The two men left the Strattons’ house and hailed a hansom cab. Adrian gave the cab driver the address. ‘Thirty-seven St James Street, please,’ he said, getting into the cab, with Robert following.
‘Right away, guv’nor,’ the cabbie replied, his Cockney accent apparent. ‘White’s Club it is!’
Lord Robert and Lord Adrian sat back, and Robert said in an amused voice, ‘Despite all the clatter of horses’ hooves, wheels on cobbles and tooting motorcars, I think it’s quieter out here than it was in there.’
‘I couldn’t agree more,’ Adrian responded. ‘I do believe Caroline outdid herself tonight. Too many people for my liking. I couldn’t hear myself think, never mind speak.’
‘I know what you mean. It was a bit horrific.’
Adrian glanced at his dearest friend, and murmured, ‘I’m sure it was better in the garden, wasn’t it?’
‘Yes. But I was only outside a couple of minutes, having a quick smoke.’ He changed the subject. ‘I noticed Caroline’s bowl of donations was filled to the brim with envelopes and promises. I bet you she made quite a lot of money, enough to get her charity started in a proper way, certain of that.’
‘I agree. She’s always been quite enterprising, for as long as I’ve known her. I like her for her independent traits, her drive and ambition. She’s what I call a modern woman, perhaps a bit before her time, in fact.’
Robert nodded, then asked, ‘Are you going to invite her out again? You said you enjoyed your evening with her last week?’
‘I am. I’m taking her to the opera on Saturday. I have a box, and I was wondering if you would like to join us.’
‘Two’s company, three’s a crowd,’ Robert said with a chuckle. ‘Thank you, though.’
‘You know a sackful of women, you can pick from a dozen. There must be one of them you could invite. It would be great to have you.’
‘Thank you, Adrian, but I think I have to beat it back up north to Yorkshire. I haven’t been there much this year. I have a lot of work to do with the new estate manager, Colin Wilson. Lucinda is only staying there briefly with the boys, then going on to her parents.’ He tried to keep his mind off Vanessa Stratton.
‘How’s Wilson working out?’
‘He’s turned out to be absolutely bloody marvellous. Clever, hard-working and full of innovative ideas for Bolton Manor. I wish I’d found him years ago. Much as I love it, the estate has been a bit of a burden, as I just can’t be there enough, and he’s brought me some relief.’
The hansom came to an abrupt stop, and the cabbie said, ‘White’s, me lords.’
Robert, then Adrian, jumped out; Adrian paid the cabbie, and together, in step as usual, they entered one of the oldest gentlemen’s private clubs in London. First opened in 1693, its membership was aristocratic and Tory, and was considered the best amongst many others.
The steward greeted them both by name in the entrance foyer, and escorted them to the dining room and their preferred table. They had chatted with the steward, Smythson, politely. He had responded in kind and then departed once they were settled.
‘I want a proper drink,’ Adrian said, once they were alone. ‘A Scotch and soda. I don’t enjoy too much champagne.’
‘Good idea, I’ll have the same. I forgot to tell you, I was talking to Johnny Anderson last week, and he told me that the King now seems to be getting on well with Arthur Balfour. They’ve sort of … bonded. So much for all those chaps who said the King would never do that.’
‘Everybody’s got an opinion about the Prime Minister, so I don’t pay much attention, as you know. Anyway, there’s nothing wrong with that, as far as I can see.’
‘I suspect that doesn’t sit well with some folk.’
Their drinks arrived; they clinked glasses and said, ‘Down the hatch,’ in unison.
After a few sips of his Scotch and soda, Adrian stared at Robert for a long moment, before saying in a low but forceful tone, ‘She got you!’
Robert returned Adrian’s stare, his expression neutral, in total control of himself. He had known this kind of comment would be coming and was prepared to respond appropriately.
After a swallow of the Scotch himself, he said, ‘Got you is a rather strange expression. Does it mean, got you in her clutches, suggesting a bad thing? Or cornered me in a bad way? On the other hand, it could mean she’s got you in a nice way. Such as having captivated me. Certainly she hasn’t got me by my short hairs, if you were meaning that. Not at all. Quite the contrary.’
Adrian burst out laughing. Then, calming himself, he said, ‘There’s just nobody like you when it comes to words and explanations. You’re a bloody marvel.’
‘I knew earlier tonight that something peculiar would be forthcoming from you, old chap,’ he replied, also laughing.
‘So which is it?’ Adrian probed.
‘Can’t you guess? Go on, have a go.’
‘She cornered you, chatted you up and you fell for it … for her.’
‘Partially true. I got separated from you when we arrived, and I made it down to the end of the room and the French doors. We kind of bumped into each other, and I was struck at once by her looks. Vanessa is stunning, you can’t deny that.’
‘I don’t. But I think it was a bit calculating.’
‘I would prefer to say she’s enterprising. In any case, I felt as if I’d been hit by a truck. I couldn’t take my eyes off her, and she reacted in the same manner. Finally, I took her hand and we went right down to the back of the room. Later, we walked into the garden to smoke.’
‘How did you feel, really and truly?’ Adrian asked quietly, understanding that this was a serious situation now developing right before his eyes.
‘I’m smitten, and so is she, I’m certain. But before you tell me, I know it can’t work because I’m a married man. But I’m in trouble, Adrian.’ Robert smoothed his hand over his forehead. ‘I have a wife. In name at least.’
‘Finally, we can now discuss that bloody dead marriage of yours! Because you’ve brought it up, your feelings must be very genuine indeed.’
‘They are. I don’t want to hurt Vanessa.’
‘You could have an affair with her. Would she go for that?’ Adrian raised a blond eyebrow.
‘I’ve no doubt she would. She wants to be with me.’
‘So go ahead, enjoy each other whilst you can.’
Robert shook his head. ‘I cannot. I don’t want a quick affair with Vanessa. I want more. Something is different.’
‘I wish I could think of a way to murder that bloody wife of yours—’
‘Don’t be so bloody daft!’ Robert cut in sharply.
‘Let me finish, Robert. I was about to add, without getting caught. But I can’t. No woman is worth swinging for. We must find a way to get you your freedom. It’s all gone on far too long. You have been living separate lives for—’
‘Nine years!’ Robert interrupted. ‘That’s how long ago it is that Lucinda told me she would never allow me in her bedroom again. I tried several times, because I did want more children after the boys were born. However, nothing worked. She’s just about civil. However, she comes to Yorkshire less and less, and never to London now. When we’re back in Ireland I barely see her. She’s moody, reclusive, haughty with the staff. We effectively live separate lives.’
‘You usually go to Yorkshire when she goes to Switzerland.’ Adrian frowned and threw Robert an odd look. ‘Come to think of it, why does she go trotting off to Zürich, and quite a few times a year? What’s that clinic she goes to, the Medallion?’
‘Yes. She claims she’s not well, and their treatments help her nervous condition, and she likes to be in the mountains. The air helps her breathe better …’
Robert’s voice trailed off when he saw the utter disbelief reflected on his friend’s face, and he shook his head, appeared nonplussed.
‘What a load of codswallop that is!’ Adrian exclaimed, sounding very annoyed. ‘She’s not really ill, not in my opinion. She’s faking it, and I wonder why? Do you have to pay all these Medallion bills?’
Robert shook his head. ‘No, she does that, and sometimes she stays at the Baur au Lac, my favourite hotel, and yours. However, she does have her own money.’
Adrian now looked startled and said, ‘I remember you mentioning the hotel ages ago, and thinking at the time that it was odd she was not actually in the clinic …’
He stopped speaking and stared into space, a reflective expression in his eyes. After a moment or two, he said slowly, ‘Could there be another man in Lucinda’s life? A man she meets in Zürich?’
‘Or in Geneva,’ Robert volunteered. ‘She’s sometimes there. I have to be kept informed of her whereabouts, because of the boys.’
‘Here’s my point. She can afford to do a lot of things, Robert. Everyone knows her father gave her a huge trust fund, and her brother Valentine as well. Money gives a woman a certain amount of freedom. Could there be another man?’
‘Yes, of course. Or another woman. Or more than one man, maybe different men at different times. How would I ever know, since she’s in Zürich, Geneva, or wherever? But I think she’s lost her looks. She has become faded, and tired-looking. She is moody, certainly with me. I don’t think a man would be interested in her sexually. She’s lost it.’
‘Except that she’s rich, and titled … the Lady Lucinda Lassiter, and perhaps ready to play around when she’s off her home base. And maybe she gets all dolled up.’
‘What you say is true, and it’s occurred to me, although I’ve never brought it up with you, my closest friend.’
‘Why not?’
‘Because marriages are private, and our sort don’t discuss their marital difficulties. Also, I have no feelings for her now. Since you were my best man, you’ll know I married her when I was twenty-nine. The boys were born within a couple of years. After that she lost interest in me and banned me from her bedroom. Eventually, I drifted totally apart from her. I’ll never understand what I did to offend her, if anything.’
‘I know you were always in London, and always with me. We’ve spent our lives together since we were eight, and I’ll tell you this … I don’t know how you’ve managed the way you have. You’re a healthy man of thirty-nine, and you need a woman in your life – for love, companionship, tenderness and sex. And you’re vulnerable at this moment in time. That is a certainty.’
‘I realize that, and I’m so glad we’ve kept our long friendship. However, what I’m trying to say is I suppose at one level I don’t care about Lucinda or what she does. However, I am beginning to see that she has become an impediment to my future, to my happiness.’
‘Then we have to remove her from your life,’ Adrian announced. ‘Get you a divorce.’
Robert frowned. Divorce was still scandalous: difficult, expensive and messy. ‘And how do you plan to do that, Adrian? I have no idea, believe me, I don’t. She’ll never agree. She likes being the Countess and she won’t want the scandal.’
‘I am going to hire a private investigator. And immediately, which means tomorrow. There are a number of good companies and I’ll choose the best and foot the bill.’
‘But—’
Adrian interjected, ‘No buts or ifs. It’s your only way out of a ridiculous situation, and it’s my pleasure to pay the bill. So don’t argue with me.’
Robert flashed his smile, and said, ‘Thank you. We might be heading for quite a war, though.’
Adrian laughed. ‘Into the valley of death rode the six hundred.’
Robert stared at him. ‘Why are you quoting “The Charge of the Light Brigade”?’
‘That’s what is going to happen tomorrow. I am going to bring about another Charge of the Light Brigade. But I’m bloody well going to win. I’ll bury Lucinda in her own dirt, because the more I think about it, the more certain I am she is covered in it. You’ll soon see.’
‘I hope so,’ Robert answered, understanding that Adrian meant every word he said, and that he wouldn’t leave any stone unturned.