Page 61 of The Scandal of the Deceived Duchess
Usually, it was enough for many men to prove their bravery by just standing before a gun and holding the course until the cacophonous discharge of the musket balls from the pistols. After that, in most cases, the complaint was solved when the challenged party apologized to the aggrieved one. Then, both men went their separate ways. However, without divine intervention, today would be to the death.
“Jake, I have been meaning to ask you all of this time; how on earth did we end up having the duel at Carlton House of all places?” asked Jonathan. “What I am trying to say is that you went to meet up with Sir Arthur to discuss an alternative to the duel and then what happened?” Jonathan had never managed to ask that question even though it had been sitting there the entire time waiting to be asked; there had just been too much going on.
“Yetry and go to the White’s Club and remain sane…the place robsyeofyersenses. All I wanted to do was meet Sir Arthur and go, but how was I to know that the prince regent was there as well?”
Jonathan lifted his hands. “Hey, I am not blaming you, Jake.”
“The man is impossible to refuse. I tried, but he got so excited. It was like sitting next to a small boy. He insisted for such a long time and after a few drinks too many, I agreed – By Jove, the man can drink; I barely made it back to my carriage afterward. Then he started asking me all of these questions about America and the war.” Jake thought a moment. “Yeknow, the man is not as stupid as many think he is. He is actually rather clever.”
“Really. Well, I am sure to find out soon enough,” said Jonathan, his frame jolting as the conveyance navigated the streets of London. It did not take much longer until they reached a gate and entered a driveway, leading them to an elaborate courtyard.
Jake whistled. “It looks like we have arrived. Haveyeever seen the likes; theblimenplace is larger than President’s House!” Jake exclaimed looking about with eyes as wide as saucers.
“Yes, it is very impressive. That’s monarchy for you, Jake,” said Jonathan. “They can build whatever they like with the taxpayers’ money.”
They stepped out of the carriage that had come to a halt in front of Carlton House. At last, it was the day of the duel. To Jonathan and Jake’s surprise, it was quiet. They both had expected scores of people to advance onto the regent’s home with glee. But that was not the case. Amelia had said the other night when they had dined together that the regent was arranging something lavish to accommodate the duel. So far, no traces of that could be seen.
“Where is everybody?” asked Jake, commenting on what both of them had thought.
“It appears that the prince regent has decided to keep this thing far more exclusive than we thought.” Jonathan pressed his lips together thinking.It was strange. Why go to all this trouble to host the duel here and not use it as some publicity stunt to bolster his already inflated ego?
Seeing Amelia the other evening had infused ardor into his veins like fuel added to a fire. “Well, Jake, old friend. Thanks to you we are in this mess.”
Jake scowled at him. “I couldn’t help it. The man was so convincing, and I never sat next to a prince before. They have yeexecuted ifyedon’t do their bidding – I know they do,” said Jake.
Jonathan managed a chuckle despite the tension that was growing inside of him the closer he got to his fate. “Not in England they don’t. Those days are over.”
Jake sighed and looked up before entering the cavernous building. He and his friend stood under a roofed hexastyle portico. He turned to look in the direction they had come. Carlton House’s courtyard was separated from Pall Mall by a dwarf screen, which was surmounted by a magnificent colonnade. Turning back, he gulped only to be again confronted with the ostentatious interior before him.
“What kind of person lives in a place like this?” he asked, stepping into the great hall that had a pleasing air of classic elegance about it.
“Royalty, my friend. That’s who.” Jonathan, however, could not help being impressed as well by the perfection of everything. It seemed that every ornament, no matter how small, had been placed in exactly the right place.
“Please follow me,” said a footman, dressed in red royal servant’s livery and white silk stockings. There were others standing by the walls waiting to do their master’s bidding.
Jonathan and Jake followed him through an octagonal vestibule and on to the grand staircase that would lead them to the ground floor where the day’s activities would start. The two Americans had no clue what they were letting themselves in for.
After passing another anteroom and the library, Jonathan and Jake unsuspectingly walked into the Golden Drawing Room. It was spectacular. As its name suggested, it had golden cornicing bordering the ceiling and many more elements in the same material. And like most of the residence, the architectural features were of the Gothic period.
The two men had no time to inspect their surroundings. The moment they stepped into the room, loud applause was there to welcome them. Before the Americans, there stood over a hundred people dressed in their most luxurious finery. They hailed Jonathan for his courage and wished him the best of luck in the upcoming duel.
Everything was choreographed perfectly. Moments after the Americans’ entrance, the applause reignited when Sir Thomas, his wife, and Amelia appeared. Here too, the people present were well-wishers and messengers carrying verbal missives of good fortune. All of the attention made Sir Thomas feel even more important than he was.
Jonathan and Amelia’s gazes interlocked. He smiled at her and she returned his affections in full. She looked so beautiful in a light green pelisse tailored in the military style that was currently in vogue. It was fur trimmed and open at the front, revealing a pale muslin empire style gown. The sight of her made him swallow deeply. He thoughtif that were the last thing I ever see, it would all be worth it.
“Welcome, brave heroes,” said a high-pitched voice that slurred slightly. It came from behind the crowd. “Welcome,” it said again. “Welcome to Carlton House. I took the liberty of arranging a small luncheon before we commence with the duel.” The regent clapped his hands excitedly.
The prince miraculously appeared from among the tightly knit group of courtiers that magically created a passage for him to pass through. When he reached the front, he beamed at the new arrivals. “Isn’t this exciting. A fight for honor, a fight between nations and…” He took a few steps forward until he stood before Jake. “And as my friend, Jake, here tells me, it is a fight for love.” He turned and winked at Amelia, making her blush.
There was a loud intake of air that the regent would refer to one of the Americans as his friend rather than according Sir Thomas the dignity of receiving his attention first. The prince did not mind. He truly enjoyed the shock and awe tactic he so often employed.
“What did you tell him, Jake?” hissed Jonathan.
“I didn’t think it could hurt to tell the regent the whole story. He loved it and told me that it broke his heart as well,” said Jake.
There was no time. The prince, who wore a field marshal’s uniform, was on the move again. The cordon around the waist was a lighter blue, and a superb brilliant star adorned his chest along with some other glittering awards; there was a diamond loop and button in his hat and a feather swaying on the top. He was heavily made up, and he wore a wig under his headdress.
“Come now, follow me,” he said, excitedly. He winked at Jake before turning. Without waiting any longer, he rotated on his heels and moved back through the crowd from whence he came.
