~ Three ~

 

 

THAMESON OPENED THE FRONT DOOR of the viscount’s townhouse early the next morning and encountered Sir Charles looking brisk and purposeful, with a heavy-eyed, but nevertheless quite fashionable, William Fitzcox beside him.

“I regret, gentlemen, that his lordship is not yet astir,” the butler apologized.

They simply handed him their greatcoats, which he, in turn, gave over to the young lackey at his elbow, laid their gloves and canes upon the center table, and rewarded him with a quick smile.

“Quite all right, ole boy, we know the way,” Charles said brightly, making for the stairs and pulling Fitz by his arm, as Fitz was carrying a rather large package tucked in at his side.

A moment later, they flung open the door of the viscount’s boudoir as Charles unceremoniously strode across the room, pulled the drapes apart, and called out, “Good Lord, Bel, do get up, man. We have things to do!”

The viscount sat up in bed with a start, his gold lit tresses falling about his face, and spat, “What the devil!” He spied his friends and fell back against his pillows and advised them, “If I weren’t so damn fond of you two, I think I would wring your necks.”

“Do you know, Charles,” Fitz said, “I don’t think I shall ever get used to seeing his head of hair at this hour of the morning. All gold and hanging about. It is no wonder the women chase him!”

Sir Charles laughed, which caused Fitz to adjust his hand from his heart to his head and object, “No noise…please no noise.”

The viscount grinned and asked, “How did you manage to get ole Fitz up so early?”

“Needed him,” Charles explained.

The viscount peered at his cousin. “I can’t imagine why, but that still doesn’t explain how you did it.”

“Tomato juice, hock, and soda water,” Charles explained. “Best thing in the world after a night of indulgence.”

“Hmmm, must give it a try. What is in that package?” Belfort said.

“Clothes for Letty,” Fitz said as he gave himself a look in the long glass and tweaked his fair hair.

“What kind of clothes?” Bel asked suspiciously. “She wore clothes here, didn’t she?”

“Can’t call what Letty was wearing last night clothing. Really, Bel,” Fitz said, grimacing.

“Indeed,” Charles said. “I agree, and who better to pick out what Letty will need as a page, but Fitz. He is one of Brummell’s close friends and knows fashion.”

“Brought these velvets…suitable for a page, but I had to guess at the size she would need. Brought her a greatcoat, which she will also need, both against the cold and to better hide her person. And a fine curly-brimmed beaver top hat…also, some small clothes.”

“Good man, Fitz,” Bel said. “Only you could have gotten the shopkeeper to open at such an hour!” He got up, slipped into his dark brocade dressing gown, and moved to his dresser, where his valet had laid out a bowl of fresh hot water.

He was drying his face and hands with his friends looking on when a small knock sounded and a piquant face showed itself at the door. Smiling uncertainly at the gentlemen assembled there, Letty offered, “Good morning. May I come in please?”

“Of course, child,” Belfort said warmly.

“Do be seated, Letty,” Charles added as he waved her inside the room.

“It is a good thing I have a dressing gown on Letty, since Charles seems to think it is appropriate to invite you into my bedchamber.”

“You invited her in, Bel…I merely offered her a chair,” Charles countered testily.

“Oh, never mind,” Bel answered, then suggested, “I think we should send the coach ahead with most of our luggage, and since Fitz won’t go without his valet, we’ll pop ole Heckson in the coach. We can all follow on horseback to Dover. I left orders yesterday afternoon for one of my men to ride out to the coast and have my yacht made ready for Friday.”

“Brilliant,” Charles said. “Seems you have things in hand.”

Thameson appeared with a tray of coffee and biscuits and said, “Since you are all gathered here, my lord…I thought you might…”

“Coffee! Good man!” Belfort exclaimed.

Thameson allowed himself a soft smile and placed the tray down before he left them. Coffee was passed around and enjoyed in silence for a few moments before Letty ventured to comment.

“Bel, you won’t make me ride with Heckson…he will note immediately who I am, for we have met at Belfort Grange, you know.”

“She is right,” Fitz agreed. “She’ll have to take to horse with us.”

“Bound to be cold,” Bel said with some concern.

“That won’t matter, Bel. The cold never bothers me,” Letty said staunchly.

Belfort ran his hand through his hair. “All right then. We shall have to secure a horse for you. I will handle that today.”

“Oh, thank you, Bel. I shall repay you as soon as I secure my inheritance,” Letty said.

“Nonsense, stop worrying over trifles. I can think of nothing more enjoyable than purchasing a prime blood for you,” Bel said with feeling.

Fitz then moved to place the package in her hands. “This is for you, my dear.”

“Oh, Fitz, a birthday present?” she cried out joyfully.

“No, no…I don’t consider it a birthday present. This is just to get you by until we reach Lady Marling’s, and then…then, we all shall get you presents and celebrate your birthday.” He turned to his friends. “Isn’t that so?”

They all agreed, but Letty was scarcely listening as she tore open the package and dove at the pile of garments, ecstatically saying, “Oh…how fine…velvet. How grand…oh, I have never worn anything so lovely, even if these are for a boy.”

Belfort smiled. “Little one, these are only to help us get to Paris without remark. But,” he frowned as he paused. “We shall have to do something about your hair.”

“Heckson will know what to do,” Fitz suggested. “Might as well trust him. I always do.”

“No,” Bel snapped. “As Letty has said, he might recognize her. We’ll just have to manage with the hair.” He turned to Letty. “Do you think, little one, you should give it another go, now that you are not in a rush?”

“Oh yes, I am sure I can work with it. I’ll just give it a wash and manage a style that will hide my forehead and ears with some curls…yes…”

He chuckled. “Then go on. Change your clothes and work with your hair, for we must get ready to depart.”

 

* * * * *

 

Letty felt her heart surge with happiness. Being with her favorite people in all the world had totally lifted her spirits. She prepared a bowl, pouring some hot water from a tin near the fireplace, and stuck her tawny head into it. Once wet, she used a bit of the manly fragrant soap that had been left for her, then dried it all with a linen.

She had gone exploring early that morning and found a pair of scissors and used them to trim some locks, which she then twisted into curls around her head. “There…that is better already. As you grow, I will do a bit more,” she told her reflection in the mirror, and moved over to the window to draw the drape when her heart stopped beating.

She turned and ran back to the viscount’s room, bursting in and taking a firm grip of Belfort’s dressing gown’s sleeve. “Bel…oh, Bel, what shall I do? He is here…Bel!”

“Take hold, girl,” Bel said softly. “Calm down and tell me who is here?”

“My cousin, Thomas. I saw him from the window, and he will be at your door any moment!” Letty wailed. How could she bear it if he found her and dragged her back?

Fitz put a hand to his heart and exclaimed, “Under the bed, Letty…at once…get under the bed!”

“Don’t be a dunce. He won’t be brought to my private chamber,” Bel snapped.

“Good Lord, the nerve of the man!” Charles exclaimed. “How are we to handle him?”

Letty had already moved towards the bed, and as Bel could see, she had every intention of complying with Fitz’s idea. He put out a hand and restrained her. “Go back to your room, little one. You have nothing to fear. Finish with your toiletries and change into one of your page outfits.”

Letty eyed him with abject admiration. He was ever so handsome and bold. He had taken command, and she trusted him. “Yes, so I shall, but what will you do?”

“Never mind. No one will know you are here, and, therefore, no one will take you from my protection.”

“Yes, Bel,” she said, fully trusting him.

“Tell me, however, did you leave any traces of your hair when you chopped it off at Rochdale?”

“No, Bel…I was very careful, I gathered it all up and buried it in the garden bed, and the clothes were from the attic, some of Thomas’ clothes when he was a boy. They would never think to look there, and I brought my old day gown with me rolled up in my little traveling bag that I have from early days…so they will think that was what I left their house wearing.”

“All right then, do as I ask, little one. Go to your room and let me handle the entire thing.”

Letty nodded and hurried off. Fitz and Charles asked in one voice, “What are you going to do?”

“Dispatch the blackguard as quickly as I may,” Belfort answered.

 

* * * * *

 

The viscount washed and dressed, taking great care with his appearance before he led the way to his study, where Thameson had taken Rochdale to await him.

He opened wide the study doors and managed a very admirable display of mild surprise as he entered.

Thomas Rochdale, a man of some twenty-four years with little to recommend him, stepped towards the viscount, apparently suffering a great deal of agitation.

The viscount ran a practiced eye over his guest, and his lips formed a slight sneer, but he remained silent and allowed Rochdale to speak first.

“Good morning, my lord,” Rochdale said, his globular eyes betraying his suppressed emotion. He then turned his gaze upon the viscount’s companions standing alongside him.

Belfort didn’t have to look at his friends to know they were surveying Rochdale with distaste. He controlled the smile that crept to his lips and inclined his head. “Good morning.”

“My lord…I would be private with you,” Rochdale said.

“Would you?” Belfort answered.

Fitz put up his quizzing glass, which he had been polishing with intent. He used this now to reduce Rochdale to a quaking mass of nerves. Belfort could not help but tighten his lips to keep a laugh from escaping.

Mr. Rochdale put up one chubby hand to his beak nose and allowed his other hand to stray and press the cleft between his brows. “Yes, indeed, Belfort. It is of the gravest nature imaginable, and I trust, because of your interest in the female involved, you, too, would wish our interview to be held in private.”

“I say,” Fitz uttered, and put up his quizzing glass to his eye once more.

Rochdale visibly squirmed and moved in such a way as to put Fitz in mind of the base Mr. Snake in Sheridan’s comedy, A School for Scandal.

Charles shook his head, but Belfort laughed without humor. He did, however, turn to his cronies, aware nothing could be gained by insisting upon their presence during the interview. “Well, gentlemen, it appears I shall have to dismiss you. Our visitor has a secret he doesn’t want spread abroad.”

“Of course,” Charles answered. “Come along, Fitz.”

“Yes, but should we leave Bel alone with this weasel?” Fitz replied.

“Indeed, Belfort knows just what to do with such as he,” Charles answered.

Belfort watched his friends saunter towards the door and called out, “I shan’t be long.” He turned back to Rochdale and asked coldly, “Now, what can I do for you?”

Rochdale adjusted his cravat and said with feigned anger, “Come now, Belfort, you cannot possibly mean you have not seen or heard from her. You can’t expect me to believe she did not contact you, or that you don’t realize why I am here.”

“I shall, for the moment, overlook your insinuation that I am attempting to deceive you,” the viscount returned on a hard note. “However, if you do not explain yourself and soon, I am afraid I shall lose my temper, something I loath to do before breakfast.”

“It is Lettia, of course! She must have tried to contact you…or even come here. She has nowhere else to go,” Rochdale uttered irritably.

The viscount’s eyes burned dark violet fire, and Rochdale opened his own wide at the vision. He half expected the viscount to take a swing at him. Instead, Belfort said, “It is indeed true, you have left Letty no one but me to go to when she is troubled. She often did so when we were all so young and residing in Dorset. Your family was never able to prevent my befriending the child, for it would have looked quite odd if they had. Now, supposing Letty ran away, and I understand from your disjointed diatribe that she has precisely done that—which, Rochdale, pleases me to great proportions, and only leaves me to ponder why she would do so now.” He sighed heavily. “Nevertheless, she did not make an appearance here.”

“But…but she must have tried to contact you? She knows no one else in all of London.” Rochdale faltered at this point.

“I am flattered that you believe Letty would seek out my protection. However, I must repeat that she has not presented herself at my bachelor abode.” His voice was cutting as he folded his arms and waited for a reaction.

Rochdale went silent, and was in an agitated state as he took a moment to collect his thoughts.

Belfort knew the man would not dare call him a liar, for it might provoke a challenge, and he knew Rochdale was a coward.

At length, he regarded the viscount warily and offered, “We know Letty was in possession of your address because we intercepted a note she had addressed to you…”

“Did you, by God!” The viscount’s sneer was pronounced. “Am I to learn why you would stoop to such shabby dealings?”

Apparently incensed, Rochdale put up his chin and raised his voice. “What matters now is she took it into her head to run off, and we must find her. Naturally, we assumed she must have come to you because of your long-standing friendship.”

“You believe that because of my deep and great esteem for Miss Rochdale, I would house her here, in my bachelor lodgings, as a token of…friendship?” The viscount spit out the words, and was pleased to see Rochdale cringe before he continued. “You believe that as a token of my regard, I would ruin her?” He took a step forward. “Do you know, Mr. Rochdale, that I have long wanted to put an end to your vile existence, and in one moment, I am liable to do just that.”

Rochdale took a step back, his eyes bulging in his head. “Now just a moment, Belfort. No need to take such an uncalled for heat, I assure you, I was merely inquiring if you had seen my cousin, and if so, whether you could direct me to where she might be.” His eyes darted to the viscount’s clenched fists.

“I will tell you this—had my dear Letty come to me for aid, I would most certainly have done everything in my power to assist her, and furthermore, had I helped her, I would not now tell you in what manner this help had been delivered. Is that clear?”

“Yes, quite, however…you realize, of course, that we shall now have to set about the business of…inquiries.”

The viscount took him by the collar of his coat and shook him ruthlessly. “You stupid fool. If you dare to bandy Letty’s name about, I will see to it that you and your family are ruined. I know enough of your doings to be able to do just that, and have resisted the temptation for Letty’s sake. You have the singular impertinence to set yourself up as a gentleman? Well, I shall take great pleasure in administering punishment to you so that no one shall think that of you. A beating is what you deserve for the torture she received at your and your parents’ hands over the years. If Letty has fled your parents’ home, one can only speculate the cause. If I hear that you have set about inquiries, and I will hear of it, be certain just what I shall do, be damn certain.” He eyed the man as he walked him backwards. “Do you take my meaning?”

Apparently, Rochdale took his meaning because he backed up towards the door. Belfort now folded his arms. Rochdale seemed suddenly to have a notion. “Your mother’s estate in Dorset! Perhaps she went there.”

“My mother, I do assure you, is not one to forgive an intrusion, such as yours would be,” Belfort said sternly. He had hoped Rochdale would draw the conclusion that Letty had somehow managed to travel back to Dorset and seek his mother’s protection. It would buy them much needed time.

He would, Belfort nearly grinned, be sadly disappointed, as his mother was blissfully unaware of Letty’s situation and was enjoying a sojourn with her sister in Yorkshire. He almost rubbed his hands together, but managed to stop himself as Rochdale hurriedly opened the study door and made his way out of the viscount’s home.

Pleased with the encounter, the viscount made his way to his friends in the dining parlor, where they were seated and anxiously awaiting him.

The viscount’s two male servants were busily placing the chaffing dishes upon an elegant sideboard of mahogany. The scent of bacon wafted through the air, reminding Belfort he was devilishly hungry.

All three men filled their plates and took positions at the dining table as the viscount hurriedly dismissed the serving boys.

Letty had been waiting upstairs, watching for the servants to leave before she hurried downstairs and poked her head into the dining room.

She laughed to see all three gentlemen, who were seated, stop mid-air from rising. She was now a lad, dressed as a page, and she reminded them in a whisper that they needed to remember that.

“I am ever so hungry,” Letty said as she filled her plate and sat closest to Belfort at the head of the table. As she took her seat, she said, “Now…tell us what my odious cousin has been saying. Did he suspect I was here? What did he think? Why, in fact, did he even come here? What…”

“Easy, little one!” Belfort chuckled as he cut her off and put up his hand. “One question at a time, if you please.” He grinned to see his friends also anxiously awaited and continued. “Very well. Letty’s odious cousin assumed she was here. However, I have a strong notion that he now thinks you are in Dorset.”

Charles almost choked on his bacon as he laughed and then asked, “How came he to think that, Bel?”

“I wonder,” Bel remarked. “I certainly did not say so.”

Letty sighed with relief, took up a piece of toast that was liberally spread with butter and strawberry jam, and took a large bite out of it and groaned with pleasure.

Fitz watched her devour the slice he had so lovingly prepared for himself and proceeded to meticulously repeat his efforts with another slice.

Charles took a moment to think and then said, “But, Bel, even if the stupid fellow does post down to Dorset, I don’t see how it will help.”

“Hmm, odious man, at least we sent him packing,” Fitz remarked, his butter knife in the air.

“Rochdale won’t find Letty or m’mother…oh bother! Better jot off a note to her in case she gets wind of Letty’s disappearance. She is quite fond of our girl here, you know,” Bel said, then shook his head. “What was I saying?”

“That my cousin won’t find me in Dorset,” Letty provided.

“Yes, and so the desperate fellow will rush back here, but we will all be in Paris. Wraps it up right and tight for the time being,” Bel announced with some satisfaction.

“Bel,” Letty said as her heart filled with admiration. “You are quite wonderful.” At this point, she spied the toast Fitz had prepared and said, “Oh, Fitzy…thank you. I am ever so hungry, and you do such a good job with the butter and jam.”

Fitz watched her in some disbelief as she bit into his toast, but apparently was too kindhearted to admonish her. Instead, he went about the business of preparing another piece, and while everyone chatted at the table, hurriedly bit into it and eyed Letty warningly.

She laughed and threw her arms around his neck. “You dear, dear friend.”

As everyone then applied themselves to a sizeable breakfast, conversation stopped until Charles said thoughtfully, “You know, perhaps we should have sent her to your mother?”

“Blister it, man! Think. Discounting the fact we would have had a devil of a time getting her there—especially as we are due to leave for Paris, once there, then what? M’mother would be furious with Rochdale, but unable to do anything to stop him from eventually removing Letty from her care. His parents are still her guardians until next year when she turns one and twenty.”

“Yes, sound argument,” Charles agreed.

Belfort had been studying Letty and said finally, “Although, Letty, you have tried to assemble your hair as best you can, I believe we need some help in that department. We shall have to trust Heckson, there is nothing else for it.”

Letty sighed contentedly and innocently remarked, “Oh, Bel, I have never felt so secure and happy. Do you know, I wish with all my heart that I could remain a boy and just go on living with you always.”

Belfort, who had taken a final sip of his coffee, choked. Charles smiled warmly, and Fitz, noting that she was now about to steal some of his bacon, said, “No, you don’t!”

Letty laughed and took instead a biscuit and happily dunked it into her tea, which elicited a disgusted rebuke from Fitz. He then gave her a lecture on the merits and deprecations of dunking, which was not halted until Heckson, Fitz’s valet, who had been sent for, arrived at the dining parlor’s open double doors.

Letty leaned into Bel and whispered, “Perhaps he won’t even realize I am a girl?”

Bel grimaced and said, “Steady…hush now.”

Heckson, a small, neatly attired man of some thirty odd years, stood for a moment before bowing to his employer and requesting what was needed of him.

Fitz, who had walked towards his valet, said easily, “Of course, you can have no idea why I sent for you. You see, here is a distant relation…who will be, for a short period, the viscount’s page. As you can see, his dress is impeccable, however, his hair…though a handsome color, is ghastly.”

“Indeed,” Heckson agreed.

“I thought you might be pleased to have a go with it?” Fitz suggested.

Heckson cast his eyes over Letty’s head of tawny hair and clucked his tongue but said, “I would be honored, sir.”

Letty deepened her voice and said carefully, “Thank you.” She was certain the dark brown velvet suit with its gold braiding, epaulets, frogs, and facing, together with the white ruffle of shirt protruding from the neck down to her chest would hide her femininely curvy figure.

A few moments later, the group assembled in the study, where a fire was crackling invitingly. Letty sat in a Windsor chair and Heckson behind her, now supplied with scissors, comb, and a brush.

The valet stood a moment, contemplating her head, while the gentlemen moved in to watch.

“The texture of your hair, lad, is silky but thick enough to manage properly. I shall layer it so that it all folds into one another.”

A moment later, he called for a hot rod as Letty’s crew moved around her, interestedly watching as he styled her hair into a semblance of order.

Only Belfort was peevish and made the mistake of saying, “Shame really…I always liked your long hair.”

Heckson looked up at him. “Indeed, but the young lads are wearing their hair shorter these days.”

Charles and Fitz pulled up their chairs and made comments throughout, but Bel hung back. When the efficient little valet was done, Belfort placed a fat coin in his hand and thanked him for his handiwork.

Fitz beamed and slapped his valet on the shoulder before Heckson bowed himself off, much pleased with the coin he pocketed. He turned and admonished, “See, told you Heckson would take care of it, and another thing…if he recognized Letty, he would never give her away. Good fellow. Been with me for years.”

A great deal of raillery ensued as Letty stared at herself in a wall looking glass. Charles and Fitz both told her she was a beautiful lad.

Bel shook his head, but he gave her a warm smile and said, “Indeed, though I have always loved your long, tawny hair, the boyish style suits you as well. Now, we all need to get ready for the morrow. We leave first light…or shortly thereafter.”

Fitz groaned and Charles remarked that it suited him, but Bel interrupted and said, “We needs must go acquire a decent steed for Letty.” He turned to her. “Sorry, little one, you must stay here—in your room preferably. Try some reading.”

“Oh please, Bel, may I not come with you?” she pleaded.

“Don’t be daft,” Fitz exclaimed.

“Don’t speak to her like that,” Bel snapped.

“Indeed, Fitz, I don’t think you should speak to me quite like that,” Letty said in a small voice before she turned back to Bel. “You can’t possibly wish me to stay here alone…all day?”

“Perhaps Fitz is correct, and you are daft,” Bel said. “I will brook no argument in this. I am well known in London, and while it may do for me to have a page once we are on the road, many of my cronies might find it odd if I were to show up with one at Tattersall’s. You will stay here and confine yourself to your room.”

Letty knew his lordship all too well to pursue a dead issue. Unhappily, she watched them start to leave, when on impulse she ran into the hallway as they were donning their greatcoats and smiled tremulously at them.

Charles, ever soft-hearted, took a sympathetic step towards her and said in a low voice, “I am sorry, Letty dear, but Bel is right in this instance, you know. No sense taking chances, and it is only for one day after all.”

She sighed, but as Thameson had approached and eyed her curiously, she ran back upstairs and locked herself in her room. Indeed, she had chosen some reading material and sat on her bed to tackle it. Could it be that at last, at last she would be free of the people who disliked her, free to find adventure, and even perhaps…love?