There was a long pause until Clarissa cleared her throat and said, “I don’t understand.”
“My father, Joseph Hallard.”
Clarissa reeled back as if someone had hit her. “The man who tried to assassinate the queen?”
“Yes, and he paid for it at the end of a rope,” Parker said. “But he had friends who helped him plan. They’ve never been caught. They deserve to die the same as he did, and one of them is Neill Marks.”
“That is a serious accusation,” Andrew said. “And, if the apple does not fall far from the tree, then your father was lying if he said he didn’t work alone.”
Parker pointed his finger at Andrew. “A childhood prank is not the same as trying to assassinate the queen!”
Clarissa put her hand on Andrew’s arm. “I’m afraid I’m at a loss again.”
“Parker, whose real name is Parker Hallard, pulled a prank on the headmaster at Drake’s, our school. It ended up with the headmaster breaking his leg. He blamed it on me and I was expelled. Does lying run in the family, Parker?”
“If you remember correctly you did help, and I was expelled, too.”
“I helped with what you said was a scheme to steal wine from the faculty lounge. You lied to me. I have no reason to think you’re not lying now. You even lie about your name. Do your employers know who you really are, the son of a traitor?”
“Andrew,” Clarissa said.
“They know,” Parker said before she could say anything else. “They know one of my main goals in life is making the others involved in the plot pay as my father did. I am not proclaiming his innocence. I am just asking that the others be brought to justice, too.”
“Do you have proof?” Andrew asked.
“My father kept a journal, or so he told me the day before he was executed,” Parker said. “It disappeared.”
Clarissa felt a pit form in her stomach. The incident, which had become known as the Hallard Scheme, had taken place several years ago, before Taylor died.
“Did your father know my late husband?” she asked.
“I have no idea, Your Grace,” Parker said. “My father knew many people, but I have no idea if he had contact with your late husband or not.”
Clarissa could feel them all looking at her, but surely she couldn’t be the only one to make the connection between the attempted robbery and what Marks was looking for.
“I think Taylor took your father’s journal,” she said. “My husband was a thief. He took many things. If he knew your father, there is every chance that he took the journal.”
“And thereby the evidence,” Andrew said.
“But we’ve searched and searched,” Clarissa said. “As far as I know, everything he took has been returned to its rightful owners.” And then the pit grew. It had to be in the house, somewhere. They had to search again.
“Then we set a trap,” Andrew said. “Even if we don’t have this journal we let slip, after a night of drinking at White’s, that we found something that connects Marks to the Hallard Scheme. And, of course there is the upcoming party. We let it be known about both, and Marks won’t be able to resist. He is quite desperate to get the journal.”
“Because what is written in there could find him at the end of a rope,” Parker said. “That is an excellent plan.”
“We just hope Marks will find out,” Clarissa said, even as she planned a conversation with Andrew after this was over.
“Gabby, darling, didn’t Alice put you in touch with a woman who has her finger on the pulse of London? What is her name?” Fergus snapped his fingers. “Fiona? Doesn’t she gather information for you at times now?”
“Alice did and Fiona does,” Gabby said. “She’s very good at what she does. She sells flowers in Trafalgar Square. I’ll go speak to her tomorrow and see if she knows anything about Marks.”
“I shall go with you,” Parker said.
“And I will go,” Fergus said.
Clarissa tapped on the table. “It will look rather odd if we all go, because I was about to say I wanted to go, too. Perhaps we can have her over for tea at my house tomorrow.”
“She won’t come for tea in Mayfair,” Gabby said. “And she won’t come to the newspaper office because she is afraid people will see her here. But she will go to the National Gallery. Clarissa and I shall go. Too many more will cause a fuss.”
“But I…” Parker closed his mouth and nodded.
“You will come for tea the next day,” Clarissa said. “All of us will, at four. Where we’ll discuss what she said, and make plans.”
* * *
Fiona was not what Clarissa had expected. She was a small woman, whom Clarissa guessed to be barely out of her thirties. She curtsied to Clarissa and said, “I already know what you want to know.”
Clarissa wanted to ask how, but Fiona just winked at her, and that was the time Parker Mills strode up and made a great show of seeing ladies of his acquaintance.
He offered his hand to Fiona and gave his name. She told him he could call her Fiona, and did not give a last name.
“You are not good at following directions, Mr. Mills,” Clarissa said.
“I never have been.” He shrugged. “As your future husband will tell you. Now, what do we know about Marks?”
“Just that he is in London,” Fiona said. “And he arranged the attempted robbery on the Bath road.”
“Where can I find him?” Parker asked.
“I’m afraid I’ve been unsuccessful in that regard,” she said. “No one seems to know. I am sorry.”
“No need to be,” Clarissa said. “We are having a party Saturday next. You will attend, Fiona?”
She brightened and laughed. “Who could resist an invitation to a duchess’ party? I would generally say no, but I have a feeling something is going to happen, and I like seeing things first hand.”
“Then we shall see you there,” Clarissa said.
The meeting had been short and sweet, but Clarissa noticed that, when it broke up, Parker and Fiona walked off in the same direction, their heads bowed together as if they were making some sort of plan.
“I sense trouble there,” Gabby said.
“I think you might be right,” Clarissa said. “They seem to be two peas in a pod.”
“We’ll need to keep an eye on them.” Gabby laughed and put her hand through the crook of Clarissa’s arm. “I am so looking forward to getting to know you now that you are part of our group.”
“Don’t you mean Club?” Clarissa asked.
“Are you not comfortable with the idea? The Club, I mean?”
“I haven’t decided,” Clarissa said. “May I ask you a question?”
“Of course.” They left the building and Gabby led them to a bench outside.
When they were seated, Clarissa asked, “Why do you like it?”
“Because it’s brought me closer to Fergus,” Gabby said. “Plus, I’ve always been a little adventurous. It’s a little disconcerting at first, but once you’re used to things, you rather enjoy it. Or at least I do. And Charlotte does. And Carin does. And Alice does.”
Clarissa couldn’t help but laugh. “All of you would like my name to be added to that list, wouldn’t you?”
“Yes,” Gabby said. “We’re very fond of Andrew, and we like watching him perform.”
For a moment, Clarissa thought Gabby meant sexually, but then the newspaper owner mimicked tying knots.
“Ah, that,” Clarissa said. “Well, we’re still working up to that.”
“I’ve seen it, and it’s amazing,” Gabby said. “I know he is very gentle with the ladies who perform with him. You shouldn’t dismiss it out of hand.”
“Thank you for the advice,” Clarissa said. “Well, I suppose we don’t need to meet for tea tomorrow, at least not for these reasons. But I do have some shopping that needs to be done for the party.
“If you’re going shopping, Charlotte is your woman,” Gabby said. “Just make sure she doesn’t break your purse.”
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br /> They laughed, and when they stood Clarissa accepted a short hug from her new friend. These were the types of people she’d always wanted to be involved with, and now that she was she thought that her life would be perfect, with no more troubles… well, until after they were done with the problems with Marks. Then life would be perfect.
* * *
Sally met her at the door when Clarissa arrived home. “Your Grace, I need to speak with you.”
“What is it, has something happened to Andrew?”
“No, no, he’s in the library, reading.” Sally reached into her pocket and pulled out a letter. “This arrived via the back door. It’s from her.” Sally didn’t have to explain who her was; Clarissa took the note and turned it over in her hands.
“What does she want now?” Clarissa asked. “I thought it was all over.” She had told Sally about the fake séance, which had turned out not to be so fake, and they had had a good laugh.
“What do you think she wants now?” Sally asked.
“I’ll read it with Andrew and report back to you.” Clarissa patted her maid’s hand. “Not to worry, things will be fine.”
She took off her wrap and went into the library, where she found Andrew, a book open on his chest, his head tilted sideways. He was sleeping, and he looked so very peaceful.
Clarissa leaned over him and kissed him gently.
“I think it’s supposed to be the other way around,” he said. “The prince is supposed to kiss the sleeping princess.”
“But you’re not a prince, and I’m not a princess.” She held out the note. “This came for me at the back door. Sally just delivered it to me.”
“Read it,” he said.
Clarissa broke the seal and unfolded the letter.
“The house you are in is mine. Leave now, sign it over to me, and I won’t ruin your wedding by standing up in the middle of it and calling you a whore.”
“I think she’s upset,” Clarissa said as she handed the note to Andrew. “I wish she would come by and talk to me face to face. It would be magnificent to show her where the wedding is going to take place. I thought this was all over. She’s a conniving little bitch.”
“Now that’s a nasty thing to say,” Andrew replied, his eyes still closed. “Behave yourself and don’t stoop to her level.”
“Maybe I want to. Maybe I want to rub her nose in it. I spent years in Bath, hiding because she was in London, bedding my husband and stealing from me, and other members of society, too.”
“And now you’re here with me, about to be married again to someone who, I can promise you, will never want to bed Lady Strauss. Let it fall off your shoulders, my dear. Invite her to the party. I will have Barton take care of her for the evening.”
She wasn’t sure what take care of her meant, but she didn’t really want to know. So she decided to change the subject. “I talked to Gabby about the Club,” she said.
Her abrupt change in subject made his flash eyes open. “And?”
“She told me I should give it a chance.”
“Oh, she’s right, you know.” He set the book next to himself on the sofa. I can take down curtain ties and give you another demonstration, if you like.”
“You can use curtain ties?”
“I can use anything, my love.” He took her hand and kissed it. “Shall we go upstairs?”
“Yes, I think we should,” she said.
They mounted the stairs, stopping at the top long enough for Clarissa to inform Sally that they didn’t want to be disturbed, for any reason. The shy smile on Sally’s face almost made Clarissa burst into laughter, but she held it back.
When they were in the bedroom, Andrew put his hands on her shoulders and gently kneaded them. “I’m going to undress you.” He kissed her gently. “While I’m working you will stay absolutely still, with your arms out to your sides.”
“Yes, Andrew,” she said.
As he undid stays and buttons, Clarissa wondered if she’d ever been so excited. He took off her dress, her shift, and her petticoats. When he rolled down her stockings she stepped out of first one, then the other, leaving her totally naked.
“You excel at being still when you’re told,” he said, right before he kissed her. “Now, stay here and let me gather what I need.” He started to walk away, and then came back and whispered in her ear. “Keep your eyes front.”
The sound of moving material told her he was releasing the window ties, just like he’d said he was going to do. When he came back he attached one to each wrist, but he didn’t tie her wrists together. Instead the lengths trailed to the floor with the tassels at the end.
“I wish I had more,” he said as he displayed two remaining ties. He bound them together and held them in front of her face. “I need more than these, but this taste will leave you wanting more, I swear.”
She believed him. “If I had enough ropes I’d wrap them around your breasts, and your stomach, your thighs.” He moved around her as he talked, letting the silky ties trail over her body.
“You will learn to take the knots I give you, with no hesitation, no matter how many I use, or how it hinders your ability to move.” He kissed her shoulder. “When you’ve learned how to do that I will show you the swing, where you will be bound, face down, while I play with you.”
Clarissa thought she would lose her balance. He hadn’t really bound her, and yet the way he talked she wanted him to do everything he suggested.
“Do you have these things in your house?”
“I do,” he said. “And we need to decide which room to use here. Unless you are planning on giving up this house.”
“I love this house,” she said. “I’m not giving it to anyone.”
He stepped in front of her and held the ties between his hands. Then he put them on her breasts and wrapped them under. Clarissa was sure she was going to explode.
“Close your eyes, my duchess,” he said. She did, and his fingers trailed over her breasts and down her belly. The ties were not long enough to stay put, so they loosened as he touched her.
“It won’t be long, Clarissa, before you’re craving the ropes, craving the feel of them against your skin.”
“I’m doing that now,” she said. He touched her quim and she started to tumble. He held her close as he played with her nub. Clarissa imagined herself hanging from the swing as he bound her body, tight as a mummy, with his ropes.
He stroked and cooed to her, telling her how he was going to fuck her. And then, out of the blue he said, “Where would you like my cock, Clarissa?”
“In my quim,” she said.
“I would love to hear you ask me.” He continued to stroke her as he whispered, repeatedly, that she needed to say it, he needed to hear it.
Finally, when she thought her body could take no more she said, “Cock. Put it…” but that was as far as she got. He pinched her bud and she came, and seconds later he’d flipped her onto the bed and he was inside her, thrusting, pushing her down into the mattress.
After he’d filled her, and rolled onto the bed next to her, she giggled.
“My lovemaking makes you laugh?”
“It makes me happy,” she said. “Happier than I’ve ever been in my entire life.”
* * *
It was Charlotte who first noticed Lady Strauss following them the next day. The woman didn’t approach them. She just stayed in her carriage, stepping down occasionally so that she could stare at Clarissa.
After their final stop at the tea shop Belinda finally made her move. After Charlotte and Clarissa sat down, Belinda pulled a chair up to their table and sat down uninvited.
“There will be three for tea,” Belinda said to the server, who glanced around the table.
“Your Grace?” The young woman stared at Clarissa.
“Yes, three please.” Clarissa clasped her hands in her lap and remembered Andrew’s words from yesterday. She planned on behaving herself.
“I’m happy to see that you know you can’t fight me. Gi
ve me my house and I’ll be out of your life.”
“On the contrary, Lady Strauss, I have no intention of fighting you. It’s not worth my efforts.” Clarissa took off her gloves and smiled at the woman who was pouring her tea. “And the house is mine.”
Belinda sat bolt upright. “Not worth your efforts? You stole that house from me. Taylor loved me. He left it to me.”
“I’m sure the queen will have something to say about it,” Clarissa said. “Sugar?” Clarissa held up a lump of sugar. When Belinda did not answer she dropped it into her own cup of tea.
“I will ruin your reputation,” Belinda said.
Clarissa was afraid she looked angry, because Charlotte put her hand on Clarissa’s own and squeezed. She took a deep breath and smiled.
“Do you think anyone cares that a widow takes a lover?”
Belinda sat back in her chair. “Fine. Play it your way. Within six months Andrew will be my lover. I will embarrass you all over London. Again.”
Clarissa laughed out loud. “If you believe that then go ahead and try. Andrew wouldn’t touch you to save his own life.”
Belinda stood up so quickly her chair dropped to the floor. All activity in the room stopped and people were staring. Clarissa calmly took a sip of her tea.
When Belinda ran for the door, Clarissa calmly said, “Oh, Lady Strauss, why don’t you wear a blue dress for the party on Saturday? I think that would set off your eyes brilliantly.”
Chapter 12
The day before the party, the whole group, including Parker Mills and the simply named Fiona, and all the servants, searched the house from top to bottom. They found no hidden rooms, no books with the pages being cut out.
“He’s outwitted us,” Clarissa said as they all sat down to tea. She helped herself to far too many cakes, hoping the sugar would give her strength because she felt tired as she never had before.
“He has not,” Andrew said. “Your foul husband was not smart enough to pull one over on us. There is something we’re missing, something small. Once it is found out we will recover the journal.”
His Party Guest Page 14
