Deceived

'I, too, want revenge,' Aurora admitted.

'What would embarrass Trahern and make him the unhappiest of all, I wonder,' Valerian considered.

'Marriage to an unsuitable woman. A marriage he could not get out of that would put him beyond the pale of the court, and of polite society. Charles Trahern is such a snob,' Aurora said, 'that he could not bear it if he were no longer a part of our world.'

'I want Trahern to suffer, not some innocent woman,' Valerian replied. 'I don't mind making him miserable, but not a poor woman with whom I have no quarrel, my darling.'

'It doesn't have to be some retiring creature unable to defend herself against Trahern,' Aurora said. 'Let us find the whore he hired to impersonate me. I'll bet she'd jump at being Lady Trahern, and if she's as bold as they say she was last night, she is perfectly capable of defending herself, isn't she?'

'You are diabolical,' he told her admiringly. 'Yes, it might work, my precious.'

'I am certain the Earl of Bute will secretly help us, and the public disclosure of such a marriage will put Charles Trahern very much at a disadvantage. A man who would marry such a woman and keep it secret can hardly be either reliable or truthful,' Aurora finished triumphantly.

'Agreed,' her husband responded, 'but first we must make certain that your reputation is not tarnished. I shall immediately return to St. James's Palace and tell the earl of our findings.'

'I will go with you,' Aurora said.

'No, my darling, you will not. If you are to appear to be the innocent party in all of this, you must not be involved,' the duke replied, kissing his wife atop her head.

'If it will help any, Valerian, I saw Lady Jarvis at the Brimstone. I do not know if she saw me. She went upstairs with Lord Bolton, who, you have told me, was later involved with the woman in the rose and gold gown.'

'I will tell the earl,' he said, and then he departed Farminster House for St. James's.

***

'I have managed to pinpoint the time of the incident,' John Stuart said as the duke rejoined them. 'It was between one and two o'clock in the morning. Two of the gentlemen involved remember hearing the mantel clock in the room where they were gathered strike two as Trahern began his final act of debauchery on the woman. And both say they did not arrive at the Brimstone until just after one.'

'And I have discovered that my wife's undermaid was bribed by Trahern to give him the gown Aurora wore last night. When we sought for it, it was gone, and the wench was forced to a confession. She waited up all night for him to return it, and give her her half-crown.'

'So the bounder didn't even make good on his debt,' John Stuart said, shaking his head in disapproval. 'Well, our next step is to find the whore Trahern used for this masquerade.'

'How on earth can we do that?'

The Earl of Bute smiled wickedly. 'When playing at politics, my dear Hawkesworth, it is always wise to have a friend or two in the London underworld. They are little different than we are actually. They want the same things. Power and wealth. We play our games within the boundaries of the law, and they play them on the other side of the law. Both of us are equally ruthless in our manipulation of the populace, but we do so under the guise of proper society. They rely on no such niceties. Even as you and I speak, the woman we seek is being sought. She will brag to someone about her little adventurous escapade, and we shall find her, I promise you.'

'Aurora has concocted a delicious revenge upon Trahern,' the duke said, and then he told the earl.

John Stuart laughed aloud, then said, 'What a wonderful way to rid ourselves of that obsequious little toad! By Jove, we shall do it, Hawkesworth! I know a not-too-respectable clergyman, not yet defrocked, who will perform the ceremony. I shall give you his name, for, of course, as the king's closest adviser, I must not appear to be involved in the slightest.'

'Trahern will have to be quite drunk,' the duke said. 'Will your parson cooperate under such circumstances?'

'A gold piece and a bottle of whiskey will gain you whatever you seek from this man,' the earl assured him with a laugh.

Suddenly a hidden door opened in the paneled wall, and a man stepped into the room. He was dressed respectably, but so anonymous in appearance was he that the duke thought you would not be able to pick him out of a group. The man bowed, saying in a gruff voice, 'Good even', your lordship. I got what you want, and I come as quick as I could, as you say it's a matter of importance.'

'Good evening to you, Mr. Wiggums. May I introduce my friend, Valerian Hawkesworth, the Duke of Farminster. Will you have a whiskey?' He was already pouring a tumblerful as he asked.

'I will, and thank ye,' Mr. Wiggums replied, taking the tumbler and bolting it down. 'Ye've got the finest whiskey in all of London, yer lordship, and that's no lie. I doubt even the king's whiskey is as good.' He smacked his lips appreciatively, putting down the crystal with a thump.

'You are right, Mr. Wiggums, it isn't,' the Earl of Bute said. 'Now, what have you for me?'

'The wench you want goes by the name of Merry Maybelle. Rather fancies 'erself too, I can tell you. She ain't got no pimp, nor madam fronting for 'er, and she don't walk the streets. She's got two wee rooms in Tanners Alley, near the river. Some young lord brought 'er to London from the country a few years ago, and when he deserted 'er she was smart enough to move on to another young fellow of means. The word is she's a clever wench, and saves 'er money so she can entertain 'er gentlemen callers privately. She also sells flowers at the theater, which gives 'er a chance to flirt and spot prospective marks,' Mr. Wiggums explained.

'What number in Tanners Alley?' the earl inquired.

'Third 'ouse on the left. Merry Maybelle is on the second floor, in the rear, overlooking the river. There's no way out but the way you come in, yer lordship.'

'I want the girl here within the hour, Mr. Wiggums. Can you be discreet?' the earl said.

'Ain't I always, yer lordship?' the man said, and then without another word he turned about and disappeared through the hidden door, which shut silently behind him.

'We have only but to wait,' the earl said pleasantly. 'Do you fancy a game of cards, Hawkesworth?'

When the hidden door reopened exactly one hour later, Mr. Wiggums entered the room again, drawing a young woman with him. While Aurora was of medium height, this girl was tall, but she had dark blond hair that dressed properly might have passed for his wife's color in the right light. Her proportions, while not overlarge, were generous, and in keeping with her height. The amber eyes darting about the room, observing the two gentlemen, were intelligent.

'Please wait, Mr. Wiggums,' the earl said, and then he turned his attention to the girl. 'Now, Mistress Maybelle, I am far more powerful and dangerous than the gentleman who hired you for last night's performance at the Brimstone Club. Please answer my questions honestly, and no harm will come to you. There may even be a small something in it for you if you tell the truth. Do you understand?'

'Yes, m'lord,' the young woman answered.

'Do you know the name of the gentleman who hired you last night?'

'Yes, m'lord, it were Lord Trahern' was the answer.