Page 42 of Lyon’s Obsession (The Lyon’s Den Connected World #91)

“W hat are you about, Dora?” her father asked before she could leave the house.

“I mean to call on Emma,” she said. “I must speak to her.”

“Could your news not wait until after you break your fast?”

Dora’s first instinct was to acquiesce, but then she remembered Alexander’s orders. “I do not mean to be disrespectful, Father. You know I adore you, but, if I am to one day be mistress of my own house, I must abandon my childhood fits of temper.”

Her father’s stance relaxed significantly. “Then you and Alexander have settled things between you.”

“We have, though we have not discussed a date, but it shall be after this matter with Lord Honfleur is complete,” she explained.

“And you are satisfied with these arrangements?” he inquired tentatively.

“Not completely,” she admitted, “but…” she pointed her finger at him, “such does not mean I am unhappy, and, therefore, my father must remove the obstacles from my path.”

“I would not…” he began.

“Yes, you would,” she corrected. “And you have. And I love you most dearly for all you execute in my name.” She rose on her toes to place a kiss on her father’s cheek.

“Now, I must speak to Emma. Later, Alexander is to bring a tray of Dutton family rings from which I may choose to wear to mark our engagement.”

Twenty minutes later, Theodora followed the Orson butler into the morning room at Orson Hall. “Lady Theodora, my lord. My lady,” the servant announced.

Lady Emma was immediately on her feet and circling the table, hands outstretched to claim Dora’s. “I was planning to call on you today,” Emma said as she embraced Theodora. Dora was so thankful that Richard had brought this woman into her life. Into all their lives.

“I knew you would be,” Dora declared with a smile. “But I could not wait to speak to you.”

Orson had stood on Theodora’s entrance. To him, she said, “You shall surely forgive me.”

Her eldest brother chuckled as he, too, approached. “I was just telling Emma something of Marksman’s call upon Mrs. Dove-Lyon last evening.” He bent to kiss Theodora’s upturned cheek. “Come join us. Most assuredly you did not take time to break your fast. Another plate, Mr. Walters.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Emma returned to her place while Richard seated Dora on his left across from Emma.

“What were you saying of Alexander’s encounter with Mrs. Dove-Lyon?” Dora asked, still extremely curious regarding Marksman’s agreement to being “embarrassed” by the woman.

“I just told Emma I could not be late in taking my seat in the Lords today, for Alexander is to make an unusual appearance,” Orson explained.

“Do you know what his lordship has agreed to do?” Dora asked, as curious as ever.

“No, but your father sent a note around to ‘warn’ each of us,” Richard said with a chuckle. “As well as forbid us from telling anyone.”

Theodora could not hide her disappointment for not learning what Alexander would enact to please her nor her elation at having the man’s declaration, at last. “I asked him not to do something that would bring him harm.” To Emma, she said, “Were you like me? Were you unaware of how a woman seeking a match was first put on display for the men to decide if she is worthy of his taking on Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s challenge? ”

Emma looked to Richard. “Is such true?”

Orson shrugged. “Some young lords are too bored for their own good.”

Emma appeared shocked. “Oh, Dora, I would never have suggested our visit to the Lyon’s Den if I had known.”

“It is all well,” Theodora assured. “Lord Marksman is to bring several rings from the Dutton safe from which I may choose as my betrothal ring. He will have one designed for the wedding.” She swallowed her sigh of contentment.

“As to the bet, Marksman has promised he will only know a bit of ‘deserved’ embarrassment.”

“I would love to observe the proceedings today,” Emma admitted.

Dora confirmed, “As would I, but I must permit Alexander his stratagems. However, if you have no other plans for today, I had hoped you might accompany me to Madame Emmeline’s.

I wish to look at the fashion plates and the cloth available.

I shall require several new gowns, and I should not wait to choose a dress for my wedding.

Marksman has said we shall marry after this business with Honfleur is over. ”

Orson stood, “Then I should be off to my duties and later to the Lords.” He bent to kiss Emma with a lingering show of his devotion. “You two enjoy your day, my dear.”

“I adore you,” Lady Emma said as she clung to Richard’s hand.

“And I you,” Dora’s brother responded with a caress of his wife’s cheek, and then he was gone.

“You are so fortunate,” Dora said wistfully.

Emma turned back to make her assurances. “You, too, will know what I do.”

Tears filled Dora’s eyes, and she nodded her agreement, but something odd crossed her vision, and she had to disguise her shudder of dread with a self-imposed sigh.

Alexander strolled into the “watch house” to find Beaufort staring through the long glass to watch Honfleur’s house. It had been three days since he had seen Beaufort. “Is everything well?” Alexander asked his friend.

“One of us must kill Honfleur,” Beaufort growled, without looking up.

“Agreed,” Alexander said as he took up a place at the other window. “Has something occurred of which I am unaware?”

“The man has turned your sister into a maid, lower than the maid-of-all-works. I had to improvise yesterday. Lionel had reported that Honfleur has discovered the opening in the garden wall. I made an appearance at the house to ask if Lady Caroline would agree to go driving with me now that the sky has cleared. I found Lady Annalise working beside the young woman called ‘Clara.’ I sent the maid to her mistress with my message long enough to warn your sister to use the bird’s nest or the knot hole in the tree for communication. ”

“Has Honfleur also stepped up his abuse of my sister?” Alexander could barely breathe: He might be forced to go against Duncan’s orders if this continued.

“In the three days they have been in residence, Honfleur has now moved Lady Annalise to the attic where all the fighting equipment is stored. Last evening, she stood at the window on the corner of the house, holding the small mattress one might find in a child’s nursery or school room to her chest. Later, she did the same with two of her gowns.

I had to think she knew one of us would view her actions and understand. ”

“She knows we are watching the house, and such is how you actually spotted the fire,” Alexander confirmed.

Beaufort looked up briefly. “She is in danger, Marksman, but, thankfully, her eyes have been opened.”

“Lionel and I warned her that if the world came crashing down, that she was to leave immediately. She has my card and is to come to Dutton Hall no matter whether it is day or night.”

“When I made my appearance, she did say she had seen several papers on Honfleur’s desk with the twenty-third written upon them. I spoke to Duncan yesterday so he might confirm the date and the location. Hopefully, Graham will hear something among his associates. The sooner the better.”

“Anything else?” Alexander asked as he watched the window where his sister supposedly was now living.

“Nothing…” Beaufort began. “Wait! Honfleur’s coach just turned the corner.”

Alexander turned the glass for a better look while Beaufort called out for James Kepper, one of the agents in training. “Follow Lord Honfleur’s coach and report back where he goes.”

“Aye, sir.” The young agent was hustling down the steps with more clatter than finesse, but they heard him leave the house before Honfleur exited Amgen House.

As Beaufort returned to his watch, they remained silent until they were confident that Honfleur meant to travel alone. “I wonder where he is off to today,” Alexander mused aloud. “I wish he would be done with this madness soon.”

“It is becoming quite old—this watching all the time,” Beaufort remarked.

“I want my sister with me,” Alexander admitted. “I want what Orson has achieved. Duty to country, but also to family.”

“As do we all,” Beaufort murmured.

“I have asked Theodora to marry me,” Alexander announced without looking up.

“Good for you,” Beaufort stated. “Dora will make you a good wife. Just do not judge your marriage by the one between Orson and Lady Emma. No two marriages are the same. Just execute what is best for you and Theodora and ignore the chatter.”

“Is that Honfleur in the doorway?” Alexander asked as they watched to see who else might appear.

“Dressed quite simply, which likely means Honfleur does not wish to be recognized on the street.”

“The woman behind him?” Alexander asked.

“The housekeeper. Mrs. Sable. She and I went around and around when I called upon Lady Caroline. She is no housekeeper, in my opinion. The house was filthy until your sister and some of your own maids began cleaning it. Moreover, when we stood toe-to-toe and exchanged words when she meant to reprimand Lady Annalise, I held the oddest feeling that I knew the woman. Had met her previously.”

“From where?” Alexander asked.

“I cannot say with assurances,” Beaufort admitted. “It was not so much her appearance, for when she actually looked at me, she wore a great deal of powder and cream on her face. It was more to do with her voice. Very familiar.”

Alexander looked up in perplexion, but Beaufort immediately ordered, “Look! Look!”

Alexander turned back in time to see Honfleur bend his head to kiss the woman on the mouth and to press a gentle squeeze to her breast.

“Oooh!” Alexander declared in disgust.

“That makes the woman more dangerous for your sister,” Beaufort announced. “We should warn her.”

“I will have Lionel sneak in with a message,” Alexander said. With a sigh of resignation, he asked, “Are you attending the session in the Lords today?”

Beaufort shook off the suggestion. “I believe I will stay the course. I simply cannot shake the idea that something is about to explode at Amgen House, and I do not want your sister caught in the crossfire if there is a means to protect her.”

Alexander squared his shoulders as he entered the hall leading to the House of Lords.

At the end of the passage stood Duncan and all Alexander’s brothers, except Beaufort.

His eyes teared up immediately. They all wore a mask over their lips, just as did he.

For years, he had ranted against the Fates that had stolen his family away, while forgetting those same Fates had presented him a larger and stronger bond with the four men meaning to stand with him today.

“A new code of attire?” one lord after another asked. Each time, one of them handed the man a small slip of paper that said, “We plan to listen rather than talk over each other. Join us.”

Most walked away chuckling, but a few took out their handkerchiefs and tied them around their heads to hang loosely before their mouths.

Only Alexander carried an additional piece of equipment, an ear trumpet, in the style of a man of a particular age who had lost his hearing.

He felt the fool he was, but he knew Theodora was worth this gesture.

She would remember his actions forever and count herself fortunate to have married a man who placed his affections on public display.

He sat in the back row with his brothers and Duncan, where they waited for the ridicule, but none came. Instead, Charles Grey said to one and all, “Finally, there is a chance to hear myself over the shouting. Perhaps I shan’t recognize my own voice.”

Having kept his word to Mrs. Dove-Lyon and to Dora, later, Alexander enjoyed the pure joy on Theodora’s countenance, as well as his betrothed’s sweet kisses before he made his way back to the watch house to learn what Beaufort had observed after Xander’s departure earlier in the day.

“How did it go today?” Alexander asked as he set a plate of cold chicken and bread on the table before his friend.

“Lots of goings and comings,” Beaufort acknowledged as he moved away from the window to uncover the plate. He tore off a piece of the chicken to pop in his mouth. “I agree with Lionel,” he said around a mouthful of chicken and soft bread. “Your cook has a way with chicken.”

“Who came and who went?”

“From the front, only Honfleur. Twice, in fact, but according to Mr. Kepper, Margaret Childers and Mary Darwin were also inside for perhaps an hour when Honfleur returned the first time. They came through the walled entrance. Kepper was within when the women arrived, and he pretended to be calling at Number 4, Trippman Hall. He said he had his hat down and simply nodded a greeting to them. Thankfully, neither of the women appeared to question his presence nor did they take note of him near the mews when they departed.”

“So you think that Honfleur and the others are prepared to move?” Alexander asked.

“It appears so,” Beaufort stated.

“And Annalise?” Alexander asked, fearing for his sister’s life. He could not lose her now and continue to know sanity.

“She placed her red sash in the window earlier, which is the signal she is well, but worried.”

Alexander’s eyebrow rose in both interest and dismay. “How many signals have you two designed?”

“The last few days before Honfleur returned, Lady Annalise developed a series of messages. Doing so seemed to bolster her confidence so I did not discourage her. She likened the messages to when she was on Honfleur’s ship and learned how to use the signal flags.”

“Only you and Lionel know all the signals,” Alexander protested.

“Such is why one of the two of us have made it our business to be close.”

“It should have been me,” Alexander chastised both himself and Beaufort.

“You and I are family,” Beaufort corrected. “Lionel is also part of your extended family. We all wish to see you and Lady Annalise living under the same roof. It is the dream none of us thought possible. It gives us all hope.”

Neither of them spoke for several minutes. Beaufort digested the chicken along with staring off at the wall behind Alexander’s head. Meanwhile, Alexander again admonished himself for not realizing how creative Annalise was.

At last, Beaufort asked, “Did you tell Duncan about the kiss Honfleur shared with the housekeeper?”

“I forgot,” Alexander admitted, “but we should learn more about the woman. Was she hired through an agency, or has she been Honfleur’s lover before his arrival in London?

We all thought he hoped to marry Lady Winston.

Is he already married or does the woman hope to secure a man who will provide for her? ”

“If it is the second,” Beaufort summarized, “Honfleur will use her and leave her. At least she does not appear to be of childbearing years, but I doubt that would stop the man from taking what he wanted.”