The Theft of a Dukedom Page 9

  ‘What about Ponsonby?’ Richard asked.

  ‘He hasn’t made an offer and now I doubt that he will.’ Thomas murmured. ‘Would somebody be vindictive because she said no?’

  ‘I suppose that depends on how unstable they are. Richard and I have seen the worst this world has to offer and a jealous man can be very vindictive.’ Charles explained as he buttered another piece of toast.

  ‘So we’re looking for a common denominator at every incident.’ Richard pointed out and wiped the last of his bread around his plate, making Charles smile. ‘What?’ he asked as he shoved it in his mouth.

  Charles shook his head. ‘That just reminded me of Spain.’ He said looking at Richard’s clean plate.

  ‘Old habits die hard.’ Richard muttered. ‘I haven’t forgotten what it feels like to go hungry.’

  ‘A common denominator would be Kitty.’ Thomas said, bringing the discussion back on track.

  ‘Who was standing around when she was doused in wine?’ Richard asked.

  ‘Well, Wittering did the deed.’ Thomas said ‘but I didn’t really notice who he was talking to.’

  Charles had closed his eyes and pictured the men standing behind Kitty as Wittering turned and slopped his claret over her. ‘Deveron was there.’ He said slowly ‘along with the Hardy twins and Bancroft.’

  ‘And the devilled eggs?’ Richard prodded, looking at Thomas.

  ‘Rathbone and his wife, of course.’ He said in reply. ‘But I think Rochdale and Dalton were in the background.’

  ‘I think we’re chasing shadows.’ Charles said evenly. He looked at Richard. ‘You and I have come from a place where threat was in our every waking moment. But here in London I think we’re overreacting.’

  ‘If its all the same to you, Charles, I’ve seen too many incidents to dismiss it so blasély.’ Thomas said. ‘It could very well be that somebody doesn’t like Kitty.’

  ‘I shall endeavour to watch over her.’ Richard said with feeling and both Stafford’s looked at him and smiled.

  Kitty stretched and pushed the pillow away from her chest. She saw that the curtains were closed and knew Lucy had been in. She looked at the small clock on her night stand and was surprised that it was nearly eight o’clock. She jumped out of bed and yanked on the bell pull and the morning rituals got underway. First a bath, then Lucy helped her get dressed. It took a while to choose the right morning dress, but eventually Kitty was ready to face the day, with her hair simply pinned on the back of her head and a high collared morning dress of periwinkle blue muslin.

  ‘Oh! Lady Amelia! Where did you get that nasty bruise?’ Lucy asked as she dressed Kitty’s hair. Kitty looked at her reflection and could see the dark patch on her throat. She shrugged her shoulders.

  ‘I think it was at the ball. I vaguely recollect an elbow catching me when I was dancing.’ She said evasively. ‘Still a little powder and nobody will be the wiser.’ She slipped her shoes on and was out of the door before Lucy had put her brush down. She ran into Havers in the hall. ‘Havers! Is there any breakfast?’ She asked brightly. ‘I’m terribly late.’

  ‘Of course, Lady Amelia. The Duke and Marquis are still in the breakfast room with Lord Richard.’

  ‘Thank you, Havers.’ She said brightly and skipped to the breakfast room. Standing at the closed door, she composed her features into a mature expression and calmly opened the door. She walked sedately into the room, smiled coyly and said ‘Good morning.’

  Richard was out of his chair like a jack-in-a-box, and being a gentleman he held Kitty’s chair for her.

  ‘How’s your throat?’ Charles asked cheekily.

  ‘Sore.’ She replied and lifted her chin.

  ‘That’s not as bad as I expected.’ Thomas said. ‘Richard made it sound like he’d almost throttled you.’

  ‘He did.’ She said quietly. ‘I can honestly say it was the most frightening thing that has ever happened to me.’ She looked pointedly at Charles and he nodded his understanding.

  ‘I can’t tell you how sorry I am, Lady Amelia.’ Richard spoke softly. ‘But you were just a dark shadow standing over me and I was probably as scared as you were.’

  ‘Well!’ Thomas said firmly. ‘You’re still in the land of the living, so I shall go and get on with some work.’ And he left for his study.

  After he was gone it was quiet while the footmen delivered Kitty’s breakfast. She sat with a somewhat knowing smile playing around her mouth as she looked across the table at Charles.

  As the door closed she said cheekily. ‘It looks as if you had a demanding night, brother?’ She speared him with her green eyes. ‘Did Constance keep you awake all night?’

  Charles shuffled in his seat. ‘You’re not supposed to know about that kind of thing.’

  ‘Ah! But I do know.’ She buttered a slice of toast. ‘Did she satisfy you?’

  Both men coughed and spluttered and Charles said. ‘I’m going for a bath and some sleep. Don’t let father hear you talking about such things or he might wash your mouth out with soap!’

  ‘Make sure you ask Chivers for his golden remedy!’ She shouted gaily at his back.

  ‘Why were you so nasty with him?’ Richard asked confused.

  ‘Because he needs to go and sleep, not sit here like a wallflower. And that’s exactly what he would do.’ She smiled sweetly at him. ‘If you are uncomfortable in a room alone with me, please feel free to leave.’

  ‘I would never be uncomfortable alone in a room with you.’ He murmured and she looked up sharply, ‘and I hope that you will feel the same and that last nights littlefaux paswon’t make you afraid of me.’

  She concentrated on her breakfast as a footman came in with fresh tea and waited for the door to close.

  ‘As a woman, I find it amazing that our fathers never actually sit down and explain just how strong an average man is. They don’t demonstrate how to prevent a man from having his wicked way with us and when, as a woman you are finally allowed to be alone with the man who controls your life, you have absolutely no idea how much he can hurt you.’ She looked evenly across the table at him. ‘When I was ten years old, my brother Robin, god rest his black heart, ripped my nightgown from my body and pinned me naked to the bed. I had absolutely no idea why he did it and probably still wouldn’t if Millicent hadn’t told me all about sexual intercourse.’ She sighed. ‘Charles arrived when I screamed and almost beat Robin to death in front of my eyes. So I knew Robin had done something decidedly inappropriate. But his sheer physical strength appalled me and he was only sixteen.’ He saw the unshed tears shimmering in her green eyes. ‘It was the most frightening event to ever happen to me and it made me mistrustful of men. Especially domineering men, like Robin. But last evening, when you asked me to dance the waltz, instead of feeling fear as you put your hand on my waist, I felt safe. Safer than even my father makes me feel, so thank you.’

  ‘My pleasure, my Lady.’ Richard murmured.

  ‘When you grabbed my throat in the night, I knew you weren’t really awake and that in your nightmare I would be a French soldier. As you tried to throttle me I realised that to struggle would only make matters worse, so I relaxed and stroked your face, because a Frenchman would never do that to you, he would be too busy trying to stick you with his sword!’

  ‘That’s what woke me, I think.’ Richard said as he stared at the tablecloth. He lifted his hand and stroked his cheek. ‘That touch and feeling your hand slide across my cheek is something I’ll never forget. To see you under my hand with your eyes rolled up into your skull was terrifying.’ He looked up suddenly and engaged her in a direct gaze. ‘I could have killed you. Next time I might, so if I’m asleep and moaning, be somewhere else.’

  ‘What were you dreaming about?’ she asked evenly. He told her essentially the same as Thomas.

  ‘How come you don’t know who stabbed you?’ She asked innocently.

  ‘It was pitch black!’ he said defensively. ‘No moon and total cloud cover. I couldn’t see
my hand in front of my face. I’m amazed more of us weren’t killed.’

  ‘So it’s possible that you stabbed Charles and he stabbed you?’ she ventured.

  He looked at her with something akin to pain in his eyes. ‘Yes. I didn’t though, as I was using a sword, not a knife!’ He said at last. ‘We discussed it the following morning and it would appear we all felt the same. I could have killed British soldiers.’

  ‘Who were equally trying to kill you.’ she said pointedly. ‘I should think this kind of thing happens a lot, especially during a night action. Didn’t anyone set a light?’

  ‘No. We had orders not to light any carcasses.’ He said firmly,

  ‘What’s a carcass? Is it a dead animal?’ Kitty asked inquisitively.

  ‘No. A carcass is made up of wood and straw, doused in lamp oil or something equally volatile and set on fire before you throw it off the battlements of a castle!’ Richard said. ‘They are really quite a devastating weapon on a glacis or in a ditch filled with milling soldiers.’ Richard was surprised that Kitty had only eaten toast. ‘Aren’t you going to eat any more?’

  ‘No, I’m quite satisfied, thank you.’ she said as she poured more tea. ‘To change the subject, what do you think about the punch bowl last night?’

  Something in her tone of voice warned him to be nonchalant, as he’d told her father, she was nobody’s fool. ‘I would think the bowl should have been on a sturdier table.’ He said noncommittally.

  ‘You’re a military man. Is it possible to cause that kind of incident?’ She asked without a tremor in her voice, even though there was a tremor in her heart. She was under no illusion that somebody didn’t like her.

  ‘What, do you mean make the table leg collapse at a specific moment?’ he asked in amazement. She simply nodded.

  ‘No. I don’t think so. An explosive charge wouldn’t be used because you would have to light the fuse. You couldn’t just saw through the leg and just hope.’ He shook his head and stared at the linen again. ‘No. It’s not that you couldn’t make a small charge, it’s that a precise and instantaneous detonation isn’t possible. Not unless you are willing to sacrifice yourself.’ He cleared his throat. ‘How is your throat?’ he asked softly.

  ‘My throat is a bit sore.’ She said and touched it. ‘Would you like to inspect it again, just to make sure.’ She lifted her chin provocatively and Richard gasped. The urge to dive around the table and clasp her in his arms was almost overwhelming. ‘I’m sorry.’ She said suddenly. ‘I mix with too many married women and their teasing manners are rubbing off on me.’ She stood up. ‘I shall endeavour to behave myself when you are around.’ She smiled and went to the door, but before she opened it she said. ‘Unfortunately you bring out the worst in me.’

  As she turned the door knob he asked ‘Is that a good or a bad thing?’

  ‘It’s whatever you want it to be.’ She murmured, jerked the door open and practically ran out of it.

  Chapter 8

  Charles woke with a start, jerking his back off the mattress. His heart was pounding and there was a film of sweat on his forehead.What was I dreaming about? He asked himself and frowned. He looked at the clock and couldn’t believe it was nearly five o’clock. He had slept soundly for eight hours!Fucking Connie certainly made me sleep!He thought as the call of nature urged him out of bed. As he stood at the commode relieving his bladder he inspected his penis again.Does Connie have the pox!?He asked himself in trepidation.Well, if she has, you just spent the whole night fucking a septic cunt!He decided coarsely.Better give it a rest for a week or two. I don’t want to give it to somebody else. He thought about the concoction of chemicals that Chivers had poured into his bathwater earlier.It smelled like an apothecary’s shop, but at least my cock doesn’t ache anymore.He sighed in bliss as he finished and turned to the wash stand. He splashed some water in his face and lathered up his shaving brush. He slopped the soap all over his lower face, the white making his skin appear very brown. As he glanced in the mirror he thoughtGod! I look like a Spaniard!He shook his head to dislodge the comparison, picked up his razor and stropped it on the leather strap, before stroking it down his face.

  While he shaved he considered Richard becoming his brother-in-law.Well, at least I know he won’t be cruel in the bedroom!He thought as he pictured the number of times they had shared a whore. He recalled how they had a couple of whores all night in Lisbon and passed them backwards and forwards. He remembered watching Richard’s smooth action and restraint with admiration. He was startled to realise a truth.He never just fucked any of them. He made love to them all, even the oldest, ugliest bitch you’ve ever seen! Did I do that? Or did I just fuck ‘em, like Connie!?He found this train of thought disturbing as he realised that not once did he actually kiss Connie.I never kiss whores! He admitted to himself.After all, why would I need to? Most of the time they’re doing what I pay them for! Would I be different if I had a wife or somebody who loved me? There’s only one way to find out and that’s talk to Louise Trenchard.He suddenly looked at his eyes in the mirror and saw the coldness there.Do I want to do that? Is that what I really need?That was even more disturbing, so he swished his razor in the water, dried it carefully and rinsed his face. He patted it dry on the towel, slapped some cologne on it, while he tried to dance around the room. He dressed carefully in the clothes that his valet had left out for him. Then made his way downstairs.

  ‘Good afternoon, My Lord.’ Havers said as Charles got to the bottom of the magnificent staircase. ‘The Duke is still in his study and Lady Agatha is holding tea on the terrace.’

  ‘Who did she invite this time?’ Charles asked softly.

  ‘Well, I believe there are some of Lady Amelia’s friends, The Marchioness of Carlise, Lady Anne Brooks. Lady Louise Trenchard and her chaperone Lady Abigail Trenchard and Lady Agatha’s friend Lady Margaret Bonham.’ He took a breath. ‘Lord Richard is there and I think I saw Lord Ponsonby as well as the Earl of Rochdale.’

  ‘Rochdale?’ Charles asked abruptly. ‘What’s he doing here?’

  ‘If you’re asking for my opinion, My Lord, I think he is interested in Lady Amelia.’

  ‘Over my dead body.’ Charles muttered. ‘Can you inform my father that he’s here?’ the butler nodded. ‘Thank you Havers.’ And Charles hurried away to tea, his cane clicking on the marble floor. He knew that both the Marchioness Millicent Carter and Anne Brooks were Kitty’s married friends, Louise was still single and her mother, Abigail, was not to be trifled with, but Lady Margaret Bonham was still a stunning woman, widowed while he was at Eton and if she’d had affairs, she’d been exceedingly discreet.

  Charles slowed his pace and sauntered out onto the terrace, as if he was limping into his club. He smiled at the footman. ‘Is there fresh tea?’ he asked and the footman scuttled away to bring him some. He studied the guests seating. Aunt Agatha had pride of place and next to her was Margaret Bonham on one side and Abigail Trenchard on the other. Next to Margaret was the Earl of Rochdale and beside him was Millicent Carter, then Richard and Kitty, following them was Ponsonby, Anne Brooks was next, finishing with Louise Trenchard. There were numerous unoccupied chairs still, so Charles chose one that would give him an uninterrupted view of Louise Trenchard.

  ‘Charles!’ Lady Agatha greeted him effusively. ‘We don’t normally see you for tea?’

  ‘Well, he’s been in bed all day!’ Kitty said and smiled impishly at him. He prayed she wouldn’t make anymore comments like this morning, not with Rochdale sat at the table. He could do without facing pistols in Hyde Park.

  ‘I was rather tired, Aunt.’ He murmured as he kissed her cheek. ‘I have slept for eight hours for the first time since I returned from Spain.’ He dropped nonchalantly into his chosen chair.

  ‘You slept for eight straight hours?’ Richard asked in awe. ‘I wish I could!’

  ‘Perhaps you would sleep longer if you stayed in bed.’ Kitty said and smiled. ‘It must be uncomfortable to sleep on the lawn.’

 
‘On the lawn?’ the three young ladies all said together. ‘I’m interested in how you know that!?’ Millicent asked, piqued.

  Kitty pointed up to the back of the house. ‘My bedroom is just up there. I heard him moaning last night and looked out of my window to see him lying on the lawn.’

  ‘How did you know it was Lord Richard?’ Anne demanded.

  ‘Because he was bathed in moonlight and I could see his face.’ Kitty informed them.

  ‘Didn’t you go and try to wake him up?’ Louise asked with wide eyes.

  ‘No. My father had told me not to wake either Charles or Lord Richard. It would be too dangerous.’

  ‘Why?’ Louise pressured.

  ‘Because I might just grab her around the throat and try to throttle her.’ Charles said evenly. ‘I did it to my father the first night back.’

  ‘I did it to my valet.’ Richard admitted. ‘We have just returned from a place where death is a constant companion and to disturb us from unsettled sleep could be detrimental to your health.’

  ‘What did you see when you attacked your father?’ Louise asked, fascinated.

  ‘A French soldier,’ Charles said simply. ‘It wasn’t until he was sprawled on the settee that I realised it was my father. If that had been Kitty, I could have broken her neck.’ Everyone at the table heard the desolation in his voice for what might have been.

  ‘Where were you sleeping?’ Louise asked in confusion.

  ‘In front of the fire in the drawing room.’

  ‘Did you sleep on the ground a lot?’ Ponsonby asked in his foppish manner, as if he was the highest ranking title there.

  ‘We did.’ Richard said and smiled. ‘I didn’t have a tent or a cot until Badajoz.’

  ‘Maybe you’d wake up easier if the person disturbing you called you by your rank.’ Louise said with sudden insight and Charles looked at her with raised eyebrows. ‘Well, you just said you’ve been living with death!’

  ‘You could be right, Lady Louise. My sergeant always called me Captain from a distance, if he needed to wake me up.’ He smiled at her and even Kitty could see it was his best smile.