by Anne Herries
When, at a quarter past three, Eliza returned to the house, she discovered that Lady Sarah was not alone. Daniel had visited and gone, but another gentleman was waiting. She greeted him with pleasure, for she knew him as Kate’s friend.
‘How pleasant to see you, Mr Thatcher. Kate told me that you had gone out of town for a day or two?’
‘I returned this very morning and, having seen Kate and heard some rumours, came immediately to visit you and Lady Sarah. I have Kate’s permission to tell you that we are engaged to be married, Miss Bancroft. It is a long-standing agreement, which we kept to ourselves until Lady Julia was prepared to allow the engagement. I wanted to tell you that both Kate and I support you, as will all of your friends. None of us believe that you are a fortune hunter or an adventuress. When we are married, we shall want both you and Lady Sarah to stay with us in London or the country.’
‘Oh…’ Eliza’s cheeks were warm. ‘How kind of you, sir. I am delighted that you and Kate are to marry. I sensed that there was something between you, but Kate did not say.’
‘We promised her mama that we would wait until just before they returned to the country, because Lady Julia wanted her daughter to be quite certain. She is very lovely and there are others with larger fortunes and grand titles that she might have married if she had chosen.’
‘Kate would always marry for love, as most young women will if allowed,’ Eliza said. ‘I am so very pleased for you. I must buy Kate a present and wish her happy.’
‘We are having an engagement party tomorrow evening,’ Mr Thatcher said. ‘It is not a dance, though we shall hold one in the country before the wedding. I came to deliver an invitation and Lady Sarah has been good enough to say she will come both to the party and the dance—and naturally she will bring you, Miss Bancroft. Kate particularly asked that you be there.’
‘We shall be happy to celebrate with our friends,’ Eliza said. ‘What a lovely surprise. I am so very pleased.’
Mr Thatcher thanked her and left them. Eliza sat down as the door closed behind him. She looked at Lady Sarah, whose expression was thoughtful.
‘I felt there was something, but Kate kept her word to her mama. She did not breathe a word.’
‘Kate is a good girl for all her flirting and her outspoken ways,’ Lady Sarah nodded approvingly. ‘I have been thinking that we shall go to my home in the country soon, Eliza. Lady Julia and Kate will leave Bath at the end of the week and I think we might go soon after. You will not mind living quietly in the country?’
Eliza hesitated, then. ‘You will not need a companion so much in the country, ma’am. I could travel with you to see you settled and then look for a new position when you felt better.’
‘I was thinking you might like to make your home with me, Eliza. I am so fond of you…’
‘I am very fond of you too, Lady Sarah,’ Eliza said. She hesitated, thinking about what her employer was suggesting. If they left Bath the marquis could not accuse her of trying to blackmail him and the gossip would soon be forgotten. He had warned her she should leave, go back where she had come from—but why should she let him bully her? Lady Sarah needed her and she loved her. ‘Yes, I should like to stay with you—and I think it might be best if we left Bath soon.’
‘We can return next spring for a little visit or perhaps London if I feel well enough,’ Lady Sarah said. ‘I do not wish to bury you in the country, Eliza. I have friends at home and we shall dine with them often.’
‘I do not mind staying quietly at home with you,’ Eliza assured her. ‘I shall be quite content.’
‘I believe we shall stay another five days in Bath and then go home.’ Lady Sarah nodded and looked pleased. ‘This gossip has been awkward for you, dearest, but it will pass. Next time we visit no one will think there is anything worth remarking in your being my companion. This nonsense will all be forgotten.’
There was a suppressed excitement about Lady Sarah that made Eliza wonder what was in her mind, but she did not ask. Her employer would tell her when she wished her to know. Her mind returned to Marianne Cheadle and her problems.
It would have been nice to confide her fears for the girl she believed might be her half-sister, but Marianne had spoken to Eliza in confidence and she would not betray her secret to anyone.
‘We are going to a soirée this evening,’ Lady Sarah said. ‘I believe Lady Julia will be there. If you wish to go out again and buy her a small gift, you may do so.’
‘Perhaps in the morning,’ Eliza said. ‘Kate loves poetry, so I think I shall purchase a book of poems for her as a keepsake.’
‘That is an excellent idea,’ Lady Sarah said. ‘I have some items of jewellery in my room that I had as a young girl. Shall we go and look at them together? You can help me choose something suitable.’
‘I should enjoy that.’ Eliza stood up and offered her arm. ‘Did your visit with Lord Seaton go off satisfactorily?’
Lady Sarah’s eyes avoided hers as she replied, ‘Yes, indeed, he has promised to instruct an agent for me. He says that he knows the very man…the soul of discretion and very reliable. Apparently, this man has been investigating something for him and has turned up some interesting facts. I am confident that my search will be over quite soon.’
‘I am glad he could help you.’
‘He asked after you, my dear. I believe he was disappointed not to see you.’
‘I was sorry to miss him.’
It was for the best. Daniel clearly believed the worst of her. He probably thought she was the Marquis of Cheadle’s mistress and had been lying to him all this time. She would not see him again once they left Bath. The thought made her heart ache, but she was determined not to give into her distress. He had shown some friendship towards her but she would be a fool to hope for more—after all, what prospects could she offer Daniel? He could, and would, surely marry any suitable young lady.
Following Lady Sarah into her bedchamber, Eliza watched as she took her jewel case from the dressing chest and unlocked it with a key she kept in her reticule. Invited to look at a selection of pretty pendants that were, as Lady Sarah said, suitable for a young girl, Eliza pointed to two of them. One was a single teardrop aquamarine suspended from a diamond and a fine silver chain, the other a sapphire-and-pearl drop on a fancy gold chain.
‘I think these are both lovely,’ Eliza said. ‘Either one would I am certain delight Kate.’
‘Then I think I shall give her this one.’ Lady Sarah selected the sapphire-and-pearl drop. She locked the jewel case, replaced the key in her reticule and gave Eliza the box to place in the dressing chest. ‘These pieces are all of more sentimental value than monetary and were given to me by my father and grandmother. The Manners’s family heirlooms are kept at home in a strong room. I still wear the pearls I was given as a wedding gift and some rings, but the rest are at the disposal of my son’s wife, as it should be.’
Eliza smiled and left her to rest and change for the evening.
As she went to her room, she wondered where Daniel was and what he was doing. Though she knew it was a hopeless situation, he was never far from her thoughts.
‘Are you sure you wish to go through with this?’ Jack asked as he sat with Daniel in the gentleman’s club they both frequented that afternoon. ‘Could it not be resolved in some other way? Duels are frowned on these days and rightly so.’
‘The challenge has been issued and accepted. Neither of us can withdraw. Besides, there are things between us…’ Daniel frowned. ‘My uncle believed that Cheadle had some part in his son’s death. I dare say that coloured my opinion of him and I may have allowed it to lead me astray. I am satisfied that Cheadle was not concerned in the affair. It is true that my cousin’s death was almost certainly not an accident. My agent, Mr Smith, as he calls himself for professional reasons, is investigating something, which will I believe lead us to the culprits.’
‘Cheadle is no angel,’ Jack said thoughtfully. ‘I would never try to paint him as blameless, but
he is the father of the girl I wish to marry. It is dashed awkward, Daniel. I can hardly ask him for his daughter’s hand and then be present when you try to blow his brains out.’
‘You do not imagine I shall shoot to kill?’ Daniel raised his brows. ‘If it is awkward for you, Jack, I will ask someone else—perhaps Thatcher or Smythe…’
‘Damn it, I never said I wouldn’t stand with you,’ Jack said, looking affronted. ‘Of course I shall oblige you. I must just hope that Cheadle understands there is nothing personal.’
‘I dare say I shall fire in the air,’ Daniel said. ‘I was furious when I threw the challenge, but since then…I have a suspicion that we might be in a similar boat, my friend.’
‘What do you mean?’ Jack frowned. ‘You are not thinking of Lady Marianne?’
‘Good lord, no,’ Daniel said and grinned. ‘She is a lovely girl, but not for me. It is no good looking at me like that, Jack. I’m not absolutely sure of my facts as yet, and even if I were I couldn’t tell you.’
Jack frowned, then nodded. ‘I thought you rather liked Miss Bancroft. If there is any truth in the rumours about her and Lady Sarah, she must also have a father…?’
‘You are surmising, as I am for the moment,’ Daniel said. ‘But I mean to get to the bottom of the mystery very soon.’
‘Then why go through with this stupid duel?’
‘Because I cannot withdraw,’ Daniel said with a wry laugh. ‘Do not worry. I shall fire in the air and I imagine he will do the same.’
‘Well, I still think it would be better if the stupid affair was resolved peaceably, but if you are determined…’
‘I think there is no alternative,’ Daniel said, looking grim. ‘I must just hope that it can be resolved between us like gentlemen.’
Chapter Eight
Eliza saw him at once as soon as they entered the room where Lady Austin was holding her soirée. He was standing with a small group of ladies and gentlemen, none of whom was known to Eliza. She met his eyes for a fleeting moment and saw his quick frown. Daniel’s appearance at an affair of this sort was a little surprising—she would not have thought he would enjoy such an evening. When he left his friends and approached her a little later, he told her that he was looking forward to hearing the Italian tenor who was to perform for them.
‘I cannot stay long, but I hope to hear Signor Rinaldi sing an aria or two,’ he said. ‘Do you enjoy opera, Eliza?’
‘I enjoy all kinds of music, sir,’ she replied, her heart fluttering. When he looked at her so intently, she felt all her good intentions slipping away. Was it possible that he didn’t think the worst of her? ‘I think we should take our seats for the music is beginning.’
‘Yes, of course. Pray let me find a seat for you, Eliza—and Lady Sarah.’
‘Yes… Oh, I believe she is sitting with friends. Perhaps we should sit here at the back. I think all the front seats are taken.’
‘I do not need to see him only to hear his voice.’
‘Yes. I have heard that it is remarkable—’ Eliza began, but he leaned forwards and put a finger to her lips as the first notes sounded. Her heart pounded as she gazed into his eyes and for a moment she almost thought he was going to kiss her, but of course he would not in public.
She made a supreme effort and withdrew her gaze, staring at the back of a lady’s head. She was wearing a huge concoction of lace and flowers, which completely blocked Eliza’s view of the guest of honour. However, she soon discovered that Daniel was right. She did not need to see to appreciate the beauty of Signor Rinaldi’s powerful voice.
The music was so moving that she felt tears sting her eyes and she gulped. The emotions she had been trying to control for some time welled up in her as the foolish tears slipped down her cheeks. Then she felt his hand cover hers. She glanced at him and his smile was so tender that she gasped.
‘Yes, he had that effect on me the first time,’ Daniel whispered. ‘Magnificent is the word that comes to mind.’
Eliza nodded wordlessly. He offered her a spotless white kerchief, which she dabbed to her eyes and then used to blow her nose.
‘I shall return it washed,’ she whispered and he nodded, continuing to hold her free hand.
Eliza liked the comfort it gave her, though as the first aria drew to an end he removed his hand in order to applaud. Afterwards, she almost wished he hadn’t, though he had stood to applaud, as some of the other guests had.
‘I must leave now,’ he said to Eliza as there were calls for more from the tenor. ‘I am not sure that I shall be able to keep my appointment to ride in the morning, but I will be there if I can.’
Eliza turned her head to watch as he walked from the room. How very strange! What had he meant by that remark?
She turned her head to watch him leave. He glanced back at her and the look in his eyes made her heart stop and then race on.
What could possibly stop him from keeping his appointment if he wished? Maybe he still had doubts about her, after all. Their conversation had been polite, though when he’d held her hand and then later smiled at her so tenderly she could have sworn that there was something deeper between them. What should she believe?
Eliza dressed the next morning in the riding habit Lady Sarah had given her. She was downstairs in the parlour at nine and sat there waiting patiently until a quarter to noon, when she went upstairs to change into a more suitable gown.
Why had Daniel not kept his appointment to go riding? Had he not been so attentive and kind the previous evening she would have thought he was still angry with her. However, he had all but made love to her at Lady Austin’s soirée. It was perhaps foolish of her to have taken such pleasure in the attentions he had paid her, but a part of her did not want to think he had broken his appointment deliberately.
Still, it was Lady Sarah’s last At Home day in Bath. Eliza could not leave her alone and even if she had it would not have been proper for her to go to Daniel’s lodgings. However, she could not help feeling that something was wrong, and sat down at the writing desk to pen a polite note of enquiry, which she asked one of the footmen to deliver for her at the hotel where she knew Daniel to be staying.
After that, she was kept busy entertaining friends who called. She looked for the footman who had delivered her note, but did not see him. When she asked, she was told that it was Frederick’s night off.
Eliza was forced to put her anxiety behind her. She dressed for the evening and wrapped the small book of poems she had managed to purchase for a betrothal present for Kate by walking quickly to the corner bookshop and back after their guests had gone.
Lady Sarah had wrapped the pendant she intended to give Kate, and they left for the evening at just before seven.
Eliza greeted Kate with a kiss. Her happiness shone out of her as she stood by Mr Thatcher’s side.
‘I would have told you,’ she said to Eliza as she kissed her. ‘But Mama particularly asked me not to tell anyone until the end of our stay in Bath. I think she thought I might change my mind, but of course I did no such thing.’
‘I guessed there was something when you bid Mr Thatcher to dance with me, but I did not guess your secret,’ Eliza said. ‘I like him very much and I believe you have chosen well.’
‘I am glad you like him,’ Kate said and kissed her on the cheek. ‘I want us to be friends always. Henry said that if ever you needed a home you would be welcome to stay with us.’
‘How kind of you both,’ Eliza said. ‘Lady Sarah wants me to make my home with her and I shall. I am so very fond of her.’
‘I think she loves you,’ Kate said, hesitated as if she would say more, then shook her head. She was forced to let Eliza move on as more guests arrived.
Eliza went into the large reception room. Footmen were circulating with trays of champagne and tiny morsels to tempt the appetite before supper. Accepting a glass, she looked about her hopefully but there was no sign of Daniel Seaton. She was sure that Kate would have invited him and thought it strange
he was not there, particularly as she saw Mr Hastings. He was standing with another gentleman and some ladies, but left them to greet a newcomer.
Eliza saw him go up to Marianne Cheadle and talk to her urgently. Marianne seemed distressed, for she shook her head and walked away, leaving the gentleman staring after her. Seeing Marianne make her way out on to the balcony, Eliza went after her.
‘Marianne—is something the matter?’
Marianne turned to her with tears in her eyes. ‘Eliza—it is all so awful! I spoke to Papa, as you suggested, and he promised to think about it. He even said that Mr Hastings could approach him, but now it has all gone wrong. ‘
‘What happened?’ Eliza asked and a chill ran down her spine. ‘Please, do tell me.’
‘Papa fought a stupid duel with Lord Seaton,’ Marianne blurted out. ‘Jack was Lord Seaton’s second and…now my father will not see him.’
‘A duel?’ Eliza felt cold all over. ‘Was anyone hurt?’
‘I do not know. Papa would not say. He was angry and went out again without speaking to me or Mama. She has no idea what happened or she would not have allowed me to come this evening.’
‘This is terrible,’ Eliza said and pressed her hand. ‘I am so sorry. It must be upsetting for you, but I dare say your father will relent in time.’
‘He said we are going home the day after tomorrow,’ Marianne said, tears in her eyes. ‘I shall not go. I have told Jack we must elope tomorrow if he loves me. He said we must not, but I shall insist.’
‘Marianne, you really ought not.’
‘You do not know Papa. He is very angry.’ Marianne blinked back her tears. ‘I tried it your way, but now I shall have no choice but to elope. It will just serve Papa right. Why did he want to fight a stupid duel anyway?’
Eliza shook her head. She was feeling a little sick inside, because she was afraid that the duel might be because of what Daniel had seen that night at his daughter’s dance.