“He was smiling and oozing good humor to such an extent that I wanted to be sick.He started asking me all kinds of questions about Francis and Nicholas and what they do together.I thought it both strange and ill-mannered.Then he started talking about how concerned he is for your welfare—”
She broke off at Eleanor’s pallor.“Oh, I’ve upset you!My wretched tongue again.”
“No, it is nothing,” Eleanor assured her hastily.“I just don’t like to think of my brother bothering you so.”
“Oh well,” said Amy comfortably.“Every family has black sheep.Have I ever told you about my Uncle Jamie?”
Eleanor could compose herself as she listened to a lively account of the Haile family’s reprobate.At the back of her mind, however, she was facing a new problem.Was Lord Middlethorpe in some way embroiled in this mad business, and could even Amy, so sweet and innocent, become entangled?What would the consequences be?Treason was a hanging matter for all involved.
As a consequence of these thoughts, as soon as Amy had left Eleanor took a drastic step.Accompanied by Jenny, she walked around to Lord Middlethorpe’s rooms.It was most improper, but she knew she could trust Jenny’s discretion.She only hoped she was not seen.
Francis’s man was amazed to see her, but she gave him no time to object and simply walked in.“Please tell Lord Middlethorpe Mrs.Delaney is here to see him.”
Francis had heard her voice, however, and came to her.“For heaven’s sake, Eleanor, you should not be here.Is anything wrong?”
She waited until she was settled in privacy, leaving Jenny to sit nervously in the hall.“Francis, I have to ask you some questions,” Eleanor said.“But you must promise me you will not tell Nicholas of this visit or of what we are to discuss.”
If he had looked concerned before, now Lord Middlethorpe looked worried.“Eleanor, you know I would not normally discuss you with Nicholas, but if you’re asking such a promise then you must know I will think I should.”
Eleanor refused to be daunted.“Yes, but I know better.I need your help Francis, but without your word I cannot ask it.”
“If you need help, believe me, Nicholas is the one to turn to, not I.He would not fail you.”
“Perhaps not,” said Eleanor, unbending.“I will decide that.I have certain decisions to make and I need more information.I may well tell Nicholas the whole, but as things stand now, I cannot.”
There was a tense silence, “This is a kind of blackmail,” he said angrily.
“Is it?How unpleasant.But we are all being driven to rather unpleasant measures, are we not?”
He looked at her, startled.“Do I understand you know something of what is in hand?”
“I must have your promise,” said Eleanor.
There was a further implacable silence that amounted to a battle of wills.In the end he surrendered and gave his word.“Though I should probably just tell Nicholas what you have said so far and let him deal with it,” he sighed.
Eleanor chose her words carefully.If Francis knew nothing, she did not want to reveal the treason to him.“I have been given to understand,” she said, “that Nicholas is involved with Madame Bellaire not merely amorously but in certain matters of international significance.”
She watched his reaction.He was shocked.
“How did you know about that woman?”he demanded angrily.
“Really, Francis.All London knows, and that is the least of our problems.”As she said it, Eleanor realized it was true.At the moment she was not concerned by her husband’s attachment to the other woman except insofar as it endangered his life.
“Very well,” Lord Middlethorpe admitted uneasily.“What you say is true.But how did you find out?It is vital that I know and tell Nicholas.”
“But I have your word,” she said.
He groaned.“Eleanor!If you know what is involved, then you know it extremely important.This is no time for girlish whims.”
“That is unfair, Francis,” she protested sharply.“It would be very easy to shelve my responsibilities, but I will not do it.Give me the facts and I will make my decision.But,” she added desperately, “I can’t understand how he can have been so mad as to have involved himself.Are you too entangled?”
“No, no.I’m not,” he assured her.“Or not directly.Nicholas said it was too risky for me, as I am the sole reliance of my mother and sisters.”
“And is he not my sole reliance?”
He placed a comforting hand on hers.“He became involved before your marriage, Eleanor.And he knows you could always turn to his brother.”
Eleanor abandoned an unprofitable side issue.“So it is true.”She frowned up at him.“Francis, are you saying you approve of what he is doing?”
