Rescue Operations (5)

[the_comfortable_courtesan]

A useful device

Just because the nation was not at present at war, was no reason not to keep one’s eye out for how matters were going about the Continent! Rosamund, Countess of Trembourne, doubted not but that she was just one of a deal of Sir Vernon Horrabin’s intelligencers, snappers-up of unconsidered trifles that might be put together like a dissected map in the schoolroom to make a very interesting picture for one that might decipher it. Here she was, a lady of quite impeccable breeding – sister to the Earl of Pockinford, married to the Earl of Trembourne – being dragged by the latter from spaw to spaw as his hypochondriac fancy took him. Where one encountered a deal of very assorted company from a deal of nations, some pursuing health and others pursuing diversion.

And indeed, thought Rosamund, writing up a ciphered note, she fancied that a naval officer in the service of a certain Power had not considered it at all necessary to warn his wife not to complain upon his having to spend so much time at the dockyards – exceeding tiresome – so that one deduced that this was not a usual thing and that there must be some matter upon hand of ship-building or putting existing ships in better order, and 'twas part of a pattern. Should he come visit his wife, why, one might see could one discover a little more –

She was less sure of how valuable the Swedish military officer’s thoughts on the present conflict over Schleswig-Holstein might be. Sounded unusual knowledgeable on the matter, but la, did not gentlemen oft sound so did one know little of the business oneself, and did one come about to be better apprized in the matter find that they were not such founts of wisdom as they presented themselves. Still, she might put the matter before her confederate –

But now, she must be about dressing to visit the Opera, and attend the Gräfin’s reception afterwards, before she might do that. Her husband never went out of an e’en: 'twas give out that he retired early for the benefit of his health, and sometimes 'twas so, but – Rosamund wrinkled her nose in a sneer – there were other nights when 'twas a most surreptitious visit to some bordello that would cater to his very particular tastes. Still, at least he no longer came trouble her.

Gave a deal of colour to the rumours that she was engaging in a liaison with a much younger man – o, of good birth! an Englishman! nothing sordid about him – that fell very useful to her purposes.

Very useful indeed. For when she yawned at the beginning of the act in which La Fiametta would perform her most notable aria, and rose to her feet murmuring that she would go breathe a little fresh air, the other ladies in the Gräfin’s box exchanged knowing glances.

But instead of turning towards the balcony, or descending to the promenade, Rosamund looked about her and with caution made her way towards the dressing-rooms of the company. A little bribery here and there, most particularly to the dresser of the prima donna, gained her access to that sanctum, and privacy.

They would, no doubt, gossip that she went search to see whether the handsome young Milord englisch was sending love-notes and tokens of affection to La Fiametta – though surely she would not condescend to such a one! Handsome, certainly, and by no means poor, but hardly the class of patron such an acclaimed artiste would be interested in attaching. But certainly, an older mistress might feel jealousy!

The lady in question, however, by-passed the numerous billets-doux cast higgeldy-piggeldy upon the dressing-table, removed a stout pin from her hair, and addressed the lock upon the casket beside 'em. It answered readily to her skills – Rosamund permitted herself a small satisfied smile, the little Hacker’s adept pupil – and she looked for what she anticipated would be a further secret compartment. Though really – would such a one as La Fiametta be so discreet?

Why, it seemed she was, and had concealed these very interesting documents most exceeding cautious. Entire confirmed what Rosamund had suspected. She slipped the secret drawer back into place, refastened the casket – that was not the finest of locks! very little trouble to open! – looked about to ensure that any disturbance would be attributed to the suspicious mistress she was supposed to be.

She left the chamber with a suitable sullen pout for the benefit of the dresser, and waited outside the box until the tumultuous applause for La Fiametta’s aria had finally died down and the opera could continue.

At the Gräfin’s reception it might have been noticed that the Countess of Trembourne was failing to conceal a certain distracted air. She claimed that she was feeling a little faint – yes, that was why she had been obliged to leave the box during the opera – and must alas, leave this delightful occasion early.

Well, there would be whisperings, and noddings of heads, but she dared say that there would also be shruggings of shoulders and murmurs of, well, with such a husband, who could blame her? For, sure, did the Earl go about at all in Society at any spaw they frequented his conversation was entirely of his health and how much good or the reverse this or that course of the waters had done him. And the Countess was acknowledged to be a very fine woman.

Putting up the hood of her cloak as she left, she went some little distance around a corner or so before taking a fiacre – although would be entirely consistent with the commedia.

Did not go back to their lodgings, but directed the driver to a discreet establishment in a quiet part of the town. The driver leered a little when she told him he did not need to wait, but she was stony-faced as she paid him the reckoning and a little over.

The fellow that tended the door at the place said, the usual chamber, and she went upstairs.

Opening the door, she saw that Lord Gilbert Beaufoyle was already there, in his shirtsleeves, playing patience by candlelight, the wine as yet unopened. He stood up and came over to take her in his arms.

Rosy!

Gillie!

They kissed.

She did not think Sir Vernon Horrabin had intended this to forthcome when he had suggested that it would be a useful device to have it supposed that there was a love-affair in question 'twixt that unhappy wife of the Earl of Trembourne, and the scapegrace third son of the Duke of Mulcaster, sent abroad to gain some polish in the Diplomatic and to get him out of his disgraceful courses in Town.

Gillie went to open the wine and pour out. He handed her a glass. Tiresome news, he said. I am obliged to go to Buda-Pesth – as an idle young fellow with no particular function I can be spared to act the courier –

They looked at one another.

Dangerous? asked Rosamund, minding on a certain scar on Gillie’s arm resulting from a similar jaunt to Berlin.

Gillie shrugged. Mayhap. But will also fit with my pursuit of La Fiametta, that proceeds there –

Rosamund sat down and took a sip of wine. And is being paid by Prussia.

Say you so! Well, that will answer exceedingly.

She sighed. Indeed. And I daresay do I droop and wear the willow while you are absent there will be a deal of fellows wishful to console me, and very like go brag &C. 'Twill provide some diversion. O, Gillie –

A thing she had never anticipated! Oh, there had been suitors, in particular during this Continental exile with her husband, but had never been tempted. How was it that she – cold Rosamund, that had despised those ladies of her acquaintance that had been consoled for neglectful husbands in the discreet chambers of their dressmakers – found herself quite, she must admit it, in love with a young man barely older than her daughter Griselda, and quite the opposite of the scapegrace he was given out? A serious thoughtful young fellow – entirely the son of the Duke of Mulcaster and his blue-stocking wife Viola, as one might apprehend from his extraordinary talent for languages. But one that had become comrade, confederate, and, somehow, lover.

But before they might about that matter – for both of 'em kept glancing towards the bed, and their eyes met almost shyly – there were intelligence matters to exchange. Only when that was done did Gillie come and begin taking the pins from her hair.

Comments

[aedifica]

She must have been so bored and unhappy back when we first met her! It's nice to see this change.

[helle]

She really must have! It's lovely to see her with work to her hand.