A Truth Revealed

by Lucy Adams

“She told me that she was afraid of Madame Bereford,” Lady Callander said, softly, as Lady Madeline frowned, clearly uncertain as to what Lady Callander was speaking of. “And that Madame Bereford had instructed her to draw close to Lord Hazelton in any way she could. However,” she said, frowning. “This was some years ago that the instruction was given. Lord Hazelton was not always a regular client, but every time he appeared, the other ladies were kept away from him and thus, he became quite interested by her. He soon became a more regular client and as their intimacy grew, she began to speak to him and likewise, he to her.”

  “I see,” Sebastian murmured, as Lord Watt rose, gesturing for the ladies to come and sit down. He waited until they had done so and then went to sit down himself also. “And what is it that she heard him speak of?”

  Lady Callander drew in a long breath. “She was to tell Madame Bereford anything that Lord Hazelton said,” she continued, with a small, sad smile. “But when I asked her if she had done so, the poor lady began to cry.”

  A little surprised, Sebastian glanced at the other gentlemen, who were all now looking just as confused.

  “She apparently had begun to care for Lord Hazelton and so did not tell Madame Bereford everything,” Lady Callander continued. “She was terrified to keep such things from her mistress, but her loyalty to Lord Hazelton only grew.”

  “So, she said nothing to Madame Bereford, then?” Sebastian asked, as Lady Callander shook her head. “Did she tell you what Lord Hazelton spoke to her about?”

  “She did,” Lady Callander replied, her eyes fixed to his and Sebastian found himself holding his breath with such a sense of anticipation that it coursed through him like a burning fire. “Once she discovered my name was Lady Callander, she began to speak at length.” Her lips curled into a sad smile. “She was quite exhausted but gave all of her strength into explaining it all to me.”

  The whole room was listening to everything that Lady Callander had to say, every eye fixed upon her without any of them making a single sound. Sebastian forced himself not to press her, not to hurry her in her speaking, knowing that there was a good reason for her taking her time.

  “Lord Hazelton spoke of Lord Callander,” she said, slowly. “He did not know him well enough but commented once to her that, whilst he was sorry to hear that Lord Callander had passed away, he was quite certain that he had seen him once or twice since then.”

  A murmur of confusion ran around the room.

  “He was quite certain that he had done so, even though he knew he was being very foolish to even speak of it,” Lady Callander continued, a slight catch to her voice. “That was, I think, perhaps why he said such a thing to Miss Sarah, because he knew that she would not repeat what he had said to anyone in the ton.”

  “Might I ask,” Sebastian interrupted, holding up one hand in what was a gesture of apology for his interruption, “what he said of Lord Callander? How had he known him?”

  Lady Callander nodded slowly, closing her eyes as she continued to speak. “Lord Callander apparently spoke to Lord Hazelton on many an occasion. He sought Lord Hazelton’s financial assistance.”

  Sebastian frowned. “He wanted money?”

  “I am certain it was not my husband who was doing such a thing,” Lady Callander protested, firmly. “He was not a gentlemen who was struggling with his funds and certainly never once mentioned to me that he intended to start investing money in shipping.”

  In an instant, everyone in the room was on edge.

  “Shipping?” Lord Lexington said, his words quick and his eyes sharp. “Lord Callander — or whoever was masquerading as Lord Callander — sought Lord Hazelton’s financial input in order to begin involving themselves in shipping?”

  “Yes, that is it precisely,” Lady Callander confirmed. “What Lord Hazelton also said to Miss Sarah was that whilst he had refused Lord Callander’s offer, he knew that the gentleman had also approached others.”

  A flicker of understanding came into Sebastian’s mind. “I see,” he murmured, slowly. “And so the suggestion is that Lord Chesterfield might now be involved in this scheme?”

  Lady Callander shrugged. “Perhaps,” she said, softly. “I cannot be sure.” Pressing her lips together, she dropped her head and let out a long breath. “One thing Miss Sarah told me was that Lord Hazelton came to her one evening, shortly after he had called upon me. He was somewhat distressed, apparently certain that he had seen the gentleman he knew to be Lord Callander.”

  “But he knew it could not be so, given that you were widowed these last two years and had given him a different description to the gentleman he knew,” Sebastian added, as Lady Callander lifted her head. “And he became afraid of what this meant. That is when, he received your note, he took great lengths to try and keep your meeting secret from anyone around him.”

  “Indeed,” Lady Callander whispered, her face paling now. “Unfortunately, Miss Sarah stated that Madame Bereford came to her after Lord Hazelton had left and beat her until she confessed what he had told her.” Her eyes glistened with unshed tears as Sebastian felt his heart sink to the floor. “She did not tell her everything as regarded the ships and request for financial input, but simply that Lord Hazelton was sure he had seen someone who had already passed away.”

  “And such a statement brought about Lord Hazelton’s death,” Lord Watt said, slowly. “Then Madame Bereford is involved in some way.”

  “Although in what way, I could not even begin to suggest,” Lady Callander said, softly. “But I will state that now I think it is of an even greater concern that Lord Chesterfield be considered.”

  Lady Madeline passed a hand over her eyes. “I do not understand all that has been said,” she said, slowly, “but I will do whatever is required.”

  Silence ran around the room for a few minutes, with each gentleman thinking through what had been said. There now seemed to be a greater clarity to what had been going on, for evidently whoever had been pretending to be Lord Callander had been using the identity of the gentleman in order to set up a new shipping route.

  “Might I ask why someone would use the Earl of Callander’s identity in order to pretend such a thing?” Lord Windsor asked, frowning hard. “Surely he was well known?”

  Lady Callander shook her head sadly. “Indeed, he was not,” she said, quietly. “He was something of a recluse, I believe, and only came to London to seek a wife.” A rueful smile lifted the corner of her mouth. “And when he chose me, we wed within the month and returned to his estate. It was quiet, hasty and without any sort of importance.”

  “Then someone pretended to be a gentleman that the ton would respect, in order to gain what they could not otherwise achieve,” Sebastian said, slowly. “So how do we discover who it is?”

  “Lord Chesterfield might inform us,” Lady Callander said, quietly. “Although I do not know what to suggest when it comes to Madame Bereford.”

  Lord Watt cleared his throat. “We shall leave Madame Bereford for the time being,” he said, firmly. “Let us continue with Lord Chesterfield.” He looked directly at Lady Madeline. “Perhaps Lady Callander might be willing to accompany you, Lady Madeline?”

  “As shall I,” Sebastian said, quickly. “You may tell Lord Chesterfield that I am courting Lady Callander if you wish, as an explanation for our company.” He said this without even considering what Lady Callander herself would say and, his stomach swirling, he forced himself to look into her eyes.

  Much to his relief, she was nodding and smiling, her eyes evidently holding a good deal of contentment.

  “Very good,” Lord Watt said, decisively. “Then you must attempt to discover more about the ships that Lord Chesterfield has. Find out whatever you can about them, Lady Madeline. And Lady Callander,” he continued, with an encouraging smile, “mention Madame Bereford and Lord Millerton will watch how he reacts.” His smile grew. “And thereafter, we shall decide precisely what we are going to do next.”

  Chapter Eleven

  “And
how do you fare this fine afternoon, Lady Callander?”

  Bridgette resisted the urge to tell Lord Chesterfield that she found it rather interesting that his persona was now back to the outgoing, delightfully happy gentleman that she had been introduced to at the first, Bridgette put a small smile on her face and replied that she found the day to be quite lovely, if not a little warm.

  “But you would do anything to be in the company of Lord Millerton, I presume?” Lord Chesterfield replied, with a chuckle. “I hear you are courting now, Lord Millerton! How exciting!”

  Lord Millerton looked sideways at Lord Chesterfield, his lips twitching just a little.

  “How very good of you to notice,” he said, dryly. “Yes, I am courting Lady Callander and find myself quite blessed to be able to do so.”

  As much as Bridgette knew that Lord Millerton was speaking for Lord Chesterfield’s benefit, she could not help but smile at him, a little embarrassed and yet greatly delighted at his remark.

  “I see,” Lord Chesterfield murmured, a look of interest in his eye, which then moved towards Lady Madeline. “How strange it is that, only a short time ago, I was begging for your help in finding an appropriate young lady for my bride, only now to discover that you have found someone quite lovely and I, at the very least, have been graced with the delightful Lady Madeline’s company for the afternoon.”

  Lady Madeline simpered, although Bridgette noted that it did not reach her eyes.

  “I confess that there are a good many gentlemen who come to seek out my company for nothing other than their own pleasure,” Lady Madeline sighed, looking a little pained. “I know full well that they only want my attentions in the hope of gaining the dowry that comes with my hand in marriage.”

  Bridgette let out a long sigh and shook her head. “How ridiculous,” she said, looking fixedly at Lord Chesterfield, her arm still tight on Lord Millerton’s arm. “I do hope you are not as one of those, Lord Chesterfield, else I shall have to chase you away from my dear friend!” She laughed, aware of how Lord Chesterfield laughed along with her, although there was no smile in his eyes.

  “Indeed, I am not,” he said, firmly, once the laughter had died away. “I swear to you now, Lady Madeline,” he continued, looking at Lady Madeline and then to Bridgette herself, “I am not a cad. I seek only your attentions and your company because I can think of no better young lady than you.”

  “I must hope so,” Lady Madeline said, as Bridgette shook her head again, still trying to appear doleful.

  “Indeed we must,” she said, putting an enquiring look in her eyes as she looked to her friend. “Did you not tell me recently, Lady Madeline, that when you were last pulled into the attentions of a gentleman, you discovered something quite dreadful about him? Something that shocked you terribly?”

  Lady Madeline gasped, one hand to her heart and her eyes wide. “Indeed!” she exclaimed. “Indeed, it was truly awful.”

  Lord Chesterfield frowned. “I am sorry to hear it,” he said, as Lord Millerton settled his free hand over Bridgette’s own as it rested on his arm, evidently aware that the moment was near. “Might I ask what it was that upset you so?”

  Lady Madeline sighed heavily, her hand still pressed lightly to her heart, her eyes downcast.

  “It is embarrassing even to speak of it,” she said softly, as the birds in the trees began to sing, making Bridgette smile. “But I will tell you regardless, even if you will think me foolish for finding such a thing upsetting.” She took in another breath and sighed heavily. “I discovered that he….” She trailed off, giving the impression that she found what was being said much too difficult to bear.

  “The gentleman in question attended Madame Bereford’s house, after almost every social occasion,” Bridgette interrupted, her voice a little too loud given the topic of conversation. “Was that not so, Lady Madeline?”

  She dared not look at Lord Chesterfield, her eyes on her friend Lady Madeline, who walked with disappointment in her face, her shoulders slumping.

  “It is so,” Lady Madeline replied, heavily. “It was truly shocking, I must tell you.”

  Lord Chesterfield said nothing in response, clearing his throat in such a loud manner that Bridgette had no other reason but to look at him in surprise.

  “Do excuse me, Lady Callander, Lady Madeline,” he coughed, still rubbing a hand over his throat. “Yes, indeed, I can well understand why such a thing would astonish you utterly.” He tutted loudly as though that noise would make up for his lack of immediate response. “I am sorry to hear such a thing.”

  “It is not a place I hope you attend, Lord Chesterfield,” Lady Madeline said, sounding a little reproachful. “That is something I cannot abide and will not abide.”

  “No, no, indeed not,” Lord Chesterfield said, firmly shaking his head. “It is a truly horrific act for someone who seeks to court a lady of quality.”

  “I am very relieved to hear it,” Lady Madeline replied, simpering up at Lord Chesterfield almost at once, pretending to be very glad to hear such sentiments from him. “That is not the sign of a true gentleman, as far as I am concerned.”

  “Of course not!” Lord Chesterfield agreed, puffing out his chest. “I do hope that this lifts me a little higher in your estimation, Lady Madeline.”

  Bridgette murmured something quietly to Lord Millerton and together, they fell back behind Lord Chesterfield and Lady Madeline.

  “I should like to know a little more about you, certainly,” Lady Madeline said, jovially. “Do tell me about your estate and the like, Lord Chesterfield.”

  Bridgette pulled Lord Millerton back a little more.

  “We must allow Lady Madeline the time she requires to speak to Lord Chesterfield,” she murmured, as Lord Millerton nodded. “I am sure she will be able to find out about his ships.”

  Lord Millerton let out a long breath and then, smiling softly at her, reached across and patted her hand. “You are quite right, Lady Callander,” he said, softly. “Lord Chesterfield and I are very well acquainted, you understand — to the point that I consider him my friend — and I find myself greatly troubled to consider that he might well be involved in something so disturbing, to the point that I feel like reaching across and shaking him hard, demanding to know what it is that he is doing.”

  “Which is precisely why you cannot,” she told him, firmly. “We will reach the conclusion very soon, I am sure.” Smiling up at him, she felt herself relax just a little more as Lord Millerton smiled back at her. “For the moment, let us simply enjoy the walk together.”

  Lord Millerton seemed to feel just as she did, for he began to stroll along beside her, a warm smile on his face and his gaze roving around the scene before them, taking everything in.

  “You do know that I meant every word that I said to Lord Chesterfield, I hope?”

  His words were quiet, a small gleam in his eye as he looked at her.

  “I greatly appreciate that,” she answered, finding it difficult to quell the surge of joy that poured through her at his words. “I do hope that you are aware that I also feel the same?” She caught his gaze and held it, aware of how her cheeks flushed. “I — I have come to have a great regard for you, Lord Millerton.”

  He stopped walking then, turning to face her, both hands holding hers. “My heart holds an affection for you, Lady Callander, that will not be denied,” he told her, honestly. “I find you to be the most extraordinary lady. You have such strength, such fortitude and yet such a great kindness within you that I almost revere you!” His smile was like honey on her tongue. “I hope, very soon, that I will be permitted to court you with all the fervor and eagerness that I desire.”

  Bridgette made to say something, only to see, out of the corner of her eye, that Lord Chesterfield and Lady Madeline was returning to them. She regretfully pulled one hand from Lord Millerton’s and turned to face them, slipping her other hand through his arm.

  “We thought to return,” Lady Madeline said, with a sharp look in her eye
that told Bridgette that she had discovered what she had set out to find. “The sun is very hot and I find myself rather fatigued.”

  “But of course,” Lord Millerton said, warmly. “Do come along, Lady Callander.”

  Bridgette smiled up at him and began to walk with him, a little regretful that she and Lord Millerton had not been able to finish their conversation but knowing in her heart that there would come an appropriate time for them to do so - and that thought had her smiling for the remainder of their walk.

  “Well,” Lady Madeline said, flopping back into one of Bridgette’s overstuffed chairs, “I have discovered a good deal about Lord Chesterfield’s ships. Once I began to ask about them and feigned a great interest, he could not stop speaking of it!” She rolled her eyes and Bridgette laughed, seeing Lord Millerton grin in response.

  “What did he say about them?” Bridgette asked, as Lady Madeline reached for a restorative cup of tea. “Was he particularly detailed?”

  “No,” Lady Madeline said slowly, stirring her cup. “He stated that he had been involved in such things for some years, but that recently he had added to his shipments to include something more.”

  Lord Millerton exchanged a glance with Bridgette. “And did he state what such a thing was?”

  Lady Madeline shook her head. “No,” she said, frowning. “He was somewhat evasive about that.” Her expression brightened. “Although I did ask him about whether or not his finances had made any improvement — given that I was considering courting him, of course — ” She laughed and Bridgette shook her head with mirth. “And he informed me that he has been doing exceedingly well, and even offered to show me his accounts, should I wish to confirm it!”

  “Goodness,” Bridgette murmured, “he does appear to be very eager for you to accept his attentions.”

  Again, Lady Madeline heaved a great sigh. “Indeed,” she said, plaintively. Her gaze turned towards Lord Millerton. “Might I ask what you thought of his reaction to the name of Madame Bereford?”