The Regency Season: Blackmailed Brides: The Scarlet Gown / Lady Beneath the Veil. Sarah Mallory

Delphenden, about fifteen miles hence. I am on my way home after visiting friends in Skipton and thought, since I was passing—’

      ‘That is hardly passing,’ Ralph broke in. ‘You have come a good deal out of your way to get here.’

      Adam laughed. ‘True, but your letter intrigued me and I wanted to know more—and to meet your future bride, of course.’

      He turned to Lucy as he said this, but although his words were uttered with a smile Lucy thought the look in his eyes was more speculative than welcoming.

      ‘There is very little more to know,’ Ralph responded calmly. ‘Miss Halbrook and I met in London and she has done me the signal honour of agreeing to become my wife.’

      ‘No, no, Ralph, you will not fob me off like that,’ cried Adam, laughing. ‘What a fellow you are for keeping things close! I am determined to know all about this engagement.’

      ‘And so you shall.’ Ralph smiled. ‘There is nothing secret about it.’

      ‘No, no, I never— That is...’ Adam coloured. ‘I was not suggesting there was anything... The news came as something of a surprise, that is all.’

      ‘Miss Halbrook’s father died twelve months ago and she has only recently come out of mourning. That is why we have made no announcement yet.’

      Ralph’s tone indicated that this explained everything. Lucy was well aware that it did not and was relieved when Mrs Dean asked Mr Cottingham about his wife.

      ‘How is dear Judith, Adam?’

      ‘She is well, thank you.’

      ‘Oh, that is good. I vow I have not seen her since the last house party here at Adversane—and how are the children?’ She turned to Lucy. ‘Adam has two fine boys, my dear. I suppose they are both at school now, are they not?’

      ‘Yes, Charlie joined his brother last term...’

      The conversation turned to family matters and Lucy felt she could relax, at least for a while, although she was aware of Adam Cottingham’s thoughtful gaze frequently coming to rest upon her. She was not surprised, therefore, when he turned his attention towards her once more but by that time she was more prepared to answer his questions, adhering to Ralph’s advice that they should tell the truth wherever possible.

      * * *

      When Mr Cottingham went off to change for dinner, Lucy sank back in her chair and closed her eyes.

      ‘Good heavens, I feel completely exhausted!’

      ‘You did very well, my dear,’ Ariadne told her. ‘Although I thought it a little impolite of Adam to ask you quite so many questions.’

      ‘He is my heir,’ Ralph reminded her. ‘He has more of an interest in the matter than anyone else.’

      Lucy sat up again. ‘Do you think he suspects the engagement is a sham?’

      Ralph’s brows went up. ‘Why should he?’

      ‘It was the way he kept looking at me.’ Lucy hesitated. ‘I think he noticed my resemblance to the late Lady Adversane.’

      ‘She has seen the portrait, Cousin,’ said Ralph in response to Mrs Dean’s gasp of mortification.

      ‘And it is hardly surprising if he did notice, since all the clothes I have to wear are identical to Lady Adversane’s.’ Lucy lifted her chin and met his eyes defiantly. ‘What is it you are not telling me, my lord?’

      ‘There is nothing that need concern you,’ said Ralph dismissively. ‘However, I do think the portrait should be reinstated in the Long Gallery.’

      Mrs Dean looked at Lucy. ‘As long as that will not upset you, my dear?’

      Lucy shook her head. ‘I think it would cause a great deal more comment if you do not put it back.’

      ‘I agree.’ Ralph rose. ‘Now if you will excuse me, since we will have to wait for my cousin before we can eat, I shall use the time to attend to a little more business.’

      He went out, leaving the two ladies to sit in silence.

      ‘Did you know?’ said Lucy at last. ‘Did he tell you he hired me because I look like his wife?’

      Ariadne shook her head, her kindly eyes shadowed with anxiety.

      ‘At first I thought it was merely a coincidence. Then, when Mrs Sutton brought the sketches for your gowns—I asked Ralph what he meant by it, but he merely brushed it aside.’

      ‘I wonder what game he is playing?’

      ‘Oh, surely nothing more than he has already told you,’ Ariadne was quick to reply.

      ‘I am sure it is,’ said Lucy, adding bitterly, ‘No doubt he thinks I am not to be trusted with his secrets!’

      ‘I think it is merely that he misses Helene a great deal more than he is prepared to admit.’

      Lucy had already considered that idea and found it did not please her.

      Mrs Dean sighed. ‘Adversane prides himself upon his logical mind, you see. He says every problem can be solved by the application of logic, so to find him grieving so much for his late wife is quite touching, is it not?’

      ‘It is also a little embarrassing,’ replied Lucy tartly. ‘Everyone will think he is marrying me because I look like Helene. They will pity me, which I shall dislike intensely.’

      ‘Yes, but he is not going to marry you,’ Ariadne reminded her, brightening. ‘So it does not really matter, does it?’

      Lucy could not disagree with this reasoning, but she knew, deep down, that it did matter to her, although she had no idea why it should.

      * * *

      Lucy enjoyed Adam Cottingham’s company at dinner. He was an entertaining guest, witty and knowledgeable, and although she thought his manner a little insincere she was grateful to him for making sure she was not left out when the conversation turned to family matters.

      ‘You will meet Adversane’s sisters, of course, when they come here for the house party,’ he said as they helped themselves to sweetmeats once the covers had been removed. ‘Fearsome ladies, both of ’em.’

      ‘No, Adam, you know that is not so,’ protested Mrs Dean, laughing. ‘You are not to be frightening Lucy out of her wits.’

      ‘Of course not, but it is as well to be forewarned.’ Adam grinned at Lucy. ‘They can be very outspoken, but you will do very well as long as you stand up to them.’

      ‘Now you have terrified me,’ she replied, chuckling.

      ‘You need not fear,’ said Adam. ‘I shall be here to protect you.’

      The look that accompanied these words was surprisingly intense. Lucy suspected he was trying to flirt with her and was at a loss to know how to respond. However, Adam’s attention switched to Lord Adversane when he announced that he had invited the Ingleston Players to entertain his guests on Midsummer’s Eve.

      ‘The devil you have!’ exclaimed Adam.

      The room was filled with a sudden tension that Lucy did not understand. Adversane’s dark brows rose a fraction as he regarded his heir.

      ‘Do you have any objections to them coming?’

      ‘No, of course not. It is a tradition that goes back generations...’

      ‘Precisely. They were very sorry not to be performing here last year.’

      ‘Who are these players?’ asked Lucy. ‘Are we to have theatricals?’

      ‘Yes, indeed,’ Ariadne responded. ‘Ingleston has its very own troupe of thespians who perform plays at certain times of the year, such as Easter and Christmas time.’