The Mandarin of Mayfair (10 page)

"Yes, but 'twas night. And foggy!"

"Not sufficiently so to conceal my ravishing complexion." Gwendolyn removed the black wig with care and handed it to Katrina, then began to spread cucumber cream over her unfortunate face. "My very ugliness was my protection, do you see? Even my brother was repulsed when he 'finished' me."

"So I should think!" Arranging the wig on a stand, Katrina said, "Though had Newby guessed you meant to take such risks instead of going to a masquerade party—"

"He'd likely have thought it great fun, and insisted upon accompanying me!"

Katrina did not admire Newby Rossiter, and she said dryly, "I think Gideon would not have shared that view."

"Heavens, no! He'd have straitly forbidden it. They are alike in face and form, my twin brothers, but they are very different men. And though I fibbed, Trina, 'twas a fib committed in a good cause. Newby was pleased to give me what I would need, and show me how to do it all. He is very good at theatricals, you know. When he was at school he was marvellous as Othello."

"Perhaps so, but if Gideon should find out what you are about, I think he would do more than 'mourn a mischief that is past and gone'!"

Gwendolyn chuckled. "Clever one! That is a quote from the Bard, I collect. Though I do not count my spying as having been a mischief."

"No. Far worse! A horribly dangerous risk for a lady to run. And—for what? We learned nothing!"

Gwendolyn put down the rag she had used to remove her "spots," and turned to her friend. The dark blue eyes were wide and strained, and the cheeks pale. "Poor dear," she said, patting Katrina's hand comfortingly. " 'Twas worse for you, having to wait here. But this was only the first time. We cannot expect to be lucky right away."

"I know, I know. I suppose I would feel better could I take my turn at watching. But my foolish eyes would betray me at once," Katrina said wistfully. "Which is just as well, for I am not brave, like you, and would be much too afraid to be out alone at night, much less daring to address strange gentlemen, and beg them to buy the nosegays."

"You must not name such a great gift 'foolish,' for God has given you very lovely eyes. And how could I manage without you arranging for the chair and helping me to slip out by the back stairs, and pretend I was gone to bed?" Gwendolyn squeezed her hand and said thoughtfully, "Besides, I did learn something. Though whether 'tis important or not, I don't know."

Katrina asked eagerly, "Tell me! No—do not. Begin at the beginning. Did you sell any posies? Did the gentlemen question your speech?"

"I spoke just as we rehearsed, and I think no one suspected. And I did sell some posies, though I was like to swooning when August came and—"

Katrina gave a hurriedly smothered shriek. "August? Oh, my heavens! Did he see you?"

"Oh, yes." Gwendolyn was warmer now, and she removed the blanket from her shoulders. "He tugged my chin up and looked at me." She giggled at the memory. "You should only have seen how quickly he drew back."

Awed, Katrina half-whispered, "You must have been terrified!"

"Well, I was rather frightened for a minute. But as you said, it was dark and foggy, and how should he suspect the poor little flower-girl was me?" She smiled faintly. "He bought one of my nosegays."

"He never did! You're teasing!"

"No. I swear it. In fact, he gave me that guinea."

Katrina frowned at the coin that lay on the dressing table. "The wicked rogue!"

"No. That was not his thought."

"It wasn't?" Katrina scanned the rather pensive smile curiously. "Then—whatever did he say?"

For a moment Gwendolyn did not answer. Then she said, "He was rather amazingly kind. He told me to go home." She took up the coin. " 'Twas a side of Mr. August Falcon I've not seen before."

"You'll see another side if ever he learns of this! And so will I. Lud, but I dare not think of it! Did anyone else buy posies?"

"Yes. An older gentleman I did not know. And one other." She frowned. "He was drunk I think, and rather horrid. But luckily, my chairmen came around the corner then, and I ran and he went reeling off."

"Oh! What an adventure! Did you see any rioters?"

Gwendolyn shook her head, and drew a little silver-chased pistol from the pocket of her ragged skirt. "But I was prepared."

Staring at the weapon, Katrina shivered. "Do you really think you would be able to use it? I am very sure I could not pull the trigger."

"I think if I just brandished it about, I'd not have to shoot. Gentlemen are always terrified to see a pistol in the hand of a female."

"Yes, but you might not be faced by a gentleman. Some of the rioters I've seen look more like savages."

"Well… in that event, I suppose I might really have to use the horrid thing."

Awed by such resolution, Katrina said, "Tell me what it is that you learned."

"Well, you know that they suspect Gilbert Fowles of being a member of the League?"

"Yes. Such a silly creature, too. Was he there?"

"He left soon after your brother arrived. And do you know, Trina, I thought it rather odd. No one seemed to be following August. But when Mr. Fowles left, I distinctly saw a man come out of the fog and slink after him."

They looked at each other uncertainly.

Katrina said, "It might have been one of Tummet's spies, I suppose. Or perhaps a pickpocket. Or even some ruffian Mr. Fowles had hired as a guard, with the streets so unsafe as they are."

"Hmm. Somehow, he didn't look like a pickpocket. And if he was a guard I cannot think he would have ducked into a doorway when Mr. Fowles glanced back, as he did once."

"That does sound odd. Do you think he was supposed to follow my brother and made a mistake?"

"Good gracious, no! Anyone who could mistake that scrawny Gilbert Fowles for August would have to be half blind! He has no grace when he walks, and the set of his shoulders is a far cry from—" Gwendolyn checked abruptly, then said, "I think I must tell Tummet about it."

Katrina's eyes opened wide. "How ever can you do that? He would be as horrified as my brother to know what you are about, and would tell him at once!"

"Oh dear, I suppose that is true. But if we ever do learn anything important, we shall have to pass the information along somehow. Gracious! I had not stopped to think of that. How very tiresome it is that the gentlemen are so selfish and always want to keep their adventures to themselves!"

It was peaceful in the book room on this unseasonably bright morning, and Gwendolyn hummed to herself as she perched on the ladder, riffling through the pages of a slim volume. She heard a familiar and loved voice, and glanced up, disquieted by the brusque tone.

"Yes, indeed, Pearsall. A relief to be rid of rain and fog for a change. I must see Mr. August at once… No, do not announce me, I'll go straight up."

There came the polite murmur of the butler's voice, then a shadow crossed the open door. "Gideon!" called Gwendolyn, setting her book atop the other volumes on the shelf.

Her brother's tall figure was briefly silhouetted against the pale sunlight that flooded through the dining room windows across the corridor, then he came striding in, smiling, and reaching up to lift her down.

"Cheerful sparrow!" he exclaimed, swinging her around and giving her a smacking kiss. "You're early abroad, and in search of knowledge, I see."

She clung to his arm, looking up lovingly into the face of this brother who was closest to her heart. "I wanted a book. And if August sees me in here he takes it for granted I am preparing to tease him about China again."

His laugh was a trifle forced. "And are you, scamp? You really should not, you know. 'Tis not as if he was family, and he has enough to bear on that suit."

"Most of which he brings on himself by being so impossibly proud and—Oh, never mind." She sat on the sofa. "Will you reach down the book for me, please, love? 'Tis so good to see you. Did Papa send you to fetch me home?"

"No. He's off to the shipyards." He retrieved her book and glanced at it curiously as he wandered over to sit beside her. "Cornwall? Has Falcon been telling you of his exploits out there? Or has Mrs. Armitage piqued your interest in her birthplace?"

"I've only met Jennifer Armitage twice. She is the sweetest creature. Jonathan must be very happy to have won her. As for August, he is close-mouthed as any oyster, and says only that the wind blew most of the hair from his head, and that Johnny almost got him killed, and that 'twas a great bore, except for when Johnny sailed an ark down the face of a sheer cliff!" She asked an amused, "Is there any least vestige of truth in it, Gideon?"

"Oh, yes. Though not quite in the way Falcon would tell it. 'Tis a long story, Gwen, but from what I hear, he did jolly well—for such a confirmed cynic. In fact"—he glanced to the open door and lowered his voice—"don't tell him I told you, but he saved Jamie's life."

Her voice squeaked with pleased surprise. "August did?"

Rossiter nodded. "Morris told me that he'd have been knifed in the back had not Falcon pushed him aside and dashed near taken the blade himself." His lips tightened. "As you may guess, Falcon says the only reason he did it was to make sure Jamie keeps alive long enough for their much delayed duel."

"You believe that?"

He said thoughtfully, "Its hard to guess what goes on in his head. He's a law unto himself, in many ways. Each time I think I know him a little better, he does or says something outrageous, and I am all at sea again."

"Yes, I know. But one cannot judge by what he says. Only by what he does. And—you do like him a little, Gideon?"

She was looking at him anxiously. He felt a stirring of unease. Falcon was such a damnably handsome fellow, but none of the ladies who had been so unwise as to give their hearts to him had for very long held his affection, and two were said to have gone into a most serious decline. He gave himself a mental shake. Falcon's conquests were without fail poised and dashing beauties, either married or widowed. The single maidens of Quality who had fallen under his spell had done so with small encouragement from him, and he likely viewed dear little Gwen only as his sister's rather irritating friend. Besides, Gwen herself had often said she'd no least interest in a romantical attachment. Poor mite.

Reassured, he smiled and answered, "Cautiously—yes, I have come to like him. Mayhap his loyalty to us has lasted only because he loves the excitement and danger of the game. At times his arrogance and cynicism make me yearn to strangle him. But he is high couraged and loyal, and has served us well, and I cannot but be grateful for that. Here." He passed the book to her. "I fancy this will tell you about the weather and some of the history of Cornwall. 'Tis a wild coast, I've heard."

"Yes." She looked at the book rather blankly, then said, "I was more interested in the people. They say many of the old superstitions still flourish down there. Do you know aught of them, Gideon?"

"Very little. Tio does, though. He has quite an interest in that sort of mumbo-jumbo. If you really want to know about it, you should probably talk to Jennifer Armitage when Johnny next brings her to Town. Now tell me about yourself." He touched her cheek. "You look a trifle wan. Too many late nights, naughty girl? Perhaps I should take you home!"

"Foolish boy. You know I seldom go to ton parties. Must I come home? Mrs. Dudley chaperones us, you know." He granted and looked dubious, and she went on quickly, "Katrina is very kind and presses me to stay here. She misses Naomi, I think, since you bewitched her into marrying you. And how thoughtless I am! How is my new sister?"

His gray eyes brightened. "Much better, thank goodness, and able to eat breakfast! I'd hoped to move her to Emerald Farm, but—well, the fire put an end to that, for now, at least. Still, I mean to get her out of London after you become an aunt, m'dear."

She said with real enthusiasm, "I can hardly wait!"

They both stood, and, hugging her, he said fondly, "Don't stay away too long, little Gwen. We miss you."

"And I you, dearest. Why are you cross?"

He was seething, but said blandly, "I had thought I was at my charming best. Alas, there is no pleasing—"

"There is no hoaxing me where you are concerned. You are properly into the boughs. Pray do not call him out for whatever he has done!"

He looked searchingly into her sweet face. "Would it distress you if I did, Gwen?"

"You know it would," she said pertly, but with an odd twist of the heart. "I value my brother."

"Oho! So you fancy me no match for him, do you? A fine family loyalty!"

Abruptly grave, she said, "You are more than a match for August Falcon on every suit but one, Gideon. If rumour speaks truly, he is one of the finest swordsmen in England. And you, my dearest, have a beautiful lady and a new little life to live for."

"And one or two other people I chance to care about," he said, laughingly. "But never fret, I've no intention to challenge the mighty warrior."

"Good," said Gwendolyn, walking to the door with him. "Then be so kind as to detain him for as long as you can."

He turned back, eyebrows raised. "Why? Gwen? I know that pixie look! What—"And with sudden suspicion, "Where is Katrina?"

"At the moment? I have no notion." She added with a twinkle, "Save that she is out riding. With Jamie."

"Lord save us all," muttered Gideon, and went up the stairs.

Tummet was gathering up newspapers in Falcon's private parlour, and when he saw Rossiter walk in, he said with a grin, " 'Morning, yer Guv-ship! I was just—er…" He knew that set to the firm jaw, and left the sentence unfinished.

Rossiter smiled, but jerked his head to the door, and Tummet said under his breath, "What a fright! Goodnight!" and took himself off.

Still wearing a dressing gown of quilted purple satin, Falcon sat at the mahogany desk in his great bedchamber, busily engaged in cleaning a fine holster pistol. He set the gun down and stood, smiling a welcome. "Just the man I need."

"What the devil d'you think you're doing?" demanded Rossiter, his voice clipped and angry.

Falcon's chin lifted and his eyes became bleak. He leaned back against the desk and folded his arms. "Is your eyesight failing? My occupation, I would think perfectly obvious."