Secret Heiress by Anne Herries

‘Now you must leave us for shopping is important business, my lord.’
    â€˜I am not sure that I ought to dance.’ Eliza remembered belatedly that she was a companion. ‘I do not know if Lady Sarah will permit it.’
    â€˜Of course she will expect you to dance.’ Kate retorted. ‘Lord Seaton, support me in this please. Eliza must dance, must she not?’
    â€˜I am persuaded that Lady Sarah will expect it,’ Daniel replied and his eyes were bright with amusement. ‘I must not delay you longer. I shall see you both this evening, ladies.’
    He tipped his hat once more and walked on by. Kate hugged Eliza’s arm.
    â€˜Was that not clever of me? He likes you very much. I dare swear he had no intention of attending this evening until you told him it was your first ball.’
    â€˜Oh, no…’ Eliza was genuinely horrified. ‘Please do not suggest such a thing. It would be most inappropriate. Lady Sarah has been kindness itself, but I am her companion. Lord Seaton really should not pay me any attention. Especially if—’ she broke off, feeling flustered. ‘He should not.’
    â€˜You are distressed,’ Kate said in concern. ‘I was merely teasing you. I would not encourage you to think of him. Lord Seaton is not exactly a rake, but he isknown for his flirts. They say the last was a beautiful opera dancer.’ Kate gurgled with laughter. ‘I heard he fought a duel with someone over her, but I dare say it was all a hum. Oh dear, I should not have mentioned that, should I? Mama says my tongue will be the ruin of me and she is right.’
    â€˜I believe many gentlemen have a mistress,’ Eliza said, sounding calmer than she felt. ‘But…I have no wish to become one of them.’
    â€˜No, indeed it is not to be thought of for, then I could not know you and that would be a shame.’ Kate’s humour was irrepressible. ‘Not that I should take a jot of notice but Mama would not approve. You will pay him no mind, Eliza. Unless of course he were to propose marriage. They do say reformed rakes make good husbands in the end.’
    â€˜You are a wicked tease,’ Eliza told her. ‘It is as well I have no intention of having my head turned by a handsome face.’
    â€˜So you do like him,’ Kate crowed. ‘No, no, I shall not tease you, dearest Eliza—but just think how fortunate it would be if he should offer.’
    Eliza shook her head. To allow herself even one thought in that direction would be madness. She was not sure she would be permitted to dance that evening or even if it would be wise. Lord Seaton was too far above her and the more she mixed with him the more painful it would be in the end. She might even have to leave Lady Sarah’s employ at the end of the month, and then she might never see him again.
    The thought brought a sharp swift pain to her heart, but she lifted her head in the air. She refused to be foolish enough to fall for a man she hardly knew and could never know better.
    They were approaching the shop they had come to visit and Kate’s attention was taken by the array of beautiful fans in the window. Some were of painted paper, others of ivory and lace, some with silver or jewelled handles and very costly.
    â€˜Oh, there are so many lovely ones,’ Kate exclaimed. ‘How do I choose just one?’
    Eliza was able to enjoy helping her friend to choose. She was, after all, a sensible girl and she would not fall into a dangerous flirtation simply because a certain man made her heart race whenever he was near.
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    Daniel walked past the house where Lord Roberts was staying, heading for a popular coffee house in the hope of meeting with friends. His thoughts were once again in turmoil. He had set out with the firm intention of asking Lord Roberts for his daughter’s hand and then applying for a loan to settle his gambling debt, which he would repay when he