“I beg your pardon?”
“You’re the David creature?”
“Yes and Hervey is one damn lucky de Vere.”
She put another green velvet purse in his hand and stopped in front of Avery. “I know who you are; you’re looking at me like I’m Medusa.”
“Forgive me Madam, but I find it difficult to like you.”
Juliana drew the orange bag out of her basket and put it in his hand. “And I find it difficult to like you, but Hervey creature says you’re intelligent and kind. He also thinks you’re handsome, but then he would. Your gift is different because I hurt your feelings. I’m sorry.”
“Thank you. I shall prove my intelligence by saying Hervey is the luckiest man alive.”
She nodded her gratitude before moving to the next brother. “Belvedere creature...” He accepted his green purse with a polite smile.
“Thank you Juliana creature.”
“You’re welcome. And which creature are you?”
“I’m the Vaughn creature...” He accepted his green purse and tested its weight. “It feels too heavy for jewellery.” Raven accepted his green purse after kissing her hand. Virgil and Vivian, only nine months apart, kissed her on either cheek with effulgent gratitude before impulsively shaking the contents of their bags into their laps.
“Good heavens...its money!”
The sound of frantic counting was finally concluded as David looked up. “One hundred and twenty-five pounds? That’s very generous of you.”
Raven looked up confused, “I only have One hundred and nine pounds...”
Belvedere rolled his eyes, “Typical. You’ve lost money sitting in your chair; I have One hundred and twenty-five pounds. Avery, aren’t you going to open your bag?” All eyes watched the slender fingers disappear into the purse and then pull out a single bank note. “How much is it? What did you say?”
“One thousand pounds...” Avery looked at Hervey with an open mouth while the other brothers gathered around his chair to see and touch a thousand pound note.
“Don’t look at me Avery, I told her she could buy your undying love for five quid.” Juliana was revelling in the strange tingles caused by the look on her husband’s face when she was picked up and whirled in circles before being soundly kissed on the cheek by an enthusiastic Avery.
“I adore you a thousand times more than I did this morning.” Money was stuffed enthusiastically back into the bags and then Juliana’s cheeks and hands were enthusiastically worshipped by various lips all similar to her husband’s.
“You’re welcome...”
The Hervey creature’s calm voice reached out and caressed her, “Why don’t you lot go celebrate. I want my bride gift.” She waited till the door was closed on the last brother-in-law before approaching her husband’s chair.
“I didn’t bring you anything.”
“You brought your lips.” A knock on the door made her start as the black and white figure pulled her down onto his knee.
“Your carriage has arrived Master Hervey.”
“Thank you Beecher. Are you ready for a magical evening Mrs de Vere?”
“Yes.”
“Then we shall embark after I get my bride gift. You were exceedingly generous to my brothers. Avery will love you forever, but I’m afraid they’ll now think you the Goddess of good fortune and expect monetary gifts for birthdays and Christmas.”
“Do you think me the Goddess of good fortune?”
“No, I think you a different kind of Goddess.”
“What kind of Goddess?”
“What kind do you think?”
She growled in irritation and grabbed his cravat. “Why can’t you give me a straight answer?”
“For the same reason I need to kiss you.”
“I hate riddles. You make no sense Hervey creature.”
“I’ll give you a clue. What was in my brown ledger?”
“It’s a stupid diary of how often you saw me...it makes you look obsessive.”
“And?”
“I didn’t read the whole thing.”
“For pity sake, kiss me...before my heart wilts in despair.”
“Why would your heart...no don’t ask me what I think.”
“I won’t...” Warm breath enveloped her senses as her lips were taken captive. “Sweetheart...” The word was whispered against her lips. “...I hope tonight you’ll say it like you mean it. The last four hours have been eternal...”
She silenced him with a wordless agreement until the door opened and an orange head leaned into the room. “Hervey...ooh sorry...” Juliana scowled in irritation as her lips were momentarily abandoned. Embarrassed, she pressed her face into her husband’s shoulder and breathed in his pleasant scent. “...can you drop us off at Sedgwick’s?”
“No, I’m taking Juliana on a mystery amusement.”
“So drop us off first.”
“I want Juliana to remember this evening as romantic, not a mad crush.”
“Your leg isn’t broken; she can sit on your knee. We’ll squish in.”
“I won’t be able to kiss her with my carriage filled with orange-heads.”
“We won’t see anything unless we pass a gas light.”
“No, I want this to be a special evening.”
“David’s wagered me a pound that you won’t drop us off.”
“I’m leaving as soon as I put on my hat and coat. If you’re not in the carriage you’ll be walking.” The head disappeared whooping his success to the waiting crowd behind him as he shut the door. Juliana could hear them thundering down the stairs shouting and laughing. “Do you mind sitting on my knee in the carriage?”
“No.”
“The Goddess with magic lips has spoken...” She smiled as he kissed her cheek. “We’d better go before they steal my carriage and we’re stuck here all night in this creepy house.”
The carriage and its occupants swayed together as the road curved towards London, the carriage clock chiming a quarter past ten. Hervey glanced at the shadowy head resting against his shoulder and smiled. The musky scent of wild mallow was wafting into his heart bringing to mind happy summer days picking mallow flowers with his mother. Sighing he expelled his sadness for lost happiness and refocused on the present. His mystery evening had been a resounding success. The empty house he’d borrowed from the Duke of Lyndhurst had been the perfect setting. He’d never forget the look on Juliana’s face after showing her into the bare reception room. He’d clapped his hands three times and music had floated out of the darkness in the next room. He wiggled his sore toes in ecstasy as his tired body hummed with pleasure. Having his feet stepped on had been well worth the hour spent guiding his beloved through all nine steps of the waltz. Feeling her finally relax into his touch had been exquisite. He breathed in a lung full of mallow as he kissed the top of her head. It was too dark to see if she was sleeping, but if she looked half as beautiful as she did during their candle lit supper...he swallowed a groan as her hands on his arm clasped him tighter. His heart throbbed in delight as she repositioned her head and snuggled closer. He was starting to question his own sanity. His wife, the woman he adored, had begged him to come home and sleep in her bed and he hadn’t yet given her a definite answer either way. He was mentally entwining his limbs with his bride when a shot rang out in the darkness. The frightened horses were quickly reined in as the coachman felt a bullet wiz past his ear.
All pleasant thoughts disappeared like frightened rabbits as Hervey fingered the travelling pistol in his coat pocket. He could hear three or more men on horseback surround his carriage. He always travelled with a specific purse for any inconsiderate Highwaymen, but he hadn’t calculated the debilitating terror caused by Juliana’s presence. What if he was unable to defend his beautiful wife from unscrupulous villains? She sat up still clutching his arm and looked around her in disbelief. “Where are we?”
“Outside London, we’ve been stopped by...” A lantern appeared in the window lighting up a leering face on the other side of the glass. The woman sitting beside him paused as if uncertain and then scrambled onto his knee and wrapped her arms around his neck, nearly choking him.
Holding her close didn’t ease the fear as the door opened and the man swinging the lantern sneered at someone on horseback, “It’s a Mr and Mrs Red.” His unseen companions all laughed in amusement. Hervey abandoned his hidden pistol to put both arms around Juliana as she lifted her head to glare at the footpad until the man pointed his large pistol in her general direction. Hervey sighed in relief when she returned her frightened tears to shoulder. The last thing he wanted was for her to be shot for upbraiding a heartless footpad. His own terror increased as the Highwayman cocked his trigger before waving his pistol in glee. “I’m going to assume you have some sort of firearm about your person, if only to protect the lovely young lady from scoundrels like me.” His companions laughed adding several rude comments that turned Hervey’s stomach as he flushed with fear. “Hand over a weapon or I’ll shoot you. Blood soaked leather is difficult to clean and this is such a comfortable looking equipage. We wouldn’t want your widow to have to buy a new carriage. I’m not waiting till sunrise; hand me a weapon or I shoot you. I don’t mind either way, but you will.” Cursing under his breath, Hervey reached into his pocket. “Don’t be stupid...you wouldn’t want me to accidentally put a bullet in the pretty lady.” Hervey handed over his travelling pistol, the emptiness of his pocket making him feel naked. The Highwayman put the small pistol in his pocket and rocked the carriage as he climbed inside and sat down with his back to the horses. “I knew the devil liked his comforts, but this is devilish luxurious.” He set the lantern beside him and closed the door and sat back. “She’s a sweet looking armful; I don’t suppose you’d care to share her charms?” The man laughed as the carriage lurched into motion causing Hervey’s heart to compress with terror. Why was the man in the carriage? Why hadn’t he asked for money? Hervey clutched his sobbing wife and tried to soothe his own fear by whispering words of comfort into her ear. Every time he glanced up he found the same leer cast in shadow; the lantern perched on one knee, the pistol resting against the other.
“Where are you taking us?”
“To the devil.” The man laughed as if he’d made a witty remark.
The leer caused Hervey’s imagination to run into the darkness of human depravity. “Do anything to me, but please let my wife go home. I’ll pay you...”
The leer stretched into a tight smile showing several black gaps. “What would the devil want with you?”
“Hervey creature...where are they taking us?”
“I don’t know Sweetheart.” His bit his lower lip to keep it from trembling as London landmarks told him they were heading into an old part of the city. He could hear the ruffian outriders cantering in time with the carriage. The blood gushing through his aching heart ran cold as the odd gas light revealed familiar streets. Only one devil lived down the ancient narrow back street hidden behind newer houses. The carriage lamps cut sordid shapes out of the medieval wooden house that had survived the Great Fire, as if hell’s gate could withstand any earthly fire. Hervey clutched his wife tighter as his mind filled with horror. His sweetheart was going to be ravished and it was his fault for associating with the Duke of Lyndhurst. Hervey knew the man’s reputation as a devil was well deserved, but he’d never conceived the man would sink so low.
Juliana raised her head and looked around, “Where are we?”
The leering man smiled again, “Hell. He’s expecting you.”
“Who’s expecting me?”
“The Devil...now get out.”
“Hervey creature...where are we?”
“The Duke of Lyndhurst’s...”
“He lives in a hovel? I thought you said he was rich.”
“The Devil doesn’t like waiting for his pleasures. Get out or I’ll shoot your husband.”
“Hervey?”
Hervey’s heart nearly burst at the fear in her voice. “Sweetheart; His Grace is a dangerous man. Don’t say anything you wouldn’t want someone to say to you. If he tries to touch you tell him I’ll kill him.”
“Enough chin-wagging. Out!”
“Why does he want to see me?”
“I’m not paid to play Twenty-questions lady; I’m just delivering the goods.”
Hervey’s arms clamped around her middle as she sat up sniffing back her tears. “You’re not going to hurt my Hervey creature are you?”
“Maybe...maybe not.” The leer stretched once more into an ugly smile.
“Oh Hervey creature...” Hervey’s heart ached with a strange pleasure as she burst into tears at the thought of his demise. “...I don’t want you to die; I’d have to marry one of your brothers.”
“That would be illegal...unless you moved to France.” Hervey’s awful thoughts were dispersed as warm hungry lips silenced him with a kiss.
“Oh Hervey creature...” He accepted another kiss as his heart threatened to burst from his chest.
“If you’re not knocking on that door in one minute I’ll shoot him.”
“Don’t hurt my Hervey creature.”
Hervey was enveloped in numbness as he watched her climb out of the carriage and knock on the door. What if he didn’t have another chance? “Sweetheart!” She looked over her shoulder. “Why do you think I married you?”
She shook her head, “I don’t know.”
“Because I love you...”
She looked stunned. “You love me?”
The door was opened by a little old man, “If you’ll come this way Mrs de Vere.”
She looked back towards the carriage. “My husband...”
“His Grace is waiting.”
“Curse His Grace! Oh Hervey creature...” Hervey blinked back tears of rage as the door closed with an ominous click as the man sitting opposite guffawed with amusement.
As the door closed behind her, Juliana could only see Hervey’s heartbroken expression. “If you’ll follow me Madam...”
“What?”
“If you’ll follow me His Grace is waiting for you.” Juliana felt light headed and disoriented. At last the Hervey creature’s stupid questions finally made sense. He loved her. If his love didn’t mean anything to her, then the revelation would be meaningless. It was so obvious. She stopped following the old servant and took her husband’s gift out of her reticule. She grasped the ivory guards and opened the fan. Cupid, holding a gold arrow, was about to pierce the breast of a red haired Psyche. He’d given it to her after supper and asked her if she understood the meaning. She hadn’t. She’d assumed he’d tried to spell out some hidden message in the flowers in Psyche’s arms. He must think her the dimmest woman ever born. “Madam?” She carefully folded her fan into its box and shoved it into her reticule with a shaking hand as her fury grew.