Read Online Death at St. James's Palace by Deryn Lake - Free Book Online

dominated by footmen, Sir Gabriel, who had never considered his establishment grand enough to employ a steward, had left behind the head footman, Axford, to make sure that the newlyweds’ domestic life ran without a hitch.
    “You sent for me, Sir?” Axford asked now.
    “Yes, I’ve several things to discuss. First of all, how is Lucinda settling down?”
    “Very well. She has been kitted out in suitable clothes and has been doing her chores quite competently.”
    “What position have you given her?”
    “An undermaid. I felt that when Mrs. Rawlings returned with Dorcas and Hannah there would be trouble indeed if they found that anyone of equal status to themselves had been employed in their absence. Household politics, Sir.” He sighed.
    “Very wise. Anyway, I must hurry. I have been invited to dine with Mr. Fielding. Can some hot water be brought to my bedroom immediately. That and a glass of pale sherry.”
    “I’ll send Lucinda up with the tray and Gregg with the ewer. Is there anything else, Sir?”
    “Yes, Axford. You meet a lot of other servants when you are out and about, tell me what is said about Miss Chudleigh. Is it true that she is the mistress of the Duke of Kingston?”
    To have talked so freely with a footman would have been frowned upon by that doyen of good taste, Sir Gabriel. But John had known Axford for years and had long ago realised his value as a source of London gossip.
    “It is indeed, Sir. She met him about eighteen months ago and, if you’ll forgive the phrase, he has been in her clutches ever since.”
    “He was not at her levee for Mr. Fielding the other day.”
    Axford looked very knowing but said nothing.
    “You are wearing a mysterious face, Axford. What is it you want to say to me?”
    “That the Duke is kin to Mr. Fielding; they are connected in some way, I believe through cousinage to the Earl of Denbigh. Whatever the case, that is why Miss Chudleigh is so well disposed towards the Magistrate. Her carriage is often seen outside the court, where she has gone as a visitor of course.”
    “How interesting. Tell me, is not the Duke quite an elderly and scholarly man?”
    “He is indeed. No ripsnorter rakehell he.”
    “But she is so beautiful and so outrageous. The attraction of opposites I suppose.” The Apothecary looked pensive. “Does Miss Chudleigh have a bastard child, I wonder.”
    “Rumour has suggested it, Sir.”
    “That proves nothing.”
    “Indeed not. Yet if she has she would merely be like many a great lady before her.”
    “Yes.” John got to his feet. “No doubt I shall learn more of her this evening. But first I must get ready. Send Lucinda and Gregg up as soon as you can.”
    “Yes, Mr. Rawlings.”
    As soon as they had returned from honeymoon, John and Emilia had moved into the largest bedroom in Nassau Street, the room once occupied by Sir Gabriel and the Apothecary’s mother, Phyllida. Situated at the back of the house, the room overlooked the long thin garden, a fact that Phyllida had preferred to a view of the street, though convention decreed that the master bedroom should always be in the front of the building. Now John stood there, staring out over the autumn borders, just one or two flowers still blooming, adding their colour to the bright flame of the leaves. He did not turn when the knock came at the door but saw Lucinda’s blurred reflection in the glass of the window. She was quite definitely female, he thought, and rather too pretty for her own good.
    “I brought your sherry, Sir.”
    He wheeled round. “Lucinda. How nice of you. How are you settling in?”
    “I like it here very much, Sir. Everyone has been so kind. These are the clothes that the dressmaker made for me.”
    The dress was a light dove grey, adorned by a lilac collar and cuffs. To complete the outfit Lucinda wore a lilac apron.
    “The trimmings are not too fanciful, are they, Sir?”
    “They are but they match your eyes. You look very beautiful.”
    She blushed