The Mysterious Miss Fairchild (HQR Historical) Read online

  Tristan put down his half-empty glass. He had the impression that if he had finished his wine Mr Pridham would have suggested he should leave. He tried a more persuasive note.

  ‘Surely, if the young people are truly fond of one another, we should at least consider the matter.’

  ‘There is nothing to consider. I should be obliged to you, my lord, if you would inform Mr Erwin that his suit will not succeed.’

  ‘He will be disappointed to hear that.’ He forced himself to add, ‘As, I believe, will Miss Fairchild. I had not thought my nephew such an ineligible partner. The lady certainly does not appear to think so.’

  ‘My ward will do as she is bid,’ retorted Mr Pridham. ‘I have already told her she should forget Mr Erwin. There will be no repeat of last week’s disgraceful behaviour in the Assembly Rooms, where they spent far too much time together and attracted no little attention.’ His mouth turned down in distaste. ‘You were present, I believe, my lord. I would have thought, as Erwin’s guardian, you might have done more to prevent it. They have laid themselves open to gossip. I have informed Natalya that she will attend no more balls for the time being and her outings will be severely curtailed while your nephew is in Bath.’

  ‘You are not afraid that she will rebel?’ Tristan smiled. ‘Young love can be very overwhelming, you know.’

  ‘My lord, if you think your nephew might try to persuade Natalya to elope then I suggest most strongly that you advise him against it.’

  Tristan’s hold on his temper began to slip.

  ‘Freddie might be in love, but he is a gentleman,’ he retorted. ‘He would never contemplate taking such an outrageous step.’

  ‘I am glad to hear it.’

  Tristan regarded his host steadily. ‘Have you considered, sir, that your niece will be of age in a few weeks’ time? She will then be able to wed anyone she chooses.’

  ‘Rest assured it will not be your nephew!’

  ‘Really? From what I have observed, I believe your niece is very fond of him. Surely you would not like to see her hurt.’

  ‘That need not concern you, my lord.’ Pridham rose. ‘Now, if that is all, I am extremely busy.’

  Tristan pushed himself to his feet. Time for a little plain speaking.

  ‘You have made it quite clear that you will not countenance an offer from my nephew. Perhaps we should discuss my concerns about Miss Fairchild. You cannot be unaware that there is some talk about her parentage.’

  ‘Idle gossip that is unworthy of attention.’

  ‘Unworthy, perhaps, but the speculation cannot be other than damaging to the young lady.’

  Mr Pridham drew himself to his full height and glared up at Tristan.

  ‘My lord I am not at liberty to tell you anything of Miss Fairchild’s history, or her parents. Nor can I give your nephew any reason to hope. I am sure he is an excellent young man but he should not, must not, offer for her.’ He stalked to the door and held it open. ‘I bid you good day, my lord.’

  * * *

  Tristan made his way back to George Street, turning over in his mind his conversation with Pridham. He had expected the man to show a little more compassion towards the young couple. Instead, the fellow had exhibited a despotic attitude that would not have looked out of place in a Gothic novel. No wonder Natalya might be tempted to marry, just to escape his petty tyranny.

  Freddie had been in good spirits all week and Tristan hoped he would not be unduly disappointed by the setback. He would have to warn the boy against any hasty action, but if the pair were intent upon a union, then they should wait until they were both of age. Natalya would be one-and-twenty in a few weeks’ time, Freddie’s birthday was in October. Heaven knew he did not want them to marry, but if they were determined, he would not stand in their way. And, he thought grimly, he would have to coax his sister into accepting to the match.

  * * *

  Arriving at his house, Tristan was informed that his nephew was in the drawing room. He left his hat and gloves with the footman and went in. Freddie was standing beside the fireplace, staring down into the empty hearth, and Tristan decided to get the bad news over with as quickly as possible.

  He said, without preamble, ‘I will tell you now, Pridham is determined to forbid the banns.’

  Freddie turned towards him, his boyish countenance pale and unusually grim.

  ‘Is he, by Gad? Well, it seems he is not the only one who objects to my courting Miss Fairchild. I have been warned off, Tris.’

  Chapter Seven

  Tristan fetched two glasses of brandy and put one into Freddie’s hand. The boy was still looking very white so he put one hand on his shoulder and gently pushed him down into a chair.

  ‘Tell me,’ he ordered. ‘Everything, and from the beginning.’

  ‘You know I went out riding with Gore Conyer and Henry Grisham this morning. When we got back, I took my hack to the stables behind the White Hart and was on my way here when two fellows approached me. They seemed respectable enough and they invited me into the Cock Tavern to discuss a matter of business.’ He gave a slight shrug. ‘They addressed me by name and I thought perhaps Conyer or Middleston had put them my way, but no—’ He broke off, his brow darkening. ‘Damned impertinence! They told me they had been commissioned to talk to me, to warn me that my...my association with a certain lady who lives in Sydney Place must cease, or it would be the worse for me!’

  Tristan muttered a curse. ‘You did not recognise these men?’

  Freddie shook his head. ‘They were not part of the Pridhams’ household. At least, not that I had ever seen.’

  ‘How did they speak—were they local, educated?’

  ‘They were dressed respectably. Clerks, or servants, perhaps. Only one of them talked and he spoke very well.’ Freddie hesitated, frowning. ‘Too well, now I come to think of it. No trace of an accent. It crossed my mind at the time that perhaps he was not an Englishman. Deuced odd.’

  ‘As you say, Freddie, damned odd. What are you going to do?’

  ‘Do? Why, nothing. Even if I had changed my mind about marrying Natalya I should not withdraw now!’ He saw Tristan’s brows go up and added quickly, ‘Not that I have changed my mind. Not at all! Damn their impudence, I am not to be intimidated by such a thing!’

  ‘Nevertheless, I think we must take this seriously, at least until we learn more. Pridham told me he was not at liberty to tell me anything about his ward. A strange choice of phrase, don’t you think? Perhaps there is someone else behind all this. You will oblige me by taking your groom or a footman with you when you go abroad, unless you are in the carriage.’

  ‘Take a servant with me, everywhere? I cannot do that!’

  ‘You can and you will. By heaven, Freddie, there is some mystery here and I am damned if I will let it go. I am determined to get to the bottom of this matter. I shall write to Charles Denham tonight. He can make discreet enquiries about the Pridhams. And about Miss Natalya Fairchild.’

  ‘Dash it all, Tris, you don’t want to involve your secretary.’

  ‘On the contrary, Charles is the very best person to involve. He is discretion itself and he is currently in London on estate business, so he is well placed to look into this matter.’ He glanced at the clock. ‘I will write to him tonight. Now I must go and change for dinner.’

  Freddie had finished his brandy and was looking much more like his normal self. He replied cheerfully, ‘Oh, that is what I meant to tell you, Tris. I am off to dine with the Grishams and then we are all going to the Assembly Rooms.’

  ‘Pridham has told me that Miss Fairchild will not be attending this evening.’

  ‘That doesn’t surprise me,’ said Freddie easily. ‘Jane Grisham called on Lya earlier this week and heard that Mr Pridham had kicked up a dust about our sitting together for so long at last Monday’s ball. He is keeping her very close for a while, but Jane has
promised to carry any messages we may have for one another.’

  ‘You might wish to change your mind, then. About attending tonight’s assembly.’

  ‘No, I thought I might as well look in. Gore Conyer and Henry will be there, so we will have a merry time of it.’

  ‘While Natalya sits at home alone.’

  A faint flush coloured Freddie’s cheeks. ‘Oh, well, it is not as if my sitting at home, too, will do her any good. Better that I am seen out and about in Bath, then the Pridhams might think there was nothing so very serious in our meetings after all and relax their guard.’

  ‘I believe they are taking the matter far more seriously than that, Freddie. Have you not considered that it might well have been Pridham who set those fellows on to you?’

  ‘That would be a hare-brained thing to do. He must know that no true gentleman would allow himself to be frightened off by a few threats. However, I will take the carriage tonight, just for your peace of mind, dear Uncle!’

  With that he hurried away, seemingly far less concerned with the events of the day than Tristan.

  * * *

  After a week’s confinement in Sydney Place, Natalya was allowed to go abroad again with her friends, on the understanding that she was always accompanied by one of the Pridhams’ trusted servants, who was given strict instructions never to allow their young mistress out of their sight.

  Mr Pridham had informed Natalya of his interview with Lord Dalmorren and stressed to her that he would in no wise countenance an offer from Mr Erwin. Natalya listened to him in silence, eyes downcast, but was so incensed by his manner that she made no effort to convince him that she was not in love with Freddie.

  When she had asked him what he had told Lord Dalmorren about her parentage, his angry response that there was nothing to tell was so full of bluster she was more convinced than ever that there was something shameful in her past. Something so bad that no man would ever want her, if he knew of it. The thought was so lowering that when she next met Freddie, at the Grishams’ picnic party, his protestations were like balm to her wounded spirits.

  The picnic was an annual event, traditionally held on the first fine Monday in June, but this year a spell of early warm and settled weather had encouraged them to bring it forward to the end of May. The Grishams invited all their friends and acquaintances to join them and on the appointed day, old and young alike gathered outside their house in Royal Crescent. From there they would make their way together to Lansdown Hill by carriage or on horseback. By the way Mr Pridham had frowned up at the clear blue sky when they left Sydney Place, Natalya guessed her uncle and aunt would have preferred to stay away, but they had accepted the invitation some weeks ago and it would have been difficult to withdraw without offending the Grishams. Thus it was that Natalya was allowed to ride out on her beautiful grey mare while the Pridhams were accommodated in one of the open carriages.

  Natalya noticed Freddie riding into the Crescent on a rangy bay hack. He was accompanied by Lord Dalmorren on the black mare that she thought more suited to the hunting field than on the cobbled streets of Bath. When their eyes met, Tristan touched his hat to her, but did not approach, and she saw him frown as his nephew trotted up and greeted her with unfeigned delight.

  In the happy confusion of arrivals, it was a simple matter for Freddie to draw Natalya a little away from the others for a private word. He was outraged by her uncle’s refusal to agree to an engagement and fumed for some moments over her incarceration.

  ‘What with your uncle’s attitude, and the threats, I am tempted to elope with you this minute, if you’d agree!’

  ‘Threats?’ She looked at him closely. ‘Is there something I do not know?’

  He hesitated. ‘I had not meant to tell you, Lya, but I was warned off!’

  She listened in growing horror as he related the incident and, when he had finished, she reached out and touched his arm.

  ‘Oh, Freddie, then you might be in danger if you are seen too long in my company!’

  ‘Dash it all, Lya, I am not going to be bullied into staying away from you.’ He saw her anxious frown and said quickly, ‘Forgive me, I should not have said anything. I do not set any store by it, I assure you. In fact, it is very likely that I misunderstood the fellows and I have it all wrong. A couple of ruffians, making empty threats. And quite unnecessary, too, since Tristan had already called upon your uncle and he refused even to consider an offer from me.’ He grinned. ‘Is it any wonder, when Tristan told me of it, that I was too angry to think of anything other than running off with you?’

  ‘No, indeed! I was angry, too, at first, when Uncle Pridham told me he had rejected your suit. Indeed, I felt so rebellious that I could not bring myself to tell him I had no intention of marrying you! Nevertheless, I am appalled that someone should threaten you.’ She shivered and cast an anxious glance over her shoulder. ‘Perhaps it would be best if we do not talk together for too long at any one time. Come along, let us get back to the others.’

  He nodded. ‘Very well, although I am... I am dashed if I want anyone to think I am no longer your suitor! That would make me appear quite lily-livered.’

  She smiled, but said nothing. As they turned to rejoin the main group Natalya noticed that Lord Dalmorren was watching them. The brim of his hat shadowed his face, but she was sure he was frowning.

  ‘Freddie, could it have been your uncle who set those men on you?’

  ‘Tristan?’ He burst out laughing at that. ‘By heaven, Lya, what an idea! No, if Tris wanted to prevent the banns he would tell me to my face. He would not resort to such underhand tactics. But do let us forget all about that now. The sun is shining and I want us to enjoy ourselves. And if you do not object, I should like to go on very much as we did before. I still hope you will change your mind about me, you know.’

  ‘I am convinced we should not suit, Freddie, but I confess I would not wish you to avoid me altogether.’ She flushed. ‘I am aware there are rumours about my birth. It would be such a blow to one’s pride, you know, not to have any suitors.’ She tried to make light of it, but could not help adding anxiously, ‘Only I do not wish to put you in any danger.’

  ‘Dash it, you have no need to worry about me, my dear. I shall be on my guard in future, trust me. But remember I am your friend, Lya. You can call upon me if ever you need help.’

  Natalya was touched by this, but they were too close to the others for her to reply and they trotted up to join the riders following the carriages as they began to move out of Royal Crescent.

  Freddie went off to ride alongside Jane Grisham and almost immediately they were engrossed in conversation. Natalya thought how comfortable they looked together. Perhaps they might even make a match of it one day. Jane’s family were wealthy and well respected in Bath. There were no questions over her parentage, no objection to her as a bride for any gentleman.

  ‘Suffering pangs of jealousy, Miss Fairchild?’

  Natalya looked around to find Lord Dalmorren beside her and was mortified to feel a blush heating her cheeks.

  ‘Not at all, my lord. Freddie is free to talk with whomsoever he chooses.’

  ‘And you are not?’

  ‘You know I am not!’

  ‘Why should that be, Miss Fairchild?’

  ‘You have spoken to my uncle,’ she countered. ‘What did he tell you about me?’

  ‘Nothing. He saw no reason to say anything about you, since he would not even consider Freddie’s suit.’

  ‘Then you know as much as I.’ Suddenly she was tired of the pretence. ‘I have no idea who my mother was, or my father. I am accepted in Bath because the Pridhams are rich and claim me as their kin and also because of Mrs Ancrum’s patronage, but although the local families allow me to associate with their daughters, I am not considered a suitable match for their sons. Or for anyone.’ She thought of the threats Freddie had received and shivered
. ‘You would be advised to stay away from me.’

  ‘No, why? I am responsible to no one for my actions. If I ride beside you, it is because I want to do so. I enjoy the company and conversation of an intelligent woman. Many men do, you know, Miss Fairchild.’

  She stared straight ahead, blinking away a sudden rush of tears.

  ‘Now what have I said to make you cry?’

  ‘Why, nothing, I am merely being foolish.’

  She forced a smile. His words confirmed her fears. She had read of girls being educated to a high standard and given all the accomplishments to amuse a rich and powerful man. Not with the aim of becoming his wife, but his courtesan.

  * * *

  Tristan watched the play of emotion in Natalya’s face and could not understand it.

  ‘Have I upset you?’ he asked abruptly. ‘Perhaps you think I am trying to flirt. I assure you that is not the case.’

  ‘No.’ An unsteady laugh accompanied the words. ‘I acquit you of that, my lord. I believe you were being kind and I am very grateful.’

  The humble note in her voice irked him. He said roughly, ‘I do not want your gratitude.’

  ‘Then what do you want of me?’

  Her eyes were gleaming with angry defiance, but there was something more in their depths. Fear. She was wary as a wild creature.

  ‘Why, nothing,’ he replied. ‘Merely to talk with you. And to see how well you ride. Perhaps you have not noticed, but we have reached a stretch of flat ground and some of the others are preparing to gallop. Shall we join them?’

  The anxious look fled.

  ‘I should like nothing better!’

  They turned their mounts and trotted up beside the rest of the riders. There were calls from parents and those in the carriages for the riders to be careful, but they went unheeded. Soon they were all spread out and speeding over the turf. For the first part of the gallop Tristan kept his horse in check, following Natalya as she galloped towards the front of the pack. Not for her a gentle canter while she remained upright in the saddle, looking calm and elegant. Natalya was bent low over the grey’s neck, urging her on while the skirts of her riding habit billowed out in an azure cloud behind her. His hired mare covered the ground at an easy pace while he watched in admiration the way Natalya controlled her spirited mount. They had drawn level with the leaders when he gave the mare her head, surging forward to overtake everyone and thundering onwards to the end of the gallop, a hedge that enclosed a field of sheep.