Louise Allen - Regency Surrender - Passion And Rebellion

‘Did you break it off with your protector? Is he trying to force you to return to him?’

‘I should be insulted, my lord, if I did not understand your concern over this matter. I assure you I have not been any man’s mistress. I have turned down offers of marriage...’

‘Do you not think you should tell me the truth, Sarah? If there is someone out there who means you harm, I need to know. Francesca could also be at risk through association. If she were not so fond of you, I think I should ask you to leave.’

Sarah swallowed hard. She had always known there was a chance she might be unmasked and to continue the lie now would be impossible. She had already revealed most of her story to Francesca and might as well confess the rest. Clasping her hands in front of her, she met his hard gaze.

‘My name is Sarah Hardcastle. I changed places with Hester Goodrum, because she wanted to marry and I wanted a place to stay where I was unknown for a while.’

‘You were never a governess, were you?’

‘No. My father wasn’t just the manager of a mine. He owned both mines and mills. When he died, leaving everything to me, I refused to hand over the management to my uncle and I have been overseeing my own affairs ever since. I have agents and managers, but I find much of my time is taken up with business matters. Because my father left me a fortune I have had to fight off men of all classes who think they are more entitled to run my affairs than I am. Some offer marriage in the hope of gaining my fortune that way—others try to bully me into selling my father’s mills.’

‘You are an heiress?’ Rupert stared at her in amazement. ‘Good grief. I’ve thought of almost everything else, but not that.’

‘You thought me an adventuress or worse.’ Sarah laughed softly, ridiculously relieved to have told him the truth. ‘Is that why you searched my room this morning?’

She saw the awkwardness in his manner and knew she’d scored a hit. ‘I began to search your room because of that letter... I saw you hide it when you noticed me.’ Rupert frowned at her. ‘Searching your room was not an honourable thing to do and I abandoned the idea. For that I ask you to forgive me—but do you think you have behaved in an honourable manner, Miss Hardcastle? You have lied to us and deceived us.’

‘I know the deceit was wrong.’ Sarah’s cheeks flamed. ‘At first it seemed to do no one any harm. I was well able to oversee Francesca’s studies, as able as Miss Goodrum would have been, I think—but I have not been truthful with you, Lord Myers, though Francesca knows some of it.’ She raised her head, looking into his face. ‘Do you wish me to leave?’

‘I ought to say yes. You know that, do you not?’ He paused for so long that she was turning away when he stopped her. ‘Who would that help?’ he asked in a cold clipped voice. ‘Francesca is fond of you and I believe you are helping her. I do not condone the deceit, but I see no point in distressing her and putting my uncle to the trouble of engaging a new governess. Are you able to remain here until Francesca goes to live with a chaperon?’

‘Until Christmas?’ Sarah hesitated, then, ‘I might need to go home for a few days, but I could return—if you wished me to do so?’

‘It is not a matter of my wishes. I am thinking of Francesca—and you.’

‘Me?’ Sarah was astonished. ‘Why are you thinking of me?’

‘You came here because you needed a break from your life, a chance to think and relax, did you not?’

‘In part, yes.’

‘Also to escape from fortune hunters and the like?’

‘Yes. Sir Roger Grey did not take kindly to my refusal of his obliging offer. The fact that he is visiting his uncle’s estate makes it awkward and may not be a coincidence. If he had discovered I was staying here...though I cannot see how he could....’ She hesitated, then, ‘I have recently received a generous offer to buy my father’s business empire, but the buyer remains anonymous. If it is the man I think it may be, I should be reluctant to sell. He would close the less profitable mills, leaving both men and women without work or a home.’

‘Would you wish to sell to a reputable buyer?’

‘Perhaps. I am not sure...’ Sarah hesitated. ‘Since coming here I have discovered a different way of life. I have thought I might perhaps marry if I could find a gentleman who would agree to keep the mills running and to treat my workers decently. I should like to be part of a family like this, you see. I was an only child and my mother died when I was quite young. Father treated me as if I were his son.’

‘That would account for your confidence.’ Rupert nodded. ‘Are you looking to buy yourself a husband—someone who needs a fortune to repair his ancestral estate, perhaps?’

For a moment her heart raced. She thought he might be going to offer his services and the thought both frightened and thrilled her.

‘I thought something of mutual benefit...perhaps a widower with a young family,’ she said in a voice no more than a whisper as his eyes continued to dwell on her. They seemed to sear her flesh and penetrate her inner being. Her whole body was tight with tension. ‘I know that I am a mill owner’s daughter. I received the education a gentleman’s daughter might expect, but I do not come from gentle stock. I cannot look too high for a husband.’

‘You have the manners of a lady of breeding. You should not put yourself down, Sarah—nor sell yourself short. Sir Roger may have been after your fortune, but I dare say there are plenty of gentlemen who would take you for yourself if you presented yourself in the right circles.’

‘I do not have time to be a lady of leisure. Removing myself from my home and my family was a spur-of-the-moment thing and I imagine my uncle is angry with me for sending him a letter informing him that I shall be away for some months.’

‘Would you not consider handing over the reins to your uncle?’

‘I have sometimes wished that I might. He is a dear, but he has no head for business. My father always said it. Uncle William would probably sell to the highest bidder and think he was doing me a favour.’ She frowned as the words left her mouth. ‘Indeed, were I to die I have no doubt he would accept an offer for the mills, for he is my heir.’

‘Then perhaps we have the answer to the question I posed earlier. It seems likely that, with you out of the way, your uncle would accept the offer you are considering.’

‘Was considering. I shall most certainly turn it down. Anyone who would employ a rogue to frighten me into selling is certainly not fit to care for my workers.’

Rupert nodded, his eyes narrowed, expression thoughtful. ‘I cannot supply your lack of a husband, Miss Hardcastle. However, I might settle with this rogue—if you tell me his name.’

‘Mr Matt Arkwright of Newcastle,’ Sarah said, looking at him uncertainly. ‘He did not give his name, but I happen to know he was very interested in purchasing the mills. Would you wish to become involved in this business, sir?’

‘I imagine I might bring pressure to bear on the man—make him back off and aware of the consequences if anything were to happen to a lady under my protection.’

Sarah felt a thrill of pleasure shoot through her at his words, then realised that he was speaking of Francesca. ‘I doubt he would harm one of your charges. However, if I had been killed, my uncle would have been in a position to sell to him.’

‘Perhaps you should make a will, tying your property up in a trust that may not be sold? In the meantime, I could look into these matters for you and see what can be done to protect you against similar attempts to relieve you of what is yours by right.’