by Gail Mallin
‘God-a-mercy, what’s wrong, lass?’ Mary flung down the sewing with which she had been occupied and hurried over to Kate’s side.
‘The thunderstorm has upset your mistress,’ Lord Redesmere replied, giving no indication that he found this greeting in any way untoward. ‘See to it that she rests.’
Mary bobbed an obedient curtsey. ‘Yes, my lord.’
‘Thank you for your help.’ Kate judged it safe to speak at last. She had been playing the part of the invalid for all it was worth for fear that he might ask awkward questions. God knows, it was imperative he didn’t connect her agitation with Sullivan’s arrival! ‘I am sorry to be such a nuisance.’
‘Nonsense!’ Lord Redesmere replied briskly. ‘You cannot help being afraid of thunder. My sister Milly is the same. An indomitable woman in all other respects, she hides in cupboards at the first clap, I do assure you.’
Kate permitted her mouth to curve in a brave smile. ‘All the same, I fear I may have spoilt the party,’ she murmured, vastly relieved that her exaggeration of her own natural dislike of tempests had succeeded in deflecting his attention.
‘On the contrary, you’ve given them something to talk about.’ A hint of amusement lit his lordship’s bright gaze.
‘I’ll come down again if the storm ceases.’ Kate made the offer, knowing it was expected.
‘I’ll send up urgent prayers to Jove asking him to cease his thunderbolts.’ The warmth in his lordship’s voice was marked.
Mary let out a judicious cough.
‘Quite right.’ Randal bowed elegantly to them both. ‘It’s time I took my leave.’
As soon as the sound of his footsteps died away Mary demanded to know what was going on.
‘Sullivan!’ She let out a low whistle. ‘Fancy him resembling Francis! And all this thunder too. No wonder you are feeling shook up, love. Shall I brew you a soothing posset?’
Kate refused this well-meant offer. ‘I can’t afford the time to have a fit of the vapours,’ she commented wryly.
She slid from the bed and went to stand before the fireplace. Staring into the unlit black grate, she muttered, ‘What the hell are we going to do, Mary?’
Mary grimaced. ‘Damned if I know, lass! Sullivan! Who would have reckoned he’d have the brass neck to show up here after what he did to Kitty?’
Kate looked up and gave a short laugh. ‘I strongly suspect that gentleman has enough impudence for anything,’ she stated, remembering the coldness of those grey eyes. ‘I just wish I knew what his game was.’
Mary shook her head in bafflement. ‘By rights, he should have denounced you the minute he laid eyes on you.’
‘He didn’t even seem surprised,’ Kate said slowly. ‘It was almost as if… Mary, do you think he came here expecting to find an impostor?’
Mary rubbed her nose thoughtfully. ‘It’s possible I suppose. Leastways, they must have suspected that their plan had gone wrong when Mr Hilton wrote to them asking the old man to come and identify Kitty.’
‘Let’s try and think this through.’ Kate drummed her fingers against the marble mantelpiece. ‘The Sullivans must have realised that Kitty, if she had survived, would had to have had help from someone.’
‘Aye, she couldn’t have got away on her own. The poor lass was in a terrible state.’
‘So, they would wonder who helped her. Now it’s likely any respectable citizen fishing Kitty out of the river and hearing her claim her cousin had tried to drown her would have immediately alerted the authorities. Even if Kitty had persuaded them not to do so, it’s odds on that they would have gossiped.’ Kate frowned thoughtfully. ‘But there wouldn’t have been any gossip filtering its way up to Ballyhad House because the Gillman Players were the only ones who knew what really happened.’
Mary sat down heavily in the chair by the window. ‘You think that the Sullivans might have guessed Kitty’s helpers weren’t locals?’
‘It makes sense.’ Kate nodded. ‘And our playbills were plastered all over town.’
Brushing back a strand of hair from her hot forehead, she took a deep steadying breath. ‘We’ve got to face the possibility that Sean knows that the Gillman Players are somehow involved in Kitty’s disappearance. If he does, he must also be aware that we know what he is.’
‘Aye, a would-be murderer.’
Mary’s eyes met hers across the room and Kate saw her own fear reflected in her friend’s anxious gaze.
* * * *
The thunderstorm did not abate for several hours, giving Kate an excuse to avoid returning to the party. However, the next morning dawned clear, although much cooler than it had been of late, and she knew that she couldn’t hide in her room for ever.
A confrontation with Sean Sullivan was inevitable.
‘I believe he will call on me this morning,’ she told Mary as she finished her ablutions.
‘You could pretend you were still feeling ill,’ Mary suggested.
Kate shook her dark head. ‘I’d as lief get it over.’
She had made poor work of the breakfast Alicia had insisted on sending up to her bedroom, but she had recovered her nerve. ‘At least he can’t offer me violence in Alicia’s house.’ She gave a wobbly grin. ‘Too many witnesses!’
‘Don’t joke!’ Mary whirled from laying Kate’s clothes out on the bed. ‘That man is dangerous. We know he’s prepared to commit murder to get at the Nixon fortune. You can’t afford to take chances, Kate!’
‘I know, but having come this far, I’m not prepared to give up tamely and let him walk off with Kitty’s fortune.’ Kate threw her towel onto the washstand. ‘Don’t you see, Mary? By acknowledging me last night Sean has confirmed my claim to be Kitty!’
She began to put on her underclothes. ‘He can’t turn round and say I’m an impostor after half of Chester heard him call me cousin. He has furnished the final proof and I’m going to demand that the lawyers pay up.’
‘Aye, but why did he acknowledge you?’ Mary demanded. ‘He must have realised it would give you the advantage, unless he is a complete idiot.’
‘I don’t know,’ Kate admitted. She bent to slip on her shoes and the rest of her reply was slightly muffled as she added, ‘He must have some scheme in mind.’ She straightened up again. ‘But I’m not going to let him scare me off.’
Mary sighed. They had argued whether it was safe to stay last night. Then, as now, Kate had worn her stubborn face.
‘At least consider my idea of contacting Ned,’ she urged. ‘He ought to be told what’s going on and so should Kitty. With any luck she might agree to come out of hiding.’
‘Not a chance. Once she knows Sean is here, she’ll fly into a panic.’
‘Happen, happen not. Don’t forget she’s had a few weeks to get over the shock of what he did to her. You remember her as a terrified little creature, but I reckon she wouldn’t want us to run into danger on her behalf.’
‘Maybe you’re right, but I don’t want to worry her or the others. At least not until I’ve found out what Sullivan is up to.’ Kate wanted to deal with Sean herself. ‘This impersonation was my idea. I don’t want to drag Ned here to save my bacon. It isn’t fair on him.’
‘He’d gladly help. You know he’s sweet on you.’
‘All the more reason then to do it on my own,’ Kate retorted tartly.
‘You are as stubborn as a mule, Kate Devlin,’ Mary exclaimed in exasperation. ‘We ought to be packing to leave and you won’t even ask a friend for help!’
‘I will ask Ned if I can’t manage to deal with Sullivan on my own, but this mess is of my making and it’s up to me to try and sort it out,’ Kate answered more quietly. ‘Ned’s done enough for me already and I won’t take advantage of his feelings for me.’
Mary shrugged irritably and picked up the gown from the bed. ‘Have it your own way.’ She held out the gown to Kate. ‘But for God’s sake be careful and don’t let that Irish bastard get any opportunity to be alone with you.’
‘I won’t.�
�� Kate laid her hand on Mary’s arm and gave it a quick affectionate squeeze. ‘I promise.’
She breathed in the fresh scent of newly-laundered and ironed cotton as Mary helped her into the jonquil dress and took comfort from its normality. Truth to tell, she wasn’t sure she was doing the right thing. Part of her longed to book a ticket on the next coach out of Chester. Playing a brave heroine on stage was one thing, acting the part in real life was quite another!
Mary seemed to think it was folly to stay and fight. Yet she hated the idea of letting the Sullivans win. Hated it almost as much as the thought of inflicting hurt on Randal. And he would be hurt if she suddenly ran away.
The alternative, of course, was to confess that she had lied to him from the start, but she didn’t think she had the courage to do that. She couldn’t bear to see the warmth fade from his eyes and watch his expression harden in contempt!
Kate stared at her reflection in the glass as Mary put the finishing touches to her hair.
You are an idiot, Kate Devlin, she told herself and went to find Alicia.
‘My dear! I didn’t think you would be down so soon!’ Lady Edgeworth exclaimed as Kate walked into the morning room. ‘Are you sure you are feeling quite the thing?’
Kate went over to her chair and bent to kiss Alicia’s cheek. ‘I am perfectly well, thank you, ma’am,’ she said, feeling a rush of genuine affection for the older woman. ‘And I do hope that my stupid affliction did not embarrass you last night, particularly after all your kind efforts on my behalf.’
‘Lud, child, there’s no need to apologise!’ Alicia shrugged philosophically.
To be sure, she had been disappointed by Kitty’s early exit, but otherwise the party had been successful.
‘Thank you for your forbearance. I just hope other people will be so understanding,’ Kate murmured.
‘You are a very popular girl, Kitty, and, at the risk of sounding vulgar, a rich heiress can be forgiven almost any eccentricity.’ Alicia gave her a complacent smile.
Delighted that her benefactress was not miffed with her, which she had feared might prove the case, Kate gladly jettisoned her burden of guilt and sat down.
Alicia began to rattle on about who said what and who danced with whom at the party.
‘By the by, Mr Sullivan said he’d call on us this morning to see how you did,’ she announced. She gave Kate a shrewd look. ‘I fancy he wishes to mend bridges, but I know you hold him in dislike.’
Kate acknowledged it. ‘I want as little as possible to do with him,’ she said firmly.
‘I understand your sentiments, my love, but I must own I was pleasantly surprised by how he has turned out,’ Alicia confessed. ‘Gerald brought him over here on a visit some ten or eleven years ago and I thought him a very spoilt child. All I had heard of him since seemed to indicate he had gone on to become an extremely wild young man. However, last night I could not fault his behaviour. He offered me a very pretty apology for turning up without warning and even volunteered to leave, saying he didn’t wish to intrude on my party.’
Kate snorted, barely managing to change it into a cough as Alicia turned surprised eyes upon her.
‘I can see from your expression that you think me easily pleased, Kitty. But I can assure you he made a good impression upon everyone. Several people remarked upon his charming manners, including the Leghs and the Egertons. Indeed, I overheard Tom asking him if he wished to attend a cockfight this evening.’
Kate shrugged. ‘I do not deny Mr Sullivan has charm, ma’am,’ she said. ‘However, having experienced the other side of his nature, I have no wish to further the acquaintance.’
‘You didn’t used to like Lord Redesmere,’ Alicia pointed out mildly. ‘But you seem to have changed your mind about his character.’
A tide of colour stained the translucent skin which stretched over Kate’s high cheekbones. ‘I was wrong,’ she agreed in a cool little voice.
‘Oh dear, I didn’t mean to offend you, Kitty!’ Lady Edgeworth fluttered her carefully pampered hands in agitation. ‘You do like Randal, don’t you?’
Unable to deny it, Kate nodded silently.
‘It is very obvious he likes you. Everyone was talking of his partiality last night.’ Alicia smoothed her skirts. ‘In fact, Lady Massey asked me when the engagement was to be announced.’
Horrified, Kate stared at her.
‘Now don’t be flying into a pet!’ her ladyship advised soothingly. ‘You may be sure that I was discreet, but you cannot blame people for speculating when you both appear to get on so well. You are always laughing together and he has a habit of looking at you as if you were a banquet and he a starving man!’
A reluctant laugh escaped Kate’s compressed lips.
‘I’ve heard that they are laying bets on a wedding before the summer is out,’ Lady Edgeworth added in a low whisper.
Kate took a deep breath. Damn the gossips!
‘I value Randal’s friendship,’ she said tightly. ‘But I must repeat that I have no desire for marriage as I hope you will make clear, ma’am, to anyone who has the temerity to ask about my intentions!’
‘I shall do my best,’ Alicia promised, but her expression revealed that she didn’t think her denials would be believed.
A knock at the door interrupted them and Kate forced down her anger as the footman came in, carrying a silver salver.
She hadn’t realised that her friendship with Randal had become fuel for loose tongues. It wasn’t surprising, she supposed. He was a very eligible bachelor and Kitty’s money would always attract attention.
But how was Randal going to feel if everyone started whispering that he’d been jilted once she disappeared back to her real life?
Lady Edgeworth held up the visiting card which George had brought in. ‘Mr Sullivan is here,’ she announced. ‘Shall we receive him?’
Kate abruptly abandoned her painful speculations and consented with an appearance of calm that belied her racing pulse.
Lady Edgeworth nodded to George and a moment later Kate’s bete noire was ushered into the room.
He was looking very dashing in a smart tan coat and biscuit-coloured pantaloons and a charming smile lit his narrow face as he bent over Lady Edgeworth’s hand in greeting.
‘Good day to you, Lady Alicia. A lovely fresh morning, is it not?’
He turned to Kate and bowed once more. ‘Cousin Kitty. I hope you are feeling better today.’
‘I am, thank you.’ Kate inclined her head in acknowledgement, but did not hold out her hand to him.
Annoyance flickered in his grey eyes at the deliberate snub.
Kate didn’t care. The idea of him touching her revolted her. Besides, flattery wouldn’t work. He would remain her enemy whether she cajoled him or not.
Alicia invited him to be seated and instructed George, who hovered expectantly awaiting further orders, to bring them refreshments.
‘Tell me, Mr Sullivan, do you find Chester much changed? It is many years since your last visit, if I’m not much mistaken.’ Alicia launched into a stream of small talk, which left Kate free to examine her supposed cousin more closely.
In full daylight his resemblance to her late husband was less marked. They possessed similar colouring and the same lean frame, but Sean’s features were harsher and already marked with evidence of dissipation. The dark circles under his eyes and those tiny broken veins marring his pale skin had been veiled by candlelight. Morning sunshine was less kind.
Too much booze and high living, Kate concluded. She’d met his type often enough, spoilt young men who made a drunken nuisance of themselves shouting and carrying-on during a performance. If he didn’t break his neck trying to lead the hunting field or win some crazy wager, his good looks would be gone before he reached his thirtieth birthday!
Becoming aware of her gaze upon him, Sean stared back at Kate and his mouth curled into a satisfied little smile.
He thinks he can charm me, Kate realised indignantly.
The impudence of the man! Heaven knows what he was up to, but did he really think she was would be so stupid as to trust him?
‘I’m putting up at the Feathers, in Bridge Street,’ Sean informed them when his hostess paused for breath. ‘A tolerable kind of place, but I’m not a great one for inns. No home comforts, you see, and it’s so difficult to get a good night’s sleep.’
Kate exchanged a swift glance with Lady Edgeworth, who gave a tiny shake of her elaborately curled head.
Reassured, Kate was able dismiss her fear that Alicia might take up his broad hint.
‘I dare say you feel the same way, Kitty, since I find you lodging with her ladyship.’ If he was disappointed not to be invited to stay in Abbey Square, Sean took care to hide it behind a jovial chuckle.
Kate nodded coolly. ‘I prefer to stay with friends,’ she replied, laying a delicate emphasis on her final word.
‘Kitty has made lots of new friends here in Chester,’ Alicia broke in quickly. ‘We have been inundated with invitations since her arrival.’
‘I’m sure she’s a succes fou and not just because of Grandfather Nixon’s money.’ He gave Kate one of his charming smiles, but Kate’s keen ears detected a note of bitterness behind the compliment.
Kitty had told her that, thanks to their massive debts, there was no money to fulfil Sean’s desire to cut a dash in London. Even the pleasures of Dublin, which lay a few miles or so to the east of Ballyhad House, were beyond his purse, although apparently Sean didn’t let that deter him from making frequent visits there.
He must think my success could have been his if only the Nabob had left the money to them instead of me. No wonder he resents me. Or rather, he resents Kitty!
Aware that her thoughts were becoming dangerously convoluted, Kate forced herself to pay attention to what Sean was saying.
‘I hope you can allocate some time for me in your busy social round, Kitty,’ he was continuing in the same pleasant tone. ‘One of the reasons I called today was to ask you if you would care to have supper with me one evening soon.’
‘My evenings are very full at the moment, I’m afraid,’ Kate replied blandly.