Chapter 20

Nearly a week had passed since she had seen Ralph at the theatre, and Helen was beginning to feel that she was, at last, making a little progress in finding the identity of the elusive Le Renard. Even though Lavorel did not bring many personal documents to the suite they shared, she had managed to coax some information out of him. She had discovered that not only was Le Renard in London, but he was also a member of the ton and held a prominent position within the ruling elite. She had relayed all the information she had gathered to Haverstock during her weekly meeting with him, which took place in the fitting-room at her modiste on Bond Street.

Even though she felt like she had made some progress identifying Le Renard, she needed to step up her search. Over the past week, she had become more aware of her pregnancy. Not only had she become nauseous in the morning, the dresses she had commissioned for herself in Paris, were starting to get tight. Even Haverstock had made a comment about it when he had met her earlier that morning. However, it was not just the baby that was bothering her, she was beginning to become suspicious that Lavorel was misleading her. She had always known that he was a jealous man, but there was something about his behaviour that she found disconcerting.

She had known, from the beginning, that Lavorel was having her followed. However, she was also beginning to suspect that he was feeding her carefully selected information. The documents he had brought to their suite, always referred to Le Renard. And, he had placed them in a draw in his desk so that they could be easily found. All the information he revealed to her, had whetted Haverstock's appetite and had left him wanting more. However, she was now beginning to realise the Lavorel had been clever. He had actually revealed to her very little about Le Renard and the organisation to which he belonged that Haverstock did not already know.

Today, after her appointment at her modist, Lavorel had suggested that she should go shopping in Bond Street. He was busy all day at the embassy, and he had given her carte blanche to spend his money on whatever took her fancy. It was a crisp and cold autumn day. The sun was shining brightly in the sky, but there was little warmth in its rays. Deveraux, who was acting as her footman, followed closely behind.

As she walked down the busy road, she looked half-heartedly into the shop windows. In the window of a milliner's shop, she saw a beautiful display of leather kid gloves. She had to purchase something, she thought to herself; otherwise, Lavorel would become suspicious.

She walked into the shop, and immediately an assistant was waiting to attend to her. When the infamous Countess de Aquileia bought anything from your shop, word would soon get around, and the item would be sold out within days.

Helen pointed to a pair of scarlet gloves made from the softest, most supple leather and tried them on. As she put them on, she heard the bell above the shop door tinkle delicately. She turned around to see who had come into the shop.

'Helen,' the young woman said, as she smiled at her from the entrance, 'what a lovely surprise. I did not know you were in London. After you...'

Before Alice could say anything else, Helen walked over to her. 'Alice, my dear,' she said, as she kissed her on the cheek. 'Don't say anything about me,' she whispered cryptically in her ear.

Alice smiled and nodded. 'Those are beautiful gloves,' she said, taking Helen's hands in hers, 'I wonder if they have them in blue.'

Helen spent the rest of the morning shopping with Alice. She was grateful that Alice had played her part to perfection and had not revealed any information about her that could be overheard.

'My dear,' Alice said, after a couple of hours, 'I'm starving. Let's go back to my house and have lunch, just the two of us.'

Helen nodded. 'That sounds wonderful.' Whoever was following her would not be able to come into the house, and it would be the perfect opportunity to speak to Alice alone.

After a lavish lunch in Alice's large and opulent townhouse in the middle of Park Lane, both women retired upstairs to Alice's private sitting-room. It had been difficult to have a confidential conversation during the meal, as there had always been a servant in attendance. However, once they had retired to the privacy of Alice's sitting-room with a tea-tray and a selection of delicious cakes and biscuits, they were able to talk privately.

Alice sat down on a chaise and put her feet up. 'Helen,' she said, as she rubbed the rather large bump below her waist, 'can you pour the tea. My feet are killing me.'

Helen stood up and poured the tea and handed Alice a cup.

'Tom, the old misery, did not want me to come with him. He wanted me to stay by myself at Emley Manor, lying in bed all day, staring at the ceiling.' She reached out and took a piece of cake from a selection artfully arranged on a plate. 'I told him,' she continued after swallowing a mouthful of sponge, 'that carrying a child does not incapacitate you. So here I am. The poor man had really no choice in the end but to take me. Of course, I cannot be seen in society. Though I cannot, for the life of me, work out what is so scandalous about having a baby!'

She picked up her cup and took a few sips. 'Anyway,' she said emphatically, 'enough about me. Tell me your news. You were quite mysterious in the shop. I also want to know why you are now the Countessa de Aquileia.'

Helen trusted Alice, so she told her nearly everything. She told her that she was masquerading as the infamous Countessa de Aquileia and was currently the mistress of a French diplomate. She had also told her that the only reason why she had agreed to such a hair-brained idea, was to win back guardianship of her son.

'Oh, Helen,' Alice said, 'I am sorry. I cannot imagine what it is like. But, I understand completely why you are doing it. A mother's love is powerful, and it cannot be underestimated.'

'Does Ralph know?' Alice asked quietly after a short break in the conversation. 'He took your sudden departure from Belmont Hall very badly.'

Helen nodded. 'I saw him last week at the theatre,' she said, looking at the empty cup resting on her lap.

'Does he know?' Alice said tentatively.

Helen nodded again. 'Yes, he knows everything.'

'Well that explains his erratic behaviour,' Alice said, with conviction. 'Tom told me that he has been behaving quite outrageously and that it is completely out of character.'

'There is something else,' Helen said, as she placed the cup on a side table next to where she was seated. She took a deep breath and steadied herself. 'I am going to have Ralph's child.'

It was the first time she had said the words out loud, and it gave her a feeling of resignation. Up until now, she was the only person who knew about the child. It had still felt unreal, as though it was happening to another person. Giving voice to her suspicions only made them feel more real. She was going to have Ralph's child.

Alice swung her legs onto the floor and walked over to Helen. She sat down next to her and held her in her arms. Helen felt all the sadness she had bottled up inside her well-up. Then she began to feel all those weeks of unshed tears begin to flow down her cheeks.

'Does Ralph know?' Alice eventually said as Helen's sobs subsided.

Helen shook her head. 'I tried to tell him last week at the theatre, but we were interrupted. I don't know what to do. He was so angry with me. And I can hardly blame him. I've hurt him so badly.' Helen took a deep breath. 'Alice,' she said quietly, 'I think Lavorel suspects that I am spying on him.'

'Are you sure?' Alice replied, looking concerned.

'I know he has me followed everywhere,' Helen said anxiously. 'It could be that he is just jealous, but I have a feeling it's more than that. Alice, if it was just me...' She looked down at her hands that were clasped in her lap, 'I wouldn't mind. But now I have the baby.'

The clock on the mantlepiece chimed two o'clock. Helen looked up and dabbed her eyes with her handkerchief. 'I better go. I must be back before Lavorel returns.'

'Be careful,' Alice said gravely, as they both stood up. 'Remember, if you need me, I will always be here for you.'

The next morning, Alice was sitting in the breakfast parlour with Tom. She had slept very little the night before. She could not stop thinking about Helen and everything she had told her. Alice could not even begin to imagine the pain Helen must be suffering.

Tom was reading the notices in The Times. He always liked to keep abreast of developments in society. 'He's only gone and done it this time,' Tom said in disgust.

'Who, dear?' Alice replied as she sipped on her tea.

'Huntingdon,' he said with a sigh, 'he has only gone and got himself betrothed to Miss Hepworth.'

'What?' Alice said, quickly getting to her feet and nearly knocking over her teacup in the process. 'No, that cannot be true.'

'Read it for yourself, my dear,' Tom said, as he handed her the newspaper, 'it's all here in black and white.'

Alice took the paper and read the notice that Tom had pointed out to her.

'You will have to do something,' Alice said, as she handed him back the paper and sat back in her chair.

'What can I do?' Tom replied dispassionately, 'I've already tried several times to talk to him about his outrageous behaviour. He wasn't very receptive to my advice and told me in no uncertain terms where I could go.'

'Then I will talk to him,' Alice said decisively.

'You will do no such thing,' Tom commanded. 'I do not want you going anywhere near him.'

Alice said nothing in reply. She knew that it was futile to argue with Tom when he reverted back to his persona as an army officer. She just continued to nibble at the slice of toast she had on her plate.

'Alice, I'm serious,' he repeated, 'I told you when you insisted on joining me in London that you were to behave yourself. No scheming.'

Alice reached out and covered his hand with her own. She squeezed it gently and smiled at him. 'You are glad I came,' she said demurely.

She stood up and walked over to him. When she reached his chair, she took the paper that he was still holding and placed it on the table. With her finger, she lifted his chin, and then she bent and kissed him on the lips.

'Come here, you minx,' he said, as he grabbed her waist, pulled her onto his lap and deepened the kiss. Huntingdon and his betrothal were both temporarily forgotten.

It was ten o'clock in the morning and Ralph was still drunk. He had returned to Fallbrook House at seven after spending the night gambling and whoring with a dubious set of men that included his soon to be father-in-law, Lord Hepworth. Instead of going to bed, he had gone to his study and poured himself a full glass of whisky. He drank it in one go and then sat down in a chair next to the unlit fire. The room was cold, but Ralph did not care, he just wanted to be alone with his thoughts.

Since he had seen Helen at the theatre last week, his behaviour had become even more debauched. After they had dropped the ladies back home after the performance, Lord Hepworth had invited him to a discreet establishment in Mayfair that catered for a particular class of gentleman. Ralph had been so drunk and revolted with himself by his behaviour towards Helen, that he had agreed to go. He had been close to ravishing her in public. If she had not slapped him on the cheek to bring him back to his senses, he would have lost control of his moral code and would have raped her.

He had been hurt and shocked by her publically wanton behaviour, but that still did not give him the right to violate her. She must hate him now. He was, after all, no better than her husband and all the other men she had known. He drank heavily during the play, but his eyes were continually drawn to her as she played the temptress to another man.

When he had arrived at the respectable-looking house in the middle of a fashionable street, he quickly found that behind the genteel façade, it was just a high-class brothel. He should have left immediately, but Hepworth, who was well-known by all, put a glass of brandy in his hand and steered him towards the salon and promised him a woman who looked just like the Countessa. Even though he had been there every night since then with Hepworth, the memory of Helen still loomed large in his mind. Every woman he had slept with had just been a poor imitation of her.

He felt so abhorred with himself that yesterday, he had finally asked Miss Hepworth to be his wife. It was now a fait accompli. The announcement would be in this morning's papers, and there was nothing he could do to stop it.

He poured himself another whisky and had put it to his lips when the door to his study burst open and Lady Emley, Tom's wife, strode purposefully into the room. She stood in the middle of the room with her hands on her hips. His butler, Hodgson, who had come up with him from Belmont Hall, blustered in after her. 'My lady,' he said, sounding very flustered, 'I'm afraid his lordship is indisposed.'

'I can see that,' Lady Emley replied tartly. She then marched over to the windows, opened the curtains and a window. Ralph blinked and put his hands over his eyes as the unwelcome daylight shone into the study.

'What the...' Ralph began to say but was interrupted by Lady Emley.

'I will have no profanity,' Lady Emley said sharply.

'I am sorry, my lord,' Hodgson blustered, 'I will have her ladyship removed.'

'You will do no such thing,' Lady Emley said indignantly. 'Do not stand there,' she said to the gawping servant, 'go and be useful. Fetch his lordship a pot of strong coffee,' she ordered, 'and send a maid to light the fire.'

Ralph was too weary to argue with her. And, in the absence of his master's objections, Hodgson went on his way to fulfil Lady Emley's orders.

Within ten minutes, Ralph had a cup of strong coffee in his hands and was sitting next to a roaring fire, Lady Emley was perched on a chair opposite him with her back straight, looking at him imperiously.

'What the hell are you doing here?' he said, unable to hide the annoyance in his voice.

'I told you, I do not want to hear any profanity,' she said prudishly.

'I do apologise,' he said sarcastically, 'but I think you will find that you are an uninvited visitor in my house.'

Lady Emley looked at him haughtily, just like his mother would do before delivering a set-down. 'It does not take much to guess where you were last night,' she said directly. 'The room is full of the odour of cheap perfume, and you have rouge all over your shirt.'

'Since when has my whereabouts been any of your business,' he said, anger creeping into his voice. If she had not been Tom's wife, he would have had her forcibly removed and turned out into the street.

They sat in stony silence for a few more minutes, and then he felt her relax. 'I must apologise, my lord,' she said, her voice a little softer, 'I did not mean to offend.'

'Then why are you here?' he said, trying to hide his irritation, 'I have enough women interfering in my life without another one barging in.'

'I saw your announcement of your betrothal to Miss Hepworth in the paper this morning,' she said forthrightly.

'Yes,' he said defensively, 'what of it?'

Lady Emley sat still and looked at the fire. 'Don't you love her anymore,' she said softly, 'Helen, I mean.'

'That, my lady,' Ralph said dangerously, 'is none of your damned business.'

'She still loves you,' she said steadily.

Ralph felt that stab of pain in his heart. The pain that he had been trying to exorcise since he had arrived in London. He had tried time and time again to erase the memory of her and the love he had felt for her. He did not want to be reminded now of what could have been between them.

'She's got a funny way of showing it,' Ralph replied bitterly. 'Cavorting publically like a whore with a well-known libertine.'

'She is in danger,' Lady Emley said.

'Mrs Wakefield or the Countessa de Aquileia is capable of looking after herself.' Ralph stood up. He wanted to bring the conversation to an end. 'Lady Emley,' he said authoritatively, 'if you have come here to talk about Mrs Wakefield, I'm afraid, I'm really going to have to ask you to leave.'

'She is carrying your child,' Lady Emley blurted out.

Ralph stared at her in disbelief. He quickly sat back on his chair. 'No.' he said, surprised at how calm he sounded, 'it cannot be.'

'It is true,' Lady Emley said quietly.

'Helen,' he said, almost to himself, 'why did you not tell me?'

'She did try,' Lady Emley said gently, 'at the theatre, but she was interrupted.'

There was another silence. Helen was carrying his child, and he had just bound himself to a woman he neither loved or even cared about. If only he had known yesterday, he would never have made such a rash decision.

'My lord,' Lady Emley said seriously, after a lengthy silence, 'Helen is in grave danger. She thinks that Lavorel knows that she is spying on him. She is frightened not just for herself, but for your child.'

Ralph's mind was blank. What could he do to help her?

'You have a brother that still works at the Horse Guards,' she said, 'Tom told me about him, Captain Fallbrook.'

Ralph nodded. 'Of course,' he said, 'Alex, he will help.'