A servant’s voice in the passage reminded Nancy that it was getting late. There was no time to search any further. She went to the door and listened. A distant door opened and closed, then silence, so she slipped out of the room and hurried back to her own bedchamber to change her gown. When she went in, Hester was busy laying out her evening dress, a flamboyant creation of burgundy shot silk, lavishly embroidered with gold thread that winked and gleamed in the candlelight.
‘Come along, Miss Nancy, there’s hot water in the jug there, but we need to get a move on if you are to be ready before the first guests arrive for dinner. Hurry yourself, now.’
She helped Nancy out of her clothes and pottered about, tidying the room while Nancy washed away the dirt and tiredness. But she could not wash away her reluctance to attend tonight’s revelries. She was not enjoying the role of prodigal daughter.
* * *
By the time she stood before the mirror in her freshly laundered chemise and boned stays, Nancy felt more restless and uneasy than at any time since she had arrived at Masserton Court. She exhaled, a loud sigh.
‘Oh, Hester, could I not cry off? I really do not want to be sociable this evening. I have spent the afternoon ensuring that all Lady Craster’s instructions for this evening’s entertainment have been carried out. It would be no wonder if all that work had given me a headache.’ She looked hopefully at her companion. ‘You could run down and give my apologies.’
‘That I could not, Miss Nancy.’ Hester threw the gown over her head and twitched it into place. ‘The Earl and his lady will expect you to put in an appearance.’ She stood back to admire the effect and after a moment gave an approving nod. ‘You will draw every eye this evening, madam, you mark my words.’
‘I would much rather keep to my room!’
Hester gave a little tsk and said bracingly, ‘Come now, you carried off this role in London to great success, you can do the same here, I am sure. And you must keep your eyes and ears open. Who knows, you might learn something important to Mr Shaw’s investigation.’
Nancy felt a little knot of loneliness inside her tighten at the mention of Gabriel. There had been no word from him since she had left Dell House. Not that she had expected any. He had told her that if she had anything to report, a message addressed to a Mr London at the Black Ram in Darlton would find him. If not, she would hear from him in due course, but how or when he did not say.
Now her anxiety and frustration found expression in anger.
‘I am sorely tempted to quit this place tomorrow! It goes against the grain to spy on my own father.’
‘I am sure it does, my dear, but you know you are doing it in the hope of proving him innocent.’ Hester clasped the collar of diamonds about Nancy’s neck, then took her shoulders and turned her towards the looking glass. ‘There now. I dare say you will outshine your hostess tonight, even though she has a new gown, delivered from a fashionable London modiste this very morning.’
‘I have seen it,’ Nancy told her. ‘White net over blossom-coloured satin. It is quite lovely and far less brazen than this creation!’
‘Whist now, that gown suits you perfectly and well you know it,’ retorted Hester. ‘You are the Earl’s daughter, Miss Nancy, whether you like it or not. ’Tis not as if you was aping your betters.’ She sniffed. ‘And it will be one in the eye for that hoity-toity piece who is Lady Craster’s maid to see you dressed so fine. She’s been boasting non-stop for days about the fine gown her mistress has ordered, so much so that some of the staff below stairs was hoping the snow might prevent it arriving. If we was only a few miles further north or east, then it would not have got here. Pity.’
Nancy laughed. ‘Pray do not be so uncharitable, Hester. We are not in competition. And I have to admit that if I had a choice, I would prefer to be wearing something else.’
She studied her reflection as she spoke. The silk bodice clung to her generous figure, its low neckline and high waist accentuating the creamy swell of her breasts while the skirts fell in soft folds about her hips and shimmered in the candlelight. The gown had been purchased with the intention of attracting attention and she knew there was only one way to wear such a creation, with total confidence. Smothering a sigh, Nancy straightened her shoulders and summoned every ounce of self-assurance for her forthcoming performance.
‘Wish me luck, Hester!’
* * *
She made her way to the drawing room where the Earl would welcome his guests for dinner. He was in the middle of the room as she entered, but had his back to her, issuing some last-minute instruction to Mickling.
‘I am here, Father.’
Dismissing the butler, the Earl turned, his eyes widening at the sight of her. She schooled her face to indifference as his eyes scanned her from head to toe, but his surprise gave her some little satisfaction. He nodded with reluctant approval.
‘By heaven, you never showed so much promise when you were at home.’
‘Perhaps because I was never shown so much kindness at home as I have received elsewhere.’
He ignored that and looked past her. She turned to see Lady Craster had entered the room. Nancy did not miss the lady’s appraising look and the fleeting shadow of displeasure that marred her beautiful features, but it was gone in an instant and Lady Craster was smiling at her.
‘My dear Lady Ann, how very well you look.’ She glanced down at her own softly flowing robe. ‘Personally, I cannot wear such strong colours, but we shall look very good standing together, will we not? A perfect foil for one another.’
The announcement of the first dinner guests precluded any further conversation and Nancy knew it was time to play her part as the errant lamb returned to the fold. She had to admire Lady Craster’s aplomb as she smilingly explained her presence.
‘And here is Lady Ann, Masserton’s youngest. Widowed, sadly, but we rejoice that she has returned to us, do we not, my lord? It is an ill wind, as they say.’
Nor was the lady at a loss when confronted by those neighbours who remembered Nancy and her scandalous flight from the family home.
‘We cannot tell you how delighted we are that Lady Ann has decided to return to us. The past is quite forgot...’
Just sixteen persons were sitting down to dinner, all local families. Nancy was acquainted with most of them and could not think that any one of these respectable, stolid neighbours could have any connection with smuggling government secrets. She took her seat among them and played her part in the conversation, but all the time she was listening for any word, any hint that might suggest illicit dealings. However, it was all very innocuous, the subjects ranging from winter crops and spring plantings to hunting and who had the best coverts. The talk turned to the weather and Susan declared how wise they had been to invite only neighbouring families.
‘Of course, initially that was because we are having the guest rooms refurbished,’ she continued, smiling around the table. ‘But with the snow setting in so fiercely I fear anyone from further afield might not have been able to reach us.’
‘Aye, well, ’tis clear enough here at present, but I’ve told my driver to keep an eye on it and send in word if he thinks we need to leave betimes,’ said the Squire, who was sitting to her right. ‘Not that I think we shall have to do so, but ’tis best to be prepared. They say nothing is moving out o’ Lincoln.’
‘Oh, dear,’ Lady Craster gave a sigh. ‘I do hope it will not prevent Hewitt collecting the sample book tomorrow. I do so want to get the paper ordered for the guest rooms.’
‘And if my lady hadn’t been in such a tearing hurry to decorate them all we might have offered to put you up, Squire,’ interjected the Earl, with a laugh. ‘But there, you know what these ladies are...’
And so the conversation continued to ebb and flow around Nancy. Her father played his part as the genial host and presided over the dinner with bluff goodwill while Lady Craster sm
iled in a manner that Nancy thought condescending rather than charming.
* * *
When the meal was over Nancy moved across the hall to the ballroom, where Susan had insisted she should stand with her and the Earl and be introduced to all the guests as they came in. For the second time that evening she braced herself for the introductions, turning aside malicious comments with a smile, welcoming the genuine sympathy of some who remembered her, but all the time wishing the musicians would strike up and provide a diversion. At last the line of new arrivals dwindled to a trickle and Nancy turned her head to survey the crowded ballroom. By any standards the event must be considered a success, she thought. Not one family had refused the Earl’s invitation and the room was comfortably full. She was wondering if they might safely move away from the door when she heard the sound of voices on the stairs.
More guests, she thought, smoothing her long gloves and composing herself for more smiles, more glib words. She heard her father greeting Lord and Lady Blicker and presenting them to Lady Craster. She recalled they were mild-mannered neighbours who lived at Hollybank, a small gentleman’s residence a couple of miles away. They had been very kind to her as a child and she felt herself relaxing. There was nothing to fear from such kindly people. She turned, prepared to greet them with real warmth, but instead her gaze was drawn to the tall gentleman standing beside Lady Blicker. She froze in shock.
Chapter Eleven
Stunned, Nancy could only stare at Gabriel. He was elegance personified in immaculate linen and a silk waistcoat, his dark coat moulded to his form and white silk knee breeches and stockings that did nothing to disguise the power in those long legs. His hair, black and glossy as a raven’s wing, was brushed back from that handsome face with its vivid blue eyes and chiselled good looks.
‘And this is your unexpected house guest.’ Lady Craster was speaking, her voice suddenly low and seductive as she held out her hand. ‘Lord Gabriel Ravenshaw.’
‘Aye. This is Baxenden’s youngest,’ declared Lord Blicker in his hearty style. ‘The Marquess is one of my oldest friends, so when the young reprobate landed on my doorstep a few days ago I couldn’t turn him away!’
Nancy watched as Gabriel took Susan’s outstretched hand and bowed over it with practised ease.
‘I was on my way north and obliged to break my journey because of the snow.’
‘Aye, roads quite impassable,’ declared Lord Blicker. ‘Lucky to get as far as Hollybank.’
Lady Blicker gazed anxiously at her hostess. ‘I do hope you did not take my hurried note amiss, ma’am.’
‘Not at all, my dear Lady Blicker,’ murmured Lady Craster, her appreciative gaze remaining firmly fixed upon Gabriel. ‘You are very welcome, my lord.’
‘And you are all kindness, ma’am. I am particularly indebted to you for allowing me to come here at such short notice.’
Nancy observed with mixed feelings how the lady melted beneath the full force of that charming smile. Heavens, she thought, Susan was almost purring at the man!
‘I should not have forgiven Lord and Lady Blicker if they had left you behind. We are quite delighted to have you here, my lord. I believe the Marquess, your father, spends the winter at his Alkborough estate. No doubt you were going there to join him?’
‘I was indeed,’ came the smooth reply. ‘With hindsight, it would have been better if I had remained with my friends at Belton rather than attempt the journey to the very north of Lincolnshire in this weather. Then again, if I had done that, I should have been denied this pleasure.’
Another smile, another little bow before his glance shifted to Nancy. He gave the merest start and his brows rose fractionally, as if he had just set eyes on a beautiful stranger. One day, thought Nancy from the recesses of her shocked brain, she would be able to think coolly about this meeting and appreciate Gabriel’s ability to act. He was looking back at his hostess, clearly seeking an introduction.
‘Lord Gabriel, let me present you to Lady Ann, my lord’s younger daughter, who has recently returned to us.’
The tolerantly affectionate note was now missing from Lady Craster’s tone, but Nancy barely noticed. It was as much as she could do to dip into a curtsy without her legs buckling beneath her. Gabriel appeared to have no such problem maintaining his composure. His greeting was practised and graceful, followed by a polite and deferential request that she allow him the honour of standing up with her.
‘That is, if you are not already engaged, my lady?’
Nancy had been thrown off balance by Gabriel’s unexpected appearance and she found his cool assurance infuriating. She would dearly have liked to refuse to dance with him, but they needed to talk and he was offering her the perfect opportunity. She drew in a deep, angry breath. If he could play this game, then she could, too. She dropped a demure curtsy and kept her eyes modestly lowered as she responded.
‘I am but very recently arrived at Masserton, sir, and not engaged for any dance.’
‘Then I am fortunate, indeed, and will secure your hand for the first two dances, if I may?’ At that moment the music began. Almost as if he had planned it, thought Nancy crossly. He held out his arm to her. ‘Shall we?’
She accompanied him on to the dance floor, aware of the attention they were attracting.
‘It would have been polite to invite your hostess to stand up with you,’ she muttered.
‘But you are an earl’s daughter. Lady Craster is merely the widow of a baronet.’
She was not above enjoying a moment’s satisfaction at taking precedence over Lady Craster, but it did nothing to mitigate her anger against Gabriel.
‘Allow me to say how magnificent you look this evening, my lady.’
‘Do not try to turn me up sweet,’ she returned in a furious undervoice. ‘Tell me instead what you are doing here.’
He laughed. ‘I came to see you, of course.’
‘You are living very dangerously, pretending to be the son of a marquess. If you are found out, they will eject you without ceremony!’
‘Well, that won’t happen. You see, I am indeed Lord Gabriel Ravenshaw.’ When she raised her head to stare at him he merely smiled at her. ‘No need to look so shocked. It is true.’
His insouciance was maddening. She refused to look at him and maintained what she hoped was a dignified silence as they moved apart. Her partner, however, appeared in no wise discomposed and when the movement of the dance brought them back together, he took the opportunity to provoke her even further.
‘I thought you would be pleased to see me.’
She gave him a glittering smile.
‘I am pleased, you odious creature. I need to talk to you.’
‘Good. We shall make it quite obvious that we have been slain by a mutual attraction and I shall whisk you away to a secluded corner as soon as possible. No one will think it odd if we conduct a little flirtation.’
Her smile slipped a little.
‘They will think it most odd,’ she contradicted him angrily. ‘I am a respectable widow.’
‘You do not look like one in that gown.’
This accorded so much with her own opinion that Nancy was obliged to laugh. Her anger melted away. It was just so comfortable to have Gabriel at her side.
‘It looked much more dashy in town, I assure you, when I added any number of ribbons and brooches and positively drowned myself with jewellery.’ She added cheerfully, ‘I was outrageously, gloriously gaudy.’
‘I wish I had seen it.’
Suddenly Nancy wished he had, too, but only if he had been party to the charade. Then they might have laughed about it together. Impossible, of course. If he had been in town when she had been playing her part as a tradesman’s widow on the catch for a title, he would have regarded her with contempt. Instead he knew her now for what she was, a prodigal daughter, a fallen woman. A creature suitable to bed, but neve
r to wed.
They completed the final steps of the first dance and Gabriel remained beside her until the musicians struck up for the second. He was attentive, gazing at her with blatant admiration and barely glancing at anyone else. Nancy kept her own eyes modestly lowered, knowing the telltale flush on her cheek would be evidence to any onlookers that she was not indifferent to Lord Gabriel. When the dance ended he bowed over her hand and made a great show of lifting her fingers to his lips.
It was all an act, Nancy was well aware of it, but still she felt disappointed when he moved away. Not that she was left to play the wallflower. A succession of partners followed for every dance, from gauche, tongue-tied young men to the elderly, avuncular neighbours who had known her as a girl. However, when supper was announced Gabriel appeared at her side, ready to carry her off.
In such a crowd it was a simple matter for them to disappear, but the practised ease with which Gabriel whisked her away made her suspect that he was a master of country-house flirtations. In a matter of minutes he had found a small sitting room, illuminated only by the moon that shone in through the unshuttered window. There was no fire in the room and the chill struck at Nancy’s exposed flesh.
‘We will not be seen here, if someone should look in.’ Gabriel led her to a sofa in one shadowy corner and pulled her down on to his lap, wrapping his arms about her. ‘Lean against me, I need to keep you warm.’ He said it as if it was the most reasonable thing in the world. ‘And besides, if we are discovered, it will leave no one in any doubt that we are flirting.’
‘So much for my reputation,’ she murmured, succumbing to the temptation to snuggle closer.
It was surprisingly comfortable, cuddled against Gabriel’s broad chest. Nancy allowed herself to relax and dropped her head on to his shoulder. She breathed in the familiar smell of his skin, overlaid with a hint of soap and warm spicy scents. Her eyelids drooped languorously, while her body tingled with memories of the nights they had shared.
The Highborn Housekeeper Page 13