Page 35 of The Book of Lost Stories
Alys sat next to her and, taking her hand, patted it kindly. ‘I know your marriage was arranged by your family, yet you told me yourself that they would not have proceeded with the idea had you not been willing to marry Mr Rivers.’
‘No, indeed, and I felt a decided partiality from the moment I set eyes on him, and he – he said he fell in love with me instantly, too.’ She gave a stifled sob and, pulling out a tiny scrap of cambric edged with lace, dabbed at her eyes.
‘I am quite sure he was in love with you, Nell, for when you came north and paid a call at the Dower House you were the picture of married happiness, and Miss Grimshaw and I were so pleased to see it. I cannot imagine what could have caused him to change, but I have myself overheard him speak roughly to you on several occasions.’
‘I believe it is all the fault of his persuadable nature: he was quite wild in his youth, you know, but when he proposed he promised he had reformed his ways and would be an exemplary husband. And so, at first, he was. But slowly he was drawn back into the circle of his old friends – Gervase Stavely was also one of that set – although mainly I put it all down to Lord Chase’s influence.’
‘Yes, I recall you mentioning him in one of your letters. What is he like?’
‘Much older, and there is just something evil about him … Alys, do you remember when George told me that he and his friends met together regularly, because they had formed a society?’
‘Yes, and I thought it was probably just one of the kind my cousin James used to frequent: science and mystery for the credulous. He was forever conducting odd little experiments into magnetism and alchemy, but his intellect was never equal to the calculations behind them.’
‘I thought so too, only then I discovered that this society’s purpose was something far worse,’ Nell said. ‘One evening George insisted we attend a ball at Lord Chase’s house near Kew. I did not wish to go for I knew the company would be very mixed. Lady Crayling was there, for instance, and she is very vulgar and by no means received everywhere, but her husband is a member of Chase’s set. And your relative NathanielHartwood is, too, although he is so kind and charming that I am sure he cannot be in too deeply.’
‘I suppose a man may have all kinds of friends,’ Alys said. ‘But do go on; this grows exciting.’
‘After most of the guests had left, George sent me home in the carriage alone, with no explanation other than that he and his friends were to hold one of their mysterious meetings.’
‘That was strange behaviour indeed, Nell.’
‘Yes, you can imagine how astonished I was, and how little I relished driving back into London at that hour alone, despite the full moon. When I ventured to ask another lady, whose husband had also stayed behind, what might this society’s interests be, she said she had learned from experience that it was better not to enquire too closely what they did, and she would advise me to do the same.’
‘So you do not know what the real purpose might be?’
Nell leaned forward until her fair head was practically touching Alys’s chestnut curls and whispered thrillingly, ‘I believe – I have since gathered – that it is something along the lines of the infamousHellfire Club!’
This disclosure fell rather flat, until Nell explained that this notorious society had met in the last century under the auspices of Sir Francis Dashwood for unnamed and probably unholy rites, licentious and bawdy behaviour and various undisclosed excesses. ‘Apparently he had caverns and chambers excavated to hold these … theseorgiesin, and they even practised the Black Arts, some say.’
‘Good heavens! And, you know, I do recall my Aunt Basset mentioning something of the kind. She corresponded with Lady Crayling, for they used to be on the stage together, andshe let fall hints in her letters that she was involved in a similar society. The Brethren, I think she called them.’
Nell nodded. ‘The very same. I am not supposed to know that, only rumours do go around. Some whisper of lewd behaviour, rituals and evensacrifices.’
‘Sacrifices?’ Alys said, startled. ‘Of what?’
‘Cockerels. Their throats are cut and theydrink theblood.’ Nell shuddered.
Alys sat back and looked at her, wide-eyed. ‘It is very hard to believeGeorgecould involve himself in anything so vile.’
‘I, too, found it hard to believe, but when I pressed him for an explanation he said it was merely harmless fun, but he was under oath not to tell me or anyone else what they did. And he is not himself in the least after these meetings: heavy-eyed and cross, and … anddismissive, as if he knows some great secret I do not.’
‘Do they always meet at Lord Chase’s house?’
Nell nodded. ‘Underground, rumour has it, for Templeshore House is old and there is a passage leading from the river via some ancient chambers, into the cellars of the house. Indeed, there is a Roman mosaic floor in one of the cellars, which Lord Chase shows to visitors, and a shell grotto decked out with strange devices.’ She shivered. ‘How horrible it all sounds!’
Actually, having a liking for such things, Alys felt she would love to see the ancient chambers, and especially the mosaic floor, but refrained from saying so.
‘I have refused to enter Lord Chase’s house since … and I now go everywhere alone,’ Nell added forlornly.
‘Notquitealone, it seems to me, since Harry Stavely sold out of the army and returned home,’ Alys said in rallying tones.‘Clearly he has been dancing attendance on you in Cheshire this past winter, and means to do the same in London.’
Nell blushed. ‘He is a good friend, nothing more.’
‘No, I know you too well to think otherwise, but I could tell how much you liked him, Nell – and indeed, he seems very pleasant – so you must be careful.’
‘I am a married woman and, however George may treat me, I still mean to honour my marriage vows,’ Nell said with dignity.
‘I know George to be unkind to you, but he is surely notviolent?’
