by Liese Anning
'You have to stop her,' Verity said to Captain Richardson, 'you cannot let her go like this.'
Captain Richardson looked at Verity, with compassion, 'I am very sorry, but there is nothing I can do to stop her. She has made up her mind.'
'But,' Verity said in desperation, 'she is not herself.'
Captain Richardson just shook his head, 'there is nothing I can do to stop your sister. But, Miss Jones, Miss Stanford,' he said, 'we must leave, now.'
Chapter 17
'Get in there,' Captain Richardson said sharply to Verity and Maisie, 'and take one of those blankets to cover yourselves up.'
'Thank you,' was the sheepish reply Maisie gave.
'Do not thank me,' he snapped, 'I had no idea that either of you was there tonight. I only came to retrieve Stanford and stop him from ruining himself. However, it was not Stanford I had to worry about; just his foolish sister and her even more foolhardy friend.' He scowled at Maisie, and she looked down at her hands that were tightly clutching the blanket. Then he looked at Verity, and said, 'I will take you to Colonel Mitford, and you,' he said turning back to face Maisie, still scowling, 'I will deal with you myself.' And with that proclamation, he slammed the door of the carriage.
'I didn’t know that Arthur could get that angry,' Maisie said to Verity after they started to trundle down the road in the carriage. Then she shrugged her shoulders, 'I do hope that he will calm down before he talks to me again.'
'I am sorry, Maisie,' Verity replied, 'but I think he has every right to be angry with you. I do not agree with your relationship, but it is clear as day that he cares for you. I am just angry with myself for embroiling you in such madness. I should have gone by myself.'
'Do not blame yourself. I would have come whether or not you agreed to take me. In fact, I feel rather ashamed of myself. I came for the excitement and adventure because I imagined your sister's life to be glamorous and exhilarating. Instead, it was all rather seedy and squalid.' Maisie put her hand on Verity's arm, 'I am sorry that we could not help her.'
As the coach came to a standstill, they sat in silence for about ten minutes. When the door was at last opened by Captain Richardson, who stood glowering at them by the steps. 'Miss Stanford, you are to come with me, and you,' he said, still looking cross at Maisie, 'will wait here until I return.' Verity turned to Maisie and gave her a hug, 'Thank you, Maisie, you have been a good friend to me.'
Captain Richardson gave Verity his hand and helped her out of the carriage, 'goodbye, Maisie,' she said, taking one last look at her friend, 'I will see you later.'
Captain Richardson then slammed shut the carriage door. 'Do not be too harsh with Maisie,' Verity said to the Captain as they walked up the steps into a large imposing hallway, 'she is a very loyal friend.'
'Yes, Miss Stanford,' he said with a sigh, 'but one who lives with her head continually in the clouds.'
'I know that she is a hopeless romantic, Captain Richardson,' she replied, 'that is why you should be careful with her. Please do not break her heart.'
Captain Richardson said nothing in return; he just motioned for her to follow him.
✽✽✽
James was exhausted. He had been awake since dawn, and it was now past one thirty the following morning. After he had met Miss Stanford, nearly two weeks ago, he had tried to keep an eye on her wayward younger brother. James quickly concluded that the young man was probably not worth the effort, but he did it for Miss Stanford's sake and not his own. However, on several occasions, when James was least expecting it, Stanford did show some promise. The young man had even shown some initiative when faced with a difficult situation. However, just when James thought he could make an officer out of him, he was lead astray by his so-called friends.
Just over an hour ago, James had received intelligence that young Stanford had been seen entering a gaming establishment. Based on this information, he had sent Captain Richardson to retrieve the foolish young man, and stop him from destroying his family's reputation. James had wanted to go himself, but he knew that the club was owned by Ellington. The two men had met several times since the house party at Highfields, but neither man had wanted to acknowledge the acquaintance.
James wanted to remove Stanford, without causing too much of a disturbance. It was well known that Ellington's establishments always attracted the rich and powerful. Men that wanted their private other life; to remain private. They would not take kindly to heavy-handed military interference. Therefore, James had asked Captain Richardson to take a few soldiers with him, and discreetly retrieve the young man without causing a furor.
He had been leaning back in his chair, with his eyes closed, almost asleep, when there had been a knock on the door, and Captain Richardson entered without ceremony. Before James could sit up, and acknowledge his visitor, the Captain said still angry, 'you will never guess who I have in the carriage downstairs.'
'I hope it is young Stanford,' James replied, 'was he there?'
'He was, but I do not have him in the carriage,' Captain Richardson replied.
'I give up,' James said wearily, 'you’re tired, and for some reason outraged, so you had better spit it out. It is half-past one in the morning, and it is far too late to play guessing games.'
'Stanford's sister and her friend,' he said, waiting for a response.
James looked up, 'Miss Verity Stanford?' he said puzzled, 'what was she doing there?'
'Looking for her sister,’ Richardson said still outraged.
James got out of his seat and walked over to Richardson, 'was her sister there?'
'Yes,' said Richardson, 'I saw her. She was one of the ladies that works for Ellington. Miss Stanford asked her to come with us, but she refused.' He then added, 'And, just as I arrived at the club, I witnessed young Stanford use his sister as a bet in a card game to pay off a debt. He really is a despicable young man.'
'How is Miss Stanford?' James asked.
'Upset about her sister and very dishevelled. When I entered the salon, Ellington looked like he was threatening her.'
'Take her to my sitting room and get Johnson to provide her with a maid. Can you take her friend home?' Richardson nodded. 'Good,' replied James, 'I must have a word with young Stanford. You are right; he is despicable. But, I intend to make him so busy that he will not have any time to sleep, let alone gamble. I will make his life hell, and maybe, just maybe, I’ll make an officer out of him.' James said angrily. 'I would also like to speak with Miss Stanford. I am not happy about her staying at that school, especially now that Ellington knows she is in Brussels.'
Captain Richardson nodded, 'I will show her to your room, and then I will bring young Stanford to you. Hopefully, by the time he arrives, he would have sobered up.'
Half an hour later, James entered his sitting room. He had just had a brief meeting with Stanford, who was still foxed and not making much sense. Even though James had been angry with him, he had decided to let the young man sleep off the effects of his excess. Then at dawn, in only a few hours, he would give the young man so much work to do, that he would not have time for himself.
As he entered the room, Verity stood up and looked at him nervously. Her hands were wrapped around each arm, and her fingers were squeezing them tightly. He stood by the door staring at her. She looked lovely standing by the fire, her amber eyes were brighter than usual and reflected the orange of the dancing flames. Her long red hair was free from its usual constraints and was tied at the back with a ribbon. She was not wearing her usual dull blue dress. Instead, she was wearing his dark green silk dressing gown. Verity was nearly as tall as James and the dressing gown only just covered her knees.
'Colonel Mitford, good evening, or should I say good morning,' Verity said, at last, breaking the silence. 'I hope you do not mind me borrowing your dressing gown. The maid, who attended me, will bring me a suitable dress later.'
James became aware that he had been staring at her. He was rarely lost for words, but looking at her, standing by the fi
re, dressed in only his dressing gown, had taken his breath away. He stood up straight and took hold of himself, 'of course, Miss Stanford,' he said to her, 'please sit down.'
Looking a little tense, she sat back awkwardly on the chair and then leant forward. He walked over to a cabinet and poured two glasses of whisky. He returned to the chair opposite her and handed her the drink. She shook her head in refusal, but he insisted, 'come, Miss Stanford, drink this. You have had a shock this evening.'
She took the glass and sipped it cautiously, 'thank you,' she said, as she held the glass in both her hands. 'I am very sorry for all the trouble I have caused you and Captain Richardson.'
'I am just thankful that he got to you on time. I do not want to think what would have happened to you if Richardson had arrived any later.' James sat in a chair opposite the love seat, where Verity sat nervously perched on the edge. He leant back, loosened his cravat and removed his waistcoat, putting them on the back of his chair. He had started the evening at his brother's house, dressed in his finest evening dress. When he had left, and returned to his office, he had discarded his tailcoat. Now he sat opposite Verity wearing his shirt and breeches.
'Richardson told me that your sister was at the club,' Verity nodded and took another sip of the whisky. 'Is that why you went there tonight?'
Verity again nodded, 'yes,' she replied anxiously, looking down at the glass that was resting in her lap, 'I am afraid I was rather naive,' she said trying to get back the courage to look at him, 'I thought I could help her escape. I thought that she would want to leave.'
James could see the tears rolling down her cheeks. He got up and walked over to a dresser and opened a drawer. He pulled out a large handkerchief and handed it to Verity. She buried her face into its cotton folds, and he was overcome by a sense of compassion. He sat next to her on the love seat and put his arms around her and drew her close. His face rested against the top of her head, and he could feel her body jerk as she began to sob. 'Cassie,' he heard her cry.
As her crying subsided, he encouraged her to take another drink of whisky. She obeyed, this time taking more than a sip. The strong liquor must have burned the back of her throat because she gave a little cough after she swallowed her first gulp. But, that did not stop her from finishing it. Once the glass was empty, he took it from her hands and deposited it on the floor. Then he leant back on the love seat and placed his arm around her shoulder and drew her close. He felt no resistance from her as she rested her head on his chest.
'If you had come to me, I could have helped you,' he said quietly, resting his head on hers.
She looked up at him with her eyes still bright with tears. 'You have already done so much for me. I could not ask.'
'Oh Verity,' he sighed, touching her cheek lightly with his fingertips.' Verity,' he now whispered huskily, taking her chin in his fingers and gently caressing her cheekbones.
Suddenly, James came to his senses. He broke away from kissing her and rested his forehead against hers. Did she know how beautiful she was, sitting facing him, looking dishevelled? Her eyes bright with desire, her lips swollen and pink from the kiss and every part of her body betraying the intense passion that bubbled inside her. He had to stop before the situation got any more out of hand and they would go beyond the point of no return. Then, he would be no better than Ellington.
With his forehead, still, against hers, he smiled at her, as he stroked her loose hair behind her ear. 'I am sorry,' he said tenderly, 'I should not have done that.'
'Please do not apologise, Colonel Mitford,' she said her arms still wrapped around his neck, 'I am just as much to blame. In fact, I was rather enjoying it.'
'Please call me James,' he said, smiling at her, 'I think that Colonel Mitford is far too formal for occasions like this.'
She nodded and smiled. 'I will, James.'
When she had finished arranging her hair, he noticed purple bruises on her neck. He then looked at them carefully. They looked like marks made by a man's fingers. 'How did you get these?' he asked, gently touching them with his fingertips.
Verity was quiet, she closed her eyes and let him continue to caress her neck. 'Ellington,' she eventually said as she opened her bright amber eyes to look at him. 'He was threatening me when Captain Richardson came.'
He wrapped the dressing gown around her shoulders, and then he put his arm around her shoulder. She reclined against his chest, and he rested his head against hers. 'I know I have no right to ask, but it would be unwise for you to go back.'
He could feel her nod, 'I will not go back,' she whispered, 'I now know there is nothing I can do to help Cassie. I was quite shocked by her behaviour.' Her arm was now draped around his waist, and she turned to look at his face. 'She said that she loved him, and I believe her. I saw the way she kept looking at him, always wanting reassurance. But, I do not understand how any woman could love a man that would sell her body and soul for money?'
When she put her head down again, against his chest, he said to her. 'You cannot underestimate the power that someone can have over another. Love is a wonderfully powerful emotion, but an unscrupulous person can use those feelings to manipulate and hurt. Your sister was very young and impressionable when she first met Ellington. He was an experienced libertine, well-practised in manipulating a young woman's feelings for his ends. It would not surprise me to find out that he tricked her into prostitution.'
Verity nodded, 'he had told her that he owed some men money and it was the only way he could pay them back.'
James sighed as he stroked her hair. 'I have seen it done before,' he said, 'the problem is that once the woman is trapped, it is very difficult for her to escape. She is like a fly entangled in the sticky silk that makes up a spider's web. The more she struggles and tries to break free, the more tangled she becomes. I fear that this has happened to your sister.'
'She drinks far too much, and I saw her take laudanum,' Verity said, almost in a whisper.
'If she is addicted to laudanum, then it is very unlikely that she will leave Ellington willingly. It is a powerful substance that can quickly take hold of you.' James did not want to alarm Verity further, but he knew that her sister was probably dependent on more than just alcohol and laudanum. Establishments, such as those run by Ellington, usually offered other forms of opiates, and James would have been surprised if Cassie, at the very least, did not regularly smoke opium. It would be impossible to persuade her to leave with the hold that Ellington had over her, both physically and emotionally.
'I will try and help her,' he said, after a lengthy silence, 'but it will not be easy. You must trust me.'
Verity looked up at him. James could still see that her eyes were glassy with tears, 'yes,' she said, with a smile, 'I will.'
'Good,' he said, gently kissing her forehead. 'There is something else I would like to discuss with you. Have you any plans for leaving the city?' he said as she rested her head back onto his chest.
'No,' she answered, 'the school is moving to Antwerp, but I was planning to stay. I do not want to be too far away from Reggie and Cassie. They may need me.'
'If you are intent on staying, then I would like to introduce you to my family.' He waited for her reply as he gently stroked her hair, but all he could hear was her gentle breathing. 'I am aware that my sister-in-law, Lady Wrexham, was incredibly rude to you when we met her in the park, but.' He stopped and leant his face on the top of her head, 'my family are very influential, and I know, that they will not leave Brussels whatever happens.'
'You need friends, Verity, and I am unable to provide the protection that my family can offer you. If there is a war, this city will be plunged into chaos. War is a terrible thing. Ignore all those young cubs, like your brother, who look forward to the glory and honour that it brings. There is no glory or honour, just blood and death. Men can lose all sense of reason and behave in a depraved manner that they would never have countenanced before. There will be looting, murder, rape. Crimes will be committed by ordinary law
-abiding citizens, who will take advantage of the breakdown of society.'
'I will ask my sister in law to invite you to tea tomorrow afternoon. You must promise me, that you will accept her invitation.' He waited for her reply, but none came. 'Verity,' he said, lifting her chin and making him look in his eyes, 'you must promise me.'
She smiled and said, 'I am certain that Lady Wrexham will refuse. She did not seem that overjoyed to have met me when you introduced me to her in the park.'
'She will invite you,' he said, stroking her cheek tenderly, 'I will make sure that she does.'
Verity looked at him, her eyes sparkling, 'if she invites me, I will be delighted to attend her drawing room.'
'Good,' he said lovingly.
Her expression changed as she gently touched his cheek with her fingertips, 'you look tired,' she said, with concern, 'you must get some sleep.' She kissed his cheek and then she buried her head in his chest. As he felt her relax, he listened to her breathing slowly decrease and become a little deeper.
As she fell asleep in his arms, James suddenly became aware of how much he loved her. He knew he had fallen in love with her when he had left her at Hadlands, and that he had been too full of grief to act upon it. Now, nearly eighteen months later, he was still not able to act on his feelings for her. The coming war that would shake the continent of Europe was on the horizon. And, even though he had come to terms with Isabella's death, the ghost of her memory still haunted him. If he had not been able to secure Isabella's safety, then how could he ensure hers? Just like at Hadlands, this was not the time or the place to discuss any future they may have.
Once he was certain she was asleep, he carefully picked her up and carried her to his bed. He then covered her with a blanket, gently brushing her hair from her face and finally kissing her forehead, 'good night, my love,' he whispered quietly. He crossed the room and sat back on the loveseat and tried to get some rest.