Page 45 of Lord of Mischief
Chapter Twenty-Six
After arriving back in London, Freddie decided it would be prudent of him to lie low for a few days.He still had time up his sleeve before he had to go and see the Bachelor Board.He sent word to Osmont Firebrace that he had completed the final challenge, after which he spent the best part of two days trying to make a sizeable hole in his father’s wine cellar.
Being blind drunk meant his brain only had to worry about breathing, sleeping, and throwing up.It had no time to consider Eve or the pain she must be in at that moment.Staying out of sight also meant that if any of the Saunders family decided to pay him a visit, he could hide behind the doors of Rosemount House.
By the fourth morning, he had reconciled himself to his new life.The hangover of the past few days was fading into the background and he woke sober and ready to claim his prize.
His membership of the Bachelor Board would ensure he was the first self-made member of the Rosemount family since the very first Viscount Rosemount.He felt like Alexander the Great on the cusp of conquering the known world.He would soon have an army at his back.
After a quick breakfast, he took Saintspreserveusfor a long walk before readying himself for the trip to Barton Street.Leaving home, he cheekily picked up one of his father’s walking canes.
Standing on the front steps of Rosemount House, he stood twirling the stick in his hand.Then, with a firm tap of it on the stone front step, he set off for Barton Street, a swagger in his step.
The morning was crisp, with a chill in the air that spoke of snow.He was too wrapped up in the warmth of his triumph to feel the cold.He made quick time across St James’s Park, bowing at, and greeting, every passer-by he encountered.The occasional odd look from strangers was met with a laugh.If people didn’t know who he was now, give him a year and they would be begging to make his acquaintance.
Arriving at Barton Street, he verily danced up the steps of the office and into the entrance hall.He rapped on the door of Osmont Firebrace’s office with his father’s cane and stood back, waiting for his grand entrance.
The door opened.Osmont Firebrace bowed low as Freddie stepped inside.“Rosemount.You didn’t waste your time.I thought you might struggle with the final challenge, but I clearly underestimated your cold-blooded nature.My spies tell me the Saunders chit arrived back in London before you did.I trust you have not been challenged to a stupid duel by any members of her family?”
Freddie accepted the veiled congratulations with good grace.With his future all but secured, he could afford to ignore Osmont’s derisive nature.One day he would wield enough power and influence he would not need to rely upon men such as him.“I did as you asked in every challenge.My ambition can no longer be in any doubt,” he replied.
“Please do sit,” said Osmont.He picked up a small bell and rang it, then took a seat behind his desk.When a servant opened the door a few minutes later he was carrying a bottle of brandy and a glass.He set them down on the table in front of Freddie before bowing low and leaving.
Freddie sat forward and picked up the bottle.“Croizet Cognac.Very nice.Will you break your abstinence from alcohol and join me?”
He was at pains to maintain a disinterested air about himself, but his heart was racing.Croizet had been the sommelier to Napoleon.His cognac was considered to be the best in the world.The bottle he held in his hand was worth a small fortune.
“Go on, open it.I shall take my enjoyment from having watched you drink it,” said Osmont.
Freddie opened the bottle and poured himself a glass.Behind the desk Osmont sat with a look of absolute self-satisfaction written on his face.Freddie was his shiny new protégé.
Freddie sipped at the cognac.It was smooth with the perfect blend of dried fruit and citrus themes overlaying one another.He intended to develop a taste for such fine brandy and the means to be able to afford it.
Osmont rose from behind the desk and held out his hand.“Well done.You are almost there.There is the final matter of payment of your annual subscription.After you pay one hundred guineas into the Bachelor Board bank account at the Bank of England, I shall hand you your letter of introduction.”
Freddie finished his drink.He had known there would be one final twist.The matter of one hundred guineas was a problem he could overcome.His annual allowance would not cover it, but he had been canny with his money while at university, and his savings would see him make the mark.He would simply have to ask his father for access to his money.Once Lord Rosemount understood his son’s need, he would no doubt send instructions to his bank within a day or two and Freddie would be set.
“Of course.I shall have to write to my father to access funds, but I would expect to have the money by the end of the week.I trust that won’t present a problem,” he replied.
Osmont waved his words away.“I am sure your father will understand the imperative nature of your need.It’s not every day a young man such as yourself sets out on his own path.He will be glad of your news.And just in case you still have some small remnant of guilt over the Saunders girl, don’t worry.The Bachelor Board will find you a well-trained, docile wife who meets with your parents’ approval.One who will do as she is told in the bedroom and not question where your money comes from.Pretty gowns and sparkling trinkets keep women in line.”
Freddie poured himself a second drink.By the time he left Barton Street an hour later, he felt he could take on the world.He returned home the same way he had come.On foot.With two glasses of expensive French cognac under his belt, he had an extra spring in his step.
He had passed all the challenges and was about to be admitted to the Bachelor Board.He had finally arrived in London society.Soon he would be mixing it with the powerful and mighty.
When a girl with a similar-colored deep blue cloak to the one Eve had worn at Rosemount Abbey passed him by, a twinge of guilt stirred in his heart.He pushed it aside.Eve Saunders had thrown herself at him to spite her sister.She should be grateful he had had the good sense not to ruin her.They had their fun playing the game together, and it was at the behest of his mother that she and Adelaide Saunders had come to Rosemount Abbey.He most certainly was not to blame for the mess that had eventuated.
He put the sudden dry and bitter taste in his mouth down to the burnt coffee he had drunk at Barton Street before leaving.
Arriving home at Grosvenor Square, he was well into a long list of the people he would invite to his first party at home.He was going to have a long and wicked celebration to herald his success.New friends beckoned.His life was good, and it was about to become magnificent.
Stepping in the front door, he was surprised to see one of the footmen from Rosemount Abbey had opened it for him.He frowned.That could only mean someone from the family was in town.
He sighed.His party would have to wait a few days.As he took off his hat and coat, the footman pointed him toward his father’s study.
“Lord Rosemount has instructed you attend him as soon as you arrive,” he said.
Freddie walked across the foyer and stood outside his father’s study door.His father had made no mention of coming to town.Freddie silently chided himself for having left the abbey without speaking further to his parents.An apology was clearly in order.
