A Not So Respectable Gentleman? (9 page)

‘Are you satisfied now, my dear?’ Kellford changed his tone to a patient one.

She straightened, facing him with a direct look. ‘We are done here, Kellford.’

Without another word she turned and walked quickly away. Kellford leaned on his stick, watching her with an amused expression. Leo glanced at Walker to ensure his readiness. Simultaneously they donned their masks.

Kellford let out an exultant laugh as he refolded the paper and put it back into his pocket. As if he had not a care in the world, he strolled on to the path leading out of the park, jubilantly swinging his walking stick.

Leo and Walker had already scouted the area, finding the best place to make their move. From the shelter of the shrubbery they beat a parallel course to the appointed spot, reaching it ahead of Kellford. He made it easy for them to anticipate his approach by whistling as he walked.

As he took a step past them, Leo sprang from the bushes and seized him from behind, pulling his upper arms behind his back so tightly he could not move them. Walker jumped in front of Kellford, snatching the walking stick out of his hand and tossing it aside.

‘See here!’ Kellford cried, but Walker stuffed a handkerchief in the man’s mouth, muffling further sounds.

In a swift economy of movement, Walker emptied the contents of Kellford’s pockets, finding his coin purse and, of course, the incriminating paper. Just as swiftly, Walker placed them in his own pockets. Last of all he ripped Kellford’s watch fob from its chain, the timepiece with it.

While Leo continued to hold Kellford tight, Walker produced a cord with which he quickly tied Kellford’s feet. Leo forced Kellford’s hands together and Walker bound them with another cord.

Then they fled, hearing Kellford’s enraged but muffled cries behind them as they ran.

The entire attack, made to appear like an ordinary robbery, took less than two minutes.

As soon as they were out of Kellford’s sight, they removed their masks and stuffed them in their pockets. Their escape took a zigzag route, eventually re-entering the park and crossing it to exit at Hyde Park corner. From there it was a short walk back to Leo’s rooms.

On their way they passed a one-armed, one-legged beggar in a tattered soldier’s uniform. He held out his hat and pleaded, ‘A ha’penny for a poor old soldier. Surely you gentlemen can spare a ha’penny.’

Leo grinned at Walker. ‘Surely we can spare
something
for an old soldier.’

Walker threw Kellford’s coin purse, his watch and fob into the beggar’s hat.

Leo leaned down to the man and said, ‘Take care in fencing the watch.’

Leo and Walker quickly walked away, hearing the beggar’s astonished cry as they turned the corner.

Chapter Nine

A
fter Mariel rushed away from Kellford, Penny helped her sneak back into the town house.

‘Your parents are still sleeping,’ Penny whispered as they climbed the stairs to Mariel’s bedchamber.

As soon as they closed the door, Penny asked, ‘What happened, miss? Did he meet you? Did he bring the paper?’

Mariel nodded, breathless more from belated nerves than from running back to her house. ‘He showed me the paper.’

Penny clapped her hands. ‘And did Mr Fitzmanning and Mr Walker steal it from him?’

Mariel pulled off her gloves and her hat. Penny skipped forwards and took them from her.

Mariel wrapped her arms around herself, trying to quiet her skittering heart. ‘I do not know. I did not see any sign of them and I left the area quickly.’

She’d stood as quietly as possible at the meeting place, hoping Leo would somehow let her know he was near, but she heard nothing, saw nothing. Not knowing for certain that they were there was the hardest part. She’d started wondering if they’d come to their senses and decided it was foolish to risk their necks.

Surely Leo would not have allowed her to be alone in the park with a man who relished hurting women, but a single sound, a whisper, a whistle, anything would have reassured her.

‘How will Mr Fitzmanning tell you he stole the paper? Is he to meet you somewhere?’ Penny apparently did not question whether he had come.

But she was still young, much younger than Mariel had been when her ill-fated romance with Leo took place—and ended with so much pain.

How could Mariel believe in any man after Leo had abandoned her, her father had lied to her—so many times she’d lost count—and Kellford wished to exploit her? She hoped she was finished with Kellford.

She wanted desperately to believe in Leo this time, to believe he’d done as they’d planned together.

He’d once broken the most important promise he’d made to her. He had said he would marry her, but had so easily believed her father’s lies. She did not know if she could ever trust again after that.

She swallowed the pain. ‘I do not know when I will see him.’

‘Should I deliver another note to him?’ Penny placed Mariel’s hat in its box.

Mariel ought not impose on Penny again, merely to appease her anxieties. ‘No, we must believe he will contact me.’

How long would she have before she knew for certain what he’d done, before she knew for certain that he had not abandoned her again?

What would she do if Leo had not risen early and come to the park to act like a common thief? She’d played the best card she’d had, but success all depended upon Leo. Nothing was left but to simply refuse to marry Kellford and to hope he did not report her father’s crime.

She pursed her lips. Likely he would derive pleasure from seeing her father hang and seeing the lives of her mother and sisters ruined.

To think her sisters were at the country house, blithely under the care of their governess, a dear woman whom her father probably neglected to pay. Her sisters were like she had once been. Carefree. Happy. Anticipating one excitement after another. Augusta would probably be chattering on about her come-out, hoping it would take place next year, although it would probably be delayed until she was eighteen, or never happen unless Mariel gained access to her inheritance. Isabel was probably thinking of little else but her horses, too expensive to keep if they were plunged into poverty. Poor Isabel. She was as horse-mad as Leo had been—

Must her mind always wander back to Leo?

She lowered herself into a chair and looked up at Penny. ‘We will wait for him.’

That was exactly what she’d told herself to do two years ago. Wait for him.

* * *

Mariel was too restless to stay at home all day, simply waiting. After she had breakfasted with her mother and father as if she’d just risen from bed, she took Penny out to the shops.

They did more walking than shopping. Mariel treated Penny to an ice at Gunter’s Tea Shop, to make up for dragging her up and down Old Bond Street.

When they returned from the shops later in the afternoon, Mariel had no choice but to sit with her mother and receive callers. Several of her mother’s friends visited, asking countless questions about Mariel’s wedding preparations and gossiping incessantly, especially about that scandalous Leo Fitzmanning who had attended the Ashworth ball the other night.

There was another ball this night at Lord and Lady Sendale’s, a society entertainment promising to be more lavish, more fashionable than all that had come before. Mariel had not been looking forward to it.

At least not until Kellford sent a note to say he was unable to escort her. This had not happened before. Her first thought was that something had happened to Leo. Was it possible that Kellford had thwarted him? Or was Kellford’s note a sign that Leo and Walker had succeeded? How would she find out?

Her heart suddenly beat in excitement. The ball! That was where Leo intended to contact her. At the ball.

* * *

When Penny helped dress her for the ball, Mariel found herself taking more care in her appearance than usual, choosing her prettiest white-silk gown, one Penny had altered to show off Mariel’s bare shoulders as was the latest fashion. For a belt she tied a long scarf bordered in deep scarlet flowers. Its fringed ends nearly reached her hemline. Her headdress was also deep scarlet and adorned with one curling white feather.

When the ensemble was complete, both Mariel and Penny stepped back to examine it in the full-length mirror.

‘You have outdone yourself, Penny,’ Mariel said. ‘I cannot think I’ve ever looked so well.’

‘No credit to me, miss,’ Penny responded, although she stood like an artist surveying her work. ‘You chose the gown and the smaller articles of dress.’

‘I felt like fussing a bit tonight.’ Mariel smiled at her. ‘You see, Lord Kellford is not attending. I do not mind looking my best.’

Penny’s eyes grew large. ‘He is not attending the ball? Do you suppose Mr Fitzmanning and Mr Walker gave him a black eye or some such thing?’

Mariel grinned. ‘We can only wish.’

Penny nodded with surety. ‘We will find out when Mr Fitzmanning contacts you.’

Mariel examined her image again, fussing with the belt and smoothing the skirt. It had been a long time since she had really cared about how she looked.

Since Leo had left her, she realised with sudden surprise.

* * *

When she and her parents arrived at the ball, Mariel’s father lost no time in retiring to the card room. Mariel remained at her mother’s side as her mother promenaded around the ballroom, greeting friends as if she’d not seen them in a millennium, although some had been her callers that very day.

Mariel engaged in the required social niceties, but mostly she anxiously scanned the room for one tall gentleman with dark, unruly hair and changeable hazel eyes.

Her mother interrupted this quest by insisting she tell one of her bosom beaux all about the wedding plans, as if she had any real plans. A church ceremony. A wedding breakfast. She cared about none of it.

The butler’s voice rang out, ‘The Duke of Manning and Mr Leo Fitzmanning.’

Mariel swivelled around, her heart pounding like a schoolgirl with her first infatuation.

His black formal coat and trousers contrasted with the brilliant white of his neckcloth. While other men embraced the nipped-in waist and puffed-out coat sleeves that were the fashion, Leo’s coat had an understated cut that somehow made him stand out from the others.

After he and his brother greeted the host and hostess, Leo turned and, as if he’d known exactly where to find her, their eyes met and the ghost of a smile appeared on his face.

Her heart leaped and her spirits soared to the ceiling. He’d succeeded! He was safe. She was free. She felt like running to him and throwing her arms around him. What gossip that would generate!

Slowly his gaze slipped away, reluctantly, she thought. She dampened the enthusiasm bursting inside her and watched him melt into the crush of guests. It did not matter that she lost sight of him. She knew he would seek her out again.

The moment brought back the days of their secret courtship—meeting without anyone knowing, dancing together without anyone guessing the emotions that blossomed between them. She almost felt as if those exciting, breathless days had returned.

Mariel heard a laugh she recognised as Charlotte’s. A scan of the room located her one-time best friend on the other side of the ballroom.

She touched her mother’s arm. ‘Mama, I see Charlotte. Would you mind terribly if I went and spoke to her?’

Her mother waved her away. ‘Amuse yourself as best you can without dear Kellford here.’

Mariel would be delighted to amuse herself forever without
dear
Kellford.

She wended her way through the crowd while the musicians tuned their instruments, the notes blending with the discordant buzz of conversation. She heard Wellington’s name mentioned several times, but then he was the new Prime Minister and everyone delighted in speculating upon whether he would succeed or fail in his endeavours. Ireland was spoken of, as well. So much discord in Ireland; Mariel hated to think about it, tonight of all nights, when she was determined to be happy.

Finally she neared Charlotte, whose eyes lit up at the sight of her and who walked towards her with arms outstretched.

‘Mariel!’ Charlotte exclaimed. ‘How lovely to see you.’

They clasped hands.

‘It has only been a few days, hasn’t it?’ Mariel smiled.

Charlotte laughed and the sound lifted above all the other din. ‘At Vauxhall! I am so happy to see you this evening.’ She tensed and suspiciously searched the room. ‘Where is Kellford?’

Mariel tried not to display her disgust of the man. ‘Not attending tonight.’

Charlotte relaxed noticeably. ‘Well, come join us. You may be part of our party tonight, if you like.’

‘I would enjoy that above all things.’ Especially if the party included Leo.

Charlotte took her arm, and together they walked to a group of more familiar faces.

‘Mariel!’ Charlotte’s husband Drew kissed her on her cheek and turned to the gentleman standing at his side. ‘Say hello to Amesby.’

Amesby squeezed her hand. ‘How are you, Mariel?’

Amesby had been one of Leo’s old friends, another horse-mad fellow.

His wife Mary stepped forwards. ‘May I also say hello?’

‘Mary!’ Mariel was genuinely happy to see them all. ‘My goodness, I feel as if we are at one of Welbourne Manor’s house parties.’

Charlotte fanned herself. ‘Except we would have more space in the manor’s ballroom.’

Drew put his arm around his wife. ‘We should plan a party there.’

Charlotte grinned. ‘Yes! And get Nicholas to pay for it.’

As the group chatted together, Mariel searched for Leo again, glimpsing him at his brother’s side. Everyone wished to talk to a duke. It took an age for them to work their way to her side of the room. She kept track of their progress.

‘Nick! Leo!’ Charlotte called to them as soon as they were close enough.

Leo walked directly over. Nicholas was detained.

Charlotte took Leo’s arm and he leaned down to give her a kiss on the cheek. Mariel well remembered how his lips felt against her skin. She touched her cheek in memory.

‘Look at us!’ Charlotte exclaimed to him. ‘We just said this might be a house party at Welbourne Manor.’

Leo’s gaze lingered a moment longer on Mariel than on the others. ‘Indeed. Good to see all of you.’ He shook hands with Drew and Amesby.

Amesby’s handshake was enthusiastic. ‘It has been an age, Leo. It is a happy thing to see you back among us. I’d relish an opportunity to make up lost ground.’

‘We must do so,’ Leo replied.

He greeted Mary and, finally, Mariel.

‘Good to see you again, Mariel.’ His tone hinted at nothing.

‘Leo,’ Mariel managed, not quite erasing the expectation in her voice.

The orchestra quieted and the first dance, a quadrille, was announced, to be led by the host and hostess.

Amesby turned to his wife, a loving look on his face. ‘Shall we dance, Mary?’

Her smile was his response. He took her hand and led her to the dance floor.

Drew turned to Charlotte. ‘Shall we join them?’

Charlotte glanced uncertainly at Mariel. ‘Are you engaged for this dance, Mariel? I cannot just leave you.’

‘Of course you can!’ Mariel shooed her off, but Charlotte was reluctant to go.

Leo stepped forwards. ‘I will keep Mariel company.’

Charlotte and Drew hurried to join Mary and Amesby.

Mariel turned to Leo, knowing her complexion was bright. She told herself her anticipation had only to do with the banknote. ‘Did you get it?’

Leo grinned. ‘We did. It went without a hitch.’

She felt dizzy. ‘I want to hear all the details. And we have to plan a way for you to give it to me. And I must have a safe place for it, as well—’

Leo took her hand. ‘Time enough for that later. Will you dance with me?’

Mariel was ready to dance for joy—with Leo.

He closed his fingers around hers and led her to the gathering dancers, joining three other couples looking for a fourth. The other couples were as young as she and Leo had been when they’d fallen in love. The young people exchanged dismayed glances.

Leo laughed. ‘Do not fear. We shall keep up.’

The music started and the figures were called. Mariel and Leo danced as if they, too, were young and full of gaiety. Twirling, skipping, performing the figures with as much enthusiasm as their younger partners.

They spoke little. What could they say where others could overhear? It did not matter. Mariel was almost too happy to speak. Leo had rescued her. She’d thought she was doomed to marry Kellford, but she was free! Leo had set her free.

They came together for a moment, and Leo asked, ‘Where is Kellford?’

The dance parted them for a moment, before she could answer. ‘He begged off. He did not say why. I wondered if he had become ill...or something.’

They parted again.

When they joined hands, Leo answered, his voice a monotone. ‘He was well enough last I saw him.’