The Marquis' Mistake

by Giselle Marks

  The men and especially the Duke were well in their cups, before they re-joined the ladies. Most of the ladies had been avidly consuming Sebastian’s champagne and the chocolate covered fondants that Henri had produced himself and brought with him at Sebastian’s suggestion. Miranda, Francesca and Alicia had settled for tea. Alicia had managed to learn far more about Sebastian than she had before. Estelle had informed her that Sebastian had paid for a voice coach, who had helped her move from the chorus to the position of leading lady, albeit in a fairly small theatre. Amalie said he had paid for piano lessons and bought the piano which now stood in the drawing room.

  Seeing the ladies as a group without their male companions, Alicia realised that although all were beautiful, there was a great variety among them. Miranda and Phillipa both had blonde hair but there the similarity ended. Miranda had a stunning figure and was the tallest of the group whereas Phillipa was small and slender. Ursula, Francesca and Amalie were all dark brunettes. Ursula was over medium height, slim but with a fine bosom. Francesca was small and slight. Amalie was a little taller than herself and very curvy. They had blue, green and hazel eyes respectively. Nicolette might have been of Spanish origin, as she had honey coloured skin and black hair and eyes. Alicia suspected from her slight accent she might have originated from New Orleans and was an octoroon.

  Estelle was the only redhead, but her hair was clearly natural as she had very pale skin and a scattering of freckles showed beneath her powder. She was of medium height and build. The final two ladies, Jacqueline and Sylvia had light brown hair and were both fairly tall. Jacqueline was curvaceous with sapphire blue eyes, whereas Sylvia was slender and had brown eyes nearly as dark as Sebastian’s. All the ladies were happy to talk about Sebastian and most of them had received some tuition of one kind or another paid for by Sebastian.

  Most of the men had shed their coats by the time they joined the ladies and one or two had loosened their cravats. The Duke was definitely unsteady on his feet and Sebastian was feeling guilty for not having kept a better watch on his alcohol consumption. The Duke sat down in the nearest chair and promptly fell asleep. Sebastian peeled off his tight fitting coat and hefted his father over his shoulder.

  “Miranda, I think father had better sleep it off. Do you think you could help me put him to bed?” Sebastian said over his shoulder as he headed for the stairs. Miranda followed. Sebastian returned shortly afterwards and moved over to a group of the gentlemen. Miranda returned a little later.

  “I would like to speak to the ladies briefly in confidence now that we have disposed of my father. Would some of you gentlemen mind playing cards in the dining room for half an hour? Joseph you had better stay in your capacity as Miss Lambert’s chaperone. Stephen, would you mind supervising? I need a chat with you before you go. Mark, please feel free to remain.”

  Stephen ushered the six other gentlemen to the dining room, where the table had already been cleared and reduced to its normal size. Two small card tables had been set up with fresh packs of cards, dice and two backgammon boards upon them. The decanters from the library had been brought through and refilled. A small buffet had been displayed on the side board. Fresh glasses and plates had been left together with two coolers containing a number of bottles of champagne. When the door had closed behind them, Sebastian addressed the ladies.

  “This is a suitable time for me to apologize for how I have treated you, my former mistresses. I justified my behaviour by trying to treat you courteously. I minimised my own blame by arguing I was not your original seducer, but I used you and for that I have no excuses. You were entitled to more from a man. You are all lovely women who should by right, expect to be loved and cherished by a decent man.”

  “I thought in my vanity that by giving you pleasure and treating you as ladies, I was behaving better than other men. I was wrong. I was aware most of you chose me, because you cared for me and I took your love and gave none back in return. I would like you to know I deeply regret taking so much and giving so little in return.”

  “Estelle, Miranda and Francesca are to marry. I wish them all great happiness. You may remember Julia and Barbara. They are both happily married with children. I gave them dowries and they found decent men. I intend to give Francesca a similar sum. Both Estelle and Miranda are marrying wealthy men and I doubt they would appreciate the offer. To those of you who might at some time wish to become respectable, the offer still stands. I took you into my protection and I remain culpably responsible for you. I hope you will forgive my arrogance and selfishness by accepting my offer, as some recompense for failing to behave as a gentleman towards you.”

  “Mark, before you protest. I understand you do not wish to accept the money. I respect you for it. Please accept that I feel responsible for what happened to Francesca after she left my protection. If you refuse it, I shall arrange for it to be put in trust for any children you may have to pay towards their education or dowries.”

  Ursula who had been one of quietest girls in the group spoke up first.

  “Sebastian, I for one believe you have nothing to apologize for. You were always honest with me. We used you too. We all knew you received little notice or affection from that so called father of yours. For all he doted on your no-good brother. You are ten times the man than either of them is or were.”

  Sebastian started to say something, but Ursula held up her hand and continued.

  “We’ve let you speak uninterrupted Sebastian, please allow me to continue. I know you want to hear no ill of Peter. But when he was in London he propositioned first Nicolette and then me, when we were under your protection. We said nothing to you at the time. We guessed how many of his debts you paid and we know you are looking after his sons in London. You are a good man; you deserved a better brother and father.”

  “We understood why you found it so difficult to love. Our love was given to you willingly. It seemed little enough, for you gave us back our self-respect. We are overjoyed you have finally found a lady you can love. You deserve some happiness. It angered us that you were being forced into marriage by the Duke. After his neglect we felt he had no right to demand a loveless marriage of you. We are unanimous in believing you have made the right choice in Miss Lambert.”

  “I concur with everything Ursula has said. I for one would like to take up your offer. I don’t deserve such generosity after I was unfaithful to you, but I would like to be a wife and mother. I yearn to be able to see my mother and sisters and not be ashamed of how I earn my living,” admitted Phillipa.

  “If you leave me your address I will make arrangements, Phillipa.”

  “I hope with Miss Lambert you will be able to be the real Sebastian and not hide behind the society image you present. You have always tried too hard to be perfect, Sebastian. You expect too much of yourself,” Estelle stated.

  “I am getting married too. My beau has a florist’s shop and wants me to leave the demi-monde. He’d object to me taking your money, but I’ll let you know if we have any children. I would like something better for my daughters if I have any,” announced Sylvia.

  “Congratulations Sylvia, I hope you will be very happy. Remember to invite me to the wedding.”

  “I’m sorry Sebastian, but I’m not ready to settle down yet. I always rather fancied Lord Stephen, but he wasn’t rich enough to keep me. So I intend to take up his offer. Can we keep the piano?” Amalie pestered.

  “He gets the house and everything in it except for my father and that damned portrait, sorry Alicia, three extra chairs and the new crockery and silver we used for dinner. I shall instruct him to give you the piano as part of your congé. I advise you to make it a term of your contract that he leaves his pets at his mother’s.”

  “I don’t mind him bringing his dogs.”

  “How do you feel about snakes and spiders, Amalie?”

  “Yuck! Thank you for the warning, Sebastian. Anything else I should know?”

  “He makes a mean apple-pie bed and has a weird sense of
humour, generally. He didn’t snore at school, but he talked in his sleep. He is far more perceptive and intelligent than he pretends to be, take that as a warning. By the way Miss Lambert wanted to know what I was doing while you were at my Grandmother’s. Should I confess?”

  “You wouldn’t tell me. I did ask.”

  “You were right in thinking I was angry, but not with you. Or at least not much, I was frightened you might have broken your silly neck! It was not the first horse I have had to put down, it probably won’t be the last. Accidents do happen. I don’t like animals being treated badly but your life was more important. I was furious with that idiot who dared you to race him.”

  “Lord…”

  “No names. Did you never wonder where he disappeared to?”

  “I heard he went to his estates and got married. He has never returned to London.”

  “I don’t often play cards for serious money. I prefer to keep my friends solvent, rather than fill my pockets. I am rather a good card player unlike my late brother. I spent the week ruining Lord… I accepted vowels for everything he had. Then I told him to get out of town and never come back. If I ever heard of him gambling again for even shilling stakes I would demand payment in full. I still have his vowels. I would have liked to have taken a riding crop to him first, but it gave me some satisfaction to see him grovel. I understand he now has a son and two daughters. I might let him back to town to bring out his girls, but the no gambling rule will stand whilst I live.”

  “Now it is getting late and I have to make sure Miss Lambert gets home safely, Miranda will you act as hostess while I am absent? I should be back in an hour.”

  Greenways, Alicia and Sebastian travelled back to the Wynstanleys in the carriage Alicia had travelled in. Alicia snuggled into Sebastian’s shoulder relieved to have him almost to herself, but no longer unsure of how he felt about her. He handed her down and kissed her on the doorstep, very correctly while Greenways watched benignly. Greenways let her in with a key and watched her climb the stairs before securing the front door. Then the two men walked round to the stable block where Greenways had a room. In the yard the carriage horses were being unfastened and rubbed down. Goldie stood ready saddled. Sebastian handed Greenways a small packet which he enquired about.

  “It contains Weston’s recommendations for a reasonable tailor to produce clothes for your new position. I believe he was one of Weston’s apprentices and a small retainer to outfit you respectably and buy a better hack for the time being. Wynstanley is a good man but he can’t choose a horse. I hate seeing you mounted on a slug.”

  “I have some money saved, my… Farndon.”

  “If it bothers you consider it an advance, buy a horse you wouldn’t be embarrassed seeing me ride. No saving ways! Now I must make sure my guests don’t wreck the house and arrange for my father’s valet to deal with him tomorrow. Don’t look for me in the morning, the party will probably continue until way past dawn.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  When Sebastian returned to the party both groups of guests had settled in the sitting room although the card tables and refilled decanters had moved there as well. Most except for Miranda’s group were severely intoxicated. Sebastian thanked Miranda and Stephen for holding the fort for him. Miranda took Sebastian to one side and said she would soon be leaving with Francesca and Mark. Sebastian expressed gratitude for her coming and apologized for letting his father get drunk.

  “I will soon put a stop to his drinking, Sebastian. As Ursula mentioned Peter earlier I also have something to say about him. I turned your brother down when he was first on town before he got sent abroad. I thought him a very selfish and arrogant young man. I remember being surprised you had the Vernon looks and a far more charming character. For all his good looks he was exceptionally rude when I rejected him. From what I heard from a couple of my girls he was nothing special in bed either. I assure you I have no intention of telling Alistair that snippet of information.”

  “I was rather touched by what Ursula said. It doesn’t surprise me Peter tried to bed them or you. Our taste in women was always similar. It’s water under the bridge and I prefer to remember him as a loving brother. I saw so little of my mother or father during my childhood. There’s no point in being bitter about it. Peter is dead and I have to establish some kind of relationship with my father.”

  “I have purchased a town house one street away from Langsdown House. I think we would both be more comfortable in separate houses. We can dine at each other’s homes on alternate weeks. I shall have to visit the Castle occasionally, but shall keep my visits short. I don’t know where Alicia wants to go on honeymoon. We should be back in time to form a united front when your engagement is announced but I would recommend you have a quiet wedding at the Castle and come back to town with a fait accompli.”

  “I think that is sensible advice Sebastian. I like Miss Lambert. If she wasn’t a lady I would have been happy to employ her. I think she would have been very popular.”

  “She is holding out until after we marry. In my vanity may I admit she is genuinely the first woman ever to tell me ‘No’!”

  “I believe you, but I think she is finding it a struggle. Good night, Sebastian.”

  Miranda collected Francesca and Mark and a footman located their outdoor garments and arranged for the Duke’s carriage to be brought round. Sebastian gave Francesca a slim package and kissed her. “Wedding Present, I’m sure you can talk Mark round. It’s in your name anyway and I shall check to make sure it’s cashed.”

  Sebastian waved them off and turned to talk to Leonard Green, Estelle’s fiancé. They wandered off to the library together and Leonard lit up one of Sebastian’s cigars.

  “I really just wanted to wish you congratulations and I hope that you are not disgruntled by all this.”

  “Why should I be upset? Oh you mean Estelle staying here a few weeks ago. She told me and said she had blackmailed you into it.”

  “Not exactly blackmail, she did me a favour which was not illegal or even unsavoury. However I would be slightly embarrassed if she discussed it and word got around society. I was her price for silence.”

  “May I know what she did?”

  “Certainly Leonard, I know you won’t repeat it. She dressed me as a maid and I left the theatre with her in that disguise. I was being followed and I did not want to be recognised. Laced me so tight I could hardly breathe.”

  Leonard was clutching his sides and trying to suppress laughter.

  “I can just picture it, blonde, brunette or redhead?”

  “Brunette, I think it rather suited me. Estelle was in hoots of laughter. Rather worried my father, though. He was beginning to doubt whether he’d get any legitimate grandsons.”

  “You’re not still having that kind of trouble, Sebastian?”

  “I only had one pass made at me at the last ball I attended. He took my rejection quite well. I didn’t have to thump him. But it doesn’t really matter what I do. If there’s no scandal they make it up. My nephews got dumped on me. It was around town the next day that I was foisting my bastards on my fiancée.” Sebastian stood and checked his hair in the mirror before continuing to speak.

  “The women I’ve slept with in England were here tonight. There are only four others, apart from a couple of whores. If you listened to the gossip I have had as many women as Don Juan. I know of at least six Society ladies who have boasted of having me as a lover, when the most I’ve ever done is dance with them. There were a few more women on the continent, but most of those were on government orders.”

  “I’d be happier if you weren’t the golden boy in Estelle’s eyes. I fear I don’t measure up in her view. I’d appreciate any advice.”

  “If you want to please Estelle, ask her what she wants. She’ll enjoy teaching you. You love her and want to please her, which is the most important thing. You need to show her and tell her that. Take your time. Make it fun. If you were that bad she would have rejected you, remember that. Es
telle never chose the highest bidder. She always sampled what was on offer before accepting a contract, Leonard. She chose me from six others; all who offered more than double what I did. Estelle wouldn’t marry you if she didn’t think she’d be happy with you.”

  “You relieve my fears, Sebastian; you know I’ll treat her well. That piece of business we discussed is going quite well. Profits are better than expected. I’ll organise a draft for your share. I still think we should start exporting to France.”

  “I think France is still too unsettled. I’m not sure the wars are completely over. Leave it for six months and then we’ll re-consider the situation there.”

  “Well your advice has always been right before so I’ll wait. We’ll talk again before you leave London for Langsdown Castle?”

  “Yes, I have some other ideas I want to run past you. I’ll be taking a back seat for a few months but then I will be back in harness. I think we should plan for business with the Americans now that war is over and relations are being re-established.”

  “There’s a lot more risk with the distance. Do you think it is wise to put money into such a venture?”

  “I think it wiser than trading with France and the continent at present. England and Europe are going to be struggling when the wars are truly over. The French want Bonaparte back. I’m not sure we’ve heard the last of the little man. Europe has been drained by Napoleon’s regime. The people there have little to buy even the bare necessities. France is now short of able bodied men to work their land.”

  “There is already unemployment in the country here with the return of soldiers no longer needed. Working men will struggle just to get by. I think we have a choice of pulling in our horns and waiting until the economy improves or looking further afield for markets. I believe a lot of Society landowners are going to have several very difficult years.”