Secret Heiress by Anne Herries Page B

distress you.’
    â€˜I am sure you will not.’ Lady Sarah nodded, a hint of tears in her eyes. She knew that she might have gone too far, but she was enjoying treating Eliza, as she would her lost daughter when she found her. ‘We must go down.We do not wish to keep the horses standing. This evening is your first assembly. You will not wish to miss a moment—and of course you must dance as much as you please. It will give me great pleasure to watch and to know that you are enjoying yourself.’
    â€˜You are so kind to me.’
    Eliza made sure that her employer had all she needed, following her down the stairs and out to the waiting carriage. It was strange how close she felt to Lady Sarah, almost as though she had known her all her life.
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    Eliza was a little overwhelmed by the noise and press of people mingling in the huge assembly rooms. She thought that all Bath society must have gathered for the occasion, their costly jewels glittering in the light from the heavy chandeliers. However, once they had passed into a room where chairs and sofas had been grouped they found friends.
    â€˜Come and sit beside me,’ Lady Julia invited. ‘Kate has been on the fidget since we arrived. Now you may leave us to ourselves and join the other young people.’
    â€˜Are you comfortable, ma’am?’ Eliza asked, looking at her employer. ‘Is there anything I may fetch you before I go with Kate?’
    â€˜Lord Melcher is arranging some champagne—’ Lady Julia broke off as two gentlemen approached, one tall and dark, the other slightly broader in the shoulder with fair hair and a little moustache. ‘Lord Smythe…Mr Thatcher, good evening. You know my daughter Kate, of course—may I introduce you to Miss Eliza Bancroft. She is visiting with my great friend Lady Sarah.’
    â€˜Ma’am, Miss Henderson, Miss Bancroft.’ Lord Smythe bowed to Kate. ‘May I have the honour of this next dance?’
    â€˜Only if Mr Thatcher intends to dance with my friend Miss Bancroft,’ Kate said with a wicked smile. ‘Afterwards, you may both change partners.’
    â€˜Kate, you need not…’ Eliza blushed, but the fair-haired gentleman bowed to her and smiled.
    â€˜Miss Henderson need not have prompted me, Miss Bancroft. I shall be greatly honoured if you will grant me the favour of this dance—and another, if I may have your card for a moment?’
    â€˜Oh…’ Eliza hesitated and then handed him the little card she wore on a ribbon about her wrist. He wrote his name in a space later that evening and then offered his arm. ‘Thank you, Mr Thatcher. It is so kind of you.’
    â€˜My pleasure, I assure you.’
    She took his arm, feeling an immediate liking for a man who was clearly one of Kate’s intimate friends.
    â€˜Is this your first visit to Bath, Miss Bancroft?’
    â€˜Yes. I have been living quietly in the country. My mother was ill for some months before she died—but Lady Sarah is so good to me.’
    â€˜I do not know the lady well, but Lady Julia and Miss Henderson are good friends—and neighbours in the country. Father’s estate is in Hampshire.’
    â€˜We lived in Norfolk.’
    Drawn into what was a lively country dance, Eliza was swept along by the music and enjoyed herself too much to be self-conscious or shy. She had never been given formal dancing lessons, but dances like this had been a part of the celebrations at the earl’s home each Christmas. As the vicar’s daughter she had been invited and knew how to perform most of the dances creditably.
    The next set of dances was slower and more elegant. Eliza watched for a few moments, confident that sheknew the steps. When Lord Smythe asked her to dance she felt able to give him her hand.
    After the first few dances, Kate and Eliza were reunited, and a steady stream of young and sometimes older gentlemen made their way to the