by Sandra Heath
“Just be on your guard, for it seems to me these particular young lovers have been a little too easy to part.”
“What do you mean?”
“Simply that according to Miss Simmonds, Mlle Sophie Arenburg never gives up without a veritable war of wits, and I have to confess to thinking your old headmistress is probably right. Our little mademoiselle would say anything to get what she wants, she doesn’t simply gather rosebuds, she snatches the whole bush up by the root! However, since you’re so eager to take her under your wing, I can only presume you have the measure of her.”
“Yes, I believe so,” Camilla replied.
“I understand you’re leaving for Summerton Park first thing tomorrow?”
“That is the intention.”
He gave a thin smile. “One can only be thankful you didn’t leave it until the day after.”
“The day after?”
“April the first.”
She colored a little. “How droll, to be sure. Isn’t it time you went about your business, my lord? You have much to do if Mlle Arenburg’s request is to be considered before I leave.”
“Request? What a monumental understatement.”
“I did warn you.”
He sketched her a bow. “So you did,” he murmured, and then went to the door. “Good day, my lady.”
“Good day, sir.”
She went to the window to watch as he went down the steps from the front door. He paused on the pavement for a moment, his tall figure indistinct in the fog. Then he stepped on to the cobbles and was lost from view. But she felt as if he were still in the room with her. As if he touched her.
Chapter 7
It was evening when Dominic returned to Cavendish Square. Camilla and Sophie were playing piquet in the drawing room as his carriage drew up at the door. Sophie heard it first and got up from the little card table to hurry to the window. Her straw taffeta gown was another of Camilla’s, there being little point in transferring her own wardrobe from Ennismount House until it was definite that she could remain with Camilla.
Holding the heavy fringed velvet curtain aside, she looked out. “It is Lord Ennismount!” she cried.
Camilla got up. “I think it best if you go up to your room,” she said,
“Oh, but—”
“Do as I say, Sophie.”
To her relief Sophie didn’t argue further, but hurried out just as Dominic’s cane was heard rapping at the front door.
Camilla positioned herself before the fireplace, patting her hair into place and then nervously smoothing the rich damson velvet skirt of her gown. Her pulse had quickened, but she gave no outward sign as Hawkins announced him.
“Lord Ennismount, my lady.”
Dominic entered and accorded her a courteous but cool bow. “Lady Camilla.”
“Sir.”
“I’ve just come from Carlton House after speaking to the Prince Regent, the prime minister, and the Russian ambassador.”
“And?”
“They’re anxious to keep the matter as quiet as possible, which is very fortunate for de Marne, whose father will not be told of his appalling conduct. They are therefore more than willing for the young lady to stay in your custody for the time being, both here in London and then at Summerton Park.”
“What you’re really saying is they take her threats seriously,” Camilla observed dryly.
“Yes, that is indeed what I’m saying. Prince Ludwig isn’t deemed to be of consequence in this, indeed Mlle Arenburg’s assessment of him would appear to be accurate, but everyone’s very anxious to prevent any difficulty with the Grand Duchess Catherine, even the ambassador, who has a positive aversion of her. Mlle Arenburg is again correct when she claims the lady has a dread of illness, so any suggestion of influenza or some such malady would be adequate for our purposes, but if the czar’s ward hopes to rid herself of the Prussian match by all this, I fear she’s wasting everyone’s time, including her own. The grand duchess is absolutely determined to see it proceed, and the small problem of the bride’s willingness is neither here nor there.”
“That’s a matter for the grand duchess’s conscience,” Camilla replied.
He gave a thin smile. “And conscience is something of which you and I know a great deal, is it not?” he murmured.
She turned away. “I believe you’ve delivered your message, sir, so please go now.”
“I’m afraid I haven’t said all that needs to be said regarding Mlle Arenburg.”
“Oh?”
“The Prince Regent has imposed a condition upon the granting of her demand.”
“What condition?” Camilla asked warily.
Dominic ran his hand through his hair. “There isn’t an easy way of saying this. You see, the prince insists that as a matter of protocol I must accompany you; not only that, he insists that I remain with you for the whole of Mlle Arenburg’s stay at Summerton Park.”
Camilla stared at him, and then shook her head. “No!”
“I advise you to think carefully.”
“I don’t need to think where you’re concerned! Have you at Summerton Park again? Never!”
“Leave personal feeling out of this, madam, for there are other considerations. It has now been implanted in the royal mind that a probable source of embarrassing trouble can be safely removed, and that’s all that matters to him. By insisting I accompany you he continues to accord the czar’s ward with the appropriate governmental regard, and if you object for any reason, I doubt he’ll view it kindly, indeed I fancy he’ll take it as a personal affront.”
“Are you telling me I have no choice in the matter?” she demanded incredulously.
“You’ve chosen to involve yourself in all this, madam, and now you’re reaping the consequences. You’d be very unwise to change your plans now. The prince is quite capable of making your social position somewhat, er, untenable.”
“This is monstrous!”
“Possibly.”
She quivered with resentment. “I vowed never to have you at Summerton Park again.”
“And I vowed never to go there, believe me, but neither of us has much option. Mlle Arenburg has hoist us both with her damned petard.”
Camilla didn’t know what to say. She wanted to tell him to go to hell, but in one thing he was only too right; she had indeed chosen to involve herself. She could have refused to help Sophie, but instead had given in to the girl’s pressure. There was nothing for it now but to make the best of an odious situation. “Very well, I agree to the prince’s condition.”
“I have to travel with you.”
“Surely not in the same carriage?”
“I fear so. Believe me, the situation is as disagreeable to me as it is to you, but duty dictates.”
She looked away again. The petard was being hoist higher and higher!
He spoke again. “Do I have your promise that Mlle Arenburg will not leave this house between now and tomorrow morning?”
“You do,” she replied through gritted teeth.
“And do I also have your promise that any attempt to communicate with de Marne will be prevented?”
“Sir, do you honestly imagine I would do otherwise? I’m well aware of the political delicacy of this whole situation, and have already spoken to both Mlle Arenburg and William de Marne. I therefore find your demand for my promise to be more than a little offensive.”
“Then I crave your forgiveness,” he murmured in a tone that conveyed the very opposite.
“Oh, I’m sure you do.”
“I think we understand each other perfectly, Lady Camilla.”
“There’s no doubt of it.”
“Good. Until tomorrow morning then. Au revoir.” He inclined his head.
She didn’t respond, and without another word he walked from the room. She heard him with Hawkins and then the outer door closed. A moment later his carriage drove away.
Soon Sophie peeped anxiously around the door. “Am I to come with you, Lady Camilla?” she asked
.
“Yes, Sophie, you can come, but so unfortunately must Lord Ennismount!”
Dismayed, Sophie came into the room. “Lord Ennismount?”
Camilla nodded. “The Prince Regent insists.”
“I—I am so sorry, Lady Camilla.”
“So you should be. Not only have I been drawn into your tangle, but I must suffer the presence of a man I despise! And at Summerton Park!”
“I did not mean it to be like this, Lady Camilla.” Sophie looked curiously at her. “Why do you hate Lord Ennismount so much?” she asked.
“It’s none of your concern, Sophie.”
“No, Lady Camilla.” Sophie lowered her eyes, but her interest had been aroused. If Camilla wouldn’t tell her, she’d ask Mary. Servants always knew everything. She changed the subject. “Shall we play piquet again?”
Camilla glanced at the card table. “I don’t feel like it now.”
“Then let us play something else,” Sophie suggested.
Camilla shook her head. “I’m not in the mood for anything, except perhaps to catch up on the sleep I forfeited last night. I think you should sleep as well, we have a long journey ahead of us tomorrow.”
“Yes, Lady Camilla,” Sophie replied meekly. She turned away, but then hesitated. “Will we go straight to Summerton Park, or will we stay a night at an inn?”
“I usually stay at the Cross Keys in Wantage. Why?”
“I—I am merely looking forward to the journey. I like inns.”
Camilla found this hard to believe. With all her grandiose St. Petersburg ways, it hardly seemed likely that Sophie would appreciate the charms of mere inns!
Sophie went on. “I stayed at one on the way from Bath. It was exciting.”
“Then I hope the Cross Keys does not disappoint you. Good night, Sophie.”
“Good night, Lady Camilla.” Sophie withdrew.
Camilla remained in the drawing room for a few moments more, and then followed, but as she reached the foot of the staircase there was another knock at the door. Hawkins admitted Elizabeth.
Camilla’s heart sank, for she knew the unexpected call must be in connection with William. Did Elizabeth blame her for being involved? She went reluctantly to greet her friend. “Good evening, Elizabeth.”
“Oh, Camilla, I simply have to talk to you about William.”
“Yes, of course. We’ll go to the drawing room.”
Elizabeth followed her across the hall, but then halted as she saw a movement at the top of the stairs. It was Sophie. Elizabeth looked angrily at her. “You! This is all your fault!”
Sophie drew back defensively, and Camilla caught Elizabeth’s arm. “It takes two, Elizabeth. Come into the drawing room and we’ll discuss the matter.”
“If it were not for that little madam ...!”
Camilla glanced up at Sophie. “Go to your room, if you please.”
Sophie gave Elizabeth a defiant look before hurrying away, leaving Camilla to lead Elizabeth into the drawing room, where they sat on the sofa.
Elizabeth promptly dissolved into apologetic tears. “Oh, I’m sorry, Camilla...”
“It’s all right”
Elizabeth took her hand. “I know I shouldn’t blame Mlle Arenburg, but this has all come as a dreadful shock. William told me just before he left for Scotland. I had no idea that he and Mlle Arenburg were...”
“Your anger is understandable, for I know how much you love him.”
Elizabeth’s eyes became reproachful. “He told me you helped him at the ball.”
“Yes.”
“I wish you’d said something to me before you left. I spoke to you as you were waiting for your carriage, the least you could have done was—”
“I know,” Camilla interrupted regretfully. “I almost told you, Elizabeth, but then I thought better of it. You’d already said how worried you were about him, and I didn’t want to upset you any more. William told me he wouldn’t see Sophie again, and I really thought that was the end of it.”
Elizabeth looked away. “He must have taken leave of his senses to pay court to a future princess of Prussia.”
“You know about that?” Camilla asked, remembering that Dominic had said Sophie’s match wasn’t widely known.
“George hears so much at Carlton House,” Elizabeth explained. “He was there tonight when Dominic and the Russian ambassador spoke to the prince and the prime minister.”
“I see.”
“George values his friendship with Prinny. And so do I,” Elizabeth went on meaningfully. “Camilla, we might forfeit the prince’s goodwill if this continues, and then there’s Father’s marquessate... Oh, the disgrace is too awful to contemplate.”
“I’m so sorry, Elizabeth.”
“I pray Father doesn’t find out about all this, because if he does...” Elizabeth couldn’t finish.
Camilla squeezed her hand. “But it’s all to be kept very quiet, and I’m sure William will do the right thing from now on.”
Elizabeth gave a short laugh. “I wish I could feel so certain. Most men would be delighted to have a bride like Alice Penshill, but my brother has to set his sights on the unattainable.”
“He’s in love, Elizabeth.”
“Possibly.” Elizabeth looked intently at her. “I—I know Dominic is to accompany you and Mlle Arenburg to Summerton Park.”
“George told you that as well, I suppose.”
“Yes. Look, Camilla, I feel involved in all this. William is my brother and I want to help him if I can.”
“Help him?”
“By defending his good name. Oh, I know he’s in the wrong for having paid court to the czar’s ward, but I don’t want him to shoulder all the blame, which he will if things are left as they are. Prinny and everyone else will be keen to deny any responsibility at all for their negligence, and that means finding a scapegoat. It can’t be Mlle Arenburg, although God knows she deserves it, so it will be my brother! Camilla, I must protect my family’s reputation.”
“I do understand, Elizabeth, and you may rest assured that if anything untoward is said I’ll speak up on his behalf—”
“Let me come to Summerton Park as well,” Elizabeth interrupted. “I’ll make myself ill with worry if I have to stay here in town.”
Camilla was aghast. “But you hate the country!”
“I need to be there.”
“I—I don’t think it’s a good idea,” Camilla replied carefully.
“But—”
“Listen to me, Elizabeth. It’s going to be bad enough putting up with Dominic, but it will be far worse if you’re crossing swords with him all the time as well.”
“I won’t, I swear I won’t.”
“Be reasonable, Elizabeth, you loathe him as much as I do, and you aren’t renowned for biting your tongue, as witness your sharp words to Sophie a few minutes ago.”
“I’ll be a model of reticence. Please, Camilla, it’s important to me.”
But Camilla had had enough of being pressured into doing something she didn’t want to. “Elizabeth, much as I’d like to oblige you, I really do think it’s a bad idea.”
“But—”
“No, Elizabeth. There is one thing I will do, though.”
“Yes?”
“I promise to send for you if there’s any need.”
Elizabeth wasn’t pleased, but gave in. “I suppose I have no choice but to bow to your wishes.”
Camilla was relieved. “It’s for the best.”
“You promise faithfully to send for me immediately?”
“Of course.”
“Then that will have to do.” Elizabeth looked at her. “I wish you weren’t going now all this has happened. Can’t you stay in London after all?”
“I don’t have any choice now the Prince Regent is involved. He wishes Sophie to accompany me, and says Dominic must come too. That’s the end of it.”
“Stay wary of Dominic,” Elizabeth said quietly, “for he has never told the truth about how Harry died
.” She got up then. “I’ll go now. Take care of yourself, Camilla.”
“And you.”
The friends embraced, and then Elizabeth left.
Camilla retired to bed and was soon deeply asleep, although she hadn’t expected to be able to do so after such an exacting day. But at two o’clock she awoke with a start and lay there wondering what had disturbed her. Everything was quiet, without so much as a carriage passing by. Puzzled, she threw the bedclothes aside and went to the window.
The street lamps shone on a cold, deserted square, where only one or two windows were lit. The fog had been dispersed by a chill breeze, but it wasn’t strong enough to rattle the windowpanes or moan around the eaves. She must have heard something else. Alarm stirred through her as she remembered the burglar.
Pulling on her warm wrap, she opened the bedroom door and peeped out into the passage, where a solitary night light shone on a console table. She listened, and her heart almost stopped as she thought she heard a door close somewhere downstairs. She pushed her tangled hair back from her face, wondering if she should raise the alarm. But what if it was only Hawkins or one of the other servants? She decided to look.
Going as quietly as she could, she tiptoed down the staircase, listening all the while. It was gloomy in the hall, which was only illuminated by the faint glow of the street lamps shining through the fanlight above the front door.
At the bottom she paused, listening for any small sound Everything was still, and she thought she must have imagined hearing the door, but as she turned to go back up again she heard voices. They were very low and came from the direction of the kitchens.
She was a little afraid and hesitated to go any farther, but something prompted her to investigate. The floor was cold beneath her bare feet as she went toward the door to the kitchens, which opened from the back of the hall.
Now she could definitely hear the murmur of voices, but as she pushed the door open, its hinges squeaked loudly. The noise echoed along the red-tiled passage beyond, abruptly silencing the voices on the other side of the other door at the far end.
