“I’ll look into the American markets and see what might be profitable and make enquiries to see if we can get some other investors on board to share the risk. You don’t mind me mentioning your name?”
“Not at all, but I suggest you check out any would be investors’ finances thoroughly. Many businessmen may find themselves overstretched. Put the word around but make no promises. Let me know any interested names and I’ll double check them. I have sources you can’t access.”
Sebastian and Leonard returned to the party which was beginning to come to its natural conclusion. Carriages were summoned and Sebastian helped the ladies pile their protectors in, most of them worse for wear. Sebastian kissed each lady goodbye and shook the hands of their escorts.
Stephen and Amalie remained although she had curled up on a sofa and was fast asleep. Sebastian sent the Duke’s butler and two footmen back to Langsdown House with the three chairs in the carriage he had used during the day. He asked the driver to collect his father’s valet, whom he had already instructed to bring what he needed for the Duke for the following day. Henri said he had packed up the remaining food as instructed and everything was straight in the kitchen. Sebastian thanked and paid him more than they had agreed. He sent Henri and his two helpers with Mrs Vallon back to Chalcombe House in Stephen’s carriage. Stephen asked his driver to call for him at noon.
“I had all the beds made up, in case of any stragglers. We might as well put Amalie to bed. Will you carry her? I’ll show you to the second best bedroom. I put my father in mine.”
Amalie barely stirred as Stephen cradled her upstairs and undressed her leaving her in her chemise, tucking her up in bed. Then both men returned downstairs. Sebastian was drinking water but Stephen had one more glass of wine.
“I’ll wait until my father’s valet arrives and then take the carriage and Goldie back to Langsdown House. Here are the deeds to the house and keys. I’ll send a couple of footmen over to remove the extra crockery and silverware and the portrait at about eleven. The remaining food will be taken to a charitable kitchen I know which feeds ex-soldiers. I’ll leave one of my footmen here for now but you’ll have to organise staff. At least in a little over a month’s time you should be able to collect your winnings. Amalie expects the piano as part of her congé. Be good to her.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
The little season was drawing to a close. Over the next few days most of society left London for the country. The Chalcombes intended to stay at their country seat. Their butler, Pemberton and Henri and Martha Vallon went on ahead of the Earl with some of their other staff. Madelaine and Edward travelled with the Comte and Lady Henrietta and their valets and dressers two days later. The Purcells and Wynstanleys were expected to follow shortly after them. The Duke accompanied by his grandsons, their nurse, tutor and his family, the Duke’s butler, valet and several other servants headed for Langsdown Castle. Randall and another groom would drive Sebastian’s curricle and chestnuts by easy stages and would reach the Castle before Sebastian.
Alicia and Sebastian spent some time together making purchases for the town house and choosing how the house would be decorated. Claudette sent a note informing Alicia her wedding dress was ready for collection and a new riding habit, which of course she had not ordered. The new habit was a rich russet brown lavishly trimmed with gold braid which Alicia thought would not suit her but found looked very well on her. Lady Maud had replied saying of course Grace and Phoebe could stay for the Christmas season. Grace had written that they had heard nothing from their father about returning home for Christmas and would be the only pupils remaining at the school.
Greenways and Sally were sent to fetch them from Bath by Mail-coach and deliver them to Aylesbury because Alicia did not want to entrust them to strangers. Alicia would travel with Sebastian to Aylesbury taking with her one of the Wynstanleys’ maids for propriety’s sake for the short journey. She would look after the girls during the holiday. Sebastian would then continue on to the Castle.
The Wynstanleys set off after breakfast and Alicia and Sebastian waved them off. Their own carriage was nearly packed and they set off a little later in good spirits. It was a crisp fine morning but neither looked forward to separating for Christmas. Prescott, Sebastian’s valet and Jenny, Wynstanley’s maid travelled with them in the carriage and Sebastian’s two ex-soldiers travelled as outriders. One of them rode Goldie and led Siren, Yellow Star and Greenways’ new horse travelled with them. Jenny didn’t travel well, but they took it very slowly and stopped for a long lunch to rest the horses. The temperature dropped and the sky looked like it might snow.
They made a brief stop later in the afternoon a few miles from Aylesbury to rest the horses again and stretch their legs, allowing Jenny a little fresh air to ease her travel sickness. The ground was hardening and some of the puddles were starting to freeze. They reached Lady Maud’s home just after dusk and Sebastian was introduced to Alicia’s aunt. A few small flakes of snow fell as the riding horses were stabled and Alicia’s bags were unloaded. She had quite a number of cases as she had bought a large number of presents for Lady Maud, and her sisters. When all the bags she pointed out had been unloaded, Sebastian pointed out one extremely large trunk she had missed.
“It’s not mine Sebastian. I didn’t pack it. My luggage all matches, it’s a different colour.”
“Well I know it’s not mine Alicia. We best have it brought down and see what’s in it.”
His outriders hefted the trunk down, finding it unusually heavy. It was securely locked.
“How will we get it open Sebastian? I haven’t got keys to match that lock.”
But Sebastian had brought down a small case and was searching its contents before bringing out a small canvas packet from which he removed a couple of metal implements.
One of his ex-soldiers remarked quietly to his comrade, “Always thought he was a strange lord. I never heard of one that carried his own set of pick-locks with him.”
Sebastian crouched by the trunk and skilfully manipulated the implements in the lock. Within a few seconds it clicked open. He put the pick-locks away and repacked his case. Alicia opened the trunk which seemed to contain a pile of furs and travel rugs. As she moved the top layer of furs she found it also contained Percival Purcell, who lay unmoving. Despite the layer of warm wrappings, the boy was very cold and seemed to be barely breathing. Sebastian took one look at the boy and clutching him in his arms, marched into the house with him.
“Which way are the kitchens? Please find some brandy fast,” he asked Mrs Marshall, Lady Prestyne’s housekeeper urgently.
Sebastian ruthlessly forced a large measure of brandy down Percival’s throat which had a reviving effect on him, making him cough and splutter. Percival placed in front of the range was shivering uncontrollably. Lady Maud’s cook realising the severity of the situation had already produced a bath and started filling it with the hot water she had prepared for Miss Alicia’s bath for when she arrived. Sebastian stripped Percival and carried him to the bath before leaving him in the cook’s capable hands. He went back upstairs to inform Lady Maud and Alicia of their stowaway’s survival. Alicia had only just explained who Percival was, although no explanation could be made for his presence in a trunk on board their carriage.
“I think a doctor should be sent for. There is no way he can travel any further tonight in that condition. His parents will be concerned, they have to be informed where he is,” declared Sebastian.
Lady Maud directed one of Sebastian’s outriders to fetch the doctor and asked Mrs Marshall to make up the bed in Alicia’s library for him and light the fire. Then as an afterthought she advised her to prepare the green room which was next to the library for Lord Farndon.
“I won’t hear of you travelling on in these conditions, your men will have to put up in the White Hart in town, we haven’t room for them. Dinner will be ready soon. Messages to London will have to wait until tomorrow.”
Sebastian gratefully acquie
sced and had Prescott locate his overnight bag. Then he ordered his driver to take the carriage, Prescott and the remaining outrider who was riding Goldie to the White Hart to stay the night. Asking for them to return at half past nine in the morning for their onwards journey to Langsdown Castle. Sebastian doubted that Percival would be going anywhere for some time.
Percival’s very crumpled and badly packed luggage had been discovered within the trunk. He was extracted from the bath, dried and thrust into one of his own warmed nightshirts and carried by Sebastian to the bed in Alicia’s library, which had already been warmed by one of Lady Maud’s maids. Jenny who was not much better, had been dispatched by Alicia to her own bed in the servant’s quarters. Alicia and Sebastian changed unaided from their travelling clothes for dinner and arrived downstairs in time to greet the doctor.
That gentleman concurred with Sebastian’s opinion when he had examined Percival. He stated he had caught a bad congestion of the lungs and was now running a temperature. He recommended he be kept in bed for several days and prescribed a draught to ease his chest. He did not however seem too worried about Percival’s condition.
“He’s a strong healthy boy and should soon shake this off. Rarely see such good muscle definition in a gentleman’s son. If the young rascal is kept in a warm bed for a few days he will make a good recovery.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Sebastian was charming at dinner entertaining Lady Maud and Alicia with perfectly acceptable stories of his travels on the continent. Alicia suspected the versions he was repeating were much censored. She wondered what facts apart from the details of the negotiations he had been involved in he was omitting. As she got to know Sebastian she glimpsed another layer hiding behind the polished cultured exterior. The concealment of his innermost thoughts seemed an innate quality in him. He seemed to be capable of thinking something else entirely to the social pleasantries he was uttering at the time. Even though he appeared to be trying to be open with her, she perceived there was far more to Sebastian than even she had guessed at.
Alicia had made no comment about his expertise with or possession of lock-picks, but some things he had said or done were beginning to fit together. His admission that her ability to keep secrets was an asset, his action in examining her notebook and sketchbook without permission, as if it was normal behaviour made up only part of her suspicions. His efficiency in organising a number of projects without appearing ruffled and his abilities to deal with an emergency were without question spectacular. Employment of the stone deaf Randall had not been a charitable kindness on his part, but a deliberate action to ensure his privacy. Sebastian always observed what was going on around him, but rarely repeated gossip.
Alicia had questioned Sebastian casually about people who had been at events they had both attended.
“Do you remember that dreadful dress Lady Purcell was wearing the other evening? I thought it a revolting shade of puce.”
“Absolutely appalling dress, but it was mustard not puce.”
She had tried several times to catch him out but no matter how large the gathering or insignificant the personage, Sebastian had not only noticed them but could recall the exact details of their costume or actions. Sebastian finally turned the tables on her when she asked one more question.
“Why are you checking on what I saw Alicia? I know perfectly well you recall those events nearly as well as I do. This isn’t still over me noticing the dresses you wore before we were introduced, is it? So you tell me what was wrong with Lord Overton’s attire last Friday?”
“Apart from his scarlet waistcoat, one of his better ones I thought. He has dreadful taste. There was something the matter with his cravat, it didn’t look quite right.”
“Spot on Alicia, he had tried to tie a mathematical with too long a cravat. You were nearer to the Hamley sisters at that musicale when they were tearing some poor lad to pieces. I didn’t catch the full details, who was it they were talking about?”
“James somebody, but I think they were referring to Sir Mallory’s second son, who had been making an idiot of himself about Patricia Hamley’s rejection of his proposal.”
“You were talking to Lady Sophia at the time, but I suspected you listen in to all the conversations around you. Good hearing, good memory and logical connection of facts. I am impressed, Alicia. I am not omniscient, but I do watch and remember what goes on around me. It is amazing the information you can pick up if you keep your eyes and ears open. I find it valuable in diplomacy and business. We will make a good team.”
Alicia sorted the other facts she had learnt. Amalie had told her he could be secretive and had met visitors whom he did not let her see. Estelle had hoped he would be the real Sebastian and not hide behind the society image he normally presented with Alicia. Then there was the coded note and the horse’s names and his assumption she would comprehend both. There was Lord Liverpool and the Government’s determination to reclaim his services. Even with his intelligence, diplomatic charm and facility for languages their pursuit of Sebastian seemed excessive. The story about his saving Lieutenant General Graham’s life had been repeated to the ladies, it all added up to far more than a wealthy, well-educated young man with excellent social skills.
Alicia also perceived his information sources were far greater than one would expect for a young man, who had been on the continent for most of the last seven years. She knew he had manipulated her, Greenways, Stephen, Claudette, his father, his nephews, Weston and even Wynstanley very effectively. She sat and watched as he made Aunt Maud practically eat out of his hand. It was a bravura performance. Aunt Maud was normally very astute, but Sebastian had absolutely won her over. Sebastian glanced in her direction and smiled. Within that simple smile she saw his love for her, an enquiry as to what she was thinking about and the resolve with which he was bent on turning Lady Maud up sweet. Alicia returned a smile of her own, hoping it told him she cared about him and suggested the knowledge he was planning mischief.
The rueful smile he returned implied he had understood exactly what she was saying without words. Alicia had been shocked at his apology to his former mistresses, but believed it had been genuinely meant. She knew Sebastian valued intelligence and rated his own highly, but she had also discerned there were aspects of his character he did not approve of in himself. His expectations of himself were higher than any man she had ever met. It was as if his being as he mockingly called it “the spare,” had made him strive never to be second best at anything.
Alicia wondered why, when he had offered to show her he could please her in bed; he had been so circumspect in his behaviour over the last weeks. He could have got her alone to seduce her and she believed he knew she wanted him to. Alicia answered a question from Lady Maud about her engagement ring and removed it so her aunt could examine it closer. Replacing the ring she glanced once more at Sebastian. For a second she caught an unguarded look on his face which he swiftly replaced with his social smile. Tonight they were staying in the same house, so that was why he was going to so much trouble to be seen as the perfect young man to Lady Maud. Alicia understood what was going through Sebastian’s mind and while keeping her face straight, smiled inside.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Lady Maud kept early hours and was soon wishing them both good night. Alicia went up and checked on Percival who was sleeping peacefully. In her room Alicia prepared for bed, but the comfortable flannel nightgown she had put out earlier was discounted. Searching through her luggage which remained largely unpacked, she located a prettier flimsier garment she had bought for her trousseau. She built up the fire then prepared carefully for bed, brushing her hair carefully before donning the shocking nightdress. Alicia selected a book and got into bed to read and wait. An hour passed and the house was quiet. Alicia listened for noises in the corridor but heard nothing, yet her door was now opening to admit Sebastian.
He took in the scene of Alicia, the shocking nightdress and the candles still lit.
�
��I see I am expected.” He turned and locked the door behind him. Alicia put down the book and turned back the bed covers beside her. Sebastian wore a different robe; this one was golden yellow and patterned in the weave of the brocade. He removed the dressing gown and placed it over the back of a chair but he was not naked. He still wore a pair of tight fitting breeches, but Alicia could see he was already becoming aroused. He slipped into bed beside her and took her in his arms, just holding her close to him. Alicia was trembling but not from cold. He stroked her long hair glorying in its silk and the scent of lavender that clung to it.
“I dreamed of stroking your hair in Cambridge for months. Every time I kiss you I have to resist mussing up your coiffure.”
He turned her to him and began a long slow kiss, his hands entwining in her hair. Then his kisses moved first to nibble her ears and to caress her neck as one hand began to undo the buttons on her nightgown. He eased the straps from her shoulders and bared her breasts. Then his mouth followed his eyes down feathering kisses over the orbs before taking her nipple into his mouth and sucking. Alicia gasped with pleasure.
“Shush, we must be careful not to disturb the old dear. Dig your nails into my back instead.”
Sebastian moved his head to her other breast and kissed and sucked her nipple until it was rigid with arousal. Alicia reached her arms around him and when her back arched with pleasure suppressed the gasp and dug her nails experimentally into the muscles of his back. Sebastian laughed silently.
“You don’t need to be so gentle with me. I am not a delicate flower, Alicia. This nightgown is very pretty but I think it has served its purpose,” he whispered huskily.
He lifted the hem of her nightgown and eased it up over her body, feasting his eyes as he disposed of her only garment. He then continued kissing her breasts while Alicia blushed furiously at being displayed naked.
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