Lady Brittany's Love (9 page)

Chapter Seventeen

“Good morning, gentlemen,” Samuel announced, as he strolled into the dining room.

Met by nods from Eli and Cole who were working their way through their meals Samuel stepped over to the sidebar and helped himself to several of the offerings. Satisfied with his selections he took his seat and started to break his fast.

“To answer your unasked question, m’ lord, the ladies ordered trays,” the butler said.

“Thank you.” Samuel directed his attention to Cole. “I commend you on being able to dissuade Miss Crocker from wishing to look at the book last night.”

“When I noticed an unladylike yawn my response was simple. As you well heard I suggested we collect a clean copy to which she readily agreed. I should warn you, upon our return she will want to examine both side by side.”

Samuel returned his attention, as did the other two, to their meal.

With a last sip of coffee, Samuel glanced over to Cole.

“Have you ordered up your coach for I’m sure Miss Crocker will want to be on your way once dressed?”

“I sincerely pray he did, since I wish to depart forthwith,” Sally announced from the doorway.

Beside her, Samuel noticed Brittany wore a simple day dress of light brown decorated with hollies embroidered around the collar. What made the picture even more fascinating, she wore her hair in a simple bun held in place by several sprigs of evergreen.

“Yes, Miss Crocker. Actually, if I’m not mistaken I hear it coming into the forecourt. If you have your pelisse we can be off,” Cole said, stepping from the table.

“I do and my maid should be awaiting us by the front door.”

“Cole, I’d not keep her waiting or she might leave without you,” Samuel declared, then watched him depart. Next he turned his attention to his betrothed.

“What do you have planned for today, Lady Brittany?” Samuel inquired.

“I said I’d assist with selecting the floral arrangements for the events. I know that’s not a normal activity for a gentleman but would you care to assist, Lord Samuel?”

“Lady Brittany, I believe this would be an interesting mental challenge for me, as I’m not well versed in properly selecting plants for a ball,” he answered.

“Your advice, m’ lord, will be more valuable than you can imagine.”

“Then, shall we start. Where would you prefer to visit first?” he asked, not sure what they had.

“Wonderful, the orangery. Mother has quite a few potted plants which can easily be transported to the ballroom. I brought foolscap and a pencil with which to make notes,” she declared, withdrawing them from a pocket in her dress.

With a nod to her father he joined Brittany, offered his arm but was pleased when she refused, preferring his hand instead. As before, when they touched a warmth slid up his arm. Something he enjoyed greatly.

He let her guide him toward the orangery which gave him a chance to study her. He found the calmness in her eyes and the relaxed expression on her face to be intriguing. It seemed she had nothing to worry about when with him, that she trusted him unequivocally.

“Samuel, do you have an orangery at your estate? I only ask as I do find relaxing and reading in ours comforting.”

“I most humbly apologize but I don’t. If you are desirous of one then I’ll have one built immediately.”

Before he knew what happened she had stopped and swung around, wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a chaste kiss on his lips. In an attempt to collect his wits he lifted his head from her. He’d promised to treat her as a lady, thus not taking liberties but the feeling of her pressed against him was almost more than he could take.

He heard two people approaching.

“My dearest, I would suggest we resume this interlude later,” he whispered.

“I agree,” she answered, slipping her arms from his neck and taking up his hand again.

As luck would have it, this time at least, the people didn’t come toward them.

Safe for now he let her continue to guide him to their destination.

As he stood at the glass doors leading into the orangery he could feel his eyes widen at the sight before him. He saw flowers and plants. Now he understood the draw Brittany had for one. With her beside him he stepped through the door to be surrounded by moisture lingering in the air.

“Is it always like this?” he asked, walking over to a tall tree with interesting leaves.

“Yes. Without the humidity and warmth many of them would die. Now, shall we hunt out the perfect plants?”

Never having been in one before, except on occasion when attempting to seduce a young lady, he started by examining the physical structure itself. Three of the sides were framed glass with the forth being part of the mansion. Even the roof had glass paneling, but some along the sides had chains attached to them. Marching over to one he studied the mechanism closer.

“Those are used to regulate the heat and dampness in here. During the colder weather the ceiling windows are closed and just the opposite in the summer,” she explained.

“How is the room heated?”

“Pipes laid along the walls are connected to the ovens in the kitchen. If you’ll follow me I’ll show you how the humidity is created,” she said, reaching for his hand.

Easily letting himself be led they followed the twisting flagstone path to the center. There he saw two ornate cast iron well-padded benches on opposite sides of a small pond. He glanced down to see koi were swimming lazily in the water. In the center was a small statue of a cherub with a thin stream coming out of its mouth. How this happened he had no idea but would leave that up to the designer and builder.

Not one for too many frills, he began to understand the fascination with an orangery. Familiar fragrances tickled his nose—limes, lemons, oranges. But, that couldn’t be possible. He knew the plants needed a warm climate to grow. Pivoting on his heel he looked around, searching for the source.

No wait, he saw, that’s a small orange tree growing here in England and producing fruit in the winter.

“Isn’t this amazing,” she whispered.

“Not as wonderful as this.”

He wrapped an arm around her waist and drew her to him. He gently brushed his fingertips over her silky soft cheek before settling a finger under her chin. Slowly, he lowered his head to hers, while allowing her a chance to escape if she wished until their lips all but touched.

He settled his mouth delicately over hers. Suspecting she’d never been kissed and not wanting to frighten her after a moment of contact he lifted his head. Looking into her eyes he saw abiding love in them.

“My darling, we must be careful, as I did promise to be a gentleman,” he whispered.

“Yes,” she replied softly.

“Trust me, once we marry everything will only get better.”

“So I’ve heard and read.”

“Then, before we’re found out shall we continue the hunt for decorations for the ball? After which I wish to converse with your father about plans to build an orangery at my, soon to be our, country estate. I can only imagine the interesting discussions we’ll have in it,” he teased, giving her a leer to which he loved her response, her cheeks turning a lovely pink.

“I agree. And as we have a good selection from here let’s adjourn to the greenhouse to see what the head gardener has available.”

“Your wish is my command, dear Brittany.”

After reviewing the flowering plants and talking with the head gardener, Samuel led her back to the mansion. As they entered the luncheon gong sounded. With a glance he noticed her cheeks were only pink but from the slight chill in the air not from the event of earlier.

Chapter Eighteen

After a pleasant meal Samuel waited while Brittany departed the dining room for the kitchen. He was happy she’d taken it upon herself to assist in reviewing the menu for not only the next few days but the midnight buffet for the ball.

Now alone with the earl he glanced over to him, “Eli, Brittany is quite fond of your orangery. Regrettably, I don’t have one at the estate and before you ask why, trust me, it’s a long story. I wondered, do you still had the architect drawings as I’d like to look them over?”

“They’re in my office. Might I suggest we adjourn there and look them over? I should warn you, for one to be done correctly the most important aspect is the location.”

Together they made their way to the earl’s office. Strolling in Samuel waited while the earl retrieved the plans from a pigeon hole behind the desk. When he saw how large the drawings were he started to clear off the mahogany table which overlooked the forecourt.

“Excellent idea, Samuel.”

Over the next hour they poured over the different elevations. Slowly, Samuel came to understand the reasoning for having the orangery near the kitchen. That way, in cold weather, the heat in the pipes wouldn’t dissipate. This fact, confirmed what Brittany had told him earlier.

“When you had yours built did the kitchen garden need to be moved to a new location?” Samuel asked, not sure if his would have to do the same.

“Part did. It all depends on where the garden is and how big you wish the orangery to be,” Eli answered.

Samuel didn’t know and would have to find out. First though, he should have the area surveyed and an architect start designing the structure. He looked at the bottom right corner of the top sheet. There he saw the man’s office was in London.

“Eli, with your permission I’d like to contact the same gentleman who did yours and see if he can go to my estate and come up with plans.”

“Of course, then we can greet Cole and Miss Crocker as I see their coach is entering the courtyard.”

With the letter composed, sealed, and set on the table outside the earl’s office, Samuel and Eli went to the ground floor to greet the travelers.

“Cole, I’m happy you’re none the worse off from your excursion with Miss Crocker,” Samuel teased.

“We had a very pleasant time, thank you,” she interjected before Cole could answer. “Actually, for a gentleman of the
ton
he’s quite well read and versed on many subjects. One of which being my favorite, the ocean and ships.”

“More importantly, I see you were able to obtain a copy of the Hersey book. Did you have any trouble?” Brittany stated.

“Not at all. Seems we were the only ones interested,” Cole said, handing over the copy.

Samuel started to reach for the tome but stopped. “Shall we review both after dinner as it’s getting late and we’ll be dressing soon? This way we may compare them at our leisure.”

“Agreed, as we want to take our time in creating a false book,” Brittany added, to nods of approval from the others.

Over dinner Samuel recommended that he, along with Brittany, Cole and Sally, should continue to study the original book.

“This way only a few of us will possibly be in danger. Also, once we examine the margin notes then decide which of the four of us should write in the false one,” Samuel explained.

“My question, where to keep it? The book should be found easily,” Sally said.

“If I might,” Brittany started. “The diversion should replace the real one in the safe.”

“That is an excellent recommendation. So where do we keep Lady Brittany’s?” Samuel asked, finishing the last bite of his trifle.

“Why not in your suite?” Cole said.

“Yes, and move the book from one suite to another every night when finished. This way we, with apologies to our host, hostess and Lady Wallace, will be the only ones knowing its location,” Samuel declared, to the approval of everyone.

“Then, ladies and gentlemen, I believe it’s time you start trying to understand why this book is so desirous,” Barbara announced, rising from her chair which brought the men to their feet.

Now alone with only the select few Samuel stood, strolled to the earl’s desk and picked up the original book. Looking to the others he grinned, returned to his seat and set it on Sally’s lap then turned to Brittany.

“As we all know each other and to make discussions flow smoothly I suggest we use Christian names,” Samuel recommended.

He smiled on getting nods of approval from the others.

“As we’ve studied the book along with the cryptic messages I would suggest Sally, you and Cole look through it,” he declared.

“I agree,” Brittany said, giving him her hand to assist in standing.

Together they strolled over to the table he’d used earlier to study the orangery plans, which he saw were still out.

“Yes, my dearest. These are the plans for the one here. Now that I’m familiar with these drawings they do make sense to me, thus I now can understand how it’s built. I’ve posted a letter to the architect requesting he inspect my mansion with the intention of building one.”

He wanted to continue but in an instant Brittany had her arms around his neck, her lips close to his.

“Behave, you two.” Samuel glanced past Brittany to his friend.

“Cole, nothing has happened, yet,” he barely got out before descending his lips to hers for a chaste kiss. “Now something has,” he whispered, bringing a faint giggle from Brittany.

“I think we’d best do as he says, not that I’m sure he or Sally would say anything,” she said, releasing her arms from his neck.

“Good. Now to these plans,” he began, needing to divert her attention from his lips. “I’ve no idea when the man will arrive. I did point out the urgency as this is to be a wedding present.”

“I don’t know how to express my gratitude for you doing this for me.”

“Trust me, once we’re married I can think of many ways you may. I thought we would stay through the New Year. Then, we retire to our estate and wait while it’s built, which I suspect from what your father said could take months.”

“And of course with me constantly showing my appreciation?”

“Naturally.”

From the other side of the room they were suddenly distracted by a screech of joy.

“Excuse me, but if you two have finished playing patty-cake can you bring me a pencil and foolscap,” Sally directed to Samuel.

“Yes, and will you also explain why you’re so happy?” Samuel declared.

“Yes-yes in a minute. I, actually Cole and I, need to confirm what we found. The reason why this particular book is so important.”

With Brittany sitting beside him, hand in hand, Samuel watched as Sally, with Cole’s able assistance, started scribbling on the paper he’d given them. Silence, save the scritch-scratch and whispers between the two, filled the office until Cole and Sally raised their heads, smiles on their faces.

“No wonder none of the notes made sense to either of you. Each one is an anagram. Some are ships while others are names of men in Nigeria,” Sally easily explained.

“And the circled villages are where they are located?” Samuel asked.

“Correct. From what we can gather they are kidnapping locals and selling them to the shipmasters as slaves,” Cole interjected.

“If I might, how would Hersey have all this information if he’s supposedly never been to Africa? The reason I’m asking, from the few chapters I’ve studied he’s gleaned facts from other books. Fortunately, for us he made insignificant changes to make them seem original but still I don’t believe he ever left England,” Brittany declared.

Samuel knew she was incorrect in her statement about the man never having been in Africa. If he told her what he knew that could be a disaster in more ways than one. First, his investigation would be ruined and more importantly he’d lose Brittany forever. He did know Cole would never say anything about him and his work for the Crown, as Cole did also. His problem, how to make it appear he was speculating that the man had actually been to Africa.

“Not wishing to start an argument but how do we know he never did? From what I understand, the man had been all but banned from London by the
ton,
for some reason which is not spoken of. Thusly, he spent the past several years in hiding. Could he possibly have snuck off to Africa?”

He studied Brittany’s features along with that of Sally’s as they digested his words. From what he could see they were in agreement with him.

“Yes, that is possible but still doesn’t explain who made the handwritten notes and why?” Brittany asked.

“And to complicate matters neither Sally nor I can tell if the notes were written in a man or woman’s hand,” Cole stated.

That still didn’t tell Samuel who the leader of the ring was, then he remembered back a few days ago.

“Brittany, remember when we took the carriage drive in Hyde Park and witnessed Hersey arguing with Mr. Winterbottom.”

“Yes, about what we’ve no idea. It could have been anything from how much he should receive for selling the book to the weather. You don’t think he could somehow be involved in this slave thing, do you?”

“Right now, I wouldn’t want to leave anything to chance,” Samuel retorted.

“If he is involved wouldn’t his finances show it,” Sally queried.

“That’s true. Possibly. I can send a letter to my man of business, and you do the same Cole, to investigate Mr. Winterbottom.”

“Samuel, that would work normally but we have the same person or weren’t you aware. If we send him a note over both our signatures that should spur the man on,” Cole recommended.

“Then, I say we do that and have a rider leave at first light. This way he would get into London by afternoon if well mounted. Thus, within a few days we will have our answer but in the meantime create the false book,” Brittany suggested.

“Why wait until the morrow. I’m confident my groom, Quinn, would be more than willing to ride through the night on my beast. Tempest is the only horse strong enough to make the journey without faltering. And before you ask, the man is above reproach and always up for a challenge,” Samuel declared.

“Then, let’s do. I’ll have Peter notify your man to be ready to depart within the hour,” Brittany told them, stood and marched to the bell on the desk and rang it.

Forty minutes later, with Quinn on his way to London, the four adjourned to the family parlor. There Samuel, with assistance from Brittany, explained to the others what had been learned along with the actions taken.

A short while later, when all the questions were asked and answered Samuel escorted Brittany to the second floor, said his adieus then retired to his assigned suite.