Page 117 of Dick Stone, Regency Stud
“No, they merely make false accusations of treason.”
She had a point.
“So we’re to sit in the study and stare at faces?” he asked.
“I had my lady’s maid set up a screen like you used for dressin’ when you were shy,” she said excitedly. “We can go behind it and watch those army men and then pop out — surprise! — and see if one of them looks mad at you.”
“As far as plans go, it’s not the worst I’ve heard. Certainly better than I’ve come up with in the years since my disgrace.”
Edward helped steady Tabby when she tripped on the carpet.
“It’s so thick I just want to die on it,” she said, looking at the luxurious pile longingly.
“Surely I can convince you in favor of dying in our bed, long, long in the future,” he said, then navigated her into the study even as she tripped again and cast him a questioning look.
“Oh dear,” she said under her breath when they walked into the study and found it occupied.
“The Camvilles,” intoned Edward without moving his lips. Major Camville and Mrs. Camville were nice enough people, but not germane to the false treason charges since that mother-in-law had prevented Edward from rogering the major’s wife. It was fortunate that someone at Elmwood could be considered, if not a friend, then at least not an enemy.
“Stone,” said the major, his arm falling to his side. For her part, Mrs. Camville sank into Lord Leontius’s plush chair behind the desk.
Now that he thought about it, it was rather odd that lordly studies were so often left unlocked and empty when guests visited. Such places seemed like the perfect site for , supported by the fact that even Tabby of the slums thought to assemble the cuckolds there for observation.
Edward looked longingly at the promised screen and hoped they could conclude their pleasantries with enough time to slip behind it for some kisses before their guests arrived.
“What is the meaning of this?” asked the major, his jaw tight. He waved a scrap of common paper as Mrs. Camville pressed a handkerchief to her face.
“My letter,” whispered Tabby. “But how did they get it?”
“Someone sent notes to Giffard and the Earl,” said the major. “Messages in achild’shandwriting. They were puzzling over them at tea. And then you, Dick Stone, stud extraordinaire, waltz in with your latest conquest.”
“What are we to think?” wailed Mrs. Camville.
“What areweto think?” muttered Edward for Tabby’s benefit.
“My wife is distressed,” said the major. “Most distressed. Always has been about the foul-up, but this latest blow has hurt her most acutely.”
“Most acutely!” she cried.
“Edward,” said Tabby lowly.
“It was easy enough to ignore things in Portugal at first,” said the major, his expression growing ever more haunted. “But the shame you inflicted on our family has been a festering wound these many years.”
“Dick Stone, listen to me,” Tabitha rasped.
“Here I am in my dotage, and my wife never fails to remind me of my failures,” said Camville, his shoulders rounded and slumping forward. “Failing to secure a title. The country cottage with drafty rooms that Ididmanage to obtain.”
“It’s so very drafty!” Mrs. Camville exclaimed.
“But foremost, the thing I must hear of daily, that also weighs on my heart, is my failure to produce a child,” bellowed the major, warming to the topic.
The whole situation was most peculiar. Mrs. Camville had forgone her dramatic repetition of the major’s statements in favor of wailing into her handkerchief, and Tabby was tugging at his coat insistently. He needed to say something to calm the couple and avoid attracting the notice of the entire house party to this well-appointed room. If guests set arse in those finely tooled leather chairs near the fireplace, they’d never depart!
“I am very sorry to hear that your breeding efforts have come to naught,” said Edward, shuffling closer to the desk despite Tabby’s attempts to pull him out the door. She probably saw a tea tray passing by and wanted to fill her belly in the drawing room, but she’d just have to wait!
The major regarded Tabby’s note, sent to one of the two men most likely to have levied the false treason charges at Edward, and nodded. “It’s too much. The insult is too much to bear.”
“But sir! I can assure you I have never interfered with your wife! At no time did I disrespect the bonds of matrimony by engaging in…that act with her,” protested Edward, trying yet again to resolve this minor disturbance quickly.
