A Regency Tale 23
Another lovely sunny day! And here's the next part.
Thanks to Lady Sunrope for beta.
Part 23 - Alarms and Diversions
Elijah was still laughing when he entered his bedroom, and Slade smiled indulgently at him. He was very fond of his master, after all. "Did you have a pleasant evening, your Grace?"
Elijah grinned back. "Very pleasant, I thank you, Slade. I showed Lord Monaghan my Chinese treasures - he was most impressed by them."
Slade bowed, and privately thought that, judging by his master's flushed cheeks, the bowls were not the onlytreasures the duke had displayed to his Lordship. However, he gave no sign that he knew a thing about his Grace's personal inclinations, but politely bowed himself out of the room, bearing the duke's discarded garments for attention.
Elijah, left alone at last, hastily clambered into bed and reached under his pillow for the handkerchief he always found there. He felt so desperate for release he thought that one would not be enough, for, clutched tightly in his other hand was the one he had used on Dom in the Green salon.
He raised it to his nose, and breathed in the essence of his love, which made him so hard his erection rose against his stomach.
It was a warm night, but he drew the curtain across the only side of the bed to be open to the room, and, knowing that Slade, should he enter again that night, would not dare to breach his master's privacy when the bed was closed to view, lifted his nightshirt and grasped himself tightly in a hand that was far from steady.
He thought of Dom’s hands on him, as he thrust, hard into his fist. He thought of Dom’s mouth on him as the inevitable feelings of impending climax rose. He groaned into the night as he came, shuddering with release.
He was relieved, but not satisfied. He needed Dom at his side, his head resting on Elijah's shoulder, his warm breath brushing his skin. Elijah meant to ask Dom on the morrow, when they might lie together. Indeed, although his head was still aching, the anguish of the need for his lover was greater than any physical discomfort he was suffering.
He dropped the soiled handkerchiefs over the side of the bed, knowing that Slade, no stranger to such behaviour - for there were no bodily secrets between a man and his valet - would launder them himself in the morning. He closed his eyes and prepared for sleep.
******
Dom, in his bedroom six houses further down the Square, sat by the fire, dressed comfortably in his dressing robe and drinking a small glass of brandy, was thinking - had he known it - the very thoughts that had overtaken Elijah some minutes earlier. He needed him as much as air to breathe. They would decide tomorrow where they should go.
******
Elijah did not, however, enjoy an untroubled sleep. Before the moon had set, Slade was coughing quietly by his bedside, and Elijah, always quick to rouse, was instantly awake. Elijah saw that the man was wearing his dressing gown and bed cap. "What is it?" he asked in a voice clouded by sleep.
"It's Master Jack, your Grace. One of the footmen has called me to tell me he is crying in his room, so I took the liberty of waking you. If I was wrong to do so, I am sorry, but..."
"No, no, Slade, it is very well. Go back to bed, now, and I will see to Master Jack. He has lately suffered a... bereavement. It may be this is taking hold of his mind. If I am not here when you come to wake me, I will be with him. If the footman who informed you of the state of things is still from bed, desire him to bring some brandy to the Blue bedchamber."
Slade helped his master into his robe and held the door for Elijah as he left. Jack's room was four doors down from Elijah's and when Elijah neared the door he could hear the sounds of Jack's distress from within. He tapped gently, and entered to find Jack sitting by the dying fire, his head in his hands, sobbing wildly.
The lad had not heard the duke enter for he started in surprise as Elijah's shadow fell on him. Elijah knelt in front of the boy and asked, "what is it, Jack? Although I may guess. Tell me what troubles you, and I will try to help." He put his hand on Jack's shoulder in a comforting gesture and Jack took it and kissed it, wildly.
"You have been so kind to me, sir, you and Mr Dom, and I don't deserve it, not one bit!"
"I tried to kill you sir, and at the time I shot you, I really did wish it. It was only after...after I saw you lying there, like my dad had been with the blood pouring out of his head, that I realised I was no better than they had been who had shot him. Oh, sir, will you ever forgive me?"
Elijah pulled Jack to his feet and saw the remains of a bottle of gin on the table, and when he smelt the distinctive odour of daffy about Jack's person he realised what had exacerbated the paroxysms now shaking the poor lad.
He sent the footman away with the brandy, feeling Jack had imbibed enough liquor for the night, and helped Jack into his bed, fitting the nightcap neatly on the lad's head and settling him down on the feather mattress.
Jack eyed the duke somewhat blearily. "I am glad I did not kill your Grace. You're a kind and gentle man. I hope you live until you are a hundred - Mr Dom, too." And on this kindly thought he fell asleep.
Elijah remained a few more minutes until he was certain Jack would not wake, then, letting go of the hand which had gripped his so convulsively, left the lad to have his sleep.
He met the footman outside his room. "You may retire, now... Samuel, is it not? There should be no further alarms tonight. Thank you for bringing Master Jack's... er, distress... to my attention."
The man stared at the duke, but did not move. Furthermore he looked slightly embarrassed, and when Elijah cocked an eyebrow at him, wondering why his dismissal of the man was not immediately obeyed, the footman blushed furiously.
"Mr Whitney will have my guts for garters, your Grace, if I dare leave this corridor before morning. He has ordered Joshua and me..." pointing to another man standing further down the landing..."to stand guard over your door at nights, until...until..."
Elijah smiled at him, and grasped his beefy hand and shook it, which shocked the man to the core. Never before had any of the gentry taken notice of anything he had done in their service, let alone shaken his hand for it.
"Thank you for your care and interest," Elijah continued, sleepily, for he was now very tired, indeed, and his head ached abominably. "And, in the morning, before you retire, inform Mr James that I have ordered that the two of you be paid an extra five shillings a week each for this service. Goodnight!"
"We be main glad to serve your Grace any way you may desire," said the man, his face turkey red with pleasure and pride. "Goodnight, your Grace."
Five minutes later Elijah had fallen into a dreamless sleep, from which Slade woke him a little after midday.
"I would not have disturbed your Grace if there were not three gentlemen sitting in the Blue salon, er...requesting to be shown into your presence."
Elijah opened one eye. "Three of 'em, eh, Slade? Who dares to disturb any man's rest before noon? It is too bad of them. How is Master Jack?"
Slade helped his master out of bed and tactfully turned a shoulder whilst he made use of the chamber pot. "Still fast asleep, your Grace. He'd been drawing the bustle a little too freely last night, if you'll forgive the observation. Your visitors are Lord Henry, Lord Monaghan, and Sir Barnabas, your Grace."
"Show 'em up, Slade, and bring me my tea, if you please. I am not inclined to rush; they may attend me here if they so wish."
Harry was the first to enter the room in his impetuous fashion. "Lij, old chap! What's this I hear? Duelling, eh? Over a member of the fair sex, I'll be bound. How do you go on? How is your head?"
Elijah, stemming the flow by the expedient of putting up his hand, greeted his other guests. "Dom, Barney, do you sit down, for I see nothing will content my cousin but he hears the tale from my own lips."
...."and that was how it came about, Harry. There is no more to it than Barney and Dom told you. It was an affair of honour, and there were footpads hiding in the copse and they shot me."
The three men had decided beforehand not to mention Jack at all to anyone, in connection with this matter, for they would have to explain how he had come within their orbit, and they were not able to do so. Footpads answered just as well, and, if the tale was not totally credible, there were the seconds as witnesses, and March, slightly older than his fellows, and a more sober man than many, would be believed.
"Ask March if you don't believe me - or Cedric when he returns. I assure you that that was how it was, Harry, so do not wrinkle your brow at me."
"Too smoky by half, Lij. But if that is your story I must hold to it, I suppose. How is your head?" Harry enquired, looking carefully at the long scab that had formed just behind Elijah's hairline.
"Oh, tol-lol, Harry. It aches far less, now, than it was used to."
Elijah turned to Barney whilst Harry was talking to Dom about the incident. "Of course no blame is attached to a fellow calling another fellow out, Monaghan - but to be shot by a curst commoner, that was outside of enough..."
"Barney, where have you been?" Elijah murmured under the cover of his cousin's stentorian tones. "And where is Cedric Fairford? Dom is concerned over his continued absence - he says it is not like him to be from his side during troubled times."
"I have no idea where Ceddie has got to, Lij. I collect he said he was going to his sister's, so I suppose that is where he is. And I have been making a few enquiries of my own, my friend. If they prove pertinent to the attack upon you, I will let you know, Lij - for you see, there was more..."
..."Was it not so, Lij?" Harry's strident voice interrupted Barney, and claimed their attention from seats near the fireplace where Harry had been regaling Dom with some tale to which Dom had politely been listening. "The affair between Carstares and Bellington, man. I was telling Monaghan, here, how Carstares blew off his opponents ear during the meeting, and Dan Bellington did not speak to his friend for six months over it."
"Very true, Harry, but you must allow his Lordship to slip a word in edgewise, you know," Elijah smiled at his cousin, holding forth as was his custom. "Poor Dom has not said a word, above "good morning", since he entered the room."
Elijah's eyes met his lover over Barney's shoulder. He had to have a moment alone with Dom.
"Harry, do you take Barney downstairs into the Blue salon, and ask Whitney to bring you suitable refreshment. Dom will help me dress, and we shall shortly be down to join you."
If either man thought it odd that a man with a perfectly good - not to say superior - valet on hand, asserted that he needed assistance from a man with whom he claimed only the slightest acquaintance - a pretty poor excuse for detaining Dom, neither man voiced that opinion to Elijah.
As the door closed behind them, Elijah clasped Dom and kissed him, hard. "Dom, I need to be with you - I need it so badly. When may we...be together do you think? And where?"
Dom returned the kiss with fervour and let go of his lover with reluctance. This was not the place, nor the time.
"If you feel up to it, Lij, dine with me, tonight - alone," he said, not forgetting the presence of Jack in the house. "I will think of something before then, never fear, for I have as much need of you, I assure you."
Slade rattled the doorknob and both men smiled. Really, Slade was the most discreet of men! Elijah thought, as the man entered from the adjoining chamber, carrying Elijah's clothing.
When the lovers entered the Blue salon it was evident that Barney and Harry had been talking over Elijah's predicament, for their conversation ceased abruptly at his entrance. Barney leapt from his chair to offer it to Elijah, saying it was the most comfortable seat in the room, and, Harry, not to be outdone, offered his.
"Well, really! That is outside of enough. Anyone would think I was a lady who had sprained her ankle, as the saying goes. Give over, I beg you, or I shall have a fit of the vapours and have to be carried back to my bed, swooning. What a poor thing you must think me!"
Barney, correctly interpreting that his friend was not at all pleased by their solicitude, began talking about horses to Harry, who had a fine - and expensive - string of them at his place in the country. Soon Elijah's irritation vanished as he was usually the most amiable of men, and a pleasant hour was spent discussing the various pleasures to be found in the City during the Season.
Eventually the two men left for luncheon appointments and Dom and Elijah were left alone.
"I have thought of a way we may be together tonight, Lij, if you will agree. After dinner we shall take a short Hackney ride to the house of a friend - he is from home so you need not fear he will suspect anything - and there we may..."
Elijah rose quickly from his seat and wrapped his arms around Dom, kissing him fervently.
"How will I last until tonight, Dom, when I so patently need you now?
Dom placed his hand over Elijah's erection, and grinned. "As I am in the same case, my love, I cannot answer you. I must go - I am promised to Denton for luncheon and it is already near the hour. Until eight, then."
Elijah sat quietly on his own until he was fit to be seen in the hallway. The servants would overlook the discourtesy of him not seeing his guests to the door on the grounds of his recent indisposition.
He was pleased to note that his headache had not returned, and, when Jack, rather shame-faced, appeared for luncheon, Elijah was able to laugh off last night's happenings and eat a creditable meal, and then escort Jack to view the landmarks of the City that the lad had evinced an earnest desire to visit.
Elijah left Jack at the door of Astley's Amphitheatre holding a ticket for a box in a hand quivering with excitement, and made his way home.
He had furnished Jack with enough money for a Hackney home, but not enough to allow him to get into trouble - and with a stern injunction not to ogle the equestriennes overly much, and to abjure low company and be home by eleven, Elijah took himself off.
It was not that Elijah had been bored in Jack's company - the lad had shown such innocent pleasure at the treats that he had been presented to him, from the interior of St Paul's Cathedral to the Natural History section of the British Museum, where he had exhibited enormous pleasure at the display of stuffed animals and birds and been frightened by the replica of an Apache Indian Chief in full panoply of war.
But Elijah needed to be alone for a while, to think. His head had pained him too much to ponder until now on what was troubling him, but he admitted to himself, he was troubled.
It seemed patent to him that there was more to this business than met the eye. Why had Giles Monaghan told Jack that it was Elijah who had informed upon the smugglers? Thinking that Elijah had recognised him in Ireland was a poor excuse, for he must have been told along with the other Gentlemen that Barney had sworn them to silence. It was obvious he had some other motive for so doing - or had Monaghan himself been a dupe? Was there someone else who wanted him dead, and, if there were, who could it be - and why?
Elijah spent a fruitless hour pondering over these mysteries before going to dress for dinner with Dom.
He waved away Whitney's offer of a chaise to convey him the short journey to Dom's home with a smile and a wry shake of the head.
"My God, man! Does everyone think me a weakling? First Lord Henry offering me his chair lest I tumble over in a faint, and now, you. Traitor!"
Whitney bowed low. "It shall be as you please, of course. I hope you have an entertaining evening, your Grace."
Elijah fairly skipped down the steps, and walked briskly along the pavement. He was going to see Dom, and he was going to...to...well ...Dom. He didn't know a word for it, but there must be one. He would ask Dom.
And there it was - Dom's front door. He raised his hand and knocked.
Thanks to Lady Sunrope for beta.
Part 23 - Alarms and Diversions
Elijah was still laughing when he entered his bedroom, and Slade smiled indulgently at him. He was very fond of his master, after all. "Did you have a pleasant evening, your Grace?"
Elijah grinned back. "Very pleasant, I thank you, Slade. I showed Lord Monaghan my Chinese treasures - he was most impressed by them."
Slade bowed, and privately thought that, judging by his master's flushed cheeks, the bowls were not the onlytreasures the duke had displayed to his Lordship. However, he gave no sign that he knew a thing about his Grace's personal inclinations, but politely bowed himself out of the room, bearing the duke's discarded garments for attention.
Elijah, left alone at last, hastily clambered into bed and reached under his pillow for the handkerchief he always found there. He felt so desperate for release he thought that one would not be enough, for, clutched tightly in his other hand was the one he had used on Dom in the Green salon.
He raised it to his nose, and breathed in the essence of his love, which made him so hard his erection rose against his stomach.
It was a warm night, but he drew the curtain across the only side of the bed to be open to the room, and, knowing that Slade, should he enter again that night, would not dare to breach his master's privacy when the bed was closed to view, lifted his nightshirt and grasped himself tightly in a hand that was far from steady.
He thought of Dom’s hands on him, as he thrust, hard into his fist. He thought of Dom’s mouth on him as the inevitable feelings of impending climax rose. He groaned into the night as he came, shuddering with release.
He was relieved, but not satisfied. He needed Dom at his side, his head resting on Elijah's shoulder, his warm breath brushing his skin. Elijah meant to ask Dom on the morrow, when they might lie together. Indeed, although his head was still aching, the anguish of the need for his lover was greater than any physical discomfort he was suffering.
He dropped the soiled handkerchiefs over the side of the bed, knowing that Slade, no stranger to such behaviour - for there were no bodily secrets between a man and his valet - would launder them himself in the morning. He closed his eyes and prepared for sleep.
******
Dom, in his bedroom six houses further down the Square, sat by the fire, dressed comfortably in his dressing robe and drinking a small glass of brandy, was thinking - had he known it - the very thoughts that had overtaken Elijah some minutes earlier. He needed him as much as air to breathe. They would decide tomorrow where they should go.
******
Elijah did not, however, enjoy an untroubled sleep. Before the moon had set, Slade was coughing quietly by his bedside, and Elijah, always quick to rouse, was instantly awake. Elijah saw that the man was wearing his dressing gown and bed cap. "What is it?" he asked in a voice clouded by sleep.
"It's Master Jack, your Grace. One of the footmen has called me to tell me he is crying in his room, so I took the liberty of waking you. If I was wrong to do so, I am sorry, but..."
"No, no, Slade, it is very well. Go back to bed, now, and I will see to Master Jack. He has lately suffered a... bereavement. It may be this is taking hold of his mind. If I am not here when you come to wake me, I will be with him. If the footman who informed you of the state of things is still from bed, desire him to bring some brandy to the Blue bedchamber."
Slade helped his master into his robe and held the door for Elijah as he left. Jack's room was four doors down from Elijah's and when Elijah neared the door he could hear the sounds of Jack's distress from within. He tapped gently, and entered to find Jack sitting by the dying fire, his head in his hands, sobbing wildly.
The lad had not heard the duke enter for he started in surprise as Elijah's shadow fell on him. Elijah knelt in front of the boy and asked, "what is it, Jack? Although I may guess. Tell me what troubles you, and I will try to help." He put his hand on Jack's shoulder in a comforting gesture and Jack took it and kissed it, wildly.
"You have been so kind to me, sir, you and Mr Dom, and I don't deserve it, not one bit!"
"I tried to kill you sir, and at the time I shot you, I really did wish it. It was only after...after I saw you lying there, like my dad had been with the blood pouring out of his head, that I realised I was no better than they had been who had shot him. Oh, sir, will you ever forgive me?"
Elijah pulled Jack to his feet and saw the remains of a bottle of gin on the table, and when he smelt the distinctive odour of daffy about Jack's person he realised what had exacerbated the paroxysms now shaking the poor lad.
He sent the footman away with the brandy, feeling Jack had imbibed enough liquor for the night, and helped Jack into his bed, fitting the nightcap neatly on the lad's head and settling him down on the feather mattress.
Jack eyed the duke somewhat blearily. "I am glad I did not kill your Grace. You're a kind and gentle man. I hope you live until you are a hundred - Mr Dom, too." And on this kindly thought he fell asleep.
Elijah remained a few more minutes until he was certain Jack would not wake, then, letting go of the hand which had gripped his so convulsively, left the lad to have his sleep.
He met the footman outside his room. "You may retire, now... Samuel, is it not? There should be no further alarms tonight. Thank you for bringing Master Jack's... er, distress... to my attention."
The man stared at the duke, but did not move. Furthermore he looked slightly embarrassed, and when Elijah cocked an eyebrow at him, wondering why his dismissal of the man was not immediately obeyed, the footman blushed furiously.
"Mr Whitney will have my guts for garters, your Grace, if I dare leave this corridor before morning. He has ordered Joshua and me..." pointing to another man standing further down the landing..."to stand guard over your door at nights, until...until..."
Elijah smiled at him, and grasped his beefy hand and shook it, which shocked the man to the core. Never before had any of the gentry taken notice of anything he had done in their service, let alone shaken his hand for it.
"Thank you for your care and interest," Elijah continued, sleepily, for he was now very tired, indeed, and his head ached abominably. "And, in the morning, before you retire, inform Mr James that I have ordered that the two of you be paid an extra five shillings a week each for this service. Goodnight!"
"We be main glad to serve your Grace any way you may desire," said the man, his face turkey red with pleasure and pride. "Goodnight, your Grace."
Five minutes later Elijah had fallen into a dreamless sleep, from which Slade woke him a little after midday.
"I would not have disturbed your Grace if there were not three gentlemen sitting in the Blue salon, er...requesting to be shown into your presence."
Elijah opened one eye. "Three of 'em, eh, Slade? Who dares to disturb any man's rest before noon? It is too bad of them. How is Master Jack?"
Slade helped his master out of bed and tactfully turned a shoulder whilst he made use of the chamber pot. "Still fast asleep, your Grace. He'd been drawing the bustle a little too freely last night, if you'll forgive the observation. Your visitors are Lord Henry, Lord Monaghan, and Sir Barnabas, your Grace."
"Show 'em up, Slade, and bring me my tea, if you please. I am not inclined to rush; they may attend me here if they so wish."
Harry was the first to enter the room in his impetuous fashion. "Lij, old chap! What's this I hear? Duelling, eh? Over a member of the fair sex, I'll be bound. How do you go on? How is your head?"
Elijah, stemming the flow by the expedient of putting up his hand, greeted his other guests. "Dom, Barney, do you sit down, for I see nothing will content my cousin but he hears the tale from my own lips."
...."and that was how it came about, Harry. There is no more to it than Barney and Dom told you. It was an affair of honour, and there were footpads hiding in the copse and they shot me."
The three men had decided beforehand not to mention Jack at all to anyone, in connection with this matter, for they would have to explain how he had come within their orbit, and they were not able to do so. Footpads answered just as well, and, if the tale was not totally credible, there were the seconds as witnesses, and March, slightly older than his fellows, and a more sober man than many, would be believed.
"Ask March if you don't believe me - or Cedric when he returns. I assure you that that was how it was, Harry, so do not wrinkle your brow at me."
"Too smoky by half, Lij. But if that is your story I must hold to it, I suppose. How is your head?" Harry enquired, looking carefully at the long scab that had formed just behind Elijah's hairline.
"Oh, tol-lol, Harry. It aches far less, now, than it was used to."
Elijah turned to Barney whilst Harry was talking to Dom about the incident. "Of course no blame is attached to a fellow calling another fellow out, Monaghan - but to be shot by a curst commoner, that was outside of enough..."
"Barney, where have you been?" Elijah murmured under the cover of his cousin's stentorian tones. "And where is Cedric Fairford? Dom is concerned over his continued absence - he says it is not like him to be from his side during troubled times."
"I have no idea where Ceddie has got to, Lij. I collect he said he was going to his sister's, so I suppose that is where he is. And I have been making a few enquiries of my own, my friend. If they prove pertinent to the attack upon you, I will let you know, Lij - for you see, there was more..."
..."Was it not so, Lij?" Harry's strident voice interrupted Barney, and claimed their attention from seats near the fireplace where Harry had been regaling Dom with some tale to which Dom had politely been listening. "The affair between Carstares and Bellington, man. I was telling Monaghan, here, how Carstares blew off his opponents ear during the meeting, and Dan Bellington did not speak to his friend for six months over it."
"Very true, Harry, but you must allow his Lordship to slip a word in edgewise, you know," Elijah smiled at his cousin, holding forth as was his custom. "Poor Dom has not said a word, above "good morning", since he entered the room."
Elijah's eyes met his lover over Barney's shoulder. He had to have a moment alone with Dom.
"Harry, do you take Barney downstairs into the Blue salon, and ask Whitney to bring you suitable refreshment. Dom will help me dress, and we shall shortly be down to join you."
If either man thought it odd that a man with a perfectly good - not to say superior - valet on hand, asserted that he needed assistance from a man with whom he claimed only the slightest acquaintance - a pretty poor excuse for detaining Dom, neither man voiced that opinion to Elijah.
As the door closed behind them, Elijah clasped Dom and kissed him, hard. "Dom, I need to be with you - I need it so badly. When may we...be together do you think? And where?"
Dom returned the kiss with fervour and let go of his lover with reluctance. This was not the place, nor the time.
"If you feel up to it, Lij, dine with me, tonight - alone," he said, not forgetting the presence of Jack in the house. "I will think of something before then, never fear, for I have as much need of you, I assure you."
Slade rattled the doorknob and both men smiled. Really, Slade was the most discreet of men! Elijah thought, as the man entered from the adjoining chamber, carrying Elijah's clothing.
When the lovers entered the Blue salon it was evident that Barney and Harry had been talking over Elijah's predicament, for their conversation ceased abruptly at his entrance. Barney leapt from his chair to offer it to Elijah, saying it was the most comfortable seat in the room, and, Harry, not to be outdone, offered his.
"Well, really! That is outside of enough. Anyone would think I was a lady who had sprained her ankle, as the saying goes. Give over, I beg you, or I shall have a fit of the vapours and have to be carried back to my bed, swooning. What a poor thing you must think me!"
Barney, correctly interpreting that his friend was not at all pleased by their solicitude, began talking about horses to Harry, who had a fine - and expensive - string of them at his place in the country. Soon Elijah's irritation vanished as he was usually the most amiable of men, and a pleasant hour was spent discussing the various pleasures to be found in the City during the Season.
Eventually the two men left for luncheon appointments and Dom and Elijah were left alone.
"I have thought of a way we may be together tonight, Lij, if you will agree. After dinner we shall take a short Hackney ride to the house of a friend - he is from home so you need not fear he will suspect anything - and there we may..."
Elijah rose quickly from his seat and wrapped his arms around Dom, kissing him fervently.
"How will I last until tonight, Dom, when I so patently need you now?
Dom placed his hand over Elijah's erection, and grinned. "As I am in the same case, my love, I cannot answer you. I must go - I am promised to Denton for luncheon and it is already near the hour. Until eight, then."
Elijah sat quietly on his own until he was fit to be seen in the hallway. The servants would overlook the discourtesy of him not seeing his guests to the door on the grounds of his recent indisposition.
He was pleased to note that his headache had not returned, and, when Jack, rather shame-faced, appeared for luncheon, Elijah was able to laugh off last night's happenings and eat a creditable meal, and then escort Jack to view the landmarks of the City that the lad had evinced an earnest desire to visit.
Elijah left Jack at the door of Astley's Amphitheatre holding a ticket for a box in a hand quivering with excitement, and made his way home.
He had furnished Jack with enough money for a Hackney home, but not enough to allow him to get into trouble - and with a stern injunction not to ogle the equestriennes overly much, and to abjure low company and be home by eleven, Elijah took himself off.
It was not that Elijah had been bored in Jack's company - the lad had shown such innocent pleasure at the treats that he had been presented to him, from the interior of St Paul's Cathedral to the Natural History section of the British Museum, where he had exhibited enormous pleasure at the display of stuffed animals and birds and been frightened by the replica of an Apache Indian Chief in full panoply of war.
But Elijah needed to be alone for a while, to think. His head had pained him too much to ponder until now on what was troubling him, but he admitted to himself, he was troubled.
It seemed patent to him that there was more to this business than met the eye. Why had Giles Monaghan told Jack that it was Elijah who had informed upon the smugglers? Thinking that Elijah had recognised him in Ireland was a poor excuse, for he must have been told along with the other Gentlemen that Barney had sworn them to silence. It was obvious he had some other motive for so doing - or had Monaghan himself been a dupe? Was there someone else who wanted him dead, and, if there were, who could it be - and why?
Elijah spent a fruitless hour pondering over these mysteries before going to dress for dinner with Dom.
He waved away Whitney's offer of a chaise to convey him the short journey to Dom's home with a smile and a wry shake of the head.
"My God, man! Does everyone think me a weakling? First Lord Henry offering me his chair lest I tumble over in a faint, and now, you. Traitor!"
Whitney bowed low. "It shall be as you please, of course. I hope you have an entertaining evening, your Grace."
Elijah fairly skipped down the steps, and walked briskly along the pavement. He was going to see Dom, and he was going to...to...well ...Dom. He didn't know a word for it, but there must be one. He would ask Dom.
And there it was - Dom's front door. He raised his hand and knocked.