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“Right, I’ll be going then.”
“No, ye won’t…not just yet,” Farley said as he reached out and grabbed Star’s wrist.
* * *
Sir Edward and Jules Stamford were friends of long standing. They had attended school together and had discovered kindred spirits in one another. They weren’t quite alike in tastes and aspirations, but in spite of this, found that they had many things in common. Besides that, they genuinely liked one another.
In addition to this, they were both considered to be the very pink of the haute ton, and on every hostess’s list. They both enjoyed Beau Brummell’s fashion which urged gentlemen to adopt coats of darker colors, strictly tailored in style, and cravats intricately tied. However, unlike many of their friends, they chose a Corinthian way of life and were both very much engaged in sports of one kind or another. Sir Edward was relieved to find his old friend, for Jules was certainly one he could trust to hear his tale of woe.
As neither one had ever been romantically involved to the point of wishing to saddle themselves with a wife, he knew he would shock Jules with his story. Thus, he was quite taken aback to discover that Jules had suffered a similar heartache.
They heard each other’s story in a rather short span of time and decided that it was a good thing they had found one another and thus, decided there was only one thing to do and that was to drink—and drink deep.
At length, Jules put down his glass and remarked, “I was sure…but in the end, she wouldn’t have me, you know. She wanted another.”
“Who?” Sir Edward asked intrigued. “Who did she choose over you?”
“She took Ombersly.”
“Upon my soul!” Sir Edward exclaimed much astounded by this. “That old fidget? Why he has twenty-five years on her. She will be lucky if he lasts the year.”
> “Aye, she told me that she was hoping she would not have to tolerate him more than a year and then she would be widowed and rich. She said I should call on her then…or sooner, if it took my fancy to do so,” Jules shrugged. “Never wanted to share the spoils of another…not the sort of road I travel.”
Sir Edward’s brows rose. “Well, I didn’t realize she was such a heartless woman. I am glad you don’t mean to take her up on her offer. No good can come from someone as mercenary as that.” Sir Edward leaned onto his elbows and added grimly, “Know what, Jules? You are better off, I say.”
“I suppose…”
“I am still surprised, for I knew Mary at a time when…but who would have thought Mary Prendergast and Ombersly? I never would have thought she would end up quite so cynical,” Edward said and shook his head.
“I know, Edward. I thought I was…that she was…”
Edward patted his friend on the shoulder, “Aye, but I never thought you and she were suited. However, I am surprised that she led you on like she did. I suppose she wanted you in the wings in case Ombersly didn’t come up to scratch. Damn, but they are the most mysterious creatures…” He stared at his friend, “Never mind all that, tell me what you are doing rusticating in Rye?” Edward looked at him penetratingly, “Much better to drown your sorrows in Brighton where the season is lively enough to force you out of your sorrows.”
“What?” He shook his head, “No, not with the world ready to point and laugh at me. Made a cake of myself over the chit. Need to rusticate, so I came here. Have that little place I inherited some years back. It lies just outside the village. In fact, I think you and I were there when m’uncle was still alive. Remember when we were both sent down because we got hold of that monkey and set it on the headmaster?” Jules chuckled. “We came here because m’father was visiting with his brother,” He sighed. “Good times then. You didn’t want to go home and face your father, so you came here with me. Papa was ever a good-hearted chap,” He sighed and eyed Sir Edward and grinned.
Edward laughed, “I remember!”
Jules beamed over the memory, “Fond days, but Edward, what brings you to Rye? You haven’t anyone here…other than me and you didn’t know I was here.”
“Not for anyone else’s ears ‘ole man. Not sure I even want to tell you,” Edward grimaced.
“You know what? Let’s just be off…go finish getting bosky at my place, in private.” He looked around. “I’ll go settle up…be right back and then you can tell me everything, how is that?”
“Fine, yes.” Sir Edward felt the glumness again hit him as he watched his friend walk off and then he saw that young lad he had encountered earlier. He didn’t know what made him get up and walk toward the lad. Perhaps it was because of the way the boy carried himself, as though he was…what? Terrified? Indeed, that was it. The lad seemed frightened. Why then was he here alone?
He reached the corridor only to find the boy no longer there. He shrugged and turned around only to receive a forceful blow to his middle as that very lad barreled into him. He put out his hands to steady the boy and wondered again what a young and obviously innocent lad was doing in such a place. “Ho there, young sir…” Sir Edward said as a pair of dark eyes flashed at him. It was absurd but he was immediately struck by the fact that those eyes were very large, thickly lashed and opened wide with a mixed expression of irritation and fear.
“Excuse me, so sorry, I went into the wrong room…looking for the way out you see,” the lad said and broke free of Edward’s hold.
Thinking that this was the prettiest boy he had ever seen swaggering about in a heathen smuggler’s inn, Sir Edward was more interested than he normally would have been. His gaze moved to the stray hairs of white gold peeping out from the hat over the boy’s forehead and his mind began racing for now he was sure this boy though tall for a twelve year old, couldn’t be more than that.
Apparently the lad immediately noticed his scrutiny and hurriedly pulled his cap lower over his forehead. A reluctant grin curved Sir Edward’s lips. Well, well, the youth was out on a lark, no doubt and doesn’t wish to be recognized. He couldn’t resist a tease, and stood in the lad’s path, “Ah, but it is you again. Well met, for I had a question or two I should like to put to you. First, why now are you in such a hurry? Have you seen enough to satisfy a young man’s fancy?”
Sir Edward watched as a look of abject misery flashed over the lad’s face before the boy controlled himself, put his chin up and said, “I must get home before anyone realizes I am gone.”
Ah, thought Sir Edward, just as I surmised, out on a lark. Perhaps I should teach the boy a lesson and keep him out such places for a bit?
“It is late, no one will know that you are gone,” Sir Edward offered. “Stay a bit. Enjoy a bumper of ale with me and my friend.”
