Escaping The Scurrilous Earl

by Lydia Pembroke

Cedric smiled tightly.

  “I’ve oft wondered how it is possible for men to spend their days with nothing worthwhile to occupy them.”

  The Earl narrowed his eyes and cast them quickly over Cedric. Suddenly, he shrugged, and ignored the slight.

  “I speculate and I invest here and there, but men of my standing do not stoop to dirty their hands with work.”

  “I envy you,” Cedric lied. “It must be pleasant indeed to invest in worthy causes and exciting business endeavours. Tell me, where do you like to invest your money?”

  Lord Felmingham fingered the ornate snuff tin which lay on the table before him.

  “Oh, in all sorts of places. I had some recent dealings in snuff, which has been extraordinarily profitable… in more than one way.”

  He sniggered, taking another sip. The harsh sound of the Earl’s laughter made Cedric’s blood boil. Cedric forced a laugh from his own throat, hoping that it sounded jovial.

  “It’s a good business investment, it turns out., better than I first thought. And anyway, I am an avid user of snuff, which was how I came to invest in the first place, but the stuff has been phenomenally lucrative. The return has already been immense, and I can only see it improving.”

  Cedric frowned, his suspicions confirmed. There had never been any debt to settle, for the investment had been a success. Lily had abandoned her home months ago, not knowing if her father’s business would succeed, but now it seemed that it had.

  This sordid man had lied to Lily, forcing her to do terrible things for the sake of his own amusement. With each second that passed, Cedric hated the devil more and more, though he ensured that he kept his manner calm and steady. He needed Lord Felmingham to think of him as a friend — an acquaintance he could trust, instead of a man who wished him harm. It was the only way to pry more information out of the Earl.

  “Are you married?” he asked.

  Lord Felmingham guffawed.

  “Married? Me? I should think not. I expect I shall have to marry one of these days, but my fortune does not require it thus far,” he replied, snickering softly.

  “What about an heir? Don’t you want one?

  “I am something of a collector of fine ladies, why should I resign myself to one particular female for life? Eventually I’ll have an heir, but not for now. I’ll choose my breeding mare when I’m good and ready, not before. I am certain that a man like you can understand. Indeed, you must be drowning in attention, being such a young physician in a town swarming with excellent women?”

  “Indeed, there are several beauties in this town.”

  He struggled to keep up the ruse, but Lord Felmingham didn’t seem to notice anything amiss.

  “I would wager that they all want a piece of you. You could take your pick, I imagine,” Lord Felmingham said, with a chortle.

  Cedric smiled and said nothing, holding back the wrath that was building in his stomach.

  “Me, I prefer the chase. I do not like to pick or have my choice of ladies hurling themselves at me. I love the hunt. I love a challenge. I do not feel satisfied unless there has been some sport in the act of seduction, if you understand my meaning?”

  Cedric nodded

  “I think that I understand you perfectly.”

  He clapped Cedric on the back, grinning like a lunatic.

  “Excellent, then it would appear I have found my drinking partner for the afternoon,” he cried. “I am tired of stuffy titled men, oh so honourable and principled – at least that’s what they claim. You’ll be a refreshing change. Now, what are you drinking? The next one is on me.”

  He rose, scraping back his chair, sloshing the remainder of his tankard all over the table.

  “Ale, please,” Cedric replied stiffly, seething at every word Lord Felmingham said.

  “Certainly, my good man.”

  With that, Lord Felmingham staggered off towards the bar, leaving Cedric alone with his thoughts. He hated that he was here, spending time with the Earl of Felmingham — the very man who had hurt Lily so terribly — and yet he felt that it was the right thing to do.

  If he could discover something that kept Lord Felmingham away from Lily and her family, for the rest of their lives, then all of this would be worth it.

  Now, if he could just get through the afternoon without murdering Lord Felmingham…

  ~~~~~

  Gazing through the window of the ground floor suite, watching the Nettlerush River meandering beneath the warm Summer sunlight, where it passed at the bottom of the Hardcastle House gardens, Lily mourned the loss of Cedric Sharpton. Her heart pined for him, but she knew that he was lost to her. For days, she had waited for him to return, only to be fed medicine by Mrs Hardcastle, with no sign of him.

  She knew what that meant — he had come to the house, but he had not dared set foot inside, for fear of Lily and her secrets.

  He no longer loves you, she thought miserably. Her affections had not changed. She loved him more for him having saved her child and come to her rescue in so gallant a manner. She loved him more because he had remained at her side through the dangerous hours. She loved him more because he had promised her survival; he had sworn that everything would be just fine. And yet, she was here without him. How could things be fine if he was not there beside her, or calling at the front door to ask her on a walk?

  Everything had changed, and she did not think that she could change it back. She did not blame him for his avoidance of her. All along, she had known her lie might do this, tearing them asunder. It could not be fixed or taken back, now that the truth was out.

  You must run again, she told herself. You must run far from your pain and suffering, where Lord Felmingham cannot find you, and dearest Cedric’s hatred for you cannot reach your heart.

  All was lost, her hopes shattered. There was no future anymore.

  With a sigh, she took in the last of the Summer sky, knowing Autumn would soon be on its way. The seasons were on the change, and she had to change with them. Cedric had been her welcoming Summer, but Autumn would lead her elsewhere. As soon as she was able to travel, she would go. There was no other choice now.

  Chapter Nine

  Paul Sandiford sat across the dining table from his father, Arthur, who had just returned from some business in Bath. He had stayed several days, returning only when Paul requested, nay, almost demanded, his presence at the firm’s office.

  Father and son looked at one another with curiosity, for there was much to be discussed.

  Paul had thought his father might have heard something of the Earl of Felmingham, but he had never expected such an immediate reaction upon his hearing the name.

  “So, you know of this Lord Felmingham?” Paul asked, surprised.

  Arthur nodded, tugging at his greying whiskers.

  “I certainly do, dear boy. There are few who reside in London who have not heard his name mentioned in passing, especially those involved in law. Lord Felmingham does not mind paying a hefty sum to alleviate his troubles, and that usually involves the bribing of a lawyer. I have never succumbed myself, as I have been here in Upper Nettlefold for many years now, and do not trouble myself with city matters, except those of my remaining few London clients, but I do keep abreast of the London news.”

  “What do you know of him?”

  “He is a slippery sort, involved in a number of… uncouth business deals, shall we say. Wherever there is an upset, with shady arrangements and improperly modified documents, you will often find Lord Felmingham at the centre of it,” Arthur replied solemnly. “I still have several clients who write to me from London, ordinarily for a second opinion. Some of these individuals have come to me for advice on entering into a business arrangement with the Earl, but I have always advised them against it. I do not know him personally, but his reputation precedes him.”

  Paul frowned.

  “Can anything be pinned on him? Might there be something definite that we can discover, to use against him? A friend is seeking compensation and wis
hes to acquire leverage.”

  He had been careful to keep Lily and Cedric out of the conversation, and the elder Mr Sandiford knew better than to dig deeper – he trusted his son’s discretion.

  “There was one man, who was in dire need of a business investor,” Arthur went on thoughtfully. “He proceeded to make an investment deal with the Earl, against my advice. I told this man to be exceptionally careful, to ensure that he documented everything, and made sure he had everything signed, with witnesses present.”

  Paul nodded, encouraging his father to carry on the story

  “And did he?”

  “I believe that he took my advice on that part of the arrangement, and from what I have heard of him, everything is going rather swimmingly.”

  “From what I know…” Arthur continued, “the business is a success and the Earl is enjoying a profitable return on his investment. I do not know if this man will be able to assist you, but he may be worth contacting — the two of them work closely together; if anyone knows anything, it will be my client.”

  “Who is this man — the one you have helped?”

  Arthur tapped the side of his head, trying to remember.

  “Mr Robert… something. The name quite evades me, though I have his direction written down somewhere, if you would care to write to him?”

  “Thank you, Papa. I shall use this information well.”

  A light flickered in the older man’s eyes.

  “I hope that you will, dear boy. It is about time somebody made that wretch pay.”

  ~~~~~

  “I have news,” Paul said, cornering Cedric in the Bell and Whistle, a location which he was finding filled with far more pleasant company than the Nettlefold Arms. “Are you quite well? You look a little woozy.”

  “I have spent the afternoon listening to the vile exploits of Lord Felmingham, though I have not garnered much that I can use against him,” Cedric replied, his stomach churning.

  He was not a man prone to drink, but he had consumed several tankards in order to keep up appearances. Indeed, he had only departed the Nettlefold Arms once Lord Felmingham had passed out on the floor, quite unconscious. Paul gaped at him.

  “You were with Lord Felmingham?”

  “I had to see what I could discover. The scoundrel likes to talk, but does not say anything of import. Now, I fear I shall awaken tomorrow with the most atrocious headache.”

  “Perhaps not… I may have something to cheer you up.”

  “Go on?”

  Paul settled down on his chair. “Well, my father knows of Lord Felmingham and told me of a client of his who has entered into business with the Earl. My father has retained some of his clients from his London days, though they are few, and this man happens to be one such fellow. I have his direction. I thought we might write to him, to see what more we can learn.”

  Cedric shook his head.

  “There is no time for letters, dear friend. We must go to this man and ask him our questions.”

  “I thought you might say that,” Paul said with a grin. “I have requested the hire of a coach from this establishment, to be prepared to collect us in the morning, to take us into London. Now, I suggest that you take to your chambers and sleep off the afternoon you have endured. We have much to do, and you will need a clear head on your shoulders.”

  “Tomorrow, dear friend.”

  Paul nodded.

  “Tomorrow, we take on the Earl of Felmingham.”

  Chapter Ten

  The journey from Upper Nettlefold was long and uneventful, the carriage rattling through the countryside, though Cedric could not enjoy the view. His heart was gripped in a vice of anxiety, his mind hopeful that they would succeed in their endeavours to acquire leverage against Lord Woodham. Soon enough, the greenery and swaying trees, full of gleaming leaves and singing birds, faded into a memory, giving way to the smoke and grime of London.

  The carriage pulled to a halt outside the address that Paul Sandiford had been given. Cedric looked up at the shop-front, his eyes going wide as he read the name above the door - Robert Althrop, Purveyor of Quality Snuff.

  Althrop? he wondered in surprise. Surely, it cannot be a coincidence?

  “Are you feeling well, Cedric?” Paul asked.

  Cedric nodded.

  “I believe so, though I have a feeling that this man and I may have more in common than I realised.”

  Paul followed the line of Cedric’s gaze.

  “Althrop? As in… Lily Althrop?”

  “I suppose we are about to find out.”

  They stepped down from the carriage, the plan set in their minds, and entered the quaint store beside the banks of the River Thames. The hot stench of festering water lifted from the flowing river, stinging Cedric’s nostrils. He was glad to be away from the hustle and bustle of the surrounding streets for, although he was a learned gentleman, he did not care for the city. The countryside was where he preferred to be. Indeed, he began to envision Lily wandering around these same streets, smiling and laughing in the manner he had grown accustomed to. He struggled to admit it, but he missed her fiercely.

  Mrs Hardcastle’s words rang in his mind: ‘perhaps you might not judge her so harshly’. In that moment, he realised what a fool he had been. Paul did not blame Lily. Mrs Hardcastle did not blame Lily. How could he? No, the only one at fault here was Lord Felmingham and his conniving ways.

  A middle-aged man looked up from the counter.

  All around him, rows and rows of packages, jars, and metal boxes lined the shelves, each one neatly labelled in a fine hand. Cedric recognised some of Lily’s features in her father’s face, though he knew that he had to maintain a blank façade. He was here to masquerade as a potential investor, with Paul standing in as his man of business.

  “Good afternoon, gentlemen,” Mr Althrop said. “You have come in the nick of time, for I was about to close the shop for the evening. How may I assist you?”

  It was almost six, and though they had departed Upper Nettlefold long before dawn rose, the journey was a lengthy one.

  “We have come to ask for your business advice, Mr Althrop,” Cedric replied. “You see, my partner and I wish to expand our tobacco business, and we are seeking a reliable investor. I have it on good authority that you have recently engaged in an agreement with the Earl of Felmingham, who has been suggested to us as an investor. I was wondering if you might be able to shed some light on the situation between the two of you. It is wise to know who you are going into business with, and we believed you may be the perfect person to give us some suggestions — should we be wary of any difficulties with Lord Felmingham, and that sort of thing?”

  Mr Althrop frowned and lowered his eyes. When he raised them again he looked directly at Cedric.

  “Lord Felmingham is remarkably liberal with his investments but I would not choose to go into business with him unless you do not have an alternative, for her is not an easy man to deal with.” he said. “Indeed, at the beginning of our discussions, I had some misgivings — a friend of mine sought to dissuade me, also, but I needed the investment. I could not have expanded without it, and no bank was willing to offer me a loan.”

  “Have things been well, since then?” Paul interjected.

  “For the most part, although I was careful to take detailed notes of our arrangement, including the interest terms of repayment, and any clauses that might be in place in case of product destruction or anything happening to myself or the Earl,” he continued amiably. “My learned friend suggested that I do so, though the Earl was none too pleased when I told him of my plans to be very thorough.”

  “Oh? In what respect?” Cedric wondered.

  “He did not wish for us to have a formal contract — he said it was beneath him, and that he preferred to act as a gentleman, with his word being his bond. I, however, insisted upon the contract and, if you are to go into business with him, I would urge you to do the same,” Mr Althrop explained. “It would be in your best interests, for he is
a curious sort of fellow. I am grateful to him, but one never knows what he is thinking. I have heard troubling things of his past, though I am pleased to inform you that no ill has befallen me… not that I am aware of, anyway. He has not tried to cheat me, which I half-expected.”

  Cedric didn’t know how to broach the subject of Lily, though he could see a sadness lingering behind the eyes of Mr Althrop. Evidently, there was something he was not revealing, and Cedric knew precisely what it was.

  Perhaps, Mr Althrop did not believe it had anything to do with Lord Felmingham. After all, that snake was excellent at getting away with things.

  “Are you certain that no ill has befallen you?” Cedric coaxed. “nothing indirect? We must be sure, for my peace of mind.”

  “Well… the business has been doing exceptionally well, going from strength to strength and, as I have told you, there has been no deception that I am aware of.” He paused, heaving out a weary breath. “However, my family have been somewhat devastated by the disappearance of my daughter, Lily. The Earl was fond of making visits to her, though I do not believe she reciprocated this warmth of feeling — she always seemed uncomfortable in his presence. The night before she disappeared, he had paid a visit to the house. He spoke with her in the hallway. I happened upon them. I do not know what he said to her, but she hurried upstairs a moment later and we did not see her again. In the morning, she was gone.”

  Paul nodded.

  “You believe him to be responsible for her disappearance?”

  Mr Althrop tilted his head.

  “I have played the evening through my mind a thousand times, and I can see no other kindling for her abrupt departure. He said something to her, I am certain of it, though he holds my business in his hands. I cannot confront him… but I do not even know if she is alive.”

  A sob caught in the back of the man’s throat.

  “Have you asked him about her disappearance?” Cedric said softly, desperate to put this melancholy father out of his misery.

  “I have. In the days after she went missing, I spoke with the Earl. I asked him if he had any indication of where my daughter might have gone, but he was insistent that he did not know of her whereabouts. I even asked him what he had said to her, but he told me it was only a jest that she mistook,” Mr Althrop replied. “Indeed, he seemed as perturbed as I did about the whole incident, though I did not like to overstep my mark with him. He is a powerful man. He left me with no choice but to believe him.”