Then Rex came to London as a favor to his father and got involved with solving crimes. The clunch almost got himself killed again for his efforts, but he actually liked working with Bow Streets investigators. Rex tried to drag Daniel out of the gambling dens and into his detective work, but Daniel was having none of it. Damn, did they think the suspects were going to confess when they knew theyd be hanged or deported? No, the scum told lies on top of lies, and Daniel got more rashes.
Even Harry, the earls illegitimate son, tried to enlist Daniel in his sanctioned skulduggery, uncovering blackmailers and traitors and revolutionaries in the government. Were there no honest politicians?
Both of his cousins wanted Daniel to continue their work in Parliament or the police precincts. Uncle Royce offered him a magistrates position, so he could use his gift in the courts. England needed him, they all said. He should be working, they all said, for the good of king and country.
Danield said no. He was not interested in their noble missions, their self-righteous sacrifices, not when he could enjoy a redheaded wench and a bottle of wine. Hed served his country; hed done his share. So no, he would not mingle among the gentlemen who ruled the kingdom, to listen for their lies. No, he would not preside over the courts where bewigged barristers spewed prevarications to save their clients. No, he would not sit at some battered desk to hear scurvy felons falsely plead their innocence. No, he would not need a tin of talcum powder on his posterior every day.
No chance of saying no to my mother, he told Miss White, his voice full of regret and resignation. He might be brave, and full of brawn if not brains, but she was his mother. She was also Lady Cora Stamfield, née Royce, daughter of the former earl, sister to the current Lord Royce, widow of one of the largest landholders in the eastern shires. Formidable in her own right, she ran Stamfield Manor and the rest of the parish, as well. Mostly, though, for years now shed asked for nothing from Daniel but his happiness. She was not one for rants and recriminations, only steadfast love and loyalty to her only son. He knew she worried while he was with the army, and more so while he wallowed in Londons pleasures. Sowing his oats, shed called it, and she waited for him to reap his harvest and come home. He hadnt, except for short visits. So how could he refuse her request to join her and Susanna at Royce House?
Now she remembers I am the man of the family, when she thinks she needs me.
Daniel wouldnt be the head of the household if the earl came to Town, nor would his presence be required. Mother was staying at the earls mansion in Mayfair, after all, and Lord and Lady Royce held enough power in London to oversee seven debutante balls. But the earl and his countess were recently reunited and enjoying their life in the country. Rex, Viscount Rexford, that is, had enough countenance and connections to aid Lady Cora and Susanna, too, but he was the proud father of twins, with another child due soon. He would never leave his beloved Amanda and their brood to take over escort duties. Even Harry would have done in a pinch, now that he was recognized in polite society. The former master spy, though, was also deliriously happily wed, traveling on honeymoon, showing off his beautiful bride to relatives, inspecting his new estate, and awaiting his first child.
Like rabbits, thats what they both are, Daniel said as he pulled on his scuffed boots. And curse them all for not being here when I need them. Id rather face the blasted French cannons on my own than the
ton
without a friend at my back.
Miss White made a soft sound of commiseration, or protest at being ignored. She was here, wasnt she?
Daniel sat beside her on the bed, gathering her close. I am sorry, puss. I know youd stand by me, but it will never do. You wouldnt be welcome at Royce House, you know. Youre a beauty, my pet, but not of their elevated, rarefied world. No more than I am, but I have no choice. Youll be happier here. He looked around at the comfortable rooms hed taken over from Harry, above McCanns Club. No one cared what time he came or went, in what condition, or with which companion. The service was excellent, the food ample, and the company undemanding. Hed miss it, the freedom, the camaraderie, the easy acceptance of who and what he was, with no demands that he become anything else. But his mother wanted him to reside with the family, likely to be at their beck and call. Ill miss you most of all, my dear, but youll do. You already rule the kitchens here, so you wont go hungry, and Harry will return soon and take you up again.
He gave Miss White one last kiss on the top of her silky head, then stood and brushed her white cat hairs off his coat. That was the least he could do for his beloved mother, present a neat appearance on this first day. Shed be disappointed in him soon enough. Like everyone else in the family already was.
Chapter Two
S
hall I walk your horse, sir? the young groom asked when he took the reins from Daniel outside Royce House. Or will you be staying a bit?
Condemned men seldom got to choose. Im afraid Im here for life. That is, as long as my mother wishes.
The boy sighed with understanding. My mum makes me go to church every week, and shes back at Stamfield Manor.
That locale was looking more appealing. Sheep and cows didnt force a chap into cravats or cotillions. Corn didnt tell fibs. Then Daniel noticed the groom was standing as far from the huge bay geldingbig enough to carry Daniels weightas the reins allowed.
Old Gideon wont give you any trouble, he told the boy. All he wants is fresh hay, plenty of oats, and as little exertion as he can manage. In fact, Gideon, at least, would be happy here. The stables were bound to be cleaner, brighter, and better attended than the cramped quarters the bay was used to. Horses at Royce House were treated better than some of the guests. No one would eye him with the sneer the butler was giving Daniel right now from the opened doors of the earls town house.
The man was new since Daniel had been here last, likely hired for the Season while the countesss regular majordomo was with her in the country. This fellow looked as if hed gone to the same buttling school as every other starched-up, supercilious, elitist servant of societys upper class. That was the school where they were taught to take their standing from the family they served, to look down on ordinary mortals, and to stick a poker up their
Ah, the man said now, the corners of his mouth raised the barest fraction. You must be Mr. Stamfield. Lady Cora did say she was expecting you. Welcome to Royce House.
He held out his immaculate white-gloved hand. Daniel had no idea whynot that he was averse to shaking a servants hand, but even in his recent milieu, that was odd. Perhaps the chap was waiting for Daniels hat, which hed lost months ago in a blindfolded race.
His gloves? Daniel wore the plaguey things only in the depths of winter, and misplaced them more often than not.
A cane? An affectation of the swells on the strut.
A riding crop? Gideon went his own pace, so why bother?
Surely the prig could not be waiting for a gratuity, not at Daniels mothers own residence, where the butler hadnt done a thing for her son yet, and looked like he never would if he had his druthers.
The servants nostrils flared in haughty disdain. Your card, sir. So I might carry it to Lady Cora.
There was only so much sacrifice Daniel was willing to make for his mother. Taking manure from a stiff-rumped toad was not on the list. Daniel grabbed the much smaller man by the shoulderspadded shoulders at thatand lifted him right off his feet. What is your name? he demanded.
D-Dobbson, sir.
Well, Duhdobbson, if I am going to live here, we need to come to terms. My terms. No damn calling cards, no punctilious rituals, no sticking your beak up at me or my ways.
Yes, sir. You are fine just as you are. A perfect gentleman. A credit to Royce House and the earldom. My pleasure to serve you, Mr. Stamfield.
Daniel could feel the welts rising on the back of his neck, but wouldnt give the butler the satisfaction of seeing him scratch on the street. He set the man back on his own feet. And no blasted lies!
Ill just go announce you to Lady Cora. Dobbson took one look at Daniel, still looming close enough for another application of brute force, and stepped back, out of range. He straightened his disordered tailcoat, patted his powdered wig to ensure it was properly situated, and said, Im sure my lady would rather you surprise her. Youll announce yourself, shall you?
There was no need, for Lady Cora was at the open door, her arms held wide to welcome her son. While they embraced, before he could apologize for picking on someone smaller, older, weaker, and of lesser rank, his mother whispered, Ive been wishing to box that mans ears all morning. Thank you, dear. Lady Royce hired him, dont you know. Dear Margaret always was a countess to her toenails.
Daniel smiled. His mother might be all fancified in silks and jewels befitting Lady Corashe even sported a turbanbut she was still plain Mrs. Stamfield who had hugs for him and Rex no matter how much dirt two grubby schoolboys trailed into her clean house, or what trouble theyd caused in the neighborhood. Judging from the spread waiting in the morning room, she still knew how much fuel a body as large as Daniels needed, and how he loved raspberry tarts. Surely shed understand his loathing of polite society and his total unsuitability to take his place there. He pleaded his case over tea and tarts in the sun-filled parlor.
His doting parent looked at him over the rim of her cup. Nonsense. You can be a perfect gentleman when you wish. I raised you myself, didnt I? And your father might have been a country squire, but he would have been just as comfortable at the kings court.
The king is mad, Daniel muttered, realizing he was getting nowhere but to the last raspberry tart. So he reminded her about the fiasco at Almacks, and any number of other social solecisms hed committed, and might in the future. Hell, hed been thrown out of more bars and brothels than he could recall, but those were not tales for his mothers ears. I wont be any help to you getting Susanna established, you know. I never attend the
ton
parties or associate with anyone respectable enough to be considered a suitable
parti
for a gently bred female, much less their mamas. No one youd care to know sends me invites anymore.
Lady Cora set down her teacup and raised her chin. I assure you, the Stamfield name is enough to gain my daughter entry to all the best homes. If not, the Royce connection certainly is. No one would wish to insult the earl or the countess.
Lud, no. Aunt Royce was the starchiest female Daniel had ever known. She made the Almacks patronesses look and sound like cockney charwomen.
There. You see, with Aunt Royces backing, you do not need me.
Of course I do. We cannot go about with servants as our only escorts. What would people think, that Susanna is unprotected? Why, every rake and fortune hunter would believe they could take advantage of a young lady with no one to hold them to account.
His little sister? Daniel choked on the last bite of pastry, and wished he had something besides tea to wash down the bad taste left in his mouth. Id thrash anyone who dared show her the least insult.
His mother smiled fondly. Exactly. Not that you will, of course. But the possibility is enough to discourage anyone going beyond the line of what is proper. And you must be present and available to refuse honorable but unwanted suitors, also. You cannot expect Susanna to handle those awkward proposals. Or me. Heavens, no.
His mother could handle any number of callow youths, and give them biscuits and advice, besides. They all are unwanted, he grumbled, eyeing the empty platter. Susanna is too young.
Nonsense. I was her age when I met your father. In this very room, in fact. He came to call with one of his friends Id danced with. I knew he was the man for me as soon as I saw him. You have his strong build, you know, and his gentleness. I felt cherished just sitting beside him. Of course my father was here, too, to inspect and reject unacceptable callers. Anyone with dishonorable intentions would never have come through the front door.
Her father was the Royce who got headaches from lies. Of course hed send any scoundrels to perdition.
Dobbson can simply dismiss the undesirables. A proper London butler always knows wheat from chaff. If Aunt Royce hired him, he is bound to have the same haughty demeanor to set down any pretensions.
He is a servant, dear. You are Susannas brother.
And as her brother, I say she is too young to be speaking of suitors and proposals. Doesnt she want to attend a few parties first? At home?
She has been attending the local assemblies for a year now without settling on any of the neighbor lads.
Daniel snorted. I should think not. The millers sons and the apothecarys assistant? Or does she dance with that young curate with no chin?
The curate is of a good family, with a promising future, but now you understand why we came to London, Lady Cora said. She smiled as if Daniel were back in the schoolroom and had given the proper answer during a geography lesson.
