Love Regency Style

by Samantha Holt

  “Eh, whot’s this?” Farley was no longer smiling. “Whot message?”

  “About your plans for the evening, which I already advised you, I don’t know anything about, other than my cousin says, you must be told,” Star said quietly.

  “Hell and fire, lad!” Farley was on his feet. “Whot is that ye say?”

  “My cousin says he has information that they will be waiting for you and you must cancel your plans. Somehow they got wind of it and that you can’t go forward.”

  Farley’s eyes narrowed, “And he knows this as a fact, does he?”

  “Aye, but he wouldn’t tell me more…just what I already told you,” Star answered thinking if she lowered her voice any further, it wouldn’t sound real.

  “It is a good thing ye don’t know any more than ye do. See—it wouldn’t be healthy for ye even to remember this much. Do ye get m’drift, lad?”

  “Right, I’ll be going then.”

  “No, ye won’t…not just yet,” Farley said as he reached out and grabbed Star’s wrist.

  *

  Sir Edward and Jules Stamford were friends of long standing. They had attended school together and had discovered kindred spirits in one another. They weren’t quite alike in tastes and aspirations, but in spite of this, found that they had many things in common. Besides that, they genuinely liked one another.

  In addition to this, they were both considered to be the very pink of the haute ton, and on every hostess’s list. They both enjoyed Beau Brummell’s fashion which urged gentlemen to adopt coats of darker colors, strictly tailored in style, and cravats intricately tied. However, unlike many of their friends, they chose a Corinthian way of life and were both very much engaged in sports of one kind or another. Sir Edward was relieved to find his old friend, for Jules was certainly one he could trust to hear his tale of woe.

  As neither one had ever been romantically involved to the point of wishing to saddle themselves with a wife, he knew he would shock Jules with his story. Thus, he was quite taken aback to discover that Jules had suffered a similar heartache.

  They heard each other’s story in a rather short span of time and decided that it was a good thing they had found one another and thus, decided there was only one thing to do and that was to drink—and drink deep.

  At length, Jules put down his glass and remarked, “I was sure…but in the end, she wouldn’t have me, you know. She wanted another.”

  “Who?” Sir Edward asked intrigued. “Who did she choose over you?”

  “She took Ombersly.”

  “Upon my soul!” Sir Edward exclaimed much astounded by this. “That old fidget? Why he has twenty-five years on her. She will be lucky if he lasts the year.”

  “Aye, she told me that she was hoping she would not have to tolerate him more than a year and then she would be widowed and rich. She said I should call on her then…or sooner, if it took my fancy to do so,” Jules shrugged. “Never wanted to share the spoils of another…not the sort of road I travel.”

  Sir Edward’s brows rose. “Well, I didn’t realize she was such a heartless woman. I am glad you don’t mean to take her up on her offer. No good can come from someone as mercenary as that.” Sir Edward leaned onto his elbows and added grimly, “Know what, Jules? You are better off, I say.”

  “I suppose…”

  “I am still surprised, for I knew Mary at a time when…but who would have thought Mary Prendergast and Ombersly? I never would have believed she would end up quite so cynical,” Edward said and shook his head.

  “I know, Edward. I thought I was…that she was…” Jules allowed this to trail off.

  Edward patted his friend on the shoulder, “Aye, but I never thought you and she were suited. However, I am surprised that she led you on like she did. I suppose she wanted you in the wings in case Ombersly didn’t come up to scratch. Damn, but they are the most mysterious creatures…” He stared at his friend, “Never mind all that, tell me what you are doing rusticating in Rye?” Edward looked at him penetratingly, “Much better to drown your sorrows in Brighton where the season is lively enough to force you out of your sorrows.”

  “What?” He shook his head, “No, not with the world ready to point and laugh at me. Made a cake of myself over the chit. Need to rusticate, so I came here. Have that little place I inherited some years back. It lies just outside the village. In fact, I think you and I were there when m’uncle was still alive. Remember when we were both sent down because we got hold of that monkey and set it on the headmaster?” Jules chuckled. “We came here because m’father was visiting with his brother,” He sighed. “Good times then. You didn’t want to go home and face your father, so you came here with me. My father was ever a good-hearted chap,” He sighed and eyed Sir Edward and grinned.

  Edward laughed, “I remember!”

  Jules beamed over the memory, “Fond days, but Edward, what brings you to Rye? You haven’t anyone here…other than me and you didn’t know I was here.”

  “Not for anyone else’s ears ‘ole man. Not sure I even want to tell you,” Edward grimaced.

  “You know what? Let’s just be off…go finish getting bosky at my place, in private.” He looked around. “I’ll go settle up…be right back and then you can tell me everything, how is that?”

  “Fine, yes.” Sir Edward felt the glumness again hit him as he watched his friend walk off and then he saw that young lad he had encountered earlier. He didn’t know what made him get up and walk toward the boy. Perhaps it was because of the way the urchin carried himself, as though he was…what? Terrified? Indeed, that was it. The lad seemed genuinely frightened. Why then was he here alone?

  He reached the corridor only to find the boy no longer there. He shrugged and turned around only to receive a forceful blow to his middle as that very lad barreled into him. He put out his hands to steady the boy and wondered again what a young and obviously innocent lad was doing in such a place. “Ho there, young sir…” Sir Edward said as a pair of dark eyes flashed at him. It was absurd but he was immediately struck by the fact that those eyes were very large, thickly lashed and opened wide with a mixed expression of irritation and fear.

  “Excuse me, so sorry, I went into the wrong room…looking for the way out you see,” the lad said in an extremely low hoarse voice. He broke free of Edward’s hold and took off.

  Absently aware that this was the prettiest boy he had ever seen swaggering about in a heathen smuggler’s inn, Sir Edward was more interested in the youth than he normally would have been. His gaze moved to the stray hairs of white gold peeping out from the hat over the boy’s forehead and his mind began racing for now he was sure this boy though tall for a twelve year old, couldn’t be more than that.

  Apparently the lad immediately noticed his scrutiny and hurriedly pulled his cap lower over his forehead. A reluctant grin curved Sir Edward’s lips. Well, well, the youth was out on a lark, no doubt and doesn’t wish to be recognized. He couldn’t resist a tease, and stood in the lad’s path, “Ah, but it is you again. Well met, for I had a question or two I should like to put to you. First, why now are you in such a hurry? Have you seen enough to satisfy a young man’s fancy?”

  Sir Edward watched as a look of abject misery flashed over the lad’s face before the boy controlled himself, put his chin up and said, “I must get home before anyone realizes I am gone.”

  Ah, thought Sir Edward, just as I surmised, out on a lark. Perhaps I should teach the boy a lesson and keep him out such places for a bit?

  “It is late, no one will know that you are gone,” Sir Edward offered. “Stay a bit. Enjoy a bumper of ale with me and my friend.”

  “Please sir, I have no wish to be rude, but I must be going.”

  At that moment, the boy turned and went visibly rigid as Jules approached. The boy lowered his head and Sir Edward had no doubt that this lad recognized Jules as someone he knew.

  Right, he had no wish to get the lad into trouble, but he did want him to remember that all such larks had a p
rice. He reached out just as the boy started to turn and his hand skimmed across the lad’s midriff and caught him firmly.

  The lad used some force as he yanked free and tried to run. Dark eyes looked up and pleaded as the boy whispered, “Please sir, do let me go.”

  Sir Edward released him, but in his rush the lad tripped, reeled and Sir Edward reached once more to catch him as he fell. What he felt in his arms, he thought, couldn’t be a lad. No, what was he thinking? It must be a lad, perhaps younger and therefore softer…and what he thought were full breasts…no…couldn’t be?

  The child murmured a thank you and rushed off, leaving Sir Edward with two things, a button, and a serious doubt.

  Sir Edward examined the button and recognized the insignia of Berkley. Well well, young gentry sowing some wildness? Not a lad, but perhaps a Berkley female, looking for her lover? Or was he wrong and it was a young boy and he was off about what he felt? He was, after all, quite in his cups. He stuffed the button in his pocket.

  Jules finally released himself from an acquaintance who had pulled him aside. However, this acquaintance seemed to be determined to keep him there, so Edward took pity on his friend who sent him a look that called for help. “I say, Jules…ready?”

  Jules was able to disengage himself and hurried toward Sir Edward, took a long drag of air and said, “Lord save me from such as he! When I settle down and enter politics, it won’t be to do what m’father did and his father before him. Change is coming and it should. We aren’t living in the dark ages.” He put a hand on his friend’s shoulder and asked, “Who was that boy? Someone you know?”

  “No…just a lad,” he answered with a half-smile. “Now, we shall have to fetch my old cob and make our way to your home my friend, for I do intend to drink you under the table and hope to be unconscious for a week.”

  Jules laughed and said with surprise, “Your old cob? What mean you? A cob? How is it you are riding a cob?”

  Chapter Three

  STAR CLOSED THE front door at her back, and released a long breath of air as she exclaimed out loud, “Whew! Well done, Miss Berkley, well done.” She meant to watch her brother carefully from here on in. He may be older, but if he thought he could deal with such odious men and come out clean, he hadn’t a lick of sense. Indeed, it might have brought him a few sou to stave off the creditors, but at what price?

  She whipped off her woolen cap, and rushed up the main staircase, down the wide corridor and stopped at the door of her brother’s room. Carefully, she opened the door and found him sitting up with a lit candle beside his bed. She walked right in and plopped on the edge of his large bed to murmur his name and shake her head. “Vern. That was the most horrible experience I have ever had. I should lecture you from now till morning, but I won’t. Ask me ever again to do something like that and I shall snub you silly!”

  “Aye and it is all my fault,” he said hoarsely and looked miserable.

  She eyed him and realized his face was flushed. His cheeks were red and there was a bead of sweat on his forehead.

  Clucking her tongue, Star rose and hurried to his side to put a hand to his forehead and exclaimed fretfully, “Oh no! You are still quite feverish.”

  “Am I? I do feel better,” he answered and waved off the problem with a lazy swish of his hand. “Now tell me, what happened. What did Farley say?”

  “Hush, I will tell you all, but do not excite yourself,” she arched a look at him and then released a long sigh. “I found Farley—horrid beast of a man. I delivered your message and all is as it should be. I did not pretend to be you as you wished. It never would have worked. I said I was a cousin.”

  He sank back against his pillows, “You are the most wonderful sister.”

  She realized that he was humiliated by what he had been forced to tell her and ask her to do in his stead. She saw now that it had been soul draining for him.

  He looked pitiful in his misery as he exclaimed, “That I sent you amongst cutthroats, smugglers and thieves. Ye gods, but I am the worst of brothers!”

  “Nonsense. I was in disguise and am very good at play acting,” she smiled encouragingly at him. “I will not try and bamboozle you Vern. You know as I do, that you were wrong, however, what has passed, is over and you will never engage in such conduct again—right? You promise me?”

  “I cannot promise you that,” he murmured.

  “What the deuce do you mean?” she demanded in unladylike terms. “You must promise me that…Vern.”

  “I am tired, sis,” he answered with a weak smile. “We’ll talk later.”

  She frowned, but she could see his illness had indeed taken its toll. She patted his hand and left him to sleep.

  As she made her way to her own room, she wrung her hands. What could he mean? He could not continue doing what he had been doing. It was so much more than wrong. It was a serious crime and this evening could never be repeated. She had been so fortunate that Jules had not seen her, really seen her for he would have known at once that it was she. Jules, sweet Jules—such a good man, a handsome man and he had become increasingly…friendly as of late.

  *

  “Ye gods! Draw back the flaming drapes at once!” Sir Edward bellowed at his loudest as a ray of sunlight hit him fully in the face and caused him exquisite pain. “What in thunder are you doing?”

  The young serving boy made haste to correct his error, mumbled an apology and set things in order for his employer’s guest. He bowed himself out of the room and hurried off.

  Sir Edward pulled himself into a sitting position in the darkened room and ran his hands through his ginger colored locks. He made a valiant effort to remember who he was. As dawning came to him, he sighed and now armed with who he was, he set himself the task of discovering where he was.

  His location was totally foreign and after this proved impossible to recall, he gave it up and sank back against his pillows and groaned.

  He was not allowed more than a short respite.

  A man’s heavy thumping strides on the oak flooring outside his door reverberated in his head. This no sooner stopped and gave him relief when the loud damning thud of knocking began, accompanied by the gleeful sound of a man much pleased with himself. “Edward! Ed…I say, Ed! Are you awake ‘ole boy?”

  The door opened and a stream of daylight poured through as the corridor outside his room opened onto a large balcony overlooking the central hall and central staircase where floor to ceiling windows allowed in the light.

  Jules walked in and said, “What? Still in bed? It is nearly noon.” He strode across the Oriental rug and drew back the drapes with gusto.

  “Bloody hell. If I don’t die in the next few moments, I shall rise up and murder you!” Sir Edward advised his friend.

  Jules laughed and Edward winced.

  “Got a headache, eh? Well, no wonder. You would drink that brandy after all that ale you guzzled down. I warned you. Look at me, fit and ready.”

  “Fiend seize it, you must be the devil’s minion. If I look at you, it will be to get my hands around your throat. Now, have pity on a dying man and allow him to do that one thing in peace.” Edward returned hoarsely.

  For an answer to this, Jules flung back the quilt with merry abandon and commanded, “Up I say! Want you to bear me company to the Grange.” Then because Edward attempted to escape once more with whatever cover he could find, he grappled with him and yelled dramatically, “Edward…if ever I needed you, it is now!”

  Sir Edward heard this and collapsed on his back and groaned, “Zounds! He needs me.”

  Jules chuckled, “Come on, some toast and coffee is what will set you to rights. The ride, the fresh air, all of it will do you good.”

  “Ride? Fresh air? You aren’t worried about anything doing me any good. You said you need me and before I budge, you will explain.” Sir Edward said holding his head. He did sit up a bit and made a valiant attempt to focus on his friends’ face.

  A knock sounded at the open door and Jules said, “A
h…here it is. Come in lad.”

  The same servant Edward had just banished appeared and haltingly entered the room.

  “Come on, no one shall bite you,” Jules said on a chuckle.

  A tray was presented to Jules. He reached for it and took a glass and nodded for his servant to leave. Turning toward Edward who regarded him warily he shoved the glass at him and said, “Here, drink this.”

  Edward eyed the glass of red liquid with great misgiving. “What in thunder is that?”

  “Tomato juice and soda water. Do you good.”

  “You seem determined to do me good this morning,” Sir Edward returned dryly. He did indeed take the glass from him and drank it down. It wasn’t the first time he had had a similar concoction. This done, he made an inaudible sound and sighed.

  “Edward ‘ole boy. Last night you talked about Lethe’s Stream. Said you needed a bumper of it to make you forget the Lady Babs. Said you couldn’t bear to think how easily you had fooled yourself into thinking she might care for you.” Jules paused a moment and his eyebrow went up. “Well, Lethe’s Stream is only a fable and brandy didn’t really do the trick, did it?”

  Sir Edward eyed his friend ruefully. “Point? Get to the point.”

  “Well, couldn’t help but notice ‘ole boy, it wasn’t the girl you talked about so much, but the losing her to someone else. Hurt your monumental pride.” Jules grinned, but took a step back as Sir Edward glared at him. “Sorry my friend, but it just seems to me you weren’t as taken with her as you say you were.”

  “Really?”

  Jules laughed, “Don’t glint those hazel eyes at me! You look like a tiger about to pounce.”

  “Do I? Perhaps I shall,” Edward returned on a low note.

  “Now, don’t get your back up Edward,” Jules’s hands went up. “The thing is, put it behind you, as I have done.” Jules’ tone took on a slightly superior note.