Page 55 of The Scandal of the Deceived Duchess
“I know,” said Anna, stroking her hair with her free hand. “But canyetell me what is going on?” The expression on Anna’s face was one of hope.
“As you know Jonathan and Jake came ‘round the house today and asked to speak with me. My father received them. But his only reason for doing so was to gloat.”
“But how could he have known who they were?Yedidn’t say anything to him.”
“We have Lord Templeton French to thank for that, like so many things. Apparently, he told my father everything and that obviously included their names,” said Amelia, feeling anger well up inside of her. She swore to herself, etiquette notwithstanding, that she would slap Lord Templeton French when she next saw him.
Anna’s hand flew to her mouth. “What happens now?” She swallowed deeply, her eyes agape. “There are rumours amongst the servants that there is to be a duel?”
“Yes, they are true. My father demanded satisfaction and now Jonathan will most probably fight him in a duel,” said Amelia, solemnly.
“To the death?” Anna’s hand was still glued to her mouth.
Amelia nodded. “I think so, should nothing else happen that is. I don’t know much about duels, but invariably they are to the bitter end for one of the participants at least.”
Anna let the information sink in. No matter in which way she put it, it all was bad. “Oh, Amelia…I am so sorry;” said Anna, wrapping her arms around her friend. “This is such a horrible situation for you to be in. I cannot imagine what you must be going through. To have to choose between your papa and the man you love.”
Hearing it so bluntly stated nearly made Amelia cry. But she had been doing enough of that since being parted from Jonathan. Add to that, the looming prospect of being incarcerated in a matrimonial tomb the past months, it was enough to drive anyone insane. “Jonathan and Jake will find a way; I am certain of it,” Amelia said, pushing the morbid thoughts from her mind with the strength she had groomed over the last months.
“I am sure they will, Amelia. Jake is a good man and a good friend to Jonathan. He will find a way to get him out of this mess. And when all of this is over, we will be reunited with our men for good,” said Anna, taking Amelia’s hands in hers. The expression on her face hardened. “Yes, that is how it will be.”
Amelia nodded. She loved Anna’s strength. It was in times like these that she needed it most. “Maybe…yes maybe indeed.” She swallowed. “Thank you, Anna, for always being there for me. I don’t know what I would do without you.”
Anna smiled. “Where else would I be?”
Chapter 27
The Days before the Duel
London, England, September 1814
A response to the letter Jonathan had sent along with Jake the following morning had been returned that very same day in the afternoon with the response they had expected – apology refused, and the duel was to take place. In addition to the refusal, the kind request for the choice of weapons and whether Sir Thomas’s Berkshire estate would serve as a suitable venue had been included in the writing for the second time.
Jake’s plan was not over yet. He had Jonathan promptly respond with the offer that the two aggrieved parties meet in person to discuss other possible avenues. This epistle had been delivered the next morning and promptly refused that very same afternoon. Furthermore, the demand for an immediate response as to location and weaponry had been added – the pressure was increasing.
After that, Jake had written to Sir Thomas’s second, requesting an appointment in person to discuss terms for a possible annulment of the hostilities. A gentleman could never refuse such an entreaty. So, the next day, a letter came, inviting Jake to the White’s Club in St. James, London. The historic club, founded in 1693, was the oldest and most exclusive gentlemen’s club in the entire city if not the world.
That was where Jake was off to now. He had left Jonathan back at the townhouse, brooding. He had donned his best suit for the occasion and obtained a carriage to take him there. Jake was not a nervous man, but Chives, the butler, had described the club to him in great detail. As it turned out, it was a venerable institution where only the elite roamed. Jake was a simple man who never frequented such establishments.
Thinking about his predicament and what he was going to say, he barely heard the coachman calling to him, telling him that they had arrived.So soon?His heart rate increased, pounding a staccato beat in his chest.Come on Jake, ye have faced marauding seamen that all wanted to kill ye on board a burning ship and ye never wavered. Now, this is not the time to start.With that thought, he slid over the leather bench and stepped out of the carriage.
He told the driver to wait for him because he hardly expected the meeting to last long. He was well aware of the fact that this was only a formality. After this evening, Jonathan’s fate would surely be sealed.
Looking as confident as possible, he walked up to the imposing front door of the building. The edifice was white and made of Portland stone. Jake stopped and looked up to study it more closely. It was impressive. The Palladian façade that adorned so many of the buildings in the city oozed power and privilege.
He walked on. The portico was screened by two large black lamps to the left and right. He greeted the two doormen that stood there politely. They asked him his business. Jake only needed to mention the name of his host and the door was promptly opened for him.
When he entered, he was ushered to a dark wooden desk that barred the way to the main club. There, he was asked to sign in, as they obviously did not recognize him. Jake repeated the name of his host and that he expected him. On cue, the demeanour of the rather insipid looking man miraculously changed to one of charming courtesy. “Please allow me to escort you, Sir. It is very easy to get lost in here.” The usher chuckled to himself in little snorts.
Jake gulped when he stepped into the purely masculine domain that hosted the elite of Britain. Chives had not been lying. Everywhere Jake looked within this imperious structure; he could ascertain the power of the British Empire. Men stood hither and thither discoursing on all manner of things – the main topic being politics, power, and money. The place was so masculine that Jake imagined the members would not even deign to discuss their mistresses here.
The floor was covered with white stone that had intervals of black in it, in imitation of a checkerboard. The walls were of a darkish satin, but Jake was not sure – this was not something that usually interested him. In the centre of the hall, there was a large wooden staircase with a dark carpet on it.
Taking a deep breath, Jake continued to follow his escort who had remained completely silent as if he was in a burial procession. They soon entered into a large rectangular-shaped drawing room. The far wall was white with a large portrait hanging in the centre. A large hearth below boasted a crackling fire. Next to it, the walls were thick oak panelling.
The room that was more of a hall was full of men dressed in meticulous suits. The unpleasant usher directed Jake to a table located before a bow window. It was obvious to him that this was a seat of distinction. Here sat the most socially influential men in the club.
And so, it was – as it turned out, Jake was not to be alone with his counterpart for the discussion that involved two men’s lives. Four men sat at the table. When Jake and his temporary escort came to a halt, the staff member cleared his throat. Jake assumed that he practiced this on a daily basis in front of the mirror. He slowly lowered his head until his mouth was right by one gentleman’s ear. He began to whisper. When he was finished, he returned to his full height, bowed slightly and without another word walked back in the direction he had come.
