The Husband Season (15 page)

‘Would you? Oh, that is kind of you. Isn’t that kind of him, Sophie?’

Sophie had not recovered from the sensation of being held in his arms and was wishing he had never let her go, for now she felt unsteady and isolated once more. ‘Oh, yes,’ she managed to say. ‘But we are keeping his lordship from other matters more important to him.’

‘Nothing that cannot wait,’ he said. ‘I will locate Mr Cavenhurst and bring him home to you.’

‘And if you cannot find him?’ Sophie queried.

‘Then I will come back and tell you so. Had you planned to go out this afternoon?’

‘Only for a carriage ride and a little shopping,’ her ladyship said. ‘We can easily postpone that. This evening we were all going to the opera.’

‘I hope to have him back with you long before then.’

Adam left them to set about his errand. Ten to one the young man was at one of the clubs getting more heavily into debt. He had had an uncle on his father’s side who had the gambling fever and he knew what unbridled gambling could do to a family. They had lost their house and all their assets, and in the end the man had killed himself. Adam had been looking after his wife and daughter ever since. It was the innocent who suffered most in such circumstances. He didn’t want Sophie to have to endure anything like that, though how the fever could be cured he had no idea.

Deciding he would do better on foot, he left both horses at the livery stables and made for St James’s where most of the gentlemen’s clubs were situated. Teddy was not at any of them. Toby Moore had not seen him and he was as anxious for him to be found as anyone. ‘He owes me and I would have my money,’ he told Adam.

‘You’ve no idea where he might be?’

‘No, and so I told the filly when she came here.’

‘The filly?’

‘His sister.’

‘She came here?’ He could not keep the surprise from his voice.

‘Yes, dressed in her brother’s clothes and her hair pushed under one of his hats. Very fetching she looked, too.’

He was shocked. Were there no lengths to which she would not go? Everyone knew that ladies—real ladies—did not go to St James’s and certainly did not try to enter the clubs. Whatever had she hoped to achieve? He pulled himself together. ‘She was looking for her brother, no doubt.’

‘No, she came to plead with me to give him time to pay his debts.’

‘I doubt you agreed.’

‘On the contrary, I said I would waive them—for a consideration, of course. She declined.’

He could only guess what that consideration might be. The thought of it sent his mind in a furious whirl of frustrated anger. ‘What do you take her for, Captain? She is a lady born and bred...’

‘Ladies have been known to fall from grace.’

‘Leave her alone. She cannot help you recover your debt.’ He paused. ‘How much is it, by the way?’

‘Five thousand seven hundred and sixty guineas.’

‘You fleeced him.’

‘Yes, I did, didn’t I?’ He was smiling with satisfaction, which made Adam want to punch his face. Brawling was not permitted in the environs of the club or he might have given in to the urge. ‘But then he deserved it. He was instrumental in severing a very lucrative partnership with my friend, Lord Bolsover. It lost me thousands, that did, and cost his lordship his good looks.’

‘That has nothing to do with Miss Cavenhurst.’

‘No, nor you, neither. I’ll thank you not to meddle in what don’t concern you.’

‘It does concern me.’

‘Oh-ho, that’s the way the wind blows, is it? I wonder what little Miss Malthouse will say to that.’

‘I will send a money order to your lodging tomorrow.’ His voice was clipped in an effort to remain civil. ‘Five thousand seven hundred and sixty guineas, I believe you said.’

‘Yes, but tomorrow it will have gone up another ten per cent. Interest, you know.’

That was extortionate, but he was not going to argue about it. ‘I will add another five hundred, but I shall require a receipt from you and an undertaking never to game with Mr Cavenhurst again. It would be better if you left town.’

‘I am not the only one. Teddy will soon find someone else to play with. There’s Reggie and Dick and Bertie Gorange. If you look in the betting book, you will find their wagers in there.’ He was grinning mischievously as Adam called for the betting book, which was brought swiftly to him by the manager.

He opened it and read: ‘Mr Edward Cavenhurst wagers one thousand guineas that Sir Reginald Swayle will not become affianced to Miss Sophie Cavenhurst before the end of July. Mr Cavenhurst undertakes not to try to influence her decision in any way.’ It was dated the first of May, well before Sophie came to London. Both men had signed it. There was another one relating to Richard Fanshawe and another with Lord Gorange.

He shut the book with a snap and handed it back. ‘How did that come about?’ he asked the manager.

‘They were playing cards and bemoaning their disappointment at being turned down. Each was sure they could make Miss Cavenhurst change her mind. They were making bets on it. It was then Mr Cavenhurst intervened to say his sister was too stubborn to change her mind and he would wager they would not succeed. They all took him up on it.’

He wondered if Sophie knew about that. ‘When did you last see Mr Cavenhurst?’

‘Two days ago.’

* * *

Adam spent the rest of the day in the search, but as no one who knew the young man had seen him, he concluded that Captain Moore had been right and he had gone home to Hadlea to lick his wounds.

He went back to Mount Street to tell the ladies of his failure. They were dressed for an evening at the opera. ‘Perhaps he has gone home to Hadlea,’ he said.

‘He would not do that without telling us,’ Sophie said. ‘Besides, he told me he daren’t tell Papa about...about...’ Her voice tailed off.

‘Has he friends in London with whom he might stay?’

‘I can only think of Sir Reginald and Mr Fanshawe.’

‘I asked them. They haven’t seen him.’

‘You told them he was missing?’

‘I told them I was looking for him and he was not at home. They did not appear to attach any significance to it.’

‘I think we should go to the opera as planned,’ Lady Cartrose said. ‘We cannot let the
ton
know there is anything amiss. We shall say he has been detained on business for his father. Besides, he knows we are going and may very well come to us there.’ She turned to Adam. ‘Do you go, my lord?’

‘No, I shall continue the search. I have not exhausted all avenues yet. I will come to you tomorrow.’ He had quite forgotten he had planned to leave London the next day.

Chapter Eight

T
eddy’s disappearance was so much on her mind that Sophie could not pay attention to the opera. When the interval came, their box was invaded by Reggie and Richard, followed soon afterwards by Lord Gorange, all vying for her favour, but she could not give her attention to any of them. And when Lord and Lady Martindale also arrived with Lucy, she felt she wanted to scream and run away.

‘Where is your brother?’ Lucy asked her. ‘I felt sure he would be here tonight and join us for supper afterwards. He promised to speak to Papa.’

‘Some business cropped up he had to deal with,’ Sophie said. ‘Perhaps he will join us later.’

‘Did he tell you...?’

‘That he had proposed, yes, he did.’

‘I am so happy. I did not need to come to London to find the man of my dreams, did I?’

‘So it would seem. I felicitate you.’ She tried to sound sincere and in any other circumstances she would have been pleased for them both, but at that moment all she could think of was that her brother had disappeared and very soon Lucy would have to be told.

‘What about you, Sophie?’ Lucy queried in a whisper. ‘Will you accept Sir Reginald or Mr Fanshawe? I cannot think you will entertain Lord Gorange, even though he is the richest.’

‘Is he? I didn’t know that.’

‘So Papa says.’

They were interrupted by the arrival of Mrs Malthouse and Cassandra and the box became very crowded. The Martindales took their leave and returned to their own seats to make room for the newcomers.

Cassie dragged Sophie into a corner. ‘What have you done with Viscount Kimberley?’ she demanded.

‘Done with him, Cassie? Whatever do you mean?’

‘You are scheming to take him away from me. You said you had no interest in him and yet you go riding with him for all the world to see. And without a chaperon. It isn’t fair, Sophie.’

Sophie did not see why she should justify herself, but Cassie was obviously furious. ‘He wanted my opinion about a horse he was thinking of buying.’

Cassie laughed harshly. ‘What do you know about horses that he does not?’

‘Nothing, but he wanted to know if I thought it would suit a lady.’

‘What lady?’

‘He didn’t say.’

‘Oh.’

Sophie watched her friend digesting this information and saw her expression change from anger and jealousy to bright expectation. She could only hope that his lordship really did intend the mare for Cassie, otherwise there would be tears. ‘What was the horse like?’

‘A beautiful brown mare. I envy the lady.’

‘Not you?’

‘Of course not me. Cassie, I have told you...’

‘I know. I’m sorry I doubted you. We are still friends, are we not?’

‘Of course.’

‘Where is the viscount tonight?’

‘I have no idea. Were you expecting to see him?’

‘I hoped he would join us in our box and have supper with us afterwards.’

‘No doubt he has business to attend to. I believe his visit to London is not all pleasure.’

‘You are doubtless right,’ Cassandra said after a little thought. ‘Everyone is returning to their seats. I must go. Will I see you tomorrow?’

‘I don’t know, Cassie. I will have to see what my aunt has arranged.’

Cassie left with her parents and Sophie resumed her seat to see the second half of the performance, but her mind was not on it. Her whirring thoughts went from her missing brother to Viscount Kimberley. Teddy, who in every other way was a well-balanced, sensible young man, was weak as water when it came to gambling. It was his only vice, but what a vice! Ought she to warn Lucy? Or Lord Martindale? But she knew she could not be so disloyal to her brother.

And there was Viscount Kimberley. Cassie was determined to catch him and seemed to think fluttering her eyelashes at him and talking nineteen to the dozen would win him. Sophie was sure it would not, unless the gentleman himself wanted it. Did he? Who was the mare for, if not for Cassie? Jealousy was something Sophie had never felt in her life before, but it was taking hold of her now. Her situation was hopeless, and Teddy’s predicament was making it ten times worse. Could she marry without love? Could she marry for money to help her brother? If she could, then she ought to choose the richest. Lord Gorange? She shuddered at the idea, but was it any worse than Jane agreeing to marry Lord Bolsover to save Greystone Manor?

She became aware that the curtain had fallen and everyone was applauding. Not a word or a note of the opera had made any impression on her poor, tired brain. She clapped with everyone else and watched several curtain calls before leaving with her aunt. They had arranged to have supper with the Malthouses and she had to endure more of Cassie’s chatter before they could politely take their leave and go back to Mount Street.

Teddy was not there and, according to the servants, had not been back in their absence. Neither had Viscount Kimberley. It was going to be a long, long night.

* * *

Apart from the gentlemen’s clubs there were coffee houses for the middling sort and even humbler gambling dens where Teddy might have gone to play and where he was not so well known. Adam spent the rest of the evening and most of the night visiting as many of them as he could. No one had heard of Edward Cavenhurst. He could have used a different name, so Adam fell to describing him. ‘Young, clean shaven, fair haired, a gentleman in his attire, though I cannot tell you exactly what he was wearing,’ he said. ‘So tall.’ He indicated Teddy’s height with his hand.

‘Too much the toff to come here,’ they said. Or, ‘I doubt he’d find the play deep enough here. Will we tell him where to find you, if he comes in?’

‘Tell him his sister is worried by his absence. Send him home.’

They laughed. ‘We will that.’

Some of the coffee houses were also debating societies and here the arguments could become heated. He was detained in one after the other until they paused long enough for him to ask his questions. In one he was dragged into a debate on the franchise and could not resist giving his opinion, which set them arguing again, and it was some time before he could broach the subject of Teddy. It was after he had left there and was wondering whether to go on with the search or go home to bed, that he realised he was being followed again. He deemed it wisest to seek more busy thoroughfares and go home to Wyndham House.

* * *

The next morning he called at Mount Street at the early hour of nine o’clock where he found Sophie sitting over breakfast alone. She should have called Bessie or one of the other servants to chaperone them, but they had gone beyond the need for such niceties. She bade him be seated and poured him a dish of hot chocolate. He noticed her hand was shaking and, judging by her pale looks, her brother had not come home.

‘What have you discovered, my lord?’

‘I regret to say nothing. I must have visited half the clubs and coffee houses in London. No one has seen him.’

‘Something dreadful has happened to him. He said something to me about being found in an alley with his throat cut.’ Her voice broke on a sob.

‘I can’t believe it has come that.’ He reached out and put his hand over hers. ‘Why did he say it, especially to you?’

‘He meant Captain Moore would do away with him.’

‘That is nonsense, Sophie, and you know it. Captain Moore is not a murderer. Why would he be? He has nothing to gain from such a cowardly act. Your brother should never have frightened you like that. It was very unkind of him.’ Her given name had slipped out without him realising it, but she didn’t seem to notice. He decided not to apologise for it.

‘He didn’t mean to frighten me. It was just that I was less than sympathetic and I am sorry for it now.’

‘Are you sure he would not go home to Hadlea?’

‘I am not sure of anything anymore. But I cannot think he would leave me in London by myself. How am I to get home?’

‘Do you want to go home? It will be my pleasure to take you, if you do.’

She raised tear-filled eyes to look up at him. ‘My lord, I could not ask it of you. There is Cassie’s come-out ball and...’

‘Damn Cassie’s ball.’

‘My lord!’

‘I beg your pardon. I should not have used such language.’ He paused. ‘Have you told anyone your brother is missing?’

‘No. Aunt Emmeline thought it best not to say anything, but we cannot keep it a secret forever. You know how gossip gets about. And I don’t suppose Captain Moore will hold his tongue.’

‘Leave Captain Moore to me.’

‘My lord, you have put yourself to a great deal of trouble on my behalf and I cannot let you continue.’

He smiled. ‘Who else will, if I do not?’

‘I shall have to look for him myself.’

‘Don’t be ridiculous. How can you?’

‘I am not ridiculous.’ She had enough spirit left to flare up at him.

‘I apologise. Of course you are not ridiculous, but you are under a strain and not your usual sensible self.’ He said it with a faint smile. ‘But you know very well you cannot go combing London on your own. Besides, he might have left town.’

‘Yes, I know. Perhaps I should send for Mark.’

‘What can Mark do that I cannot?’

‘I don’t know.’ She was in despair.

‘Sophie, it will take days for a letter to reach him and for him to arrange to come to town. I am here already and at your disposal.’

She was crying in earnest now; the tears were rolling down her cheeks. He could not bear to see her like that. He left his seat to kneel beside her chair and put his arms about her. ‘Don’t cry, my dear. We will find him and all will be well. And Toby Moore will not trouble him again.’

She sniffed. ‘How do you know that?’

‘I spoke to him.’

‘What did he say?’ She ought to pull away from him, stand up and move away, but she couldn’t. He held her too tightly and, besides, she did not want to.

‘He only wanted what he was owed. I undertook to cover it on condition he never played with your brother again.’

‘You! But why?’

‘I wanted to help.’ He paused. ‘The trouble is it will not cure your brother and he may, at this very moment, be gaming with someone else.’

‘He gave me his promise he would not.’ Whatever else she did, she would have to find some way to repay him. But a few thousand! How could she obtain that sort of money?

‘No doubt he did.’

‘You think he will not keep it?’

‘I have no doubt he meant it at the time.’ Gently he put her from him and resumed his seat beside her. ‘Sophie, I will continue to search for him, but I think the time has come to ask for help.’

Lady Cartrose bustled in at that point. ‘Good heavens, Kimberley, you here? And so early, too.’

‘I came to acquaint you both with the result of my search for Edward.’

‘And?’ She felt the outside of the chocolate pot, but it had gone cold. Tutting, she rang the bell for a servant.

‘I am afraid I was unsuccessful.’

‘Well, young men can be thoughtless sometimes. It is too soon to be alarmed.’ To the maid who had just entered, ‘More hot chocolate, Lilly, and more bread and butter. Conserve, too, if you please.’

Sophie waited until the maid had left and then said, ‘Aunt, it’s been three days.’

‘He’s doubtless gone into the country on a repairing lease. Isn’t that what young men do who have gone in over their heads?’

‘How do you know he has gone in over his head?’ Sophie asked.

Her aunt shrugged. ‘It is the obvious conclusion. I have seen him at the gaming tables. He can sometimes be rash in his bids.’

‘My lady,’ Adam said, ‘I have enquired at all the coaching inns hereabouts and as far as I can tell, he has not left on the stage or the mail.’

‘He could have asked someone to take him.’

‘True,’ Adam conceded.

‘Then we are at a stand,’ Sophie said.

‘Not quite,’ he said. ‘I know someone who is very good at tracking people down. He knows the ins and outs of the city and has contacts in places you would never dream of going. Will you let me ask him?’

‘What manner of man is he?’

‘He is an honest man who has served me well for years and he knows how to keep his tongue between his teeth.’

‘Aunt, what do you think?’

‘Let him try, if it means you will lose that doleful look,’ her aunt answered. ‘You cannot go to Cassandra’s ball looking like that.’

‘Cassie’s ball! You surely do not expect me to attend that?’

‘Why not? Augusta has put herself about for you and Cassandra is your friend. We cannot let them down.’ She turned to Adam. ‘You will be going, will you not, my lord?’

He looked at Sophie and smiled, knowing she was remembering his unflattering remark about the ball, and found an answering twinkle in her eye. She had not entirely lost her sense of humour. ‘Unless some catastrophe occurs, I shall be there. I will leave you now to go and speak to my man.’ He was still looking at Sophie. ‘Try not to worry.’

* * *

‘I think I will write to Jane and Mark, just in case Teddy has gone home,’ Sophie said, when he had gone. ‘I cannot write home directly because it would worry Mama and Papa, but Jane will tell us if he is at home and what reason he gave for leaving me here. In any case, Mark is coming to fetch us back after Cassie’s ball.’

‘I am sorry your stay has not been all you had hoped, child.’

‘It is not your fault, Aunt, and truly I was enjoying myself until Teddy got into such a mess.’ She gave a half-hearted chuckle that bordered on a sob. ‘Not so long ago he was chiding me for getting into scrapes and not behaving with decorum. I would give anything for him to be here doing that again.’

‘All is not lost, my dear. He will return looking sheepish, I do not doubt. There are still three days to go before the ball, and who knows what might happen before that is over?’

‘I might get a proposal, you mean? I don’t think that is going to happen, Aunt, unless it be from those I have already turned down.’

‘Are you still determined not to change your mind about them?’

‘I don’t know. I might have need of a wealthy husband...’

‘There is Viscount Kimberley, of course.’

‘What about him?’

‘Oh, Sophie, can you not see he loves you?’