The Crimson Cavaliers

by Mary Andrea Clarke

  “His lordship insisted on waiting, miss,” said Horton as though reading her thoughts.

  “I see,” said Georgiana in a colourless tone. “Very well, Horton, where is he?”

  “In the drawing room, miss. Miss Knatchbull asked for tea to be served. Would you care for some fresh?”

  “No, thank you, Horton. That won’t be necessary.”

  “Very good, miss.”

  Georgiana made her way to the drawing room, still in her riding habit. She found Lord Bartholomew settled in an armchair looking very much at home. His attitude irritated her, not helped by the sight of her cousin appearing all welcoming affability. Georgiana wondered whether Lord Bartholomew could be persuaded to transfer his attentions.

  “Ah, here is Georgiana,” Selina said.

  “Good day, Lord Bartholomew.”

  His lordship sprang up and came forward. “My dear Miss Grey! We were growing quite concerned.”

  “Indeed? Why?” Georgiana’s tone was frosty.

  “Well, you have been away so long.”

  “I had to visit someone. I had already mentioned it to my cousin. I’m sure she told you. Didn’t you, Selina?”

  “Why, yes, but you have been such a time,” said Selina.

  “I would have set out to meet you,” said Lord Bartholomew, “but I was sure you would be back at any minute.”

  “That was not necessary.”

  “I suppose your groom was an adequate protector,” he said sulkily.

  “Certainly,” replied Georgiana. The devil at her shoulder prompted her to continue. “However, I met Mr Lakesby and he rode back with me.”

  Selina looked quickly towards her cousin. The colour drained from his lordship’s face.

  “Was there some particular reason you called, Lord Bartholomew?”

  Lord Bartholomew tried to pull himself together. “Indeed there was. I have brought my new curricle and pair. I thought we could go for a drive.”

  Georgiana frowned.

  “Oh?” she asked in surprise. “I did not notice your curricle outside.”

  “No, I asked for it to be taken to the stables when I realised you were out. Your cousin said it would be in order.”

  “Did she?” said Georgiana, with a meaningful look at her cousin. Selina seemed to shrink into her chair.

  “Well, thank you for your invitation, Lord Bartholomew,” said Georgiana. “However, as you see, I have just returned from my ride and have not had an opportunity to change. Perhaps some other time.”

  “I can wait for you,” offered his lordship, “and not just today.”

  Georgiana cringed.

  “It looks a fine vehicle,” put in Selina.

  “Does it?” said Georgiana without interest. “Then you go, Selina. I’m afraid I have another engagement.”

  “Perhaps tomorrow morning then?” pursued Lord Bartholomew.

  “Mr Lakesby has already invited me to go for a drive with him tomorrow. You must excuse me.”

  “Mr Lakesby?” said his lordship in shocked accents. “You are going out with Mr Lakesby again?”

  “Yes.” Georgiana was aware of Miss Knatchbull’s eyes upon her.

  “Oh, this is too bad, Miss Grey, much too bad. One would almost think you were trying to avoid me. And for you to be encouraging Mr Lakesby in this fashion is most unseemly.”

  “Really?” Georgiana’s tone was pure ice.

  His lordship did not speak but continued to look sulky. Georgiana smiled sweetly.

  “I must beg your pardon, Lord Bartholomew, but as I said, I am obliged to go out. I have an appointment with my dressmaker.”

  Georgiana rang the bell. Lord Bartholomew had no choice but to accept his dismissal.

  James answered her summons.

  “Lord Bartholomew is ready to leave. Will you be good enough to show him out?”

  “Yes, miss.”

  His lordship departed in something of a dramatic huff. Georgiana turned to her cousin.

  “For heaven’s sake, Selina, what are you thinking, encouraging him to hang about in this fashion?”

  “What do you mean, Georgiana? It was good of Lord Bartholomew to call and it seemed only civil to allow him to wait. I had not expected you to be so long.”

  “I’d have been a considerable time longer, had I known he was here,” Georgiana answered tartly before going upstairs to change.

  On her return to the drawing room, there was no sign of Selina. Assuming she had retreated to her room, Georgiana rang the bell. This time her butler answered.

  “Could I have some tea, please, Horton?”

  “Certainly, miss.”

  “By the way, I thought today was James’s day out.”

  “It should have been, miss, but he changed with young Frederick and took last Tuesday evening instead.”

  “I see.”

  “Will that be all, miss?”

  “Yes, Horton, thank you.”

  Georgiana sat thinking after Horton had departed. Tuesday was the night Sir Robert Foster had been killed.

  13

  Seated at her dressing table, Georgiana looked at her reflection. Lady Winters had invited her to dinner. The single string of pearls Emily had fastened about her throat complemented the rich auburn tones of her hair, brought to life by the pale yellow silk of her gown.

  Georgiana had been surprised to receive Lady Winters’s invitation. She could only assume Lakesby’s lie about Tom’s fate had put her in favour with her ladyship. There could be an interesting reaction if either she or her nephew were to learn the boy’s true fate. She had no doubt Lady Winters would cut her acquaintance very speedily. She was not sure about Lakesby. Part of her thought he might find the situation diverting.

  Tom had settled down surprisingly well to life as a page. While there were mistakes and failures in matters of etiquette which caused Horton to roll his eyes heavenward, the boy had proved enthusiastic beyond Georgiana’s expectations. In many ways, he was a breath of fresh air in the household. Miss Knatchbull’s initial silence on receiving the news was broken only when she asked in a weak voice if Georgiana wished to drive her from the house. Resisting a temptation which would oust her from Society, Georgiana assured her cousin she desired no such thing. She then sat listening patiently as Selina voiced her fears of everyone being murdered in their beds before quietly pointing out the unlikelihood of this event since Mr Lakesby had taken away the boy’s pistol.

  “There are knives in the kitchen,” said Selina.

  “Good heavens, Selina, can you seriously imagine that boy waking up in the middle of the night and going to the kitchen in search of a knife to murder everyone in the house? Why should he do such a thing, pray?”

  “To rob us,” said Selina darkly.

  “Well, I hardly think he’d need to do both. Besides, I’m sure his duties will keep him far too busy to be waking up in the night.”

  Georgiana had so far managed to avoid a lot of direct contact with Tom. This was not too difficult. Both Emily and James kept a close eye on him without quite intimating he could not be trusted.

  The thought of James made Georgiana frown. Horton’s words were circling inside her head. The knowledge that James was out on the evening of Sir Robert’s murder disturbed her. It also created a barrier between herself and Emily. Georgiana wondered if Emily knew of her brother’s absence from home. If she did, it was unlikely she’d say anything, even to Georgiana.

  As Emily finished her task, she stood back to survey the effect. Satisfied, she fetched a cream shawl from the wardrobe and draped it around her mistress’s shoulders. Georgiana rose.

  “Thank you, Emily. I don’t expect to be very late home.”

  “Yes, miss.”

  Selina was waiting for Georgiana in the hall, pulling her shawl tight as she looked nervously about her, as if expecting Tom to spring out with a pistol in his hand.

  Amanda and Edward had arranged to take Georgiana and Selina in their carriage, an arrangement not entirely to G
eorgiana’s satisfaction, since it obliged her to keep to whatever time Edward considered appropriate. She was surprised her brother and sister-in-law had accepted the invitation: she would not have imagined Lady Winters and her daughter to be the chosen companions of either. The thought crossed Georgiana’s mind that they were keeping watch on her, a circumstance as inconvenient as it was irritating.

  They called promptly, Edward looking very correct in well tailored knee-breeches and a cravat tied neatly, without ostentation. He cast his eye over his sister’s attire approvingly and assisted Selina and Georgiana into the waiting barouche.

  A number of guests had already arrived at Lady Winters’s establishment and were being regaled with refreshment. Edward took it upon himself to select something to drink for his ladies, but while Amanda and Selina seemed quite content with what was given to them, Georgiana immediately began to look for somewhere to lose the sickly red concoction. She had always hated raspberry cordial, even as a child. It irritated her that Edward should not have remembered.

  “Perhaps this will be more to your liking, Miss Grey.”

  Georgiana turned her head to find Mr Lakesby holding a glass of Madeira towards her. Smiling gratefully, she accepted it, still looking for somewhere to leave the unwanted cordial.

  “Allow me.”

  Lakesby relieved her of the glass and gave a quick glance about the room before tossing the bright contents in the pot of a nearby plant.

  “I don’t think you should have done that,” said Georgiana, a gurgle of laughter in her voice.

  “Probably not, but as Aunt Beatrice’s only interest in foliage is for its decorative value at affairs such as these, I do not think she would be overly concerned.” He smiled. “Can your relations spare you for a few moments?”

  Georgiana glanced towards Edward, Amanda and Selina. She had been surprised her brother had not moved to her side immediately at Lakesby’s arrival. She realised now that the three of them had been held in conversation by an acquaintance. She nodded and allowed Lakesby to lead her to another part of the room.

  “You must allow me to tell you, you look quite charming,” remarked Lakesby as soon as they were out of earshot.

  Assuming he had wanted to speak to her about Sir Robert Foster’s murder, Georgiana frowned.

  “Thank you,” she said, “it is most kind of you to say so, but surely you did not take me aside to tell me that.”

  “I have a favour to ask,” Lakesby said.

  “Oh?” Georgiana’s suspicions were aroused.

  “It concerns my cousin. She confides in you, does she not?”

  “Yes, up to a point.” Georgiana was wary.

  “I’d like you to talk to her. I think the silly minx is plotting mischief.”

  “And you’d like me to find out if that’s the case?”

  “Exactly,” said Lakesby.

  “Presumably to report it back to you?”

  “Precisely.”

  “In other words,” said Georgiana slowly, “you’d like me to spy on her.”

  “I would hardly call it that, Miss Grey.”

  “No, I daresay you wouldn’t,” said Georgiana. “Yet that is what it is, breaking her confidence.”

  “Miss Grey, I must protest.” Lakesby paused, then lowered his voice. “I think Brandon Foster may be planning to elope with Louisa.”

  Georgiana looked at him in shock.“Surely she would not take such a step? She must know better.”

  “He might talk her into it,” said Lakesby in a grim tone. “They have been on somewhat friendly terms.”

  “But even so,” said Georgiana. She looked towards him speculatively. “Should I assume you would not look favourably upon his suit if he were to approach you?”

  “I would not.” The hard edge left Lakesby’s voice when he addressed her again. “I beg your pardon, Miss Grey. You see, the timing is just too convenient. Under the terms of her father’s will, Louisa inherits a substantial sum of money upon her marriage. Brandon Foster, as we know, was left nothing but a title and that ramshackle country house. As it is, I suspect Louisa has been lending him money out of her allowance.”

  “I see,” said Georgiana, recalling her own thoughts on the subject.

  “In view of his gambling debts, I shall own myself surprised if she ever sees it again.”

  “His father’s death left Sir Brandon a clear path to Louisa,” said Georgiana thoughtfully. “What does your aunt say? If she was in favour of the father, is she likely to accept the son?”

  Lakesby shook his head. “I don’t know. He wouldn’t be her first choice, I’m sure.”

  “No, I know that.” She looked at him quizzically. “I think you will end by having to marry her yourself, Mr Lakesby. It seems the surest way of protecting her from fortune hunters and will win your aunt’s approval.”

  The hint of anger in Lakesby’s expression startled her. “I think not.”

  Georgiana turned the subject to what she thought was safer ground. “I did not imagine Sir Brandon had any thoughts of marriage. Even if he is only acting from mercenary motives, surely he would have to be very certain of your cousin’s acquiescence before taking any drastic step.”

  “I know. That is what concerns me.”

  “I rather gained the impression she was ready to accept Sir Robert,” said Georgiana, seating herself in a nearby alcove. “Not eager, perhaps, but resigned to her fate.” She glanced up at him. “Has she shown a degree of preference for his son?”

  “No more than any other young blade,” he said sitting next to her. He grinned suddenly. “Until the Crimson Cavalier rode into her life.”

  “I don’t imagine the Crimson Cavalier’s acquaintances are people with whom you would wish your cousin to associate,” remarked Georgiana lightly.

  “Perhaps the Crimson Cavalier should find a new set of acquaintances.”

  “Perhaps,” said Georgiana quietly. “If Sir Brandon’s interest in Louisa is sufficient for him to take the risk of eloping with her, do you think it possible he would take the risk of killing his father?”

  “To remove him as a suitor?”

  Georgiana nodded.

  Lakesby frowned. “It’s possible, I suppose, if he thinks her portion worthwhile.”

  “It must be very difficult for her to feel she should be suspicious of everyone.”

  Lakesby looked at her, the ghost of grin appearing.

  “Well, after all, Miss Grey, one never knows what dark secrets one’s acquaintance might have.”

  Georgiana threw him a baleful look. “Very true.”

  A shadow falling across them put an end to further conversation on the subject. Edward looked from one to the other.

  “Here you are, Georgiana.” He nodded briefly towards Lakesby, who had risen at his approach. “Lady Winters said dinner will be served shortly. Come along, I will escort you.”

  “Where are Amanda and Selina?” Georgiana knew her tone was not welcoming. However, with Edward’s own voice sounding appropriate for use to a child, she was unable to pretend she was pleased to see him.

  “They are talking to Lady Winters at present. Selina is going in with an acquaintance of her ladyship to whom she has just been introduced. I believe Amanda is seated next to Mr Laurence, so he will be taking her in.”

  “Really?” said Lakesby. “He must be about a hundred. Are you sure it is not the other way about, Grey?”

  Edward Grey looked at Lakesby with an expression of deep disapproval. Lakesby was unfazed. He rose with a smile.

  “I had better go to my aunt. I daresay she will have some venerable dowager she wishes me to look after.”

  “Good heavens, Edward, I cannot walk in to dinner on my brother’s arm. Just think how much pity I should attract. I would rather go in on my own.”

  “Surely that will not be necessary,” commented Lakesby.

  Edward looked doubtful but rescue arrived in the form of Mr Laurence’s son, expressing his pleasure at learning Miss Grey was a gue
st of Lady Winters and his earnest desire to escort her into dinner. She accepted readily, knowing him to be an inoffensive, if serious gentleman and one to whom Edward could hardly object, having already sanctioned his father’s escort of Amanda. Her hand on the younger Mr Laurence’s arm, Georgiana sailed off with a smile, leaving her brother with Mr Lakesby.

  “I think my cousin would be glad of your escort, Grey,” said Lakesby, nodding towards Louisa. “With so many undesirable characters dangling after her, I should be glad to know she was in safe hands.”

  The dinner was excellent, and not one of Lady Winters’s ten guests could complain of the quality of the soup or the wine sauce adorning the sole. As the last of the covers were removed, her ladyship rose to lead the ladies to tea. Georgiana found herself hoping the gentlemen would not linger overlong with their port.

  Having received her cup of tea, Georgiana looked for Louisa. Unable to banish from her mind Lakesby’s words about Brandon Foster, Georgiana felt a degree of concern about the prospect of Louisa running off with Sir Robert’s son. It was quite possible the girl would see it as an adventure. If it transpired he had killed his father, accusations of impropriety would be the least of her problems. As Georgiana spotted Louisa, she made her way towards a nearby empty chair, resolutely avoiding both Selina and Amanda.

  Louisa smiled with pleasure at her friend’s approach.

  “I have not had a chance to speak to you all evening,” the girl declared.

  “I’m sure you have been busy with your mother’s other guests,” said Georgiana politely.

  “It is not I who have been busy,” said Louisa.

  “Oh?”

  Louisa looked slyly through her lashes at Georgiana.

  “Max has been very attentive since the minute you arrived. I believe he has a tendre for you.”

  “Don’t be absurd,” said Georgiana, a little too vehemently.

  “Why should it be absurd?” asked Louisa.

  “Your cousin and I barely know each other.”

  “That could be remedied,” said Louisa. “I think Max would like that.”