Bad Miss Bennet (14 page)

Our low spirits were soon revived when we arrived at the gardens where pretty booths could be hired. We ate our rolls and drank our chocolate to the soothing accompaniment of a trio of musicians playing stringed instruments. The gardens were delightful to wander about in with grottos, waterfalls, plants and shrubs arranged to give the maximum pleasure to the eye.

After breakfast we returned to the house but Selena insisted on going back to the gardens at dusk. Crowds of people were pouring through the gates and the night sky was lit up with fireworks. A military band was playing near the hotel and the sounds of dancing and singing could be heard.

Sir Winthrop Meyers and Lady Dorothea, our neighbours in Laura Place, graciously agreed to escort us on this occasion, leaving Miles to find his own distractions in the less salubrious parts of the city. Sir Winthrop was most attentive, introducing us to some of the gentlefolk of his acquaintance. Sadly, none of them were less than fifty years old.

One of them escorted me to supper and told me an improbable story.

‘Did you know, my dear Mrs Wickham, that at least one former resident of this fair city believed that the breath of virgins could prolong life and ensure good health?' He winked at me in an inappropriate manner and I gave a sour response.

‘The number of decrepit citizens on the streets of Bath would indicate that virgins are not as easily come by as they once were.' My companion sniggered and attempted to pinch my rear. I stepped aside quickly and returned to the main party where a dowager was extolling the merits of the adjustable mattresses for invalids available at a Milsom Street store. A Catherine wheel exploded overhead in a shower of pink and green and violet.

The delights of the gardens and the shopping possibilities of Bath began to pall after a few weeks, but as we left the premises of Smith & Jones in New Bond Street, one morning Selena announced triumphantly that she had arranged a card party.

‘It will be held at Laura Place, I am sure Lord Finchbrook would not object.'

‘How can you possibly do that?' I cried. ‘There are not enough people in sufficient health in this city to undertake gambling for high stakes. Any losses would probably result in heart failure.' Selena gave me a playful rap with her reticule.

‘You exaggerate, Lydia. I have chosen the victims carefully. There are some members of the
ton
here at the moment. Most of them are in possession of their own hair and teeth and, more importantly, large sums of money that they are anxious to lose.' I realised that Selena had researched her prey carefully at the Assembly Rooms. Even Miles could be useful at such times, striking up conversations in unlikely places.

I remained doubtful of the wisdom of this enterprise, even though I knew we needed to replenish our funds. I wondered how our neighbours would react when they realised what was happening, but Selena had thought of that too.

‘Of course we shall invite the Meyers. They will take part in a sedate game of whist and a hand of loo while we gather a small number of enthusiasts to play for higher stakes in another room. There will be an elegant supper. It will be the talk of the Assembly Rooms.'

‘It might be as well to ask Lord Finchbrook to come down from London with some friends. It is his house, after all – or his aunt's.' I had a sudden vision of the ancient aunt making a surprise visit in the midst of all this. ‘Finchbrook will do anything for you,' I added slyly, ‘you know he is sweet on you.' Selena blushed and turned away. I resolved to wear the prince's necklace in public for the first time. Of course my friend was able to win me over by persuading me of our urgent need for ready cash.

‘Miles is already talking of buying more etchings,' she complained. ‘He is frequenting those little shops near Abbey Churchyard. You know his spendthrift ways, Lydia.' Indeed, and I also knew that acquiring some expensive jewellery was no substitute for ready money. My friend gave signs of being on the fret like a thoroughbred horse. Her nostrils quivered and she gave a low whinnying noise of distress. I stepped back hastily and agreed to everything.

There remained the problem of the staff at Laura Place. Disgruntled by the sudden appearance of three strangers who were taking up residence and disturbing their comfortable existence, they were aghast at the notion of entertainment and cards at the house. The manservant assured us that Miss Worthington disapproved of gambling and rarely entertained. We were forced to assure him that Lord Finchbrook had given permission. A generous gratuity settled the matter. Our meagre finances were spent on the preparations for the evening's entertainment. Recovering our outlay was essential, if only to keep Miles in blue ruin.

He had been greatly cast down at not receiving a financial reward for his part in rescuing the royal emeralds. A messenger had brought a small oil painting of the prince and a signed letter of commendation before we left Brighton. Selena and I had expected nothing else, given the state of the royal finances.

We placed the portrait in a prominent position in the room at Laura Place where our neighbours would play a staid hand of whist. In the main salon the table was arranged for gaming and the servants were instructed to bring plenty of food and drink. Miles was given the task of preventing the two sets of guests from mingling or even meeting, if possible.

‘He should be good for that if he keeps a clear head,' Selena said without much conviction. I was looking forward to the evening with impatience, not only for the chance to repair my finances, but to relieve the genteel monotony of this place. There was only the elegant stupidity of dinner parties and trips to the pleasure gardens. Lady Dorothea told us that it would be unseemly to visit the theatre, and the balls seldom attracted anyone of note.

Sydney Gardens remained the height of gaiety – all very well if one had a beau to dally with in the grottos and flirt with among the arbours. I remembered Jerry with a pang at such moments.

‘If we raise sufficient funds tonight we must return to London,' I told Selena, thinking of my Austrian admirer. ‘I cannot achieve my ambition to reach Paris, or indeed dance at Almack's, while we remain in this deathly watering hole. You are in a similar position,' I reminded her. Selena looked thoughtful.

‘Might it not be wiser to avoid London altogether and take a house in Paris? The Duke of Wellington is leaving soon to become the French Ambassador. Many influential people will accompany him, and the rents are lower in Paris.'

‘What about Almack's?' I cried. ‘When will I dance there?' Selena withered me with a look. ‘Sometimes, Lydia, I fear you have a remarkably shallow nature.' She swept out of the room and I called for Adelaide to place the royal necklace around my neck. I wore a gown of the palest grey lace over pink silk. All pretence of mourning had vanished since the
soirée
at the Royal Pavilion. In Bath I told everyone that I had been widowed for some years.

My friends managed to assemble a reasonable crowd of people for the gaming. A few members of the
ton
needed a little persuasion to part with their money with the degree of abandon common in the capital, but Lord Finchbrook and his party encouraged them and the brandy and wine began to flow.

I urged everyone to wash away the taste of spa water, and casually lowered my bodice. Things began to liven up immediately and large amounts of money changed hands. Selena and I agreed to take turns to visit our other guests. Thank heaven for sturdy doors that kept in the noise from the gambling room. The fact that most of our neighbours were elderly and in various stages of decrepitude worked to our advantage; their hearing was none too sharp.

My eye fixed on a Mr Charles Lennox who was reputed to have an income of ten thousand pounds per year, as much as my dear brother-in-law. Selena and I tried our womanly wiles upon him without success. I wondered if he might prefer Miles's attentions. Society is full of depravity and Mr Lennox's arrogance needed puncturing.

I circled the room, leaning over shoulders, cooing encouragingly and trying to glimpse the cards. Mr Lennox was not fooled. He carefully blocked my view. I had to admit that he was a handsome fellow – dark haired, straight of nose and broad of shoulder. It was unseemly to be so wealthy, so attractive, yet impervious to womanly charms.

‘Offer him some game pie,' Selena whispered, ‘it might distract him.'

I procured a plate of pie and surreptitiously laced it well with black pepper. Mr Lennox took a large mouthful and fell into a paroxysm of coughing and spluttering. Coins, notes, food and drink scattered across the table as Selena and Miles ran to offer assistance. In the confusion I was able to rearrange some cards to our advantage. I slipped from the room as Miles poured champagne down the throat of the unfortunate man.

I fortified myself with a little more champagne and remembered to hitch up my bodice before opening the door of the other salon. A discreet hum of voices abruptly stopped and several pairs of eyes regarded me with alarm. I looked down and realised that I had pulled up my bodice on one side only, revealing even more on the other.

‘Oh, Mrs Wickham,' cried Sir Winthrop Meyers, ‘you must join us for a hand of whist!' His wife shot him a poisonous look.

‘Forgive me, sir,' I cried, ‘but I am a fiend at cards and I would not want to incommode you.' This speech was greeted with a puzzled silence broken only by a loud hiccough – mine.

‘We heard some commotion earlier,' said Lady Dorothea suspiciously. We did not realise you had other guests.'

‘Oh, that? Just Captain Caruthers meeting with a few old regimental friends. They can be a little unruly at times.' An expression of alarm crossed her ladyship's face.

‘Perhaps in the circumstances, dear husband, we should leave.'

‘Not until I have persuaded our fair hostess to play a hand with us.'

‘How can I refuse?' I found I was leaning against the door at this point. I must have taken more champagne than I thought.

The door opened a crack behind me and Selena whispered urgently. ‘Come at once, Lydia. There is chaos in the gaming room.' I backed out of the room waving my fan distractedly at the guests and promising to send in some refreshments. I rushed back to the gaming room, lowering my bodice once again and hoicking up a stray lock of hair. Adelaide rolled her eyes at me as she passed by. I found Lennox prone on the floor gasping like a fish.

‘I think he's dying,' declared Miles who was purple in the face from his attempts at resuscitation.

‘Nonsense! Give him
sal volatile
and take him out into the fresh air.'

Several people raised Lennox and began to drag him away. Overcome with heat and annoyance I took a few more sips of champagne realising that I had scarcely found an opportunity to play at the tables. I had turned my attention, a trifle unsteadily, to the remaining players when scuffling noises and raised voices reached my ears.

Selena and I rushed into the entrance hall just as our whist-playing neighbours emerged from the small salon ready to take their leave.

‘Will you not stay for supper?' Selena begged.

‘That was our intention,' replied Lady Dorothea icily. ‘But supper was not forthcoming.' We had been sabotaged by the servants. That same manservant threw open the front door triumphantly revealing the figure of Mr Lennox vomiting over the railings outside, assisted by Miles and Lord Finchbrook. Curled up on the bottom step was a figure I recognised with horror as Mr Getheridge.

The guests picked their way neatly through this scenario and I retreated back to the gaming room where I collapsed into a chair and finished off the champagne. I leaned my arms on the table and bowed my head in momentary despair. When I looked up a large cheese reproached me from its china dish in a way that cheese often does, especially the kind with holes.

Eventually Getheridge staggered into the room and sank to his knees in front of me.

‘For the love of God, madam, allow me to stay,' he begged. I stared at him in amazement. His clothes were dusty and covered with white smears. Even his face and hair had a curiously moth-eaten appearance.

‘You appear to have been savaged by demented pigeons, sir!' I remarked, giggling at my champagne wit. When questioned he would admit only that he had been set upon by footpads – an unlikely event in this quiet area. I asked him where he was staying but he evaded the question.

We gave him food and drink and he revived a little and begged to join the gaming. I was surprised because he had told me he disliked gambling. Selena and I exchanged worried looks as Getheridge played with feverish intensity. He had no money but as a banker he was considered good for any amount. After a few early wins, he lost heavily and was forced to withdraw. He collapsed in an inconsolable heap in a corner and we found him there after everyone had left and we were counting our winnings.

Miles wanted to throw him out but I was curious to hear the real story from our uninvited guest. Selena discreetly left the room and I sat beside him.

‘My dear, my dear, things are not going well for me,' he moaned.

‘Is this a matter connected to the prince's affairs?' I enquired. He nodded miserably. ‘That is but one thread in this complex tapestry of misfortunes. There is the matter of the bank. Its affairs are not in order. There will be … repercussions.'

‘And you will be held to account for them?' He nodded again and put his head in his hands.

‘What is the connection with Von Mecks?' I asked innocently. He started at the name and looked up. ‘I was the prince's banker and I tried to be of service in other ways.'

‘The emeralds?' He nodded again. ‘Unfortunately, criminal elements became involved and I was vulnerable to blackmail.'

‘Was Von Mecks murdered as a warning to you or to the prince?' This was an inspired guess on my part. Getheridge's eyes filled with tears.

‘Yes, I will have that man's death on my conscience always. I must pay the price. We will not meet again, my dear. It is best if you are not associated with me in any way.'