24. Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Too Much Alcohol - Too Few Clothes

Too Much Alcohol – Too Few Clothes

W hen Mr. Winston announced dinner, only Fred ate, as Blackwood’s nerves and stomach were too upset for him to attempt to eat anything other than a piece of fresh bread that he only nibbled on. Fredrick offered Blackwood a glass of scotch which seemed to calm him down some, but after three or four more glasses, the scotch only caused him to be more weepy. I should have learned my lesson about too much scotch when I gave it to Edward!

Sobbing over his guilt in the whole Linda-to-Glenda destruction and the lost years he could have spent with a woman who had loved him if he had only known. “I cannot return to my home in this condition. I fear my loose lips would expose my pain and anger.”

“I would never let you leave in your condition. You are too overwrought and have had too much alcohol. You are most definitely foxed. Do you have a valet?”

“Why would you ask me that?”

“I’m going to send my footman to collect your clothes. So? Do you?”

“That is the only servant that I hired. I do believe he is loyal to me. Well, he makes verbal barbs concerning the rest of the so-called staff.” He slumped over and made a short, sad sound. “You were right when you suggested I move into Venus.”

“I will send Daniel with Max to collect your toiletries and some clothes. That strange-looking ghoul will not be able to stop Daniel. Tell me, Stephen, when you go up the staircase, where is your bedchamber?”

“Up the staircase, turn right into the hallway. My bedchamber is the second door on the left. My valet’s name is Mr. Douglas. Tell Daniel, if the Cobra is there, ignore her. She has no weapons, other than her big mouth.”

“Alright, let me ring for Mr. Winston.” Fred walked over to the bellpull.

“You wish to prepare a bedchamber for Lord Blackwood, my lord?”

“Yes, Mr. Winston. And I need you to have Daniel and Max to come here. I need them to fetch clothes for Lord Blackwood.”

“I will get them, my lord.” Within minutes, Daniel and Max were in the study.

“Mr. Winston, you should stay to hear this as well.” Mr. Winston fell in line with Daniel and Max. “I need you both to go to Lord Blackwood’s townhouse and tell the butler, Mr. – what is his name, Lord Blackwood?”

“Mr. Jeeves. Tall, skinny, with a voice like a child. He is ghoulish.” Blackwood flipped his hand over and gave a slight guffaw.

“The address is No. 1 Manchester Square.” Fred thought some proof regarding the request would be needed. “Blackwood, they will need a note on foolscap with your signet.” He looked back to Daniel and Max. “Tell the ghoul that you have come to collect some of Lord Blackwood’s clothes and toiletries. If he or anyone else in the house gives you a problem, present them with the note. Lord Blackwood’s bedchamber is up the staircase, turn right off the staircase, then it is the second door on the left. His valet’s name is Mr. Douglas. Tell him the same thing you tell the ghoul. If his wife is present, keep the story the same. They need not know where he is or why he is in need of his personal items. Mr. Douglas is loyal, so you need not worry about him.” Fred walked to his desk, pulled out a sheet of foolscap, an ink pen, and a standish, then took the writing items to Lord Blackwood. Lord Blackwood scribbled a quick note. Once completed, he handed it back to Fredrick. “Let me get the wax.” He took all the writing items back to his desk and picked up his wax stick. “Daniel, will you get a spill and light it for me?” Blackwood applied the wax and sealed the note with his signet.

“Don’t let my wife’s staff stop you from your assignment. Both of you are big and strong enough to handle anyone, actually, all of them.” Blackwood thought the fat oaf might try to stop them – the fool.

“We will return with the items. My lord, your grace.” They bowed and left the room.

“If the Cobra is there, I believe she will be an issue for your two gentlemen. Fredrick, you have seen her. When you saw her earlier today, she happened to be in a good mood. Would you believe it?” Blackwood ran his hands through his hair. “Since I’m staying, pour me another drink, if you would.”

“I am going to join you.” Fred poured them both a healthy portion of scotch. He handed the glass to Blackwood. “Here is to finding little Stevie and returning her to the Papa who loves her.”

“Oh, God, Fredrick, I thought the tears were done.” He chuckled as the tears fell. “I don’t know where we will live when we find her, but if it is in a tent in Nova Scotia, I will make sure she is happy.”

Fred gave him a pat on the arm. “You are a wealthy man. You can get the items you love out of that house and purchase a townhouse three times the size of the one you are living in. Then if she wants to burn the place down, let her. They will send her to the lunatic asylum. Remember Stephen, she has no rights in this society. I think there are few, if any ladies of the ton that even know her. So there is not a chance she could cause the peerage to cut you or Little Stevie girl.”

“I have been away from society for some time. I’m quite sure, with my ranking in the peerage, my wealth, and my importance in parliament, I will be fine. I must find my Little Stevie girl. It is strange, Fred, only hours ago, I was informed I have a daughter. I have never seen her, but I love her already. If she is anything like her mother, her real mother, Linda, she has to be sweet and kind. The letters she continued to write, week after week, without any response are nothing less than phenomenal. She is a dear, sweet girl. And I want her – no, I need her with me.”