Page 19 of Beyond the Grave
"He were married to your mother right up to the end, weren't he?" Gus asked.
"Marriage vows never stopped him from exploring outside the matrimonial bed."
"I wonder if Lord Harcourt knew about his son and wife," I said to cover the awkwardness I felt at hearing Seth reveal such information about his own father. He rarely spoke about his family, but I suspected they'd cast him aside when he did whatever he'd done to disgrace himself. One day I would ask him about it.
"Buchanan was very much sought after in those days," Seth said. "This was before he ruined his reputation by racking up debts and the maidenheads of virgins."
"That's what Miss Redding at The Alhambra told me. Minus the part about debts and maidenheads. Apparently the dancers were besotted with him."
"Girls of good family were, too. A wealthy nobleman for a father and a handsome face is a combination that appeals across the class divide."
"It ain't done you much good," Gus said. "Or Buchanan. He's been livin' off his stepmother and you been livin' off Mr. Fitzroy."
Seth batted his lashes. "You think I'm handsome?"
Gus rolled his eyes.
"Besides, my family are no longer wealthy, and the title is a noose around my neck. It tends not to be of help when one's mother has run off with the second footman."
I gaped at him.
He touched my chin and closed my mouth for me. "Yes, Charlie, thesecondfootman. Not even the first."
Lincoln cleared his throat. He seemed unperturbed by Seth's revelation, so he must have known about it. Gus too. "Were there any girls in particular who were associated with Buchanan?" Lincoln asked.
Seth nodded in thought. "One rumor had legs. He supposedly put a girl in the pudding club."
Gus gave him a blank look. "Huh?"
"Got her with child, you dolt."
"One of The Alhambra's dancers?" I asked.
Seth shrugged. "I don't know for certain, but since it was a rumor circulating among my set, I'd say she was rather more than a dancer. I can't recall the details, not being particularly interested in Buchanan at the time, and I have no idea if the child was born at all."
"Thank you, that may be useful," Lincoln said. "An ear for gossip is a skill I lack, but you don't."
Seth puffed his chest out like a rooster at the rare compliment.
Gus flicked his finger at Seth's temple. "Pity you didn't mention it sooner, eh?"
Seth shot him a murderous glare and rubbed his forehead.
"Our visitors will arrive shortly," Lincoln told them. "If you could help Cook prepare, I'm sure he will be grateful."
"Visitors?" I asked as Seth and Gus left us. Clearly they already knew who was expected at Lichfield.
"Lady Harcourt is joining me for afternoon tea with her other stepson, the current Lord Harcourt, and his wife. I want to question him about his brother's habits, friends, that sort of thing."
"That'll get confusing with two Lady Harcourts in the same room."
"Lord Harcourt's stepmother—Julia—is referred to as the Dowager Lady Harcourt, but you should continue to refer to her as madam or Lady Harcourt, as you've always done. I'm sure the ladies will work out who you're speaking to. If you need to speak to them at all, that is."
"Ah, yes, maids should be seen and not heard, isn't that right?"
He flinched and I was taken by surprise. I'd not expected my silly barb to impact him at all. "You'll be expected to behave as a maid ought to, yes." He clasped his hands behind his back and added, "I don't like it either, but we must maintain our respective roles in front of the committee members or pressure will mount for me to send you away."
"You're right. Of course. Thank you, Lincoln."
