The Homeless Heiress

by Anne Herries

  ‘I think I might like that blue one,’ Georgie said, indicating a very fetching concoction of silk velvet trimmed with flowers under the brim. ‘Yes, I think we should both buy something new.’

  ‘Are you tired, my love?’ Jenny asked as they paused at the head of the stairs as they retired that evening. ‘You look a little pale. Does your shoulder hurt?’

  ‘Only a very little,’ Georgie said. She smiled, because she could not explain that she was missing Richard. ‘I think the men will talk for ages. It seems that they are sure the war is certain.’

  ‘Oh, yes, I think it must be,’ Jenny said and a tiny nerve flicked in her cheek. ‘I think it was hoped they might be able to stop it quickly, but Bonaparte’s march brought him more supporters than expected. I dare say Richard will know more when he comes.’

  ‘Do you think he will come soon?’ Georgie held back a sigh.

  ‘I think he has been gone too long already,’ Jenny said, frowning. She looked at Georgie oddly. ‘What did you think of Captain Lowe this evening?’

  ‘He seems pleasant,’ Georgie said. ‘Full of stories about the Regent.’

  ‘Yes, he is one of that set,’ Jenny said. ‘I believe he is a favourite with the prince, though younger than some of that set. He spoke to Edward of wishing to settle down soon, which I found surprising, for I had thought him a confirmed bachelor.’

  ‘Perhaps he wishes for an heir. He seems a decent man, Jenny.’

  ‘Yes, I am sure he is.’ Jenny nodded as if Georgie’s answer had settled something for her. ‘We are engaged to visit the theatre tomorrow. After that, I dare say we shall be ready to return home in a day or so. Shall you be sorry to leave Bath, Georgie?’

  ‘No, not at all. It has been pleasant, but I am looking forward to riding with you again, Jenny. We have not been out with the horses once here.’

  ‘No, we have not,’ Jenny agreed. ‘We were busy at first and then you were ill—but it will be nice to be home again, dearest. I think I shall write to Richard and ask him when he intends to return.’

  ‘Yes, I wish you would,’ Georgie said with a little choke in her voice. ‘I do miss him.’

  ‘Do you truly?’

  ‘Yes, of course. Why do you ask?’

  ‘I thought you might like Captain Lowe?’

  ‘I like him,’ Georgie said. ‘He is a pleasant companion—but he isn’t Richard. I have met no one else I like as much as your brother.’ She blinked away her tears. ‘Unfortunately, Richard does not feel as I do. He is kind and generous to me, but he thinks of me as a friend.’

  ‘Richard is sometimes thoughtless,’ Jenny said. ‘He is my brother and I love him dearly, but I love you too—and I want you to be happy.’

  ‘I am happy,’ Georgie said, forcing a smile. ‘But I shall be happier when Richard comes back.’

  ‘I am so glad,’ Jenny said and kissed her cheek. ‘The foolish man does not know what he might lose if he continues to neglect you.’

  Georgie shook her head. She blinked her eyes to stop the silly tears of self-pity from falling. Jenny continued to hope for a marriage between them, but Richard had made his feelings plain. He had helped Georgie and would help her again if need be, but she meant no more to him than any other friend.

  Georgie had known that Captain Lowe was attracted to her and had she wished she might have aroused his interest, but for the moment her heart ached too much to even think of allowing another man to court her.

  Richard stood in the prow of the ship, looking out through the sea mist that had fallen over them soon after they left the shores of France. He had not wanted to leave England, and would not had it been at Rawlings’s bidding, but the request had come from higher up. He was to go over in secret and discover the lay of the land, test the mood of the people to discover how they truly felt about the Emperor’s return.

  His command of the language was such that he had found it easy enough to mingle with the people, but he felt it had been a waste of time for he could only say what he had seen and heard. People gathered in the streets to cheer whenever Napoleon Bonaparte rode past on his white horse and it was true that many of his old soldiers were flocking to join him. However, Richard had noticed that after the parade was over some of the faces were sullen and ordinary folk grumbled that there would be too high a price to pay for the Emperor’s return.

  War might bring glory to the few, but for the poor it brought only more hardship. The price of food would rise if there were battles and riots, and some would not even be able to find the price of a loaf. There were some who grumbled that even when the Sun King sat on the throne conditions had been no worse. Bonaparte had begun as a great champion of the people, but his ideas of grandeur had brought him to disaster. Many were afraid it would end in tears once more.

  He had nothing conclusive to tell his superiors, Richard thought as he peered into the mist and longed for England’s shores. His own feeling was that there might be relief if Bonaparte were beaten once more. People wanted peace and did not much care if they had a King or an Emperor, though some murmured that France would do better as a Republic. They did not need a dictator in any guise, merely a leader they could elect or dismiss at will.

  The French were a volatile people in Richard’s opinion. A revolution such as they had passed through some years earlier could never happen in England. Even had the plot to kill the Regent not been foiled, it would never have succeeded to the extent that Thierry had hoped.

  His frown deepened as he thought of the man that he had killed to prevent him shooting Georgie for a second time. She should be well recovered from her injury when he returned, for he had been away some weeks—but would she have forgiven him?

  He knew that she found the thought of his killing Thierry distasteful. Would it lead her to feel revulsion for him?

  Georgie was returning to the house with a basket of spring flowers over her arm one morning when she saw Richard standing outside the house. He seemed to be looking for someone and, when he saw her, began to walk in her direction. Georgie’s heart jerked with sudden fright, because she did not know how to greet him. She was tempted to run away, but she knew that she must make this first meeting as easy for both of them as possible. Raising her head, she looked at him, but did not smile. It was impossible to smile, because her face felt frozen.

  ‘You are back, Richard,’ she said, finding a new dignity from somewhere deep within her. She would not show him that she was delighted to see him. ‘Jenny has been anxious for your return.’

  ‘Jenny has been scolding me for deserting you,’ Richard said and frowned. ‘Are you completely recovered? You look very well, Georgie.’

  ‘Thank you, I feel much better,’ she said. ‘My shoulder aches a little sometimes, but I dare say that will go in time. You made a full recovery from your wound, I believe?’

  ‘Yes, but I am a man and these things are easier for me to bear. Henderson has a good salve that may ease any stiffness in your shoulder, Georgie. I shall ask him to make some up for you.’

  ‘That is very kind,’ Georgie said. ‘I believe I have him to thank for patching me up in the first place. You must thank him for me.’

  ‘He needs no thanks, but will be glad to hear you have recovered.’

  Georgie nodded. He seemed concerned and it was difficult to keep up this reserve with him, but she was determined that she would not throw herself at him again.

  ‘How long will you stay with us this time, sir?’ she asked.

  ‘A few days only,’ Richard told her. ‘I wanted to visit my sister one last time before I leave for Brussels. It is as well to say one’s farewells in case…’ His eyes dwelled on her face for a moment. ‘Will you forgive me for allowing that brute to harm you?’

  ‘Yes, of course,’ Georgie replied. ‘How could it be your fault? I went outside to take the air alone. I ought to have remembered your warnings. If anyone is to blame it is I, not you.’

  ‘I feel to blame—’ Richard began, but was interrupted by t
he arrival of his sister. ‘Jenny…’

  ‘Edward is home,’ Jenny said. ‘You wanted me to let you know the moment he came in. He is in his study—he wanted a word with his bailiff—but he will be ready for you in a moment.’

  ‘I shall go to him,’ Richard said. ‘I have important news that he will wish to know immediately. Excuse me, Georgie—Jenny…’

  Georgie stared after him as he walked away. She felt tears stinging behind her eyes, but was determined not to let them fall. Richard was concerned for her as a friend, but he did not love her. She would do nothing while he was here to make him aware that her heart was breaking.

  Richard knew that he deserved this new coolness from Georgie. She had changed since that day on the hill, seeming older and less confiding than she had been when he first met her. He could not blame her, because he had not behaved well, but it was a barrier between them. While he was away he had thought of nothing but this meeting, and in his thoughts he had taken her in his arms and kissed her, but he was no longer sure that she would welcome his attentions.

  With war so imminent it was perhaps for the best that she should have thrown up this barrier. Nothing had changed since that day on the hill, except that he now knew his life would be empty without her—but he could still be killed at any time and it would not be fair to give in to his selfish urges to take what happiness he could. Far better if he did not attempt to break down Georgie’s new reserve. If he returned from the war, it would be time enough to court her and hope that she might forgive him for the way he had hurt her.

  Chapter Nine

  Wearing one of her prettiest gowns, Georgie went downstairs to take nuncheon at twelve of the clock. She discovered that both Edward and Richard were already there together with Jenny. It seemed that they had been arguing, because Jenny looked heated, but no one said anything as she entered and she wondered if she had been the subject of their dispute.

  ‘Here you are, my love,’ Jenny said, an odd tearful expression on her face. It was strange to see for she was usually such a bright, happy person. ‘Come and sit with us. I am a little cross with Edward and my brother, but we shall not talk about it anymore.’

  Georgie was aware of some constraint between the husband and wife, but Richard smiled at her, as if trying to ease the tension.

  ‘You look very elegant in that gown, Georgie. Is it a new one?’

  ‘One of several,’ she replied. ‘I hardly got a chance to wear the things I ordered in Bath, but it does not matter—Jenny means to take me visiting with her and we are invited to several parties this summer.’

  ‘Oh, yes, I know my sister entertains often. You will not be dull here—either of you.’ This was said with a significant look at his sister, who made a face at him. ‘Time soon passes when you have good friends and neighbours.’

  Jenny uttered a sound of disgust, but made no comment. It was not until she and Georgie left the table to retire to the parlour they used for the afternoon that the truth came out.

  ‘Edward will not allow me to accompany him to Brussels!’ Jenny exclaimed. ‘Richard came to tell him that it was time to rejoin his regiment. He will do so a few days after Richard leaves—and I begged him to allow us to follow him to Brussels so that we might be near each other until the last moment. It is what many other wives do—what I did when we were first married—but he says my duty is to the children and I must stay here.’

  ‘Oh, Jenny,’ Georgie said, seeing her distress. ‘That is true and yet it is unfair. You have nurses and maids to care for them and you would wish to be near if Edward were wounded in battle.’

  ‘You understand me perfectly,’ Jenny said, giving her a grateful look. ‘But Edward simply refuses to listen…and I cannot bear it.’ Tears stood in her eyes. ‘We have never been parted for more than a day or so since we were married.’

  ‘Perhaps he will change his mind,’ Georgie suggested.

  ‘He got quite cross with me, and he never is as a rule, no matter how I plague him. He says that I might come to harm if things go wrong and then our children would be left without father or mother…’A tear slid from the corner of her eye but she swept it away with her hand. ‘I refuse to cry! He is so unfair!’

  Georgie did her best to cheer her friend, but although Jenny smiled and nodded, she could not be comforted. When Richard came in a few minutes later, she turned away and pretended to be examining a fashion sheet, which had been sent with Edward’s newssheets that morning.

  Richard glanced at his sister with a frown and then at Georgie. ‘Will you walk with me?’ he asked.

  ‘Yes, if you wish it,’ Georgie replied and got up, following him through the open French windows into the gardens. ‘Jenny is distressed because Edward will not allow her to follow him to Brussels.’

  ‘I know,’ he said. ‘He thinks it might be dangerous if things should go wrong. He is afraid for her safety and the children’s future.’

  ‘I do understand that,’ Georgie said. ‘But if he were wounded he might be glad that she was there to care for him.’

  ‘Perhaps, but he is adamant,’ Richard said, and turned to her. ‘I wanted to ask you if you would stay with her, Georgie. I know I have no right to ask such a favour. You are an heiress and the fashionable drawing rooms of London are open to you.’

  ‘Oh, how dare you?’ Georgie cried, a spot of angry colour in her cheeks. ‘To imply that I would think of deserting Jenny for the sake of society. If that is what you think of me, I have nothing more to say to you!’ She turned away, her throat tight with emotion. How could he think such things of her!

  Richard caught her wrist, holding it firmly but without exerting pressure. She could not escape him and was forced to turn and look at him once more.

  ‘I am sorry if I offended you,’ he said. ‘It was not my intention.’

  ‘You cannot think much of me if you think that I would leave Jenny alone when she has been so kind to me.’ Georgie blazed at him.

  ‘Forgive me,’ Richard said. ‘You must know that I do not think badly of you, Georgie. I have always believed you brave and—’

  ‘You thought me a liar when we first met because I did not tell you my story at once.’ Georgie rounded on him, really angry now. ‘I know you think me nothing but a nuisance, and it is true that I have caused you a deal of trouble, but I love Jenny and I would never hurt her.’

  ‘You have caused me far more trouble than you will ever know,’ Richard said. He reached out for her, pulling her hard against him. For a moment fire leaped in his eyes as he gazed down at her, and then he pulled her fiercely against him, his mouth crushing hers in a demanding, punishing kiss that drove the breath from her body. As he let her go, Georgie reacted instinctively, raising her hand and slapping him hard across the face.

  ‘I hate you!’ she cried. ‘Go away and leave me alone!’

  Richard stared at her for a minute. ‘Yes, I should go,’ he said and then turned and walked off without another word.

  Georgie ran in the direction of the shrubbery. She was close to tears and did not know how she felt. How was she to understand Richard when one minute he refused to ask her to be his wife even though she threw herself at him and the next he kissed her as if his life depended on it! And to accuse her of being so heartless as to leave Jenny when she would be alone—it was too much! She was hurt and angry and she did not know if she could ever forgive him.

  It was teatime when Georgie came downstairs. She had spent two hours walking alone in the garden, and since she had been crying she had needed to wash her face in cold water and change her clothes before she was respectable again. Jenny looked at her as she entered the parlour, and there was not much to choose between them, for both were in low spirits.

  ‘You have quarrelled with Richard,’ Jenny said as she saw her. ‘He went off with a face like thunder and you have been crying.’

  ‘Yes, we did quarrel,’ Georgie said. ‘I wish I hadn’t slapped him now, but I was so angry.’

  ‘Oh, Georgie,
you didn’t?’ Jenny looked at her in horror. ‘Whatever did he do to make you? Richard will not like that, dearest.’

  ‘No, I do not suppose he will,’ Georgie said in a small voice. ‘I feel dreadful. I should apologise. Do you know when he will be back?’

  ‘I do not think he intends to return. He said that he would be leaving for Brussels in two days and had work to do—but I am sure he had meant to stay longer.’

  ‘It is my fault,’ Georgie said. ‘I am sorry, Jenny. He implied that I might leave you here alone when Edward is gone and then…he kissed me. Not in a nice way, but almost as if he wished to punish me and I hit him. I am sorry now, but there is nothing I can do—though if you write to him you can tell him I am sorry.’

  ‘Richard has behaved very badly to you through all this,’ Jenny said. ‘If he kissed you like that, I am not surprised you hit him. Men have no sense at all sometimes.’

  ‘In Bath I almost threw myself at him the day he took me driving,’ Georgie said. ‘But he said that he could not ask me to wed him because it would not be fair…I might be a widow before I had been a wife.’

  ‘Oh, how foolish of him! You would rather be his wife for a few hours than never know such happiness. Men are such ridiculous creatures. Edward will not let me go to Brussels with him—and Richard will not ask you to be his wife because he might be killed.’

  ‘If Richard loved me, I would put on my boy’s clothing and join the ranks as a drummer boy to be near him,’ Georgie said dramatically. ‘How can he think that I would prefer to be mixing in society rather than with you? You are my dearest friend and I shall not desert you—if you still want me after what I did to Richard?’

  ‘Of course I do, my love. It may do my foolish brother good. I do not think any woman has ever slapped him before.’ Jenny laughed. ‘Oh, I can just see you dressed as a drummer boy, Georgie,’ she said. ‘Yes…’ she looked thoughtful ‘…how clever of you to think of it.’