Page 3 of Lady of Charade
“Perhaps we should ask Monsieur Perrault.”
“No need. Evidence speaks for itself,” David countered, and Berkley laughed at that, shrugging to show that on this, perhaps, he conceded.
He and Berkley continued to banter back and forth as they removed their fencing gear. David was well aware that the company he kept was somewhat above his station, as the second son of an earl. A duke and a marquess were lofty companions, but they seemed to enjoy his company, though he often wondered if they were simply living somewhat vicariously through him, both of them now married, though happily at that.
“Where are you off to now, Redmond?” Berkley asked as they walked out into the London sunshine. The weather was slowly drifting into spring. Before long, his family’s country homes would be opened, though David was unsure when or for how long he would visit. He found a sense of peace in the country, though in the same breath, if his family was present, they would likely spend the majority of their visit discussing his lack of intentions to marry and their intentions that he do so.
“A return home for dinner, then I suppose I will find myself an engagement of some sort or another this evening.”
Berkley eyed him. “And what type would that be?”
“I haven’t yet decided,” David said with a wink at him. “One of my favorite widows has been rather lonely lately, so perhaps I’ll take her up on her offer for a nightcap after a game or two of faro at one of the clubs.”
Berkley shook his head, though he seemed amused.
“I’m not sure how you do it,” he said, and David shrugged.
“It’s fairly simple — you just enjoy yourself.”
“Do you never get tired of chasing after these women?”
“It doesn’t take much, and they are chasing after me in equal measure.”
“I used to think along some of the same lines as you,” Berkley said. “But there is something to be said about coming home to the same woman each night — a woman who knows you, and not just the superficial. Who can tell if you need time to yourself, who knows how to comfort you, how to discuss certain aspects of your life.”
David shook his head. “I’m glad you have found what you are looking for, Berkley, but that life doesn’t suit me. I’m perfectly happy living as I am, and I don’t need a woman involved to make things more difficult.”
“Suit yourself,” Berkley said, spreading his hands wide. “In my opinion, having multiple women would be much worse.”
“It’s just a matter of keeping them all separate,” he explained, as they walked into White’s for an afternoon drink before they would go their own ways. Within, they found the Duke of Clarence awaiting them, and as they took chairs near him at the table, Berkley continued the conversation, which David felt was hardly fair, for clearly the two other men would take the same side, the Duke newly married himself.
“What do you say, Clarence,” Berkley said, “We are currently in a debate as to what is more difficult to manage — one woman or multiple.”
The Duke’s eyes sparkled somewhat at the question.
“Had you asked me a year ago, I likely would have agreed with Redmond here, as I believe I can ascertain which of you is taking which side of this argument. However… keeping one woman happy, gentlemen, is far more rewarding than what multiple women could ever provide. Especially if that woman satisfies you more than you could ever imagine.”
“You’ve both gone soft on me,” David said despondently as they were served their drinks. “I hardly think that I shall ever feel that way. Though if I do, I know who to turn to for advice.”
His two friends just laughed at him. Sometimes David wondered why they preferred his own company to that of his brother, who was far more straight-laced and responsible. He quickly shrugged aside the thought, however, not seeing the importance of it, as he began looking forward to this evening’s festivities.
* * *
Sarah letherself into her rooms on the first floor of the tall building. The door, though recessed down a back alley, was accessible to the street, which was both fortunate and not. It made it easy for anyone to find her if she was needed, but at the same time, it put her at additional risk. Not that she wasn’t prepared to defend herself, she thought with a smile, as she patted the dependable dagger in the piece of fabric tied around her ankle, before ensuring that her shotgun was in its resting place in the corner of the room, her handgun where she had it hidden next to her bed.
Cheapside was not as dangerous as many neighborhoods, but despite its close proximity to some of London’s better-renowned areas, there were certainly risks involved, particularly as a woman living alone on a back street. However, risks abounded no matter where the location for any young woman living alone, did they not?
Upon arriving in London three years ago, she had little knowledge of the city nor its neighborhoods. She had been advised to find a boardinghouse for young women, and in fact had stayed in one for a time. But after two weeks, she had found the rules and boundaries to be suffocating, and had sought other lodgings where she would have the freedom to do as she pleased.
Sarah had thought her stay would be temporary. She had assumed she would find her father fairly quickly, and would know within a month or two whether or not there was any reason to remain in London. But nearly three years later, she was still here — though for how much longer, she wasn’t sure.
Without removing any of her clothing, she walked down the small corridor and tossed her bag on the hard wooden floor before throwing herself on the lumpy mattress that passed for a bed. She would have far preferred the furs she had slept upon in America, but then, this was what she could afford, and she should be grateful that she had somewhere to sleep.
Her eyes nearly closed the moment she lay her head back, but she jumped up to attention when she heard a knock at the door. Hurrying over, she opened it but a crack, shocked when she saw who stood on the other side. Her secret, apparently, was no longer that.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, as she opened the door wide to reveal three ladies standing there staring at her.
Soon upon her arrival three years ago, Sarah had the fortune to meet Lady Phoebe at one of the dances Lady Alexander had escorted her too. Soon she had been introduced to two of her friends, Lady Elizabeth and Lady Julia, and despite the fact that she had never quite felt herself worthy to call these women friends, she had bonded with them in a way she had never thought possible. In fact, if it hadn’t been for the three of them, Sarah didn’t think she would still be here in England. Despite their closeness, however, Sarah hadn’t quite shared everything with them.
