Read Online The Elusive Heiress by Gail Mallin - Free Book Online Page B

first, yes?’
    Bowing to the inevitable, Kate dipped her glossy head in graceful acquiescence.
    * * * *
    ‘Miss Kitty Nixon, sir.’
    With a nod of thanks to the young clerk who had announced her, Kate swept into the inner sanctum of the solicitors who had acted for old Nabob Nixon.
    Given that the building was an ancient half-timbered edifice in Watergate Street, she wasn’t altogether surprised to find the senior partner’s office was somewhat small and cramped. Although one narrow leaded casement had been thrown open to admit what little breeze the warm afternoon afforded, it was also dark, an impression intensified by heavy oak panelling and the numerous bookcases which crowded the room.
    More books and papers littered a large mahogany writing table behind which sat Alan Hilton. He rose to his feet at her entrance and Kate saw that he was a thin, middle-aged individual who wore a plain neckcloth and a neat, white-powdered bag-wig.
    Kate gave him her best smile as she stepped forward to greet him, but the words died on her lips as she suddenly realised that they were not alone.
    A man was standing in the shadows by one of the corner bookcases. As he moved towards the centre of the room and into the light his fair hair gleamed gold.
    ‘Good afternoon. I must apologise if I startled you. However, ma’am, I cannot say I’m surprised to see you here.’
    The sound of Lord Redesmere’s deep musical voice sent a shiver down Kate’s spine, although she couldn’t have said whether it was from fear or a swift involuntary pleasure at his unexpected appearance.
    He was just as tall and broad-shouldered as memory painted him. Elegantly garbed in cream pantaloons and a single-breasted coat of blue superfine worn open over a pale lemon waistcoat he also looked annoyingly handsome!
    Hastily rearranging her features to conceal her perturbation, Kate dipped an icily polite curtsey. ‘My lord.’
    ‘Shall we sit down?’ Mr Hilton gestured hastily to a pair of square-backed mahogany chairs arranged in front of his desk.
    Kate took the nearest one and settled herself with an angry swish of her cambric skirts. She had dressed for this meeting with the greatest care, choosing her almond green walking dress with the vandyked hem and a pretty chip-straw hat. Both her mirror and Alicia had told her that she looked sweetly demure, but from the wary expression on the lawyer’s face it seemed her efforts might have been wasted.
    He looked at her as if he thought she might bite!
    To her further annoyance, she was very conscious of Redesmere seating himself next to her. Within the confines of this cramped room he seemed larger and more threateningly virile than ever!
    Determined to ignore him, she fixed her gaze firmly on Mr Hilton. ‘Am I to apprehend, sir, that my cousin has already told you I am an impostor?’ she demanded coolly.
    ‘My dear Miss Nix…my dear young lady!’ Taken aback, Alan Hilton glanced helplessly at his noble client. ‘Er…there does seem to be some confusion. Pray do not take offence.’
    Kate raised her brows at him. ‘To be called a liar is not pleasant, sir.’
    ‘You…you still insist that you are Kitty Nixon?’
    ‘Of course I am!’ Kate let impatience flood her tone. ‘It is nonsense to suggest otherwise.’
    An expressive snort of derision from the man at her side greeted this statement and she turned to glare furiously at him.
    It was a mistake.
    Their gaze met like a clash of steel and locked in combat. Kate sucked in her breath, her pulse quickening as they stared at each other. God, but his eyes were blue!
    ‘Ahem!’ The lawyer coughed delicately, breaking the tense silence.
    The spell shattered and Kate managed to drag her gaze away, but a queer little shiver feathered slowly down her spine and it was all she could do to concentrate on the lawyer’s rather monotonous voice.
    ‘Mr Gerald Sullivan has written to inform us that his niece suffered a fatal accident. Whilst out for a stroll