The Fairest of Them All (9 page)

“Bastards.”

“Men. We are what we are.”

Again, Gavin nodded. However, he made no move to pick up the reins.

“Is there something else?” Jack asked.

His brother looked out over the street a moment, watching the passing traffic, although Jack doubted if he saw anything. Instead, his mind appeared furiously at work.

And then Gavin said, his voice so low Jack had to lean toward him, “I've never been with a woman.”

Jack took in his words. “Never been with . . . such as sleeping with one?”

Gavin kept his sight focused on something only he could see. There was a long beat of silence and then he confirmed, “No, I've never slept with one.”

Jack sat back. “You are a virgin?”

Gavin started as if Jack had punched him. He looked around as if to see if anyone had overheard.

No one could have. Jack had not spoken
that
loudly and the people on the street were more ­interested in finding their homes than in what ­secrets the twins shared.

“Well?” Jack pressed.

Gavin gave a terse nod. “I know it sounds odd,” he said. “Or religious. I'm soon to be three-­and-­thirty.”

Jack shrugged. “Damn it all, Gavin, it isn't a crime. I am surprised. What have you been doing with yourself?”

“Working.”

“Working? Even in your bed?”

“When were
you
first with a woman?” Gavin asked.

“That night I left my bed in Eton,” he assured his twin. “And every night after that one until they hauled me off and threw me on a ship. That lass was magic.”

His memories did not help his brother. If anything, Gavin appeared more stoic.

Jack sought to raise his spirits. “Come on, man. You can always find out what it is like. A man with your wealth? Your position? I'm surprised the women haven't propositioned you.”

“They have. There are those who are very ­forward.”

“Yes, well, if they dangle bait in front of you, bite.”

“I'm not that sort of man,” Gavin protested.

Jack felt the ice grow thinner beneath his feet. “Are you saying you don't like the ladies?”

That garnered a reaction from his brother. “
Of course
I like women. I just don't throw my seed here and there. I have responsibilities to the title. I don't want to breed bastards. Furthermore, the woman I marry must be a virgin. How else will I know that the child she carries is mine? Why should she not expect the same from me?”

Jack hummed his thoughts. “That statement sounds like Father.”

“He was giving me good advice. Just the other day, my friend Rovington confided in me that he is having some difficulty with his ‘private parts.' He has a good wife but he has been pursuing some actress. He says he can't have enough of her. Now he worries he has too much of her. Father warned me that those things could happen. A man could lose his peter.”

“He warned me as well, but it hasn't happened to me. I mean, I was never one to poke everything that came along, beyond that girl when I was fifteen. I learned it is good to be discerning. You have to find a clean woman, Gavin. You just don't”—­he searched for the right word—­“go at one with scurvy or sores. But there are women who are as cautious as we are.”

“And then what?” his brother asked.

Whoa. Jack didn't think he would need to explain this much. “You have an understanding of anatomy, the differences between us?”

“Of course I do,” came the testy reply.

Jack wasn't so certain he did. However, he knew it was wisest to be careful of insulting his twin. The ducal pride was an entity unto itself. “Well then you have at it,” Jack explained. “Let nature take its course. Enjoy the moment.”

“But how do I reach that moment? I can't pounce on the woman. I don't want to do anything that shows how green I am. I take it from listening to others that a measure of clumsiness is accepted when we are young and brash, but at my age, well, it is assumed I know what I am doing. I mean, my friends assume I've done it, albeit I'm very private about personal matters.”

“As we all should be. Gavin, you
will
know what you are doing when the time is right,” Jack assured him. “Bed play is not like studying for exams and worrying about marks. It is gift from God and meant to be fun.”

“Fun?” Gavin repeated.

Perhaps his twin did not know what fun was? Considering all he'd been through over the years since their father had died, that was quite possible.

“Yes,” Jack answered. “It is also the most blessed act between two people in love. Don't fear it or make it complicated. We are supposed to enjoy our bodies, Gavin. And your friends like Rovington and my compatriot Rice, who are indiscriminate in their sexual lives, well, they aren't you. Let yourself fall in love. Court your lady and learn her heart. Then when you consummate your marriage, you'll have the right spirit between the two of you. By the way, there isn't a man on the face of the earth who didn't wonder if he knew what he was doing the first time, but we all gain the hang of it.”

“I don't know if I can wait for courtship. When I am around her, I feel ready to burst. Does that sound terrible?”

“No, but it does sound like how I felt for Mary Swanson when I was fifteen.”

“Oh gawd.”

Jack laughed and his twin joined him. Gavin picked up the reins but before he moved the horses, he said, “Thank you.”

“For?”

“I don't have anyone I can trust. We were always at odds even as boys but you have always understood me in a way others haven't.”

“I do. You must learn to silence Father's voice in your head. It will take time. It took me years. You are a good man, Gavin. An honorable one.”

“As you are, which is amazing. When you were fifteen, I would not have thought you would be a lawyer.”

“I'm a good one.”

“I don't doubt it.” Gavin looked at the reins in his gloved hands and then said, “It hurt when you left. I was angry for a long time.”

“You are still angry.”

“Perhaps. I missed you.”

“And I missed you as well,” Jack agreed. “Until the next argument.”

Gavin laughingly conceded the truth of his statement. He flicked the reins. The horses moved forward.

They rode in companionable silence until they were in sight of Menheim and then Gavin said, “I dine with Lord and Lady Hurst this evening. Join us. He is on the Committee for Colonial Affairs in Lords.”

“He is exactly whom I wish to meet.”

“They set a good table and are generous hosts. I'll send a note letting them know you are coming.”

What could Jack say? “Thank you.”

“I'll also have Talbert set the meeting you have requested. It will take some time to arrange.”

“I am happy to wait and completely at your ­disposal.”

Gavin gave him a thin smile. “You will need to be seen with the family as often as possible. At the balls, musicales, whatever. We want to overcome the impression that you do not value your heritage.”

“Understood. Thank you.”

“Well, it is our bargain. You help me win my ladylove and I shall give you your meeting.”

“I would like to believe you want to arrange the meeting to avert a war between two countries,” Jack insisted mildly.

“That as well.” He pulled the horses to a halt at Menheim's front door.

The tiger was waiting for them. Both Jack and Gavin jumped down, and the servant took the reins to drive the horses to the stable.

Together, the twins entered the house. Their mother was happy to hear Jack would be joining the company for dinner and he was pleased he had agreed.

Later that evening, over port and after the ladies had excused themselves to leave the men to their business, Hurst and the other gentlemen around the table listened reluctantly to Jack's overview of American concerns. Encouraged by Gavin, some asked good questions.

The duke also received a quizzing by both men and women about Lady Charlene. Apparently the papers had noted Gavin's interest and gossips had been busy at work.

Jack would wager they would be even busier on the morrow after the ladies around the table went calling. He'd even overheard mention of Elin's name and realized that among outsiders of the family, the consensus was that she had jilted the duke.

For that reason, the next day, Jack decided it was time he had a talk with Lady Charlene about her lifting of purses. It was clear Gavin was more than infatuated. If the lady was a brazen criminal, Gavin needed to know now so that he didn't find himself made a laughingstock. Or worse, married to a woman who practiced avarice.

Considering the sharing of confidences, and all that Gavin was doing to help his mission, Jack believed he must do what he could to protect his twin.

After a meeting with Russell to discuss the dinner with Lord Hurst, Jack took off for Mulberry Street. It was late afternoon. The day was overcast but cold and dry.

Quickly covering the distance, he was close to his destination when he noticed a familiar character walking in the opposite direction from where he was heading.

He also realized that, now that he knew what to look for, Lady Charlene's shapely legs were hard to disguise in breeches. Nor was she traveling alone. Two street lads flanked her. They appeared a rough-­and-­tumble crew.

What the devil was she up to? More criminal work?

He followed to find out.

Chapter Nine

L
eo wants to see you.”

Charlene had stared at Danny standing on her back step as if she could make him disappear.

“I'm not alone,” she had warned. Lady Baldwin was in the front room, snoring so loudly she could be heard in the kitchen.

“The other woman who lives here is gone,” Danny had answered. “And you have left before when the old lady in feathers is here.”

How did they know? Were they watching her? Probably.

“My aunt might be back,” Charlene had answered.

Danny had shrugged. “Leo means for you to come now.”

Char had known she must be careful, especially now that the duke was apparently involved in her life.

Lady Baldwin had sworn that he was enamored of her. “He is yours,” she had predicted. “He wants you.”

Sarah had agreed. “He is hooked, you lucky girl. A marriage to him will give you security for the rest of your life.”

“Did your marriage give you security?” Char had countered.

“There is no comparison between Roland Pettijohn and Baynton.” Sarah rarely mentioned her husband by name.

“But did you marry him for security or love?” Char had wanted to know.

“Both . . . and I was sorely disappointed,” Sarah had answered. “I wasn't even sad when he left and the day I received word he had died, I danced on a table. The duke may be a bit starchy but he seems an honest and good man. You must admit he is easy on the eyes.”

However, Char wasn't about to count on a marriage to the duke, not after she'd seen Whitridge on the step. It was a mystery to her why he hadn't immediately charged into the house and denounced her. She'd spent all of last evening and a good portion of this day waiting to be exposed. Every time there had been a knock on the door, she'd expected it to be the Watch to take her away.

Instead, it had been one invitation after another to social occasions from people she had never heard of.

Lady Baldwin had, though, and she had exclaimed over the names on every card Char opened. “Why, these are all the finest families. Charlene, we will be socializing with the very best. My daughter will eat herself up with envy. I can't wait to tell her where I shall be tomorrow evening.” She had held up an invite and waved it in the air.

Sarah had been busy penning acceptances while fretting how they would be able to afford dresses for the affairs. She'd left early for the ­theater, hoping for help from the Haymarket's wardrobe mistress.

The last thing Char had anticipated was a ­summons from Leo.

“This isn't a convenient time,” Charlene had ­informed Danny.

“You owe the Seven money.”

“I know, and I am trying to pay you back as quickly I can. However, I shouldn't leave the house at this moment.”

She would have shut the door but Danny had blocked her action with his arm. “
Now
, or there will be others who will come.”

That had sounded ominous.

After all, any of the Seven could see her to prison as easily as Whitridge and everyone knew there was no honor among thieves.

Of which she was one.

The thought no longer thrilled her.

“I need to change into my disguise,” Char had said. Heaven forbid she be recognized with the likes of the Seven.

“Good idea” had been Danny's answer.

Checking on Lady Baldwin, who slept on the settee with her feet on the floor, her chin on her chest, Char had debated leaving a note but had decided against it. Anticipating the possibility of a call from the duke, Sarah had let them set a fire in the grate, a luxury for them on a chilly afternoon. Char had lifted the lady's feet upon a footstool, covered her with a lap blanket, and then left to change.

She had quickly pulled on her breeches and shirt, and had used pins to put up her hair. She had then plopped her hat over her head and shrugged on her coat. She hadn't bothered with a neck cloth. Grubby boys didn't always pay ­attention to them.

Char had gone out in the garden, put her hands in some dirt, and then rubbed it on her face. Danny had been waiting for her at the gate. He had not been alone. Another one of the Seven, a boy around Danny's age named Hal, had joined them.

Together they had set off to see Leo. Char prayed the interview would not take long.

“So, what is going on?” she asked Danny as they walked. She noticed that another of the Seven had fallen into step behind her. Simon was his name. He was one of the younger boys.

He, too, was solemn and he followed with intent ceremony.

Char reminded herself that they were, after all, just boys, but they were serious, grim. Almost dangerous.

And they were not interested in answering any of her questions.

She did wonder what they would do if she refused to take a step farther or ran back to Mulberry Street, and then feared the answer.

As she was being marched, she could miserably understand a bit of the desperation her father had felt.

Char had never confided to Lady Baldwin about Leo's “tribute.” She knew that her friend would be horrified to know what had started off as a bit of lark had taken such a sinister turn. And she certainly did not want Sarah to learn of this. Her aunt would be disappointed in not only the ­thievery, the debt, and Char's bad choices, but also that Charlene had not confided in her. Sarah worked very hard to provide for them and she would interpret the situation as
her
mistake.

Tension built between her shoulder blades as they moved closer to the Seven's lair.

And then they were there. Hal looked left and right before ducking down the narrow alley. Danny prodded her to go forward.

In the courtyard on the other end, Leo threw back the flap of his dwelling and came out as they approached. He placed his
chapeau bras
on his head. The other members of the Seven material­ized out of their hidey-­holes and makeshift ­structures. They formed a ring around Charlene.

She faced Leo, her shoulders back and her lips pressed together firmly for strength.

“Hello, Lady Charlene,” Leo said. He swept his hat off his head and bowed, before replacing it.

“Hello, Leo,” she answered.

“Do you know why you are here?”

“You think I owe you money—­”

Leo held up a finger as if to warn her. “I
know
you owe us money.”

“I can give you your money, but not until the month is over.” She said this with perfect conviction. Her father would have been proud.

“I don't believe you,” Leo answered. “You told us two weeks ago that you had failed to snatch a purse on Threadneedle Street, even though our allies in that territory saw differently.”

“They were wrong.” She was beginning to sound convincing . . . she thought.

“Were they? Tall Adam and his lot claim they saw you pinch the man's purse. When he came to me for his share and I told him what you'd said, he was very angry. He wanted to do you harm. The lads and I talked him out of it.”

She looked around the circle at the faces that were too old for their young years. “I told the truth.”

“I doubt that,” Leo answered.

She was tempted to lie again, so she said nothing.

Leo approached her. He was about her height but wiry and strong. “I also don't believe you have the money any longer, my lady because you spent it.”

“I can't spend what I don't have,” she dared to counter.

“
Stop
it. You are not a good liar, my lady. Nor is it wise to believe I can't read the papers,” Leo answered. “They have a school in Newgate, just for lads like myself that need moral guidance. The reformers set it up. They taught me to read. I've been interested in what I've read about you and what I hear on the streets.”

“And what would that be?” she wondered.

“That you might become a duchess.” Leo grinned in anticipation. “Why, all the papers are full of the Duke of B. being on the hunt for a wife. He had a huge ball so that he could look at all the prime stock in London. Duke of B. Silly, ain't it? Every­one knows who
he
is. And they say he is taken with a Lady C. Well, I don't know who Lady C. is but since Tall Adam came to me complaining, the Seven have been watching your house. We have an investment in you now, my lady. We saw the Duke of B. call on you yesterday. We even watched over a week ago when you went shopping. Had a day of it, you did. You spent more than five guineas.”

“That was my aunt's money.”

The sly smile left Leo's face. “We don't care whose money it is. You pay us first.”

“I didn't know that,” Char answered. “You didn't give me terms when last we spoke—­”

“
Then
let me give you new terms. The price has gone up.”

“
Why?
”

“Because you need to learn a lesson, and we have an idea.”

Char did not want to play this game any longer. “What is it?”

“Five guineas will not cover your debt any longer.”

“How much do you want?”

“It is
what
we want that matters. I have people I answer to as well. You want money, we want money, they want money—­it goes round and round. The new terms are a hundred pounds.”

Char almost fell backward. “A hundred pounds? There is no way I will have that sort of money.”

“You could. You do have a talent for filching a purse—­”

“I'm done with it. I never want to do it again—­”

“Or you can pay us when you marry your duke. There will be interest, of course.”

“This is outrageous.”

“Aye, but it is too late now. You have done it. We are partners whether you like it or not. If you want our silence, you will be paying for it, ­Duchess.”

He was right and it broke her heart.

She thought of Sarah. Her aunt would be horrified to learn of the turn Charlene had taken. “What if I don't?”

“Then you will be in Newgate prison. Pity you already know how to read. They have good tutors.”

“No one will believe that I'm a pickpocket,” Char said, trying to brazen it out.

“The papers will. There are always those interested in bits of scandal and they don't much care if it is true or not. And the Duke of B., if he is wise, and they say he is, he'll run.”

He would.

“But this won't be the end, will it?” she suggested. “You will always come to me for money.”

“You have the reputation to protect, my lady. We don't.”

Char's hands curled into fists at her side. She looked around at the faces of the Seven. They watched her with the expressions of cats who have trapped a mouse, and it was all her own fault. This was the desperation her father had experienced. There was no way to be free of them.

She also noticed something she had not paid particular attention to before; none of these lads showed the signs that they were keeping their money. Their clothes were threadbare, the soles of their shoes thin. Even Leo did not appear wealthy in spite of his cocky
chapeau bras
. The money they made went to criminals higher up the chain of authority from them. They didn't even look as if they ate decently.

“May I leave now?” Char asked.

Leo nodded to Danny. “See her out. The rest of you, we have an hour until dark. Be busy.” The boys scattered, many leaving through the alley passageway.

“This way, my lady,” Danny said, and led her away.

Char felt as if her feet had been turned to weights. A part of her refused to believe any of this was real, including Leo's threats.

The sane part of her knew it was all too true.

They came out onto the street. The pedestrians were thinning and there were more men out and about. Groups of them. A few sailors, some lads looking for trouble, men hurrying to wherever they had to go.

Char pulled her hat lower over her head and followed Danny. She was anxious to return home and prayed Lady Baldwin had not woken from her nap because Char's feeble brain was growing tired of all the lies she'd told. She also needed to put together what would undoubtedly be a cold supper. A bit of the chicken left from last night's meal, some cheese, bread, and apples.

Indeed, this task, making a meal and taking care of the house on Mulberry Street, now seemed the most longed for experience in her life—­

Whitridge's tall, commanding figure stepped out from around a corner, blocking her path. Danny took one look at the angry blue eyes and firm jaw and took off running.

Char wished she could run, too, but she wouldn't. The time had come for a reckoning.

“Go ahead,” she dared. “Send me to Newgate.”

And then she burst into tears.