Midnight Bride (47 page)

Quickly Elizabeth made her way to her suite, stopping only once to give her maid orders. She opened the door and hurried in. As she had suspected, Dunstan was there. "I thought you would never get here," he complained as he took her in his arms, letting her feel how badly he wanted her. "Will anyone else disturb us?"

"No." She let herself relax against him, her arms clasped around his waist.

"Has
Cecile
gone?" he asked with a wary look on his face. His hands were busy with the hooks on the back of her dress.

"Yes." She pulled his shirt free of his pantaloons and ran her hands up his sides. The hooks undone, he slid the dress from her shoulders. "
Ummm
," she murmured quietly as his lips explored her breasts. Together they walked toward the bed,
each intent
on the other.

As they lay beside each other sometime later, Dunstan whispered, "I love being with you." Elizabeth felt a pang. For a moment she had thought he was telling her he loved her.

She bit her lip and then smiled. "I love being with you too," she whispered back. Dunstan hugged her close, wondering why her words brought him so little happiness.

January became February. Charles, though not pleased at being posted to London, had written Elizabeth. She was to tell
Cecile
that his dances were his. Any attempt to alter the plan would be met with the fiercest resistance. And he would see her in London soon. The first letter was followed closely by a second and then a third.

Other letters arrived from town with the news of the latest royal scandal, this time involving the Duke of York and his former mistress, Mary Ann Clarke. "Damn woman. No sense," the earl complained. "Sat in a carriage with his enemies and told about arranging promotions for those who were willing to give her a commission. Suppose she thought talking would get her an allowance.
Stupid, both of them.
Did she hope to win him back by betraying him to his enemies? May be a brilliant leader, but the Duke of York deserves whatever they do to him.
Criminal fool for getting involved with Mary Ann Clarke in the first place.
And those damned love letters. Sound like a lovesick fool. He should have had more sense.
As bad as his brother!"

"What will happen? Do you think the duke knew what was happening?" Elizabeth
asked,
her hazel eyes gigantic with surprise.

"That is what Colonel Wardle has proposed to find out," the earl explained. "The Opposition plans to get as much out of this dirty linen as they can." He stood up, the London newspaper in his hand. "Can't understand how the Commons got hold of this. Someone looking to make a name, I suppose.
Should have been handled in the Lords.

Then we would see if it were spread over the blasted papers."

"Can you be ready earlier than we planned?" Dunstan asked Elizabeth. His face was worried. "I would like to be closer at hand during this." She looked from one serious face to another and nodded. Then she hurried from the room to find Mrs. Finch and give her the news. Before the next day was over, the First coach of supplies and linens made its way toward London.

Later Elizabeth sat in her morning room going over the last few details with Mrs. Finch. "And you will send a messenger with capons and trout at least once a week. When the peas are ready, send them in quickly. And the strawberries," she added, covering her yawn with her hand. "Pardon me," she said and then yawned again. Because she was determined that all the plans for redecorating be complete before she left for London, Elizabeth had been rising earlier each morning, ignoring Dunstan's protests as she stole from his arms. Mrs. Finch looked at her with concern, noting the dark circles under her mistress's eyes.

"You have worn yourself out, my lady. Perhaps you should rest now. We can finish this tomorrow," the housekeeper suggested. Elizabeth agreed and made her way to her bedroom.

She was asleep when Dunstan found her. Startled, he just stood there for a moment and watched her sleep. Her reddish brown curls that he loved to run his fingers through made a splash of color against the crisp white sheets. Dressed in a soft white wrapper, her face and hair were the only spots of color in the white bed. He looked at the dark circles evident even under her lashes, acknowledging that he had helped to put them there. He looked at the letter in his hand and then at her. "Elizabeth," he said quietly. She stirred but did not awaken. "Elizabeth." This time his voice was louder. She opened her eyes slowly, confusion evident in her eyes. "Wake up, Elizabeth," he said as forcefully as he could.

Finally she was awake. Noting the somberness of his face and the letter in his hand, she asked quietly, "What is wrong?"

"We need to leave for London as soon as possible." He held out his hand to help her up.

"Why? Does Lord Seward need you?"

'"No, it is Charles." She lost the little color her face had had. Her hand went to her throat, and she tried to speak but could not. "He is somehow involved in the scandal surrounding the Duke of York."

"Charles?" Elizabeth took a deep breath and sank to a chair, too weak to stand.

"Your stepmother has written asking that we come immediately."

In the hours after Lady
Ramsburg's
letter arrived, everyone worked frantically, trying to compress several days' tasks into one. By evening they were exhausted. As they met shortly before supper, one thought was uppermost in all their minds. "How did Charles become involved? He does not run in the duke's circles. Why is this happening?" Elizabeth asked. Accustomed as she was to her younger brother's reckless behavior, she could find no logical explanation for the situation.

Both of the gentlemen tried to soothe her. "Damn scandal mongers.
Trying to drag everyone down to their level.
Just like the Commons. Probably a mistake," the earl said, patting her on the shoulder.

She exchanged a glance with Dunstan, her face shadowed. "Mama does not make mistakes like that. Nor does she look for problems where none exist. If she asked us to return to London, the situation is serious." She looked at Dunstan for confirmation of her facts.

"A most unflappable lady, Grandfather.
Look at the way she handled the problem of Charles's commission," he said, his face very thoughtful. "If she says there is a problem, we should believe her." He frowned. "That commission . . ." He and his grandfather exchanged a somber glance.

"Think it is that serious, do you?" the earl asked,
his eyes on his grandson's face. Dunstan nodded. "Suppose I must come to London as well.
Pleasant young man, that Charles.
Might be I have a few friends who would help."

"Oh, Grandfather, would you really come?" Elizabeth asked as she hugged him.

Never one to show much emotion, he stepped back and nodded.
"Won't slow you up, though.
Get things in order with my agent, the planting and all that. Then I will follow in a few days." Dunstan clapped his grandfather on the shoulder, happy to have his support. He had been trying unsuccessfully for years to get the earl to visit London for longer than a week or two at a time.
"May even take my seat in the Lords while I am there.
Lord
Ramsburg
said he could use my help.
Opposition rather strong.
The Prince of Wales has no more sense than his brother."

When Elizabeth and Dunstan left the next morning, most of the household turned out to say goodbye. Mrs. Finch, her hands filled with her reminders, nodded as Elizabeth gave her last minute instructions. "I will join you as soon as I can," the earl promised. "Tell the young rapscallion to keep his chin up." He shook Dunstan's hand and then smiled at Elizabeth.

She kissed his cheek and started to climb into the carriage. Then she hurried back. "Grandfather, see
Cecile
before you leave. Tell her what has happened.
I
meant to write, but did not have the time. If she and Charles have already made plans, she may want to change them."

"I
will," he said quietly. "But didn't
Cecile
say that she never wished to see Charles again?"

"That was before Lady
Ramsburg
kept him from going to the Peninsula," Dunstan added dryly. "Charles said they had an understanding."

"Hmmm.
I wonder if her grandparents know about this," the earl said. He helped Elizabeth into the carriage, clasped Dunstan's hand once more, and watched them drive away. When he turned to enter the Hall, his face was grim.

In the traveling coach, the atmosphere was equally somber. Both Dunstan and Elizabeth found the long hours breeding grounds for fears. What would happen to Charles? For Elizabeth too, there was the constant worry about Dunstan's work for the government. Would being in London mean she would see him less. They sat next to each other, only their hands touching, lost in their own thoughts for a long time. Then Elizabeth sighed. "What is it?" Dunstan asked, pulling her closer.

Her heart raced as it always did when she was close to him. Then she smiled at him and shook her head.
"Nothing."
She put her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. Exhausted from her activities of the last few days and the worry that had kept her sleepless the night before, she drifted off to sleep. Dunstan put his arms around to hold her in place as the coach bumped over another stone. Then, his head resting on her hair, he too drifted off to sleep.

Unlike the previous journey when they had laughed and loved their way to the Hall, this one was rapid. Pausing only for a quick meal and a change of horses now and then, they traveled late into the night. As a result, by the time the sun had set the next evening, they were in London. Dunstan handed Elizabeth out of the carriage. He stretched, enjoying the release from the jolting of the coach. As they walked into the house, he asked, "Do you wish to see Lady
Ramsburg
tonight?"

Elizabeth
shook her head. "It would take too long to find her. By the time we changed and dined, she would have gone out for the evening." She stopped, her face horrified. "You do not think she would avoid the
ton,
do you?"

"No. You read her letter. She was worried but not in despair. But with London so thin of company still, it should not be hard to discover her. Is that what you want?"

"We can see her in the morning." She took off her bonnet, handing it to a waiting footman.

"I suppose I could go to my club and try to find out what is known there," he suggested almost against his will. All he really wanted was a bath and a good supper.

"Not tonight," Elizabeth pleaded. It was all the encouragement Dunstan needed. He nodded. "Have our servants arrived?" she asked the butler, who was waiting for orders.