Lady Star

by Claudy Conn

  She nearly laughed, but bit her bottom lip and answered, “Don’t be hipped, sir. I only meant that if you were going to bother stealing a kiss, you should not then set the lady adrift, should you?”

  He did not have the opportunity to respond to this however, for at that moment a commotion of some size took place in the ballroom and the noise that ensued made its way outdoors.

  Chapter Eleven

  VERN HAD WAITED only long enough for his sister and Georgie to leave the house before he took the laudanum potion Star had left him.

  He drifted off, but was not yet in a deep sleep when he heard the sound of heavy footsteps just outside his door.

  He frowned as he roused himself and began to sit up. His door opened wide and Vern reached for and found the gun he kept under his right side pillow. He placed it in his lap beneath the quilt, cocked and ready.

  The candle on his nightstand was low, nearly spluttering off. He waited a long time, for the footsteps had stopped, he thought just outside his door.

  He made a decision and carefully, quietly and in his nightshirt, made his way across the room to the hall door. He planted himself against the wall and waited. When the door opened, he was certain it would partially obscure his presence.

  He had done this just in time, for his door did indeed open slowly, and Vern got a good look at the intruder. Hell and Fire, here was trouble!

  A large dark ominous shape filled the doorway.

  Vern watched as the brute of a man surveyed the empty bed and Vern stepped forward, choosing to take him immediately by surprise.

  “Farley!” Vern growled as he stood his ground, his gun steady in his hand and aimed at the man’s back. “Hands up, turn slowly and tell me what in hell do you want here and how dare you come into my home uninvited!”

  Farley was taken aback as he slowly raised his hands and cautiously turned around but he grinned a toothless grin. “Aw, now young lord…” he started to drop his hands, but Vern motioned with his gun and said, “Oh no, up, keep those hands of yours up, where I can see them.”

  “Aw now flash, Oi waited fer yer sis to be off, now didn’t Oi?” Farley said his hands high. “All Oi want is a bit of conversation.”

  “Put both your hands on your head. That’s right…just like that. Now tell me why I shouldn’t shoot you as an intruder and be done with you.” It occurred to Vern that was what he should do. Kill the scoundrel. No one would blame him for killing a thief who had broken into his home. However, cold-blooded murder of even such as this one went against the grain and he found himself reluctant to do it.

  “Ye don’t want to do anything that will get ye or yers killed, that’s why. And m’lads, they would be vengeful, they would.”

  Vern was fairly certain that Farley’s men worked with him because it was expedient. None of them felt any loyalty to the man and he knew it. He said on a low note full with the promise of a threat, “Get out of my house, you blackguard, now!” He felt sick to think he was the one that had brought this evil into his home. What a complete and utter fool he had been.

  “So Oi will, when ye give over whot Oi wants to know.”

  “It’s finished Farley. I have nothing left to tell you.”

  “But flash, Oi ain’t ready to put an end to our partnership. It’s been a good thing fer me and the lads.” He eyed Vern. “And it’s been good fer ye as well.” He stood and pointed a finger. “Oi hear there is a ball tonight…right? Yer sister is there, at that ball.”

  “What the bloody hell does that mean?” Vern felt his insides, shaken with certain fear. Farley was getting careless. Greed would get him caught and if he was caught, Vern had no doubt he would be pulled in.

  “All the smarts and their pretties will be there, dressed…banged up to the nines, Oi’d wager and sporting their sparklers for all the world to see, eh?”

  “Rot in hell, Farley!” Vern growled.

  “Methinks Oi might, but before Oi do Oi mean to enjoy meself right here on earth, what say ye’ to that?” Farley’s grin displayed his distorted lips and his missing teeth.

  Vern stepped forward, his eyes full with the dislike and fury he felt, “You’ll not go near that ball tonight. I’ve counted you many things Farley, but I have never thought you a fool. Are you…a fool?”

  “A fool, is it? How can ye say that, flash?” Farley had stepped backward, bumped into a wall cabinet and leaned back against it as he crossed his arms. “Oi don’t think ye be clear on this. Me men know jest whot to do at sech a bang up affair and whot hour to do it in.”

  “You’ll be dead, because now I don’t have a choice and your men will be surrounded before you can get out of the place. Some of the swells, as you call them, know how to shoot and their firearms are never far.”

  “Is that so, flash?” Farley shook his head. “Oi don’t think so. Whot Oi think is that ye don’t want yer name dragged into this. Ye have naught to fear on that stand, fer as long as ye be helping me, Oi won’t bring ye into it.”

  Vern’s face fell. He was in trouble. He didn’t care about scandal for himself, but it would ruin his sister’s chances of ever making a match of it and having a decent life.

  Farley saw that he had made a hit and continued, “Aye, that’s right. By midnight everyone will be well into their cups, servants too and those servants with the barking irons, well… we’ll ‘ave them neatly trussed up and hidden away before we make our move. We’ll be in and out. No one knowing who we are or where we came from and with any good luck, we won’t have to kill any of the swells you speak of.” Farley’s leer was pronounced.

  “Then know this,” Vern said refusing to back down. “If you go within a mile of the ball tonight, I’ll see to it that you never do anything of the kind ever again! For I won’t rest until you are dead! Don’t think…a swell is above killing his man. You are out of your element Farley.”

  Farley laughed harshly, “Aye, lad, pluck to the backbone ye are, but a killer?” he shook his head. “Oi don’t think so. But we’ll see. It’ll take more than ye and yers to stop me from laying out me kens and twigging me rigs. It will take more than a pup to take down ‘ole Farley.” He moved away now toward the hall door and tossed one final remark over his shoulder. “Oi came ‘ere Oi did to see if ye had any information that might help us get in easy so that no one need get hurt. Oi see ye don’t mean to cooperate with yer old friend. So be it.” He looked at Vern thoughtfully and added, “If ye are so hell-bent against me going to this fine ball…then give me whot Oi want and have done. Tell me where next Oi’ll be finding a place to twig.”

  “Do you think I am the sort of man that will cower to your blackmail?” Vern was in a rage. “Get out of here and Farley, remember my warning. I did not issue it lightly.”

  Farley looked surprised, and said, “Oi didn’t think ye had it in ye to stand up against me, flash. Oi was hoping ye would give me whot Oi want and Oi would leave yer fancy friends to their ball. Oi’m sorry ye don’t see fit to do the smart thing. Brave lads, often die heroes, but they die…” Farley bowed and made his exit.

  Vern stood for a long moment filled with indecision and a certain dread. His sister was at the ball with Georgie. If Farley did indeed decide to do what he said, she could be in danger. Even if she wasn’t in danger, he might get a good look at her and recognize her as the lad she had pretended to be. “Damnation!” he cursed out loud. There was no telling what the devil thief would do. There was no telling how many innocent people might be hurt. He had to get dressed. He had to get to Sefton House and warn them…

  Chapter Twelve

  STAR’S EYES FLASHED with surprise. People were all whispering and gathering together and all she could see was her brother in a state of disarray.

  She looked with uncertainty to Sir Edward as he put a protective hand to her back and led her toward the ballroom doors. She couldn’t believe her ears when she first heard her brother call out for the gentlemen to arm themselves.

  She watched as Miles rushed across the flo
or and put a supportive arm around his friend. She couldn’t hear what Miles was saying to Vern, but she imagined it was exactly what she was thinking, which was…what the deuce was going on?

  Star looked up at Sir Edward again and said, “I must go to him…”

  “Of course,” he said and took her elbow. “Easy my sweet, be easy.” He hovered over her as he led her to her brother. She felt as though her heart was going to burst from her chest and bleed.

  Finally, she was able to reach out and grab hold of her brother’s arm and asked fretfully, “Vern, what is it? Why are you here? What has happened?”

  She was aware, all too aware that a crowd had gathered and was closing in around them. She could feel their eyes darting between her face and that of her brother’s. Miles shot her a warning glance and said to Vern, “There, there ‘ole boy, let’s get you into another room. Here is your sister, safe and sound, so you have nothing to worry about.” He turned to the crowd and announced, “We have it under control…go back to your dancing.”

  Vern reached out and took his sister’s hands. “All my fault…have to warn Sefton, sis. We have to arm the servants…be ready…we have to be ready. They will strike late into the night.”

  “Hush, Vern, it is the laudanum. You are having a bad reaction to the medicine, nothing more.” Star also attempted to give the people closing in around them this as an answer to satisfy their curiosity.

  Vern tried to break away from Miles and a slight struggle ensued between the two, but Miles was easily able to control his weakened friend. He held him upright and tightly, and tried to lead the struggling man away from the ballroom.

  Star bit her lip and found herself leaning into Sir Edward. She could see that her brother was frantic. What was it all about? Was it Farley? He had been about to say something that would ruin them all…but why?

  Sir Edward suddenly took charge.

  In his quiet and authoritive manner Edward said, “Come along, young lord. We will go into Sefton’s study where we can discuss this matter without worrying the ladies, or the assembled company.”

  Her brother seemed to relax under Edward’s guidance and gave up the struggle as Miles helped him along. Star turned once as she followed her brother and saw that Jules had taken Georgie’s hand and pulled her away from the scene. He smiled at the crowd and made a jest with some of the ones closest to the scene.

  Star breathed a sigh of relief as she heard Jules tell them that Vern was suffering from the quinsy and that the doctor had prescribed laudanum. He suggested to the crowd that the poor young lord had suffered a bad reaction. This started everyone talking about their various experiences with both the quinsy and laudanum.

  Star breathed a thankful sigh of relief as Edward with his arm tightly around her shoulders led her away.

  They arrived in the study, where Miles saw Vern seated before closing the door. Vern stared up at Sir Edward and mumbled, “Thank you…not thinking clearly…laudanum…but had to come.”

  “Of course you did,” Sir Edward said grimly and he and Miles exchanged a glance of concern.

  Star was aware that a considerable stir had been left at their backs and once again without realizing it she looked at Sir Edward. He touched her cheek and said, “You can rest easy. Jules will have everyone talking in circles before long. Do not concern yourself. He is a master at socializing and will have everyone laughing about nothing in particular before very long.” He took her gloved hand to his lips and whispered encouragingly, “Stay close to me and I promise, all will be well.”

  Though still anxious, she felt somehow safe. She felt as though Sir Edward would set everything right. She smiled gratefully at him for he was quite right. She had seen Jules in action and she was certain he would do just as Edward said.

  “Now my lord, would you tell us what the problem is? What brought you here like this?” Sir Edward asked gently.

  “Indeed, tell us at once, Vern,” Star encouraged.

  “I…I had no choice,” Vern said.

  “Indeed, my young lord, I think it is time to come clean. Why did you have no choice?” Sir Edward said kindly as he pulled up a chair for Star and saw her seated. He stood with his hands folded into one another behind his back. Even in that moment of stress and uncertainty, Star watched him, admired him and felt all would be well with him at the helm. “You must have realized that stampeding into a ball willy-nilly would cause undue attention to yourself.”

  Vern stared at Sir Edward through eyes that would not focus. He ran his hands over his tussled hair “You don’t understand…how could you?”

  “Ah, but I think that I do and I mean to help you, if you allow.”

  “Thank you. I am a beast and a terrible burden to my sister. I am certain I have plunged us into something I shan’t recover. If only you could find a way to spare her the shame of it all.”

  Star saw that he was about to cry and reached out and touched his hands, “Nonsense. It is no such thing. All you ever wanted to do was repair the damage our father brought down on Berkley. We shall do it. See if we don’t.”

  “No, Star…you don’t know what has happened. By morning, I shall be ruined,” Vern cried out loud. “And you…because of me.”

  “Rest easy, no one shall ruin your sister,” Sir Edward interjected. “Now, tell me why you think you have ruined yourself and perhaps we shall find a way to repair it.” Sir Edward’s voice though kind was commanding.

  “Ran off my legs…”

  “Well, as to that, there isn’t a man worth his salt that hasn’t found himself doing that at one time or other in his career,” Edward said on a frown, noting that Miles had a fist to his mouth and was looking grim.

  “You don’t understand,” Vern groaned. “I am involved with the worst kind…of scoundrels.” He glanced at his sister, “You know, sis, that matter you handled for me recently?”

  “Yes, Vern?” she answered on a frown.

  Sir Edward glanced her way, his brows drawn together. She saw it and blanched. What would he think of her if he knew?

  “Just spit it out and be done with it, young lord,” Edward demanded.

  “Everything has gone awry,” Vern said dolefully as he put a hand to his forehead. “Please believe me. I did not realize things would grow out of proportion as they have done. Now, I have reason to believe there will be trouble here…tonight.”

  Star’s hand went to her mouth and she leaned further forward, taking her brother’s hand to her cheek. “Hush love, it can’t be that bad…”

  “But it is! That was precisely what I was threatened with tonight,” he said, his voice filled with misery.

  “But why?” Star asked aware of Sir Edward’s scrutiny. She knew he was beginning to put matters in place. She saw it come together in his eyes.

  Vern stared at her, unable to speak. Miles paced at some distance. She was certain Vern had confided in him from his mannerisms.

  Sir Edward sat finally beside Vern on the other winged chair and said, “Will you two trust me?” He glanced at Star, “I think—I am certain, I can help.”

  Star turned away from studying her brother’s face and stared up at Sir Edward once more. Instinct pushed her to answer him in the affirmative. She said instead, “It is not a matter of trust, forgive me, Sir Edward, it is a family matter.”

  “Is it?” he answered doubtfully. “Well, shall we then get this family member home?”

  “Oh, yes, please,” she said thankfully.

  “No, no…they will come here later tonight and they will…”

  “Enough. No one will make it past the doors if they dare to arrive at Sefton without invitation. Rest easy on that,” Sir Edward returned on a grave note. He moved off and pulled the bellrope.

  Star could feel his eyes on her as she argued with her brother in a hushed whisper. A servant arrived and Sir Edward requested that Jules’ carriage be brought around and that Vern’s horse be tethered to the boot. He turned to Star and under his thoughtful gaze she felt the heat ru
sh to her cheeks. Until that moment, watching him take control in such a perfect way, she hadn’t realized how very kind and thoughtful this man could be.

  He went to her and as she was still holding her brother’s hand. He took her other hand and gently pulled her up from her chair and away from her brother.

  “Come, my dear…” he said and pulled her close. “We will see him through this, whether you trust me or no.”

  She wanted to tell him that she did trust him. At that moment, she knew she would trust him with her life, but she couldn’t tell him what Vern’s secret was. That was for Vern to do. She did however, say “Sir Edward…I am concerned. My brother has reason—good reason to believe…well, what I am saying is…” She sighed heavily, “Do you think the Seftons are amply protected against a possible…er…raid of some sort?”

  He considered her question then glanced at Miles who was frowning darkly over the question, but saying nothing and appeared to come to his own conclusion. She bit her lip as she wondered what he must be thinking.

  “Why do you ask, my dear? Please tell me that much,” he answered softly and she could see something heartfelt in his eyes. He wanted her to tell him everything, she wanted to tell him everything… but how could she?

  Breathlessly Star attempted to respond with something that might work and finally came up with, “I am not certain, but Vern seems to think everyone at the ball is in danger…I cannot think why. I am at quite a loss to explain this.” It was not a complete falsehood, she told herself. After all, she didn’t have all the facts as yet.

  “Now why would we be in danger at Sefton Ball? And why would Vern suddenly in his state of health feel he had to ride over and warn us in such a bizarre manner?” Sir Edward asked reasonably.

  She could see he would not let go easily, “Honestly, I do not know what prompted him to do so.” That was the truth. She knew it must have something to do with Farley, but as yet, had not any information from her brother. “He must have taken too much laudanum and with the quinsy and all…perhaps he is delirious.” She eyed Sir Edward worriedly, “But oh sir, just to be on the safe side, do you think the Seftons and their servants should arm themselves?” She could see her brother’s face as she spoke and she could see this was the one thing he wanted above all else.