Isabella had also noticed the strikingly beautiful redhead in the box next to Hal’s. She was dressed in a satin gown which clung to her voluptuous figure, and was watching Hal in such an openly admiring and speculative way that it made Isabella blush. She wondered if the older man who was the lady’s companion was indeed her husband, since he made no attempt to curb her provocative behaviour, or even seemed to notice it. Isabella had no idea who the lady was and what connection, if any, she had with Hal.
The first act complete, the interval had barely begun when Hal and Julia appeared in Isabella’s box.
After uttering a general greeting, Hal added, ‘Are you enjoying the performance?’
‘Yes, very much,’ said Harriet. ‘Sir Seymour has been most informative; he is a keen patron of the theatre, you know.’
Sir Seymour gave a self-deprecating cough. ‘Always happy to support artistic endeavour even though my health precludes too many late evenings.’
‘How charming you look this evening,’ cried Julia, as she clasped Isabella’s hands. ‘You must have been quizzed by all the men in the pit.’
‘They mean no real harm,’ explained Hal. ‘It is common practice to ogle the ladies in the boxes and meanwhile, the dowagers will take note of what you are wearing, your jewellery and even try to guess what we are speaking of at this moment.’
Isabella laughed at this. ‘Gracious! I thought I was visiting the theatre, not undergoing an inspection.’
‘Have you and Mrs Forster received your invitations to my ball?’ asked Julia.
‘We have, thank you, and—’
‘You are coming?’ interjected Julia anxiously.
‘—we will be most happy to attend,’ concluded Isabella, with a smile.
‘And you too, of course, Sir Seymour,’ said Julia.
‘Indeed!’ he said, nodding as much as his shirt points would allow. ‘The new waltz may be beyond my constitution, but I should be able to enjoy one or two country dances.’
Some conversation on the excellence of the play followed until Julia said, ‘Hal, we had best return to our box – the second act is due to begin.’ Opening a silk and ivory fan, she fanned herself and observed, ‘Goodness, the heat in here is stifling!’
As Julia was taking her leave of Harriet and Sir Seymour, Hal moved to Isabella’s side and whispered earnestly, ‘I came here tonight to see you and to ask if you will accompany me on a drive in the park tomorrow afternoon, Isabella.’
Answering from the heart, she murmured her agreement. He nodded, a gleam of pleasure in his eyes, before kissing her hand and joining his sister outside. Isabella knew there was no turning back now – falling in love with Hal would be easy, but it would be far more difficult for her to trust him. Time would be needed for that trust to grow and to tell him about her past, but, for the first time since the death of her father, she felt cared for and protected. Colour rushed to her cheeks as she recalled the touch of his lips against her skin.
‘Julia was right – it is hot in here,’ she remarked, ‘I’ll step outside for a moment where the air is a little cooler.’
‘Would you like me to accompany you, Lady Vane?’ enquired Sir Seymour politely.
‘No, thank you. I only intend to go a little way.’
Isabella opened the door and stepped out into the passageway. She paced to and fro for a moment, fanning her heated complexion and glancing at the people hurrying to take their seats. Suddenly, she halted; further down the passage and unaware that they were being watched, were Hal and the striking redhead whom Isabella had noticed earlier.
The lady was so close to Hal that her hair brushed his shoulder and she smiled as she tilted her head in a coquettish manner. Isabella could not see Hal’s expression, nor could she hear any conversation, but she watched as one of the lady’s hands reached up to caress his cheek. Then, his strong fingers covered the small hand and curled around it. Shocked, Isabella turned away quickly and returned to her box.
As she sat down again, Harriet was remarking, ‘There are so many people here this evening – half the city must have crowded in.’
‘If you prefer not to stay for the whole performance, we may leave after Macbeth – I believe Aladdin is the second item on the programme,’ replied Sir Seymour.
‘Aladdin and Macbeth,’ exclaimed Harriet. ‘A strange combination for one evening’s entertainment. What do you think, Isabella? Shall we stay?’
But Isabella could offer no immediate reply; she felt too shaken and stunned by what she had just witnessed.
Chapter 9
In the heat of the passageway, Hal gripped Lady Portland’s fingers and removed them brusquely from his cheek. He was relieved that his sister had gone on ahead and did not believe Lady Portland’s appearance here was mere chance; Felicity would be audacious enough to follow him. Her green eyes gleamed in the subdued light and the heavy, jasmine-scented fragrance that she had always favoured filled the humid air.
‘What the deuce do you think you are doing?’ Hal recoiled and put her hand away from him.
‘Come, Hal, admit you are not indifferent to me,’ she purred, smiling. ‘Do not fight it; you only have to say the word.’
‘Why have you come back, Felicity?’ he demanded.
‘Portland wanted to return because of Napoleon’s escape, but I had my reasons too; I was bored and thought there might be interesting diversions here. You are an even more attractive man than you were eight years ago, Hal.’
‘Don’t waste your breath – you made your choice then and I have been glad for it ever since,’ he said curtly. ‘Besides, you seem to forget that you are married, or is that a trivial consideration?’ Hal’s tone was glacial. Felicity had always been bold and confident, but even he was shocked by this brazen approach. Once a look or word from this woman had aroused a sentiment that Hal had mistaken for love; now he felt only distaste.
She gave a brief, elegant shrug of her shoulders and murmured, ‘The past is done, but the fact that I am married need not be an obstacle. Portland can be cuckolded with ease and we would find each other most … enjoyable.’
He listened with disbelief; she was offering an affair with as much nonchalance and sang-froid as if she were inviting him for afternoon tea. His lip curled. He was always polite to women, but Lady Portland was testing his civility to the limit. She had not changed – in fact, she was even more of a cold hearted jade now and he wanted to escape her presence. A nerve twitched in his jaw as he struggled to contain his disgust.
‘You seem to think I will be delighted to be chosen for this role,’ he replied, in a low, even voice. ‘Well, you are mistaken. Save your request for someone who is foolish enough to listen. Please excuse me, I must return to my sister.’
He walked away and Felicity watched his retreating figure with surprise. While she had not expected instant agreement – he was too much of a gentleman to agree readily to an affair – she had not anticipated a blunt refusal either. Anger and indignation welled up in her breast. She had offered herself to him and he had tossed her aside like an unwanted gift. No man had ever treated her in that way.
And yet Hal’s refusal only made Felicity want him more. She was used to instant surrender in those she singled out for her favours and the fact he was spurning her advances made him even more attractive in her eyes. She remained confident that she could eventually seduce even a principled man like Hal. Given a little more time and persuasion, he would change his mind and her heart beat faster as she considered his many attributes: he was a prize worth striving for. Her quest had started with a spark of desire, but Hal’s lack of response had fanned it to an insatiable fire of sexual yearning, the like of which she had never experienced before.
Taking her fan from her reticule, Felicity cooled her warm cheeks before making her way slowly back to her husband.
The Honourable Theodore Cavanagh arrived unannounced in Berkeley Square the following afternoon, and had anyone been able to observe his profile as he rang the bell, they
would have remarked that he was a great deal like his elder brother. He had the same strong features, although his hair was lighter and his eyes were dark like his sister’s, with the twinkle of amusement that was a common denominator in the Cavanagh siblings. After a less than sedate journey down from Oxford, he had leapt up the steps with youthful energy and, ringing the door bell with far more enthusiasm than necessary, gave his hat, driving gloves and coat to the bemused butler when he answered it, exclaiming, ‘Where is everyone, Jennings? I thought this place would be a hive of activity but it’s as quiet as a tomb!’
‘We were not expecting you, sir,’ replied the butler, with admirable understatement considering his expression. ‘If you had sent word ahead, your room would have been prepared but—’
‘No matter,’ interpolated Theo, waving a hand dismissively. ‘Any room will do – I’m not in my dotage yet and shan’t need a hot brick to warm the sheets.’ He straightened his cravat in the mirror in the hallway and asked, ‘Where are my mother and Julia? Are they at home this afternoon?’
‘They are in the drawing-room, sir. Lord Bramwell is out at present.’
‘Then I’ll announce myself,’ he replied briskly, ‘I can’t wait to see their faces when they see me. Oh, and bring up some tea and cake will you, Jennings? I’m ravenous.’
A few moments later, Theo opened the door to the drawing-room. ‘Well, if this isn’t a poor welcome for a family member.’
Julia looked up in astonishment. ‘Theo!’ she cried, rushing over to embrace him.
‘Hello, Ju,’ said her brother, grinning.
‘We are pleased to see you, Theo,’ said Lady Bramwell, as he kissed her cheek in greeting. ‘When did you arrive?’
‘Just now – I’ve driven straight here from Oxford. I suppose Hal has told you what happened?’ Theo tried to look downcast but the amusement in his gaze said that he was anything but sorry for his misdemeanours.
His mother nodded. ‘It was a very foolish thing to put cows on the college green. Why on earth did you do it?’
‘To enliven things a little, Mama. Latin and Greek are tedious and, more to the point, Giles Templeton bet me five guineas I wouldn’t do it. I couldn’t ignore such a challenge, could I?’ asked Theo innocently.
‘No Cavanagh could resist,’ said Julia, laughing. ‘How long have you been banished for?’
‘A month. I tried to extend my absence, but my tutor pithily replied that my Latin essay must be submitted before I left Oxford. He thought that a month would be long enough to contemplate my folly and finish the blasted essay. Lord knows when I’ll complete it when there are so many things to do in London.’ Theo looked at his sister. ‘I suppose I am obliged to attend your come-out ball, Ju?’
Julia raised her brows and said, ‘If you must, but don’t expect me to dance with you – my poor feet could not stand the punishment.’
‘Thank the Lord for that!’ he observed blithely. ‘I’ll retire to the card room where there is proper entertainment to be had.’
‘You could always finish your essay instead,’ replied Lady Bramwell with a smile.
Theo shuddered. ‘No, thank you. It may surprise you to know I would choose an evening in Julia’s company over Latin verbs.’ After studying his sibling closely, he said in a more serious tone, ‘Is there something wrong, Sis? You look peaky and your eyes are suspiciously red-rimmed.’
‘Julia and Freddy have quarrelled, but I’m sure it will all be resolved soon,’ explained his mother.
‘Quarrelled with Freddy?’ echoed Theo, amazed. ‘I thought you two love-birds would be engaged by now. Freddy’s a fine fellow and really up to snuff. What did you find to argue about?’
‘Don’t, Theo!’ pleaded Julia, ‘It was a stupid quarrel. Freddy has gone to Newmarket, but I am determined to put matters right when he returns.’
Theo, seeing that she was in earnest, resolved to tease her no more on the subject, adding only, ‘Well, I’m sure it’s all a misunderstanding – if ever there were two people made for each other, it’s you and Freddy.’ He picked up the newspaper and began to flick though the pages. ‘Now, where has Hal got to, Mama? I fancy he has gone to Long Acre to look at that new tilbury he was interested in.’
‘He has not gone to Long Acre,’ said Lady Marguerite. ‘He has gone to call upon Lady Vane.’
‘Who?’ asked Theo, still scanning the print and only half-attending.
‘Isabella, Lady Vane,’ repeated his mother patiently. ‘She is a widow, newly arrived in London from Yorkshire.’
‘Ah! He must have known her husband, I expect, and wishes to give his condolences. It’s not like Hal to visit old ladies in person though – he would normally expect you or Julia to accompany him.’
‘No, Theo,’ replied Julia with a chuckle. ‘Isabella is a charming young woman with a six-year-old son called Dominic. We think Hal is very fond of Lady Vane; he has taken her for a drive in the park this afternoon and has escorted her and Dominic all over London in recent weeks.’
Theo lowered the newspaper slowly, staring over it at Julia with a gaping mouth until his mother reminded him to stop imitating a fish. Discarding the journal, he exclaimed, ‘So Hal’s showing serious interest in a lady at last! I never thought he would after that business with Felicity Portland.’
‘It appears so, Theo,’ said Lady Bramwell. ‘Hal will have to work hard to earn Lady Vane’s trust, but, as Julia says, she is a charming girl in spite of her reserve. Her son is a dear little boy who thinks the world of Hal.’
Theo contemplated this news in silence before observing, ‘Hal must be smitten if he is prepared to entertain a small boy and drive Lady Vane around the park for everyone to see.’ He sighed and, blissfully unaware of events which were about to unfold, added, ‘Well, as Hal is otherwise engaged, it seems I shall be having a quiet evening after all.’
When Hal arrived in Curzon Street to collect Isabella, he sensed at once that there was something very wrong. Silwood’s normally serene features were etched with concern and a frown creased his forehead. The servant greeted Hal, but his voice was so sombre that it prompted Hal to ask, ‘Is something wrong, Silwood?’
Silwood hesitated until his concern overwhelmed his training. ‘Indeed there is, my lord. It is not my place to give you details, except to say I am glad you are here because I believe Lady Vane will be in need of your counsel. She is in the saloon, with Mrs Forster and her maid.’
Hal looked at him in surprise, but asked no further questions, merely nodding and saying, ‘I will announce myself.’
He climbed the stairs two steps at a time and paused for a moment outside the door; the sound of weeping could be heard from within.
When he entered, he was aware only of Isabella at first. She was sitting on the chaise and her complexion was deathly white, her eyes fearful. Sitting down beside her, he took her trembling hands firmly in his. ‘Dear Heaven,’ he murmured, ‘what has happened, Isabella?’
Her troubled gaze registered his arrival. ‘Dominic …’ she replied. ‘He has gone.’
From where she stood beside the fireplace, Harriet spoke through her tears. ‘Thank goodness you are here, Lord Bramwell! A terrible thing has happened and we are desperately worried.’ She turned to Mary, Isabella’s maid, who was also in the room and crying bitterly. ‘Mary, tell his lordship what happened this morning! Do not omit any details; he will know what we must do.’
‘Oh, my lord, the most awful thing,’ began Mary, sobbing. ‘I took Master Dominic for his walk this morning. As usual, he was all excitement as we set off to the park with Aesop – he is most attached to that dog and won’t go anywhere without him, you know. We played various games until Aesop took it into his head to chase another dog and Master Dominic set off in pursuit. I shouted for him to come back, but either he didn’t hear or he chose to ignore me, because he kept running after the dog and I was struggling to keep up. He ran right out of the park. I was out of breath and had to stop for a moment, but by then, I had lost s
ight of him.’
Mary gave another sob and dashed fresh tears from her cheeks, ‘I didn’t know what to do. I tried not to panic, but neither Master Dominic nor the dog was anywhere to be seen. I hoped he might just be lost and so I asked passers-by if anyone had seen them. No one had, until I found a rough-looking fellow who said he had seen a boy of Dominic’s description being led away by an older boy. The man considered it a little odd because Dominic was protesting and Aesop was barking, but he thought they must be brothers having a quarrel. When I had heard all this, I asked the man if he knew the older boy, and he said no, but he fancied he might be a flash-house boy on account of his ragged appearance and artful way. I didn’t know where the flash-house was, my lord, so I came straight back to tell Miss Isabella.’
‘Are you sure he said “flash-house”?’ asked Hal.
‘Oh y-yes, Lord Bramwell,’ stammered Mary, ‘I listened carefully to what he said.’
When his expression became grave, Isabella asked in trepidation, ‘Do you know where he might be?’
‘I cannot lie to you, Lady Vane,’ he replied. ‘Dominic is in danger and we must act quickly while there is still a chance of finding him.’
‘But surely there cannot be many houses in London called Flash House,’ said Harriet. ‘Why can we not go to it directly?’
He shook his head, grim-faced. ‘It is not the name of a particular house, Mrs Forster. Flash-houses are the colloquial term given to places of ill repute – they are at once brothels, drinking places and centres of criminal intelligence. There are many such houses in London and some are kept exclusively for the young. I fear Dominic has been abducted: the keepers of flash-houses train hundreds of young boys and girls to thieve and beg, providing their masters with a thriving illicit business in stolen goods, and sometimes worse.’
Lady Vane's Secret (Regency Secrets and Scandals Book 1) Page 9
