Secret Heiress

by Shelley, Lillian;

  “Then do consider poor Arabella Chedworth,” said Adrian. “Should I return to London, her escapade will scarcely escape notice. I shall make certain of that. What would London make of this melodrama?”

  “What do you know of Arabella Chedworth?” asked Caroline sharply.

  “I would prefer to discuss this inside,” said Adrian.

  “Very well,” said Caroline reluctantly. “Come in.” She led him inside and closed the door.

  “Now, Mr. Bradford, what is it that you want? How did you know to come to Brampton and what do you know of Arabella Chedworth?”

  “I must admit to a bit of luck,” said Adrian, “although I would prefer to credit my skill. When I left London in some haste, to try to raise funds to leave England, I was fortunate enough to stop at an inn in Bedford. There I saw you and Miss Chedworth. I surmised, from your direction, that you were on the way to Brampton: a few coins were sufficient to elicit information from the innkeeper, a man of excellent hearing.”

  “So you still claim bribery as one of your talents,” said Caroline.

  “You have grown bitter,” said Adrian. “You are not the charming young woman I knew in London.”

  “Indeed,” said Caroline. “And what is it that you want from me now?”

  “I wish sufficient funds to leave the country and set myself up in France. You are by far the plumpest pigeon I have to pluck.”

  “Impossible!” exclaimed Caroline. “I shall not yield to blackmail!”

  “Then I shall be forced to return to London and to report this curious story to those most interested. Not merely the Chedworths, of course, but Lord Warriner and others who might concern themselves with Miss Chedworth’s welfare. I am aware that you have written to the Chedworths to inform them of the situation, although delicacy prevented me from opening the letter. I would feel obligated to inform the rest of London.”

  “I have never met such a scoundrel as you!” exclaimed Caroline. “When I think that I encouraged your suit …”

  “Had you accepted me, my dear Caroline, I would not now be forced to such actions which are so distasteful to me.”

  “You are beyond all bounds—” Caroline began, but she was interrupted again by the sound of horses. Both she and Adrian paused.

  “Are you expecting more guests?” he asked. “I had no idea that Lancashire was so popular a destination.”

  “Certainly I am not expecting anyone,” said Caroline through gritted teeth. “If you will excuse me, I shall see who it is. I do not wish the entire household awakened.”

  “Allow me to accompany you,” said Adrian.

  “I do not care what you do,” said Caroline.

  As Caroline walked to the door, Adrian peered through the window.

  “What an odd time for Kendal to call,” he commented. “And young Tarkington is most certainly de trop.”

  “Giles Kendal!” exclaimed Caroline. “What can he be doing here?”

  “I suggest you open the door,” said Adrian. He strolled up to her as Caroline let the visitors in. And it was he who greeted Giles.

  “Welcome to Brampton,” he said with a sneer.

  As Adrian Bradford laughed and Jeremy Tarkington looked nervously about, Giles and Caroline stared at each other.

  “I might have known,” he said, breaking the silence.

  “Known what?” demanded Caroline.

  “Known that I’d find Bradford here.”

  “You could not possibly have known that,” said Caroline angrily. “I did not know that he was coming here—any more than I knew that you were coming here. What are you doing here with Mr. Tarkington? Did you receive my letter? Have you spoken to the Chedworths? I do not understand how you come to be here now—and indeed, it was not necessary for you to come at all. I have the situation in hand.”

  “I can see that,” said Giles.

  “If I may interject a word,” said Adrian, stepping forward. “In the first place, your voices are being raised. In the second place, I have no desire to interfere in what is clearly a private quarrel. Nor, I am persuaded, does young Tarkington. His feelings are of no consequence to me, but if you will assist me in my requirements, I shall take my leave. This house has become too crowded.”

  “What the devil is he talking about?” asked Giles.

  “Mr. Bradford has come here to extort funds for passage to France as the price of his silence with regard to Arabella’s flight,” said Caroline.

  “Succinctly put, my dear Caroline,” said Adrian.

  “Why, you—” said Giles, moving toward him. He was restrained by Caroline.

  “Please, Mr. Kendal. We do not wish to awaken the household. Dearly as I should love to see him on the floor, I fear we shall have to accede to his demands. Far better to be rid of him.”

  “Yield to his blackmail?” asked Giles. “It is a matter of principle that one not yield to blackmail.”

  “Principle will be of little use to Arabella Chedworth if she faces social ruin because of a childish mistake.”

  “Arabella shall never suffer as long as I can defend her!” said Jeremy Tarkington, speaking for the first time. He flushed as they all regarded him.

  “Bravo!” said Adrian.

  “Mr. Tarkington,” said Caroline. “If you will please wait in the morning room; it is the room to your left.” Jeremy hesitated and then, confused as to his proper role in the situation, followed Caroline’s instructions.

  “Now,” said Adrian when he was gone, “if we may return to the matter at hand …”

  “Bradford—” said Giles menacingly, grabbing him by the lapels.

  “Gentlemen,” said Caroline, her voice dangerously calm. “I have had more than enough tonight. Mr. Kendal, I do not know why you are here; the situation was quite under control. Mr. Bradford, I wish you to leave at once. If the price of that be blackmail, so be it.”

  Giles began to speak, but Caroline forestalled him.

  “Mr. Bradford, it is my earnest desire to be rid of you as quickly as possible. Whatever I have here, I shall give you. But beware. Should you return for more, or further exploit the situation, you will be most sorry. Mr. Kendal, I suggest that as soon as Mr. Bradford leaves—and I shall awaken one of the grooms, if necessary, to see that he does leave—you, Mr. Tarkington, and I retire for the night. All else can wait until morning.”

  Adrian bowed and Giles shrugged, saying, “As you will.” He watched disapprovingly as Caroline finished her dealings with Adrian, and then closed the door behind him as Adrian vanished into the night.

  When he had gone, Caroline turned to Giles.

  “Mr. Kendal,” she said, “despite my desire to retire immediately, I realize there are certain matters which must be settled. But,” she added, her voice softening, “you look so tired. Let me offer you and Mr. Tarkington some refreshment.”

  “Thank you, we dined on the road,” said Giles as he sat down wearily.

  “Arabella’s nerves are overset already. It would be unwise to tell her about Mr. Bradford’s threats.”

  “Quite right,” answered Giles. “And I shall warn Tarkington to be on his guard as well, although I don’t know if he can be depended upon.”

  “What are we to tell Arabella about your presence here?” asked Caroline.

  “I believe we should tell her the truth: that Tarkington and I both received her rather garbled notes, telling us that she had run away. Her maid mentioned the stage to Bedford. Inquiries at the stage office led us there and when we arrived in Bedford I discovered your notes. I read only the one addressed to me, I assure you. We followed you to Lancashire and several inquiries led us to Brampton. It seems you are well known in this region of the country, Miss Chessington, as a woman of parts.”

  “I am sorry I deceived you,” said Caroline.

  “You owe me no explanation,” said Giles.

  “Very well,” said Caroline stiffly. “Let us discuss Arabella instead. Now that you are here, what shall we do?”

  “It is
my intention to take Arabella back with me tomorrow,” said Giles. “Tarkington will be with us as well.”

  “Alone with both of you?” asked Caroline. “And without her maid?”

  “May I ask if you have something better to suggest, Miss Chessington?” asked Giles a trifle impatiently.

  “I will give it some thought. We can talk further tomorrow,” answered Caroline. “Are you quite intent upon her returning home?”

  “She belongs there, Miss Chessington.”

  “But Lord Warriner … the marriage …”

  “Miss Chessington, Mr. Kendal, I will be heard!” said Jeremy, coming back into the room. “I will not be pushed aside! I will not be kept waiting any longer. If Arabella is to return to London, it shall be with me as her escort. As for Lord Warriner …”

  “If Arabella is determined against the marriage, naturally she shall not be forced into it,” said Giles. “I believe that can be arranged. A well-placed word in Lord Warriner’s ear should do the trick there. I should have spoken to her parents earlier.” Turning to Jeremy, he continued. “If, when you have both come of age, your feelings have not changed, I am certain the Chedworths would become reconciled to the match. They are not ogres, after all. I am sorry the matter got out of hand: one does not wish to interfere.”

  “No, of course not,” said Caroline tartly. “Much better to let the child be bullied. You have been too long in the Diplomatic, Mr. Kendal. It has left you overly cautious.”

  Giles, worn out by his journey and goaded beyond thinking, exploded.

  “I have heard quite enough from you,” he shouted. “You dare to criticize my actions! You have misled Society about who you are—for what purpose one can only imagine! You have involved yourself with a man of unsavory reputation and refused to listen to warnings about him. You have involved yourself in the affairs of a virtual stranger. I come here to find you being blackmailed—but no more on that subject tonight! My conduct may be overly cautious, but your conduct is unspeakable! And now, if you please, I wish to retire. If you will be so good as to show me to a room …”

  “With pleasure,” she snapped.

  When Arabella came down for breakfast the next morning, she found Caroline already there.

  “Good morning,” said Arabella. “I slept so soundly.”

  “Arabella, there is something I have to tell you. Last night, after you were asleep—”

  “Good morning, Arabella,” said a voice from behind. She whirled around to face Giles Kendal. Her hand flew to her mouth.

  “Giles!” she shrieked. “What are you doing here? Does Mama know where I am? How did you find me?”

  “Wait a minute!” said Giles, laughing. “I can only answer one question at a time.”

  “I must tell you, Giles,” Arabella said seriously, “that I shall not return to London. I intend to find a position as a governess. I was on my way when Caroline—Miss Chessington—persuaded me to come here for a few days. I shall not marry Lord Warriner!” Her voice rose.

  Exchanging a glance with Caroline, Giles interrupted her. “I believe we should return to London, but in the meanwhile, if you will permit me a word, I have other news for you which I am certain will please you. Miss Chessington has yet another guest, who arrived with me last night.” Taking slight liberties with the truth, he added, “I tried to dissuade Mr. Tarkington, but he insisted on accompanying me. What do you say to that?”

  Arabella squealed with delight. “Jeremy? Here? Where is he? When may I see him?”

  Caroline laughed. “He seems to be still abed,” she said dryly. “But I am certain he will arise soon enough. And now, Mr. Kendal, you were telling us your plan.”

  “As I started to say, we shall return to London immediately, for the sooner this is settled, the better. When we get to London I shall speak to your parents, Arabella, and to Lord Warriner, if that is necessary. I fancy there may be some slight difficulty, but I do not think either your parents or his lordship will press the issue. I am tolerably certain of that. For your part, let us have no more foolish talk of governesses, Arabella. I can imagine no one less suited for such a role! And now, if you will excuse me, Miss Chessington, it is time to waken Tarkington and begin to make preparations for our journey.”

  “Will you not have some breakfast first?” asked Caroline, hoping to avoid a retort from Arabella, who was looking mulish.

  “Thank you, yes, although I do not wish to delay, as I know the Chedworths are very worried, despite your letter.”

  “I should like to speak to you before you leave,” said Caroline. “Will you see me in the library before you go?”

  Giles bowed. “Of course, Miss Chessington, I shall. But I must remind you that I have a long journey ahead.”

  “It will not take long,” said Caroline.

  “I will see you shortly,” said Giles. He bowed again and left the room to awaken Jeremy.

  “I am so happy!” said Arabella, pirouetting about the room. “I did not really wish to be a governess, even though Giles was mean to say that I wouldn’t be a good one! Now I can hardly wait for Jeremy to awaken!” She stopped and looked at Caroline. “What have you to say to Giles?” she asked curiously.

  “I have some commissions I wish him to execute for me in London,” she said. “Do have some more to eat, Arabella, whilst you wait for Mr. Tarkington. If you will excuse me, I have some matters to attend to in the library.”

  After breakfast, Giles joined Caroline in the library.

  “How may I be of service, Miss Chessington?” he asked.

  “I would like to explain to you why I did not reveal my true situation to you or to anyone else,” said Caroline.

  “That is not necessary,” said Giles. “Your personal life is your own concern.”

  “But it is important to me that I tell you,” said Caroline. “Why must you be so stubborn?”

  “I believe I am not alone in that trait,” said Giles. “Pray continue, Miss Chessington.”

  “When I came to London, I had just refused another offer for my hand—”

  “How boring that can be!” said Giles.

  “Will you listen to me?” asked Caroline. “Another offer for my hand … and my fortune. I had received many offers, but none came from the heart. I was tired of being desired for my fortune alone, and so I decided to go to London as a mere ‘Miss Chessington,’ a provincial nobody of modest means. I did want to see London, and I wanted to see if there existed a man who could love me for myself.”

  “And so you found Adrian Bradford instead,” said Giles sarcastically, “who turned out to be no better than a common blackmailer. How could you have succumbed to his threats and given him money? If you had not stopped me, I would have thrashed him and sent him packing!”

  “I can see, Mr. Kendal, that you are not truly interested in what I have to say,” said Caroline, her color rising. “You have decided to judge me on appearances, without consideration of the circumstances. It is a pity that you have not returned to diplomatic service. I fear that your long absence from diplomacy has robbed you of the ability to think rationally and speak tactfully.”

  “Have you quite finished, Miss Chessington?” asked Giles. He was very angry, the more so because he realized that he was in the wrong in not listening to Caroline’s story. Matters between them, however, had gotten out of hand. It seemed that whatever he said sounded ungracious or petty, and yet he could not seem to make his words reflect his feelings, which had become clearer to him when he realized how distressed it had made him to find Bradford at Brampton.

  “I have finished,” said Caroline. “There is nothing more for me to say on this matter. I should like to turn to your plans for Arabella’s return to London. She can scarcely be expected to travel back to London today after her arrival late yesterday. And she should not travel alone with you and Mr. Tarkington. Appearances aside, I strongly doubt whether either of you has the ability to keep her calm. Arabella is too high-strung to be without a suitable traveling compani
on and chaperone. I believe that we should return together. I am willing to accompany the party. It is true that it will delay the return to London, but I think it will be for the best.” She did not admit to him, as she was forced to admit to herself, that she did not want him to leave, perhaps for the last time.

  “Perhaps you are right,” said Giles. He realized with a pang that he did not want to part from Caroline Chessington while things were still so disagreeable between them.

  “And Mr. Kendal,” said Caroline.

  “Yes, Miss Chessington?”

  “It will be a long and difficult journey back to London. I trust that we can both be depended upon to set an example for our charges. Our personal feelings should not be permitted to intrude on our responsibilities.”

  “I quite agree,” said Giles, nettled again. “There is no reason for our personal difficulties to affect the discharge of our duties. Your opinion of me to the contrary, my professional training has indeed prepared me to carry on regardless of the unfortunate circumstances.”

  “Are you regarding me as an unfortunate circumstance?” asked Caroline, her eyes flashing.

  “Certainly not,” said Giles. “It is the necessity of my continued involvement with you which is the unfortunate circumstance. And now if you will excuse me, Miss Chessington …” He turned and left the room, the door receiving an unnecessarily hard pull as it closed behind him.

  “Again!” said Caroline through gritted teeth. “Again that insufferable man has had the last word!”

  Chapter 24

  The journey to London was not a happy one. Arabella would not enter a carriage without Jeremy by her side, so Caroline, in her role as chaperone, found herself crowded into a carriage with a silly widgeon who wavered between despair and joy, and a foolish halfling who bravely offered to call Lord Warriner out if that gentleman approached his beloved. It was trying enough to cause Caroline to wish she were in Giles Kendal’s carriage, but as the thought of Giles was quickly accompanied by similarly unsettling feelings, she brushed aside such thoughts and applied herself to controlling her companions.

  They stopped for meals and lodging at inns along the road. At each stop Giles reserved a private parlor and the best rooms for their use. He was feeling considerably ashamed of himself for his outburst at Brampton. He bitterly regretted that he, a trained diplomat, had succumbed to such pettiness. It was, he reflected moodily, time he returned to Vienna. In retrospect, it was evident that Caroline Chessington had only been trying to help; that, in fact, she had very probably averted a scandal. But he found it difficult to speak to her, to tell her how he felt, for she refused to leave Arabella and Jeremy alone and her reserved demeanor and coolness when he spoke to her did not make him feel that she had forgiven him.