Sylvia Andrew (24 page)

‘We’ll come out of it,’ he breathed into her ear fiercely. ‘For God’s sake, don’t lose heart now.’

‘I have a number of…temptations for the jaded palate.’ The Countess was leading the men down the corridor. ‘What is it to be?’

‘We shall be guided by you, fair lady,’ drawled a hatefully familiar voice.

It was as well Marcus had firm hold of Francesca. She jerked up in terror and clutched his arm. He nodded slowly. ‘Coker,’ he mouthed.

‘Will it please you to come this way, milords?’

‘Hold hard!’ Another familiar voice. ‘Am I dreamin’ or what? Wasn’t that Carne I saw just now, Countess?’

‘You’re drunker than I thought, Freddie,’ said Lord Witham’s voice. ‘Carne? Here? Carne’s a right enough fellow, but he’s above being seen in a bawdy house—certainly not one with such a spicy reputation!’

‘Well, that’s what I would have said, Charlie,’ said Mr Chantry with alcoholic dignity. ‘But all the same…’

Francesca hid her face in Marcus’s shoulder. Her hands clutched the cloth of his coat in fearful tension as disaster loomed.

The Countess said with the merest suspicion of censure in her voice, ‘Is there something wrong, milords? Perhaps you would like to discuss the matter elsewhere? You must be disturbing some of my other guests. If you will follow me…?’

Her effort was wasted. Freddie said obstinately, ‘I’m sure I wasn’t mistaken…there’s something about the set of Carne’s shoulders. It was Carne, I’ll swear.’

‘Who is this Carne, milords?’

‘A man of unimpeached virtue, my dear
Comtesse
—or so we’ve been led to believe.’

The Countess gave a low, delightfully incredulous, laugh. ‘Unimpeached virtue is a rare commodity in
La Maison des Anges
. I doubt you’ll find your friend here, milords. But come, I can find you something much more exciting—a rare beauty from Constantinople, three years in the seraglio of the Sultan, trained in all the arts…The story of her escape is itself a fantasy. She lives along this passage to the left of us. Come, breathe in the scents of the East, milords, and succumb to her enchantments. If you will follow me…’

But Freddie was not to be distracted. ‘Later, Countess, later! You didn’t know Carne in the old days, before he came into the title, Coker. Not nearly so respectable then, eh, Charlie? Remember those parties, what? I say! What a lark if it was Carne! I’ve got to see! He was standin’ just down there somewhere…It almost looked as if he was tryin’ to hide…’ He suddenly shouted, ‘Marcus! I say, Marcus, old chap!’

‘Milords! Mr Chantry! You mustn’t! This is an outrage! That part of the house is not for guests. Hassim! Hassim!’

The Countess’ protests went unheeded. Freddie’s curiosity had been aroused, and he was sufficiently intoxicated not to care for anything else. Charlie Witham joined in.

‘Down there, you say, Freddie? Let’s go and see. Excuse me, Countess.’

To Francesca and Marcus, the moment was one of undiluted horror. In the next few seconds they would be exposed, not only to Coker, who had no cause to love either of them, but worse, to two of the biggest scandalmongers in London. Marcus pushed Francesca right back into the alcove. ‘
Stay here
,’ he said softly, but fiercely. Then he opened his cloak, loosened his cravat and stepped out into the corridor.

‘I heard the noise,’ he said languidly. ‘Is this the way to keep a house such as yours,
Comtesse
? I thought discretion was the keynote?’

‘Milord, forgive me. I don’t know what to say…’

‘
Carne!
It
is
you! Well, I’m blowed! So this is what they call important diplomatic affairs? Affairs! They’re affairs, all right!’ Freddie gave a roar of laughter. ‘Here to negotiate with the Sultan’s favourite, are you?’

‘Freddie. I wish I could say I was charmed to see you, but I really cannot do it. Do take yourself…and your two friends away. What a reputation you’ll give the English!’

‘Reputation! Well, that’s cool! That’s pretty cool!’ said Witham.

‘I hope you don’t think that yours will survive tonight’s revelation,’ Lord Coker said, smiling unpleasantly. ‘Even in London, one has heard of the infamous House of the Angels. It’s a surprising place to find the noblest peer of them all.’ His voice was full of malevolent satisfaction.

‘Oh, come, Coker! Don’t be naïve! We’re men of the world, I hope? What will it gain you to chatter in London about what I get up to in Paris? It’s not like you to be so childish.’

‘It’s hardly a matter for children. Or ladies—I wonder what Miss Beaudon would think of this?’

‘You know my views—or you should by now—on hearing Miss Beaudon’s name on your lips, Coker. I had hoped you learned your lesson. But surely not even you would soil any lady’s ears with tales of brothels and the like! I’m sure the Prince wouldn’t approve. Most ungentlemanly.’

‘These things have a habit of getting around.’

‘Well, well! I shall know who to blame if they do, shan’t I? Freddie? Witham?’

The two gentlemen named responded to the sudden menace in Marcus’s voice with eager assurances of their discretion.

‘You can threaten them out of it, but not me.’

‘You know, I’ve thought you many things, my dear Coker, but I never took you for a tittle-tattle before. Do your damnedest. The sticklers might disapprove of me for a while, but most of London will be amused—no more than that. Now, if you’ll excuse me…’

‘But why were you tryin’ to hide, Marcus?’

‘Freddie, you force me to be brutally frank. I didn’t wish to meet you. I was on my way to some delightful, but unfinished, business. And now, if you’ll excuse me…? Madame la
Comtesse
is no doubt anxious to provide you with some delights of your own. Goodnight, gentlemen!’

Marcus watched as the Countess ushered the three men
down the Harem passage, then stepped back into the alcove. He let out a deep sigh.

‘Marcus! Oh, Marcus!’ Francesca clutched his arm.

‘Wait! We’re not quite out of the wood yet.’

‘But I didn’t know…What…what would happen if they found me here?’

Marcus’s silence was eloquent. Then he said grimly, ‘They won’t. They mustn’t. Let me help you put that veil on again. We must get out of here while we can.’

‘I’m sorry, Marcus.’

He looked as if he was about to say something severe, but then changed his mind. ‘The veil,’ was all he said.

Francesca looked up at him and put her cheek against his. ‘Thank you,’ she said. ‘Oh, Marcus, I do thank you.’ His arm tightened round her, but after a moment he put her away from him, and arranged the veil over her face.

‘This is not the place,’ he said. ‘Let’s get away from
La Maison des Anges
, and tomorrow I’ll arrange for Maddy to come with us to England. Ready?’

Francesca lifted her head. ‘Ready,’ she said.

F
rancesca’s carriage was waiting for them in the mews behind the house. They reached it without further incident, climbed in, closed the blinds and set off for the hotel. But just before they got there Marcus told the coachman to stop.

‘I’ll get out here,’ he said. ‘You mustn’t be seen tonight in my company. Indeed, you should not be seen again in Paris. There’s always the chance that Coker or one of the others might catch sight of you, and that would never do. Stay indoors till I get in touch with you.’ He looked at her. His face was as stern as she had ever seen it. ‘I will say nothing about tonight’s escapade. Knowing you, it was fairly predictable. But I don’t think I need tell you that the consequences could have been severe indeed.’

‘I know,’ Francesca said miserably.

His expression softened slightly. ‘Don’t look so cast down, Francesca. I think we have avoided detection. But you must now do exactly as I say until you are safe in England again. I shall not come to your hotel myself, but will contrive to send messages daily. And I will engage to have Maddy here as soon as she is fit to travel. Meanwhile, you will keep to the confines of the hotel. Do I have your promise?’

She nodded, unable to say a word.

‘Good! Then I will bid you goodnight.’

‘Goodnight, Marcus,’ she said. Her manner was still subdued.

He sighed and said ruefully, ‘You know, I find all this docility very alarming. I had expected at least a token resistance.’

‘No doubt I shall eventually come about,’ she said bitterly. ‘But I begin to despair that I shall ever behave as I ought in any matter where you are involved.’

‘The answer lies in your own hands, Francesca.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Oh, no! I am not about to embark on any discussion or argument. Not here, not now. But some time you may like to reflect on our long acquaintance and perhaps view it in a different light. As I have. Goodnight.’

He bowed, had a short word with the driver and groom and was gone. The carriage started up again. Francesca pushed the blind aside and stared out, following the tall, lithe figure with her eyes until it disappeared into the darkness. Then she sat back, suddenly indescribably weary.

What had Marcus meant? Her behaviour tonight had been enough to give any decent man a disgust of her. She felt sick with horror at the thought of how Coker and the others would have behaved if they had seen her in that dreadful place. Thanks to Marcus, that danger had been averted, but what did he now think of her? His words had been enigmatic—in what ‘different light’ did he view her now?

These thoughts and others, equally tormenting, kept her awake for most of the night. Even the knowledge that she had found her beloved Maddy failed to comfort her. But the next morning, though her spirits remained low, she set herself to maintain a brave front before Madame Elisabeth and to behave with all the circumspection that Marcus had advised.

As Marcus walked back to the Embassy he was equally heavy-hearted. He had saved Francesca from disgrace, but
only at considerable cost to himself and his mission. His work in Paris was now irretrievably compromised, and only one course remained open to him. He did not relish his forthcoming interview with Sir Henry, but was determined to seek him out and inform him of the night’s developments before anyone else could tell him.

The subsequent interview was every bit as painful as Marcus had expected. Sir Henry was famous for his patience and tact in dealing with representatives of other nations, but he did not waste either on his subordinates. Marcus was called every kind of fool in language that was as forceful as it was picturesque. He knew better than to offer any defence. Though in his own mind there was no question that he had acted in the only possible way, he could hardly expect Sir Henry to understand that.

‘It’s a damnable matter altogether! You know as well as I do that if anyone hears of this visit to the Countess Rehan’s place, neither the French, nor any of our Allies, will trust you again.’

‘I have thought of little else for the past two hours, sir. And though I did my best on the spot, it would be foolish to hope that Coker and the others will not spread the story—the tale of Lord Carne’s lapse from virtue is too tasty a morsel.’

‘Your personal reputation is your own affair. You could have visited all the bordellos in Paris every night for a month for all I care. But one of the most notorious centres for Napoleon’s supporters in Paris! Why the devil did it have to be
there
?’

‘Unfortunately—’

‘Unfortunately!’ roared Sir Henry. ‘You ruin some of the most delicate negotiations we’ve been involved in for years, and you call it
unfortunate
! It’s catastrophic, man!’

Marcus gritted his teeth. ‘The consequences for Miss Beaudon could have been catastrophic, too, Sir Henry. She had to be rescued. But I am not belittling the quandary you
and the rest of your staff are now in as a result. I deeply regret the necessity for my actions, and hope you will accept my immediate resignation from the mission. You shall have it in writing tomorrow.’

‘I’ll have it in writing tonight, Carne! Tomorrow the vultures may well descend on me. But no resignation is going to save this situation. Unless…How would it be if I saw Coker and the others myself? Explained the situation…’ When Marcus hesitated he said impatiently, ‘Well? Don’t just stand there, tell me what you think.’

‘Witham and Chantry are amiable fools. I think you could persuade them to say nothing—for the time being at least. Long enough for the effect to be diminished. But Coker…’

‘Coker’s a gentleman. I’ve never heard that he’s unpatriotic. Fought at Waterloo, didn’t he?’

‘With some gallantry. There’s nothing wrong with his courage. But…he has a personal animosity towards me, which might impair his judgement.’

‘Balderdash! I’m surprised at your suggesting such a thing, Carne! No man of Coker’s standing would indulge his own feelings at the expense of his sovereign’s best interests. D’you doubt my ability to put it clearly enough? Is that it?’

‘Of course not, sir.’

‘Well, then. That’s it. I’ll send someone to fetch the gentlemen concerned as soon as they are…er…free. What the devil are you looking so doubtful about?’

‘I wish you every success, Sir Henry. But…if Coker won’t cooperate—’

‘I’m sure he will!’

‘But if not,’ said Marcus desperately, ‘then there’s only one thing left for you to do.’

‘What’s that?’

‘You’ll have to disown me, vilify me. Say I’m in disgrace.’

‘Don’t be a fool, Marcus! I can’t do that to you! You may
have acted quixotically, but you’re not a double dealer! Dammit, boy! I’m not going to spread lies about you!’

‘You won’t have to,’ Marcus said with a grim smile. ‘Just say you’ve sent me packing, and refuse to discuss the matter. Rumour will do the rest.’

‘I can’t do that to you, Marcus.’

‘If Coker or the others do talk, it’s the only way you can save your own position.’

Sir Henry was clearly uncomfortable with the idea, but he, too, could see the force of Marcus’s words. ‘Let’s hope for the best,’ he said gloomily. ‘Write out that resignation and go to bed. I take it you’ll be leaving Paris tomorrow—or today, rather. It’s past midnight.’

‘I can’t guarantee that, but I’ll go as soon as I possibly can. I have my own reasons for wanting to be away from here.’

Sir Henry was a skilful and experienced diplomat. A cosy chat in the Embassy library, a few carefully prepared half-truths, with a glass or two of superb Burgundy, and in no time at all Lord Witham and Mr Chantry had been persuaded that it was in their own interest, as well as that of the country, that they forgot the episode in
La Maison des Anges
. As Sir Henry ushered them out he was well satisfied with his efforts. But when he turned Lord Coker was regarding him with a cynical eye.

‘They’re fools,’ he said, ‘to be satisfied with so little. If I’m to keep my mouth shut I want to know a good deal more than you told them, Sir Henry! How directly is Carne involved in these mysterious negotiations? Why is he so important?’

Sir Henry gave him a bland look. ‘Why are you so interested? Most people would regard the request as reasonable, without any further detail.’

‘Ah, but I have never been “most people”. I flatter myself that my friendship with the Prince Regent gives me greater distinction.’

Sir Henry filled Lord Coker’s glass. ‘This…friendship. Am I right in thinking it is at the moment under a slight cloud?’

Lord Coker smiled. ‘His Highness is sometimes forced to act in public against his private inclination. I shall return to London in the near future and you will see—he will receive me as warmly as ever. I amuse him.You may have confidence in me, Sir Henry. I shall have the Prince’s ear again in a very short time. Now, tell me why you are so anxious to protect Lord Carne. I should have thought he was well able to take care of himself.’

‘Hmm…’ Sir Henry paused for thought. It was obvious that Lord Coker was not to be put off. His claim that he would return to the Prince Regent’s favour was convincing. And there had been no sign of the animosity Marcus had spoken of. He made up his mind to be frank.

‘Confidence is at the heart of Lord Carne’s recent work for us…’ And Sir Henry went on to explain the delicate balance of the negotiations, the importance of Marcus’s known integrity, and the significance to the pro-Napoleon faction of
La Maison des Anges
.

‘But if Lord Carne knew all this, why was he in the place at all?’

Sir Henry was in a quandary. He could not possibly betray the girl Marcus had gone to such lengths to protect. He blustered, ‘How the devil should I know? Some woman, no doubt.’

‘And you are asking me to remain silent about a man who knowingly put all these important negotiations in jeopardy for the sake of a woman? A harlot? The story gets better and better, Sir Henry. You’ve dismissed him, of course?’

‘I didn’t have to. Carne resigned that very night. But if it were known that he had been seen in the
Maison des Anges
, the damage to our position could be enormous.’

Lord Coker’s interest was not in the government’s position. He said thoughtfully, ‘You would have to repudiate him instantly and publicly.’

‘Even that might not be enough.’

‘And people are so uncharitable. They would be bound to assume that he was guilty of much worse—double dealing, even.’

‘I sincerely hope not.’

‘You are being quite amazingly forbearing, Sir Henry. I wonder at you.’

‘My chief interest is in saving our reputation with the French. But Lord Carne has done much for us in the past. He does not deserve the universal condemnation which would follow if his…indiscretion were revealed. I think you can see the force of my argument?’

‘Oh, I can indeed, Sir Henry! I can indeed!’

Sir Henry Creighton was not a devious man. He accepted these words as an indication of Lord Coker’s good faith. But he would have been much less happy if he could have seen the smile of satisfaction on Lord Coker’s face as he left. He could not have known that he had just given Lord Coker a long-sought weapon.

It was two days before the Countess sent word that Maddy could undertake the journey to England. Both Marcus and Francesca greeted the news with relief. Francesca had grown heartily sick of the hotel and its small garden, but she had not dared to disobey Marcus’s orders. As for Marcus himself—he had spent two of the most uncomfortable days of his life, not excepting his experiences at Waterloo. At least during the battle he had been kept too busy to be aware of anything else. Here in Paris, he was forced to stand on the sidelines while others did what they could to save the situation. His patience was sorely tried as he suffered sidelong glances, conversa
tions that stopped suddenly whenever he came into a room and, worse than the rest, ribald remarks from one or two who had themselves paid visits to the Countess Rehan, men he had till now held in some contempt. Sir Henry was keeping his distance, but Marcus gathered from the few words they did exchange that the diplomat thought Coker would keep quiet. Marcus himself remained doubtful.

It was without regret that Lord Carne’s party, consisting of two travelling coaches and their passengers, left Paris early one morning before the rest of the city was astir. No one was awake to remark on the sight of Lord Carne escorting a sick lady and her friends to England, though one or two might have wondered at the noble lord’s hasty and discreet departure from the capital. Later, of course, when Lord Coker’s poison spread, they knew the reason—or so they thought.

The journey was uneventful but not particularly enjoyable. Marcus drove his own carriage and, since it was more comfortable than the one Francesca had hired, the three ladies travelled inside. The second coach carried servants and luggage.

Francesca spent a good deal of her time with Maddy, talking of the old days on St Marthe, holding her when they travelled over rough patches of road, and generally exerting herself to make the journey as comfortable as possible. She was glad to do it, but it was a strain—especially as she found she was not sleeping very well at night. At the last stop before they reached Calais, Madame Elisabeth looked at Francesca’s pale face and heavy eyes, and had a word with Marcus. As a result, Francesca was invited to travel outside for a while.