Chapter Seven
“Gentlemen, I must voice my disappointment in your efforts to secure a seat on the Bachelor Board.There are only so many challenges left, and the clock is ticking.”
Freddie had been waiting for the moment when Osmont would make mention of the previous evening’s party.
Osmont marched over to Godwin who was seated in his usual chair by the fireplace at the Barton Street office and came to a hard stop behind him.He reached out and gave Godwin a hearty pat on the shoulder.
“This young man had the balls, and I meanballs,to sample the delights of my hostesses.I know you came to the party Rosemount, but Godwin was the only one who actuallycame.”
Freddie ignored the tavern-grade, vulgar remark, while Godwin sat with a huge self-satisfied grin on his face.Embry, who had his nose stuck in the newspaper didn’t respond.
“Ah, but your nephew did offer me points if I came upstairs with him,” replied Freddie.
Osmont harrumphed.“He meant you were to go upstairs and participate in the entertainment.So, you get nothing from last night.Lord Godwin here got his cock well and truly sucked, and therefore collects himself a solid fifty points,” replied Osmont.
Freddie gritted his teeth.While Godwin had scored points and numerous sexual favors the previous evening, Freddie was still in the lead for membership of the board.He began to wonder if he truly had the measure of Lord Godwin.
“So, what now for the next challenge?”asked an eager Godwin.
“Well the board and I have had a think, and we have decided that the challenge needs to be spiced up a little.As from today, the Rude Rules apply,” said Osmont.
“And pray tell us, Firebrace, how do the Rude Rules work?”asked Freddie.
“Quite simple, actually.If you play the Rude Rules, you must take every opportunity to be a complete arse.If, for example, you can be rude to a lady and get away with it, you score points.The higher the social standing of the person you cause personal offence to, the higher the point score.Though I must caution you on attempting to be cheeky with the Prince Regent.Considering his temper and the current situation with his father’s mental incapacity, you might just find yourself in the Tower of London if you try to play the Rude Rules at the Royal Court,” replied Osmont.
Freddie sat back in his chair and considered this latest development.While the Rude Rules were simple in their plan, he could see how they could cause serious trouble while being executed.He was suddenly very grateful for the fact his parents were back at Rosemount Abbey.If his mother found out her youngest son was going about making a complete fool of himself in London society, she wouldn’t hesitate to box his ears.His being of age meant nothing to his mother when it came to dishing out punishment for real and imagined transgressions.
Godwin sat back in his chair and softly chortled.His father was a duke, and Godwin had easy access to the highest levels of society.He was also known as being a bit dim among his family, so he had the advantage of having said many inappropriate things already.He could get away with the Rude Rules,and no one would think anything unusual about it.He could become a serious threat to Freddie’s plans.
“Oh, and one other part of the rules.You need to have a willing partner.Someone who will play the game alongside you.While you are making a complete arse of yourself, they are to keep a straight face and not give any indication anything is amiss.They will be the person who writes a report each day of your Rude Rules efforts, which you shall hand directly to me.Of course, if I discover your partner has been untruthful in their account of your efforts, you will be immediately disqualified from the challenge.”
Freddie chuckled as the smile on Godwin’s face disappeared.No one wanted to be tarred with the same brush as socially awkward Godwin Mewburton.
“Just how much are we allowed to tell this other person about the Bachelor Board?”asked Freddie.
He had made mention of the game to Eve Saunders the previous night, and she had been keen to aid him in his quest.He didn’t know anyone else in London he could ask, or at least no one as enticing as her.
“Only that you are playing a secret game and they have been selected to play along.I shall leave it up to your judgement, but I would suggest the bare minimum of details should be imparted.Just enough to secure their ongoing assistance in the challenges,” replied Osmont.
This suited Freddie’s plans.Eve had already sworn to keep the game secret.She looked like the sort of girl who would be up for some hijinks.As soon as he finished at the House of Commons, he would head home and search through the pile of invitations which no doubt had arrived at the house during the day.The Saunders siblings did not strike Freddie as the kind to sit at home all evening and do needlework; they would be out and circulating within the social set.He was comfortable with his assumption that he could catch up with Eve at one of those parties and get her on board as a member of his Rude Rules team.
