My Lord the Spy

by Audrey Harrison

  “It appeared that you had a more productive afternoon with the sister,” Henry said with a raised brow. “She appeared quite dishevelled when you emerged from the copse of trees.”

  Edmund bristled at the way Henry disregarded Clara as just something to use to obtain his goal, but managed to maintain his uninterested demeanour. “She didn’t reveal much, but again, I wouldn’t expect anything on the first outing we have.”

  “You must be losing your touch,” Henry mocked.

  “Says the man who couldn’t interrogate a boy still wet behind the ears!”

  “I don’t want anything to be relayed to Shambles. The boy may be dim, but Shambles certainly isn’t.”

  Edmund sighed. “So what’s the next move?”

  “We’ll continue to improve our acquaintance with the family. I’m sure they’re our lead to Shambles,” Henry insisted.

  *

  The following afternoon Joshua poured himself a large glass of brandy from Charles’ decanter. “It’s the finest brandy you’ll ever taste, Charlie.”

  Charles smiled at his friend. “It certainly is!”

  “And thanks to you we’ll have a steady supply.”

  Charles still felt uneasy at what he had been in no position to refuse, but he consoled himself that he was not really doing anything wrong. A bit of brandy would not give Bonaparte an advantage against the British. “Happy to help a friend.”

  Clara entered the study and stopped when she saw who was with Charles. Joshua stood and made his bow, and she was forced out of politeness’ sake to curtsey.

  “Good afternoon, Miss Baker,” Joshua said, offering a wide smile. He was not unpleasant to look at, but a nearly permanent frown and scowl had creased his skin early. He had a few marks on his face that could have been scars from an illness, but more likely were the results of fights. His broken nose only helped to increase the look of ill-doing. His clothes were of reasonable quality, that befitted a gentleman on the lower levels of society, but even expensive clothing could not disguise a hard, cold man.

  “Mr Shambles,” Clara responded coolly. She had not realised her brother had the visitor, or she would have never disturbed them. She hated the fact that Charles associated with him, but she felt uneasy in his company. Edmund’s words about her seeking him if she ever needed him fluttered through her mind, and she stood a little taller, reassured she had support if ever she should need it. “Charles, Milly and I are going to visit Bond Street. I have some purchases I wish to make.”

  “I’ll be out when you return,” Charles responded. “I’m spending the evening with Joshua.”

  “I see,” Clara responded coolly. “I shall bid you good day then, brother, Mr Shambles.”

  The atmosphere was strained after Clara left the room, closing the door firmly behind her. Without words she had conveyed her disapproval of Charles’ plans, and he glowered at the door.

  “Sisters, eh?” Joshua said good-naturedly. “She’ll be different once she has a husband to keep her in check.”

  “I’m not sure about that!” Charles responded with feeling. “I’m not sure if anyone would take on someone like Clara! It would need a braver man than I!”

  “How old is your sister?”

  “Two and twenty.”

  “I could be interested in marrying her. I like a fiery woman, and she comes with a healthy dowry. It would be a good idea all round,” Joshua said, smiling at the thought of finding himself a wife who came with money.

  Charles laughed. “I couldn’t see you two making a match of it, Joshua!”

  “Why not?” Joshua asked, his voice quiet.

  Charles picked up on the change of expression on his friend’s face and regretted laughing quite so openly. “She’d nag you into an early grave! She’s certainly doing her best to send me to one!”

  “What does she nag you about?”

  “Why, what I’m doing of course and how much money I’m spending. She’s taken over the role of disapproving parent,” Charles admitted.

  “So she doesn’t approve of your exploits?”

  “No, not really.” Charles always hated when Joshua started to scowl; he looked sinister.

  “And with that I suppose I get the blame, and that’s why she doesn’t approve of me?”

  “She doesn’t know you,” Charles said unconvincingly.

  “I despise people like her; so easy to look down on us, when they are all high and mighty. The sooner things change the better. Then we’ll see who looks down on whom.”

  “She’s my sister, Joshua,” Charles said quietly. He was in awe of his friend and more than a little intimidated, but he would defend Clara when she was spoken of so harshly.

  “You’re probably as bad as she is!” Joshua spat. He stood as if to leave.

  “Come on, Joshua, you don’t mean this,” Charles said consolingly. “Have another brandy.”

  Joshua refilled his glass but remained standing. “I thought you were different, Charlie; I thought you didn’t have airs and graces. It seemed as if we got on well.”

  “We did. We do,” Charles answered quickly.

  “When I took you under my wing, it was because I saw something in you, but I suppose I should have left you to be dealt with as those men saw fit,” Joshua responded quietly.

  Charles shuddered to be reminded of the day he had first met Joshua. Charles had been celebrating a large win on a horse race with some acquaintances. He had drunk too much, and somehow been separated from the rest of the group. Staggering into a disreputable street, Charles had been set upon by a group of men. He had been relieved of his money, everything that he had won and more; thinking that he would be left alone he had been horrified to hear them deciding to kill him.

  He had begged them to spare him, but he had seen one of the faces of the group, so in their opinion his fate had been sealed. Just when Charles had thought there was no chance of escape, another person had joined the group. Joshua Shambles had interrupted the attack and with very few words had dispersed them.

  Charles had collapsed in relief but had been helped home by Joshua and, the following day, had received a visit from his new acquaintance; Shambles expressing he had wanted to assure himself that Charles had recovered fully.

  Charles had been so grateful for Joshua’s intervention that he had pressed a reward on him for his efforts and inconvenience. Joshua had refused the money at first, but Charles had insisted. Joshua finally accepted the funds on the condition that Charles accompany him to an evening’s entertainment. As Charles was keen to show his appreciation in any way he could, the scheme was easily agreed to.

  Their first evening went well. Joshua was in the mood to be entertaining and show some of life that Charles had not seen before, but it was all quite respectable. At the end of the evening Charles had won at cards and backgammon, drunk a substantial amount of wine and brandy and spent a wonderful two hours with a lovely brunette.

  So the friendship had been formed and, although unlikely, it had blossomed. Charles would always be slightly in awe of his friend, and Joshua was keen to maintain that advantage. He was going to use Charles as much as he possibly could; he could pick out a good opportunity when he saw one, and Charles was that and more.

  “I’m sick of all this. I can’t go to half the entertainments you are invited to; I’m sick of the toffs that swan around this City as if they own it. I think I’ll go away for some time,” Joshua said sullenly.

  “Where would you go?”

  “I don’t know. I fancy some sea air, but I’m a bit short of blunt at the moment.”

  “The seaside? Why would you want to go there? It’s nearly the end of the season.”

  “For you maybe, but did I get an invite to your fancy ball the other night? No! I think a spell at the seaside would do me the world of good. Be cheaper to live there while my pockets are a little empty.”

  “Will you come back soon?” Charles had the image of escorting Clara to every boring event on offer while Joshua was aw
ay. Places like Mrs Langtree’s would not be as accessible without his friend to smooth the way.

  “I don’t know. It depends on what fun I can find to do there.”

  Charles looked forlornly into his glass. “I’ll miss you, Joshua; things won’t be half as much fun without you.”

  Joshua remained silent, whilst watching Charles. He kept his features schooled and, although his patience was running low, he resisted the urge to shake the boy. It was important that Charles come to the right conclusion without any interference from himself. Just when Joshua was giving up hope that Charles would take the bait, Charles raised his head with a smile.

  “Why don’t I accompany you?”

  “Accompany me?” Joshua asked through gritted teeth. The boy really was stupid.

  “Well yes...,” Charles faltered a little. “It would mean leaving Clara, which she wouldn’t be happy about…but, I know! Let’s go to Glazebrook House! Clara will be over the moon that I am not being wild in London, and we can do as we please at my own home. What do you say?”

  Charles was all aglow with self-congratulation. Joshua would have liked to have brought him down to earth with a box around the ears, but he kept himself in check. There was a lot more needed from Charles Baker before he was no longer any use, and Joshua had to keep reminding himself of that fact. Joshua himself needed access to the estate not just access to the beach. The easiest way to do what he had to do was to be a guest at the house, only he wished Charles had not taken quite so long before he the idea had struck him; when Joshua was sober and not being handed money he found Charles tedious company.

  “That sounds like a capital idea, Charlie!” Joshua said, trying to paste a smile on his face. “Would you take all of your family?”

  “Why, yes; I couldn’t see Clara or Milly wishing to stay here without me,” Charles pondered. “I’ll ask them tomorrow. When are you thinking of leaving?”

  Joshua took some satisfaction at the thought of being in Clara’s company in the same house; hopefully he would have the opportunity to bring her down a peg or two. He did not take kindly to anyone reminding him he came from the gutter. He pushed his thoughts away for now. “As soon as you can, Charlie; I’m sure there’s plenty of mischief to involve ourselves in on the Dorset coast.”

  “I hope you won’t be bored, Joshua,” Charles said, a note of doubt creeping into his plan.

  “Not at all Charlie, not at all. With you by my side, I’ll have all kinds of fun.”

  “Oh, good,” Charles said, relieved once more that his friend was happy.

  *

  Charles had stormed out of the house the following morning after his news of their move to the country was met with disbelief and censure. Clara and Milly were left staring at each other in the morning room as the sound of the front door slamming reverberated through the house.

  “What can he be thinking?” Clara asked in bewilderment.

  “I’m afraid he’s baffled even me this time,” Milly admitted. “I thought he was intent on chasing Miss Beresford. To take himself off to Dorset will mean she will be married on his return; it’s virtually guaranteed.”

  “Yes, the way many young men have been hovering around her this season, Charles will definitely lose out if he leaves. Do you believe him when he says it was his idea to return to Dorset?” Clara asked.

  “He doesn’t normally lie,” Milly defended her cousin.

  “I know; that’s what bothers me,” Clara responded. “He is changing little by little. Whenever he has spent any time in Mr Shambles’ company he turns into someone I don’t know. I wish he could be as he was at the ball the other night or, even better, in the mood he was in on our afternoon out,” Clara said with feeling.

  “Perhaps it has something to do with your own mood,” Milly started. “Oh, I know this scheme is addled, but you were a lot more relaxed on our day out than you have been recently. Perhaps a certain Earl puts you in a happier frame of mind and that rubs off on the way you deal with Charles?”

  Clara laughed. “I’m so glad you aren’t my parent Milly! I would never have got away with anything if you had been!”

  Milly smiled. “I just observed your glowing face when you returned from your walk with Lord Chertsey. It certainly brought some colour to your complexion.”

  Clara flushed. “He’s very appealing.”

  “We could stay here and further our acquaintance with him,” Milly offered. It was a serious consideration for Clara to ponder. A young lady of two and twenty to give up on a potential suitor was not an action that should be taken lightly. At that age suitors were few and far between, even for a girl as handsome as Clara.

  “I wouldn’t be able to enjoy my time not knowing what Charles was doing,” Clara admitted.

  “I thought you’d say that. You’d better practice being polite to Mr Shambles then if he is to be a house guest,” Milly said gently.

  “That is going to be easier said than done!” Clara said with feeling.

  Chapter 8

  Clara smiled as Edmund approached her; she had hoped to see him as she walked in Hyde Park. She had picked out his form as he paraded on horseback. She had been obliged to leave her horse in the stables; Milly was no horsewoman and preferred to walk and so her cousin always accompanied her on foot.

  Edmund dismounted as he approached Clara; her bonnet could not hide her blushes or the sparkle in her eyes as she smiled at him. He had never been greeted with pure unaffected pleasure; most people saw him, as well as all the other aristocratic single men, as a ticket to either title or fortune, or if lucky enough, both. Clara just seemed pleased to see him, and it warmed something inside him.

  “Good afternoon, ladies,” Edmund said with a bow. “Are you well?”

  “We are perfectly well, thank you, My Lord,” Clara responded with a curtsey.

  “May I walk with you?” The ladies nodded their agreement, and Edmund fell into step beside Clara and Milly. “I’m glad to see you; I wanted to secure my next dances with you–I’m presuming you will be attending Lord Westford’s ball on Saturday, it being one of the highlights of the season?”

  “We were supposed to be attending,” Clara said stiffly. “Unfortunately, my brother has decided that he is to entertain Mr Shambles at Glazebrook House. We are to leave the day after tomorrow.”

  “Really? Is that a sudden plan?” Edmund asked, knowing full well that it must have been.

  “Yes,” Clara confirmed. “I chose to accompany them rather than stay in town.”

  Edmund understood the meaning behind the words; the sister was not prepared to leave Charles alone with Joshua, but Edmund wished she would. He did not like the thought of Clara being under the same roof as Joshua Shambles. Henry’s opinion of him seemed more severe than his actions deserved, but until Edmund had confirmed Joshua’s character one way or another, he would rather Clara not be so close to him.

  “It will be strained with the four of you together at your home,” he said gently, succeeding in keeping the tone of his voice level and restrained when all he wanted to do was instruct her to stay away from Joshua Shambles. He had never felt protective of anyone before, and it did not rest easy with him.

  “It will, but we would not enjoy the season knowing Charles is so far away with that man. Anything could happen,” Clara responded, once again being open with her feelings.

  “Could you invite some other friends? More people in residence might provide you all with a diversion and, if playing host, your brother would be prevented from spending every moment in the company of Shambles,” Edmund suggested.

  Clara frowned as she thought but then turned to Edmund with a smile that lit her eyes and made his stomach clench with pleasure. “What a wonderful idea! We would have to think carefully about who to invite, but you could just have saved us from a very bleak time, My Lord.”

  Edmund smiled. “Glad to be of service.”

  The party soon split, and Clara and Milly walked back to Half Moon Street. Clara made plans
, trying to work out who would be willing to visit the seaside. Leaving London at the height of the season would be too much to ask for some at this point in the social calendar which was considered a vital part of the season. It was important to secure a marriage before everyone left for the coast or country.

  “Would you wish to invite your new friend?” Milly asked as they returned to Half Moon Street with a teasing look at her cousin and was gratified to see Clara flush.

  “I admit the thought crossed my mind,” said Clara admitted. She could be honest with Milly at least. “But it wouldn’t do; an Earl in the company of Mr Shambles would be a step too far. We are going to have to choose guests carefully; not everyone would welcome such a house guest, and I don’t want Charles further damaged by his association with him.”

  “It’s a pity you couldn’t invite him; I’d hoped there would be opportunities for you to become further acquainted,” Milly said with a mock innocent look.

  “Milly! Control yourself! It wasn’t too long ago that you didn’t trust our new acquaintance; now you are matchmaking,” Clara laughed. “Concentrate on who might be persuaded to put up with Mr Shambles rather than someone who would never lower themselves to mix with such a person. Believe me, Lord Chertsey is definitely aware of his own self-importance; he would never accept the invitation even if we were foolish enough to issue it.”

  *

  Edmund handed his horse to the footman and bounded up the steps to Henry’s home in Berkeley Square. Henry was still wrapped in his silk banyan, even at the late hour. He was unconcerned at his friend seeing him in such a state of undress due to having had an extremely late night. He smiled at Edmund’s raised eyebrow.

  “All in the name of King and country!” Henry said as he poured two glasses of brandy.

  “Was she very pretty?” Edmund asked.

  Henry chuckled. “Pretty and married and very talkative about her French sympathising husband ̶ the best kind of woman in my humble opinion. She might not look kindly on the visit the family will be getting this afternoon; I expect there will be a hasty move abroad before too long and good riddance to them!”