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‘That might make things awkward for you, for he could try to influence your employer against you.’
‘He means to find the man responsible.’
‘Well, I think he will find that difficult.’ Daniel frowned. ‘Still, for your sake, it may be best if we do not appear to be on intimate terms, Miss Bancroft. I would not have you suffer for such a piece of nonsense. However, my advice remains the same—be careful of Cheadle, for I would not trust him. I have good reason for what I say, believe me.’
‘I believe he is painted blacker than he truly is, sir,’ Eliza said, thinking of what Lady Sarah had told her.
‘Indeed? You must know more of him than I, Miss Bancroft.’
‘Oh, no…’ She blushed under his eagle eye. ‘I hardly know him at all. I believe he could be a dangerous man to have as your enemy, my lord. Perhaps you should tread carefully in your dealings with him.’
‘You think so?’ He looked vastly offended. ‘I am not afraid of any man.’
‘No! I did not mean that, of course. It is simply that I feel as if I have known you for so long and I care what—’ She broke off in confusion—she had said far too much.
The expression of annoyance faded and a twinkle appeared in his eyes. ‘Do you, Miss Bancroft? How very odd that is to be sure. I thought it was but a few weeks since I knocked you into the bramble bush and then held a gun pointed at your heart.’
‘You like to mock me, sir. You must understand that our—acquaintance—has been a trifle unusual.’ She had a tight rein on her feelings now. ‘You knew perfectly well what I meant.’
He met her accusing look with one of amusement. ‘Perfectly, since I feel much the same. I would go so far as to say you are in my thoughts almost constantly, Miss Bancroft. You have quite overset all my well-laid plans.’
‘I do not understand you, sir.’
‘Do you not?’ He laughed softly. ‘Perhaps that is as well, for truly I do not either.’
‘You speak in riddles, sir.’ Eliza gave him a frowning glance, but her heart raced. There was such a look in his eyes, a look that seemed to challenge and provoke. She knew he was flirting with her, but could not quite squash the tiny seed of hope that had insensibly taken root in her heart. Her senses told her that this growing feeling between them was more than mere liking, but her mind denied it as a foolish girl’s dream. The sensible woman in her knew that she could never be more to him than a flirt.
She was a lovechild, a bastard, born of good families and brought up as the daughter of a country parson. Papa had been the third son of an impoverished baron, Mama the daughter of a schoolteacher. Lord Seaton was from another world, another class. She must never forget that, because if she did she would lose her claim to respectability.
‘Well, I have told you of the marquis’s intent,’ she said, recalling her duties. ‘Lady Sarah will be waiting for me.’
‘When shall I see you again? Do you attend the assembly tomorrow evening?’
He had moved closer, as if he would physically prevent her leaving. She saw his expression, the hot glow in his eyes, and her heart caught. There was something about him that told her he wanted more of her but she instinctively knew that he would think only in terms of a brief affair… a few kisses and more if he could persuade the foolish little companion to forget her modesty.
‘I am not certain. I believe we attend the theatre this evening. Lady Sarah wishes to see the production of The Taming of the Shrew.’
‘One of my favourite of Shakespeare’s works,’ Daniel declared and smiled. ‘It is also my intention to see this production. Who knows, perhaps we shall meet there, Miss Bancroft?’
‘Yes, perhaps. Now, if you will excuse me, I really must go.’
‘Must you?’ His gaze made her tremble. She almost thought he would seize her and kiss her in the street and drew back. He laughed and stood away from her. ‘Yes, I suppose you must. Yet perhaps one day I shall have my wish.’
Eliza was not prepared to ask him for an explanation. She walked away, head high, very conscious of his eyes watching her. Lord Seaton had done nothing to make her believe she was special to him, yet she was certain his decision to attend the theatres was an impulse. He had changed his plans so that they might meet for a short time. It was all they could have, just snatched moments of time when she was out walking or they both attended a function. Had she been a young lady of fortune, she would have suspected him of courting her, but as a companion she could not look so high.
Daniel watched her walk away. He knew that he was playing a dangerous game, risking everything by delaying the inevitable. His best interests clearly lay with Susanne Roberts, but he could not bring himself to speak to her or her father.
Amused by his own foolishness, Daniel turned to discover a gentleman he considered one of his best friends advancing towards him.
‘Hastings,’ he saluted him with a grin. ‘What brings you to Bath? I thought you settled in the country for a few months.’
‘Necessity,’ Jack Hastings grimaced. ‘Mama came to visit. She nagged me constantly for a week and so I brought her to Bath. I am told it is time I took myself a bride and set up my nursery. So I must find a suitable girl I can admire—preferably pretty, good-tempered and an heiress, though the money is not as important as the rest.’
Daniel nodded. His friend was dark-hared with grey eyes and a pleasant countenance. Popular with the ladies, he should have no difficulty in finding the right bride.
‘Then we are in similar straits, Jack. I need to marry well, though at the moment I have little inclination for it.’
‘You seemed vastly entertained by the young lady I saw you talking to just now.’
‘Miss Eliza Bancroft?’ It was on the tip of Daniel’s tongue to tell him that Eliza was a companion and therefore not suitable but an imp of mischief made him withhold the information. ‘Ah, yes. She won’t do for you, Jack. Besides, I saw her first, so you have no chance.’
‘Caught your fancy, has she?’ Jack Hastings instantly took up the challenge. ‘Miss Eliza Bancroft, eh? I suppose she is an heiress?’
‘I couldn’t possibly say…’
‘Keeping her all to yourself? You sly dog!’ Jack chuckled. ‘Well, all is fair in love and war, so they say. We’ll see who she prefers. Where is she staying?’
‘In the Crescent with Lady Sarah Manners.’ Daniel relented. ‘I do not think Miss Bancroft is your type, Jack. Cheadle is in town. I rather thought you liked Miss Marianne?’
‘Yes, I do.’ Jack looked gloomy. ‘She had her eye on a duke—at least, her mother did. I may inherit a fortune one day, but I’ll never be more than a baronet. Marianne wants more than that.’
‘Well, if the duke doesn’t come up to scratch she may turn to you. If I wanted her, I would go after her—sweep her off her feet. She will fall in love with you and forget about marrying nobility.’
‘Do you really think so?’ Jack Hastings looked thoughtful. ‘I believed she liked me for a while, then she went cool and wouldn’t look at me. Will you walk to the club with me, Daniel? I have a business proposition I want your advice on—if you would oblige me?’
‘Yes, of course, though I’m not sure I am the man to ask about money.’
‘It concerns setting up a racing stable. With your experience and guidance I think I might just give it a go. I should like you to look some horses over for me and see if you think they would be any good for racing. There are some yearlings and a horse I’m told has huge potential over the hurdles.’
‘In that case I should be delighted to give you my advice.’
‘It was a stroke of luck meeting you,’ Jack said, clearly pleased. ‘We could take a look this afternoon, if you like?’
‘Why not? I have nothing in particular to do, though I am going to the theatre this evening.’
‘We should be back in plenty of time.’
Daniel was pleased that his advice had been sought, because he was considered a good judge of horse flesh. It might be fate that had brought his friend to Bath. He would do well to concentrate on helping Jack to set up his stables and put Miss Eliza Bancroft out of his mind.
The letter from the Bow Street Runner he had employed was waiting for Daniel when he returned to his lodgings. He had been making exhaustive inquiries and thought he was on the trail of something important.
If my instincts are right, and they seldom fail, my lord, I believe we may have uncovered some very nasty goings on. You were on the right track, but this may be much bigger and more widespread than we imagine. I must go down to Bristol, for I think Jed Bailey may provide us with a clue, and it is my information that the girl Molly is with him. They may be in fear of their lives, but I shall write again as soon as I have something more positive.
Daniel frowned over the letter. He had hoped he was wrong, that his agent would say there was no foundation for his suspicions, but it looked as if this affair could turn out to be much worse than he had guessed—and that might result in a terrible scandal. Unless he could keep his cousin’s name out of it and somehow bring the culprits to book without giving his uncle more heartbreak.
He would have to give the matter a lot of thought. Something like this could be dangerous, both for him and the man he had employed. He must write and warn him to take no risks. If necessary, Daniel would have to employ more than one Runner to make certain this did not get out of hand.
Eliza knew that she should not let herself hope Lord Seaton would visit their box at the theatre that evening, but the possibility hovered at the back of her mind. She tried to be sensible, for she was enjoying herself and had become fast friends with Kate and her mama, though she suspected they both liked to gossip rather more than was wise.
They spent the afternoon visiting and, rather to her surprise, Eliza found herself warmly received by everyone. Even a chance meeting with Lady Roberts at the home of a mutual friend proved much pleasanter than on previous occasions. The lady gave her some intent looks and her thin lips formed a smile as she nodded to herself, seeming to confirm something in her mind. She mentioned in passing that her nephew would be in town the following week.
Eliza wondered why the lady would think it necessary to give her this information, but there was no doubt that her manner towards Eliza had undergone a distinct change.
Lady Sarah remarked on it as they drove home to rest and then change for the evening.
‘Not that I am surprised my friends should take to you, Eliza. You have charming manners, my love. I am certain they must make you acceptable to everyone.’
‘You treat me so generously, ma’am. I am sure that is the reason people are being so kind.’
Lady Sarah shook her head, but smiled to herself, seeming satisfied with the explanation.
‘My friends have accepted you for my sake,’ she said.
Eliza agreed that it must be so.
Lady Sarah was very close to the truth, but she might have been shocked had she realised the story that had begun to circulate. Fortunately, as yet it was only being whispered of by a few ladies and had not reached the ears of the gossipmongers.
However, Eliza could not help being aware that people turned their heads to look at her as she and Lady Sarah took their seats that evening. In the few minutes before the lights were dimmed, she sensed curious looks directed at her. However, she forgot all about them as the curtain went up and the play began.
It was during the first interval that something surprising happened. Not one, but four gentlemen visited their box, two of whom were unknown to Lady Sarah and Eliza. They came with friends and asked to be introduced to Miss Bancroft and Lady Sarah.
In the second interval, Lord Seaton and a friend he introduced as Jack Hastings arrived. Jack was gallant enough to go in search of drinks for them all while Daniel took a seat at Eliza’s side.
‘Are you enjoying your evening, Miss Bancroft?’
‘The play is excellent,’ she replied. ‘We have had a stream of visitors. I think Lady Sarah must have a great many friends, though she claimed not to know some of the gentlemen who visited.’
‘Indeed?’ Daniel frowned as a suspicion came to his mind. ‘I had noticed some interest in this box myself. It is a little curious, unless—’ He broke off and looked thoughtful. ‘I shall discover what is going on and tell you tomorrow afternoon. May I ask if you and Miss Henderson would care for a drive in my curricle? I could ask Mr Hastings to accompany us…’
‘I think that would be pleasant.’ Eliza leaned forwards to tap Kate on the arm and put the suggestion to her. Kate glanced round at Lord Seaton and gave him an amused glance, agreeing that a drive would be delightful. ‘We should enjoy such an outing, sir. At what time will you call?’
‘Shall we say two in the afternoon?’
‘Yes. Kate must take nuncheon with us. You will, Kate?’ Her friend nodded and she looked at Daniel. ‘We shall be ready when you call.’
Mr Hastings returned with a waiter and their champagne. The cork was popped and they toasted one another, laughing and smiling.
‘I say, that fellow is rather rude,’ Jack said, giving a young buck in the audience a frown for his impertinence. ‘He had been ogling you for the past ten minutes, Miss Bancroft. Shall I go and tell him to mind his manners?’
‘Oh, no, he is probably admiring Kate,’ Eliza said. ‘She has many admirers.’
‘Yes, I am certain she does,’ he agreed. ‘She is very pretty—but of course you are beautiful, Miss Bancroft—or may I call you Miss Eliza?’
‘Oh…’ She was flustered by his request. ‘If you wish it, I see no reason why not, Mr Hastings.’
‘You must call me Jack,’ he said and grinned at her. ‘I am certain we shall all be great friends. I shall ask Mama to invite you all to her dinner next week.’
As the bell to announce the end of the interval rang then, Eliza was saved from making a reply as the gentlemen left. She caught the mischief in Kate’s eyes, but refrained from asking what she thought so amusing.
The third interval brought another stream of visitors to their box, all of them gentlemen, or, in one case, a lady known to them with her nephew, who had just joined her in Bath. Eliza hoped that Lord Seaton might return, but he did not; though she enjoyed the performance very much, she was disappointed not to have seen more of him.
He was much in her thoughts when she went to bed that evening, but she slept peacefully without dreaming.
Next morning was spent running small errands for Lady Sarah, and greeting Kate when she arrived for nuncheon.
‘I am looking forward to our drive this afternoon,’ Kate said. ‘Mama told me she intends to visit Lady Sarah so you must not worry that she will be alone.’
‘Your mama is very kind,’ Eliza said. ‘Lady Sarah wished to stay home for once, but she will be pleased to see Lady Julia—they are such good friends.’
‘Yes, they are,’ Kate agreed and put on an innocent air. ‘Mama has known her all her life. They remained friends after… the trouble with Lord Manners. Lady Sarah has no secrets from my mother.’ Kate’s eyes sparkled with mischief. ‘Mama generally tells me most things, but she has merely hinted at something concerning you… she thinks she knows your secret, Eliza.’
‘My secret?’ Eliza’s heart pounded. Could Lady Julia have discovered that she was a lovechild? ‘I have no secret, Kate. I cannot think what you mean.’
‘You need not be afraid. Mama has not told me exactly, and neither of us would wish to harm you—but you may confide in me, you know. You are not quite what you seem—are you?’
‘Kate…’ Eliza’s cheeks burned—it seemed that Lady Julia must know the secret of her birth. ‘Please do not mention… I would not wish it generally known.’
‘I knew it,’ Kate crowed and squeezed her arm. ‘Not a word shall pass my lips, I promise. Now, tell me, what did you think of Mr Hastings? Does he not seem an agreeable sort of man?’
Eliza was relieved to have the subject changed. She could not imagine how Lady Julia knew that the Bancrofts were not her parents, but it seemed that she did somehow.
‘Mr Hastings seems very agreeable. I think he and Lord Seaton are close friends.’
‘Yes, that is a fortunate thing,’ Kate replied. ‘I do hope we shall be invited to dinner. I should like to see more of the agreeable Mr Hastings—would not you?’
‘What bee have you got in your bonnet now?’ Eliza was determined to put the embarrassing moment behind her. Kate had promised not to reveal her secret, and though the girl loved to gossip, she would surely keep her word?
Kate smiled and shook her head. Eliza laughed, because she suspected her friend thought Mr Hastings might make Lord Seaton jealous.
When the gentlemen arrived they were both driving smart phaetons with beautiful horses, and both had a young tiger standing up at the back. Kate walked confidently towards Mr Hastings’s rig and was assisted up the steps to sit beside him on the driving box. Eliza approached Lord Seaton’s phaeton with less confidence, feeling a little shy. She had thought they might all go together in an open landau driven by a coachman and was unsure it was a good idea to be seen alone with a gentleman. It was perfectly acceptable for Kate, of course, because the tiger was there for propriety’s sake, but Eliza was a companion and she feared it might look as if she were getting above herself. A gentleman of Daniel’s rank would hardly be courting a humble companion.
However, Lord Seaton’s smile made her forget her fears. His expression was warm, if a little troubled, and he showed great consideration in seeing her settled.
‘I do not think it will be too cold for you,’ he said as she took her seat beside him. ‘However, my tiger has a blanket should you need it.’
‘I am sure I shall not be in the least cold. The sun is very warm and the breeze is most welcome.’
‘How little fuss you make on any account.’ Daniel smiled at her, but she saw a shadow in his eyes. ‘Are you always so forgiving, I wonder? I think what I have to tell you this afternoon may prove upsetting, Miss Eliza… I hope I may call you by your name, as Jack does?’
‘Yes, certainly, my lord.’ Her eyes opened wider as she looked at him curiously. ‘You sound very serious?’
‘I am. Do you think you could call me Seaton, as my friends do? I think Daniel in private, but that may be a step too far just yet?’
‘I think it might be inappropriate, my… sir,’ Eliza said and felt her cheeks getting warm. ‘There is a distance between us, even though you have been kind enough to make nothing of it. Perhaps you should tell me what is in your mind? I think you are troubled—is it on my account?’
‘You are always so perceptive.’ Daniel glanced at her as they left the busy main street and turned off into a quiet country lane. ‘It might have been better had I waited until we could walk alone—but my tiger may be trusted. Even if he could hear us, he would never breathe a word. Would you, Will?’
‘What’s that, my lord?’
