It was getting dark when Theo walked into White’s Club. He had left Nimrod to the care of his groom and now, arrayed correctly in a dark-blue jacket, dove grey breeches and a fresh cravat, he was ready for a good dinner and a chance to find out the news. He made his way upstairs to the dining-room.
While tucking into a hearty meal, he glanced around the room. There was nobody he particularly knew in there at present. That suited him well. After the adventures of the past couple of weeks, he was glad just to have time to recover this evening. He was rounding off his dinner with some cheese when a familiar voice caught his attention. Looking up, he saw Lord William Bannister, entering the room with a group of friends.
When he noticed Theo, he excused himself and came over. His good-natured face beamed a greeting. ‘Where have you sprung from? Where is Greg?’
Theo shook hands warmly. ‘Greg is on HMS Endymion, on his way back to Lisbon.’ He rolled his eyes. ‘And thank God for that.’
William laughed. ‘Was he such a difficult charge to care for?’
Theo poured some wine for them both. ‘William, you know you blurt everything out without thinking. But – yes, it was hard. I am heartily thankful he is now away from all those who did their damnedest to sabotage his mission.’ He shook his head and looked at his friend with feeling.
‘Discreet or not, I must hear about all this,’ exclaimed William. ‘However, I am engaged with Huntington and his party. Will you wait for me later?’
Theo nodded. ‘You will find me downstairs. I intend to see what is in the newspapers.’
It was considerably later that William appeared in the library. ‘What, still hard at work?’ he exclaimed. ‘How glad I am that I never went for a soldier.’ He settled himself at the little table and accepted the glass of port that Theo offered him. ‘Have you discovered what you wanted to know?’
Theo pushed aside the clutter of newspapers and slipped a notebook into his pocket. ‘There is precious little mention of Wellington’s campaign. But yes, now I am up to date on the political news.’
William sipped his port. ‘But not up to date on the latest gossip in town.’
Theo’s brows snapped down. ‘Do you mean I figure in that?’ When his friend nodded, Theo groaned. ‘Tell me the worst.…’
William shook his head. ‘You never heard such faradiddles. It was noticed that you and Saint-Aubin did not part on good terms at our ball – then you both vanish. That started a frenzy of rumours.’
Theo stared very hard at him from under lowered brows. William stared back. ‘Oh no! Swear to you I never said a word about the duel.’
Theo nodded. ‘Very well. But there is more, I can see.’
William cast a glance around. They were in a quiet corner of the large room and the noise of other conversations provided some cover. However, he leaned closer and dropped his voice. ‘Greg’s absence has also been remarked on. But what really spiced up the rumours was when Kitty also mysteriously disappeared – vanished from an Art exhibition at the Royal Academy and never reached home. Everyone is agog to know which one of you she has run off with.’ He laughed as Theo dug both hands into his hair and raked his fingers through it.
‘Oh Lord!’ Theo groaned. ‘Just when we needed to pass without being noticed.’
‘Well, you cannot expect creatures like that Harling girl to let such juicy items go without comment. She was the one who started the elopement story.’ He grinned sympathetically at Theo, who was staring at him, lost for words. ‘Caroline has done what she can to stop the excitement. She gave it out that Kitty became ill and has gone out of town until she is well again.’
At the mention of Kitty, Theo found his tongue. ‘What is the latest news of her?’
William gave him a speculative glance. ‘She is back with her aunt, I believe. Think Caroline went to visit today.’
Theo nodded. He frowned as he turned his wineglass between his long fingers. His cousin, Tom Bingham, had warned him earlier that evening that there must be no admission of any spying or incidents, that Kitty’s wound must be kept secret. The Prime Minister, who supported Wellington, did not want any hint of the matter to reach Lord Dalbeagh. The longer they could keep him uncertain, the more time there would be to get the funds ready to send out to Wellington.
But it seemed there was going to be a lot of disagreeable gossip to live down. He felt certain that Kitty would react rather badly to that. She was so forthright. He must see her. He wanted to see her. At the very idea, his expression lightened. He looked up to find William watching him with a twinkle in his eyes.
‘This is going to be hard,’ Theo said, ‘good job you warned me.’
William savoured his port before saying, ‘Oh, you will manage. I shall enjoy watching you. For once you will have to try being pleasant to one and all – although that might make them suspicious,’ he added with a laugh.
‘I wish I could share your amusement,’ snapped Theo.
‘You will not have to suffer for long, old man. Once Saint-Aubin gets back and starts charming the ladies again, I dare say they will be so busy with him they will forget all about this little mystery.’
Theo shook his head. ‘He is not coming back. After what he did.…’ He pointed a warning finger at William. ‘Just see you do keep this to yourself.’ He quickly gave an account of Etienne’s activities. ‘We handed him over to Intelligence at Horseguards for interrogation. My cousin informs me that he sang like a bird in exchange for a passport to leave the country.’
William thumped the table. ‘Devil take it, he was a French spy—’
‘No, just penniless. He was being blackmailed.’
They sat in silence for a while, thinking over the events of the past weeks. When he came to consider Kitty’s situation, Theo found himself strangely uncertain. How would she react to finding herself the subject of malicious speculation, especially when she could not give the true reason for her injury and her absence from town? His lips curved into a smile. One thing he felt sure of – she would want to fight her own battle.
‘So, with Saint-Aubin gone for good and Greg on his way to Portugal, that leaves only you.’ William was watching him curiously. ‘Do not try to palm me off with some tale or other. I have known you too long, old man! Trust me, I know the signs. You have fallen for her in a big way.’
Theo shook his head. ‘You are going too fast. You should not expect Kitty to accept an offer from me as a way out of her difficulties. She is more likely to insist on outfacing the scandalmongers on her own.’
Nevertheless, the following morning, Theo took great pains with his appearance before setting off to Lady Picton’s huge house in Grosvenor Square. He gave the impression of an elegant young man out for a stroll. But under his casual front, his heart was beating so fast he felt breathless. He needed all his self-control when Lady Picton’s butler informed him that her ladyship was not receiving visitors.
‘It is a very urgent matter,’ stated Theo. ‘If her ladyship is indisposed, I would be more than happy to explain it to her niece.’
Broome stared into the middle distance and announced, ’I regret that Miss Kitty is not able to receive visitors at present, sir.’
Theo glared at him in mounting frustration. If only Kitty were not the subject of scandalous gossip, he would push past and find the ladies for himself. But as it was, the last thing she needed was for him to create more gossip with a tale of men chasing her even into her home.
He directed a thunderous glare at Broome, who continued to stand impassively in the doorway. Biting back a curse, Theo turned on his heel. He struggled with a suddenly raging temper as he strode across the square. But by the time he rounded the corner into Bond Street, he had remembered his cousin’s warning and managed to school his face into a bland mask.
Etienne de Saint-Aubin was not the only agent working for Lord Dalbeagh and his cronies. Theo knew he must appear to follow his usual pursuits and act normally. He would certainly be under suspicion because of his friendship with Greg. How much easier it would all be, thought Theo grimly, if he could just be certain that Kitty was getting better.
He grimaced, remembering when the doctor had removed that damned bullet. She had suffered terribly and he had felt powerless to help, even though he did the practical things like sponging her head and holding her still for the doctor to extract the lead ball. Then Martha had arrived and he and Greg set off again to get down to Portsmouth. Indeed, they were in such haste to reach Portsmouth before Greg’s boat set sail that they could not wait to see how Kitty recovered. The last time he had seen her, she was still unconscious, her face as white as the sheets on her bed.
‘Why, Theo Weston! What an age since we saw you in town. But you are alone…?’
Theo looked up and found himself face to face with Miss Harling and her companion. Rousing from his thoughts, he touched his hat. ‘Good day to you, ma’am.’ He made to carry on along the street but Miss Harling put out a hand to stop him.
‘It is also a long time since we have seen Miss Towers. We are wondering what has befallen her.’
Theo looked down his nose. ‘I could not possibly say.’
‘But you have just come from Grosvenor Square,’ purred Miss Harling, her eyes alight with malice. ‘There does appear to be some mystery about her disappearance.’
‘If you say so,’ snapped Theo. ‘It is no concern of mine, but you will no doubt discover the truth from herself. Pray excuse me, ma’am, I have an urgent appointment.’ He crossed the street and plunged into the alleyway. Damn all gossips! If Kitty knew anything about this, she would insist on keeping him at a distance, just to prove her independence. Theo sensed he needed an urgent outlet for his unruly temper. With a curse, he turned about and made for Jackson’s Boxing Saloon.