Page 54 of The Book of Lost Stories
‘I should think not!’ Lord Rayven said. ‘You had better see if you can find out more, Jarvis, but without sticking your own neck out, mind!’
*
‘I would not be entirely surprised at Chase being connected with such things, for I am told the pox has him so firmly in its grip that he is more than half-crazed,’ Rayven said, retailing the information to Harry later that day. ‘But I find it hard to believe that sane men would commit such foul acts.’
‘Yes, and both Nat Hartwood and Rivers assured me that the meetings of the Brethren were harmless fun. In fact, Hartwood has invited me to go along on the next night of full moon to see for myself. But I do not suppose he meant me to learn of this inner circle of members,’ Harry said. ‘Couldit betrue? And could Gervase have been involved in anything so very bad? I cannot think it of him.’
‘Perhaps it is Chase alone who has been perpetrating these outrages? If Gervase found out about it, I dare say then he would feel in some part to blame,’ Rayven suggested.
‘Or maybe the rumours are wrong, Serle, and those poor girls were not the work of the Brethren at all? Perhaps Iwillgo to their next meeting and see what goes on for myself.’
‘Nothing but licentiousness and general debauchery, I should think,’ Rayven said.
Knowing his friend’s serious character, he did not think he would find much pleasure there.
21
Always the Villain
‘Papa,’ Drusilla said earnestly, while she sponged the sufferer’s brow and rendered all the other small services that a loving heart can offer to an afflicted parent, ‘I feel that there is something – some momentous secret! – that you are keeping from me. Would you not rest more easily if you shared the burden?’
Death or DishonourbyORLANDO BROWNE
When the hired hack drew up outside the offices of the Minerva Press in Leadenhall Street, Thomas Grimshaw jumped down and assisted Alys to descend.
‘Are you quite sure about this, Miss Weston?’ he asked anxiously. ‘Would it not be better to keep your anonymity after all?’
‘Iwillkeep it secret, except to my publishers, for I perceive that my novels sell better under a man’s name, but they must put it about that that impostor Daniel Coalport isnottheirauthor,’ she said with a fiery glint in her eyes, and marched in briskly, the bulky parcel of manuscript under her arm.
Jarvis, paying off his own hack, rubbed his chin thoughtfully, then commandeered a passing urchin to carry a note to Lord Rayven.
*
When Alys emerged some time later with Mr Lane in attentive attendance, it was to find Lord Rayven awaiting her, while his groom stood at the horse’s heads.
‘Ah, there you are, Miss Weston,’ he said blandly. ‘Had you been much longer I would have had to walk the horses.’
‘Lord R-Rayven?’ Alys stammered. ‘What are you … I mean,whyare you … were youwaitingfor me?’ She cast a look behind her, but Mr Lane had vanished and the door to the Minerva office was firmly closed.
‘Certainly … or perhaps for Mr Orlando Browne?’ His dark brows raised, he observed her discomfiture. ‘Unless, of course, yourcompanionis this mysterious Mr Browne?’
She gathered her wits and, putting up her chin, said, ‘I see that you know very well he is not. This is Mr Thomas Grimshaw, Miss Grimshaw’s nephew. Thomas, this is Lord Rayven, who can have no possible interest in my affairs other than vulgar curiosity.’
‘Vulgar, would you say, Miss Weston? But I believe this is not the place to discuss such matters. Perhaps you would do me the honour of taking a turn in the park to see the spring flowers?’
She stared at him, frowning, for if he had somehow guessed her secret then she must try to discover whether he meant to broadcast the information. ‘Very well,’ she decided.
‘Miss Weston, are you sure you would not rather I called a hack to return you to Mrs Rivers’ house?’ asked Mr Grimshaw in a low voice.
‘No, I will be quite safe with his lordship, I assure you, Thomas. He cannot have much to say to me, but it were best said in private.’
He handed her up into the carriage and watched her drive off, his concern increased by the fact that Lord Rayven had dismissed his groom. But then he smiled wryly to himself. Rayven might look as resolute a warrior as any former soldier, but if he thought to gain an advantage over Miss Weston, then he might well have met his match!
In the carriage there was silence as Rayven guided his high-spirited horses through the busy streets, but once they had entered the park Alys turned a wrathful face towards him, her eyes blazing.
‘You have been spying on me! That man, the one in the frieze coat that you nodded to as we drove away – he has been watching me! Iknewhe looked familiar.’
Rayven looked a little self-conscious. ‘Jarvis. He is merely a former soldier servant of mine, for whom I wished to find some employment.’
