‘And pray will Justin agree with you? My dearest love, there’s been too much scandal attached to Vidal already, and you know it. I’ll wager my diamond necklet that woman meant her vulgar threats. She’ll create a stir, I know she will, and ’twill be monstrous disagreeable for all of us. I declare, it’s too bad of Vidal! Why, if there’s a word of truth in what that creature says – which, to be sure, I doubt, for I never heard such a rigmarole in my life – he did not even want the girl! And if you can think of anything in the world he did it for save to plague us I beg you will tell me!’
‘John says, for revenge,’ Léonie answered, looking troubled. ‘I have a very big fear he may be right.’
Lady Fanny’s china-blue eyes widened. ‘Good God, my dear, surely even Vidal would not be such a fiend?’
Léonie had gone over to the window, but she turned quickly. ‘What do you mean – even Vidal?’ she snapped.
‘Oh, nothing, my dear!’ said her ladyship hastily. ‘Not but what it would be the most dastardly thing, and I must say I am thankful my son is not of Dominic’s disposition. I vow my heart positively bleeds for you, my love.’
‘And mine for you,’ said Léonie with awful politeness.
‘Pray why?’ demanded her ladyship, preparing for battle.
Léonie shrugged. ‘For a whole day I have been shut up in a coach with the so estimable John. It is enough, mordieu !’
Lady Fanny arose in her wrath. ‘I vow and declare I never met with such ingratitude!’ she said. ‘I wish I had sent John to Avon, as I promise you I’d half a mind to.’
Léonie softened instantly. ‘Well, I am sorry, Fanny, but you said worse of my son than I said of yours, and you said it first.’
For a moment it seemed as though her ladyship would stalk from the room, but in the end she relented, and said pacifically that she would not add to the d
isasters befalling the family by quarrelling with Léonie. She then demanded to be told how Léonie proposed to avert the gathering scandal.
Léonie said: ‘I do not know, but if it is necessary I will get that girl a husband.’
‘Get her a husband?’ repeated Fanny, bewildered. ‘Who is he to be?’
‘Oh, anyone!’ Léonie said impatiently. ‘I shall think of something, because I must think of something. Perhaps Rupert will be able to help.’
‘Rupert!’ almost snorted her ladyship. ‘As well ask help of my parrot! There’s nothing for it, my dear; you will have to tell Avon the whole.’
Léonie shook her head. ‘No. Monseigneur is to know nothing. I cannot bear it if there is to be more trouble between him and Dominique.’
Fanny sat down limply. ‘I could shake you, Léonie; I vow I could! Avon will be in town again by the end of the week, and when he finds you and Rupert gone off together he’ll come to me, and what, pray, am I to tell him?’
‘Why, that I have indeed gone to Cousin Harriet.’
‘And Rupert? A likely tale!’
‘I do not think that he will know whether Rupert is in London or not – or care.’
‘Take my word for it, child, he will know. And I’m to embroil myself in this affair, if you please! I won’t do it!’
‘Fanny, you will! – Dear Fanny?’
‘I’m too old for these wild coils. If I do, I shall tell Avon I know nothing about you or Rupert or anyone. And you may inform Vidal from me that the next time he abducts a young female he need not come to me for aid.’ She got up, and began to look for the hartshorn. ‘If you dare to bring Rupert here I shall have an attack of the vapours.’ She went out, but a moment later put her head in at the door to say: ‘I’ve a mind to come with you. What do you think, my love?’
‘No,’ said Léonie positively. ‘If Monseigneur finds us all gone he would think it very odd.’
‘Oh well!’ said Fanny. ‘At least I should not have to face him with a mouthful of lies, which of course he will see through. However, if you are set on going with Rupert I’d as soon stay at home.’ She disappeared again, and Léonie picked up her hat, and once more tied it over her curls.
She took a chair to Half Moon Street, and was fortunate enough to find his lordship at home. Lord Rupert greeted her jovially. ‘I thought you were in Bedford, m’dear. Couldn’t stand it, eh? I told you so. Devilish dull is old Vane.’
‘Rupert, the most dreadful thing has happened, and I want you to help me,’ Léonie interrupted. ‘It’s Dominique.’
Lord Rupert said testily: ‘Oh, plague take the boy! I thought we’d got him safe out of the country.’
‘We have,’ Léonie assured him. ‘But he has taken a girl with him!’