Lord Rakehell (22 page)

She got into the carriage and Montagu jumped in and closed the door.
I have to tell him.
Her lips trembled and she pressed them together trying to find the right words.
He has every right to know.
She took a deep breath and plunged in. “Montagu, I have something to tell you. And it's going to come as a shock. Your real father is Leicester Howe.”

Dead silence filled the carriage.

Then Montagu said quietly, “Yes, I know.”

Anne gasped in surprise. “How?”

“Leicester told me when I turned eighteen, but I'd suspected for many years.” His voice was somber. “How did you find out, Anne?”

“I . . . I'm shamed to speak of it.” She hesitated, then found the courage to tell him. “After you left for Gopsall, I came home to get some things. I . . . overheard them in Mother's bedchamber. She thanked him for getting you into the Rifle Brigade.”

He took hold of her hands and looked into her eyes. “Anne, you must never breathe a word of this. Mother's life would be ruined.”

“I am well aware of the horrendous scandal it would cause. I know it happened over twenty years ago, but they are still lovers. How can Leicester put her at such risk?”

The carriage stopped. “Where does Leicester stay when he's in London?” Anne continued.

“He leases a town house on Jermyn Street. But he's asked for a post in Ireland.”

“Thank God for that!”

Montagu helped her from the carriage. “Smile, Anne; you look so woebegone. You don't want the Hamiltons asking questions.”

They went into Hampden House together, and Montagu, in his green Rifle Brigade uniform, was the center of attention. It gave Anne a chance to recover somewhat from the distressing conversation she'd had with her brother.

“I'm almost ready,” Frances promised.

“There's no hurry. Make sure you have everything you'll need,” Anne said. “There's a dinner party Friday night.”

John Claud's admiring glance moved from Montagu's uniform to Anne. “The post just delivered the invitation. I ask that you let me have the honor of acting as your escort.”

Anne shook her head regretfully. “No, I'm sorry, John Claud, but I'll be in attendance on the princess. If she decides there will be dancing after dinner, I'll save you one.”

“I'd prefer it if you'd save them all for me.”

“And I'd prefer it if I didn't,” she said firmly.

“John Claud, stop mooning over Anne and help me with my trunks,” Frances said.

“I'm coming, but can't you see I'm trying to court her?”

“I can see that you're making a cake of yourself.”

When the brother and sister left the room, Anne turned to Montagu. “We'll say our good-byes while we're alone. I'll miss you. Take good care of yourself.”

He enfolded her in his arms and kissed her brow. “Don't let the family secret steal your happiness, Anne. All the worry in the world won't change things, The heart wants what it wants, right or wrong.”

“You suddenly sound very wise. And that's a good thing. Be safe, Montagu.”

•   •   •

Anne spent another sleepless night as her thoughts chased each other in endless circles. She had been completely taken off guard when Montagu had acknowledged that he knew Leicester was his father. She tossed and turned, chiding herself for her cowardice in not confronting her mother about her shocking secret affair, but an hour later she reversed her thinking and told herself that questioning her would have caused her mother unnecessary pain.

The one I should confront is Leicester Curzon-Howe! I swore I'd go to see him when I returned. Montagu said he resides in Jermyn Street when he's in London.

By the time dawn began to lighten the sky, Anne realized that she would never have peace of mind until she had braved the lion in his den. Jermyn Street was within walking distance of Marlborough House. The next two days would be a mad rush because of the dinner party, but she vowed that Monday morning she would somehow find the courage to pay Leicester a visit.

J
ames Hamilton, who tried to visit his family every week when he was in London, hadn't dined with his parents for almost two months. Because of John Claud, James had thought long
and hard about keeping his distance from Lady Anne Howe, but at Osborne House, where he had seen her every day, he began to believe that his feelings for her were more than a passing fancy.

Anne told me she wasn't in love with John Claud, and has no desire to become his wife. Tonight, I'll put my cards on the table and give my brother fair warning that I intend to court her.

When James arrived at Hampden House, he was surrounded by his younger siblings who hadn't seen him for some time. Ronald and Frederick thanked him for the racing-yacht models he'd brought them from the Isle of Wight, and Maud was delighted with a book on the castles and royal residences of the island.

At dinner they talked about John Claud running for the parliamentary seat in Londonderry that had just become vacant.

“We'll be leaving for Ireland in a few days,” Abercorn said. “If you can get away from your duties for a couple of weeks, your brother could use your help on the stump.”

Lady Lu laughed. “James could kiss the wives for you.”

“With his reputation, they'd do better to lock up their women,” John Claud remarked. “If you don't mind, I'd rather do this myself. I don't need James to win the seat for me.”

James didn't even raise his eyebrows. “Did you get your invitations to the dinner at Marlborough House tomorrow evening?”

“Yes, darling. But I don't think your father and I will be attending. I warrant the Prince and Princess of Wales want to surround themselves with a younger crowd.”

Maud spoke up. “I didn't get an invitation, and I'm young.”

“You're barely out of the nursery,” John Claud declared.

“You got an invitation. If you were the least bit gallant, you'd escort me.”

“I have another lady in mind.”

“It's not fair! John Claud, James, and Frances will all be there.”

“Maud, darling, sometimes life does seem unfair,” her mother explained. “Just have patience and you'll be sixteen before you know it.”

“By that time, Fitz, Earl Kerry, will be married to someone else!”

Everyone tried not to laugh.

“First sons are never eager to marry,” John Claud warned. “Look at James.”

“Though you assume my heart is encased in ice, I'm happy to inform you that a thaw has set in. Perhaps my aversion to marriage will melt away like snow in summer.”

John Claud's brows drew together, while his mother's arced in speculation.

Abercorn, witty as always, said, “It must be the idyllic union of Edward and Alexandra that lightly turns your thoughts to love.”

“In the Spring the wanton lapwing gets himself another crest,”
Lady Lu said, quoting another line of the Tennyson poem. She was far too wise to press her son on the subject of his love life.

After dinner, James shared a glass of Irish whiskey with his father and brother in the library. Before he left, he took John Claud aside. “I am giving you notice that I no longer consider Lady Anne Howe your private preserve. Out of a misplaced sense of honor, I kept my distance, but now I give you fair warning that I intend to pursue her.”

“Damn you, James. I told you she's the girl I intend to marry!”

“In the immortal words of the Bard,
Stiffen the sinews, and summon up the blood. The game's afoot
.”

•   •   •

“The royal blue gown makes you look regal, Your Highness, and for this first dinner party I urge you to wear your diamond coronet. It gives you a royal air and will make the prince feel extremely proud of you.”

Anne fastened the wide pearl choker about Alix's slender neck. “There! Look in the mirror. Your hair looks elegant pinned up with one long curl on your shoulder.”

“I'm nervous meeting my husband's friends for the first time. When you are dressed, please come back so we can descend the staircase together.”

“I'll come back, but I've been told the Prince of Wales will escort you down.”

Anne hurried along the hall that led to her own bedchamber. When she opened the door, the fragrance of flowers met her.

“These were delivered for you, but there was no card.” Frances Hamilton, who was sharing the large luxurious bedchamber with her, until her own was assigned, was already dressed for the evening.

Anne caught her breath at the sight of the lovely bouquet on her dressing table. Her mouth curved into a smile.
Pink lilies. They can only be from James.
Her heart had been heavy since she'd said good-bye to Montagu, but magically the lilies banished the gloom and she was filled with a delicious feeling of anticipation.

“So far the princess hasn't given me any duties. My sister Jane finds Queen Victoria quite demanding, so I expected to be fetching and carrying by now.”

“Tonight, all you have to do is be there. It's simply custom that a royal princess have ladies-in-waiting in attendance.”

Anne threw open her wardrobe doors and changed her mind about which gown she would wear. Instead of the pale blue that would complement what Alexandra was wearing, she chose a pink silk embroidered with silver love knots. The back had a floating panel that fell from the shoulders into a short train.

Anne brushed her hair to one side and pinned one of the pink lilies above her ear. She opened her jewel case and donned a pair of silver cuff bracelets, then slipped on silver kid slippers with a small heel to complete the outfit.

“Anne, you look lovely. Your clothes are so much prettier than mine, but I suppose that's because you know exactly what suits you best.”

“Thank you, Frances.” When Anne saw her reflection in the mirror, she felt a tremor of excitement.

As the two friends walked from their wing of Marlborough House to the royal apartment, they could hear voices and laughter from the guests who were gathering below. Before Anne could tap on the double door, it opened and they stood to one side as Prince Teddy led his princess bride to the top of the sweeping staircase, paused for a moment, then descended as a murmur of approval rose up to meet them.

Lady Anne and Lady Frances followed a short distance behind the royal couple.

“I see Blandford Churchill,” Frances whispered. “This is so exciting,”

As Anne mingled with the guests, she realized she knew a good many of them. The males greeted her with speculation in their eyes, and the females gravitated toward her, wanting to be presented to Princess Alexandra.

“I can't believe it. . . . Florence Paget, I mean
Lady Hastings
, just walked in with her new husband,” Anne told Frances.

“So much for my mother's theory that it would be a long time before Florence was accepted in polite society,” Frances murmured.

“What makes you think the Marlborough House guests are polite society? I just saw Henry Chaplin talking to Prince Teddy. Perhaps the fur will fly.”

“Two dogs fighting over the same scandalous bone.”

“Florence is our friend. Let's go and welcome her,” Anne suggested.

Henry Rawdon greeted Anne and Frances and turned to his wife. “I shall leave you with your friends. I want to buy a horse from Sir Christopher Sykes, and I've just spotted him talking with the prince.”

“Hello, Florence. You look lovely tonight,” Anne said, kissing her cheek.

“You've been Lady Hastings for a month. How is married life?” Frances asked.

“My honeymoon in Leicestershire was wonderful, but now that we are back in London, I'm no longer the center of Henry's life. All he thinks about are horses—racing horses, wagering on horses, and buying horses.”

“How fortuitous that Hastings inherited a fortune,” Frances remarked.

Florence lowered her voice. “He never stops drinking.”

“I'm so sorry, Florence.” Anne asked with concern, “Do you regret eloping?”

“Yes . . . no . . . I don't know. I feel guilty about Henry Chaplin, and my family is angry.”

“Give them a little time to forgive you. Come and I'll present you to the princess.”

Anne led the way and found Alix standing with James Hamilton. The prince was surrounded by young men who had attended Oxford or Cambridge with him. At university the Prince of Wales had been kept on a leash and forbidden to carouse with the other young nobles, but now that he was a married man with his own royal residence, his acquaintances were more than eager to curry friendship with their future king.

“Princess Alexandra, may I present Lady Florence Hastings? She too is a new bride.”

“Welcome to Marlborough House, Lady Hastings.”

Florence curtsied. “Your Highness, I'm delighted to meet you. Thank you for the lovely invitation.”

Alix turned to James. “Thank you for your company, Lord Hamilton.”

“It was my pleasure, Your Highness. Excuse me, ladies.”

“Frances, your brother is such a gallant gentleman,” the princess declared. “Whenever my husband abandons me, James is always there to fill the breach.”

Frances laughed. “My brother's reputation as a ladies' man is renowned.”

“We'll stay together until dinner,” Anne told Alix. “Everyone is extremely eager to be presented to their hostess. The lady coming toward us wearing taupe is Adelaide, Countess of Westmorland. She's my half sister.”

“Ah, she's invited because her sister is Emily, the queen's lady-in-waiting.”

Anne's eyes sparkled. “No, she's invited because her husband is a big noise in the Jockey Club, and therefore a particular favorite of the Prince of Wales.”

“I'm beginning to realize the paramount topic of conversation among the gentlemen at these affairs will be horses.”

Anne nodded. “The ladies prefer gossip and fashion, not necessarily in that order. I predict that at the next entertainment, every female will be wearing a wide pearl choker.”

Alix laughed and touched her necklace. Then one by one the female guests made their curtsies to the Princess of Wales. Anne presented Louise, Duchess of Manchester, Edith, Countess of Aylesford, and Harriet, Countess of Lichfield, who was sister to Frances and James Hamilton.

While Harriet and the princess were enjoying a discussion about fashion, Frances asked Anne, “Do you know if the Duke of Devonshire's heir, Lord Hartington, is here?”

“Yes, he was in that group surrounding Prince Teddy.”

Frances rolled her eyes. “I've decided to cross Hartington off my list. I believe the gossip that he's having an affair with the Duchess of Manchester. You never see one without the other, and they are both here tonight.”

Anne nodded. “I've suspected that since I saw them dancing at my debut ball.”

“It seems that suddenly affairs are all the fashion,” Frances declared.

Anne's laugh was brittle. “You're wrong if you think affairs have only just come into vogue. They've always gone on, but because of Queen Victoria's strict moral standards, Society has become more adept at hiding them.”

Just then a young woman greeted Frances warmly. “I hope your brother John Claud is coming tonight. I think he's divine.” She placed her hand over her heart. “I persuaded my brother Fitzgerald to bring me. Frances, would you introduce me to Lady Anne? I don't believe we've actually met.”

“Of course. This is Caroline Chandos, granddaughter of the Earl of Harrington.”

“I'm delighted to meet you, Caroline.”

“Lady Anne, I wonder if you would do me an immense favor? Could you put in a good word for me with the Princess of Wales? I have my heart set on becoming a lady-in-waiting to Her Highness, and I know the competition will be fierce.”

“Well, first, let me introduce you to her. If you get on nicely, I will see what I can do.” A calculating thought occurred to her. “I happen to know that John Claud will be without a dinner partner tonight. Perhaps you could sit next to him,” Anne suggested.

A few minutes later when John Claud arrived, he walked a direct path to Anne. Almost on his heels, Prime Minister Palmerston and his wife arrived. James had persuaded the prince that they should be invited since he was privy to all the queen's business, and should be cultivated as an ally.

After John Claud kissed Anne's hand, she said, “I shall leave you in the delightful company of Lady Caroline Chandos. I must present Princess Alexandra to the prime minister's wife and vice versa.”

As Anne and Alix crossed the chamber, she explained that Emily, once known as Lady Cowper, was a social lioness who had been the leading lady of Almack's club.

“Lady Palmerston, it is my great honor to present you to Her Highness Alexandra, Princess of Wales.”

“Thank you, Lady Anne. It is delightful to meet you, Princess Alexandra. How kind of you to invite the prime minister and me. I love to be around young people. I hope there will be dancing after dinner.”

“There will, Lady Palmerston. The orchestra has already arrived in the ballroom.”

“Your Highness, I shall give you the secret for being a great hostess. To make a ball successful you need to invite three men for every lady—one to dance, one to eat, and one to stare—that makes everything go off well.”

The princess laughed. “Well, we have invited many gentlemen, but how do we get them to stop talking about horses?”

“A good supply of champagne and an ample display of breasts usually lure them to the ballroom.”

Anne was glad that Alix was not shocked at the outspoken Lady Palmerston. “I believe dinner is about to be served, so I will return you to the Prince of Wales.”

“She is an amusing lady, in spite of her age,” Alix remarked.

“Everyone in Society still refers to her as Emily Cowper. She was Lord Palmerston's mistress for years. They couldn't marry until her elderly husband died.”