Jane Feather - Charade by Unknown (howl and other poems .TXT) 📕

ready wit and sense of fun, but, in spite of herself-imposed seclusion from Society's larger gatherings, kept herselfwell informed as to the latest

ondits

and had considerableperspicacity. Justin

was intensely curious as to what had led her tosuch an indiscretion as last night's urgent message— something ofmoment, undoubtedly. Margaret was always the soul of discretion.

A lad ran to hold his horse as he dismounted outside the small prettyhouse on this quiet unfashionable street. It was a street for indigentwidows, young married couples, and young sprigs making their firstforays into society without sufficient means. Margaret was far fromindigent but had no wish for grandeur. She also had no wish for thegenteel seclusion of Kensington—who would visit her in Kensington? HalfMoon Street was both well placed and respectable, entirely suitable forthe retiring widow of a gentleman of respectable lineage and moderatefortune.

"Good day, Liza." His Lordship smiled at the maidservant who took hishat with a bobbed curtsy. "Is your mistress at home?"

"Abovestairs, my lord." Liza tried to hide her surprise at thisunexpected appearance. My Lord had not visited Half Moon Street in overa year and the reason for his absence was no secret to LadyMainwairing's household. Had he already tired of his bride?

"Will you not ask Her Ladyship if she will receive me?" Linton put uphis glass and examined the maid with a raised eyebrow, his voice gentle.

Liza blushed and made haste to her mistress's boudoir. Justin lookedidly around the small, well-remembered hall. Everything appeared inorder: visiting cards on the silver tray on the piecrust table, thesmell of beeswax and lavender that he always associated with Margaret'shouse.

"My Lord Linton. How delightful in you to call." Lady Mainwairingalmost ran down the straight staircase, hands outstretched in greeting.

Justin raised them both to his lips as he bowed. "Your servant, ma'am."

"Pray come into the parlor. Liza, you will bring the claret for HisLordship." She moved swiftly to the left of the stairs, Justinfollowing, and whisked into the bow-windowed parlor overlooking thestreet. "My friend, I am truly grateful. I have been at my wits end, orI would never have written to you in such a fashion."

Justin closed the door behind him. She looked drawn and tired and everyday of her thirty-seven years, her pale complexion unrelieved by thelavender silk gown. He felt only friendship and a deep regard for her."Tell me how I may help you, Margaret."

Margaret, if she had cherished any hopes of a lingering passion in hererstwhile lover's bosom, now relinquished them. This was not thecynical, world-weary lover of their past. He looked ten years youngernow that the full lips had lost their cynical twist and the blue blackeyes carried no boredom, only interest and more than a hint of humor.

"She is good for you, the little de St. Varennes," Margaret saidinvoluntarily. In earlier days, Justin would have responded to such apersonal comment with an instant stiffness and a sardonic set down. Nowhe simply smiled and Margaret gasped at the transformation. Before shecould say anything further, however, Liza appeared with decanter andglasses.

Justin took an appreciative sip, reflecting that Danielle would alsoapprove. It was a reflection, though, that had no place at the moment."How can I help you, Margaret?" he repeated.

"It is Edward."

"Edward?" Margaret's son, Justin knew. "Is he not at Oxford still?"

"He has been sent down." Margaret paced the room, plucking at hersleeve, her face averted.

"That is no great sin," Justin said, puzzled. "I was sent down myselffor a term ... a cockfight, as I recall, in my rooms," he mused with areminiscent grin.

"This is no prank, Justin. Edward has gambling debts that he cannotpay." Margaret looked at him directly, her face haggard as sheconfessed Society's one unforgivable sin.

"Can you not pay them for him?"

"I have done so, but it does not alter the fact that he is disgraced.He played beyond his means and had

to admit that fact. I settled hisIOUs but by then the damage had been done."

Justin nodded. Society would tolerate any peccadillo except oneinvolving honor. But Edward was young, young enough to live this down."He is but a babe, Margaret, and memories are short. If he remains outof town for the Season I dare swear that by next season all will beforgotten if he conducts himself well."

"But he is not prepared to do so." Her voice was low. "I cannot controlhim, Justin. His father would perhaps have been able to but Edward isbeyond my management. I ... I am greatly afraid that gambling

is in hisblood. He will have a respectable fortune when he comes of age, but notsufficient for . . . for this." She looked at him, the blue eyes widewith appeal and glazed with unshed tears.

'There is no fortune sufficient for the true gambler," Justin observedwith a frown. Too many families

had been ruined by that unfortunatepredeliction. "Is your son in town?"

Margaret nodded. "I do noi know exactly what is happening but I fearthe worst. He is a friend of Shelby's . . ."

"If he is running with that crowd, then you may as well consign him tothe devil," Justin interrupted harshly.

"Please . . ." she whispered.

"What is it you wish of me, my dear?" Justin strode to her and took thecold hands between his own. "You have only to ask."

"Will you . . . will you talk to him?" At the look of horror inLinton's eyes she went on hastily. "You

have much experience with theyoung, Justin. You seem to know just how to teach them to go on in theright way . . ."

"You refer to my guardianship of Julian?" Justin frowned.

"My cousin had his share of youthful high spirits, I grant you, butrarely went beyond the line of what is pleasing." He did not add thatLord Julian Carlton's