by Abigail Agar
Cecil was at his townhouse waiting for him. He was thrilled at the outcome of his trip. He promised Donnie his horse would be ready at dawn for his ride back to Essex.
Cecil took Donnie to White’s for dinner. Before they left the townhouse, he warned Donnie not to talk about their scheme. It was amazing what you could overhear at White’s. Kent joined them, and they had a pleasant dinner.
When they returned to the townhouse, Donnie told Cecil he would retire early. Because he was leaving at dawn, Cecil thanked Donnie for his help before saying goodnight. Cecil stayed up a little longer, whisky in hand, and a smile on his face.
Chapter 15
Louisa decided she would go on a carriage ride with Stafford and that she would prefer to be chaperoned by Amelia. Percy, who sat in the parlour with the ladies thought that was a good idea.
Percy said, “Not that he would kidnap you for ransom, but he might try to compromise you. It’s better if your mother goes along.”
Louisa looked into Percy’s eyes. “You really don’t like Stafford, do you?”
“No. I do like him. I just don’t trust him. I can’t shake a bad feeling I have about him. Your uncle is going to put my fears to rest.”
Amelia asked, “How is Hobart? I haven’t seen him since the last time he came here to dine. I need to ask him over again.”
Percy grinned. “He’s the same. I can’t believe he and Frederick are brothers.”
“Who are brothers?” Stafford asked, standing in the doorway. Louisa and Percy rose and greeted him.
Percy said, “Good afternoon, Stafford. Have you met Frederick’s brother, Hobart? You would remember if you had. They are so different.”
Stafford sat, and Louisa handed him tea. “No, I didn’t know Louisa had an uncle. Do you have cousins?”
Louisa laughed. “No. Uncle Hobart never married. He’s a free spirit.”
“Ah. Have you decided if you would like to take a carriage ride today? The weather did hold out for us.”
“Yes, I did,” Louisa said. “I’d love to go on a carriage ride.” Percy watched Stafford’s face open up with a large smile. He put down his teacup.
He said, “Well then, call your maid, and we’ll be on our way.”
Amelia stood and placed her teacup on the tray. “No need. I’ve decided to join you.”
Stafford’s face fell. His eyes darted from Louisa to Amelia and back again. He composed himself.
“No need to put you out. One chaperone is as good as another is. You really don’t need to go.”
Amelia smiled broadly. “But I want to go. I am looking forward to it.”
Louisa said, “Mother, let’s go get our shawls. Shall we meet you at the door, My Lord?”
Stafford nodded absently.
Percy said, “It won’t be so bad, Stafford. Amelia is a very nice woman. You’ll enjoy her company.”
“You don’t understand,” Stafford said. “I have to find a way to undo what I was planning to do.”
“Pardon?”
Stafford waved his hand. “Never mind, Percy.” Then he stomped out of the parlour.
The carriage ride was wonderful. The barouche fit the three of them with no problem. Looking at a barouche when standing on the ground, it seemed deceptively smaller.
The weather was perfect. A light breeze with the sky just dotted with clouds. After Louisa and Amelia remarked about a planter of bright flowers, Louisa turned to Stafford.
“Is everything all right, My Lord? You seem off today.”
He turned and gave her a fake smile.
“Everything is fine,” he answered. “I’ve changed my mind on the route we’ll take. I hope you ladies don’t mind.”
“Not at all. Wherever you want to go is fine. We’re enjoying the ride, aren’t we Mother?”
“Yes, thank you, Lord Daniels. It’s lovely.”
Stafford rode through the streets of London haphazardly, staying away from the parks and the main roads. Traffic was light, and the barouche maneuvered easily.
Louisa got the ridiculous feeling that Stafford didn’t want to be seen in public with her. He dodged any street that might find members of the ton walking or shopping.
After the silence seemed to stretch on too long, Louisa asked, “Will you be attending any of the balls scheduled for next week, My Lord?”
Stafford seemed to remember himself. He turned to Louisa before looking back to the road, “I’m not sure. Do you happen to know what is scheduled?”
Louisa smiled. “Yes, I do. On Monday evening, the Olivers are having a ball. Wednesday evening,” Louisa turned to her mother, “is it Wednesday evening?”
“Which one, dear?”
“The Henderson ball.”
“Yes, Wednesday.”
Louisa turned back to Stafford. “As you just heard, the Hendersons are holding a ball on Wednesday evening. Then Thursday evening the Abbotts are having a dinner and musicale.”
Stafford laughed. “I am not fond of musicales. I can assure you I will not attend. But the balls on Monday and Wednesday will fit in my schedule.”
“How nice. We will see you there. I must admit, I’m not overly fond of musicales myself, but Father knows the family so well, we must go.”
“Nonsense, Louisa. I’ve heard that Emily is an extraordinary pianist. You may be surprised to find you will enjoy yourself,” Amelia said.
“I hope that is true, Mother.”
“I must be getting you ladies back before we find Mendon searching the streets of London for you.”
“This has been a lovely ride, My Lord. Thank you for taking us. I’ve lived in London my whole life, and I haven’t been down some of these streets. What a treat,” Louisa said.
“When you’re riding in a barouche, you can go down streets that might be too tight for carriages. I think that is my favourite part of driving a barouche.”
The ladies came in through the door opened by Mendon.
“Good afternoon, Your Grace. Lady Louisa.”
They returned his greeting and asked for tea. They entered the parlour to find Percy sitting in his usual chair, reading the newspaper.
“Hello, Percy. I didn’t think you would still be here,” Amelia said.
Percy got up, put down the newspaper, and bowed.
“I’ve just called for tea. You might as well stay,” Amelia said.
“It would be my pleasure,” he said, then sat down. “I find great pleasure in reading the news. Did you know deer have been seen in Hyde Park eating the flowers?
“They are very fond of peonies. There are sections of the park that have trampled flower beds devoid of flowers. We will have to go back just to see the unsightly flower beds.”
“And how was your ride in the barouche?”
Louisa thought for a moment. “It was unusual. Stafford’s mind seemed to be elsewhere. We were to drive through St. James’s Park, but he changed his mind. Instead, we went down one side street after another. I didn’t know where we were from one minute to the next. Did you, Mother?”
“No, I didn’t. I thought I knew how to navigate London. Stafford knew where he was going, but he was the only one.”
“Were the side streets quaint? Picturesque? Unusual? Tell me about where he took you to see,” Percy asked.
Louisa looked at her mother. “I think they all looked the same. What did you think, Mother?”
Amelia nodded. “All similar. One grey building after another. Storefronts on the bottom with living quarters above. Cobblestones. No pavements. Too narrow for a carriage. I doubt they see many barouches driving by. Similar to the street we shop to get our ribbons, wouldn’t you say?”
“Yes. That street looked similar,” Louisa said.
Percy narrowed his eyes. “Far be it for me to question your lovely afternoon in the barouche, but I’m not sure that would have been my route.
“Did he say anything like, ‘I’m fond of streets like this’ or ‘I need to pick up something in a shop on this street?’ I
don’t get it.
“Were you going too fast? Did he look over his shoulder often? Maybe he was concerned for your safety.”
Amelia sat straighter in her chair. “That may be it. He did seem to take turns onto different streets for no reason, but he may have had a reason. His turns seemed to be taken at the last minute. Could we have been followed? But why?”
“I don’t know, but I don’t like it. Thank God he got you back in one piece,” Percy said.
Chapter 16
Louisa planned to use the same tactic at the Henderson ball that was so successful before. Within ten minutes of arrival, her dance card was full. At least two men were talking with her at any given time. Stafford and Percy would accompany her to dinner.
The ball started out well. Emma and Louisa eyed the gowns and had plenty to say to each other about colour, style, and fit. They talked about Rose’s attempts to settle in.
Emma told Louisa that Rose was thrilled her new husband wanted very little to do with her. He wasn’t at present in need of an heir. They would deal with that later.
Percy watched Stafford’s movements. He wished he trusted the man, but he couldn’t. Stafford left the ballroom and walked down the hall, but not in the direction of the card room.
Shortly after, he saw Barton walk the same way, looking back before ducking out of sight. Percy’s eyes were focused on that hall, waiting.
He waited longer than he thought possible for the two men to exchange pleasantries and swap information. They were arguing; Percy was sure. Why else would they be gone so long?
At last, Stafford stomped back into the ballroom, a scowl on his red face. Percy saw him remember himself and put a smile on his face as well as slow and lighten his walk.
Then Barton came out and stood still, watching the room. He pulled down on his waistcoat in one quick tug. He had a smug smile. Whatever Stafford and Barton discussed, Barton was clearly the winner.
By the time Stafford reached Louisa, he was his usual jovial self, checking Louisa’s dance card to see where they were in the dancing portion of the evening.
Cecil bowed, and Louisa curtsied, then he led her out to the dance floor. Percy and Stafford stood on the sidelines.
“The ladies told me you went on an unusual carriage ride. Amelia said she saw places she’d never seen in London after having lived here a long time. Is that what you do in your barouche? Ride down narrower streets?”
Stafford continued to look out on the dance floor as he answered, “Sometimes. I think they enjoyed the change of scenery. I certainly did.”
“Tell me, Stafford. Do you mind terribly helping us keep Louisa away from Barton?”
Stafford’s head moved from the ballroom floor to Percy as if he’d been slapped hard on his cheek. “Of course not. That man shouldn’t be anywhere near Louisa. I worry he’ll get Louisa alone on the patio outside and compromise her. If he speaks to her, I plan to stand by the patio doors.”
“What makes you think he could get her alone?”
Stafford shook his head. “He’ll try. That man should never be underestimated.”
“I agree. I’ve decided to watch him. If he tries to cut in during a dance like he tried at the last ball, I’ll get between him and Louisa. If he’s strong-arming any of her dance partners, I won’t allow it.”
Stafford turned to face Percy. “What makes you think he is strong-arming someone? You don’t believe she’s safe with the plan we have in place?”
“No, Stafford, I don’t. Something is wrong. I have had a prickle in the back of my neck since we walked in here. He didn’t get away with cutting in at the last ball. I expect he’s thought of ways to ensure he gets to talk with her alone this time. I may take up residence in front of the patio doors with you. She and Barton on that patio would be a disaster.”
Louisa came back from her dance, cheeks flushed and a smile on her face. “Would you care for some lemonade My Lady?”
She looked at Percy and tilted her head. It was an unusual request at this point in the ball, but she agreed to go wondering if something was wrong.
They stood together, lemonade in hand. “I’m concerned Barton is going to try to talk with you tonight. During dances, I am going to be close by in case he tries to cut in.
“I believe he will be more insistent tonight. He has had time to think about how to thwart our attempts to keeping you from him.”
“Percy, is it so important that he and I don’t speak?” Louisa said.
“Yes. He will try to manipulate you. What if he tells you he will hurt Amelia unless you go with him? He can’t get what he wants unless he can get close enough to manipulate you.”
“What if he hurts Mother without talking to me first?”
“He won’t do that. He doesn’t really want to hurt her; he just wants to threaten you.”
“Percy, don’t take this the wrong way, but I think you’re being dramatic.”
“Louisa, you’ve known me a long time? Please just help me. I’ve got a bad feeling.”
Louisa nodded. “If you say so, Percy. But only because I have known you a long time. The next dance will start at any moment. I need to find Stafford.”
“Is something wrong, Stafford?” Louisa asked, enjoying her dance.
“Not at all Louisa. Why do you ask?”
“You’re craning your neck and scanning the room.”
Louisa looked up and saw Barton approaching Stafford. “Stafford, Barton’s coming.”
“I’m sorry, Louisa,” Stafford said.
Barton tapped Stafford on the shoulder. “May I cut in?”
Stafford let go of Louisa’s hands and stepped back. Barton stepped in. Louisa was so surprised she stood still with her hands by her sides.
Barton went to pick up her hands so they could start dancing when Percy stepped between them, his back to Barton. He picked up Louisa’s hands and began to dance, leading her away from Barton.
“Don’t say anything,” Percy said in a low voice. “We’ll talk after the dance.”
Louisa nodded.
Percy smiled at her. “Smile and pretend you are enjoying your dance,” he said.
She did. Throughout the dance, she smiled and moved her feet without a misstep. Unfortunately for Percy, she was gripping his hand so tight his fingers were turning white.
When Percy and Louisa walked back to the group after the dance, Cecil said, “I’ve called for the Haddington carriage.”
“Thank you, Cecil,” Percy said. “I’ll walk them out and come back. Stay here.”
Cecil nodded.
They waited near the front door with their cloaks on, peering out the window for a view of the carriage.
Louisa turned to Percy. “Why are you staying? I thought you would escort us home.”
“Would you feel safer if I joined you?”
“We’ll be fine, Percy,” Amelia said. “I understand your need to stay.”
Their carriage arrived, and Percy bowed, watched them climb into the carriage then turned to the ballroom.
“Do you see him?” Percy asked Cecil. Cecil knew without asking that Percy meant Stafford.
“No. Barton’s not here either. Kent went to the card room and down the hall past it, but he was nowhere to be found. He’s outside looking at the crests of the carriages to see if Stafford’s still here. I doubt it.”
“I agree with you,” Percy said, then told Cecil about what he saw earlier. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he wasn’t being blackmailed. That seems to be Barton’s style.”
“Is there no one in this town we can trust with Louisa?”
Percy almost laughed. She could trust him. But she wouldn’t, she told him a long time ago. She considered him a friend and nothing more.
Kent walked up to Cecil and Percy. “He’s gone.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he leaves town tomorrow morning for business on his estate,” Percy said in disgust.
“At least he won’t hover around Louisa anymore. She doesn’t need t
o worry about him. Imagine. She could have married him without knowing his true colours,” Cecil said.
Percy nodded. “She told me she could never get anything out of him about his family or friends. His answers to her questions were always vague. Hopefully, it will help her take his betrayal a little easier.”
