Amanda twirled her parasol as she walked down London Street right in the heart of the shopping district. Three men crowded around her. She felt a bit frustrated this morning, because she had not tried to attract a single one of them and yet here they were. She was in quite a hurry to deliver some new fliers, and there was simply no way to be secretive when surrounded. Molly walked about eight paces behind her, and whenever their eyes met, Molly raised hers to the sky.
Amanda hoped that Lord Nathaniel had received her note about picking her up at Mirabel’s Tea Room instead of at her home. She did not know what to expect from a ride in the park with him, but she was very much looking forward to it. She turned to the nearest man at her side, Baron Worthing. “Shall we go get an ice? I am feeling quite parched.”
“Your wish is my command, my lady,” he said and nodded his head.
One roguish Lord Foxworthy said, “Allow me, my lady.” An ice from me is sure to be superior to one from anyone else, he seemed to imply. He pulled her to a stop and kissed her hand, smiling hopefully.
She smiled, laughing. “But of course. I thank you.”
They continued walking. She scanned the street with a moment’s apprehension. Ever since her meeting with Bender, she had been wary of an attempt to talk to her again to set up their meeting place. She knew she would have to think her way out of supplying the ring, and soon. With a shiver, she wondered how he would initiate their meeting.
Sir Worthing noticed the shiver and immediately suggested they move indoors. She laughed. “Oh no, my dear Baron. It is not the chill that makes me react so. I am simply quite overwhelmed by all of you, the handsomest men this Season, escorting me the way you are.” She fanned herself. The seams on their waistcoats stretched as they flexed and preened. She could have never predicted a few words of praise could have such an effect.
Lord Foxworthy returned with her ice, and she crossed the street to find a bench overlooking the park and the shops. She glanced at Molly, standing behind her as befitted her station. Amanda felt suddenly awash with indignation at the injustice. She called to her. “Molly, do be a dear and come meet our new friends.”
The group stared in silence. She turned to look at her companions and noticed a few of the men belatedly closing shocked mouths.
She looked up innocently at each in turn, widening her eyes. “What? What is the matter with the lot of you? Molly is one of my dearest friends and a loyal employee. I should think you, also my dear friends, would want to meet her, and she you.”
The men looked uncomfortably around, avoiding her gaze, until Baron Worthing seemed to shake himself and stepped forward. “But of course. Molly, you said?”
Amanda beamed with gratitude. “Yes, Baron Worthing, this is Miss Molly, my personal maid and dear friend. Molly, this is Baron Worthing of Gloucester.”
Molly could not have looked more uncomfortable. She stammered a, “Pleased, I’m sure.” Curtsying to the baron, she kept her eyes cemented to the ground.
The other men shuffled awkwardly, avoiding her gaze. Lord Foxworthy pulled out his watch and mumbled something about an appointment at White’s. The others followed. The loyal Baron Worthing stayed for a moment more, asking if the ladies would be seated and then once he was sure they were comfortable, he too made his exit, a slight apology in his eyes.
“Well! How absolutely absurd!” Amanda could not hide her outrage at the men’s behavior.
Molly asked, “My lady, may I be frank?” Her voice had a strange pinched quality.
“Why yes, of course. I apologize for their behavior. What a disappointment. I expected more from them. Had I known they would behave so, I would have never subjected you to such humiliation.”
Molly stared at her for a moment while collecting her thoughts. “I don’t blame them at all for behaving the way they did. If they were to acknowledge an introduction to me, it would open doors and allow familiarity with someone of my station. I could approach them at a later time. I could even impose enough to call on them. My lady, forgive me, but until our system of social status and class changes, we must follow society’s rules.”
Amanda considered her wise observations. In many ways she suspected the division between their classes would be more difficult to change than even their current electoral policies. “I did not think. I am truly sorry, my dear Molly. I guess sometimes I get so caught up in our cause that I forget others do not feel the same. At least not yet, anyway.”
“And what cause is this, Lady Amanda?” Charlie approached them from behind. She wondered just how much of the scene he had witnessed. “Trying to ennoble the working class, are you?”
Amanda narrowed her eyes. Apparently, he had witnessed the whole of their interactions. They stood to welcome him. “Hello, Mr. Lemming. What has you out on the London streets at this hour of the day, spying on old friends?”
To her surprise, Molly also greeted Charlie and offered him her hand, “Hello, Charlie.” And she curtsied. He smiled, wiggling both eyebrows at her and bowed over her hand in a very gallant, well-executed manner. Molly giggled, and Amanda was grateful for his ability to lighten the mood.
Amanda said, “Won’t you sit with us? It is such a lovely day, and we seem to have misplaced all of our company.”
“I would love to, for a small moment. I am watching that horse over there and cannot let him feel too alone. Gets right impatient, he does.”
“Oh! Are you employed here in London then?” Amanda still had not heard what occupied his time.
Charlie had the decency to look regretful when he said, “I am. I work at one of the finest houses for a fine gentleman. He rivals your father in fairness and goodness, I tell you.” Before Amanda could ask who his employer might be, Charlie looked to Molly and asked, “And how are you, Miss Molly? Recovered from our mad dash through London, I see.”
Molly blushed. “Oh, yes, I am.” She paused and then seemed to push herself to respond, “But it was quite an adventure, was it not? We gave them the slip, and that’s for sure.”
Charlie bent his head back and laughed with his belly. It was so infectious that Amanda joined him, and others on the street turned in their direction.
Wiping his eyes from mirth, he looked at Molly again. “You are right plucky you are, Molly. I’m glad Lady Amanda has a friend such as you.”
Amanda felt a bit as though she were intruding as the two of them looked into each other’s eyes for a moment. She readjusted her skirts and turned a bit to the side. His mention of work brought back all her worries from her meeting with Bender. She started to wring her hands as she pondered what she must do. Did Charlie know his very life was in danger?
Anxiety rose up in her chest at such a rate that she burst out the words, “Charlie, do you really work for Jack Bender?” And she turned to him with eyes full of equal amounts hope that he did not and dread that he might.
Charlie paused, looking from Molly to Amanda then down at his boots and answered softly, “Now, that’s a complicated question for a poor chap to answer.”
Amanda’s heart sank. “Then it’s true? How could you give your loyalties to such a low form of scum and degradation?”
Molly caught her breath. The three shared a bench in the shade of a tree. The street wasn’t crowded, but now and then people passed on their way to the many shops in the area.
Charlie said, “Such language, Lady Amanda. Remember we are not at the fishing pond here.”
Before Amanda felt her fury rise, she noticed the glint of teasing in Charlie’s eyes, and she was mollified, but only slightly. “Answer me, Charles. I must know.”
Charlie stared into her eyes. “I swore to you, and I stand by it. You and your house have nothing to fear from me.”
Amanda was unmoved. “But you are not answering my question.” Her eyes locked onto his and demanded an honest response.
“I do not work for him.” Both ladies sighed in relief. He held up a finger. “But . . . I am associated with him and his gang and do on occasion . . . participate.”
Amanda stood up in shock. “What are you saying? Do you work for that awful man, or don’t you? He threatened me, you know! Came to me, forced a conversation!” Amanda began pacing in front of them. She looked up and down the street before hissing into his face, “He is at this moment blackmailing me!”
Charlie stood up in alarm, putting his hand on her arm. “What? What do you mean?” He gently guided Amanda back to her seat as more people looked curiously in their direction.
Amanda’s hands began to tremble.
She wanted to warn him, to tell him to flee back to Derbyshire. But if she said anything, Bender would kill him. Never had she felt so trapped.
Charlie held both of her hands in his, waiting for a response.
She took a deep breath and realized they were drawing far too many eyes. She flashed him her most apologetic look before laughing a bit too loudly at nothing and fanning her face. “Oh how droll you both are. I have been quite diverted, I promise, but it is high time for tea, and I have a gentleman waiting in the tearoom.” She stood, opened her parasol, and waited for them to accompany her across the street.
Charlie huffed. “You will not avoid this, Lady Amanda. We must talk. He is a dangerous man! What kind of hold could he possibly have over you?”
She looked down pointedly at the hand that was now grabbing her arm. “You.”
“What?” Charlie asked.
“You. He holds your life over me.” And with that she turned to walk away.
But Charlie stopped her again. “Please.”
Amanda shook her head. “He ordered me not to talk to you about it—not to tell anyone.”
“Please give me one minute more. There is something you must know.”
Amanda hesitated and then, seeing the pleading look in Charlie’s eyes, she nodded and followed him, with Molly at her side. As soon as they had walked a few paces, Charlie said hurriedly, “We don’t have time for you to hear everything fully. Please just listen carefully.” He forced himself to swallow. “Try to just . . . trust me.”
Amanda remained silent. She gestured for him to continue.
“I do not work for Bender, no, but I am there on assignment.”
“What? Speak sense, Charles.” Confusion warred with hope in her mind.
Charlie grunted in frustration. “Amanda, be quiet and I will tell you.”
She nodded.
He led them farther back into the trees. “The reason I am on assignment with Bender is because I have pledged my loyalties and my undying effort, my life even, to a group of courageous men working for freedom, for equality, for universal suffrage. I would face any threat, no matter how large, if I thought it would help further our cause.”
Amanda watched his chest rise and fall with greater intensity as he spoke. His eyes burned with fire. His whole countenance changed, and he was alight with passion. He turned his eyes on her and she felt nearly singed by their intensity. The words of Henry Hunt came back into her mind.
She stammered, “And this . . . this . . . group—who are they?” She shared a look with Molly.
He glanced around. “Ask me again another time. Please understand that it is for them and for the cause of freedom that I face Bender and his gang every week.”
“What have they to do with it?”
“Bender is corrupting the cause. Because of him, reformists have a bad name. And people are getting hurt, my lady. Innocent meetings turn into riots. Houses of nobles are pillaged, just like your uncle’s! I have only ever tried to protect innocent families.”
A great warmth filled Amanda. “My coming-out ball. Your group was there! Helping us!” Such a relief washed through her she nearly hugged Charlie. Tears of gratitude filled her eyes.
Molly squeezed her hand. “We knew someone was helping. I should have known it was you, Charles.”
“I’d never let you down, Lady Amanda, or you, Molly.”
Amanda cleared her throat. “But this Bender threatened to harm you. And he will if I do not do exactly as he says. Already I have spoken when he ordered me to stay silent.”
Charlie returned his gaze to her. “But this is why I am trying to explain things to you. You do not need to concern yourself with me, my lady. My position there is much larger than you or I. Every time I meet with them my life is in great danger. Nothing you do or don’t do will change that. I am aware of the risks, and I take great care.” He looked into her eyes, studying her face. “I will be fine. Do not let him control you, especially on my account.” He leaned closer. “Now tell me. What is it he is demanding from you?”
“My father’s signet ring.”
“What! Lady Amanda, you cannot.”
Amanda waved her hands at him. “I know. I know. He wants to borrow it. I made him understand he could not keep it. I will make a note of the direction on the letter, and Molly and I will intercept the letters—”
“That is lunacy. You would certainly be killed.”
Charlie’s intensity startled her. Not for the first time, she doubted the viability of her plan. But what else could she do? Talking about it further would not help. She shrugged her shoulders in feigned nonchalance.
Charlie was about to protest when they heard Lord Nathaniel approaching.
“Charles, please ready my horse. It seems her ladyship . . .” He stopped in surprise.
She could not imagine what he might think about their cozy threesome in such an intense conversation.
Charlie stepped back and hurried to untether Smoke, his own ride back to the estate.
Lord Nathaniel cleared his throat. “It seems her ladyship is here after all. Hello, Lady Amanda.” Lord Nathaniel bowed over her hand, kissing it. He looked up at her, eyebrows raised in a slight teasing manner.
Amanda rose from her curtsy. “I apologize, my lord. You have caught me reminiscing with an old friend. I quite forgot the time.” She looked around in confusion. “But where is the phaeton? Are we not to go for a ride?”
Lord Nathaniel smiled. “But of course. It is just over there, awaiting our every pleasure.”
She looked in the direction he was pointing. “Oh! It’s lovely.” A footman stood in front of a bright red open-air conveyance.
Amanda’s face filled with pleasure. How nice it would feel to enjoy a simple outing amidst all the worry and agitation. She walked toward his offered arm. Looking over her shoulder she said, “Oh and Molly dear, would you give the package to Charles, explaining what he is to do with it?” She hoped Molly understood what she was thinking. Charlie would be the perfect person to help distribute these fliers.
Her head was spinning with all she had learned today. But one thing stuck out clearly and gave her a wild exhilaration of hope. Somewhere in London was a group who felt as she did—good people fighting for equality for all classes. And she was determined to help them.
Molly smiled in confusion at first, and then her smile grew wider. “Yes, miss!” she said with more enthusiasm than was necessary, and she dipped a quick curtsy before turning to Charlie.
Lord Nathaniel wore an amused smile. “You have a very exuberant maid.”
Amanda laughed. “Yes, Molly is quite a gem. A dear friend besides.” Lord Nathaniel nodded as if befriending one’s maid were the most natural thing in the world.
After helping her to her seat, Lord Nathaniel grabbed the reins and turned to her. “Where to, my lady? Where does our fine adventure await?”
“Surely someplace with pirates and handsome heroes and damsels in distress.”
Nathaniel shook his head. “No damsels in distress today. Let us leave that behind us, shall we?”
Amanda’s laughter rang across the square. With a sigh she said, “If we must. But I do insist on handsome heroes.”
“Heroes! You are limited to one on this ride, and he sits beside you. It is up to you to decide if he is handsome or not.” He lifted his chin, showing off his profile.
She laughed again and said, “Oh, very handsome indeed. I may faint from all of your handsomeness.”
“And then we’d have ourselves a damsel in distress. It is our lot, I see. Well, if that’s the way it has to be, then we must forbear.”
“What a lovely day.” Amanda scooted closer, placing a hand on his arm. “Thank you.”
“I forget how nice it feels to take time to simply enjoy a beautiful day with a beautiful lady.”
Amanda blushed. He seemed so different from any other time she had seen him. Then curious, she asked, “Do you not have much time for these pursuits? Surely you could ride out every day with a beautiful woman?”
Nathaniel chuckled and glanced at her. “A beautiful woman, yes, but not Lady Amanda Alexandria Cumberland. She is in a class all by herself.”
“Oh, stop. Now you are being silly, my lord.”
“I do enjoy watching the pink on your cheeks, but I am in earnest. You must know. I desire to know you, understand you, decipher what drives you on. I admit to being smitten with a terrible curiosity.”
Amanda smiled and watched his face. She hoped at last to know the Lord Nathaniel beneath his usual facade.
“As to the other half of your question, no, I do not often find myself with time to frivol away an afternoon. Rides in phaetons are a rarity for me.”
“So, are we frivoling away an afternoon?” She raised one eyebrow.
He searched her face, laughing. “Oh no. A ride with you is not frivolous, my dear. I am sure this will stand out as my best-spent time of the week.”
A wonderful warmth and peace filled her. “Lord Nathaniel, you do surprise me. Such artlessness from you is wholly unexpected.”
“So, are you saying I am a bit of a mystery? Curious, are you?” He waggled his eyebrows.
She laughed. “You are a whole book of mysteries, of which I have begun but a few pages.”
Nathaniel’s lips moved into a pleased smile. He urged the horses forward, and they continued a slow walk on the dirt paths that wound through the park. The air carried a light breeze. The sun was shining. A comfortable silence filled them. Five minutes passed before either of them said another word.
Amanda spoke first. “Oh! Do stop for a moment.”
Lord Nathaniel pulled on the reins. “What is it, my lady?”
Amanda sighed in happiness, listening. “Can you hear the birds?” And then as if on cue, a whole group of them burst from the trees and soared up together in one mass. They continued upward for so long Amanda thought they would disappear completely. “I love to watch them.” She wondered where they were going. Wherever they wanted.
Lord Nathaniel put a hand on hers and she turned to him. He pulled her flier from his pocket. “You call yourself the Sparrow.” He let his eyes wander over her features. Then he smiled a slow, seductive smile.
She could not stop the flush on her neck. She nodded, senses tingling.
His eyes lingered on her lips for a delicious moment. “It fits.” His attention returned to her flier and he ran his fingers over the faces of the people in the prison cart. “This is quite good, you know. Remarkable likeness of that moment.”
Amanda smiled. “It is so nice to have someone besides Molly know I drew it.” Her fingers brushed his as she reached for the drawing, closing her fingers around the corner of the paper.
He allowed her to take it from him but then reached over and grasped her hand in his. His hands felt warm and protective around hers.
He said, “So tell me, why are you creating these wonderfully meaningful fliers?” He leaned closer.
She stammered for a moment while she collected her thoughts. “I was deeply affected by those people in the cart. They seemed so hopeless.” She shrugged. “I wanted to help somehow.”
Lord Nathaniel looked at her with kindness and perhaps a spark of admiration. He asked, “And what else are you drawing? Are there others?”
“Oh, yes. I have a drawer full of them. The others are more satirical, however—more in line with Peter Hamilton’s work. I just know there are good people who would want to help. If I can tell them, show them . . .” She stopped, unable to fully explain. A new insecurity stopped her. She felt bare, but Nathaniel smiled so warmly at her, her heart calmed. She felt her face heat, and she shrugged. “It is fun to try, anyway.”
Lord Nathaniel nodded, seeming pleased. “You are exactly right. I believe every effort we make, no matter how small or limited, will do some bit of good. Thank you for sharing that with me.” He squeezed her hand and pulled away, reaching for the reins.
As the horses began walking again, Amanda felt the loss of his hand around hers. He seemed to stare at nothing, deep in thought, and she wondered if he was distancing himself emotionally as well as physically. She was about to reach for his arm when they pulled into a clearing in the park and heard giggling.
“Oh, Lord Nathaniel! What a surprise!”
A phaeton filled with young women pulled up beside them and all of them had their eyes trained on Lord Nathaniel.
He groaned beside her and looked at her out of the corners of his eyes. “We still need to discuss this.” He turned toward the other phaeton and made a graceful bow while sitting, tipping his hat to each of them. “What beauty sits before me!” He put his hand to his heart. “And where are you off to this fine morning?”
Miss Clarissa answered for them all, dipping her head sensibly. “We are just out enjoying this fine air. What a splendid day for it, do you not agree?”
“That I do. And how is your dear mother, Miss Clarissa?”
“She is well, thank you. She sends her regards.”
“I receive them gladly. Will I be seeing you, and all of you fine ladies, at the Winterton Ball on Thursday?”
“You will, my lord,” Miss Clarissa said.
One pretty face with blonde ringlets called out, “I’ll be there!”
“As will I, my lord!” the brown-eyed beauty next to Miss Clarissa purred.
“Oh, so will I!” The remaining woman in the back seat leaned forward to be seen.
Nathaniel smiled at them all, dipped his head again and winked at Miss Clarissa. Then he picked up his reins and urged his horses to move forward. Lady Amanda nodded at the girls as they passed. Only Miss Clarissa nodded in return.
As soon as they were out of earshot, Amanda huffed. “They didn’t even acknowledge me!”
“Miss Clarissa did.”
“Yes, she did.” Amanda sat troubled for a few moments.
Lord Nathaniel led the phaeton closer to a copse of trees, secluded and far from the eyes of most anyone who would visit the park today.
“Why did they act this way?”
“As if you don’t know the answer to that . . . the flier, of course. Enjoying yourself, are you?”
“No! I am almost as disturbed as you are at this point. They have forgotten all sense of propriety.”
“This behavior, wherever I go, is making things dashed difficult for me. I can’t do anything without the noise and attention.” He turned to frown at her. “Why choose me to distract a store full of people?”
“I should not have mentioned your name. I hoped to gain their attention, and you are an easy distraction. I knew that Miss Clarissa and all the ladies would be interested. You were quite popular even before the flier, you know.”
Lord Nathaniel grimaced. “But this flier gives all the women of the ton permission to be bold.”
“How so?”
He grabbed the other flier out of his pocket and thrust it at her. “See for yourself. I do not discriminate. I give attention to anyone who asks—even three women at once!”
Lord Nathaniel looked seriously agitated. She had obviously crossed some line of propriety he had drawn for himself when he began behaving as a rake. She kept watching him, hoping to unravel and understand this part of his character.
“Stop studying me like that. Your deep blues could undo a man. What I need you to do, Lady Amanda, is fix this.” His voice took on an endearing pleading tone.
“How can I possibly fix it?”
Lord Nathaniel ran his fingers through his hair in exasperation. “I don’t know yet. I was hoping you would have some ideas.”
He looked at her with such desperation that her heart went out to him at once. She reached her hand over and squeezed his arm.
“I am so sorry, my lord. I have regretted my words every day since. I was unfeeling and selfish not to intervene. And I see now, one woman’s words have placed you in an increasingly unenviable position.” They both sat in silence for a time when Amanda said, “I’ve got to draw something. Something that shows your, ah, other fine attributes.”
Lord Nathaniel looked at her skeptically. “That would only increase the problem. The last thing I want to do is broadcast my marriage eligibility.”
Amanda straightened. “That’s it! You need to become unavailable. I need to draw something that makes the ladies feel like you are outside of their reach, at least for a time.” She tapped her finger on her chin. “Hmmm. I don’t suppose you could go into mourning; anyone about to die?” After a discernable, lengthy pause, she reached her hand up to her mouth and covered it in horror. “I did not just say that. I apologize, profusely, my lord.”
Lord Nathaniel’s face turned red and became increasingly more so. Then he started shaking. Tears forced themselves from the corners of his eyes. Amanda watched in growing angst as Lord Nathaniel broke down in front of her. She searched her memory for any news of a recent death in his immediate family. Friends? Distant relatives? She couldn’t think of anyone.
And then he said with peals of laughter, “HA! HO! Amanda! I can’t. Ha!”
She looked wide-eyed at him, her hands covering her mouth. He shook convulsively until he snorted, out loud, like a pig, and burst into laughter—great, loud, belly laughter.
Irritation, hot and tight, filled her chest. She folded her arms and turned away. “Well! You needn’t laugh so hard, my lord.” She stared off into the woods to their right, trying to ignore him.
Lord Nathaniel tried to stop. He reached for her. “Lady Amanda, it’s wonderful. Please allow me to laugh. Surely you can see the humor as well.” He stared at her, eyes pleading through his laughter, his expression childlike.
She grinned at him, which caused him to burst into further laughter, and she felt a chuckle rise in her own belly. Giving in to him, her own laughter filled the air around them. Her mouth felt tight and her stomach sore by the time they sat quietly again.
Wiping tears from her eyes with his offered handkerchief, she brought her hand up to her mouth, shook her head, and said, “What came over me, hoping to put you in mourning? I am sorry, Lord Nathaniel.”
Her hand had found its way into the crook of his arm, and he patted it. “Think nothing of it, my dear.”
She stilled next to him, and his hand froze its comforting motion. He had called her my dear before, but she couldn’t help but notice the certain warmth it held this time.
Nathaniel leaned closer. He looked at her mouth and then back to her eyes in question.
She stared back, frozen.
Don’t look at his lips! Her eyes betrayed her. She too leaned closer, seeing hope and regard, and something else smoldering beneath. Desire. She recognized it because she was filled with her own.
She ached for him, for his arms to surround her. She leaned toward him in greater urgency and when her lips found his, thought ceased. Every sense in her body began firing. Lights flashed in her head, and she felt the world spin in a dizzy whirl. He softly pressed his lips to hers again and again, then firmer and with more urgency, his mouth moving over hers, exploring each angle. She melted into him, completely overcome, enjoying each new sensation as it came.
Too soon, he pulled away, looking down at her in wonder.
She returned his gaze.
Neither spoke until he reached his hand out and tucked a stray hair behind her ear, holding his hand against her cheek. “I knew it would be like this,” he murmured. With one last kiss on her forehead, he took up the reins again, and they began moving through the park.