Secret Heiress by Lillian; Shelley Page A

door.”
    â€œAll right then, Crippen, back to work. There’s much to be done.”
    â€œYes, sir,” replied Crippen. As Stokes and Potts went back into the office, Crippen patted his pocket complacently.
    Adrian’s anger lasted a little longer this time, but he had to smile wryly at the way he’d been outmaneuvered. His mind shifted quickly to the more pressing problem of meeting Miss Chessington. Damn it, he didn’t even know her first name. If she were an heiress—and if that dratted clerk were telling the truth!—she should be seen riding in the Park or at some of the ton parties. It was still before the Season, but some early-comers to town had already begun the rounds of parties and routs. He’d have to start going again to those boring affairs, toadeating dowagers and flattering matrons. And that required a wardrobe, for it was fatal to look as if one were worried about money. His tailor was becoming more insistent about being paid. If he didn’t meet an heiress soon and bring her to the altar, he’d have to leave the country. He was desperate.

Chapter 8
    Caroline did not spend all of her time in London visiting historical sights or discussing business. Giles Kendal had called several times in Woburn Square and Caroline increasingly looked forward to his visits. He had a wry sense of humor and his descriptions of Society in Vienna were amusing. He often brought a book he thought she would enjoy or marked a passage in the paper which he thought would be of interest. He seemed to appreciate her comments as well, as though she had something of worth to contribute. Caroline, accustomed to the insincere compliments of fortune hunters, was pleased to be treated as an intelligent, thinking woman.
    She had discovered, too, the many pleasures London had to offer and was surprised to find herself enjoying them so much. While she had no entrée to Almack’s and had no desire to be seen at that bastion of matchmaking mamas, Giles had squired her to some of the other diversions available. They had viewed a balloon ascension, and Giles had taken them to the theater, the ballet, and the opera. They had seen Kean as Hamlet and Madame Pasta in Le Nozze di Figaro at the King’s Theatre, which was, according to her guidebook, one of London’s most fashionable centers of entertainment. She found Giles Kendal stimulating and looked forward to his visits; she was, therefore, dismayed when those visits suddenly became less frequent. She had finally begun to feel that special sense of companionship, of pleasure in someone’s company, that she had been certain would always elude her. She had no explanation for his seeming loss of interest, but was too proud to ask him for one. She merely shrugged her shoulders and continued as she always had, making her own enjoyment and living her own life.
    Two weeks after her visit to Mr. Stokes, Caroline and Aurelia were scheduled to attend a performance of the opera. As Caroline descended the stairs, Aurelia regarded her approvingly.
    â€œMy love, you look charmingly,” she said, eyeing Caroline’s dress of cerise-striped silk gauze. “And that hairdo! I was not at all certain about it when you described it, but it looks most becoming.” The Psyche knot interlaced with cerise ribbons indeed set off Caroline’s face becomingly.
    â€œThank you, ma’am,” said Caroline. “And may I say that you are also in high looks tonight?”
    â€œWell, I do think this gown flatters me,” said Aurelia, smoothing it down. “Mauve was always a good color for me. All ladies, you know, cannot wear mauve. And do you like the turban? It matches so perfectly, don’t you think?”
    â€œOh, yes, the match is indeed excellent,” said Caroline, admirably maintaining her composure. “Shall we go, Aurelia? We do not want to be late.”
    â€œNo,” said Aurelia, “although one would not want to