Chapter 1
Chapter
Fred sat at the desk in his study, the vile Poisoned Quill in his hand. The despicable scandal rag could pester him all they wanted as they had done for a decade but the pressure they were now exerting on his wife would not do. He would not have her name dragged through the mud.
He pulled a fresh sheet of crisp vellum out of the drawer and sharpened his quill. Down the hall, Julianna still slept. Tomorrow they would go to London but today he had other business.
He dipped his quill into his ink stand and began to write to his cousin, the Duchess.
Private Correspondence From: the Right Honourable Frederick Sedgewick, Earl of Chester
Sedgewick Manor, Dorset
May 29th, 1860
To: Her Grace, The Duchess of Barclay
The Estates of the Duke of Barclay
Cousin,
Or ought I to call you Your Grace?
I hope married life finds you tolerably well.
It should do, I suppose, since you chose this particular gentleman for yourself.
And a secret Duke, no less. For a moment the papers gave me some respite while they covered your scandalous marriage, but alas, as you are secreted away up North now they are at me again.
And so I write to you with a request. Trust that I do not do so with any pretense that we are regular correspondents. I believe the last words I spoke to you were while rendering you a small service involving my carriage on the day of your nuptials. Your other nuptials, the ones that did not take.
I ask a favor now, in return. It has come to my attention that your husband’s sister is presently attached to a gentleman who formerly served as a Bow Street Runner.
I find myself in need of such a gentleman and should like to know whether this man is still in London, and if so, where I might locate him. Discretion is, of course, essential.
If this person is indeed within your circle of acquaintance, and if he would be amenable to looking into a small matter for me, you may assure him that his compensation will be commensurate with both his experience and his silence.
You may reply by post. I will be at Chester House for the foreseeable future with my wife.
Yours,
Frederick Sedgewick
Earl of Chester
Private Correspondence From: Her Grace, The Duchess of Barclay
The Estates of the Duke of Barclay
June 1, 1860
To: the Right Honourable Frederick Sedgewick, Earl of Chester
Chester House, London
Chester,
While I would genuinely enjoy demanding that you call me ‘Your Grace’—given that it has been seven entire years since you last saw fit to utter a word in my direction—I shall refrain. I dislike the title immensely, so cousin will have to suffice.
As it happens, the service you rendered me...
although, honestly, service?...resulted in my present and exceedingly happy matrimonial state.
Thank you for inquiring. Not that I imagine you care overmuch for the answer, but I answered nonetheless.
And, I will even repay your dratted service with the information you requested, although I am far from convinced you deserve it.
Andrew’s sister, Esmee, was involved seven years ago with the gentleman in question. (Do you see a theme? I do hope so. I don’t recall you to be myopic but one never knows.)
To the best of my knowledge, that attachment has long since ended. I believe the man was with the newly formed Metropolitan Police for a time, although whether he remains so employed I cannot say. They would know, certainly.
His name is Hughes. I cannot recall his Christian name, but perhaps I never knew it.
Andrew and I are in London from time to time.
Do feel free, by the way, to call Andrew ‘Your Grace.’ He quite enjoys the title now that he can do with it what he likes.
And my cousin Violet is in town as well.
She runs the medical establishment in Bloomsbury devoted to women’s healthcare.
Surely you have heard of it? You absolutely must send your wife should she ever be unwell.
And who is your wife? I find I have not heard, which is no great surprise, as I take very little pleasure in Society and avoid it whenever possible. I would like to meet the Countess of Chester though, given the last one was my mother.
Let us meet for tea, Chester, when we are both next in London. I insist.
Yours,
Catherine
Duchess of Barclay