The Passionate Friends

by Meg Alexander

  “You don’t know Judith,” she sneered. “She won’t allow it. She has a positive abhorrence of debt—”

  “Judith will have nothing to say in the matter,” he said significantly. “Come, madam, I am well up to your tricks. You thought to milk the estate of as much as possible in advance. I won’t have it!”

  Mrs Aveton was silent, but the look she gave him spoke volumes. From now on she would be his enemy, but until her share of Judith’s fortune was in her hands she must hide her feelings.

  Truscott was undeceived, and again he wanted to laugh. She wouldn’t receive a penny, and her bills would most certainly remain unpaid, but he’d thought it wise to frighten her a little. Their quarrel had drawn her attention from the questions she’d been about to ask. Sharp as a fox, he thought idly, but he was a match for her.

  “Do you tell me that Judith spends much time with the Wentworths?” he enquired.

  “Too much, in my opinion! You should forbid it, sir. Socialising as she does! Most unsuitable for a parson’s wife…Of course, she is not yet your wife, is she?” It was a sly dig, and he was about to answer when Wentworth himself was announced.

  Mrs Aveton’s manner underwent a sea-change. No member of the Wentworth family had ever graced her home before.

  Conscious of the fact that a carriage bearing a well-known coat-of-arms must at this moment be standing at her door, she was wreathed in smiles as she advanced towards her noble visitor.

  “My lord, what a pleasure!” She sank into a curtsy.

  Sebastian bowed both to her and then to Truscott, favouring them with one of his most charming smiles.

  “I am so glad to find you both together,” he said. “I am come on my wife’s behalf to ask for your indulgence towards her.”

  Mrs Aveton begged him to be seated. Then she rang for refreshment.

  “How is your good lady wife?” she asked in saccharine tones. “Believe me, my lord, if there is anything we can do to help…?”

  “Well, ma’am, there is.” Sebastian accepted a glass of wine. “Perhaps I should explain. My brother and his wife are gone to visit Mrs Peregrine’s aunt, and the only other member of my household, my adopted son, is also called away from London at this time.” He shot a covert look at the faces of his companions, guessing correctly that this final piece of information would aid his cause.

  “The thing is that Prudence is sadly low in spirits,” he continued. “She cannot go about in society at this time…”

  “Of course not…so trying for dear Lady Wentworth.” Mrs Aveton was flattered beyond measure to be taken into the confidence of this august personage whom she had previously considered somewhat distant.

  “Ah, I knew you’d understand!” Sebastian leaned towards her. “You encourage me to ask if Judith might be spared for just a day or two. My wife is fond of her, and is much in need of someone to bear her company.”

  Mrs Aveton looked uncertain. “Lord Wentworth, if it had been at any other time…but Judith’s marriage is now so close. I fear that it will be impossible…” She glanced at Truscott and subsided.

  The preacher had been thinking fast. He’d sensed the purpose of Wentworth’s errand from his lordship’s opening words, and had given the matter his consideration.

  Within these next few days he must settle with Margrave and his cronies once and for all. With Judith safe in the hands of the Wentworth family, Margrave and Nellie might threaten him to their heart’s content. They would never find her.

  Truscott smiled at Mrs Aveton. “Surely not impossible, ma’am?” he coaxed. “Consider! Is it not an excellent suggestion? Our little Judith has been looking tired. She too would be happy to spend time with her friends. We should thank Lord Wentworth for his kindness.”

  “The pleasure is mine. I must thank you for your understanding and forbearance, sir.” Sebastian was puzzled. What was the fellow up to? He seemed positively thankful for the opportunity to remove Judith from the Aveton household.

  “Shall we ask our little bride-to-be for her opinion of this invitation?” Truscott said archly. “I dare swear that she will be delighted to accept. Ma’am, will you send for her?”

  Mrs Aveton raised no further objections, which also surprised Sebastian. He’d been expecting a much more difficult task. Perhaps it was the fact that Dan had gone away which had prevented a refusal.

  Judith herself grew radiant when his proposal was explained to her.

  “Of course I’ll come—that is, if there is no objection…?” She looked at both Truscott and her stepmother, to find them nodding their agreement. “When will it be convenient?”

  “I have my carriage waiting, and there is no time like the present,” Sebastian chuckled. “I am rushing you, my dear, but perhaps your maid might be allowed to fetch your things this afternoon?”

  “There now, his lordship has thought of everything. Off you go, my dearest one. You will give my duty to her ladyship?” Truscott was all smiles.

  “Of course!” Judith thought that she had never liked him better. In the midst of all his troubles he was thinking only of her pleasure. “You will let me know how your mama goes on? Charles, I would come with you if you’d let me…”

  “My love, it is out of the question, as I have explained. There is all the danger of carrying infection. Now you shall not keep his lordship waiting. I’m happy to know that you’ll be with your friends whilst I am away.” He took her hand and kissed it reverently, and was rewarded with a dazzling smile.

  “Such a dear child!” he said when she had gone to put on her pelisse. “I am unworthy of her!”

  Privately, Sebastian considered that a truer word was never spoken, but he contented himself with polite enquiries as to the health of Truscott’s mother.

  The man was glib, he thought to himself. He had all the symptoms of smallpox at his fingertips, but other than that Sebastian learned nothing of the whereabouts of the sick woman, or why she had not previously been introduced to Judith. He hadn’t expected to, and no trace of his suspicions appeared in his expression.

  Judith herself was smiling as he handed her into the carriage. The news that Dan was away had been bittersweet, but she prayed that he had gone to Merton to see Lord Nelson.

  And if he had still been at Mount Street? Would she have agreed to visit Prudence? It was difficult to decide. She knew the danger. Her treacherous heart still longed for him. She should have been thankful that he had given her no encouragement, but the thought of her lost love still left her desolate. He was away, and she was safe from temptation. The knowledge should have comforted her, but it didn’t.

  Sebastian saw that she was looking pensive.

  “Forgive me?” he asked.

  “For what?”

  “I stole you away without a by-your-leave. My dear, are you happy to come to us for a few days?”

  “I am!” she told him simply. “Sebastian, you must now think better of Charles. You saw how much he wished for me to spend some time with Prudence. It was kind of him, when he might have raised objections—”

  “Indeed! Judith, you must never think that we wish for anything other than your happiness. I suspect that Prudence and Elizabeth have no wish to lose you, even to your worthy preacher.” He gave her a cheerful grin, hoping that she would believe this excuse for their objections.

  His own suspicions had increased, and Truscott’s ready agreement to Judith’s visit to Mount Street had done nothing to allay them. The fellow was up to something, but what? To date the Bow Street Runner had brought no further news.

  Sebastian glanced down at his companion. Once away from the Aveton household she was a different person. All her grave reserve had disappeared, and those large, expressive eyes were shining with pleasure as she questioned him about his boys.

  “Inexhaustible!” he said ruefully. “They intend to make the most of this visit to London. Our next expedition is to be to Madame Tussaud’s. The bloodthirsty little creatures have a taste for horrors.”

  “It w
ill be educational,” she answered primly, but her face was alive with amusement. “You must be delighted that they are anxious to improve their minds.”

  They were still laughing when the carriage stopped and he helped her to alight. His plan had worked so far, and he was further rewarded by a cry of delight from Prudence.

  “Oh, my dear, you’ve brought her! I had not dared to hope. Judith, am I very greedy to wish to have you here?”

  It was the warmest of welcomes, and Judith flushed with pleasure as she shook her head. “I was happy to come to you,” she said.

  Sebastian left them chattering gaily. He was content, at least for the moment, to have removed Judith from possible danger, but he was deeply concerned for her future safety.

  He strolled down to the library and sifted through his morning post. It consisted mainly of invitations to one function or another. There was no message from the Runner.

  For some time he was lost in thought. During his visit to Mrs Aveton he had watched Truscott closely. A shifty fellow, he decided, with something on his mind. Had he discovered that he was being watched? Sebastian thought not. This was something else, something which had caused a fleeting look of relief at his own suggestion that Judith came to Mount Street.

  It was a riddle for which, at present, he had no answer.

  Perhaps he imagined that the less he was in Judith’s company the less likely it might be that she would change her mind and refuse to wed him.

  Truscott appeared to be a consummate actor, but even he must find it a strain to keep up a front of benevolent respectability. There was always the chance that he would make a slip and say or do something to give her a distaste of him.

  That was the danger now. Judith still thought kindly of her betrothed, or did she? Sebastian wondered if, at times, she were not a little too insistent as to his virtues.

  He hoped that he was wrong. With Judith’s fortune almost within his grasp, the preacher would not let his prize escape him. Should Judith break off her engagement, the man would stop at nothing.

  Prudence, he knew, would say nothing further against the Reverend Truscott. She had too much regard for Judith’s peace of mind. Elizabeth was more outspoken, but she and Perry were away.

  And what of Dan, who loved her? He was the fiercest opponent of this marriage, yet he could put Judith into deadly danger if he betrayed his feelings for her.

  Sebastian resolved that he would speak to Dan again, but it was not until late that evening that his adopted son returned.

  Sebastian heard the bustle in the hall and strolled through from the salon in time to hear the butler announce that her ladyship had come downstairs and was at present with her husband and Miss Aveton.

  “She’s here?” Dan’s face lit up. “I must go to them!”

  “Dan, a word with you, if you please!” Sebastian threw open the door to the library.

  “Isn’t this great?” Dan threw aside his riding coat, and laid his crop beside it. “How did you manage to rescue Judith? At this hour she must be staying—”

  “She is, but only for a day or two. Nothing has changed, Dan, and I must ask you once again to do nothing to persuade Judith to end her betrothal.”

  Dan’s dismay was evident. “She is still to wed that creature? Then what is she doing here? The marriage is so close…”

  “I am well aware of that.” Sebastian paused, considering his words with care. “We must be patient for just a little longer. I saw Truscott today. The man is worried. I believe that something is afoot.”

  “He knows that he is being watched?”

  “I don’t think so, but I’ve heard nothing from the Bow Street man.”

  “Then what?”

  “Who can say? He seemed relieved that Judith was to come to us.”

  “That’s strange! He is as fond of me as I am of him.”

  “He believes you to be away…” A faint smile touched Sebastian’s lips.

  Dan frowned at him. “Why is Judith here? It can’t have been easy to persuade the old harpy to let her go.”

  “Prudence longed to see her.”

  “And that was enough to send you off to visit that harridan?”

  “As you know, my wife’s wishes are of paramount importance to me,” Sebastian told him smoothly.

  “I know that, but it ain’t enough for me.” Dan’s eyes were filled with suspicion. “There’s something else…something you aren’t telling me.”

  “Dear me! How sceptical you are grown! You are right, of course. Shall we say that I am hoping that matters will resolve themselves within these next few days. Judith will be safe with us.”

  “Then you think her still in danger?” Dan grew so pale that the freckles stood out sharply against his skin.

  “I was somewhat concerned to find that she is allowed to walk abroad without protection. It was much too easy for someone to approach her in the street.”

  “Beggars and thieves, you mean?”

  “No, I don’t mean that!” Sebastian decided to lay his cards upon the table. “I am come round to your way of thinking. There is something very smoky going on. It is best to take no chances…For the moment, Judith’s safety lies in the fact that she is still betrothed to Truscott. You must do nothing to put her in danger.”

  “I’d like to wring his neck!” Dan said savagely.

  “Agreed! In time I feel that someone may perform that desirable task for you, given the opportunity. Meantime, you will heed my wishes?”

  “I will, but it won’t be easy!” Dan rose to his feet. “May I see her now?”

  “Of course!” Sebastian clapped him on the shoulder. “I know it won’t be easy, but you would do more than that for her, I think.”

  “Anything!” Dan turned his face away, unwilling to say more.

  “Well, then, let us join the ladies. They must be longing to hear your news.”

  “It isn’t good!” Dan fell into step beside him as they strolled across the hall.

  “Nevertheless, they will wish to hear it.” Sebastian entered the salon and was greeted happily by his wife.

  Judith said nothing. She looked up at Dan and her heart was in her eyes.

  Chapter Ten

  Prudence appeared to notice nothing. She patted her sofa invitingly.

  “Come and sit down,” she said. “Sebastian has been keeping you from us. Was it to build up the suspense? How did you go on at Merton?”

  Judith had recovered her composure, and now she smiled her encouragement for him to begin. She was both proud and pleased that he’d taken her advice, even to the point of telling Prudence and Sebastian of his plans.

  Dan looked at the circle of eager faces, and then he grimaced. “Foiled again!” he joked. “The Admiral was away from home.”

  “Oh, my dear, what a disappointment! To go all that way for nothing!” Prudence was dismayed.

  “Not for nothing, Pru. Now that I’ve found my way to his door he’ll find it difficult to be rid of me. I left my card, and I shall go again next week, when he is returned from Portsmouth.” Dan grinned at her. He had been disappointed, but he wouldn’t let her see it.

  “That’s the spirit! I’m glad to see that you don’t plan to give up.” Sebastian nodded his approval.

  “Oh, I shan’t give up!” Dan caught Sebastian’s eye and then he looked away. His meaning had been clear, but he would heed the warning.

  Prudence looked her relief. She’d been afraid that yet another blow to his hopes would depress his spirits, but the bright blue eyes were smiling fondly at her, with a tiny spark of mischief in their depths.

  “And what have you been up to?” he demanded. “I mean, apart from abducting Judith with some cock-and-bull story about your failing health. You look positively blooming.”

  “Judith does me good,” she confided. “It’s such a pleasure to have an intelligent woman in the house when I’m usually surrounded by great clumping males.” She peeped up at Sebastian from beneath her long lashes, laughing as she did so.<
br />
  “Witch! Are you trying to put me in my place?” He picked up her hand and kissed it. “I won’t have it! You wheedled permission to stay up until Dan returned, and now it is time you were abed.” He lifted her in his arms, ignoring all her protests, and carried her from the room.

  Silence reigned in the salon. Then both Dan and Judith began to speak at once. The confusion broke the ice and they began to laugh.

  “You first, if you please!” Judith begged.

  “I was about to say that it was a pleasant surprise to find you here. Prudence looks so much better…”

  “She does, but she had such hopes for you, as did I. Oh, Dan, you must have been disappointed not to find the Admiral at home, in spite of what you told her.”

  “I was, but it is no matter. I won’t be put off. Judith, I think I must become a man of business. It is not the slightest use to spend my time designing if I can’t sell my work.”

  “Splendid!” Judith clapped her hands. “Have you a fat portfolio to take about with you? If Lord Nelson does not care for one idea, he may like another.”

  As she had expected, Dan was quickly launched upon his favourite topic. The technicalities were lost on her, but she was happy to watch his eager face, under the thatch of red-gold hair, alive with interest as he explained his latest invention.

  How very dear he was. She loved everything about him, from the startling blue of his eyes to the dusting of freckles across his nose. And those fine hands were never still as he sought to make her understand.

  Even he became aware of it.

  “Tie my hands together, and I’m speechless,” he joked.

  “Never! That I shan’t believe!”

  “But you must be tired of listening to me. How do you go on?”

  Her face changed at once. When she replied it was with an oddly closed expression.

  “Much as usual,” she said in neutral tones.

  “But you are happy to be here?” he asked.

  Her smile returned at once. “Of course. This is such a happy household. You had best prepare yourself. I fear you are to accompany Sebastian and the boys to Madame Tussaud’s.”