Chapter Fifteen

Matthew found himself trapped at his own table. Miss Semper was to his right and Lady Juniper was just across. The table itself was cozily set up for a small party with most of the leaves taken out.

The last thing he wished for at this moment was a cozy party.

"It is really very good to see you, Lady Juniper and Miss Semper," the earl said. "I have not had the pleasure of extended conversation with either of you since our excursion on the barge for the regatta."

At the mention of the barge, Matthew could see well enough that Miss Semper took a trip down memory lane regarding her dalliance with too much champagne, her seasickness, and her ruined naval hat.

Lady Juniper said, "It certainly was an unusual morning."

"I say, Wisterley," Lady Juniper's father said, "what are you doing about rents this year? It's not been the best of harvests and I'm thinking of foregoing an increase altogether. Maintain good will and all that."

The earl seemed startled by the question, as well he would—they did not have tenants to raise rents on.

"We are examining the matter," Matthew said hurriedly.

Fortunately, the Earl of Wellerston seemed satisfied with that answer. "What about you, Nankin?" he asked.

Lord Nankin said, "We will do a modest increase. Very modest, though, and there are some tenants particularly hit hard that we will excuse from it. We like to go case by case, as it were."

None of this talk would have been of the least interest to Matthew three days ago, but it was of vital interest now. What stance would he take when the estate had tenants? Across the board or case by case? It was interesting to think of and he found himself leaning toward case by case.

"Our daughter, our dear Juniper," the Countess of Wellerston said, "has been named one of the twenty ladies on the Duchess of Ralston's list for her secrets exposed party."

It was said with some amount of pride, though Matthew was not certain how much honor was in it.

"As has my Bessy," Lady Florence said of Miss Semper.

Clearly Lady Florence did not care to be outdone on any matter.

"Lord Bramley?" the countess said, "the duchess did hint you would be one of the gentlemen?"

Matthew had not planned on advertising that fact, but now he was forced to own it.

"Indeed, she has sent the invitation to me," he said.

"I am sure Miss Semper and I," Lady Juniper said, "can expect Lord Bramley at our doorstep on the day."

Matthew stared at her. About the last two ladies he would have chosen from the twenty that would be on the list were Lady Juniper and Miss Semper.

"Of course Bramley will be there," his father said jocularly. "With bells on if I know anything about it."

Matthew ignored that prediction. He said, "I have not seen the list of ladies yet, the duchess does not send it or the envelopes to the gentlemen until the day of the party. Is Lady Constance on the list?"

He watched Lady Juniper and Miss Semper exchange meaningful glances.

"Lady Constance?" Lady Florence asked. "Is that your other friend, Bessy? The one you and Lady Juniper have the little club with?"

"Indeed, Aunt," Miss Semper said.

"Little club?" Matthew's father said.

"We are The Stalwarts," Lady Juniper said. "We have vowed to look out for one another, as any three friends should."

Matthew noticed she was staring him dead in the eye while she said it. The Stalwarts?

He supposed the club was for coming up with things like Operation Trip-Up. It really was so confounding. What were they trying to accomplish?

"Ladies coming together in a trio and naming themselves The Stalwarts?" his father said jovially. "It sounds very like the three graces of the ancient Greeks."

Was it very like, though? Matthew did not see the resemblance other than they were both comprised of three women.

"In any case," Matthew said, steering the conversation back to the original question, "is Lady Constance on the list?"

"She is, Lord Bramley," Miss Semper said, once more exchanging looks with Lady Juniper.

"I imagine Lady Constance hopes she does not discover Mr. Ludwig on the list of gentlemen," Lady Juniper said. "He's a very forward sort of gentleman, daring to send her a mahogany box and paints. Naturally, her mother returned them forthwith."

"Mr. Ludwig sent Lady Constance a mahogany box and paints?" Matthew said, thoroughly confused. "From Ackerman's?"

"Where else does one purchase such things?" Lady Juniper said.

What was Ludwig about? Had he somehow discovered that Matthew had sent the same and thought to hop on his idea? How?

"Ludwig," the Earl of Wellerston said, "I never know what to think of that fellow. And then nobody ever sees hide nor hair of his father, the baron. I do not believe either of them belong to any clubs at all. It's very uncomfortable, somehow."

"Indeed," Lady Florence said, "why come to Town at all if one is determined not to engage with society?"

The Earl of Wellerston was right. Ludwig was very uncomfortable somehow. The box and paints were a specific sort of gift. If it had been flowers, that would be understandable. But paints? Had Lady Constance somehow mentioned to Ludwig that she'd been drawing in the park and then he'd had the same idea Matthew had?

He supposed he should be grateful that Lady Constance's mother had not looked any more kindly on Ludwig's attempt than she had on his own.

"I do not think we will see Mr. Ludwig at the secrets exposed party," Lady Juniper's mother said. "The duchess does not care for him, though she cannot think why."

There was a protracted silence as everyone mulled over the idea that nobody knew precisely why they did not care for Mr. Ludwig.

Fortunately, Lord Nankin took advantage of the pause and broached a new topic. Apparently, he had relations in New Orleans who had written him a long letter about a new card game called poque. As he outlined the rules, Matthew thought it sounded even more convoluted than whist and assured himself he would be equally bad at it.

He would be found to be right. After dinner, the gentlemen's port did not go on long and they repaired to the drawing room to try out poque. Matthew could not get the hang of it. There were too many rules and if this happens then that happens, but if that other thing happened then something else happened. On top of trying to remember it all, both Lady Juniper and Miss Semper were relentless in questioning him about his father's estate.

What was the condition of the house? What repairs were needed? What were the future plans for the estate?

It was all very unnerving. Why did they wish to know?

If one or both of them was enquiring because they had some interest in living there, they would have another thing coming! His father had been too encouraging and may have planted ideas, but those seeds would never bloom.

He dodged every question with the idea that he was intent on adding two stalls to the stables to account for his trip there. For one, he did not wish to acquaint them with his plans as it presumed an intimacy that was not there. For another, his father had heard quite enough about his plans for one day.

Finally, everyone was got out of the house and Masterson brought a double brandy to his rooms. Really, it might have been a triple brandy. His valet had seen that he looked a bit worn out from the whole evening and had taken steps accordingly.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Constance was eager to set off for Lady Juniper's house for a meeting with The Stalwarts. She must hear what was said and done at Lord Bramley's dinner the evening before.

She was stung that she had not been invited, but she'd spent a deal of time attempting to soothe the sting by imagining that Lord Bramley had not had a say in the invitations.

Only hearing of the actual facts of the dinner would settle her thoughts in one direction or another. Letty adjusted her bonnet and they went down the stairs to await the carriage.

As Letty had done on other days, her maid would accompany her and would be entertained by Lady Juniper's maid. Apparently, the two maids got on very well. Or, as Letty told her, "We are like a house on fire with our talking—once we get going you can't douse us."

In the front hall, one of the footmen approached with a letter on a salver. "This has just been delivered, Lady Constance."

She took up the letter from the tray. It was from a certain Lady Margaret Howsun. Constance did not know the lady, nor had she ever heard of her. She assumed it would be an invitation to participate in some charity or other—correspondence from a stranger usually was.

The carriage had pulled up and she said, "Come Letty, let us not delay our departure. I can read this in the carriage."

They hurried out to the carriage and Constance absentmindedly unfolded the letter. She perused it, and then she perused it again. It did not seem as if she could be reading what she was reading. It did not seem rational, or even possible, that a single sheet of paper could set fire to all her hopes and in one instant turn them to ash.

She read it a third time.

Lady Constance—

Please excuse the ruse of having this letter appear to be sent by Lady Margaret Howsun, who in fact does not exist. It was necessary, as I write to you anonymously. I debated long over whether to inform you of a certain piece of information, but in the end I could not allow a lady of breeding to be tricked in such a manner that would affect her entire life going forward.

Lord Bramley is aware of your secret. I know that as I write the word ‘secret,' you will know of what I speak. He is acquainted with a particular sea captain who returned a particular deceased gentleman to the environs of your estate and he has discovered that deceased gentleman has left an enormous inheritance to your family. He imagines this windfall will greatly increase your dowry.

I know this will come as a great shock to you, as it has come to me. I have always considered Lord Bramley a gentleman and would never have suspected he would get up to such schemes. What a mask of disinterest he wears!

He has kept his earl in the dark about it, as he feels that gentleman would be too obvious in his pursuit of your dowry. Rather, he has allowed his father to chase after the two ladies who are known to have fortunes, taking all eyes off you.

You, though, are Lord Bramley's target. I hope this does not cause too much distress. Please do know that there are gentlemen among us who would not be swayed one way or the other by the amount of a lady's dowry. It is shameful that a man would rely on a wife to prop himself up.

Regards,

A Concerned Bystander

Constance felt numb in body and mind. She dropped the letter. Letty caught it as it fluttered to the seat. As her maid read through it, Constance wondered how it was that she could not feel her hands and feet. It was as if they had disappeared though she could see them.

Her breathing was shallow and rapid, it felt like there was not enough air in the carriage. Everything began to look blurry though nothing was in her eyes.

She was so dizzy. She wondered if she would faint, though she had never done such a thing in her life.

"Gracious," Letty said, throwing the letter aside. Her maid took her hands and chafed them.

"I feel…" Constance said breathlessly, "I feel…"

"You feel in shock, is what you feel, and I am not surprised. I will tell Paxton to turn the carriage round. We must get you home and into your bed."

"No, no," Constance said, forcing air to go deeper into her lungs. "Juniper."

Letty sighed. "Proceed on to Lady Juniper's house? Very well, though I don't know what she'll make of you when she sees you."

Her maid rummaged through her reticule and brought out a vinaigrette. She waved it under Constance's nose and she got a jolt of vinegar and camphor.

The vague idea that she could not convince Letty that her vinaigrette was not the answer to any and all problems drifted through her mind.

As Letty chafed her hands and Constance worked to slow her breathing, she could feel her hands again and her feet began to tingle, those coming back to life too.

"Aye, this is a rum sort of day," Letty said. "Sometimes, in wanting to find something out, its found out and a person wished they never looked in the first place."

"I should have…left it alone?"

"I don't know what I say," Letty admitted. "I'm just trying to get your mind working again, as you did look close to a faint. But then, my trusty vinaigrette never does let me down—it's the camphor, you see."

The carriage slowed as they approached Lady Juniper's house on Bedford Square.

"Are your legs going to hold you up?" Letty asked.

Constance was not entirely sure. "I believe so, if you will lend me your arm."

Letty carefully helped Constance down to the pavement, practically knocking the groom out of the way.

They were let in the house by a footman, who seemed alarmed at her weakened appearance. Another footmen coming up behind him seemed just as concerned.

Constance wished to say something, but her mind was as blank as a sheet of paper that waited for somebody to write on it.

Letty said, "Run off and tell Lady Juniper that there is to be no going out of doors today. Lady Constance needs to be indoors."

The first footman ran off. The second said, "May I lead you to the drawing room, my lady?"

"The snug," Constance said, remembering what she wished to say. Lady Juniper had said her house had such a room. Just now, she felt she would be more comfortable being enclosed by four small walls. It was as if the world had got too big and she might fall out of it.

"The what?" Letty asked.

"I know where it is," the footman said. "Right this way, my lady."

They were led through a small library and found the snug cleverly concealed behind freestanding bookcases. It was slightly different from Lord Kelgoody's snug, as it had four well-padded chairs gathered round a low inlaid wood table.

Letty sat with her and chafed her hands until Lady Juniper arrived with Miss Semper on her heels.

Lady Juniper took one look at Constance and said, "Right. James, bring the sherry decanter and three glasses. You may move our tea things in here as well."

Letty had risen and curtsied.

"Thank you, Letty," Lady Juniper said. "You may go downstairs, my maid eagerly awaits your company."

Letty hurried off, no doubt glad to give over responsibility for Constance's current circumstances to someone else.

The sherry and the tea things were brought in quickly and Constance got the idea that the footmen must have set out at a run for them. She must look dreadful, indeed.

"Gracious," Miss Semper said, "what has happened, Lady Constance?"

"Not yet," Lady Juniper said. "Lady Constance, say nothing at all until you have drunk down your sherry. If I am not mistaken, you are on the verge of an attack of the nerves. I have seen such things before."

Constance nodded and did as she was directed. The sherry was soothing and sent warmth through her cold limbs.

She took in a deep breath and said, "I believe I had such an attack of nerves in my carriage. I have never experienced anything like it—I could not feel my hands and feet."

"But they were still there?" Miss Semper asked, peering at Constance's shoes.

Constance nodded and almost laughed. "Yes," she said.

"It was indeed an attack of the nerves then," Lady Juniper said. "My aunt is prone to them and never does get hold of them in time—she ends fearing she is dying and then is very surprised when she doesn't."

"Goodness," Miss Semper said, "what a horror. I should die if it happened to me."

"But that is the point, my dear Miss Semper—one does not die."

"Oh yes, that is true."

Constance felt herself calm as the sherry did its work and she was surrounded by her two dear friends, both so original in their own ways.

"The question is, if you feel up to it, Lady Constance," Lady Juniper said, "what brought on such violent feelings?"

Constance reached into her reticule and handed over the letter. Lady Juniper unfolded it and Miss Semper read it over the lady's shoulder.

Lady Juniper laid the letter down. "Bramley is a scoundrel, just as we feared."