Page 37 of Only Pleasure Will Do

“You are correct, my dear.” Dalbury nodded. “I’ll give Grayson instructions to send a footman as soon as the explosion occurs.”

“I hate to cast a pall over the plans, gentlemen,” Mr. Morley broke in, “and lady, but I fear I have discovered a flaw.”

“What is that, Amiable?” Lady Dalbury cocked her head, frowning.

“Gunpowder doesn’t explode when struck by a projectile, such as a ball fired from a pistol or long gun. I recall a time when some fellows in my regiment tried to explode a barrel of gunpowder to keep it from falling into enemy hands. They shot it half a dozen times with no luck. I suggested they set it on fire and ‘boom.’” Mr. Morley waved his hands in a gesture suggesting an explosion. “Problem solved.”

“So you’re saying we need to set this thing on fire in order to explode it?” The deep baritone of Lord Trevor’s voice held a touch of skepticism. “How would you propose to do that?”

Morley shrugged. “It’s easy enough to set a fuse, although I daresay you’d have to be rather careful not to touch the winding key. Leave a long enough fuse then set fire to it and run to a safe distance. How much powder do you think he stuffed in there?”

“The device is fairly heavy.” Amorina spoke up. “I would say he gutted the clock and simply filled every cranny with gunpowder.”

“Then this will be a substantial explosion.” Mr. Morley clasped his hands behind his back, as a soldier at ease might stand. “I think I should be the one to set and fire the fuse, Dalbury. I’ve had some experience with such things in Virginia while fighting the French.”

“Amiable, no.” Lady Juliet rose and hurried to her husband’s side. “It’s too dangerous, my love.”

“I will be perfectly fine, my dear.” He stroked a finger down her cheek. “I’ve done much more dangerous duty in my time. Besides, no one else has experience with such things.”

“Good of you, Morley.” Dalbury nodded to his brother-in-law. “What will you need?”

The gentlemen returned to huddle around the sideboard, their discussion focusing on the practical planning of the task.

“Come, Madam Vestry.” Lady Dalbury directed her attention to Amorina, who rose, suddenly apprehensive. Now their plan was in motion, everything seemed to be happening too fast. She needed time to sit quietly for just a moment and calm herself. “My carriage is at your disposal should you wish it. You will need to spend the night somewhere and await tomorrow’s newssheets. Have you thought of where you will go?”

“The House of Pleasure, my lady.” Amorina had reasoned that out earlier. “I think that will be best, although I don’t want to occasion any talk by showing up suddenly with no explanation of my whereabouts after being gone so long. I can slip up to my room via the back stairs with no one the wiser. Few people are about this time of day, although in a couple of hours there will be more activity. I think it best if I go now.”

“Very well, Madam Vestry.” Lady Dalbury led her to the door. “I will give Grayson instructions for the carriage.” She grasped Amorina’s shoulder and squeezed it. The embrace of a comrade in arms. “Good luck. I pray all goes well and we meet tomorrow at Jack’s house. You know it?”

“I can find it, my lady. Thank you so much for…everything. If…” She swallowed but forced herself to continue, “If things do not go as planned, will you make certain Pearl is taken care of? I had asked Sir Reginald, but if he is not able…”

“Never worry on that account, Madam Vestry.” The marchioness’s eyes shone fiercely. “Your daughter will be raised as though she were one of my own. I swear it to you.”

What the marquess might have to say about that Amorina didn’t know, but she chose to cling instead to Lady Dalbury’s promise. If anyone could get him to accept her child, it was this woman. “I thank you for that. Goodbye.”

Unable to continue, Amorina fled the room. She would find the butler and tell him of his mistress’s wishes and afterward make her way back to the House of Pleasure. Tonight would be interminable, filled not only with the raucous sounds of the brothel, but her own chaotic hopes and fears.

Still, tomorrow would see the end of this nightmare, one way or the other.