The Wyndham Legacy (Legacy 1)

She waited. Obviously he was disturbed about something. He didn’t want to tell her what it was. She walked to the gilded blue brocade settee and sat down. She said nothing more, merely waited. She began to sing in her mind, Lord Castlereagh needs more bombast. He speaks too softly, never will he last. He needs to take lessons from Talleyrand, who has more guile than any man.

It was a beginning. Actually Canning had sufficient guile for any two ministers. She started to hum, realized that the melody was too close to another, and paused, her brow furrowed, trying to think of a different tune.

Suddenly, without warning, Badger said, “He’s got a mistress, damn his eyes for being young and randy and like every other young randy man!”

“Talleyrand?” she said, at sea. “Canning?”

“No, no, his lordship. I followed him and Lord Chilton—a man we want to avoid at all costs, Duchess, trust me, he’s dangerous—they separated, and his lordship went in to see this young girl who greeted him and I know she was his mistress because she hugged him and kissed him and drew him inside this narrow building on the Rue de Varenne. Her hands were all over him, Duchess. He must live there, with her, or at least visit her all the time, nearly.”

“Well,” she said reasonably, keeping some distinctly hateful feelings at bay. “He doesn’t have all that much money. He must practice economies, I suppose. Two households would doubtless place a strain on his budget. But I will wager you, Badger, that he has his own apartment. Marcus wouldn’t live with a mistress. I don’t know why I’m so certain, but I am.”

“You shouldn’t be so damned understanding.”

“He is perfectly free to do exactly as he pleases and with whom he pleases. At least at this particular moment he is. Does Spears live in this apartment as well?”

“I don’t know.”

“There, you see, he does have his own lodging.”

“Again, I don’t know. I hung about for a good two hours, and then he came out with her on his arm and off they went to one of those Frog restaurants that pride themselves on serving that nasty tripe covered with even nastier sauces. Animal entrails! Jesus, it makes me shudder. No, I didn’t see Mr. Spears.”

“We must find him before we begin The Plan. Spears must approve. I’m so pleased Mr. Wicks at least told us Marcus was with Wellington’s staff here in Paris. Even that upset his lawyer’s innards.”

“I know. Tomorrow morning, early, I’ll go back to the apartment and see where the earl goes.”

“Make it very early, Badger. He has his own lodgings.”

“His arm is stiff.”

“What do you mean?” She was sitting forward, suddenly rigid, suddenly very afraid. “What do you mean?” she asked again.

“I asked around, all discreet. He was wounded in the final battle, at Toulouse.”

“Oh God. Did you—did you see any pain on his face, Badger? Do you believe he has suffered? Oh God.”

Badger looked at her full in the face. This was odd, he thought, but hopeful. “I don’t know. Don’t worry, Duchess. Tomorrow, no matter what else, I’ll find Mr. Spears. Shall I bring him here?”

“Oh yes,” she said, but she appeared distracted. Good God, he thought, she’s thinking about his lordship being wounded. It bothers her. Glory be, this was better than he’d ever imagined. If only they’d heard from Mr. Spears before they’d left London.

Spears said in his patented bland voice, “Did you hear, my lord, that when old King George—while held in the kind restraining hands of his two wardens—was told the Allies had marched into France two months ago, he asked who commanded the British forces. He was told it was Wellington. Old George shouted, ‘That’s a damned lie. He was shot two years ago.’ ”

Marcus grinned. “Poor old mad George III. If he ever becomes lucid and discovers his son is the most scorned prince in history, it would likely split his spleen and push him into eternity. Before he became as raving mad as a jackdaw, he wasn’t all that bad a ruler.”

“I think he knows, my lord,” Spears said. “Yes, many believe the stupidity and endless greed of the son led the father into insanity. Now, my lord, it is time for

you to bathe and dress. I believe you’re commanded to attend the festivities at the Hôtel de Sully.”

Marcus grumbled and cursed, but nonetheless, he was garbed in immaculate evening wear, and on his way in a hackney coach to the Marais, to the Hôtel de Sully on the Rue Saint Antoine, for a diplomatic ball. He didn’t believe he’d mentioned the ball to Spears, yet he’d known. The bloody man always knew everything. Marcus just shook his head and leaned back against the surprisingly clean squabs of the hackney. No surprise, really, for Spears had seen to the fetching of the coach, as well as everything else, curse his eyes.

Spears waited patiently until he saw his lordship well ensconced in the coach and on his way. He donned his cape and hat and took himself to the Rue Royale.

To his surprise and displeasure, she answered his knock. “Duchess,” he said formally. “Why are you not in the drawing room? Why did you answer the door? It is not done. Mr. Badger shouldn’t allow this. I will speak to him about this.”

“Pray do not, Spears. Badger is preparing our dinner and Maggie is doubtless preening. I believe she is seeing a Russian soldier this evening, not an underling, mind you, but a man of standing, and doubtless of grand good looks. She says she has a vast interest in Russian history and this young cossack is just the man to teach her. Oh my, let me take your cape and hat. Don’t look so disapproving, Spears. I’m not helpless just because I’m no longer a bastard.”

“It simply isn’t done,” he said, stepping away from her, “but I can see that you will continue to disagree with me. Now, this female, this Maggie, she’s the one who saved Badger’s life in Portsmouth before you sailed to France? The woman who saved him from being run over by a runaway mail coach?”

“Maggie saved him all right. She yelled and knocked him right out of the way. She says she doesn’t know why she did it, she just did. She’s an actress, you know, and she tells me she’s quite good. However, she was temporarily, er, without acting employment, and thus I offered her a position as my maid, something she’s never done before, but as she says, she’s bright and willing and Paris is ever so exciting. And so she’ll give me a trial.”