In the Lion's Den Read online

  ‘Sebastian used to say that Marietta resembled you, Thea. If that’s the case, I suppose they were bound to end up with each other, just as you and I have.’

  ‘Whatever are we going to do? How do we solve this?’ she asked urgently.

  ‘There will be no sending her away. Or worse, consulting some quack to get rid of it. I don’t approve of that and he doesn’t either … he wants their child.’ A slight smile played around Duke’s generous mouth. ‘My grandchild,’ he added. ‘And your great-niece or -nephew.’

  Leaning forward, pulling herself together, gathering her swimming senses, Thea said, ‘We can’t let them do this now. Get married, I mean. They’re terribly young. And it could be ruinous to both our families. A scandal. Everyone will think it’s a shotgun wedding. There’s been no courtship.’

  ‘I agree with you. On the other hand, they do have to get married, you know. And I’m glad it’s Marietta, aren’t you?’ He actually gave her a half-smile for the first time since his arrival.

  ‘I have to admit, I am, because I’ve always loved Tony … but they just can’t get married quickly. We can’t let the world know. Remember Sebastian’s distaste for any kind of scandal?’

  ‘I remember it, and I think I might have a halfway decent plan. I came down to the country on Tuesday night, with the two boys, and we talked everything through. I’ve got an idea that might work. That’s one of the reasons I wanted to see you, to tell you about it and hopefully get your approval.’

  ‘You know I trust your judgement implicitly. So explain things to me, darling.’

  ‘I will.’ He reached out, took hold of her hand, and squeezed it. ‘Just being with you, talking to you about this problem has helped ease the burden, Thea.’ He dipped into his jacket pocket and took out a blue leather box, opened it, and showed her the large diamond ring inside. ‘This was his mother’s engagement ring, which I gave to Helen. Tonight Tony is going to put this ring on Marietta’s finger. I want Claudia to announce their engagement this evening, to explain that the supper is a celebration for them. She wanted to surprise us by not telling us in advance. Will she do it?’

  ‘Of course she will. She has no option, really. If not, I will announce it.’

  ‘The second step is The Times. The announcement of their engagement will be in the paper early next week. I also aim to ask Reggie to have one of his journalists do a special story on the two of them for The Chronicle. It will be a story of a family romance, childhood sweethearts. That kind of story validates them, in a sense, and makes it seem that the sudden engagement is not really sudden at all. I call it saving face. What do you think?’

  ‘It’s extremely clever, Duke, and The Chronicle is a very respected newspaper.’

  ‘I don’t want anyone to think this is a rushed engagement.’ Taking a deep breath, Marmaduke continued, ‘Next week, let’s say the end of next week, we must all go to Scotland, where Marietta and Tony will be married in the little church on my property. I trust the vicar who comes to us from the village church. It will be a secret marriage, one which only our two families will know about. And the vicar, who is discreet.’

  ‘But I don’t understand why you want that? They can be engaged for a while, surely. And then they can retreat to the country, lead a quiet life until next year. We can have a big wedding a couple of months before the baby is born. Gowns can be made that hide a pregnancy. She’s not the only woman who has been in this predicament.’

  ‘I understand that, Thea, and that is also part of my plan, but there is an important reason behind my thinking. Hear me out, please.’

  ‘Yes, of course. Tell me everything.’

  ‘We live in a dangerous world these days, and Tony and I travel to France and various other European countries for business. We might have to go to India. What if something happened to him? Or to both of us? Where would Marietta be if anything happened to my son and they weren’t married? Just look at what happened to Sebastian three weeks before he was due to marry.’

  ‘You want the secret marriage now so that she’s protected in the event of any … tragedy.’

  ‘Correct. I want her legally married to my son as soon as possible so that she’s safe no matter what. And my grandchild is safe also.’

  ‘When you travel to India, how long will you be gone?’

  ‘To be honest, I’m not sure. That’s why I’m seriously considering a trip next year instead. I might be able to get my Indian partner to come to London.’ Duke nodded, as if making a decision. He said, ‘Perhaps you’d better work out with Marietta when we could have the public wedding, find out when she’s due.’

  ‘I will do that … so you mean they would have a proper white wedding here at Courtland, a little later.’

  ‘Exactly.’

  ‘Where is Tony?’ Thea asked, her gaze quizzical. ‘Did he drive over with you this afternoon?’

  ‘Yes, my dear Thea. He is waiting with his brother in the breakfast room.’

  ‘Perhaps you ought to bring them in here, and I will go upstairs to find Claudia so that you can explain everything to her and Connie.’

  ‘We should do that, darling.’ Rising, Marmaduke went over to Thea and offered her his hand. She took it and stood up.

  As they crossed the blue-and-white room together, Marmaduke suddenly stopped, stood still and turned Thea to face him. A half-smile played around his mouth and, leaning closer he said, ‘We could have a double wedding. Once again, will you marry me, Dorothea?’

  She couldn’t help laughing. ‘I will. One day, Duke, when I’m ready. But not the same day as Marietta and Tony. Certainly not. A bride needs to be the star.’

  ‘But a double wedding would distract everyone, don’t you know? Everyone would be looking at us, not them.’

  Laughing again, Thea led him out into the entrance hall, telling him not to be so silly, as she headed to the staircase.

  Claudia stood near the window in the yellow drawing room, her eyes sweeping around her family and guests.

  Naturally, all of the men were herded together, making a little clique near the door. Her husband Cornelius was in deep conversation with Marmaduke Gordon, while his sons Anthony and Mark were engaged with Lord Reggie, obviously also in a serious discussion.

  A few steps away from her, close to the French doors to the terrace, Aunt Thea and Lady Jane were chatting, whilst Claudia’s sisters Marietta and Lavinia were listening to Alexis, who was holding forth about something or other.

  For a moment her eyes rested on Marmaduke Gordon – Duke or Dukey to his friends. He had been very close to her father and still was with Reggie.

  They had been a threesome, always together in their free time. Marmaduke wasn’t an Old Etonian like her father and Reggie, although most people would perhaps think he was. Certainly he had all the right standards, mannerisms and habits, and he was a gentleman.

  Marmaduke Gordon, businessman par excellence, considered the greatest tycoon in the country at the moment, came from humble beginnings. He was a self-made man who had reached great heights and now held the world in the palm of his hand. And because he had brought his sons up with discipline and love, and given them proper standards to live by, they were honourable young men.

  Anthony had stood by Marietta, gone to his father and given him the facts. What a relief it was to Claudia that he wanted to marry her, would marry her without being forced. And the brilliant Marmaduke had come up with the proper solution. One which would work.

  Claudia was sure that Alexis would be relieved she didn’t have to question Marietta, probe her about her private life. She was well aware that Alexis had been dreading it, especially since she had failed to bring it up earlier in the week.

  Now, walking towards the centre of the yellow drawing room, Claudia cleared her throat several times and then clapped her hands lightly, attempting to get everyone’s attention.

  ‘Please, all of you, I have something special to tell you,’ Claudia announced, raising her voice slightly.


  Instantly everyone stopped talking and turned to look at her.

  ‘Thank you,’ she said, and beckoned to Aunt Thea and Cornelius.

  They both joined her, stood on each side of her. With a huge smile, Claudia said, ‘I didn’t explain the reason for the supper tonight, because I wanted to make it a surprise. We all did.’

  Turning to her aunt, she slipped her arm through hers, and did the same with Cornelius, drawing him closer to her. ‘We would like you to know that this afternoon Marietta and Anthony became engaged to be married.’

  There was a collective gasp of surprise and, before anyone could utter a word, Claudia exclaimed, ‘Marietta and Tony, please, come and join us.’

  As the engaged couple moved forward, Claudia beckoned to Kingsley who was standing to one side, accompanied by two footmen. All three came forward, carrying trays of crystal flutes filled with champagne.

  ‘We thought a toast would be most appropriate,’ Cornelius said. ‘Before we go in to dinner.’

  Aunt Thea added, ‘Now that Marietta has Tony’s beautiful ring on her finger, there will be an announcement in The Times next week … but we did want to celebrate tonight before the public announcement.’

  Everyone raised their flutes and then they slowly walked to the middle of the room to join the engaged couple. Smiles, loving words, kisses and handshakes. And all the women were admiring Marietta’s diamond engagement ring.

  Standing slightly away, watching her family and friends, Claudia experienced a rush of emotion, and wished her father were present. But then she let that thought slide away. Instead, she focused on the solution to a huge problem, a scandal averted, and walked over to Marmaduke to whisper her gratitude to him.

  She didn’t notice Alexis, standing, shocked, her face stricken. Nothing could make it clearer to her that she was no longer central to this family. The engagement had come as a complete shock to her. The role she had been entrusted with – to talk to Marietta, and encourage her confidence – was now redundant. The Trevalians had taken care of their own – and, without intending to, had made clear she was not one of them. Turning, she excused herself. Where, now, did she really belong?

  PART THREE

  Unexpected Revelations

  London/Hull/Kent

  1890

  FIFTEEN

  ‘If your grandmother were forty years younger, I’d fall for her at the drop of a hat,’ Peter Keller said, laughter in his eyes. ‘She must have been gorgeous. She still is.’

  James was amused by this comment, and said with a half-smile, ‘It’s all that abundant silver hair piled on top of her head, her radiant smile, not to mention her slender figure.’

  ‘And her elegance. My grandmother always seemed like a little old lady, when I look back.’

  ‘Surely not when you first came to England when you were a child?’

  Peter appeared thoughtful for a moment. The two men were sitting outside in the garden of the Montague house close to Regent’s Park. It was late on Sunday afternoon, and Peter had been invited to Sunday lunch.

  After a sip of lemonade, Peter answered, ‘I suppose I didn’t think like that when I was a small boy, but Granny never had the looks and style of your grandmother.’ He sat back, a reflective expression filling his face again. ‘But she was nice looking, warm and cuddly, and very loving. I believe she raised me rather well; certainly she helped to shape who I am now. My grandfather was a lovely man, but I never got to know him. He died when I was five.’

  ‘She did a good job, that’s all I can say.’ James had great admiration for Peter, who seemed to get better at work every day and was willing to put in long hours.

  It occurred to James that perhaps that was the real reason Peter hadn’t done anything much about starting a relationship with Natalie. Despite them both seeming interested at the dinner party the previous year, nothing had developed. At the supper next week he would seat them together.

  James now said, ‘Make the most of my supper next week …’ He smiled at his friend. ‘I’m seating you next to Natalie Parkinson.’

  Peter looked at him, his eyes serious. ‘Whatever you might think, I do want to get to know her better.’

  ‘Glad to hear that. Do you think I ought to ask Mrs Lorne’s husband?’

  ‘I suppose you should. That would be the proper thing to do. However, he was in New York when we went to her house, and I understand he travels extensively.’

  ‘Natalie will be back from Hull tomorrow. I’ll check with her then.’

  Peter nodded. ‘I’d like to go up to Hull with you sometime. I’ve heard so much about it. You call it the City of Gaiety, so I’m sure I’d enjoy it.’

  ‘That’s not a problem – I know we’d have some fun.’ A mischievous glint settled in James’s eyes, and he went on, ‘It must be a weekend when Natalie and Irina are there. We can take them to supper and to one of the summer dances afterwards.’ As he said this, James remembered hearing about the summer dances in a park in Kensington. He made a mental note to take the group there after dinner at the Rendezvous next week. He couldn’t wait to hold Irina in his arms.

  The two of them sat talking a little longer about this trip to Hull, and had just started to discuss the Malvern Company, when Esther came out into the garden and interrupted them.

  ‘It’s getting cooler,’ she said, as she approached them. ‘Will you please come inside now, James, Peter?’ Glancing at James, she told him that his grandfather was asking for them. ‘I think he might want to have a talk about wines with Peter, and it would be nice, anyway, for him to have your company.’

  ‘We’ll come right now, Grans,’ James said, getting to his feet.

  Peter followed suit and went over to Esther. ‘Thank you for a lovely Sunday lunch, Mrs Falconer. I haven’t had one for ages and I really enjoyed it.’

  Esther smiled at him, linking her arm through his. ‘You’re always welcome, Peter. My husband and I think of you as being part of the family now. And perhaps you’ll come to one of the Saturday suppers. James, don’t you think that’s a good idea?’ As she spoke, Esther glanced over her shoulder at her grandson.

  ‘Yes, I do,’ James answered as he followed them into the conservatory and along the corridor which led to the Falconer flat. Esther and Philip had lived there for many years. It was at the end of the Montague house, comfortable and welcoming, their beloved home. It was full of their personal treasures and photographs of the family.

  ‘James, I’m glad to see you looking well. Are you still working long hours?’ Esther gave James a severe stare as she poured tea into the delicate bone-china cups that were her pride and joy.

  ‘Yes, Grans, I am, but it’s not so bad,’ he hastened to reassure her. ‘I’m learning a great deal from Mr Malvern.’

  ‘Working with him is extremely good training for you,’ Philip agreed. ‘For when you go out on your own. When you’re a bit older, of course.’

  James attempted to swallow a laugh rising in his throat, but he couldn’t. When his laughter subsided, he said, ‘You’ll not believe this. I might almost be ready to open my own shop. It’ll be small, of course, and it’s in Hull, not here in London. But I shall hope to take the first steps very soon.’

  Both of his grandparents looked startled, and Esther cried, ‘How did you find it? And, more to the point, how would you pay for it?’ She sounded concerned.

  ‘I would rent, and I have just enough money saved to pay for six months,’ James explained. ‘I still need to find the perfect premises.’

  Philip then asked, ‘What about stock? The crucial entity?’

  ‘I’m thinking of selling shawls, capes and scarves made by Rossi and my mother. She’ll also have some of the women who work part-time for her make a few daytime dresses eventually. So I think I’ll manage. Anyway, it’s a beginning of sorts.’

  ‘It certainly is,’ Esther agreed. ‘Bravo, James! So you are leaving Mr Malvern and going to live in Hull to run a little shop?’

  James and Esther kn
ew each other well, and he caught the laughter underneath her words. He said, ‘No, I’m continuing to work with Mr Malvern. I have met a young woman who lives in Hull. She could work with me. She is also a designer and has some of her own items she wants to sell. In my shop. As for a wage from me, she’s agreed she would work on a commission basis.’

  ‘Well, that’s a godsend,’ Philip exclaimed. ‘I’m relieved you don’t have to pay her a wage. Who is she?’

  ‘Her name is Felidia Spelling and she’s very nice.’ He turned to Esther and added, ‘It was your sister, my lovely Great-Aunt Marina, who recommended her. Felidia does alterations for Great-Aunt Marina, and she gave Felidia a good reference.’

  ‘That’s nice to know,’ Esther murmured, a smile flickering. ‘And congratulations, you seem to have been rather enterprising.’

  Over lunch, the family had discussed many things – their employers, neighbours, the slow progress on the new Tower Bridge over the river, as well as Harry’s new restaurant.

  Now James turned to his Uncle George. ‘You must tell everyone where you’re going next week, Uncle George, and what it is you’re covering for the newspaper.’

  ‘Oh yes, do tell us, Uncle George!’ Eddie cried, always eager to ask questions, to be the first to speak out.

  ‘Oh, it’s not all that important,’ George said in his usual modest way. ‘I’m only going to Scotland. To Balmoral, actually.’

  ‘How will you get there?’ Eddie asked.

  ‘On a train to Ballater Station and, from there, along with other members of the press, we will be taken to Balmoral Castle.’

  ‘To see Queen Victoria?’ asked Eddie, his eyes wide with wonder.

  There was a little burst of laughter from the others present, but George answered in the same serious voice. ‘No, not exactly. I am covering the arrival of the Prince of Wales, who will be visiting the Queen. They’re not always on friendly terms, so my editor thinks it’s worth showing Prince Bertie arriving, because obviously they are on speaking terms again. My editor wants to show that mother and son are well disposed to each other.’