Page 33 of Lord of Mischief
Chapter Eighteen
Freddie sat through Will and Hattie’s wedding feeling like the Sword of Damocles was hanging over his head.How soon would it be before Adelaide Saunders and his mother had him measured up for a wedding suit?
Lady Rosemount had arrived in London for the wedding and then returned home as soon as the service was over.Her appearance at Will and Hattie’s wedding was not just to wish the bride and groom well.He had watched with interest as his mother had worked her way through the assembled guests, dropping small hints here and there about the next wedding that would be held at St Paul’s.
It had been his mother’s idea to invite Eve and Adelaide to Rosemount Abbey.The theory was, it would give Eve and himself time to decide if they were suited.The reality was, as far as his mother and likely future mother-in-law were concerned, the only thing left to decide was the color of flowers for the church.
Finally, he consoled himself with the idea if he did end up marrying Eve it wouldn’t be such a bad thing.His mother approved of her.She had been a great sport when it came to the Bachelor Board challenges, and likely deserved her place by his side as he reaped the rewards of his new position.
She was a hot-blooded girl who would satisfy him in bed.She was well-read and well-bred.Eve Saunders would do him just fine for a wife.When his thoughts turned momentarily to the question of whether he was actually in love with her, he frowned.Love wasn’t something he had really considered.He was prepared to accept he had developed warm feelings for her.He had even told her he loved her.Where the truth lay was something he had not fully explored.
What was love anyway?Real men didn’t feel all the soppy emotions that women and small children did.Men were providers.With his membership of the Bachelor Boardall but secure, he was well on his way to being the sort of man a wife would want.Fine food on the table in exchange for a lusty sex life was a solid bargain for marriage.
He had it all figured out.
He shook the thoughts from his mind.This morning he had other matters to attend to in town.The foremost being to receive the last of the Bachelor Board challenges.He had established a commanding lead, so much so it had long ago stopped being a real race.Nonetheless, he had to finish the game and be declared the victor.
After bidding Eve, a hasty farewell at the wedding breakfast, Freddie headed over to Barton Street.He bounded up the steps of the office and strode confidently into the room set aside for the House of Commons cadets.
As expected, Godwin was not present at this hour of the morning.Osmont had introduced him to the delights of the opium dens in the East End and Godwin was more than likely still lying in a drug-induced haze in some lodging house.A naked prostitute no doubt slept beside him.
As for Trenton Embry, most days he didn’t bother even coming to the office.His interest in the Bachelor Board challenges had never got past tepid.His absence was barely noted.
The only person who was present was Osmont Firebrace.
“Ah, Rosemount, at least one of you can live the life of a libertine and make it into the office the next morning,” he said.
Freddie walked over to the sideboard, which was laden as usual with pastries and a pot of hot coffee.He picked up a cup and poured himself a brew, then settled comfortably in one of the office armchairs, quietly imagining himself as a king on a throne.
“Yes, well, enjoy my company while you can.I won’t be here tomorrow or the next week.I am off home to Rosemount Abbey,” he said.
Osmont snorted in obvious disgust.Only mama’s boys went home to the family estate.True men stayed in London where the action was centered.
“What about the challenge?”replied Osmont.
Freddie sipped at his coffee.“Well, I was thinking since I am so far ahead of the others and you were going to call the result in a matter of days, perhaps we should announce now.Godwin appears to have finally given up and conceded defeat,” he replied.
Osmont looked at him from over the rim of his reading glasses.Freddie sensed he was being scrutinized, something he found unsettling when it came to his boss.There was always an undercurrent of sex when Osmont looked him up and down.
“Tell me.Why are you going home?Your father is not ill, and even if he was you have an older brother to inherit the title.”
Freddie tried to ignore the callous remark about his father.Much as his father was a stickler for protocol and behavior, he still loved his sire.Lord Rosemount was a good man.He was true to his wife and he had been even-handed in the raising of his two sons.Freddie knew he had been gifted a good family upbringing.
“I have been courting a young lady, and she is coming to Rosemount Abbey with her mother to meet my family.My mother has arranged it,” he replied.
Osmont took his black notebook from out of his coat pocket and unfastened the string.He flipped through a few pages, then paused at one and quietly read it.
Freddie had finished his coffee by the time Osmont finally closed the book and retied the string.
“There is one final challenge for you.Successfully complete it and you will be admitted to full membership of the Bachelor Board.I cannot begin to tell you the powerful friends and wealth you will find at your disposal.The real power brokers of London will be revealed to you.A new uncharted world where you will be among firsts.No one will ever again see you as merely a second son,” said Osmont.He headed back into his office and closed the door.Several minutes later he returned, a letter folded up and sealed in his hand.
“Here is the last of the challenges.Now, there are strict instructions which you are to follow to the letter.Break them, and your membership will be forfeit.”Osmont handed Freddie the letter.
Freddie would have broken the seal if Osmont had not stopped him.He took a slow, deep breath to calm the nervous excitement which coursed through his veins.He was so close to success, he could taste it.
“You must wait until the third day after you have arrived home at Rosemount Abbey before you open the letter.In the meantime, you can spend your time sampling the delights of your lady friend.Though, if my reading of you is correct, I am certain you have already had your hand up her skirts.From what I have seen of her, she would be the type to suck your cock dry if it meant getting you before a priest.”The sneer he loaded into the final of his remarks was enough that Freddie should have taken Osmont to task for the sake of Eve’s honor.
He couldn’t exactly call him a liar though.If they hadn’t been disturbed at Vauxhall Gardens, Eve would have let him bring her to climax.He longed to hear her soft sighs at her moment of crisis.He enjoyed lustful dreams of her most nights.His body ached for the touch of her naked body beneath him.
“How will you know I have completed the last of the challenges?”he asked.
Osmont straightened the lapel of his coat and nodded sagely.He bowed low, which caused a chill of premonition in Freddie’s mind.What exactly was written in the letter?What if, after all he had achieved, he still fell at the final hurdle?
“When next you and I see one another, young Rosemount, we both shall know.”
