by Jillian Kent
An edge of uneasiness rippled down his back as he followed the boy in the direction of the royal guestrooms. As one of the preferred spies for the Crown during the war, he’d never lost the senses he’d honed from that time. But those days were past, and he enjoyed his quiet life in the country now.
The page knocked on a door and bowed out of the way as the door swung open. A dozen men occupied the chamber. All wore serious expressions.
“What has happened?”
“Stone has been attacked,” said the Regent, stepping from the circle of men who surrounded a large four-poster bed with drapes drawn.
“How? What happened to him?”
“We are not entirely sure… that’s why I sent for you. When word gets out of what has happened…” Prinny threw his arms in the air. “What must be done? This is unacceptable! His family must be informed, and that will create chaos if not outright panic.”
The look of fear on everyone’s faces said much. “Tell me what happened.”
Lord Whitby came forward. “Take a look for yourself.” He pulled the drapes back from the bed.
Witt thought he had seen every manner of injury during the war, but this, this was hideous. “That’s Stone?” The slashing of the face and neck appeared to be the work of something with sharp claws. “Has the royal physician seen him?” Witt swallowed hard as he studied the ghastly features of Lord Stone.
Prinny looked to Witt for direction. “We must decide the best course of action, and soon. Never has anyone dared to attack a member of Parliament since Bellingham assassinated Prime Minister Spencer Perceval, and that was six years ago. Stone is near death, and his wife and eldest son have been summoned. It won’t be for long that we can keep this flagrant attack quiet.” Prinny slammed both fists on the desk.
Witt took charge. “We must proceed with caution. I suggest we pull Lord Ravensmoore into this conversation immediately. It may be that having a physician who is a peer proves to be most helpful.”
The Regent paced and mumbled to himself, seemingly in a struggle to make a decision. Finally he declared, “Send for him.”
“Well, my dear sister. What did you think of your trip?” Devlin cut into a juicy piece of beef but kept his eyes on her.
“The trip was an adventure and a delight, though I doubt that Nora saw it that way. You would not believe how overprotective she’s become. She hovers about like a bee on a tulip.”
Devlin imagined that Snoop had lived up to her name throughout the trip and been more than difficult to keep track of at every stop along the way.
“You look healthy. A nice glow in your cheeks and the usual mischievousness in your eyes assures me that you are quite well.”
“And you, brother, look as though you haven’t slept for days. There are dark circles under your eyes, and I gather you have been busy caring for someone quite ill.”
“That’s why I’m a doctor, Snoop.” He never could fool his sister; she’d always had an uncanny sense of knowing how people felt, probably because she’d fought her own sickness for most of her life.
“I do hope you have arranged to take some time off while I’m here so you can show me about and not leave that to someone else.” She accepted more rosemary potatoes from the server and ate with a hearty appetite. “Mmm, how wonderful these are.” She sighed her enjoyment. “I’m surprised you’re not fat, brother. The food is most enjoyable.”
Cook brought the dessert in herself. “He’s rarely home to eat his food, Lady Victoria. He’s far too busy a man. Perhaps he will be makin’ himself more at home now that he’s got your company. I hope you’ll be enjoyin’ this puddin’. ’Tis special for tonight.”
Cook set a bowl of bread pudding between them with clotted cream to accompany the decadent dessert. Beside the dish she added a small bowl of mixed fruit.
“Cook, you’ve outdone yourself. Thank you. I can see from the sparkle in my sister’s eyes that she is most grateful.” He grinned and raised his glass in a toast. “To health.”
Victoria did likewise. “To health and to adventure. May this visit prove to be the beginning of many more adventures.”
Henry appeared. “Your lordship, a message.” He held a silver tray with a note upon it, which in itself meant nothing until Devlin saw the seal.
“Interesting. It’s from His Royal Highness.”
“The Prince Regent?” Victoria leaned close to her brother. “What does it say?”
“If you let me open it, then I shall know.” He ripped the missive open and read, “You are needed at the palace. Come at once.”
“May I come with you, Devlin?” Victoria pleaded, her eyes wide with interest. “Please.”
Devlin wondered what this could possibly be about. The Prince Regent had his own physician. What could he possibly want?
“Dev, please. It would be a wonderful way to begin my adventure in London.”
He pinched her cheek gently. “No.”
“But why not?”
“Because I don’t know what’s going on and you’ve not been summoned. It’s me that must go. You must rest from your long journey and settle into your room. I think you’ll like your room. I’ve left you a surprise under your pillow.”
“Drat, I’d much rather go with you than stay in my room. That’s what I’m trying to escape, if you remember.”
“And so you have.”
“Ravensmoore.” Witt greeted Lord Ravensmoore instead of sending Thomas. He’d wanted to escape the chamber upstairs and have some time to think about what had happened. He was certain there was more to this story, but Prinny had made it clear that he wanted Ravensmoore on hand before the conversation proceeded further.
“Witt. I didn’t expect to see you again so soon.”
“Nor I you, but as fate would have it, the Prince Regent asked me to fill you in on events. Follow me.”
“Follow you where, and what events?”
“Upstairs. You have a patient who needs tending.”
“A patient?” Ravensmoore raised an inquisitive brow.
Witt nodded, admiring the man’s ability to refrain from asking who. “Follow me.” Ravensmoore had made it clear when he allowed that monster of a dog to remain on top of him that it was his idea of getting even for the interrogation, at Prinny’s behest, of working as a physician and a peer. Witt had no doubt that if he hadn’t caught Lady Victoria, Ravensmoore would probably have encouraged the dog to finish him off. A razor-sharp ache gnawed up his back. He flinched.
“You all right?” Ravensmoore asked.
He’d already caused enough upheaval for one day. “Yes. Just an old war injury.”
“I understand that you prefer to live in the country since the war.”
“You aren’t listening to rumors, I hope.”
“Rumors sometimes hold a grain of truth, Witt. I’m just curious.”
“Curious why I’m here and not in the country? I’m sure you are wishing I’d remained in the country.”
“The thought had crossed my mind.”
“Lord Stone was attacked. He has been seen by the royal physician and is sedated with laudanum, but it’s complicated. Everything you are about to hear must be kept in the utmost confidence. Do you understand?”
“Of course.” Devlin stopped as they were climbing the steps. “What kind of attack?”
“He’s been slashed about the face. But we don’t know how or why. He’ll not likely survive. But there’s more. You have been called in out of desperation because you’re a doctor and a peer.”
“What can I do?”
“That’s what the Regent wants to know, I believe.” Witt opened the door to a meeting room this time, just as Thomas had opened it for him less than an hour ago at the chamber where Stone lay.
The Prince Regent, known for his frivolous lifestyle, appeared to Witt as though he might fall into an apoplectic fit. This was in contrast to his usual jovial manner. He rushed to meet Ravensmoore when they entered the room. “Thank you for coming so quickly.
We need to treat this situation with the utmost of care.”
Prinny’s hair and clothing were disheveled, and that in itself showed just how out of sorts the Regent was this day. He would not want to fall below the standard that Beau Brummel set for the ton.
Ravensmoore bowed slightly. “Of course, Your Royal Highness. Whatever I can do. But I suggest you sit down before you fall ill.”
The other lords in the room nodded. Some paced with their hands behind their backs. Two looked out the windows to the gardens below. Others sat in chairs with exhausted expressions on their faces.
“Yes. Yes, you’re right,” said the Regent. “Please make your own assessment of Lord Stone.” He slid to a chair and took a deep breath. “Witt has told you what has happened?”
“Just that Stone has been attacked. Disfigured?”
“Yes, yes. But there’s more. A message.”
“What sort of message, sir?” Devlin asked.
The Prince Regent looked to Witt and nodded.
“A note was found on Stone’s person.” Witt produced it from his coat pocket and read, “You have been found guilty of conspiring with sinful men for sinful purposes. I will now handle the situation as I see fit.”
“This sounds like Stone did something that someone else did not approve.”
“There’s more,” said Witt. “Underneath the scrawled name was writing in Stone’s blood. It reads, ‘He is only the first. Repent and guard your lives for you won’t have them long.’ And it’s signed, ‘Lord Talon.’”
Witt studied Ravensmoore as he absorbed the implications of this information. Shock, surprise, and then anger swooped over his features.
“Who would do such a thing?” Ravensmoore asked. “Why? And who is Lord Talon?”
“My thoughts as well.” Witt handed him the scribbled note that had been found on Stone’s body. “His penmanship lacks the benefit of practice. Perhaps he’s not a learned man, or perhaps he’s trying to disguise the fact.”
“Whatever the case may be,” the Prince Regent said, “he must be found immediately. God knows what havoc this Lord Talon fellow could cause within the House of Lords.” He leaned toward the two of them. “I need your help, Ravensmoore.”
“I’ll do whatever I can, but what can be done? You have the royal physician at your disposal; surely he can be counted on for his discretion and talents.”
“The royal physician has grown soft and is not exposed to injuries like these. We need someone like you.”
Witt explained, “You are unique, Ravensmoore. You are both physician and nobleman. You can work with the royal physician, but you also have an ear close to the common man and may hear or see things on the street that others may not. A convenience, indeed.”
“Witt here also possesses talents from his years in my service, and he has agreed to do all in his power to locate this demon and stop him.” Prinny mopped the sweat from his brow.
“I’d like to see Lord Stone, sir. Where is he?”
“Witt, show Ravensmoore to the suite of rooms I’ve assigned to Stone. I’m keeping him well protected in case the madman who did this decides to try and finish him off. I’ve dispatched messengers to every member of Parliament to convene early tomorrow morning and to be aware of the danger.”
Witt and Ravensmoore stood and bowed.
As soon as they’d left the Regent’s chambers, Witt heard Ravensmoore take a deep breath. “This is unbelievable. An attack on a member of the House of Lords and a threat to the others. What if he can’t be found?”
“I’ll find him,” Witt said easily. “The difficulty will be stopping him before someone is murdered.”