Secret Heiress (13 page)

Several days later, when the Chessington carriage pulled up in front of Brampton, it was already dark and Arabella had fallen asleep, her head resting on Sarah's shoulder.

“Arabella, Arabella,” said Caroline softly as she shook her gently, “we're at Brampton.”

Arabella's eyes opened slowly and she looked at Caroline blankly, not remembering where she was or how she came to be there.

“It's Caroline Chessington,” she reminded Arabella. “We're finally at my home in Lancashire. It's been a long trip. Are you awake now?”

“Oh, yes,” said Arabella blearily. She shook her head.

“Sarah, please tell Preston that we have arrived.”

“Yes, Miss Caroline,” said Sarah.

“And tell Mrs. Sutton to prepare a bedroom for Miss Chedworth.”

“I will, Miss Caroline,” Sarah said wearily. She stepped out of the carriage. In a few minutes Preston came out.

“What a surprise, Miss Caroline,” he said as he helped her out of the carriage. “We had no word of your arrival.”

“My decision to travel was a sudden one. I hope I have not sent everyone into a frazzle!”

“No, indeed, Miss Caroline. I hope the staff know better than to slacken their diligence because you are not in residence. I have ordered the blue bedroom to be made ready for the young lady, and I believe the cook is preparing a light supper for you.”

“Brampton could not exist without you,” said Caroline. “Oh, how I have missed you all! How is Mrs. Lawson? I do hope her leg has quite mended! Now, I believe Miss Chedworth is quite done in and should be shown to her chamber.”

“Very good, Miss Caroline,” replied Preston. “I shall have your baggage brought in. I understand from Sarah that the rest is to follow with Miss Peakirk.”

“Yes, that's right,” said Caroline as she led Arabella into the house.

“How large it is!” exclaimed Arabella as she looked around her.

“It just seems that way because you have been confined in a small carriage for several days,” teased Caroline. Mrs. Sutton came in then to take Arabella to her room, after first scolding Caroline for coming home so late.

“Take good care of her,” said Caroline.

“Of course, Miss Caroline,” replied the housekeeper with dignity. “I'm having a supper sent to her room.”

“Thank you,” said Arabella sleepily. She tried to stifle a yawn. She barely was aware of eating and being undressed before she fell asleep.

It was quite a bit later and Caroline was just starting up the stairs when the sound of horses was heard outside. She had just finished her own dinner and sent the servants to bed, so she went to the window to see who could be arriving at such an hour. To her horror, she saw Adrian Bradford approaching the house.

“Adrian Bradford!” she exclaimed. “How does he come to be here!” Not wishing to have him awaken the household with his arrival at such an hour, she ran to the door and opened it.

“I do not know how you come to be here, Mr. Bradford, but you are not welcome at Brampton!”

“It is a pleasure to see you, as well, my dear Caroline,” said Bradford with an exaggerated bow. “However, the night air does have a chill and I wonder if we may continue this conversation inside.”

“There is nothing to continue,” said Caroline.

“My dear girl, if I were to arrive at the local inn at this hour with a story of being turned away from Brampton . . .”

“Your threats are nothing to me,” said Caroline.

“Then do consider poor Arabella Chedworth,” said Adrian. “Should I return to London, her escapade will scarcely escape notice. I shall make certain of that. What would London make of this melodrama?”

“What do you know of Arabella Chedworth?” asked Caroline sharply.

“I would prefer to discuss this inside,” said Adrian.

“Very well,” said Caroline reluctantly. “Come in.” She led him inside and closed the door.

“Now, Mr. Bradford, what is it that you want? How did you know to come to Brampton and what do you know of Arabella Chedworth?”

“I must admit to a bit of luck,” said Adrian, “although I would prefer to credit my skill. When I left London in some haste, to try to raise funds to leave England, I was fortunate enough to stop at an inn in Bedford. There I saw you and Miss Chedworth. I surmised, from your direction, that you were on the way to Brampton: a few coins were sufficient to elicit information from the innkeeper, a man of excellent hearing.”

“So you still claim bribery as one of your talents,” said Caroline.

“You have grown bitter,” said Adrian. “You are not the charming young woman I knew in London.”

“Indeed,” said Caroline. “And what is it that you want from me now?”

“I wish sufficient funds to leave the country and set myself up in France. You are by far the plumpest pigeon I have to pluck.”

“Impossible!” exclaimed Caroline. “I shall not yield to blackmail!”

“Then I shall be forced to return to London and to report this curious story to those most interested. Not merely the Chedworths, of course, but Lord Warriner and others who might concern themselves with Miss Chedworth's welfare. I am aware that you have written to the Chedworths to inform them of the situation, although delicacy prevented me from opening the letter. I would feel obligated to inform the rest of London.”

“I have never met such a scoundrel as you!” exclaimed Caroline. “When I think that I encouraged your suit . . .”

“Had you accepted me, my dear Caroline, I would not now be forced to such actions which are so distasteful to me.”

“You are beyond all bounds—” Caroline began, but she was interrupted again by the sound of horses. Both she and Adrian paused.

“Are you expecting more guests?” he asked. “I had no idea that Lancashire was so popular a destination.”

“Certainly I am not expecting anyone,” said Caroline through gritted teeth. “If you will excuse me, I shall see who it is. I do not wish the entire household awakened.”

“Allow me to accompany you,” said Adrian.

“I do not care what you do,” said Caroline.

As Caroline walked to the door, Adrian peered through the window.

“What an odd time for Kendal to call,” he commented. “And young Tarkington is most certainly de trop.”

“Giles Kendal!” exclaimed Caroline. “What can he be doing here?”

“I suggest you open the door,” said Adrian. He strolled up to her as Caroline let the visitors in. And it was he who greeted Giles.

“Welcome to Brampton,” he said with a sneer.

As Adrian Bradford laughed and Jeremy Tarkington looked nervously about, Giles and Caroline stared at each other.

“I might have known,” he said, breaking the silence.

“Known what?” demanded Caroline.

“Known that I'd find Bradford here.”

“You could not possibly have known that,” said Caroline angrily. “I did not know that he was coming here—any more than I knew that you were coming here. What are you doing here with Mr. Tarkington? Did you receive my letter? Have you spoken to the Chedworths? I do not understand how you come to be here now—and indeed, it was not necessary for you to come at all. I have the situation in hand.”

“I can see that,” said Giles.

“If I may interject a word,” said Adrian, stepping forward. “In the first place, your voices are being raised. In the second place, I have no desire to interfere in what is clearly a private quarrel. Nor, I am persuaded, does young Tarkington. His feelings are of no consequence to me, but if you will assist me in my requirements, I shall take my leave. This house has become too crowded.”

“What the devil is he talking about?” asked Giles.

“Mr. Bradford has come here to extort funds for passage to France as the price of his silence with regard to Arabella's flight,” said Caroline.

“Succinctly put, my dear Caroline,” said Adrian.

“Why, you—” said Giles, moving toward him. He was restrained by Caroline.

“Please, Mr. Kendal. We do not wish to awaken the household. Dearly as I should love to see him on the floor, I fear we shall have to accede to his demands. Far better to be rid of him.”

“Yield to his blackmail?” asked Giles. “It is a matter of principle that one not yield to blackmail.”

“Principle will be of little use to Arabella Chedworth if she faces social ruin because of a childish mistake.”

“Arabella shall never suffer as long as I can defend her!” said Jeremy Tarkington, speaking for the first time. He flushed as they all regarded him.

“Bravo!” said Adrian.

“Mr. Tarkington,” said Caroline. “If you will please wait in the morning room; it is the room to your left.” Jeremy hesitated and then, confused as to his proper role in the situation, followed Caroline's instructions.

“Now,” said Adrian when he was gone, “if we may return to the matter at hand . . .”

“Bradford—” said Giles menacingly, grabbing him by the lapels.

“Gentlemen,” said Caroline, her voice dangerously calm. “I have had more than enough tonight. Mr. Kendal, I do not know why you are here; the situation was quite under control. Mr. Bradford, I wish you to leave at once. If the price of that be blackmail, so be it.”

Giles began to speak, but Caroline forestalled him.

“Mr. Bradford, it is my earnest desire to be rid of you as quickly as possible. Whatever I have here, I shall give you. But beware. Should you return for more, or further exploit the situation, you will be most sorry. Mr. Kendal, I suggest that as soon as Mr. Bradford leaves—and I shall awaken one of the grooms, if necessary, to see that he does leave—you, Mr. Tarkington, and I retire for the night. All else can wait until morning.”

Adrian bowed and Giles shrugged, saying, “As you will.” He watched disapprovingly as Caroline finished her dealings with Adrian, and then closed the door behind him as Adrian vanished into the night.

When he had gone, Caroline turned to Giles.

“Mr. Kendal,” she said, “despite my desire to retire immediately, I realize there are certain matters which must be settled. But,” she added, her voice softening, “you look so tired. Let me offer you and Mr. Tarkington some refreshment.”

“Thank you, we dined on the road,” said Giles as he sat down wearily.

“Arabella's nerves are overset already. It would be unwise to tell her about Mr. Bradford's threats.”

“Quite right,” answered Giles. “And I shall warn Tarkington to be on his guard as well, although I don't know if he can be depended upon.”

“What are we to tell Arabella about your presence here?” asked Caroline.

“I believe we should tell her the truth: that Tarkington and I both received her rather garbled notes, telling us that she had run away. Her maid mentioned the stage to Bedford. Inquiries at the stage office led us there and when we arrived in Bedford I discovered your notes. I read only the one addressed to me, I assure you. We followed you to Lancashire and several inquiries led us to Brampton. It seems you are well known in this region of the country, Miss Chessington, as a woman of parts.”

“I am sorry I deceived you,” said Caroline.

“You owe me no explanation,” said Giles.

“Very well,” said Caroline stiffly. “Let us discuss Arabella instead. Now that you are here, what shall we do?”

“It is my intention to take Arabella back with me tomorrow,” said Giles. “Tarkington will be with us as well.”

“Alone with both of you?” asked Caroline. “And without her maid?”

“May I ask if you have something better to suggest, Miss Chessington?” asked Giles a trifle impatiently.

“I will give it some thought. We can talk further tomorrow,” answered Caroline. “Are you quite intent upon her returning home?”

“She belongs there, Miss Chessington.”

“But Lord Warriner . . . the marriage . . .”

“Miss Chessington, Mr. Kendal, I will be heard!” said Jeremy, coming back into the room. “I will not be pushed aside! I will not be kept waiting any longer. If Arabella is to return to London, it shall be with me as her escort. As for Lord Warriner . . .”

“If Arabella is determined against the marriage, naturally she shall not be forced into it,” said Giles. “I believe that can be arranged. A well-placed word in Lord Warriner's ear should do the trick there. I should have spoken to her parents earlier.” Turning to Jeremy, he continued. “If, when you have both come of age, your feelings have not changed, I am certain the Chedworths would become reconciled to the match. They are not ogres, after all. I am sorry the matter got out of hand: one does not wish to interfere.”

“No, of course not,” said Caroline tartly. “Much better to let the child be bullied. You have been too long in the Diplomatic, Mr. Kendal. It has left you overly cautious.”

Giles, worn out by his journey and goaded beyond thinking, exploded.

“I have heard quite enough from you,” he shouted. “You dare to criticize my actions! You have misled Society about who you are—for what purpose one can only imagine! You have involved yourself with a man of unsavory reputation and refused to listen to warnings about him. You have involved yourself in the affairs of a virtual stranger. I come here to find you being blackmailed—but no more on that subject tonight! My conduct may be overly cautious, but your conduct is unspeakable! And now, if you please, I wish to retire. If you will be so good as to show me to a room . . .”

“With pleasure,” she snapped.

When Arabella came down for breakfast the next morning, she found Caroline already there.

“Good morning,” said Arabella. “I slept so soundly.”

“Arabella, there is something I have to tell you. Last night, after you were asleep—”

“Good morning, Arabella,” said a voice from behind. She whirled around to face Giles Kendal. Her hand flew to her mouth.