Chapter Forty-One
“There are going to be some very difficult conversations in the House of Commons over this scandal.The prime minister is threatening to call a general election if the two members of the house named so far do not stand down.”
Eve was seated at the breakfast table next to Caroline while their father held up that morning’s copy ofThe Timesand showed it to the rest of his family.Across the front page was an article detailing the names of the members of the Bachelor Board who had thus far been charged with treason.Five men were currently being held in the Tower of London.Osmont Firebrace was not among their number.
“Yes, from what Hattie tells me, Will has been working late most nights with the prosecution helping with putting the evidence together.She says she has barely seen him for the past week,” replied Adelaide.
“Absolutely appalling.The Timessays the prosecution will have enough evidence to see all of them hang,” added Charles.
Eve took a bite of her toast.The press was mainly concerned with the charges of treason, but she knew enough from Freddie that the corrupting influence of the Bachelor Board had gone far deeper into English society.Lives of young men had been ruined.Futures had been corrupted because of the secrets the board held over its members.Once a man joined the Bachelor Board,his life was bound tight by its rules.
Freddie had so narrowly avoided the same fate.
“Oh, and Freddie’s name has now made the papers.It was to be expected.Have you spoken to him of late?”continued Charles.
Eve put down her toast as her appetite evaporated.Wherever he was, Osmont Firebrace would now know Freddie had played a part in his downfall.“I saw him at St John’s last week,” she replied.
Her parents would find out soon enough that matters between her and Freddie had moved to a point where marriage would naturally follow.But in the meantime, she would continue to indulge in the thrill of stealing out of the house late at night to secretly visit him.The danger of being caught added to the heady pleasure of being a sexually active unmarried woman.
In her reticule was the note she had received late the previous day from Freddie, informing her that his role as a witness for the crown prosecution was about to be made public.She was anxious to see him as soon as possible.
“So, what do you two young ladies have planned for the day?”asked Adelaide.
“Hatchards have a new book of poems by Shelley in stock this week.It includes his latest work,AHymn to Intellectual Beauty.Eve and I are going to buy a copy.After that, I expect we shall find a nice cake shop and stuff our faces while we read our new book,” replied Caroline.
She and Eve had been writing their own humorous version of the poem and were keen to see how badly they had insulted the famed poet’s work.Adelaide picked up her cup of coffee and smiled as she took a sip.
“Yes, well next time you girls are finished writing your naughty poetry you might want to make sure you put them away.We found them in the sitting room last night.After having read your efforts, I think we can safely say Mr.Shelley would not be amused.”
Charles Saunders chuckled from behind his newspaper.
Eve and Caroline both finished their breakfast and shortly after ten o’clock climbed into the family carriage in the rear courtyard of their home.As the carriage turned out of sight into Piccadilly, Freddie Rosemount arrived in a hack at the front door of Dover Street.
