The Ton's Most Notorious Rake

‘But where else would they have gone? Daisy’s employer had thrown them on to the streets upon discovering that Billy was her natural child. And Edwin tells me the vicar who applied to us had tried to find them another home, with no success at all.’

‘It is such a cruel world,’ said Fleur, her kind face troubled, but then she brightened. ‘However, Daisy is quick to learn, and I am already looking about for a suitable position, although I fear Billy may not be able to go with her. However, if all else fails he can stay here and help Moses.’

‘A very sensible idea,’ agreed Molly, ‘but we can make no decisions until we have procured a position for Daisy. Which reminds me, I was in Hebden’s on Friday last and saw Clara at work. You will be pleased to learn that Miss Hebden is delighted with her, so I think we may write that down as another success. Now, you must tell me how everyone else goes on here.’

Molly listened carefully while Fleur made her report. It did not take long and they had finished their business by the time Daisy returned with the tea tray.

‘Which means we may now please ourselves what we talk of,’ declared Fleur, preparing tea for her guest. ‘And I very much want to know what you think of our new neighbour at Newlands.’ Molly did not reply immediately and Fleur shook her head at her. ‘You cannot think that we would remain in ignorance,’ she said, handing her friend a cup of tea. ‘Everyone at the market this week was talking of Sir Gerald and his friends. I would like to know your opinion.’

Molly made a cautious reply. ‘They are all extremely fashionable.’

‘They spend a great deal of time in London I believe,’ remarked Fleur. ‘Six men, I understand. Are all of them libertines, do you think?’

Molly was surprised into a laugh. ‘Good heavens, Fleur, that is very blunt. Why should you think that?’

‘Nancy told me.’

‘Ah, of course.’

Molly sipped her tea and considered the woman who was now cook at Prospect House. Nancy, or more correctly Lady Ann, was the youngest daughter of an eccentric and impoverished earl who had tried to force her into a marriage with a man old enough to be her grandfather. Molly should have remembered that she was still in contact with one of her sisters, a terrific gossip, who kept her well informed of the latest London scandals.

‘So, Molly, tell me what you think,’ Fleur prompted her.

‘Edwin thinks them all very gentlemen-like.’

‘But you, Molly. What do you think?’

With her friend’s anxious blue gaze upon her, Molly could not lie.

‘I suspect one or two of them might have a...a roving eye.’ She saw Fleur’s look of alarm and hurried on. ‘They know of Prospect House, of course, but there is no reason to think they will call here. I gave them to understand you were very well protected.’

‘That is all very well, but we cannot remain within the bounds of Prospect House for ever!’

‘No, indeed, and I see no need for you to do so, as long as you never go out unaccompanied. These are gentlemen, Fleur, they would not force their attentions upon an unwilling female.’

‘Would they not?’ Fleur gave a little shudder. ‘That has not been our experience.’

Molly was silent, remembering the loud voices, the blows, the pain. Fighting back the memories, she said quietly, ‘The horrors we experienced happened in private, at the hands of men with power over us.’

‘But Nancy says Sir Gerald and his friends are known for their wildness.’ Fleur turned an anguished gaze upon Molly. ‘We both grew up in one small market town in Hertfordshire and now live in just such another. You were married at eighteen and I have never been further afield than Bath. What do we really know of rakes and libertines and the fashionable world?’

Molly sighed. Fleur was right and it was useless to ask Edwin for advice. He insisted upon seeing the best in everyone. Unlike their father, she thought bitterly. He had only seen the worst in everyone, especially his youngest daughter. The truth, she suspected, was often somewhere in between. She put down her cup.

‘Come along,’ she said, rising. ‘Let us go and talk to Nancy. She knows far more about these things than we do.’

They made their way down to the kitchen where they found the earl’s daughter beside the kitchen table, sitting in a most unladylike pose with her feet up on a chair. Nancy was large, loud and brash, but she had a heart of gold and a surprising flair for cooking. She had explained to Molly that she had learned the skill from her father’s French chef, a tyrant with a soft spot for a child so ignored and unloved by her parents that she might disappear to the kitchens for days on end without question. Now Nancy ruled the kitchen at Prospect House and was something of a mother hen to all the residents. She greeted Molly and Fleur cheerfully and invited them to join her at the table.

‘I don’t suppose you want more tea,’ she said, swinging her feet to the floor and turning to face them.

‘No, thank you,’ said Fleur, disposing herself gracefully on a chair. ‘We have come to talk to you about the people at Newlands.’

‘More especially the gentlemen,’ added Molly, taking a seat beside Fleur. ‘My sister has already hinted that they were...er...gentlemen of fashion, and I understand yours has sent you similar information.’

‘Yes, only in far less mealy-mouthed terms,’ said Nancy, not mincing matters. ‘Sir Gerald Kilburn’s set are infamous in town. Young men with too much time and too much money and spend both on flirtations, affairs and outrageous wagers.’

‘Oh, heavens,’ murmured Fleur.

‘But Newlands is a hunting lodge,’ said Molly. ‘Sir Gerald told Edwin they are here for the sport.’

Nancy gave her a pitying look. ‘Sir Gerald’s party will be made up of rakes and Corinthians. They regard pursuing women as sport. But you have met them, Molly. What is your opinion?’

‘They all appeared very amiable. Two of the gentlemen are accompanied by their wives, and Lord and Lady Claydon have also brought their daughters. Miss Kilburn acts as hostess for her brother and she has brought a companion, to give her countenance.’

Nancy shrugged. ‘Perhaps we are misinformed, then. But rich, idle men are always a threat to women. Who else is in the party, what single gentlemen are there?’

‘Apart from Sir Gerald?’ Molly tried to sound unconcerned. ‘There is Mr Flemington, Sir Joseph Aikers and Mr Russington.’

‘Kilburn’s closest cronies,’ exclaimed Nancy. ‘I remember them all from when I was in town. Flemington and Aikers were notorious womanisers even then, at least my father would not countenance them making me an offer, but that may have been more to do with their station than their reputation. He was determined that I should marry an earl at the very least.’

‘And Mr Russington?’ asked Molly, tracing a crack in the table with her finger.

‘Ah, yes, the beau.’ Nancy rested her chin on one hand, a smile on her lips and a faraway look in her eyes. ‘He is more notorious than all the rest. I remember him very well. He and Kilburn are of an age, I believe. They must be, what, eight-and-twenty now.’

‘The same age as yourself,’ put in Fleur.

Nancy nodded. ‘They came to town after my come-out. My sister tells me Russington is a friend of Brummell, although unlike Mr Brummell, he is also a noted sportsman. A Corinthian rather than a dandy.’ She cast a mischievous glance across the table. ‘We danced once, at Almack’s, you know, I remember it because he is taller than I! And so handsome. All the ladies were in love with him, but he soon earned a reputation for being dangerous, because any woman who threw her cap at him was likely to be indulged in a wild flirtation. Wise mamas keep their daughters out of his way now, but it may be that Kilburn has Russington in mind for his sister. I believe he is exceedingly wealthy.’

Fleur shuddered. ‘He sounds exceedingly dangerous, if he is so very attractive. What did you think of him, Molly?’

‘I?’ Molly gave a little laugh, playing for time. ‘I had very little to do with him.’

‘Was he one of those gentlemen you said had a roving eye?’

She did not know how to answer Fleur’s question. She had not noticed the beau’s dark eyes on anyone but herself and then with devastating effect. Just the thought of it sent a shiver along her spine.

‘I am not sure the beau needs one,’ said Nancy, meditatively. ‘From what my sister says he does not need to look about him. Women fall over themselves to gain his attention.’

Molly gave a little huff of despair. ‘Oh, how I wish Sir Gerald had never come to Newlands!’

‘Too late for that now,’ said Nancy, ‘they are here and we must deal with it. We must make sure the others are aware of the dangers.’ She began to list the girls on her fingers. ‘Daisy is hopefully too old to attract the attention of these gentlemen. She has Billy to look out for, too, which should make her wary. Elizabeth and Bridget are young and pretty, but as the daughters of gentlemen they already know what a dangerous combination that is and will be anxious to avoid repeating the mistakes that led to their being cast out of their homes. Marjorie is near her time now and her condition should make her safe from any unwelcome advances. That only leaves the two housemaids. They are still young and silly enough for anything. I shall keep an eye on them and make sure they do not step outside without Moses or one of us to accompany them. I shall also ask Moses to inspect that all the doors and windows are fastened at night.’

‘Perhaps we should get a dog.’ Fleur suggested.

‘That is a good idea.’ Nancy agreed. ‘I shall tell Moses we must have a guard dog, although knowing his soft heart he is likely to bring back the first mongrel he sees that needs a home. In the meantime we must all be vigilant to keep the girls safe from predatory men.’ She sat up straight, folding her arms across her ample bosom. ‘As for you, Fleur, you must always take one of the girls with you when you go to market, for with your golden hair and blue eyes, you are quite the prettiest of us all and the most likely to attract the attentions of a rake, especially such a noted connoisseur of women as Beau Russington.’

Molly was aware of a little stab of something that felt very much like jealousy and quickly pushed it aside. She did not want the beau’s attentions, so why should she be jealous? It made no sense at all.

‘You flatter me, Nancy,’ said Fleur, blushing. ‘And I really do not wish to attract any man’s attention, or unwelcome advances.’