The Regency Season: Blackmailed Brides: The Scarlet Gown / Lady Beneath the Veil

When Mr Cottingham went off to change for dinner, Lucy sank back in her chair and closed her eyes.

‘Good heavens, I feel completely exhausted!’

‘You did very well, my dear,’ Ariadne told her. ‘Although I thought it a little impolite of Adam to ask you quite so many questions.’

‘He is my heir,’ Ralph reminded her. ‘He has more of an interest in the matter than anyone else.’

Lucy sat up again. ‘Do you think he suspects the engagement is a sham?’

Ralph’s brows went up. ‘Why should he?’

‘It was the way he kept looking at me.’ Lucy hesitated. ‘I think he noticed my resemblance to the late Lady Adversane.’

‘She has seen the portrait, Cousin,’ said Ralph in response to Mrs Dean’s gasp of mortification.

‘And it is hardly surprising if he did notice, since all the clothes I have to wear are identical to Lady Adversane’s.’ Lucy lifted her chin and met his eyes defiantly. ‘What is it you are not telling me, my lord?’

‘There is nothing that need concern you,’ said Ralph dismissively. ‘However, I do think the portrait should be reinstated in the Long Gallery.’

Mrs Dean looked at Lucy. ‘As long as that will not upset you, my dear?’

Lucy shook her head. ‘I think it would cause a great deal more comment if you do not put it back.’

‘I agree.’ Ralph rose. ‘Now if you will excuse me, since we will have to wait for my cousin before we can eat, I shall use the time to attend to a little more business.’

He went out, leaving the two ladies to sit in silence.

‘Did you know?’ said Lucy at last. ‘Did he tell you he hired me because I look like his wife?’

Ariadne shook her head, her kindly eyes shadowed with anxiety.

‘At first I thought it was merely a coincidence. Then, when Mrs Sutton brought the sketches for your gowns—I asked Ralph what he meant by it, but he merely brushed it aside.’

‘I wonder what game he is playing?’

‘Oh, surely nothing more than he has already told you,’ Ariadne was quick to reply.

‘I am sure it is,’ said Lucy, adding bitterly, ‘No doubt he thinks I am not to be trusted with his secrets!’

‘I think it is merely that he misses Helene a great deal more than he is prepared to admit.’

Lucy had already considered that idea and found it did not please her.

Mrs Dean sighed. ‘Adversane prides himself upon his logical mind, you see. He says every problem can be solved by the application of logic, so to find him grieving so much for his late wife is quite touching, is it not?’

‘It is also a little embarrassing,’ replied Lucy tartly. ‘Everyone will think he is marrying me because I look like Helene. They will pity me, which I shall dislike intensely.’

‘Yes, but he is not going to marry you,’ Ariadne reminded her, brightening. ‘So it does not really matter, does it?’

Lucy could not disagree with this reasoning, but she knew, deep down, that it did matter to her, although she had no idea why it should.

* * *

Lucy enjoyed Adam Cottingham’s company at dinner. He was an entertaining guest, witty and knowledgeable, and although she thought his manner a little insincere she was grateful to him for making sure she was not left out when the conversation turned to family matters.

‘You will meet Adversane’s sisters, of course, when they come here for the house party,’ he said as they helped themselves to sweetmeats once the covers had been removed. ‘Fearsome ladies, both of ’em.’

‘No, Adam, you know that is not so,’ protested Mrs Dean, laughing. ‘You are not to be frightening Lucy out of her wits.’

‘Of course not, but it is as well to be forewarned.’ Adam grinned at Lucy. ‘They can be very outspoken, but you will do very well as long as you stand up to them.’

‘Now you have terrified me,’ she replied, chuckling.

‘You need not fear,’ said Adam. ‘I shall be here to protect you.’

The look that accompanied these words was surprisingly intense. Lucy suspected he was trying to flirt with her and was at a loss to know how to respond. However, Adam’s attention switched to Lord Adversane when he announced that he had invited the Ingleston Players to entertain his guests on Midsummer’s Eve.

‘The devil you have!’ exclaimed Adam.

The room was filled with a sudden tension that Lucy did not understand. Adversane’s dark brows rose a fraction as he regarded his heir.

‘Do you have any objections to them coming?’

‘No, of course not. It is a tradition that goes back generations...’

‘Precisely. They were very sorry not to be performing here last year.’

‘Who are these players?’ asked Lucy. ‘Are we to have theatricals?’

‘Yes, indeed,’ Ariadne responded. ‘Ingleston has its very own troupe of thespians who perform plays at certain times of the year, such as Easter and Christmas time.’

‘They have been performing here every Midsummer’s Eve for as long as I can remember,’ put in Lord Adversane. ‘Last year was the exception.’

Midsummer’s Eve. Lucy felt a little chill run down her spine. So Lady Adversane had died on the night of the performance. No wonder he had not wanted them to play there last year. Surely their appearance would bring back unwelcome memories? She glanced across at her host. There was no telling what he was thinking from that stern, inscrutable countenance.

An uncomfortable silence began to fill the room, and Lucy was thankful when Ariadne stepped into the breach.

‘And when shall you and Judith be coming to stay, Adam?’

‘Three weeks’ time, Cousin. On the nineteenth.’

‘Oh?’ Ariadne sounded surprised. ‘But that is when the other guests are expected.’

‘Adversane suggested it.’

‘Yes,’ said Ralph shortly. ‘There will be no need for you to arrive weeks in advance this year.’

Adam turned to Lucy to explain.