Chivalrous Captain, Rebel Mistress

by Diane Gaston

  And he was Marian’s friend, her companion’s lover. How was he to turn in Yost? Would Marian ever understand? This would just be one more impediment to their being happy together. A huge one, if she saw her friend arrested for sedition.

  Marian sat across from Edwin at the breakfast table. Hannah had laundered and brushed off his clothing, and Marian had badgered him to wash himself, so he looked—and smelled—a great deal better than the day before.

  Still, he was ashen and his hand shook.

  ‘Eat something, Edwin,’ she demanded.

  ‘Does it not look as if I am trying?’ He lifted a piece of toast for her to see. ‘Stop being so cross. It is very disagreeable.’

  ‘I have reason to be cross.’ She glared at him.

  He rolled his eyes. ‘Just because I had too much to drink—’

  ‘Too much to drink!’ she cried. ‘You came to my house corned, pickled and salted. And you were rowdy, as well.’

  He tossed off her words. ‘Do not speak cant, Marian. It is most unbecoming. Besides, you cannot fault my coming here, because I did not even know I was doing it.’

  ‘That makes it worse!’ she retorted. ‘You drink entirely too much, Edwin.’

  He folded his arms over his chest. ‘I do not need you to harangue me over it. I can handle myself very well without your scolding.’

  Marian clamped her mouth shut. Edwin finished the piece of toast and held up another so she could see he was eating. A little colour returned to his face.

  She chewed her lip, uncertain whether she should bring up the only topic she wanted to discuss with him. She took a breath. ‘I have seen Captain Landon here in London, Edwin.’

  He looked surprised, then resumed his cynical expression. ‘Landon? Too bad.’ He lifted his cup to his mouth.

  ‘He told me there was no Frenchwoman in Paris.’

  Edwin’s hand stilled, the cup at his lips. ‘Frenchwoman?’ He placed the cup in its saucer and suddenly looked as if understanding dawned. ‘Ah, the Frenchwoman. I had forgotten. Do you mean the woman in Paris was not French?’

  ‘There was no woman, he said.’

  Edwin laughed. ‘As if he would admit such a thing. Do not tell me he is dangling after you again, although I suppose he still needs a wealthy wife.’

  She averted her gaze. She had never once considered that the captain might be interested in her fortune.

  No. She could not believe he was talking of the captain. The man who’d made love to her was not a fortune hunter.

  She faced Edwin again. ‘I am furious with you for making up that story. Did you do it to keep me from marrying the captain? Did you think that it would make me marry you?’

  He gave her a withering glance. ‘Do not insult me, Marian. After the set-down you gave me, I am not likely to propose to you again.’

  She twisted the edge of the tablecloth with her fingers. Edwin was not behaving like a man telling a lie. What was she to think?

  Edwin stood up again. ‘You were correct. I do feel better for having eaten. I believe I shall try some of the ham.’ As he stood at the sideboard his back to her, he said, ‘I merely passed on information about Landon I received at the regimental offices, you know. I had no reason to doubt its veracity.’

  She had to let the subject drop. She did not want to believe her cousin had lied to her about something so important. As weak in character as he was, he was still her only living blood relative.

  She rubbed her forehead. ‘Where are you staying?’ Because he was certainly not welcome to stay with her. And she did not want him near if the captain called again.

  Perhaps he would come to her tonight.

  That thought filled her with excitement, even though she knew there was no future with him.

  And Edwin brought doubt back again.

  Edwin’s back was to her. ‘I’m staying at the Adelphi.’

  She’d heard of it. Rooms popular with young gentlemen. ‘What are your plans?’

  He sat down again. ‘Plans? What do I need with plans? I sold my commission when Father did. He gives me a good allowance. I can do whatever I wish.’

  ‘You must have something useful to do.’ She could not imagine the captain being so idle. ‘Something other than drinking, that is.’

  His eyes flashed. ‘Do not start on that again, Marian.’

  She glared at him. ‘You were terrible, Edwin. You broke my table.’

  His brows rose. ‘I did? I cannot remember.’

  ‘See? You should not drink like that.’

  They went round about this again. Finally Marian said, ‘Well, do not call upon me unless you are sober. I mean it, Edwin. I will turn you away.’

  He pressed his temple with his fingers. ‘Very well, Marian, but stop yelling. My head still aches.’

  She let the subject drop and watched him drink his tea.

  ‘What are you going to do today?’ he asked between sips.

  ‘I have an appointment this morning and this afternoon I have to call upon Domina.’ And she hoped to see the captain that night.

  ‘Domina.’ He made a face. ‘Lawd. Is she in London? She married Lord Ullman, I read. It should not surprise me. After he was jilted by Jack Vernon’s sister, I suppose he had to settle for Domina.’

  ‘He was jilted by Nancy Vernon?’ This was new information.

  ‘I was with him when he met her at the Egyptian Hall, of all places.’ He gave a derisive laugh. ‘She ran off with some penniless architect friend of Jack’s.’ He paused to rub his eyes. ‘What a time that was. Such drama. Ariana Blane cuckolding Father and sleeping with Jack. You should have been there.’

  Miss Blane and Uncle Tranville? Miss Blane never told her this when she and Marian shared a room in Brussels. She’d acted as if her connection to Uncle Tranville had been through Mrs Vernon.

  Edwin laughed. ‘I wonder if Domina knows she’s got Nancy’s leavings. It would be amusing to tell her.’

  ‘Don’t you dare!’ Marian cried. ‘She is actually quite happy, and I will not have you spoiling it.’

  ‘Rich and titled. No wonder she is happy.’ He continued eating. ‘I believe I shall come with you.’

  ‘To call upon Domina?’ She wished he would not. ‘Why?’

  ‘I am that bored.’ He bit into a piece of ham.

  She tried to think of a reason to discourage him. There was no use in refusing. He would show up anyway, just to prove he could. ‘You will have to change your clothing and return looking presentable. And sober.’ She put emphasis on the word sober. ‘And do not tell her about Jack’s sister.’

  He swallowed ‘We’ll see. Where is your appointment?’

  ‘Here.’

  ‘What is it about?’ He spoke with his mouth full.

  She narrowed her eyes. ‘About my business, not yours, Edwin.’ She rose from the table. ‘I need to prepare, but do stay and eat as much as you wish.’

  He nodded. ‘What time will you call on Domina?’

  ‘Perhaps around two.’

  The visit was her attempt to improve her attendance at social events, as Yost had suggested, but Edwin coming along made it all the worse.

  ‘I’ll come back at two.’ His voice was muffled with another mouthful of ham.

  Allan walked into the Home Office in the late morning, still battling with guilt and indecision.

  Sidmouth accosted him right away. ‘I hope your tardiness means you have some information for me. Did you discover anything about Yost?’

  Too much. But he was not ready to report it, even if his sworn duty to Sidmouth was to tell him what he knew.

  ‘I have discovered nothing of consequence,’ he said.

  Except that the leader of the movement he was sworn to thwart was a friend of the woman whose bed he shared the night before, the woman he was determined to marry.

  Sidmouth looked disapproving. ‘Did you question Miss Pallant’s servants?’

  ‘I never had the opportunity,’ he answered honestly. Good God. He did not wa
nt to involve Reilly in this.

  Sidmouth frowned. ‘Make opportunities, my boy. I have a new fellow in my employ who has discovered a great deal more than you have in half the time.’

  ‘A new fellow?’ This was a surprise to Allan. ‘Who is it?’

  ‘Hah!’ Sidmouth laughed. ‘A fellow who knows what he is about. Used him before. Makes things happen. Does what needs to be done and then some.’ He clapped Allan on the shoulder. ‘You need not know his name.’

  Allan’s eyes narrowed. Why keep the man’s name from him?

  He had heard the rumour that the man giving testimony about the Spa Field Riots had been a provocateur in Sidmouth’s employ. He had not believed it at the time.

  He’d accepted employment with Sidmouth because it meant protecting the government and enforcing the laws, but it seemed to him that much of what Sidmouth wished him to do skirted the boundaries of honourable behaviour. Spying on people, trespassing, betraying people who trusted him.

  ‘Did you even see Yost last night?’ Sidmouth demanded. ‘Talk to him like before?’

  ‘He was Miss Pallant’s dinner guest, as was I,’ Allan told him.

  ‘Again?’ Sidmouth leaned forwards in interest. ‘What does this mean?’

  Allan tried to maintain his composure. ‘He is a single man in need of feeding.’

  Sidmouth’s face fell. ‘That cannot be all.’

  Allan’s gaze remained steady. ‘I believe Miss Pallant and her companion enjoy company and conversation at dinner.’

  Sidmouth’s brows rose. ‘What do we know of this companion?’

  ‘She is an impoverished widow quite grateful for employment.’ And Allan could curse himself for even mentioning her to Sidmouth.

  ‘A war widow? She could have connections.’ Sidmouth stroked his chin.

  ‘Or not.’ Good God. Allan could not allow Sidmouth’s suspicions to fall on Marian’s companion.

  ‘There’s the pity, Landon.’ Sidmouth clucked. ‘You see only what people want you to see. You need to develop a more suspicious nature. Not going to succeed, if you do not. Remember, the crown depends upon this office to thwart any threats to the sovereignty and the peace of the citizenry.’

  Allan believed in those duties of the Home Office wholeheartedly. He’d agreed to use the woman he loved to get information, had he not?

  And now Sidmouth had hired someone who does what needs to be done and then some.

  Allan flexed his fingers into a fist. ‘What did this man of yours discover?’

  Sidmouth gestured for Allan to come in to his office and have a seat. He lowered himself in the chair behind his desk and folded his hands in front of him. ‘Someone—and I suspect Yost—is organising unemployed soldiers to march upon Parliament. The organisation is spreading around the country, and my man says it is imminent.’

  ‘To what end? What are they seeking?’ Allan asked. This all rang true. Yost had spoken of his concern for the plight of the soldiers.

  ‘Jobs. Food. Compensation for their injuries in the war.’ Sidmouth spoke as if these were unreasonable requests.

  Of course his fellow soldiers needed such things. ‘Are they advocating force?’

  Sidmouth pursed his lips. ‘Would you expect soldiers to be peaceful? Come on now. Been one yourself. Who else would take what they want by force?’

  Allan gave him an even stare. ‘Do you have evidence that they advocate violence against the Crown?’

  Sidmouth restacked the papers on his desk. ‘Not as yet, but I will.’

  Edwin slouched in his chair, bored to tears with Domina’s incessant chatter about Lady So-and-so’s breakfast or ball or the latest play at Drury Lane. At least Ariana Blane—Vernon, he meant; she’d married Jack, for God’s sake—was not performing. Word was she’d had a baby. Lawd.

  He munched on a tray of raspberry tarts and sipped tea when his thirst demanded a more robust beverage.

  Marian made a more successful show of appearing interested in Domina’s drivel. In fact, she gave Domina a great deal more of her attention than she had him. Just because he’d arrived at her town house a little drunk. Well, very drunk, he had to admit.

  He touched his cheek. He often drank a great deal, but he did not often lose the ability to remember where he’d been and what he’d done. Like the time he’d awoken with a gash across his face. He’d gone into Badajoz during the sacking, his father had told him, and Landon had carried him out. Landon.

  He wondered if Landon had told Marian about Badajoz. He might not remember what happened in that city, but it would certainly make him look bad and Landon look good, if she were told he’d needed rescuing. Having Landon look good was nothing he could desire.

  He detested that Landon was back. Courting her, no doubt. Edwin thought he’d convinced Marian to rebuff Landon entirely with the little story he’d created, but now she was wavering again, he could tell. He’d be damned if he let Landon make a fool of him.

  Edwin gazed over at his cousin. The ladies had begun discussing gowns and that was enough to make Edwin wish for a pistol to shoot himself, the talk was so tedious. Having neglected to carry his firearm, Edwin regarded his cousin instead. She was a handsome enough woman, but more so, she could be depended upon to take care of him, no matter what. He liked the certainty of that. He did not want Landon around to change things. See how she’d cosseted him, even after he’d apparently broken her table in his drunken state.

  He did not mind so much that she did not want to marry him as long as she did not marry Landon.

  Just once he would like to show Marian, his father and everyone else that he could do better than Landon.

  The door opened and Lord Ullman walked in.

  ‘Ullie!’ Domina cried, jumping up from her seat and into his arms.

  Edwin almost choked on his tart. Finally Ullman recognised Marian and then him. ‘Edwin, my boy, good to see you.’

  Domina still held on to her husband’s arm. ‘Ullie, my love, would you mind entertaining Edwin for a while? I want to show Marian the new gowns you purchased for me.’ She nuzzled Ullman’s nose in apparent gratitude for his anticipated generosity.

  ‘Of course, I do not mind, my dear.’ He reached in his pocket and pulled out a velvet box. ‘Show her this as well.’

  Domina opened the box. Its contents sparkled with some kind of jewels. ‘Ullie!’ She wrapped her arms around him again, then skipped over to Marian. ‘Look, Marian. Is it not the most beautiful thing you have ever seen?’

  ‘Dazzling,’ Marian said.

  ‘Come!’ Domina took her hand. ‘I want to show you all the wonderful things Ullie has given me.’

  The two ladies swept out of the room.

  Ullman watched his wife’s retreat. ‘I love to indulge her.’ He clapped his hands and turned to Edwin. ‘How about some brandy, eh?’

  ‘I would be delighted,’ Edwin responded. Brandy was preferable to shooting himself in the head.

  They chatted over various things, finishing one glass and pouring another. Edwin savoured how the brandy burned going down his throat, how it spread warmth even to his extremities.

  ‘So tell me,’ Ullman said, pouring Edwin a third glass. ‘Is anything happening between my nephew and your cousin? I say, when last I saw them together, I was certain he would court her.’

  Edwin pressed his fingers tightly around the stem of his glass. ‘I know nothing of it.’

  ‘Allan would be a good catch for her,’ Ullman went on. ‘My nephew is a man who can rise high. His work with Lord Sidmouth—’

  ‘The Home Secretary?’ This was news to Edwin. ‘What the devil does he do for Sidmouth?’

  ‘Important work.’ Ullman beamed. ‘He’s investigating possible sedition. His job is to stop it before trouble erupts and to arrest those responsible for inciting riots.’ He took a sip of his brandy. ‘I dare say this will get him a seat in the Commons some day.’

  ‘Lawd. Is that what he wants?’ Such high aspirations. Some day Edwin would have to si
t in the Lords, though he looked forward to that tedium as much as Domina’s conversation. With his luck Landon would rise to be Prime Minister by that time and he’d still look bad.

  Edwin no longer listened to Ullman. He was hatching a plan to call upon Lord Sidmouth and show everybody he could do the job a great deal better than Landon, whatever it was. Then he’d get the glory. Maybe he’d even stand for an election for M.P. instead of Landon.

  This time he’d show them all.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Marian saw him from a distance.

  She and Edwin strode down South Audley Street coming from their visit to Domina. He was standing there, waiting for them, and she could feel his eyes upon her even at this distance. She felt a flush of excitement and imagined her face was filled with colour, betraying some of the confused emotions inside her.

  It was clear to her that she must not marry the captain, no matter how her body and soul yearned for him. She could not tolerate marriage to a man who worked to imprison men fighting for what was due them. Eventually he would imprison her spirit, if not herself, as well. She needed to be free to prevent suffering wherever she could. Who could not feel that way after witnessing men dying, burning in flames?

  All her lofty ideals were vital to her, but ever since she’d confronted Edwin, what nagged at her the most was the matter of the Frenchwoman. She’d feel completely duped if the captain had lied to her about having a mistress in Paris. If she must ultimately part from him, she at least wanted to believe he was really the man she thought he was.

  She’d stopped listening to the drone of Edwin’s voice as her cousin approached him, closer and closer.

  ‘Lawd,’ Edwin muttered in a disgusted voice, when he, too, noticed who waited for them.

  When they reached him, the captain removed his hat and bowed. ‘Good afternoon, Marian.’ His voice was warm, as if he, also, savoured the memory of their night together. He straightened again and nodded coldly to her cousin. ‘Edwin.’

  ‘Captain.’ Marian’s tone was shriller than she’d intended it to be.

  The Captain ignored Edwin and spoke directly to Marian. ‘I came to call upon you and learned you were at my uncle’s.’