Chapter 23

After two more weeks of rest, the new Earl of Silverton was finally well enough to travel. Sir Henry had planned to arrange the hasty marriage of his daughter to the 5th Earl, as soon as they had arrived in London. Then, after the nuptials had taken place, he would apply to Silverton's solicitors to draw up documents for the settlements. Sir Henry's hopes, however, had been dashed the moment they had arrived at Limington Place, the Earl of Silverton's smart London residence.

Limington Place was a large, imposing townhouse in the heart of the very fashionable London district of Mayfair. What Sir Henry had not realised, was that the previous Earl, even though he rarely came to town, kept loyal members of staff at the house to look after it. Therefore, when Sir Henry's carriage had drawn up outside the front door, along with his family and the new, rather dazed looking Earl, one of the faithful retainers had immediately called upon Mr Morton to express their concerns.

Mr Morton, an intelligent man who was close to retirement, had taken one look at Sir Henry and knew immediately what he was planning to do. He had left the servant with strict instructions not to leave the new Lord Silverton alone with Sir Henry. When the servant had reported his findings back to the butler and housekeeper, they organised the staff to make sure that there was always someone nearby to keep an eye on the unwelcome guests.

The next morning Sir Henry, incensed by the butler's insolent attitude towards him, went to see Mr Morton to register his grievances. 'As soon as my precious daughter is wed to his lordship, I will be his father-in-law,' he had said confidently, 'and, on that matter, I hope that you will help me procure a special license this afternoon.'

'I am afraid, sir,' Mr Morton had said, with a superiority that rankled Sir Henry, 'that a special license, in this case, will not do.'

'Why ever not?' Sir Henry had replied testily, 'it is not as though you are his guardian. The Earl is a grown man and can marry whoever he chooses. I was hoping to have your blessing, but if you are going to be difficult, I'll arrange the nuptials myself.'

'I would rather you did not,' Mr Morton had replied smoothly, 'the Earl is recovering from an accident that has affected his memory. He must be allowed time to fully recover before he marries your daughter.'

'I say,' Sir Henry then said agitatedly, 'are you accusing me of forcing his lordship into a marriage he does not want? If I were younger; I'd call you out for slander. One thing is certain,' he growled, 'that when the Earl is married to my daughter, I will encourage him to use my man of business, not you!'

'Please, sir,' the solicitor had said calmly, 'I have never accused you of forcing his lordship to marry your daughter. I am just warning you that this marriage cannot take place until Lord Silverton has fully recovered from his unfortunate accident. His lordship has given me permission to act on his behalf until he is well enough to take control of his own affairs.'

'Well,' Sir Henry blustered, 'in the opinion of my physician, his lordship is of a sound mind and can make his own decisions.'

'I am afraid your man's professional opinion is neither here nor there. Last year, Dr Overton, the man you are relying on to provide evidence, was accused of taking bribes for giving false witness in court. There is not a judge in the land that will take his assessment of a patient seriously.' The solicitor looked at Sir Henry in the eye and had said gravely, 'if I find out that his lordship has been subjected to a clandestine marriage to your daughter, I will use all the legal powers, at my disposal, to annul the marriage. Your daughter will be ruined and you, sir, will end up in gaol.'

'Well,' Sir Henry had said, as his cheeks began to turn red with rage, 'I have never been so insulted in all my life. Dr Overton is a dear friend of mine, and his reputation is second to none.'

'I, along with most of the legal profession, would have to disagree with you,' Mr Morton had said curtly. 'Now, Sir Henry, I am a very busy man, and I cannot waste my time talking to you. May I suggest that you and your family remove yourselves from Limington Place today. I will be visiting his lordship later this afternoon, and if I find that you are still in residence, I will have you forcibly evicted.'

'But,' Sir Henry had said furiously, 'I am not only the Earl's guest, but I am soon to be part of his family.'

'You are not yet part of his family,' Mr Morten had said firmly, 'therefore, I suggest you move out of Limington Place until the ceremony takes place. If it does indeed happen.' He then added, after a brief pause in the conversation, 'I think that you are a very deceitful man and have used the unfortunate circumstance that my client finds himself in, to line your own pockets.' Mr Morton had then looked at Sir Henry with a cold expression in his eyes. 'Good-day, Sir Henry, 'he said dismissively, 'and please shut the door on your way out.'

After moving out of Limington Place and into a nearby hotel, Sir Henry was very depressed at the hopeless situation he now found himself in. He decided to leave his wife and daughter and go to his club to drown his sorrows and have a game of cards with his closest friends. Later that night, after drinking a good deal of brandy and losing a vast sum of money he did not have, he sat by himself in one of the large leather chairs. He remembered the miniature, of the beautiful woman he had found in the pocket of the Earl's coat after the accident. He took it out of his pocket and looked with admiration at the face that stared out at him.

He poured himself another glass of brandy, from the cut-glass decanter that was resting on a side-table next to his chair. As he sipped the excellent brandy, he looked at the miniature and focused on the familiar blue eyes that were staring back at him. Over the past few weeks, since it had come into his ownership, he had been trying to recall when he had met her. There was no doubt in his mind that he knew her. How could anyone forget those beautiful blue eyes and full rosy lips?

'Cavendish,' a voice suddenly rung out across the room.

Sir Henry jumped, causing the miniature to tumble into his lap. Sir Henry knew the familiar voice, and it was not the voice of a friend.

'I heard you were in London, and I was hoping I'd run into you. I even came here to see if you were skulking in your club. It seems that I was correct,' he said as he looked down at Sir Henry, who was looking up at the intruder with fear in his eyes.

'I... I was,' Sir Henry began but was interrupted by the gentleman banging his silver-topped cane on the floor.

Sir Henry's visitor was a tall and very handsome man. He was dressed impeccably in a dark blue superfine wool coat that fitted his broad shoulders to perfection. His buff coloured breeches encased his muscular legs, and he wore a shiny pair of top boots that seemed to gleam in the candlelight. He wore no jewellery, apart from a large, ostentatious ruby signet ring. He had a small scar over his left eye that only added to his debonair appearance. 'Were you trying to avoid me, Cavendish? You do know that would not be a particularly wise move.'

'I was going to come and see you t... t... tomorrow,' Sir Henry stammered, 'I have...'

'Were you now?' he said, motioning to the footman to bring another glass, 'somehow, I don't believe you.'

The gentleman sat in a chair opposite Sir Henry, and when the glass arrived, he filled it up from the decanter that Sir Henry had been using. 'I'll say one thing for you,' the gentleman said smoothly, 'you do know your brandy.'

'Major Ellington, I'll have the money in a couple of weeks,' Sir Henry said nervously glancing up at him.

Major Ellington laughed. 'I know all about your ridiculous scheme,' he said, still chuckling, 'trying to marry your half-witted daughter to some poor unsuspecting fool. I always thought you had a little more panache.'

'She's as good as married to Lord Silverton,' Sir Henry said defensively. 'Just a few days now and...'

He was interrupted by a bark of laughter. When Ellington's mirth had finally subsided, he turned around to Sir Henry and said, 'Cavendish, you really are a fool. I have it on good authority that the new Earl's solicitors have cut you out of the picture. Have they not thrown you out of Limington Place?'

Sir Henry said nothing in reply, he just stared at Ellington.

'What is that?' Ellington said, pointing at the miniature that Sir Henry was nervously clutching in his hands.

'Nothing,' Sir Henry said, as he tried to hide the miniature, by thrusting it into his pocket, 'nothing at all.'

Ellington ignored his denial. 'Cavendish, do not cross me,' he said harshly, 'give it to me.'

Sir Henry looked at Ellington anxiously but still denied having anything in his hand. 'I don't know what you mean,' he said, as he tried to surreptitiously thrust the miniature into his pocket.

Ellington looked at him coldly, 'that, my dear man, was a mistake.' Ellington turned around and looked towards the entrance and motioned to a man leaning against the lintel of the door, 'Captain Fallbrook,' he said, as a command, 'can you come here.'

Captain Fallbrook, who was even taller and broader shouldered than Ellington, strode over to Ellington's side. He stood silently next to his chair and looked at Sir Henry, a wry smile on his lips and a menacing look in his eye. 'Sir Henry,' Ellington then said as he crossed his legs and sat back, 'I suggest you give it to me now; otherwise my associate,' he said, motioning towards Fallbrook, 'will force it from you. It will be easier, and less painful if you give it to me now.'

Sir Henry looked apprehensively at Ellington and then at Fallbrook. He then slowly reached into his pocket, took out the miniature and reluctantly gave it to him. His hand shook nervously as he took the glass of brandy and downed it.

Ellington looked at the miniature. 'Thank you, Sir Henry,' he said, with a false smile, 'that was not so difficult, was it?' He turned around to Fallbrook and motioned for him to sit down in a chair opposite them.

Sir Henry did not answer, he just carefully poured himself another brandy. But, his hands were shaking so much that he was finding it difficult to aim the liquid into the glass without spilling any of it onto the table.

'Do you know who she is?' Ellington said, as he looked at the painting, a half smile on his face.

Sir Henry shook his head. 'I think I've met her before,' he said truthfully, 'but, I cannot remember.'

'Do you recognise her?' Ellington said after he tossed the miniature to Fallbrook.

'Yes, sir,' Fallbrook replied, 'we've been looking for that one for some time.'

'Will you enlighten Sir Henry to her identity,' Ellington said smoothly.

'Of course, the young woman in question, for she can hardly be called a lady,' Captain Fallbrook said, as he looked over to Sir Henry, 'is Miss Cassandra Stanford.'

Sir Henry's head shot up when Fallbrook said her name. 'Not the late Sir Reginald Stanford's youngest daughter,' he said in disbelief.

'The very same,' Ellington said, still smiling at him, 'but when you met her, she had changed her name to La Rosa d'Oro.'

Sir Henry's face became deadly pale. 'I remember Rosa,' he said weakly.

'I know,' Ellington said, 'you paid well, along with half the ton, to know her intimately.'

Sir Henry nodded.

'I'm surprised that you did not know that Rosa was Sir Reginald's daughter,' Ellington said dispassionately, 'it was not as though we kept it a secret.' Ellington turned around to the footman and ordered another decanter of brandy. 'Do you know why Rosa was with us?' he said looking at Sir Henry coldly.

Sir Henry shook his head weakly.

'Sir Reginald was foolish enough to die owing Lord Melrose, my cousin, money.' Ellington stopped when the footman brought in a decanter and placed it on the side-table next to him. He poured himself another glass and said, 'just like Sir Reginald, your situation is a little precarious. You owe Melrose money, and you have no immediate means of repaying the debt.'

'The marriage of my daughter,' Sir Henry said weakly, 'just wait...'

'Are you that stupid, man,' Ellington growled at him, 'I have already told you there will be no marriage.'

There was silence, and Sir Henry had turned a shocking shade of white and looked like he was about to faint.

'You had better pour him another drink,' Ellington said to Fallbrook, 'I do not want him to faint just yet.'

Fallbrook stood up, poured Sir Henry a glass of brandy and then returned to his seat.

'I don't like threatening you,' Ellington said with a sigh, 'but you must see that if I do not get at least a token payment, others, who are in debt to Melrose, may start to see me as a soft touch.'

'Lord Melrose has the deeds to my estate,' Sir Henry said desperately. He knew that this conversation was becoming very dangerous and he just wanted these two men to leave him alone. 'My lands are in good heart and worth a lot of money.'

'Not enough,' Ellington said firmly, 'not nearly enough. But there are other assets you could hand over to me that would make up the shortfall.'

Sir Henry looked at Ellington in disbelief. 'What assets?' he said, fearing the answer he knew was coming.

'Your daughter,' he said expressionless, 'I do believe her name is Julia. She's not nearly as beautiful as our exquisite Miss Stanford, but she will still be able to fetch a high price.'

'No!' Sir Henry said passionately, 'not Julia.'

'Then tell me,' Ellington said menacingly, 'where did you get the miniature?'

'I...I...' Sir Henry stammered.

'Out with it, man,' Ellington replied impatiently, 'I have not got all night, you blithering fool.'

'Silverton,' he said fearfully, 'I found it in Lord Silverton's jacket pocket after he had a riding accident on his way to London.'

'And tell me,' Ellington said curiously, his anger slightly abating, 'how did Silverton come by it?'

'I do not know,' Sir Henry replied quickly, 'I found it in his jacket pocket when he was injured outside my house. My daughter thinks it could be his sweetheart,' he added as an afterthought.

'Have you shown him the picture?' Ellington said.

Sir Henry shook his head. 'He had lost his memory, and I thought that if he saw it again, he may remember her.'

'You really are a cad, aren't you,' Ellington said laughing. 'I have to admire the effort you have put into this fruitless scheme. Anyway, Cavendish, I am still curious to know what Silverton was doing outside your front door?'

'He was riding to London to see his solicitor. He had not yet discovered that he was the heir to Silverton's title.'

Ellington turned to Fallbrook. 'Do you know of a Captain Laws?' Ellington said to him inquiringly.

Fallbrook sat back in his chair, crossed his legs and nodded. 'There was a Lieutenant Laws in the 33rd,' he said with a smile. 'I think this might interest you, sir,' he said coolly, 'he was promoted to Captain at about the same time that our Miss Stanford disappeared. And, if my memory serves me correctly, he was not promoted within his regiment, but by Colonel Mitford.'

'Mitford, eh!' Ellington said, as a cold look of anger crept into his eyes at the mention of his name, 'now I'm beginning to understand. He must have promised Laws a promotion to get her out.'

Fallbrook nodded. 'that sounds possible, sir. But, we also know that she is not with Mitford now. If Laws did rescue her, he must have been hiding her as well.'

'Very likely,' Ellington said solemnly, 'if we can find out where Laws has been residing, we will find her.' He then turned to Sir Henry and asked politely, please tell me everything you can remember about the accident?'

Sir Henry then told Major Ellington about the riding accident Captain Laws had had outside the gates of his estate. When Sir Henry had finished, Ellington laughed and then said, 'you really are an opportunist bastard, Cavendish. You came up with the scheme to foist your bird-witted daughter on Laws after he had lost his memory. I'll take back my doubts about you, Cavendish, your plan does have a certain panache to it after all. It's just a shame that Silverton's solicitors do not favour your suit.

After a protracted silence Ellington said, 'did he have any papers on him that would give us any clues to his former address?'

'No,' Sir Henry muttered, 'the only paper he had on him was the message from the solicitor.'

'Do you still have it?' Ellington asked him seriously.

'Yes,' Sir Henry said, 'I do.'

'Good,' Ellington said with a smile, 'if you can help me find the woman in the miniature, I will give you another six months to pay your debt.'

'I do not know how I can help,' Sir Henry said nervously, 'Mr Morton, Silverton's solicitor, does not like me.'

Ellington laughed and said, 'of course he doesn't like you. You can hardly blame him! You're not a likeable person,' he said truthfully. 'But that does not matter now. You are going to help me get that address.'

'Yes, sir,' Sir Henry said meekly, 'I will go first thing in the morning...'

Sir Henry was interrupted once more by Major Ellington. 'You will do no such thing. Morton will never give up the address to you. No, you will accompany Captain Fallbrook and break into the offices and find out the information tonight.'

There was a look of horror on Sir Henry's face. 'Me...' he stammered, 'steal papers.'

'Why not!' Ellington said forcefully, 'it appears to me that you still owe me. And if you do not want to see your daughter become a whore, I would suggest that you do it.'

'Yes, sir,' Sir Henry said compliantly.

'Good,' Ellington said emphatically, 'if you can find Silverton's old address, I will give you another six months to pay your outstanding debt.'

'Thank you, sir,' Sir Henry said nervously.

'Don't thank me yet. If you come back to me empty-handed, I will take everything from you,' Ellington said dangerously as he leant over to Sir Henry and looked him in the eye.