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“A malady of the mind is troubling,” Lord Beresford began.
Neville wondered if he should have been more discreet. This was exactly what Lady Charity had hoped to avoid, but Samuel Beresford smacked his brother on the side of the head and ordered him to take his wife and Lady Amelia home and leave the business of finding the Earl to them.
“The man has a bit of forgetfulness,” Samuel Beresford said. “Do not make a mull of it, Percy.”
“We shall be the squires to your knight,” Reg told Neville.
Lord Beresford grumbled, but his wife made him see that there were quite a number of members of parliament who were absent for much less pressing reasons.
“Besides Beresford, it is not like he is always in such a state,” Reginald added. “Why just yesterday I met him at the Grand Pump Room and he was fine. He asked about you in fact.”
“It is no different than a man in his cups, and we all know, there are some members of parliament who imbibe far more than they should,” Samuel Beresford said. Lady Beresford was clinging to her husband’s arm, anxious to go home, and Percival capitulated.
“I suppose,” Lord Beresford agreed, but he accompanied his wife along with Lady Amelia, to their carriage, leaving Samuel and Reginald to help Lord Wentwell with the search for The Earl of Shalace.
Already much of the crowd had dispersed to return home and prepare themselves for the evening’s events.
“Where could the man have disappeared to?” Reginald asked as their servants gathered the blankets and picnic items. “Just take it all home,” he instructed. “And Lady Charity’s as well. We will sort it later.”
“I am sure I do not know where he has gone,” Neville said. “I have made my way through the crowd twice, but I have not laid eyes on the man. He seems to have disappeared into thin air.”
“Lady Charity must be distraught,” Reg said.
“She is,” Neville agreed.
“Where would a man of his age and sensibility choose to go?” Reg asked.
“I would find a drink,” Samuel Beresford said. “It is deuced hot out here even with evening coming on soon.” Samuel began walking in the direction of the pubs and evening entertainment. “I’m parched. I am sure he was feeling quite the same.”
“We need to find him before full dark,” Neville said concerned.
“Don’t worry old chap,” Samuel said slapping Neville on the back as they walked. “We will find him and you can return him to your little bird safe and sound.”
“She is a lady of theTon,” Neville said smartly, his eyes narrowed at Samuel’s insinuation.
“She is a woman all the same,” Samuel said sipping from the flask that he had carried to the picnic.
“Careful Beresford,” Reg said. “I think this one is different. If you insult her, you may find yourself on the wrong end of fisticuffs.”
Samuel guffawed. “Wentwell? I don’t give a tinker’s damn. I can take him,” he teased. “I have done, and that was when he outweighed me. Why now, he would split his fancy pants with one good swing.”
“He doesn’t have a good swing,” Reginald teased. “He is no fighter.”
“Leave off, Samuel,” Neville said. “Both of you in fact. She is more than a lady. She is a daughter and she was distraught. This is her father we are searching for. We must find him and soon, before he hurts himself or the gossips get ahold of this rare tidbit.”
“Indeed,” Reg intoned, and the men began a systematic search of the grounds, and then the pubs.
The gentlemen had gone in and out of no less than six pubs but to no avail. Neville and Reginald refused to imbibe, but Samuel was half sprung, saying that they could not enter a pub and not patronize the establishment. It was rude.
They were practically at their wits end when Samuel spied the man. With a guffaw and a broad gesture. “Look at that fool in the fountain,” he said, breaking into laughter.
Then they all saw that the man in question was indeed, The Earl of Shalace, sitting not in a pub, but on the edge of a fountain. He had removed his shoes and stockings and had his feet in the water, which was certainly not for bathing. He stood, not at all steadily in the fountain. His trousers were soaked to his knees.
“Fiend seize it,” Reginald intoned.
“Hurry,” Neville said, “before someone recognizes him.”
The threesome rushed forward, but they were already too late. Mr. Crafton peered nearsightedly at the Earl. “Shalace? Is that you?”
