by Liese Anning
They continued to drink in silence. 'Have you thought about what I said to you at the Marlow’s about marriage?'
James knew where this was leading and said crossly. 'I told you the other night if it is Lady Caroline you want to force upon me; you can forget it.'
'I said to you then, and I’ll say it again; I think Lady Caroline is a perfect choice for you. She is wealthy and well connected.' His brother then added. 'I know you think you are in love with that other woman, Miss Stanford, but you cannot marry her,' Lord Wrexham said, with a sigh, 'she will not do for you at all.'
'I am more than capable of choosing my own bride, without interference from either you or anyone else,' James added passionately, 'none of you have the right to tell me what to do.'
‘Now you know Mama would not be pleased if she heard you say that. She would certainly have no qualms, cutting you off without a penny,’ he replied calmly.
'I do not need any money from our mother. Anyway, when have you ever known our mother to be happy,' James replied. 'She has no influence over my choice as a bride. She arranged your marriage to Charlotte, and that has not brought either of you any happiness. I do not think you even like each other, you just occasionally tolerate one another’s company. I have already married for love, and, if I marry again, I will not settle for second best.'
Lord Wrexham did not answer James immediately, they just sat in silence and drank. 'I see you brought Miss Stanford's brother this evening. I wish you had not,’ Lord Wrexham eventually said sternly.
'Why not? He has been invaluable to me over the past couple of weeks.'
'You know full well that since his arrival in Brussels, his behaviour has been shocking. He is only fifteen years old, yet he has dabbled in every vice imaginable.' Lord Wrexham said forcibly, 'and, he is far too young to be in polite society.'
'He is certainly no worse than you were when you were his age. He may be young, but since he has been under my command, I cannot find any fault with the young man.' James then drained his glass. ‘I will go if all you are going to do is order my life for me,’ he said with a sigh. He then got up to leave and said politely, 'thank you for the drink.'
He left the library and returned to the ballroom. Over the next couple of hours, he danced and mingled with the other guests, and, much to his relief, he saw very little of his family and Lady Caroline.
A little after midnight, when the ball was drawing to a close, James left the stuffy ballroom and stepped out onto the adjacent balcony to clear his head. He walked over to the balustrade, leant against the railing and looked out into the walled garden. He listened to the distant music, mixed with the murmur of conversation, which floated through the open windows. He breathed deeply the fresh night air that smelt sweet from the fragrant flowers from the gardens below.
As he was enjoying the moment of peace and quiet, he heard a muffled scream. He looked below and saw a man holding a young woman in an embrace. The young lady was struggling in the gentleman's arms as he tried to kiss her. 'No! Leave me alone,' he heard her cry. But the gentleman just laughed.
James ran down a narrow, spiral cast-iron staircase as quickly as he could. Once he had reached the bottom, he grabbed the gentleman's collar and punched him hard. The gentleman reeled back and fell on the floor, clutching his bleeding nose. James stood over him and said, 'you had better go. And if I see you again, you will get more than just a bloodied nose.'
The young man ran away. James then turned to the woman, who had her hand over her mouth, and he recognised her immediately; it was Lady Caroline. She was looking pale and dishevelled. The bodice of her dress was torn and her usually immaculate hair was messy. She clung onto the bodice of the dress to prevent it from slipping down any further. 'Thank you,' she said, her voice breathless, 'I do not know what I would have done if you had not intervened.'
'You should not be in the garden alone with a man,' he replied, a little annoyed that Lady Caroline was now beholden to him.
'I came out for a breath of fresh air, and was set upon, by him.' Tears now started to pour down her cheeks, and James felt a twinge of compassion for the young woman.
'Come with me,' he said gently, 'I can help you tidy yourself up.'
'Thank you,' she said as she followed him through the back entrance of the house.
'Do not worry about being seen by the other guests,' he said, turning around to her, 'there will be no one in this part of the house.'
He brought her to the library and poured her a glass of whisky. She took it from him and drank it in one go. 'Shall I send for your papa,' he said, 'or is there a lady I can send for, to assist you.'
'No, please do not,' she said, 'I feel rather stupid, and I do not want to get a scold from my dear papa.'
She looked miserable, and James felt a pang of sympathy for the young woman. 'You should make yourself a little more presentable and return to the ballroom before anyone misses you.'
'Yes,' she said, looking at the bodice of her dress, 'if you could hold this, I have some pins in my reticule.'
James went over to her as she fished out the pins from her reticule, 'allow me,' he said as he took the pins from her fingers.
He was just about to secure the bodice of the dress, when the door of the library opened and the Duke of Hittesleigh, along with Lord Wrexham, entered. As the door creaked open, Lady Caroline grabbed James around the neck, kissed his lips and pulled him down so that he was on top of her. 'Mitford, you cur,' the Duke boomed, 'unhand my daughter, immediately.'
As Lady Caroline loosened her grip around his neck, James noticed the look of triumph in her eyes. A trap had been laid, and he had been stupid enough to get himself caught. A dishevelled looking Lady Caroline now sat next to him. Her hair was loose, the bodice of her dress was still ripped and torn, and she was making no effort to cover herself up. 'Oh, Papa, Lord Wrexham, you are just in time,' she cried in anguish.
'If I were twenty years younger, I would call you out,' the Duke said to James.
'I do not think that will be necessary,' Lord Wrexham said, as he walked over to the fireplace, 'I believe that we can all come to an arrangement that will satisfy the honour of both families.'
James looked at his brother, with anger in his eyes. ‘And what would that be?' he said through gritted teeth.
'Your marriage to Lady Caroline, of course,’ he replied coolly.
'If you think I'm going to marry her after this little charade,' he said still gritting his teeth, 'you are very much mistaken.'
'I do not see what choice you have, my dear brother,' Lord Wrexham said coolly, 'we have caught you in a very compromising position.'
'We will announce your engagement tomorrow and...' Lord Wrexham was interrupted by the library door being flung open.
The gentleman, with the bloodied nose, was then thrust into the room and landed unceremoniously on the floor, just in front of James. 'Sir,' a familiar voice said, 'I hope you do not mind this intrusion.'
James stood up and straighten his jacket and looked around to the door. To his surprise, he saw young Stanford standing in the doorway. 'Not at all, Stanford,' he said as he stepped over the gentleman, who was now laying on the floor, moaning softly to himself. 'you haven’t introduced us to your friend,' he said, looking down at the prone man.
'This is Mr Wakefield, Sir,' he said, standing to attention, 'he has something he would like to tell you, Sir.'
'I am listening,' James said curiously.
Stanford went over to the gentleman on the floor, bent down and picked him up by the collar, 'Mr Wakefield,' he said politely, 'please can you inform Colonel Mitford what you have been up to this evening.'
The man groaned. Since he had been given a bloodied nose, earlier by James, he had also acquired a black eye as well as a split lip. 'Mr Wakefield,' Stanford said, as he leant towards him and growled in his ear, 'may I remind you of what I said would happen to you if you remained quiet.
'No, please,' he said as he groaned once more, 'not that.'
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'Well,' James said as he helped him off the floor and sat him on a chair, 'please enlighten all of us to your evening's exploits.'
Mr Wakefield looked over to the other gentleman, who looked at him with stony expressions. 'I...I...' He stammered.
James put a large glass of whisky in his hand, 'drink this; it will help.'
Mr Wakefield sat up, took the glass from James and muttered his thanks. After he had drained it, he sat up as straight as he could. 'Well,' said James, 'we are all on tenterhooks.'
The young man looked nervously around the room and then at James. Apparently, fearing the dangerous looking men in uniform over the two gentlemen in evening dress, he began to talk. 'That gentleman,' he said, pointing to Lord Wrexham, 'paid me to...' He paused and glanced at the stony-faced Wrexham. ‘To compromise that young lady when you were looking,’ he said, as he pointed towards Lady Caroline.
'And how were you meant to do that?' James said after another long pause.
'We waited until you left the ballroom, then I took her into the garden and kissed her,’ he said nervously.
'And you were paid by him,' he pointed to his brother, 'to do all that?'
'Yes,' he said, sheepishly.
'Go!' James said to the young man, 'and if I ever see your face again, you will get more than just a bloodied nose and a split lip.'
'Yes, sir,' he said as he quickly made his exit from the library.
Once he had disappeared, he turned to his brother, 'why are you so desperate for me to marry her?' he said pointing to Lady Caroline.
Lord Wrexham stood expressionless by the fireplace, looking vacantly at the dancing flames, while Lady Caroline sat motionless, just staring at Wrexham.
'Now I understand,' James whispered, 'you are having an affair with her,' he said pointing at Lady Caroline. 'But, what I do not understand is why you are in such a hurry for me to marry her.'
Still, no one spoke. James then gave a wry smile, 'I think I know; is she carrying your child?' he said, looking at his brother.
Again, Lord Wrexham said nothing and just continued to stare at the flames. The silence provided James with everything he needed to know. 'I think my short betrothal to Lady Caroline, has just come to a timely end; don't you?'
Lady Caroline looked horrified, 'Tris, do something,' she said in desperation, 'make him marry me.'
'No,' James said to his brother emphatically, 'I will not marry one of your paramours, just so that you can give your bastard a name. This is your problem, not mine.'
'Papa, Tris, make him marry me,' she said in a whine while stamping her foot.
Wrexham just shook his head, 'there is nothing I can do.'
'But, you promised,' she said as she continued to whine.
It was evident that Lord Wrexham was losing his patience with his lover, and he said rather harshly. 'Oh Caroline, stop being such a child.'
'I have already sent the notice to The Times,' the Duke then added, showing no emotion, 'what am I to do?' he said almost to himself.
James looked across at the Duke angrily, 'you did what? Before I even agreed.' He took in a deep breath and continued, 'then you better send a retraction, and quickly.'
'What am I going to do?' Lady Caroline then said as she began to cry.
'That, my dear, is not my problem,' James said coldly, 'you should make those arrangements with your lover.' He walked towards the door and motioned for Stanford to follow him. 'Come, Stanford, we have a busy day tomorrow,' he said as he left the library.
Chapter 23
Early the next morning, Verity visited Lady Harrington in her bedchamber. The shutters and curtains were still closed, and, as a result, none of the bright morning sunshine could permeate the darkened corners of the room. 'Are you feeling a little better today?' Verity asked Lady Harrington quietly.
'Much better, my dear,' she replied, propping herself up against the pillows, 'I slept well last night, and my head feels much clearer this morning.'
'Would you like me to ring for your maid?' Verity said softly, 'she could bring you a little breakfast.'
'Please open the shutters and ring for Sally. But, I feel well enough to go downstairs for breakfast. Anyway, I want to hear all the gossip from the Wrexham's ball.' She paused and then said, 'not that Harry is any good at conveying any interesting tidbits. He is more interested in horses than what anyone was wearing, or even what was served at supper, but I will try.'
In less than an hour, the two women were sitting in the dining room with Lord Harrington. 'How was the ball at the Wrexham's?' Lady Harrington enquired, after buttering a slice of toast. 'Was it a sad squeeze?'
'It was a squeeze,' Lord Harrington said, before taking a sip of coffee, 'there were far too many guests crowded into the ballroom.' Lord Harrington then picked up a copy of The Times that had just arrived from London. It was nearly four days old, but he was so desperate for news from home, that he did not care that it was out of date. He shook the newspaper, folded it, so that it was easier to manipulate, and began to read the front page.
'Who was there?' Lady Harrington asked a little impatiently.
'Everyone we know,' he said, not lifting his head from behind the paper.
There was a long silence, that was punctuated by the rustle of Lord Harrington's paper as he turned the pages.
'What did she serve for supper?' Lady Harrington asked. A little more impatience crept into her voice as she spoke to her husband.
'This and that,' he said nonchalantly, 'it was quite nice, but, of course, there was not nearly enough. These young officers seem to be able to eat for England.'
'What did the centrepiece on the table look like?' Lady Harrington asked, after another silence.
'It was big and gaudy, and took up most of the table,' he replied wearily.
'And what were the ladies wearing,' she asked eagerly, adding, 'what colour was Charlotte's dress?'
'Charlotte?' he answered, shaking the paper once more, 'how can I remember what she was wearing. I don't even like the woman that much!'
'Oh Harry,' she said in exasperation, 'you are quite useless. I must visit Evangelina and find out any interesting gossip for myself.'
'I am sorry, my dear,' Lord Harrington said as he put the paper down, 'you know that I do not pay any attention to the important details at these events.' He then turned around to Verity, 'but Miss Stanford, I did meet your brother, Sir Reginald. He was a most agreeable young man. He asked if he could visit you, and I said he would be most welcome.'
'You met Reggie?' Verity asked in surprise, looking up from her coffee cup.
'Yes,' Lord Harrington replied, 'he was there with Colonel Mitford.'
'That is marvellous,' Lady Harrington said, 'I wonder if they will come to the Duchess of Richmond's ball tonight? Or if she will even hold a ball at all. Sally told me the French are very close to Brussels.'
'The Duchess is determined to hold her ball,' Lord Harrington said, his newspaper now abandoned, 'yesterday, she asked the Duke whether she should carry on with it as planned. He assured her she could hold it without any fear of interruption. 'Of course,' he added, 'he would have to agree. If there are any French informants in Brussels, and no doubt there are, cancelling it would have sent the wrong message to our enemies. We must be seen to be carrying on as normal.'
'Oh Harry,' Lady Harrington replied anxiously, 'do not say that. If the Duke thinks it is safe, then it must be safe.' Lord Harrington did not respond; he just motioned to the footman to refill his coffee cup. 'I have heard that she managed to get the Gordon Highlanders to dance Scottish reels as entertainment.' She then added, 'I do not know how she manages it. We are all aware that the family came over to Brussels to save money after their disastrous time in Ireland.'
'She used her family connections,' Lord Harrington said, 'remember, her father was the Duke of Gordon.'
'And where is she going to host this grand affair. Their villa is on the Rue des Blanchisserie,' she said with disdain, 'and the actual villa
is quite small, certainly not big enough for all the potential guests. I have heard that she has invited over two hundred and fifty people.'
'Do not worry about Charlotte,' Lord Harrington said, 'if anyone is capable of organising a grand social event, in difficult circumstances, it is her.'
Later that evening Lady Harrington knocked on the door of Verity's bedchamber. 'May I come in?' she said as she peered around the door.
'Of course, Lady Harrington.'
'Oh, my dear, you look lovely,' Lady Harrington said as she slowly entered the room. 'The colour suits your complexion perfectly.
For the first time, Verity was wearing her new ball gown, the one that had been specially made for her by Lady Harrington's mantua-maker. The silk sage green dress had a fashionably high waist, and the bodice was decorated with intricate gold embroidery and inlaid with tiny sea pearls. The skirt was quite plain and worn over a sarsnet chemise. The neckline dipped down at the front, but it was not too low, and Verity was not embarrassed wearing it. Around her neck, she wore a single pearl drop necklace, and on her earlobes, she wore a matching pair of earrings.
'I am so happy to see that you are wearing your mother's necklace and earrings,' Lady Harrington said as she walked over to Verity. 'I know I initially let you borrow them, but I would like you to have them.'
'I could not,' Verity said in reply, 'they are far too expensive.'
'My dear,' Lady Harrington said, 'your mother gave them to me for my eighteenth birthday. I never get the chance to wear them now. It is a shame to keep such lovely pearls locked up away from the world.'
'What about your daughters?' Verity said, 'would it not be better to gift the pearls to them.'
'My daughters,' she said with an air of disdain, 'only wear expensive, gaudy jewellery. They would turn their noses up at them. I want them to go to someone who will appreciate them.' She looked at Verity and put her hand on her arm. 'I want you to have something that once belonged to your mother. Over the years, I have given my daughters plenty of expensive gifts; they need no more. And, I believe every woman should have something that once belonged to their mother. I would like you to have these to remind you of the woman she was when I was her friend.'