By contrast, Radcliffe, leaving the family home for his own lodgings on St James’s Place several hours later, felt very certain of three facts. Firstly, that his younger brother and entire family were dangerously infatuated with Miss Talbot. Secondly, that Miss Talbot harboured no true romantic attachment to Archie whatsoever, beyond a fancy for his wealth. And thirdly, that it would be down to him to scotch the whole affair.
9
Kitty slammed the note down onto the breakfast table, causing her sister and aunt to jump.
‘The de Lacys have called off today’s walk,’ she said crossly in explanation. ‘Mr de Lacy is spending the afternoon with Radcliffe, while Lady Radcliffe and Lady Amelia have been invited to view the Elgin Marbles with Lady Montagu’s daughters.’
‘It is natural for Radcliffe to want to spend time with his brother, is it not?’ Cecily said airily. ‘And I should like to see the Elgin Marbles myself.’ She added this last wistfully. Husband-hunting had not, Cecily had been disappointed to find, left much time thus far for sightseeing.
‘Twice this week?’ Kitty snapped. ‘It isn’t natural, it’s intentional. Radcliffe is trying to end our acquaintance.’
Cecily looked a little confused, not following this leap of logic.
‘I did warn you!’ Dorothy sang out, her face partially hidden from behind the latest edition of La Belle Assemblée. ‘You might have been able to fool the mother, but this Lord Radcliffe seems to quite have your measure … It’s not too late to try for Mr Pears, you know.’
Kitty stood abruptly. ‘Get your hat, Cecy, and call for Sally – we’re going out.’
‘Now?’ Cecily called plaintively after Kitty as she dashed across the room. ‘Where?’
‘Do you want to see these Marbles or not?’ she called over her shoulder.
Archie was in high spirits on the walk back to Grosvenor Square, through the soft purple dusk of the evening. Radcliffe had taken him to his club, White’s, twice this week, a hallowed threshold Archie had expected to be thirty and almost dead before being able to cross. It was even more thrilling than he could ever have imagined: the dark rooms, the low murmur of male conversation, the haze of cigar smoke. Smashing. So tickled pink was he that he could not help giving Radcliffe a blow-by-blow account of their final game of whist, though his brother had also been at the table.
‘Did you see his face when I laid out my hand, James?’ Archie asked in a gush of boyish excitement.
‘I did,’ Radcliffe said patiently. ‘He was certainly displeased.’
‘Absolutely howling, wasn’t he,’ Archie boasted gleefully. ‘What a facer!’
For Radcliffe, the afternoon had held a little less allure. He had in his youth spent much time in White’s and its sister venues, but had not felt the need to visit in years. However, it had been time well spent, of that he was certain. Archie may be boring him excessively with a minute account of the afternoon, but he hadn’t spoken of Miss Talbot since the morning. The previous day, Archie had extolled upon Miss Talbot for hours, his adoration of her, her various and sundry virtues, and his desire even of perhaps marrying her. Radcliffe was pleased to see the prescription of some light gambling take its intended distracting effect. A few more days of this and the threat of Miss Talbot would be relegated firmly to the past. Still, he was relieved when they arrived back at Grosvenor Square – much looking forward to handing Archie back over to his mother and retreating to the relative quiet of St James’s Place.
‘Pattson, are my mother and sister at home?’ Archie called, bounding into the hall. ‘I simply must tell them about the game!’
Perceiving that if he remained, he would be expected to listen to Archie’s oration for a second time, Radcliffe opened his mouth to say goodnight – picturing, in his mind’s eye, the fire and blessed silence of his study – when Pattson answered.
‘They are taking refreshment in the drawing room with the Misses Talbot, my lord.’
‘Miss Talbot is here?’ Archie lit up like a candle. ‘Marvellous! Are you coming, James?’
‘Yes, I rather think I am.’ Radcliffe followed him calmly to the drawing room.
‘My dears!’ the Dowager Countess greeted them. ‘What splendid timing!’
‘How fortuitous,’ Radcliffe bowed to the assembled ladies, ‘that we should find you all here, lying in wait.’
‘You make us sound almost wicked!’ Miss Talbot said sunnily. Archie gave a shout of mirth at this joke, but Radcliffe did not laugh.