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There, on the stage, was a woman who commanded attention. She could never measure up to such a creature. She was nought but a child compared to the experienced actress. June Keenen was graceful, bewitching with her subtle movements and facial expressions. Jessie imagined just how such a woman would look at Rodrigo and entice him to her bed. Oh, it was heartbreaking to think about.
Here was her answer to the question of where had he been. Waiting attendance on Miss Keenen, no doubt. Perhaps even making arrangements to take her with him when he left England for his home. Yet...he had kissed her, and there had been a look in his eyes...a tenderness in his touch. Had it meant nothing?
During intermission, Pauly remarked he had never before had the pleasure of watching Miss Keenen perform. “Firstrate, you know,” he told Jessie as he leaned into her. “And the paly ain’t half bad either.” He chuckled to himself.
Jessie gave him a half smile as Sir Warren agreed and added, “I know what you might like, Viscount.”
“Eh? What’s that?” Pauly asked.
Jessie heard the reserve in her friend’s tone. She knew Pauly did not really like Sir Warren, and had even leaned in and confided he only accepted to join the party because he wanted to give Jessie a friend in the mix.
“You see, I have the pleasure of Miss Keenen’s acquaintance, and should be pleased to convey Lady Jessica and you to her dressing room after her performance tonight.” He turned to the dowager and the other ladies. “Perhaps we might all pay the actress our respects afterwards.”
“I think not,” the dowager said disapprovingly. She was well aware Rodrigo had an intimate connection with the Keenen woman. While she had no fear of Jessie succumbing to Sir Warren’s questionable charms, she did wish to put an end to Jessie’s infatuation with the Spanish rogue. She was sure Rodrigo would leave soon, and in so doing, Jessie’s young heart would be broken. She would much rather Jessie saw him for what he really was...a libertine! She turned to Lord Amherst. “Besides, you have promised to take us to Claridge’s afterwards.”
Amherst pulled a face and nodded sadly. “But the young ‘uns don’t have to join us. Dull work that would be.”
Pauly interjected at this point. “I am promised to friends after the theatre, but if Jess means to meet the woman with you, Sir Warren, I’ll go with you.” There was an odd note in his voice, and Jessie picked up on it.
“Good!” Sir Warren said, clapping his hands, then rubbing them together jovially. “May I consider the matter settled, then, Lady Jess?”
Jessie was silent for a moment. Sound common sense advised her against such a meeting. Why subject herself to seeing Rodrigo’s mistress and interacting with her? Her mind then went to war with such a timid reaction. She had nothing to fear in the truth. Better see for herself what sort of woman Rodrigo had aligned himself with...better to know once and for all if she ever stood a chance of winning his heart. Common sense and logic did battle with the heart. Curiosity won out in the end.
Jessie inclined her head, and so the matter was settled.
* * * * *
White’s Men’s Club buzzed that evening. Spirits were lively, gaming was entertaining, and the assembled company in the gold room were amusing one another with their silly antics. Don Rodrigo leaned back in his comfortable chair and watched it all with a tolerant eye and a restless spirit. It occurred to him that he loved the English. He enjoyed their sense of fair play, subtle and always lined with a duty to honor. His mother had given him every reason to mistrust the English in general, but more often than not, he felt his English blood overpower his Latin.
His grin widened as he watched Lord Alvanley, a bit in his cups, rise unsteadily to his feet and announce he would outlive his companion, Copley, by damn, he would!
His voice carried in resonant tones, turned heads, and brought quizzing glasses up. Copley, a stout fellow who had also imbibed a great deal, perhaps more than Alvanley, hiccupped and said they must call for the betting book.
Simon, who sat beside Rodrigo, regarded these two men with distaste and quietly advised his friend that he thought them, these English, a gathering of cold and silly men with nothing to do but concern themselves with trivia.
“Ah, but no, Simon,” Rodrigo said with a sad sigh. “They are much like us, tracking their way through life...”
A lackey arrived on the scene, and within moments, it was set down that Copley had wagered Alvanley he would outlive him by five years. The bet was set at twenty guineas, and was to be paid by a fund set aside in advance.
“Astounding,” Simon declared “And mad. Yes, Rodrigo, they are, all of them, mad, and I grow impatient with the lot. I am grateful Pitt has finally agreed to the promise of neutrality, so I am now free to take my Beatrice and return home.”
“Yes, it is well. I am only surprised the promise came so easily,” Rodrigo returned thoughtfully.
Simon shrugged. “They will not throw in with Spain. It would do nothing for them against the Napoleon.”
“Agreed. I don’t think they will throw in with Spain, and still, I know better than to trust an English politician.”
“But why? What can they do? They must remain neutral. It is the sanest course for them,” Simon objected.
“True, but then you have only just a moment ago said that you think them mad,” Rodrigo said, and chuckled at his friend’s expression.
“Si, amigo, but not that mad!” Simon said, and laughed.
Rodrigo smiled. It was true, he and his friend had achieved something of importance, perhaps not all that he had hoped for, but it was certainly better than nothing. He sighed to himself. More than politics occupied his mind. He saw her everywhere he went...in his head. He imagined the sound of her laugh. Ah bah!
“You know,” Simon said worriedly. “My Beatrice is not herself these days. I don’t care for the methods of the English doctors. They have not helped her, and I wish to get her home to the family and to our own doctors. I must, with great sadness, bid you farewell, Rodrigo.” He stood and held Rodrigo’s shoulders. “You know when you are ready to return...we will be together again, and perhaps soon be free of Spanish rule.”
“Must you go already...aren’t you worried about the voyage? Might it not be too much for your bride?” Rodrigo frowned up at his friend.
