The Mistress of Hanover Square (6 page)

‘I doubt that Miss Barton will need to work as a companion for long,’ Gerard said. ‘You must have observed that a certain gentleman has a distinct partiality for her company?’

‘Yes, I know that Mr Sinclair has made Emily an
offer, but she is a little nervous of her situation in life and asked for more time.’

Gerard raised his brows. ‘She feels that she may not suit the ambitions of his family, because she is employed as a companion?’

‘I believe she does feel something of the kind, but I hope the matter will be resolved satisfactorily.’

‘Toby will inherit a decent estate when his father dies, but I am certain he will make his own fortune. Although he is close to his family, I do not think he would allow them to dictate to him in such a matter—and I see no reason why Emily should not be acceptable to them. Toby is of good family, but he is not the heir to an illustrious title, merely his father’s baronetcy. I see no cause for anyone to object to his choice.’

Amelia nodded. She had wondered if she might ask for Gerard for help in trying to find Emily’s child, but she had hoped to find a way of concealing the mother’s identity. Even if that was impracticable, now was not the time or place to reveal it.

‘Well, we must hope for a happy outcome,’ she said. ‘I was wondering when you thought would be a suitable moment for us to marry? Do you wish for some time to make your arrangements or would you prefer the wedding to be held quite soon?’

‘Personally, I believe the sooner we marry the better for all concerned,’ Gerard said. ‘I know that my daughter would be happy to have a new mama—and I am certainly looking forward to our wedding. Do you wish for a longer engagement or shall we settle it for a month after the ball?’

‘I think a month after the ball should be adequate time,’ Amelia replied. ‘It will give me a chance to make necessary changes. Will you wish to live at Ravenshead on a permanent basis?’

‘Are you thinking that you would like to spend a part of the year at your estate, Amelia?’

‘I like to spend some part of the summer in Bath and I must visit London several times a year to oversee my children’s home, but I dare say I shall like Ravenshead very well.’

‘There will be time enough to decide once you have visited,’ Gerard told her. ‘We must have the lawyers draw up the settlements, Amelia. I should not wish to control your fortune, though I will help you to manage it if you so wish. It might be a sensible idea to put a part at least in trust for your children.’

‘That is an excellent notion,’ Amelia agreed, a faint blush in her cheeks. ‘I have a great deal of property—mostly houses. Great-Aunt Agatha acquired a considerable portfolio during her lifetime. I have wondered whether it might be better to sell most of them and reinvest the money. I should greatly appreciate your opinion, Gerard. I have my man of business, naturally, and my lawyers—but there has been no one I could turn to with my problems. No one I could truly trust. I have good friends, of course, but one does not like to ask advice in these matters.’

‘I am sure Harry would have been happy to help you, Amelia. He has an excellent head for business. However, you have me now, my dearest. Any
concern—the slightest worry—you may address to me, and I will do my best to take it from you.’

‘Thank you, Gerard. You are most kind…’ Amelia spoke carefully. He seemed so considerate, but was it merely the kindness he would offer to any friend?

Gerard looked at her oddly. She thought he was about to speak once more, but they had reached the dining room and Amelia found that she was sitting between Gerard on her left side and an elderly gentleman she knew slightly on the other. The time for confidences had passed, and though she made polite conversation with both gentlemen throughout dinner there was no chance of talking privately to Gerard.

Amelia glanced round the dinner table. Everyone was smiling and looking pleased. Susannah was a generous hostess and her cooks had excelled themselves. Course after course of delicious food was served to the guests and it was late before Susannah rose to take the ladies through to the drawing room. The gentlemenre mained to drink port and smoke their cigars, while the ladies took tea in the drawing room.

It was nearly eleven o’clock when the gentlemen joined them at last, and then the present-giving ceremony took place. Susannah and Harry had bought gifts for all their guests. The footmen took these round on silver trays and there was a great deal of exclaiming and cries of pleasure as the small gifts were unwrapped to reveal things like Bristol-blue scent bottles for the ladies and enamelled snuffboxes for the gentlemen.

Amelia had already exchanged personal gifts with Susannah and Harry and would open those she had received in privacy. She had purchased a silvergilt card case for Gerard, which she planned to give him the next morning after breakfast.

I
t was five and twenty minutes to twelve when the guests separated. The older members of the family said goodnight and went up to their rooms, whilst the younger guests donned cloaks and greatcoats and went out to the waiting carriages. They were driven to Pendleton church, where they joined villagers for the midnight mass. This was a special part of Christmas as far as Amelia was concerned. She felt that this year it was even more so, because she was sharing it with her fiancé. Now that she had made up her mind, the thought warmed her and she felt a little thrill of happiness. How much better life would be in the future, even if her husband were not desperately in love with her.

Amelia left the church on Gerard’s arm, feeling happy. The bells had begun to ring and it was almost a forerunner of their wedding day. As they paused for
a moment for the carriages to come forwards to pick them up, their breath made patterns on the frosty air.

‘Gerard…’Amelia began, but was shocked when he suddenly pushed her to one side so that she stumbled and fell against a prickly holly bush. ‘What…?’ Before she could finish her sentence, a shot rang out, passing so close to her that she felt a puff of air. She was struggling to recover her balance, as Gerard took out a pistol and fired at something in the shadows.

Almost at once, Amelia found that Harry and Susannah were at her side, assisting her. Everything else was confusion as people shouted and rushed about, some of the men setting off in pursuit of the would-be assassin.

‘ Amelia dearest,’ Susannah cried, looking at her anxiously. ‘Are you hurt? I do not know what happened…’

‘The earl saw him just in time,’ Emily said, for she too had rushed to Amelia’s side. ‘I noticed someone lurking over there in those trees. However, I did not realise what he meant to do until I saw him lift his arm.’

‘Did you see his face, Miss Barton?’ Harry asked. ‘I’m dashed if I noticed anything until I heard the shot.’

‘He was wearing a dark hat and a muffler,’ Emily told him. ‘I am sorry. I know that is of little use to you, but it was all I saw.’

Harry nodded and looked grim. ‘Forgive us, Amelia. We expected something might happen, but
not like this…on such a night. What kind of a man would attempt murder on Christmas Eve?’

‘What do you mean?’ Amelia stared at him. Her wrist stung where a thorn had penetrated her glove and she was feeling a little sick inside. ‘Why did you expect something to happen?’

‘Come, get inside the carriage, ladies,’ Harry said. ‘We must take you home. Gerard will explain later. He is coming now…’ He glanced at the earl, who had gone after the assassin. ‘Any luck?’ Gerard shook his head and Harry swore.

‘Amelia, forgive me for pushing you into the holly,’ Gerard apologised. ‘I knew I must act quickly—but have you been hurt?’

‘A mere scratch,’ Amelia told him. ‘Had that ball found its mark, I might be dead.’

‘I think it was meant more as a warning to me,’ Gerard said. He climbed into the carriage with her and Emily. Susannah had gone with some of the other ladies and Harry. ‘I received a threat this morning, when I returned from our walk, Amelia. It was somewhat obscure and I was not truly certain of its meaning, though I had an idea that I was being warned to stay away from you.’

‘To stay away from me?’Amelia stared at him in dismay. ‘What can you mean?’

‘I think someone had guessed that I meant to ask you to marry me—and whoever that person is he has decided that he does not wish for the marriage to go ahead.’

‘He would rather see me dead than as your wife?’
Amelia’s hand shook and she felt cold all over. ‘Who could be so evil? I do not understand who would do such a thing.’

‘Your brother threatened you,’ Emily reminded her. ‘He warned you against renewing your acquaintance with the earl.’

‘Is this true?’

Amelia met Gerard’s concerned look. ‘Yes. Michael has warned me that you are interested only in my fortune many times. I told him that I did not believe you to be so mercenary—and he did tell me that I would be sorry if—’ She broke off and shook her head. ‘I cannot believe that my brother would try to shoot me like that.’

‘He knows that if you marry me he would no longer have a chance of claiming your fortune for himself. I am sorry to say that there are some men who would stop at nothing where a large amount of money is concerned.’

‘Michael is a bully—but I am not certain he would murder for gain.’

‘At the moment he is our most likely suspect.’ Gerard reached for her hand and held it. ‘Do not fear, Amelia. You will be protected. I have already set measures in hand to have you watched all the time. I had not thought it necessary while we stayed at Pendleton. I imagined that you might be at risk once we announce our engagement, but my men will be in place by then.’ His expression was grave. ‘Unless you wish to withdraw in the circumstances?’

‘I refuse to let anyone dictate to me!’ Amelia lifted
her head proudly. ‘Whoever this person is, the threat would not go away if we postponed the announcement of our engagement, Gerard.’

‘You are as brave as I imagined.’ Gerard squeezed her hand comfortingly. ‘I had planned to tell you all this after Christmas. I did not want to spoil the celebrations for Susannah and her guests—but I am afraid that this unpleasant incident will cast a shadow over things.’

‘Can you not let people think it was merely a poacher or some such thing?’

‘At half an hour past midnight?’ Gerard smiled. ‘I could try, Amelia, but I doubt I should be believed. We might tell everyone that it was an attempted robbery.’

‘That would be much better—and it may even be the truth,’ Amelia said. ‘You say that you were warned, Gerard—how exactly were you warned?’

‘I was sent a doll that had been mutilated. A note in the wrappings said that if I cared for her I must stay away from her.’

‘Could that not have meant Lisa?’

‘Very few people even knew that I had a daughter until today,’ Gerard said. ‘Besides, why should I stay away from my own daughter—who could that benefit? She does not have a fortune…’

‘No one could benefit from her death. It would in any case seem that I am the target after what happened this evening.’ Amelia looked at him steadily. ‘It is most unpleasant, Gerard…that someone should wish to kill me for money.’

‘It is wicked!’ Emily burst out, obviously upset. ‘I think he should be ashamed of himself! Oh, do not look at me so, Amelia. It must be Sir Michael behind this monstrous plot. Who else could it be?’

‘I do not know—yet I am loathe to think my brother would stoop so low.’

‘You think well of most people,’Gerard said as the carriage began to slow down. ‘Forgive me for allowing that evil man to get near enough to take a shot at you this night, Amelia. I promise it will not happen again.’

He jumped out as soon as the carriage drew to a halt, helped Amelia down and sheltered her with his body as he hurried her into the house. Once inside, he saw how pale she looked and took her into his arms for a moment, holding her close. Amelia wanted to cling to him and weep, but controlled her feelings. Gerard would not care for a clinging wife. She stood unmoving within his arms and he let her go as they heard the other guests, who had attended mass with them, arriving.

‘Perhaps you would prefer to go straight up?’

‘Yes, I should. I do not wish to discuss the matter further at the moment. Excuse me, I shall see you in the morning.’

Amelia went quickly up the stairs, followed immediately by Emily. She was conscious of an irritation of the nerves. When Emily tried to follow her into her bedroom, she turned to her with a hasty dismissal.

‘Please excuse me, Emily. I would prefer to be alone.’

‘Yes, of course.’

Emily looked a little hurt at her tone, but Amelia was in too much distress to notice. It was bad enough that someone should try to shoot her, but to know that they all thought it was her brother who was behind the plot to murder her was lowering. Amelia had suffered much at the hands of her brother and sister-in-law—but murder was too terrible to comprehend.

She took off her bonnet and shawl, feeling glad that she had put on a gown that fastened at the front and told her maid not to wait up for her. At the moment her mind was in such turmoil that she could not speak to anyone.

Amelia slept fitfully and was awake long before the maids brought breakfast to her room. However, she had recovered from her irritation of the nerves and asked that the breakfast be laid in the sitting room. Wearing a pretty new lace peignoir, she went through to the little parlour and found that Emily was already there.

‘Good morning, my love. May I wish you a Happy Christmas?’

‘Thank you—Happy Christmas to you, Amelia. I hope you will like my gift. It is not much, but was chosen with care.’

‘I am sure I shall.’ Amelia presented her with an exquisitely wrapped parcel and smiled as Emily gave a cry of pleasure on opening it. Inside was an evening purse made of delicate links of gold, which fastened with a crossover clasp set with diamonds. It was a
very expensive gift and reflected Amelia’s true regard for her companion.

‘This is so beautiful…you are always so generous to me…’ Emily’s lashes were wet with tears. ‘To think that anyone could wish—’ She broke off and wiped her hand across her cheek. ‘I know you will not wish me to mention it, but I have not slept for thinking of what happened. Had the earl not been so alert you might not be here this morning…’

‘You must not let a silly incident upset you. It will not happen again,’ Amelia said and opened her parcel. Discovering a scarf she had admired some weeks before Christmas, she went to embrace her friend. ‘This is exactly what I wished for, Emily. How sweet of you to remember it.’

‘I bought it the day after we saw it,’ Emily said and helped herself to some toast and honey. ‘Lady Pendleton gave me a lovely scent flask with silver ends last evening, but this purse…it is the most beautiful thing I have ever owned.’

‘I am glad you are pleased with it, my love. Has Mr Sinclair given you a gift?’

‘No—but I think he has one for me. I believe he intended it to be a ring…’ She fiddled with her toast. ‘I bought a horn-and-ivory card case inlaid with gold for him, but I am undecided as to whether I should give it to him or not.’

‘I am certain that you should exchange gifts with Mr Sinclair, Emily. He is a close friend and I also have a gift for him. You may deliver mine at the same time if it makes you feel better, my love.’

‘Yes, I think it would. I should not feel so particular. May I ask what you have bought for Mr Sinclair?’

‘I purchased a rather fine diamond stickpin. It has the shape of four hands linking and I thought it might appeal to him.’

‘It will be the very thing for him,’ Emily said and laughed delightedly. ‘He was so very desperate to become a member of the Four-in-Hand Club and he delights in wearing the special waistcoat.’

‘I am very fond of that gentleman,’ Amelia said with a smile. ‘He played his part in the fortunes of both of my protégées. Susannah and Helene have both been lucky. I should be happy to see you settled as well, Emily my love.’

A delicate blush appeared in her companion’s cheeks. ‘I think I may say without fear of boasting that Mr Sinclair does care for me—but whether he could accept my shame…’

‘Emily, that is enough! The shame belongs to the man who forced you, my love. I will not have you hang your head. I was thinking that I would ask you to be my bridesmaid—and, of course, Susannah and Helene will be matrons of honour if they can spare the time from their busy lives—and Lisa must be a bridesmaid also, of course.’

‘I should be honoured,’ Emily told her and finished eating her toast. ‘Mr Sinclair asked me if I would be paying my usual morning visit to the nursery and I said yes. I have a gift for Susannah’s son—and also a little ring that I had as a girl, which I mean to give to Lisa.’

‘How thoughtful of you, my love,’ Amelia approved. ‘I bought a doll for Lisa…just in case she was staying here with her father this Christmas. I think I shall come with you this morning—if you would not mind waiting until I dress?’

‘I should be delighted. I usually go for a walk after I visit the children, but it snowed early this morning. Not enough to make walking impossible, but I felt…’ She floundered to a halt.

‘Yes, I understand.’Amelia nodded. ‘I too shall be very careful when and where I walk until Gerard has his men in place. It may be as well to remain indoors for the moment—and we may blame the weather for it is inclement.’

‘You wish to keep last night’s incident as private as possible? I doubt that it will be possible, Amelia. Not everyone will keep it to himself or herself. I dare say the incident will be whispered of, if not openly admitted.’

‘Yes, I fear that it may.’ Amelia sighed. ‘We, however, shall make light of it—there was a rogue near the church who sought to rob us. It is a weak excuse but it will suffice. Excuse me while I dress.’

‘There is no hurry. I have something to do first—besides, you have not yet opened all your letters.’

‘I have rather a lot of them, but I shall open one or two before I dress.’ She looked with pleasure at the pile of letters waiting for her.

One of Amelia’s chief pleasures in life was in writing to her friends. It was a good way of keeping in touch with many acquaintances she hardly ever
saw. Amongst the cards and greetings she had received that Christmas morning was one from a lady for whom she had profound sympathy. The lady was very much in the position Amelia had been for years, at the mercy of her family. Except that Marguerite had no chance of marriage at all and Amelia might have married if she had wished.

Something must be done for her friend, Amelia thought. A Season in town would not solve Marguerite’s problem, but perhaps she could think of some way of getting her away from her family for a while. She wrote a long and cheerful letter and sealed it. It had occurred to her that she would need someone she trusted to help her care for Lisa. Marguerite adored children and she might enjoy helping with Lisa’s education.

Glancing at the clock, Amelia realised that it was time she paid her visit to the nursery. Lisa would have had her breakfast and she would be waiting for the gift Amelia had promised her. She hoped the child would be pleased with the doll she had chosen.