The Elusive Heiress by Gail Mallin Read Free Book Online

company. She is completely trustworthy and is very skilled at dressing hair and every kind of needlework,’ Kate added with perfect sincerity.
    It was true. She had regarded Mary Porter as a friend ever since the first day they’d met nearly seven years ago. Kate could still remember it vividly. She and Francis had just joined the Gillman Players. It was only a few weeks after their elopement and, still trying desperately to come to terms with the fact that her new husband was a completely different man to the gentle, ardent suitor he’d so recently been, she had been totally bewildered by the strange environment into which she’d been pitch-forked.
    Mary took pity on her and Kate was grateful for her cheerful help and advice. Barely seventeen, Kate still missed her own mother who had died just two years earlier and, in a way, Mary had taken her place, giving Kate the support which Francis never bothered to offer.
    The nature of their friendship had changed over the years as Kate had matured and grown in confidence. She had eventually risen to be the company’s leading lady while Mary had begun to concentrate on backstage work, but Kate would always be grateful for Mary’s kindness and encouragement.
    Not that she could mention a word of such matters to Alicia, of course!
    ‘On our arrival in England,’ she continued instead, ‘I felt I ought to present myself first to Lord Redesmere. He is, after all, my blood relation.’
    ‘Very proper, my love.’
    Kate gave her a shy smile. ‘I must also confess that I did not want to appear on your doorstep practically a pauper. Getting to England has taken most of the money my step-papa generously gave me. I thought that, as the custodian of my fortune, Cousin Randal would agree to advance me immediate funds against my inheritance.’
    A sigh escaped her. ‘Sadly, it appears I was mistaken.’
    Lady Edgeworth frowned. ‘Trust the lawyers to make a hash of things, but don’t worry. I am sure Randal will sort out whatever it is that is causing them to delay.’
    ‘I don’t think Messrs. Hilton, Tyler and Dibbs can be blamed.’ Kate paused delicately and dropped her gaze to her skirts. ‘The money is apparently available, but Lord Redesmere refuses to loan me a penny.’
    ‘What? I don’t understand! What can he be thinking of!’ Lady Edgeworth exclaimed, her surprise metamorphosing into indignation.
    Kate shrugged, her expression a picture of demure confusion.
    ‘Now I consider it, his behaviour seems entirely reprehensible. Why didn’t he ask you to stay overnight at the Hall, instead of letting you go rushing off to an inn?’ Lady Edgeworth demanded. ‘I know he has no one to act as his hostess, which makes things a trifle awkward, but in the circumstances I’m sure not even the highest stickler would object. You are family, after all.’
    ‘The connection is quite distant,’ Kate murmured, staring modestly at the tips of her neat half-boots.
    ‘That signifies nothing!’ The golden curls shook in agitation. ‘Really, I am surprised at him! He should have brought you straight here to me if he was concerned at what people might think, though Heaven knows, it would be the first time he has ever let such a consideration weigh with him!’
    Kate permitted herself a small mirthless laugh. ‘I very much doubt either such thought crossed Lord Redesmere’s mind. To put it plainly, ma’am, I was not welcome and he couldn’t wait to be rid of me. Not that I minded having to leave straightaway. I found his manners just as atrocious as Uncle Gerald’s.’
    Alicia goggled at her and demanded to know the whole.
    Adopting an air of puzzled disappointment, Kate quickly sketched in the broad outlines of her visit to Crawford Hall.
    ‘Lord Redesmere obviously felt I should not have run away from my uncle.’ Kate’s lovely face suddenly darkened. ‘He even said my behaviour was not that of a lady!’
    ‘Lud, that don’t sound like Randal at all!’ Lady Edgeworth