Prologue
March 1, 1811 London, England
The crowd outside St. James Palace was still rather
impressive, despite the slight chill in the air. Though the official start of
the London Season lay a few weeks away, the newly appointed Prince Regent’s
ball drew crowds of commoners in droves to view the spectacle of the
aristocracy as they arrived for the event. There was no better way for those
who could not afford expensive fashion plates to view the latest in fashionable
attire for the ton than to mill
around the edges of St. James Park whenever an event was hosted at the Palace.
Uniformed guardsmen lined the drive to protect partygoers from the crowd, but
they could not still the conversation that filled the air.
Despite the jostling, a pair of dark figures stood
steadfast, eyes upon every figure that descended from the line of carriages.
The larger of the two stood calmly, his arms crossed before him and presenting
an imposing figure, garnering enough space so that the shorter spectator
standing slightly behind him could remain undisturbed. This smaller figure was
heavily cloaked from the cold breeze and prying eyes. The deep cowl of his hood
rose and fell regularly as he eyed the carriages and their occupants, then
lowering to scribble notes furiously into a small notebook.
The crowd took little notice of the curious figures in their
midst. It was not uncommon for gossip reporters to hang about in mobs like this
one, making note of who was whom amongst London’s elite, and the popular responses
about them. Though the aristocracy took little care for what the populace might
think of them, it was great fun for the general population to comment on their
dress and their choice of companions.
Such was not the case for the pair of observers, though the
smaller one making notes took care to listen to the muttered comments around
him. It served his purpose well to be thought a gossip hound, but the truth
behind his motives was far more devious. However, the running commentary
provided by the crowd around him provided useful information as well.
‘Oh, look, there is the Lord and Lady Castlereagh-‘ someone
noted the famed Patroness of Almack’s.
‘That color is just hideous-‘ another said about another
noblewoman.
‘Of course, he would arrive with her, an engagement is
expected soon-‘
‘That dandy!’
The commentary ranged far and wide; speculation about
affairs and marriages, political bias, the lack of polish on someone’s boots.
All was carefully noted by the cloaked figure. The line of carriages continued
and began to slow, and the crowd began to disperse. The giant looked down as
the hooded figure nodded and began to turn away, when one last carriage pulled
up. The mob grew excited once more.
‘There he is, that half-breed-‘
The tone of the audience had certainly changed, attracting
the attention of the pair of observers, who paused to see whom had arrived. The
coat of arms on the side of the carriage indicated it belonged to the Earl Verney.
‘Thought that old goat died,’ someone said.
‘And with him the title, but they found an heir in America
somewhere,’ replied another.
The two figures exchanged glances and moved back to their
previous position to get a better view.
‘Some nephew, his father married one of the natives in the
colonies, and supported the Revolution-‘ the rest of the words could not be
made out in the press of people.
‘Been here two years now, trying to get some decency-‘
‘Failing, look at the trollop with him-‘
‘Handsome devil, he is, though, ain’t he?’
The smaller one tried to get a better look at the mysterious
Earl Verney, but the carriage was blocking his line of sight. When it finally
moved out of the way, all that could be seen of the Earl was his backside. Dark
hair wore unfashionably long and unpowdered was pulled into a queue, but nothing
could be seen of his face. The woman beside him that someone had referred to as
a trollop was clad in a diaphanous cloud of blue, her blonde hair pulled high
on her head.
As though sensing the crowd’s interest in him, the gentleman
turned towards the mob in the park, at last revealing his face. His tanned
visage was indeed handsome, with high cheekbones above a square jawline. His
face was impassive, his lips a thin line as he scanned the press of faces
briefly. Then, he did something wholly unexpected. He raised a hand and
actually waved, acknowledging the crowd of onlookers! His previous serious
demeanor relaxed into a wicked smile, flashing teeth that shone even and white,
even in the dim light.
The crowd roared, loving the attention bestowed upon them.
American half-breed or not, such behavior by one of the peer was just not seen.
‘Oh, that cheeky devil!’ a woman laughed, waving back
enthusiastically.
The blonde woman on his arm scowled as she looked back at
the crowd, tossing her curls imperiously. She tugged at his coat sleeve to try
and regain her escort’s attention.
‘Really, Donovan, what are you doing?’ she pressed.
Donovan Tremaine, Earl Verney ignored her for the moment as
he continued to scan the crowd, his rakish smile never wavering. From the
corner of his eye, he noted a large man standing just behind the row of guards,
dwarfing them with his size. Focusing on the giant, he became aware that the
man was staring impassively at him. He lowered his arm, though his smile never
wavered. The giant looked briefly downward, nodding at a hooded figure beside
him. Something passed from the smaller man to the larger one, though he could
not see what it was, and all his senses went on alert. Donovan could not make
out a face in the deep cowl, though light briefly glittered off a pair of pale
eyes as both figures turned away, blending into the crowd. At last, he returned
his attention to his companion.
‘If one hopes to gain the support of one’s constituents, it
is best not to ignore them,’ Donovan replied, his American accent gruff.
‘This isn’t Amersham, Donovan, and no one in that mob is one
of your ‘constituents’,’ replied the blonde beauty beside him, her face
twisting into an unattractive sneer. ‘Things are done differently here than
they are in the colonies. Those people-‘ she waved vaguely behind her as they
moved toward the Palace, ‘are not your equals. You are one of the ton, now, and you are expected to behave
as such.’
Donovan scowled, his countenance darkening. ‘The United States of America,’ he stressed
between clenched teeth, ‘ceased to be colonies nearly twenty years ago. And my
presence amongst the peerage does nothing to change my philosophical views
about my fellow man.’ He wondered to himself why he continued to dally with
Madeline Latham. The beautiful widow had proven useful in gaining entrée into
the upper echelons of Society in his early days as Earl, and was always a
willing bed partner, but her snobbishness was a hindrance. He would have to
think seriously about finding a new mistress this Season.
Madeline shrugged at Donovan’s history lesson as they
entered the receiving line. ‘Save the philosophizing for your men’s club. This
is a party, and I would like to enjoy myself. Seriously, Donovan, you can be
such a bore sometimes,’ she said.
Donovan returned her nonchalant gesture. It was pointless to
argue with Madeline, at any rate. He turned his mind to other things, but his
thoughts kept returning to the mysterious figures in the crowd outside the
Palace. It might amount to nothing and a mere coincidence alone that the pair
seemed so fixed on him, but he was still considered a newcomer, and bound to be
of interest to many. Still, considering some of his more clandestine
activities, he would have to be careful in his conduct for the time being.