aLord Deveril was my fatheras age,a Clarissa hurried on, beginning to wonder if she should have kept silent after all. aBut age wasnat the problem. He was ugly. But that wasnat it either.a She met her friendas eyes. aPut simply, Thea, he was evil. Despite his wealth and title, he was accepted hardly anywhere. Nobody spoke to me of such matters, but I couldnat help realizing that he indulged in all kinds of depravity.a She started at the touch of Altheaas hand. aIam sorry. I wish youad told me sooner, but Iam glad youave told me now. It explains so much. Why youare here. The way you think about men.a After a moment, she added, aNot all men are like that.a Clarissa laughed, her vision blurring a little. aIt would be an impossible world if they were. Truly, Thea, I doubt youave ever met anyone as foul. The mere thought of him makes me feel sick.a Althea refilled Clarissaas teacup and put it into her hand. aDrink up. Itall steady you. Why did your parents permit such a match?a Clarissa almost choked on a mouthful of tea. aPermit? They arranged it and forced me to agree. They sold me to him,a she went on, hearing the acid bitterness in her voice, but unable to stop it. aTwo thousand upon my betrothal in the papers, and two upon my wedding. Then five hundred a year as long as I lived with Deveril as a dutiful wife.a aWhat? But thatas atrocious! It must be illegal.a aItas illegal, I think, to force someone into marriage, but itas not illegal for parents to beat a daughter, nor for them to mistreat one in all kinds of ways.a Instead of distress, Altheaas eyes lit with outrage. aThough it may not be entirely in keeping with the Gospels, Clarissa, I, too, am delighted that Lord Deveril died.a Clarissa laughed with relief. aSo am I. Glad he died, and glad I told you. Itas been a burden to lie to you.a Althea cocked her head. aSo why did you tell me now?a Clarissa put down her cup. aI dislike dishonesty.a She sighed. aMiss Mallory says I must leave, and my guardian agrees.a aWhat will you do?a aThatas the puzzle.a aWhat do you want to do?a Clarissa rubbed her temples. aIave never quite thought of it like that. Last year I wanted balls, parties, and handsome gallants.a aThereas nothing wrong with that.a aBut now Iam a walking scandal. The Devilas Heiress. And a Greystone to boot. I donat think Iam going to receive many invitations. And of course, any gallants I do attract will be after my money.a aNot all of them, Iam sure,a Althea said with a smile.

aThea, please, be honest. No man has ever shown interest in my charms.a Then she winced at Altheaas distress. aIam sorry. Itas all right. I truly donat want to marry, and with money I donat need to.a aBut you want the balls and parties.a aNot anymore,a Clarissa said, aware that it was a lie. If it could be done without scandal, she still wanted what most young ladies wanteda"a brief time of social frivolity.

Althea fiddled with her sprigged muslin skirts. aI might be leaving Miss Malloryas, too.a aBut youave been here less than a year.a Delicate color enhanced Altheaas beauty. aA gentleman from home has approached my father. A Mr. Verrall.a Though Clarissa had just talked about leaving, this felt like abandonment. aApproached your father? Isnat that a little cold-blooded?a aBucklestead St. Stephens is seventy miles from here, and Mr. Verrall has four children to care for.a Worse and worse. aA widower? How old?a aAround forty, I suppose. His oldest daughter is fifteen. His wife died three years ago. Heas a pleasant gentleman. Honorable and kind.a Clarissa knew it was a reasonable arrangement. Althea would live near her beloved family, and this Mr. Verrall would doubtless be a good husband. As Altheaas father was a parson with a large family, she wouldnat have many desirable suitors. All the same, Mr. Verrall sounded like dry crumbs to her.

aDonat you think perhaps you should look around more before committing yourself to this man? You attract all the men.a Althea shook her head. aI will not love again.a aYou should give yourself the chance, just in case.a Altheaas eyes twinkled. aBy all means. With whom? Mr. Dills, the clock mender? Colonel Dunn, who always raises his hat if we pass in the street? Reverend Whipplea"but then, he has a wife.a Clarissa pulled a face. aItas true, isnat it? We donat meet many eligible men. At this time of year, there arenat even any handsome brothers passing through.a aAnd handsome brothers are usually dependent on their fathers, who would turn up starchy at the thought of marriage to a penniless schoolteacher.a aSurely not quite penniless,a Clarissa protested.

aWhen it comes to eligible gentlemen, I am. My portion is less than five hundred pounds.a It was virtually nothing. Clarissa took another bite out of her bun and chewed it thoughtfully. If only she could give Althea some of her moneya"but her trustees were sticklers for not letting her be imposed upon. And it didnat sound as if Althea would wait until Clarissa was twenty-one.

aBeth Armitage married the heir to a dukedom,a she pointed out, aand though I admire her a great deal, she has not a tenth of your beauty.a Althea laughed gently. aThe sort of story to make idiots of us all. Such things cannot be relied on.a aTrue,a said Clarissa, remembering the dark side of the fairy tale.

Althea was right. She had nothing but her beauty and good nature to recommend her. The world would say she should be grateful for any suitable offer, even that of an elderly widower with a daughter not many years her junior.

aI came to thank you again for taking the girls,a Althea said, clearly changing the subject. aIam so sorry you ended up in such trouble.a aIt wasnat too bad.a aThe girls seem to see it as a wonderfully perilous adventure, including rescue by Saint George, complete with halo.a Clarissa laughed. aHardly, but Major Hawkinville did help us, yes.a She gave her account of the event. aI wonder if he found the womanas lost evangelists. He seemed capable of it.a Althea cocked her head. aHeaven, purgatory, or hell?a aIam a nonbeliever, remember? No marriage for me.a aNonsense. Iam sure Lord Deveril was as hellish as you say, but when you meet heaven youall change your mind.a aI wonat trust heaven.a Major Hawkinville somehow merged in her mind with handsome Lord Arden, afire with rage. aAny man, if angered enough, can turn into hell.a aNot Gareth,a Althea said firmly.

Clarissa couldnat hurt her by arguing. aPerhaps not, but how are we to know?a aA decent period of courtship. Gareth and I had known each other for years, and been courting for two.a Clarissa pounced. aSo you shouldnat consider marrying this widower without a decent period of courtship.a aBut Iave known Mr. Verrall for years too, and I like him.a Balked, Clarissa still protested, aYou need to meet some other men first.a aPerhaps itas a shame I didnat take the girls to the parade and fall into an adventure with the handsome major.a Clarissa chuckled, but a plan stirred. Althea needed to meet eligible men, and, as shead said, that was unlikely here in the school. Once the last girls went home, Althea would return to Bucklestead St. Stephens and marry her doddering widower.

What was needed was what the army called a preemptive strike.

aI wonder where I should go?a she mused. a aThe worldas mine oysteraa a a aWhich I with sword will opena?a Althea completed.

aWith money, perhaps. It frightens me, Althea. Miss Mallory says I should not stay in the familiarity of Cheltenham, and Bath is so dreary.a aLondon, then.a aNo.a It came out rather abruptly, but then Althea would guess that London had bad memories for her. aAnyway, itas the end of the Season there. The place will soon be empty.a Clarissa still hadnat worked around to her true purposea"persuading Althea to accompany her for a few weeks and meet a suitable husband. aWhere would you go if you were me?a she asked.

But Althea shook her head. aIam a country mouse. I like life in a village.a aI think I might, too,a Clarissa said, athough Iave never tried it. My father sold his estate when I was in the cradle to pay debts and buy a London house.a A village, however, would be an unlikely place in which to find Althea a prime husband.

Her frustrated thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. Clarissa answered it and the schoolas upstairs maid said, aThereas a gentleman inquiring for you, Miss Greystone.a Her expression was a combination of disapproval and interest. aMiss Mallory isnat home yetaa aA gentleman?a aA Major Hawkinville, he says.a Mary added with disapproval, aBut heas not wearing a hat.a Clarissa actually squeaked with surprise, but managed to compose herself. The major. Here!

Then she saw Altheaas smiling interest and realized that this was a chance to introduce her to at least one eligible man. He must be eligible, mustnat he, and Althea clearly favored a military man.

aMajor Hawkinville lost his hat saving me and the girls, Mary. We cannot turn him away. Miss Trist and I will be down in a moment.a As soon as the maid left, Clarissa whirled to the mirror. She could hear one of Miss Malloryas favorite admonishments: Only God can give beauty, girls, but anyone can be neat. It had usually been accompanied by a pained look at Clarissa. God had neglected to give her tidiness, too.

She began pulling the pins out of her hair.

Althea came over and pushed her hands away. After a few moments with the brush and a few more with the pins, Clarissaas hair was pinned in an orderly, and even slightly becoming, knot.

aI donat know how you do it,a she said somewhat grumpily.

Althea just laughed again. aDonat you have any ribbons?a aNo, and theyad look silly with this plain gown.a Clarissa felt that shead exposed enough folly for now. aThank you for tidying me. Now letas go and thank the hero of the day.a aDonat you have any other clothes?a Althea asked, frowning at the beige dress.

Clarissa ignored the trunks in the attic. aNo. Come along, Althea. It hardly matters what I look like.a aNo?a Althea teased.

Certainly not as long as Iam with you, Clarissa thought without acrimony, leading the way downstairs. Despite that, her heart was racing on nervous little feet, and she tried to command her senses. The major was here out of courtesy. Despite his earlier behavior, there was no chance that he had been slain by her wondrous charms.

And, of course, she did not desire any manas serious interest.

He was just the sort of man, however, likely to shock Altheaas heart out of the past and into thinking beyond the hoary ancient awaiting her back home.

They arrived in the neat front hall, and after a steadying breath, she led the way into the parentsa parlora"so called because it was where parents were taken when they visited.

Oh, my. Speaking of wondrous charmsa The image in her mind had not been fanciful.

Even without a hat, he was strikingly elegant, not just in the quality of his clothes but in the way he wore them, and the way he moved. There was all the straight-shouldered authority of the military, but surprising grace as well.

He boweda"perfectly. aMiss Greystone. Excuse my intrusion, but I wished to be sure that you and the girls were not harmed in any way.a Clarissa dropped a curtsy, commanding her heart to settle so that she could think clearly. Her heart, however, was a rebel, as was her awestruck mind. aSo kind, sir. We are all safe.a She introduced Althea and then took a seat on the sofa, inviting him to take a chair.

They talked of the riot and the consequencesa"apparently two people were seriously injured, but most had merely been frightened. All the time, Clarissa was fighting her tendency to be dazzled, and observing Althea to see how she was reacting to this gem.

Althea was sparkling, which was a truly remarkable sight. Clarissa thought she was seeing the Althea that Gareth Waterstone had loved, and she was amazed that the major managed to pay herself any courteous interest at all.

Yet he did. He seemed to share his attention between them, and when he looked at hera" Clarissa fought for reason, but his attentive eyes, his quick smiles seemed meant for her.

She didnat need a man.

She didnat want a man. And she must be mistaken. Such men were never interested in her.

But she wouldnat mind the company of one if, amazingly, he did find something about her to admire.

Perhaps it was her behavior during the riot. She had done well. Was it possible that he admired her?

Her heart scurried again. aDo you live in Cheltenham, Major?a she asked.

Those eyes. Those eyes that seemed to like looking at her. aNo, Miss Greystone. I am passing through on my way to visit a family property. My home is in Sussex, not far from Brighton.a aHave you seen the Pavilion?a Althea asked with interest, drawing his attention.

aA number of times, Miss Trist, as a youth. I have been out of the country with the army for many years, however.a Clarissa saw thoughts of the army, and of Gareth, mute her friendas spirits, and spoke quickly, aBrighton is the most fashionable place to be in the summer, isnat it, Major?a aIndeed it is, Miss Greystone. I recommend it to you.a She stared at him. aTo me?a aTo anyone who would like a pleasant place in which to pass some summer months,a he responded smoothly, but she didnat think that was quite what he had meant.

Was he a mind reader? Here she was, in her well-worn schoolgirl clothes, and he was suggesting a move to the most fashionable, and expensive, resort in England.

Some of the glow disappeared from the room.

aCheltenham is delightful,a he went on, abut it does not have the sea, never mind the Prince of Wales and most of the haut ton.a aHow true.a She met his smiling eyes, sorting through her tumbling thoughts.

Althea broke in. aMiss Greystone is to leave here soon, Major, and enter fashionable life.a Clarissa felt herself color, and knew it did nothing to improve her looks. Althea meant well, but Clarissa wished she hadnat said that.

The major smiled as if head received good news. aThen perhaps you and your family will visit Brighton, Miss Greystone.a Her family. Mustnat such a man-about-town know the Greystones? And know about the Devilas Heiress.

Hiding foolish hurt, Clarissa retreated behind a formal smile and a slightly cool manner. aI doubt it is possible to move there this late in the year, Major Hawkinville. Perhaps next yeara"a She rose to hint that the visit was at an end.

He rose too, with admirable smoothness. aYou are thinking of the difficulty of finding good houses to rent, Miss Greystone?a He took out a card and pencil and wrote something on the back. aIf you should think of visiting Brighton, apply to Mr. Scotburn and mention my name. If there is a house to be had, he will doubtless find it for you.a Clarissa took the card, though she felt it would be safer to take nothing tangible from this encounter. How could she refuse, however, short of pure incivility?

Then he was gone, and that should have been the end of it, except that she had his card, and his even, flowing handwriting. She turned it and confirmed what she suspected.

She also had his address.

Major George Hawkinville, Hawkinville Manor, Sussex.

Major George Hawkinville, who almost certainly was a fortune hunter who knew exactly who she was and what she was worth. Whose admiration had been stirred by her money, not her charms.

But, she thought, looking at the card again, that admiration had been deliriously enjoyable. Why should a lady not play games too, and enjoy such company, especially if she was awake to all his tricks?

Hawk left the school and didnat allow himself a pause to savor success. People leaving were often watched.

His quarry had cooled for some reason, but he didnat think she was beyond reach. In fact, head be willing to bet that she was already thinking of a move to Brighton. If not, he could come up with some other ways to persuade her. It was the obvious resort for a wealthy young lady in search of social adventure in the summer, and he was sure that Miss Greystone was in search of social adventure.

In fact, she was ripe for trouble, and his pressing instinct was to protect her! Damnation, why couldnat she be the harpy head imagined?

He wasted a few moments seeking other ways to the Deveril money, but knew head worn that path bare. He simply didnat want to be doing what he was doing, playing on an innocent young womanas vulnerability.

Hawkinville, he reminded himself.

And no matter how innocent she was, that money was not hers by right.

He decided, however, to move on immediately to inspect Gaspard Hall. He knew how useful a strategic absence could be. Before seeing his fatheras new property he loathed it, but if there was something to be made of it, perhaps they could survive somehow without the Deveril money.

Twenty thousand pounds?

And, damnation, that will was a forgery. It galled him to think of anyone, even that lively young woman, benefiting from it!

For the first time in his life he was being deflected from battle by a pretty face. Not even pretty, but with power all the same.

Hawkinville, he reminded himself.

But even for Hawkinville, was he really willing to see Clarissa Greystone hang?

Clarissa retreated back to her room, card in hand. aBrighton,a she announced.

aClarissa! You canat. You hardly know the man.a Clarissa laughed. aIam not going to marry him, Thea, but it is the obvious place to go. Think of it. Iam the Devilas Heiress and no matter where I go, sooner or later people will learn of it. I might as well be brazen and enjoy myself in a fashionable spot.a aBut that doesnat mean the majora"a aOf course not. He merely put the idea into my mind. However,a she added, twirling the card, aif we happen to meet it will not be unpleasant.a aWhat if heas a fortune hunter?a Even though it put Clarissaas own thoughts into words, it stung. aOh, he probably is,a she said lightly. aAs I said, I have no intention of marrying him. If he wants to play escort and charming companion, well, why not?a aIf he is a fortune hunter, I wish nothing more to do with him.a Althea had what Clarissa thought of as her Early Christian Martyr face on. Clarissa was trying to work around to the topic of Altheaas accompanying her, and this was not the right direction. Unless she gave it a twist.

aI do have to leave and join the world, Thea,a she said meekly, abut it will be hard. I did nothing wrong, but I am a Greystone, and I was engaged to marry Lord Deveril, and he did meet with a very unfortunate deatha"a aHe did?a Althea asked, disapproval thawing to curiosity.

aStabbed in a very poor area of town.a aStabbed!a Althea gasped.

Clarissa tried to stay focused on the part she was playing, and not let memories of the truth invade to overset her.

aDoubtless something to do with the company he kept,a she said, aand well deserved. The point is, Thea, that Iam a little worried about being accepted by society.a Althea took her hand. aNone of it was your fault.a aThat is not how people will see it. What I am thinking,a Clarissa plunged on, ais that I would feel easier with a companion. A friend.a She looked at Althea, realizing that her words were true. aWith you. If I go to Brighton, Thea, I ask most sincerely that you accompany me for a little while.a aMe?a Althea gasped, eyes wide. aClarissa, I couldnat! I know nothing of fashionable circles.a Clarissa gripped her hand. aYour birth is respectable, and you have excellent manners, and unquestioned beauty.a Althea broke their handclasp. aIam only twenty. Iam not old enough to be your chaperone in a place like Brighton.a aBut I donat want you to be that. I want you to come as a friend, to enjoy Brighton with me. Do say you will.a Althea blushed and covered her cheeks with her hands. aItas still impossible, Clarissa. I donat have the sort of clothes that are needed in a place like Brighton, and I certainly canat afford to buy them.a Clarissa absorbed the truth of that. She knew her trustees would not allow her to buy Althea new clothes. She considered sharing, for she would have to buy a new, fashionable wardrobe herself. But she and Althea did not suit the same colors, and her friend was a good few inches shorter.

An idea burst upon her. She seized Altheaas hand and dragged her out of the room.

aWhere are we going?a aTo the attic!a aWhy?a aTo look at my London clothes!a They clattered up the narrow stairs into the storage rooms. In the dusty gloom, Clarissa eyed the two hardly used trunks. She didnat want to open them and stir revolting memories, but shead do it. For Althea.

At the very least Althea deserved a few weeks of pleasure in Brighton. At the best, with her beauty, virtue, and sweet nature, she might attract a wonderful husband.

A lord. A duke, even!

So she lifted one heavy lid and pushed back plain muslin to reveal a froth of pale blue trimmed with white lace.

aIf youare going into society, youall need these clothes,a Althea protested.

Clarissa pulled out the blue and passed it over. aIall never wear these again.a She tossed aside that layer of muslin and unfurled the second. The pink.

She shuddered. Shead been wearing that when Deveril had kissed her. Her mother had screeched about the trouble of getting the vomit stains out of it, but it seemed someone had managed it.

aThese were all chosen by Lord Deveril and paid for by him,a she said, tossing the ruched and beribboned gown to Althea. aAnything connected to that man revolts me, and they donat even suit me. Imagine me in that shade of pink! If you donat take them, Iam giving them to the maids for whatever they can get for them.a Althea put down the blue and studied the pink. aThe color would suit me, but itas a bitaa aOverdone? In bad taste? Oh, definitely.a Overcoming her distaste, Clarissa held the dress in front of her friend. aThe shade is lovely on you, though.a aWonat it bother you to see me in these dresses?a Foul memories were swirling with the attic dust, but Clarissa pushed them away. aEverything will have to be altered. Youare slimmer and shorter. We can strip off the trimming at the same time.a She gave Althea the dress. aA wardrobe is here for you, if youare brave enoughs to come adventuring with me.a aAdventuring?a echoed Althea, but her eyes were bright and her color high.

Heartbreaking that her Gareth wasnat here to enjoy the Thea head known and loved, but Clarissa resolved that she would find her friend someone almost as good. Not just an adequate husband, but another chance at heaven.

aWell?a Clarissa asked. aWill you do it?a Althea stared into a distance, and perhaps for a moment she thought of Gareth, for she sobered. But then again, perhaps he spoke to her, for she smiled in a steadier, no less glorious way. aYes. Iall do it.a The next day Hawk rode slowly down a driveway clumped with foot-high weeds, taking in his fatheras hard-won inheritance. One chimney of Gaspard Hall had crashed down onto the roof, partly accounting for the broken and missing tiles. A substantial crack ran up one wall, suggesting that the foundations had given way, and the wood around the broken windows flaked with rot.

He directed Centaur carefully around the side of the house, keeping to the grass rather than the drive. Less danger of potholes or falling debris.

A couple of years ago, with farming prices high and industry profitable, this place might have been worth something for the land alone. The end of the war had brought hard times, however. Trading routes were open to competition, and prices had fallen, sometimes to disastrous levels. In various parts of the country farms were even being abandoned.

Gaspard Hall in its present state was nothing but an extra burden. There must be tenants here still, and others dependent on the place, all hoping that the new Lord Deveril would help them.

At the back of the house he found the deserted stableyard. He swung off the horse and led it to a trough and pump. As expected, the pump was broken.

aSorry, old boy,a he said, patting Centauras neck. aIall find you water as soon as possible.a He looked around and called out, aHalloo!a Some birds flew out of nearby eaves, but there was no other response.

A quick check of the stable buildings found only ancient, moldy straw and rat-chewed wood. From here, the back of the house was in as bad a state as the front.

It offended his orderly heart to see a place in such condition, but it would take a fortune to restore it. He wondered why the late Lord Deveril hadnat spent some of his money here. He assumed he simply hadnat cared.

Hawk could easily go back in his mind fifty years or so, however, and see a pleasant house in attractive gardens and set amid excellent farmland. A family had lived here and loved this place as he loved Hawkinville Manor. That raised the strange notion of there once being a pleasant, wholesome Lord Deveril. Lord Devil had likely been born here fifty years ago or so. Had he been a normal child? What had his parents been like? His grandparents?

He put aside idle speculation. The plain fact was that Gaspard Hall offered nothing. No money to pay off even part of the debt. No home for the squire without a fortune being poured into it. He was back to the duty he was trying to escape.

He led Centaur back the way theyad come. Theread be an inn in the nearby village where he could stay the night. Tomorrowa Tomorrow he should return to Cheltenham and seduce the secrets out of Clarissa Greystone. But he turned and ran from that. Head return to Hawk in the Vale and hope that she came to Brighton. It might be easier to hunt and destroy her amid that tinsel artificiality.

Chapter Five.

July, Brighton, Sussex Clarissa and Althea arrived in Brighton in a grand carriage with outriders. Her guardian, the Duke of Belcraven, had sent his own traveling coach and servants to ensure her comfort and safety. Her trustees, Messrs. Euston, Layton, and Keele, whom she called the ELK, had arranged every other detail in magnificent style.

This was all rather unfortunate when she still didnat have any stylish clothing, and Althea did. At every stop, innkeepers and servants had groveled before Althea and assumed that Clarissa was the maid. Shead found it funny, and at one place had even slipped off to hobnob with the servants in the kitchen. Poor Althea, however, had been mortified.

The problem should be fixed soon. A stylish Brighton mantua-maker had all her measurements and should have a complete wardrobe, chosen by Clarissa herself, ready except for the final adjustments.

Despite a number of fears, she could hardly wait for any of this adventure. Now, looking out at the lively, fashionable company strolling along the Marine Parade in the July sun, she felt like a bird taking its first terrified but exhilarating flight.

Or perhaps like a bird being pushed out of the nest and desperately flapping its wings!

From the first, impulsive decision, everything had been snatched from her control. Miss Mallory had completely approved. Althea had bubbled with excitement. The duke and the ELK had immediately put the idea into operation. All that had been left for her to do was consult fashion magazines and samples of fabric and choose her new clothes.

Major Hawkinvilleas recommendation had not been necessary. The ELK had assured her that there were always houses available for people willing to pay handsomely for them, and they had engaged Number 8 Broad Street, which boasted a dining room, two parlors, and three best bedrooms.