The Elusive Heiress (7 page)

Kate, who was a gifted mimic and could abandon her own ladylike tones at will to ape a large number of convincing accents, looked suitably shocked. ‘Papa would never have permitted it. He maintained a cultured person must always avoid slipshod speech.’

In truth, Kitty didn’t sound like a foreigner, her gentle voice was as refined as her godmother might wish!

‘You know, my dear, nothing can be so fatal to a girl’s chances as an ugly voice,’ she continued earnestly as Kate returned to her seat. ‘I think it more off-putting a fault than a bad complexion or graceless figure for a man may close his eyes, but it is not so easy to stop one’s ears.’

Kate nodded dutifully, concealing her amusement at this sage pronouncement.

‘Only a lack of dowry is more prejudicial.’ Lady Edgeworth shuddered at the very thought. ‘Not that we have to contend with such a disaster in your case, thanks to your grandfather finally deciding to make amends for his atrocious behaviour. I could wish he had relented sooner, but at least he saw sense in the end.’

She beamed at Kate. ‘Why, we might even contrive a brilliant match for you!’

‘Mama needs me at home so my visit cannot be extended once the business of my legacy is concluded,’ Kate exclaimed, her amusement rapidly vanishing.

‘All the more reason not to waste time, my love!’ Alicia gazed at Kate with obvious satisfaction. ‘Youth, beauty and a fortune! You will be besieged by admirers!’

The sinking feeling in the pit of Kate’s stomach grew worse.

‘It’s very kind of you to offer to introduce me to your acquaintance, ma’am,’ she said firmly. ‘However, I have no desire to find a husband.’

Disappointment flickered over her hostess’s plump features. ‘Your mama might not like the notion,’ she agreed reluctantly. ‘Never mind. At least you can enjoy an agreeable flirtation or two while you are here.’

‘I don’t think it would be a good idea for me to become too much of a social butterfly,’ Kate said hastily.

‘But why ever not, Kitty?’ Surprise rounded Alicia’s eyes. ‘I remember your Mama telling me how disappointed you were when you could not take me up on my previous offer to give you a season.’

Kate shifted a little in her seat, trying to think of some good reason for Kitty to have changed her mind.

‘I was younger then, ma’am, and more inclined to frivolity,’ she began, but Alicia swiftly interrupted her.

‘Lud, child, you are only one and twenty now! Hardly a greybeard or don’t you like parties and dancing, eh?’

Kate did.

‘There! I knew it!’ Triumph coloured her hostess’s pronouncement. ‘Your face betrays you, my love! You would enjoy cutting a dash.’

Kate nodded reluctantly, suppressing her irritation at her own lack of self-control.

‘You have too lively a manner to fool me into thinking you a quiet mouse, my dear.’

Abandoning that tactic, Kate tried another.

‘My purpose in coming here was to secure my legacy, ma’am, nothing more. I know it would cost a great deal to launch me into society and I could not impose on you by putting you to such expense.’

‘But I should enjoy sponsoring you!’

‘I cannot allow you to do so.’ Kate smiled to take the sting out of her words, but her tone was firm.

Alicia played with the little pencil attached by a gold cord to her tablets. ‘You will be in possession of your own fortune soon,’ she murmured. ‘I’m sure a bank loan or some such could be arranged to tide you over.’

Kate shuddered.

‘Surely your mama wouldn’t begrudge you spending a little money on enjoying yourself?’

Kate refuted this objection. ‘Mama would not, but the very notion of debt is abhorrent to
me
, ma’am. I will not spend a shilling which isn’t my own,’ she announced, conveniently ignoring the fact that she had hoped to persuade Lord Redesmere into advancing some money.

He, damn him, hadn’t been open to persuasion!

‘Your prudence in waiting until your legacy is handed over is admirable, my dear.’ Alicia’s tone was politely doubtful.

It was obvious to Kate that her companion did not hold the same views on finance, but it was unlikely Alicia had ever been physically threatened by duns. If she had, she would be wary of incurring debts she could not repay!

‘All the same, it seems a pity to waste this opportunity and there is another solution if you will agree to it.’ Alicia leant forward eagerly. ‘My husband left me very handsomely provided for and I can easily afford to act as your banker myself until this silly delay is cleared up.’

‘But, ma’am—’

‘I don’t want to press you, but pray consider, my love! You lost most of your wardrobe fleeing Ireland. Surely you wish to replace your gowns?’ Alicia’s tone was gently persuasive. ‘Please, Kitty. Let me loan you some money if you won’t accept it as a gift.’

‘I know you mean well, ma’am.’ Kate bit her lip, wondering how to reject the offer without hurting the older woman’s feelings. ‘However, I did manage to bring one valise away with me from Uncle Gerald’s and as for the rest, I have guineas enough for my needs if I’m careful.’

‘You are much too young and pretty to have to worry about economising!’

‘I shan’t go into a decline for the lack of a few new dresses.’ Kate essayed a cheerful shrug.

Alicia sighed. ‘You mustn’t think I am offering my help merely for your benefit, Kitty my dear. If you were to sit at home all day, I would feel obliged to stay at home too!’

In other circumstances Kate would have been amused by this artless confession, but there was genuine distress in Alicia’s hazel eyes.

‘I do so want you to enjoy this visit, Kitty. I should feel I was failing in my duty to you and letting your mama down if I didn’t provide you with proper entertainment.’

Her heart sinking, Kate knew she was beaten. She could think of no convincing reason to refuse Alicia’s help and without a good excuse it was ungracious to go on protesting.

‘I should not wish to cause you any inconvenience, ma’am.’ Kate swallowed her pride, mentally resolving to repay Alicia out of Kitty’s £500 the instant the charade was over. ‘I shall be happy to accompany you wherever you wish to go if that is what you desire.’

‘Then you will accept my offer?’ Alicia clapped her hands together. ‘Oh famous! We shall have such fun, I promise you!’ She smiled happily at Kate. ‘I think we must start with the Legh’s drum tomorrow night and then there is Lady Massey’s rout on the seventh of June. I shall hold an evening party for you of course and there are events such as the musicale at the Royal Hotel next week, which I’m sure you will enjoy.’

‘I only managed to pack two evening dresses,’ Kate murmured, wondering what the devil she had let herself in for.

‘Then we must go shopping without delay! Oh I shall enjoy taking you to Celestine’s! You have the perfect figure to carry off her creations. I saw a lovely spider gauze there last week which I long to buy for you.’

Alicia’s smile faded at the look of reluctance which spread over her guest’s features. ‘You will allow me to spoil you a little, won’t you, Kitty?’ she asked uncertainly. ‘I am your godmother after all.’

‘I should be happy to accept any
small
token of affection, ma’am,’ Kate answered, hoping Alicia would take the hint since the idea of taking expensive presents from a woman she was deliberately duping revolted her.

There was a tense little silence.

‘Very well. I promise not to buy anything without your approval since I can see that you do not like being beholden to other people,’ Alicia said at last. ‘I admire you for it, but I must say your attitude surprises me. Is it usual in America for girls to be so independent?’

This piece of unexpected shrewdness startled Kate and she realised that she must not relax her guard and confuse Alicia’s frivolous nature and open-handed kindness with stupidity.

‘I cannot speak for other families, but I was brought up to stand on my own two feet,’ she replied carefully. ‘Few restrictions are placed on my freedom.’

‘You will find matters arranged rather differently here,’ Alicia warned. ‘Girls are expected to conduct themselves with decorum, not to assert themselves.’

‘After the way lord Redesmere reacted to the story of my escape I suspected as much, ma’am!’ Kate replied tartly.

Alicia coughed. ‘Randal is inclined to be forthright,’ she murmured uneasily.

‘He obviously thinks I am a silly, under-bred female who has no notion of how to behave.’ Kate’s tone was deliberately scornful. ‘I expect he will tell you to send me packing before I cause you trouble,’ she added, seizing the opportunity to strengthen her position.

Lady Edgeworth bridled, as Kate guessed she would.

‘If he dares say such a thing to me, I shall show him the door!’ she exclaimed indignantly.

Satisfied, Kate gave a tiny shrug. ‘I do not care if Lord Redesmere holds a low opinion of me,’ she said with less than perfect truth. ‘My conscience is clear and that matters more to me than what other people think.’

‘That was always your Papa’s attitude too.’ Her hostess smiled reminiscently. ‘You remind me of him very much, you know. Lud, he could be so stubborn! Why, I could tell you a dozen tales—’

She came to an abrupt halt and blinked rather mistily. ‘Oh dear, I think we had better change the subject or I shall disgrace myself by becoming a watering pot!’

‘Shall we get on with your list, ma’am?’ Kate suggested gently.

‘The very thing, my dear!’ Lady Edgeworth banished the sentimental tears which threatened to overwhelm her. ‘And when we are finished we shall visit Celestine’s. That is, if you are agreeable, Kitty?’

‘I should also like to pay a call upon Messrs. Hilton, Tyler and Dibbs,’ Kate said. ‘Would that be possible?’

‘I don’t see why not. But let’s go to Celestine’s first, yes?’

Bowing to the inevitable, Kate dipped her glossy head in graceful acquiescence.

* * * *

‘Miss Kitty Nixon, sir.’

With a nod of thanks to the young clerk who had announced her, Kate swept into the inner sanctum of the solicitors who had acted for old Nabob Nixon.

Given that the building was an ancient half-timbered edifice in Watergate Street, she wasn’t altogether surprised to find the senior partner’s office was somewhat small and cramped. Although one narrow leaded casement had been thrown open to admit what little breeze the warm afternoon afforded, it was also dark, an impression intensified by heavy oak panelling and the numerous bookcases which crowded the room.

More books and papers littered a large mahogany writing table behind which sat Alan Hilton. He rose to his feet at her entrance and Kate saw that he was a thin, middle-aged individual who wore a plain neckcloth and a neat, white-powdered bag-wig.

Kate gave him her best smile as she stepped forward to greet him, but the words died on her lips as she suddenly realised that they were not alone.

A man was standing in the shadows by one of the corner bookcases. As he moved towards the centre of the room and into the light his fair hair gleamed gold.

‘Good afternoon. I must apologise if I startled you. However, ma’am, I cannot say
I’m
surprised to see you here.’

The sound of Lord Redesmere’s deep musical voice sent a shiver down Kate’s spine, although she couldn’t have said whether it was from fear or a swift involuntary pleasure at his unexpected appearance.

He was just as tall and broad-shouldered as memory painted him. Elegantly garbed in cream pantaloons and a single-breasted coat of blue superfine worn open over a pale lemon waistcoat he also looked annoyingly handsome!

Hastily rearranging her features to conceal her perturbation, Kate dipped an icily polite curtsey. ‘My lord.’

‘Shall we sit down?’ Mr Hilton gestured hastily to a pair of square-backed mahogany chairs arranged in front of his desk.

Kate took the nearest one and settled herself with an angry swish of her cambric skirts. She had dressed for this meeting with the greatest care, choosing her almond green walking dress with the vandyked hem and a pretty chip-straw hat. Both her mirror and Alicia had told her that she looked sweetly demure, but from the wary expression on the lawyer’s face it seemed her efforts might have been wasted.

He looked at her as if he thought she might bite!

To her further annoyance, she was very conscious of Redesmere seating himself next to her. Within the confines of this cramped room he seemed larger and more threateningly virile than ever!

Determined to ignore him, she fixed her gaze firmly on Mr Hilton. ‘Am I to apprehend, sir, that my cousin has already told you I am an impostor?’ she demanded coolly.

‘My dear Miss Nix…my dear young lady!’ Taken aback, Alan Hilton glanced helplessly at his noble client. ‘Er…there does seem to be some confusion. Pray do not take offence.’

Kate raised her brows at him. ‘To be called a liar is not pleasant, sir.’

‘You…you still insist that you are Kitty Nixon?’

‘Of course I am!’ Kate let impatience flood her tone. ‘It is nonsense to suggest otherwise.’

An expressive snort of derision from the man at her side greeted this statement and she turned to glare furiously at him.

It was a mistake.

Their gaze met like a clash of steel and locked in combat. Kate sucked in her breath, her pulse quickening as they stared at each other. God, but his eyes were blue!

‘Ahem!’ The lawyer coughed delicately, breaking the tense silence.

The spell shattered and Kate managed to drag her gaze away, but a queer little shiver feathered slowly down her spine and it was all she could do to concentrate on the lawyer’s rather monotonous voice.

‘Mr Gerald Sullivan has written to inform us that his niece suffered a fatal accident. Whilst out for a stroll one evening she fell into deep water and drowned.’

‘Rubbish,’ snapped Kate, recovering her composure. Fell indeed! What would they say if she told them what really happened, that Kitty had been knocked on the head and pushed into the river! ‘My uncle is lying. He is heavily in debt and wants to grab what he can of the Nixon fortune.’

‘And you don’t?’

Kate ignored his lordship’s smooth interruption. ‘Let me ask you this, Mr Hilton, what proof does my uncle offer? Can he name you witnesses to this tragedy?’