The Lace Balcony (56 page)

‘I may not approve of all Dr Gordon's modern methods, but he has achieved good results with your Father's health – and yours. The influenza epidemic has caused many deaths, so I shall follow his instructions to the letter. You shall remain in bed until he gives you a clean bill of health. No star-gazing – exposure to the night air would impede your convalescence. So. I am leaving you to your astronomy books. It was most kind of Mungo to collect the newspapers for you, yes?'

Mungo seems to be in mother's good books these days. I wonder why?

But he was forced to agree. Within hours of a convict ship's arrival Mungo had collected a bundle of the latest London newspapers that carried ‘fresh' news from Britain and the wars in Europe.

Albruna had decreed Felix was not even to sit at his desk and insisted Mungo must handle Felix's normal business correspondence until he was well.

For once it's a blessing my parents seldom speak. Father would never reveal to her he's sanctioned the use of
Mookaboola
for my mistress, but servants' gossip is a never ending epidemic. And Molly and Vianna are as thick as thieves.

Conscious of his childhood reputation as a demanding, fractious patient, trying to rule his world from his sickbed, he had asked that his bed be repositioned to face the garden. His eyes were constantly drawn to Vianna's balcony.

Forced to be content with Molly acting as their go-between, Felix camouflaged his frustration with a general show of goodwill while waiting for Dr Gordon's clean bill of health.

On the point of leaving him, his mother tried to smooth his ruffled feathers. ‘It is most important for you to be your father's master of ceremonies. He is disappointed that his old friend Captain Piper has returned to Allaway Bank to welcome the arrival of Mary Anne's ninth, or is it tenth, child – I am losing count,' she said wistfully.

Felix was reminded that his mother had miscarried several babes before his birth, but to his knowledge had never conceived a child in the twenty-four years since.
Have my parents ever shared a bed since my conception? Or has father been too occupied with Jane Quayle?

Shocked by his own curiosity, he quickly turned the conversation to the remaining guest list, which now included Magistrate Kennedy and his wife, the witnesses at their wedding, and his father's new ally and physician, Dr Gordon.

Albruna said carefully, ‘I shall invite Mungo to bring a young lad who is living with him,' then cast a swift glance at Felix as if to gauge his reaction.

How curious. What is Mutti suggesting?

The reason for the intimate nature of the dinner was unspoken. His father remained self-conscious about his slightly slurred speech and confined his social life to those who understood the problem.

Following his mother's departure, a knock on the door of his bedchamber caused Felix to sit upright and hurriedly comb his fingers through the shock of hair on his forehead in readiness to greet Dr Gordon.

Instead a tousled, curly head peered around the door with a smile like sunshine. Molly entered hugging an armful of books.
How odd. The child seems to have grown overnight. Quite passable in a Currency kind of way. No wonder Cockney George has his eye on her.

Molly chattered as she arranged his favourite mauve Old Damask roses in a vase. She appeared quite comfortable calling him by his
given name, as he had instructed her to do, except in his mother's presence. He reminded himself that although she was Cook's daughter, Molly was not strictly a servant. Born free, as she had reminded him on more than one occasion.

Her smile was a touch enigmatic as she handed him two letters. He seized the one with his name neatly inscribed in capital letters, recognising Vianna's hand.

Felix tore open the letter with mixed feelings, pleasure at Vianna's progress and irritation that his half-brother was the inspiration behind her new-found literacy.

‘Excuse me,' he said automatically, and then, ‘no, wait here for my response.'

Felix disguised his joy that this was in a sense the first love letter he had ever received – a thing to be treasured. He explored it for personal references, hidden in case her note was intercepted, touched by the occasional phonetic spelling, proof that no other eyes had corrected it.

Dear Felix,

Thank you for the lovely Flowers. I am pleased to hear of your progress.

I trust that you and Mungo will pull together to make your Father's birthday a success.

I have a Confeshun to make. I trust you will find it in your Heart to forgive me. In my impatience to learn of Daisy, I visited that Addres at Charlotte Place, believing JD Esquire to be Major James Dalby a Gentleman known to me. I discuved it was a Hoax. I beg you do not contact that source or tell Mungo.

I am not the same person as when we first met, Felix, but may I always retain your Friendship and value your Kindness.

Your sincere friend,

F.

Felix read the letter twice, trying to convince himself it was a love letter in disguise, but disturbed that without his consent Vianna had risked her safety by visiting a gentleman unaccompanied. Her anxiety
to hear news of Daisy was understandable but being bypassed made Felix feel impotent. Why was it important to conceal this hoax from Mungo?

Felix felt a flash of jealousy, remembering Major James Dalby as the man he had seen with Vianna at the ball. If it hadn't been Dalby at Charlotte Place, who was behind the hoax?

He was suddenly aware Molly was eyeing him curiously. ‘I shall dictate a response when I have had time to digest this news, Molly.'

‘I shall be glad to help, Felix, if you do it now,' she said stiffly, ‘but this afternoon I'll be busy helping Ma prepare for the banquet. Although the guests are few, Mungo says Mrs L'Estrange has planned a menu fit for royalty.'

Felix felt another wave of irritation.
Mungo says this, Mungo says that.
‘How goes my brother? Making himself invaluable to Father in my absence?'

‘Hasn't he been to see you?' Molly asked in surprise.

‘I have no desire for Mungo to succumb to my illness. Scientists claim disease is spread by the miasma around us, but Dr Gordon advises strict cleanliness and isolation to contain contagion.'

Molly handed him a book. ‘Mungo took out this astrological book from the Gentlemen's Lending Library – for you.'

‘But the rules are that only gentlemen can be members,' Felix said in surprise.

‘You know Mungo. He could talk his way around any rule. He said what you know about the heavens would make an atheist believe in God.'

‘Mungo said that? How extraordinary.'

Molly took a deep breath and said the words in a rush. ‘That day you escorted us to the Observatory – that wasn't my first look at the stars.'

She gestured to the telescope and turned pink with embarrassment.

Felix was stunned. ‘My God, that was
you
? And here I've been blaming that cheeky Cockney manservant for meddling with it. Why on earth didn't you tell me?'

‘I was afraid you'd boot me out of the house. I didn't mean to get George in trouble.'

‘I confess myself astounded. You, of all people.'

She bridled. ‘What's so surprising? You wanted to impress
Fanny
with your knowledge of the stars. Why not me? I can read and write and I'm keen to study.'

‘That's quite different. You're just a child.'

Molly's cheeks burned and she stammered her denial. ‘I am
not.
I'm pushing fifteen. Free to marry. Free to study anything that interests me. I'm not one of your ladies of Quality, content with the pianoforte, watercolours, embroidery and gossip!'

My God, the chit has spirit. Yet she's prickly and close to tears. What on earth have I done to upset her? I should be the one to be annoyed at her duplicity.

Molly rose with a dignity that disconcerted him. ‘I will gladly help my Mother and the servants tonight. But I won't always be here to serve you, Felix. I plan to make my own way in the world – I just don't know exactly what that will be yet.'

Felix stretched out a hand to detain her. ‘Forgive me, you caught me by surprise. I would be glad to foster your interest in astronomy. Here, take this book and read it at your leisure. Feel free to ask me any questions you don't understand.'

Molly accepted the book and without curtseying, left the room.

Feeling disconcerted that somehow Molly had put him in his place, he turned to the remaining letter and opened it, startled by the contents. ‘Well I'll be damned!'

•  •  •

In the stables Mungo hoisted the large flat package carefully onto his back, mindful that it was marked
Fragile
. Toby was ready to assist him by opening doors for him.

‘Who's the present for, Mungo?'

‘It's a secret. I promised to deliver it to Mrs L'Estrange.'

‘She's nice. She showed me how to play “Hickory Dickory Dock”. She says I can go back and play some more.' Toby caught Mungo's surprised expression and added anxiously, ‘Was that wrong?'

‘Not at all, mate. I didn't know you'd met her. But Felix's mother only gives lessons to clever boys – like you. It's time to deliver her parcel.'

Toby led the way to the music room and knocked. They were bidden to enter.

Albruna looked flustered. ‘Thank you more than I can say, Mungo. Would you please place it upstairs? I appreciate your discretion. One more thing. There's an extra place set at the table – if you wish to ask a certain friend?'

For a wild moment Mungo took this to mean Vianna, but her meaningful glance in Toby's direction was unmistakable.

‘I take it you refer to present company?'

‘Why should this not be? Felix was no older when he attended his first formal dinner. Your father has requested it. I have placed Toby at your side, so you may guide him to the dishes he will like. Tonight is Felix's first night on his feet. So we will dine early. Half past six o'clock.'

What's going on? Surely they don't suspect Toby's background? The kid doesn't look a jot like Felix or me. Maybe it's just because the dragon lady has a soft spot for kids. It's clear she's taken a fancy to Toby.

‘We both accept with pleasure, Mrs L'Estrange,' Mungo said, nudging Toby, who made a perfect bow to her before they left the room.

•  •  •

Dressed in his immaculate new evening clothes, Mungo felt a twinge of envy when he went to the livery stables to check on Kaiser. The handsome black stallion, half-brother to Boadicea, was being groomed ready to be presented by Felix to their father.

Mungo felt his own gift was a mere token gesture but Jane had wrapped it carefully in a box tied with ribbon.

On entering his mother's cottage he was met by Jane's proud smile. Toby seemed to have grown three inches since this morning's invitation. He was dressed in his Sunday best, set off by a new shirt with a high stiff collar tied with a silk cravat that transformed him into a miniature version of Mungo.

‘Look at you! You're a real gentleman of Quality, Toby. You could dine with the King at Clarence House.' He turned to Jane. ‘You're a miracle-worker, Mam.'

‘I had help from the mermaid.'

Cockney George arrived bearing a tray covered with a white cloth, and gave Jane a broad wink.

‘The Master sends you his compliments, if you know what I mean, Jane.'

He sauntered back to the house leaving Jane fuming.

‘Don't mind him, Mam. Father ordered these dishes for your supper with Vianna tonight. The champagne is from his cellar – to drink His Majesty's health.'

Jane inclined her head in acknowledgment of her ambiguous status – public servant and private mistress.

Mungo jerked his head in the direction of the loft. ‘Is Herself on the mend? Why is it such a mystery?'

‘She's almost healed. I told you my herbs could fix anything – except a broken heart.
That
is up to the two people concerned.'

Mungo handed a small parcel to Toby. ‘That's for you to thank Fanny for teaching you your ABC. Don't forget to bow. Ladies like that stuff.'

Toby took the gift reverently in both hands like an altar boy might carry the lost Holy Grail. He paused at the door to whisper, ‘What is it?'

‘A conch shell. If you hold it to your ear you can hear the sound of the ocean.'

Once Toby was out of sight, Mungo felt discomforted. ‘It should be you there by Father's side tonight, Mam. Not just me and Toby.'

‘Kentigern L'Estrange knows the rules. So do I. Behave yourself. Don't bait Felix. Make sure your father has a happy birthday, son.' Her words were soft but failed to conceal her anxiety.

‘What's wrong, Mam? Had one of your premonitions?'

‘Nothing,' she lied. ‘Be off with you and enjoy yourselves. But don't let Toby eat too many sweets or I'll be up all night with him. He's not used to a full belly yet. I'll bet that Navarro woman only fed the poor lamb the table scraps you feed a dog.'

The sound of Toby's returning footsteps drew smiles from them both.

‘What did Fanny say?' Mungo asked.

‘She could hear the sea all the way to Engle-land.'

‘Nothing else?' Mungo asked.

Toby remembered. ‘You're welcome to call in after the Master's party.'

Mungo tried to look nonchalant. ‘Right. Off we go, Toby. You can carry the birthday present for Mr L'Estrange.'

‘I know what this one is,' Toby confided. ‘Your mother's been sewing it all day. But why did it make her cry?'

‘Happy tears, mate,' Mungo said lightly to hide his concern. Since childhood, he had never once seen his mother cry.