Beguiled

THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG with her, Alexandra thought, but from the moment the carriage arrived at the castle, Shelby created such a stir that she was treated like fragile glass. At the gates, before they set off along the long winding drive to the castle, Shelby started shouting for help. Several members of the earl’s household rushed out, the countess among them, as they neared the front door.

“The police, my lady!” Shelby cried to the countess. “We must inform the police! We were held up by that despicable creature all the newspapers write of—the highwayman. I was knocked unconscious, and he kidnapped Miss Grayson. He is on the loose but cannot be far. The earl must be informed immediately. This is an outrage. And the poor girl! The gall. The utter gall. How dare he? Anyone in England should recognize the coat of arms on Lord Stirling’s carriage.”

The countess, Lady Camille, was instantly concerned, but thankfully, she had always been wise and levelheaded and not one to give in to the vapors. Before her marriage to the earl, she had been a commoner and had worked for a living, and she still gave time to the Egyptian department of the museum. She frowned, looking at Ally as Shelby distractedly helped her from the carriage.

“Shelby, please, calm down so we can ascertain all the facts. Ally, were you injured? Are you all right?”

“I’m fine, perfectly fine.”

The earl, tall and exceedingly handsome, came up beside his wife. “You’re quite sure?” he asked, reaching out to touch her hair. “You’re wearing leaves.”

“I swear to you, I’m absolutely fine,” Ally said.

“I shall call the police,” Camille said, turning to head back up the steps to the main entrance to the castle. “Ally, come along. Fine or not, it must have been quite an ordeal. Brian, please, make her come in quickly.”

“Yes, in just a moment. Shelby, see that my horse is saddled and ready. If this fellow is on the roads now, I am going after him.”

“Oh, but you must not!” Ally protested. “He is—he is armed and dangerous.”

Brian Stirling watched Ally with an arched brow and a look that caused her to flush. As if the concept of danger would so much as make him hesitate when a member of his circle had been threatened.

“Come in. While my horse is being saddled, you must give me what details you can.” He offered her his arm and called over his shoulder, “Shelby—call three of the men to ride with me.”

She accepted his arm, and followed him into the castle. In the foyer, he called for his housekeeper, then led Ally on into the massive kitchen. It was a place she loved dearly. When she had come here as a child, she had often played in the kitchen. There was a huge hearth, and something was always cooking in a pot over the fire. These days it was something dreamed up by Theodore, the “new” cook, as he was called, despite the fact that he had been at the castle for ten years. He was a big man, with cheery red cheeks, and he always had something special and delicious waiting for her when she arrived.

“Theodore, if you please, a brandy for our young miss,” the earl requested.

Theodore, who was standing at the great chopping block, his large hands mincing herbs into amazingly small pieces, frowned, wiped his hands off on his apron and hurried to the cabinet.

In a moment, Ally found herself seated by the fire, the earl before her, taking her hands, staring into her eyes. “Now, slowly and completely. What happened?”

“Well, as Shelby said, we were waylaid by the highwayman.”

“And what did he want?”

Ally shook her head. “Actually…he took nothing. All he wanted was to search the carriage—and then to know who I was and where I was going.”

The earl looked very anxious for a moment. “And he didn’t hurt you in any way?”

“Not at all,” she murmured.

The earl stood, running his fingers through his hair. He was a tall man, well built, and though his title might well have brought him anything he desired without the least effort on his part, he was a scholar, a patron of antiquities and ready to delve into the day’s social issues. He had done his duty in the army, as well. Ally adored him, as she did Camille, and wondered how she had come by such amazing luck as to have them choose to take her beneath their wings. She wasn’t being as forthright as he deserved, and she knew it. Had the highwayman hurt her? Indeed, he had wounded both her pride and her ego. But…

She was loathe to say too much.

She realized that she did not want the man caught. She could not bear to imagine such a gallant thief hanging by the neck until dead.

“Honestly, my lord, there was not much to it. After the first few seconds, I knew I was in no danger.”

“The man is a criminal,” he said sternly.

“Yes, of course. But I wasn’t harmed in any way, and nothing was taken.” She hesitated. “I’m afraid that poor Shelby prides himself on his courage and ability, and he is truly a wonderful man and an expert guardian. He was ready to die for me. But the highwayman carries a long whip, and he used it to disarm Shelby. I imagine that he is as much embarrassed as anything else,” Ally said.

The countess came into the kitchen. “I have reached the police, and Inspector Turner is on his way. Sadly, he spoke quite honestly to me. There’s little he can do now. The ruffian and his fellows have surely long fled the scene. But, Ally, the inspector will be anxious to learn what he can from you about the man’s look and manner. So, now, please, tell me what happened.”

Ally looked at the earl. He gave her a slight smile. “I’m afraid that you’ll be repeating your adventure over and over, my dear.”

“Adventure?” Camille protested.

“Well, indeed, it seems that she is none the worse for it,” Brian said.

“That does not in the least alleviate what she must have endured,” Camille protested. A stray lock of hair fell across her forehead, and she looked at her husband indignantly, hands on her hips. “Well, the police will do what they can. It’s quite frightening, though.”

“Ally!”

“Ally!”

Two little voices called out to her. Brent and William, six and five, respectively, came running into the kitchen, skirting around their mother to throw themselves at Ally.

“Boys!” Camille protested.

“They’re fine,” Ally assured her, hugging the children, delighted with their cheerful smiles. They weren’t worried or asking her to repeat herself; they were just happy to see her, and she adored them. Brent, the future earl, was continually full of mischief, and William was delighted to follow along, a worthy companion for all his brother’s exploits. At the tender age of five, William had already announced that when the time was right, he would be heading off to the Americas to make his own fortune.

“Brian,” Camille implored. “Please tell our young gentlemen that they must not crawl all over Ally right now.”

“They’re fine,” Ally insisted. She wanted the boys there to distract her questioners.

“Boys, Ally will be along to play with you after you are bathed and settled for the evening,” Brian said, picking up the children, one beneath each arm. They giggled as he walked them to the hallway. “Up to the playroom, my loves,” he commanded. “And no dismantling the new telephone today, eh?”

“No, Father,” William swore. He was still laughing.

“Really, this is not insignificant,” Camille said softly. “What if the children had been in the carriage? What if…if they had tried to run? Or fight?” she asked worriedly.

“The children weren’t in the carriage, Ally was, and she apparently handled herself quite well,” Brian said, releasing the children and turning back. “My dear, we’ll see that two men ride with the carriage at all times now,” he told Camille. “Will that make you feel better?”

Camille nodded. “Yes, it will. Until the rogue is stopped. Anyway, Lucy has run a bath for you, Ally, and taken out your clothing for the party tonight. I do wish your aunts would have agreed to come…well, I can’t make those darlings do a thing they don’t want to do. But it’s disturbing that this should happen on such a day, when we’ve guests arriving so soon.” She smiled at her husband. “But then, I suppose people would be quite disappointed to come here without some excitement going on.”

“Ally must go up right now and refresh herself,” Brian said. “I’ll ride out, and, Camille, you must speak with the inspector first when he comes, and by then, perhaps Ally will have remembered more about what happened.”

“What exactly is going on tonight?” Ally asked, glad that they seemed to be putting her “adventure” into some sort of perspective. “Your summons was quite mysterious.”

“Something terribly exciting,” Camille assured her. “So, as Brian suggests, perhaps we should start preparing while we await our policeman.”

“Yes, a bath would be lovely,” Ally agreed. She didn’t add that she would also dearly love a few minutes of privacy. The earl’s eyes had seemed to look into her soul, and she was very afraid that she was giving away the fact that she felt as if she’d had an adventure. She was stunned by the way she had felt, talking to the man. The thief.

Was her life so truly sheltered and dull that she could be so easily swept away by such an encounter?

Sadly, that answer was yes.

“Come, Ally. Brian, perhaps she should have another brandy in the bath, a bit more to steady her nerves?”

“I rather think her nerves are quite steady already,” Brian said. “But she’s more than welcome to another.”

He turned, shaking his head over the fact that highwaymen could be terrorizing the countryside in this modern age. Theodore was already pouring out a new measure of brandy.

Ally murmured “Thank you” as she hurried after Camille, lowering her eyes to keep the earl from seeing so much.

“I’m off in search of this brigard. I’ve read that he rides with three companions, Ally. Is this true?”

She nodded. Shelby would tell him anything she didn’t, anyway. He would no doubt be riding out with the earl, as well. “Yes, there are four in all,” she said.

“And you can tell me nothing else?” he pressed.

She shrugged. “They wore cloaks, hats and masks. I’m afraid there’s very little I could say that would help.”

“Could say? Or would say?” Brian murmured very softly.

“Brian! The men are criminals,” Camille said.

“Yes, they are,” Brian said firmly, staring at Ally.

“I’m sorry, my lord. I can’t even tell you their height or hair color. I’m sorry.”

“When this fellow took you off…what happened?” Brian demanded.

“I was angry. We walked and talked in circles until I gave him my name.”

“And then?” Brian demanded.

“He returned me to Shelby, and we drove straight here,” she said.

The earl nodded and headed toward the door as Camille took her by the arm. “Come along, your bath will grow cold.”

“THERE’S FLORENCE,” PATRICK said cheerfully as they entered the smoky miasma of O’Flannery’s Pub.

Florence Carter, the barmaid, was busy at work behind the taps. She was in her mid-thirties, a woman who had fallen on hard times but found her calling at O’Flannery’s. Here she worked very hard for hours a day, but never found herself reduced to prostitution, a common fate for poor and uneducated women in the East End. She was attractive, with red hair and bright green eyes, and a fierce attitude that warned her customers to have fun but behave. Robert O’Flannery, the big Irishman who owned the place, knew that he had found a gem in Flo. She could move like lightning and easily handle the university students who habituated the pub after classes. Florence could tease, she could jest—but she could also stop a brawl before it ever got started, though she was slim and appeared somewhat delicate. She was possessed of a fierce and wiry strength that had taken many a man by surprise.

“What will it be, boys? A pint apiece?” she called out to them.

“Aye, Flo,” Mark called. “And have you seen—”

“Your partners in crime are in the booth,” she teased back lightly, pointing.

“A bit too close to home, eh?” Patrick murmured.

“Not at all. She merely jests,” Mark said.

The pub was crowded, with most men grouped around the bar. Mark and Patrick wove their way through people—workers, fresh from their jobs in the city; students, some laden with books; soldiers; and a few young members of society, sons who would one day claim their fathers’ titles—and found Geoff and Thomas.

“Any problems?” Geoff asked.

“Not a one,” Mark said, waving at Flo, who was already on her way over, balancing a tray of pints. She dropped off a few en route, easily avoiding the pats that would have fallen upon her posterior, and came to their booth. As she set their pints down, Mark said, “Did you hear? We passed a fellow on the road who heard that the highwayman has been busy again. Apparently he had the audacity to hold up a carriage belonging to the Earl of Carlyle. Luckily, he let the lass within it go her way, unscathed and unrobbed.”

“I heard,” Patrick said, leaning closer, “that he isn’t usually so merciful.”

“The newspapers downplay his exploits. The people are up in arms as it is,” Geoff whispered.

“They can downplay it all they like,” Flo said, whispering as well. “But I’ve heard he’s murdered a victim or two and hidden the bodies, weighted down with bricks, in the lakes and streams.”

“Yes, I’ve heard that, too,” Mark said. “If the people in the carriages give him no trouble, he robs them and sends them on their way. But if they protest, fight back…It must be true. You’ve heard it…we’ve heard it. He is savage in response to those who fight back. Flo, you must take care.”

“Well, now, O’Flannery can be a hard taskmaster, but I have the room above the taproom, you know.” Flo shivered. “I need not travel the roads.”

“You should be drinking up and heading home,” Patrick reminded Mark. “Don’t you have a soiree to attend this evening?”

“I do,” Mark murmured. “But with Flo here, I’ve no desire to be heading anywhere.”

“You’re a flatterer, Sir Mark Farrow, you are. And an earl you’ll be one day. You’ll be having your way all the time, so it’s a good thing for you to be learning a bit of humility now. So, you’ll be attending the gala at the Earl of Carlyle’s castle, then, will you?”

He smiled and pressed a sizable coin into Flo’s hand. “It is where I’m supposed to be. But, Flo, be careful, with that highwayman on the loose. Make sure you travel safely. And warn your fellows at the bar.”

“You’re a kind man,” she told him, fingers closing around the coin. “You’ll make a fine earl one day. And yes,” she said, changing her tone, “I will warn them all.”

As she started to turn away, a man burst through the entry. “Murder!” he roared. “There’s been another murder!”

“Who?” someone shouted from the bar area.

“Giles Brandon. The police just found the body. Word is just out on the street. Throat slit, just like the others.”

A roar arose in the room, one voice trying to out-shout another.

Finally the newcomer’s voice rose above the rest. “He had it in his hand, he did. His last fine bit of writing. A blast aimed at the monarchy.”

“It will still make the papers,” someone predicted.

“Aye, words covered in blood,” shouted another man.

“A pox upon Queen Victoria” came another hoarse cry.

Mark started to rise in anger.

Patrick set a hand on his arm. “Let me. I’m a commoner through and through, remember?” he said quietly.

Mark fought to control his temper, lowered his head and nodded.

Patrick rose. “God bless Victoria. The queen will find out who is at this wickedness.”

There was silence. Then someone said from the bar, “She’d have no part in this, God save her.”

And with that the cry of “God save the queen” went up, and the grumbling turned to whispers….

Mark rose then, looking at the others. “It doesn’t appear as if I will be attending that gala this evening after all, gents. We’ll talk soon,” he said.

The others nodded.

With some men grumbling about the murders and others defending Queen Victoria, the pub was alive with conversation as Mark hurried for the door.

ALLY WAS GRATEFUL FOR THE hot bath, in which she spent all the time she could, indulging herself in the warmth—and privacy. At last she emerged, wrapped herself in the soft linen towel Lucy had left for her and stepped back into the bedroom. A large figure of Isis sat on one side of the dressing table, a canopic jar on the other. In between was a set of silver combs and brushes. Reliefs and statues decorated the room, and papyrusi lined the walls, handsomely framed. It was her room; it had always been so, as long as she could remember. Like the rest of the castle, it was stunningly decorated with both ancient and modern Egyptian art and artifacts. The earl’s parents had been explorers, beginning the family fascination, and he had met a passionate proponent in Camille. He knew that the treasures of a poor country could too easily be spirited away by foreigners, and he was a firm proponent of leaving the most valuable in their native land. He was willing, however, to take some of the less valuable pieces for his own pleasure, but he always paid handsomely for his finds. He had told Ally once that for every ancient treasure he purchased, he also looked to the present, hiring artists and artisans to create new pieces for his collection. She remembered when she had been here with the daughter of Lord Wittburg, now a princess in Eastern Europe. Poor Lucinda had been terrified of the mummy cases, and at first Ally had teased her. She had actually hidden in one and jumped out, then been horrified to see how she had frightened the girl. It had taken her hours to calm her down, and she’d been worried that she was going to be barred from the castle forever if her prank was discovered. But Lucinda was kind at heart and never told on her. The episode had made Ally realize that perhaps she was the one who was a bit odd, but she’d grown up around the mummy cases and other artifacts and thought nothing of them. She even knew that in Egypt, mummies were so common they were used for kindling at times, and many people there used the massive stone sarcophagi for planters. Still, she was aware that a passion for all things Egyptian was definitely an acquired taste.

She realized she was feeling a sudden sense of loss, of nostalgia, as if something were about to change forever, but she didn’t know what.

She slipped quickly into a silk shift, bloomers and stockings. She was still only half dressed when there came a knock at the door. It was Molly, one of the upstairs maids, and she had come to help Ally complete her ensemble for the evening.

“Have you seen the gown?” Molly asked, her blue eyes bright.

Ally’s attention was drawn to the dress that had been laid out on the big four-poster bed. It was an elegant shade of yellow, almost gold, and it was glorious with subtle nips and tucks to emphasize her youthful figure. The embroidered handwork was exquisite.

“The aunties made this?” she asked softly.

Molly nodded. “They giggled like girls when they brought it.”

Ally touched the fabric, shaking her head. “And still they would not come tonight,” she said sadly.

“Ah, you can’t change them,” Molly told her.

“I pleaded,” Ally said. “You know, if there is such an occasion here again, I will tell them that I will not come if they don’t. I know that the earl and his wife argued and wheedled, as well, but those old dears are so stubborn. Still, I swear, next time I will out-stubborn them.”

Molly sighed. “Well, there will not be a next time such as this,” she said softly, carefully lifting the gown to slip it over Ally’s head.

At first Ally couldn’t reply—she was muffled by the elegant length of the dress going over her head. When at last she could speak, she demanded, “Molly, just what is this occasion? Why was I summoned here tonight?”

Molly flushed, then shrugged. “That is for your godparents to explain.”

“Molly…”

“Come, come, they will be here any minute,” Molly said, twirling her around to tie her into the gown. “You know, of course, that it was Lady Maggie, one of your own dear grandmothers, who came up with the design, and she took the aunties shopping for the fabric. Of course, there was never any question of hiring a designer for this. Lady Maggie has the most exquisite taste in clothing, and she said there were no finer seamstresses in the land than the aunties.”

Ally smiled, proud of her dear aunties in their little cottage in the woods. They loved their simple life. She knew that they could have done very well, out in the world of high fashion. Instead, they chose to remain as they were, living their quiet and happy lives. “Lady Kat’s sister is gaining quite a name in the fashion industry. She had a showing in Paris, you know, and even she comes to the aunties for her most important work.”

“I know.”

“Molly,” Ally tried again, thinking to take the woman off guard, “what is going on tonight? Is it an early birthday celebration?”

“You could say so, I suppose. Now, sit and let me fix your hair.”

Ally sat, ready to try again, taking another tack.

“The kitchen is overflowing with caterers,” she said.

“When Lord Stirling decides to throw a private party,” Molly said with pride, “there’s no one who would not toss all other offers, business and pleasure, to the wind in order to attend. Of course there are caterers everywhere. Now, sit still. People are beginning to arrive. We need to get you ready.”

Another tap sounded at the door, and Lady Camille looked in. She was dressed for the evening in a midnight-blue gown that hugged her body and sported a very small bustle that made it look as if she were gliding when she walked. As always, she was stunningly beautiful and regal. Camille had been born to poverty, then rescued from the streets, and in Ally’s mind, she was proof that nobility lived with the heart and soul, and did not spring from a title. She was truly the perfect mate for the earl, since both were strong-willed and also compassionate to the extreme.

“Oh,” Camille said, standing by Molly and surveying Ally. “It is perfect. I am so angry at the aunties. They should be here this evening. But I have to commend Maggie the minute she arrives—she chose the color and the fabric. Ally, your eyes look golden and your hair, just a shade darker. My dear girl, you have grown up.”

“Thank you,” Ally said. “Camille, is this a birthday celebration? Or is there something more going on tonight? I thank God that I am important in your eyes, but—”

The older woman was silent for a moment, then said, “Brian has returned and is downstairs already. He’s in quite a state. He and Shelby retraced the carriage route, and he tried a dozen forest trails but was unable to find any sign of that wretched highwayman. Still, we must get on with the evening. And Theodore is feeding the inspector from the Metropolitan Police in the kitchen. We must speak with him at some point. And Angus Cunningham will be here later, so he must be informed about this new development.”

“One last touch,” Molly said, setting a studded pin into place in Ally’s hair. She stepped back and clasped her hands. “Like a princess!” she exclaimed.

Ally kissed Molly’s cheeks. “Not a princess, a commoner, Molly, and one who loves you and thanks you.”

Molly sniffed suddenly and reached into her pocket for a handkerchief.

“Molly, stop that,” Ally said. “I’ll stay up here with you, shall I?”

“Nonsense, you’re going downstairs,” Camille said, laughing. “Come along, lass.”

There it was again. That word. Lass. She would probably remain a lass in the eyes of those who had helped raise her until she dropped dead of old age.

“There’s something I must speak to you about this evening, as well,” Ally told the duchess.

“Is there?”

“Yes. I should tell you all at once, I suppose,” Ally said. “Because you’ll all be here tonight, all of you who have been so kind, taking me in almost as your own child. Sir Hunter and Lady Kat, Lord James and Lady Maggie, and you and Lord Stirling.”