Regency: Mischief & Marriage: Secret Heiress / Bartered Bride

Good gracious! Was she feeling jealous?

Eliza scorned the wayward notion. She had no business thinking of Lord Seaton at all.

Kate’s friendly chatter was just what was needed to banish her foolish thoughts. Eliza gave her new friend all her attention as the four ladies were driven to the Pump Room in an open landau.

Lady Sarah seemed happy to be reunited with an old friend, and once the two older ladies were settled in the Pump Room with a glass of the restorative water, Kate persuaded Eliza they should leave.

‘Certainly you must go with Kate,’ Lady Sarah added her voice to the young lady’s. ‘I shall be perfectly comfortable here—and we are all to take luncheon together at Lady Julia’s house. Do not be late for that, girls.’

‘No, of course not,’ the girls chorused.

Kate slipped her arm through Eliza’s and they left the Pump Room, heading for the fashionable shops that abounded in the town.

‘I need a new fan for best,’ Kate told her as they emerged into the warm sunshine. She was dressed in a pretty green walking gown with a bonnet of chip straw trimmed with matching ribbons and white shoes and gloves. ‘My favourite snapped in half last time I used it. The struts are so fragile, are they not?’

‘I have one that my mother gave me,’ Eliza replied. ‘I have not…’

She meant to say that she had hardly used it but, seeing the gentleman walking towards them, her heart caught. He was so extremely handsome in his coat of blue with dove grey breeches and boots that shone like gloss.

‘Miss Henderson… Miss Bancroft…’ Daniel raised his hat to them. ‘A beautiful morning, is it not?’

‘Lord Seaton,’ Kate said and gave him a flirtatious look. ‘Are you on your way to the Pump Room? I would not have thought you needed to take the waters.’

‘Indeed, no, I should hope not,’ he replied and grinned, for her manner was mischievous. ‘Indeed, I have heard the taste is so bad that I doubt the health-giving properties they are said to possess. I suppose you are headed for the shops?’

‘There is nothing I enjoy more,’ Kate replied. ‘Unless it is dancing. Do you attend the assembly this evening, sir?

‘I am not sure…’ His eyes rested on Eliza. ‘Do you attend, Miss Bancroft?’

Eliza had deliberately remained silent, but now she was forced to answer.

‘I believe it is Lady Sarah’s intention,’ Eliza said, hoping that she did not sound breathless. Her heart was behaving most oddly. ‘It will be my first proper ball, though I was sometimes invited to your uncle’s Christmas party, sir. I danced there, of course. Mama taught me—’ She broke off with a flush for she had said too much—and she did sound breathless.

‘Then I must certainly attend,’ he responded gallantly, his words making her feel odd all over. ‘You will promise to save at least one dance for me, Miss Bancroft—and I shall also claim one from you, Miss Henderson.’

‘I shall be sure to enter your name, sir—and so will Eliza,’ Kate sparkled up at him. ‘Now you must leave us for shopping is important business, my lord.’

‘I am not sure that I ought to dance.’ Eliza remembered belatedly that she was a companion. ‘I do not know if Lady Sarah will permit it.’

‘Of course she will expect you to dance.’ Kate retorted. ‘Lord Seaton, support me in this please. Eliza must dance, must she not?’

‘I am persuaded that Lady Sarah will expect it,’ Daniel replied and his eyes were bright with amusement. ‘I must not delay you longer. I shall see you both this evening, ladies.’

He tipped his hat once more and walked on by. Kate hugged Eliza’s arm.

‘Was that not clever of me? He likes you very much. I dare swear he had no intention of attending this evening until you told him it was your first ball.’

‘Oh, no…’ Eliza was genuinely horrified. ‘Please do not suggest such a thing. It would be most inappropriate. Lady Sarah has been kindness itself, but I am her companion. Lord Seaton really should not pay me any attention. Especially if—’ she broke off, feeling flustered. ‘He should not.’

‘You are distressed,’ Kate said in concern. ‘I was merely teasing you. I would not encourage you to think of him. Lord Seaton is not exactly a rake, but he is known for his flirts. They say the last was a beautiful opera dancer.’ Kate gurgled with laughter. ‘I heard he fought a duel with someone over her, but I dare say it was all a hum. Oh dear, I should not have mentioned that, should I? Mama says my tongue will be the ruin of me and she is right.’

‘I believe many gentlemen have a mistress,’ Eliza said, sounding calmer than she felt. ‘But… I have no wish to become one of them.’

‘No, indeed it is not to be thought of for, then I could not know you and that would be a shame.’ Kate’s humour was irrepressible. ‘Not that I should take a jot of notice but Mama would not approve. You will pay him no mind, Eliza. Unless of course he were to propose marriage. They do say reformed rakes make good husbands in the end.’

‘You are a wicked tease,’ Eliza told her. ‘It is as well I have no intention of having my head turned by a handsome face.’

‘So you do like him,’ Kate crowed. ‘No, no, I shall not tease you, dearest Eliza—but just think how fortunate it would be if he should offer.’

Eliza shook her head. To allow herself even one thought in that direction would be madness. She was not sure she would be permitted to dance that evening or even if it would be wise. Lord Seaton was too far above her and the more she mixed with him the more painful it would be in the end. She might even have to leave Lady Sarah’s employ at the end of the month, and then she might never see him again.

The thought brought a sharp swift pain to her heart, but she lifted her head in the air. She refused to be foolish enough to fall for a man she hardly knew and could never know better.

They were approaching the shop they had come to visit and Kate’s attention was taken by the array of beautiful fans in the window. Some were of painted paper, others of ivory and lace, some with silver or jewelled handles and very costly.

‘Oh, there are so many lovely ones,’ Kate exclaimed. ‘How do I choose just one?’

Eliza was able to enjoy helping her friend to choose. She was, after all, a sensible girl and she would not fall into a dangerous flirtation simply because a certain man made her heart race whenever he was near.

Daniel walked past the house where Lord Roberts was staying, heading for a popular coffee house in the hope of meeting with friends. His thoughts were once again in turmoil. He had set out with the firm intention of asking Lord Roberts for his daughter’s hand and then applying for a loan to settle his gambling debt, which he would repay when he could. However, Miss Henderson had overset his plans by mentioning the assembly. He had been unable to resist the unconscious appeal in Miss Bancroft’s eyes when she spoke of her first public ball. The prospect of dancing with her had awoken something inside him that had lain dormant for a while and he anticipated the evening with some eagerness.

Surely it could not matter if he did not speak to Lord Roberts immediately?

Eliza Bancroft.

Daniel wanted to see laughter in those expressive eyes. He wanted to dance with Eliza, hold her body close to his and perhaps take her out into the moonlight to steal a few kisses.

He remembered a previous stolen kiss. He could almost taste her, smell the perfume that was uniquely her own. He wanted so much more! Forbidden thoughts of Eliza lying in silken sheets, her hair spread on the pillow and her lips swollen by his passionate kisses, slightly open as she waited for more…

The sight of a curricle driving past in the opposite direction, interrupted his pleasurable thoughts. A cold shaft of anger shot through him as he saw the cause of all his troubles. The Marquis of Cheadle was in Bath, which meant that they would be bound to meet in company. Therefore, he must arrange a private interview as soon as possible. He would see what advantage was to be gained from bargaining over the ring he held as surety for a few hundred guineas.

Why did the marquis’s ring bear the same inscription as that in Eliza’s ring? She said it had belonged to her mother—had there been something between Mrs Bancroft and Cheadle? Surely not! The lady was the wife of the Reverend Bancroft and, as far as Daniel knew, of spotless reputation. It was mere coincidence and a trifle that should not enter his head again. He had more important things to consider.

For a moment, Daniel’s thoughts dwelled on the possibility that Cheadle might know something of his cousin’s death. He must seek him out and ask a few questions before handing over the ring.

Eliza glanced at herself in the mirror as she prepared for the assembly that evening. Her gown was a miracle of white silk tulle, lace and elegant styling. Trimmed lightly here and there with tiny knots of black ribbon, it looked so expensive and fashionable that Eliza was almost frightened to leave her room.

Surely Lady Sarah would not approve of her companion wearing a gown such as this one?

Her heart was sinking as she walked the short distance down the hall to her employer’s bedchamber. Lady Sarah could not have intended her companion to look so stylish.

‘Come in, my dear,’ her employer’s voice invited her to enter as she tapped the door.

‘I am so sorry,’ Eliza began immediately to apologise. ‘I thought madame would make something more suited to my situation. Shall I change?’

‘What nonsense, Eliza. You look beautiful…’ Lady Sarah beckoned her forwards, her expression intent as she looked at her closely. ‘The gown is elegant and perfect for you, my dear. I knew madame would do you justice, but I had not expected such a change. You look… very different. Do you not like your gown?’

‘I love it,’ Eliza assured her. ‘I thought… well, does it not make me look as if I am a young lady of fashion?’