An Inconvenient Trilogy (43 page)

“Yes,” Charlotte responded, almost throwing herself into his arms. “I will have you with all your faults, grumpiness and stubbornness!”

“I knew you were my perfect wife, none of this romance rubbish from my tiger,” Stephen said sweeping her into his arms and kissing her.

Charlotte returned his kiss, but eventually pulled away, cupping her hand around Stephen’s cheek. “I love you, my imperfect knight in a frock coat and breeches, I will do anything I can to make you happy, but I can’t promise not to want some romance along the way.”

Stephen groaned, “I knew there would be a downside to this marriage lark!” he responded lowering his head for another kiss, but swinging Charlotte around, completely in contradiction to his words.  

Charlotte laughed and whispered, “Kiss me, sir.”

“Always,” came the husky response.    

The End

An Inconvenient Companion

Audrey Harrison

Dedication

This book is dedicated to my mum, Margaret Horrobin.

My mum always wanted me to write a book about the servants, so here you are mum, a book for you! Although your namesake does actually appear in An Inconvenient Wife, this is the book that the staff have their own stories.

Hope you enjoy it.

Lots of love, Audrey.

Prologue

London, spring 1816

Alfred Peters, one of the new Bow Street Officers visited Baron Kersal’s home in London for the third time that week. His colleague, Martin Corless, was following the Baron in his day to day life, but it had been Alfred’s role to infiltrate the inner circle. Lord Halkyn, an aristocrat who disliked the way Baron Kersal was developing his business, had provided the means to access the house and Alfred had worked in his usual methodical way, liaising with Corless until they had gathered enough evidence against Baron Kersal.

The Baron, in addition to running a house seven miles outside the city, where a variety of pursuits that were not discussed in polite circles were held, had decided that he needed more funds and had branched out further. He had begun arranging the kidnap and forced marriages of innocent young girls, which was when Lord Halkyn had become involved. One usually used to enjoying some of the pleasures that Baron Kersal offered, he had helped to rescue Miss Charlotte Webster, who had been kidnapped. Once Miss Webster had been safe Lord Halkyn had vowed, with the assistance of Bow Street, to bring the Baron to justice.

Alfred had been introduced as Lord Halkyn’s cousin and had convinced the Baron and his friends that he was a keen gambler. He had secured a lot of information through one of the girls, Laura, who had helped Charlotte. Laura had disliked the new activity, particularly as the girls being targeted were young. Alfred, being the man that he was, had given the informant enough money to ensure that when the time came Laura would be able to get herself out of danger.

Everything was coming together as they had hoped. He had not needed to visit the premises again really, but something had drawn him to it, one last time. Alfred had always acted professionally, he took his job very seriously, but Laura had haunted his dreams since the evening he had met her. She had seemed a kindred spirit, older than her years, a little like himself, having seen more of life than any decent human being should have. He had told her that they would never see each other again and although he had visited the premises numerous times, he had always stayed away from the girls that were available.

This night though, he could not concentrate. He knew exactly why he had visited the house and the fight with his conscience only meant that he did not focus fully on gambling and was running at a loss. He tossed his cards onto the table and with a sigh, pushed his chair back; his lack of success was giving the Baron back some of the money that he had won earlier in the week.

Baron Kersal approached the young man, always ready to persuade a gambler to try and win back his losses, usually resulting in further losses for the player and more profit for himself.

“Good evening Mr Peters,” the Baron said genially. “Giving up so easily?”

“Yes, I’m not in the mood tonight,” Alfred responded, taking a pinch of snuff.

“Some other entertainment then?” the Baron offered, always ready to offer something that would cost his visitors.

Albert paused; this was the moment that he should walk out of the door and never look back. He took another pinch of snuff while fighting with his demons. He snapped his snuffbox shut and placed it carefully in his pocket.

“If that girl is available who I saw on my first visit, I think I could be tempted,” he said with a convincing leer.

“Who was that?” the Baron asked, pleased that he would be receiving further money from the young man.

“Laura, she was worth the money my cousin and I paid, she was very obliging, no matter what we did,” Albert said, trying not to look too keen about seeing Laura again.

The Baron frowned. “Laura does other jobs for me these days, what about one of our other girls? Some of the younger ones are more than willing to spend an evening with a handsome young man.”

Alfred, with his tall slim frame, dark hair and green eyes, set in a pale complexion, could be described as ordinary, but never handsome. Anyone taking the time to look into his eyes would see a haunted expression, the result of seeing hardship and facing danger too many times. Alfred struggled to maintain his pleasant expression; he really disliked the Baron and would be happy when his colleagues raided the establishment.

“Laura had specialities that I enjoyed. I would be willing to pay extra for her, but if not....” he left the sentence hanging, sure of the Baron’s reaction to money.

Not one to disappoint, the Baron replied immediately, “Laura will be with you in ten minutes. If you would like to follow me, we can agree a price.”

Alfred nodded and followed the portly, glistening man into his office, where he conducted most transactions. It was better to be away from the eyes of the other visitors, especially when dealing with men who had lost a fortune gambling. He may not look as if he was anything other than an overweight aristocrat with questionable tastes, but Alfred knew that his type could prove to be the most dangerous. If they could not protect themselves physically, men like the Baron always made sure that they surrounded themselves with loyal staff who could.

When the deal had been done, a member of staff took him to a bedroom.

As with the Baron’s other bedrooms, the room was minimally furnished, excess furniture was a waste of money in the Baron’s eyes. The décor was clean and tidy, which was a higher standard than some of the other places that existed for the same reasons, but it was not extravagant. Everything in the house was there for the purpose of separating money from the visitors who visited there. The door was left open while there was no girl in attendance. Alfred poured himself a glass of wine, beginning to realise what he was about to do. He drank the wine back in one gulp and poured himself another.

“Does an evening with me cause you to turn to drink?” came a voice from the doorway.

Alfred turned to see Laura, leaning against the doorway, a smile on her face. Alfred smiled in return and indicated that she should come into the room, by offering her a glass of wine. “Hello Laura,” he said quietly.

He watched her as she walked into the room, closing the door behind her and letting her shawl fall over the chair, before accepting the glass of wine. She was not stunningly beautiful, but her auburn hair and dark green eyes drew him to her like a moth to a flame. She had signs of wrinkles developing, a mark of the difficulties in her life, she must only be aged around four and twenty. Girls in her trade started young and were cast off before they got too old. Like him, Laura had aged prematurely, a consequence of the struggle of being born on the wrong side of polite society.

“You’ve been a regular visitor here recently, I was disappointed when our first encounter didn’t tempt you back,” she flirted, as she sipped her wine, looking at him over the edge of the glass.

“I’m here now,” Alfred said, his face never changing expression, but his insides feeling lighter at the fact that she had shown an interest in him by knowing that he had been on the premises. No one else would have taken notice, he was not handsome enough or rich enough, to be noticed by the girls who worked there.

“Yes, you are,” Laura said circling him, provocatively. “And what do you have in mind for tonight? Is it going to be different to last time?”

She was asking him if he was going to talk to her, which was all they had done on that first meeting, well, except for the two kisses they had shared. “I always think different is best, don’t you?” he responded.

Laura flushed slightly, but maintained the banter. There were peep holes in every room, so they could be being watched. Neither of them could give anything away, or they would not get out of house in one piece. “I am here to please you, sir.”

“You can start by getting undressed,” Alfred said, refilling his glass. He should get her on the bed behind the covers, so that she would not be seen by anyone choosing to watch the activities of the house, rather than take part. He wanted to see her undress though and he knew that the eyes watching would not be too interested at this point, they preferred the activity further on.

“As you wish,” Laura responded. She slowly undressed herself. All her clothing was made to enable it to be removed easily, too many fastenings could result in ripped clothing and that cost money to repair. She had no corset on, again for ease, and was soon stood naked before Alfred.

“What about you, sir?” she asked, trying to keep the anticipation and warmth from her voice. As much as she had haunted Alfred’s dreams, he had haunted hers.

“All in good time,” Alfred said, placing his glass on the small table and striding towards her. He grabbed her and kissed her as he had kissed her last time, as if it would be his last. Laura responded to him immediately, wrapping her arms about his neck and pulling him further into her.

Alfred did not stop kissing her as he lifted her from her feet and carried her over to the bed. He climbed on after her and closed the curtains around them. There would be nothing more for the peeping toms to look at that night.

*

Hours later, Laura was nestled in Alfred’s arms, facing his chest. She had never nestled with any other client, it was always do what had to be done and then once finished, more than likely on to the next client. She forced her thoughts not to dwell on her job and snuggled further into the warmth surrounding her.

“What are you doing woman?” Alfred chuckled, but he kept his voice low, not risking any conversation being heard by anyone else.

“You said I would never see you again,” Laura said quietly.

“I tried to stay away,” Alfred said. “I’m putting you at risk being here.”

“It’s a risk I’m willing to take,” Laura said, kissing the smattering of hair that curled on his chest.

Alfred paused from stroking her back, “Laura, I cannot offer you anything,” he said. She would not have a happy time being linked to him.

“I have not asked for anything have I?” Laura replied, still quietly, but the indignation was clear in her voice.

“Sorry, I just don’t want you to get hurt,” Alfred replied, kissing her, until she smiled.

“I don’t want you to get hurt either,” Laura responded eventually, but not pulling away fully from his lips. He had hinted previously that Bow Street Officers did not have a long life span and she had worried that he would come to harm.

“I know, you told me that when we first met,” Alfred said, remembering the words that she had said to him.

“In another life I would have taken care of you,” Laura whispered the words, as if reading his thoughts.

“In another life I would have let you,” Alfred responded as he had on that first day.

No other words were exchanged as they showed each other through actions how much the words meant to them both.

Deep in the night, Alfred finally stirred. “It is time I left; if I stay any longer questions will be asked.”

“I know, I was just being selfish,” Laura said, a lump developing in her insides that she knew by instinct would be hard to move. This time he would not return, she knew that without any words being said.

“Kersal said that you didn’t usually do this sort of thing anymore. He isn’t mistreating you is he?” Alfred asked. Case or no case, if she was being hurt, he would sort the Baron out himself.

“No he isn’t,” Laura said. “I’m looking after the girls here; apparently I’m getting too old to see the gentlemen.”

“How old are you, you old hag?” Alfred asked teasingly.

“Four and twenty, does that shock you?” Laura responded with mock primness.

“As a man who is a whole year younger, no it doesn’t shock me, although I may have to try a younger model in future, just to see the difference,” Alfred said, before having the wind knocked out of him by Laura poking him in his ribs. “Oooff woman, you are vicious!” he laughed, still careful to keep his voice low.

Alfred became serious and held Laura tightly to him. “I do have to leave now, but promise me that you will be careful,” he said.

“I will,” Laura said, blinking back tears that had threatened to spring to her eyes at such concern. She mentally shook herself, there was no place for tears in her world, life was what it was. There was no point repining now. She climbed out of bed and quickly got dressed.

Alfred followed her from the bed and dressed himself. He approached Laura and gave her a hand full of coins. “Thank you Laura,” he said, kissing her roughly on her lips before walking out of the room without looking back.

Laura stayed still a few moments before leaving the room and returning to her own private bed chamber. Once there she sat on the edge of the bed and wrapped her arms around her middle. “God, if you exist and you are fair, you will let me keep this little part of him. The future is too bleak with no reminder of him in it.”