The Elusive Heiress (35 page)

Kate had been so happy she had ignored her guilt about running away and blithely refused to think of the future.

‘Then my father cast me off and Francis’s attitude changed overnight.’ She gave an awkward little shrug. ‘I hadn’t realised, you see, that he was only pretending to be in love with me.’

Randal’s arms tightened around her protectively, rage against the dead man burning in his heart.

‘Francis had left his previous company in order to arrange our elopement. It took his last penny and, Papa having failed his expectations, we were on the point of being thrown out of our lodgings when the Gillman Players arrived in Carlisle.’

Ned had agreed to take Francis on and Kate, in a state of shocked bewilderment at her new circumstances and intimidated by her husband’s foul mood, soon discovered that she was expected to earn her keep by helping with the numerous small tasks that went on backstage. She had barely adjusted to this situation when Betsy, one of the younger actresses, sprained her ankle and Francis had curtly informed her that she would have to take Betsy’s place.

‘I…I can’t stand up there in front of all those people!’ Kate had gasped in fright.

‘Too proud, are you? Actors not good enough for you?’ The black frown she had come to fear descended on Francis’s good-looking face.

‘No…no, but—’

‘You’re no better than the rest of us now, Miss High and Mighty!’ Francis had snarled at her. ‘And I won’t drag a useless deadweight around with me! Either you’ll do as I say or, by God, I’ll throw you out!’

So, terrified of his anger, Kate had obeyed and to her surprise once she had overcome her initial nerves, she had begun to enjoy her new employment.

‘Oddly enough, in the end Francis became jealous of my success and forbade me to take any of the larger roles,’ she murmured with a rueful chuckle.

Not wishing to upset her, Randal swallowed his rage at Devlin’s vile behaviour and tried to match her light tone. ‘I told you once before that I approved of honest toil so there’s another obstacle vanquished. Which, since you’ve no objection to my person, means there is nothing to stop us getting wed.’

‘Not everyone is as liberal-minded as yourself, my lord.’

Randal traced the curve of her smiling mouth with the tip of his finger. ‘You let me worry about the gossips,’ he commanded.

A quick glance about him revealed that the little room boasted but one chair so he led her to the bed and sat down beside her.

‘It would be foolish to deny that your impersonation of Kitty won’t raise a few eyebrows,’ he said, taking her hands in his. ‘However, with the support of Lady Edgeworth, I intend to put it about that Kitty was too shy to claim her inheritance and you were a friend doing her a favour. We will present it as nothing more than a silly prank which went too far.’

‘Do you think people will believe your explanation?’ Kate asked anxiously.

‘There is no reason for them to doubt me.’ Randal paused. ‘I am curious though. Why did you take such a risk for someone who was almost a stranger to you? Surely, it wasn’t just for the money?’

Mary had told him of Katharine’s fervent wish to rid herself of debt, and she had spirit enough for any bold venture, but the penalties for forgery and fraud were extremely severe.

‘I felt sorry for her,’ Kate answered simply. ‘You see, I knew what it was like to feel alone and afraid.’

Randal smiled at her warmly. ‘I intend to see to it that you never have to feel that way again, my brave darling.’

Kate’s heartbeat increased, leaving her feeling giddy. ‘Truly, I didn’t think there was much risk,’ she protested in a slightly breathless voice. ‘If I had known Sullivan had written to you I wouldn’t have dared come to Chester.’

Randal’s smile broadened. ‘I’m glad you did,’ he said reaching out to stroke her hair.

The ardent glitter in his eyes that made Kate colour up.

‘You mustn’t worry,’ he murmured, taking pity on her blushes and returning to the subject under discussion. ‘Our profuse apologises should soothe any ruffled feathers and, with luck, it will soon be just a piece of girlish foolishness, forgotten once fresher tid-bits become news.’

‘But what about the rest of it, Randal? Even if you introduce me as a baronet’s daughter, someone still might recognise me.’ Kate shivered. ‘Sean did.’

Randal squeezed her hands gently. ‘Do you think I hadn’t thought of that possibility, you goose? It is a risk we will have to take. If the worse comes to the worse, we shall brazen it out.’ He smiled at her. ‘I am not without influence, you know.’

Kate nodded slowly.

‘What’s more, I intend to see to it that we have powerful allies. Lady Massey likes you. With your permission, I shall tell her and a few select others a carefully edited version of the truth.’ A wicked grin suddenly split his handsome face. ‘A well-bred widow, who was forced to earn her own crust, foils the dastardly villain and saves the day. You’ll be a heroine, sweetheart.’

A tiny tendril of hope began to unfurl in Kate’s heart.

‘Do you really think they will accept me?’

He nodded confidently. ‘You are of their world and, besides, even the highest sticklers, like my sister Milly, acknowledge certain actresses to be respectable.’

‘Like Mrs Siddons, you mean?’ Kate met his gaze thoughtfully. ‘Well, my reputation is as unblemished as hers at any rate.’

Randal was honest enough to admit to himself that he was glad Kate had taken no lovers since her husband’s death.

‘But it is your character, the unique essence which makes you yourself, and not your past, which is important to me,’ he avowed quietly and, remembering that he hadn’t even known her real name when he had asked her to marry him, Kate realised he spoke the truth.

‘Last night you repaid my faith in you by confessing you were an impostor. You trusted me just as I’d always hoped you would. Now I know the whole story, it further vindicates my belief in your integrity.’ He bent forward and kissed her cheek tenderly. ‘I admire your courage, my love, and I’m sure others will too.’

Kate blinked away tears of joy.

Taking a tiny box from the pocket of his coat, Randal flipped the lid open and held it out to her. ‘We can get you something else if you prefer, but I thought you might like to wear this as a token of our betrothal.’

‘Oh Randal!’ Kate stared down at the beautiful poesy ring from his father’s collection and the garnets twinkled like fire as her eyes misted afresh.

Here is my heart
… He slipped it onto her finger and she flung her arms around his neck and kissed him with all the love and passion that burned in her soul.

Desire exploded in them both. Breathless and giddy, they sank back onto the bed and for one endless moment the world was lost, drowned in a sea of pleasure.

‘No, my dearest love, no!’ Fighting temptation, Randal broke off the kiss. ‘Not like this! Not in these drab surroundings were we may be disturbed at any moment!’

He propped himself up on one elbow and smiled down into her puzzled face. ‘You deserve better.’

Devlin had treated her badly. He wanted to show her that lovemaking could be different, wanted to make their first time special for her.

‘Let’s wait for our wedding night, eh sweetheart?’

Much as she desired him, Kate realised he was right. It was going to be difficult facing the world she had hoodwinked. Knowing that any lewd speculations about their relationship were unfounded would bolster her confidence.

‘Come on!’ Randal sprang to his feet. ‘It’s time we got you round to Abbey Square.’

Kate scrambled from the bed. ‘Lady Alicia is willing to take me back?’ A delighted expression lit up her face.

‘She suggested it. She also suggested I might like to call upon the Bishop whilst you are unpacking.’ He grinned at her baffled expression. ‘To arrange for a special license, my love. You do want to marry to me as soon as possible, I hope?’

Kate nodded enthusiastically.

‘Good. Then we can be married before Emma sails for Spain.’ Randal took her hands in his own, laughter in his brilliant blue eyes. ‘When I left her, Alicia was blissfully devising arrangements for the ceremony, subject to your approval, of course.’

‘Should you mind if I invited Mary and Ned?’ Kate experienced a stab of guilt. Ned was expecting her to go with them to America! ‘I feel as if I am letting them down by leaving the company so abruptly.’

‘Of course you may invite them and anyone else you wish.’ He smiled reassuringly at her. ‘They are your friends. I’m sure they will understand your decision and be happy for you.’ He looked deep into her eyes. ‘It’s time for you to return to your own world, Katharine. You belong here with me, not with the Gillman Players.’

Kate’s face lost its frown of concern and she smiled back at him.

He was right. She would miss everyone in the company, but they would survive without her. Many theatres were already closing for the summer, which would enable Ned to find an actress to replace her and, with Kitty’s help, she felt certain they would achieve success in America.

‘Time to go,’ Randal said firmly, rousing her from her speculations. ‘I’ll collect your belongings while you attend to your hair.’

Kate began to bundle up her curls into a high knot. ‘What of Sullivan?’ she asked out of reluctant curiosity as she pushed home the final hairpin.

‘You needn’t worry. I’ve taken care of him.’ Randal picked up her valise, placing it on the bed. ‘He won’t bother us again.’

‘Why did you suspect him?’ Kate dropped her hairbrush into the valise. ‘He was always so agreeable.’

‘When he thought himself unobserved, he lost that perpetual smile of his and looked as if he wanted to spit in your face.’ Randal shrugged. ‘It made me decide to keep a watch on him.’

‘So that’s why you invited him to dinner and were friendly towards him!’ Remembering her absurd suspicions Kate was ashamed.

‘Aye, but I slipped up that night at the theatre. I spotted him heading backstage as I arrived and meant to follow him, but I was waylaid by Mrs Egerton, who kept me talking. He’d vanished by the time I escaped her, but when I went to seek you, your box was empty, although I soon discovered that Alicia was present. Eventually, I wondered if you had stepped outside for a breath of air.’

Randal remembered the unease which had assailed him when he couldn’t find her. Then he’d caught a glimpse of a man running in the distance with a strange bundle slung over his shoulder.

Instinct had prompted him to follow, thank God!

‘I never saw his face that night. If I had—’

‘Don’t let’s dwell on it,’ Kate interrupted with a shudder.

‘As you wish, sweetheart.’

Kate closed the valise. There was something else that had to be said before she could forget the past.

‘You haven’t uttered a word of reproach,’ her voice trembled. ‘But I want you to know that I am ashamed about all the lies I told you.’

‘Kitty might have died without your help,’ he reminded her. ‘Certainly, she would have lost her fortune.’ He adjusted the set of his elegant waistcoat a trifle diffidently. ‘Beside, I have to confess that I wasn’t always above board in my dealings with you.’

He quickly explained how he had persuaded Alan Hilton to enjoy a few days out of town. ‘And I contacted the Hogans in secret.’

Kate grinned. ‘The end justifies the means,’ she murmured, suddenly feeling better.

‘We would never have met if you hadn’t embarked upon this crazy scheme,’ he agreed, smiling back at her.

‘I hadn’t thought of that!’ Kate laughed and, picking up her bonnet, put it on.

Randal took the valise and ushered her towards the door.

‘Randal!’ Kate came to an abrupt halt. ‘You still haven’t told me!
How
did you know I wasn’t Kitty? I thought Sean’s acknowledgment had convinced you!’

He grinned at her. ‘Remember you informed me at our first meeting that Kitty possetted all down my new coat at her christening?’

Startled, Kate nodded.

‘Well, my old nurse whisked the pair of us off to the nursery to be cleaned up. I was very indignant at the time, I can tell you! Maybe that’s what fixed the memory in my mind, although it became buried later. I suppose it was responsible for my instinct insisting that you were an impostor, but it wasn’t until last night when you wore that skimpy Egyptian costume that it finally resurfaced and I realised why you couldn’t be Kitty.’

Putting down the valise, Randal turned to face Kate squarely.

‘You see, sweetheart, Kitty has a large strawberry mark just here.’ His fingertip gently touched Kate’s left breast. ‘I saw it when Nurse changed her clothes.’ Amusement glinted in his eyes. ‘It would show in any low-cut gown, but your lovely skin is unmarked.’

Kate’s lips parted in astonishment. No wonder Kitty favoured such modest necklines!

‘
O what a tangled web we weave
,’ she chuckled.

‘
When first we practise to deceive!
’ Randle finished the quote from
Marmion
for her. ‘But your deception was masterly, my love. If it hadn’t been for that nagging memory I would have been fooled like all the rest.’

He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it. ‘I think you are an excellent actress, Mrs Devlin. I just hope you won’t miss the stage too much.’

Kate shook her head firmly. ‘My ambitions lie in another direction, sir.’

One dark eyebrow rose in enquiry.

Kate wound her arms around his neck and lifted her smiling face to his. ‘I want to make you such a good wife that even your sister Milly will approve of me.’

‘If she doesn’t, then the Devil can fly away with her!’ Lord Redesmere declared promptly and bent to kiss his beloved’s waiting lips.

Copyright © 2000 by Gail Mallin

Originally published by Mills and Boon (978-0263168570)

Electronically published in 2012 by Belgrave House/Regency

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