Louis scowled, his worst fears realised. ‘Did you see their faces?’
The captain shook his head. ‘They had a carriage waiting at the side of the house from midnight until it got light.’
Louis rubbed his chin. ‘There can be no doubt then. Their intention was to kidnap the ladies, but were they planning to restore them to Kazan or spirit them away in an attempt to create a political storm?’
‘That’s your department, with respect, sir. All I can tell you is that one of them hung around the back for a while and had a good look at the garden wall. I reckon they’ll try and gain access to the house by that means next time. They left just after you arrived and went to a tavern. One of my men followed them there and heard them talking in a foreign language.’
‘I see. Thank you, Saunders. Keep a close watch on the house for now. I hope the ladies will not have to spend another night there, but perhaps I am relying too much on the generosity of others.’
Left alone, Louis prepared for bed, but he was too preoccupied to sleep. He was concerned primarily for Amara’s welfare, glad that the prince had persuaded her to stay, but acutely aware of the ramifications when Kazan learned that she had agreed to the royal request. Anglo-Greek relations were at a critical stage due to the debacle over Elgin’s shenanigans. The prince interfering by persuading the daughter of one of Greece’s most influential men to dispense with the services of her guards and agent would likely cause a major diplomatic incident.
As a devoted member of the coterie dedicated to protecting the prince’s interests, his only concern should be for his royal highness, but Louis barely spared him a thought, taken up instead with concerns for Amara’s security. Why she had sent her agent away was a mystery. He hadn’t felt entitled to ask before now; it would have been presumptuous. But the situation had worsened now that he had cast iron proof that Lykaios was planning to kidnap Miss Kazan. If she didn’t volunteer an explanation for dismissing her agent, Louis would be obliged to ask her outright.
Louis fell into bed a deeply conflicted and troubled man. His feelings for Amara transcended all common sense, and unlike any previous attraction on his part, they had not only endured but intensified. It was lunacy. Nothing could come of it. Besides, Louis would have to side with the prince when matters came to a head, as they undoubtedly would. He turned over, thumped his pillows and sighed.
Never had his duty felt more onerous.
He gave up any attempts to sleep after dozing for a few hours and was up and dressed again by midday. He attended to his personal correspondence after breaking his fast, and then received a report from Saunders in person.
‘Quiet as the grave outside Miss Kazan’s house,’ he told a relieved Louis. ‘I hear the Greek fellow stayed in that tavern for quite some time this morning drowning his sorrows, so he’s probably sleeping it off now.’
‘Excellent! I am taking the ladies to visit Mrs Kendal on the outskirts of Brighton later and will need one of your men up behind, just to be on the safe side.’
‘I will come myself, sir.’
‘Better still.’ Louis stood and slapped Saunders’ shoulder. ‘Good man.’
Armed himself, yet reassured by the solidity of Saunders’ presence, Louis had his coachman drive his conveyance to the ladies’ address at the agreed time. They were ready for him, smartly attired, and looked as though they had managed to sleep a great deal better than Louis himself had.
‘Good morning, ladies.’
Miss Kazan’s vibrant smile immediately destroyed Louis’s resolve to keep his feelings in check and to put duty before personal interest. This was not an auspicious start. ‘Good morning, Mr Harland,’ she said, in her lilting, delightfully accented voice. ‘It is very kind of you to put yourself to so much trouble on our behalf.’
‘The pleasure is entirely mine—and what’s more the rain is actually holding off today.’
‘That is a cause for celebration,’ Mrs Costas said, accepting her pelisse from a sour-faced maid. ‘And we are looking forward to our excursion.’
The maid appeared as though she wanted to ask them where they were going, but restrained herself at a look from Mrs Costas.
‘Then shall we?’
Miss Kazan looked a little taken aback to observe Saunders standing alert at the kerbside, but contented herself with nodding to him as Louis handed first her and then Mrs Costas into the conveyance. Both ladies took great interest in the passing scenery as they drove out of Brighton towards the downs.
‘It’s so green,’ Miss Kazan said, pressing her nose against the window glass.
‘The inevitable result of all the rain we have had,’ Louis replied, enchanted by her enthusiasm for a journey into what was for her unchartered territory.
‘We don’t have a great deal of greenery in Greece under normal circumstances. Papa’s gardens are lush, of course, but then he has people water them every day. The vast majority of the population cannot afford such luxury.’
‘We are reaching the area where the racecourse is situated,’ Louis told them. ‘The prince is a keen exponent of the sport and has several horses in training. I am sure you will enjoy a day at the races while you are here with us.’
‘We look forward to it,’ Mrs Costas answered for them both.
Louis took more interest as the carriage approached Mrs Kendal’s home, since he had not previously visited it. It was relatively isolated, with just one approach road and a few other large houses situated a long way apart down its length. Established trees provided shade with their leafy canopies or in the current inclement conditions, shelter from the rain. A pheasant, startled by the sound of the horses, emerged from the hedgerow and took to the wing. Miss Kazan expressed an interest in its exotic colours. Louis explained about the game bird’s prolific presence in England and that the male of the species was the more brightly coloured. She seemed both interested and distressed to think of them being shot for sport.
Her attention was distracted when the carriage turned between wide gateposts and rattled to a halt in front of an impressive manor house. Vines clung to its outer walls and the front gardens werea riot of colour, despite the wet summer.
‘Goodness,’ Miss Kazan said. ‘I did not know what to expect, but this is quite lovely.’
‘Whatever else she had been about to say was cut short when Mrs Kendal herself, with Chance at her side, appeared on the front steps. Chance shared a look with Louis when he noticed Saunders, but there was no opportunity for explanations.
‘Welcome,’ Mrs Kendal said, stepping forward to greet the ladies as soon as they alighted from the carriage. ‘I am so very glad that you could come.’
‘Thank you for inviting us, Mrs Kendal,’ Mrs Costas replied. ‘I realise that Mr Harland didn’t leave you with much choice, and we appreciate your graciousness that much more as a consequence.’
‘You are both very welcome.’
‘This is a wonderful location,’ Miss Kazan said, twirling in a circle to take in the view. ‘I can see that you have a lake. It is quiet and secluded here, yet close enough to Brighton when you feel the need for company.’
‘Which is not very often,’ Chance replied. ‘Sabine is a self-confessed recluse.’
‘I am no such thing!’ Mrs Kendal declared hotly. ‘I cannot help it if I am discerning and prefer my own company over that of Brighton’s society.’
‘No one can blame you for that,’ Louis replied. ‘Although since you favour Chance, discerning is perhaps overstating the matter somewhat.’
Mrs Kendal smiled. ‘You make a good point,’ she said. ‘Come now, ladies,’ she added, turning to her guests, who appeared a little taken aback by the informal exchange. ‘The rain is holding off for a change but the wind is chilly. Do come into the house and we will have some tea.’
Louis watched Miss Kazan’s head turning in all directions as she took in the understated elegance of Mrs Kendal’s home. It was probably very different to what she was accustomed to, and yet she seemed delighte
d by what she saw. Chance’s dog bounded towards them, the size of a small pony, and yet Miss Kazan simply smiled and bent to pet the beast.
‘He likes you,’ Mrs Kendal said, watching them, ‘but that doesn’t surprise me. Ace is large enough to terrify a lot of people, yet he is the softest creature on God’s earth.’
‘He’s adorable,’ Miss Kazan said, her eyes shining with pleasure. ‘I have always wanted a dog of my own, but Papa has no time for animals that serve no purpose and forbade it.’
‘Feel free to adopt Ace for as long as you like,’ Chance said, chuckling. ‘I can assure you that he will absorb all the attention you bestow upon him.’
The drawing room proved to be sizeable, comfortably furnished, warm and inviting. The prince could learn a thing or two about tasteful adornments, Louis thought as he waited for the ladies to divest themselves of their outdoor garments and take seats before sitting himself.
Refreshments were served, and while they consumed them Mrs Kendal kept up a polite conversation about the locality of her house and the freedom it gave her to ride for miles, weather permitting. When they had all eaten and drunk their fill, Louis took control.
‘Miss Kazan finds herself in an invidious position, which I hope she will agree to talk to you about, even though I am unsure if she fully appreciates the ramifications.’
‘Certainly I do,’ Miss Kazan replied, sitting a little taller and sending Louis an arch smile. ‘I was not aware you expected me to discuss my personal situation in front of your friends, Mr Harland.’
‘Amara,’ Mrs Costas chided softly.
‘I respect your privacy and would not ask it of you,’ Louis replied, ‘but for the fact that Lykaios is out to cause problems for you, and as things stand I cannot guarantee your safety.’ He softened his tone and fixed Miss Kazan with an intense look. ‘I would never forgive myself if something were to happen to you due to my negligence, and I can assure you that Mrs Kendal and my friend Lord Jonas are very discreet.’
‘Even so, you should have…’ Miss Kazan let out a long sigh. ‘Sorry. I am the one at fault, and I feel wretched for dragging you all into my affairs.’
‘We are here to help,’ Chance assured her. ‘If you will allow us to.’
‘I probably shouldn’t have agreed to spend the summer in Brighton,’ Miss Kazan admitted. ‘In fact, I know I should not, but it seemed impolite to decline the prince’s invitation. Even so, my father will not see things in that light. He will be furious. He will blame the prince for pressuring me, and he is not a pleasant man to be anywhere near when he gets cross.’
‘My brother does not like the English,’ Mrs Costas explained with an apologetic smile. ‘But I dare say you have already reached that conclusion for yourself. Greek men are the undisputed heads of their families and do not take kindly to being disobeyed.’
‘I don’t always like Englishmen myself,’ Mrs Kendal said, easing the tension. ‘But I also think it unwise to categorise an entire nation. We are all individuals, and some of us have better standards than others.’
‘There are miscreants in every society,’ Mrs Costas said. ‘I agree with you there. But my brother is blinded by prejudices and will never change, which is why Amara showed considerable strength of character in choosing to remain in England. Her agent, Mr Lykaios, advised most strongly against going against my brother’s wishes, but Amara felt she could not offend the prince by declining his invitation—which was more of a royal command, really—and I’m afraid that I encouraged her to have the courage of her convictions.’
‘George put you in a difficult position,’ Chance said. ‘We all appreciate that much. He tends to go after what he wants without giving much thought to the consequences. It is one of his worst failings, and believe me he has many of them.’
‘I have never dared to defy Papa before,’ Miss Kazan said, biting her lip. ‘I have four overprotective brothers who will also have a great deal to say on the matter.’
‘And yet you chose to remain here,’ Louis said, smiling at her. ‘That indeed took courage.’
‘Amara’s wonderful talent has been stifled by my brother’s over-protectiveness.’ Mrs Costas sighed as she lifted one hand and waggled it back and forth in a considering fashion. ‘I suppose it would not seem over-protective in Greece. It is what all daughters have come to expect. But Amara has already seen that things are done very differently in this country and is understandably confused.’
‘Why is your agent no longer with you?’ Mrs Kendal asked.
Louis held his breath, wondering how Miss Kazan would answer.
‘You have to understand,’ she eventually said on a long sigh, ‘that if it were not for him, I would never have been permitted to sing at La Scala. He heard me at a small party Papa had arranged—which were the only places I was permitted to sing…’
‘But you have had voice training,’ Chance said.
‘Oh yes, Papa was happy enough to provide me with the best private tuition, but I don’t think he realised the acclaim it would lead to.’ Miss Kazan looked becomingly modest. ‘Indeed, I still have to pinch myself sometimes in order to believe the success I have enjoyed.’
‘Lykaios was a friend to Amara,’ Mrs Costas explained, ‘and she felt beholden to him for her unexpected taste of freedom, even if it came at a high price. Promises were made which I am not at liberty to discuss. Anyway, we sailed to Italy on my brother’s yacht. He had business in the city, which I think is what persuaded him to allow Amara to take up the invitation to sing there and…well, you know the rest. The ensuing invitation to perform at Covent Garden led to us being here.’
‘Mr Lykaios was horrified when I decided to accept the prince’s offer, probably because he was worried that he would be blamed for encouraging me,’ Miss Kazan said. ‘I assured him that he would not be but he wasn’t convinced.’
‘He tried to dissuade you?’ Louis asked.
‘Not precisely. I think he was torn between the acclaim I would receive and how that would reflect upon him, as well as his concerns about Papa’s reaction. He understood that I wouldn’t be swayed in the end and accepted my decision, until he discovered that he would not be invited to join in the prince’s social engagements, which is when everything changed.’
‘Amara is talking around the crux of the issue in an effort to spare my feelings,’ Mrs Costas said, squeezing her niece’s hand. ‘Lykaios caught me alone and tried to convince me that Amara should not risk offending my brother. We disagreed and…well, he attempted to force himself upon me.’
‘Did he believe that his attentions would make you change your mind?’ Mrs Kendal asked, widening her eyes in evident disapproval. ‘I have heard it mentioned somewhere that he is a handsome man, but even so…’
‘He is indeed, and his appearance usually gets him what he wants, but I am not that shallow. He told me he knew I had been expecting his advances and thought I would welcome them, the presumptuous man,’ she replied, shuddering. ‘I was in the process of setting him straight on the point when Amara walked in, thought I needed rescuing and clouted him over the back of the head with a vase.’
‘Good for you!’ Mrs Kendal said with immense satisfaction in her tone.
‘That is when I dispensed with his services,’ Miss Kazan said. ‘And he has been plaguing us ever since. He attempted to snatch me off the street the other day. He knows where we are lodging and I am afraid that he will break in and do something reckless.’
‘The prince has offered us rooms at the pavilion,’ Mrs Costas added, ‘but I am not sure that would suit.’
Mrs Kendal nodded her understanding. ‘I would be reluctant in that regard also.’
‘What happened to your Greek bodyguards?’ Chance asked.
‘The prince’s people wouldn’t allow them to accompany me to the pavilion, which is understandable, I suppose, so I sent them back to London to await the arrival of Papa’s yacht.’
‘Your father doesn’t know where you are?’ Chance asked.
‘Not yet, and I don’t like to think of the consequences when he finds out.’ She shuddered. ‘Papa is coming to London to collect us in less than two months. Eva begged that we be given time to sightsee, since we were coming to England to keep the engagement at Covent Garden and it is a country that I have longed to see. I didn’t expect Papa to agree, but—’
‘But Amara has become an adept negotiator,’ Mrs Costas said, smiling.
‘You have a few more weeks before you need to decide what to do,’ Mrs Kendal said, ‘and having accepted the prince’s invitation, it will be difficult for you to have a change of heart so soon. For the next month at least, you are welcome to stay here, if you don’t mind the slightly longer journey into Brighton when your services are required there.’
‘No! I did not expect…’
‘It will be a pleasure to have you both,’ Mrs Kendal said graciously, ‘and not the slightest bit inconvenient. And you will be much safer here. No one can approach without giving us plenty of notice.’
‘And we will improve security for the duration of your stay,’ Chance added, glancing at Louis. ‘My friend, I know, was hoping that we would offer and we are happy to make ourselves useful.’
‘I don’t wish to alarm you, ladies, but Lykaios was loitering outside your lodgings all last night and watched me deliver you home.’ The ladies exchanged a worried look. ‘He had a carriage waiting and I am convinced that his intention was to kidnap you, Miss Kazan.’
‘Oh!’ She covered her mouth with her hand and her lovely eyes widened in fear.
‘He is clearly more concerned for himself than he is about your impressing the prince,’ Mrs Kendal said with a derisive sniff. ‘I cannot abide bullies.’
The ladies glanced at one another, while Ace lifted his head from his supine position in front of the fire and wagged his tail. Miss Kazan smiled at him and the matter appeared to be settled.
‘Then, if you are absolutely sure, Mrs Kendal—’
‘Perfectly sure. We have plenty of room.’
‘Well then, we accept with grateful thanks.’
Amara (Carlton House Cartel Book 2) Page 9