Nearly an hour after the arrival of the doctor another carriage appeared in front of the house. He observed Devlyn get into it. Probably on his way to warn Lady Stafford, he thought. Did the man care so little for Millicent he lost no time in running to his lover?
He had no coach to follow Maitlin. Edward’s carriage had been unavailable. Michael would have to stay where he was and wait for a sign confirming Millicent’s timely demise.
The sound of a coach rumbling down the street woke him. Devlyn Maitlin had returned home. Shortly thereafter the doctor left the house. He had seen neither a constable nor coroner visit the townhouse.
“No! She was supposed to die.”
What to do now? He couldn’t approach Lady Stafford for two more days. He needed money to quit London. He planned to contact the woman again at a later date to get additional funds. If Millicent had indeed survived the poison, she would tell everything she knew about Michael to her brother-in-law. Thank goodness few people knew where his rooms were. He would have to avoid Edward’s club.
He remembered the man following Lady Stafford in Bond Street. A guard no doubt. The woman would always have someone near her. He would have to be inventive to arrange a meeting alone with Lady Stafford.
“My resourcefulness has kept me alive so far.” He shivered in the cool night air. “Two more days is all I need.”
Chapter Eighteen
The dowager studied her son over a cup of tea. Devlyn pushed the food around on his plate as he’d done as a child when he disliked a certain dish. The watery sunlight pouring in through the breakfast room windows appeared to have no effect on his dark mood.
“Doctor Lyle will be along later this morning. Thomas tells me Jane is quite a bit better today. I plan to visit her after breakfast.”
“Very good,” Devlyn replied.
Silence.
“Lady Stafford refused to come to The Grange?”
“Yes, mother.” Devlyn looked hard pressed to answer her question with civility. “I’m surprised you are up so early. You had a very late night.”
She waved a hand airily. “I couldn’t sleep.” She wouldn’t mention her desire to eat breakfast with him stemmed solely from her need to ferret out his feelings for Lady Stafford.
The conversation lulled, the only sound in the room the light scrape of Devlyn’s fork on his china plate.
“You may not want to share the particulars of Lady Stafford’s relationship to the blackmailer, Devlyn, but I believe if you were seen with your countess, it might help to keep any threat to her at bay.”
“She is not my countess,” he replied. “And how would my being seen with Anna protect her?”
Anna is it? She had promised not to interfere. She was only trying to help the woman. “This man, Michael Bradley you said his name was, well this man would know Lady Stafford had a protector.”
“A protector…” Her son looked up from his plate. “Do you know what implication that word has, mother?”
“I know quite a bit that you’re unaware of, Devlyn,” she replied in a brittle voice. She was reminded of a phrase her husband had often used when one of their boys needed a setting down: impertinent pup.
“And you believe if Bradley sees me as Lady Stafford’s ‘protector’ it may help to keep her safe.”
“You told me yourself she has nobody to look after her properly. You are unknown to the blackguard. He has no idea what you would do to protect your lover.”
“Mother!”
“You’re blushing, Devlyn.” She chuckled. “It is merely a word. It will be what he believes and not necessarily true.”
She sipped her tea and her son stared at his remaining breakfast; his mouth set in a determined line. This time Devlyn broke the silence.
“I do consider your idea to have some merit.”
“Do tell,” she rejoined, hiding her triumph with sarcasm.
“Despite your suggestion being cloaked in a thinly veiled match-making attempt, I think I should spend some time in public with Lady Stafford.”
“Thinly-veiled?” Instinct told her now was not the time to laugh. “I thought I had been far more devious than that.”
Devlyn stood and placed a kiss on her cheek. “I understand. You only want what’s best for me.”
After her son left the breakfast room she sighed. She had seen the way Devlyn and Lady Stafford looked at each other. There appeared to be more than passion between the two, although she couldn’t yet be sure the pair was in love.
Devlyn had been wrong about one thing. She’d wanted only the best for Cameron and look how that had turned out.
“Love,” she said in a whisper. “All I want for you is love.”
* * * * *
Devlyn was the last person Anna expected to see standing by her town carriage as she exited Stafford House the next day. He looked devastatingly handsome in a well-fitted claret frock coat. Her fingers itched to find out if the leather of his fawn trousers was as soft as it looked. She tore her gaze away from the splendid cut of his coat and focused on a spot near his left shoulder.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Maitlin.” She would be civil, nothing more.
“Good afternoon, Lady Stafford. I would like to accompany you on your visit to see Lady Pickerel.”
To her ears Devlyn’s statement sounded more like a demand than a request.
“You knew I planned to visit Cecily?”
“Wiggins advised me of your plans.” Devlyn waved to where a smart barouche sat, its black paint gleaming in the sunlight. “It would be a lovely day to ride in an open carriage. There is plenty of room for your maid on the high seat.”
Mary had a silly smile on her face. Anna frowned and the girl adopted a blank expression. She wasn’t fooled. Every bone in Mary’s body was a romantic one.
Anna had anticipated a stroll in the park after visiting Cecily. Her walking dress and parasol were more than suitable for driving in an open carriage.
The driver who stood holding the leads looked quite smart in his colors, another reason Mary would probably rather her mistress rode in the barouche. As Anna was no longer a green girl there was no reason the maid need accompany her. She’d become far too accustomed to bringing Mary along wherever she went.
“Oh, very well,” she said. She was nervous about seeing Cecily again after she’d learned Franco meant to blackmail her. Having Devlyn by her side would help calm her nerves. “I imagine you know where the Pickerel residence is located?”
“Curzon Street.”
Devlyn assisted her into the carriage while the driver lifted Mary onto the high seat.
Anna attempted to slow her breathing as Devlyn took a seat across from her. The mere touch of his gloved hand on hers had left her unsettled.
“Your horses are beautiful,” she said to hide her confusion. The carriage began to move, and she opened her parasol to shield her skin from freckling.
“They are a gift from my mother.” Devlyn’s smile was self-conscious. “I’m a grown man and she still wants to spoil me.”
She felt a twinge in her chest. She had very few memories of her own parents. Her tone light, she replied, “I’m sure she loves you very much.”
“I’m sure she does.”
The day looked fair. They encountered little traffic in Grosvenor Square. Audley Street was another matter, as numerous members of society were out enjoying the nice weather. Quite contrary to her fears of the gossip if she had moved to The Grange for safety, she was now delighted to be seen with Devlyn in his smart coach. By nightfall half of London would know she’d been out driving with the very elegant and eligible Mr. Maitlin.
Her thoughts lingered on the word eligible. Was Devlyn considered an eligible bachelor? Did the ton know of his infertility? She wondered if society gossiped about him. That would be one thing they had in common.
She forced her thoughts to another subject. Was Devlyn a proficient whip? She wished they were alone in a phaeton in Hyde Park. Oh, would such an event set the tongue
s to wagging!
The coach turned onto Curzon Street and the Pickerel mansion, Devonhill, was soon in front of them.
“Fresh air is exactly what I needed. The drive was very agreeable,” she said when the barouche came to a halt. Devlyn vaulted from his seat and reached for her hand.
“Indeed, it was.”
He handed her down from the coach and she thrilled to the feel of his hand in hers. The man evidently couldn’t stay away from her despite his declaration to the contrary last evening.
The door to the house opened before their knock. The butler led them to the drawing room.
“Auntie Anna! Auntie Anna!” Andrew ran to her from the doorway of the room. “You haven’t come to see me in a long time. I missed you so much.”
She picked up the boy and hugged him.
“It has only been two days since we went to the park together.”
“That is too long,” the boy replied. Andrew froze in her arms when he saw Devlyn.
Cecily entered the room and stopped short upon observing Anna’s companion.
“Lady Pickerel.” Devlyn bowed.
“Mr. Maitlin,” Cecily replied coolly. “Good afternoon, Anna. I rang for tea.”
Anna put Andrew down.
“Mr. Maitlin decided to join me on my errands today,” she said as Cecily and Devlyn stared daggers at each other.
Andrew walked over to Devlyn, who seated himself after waiting for the ladies to do so. “My name is Andrew.”
“Hello, Andrew. My name is Mr. Maitlin and it is a pleasure to meet you.”
“I’m almost two years old.”
“Nearly a grown-up,” Devlyn replied.
The boy ran over to sit beside his mother and hid his face against her side. He peeked out after a moment. A shy smile covered his face.
The tea tray arrived as did a nursemaid.
“There is a lovely tea set for you in the nursery.” When Andrew looked to protest, the nurse added, “With plenty of lemon biscuits.”
After the boy checked to make sure the tray in front of him did not have his favorite sweet, Andrew followed his nursemaid upstairs. Anna gave the child a quick hug before he left the room. She didn’t know when she would see him again.
“A charming boy,” Devlyn said into a strained silence. “The reason Anna is being black-mailed as it were.”
She cringed. “Devlyn…”
“Devlyn is it?” Cecily asked no one in particular, her tone caustic. Her face reflected no emotion as she stared at a spot between Anna and Devlyn. “Exactly why is Devlyn in my home?”
“Mr. Maitlin has offered to help us with Franco,” she replied, forestalling what looked to be a scathing comment from the man in question. “He feels partially responsible for our current situation as his sister-in-law introduced you to the man.”
“Yes, she did. This is really all her doing.” Cecily sniffed.
Devlyn coughed. “Millicent didn’t have anything to do with your idea to introduce Lady Stafford to Franco.”
The same thought had flashed through her mind. Had she ever truly known the real Cecily? Her former friend shot a dark look at Devlyn. Cecily didn’t look concerned by her part in this whole drama. Only the possibility she might be blamed for it.
“Blame aside,” Anna hurried to say, “I have decided to help you Cecily. Mr. Maitlin is here as my, ah, advisor.”
The only response the other woman gave was a barely audible snort.
“Did you hear what Lady Stafford said?” Irritation at Cecily’s apathetic attitude to the mess she’d made for them was evident in Devlyn’s voice.
“Yes, I did.” Cecily smiled, although her face held no trace of happiness. “Thank you, Anna, for coming to my rescue.”
“I’m doing this for Andrew,” she replied woodenly.
“Have you ever heard the name Michael Bradley?” Devlyn asked Cecily. His tone was stern, demanding a response.
“No. Is he important?”
“Michael Bradley is Franco’s real name,” she replied and looked closely at Cecily. The woman was a good liar, but she didn’t look as if the name meant anything to her.
“I only knew the man as Franco. Lady Cameron introduced me to him. We had a business arrangement, nothing more.”
There was silence in the room.
Like a bolt of lightning everything became clear to her. Cecily was jealous of anyone who had any happiness in their life. Cecily who had the one thing Anna desired above all others, a child, was jealous of her friend.
“I figured it out,” she muttered to herself.
“What?” Cecily asked tersely. “What did you figure out?”
“You’ve always wanted me to be unhappy, like you.”
“What on earth are you talking about?” The other woman’s eyes narrowed on Anna’s face.
She replied, “You revel in misery and you want me to be miserable as well.”
“You’re mad.”
“You pushed me to marry Danforth although I’d heard of his less than exemplary reputation.” She thought back to that stressful time, how she’d looked for guidance from her friend who was already married. “You told me marriage would provide the stability I needed in my life.”
Cecily shrugged. “Nobody forced you to marry Danforth.”
She retreated into her own mind, own world as she spoke aloud her thoughts. “You wouldn’t tell me anything about the marriage bed if I recall.”
“Every woman’s experience is different.”
“You wanted me to have a loveless marriage like you had.” Her friend had often expounded on her theory that true love did not really exist until Anna started to believe it as well.
“Love?” Cecily shrugged and cast a quick disparaging look at Devlyn. “I believe there is no such thing between a man and woman.”
There was no point in continuing the conversation. The woman would take no blame for her part in the situation Anna now faced. Anna got to her feet and Devlyn rose as well. She had forgotten his presence during her heated exchange with their hostess. The tea and plates of cakes had also been overlooked.
“Mr. Maitlin, I think we are done here.” She turned to a tight-lipped Cecily. “I will do everything in my power to protect Andrew.”
“What can you possibly do to help? Franco will never leave me alone. I will be disgraced, become fodder for the gossip sheets akin to Lady Ice and her infertile lover.”
Devlyn mouthed a rude word and started forward. Anna reached out a hand and grasped his arm tightly. “No. We should pity her.”
Cecily slumped in her chair and covered her face with her hands. “I am so sorry,” she whispered brokenly.
What to say?
“Any kindness I show you is for Andrew.” She had no words of sympathy for her friend.
Cecily lifted her head and tears were on her face.
“Keep the boy close for a few days,” Devlyn said to her. “I will sort out Franco.”
Anna turned and left the room, unheeding as to whether Devlyn followed.
Seated across from Devlyn in the carriage once again, she held herself very still. What a strange feeling to know she had no friends save her brother-in-law, a lady’s maid and a lover she knew not so well at all.
The coach lurched forward. She stared at her companion’s shiny boots, unsure of what to say now that her meeting with Cecily was over.
“Have you ever seen a balloon ascension?” Devlyn asked.
“Only from a great distance,” she replied. “A balloon went up during the fireworks at the Royal Jubilee. There were so many people in the park I couldn’t get near enough to see the balloon before it rose. It all looked rather dangerous to me.”
“It can be,” Devlyn replied. “I did ascend in one in Paris.”
“Did you really?” she asked, grasping at any change of topic.
“A friend of mine has his balloon in St. James’s Park today. Perhaps we could go to the park to see it.”
“I would like to see one up c
lose.” She hastily added, “Just to look at it, mind you.”
“Of course,” her companion responded with a playful smile.
St. James’s Park was apt to be crowded on such a fair day, but the outing would afford her more time in Devlyn’s company.
Anna had taken little notice of a blanket covered object occupying the seat next to Devlyn until he pulled the cloth away to reveal a hamper.
“A picnic?” she asked with pleasure.
“There is a delicious feast packed inside. Would you share it with me, my lady?”
“I would be delighted.”
It was time to put her misgivings about Michael Bradley aside. She would enjoy the lovely day. How fortunate she had worn her new purple poplin walking dress trimmed in black velvet and matching black velvet pelisse. Although she was no fashion expert, she thought she looked at least presentable for a picnic in the park.
“The balloon will be in a clearing near the east end of the canal some distance from the Horse Guards. We may picnic near the water if you would like to feed the ducks.”
She shook her head. “Courtesy of Andrew, I have seen my fill of any type of birds, thank you.”
Devlyn grinned. “We can picnic far away from the water.”
She raised her face to the sun. A few moments would surely not cause her to freckle. She looked forward to a lovely afternoon in the park with a charming man. Now all she needed to do was banish the visions of their naked bodies entwined on a blanket in the grass.
The man seated across from her glanced her way many times during the drive to the park and she felt hard pressed not to stare back. She appreciated his understated, elegant manner of dress. A dandy for an escort would not be her cup of tea.
Devlyn informed her there were three main parts to a balloon: the envelope, basket and burner. The concept of what the burner was used for alarmed her.
“Were you afraid to go up in the balloon in France?” she asked her companion as the coach turned left onto Park Lane.
A Lady's Addiction (Honor Prevails Book 1) Page 15