The Marquis' Mistake

by Giselle Marks

  Alicia looked at the flowers that had been sent up. Deep pink orchids, they were truly exquisite. Sally handed the sealed card to Alicia and extracted a couple of the huge blooms and secured them amongst Alicia’s hair. Alicia opened the card and read what was written on a sandalwood scented card.

  At mine unworthiness, that dare not offer

  What I desire to give; and much less take

  What I shall die to want.

  My roses did not please you but I dare to hope

  My orchids will complement your gown.

  Sebastian

  So Shakespeare this time, very pretty. Irritated, Alicia told Sally to take the orchids out of her hair, but Sally said there wasn’t time. It would mean redoing her coiffure, she would put the rest of the orchids into water and they could keep them in the bedroom. She still had not read his other notes and was tempted to throw them away unread. Alicia descended the stairs in a high dudgeon. Sir Anthony thought he had never seen her look prettier. Her cheeks were flushed and her bright green eyes were flashing fire.

  “Those orchids in your hair look very pretty, they match the ribbons perfectly. I don’t remember a bunch of orchids among all your flowers though I might have missed some. There were so many flowers. Who sent the orchids?”

  “Farndon sent them and Sally put them in my hair before I read the card. I asked her to take them out, but she said we would be late.”

  “Very sensible of her, the carriage is at the door, we only wait for my wife. Ah! Here she is, shall we go, my dear.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Sebastian Vernon and his father the Duke reached Chalcombe House before the Wynstanley Carriage arrived. In fact Sebastian had waited on his father’s toilette to be completed before they set out for Grosvenor Square. While his father went into the drawing room to greet their hosts, Sebastian stayed in the hall waiting for the Wynstanley carriage. He handed Lady Sophia and Miss Lambert from the carriage, telling Lewis, whose job it was, to stay inside. As he escorted Alicia into the house, she hissed at him.

  “How did you know my dress was pink? Have you bribed the servants to keep an eye on me?”

  “Never thought of that, would you like me to? I simply asked Madelaine what she thought you’d be wearing tonight and she said pink. You might have changed your mind, but pink goes well with white and cream and the pale green of the other dresses I have seen you in too. They wouldn’t have gone with the blue dress you wore to the Overton’s Ball, but it seemed good odds they’d look well with your dress.”

  “Of course I wouldn’t like you to bribe the servants. I don’t like the thought of you spying on me. Anyway you didn’t notice me at the Overton’s Ball, so how do you remember what I was wearing?”

  “Just because I didn’t know who you were, does not mean I did not notice you. I was working through my grandmother’s list. I was intending to seek an introduction to you anyway, you looked sweet.”

  He lifted her cloak from her shoulders and handed it to Lewis. Sir Anthony and Lady Sophia had already entered the drawing room following the butler, Pemberton and had not noticed Sebastian and Alicia hanging back. Lewis went to organise refreshments.

  “I suppose rakes notice all the girls’ dresses,” she said sarcastically.

  “Absolutely, rakes are very good at noticing things like that,” he said pulling her in the wrong direction and opening a door to the rose salon, a small room the Chalcombes rarely used. A fire was burning merrily, but there were no lamps or candles lit. Sebastian shut the door behind them.

  “Rakes also always notice when they are alone with the lady of their choice,” Sebastian said huskily and bent his head to kiss her. He softly caressed her lips and his tongue licked the crease between them. She found she was opening her mouth and allowing his tongue inside. Her hands lifted of their own accord to his chest and clutched the lapels of his midnight blue coat while he deepened the kiss and pulled her closer to him. Part of Alicia knew she should push him away and slap his face again, but for a few short minutes, the sensations obliterated all sensible thought. His tongue flickered inside her mouth as if it would know all of her, with his lips massaging hers in the most seductive way. Alicia’s breasts swelled and tightened. Her nipples strained at the fabric of her dress. An ache started deep inside her. Her muscles seemed to drain away; only the support of Sebastian’s arms, allowed her to remain standing. The kiss intensified, Alicia was kissing Sebastian back, one of her hands crept up entwining in his wavy fair curls.

  Finally he drew away from her mouth and stepped back slightly, without letting go of her. His breathing was a little fast but Alicia felt stupefied. How could one kiss render her into a total imbecile she wondered? Eventually normal feeling began to come back to her legs and her heart beat slowed, but the ache deep inside her stayed to taunt her.

  “We will be missed,” said Sebastian. “Are you all right?”

  “All right? I must look like I’ve just been kissed by a rake. How dare you, Sebastian?”

  “Rakes always kiss pretty girls. Didn’t your governess warn you?”

  They stopped in the hall and examined themselves carefully in the mirror. Sebastian straightened his coat and his cravat and ran his fingers through his hair to re-establish his Coupe á Vent haircut to its normal ordered disorder. Alicia found that although Sebastian had slightly crumpled her dress, her hair and toilette had not been disarranged, but her mouth was much redder than usual and was tender to touch. She looked at Sebastian and his mouth was just as bruised. Her eyes were flashing at him, but he thought she looked more aroused than angry.

  “We will wait one minute to compose ourselves before we enter. I wonder why they haven’t missed us?”

  “They will know what we were doing. You are trying to compromise me.”

  “I am trying to convince you to marry me. My expressions of undying love didn’t sway you. I thought I would demonstrate how much I want you. They will guess I pressed my suit a little. But I trust not enough for Chalcombe to put a hole in me. Did you find my kiss so unpleasant?”

  “You know I did not, I suppose rakes are very skilled at kissing. Why should Edward want to shoot you?”

  “Some rakes are very skilled at kissing and other things. Edward promised to call me out, if I dared to seduce you.”

  “He wouldn’t, would he? Aren’t you frightened?”

  “He would. I am counted a good shot, but honour would insist I delope. So I would have to stand there quivering like a blancmanger while he put a hole in me.”

  “You don’t look frightened to me.”

  “Don’t I? I am absolutely terrified you will persist in refusing to marry me.”

  Sebastian extended his arm for her and blushing she took it. Then they proceeded into the drawing room where the rest of the guests were waiting. The assembled guests had not really begun to miss the Marquis and Alicia. They were too busy congratulating and catching up on the news with a pair of unexpected but much welcome guests. Centre stage, Alicia and Sebastian saw a tall, very handsome, older gentleman with silver white hair. On one arm was a Lady with a froth of dark curls whom the Marquis recognised as Lady Henrietta, former Dowager Countess of Chalcombe, now La Comtesse de Morlaix. Snuggled under the gentleman’s other arm was Lady Madelaine smiling joyfully. As Edward was looking on complacently, Sebastian had no difficulty identifying the unknown man as Louis, Comte de Morlaix, Madelaine’s father.

  Sebastian looked from father to daughter and observed the close resemblance. Although Louis had less delicate features, he was tall, slim and unmistakably her sire. Their entrance had gone largely unmarked, but Lady Henrietta noticed Sebastian’s entrance.

  “Sebastian, you are finally returned from your travels! We have heard such stories of your exploits. Louis, I must make you known to Sebastian Vernon, Langsdown’s son, the Marquis of Farndon.”

  Madelaine and Henrietta released the Comte from their embraces and he bowed slightly to Sebastian, shaking his hand. Sebastian returned the slight
bow, bowing deeper to Henrietta.

  “I’m pleased to finally make your acquaintance, Farndon. We’ve heard much of you in France. Please make us known to your charming companion.”

  “Miss Alicia Lambert, may I present the Comte and Comtesse de Morlaix. Lady Henrietta, Comte may I introduce you to Miss Alicia Lambert, who is Sir Anthony Wynstanley’s ward.”

  “Je suis enchantée, Mademoiselle. Might you be Colonel Sir Charles Lambert’s daughter?” Alicia nodded.

  “I was honoured to be slightly acquainted with your father. We met shortly before his death, a sorry loss. He was a good man, a fine soldier and brilliant scholar. You have the look of him, although his eyes were more blue in colour.”

  The Comte bowed over her hand and smiled kindly at her. If he noticed her kiss-bruised lips he said nothing. Introductions to Sir Bardolph and Lady Callista Purcell, Edward’s uncle and aunt were made. Alicia was not previously acquainted with them. Sir Bardolph was a gentleman of some considerable girth and a renowned gastronome. He had declared he would travel to the ends of the earth to eat Henri’s cooking and had tried many times to persuade Henri to join his household. Lady Henderson, Sebastian’s grandmother, Lord and Lady Wroxham, Lord Stephen McKinlay and his mother Lady McKinlay and the Duke of Langsdown were present and already acquainted with her.

  Lord Overton and his much younger wife, Lady Sarah, were the last arrivals, bustling in with apologies for their tardiness. They need not have worried as Henri had delayed dinner for twenty minutes to allow the footmen time to rearrange the table to include Louis and Henrietta. The de Morlaixs had arrived at Dover that morning before dawn and had travelled without stopping except to change horses to reach London by night fall. Expressions of amazement had been made by their fellow guests that they should be prepared to socialise after such an exhausting journey. But Henrietta had tossed her pretty head and had declared.

  “You need not sympathise with Louis, he always sleeps when we travel. He could offer to entertain me with some conversation, but at least he does not snore.”

  None of the assembled guests assumed she regretted her second marriage to the Comte however, as both of them seemed as in love as ever. Edward had shown Madelaine Alicia’s sketch book before returning it to her. Madelaine saw the affection displayed in the drawings of her friends and their children, but the portrait of Sebastian had astounded her. She saw a depth of passion, the demurely behaved Alicia had shown to none of her admirers. Madelaine believed Alicia Lambert was deeply in love with Sebastian. Both Edward and Madelaine were convinced they were right for each other. As dinner was called, Lady Madelaine asked Sebastian to lead in Miss Lambert.

  Alicia was seated between Lord Stephen and Sebastian Vernon. Lady Henderson sat opposite her grandson and watched him and his intended bride as they made polite conversation.

  “Do you have a desire to travel, Miss Lambert?” Sebastian asked.

  “I would like to see a little more of the world, my lord.”

  “There’s a lecture at the Royal Society next week would you like to accompany me?” asked Lord Steven and Alicia accepted his invitation.

  “Would you like some of this chicken á l’Italienne, Miss Lambert, Henri has indeed done us proud.”

  Sebastian served her some of the chicken and offered her some mushroom fritters which she also accepted.

  “What are your plans for tomorrow, Miss Lambert? Perhaps you would honour me by trying your hand with my chestnuts?”

  Much though Alicia yearned to try her skill with his magnificent team, she was still determined to discourage his suit.

  “Unfortunately I have to visit my modiste for a fitting for my new gown, so I will be unable to go driving with you, my lord.”

  Sebastian tried another tack.

  “The new production of Love’s Labour’s Lost, opens tomorrow, would you honour me by joining a party to see it?”

  “I believe I already have another engagement for tomorrow night, but thank you for inviting me.”

  The state of affairs currently in France occupied the minds of most of the rest of the party and Lady Henrietta and Louis were encouraged to speak of what they had seen and how the country seemed to be settling under the new regime.

  “The Bourbons are not popular, on the surface the people pretend to accept them, but there is a yearning to have Napoleon back among many of their number. Despite the poverty caused by his incessant wars, most would support his return,” Louis informed those present who were concerned at the news. Sir Bardolph was not much engaged by the news from France, but he applied himself with fervour to the task of consuming the fruits of Henri’s genius.

  The company were staggered when Sebastian refused to drink the exceptional wines Henri had selected to accompany his culinary brilliance and quietly requested a glass of water. He dismissed their enquiries graciously as an unimportant preference. Although Edward tried to tempt him to taste an excellent Merlot, he politely declined. Lord Stephen was prepared to quiz him on his abstention, but desisted at a warning glance from Sebastian.

  Alicia made no comment but was exasperated; he was determined to make her feel guilty and worse it was working. She had no doubt the Marquis was refusing wine because she had suggested he was a drunkard. Drinking her own wine she felt little pleasure drinking while Sebastian abstained. Sebastian’s presence beside her was unsettling her. He was so close she had to fight the urge to move closer, just to feel his body in contact with hers again. Alicia reminded herself to address him formally when to her he was Sebastian, her Sebastian. He had not even had to try to persuade her to let him kiss her and she had been sorry when he had drawn away.

  Alicia wanted more of his kisses and doubted her ability to resist them. All her objections had vanished from her mind. If he had tried to seduce her she could have so easily succumbed. It had felt so good to be in his arms. Alicia didn’t think her refusal to accept his invitations had put him off, she wondered what machinations he would go to make her spend time with him on the following day.

  The dinner was nearly finished or at least everyone except Sir Bardolph had cleared their plates and could eat no more. Conversation had become general as the de Morlaixs were brought up to date on who was in town and the current gossip when a number of piercing screams rang out from the hall. Among the screams were heard cries of “Monster”, “You dreadful boy,” and “Spider.” Lord McKinlay rose from his chair and apologised.

  “I’m appallingly sorry for the uproar. I fear Percival has released Jemima from her tank. I better go and rescue her.”

  He left the room to deal with the problem.

  Most present realised Percival was Percival Purcell, Sir Bardolph’s and Lady Callista’s eldest son, he was staying at the Chalcombes with his parents following his recent expulsion from Harrow. Eton had refused to have him and they were hoping Rugby would accept the miscreant. Lord McKinlay had promised to show Percival some of his collection of reptiles and other creatures, a hobby Sebastian deplored.

  Sebastian had met some of Stephen’s pets when at school, usually finding them tucked up in his own bed, desk or clothes. Stephen’s fascination for frogs, snakes and other unpleasant creatures had been an irritation he had dealt with in an indirect manner. Finding Stephen’s very pretty white rat hidden in his own clothes trunk, after lights out he took the animal to their Latin teacher’s rooms. The door was locked and he did not want to risk being caught picking the lock in the corridor. So sneaking downstairs he opened a window climbing out. Luckily for Sebastian the master had left one window slightly open. Climbing precariously up the outside of the building, he entered through the window and deposited the rat in the master’s linen drawer.

  Getting out was more difficult, a group of prefects were patrolling the grounds searching for any younger boys who were not in their dormitories as they should be. Sebastian had to wait in the master’s quarters for some time. Whilst he was present he spotted the test paper which the master had set for the end of the week, layi
ng on top of his desk. Sebastian flicked through the paper. There were questions asked not only on their most recent text from Pliny the younger, which they had been instructed to revise but also on other texts, some of which they had covered two terms before. Sebastian knew he would have no difficulty completing the test, he knew his texts thoroughly.

  Eventually the prefects wandered out of sight and Sebastian descended as quietly as he could. He got back through the window he had left slightly open and clambered back into bed without being discovered. The next morning Sebastian told Stephen where he had left the rat. He also informed him the test covered the whole year’s work not only the Pliny. Stephen tried to discover what questions had been set, but Sebastian told him it would be cheating to tell him and refused to answer. Later that day Stephen was summoned by the Latin teacher who returned the rat, but not before thrashing him.

  Stephen revised his Latin very carefully and managed to get a reasonable mark in the test. He was rather bitter about the thrashing, but did not shop Sebastian as the culprit, saying the rat had escaped. Sebastian got top marks in the test as normal. As Sebastian was covering extra work several years ahead of the other boys, he also sat another test which he aced as expected. He remarked if he found any of Stephen’s pets again in his possessions he would get them served to Stephen for dinner. Stephen resolved never to try that particular practical joke on Sebastian again.

  The screams from the hallway ceased, but Lord Stephen soon returned to the room.