The Homeless Heiress

by Anne Herries

  ‘Yes, of course,’ Georgie assured her and wondered at the satisfied gleam in her eyes. ‘But I am not sure I shall marry very soon. I would not want to be married for any money I might inherit. I am determined it shall be for love and nothing else.’

  ‘Well, I dare say you may fall in love,’ Jenny said and her fond gaze travelled to her brother, dwelling on him for a moment. He might not be as handsome as her beloved Edward, but he was a fine strong man and kind. She thought he would do very well for her new friend, and determined then and there to bring about a match between them if it could be managed.

  Chapter Five

  It was amazing how quickly Lady Maddison’s servants overcame their surprise at having two unexpected guests and almost before they had finished taking refreshments in Jenny’s parlour, the housekeeper returned to announce that rooms were ready.

  ‘I instructed that a pale lilac silk gown I had three summers ago be put out for you,’ Jenny said. ‘I was very much your size then, though my waist is a little larger now since I had my son. I think it will fit you and I shall look out some more things for you, Georgie. They will do until we can have you fitted for your new wardrobe in Bath.’

  ‘I have no money of my own until my birthday, which is next week,’ Georgie said, remembering suddenly. ‘I must write to my lawyers and let them know where they can find me.’

  ‘Well, we shall be in Bath by then,’ Jenny said. ‘They may set up an account for you there, and one of their people can visit you once we know where we shall be staying. Edward and Richard may arrange it all between them, you know. As for your clothes, you may have the bills sent to me. I shall make a present of them to you, to thank you for agreeing to be my friend and companion.’

  ‘Oh, no, you must not,’ Georgie said. ‘I shall repay you once I have my funds, and I thank you for the kindness you have shown me. Some sisters might have thought the worst had they seen me with their brother and wearing a dress they knew to be their own.’

  ‘Oh, no,’ Jenny replied blithely. ‘I know Richard. His flirts are always married ladies with obliging husbands, and they would not be seen dead in a cast-off gown. I dare say he has to make them a handsome present for their company, though of course I am not supposed to know these things. Most single gentlemen have their high flyers, of course, but I do not approve of it continuing after marriage. Edward would never look elsewhere and knows I should leave him if he did.’

  This was plain speaking indeed, and Georgie might have been shocked had such a speech been made by anyone else, but Jenny said it so charmingly that she merely laughed and took it in the spirit it had been meant.

  ‘I believe I should feel as you do,’ she admitted. ‘That is why I do not wish to marry simply for the sake of it.’

  ‘Oh, no, you must not,’ her hostess agreed. ‘I am sure you will meet someone you like well enough to marry, and perhaps sooner than you imagine.’

  ‘Yes, perhaps,’ Georgie agreed. ‘But supposing he did not feel the same about me?’

  Jenny tipped her head to one side, her expression one of complete innocence. ‘But I am sure that he does…I mean, will,’ she corrected herself hastily. ‘Once you are dressed as you ought to be, no man of good sense could resist falling in love with you—except for Edward, of course.’

  ‘Because he loves you,’ Georgie agreed. ‘But might it not be the case for someone else…?’ She faltered and flushed under Jenny’s bright gaze.

  ‘I believe you are speaking of Richard,’ his devoted sister said, clapping her hands in delight. ‘Do tell me you like him, Georgie! I am quite determined that you would do very well for my brother.’

  ‘Yes, I do like him a lot,’ Georgie admitted. ‘How could I not when he has been so kind to me? I think he quite likes me—but perhaps not enough to marry me.’

  ‘Then he must be quite without sense,’ Jenny said and laughed. ‘Besides, he will be no match for the two of us, Georgie. I know he has been reluctant to marry because of his work, but he has a fine estate and it is time he devoted himself to it and the getting of an heir. I shall remind him of his duty to the family, and you must smile and look a little aloof, as though you did not care a fig. He will understand then that he must court you if he wishes to win you.’

  ‘Do you think that will work?’ Georgie asked dubiously. ‘I think he may know me too well to be taken in by any pretence of my being a fine lady he must court.’

  ‘You mean because he found you in desperate straits?’ Jenny frowned. ‘But that was then, and you are a double heiress now and as such will be courted by all kinds of beaux when we get to Bath. I am sure it will bring him to his senses when he realises that he could lose you.’ Jenny smiled serenely. ‘We shall make him realise it if he does not.’

  Georgie was not as certain that Richard would respond to the tactics that his sister was suggesting. However, she supposed that it must be worth a try because whenever she thought of marriage, which she had a few times of late, it was always his face she saw.

  She suspected that she had fallen for him while he was ill. The fear that he might die had wrenched at her heart, even though she hardly knew him. Since then she had been in his company more often and had grown to find him pleasing to be with, his touch making her heart race wildly. Once she had thought he might kiss her and it had caused her stomach to spasm, but he had turned away, and she felt he had made a conscious decision not to flirt with her.

  After Jenny had delivered her into the care of her housekeeper, who took her up to her bedchamber, Georgie was left alone with her thoughts. Would Richard think she was beautiful once she was dressed properly? He had seen her in a dress for the first time that day, but since then they had not been alone, since he had chosen to ride. He had said it was because he wished to exercise his leg, but she thought it might have been to save her reputation, so that she should not be seen riding in a closed carriage with a gentleman by her aunt’s neighbours.

  Georgie’s thoughts switched to her great-aunt. It was very sad that she should have died just a few days before she arrived. She would have liked to know the countess better than she had from the few letters she’d received from her, and wished she might have visited sooner. If Jenny was right and she had been invited to stay the previous Christmas, her Uncle Henry was much at fault for keeping the invitation from her. Or had it been her aunt? No, she thought Uncle Henry must have made the decision. Her aunt was not evil, but weak and easily led. Georgie’s uncle must even then have had hopes of controlling her fortune.

  Georgie frowned, because if Jenny was right about the countess leaving her some money, Sir Henry Mowbray might think it even more prudent to regain his hold over her.

  She would never return to his house. Once her fortune was her own, she could appoint her lawyers as her guardians or perhaps Lord Edward would take on that position? She would say nothing for the moment, but if her uncle exerted pressure to try to get her to return, she would ask Jenny to speak to her husband. Surely with Lord Maddison’s backing she would be in a position to defeat her uncle’s schemes?

  Her future settled in her own mind, Georgie looked at the pale lilac gown laid out on the bed for her. It was a pretty afternoon gown fashioned of quality silk and made in very simple lines, the waist high and bound by a fixed sash of violet. Sprigs of violets were embroidered on the hem and around the cuffs of the sleeves, which finished at the elbow with a slight flare. She slipped out of the yellow dress and pulled on the delicate undergarments she found with the gown, discovering that they all smelled faintly of lavender, as if they had been carefully packed away. She also found ribbons to match the sash, some pale grey leather slippers that almost fitted her, and a shawl of soft cashmere and silk in a toning shade of violet.

  Once dressed, her long hair tied back with ribbons, Georgie was well pleased with the transformation. She looked much more elegant in this ensemble than the yellow, and guessed that it had been expensive when made, and scarcely worn. She thought that it needed something in the
neck; discovering that one of the ribbons had some pearls sewn along the edges, she tied it around her throat and finished it in a bow at the back.

  Satisfied that she had done all she could with her appearance, Georgie left the bedchamber and went along the landing and down the stairs. She had reached about halfway when a gentleman came to the foot and looked up at her. She paused, very aware of Richard, who had changed into a tight-fitting coat of blue superfine and some pale grey breeches with long boots. His linen was still casual, for she did not think he went in for the intricate cravats many gentlemen aspired to, but his style suited the man and she thought him very attractive, her heart catching as he smiled.

  ‘Georgie,’ he said, waiting for her to reach him. ‘That colour looks well on you. I am glad you have not gone into black. It is not necessary in the circumstances.’

  ‘I am glad you approve,’ she said, trying to remain calm as her senses reeled at the touch of his hand. She did find him so very charming when he was like this! ‘Your sister wants me to accompany her when she visits Bath, and she says that I may wear pale grey, lilac and perhaps blue—do you think she is right?’

  ‘Perfectly right,’ Richard said. ‘Jenny may appear fragile and a little ingenuous, but believe me, she is up to the mark on all matters of propriety. She will look after you.’ His eyes were so warm at that moment that Georgie felt she was wrapped in comforting arms. ‘It was my intention to bring you here had your aunt refused you. However, Jenny has told me that that would not have happened. She believes the countess would have been delighted to see you.’

  ‘It seems my Aunt and Uncle Mowbray refused to let me visit her last year,’ Georgie said, frowning. ‘I think it very wrong of them, for I should have come had I known.’

  ‘Very wrong in the circumstances,’ Richard agreed and seemed thoughtful. ‘I wonder why they kept her request from you, Georgie? It might be that they thought you would choose to make your home with her, of course, and wished to keep control of you and your fortune.’

  ‘I can think of no other reason,’ Georgie said. ‘It is hard to believe that my mother’s brother could behave so badly to his only niece.’

  ‘I agree,’ Richard said. ‘Unfortunately, money is at the root of many such instances. I am sure you are not the first young girl to suffer at the hands of greedy relatives.’

  ‘They won’t try to make me go back when they discover where I am—will they?’

  ‘They may try,’ Richard said, his mouth settling into a grim line. ‘However, you have friends now, Georgie. My sister would never permit you to be made unhappy, and her husband—and I, of course—will prove formidable opposition should they try to force you.’

  ‘My father’s lawyers could be guardians, unless Lord Edward would give me his protection.’

  ‘If it came to it, I am certain he would,’ Richard assured her. ‘However, when I leave Yorkshire I shall make a point of calling on Sir Henry and making him aware of your wishes in this matter.’

  His tone and expression were so stern that Georgie almost felt sorry for her uncle. She suppressed a smile as she said, ‘I hope you shall not leave Yorkshire too soon, sir?’

  ‘Jenny has made me promise not to leave too soon,’ Richard told her. ‘I may as well avail myself of her hospitality while I make some inquiries. You know why I am here, Georgie. These are dangerous times, for Bonaparte escaped from his island prison some weeks ago, and is even now in France preparing an army. There may be war and I must do my duty. You would not expect me to neglect it?’

  ‘No, of course not,’ she said, though her heart was saying something very different. ‘But you will take care?’

  ‘I am always careful,’ he replied. ‘What happened in London was an isolated incident. I shall not be caught off guard again.’

  ‘I am glad. I should not want the assassin’s knife to find its true mark next time.’

  ‘I believe you would mind if I were killed?’ Richard’s eyes were suddenly alert, intent on her face.

  ‘Yes, of course I should,’ Georgie said, and then, mindful of what his sister had told her, ‘You have been so kind to me, helping me, bringing me to my aunt…naturally I should not want any harm to come to you.’

  ‘Is that all it is? Gratitude?’

  Georgie’s heart took a flying leap. She wanted to throw herself into his arms and declare that her feelings were so much more, but at that moment Jenny came to the head of the stairs. She called out to them and Georgie turned her head to look at her. Wearing a pale apricot silk gown, Jenny was a vision of loveliness as she came down the stairs towards them. Her eyes went over Georgie approvingly.

  ‘You do look pretty, doesn’t she, Richard? That colour suits you much better than it ever did me, my dearest Georgie. I am so looking forward to helping you buy your new clothes. It will be so exciting. Georgie will be a sensation, do you not think so, Richard? She is a considerable heiress, you know, for the countess told me she intended to leave her all her personal fortune. Dressed as she deserves, I am sure she will receive a bevy of offers from the gentlemen in Bath.’

  Richard’s eyebrows knitted in a frown. ‘Yes, I imagine all the fortune hunters will be flocking around her once it is known she inherits both her father’s estate and the Countess of Shrewsbury’s fortune.’

  ‘Come now, Richard,’ his sister said in a scolding tone. ‘Georgie would attract suitors had she nothing at all. The fortune hunters will no doubt be after her, but I shall warn them off, you know. I am confident that there will be sufficient gentlemen of fortune and good birth to give Georgie a wide choice.’

  ‘I dare say you are right,’ Richard replied.

  Watching him, Georgie saw the shutters come down. He looked like the man she had met that first night, a pulse flicking at his temple, his expression stern.

  ‘I shall not marry any of them unless I truly love them,’ Georgie announced. ‘My father’s estate would have been enough to give me independence, but if I also inherit from my great aunt…I dare say I may set up my own establishment if Lady Maddison grows tired of my company.’

  ‘That I could never do,’ Jenny said, linking arms with her. ‘Let us go for a walk before tea, dearest Georgie. I want to get to know you better. You must tell me about your life before your dear parents died, and I shall tell you what I did as a girl.’ She glanced at her brother. ‘Richard, shall we see you at tea?’

  ‘I have an errand I must do,’ he replied. ‘I shall return for dinner, Jenny. Do not let my sister take you over entirely, Georgie.’ He smiled briefly and walked away.

  ‘Brothers!’ Jenny said. ‘Why can he never relax and forget about his work?’

  ‘I dare say it may be important,’ Georgie replied. She doubted that Richard ever confided totally in his sister, much as he clearly loved her. He would not have told Georgie what was going on if she had not discovered it for herself in that book. And then of course there were the two attempts to murder him…unless the second attempt had been meant for her and not Richard? A tiny shudder went through her, causing her companion to look at her in concern.

  ‘Are you cold, Georgie?’

  ‘No, not at all,’ she answered with a smile. ‘I was merely thinking of my uncle. He may try to force me to return to him.’

  ‘Well, he shall not,’ Jenny said comfortably. ‘I have discussed this with my dearest Edward, and he assures me that once we are settled in Bath he will arrange a meeting with your lawyers. He is one of the countess’s trustees—did I tell you that?’

  ‘No, you did not.’ Georgie was surprised.

  ‘Well, she trusted him with much of her business,’ Jenny said. ‘He told me that he will acquaint you with the terms of your inheritance after tea. I believe he will be in a position of trustee for a year or two, and of course that gives him as much right as your uncle to have a say in what you do.’ Jenny smiled at her ingenuously. ‘Not that he would dream of interfering with our plans, but it does mean that his word must be taken seriously, and if he and y
our father’s lawyers reach agreement that you should live with me until you marry or wish to live elsewhere…’

  ‘My uncle would find it difficult to disagree, especially if I placed a charge of misconduct against him.’

  ‘You must not think of it except as a last resort,’ Jenny said. ‘It would cause a scandal and you do not want that, my dearest. No, no, you may leave it to Edward and Richard. Between them they will settle the affair. We need not trouble our heads over it. Gentlemen are so much better at matters of business, you know.’

  ‘Yes, I suppose so,’ Georgie said a little doubtfully. She did not see why a lady might not be in charge of her own affairs, though she knew that a woman’s property became her husband’s on marriage. A settlement was usually made, giving the lady a generous income and in many cases the bulk of her fortune was settled on her future heirs, unless otherwise agreed in the marriage contract. ‘I think my father’s will lays out certain conditions, but I am not perfectly certain what they are.’

  ‘As I said, the gentlemen will take care of it,’ Jenny said blithely. ‘All you need to think about is what you need for our trip to Bath. That ribbon is very pretty for afternoon wear, but you must have some jewellery, Georgie. Did your mother leave you anything?’

  ‘I had one or two small trinkets, but the rest was put away in a bank until I came into the remainder of my inheritance,’ Georgie said. ‘At least that is what my uncle told me, though I thought I saw a necklace of my mother’s in my aunt’s chamber once. She put it away immediately but it did look like Mama’s diamonds. My uncle must have told her that she must keep them from me.’

  Jenny looked thoughtful. ‘If some of your jewels have been misappropriated, it might be a part of the reason why your uncle tried to marry you off, Georgie. If he has been entrusted with something he disposed of without your consent, that is theft. He would be ruined if it came out.’

  ‘That is what he was saying to my aunt when I overheard them,’ Georgie told her, frowning. ‘He did not mention jewellery, but he said that Monsieur Thierry knew something that could ruin him.’