Secret Heiress

by Shelley, Lillian;

  Before leaving Brampton, he and Caroline had agreed to stop in Woburn Square and leave the two lovers under her chaperonage while Giles went to see the Chedworths. For Caroline it was an awkward entry into London. She had left under uncomfortable circumstances and was not looking forward to explaining that situation to Aurelia. And then there was Giles Kendal to deal with. She had avoided him so successfully on the journey to London that it was possible that she had discouraged any further attempts to renew their friendship. Now, removed by time and distance from their quarrel, she was not at all certain that she wished Giles Kendal out of her life.

  It was true that he had made her very angry, but now that her good temper was restored she reflected on how solicitous of her comfort he had been on the journey, reserving private parlors and ordering special meals. It had not been easy, finding suitable accommodations on short notice for such a party, and much persuasion had been required, as well as money changing hands. Caroline had noticed at their last stop that Giles looked drawn and tired; for someone still not completely restored to health he had overexerted himself—perhaps even risked permanent harm—to save Arabella Chedworth’s reputation. Then she shook off these thoughts. As things stood between them, it was foolish to think of Giles Kendal any more than she had to.

  It was a surprised Briggs who answered the door and greeted the returning party in Woburn Square, but he quickly regained his aplomb.

  “Welcome home, Miss Chessington,” he said, helping her out of the carriage.

  “Thank you, Briggs,” she replied. “I realize this is most sudden and I am afraid I have caught the staff unawares.”

  “The staff, Miss Chessington,” said Briggs with dignity, “is always prepared. Miss Peakirk is still in residence.”

  “Of course,” said Caroline. “And is she at home now?”

  “Miss Peakirk has gone out,” said Briggs.

  Caroline breathed a sigh of relief. “Then please show Miss Chedworth and Mr. Tarkington into the morning room,” she said.

  “Very good, miss,” said Briggs. “And I shall have a light repast sent in.”

  “Thank you, Briggs.” She turned to Arabella, who was looking frightened.

  “Do go with Briggs,” she said. “I shall be in presently and he will make you comfortable.”

  Arabella followed, but Jeremy lingered behind.

  “I believe … that is, it is my duty …” he began, but Caroline interrupted him.

  “Mr. Tarkington, I must entrust to you the care of Miss Chedworth. She is very apprehensive and I am relying on you to reassure her. We do not wish her to work herself into a hysteria. Do go to her.”

  Thus appealed to, Jeremy followed Arabella inside. Just then Giles’s carriage, which had been behind them, pulled up in front of the house. Caroline waited to greet him.

  “Welcome to Woburn Square,” said Caroline as he descended from the carriage.

  “Are you pleased to be back in London, Miss Chessington?” he asked.

  “My return here, Mr. Kendal, was purely a matter of necessity. I shall not remain longer than is required.”

  “I trust this matter shall be resolved shortly,” said Giles. “I stopped here to tell you that it is my intention to go to the Chedworths’ immediately. The sooner this affair is at an end, the sooner I can make plans for my return to Vienna.”

  “Will you be returning soon?” asked Caroline.

  “As soon as the doctor says I may,” said Giles. “After traveling the length of the country, a mere trip to Vienna should not be too arduous.”

  “I think I should be going inside,” said Caroline, her voice carefully expressionless. “I must see to my guests.”

  “I shall return as soon as I can,” said Giles. He bowed, and as their eyes met, he said simply, “Good day, Miss Chessington!”

  “Good day, Mr. Kendal,” said Caroline. She turned and went inside.

  Briggs had set out a lovely meal, to which Jeremy was doing justice. Love, thought Caroline wryly, had not affected his stomach. Arabella, however, was picking at her food. She constantly shifted her gaze to the door as if she expected her papa to walk in at any moment.

  Caroline was entreating Arabella to try some cold meat when the door opened and Aurelia burst in. She gave a little shriek when she saw Caroline.

  “When Briggs told me you were here, Caroline, I could scarcely credit it! I thought you were at Brampton! How come you to be here again? Caroline, you cannot mean to continue in this helter-skelter manner. It is not at all the thing. I declare, I am nearly distracted!” She pulled out her vinaigrette.

  “Dear Aurelia,” said Caroline. “I know you have sustained a shock. Pray come with me so that I may explain to you what has happened.” She was eager to remove Aurelia before she noticed Arabella and Jeremy and before her heedless remarks could set Arabella off again. Caroline put her arm around Aurelia and led her into the library. Briggs, who had been lingering near the door, followed with two glasses of ratafia and exited wordlessly.

  “Now Aurelia,” said Caroline, firmly sitting her down and handing her a glass. “Let me explain.”

  “Oh, Caroline,” said Aurelia, dabbing at her eyes. “I do not understand what is happening. Things used to be so comfortable. You never used to do such unexpected things. Leaving town suddenly, with no explanation … and then reappearing, just as I was preparing to leave for Brampton. Oh, I begin to wish we had never come to London!”

  Caroline forbore reminding Aurelia that she had always urged Caroline to visit London and had been delighted when she’d learned of the planned trip.

  “And why is Arabella Chedworth here?” Aurelia asked querulously. “How came she to be in your company? And who is that gentleman?”

  “Arabella is with me while Giles Kendal speaks to her parents,” said Caroline.

  “Giles Kendal!” exclaimed Aurelia. “I do not understand what he has to do with this. Do tell me that there will not be a terrible scandal and that we will not be mined! We must return to Brampton and stay there. Perhaps all will be forgotten before I die!”

  “Pray calm yourself, Aurelia,” said Caroline with a laugh. “You take too dismal a view of the situation. There will be no scandal. Mr. Kendal will explain to the Chedworths why Arabella does not wish to marry Lord Warriner. I have no doubt that they will accede. Mr. Kendal will see to that! The betrothal will be terminated—not such a rare occurrence, you know!—and all will be forgotten as soon as something more interesting occurs.”

  “I do not understand you, Caroline,” said Aurelia weakly. “First you reject Adrian Bradford, who was such a gentleman. Then you leave London and return with Giles Kendal! Perhaps,” she said, her eyes brightening, “you are going to marry him?”

  “Certainly not,” said Caroline sharply. “I do not intend to marry Giles Kendal and I am certain he does not intend to marry me.”

  “Oh, dear,” said Aurelia, dabbing at her eyes, “it would be such a good thing if you did. Then you would not go pelting about the country.”

  “No,” said Caroline, laughing. “I would be in Vienna, so I could scarcely pelt about the country. But I would be far from Brampton and you, and I should not like that.” She kissed her cousin. “No, I should not like that at all.”

  Chapter 25

  When Giles was announced at the Chedworths’, he fortunately found them both at home. Mrs. Chedworth jumped up and ran to him as he came into the room.

  “Have you found Arabella?” she demanded. “What is all this about? Where is Arabella? Is there to be a scandal? I have received the oddest note from Caroline Chessington, whom I scarcely know. I demand to know what has happened!”

  “Arabella is quite safe, ma’am,” said Giles. “And no, a scandal has been averted, thanks to Caroline Chessington.”

  “I am certain I do not understand her involvement in all this,” said Mrs. Chedworth. “I should never have invited a female of whom I know nothing to Arabella’s ball. I hold you responsible for that, Giles. Her racket
ing about the country and interfering in the lives of her betters is proof of her lack of respectability.”

  “It would be wise if you did not criticize Miss Chessington,” said Giles. “She has saved you a great deal of unpleasantness and you are greatly in her debt. As for her respectability, her birth is quite as good as your own.”

  “Indeed!” Mrs. Chedworth tittered. “How fortunate she is to have such a champion. Are we to wish you well?”

  “Miss Chessington does not need a champion,” said Giles. “She is,” he added with a rueful smile, “quite capable of taking care of herself.”

  “Come, Kendal,” said Mr. Chedworth, joining in the discussion. “Where is Arabella?”

  “Arabella is with Miss Chessington in Woburn Square,” said Giles.

  “Miss Chessington, Miss Chessington! I still do not understand how she comes to play such a role in this? And why did not Arabella return home with you? Until she does, we cannot tell Lord Warriner that all is well,” said Mrs. Chedworth. “It has become very difficult to explain to him Arabella’s absence. He knows there is no indisposition and I believe he may suspect that she has, in fact, run away.”

  “It is of Lord Warriner that I wish to speak,” said Giles. “Of Lord Warriner and Arabella. Arabella does not wish to marry Lord Warriner. In fact, she holds him in such aversion that I believe she should be released from her engagement. An engagement, I might add, which I believe to have been ill-advised. To affiance a young, inexperienced girl to such a—”

  “You overstep the bounds, Kendal,” interrupted Mr. Chedworth angrily.

  “Indeed, Giles,” said Mrs. Chedworth, “I believe we must be the best judges of such matters. Since you do not intend to offer for Arabella, it is not your concern if someone else has.”

  “It is indeed my concern,” said Giles. “I have just spent a trying week pelting about the country in pursuit of Arabella—to prevent, I might add, the sort of scandal of which you are most afraid. I believe that gives me a direct interest in this matter. I have given Arabella my word that she will not have to marry Lord Warriner. It was only with that promise that she would agree to return.”

  “Arabella will do as she is told,” said Mrs. Chedworth. “I have had quite enough.”

  “If,” said Giles in measured tones, “you continue to insist that Arabella marry Lord Warriner, her distaste for the match will be made known. I do not think Lord Warriner should care for that, nor will it reflect well on you. If Arabella should go into a decline, you will bear Society’s censure.”

  “You cannot do that,” said Mrs. Chedworth. “You, the son of an old and dear friend! You cannot mean to do that!”

  “I can and I will,” said Giles. “I am exceedingly tired of this entire episode. Were it not for your folly, it need not have occurred at all. Now I have a solution. Arabella has taken it into her head that she wishes to marry Jeremy Tarkington. His birth is unexceptionable and his prospects respectable; while he may fancy himself a poet, with proper direction, we need not despair of him. I urge you to permit him to pay his addresses. The romance may not stand the test of time, but if it does, it would be wise to allow the marriage. Arabella has run away once. This time there were no ill effects. You may not be as fortunate again.”

  Mrs. Chedworth regarded her husband, who did not speak for several moments.

  “I do not see that we have a choice,” he said finally. “A scandal will merely result in Arabella finding herself an outcast from Society. It would then be impossible to arrange any favorable alliance. We shall have to end the betrothal and trust in Lord Warriner’s—and your—discretion. As to the poet …” He grimaced.

  “If you wish your daughter’s return,” said Giles, “if you hold her in affection—and I know you do—”

  “We shall have to permit Tarkington entrée,” said Mrs. Chedworth. “It is not what I would like, but it is our only choice. Perhaps it will not last.”

  “Splendid!” said Giles. “Then I shall tell Arabella that she may return home safely. In fact, I shall return to Woburn Square and see that she returns immediately. I must warn you, however, that she will not travel without Tarkington.”

  “We shall have to welcome him sometime,” said Mr. Chedworth.

  “You have made a wise decision,” said Giles. He took Mrs. Chedworth’s hand. “I know you are not well pleased with me now, but I am certain it will be for the best.” With a bow, he was gone.

  “I know that ruin stares us in the face,” said Mrs. Chedworth. “If only they had not interfered!”

  “On the contrary,” said Mr. Chedworth. “Far from hastening our ruin, they may have saved us!”

  When Giles returned to Woburn Square he found Arabella, alarmed by his prolonged absence, in a state that even Caroline’s common-sense talk and Jeremy’s devotion had been unable to avert. When she saw him she ran and threw her arms around his neck.

  “Oh, Giles, have you seen them?” she cried. “What did they say? I know it is something terrible and Jeremy and I will be forced to flee.”

  “Arabella, calm down,” said Giles firmly, extricating himself from her grasp. “It is past time that you ceased enacting these Cheltenham tragedies. You are too much in alt. Come, Tarkington, you will have to do better at dealing with Arabella if you are to persuade the Chedworths of your value!”

  “Then there is a chance, Giles?” asked Arabella.

  “Your parents have agreed to terminate your betrothal to Lord Warriner,” said Giles.

  “Oh, Jeremy!” said Arabella, flinging herself this time into his arms.

  “Then they have agreed with our point of view?” asked Caroline.

  “They have agreed that forcing Arabella to marry against her will is unwise and, as they do love her, unfair.”

  “And what of Jeremy?” asked Arabella. “Do they know that I mean to marry him?”

  “They have agreed to permit him to pay his addresses. If the relationship lasts, they will countenance a betrothal.”

  “But I consider myself betrothed to Jeremy now!” said Arabella.

  “Surely you can wait a little while,” said Caroline.

  “Jeremy and I do not wish to wait!” said Arabella. Everyone turned to Jeremy, who blushed.

  “Have to wait,” he replied, looking at his beloved. “I don’t come into my income until next year,” he explained, taking his new responsibilities seriously.

  “A sensible plan,” said Caroline approvingly.

  “Oh, Jeremy,” said Arabella, beginning to cry. “I’ll wait for you. I’ll wait for you forever.”

  “I believe,” said Giles, “that this lamentable affair is finally at an end.”

  Chapter 26

  When a tearful Arabella, accompanied by her Jeremy, was safely on her way to Berkeley Square, Giles and Caroline turned to each other. Without quite realizing it, they had gone through the last several days happy with the knowledge that they would see each other again. Now the adventure was over and there was no further reason to continue their acquaintance. Giles knew he should take his leave. He knew he should bid Miss Chessington goodbye, put Miss Chessington out of his mind, and direct his thoughts toward returning to Vienna. There was no reason to stay. Yet he stood, unwilling to go.

  Caroline knew that she should indicate to Mr. Kendal that their acquaintance was at an end. She knew that she should graciously extend her hand, thank Mr. Kendal for his kindnesses during their journey, and see him to the door. Yet she, too, stood, unwilling to say a final goodbye.

  At last she spoke.

  “Mr. Kendal,” she said, holding out her hand.

  “Yes, Miss Chessington?” he asked, taking it.

  “I should be reluctant to part without thanking you for your kindness to me these last few difficult days.”

  “I was pleased to be able to serve you,” said Giles.

  “As you will be returning to Vienna, perhaps I shall not see you again. I should hate to part with ill feelings between us.”

  “As shoul
d I,” said Giles. “It would be a most unfortunate circumstance.” They both smiled at the memory of those words, and then remained standing there a bit awkwardly. Again, Caroline broke the silence.

  “Mr. Kendal,” she began again, “at Brampton I tried to explain why I came to London incognita. I should like to finish that explanation before you go.”

  “My behavior in refusing to listen was quite childish and ill-mannered,” said Giles. “It was conduct not befitting a member of Lord Walsingham’s staff!”

  Caroline blushed as her words, too, were recalled.

  “I told you that I came to London to see if there existed a man who could love me for myself and that I found instead Adrian Bradford. I did not know at first that he knew of my wealth. I did not know until shortly before I left London, when my man of business told me that Adrian Bradford had bribed a clerk to discover my identity. Imagine my humiliation! I had known, deep down, that he was insincere, but I wanted to believe that he loved me and, until the end, I had no reason to think he was deceiving me.”

  “I did not know this,” said Giles slowly. “I can understand now how you could have wanted to believe that Bradford was genuine.”

  “Yes,” said Caroline. “You cannot know how pleasant it was to hear the sweet words he spoke and to feel the warmth he showed. At first, after our initial meeting, I thought your interest was piqued, but then it seemed to wane. That is when I turned to Adrian Bradford.”