3. An Exchange of Hats

Meanwhile, in Park Lane

Determined to do his part to discover what might have happened to Lord Wilmington, Lady Castlewait's driver, Parker, had the Castlewait coach-and-four speeding down Park Lane faster than he had ever driven in his life. He thrilled at the sensation of air blowing over his face, and he knew the horses were enjoying the opportunity to run for a few minutes.

Expecting to find the street nearly deserted in front of Weatherstone Manor, Parker was surprised to discover nearly a dozen coaches still lined up. The first ball of the Season had not only attracted a large number of guests for the ball, but those who enjoyed playing cards until dawn.

Parking the equipage at the end of the line of coaches, he retrieved the top hat from inside the coach—he had placed it on a bench in the event of rain—and made his way to the front door.

As a servant, he was used to having to enter houses using the servants' door in the back. Given his assignment, he felt it necessary to use the front door, and he was relieved when a couple exited only a moment before he would have used the brass knocker. He stepped in, giving a nod to an ancient butler who was helping another gentleman into a coat.

Noticing several footmen guarding shelves of hats and hooks containing all manner of outerwear, he approached the first one who nodded to him.

"Good evening. It seems his lordship was given the wrong hat when he took his leave earlier." He offered the beaver to the footman. "He wondered if his might still be here. A bit taller, black, and made by Fitzsimmons and Smith," he added.

The footman's eyes rounded at the mention of the hat maker in Oxford Street. "Ah, the hat that makes the gentleman," the servant said, quoting the hat maker's motto. He took the errant hat and placed it on a table while he checked under the hats of those that were lined up on a shelf. "Your master is in luck, if this is it," he said as he brought the hat to Parker. "It's the only one with an ‘F and S' label," he added.

With no other means of identifying the hat, Parker gave the footman a nod. "I'm sure this must be it. You'll see to it the rightful owner gets the other one?"

"Of course... if he hasn't already left. Though he's probably in the card parlor. Since the orchestra stopped playing a few minutes ago, most of the guests have taken their leave."

Parker nodded his understanding but paused. He was tempted to mention the issue of Lord Wilmington, but instead said, "Tell me... did you happen to see a man escorting another out the door? He might have appeared... drunk?"

The taller man scoffed. "Had a few of those this evening," he said with a grin. "But it was odd when the first one happened so early."

"Oh?" Parker responded. Interested to learn more, he leaned in closer. "Do you happen to remember when that might have… happened?"

The footman screwed up his face in concentration. "Oh, mayhap ten o'clock? The receiving line had broken up by then, of course," he replied. "Can't say I recognized either of the gents, though." His eyes rounded. "But I do remember only one of them had a hat when they went out the door." He winced. "I would have gone after them, but I'm not allowed to leave my post."

"I understand," Parker replied, disappointed the servant couldn't provide more information.

"It has been a night of excitement, I must say," the footman remarked.

Parker furrowed a brow. "Oh? Something besides drunkards having to be escorted out?"

"Oh, aye. Lord JW was caught kissing a young lady behind a hedgerow," the footman whispered. "Ever since he returned from his Grand Tour, the rake's been having 'is way with the chits at every entertainment."

His eyes rounding at hearing this bit of news, Parker was about to ask if the footman knew the identity of Lord JW, but a marquess stepped up to request his hat and coat. Parker handed over the coins Lord Wilmington had given him. "For your trouble," he said.

"Thank you," the footman replied, an appreciative expression appeared on his long face. "G'night."

Noting the butler was no longer near the front door, Parker tucked the top hat under one arm and let himself out. He was deep in thought when he nearly collided with another gentleman. "Pardon, sir," he said as he stepped aside.

He was about to continue on the Japanese lantern-lined path when he realized the man wore no hat. Despite a second glance, he didn't recognize the gentleman and so hurried on his way to the Castlewait coach. Disappointment settled over him at not learning the identity of whoever had removed Lord Wilmington from the ball.

At least he had secured the earl's hat.