The Elusive Heiress by Gail Mallin Read Free Book Online Page A

looked astonished. ‘Are you sure you understood him aright?’
    ‘He practically threw me out of the house, ma’am!’
    Alicia let out a small sound of shocked dismay. ‘How…how very dreadful for you, my love.’
    Kate quickly reassured her. ‘I am quite recovered, although I must admit it was distressing at the time. I had not expected to be greeted with such ill-tempered hostility.’ She paused. ‘Not twice.’
    Alicia threw her a startled look. ‘Oh you must not compare Randal with Gerald!’
    Kate shrugged. ‘As you will, ma’am.’
    ‘I’m sure there must be a simple explanation.’
    Delighted to hear a note of uncertainty in her tone, Kate pressed on. ‘If Lord Redesmere has no interest in hanging on to my fortune, then I can only assume he took my person in dislike.’ She could feel her teeth clench as she strove to produce a regretful expression.
    ‘I doubt that, my love.’ Alicia chuckled and shook her head. ‘He has an eye for a pretty woman.’
    Kate barely prevented herself for making a very rude remark.
    ‘I take it that you know him well, ma’am?’ she asked after a moment.
    ‘Oh since he was in leading strings! The Crawfords are one of Cheshire’s foremost families, you know. What’s more, Godwin Crawford was my husband’s oldest friend.’
    Kitty had told her that Randal had two sisters, but she had never mentioned that particular name. Panic tore along Kate’s nerves for a few seconds before she decided to bluff it out. ‘I’m sorry, ma’am, but I’m afraid I cannot quite place the gentleman,’ she murmured, surreptitiously crossing her fingers within a concealing fold of her skirts.
    Alicia looked faintly surprised. ‘Godwin is Randal’s uncle,’ she enlightened her. ‘On the paternal side so no connection of the Nixons, but surely your Papa mentioned him? They were quite friendly. Indeed, I believe they were at school together.’
    ‘You must forgive me, I’m afraid I don’t know all the ramifications of the family tree.’ Kate hastened to repair the damage. ‘My parents rarely spoke of their past.’
    ‘I dare say their memories of England were tainted by your grandfather’s spite.’ Alicia sighed and then her expression brightened. ‘Still, I vow you’ll like Godwin immensely. All the ladies do, even though he is the most confirmed bachelor.’ She laughed. ‘He has a roguish twinkle in his eyes that charms us all and the most beautiful manners!’
    Unlike his nephew , thought Kate sourly as she asked if Mr Crawford lived in Chester.
    ‘Indeed he does. He has a very pretty house in Stanley Place.’
    ‘Does Lord Redesmere ever visit Chester, ma’am?’ Kate’s voice was perfectly level as she put this question, but her heartbeat quickened when Alicia nodded.
    ‘He has many acquaintances here in the city and often attends parties and entertainments.’ Alicia coughed slightly. ‘In fact, he sometimes pays a call on me when he is in town.’
    ‘Then in that case, perhaps I had best stay at the Hop-Pole.’ Kate smoothed her skirts in a brisk gesture. ‘Our dealings seem likely to be fraught with difficulty and I have no wish to cause any unpleasantness in your house.’
    ‘Fudge! I won’t let you escape me so easily, my dear. Randal’s opinion has no bearing on the matter, although I cannot imagine why he should believe a word the Sullivans say. Gerald was a rogue as a young man and by all accounts his son is worse! Your information that they are heavily in debt does not surprise me in the least.’
    Lady Edgeworth shook her head. ‘Randal’s motive for being so uncivil remains a mystery, but I pray you will not let any thought of a possible quarrel influence you. I’m sure your bad beginning will resolve itself, but even if it does not you needn’t fear censure from me.’
    She reached out to take Kate’s hand in her own. ‘You are my goddaughter. Losing your company before we have had a chance to get to know one another would upset me far