~ Five ~

 

 

LETTY FOUND HERSELF ALONE FOR lunch in her room, as the gentlemen had not returned. She skimmed through a copy of Sir Walter Scott poems, sighed wholeheartedly, and threw this aside.

When some hours later, she saw the clock read nearly five, she thought that dinner, too, would be faced in solitude. Not that those meals with the Rochdales had been better than being alone all these years.

It was then she heard Thameson open the front doors, and with a surging feeling of hope, she went to the staircase landing and peered down. She heard a male voice and joyfully ran down the steps.

She was surprised to find the central hall already deserted, and made her way to the study, entering without knocking and turning to close the double doors without first scanning the room.

When she did look, it was to find a total stranger gazing curiously at her. She put a hand to her mouth to stifle the scream that came unbidden and gulped instead.

Staring at the young man uncomprehendingly, she found him staring right back. Oh no, she thought miserably, I shall be found out now.

A young man, slim and pleasantly smiling, stood with his windswept styled, brown hair framing a handsome face. “I’m sorry, lad, did I startle you?” he said.

“Yes, yes…who are you?”

“Mr. John Darcy…and you are?”

“Oh, the viscount’s cousin…Robert Bascombe,” Letty managed.

“Well met then, Master Bascombe,” Mr. Darcy said with a friendly smile and an extended hand.

If when Letty shook his hand as firmly as she could manage, he noticed the softness of her skin, he certainly did not let on, and she supposed he thought her very young.

It was at this moment the door opened and Letty nearly passed out when she spied the look on the viscount’s face. She inhaled and attempted to calm herself as the viscount went forward, his own hand extended and a sincere smile on his face for his guest. He gave Letty only the briefest frown and said with a voice tinged with fury, “I am sure you have things to do before we leave tomorrow.”

Letty saw Darcy’s frown but made a valiant attempt at a credible bow before she literally ran from the room.

“I say, Bel…you were a bit rough on the young lad, weren’t you?” Darcy commented reprovingly.

“What? No. You don’t understand. He has been quite a handful and is being punished for disobeying me,” Bel said lamely, and walked to the fire to rub his hands for warmth.

“Well and all…seems a sweet young boy, but never mind that. I hear you are leaving for Paris this week, and as it happens, I am off for Switzerland. I thought I might accompany you and stop in Paris with you.

“Certes, it will be grand traveling together,” Darcy said enthusiastically.

Ah, thought Belfort. Here was a problem. Couldn’t have John travel with them. Letty couldn’t be expected to play her part every minute of every day on the road. “Ah, traveling with Fitz and Charles, you know, leaving first thing in the morning.”

“Oh,” said Darcy, frowning. “I can’t be ready by tomorrow morning, but now that I know you will be in Paris, I will make a point of staying there for a bit.”

“Yes, John, I look forward to meeting you there,” Bel replied cautiously.

“Famous! This is beyond everything great! Lord just think of the kick-up we’ll have between us.”

Belfort maintained his composure. He now had a serious problem. Darcy was no fool. He would be everywhere, and was bound to meet Letty when she was being chaperoned by Fanny. He would surely see the resemblance between the boy he had just met and the young woman he would no doubt eventually meet. They would have to brave it through!

The viscount saw his friend out, sighed heavily, and made his way above stairs to have a talk with his page.

He was still seething with irritation, but when Letty opened the door to his knock and he saw the stricken look on her sweet face, his anger dissipated.

“You are a goose, a very naughty, little goose, and I am quite disappointed in you, Letty.”

She blushed and did not meet his eyes as she explained, “Bel…I was alone all day, and when I heard Thameson open the door, I assumed it was you, for it is a very odd hour for anyone to visit, so yes, I rushed down to greet you, and…and he…Mr. Darcy was there.”

She presented such a tragic figure, and he silently berated himself for being at fault. He had left her alone all day knowing she was stuck like a prisoner in her room. The thought that such treatment was no better than the Rochdales’ behavior struck him soundly, and he felt like a villain.

He took her shoulders and said, “My poor little one. Indeed, the fault is mine.”

She threw her arms around him and burst into tears. “I am ever so sorry. Have I ruined everything?”

“Let us say, we have a small problem, and no doubt we shall set it to rights.” He set her apart by her shoulders and added, “My own little madcap…you realize…”

“Yes, Mr. Darcy could recognize me when I am once again Miss Letty Rochdale. He might see the boy in me, won’t he?”

“I think so, but John is a good fellow, and I am hoping if that does indeed occur…he may be counted on to keep our secret.” He clucked his tongue. “My main concern is if he does see the boy in the young woman while in Paris…he could think you were here as my…as my…”

“Your mistress?” she said in a small voice.

“Never mind, perhaps I am making too much of it and he won’t see a resemblance at all,” Bel said hopefully.

“Indeed, in a gown, flitting about like a woman…my hair styled differently…?” Letty said brightly.

“Exactly,” he said, aware that even as a boy, she was quite beautiful.

“There is something I need done…need you to do for me,” Letty stuck in all at once.

“Eh? What is that?”

“Lucy, you know, the maid the Rochdales turned off. I have been thinking about her all day.”

“Devil a bit! Ain’t taking Lucy to Paris and that is final,” he said sharply, all too aware that a part of him, a large part of him, wanted to please Letty. He put that down as compassion for her and waved it off in his head.

“No, no, I understand that is impossible. However, she was turned out because of me, and I can’t go on my merry way and leave her destitute. It is so difficult for women…on their own. If you would send her…I can give you her direction…some money, I will pay you back as soon as I can.”

Relieved to find that this was all she required, his lordship agreed readily, only admonishing on one point. “Pay me back indeed. What nonsense. I shall have one of my people take her a substantial sum and the message that you will send for her as soon as you may.” He flicked her nose. “Does that suit you?”

Letty hugged him tightly and said in a low grateful voice, “Bel, you have always been there for me. I shall be forever grateful.”

Their dinner passed quite creditably, with Bel watching pleasurably as Letty downed a lobster salad as though she hadn’t eaten in days. He found her innocent prattle entertaining, and the flitting expressions that accompanied her anecdotes endearing.

Thus, it was that he saw her off to bed before he departed for Cribb’s Parlor, where he met with friends to blow a cloud, discuss boxing science, and greet Gentleman Jackson himself.

He thought he might even visit his latest flirt, a pretty actress, for a farewell romp in bed, but oddly enough, this flitted only momentarily in his mind as he realized he had no desire to do so.

When he returned home, he also discovered when he thought of Letty safely under his roof, it was with a great deal of satisfaction…even pleasure.