Page 35 of Infernal Vices

“It’s awfully kind of you to look after me Benedict. You are a good friend. Thank you,” Charles said with a sniff.

“It was the least I could do, you were in shock, and I would not have abandoned you in such a state.”

“All of the things Blake preached have been circling in my head. How could we intelligent men be coerced into joining such a mountebank in his plan? He has a police detective, a judge, and a lawyer under his thumb, as well as a member of parliament and several men of business. What are we going to do?” he said again, exasperated.

I knew of Jack Dancer’s membership, but not of a judge, or the lawyer. I trembled a little, understanding just how much damage could be done if we were found by Blake to be betrayers.

Ashe continued on his tirade, “It’s clear to me now that Blake brought down poor Lord Ardmillan. Over the past year he bled Euan of every last shilling and made him into a grovelling submissive.”

“Did you know it was Euan who stole my silver?”

“No!”

“It is a sorry affair indeed. He offered the stolen silver to Blake as a way of winning his way back into to the brotherhood. Blake returned the silver to me and he had Euan committed to the Colney Hatch Asylum.”

Charles gasped in horror. “Good God! I could see Ardmillan wasn’t in his right mind, but how unbelievably cruel.”

“Agreed. An order from a judge is required to have a person committed, and it makes sense now that Blake used his influence to dispose of Ardmillan, a man he now considers a liability.”

“Gods, I had no idea of Euan’s fate. I know he was your friend. I’m so terribly sorry.” Charles paused and absently stroked his moustache, unknowingly rubbing the jam and cream into it. He let out a sigh. “It seems Blake holds all of the cards. He has been welcomed into our homes, introduced to our families, and promoted as a theosophist by wider high society. We’ve been hoodwinked by a master trickster, and in turn, exposed ourselves to great, great danger. He could end us all. I…I am at a loss on how to proceed.” Charles rested his face in his hands again. I felt deeply sorry for the man.

“Tell me,” I ventured, “Do you believe that what Blake plans to do…his so called great work, is possible?”

Ashe looked up and met my gaze. “I told you before; I became a part of Fratres Seminis for the sex and companionship. I was beginning to harbour doubts after the debacle at Exeter Hall, but now I am sure this whole thing is a sham and Blake is quite mad!” he groaned and raised his hands in exasperation, “What are we going to do?”

I waited for a beat, before I said, “What do you think about us ensuring he gets his deserved justice?”

“Go on!”

I sat back in my chair and steepled my fingers, thinking for a moment. “There is power in information, my friend. Approaching him with accusations of fraud will force his hand and he will expose us. We cannot let that happen. Blake believes he holds all the power because of what he knows of us. I suggest that we change that dynamic. We need to collate as much information about Blake as we can. He has at least one other name, Nathaniel Everett. Scoundrels like him do not suddenly become scoundrels overnight. I’d wager he’s been devious as a fox for many years. We have a judge, a lawyer, and a police detective in our ranks; therefore we need irrefutable proof that Blake is a fraud to convince them that they are all mere pawns in a devil’s game.”

“Yes. Belief is a weapon and it can be used to manipulate men into doing the most despicable things,” Charles stated.

“True, true. And so, collecting proof of his shady past is the only way we can win. I say that we should play our parts exactly how Blake directs and permit this final rite to proceed. For that to occur I will locate the Staff of Asklepios,” I determined.

“Ye gods, if only I wasn’t bollocks deep in this hullabaloo it would be the most delicious caper for the Illustrated Police News.”

I chuffed a laugh, “Indeed.”

Ashe sat thoughtfully and tapped his bottom lip, and then wiped a hand across his mouth, dislodging the remaining distracting flecks of cream from his moustache.

“Very well. I have been tasked with making masks: bull, goat, fawns, satyrs, and nymphs, all in the Greek tradition. I shall do my best to continue as if nothing is amiss yet I will also make private inquiries. Fields are a private inquiry agency my father has used a time or two. They are the height of discretion. I will also send telegrams to the Lacroix Agency in Paris, and the Pinkerton’s Agency in New York for information about Nathaniel Everett.”

“That is an excellent idea. Your experience in journalistic investigation will be invaluable in this endeavour,” I praised. Finally, the clouds seemed to part and Charles re-emerged as his confident, smiling self. I was glad that we had decided upon a positive course of action, however, there was another issue that I had been reluctant to deal with. In the circumstances I knew that now, I must be candid.

“You’ve, of course, heard news that young Leopold will return to us within the month?”

“I did indeed. The poor boy is yet another innocent victim in Blake’s plan.”

I did not believe the boy to be as innocent as Charles claimed. Leo seemed to gain a great deal of pleasure from the lifestyle he, Blake and Cavendish led while he was in London.

“Well, I’m sorry to say that Blake and Cavendish have decided upon a plot to ease Leopold’s passage back to us. In his letter to Benjamin, Leo stated that he requires a girl to pretend to be his fiancée. Benjamin suggested—” I paused and ran my fingers anxiously through my curls, “—God forgive me, please remember that this is Cavendish’s wish, not mine.”

“Out with it, man!”

“He asked me to request if your sister Cecilly would—.”

“No!” Charles stood his face an expression of thunder. He turned and paced towards the dressed window, while agitatedly smoothing his moustache. He turned and his eyes set on me.

”I will not allow my innocent sister to be used in any way by the cabal. My God! The stones of that man, how dare he! How dare Cavendish attempt to reduce my sister to the level of a…a common harlot! The man has two daughters of age. Would he not sacrifice either of their virtues for the cause?”

I held my hands up defensively. “Please, calm yourself, Charles. We are of agreement on this matter. I too would be appalled if it was my sister whose name was bandied about in such a frivolous way. But I am merely the messenger. I will deliver the response of no, and they will require me to make an alternative arrangement.” I paused and pinched the bridge of my nose “I am at a loss on who to suggest for the role,” I said despairingly.

Charles returned to the hearth chair and sat down. We were both silent for a long moment, watching the dancing flames, before, haltingly, offering a tender smile, Charles said, “Thank you Benedict, not only for looking after me tonight, but for your careful handling of this delicate situation. You are a true friend.” I could see then that I truly did have a friend and ally in Charles Ashe.

“Fear not. We will see this through; we will expose this charlatan together!”

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