Sebastian stared at her. “You know?”
“I know nothing, but I suspect that something is afoot. To me, your brother’s face is like an open book. Dissimulation was never a strong point with Perry, as you well know.”
Sebastian smiled as he was forced to acknowledge the truth of this pithy statement.
“As for Elizabeth…she, too, has looked preoccupied. My dear boy, what is wrong? Is it Prudence? Are you keeping something from us?”
“Prudence is well, ma’am, though she has been trying to do too much. At present she must rest, but the doctor is satisfied with her progress.”
“A sensible fellow! I’m glad you took my advice when you engaged him. At least he doesn’t believe in this fashionable notion of starving pregnant women and robbing them of their strength.” She was about to assure him that her protegée also washed his hands before examining a patient, and engaged also in the eccentric habit of boiling his instruments before use, but she thought better of it. This was no time to remind Sebastian of those hideous implements.
“Yes, ma’am. I believe him to be the best in London, and I thank you for bringing him to our attention.” Sebastian began to chuckle. “What does he say to your plan to travel to Turkey?”
“He don’t know of it,” Miss Grantham replied in triumph. “I ain’t consulted a member of the medical profession in years, and I don’t plan to do so now.”
Sebastian shook his head in mock reproof. Then he began to laugh. “In spite of what you told my boys, I believe you are an immortal.”
“Don’t change the subject, sir. You haven’t answered my question.”
“There is something…” he admitted. “Both Prudence and Elizabeth are worried about Judith.”
“The girl is to wed quite soon, I’m told, to some fashionable preacher?”
“Yes, ma’am.” Sebastian was reluctant to go further.
“Well, marriage ain’t a hanging matter, though some would disagree with me. I shouldn’t choose a preacher for myself, of course. They are a sanctimonious lot, always happy to get their feet beneath someone else’s table…Is that the trouble? Don’t they like the fellow? I ain’t seen him myself, or heard his rantings.”
Sebastian hid a smile. Miss Grantham’s humanist views were well known to him. It was highly unlikely that she would ever listen to a preacher, however fashionable.
“Something like that,” he agreed.
The old eyes rested on his face. “You ain’t the man to be swayed by female fancies. There’s more to this than you will tell.”
“Yes, ma’am. I wish I could be more open with you, but it would not be wise. I have so little information…”
“Is there anything I can do?”
Sebastian shook his head. “All we can do is to wait.”
“I don’t like it,” she said decisively. “But I shall not trouble you further by poking my nose into matters which you prefer to keep to yourself.”
He looked up then and saw the anxiety in her face. On an impulse he took her hands in his.
“Don’t worry!” he said gently. “All will be well. You need have no fears about Elizabeth, or any of us.”
He could see that her lips were trembling. Then she straightened her back.
“I should hope not!” she announced with some asperity. “Now, sir, I must go. Perry and Elizabeth brought me to you, and now they shall take me home. You will give my love to Prudence?”
“Won’t you go up to her?” he suggested. “She is so fond of you, and will be sorry not to see you.”
“Flatterer!” Miss Grantham hesitated. “It will not tire her if I stay for just a moment?”
“Of course not!” He led her through the hall and up the staircase, a hand outstretched to help her if she found the climb too much.
She had no need of it. Miss Grantham ate sparingly and was a firm believer in the value of walking as an exercise. There was surprising strength in the thin, wiry figure and she marched along beside him without a pause to catch her breath.
She was greeted by a cry of pleasure from Prudence, and was persuaded to sit down for a brief five minutes.
Then Miss Grantham reappeared and joined Sebastian in the hall.
“Nothing to worry about there!” she said with satisfaction. “Only your precious mystery need concern you now.” She began to draw on her gloves. “Sebastian, you will take care?”
“Certainly, ma’am.”
“And you might look to Dan. He’s changed in these past years.”
Sebastian could only marvel at her shrewdness. Dan had been in her company for so short a time, and they had barely exchanged a word.
“You ain’t thinking of playing Cupid, are you?”
Sebastian laughed. “I’m not the build to be a cherub, ma’am. Look about you! Do you see a bow and arrow?” He bent and kissed the withered cheek.
She pushed him away, but he could see that she was pleased. Then Perry and Elizabeth came towards them.
“There you are, my dears! Come, we must make haste! I have still to pack my books and papers…”
Perry began to tease her. “And don’t forget a sharp knife, Aunt. In a month or two you will be dining on camel and yaks’ tails.”
“Yaks? In Turkey? Bless me, the man is totally uneducated. Yaks, my dear Perry, are found only in Tibet.” With this quelling statement Miss Grantham allowed herself to be led away.
Sebastian returned upstairs to find his wife convulsed with laughter.
“Oh, my dear!” she gasped. “I have been missing all the fun. Judith tells me that Amelia was well and truly routed.”
“Wicked creature!” he said fondly. “Where is your spirit of Christian charity?”
“I haven’t one where Amelia is concerned. Dear Miss Grantham! Is she not a treasure?”
“She is a wise old woman. What’s more, my love, she found you looking well. You must not spoil it. Will you dine up here this evening?”
“Only if you will join me.” Prudence looked up at him, her eyes aglow with love.
“Would you have me ignore my duties as a host?”
“Judith will not mind. She and Dan have always so much to say to one another. They are fast friends, just as we are ourselves.”
Sebastian dropped a kiss upon her hair. Then he looked at Judith. “Shall you mind, my dear?”
“Not at all!” It wasn’t strictly true. Judith had sensed a growing estrangement between herself and Dan. Was it her imagination, or did he seem to be growing ever more distant? She racked her mind to find an answer.
Their outing with the boys had been enjoyable. She could think of nothing that she might have done or said which might account for his strange reserve.
It didn’t matter now, she thought sadly. The Countess would lose no time in carrying her tale to Mrs Aveton, and then she would be summoned home.
Whilst she dressed for dinner, she tried to fight off a growing feeling of depression.
In an effort to raise her spirits Bessie had laid out a gown in the softest shade of rose-pink muslin, with appliqué at the hem.
“Bessie, I am not attending a ball,” she protested.
“I should think not, miss. Otherwise, you might have worn the yellow brocade.”
“Great heavens, you did not pack that too?”
“No, I didn’t!” her maid said firmly. “I packed only those which were suitable for wear at home. Now, miss, do give over with your arguments, or you’ll be late for dinner.”
Judith submitted to the ministrations of her maid without further protest, though she refused the offer of an attempt to train her fine soft hair into a high knot, with ringlets arranged to frame her face.
“Bessie, you know it is a waste of time,” she laughed. “My hair will be down about my ears before I reach the dining-room.”
“Very well, miss. At least the bandeau matches your gown, and you do look a picture, if I do say so myself.”
“You’ll turn my head with your nonsense,” Judith predicted darkly. “I shan’t be late abed tonight, but you need not wait up for me.”
“As if I wouldn’t, Miss Judith.” Bessie hid a secret smile. Nothing would have persuaded her to retire before her young mistress. Besides, she had great hopes of the coming dinner à deux. A look at Judith’s face would tell her how it had gone.
Judith found Dan waiting for her in the salon. The door was slightly ajar, and her ribbon-tied silk sandals made no sound upon the carpet.
“Dan?”
He turned, caught off guard, and his eyes glowed as he looked at her. That look was quickly banished, but it was enough to make her heart beat faster. Had she imagined it?
He gave her a smile which held no more than a friendly welcome.
“Judith, you are in famous looks tonight. I had thought that our outing might have tired you.”
“No, no!” she protested. “It was the greatest fun. How much the boys enjoyed it!”
“Perhaps we should do it again. Have you any ideas? There are military reviews in the Park, balloon ascents, firework displays and Astley’s Royal Amphitheatre, all guaranteed to delight the heart of any boy…”
“And mine, too, I make no doubt.”
“I was sure of it,” he grinned. “At Astley’s you may see a spectacular piece called The Flight of the Saracens, unless you prefer Make Way for Liberty. Confess it, they sound irresistible…”
Judith returned his smile. “The boys are keen to go there. I have had a full description of the sawdust ring in which John Astley and his wife show off their equestrian skills.”
“It could be a mistake,” he teased. “I foresee broken bones when Thomas and Henry return to Cheshire. Thank heavens they have no ponies here, or we should be treated to similar attempts at acrobatics.”
At the sound of the gong he took her arm and led her into the dining-room. Two of the leaves had been removed from the table to provide a more intimate setting, and the light from a single candelabra shone softly upon fine silver and antique glass.
Judith gave a sigh of pleasure as she looked about her. Tonight this lovely room, with its panelled walls, seemed like a haven of peace. Just for once she would be self-indulgent, revelling in the prospect of a precious evening alone with the man she loved.
Sebastian’s chef was a master of his craft, but Judith was in a dreamlike state, unaware of what she was eating. She nibbled at a tiny lobster vol-au-vent and allowed herself to be helped to a serving of broiled fowl, but she waved aside the preserved goose, the dish of ham in maderia sauce, a fine serpent of mutton, and the chef’s speciality, neats’ tongues dressed to a jealously guarded recipe.
“My dear Judith, you will cause the wizard in the kitchen to pack his bags if you spurn his efforts,” Dan protested. “You haven’t eaten enough to keep a bird alive.”
“I’m sorry, I wasn’t thinking.” Judith collected her wandering thoughts. “The syllabub looks delicious, and so do the fruit jellies.” She took a little of both dishes, hoping to restore herself to favour with the god below stairs.
Dan signalled to the butler to replenish her glass.
“No, thank you!” She laid her hand across the rim.
“Nonsense, it will do you good! Red wine, you know, is said to be the answer to all ills.” He removed her hand, and watched as the ruby liquid flowed.
Judith laughed. “Not if it results in a dreadful headache,” she protested.
“Two glasses cannot hurt you.”
“But, Dan, I shall be chattering like a monkey.”
“It will be a change. You have been quiet tonight.”
“Have I? I beg your pardon. I didn’t mean to be a dull companion.”
“You are never that, my best of friends, but you have not spoken for the past ten minutes.”
“Forgive me! It is just that…well…I was enjoying the peace in this lovely restful room.”
“Is peace so rare with you, my dear?”
“It has been,” she admitted. “Life at home is not always pleasant.”
He sat back then, his eyes intent upon her face.
“I would describe that as the understatement of the year, Judith. I can’t think how you have survived your life with Mrs Aveton. I had thought you must have married long ago. Were you never tempted?”
“No!” she said briefly. “You will wish to enjoy your port and a cigar. I told Bessie that I should not be late tonight. Will you excuse me if I leave you now?”
“No, I will not! Must you run away? I don’t want port and I don’t want a cigar. What I do want is to talk to you. Shall we go into the salon?”
Judith glanced at the butler, and at the impassive faces of the footmen. To refuse might lead to an undignified argument before the servants. In silence she preceded him from the room.
“Cross with me?” he asked lightly.
“Of course not!” Judith felt uneasy. She had been foolish to bring up the subject of Mrs Aveton. Her face clouded. By tomorrow that lady would be in full possession of the news that Judith had accompanied Dan to Madame Tussaud’s with no other members of the family present except for Sebastian’s boys.
Then, unwittingly, Dan added to her worries.
“I’m still waiting for your decision,” he said.
“About what?”
“About your next expedition. Is it to be to Astley’s, to the fireworks, or to the balloon ascent?”
A lump came to Judith’s throat. “I doubt if I shall be here,” she whispered in choked tones.
“Why ever not? I thought that the dragon had given you permission to stay for several days.”
“That was before she knew that you were likely to return. Oh, Dan, don’t you see? The Countess will tell her. Then I shall be summoned home.”
“I think you haven’t reckoned with Sebastian.”
“It won’t make any difference. If she insists he can do nothing. Besides, I feel so guilty as it is…” A slow tear trickled down her cheek.
“Ah, don’t!”
Neither of them seemed to move, but suddenly she was in his arms, her cheek pressed to his coat. Through the fine fabric she could feel the pounding of his heart, and it seemed as if, at last, her dearest wish was to be granted. Now he would tell her that his affections were unchanged, and he still loved her.
She lifted her face to his, longing for the kiss that would wipe away all memory of those years of loss and desolation. Her heart was in her eyes as she looked at him, but he made no move to seek her mouth.
Gently he placed his hands upon her shoulders, and held her away.
“I can’t bear to see you so distressed,” he murmured. “Trust Sebastian, Judith! He won’t allow you to be taken away so soon.”
She couldn’t have been more stunned if he had struck her. She’d have preferred it. A blow would have sent her spinning into oblivion, unaware of the agony of mind which now possessed her.
She had thrown herself at him and been rejected. Her passionate embrace had been so warm that he must have known that she was offering her heart. He had refused it. Judith felt that she wanted to die. She grew so pale that he helped her to a chair. She did not notice that he too was trembling.
His anguish matched her own. Nothing in his previous life had caused him so much pain as that bleak refusal to tell her of his love, but he dared not. Her safety must be his sole concern.
In silence he poured out a glass of brandy. “You are upset!” he murmured. “You had best drink this.”
She waved it away and stumbled to her feet. Dan reached out a hand to steady her, but she drew back sharply.
“Please…don’t touch me!” The despairing cry cut him to the heart, but Judith fled before he could reply.
She wanted to run and to hide herself away, but her limbs were leaden. To climb the staircase felt like wading through a morass which tugged her back with every step, but she reached her room at last.
As the door opened, Bessie sprang to her feet expectantly. Then she saw Judith’s face.
“Why, miss, whatever is it? Here, you had best sit down. You look as if you’ve seen a ghost.”
Judith did not speak. She had seen a ghost, but it was a ghost of the past which had vanished, never to return. She sat on the edge of her bed, staring into space. Now she could no longer hope, and only the black void of her future lay before her.
It was all too much for Bessie. She gathered her mistress in her arms, rocking back and forth, and crooning gently to Judith as if she’d been a child.
“There, don’t take on!” she murmured. “Things always look bad at night. You’ll feel better in the morning.”
The love and sympathy in her voice was Judith’s undoing. The tears came then, and she wept as if her heart would break.
“I can’t bear it!” she cried in anguish. “Oh, Bessie, if you only knew…”
Wisely, Bessie did not question her. There was no need. Something had gone wrong between her young mistress and the man she loved, but there was nothing she could do to put matters right. All she could offer now was comfort.
“Let’s get you into bed,” she murmured. “Then you shall have a drink of milk and honey to send you off to sleep.” She drew Judith to her feet, and began to undress her. Then she settled the unresisting figure into a chair, and began to brush her hair.
The long, slow strokes were soothing, and Judith closed her eyes. Then Bessie laid aside the brush and placed a hand on either side of Judith’s temples, moving her fingers in circles at each end of her brow. It was Bessie’s favourite remedy for a pounding headache.
“Better?” she asked.
Judith nodded.
“Well, then, drink your hot milk, and don’t you dare get up for breakfast in the morning. You are living on your nerves, Miss Judith, and it won’t do. Next thing we’ll have you falling sick, and where will you be then?”
“In bed, I expect.” Judith managed a feeble smile.
“It’s no joke!” Bessie insisted. “You won’t wish to worry Lady Wentworth. I thought you’d come to cheer her up. You won’t do that if you go about like that there Sarah Siddons…!”
Judith caught her hand and looked at her with fond affection.
“Don’t scold!” she begged. “I won’t behave like a tragedy queen.”
Bessie’s expression softened. “I know that, miss. You keep up a brave front. It’s only me as knows…well, I won’t say more.” She blew out the candles, and crept softly from the room, leaving her mistress to stare into the dark until nature won the day and emotional exhaustion sent her off to sleep.
Below, in the salon, Dan was sitting by the dying embers of the fire. He’d refused the footman’s offer to build it up, or to replace the candles which were now guttering in their sockets.
The shadows matched his mood. Judith’s unhappiness had shaken him to the very core of his being, and his endurance had reached its limit. Nothing in the world was worth this misery. Beside it, his own stiff-necked pride was meaningless. He cursed himself for a selfish prig. Judith did not care about her fortune, and he knew now that she loved him. Was it right to allow his own principles to stand in the way of their happiness? Suddenly it seemed like nothing more than vanity.
He reached a decision at last. Tomorrow he would ask Sebastian to release him from his promise. If he and Judith were to marry quickly, she would no longer be in danger.
He stubbed out the butt of his cigar. He’d picked up the habit of smoking the rolled tobacco leaves whilst in the West Indies, and he preferred it to the more fashionable custom of taking snuff.
Suddenly, his feelings of depression vanished. He’d been a fool not to think of the obvious solution before. With Judith’s fortune out of reach, the avaricious parson would be forced to look elsewhere.
As for himself? Let the world accuse him of marrying for money. It wouldn’t even be a nine-day wonder. The ton would see him as no better or no worse than any other bachelor on the look-out for a rich wife. Was not matchmaking the main objective during the coming Season?
It was his own pride which had caused him to reject the notion. Now it was high time that he considered Judith rather than himself. Neither of them cared for the opinion of Polite Society, and in time his own talent would be recognised.
Lost in thought, he strolled across the hall. Tomorrow he would ask Sebastian how to procure a special licence. There was still a little worm of doubt in his mind. Could he persuade Judith to accept him? And even if she did, would she agree to this hasty marriage? She might reject all notion of such a hole-and-corner affair, but he dared not wait. Sebastian had warned him what might happen if Judith tried to break off her engagement to Charles Truscott.
Then he noticed a streak of light beneath the library door. Sebastian must be reading late. He tapped a brief tattoo and entered the room.
Then he paused. Sebastian wasn’t alone. Seated opposite him was the brawny figure of the Bow Street Runner.
The man gave Dan a brief nod of recognition and then fell silent.
“It’s all right, Babb! You may continue to speak freely. I have no secrets from my adopted son.” Sebastian signalled to Dan to take a seat.
“Well, my lord, as I was saying…our quarry is on the move again. Today he went back to the rookery in St Giles, and spent the afternoon drinking with Margrave in a gin shop.”
“So they are friends?” Sebastian frowned.
“It would appear so. I didn’t see the other three today.”
“Were you able to get close to him…to hear?”
“No, my lord. Margrave knows me, and he’s as wary as a cat. I thought you wouldn’t wish him to suspect that there was anything in the wind, so I kept out of sight.”
“But you must have got some impression? Were they quarrelling?”
“Thick as thieves, they were! Laughing and joking for three hours…Then Truscott left. I followed him to Seven Dials. He’s there for the night, as usual, I believe, so I came to you.”
“Quite right! You must follow him again tomorrow. Do you need more men?”
“Not for the moment, sir. I’ll let you know. Now I’ll be off, if I’m to make an early start tomorrow.”
Dan waited until the door had closed behind him.
“What’s happening, Sebastian?”
“I don’t know, but I don’t like it…”
“Nor do I. We are getting nowhere. It’s all much too slow. Judith will wed that creature before we know it.”
“My dear boy, I did counsel patience. Let us wait for another day or two…”
“I can’t!” Dan told him flatly. “I’ve made up my mind. I wonder that I didn’t think of it before. If I wed Judith now…tomorrow…she will be safe.”
Sebastian shook his head. “It isn’t the answer, Dan. I warned you of the danger. Suppose that something should go wrong?”
“How could it? We could leave this house in secret, and be wed within the hour. How can I get a special licence?”
“That may prove to be the least of your problems,” Sebastian said deliberately. “Have you spoken to Judith of this plan?”
Dan coloured. “No, I haven’t, but, well, I don’t think she’s indifferent to me. I thought so at first, especially as she had agreed to marry Truscott, but now I am certain that her affections have not changed.”
“You may be right, but how will you explain to her the need for this sudden haste?”
“I’ll tell her the truth about Truscott.”
“And will she believe you? You have no proof of your suspicions.”
“Does it matter?” Dan cried impatiently. “If she loves me she’ll agree to wed me, whenever and however.”
“I wish you’d reconsider.” Sebastian rose from his chair and began to pace the room. “Are you quite sure that this is what you want? There is still the matter of Judith’s fortune…”
Dan coloured. “You guessed that it was the stumbling block? We haven’t discussed it, you and I.”
“There was no need. I know you well, my boy. Can you stomach the notion of being dependent on your wife?” His words were cruel, but Sebastian was desperate to prevent what he considered to be an act of folly.
Dan’s colour deepened. “That’s hitting below the belt,” he said with dignity. “If you must know, I’m ashamed of my own pride. I’ve let it stand in the way for much too long. Now Judith’s safety must come first.”
“This is not the way to ensure it. Truscott must be taken beforehand.”
“I’ve almost given up hope of that. Sebastian, I hate to go against your wishes, but I’ve quite made up my mind.”
“Very well. Bishop Henderson will provide you with a special licence. I’ll give you his address.” He scribbled a few lines on a card. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must go up to Prudence.”
“You’ll say nothing to her?” Dan’s face was anxious.
“Certainly not, and nor will you! The only advice I’ll give you now is to keep this plan to yourself.” Sebastian looked grave as he walked away.