A Lady's Past

by A. S. Fenichel

  Standing on the lower step, she only reached his chest. She looked up at him, her eyes filled with more than he wanted to see, yet he couldn’t look away. Beautiful, smart, and mysterious, she was irresistible. There was no reason to keep holding her arm, but he did not release her, slowly caressing up to her shoulder and down again. “Why would Mrs. Whimple be jealous, Diana?”

  She reached up and brushed a stray hair from his forehead. As if she’d just realized what she’d done, she dropped her hand. “I believe she feels responsible for Mr. Edgebrook. Doris has been assisting with his experiments for some time, but without any scientific background. She has kept him safe, but not moved his progress forward. I am a usurper who can do what she cannot. Mr. Edgebrook hired me because he has great theories, but needs help with the alchemy to bring them to fruition. I also think she may be in love with him.”

  While he took in everything she’d said, he was lost in those expressive eyes. “I cannot seem to get you out of my mind, Diana.”

  The longing left her and was replaced by fear. She stepped down one riser. “You will have to find a way, sir. I can bring you nothing but disaster. Once I am rested and have some money, I will no longer be within your purview. I should not have made that request at the inn. It was inappropriate and selfish. I’m sure that is the only reason you are still thinking of me.”

  Jacques followed her down. “You needed comfort and I was happy to give it to you. There is nothing wrong with that.”

  Once again, the careful mask of indifference fell into place. “There are a great many things wrong with it, both practically and morally, but that is beside the point. I should not have asked. Mr. Edgebrook is waiting for us.”

  A dozen questions ricocheted around his mind. Before she reached the bottom, he had time to ask only one. “Who are you?”

  The lamplight from the laboratory shone on one side of her face as she turned. “I am a dead woman and no one to concern yourself with.”

  “Look at this, Jacques.” Francis practically came out of his shoes with excitement. “She helped me find the formula for the better fertilizer we’ve been talking about. I’m telling you, this will be revolutionary. We just need to wait for the test results.”

  Soil filled two troughs under the only window in the basement. It was a cloudy day, but light still filtered down. Jacques had come to find out how Francis was faring with his experiments, but now it was the last thing on his mind. “How are you testing your theory?”

  Francis pointed to the dirt. “We have a trough with the original fertilizer and one with the enriched version. We should have answers in a few weeks if all goes well.”

  Jacques turned toward Diana. “What did you add to the formula, or would I prefer not to know?”

  With a giggle, she said, “It’s not really complicated or even very scientific. It’s just the refuse from the kitchen. My mother used it in our gardens, and I employed it here.”

  “I thought,” Francis said, “if you could work out something with the prison, we might gather enough to make it worthwhile. However, if not, you might at least employ it on that new farm you bought your parents.”

  “You purchased a farm for your parents?” It was the first interest she’d shown in his life. Diana was a woman with many secrets and troubles, none of which she wanted to share with him.

  He touched the soil. “Yes. My mother and father were finally able to leave France. The war and politics did not favor their staying at home. I managed to smuggle them out and bought a small farm for them. I was returning to London from their arrival party when I assisted you with transportation.”

  The way her cheeks pinked was the most delightful sight. “You must be a very good son.”

  “I do my best.” He had to shake off his longing for more of her attention. “What else are you working on, Francis?”

  “I think we’re making some progress on the carts for your mine. We still have a long way to go to make sure they’re safe, but once it works, you’ll be able to get your men into and out of those mines more quickly, and that will be safer, too. I’m hoping in another month or so I’ll have ironed out the details.”

  Jacques leaned over the table that held the model of Francis’s invention. It was a series of carts or cups on a rail that would hold men and use a steam engine to pull them up and lower them down into the mines. The problem was making it work without using up more coal than you could extract. “Are you helping with this as well, Miss St. Cloud?”

  “Only with some of the mathematics. My specialty is in alchemy, not mechanics.”

  Francis frowned. “Not so. She could be an engineer if she were a man.”

  It was meant as a compliment, but Diana shook her head.

  Undaunted, Francis pointed to the far table. “Here, look at this. This is where we’ve made some real progress. I’ve managed to enclose a flame inside a mesh screen for the mines. The screen allows air to pass through to keep the flame lit, but is fine enough to act as a firedamp for safety. The most thrilling part is a happy accident. We had the fertilizer too close to this experiment at first, and the vapors caused the flame to burn brighter in the lamp. We are still testing for other gases that might be present in the mines, but I think this may be an early warning of a combustible mix of vapors. At the very least, it will tell you if oxygen is low, as the flame will fail without air.”

  Fully focused on the tall, slender lamp and its filtered light, Jacques asked, “When do you think this will be ready, and how difficult is it to make?”

  “Simple to construct. If you hire a few workers I can teach them how to put them together in no time.” Francis looked at Diana. “Give us a fortnight for testing and you can have your lamp.”

  “You should send the specifications to the patent office, Francis. This is marvelous.” Running his fingers along the top, he imagined a large loop could be added to hang the lamp in the mines.

  Giving a nod that didn’t look convincing, Francis rushed to the other corner of his laboratory. “You’ll like this one, Jacques. I’m improving on a fire extinguisher. I thought, with all my mishaps, it might be a good idea to create a more effective means of putting out fires.” He laughed.

  The small tank was cylindrical and had a hose, but was otherwise unimpressive. “What have you done?”

  Francis picked up the copper cylinder. “This vessel contains potassium carbonate and compressed air. If I have a fire, I just pull this lever and compressed air shoots ash through the hose, putting out a small fire.”

  “Amazing. You have been busy. I wouldn’t mind having a few of those stored around the mines too. Let’s put that on the list of experiments I’m financing.” Jacques couldn’t believe how much had been accomplished in the few weeks he’d been distracted by his parents’ arrival. It was exciting to see things coming together for Francis.

  Footsteps on the stairs drew their attention. Mrs. Whimple poked her head in. “The tea is ready if you can spare a break in your important business.”

  Francis scratched his neat beard. “Are there biscuits?”

  “Of course.” Mrs. Whimple blushed and rushed back up the steps.

  Francis tugged his coat down and rushed up the steps behind her.

  Left alone with Diana, Jacques longed to know all her secrets. “I was surprised to find you here.”

  She added some water to the growing beds. “I was equally shocked to have you walk into my assignment.”

  It was foolish, but he stepped closer anyway. She was like a magnet to him, and he was unable to avoid her pull. “I would not wish for you to think it was an unpleasant surprise. I’m delighted to see you and to know you are well. You look rested.”

  It was true. Gone were the dark circles under her eyes, and her shoulders were squared. She was still the lovely woman from the road, but without the terror or the shotgun.

  The watering can shook in h
er grasp, and she placed it on the table. “I was given leave to sleep for several days.”

  “Do I make you uncomfortable, Diana?”

  Those eyes of hers were as deep as the sea and more compelling. Stepping toward him, she reached up and cupped his cheek, then lifted on her toes and placed the smallest kiss on his lips. “I am not afraid of you, Jacques. Not in the way you think.”

  Before she could retreat, he grasped her hand and held it to his chest. It had been a chaste kiss, but it still sent a wave of desire through him, and also something more. Something he didn’t want to identify. “How then? What is this trouble you’re in? How can I help? What do you need?”

  “So many questions.” Gently, she pulled her hand away. “I will answer the first. I fear that what I want is impossible, and you are a glaring reminder of that fact.”

  “I have a great many friends. Are you sure I cannot be of some assistance?” He should run as fast as he could. This woman was not what he wanted. He didn’t want a wife, and she hardly seemed the type to be a mistress. It must be that he’d lost his mind.

  “Diana? Are you down there?” a woman called from the top of the stairs.

  “Yes, my lady. I’m on my way.”

  “Your tea will get cold.”

  “Who is that?” he asked.

  “Lady Chervil is my chaperon. Though most of the time she is nowhere to be found.” Diana smiled and disappeared up the steps.

  With no other choice, Jacques followed and joined the party in the parlor for tea. Mrs. Whimple served, and sat with her cup perched in front of her pursed lips.

  Diana sipped her tea and spoke only when it was necessary in reply to a direct question.

  Lady Honoria Chervil flitted about the room chatting with each of them. “Monsieur Laurent, I heard that your family has come to England. Her Grace the Duchess of Middleton came for a visit last week and gushed about going to see them.”

  Jacques disliked being the subject of gossip, but this was well meant. “It was wonderful to have my family and friends all in one place. It has been a long time. We hope to have Christmas together at Brookhaven, the Middleton country home in Derbyshire. I am very much looking forward to it.”

  That image flew into his mind. Preston, Millie, Aunt Phillipa, Preston’s mother, together with his parents. He would be there, sharing his fine wine with Diana…

  He stopped the thought.

  Where had that come from? Diana would not be at Christmas. She was not part of his family, nor were they more than acquaintances. He’d been planning this Christmas for months, and never had he thought to bring a woman with him.

  “Are you all right, monsieur?” Lady Chervil stared at him, her eyes narrowed in concern.

  He shook his head and forced himself to keep his focus on Lady Chervil, even though he was tempted to look at Diana and see if she was listening. “Yes. Fine. I just was lost in thought about the holiday.”

  “I’m sure you will have a lovely time. Are you in London until then?”

  “I have missed my parents, and have been splitting my time between London and their estate. The weather is going to make traveling on short notice harder. It is only a day’s journey, but a sudden snowstorm can turn that into two or three.” This time he did shift his gaze toward Diana.

  Mask in place, she watched him without expression. Yet something in her eyes said emotion was growing below the surface. Jacques longed to free her from the shackles of her control and see the real Diana. After all, the goddess of the hunt and moon should not be concealed in such a way.

  “Miss St. Cloud and I are going to the Hampton ball on Friday. Perhaps you will be there?” Lady Chervil grinned and took a biscuit from the tray.

  “I have not agreed to go to a ball, my lady.” Diana frowned.

  Waving her hand, undaunted, Lady Chervil nibbled her cookie. “I have already found you a gown and you need to have some fun. A lady cannot live on science alone.”

  Jacques had been in Lady Honoria Chervil’s presence on one other occasion and it had been equally amusing. She was a force of nature all to herself. She was single-minded and charming to a fault. As far as he could gather, she had more money than she could ever use after being widowed three times, yet she enjoyed being a dowager at the Everton Domestic Society, so she remained.

  Middleton had told him that she’d been offered a home with the Viscount and Viscountess of Devonrose, but had chosen instead to visit them several times a year so she could continue to work. She was an interesting woman, to be sure.

  The idea of Diana dressed for a ball wiggled inside him until it became a looming desire. “I shall do my best to attend if you ladies will be there.”

  Honoria beamed. “Excellent. I understand Lady Hampton has erected a replica of a Roman temple in her garden. I know it shall be a sight to see.”

  It would likely be an abomination of good taste, but people would talk about it and that’s all the ton cared about. It was one of the reasons he was careful about his choice of friends. He preferred to stay out of the gossip. Still, he wanted to know more about Diana, and if he needed to attend a ball to learn who and what she was, he would endure a dozen.

  The more he thought about it, the more he knew he should leave town and stay away until Diana disappeared the way she had suddenly appeared. However, he knew he wouldn’t do that. “I’m sure it will be something to see.”

  Francis and Diana went back to work, but before Jacques left, he found Doris sitting in the ladies’ parlor sewing a bit of cloth with fierce jabs of her needle. He could only imagine the horror she was creating.

  “Mrs. Whimple, am I interrupting?”

  She put the work aside. “No. I’ll have to pull it all out anyway.”

  He sat on a low chair adjacent to her. “May I ask you a rather frank question that is none of my business?”

  Leaning forward, she nodded.

  “Do you dislike Miss St. Cloud, and if so, why?”

  With a sigh, she leaned back against the cushions and closed her eyes. “I cannot dislike her. She’s too sweet and nice to dislike. I only wish I could do the things she can to help Mr. Edgebrook in the laboratory. I did my best. Truly, I did. He’d hardly had any fires since I started helping him. Of course, he also struggled to make any progress without the fires and explosions to tell him what was wrong. I can see that. I just wanted to help him, to be important to him.”

  Diana was right.

  Jacques patted Doris’s hand where it lay on the arm of the chair. “Madam, I think you underestimate yourself, and overestimate the importance of being useful as a person of science where Francis is concerned. He needs you to make sure he eats and sleeps. I think it’s possible Miss St. Cloud might need you for that as well. She seems the type to be of a single mind. If you take care of them, things will fall into their rightful place. I’m sure of it.”

  Wide-eyed, she flushed. “Oh, I should have noticed if she was eating right. She’s terribly thin. Shame on me. I’ve been selfish and willful. You are quite right, sir. I must take care of them both as they are too set on this science business to take care of themselves. Not to worry. Doris Whimple will not let anyone in this house take ill.”

  He stood because she did, took her hand and kissed it. “I have no doubt of that, my dear Mrs. Whimple.”

  Her blush was like a young girl’s. “Thank you for pointing out my duty. I needed a friend to talk to, and Millie is so busy being a duchess. I’ve not seen her since all these changes took place.”

  “It is my pleasure to be an ear for you whenever you need one. I will take my leave now. I have taken up enough of your time.”

  She curtsied. “Good day to you, and thank you.”

  He took comfort in knowing someone was looking out for Diana at Everton House and in the laboratory. Now if he only knew how she’d become so efficient at the sciences, perhaps
he’d know who Diana was. Not knowing was going to drive him mad.

  * * * *

  Jacques stared at the chessboard and had no idea what his next move should be. He’d been playing these matches against his best friend, Preston Knowles, the Duke of Middleton, for most of their lives. He’d even won his fair share, yet today it was as if he was in a fog.

  Preston frowned. “Tell me again how you met this woman?”

  “What woman? You’ve met a lady, Jacques?” Millicent Knowles fluffed her skirt as she sat on the divan near the windows where they were playing.

  “The question of whether she is a lady is yet to be answered,” Preston said.

  “I would like to hear about this woman, Jacques. Also, I regret to inform you that Pres has you in checkmate in six moves.” She leaned forward, chin on her fist, blond hair spilling around her face where it had come loose from her bun.

  “Millicent, you ruined my fun.” Preston’s frown couldn’t hide the pride in his eyes when he looked at his clever wife.

  “Oh stop,” she said. “Clearly, his mind is not on the game. Let’s order tea and Jacques can tell me all about his newest distraction.”

  With no reason to go on with the game, they followed her to a sitting area near the fire, where it would be more comfortable to chat and enjoy their tea. Jacques had always liked the parlor at the Middleton town house. The house was full of cozy niches and hidden passageways. Preston’s ancestors had had a passion for clever hiding places and tunnels. “I don’t have much I can tell you. She is a mystery.”

  Millie’s eyes widened, and she raised her eyebrows comically. “How fun. What is the mystery woman’s name?”

  “Diana St. Cloud, though I am not convinced that is her real name.”

  All amusement fled her pretty face. “Why would she lie about her name?”

  “Because she’s in some kind of trouble,” Preston answered before Jacques could. “And as a Frenchman living in England, you don’t need trouble, Jacques. You had enough of that in France. What if she’s a spy working for the French?” Preston pointed, but quickly lowered his hand. “I’m just concerned.”