Regency Affairs Part 2: Books 7-12 Of 12. Ann Lethbridge

from his father, society’s foremost hostesses were always eager to have a handsome war hero who was also the son of an earl to adorn their gatherings.

      Soon the two men were in the midst of a babble of old army colleagues, though after a while Lucas was swept away to talk politics, since some of his Whig associates were hoping to persuade him into a government post. But before he went, he was at Alec’s side, saying quietly, ‘All right if I move on, old friend?’

      ‘Certainly. I’ll see you later, Lucas.’

      Because the conversation Alec had come here for had to be held in private.

      Alec had called at his father’s house on his way, to be regaled by Jarvis with the tale of Stephen’s reaction last night to the missing food. ‘Was my brother angry, Jarvis?’

      ‘You could say that, sir.’ Jarvis’s cheeks creased in a smile. ‘His guests left almost as soon as they arrived, once Lord Stephen told them there was no food or drink.’

      Alec pictured the scene. ‘I hope he didn’t take it out on you?’

      ‘I pointed out, Master Alec, that the tradesmen’s bills were in the Earl’s name and that, since the Earl was away, I’d no clear idea for whom the goods were intended. As far as I was aware, you, sir, had as much right to the food and wine as Lord Stephen!’

      ‘You’re a good man, Jarvis.’ Alec looked around the big hall. ‘What about the paintings?’

      ‘Lord Stephen said nothing about them whatsoever, sir. But he noticed those labels you’d asked me to fasten on. And only an hour ago, he was back here bringing in some new ones—or should I say, the originals, sir—and telling me some story about mistakes having been made at the restorer’s shop!’

      Alec had smiled grimly at the thought of Stephen’s angry confusion. And now, at Lord Fanton’s, he continued to mingle with the top-lofty guests and even allowed himself to be pressed into introductions by the determined mamas of marriageable daughters. ‘He’s the younger son of the Earl of Aldchester, you know,’ he heard the old tabbies whispering avidly. ‘There’s some sort of family problem, and sweet Lady Emilia found him just a little difficult. But even so, he’s a catch, my dears, a catch!’

      Alec talked and smiled politely, but he never stopped watching as the guests arrived; he didn’t have to wait long. He felt all his muscles tensing as she came in. She was so breathtakingly beautiful. No wonder everyone in the room turned to stare. No wonder his father had fallen in love with her so irrevocably.

      Though the dancing had begun, Alec resisted suggestions that he might lead some fair maiden on to the floor. Likewise he refused invitations to a game as his friends moved through to the card room. Really he was just waiting for the moment he’d come here for.

      He heard, at last, her silken voice at his shoulder. ‘Alec, my dear. You got my note.’

      The feline purr was all too familiar. Alec turned slowly to see Susanna, with her gleaming dark curls, her porcelain skin and sultry, dark-blue eyes.

      ‘I got your note, yes, Susanna,’ he said. ‘You wanted to see me.’

      She put her hand on his arm. ‘And so you came. But they tell me you have not been to any affairs of the ton for, oh, many months! I remember you when I first set eyes on you, Alec. Dancing, laughing, surrounded by beautiful women, always—’

      He drew his arm away abruptly. ‘Susanna. I didn’t actually come to enjoy the party.’

      ‘Ah,’ she sighed, ‘the ennui of the times. You military men weary quickly, I think, of London’s frivolities after the adventure of war.’ The candlelight was glittering on her pale-pink satin gown, on the stupendous jewels—Aldchester heirlooms—that she wore to emphasise her allure. She toyed with her pearl-encrusted fan. ‘Or perhaps you simply avoid society wherever you think I might be.’

      His eyes grew harder. ‘Perhaps I’ve come tonight because I heard rumours. And perhaps I wanted to know if they were true.’

      She shrugged her gleaming bare shoulders. ‘Ah—rumours, maybe, that you have brought my better nature to the fore, Alec! But you know, my dear, you always do that.’

      ‘I wish I didn’t know that was a lie,’ he said quietly.

      Her eyes glittered. ‘If you are not careful, I vow I shall look for someone else to dally with!’

      He put his hand swiftly on her arm. ‘Don’t, Susanna,’ he said tersely. ‘Don’t for God’s sake lower yourself with light and stupid jests, especially when you were perhaps starting to raise yourself in my estimation.’

      She went still. ‘So you’ve heard, then? That I have put an end to my—dalliance with your brother? It is indeed true. Alas—’ she wafted her fan ‘—Stephen was becoming tedious. He visited us at Carrfields and I told him it was over.’

      ‘Searching for fresh entertainment, Susanna?’

      Her exotic eyes narrowed. Then she said, ‘Can we move somewhere a little quieter?’

      He guided her to the back of the room, away from the musicians and the dancing. And she began to tell him. ‘Your brother came to us at Carrfields, for two days. But of course that man of his, Markin—’ she shuddered ‘—was with him and my maid overheard them whispering. Something about a child, a little girl, that Stephen is desperate to get hold of.’

      Alec froze.

      ‘And do you know, Alec,’ she went on, ‘that changed my mind about everything.’ She gazed up at him, her beautiful eyes for once clear and transparent. ‘Men like you, women like me, we can look after ourselves. But I am worried about this child—I believe Stephen really intends her some harm—and I thought that you, of all people, might have the resources to do something …’ She shivered suddenly. ‘There. That is all. Take me into the dancing, will you? People used to say what a handsome couple we made.’

      ‘No,’ he said. ‘I’m afraid I must go.’

      He was already turning when she laid her gloved wrist on his arm. ‘Alec. Can’t you forgive me? It’s how I was brought up, you know, to take what I wanted, and believe me …’ she touched his cheek ‘… often I heartily wish it were not so! I only took up with Stephen to make you jealous. But I didn’t succeed, did I? You are a good man, Alec, perhaps the best I’ve known.’

      ‘I am a damned fool,’ he broke in bitterly. He was suddenly finding the odours of perfume and pomade almost overbearing. His jaw clenched, he made his bow to Susanna and went to find Lucas in the card room. His friend was standing watching a game, but came quickly over to join him.

      ‘News, Alec?’

      ‘Yes, and not good. Lucas, the woman and child that I told you about, that I’m sheltering at Two Crows Castle—they could be in danger. And some day soon I may have to bring them to you and Verena. It seems the peril is greater than I thought.’

Chapter Seventeen

      Alec was back at Two Crows Castle less than an hour later. Deuce take it, he thought, but he almost found the ruination of this old place a relief after the glitter of the ton.

      Garrett came up to him as Alec heaved off his coat. ‘We tracked down that oily cove Marchmont at his theatre today, Captain, like you asked us to,’ Garrett announced. ‘He told us—after a bit of persuasion—that he gave the girl Linette the push because she wouldn’t—oblige him like he wanted.’

      ‘Yet he suggested,’ grated Alec, ‘that she find work at the Temple of Beauty?’

      ‘It was Mr Marchmont’s