Page 5 of Lyon’s Obsession (The Lyon’s Den Connected World #91)
“Not the most fashionable address, but still respectable,” Beaufort remarked.
“Who else travels with the marquis?” Duncan asked as if he was already strategizing, which Alexander suspected was true for his lordship. The man’s brain never took a rest.
“His daughter and his niece,” Richard confirmed, “but in accepting Lady Godfrey’s invitation, it will only be Honfleur and his daughter.”
“Why not the niece?” Theodora asked.
“None of us know,” Richard explained. “Perhaps the niece is a poor relation serving somehow in the man’s household as a companion or something along those lines.”
“Richard, would you send what you learned to Hartley, so he might discover what he may from our contacts on the Continent? I know Honfleur is a port city and it has known great decline, but what else is there to know? Is it located in a stable area of France? Could we send agents in to learn more? How long has this man been the Marquis of Honfleur? Those sorts of inquiries.”
“Yes, sir. I understand.”
“I should do the same at the embassy.” Donoghue said, though none of them thought the British embassy’s staff would be of much use.
“When is this masque?” Duncan asked. “Should we expect Lord Honfleur to be out and about in society soon? Do we have time to put men in place to observe his comings and goings?”
“This upcoming Thursday,” Theodora answered, “but I had not initially accepted because I did not wish you to overextend yourself, my lord.”
“I should be there,” Duncan instructed. “You will send our pleasures, Theodora.”
“Yes, Papa, but no dancing, and we are leaving early,” Theodora instructed.
“I promise to sit as much as possible,” Duncan assured. “I know my limits.”
“Speaking of limits, Duncan,” Thompson announced with a grin, “did you notice your former nurse was in attendance at the trial today. She was with Sir Thurmond, who was in one of those wheeling-style chairs.”
“Mrs. Braylon? I did not,” Duncan responded.
“Thurmond was one of those on the committee with Sir Hunter, but he was not present on the day of the shooting,” Richard explained. “His horse threw him a week or so back, and he broke his leg, quite significantly.”
“Sorry for Thurmond on two levels,” Duncan remarked. “I do not wish to knock the woman out of a position, for she was efficient as a nurse, but perhaps a warning to Thurmond is in order.”
“I could drop a word in Hunt’s ear,” Richard volunteered. “Sir Hunter knows my opinion of the woman.”
“Will you and Lady Emma attend the masque?” Beaufort asked.
Orson and Emma looked upon each other in dismay. “We have not considered it,” Richard admitted, “though I did receive an invitation. Emma and I have announced our upcoming marriage, but, beyond that, we have not accepted any entertainments as an engaged couple.”
Beaufort said, “I understand you had hoped to permit the gossip to die away, but each day I receive more and more questions regarding your relationship, some not so discreet. London society expects you to be disguising a child.” He paused to say, “I do not wish to be so blunt, but it is the truth. I suggest you attend a few afternoon teas and also the masque. For Lady Godfrey’s affair, Lady Emma should think of a costume similar to a Grecian citizen, or better yet, a Greek goddess, which will cover her properly, but will also announce her lack of a child.
Moreover, all of us will attend and her dances may be promised prior to the festivities, keeping her from too many interrogations. ”
Alexander agreed with Beaufort’s estimation, but Orson simply said, “Emma and I will discuss what is best for us.”
“Later this evening,” Duncan said, “we should begin to strategize how we will proceed with this Frenchman, Lord Honfleur. For now, let us enjoy the gift of family.”
Alexander raised his glass with the others, but a part of him said what it always repeated: “ Until I find my mother and sister, my family will never be complete. ”
Theodora had found her way to the small garden at the side of the house when Lady Emma excused herself for the evening.
The men were still in her father’s study, but Dora did not wish to be about when Alexander departed the house.
The tears she had held in check for several hours arrived, but, again, she dashed them away. “Be strong, my girl.”
“Talking to yourself?” a familiar voice asked.
“Perhaps a bit,” Theodora said as she stood and brushed her palms over her skirt to straighten the wrinkles. “I was waiting for Papa to be finished with his meeting. I still worry for his health.”
“The others have not yet departed,” Alexander explained when she made to leave. Theodora steadied her response.
As always, he had found her where she hid away in the darkness, with just her thoughts and her misery for company. How many evenings had they sat together on this bench, holding hands, and talking of a future together? Too many, obviously, for her well-being.
“I should go inside, nevertheless,” she said and started around him. “There is a hint of dampness in the air.” However, he caught her arm to stay her retreat.
His grip held her in place, not that her traitorous body did not wish to be held in his arms. He tilted her chin upward to rub his thumb over her mouth, causing a friction that tingled across her lips.
Theodora silently trembled. He sighed heavily and stepped back, permitting the damp chill to stand between them.
“I wanted to tell you that your father asked for volunteers to court Lord Honfleur’s daughter and niece in hopes of learning what is the man’s role in the chaos following the Prime Minister’s assassination.
Generally, your father would call upon Richard to lead the investigation and to be one of the two to feign a courtship; however, with Orson’s upcoming marriage to Lady Emma and the amount of gossip still surrounding… ”
“I assume my father has asked you to be one of the two,” she accused, attempting to sound as unconcerned as possible.
She would be made again to return to the “shelf,” while Alexander publicly courted either Lord Honfleur’s daughter or the man’s niece.
Again, she would hear the “poor Lady Theodora” comments behind her back.
“I volunteered,” he said as she started away. “Dora…” he called.
She turned then, her anger on full display. “How many years, my lord, am I to wait for you to speak of your affections?”
“I have told you how much I admire you,” he countered.
“A person can admire a complete stranger, Alexander,” she argued.
“Many admire John Bellingham for his assassination of Spencer Perceval, while others admire the late Prime Minister’s stance on a variety of social issues.
I recognize how often you have spoken of your admiration for my person, but never have you addressed any affection for me beyond being the daughter of your adopted father.
I truly understand how you cannot imagine a family beyond your mother and sister, while I wish to view the look of my children.
You are living in the past, while I yearn for a future. ”
Theodora forcibly swallowed the regret she held for wasting so much of life on this man.
“Now, if you will pardon me, I hold obligations to this household beyond soothing your childhood guilt of not being in a position to prevent your father’s folly.
Good evening, my lord. I wish you well in your investigation and in your life. ”