Welcome to Tallisbrook.
Below you’ll find the opening four chapters of The Tallisbrook Emeralds, for readers who like to sample a story before settling in. If you’d rather download the full book straight away, you can get it free from StoryOrigin here:
About the book
A Regency romance of secrets, inheritance, and hidden truths, where love must find its way through old mysteries and dangerous entanglements.
Chapter 1
Sussex, England, 1820
Sancha stood on the doorstep of Storm Cottage, admiring the view of the valley and the distant hills. It was such a glorious day, and the woodland beckoned. Surely the time was right for gathering forest mushrooms. Cook made wonderful mushroom pies, so why not go in search of some?
‘I should come with you,’ Erin said. ‘You’re inclined to ramble on these forest excursions. You should not go alone.’
‘Oh fiddle, Erin. How long have we lived here at the cottage? I know this land as if it were my own. I cannot possibly come to harm.’
‘Unless you fall down and break a leg.’
‘I’ll take Samson. If anything happens to me he’ll know to come home. At any rate he’ll come home when he’s hungry, so you can then send out a search party.’
Samson was the huge docile mastiff who was supposed to be their protector, but his protection involved nothing more than keeping people at bay with his exuberant welcome.
Erin was easily dissuaded. She was not keen on country rambling, preferring to stay home by the fireside and stitch, or help Molly in the kitchen with cooking. The two women had shared the cottage for two years now and were quite comfortable with each other’s habits.
Storm Cottage, as it was known, had once been the dower house for Tallisbrook Manor, but had been vacant for some years when Sancha moved in. The small legacy left to her by her mother was enough to cover the lease, employ a cook, a groom who also managed the gardens, and a maid to come in daily from the village. She was able to live fairly comfortably with few other expenses. Although Tallisbrook was nearby with its many chimneys visible beyond the woods, she had no contact with the family belonging to that grand residence. She was vaguely aware that there had been some connection in the distant past, but whatever it was could not have been important enough to require her presence at the dinners or parties that occasionally brought carriages and groups of horsemen trotting along the road from the village. They had never once invited her. Sancha paid her rent through the agent in the local village, and was happy enough that it was all that was expected of her from her Tallisbrook landlords.
Now, as she looked over towards the manor, she made up her mind about the mushrooms. With a basket over her arm, an apron over her plain calicot dress, a floppy hat and a pair of old leather gloves, she set out towards the woods. The densest part of the wood was on Tallisbrook land, but it was unlikely anyone would object to her gathering fungus. If left much longer on this bright day they would be quite spoiled and of no use to anyone.
Samson ran ahead of her, snuffling through spinneys and under hedges. The day was glorious, and she enjoyed walking. When she came to the path leading into the forest she was almost inclined to continue over the next rise to the village, but then she remembered her very plain dress. She would definitely not wish to greet any of the more snobbish village women dressed as a servant.
The mushrooms were plentiful; so many soft white balls pushing through the leaf litter towards the light. She soon became absorbed in the search, falling to her knees occasionally to move the wet leaves and not minding that her dress was stained and her gloves dirty. When her basket was full she turned back, this time taking the road rather than the path through the woods. It was not long, however, before she heard a horse coming along at a steady pace. It occurred to her that she should step back into the bushes but then she thought better of it. Why hide? She was the tenant of Storm Cottage, and quite entitled to walk along the road.
The horse was not happy when Samson bounded over, barking and dancing in excited circles. The rider was forced to rein it in hard. He shouted at Samson to ‘drop’ and to Sancha’s amazement the dog immediately lay on its stomach, then lifted its head and regarded the rider with an adoring expression. Evidently the man knew how to deal with dogs.
When he noticed Sancha standing by the side of the road he dismounted and looped the reins over his arm. Her first impression was of a man in very stylish riding clothes, expensive boots and a smart hat. He was obviously a gentleman, so he posed no threat. She was about to greet him when she remembered her stained apron and dirty gloves.
As he walked towards her he eyed her speculatively. ‘Gathering mushrooms. How charming. Are you from Tallisbrook?’ There was no bow or word of courtesy. Did he take her for a servingmaid? Why not have a little joke with him. ‘Yes, m’lud.’ She smiled sweetly, bobbing into a curtsy and lowering her eyes as a servant would. Perhaps that smile might have been a little forward.
‘Ah. Of course. I think I do remember you. But I haven’t seen you recently. Have you been away?’
‘No, m’lud. I’m always downstairs.’
‘That explains it then. You’re a pretty little puss. Might I know your name?’
Here she stopped. She could not give her real name. Quickly she invented something. ‘Katherine,’ she said, ‘but people call me ‘Kitty.’ In fact this had been her mother’s pet name for her when she was a child, and if he thought of her as a pretty little puss she might just as well be a kitten.
The lord, if that was what he was, again seemed to size her up in a way she found almost embarrassing. He moved closer, dropping the reins and leaving his horse free to roam to the green shoots on the verge. Samson had been distracted by a wood pigeon and had no further interest in the horse or its rider. She noticed the gentleman’s eyes – grey eyes almost twinkling with mischief. There was a pleasant scent of leather about him, and something masculine and sharp like cedar wood.
‘Indeed. You do have rather a kittenish air. That cute nose, and you have a decidedly playful way about you.’
Her plain straw hat was loosely tied under her chin with ribbon. He reached forward and pulled the bow undone and removed it. ‘Your hair,’ he said. ‘It is the most extraordinary colour.’ And so it was. All her life she had accepted compliments about her hair. It was the rich colour people called Titian, a startling Renaissance red.
Now, Sancha was not quite so confident of her little game. Did that mischievous look mean he was sizing her up as someone he might take advantage of? If this man took it into his head to make serious advances what should she do? She stepped back, forgetting the ditch that ran along the edge of the road. Her foot slipped and she had to lurch forward to regain her balance. In one quick movement he had his arm around her waist, then he pulled her close and was suddenly kissing her quite hard. It was a moment or two before she recovered enough from the surprise to push him away.
‘Sir!’
He looked puzzled, but did not let her go. Perhaps his advances were not quite so quickly resisted by the maids. She knew she should have simpered and giggled, but she was too shocked. She did however manage to look down at the ground with a contrite but submissive smile. ‘I … I am engaged to be married, my lord. My man would know if …’ What the ‘if’ entailed she was not prepared to think about.
‘Oh. Well, that’s a pity. You’re such a pretty kitten.’ He released her and stepped back. He was smiling now as he bent to pick up the reins. ‘My apologies Miss Kitty, but I do think you enjoyed it as much as I did.’ And with that he quickly mounted and left without so much as a backward glance.
Sancha stood watching as he trotted away and then broke into a gallop on the more open ground. So that’s the way it was for the serving girls; a kiss taken without so much as a by-your-leave and no doubt worse to follow if she had not stopped him. She blushed when she recalled that she had not wanted to stop him. And could she blame him? She had definitely led him on. Oh well. Put it down to experience. It was not every day she was kissed by a gentleman who mistook her for a serving maid. Smiling, she gathered her basket and gloves and continued on her way. It would be better not to tell Erin; she would not see the funny side of it, and she would definitely insist on accompanying her into the woods in future.
On the way back she thought about what might happen if she should run into the man in the village. She must remember to wear her bonnet firmly tied down at all times. With a smart dress and pelisse he might not recognise her, but her hair would give her away. Miss Chiswick at the ladies’ seminary in Bath had insisted that she cover her hair when they walked out. ‘With that pale skin and those large brown eyes your distinctly unusual colouring is hard to pass without a second look. You attract far too much attention from gentlemen.’
Back at the cottage, Erin met her at the door in great excitement. ‘Sancha, what do you think? A boy came from Tallisbrook with a message for you.’
‘For me? How odd.’ For one moment she thought it must have come from the man who had kissed her in the wood, and her cheeks burned at the memory of it. But that could not be; he would expect to meet her as a downstairs maid at Tallisbrook, not a tenant of Stone Cottage.
Sancha removed her apron and gloves and carried the letter to the drawing room. The so-called cottage was actually more than that. It was in fact quite a substantial house with many rooms including a good-sized drawing room with mullioned windows looking onto the garden. Sancha took her letter to the window where the light was strongest, and examined it carefully. The note paper was of the very finest quality and the seal was one she recognised – the insignia stamped on the papers she signed for her lease on the cottage.
‘Will you not open it, Sancha? I cannot wait a minute longer.’
Erin was obviously bursting to know the contents, but Sancha hesitated. Might it be bad news, telling her the cottage was no longer available once the lease had expired? As she recalled there was still another few months left on the current lease, but surely it was not that. And if it had been so the steward would have said something before a very formal letter would come from Tallisbrook.
‘Yes, of course.’ She removed the seal and opened the letter. Her eyes widened and she felt her face pale as she read it.
‘Well? Good heavens, Sancha. Is it bad news?’
‘I do not know. That is … they want me to go to the manor on Friday at midday for the reading of a will.’
‘A will? Whose will?’
Sancha dropped the letter into her lap and stared off into the distance.
‘Sancha. Please don’t keep me in suspense.’
‘Lady Esmeralda has died and apparently she has made me a bequest. I must go to Tallisbrook to hear the reading of the will on Friday.’
‘Lady Esmeralda? Is she the one we call ‘the Vulture’?’
‘Yes. Oh dear.’ Sancha had occasionally seen Lady Esmeralda riding in her carriage through Talliston. She always wore black silk. She was thin and hunched in her old age, her shoulders bent forward, and her head covered by a tight cap, with no hint of hair underneath. On more than one occasion Sancha had felt herself to be the object of her particular scrutiny. Lady Esmeralda never smiled but she kept her small bright eyes fixed on Sancha until the carriage passed. That peculiarly fierce regard had caused Sancha to think of her as a vulture, waiting for an opportunity to descend on her.
‘Leave me a bequest? Why? I don’t know her.’
‘Are you sure? I do remember you telling me once there was a distant connection.’
Sancha frowned and stared out of the windows to the far chimneys of Tallisbrook. ‘It means nothing. Everyone has a distant connection to everyone else in our society. Blood ties way back in the past. Truly Erin, if there is a connection strong enough to warrant a bequest I know nothing of it. It must be a mistake. I’ll write and tell them so.’
She immediately began searching inside the small writing desk for paper, but Erin stopped her. ‘No, Sancha. You must just accept. If it is a mistake they will surely tell you. If not … well, who knows.’ Erin looked deeply thoughtful. ‘You know almost nothing of your father. Is it possible that this lady we called the Vulture did know something? And perhaps now you will find it out.’
‘Yes, perhaps. I had not thought of that.’
‘At least you will find out how the Vulture knew of you. It’s very exciting, don’t you think?’
‘It’s also very worrying.’ Sancha thought of the man she had met on his way to Tallisbrook. Would he be there? If so she would have some explaining to do.
‘Well, we’ll know soon enough. Erin deftly changed the subject. Your little excursion was a success, Molly is delighted with the mushrooms. It’s also time for blackberries. Her blackberry tarts are delicious. Might you go out foraging again soon?’
‘In a week or so, yes.’ Sancha put her head down and began to write her reply to the Tallisbrook note. It would be best to keep away from the woods at least until all this was settled. Friday was still three days away. Perhaps the interesting gentleman who waylaid her on the road was a visitor and would be well gone by then.
Chapter 2
Lord Drew later recalled that he had received two shocks when he arrived at the gathering for the reading of Lady Esmeralda’s will. While he was out riding after breakfast, Jupiter had thrown a shoe, which meant he was forced to walk the horse back to Tallisbrook and then hurry to change out of his riding clothes.
The first shock was the sight of the maid he met in the park a few days ago.
The second was the details of the will.
In the library the lawyer, Lawrenson, was seated at the large cherrywood desk with his clerk beside him. Apparently they had all been waiting for him and there was a distinct feeling of impatience in the room.
Cousin Margaret was sitting nearest the door. ‘I don’t see why you always have to be late, Drew. We have been waiting a good twenty minutes.’ This acerbic comment distracted him temporarily, so he did not immediately notice the stranger in the room.
Great-aunt Esmeralda’s will was not expected to cause any surprises. The benefits certain members of the family were to receive were decided long ago. He himself knew exactly what was to come to him. As he was the family heir, his great-aunt had decided that most of what remained of her fortune would go to him; she had no other male relatives still living. Lady Esmeralda was, of course, entitled to leave her money to whosoever she pleased, but apart from a generous bequest to her granddaughter Margaret, and something for her long-time servants, there would be no other beneficiaries.
All was as expected when he joined his family in the library. Mama and his sister Janet were seated in front of the desk. Lord Blaire Rutherford, his mother’s brother, was directly behind her and already enjoying a glass of Madeira. Rutherford had no expectations of Esmeralda, they had been dire enemies for years. He was here merely out of curiosity, Drew assumed.
Esmeralda’s personal maid, Hetty Gilmore, was seated behind the group. She would receive a pension for what was left of her life, which was probably not much because she was even older than Esmeralda. Jasper Green, who had once acted as Esmeralda’s groom but was now also too old to be of much use for anything, was looking most uncomfortable in a hastily put together costume of leather breeches and a brown woollen coat, probably borrowed from one of the footmen. He would also receive a pension.
As head of the family Drew was expected to take his place in the front row, but he moved to the side of the room and leaned against the wall, leaving the spare chair vacant. It was then he noticed the stranger sitting beside his mother. Surely that was the maid, Kitty as he recalled, who he met on the road a few days earlier. She turned to him, opened her dark eyes wide in recognition, and then quickly looked away. Why was a servant seated among his relatives, next to mama in fact, and wearing a very smart riding habit? He could not mistake her; that hair was the most amazing colour.
So pretty Kitty was not a servant after all. Pity, he had hoped to find her below stairs. But why was she here waiting for the will to be read?
‘If we are all here we can begin,’ Lawrenson said, his eyes briefly flickering towards Drew with a look of reproach.
Mama spoke up, probably trying to lighten the atmosphere. ‘Yes, do please begin, Arthur. We are all now ready.’
Drew saw the young woman, Kitty, lift her chin and straighten her shoulders. Who was she? Some forgotten by-blow of his now dead father? If so she would not be sitting comfortably beside mama. Or was she vaguely related to Lady Esmeralda perhaps? That was more likely.
Lawrenson droned through the will. Nothing was less than expected. The bulk of his great-aunt’s fortune, such as it was, had been left to him, and there was a generous amount of money for his cousin Margaret. Small bequests were made to Esmeralda’s servants and a children’s charity. Drew was looking forward to a glass of Madeira and still wondering about Kitty’s presence when Lawrenson cleared his throat.
‘Now we come to the final bequest Lady Esmeralda has made.’ The clerk shuffled some papers and then passed them over to the lawyer. ‘It is to Miss Sancha Sinclaire.’ He looked pointedly at the young woman with the deep red hair.
The feeling in the room was suddenly one of expectation bordering on apprehension. Drew frowned. Miss Sancha Sinclaire, or whoever she was, had definitely been playing with him on the road to Tallisbrook. He would need to find out why.
‘Miss Sancha Sinclaire will inherit the entire collection of jewelry now deposited with the Bank of England. She will also inherit full title to the property once known as the dower house, but now known as Storm Cottage.’
The atmosphere in the room became electric. Sancha Sinclaire quickly looked to him, but then lifted her hands to her mouth in apparent distress.
Lord Rutherford was the first to speak. ‘I say. That’s a dashed shock. Family heirlooms, you know.’
Lawrenson ignored the comment. ‘There is more. Under the terms of the will, Lord Drew Palmer will be the sole executor and have management of any proceeds from the sale or otherwise of such jewelry until Miss Sinclaire marries.’
It was Drew’s turn to be shocked. What on earth was Esmeralda thinking? Not only had she left the dower house and a parcel of jewelry to a complete stranger, but she had also laid the responsibility for it all on his shoulders.
‘This concludes the reading of Lady Esmeralda’s will,’ Lawrenson continued. ‘If I might suggest, Miss Sinclaire, that you will come to my offices in Talliston as soon as possible so we can have you sign the relevant papers.’ The clerk began gathering the various documents together and binding them with ribbon. Lawrenson declined a glass of Madeira from a footman who appeared at a signal from Lord Rutherford. Hetty Gilmore and Jasper Green discreetly left the room.
Drew accepted a drink. Miss Sinclaire, he noticed, was standing now, but looking as if she was about to topple over. He quickly moved towards her and took her arm. ‘My dear Miss Kitty,’ he said. ‘Do come into the small saloon and take some refreshment. We can be comfortable there, and we have much to discuss.’ He could not resist a wry smile.
Mama looked startled at his familiarity and his use of the name ‘Kitty’. Cousin Margaret and sister Janet were watching them both carefully. The Saints only knew what they all suspected him of, but this madness was none of his doing.
Having convinced Sancha to sit and take a glass of Madeira for her nerves, he began by apologising. ‘Forgive me for pretending to be so familiar, but I thought it best. It saved you from having to answer a lot of questions right there on the spot.’
‘Thank you, my lord. I cannot answer any questions. I don’t know how all this came about. I have never met Lady Esmeralda.’
‘Well, somebody knows the reason for her – generosity. Perhaps Lawrenson will have the details for you.’
‘Yes, perhaps.’ Her trusting dark eyes sought his and her face wore an expression of complete helplessness. Did she think of him as her knight in shining armour? Well, he might play that role for a time. Whatever the story of the jewels and the reason for Esmeralda’s largesse regarding Storm Cottage, it all needed to be sorted somehow.
‘So you have absolutely no idea why my aunt left the family jewels to you?’
‘The family jewels? Oh! I had not thought. Of course I cannot accept them.’
She was no fortune hunter then, that was obvious. ‘When we met on the road …’ he began.
She turned her head away in embarrassment, but she managed to control herself. ‘It was a joke, my lord. You mistook me for a servant, so I decided to play along with it. Not realising …’
‘A joke? A dangerous one then, my dear Miss Kitty. Out in the woods, no protection from predatory males apart from a large, droolly dog, and without the advantage of your status.’
She bristled slightly. ‘So you describe yourself as a predatory male?’
‘You must believe me, a kiss was all I expected. But not one quite so responsive …’
She flushed to the roots of her extraordinary hair. ‘Please my lord, can we forget that encounter? It was silly of me. You did not look dangerous.’
‘But how did you come to be on the road – dressed so becomingly as a servant.’
‘I live at Storm Cottage. I have the lease of it.’
‘Forgive me. I did not know.’ That was a surprise, but it explained why she was wearing a very becoming riding habit. She had come to the meeting on horseback.
‘How could you know?’ she said. ‘Our rent is paid through your agent. We have no contact with Tallisbrook.’
‘We? So you have family?’
‘No. It is just myself and my companion, Miss Chapman.’ Under his enquiring gaze she was obliged to explain further. ‘My mother left a small legacy. Enough to cover the lease and living expenses.’
‘Ah. Well, I’m sorry we have ignored you, but it still does not explain Aunt Esmeralda’s actions.’
Lady Palmer joined them then. As usual his mother was all kindness and sympathy. ‘Such a trial for you, my dear, having to come among strangers and be confronted with such shocking news.’ She turned to Drew. ‘You and Miss Sinclaire have met, Drew?’
‘Only briefly on the road near Storm Cottage, Mama.’ That was all he was prepared to say, and he presumed Miss Sinclaire thought the less said the better.
Lady Palmer looked unsatisfied by this brief answer. He would no doubt have to make up a story to satisfy the family later. ‘Will you stay to dinner, Miss Sinclaire? I’m sure we would all like to know you better.’
Miss Sinclaire was obviously horrified and shrank from that suggestion. ‘Oh dear no, thank you, my lady. Miss Chapman, my companion, will worry if I don’t return for dinner.’
‘That’s easily solved,’ Drew said. ‘We can send a boy to Storm Cottage with a message.’
But nothing would convince Miss Sinclaire to change her mind. She was no serving maid, but it seemed she was not quite ready for Tallisbrook. He decided to assume a more authoritative manner.
‘Well, we must needs discuss this situation. After you have seen Lawrenson I would appreciate it if we could meet. I think you must understand that I am quite as interested in what he has to say about all this as you are.’
To his surprise she smiled at him. ‘Perhaps you could accompany me, my lord. I will of course take Erin – Miss Chapman – but I would feel more comfortable with you there. And then I will not be obliged to have to explain it all to the family.’
He paused. Was it a good idea to represent himself as her adviser? Who knew what the connection to Esmeralda would turn out to be? And what if his cousin Margaret decided to dispute the will? As Esmeralda’s closest relative she may have every right to do so. On the other hand as her executor and trustee he should make it his business to find out all there was to know.
‘I would be delighted,’ he said. ‘We’ll go to Talliston in my carriage. I’ll call for you and your companion half an hour before the appointment time on the morrow.’
She seemed satisfied with that and after making stiff farewells to mama and sister Janet she asked for her horse to be brought round to the front door. He helped her to mount. The horse was quite spirited and anxious to be off, but she had no trouble managing it. He watched her canter across the park. Here was another mystery. How was it that he had not encountered Miss Sinclaire on his rides through the countryside? If she was such a good horsewoman surely she must ride somewhere. Well, not on Tallisbrook acres apparently.
When he turned back to the house he saw Lord Rutherford watching him from the porch. He was anxious to avoid speculation on Miss Sinclaire’s inheritance, but there was no getting away from his uncle, who beckoned him aside, out of the footman’s hearing.
‘You must marry her, of course.’ Lord Rutherford bit down on his cigar and looked meaningfully at Drew.
‘Marry her? What nonsense. Why should I do that?’
‘Obviously Esmeralda intended to bring her into the family. What better way to do it than leave her part of the family fortune. Surely you would not want to see it go to some other fellow.’
‘A collection of old brooches and necklaces is hardly a substantial part of the family fortune, and nobody has cared about the dower house for years. The rent is insignificant, and it’s in need of repairs. It’s fast becoming a liability.’
‘I think you might be surprised about those jewels. Esmeralda had them valued.’
‘And?’
‘And it seems they are worth around twenty thousand pounds.’
‘What? Good Lord. That’s something to think about.’
‘Yes. So if you don’t want to marry her I might approach her myself.’
‘You’re joking.’
‘No. Miss Sinclaire is alone in the world. She needs a family. She might well consider me. I have a title to offer, and that must count for something.’
‘You know something about her?’
‘I had a few words with Lawrenson just now. He was pretty tight-lipped, but he did tell me that much.’
‘I don’t see why Miss Sinclaire should be obliged to marry anyone. She has some money of her own, and now she also has a cottage. Jewelry is all very well, but unless she sells it off piece by piece it’s worthless to her sitting in a bank vault.’
‘Well, I would soon take care of that.’
Drew left Rutherford to his cigar and the evening air. It was time to dress for dinner. As he changed his shirt and buttoned his jacket he came to a decision about Miss Kitty, as he still thought of her. Whatever happened he would not let her fall into Rutherford’s clutches. Perhaps he would enjoy playing the knight in shining armour after all.
Chapter 3
Sancha rode back to Storm Cottage as the day darkened. A stiff breeze whipped at her riding habit and she lowered her head to save her hat from flying off. When the cottage came into view below the last line of hills she expected to feel pleasure as she always did at the sight of home, but she was so unsettled by the events of the afternoon that she hardly noticed the welcoming smoke from the chimney and the soft light already glowing in the drawing room windows.
As George, the groom, led Destiny away to the stables, Erin came to meet her at the door. ‘You look pale, Sancha. Are you quite well? Come inside to the fire and tell me what happened. I’ve been beside myself with impatience to find out.’
‘I must first change out of this habit, Erin. I need to be comfortable before I start on it all. And can we have some tea?’
‘Of course. And Molly has made pound cake. You must be hungry.’
Food was the last thing Sancha needed. Her stomach was still in knots, but when dressed in her comfortable day dress and a warm woollen shawl she sat by the fire while Erin poured tea. Everything was as it should be, so why did she feel so lost?
She began by describing the afternoon’s proceedings, the family, the reading of the will, leaving her own part of it to the last as it had happened. Erin sat wide-eyed, totally absorbed in the story, until Sancha arrived at the details of her legacy. She then sat forward in shock, almost oversetting the tea tray.
‘A parcel of jewelry, and this cottage? Good heaven’s Sancha, but why?’
‘I don’t know. Mr Lawrenson will perhaps explain it tomorrow. I must needs go and sign papers. Of course you will come too, and I asked Lord Drew to accompany us. I want him to pass it all on to the family. As he thinks fit,’ she added. It was plain that Lawrenson did not think the Tallisbrook family was entitled to her own family history, but if they were not, who was?
‘Lord Drew? The heir? Is he happy about your inheritance?’
‘It seems so. The only one unhappy about it is me, apparently. Although I have not heard what the family really think. They were quite friendly to me.’
Erin sat back, her eyes wide in wonder. As usual she wore a lace cap over her soft blonde hair, giving the impression that she was in fact older than her 20 years. Her small, rounded figure was enveloped in grey muslin, a dress that had once been cerulean blue but now faded. Sancha had a strong premonition that this comfortable life of theirs was about to change, and she feared what was to come.
‘I don’t know what to think, Sancha. All this has thrown my nerves into a terrible state. And you? It’s a wonder you are not in complete hysterics.’ Erin had a habit of folding and unfolding her hands when she was worried. She did this now, but then pulled herself together and clasped her hands in her lap. ‘This house is yours forever, so that has to be good. And if the jewelry is a problem why not just forget it, and when you marry …’
‘IfI marry the jewelry will become the property of my husband, so either way it will be off my mind.’
‘If you marry? Of course you will.’
‘But Erin, how is that to happen? We see no-one here. And even if we did, I can’t imagine myself as the wife of a country squire, or a – an attorney, for example. Apart from that I have no desire to marry. I simply want things to go on as they have done until now.’
‘That may not be possible, my dear.’
Erin’s wide grey eyes were slightly moist. Sancha was aware that her friend well understood the implications of this thunderbolt that had hit them both. Their friendship had endured since their school days – Sancha was the practical one, always ready to confront whatever came to them with clear reasoning, while Erin’s softer, fanciful nature often allowed her to see more deeply into the possibilities of circumstance.
‘Why should anything change?’ Sancha said
‘Because you are an heiress. These jewels may be worth a fortune, and if so …’
Sancha laughed. ‘You think every fortune hunter from here to London will be after me? You may be right, but I don’t have to notice them.’ She stood, walked to the centre of the room and twirled around, her skirts billowing about her ankles. ‘Let them come. I will soon see them off, and have fun doing it. But don’t worry Erin. These jewels may be no more than bits of glass. I’m sure if they were really valuable they would not have been left to me.’
The next day they were both ready and waiting when the carriage arrived from Tallisbrook. Lord Drew’s groom drove, while he rode on horseback alongside. He bowed to Sancha and also to Erin when she was introduced. Sancha was glad of the carriage. Although they could have walked to the village in half an hour the heavy skies promised rain. She wore her best cloak with the fur trim and had pulled the hood over her head against the stiff breeze.
Lord Drew dismounted and helped her into the carriage. ‘Hiding that remarkable hair under a hood, Miss Kitty? How disappointing.’ Sancha knew this droll comment was intended to relax her and introduce a light touch to the morning’s business, but Erin looked shocked. When they were both seated in the coach and the horses began to move forward she questioned Sancha.
‘Why does he call you Kitty? And why is he so familiar?’
She would have to explain the unfortunate meeting on the road and why Lord Drew addressed her as Kitty the maid and not Miss Sinclaire, the benefactor of his aunt’s estate. But although it was forward of him, she had to admit she rather enjoyed his little game.
Her life at Storm Cottage had been quiet. It was a long time since she had experienced the company of an attractive male, and this one was particularly interesting. He had no qualms about playing with her as if she were no more, in fact, than one of his serving maids. Well, she would soon disabuse him of that notion. ‘I met him on the road while mushroom hunting,’ she explained. ‘He mistook me for a maidservant. I played along, and I told him my name was Kitty.’ That was all Erin needed to know. Even so, she was terribly shocked.
‘Sancha! How could you?’
‘It was a joke, Erin. Now it’s his little joke to continue to call me Kitty.’
‘But to pretend to be a servant!’
‘Well, it’s done now. I’m not a servant. I’m some sort of cousin.’
‘Do you really think so?’
‘Lady Esmeralda wanted to acknowledge me. That’s certain. But acknowledge me as what I’m still not sure. Perhaps we’ll know all about it today.’
Despite her casual manner, Sancha was not at all sure she wanted to know anything about her connection to the Tallisbrook family. Since moving to Talliston the distant chimneys had intrigued her, and she had built a romantic picture in her mind of the people who lived in the grand house across the hill. However, she would prefer to keep that distance intact.
The lawyer, Lawrenson, bowed to the three visitors, was introduced to Erin, and raised his eyebrows at the lord, who, however, was not inclined to explain why he was there.
It was arranged earlier that Erin would excuse herself and wait for Sancha in the lending library along the street. Erin preferred to hear the news of Sancha’s relationship to the Tallisbrook family from Sancha herself, and Lord Drew was present to give her support.
The lawyer ushered them into his large, well-furnished office. The day was dull, and brass lanterns had been placed on either side of the huge desk to throw light onto the working area.
‘Can I offer you refreshment, Miss Sinclaire? Lord Drew?’
Sancha declined. ‘Heavens no Mr Lawrenson. I have not long had breakfast. Perhaps Lord Drew…?’
‘No. Let’s just get on with it, Lawrenson. I’m sure Miss Sinclaire is quite anxious to know what you have to say.’
Lawrenson pursed his lips in disapproval, and then reached for a sheaf of documents on his desk. Sancha had the impression that the lawyer had wanted to make an occasion of this revelation, and was disappointed. The theatre of the legal world was probably not often available to him here in Talliston, and no doubt he considered the passing on of Lady Esmeralda’s secrets high theatre indeed. He started without further ado.
‘Let’s begin with Lady Esmeralda. She first married Lord Alfred Sinclaire. He was a widower with one daughter, Juliana. Lord Sinclaire was already old when they married, and after he died she was left in charge of his daughter, who was of course your mother, Miss Sinclaire.’ He paused to allow this fact to be taken in before continuing. ‘Your mother married an Italian count, Count Ludovico di Castelli, when she was very young.’ Sancha caught her breath sharply, and Lord Drew looked at her in surprise.
‘The count eventually left her in rather dire circumstances in Italy. I’m sorry to say he later died during a nasty uprising somewhere in the north of the country, and as there were no male heirs, his estate, including the jewelry, was left to your mother in trust for you. But as you know your mother also died when you were young. Countess Juliana di Castelli apparently left the jewelry to her step-mother to keep in trust for you.’
Sancha felt Lord Drew’s enquiring stare, but she was too shocked to say anything.
When there were no comments Lawrenson continued. ‘Lady Esmeralda married again, into the Palmer family. So there lies the connection. I don’t know the reason for the estrangement between Lady Esmeralda and her step-daughter Juliana di Castelli, but they did not get on.’
Sancha managed to find her voice. ‘My mother’s name was Julia Sinclaire!’
Lawrenson nodded and continued. ‘Your mother changed her name legally back to Sinclaire. She did not change yours, however. So your real name is Sancha di Castelli. Perhaps even Countess Sancha di Castelli. Titles are difficult to prove, but it may be so.’ Lawrenson was obviously enjoying his role as purveyor of sensational news. He put the document aside and clasped his hands before him on the desk, looking very pleased with himself.
Lord Drew was just as astonished as she was, apparently. He leaned forward and fixed Lawrenson with a hard stare. ‘Then Lady Esmeralda was Miss Sinclaire’s step-grandmother?’
‘Yes, that is so.’
Sancha found her voice. ‘But if this is true, why did she not acknowledge me?’
‘No doubt it has something to do with the reason for the estrangement with your mother. I’m afraid I have no information about that. However, she did provide for you, indirectly.’
‘She did?’
‘The legacy you received came not from your mother, but directly from Lady Esmeralda’s estate.’
Sancha dropped her head into her hands. It was all too much to take in. She heard Lord Drew’s voice and forced herself to concentrate.
‘If I can interrupt, Lawrenson. Miss Sinclaire – we’ll use that name for the moment – might like to accept that refreshment now.’
‘Of course.’ Lawrenson rang a bell and when the clerk appeared he ordered sherry. There was silence in the room, apart from Lawrenson’s impatient shuffling of documents, while the clerk opened a heavy oak sideboard and poured sherry into three glasses. When the clerk left and closed the door, Lord Drew again spoke. ‘And if I might also ask – what happens to Miss Sinclaire’s legacy now that Lady Esmeralda is dead?’
‘Ah. I’m afraid that will be discontinued. There was no provision for it in the will. However, I think Miss Sinclaire has been well compensated otherwise. There is Storm Cottage.’
Sancha sat up quickly. ‘Then I have a cottage, a parcel of old jewelry, but no money?’
‘That is so.’
Sancha took a determined swallow of the sweet sherry. It warmed her and cleared her head. ‘I intend to return the jewelry to the family.’
Lawrenson looked alarmed. ‘But Miss Sinclaire, the jewelry is rightfully yours. It comes directly from your father to you through your mother. Tallisbrook can have no claim to it.’
‘Did Lady Esmeralda have no other children, then?’ Sancha was still trying to work out the tangled family relationships. She felt quite lost with it all.
Lord Drew answered her. ‘She did. My cousin Margaret is the grandchild of her second marriage. She can certainly have no claim on your inheritance.’
Lawrenson took a sip of his sherry. He too was looking somewhat baffled. ‘I should inform you, Miss Sinclaire, that the jewelry may be worth upwards of twenty thousand pounds.’
‘May be worth … ‘ She stopped. So she was an heiress after all. She could hardly comprehend such an immense amount of money. The information seemed to slide over her like a slow wave. Instinctively she turned to Lord Drew for some sort of support, but he had had no reaction to the news. ‘Did you know the value of this jewelry, my lord?’ She looked directly into his grey eyes and her tone was challenging.
He paused for a moment. ‘My mother’s brother, Blaire, had somehow become aware of it.’ He in turn looked hard at Lawrenson.
‘Lord Rutherford approached me after the reading of the will. I did not pass on the information. However, as you know, Lord Rutherford has contacts in the city. It may be he knew the value before Lady Esmeralda did.’
There was little more to be said. Sancha signed the papers as directed by Lawrenson while Lord Drew watched on, thoughtfully. When Sancha was ready to leave he took her arm and led her to the vestibule where Erin was now waiting.
Her companion quickly stood when she saw Sancha’s face and went to her side. ‘Are you well, Sancha? You look … shocked.’
‘I am quite well, thank you Erin. If Lord Drew would order the carriage we can be away home.’
He signalled to the groom waiting in the street, and soon Sancha and Erin were seated, ready to return to Storm Cottage.
‘If you ladies will excuse me,’ he said, ‘I must see Lawrenson on family business. You can rely on Jensen. He will get you home safely.’
Sancha was relieved at that. She wanted time alone with Erin to go over everything that had been said.
He seemed to understand. Before they left he spoke to her. ‘We must discuss all this, Miss Sinclaire. Might I call on you tomorrow?’ His manner was formal now, all evidence of his earlier playfulness gone.
She hesitated. Now it would begin – invitations, callers, visits to lawyers and who knew what else? But she had to talk to someone. Why not him?
Chapter 4
Drew found Lawrenson waiting for him in the vestibule. They returned to the office and Lawrenson sat at his desk, this time with another set of papers before him.
‘Here are the latest estimates of the Tallisbrook estate liabilities, my lord. Lady Esmeralda’s legacy to you will help to ease the burden, of course.’
‘The burden? Are things that bad?’ Drew examined the papers. There were few surprises, but despite his own financial contribution to Tallisbrook the estate was still heavily encumbered. He looked up to find Lawrenson watching him carefully.
‘Your father left considerable debts, my lord, as you know.’
‘Yes. But I believe we can meet them. I inherited my fortune from Lady Palmer’s side of the family. I have been able to keep the estate running and to continue to support the family expenses.’
‘Indeed. However, there is one large debt still outstanding. And in the current financial climate there is always the danger that it may be called in. It is unfortunate that Lady Esmeralda was obliged to leave this jewelry outside the family. ‘
‘Twenty thousand pounds worth of baubles. Quite a legacy.’
‘And perhaps more. There is a certain Russian Princess who is in the market for such treasure, and she has unbelievable wealth at her disposal.’
Drew shrugged. ‘This conversation is pointless. Esmeralda was not able to leave the jewelry to me. What can I say?’
Lawrenson pursed his lips and appeared to consider before continuing. ‘You are in need of a wife, my lord. Miss Sinclaire is an attractive woman, and now she has a distinct family connection.’
Drew accepted the documents and stood up. ‘Thank you for your advice, Lawrenson. I have no intention of marrying, not now or in the near future. I wish you good day.’
As he rode back to Tallisbrook he spurred Jupiter into a fast gallop. A light rain had begun to fall and it washed over his face, cooling his anger. Why was everyone so keen to see him married? He had no need of a wife. At the age of 31 he valued his independence. In London he shared an apartment with long-time friend, Frank Beaumont; dined at his club; had more invitations to balls and dinner parties than he could reasonably accept, and did not want for female companionship. It was true that Tallisbrook was his responsibility, but so far he had managed to keep everything running smoothly and provide a home for the family without having to spend too much time with them.
His resentment was chiefly directed against Lady Esmeralda and those wretched jewels. Why had she kept that a secret for so long? If Sancha Sinclaire had been accepted into the family long ago she would no doubt be comfortably married off by now and this situation would not have occurred. She was certainly comely; he thought of her extraordinary colouring and her neat figure in that riding habit, but quickly brushed the image aside. He was not looking forward to the rest of the day. It would now be up to him to report Lawrenson’s news to the family, and he knew exactly what the reaction would be.
The family was gathered in the drawing room, anxiously awaiting his return.
‘Esmeralda was her grandmother by her first marriage? And we did not know? How extraordinary!’ Mama clasped both hands to her cheeks in dismay.
‘Twenty thousand pounds worth of jewelry! Left to her by my grandmother? It cannot be possible that she would will the emeralds to a stranger.’ Cousin Margaret paled, her usual sour expression now one of total indignation.
‘She seemed very nice,’ was all sister Janet said.
Rutherford was there as usual, leaning on the fireplace with a glass of Madeira in his hand and a grin on his face, obviously enjoying the drama. ‘She’s now part of the family, whether we like it or not, so the twenty thousand pounds is still with us.’
Drew waited for his chance to speak. ‘I must point out to you all that the jewelry did not belong to Aunt Esmeralda. She was obliged to keep it in trust until Miss Sinclaire came of age. However, Esmeralda having died before that event, it now passes to its rightful owner.’
Mama had been reclining on the chaise longue when he came in, but now she sat forward quickly, suddenly struck by a thought. ‘The Tallisbrook Emeralds. Of course!’
Drew frowned. ‘You know something, Mama?’
‘Well … I do remember Esmeralda mentioning jewelry. I had no idea of the value. The bankers referred to them as The Tallisbrook Emeralds. I imagined they belonged to Esmeralda. A family heirloom from her first marriage.’
‘But why are they The Tallisbrook Emeralds? Surely they are the Di Castelli Emeralds?’
‘Oh, Esmeralda would not recognise that connection. I knew her step-daughter married an Italian, of course, and that there was an estrangement. I expect she told the bankers to list them as such.’
There was silence while everyone digested this new information. Cousin Margaret spoke first. ‘What is to be done about this girl who is now also the owner of the dower house? She must not be allowed to go unacknowledged.’
Mama frowned. ‘What can you mean, Margaret? Of course we must invite her here. What else do you expect us to do?’
‘I expect her to be carefully managed. I’m sure you are aware that as an heiress she will now be vulnerable to every fortune hunter in the country. She must not be allowed to disgrace us by making a disastrous connection. As her mother did.’
Drew gritted his teeth to hold back a sharp reply. Cousin Margaret had inherited Esmeralda’s waspish personality. She was still young, not yet 25, but as she aged she had begun to look more like her grandmother: the sharply hooked nose, the hollow cheeks and the challenging stare. Was she too suggesting he should marry Sancha Sinclaire? No, that was unlikely. She had expectations of him herself.
Rutherford topped up his glass from the decanter on the sideboard. ‘I could not agree more. We must keep it all in the family. What do you say, Drew?’
‘What can I say? Miss Sinclaire, or Miss di Castelli, must decide for herself who she will marry and how she will live. I have no intention of influencing any of that. She has managed perfectly well so far without our interference.’
‘But you must see it.’ Rutherford said, ‘Margaret has a point. As an almost penniless orphan there was little prospect of her marrying a hustler. Now, however, there is every likelihood she will be besieged.’
‘There is also every likelihood that she will make a good match. From what I have seen of her – she’s well able to take care of herself.’
‘How is it you presume to know her so well?’ Rutherford was looking at him archly. Drew ignored the comment. Apparently the family were still puzzling over why he had addressed the mysterious Miss Sinclaire as ‘Kitty.’
Fortunately Mama interrupted and he did not have to reply. ‘As usual I can see both sides of the story,’ she said, sighing.
Drew doubted this. Mama’s indolent manner belied the fact that she was a very strong-minded woman, used to having her own way in most things. Another reason why he preferred to spend most of his time in London.
‘I think, Drew, that you must offer to help her. If she is vulnerable, as Margaret says, we are in some way responsible. Esmeralda should have acknowledged her sooner. If I had known our tenant in the dower house was a relative, however distant, I would of course have invited her here.’
‘But Lady Esmeralda would have soon put a stop to that,’ Margaret said.
Janet moved to sit beside her mother and put her arm around her shoulders. ‘I know,’ she interrupted, completely oblivious to the charged atmosphere. ‘We must have a party. Or even a ball. So all our neighbours can get to know her. Can we, Drew? Please say yes.’
‘Janet! We are in mourning for Esmeralda. We cannot have a ball,’ Lady Palmer said.
‘Mama is right, Janet, but we might consider a small dinner party with a few of the locals,’ Drew replied. ‘I must of course find out what Miss Sinclaire wants from us.’
Ferris then announced that luncheon was ready, and the discussion was abandoned. The family had reacted as expected: Margaret antagonistic, Rutherford looking for his best chance, Mother wanting to keep the peace all round, and Janet hoping for some fun. There was, however, one point everyone had missed. Miss Sancha Sinclaire was now fabulously endowed and had a house to call her own, but Esmeralda’s support ceased with her death. Unless she decided to sell The Tallisbrook Emeralds immediately, she was of this moment virtually penniless.
* * *
Conscious of the groom listening to their conversation in the carriage, Sancha had not discussed her meeting with Lawrenson on the way home. At Erin’s enquiring glance she had put a finger to her lips indicating silence. When they were back at Storm Cottage, sitting comfortably by the fire, the discussion began over the teacups. Sancha’s expression was grim and Erin was looking puzzled.
‘So your legacy will run out? But you are worth twenty thousand pounds? I don’t understand the problem.’
‘The problem is that I will have to sell the jewelry if we are to survive.’
‘Oh. And you don’t wish to do that?’
Sancha hesitated. How to explain her feelings? She had not yet fully accepted that the jewelry was in fact hers. Surely there had been some mistake. While her mother was alive they had lived a life of strict economy in a village a few miles west of Talliston. If the jewelry belonged to mother, why had she not sold it to make their lives more comfortable? Sancha remembered mother adding false hems to her dresses as she continued to grow, and accepting hand-me-down shoes that were always uncomfortably large from a neighbour with girls older than herself. After mother died there was suddenly the legacy that paid her way at the ladies’ seminary in Bath. Sancha had not questioned it, assuming it had come from her father, or someone close to him. That she was beholden to the one they once laughed at and referred to as ‘the Vulture’ was unbelievable.
‘I cannot do it,’ she said. ‘I cannot sell something I don’t believe is actually mine. I must think of some way to earn enough money to live.’
‘You have this house now, so there’s no lease to pay, and I have my small legacy …’
‘You are good Erin, but I won’t live off you.’
‘We have always shared everything.’
‘Yes, but it would not be sharing. Your small amount of money would only serve to keep us both on the edge of poverty. Together we managed well enough, but with our income halved …’
‘There is of course another solution,’ Erin looked at the fire, avoiding Sancha’s eyes. ‘You could find a husband.’
‘Absolutely not! You know my thoughts on that matter. I am not prepared to give myself to a man in exchange for a secure life. It amounts to nothing less than slavery.’
‘But if you could find a man who loves you, surely that would not be so?’
Sancha shook her head and smiled. ‘I do believe knights in shining armour are rather difficult to come by in Talliston. ‘
‘Are they? I wonder. A damsel in distress who is worth twenty thousand pounds and is probably an Italian countess? I expect there may be a knight or two on the way right now.’
Sancha laughed. ‘Then we must make sure Samson guards our battlements well, Erin.’
* * *
The next day Samson deterred the first knight by slobbering on his highly polished boots. Sancha was bent over the vegetable patch at the back of the cottage, harvesting the first crop of potatoes. She wore her oldest calicot dress, no hat and very muddy gloves. When she saw Lord Drew ride up and stride over to meet her after jumping nimbly from his horse, she first coloured in embarrassment, but then decided to continue her work.
‘Well, well Miss Kitty. I’m delighted to meet you again. Hard at work, I see.’
She straightened, putting both hands on her hips to relieve her back, and thereby coating her dress with mud. ‘Oh dear,’ she said, removing her gloves and trying to brush the dirt from her skirt. ‘I’m afraid I’m not ready to receive callers, my lord.’ No doubt he had called her Miss Kitty because she looked every inch the servant today, her hair loosely braided, with long strands escaping across her face. She wanted to brush the irritating hair aside but feared her face would then be streaked with mud.
He walked up to her, ignoring Samson’s greeting and the muddy patch between them. ‘Let me do that for you.’ He removed one of his own immaculate gloves and swept the hair from her face. She was so startled at the intimacy of his touch that it took a moment to find her voice. ‘I am not a servingmaid as you well know, my lord. I will thank you to keep a polite distance.’
‘Forgive me, Miss Sinclaire, I believe I mistook you for someone else.’ His eyes sparkled and she could not help laughing.
‘I’m not at all surprised, m’lud. If you will wait inside the cottage, I will find Miss Sancha for you.’
His lips curved in a disarming smile. ‘I will of course be delighted to wait for her. Let me carry your basket, Miss Kitty.’ And so saying he collected the basket of potatoes and her small spade. When they reached the cottage he scraped the mud from his boots while Sancha removed hers and stood in bare feet. She had not bothered to put on stockings for working in the garden.
‘Erin will order tea while I change,’ she said.
He picked up the horse’s reins. ‘I must tether Jupiter to something. He might be tempted to find his own way home from here.’
When she came downstairs 20 minutes later, Lord Drew was comfortably ensconced with Erin in the drawing room. He stood and bowed when she entered. ‘Your servant, Miss Sinclaire.’
She dropped into a curtsy, aware that Erin was watching this exaggerated politeness with a puzzled expression. Sancha had at first wondered what to wear, but then decided that dressing as a lady was the best way to bring the Miss Kitty charade to an end. She chose her best day dress of primrose figured muslin for the occasion, piled her unruly hair on top of her head and bound it with white ribbon. At the last moment she remembered to scrub the mud from under her fingernails. She hoped he would appreciate the transformation.
‘The tea is almost cold,’ Erin said as Sancha sat down. ‘I’ll get cook to brew another pot.’ She then picked up the teapot and walked out with it, leaving Sancha alone with Lord Drew.
‘Miss Chapman has been telling me of your time together at the ladies’ seminary. It’s wonderful that you have both remained friends for so long. I too have a friend from school days, and we share an apartment in London.’
‘In London? Then you do not live at Tallisbrook?’
‘No. Only when London becomes tiresome. It can quickly pall at this time of year.’
Sancha knew nothing of London, so she was not able to comment.
‘If I might ask,’ he continued, ‘how did you come to be here at the dower house?’
‘Oh that’s easy. Mr Lawrenson’s office managed my legacy. When it was time to leave the seminary I received a letter telling me I had the lease of this cottage. I had no idea why, but now I suppose it must have been at Lady Esmeralda’s direction.’
‘Yes, I suppose so. It’s a most extraordinary story. None of us can believe the way you have been ignored all these years. We must try to make it up to you.’ He reached into his jacket and retrieved a letter. ‘Lady Palmer wishes you will come to an afternoon gathering on the morrow. A less formal occasion than the last one. We are all very keen to get to know you, and Miss Chapman, of course.’
Sancha took the invitation and coloured slightly. It was one thing to play games with Lord Drew, quite another to become involved with a family she did not particularly want to know. Lady Esmeralda had done her duty by paying for her keep all these years, but obviously had not wanted her to become involved with the Tallisbrook family while she was alive. But she could not refuse without giving offence.
‘Thank you. I do, of course, accept.’
‘I’ll send Jensen with the carriage to collect you both.’
‘That’s kind of you, my lord, but we would prefer to walk.’ This dependence on Lord Drew and Tallisbrook had to stop now. He was charming, urbane and handsome, but the change in her circumstances was not going to be allowed to threaten her freedom to live as she pleased.
‘I understand,’ he said, after a slight pause.
Sancha somehow got the impression that he did understand, and was pleased about it.
Erin returned with a fresh pot of tea and they chatted then about Storm Cottage. He was able to tell her what type of improvements she should consider and offered to make an assessment of the roof to see if it would stand the coming winter. All this was now her responsibility. She could not go to the agent and ask the Tallisbrook landlords to carry out repairs or organise to have the chimneys swept. How on earth was it all to be managed.
Enjoyed this first glimpse of The Tallisbrook Emeralds?