The Duke's Dark Secret (Historical Victorian Romance) (3 page)

I have been in an agony of indecision and confused emotions since our last parting. I fear I have done you greater injury by not fully disclosing the entirety of the circumstances of my having come to know the man you know as Captain Howard Bannister. It can be difficult to know when to speak fully on such matters with a person who may hold great affection for another. However, I have determined I must speak with you in full.

I beg the privilege of a conversation with you regarding this matter.

With warmest regards,

George Mandeville

His titles were included, but she had the strange sense that these were a formality he felt obligated to include. Whatever his title, the man seemed more comfortable among commoners at the Roman Bath than among his own kind at the dance she’d been at.

The next morning before breakfast, after writing a letter to Frances and to a cousin in the North, she took up her quill and responded that she’d be delighted to meet with him (though she wasn’t) and that they could meet at Waverly Lodge that weekend. They might go for a walk in the country in the company of one of younger sister, if she were feeling entirely well again. His response was prompt; he would be there.

His carriage pulled up at the appointed, late afternoon hour and he arrived dressed appropriately for a walk in the country. After introductions were made to her family, Charlotte and her reluctant sister Margaret - Catherine was feeling better, but pretended otherwise - trailed behind them a decent distance, disinterested in what they had to say to one another. Charlotte expected that her sisters were intensely jealous, but felt she had no cause to be given the nature of his coming to call.

“It is a lovely day and you are charming company,” the Duke said after they’d exchanged pleasantries, “But I would tell you why I have come to personally discharge this information.”

“I am all curiosity.” Charlotte said, a rising nervousness within her.

“First, I must ask and I will inquire no further; you have no definite engagement with this fellow?”

“None at this time, I assure you.” She answered.

“And has he come to call upon you at these lodgings?”

“No. At all times, I have seen him in Bath itself. Why do you ask?”

Mandeville sighed. “Before his time in India and prior to his meeting his late wife in the subcontinent, I knew of this man through my sister, Evelyn. He seemed a decent sort at the time, respectful of my sister and attentive in all things. This was until the day I received a letter. I have it with me in my breast pocket, for I would not have you make any decision without definite proof of his character and intentions.”

“He wrote me indicating that he would make accusations of a nature that were both scandalous and embarrassing to my sister unless I settled on some definite sum of money for his silence. The accusations, I came to find out, were utterly false. Though he had arranged by some pretext to put her in a position that was compromising, no affront to her honor was managed. When confronted with the evidence, the rogue said he would make the claim regardless unless a portion of the previously demanded funds were released. I was- as you may well imagine- infuriated and demanded the right to a duel. But before I could send my correspondence, he had already taken leave of the country. By the time I had heard he had married, I thought the matter settled.

“That is,” he hastened, with a slight stridence to his voice, “Until I found he had returned to England. When I saw at once what game he was playing yet again at the Sedgewick’s dance, I was outraged. I renewed my challenge and awaited for him to respond. He has since informed me that he has taken ill, and that it stems from a war injury. I have inquired; the man was fit and taken no such injury.”

It was Charlotte’s turn to be disheartened. “I fear I have reliable word that his illness and injury are mere fakeries. He is a… a coward. It is hard to believe I’ve been taken in by such a disreputable man.”

“Please do not think for a moment that he didn’t see your beauty for what it was,” the Duke assured her, “and it takes away from your loveliness not one iota. Yet, I do think it was his intention to eventually try his hand at blackmail once more.”

“Then we must expose his nature at once!” She declared, but he shook his head in response.

“I can’t. Even an allusion to dishonor would stain my sister’s reputation, and I would not see that happen. She is affianced to a more honorable sort of man, well-recommended and an old friend of my own.”

“If he is truly honorable and a friend,” she reminded him gently, “He would understand and protest the nature of this monster. A man who preys upon women should be cast out of all decent places.”

“I may be able to do better than that.” He suggested with a twinkle in his eye. “I’d need your absolute agreement, for I would not have you in any doubt as to who he is. You may see from his own hand.” He showed her the letters, and she instantly recognized Howard’s signature swirling ys and gs.

“I consent. What do you have in mind?”

When he told her, she laughed out loud, startling her sister who had been staring off across the fields in her boredom.

*****

“Ah, another picnic. You do have such original ideas, Howard.” Charlotte suggested quite smoothly as she sat down on the nicely-trimmed lawn. Captain Bannister went through his usual pantomime of having difficulty in sitting, to which she didn’t comment.

“Damn leg.” He muttered, grimacing. “I fear that doctor you suggested was no use at all.”

“No? Pity.” She said with a shrug. “I thought it might help, is all. Tell me again what’s the matter? Something to do with a war wound.”

“Yes, that’s right.” He breezily agreed, then did a double-take. “I- actually, I didn’t mention the war.”

“Oh, I had thought it was some such thing, a bullet or a lance or a bull goring you. I don’t recall.” She took a healthy bite from an apple and continued talking between the bite, very rudely. “Toughen up, dear! You are a soldier, aren’t you?”

Howard looked annoyed at this. “Yes, I suppose. You know, your attitude wasn’t quite so cavalier when last we met.”

“No, but you have been very cavalier, haven’t you?” George Mandeville stepped around from behind a thickly green bush, accompanied by Doctor William Scarborough. “You’ve been a bounder of the worst order, you vicious swine. If you have any sense of honor at all, you will show Dr. Scarborough your leg, or I will denounce you for the coward that you are!”

“I- I will not submit myself to this interrogation!” The man stuttered, backing away from them. Initially, he moved with fair agility until he remembered his leg, and then proceeded to wince. “This is an ambush!”

“Your war record indicates you wouldn’t know what an ambush was, or any other maneuver.” George mocked, walking slowly towards him. “But you will, I’m quite certain, learn a great deal more about service. I’ve had a word with your commanders, letting them know you are eager for action. They have been most agreeable in making certain you return to your duties abroad immediately, this time in Burma.”

“Burma?” The man blanched.

“Yes. I am given to understand you’ll be working in rather hazardous conditions. I wish you well of it. Now leave while you still can.” He demanded.

Howard looked over to Charlotte, who rolled her eyes. “Well, don’t let me keep you.” She suggested. “You probably have a day or two to try to swindle some other hapless girl. If it’s any consolation, my family are penniless.”

The man scowled and hobbled away, to the laughter of all three onlookers.

“Well played, your grace, well played.” The doctor said, enthusiastically shaking the man’s hand. “I think he turned white as a sheet!”

“I believe all credit is due to Miss Charlotte, doctor.” He said in return. “It was my idea to pack him off, but hers to ‘ambush’ the man, as he put it.”

“He hunts women in the public eye, I thought it only right to see to it that he be hung up by his heels in public. I am grateful that you were both here to observe and support.”

“Glad to do it, glad to do it.” The doctor confirmed. “I really must be off. My patients mustn’t be left waiting!”

Once he had parted from them, the Duke looked to the ground uncomfortably. “I suppose I should go as well. May I accompany you home?” He offered.

“Actually,” Charlotte said, standing close to him. “I could do with some shaved ice. It is a hot day and I wouldn’t mind the company of a more decent human being.”

He gladly offered her his arm and she took it. “Mistress Charlotte, it would be a pleasure.”

“But you must call must just Charlotte.”

“Just Charlotte? If you insist. And no ‘your grace’ with me, please.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it, George.”

*****

Summer passed, and by the fall visits between George and Charlotte became frequent and the talk of the town. It was widely expected by many, excepting Charlotte, that he would soon propose to her. It was the natural way of things, and as was common knowledge to all, courtship must fail or succeed, and success lead to marriage.

What was not so well known was how Charlotte felt about such matters.

It was during a row on the River Avon, that they tried once again to broach the subject of marriage.

“Charlotte,” He said as she lay in the boat, her hand trailing in the water as they floated along. “I must speak to you once more about my heart’s desire.”

“Marriage. I know this song too well, George Mandeville.”

“I know. You love me, but don’t wish to marry just yet. But when?”

She looked sad. “I don’t know. You have my heart, you know you do. But to rule over me as a husband does-”

“I would never do that.” He said. “I view you as a partner, a woman to share my life with. An equal. I know that is not the way most see marriage, but I view it as you do. We’ve discussed this.”

“How can I be certain?”

He took her hands in his. “Trust me, dear Charlotte. I will give you cause to regret it. Spend your days with me and we’ll do as you will. I am utterly lost without you, and each day I go home, I find it empty and drab.”

She considered his proposal seriously. “You would not object if I read? Often, and in great quantities?”

“I would expect nothing less.”

“And my friend Frances, she could visit as often as I pleased?”

He nodded. “Without so much as a moment’s notice.”

She leaned in and closing her eyes tightly, slowly shook her head. “Ask me.” She whispered so quietly she almost couldn’t be heard.

“What?”

“Ask me. Ask quickly, before I change my mind.”

He cleared his throat, unprepared. “I haven’t a ring, but- I- Charlotte, will you marry me?”

“Yes.” Then throwing her arms around him with such excitement that they almost overturned the boat, she cried out again, “Yes!”

###

Charlotte felt uncertain looking at the bed. Her wedding day had been a day of supreme excitement and joy. Everything within her was alight with the certainty that she had married the right man, a man who loved her. There had been a great deal of time to get to know one another, to determine if they shared the same interests and outlook on life. Yet, she felt a degree of worry.

“I have something to confess, dear.” George told her with a smile.

Oh oh. This couldn’t possibly anything good. “Yes, dear?”

“Men, at my age are expected to have some experience in these matters. I will tell you in all honesty, this is a new undertaking for me.”

She was surprised to hear that indeed. The Duke, in his college years, had been rumored to be a ladies man prior to inheriting his current responsibilities.