The Daughter of Highland Hall

by Carrie Turansky

  “The money?”

  “Yes, a beautiful young girl like Lalita would bring a very high price.”

  Kate’s eyes flashed. “That’s terrible!”

  “Yes. It is. Her life with him is probably no better than the worst kind of slavery.” He gripped the reins, his throat burning with the injustice of the situation and his powerlessness to do anything about it.

  “It’s not right, Jon. Things like that shouldn’t happen.” Conviction filled Kate’s voice.

  “No, it shouldn’t, but our hands were tied. They were married. The law was on his side.” He blew out a deep breath, trying to release the guilt and regret pressing down on him.

  “What happened to her?”

  “I don’t know. They wouldn’t allow us to see her.” He stared down the sandy path, remembering all the times he had prayed and asked God to sustain her through her trials. But was that enough? Should he have done more? His father said they had no recourse. But for a boy of eighteen who cared deeply for Lalita, it had not been enough.

  She had trusted him to keep her safe, and he had failed her.

  “Kate!”

  Jon and Kate reined in their horses and looked to see who was calling to her.

  Edward Wellington rode toward them, a young woman on a white horse at his side. He tipped his hat to Kate. “Good morning. What a pleasure to see you again.”

  Kate’s pink cheeks signaled her pleasure at the encounter. “Hello, Edward.”

  He shifted his gaze to Jon and nodded, though he did not look as happy to see him. “Foster.”

  Jon nodded. “Wellington.” He had met Edward at the house the day before, when Edward called on Kate. William and Julia had invited Edward to stay for tea, which had given Jon time to observe him and determine he was a decent fellow. Nevertheless, he planned to keep his eye on him.

  “Have you met my sister, Lady MaryAnn?” Edward made the introductions, then brought his horse around, alongside Kate’s. “Why don’t we join you?”

  Jon frowned slightly. “Aren’t you going the other way?”

  Edward looked over his shoulder. “We were, but we have to head back in this direction to meet our groom. I’m sure MaryAnn won’t mind.” He glanced at his sister.

  “It’s fine with me.” MaryAnn stretched in the saddle. “This is my first time riding in a few weeks, and I am a bit tired already.”

  “Very well.” Kate smiled at Edward. “We’d be happy to have you join us.” They rode off together, and Jon and MaryAnn set off after them.

  MaryAnn’s gaze followed each male rider who passed by, and she nodded to a few with a self-assured smile. Jon made an attempt at polite conversation, but MaryAnn’s replies were brief, and it was obvious she did not consider him of any interest.

  He shifted his attention to Kate and Edward. They seemed to be enjoying a lively conversation comparing riding in Berkshire to riding in Somerset.

  Jon gave his head a slight shake. He certainly had nothing to contribute to the conversation. He might as well keep his mind on his own affairs and the decisions he needed to make about his future.

  He had enjoyed his first visit to Daystar Clinic. Theo had volunteered to go again on Thursday. Perhaps Jon would join him and make it a regular commitment. The needs there were certainly great.

  Kate’s idea of mentioning the clinic to William and Julia was a good one. His sister would definitely be interested in the work being done there, and he hoped William would as well. Perhaps he could arrange for Julia and William to visit the clinic with him and see the conditions on the East End. If they did, he had no doubt they would find a way to help.

  Lydia draped Miss Foster’s freshly ironed lavender dress over her arm and left the laundry room. She’d better keep moving. Both Miss Katherine and Miss Foster would need her help dressing for the evening.

  Ann walked down the steps, carrying a tray with the remains of the children’s tea. She glanced at the dress in Lydia’s arms. “My, that’s a pretty color.”

  “Yes, Miss Foster is wearing it tonight when she goes to the ballet with Miss Katherine and Mr. Wellington.”

  Ann’s eyebrows took on a sarcastic slant. “Wouldn’t that be nice?”

  Lydia glanced at the dress again with a sense of longing. Little silver beads trimmed the neckline and the royal blue sash. She’d never worn anything this pretty, and she probably never would. Sometimes mistresses passed on dresses they no longer wanted to wear to their maids, but she couldn’t imagine Miss Foster doing that anytime soon. All her dresses were new, made especially for her since she became engaged to Sir William. Miss Katherine’s were mostly all new as well.

  Ann leaned closer, a teasing light in her eyes. “Did you see Mr. Wellington when he came calling on Miss Katherine the other day?”

  “No. What’s he like?”

  Ann’s expression turned dreamy. “Tall, with blond hair and blue eyes and plenty o’ muscles to fill out that suit of his.”

  Lydia sighed. “He’s probably rich too.”

  “Sure he is.”

  “I’m thinking Miss Katherine will have her pick of gentlemen callers this season.”

  Ann looked around, then lowered her voice. “I don’t see why we can’t have callers. It’s not fair.”

  “Fair or not, that’s the rule.”

  “Some rules are meant to be broken.” The stubborn tilt of Ann’s chin sent a warning through Lydia.

  “You better not let Mrs. Adams hear you saying that.”

  Ann looked up the stairs. “She won’t hear. She’s in the dining room, sorting out the table linens.”

  “Well, if you want to hold on to your job, you’ll remember the rules and stick to them.”

  Ann huffed. “I won’t be staying in service forever. I want to get married and have a family.”

  “So do I, but that’s a long way off for both of us.” Lydia pushed that cherished dream away, deep in her heart. “I had better go up. Miss Foster and Miss Katherine are waiting.”

  Ann started toward the kitchen, then looked back. “Say, did you hear any more from your parents about your sister?”

  Lydia bit her lip, worry weaving through her thoughts again. “No, not yet.”

  “Did you tell them about seeing her at the park?”

  Lydia shook her head. “I didn’t want to raise their hopes, especially when I’m not even sure it was Helen.”

  “You seemed certain of it that day.”

  Lydia replayed the scene in her mind. “It looked like Helen, but it was quite a distance.” She sighed. “Oh, I just wish my parents would write and tell me she’s come home.”

  Sympathy filled Ann’s eyes. “Don’t worry. I’m sure you’ll hear something soon.”

  Lydia nodded. If only she could believe that were true.

  Kate leaned forward in her plush balcony seat in the Wellingtons’ private box and looked down on the main floor at Covent Garden, which her aunt had urged Kate to call by its proper name, the Royal Opera House.

  Whatever you called it, it was simply lovely.

  Their curtained-off section of the first balcony had a good view of the stage and the audience below. Above were two more balcony levels and a beautiful ceiling decorated with an elaborate gold-and-white, star-shaped design and glowing lights.

  Stylish women dressed in exquisite evening gowns and distinguished men in white tie and tails made their way down the aisle to the few remaining seats. A soft murmur of voices rose from those seated below while everyone waited for the curtain to rise on the Ballet Russes.

  Edward leaned toward Kate, and his shoulder touched hers. “I’m glad you were able to join us tonight.” He smiled at her and then shifted his gaze to Julia, who sat on Kate’s left as her chaperone.

  Julia smiled. “Thank you, Edward. I’ve never been to a ballet, so this is very special.”

  “Yes, thank you for inviting us. It’s quite thrilling.” Kate’s gaze traveled around the hall again.

  He laughed softly. “The prog
ram hasn’t even begun. Wait until you see the ballet.”

  She gently waved her carved ivory fan to cool her warm cheeks. “Just being here and seeing everyone is an experience.”

  Edward’s sister, Lady MaryAnn, sat on his right, and his parents, Lord and Lady Wellington, were seated in the row behind them with two of his mother’s friends.

  Kate looked across at the boxes on the other side of the great hall and scanned the faces. Had she met any of them at the Gleasons’ garden party? There were a few young faces among the crowd, but most of them seemed to be about the age of Edward’s parents, and none looked familiar. She released a soft sigh and sat back.

  An elegant woman wearing a purple gown and a sparkling diamond tiara nestled in the blond hair piled high on her head stepped into the box directly across the hall from the Wellingtons’. A tall man with dark hair and trim moustache followed her in.

  Kate pulled in a sharp breath. David Ramsey, William’s younger brother and her second cousin once removed, took a seat next to the woman in purple. He handed the woman a program, and then looked across the hall, his gaze traveling over the crowd.

  Kate snapped open her fan and turned her head to the side, shielding her face. She knew David Ramsey lived in London and that she might see him this season—but she hadn’t expected it would be tonight.

  Memories of his visit to Highland Hall last December flooded her mind, and her cheeks burned. He had flirted with her the entire week, and she had been flattered and attentive. Finally one evening, they’d shared a secret kiss in a darkened hallway. She sank lower in her seat, remembering how the thrill of her first kiss had been quickly washed away by guilt, leaving her feeling foolish and ashamed for allowing it. She didn’t truly care for David Ramsey, and she doubted she was more than a passing fancy for him.

  Kate couldn’t resist the urge to peek around the side of her fan and catch one more glimpse of David. He leaned toward the woman in purple, and they exchanged an intimate smile.

  Kate pulled in a sharp breath and looked away. The woman seemed a few years older than David, but they definitely appeared to have a romantic interest in each other.

  She was just about to mention his arrival to Julia when the lights lowered and the conductor walked forward and took his position. Kate lowered her fan, thankful the dim lights prevented David from seeing her.

  The crowd hushed. The conductor raised his baton, and the music rose from the orchestra pit in front of the stage. The deep red-and-gold curtain slid back, and the dancers leaped onto the stage.

  Kate clutched her fan to her chest, her gaze fixed on the ballet. She’d never seen such colorful costumes or expressive dancing. The music rose and fell and seemed to vibrate through her as the story played out across the stage. She was so captivated she almost forgot about David Ramsey and the woman in purple … but not quite.

  The program continued for nearly an hour, then the curtain came down and applause filled the auditorium.

  Kate turned to Edward. “Is it over?”

  He smiled. “No, this is the intermission. Come, let’s take a walk and see who we can see.”

  Kate rose from her chair, and she and Julia followed Edward and his family into the upper foyer. People gathered in small circles for polite conversation, while others strolled past, greeting those they knew and watching those they did not.

  Edward turned to Kate. “Excuse me for a moment.” He walked away toward the men’s lounge.

  Julia took Kate’s arm. “Let’s visit the ladies’ lounge.”

  They excused themselves and strolled across the foyer. Inside the lounge, several women sat in front of tall mirrors adjusting their jewelry or fixing their hair. Kate stood to the side, waiting for Julia and admiring the lovely gowns of the ladies who passed by.

  A middle-aged woman in a pale green dress with a plunging neckline sat in front of the closest mirror just a few feet away. Her red hair had been put up in an elaborate style with a strand of pearls woven through the curls. She removed one of her pearl earrings and rubbed her earlobe. “Did you see Dorothea Martindale in her box?” She glanced around and leaned toward the older woman seated next to her. “She’s with that young Ramsey fellow again.”

  Kate froze and stared at the woman’s reflection in the mirror.

  The older woman laid her black-beaded purse on the counter. “He hovers around Dorothea, like a bee near a rosebush.”

  The redhead’s eyebrows rose. “I’d say he’s more like a fox by the henhouse.”

  Both women chuckled and exchanged knowing looks.

  The older woman adjusted the black ostrich feather in her silver hair. “I saw them together at the theater last week, and the way they were carrying on, it’s obvious they’re more than friends.”

  “She’s at least ten years older than he. It’s deplorable!”

  “I couldn’t agree more. No respectable woman would flaunt her paramour like that.”

  The redhead gazed into the mirror. “Where is her husband?”

  Kate stifled a gasp. David’s companion was married?

  “Off in Spain on some diplomatic mission, I suppose.”

  “Well, he certainly won’t be happy when he returns home and hears what his wife has been up to.”

  “I’m sure he will not.”

  Kate clenched her hands and glanced toward the door. She should slip away before someone recognized her or greeted her by name, but the desire to hear the rest of the conversation kept her glued to the spot.

  The redhead reattached her earring. “Who is this Ramsey fellow? Do we know his family?”

  “I heard they own an import business. Dorothea’s friend, David, is in charge since his older brother, William, inherited a baronetcy and moved to Berkshire.” She looked away and thought for a moment. “I believe the estate is Highland Hall.”

  A cold chill traveled up Kate’s back, and she bit her lip.

  The redhead’s eyes narrowed. “Isn’t William Ramsey the one who recently became engaged to his children’s governess?”

  “Yes, I believe so.” The silver-haired woman lifted her finger. “And I heard his sister married the estate gardener last month.” She sent her friend a superior look. “They’re not the kind of people Dorothea usually chooses as friends … but then, friendship may not be what Dorothea has in mind.”

  Both women chuckled again.

  How could they laugh about David’s indiscretion?

  “Are the Ramseys in town for the season?”

  The older woman turned to her companion. “Yes, I believe one of the girls is making her debut.”

  Kate shrunk back against the wall, wishing she could disappear.

  “Oh, that’s right. What’s her name?”

  “I’m not sure, but I heard she made quite an impression at her presentation.”

  “Well, she won’t get very far with her family’s name being dragged through the mud. I doubt she’ll receive a proposal this season, even if she is pretty and clever.”

  “You’re right about that. She might as well pack her trunks and go back to Berkshire.”

  Tears burned Kate’s eyes, but she blinked them away with an angry toss of her head and pushed herself away from the wall.

  How could those women be so cruel? Did they even consider who might overhear their conversation?

  She pulled open the lounge door and shot a glance across the foyer. Lord and Lady Wellington and MaryAnn stood near the entrance to the balcony boxes, but Edward was not with them. MaryAnn turned and looked Kate’s way.

  Kate pulled in a sharp breath and ducked behind a pillar. She could not face the Wellingtons right now, not with her cheeks flaming and her eyes burning. She slipped out of her hiding place and strode in the opposite direction. A short walk would give her time to collect herself before she returned to her seat. Julia might be worried, but she would make up some kind of explanation.

  She lowered her head, hurried around the corner, and ran straight into someone. “Oh, I’m sorry!” She
lifted her head and gasped. “You!”

  “Katherine.” David Ramsey reached out to steady her. “What a surprise to run into you here.” He grinned, looking pleased at his play on words. She clamped her lips together.

  “It’s a pleasure to see you … but you look upset.”

  “Yes, I am upset, and I have a very good reason to be.”

  His brow creased. “Why is that?”

  She pointed her white-gloved finger at him. “You and your … philandering have put me in a very awkward position.”

  His pulled back. “What do you mean?”

  “Don’t try to pretend with me. I just overheard two women talking about you and Dorothea Martindale.”

  David’s face flushed and he looked around. “Lower your voice, please.”

  “As if that would make any difference. It seems the whole town is talking about it.”

  David stepped toward her, his expression growing steely. “Dorothea Martindale and I are friends. I sometimes accompany her to a concert or the theater. There is nothing wrong with that.”

  Kate lifted her chin. “You can’t fool me. I know what’s going on, and so does everyone else who sees you together.”

  “You should not believe everything you hear, Katherine. Those stories are made up by people who have nothing better to do than slander someone else’s good name.”

  “Ha! Do you think I’m a child, that I’ll believe everything you say?”

  “No, not at all.” He sent her a false smile. “I think you’re a very beautiful young woman who is smart enough to make up her own mind and not be swayed by others.”

  Kate shook her head. “Flattery won’t work this time, David. I saw you and Dorothea come in together. It’s obvious how you feel about her.”

  He tipped his head and studied her with a mocking grin. “Why, Katherine, you sound jealous.”