The Secret Heiress by Lillian Shelley

Author:Lillian Shelley [Lillian Shelley]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: E-reads
Published: 2001-10-30T00:00:00+00:00

To Venus

When first I beheld you last night

a vision arising as from a dream,

I was swept aside by the thought

of a Paradise as yet unseen.

Her eyes moistened and she could read no further than the first few lines. It was so lovely, and it was about her. She could hardly believe it. She had to see Jeremy again to thank him. She had to find a way.

Chapter 13

On the same afternoon, Giles decided to call on Caroline again. He was torn by the conflicting desire to resume his acquaintance with her and the unpleasant thought that he really must warn Caroline that she was becoming a subject for the gossip-mongers.

Even before Arabella’s ball, he had heard conversation of a Miss Chessington who was seen frequently with Adrian Bradford. No one seemed to know anything about her except that she lived in Woburn Square with an elderly companion. As there was no indication of great fortune, no one could understand why Adrian Bradford was making her the object of his attentions. The further speculation he had overheard the previous evening had convinced him of the need to inform her of the situation. It was not a task he relished.

When he was ushered into Caroline’s parlor, he found the task would be even more difficult than he’d imagined. Sitting with Caroline was Adrian Bradford.

Giles was too well-bred to allow his discomfiture to show, and he responded to Caroline’s greeting courteously. He found himself perversely irritated with Caroline upon finding Adrian present, because it both confirmed the necessity for the errand and made it impossible to carry out. How obtuse of her not to see what a false fellow he was! He’d thought her a woman of sense, but if she could not tell a bounder from a gentleman, she was no more than a peagoose.

“Mr. Kendal?” Caroline was saying. Giles returned to the conversation. “Mr. Bradford was saying that Miss Chedworth seems to have taken the ton by storm.”

“Yes,” replied Giles mechanically, “she has.” Damn his impudence! Giles thought. It is not enough that he need make Caroline a source of conversation for the gossip-mongers. If he trifles with Arabella, I swear I’ll call him out! He stood up.

“I am afraid I must be going,” he said.

“So soon?” asked Adrian Bradford, a touch of malice in his voice.

“I am afraid so,” said Giles. “Miss Chessington, I should like to speak to you privately about a matter of some importance. May I call tomorrow?”

“Yes, of course,” said Caroline. “I shall be at home and alone in the morning. I shall be pleased to see you then.”

“Until tomorrow, then,” said Giles, making his bow. He barely acknowledged Adrian as he left the room.

“Well!” said Adrian. “I fear your protector was none too pleased to find me here. Though why it should be a concern of his I’m sure I don’t know, since the on dit is that the Kimboroughs have him slated for the fair Arabella.”

“I don’t know what you are talking about,” said Caroline stiffly.

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