Chapter Eight

Henry

Henry's legs were trembling as he walked towards the entrance, hoping to find a shady spot outside where Kitty would join him unobtrusively. They would not have long, for he was due back in the musicians' gallery in ten minutes.

"Beg pardon," Henry said as he walked into someone of his own age outside– a man he recognized.

Henry had been at school with Lord Rash, but there was no danger of being discovered, for the man did not recognize him in his strange getup. But the gentleman accompanying him– heavens! 'Twas Lord Steyne! Henry chewed his lip, but again he was lucky, for Lord Steyne took no notice of a man he considered to be an inferior, not even glancing in his direction.

"We must go back to the tea room," Lord Steyne said. "Come on, Rash. Let me advise you on which ladies you might ask to dance with you later, then we will try our hands at cards again, what?"

As Lord Steyne spoke, he waved his hand with an extravagant flourish, and the diamond ring he wore on his little finger flashed in the moonlight. Henry had seen that distinctive oblong shape on someone's hand before! And then the smell of lemon perfume wafted towards him on the cool night air. The pieces of the puzzle were falling into place at last! The ring, the lemon scent... memories from the battlefield.

"I will go straight to the card tables," Lord Rash said, "for I am not really one for the ladies– and am anxious to win back the guineas I have lost."

"As you like," Lord Steyne said with a laugh as he walked away briskly, "but you do not know what you are missing. I'm going to have a good look at the merchandise– there is one girl in particular I am desperate to get my hands on."

A few seconds later, Kitty appeared outside on the flagstones, flushed and a little breathless– her beauty as bewitching as ever. Her curls shone round her darling face– a halo of loveliness.

"Henry! I am here."

The white ballgown clung like a soft cloud to her exquisite shape, with the pink flowers on the bodice drawing Henry's eyes to her delicious curves.

Henry swallowed hard, then linked his arm through Kitty's and walked her briskly down Alfred Street, turning right down the passageway that led to Bartlett Street. They would not be disturbed there and could snatch a few minutes of conversation together. He had much to warn her about.

Before he could reveal his discoveries, Kitty moved closer to him and held her enchanting face up to his.

"Are you not cold?" Henry said. "You are not wearing your cloak."

Kitty's arms were bare, save her gloves, and the diaphanous dress she was wearing could not provide much warmth. Henry put his arms around her– purely to keep her warm.

"Please take that hat off," Kitty said, "and that dreadful mask. We are safe here."

Henry obliged and said to her, "I will remove your mask too."

Much better! Now he could drown in the full beauty of her sparkling eyes set like twin jewels in her divine countenance. If he were her husband, he could remove further items of her clothing... her long gloves first, pulling gently at the soft white leather, freeing each of her fingers in turn... then he would release her abundant curls from the headband restraining them, allowing his hands to run through the glorious texture... next the frock would slip from her shoulders and slide to the floor... and her stockings, slowly, one by one... ah!

But this was not right. What in God's name was Henry thinking of, at a frighteningly dangerous time like this? He must warn Kitty– and tell her what he had discovered since last they met.

"I have remembered about the scent," he said.

"The scent?" Kitty wrinkled her nose.

"Lemons – I said yesterday, when we . . ."

Shortly before we shared our first kiss . . .

"...when we were in the withdrawing room," Henry said, "I mentioned a hazy memory of a lemon smell– well, it is coming back to me, the full story of what happened on the battlefield. And all because I have smelt the lemon perfume in reality– and I have also seen a diamond ring."

"At Waterloo?" Kitty said.

"Yes. And here! I remember now what happened after I was shot. I have had but a partial memory 'til now. The lemon smell and the sight of the ring have restored the missing pieces of the puzzle to my mind."

Kitty's eyes widened. "I cannot bear to think of the time you were wounded." She took a sharp intake of breath. "But tell me everything you now remember– please, I beg you."

"I will try to be brief," Henry said.

And I must not alarm Kitty more than necessary– she will never hear from my lips the full ghastly details of the battlefield– of what men do to each other in the name of national honor and so-called glory.

"I fell off my horse from the force of the bullet from a French musket, then must have been knocked unconscious, for much time passed and when I awoke, all was dark." Henry put his hand to his head. "I could hear men shouting in the distance, then a few scavengers appeared. You already know my outer garments were stolen– and how one ruffian tried to remove my teeth."

"Makes me feel quite queasy to think of it," Kitty said. "Thank heavens they did not succeed."

Henry flashed a grin at Kitty– showing his intact set of teeth.

"Yes! 'Tis a relief to me too, I can assure you! But I must tell you the missing part of my tale."

"To do with the ring and the lemon?"

"Yes! Much time passed, for I remember sleeping fitfully on the ground, and night turned to day and then to night again and possibly more... to be honest, I have no firm recollection even now of how much time passed, for I must have been unconscious for much of it. But it was long enough for the visitors to arrive– the battle tourists we called them in the army. Have you heard about these people?"

"Visitors? To the battlefield? No."

"I will spare you a detailed account, only know this, that people travelled from Brussels in their hundreds to make their way to the battlefield. Some were looking for the bodies of loved ones– some found them still alive and were able to save them. Others, sadly, including members of the ton who were already abroad, merely thought it would be amusing and interesting to view the carnage firsthand."

Kitty's eyebrows rose almost up into her hair to hear this.

"Amusing? And interesting? Merciful heavens! And did you see some of these battle tourists?"

"I saw a group in the distance– I could not hear what they were saying exactly, but I recognized a few English words. The group came closer to the pile of corpses I was lying amongst and I tried to call out, to let them know I was alive– but I was beyond the power of speech by then, such was my low state. The group wandered off, but not long after, one of the men returned. He had a scarf obscuring his face, as many did, clearly afraid of contagion. He stared at me but said nothing."

"Oh, Henry!"

"He put his hand against my mouth, perhaps trying to see if he could feel my breath. As he did this, something scratched my cheek– more of this later. Then he dragged me from where I lay– pulled me by my feet! At first, I thought he wished to save me, but he uttered not a word of comfort, simply grunted with the effort of moving my body along the great distance. Once we were far, far away from where I had lain, he kicked me into a deep damp ditch and covered me with branches and mud and left. Not a crust of bread nor sip of water nor comforting word did he give me. I drank some foetid water from that ditch– did not do me much good, for I felt very ill afterwards."

"Henry! You had to drink from a ditch, like an animal!"

"I lay there until Carter found me. He rescued me– were it not for his kindness and skill, I would have perished. I scarce knew who I was or where I was. Carter looked after me as you would a small child, feeding me, treating my wound and protecting me until I recovered. He sensed foul play from the very beginning– which was why he did not inform anyone I had survived until we returned to England many months later. And even then, he only told a few trusted army officers. The less people that knew, the better. For all the while, Carter was concerned an attempt would be made on my life if it was known I was still alive."

"But Henry," Kitty said, "this is terrible. Let me kiss it better..."

Dear God! Kitty's lips were moving towards Henry's... what joy! Bliss!

Henry put his arms around Kitty, and they once again enjoyed a sweet kiss. He pulled her closer and felt her soft body against the hated borrowed jacket he had been obliged to wear this evening. Then he kissed her neck tenderly and placed a series of quick kisses across her collarbone.

"Careful of the necklace," Kitty said. "Mama will not be pleased if the beads become loose."

"I will be careful," Henry said. "So very careful."

He gently lowered his lips onto hers once more, this time for a deeper, more intense experience– then took a step back.

"Don't," Kitty whispered. "Do not move away, as you did before– when first we kissed. For now I understand more."

"Understand?"

"Yes. You said I did not need someone like you because you were not the man you were before you left. But I accept you as you are, darling H."

"Even though I have lived through experiences I will struggle to tell you about? Even though my mind is oft disturbed by past events?"

"I am changed too," Kitty said. "You cannot mourn someone for six months and then see them return from the dead without your view of the world shifting…"

"I have been thinking too much of myself, and not enough of what you too have endured." Henry buried his face in Kitty's neck, and they clung to one other.

The world stood still; Henry forgot about the danger, forgot about his past sufferings, and was on the point of dropping to one knee when Kitty gently disengaged herself from his embrace.

"Henry, my dear one; we must finish our conversation, for I still do not understand the significance of the ring and the lemon."

Thank God she had broken the spell, for 'twas vital that Henry reveal to Kitty all he had discovered. Her safety was the paramount consideration now.

Pray God there will soon be another occasion for me to declare myself.

"Yes, the ring," Henry said. "I have just seen Lord Steyne's, and 'tis is the same oblong diamond ring I saw at Waterloo– on the hand of the man who dragged me to that ditch. When he put his hand over my mouth to check for my breath, the ring scratched me– and I had the chance to see the oblong diamond close up. I would know it anywhere.

"And the man who abandoned me to die smelt of lemon cologne– I have this evening smelt lemon perfume when Lord Steyne walked past."

"So you think Lord Steyne was on the battlefield with the other battle tourists?"

"I do," Henry said. "I know he was in the area, for he was at the Duchess of Richmond's ball, the night before the battle. You have heard of this ball?"

"Yes," Kitty said. "It was much talked about after the news reached England of the great victory. We heard many who attended the ball perished, because of wicked Napoleon. Did you go to that ball?"

"Yes," Henry said. "There were many army officers invited, and it was a very splendid occasion– although it ended somewhat abruptly when we were told we must all make haste to march, as Napoleon had moved earlier than had been expected. I did not manage to finish my dessert!"

"But why was Lord Steyne at the ball?"

"He had been travelling on the Continent– most inadvisable in wartime– but he had been visiting one of his, er, ladies..."

"You mean one of his mistresses?" Kitty said. "You can say these things in front of me, you know."

"One of his mistresses, then! Lord Steyne happens to be a good friend of the Duchess of Richmond– and I can only presume she was happy to invite him to her festivities. Whatever we think of him now, he is highly regarded in society for his wealth and influence."

"But why did he show such animosity towards you?" Kitty said.

"I think you know the answer to that," Henry said. "He wants to marry you and must have heard through the gossip vine of the deep friendship between our families. He spoke to me at the ball and asked if I had a sweetheart. I would not normally have spoken as I did, but my tongue was loosened by wine, and I said there was one young lady in particular, a sweet girl I had known all my life, that I intended to declare myself to on my return. When he came across me on the battlefield, the temptation to dispose of a rival must have been too much to resist for a person with such loose morals."

Kitty looked ecstatic– could it be that she was thrilled at the thought of a declaration of love from Henry and longed to become his wife? How wonderful!

The blessed time when I feel 'tis perfect to declare myself cannot be too far away now, surely?

Then Kitty frowned. "How wicked Lord Steyne is! He left you for dead– when he could have helped you and restored you to your regiment. My poor Henry– and if it had not been for Carter... and to think, I was beginning to be grateful to Lord Steyne, as he has offered to pay for a new doctor for Mama."

"Kitty, promise me that when you go back to the ball, you will be careful. Lord Steyne must not know that we have discovered his secret. I will consult with Carter, and he will know what is best to do. At least now I know who my enemy is."

And I know that I must do everything in my power to protect Kitty from Lord Steyne, now I know the depth of his wickedness.

*

Kitty

"I will be cautious who I confide in," Kitty said. "You know that I cannot bear the thought of you being in danger– it is imperative that Lord Steyne does not know you are alive."

"It is imperative that Lord Steyne leaves you alone," Henry said. "I do not like to think of him anywhere near you."

"I will avoid him as much as I can," Kitty said. "I am beginning to wonder why he wanted to engage a doctor for my mama."

"To get on the right side of you," Henry said. "He has little enough to commend him, save his fortune, and he must have reasoned if you thought he was kind to your mama, you would think better of him."

"I would never have married Lord Steyne," Kitty cried passionately, "even had you not returned from Waterloo. I used to dislike him intensely– now I hate him!"

"I must go back," Henry said, "although I wish I could stay with you all evening. Time is pressing on, and the other two musicians will be wondering where I am."

Was this the time for Kitty to mention her concerns about the conversation she had overheard between Miss Steele and Lord Steyne?

"I know that look," Henry said. "You are bursting to say something. Kitty, please, spit it out. If I'm late back, I am late back, that's all there is to it. 'Tis not as if I mind blotting my copybook, for I'm not looking for a career as John Greenwood the musician, am I?"

"Ah, you are called John Greenwood now, are you?" Kitty said.

"Yes! I have smallpox scars and suffer from premature baldness, hence the full mask and bizarre hat."

"I will be sure to call you John Greenwood whenever I want to tease you."

"And I have a feeling that will be a frequent occurrence."

"I'll try not to take too long," Kitty said, "but I happened to overhear a conversation the other night when I could not sleep– I opened my window, desperate for some air, and overheard Lord Steyne and Miss Steele talking in the street. And I thought I had seen them together before, too, during the day."

Henry frowned. "What did they say– at night, when you overheard them?"

"Miss Steele said she had to talk quickly, and Lord Steyne asked her what she had to report, then they were conversing about Miss Steele having seen someone earlier– and that some men were checking it out."

Henry gritted his teeth.

"Then they referred to something else– quantities? I couldn't quite hear what they were saying, so it was difficult to understand. I crept as close as I could to the window, but I did not want to be discovered, as I'm sure you can imagine."

"I can indeed," Henry said.

"And Lord Steyne mentioned Easter which I thought very strange."

"Easter?"

"Yes! The time of rejoicing, when Christ rises from the dead– oh, my!" Kitty put her hand over her mouth. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"That Miss Steele thought she'd seen me..." Henry rasped.

"...because it was as if you had risen from the dead," Kitty said.

"We probably took a careless risk meeting near the library yesterday morning," Henry said. "Carter certainly thought so– I had no end of stick from him when he thought I'd stayed too long in that alley."

"Carter always has your best interests at heart," Kitty said.

Henry nodded. "But now we have more to worry about than I had thought. Carter suspected someone might have been following us recently– oh, do not look alarmed, Kitty. We will be fine. Just tell me– did Miss Steele and Lord Steyne say anything else?"

"That was it– no, wait! Something about attacking on all fronts. What do you think he meant?"

"Not sure," Henry said. "I have an uneasy feeling, though. I know he wants to kill me and marry you– but maybe someone else is in danger. I cannot work it out."

Kitty flew into his arms.

"Promise me, Kitty, that when you go home after the ball, if anything bothers you, or if Lord Steyne is there and he tries anything, anything at all, make your way on foot up to Beechen Cliff where Carter and I will be waiting. It will be dark and you might be frightened, but I know you can manage the journey. Promise me!"

"Promise," Kitty said. "And do not worry about me, for I could make my way up to Beechen Cliff blindfolded, particularly when I know you will be waiting for me. I doubt I will have to do a midnight flit, but if I do, why, I still have the box of dressing up clothes in my closet at home, ones we used to wear when you came to play– you, me, Selina, and Edmund. Since you have dressed up so beautifully in a disguise this evening, I don't see why it shouldn't be my turn. Now you must go back, before you lose your job!"

Henry put his mask and hat on again, and the pair hurried back to Alfred Street. Henry melted across the road into the back door of the Upper Rooms, while Kitty raced round to the front where she found Selina standing just outside the main door.

"You've been gone for ages," Selina said. "Hope it was worth it."

"It was worth it!" Kitty said. "I've been standing in an alleyway with Henry– or should I say, John Greenwood?"

"Ah ha!" Selina said. "So he told you his new name?"

"Yes, he did. And it suits him!"

"I think I did rather well to create John Greenwood, I must say," Selina said, "especially with that full-face mask. No one could possibly recognize him."

"Yes," Kitty said, "and that is vital, because from what Henry and I can work out, Lord Steyne is his mysterious enemy– and what's more, he knows Henry is alive."

"Lord Steyne! Well, I am not that surprised, for I never liked the man," Selina said. "He held my hand far too long once during a dance and stared at my chest. I told him to desist."

Kitty shuddered. "He's the vilest man imaginable."

"Tell me everything you know," Selina said. "Henry has been slow to speak of his time abroad beyond the fact that he has an enemy in England and would have to lie low for a while. In truth, the family find it hard to understand. We have quizzed Carter since his return, but of course he does not know everything that happened to Henry before he found him. Perhaps we will never know the full truth of how Henry ended up in that ditch."

"Henry did not know the full truth of what happened– until this evening," Kitty said. "Two things have helped jog his memory– an oblong diamond ring and the smell of lemons."

"How bizarre!" Selina said. "You must tell me more."

The two young women reached the ballroom.

"Where is Miss Steele?" Kitty asked.

"I have not seen her for ages," Selina replied. "Not since I thought I saw her going into the Octagon, and that was a while ago."

How strange– and very unlike Miss Steele, who usually breathed down Kitty's neck on every outing and at every social event.

"I am a little perturbed at the thought of what she might be doing," Kitty said.

"Do not concern yourself," Selina said. "She has probably got caught up in the excitement of the cards and is still in the Octagon. Does she perchance have a beau?"

"Not as far as I know," Kitty said. "But she does have a new shiny brooch which she's wearing this evening– perhaps she has made a new friend."

"Well, I for one am glad she is not here," Selina said, "for it gives us the chance to sit this dance out. You can tell me all about the ring and lemons. Oh, my poor brother. He has suffered greatly."

Kitty looked up at the musicians' gallery. Henry, with his hat slightly askew, had lifted his violin bow and was about to launch into the next dance– a jig.

"Do nothing to draw attention to Henry," Selina cautioned.

Kitty understood. Despite wanting to gaze at the object of her affections for the rest of the evening– the rest of her life– she must feign indifference.

But in my heart, all I do is think of you, dearest H.

*

Henry

Henry enjoyed playing the jig. His foot tapped, and his shoulders moved with the rhythm. What a pity Selina and Kitty were sitting this one out. He could see them clearly from the gallery– they were talking animatedly, as if they had not seen each other for months, not merely ten minutes. There were no prizes for guessing what they must be talking about– the new discoveries concerning Lord Steyne. Henry sincerely hoped they had the good sense to keep their voices down to avoid being overheard by any of the more indiscreet members of the ton.

Henry flushed with apprehension. Kitty and Selina were close confidants– please God, let them not be discussing every single detail of what had transpired in the alleyway. There were certain things that should remain private between two– what should Henry call himself and Kitty? They were not merely friends, but not yet lovers... two young people who were on the threshold of something unbelievably special.

Henry knew he was deeply in love and had been for a considerable time– and he thought Kitty probably loved him. Probably? Of course she did! She must, surely? For she gave him such enchanting smiles... and kisses... ah! Kitty's kisses were like ambrosia from the gods above.

But until the two of them could enjoy undisturbed time together, without the ever-present danger looming, until they were able to declare their love for each other without reservation, then nothing was truly settled.

"John!" the flautist said. "Concentrate, man! Next piece is coming right up."

"Oops, sorry!" Henry said. "Is it the jig next?"

"We've just played the jig," the pianist said. "You know, for someone who calls himself a musician, I cannot believe you have so small a grasp on reality and such a pitiful memory. We are playing the reel next."

"Yes," the flautist said. "'Tis almost as if your mind is elsewhere. With someone else."

The pianist raised one eyebrow.

"I have heard you were spotted near Bartlett Street during our break– with a young lady," the flautist said.

"Come on," the pianist said. "Spill the beans. Who was she, this mysterious beauty?"

"Yes," the flautist said, "and two questions: number one, why would she be so interested in you? And number two, does she have a sister for me?"

The flautist started cackling and the pianist guffawed loudly– so much so that strange glances shot up from the dancers down below. When would they be able to start the next dance? Why were the musicians laughing?

"One and two and..." the pianist said– and they were off.

No! Lord Steyne was dancing near Kitty! He was not partnering her– but he was very near and kept staring in her direction. How dare he! There were plenty of other beautiful young women on the dance floor– why could he not ogle one of them instead?

Hell's teeth! Now Lord Steyne was standing at the edge of the room facing away from the dancers– and holding what looked suspiciously like a jealousy glass. He was spying on Kitty! Checking up on her by using one of those dratted glasses that could see round corners. How dare he!

Henry was extremely troubled by Lord Steyne's preference for Kitty. Could the man not detect when his advances were unwelcome? Or was that more of a challenge for him, a challenge that he enjoyed perversely– in a twisted way? Kitty was the most perfect young woman in the world, and anyone would want her as their wife– but surely someone as worldly and snobbish as Lord Steyne would be looking for someone from a higher family than the Honeyfields of Russell Street? The daughter of a duke or viscount would seem more appealing to him, wouldn't they? A conundrum, to be sure.

Lord Steyne disappeared at the end of the dance, and the musicians moved on to one of Henry's favorites– the country dance he had practised with Selina in the withdrawing room at home when he was in training to become John Greenwood.

The dancers lined up for the country dance, and the couple opening it were– merciful heavens!– Lord and Lady Templeton, Henry's parents. They generally preferred to sit out the dances these days, but Henry was thrilled to see them lead off, and he played the jaunty dance tune with great vigour and gusto– perhaps too much, for Lady Templeton turned and stared into the musicians' gallery, then shook her head. Had she recognized Henry's inimitable style on the violin, the playing that was so familiar to her ears? Henry pulled his hat further down over his face. It would not do if his parents knew that he was up there in the gallery.

"Stop showing off," the flautist said. "I've got the main tune there– let me shine."

"A thousand apologies," Henry said.

After that, he played in a much more restrained way.

"Only joking," the flautist said at the end of the piece. "You can play as loudly as you want. Lord! I am running out of puff and cannot wait for supper– will not be long now. We are nearly at the end."

"Yes," the pianist said. "'Tis Sir Richard de Coverley to finish off, as usual. I love this one."

"'Tisn't my favourite," Henry said. "I think the Sussex Waltz has a far better tune."

The pianist laughed. "I only love it because it's always the last dance– once Sir Richard de Coverley is over, 'tis time for a drink."

"Yes," the flautist said. "I'm gasping for wine. And John, you've nearly finished your first evening with us. Did you enjoy it? Care to join us for a drink? John?"

Henry was silent– until he remembered that his name that evening was John.

"I would love to," he said. "But I need to go straight home."

"Another time, then? Where are you staying?"

"The other side of the city," Henry said. "Yes, another time. Promise!"

Once the dances were finished, the crowds made their way to the tea room for refreshments and supper. Henry had already decided he was not going to join the throng there, for he was far more likely to be discovered than he had been high up in the musicians' gallery. He had been lucky thus far– why tempt fate? There were very many people of his acquaintance in the Upper Rooms, and it was beyond reason that his disguise would fool every single one of them.

However, he could not resist a peek into the Octagon before he made his escape. On his way there, he nearly collided with Miss Steele, who shot past him in the corridor on her way to the tea room. What was she in such a hurry for? No matter. At least she had not recognized him.

What a lot of card games were in progress in the Octagon; in a far corner, Henry spotted four players, including Lord Steyne and Mr. Honeyfield. Kitty's father had his head in his hands. Lord Steyne, on the other hand, had a wolfish expression and was collecting money owed.

"So that's his game!" Henry whispered between gritted teeth. "He's trying to relieve Kitty's father of what little blunt he has left."

But why was he hellbent on destroying Honeyfield's dwindling wealth? Could it be that once Honeyfield had finally run out of money, he would not be able to say no if Lord Steyne asked for Kitty's hand? Carter had said Lord Steyne was a cheat at the card table. If this were true, it made his actions all the more heinous. Was there no end to the man's crimes?

You fiend! I long to challenge you to a duel and send you to hell!

Henry melted away, deciding that now was not the time to challenge Lord Steyne– but he would sort this out if it was the last thing he did. Lord Steyne would not be allowed to ruin Kitty's family and steal Henry's love away.

I will go back to Beechen Cliff where Carter is waiting, and I'll seek his advice about the best way to defeat Lord Steyne.