Chapter 6

Games People Play

Martin was enjoying his scotch, cheroot, and company. Fred and Henry sat in the cardroom at White's. They were well on their way to fleecing their old Eton friend, the fourth horseman, who had more money than card sense. John Herbert, 8 th Earl of Powis was a likeable gentleman. He thoroughly enjoyed the threesomes' company.

"I know I'm not the best of card players; I have to admit to that. I do try to keep up." He sounded more apologetic than humorous. John was a very calm and confident man. He was an attractive-looking man but, like Martin, not the most social individual. One thing he was very good at was making money. He was not at all close to his father. Jonathan's father was a wastrel – had gone through at least three generations worth of money in less than a year – spending it on opium, alcohol, and whores. It was John that increased their coffers to a impressive level.

"Powis, you are a terrible player. If we were not friends, it would be a pleasure to take all your money." Fred enjoyed harassing Powis. "I still am not sure why you even try to play cards with us."

"It has to be for the company; it certainly is not for my expertise at the game." So self-deprecating. He leaned back in his chair. "I think it is time to fold for more entertaining pleasures. Am I the only one to travel to the Temple of Venus ?"

"Oh, no – we stand together." Martin and Fred stood, raised their drinks which compelled Henry to join them standing. "Stand up, Powis." John stood and held up his glass with the three. Martin raised his stentorious voice and, with much vibrato, exclaimed. "To the Four Horsemen! "

In response, all four exclaimed. "To the Horsemen!" They downed their drinks and slammed their glasses on the table.

Martin slapped John on the back. "You see, you are not allowed to go without our company. Who else will protect you from those ladies that are so attracted to you...and your money." Martin chortled at the irony of his words. The ladies saw money when any of the four walked in. John, like Martin, rarely imbibed in the entertainment of the ladies. "Come, we will take my coach. If you are enticed to stay the night, hackneys swarm this area to pick up rakehells such as yourselves." They were in agreement so they departed White's, for softer company. Martin did not need to tell his coachman specifics. All he needed to say was, "Covent Gardens," and he knew exactly where to deliver the nobles.

"Shall I wait, my lord?" The coachman, at times, would be told to return on the morrow as often as he was told to stay. This particular night he was told to stay. Martin was willing to ensure his comrades were safely settled. For him, he was more interested in playing cards, and discussing politics and the latest enterprises. During these particular evenings, he would sit with many of the older nobles who came to the Temple of Venus, to enjoy the flirtations rather than to actually imbibe. When he entered the card room, Lord Aubyn, Lord Blackwood, and Lord Duff, were sitting around a table. No cards; conversation was usually the order of the evening. The four horsemen could expect any number of topics – the latest developments of the peerage, parliament, or a bit of gossip. Martin and John were welcome, so they sat down and listened to their opinions on many of the issues regarding Town. John was one to listen more than contribute. But he would remember every bit of everyone's conversation. Through the course of their conversations, the discussion turned to the necessity of water and sewage removal. With the influx of the population, the problem was becoming unbearable.

"It is a shame that Lord McDonnell is no longer with us. He was a wealth of information regarding not only the advances in transportation, he was up to date on the latest advances in water and sewer utilities." Lord Blackwood had been a very close friend of Lord McDonnell's and an admirer of McDonnell's intellect and acute perception pertaining to the growth of Town.

Martin looked curiously at Lord Blackwood. "I have not heard. What happened to Lord McDonnell?"

"I'm surprised you had not heard. It was in all the papers. He was at his estate in Norwich, the Willow Bend Estate , when he dropped to his knees and was dead." Lord Blackwood hung his head as he gently shook it. "It was devastating to his wife and children. Curtis had always been such a healthy-looking man."

"It is sad that his son is so young. Now the Earl of Norfolk. Still at Eton. Hopefully, the will was well enough written to prevent any further pain to the family."

Lord Aubyn, as well as Lord Duff, had been friends with McDonnell. "I think the family returned to Town a few days ago." Lord Aubyn was eager to see Lady Marie. " We should at the very least, pay our respects. Soon." Aubyn looked to be reminiscing. He had that kind of smile on his face. "You know, before Curtis married Marie, I had a fondness for her. She was beautiful. Almost ethereal-like."

That particular wording caught Martin's attention. "Lord McDonnell only has a son?"

"No, no. He has a daughter as well. Stephen, you spent more time at the McDonnell's country estate than either of us. You knew the entire family, correct?" Blackwood nodded to affirm. "Do you remember what his daughter's name is – how old she is?" Michael Duff and James Aubyn were not close enough to McDonnell's family to know.

"My mind is blank. As I recall she was a pretty girl. Young. Looked like her mother. She entertained us one evening. Sings and plays the pianoforte. Lovely voice." Blackwood took a sip of his scotch. "She went riding with Curtis and me once or twice. Proficient horsewoman, as I recall. Very pleasant." He took another sip of his scotch, leaned back, recalling. "We should go and pay our respects. I think I will send a note to their townhouse." Blackwood cared very much for McDonnell and his family. He should at least provide them with anything they may need. Curtis would have done that for his family.

"What is their address? I think I may have met Lord McDonnell's daughter." Martin was not really lying. He may have seen her, if indeed she was the daughter of Lord McDonnell. Spying her at the theatre could vaguely count as having met her. As John and he sat listening to the lords speaking of the McDonnell young lady, the more enamored Martin became. Perhaps he was dicked in the nob. He had only seen Miss Apparition, who he now referred to as Lady Apparition, from a distance. For three or four minutes at the most. Yet he was strangely drawn to the astral young lady.

"The townhouse has a strange name. I'm unable to recall it. I remember the address is No. 72 Park Street. I can send a note on behalf of the three of us, asking for an audience with Lady McDonnell."

Martin made a mental note of the address. It was very close to his address at 40 Park Lane. He could easily take a walk and pass by the McDonnell townhouse in order to confirm she was, indeed, Lady Apparition. Perhaps this young lady was not a spectre. This was a good time of the year to enjoy a brisk walk in the morning after his ride. Yes, he would start walking tomorrow.

Lady Helen and Lady Margaret arrived at Muriel's the very next day after they received her note inviting them to visit. Muriel was in the library when she heard Mr. Sanders answer the door. As soon as she heard the ladies' voices, she ran to the door. Mr. Sanders struggled to escape the hugs and screams of excitement from the three young ladies. "I'm so happy to see you both. I have missed you so much." Muriel had tears as they continued to hold on to each other. "I feared you may have forgotten me. I tried to write as often as possible." She hugged them. "Nothing is the same as seeing you."

"We shared your letters and tried to keep you abreast of the events of last season. It was so exciting. We wished time and again that you were with us." Margaret had been friends with Muriel since they were babes.

"You, dear friend, would have stolen all the attention, Muriel. Wait until they see you." Helen and Margaret each to one of Muriel's hands and held them out to look at her. "Then again, we will be close enough to take the gentlemen unable to sign your dance card." And Helen meant it. She knew Muriel would be surrounded with the most sought after eligible noblemen.

"You both are full of exaggeration. It has been so long since we have been in Town, no one will even know me. I would think that would be rather important to nobles looking for a wife."

"Ridiculous! You must attend the ball that is this coming Friday. Lord and Lady Seymour are having the first ball of the season. ‘Tis guaranteed to be a crush. I will make sure you receive an invitation." Margaret's family was one of the wealthiest in Town. She could get invitations to anything. "I'm sure they would want Lady McDonnell to attend. Mama spoke of her often. When I received your note, Mama said she would send an invitation to her tout suite. She wants to see her; I think she said tomorrow."

"That would be grand. Mama needs her old friends." Muriel had to make sure Mama would reestablish herself with her Bosom Bows. "I'm so excited to see you both." They were still standing in the foray. "How silly of me. Please come in. We can go into the drawing room and I will order tea." As she walked Margaret and Helen into the room, she asked. "Have you even had time to break your fast?"

"Of course not. We had to see you. So if you are asking us to break our fast with you, the answer is yes." Helen could never turn down a meal.

Muriel rang for Mr. Sanders. He entered. "How may I be of service, my lady?"

"Has Rosa come down yet?"

"No, my lady."

"Then please tell Cook I would like breakfast for three."

"I will tend to that now. Will that be all?"

"Yes, Mr. Sanders. Thank you." Muriel led her friends to the small breakfast room.

"He is still working for you. That is wonderful. I wish Mama would hire a nice butler. The man she recently hired is not too efficient. At least not with me." Margaret's mother had a tendency to run through household staff. "Where is Rosa? We must include her in breakfast. I have missed you both so much."

"I will have Mr. Sanders get the upstairs maid to inform her you both are here and we are awaiting her in the small breakfast room. I know she will be excited to see you both."

They sat down at the table and both Margaret and Helen were taking Muriel in. "Muriel, you have blossomed into a regal-looking young lady. Honestly, It is hardly fair." Helen was the sweetest of people, smart, funny, and loved by all that knew her. Sadly, she looked more like her father than her attractive mother. She was a bit on the thin side which was curious as she was always eating. Her hair was a wiry dark brown. Muriel often thought with some care, her hair could be attractive. It appeared that Helen was unconcerned. Like Muriel, she loved to read. Her mother said the reason for Helen's big cow eyes was due to her constant reading. She was either reading or eating.

"Muriel, there is a modiste that I discovered. No one is aware of her yet, so we can take advantage of her creative designs and look like the belles of the balls that we shall be." Margaret was always able to find the best of everything. She was always the first to take advantage of the latest styles.

"I'm afraid I will be unable to attend any balls. Not for a while anyway." Muriel hated to miss out on the season's balls. She regretted, with the problems they were currently having with the distribution of funds, she would be unable to afford ball gowns.

Helen and Margaret spoke in unison. "What! You must."

She really did not want to explain the money problems the family was experiencing. She was hopeful that with Mr. Davis, the issue with the money would be quickly resolved. "I can't spend the money on things like ball gowns now." Hopefully, that would be all she had to say on the matter.

"That is ridiculous, Muriel. Lord McDonnell was very well known for his wealth and his financial savvy. I won't hear you say that you can't spend money in preparation for the coming season." Margaret was unaccustomed to anyone unable to afford things. It was not in her vernacular.

"This is not a conversation I wish to have now. I'm so happy to see you both and would much rather hear what has been happening while I have been in Norwich."

Mr. Sanders re-entered the drawing room. "Ladies, breakfast will be out directly. Lady Muriel, I have directed Nancy to tend to Miss Rosa."

"Thank you, Mr. Sanders. Best have the footman set another place." Muriel looked to her two best friends. She was beyond thrilled to be with them now.

"Yes! I'm starved. Rosa had better hurry or I'm eating without her." Helen raised her hand to stop the barbs. "I know, I know – I'm always hungry." Margaret and Muriel nodded in agreement.

"And while we eat, we will discuss our trip to the modiste. The least you can do is accompany Helen and me while we have our fittings. You could have your fitting as well. When you decide to purchase your designs, the modiste will have all she needs to get them done. The modiste's name is Miss Christopher. I promise, you will be very impressed with her work. We will take the Town by storm." Margaret flung her arms in the air as if they were fireworks.

As Margaret was planning Muriel's season, the footman brought out the breakfast items. They filled their plates. Muriel smiled as she took them in. Each so unique in their own way and both of them dear to her. "I'm so happy to have you sitting with me, here in this townhouse. I am" Muriel picked up her serviette and started to tear.

"It is alright, Muriel. We understand and feel the very same way. We love you. It will all work out." Helen reached over and squeezed Muriel's hand. And Muriel felt it was another sign that it could all work out fine.

Most mornings Martin and Fred would meet on Rotten Row to exercise their horses, enjoy the morning without the crowd of the beau monde, and discuss any number of topics. "Two nights ago, while you two rakehells were swiving, I believe I obtained a bit more information on the elusive Lady Apparition."

"I thought she was Miss Apparition?" Fred laughed.

"Remember, the stage hands told me her coachman referred to her as Lady Muriel. "

"Ah, yes. So what new piece of information have you to further identify her and obtain her whereabouts?" Fred was interested as well. Although, from the brief amount of time they were able to see her, it appeared that the majority of the men in the audience were interested as well. "I still wonder, if she is of the peerage, why was she sitting in the gallery?"

"I have no idea. While John and I were sitting with Lords Duff, Aubyn, and Blackwood, Blackwood started a conversation about Lord McDonnell. I think there is a good possibility she may be Lord Curtis McDonnell's daughter. Blackwood was a friend of McDonnell. The three were discussing the necessity of calling on the Dowager McDonnell. Lord McDonnell died suddenly over a year ago and the family had stayed at the country estate during the family's mourning period."

Fred thought it could be a strong possibility. "That may be the reason for Lady Apparition having never been seen at any of the balls last season. However, I can't recall ever seeing her before. I would remember that face." They rode a minute, then Fred asked. "I wonder if she might attend any this season?"

"I was able to get the address of the McDonnell townhouse. I should like to ride by and see if anyone is about. What say you, Fredrick?"

"Martin, I say, you have become addlepated over this Lady Apparition. What is the allure, other than her being the most beautiful creature anyone has ever beheld?" Fred slapped his thigh with ‘ha' at his own humor.

"Fred, Blackwood said he spent some time at McDonnell's estate for a while. McDonnell's daughter entertained them once with singing and playing the piano forte."

"So, she could be a social bore."

"No, Fred. Blackwood also said that she was quite the horsewoman. That she was smart and kind." They rode a little further in silence. "Oh! And he also said that Lady McDonnell was beautiful. Lord Aubyn said, and I quote, ‘before Curtis married Marie, I had a fondness for her. She was beautiful. Almost ethereal-like.' Now, what say you to that Lord Windham?"

"I think you may have found our Lady Apparition. So now what? You can't ride up and down her street hoping to see her. Besides, she most likely would not speak with you without a formal introduction." Fred remembered. "Lord and Lady Seymour are having the first ball of the season. I'm sure everyone from the t o n will be there. We must make it a priority to attend. It is very likely that she will be there."

"Fred, that is another reason why we are such friends – you always keep me abreast of the goings on of the beau monde."

"So true. Since you are less than interested in the ton, someone must keep you abreast. Now, you found out the McDonnell address. We may as well ride by before we head for the mews."