by Lucy Langton
“Well, I like to think that I’ve stayed out of trouble since,” Hugh spoke up, hoping the man would quickly get to the point. The Royal Magistrate stilled then as his stared hard at Hugh.
“If that were the case, Hugh, you wouldn’t be here right now,” the Royal Magistrate said in a deep voice. “I’ve received too many notices about you to be able to ignore you any longer. And as your godfather, it’s my responsibility to have a certain talk with you in order to preserve your good name.” Hugh thought of a couple ways to respond to that statement but decided to remain as peaceful as possible.
“What are these notices, then?” Hugh asked, willing to set the record straight. The Royal Magistrate folded his arms as he took a deep breath.
“Gambling hells. Brothels. Card debts. Duels. Public indecency,” the Royal Magistrate said as he leaned forward and his voice slowly rose. “And not to mention your latest stunt.”
“Are you talking about the Marquess’ ball?” Hugh asked. He couldn’t really deny what his godfather was accusing him of. He just wanted to receive whatever punishment he decided for him so he could be on his way.
“No, I am not. Though I am not pleased to hear about that either,” the Royal Magistrate said. “Last night I received an anonymous letter that you murdered Lord Sterling.” Hugh’s eyes grew wide as he thought fast to remember who Lord Sterling even was.
“Godfather, I don’t even know a Lord Sterling,” Hugh reasoned. “How could I have murdered a man I never knew?”
“You should know him,” the Royal Magistrate pressed. “You were reportedly upset over a card game and ended up shooting him dead in an alleyway after losing a hefty sum to the earl.”
“I will admit that I have lost at cards in the gaming hells, but I was never so upset that I even remotely wanted to harm a man over it. It’s not like I’m hurting for money, Godfather,” Hugh explained. The Royal Magistrate gave Hugh a quizzical expression as he rubbed his chin with his fingers as though he was thinking deeply about the situation.
“The letter is why I brought you in, Hugh. Lord Sterling was found dead two nights ago in an alley. He was a favourite of the Royal Family,” the Royal Magistrate explained. “I’ve been tasked with finding the man responsible.”
“Godfather, it wasn’t me. I’m a terrible shot, just ask Portlock,” Hugh said. The Royal Magistrate chuckled then as he nodded his head.
“I’m sure Portlock would be a good judge of marksmanship. He could always outshoot your father and me,” the Royal Magistrate agreed. “But that doesn’t mean you couldn’t have convinced Portlock to do your dirty work. He’s always been very loyal to the Blackmore family.” Hugh smirked, wondering if his butler would do something like this for him. But he never wanted to find out to what extent Porlock’s loyalty stretched to.
“As convenient as that would be, Godfather, the answer is still no. Neither Portlock or I killed this Lord Sterling,” Hugh stated, hoping the man wouldn’t keep him much longer now that he’d declared he hadn’t done it. The Royal Magistrate sighed as he ran his fingers through his greying hair. It had been a while since Hugh had seen him without his white wig, and he wondered how serious the death of Lord Sterling was.
“But that doesn’t explain why someone would send me a letter stating that you did it,” the Royal Magistrate stated next, his eyes returning to Hugh.
“Looks like someone is using my poor reputation to blame this murder on me,” Hugh said.
“And who might that be?” the Royal Magistrate asked. Hugh had to stop and think carefully about this question. He didn’t have any enemies, per se, but there were plenty of men he’d angered in the past either over cards, blunders, women, or just being cocky. And as he thought about Kitty, he knew one man that might be angry at him from preventing him from claiming her.
“At the Marquess’ ball, I accidently fell and brought down Lord Harding with me,” Hugh said. “Not only did I publicly humiliate him, but the one woman he wanted to marry denied him because we are currently in an agreement.” The Royal Magistrate raised his eyebrows at hearing this, a small smirk coming onto his lips.
“So, you are engaged?” the Royal Magistrate asked.
“Not exactly,” Hugh said as he shifted his weight forward and rested his elbows on his knees. “Miss Worthington and I agreed to a one-week term to see if marriage might be possible. During which time Lord Harding did propose, but because of our deal, she denied him.”
“That would reasonably explain why the man would want to completely ruin you,” the Royal Magistrate said. “Not that it seems you need any help in doing that.” Hugh crossed his legs as he shook his head at his godfather.
“I understand that, Godfather. But I am trying to fix a lot of the wrongs from my past,” Hugh admitted. “Ever since agreeing to Miss Worthington to spend a week proving my worth to her, I’ve really thought about my past actions.
“With the death of my parents, I’ve been doing my best to forget every aspect of my past because losing them was just too much for me to handle. I would spend every evening drinking myself into oblivion just to cover up my pain. I frequented the gaming hells, wanting to feel something else but pain.
“But this week has really changed everything for me. Not only do I want to change, but I want to show Miss Worthington that I can be the decent gentleman she wants to marry and call her husband. I know a man can’t change his ways overnight, but I am certainly trying.”
The Royal Magistrate had sat and listened to Hugh’s words while he talked. Hugh only hoped that his godfather would believe him and see that he was being sincere.
“It seems that love might be the only thing that can truly save you, Hugh,” the Royal Magistrate said as he stood from his chair. “Come. Let us break for lunch and continue to discuss this matter. I need to find a killer, and you need to figure out if Lord Harding is truly the man that might be after you.”
“Forgive me, Godfather, but I really do need to return home. I only have so many days to impress Miss Worthington and convince her to marry me,” Hugh said as he stood as well, hoping that his godfather might wait to call on him again.
“Then we better move quickly if you are so pressed for time,” the Royal Magistrate said firmly. Hugh sighed, knowing he wouldn’t be getting out of this summons so quickly. He only nodded his head as he followed after the Royal Magistrate, moving through a hidden door behind a tapestry and into a secret hallway. Hugh wasn’t sure what was about to happen next but only hoped that it would be all over soon.
Chapter 12
Kitty was brimming with excitement as she paced in her sitting room, dressed in one of her most elegant gowns with layers of blue silk to highlight her blue eyes. Her hair had been curled and pinned high on her head, enhancing her figure and long neck.
Her aunt had retired for the evening after a light dinner and now Kitty was waiting in the sitting room for Miss Talbot to come by with the carriage to take them to the opera. Her parents would be their chaperones for the evening, and Kitty was eager to start making her way to the opera house.
When the house chime sounded throughout, Kitty stilled, thinking the time had come to head to the opera and hopefully get to meet the famous Italian composer. She left the sitting room and walked towards the foyer just as the butler had opened the door to reveal that Miss Talbot was standing on the other side, dressed in an elegant yellow gown that seemed to shimmer like gold.
“Good evening, Miss Worthington,” Miss Talbot said with a dip of her head. Kitty returned the gesture with a soft smile on her lips.
“Good evening,” Kitty said. “Thank you again for inviting me to attend the opera with your family.”
“The pleasure is all mine,” Miss Talbot replied. “We really should be off now, though.”
“Of course,” Kitty replied as she followed the woman down the stairs to her waiting carriage. The footman helped them both up into the carriage where Kitty was introduced to Miss Talbot’s parents, Lady and Lord Talbot. They greeted
her warmly and soon they were off to the opera house.
“After hearing your performance at the ball, we just knew that you’d enjoy joining us this evening,” Miss Talbot spoke up.
“And we are glad to introduce Beatrice to better company,” Lady Talbot added with a pointed look at her daughter. Miss Talbot only chuckled in response as though the jab wasn’t felt at all.
“Well, I am simply thankful for the opportunity,” Kitty said. “I’ve always enjoyed the opportunity to go to the opera. And to think that Pietro Generali is an acquaintance of yours.” Lord Talbot chuckled and gestured in a way as to say that it wasn’t such an important fact.
“My father knew Pietro Generali when he lived in Italy for a time. You could say that he’s an old family friend,” Lord Talbot explained.
“Still, I find that very impressive,” Kitty said. They all chatted the rest of the way to the opera house, talking of music and their favourite performances. Kitty hadn’t spent much time with the Talbots before, and after their last encounter at the ball, Kitty never imagined enjoying herself with Miss Talbot. But perhaps she’d misjudged the woman.
When they arrived at the opera house, the street was alive with a decent crowd that had gathered for the show. Lord Talbot descended the carriage first and helped all the other ladies out before they made their way through the crowd, eager to get to their seats before the show began. The one thing about the opera that always surprised Kitty was that it was more than just enjoying the performance.
For most, it was all about being seen in elegant dress and who you were attending the show with. Kitty figured that the Talbots had a reputable standing in Town that she didn’t have to worry about any tongues wagging at her. And since she’d dressed in her finest gown, she was sure to impress a few gentlemen. But all that Kitty cared about was getting to meet Pietro Generali and enjoying the opera singers.
“We have a booth upstairs,” Miss Talbot whispered in Kitty’s ear. “That is where Pietro Generali will be waiting for us.” Kitty smiled in return, excited beyond belief that she was about to meet one of her biggest inspirations. She stayed close to Miss Talbot as they moved through the crowd. Many stopped to greet them, only slowing down their progress. But eventually, Lord Talbot led them up the stairs of the opera house and down a dimly lit hallway to their booth.
The curtains had been drawn on the booth, so as Lord Talbot entered, she could already see another gentleman residing within as he sat upon a chair. But once he noticed Lord Talbot, he rose to his feet and shook hands with him as if they were old friends. The gentleman was older with grey hair around his temples, yet his black hair grew long in waves down his shoulders. He was clearly an Italian, dressed in hues of burgundy and gold. It was not a mode of dress that Kitty was familiar with, but she understood that people acted and dressed differently in other countries.
Kitty entered the booth with the Talbot women and listened as the two gentlemen spoke rapidly in Italian, laughing as they did so. Kitty simply smiled at them both as she tried to pick up on the words they were exchanging. Kitty knew a little bit of Italian since she often studied Italian music. But they were talking so quickly that it was hard for Kitty to keep up. But once Lord Talbot gestured towards her, she figured he was finally introducing her.
“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” Pietro Generali said as he held out his hand towards Kitty. She accepted it, and he bowed over her hand in greeting. “I hear that you are an experienced singer.” Kitty nodded her head as a blush swept over her features. She withdrew her hand and held it firmly in her other as she did her best to keep her nerves at bay.
“I do enjoy singing for others, Pietro Generali, and have had the pleasure of doing so in several social gatherings,” Kitty explained. “I don’t know if I’d call myself experienced but it’s truly what I love to do.”
“Ah, not only a singer, but a humble one at that,” Pietro Generali said with a kind smile. “I hope that you would not mind a small demonstration?” Kitty had expected as much and brought to mind one of her favourite Italian songs. As Kitty began the song, several other people who were passing by in the hallway stopped to listen. Kitty did not let her mind wander or to be distracted by anything else but the music. Once she had finished the first versus, she stopped, thinking that it was enough for a demonstration.
“My goodness,” Pietro Generali said in a soft voice once she’d finished. “You’d never be able to convince me that you’re not Italian, Miss Worthington.” Kitty smiled brightly, thinking that was a lovely compliment from the composure.
“Thank you, Pietro Generali,” Kitty said with a curtsey. “You honour me with your words.”
“And you with your voice,” Pietro Generali replied with a dip of his head. “I look forward to the opera singers tonight but feel that I’ve already been uplifted by your voice.” Kitty blushed deeply, knowing that it was a high compliment.
“Then let us sit and prepare for the show,” Lord Talbot offered.
“Ah, yes. Rightly so,” Pietro Generali said as he focused on his good friend once more. “Would you mind sitting with me, Miss Worthington? I feel I would appreciate discussing music with you this evening.”
“I’d be delighted,” Kitty readily agreed as she took to the chair next to Pietro Generali. Miss Talbot came to sit on her right just as the lights began to be dimmed in the opera house. The only lights that remained were the ones on stage as the music began and the first performer took to the stage.
Kitty was instantly transfixed on the performance as the opera singer’s voice filled the entire opera house. It always impressed Kitty that a person’s singing voice could become so loud and intense. She listened to the familiar words, becoming lost in the melody and the performance. It was a love song, a ballad created for her lover that she’d lost. Now to discover if the singer would ever be reunited with the one she loved by the end of the performance.
“What do you find most thrilling about the opera, Miss Worthington?” Pietro Generali asked softly beside her.
“It’s the sound of the singer’s voice,” Kitty replied in a whisper. “This building is so large, but even up here we can hear her clearly. I am enthralled by her words and curious to see what will happen by the end of the performance.” Pietro Generali chuckled beside her, but Kitty didn’t dare look away from the performers to see his expression.
“Not too many Englishmen and women know that Italian language. I fear you may be one of the few who could really appreciate such a performance,” Pietro Generali said.
“I do not disagree with you,” Kitty replied. “Those who come to the opera only want to be seen by others. Not many can actually appreciate the performance by understanding the language from prior education.”
“My father taught me Italian when I was a young child,” Miss Talbot spoke up over them. It was a bit irritating to Kitty, but she tried not to draw anyone’s attention away from the performance as other singers then came on stage to continue the story through the next few songs. “When did you first begin to learn the language?”
“My mother was insistent that I take singing lessons when I was about ten years of age,” Kitty whispered in reply. “Therefore, I had to learn all the modern languages to be able to sing the most recently composed music that was circulating through England at the time.”
“My goodness. How studious you must have been,” Pietro Generali commented with a chuckle.
“Indeed,” Kitty said. “But though I once considered it to be a hindrance, I now find it very invigorating. I’m grateful what my mother did for me.”
“Was your mother a great singer such as yourself?” Pietro Generali then asked. Kitty smiled at the fond memory of her mother.
“I like to think she was, but my mother was always a very modest woman and would rarely sing for anyone but myself,” Kitty explained. “It is her singing voice that I often remember the most from my childhood.”
“You speak as though your mother has passed,” Pietro Ge
nerali said pointedly.
“That is because my parents passed away many years ago,” Kitty said, her voice wavering. She didn’t often like to speak about such things. Not when she was filled with so much happiness to have the opportunity to attend the opera with an Italian composer.