Page 27 of My Lord, My Rogue
A smile overtook over his face. “Have the small carriage prepared for this afternoon.” Turning to his mother, he said, “I am taking Lady Honora out for a carriage ride and will be back after that.” That was his plan,afterhe visited Madame Chantalle’s establishment.
“Wonderful! Cook will prepare a small basket for the two of you,” his mother added, coming up from behind him.
“There was one other message, my lord. This one is from Lord Lancaster.”
Benjamin nodded at his retainer and opened the message.Perfect! Perhaps this was a ‘silver-lining’ type of day.Tucking the missive in his pocket, he headed for the stable.
He spent the short ride to town reflecting on the conversation he had had with his mother. Approaching the door to the modiste’s shop, he heard voices and slowed.
“I tell you, Madame, they have a woman and child in that house. It is my responsibility to find out who it is.”
“Your responsibility? My lady, you poke your nose where it does not belong. I want no part of your witch hunt in order to gain the favor of the dowager marchioness. And you might better fear the wrath of the earl when he finds you maligning his family. He should be most angry. They are loyal customers of mine,” Madame spat back, followed by some words in French that it was obvious Lady Beadberry had not understood.
“As am I!” the older woman gasped. “I only want truth for my friend.”
“The dowager, Lady Aster, seeks only to feather her own nest. You should leave out of other people’s business. You can only make harm for yourself.”
“How dare you! I should take my business elsewhere!”
“Pray the door does not hit you where you sit!”
A plump matron dressed in loud shades of chartreuse and navy opened the door and slammed it behind her, storming past him, oblivious to his presence. He watched her shoes assault the wooden walkway in front of the establishments until she crossed the street and climbed into her coach. Benjamin had heard enough and felt no need to confront Madame.
Royal coaches and horses stirred a commotion across the street as they parked, and the passengers disembarked. Queen Charlotte had arrived. A small gathering stood near the queen while a flower peddler observed the arrival from the corner. Benjamin scanned the crowd and spotted Jess among the royal entourage. The Runners had taken their posts. Benjamin watched the Royal party safely enter the hotel, comfortable that the queen was safe.
Chapter 11
Less than two hours later
The crunch of gravel and crushed oyster shells announced Benjamin’s arrival before Bentley did.Yes, I know. I listened for him,she thought, wearing a wry smile. She had just come from Oliver’s room, having checked on him. She had found both he and Riggs still sleeping from an afternoon nap and had given them each a kiss on the head. When she walked back to her room to grab her reticule, she had peered from her bedroom window as he pulled onto the drive, then she closed the curtains and scurried downstairs, pulling on her white kid gloves.
She wore her dark blue muslin dress with a lace edging of small white flowers and a matching blue pelisse. The dress was a few years old but remained a favorite. She had refused to order a new wardrobe, only allowing a new dress made now and then at her mother’s insistence.
Honora felt like a princess as he led her to the covered barouche and helped her in, making sure she was comfortable beneath a warm fur. He joined her on the bench seat and told the coachman they were ready. The coach jerked forward, filling her with a feeling of newness and exhilaration.
“I am delighted that you could join me, Lady Aster. The day looks perfect for our outing,” Benjamin began, patting his pocket to check that the small brown package had not fallen out.
“I would forget that name if I could. Please call me Honora when we are alone, as you always did before.”
He nodded, covering her hand with his. “I would like that.”
“I have news,” she said excitedly. “Lord Lancaster sent Papa the document from the Court of Chancery giving him guardianship over Oliver. I am quite certain that His Grace helped to gain approval in a court with a long backlog.”
“That is such a relief!” he said, flashing a smile.
“Aunt Violet is convinced I should re-enter Society. While I am not comfortable doing so, she has managed to convince my parents to go to the masquerade ball being held at the Assembly Rooms in a few days.”
“Will you be attending, as well?” Part of him hoped she would go; the other part begged her silently to stay away, as he worried about the dangers the ball could present.
“I find I have little choice. Aunt Violet has already given Madame Chantalle an old dress and picked out the fabrics for my ball gown. She is determined and has been my fiercest protector. I do not want to disappoint her.”
“Ah. I see.” He paused, watching her face. “You will look lovely in anything you wear. I have agreed to escort Mother and would request at least one dance with you.”
“My dress will be gold, and I will wear a gold Venetian mask. I hope there will not be many in the same colors or you may confuse me with another,” she returned.
“You will be the loveliest creature at the ball, to be sure,” he said. “I hope that you will like the drive I selected. On my way here, I came across a beautiful lake with a road that wrapped its way around it. I noticed a few people feeding swans.”
“Sounds wonderful. Did you bring some bread?” she asked, unsure that she had ever been up close to a swan. “Are they friendly?”
