Secret Heiress

by Shelley, Lillian;

  “I do thank you for your concern,” said Caroline coolly. “However, I think that I can judge for myself Mr. Bradford’s intentions.” She did not add, that this was the first time that Adrian Bradford had called, nor that since his own calls had become so infrequent of late, she resented his interference in her affairs.

  “Shall I order some more refreshments?” interjected Aurelia.

  “Thank you, but I must take my leave,” said Giles, standing. “I have not forgotten my promise to take you to the opening of the Waterloo Bridge.”

  “We are so looking forward to it, Mr. Kendal,” said Aurelia.

  “Yes, we are,” said Caroline with a smile, feeling that perhaps she had been ungracious.

  Giles returned the smile. “I am afraid I shall be quite busy in the next few weeks, but I hope I am able to see you again before the opening.”

  “That would be lovely,” replied Caroline.

  After Giles had gone, Caroline thought about his warning. It was quite out of character for a man of his reserve and breeding to speak as he had; it must have cost him a great deal. He was obviously trying to warn her away from Adrian Bradford, for what purposes she was not certain. She wondered if it could be jealousy and laughed at herself for her conceit. Still, she thought, it was an odd circumstance and it continued to puzzle her.

  Caroline had expressed to Adrian an interest in seeing the Tower of London, so she was not surprised when he called several days later to invite her to accompany him there that afternoon. When Adrian arrived, Briggs showed him in to the parlor to await Caroline. He found Aurelia already there.

  “Mr. Bradford, how nice to see you again,” she said.

  “You are looking as lovely as ever, Miss Peakirk,” said Adrian. “I think perhaps you will be the rage of the Season.”

  “Oh, Mr. Bradford,” tittered Aurelia. “You quite put me on the blush.”

  “Blushing seems a lost art these days,” replied Adrian. “How delightful to see such a skillful practitioner.”

  Before Aurelia could respond, Caroline came into the room.

  “How do you do, Mr. Bradford?” she said.

  “I am fine, and I needn’t ask how you are, Miss Chessington,”

  “Ah, Mr. Bradford is so truly the gentleman, Caroline,” said Aurelia.

  “Yes, he is,” said Caroline.

  “I think we had better be going, Miss Chessington, for there is much to see and the Tower will close.”

  “Yes, certainly,” said Caroline. “I am sorry you are too tired to accompany us, Aurelia. Have a pleasant afternoon.”

  “And you, too, my love,” said Aurelia archly. “Good day, Mr. Bradford.”

  “Good day, Miss Peakirk,” said Adrian as he made an elegant bow. Then he and Caroline went to the carriage that Adrian had hired on his extended credit.

  “You have certainly made a conquest in my cousin, Mr. Bradford,” said Caroline.

  “You must forgive me, Miss Chessington, if I seem to be fawning. However, I have met elderly female relations before, and I know the sort of flattery you would disdain is most acceptable to them. I speak in fulsome terms to Miss Peakirk to win her as an ally.”

  “I beg you not to speak so, Mr. Bradford. Our acquaintance is of too short a standing. Let us please just enjoy this afternoon. I read in my book that the last person to be executed here was Lord Lovat. That was in 1747—less than seventy years ago. Fancy that!”

  Taking his cue from Caroline, Adrian channeled the conversation away from personal matters. When he had discovered that Caroline wished to see the Tower, he had made a visit there, acquainting himself with some of its points of interest. He took her to the Lion Tower, where the royal menagerie was kept, and Caroline was delighted with her first glimpse of an elephant. Caroline shivered at the Scaffold Site, where three queens—Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard, and Jane Grey—had died.

  “How horrible,” she said with a shudder, “to die in such a way.”

  “It is painless because death is so swift,” said Adrian.

  “Oh, but to know as you put down your head what is about to occur—it must be a dreadful thing. I do not see how a civilized people could permit such a thing.”

  “Sometimes humans do not seem far removed from the primitive,” said Adrian.

  “That is very true,” said Caroline somberly.

  “But come,” said Adrian, “let us not become melancholy! Did you know that a man once tried unsuccessfully to steal the Crown jewels? His attempt was considered so daring that Charles II pardoned him, granted him a pension, and restored his estates!”

  “How strange!” commented Caroline.

  The afternoon passed quickly and pleasurably, Caroline enjoying Adrian’s witty comments on what they were seeing.

  “It is so nice to have a personal guide,” she said. “My guidebook is excellent in its way, but you make the Tower come alive for me.”

  “That is a compliment worth having,” said Adrian. They smiled at each other.

  When they reached Woburn Square, Adrian refused to come inside, protesting that the hour was late and she would be wishing to rest before dinner.

  “You underestimate me,” said Caroline.

  “Then let us say that I do not wish a too-quickly-gained familiarity to breed contempt,” said Adrian.

  Caroline felt her heart beating with unaccustomed rapidity. She was not used to the accomplished flirting of a man far more experienced than she in the art of dalliance. She was relieved when Adrian left her at the door without making a definite appointment to see her again. She hoped to avoid seeing Aurelia before she could collect her thoughts, but Aurelia was awaiting her return in the parlor.

  “Did you have an enjoyable time, my love?” she asked.

  “Yes, it was most enjoyable,” said Caroline.

  “Is not Mr. Bradford a most charming gentleman?” she asked.

  “Yes, he is,” replied Caroline noncommittally. “If you’ll excuse me, Aurelia, I should like to rest before dinner.” It was a lie, but it was an effective excuse and she was able to make her escape.

  Adrian was well pleased with the afternoon’s work. He had flattered the elderly duenna and then shown Caroline a more subdued, more subtle charm. The contrast had frequently proved successful. Caroline was well on her way to thinking him a charming, witty man, and her companion would present no problem. He had not made another assignation, desiring to pique her curiosity. He intended, in fact, to stay away for about a week: enough time to make her wish to see him, but not so long as to allow her to forget him.

  Chapter 10

  Arabella had been thoroughly enjoying her visit to London. Lady Kimborough had been so kind, and it was such fun visiting dressmakers and trying on hats! Her gown for her come-out was almost ready, and Arabella thought there had never been such an exquisite dress. It was pale yellow, usually an unfortunate color for a blonde, but Arabella had found a gown exactly the color of her hair and the total effect was one of a spring flower. She was having a final fitting one afternoon when Giles came into the room.

  “Behold the daffodil!” he exclaimed as he entered.

  “Ah, dear Giles,” said Lady Kimborough, “we would very much like a gentleman’s opinion. Is not Arabella’s gown most becoming? I am certain her mama will be pleased.”

  “I am certain all of London will be pleased,” said Giles. “I have something which I hope will perfectly complete the costume.” He pulled a package from inside his coat.

  “For me?” asked Arabella. “Oh, Mr. Kendal!”

  “Please open it,” said Giles. “And as we are so nearly related, can’t I prevail upon you to call me Giles?”

  “Oh, yes, of course, Mr. Ken—Giles,” said Arabella, opening the package. It contained an ivory fan painted in shades of white and yellow in the manner of Angelica Kauffmann.

  “Oh, Giles!” exclaimed Arabella, turning her face up to meet his. “Dear Lady Kimborough, isn’t this the most lovely thing? How can I thank you?”

>   “It is lovely, my dear,” said Lady Kimborough. “Giles always has such excellent taste.”

  The seamstress, who had been waiting patiently while Arabella pirouetted about, displaying the fan, gave a discreet cough.

  “Miss, if I’m to have this gown ready, you’ll have to stand still.”

  “Oh, I’m so sorry,” said Arabella. “How naughty of me! But I’m so excited. Everyone is so nice to me. I am certain no girl ever had a more wonderful come-out!” She stood obediently as the seamstress pinned the hem.

  “Giles, my love, while Arabella is completing her fitting, I have something I wish to say to you. Will you accompany me to my sitting room?”

  “Yes, of course, Mother,” said Giles. He looked at Arabella again. “Will you excuse me?”

  “Oh, yes,” said Arabella.

  “Perhaps you would like to go for a ride in the Park when you are finished here?” asked Giles.

  “I’d like that very much,” said Arabella, smiling shyly at him.

  “Giles,” said his mother, “I am waiting for you.” She swept out of the room.

  “I shall see you later,” said Giles as he followed her.

  Arabella blushed.

  When Giles entered his mother’s sitting room, she requested that he close the door.

  “Now, Mother,” he said when he had complied, “what have I done to displease you?”

  “A fan, Giles?” asked his mother. “Do you not feel that perhaps that is too personal a gift? Please remember that my position as Lavinia Chedworth’s standin is a delicate one. Arabella is in my care. I am certain her mama would not care to have her head turned before she has had a chance to meet an eligible parti.”

  “How cold-blooded it all sounds,” said Giles.

  “Don’t be a fool, Giles,” replied his mother. “You know very well that a girl just out of the schoolroom is very susceptible to an older man with a great deal of charm.”

  Giles chuckled, but his mother continued, “It is no secret, Giles, that your manner is engaging. Lord Walsingham would never have selected you as his aide were it not. But that is beside the point. I will not have Lavinia say that I contrived to have you engage Arabella’s affections because you are a younger son who needs to marry a wealthy female!”

  “Surely you are exaggerating, Mama,” said Giles. “Arabella is a delightful child and she is one of the most beautiful females I have yet to meet. But I am old enough to be her—well, her much older brother, and I am certain she regards me in that light.”

  “Do not misunderstand me, Giles,” said his mother. “If, after Arabella has had the opportunity to meet other young men of the ton, she decides, as I believe she will, that an older man of experience and address suits her, I shall be delighted. She is prettily behaved, of good family, and she will have a comfortable settlement. I do not wish the gossip-mongers to say that I held Arabella back, intending her for you all the time.”

  “This is absurd,” said Giles impatiently. “Arabella is not in love with me nor I with her. If anyone objects to my entertaining my mother’s goddaughter—who also happens to be a guest in our house—well, I have no patience for the petty gossiping of busybodies. And now, if you will excuse me …” He turned and walked out of the room.

  “Giles!” said his mother sharply. He did not answer and she heard his footsteps as he strode down the stairs. “He was always the most stubborn child,” she said aloud, “So unlike his brother.” Her thoughts dwelled on her elder, more compliant son, and then returned to her immediate problem. “I certainly hope the doctor gives him leave to return to duty shortly,” she said. “I must remember to speak to him about it.”

  When Giles returned home that afternoon, he found Arabella waiting for him. She was wearing a dark blue velvet suit trimmed with fur, and her blue eyes sparkled as she smiled at him.

  “This time I am ready and you are late!” she said with a giggle.

  “But I knew that if I came home late you would have time to arrange your hair or select a more fetching bonnet,” said Giles.

  “Oh, you are teasing me,” said Arabella.

  “Only a little,” said Giles with a smile. “Shall we go?”

  “Yes, please,” said Arabella. They walked to the carriage, which was waiting in front of the house, and Giles helped Arabella inside. They joined the parade of clattering carriages along the cobbled streets of Mayfair until they reached the Park at the fashionable hour when members of the ton went to see and be seen. Giles pointed out the Duke of Dorset on his white horse, the Earl of Sefton and the Ladies Molyneux, the Regent himself and the reigning Beauties; among them the Duchesses of Rutland and Argyll and Ladies Cowper and Mountjoy. The ladies vied with each other, not only in the elegance of their dress, but in the appointments and upholstery of their carriages and the liveries of their powdered-wigged footmen. It was a heady feeling for Arabella to be part of Society.

  “So many elegant ladies!” she exclaimed.

  “They are probably very envious of you,” said Giles.

  “Of me!” exclaimed Arabella, “Why should such beautiful ladies be jealous of me?”

  “Their beauty comes from hours of preparation while yours comes from youth and nature.”

  Arabella looked at Giles through her long lashes, saying nothing. Suddenly her attention was diverted by a carriage stopping alongside theirs.

  “Mr. Kendal,” said a voice from the other carriage.

  “Miss Chessington,” said Giles. “How nice to see you again.” Eyeing her companion, he said coolly, “And you, Bradford.”

  “Kendal,” replied Adrian.

  There was a silence, which Caroline broke.

  “I am sorry we have not been introduced,” she said to Arabella. “I am Caroline Chessington.”

  “Oh, excuse me,” said Giles. “I forget my duties. Miss Chessington, Mr. Bradford, may I present my mother’s goddaughter, Arabella Chedworth, who is here for her first Season. Arabella, Miss Chessington is also a newcomer to London.”

  “How do you do?” said Arabella shyly.

  “How lovely to meet you. Miss Chedworth,” said Caroline. “You must be very excited about the Season. I am certain yours will be a very successful one.”

  “Thank you,” said Arabella. “Everyone has been so kind to me, so very kind. Will I see you at any of the parties?”

  “No, I shouldn’t think so,” said Caroline. “I live a quiet life and my stay in London is only for a short time.”

  “But London is so exciting!” said Arabella ingenuously as everyone smiled. “So much to do and see. I could not see it all if I stayed a lifetime. So many balls and Assemblies. I am even to have a ball just in my honor.”

  Caroline smiled. “It does sound exciting for you. But I am happy with my more quiet enjoyments.”

  “And I am shamed to admit that I have been monopolizing Miss Chessington’s time of late to the exclusion of other pleasures,” Adrian added smoothly.

  “I think we must be getting on,” said Giles, clearly peeved at Bradford’s proprietary air. “Miss Chessington, your obedient. Bradford …” He bowed, but before the carriages could move on in opposite directions, Arabella turned to Giles and said, “I should like it above all things if Miss Chessington and Mr. Bradford could come to my ball.” She looked at Caroline, adding, “It will be the grandest party. You would not wish to miss it and I should love to have you there.” She looked around triumphantly, unaware that she had discomfited both Giles and Caroline. Giles glowered, Caroline looked nonplussed, while Adrian smiled smugly, enjoying Kendal’s embarrassment.

  Caroline spoke first. “That is very kind of you, Miss Chedworth,” she began, “but I do not think …”

  “I am certain Miss Chessington would find your ball not to her liking,” said Giles, interrupting.

  “But on the contrary, I should be delighted to attend, Miss Chedworth,” said Caroline, shooting Giles a challenging look. How dare he presume to speak for her! It was not enough that he had voiced his
disapproval of Adrian Bradford’s attentions, or that his own attentions to her had diminished, but here he was, making a cake of himself over a child just out of the schoolroom!

  “And so shall I,” added Adrian Bradford, completing Giles’s discomfiture.

  “Splendid!” said Arabella with a happy smile. “I do so want everyone to share in my good fortune.”

  “I think we really must be getting on,” said Giles stiffly, for there seemed to be nothing more to be said. For the second time, he bade them good day and the carriages moved on.

  When they were safely out of earshot, Adrian looked at Caroline quizzically.

  “Do you indeed mean to honor that silly child’s invitation?”

  “Of course not,” said Caroline. “It would be most improper. What would her mama say? I am sorry I permitted myself to be goaded.”

  “It would seem that your friend Mr. Kendal has established himself successfully,” said Adrian.

  “Miss Chedworth is charming,” said Caroline.

  “It would not be at all surprising if a betrothal were announced before she had time to test the waters, as it were,” said Adrian.

  “Giles Kendal and that child?” exclaimed Caroline, annoyed at hearing her feelings voiced. “I thought his attitude was quite avuncular.”

  “Perhaps,” said Adrian. “One could scarcely expect him to make his attentions known before Miss Chedworth is out.”

  “I am certain Mr. Kendal’s affairs are no concern of mine,” said Caroline sharply. “Tell me, did you really enjoy the play last night? I am afraid I thought it insipid.”

  “I did as well,” said Adrian, “but as I suggested it and you and Miss Peakirk seemed to enjoy it, I hid my feelings. Now it seems the joke is on me! I should have been honest with you.”

  “I hope you always will be,” said Caroline as they drove on.

  “Do you know Miss Chessington well?” asked Arabella as they continued around the Park.

  “No, not very well,” said Giles in a preoccupied tone.