Chapter 14

Fourteen

" S he's a frightful old bore – and a complete snob, too. I wouldn't mind telling it to her face. Don't you remember last year? She had the Marchioness of Halifax thrown out because of her affair with the Duke of Glynebourne. I can't stand the woman. And I know just what she'll think of me, too. I'm sure she's an avid reader…" Maximilian said, as his mother looked at him imploringly.

"Oh, please, Maximilian – just for once, won't you do as you're told?" the duchess said, and Maximilian sighed.

They were sitting in the drawing room. His mother was drinking tea, and Maximilian was drinking brandy – despite it being only three o'clock in the afternoon. It was the day of the ball held by the Count and Countess of Morecambe, and Maximilian's mother was trying to persuade him to go.

"It's not a matter of doing what I'm told, Mother. I know I won't be welcome there, not after what was written in that damn scandal paper," Maximilian replied.

His feelings towards The Broker Press had verged from initial amusement to a realization of just what such words could do to his reputation. It was one thing for others to gossip behind his back, but to have his deeds appear in black and white was something else. Maximilian was no fool, and whilst he had resigned himself to always being a rake, the fact of his actions now confronting him in this way had given him pause for thought.

"Then all the more reason to attend the ball. The Countess won't say anything. Your father has patronage over her husband's estate. She's not going to cause a scene. Why can't you go to the ball and behave properly, Maximilian? Show the world you can change. You'll be forgiven for your past misdemeanors," she said, but Maximilian shook his head.

He knew the ways of the ton well enough to know they were slow to forgive or forget. Scandals came and went, but memories were long, and his many faults would not be easily laid aside in favor of a restoration of his reputation.

"You're looking at me through a mother's eyes," he said, and the duchess smiled.

"That's how it is, Maximilian. I can't see you in any other way. Try not to worry about what others might think. But don't give rise to any further scandal. If you don't, it won't be printed, will it?" she said.

In this, Maximilian thought his mother somewhat na?ve. To the people who wrote such things, the truth hardly mattered. It was the story that counted – whether made up or not. Maximilian could spend the rest of his life pruning roses and never speaking to another woman ever again, and still the words would be written, and his reputation tarnished.

"Better to just get on and do it," he thought to himself – for if the truth did not matter, what reason would there be to attempt to save his own reputation.

"Please come to the ball, Maximilian. It's expected of you. Don't upset your father anymore. He loves you, and he only wants you to…learn from your mistakes," the duchess said.

Maximilian rolled his eyes. It was certainly not as easy as that. His father wanted far more. He wanted Maximilian to be like William. That was the fact of the matter, and as long as that possibility went unrealized, Maximilian would continue to be a disappointment.

"And if I don't learn from them?" Maximilian asked, finishing his glass of brandy and rising to his feet.

His mother looked at him sadly.

"Well…then I don't know what's going to happen," she replied.

"What a fine house," Lily said, peering out of the carriage window, and she and Alicia, along with Alicia's parents, drew up outside the home of the Count and Countess of Morecambe.

"It was meant to be the dower house for Burnley Abbey. But the previous duchess refused to live in it. She wanted to stay at the abbey, so it was given over to the Count and Countess," Alicia's father said.

The house was built of redbrick, with tall chimneys rising from a steeply inclined roof. It was covered in ivy, with a large portico and steps running up to open doors, where liveried footmen stood in attendance on either side. Several other carriages were drawn up, their occupants emerging in a flurry of fascinators and silk.

"I wonder if the Duke and Duchess will be here this evening?" Lily said, glancing at Alicia, who shook her head.

"I can't imagine they will be – not after what was written about their son. Could you imagine daring to show your face after such scandalous things were written?" Alicia replied.

Her mother shook her head.

"I think it's quite terrible. One wonders who writes these things. What do they gain from it? It only causes trouble for all involved," she said, shaking her head.

Lily smiled, maintaining her composure with an innocent look on her face.

"I couldn't possibly imagine. I suppose there are benefits to revealing such things," she said, as a footman now opened the carriage door to them.

"The aristocracy – it's not all to be admired," Alicia's father said, shaking his head.

They climbed down from the carriage, but as they did so, another carriage drew up, and Alicia pointed to the crest on the side.

"Oh, look – it's them. It's the Duke and Duchess, and…oh, he's here, too," she exclaimed.

Lily watched as the carriage drew up at the bottom of the steps, and the footman hurried to open the compartment door, standing at attention as the occupants climbed out. There was the duke and duchess, and following them was Maximilian. He was dressed far more conservatively, in a black frock coat, matching his father's, and blue breeches, with a white shirt and yellow cravat at the neck.

"He looks almost ordinary – as though nothing happened the other night. He's got quite a nerve," Lily whispered, and around them, similar sentiments were expressed behind fluttering fans.

As he entered the house, Maximilian glanced behind him, catching Lily's eye for just a moment. She held his gaze, wondering what he was thinking – did he even remember her? It seemed extraordinary for him to appear at the ball, given what she had written about him. But in Lily's experience, there were two responses to the scandal sheets. An individual either hid themselves away, refusing visitors and invitations, and waiting for the matter to die down. Or they made a blatant attempt at denial, pretending as though nothing had been written about them, and carrying on regardless. It seemed Maximilian had chosen the latter – for good or ill.

"I'm surprised he's got the nerve. Did you read about what he did? I certainly won't be finding myself behind any columns," a woman to Lily's right said, and others expressed similar sentiments.

Lily was pleased. She had been successful, and there was a certain satisfaction in hearing others talking about what she had written – about what she had exposed.

"Everyone's talking about him," Alicia said, taking Lily's arm in hers, as the two of them made their way inside.

The duke and duchess were just ahead of them, talking to a pearl clad woman in a red dress, whom Lily presumed to be the Countess of Morecambe. Maximilian was nowhere to be seen, and Lily could not help but wonder what he expected to achieve by attending a ball at which he was universally unwelcome. It seemed the ton had woken up to his rakish ways, and the chatter all around them suggested Maximilian's reputation lay in tatters.

"Mr. and Mrs. Saunders – how good to see you. And with Alicia and Miss Porter," the countess said, as the master of ceremonies announced their arrival.

Lily took the countess' hand and smiled.

"It's a pleasure to be here, my Lady," she said, curtseying to the countess, who seemed to approve.

"We like to encourage men of business in the county. And, of course, our cellars are well-stocked, thanks to your excellent recommendations, Mr. Saunders," the countess said.

There was an air of snobbery about her – just as Alicia had suggested. But Mr. Saunders was more than capable of holding his own, and he complimented the countess on her home, thanking her for the graciousness of her invitation.

"We were surprised to see the Duke and Duchess here," Alicia's mother said, and the countess gave a nervous laugh.

"Oh…and why's that?" she asked.

"Well…the awful things printed about their son in The Broker Press this week. I don't think I could bring myself to show my face. It's quite terrible," Alicia's mother said, and the countess leaned forward and lowered her voice.

"You're right, of course. It's a scandal. He's always behaved like that. It was only a matter of time before someone wrote about it. It serves him right – he's nothing but a rake. When our granddaughter was staying with us last year, he…well, it wouldn't be right for me to say. But she won't come back," the countess said, glancing over her shoulder, just as Maximilian swaggered into view.

He seemed entirely oblivious to the fact of his being the chief preoccupation of the gathered guests. No one was talking to him, but they were all talking about him. The countess now turned to greet the next guests, leaving Lily, Alicia, and Alicia's parents to make their way into the ballroom. It was a lavish setting, decorated with flowers and foliage, redolent of a classical painting. Refreshment tables were set alongside one side of the room, and a quartet of musicians were playing at the far end, as the guests milled back and forth, waiting for the dancing to begin.

"Is Michael Tanner going to be here?" Lily asked, as she and Alicia helped themselves to punch from an ornate glass bowl.

"No…he's not rich enough for the Countess," Alicia said, looking somewhat disappointed.

"Then who else is here? Do you know anyone?" Lily asked, for she was keen to learn as much about the society she now inhabited as possible.

Alicia looked around the room, nodding, before pointing discreetly to a couple sitting together against the far wall.

"I don't know many people by sight. But that's surely the Duke and Duchess of Crawshaw. He's blind, you know – can you see the way he's sitting? It's as though he's staring out at nothing," she whispered.

Lily looked with interest at the couple. They were perhaps the same age as the Duke and Duchess of Lancaster. He was graying, but with a handsome face, even as his eyes were blank. She was a pretty creature, dressed in blue, and with a fascinator of wax fruits and feathers on her head.

"How extraordinary. One can't imagine being blind," Lily said.

"They have a son, too, I believe – Ernest, that's his name. I've heard my mother talk about him. But I don't know much more about them than that. As for everyone else…well, I don't really know anyone by sight. Apart from Maximilian, of course," Alicia replied.

Lily glanced around her, looking to catch sight of the errant heir. She saw him by the refreshment table, helping himself to punch. He had an arrogant look about him, and still appeared entirely oblivious to the fact he was the center of everyone's attention.

"Look at him – he's quite ridiculous, isn't he? Swaggering around without a care in the world," Lily said.

She could feel her anger towards Maximilian growing. She resented him, for he represented everything her father had lost. Maximilian deserved none of the trappings of wealth and privilege he enjoyed, and yet he was handed it on a silver platter, whilst her father languished in the gaol. There was no justice in the matter, even as Lily was determined to make the dukedom pay for what it had done to her father.

"You certainly seem interested in him, Lily," Alicia said, and Lily turned to her in surprise.

"Well…isn't everyone interested in him at the moment? He's nothing but a rake. I couldn't care less about him – unless he intends to subject another innocent creature to his lascivious advances," she replied.

"And if he does? What can you do about it? I'm sure there are still many na?ve young creatures waiting to be devoured at his hands," Alicia replied.

Lily nodded. It was true. Even the most scandal-ridden rakes attracted a certain type of woman. There were those who enjoyed the thrill of association, and those for whom their own compromises necessitated such a match. A rake like Maximilian – even exposed – still presented a threat.

"Undoubtedly so. That's why we need to keep our eyes on him, Alicia. Vigilance – that's the only way," Lily replied, still watching as Maximilian lingered by the refreshment table.

"Will you dance, Lily? They're going to begin shortly. We should find partners – Father, I suppose. We can take it in turns to dance with him," Alicia said, but Lily's mind was preoccupied.

She could not take her eyes off Maximilian, waiting for him to make a false move – willing him to fall into scandal. In her mind, her quill was poised, waiting for Maximilian to make one false move. Mr. Broker had paid her an advance for a further three scandal papers, and Lily had every intention of delivering on her word.

"You go ahead. I'll take the next dance," Lily replied, before following Maximilian's course from the opposite side of the room.

He was looking around him, trying to catch the eyes of various young women, none of whom were responding. There was a growing look of frustration on his face, and again he returned to the refreshment table, replenishing his glass of punch.

"And when he's had a drink, he's worse," Lily said to herself, for her first encounter with Maximilian had been when he was drunk.

"Would you dance with him?" a woman to her side asked, and Lily looked up in surprise.

A woman, not much older than herself, was watching Maximilian, too. Lily smiled and shook her head.

"I really don't know much about him," she lied.

The woman smiled.

"I rather like him. He's…dangerous. The men here are such bores. But Maximilian…there's something rather…alluring about him. Don't you think?" she asked.

Lily shook her head.

"I couldn't possibly say," she replied, glancing again at Maximilian, who was now speaking to a pair of giggling young women who appeared oblivious to his reputation.

"I might take the risk – you never know. Isn't it worth it to be a duchess?" she said, before slipping off into the throng and making her way towards where Maximilian had now been rebuffed.

Lily could not take her eyes off the duke's heir. She was fascinated by him – the blatant manner in which he behaved, oblivious to the trail of destruction he had left behind him. There was no shame in him, and that was what really angered Lily. He had no conscience – or so it seemed – as to those things he had done, and the women he had hurt. Lily could only imagine how Amelia was feeling now, and whilst she had been careful to avoid identifying the object of Maximilian's scandal, she knew Amelia would realize someone had been watching them…

"Are you going to stare at him all evening?" Alicia asked, as she returned from dancing with her father.

Lily turned to her friend and blushed.

"I wasn't staring at him," she said, glancing again at Maximilian, who was now dancing with the woman who had seemed so keen to gain his attention.

"You've done nothing but look at him all evening. Why are you so interested in him?" Alicia asked.

But Lily dismissed her with a wave of her hand, not wishing for Alicia to pry too closely into the reasons for her close observation of Maximilian.

"Oh, Alicia, it's nothing. He just…interests me, that's all," Lily said, turning away, even as she had already gathered much information for her next scandal paper.

"Well, he doesn't interest me. He was looking at me very oddly before. He's been looking at everyone. I wonder who he suspects of writing about him? I hope he doesn't think it's me," Alicia replied, and Lily smiled.

There were dozens of suspects, and Lily rather liked the thought of being hidden in plain sight.

"Oh, I'm sure he's got his ideas," Lily replied, glancing again at Maximilian, who was even now leading the woman he had danced with into a darkened corner of the room…