‘For heaven’s sake, girl. This is the man who has provided so generously for your upbringing all these years. Without him you would most likely have ended in the Foundling Hospital!’
His words hit Natalya like a blow.
‘You were paid to look after me. I was a...a commission.’
‘You must not think that we have not enjoyed having you with us these past four years,’ said Mrs Pridham, twisting her hands together. ‘We could not have hoped for a better behaved or more biddable charge.’
The shock was receding. Natalya said bitterly, ‘You were appointed to complete my education, I suppose. To see to it that I attained all the accomplishments necessary. Will you receive a dividend for the satisfactory completion of the contract?’
Mr Pridham regarded her coldly. ‘We have always done our best for you, Natalya. I hope you believe that.’
‘Your best!’ She shook her head. ‘I thought perhaps there was some family link, or at least that you had known one or other of my parents and were doing this for their sake, if not for mine. That, at least, was how I explained your lack of affection. I thought you would not tell me about my past because it was too painful.’
Mrs Pridham bit back a little cry. ‘We were expressly forbidden to do so.’
‘Leaving me to think the very worst.’
Natalya gathered her thoughts and her pride, coming to terms with the fact that she had no parents. No relations at all, not even the two people standing before her. For four years she had lived with the Pridhams. They had been her guardians, she had looked up to them, been guided by them. She had forgiven their coldness, believing they had always had her best interests at heart. Now they seemed diminished, somehow.
She said, ‘I am obliged to you, then, for looking after me. For giving me every advantage money can buy. Now, if you will excuse me, I shall go and see if Aggie has finished packing my things.’
‘Will you not take breakfast with me?’ asked Mrs Pridham, surprised. ‘You will need something to eat before your journey.’
Natalya was already walking to the door, but she stopped. She was tempted to reply that in all her time at Sydney Place she had never been invited to take breakfast with them, but that seemed petty.
She said, ‘It is already gone five and I must prepare for my journey. I will send Aggie to fetch up a little bread and butter for me to eat as I pack.’
The hall clock was chiming the hour when Natalya walked out to the waiting carriage. She was reassured by the fact that Aggie was to accompany her. The maid was in a dither of excitement, but Natalya felt remarkably calm. In truth, there had been no time for grief or histrionics.
She had no expectation of returning to Sydney Place, or of seeing the Pridhams again. Apart from the clothes which Aggie had already packed, Natalya had had to decide very quickly which of her belongings she would take with her into her unknown future. It had not been difficult. A few treasured keepsakes from her schooldays, her presents from Mrs Ancrum and her mother’s pearls. And the pale rose-pink shawl that she threw around her shoulders.
The travelling chaise looked new and expensive with liveried postilions and four glossy horses to pull it. A footman was sitting on the leather bench at the back, while a second stood by the open door, waiting to hand Natalya into the sumptuous interior.
It is not too late, Natalya. Refuse to go. Throw yourself on Mrs Ancrum’s mercy until you can contact Tristan.
She glanced back to where Mr and Mrs Pridham were standing on the steps. There had been no exchange of kisses, no warm hugs and words of regret expressed at her leaving, but they had done their duty and looked after her for the past four years with kindness, if not love. She could not believe they wished her harm.
And Tristan? Her heart contracted. It was almost a week since she had seen him and there had been no word, but she was convinced he had not abandoned her. It was a misunderstanding, something that she might be able to resolve at some later date. But until she knew about her past, she could not make promises for the future.
Resolutely, she stepped into the carriage.
Chapter Fifteen
‘Damn it all, Hurley, I told you not to wake me!’
Tristan raked a hand through his hair. He had driven through the night from London and fallen into bed shortly before dawn. His eyes felt gritty and his temper was definitely uncertain.
‘I beg your pardon, my lord, but Simon wishes to speak with you.’
Tristan recalled Simon was one of the men he had set to watch the Pridhams’ house. He rolled out of bed and thrust his feet into his slippers.
‘Send him in.’
By the time the man entered his bedchamber, Tristan was wrapped in a silk-brocade banyan and had sent Hurley to fetch up water for washing.
‘My apologies for disturbing you, my lord, and it might be nothing.’ Simon stood before him, nervously turning his hat between his hands.
‘Tell me.’
‘Miss Fairchild left Sydney Place this morning, my lord. She was accompanied by her maid and looked to be perfectly at ease. There was no sign of anyone forcing her into the carriage, but I thought you should know.’
‘The devil,’ muttered Tristan, frowning. ‘What time was this?’
‘Six o’clock, my lord, on the hour. I know because I heard a clock chiming from one of the houses, it being a warm night and the windows was open, you see.’
He stopped when Hurley came in with a jug of hot water.
‘Go on,’ barked Tristan. ‘Tell me everything you observed while I wash and dress.’
‘It was a travelling chariot, my lord, newly painted.’ Simon told him. ‘Yellow and black, with two postilions for the team of four bays and two servants in the hind boot. I could see the body was lined in
