Fenella J. Miller

A DANGEROUS DECEPTION

Fenella Miller

Chapter One

Cassandra had always known her name was unlucky and now she was sure of it. This morning her uncle had issued her with an ultimatum, she was to marry her cousin Peregrine or he would not be answerable for the consequences. Cassandra knew what this meant, her uncle, Sir James Digby, would not dare to incarcerate her in her room on bread and water, not after the last time he’d attempted it and she’d almost starved to death and still wouldn’t capitulate. However, she knew that between them her aunt and uncle would make poor Perry’s life a misery.

He was a dear boy, she loved him as a cousin, but if he had ever had two consecutive sensible thoughts, she would eat the cherries on her best bonnet. No – not even to save Perry would she be brow beaten into marriage with him.

She had no alternative. She would have to remove herself from Upton Manor. She had already formulated a plan for when this eventuality arose. The pressure on her to agree to become betrothed to Peregrine had been growing these past few months and now it was scarcely nine months to her majority, it was intensifying. Sir John was determined to get hold of her inheritance one way or the other.

Her companion, and governess, Ann Roberts had been summarily dismissed a year ago, but had found a small cottage in the village to rent. It was Cassie’s intention to buy a small estate as soon as she was one and twenty and then reside there with Ann, who had become, during the five years they had been together, her best friend and mentor.

She had no intention of getting married, she had been obliged to watch this institution destroy her parents’ happiness. When they had both caught the fever and died whilst travelling abroad her mother had only accompanied her father because she had had no choice. They had been kind and supportive parents but had had made each other miserable. They had fallen in love, it was not an arranged marriage, but still it had been a disaster.

She had no intention of involving herself in such a union; as a wealthy heiress she would be courted for her money. Her intelligence and high spirits would be considered a necessary evil. A love match was also out of the question – look what it had done to her parents?

Quickly she donned her cloak and stout walking boots, then snatching up her oldest bonnet, a warm muffler and gloves, she headed for the back stairs. The servants were on her side, and would not report her exit from the side door unless asked a direct question about her whereabouts.

A blast of cold November air whipped her cloak around her as she hurried, head down, through the park and out of the side gate which was the quickest way to the village. When she arrived thirty minutes later she was much warmer than when she had left. Her aunt did not allow her to have a fire in her chambers at Upton Manor.

She was almost blown down the short path that led to the front door of Ann’s cottage. Cassie knocked loudly. Molly, Ann’s sole servant, a young girl from the village, appeared, mob cap, as always, awry. The girl bobbed a curtsy and smiled.

‘Come in, Miss Forsythe, Miss Robert’s in the parlour and there’s a nice fire burning, I can tell you. Shall you be staying for luncheon, miss?’

Cassie removed her cloak and other things and passed them to Molly. ‘I expect so, for I shall get nothing if I go back.’

Ann Roberts, a woman with an unremarkable face but a neat figure and a pair of fine blue eyes, was in her thirtieth year. She had been with Cassie, first as governess and then as companion, until being obliged to leave her position. ‘Come in, my dear Cassie, I didn’t expect you today as the weather is so inclement. But you’re most welcome indeed. I am sad company, I’m afraid, as I’m suffering from a severe head cold.’ This last remark was punctuated by a series of sneezes and coughs.

‘I had to come, Ann, it has happened, as we expected.  I have to get away, and am hoping we can now put the scheme into action.’

‘I have been studying the advertisements in The Times this past week, my dear, and I think I have exactly the position for you. Look, one Jonathan Anderson Esquire, requires a governess-companion for his nine year old daughter. They live somewhere outside Ipswich, which I am reliably informed by the vicar, is in a county, in the east of the country, called Suffolk. I’m sure you would be quite safe there for the next nine months.’

‘Excellent. All I have to do is place the correct name at the start of the letter and sign the bottom. It will be a strange experience for me, being you. I only hope I have learnt enough these past years to bring the deception off successfully.’

‘I’m certain no-one will suspect that you’re not who your references say you are, my love.

 The dresses, and other things, that you will need for your new life are also ready. All I have to do is post the application this afternoon.’

‘What if Mr Anderson rejects me? Or demands an interview? It would be impossible for me to get away from Upton to attend one. It will be difficult enough to do it once, but twice– never.’

Ann patted Cassie’s hand. ‘Don’t fret so, my love. You will not be expected to travel all that way, my papers are impeccable – he would be mad not to snap you up. I’m certain not many well qualified governesses would wish to work so far way from Town.’

‘I pray that you’re correct. How long will it be, do you think, before we hear?’

‘A week, perhaps a little longer. Can you endure for that long, my dear?’

Cassie sighed. ‘I have no choice. Perhaps if I appear to be weakening in my resolve it will be bearable.’

‘In that case, Cassandra, you must forget all about your problems and look forward to your future.’

They were interrupted by the arrival of a tray containing two steaming mugs of chocolate and a plate of freshly baked scones. Molly was young, but showed signs of being an excellent cook.

‘Molly, it seems we might be on the move in ten days. Are you still willing to accompany us?’

‘Yes, miss. There’s nothing here for me. I’m looking forward to seeing a bit of the world. Do you know where we might be going?’

Ann shook her head. ‘It could be in Suffolk, but be sure I’ll let you know as soon as we are certain.’ The girl curtsied and vanished in a swirl of crisp white apron. ‘When we receive a reply from Mr Anderson I’ll book the coach for you and Molly. Even if all this comes out one day your reputation will not be tarnished.’

‘Why do I care about that? I have no intention of seeking a husband in the
ton
. I am eagerly anticipating the adventure – however poor my accommodation and conditions as a governess, they could not be worse than Upton Manor, and I shall be an independent woman paid for my services, not expected to work for nothing.’

‘Exactly. And remember, I shall rent a cottage as close as possible so that you can visit on your afternoon off.’ She reached out and showed Cassie an advert she had ringed in blue. ‘See, I have already written to this address enquiring about properties in the correct neighbourhood.’

Satisfied that every eventuality had been thought of, the two friends settled back for a comfortable day chatting in front of a warm fire. When Cassie eventually departed it was to run down to mail the letter. She prayed it would remove her from her miserable existence as little more than an unpaid servant at the back and call of both her aunt and uncle.

 * * * *

 The unrelenting tedium of her daily duties gave Cassie too much time to ponder. She did her best to ignore the constant strident demands from both relations that she should do as she was bid and agree to marry her cousin. Perry was a handsome young man of two and twenty who occupied his time with hunting and shooting – and when the weather was inclement, staring blankly at the fire. He had never been to London, indeed had no wish to do so, all he wanted from life was to be left alone to live peacefully with his beloved dogs and horses.

He was pleasant and dutiful, but sadly lacking in intelligence. Cassie did her best to cheer him up, promising him he should not be forced into marrying her, that everything should be all right in the end. However, she did not dare tell him of her plans knowing he would blurt them out at the first opportunity.

She was in the vestibule preparing to walk down to see Ann on the tenth day after she had posted the letter when Sir John accosted her.

‘Well, miss, gallivanting to the village again, I see? Is there nothing you can do to help your aunt?’

Cassie dipped a curtsy and pinned a smile on her thin face. ‘No, uncle, I have finished my daily chores and Lady Digby has given me leave to go. Is there anything I can fetch you from the village whilst I’m there, sir?’

‘Don’t toady to me, young lady, I know your game. You’ll do as you’re told eventually, unless you want to see your cousin suffer.’

Cassie watched him stomp off, his heavy jowls flushed with anger. Although he had never actually raised his hand to her, she knew if she continued to defy him it might come to that. She didn’t know how she would withstand physical attack; she had coped with a cold room, meagre food, and hand-me-down clothes for the past few years, but being beaten? She wasn’t sure she was brave enough to continue to defy them if it came to that.

It was unfair. She knew her parents had left her very well to do – the interest alone from her trust fund was enough to keep the whole household in luxury and yet she was forced to live like a poor relation.

She tied her muffler snugly round her neck, pulled on her darned gloves and made sure her bonnet was firmly attached to her head before running outside to brave the blustery rain and icy winds.

She’d had a good feeling about this morning, as though her prayers were about to be answered. Indeed, she had almost skipped out of her cold bed so eager was she to get down to Ann’s cottage and see if the long-awaited letter had arrived.

Hurrying down the flagstone path twenty minutes later, she saw Ann’s face in the window beaming and waving a piece of paper. The reply had come, and it must be a positive response.

Molly had the open before Cassie reached the doorstep. ‘Oh, miss, it’s come, and they want you. You’ve to leave immediately, he said as he’s booked two tickets on the mail for this very afternoon.’

‘Thank you, Molly. I shall go in to Miss Roberts to hear the news.’

The girl blushed, realising she had overstepped the mark. She bobbed a curtsy and dashed off down the corridor leaving Cassie to announce herself.

‘Come in, my dear, the letter has come as I am sure Molly has told you. I have managed to book the carter. He will arrive one hour from now to transport you both, and your trunks, to the Fiddler’s Arms. You will not be able to go back to Upton Manor, you cannot risk missing the coach. Do you have everything you wish to take with you?’

Cassie smiled as she removed her cloak revealing that she had her reticule and a soft cloth bag slung around her shoulder. ‘I have everything I need in here, I brought them today because I just knew the letter would come.’

‘Well done. Now, we must go upstairs and get you changed into your new clothes. Molly

has gone to get herself ready. Hopefully I shall follow you at the end of the week. You will have to make the journey with only Molly for company. Do you think you shall manage without mishap?’

‘Of course I shall. I know I have not been to London since I was a girl, but I’m quite capable of using my tongue. Can I see the letter? Does Mr Anderson seem like a pleasant man?’

Ann handed her the single sheet and a bold black scrawl seemed to leap from the paper. Cassie smoothed it out and read the contents aloud.

Dear Miss Roberts,

I am in receipt of your application and your references are satisfactory. Therefore I should like to offer you the position as governess to my daughter Amanda. I have enclosed the funds necessary for your travelling expenses. I have reserved two seats, as requested, on the mail coach leaving from Barchester at 11 o’clock on the thirteenth of November. Overnight accommodation has been secured for you at the Green Man where you catch the mail coach at nine o’clock on the fourteenth. This takes you directly to Ipswich. I shall make arrangements for you and your maid servant to be collected.

Jonathan Anderson Esq.

‘He doesn’t seem overjoyed at the thought of making my acquaintance, does he?’

‘My dear, he’s to be your employer not your bosom bow. Come now, don’t look so downcast. He has done all, indeed more, than most employers, to ensure your comfort. He has not caviled at the extra expense of a seat for Molly has he?’

‘No, that’s quite true. And whatever he’s like it’s immaterial– he cannot be more unpleasant then Sir John and Lady Digby.’

The rest of the morning sped by and before she knew it she was sitting beside the carter, her trunk in the back, her carpetbag clutched on her lap and Molly beside her. She hoped she

would never be obliged to return to Upton Manor, or see her uncle and aunt again.

She was pleased to discover their tickets were for inside seats. Cassie had dreaded the prospect of travelling on the roof for it looked perilous and extremely cold. She had heard stories that passengers had frozen to death up there in the winter months. The yard was bustling with passengers waiting, as they were, for the coach and Molly pressed close to her side, obviously finding the whole experience overwhelming.