Chapter 18

CHAPTER 18

D eep in thought, Chauncy crossed the ballroom as he responded to Beth's smile.

He wasn't sure how he felt at having Sir Simeon's suspicions confirmed. For a start, Anna had not been truthful and that didn't sit well with him.

If she was not Sir Edward's wife but rather, his mistress, where did she come from? What were her origins?

An actress? She'd certainly managed to ape the manners and modulated tones of her betters.

And while that might be impressive, it was, nevertheless, a deception. Could she be trusted?

"I hope you have an invitation to dance, Beth. You certainly look lovely tonight," he told his cousin, even as his distracted glance flitted to the other side of the room where he was conscious of Anna standing near a vase of flowers on a plinth.

Was her name really Anna? And how did she come to be the mistress of so lacklustre a man as Sir Edward?

Well, she was lovely, and Chauncy would happily make her his mistress.

Certainly, it wasn't as if he'd considered her in any capacity other than as his mistress for he'd look to the great families of Great Britain when he felt it time to take a wife.

And as he was in no hurry, in the meantime he could enjoy the carnal pleasures of the woman pretending to be Lady Boothe.

Nevertheless, dismay continued to color his reflections. How could he have been so easily taken in? The woman to whom he'd been in danger of losing his heart was an imposter?

A woman who gave herself to men for money?

"I have been asked, Chauncy, though I hope you will dance with me," Beth said, smiling, before turning to answer her companion.

The orchestra was playing at the far end of the ballroom, but the dancing had not yet begun, though most of Lady Rushworth's guests appeared to be here.

Including the three men whom Sir Simeon considered of interest in the plot to harm their monarch-in-waiting.

Now Chauncy must seek out Sir Edward for the sole reason he'd summoned him here tonight. It was not an onerous task. Sir Edward simply had to do as he'd done the previous day for Chauncy: sketch his likeness.

He found him near the supper table in company with Anna, who sent him a troubled look; and a moment's distraction on Sir Edward's part as he accepted a glass of champagne from a passing footman, gave Chauncy the opportunity to whisper, "Your secret is safe with me, Anna. When the dancing is finished, we have much to discuss. But, please, will you leave us a moment as I have private business with your… husband?"

Once Anna had left, Sir Edward nodded at Chauncy, saying in his usual obsequious manner, "I trust your Grace's intended was happy with the likeness I drew last month. And here is that of Lady Rushworth I sketched earlier this evening."

Chauncy glanced at the paper Sir Edward handed him and nodded, impressed by the accuracy and reassured by the man's speed. He'd been told by many that Sir Edward was quick, but the fellow had certainly taken his time when he'd been Chauncy's guest at Chauncy Manor for the sold purpose of rendering a likeness.

He regarded Sir Edward with a frown. The man was a dark horse. But then, an impecunious painter, saddled with a mad wife, had his needs like any red-blooded man. That was, no doubt, why he'd taken Anna as his mistress.

And Anna, clearly bored, had set her sights on Chauncy when he'd shown interest. Indeed, she'd been very bold.

Chauncy supposed it did not matter that he'd failed to see through her ruse.

All that was important tonight was that Sir Edward could recreate a person's facial characteristics in an instant—both as rumor had had it but fortunately, as his own skills tonight had proved when he'd shown him Lady Rushworth's likeness.

And all that was important aside from that was that Anna—or whatever her name was—was available should Chauncy feel the need for feminine companionship.

Would Chauncy make her his mistress? Out of the corner of his eye, he glimpsed her in the shadows.

Yes, she was beautiful and beguiling.

And she was enthusiastic beneath the sheets. That's all he wanted in a woman whose services he could hire on a whim.

Still, he had to admit to some disappointment.

She was not the lady he had thought.

He returned his attention to Sir Edward's question. "My intended was very pleased. And the quality of your work is the reason you have been asked here tonight." With a nod of his head, he indicated three gentlemen conversing nearby, but out of earshot. "You see those men? I want you to draw them as quickly and as unobtrusively as you can. It took you some time to complete a likeness of me but your reputation precedes you, and you have shown me with the drawing of Lady Rushworth, that you can execute result in an instant. That is what I need you to do. Tonight."

Chauncy was surprised at how shaken Sir Edward looked before acknowledging that the lack of character and, indeed, heroism in the painter, meant his response was hardly surprising.

He tried to moderate his tone. Perhaps Boothe did not work well under pressure though he could certainly produce the goods in quick time. So he said, as reassuringly as he could, "The materials are in the study. A servant will take you there so you can select what you need. Please understand that I could not give you advance notice of this commission due to its sensitive nature. I hope you understand me."

Still, Sir Edward could only stare at him while his Adam's Apple rose and dropped.

Trying to keep the irritation from his tone, Chauncy tried a different gambit. "You will be well recompensed and you will be in no danger. The men I wish you to draw without their knowledge are suspects only and under surveillance. But it will be safest if you do your drawings here in the ballroom, quickly, quietly. Discreetly."

"I…I don't understand."

"You don't need to understand. This is a commission. A commission that's been requested by His Majesty's Government in the interests of safeguarding the crown."

Sir Edward's eyes were bulbous. "Who are these men?—?"

"It is of no account. Draw their likenesses this evening. That is all I ask of you. You've proved yourself up to the task and your reputation precedes you. As I said, you will be handsomely paid for your services." Chauncy was losing patience. "You've proved an adept sketcher. Now prove your loyalty as a servant to the crown and you will be well rewarded." He nodded at the door. "The earlier this can be done, the greater my peace of mind. I do not want those men leaving this house before you have committed their likenesses to paper."