The Midnight Heiress (Once Upon a Regency Book 2) Read online

  “And next week?” Aiden asked.

  She began pulling the dog toward the trees, that same troubling expression still permeating her face.

  “Think of the poor dogs.” Aiden nodded first toward Freddy and then toward Wrinkles and Puff. “How unkind it would be for us to introduce them only to force them to never see one another again.”

  Her lips pinched, the corners drifting upward. “That would be very unkind.”

  He nodded firmly, his smile unreserved. Her hesitation returned, and she gave a swift smile before turning on her heel and hurrying into the trees.

  “You didn’t give me an answer,” he said, chuckling.

  She hurried on her way, as if she hadn’t heard him.

  He snapped his watch closed and dropped it in his bag, walking with large strides in the direction of the cordwainer’s shop. Mr. Haskett expected his return by twelve, so he had a scant five minutes to return his dogs to Colborne Hall and get back to the shop.

  And one was without a leash.

  With much struggle, he managed to arrive just as the hands of the cordwainer’s clock struck twelve. Mr. Haskett glanced up from his work, his observant eyes likely noting the sweat on Aiden’s brow and the heaviness of his breathing.

  “My apologies, sir.” Aiden sat down, opening his bag to reveal his mother’s dancing slippers. The stern focus of Mr. Haskett’s eyes immediately softened as they took in the beautiful shoes. He reached out with delicate touch, running his fingers over the sole. “How exquisite.”

  Aiden nodded, taking a moment to admire them himself. Even after a few short hours of learning the art of a cordwainer, his appreciation of the workmanship had increased tenfold. The soles, soft and flexible, were sewn with tiny, seemingly indestructible stitches, not a single line out of place. The silken fabric that enveloped it was made of a pale, shimmering gold, a color difficult to achieve with dye. The pointed toe donned a trio of fabric rosettes, all pale blue, with pearls and tiny silver beads among them.

  “Extraordinary,” Mr. Haskett said as he continued to examine the seams and stitches. “Where were these shoes constructed?”

  “I believe it was in London.” Aiden recalled an image of his mother, spinning across the ballroom of Thornwall with his father, laughing as her feet, dressed in those very shoes, glided effortlessly over the polished floors.

  “We will create nothing short of this beauty for Lady Katherine Golding.” Mr. Haskett grinned with rapture. “And you will be the prime constructor of her slippers.”

  “Me?” Aiden couldn’t believe Mr. Haskett would entrust such an important project to him.

  “You possess a natural talent, and your stitches on those boots are nearly as perfect as these.” He touched a finger to the sole of the slipper. “We must secure the Duke and Duchess as returning customers. The neighboring towns are not far, and both have means to construct fine shoes. We must win Lady Katherine’s loyalty.”

  Although Aiden doubted his ability, Mr. Haskett seemed certain of it. Aiden gave a slow nod. “I will try my best.”

  “I am glad to hear that. The moment we receive word of the selected color, we may begin. I do hope they inform us soon. Such a project will take days, especially for an apprentice.” Mr. Haskett winked, resuming his study of the slippers.

  Aiden smiled, picking up his work where he left it. If he possessed a talent like Mr. Haskett believed, then perhaps with a bit of work he could escape Lord Aveley sooner than he thought. Determination surged in his chest as he punctured the leather with his needle.

  CHAPTER 6

  “What do you think of this one?” Kate’s mother sat beside her on the sofa, a series of fashion plates on her lap. The ball at Timberwell was the talk of all of Gravesend, and every man within ten miles was set on attending, if only to meet Kate and have an attempt to win her hand.

  She could not wait until it was over.

  Three days had passed since her father had told her of his intention to hold a ball. It would be held in less than a fortnight, and it was long past time for Kate to select the colors and embellishments of her gown. The town modiste was buried in work with all the other ladies that would be attending the ball. Kate’s mother did not seem to be worried though, for she knew Kate’s gown would become the modieste’s top priority upon its order. The same would be for the new dancing slippers they would be ordering. All that was left to decide was the color, and Kate’s mother had much to say on the subject.

  “If your gown is indeed a robin’s egg blue, then you should have a neutral or contrasting shoe. You are a lovely dancer, so I should like to draw attention to your feet. The skirts will have a train following behind, of course, but the front will be raised enough to show your feet and to allow you necessary freedom while dancing.” Her mother pointed at a drawing of rosettes on a pair of dancing slippers. “I would suggest an embellishment such as this. As for the color, a golden silk would be just the thing. Or perhaps a rose pink.”

  Kate envisioned the colors and nodded. “That sounds perfect.” Her voice came out dull. It didn’t escape her mother’s notice. Her eyebrows lowered, her elation dropping.

  “You mustn’t act as if this ball is a burden. We are hosting it just for you, to introduce you to this new area of England. There are many fine suitors here and we hope for you to make your best impression upon them. You will not impress anyone if you sulk about with that scowl.”

  Kate’s anger mounted suddenly, clutching in her chest. “They will be impressed no matter how I behave. They are already impressed with me and they have neither met me nor seen my face. They are impressed with the rumor of my inheritance, and that is all. I could be old and unsightly and dressed in rags, but so long as I have thirty thousand pounds and a beautiful estate, I will be wanted.” She took a heavy breath, emotion choking her.

  Her mother’s own scowl tightened. “Katherine!” she gasped, her voice soft and chilling. “You act as if—as if you would rather be a pauper than an heiress. Do you understand how very fortunate you are to have so much? Here we are ordering an intricate gown and slippers for you, and you act as if you would prefer to wear rags.”

  Kate blinked, her anger fading as quickly as it came. “Yes. I am sorry. I should not have raised my voice to you, Mama. Please forgive me.”

  Her mother was right. Kate was so very blessed and fortunate in material possessions. There were many who were not. Yet she felt cursed in other areas of her life. How—how could she choose one of the men from her father’s list? How could she choose one of them when all she could think of was Mr. Aiden Notley?

  She hadn’t meant to venture to the woods the day before. She had been determined to avoid him, to guard her heart against believing and hoping for things that could never be. But she had been weak. She had ventured outside with Freddy, hoping only to catch a glimpse of Aiden as he entered the woods, or came out on the path near her home. But then Freddy had broken through his leash and she had chased him, losing her choice in the matter.

  She had never met a man like Aiden, and she doubted she ever would. He was humble and kind and shared many of her opinions. He loved her dog, as scoundrelly as he could be at times. If he knew she was the Duke’s daughter, he would likely act differently toward her. He would understand the glaring space between their social stations. He was noble enough, good enough, that she was certain he would let her go once he was made aware of it.

  But she didn’t want him to let her go.

  Why could he not be Lord Orsett? Why did he have to be the servant of the man she was being encouraged to marry? It was unfair.

  Kate realized her mother had been watching her, a deep curiosity in her eyes. Turning her attention back to the fashion plates, Kate tried to appear nonchalant. “For the gown, may we add embroidered gold threads in the skirts to match the slippers? With a deeper blue for the sash?”

  Her mother gave a slow nod, her curiosity still evident. “I will add it to the order.”

  Kate gave a shaky smile, for
cing the expression to replace the unrest that surged within her. “Very well. I look forward to wearing it.” Kate would never pretend to look forward to the ball.

  Her mother smiled, the expression just as forced as her daughter’s. “Would you like to go to town today to see the fabrics? I have already sent your measurements to the modiste.”

  Kate hesitated, but decided that a trip to town would be a welcome excursion. If she stayed home with her thoughts all day, she would likely be driven mad. “That sounds wonderful, Mama. I would like that very much.”

  They took their curricle to town, the horses lively and quick as they pulled them along on the short drive. Kate closed her eyes, enjoying the light breeze on her skin. She wore her most simple morning dress, in part to irritate her mother, who had wanted her to wear her most extravagant gown in public to draw attention, and in part because it was comfortable and light. She hated the heaviness of layered skirts and embellishments in the summertime.

  When they arrived at the modiste, Kate agreed with her mother that the silken, pale blue fabric there would be perfect for her gown. The modiste insisted on taking Kate’s measurements herself to ensure their accuracy. A servant had already been sent to deliver their official order for Kate’s dancing slippers to the cordwainer, so all that remained was the final decision on the gown.

  Madame Boisseau touched Kate’s shoulders, turning her to face the opposite wall. She measured the width of her shoulders, then the length of her back, jotting down notes as she went. Kate held perfectly still.

  Until she saw Aiden out the front window.

  She let out a tiny gasp, stepping down from the modiste’s platform as quickly as her legs would allow, hurrying away from the sight of the window. She peered out from her hiding place behind a mannequin, watching the dark sweep of Aiden’s hair as he conversed with someone outside the shop. She could imagine the smile in his voice and the joyful sparkle in his brown eyes.

  “Lady Katherine, what are you doing over there?” The modiste’s voice carried a hint of annoyance. “I am not finished with you.” The woman, with her thick, sausage-like curls and rounded cheeks, did not seem the sort of woman to affect a terrifying glare, but here she was, staring down the bridge of her nose at Kate with unarguable demand.

  “Kate,” Her mother looked up from the shopping list she had been studying. “Return to the platform at once.”

  Kate eyed the window again, silently praying that Aiden would not venture inside or glance behind him and see her being measured for a gown. If he noticed, her ruse would be over. He would likely despise her for lying to him. She could not bear the thought of him hating her.

  With slow steps, she made her way back to the platform, allowing the disgruntled Madame Boisseau to finish her measurements. She worked quickly, as if she feared Kate would scurry away again. Kate breathed deeply, her gaze flicking out the window every five seconds to ensure Aiden had not seen her. When the modiste finally finished, Kate stepped down, moving far away from the window and pretending to examine the fabrics across the shop. She didn’t know whether to be relieved or disappointed that she had not had the opportunity to speak to Aiden.

  She decided she should be relieved. She could not have him discovering her true identity.

  He was likely here in town on an errand from his master. The thought drove disappointment through her, another sharp reminder of her hopelessness toward him.

  “Come now, Kate,” her mother said, her footsteps approaching behind her. “We have already selected our fabrics for your gown.”

  Kate didn’t dare step outside, not when Aiden stood nearby, but her mother wrapped her fingers around Kate’s elbow, pulling her toward the door. Kate reached up and pressed the brim of her bonnet downward, her heart pounding. The moment they stepped outside, she turned her face away from Aiden, pulling against her mother’s grip in order to walk faster.

  “Good heavens, my dear. What is your hurry?”

  “The sun is so very hot.” Kate fanned her face, her shoulders relaxing as they achieved a safe distance from Aiden’s place on the road.

  “You might have brought your parasol if you desire more shade.” Her mother’s unapologetic tone was interrupted by the voice of a nearby woman.

  “Your grace, how do you do?” A woman that appeared to be similar in age to Kate’s mother stopped them on their path.

  Her mother smiled, a bright and kind expression that had been absent the entire day. “Lady Gilbert. I am quite well. And you?”

  “Very well.”

  Kate glanced over her shoulder, her stomach sinking as she saw Aiden walking with large strides in her direction. He did not appear to have seen her, but he soon would if he continued.

  Breaking away from her mother’s grasp, she walked to the other side of the street, making her way toward the milliner’s shop across the way. She turned her back to Aiden, staring at a straw bonnet in the window. His reflection passed behind her before stopping, his head turning in her direction.

  No. No. No.

  He took two steps closer. “Kate, is that you?” He spoke in a friendly voice, surprise evident within it.

  Her stomach grew sick with dread. How could she speak to him as if they were friends with her mother so nearby, watching the exchange? She turned her head slightly, keeping her voice low. “Good morning, Mr. Notley.”

  “Where is Freddy this morning?” His eyes, deep brown and framed in dark lashes, calmed her nerves, forcing her to relax. Before she knew it, a smile had leapt to her lips.

  “He is under severe reprimand. He is not allowed to leave the property until the start of next week.”

  Aiden chuckled, looking down at the cobblestones. “I thought you planned to reward him for good behavior?”

  Kate glanced over her shoulder, catching the eye of her mother. She stiffened. “Yes, but he hasn’t any good behavior to reward of late.”

  Aiden’s laugh heightened her senses, and she turned toward him once again. Her mother had seen them speaking. She did not have much time.

  “What brings you to town?” he asked. “Are you accompanying Lady Katherine?”

  She shook her head. “I was… fetching samples of the fabrics she will be using for her ball gown and slippers.”

  “I see.” Mr. Notley’s smile grew, a set of matching creases appearing in both his cheeks. She looked away, the sight causing her heart to skip. Sunlight came through the clouds, bright and intense, bringing golden streaks forward in his eyes. She felt trapped—trapped by his closeness and trapped by her mother. She couldn’t make an excuse to leave and flee to her mother’s side, and she couldn’t remain speaking to him or her mother would question her excessively.

  She stared at the bonnet in the window again, feeling Aiden’s gaze on the side of her face.

  “You look well.” His voice came close to her ear, a shyness entering it that she hadn’t heard before. Her cheeks immediately flamed, and she dared a glance at his face. The sincerity, the admiration that glowed there entirely disarmed her. A smile pulled on her lips, and she didn’t try to suppress it. The sweetness of his compliment had nothing to do with her fortune, or the extravagance of her gown or slippers. Sudden tears burned behind her eyes, brought to life by Aiden’s kindness. Had she effected him irrevocably as he had her? She wished she knew the answers.

  “I must be going,” she whispered.

  He nodded, his shyness persisting as she stepped away, stealing one last glance at his face before turning toward her mother and Lady Gilbert. She walked with her head down, hoping Aiden would walk away before he saw her join them.

  As she approached, Lady Gilbert dismissed herself from the duchess’s company, apparently sensing the disapproving lecture that was soon to be delivered to Kate. Rather than stop by her mother’s side, Kate continued walking toward their curricle.

  “Kate!” her mother’s hissed whisper trailed behind her, but Kate continued walking, increasing the speed of her footfalls until she had rounded the corner
of a new street, safe from Aiden’s view.

  “Katherine! Stop walking and look at me.”

  She drew a deep breath, turning to her mother with squared shoulders.

  “Please explain what you were doing conversing so closely with a—with a servant?” Her mother spoke the work as if it disgusted her.

  Kate did not know how to explain. How could she tell her mother that she had been meeting with that very man in the woods...alone? She couldn’t tell her.

  “He has expertise in dog training, Mama. He saw me walking with Freddy just the other day, and he offered a few pieces of advice on how to tame him. He was simply inquiring after the success of his advice. There is nothing scandalous about it, not to worry.” Kate couldn’t keep the sardonic tone from her voice. If she and Aiden were discovered, it would become a scandalous situation indeed. The daughter of a duke fraternizing with a servant of the very man she was expected to marry. Her cheeks flushed at the very thought.

  “He was standing… rather close to you.” Her mother’s anger had reached her eyes. “I would advise you to seek help with your dog elsewhere. Your father may accompany you to the stables to receive training lessons from one of our grooms. Surely they would know how to manage a dog.”

  Kate nodded, relief flooding through her. She hadn’t thought her mother would so readily believe her story. “You are right. That sounds like a much more proper alternative.”

  Appeased by her daughter’s swift agreement, her mother put on a smile, smoothing the creases of anger that had marked her normally docile face. “Good.”

  “Good.” Kate repeated her mother’s word, but she did not feel it. There was nothing good about her current situation. The next time she saw Aiden, she would bid him farewell and pray that he never discovered the truth about who she was. She preferred that he not know.

  A thought struck her, filling her with dread. If she married Lord Orsett, Aiden would become her servant. He would know everything.

  Thankfully her mother didn’t try to make conversation on the ride home. She simply clutched her lists in her lap and watched the passing hills and marshes. Kate tried to think of less dreadful thoughts, but it was futile. No matter how many suitors sought her dances at the ball, she would think only of Aiden and how he could never be hers.