Page 50 of Lyon’s Obsession (The Lyon’s Den Connected World #91)
Thompson explained, “As Aaran has explained, more than forty men and women have already been arrested, many are at Newgate, for it is one of the more secure facilities. Another dozen or more are being sought. Thanks to Lionel’s initial recognition of Margaret Childers, we knew where to look.
Reportedly, though, this information comes from many of the anti-Irish elements of the government, for a large number of those arrested were Irish.
Ironically, so is Honfleur, whose real name proved to be Jackson Moran. ”
“I thought I knew all there was to know of the man,” Alexander admitted, “but not his real name or nationality.”
Thompson continued, “Moran is currently being held at Bridewell at Tothill Fields.”
“Moran deserves the same jail fever and filth as Booth knew,” Alexander grumbled.
Annalise observed, “The man I once considered my uncle always seemed to pull out the proverbial ‘silver spoon’ when he was chased by authorities. And the fate of Caroline?” she asked.
“Like many of the ‘underlings’ involved, Caroline Moran was placed at New Prison in Clerkwell, for it houses both male and female detainees in separate quarters. Some initially arrested at the Oakley Arms proved to be simply patrons of the inn and released. Many detained are awaiting disposition, but, as Aaran explained, Caroline Moran is to be deported.”
“Are you prepared, my ladies?” They were to attend Lord and Lady Beleward’s ball this evening as a newly married couple and the first official introduction of his sister to the ton .
Annalise had returned to Dutton Hall on Sunday, and, though he had hoped for further bonding between his sister and Theodora, such had not occurred.
They were not antagonistic to each other, but, from what Alexander had observed, Theodora was too unsure of her own skills to assist Annalise in becoming competent in the role of mistress of her own home.
Alexander was angry with himself for not noticing prior to the three of them attempting to form a family.
He had always admired how Theodora managed her father’s affairs and meetings and such.
Somehow he had failed to see how unsure his wife was when it came to organizing and overseeing a house and its staff.
In many ways, Annalise excelled in that manner.
The real solution would be if the two women in his life could come to an understanding and assist each other, but it was not proving to be so.
Perhaps he should have left his sister under Duncan’s care.
Mrs. Chester could have taught Annalise something of being a lady of society with meal planning and the like.
Though, in truth, Theodora had used Mrs. Chester’s strengths to cover her own weaknesses.
Theodora was not without expertise, but she had never planned a meal or a party, and though he thought Annalise could excel in such matters, she was too afraid of upsetting him to offer.
He supposed it was good fortune that he had not decided to bring Annalise out in Society until the spring so he supposed there was still time for both the women in his life to learn what must be done.
He suspected the fault rested with Dora, for his wife was nearly two years Annalise’s junior, and Annalise would soon reach her majority.
“Nervous,” Annalise admitted while Theodora turned to claim her gloves and shawl from a side table.
Alexander playfully tweaked her nose. “You are quite breathtakingly beautiful. There is no reason for any of us to hide away. I could not be prouder of both you and Theodora. You two are not merely survivors: You are conquerors.”
“What if someone asks me about Moreau?” she pleaded.
“Respond. Do not respond. Whichever you choose, I will support you. None of what has happened to Moreau or Moran, or whatever he wishes to call himself, or the man’s daughter, for that matter, is your fault. I love you without restrictions or qualifications. You can do no wrong in my opinion.”
His sentiment brought tears rushing to Annalise’s eyes, but she offered him a gentle tease, “Such is excellent to know, for I was considering eloping with a complete stranger.”
He settled the shawl on her shoulders before he responded. “You must wait until I fetch my dueling pistols if such is your plan.”
She giggled, which proved to be a delightful sound to his ears.
“I adore it when your serious remark comes across as a bit of fun.” Annalise rose upon her toes to kiss his cheek.
“No more brooding, Axe. We are together. All the world is right once again. Soon we will be in our family home—you and me and Theodora. I have a brother and a sister,” she declared as the butler appeared at their side and Theodora rejoined them.
“Pardon, my lord,” Mr. Glenstorm said with a bow. “Your carriage awaits you at the curb.”
“Thank you, Glenstorm,” Alexander said as he extended his arm first to Theodora and the other to his sister. “May I have the honor, my ladies?”
“Most assuredly, my lord,” they said together, each sporting a large smile. “Tonight is truly Annalise’s first ball, and I am on the arm of a remarkable gentleman. What more could either of us ask?” Theodora declared.
“I mean to claim the first dance set,” Alexander instructed his sister, but she shook off the idea.
Alexander stood watching his sister perform a country dance with Mr. Kepper as her partner.
Thankfully, Duncan had politely dropped the hint to several of Alexander’s cohorts in order to secure dance partners Annalise recognized rather than complete strangers.
Alexander should have done the deed himself, but he was glad Duncan had practiced more forethought than had he.
After a bit, Beaufort sidled up beside him, gently bumping Alexander’s arm with his shoulder. “Every eye in the hall remains on your sister,” Beaufort confided.
“And your point?” Alexander asked without removing his own eyes from Annalise.
“My point?” Beaufort asked with confounding casualness. “My point, Marksman, is, unless God deems it otherwise, I plan to marry your sister.”
Alexander swung his gaze away from the dance floor to stare into his friend’s steady countenance. “When did your interest in Annalise move to thoughts of marriage?”
Beaufort’s eyes remained on Annalise. “I thoroughly realize your point. Even so, such will not dissuade me. I have always said I would recognize the right woman when I claimed her acquaintance.”
Alexander’s frown deepened. “I want Annalise to have a Season. To have all those things she has been denied.”
“Such as someone who loves her unconditionally?” Beaufort asked with a silly grin plastered upon his lips, which added to Alexander’s irritation.
“I love her unconditionally,” Alexander argued.
“Not the same type of love, Marksman, old chap, but I will promise to permit your lovely sister her Season. Yet, you should know that I plan to court her officially during those months with the intention of securing her hand as the end result.”
“You are serious?” Alexander demanded.
Beaufort’s smile widened. “More serious than you have ever known me to be. In fact, as our estates are only a few miles apart, I should be your first choice for Lady Annalise. I will not be taking her away from you completely. Keep that particular fact in mind as others approach you for permission to court her. You already know something of my wealth, so there is no need to discuss it until you and I sit down for the marriage contract.” He added, “By the way, I do not intend to play fair, which means I will often be asking for forgiveness, not permission, from you, beginning this very evening.”
“My sister will be the one you must convince, not me,” Alexander declared.
“I love a good challenge,” Beaufort said as he eyed Annalise with amusement marking his features.
“In fact, I am unofficially declaring myself. Society will notice my actions, but Lady Annalise will not, for she has yet to be spoiled by the rigid rules others place upon her, which is something I adore about her. I am claiming a ‘second’ dance—the supper dance no less. Between the dance and the meal, I will have her all to myself for more than an hour. Many will recognize my manipulation, but I doubt your sister will be among them. You should claim your wife for the supper dance, and then join your sister and me for the evening meal.” He chuckled. “We might require a chaperone.”
“What of Julia?” Alexander demanded. “I will not have my sister second to your long-time mistress.”
“While you were enjoying Theodora’s finer qualities, I released Julia some time ago,” Beaufort confided. “I would not expect Lady Annalise to tolerate the knowledge of my spending time with my mistress. Your sister might be jealous enough to take a sword to Julia, do you not think?”
“I am not happy with this development,” Alexander emphasized.
“Look at her,” Beaufort said as he watched Annalise and Kepper performing the dance. “When we are in Ireland, all will consider her as Irish as they are.”
As the music came to an end, Beaufort presented Alexander a brief bow. “I will be just as satisfied to have Lady Annalise all to myself at supper. I will return her to your side when the music begins again.”
As his friend walked away, Alexander knew displeasure marked his own features.
He was not prepared to lose Annalise to another so quickly, but he knew Beaufort could be quite determined when he set his mind to a task.
“If Beaufort thinks to dine alone with my sister, he has another ‘think’ to acknowledge.” He turned to where Kepper had come to stand beside him.
“Beaufort extended an invitation for me to join him and my sister for supper,” he explained.
“Would you care to join us?” Kepper shrugged his supposed indifference.
“Why do you not claim Theodora for this supper set so we might all sit together? She and I danced together twice already, but I will claim a different partner.”
Kepper looked off to where several young ladies watched the couples taking their positions on the dance floor. “I would not mind spending more time with Miss McGinthy without declaring my intentions.”
Alexander smiled easily. “Miss McGinthy it is. I am your servant, good sir.”