The Crimson Cavaliers

by Mary Andrea Clarke

“Louisa, you put me out of patience with you,” said Georgiana, exasperated. “If you must know, he wanted to speak to me about you.”

  “About me? Whatever for?” Louisa was all innocent inquiry.

  Georgiana could have bitten out her tongue. This was not how she had intended to approach the delicate subject with which Lakesby had entrusted her. She did not know whether she was more annoyed with Louisa for goading her into a reaction or herself for not controlling it. She looked at Louisa, who was watching her expectantly. Georgiana thought carefully about how to phrase her next sentence.

  “He is rather concerned,” she said at last. “He is afraid Sir Brandon Foster has intentions towards you which are less than honourable.”

  Louisa paled. Georgiana continued, “I said, of course, I was certain he had nothing to fear, since you would never agree to anything improper.”

  “N-no.”

  “However, you know how one’s male relatives assume the worst,” said Georgiana conversationally. “My brother is just the same. I have only to spend more than ten minutes in a man’s company for him to be certain I am contemplating an elopement.”

  “An elopement!” said Louisa. “Did Max say that? Does he think I am planning to elope?”

  “Oh, no, he did not say that,” replied Georgiana, just about truthfully. “However, I think he is a little concerned you may be taken in by someone with few scruples.”

  “He must think I am very foolish,” said Louisa, with an air of dignity more appropriate to her mother.

  Georgiana thought it best not to answer this directly. She wondered about adopting a less obvious approach.

  “How could Max imagine I would elope with Brandon Foster of all people? I am quite cross with him,” said Louisa.

  “Perhaps he had the impression Sir Brandon was a particular friend of yours,” said Georgiana soothingly.

  “That is no excuse,” said Louisa, a slight blush appearing on her cheeks. “Brandon Foster indeed! He’s hardly the Crimson Cavalier…”

  Louisa left the sentence unfinished in a manner which left little room for doubt. She glanced towards Georgiana. “It is true he is a friend. He has had problems and I have helped him with a little of my pin money, but that does not mean I’m going to marry him.”

  “No, of course not,” said Georgiana soothingly. “Although, Louisa, it is not altogether the thing to lend money to a man who is not to be one’s husband.”

  “It’s only now and again,” said Louisa. “There are occasions when Brandon is in the suds. Sometimes he is quite comfortably off.”

  “Oh?” said Georgiana. “Does he repay your loans at such times?”

  Louisa appeared nonplussed at this question, but was spared the necessity of a reply by the entrance of the gentlemen from the dining room. Lakesby steered them towards the tea tray before moving to join his cousin and Georgiana. Louisa glowered at him.

  “Whatever is the matter with you, Louisa?” said Lakesby.

  “Nothing,” she responded in a haughty tone.

  Lakesby laughed, much to the girl’s irritation. He looked towards Georgiana. “Have you been upsetting the child, Miss Grey?”

  “I’m not a child,” said Louisa, standing up angrily. “I am quite grown up. I wish you would realise that.” She flounced away, leaving Lakesby staring after her in astonishment.

  “What on earth was that about?” he asked.

  “I’m afraid it’s my fault,” said Georgiana in apologetic tones. “I was trying to find out whether there was anything in this suspicion of yours about Sir Brandon. She seemed rather offended by the notion.”

  Lakesby frowned. “Do you believe her?”

  Georgiana wrinkled her nose as she considered this.

  “Yes, as a matter of fact, I do.”

  “Really?”

  Georgiana nodded. “She seemed genuinely shocked when I suggested the possibility of an elopement. She does acknowledge they are friends, and it is true she has lent him money occasionally.”

  “I thought as much,” said Lakesby. “Well, at least she knows I am keeping an eye on her.”

  “I don’t think it’s fair of you to tease her.”

  “Possibly not. But she’ll recover.”

  Georgiana was thoughtful. “Louisa mentioned there are times when Sir Brandon is quite comfortably off.”

  “Really?” Lakesby looked surprised at this. “It’s true there are occasions when he seems to throw money about more freely. I had not attributed it to anything more than recklessness.”

  “I assume he’s not too successful at the tables?” inquired Georgiana.

  Lakesby shook his head. “Mediocre at best. In any case, what winnings he does have are poured back into the game, or the more pressing of his debts.”

  “Perhaps he’s been selling the contents of the family home.”

  “What concerns me more is that Louisa may be lending him more than she is willing to admit. I should hate to see her frittering away her inheritance on such a fellow.”

  “Yes,” said Georgiana slowly. “Surely she cannot touch the principal?”

  “No, of course not,” said Lakesby. “Her mother and I control that. However, she does receive a fairly generous allowance – more than I would like, but her mother insists she has enough for any trinkets she takes a fancy to.”

  “You speak as though you grudged it,” said Georgiana.

  “Not at all,” said Lakesby. “Tell me, do you mean to torment your brother about his liaison with Lady Wickerston?”

  “That sounds rather harsh,” said Georgiana, wondering if there was a reason for the sudden change of subject.

  “The notion of you doing it or my having worded it so?”

  Georgiana gave a shake of the head. “Why should it concern you?”

  “It doesn’t especially, but I thought you might be interested in Lady Wickerston’s regular morning rides in Richmond Park.”

  “Oh?” said Georgiana. “Who told you that?”

  “My groom.”

  Georgiana thought about this new piece of information, seeing two possibilities. She gave a quick glance towards Edward. Satisfied his attention was elsewhere, she lowered her voice, conscious of the dryness of her mouth.

  “Does she meet my brother there?”

  “That Brackett was too discreet to say. I believe they meet occasionally, but not on a regular basis.”

  Georgiana looked thoughtfully ahead of her. There was a glint of mischief in her eye.

  “Lady Wickerston is careful,” she said slowly. “I’m not sure I can persuade her to tell me anything. Besides, how can I ask my brother’s mistress if he was with her on the night of Sir Robert Foster’s murder?”

  “Perhaps you should ask him.”

  The thought of Edward’s expression were she to ask such a question was one Georgiana found extremely diverting. She cast a surreptitious glance towards him and smiled. “Perhaps I will.”

  The look on Lakesby’s face dared her to do just that.

  “By the by, what has become of that boy?”

  Georgiana was evasive. “I don’t think you need worry about him holding up any more coaches.”

  Lakesby grinned. “Read him a sermon on the evils of highway robbery, did you?”

  “Something like that.”

  “I wish I could have heard it.”

  “I’m sure you would have found it very amusing.”

  With the approach of Lady Winters any further conversation on the subject was firmly closed. Lakesby rose, but her ladyship declined his offer of a seat, smiling graciously. She was clearly doing her obligatory circulation among her guests, although the thought struck Georgiana that she had decided the tête-à -tête between her nephew and his companion had lasted long enough.

  “I must make you my compliments,” Georgiana said to her hostess. “The dinner was excellent.”

  “I am so pleased you enjoyed it.” Lady Winters turned her attention back to Lakesby. “Maxwell, do you know what is the mat
ter with Louisa? Of a sudden she seems to be out of sorts.”

  “Perhaps she is in love,” he said lightly.

  Her ladyship looked unamused. “I wish you would speak with her and find out what is wrong.”

  “If I get an opportunity,” said Lakesby, clearly bored with the subject.

  Lady Winters looked anything but satisfied with this concession. She addressed Georgiana. “Louisa is very fond of her cousin, you know. He can always manage to lift her spirits.”

  “Indeed?” said Georgiana politely. She could not resist a quizzical glance at Lakesby. His answering expression promised retribution.

  “She was quite distressed about poor Sir Robert’s death,” Lady Winters continued.

  “Yes, I’m sure she was,” Georgiana responded. “It must have been quite a shock.”

  “Oh, yes,” said her ladyship. “I would have been so happy to see her respectably settled, knowing she would be generously provided for. Such matters are a constant worry to a mother.”

  “Yes,” said Georgiana, who had never heard any reports of Sir Robert’s generosity.

  Lady Winters sighed. “I hear the bulk of Sir Robert’s fortune goes to a distant cousin. I can only hope Louisa will not have to wait long for another eligible suitor.”

  “I shouldn’t waste any more time thinking about it,” Lakesby recommended. “Louisa will marry well enough sooner or later.”

  “I would prefer it was sooner, Maxwell,” said her ladyship, “before some serious mischief befalls her.” She turned and left them abruptly.

  14

  Amanda did not want to be away from her children too late so their party took leave of Lady Winters shortly after eleven o’clock. Since Amanda was anxious to check the nursery, the carriage called first at the house she and Edward shared. Edward insisted Georgiana and Selina came in for a glass of wine, an invitation which appealed more to Selina than Georgiana. However, her brother was already out of the carriage, waiting to hand her down. Since he would never countenance sending her home in his carriage without an escort, Georgiana had no option but to acquiesce.

  Amanda went straight to the nursery, Selina at her side, having expressed an earnest desire to see the children while promising not to disturb them. A waiting footman helped Georgiana off with her cloak. Edward gave instructions to the footman to fetch some wine. Striding down the hall, he told his sister he would join her presently. Georgiana decided to wait in the library. She smiled at the footman, telling him there was no need for him to show her the way.

  Georgiana cast her eyes over the rows of books, taking in no more than half of the titles. Her mind was on the words of Lady Winters. What mischief could she be expecting to befall Louisa if she was not soon married? Did she also fear her daughter was at risk of being persuaded into an elopement? Georgiana began to wonder whether she had been too easily convinced by Louisa’s denials.

  The door opened softly and the footman appeared bearing a decanter and glasses. Georgiana smiled her thanks and declined his offer to pour, saying she would wait for her brother. She moved away from the bookshelves as the footman departed. Despite her initial reluctance to enter the house, Georgiana was glad of the opportunity to stretch her legs and enjoy some quiet after what seemed endless raptures from Selina about Lady Winters’s party.

  Her eyes fell on a rectangular box which rested on a large mahogany desk. Its style was familiar and not something she would have expected to find in plain sight. She frowned. It was unlike Edward to be so careless. She gave a quick glance towards the door, then raised the lid. Georgiana found herself staring into a case empty but for the red velvet lining with its two distinct pistol shapes.

  “Georgiana, what are you doing?”

  Georgiana started. She had not heard Edward open the door. She moved away from the desk guiltily. Edward strode over and picked up the box, locking it inside a drawer.

  “Isn’t it a little late for that?” Georgiana asked.

  “What do you mean by prying into my personal affairs?” Edward demanded stiffly.

  Georgiana faced her brother unflinchingly.

  “I was concerned that a set of pistols had been left out in the open.”

  “Really?” said Edward.

  “Where are they?”

  Edward began to look flushed. “It’s late. When Selina comes down from the nursery I shall escort you both home.”

  “Where are the pistols?”

  “That is hardly your concern, Georgiana.”

  Georgiana rolled her eyes. “For heaven’s sake, Edward, do stop being so pompous.”

  “You are fond enough of telling me you consider your life to be none of my concern.”

  A fair point, she thought, still determined to have an answer. “Surely you haven’t given them to your postilions?” The pistols were heirlooms, and this seemed unlikely.

  Edward looked at her in irritation. His voice, when he spoke, was petulant. “Since you insist on knowing, they were stolen.”

  “Stolen?”

  “Yes.”

  “Have you done anything about recovering them?”

  “Certainly. I’m not a fool.”

  “You’ve found no trace of them?”

  “No. Why are you interesting yourself in the matter?” said Edward.

  “When did you miss them?”

  “A few days ago.”

  “Before Sir Robert was killed?”

  A look of horror appeared on Edward’s face. “Surely, Georgiana, you are not suggesting they were used to kill Sir Robert? That’s preposterous.”

  “Really?” asked Georgiana.

  “It would be an outlandish coincidence. It’s hardly likely they were stolen by Sir Robert’s murderer.”

  “How can you know that? Where did you leave them?”

  “I do not propose to justify my actions,” said Edward haughtily. “You know I’m not a careless person.”

  “It seems I don’t know you as well as I thought.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Lady Wickerston.”

  The two words hung in the room between them. Edward’s face took on a corpse-like pallor. He walked quickly to the door and closed it quietly. When he returned he seemed more in control of himself.

  “What about Lady Wickerston?”

  Georgiana gave a slow smile. “I know she is your mistress, Edward.”

  Edward swallowed, evidently shocked. He sought refuge in brotherly authority. “Georgiana, this is hardly an appropriate subject for discussion.”

  “Spare me the sanctimony, Edward. It seems you’re hardly in a position to talk to me about what is and isn’t appropriate.” She paused, sauntering over to examine the bookshelves. “Ironic, when I think of the way you constantly lecture me, not to mention foisting Selina on me as a companion.”

  “I did not foist her on you,” said Edward hotly. “I merely suggested Selina to bear you company, since you could hardly live alone.”

  “You wrote to invite her without consulting me. And your moral stance is no longer convincing.”

  Edward strode to the wine decanter and poured himself a glass. Georgiana shook her head as he offered her one. Disposing of his wine in one swallow, Edward poured another and took a deep breath. Silence hung between brother and sister, heated and anxious on his side, cool, almost amused on hers. The door opened, and Amanda entered with Selina close behind her looking nervous.

  “For heaven’s sake, the children are asleep. I could hear raised voices from the nursery,” said Amanda.

  “What?” said Edward, his colour draining.

  “I wish you would try to be more amiable with each other,” Amanda begged. “What was it this time?”

  “Oh, the usual,” Georgiana said lightly. “Edward thinks he knows best about everything.”

  If Edward was grateful to his sister for her discretion, he did not show it. Instead, he drank the remainder of his wine and spoke gruffly to his wife. “I shall escort Georgiana and Selina home. I do not expe
ct to be very long, but do go to bed, you must be exhausted.”

  “Not at all. I’ll wait,” said Amanda, smiling affectionately. She embraced Georgiana and Selina, wishing each a fond goodnight.

  The drive was accomplished in silence, with Edward avoiding his sister’s eyes and she lost in thought. Selina sat miserably stealing glances at each. Reaching Georgiana’s front door, Edward pressed her hand urgently as he helped her from the carriage, speaking in a strained undervoice.

  “Georgiana, I must talk to you. May I come in for a few moments?”

  “Certainly,” she responded.

  Edward’s face was drawn, and Georgiana was surprised at the hint of desperation in his eyes. Entering the house, she wished goodnight to Selina, who looked eager to escape. Georgiana led Edward into the drawing room and closed the door.

  “Well, Edward, what is it?”

  Edward seemed to be struggling for the right words.

  “I feel I should apologise for my behaviour.”

  Georgiana had not expected this. “Oh? Well, thank you, but should you not be apologising to Amanda?”

  “You are right, of course.” He paused. “Thank you for not saying anything to her.”

  “I have no wish to see her hurt.”

  “No.” He fell silent for another moment. “How did you find out?”

  “Your party. There passed a look between you which could not have meant anything else.”

  Edward let out a long-drawn breath and covered his eyes with his hand. Georgiana thought he seemed broken all of a sudden.

  “It’s not that I am unhappy with Amanda,” he said, “or that I don’t love her. I do, very much indeed.” Edward sank into a chair.

  Georgiana nodded. “Of course,” she said in a tone which betrayed her tongue as firmly in her cheek. “I see, this is just a diversion, it doesn’t mean anything.”

  Edward looked angrily at her. “You don’t understand.”

  Georgiana laughed. “Nonsense, Edward, I understand only too well.”

  “It’s complicated.”

  “Of course it is.”

  Edward glared in response to the mockery in her tone. Georgiana shook her head.

  “Oh, for heaven’s sake, Edward, your private life is no more my business than mine is yours. However,” she continued, preventing any opportunity to protest, “Amanda doesn’t deserve such treatment.”