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

Sir Anthony shot his friend a quick look. Jules enjoyed play as a rule,although he never lost his head,

but he was looking unwonted seriousthis evening.

When D'Evron rose from the piquet table he found Julian Carlton waitingto catch his eye. He nodded imperceptibly and the two men walkedtogether out of the salon. "You have business with me?" the chevalierasked in a low voice.

"D'ye care to accompany me to my lodgings? I've an excellent brandy."

They walked through the streets in silence, each deep in his ownthoughts but both aware of nighttime dangers. They carried swordsticksand walked in the center of the narrow lanes, eyes alert for footpads.

"Cognac, D'Evron?" Julian's lodgings were comfortable, bespeaking theaffluence of a young bachelor who had never had to concern himself withincome. D'Evron accepted with a gracious bow and looked around thewell-appointed sitting room. They had been greeted by an elderlymanservant who had accepted his dismissal with the dour injunction thatHis Lordship not dip too deep into the cognac. Julian had merelylaughed and explained, as the chevalier had already guessed, thatGraves had been with him since he was in short coats. They were a luckybreed, these English aristos, the chevalier reflected.

"You wish to talk to me of Danny, Lord Julian?" The chevalier was somefifteen years older than his

host and judged it were time to initiatematters.

"Of Lady Linton, yes," Julian stated in dignified accents.

The chevalier showed no signs of discomfiture at this frozen reprimandand Jules sighed. "She has told me the whole, D'Evron, and it will notdo. She went to the Eastgate alone this afternoon in a common chair . .. If Linton were to hear of it." Julian shuddered. "It is dangerous,chevalier, and you must cease to involve her."

"It is, indeed, dangerous." D'Evron sipped his cognac. "However, mylord, Danny is more than capable

of handling such dangers. I have seen her do so."

Julian thought of the pistol. "That may be so, but prowling around thebackslums rescuing indentured servants is no suitable activity for theCountess of Linton."

"Perhaps the countess should be allowed to decide that for herself,"the chevalier said quietly.

"If you did not involve her, that would not be necessary."

"On the contrary, sir. Danny is now so deeply involved of her ownaccord that there is little I could do

to prevent her. I freely admitmy initial guilt, but she now works alone. We communicate, certainly,but her name is now well known to those we serve and she may be calledupon without my knowledge. She does what she considers best."

"And Linton?"

"The earl's feelings are not my concern." D'Evron spoke firmly. "Dannyand I are equal partners in this venture and she takes her own risks.She would not have it otherwise and her presence is needed far too muchfor me to play careful courtier even if she were to allow me to do so.Maybe, you do not know her too well, my lord. I would not dare toattempt to impose limits on her activities."

"Linton would. And that is what concerns me." Julian refilled hisglass. "It is also what concerns Danny. Do I make any sense, D'Evron?"

"You do, but Danny will make her own choices. She knows what she isdoing and has chosen to deceive her husband. She is no naive chit,Julian."

"No, but she is young." Julian persevered, although he knew the battlewas lost.

"Young in years, perhaps, but not in experience." The chevalier placedhis glass on the table. "I sympathize, but there is nothing I can do.Danny has confided in you and what you decide to do with the confidenceis your decision."

"What the deuce can I do with it?" Jules exclaimed. "I'm not about tobear tales to Linton, although he'll have my hide if he ever finds out."

D'Evron smiled. "And mine also, I fear, my lord."

"Yes, by God." Julian refilled their glasses gloomily. "Let us drink toconcealment, D'Evron."

It was a most dissatisfied Lord Carlton who retired to bed somewhatunder the hatches in the early hours of the morning. If Danny could bepersuaded to accept his protection on her missions of mercy then maybeall was not lost, but his powers of persuasion seemed lamentablylacking these days and his cousin-in-law was a damnably stubborncreature.

Chapter 12

"I do not quite understand you, Beatrice." Danielle looked at hersister-in-law directly, her eyes hard

and cold.

Lady Beatrice dropped her own gaze into her satin lap. But she was hereat the instigation of Mama and must do her duty by her brother's wifehowever unpleasant that duty. "Danielle, my dear, I wish merely to putyou on your guard. It is best that you hear these things from a memberof your family than from

a gossip's tongue. Mama feels that if you areaware of what is being said about Linton then you will be better ableto ignore it. It is not unusual, my love, and the wise wife turns ablind eye. If you react in public, it will be considered disgracefulwant of conduct."

"You mean, I take it, that should someone be so kind as to inform methat my husband has taken up

with his former mistress, I might scratchthe cat's eyes out. You would be right, my sister." Danielle smiledsweetly—a shark's smile that caused Lady Beatrice to fear for her owneyes. But incautiously

she persevered, mindful of her mother'sinstructions.

"Danielle, you must not take it hard. Justin is a great deal older thanyou; it is not to be expected that he will live forever in your pocket.A man has needs that a wife cannot satisfy, particularly a mere child.Why, even my own Bedlington has his little adventures." She laughedairily. "They do not worry me."

"If I were to be bedded with Lord Bedlington, they would not worry me,either. I should be glad of the respite,"