CHAPTER XIX
THE REAPPEARANCE OF HIS GRACE OF ANDOVER
It seemed to Richard in the days that followed, that Captain Lovelacewas never out of his house. If he went to his wife's boudoir, there wasLovelace, hanging over her while she played upon the spinet or glancedthrough the pages of the _Rambler_. If Lavinia went to a ball ormasquerade, the Captain was always amongst the favoured ones admitted toher chamber for the express purpose of watching her don her gown andjudiciously place her patches. If Carstares begged his wife's companyone morning, she was full of regrets: Harry was calling to take her toVauxhall or to Spring Gardens. When he entered his door, the first sightthat met his eyes was the Captain's amber-clouded cane and point-edgedhat; and when he looked out of the window, it was more often to see achair draw up at the house and Lovelace alight. After patiently enduringa week of his continued presence, Carstares remonstrated with his wife:she must not encourage her friend to spend all his time at GrosvenorSquare. At first she had looked reproachful, and then she inquired hisreason. His reluctant answer was that it was not seemly. At that hereyes had opened wide, and she demanded to know what could be more seemlythan the visits of such an old friend? With a gleam of humour, Richardreplied that it was not Captain Harold's age that he objected to, but,on the contrary, his youth. On which she accused him of being jealous.It was true enough, but he indignantly repudiated the suggestion. Verywell, then, he was merely stupid! He must not be cross; Harry was hervery good friend, and did not Richard admire the new device for herhair? Richard was not to be cajoled: did she clearly understand thatLovelace's visits must cease? She only understood one thing, and thatwas that Dicky was marvellous ill-tempered and ridiculous to-day. And hemust not tease her! Yes, she would be very good, but so must he! And nowshe was going shopping, and she would require at least twenty guineas.
In spite of her promise to "be good," she made no attempt to discourageLovelace's attentions, always smiling charmingly upon him and beckoninghim to her side.
It was the morning of the Duchess of Devonshire's rout that Carstaresagain broached the subject. My lady was in bed, her fair hair unpowderedand streaming all about her shoulders, her chocolate on a small table ather side and countless _billets doux_ from admirers scattered on thesheet. In her hand she held a bouquet of white roses with a cardattached bearing, in bold, sprawling characters, the initials "H. L."Perhaps it was the sight of those incriminating letters that rousedRichard's anger. At all events, with a violence quite unlike his usualgentle politeness, he snatched the flowers from her hand, and sent themwhizzing into a corner.
"Let there be an end to all this folly!" he cried.
Lavinia raised herself on one elbow, astonished.
"H-how _dare_ you?" she gasped.
"It has come to that!" he answered. "How dare I, your husband, try tocontrol your actions in any way? I tell you, Lavinia, I have had enoughof your antics, and I will not longer put up with them!"
"You--you--What in heaven's name ails you, Richard?"
"This! I will not countenance that puppy's invasion of my house!" Hemade a furious gesture towards the wilted bouquet.
"Neither will I permit you to make yourself the talk of London throughhim!"
"I? I? _I_ make myself the talk of London? How dare you? Oh! how dareyou?"
"I beg you will cease that foolishness. There is no question of mydaring. How dare _you_ disobey me, as you have been doing all this pastweek?"
She cowered away from him.
"Dicky!"
"'Tis very well to cry 'Dicky,' and to smile, but I have experiencedthat before. Sometimes I think you are utterly without heart!--aselfish, vain, extravagant woman!"
The childish lips trembled. Lady Lavinia buried her face in the pillows,sobbing.
Carstares' face softened.
"I beg your pardon, my dear. Mayhap that was unjust."
"And cruel! And cruel!"
"And cruel. Forgive me."
She twined white, satiny arms about his neck.
"You did not _mean_ it?"
"No. I mean that I will not allow Lovelace to dangle after you,however."
She flung away from him.
"You have no right to speak like that. I knew Harry long before I everset eyes on _you_!"
He winced.
"You infer that he is more to you than I am?"
"No! Though you try to make me hate you. No! I love you best. But I willnot send Harry away!"
"Not if I order it?"
"Order it? Order it? No! No! A thousand times no!"
"I do order it!"
"And I refuse to listen to you!"
"By God, madam, you need a lesson!" he flamed. "I am minded to take youback to Wyncham this very day! And I promise you that, an you do notobey me in this, to Wyncham you _shall_ go!" He stamped out of the roomas he spoke, and she sank back amongst her pillows, white and tremblingwith fury.
As soon as she was dressed, she flounced downstairs, bent on finishingthe quarrel. But Carstares had gone out some time since, and was notexpected to return until late. For a moment Lavinia was furious, but thetimely arrival of a box from her mantua-maker's chased away the frownsand wreathed her face in smiles.
Richard did not return until it was time to prepare for the rout, and onentering the house he went straight to his chamber, putting himself intothe hands of his valet. He submitted to the delicate tinting of hisfinger-nails, the sprinkling of his linen with rosewater and thestencilling of his brows. He was arrayed in puce and gold, rings slippedon to his fingers, his legs coaxed into hose with marvellous clockssplashed on their sides, and a diamond buckle placed above the largeblack bow of his tie-wig. Then, powdered, painted and patched, he wentslowly across to his wife's room.
Lavinia, who had by now quite forgotten the morning's _contretemps_,greeted him with a smile. She sat before the mirror in her under-gown,with a loose _deshabille_ thrown over her shoulders. The _coiffeur_ haddeparted, and her hair, thickly powdered, was dressed high above herhead over cushions, twisted into curls over her ears and allowed to fallin more curls over her shoulders. On top of the creation were poisedostrich feathers, scarlet and white, and round her throat gleamed agreat necklet of diamonds. The room was redolent of some heavy perfume;discarded ribbons, laces, slippers and gloves strewed the floor; overthe back of a chair hung a brilliant scarlet domino, and tenderly laidout on the bed was her gown, a mass of white satin and brocade, withfull ruffles over the hips and quantities of foaming lace falling fromthe corsage and from the short sleeves. Beside it reposed her fan, hersoft lace gloves, her mask and her tiny reticule.
Carstares gingerly sat down on the extreme edge of a chair and watchedthe maid tint his wife's already perfect cheeks.
"I shall break hearts to-night, shall I not?" she asked gaily, over hershoulder.
"I do not doubt it," he answered shortly.
"And you, Dicky?" She turned round to look at him. "Puce... 'tis not thecolour I should have chosen, but 'tis well enough. A new wig, surely?"
"Ay."
Her eyes questioned his coldness, and she suddenly remembered the eventsof the morning. So he was sulky? Very well! Monsieur should see!
Someone knocked at the door; the maid went to open it.
"Sir Douglas Faversham, Sir Gregory Markham, Moosso le Chevalier andCaptain Lovelace are below, m'lady."
A little devil prompted Lavinia.
"Oh, la-la! So many? Well, I cannot see all, 'tis certain. Admit SirGregory and Captain Lovelace."
Louisa communicated this to the lackey and shut the door.
Richard bit his lip angrily.
"Are you sure I am not _de trop_?" he asked, savagely sarcastic.
Lady Lavinia cast aside her _deshabille_ and stood up.
"Oh, 'tis no matter--I am ready for my gown, Louisa."
There came more knocking at the door, and this time it was Carstares whorose to open it.
There entered Markham, heavily handsome in crimson and gold, andLovelace, his opposite, f
air and delicately pretty in palest blue andsilver. As usual, he wore his loose wig, and in it sparkled threesapphire pins.
He made my lady a marvellous leg.
"I am prostrated by your beauty, fairest!"
Sir Gregory was eyeing Lavinia's white slippers through his quizzingglass.
"Jewelled heels, 'pon my soul!" he drawled.
She pirouetted gracefully, her feet flashing as they caught the light.
"Was it not well thought on?" she demanded. "But I must not wastetime--the dress! Now, Markham--now Harry--you will see the creation!"
Lovelace sat down on a chair, straddle-wise, his arms over the back, andhis chin sunk in his hands. Markham leant against the _garde-robe_ andwatched through his glass.
When the dress was at last arranged, the suggested improvements in thematter of lace, ribbons, and the adjustment of a brooch thoroughlydiscussed, bracelets fixed on her arms and the flaming domino drapedabout her, it was full three-quarters of an hour later, and Carstareswas becoming impatient. It was not in his nature to join with the twomen in making fulsome compliments, and their presence at the toilettefilled him with annoyance. He hated that Lavinia should admit them, butit was the _mode_, and he knew he must bow the head under it.
My lady was at last ready to start; her gilded chair awaited her in thelight of the _flambeaux_ at the door, and with great difficulty shemanaged to enter it, taking absurd pains that her silks should notcrush, nor the nodding plumes of her huge head-dress become disorderedby unseemly contact with the roof. Then she found that she had left herfan in her room, and Lovelace and Markham must needs vie with oneanother in the fetching of it. While they wrangled wittily for thehonour, Richard went quietly indoors and presently emerged with thepainted chicken-skin, just as Lovelace was preparing to ascend thesteps. At last Lavinia was shut in and the bearers picked up the poles.Off went the little cavalcade down the long square, the chair in themiddle. Lovelace walked close beside it on the right, and Richard andMarkham on the left. So they proceeded through the uneven streets,carefully picking their way through the dirtier parts, passing otherchairs and pedestrians, all coming from various quarters into SouthAudley Street. They were remarkably silent: Markham from habituallaziness, Lovelace because he sensed Richard's antagonism, and Richardhimself on account of his extremely worried state of mind. In fact,until they reached Curzon Street no one spoke, and then it was onlyMarkham, who, glancing behind him at the shuttered windows of the greatcorner house, casually remarked that Chesterfield was still at Wells. Anabsent assent came from Carstares, and the conversation came to an end.
In Clarges Street they were joined by Sir John Fortescue, an austerepatrician, and although some years his senior, a close friend ofRichard's. They fell behind the chair, and Fortescue took Richard'sproffered arm.
"I did not see you at White's to-day, John?"
"No. I had some business with my lawyer. I suppose you did not stumbleacross my poor brother?"
"Frank? I did not--but why the 'poor'?"
Fortescue shrugged slightly.
"I think the lad is demented," he said. "He was to have made one ofMarch's supper-party last night, but at four o'clock received acommunication from heaven knows whom which threw him into a state ofunrest. What must he do but hurry off without a word of explanation.Since then I have not set eyes on him, but his man tells me he went tomeet a friend. Damned unusual of him is all I have to say."
"Very strange. Do you expect to see him to-night?"
"I should hope so! My dear Carstares, who is the man walking by yourlady's chair?"
"Markham?"
"The other."
"Lovelace."
"Lovelace? And who the devil is he?"
"I cannot tell you--beyond a captain in the Guards."
"That even is news to me. I saw him at Goosetree's the other night, andwondered. Somewhat of a rake-hell, I surmise."
"I daresay. I do not like him."
They were entering the gates of Devonshire House now, and had to partcompany, for the crush was so great that it was almost impossible tokeep together. Carstares stayed by Lavinia's chair, and the other menmelted away into the crowd. Chairs jostled one another in the effort toget to the door, town coaches rolled up, and having let down their fairburdens, passed out again slowly, pushing through the throng.
When the Carstares' chair at last drew near the house, it was quite aquarter of an hour later. The ball-room was already full and a blaze ofriotous colour. Lavinia was almost immediately borne off by aninfatuated youth for whom she cherished a motherly affection that wouldhave caused the unfortunate to tear his elegant locks, had he known it.
Richard distinguished Lord Andrew Belmanoir, one of a group of bucksgathered about the newest beauty, Miss Gunning, who, with her sisterElizabeth, had taken fashionable London by storm. Andrew wore a mask,but he was quite unmistakable by his length of limb and carelesslyrakish appearance.
Wilding, across the room, beckoned to Richard, and on his approach,dragged him to the card-room to play at lansquenet with March, Selwynand himself.
Carstares found the Earl in great good-humour, due, so Selwyn remarked,to the finding of an opera singer even more lovely than the last. Fromlansquenet they very soon passed to dice and betting, with others whostrolled up to the table. Then Carstares excused himself and went backto the ball-room. He presently found himself by the side of one IsabellaFanshawe, a sprightly widow, greatly famed for her wittiness and goodlooks. Carstares had met her but once before, and was now rathersurprised that she motioned him to her side, patting the couch with aninviting, much be-ringed hand.
"Come and sit by me, Mr. Carstares. I have wanted to speak with you thislong time." She lowered her mask as she spoke and closely scrutinisedhis face with her bright, humorous eyes.
"Why, madam, I am flattered," bowed Richard.
She cut him short.
"I am not in the mood for compliments, sir. Nor am I desirous of makingor hearing clever speeches. You are worrying me."
Richard sat down, intrigued and attracted by this downright littlewoman.
"I, madam?"
"You, sir. That is, your face worries me." Seeing his surprise, shelaughed, fanning herself. "'Tis comely enough, I grant you! I mean thereis such a strong likeness to--a friend of mine."
Richard smiled politely and relieved her of the fan.
"Indeed, madam?"
"Yes. I knew--this other gentleman in Vienna, three years ago. I shouldjudge him younger than you, I think. His eyes were blue, but verysimilar to yours. His nose was almost identical with yours, but themouth--n-no. Yet the whole expression--" She broke off, noticing hercompanion's sudden pallor. "But you are unwell, sir?"
"No, madam, no! What was your friend's name?"
"Ferndale," she answered. "Anthony Ferndale."
The fan stopped its swaying for a moment.
"Ah!" said Richard.
"Do you know him?" she inquired eagerly.
"Many years ago, madam, I was--acquainted with him. Can you tell me--washe in good spirits when last you saw him?"
She pursed her lips thoughtfully.
"If you mean was he gay, was he witty--yes. But sometimes I thought--Mr.Carstares, when he was silent, his eyes were so sad--! Indeed, I do notknow why I tell you this."
"You may be sure, madam, your confidence is safe with me. I had--a greatregard for this gentleman." He opened and shut her fan as he spoke,fidgeting with the slender sticks. "You, too, were interested in him,madam?"
"I do not think ever anyone knew him and was not, sir. It was somethingin his manner, his personality--I cannot explain--that endeared him toone. And he once--aided me--when I was in difficulties."
Richard, remembering scraps of gossip concerning the widow's past,merely bowed his head.
She was silent for a time, staring down at her hands, but presently shelooked up smiling, and took her fan away from him.
"I cannot abide a fidget, sir!" she told him. "And I see LordFotheringham approaching. I
am promised to him this dance." She rose,but Richard detained her.
"Mrs. Fanshawe, will you permit me to call upon you? I would hear moreof--your friend. You, mayhap, think it strange--but--"
"No," she answered. "I do not. Certainly call upon me, sir. I lodge inMount Street with my sister--No. 16."
"I protest, madam, you are too good--"
"Again, no. I have told you, I like a man to talk as a man and not as anaffected woman. I shall be pleased to welcome you."
She curtsied and went away on the Viscount's arm.
At the same moment a voice at Richard's elbow drawled:
"Do I see you at the vivacious widow's feet, my good Dick?"
Carstares turned to face his brother-in-law, Colonel Belmanoir.
"Is not all London?" he smiled.
"Oh, no! Not since the beautiful Gunnings' arrival. But I admit she is adainty piece. And Lavinia? Will she break her heart, I wonder?" Helaughed beneath his breath as he saw Richard's eyes flash.
"I trust not," replied Carstares. "Are you all here to-night?"
"Our illustrious head is absent, I believe. Andrew is flirting with theFletcher girl in the Blue Salon I am here, and Lavinia is amusingherself with Lovelace. Yes, Richard, Lovelace! Be careful!" With anothersneering laugh he walked on, bowing to Elizabeth Gunning, who passed byon the arm of her partner, his Grace of Hamilton, most palpably _epris_.
At that moment two late-comers entered the room and made their waytowards their hostess, who appeared delighted to see them, especiallythe taller of the two, whose hand she slapped with good-humouredraillery. The shorter gentleman wore no mask, and the Colonel recognisedFrank Fortescue. His eyes travelled to the other, who, unlike most ofthe men who only held their masks, had fastened his across his eyes, andthey widened in surprise. The purple domino, worn carelessly open,revealed black satin encrusted with silver and diamonds. The naturalhair was raven-black, the nostrils were pinched and the lips thin.
"The Devil!" ejaculated Robert, and strolled over to him.
Fortescue walked away when he saw who approached, and his Grace ofAndover turned slowly towards his brother.
"I rather thought you were in Paris," yawned the colonel.
"I am always sorry to disillusion you," bowed his Grace.
"Not at all; I am transported with joy at seeing you. As is Lavinia, itappears."
Lady Lavinia, on recognising his Grace, had dropped her partner's handand fled incontinent towards him.
"You, Tracy!" She clasped delighted hands on his arm.
"This is very touching," sneered Robert. "It only needs Andrew tocomplete the happy reunion. Pray excuse me!"
"With pleasure," replied the Duke gently, and bowed as if to a stranger.
"He grows tedious," he remarked, as soon as the Colonel was out ofearshot.
"Oh, Bob! I take no account of _him_! But, Tracy, how is it you havecome to-day? I thought--"
"My dear Lavinia, do I wear an air of mystery? I imagined you knew I waspromised to Dolly Cavendish to-night?"
"Yes, but--oh, what matters it? I am so charmed to see you again, dear!"
"You flatter me, Lavinia."
"And now that you have come, I want to hear why you ever went! Tracy,take me into the room behind us. I know 'tis empty."
"Very well, child, as you will." He held back the curtain for her andfollowed her into the deserted chamber.
"You want to know why I went?" he began, seating himself at her side. "Icounsel you, my dear, to cast your mind back to the spring--at Bath."
"Your _affaire_! Of course! So the lady proved unkind?"
"No. But I bungled it."
"_You_? Tell me at once!--at once!"
His Grace stretched out his leg and surveyed his shoe-buckle throughhalf-closed lids.
"I had arranged everything," he said, "and all would have been well butfor an interfering young jackanapes who chanced along the track and sawfit to espouse Madam Diana's cause." He paused. "He tripped me up bysome trick, and then--_que veux-tu_?"
"Who was it?"
"How should I know? At first he seemed familiar. At all events, he knewme. He may be dead by now. I hope he is."
"Gracious! Did you wound him?"
"I managed to fire at him, but he was too quick, and the bullet took himin the shoulder. It may, however, have been mortal."
"And so you went to Paris?"
"Ay. To forget her."
"And have you forgotten?"
"I have not. She is never out of my thoughts. I plan again."
His sister sighed.
"She is then more beautiful than the Pompadour?" she asked meaningly.
Tracy turned his head.
"The Pompadour?"
"Ay! We heard you contrived to amuse yourself in a pretty fashion,Tracy!"
"Really? I had no idea people were so interested in my affairs. But'amuse' is an apt word."
"Ah? You were not then _epris_?"
"I? With that low-born cocotte? My dear Lavinia!"
She laughed at his haughty tone.
"You've not always been so nice, Tracy! But what of your Diana? An youare so infatuated, you had best wed her."
"Why, so I think."
Lady Lavinia gasped.
"Tracy! You do not mean it? Goodness me, but a marriage!"
"Why not, Lavinia?"
"Oh, a respectable married man, forsooth! And how long will the passionlast?"
"I cannot be expected to foretell that, surely? I hope, for ever."
"And you'll tie yourself up for the sake of one chit? Lud!"
"I can conceive a worse fate for a man."
"Can you? Well, tell me more! 'Tis monstrous exciting. Do you intend tocourt her?"
"At this stage of the proceedings? That were somewhat tactless, my dear.I must abduct her, but I must be more careful. Once I have her, I canpropitiate Papa."
"Tracy, 'tis the maddest scheme ever I heard! What will the others say?"
"Do you really suppose I care?"
"No, I suppose not. Oh, will not Bob be furious, though!"
"It were almost worth while--just for the sake of foiling him. He wouldso like to succeed me. But I really do not think he must." His elbow wason his knee, his chin in his hand, and a peculiar smile on his lips."Can you imagine him stepping into my ducal shoes, Lavinia?"
"Very easily!" she cried. "Oh, yes, yes, Tracy! Marry the girl!"
"If she will."
"Why, 'tis not like you to underrate your persuasive powers!"
His Grace's thin nostrils wrinkled up in a curious grimace.
"I believe one cannot force a girl to the altar," he said.
"Unless she is a fool, she'll have you."
"Her parent would be influenced by my dukedom, but she, no. Not even ifshe knew of it."
"Does she not know?"
"Certainly not. I am Mr. Everard."
"How wise of you, Tracy! So you've nought to fear?"
"Fear?" He snapped his fingers. "I?"
The heavy curtain swung noiselessly aside. Richard Carstares stood inthe opening.
Tracy turned his head and scrutinised him languidly. Then he put up hishand and removed his mask.
"Is it possible the husband scented an intrigue? It seems I am doomed todisappoint to-night."
Lavinia, smarting from her morning's wrongs, laughed savagely.
"More probable he mistook me for someone else!" she snapped.
Richard bowed, his hand on the curtain. He had shown no surprise atseeing the Duke.
"Far more probable, my dear. I thought you Lady Charlwood! Pray give meleave." He was gone on the word.
Tracy replaced his mask, chuckling.
"Honest Dick grows cold, eh? But what a snub, Lavinia!"
Her little hand clenched.
"Oh, how dare he! How dare he insult me so?"
"My dear sister, in all justice to him, you must admit the boot wasrather on the other leg."
"Oh, I know--I know! But he is so provoking!--so jealo
us!--sounreasonable!"
"Jealous? And why?"
With an impatient twitch at her petticoat she made answer, not lookingat him.
"Oh, I do not know! Nor he! Take me back to the ball-room."
"Certainly, my dear." He rose and led her out. "I shall do myself thehonour of waiting on you--to-morrow."
"Yes? How delightful 'twill be! Come to dine, Tracy! Richard is promisedto the Fortescues."
"In that case, I have much pleasure in accepting your invitation.... Inheaven's name, who is this?"
Lovelace was bearing down upon them.
"Lavinia! I have been seeking you everywhere!--ah--your servant, sir!"He bowed to his Grace, and took Lavinia's hand.
"Oh--oh, Harold!--you remember Tracy?" she said nervously.
"Tracy! I did not know you masked! I saw you last in Paris."
"Really? I regret I was not aware of your presence. It is a good manyyears since I had the honour of seeing you."
"Five," nodded Lovelace, and sent a smiling, amorous glance at Lavinia.
"Exactly," bowed his Grace. "You have, I perceive, renewed youracquaintance with my sister."
When they were gone he caressed his chin, thoughtfully.
"Lovelace ... and Richard is so jealous, so unreasonable. Now I do hopeLavinia will do nothing indiscreet--Yes, Frank, I was talking to myself;a bad habit."
Fortescue, who had come up behind him, took his arm.
"A sign of lunacy, my dear. Jim Cavendish demands you."
"Does he? May I ask why?"
"He is in the card-room. There is some bet on, I believe."
"In that case I shall have to go. You had best accompany me, Frank."
"Very well. You have seen Lady Lavinia?"
Beneath the mask his Grace's eyes narrowed.
"I have seen Lavinia. Also I have seen an old friend--Lovelace by name."
"The captain with the full-bottomed wig? Your friend, you say?"
"Did I say so? I should correct myself: a friend of my sister's."
"Indeed? Yes, I believe I have seen him in her company."
Tracy smiled enigmatically.
"I daresay."
"And what of you, Tracy?"
"Well? _What_ of me?"
"You told me this morning that you had at last fallen in love. It istrue? You are honestly in love?"
"Honestly? How do I know? I only know that I have felt this passion forfour months, and now it is stronger than ever. It sounds like love."
"Then, an she is a good woman, I hope she will consent to take you, suchas you are, and make of you such as she can!"
"Now that is very neat, Frank. I congratulate you. Of course she willtake me; as to the rest--I think not."
"Tare an' ouns, Tracy! but an that is the tone you take with her, she'llhave none of you!"
"I have never found it unsuccessful."
"With your common trollops, no! But if your Diana is a lady, she willdispatch you about your business! Woo her, man! Forget your own damnedimportance, for I think you will need to humble yourself to the dust ifall that you tell me has passed between you is true!"
They had paused outside the card-room. A curtain shut it off from theball-room, and with his hand on it, Tracy stared arrogantly down at hisfriend.
"Humble myself? 'Fore Gad, you must be mad!"
"Belike I am; but I tell you, Tracy, that if your passion is love, 'tisa strange one that puts yourself first. I would not give the snap of afinger for it! You want this girl, not for her happiness, but for yourown pleasure. That is not the love I once told you would save you fromyourself. When it comes, you will count yourself as nought; you willrealise your own insignificance, and above all, be ready to make anysacrifice for her sake. Yes, even to the point of losing her!"
His Grace's lips sneered.
"Your eloquence is marvellous," he remarked. "I have not been so amusedsince I left Paris."
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