“I’ve lost faith in the classics entirely,” he said unsteadily as shemoved to one side and her hand wandered down past his navel. “God, Beth...”
She found the hot, velvety firmness of him. “And what have the classicsto do with this?” she asked softly.
“Juvenal,” he said like a groan. “‘Nemo repente fuit terpissimus.’ ‘Noone becomes depraved in amoment.’ The man was a fool, or he just didn’t know anyone like you.”
Softly in the dark he added, “Poor man.”
Chapter Twenty-two
contents -previous |next
The next day Beth had considerable trouble getting rid of her husband.She knew how he felt. She could hardly bear to be out of his company for amoment and yet it was necessary for her plan. She wasn’t at all sure hewould approve.
Military matters helped. They breakfasted together sharing a copy oftheTimesand reading the Duke of Wellington’s dispatch. As yet therewas no news of casualties except for the death of the Duke ofBrunswick.
“It was clearly a terrible battle,” Beth said at last.
“But a great victory. See what it says, ‘A complete overthrow of theenemy.’ Wellington’s not one for hollow boasts. Napoleon’s done for atlast.”
“But at what cost?” She was thinking of all the soldiers, but chieflyof the ones she knew, Amleigh and Debenham. It was unthinkable that thosemerry, vibrant young men, no older than Lucien, be dead, and yet it couldbe so. There had been that report that said Amleigh’s regiment hadsuffered.
She saw the look in Lucien’s eyes. She didn’t really understand thisgroup of friends he had, Nicholas and the rest, but it was clearly a deeprelationship. It would hurt him bitterly if any of them suffered. Hurtthem all.
She laid her hand over his. “When will the lists be out?”
“At any time,” he said. “They may put out a special edition of thepaper.”
Beth sighed. “There’s so much grief just waiting to be unleashed. I’mthinking what it would be like if you were there.”
His hand tightened on hers. “And we’re just hoping the people we carefor aren’t on the list.”
There was no ulterior motive when Beth said, “Why don’t you go to yourclub or to the Delaneys‘. There may be more to discover.”
“You don’t mind? Or you could come with me to Nicholas’s.”
“No, I’d rather stay here for now.”
He left her with a kiss. Beth knew he shared her guilt at being sohappy, so fulfilled, when the happiness of others was all at an end. Itwas always so with war, she supposed. Today London would echo with thecheers of victory while many, many people wept.
Eventually she got a grip on herself and put her plan into action. Sheclaimed she was going back to bed and did not want to be disturbed. Assoon as Redcliff had gone away, however, Beth got up again and dressed.She carefully applied the concealing cosmetics to her face though shecouldn’t persuade herself that they would fool careful scrutiny. Blancheknew the worst anyway. Then Beth chose the old clothes she had broughtfrom Miss Mallory’s and her most concealing bonnet. Inconspicuous, shehoped, she crept down the servants’ staircase and out of the coal-roomdoor.
She needed to contact Robin, for she still wasn’t certain of the way toBlanche’s house, and she needed to speak to him without alerting anyone toher “escape” from Belcraven House. She bit her lip and chuckled as sheglanced up at the massive mansion. It was ridiculous to be creeping outlike this when no one could actually stop her if she chose to walk out ofthe front door.
She’d probably drive Lucien to contemplate violence again, once hefound out what she was up to. That she felt no tremor of fear told her shereally did trust him. She knew she had a foolish smile on her face as sheslipped down towards the mews.
What excuse could she make for her visit, and how could she speak toRobin alone? For excuse she could say she was visiting Stella. The poorbeast had been given little enough exercise since Hartwell ? only twotrots in the park. Privacy with Robin was more of a problem. Granger orDooley would appear like a shot when the marchioness visited the mews.
She was rubbing Stella’s soft, velvety nose when Granger appeared.
“Good morning, milady. Can I help you?”
“No thank you. Granger. I just wanted to visit Stella. I hope he isbeing exercised.”
“Never fear, ma’am. Robin takes him out. The only horse he’s much goodfor,” the man grumbled. “And, begging your pardon, it does the scamp nogood to be taken away from his work and given privileges. Getting abovehimself for sure.”
“Oh,” said Beth, concealing a smile as she saw her excuse. “That isunfortunate. Perhaps I should speak to him about it.”
“Well, there’s no need ?”
