Lord Rakehell

by Virginia Henley

  “I knew you’d like it.”

  “It pleases me beyond belief. I can see how much work you’ve done.”

  “It was a labor of love. Lord Hamilton of course deserves most of the credit.”

  Alix whooped with laughter. “Lord Hamilton, is it? And I suppose he addresses you as Lady Anne!”

  “Come, let me show you the master suite. It has two bedchambers separated by a sitting room. It also has two dressing rooms and a lovely bathing room.”

  Alix leaned toward Anne to speak confidentially. “Sounds delightful. There is no longer any need for Edward and I to sleep together.” Her eyes sparkled. “That makes us both happy.”

  • • •

  From the moment the Prince of Wales arrived, he monopolized James. “The first item on the agenda is the horses Sykes sent. Let’s take a look at them. I’ve invited Christopher to join us, so if he’s palmed off any nags, he can damn well take them back to Doncaster.”

  James was confident that Teddy would be pleased, and waited patiently for him to decide on a mount for himself. The prince examined every animal, even had the grooms saddle a few so he could try them out, but in the end he chose a big bay gelding similar to the one James had bought him in Newmarket.

  Next, Teddy inspected the pack of eighteen hunting hounds James had acquired, and declared them an excellent choice. “I want to get all the guns unpacked. I’ve invited Aylesford, Mordaunt, and Manchester, all avid hunters. Wait until they see Sandringham’s gun rooms—they’ll be pea green with envy.”

  James knew Manchester had not been invited for his hunting skills. He had been invited because his beautiful duchess was the mistress of Lord Hartington, Teddy’s bosom pal who attended the races with him.

  “Who else will be coming?”

  “Well, Hartington of course, and Blandford Churchill. I forget who else. Oh yes, Charles Beresford, who was at Cowes. Henry Chaplin’s coming, so I didn’t include Hastings, his great rival.”

  “What about Carrington?”

  “Charles accompanied me. I left him at the train station to make sure the guns were unloaded. He invited his latest lady friend—daughter of Baron Suffield, I believe.”

  “I’d better make sure everyone’s name is posted on their bedchamber door, so there are no embarrassing mix-ups after dark,” James remarked cynically.

  Teddy winked. “Damn good idea, James. What would I do without you?”

  • • •

  Anne and James awoke each morning before dawn. It was the only time they had to talk privately before the demands of the day took every waking moment.

  “The princess has truly fallen in love with Sandringham, both inside and out. She enjoys the freedom of riding every day, she walks the pair of spaniels that Lady Cholmondeley brought her as a welcoming gift, and she takes delight in filling the rooms with flowers and plants.”

  “Sweetheart, most of the credit goes to you for making it feel like a home, not just a house. It’s a miracle to me how you trained the servants in such a short time.”

  “The young Norfolk women are so eager to learn, and they consider it an honor to be serving the Princess of Wales. I’m relieved that the prince took your advice and brought the chef from Marlborough House. The servants are in awe at the number of courses served at dinner every night. They secretly believe it the height of extravagance to serve oysters, two soups, whole salmon and turbots, sirloin of beef, saddle of mutton, along with turkeys and woodcock, and I agree with them.”

  “Teddy eats and drinks so much, he’s getting rather portly.” His appetites are becoming rapacious for sex as well as food.

  “All the guests drink too much. It’s fortunate that Alexandra’s bedchamber isn’t over the great hall. The racket they make at their nightly parties is scandalous, and sometimes they last until dawn.”

  “I’m glad that you and my sister retire with the princess shortly after dinner.”

  “Alix needs rest, and she has absolutely nothing in common with Teddy’s friends. Lady Sarah Mordaunt is particularly vulgar and silly after a couple of glasses of champagne.”

  “She’s young,” James excused, “and Sir Charles likely doesn’t give her the attention she craves.”

  “Doesn’t he sit in the Commons with you?”

  “Yes, but I can’t like the man. He’s been particularly ruthless with his Warwickshire tenants. He put them out of their cottages for joining the Labourers’ Union.”

  “Why on earth does the prince like him?”

  “Mordaunt is mad about hunting and shooting.” And Teddy is mad about Sarah. James threaded his fingers through Anne’s disheveled curls and lifted her face for a last kiss. “It’s past time for me to seek my own chamber, sweetheart. I can hear the servants up and about.”

  • • •

  One night during the last week of August, Anne lay in bed unable to sleep. The hour at which James was retiring had gotten later and later as the month progressed. The prince and his friends spent their evening hours bowling in the skittles alley, followed by endless games of billiards, and finally gambled for high stakes at faro or baccarat.

  I’m so thankful that Alexandra is oblivious about how her husband and his friends entertain themselves after dinner every night. Her serene demeanor never changes. She is unfailingly polite to everyone, yet distant. Her health is blooming, she’s thrilled about the upcoming birth of her child, she loves her animals and Sandringham, and that is all she seems to need to make her happy.

  Anne’s thoughts strayed to the female guests. Cecelia Suffield is well-endowed; I suppose that’s one of the reasons Charles Carrington is attracted to her. I can hardly believe that her family approves of her visiting Sandringham when she is unmarried.

  Anne turned over in bed and thumped her pillow. I am being a hypocrite. My family wouldn’t approve of my being at Sandringham if they knew what was going on between me and James.

  She pictured Edith Aylesford and Sarah Mordaunt. Neither of them can keep their hands off any man who comes near them, especially James. At least the Duchess of Manchester seems to be faithful to the Marquis of Hartington, Anne thought cynically. She pictured Mina Gardner, who was engaged to Lord Charles Beresford. She’s so childish, constantly playing practical jokes on everyone, and her laughter borders on hysterical. Sir Christopher Sykes had brought a lady called Liz Edgerton, whom he had introduced as his cousin. Kissing cousin, if you ask me!

  Anne’s thoughts moved to Henry Chaplin. The viscount is oblivious when the females try to flirt with him. I suppose his heart still belongs to Florence Paget. He seems like such a decent young man, apart from his obsession with racehorses. Anne yawned, and began to drift into sleep. I wish Florence had married him instead of Hastings.

  • • •

  James undressed slowly and lay down on his bed, deep in thought. Try as he might, he could not condone the profligate morals of the Prince of Wales. Teddy was having sex with at least two of the married women whose husbands he’d invited to Sandringham, and James suspected that one of them, Edith Aylesford, was also servicing the wealthy young Marquis of Blandford.

  James knew that Louise, Duchess of Manchester, was putting horns on her acquiescent duke every night with Lord Hartington. Behind their backs they were referred to as the Duke and Doxie. The adultery going on at Sandringham sickens me.

  James Hamilton’s own behavior was pricking his conscience unmercifully. If he was being honest with himself, he realized that he left his own bed the moment his chamber door was closed. He knew it was time he faced the facts and acknowledged that he was compromising Anne’s reputation. Just because it was a secret liaison did not make it right, and he could not bear the thought that he was placing her in the same league as the loose females who were enjoying the hospitality at Sandringham.

  • • •

  Anne was awakened by a noise she thought must
have come from the adjoining bedchamber. She turned up the lamp and waited for James. When he did not come, she got out of bed, walked across the room, and opened the door.

  James saw her silhouette framed in the doorway. “Anne, come and sit down, I have something to tell you.”

  She walked slowly to the bed and sat down beside him. “Whatever time is it?”

  He took her hand. “It is time that I stopped compromising you, sweetheart. I’m coming to despise myself for doing so. You deserve so much better of me than playing musical beds. Parliament opens in a couple of days, so I’ve decided to return to London.”

  “You’re leaving early?” she whispered.

  “If I stay at Sandringham, the temptation will be too great for me to resist. Prince Teddy, surrounded by his friends, certainly doesn’t need me.” He touched his lips to her brow. “Our situation is intolerable and cannot go on. When I get back to London, I will press your father to change his mind.”

  “We’ll be separated for a month. How will I endure it?”

  “September will be over before you know it. In the meantime, I will do my best to resolve our difficulties.” His fingers brushed away her tears. “Don’t be sad, my darling. It breaks my heart.” He lifted the covers. “Come into bed and let me hold you.”

  • • •

  London

  From the moment Parliament opened, James’s uncle Lord John Russell, the foreign secretary, had to deal with the American Civil War. The Confederate army had ordered built two ironclad rams in Liverpool, and they were now ready to be delivered.

  It took the foreign secretary a full week to persuade Parliament to detain the ironclads. Then it took another week for the British forces to stop the shipment of the two ironclad vessels from Liverpool. This effectively dashed the Confederates’ hope for support from Britain.

  It was the middle of September before James was free to attend to his personal affairs, and he penned a letter to Earl Howe, asking for an appointment. Another week went by, and when he had received no reply, James called at Grosvenor Square.

  He presented his calling card to Jenkins, and was surprised to be shown into the drawing room, where he was greeted by Anne’s mother.

  “Lord Hamilton, how lovely to see you. I thought you were at Sandringham.”

  “I returned for the opening of Parliament. I wrote to Lord Howe and asked if he would see me. When I received no reply, I decided to pay a call on him.”

  “My husband is not at home at the moment. Lord Hamilton—James, please have a seat. Perhaps it’s best that Richard is not here. A confrontation would gain you nothing.”

  “Lady Howe, my situation is intolerable. I am determined to do everything in my power to convince Anne’s father to change his mind and agree to our marriage.”

  The countess gave James a look of speculation. “What you need is leverage. Has Anne never confided the story of how I was used as a pawn and forced into a loveless marriage?”

  His brows drew together in a deep frown. “I assure you that Anne has never divulged anything of a personal nature about your marriage, Lady Howe.”

  “I’m surprised. If you knew the details, perhaps you could use them as leverage to persuade Richard to give his consent.”

  James stiffened. “You are suggesting blackmail.”

  The countess smiled. “And is blackmail against your moral code, Lord Hamilton?”

  “Not at all, in certain circumstances. But I would hesitate to use it against my future wife’s father. The breach might never be mended, and Anne may never forgive me if I used information about you to gain my own ends.”

  “To put her happiness before your own proves that you love her. Give me a few days, Lord Hamilton, and I will see what I can do.”

  “I thank you with all my heart, Lady Howe.” James took her fingers to his lips.

  • • •

  “Darling, I have to talk to you about Anne.”

  Leicester Curzon-Howe kissed the beautiful woman he had loved for years, led her into the sitting room, and poured them each a glass of claret.

  “At the end of June, Lord James Hamilton proposed to Anne and she accepted him. When Hamilton came to ask Richard for her hand, he flew into a rage and refused to give his consent.”

  “What was his objection?”

  “He objected on moral grounds, for Christ’s sake!”

  “His hypocrisy is stunning.”

  “Anne and James are deeply in love. When I spoke with Hamilton a few days ago, I decided that my daughter’s happiness was far more important than my own. I wanted to divulge things about my marriage that James could use to gain Richard’s consent. But he refused to use information about me because it would hurt Anne.”

  Leicester rubbed the back of his neck. “Darling, there’s something I haven’t told you. Anne came to see me when she returned to London from the Isle of Wight. She told me that she knew Montagu was my son, and asked me point-blank if I was also her father.”

  “Good God, why didn’t you tell me? Whatever did you say?”

  “I told her that was not possible, that our love affair ended over twenty years ago when you married. She waved my words aside impatiently and told me that she had overheard us in your bedchamber. It must have been when Richard went to Gopsall.”

  Lady Howe’s face went white with shock.

  “I told her that I would never do or say anything that would hurt her in any way, and I meant it. When she demanded the truth, I told her that I didn’t know if she was my child, but for her own peace of mind it would be best to think of Richard as her father.”

  “Leicester, whatever shall I do? My daughter’s happiness is the most important thing on earth to me.”

  “Our daughter’s happiness is the most important thing to me, also. I shall take care of it, darling; please stop worrying.”

  • • •

  “Leicester, to what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?” Earl Howe leaned back in his swivel chair behind his desk.

  “I’m here to discuss Anne’s future.”

  The earl’s eyes narrowed dangerously.

  “I understand that she has received an offer of marriage from Lord James Hamilton, and that she has accepted his proposal. Why have you rejected his offer?”

  “Hamilton’s reputation is unsavory. He is reputed to be a womanizer.”

  “Reputed by whom?”

  “Your sister Emily has told me about Hamilton, and the things that go on at Marlborough House.”

  “Emily has been jealous of Anne since the day she was born. She is a vindictive bitch who glories in being spiteful and carrying tales to you.”

  The earl’s jaw clenched. “Hamilton and the prince he serves are profligate.”

  “Whereas you and I are merely morally bankrupt,” Leicester said with contempt.

  The earl leaned forward in his chair. “How dare you? This is none of your business!”

  Leicester too leaned forward in a threatening manner. “I am making it my business. I will not allow you to ruin Anne’s future. I insist that you withdraw your objection.”

  “You have absolutely no say in this matter!”

  Leicester stood up and smote the desk with his fist. “I have every say in this matter. Anne’s mother and I refuse to let you destroy her happiness like you destroyed ours. I’ve let you pretend to the world that you are the father of Montagu and Anne, but we both know that you are impotent. I am the last child you ever sired.” He modulated his voice, but the threat was implicit. “If you want this charade to continue, you will give this marriage your blessing.”

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  “I ’m truly sorry to be leaving Sandringham. When the guests left in mid-September, we had the great hall and the gardens to ourselves. I was surprised that by month’s end, the weather changed overnight. One day I was cutting ros
es and the next the cold wind was so fierce everything was withered.” Alexandra looked out the train window as it neared London. “Edward is happiest when he’s entertaining his friends. I imagine he is already planning who he’ll invite to Marlborough House for the first party of the winter Season.”

  “Perhaps when you see the doctor, he will advise against too many parties.” Anne had persuaded the princess to consult a doctor as soon as she got back to London.

  “I don’t want the queen’s physician. I want a doctor of my own,” Alix declared.

  “Our family has been well served by Dr. William Jenner,” Frances Hamilton told the princess. “We could arrange for him to see you at Marlborough House.”

  “That’s a very good idea, Frances. I don’t want Victoria to be there when my baby is delivered. I plan on telling her she will be a grandmother by March.”

  “You experienced morning sickness on the way to Newmarket, the first weekend of May.” Frances counted on her fingers. “The baby should arrive sometime in January.”

  Alexandra smiled serenely.

  Anne said, “That’s why she wants the queen to think her baby will arrive in March.”

  • • •

  “I saved you a seat, Lady Anne.”

  “Thank you, Lord Hamilton.”

  James stood behind her chair until she was seated in the formal dining room at Marlborough House; then he sat down between Anne and the Prince of Wales. Under cover of the tablecloth, he took possession of her hand and squeezed it.

  As was his custom, the prince focused on his food and did not speak until the third course. “It was only a few days after you left Sandringham that Mordaunt packed up his guns and headed back to London. Seemed odd to me that they didn’t stay longer.”

  Perhaps Mordaunt was offended by the attention you paid his wife. “Parliament sits in September, sire. Sir Charles took his seat in the Commons.”

  “Then a couple of days later, Aylesford and his wife left.”

  “Aylesford sits in the Lords,” James reminded him.