Page 5 of A Wicked Business (Wicked Sons #10)

My Lady,

It is with pleasure that I forward to you the deeds to the Print Shop at Number 2 Hosier Lane and the contract drawn up between you and Miss Ludlow. Please rest assured I remain at your disposal should you have need of me.

―Excerpt of a letter from Mr John Sampson, Lawyer, to The Lady Belinda Madox-Brown.

8 th July 1850, The Adelphi Theatre, The Strand, London.

Belinda fanned herself, too aware of a bead of sweat trickling down her back. The theatre was not as packed as it might have been, any member of the ton with any sense having abandoned the city for their country estates. Belinda thought longingly of their own estate, of the cool little brook where she had caught minnows as a child, and the apple orchard where she liked to take a blanket and a book. On a day like this she would be sprawled under the branches of a fruit tree in her oldest gown, reading happily, knowing she could go to bed with her windows wide open and the scent of the cool night air filling her room. Instead, she was crammed into one of her finest dresses, laden with jewels and breathing in the scent of too much perfume and too little soap.

Though she tried her best to concentrate on the performance of Genevieve or The Reign of Terror , her thoughts seemed as slow as treacle and she felt certain her brain was melting in the excessive heat. Beside her, her father seemed unaffected by the temperature, though she wished he wouldn’t snore so loudly, for it was terribly distracting and made people glance their way in annoyance. His companion, Mr Haversham, a man of perhaps thirty years of age and heir to a viscountcy once his father passed on, had spent far more of his time staring at Belinda’s cleavage than he had at the stage. As her father was sound asleep and in no danger of remarking her behaviour, Belinda returned her frostiest glare as his gaze drifted from her mouth to her décolletage once more, and back again and she applied her fan with increasing vigour. She determined to smack him with it if he had the temerity to take the empty seat beside her where Mrs Symmonds, a friend of her papa’s, had been sitting until a few moments ago when the intermission began. Having seen someone she knew and simply had to speak to, the lady had rushed from the box before Belinda could escape with her.

A rustle from behind her had Belinda turning in her seat, assuming the lady had returned, but to her delight, instead she discovered her friend, Lady Kilbane.

“Cat!” she exclaimed with delight, surging to her feet and rushing to embrace her friend.

“Oh, don’t touch me!” Cat exclaimed, pulling a face. “It’s too hot.”

Belinda laughed. “I know. It’s horrid. I wish we were anywhere but here.”

Hesitating, Belinda knew she ought to introduce Mr Haversham, though Lady Kilbane would hardly thank her. Respectable he might be, but also a crashing bore and not someone she wished to inflict on a dear friend. However, Cat saved her the trouble of agonising over the decision, for she took Belinda’s arm and practically towed her from the box.

“We must have some fresh air before we faint,” she declared, and Belinda could do nothing but follow her.

As they hurried away, she thought she heard Mr Haversham calling her name but decided it had been too faint to be certain and ignored it with relief.

“I shall fall on my face if you tug so hard!” Belinda exclaimed, laughing as Cat towed her down the stairs, muttering apologies as she jostled a gentleman carrying two glasses of champagne as he made his way back up the stairs.

“Lady Belinda!”

Belinda dug her heels in and jerked Cat to a halt as she found herself face to face with the gentleman she’d spent far too much of her time thinking about over the past days. Ever since Doris had told her of the way Mr Knight had gazed at her, she had wondered about the things Doris had said about him, and if perhaps she was right, and Mr Knight really would be fun. He seemed a rather serious man, driven by ambition and with little time for anything he must view as frivolous, but he had seemed to have a sense of humour too, a twinkle in those stunning green eyes that intrigued her.

He looked dreadfully handsome tonight, dressed all in evening black which flattered him enormously.

“Good evening, Mr Knight,” she said, wishing she wasn’t so breathless.

“Oh, Felix, good evening,” Cat said, belatedly realising who Belinda was speaking to. “Are those for us?” she demanded, giving Mr Knight an appealing look from under her lashes.

“No,” he said baldly. “So, there’s no use batting your eyelashes at me. Get that husband of yours to fetch you a drink if you want one so much.”

Cat scowled at him. “You’re supposed to be a gentleman, how can you leave two ladies on the brink of swooning when a sip of those delicious drinks would save us?”

“Easily,” he told her, before turning back to Belinda. “I beg your pardon, my lady. Cat and I have known each other since we were babies, and I know all her tricks. I hope you will forgive me, but my companion is expecting me back and—”

“Please, do not trouble yourself,” Belinda said at once, glaring at Cat, who looked entirely unrepentant. “I should not like your companion to go thirsty.” She smiled at him whilst feeling a sudden and quite unreasonable surge of jealousy towards whoever his mystery companion was.

Mr Knight hesitated, aware he could now take his leave, and then sighed. “Here,” he said, handing one glass to Belinda. “If you’ll excuse me.” With that, he left, hurrying back up the stairs.

Cat squealed, clapping her hands together. “Oh, well played, Belinda. Come, let us take it outside. Ciarán is there with Papa so it’s quite safe.

Belinda smiled at that understatement. Anyone thinking of importuning either of them with the Marquess of Montagu and the Marquess of Kilbane standing guard must be mad indeed.

“Ah, you found the poor girl then,” Montagu said, nodding to Lady Belinda as Cat dragged her outside. The air was still far too warm and muggy, but it was glorious compared to the stuffy heat of the theatre.

“Here, Catherine.”

Cat looked around as her husband handed her a glass of champagne. She took it and sent a wicked grin towards Belinda. “Well, I couldn’t help it. I was hoping to keep him from that dreadful woman he’s seeing at the moment.”

“What dreadful woman?” Lord Kilbane asked.

Belinda glanced up at him, a little nervous of Cat’s wicked looking husband and his outrageous reputation, despite everything Cat had told her about what a pussy cat he was. He looked more like a hungry panther that might eat you in one bite.

“The one Felix is seeing,” Cat said in an undertone.

“What have I told you about gossiping?” Montagu told his daughter, giving her a stern look.

“To save all the juiciest bits for you,” she replied tartly, making the stern-faced man’s strange silver eyes twinkle.

“Oh, you mean Mrs Norbury,” Kilbane said, regarding Cat with interest. “And who were you keeping from her, pray tell?”

“Only Felix, darling,” she said, patting his sleeve reassuringly. “I know he’s only passing the time with her, but still, she’s so… so…” Cat waved her free hand, apparently unable to come up with a word.

“It’s her laugh,” Kilbane said. “I think she would not be so abrasive if not for the laugh. Like a donkey, but then I suppose if Felix keeps her too busy to speak or laugh, perhaps she’s easier to take. She’s certainly got a magnificent—”

“Yes, thank you, that is quite enough about Mrs Norbury,” Cat said, giving her husband a playful rap on the knuckles with her fan. He grinned at her, white teeth flashing in the dim light.

“Who is Mrs Norbury?” Belinda asked in an undertone.

“A ravishing merry widow,” Cat said with a shrug. “And Felix’s latest chère amie. Don’t worry, they never last long. He’s too busy to pay them much attention and they usually give up on him once they realise they can’t hold his interest.”

“I wasn’t worried,” Belinda replied, perhaps a little too sharply for her own good, for Cat’s attention was immediately piqued.

“No?” she said, waggling her eyebrows at Belinda. “You never did tell me what that business you wanted him for was about.”

Belinda shook her head. “I can’t tell you. Not here.”

“Oh, very well. Meet me at Gunter’s tomorrow? We’ll have ices and go for a walk, and you can tell me everything.”

“I’d like that,” Belinda said, perking up. “It’s been so dreary in town.”

“Your darling papa is still trying to marry you off to some dreadfully dull man?” Cat asked with sympathy.

Belinda nodded. “Doris says I should sell all my jewels and run away to Paris to have some fun.”

Cat burst out laughing, clutching at Belinda’s arm. “Oh, I adore that woman. You will bring her tomorrow?”

“Of course. She’ll murder me if I don’t and then she discovers you were there. I assure you, the adoration is mutual.”

“I would steal her away from you if she didn’t cluck over you like a mother hen. She’d never leave you, not if I offered her a million pounds.”

Belinda smiled, nodding. “She’s the worst maid I have ever had, and yet she’s quite the best, too.”

Cat nodded, understanding at once having spent some time in Doris’ company.

Belinda sipped her champagne, wondering why Mr Knight had given it to her. It must mean that he had not had a drink this evening, the poor man. Still, she smiled, a little heartened that he had been so kind when he’d did not need to do so.

“I had better return to the box, the performance will be starting again shortly,” Belinda told Cat regretfully, the last thing she wanted was to return to her father and his friends.

“We’ll see you back there,” Cat said, slipping her arm through Belinda’s. “Won’t we, Ciarán?”

“Your wish is my command, love,” Lord Kilbane said, and Belinda sighed inwardly, wondering how it must feel to have a man say such things to you and mean them.

9 th July 1850, Gunter’s, Berkeley Square, London.

“Well?” Belinda asked impatiently, but Doris would not be hurried as she perused the list of ices. They were sitting in Cat’s luxurious open barouche, under the shade of the trees and enjoying the breeze that ruffled their hair and stirred the heavy warm air.

Belinda could not entirely blame Doris for taking so long over choosing her treat for there was a daunting list of choices, including maple, bergamot, marshmallow, pineapple, pistachio, jasmine, orgeat, white coffee, chocolate, vanilla, elderflower, Parmesan, and lavender.

“Oh, I can’t decide between chocolate and the pistachio,” Doris lamented sadly.

“Fine, have both,” Belinda said, snatching the list from her and handing it back to the harried waiter, who was becoming impatient.

“Ain’t she the best young lady in the whole of England?” Doris said to Cat, grinning widely.

“Indeed, she is. Save for me, of course,” Cat said with her usual modesty, winking at Belinda. “Now then, tell me everything you have been up to.”

“She’s been having fun,” Doris said, pulling a face and mouthing the word. “But not the kind of fun that a healthy young lady ought to enjoy, in my opinion.”

“Doris, keep your voice down,” Belinda protested.

Doris blushed. “Beg pardon, my lady,” she said, for she knew how to behave when they were out in public, she just forgot herself now and then when she became excited.

Belinda patted her hand reassuringly before turning back to Cat.

“I’ve bought a print shop. Which reminds me, didn’t you tell me about a young lady who couldn’t get her work published?”

“Yes, indeed, she made the mistake of not pretending to be a man,” Cat said, frowning. “A print shop? And you’ve bought it? Whatever for?”

“Because she’s also the kindest young lady in the country,” Doris said, though she kept her voice low this time.

Belinda smiled at her, touched by her regard before explaining to Cat all about Miss Ludlow and her horrid brother, and the business they had begun together.

“Well, you are a dark horse,” Cat said with obvious admiration. “Here I was thinking you were the model of propriety and you’re plotting to print seditious pamphlets,” she said with a delighted laugh.

“Hush!” Belinda said, though she could not help but laugh too. “I am doing no such thing. But I may stir things up a little with the things I do publish.”

“And Miss Ludlow is aware of your intentions?” Cat asked curiously.

“Of course, what do you take me for? I would never drag her into something where she might cause scandal without her knowledge and consent. Having discovered just how powerless she was to stop her brother selling her livelihood out from under her, and how impossible it was to persuade other printers to believe she could do the job when she was a woman, she’s ready to do her bit for the cause.”

“How marvellous,” Cat said, admiration shining in her eyes. “You will tell me if I can do anything to help? I should adore to stir things up a bit.”

“I’d think you’d had enough of that, but I shall indeed,” Belinda said, grateful for her support.

“And when I think of how apoplectic your papa will be….” Cat let out a breath and shook her head. “You’re a brave woman.”

Belinda swallowed, wishing Cat had not mentioned her father. Whilst she was very aware she was playing with fire and resented it when Mr Knight stated the obvious, she did not much want to think about those very obvious consequences. Happily, the waiter returned with their ices at that moment, and they were busy tasting and exclaiming and sharing the various flavours and they did not mention her father again.

“So,” she said, trying her best to steer the conversation in a more agreeable direction. “About that young lady with the novel. Is it any good?”

Cat nodded thoughtfully. “Yes, I rather think it is, though I do not know the author, you understand. A friend of hers who is trying to get it published for her gave it to me, hoping I might have the right contacts. It’s a little unpolished in places, but for a first novel, it’s wonderfully well done, it’s only—”

“Only?” Belinda said with interest.

Cat smiled, a wicked expression which Belinda was acquainted with and promised her friend was up to no good. “It’s only I think it will be the perfect thing for you to print. Start your new enterprise with a bang and set the ton on its ears.”

“Why? Whatever is it about?” Belinda asked in wonder.

“It’s about a young girl, ill-treated by her grandfather, who tries to marry her off to a wicked husband many years her senior. The thing is, though, it’s a thinly disguised version of a true story, and the cast are people we all know, and many of them most richly deserve to be parodied.”

Belinda’s eyes grew round. “Oh, Cat,” she said in awe. “You’re going to get me my first libel suit, aren’t you?”

“Well, what are friends for?” Cat said with a smirk and took a large spoonful of her ice.