Hello, the young one said. Who are you?
My name is Andrew Melhurst. And whom do I have the honour of addressing?
I am Viscount James Dersingham. The Duke of Belfont is my father. It was said proudly but not, Andrew noted, arrogantly. I am six.
Andrew, to humour him, gave him an elaborate bow. At your service, my lord.
Jamie giggled. You may call me Jamie, if you like.
Thank you. Does your mama know you are out of bed?
I could not sleep. I heard the door knocker and voices. I came to see who had called.
And now you have satisfied your curiosity, do you not think you should return to your bed?
Jamie ignored that suggestion. Why are you here? It is the middle of the night.
Not quite, Andrew said, glancing at the ornate clock on the mantelpiece which told him it was half past nine.
Where is my mama?
Yes, where is she? a masculine voice enquired.
Andrew turned to confront a gentleman in impeccable evening attire who could only be the Duke of Belfont. Before he could do more than bow, young Jamie had flung himself at his father, who picked him up. Jamie, why are you not in bed?
I heard the door knocker and cousin Beths voice, so I came to see her. Why is she dressed in those funny clothes, Papa?
I think you must be mistaken, son, she is not arriving until next week. I told you that, did I not?
Yes, but she must have come early.
James strode to the door and called the footman who hovered in the hall. Take Master Jamie to his nurse, Foster. Tell her to put him back to bed. As soon as the boy had been led away James turned to Andrew, who had been listening in acute discomfort. Now, sir, who are you and what are you doing here?
My name is Andrew Melhurst, my lord Duke, lately back from India. I arrived on the Princess Charlotte He paused, wondering how to go on.
Melhurst, the Duke put in. Relation to Baron Melhurst of Heathlands near Newmarket, are you?
Yes, his grandson.
I know him. He was a friend of my fathers. How is he?
He has been ill, which was why I returned to England, but he is recovering. He paused. I met a young man on board, a Mr Toby Kendall.
Ah, I begin to see. He was going as you were coming.
Exactly.
And you have a commission from him to me.
Yes, your Grace.
What did the young bounder want? I have dealt very generously with him and cannot think what else he may require
Andrew was nonplussed. Your Grace, he began and then stopped, before taking a breath and continuing, He desired me to thank you.
James laughed. Be blowed to that for a tale. Come on, man, the truth, if you please. He stopped and then added, What was my son saying about his cousin Beth being here? Is Miss Harley here?
Oh, James, do not blame Mr Melhurst. He has been the epitome of good sense and discretion.
James swung round at the sound of his wifes voice. My dear, I was not blaming himhow could I when I have no idea what I have to blame him for? But, now you are here, perhaps you will put the poor man out of his unease and explain what has happened.
Sophie went to her husband and took his hand. Sit down, James, and you too, Mr Melhurst, we cannot converse properly if everyone is standing. I have ordered refreshments. Poor Mr Melhurst has been too busy on our behalf to eat.
Sophie, do not prevaricate, he admonished, though he did as she suggested and sat down beside her, motioning to Andrew to take a chair opposite them. Tell me what has happened.
Its Beth
So she is here?
Yes, but do not interrupt, or I shall lose the thread of what I am saying.
Go on. It was said quietly, but Andrew could tell that the Duke was not used to being thwarted and would have the truth. He wished devoutly that he could excuse himself and half-rose, but her Grace, seeing this, waved him down again. Perhaps she needed moral support, though she seemed perfectly at ease with her husband.
James, you sent that boy off on his travels without telling Beth and
That was the whole point, to separate them, you know that. Their association was becoming unhealthy.
Fustian! They are friends, more like brother and sister, and she wanted to be part of his adventures
Good God! She did not think she could go too, did she?
No, of course not. She wanted to be part of the planning, to say goodbye to him and see him off. She was afraid he might think she had connived at sending him away so abruptly and she wished to reassure him
So, what did she do?
She took a deep breath. She dressed as a boy and took the stage to London and a cab to the docks.
Harriet would never so far forget herself as to allow that He stopped speaking suddenly. Oh, I see, Harriet did not know. So, what was Miss Andover doing?
She didnt know of it either. Beth travelled alone.
Good God! he said again. He turned to Andrew. And how came you to be involved, sir?
I saw her endeavouring to board the ship, your Grace, and undertook to acquaint Mr Kendall of her presence. He told me he thought she had followed him in order to share his adventure and of course he knew that was not to be thought of and asked me to bring her here.
You knew she was not a boy?
Almost immediately. He smiled at the memory. She looked very fetching, but I do not think anyone could be deceived.
At that point two servants arrived with trays, one bearing an urn and all the accoutrements for making tea and the other some plates laden with cakes and pastries, which were set down on a table beside the Duchess. The conversation was halted as she set about offering their guest food and drink. She took a cup of tea for herself, but the Duke declined.
James watched Andrew dealing politely with his wife and wished it could have been anyone but Andrew Melhurst who had found Beth. The man had left England after a scandal of some sort, though he could not remember the details, but if past follies were attached to this present situation, he feared for Beths reputation.
Were you seen? he asked.
Andrew, in the middle of biting into a delicious honey-filled pastry, gave him a sharp look. The Duke was only echoing what he himself had said to Miss Harley, but it was one thing to acknowledge the problem to himself and mention it to her, quite another when someone else pointed it out to him as if it had all been his fault. The docks were very busy, your Grace, I have no idea who saw us. I hope no one of importance
And when you arrived here?
Oh, James, do not quiz the poor man like that, Sophie said. He has done his best to do the right thing and bring Beth to us. He left her in the carriage and I went out with a cloak to fetch her in. No one saw us.
James, who had been prepared to dislike the man, found himself revising his earlier opinion. A less scrupulous man might have taken advantage of the situation. Then I must thank you, sir, for your discretion. If her reputation was to be sullied by this adventure, I fear she would find it difficult to take her place in society and make her curtsy. As for finding a husband He stopped, realising he had been thinking aloud and such problems were nothing to do with the man who faced him. I am sorry, it is not your fault you have been unwittingly caught up in our problems.