“Don’t cheek me boy. I want to see you married first.”
“Quite right, I’ll have a better chance of finding a respectable virgin, who’ll agree to marry me before the scandal breaks about our ears. I think I should have concentrated on our game more, it rather looks like you are going to beat me this time.”
“It will be the first time then. I’ve managed to force you to a draw a couple of times but I’ve never beaten you,” moaned the Duke.
At this point in the conversation while Sebastian considered his next move the library door opened and Lady Madelaine and the Earl entered arm in arm.
“Sorry I was late, your grace. I got held up by Cumberland who wanted my advice on something. He wouldn’t let me escape. I didn’t know you played chess, Sebastian. You should meet Alicia Lambert, Wynstanley’s ward. She keeps beating me,” remarked Edward.
“Where is she? Lewis said she was waiting for me in the library,” questioned Madelaine.
Realising she would have to show herself before a search was launched and she was discovered, Alicia yawned and rustled the curtain. Madelaine moved over to the curtain and pulled it aside. Alicia rubbed her eyes and apologised.
“I’m sorry Madelaine. I must have fallen asleep, I was so comfortable. All these late nights must be catching up on me. Are you ready to go out?”
“Yes, sorry I took so long. Have you been introduced to the Duke of Langsdown and his son the Marquis of Farndon?”
“No, I haven’t yet had that honour, Lady Madelaine.”
Edward made the introductions to the Duke and his son and Alicia curtseyed correctly. The Duke felt relieved Alicia had been asleep and had not overheard them. Sebastian experienced a faint stirring of recognition, but couldn’t place it.
“I understand you are a good chess player Miss Lambert. I fear his Grace has got the better of me this time. Can you see a way I could win?” Sebastian asked Miss Lambert trying to make conversation and seeking to discover whether she had really been asleep, while he and his father conversed. Alicia looked at the chess board, not showing any sign of guilt at her eavesdropping.
“You only have one possible winning move, my lord. Bishop to King’s Knight Four. Then you will have his grace in checkmate in four moves. We really must be going, Madelaine. It was a pleasure to meet you.”
Alicia and Madelaine left together. Alicia forgot to replace her notebook and sketchbook when she picked up her reticule, as she was flustered and embarrassed by Sebastian’s presence.
Sebastian examined the chess board and immediately saw the moves Alicia had suggested.
“I fear Miss Lambert is correct, checkmate in five moves. It is so neat I don’t know why I didn’t see it,” Sebastian told his father.
Edward poured himself a sherry but Sebastian had noticed Alicia had left a book in the window and went over to examine it. He expected it to be some Gothic novel or a volume of romantic poetry. He was surprised to find it was an advanced mathematics text book. As he moved away he noticed the notebook that had fallen behind the curtain and bent to pick it up and discovered the sketchpad as well. He brought those items to the table and put the book down, but started to flick through the notebook.
“Those are Miss Lambert’s, I’ll make sure she gets them back,” Edward said reaching out to take them from the Marquis. The Marquis read on waving Edward’s hand away.
“It seems the search may be over, father. Miss Lambert has definitely got a brain and a damn good one. Fine chess player, works out advanced mathematics, takes notes at a lecture of the Royal Society on the subject of Bromian motion. Nice critique of the latest opera and an excellent review of the last Royal Academy exhibition. She writes a fine hand too. I wonder what’s in the sketchbook.”
Sebastian opened the sketchbook and examined Alicia’s drawings.
“Elegant picture of the caryatids in the Elgin marbles, excellent rendering of Newton’s tomb at the Abbey. That is a very attractive drawing of the Tower of London; it would look well on any wall. Exquisite portrait of Lady Madelaine, she got her expression beautifully. That’s not bad of you Chalcombe. Oh, two babies?”
“Henry Louis, my son and the slightly older child is Antoinette, Henri my chef’s daughter. Now his wife Martha has come to town I thought it logical if they shared the nursery.”
“Antoinette, named for the Queen?”
“No for Marie-Antoine Carême, the Prince Regent’s chef. He’s a friend of Henri’s.”
“Here’s another of Madelaine. Perhaps you should ask Miss Lambert for that one for your bedroom.”
For the sketch showed Madelaine dancing ballet in very form fitting garments. Sebastian continued to flit through the drawings finding recognisable portraits of members of society they all knew. There was a portrait of Lady Sophia which Edward said flattered her and another of Sir Anthony which his Grace said did not. The next was of two boys, who Edward said were the young Wynstanleys. There was a caricature that was a little unkind of Sir Cecil and Lady Clarissa, with a number of backs behind them being turned, which they all laughed at.
No one laughed at the next drawing. Sebastian shone out from the page, his handsome face smiling, his blond hair tousled. What surprised them was the sketch showed Sebastian to just below his shoulders, but unlike the other portraits he was shown undressed. The muscles of his shoulders were clearly defined and no hint of cravat or shirt was indicated.
Finally the Duke said “Well she has quite a vivid imagination too.”
“I’m not sure about that Father. There is a portrait of me. I posed for it, Miranda has it. As young Hercules, there was some strategic drapery, but my head was turned in that direction. Though I don’t see how Miss Lambert could have seen it. You had better get it back, burn it or hang it somewhere obscure in the Castle.”
“This Miss Lambert has only been on town for a month or so hasn’t she, Chalcombe? Where was she before that?”
“She arrived in late August, having stayed for a couple of months with Lady Maud Prestyne. Before that she was managing Clarence’s estates in Staffordshire and had never travelled out of the county. Whatever you’re thinking she can’t have seen the portrait as she is always carefully chaperoned. Nor can I imagine she could have seen you undressed anywhere. No ladies are allowed in Jackson’s.”
“Well she certainly is talented. Does she have any other accomplishments?”
“Alicia speaks French with Madelaine quite fluently and has taught herself to read Latin. She rides nearly as well as Madelaine and she let her tool my curricle around Hyde Park the other day and was apparently an accomplished whip. She plays piano reasonably well and has a pretty singing voice. Ran her step-father’s estates for three years, acted as his housekeeper and tutored her sisters when their governess retired. She is a lovely girl who hasn’t a bad word to say about anyone, except the Clarences and Lord Emmersley.”
“I should warn you, Alicia has already received three offers and at least two more are expected imminently. Your friend Lord Stephen has been a lot in her company, I know she turned young Redgrave down.”
“Who are the expected suitors?”
“Young Lord Cosgrave and Major Mallinder although I doubt she’ll accept Cosgrave. He’s a nice lad, a bit dim although his estates are in good heart. The rub is his mother; Paula Cosgrave is a termagant and unlikely to take kindly to a daughter-in-law who can stand up for herself. I don’t know much about this Mallinder, he served in America while I was in the Peninsula. He’s a good looking man, the ladies seem to like him, but Madelaine dislikes him for some reason.”
“I know of Mallinder, although I’ve never met him. What I know about him isn’t good. He kept one of my former mistresses for a while. She left my protection for a nice enough fellow, but they didn’t stay together long. I heard she had taken up with Mallinder. Then I received a message from another girl that she was in a poor way and would I do something for her? I found her in a filthy hovel, she’d been beaten black and blue and he’d stolen
her money and the jewellery I gave her.”
“I took her to my house in Covent Garden until she was better. The girl I was keeping helped nurse her. She’d been a dancer. He’d broken her nose, her cheek bones, her right arm and a number of ribs. She would never be pretty enough after the beating she took, to go back on the stage even with stage make-up and her chances of getting another protector were zero. Miranda took her on as maid to some of her girls. I expect she’s still there.”
“What an absolute bounder! Why didn’t you do anything about this Mallinder?”
“I tried to find him. I even set Mr Grey’s men looking for him, but he had disappeared, then I was sent back to Lisbon and I had other problems to deal with.”
“You never did explain why the Foreign Office wants you back so badly.”
“Because I’m so very pretty, father. They want back their best whore, so they can continue to pimp me out. Sleep with that woman, Vernon. We know she’s hot for you. We think she’s a French spy, get her to tell you everything in bed. It will save British lives and I was very good at doing what they wanted. Not much honour in it is there? So I’m back in England and the only use my father has for me, is to beget him grandchildren.”
“That’s a bit harsh, Farndon. You must enjoy making so many hearts flutter. So many beautiful young ladies are desperate to attract your interest.” Edward teased.
“Despite that pretty portrait of me, Miss Lambert didn’t seem too eager to throw herself at me, couldn’t wait to hurry off. But women are not the worst of my problems. I don’t suppose Peter ever explained why he got into so many fights after I followed him to school, father? Most of them were protecting me, until I got big enough to fight back. He thrashed all the senior boys who wanted me to do more than fag for them. He was a good brother. I owed him for all the trouble he got into because of me.” Sebastian refilled his sherry glass before continuing.
“The Foreign Office would have preferred if I had been of that persuasion, I would have had access to more secrets. I get nearly as many approaches from the men as from women. I had two last night, both of them from respectably married men.”
“Henri said my father-in-law had the same problem as a young man. He is tall but slim and even now very handsome. Henri said it was the main reason he learned to fence. He told me this story in confidence, Louis doesn’t want it generally repeated. His first duel in Paris was against a man who wouldn’t take no for an answer. Kept making excuses to touch Louis, wouldn’t leave him alone. Apparently Louis made a very low pass and sliced him there. Henri said the doctor had a hell of a job stopping him bleeding, but that Louis didn’t quite succeed in changing his gender. Henri said he doubted his opponent would ever be able to do much with what he’d left.”
“I would have liked to castrate one of my tutors at school, but I went back after Cambridge and talked to the headmaster and got him the sack. I told him I would be recommending all my acquaintance to send their sons to Harrow, if he wasn’t dismissed.”
Chapter Ten
The following evening Alicia had been invited to a dinner at Lady Henderson’s. Half a dozen young ladies with their chaperones and a few older married couples were present. Most of the young ladies had expected her grandson, Sebastian Vernon would attend. After the meal, an impromptu musical concert was organised, with the ladies playing the piano, harp and in one case, the flute. Lady Sophia played a very accomplished piece on the harp and Alicia confidently launched into a waltz on the piano and sang a pretty French country song while providing her own accompaniment on the piano.
Lady Henderson made a point of talking to each of the girls about their interests, education and hopes for the future. Alicia was at first bemused by the mixture of guests not because there were no single men present, but because she had been introduced to only one of the young ladies previously. Their musical skills and conversation were superior to the usual society debutantes. Alicia realised Lady Henderson was taking her grandson’s requirements seriously. Some of the young ladies expressed surprise at the diversity of their fellow guests, but lacking the information Alicia had overheard, drew incorrect conclusions. Alicia was amused to be considered amongst their number, as she felt her education was still lacking but she liked a couple of the girls and made arrangements to see them again.
***
Sebastian had been busy elsewhere that evening. He called on Lord Stephen at his family house, before he finished dressing to go out that evening. He sprawled on the bed watching amused as Stephen crumpled his sixth attempt at a Waterfall. Then getting bored Sebastian took over from his valet and tied his cravat himself, perfectly first time.
“I’ve been meaning to ask you to show me your trick of always getting it so exactly right.”
“Simply practice, you have to be very careful, if you intend to undress and put the same cravat back on without anyone knowing you’ve undressed,” Sebastian smirked but still managed to look angelic.
Stephen thought he looked particularly devilish, like Lucifer just ousted from heaven. He knew that look. Sebastian hadn’t just come for his company, he was up to something. So when his valet had eased him into his coat, he sent him away.
“So why have I been honoured with your company Sebastian. Not to tell me you are back with Miranda?”
“I noticed you in the park and thought you’d misconstrue our reunion. It was a business meeting. I manage Miranda’s investments. We are not amorously involved.”
“Then do you intend to give me a hint where to lay my money on the marriage race? I doubt any of the leading runners will pass muster, I expect you to cause a stir when you make a choice.”
“That’s closer to the mark. I hear you’ve been squiring a young lady. I wondered whether I should be wishing you happy.”
“Miss Lambert? Things haven’t progressed that far, there is serious competition for her hand.”
“I am interested to know why there is so much interest. She isn’t particularly well dowered. You wouldn’t be able to inform me, Stephen would you?”
“I have a feeling I am shooting myself in the foot, answering that question. Though I expect you’ll find out anyway, knowing you. There’s a rumour Maud Prestyne will name her as heir.”
“That is interesting to know, it explains why Mallinder’s hanging round. I wanted to warn you he is an unscrupulous brute, I warned Chalcombe. He’ll tell Wynstanley. I wouldn’t want any female of my acquaintance getting involved with Mallinder. Are you in love with Alicia Lambert, Stephen?”
Stephen gave Sebastian an old-fashioned look, noticing Sebastian looked unusually serious for once.
“Truth told, I’m very fond of her, it wouldn’t take much for me to fall head over heels with Alicia. She’s such a lovely girl. Unfortunately I don’t think she’ll have me. I suspect she is seriously spoony over you, but she’s hiding it well. She always seems aware of where you are, but never mentions you in conversation. That was what you wanted me to tell you, wasn’t it?”
“That is very perceptive of you, Stephen. It seemed fair to give you warning before I cut you out! You should lay your stake at Brooks now before I make my move, but I’m not complacent about success, the lady snubbed me! So wish me luck?”
“I doubt you’ll find a better choice, Sebastian. I’m tempted to give you a run for your money, but I’d rather give way to you than to Mallinder. I doubt you need luck. You always had the devil’s own luck with women and cards. But you have my support. I’ll stand your corner as always.”
“Thank you, that’s very generous of you Stephen. I’m sorry it had to be you. It doesn’t mitigate my guilt but, I don’t think you would suit. I doubt you’re ready to settle down but you’ll find the right girl eventually. When you do, you can guarantee I’ll do my utmost to aid you. Don’t forget my best can be rather spectacular. I am in your debt.”
Sebastian’s second visit of the evening was to a discreet house tucked away in Whitehall, but even his best friend wouldn’t have recognised him. G
one was Weston’s immaculate tailoring. His golden locks were sooty and greased back, so they gave the appearance of a dirty brown. Upon them he wore a battered shako. His face looked grubby and haggard. A faded great coat which had once been army issue and battered cavalry boots completed his costume. The hackney he had travelled in dropped him two corners away and he limped slightly, walking with his shoulders bent and slumped. To anyone watching he looked a much older man, an ex-soldier down on his luck.
The door was opened before he knocked and he slid quietly inside, handing his disreputable coat and hat over to a silent servant in drab livery. He nodded to the servant and walked unannounced down the hall opening one particular door. He entered a comfortable library in which an elegantly dressed, but non-descript slight gentleman sat behind a large desk laden with several huge piles of papers. The gentleman looked up from the manuscript he was inscribing before returning to his work. Sebastian silently warmed himself in front of a roaring fire and poured himself a glass of brandy. Eventually the man put down his pen, sanded and folded the paper, before sealing it. Then he smiled at his visitor.
“Sebastian, it’s good to see you. Even Sally Jersey would cut you in that get up! Are you on official business or personal this time?”
“Personal, Grey, but I have a presentiment it might involve you in your official capacity. I assume you know Mallinder is back in town. He is showing particular interest in a certain young lady, Miss Alicia Lambert. There is a rumour she will be made Lady Maud Prestyne’s heir.”
“I am aware of his interest. Intriguingly you are not the only one making enquiries about Mallinder. The lady’s groom, Greenways has been quizzing old army associates. I am noting his progress. He may turn up a source I haven’t tapped. You left England before we traced Mallinder. You said you wished to deal with the swine personally. We have kept a watching brief. His name has recently been associated with some other matters, so that watch has become more comprehensive. I have set men to watch Miss Lambert and Lady Maud, but I can only do so much. I am rather stretched at present. You know how it is; we foil one plot only for half a dozen more to emerge.”
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