Page 60 of Infernal Vices

CHAPTER 31

THE CENTER OF ALL THINGS

The household seemed to be up and about with the dawn chorus. I tried to sleep past six o’clock but plans for the Easter Ball were well underway downstairs and once awake I could not rest. Sebastian was lightly snoring beside me and so I watched him sleep for a while, marveling at the fact he was here, and mine, before my insistent elderly bladder made me leave the comfort of our warm bed and venture to the bathroom.

Sebastian had stopped at his daughter’s room before we retired to bed and explained what we needed from her. She had done a wonderful job at becoming a distraction for Leopold and it seemed Leo enjoyed Nissa’s company a great deal—so much so that he had been spending time with her instead of Blake. This, in turn made the American snappy and vindictive. I hoped that Nissa’s friendship had taken the shine off Leopold’s naïve affections for Blake.

We breakfasted as per usual and then attended the Easter Sunday service at the village church. Guests then retired to their rooms or to the garden terrace while preparations were ongoing for tonight’s ball.

I strode through the Italian garden and down the pathway towards the pond. There I heard laughter before I saw Nissa, Leo, and Fairfax at the water’s edge feeding bread to a brood of fluffy yellow ducklings.

“Ah, there you are Leo,” I said brightly as I approached. The young German Baron turned and smiled widely. Gods, here in nature with the spring sunshine upon his face he was so effeminately pretty he could have been a water nymph. I noted that his long blond hair was tied back with a pink ribbon that matched Nissa’s. I must confess the Baron was far more amiable in her company, than under the influence of whatever drugging substances he enjoyed when in the sole charge of Blake and Cavendish.

“Ah, Benedict, my brother. I have been meaning to get you alone,” he said enthusiastically in his softly accented voice.

“Good. I too would like to talk. Can I possibly drag you away from your little ducklings?”

Leo laughed coquettishly and brushed breadcrumbs from his hands. Then he climbed up the bank to greet me. Fairfax and Nissa shared a knowing look and I gave a curt nod.

“Come, I’d like to have a look at this splendid summerhouse,” I suggested. Leopold linked my arm like a child and we set off. Fairfax and Nissa kept pace a few steps behind us.

“I have been meaning to thank you—” the young man began. “—for enabling my return to London, and for the introduction to Princess Nissa. I was so cross with my father for the ridiculous rules set for my return. I initially thought that it would be frustrating to spend so much time with a strange girl when you know I favour older men, but Nissa and I have become friends and I very much enjoy the time we spend together.”

“That is good to hear. I can understand how unmoored one can feel when in a new country with few friends.”

“My first time in England was quite freeing, actually. Father had not permitted me to travel before. I was made to study all of the time so that I would be ready to take over the family estate. I was not permitted any fun. But…I suppose I did overdo things a little when I came to London.” He laughed, it was a light, self-mocking sound, and then he paused for a moment before saying, “Did you know Nissa is a wonderful dancer? She has taught me a dance from India, and her Bartitsu martial art from the Orient,” he added excitedly. “She said she knows a Chinaman who teaches the art and she can take me to classes in London.”

“That does sound wonderful.” We rounded the pond and began on a pathway towards the summerhouse. It was built in the Neo-classical style displaying the façade of a miniature Greek temple. We mounted the ivory steps and opened the door. Inside was a square room with timber benches set along three walls. Two armchairs, each draped with a blanket over the arm sat in the center of the bare flagstone floor. Between the armchairs there was a lantern with a box of matches and a pile of books. It was immediately far cooler inside than outside and I understood the need for a blanket.

“Ah! I think we have discovered the hiding place of Martha and Alice,” I suggested with a grin. “Unless Benjamin has taken to reading—” I picked up the first book and browsed the author name, “Christina Rosetti!” I laughed.

“Oh, I have read her Goblin Market poem, she is a wonderful writer,” Leo insisted and I found myself chagrined.

We left the doors open and each took a seat as Fairfax and Nissa sat outside on the steps and enjoyed the view across the pond and up to Seabourn Abbey.

“I wanted to talk to you about tonight.”

“Oh, yes, the final ritual. I cannot wait. It is so very exciting,” Leo said full of enthusiasm.

“I wanted to ensure you fully understood what is to happen.”

“Of course I understand!” He looked down his aristocratic nose at me as if I was mad. “I am a sacred vessel. Lawrence and I will use the Greek prick and be together forever.”

Oh dear, this was going to be more difficult than I expected. It was like speaking with a child.

“How do you think that will happen?”

“It is in the red book. Did you see those filthy illustrations?” he chuckled.

I took in a calming lungful of spring air and asked, “Did you actually read the ritual or just look at the pictures?”

Leopold pouted and he glared at me haughtily. “What is this all about? Why are you being mean?”

“Did you read the book?”

“I…um lost it,” he admitted petulantly. “I never had a chance to read the ritual, but all of the brothers have a copy, you have a copy…will you lend your book to me? Please Brother Benedict. Lawrence will be mad if he finds out I lost mine.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose and sighed. I knew that Sebastian found Leo’s copy of the book when we swapped his garments for a dress to smuggle him out of the last Cavendish Ball. It appeared I was going to need to spell out exactly what would occur during the ritual and hope that Leopold would not bolt even though that is exactly what he should do!