A Dash of Scandal(12)
“How long has the blasted thing been in the family anyway? Must be more than a hundred years or so.”
Fines never did know when to quit. Chandler pushed back from the table and rose from his chair. He said, “Long enough that I’m going to do everything in my power to find the person who took it and recover it.”
“Don’t go off in a huff,” Fines said. “I haven’t finished my drink.”
“But I have.”
“I can see you’re ill-tempered because I went to see Anne and kept you waiting until all hours.”
Chandler smiled. “I’d never begrudge friend or foe a rendezvous with his mistress. You know that. I do, however, have an appointment early in the afternoon.”
“Speaking of Anne and mistresses, have you found a new one yet?”
“No, still looking.”
Chandler realized that he had lied again. He wasn’t looking for a mistress, but he didn’t want to explain his business to Fines. He wasn’t exactly sure when it had happened, but he was beyond sharing all his thoughts and deeds with his friends.
“You always were the picky one, Dunraven.”
“No, Fines, it’s that you have never shown much discretion.”
“There’s never been a reason to. I think it best to sample them all. Short, tall, thin, young, and older.” Fines smiled wickedly at Chandler. “They’re all delicious in different ways. I’ll let you know if I hear of anyone who is available.”
The last thing Chandler wanted was his friend’s help in finding a mistress, but he answered, “Do that,” before he walked away.
***
“It is the best and the worst Season for London Society. The ton flourishes with the indulgence of elegant parties while reeling in shock from having a mad thief in its midst.”
“Heaven have mercy, Millicent, you do try me. Why, in heaven’s name, would you think our readers would appreciate an opening like that?” Beatrice sighed heavily and slowly brushed Hamlet’s coat.
Millicent had no idea how her aunt could be so coherent at this time of the morning. It was dawn and here they were in her aunt’s bedroom with lamps turned high, putting the finishing touches to Lord Truefitt’s column so that it could appear in the afternoon paper. Millicent thought her opening had been a perfect depiction of the events of the Season.
It would be best for her to cajole her aunt and not try to upset her. Millicent would tweak the writings before putting them in an envelope to be taken to the address where her aunt dropped off the column each morning.
“Truly, Aunt, don’t get upset. Remember it concerns Hamlet when you fret. I forgot that you said the readers of the gossip sheets don’t like too much reality in the columns. Not to worry, I’ll change it.”
“Thank goodness.” She patted Hamlet’s head affectionately and he licked her hand noisily. “You’re here to help me keep my column, not see to it that I lose it. Worst of times, indeed! We must write only what our readers want to read. They don’t refer to them as scandal sheets because we write about weather and politics.”
“I understand. I won’t forget again, and I’m pleased you didn’t have a problem with the line from Shakespeare that I added at the last minute.”
Lady Beatrice seemed to consider her answer before saying, “No, I must admit that it didn’t bother me. In fact, I thought it rather clever. I’ve always enjoyed his writings. Especially the sonnets. That’s why I’ve sent you so many copies of his work over the years. But, you should have obtained my permission first.”
Millicent took the reprimand silently.
“The wording seemed to fit what we wrote. I suppose it was all right, but you really must not add things like that, dearie, after we have finished a column, without consulting with me first.”
“I’ll remember that.”
“See that you do.”
“Now, you are certain you heard Lord Dunraven is personally looking for the Mad Ton Thief.”
“Yes. Although I didn’t meet any of the Terrible Threesome earls tonight. There was plenty of talk about them at both parties we attended.”
“There always is, and I’m sure you will meet them soon enough. Most evenings they leave early to gamble or go to private parties where not even I can gain entrance. Listen to anything they have to say, but do not let any of them talk you into agreeing to a private meeting with them.”