Proposals in Regency Society: Make-Believe Wife / The Homeless Heiress

Would a thief try to find the entrance and break in? Roxanne did not know what to think, because it seemed so unlikely. If no one had ever attempted it before, why should it happen now?

Had Luke been at home, she would have told him immediately, but the earl was not to be made anxious or worried about something of this nature. It might be nothing more than imagination, but rather than simply leave it, she decided to speak to someone. Knowing that Tonkins had gone into town that day, she thought of the bailiff. She’d seen Higgins going into his office earlier and turned in the direction he’d been heading, which was towards the stable block.

Higgins was in conversation outside his office with a stout man who looked as if he might be one of the earl’s tenant farmers. He lifted his battered brown hat to Roxanne as she approached, nodded to Higgins and went off.

‘Forgive me for interrupting you, Mr Higgins,’ Roxanne said. ‘It is a small matter—but, since Lord Clarendon is away and Mr Tonkins has gone to the market, one I thought should be brought to your attention, sir.’

‘Nothing is too much trouble for you, miss. Was it about the plants for the wild garden?’

‘I was hoping to speak to Minty about that later,’ Roxanne agreed. ‘It may have been a trick of the light, Mr Higgins—but as I passed the tower just now I thought I saw a face at the window—not at the top, but at that little round window halfway up.’

‘You didn’t investigate yourself, miss?’

‘I know it isn’t safe, which is why I thought it curious that anyone should be there.’

‘Everyone knows it isn’t safe, miss. None of our people would dream of going there—unless ordered to by the earl and then we should send a party armed with ropes for safety’s sake.’

‘No one who knows that it is unsafe would go up the tower—but a stranger might. A stranger intent on robbery or some such thing.’

‘Lord Clarendon told you about the strong room,’ Higgins said and nodded. ‘Only a handful of us know the secret, miss. I’ve never known anyone to attempt a break in, but I suppose there is always a first time. His lordship may have been seen when he visited it recently—though I cannot think any of our people would consider doing such a thing. The door is solid iron. It would be impossible to break it down—but I’ll make sure the lock has not been tampered with. I’ll go there myself now, miss.’

‘Do you think someone should accompany you?’

‘I’ll take a pistol with me, but I doubt there’s much to worry about, miss. As you said, it will be a trick of the light.’

‘May I come with you?’

‘Now that I can’t allow, miss. I couldn’t live with myself if you were to fall and have an accident. You’ll find Minty in the hothouses. Go and have a talk with him, discover what he has to say about your wild garden, miss. I’ll let you know if I discover anything.’

Roxanne agreed and left him. She was almost sure that it must have been a trick of the light and half-wished that she had not put Mr Higgins to the trouble of investigating.

Returning to the house after a long and pleasant talk with the head gardener, Roxanne washed her hands and changed into a fresh gown for lunch. She had instructed Mrs Arlet that she would have just a little bread and butter and cold chicken in the small parlour. Her meal was finished and she was about to leave when the housekeeper came in.

‘I am sorry to disturb you, Miss Roxanne, but Mr Higgins has asked if you will visit him at home.’

‘At home?’ Roxanne was puzzled. ‘Is he not in his office?’

‘It appears he had an accident, miss. Johnson will take you in the governess’s cart—if you wouldn’t mind travelling in such a way?’

‘Of course not. I shall get ready at once. Is it far?’

‘Not far, miss, but Johnson says he was instructed you wasn’t to walk there alone. He’s to take you and wait to bring you back.’

‘I shall fetch my pelisse at once.’

‘I took the liberty of sending for it. Tilly is waiting in the hall to help you with it, miss.’

Roxanne thanked her. Going into the hall, she put on her pelisse and bonnet and then went out to the courtyard at the back of the house, where the groom was waiting with the governess’s cart.

‘Is Mr Higgins badly hurt, Johnson?’ Roxanne asked as she was helped up into the little seat at the back.

‘He’s got some nasty cuts and bruises,’ the groom replied. ‘His wife made him lie on the sofa in the parlour and the doctor told him he should go to bed and rest for a few days, but he won’t until he’s seen you, miss.’

‘Please take me to him at once,’ Roxanne said. ‘I know this must be important or he would not otherwise have sent for me.’

She twisted her gloves in her hands, feeling a heavy weight of responsibility. Higgins had gone to the tower on her behalf and it was her fault if he had taken a tumble down the stairs. She was distressed because he was hurt and blamed herself.

The bailiff’s cottage was through the park, at the edge of the road that led to Harte Village. It would have taken her a good half an hour to walk here, but the drive was accomplished in a fraction of the time. The groom helped her down and, as she walked up the path of the neat garden, the front door opened and a plump, pleasant-looking woman opened the door to her.

‘I’ve been watching out for you, Miss Roxanne,’ she cried. ‘I am that grateful you’ve come. Higgins won’t go to bed until he has spoken to you—and the foolish man has refused to take his medicine for fear it sends him to sleep.’

‘I came as soon as I heard,’ Roxanne said. ‘I am so sorry, Mrs Higgins. I fear I am to blame for this.’

‘You, miss? I should say not—but come through to the parlour and let my man tell you himself.’

Roxanne followed her into a pleasant parlour with a sunny aspect at the back of the house. Mr Higgins was lying on a large comfortable sofa with his head on a pile of pillows and his eyes shut. He opened them as she approached and sat up, looking anxious.

‘Please do not disturb yourself, sir.’ Roxanne drew a parlour chair and sat close to him. ‘Did one of the steps give way beneath you? I am so sorry for sending you there. I do hope you are not badly hurt?’

‘It was not the steps, miss, though one or two are crumbling, but I didn’t go up the tower. The place we spoke of is below it. I went to look at the lock and found some signs that someone had tried unsuccessfully to open the door. I was about to leave and report it to Mr Tonkins when something hit me from behind. I went down like a light and it must have been some minutes before I came to myself enough to get up and stagger out. One of the gardeners saw me fall as I left and called for help.’

‘You were hit on the back of the head? That is terrible.’ Roxanne felt shivery all over. ‘So I was right—there was someone in the tower. I am so sorry you were hurt, Mr Higgins.’

‘Serves me right for going there alone, miss. I thought you had imagined the face and took a risk. In future I’ll be more careful and respectful of what you say. I gave instructions that a search should be made. Six of the men went to take a look in the tower after they brought me home—and I’ve since heard that someone has been camping out in the tower.’

‘Good gracious! How long has this been going on?’

‘A day or two at most the men think. It might have been a tramp, miss—or it might have been a thief, as you suggested. Whoever it was, he didn’t want to get caught.’

‘No, indeed, but this is serious, Mr Higgins. You must take great care and rest, as your doctor told you.’

‘I shall for a day or so, if only to appease Mrs Higgins—but you must promise me you will not attempt to visit that wing or the tower again, miss. His lordship would never forgive me if anything were to happen to you. One of us should have noticed something before you did, and that can’t be denied.’

‘I shall certainly not attempt to enter the tower,’ Roxanne assured him. ‘I have been wishing that I had not told you. I am so sorry you were hurt.’

‘It was my own fault for not taking anyone to guard my back. I didn’t give you credit, miss, and I should have known you’re not the sort to imagine things. I’ve given instructions that the grounds are to be patrolled at all times. If there are dangerous intruders about, we cannot be too careful.’

‘I thought I saw a man hiding in the shrubbery outside my room the first night I came here,’ Roxanne told him. ‘Lord Clarendon thought it must have been one of the keepers, but now… Why would anyone watch the house and then hide in the tower?’

‘There’s something he’s after,’ Higgins said and looked grave. ‘I don’t know what it is, Miss Roxanne. We’ve never had anything like it before—so why now?’

‘I do not know,’ she replied. ‘I promise I shall take great care when walking in the gardens—and you must rest, sir.’

‘I shall for a day or so, miss. It seems I’ve a tough skull for the blow did no more than knock me unconscious. I may have a headache for a while, but I’ll be as right as rain soon.’

‘I am relieved to hear it.’

‘Shall you tell the earl, miss?’

‘No, not unless he has heard something,’ Roxanne said. ‘As you know, his health is not good. I do not wish him to worry. I dare say the intruder has gone. With the increased security he is unlikely to return.’

‘I doubt he will risk it again—unless there is something he desperately wants to get his hands on. You cannot think what that might be, miss?’ The bailiff looked at her hard. ‘No idea what he’s after?’

‘No,’ Roxanne said. ‘I cannot tell you, for I do not know.’

Yet as she was driven back to the house some minutes later, Roxanne was thoughtful. Had the intruder been after her ruby? It would explain why the attempt on the strong room had happened now—but was the jewel valuable enough to bring whoever it was here? It had been in the strong room only one night, because Luke had taken it to London with him to be valued.

Besides, no one knew she had it. How could they? Sofia had kept it hidden for years and no one had tried to take it from them. Roxanne had wondered if Black Bob suspected she had something of value, but would he attempt to break into the earl’s strong room? It did not fit with what she knew of him. Petty thieving or cheating a traveller of his purse was the gypsy’s style, but not robbery on the scale that had been planned here. To break into an earl’s treasury would be a serious matter.

Yet if it was the Hartingdon heirlooms that were wanted, why had it happened now and not at some time in the past?

What was so special about the ruby that it had provoked an attempt to break into the earl’s strong room and an attack on his bailiff?

Why had it been in her hand when Sofia found her? She had been so determined to keep it, so adamant that it belonged to her. The earl was right when he said something did not fit with the rest. How could a girl of modest family come to own a jewel like that one?

Roxanne thought about the game they had played when she was recovering from her illness. Sofia was an intelligent lady. Had she suspected that the ruby had come from India? She might have invented the game to try to jog the memories in Roxanne’s mind. It was possible that as she lay delirious she had said something that made Sofia believe she had once lived there. Rather than try to force her to remember, Sofia had invented the game.

The face at the tower window had been dark and not English. Roxanne strained for a memory, anything that would make sense of what was happening, but nothing came to her. Yet there was something that warned her she might be in danger, some instinct that told her Mr Higgins had been set upon by someone who wanted that ruby.

The thoughts went round and round in her head like a trapped animal trying to escape from its cage. If she could remember what had occurred to frighten her when she ran from her home, she might be able to understand what was happening now.

‘What is this I hear about Higgins?’ the earl asked when Roxanne visited him that evening before going down to supper. ‘What on earth was the fool doing in the tower in the first place? He knows it is dangerous.’

She hesitated, then, ‘Do you truly wish to know the answer, sir? You might find it concerning.’

‘Damn it, I ain’t on me last legs yet. Tell me the truth, girl. All of it, for I shall know if you lie.’

‘I saw a face at the round window halfway up the tower earlier today. I told Higgins, because I knew the strong room was there somewhere. He went to investigate, found an unsuccessful attempt had been made to open the iron door—and someone knocked him unconscious. The tower has since been searched by some of the men and no one is there now.’

‘So the rogue has escaped. Is Higgins badly hurt?’

‘No. I think he has a sore head and is shocked—but the doctor said the blow was not severe enough to kill him. Perhaps whoever it was did not wish to murder him, merely to stun him while he made his escape.’

‘Humph. Got it all worked out, have you? Answer me this—why now? That strong room has been there for a hundred and fifty years and no one has ever tried to break in before this—couldn’t if they tried. It would take a team of men to break that door down—and then they couldn’t open it unless they knew the trick. It’s a secret puzzle lock known only to me and now Luke.’

‘I do not know why now, sir. Why do you think it happened?’

‘I knew there was something suspicious about that ruby. Who did you steal it from?’

‘I did not steal it.’

‘Where did it come from then? It ain’t the kind of thing a girl like you ought to have—unless you got it from a lover. Have you been the mistress of a rich man, girl? Did you steal it from him in a fit of pique?’

‘No, I have not been a rich man’s lover, sir.’ Roxanne hesitated, then, ‘I am not sure of its history. Luke is trying to find out what he can for me. I had it in my hand when—Sofia found me. I was about fourteen, very ill, alone and frightened—and I had lost my memory. I did not know my own name then and to this day I do not recall it. She says I would not let go of the ruby and claimed it was mine. When at last I did let her take it from me, she hid it and I forgot about it for years, until she reminded me as she was dying.’

The old man’s eyes gleamed. ‘I knew there was something. You were too good to be true, miss. I suspected something was wrong from the start.’

‘Well, now you know it all. Do you wish me to leave?’

The earl was silent for a moment, then, ‘You had best tell me all of it, girl. How did you meet my grandson—and why did he bring you here as his fiancée?’

‘After Sofia died I was not safe amongst the people we travelled with. One of them wanted me as his mistress so I ran away when he was making arrangements to give a performance at a theatre in the town nearby.’

‘You are an actress?’

‘Yes, I have been an actress—but Sofia was certain I had been properly reared, though I have no memory of my past.’

‘So it was a lie about your father being in India?’

‘It was just something that came into my mind. I believe there may be a connection between the ruby and India. I do not know who my father was—or if he is still alive.’

‘You think it has a connection with India, but you do not know?’

‘I am not certain, but recently the idea has become stronger.’

‘So how did you meet Clarendon?’

‘He had a tumble from his horse. His ankle was painful and we thought it might be broken, though it was actually a displaced bone. I helped him and then recaptured his horse. We went to an inn to stay for the night and a doctor was called. The landlord sent someone to break into the chamber and rob Clarendon when he was sleeping, because he was unwell and vulnerable—but I had stayed to care for him lest he took a fever. I was awake and I had a poker. When the intruder saw that I was ready to fight him, the rogue ran off. The next day, your grandson begged me to stay with him until he was safe in London—and he took me to stay with someone called Mrs Mills.’

‘Saved his backside for a second time, did you?’

‘He insisted I had saved his life, but I dare say it was no such thing. The lady I visited was very respectable. I might have been in London still, but at a fair on the Heath I saw Black Bob and told Luke I must leave. He asked me to enter into an engagement and—you know the rest.’

‘I knew it.’ The earl glared at her. ‘It was all a masquerade from start to finish.’

‘No…not quite. Luke wanted to make you happy. At first I agreed reluctantly, but then I came here—and I wanted to stay. If this had not happened I might have married Luke, if he wished it—and you agreed. I think we might have given you an heir and then, if he wished, parted. Now I think perhaps I should leave before he returns.’

‘Leave the sinking ship, eh? Is that all you’re good for—running away? I thought you had more spunk than that, girl?’

Roxanne’s cheeks flamed. ‘No, that is not fair. I would have married Luke if he wished…but you cannot want me to stay now you know the truth. You cannot wish him to marry a girl who does not know her own family.’

‘Know my mind better than I do, do you?’ The earl stared at her hard. ‘You’ve told me the truth as you know it?’

‘Yes, sir.’

‘Held nothing back?’

‘Nothing, I swear.’

‘I ought to send the pair of you packing—but I want that heir. Clarendon isn’t going to oblige me in a hurry if I send you away, so you can stay. You will marry him in a month or so. No reason to wait for three months if a letter isn’t coming.’

‘You want me to marry Luke?’

‘Nothing the matter with your hearing, is there? I don’t know who your father was or whether he gave you that damned ruby, but I can see quality in you. Tell you the truth, our family goes back to a privateer who came from yeoman stock and rose to be an earl through pleasing Good Queen Bess. Since then we’ve married into good and bad blood. It may be time we had some fresh blood in the family. If you’ve lied to me, we may both be sorry, but I’m going to trust you—on one condition.’

‘That is?’

‘Luke is not informed that I know the truth.’

‘You wish me to lie to him?’

‘You have been lying to me.’

‘No—at least I didn’t actually lie. I merely allowed you to think what you would, sir.’

‘I said you were clever with words. I suppose that comes from being an actress. Is it all an act or do you actually care for the fellow?’

‘I believe you know the answer, sir.’

‘Humph. He’s bitten off more than he can chew, hasn’t he?’

‘I shall not demand more than he is willing to give.’

‘My grandson chose to play a little trick on me—now I’ve turned the tables, but it may all be for the best. So—what do you say?’

‘I can only say yes—and thank you.’

‘Nothing to thank me for, girl. I’ll still throw you both out on your ear if I discover you’ve spun me a tissue of lies.’

‘I promise you I have not—though in truth I do not know who owns the ruby. Perhaps I did steal it. I cannot know for certain.’

‘Damn the thing. If the owner wants it back, he can have it. You won’t want for jewels as my grandson’s wife—there’s a strong room full of the damned things if you’ve a mind to wear them.’

‘If there were some pearls I could wear to the ball, I should be glad to borrow them, but I have no great desire either for jewels or huge wealth. However, a beautiful home where I feel safe and might do some good is a precious thing I should value.’

His eyes glittered. ‘You are either a treasure or a consummate liar. We shall just have to see whether you fall flat on your face, Miss Roxanne.’

‘I still do not know why someone should attempt to break into your strong room. How could anyone know I had the ruby or that I had given it to Luke?’

‘Whoever it was may have tried to enter the strong room on the chance it was there. If he followed you here in the first place, the rogue must have discovered you have the ruby. Perhaps he has only just discovered that it is in your possession?’

‘Yes, perhaps.’

Roxanne was thoughtful as she left the earl’s apartments. It did seem as though the intruder might have been after her ruby—if she was the rightful owner. How could she have come by it unless someone had given it to her?

Why was it so important and why could she not remember her past life? What had happened to make her forget so completely?

She tried to recall more of the game she had played with Sofia. Fragments of Sofia’s story came into her mind, but she had forgotten it as the years passed and she had become a woman.

‘Who was the prince, Roxanne? What did he look like?’

Had Sofia actually asked her that question or was it merely a part of the game?

Roxanne wished she could lift the curtain that hid her previous life, but it remained as firmly down as ever. Yet she was growing ever more certain that the ruby was part of a mystery that she must solve before she brought danger to the people she had come to care for.

‘That is a remarkable jewel, my lord,’ Mr Brandon remarked. ‘What exactly is that you wish me to do for you?’

‘My fiancée believes she was given this by her father as a child,’ Luke replied. ‘However, she wishes to be certain that she is the rightful owner. She has not heard from her father in years; he may be dead. We were thinking of placing an advert asking for information about the ruby and offering a small reward—say a hundred guineas.’

‘You want me to place the advertisement for you so that it cannot be traced to you?’

‘If you are willing, I feel that it may be for the best. We are not sure where the jewel came from and should there be a dispute would wish to hear the claimant’s story. However, an advertisement of this kind may bring unscrupulous rogues who would lie to gain something that was not theirs.’

‘Your wording is vague.’ Mr Brandon read the words Luke had written, ‘A ruby of good colour and size. Lost five years ago. Anyone with any information concerning this jewel should apply in writing to Mr Brandon of W. R. Brandon and Associates.’

‘I kept the wording vague on purpose,’ Luke agreed. ‘Nothing may come of it. If we do not hear within a few weeks, I think we may assume that my fiancée’s recollection is correct. We shall at least have tried and may then use or dispose of it with a clear conscience.’

‘I dare say most would simply have sold it,’ the lawyer said. He frowned as he looked at the jewel. ‘If I were you, I should place that in the bank for safekeeping. I do not think I have ever seen such a magnificent ruby—and yet there is something about it that makes me feel it may be dangerous.’

‘A ruby is simply a ruby,’ Luke said and laughed. ‘I shall not ask you to keep it here, sir. If no one comes forward to claim it as theirs, I may have it set as a pendant for my wife.’

‘The shape of it is unusual,’ Mr Brandon said. ‘It could almost be a large eye…’

‘It is an unusual shape,’ Luke agreed and slipped it back into his breast pocket. ‘I think perhaps I shall lodge it at my bank, Brandon. You will let me know if you hear anything of interest?’

‘Yes, of course, sir. As for the other little matter, I shall set that in hand at once.’

‘If you could bring the papers down, sir? You might like to attend the ball at Hartingdon next week.’

Mr Brandon looked pleased. A short stay at the country house of a wealthy client was a break from the routine of life in London.

‘I should enjoy that very much, my lord. I am certain we can have the papers ready for your signature by the fourteenth—and I should be delighted to attend your engagement ball.’

‘We shall look forward to seeing you,’ Luke said and shook his hand. ‘I have ordered a gift for my fiancée. My bank is near the jeweller’s, so I may as well kill two birds with one stone.’

Luke left the lawyer’s office and crossed the road. He was lost in thought and did not notice the man following a short distance behind as he walked the length of two streets and entered his bank, before making his way, some minutes later, to a large jeweller’s establishment at the opposite side of the road.