At the Earl's Convenience (11 page)

“Mrs. Hawkins, my lady.” She curtseyed, but not before Selina caught the curiosity in the woman’s eyes.

Well, she had expected it.

The butler followed, breathing heavily. He was nothing like Frobisher. He bowed, but she didn’t warm to the disdainful expression on his long face and his stiff formal manner. “Mr. Hawkins.”

“How do you do. I’m sorry to interrupt your meal. We shall discuss housekeeping matters tomorrow, Mrs. Hawkins. I’ll take a light supper in my room. This is my maid, Sarah. Could you please see that she is shown where she is to sleep and is given dinner? Then please return to me, Sarah.”

“But of course.” Mr. Hawkins clapped his hands. A footman in livery appeared.

“If you’ll kindly show me the way to my bedchamber, Mrs. Hawkins,” Selina said.

Selina followed Mrs. Hawkins’ thin, upright body up the sweep of marble stairs.

“We were expecting you and his lordship earlier, my lady,” Mrs. Hawkins said, “And then, when you didn’t come, we weren’t sure what to expect.” She managed to sound put-upon and deferential at the same time.

“Yes, unfortunately we were needed at Halcrow Hall. I apologize for not advising you of my arrival, Mrs. Hawkins. I won’t stand on ceremony, have no fear.”

The handsome chamber was as large as those at Halcrow Hall and much better cared for. Apparently, the London mansion was kept in good order for Devereux. An upstairs maid was already kneeling at the hearth lighting a fire and another made up the four-poster bed hung with gold damask.

“I’ve sent for hot water, my lady.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Hawkins.”

Flames leapt in the grate, and the room took on a warm, welcoming light. The maids finished their work, curtseyed, and left the room.

“There’s a water-closet down at the end of the hall, Lady Halcrow.”

Selina moved closer to the burgeoning fire, chilled through to her bones, more with apprehension than the cold. “When is lordship expected?”

The housekeeper’s brows rose. “Why Lady Halcrow, we haven’t set eyes on his lordship since he traveled to Bath for your wedding.”

“Lord Halcrow was recently called away to a sick relative’s bedside. He must still be in Tunbridge Wells.”

Devereux hadn’t come here. Perturbed, Selina went to pull the curtain aside and look out the window, giving herself time to regain her composure. She could sense Mrs. Hawkins’ eyes on her back. Had she come on a wild goose chase?

Across the lane in the park, shapes detached themselves from deep shadows and moved stealthily through the trees.

Chapter Fourteen

The next morning, Sarah entered with Selina’s hot chocolate. Selina sat up in bed with the warm cup in her hands. As she sipped, she grappled with her difficult situation. She didn’t feel comfortable in this house. The butler and housekeeper were haughty, and while they didn’t dare show her disrespect, she sensed they found her an unsuitable countess. Without Devereux here as a buffer, she felt vulnerable and out of place. Her discomfort meant little, however, compared to her fears for him, and her chin trembled whenever she thought of him. She couldn’t bear to consider what dreadful fate might have befallen him. Might he be lying ill somewhere? She’d even prefer him to be in another woman’s bed. Fed up with her disturbing thoughts, she threw back the covers.

“I shall wear my lavender walking dress and my leather half-boots, Sarah.” She would visit the Horse Guards. It wasn’t far from here. She’d enjoy a walk.

“London’s ever so busy, my lady. And the noise!” Sarah took Selina’s gown from the wardrobe.

“You’d rather be in the country?”

Sarah giggled. “Oh no, my lady. It’s very exciting.”

Mr. Hawkins’ scandalized expression followed Selina into the street. It began to rain, and she unfurled her umbrella. The pavement was crowded with maids, liveried footmen, and well-dressed gentlemen all going about their business. At the corner, a street sweeper held up the traffic, and she slipped him a penny to cross the road. Two women walked past with pattens on their feet. The circular rings attached to their shoes raised them above the gutters and piles of horse manure. She would never wear them. A person couldn’t stride out, and mincing along would surely get on her nerves.

By the time Selina had reached Hyde Park Corner, she’d had quite enough of the trying conditions. She removed the hanky shielding her nose and hailed a passing hackney. When the vehicle put her down in Horse Guards Road, she paid the jarvey and crossed to Army Headquarters.

A soldier barred her way.

“Lady Halcrow,” she said. “I wish to see someone in authority.”

“Do you have an appointment, Lady Halcrow?”

“It’s of vital importance that I do. A matter of life and death.”

Impervious to her dramatic plea, the soldier dismissed her, staring beyond her left ear. “Surely, there’s someone here who can tell me where the Earl of Halcrow is to be found. I am his wife.”

Suddenly, the soldier came to life, saluting a man in a greatcoat who’d alighted from a carriage. The man was about to enter the building when he turned back. He raised his tall black hat. “You are Lady Halcrow?”

“Do you know the earl, sir?”

He nodded his head and gestured toward the doorway. “Come with me, if you will, Lady Halcrow.”

Inside, soldiers stood to attention as they passed. Selina followed the man who was obviously important, along a corridor. He stood aside and gestured for her to step into his office. Shutting the door behind them, he turned to shake her hand. “George Scovell. Please sit down, Lady Halcrow. May I offer you refreshment?”

“No, thank you.” Selina sat, arranged her skirts and gazed into eyes sharp with intelligence. “Do you have news of my husband, Mr. Scovell?”

Scovell removed his greatcoat and hat and hung them on a stand. He smoothed his bushy grey sideburns with measured movements and then sat behind his desk. He formed a steeple with his fingers, his gaze anchoring her attention. “We are not sure where Lord Halcrow is at the present time, my lady.”

Selina stared at him. “Might he be on the Continent?”

“I don’t believe so.”

Her throat tightened. “He’s not here in London, surely.”

“His lordship has been.” He glanced toward the closed door. “I’m sorry I can’t tell you more. Except to say that you should go home. Wait for word. You must be patient, for his lordship will return to you in good time. All being well.”

“All being well?” Selina rubbed the tight skin at her temples. Her head had begun to ache.

He frowned. “There are many dangerous people in London, Lady Halcrow. Your being here mightn’t serve your husband well. I suggest you return to the country. There’s little society in London until Parliament sits.”

“I am not here for the society.” She searched his eyes, but his hooded expression told her nothing. “Why would my presence here cause my husband trouble?”

“I’m not at liberty to say.”

“Then please just tell me where he is.”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that.”

“You can’t, or you won’t? Or perhaps you don’t know where he is yourself?”

He sighed. “At the present time, my lady, all apply.”

“Might my husband be a spy, Mr. Scovell?”

He raised shaggy brows. “Surely you don’t expect me to give you information regarding the army’s intelligence services.”

“I’m not easily fobbed off, Mr. Scovell.”

“I quite see that,” he said thoughtfully. “Do you have a carriage waiting?”

She jumped up, her heart pounding in unison with her head. “I came in a hackney. I’ll walk.”

“That will not do. This is not a country estate. A soldier will escort you home in my carriage.” He called to his aide. When the man appeared, Scovell barked orders at him and sent him hurrying from the room.

“There’s really no need. I’m sure to find a hackney.”

“Most unwise. I must ask you to be careful who you take into your confidence, Lady Halcrow.”

“Unless you can tell me why, I can’t see how I’ll know who to be careful about,” she said, her voice rising with her frustration.

His mouth thinned, but his manner remained annoying cool. “Just know that, by your actions, you might place the earl’s life at risk.”

Selina leveled him with a scowl, hiding how anxious his words had made her. “How can I possibly harm him just by being here in London?”

“Don’t doubt that Napoléon’s spies will resort to using you to gain information.”

“Then they would be wasting their time. I have nothing of importance to tell them.”

“More than you think. You are asking questions where prying eyes might be watching.”

Sheer black fright swept through her. “Can you at least tell me if Lord Halcrow is still in London?”

He shook his head and tapped a finger to his nose.

“Then good day to you.” She snatched up her reticule and left his office, not waiting for him to reply. Outside the building, an armed soldier waited by the carriage. One glance at his rifle and she didn’t feel strong enough to argue. Burdened by Scovell’s stark warning, she could do little but allow him to escort her back to Park Lane. She mounted the steps. The soldier closed the door after her.

During the carriage ride, Selina tried to make sense of what Mr. Scovell had hinted at. French spies were operating secretly in London. Was Devereux one of them? Could he have gone over to the French? Was that why Scovell refused to tell her? She dismissed that out of hand. He might not even be in England, perhaps behind enemy lines at this very moment. She shivered.

She’d been foolish to come to London. Devereux would be angry, but he had himself to blame. He could have written, told her to stay with her sister until he contacted her. Or had he been suddenly whisked away? Frobisher had said Devereux left of his own free will, so that didn’t fit. Clasping her hands, she wound her wedding ring around her finger. She could make sense of none of it. Devereux had said he would never be cruel or lie to her. Instead, he kept her in the dark, which now seemed even crueler.

Selina spent the rest of the week with Mrs. Hawkins, whose manner toward her had warmed. The house appeared to be efficiently run. There was little for her to do, except discuss the menus with the housekeeper. She felt oddly like an interloper and roamed the leafy Mayfair streets with Sarah, where extensive building was taking place.

Selina’s arrival in London had been noted, however, for several invitations arrived, and the butler presented her with gilt-edged visiting cards on a silver salver. Not confident to deal with strangers, she instructed him to make her excuses. If Devereux didn’t come soon, she would return to Halcrow Hall. She was rapidly becoming exhausted at hiding behind false bravado. She would go soon. In the country she could pass the days more proficiently. But once she’d decided to leave, desperation and a sense of bitter failure made her feel quite ill.

Chapter Fifteen

The day before Selina was to depart for the country, a caller sent up her card and insisted on waiting for an answer. Selina studied the name printed in embossed silver: Lady Rowntree.

Selina paused, both curious and hopeful of information. “Please show Lady Rowntree to the drawing room, Hawkins.” She left the linen she was sorting and went to her bedchamber to tidy her hair.

Moments later, she found a pretty woman of a similar age to herself, sitting on the satin settee. At Selina’s entrance, she rose and curtseyed gracefully.

“Lady Halcrow, thank you for seeing me. It’s rash of me to call like this, but I’ve long wished to meet you. My husband, Lord Rowntree, is a friend of the earl’s of long standing.”

“Please do sit, Lady Rowntree.” Selina had never seen such an elegant costume. Certainly not in any of the fashion magazines Anne so eagerly perused. The lady’s crimson wrap was trimmed at the collar and cuffs with spotted ermine. The matching fur hat covered most of her hair, except for her auburn fringe.

“Is your husband an army man, Lady Rowntree?”

“No, not the army. He and Lord Halcrow were at Cambridge together, and these schoolboy friendships seem to endure, do they not?”

Devereux had told her nothing of his friends. Selina turned to the tea tray the maid had placed at her elbow. She opened the tea caddy and added spoonfuls of tea to the silver teapot. It helped order her racing mind to perform the ritual. She poured in hot water and replaced the lid, leaving it to steep. “Milk?”

“Yes. Thank you.”

“I’m afraid my husband hasn’t mentioned Lord Rowntree,” Selina said, offering the lady a plate of dainty cress sandwiches.

Lady Rowntree took one and bit into it with small teeth. With a nod, she took the china teacup and saucer with the Halcrow crest in gold. “I am here with a request, Lady Halcrow. I hoped to persuade you to accompany me this evening. There is still a dearth of good company in London, and I find myself with an extra ticket for the ballet.
Pygmalion
is to be performed at the Royal Theatre.”

“How good of you to think of me.” Selina stirred sugar into her tea. “I wonder how you discovered that I’m here in London alone, Lady Rowntree.”

“Did you think you could come here unobserved?” she said with a tinkling laugh. “The new Countess of Halcrow is the talk of the drawing rooms. I have only one ticket to offer, and you seemed the perfect choice, as we are both without our husbands. Lord Rowntree is away from London on business, and I’m in sore need of feminine company.”