The Mistress of Hanover Square (9 page)

‘Yes, I am sure that is so,’ Amelia said. ‘I believe someone may have mentioned the fact that we had been talking together—for no one but our close friends know that weare engaged.’ She frowned. ‘Of course, Lisa knows. When did you tell her you were thinking of marrying me—before or after you dismissed Nanny?’

‘I believe it was before…’ He stared at her. ‘You think Nanny may have heard something and passed on the information?’

‘Lisa told me yesterday that Nanny did not leave Pendleton immediately. She saw her talking to a man in the gardens—a man that she had seen Nanny speak to before.’

‘Why did you not tell me that yesterday?’

‘I did not think it important at first. I imagined Miss Horton might have a follower, but when you
said just now that servants talk, I realised that she could have been selling information—perhaps because she had been dismissed.’

‘Yes, you are right. I should have forced her to leave the house instantly.’

‘It would not have changed anything. If she already had the information…’

Gerard swore angrily and then apologised. ‘Forgive me. I should not use such language in your presence, Amelia. I have been careless. I did not imagine that my servants would gossip to strangers.’

‘It makes little difference. Our enemy would have heard as soon as our engagement was announced.’

Gerard looked concerned. ‘I have wondered if I was wrong to ask you. If I have put your life at risk…’

‘If my marriage to you renders me liable to be murdered, then it is best that I am aware of it. This threat will not go away if we deny it, Gerard. We must discover who wishes me ill. There is some mystery here and it needs to be solved.’

‘You do not accept that it is your brother?’

‘I am loathe to do so. I know that Michael resents the fact that Great-Aunt Agatha did not leave him anything. He has tried to bully me into giving him at least half of my fortune. We have quarrelled because I refuse to do as he wishes. Had my aunt wished him to share in her fortune, she would have left him money. I might have done something for him before this had he behaved in a civilised manner. Perhaps—if you believe it is Michael…’ She shook her head. ‘No! I shall not be blackmailed into giving him my
aunt’s money. She would not have wished me to do so.’

‘I do not think he would be content with a part of it. If he is willing to murder you, then he wants it all.’

‘Well, he shall not have it.’ Amelia lifted her head proudly. ‘I have my own plans for part of the money—though some must be put in trust for our children.’

‘You are thinking of your charity?’

‘That and other things. I have helped two young ladies find happiness. I know of at least two more deserving cases…’ She halted as Gerard raised his brows. ‘You do not approve?’

‘I am happy with whatever you choose to do, Amelia. I told you that I did not wish to control your fortune and I meant it.’

‘It will be
our
money. I should not dream of giving large sums away without first consulting you.’

‘I am not your brother, Amelia. Your fortune is not my first concern.’

‘Have I made you angry, Gerard? I beg your pardon. I did not mean to.’ She looked at him uncertainly.

‘I am not angry, but I would not have you think I asked you to marry me for your fortune.’

‘I did not.’ She hesitated, then, wishing to change the subject, ‘Shall we travel to Coleridge together?’

‘Yes, certainly.’ He was silent for a moment. ‘I have made arrangements for you to be protected—Lisa too. If you feel that my theory is wrong I must think carefully. Sir Michael seemed the most obvious since he would inherit.’

‘Have you considered that this person may have
something other than money on his mind—or her mind? I suppose it could be a woman…’

‘A scorned mistress?’ Gerard looked amused. ‘I have none to my credit, Amelia. When I first returned from the wars there was a lady in France, but we parted as friends when I returned to England the first time. There has been no one since.’

‘Oh…’ Amelia digested his statement in silence. Most gentlemen had mistresses before they married. She found no cause for distress in an old affair. ‘Then we are at least certain it is a man. My sister-in-law has no love for me, but she would think murder most vulgar.’

‘Vulgar?’ Laughter gleamed in his eyes.

‘You do not know Louisa. She is very strict—rude when she chooses, but
never
vulgar.’

Gerard laughed. ‘She sounds formidable?’

‘She would consider murder beneath her—and she would not approve of her husband being involved with anything of the kind. Indeed, if she suspected something untoward she would have a deal to say on the subject.’

‘Then perhaps I should look elsewhere for a motive.’

‘I cannot think of anyone I have offended other than my brother.’ Amelia sighed and looked distressed. ‘Perhaps you are right—there is no other explanation.’

‘Unless I have an enemy…’

‘Gerard?’ Amelia’s eyes widened. ‘Have you thought of someone?’

‘Unfortunately, no. I dare say I have enemies, though none I would have thought…there is
Northaven, of course. He may hate me enough to threaten, but to kill you…’ He shook his head. ‘I cannot think it, Amelia. He might wound me in a duel if he could or knock me down, but truth to tell I do not see him as a murderer.’

‘I do not see my brother in that light. A bully—yes.’

‘It is difficult. All we can do is wait until
he
shows himself—whoever he is. I have agents who may discover something, but…it might be best to delay the announcement of our engagement.’

‘You would give in to him? Surely that way he wins? And if my fortune is his object…’ Amelia waved her hand in distress. ‘As you say, it is difficult. If you wish to withdraw—’

‘Damn it, no! You cannot think it, Amelia?’

‘No…forgive me. I hardly know what I am thinking.’

‘All I want is to make you happy.’

‘Then we shall not allow this person to dictate to us. I dare say there is some risk if we go ahead and announce the engagement but there is risk in any case. At the moment our enemy is merely a shadow. Perhaps when he sees he cannot bully us he will step out into the light.’

‘You are both wise and brave,’ Gerard murmured, taking her gloved hand to kiss it. ‘Now we shall talk of happier things? How many guests shall we invite to our wedding—and do you think we should hold an engagement ball?’

‘Oh, I think we shall give a ball on the eve of the wedding. I believe that will be sufficient. Shall we
all go down to Ravenshead after the Coleridge ball? I think I should like to see your home, Gerard—and we must discuss what I ought to do with Aunt Agatha’s estate. I told you that I thought we should sell some of the property, but she loved that house and I am very fond of the garden…’

Amelia was feeling more settled in her mind when they returned to the house an hour or so after they left it. They had discussed most aspects of the wedding and settled that they would keep Amelia’s home and also the house in Bath and Gerard’s London house, which was larger than her own. Most of the other property would be sold or let to tenants, and the money invested in some form of trust for their children. However, the identity of the person who was trying to prevent their marriage remained a mystery. She knew that Gerard still felt her brother the most likely culprit, though he intended to set his agents the task of discovering if either of them was being watched. There was nothing more they could do for the moment except be vigilant.

Amelia parted from Gerard and went upstairs to her own apartments to change into a more suitable gown. She noticed that the blue velvet cloak she had loaned Emily was not lying on a chair in the sitting room. She could not recall if it had been there when she left earlier that morning, because she had been in too much hurry. Either Emily had taken it and gone out or she had tidied it away. Perhaps she was in her room now.

Amelia knocked at the door. Receiving no answer, she opened it and went in. As the maid had said
earlier, the bed had been made and the room was tidy, as always. The gold purse Amelia had given Emily for Christmas was lying on the dressing table, as were one or two other gifts. It was a little odd that Emily should leave them lying there; she would normally have put them in her dressing case for safety. Amelia had an odd sensation, a feeling that Emily might have done something foolish. Surely she had not run away? Or something more desperate! Chills ran down Amelia’s spine as she recalled her childhood friend Lucinda’s terrible fate. A few years ago, Lucinda had taken her own life in her desperation—but Emily would surely not be so foolish.

Going to the armoire, she looked inside, feeling relieved as she saw the leather dressing case and Emily’s clothes. At least she had not run away. Amelia was certain that her companion would not have left without at least taking some of her clothes and the dressing case. Besides, the girl was too conscientious to go off without at least leaving a letter—and, she believed, too sensible to take her own life.

A little reassured, Amelia went to change her clothes. Shortly after, she paid a visit to the nursery, where she talked to Lisa and some of the other children. She was asked to read a story from a book that one of the children had received as a Christmas gift. She read aloud, taking Lisa and one of the others on to her lap. The others crowded about her, clutching at her clothes and staring up into her face adoringly as she acted out the story for them.

She was unaware that Gerard came to the door and watched for a few minutes before leaving.

It was almost nuncheon before Amelia was able to break away from her audience and go downstairs to join the others.

She was at the buffet table, helping herself to cold chicken, a dish of potatoes and turnips and some green vegetables when Gerard came up to her.

‘I saw you just now,’ he said. ‘It is good of you to give so much of your time to the children, Amelia.’

‘I enjoy it. Lisa asked if I would read to her and the others wanted to listen. I believe they enjoyed themselves—and, after all, Christmas is for the little ones, do you not think so? Our Lord was born at this time and it is for his sake that we hold these celebrations.’

‘You deserve a large family of your own, Amelia.’

‘I hope to have several children—if God wills it.’

She looked up into his face and her heart began to race wildly. The way he was looking at her set her on fire and she wished that they were somewhere else—anywhere that they might be alone. She wanted so desperately to be in his arms, to feel his mouth on hers—but most of all she wanted his love. She felt what was becoming a familiar ache about her heart. Gerard had loved her once, but he had told her that something had died inside him when her brother sent him away and he believed that she had merely been toying with his heart. Would he ever be able to love her as she loved him?

‘Gerard—’ she began and broke off as a footman came up to them, offering a silver salver to him.

‘This was delivered for you a few moments ago, sir.’

‘For me?’ Gerard frowned and opened the sealed note. He swore softly and then looked at Amelia in some bewilderment. ‘I do not understand—this note implies that you are a prisoner. I am to pay the sum of forty thousand pounds or you will die…but you are here…’

‘Yes…’ Amelia shivered as a trickle of ice slithered down her spine. ‘But Emily is not…’ She glanced round the room, which was filling up with guests. ‘I believe she went out early this morning and, as far as I know, she has not returned.’

‘Would she stay out so long in this weather?’

‘I cannot think it. She was feeling unhappy. I wondered if she had run away, but her things were all in her room.’

‘Who would snatch Miss Barton and demand such a huge ransom?’

‘Someone who did not know me well,’ Amelia said. ‘On Christmas Eve I was wearing a dark blue cloak with fur lining. I had bought myself a new black one for Christmas, and because the weather was so very cold I loaned the blue one to Emily. If she was wearing it when she went out, she could have been mistaken for me.’

‘Good grief!’ Gerard was astounded. ‘We must send at once and make certain she is not in her room.’

‘I shall go up myself,’ Amelia said. ‘She was not
in her room when we returned from our drive. I thought she wished to be alone and did not search for her. I should have alerted you before this, but I did not imagine that she was in danger. Excuse me…’

Amelia left her food untouched as she went immediately in search of her companion. She ran up the stairs. The sitting room was empty and so was Emily’s room. Nothing had been moved since Amelia’s last visit.

Her maid came from the other bedchamber, carrying an evening dress. Amelia asked her if she had seen Emily.

‘No, Miss Royston. I came up to fetch this dress. I was going to iron it for you for this evening. Is something wrong?’

‘Emily appears to be missing,’ Amelia said. ‘Please continue with your work, Martha—but make inquiries as you go. I am worried about Miss Barton.’

‘Yes, miss. Of course. I’ll ask if anyone has seen her this morning.’

Amelia went back down the stairs. Gerard and Harry were talking together in the hall. They turned to look at her. Amelia shook her head.

‘Martha hasn’t seen her. Her room is just as it was when I was last there.’

‘I have alerted my butler,’ Harry told her. ‘He will make sure that all the servants are asked for their last sighting of her. If we know what time she left, we may discover how long she has been missing.’

‘What can we do?’ Amelia asked. ‘How long have we been given to find the ransom, Gerard? I do not
have that kind of money available, but I will sell some investments—anything I can to recover my poor Emily.’

‘We will all contribute,’ Harry assured her. ‘However, it may be possible to recover her without giving this rogue a penny.’

‘I cannot risk Emily’s life. She was taken because they thought she was me…’Amelia could not prevent a sob of despair. ‘If only we knew who had taken her. I shall never forgive myself if anything happens to her.’

‘You cannot blame yourself,’ Gerard said and frowned. ‘I must confess that I should have been devastated had they managed to get their hands on you, Amelia.’