Secret Heiress (6 page)

Arabella had been thoroughly enjoying her visit to London. Lady Kimborough had been so kind, and it was such fun visiting dressmakers and trying on hats! Her gown for her come-out was almost ready, and Arabella thought there had never been such an exquisite dress. It was pale yellow, usually an unfortunate color for a blonde, but Arabella had found a gown exactly the color of her hair and the total effect was one of a spring flower. She was having a final fitting one afternoon when Giles came into the room.

“Behold the daffodil!” he exclaimed as he entered.

“Ah, dear Giles,” said Lady Kimborough, “we would very much like a gentleman's opinion. Is not Arabella's gown most becoming? I am certain her mama will be pleased.”

“I am certain all of London will be pleased,” said Giles. “I have something which I hope will perfectly complete the costume.” He pulled a package from inside his coat.

“For me?” asked Arabella. “Oh, Mr. Kendal!”

“Please open it,” said Giles. “And as we are so nearly related, can't I prevail upon you to call me Giles?”

“Oh, yes, of course, Mr. Ken—Giles,” said Arabella, opening the package. It contained an ivory fan painted in shades of white and yellow in the manner of Angelica Kauffmann.

“Oh, Giles!” exclaimed Arabella, turning her face up to meet his. “Dear Lady Kimborough, isn't this the most lovely thing? How can I thank you?”

“It is lovely, my dear,” said Lady Kimborough. “Giles always has such excellent taste.”

The seamstress, who had been waiting patiently while Arabella pirouetted about, displaying the fan, gave a discreet cough.

“Miss, if I'm to have this gown ready, you'll have to stand still.”

“Oh, I'm so sorry,” said Arabella. “How naughty of me! But I'm so excited. Everyone is so nice to me. I am certain no girl ever had a more wonderful come-out!” She stood obediently as the seamstress pinned the hem.

“Giles, my love, while Arabella is completing her fitting, I have something I wish to say to you. Will you accompany me to my sitting room?”

“Yes, of course, Mother,” said Giles. He looked at Arabella again. “Will you excuse me?”

“Oh, yes,” said Arabella.

“Perhaps you would like to go for a ride in the Park when you are finished here?” asked Giles.

“I'd like that very much,” said Arabella, smiling shyly at him.

“Giles,” said his mother, “I am waiting for you.” She swept out of the room.

“I shall see you later,” said Giles as he followed her.

Arabella blushed.

When Giles entered his mother's sitting room, she requested that he close the door.

“Now, Mother,” he said when he had complied, “what have I done to displease you?”

“A fan, Giles?” asked his mother. “Do you not feel that perhaps that is too personal a gift? Please remember that my position as Lavinia Chedworth's stand-in is a delicate one. Arabella is in my care. I am certain her mama would not care to have her head turned before she has had a chance to meet an eligible parti.”

“How cold-blooded it all sounds,” said Giles.

“Don't be a fool, Giles,” replied his mother. “You know very well that a girl just out of the schoolroom is very susceptible to an older man with a great deal of charm.”

Giles chuckled, but his mother continued, “It is no secret, Giles, that your manner is engaging. Lord Walsingham would never have selected you as his aide were it not. But that is beside the point. I will not have Lavinia say that I contrived to have you engage Arabella's affections because you are a younger son who needs to marry a wealthy female!”

“Surely you are exaggerating, Mama,” said Giles. “Arabella is a delightful child and she is one of the most beautiful females I have yet to meet. But I am old enough to be her—well, her much older brother, and I am certain she regards me in that light.”

“Do not misunderstand me, Giles,” said his mother. “If, after Arabella has had the opportunity to meet other young men of the ton, she decides, as I believe she will, that an older man of experience and address suits her, I shall be delighted. She is prettily behaved, of good family, and she will have a comfortable settlement. I do not wish the gossip-mongers to say that I held Arabella back, intending her for you all the time.”

“This is absurd,” said Giles impatiently. “Arabella is not in love with me nor I with her. If anyone objects to my entertaining my mother's goddaughter—who also happens to be a guest in our house—well, I have no patience for the petty gossiping of busybodies. And now, if you will excuse me . . .” He turned and walked out of the room.

“Giles!” said his mother sharply. He did not answer and she heard his footsteps as he strode down the stairs. “He was always the most stubborn child,” she said aloud, “So unlike his brother.” Her thoughts dwelled on her elder, more compliant son, and then returned to her immediate problem. “I certainly hope the doctor gives him leave to return to duty shortly,” she said. “I must remember to speak to him about it.”

When Giles returned home that afternoon, he found Arabella waiting for him. She was wearing a dark blue velvet suit trimmed with fur, and her blue eyes sparkled as she smiled at him.

“This time I am ready and you are late!” she said with a giggle.

“But I knew that if I came home late you would have time to arrange your hair or select a more fetching bonnet,” said Giles.

“Oh, you are teasing me,” said Arabella.

“Only a little,” said Giles with a smile. “Shall we go?”

“Yes, please,” said Arabella. They walked to the carriage, which was waiting in front of the house, and Giles helped Arabella inside. They joined the parade of clattering carriages along the cobbled streets of Mayfair until they reached the Park at the fashionable hour when members of the ton went to see and be seen. Giles pointed out the Duke of Dorset on his white horse, the Earl of Sefton and the Ladies Molyneux, the Regent himself and the reigning Beauties; among them the Duchesses of Rutland and Argyll and Ladies Cowper and Mountjoy. The ladies vied with each other, not only in the elegance of their dress, but in the appointments and upholstery of their carriages and the liveries of their powdered-wigged footmen. It was a heady feeling for Arabella to be part of Society.

“So many elegant ladies!” she exclaimed.

“They are probably very envious of you,” said Giles.

“Of me!” exclaimed Arabella, “Why should such beautiful ladies be jealous of me?”

“Their beauty comes from hours of preparation while yours comes from youth and nature.”

Arabella looked at Giles through her long lashes, saying nothing. Suddenly her attention was diverted by a carriage stopping alongside theirs.

“Mr. Kendal,” said a voice from the other carriage.

“Miss Chessington,” said Giles. “How nice to see you again.” Eyeing her companion, he said coolly, “And you, Bradford.”

“Kendal,” replied Adrian.

There was a silence, which Caroline broke.

“I am sorry we have not been introduced,” she said to Arabella. “I am Caroline Chessington.”

“Oh, excuse me,” said Giles. “I forget my duties. Miss Chessington, Mr. Bradford, may I present my mother's goddaughter, Arabella Chedworth, who is here for her first Season. Arabella, Miss Chessington is also a newcomer to London.”

“How do you do?” said Arabella shyly.

“How lovely to meet you. Miss Chedworth,” said Caroline. “You must be very excited about the Season. I am certain yours will be a very successful one.”

“Thank you,” said Arabella. “Everyone has been so kind to me, so very kind. Will I see you at any of the parties?”

“No, I shouldn't think so,” said Caroline. “I live a quiet life and my stay in London is only for a short time.”

“But London is so exciting!” said Arabella ingenuously as everyone smiled. “So much to do and see. I could not see it all if I stayed a lifetime. So many balls and Assemblies. I am even to have a ball just in my honor.”

Caroline smiled. “It does sound exciting for you. But I am happy with my more quiet enjoyments.”

“And I am shamed to admit that I have been monopolizing Miss Chessington's time of late to the exclusion of other pleasures,” Adrian added smoothly.

“I think we must be getting on,” said Giles, clearly peeved at Bradford's proprietary air. “Miss Chessington, your obedient. Bradford . . .” He bowed, but before the carriages could move on in opposite directions, Arabella turned to Giles and said, “I should like it above all things if Miss Chessington and Mr. Bradford could come to my ball.” She looked at Caroline, adding, “It will be the grandest party. You would not wish to miss it and I should love to have you there.” She looked around triumphantly, unaware that she had discomfited both Giles and Caroline. Giles glowered, Caroline looked nonplussed, while Adrian smiled smugly, enjoying Kendal's embarrassment.

Caroline spoke first. “That is very kind of you, Miss Chedworth,” she began, “but I do not think . . .”

“I am certain Miss Chessington would find your ball not to her liking,” said Giles, interrupting.

“But on the contrary, I should be delighted to attend, Miss Chedworth,” said Caroline, shooting Giles a challenging look. How dare he presume to speak for her! It was not enough that he had voiced his disapproval of Adrian Bradford's attentions, or that his own attentions to her had diminished, but here he was, making a cake of himself over a child just out of the schoolroom!

“And so shall I,” added Adrian Bradford, completing Giles's discomfiture.

“Splendid!” said Arabella with a happy smile. “I do so want everyone to share in my good fortune.”

“I think we really must be getting on,” said Giles stiffly, for there seemed to be nothing more to be said. For the second time, he bade them good day and the carriages moved on.

When they were safely out of earshot, Adrian looked at Caroline quizzically.

“Do you indeed mean to honor that silly child's invitation?”

“Of course not,” said Caroline. “It would be most improper. What would her mama say? I am sorry I permitted myself to be goaded.”

“It would seem that your friend Mr. Kendal has established himself successfully,” said Adrian.

“Miss Chedworth is charming,” said Caroline.

“It would not be at all surprising if a betrothal were announced before she had time to test the waters, as it were,” said Adrian.

“Giles Kendal and that child?” exclaimed Caroline, annoyed at hearing her feelings voiced. “I thought his attitude was quite avuncular.”

“Perhaps,” said Adrian. “One could scarcely expect him to make his attentions known before Miss Chedworth is out.”

“I am certain Mr. Kendal's affairs are no concern of mine,” said Caroline sharply. “Tell me, did you really enjoy the play last night? I am afraid I thought it insipid.”

“I did as well,” said Adrian, “but as I suggested it and you and Miss Peakirk seemed to enjoy it, I hid my feelings. Now it seems the joke is on me! I should have been honest with you.”

“I hope you always will be,” said Caroline as they drove on.

“Do you know Miss Chessington well?” asked Arabella as they continued around the Park.

“No, not very well,” said Giles in a preoccupied tone.

“I hope you did not mind that I invited her to my ball. I thought she was a friend of yours and I did it to please you. Was it improper of me? I hope you are not angry. Mama often tells me to think before I speak and I am afraid I did not.”

“No, of course I'm not angry,” said Giles. “And if your mama agrees, it is perfectly all right to send them invitations. Miss Chessington's chaperone should also be included.”

“She seems so self-confident,” said Arabella. “And on such good terms with Mr. Bradford.”

“Yes, so she did,” said Giles. “She didn't listen to me,” he mused.

“What do you mean?” asked Arabella.

“Nothing,” said Giles. “Nothing at all.”

“Giles?” asked Arabella diffidently.

“Yes, Arabella,” he replied.

“Have I said something to displease you?” she asked. “You're so quiet.”

“No, you've not,” said Giles. “It's not you at all.” He smiled at her. “If we don't return home soon. Mama will be quite displeased and deny us tea.”

Arabella's laughter tinkled. “Dear Aunt Henrietta! Oh, she could never be so unkind. But indeed we should not be late. I would not wish to appear rude.”

“You never like to hurt anyone, do you?” asked Giles.

“How could I when everyone is so nice to me?” asked Arabella.

To that Giles ventured no reply.

When Giles and Arabella drove up to the house, they found a carriage being unloaded.

“Mama!” exclaimed Arabella. “Mama is here!” She quickly stepped down from the carriage and ran into the house. Lady Kimborough met her as she entered.

“Dear Arabella, such a lovely surprise. Your mama has arrived.”

“Oh, where is she? Tell me, please!”

“Here I am, my love,” said Mrs. Chedworth, coming into the hallway. A woman of middle years, she was still handsome, and it was easy to see from whom Arabella had inherited her good looks. Her blond hair might have a touch of gray, but her figure was still good and she carried herself as if she, too, were in her first Season.

“Oh, Mama, I have missed you so. Dear Aunt Henrietta and Giles, too, have been so wonderful, but it is not at all the same thing as having one's own mama here. And the children: Are they all well at last? And dear Papa?”

“Hush, my dear, you are much too excited. It is not at all becoming to appear too obviously pleased. The children are all recovering; your papa has left to go on some business or other and he will join us in a few days. It was time for me to be here with you. I have engaged a house for your ball, but it is not yet ready; whilst I had intended to remove us to Pulteney's Hotel, dear Henrietta has prevailed upon me to stay here until it is ready.”