The Mysterious Miss Fairchild (HQR Historical) Read online

  ‘And you shall know, but not yet.’

  ‘To return to the Grishams’ invitation,’ Mrs Pridham broke in, before Natalya could press her husband further. ‘Your lessons will be completed by noon so there is no reason you should not go. However, it must be in our carriage and with your maid in attendance. Come, Natalya, we are not being unreasonable.’

  Natalya observed how her aunt’s mouth stretched to a smile, but it never reached her eyes. She had learned that the expression meant there would be no more discussion and she gave in.

  * * *

  Two days later, she set off in the carriage with her maid for Royal Crescent.

  As she expected, the Grishams’ drawing room was crowded with familiar faces, mainly young ladies, although a smattering of gentlemen were in attendance, including Freddie. Those who did not wish to draw were expected to pose for the others, but recalling the confrontation with Tristan when he had seen her portrait of his nephew, Natalya chose this time to make a likeness of Mrs Grisham, who was good-natured enough to sit in the corner for the whole of the afternoon, demanding only that she should be supplied with tea, cake and conversation.

  Freddie did not appear overly put out by Natalya’s choice and he happily agreed to sit for Jane Grisham to take his likeness. It seemed to Natalya that they were getting on very well and doing far more talking and laughing than sketching. However, when the groups reformed after stopping to partake of refreshments in the form of tea or lemonade and cakes, Natalya’s friends conspired to prevent her drawing anyone except Freddie. He cast her a laughing, rueful glance and suggested they should take the vacant seats by the window.

  ‘Your friends are determined to throw us together,’ he murmured as they sat down.

  ‘Yes, and I am very sorry for it. I beg your pardon, Freddie, I would not wish to make you uncomfortable.’

  ‘I am not, I assure you.’ He was silent for a while, then said, ‘I am quite reconciled now, you know. To not marrying you.’

  ‘I am glad of it, but pray, hush now. After my last, deplorable effort to capture your likeness, I am determined to do much better this time!’

  Her pencil was flying over the paper as she concentrated, taking frequent glances at his profile as the drawing progressed.

  ‘I am resigned to the fact that you cannot love me,’ he told her, his eyes fixed on a spot across the room. When Natalya followed his glance she realised he was looking at Jane Grisham and a smile tugged at her lips.

  She said, ‘Admit it, Freddie, I have not broken your heart.’

  He looked for a moment as if he would argue, then he gave a long sigh. ‘You must think me very fickle.’

  ‘No, merely a trifle impetuous. You offered for me far too quickly, you know.’ She sketched a few more lines before sitting back and looking at him. ‘Next time you should wait a little longer. Make sure of your feelings before you speak.’ She stopped, her pencil poised in mid-air and gave a little crow of laughter. ‘Good heavens, I sound very much like a maiden aunt!’

  He grinned at her. ‘But the advice is sound, Lya!’

  She sobered. ‘Then let us make it clear to everyone that we are not going to be married and as soon as possible. I have not forgotten those threats against you, Freddie.’

  ‘That is one very good reason to carry on with the pretence,’ he retorted, frowning. ‘I’m dashed if I will let anyone think I have given in!’

  ‘No one will think that at all, but the Pridhams might be more comfortable about your attending my party!’

  He smiled at that, but it was a little forced.

  ‘Actually, I am not sure I should attend,’ he told her. ‘I received a letter from my mother today. She has heard from an old friend of hers who lives in Bath that we are to be married.’

  ‘Oh, no!’

  ‘Alas, yes. Mama is distraught. She is very angry with Tristan, too, for she knows he is in Bath and thinks he has been keeping this from her. Which is true, but only because he was convinced the whole thing would fizzle out.’ He added without rancour, ‘And he was right, too, damn him.’

  ‘Oh, dear, we should not have kept up the pretence.’

  ‘No, that’s not it, Lya. The lady in question saw us at the Assembly Rooms, the night Mrs Ancrum escorted you.’

  ‘When we danced together several times.’

  ‘Yes.’ He nodded. ‘She put two and two together and, well, that was it. She dashed off a letter to Frimley immediately, assuming that Tristan’s presence at the ball meant the match had the family’s blessing.’

  Natalya put a hand to her cheek. ‘Oh, Freddie!’

  He sighed. ‘Mama is a widow, you see, and not in the best of health. She depends upon Tristan to look out for me and this letter has put her in quite a pelter.’

  ‘Oh, your poor mama. You must go and reassure her that there is no cause for concern.’ She hesitated. ‘And you should tell Lord Dalmorren so, too. Before you leave Bath.’

  ‘Thank you, yes, I think it would be best. After all, he will know soon enough.’

  ‘I really think you should go to Frimley as soon as maybe,’ she urged him. ‘If you wait for my party, it will be another full week before you reach your mother. Just think how anxious she will be by then.’

  ‘Do you really think I should do that? You would not mind?’

  Recalling the threats made against him, Natalya was relieved that he was leaving Bath, but she thought it best not to say so.

  ‘I do not mind in the least,’ she told him. ‘I shall miss you, but I truly believe you should make all haste to speak to your mama in person.’

  ‘You are right, by Jove. I shall set to work on it immediately.’ He jumped up. ‘I can make all the arrangements today and be off at dawn.’ He crossed the room to say a few words to his hostess but before leaving he returned to Natalya and took her hand. ‘Adieu, Lya, and thank you!’

  He pressed a kiss upon her fingers and turned away, but at that moment Lord Dalmorren entered and Freddie was obliged to stop before he reached the door.

  ‘Why, Tristan, I did not know you were coming!’

  His cheerful greeting carried across the room to Natalya, but the shock of seeing Tristan set her heart thudding in her chest and Freddie’s parting words were lost to her. She pretended to concentrate upon her drawing, but from the corner of her eye she saw him clap his uncle on the shoulder and hurry off.

  She felt breathless and giddy, half-hoping, half-dreading Lord Dalmorren’s approach, but her next surreptitious glance showed her that he had been intercepted by Mrs Grisham.

  Natalya breathed deeply, trying to compose herself, dismayed at Tristan’s power to disconcert her. There was no reason for her to feel uncomfortable, she was doing nothing improper. Then she looked down at the sketchpad. This latest drawing of Freddie was no better than her first attempt. If anything, it was worse. She had not been able to capture his boyish looks and once again she had made his face too lean, too serious.

  Tristan was making his way across the room towards her. Natalya looked up and the breath caught in her throat. She gave a second, horrified glance at her sketch pad. There was no doubt. The flat planes of the face, the straight nose and strong chin, even the hard, penetrating eyes. The face she had drawn belonged to Tristan, not his nephew.

  Oh, good gracious, what was wrong with her! Natalya quickly shut up the pad and put it behind her as Tristan sat down on the chair so recently vacated by Freddie. She would die rather than have him see that drawing!

  ‘Good afternoon Miss Fairchild.’ His voice was perfectly pleasant, but she was painfully aware of the shadow of suspicion in his eyes. ‘What did you say to my nephew that sent him flying from the room?’

  ‘He is making arrangements to visit his mother,’ she told him. ‘She has heard rumours that we are to be married and he wishes to reassure her it is not true.’

  ‘
Or is he merely putting her off the scent?’

  ‘No! There is no possibility of our marrying.’ She threw him a glance of pure exasperation. ‘I wish you would believe that I do not want to marry Freddie!’

  ‘But does he want to marry you?’

  She bridled. If he thought her so unsuitable a bride, let him stew in anxiety over his nephew a little longer.

  ‘That is for Freddie to tell you, not I.’

  She picked up her sketchbook and rose from the chair, but as she went to walk away Tristan reached out and caught her wrist.

  ‘I hope you are not playing fast and loose with Freddie’s affections, madam!’

  Her lip curled. ‘I would never do such a thing!’ Slowly she shifted her glance to his fingers. ‘Now you will unhand me, if you please.’

  * * *

  Tristan watched Natalya walk away, head high, back ramrod straight. He cursed himself for handling the situation so badly. He had come to the Grishams expressly for the pleasure of seeing her, talking to her, but the first thing to catch his eye as he entered the room was the sight of Freddie pressing a kiss on her dainty hand. He had seen the way she smiled at Freddie, how her eyes followed him as he left her side, and he was conscious of a burning desire to have her look at him in that way.

  The wave of jealousy that crashed over him shook him to the core. He wanted to believe her when she said she would not marry Freddie, but the boy’s demeanour as he was leaving the room, his barely suppressed elation, was not that of a man recently rejected by his lover.

  Rational thought was subsumed by anger and suspicion. Tristan saw his hostess bearing down upon him again and dragged together his scattered wits. He apologised for calling, explained he had been looking for his nephew and now had only to follow him back to George Street. With that he left, knowing he looked and sounded quite distracted.

  * * *

  ‘Lord Dalmorren did not stay long,’ remarked Jane, packing away her pencils. Natalya, who was sitting beside her, said nothing. She was still shaken from their encounter, unhappy that they should be at odds.

  Jane continued, ‘Apart from a word with Freddie as they passed and to take his leave of Mama, he spoke only to you, Lya. What did he say?’ She leaned closer. ‘Did he come expressly to forbid the banns?’

  ‘No!’ How Natalya wished she and Freddie had made it clear that he was no longer courting her. Well, that must be mended and she would begin immediately. She said, ‘There is no question of my marrying Mr Erwin. We have decided we should not suit.’

  To her chagrin, Jane gave a little crow of laughter.

  ‘Oh, Lya, what a fib! When he has been sitting in your pocket ever since he first came to Bath!’

  Natalya gave up and moved away. It did not matter. Tomorrow Freddie would be on his way to Surrey and everyone would realise very soon that it had been nothing more than a harmless flirtation that had run its course.

  * * *

  Tristan was up early the following morning to see Freddie off. Over dinner last night, the boy had told him of the letter from his mother and explained he was going to tell her there were no truth in the rumours of his forthcoming marriage to Natalya, but still Tristan could not be easy. He had not pressed him but now, as they walked out to the post chaise, he knew he could not put it off any longer. Damnation, he was the boy’s guardian as well as his uncle.

  The house servants were all indoors so he stopped Freddie on the doorstep, out of earshot of the postilions and Freddie’s valet, who was holding open the carriage door for him.

  ‘Freddie, forgive me, but have your feelings for Miss Fairchild truly changed, or have you withdrawn your suit because of what happened at the Cock Tavern?’

  ‘Damnation, Tris, I am not one to run shy because of a few threats!’

  ‘No, I know that, but,’ Tristan forced himself to ask, ‘are you still in love with her?’

  ‘If I was, do you think I would be leaving Bath and missing her birthday?’ When he had jumped into the carriage, the valet closed the door and scrambled up on to the box beside the driver. Freddie let down the window and put out his head.

  ‘If you are anxious about what Mama will say about this business with Natalya, pray do not be, Tris. I am off to put her mind at rest.’

  With that he gave a cheery wave and put up the window as the carriage pulled away. Tristan made his way back into the house, realising that the boy had not quite answered his question.

  * * *

  The Pump Room was crowded when Natalya entered with her aunt and it was some moments before she saw Mrs Ancrum. Excusing herself, she made her way across the room.

  ‘I thought I should not see you here,’ declared Mrs Ancrum as Natalya came up to her. ‘Why, it must be past noon by now!’

  ‘It is, but Mr Pridham insisted we finish our studies.’ She rolled her eyes. ‘Russia’s role in the recent war! I suppose he thought it would be of interest, since the newspapers are full of the Tsar’s visit to England next week. But it is the last morning I need spend on such matters,’ she said, eyes twinkling. ‘I have decided to give up all my lessons. There shall be no more Italian, or drawing, history or anything else, as from today!’

  ‘Oh, is today of special significance?’ asked the old lady, feigning innocence. ‘Ah, yes, it is Friday. The third of June, I think.’

  ‘You are quite right ma’am, and tomorrow is the fourth. You are a wicked tease!’

  Mrs Ancrum was delighted with this reply and she laughed. ‘Did you think I would forget your birthday, my dear? You know I rarely go out of an evening, but I shall be at your party tomorrow night, you may be sure.’

  ‘I depend upon it,’ Natalya replied. ‘You shall be my guest of honour.’

  ‘What? I thought that would be young Mr Erwin.’

  ‘No, indeed, even if he was coming.’

  ‘Is he not?’

  Natalya shook her head. ‘He is gone into Surrey for a while.’

  ‘To apprise his mother of his forthcoming nuptials, no doubt. Oh, do not colour up so, my love, everyone in Bath has heard the rumours.’

  ‘But there is no truth in them, ma’am. I am not going to marry Freddie Erwin.’

  Mrs Ancrum frowned at her. ‘And why not? Have you allowed yourself to be browbeaten by your Uncle Pridham? Or has Lord Dalmorren said something to you?’

  ‘Oh, His Lordship disapproves of me,’ she said bitterly, remembering their last meeting. ‘He thinks me a most unsuitable bride for his nephew!’

  ‘Well, he has no reason to do so!’

  ‘Does he not, ma’am? Can you be sure of that?’

  For once Mrs Ancrum looked less than certain, but she rallied quickly and told Natalya not to be so anxious.

  ‘I am sure Pridham will make everything clear to you in the morning. And if it is not quite what we would wish for you—’ the old lady patted her cheek ‘—well, we shall see!’

  * * *

  Natalia awoke to a sunny morning that augured well for the day. Her birthday. Aggie bustled in with her hot chocolate and she sat up in bed, a little thrill of excitement shimmering through her. She had given up asking her aunt and uncle about her parents. ‘When you are older’ was the constant response. Well, today she was older. She was one-and-twenty. Today she would at last learn the truth.

  * * *

  As soon as she had dressed and broken her fast, Natalya made her way to the drawing room where she found her aunt and uncle waiting for her. Mrs Pridham came forward to greet her and acknowledged the occasion by awkwardly kissing her cheek. Her husband fetched a leather box from the mantelshelf and held it out to Natalya.

  ‘Your mother’s pearls,’ he explained. ‘I thought you might like to wear them for our little party this evening.’

  She opened the box and gazed at the contents. On a bed of blue velvet nestled a single string of pearls and matching drops for her
ears.

  ‘They are beautiful, sir, thank you.’ She looked up. ‘These belonged to my mother, you said. Will you tell me something about her?’

  Natalya waited expectantly. Her uncle shifted from one foot to the other and would not meet her eyes. She noticed that her aunt had returned to her seat and was nervously pleating the skirts of her morning gown and then smoothing them out again. All the old dread resurfaced. The fear that she was an unwanted lovechild, an abandoned foundling. She felt quite sick.

  ‘Please, please tell me,’ she whispered, hot tears burning her eyes. ‘However unwelcome, however unpleasant the truth may be, it cannot be worse than my imaginings.’

  Her uncle shook his head. He said solemnly, ‘It was my intention to explain everything today, but unfortunately circumstances have changed. You must be patient a little longer.’

  ‘Patient! I have been patient all my life, sir.’

  ‘I know, but we cannot tell you yet, Natalya.’

  ‘You mean you will not!’ She dashed a hand across her eyes. ‘I am forced to conclude that my...my history is too shameful to bear.’

  Her aunt uttered a protest, but Mr Pridham silenced her with a look.

  He said sharply, ‘Pray control yourself, Natalya, you are becoming hysterical. Your story is not as hopeless as you think.’

  ‘Is it not?’ She glared at him.

  He put up one hand. ‘Come, my dear, there is no need to distress yourself. All I ask is that you bear with us a little longer.’

  ‘How much longer, sir?’

  ‘You will know all before the week is out.’

  ‘Can you at least tell me if my birth is...respectable?’

  Mr Pridham walked over to the fireplace. He appeared to be wrestling with his conscience and Natalya waited in silence. At last he spoke.