Read Online A Matter of Duty by Sandra Heath - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Sandra Heath
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before he reached the capital, he’d pass through Kensington, where unknown to him, the duel was to take place at dawn.
It was some time before the party broke up and Anne was at liberty to inquire about his plans. She didn’t ask her husband; she went directly to the man who’d have been told the absolute truth – the butler. Geoffrey would have left precise word with him about his whereabouts, in case of an emergency; he’d only have told his father what he wanted him to know.
She found the butler in the drawing room, supervising the clearing away of the supper tables. ‘Ah, there you are,’ she said lightly, waving the other servants away. ‘Sir Ashley and I have been left rather in the dark as to Captain Lawrence’s plans. Where exactly will he be tonight?’
He colored a little, not wanting to divulge the truth.
‘I’m waiting,’ she said, her fan tapping impatiently.
‘He’ll be at – at …’
‘Yes?’ She raised a cold eyebrow.
He capitulated. ‘He’ll be at an, er, establishment in Covent Garden tonight, my lady, Jerry’s Coffee House, and tomorrow he’ll be at his club or keeping an appointment with Lord Palmerston at the Horse Guards. He intends to spend tomorrow night at the Green Dragon in Brentford.’
She said nothing, turning abruptly on her heel and walking away, her skirt rustling. So, he’d be in Brentford, would he? What a coincidence that it was in Brentford that the wretched governess had wanted to meet her brother. Her brother indeed! No doubt she hoped to be able to sneak away from her duties, after all, so that she could join him there and spend a cozy night à deux!
Anne’s mouth was set in a spiteful, malevolent line. It was time to sweep the house clean of governesses and spoiled brats; both would be gone before the end of the week, or Ashley’s life wouldn’t be worth living.
Trembling with inner rage, she went to her private apartment. The governess wouldn’t at any price be allowed to leave Lawrence Park tomorrow, and when dear Geoffrey arrived at the Green Dragon, he’d find a very different ladylove waiting for him!
8
L ong after the lights at Lawrence Park had been extinguished and Geoffrey had arrived at Covent Garden to commence his night of debauchery, Tom Cherington was still sitting up in the apartment above the tea merchant’s writing a letter to Louisa. Dudley had retired to his small bedroom at the rear of the building and Kit had fallen asleep on a couch close to where Tom sat. A single candle illuminated the room, the pale light creating dark, dense shadows in the corners.
Tom put the quill down and sanded the paper. The candle flame reflected in his gray eyes as he read the letter, anxious to be sure he’d worded it so that his sister would do exactly as he wanted. He glanced at her little portrait, which he’d placed on the table before him. ‘Oh, Louisa,’ he murmured, ‘you must do this for me, you’re meant to be Lady Highclare and the next Countess of Redway, I know you are.’
Folding the paper, he held a stick of sealing wax to the candle and then allowed several thick blobs to fall on the fold. He pressed his signet ring into the wax and then sat back, drawing a long breath. He’d failed her in so many ways until now, but he was going to do right by her now, even if he had to do it from beyond the grave.
Behind him the room was quiet. Kit was deeply asleep, exhausted after the arduous journey from Cowes. His fair hair was tousled, giving him an almost boyish look, and his neckcloth was crumpled. Tom got up and went to look down at him as he slept. Kit had to give his solemn word to marry Louisa, and he had to promise to arrange the ceremony as quickly as possible, for any delay might see Thea’s return to complete favor. Tom felt no conscience about putting pressure on his friend, for he was convinced that the marriage was the perfect answer to everything. Thea might still linger in Kit’s heart, but she would
It was some time before the party broke up and Anne was at liberty to inquire about his plans. She didn’t ask her husband; she went directly to the man who’d have been told the absolute truth – the butler. Geoffrey would have left precise word with him about his whereabouts, in case of an emergency; he’d only have told his father what he wanted him to know.
She found the butler in the drawing room, supervising the clearing away of the supper tables. ‘Ah, there you are,’ she said lightly, waving the other servants away. ‘Sir Ashley and I have been left rather in the dark as to Captain Lawrence’s plans. Where exactly will he be tonight?’
He colored a little, not wanting to divulge the truth.
‘I’m waiting,’ she said, her fan tapping impatiently.
‘He’ll be at – at …’
‘Yes?’ She raised a cold eyebrow.
He capitulated. ‘He’ll be at an, er, establishment in Covent Garden tonight, my lady, Jerry’s Coffee House, and tomorrow he’ll be at his club or keeping an appointment with Lord Palmerston at the Horse Guards. He intends to spend tomorrow night at the Green Dragon in Brentford.’
She said nothing, turning abruptly on her heel and walking away, her skirt rustling. So, he’d be in Brentford, would he? What a coincidence that it was in Brentford that the wretched governess had wanted to meet her brother. Her brother indeed! No doubt she hoped to be able to sneak away from her duties, after all, so that she could join him there and spend a cozy night à deux!
Anne’s mouth was set in a spiteful, malevolent line. It was time to sweep the house clean of governesses and spoiled brats; both would be gone before the end of the week, or Ashley’s life wouldn’t be worth living.
Trembling with inner rage, she went to her private apartment. The governess wouldn’t at any price be allowed to leave Lawrence Park tomorrow, and when dear Geoffrey arrived at the Green Dragon, he’d find a very different ladylove waiting for him!
8
L ong after the lights at Lawrence Park had been extinguished and Geoffrey had arrived at Covent Garden to commence his night of debauchery, Tom Cherington was still sitting up in the apartment above the tea merchant’s writing a letter to Louisa. Dudley had retired to his small bedroom at the rear of the building and Kit had fallen asleep on a couch close to where Tom sat. A single candle illuminated the room, the pale light creating dark, dense shadows in the corners.
Tom put the quill down and sanded the paper. The candle flame reflected in his gray eyes as he read the letter, anxious to be sure he’d worded it so that his sister would do exactly as he wanted. He glanced at her little portrait, which he’d placed on the table before him. ‘Oh, Louisa,’ he murmured, ‘you must do this for me, you’re meant to be Lady Highclare and the next Countess of Redway, I know you are.’
Folding the paper, he held a stick of sealing wax to the candle and then allowed several thick blobs to fall on the fold. He pressed his signet ring into the wax and then sat back, drawing a long breath. He’d failed her in so many ways until now, but he was going to do right by her now, even if he had to do it from beyond the grave.
Behind him the room was quiet. Kit was deeply asleep, exhausted after the arduous journey from Cowes. His fair hair was tousled, giving him an almost boyish look, and his neckcloth was crumpled. Tom got up and went to look down at him as he slept. Kit had to give his solemn word to marry Louisa, and he had to promise to arrange the ceremony as quickly as possible, for any delay might see Thea’s return to complete favor. Tom felt no conscience about putting pressure on his friend, for he was convinced that the marriage was the perfect answer to everything. Thea might still linger in Kit’s heart, but she would
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