The Duchess

Honor and Hawkins had packed their master and mistress's trunks. While it might be considered a bit odd to visit Brighton in early March, it was the best excuse that they could think of for their absence from London. Charles Trent had been told of their mission, and while he did not approve, there was little he could do but to see that the duke and duchess had the funds that they would need for their journey. He even included a bag of French coins.

'You may need to resort to bribery,' he said. His disapproval was most obvious. 'What am I going to tell your father?' he demanded of Allegra.

'Tell him nothing,' she said quietly. 'We will be back in England as quickly as we can, and I do not choose to fret him. Aunt Mama has not been well this winter, and he is worried enough.'

'Tell me your plan,' her father's secretary asked.

She quickly explained.

He nodded. 'It should work, but you cannot linger. Go in, get the lay of the land, retrieve the Bellinghams' kin, and get out as quickly as you can. There will be less danger for you that way. Do you understand, Your Grace? These charades you are playing at are terribly, terribly dangerous.'

'I know, Charles,' she said, using his Christian name, which she rarely did. 'But I believe we can do this, and the Bellinghams have been so good to us all.'

'I understand your reasoning, Your Grace, but if anything happened to any of you, it would put a terrible burden of guilt on the Bellinghams. They are not young, and this situation with their niece has distressed them greatly. Remember, your first duty is to your husband and his family. If the choice is between your safety, and the d'Aumont family, you must think of yourself first.'

'You worry far too much, Charles,' Allegra replied, and then standing on her tiptoes she kissed his cheek, causing him to blush a bright beet red. 'We will be back before you realize we have been gone at all,' she promised him. Then Allegra went out the door to join her husband in their traveling coach.

***

The sun was just coming up as they cleared the city and took the road to Brighton. They would meet up with their friends at an inn there known as The King's Arms. The trip, along what was called the New Road, was the most direct to Brighton, and in the best condition. Mr. Trent had arranged for four changes of horses along their route. Consequently their trip took only five hours.

The King's Arms was located on the harbor. It was a large comfortable establishment, popular with travelers, although the difficulties in France had taken away some of their business. Mr. Trent had arranged for a suite of rooms for the duke, and large bedrooms for the earl and Lord Walworth. All were located next to one another in a separate wing of the inn. It had been decided that Hawkins would remain behind to watch over the luggage. The rooms had been paid for in advance. It was more than likely that they would need immediate shelter upon their return for the Comtesse d'Aumont and her children. They would also not want to cause any disturbance upon their arrival that would draw attention to themselves. Brighton had its share of spies, or so they had been told.

The landlord hurried forward to greet them personally. 'Welcome, Your Grace,' he said bowing to the duke. 'Your friends have only just arrived. Come in! Come in! Your rooms are ready for you.'

'You have been told,' Quinton Hunter said in his most superior and ducal voice, 'that we will retain our rooms while we cruise on the Earl of Aston's yacht? My man, Hawkins, will remain behind. You'll see that he's fed? Hawkins don't like the sea, do you Hawkins?'

'No, Yer Grace, I don't,' the valet said as he had been told, nodding vehemently.

'He may have ale with his supper, but don't go allowing him to get drunk,' the duke instructed the innkeeper. 'Hawkins does like his ale, don't you, Hawkins?'

'I do, Yer Grace,' the valet said enthusiastically with a grin.

'Of course, Your Grace. Everything will be just as you require, Your Grace. You needn't worry.' The innkeeper bowed again, then led them to their suite.

There they found their friends awaiting them.

'Ohh, this is so exciting!' Caroline said.

'Do you have the costumes?' Eunice inquired.

'Yes,' Allegra answered her, 'and when you see them, you will not believe it. Everything is so real. Honor is coming with us.'

'Your maid?' Eunice and Caroline spoke in unison.

'Honor speaks quite good French,' Allegra explained, 'and as a servant, will know more about the common folk than we do.'

'How amusing that your Honor should speak another tongue,' Caroline said. 'Why it is almost like having one's own French maid,' she giggled. 'Even if she does come from Worcester.'

'Can we see our costumes?' Eunice asked.

'Honor, get the little bag with our special clothing, and let us show Lady Walworth and Lady Bainbridge,' Allegra instructed her maid.

The bag was brought, opened, and Honor pulled out a skirt, a sash, and one of the mobcaps. Caroline snatched the headpiece, and pulled it over her curls. Eunice wrapped the sash about her narrow waist. They stared at each other and burst out laughing.

'This is not a jest,' Allegra scolded them. 'If we are caught we could all face the guillotine. These revolutionaries are not respecters of nationality. Being English will not protect us. Are you two certain that you want to go? As Quinton keeps reminding me, this is a dangerous game that we are playing at. We must travel eight miles from the coast to arrive at the d'Aumont estate. Then we must gain custody of the countess and her children from whoever has them. And finally we have to travel back to the coast without being caught, reach the yacht, and sail back to England without attracting the suspicions of anyone. I will not think badly of either of you if you have changed your minds.'

'No,' Caroline said. 'She is my cousin.'

'No,' said Eunice. 'I will admit we are both nervous about this undertaking, but not once has either of us considered crying off, Allegra.'

'But how are we going to get to the countess?' Caroline asked.

'We shall be bloodthirsty peasant ladies from Harfleur who have come to bring the countess and her children before the revolutionary tribunal for justice. The Committee for Public Safety in the town has sent us to fetch the woman, Citizeness d'Aumont, and her brats. If the people holding the countess and her children attempt to stop us, we shall become very aggressive and threatening toward them. France is ruled by fear. The mere threat that her captors are not concurring with the local authorities will bring about their immediate cooperation, I am certain,' Allegra told her friends. 'Remember, despite their revolutionary talk, these people are used to obeying their superiors. We shall have to be very convincing, however.'

While the women continued to speak among themselves, the gentlemen were also making their plans.

'When do we sail?' the duke asked the Earl of Aston.

'Captain Grant suggests we leave on the evening's tide. It is just before midnight. The weather is good, the winds fresh. If it all holds, we should reach France the day after tomorrow.'

'Is he familiar with the territory into which we are venturing?' Quinton Hunter asked his friend.

Marcus Bainbridge smiled. 'He knows a hidden cove right near the town