At the Duke’s Pleasure (20 page)

Glancing up, she met a pair of handsome grey eyes. “Lord Islington. Heavens, you startled me.”

“My apologies. I should not have intruded on your private contemplation.”

“No, no, it is entirely all right. I didn’t realize you were in attendance today or I should have greeted you earlier.”

He smiled, both of them aware that she would have done no such thing, not with Edward close at hand.

In fact, she had barely seen Islington since that night of the ball when they had shocked everyone with their dancing. The couple of times she had encountered him afterward had been from a distance, their only contact an exchange of formal nods.

Truthfully, she’d been somewhat relieved by his absence, not only because of her promise to Edward, but because Lord Islington made her the tiniest bit nervous—and not in a good way.

But she was only letting Edward’s warning influence her, she was sure. Even now, she had yet to hear anyone give an accurate accounting of Lord Islington’s disgrace. Why, he was probably no worse a scoundrel than she was herself with her newly minted “wild” reputation.

“I arrived but a short while ago,” he explained in response to her inquiry. “Unavoidable business kept me away from the earlier festivities. I had promised Lady Harold, however, that I would stop by if I could possibly manage. She is a distant cousin of mine and puts great store in such familial bonds.”

“I am sure she does. It is good of you to attend, although you might perhaps wish to wait to say your hellos, since she is with the duke and several others at present. I am given to understand that they are discussing estate landscaping.”

His eyes sparkled with unconcealed amusement. “Then I thank you most sincerely for the advice.”

She returned the smile, turning the puzzle cube around inside her hand.

“What have you there?”

“Nothing of note,” she told him, slipping the Chinese wood knot into her pocket. “The weather is quite lovely today, do you not think?”

“Most definitely,” he agreed, allowing her to change the subject. “Although it is by no means so lovely as you. You are as radiant as a newly blossomed rose in your pretty yellow finery. I am surprised hummingbirds aren’t fluttering around you in search of nectar. I know I would be, were I a bird.”

She didn’t know whether to be flattered or amused by his remark. It struck her in that moment that Edward never said such things. He didn’t fawn or cajole, didn’t employ clever turns of phrase to coax a smile or make her feminine pulse beat faster. Then again, one never had to wonder if his words were exaggerations. He was scrupulously honest and forthright, and when he did offer a compliment, there was no doubt that it was genuinely and sincerely meant. Comparing the styles of the two men, she decided she much preferred Edward’s way of doing things.

Besides, Edward was far too serious to spout flowery phrases and syrupy metaphors. He would sound utterly ridiculous in the attempt. And while it was true that he shared his surname with a famous poet, she knew it was the only thing the two men had in common.

“You are very quiet, Lady Claire. Surely I have not discomfited you?” Islington said, drawing her back from her musings. “Given the stories I have been hearing of late, I had rather thought you would be full of verve. Your daring has becoming legendary.”

Her shoulders went back. “Legendary? No, nothing of the sort. Unexpected in an entertaining kind of way—to that I might admit—but not legendary.”

Islington laughed, an appreciative grin on his face. “What do you say to a stroll? It’s sure to create ruffled feathers on more than the ducks in my cousin’s pond.”

Claire was debating how best to answer, when Leo and Lawrence appeared, taking up positions on either side of her.

“Lady Claire,” Leo said, taking her hand to kiss.

“Dearest sister-to-be,” Lawrence followed, repeating his brother’s action in an exaggerated way that made her guffaw.

“We were only just looking for you,” Leo continued, “wondering where you had got, when suddenly there you were.” Maintaining his hold, he threaded her hand over his arm. On her other side, Lawrence did the same.

“Oh, hallo, your lordship,” Leo remarked, as if he only then realized that Islington was present. “Capital day, is it not? You won’t mind if we spirit Lady Claire away for a while. Family matters, you understand.”

Islington scowled, looking as if he did indeed want to object. But before he could say so much as a word, the twins were trundling her off. Glancing back, she called a laughing good-bye to Islington. He nodded, scowling harder.

Claire let the twins march her several yards away, waiting to speak until they were out of Islington’s earshot. “That was rather badly done of you both, you know. You bordered on rudeness.”

“I thought it was very well done,” Leo declared with an unrepentant grin on his mouth. “Wouldn’t you agree, Lawrence, old man?”

“Unquestionably,” his brother concurred. “We got in and out with a minimum of fuss, neatly liberating you from that libertine.”

“How do you know he’s a libertine? Or that I wanted liberating?” she charged.

“Well, of course you did,” Leo stated, drawing the three of them to a halt. “We could see it on your face.”

“Indeed we could,” Lawrence asserted, defending his brother’s assertion.

She gave a delicate snort to let them both know what she thought of that. “I suspect there is another reason entirely.”

“Oh? And what might that be?” both twins said in unison as they sent her direct stares, plainly hoping she would believe them if they put up a united front.

She didn’t. “And how do you know Lord Islington is a libertine?” she repeated. “That’s what Edward told you, I suppose.”

Leo grew serious. “He did, but I’ve also heard other talk.”

“What sort of talk? What is he supposed to have done?”

“Had to do with a girl, although I’m not sure about the particulars,” Lawrence said. “Still and all, he’s a bad sort and we knew you were in need of rescue.”

“I am perfectly capable of looking after myself and had no need of rescue,” she stated in a reproving tone that belied her relief that they’d hurried her away. “I am sure, however, that you have only my best interests at heart.”

They both looked mollified by her statement. “’Course we do,” Leo said.

“Exactly,” Lawrence agreed.

“Why do I suspect, however, that there is more to your intervention than you are letting on?”

“Don’t know what you mean,” Leo bristled.

“Not a bit,” Lawrence declared.

She turned a gimlet eye on them, watching as they began to shuffle their feet and cross their arms. “So Edward had no part in this?”

Leo kicked at a tuft of grass. “No, not specifically. He might have asked us to keep an eye on you.”

“But that was earlier before we even left the house,” Lawrence said.

“And getting you away from Islington was our idea,” Leo continued. “Ned was busy and we knew he would approve.”

Claire cleared her throat. “Yes, I daresay he would.” Linking her arms once again with theirs, she encouraged them to resume their stroll. “So, gentlemen. Your eldest brother wants you to keep an eye on me, does he?”

They both nodded, but remained quiet.

“Well then, what would you say to being able to keep an even closer eye on me? I have an idea and it requires your particular assistance.”

Knowing she’d sparked their interest, she explained further while the three of them walked on.

“W
hat else, Mr. Hughes?” Edward asked nearly a week later, as he sat behind his desk at Clybourne House. Laying down his pen, he held out the correspondence he’d just finished signing.

His secretary took the letters in hand. “There is only the issue of appointing a new steward at Rexhill Lodge. Have I your permission to begin interviewing likely candidates for your consideration?”

He and Mr. Hughes had previously discussed the need to replace the elderly steward of Edward’s Norfolk estate. Once the loyal old retainer had agreed to take a generous pension and retire, the way had been paved to search for his replacement. “Yes, of course, see to it with all due haste. Is that everything for today, then?”

“It is, Your Grace.” Bowing, the young man withdrew, off to work at his own desk located in a room two doors down the hall.

Once he’d departed, Edward leaned back in his chair, his thoughts drifting to the place, or rather the person, with whom they seemed constantly occupied these days.

Claire.

After barely touching her breakfast this morning, she’d complained that she wasn’t feeling well and had asked to be excused from that afternoon’s engagements. Immediately concerned, Mallory and Cousin Wilhelmina said she must of course stay home, and Edward agreed. She’d urged the ladies to go on without her, saying she would only be in bed sleeping, so there was no point in them remaining behind and missing out on their planned entertainment.

Not long after his sister and cousin left the house, he’d checked on Claire and was informed by her maid that she was resting comfortably and had asked not to be disturbed. Honoring her wishes, he’d gone downstairs to his study to work.

A check of the mantel clock showed that nearly three hours had passed since then. Perhaps she was awake now and would enjoy some company? Although likely not his, since she’d maintained a rather cool reserve toward him ever since that disastrous episode at Lady Harold’s nuncheon party.

He was still kicking himself over his imbecilic remark, wondering even now what had possessed him to say such a thing. They’d been enjoying themselves, her gaze alive with pleasure over his gift, when out came the words. Immediately he’d known he was making a mistake. But by then it was too late to stop, his comment impossible to recall.

She’d been miffed with him ever since, speaking only when she had no other choice. He’d expected her to continue her small rebellions, but she had not—her actions quiet, even circumspect, these last several days.

He was surprised and, yes, a bit suspicious, but perhaps she’d finally realized that her pranks weren’t working and she’d decided to cede the battle to him, after all.

And if he wished very hard, horses might sprout wings and begin to fly.

Once again, he considered checking on her, then dismissed the idea.
Let her sleep. The extra rest can only do her good.

In the meantime, perhaps he would go to his club and spend a couple of hours perusing periodicals and newspapers in hopes of spotting something that might be of use in the Everett matter.

A few days ago, Drake had given him the excellent news that he’d broken the cipher that was being used by the spies with whom Everett had associated. Now able to decipher Everett’s note, they’d found that it revealed the address of a town house located in a squalid part of London’s East End. Unfortunately, it was a property that had recently come to their attention by other means, a house that was apparently no longer being used as a rendezvous or hiding place. In the interest of prudence, however, Edward had ordered a man posted in the area to keep watch in case it became an active site again in the future.

Otherwise, they’d had no luck finding or identifying Everett’s murderer or locating the man he’d named before his death—the elusive Wolf. As for the mole, the fellow was buried deep. But Edward was determined to find him, and one of these days he would.

For now, however, he and his small group of trusted men at the War Office would continue studying the newspapers in hopes of retrieving a new, active message or two. And although he subscribed to most of the widely read newspapers and periodicals, he didn’t receive them all, nor did he get many of the smaller publications. But Brooks’s Club did. The club received them all.

With his afternoon satisfactorily planned, Edward went to the bellpull and rang for his carriage. As he did, he found himself hoping that by the time he returned, Claire would be feeling like herself again.

“You’re certain you want to go through with this?”

From her place inside the coach, Claire stared across at the twins, her heart beating quickly inside her chest.

A half hour ago, with Edward still safely occupied inside his study, Leo and Lawrence had helped her sneak out of Clybourne House and into a coach for the ride across Town. Before their departure, she’d wondered how they were going to leave without being noticed. To her astonished delight, she’d learned there was a system of hidden passageways that led through the entire residence. The twins weren’t supposed to know it existed, but they’d discovered the secret as young boys when they’d seen their brother Jack slip in and out one night.

Their knowledge proved invaluable, since they knew just which passageway to take in order to find the rear servants’ staircase and the exit that led to a quiet corner of the mews. From there it had been an easy thing for the three of them to make their way to the coach waiting one block over.

Now they were here at their final destination, mere footsteps away from putting her latest plan into action. Her pulse sped again at the idea, at the sheer audacity of the scheme.

“It’s not too late to change your mind,” Lawrence counseled, giving her an understanding smile.

Leo nodded. “We won’t think anything less of you if you want to return home.”

“Well, I’ll think less of me. God knows, I didn’t do
this
to myself in order to turn craven now.”

This
, as it happened, referred to her hair.

Reaching up, she touched the end of one shorn lock, remembering her initial horror at seeing the blond strands of her waist-length hair fall to her bedroom floor, as she’d ruthlessly cut them off with a scissors. After trimming the ends as best she could to even them up, she’d bundled the cut hair into a bag and stuffed it inside her sewing basket where her maid would never look.

Soon after, the twins had arrived with her attire—a set of Leo’s old clothes cut down and tailored to the measurements she’d provided them earlier that week. At first, they’d stared when they’d seen her cropped tresses, their mouths agape in mirror images of astonishment. For a moment, she wondered just how shocking she looked. But it was only hair, she’d assured herself, and would grow back—eventually at least.

She gave them credit for recovering quickly, however, and again for helping her arrange her cropped hair and tie her cravat once she’d changed into the masculine garb required for her masquerade.

“Surely you two aren’t turning coward, are you?” she asked, knowing the challenge would be exactly what was needed to reinvigorate their support.

Both young men bristled as one.

“Not a bit!” Lawrence cried.

“If I didn’t know you were a woman inside those trousers, I’d challenge you here and now.” Leo crossed his arms over his chest.

“Now, now, don’t ruffle up. I didn’t mean anything and you know it. I appreciate you both being gallant enough to offer to let me renege, but there’s no need.” Swallowing down her nerves, she smiled. “Just think what a lark this is going to be and what splendid fun we’ll have!”

The twins’ gazes met for a moment before a pair of identical grins spread across their mouths.

“Wicked fun!” Leo proclaimed.

“Brilliant entertainment,” Lawrence concurred.

“Well then, gentlemen, shall we embark?” she asked.

“Whenever you’re ready,” Lawrence stated.

Yet Claire hesitated, her hands going again to her short, brushed-back hair. “One last check. How do I look?”

Two sets of male eyes appraised her.

Leo tapped a finger against his chin. “Pretty.”

“And young,” Lawrence added with a sigh.

“And slight,” Leo said. “Wish we could have found some way to give you a few whiskers, but there’s just no managing it.”

“Luckily you’re blond,” Lawrence remarked, “and blonds never show much beard anyway.”

Leo nodded. “You’ll do. Just keep your hat low when we go in and no one will suspect.”

“After all,” Lawrence reasoned, “they won’t be expecting a girl, so it’ll never occur to them that’s what you are.”

“Even if you are effeminate-looking,” Leo mused. “Worst they’ll think is that you’re a Miss Molly.”

She cocked her head. “Miss Molly? Who’s that? I thought women weren’t allowed inside.”

“They aren’t,” Leo said, looking distinctly uncomfortable of a sudden.

“Then what do you mean?” she persisted.

The twins exchanged a glance, snickering softly under their breaths as they rolled their eyes at each other.

“Never mind,” Lawrence said.

“Not important,” Leo seconded.

“So? Are you ready?” they asked together.

Deciding to let the matter drop, she drew an invigorating breath, then nodded. “I am.”

Letting the twins step down first, she followed, glad of the stylish cane they’d lent her since neither offered her the assistance of a hand.

Men didn’t hand each other down, she reminded herself. She would have to remember that fact and a dozen others, if she wanted to make this work. Otherwise, she risked not even getting past the butler at the entrance.

Adopting the same arrogant swagger as the twins—or at least what she hoped passed for an arrogant swagger—she strode beside them toward the entrance of the exclusive all-male domain. The door swung open at their approach, a regal-looking servant inclining his head in greeting.

“Gentlemen,” the butler said. “Welcome to Brooks’s Club.”

Over an hour later, Edward laid yet another periodical atop the growing pile of those he’d already inspected, then reached for a new one. So far, his search of the club’s collection of newspapers and periodicals had revealed nothing of import and he was beginning to suspect that, for today at least, such would continue to be the case.

After arriving, he’d gone directly to the library, taking a seat in one of the comfortable leather chairs and accepting a glass of very decent Burgundy from a solicitous waiter. Settling into the peaceful quiet, he’d begun his search. But now that his efforts were proving fruitless, he wondered if he ought to stop and return home. Once there, he could ask after Claire’s health and, if she was feeling well enough, maybe coax her into sharing a small afternoon repast.

He’d made up his mind to depart when the library’s calm was disturbed by the sound of excited exclamations drifting in from the gaming room beyond.

The waiter approached again. “Another libation, Your Grace?”

“No, thank you. I’m wondering, however, about the commotion coming from next door. Is there a particularly exciting game afoot?”

“There is indeed. Some rather heavy play, from what I hear, that’s caught the attention of several of the members. I believe a number of side bets are being wagered on the outcome even now. Would you like me to place one for you, Your Grace?”

“Not without seeing the table first. Who’s playing?”

“Some young gentlemen, I believe. And Lord Moregrave.”

Moregrave?
The man had a reputation for ruthlessness. He was known as well for his love of drink and also for his enjoyment in taking advantage of wet-behind-the-ears whelps who didn’t know enough to steer clear of his lures.

What surprised Edward, however, was the other members’ interest in the game. Generally, if the young rubes couldn’t be convinced early on not to seat themselves at Moregrave’s table, the others turned a resigned eye—and sometimes literally their backs—to the sight of the skinning to come. Many said the drubbing those pups received at Moregrave’s hand was a lesson well-learned. Yet now, according to the servant, wagers were being cast on the outcome of one of those games—a game whose outcome had always been considered a foregone conclusion, at least until today. Could it be that the young gentlemen were actually holding their own? Was it possible that Moregrave might lose?

Intrigued, Edward rose from his chair.

The noise grew in volume as he left the library and approached the gambling salon. Entering, he found a sizeable number of gentlemen arrayed throughout the large chamber, with a great many standing in a circle around a table near the center.

The waiter had been right that wagers were being placed on the play at hand. Judging by the calls going back and forth, most of the men were backing Moregrave. But a few brave, or perhaps foolhardy, souls were championing his opponents.

Surrounded as the players were, Edward still couldn’t see who sat at the table. As he made his way forward though, a strange hush began to descend; men would glance up, only to fall silent and step aside to let him pass. He was pondering their peculiar reaction when he reached the inner circle and gained an unimpeded view of the card table and its collection of players.

Abruptly, the reason for the men’s reactions became apparent, Edward’s brows drawing close as he recognized Leo and Lawrence. The twins looked like identical bookends seated across from each other, Leo’s back toward Edward. Lord Moregrave, with his distinctive shock of black and white hair and pugnacious jowl, sat on Leo’s right. His eyes were flat and black, cold as his name as he studied his cards.

The last player was angled in his chair so that only a portion of the side of his face showed. From what little Edward could glimpse, the slight-set blond youth didn’t look old enough to be out of leading strings. His cheek was as smooth as a baby’s rump, his chin equally soft. Only his hands holding his cards were fully visible—small, white hands with long, delicate fingers and well-trimmed nails. A tingle unlike any Edward had ever felt before traced over his spine as he gazed at those hands, together with a strange familiarity that made no sense at all. But then why should it? he thought, shaking off the sensation. He’d never seen this boy before in his life.