Frits was in his bedchamber putting the finishing touches to his cravat when a sharp rapping sounded on the outside door.
“My lord.” Creswell sounded as if he’d run up the stairs. “An urgent message from the Foreign Office came for you.”
The only person who’d send Frits a message through there was Elizabeth Harrington. Had she discovered something? “Come.”
His butler entered, holding out a missive with his name written in Lady Harrington’s neat hand. Ayles held up his jacket, and Frits shook his head. “I’ll read this before we finish.”
Popping open the seal, he shook out the letter.
My Dear Littleton,
The very next day after I wrote to tell you there was nothing important about Anglesey, Paris became abuzz with the news that the Spanish Duke of la Algaba arrived in the city with his wife, daughter, and the daughter’s one-year-old baby boy. She (the daughter) is being introduced as the Countess of Anglesey! You may imagine my shock.
Apparently, she and Anglesey were married in
Madrid, and he left shortly thereafter, promising to return within a month or so. Obviously he intended to abandon the poor lady. Not only that, but she was quite young when they wed. She has just last week turned seventeen. I can tell you that many in Paris, including Harrington and I, were completely deceived by Anglesey. He said not a word about being married, and indeed presented himself as a single gentleman.
Naturally, the moment I learned the facts, I knew I must write to you immediately. No doubt, many others in Town and elsewhere in England will shortly know of his treachery. However, I pride myself that you will be the first to hear the wretched truth about his lordship. Even Harrington said I must send you word at once.
Yr. friend,
E. Harrington
PS I believe that Lady Anglesey and her family will arrive in Town within the next two weeks. The duke said they will stay with the Duke of San Carlos, Spain’s ambassador to Britain, until they see their daughter settled.
PPS Please write to me and tell me everything that happens. And please try to ensure that everyone treats poor Lady Anglesey well. She puts on a brave front, but I am concerned that that is all it is.
Frits felt a slow smile stretch his lips as he reread the missive. This afternoon’s entertainment was going to be much more interesting than anyone expected. As to the young Lady Anglesey, he’d have a word with his mother. She would be able to ease the young lady’s way into Polite Society.
He glanced at the letter again and did a quick calculation. Devil it. She had been just fifteen when that scum had seduced her.
“Is there something wrong, my lord?” Ayles asked as he lifted the jacket again.
“No, Ayles.” Frits held out his arms, allowing his valet to ease on the jacket. “It is very good news.”
“Excellent, sir.” Ayles smoothed the back of the jacket.
Excellent indeed. For everyone but Anglesey. “Please tell Humphries to get Maximus ready, and inform him that he will ride with me, and send word to the stable that the horses will need to be walked for a bit. I must speak to her ladyship before we depart.”
Fifteen minutes later, Mama’s jaw snapped shut for the third time. “The blackguard! There are not words strong enough for what I am feeling. If I was a man, I would run him through with a sword, or shoot him where it would count the most. And to think of the way he has been carrying on. I had it from Annis Watford, who heard it from her daughter-in-law, that he had asked Lady Riverton to marry him. If it was not for his poor wife, I would make sure he is no longer accepted by the ton.” His mother sat down at her writing table. “You are correct, of course. We cannot take out our ire on Lady Anglesey. I shall dash off a note to his mother, informing her that she should repair to Town as soon as possible.” Mama took out a piece of pressed paper. “I do not know what she will think of him marrying a Spaniard, even though her father is a duke. She and Normanby—well, mostly Lady Normanby—made Anglesey return to England so that he could wed an English lady.” Mama dipped her pen into the standish. “At least there is an heir. That ought to make them happier about the marriage.”
This was going to be the scandal of the Season, but why she needed to be involved he didn’t know. “I think it is very likely that someone will have written her from Paris.”
“Yes, but whoever informs her of her new daughter-in-law and grandson might not know they plan to arrive in England so soon.”
Frits couldn’t argue with that. He did want to get to Lady Potter’s house without delay. The bounder needed to be kept away from Adeline. “Do you wish me to wait for you?”
“No, no.” Mama waved one hand as the other took up her pen. “You go. I shall meet you there.”
He kissed her on the cheek. “You are the best of mothers.”
She glanced at him, her eyes appearing a little moist. “I could not have asked for a better son. I am certain you will handle this disclosure properly.”
“I’ll do my best. But I’ll be hard pressed not to plant Anglesey a facer.”
“He deserves that and more,” she muttered as she turned back to her writing table. “Oh, and be careful. I hope you are taking Humphries with you in the event Maximus sees something interesting.”
“I am.” When Frits had conceived the idea of having his dog ride around with him, he had not thought of Maximus’s reaction to other animals, such as squirrels. He’d been very good about other dogs, but squirrels seemed to drive him mad. After one particular incident, he and the groom had fashioned a harness that could be attached to the carriage. “He can no longer jump out of the curricle.”
