The Midnight Rake

She enjoys talking with her fans. Visit her website at AnabelleBryant.com (http://AnabelleBryant.com).

Writing a novel can be much like raising a child. You put your heart and soul into your efforts. You do your very best. You nurture and worry over every choice and then pray in the end you’ve done enough. Thank you, Mom and Dad for a loving, happy childhood.

Chapter One (#ulink_85008810-5979-5288-bf2f-da9cec03f681)

“Charles! Why are we stopping?” Victoria Betcham, Countess of Fenhurst, pushed aside the crimson velvet curtain obstructing her view of the open road and poked her head through the square carriage window. Her eyes scanned the empty roadway. They’d been traveling at an excellent pace toward London. The unexpected slowing was not due to traffic. “Charles?”

The coachman’s voice rang over the noise of the slowing team as the carriage rolled to an abrupt stop. “A mail coach is blocking the road, my lady. There is no way for us to pass.”

“Mon dieu! This is inconvenient. Is anyone hurt? Can you locate the driver?” She angled her head in an attempt to see past the floorboard iron, but had no success. Reluctant to leave the safe confines of her carriage, Victoria trusted her coachman to resolve the issue with intelligence. She did not suffer fools well and Charles had been in her employ for over twenty years.

A country road far outside of London was nowhere to be stranded and a variety of perils flittered through her mind until the vision of a threatening highwayman determined to snare a respected aristocrat caused her to bundle her pelisse and reticule closer. A crack of thunder emphasized her concern. Would she have to contend with poor weather as well? The roads would become impassable, leaving her abandoned and at risk for danger. Vulnerability was not a desirable traveling companion. She anxiously awaited Charles’ return.

“It appears the driver needs assistance in pushing the conveyance to the side. Broken rear axle, as I can see.” Charles climbed from the front boot and addressed her through the window. “We will resume shortly, although I do not know how the two young ladies will manage.”

The coachman’s latter comment was spoken as an afterthought, but it pricked Victoria’s attention more than his announcement they’d soon continue their journey.

“Ladies? Where?” Quelle horreur! Genteel ladies did not travel by mail coach. If Charles’ assumption proved true, the two females were in a definite bind. Never mind the series of perils she’d catalogued only moments before. “Let me see them. Move aside, please.” She motioned at the door with a sharp wave of her hand.

Once the steps were extended, she exited the carriage far enough to assess the two petite travelers alongside the roadway. Their clothing portrayed them as quality and the sorrowful expression on the face of the taller miss tugged at Victoria’s heart.

“Bring them to me. Perhaps I can help. If the ladies mean to travel to London, there is room to share.”

Victoria watched the interaction with interest as her coachman complied with alacrity. The ladies approached and she noted their delicate features, most especially the innate poise of the older girl despite the weariness that clouded her eyes and descended to her dusty hems.

“My lady, may I present Miss Penelope Rosebery and her sister, Miss Aubry.” Charles nodded his head to initiate introductions. “Victoria Betcham, Countess of Fenhurst.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you, although the circumstances are horrid.” She cast a disapproving glance to the disabled mail coach. “How fortunate I happened along. If you are bound for London, you’re welcome to accompany me.”

With mild amusement, Victoria watched Aubry’s eyes flare as she perused the luxurious carriage. Penelope, the older of the two and not a day past twenty-four if her assumption stood correct, looked as though she might fall asleep with the next breath.

“Thank you for your kindness. I am afraid we have little choice.” Penelope’s pensive expression softened as she accepted the offer. “We do appreciate your hospitality.”

“But of course. Conversation will be a welcome diversion during the long ride.”

Minutes later the carriage rolled on with all passengers settled inside. Victoria smiled with satisfaction despite the situation proved curious. Penelope remained silent, nestled beside her sister. Aubry appeared of the opposite nature, her bright eyes anxious for conversation with no shadow of the hesitation evident in her sister’s guarded demeanor. “I have never ridden in a vehicle so fine.” Aubry’s gaze flitted about the interior as if wishing to absorb every detail. “It’s very beautiful.”

The carriage swayed and Victoria noticed Penelope’s eyes slide closed before the girl forced them open, each attempt a little slower than the previous. In many ways the young miss evoked images of her daughter, Julia, currently living away from home.

“My dear, there is no need to clutter the air with conversation when fatigue plagues you.” She reached across the coach and offered Penelope’s knee a gentle pat. Who knew how long the ladies suffered in that cramped mail coach? With a full day of travel ahead, it made sense for the girl to take a nap.

“Please do not think me rude. I haven’t slept well in weeks, and now within the comfort of your wonderful carriage, sleep begs me forward no matter how I resist.”

“Not at all. You must take advantage of the time. It will be hours before we reach London.”

Aubry shifted on the bench, her attention drawn toward her sister. “Penny, you should rest.”

Victoria noticed the silent communication between the girls, as if pages of words were intimated with a flick of their eyelashes.

“I suppose a short nap would serve me well.” Penelope’s voice faded toward the end, a sigh of surrender overriding her admittance.

“Excellent.” Victoria’s tone echoed her approval. “Aubry and I will share pleasant conversation while you take respite. It will provide us a chance to become better acquainted.”

“Oh.” Penelope shot her shoulders straight and shook her head as if to clear her thoughts. “I can stay awake.” She glanced in Aubry’s direction, her eyes forced wide.

“Don’t be ridiculous, dear.” Victoria leaned forward and squeezed Penelope’s hand. “I insist.”

“As do I.” Aubry nodded her head confirming the sentiment.

As if fighting prevarication, time stretched before Penelope finally adjusted her position and reclined her head against the velvet bolster. They traveled only a quarter of a mile before she fell into a sound sleep and Aubry initiated conversation in a hushed tone.

“Thank you so much, Lady Fenhurst. My sister has been extremely worried these last weeks. I’m afraid the mail coach incident proved the final affront to her endurance.”

“I am happy to lend my assistance. If only I could do more.” Victoria eyed her reticule resting on the seat beside her, but abandoned her immediate thought. “Pardon my interference, but traveling by mail coach is not a prudent decision. Where will you stay when you reach London? Are you visiting family?” She continued, leaving no chance for a response. “One must be on guard against danger, most especially in the city. My daughter is of a similar age and has the same impetuous nature I suspect the two of you possess.”

For the slightest moment Victoria allowed a frown to turn her lips before she regained her cheerful demeanor. She worried for Julia and her broken heart, but nothing could be done about the matter. At least, not at the present.

“Oh, our decision to travel has nothing to do with adventure and we have no plans to see family.” Aubry glanced to her sister, in a sound sleep beside her. “Once we reach London, we need to visit a jeweler.” With care, she reached across the seat, grasped her sister’s reticule, and withdrew a gold pocket watch. She cradled it in her palm, gathering the long linked chain and closing her fingers tight.

Victoria watched Aubry’s actions with increased interest. The manner in which the girl handled the timepiece indicated it was precious indeed. Coupled with her forlorn expression and watery eyes, she surmised the watch held great sentimental value.

“What are you meaning to do?” The question needed to be asked regardless of its personal nature.

“Penelope hopes to sell my father’s watch so we have payment for a room in a lodging house.”

“A lodging house?” Victoria gasped at the words. “That idea will never do. Such unrefined housing would place you in the path of disreputable gentlemen and certain danger, most especially as you travel unchaperoned. My conscience could never survive were I to allow you to pursue this dreadful plan.” She shook her head to erase the thought, her eyes coming to rest on the glint of gold clenched in Aubry’s hand. “You cannot sell your father’s watch. I am sure it is a cherished keepsake.”

“He passed only eight months ago.” Aubry’s voice trembled as she whispered the words. Then with silent reserve, she replaced the watch inside her sister’s purse and cinched the drawstrings with more force than necessary. The action seemed to compose her unsettled emotions. When again she spoke, her voice sounded even. “I am afraid we have no other choice. We have a problem to solve. We need to locate someone.”

“My dear, you must reveal the person’s name so I may help you. I am traveling to the family townhouse where my son is in residence. We can enlist his aid in resolving your quandary. I’m only privy to the discussions traded in the retiring room, but young men have their fingers on the pulse of the city. My son is most dutiful. I am certain he will assist you, as will I.” She laughed at the girl’s brightened expression, her face beaming with anxious questions.

“Truly?” Aubry’s eyes twinkled with excitement. “If somehow you could assist Penelope in gaining entry to social engagements, I’m sure our problem will be solved. Once she finds—” She stalled midsentence and took a shortened breath before restarting. “Once Penelope is able to mix with society, things will be much better.”

Victoria eyed the girl with speculative curiosity. “Of course, I insist you both stay with me while we iron out this little dilemma. I am happy for the company. My daughter, Julia, is currently away from home and I miss her dearly. Having the two of you in house will be splendid companionship.” She leaned forward and clasped Aubry’s hand in an affectionate gesture.

“That sounds wonderful, but I am not sure my sister…” Aubry slid her eyes toward Penelope in confirmation she remained asleep. “Perhaps we should wait until Penny wakes up.”

No longer speaking in a whisper, Victoria wondered if the girl attempted to rouse her sister with the suggestion. Aubry’s precocious nature proved both charming and endearing. Victoria smiled with pleasure, determined to help the ladies.

“Not to worry about your sister. I imagine she would feel relieved to have this problem solved.” Victoria paused, although she had no intention of allowing Aubry to refuse. When no objection was voiced, she could not be more pleased. “So it’s all decided. Imagine how surprised your sister will be when she awakes to discover one of her concerns settled. Now let me tell you about my son, Phineas. He is a handsome, dashing gentleman who knows all the very best people in London.”

Phineas Betcham, Viscount Fenhurst, stood on the grassy banks of the Tyburn tributary hoping to catch a fish or two before completing the journey to his London townhouse. The sport was intended to relax him, but today it caused the opposite effect as Phin’s thoughts lingered on his sister Julia, now residing in Brighton after a decision to take a brief holiday. He hoped his mother’s suggestion of a change of scenery provided the cure for Julia’s heartache. Having returned from depositing Julia safely with their aunt and uncle, he impulsively chose to spend the late morning angling rather than travel the final distance home.

The dank murkiness of the Tyburn presented a pale comparison to the crystal blue waters of Brighton. Still for all its pretty scenery, he doubted the city’s charm would mend his sister’s broken heart. And while he knew Lord Winton well enough and certainly never heard a disreputable word attached to his title, there was absolutely no explaining the man’s sudden decision to sever ties with Julia. The two had all but announced their betrothal. Winton’s sudden change in sentiment seemed odd; the display of contrary emotion offering Phineas another reason to remain unencumbered and thoroughly entrenched in bachelorhood.

His sister deserved some type of explanation to soothe her disappointment over Winton’s illogical dismissal. The gentleman’s abrupt drop from society could only be labeled dishonorable. Julia pleaded with him to discover what caused Winton’s fickle change of heart and while Phin endeavored to keep free of personal entanglements, he would be hard pressed to watch his sister suffer unnecessarily. With reluctance, he’d agreed to pursue the man on his sister’s behalf in hope of extracting an accounting for his recent behavior.

Phineas adjusted the drum of the reel and secured the wooden lace bobbin, casting as far into the waters as possible, the skittering noise of his line advancing as it arched through the sky a familiar sound. He rubbed the lucky penny in his trouser pocket, but luck was not his.