He leaned over and kissed Dora on the cheek, and she said, “I’ve missed you, Uncle.”
“And I missed you.”
Serafina said, “Let me introduce your guests. Mr. Dylan Tremayne and Inspector Matthew Grant. This is our dear friend Lord Darby and his wife, Lady Heather, and this is Miss Gervase Hayden and Mr. Bramwell St. John.”
After the brief introduction, Serafina said, “I told you, Lord Darby, about how these two gentlemen were such a help in getting Clive freed.”
“Yes, I was very pleased to hear that, and we’re very happy to have you for the ball.”
Heather smiled. “Your rooms are ready. I’m sure you want to go freshen up before dinner.”
“Crinshaw,” Lord Darby said, turning to a cadaverous-looking man, “will you show our guests to their rooms?”
Matthew and Dylan followed the butler upstairs. He led them down the hall, then opened two doors. “This will be your room, Inspector, and right across the hall will be yours, sir.”
“Thank you very much.” Matthew waited until the butler left and then walked in and looked around. “What a room!” he murmured. “I feel like a blasted impostor. This is not my kind of life.”
“Nonsense,” Dylan said. “Carpe diem! Seize the day, man! Enjoy the food and dance with Dora.”
“I feel out of place. Everyone will be wondering what a grubby policeman is doing here.”
“It’s nobody’s business to go poking their old noses into! Think of it like this: you’re twice as intelligent as anybody you’ll meet here. Just do what I do.”
The workings of Dylan’s mind always intrigued Grant. “What are you going to do?”
“What I always do.” Dylan smiled. “Let’s think of this as a play. I’m expected to be the empty-headed, egocentric actor who’s moving above his station. What does that matter? Let’s just enjoy the food and the ball.”
“Well, that’s fine for you, but I’m no actor.”
“We’re all actors, Matthew, yes? All of us are playing roles all the time, pretending to be something we’re not.” He walked around the room gesturing as if he were on a stage. “Shakespeare hit it right on the head in As You Like It. He said:
All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players:
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts.
Matthew laughed. “A fine bunch of hypocrites you make us out to be!”
“Not at all, Matthew. I’m only tormenting you. I can play a role like that, but you’re Matthew Grant, an inspector with Scotland Yard. Don’t try to be anything else, and Dora will be very proud of you.”
“I hope so,” Matthew said gloomily. “I’m not accustomed to this sort of thing with rich people.”
“Don’t worry about it. Rich people are only poor people with money, you see?”
“Yes, but money makes a difference.”
FIVE
Lady Bertha Mulvane would never admit to it, but she had one serious problem—she was totally and completely colourblind. This resulted in a very strange and often almost frightening combination of colours in her attire. She was never willing to admit, however, that others could see something that she herself could not.
The dress she wore to the ball was a particularly leprous grey, and the shawl around her neck was purple—not just a mild purple but a blazing, screaming, shouting purple that clashed with everything else she had on. No one had ever come directly out and confronted Lady Bertha with the truth, for it would have been dangerous saying such a thing to one who believed herself perfectly normal, capable, and even superior in every way. She was dominating now the small group that had gathered prior to going into the ballroom, saying to Lord Darby in stentorian tones, “I must apologize for my family, Lord Darby, and to you, too, Lady Darby. I want you to understand that it was not any of my doings to invite that awful actor fellow and that policeman to the ball.”
Edward Hayden, the Earl of Darby, was accustomed to the antics and blindness of Lady Mulvane. He was perfectly aware that she had no legal right whatsoever to call herself Lady Mulvane, but it made the old woman happy. “That’s quite all right, Lady Mulvane,” he said. “They’ll be interesting enough, I’m sure.”
“Yes, indeed!” St. John, who was standing back slightly from his uncle and aunt, said, “We’re all aware, Lady Mulvane, of the help that these two gave to Lady Trent in the matter of her brother, Clive.”
“It’s one thing,” Bertha sniffed, “to be involved with the frightful people on stage and even worse the criminals that the inspector is forced to deal with, but to bring them into a proper society shows a lack of feeling.”
“Well, Gervase was quite taken with Mr. Tremayne when she saw him in a play. She doesn’t ask for much, and it was the least I could do. And, of course, when Lady Trent invited the inspector, that was enough to tell us that they would be perfectly acceptable guests.”
They looked up to see the two men in question approaching them, and Edward said, “You two are all settled, I take it?”
“Yes, Lord Darby, we are,” Dylan said pleasantly. “Very gracious of you to allow us to come. Not many men of your station would welcome a lowly actor and policeman to a ball.” As soon as he said this, Dylan saw every eye go to Lady Mulvane, and she made an expression as if she had just swallowed a toad. Her face turned almost as purple as her dress, and Gervase, who was part of the group, said, “Did you choke on something, Lady Mulvane?”
Lord Darby changed the subject and asked Dylan what had happened to the superintendent of Scotland Yard who had been convicted of the murder for which Clive had been accused. “He’s being deported to Australia for life,” Dylan said. “Sorry for him, I am. I’ve been to see him several times.”
Rupert, who had been standing off to one side watching the scene carefully, spoke up. “Well, it’s regrettable to see justice not done. He should have been hanged, of course.”
Dylan shook his head. “I feel sorry for the man. His life is ruined.”
Rupert snorted. “He should have been hanged. He would have been if he had been a working man.”
Gervase was looking up at Dylan, and she asked, “What do you say to a man who’s faced such ruin?”
Dylan shrugged. “To someone who’s lost everything there’s only one comfort, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ.”
The remark seemed to cast a net of silence around the group. Serafina was amused. She herself was accustomed to Dylan’s outspoken religious beliefs, but she saw that Darby and his wife and the others were rather stunned by it. “You’ll have to get used to Mr. Tremayne’s brand of religion. He’s quite outspoken about it. I expect he’ll wind up as a Methodist street preacher one day.”
St. John was standing beside his mother, and he suddenly changed the subject. “You might have a case to solve here, Lady Trent.”
“Whatever do you mean, Mr. St. John?” Serafina asked. “And don’t take my reputation as a detective too seriously. Inspector Grant here is the one who is adept at catching criminals. I was just lucky in one or two cases.”
“What sort of case would be in a setting like this?” Dylan asked with surprise.
“Why, you probably haven’t heard about it,” St. John said, “but Lord Darby was fired upon by someone. The bullet narrowly missed him.”
“Is that true, Sir Edward?” Serafina asked, turning to face him. “I never heard about it.”
“Oh, there was nothing to it. I was out in the woods, and there were other hunters there. You know how far a rifle bullet can carry. It could have been half a mile away. He missed a shot, missed all the trees, missed me, too, by a goodly margin.”
“Not all that goodly,” St. John argued. “The bullet came within a few feet of your head.”
Darby simply laughed. “It was just a hunter in the woods,” he said. “Shall we go in?”
The party entered the glittering ballroom where chandeliers hung from the cei
ling, their crystal facets winking in the barest movement of air. Lights burned from the gas brackets on the walls. Diamonds sparkled from the throats and arms and hair of the women, and reflected light glanced off the polished tables and on silver and in glass. Already there were many people there, and the musicians who were ensconced at one end were playing a sprightly tune.
Gervase at once went to Dylan and said, “You’ll discover that I have very few social graces, Mr. Tremayne. I’ve always thought it rather evil that a woman has to wait until the man asks her to dance. Therefore, would you dance with me?”
“I totally agree with you. Men and women are equal in all respects.”
“I hope you remember that, Dylan,” Lady Trent said sarcastically. “There have been times when I have felt you were not quite so sure of that dictum.”
“Nonsense. I’m always on the woman’s side. It will be a pleasure to dance with you, Miss Gervase.”
As they went to the floor and began to dance the waltz, she said, “You’re a better dancer than I am.”
“Part of the stock of actor’s tricks that I’ve been forced to develop, but you are a beautiful dancer. You’ve probably had more practice than I have.”
“I doubt that. But I do want to tell you how much I enjoyed your performance in Romeo and Juliet. I thought your Mercutio was magnificent.”
“Words I love to hear! Do you go to the theatre much?”
“As often I can. Uncle Edward spoils me greatly, I fear, and my father assists him as well as he can.”
“I haven’t met your father, have I?”
Dylan did not miss the fact that his question threw Gervase into a brief silence. It was as if she were searching for an answer, and finally she said, “He will probably be a little late. He wasn’t feeling too well tonight.”
“I’ll be happy to meet him.”
“Well, he doesn’t like parties or balls.”
“Is he much like Mr. Rupert?”
“Oh, no, not at all! They have the same father but different mothers. Lord Leslie’s first wife was a very gentle woman. Rupert seems to have none of that gentleness.”
“You apparently don’t care for your Uncle Rupert.”
“Oh, let’s not talk about that. Change the subject.”
“Very well. Your dress is beautiful, Miss Hayden, and you dance divinely.”
“There! Let’s have a lot more of that. You may lie to me all you please about my ability as a dancer and my beauty. Actors are known for such things. I refuse to believe a word you say, but it’s pleasant to hear.”
Across the room, Leah St. John had come to stand beside Edward and Heather. They watched the dancers, commenting on various individuals, and finally Leah said, “Edward, do you think it’s wise to let Gervase have her way?”
“About what, Sister?”
“I understand that it was she who asked the actor, Mr. Tremayne, to come, or rather she asked you if she could do such a thing and you said yes.”
“He seems like a fine enough chap, and Gervase has a lot of sense. Besides, he adds a little colour to the ball, don’t you think?”
“Gervase has very good sense, Leah,” Heather said with a smile. “She’s not likely to fall in love with an actor.”
After a brief silence Leah turned to face the pair. “I wish her father had more of that.”
“Well, Arthur’s sensitive,” Edward said reluctantly and with some sadness, “and I suppose he’ll never change.”
Rupert had joined their group, and he said now, “No, he never will change. It’s a pity. Men should change.”
Edward laughed and turned to face Rupert. “You’re a fine one to talk, Rupert. When was the last time you changed? I believe it was when you were fifteen and decided not to be a lawyer.”
Rupert straightened up, and a frown scored his features. “I trust you’re not saying I’m like Arthur.”
“No, you’re a practical man and Arthur isn’t.”
Heather at once defended Arthur, for she was fond of him. “He’s got a sweet spirit. I always liked him. Now, enough gossip about family. Let’s enjoy the ball.”
Across the room Grant was chatting with Dora when St. John suddenly appeared. He had obviously been drinking, and Grant, being highly attuned to such things, noticed it immediately.
“I’m afraid you’re going to have to give up your pursuit of Aldora, Inspector.”
Grant blinked. It was improper of the man to say such a thing. “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean,” he said stiffly.
“I’ve decided to become her suitor,” St. John said and grinned loosely.
“Don’t be silly,” Dora said. “You know that could never happen.”
“But it would solve all my problems. Plenty of money in your family to support a trifling beggar like me.” He turned to Grant and said, “Are you enjoying the ball?”
“Not really my sort of thing, Mr. St. John.”
“No, catching criminals would be much more exciting, I’m sure. You and your actor friend are in the same boat as I am.”
“I don’t know what to make of that,” Grant said, studying the younger man carefully.
St. John smiled, pleased to have offended Grant. “We’re not quite the ticket, as they say. Come along, Aldora. Time you had a dance with a really excellent partner.”
Matthew Grant watched as the pair moved off and felt a glow of anger. He did not like Bramwell St. John, and he muttered under his breath, “A good caning would help him, and I’d like to be the one to administer it!”
The evening had worn on, and finally Leah St. John moved over and began to speak to Alberta. The two had known each other well for years, and Alberta commented on Leah’s son. “You have such a handsome son. St. John’s one of the best-looking young men I know.”
“Yes, he’s fine-looking, but I worry about his future.”
Surprise washed across Alberta Newton’s face. “Why would you worry about his future?”
“He has no profession.”
“But he’s young. Many men older than St. John are late in finding their calling.”
Leah chewed her lower lip, and for an instant, pain scored her face. “If something happened to Edward, Rupert would be the head of this family.”
“Yes, I understand he has been designated as such by Edward.”
“If Edward died and Rupert were the head of this family, Bramwell and I would be set out in the street without a dime.”
“Oh, surely not! Rupert would never do a thing like that.”
“You don’t know him, Alberta. He’s a cold, heartless man, and he begrudges us every bite we eat.”
Alberta was shocked. She had never heard such a thing mentioned, although she had known Leah to be an unhappy woman, and now she said gently, “Edward is a strong, healthy man. He’ll live for many years. Now, come and let’s get some refreshments.”
Serafina had been watching the two women speak as she stood far back into the crowd when she looked up and saw Lord Darby making his way toward her. As he stood before her smiling, she was reminded of what a fine, handsome, strong man he was.
“I’ve been watching Dylan dance with a most attractive woman,” Serafina said.
“Ah, your friend Tremayne is an attractive fellow himself. The ladies can’t keep their eyes off of him.”
“Oh, he looks well enough.”
“Come now, Serafina, you know he’s probably the best-looking man in England. Women turn around to watch him on the street. I’ve observed that much in this single evening.”
Serafina knew that Lord Darby was right, and it troubled her. “Yes, but it’s not his good looks I admire. I owe him a lot. Have you heard how he was injured saving David?”
“Just a little. I’d like to hear the rest of the story.” He listened intently as Serafina related how David had wandered into the pasture with the wild, dangerous bull, and how Dylan had rescued him, risking his own life.
“He is a stout fellow. There’s more to him than Rupert
thinks.”
“What does Rupert say?”
“Oh, you know Rupert. He’s all pounds and shillings and pence. If he can’t put a price on it, he’s not interested. He thinks Tremayne is a shallow actor.”
“He’s much more than that,” Serafina said sharply, and then she made herself smile. “Are you going to ask me to dance?”
“I shall indeed.”
The two danced the next dance, and when it ended they left the floor and moved to where Dylan was waiting. “Lord Darby, I must protest. You’re a much better dancer than I am.”
“You shouldn’t be on that bad leg so much, Dylan,” Serafina said crossly.
“Well, the poor fellow can’t help it. The women are practically lined up to dance with him.” Edward smiled.
“Perhaps if you’ll dance with me, Lady Trent, that will warn some of them off.”
Serafina said, “I’m not sure of that, but we’ll try it.” They nodded to Lord Darby and moved back to the dance floor, but before they left, Edward said, “Oh, do you ride, Tremayne?”
“Yes, sir, but not as well as you, I’m sure.”
“Join me tomorrow. We’ll ride over the estate. I’ll show you some fine animals and some fine farming.”
“I’d be most happy, Lord Darby.”
As they merged into the dance, Dylan said, “He’s a fine man. I can tell.”
“He is fine, and his wife is too. They’re the happiest couple that I know.”
“More than your parents?”
“Oh, perhaps not, but my parents have something to make them happy.”
“And what’s that?”
“A wonderful daughter like me.”
Dylan smiled, his white teeth flashing against his tanned skin. “That is something to be proud of. I congratulate you for bringing sunshine and roses and never giving your parents an anxious moment.”
The evening was almost over, and Gervase came to Dylan, who was at the refreshment table talking to Irene Tillerman, a fine-looking society woman. He had danced with her twice already and had found she was quite the “toothsome wench,” as he had heard put before.
A Conspiracy of Ravens Page 7
