mind my saying so, I never trusted the girl. And now that you mention her, there were some things that had gone missing before you left. A candle stick, a silver salver and several other odds and ends. I thought they were just misplaced, but I suppose the girl could have taken them. Perhaps that is how she is paying for her lodging.”

  Philip scowled. “If you are right, she will not need to return here. She probably smuggled the things out when she took Lady Katharine’s trunk along with her own. I will have it searched when I return, though I imagine the things have been sold by now.”

  Mrs. Parker nodded. “I always thought she was a sly one.”

  Philip hated himself for having been so gullible. He had trusted Ginny, had liked her from the moment they met. He had been intrigued by her, and that, unfortunately made the truth much harder to bear.

  “Apparently, you are a much better judge of character than I,” he admitted to Mrs. Parker.

  He was in no mood for company, so he dismissed Mrs. Parker and took his supper in the dining room. The more he thought of Ginny, the more rawand angry he felt. His pride was wounded at having been used and bested by a copper-haired maid. No doubt she was even now scheming how to succeed in catching a rich and unsuspecting husband. And since he did not know where she might be hiding, he was powerless to stop her. And yet, if he ever found out that she had succeeded, he vowed to expose her even if she had become the wife of a duke.

  He finished supper and went straight away to bed. His long trip had availed him nothing. Now, he would make the long journey back to London in the morning. And what was in Londonto which he might look forward to returning?

  Miss Buckley was in London. He closed his eyes and tried to imagine what Miss Buckley had looked like in the gown she had worn to Almack’s. Surely if he thought about her, he might divert himself from the unpleasant business that had lately preoccupied him.

  He was dismayed to find that determining to forget Ginny only made him think of her. Though he wished to imagine Miss Buckley, it was Ginny’s copper curls and slender form that came unbidden to mind.

  When at last he slept, it brought him no peace, for he saw her in his dreams, swirling in her ball gown…in the arms of a blond soldier.

  He slept late and ate a hearty breakfast before beginning the return trip to London. He had not been in the coach an hour when he began t
o feel restless and confined. How good it would feel to arrive back in London and take brisk rides each morning in Hyde Park. Yes, he would feel better when he returned. He would go to the club and out to assemblies. Life would return to normal.

  His assurances failed to give him the peace that he sought and he was still fidgeting inside the coach when they stopped for lunch at the same small inn. The owner recognized him and greeted him genially as he seated him in the parlor.

  “It is an honor to have you back again so soon, my lord. I trust that your business was conducted successfully.”

  “I am afraid it was not. I was looking for a maid that worked at my estate before we brought her to London. I thought she might have returned uninvited. I found that she had not.”