Secret Lessons with the Rake

by Julia Justiss

  Fortunately, she had enough sense to remain mounted. Before she could settle her disordered senses, a group of riders entering through the park gates caught her eye.

  As Christopher made to dismount, she waved a hand to stay him. ‘Don’t get down. I believe I see the girls.’

  He made such a sour face, she had to laugh. ‘After that wonderful gallop, I’m not pleased to be joined by the infantry.’

  ‘You’ll find them delightful,’ she said, a sinking feeling draining away her exuberance even as she hoped it would prove true. ‘You must be on your best behaviour, though. Promise?’

  He gave an exaggerated sigh. ‘Very well, I promise.’

  Sophie and two other young ladies rode up, followed by their grooms. ‘Tess,’ her sister cried. ‘What a fetching habit! And I love the mare! What a delight to be able to ride together again. But I’m forgetting my manners. Miss Parmenter, may I introduce two of my friends, Lady Audrey Thornby and Miss Higgins. Girls, may I present my sister, Miss Parmenter, and her friend and eminent reform Member of Parliament, Mr Lattimar.’

  After nods and bows, Sophie said, ‘I saw you galloping as we rode in. What fun! Once your horses are rested, shall we all have a gallop?’

  Dismay registered on the women’s faces. Fearing those two ladies might not be skilled enough to handle a gallop, but be unwilling to admit it, Ellie was searching for a way to refuse when Christopher said, ‘I’m afraid the park will soon be too crowded for that to be wise, Miss Wanstead. We don’t want to run down any nursemaids or their charges. Another time, perhaps.’

  ‘You are an associate of Lord Lyndlington, are you not, Mr Lattimar?’ Lady Audrey asked, riding up closer to Christopher.

  ‘I have that honour, Lady Audrey. Are you acquainted with the Viscount?’

  ‘My brother knows him from his club. And my father is acquainted with Lady Lyndlington’s father, Lord Witlow.’

  ‘Your father must attend the Lords while you are in town. There are important votes coming up.’

  ‘Yes, I understand that the Reform Bill passed the Commons and has been sent on to the Lords. I’m ashamed to confess I know almost nothing about it. Won’t you tell us more?’

  If the girl were trying to pique Christopher’s interest, it was good strategy. Well born, attractive, and probably well dowered, if she were genuinely interested in politics, Lady Audrey might make a good match for him, Ellie thought—the sinking feeling intensifying.

  Somewhat to her relief, Christopher replied, ‘That’s a weighty matter for so bright a morning. Would you object if we postpone the discussion for a later date? Surrounded by such loveliness, all I can think about is how pleasant it will be to ride with all of you. Being in Parliament, I spend most of the year in London. Are you ladies newcomers? I should appreciate hearing your impressions of our capital city.’

  A gentle set-down to the questioner, she thought approvingly, and an even better ploy to involve all the young ladies in the conversation—which might have excluded the rest, had the topic remained politics.

  As the party set off at a walk, encouraged by Christopher’s leading questions, the girls in turn discussed their first London experiences. He laughed at Lady Audrey’s confession that for the first week, she’d had difficulty sleeping for the noise, seconded Miss Higgins’s enthusiasm for the theatre, and recommended to Sophie some lending libraries she might visit to supplement the selections available at Hatchard’s.

  Watching him alternate between the girls and come up with just the right questions to tease out the speaker’s interests and lead her to talk about them, Ellie could understand why he was such an effective member of the reform team. In a situation that required compromise, it must be advantageous to have a colleague who prompted the opposition to speak and listened carefully to their opinions.

  He was proving himself skilful enough this morning that she wasn’t required to intervene at all, even Sophie focusing on Christopher as he artfully directed the conversation.

  Despite his supposed trepidation, he looked totally at ease—and she didn’t think it was because he knew she was there to provide an assistance that was proving so unnecessary. The attention the girls had accorded him at first for his good looks was changing, she could tell, to admiration for his engaging manner and clever conversation.

  With a deep ache in her heart, she watched him kick his horse to a trot, the girls following eagerly as he bantered with them, conveying just the right mix of teasing familiarity and courteous deference. Any suspicious mama watching him would see, not a rogue who might endanger her daughter, but a thoughtful, articulate and courteous gentleman who would make a perfectly proper suitor.

  She steeled herself to face the fact that he had no need of further lessons.

  Fighting off a wave of desolation, she reminded herself that she’d suspected today’s outing would prove exactly that. That terminating their arrangement at once would be better. She had kept her pledge to him without losing her self-respect, and was certain he could enter the polite world, ready to defuse any suspicions about his character. Ready to charm cautious matrons and Virtuous Virgins alike, and find the lady destined to be his bride.

  Though she was gratified that their experiment had been a success for him, for her it had been a disaster. Rather than discover faults that would allow her to master her feelings for him, being with him so often had deepened her affection, making her long for his continued presence. As for passion...what had been only a suspicion of the sweetness and power it could wield had grown, over the course of their interludes, into a compulsion for intimacy that forced her to resort to meeting him on horseback to resist its mesmerising spell.

  It was time for her to shut him out of her life, before her heart shredded any further or her control over those desires collapsed.

  Arming her heart and mind to the necessity of ending it, she rode up to meet the group, which had pulled up before the Park gates.

  ‘A true delight to meet all of you ladies, but the morning is advancing, and I must turn you back into the care of your grooms,’ Christopher was saying.

  ‘What a lovely ride, Mr Lattimar! I’m so glad you were able to accompany us,’ Miss Higgins cried. ‘I hope to see you again soon.’

  ‘The date hasn’t been set yet for the ball my sponsor will be holding for me, but I will see that you are sent a card,’ Lady Audrey said. ‘You mustn’t try to steal a march on us, Miss Wanstead,’ she continued, looking at over at Sophie, ‘just because he is a friend of your sister’s.’

  Even Sophie gave Christopher a flirtatious look before replying, ‘In love and war, every girl must look out for herself. Do you not agree, Mr Lattimar?’

  ‘So the saying goes,’ he said with a smile. ‘I hope I’ll have the pleasure of seeing all of you again.’

  ‘Tess, I’ll be meeting you at Lady Saylebrook’s later, yes?’ At her nod, Sophie turned back to her companions. In a chatter of girlish voices, trailed by their grooms, they rode out of the park. As Christopher stared after them thoughtfully, the even more depressing thought struck her that Sophie might be perfect for him.

  That possibility should strangle her yearning at once. She didn’t even want to imagine meeting him in future—as Sophie’s husband.

  As she tried to rid her mind of that awful image, Christopher rode over to her.

  ‘I think that went off rather well,’ he said, looking relieved. ‘You were right—they weren’t too terrifying. Though I’d still prefer Genghis Khan’s hordes.’

  ‘You handled them beautifully, showing respect, a little deference, and a great deal of skill in drawing out thoughts and opinions. You certainly impressed them. It’s not often that a gentleman makes more than a cursory effort to ask a young lady’s opinion, or listens to it so attentively. Most men spend their time favouring a girl with their own.’

  ‘Sound li
ke dead bores,’ Christopher said.

  Despite the ache in her heart, she chuckled, as she knew he meant her to. ‘In any event, I think this excursion proves you’ve mastered all the lessons you need.’

  The smile on his face abruptly faded. ‘Surely you don’t mean to end them! There must be some finer points of etiquette I still need to work on.’

  The distress on his face so closely echoed the ache in her heart, she couldn’t make herself utter the words that would terminate their association. Silently chiding herself for her weakness, she temporised, ‘At the moment, I can’t think of any. But I will reflect further on the matter.’

  That reassurance restored his smile. ‘Even if I know most of the rules, I could use more practice, to build my confidence. As it was, I rode the circuit in a state of wary caution, like an impostor worried at any moment he might be found out.’

  ‘You’re not an impostor! You truly are the courteous, intelligent, engaging gentleman they all saw here today. And you are ready to meet them on their own turf, at the balls and drawing rooms of the ton.’

  Where he could not help but be a success. You ought to send him away now and begin moving on, she urged herself silently.

  While she agonised, he said, ‘Can I escort you back home?’

  Temptation beckoned. They were on horseback, which would forestall any contact. But after the horses were led away...

  She might not have the strength to break with him completely, but she could summon up enough resolve to be prudent. ‘Thank you, but that’s not necessary. After I return the habit and the horse, I must visit the school. I owe the girls a story today.’

  He grimaced, but thankfully didn’t press her. ‘As much as you enjoy riding, you should borrow both more often. I’m sure Mama wouldn’t mind.’

  ‘I wouldn’t want to impose. Best not to become accustomed to riding again, since keeping a horse of my own would be much too expensive.’

  For an awkward moment, they sat regarding each other, neither of them ready to bid goodbye, but having nothing further to say that could delay their parting. For a few more moments, Ellie let her gaze rove over his handsome face, admiring the fine figure he made astride, losing herself in those mesmerising turquoise eyes.

  He seemed equally content just to gaze at her.

  Finally, pulling herself free of his spell with an effort, she said, ‘Thank you for accompanying me today. I think it provided useful experience.’

  He nodded. ‘It did. Thank you for including me. I feel somewhat easier about the project ahead now.’

  That’s what she should do—concentrate on the project ahead. His being marriage to that Virtuous Virgin, while hers led to the school. ‘I’m glad. Good day to you, then.’

  Before she could ride off, he waved a hand. ‘Wait a moment! When will I see you again?’

  Instead of the ‘never’ she still could not voice, she found herself saying, ‘I’m not sure. I’ll send you a note.’

  Exasperated that she had passed up two perfect opportunities to declare their association over, she kicked the mare to a trot and rode out of the park, conscious of his following gaze.

  Resisting the strong urge to look back, she did instead what she must—ride away from him.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Several hours later, habit and horse returned and dressed back in her own gown, Elle returned to Dean Street. But her musing over which of the tales from the Arabian Nights she would read to the girls halted the moment she entered the workroom.

  Instead of students seated at the tables working on stitchery or studying lessons, she found two of the girls wrapped in each other’s arms, weeping, Mrs Sanders trying to soothe them, while Lucy argued with a white-faced Artis.

  Sweeping past an anxious Jenson, she cried, ‘What’s wrong? What’s happened?’

  ‘It’s Artis, miss,’ Lucy said, turning towards her. ‘She says she’s going to leave us. You must convince her to stay!’

  Surprised that Artis, who’d seemed so excited and grateful for her new opportunities, suddenly wanted to go away, she said, ‘We can’t make her stay against her will, Lucy. But—won’t you come to the office and tell me what is troubling you, Artis?’

  Refusing to meet her eyes, Artis nodded. ‘Aye, I owe you that. Won’t make no difference though, Lucy. I’m still agoin’.’

  The dejected slump of the girl’s shoulders and her obvious sorrow mystified Ellie further. Alarm building, she realised the intelligent, enterprising girl had already carved a place in her affections. She’d be as distressed as Artis appeared if the girl truly wanted to leave them.

  With the imminent departure of Christopher, she didn’t feel up to dealing with yet another loss.

  Closing the office door, she gestured Artis to a seat. ‘What is wrong, Artis? Have someone done something to distress you?’

  ‘It’s Gentleman Bob, miss,’ the girl said, pleating her skirt with nervous fingers. ‘He knows where I am, and he’ll be coming to fetch me, I know it.’

  ‘But he doesn’t control this area, which is why you came to this part of the city to begin with. What makes you think he knows where you are?’

  ‘That day I took you and the toff to the Tottenham market, I seen one of his boys. There weren’t no reason for Keppy to be hangin’ about there, exceptin’ the Gentleman sent him, even if this isn’t his usual lay. You remember how I led you away all sudden-like, in and out of them side lanes? I thought I lost Keppy, and I knew he hadn’t followed us back. I been more careful than ever, any time I went out to run errands for Mrs S., but comin’ back yesterday, I seen Keppy again—not two streets from this house. The Gentleman musta had Keppy drop a coin here and there among the merchants, so’s he could figure out where I was staying. Gentleman always used to boast to us that he never let loose of what was his, not while it lived. So I gotta move on, miss, some place outside London, prob’ly.’

  ‘You don’t need to run off! Jensen is here to protect us. I don’t believe even Gentleman Bob would be bold enough to kidnap someone from within a locked house! You must simply remain safely inside until this Keppy gives up.’

  ‘Mr Jensen’s got a fiercesome uppercut, but it’s more than that,’ Artis said with a sigh before continuing, ‘I’m a sight better looking now than when you took me in, but compared to me, Sally is an angel, and Lucy’s a real beauty. If Keppy hangs about long enough, lookin’ to capture me, he’ll find out there are other pretty girls here, all of ’em havin’ no more than one man and Mrs Sanders to protect ’em. Considerin’ how much the Gentleman could earn off ’em in one of his schools, he’d want the lot, and he’d send more than just one boy to get ’em. I can’t put all of ’em in danger, miss! I gotta lead Keppy away afore he discovers the other girls.’

  Ellie paused, considering. Initially she’d been inclined to discount Artis’s alarm—they were well away from the rookeries here, and Jensen was quite capable of handling one adolescent thief. But she knew enough of the flesh markets to realise Artis was right, both in her estimate of the other girls’ value and their vulnerability. They’d be a prize worth the risk of capturing for someone like Gentleman Bob, for if he managed to make off with them, he’d not have to worry about irate families trying to retrieve them or powerful fathers sending the law after him.

  She certainly didn’t want Gentleman Bob learning anything more about her school. But neither was she prepared to send Artis off on her own, the sacrificial lamb giving herself up for the welfare of the group.

  ‘You are right, you must leave, and visibly enough to draw Keppy away. But I won’t have you going off alone to some other town, to be discovered by Keppy or fall into the hands of another Gentleman Bob—or even just to go back to thieving. We’ll find another way to keep you safe and still protect the other girls. Gather your things while I talk with Jenson. And don’t despair! I don�
�t let loose of what’s mine, either!’

  Looking a little reassured, Artis went off to the dormitory and Ellie walked back to the workroom to beckon to Jensen—who’d been standing guard by the window, a frown on his face. With a nod, he followed her back.

  ‘What can we do, miss? I’d protect all these lasses to the death, but there’s only one of me. Gentleman Bob’s a pretty powerful name in Seven Dials. There’s lots of ruffians he could finger to help him snatch ’em.’

  ‘I’m sure there are, and Artis is correct, we must move her and lure Keppy away before the Gentleman enlarges his plan beyond capturing just one girl. Even once we do, though, I’d like to have some extra protection for the girls, until we are sure the danger is past. Do you have some friends you could recruit?’

  The big man nodded. ‘Have a couple mates who owe me favours. Once I’ve explained the situation, I’m betting there are several who would come help me watch day and night for a spell.’

  ‘Good. Assure them I will pay them.’

  The big man grinned. ‘They’ll come for certain, then!’

  ‘Can you find some this very afternoon?

  Jensen nodded. ‘Shouldn’t take me long to turn up a couple. I’ll have them tell their mates I could use a few more, that the toff I works for has friends what needs extra watchmen for a spell.’

  ‘Excellent. Go at once! I’ll keep the doors and windows locked until you return.’

  ‘What of Artis, miss? You’re not jest sending her away, are you?’

  ‘We’ll do for Artis what we did for your sweetheart. Find her a place where no Gentleman Bob dares venture.’

  Satisfied, the watchman nodded. ‘I’ll be off, then.’

  Ellie followed him out, locking the door behind him. Looking over to Mrs Sanders and the frightened girls, she said, ‘No need to worry. We shall be safe enough here until Jensen returns with some friends. But it would be a good precaution to bolt the kitchen door and coal chute, Mrs Sanders. Girls, would you help me close and latch the shutters?’