Mayhem in Bath (11 page)

Polly observed Georgiana in the royal pavilion. She had acquired a square of silver brocade from somewhere, and with a little deft folding and pinning had turned it into a commendable hat. She had also managed to position herself so close to the royal pair that she seemed of their personal party. The business of the parasol was clearly behind her as she wallowed in a condescending word from the duchess.

Polly eyed Dominic’s love with dislike. What an outwardly vapid but inwardly designing witch the woman was. And what a fool Sir Dominic was for so clearly adoring her to distraction. But then, given his superior opinion of himself, he probably warranted such a creature. As Polly watched, Dominic entered the pavilion and discreetly drew Georgiana aside. His appearance on the scene did not please the lady at all, for she shook her head angrily when he whispered something to her. He was insistent, and with a very bad grace she allowed him to lead her away from the royal pavilion. Polly couldn’t help following them, for the thought of eavesdropping was too great a temptation.

She was to be disappointed, however, for the conversation was over almost before it began. Georgiana so resented being removed from such a coveted position beside the duke and duchess that she dealt Dominic a sharp slap, and then hurried away again, leaving him to rob the angry mark on his cheek.

Polly felt a little sorry for him, but her sympathy was short-lived. Let him suffer, she thought, and turned away to resume her search for the Gotenuvs.

Chapter 13

Polly did not immediately find the Gotenuvs, but she soon detected Bodkin again, for just as she reached the royal pavilion, there was a telltale disturbance. It happened at the precise moment the Marquess of Hightower’s company rode past. Georgiana’s duke-to-be seldom looked impressive, but at that moment he did.

His regimentals were dazzling in the October sunshine, his upright sword, drawn in salute, could not have glittered more, and his fine black horse moved in perfect time to the band. But suddenly there came a strange warbling whistle that Polly recognized only too well, for it was the sound Bodkin made when he summoned his bees. He certainly couldn’t be summoning the Horditall bees from this distance, but perhaps
any
nearby bees would respond! Knowing the power the brownie had over the insects, she expected to hear a loud buzzing at any second, but there was nothing. Then Lord Algernon’s horse went quite berserk. With a neigh of pain, it began to rear and buck, and Polly saw a single bee flying away from its neck.

The marquess was caught quite unawares, lost his seat, and was deposited in an undignified heap in front of the Duke of York. His sword was jerked from his gauntleted hand, and its point pierced the grass between the duke’s feet. Horrified gasps buzzed as the stunned duke stared at the shuddering weapon, then stepped back in alarm. The horse bolted across the downs, and several gentlemen from the royal party hurried to attend to the unfortunate marquess. The rest of the regiment displayed commendable discipline, not faltering by so much as a step as the review continued. It all happened within ten feet of Polly, who was the only person present to know what had really happened. But why Bodkin should choose Lord Algernon, she could not imagine.

As soon as Lord Algernon fell, Georgiana rushed forward with such exclamations of alarm and concern that the Duchess of York felt obliged to comfort her. The gentlemen conveyed the marquess into the pavilion and laid him upon a sofa, where Georgiana ministered to him with a scented, jelly-stained handkerchief. Lord Algernon hardly seemed to know what had happened to him. His face bore a confused expression, as if he couldn’t even remember his name, but then, Polly thought uncharitably, from what she’d seen of him, he probably couldn’t!

Her thoughts returned to the matter of Bodkin’s whereabouts. She looked intently around for any further sign of him, but all seem quiet. The duke had recovered sufficiently to resume his rather haphazard inspection of the regiment. Rank after rank of mounted men passed by in rigid formation, and His Royal Highness gazed blandly at them, snapping his fingers to one of his gentlemen for another glass of champagne.

Polly stood there. Where was that wretched brownie? If only she could speak to him long enough to tell him the truth. Suddenly her reticule was snatched from her, just as the parasol had been earlier. She gasped with alarm. Was she the victim of a thief, or was Bodkin at work again? There was no sign of a fleeing miscreant, no angry protests as people were elbowed aside to clear the way. It
must
have been Bodkin! Gazing frantically around, she was horrified to find herself suddenly looking into Dominic’s eyes again.

He was standing about ten feet away from her, and his gaze was suspicious to say the least A mixture of indignation and anger spurted through her, for it was clear he believed she had something to do with what had happened to the marquess. Then he looked away as something in the review proved temporarily more interesting than mad Miss Peach. In fact it was Harry Dashingham’s company riding by, although Polly was not to know that as her gaze followed Dominic’s to the gallant major. As they both watched, Polly’s heart plummeted as she saw her reticule fly through the air to strike the flank of Harry’s horse. The animal gave a nervous whinny, and ceased its collected trot to caper around. Harry strove to keep his mount under control, but it was too unnerved, and he was soon obliged to jump down from the saddle or be flung at the duke’s feet like Lord Algernon. As he grabbed the reins to prevent the horse from making off, a strangely raucous voice yelled out a command. “Company, halt!”

The light dragoons reined in immediately, looking around in amazement to see why they’d been ordered to do so. Harry gestured wildly for them to ride on, but before they had the wit to do so, the ranks behind collided with them. Instant chaos ensued, and the openmouthed Duke of York stared in utter fascination as the proud review descended into pantomime.

Polly slipped hastily away into the crowds before Dominic could publicly accuse her. Her thoughts were savage.
Oh, Bodkin, if I lay hands upon you, I’ll tie your tail in a knot!
As soon as she was well away from the pavilion, she gathered her skirts to run to her carriage. Her reticule wasn’t of importance, for it contained nothing of value, and besides, she could hardly risk being seen retrieving it! To her dismay she heard footsteps in pursuit, and knew it would be Dominic. She didn’t halt until her hand was on the carriage door, but then she turned reluctantly to face him.

He held up her reticule angrily. “You left this behind, I believe, madam!” he snapped.

“I admit it’s mine. Sir Dominic, but someone stole it just before it was thrown at the horse.” she said defensively.

“Oh, of course! I suppose it was the same villain who made free with your parasol!”

“Yes, probably,” she replied, reaching out for the reticule, but he snatched it back.

“Miss Peach, it was bad enough that you threw your reticule, but why did you have to go so far as to shout that order? And what did you do to Hightower? I didn’t see exactly what happened, but I
know
you were behind it!”

“I wasn’t behind anything, I didn’t throw my reticule, and I certainly didn’t shout that order!”

“Your capacity for lying is astounding! Of course you did it all!”

“And your capacity for not listening to the truth is equally astounding!” she cried. “I haven’t done any of these things, yet you accuse me as if you have proof and this were a court of law!”

“I don’t need proof to know you are guilty. Madam, have you any idea of the damage you’ve caused?” He gestured behind at the mayhem of horses and riders. “As it is, you’ve made a mockery of the entire occasion, but you might easily have killed Hightower and Harry.”

“Harry?”

“Major Harry Dashingham, your unfortunate victim, and my best friend!”

“I’m very sorry for what happened to both of them, but I wasn’t responsible for either occurrence. In fact a bee caused the first incident. I saw it fly away from the horse’s neck. Be sensible, Sir Dominic. You know where I was standing, so how could I possibly have thrown the reticule from that angle? And how could I shout without everyone around me knowing?”

“Miss Peach, where you’re concerned, anything is possible.” He thrust the reticule into her hand, deciding she was too impossible for further argument.

“Very well, if that’s to be your attitude, perhaps I should point out that
you
were present on all three occasions today, and so just as likely to be guilty as I.”

He was outraged at such a suggestion. “That’s totally ridiculous! I was once an officer in the Duke of York’s Own Light Dragoons, so the last thing I’d do is heap ridicule upon such a distinguished regiment, or endanger the lives of fellow officers!”

“I have only your word for that. You seem quite as mad to me as I clearly seem to you.”

“Indeed? Well, if you’re so innocent, why are you running away like this?”

“It was in the vain hope of avoiding another disagreeable confrontation with you. Unfortunately, I didn’t run quickly enough, for here you are.”

“Please
don’t let me detain you a moment more. Miss Peach, for this conversation is clearly an exercise in futility.”

His tone was condescending, but before she could issue a suitable devastating response, something happened that rendered them both speechless. A number of riderless horses suddenly bolted from the down in the direction of Bath. The runaways weren’t army horses, but belonged to some of the gentlemen who’d ridden from Bath, and Dominic’s thoroughbred was at the head of them. Polly watched, too, for although Dominic’s horse was riderless, it seemed being urged for all it was worth.
Bodkin,
she thought with an inward sigh.

Cries of dismay resounded from people who’d witnessed this fresh disturbance, and several gentlemen ran pointlessly after their fleeing property, but stood no chance of catching up. A group of ladies in the carriage next to Polly’s were so alarmed that they were obliged to resort to
sal volatile,
and a number of children in the crowds began to cry.

Polly glanced at Dominic, who had wisely chosen not to chase after his mount. “I trust you do not mean to accuse me of
this
as well? Mayhap my arm is long enough for me to have untied them while standing here talking to you?”

“No, Miss Peach, I have to judge you totally innocent this time,” he murmured as the little herd disappeared toward Bath.

“Fortune smiles upon me at last,” she replied dryly.

The review had now become such a shambles that the Duke of York decided it was advisable to lower a timely curtain. He issued the orders
,
and highly embarrassed officers went about the business of calling off the long-rehearsed parade. People began to return to their carriages, offering seats to those whose horses had now gone, and Polly felt obliged to offer similar assistance to Dominic. She didn’t
want
to extend any assistance to him, not only because he was so disagreeable, but also because such an act would infringe upon propriety, but circumstances seemed to require it

She looked a little awkwardly at him. “I... I know it may not be quite the thing, and that you would prefer to travel with Beelzebub himself, but under the circumstances I feel it right to offer you a seat in my carriage for the return to Royal Crescent” She didn’t want him to accept; indeed she was convinced he’d decline in no uncertain manner, but to her horror he nodded.

“I would be most grateful, Miss Peach,” he murmured.

“You ... you would?”

“Certainly. Are you leaving now?”

“Well, I...” What of the Gotenuvs? she thought. Was there any point now in trying to find them? She thought not. “Yes, I think it best, don’t you?”

“There is little to stay here for,” he replied, opening the carriage door to hand her inside, then he clambered in as well and sat opposite her. As the carriage drove off from the scene of the virtual annihilation of the Duke of York’s Own Light Dragoons, Polly was aware of a most unwanted flutter of excitement because she was alone and private with Dominic. In spite of everything, she couldn’t help being drawn to him. Oh, if only they could be more amiable toward each other. If only a lot of things, come to that...

Chapter 14

The return to Bath was at first conducted in a rather awkward atmosphere, for once they were alone together, Polly grew more and more conscious of how flagrant a breach of etiquette and propriety the short journey
a
due
was. What Dominic thought, she did not know, but she wished with all her heart that she hadn’t given in to the urge to ask him to accompany her. But it was too late now.

“Will you be long in Bath, Miss Peach?” he asked, clearly just to break the silence.

“I trust not.”

“So it isn’t a pleasure visit?”

“Far from it.”

He looked inquiringly at her. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

She met his gaze. “Are you? I would have thought you’d exult in the knowledge that I am here under disagreeable circumstances.”

“You wrong me. Miss Peach, for I am not the monster you seem to think.”         .

“And I am not the lunatic
you
seem to think,” she replied.

There was a pause, and then he gave her a sheepish grin. “You have me there, for I confess I
did
wonder.”

“Past tense? Come now, sir, be honest. You
still
harbor doubts concerning my sanity.”

He laughed. “No, Miss Peach, I no longer harbor doubts.”

“Presumably because you now
know
me to be mad,” she murmured.

“I crave your pardon for any thoughts I may have had, for your innocence regarding the runaway horses rather put everything into perspective.”

“Even though you believe I throw parasols at innocent bystanders, talk to jellies, lay waste to buffets, and throw reticules at horses?”

“You embarrass me. Miss Peach, for I now accept that I was guilty of leaping to conclusions because of your coincidental presence. I crave your forgiveness.”