by Gail Mallin
Realising that her unguarded expression had betrayed her, Kate returned her handkerchief to her reticule. ‘I cannot imagine what you mean,’ she said primly.
Randal grinned. ‘What, no protests, ma’am? Not even a complaint at being left alone with me?’
Kate’s black brows winged upwards in haughty disdain. ‘I believe my virtue to be safe, sir,’ she said coolly, indicating the door which Mr Hilton had carefully left open as convention demanded.
Randal’s grin broadened. Blister it, but he couldn’t help admiring her panache!
‘Since you have engineered our privacy I assume you have something you wish to say to me?’
He nodded, his smile fading. ‘We appear to have reached a stalemate. I don’t believe you are Kitty Nixon, but I can’t prove it. Nor can I explain whence you got that letter and locket…unless you stole them of course.’
Ignoring the gasp of indignation which greeted this remark, Randal continued calmly. ‘It is equally obvious that you aren’t going to give up your claim without a fight. Therefore, the only logical way forward is to organise further investigations.’
He paused, giving her the opportunity to comment, but, somewhat to his surprise, she merely nodded agreement.
‘If necessary Alan can contact Mrs Ashe in due course, but I do not want to cause her any needless worry. Sullivan may well have other engagements, but once he is free to travel we should be able to get to the bottom of this matter quickly enough.’
‘You want Uncle Gerald to identify me?’ Kate managed to put the question calmly, hiding her shocked alarm. She had never imagined such a hideous complication!
‘Just so, ma’am.’
‘You believe he will speak the truth?’ Kate asked, rallying.
‘Sullivan has the reputation of a rogue, but I doubt if even he would dare to deny you if you are who you claim to be. Honour aside, he is intelligent enough to realise that I won’t let this matter drop. One way or another, I mean to find out what really happened in Ireland.’
There was a grim note in his deep voice and hearing it Kate experienced a frisson of despair.
The instant Gerald Sullivan clapped eyes on her the game would be up!
Her thoughts whirling as she tried frantically to work out the implications of this new development, Kate was scarcely aware at first that Randal was speaking again.
‘Unfortunately, given the distance involved, any investigation is going to require time. It may take weeks to discover the truth.’ Randal shrugged. ‘Therefore, although it grieves me to do so, I propose we agree on a truce.’
‘A truce?’ Kate’s attention snapped back into focus. Was he trying to trick her? What had he to gain from a truce? ‘May I ask why you want us to be on cordial terms?’
‘I don’t give a fig for gossip, but my sisters would be distressed if word gets out that we are fighting over the Nabob’s fortune.’
‘I didn’t have you down as a man of such sensitivity.’ Kate’s rich contralto voice held a note of sarcasm.
Randal acknowledged the justice of this remark with a slight inclination of his head. She had a right to feel angry…if she was the real Kitty.
When she had produced that locket his conviction that she was an impostor had suffered a distinct knock. Could he be wrong? Discounting Gerald’s damning letter, all he had to go on was instinct. Somehow, and he couldn’t for the life of him say why, he just didn’t believe she was his little cousin.
‘You may think me unfeeling, ma’am, but please believe me when I say that my opposition to your claim is based upon a desire to execute my duty rather than a wish to cause you distress.’
Innate honesty forced Randal to admit that his memory of Kitty was hazy. It was a long time since he had seen her. He swallowed his pride. ‘I am willing to admit that you might be my cousin.’
‘Is this an apology, sir?’ Kate demanded saucily.
‘Only time will tell if I have anything to apologise for, ma’am,’ Randal retorted dryly. ‘However, if you are willing to overlook the harsh things I said to you on your visit to Crawford Hall, then I am prepared to set aside my doubts and act in a more civilised manner while we wait for Sullivan.’
‘You will acknowledge me as your cousin?’
Randal heard the challenge in her tone and his instinctive reaction was to damn her impudence, but the words died unspoken on his lips. If he did not acknowledge her, her position would be extremely awkward and there would be gossip. An impostor might deserve to feel such anxiety, but if he was wrong it would be a needless cruelty.
‘I shall treat you as I would the real Kitty.’
Kate’s face lit up in a brilliant smile. ‘Thank you.’
‘Don’t mistake this concession for weakness,’ he warned her. ‘It doesn’t mean that you have convinced me. I am merely following one of the first principles of warfare.’
‘My lord?’ Kate was puzzled.
‘Know your enemy.’
* * * *
If Mr Hilton was surprised to find his visitors in apparent harmony on his return, he was sensible enough to conceal it.
Lord Redesmere was known to have an eye for a pretty woman and Miss Nixon, if indeed that was her name, was a beautiful creature.
Mr Hilton, who was by no means adverse to a pair of fine eyes himself, hoped her story was true. He had been saddened to hear of Kitty’s supposed accident. It was always upsetting to hear of anyone so young dying and he’d regretted that Kitty’s demise would benefit a rogue like Gerald Sullivan.
That Sullivan might have tried to take advantage, he didn’t doubt. But his lordship wouldn’t let him get away with it. A very strong sense of duty his lordship had. He would see there was fair play and no mistake!
‘I believe that’s all for now, Alan,’ Randal said crisply, drawing the ensuing discussion to a close. ‘Let me know the moment you hear from Sullivan.’
‘Of course, my lord.’ Mr Hilton turned to Kate. ‘If you do think of something later that you wish clarified, I should be pleased to advise you, ma’am,’ he promised.
His visitors rose to take their leave.
‘Thank you, sir.’ Kate dipped a neat curtsey. ‘And thank you too for your hospitality. I have seldom found a glass of orgeat more refreshing.’ She smiled at him sunnily. ‘It was kind of you to go so much trouble.’
‘Not at all.’ Mr Hilton, who had sent out for this beverage, flushed with pleasure and hurried to open the door.
Randal hid his amusement. The little baggage certainly knew how to turn a man up sweet!
He politely gestured Kate to precede him. ‘Don’t bother to see us out, Alan. I’ll escort Miss Nixon downstairs.’
Kate was glad that the stairs were too narrow for him to offer her the use of his arm. She needed to think and his nearness seemed to have an unfortunate effect upon her wits!
The interview hadn’t gone as well as she had hoped. Hilton had been sympathetic, but Crawford’s presence had blocked her plan to enlist the lawyer’s aid.
How was she going to avoid Sullivan accusing her of fraud? She might have known Crawford would suggest an identity check. Too fly by half was his lordship!
At least the truce he had suggested would give her a little breathing space and maybe if they spent some time together his opposition would soften. Kate ignored the inner voice which whispered delight at the prospect of his company.
They reached the outer office.
Randal frowned. He had expected to see the middle-aged dragon who had accompanied her to the Hall, but the room was empty save for clerks. ‘I see you didn’t bring your maid. May I escort you home?’
‘Thank you, but there is no need.’ Kate glanced at the fine lacquered longcase clock which stood against the far wall. ‘I agreed with Lady Edgeworth that she would collect me at four and it wants only a few minutes to the hour.’
‘Alicia?’ Randal’s frown deepened. ‘Are you staying with her?’
Kate nodded warily. ‘She invited me to be her gue
st when she learnt I was putting up at an inn.’
He continued to frown and Kate hurried on. ‘She wanted to come with me this afternoon, but I felt it was better if I spoke to Mr Hilton alone. I told her that I could easily walk home afterwards, but she wouldn’t hear of it.’
‘No doubt she scolded you for your independence.’
Kate wasn’t sure what to make of his tone. ‘She was scandalised,’ she agreed cautiously. ‘I told her I was used to my freedom and that I liked walking.’ A tiny gurgle of laughter escaped her. ‘I suspect she thinks me quite mad, but I don’t intend to become a milk and water miss even to please her.’
Randal stared down into her enchanting countenance.
‘Your behaviour is your own concern,’ he said roughly, steeling himself against her dangerous charm.
Devil take the wench! Her laughter was as warm and rich as molten honey. If he didn’t take care, he’d find himself as bedazzled as Hilton!
‘What does concern me,’ Randal continued in the same hard voice, ‘is that Alicia is not cozened. Does she know what Gerald is saying?’
Kate, who had been taken aback by his sudden change of mood, realised he was going to be difficult and sought for a soothing answer.
‘Well? Are you going to explain how you inveigled yourself into Abbey Square? What have you told her?’
‘I told her the truth,’ Kate snapped back, irritated into forgetting her good intentions. ‘That you are a rude and overbearing bully!’ She tilted her chin up to glare at him. ‘It wouldn’t surprise me in the least to discover you were the most disliked man in Cheshire!’
‘Why, you little—’ Anger washed over Randal, darkening his bright eyes, and Kate took a hasty step backwards.
Suddenly remembering the clerks, Randal reined in his temper.
‘This is no place to discuss what I have to say to you, ma’am,’ he said with chilling formality. ‘However, be assured that I shall call on Lady Edgeworth at the first opportunity to acquaint her with my suspicions.’
Kate felt herself pale, but, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing her cowed, she inclined her head with regal grace and said, ‘I shall look forward to your visit,’ in the most insolent tone she could muster.
For an instant fury flickered in his gaze and then with a stiff bow, he turned silently on his heel and walked out of the room.
Chapter Four
‘So there you have it, Mary. The shortest truce in history!’
Kate tossed her hairbrush onto the dressing table with an impatient sigh. ‘All evening Alicia spoke of nothing but her plans for me. She is going to be terribly upset when Crawford blabs his suspicions.’
Mary continued in her task of laying away Kate’s evening clothes, but her expression was thoughtful. ‘Maybe you can persuade him to keep silent,’ she said.
‘Hah!’ Kate gave an inelegant snort of disbelief. ‘The sun will rise in the west before that man changes his mind…unless…’ She paused as a new idea struck her.
‘What is it, lass?’
‘Maybe nothing.’ Kate yawned suddenly. ‘Let me sleep on it.’
It had been a long evening. There had been no opportunity to discuss Crawford’s threat with Mary before dinner and an angry anxiety had churned within her, ruining her appetite. She had been glad when it was bedtime and she could retreat to her room.
‘Into bed with you then.’ Mary turned down the bedcovers. ‘And no fretting, mind. If I know you, Mrs Devlin, you’ll soon think up a clever plan to foil his lordship.’
Kate jumped up from the dressing table stool and, crossing the room, gave her old friend a hug. ‘Thank you, Mary. You do wonders for my confidence.’
With a chuckling admonition not to be so daft, Mary took herself off.
Kate climbed into bed and blew out her candle. The quiet darkness lapped itself around her, but sleep wouldn’t come. In spite of her exhaustion, she couldn’t relax, but it wasn’t worry about what the morning might bring that was keeping her awake.
Damn that man! She could still feel the touch of his fingers against her skin, feel the warmth of his body next to hers. Even the memory was enough to set her blood racing.
It had been so long since she had wanted a man to touch her. Francis’s selfish behaviour in their marital bed had quickly destroyed her innocent yearning to be held in his arms. His lovemaking shamed the name for there was no love in it. Greedy for his own swift satisfaction, he had treated her no better than a whore.
After his death, her favours had been sought by other men, but she had firmly rejected them. Even Ned, who was a good, kind man, had not been able to touch her frozen heart. Francis had shattered her dreams and she had never thought to feel desire again.
She had tried to pretend to herself that her reaction to Randal’s touch that first time at Crawford Hall had been an illusion, which owed more to tension and overwrought feelings than attraction. Today’s incident had blown that convenient theory out of the water.
She wanted Randal Crawford to touch her, wanted to know what his lips would feel like against her own! God help her, but she wanted to lie in his arms and discover if the romantic dreams she had entertained before her disastrous wedding night could become reality at last.
Kate pressed her hands against her hot cheeks.
What a fool she was! Surely, she wasn’t going to allow herself to make the same mistake twice! She had fallen for Francis’s looks and flattering manner and never stopped to think what lay beneath the surface of his charm. What did she really know of Randal Crawford beyond his handsome face and dry wit? He seemed an honourable man, but her instincts could be wrong and the stakes in this game were too high to take the risk.
‘For all you know, my girl, he might even be in league with Sullivan,’ she warned herself aloud. ‘That amount of money could tempt a saint.’
For Kitty’s sake, as well as her own, she would have to keep herself on a tight rein and resist the deep attraction Randal held for her.
But it was going to be hard to carry off a pretence of indifference when the least sight of him reduced her to a quivering flawn!
* * * *
The sun was shining in a cloudless sky when Lord Redesmere arrived in Abbey Square the next morning.
He was greeted warmly by Thorpe, who knew him well, but the elderly butler shook his white head apologetically when Randal enquired after the mistress of the household.
‘I’m sorry, my lord. Her ladyship is still abed.’
Randal experienced a stab of annoyance. He had forgotten Alicia was a late riser.
‘Would you care to step inside and wait, sir?’
Randal was about to refuse and tell Thorpe he would return later when the butler said, ‘Maybe you’d like to talk to your cousin, sir, while I send a message up to her ladyship?’
‘An excellent idea.’ Deciding not to take the risk of asking whether Miss Nixon would receive him, Randal stepped into the marble-flagged hallway. ‘In the morning room, is she, Thorpe?’ he asked, doffing his high-crowned hat and handing it to the butler. ‘Don’t bother to announce me. I know the way.’
The door to the morning room was ajar. Randal pushed it open. She was sitting on the sofa, her dark head bent over what looked to be a bound volume of some ladies’ journal.
Randal paused involuntarily, his gaze absorbing the charming picture she made in her simple white muslin dress. By God, but she was a beauty!
‘Good morning.’
The dark head jerked up at the sound of his voice and the volume slid from her lap to the thick Aubusson carpet as she jumped to her feet with a little gasp of surprise.
‘Forgive me, I seem to be in the habit of startling you.’ Randal had himself well in hand now and was able to meet her shocked gaze with an imperturbable smile. ‘However, I hope you will permit me a few moments of your time?’
‘Of course.’ Kate tried to ignore the traitorous delight which insisted on welling up at the sight of his tall figure. ‘Please do come in
.’
Regaining her composure, she waved him towards a chair and resumed her own seat. ‘May I offer you some refreshment, sir?’ she enquired politely.
‘Thank you, but this is not a social call.’ Randal shook his head firmly.
Apprehension flickered in her lovely eyes.
‘I see that you understand me,’ Randal murmured.
Swallowing hard, Kate adopted an air of calm. ‘Your concern for my godmother is wholly admirable and I applaud your desire to spare her grief. However, have you considered, sir, that you may be doing more harm than good by revealing your suspicions to her?’
Randal’s brows shot up. What was the little baggage up to now? ‘Pray explain yourself, ma’am.’
‘I don’t know if you realise it, my lord, but Alicia was greatly looking forward to my arrival.’ Mary had agreed this ploy to change this mind was worth a try. ‘She has already spoken to many of her acquaintance of her intention to introduce me to Cheshire’s haut ton. I fear she would be extremely disappointed and embarrassed if you force her to give up her plans.’
‘Possibly,’ Randal retorted, his tone dry. ‘However, I think she would feel a far greater embarrassment if it turned out she had foisted an impostor upon society.’
Kate bit her lower lip. Trust him to misunderstand her meaning! ‘There is more to it than that, sir. She treats me like a daughter and I think she would be dismayed to learn that I am under suspicion.’
‘Are you saying that she has grown fond of you?’ Randal allowed his disbelief to show. ‘In such a short time?’
‘She was already fond of me for my father’s sake,’ Kate replied simply.
Randal frowned. ‘I have no wish to upset her, but if you are right then her hurt will be all the greater the longer she is kept in ignorance.’
‘Assuming, of course, that my claim is proved false.’ Kate managed to sound cool.
The objection he’d raised had already occurred to her and she hated the thought. However, if she abandoned her masquerade now Kitty would lose her fortune by default. She had given Kitty her word. Breaking it would not save Alicia pain. It was already too late for that.