by Joyce Alec
“Good evening, Lord Claverhouse.” Felix picked up a glass of brandy and came to sit down next to his friend. “And how did Lord Soames’ little soiree go this evening?”
Lord Claverhouse chuckled as Felix nodded toward Lord Brunswick in greeting. “It went rather well,” he said with a grin. “My dear wife was called upon to sing and did very well indeed. Almost everyone was very well behaved, I must say.”
Felix arched one eyebrow, a smile playing about his mouth. “Almost everyone?” he asked, and Lord Claverhouse laughed again. “Might I be wise to suggest that Lord Soames himself was the one who did not manage to behave as expected?”
Lord Brunswick suddenly interjected, a broad smile on his face. “Lord Soames is known for his lack of wisdom when it comes to his favorite port,” he said as Lord Claverhouse, evidently remembering something that had occurred that evening, broke into another round of laughter. “This evening he was not on his best behavior, I am afraid.” He caught the attention of the footman, who quickly came over with more brandy, before gesturing to Lord Claverhouse to speak.
Felix listened as Lord Claverhouse recounted what had occurred, making sure to laugh and smile at the appropriate points. Lord Soames, it seemed, had made something of a fool of himself at his very own soiree, which was not entirely unexpected. Being fully aware of Lord Brunswick’s good mood and grateful that Lord Claverhouse had managed to sit by the fellow and engage him in conversation, Felix tried to find an appropriate point to introduce the matter weighing most heavily on his mind.
“I was, I am afraid, in something of a similar difficulty when I attended Lord Devonshire’s dinner party a few days ago,” he said with a chuckle. “I do not know if you recall, Lord Brunswick, but one particular gentleman—whom I shall not name for fear of bringing further embarrassment to him—quite lost his balance and practically threw his glass of brandy all over Lady Prudence’s skirts and my boots.”
Lord Claverhouse laughed uproariously at this and even Lord Brunswick grinned before taking a large mouthful of brandy.
“I had to go at once to find something to clean my boots,” Felix continued with a wry shake of his head. “When I returned, there was no sign of Lady Prudence. She appeared a short time later in an entirely different gown.”
Hearing Lord Claverhouse groan and roll his eyes, Felix forced himself to chuckle ruefully. “The poor lady must have been very embarrassed.” He glanced at Lord Brunswick. “You know of which gentleman I speak, of course.”
“I cannot say that I do,” Lord Brunswick said, his easy countenance no doubt due to the amount of brandy he had imbibed thus far. “Do you not recall what occurred after our port?”
Frowning hard, Felix feigned difficulty in remembering what precisely had happened. “I cannot quite—”
“Lord Nethergate had imbibed far too much port,” Lord Brunswick sighed, passing one hand over his eyes as though remembering the story was very troubling indeed. “As we were making our way to the drawing room to join the ladies, he stumbled back very heavily and knocked directly into me.”
Instantly, Felix rearranged his expression into one of concern, as did Lord Claverhouse.
“I had forgotten,” he said as Lord Brunswick pressed one hand to the back of his head, wincing as he rubbed it gently. “Of course, you would not have been present. Do forgive me.”
“It is of no consequence,” Lord Brunswick said with a shrug, tipping back the rest of his brandy into his mouth before putting down the glass with a satisfied clink. “Lord Nethergate was very apologetic, once he had revived himself a little.”
Lord Claverhouse took a sip of his whisky and then leaned forward, surveying Lord Brunswick with evident concern. “You were injured also then, Lord Brunswick?”
“I was,” Lord Brunswick sighed, shaking his head. “My head struck the wall as I fell and I confess, much to my embarrassment, that I lost consciousness for a short time.”
“Goodness,” Felix murmured, quite certain that the gentleman was lying and that he had only pretended to do such a thing in order to gain the attention of Lord Devonshire. “You were well taken care of, however?”
“Oh, of course,” Lord Brunswick replied with a wave of his hand. “Lord Devonshire had his staff take both myself and Lord Nethergate to a smaller room. Lord Nethergate was not as injured as myself, however, given that he had fallen into me rather than into anything substantial.”
“I understand,” Felix replied with what he hoped was a compassionate expression. “You recovered yourself, however?” He quickly gestured to the nearby footman, who came with more liquor which Lord Brunswick accepted without hesitation.
Lord Brunswick nodded. “I did,” he said with a heavy sigh. “I awoke to find Lord Nethergate asleep on the chaise lounge. I instantly believed that he was injured in some way and thus, I made my way to him at once to awaken him.”
“And that was when he apologized to you?” Lord Claverhouse asked, and Lord Brunswick nodded, picking up his fresh glass. “That is good that he was willing to admit his foolishness, Lord Brunswick.”
“And that you were able to return to the drawing room with the other guests for the remainder of the evening,” Felix replied, knowing full well that Lord Brunswick did not speak the truth. “Your head still pains you, however?”
Lord Brunswick shrugged, taking another sip. “A little but it is of no consequence. It will pass soon enough.” Holding Felix’s gaze, Lord Brunswick cleared his throat before leaning forward in a surreptitious manner, although his grin remained. “The truth is, Lord Stoneleigh, I did not want to remain at the house. In fact, I wanted desperately to call my carriage and to return home in order to recover, but I also did not want Lord Devonshire to be either upset or ashamed by my absence. Thus, I forced myself forward, returning to the group for a short time.”
Felix nodded as Lord Claverhouse murmured something about how he was sure Lord Devonshire would have appreciated such a gesture. Looking quite satisfied with himself, Lord Brunswick sat back in his chair and threw back the rest of his brandy. Fully assured now that Lord Brunswick was a gentleman who hid a good deal and told many lies, Felix said nothing for a short time, allowing a silence to grow between the three of them. More brandy was brought and still, the silence grew.
And then, Lord Brunswick spoke.
“You are courting Lady Prudence, I think.”
There was not a question in that particular statement and Felix found himself a little taken aback by the remark.
“I—I am interested in the lady, certainly,” he admitted as Lord Brunswick lifted one eyebrow in his direction. “Although I have not yet asked for her father’s permission to court her.”
Lord Claverhouse chortled and leaned across to Lord Brunswick. “Did you know that Lord Stoneleigh was quite determined to leave London and try his luck again during the little Season, only to be introduced to Lady Prudence and thereafter, to change his plans entirely?”
Felix shot his friend a warning glance, knowing that such a statement might make Lord Brunswick wonder if there was more than just a mere attraction toward Lady Prudence that had made Felix remain in London.
“I do not think your friend appreciates you stating such a thing,” Lord Brunswick chuckled, picking up his glass and gesturing toward Felix. “Indeed, I am sure of it.” Felix found himself a little embarrassed, which was an emotion he had not expected to feel, rolling his eyes and shaking his head at Lord Claverhouse, just as Lord Brunswick continued to speak. “Look now, how he drops his head in such a discomfited fashion.”
“I am not embarrassed,” Felix replied firmly, lifting his head quickly. “Although I would be much obliged, Lord Claverhouse, if you would no longer allow yourself to speak so freely about what you know of me.”
This seemed to bring Lord Claverhouse back to his senses somewhat, for he stopped laughing and cleared his throat, now looking a little ashamed of himself.
“But of course,” he said gruffly. “Forgive me, Lord Stoneleigh.
” He lifted his glass. “You can blame my loosened tongue on this, as well as my lack of good sense.”
Lord Brunswick chuckled, although his eyes remained thoughtful as he returned his gaze to Felix, brandy still in hand.
“There is no shame in being drawn to such a beautiful lady,” he said as Felix sat back in his chair, signaling to the footman that they required another drink. “Lady Prudence is very lovely, by all accounts. Although she has been a little sorrowful over the death of Lord Yardley.” He lifted one shoulder and looked toward Felix. “I am acquainted with the lady, you understand. Rather well acquainted, which is why I know that she has felt this way.”
Felix’s ears pricked up at the mention of Lord Yardley, but he did not give any outward response to Lord Brunswick’s remark.
“He was wed to her cousin, I believe,” Lord Claverhouse said with a small sigh. “From what I understand, Lady Prudence’s cousin died only a short time after her marriage to Lord Yardley.”
Lord Brunswick nodded. “Yes, that is so,” he answered, his confidence surprising Felix. “Lord Yardley was absent from society from some time thereafter, only to return this Season.”
“And to be knocked down by a carriage,” Felix interjected, shaking his head. “Little wonder that Lady Prudence has been so sorrowful.”
Lord Brunswick nodded, then looked at Felix carefully. “She was still quite well acquainted with Lord Yardley, I believe,” he said, his tone light with just a hint of curiosity, as though he did not really wish to find the answer. “Has she ever spoken to you of him? I confess that I did not know the gentleman very well at all.”
Felix shook his head, although inwardly, his heart was racing at the questions Lord Brunswick was asking. “She has rarely mentioned his name, I am afraid,” he said slowly. “I myself was never acquainted with the fellow.”
Lord Brunswick grunted, his eyes shifting to the other side of the room as he sipped his brandy. Felix said nothing, glancing toward Lord Claverhouse, who lifted his brows in evident awareness that Lord Brunswick’s questions were certainly of interest. Felix prayed that the brandy had done its work by encouraging Lord Brunswick to speak a little more openly than he might do otherwise.
“I only ask,” Lord Brunswick said slowly, his words beginning to run together now, “because I allowed Lord Yardley to borrow something of great importance to me—even though I did not know him particularly well.” Spreading his hands, he looked back at Felix, his head tilted just a little. “I wanted to show generosity, I suppose, for I am certain that he wanted to use the items to impress a particular young lady.” Both brows lowered over his eyes as he looked pointedly at Felix, who found himself frowning in return.
“That was very good of you,” Felix said slowly, wondering what Lord Brunswick was attempting to say but also very glad that the copious amounts of brandy had done what both he and Lord Claverhouse had hoped.
“I did wonder if he had given it to Lady Prudence,” Lord Brunswick continued with a wave of his hand. “It is a very important item, Lord Stoneleigh.” His eyes flared with evident excitement and he pointed toward Felix in a sudden agitation. “If Lady Prudence should ever mention such a thing, might you inform me of it? I am sure that the lady herself does not know that such an item is mine and thus, would not want to return it to me and therefore—”
“Certainly, I shall,” Felix said quickly, relieved that he had been correct in his belief that Lady Prudence was still being considered by Lord Brunswick. For the moment, it was best for her to remain entirely silent and unobserved until they could work out where the key might go. “Might I ask what the item is?”
Lord Brunswick’s eyes closed and he sat back in his chair. “Diamonds,” he said simply. “Diamonds that I allowed Lord Yardley to use so that he might impress a lady with his evident wealth. Namely, Lady Prudence, if my assumptions are correct.” He opened his eyes and looked directly back at Felix. “But I never once expected him to keep them, or that the lady in question would do so either.”
Lord Claverhouse nodded in apparent understanding. “And if she believes they are Lord Yardley’s, then she will not know to return them to you.”
“Most likely, she will not know what to do with them at all,” Felix said as Lord Brunswick began to smile, picking up his glass and holding it out in a toast.
“Thank you, Lord Stoneleigh,” he boomed, his words still a little slurred. “You have taken a great weight from my mind. I insist that both you and Lord Claverhouse join me for a dinner party this week—a dinner party that Lady Prudence herself is attending.”
“I would be honored,” Felix replied, and Lord Claverhouse murmured his thanks. “And I do hope everything will come to rights for you very soon.”
“As do I,” Lord Claverhouse echoed, lifting his glass. Lord Brunswick cheered them both and clinked his glass against Lord Claverhouse’s before lifting it in Felix’s direction. Felix returned the gesture, wondering if Lord Brunswick had even the slightest understanding that, despite his careful questions and his foolish excuses, he had revealed to Felix that there was something more going on. Something that Felix fully intended to find out.
“Good evening, Lady Prudence.”
Felix bowed, having not made any pretense that he was not interested in greeting Lady Prudence but choosing to go directly toward her. After all, Lord Brunswick now knew that Felix was eager to further his acquaintance with the lady and thus, he had no need to pretend.
“Lord Stoneleigh.” She smiled at him, but her smile was a little lackluster, as it had been the day before when he had visited her in an afternoon call. “Good evening.”
He took her in, aware that his chest had become a little tighter at the mere sight of the lady. Her gaze was already drifting away from his and he found himself suddenly eager to have her attention fixed to him again.
“You look very lovely this evening.”
A little surprised that the compliment had come from his lips without having had any intention of it doing so, Felix instead found himself very glad that he had said such a thing. Lady Prudence blushed, dropping her head just a little, although he was certain that he saw a glimmer of a smile on her lips.
“I am very glad to see you,” he continued, speaking quietly so that their conversation would not be overheard. “And to be able to speak to you without interruption.”
Lady Prudence lifted her head and looked at him with a searching gaze. “You have something of importance to tell me?” she asked, a small flicker of a frown between her brows. “Something I do not already know?”
He shook his head. “No, that is not what I meant,” he said, knowing full well that he had no intention of telling her what he had learned from Lord Brunswick as yet. “It is somewhat frustrating for me, Lady Prudence, that I cannot be alone with you and in your company.” His mouth curved upwards on one side. “Although I know that such a thing would be quite improper.”
“Very improper,” she told him, her eyes now tied to his and crimson remaining fixed in her cheeks. “Although perhaps I share the very same sentiment, Lord Stoneleigh.”
This cheered him greatly to hear her say such a thing, growing aware of the changes within his own heart toward the lady. When she smiled at him, heat ran across his skin and his heart felt as though it turned over in his chest.
“Perhaps I shall allow myself to hope that we might sit near to each other at dinner,” he said, speaking so quietly that only she could hear him. “It would please me very much if that were the case.”
“Then mayhap you shall have your wish granted,” she murmured, looking at him as though she did not fully understand why he was speaking to her in such a way, why he was complimenting her so. In truth, Felix was rather astonished himself, but there had come a sudden strong desire to speak to her like this, to see her smile at him without hesitation.
And he had meant every word.
9
Prudence was not at all certain what Lord Stoneleigh had meant by such compliment
s and whilst she had accepted them, whilst she had found herself to be almost a little embarrassed by his words, there was still a sense of confusion that lingered. When he had called on her yesterday for afternoon tea, he had been filled with good conversation and had been very jovial and amiable but had not mentioned a single thing about Lord Brunswick. Of course, she ought not to have expected such a thing given that her mother was there and, in addition, that he had asked her to leave the matter alone for a short time, but it had been a very strange afternoon.
Or, she considered, as they all walked through to the dining room, perhaps it had been her own foolishness, her own regret at allowing her heart to feel anything for the gentleman that had made her feel so awkward.
Does he know what I have done?
Prudence let a shiver run down her spine as she was shown to her seat. Being invited to Lord Brunswick’s townhouse for dinner was one thing and, in knowing that Lord Stoneleigh would be present also, she had decided that she could not simply leave the opportunity to fade away from her.
And thus, she had done something that would make him perhaps a little angry with her. But the key with Lord Brunswick’s crest was now held securely in a folded handkerchief tied with a ribbon and placed securely in the deep pocket of her gown.
“It seems that you somehow knew that I was to be granted my dearest wish,” Lord Stoneleigh murmured as he sat down in the seat next to her.
“I am a little surprised,” Prudence answered truthfully. “I did not think that Lord Brunswick would—”
“You can thank Lord Claverhouse for such a thing, Lady Prudence,” Lord Stoneleigh interrupted with a lopsided smile. “When we sat in White’s with Lord Brunswick a few days ago, Lord Claverhouse was less than careful with what he said.”
Shock lanced her heart. “You sat with Lord Brunswick?” she repeated, making certain to lower her voice. “I knew that you were acquainted with him, but I did not think that you would be so eager to be in his company.”