“Ah, come now,” Jack wheedled. “T’ain’t like you don’t get to do all sorts as other young ladies don’t. Lord is a fair man. Taught ye to fence and to shoot and do all manner o’ things you ain’t supposed to.”
Phoebe made a disgruntled sound. “That’s true, I know it is, but I’m not allowed to tell anyone I can do those things, Jack, let alone show them, so what’s the point?”
Jack nodded his understanding and stepped forward, chucking her gently under the chin with a hand like a ham hock. “Reckon we all chafe against what we oughta be and want to be at times, Princess. It’s what we do with what we can that sets us apart, I reckon.”
Phoebe sighed gloomily. “I suppose so.”
“Cheer up. Come on, I’ll let you cheat me at cards.”
“I don’t cheat you, Jack,” she retorted.
“Then you’re a little fool,” he said amiably, winking at her as he went to fetch his cards.
Chapter 3
Jasper,
Much as I appreciate the thought, do keep your nose out of my romantic affairs. I agree Miss Rochester is lovely and amiable, but I do not need you to arrange a dozen events to throw us together at every opportunity. And no, I am not still mooning about like a lovesick schoolboy. I am quite cured of my ailment, I assure you. The lady has made her position plain and I have no desire to shoot myself or throw myself in the Thames, so there is no need to trouble yourself.
That being said, I should be delighted to attend your blasted dinner party.
―Excerpt of a letter to The Right Hon’ble Jasper Cadogan, The Earl of St Clair, from The Right Hon’ble Maximillian Carmichael, The Earl of Ellisborough.
18th March 1827.
Phoebe tugged the hood of her cloak forward so she was better hidden beneath the voluminous fabric. In one pocket she held a small pearl-handled pistol—a present from her father—and there was a knife in her boot. She might have been idiot enough to risk her reputation for the thrill of doing something forbidden, but risk her neck she would not.
Why was she here?
She asked herself the question but could not deny the shiver of excitement that rippled down her spine. There was a large gathering at Moulsey Hurst now, as the hour for the boxing match drew near. All around there were the shouts of hawkers and costermongers who gathered wherever there was the chance of a good turnout. The scent of food, mingled with the jostling enthusiasm of a crowd out for fun, was ripe on the air. The rich perfume filled her nose, alongside the less enjoyable tang of those who still had not taken Brummel’s counsel to wash daily to heart.
Scanning her surroundings, Phoebe grinned as she saw Baron Alvanly standing in the spot they had arranged to meet. His gaze fell upon her, and his eyes grew wide. That would show him not to underestimate her, even if she was not fool enough to believe his taunt had no other side to it. Alvanly was in the market for a rich heiress, having pockets to let, and Phoebe did not doubt he’d manoeuvre her into ruination if he could. It was all a part of the game, though, besting these men who thought her a sweet little mouse with whom they could toy like some big, lazy cat. He would not be the first to discover that Phoebe had been taught to use her own claws, and that she would, if provoked.
Why she could not be content to be a well-behaved young lady and go to balls and parties, and just enjoy the social whirl, she did not know. Perhaps it was the edge of danger that had haunted her younger years, the constant presence of her great-uncle and his determination to steal the title from her father. Though she had always believed her father would keep her safe, she had known there was real danger there. She had revelled in the trust Lucian had placed in her, trust enough to teach her how to shoot and to explain to her the reality of a world that could be treacherous. He had lived with the constant threat of his own murder, and perhaps something of that had rubbed off on her. Perhaps she even missed the camaraderie they’d shared then, when it had been the two of them against the world.
Whatever it was, it made her an enigma. As much as she was popular and