Again, these observations were very astute.
“What do you plan to do?” I queried.
“Oh, I know exactly what I will do.” Sebastian purred. “I will be removing Baron Leopold Freiherr Von Liebenstein from their clutches one way or another, you mark my words. And when I do I fear that there will be hell to pay for ruining their plans.”
An Invitation
Sunday 9th January 1898
I remained abed for two-whole-days recovering from the effects of that beastly drug concoction. Cavell left my servants to care for me, and after Mrs. Twiggs Beef broth, a dose of Dr. J Collis Browne’s Chlorodyne, and many hours of rest I was feeling more able to face the world again.
The morning of the third day brought two surprises after I had attended the Sunday church service. The first surprise was Mr. Foxford Robins, who decided to call and breakfast with me, and the second surprise was in the stack of mail that had accumulated since I had been unwell.
Mrs. Twigg was delighted to have another mouth to feed and she appeared to be very fond of Birdie. It was uncommonly good to not breakfast alone. I had been too long in my own head with questions I could not answer tying me in knots. I longed for a conversation with a man who was on my level. And so we ate and conversed as if we had known one another for years when in reality we were just over two weeks into our friendship.
When I sorted through my small stack of correspondence I discovered a square cream invitation card. I picked it up and at once noted the lion and unicorn motif of the House of Commons. I turned the card over and the script read.
Mr. Benedict Hannan
You are invited to celebrate the New Year of 1898
with
Mr. & Mrs. Benjamin Cavendish MP
Devonshire House,
Piccadilly.
11th January 1898 at 7 p.m.
R.S.V.P
Soirees to celebrate the New Year stretched out well into January to ensure a busy social calendar for socialites. I received the occasional social invite but rarely attended an event. This particular party was a different matter.
Sebastian’s pipe smoke was billowing in a blue-grey cloud from behind the copy of The Times newspaper that he was reading. We had enjoyed a hearty breakfast of toast, scrambled eggs, bacon, and sausages.
“What do you think of this?” I said casually. The newspaper was lowered and I held up the card with the House of Commons motif showing. Sebastian hurriedly folded the newspaper, and placed it on the table, then removed the pipe from his mouth. He took the card from me and his eyes flitted over the script.
“This party is in two days. Are you thinking of attending?”
My immediate reaction to all invitations was to kindly make my excuses; however, with this particular invitation, it would not be the case. I understood deep down that I was obliged to attend.
“I haven’t decided yet. Should I go?”
“It’s crystal clear to me that now you have observed the activities of this cabal they would seek to pull you closer into their web by making you part of their social circle.”
“Indeed,” I said morosely. I did not want to be part of anyone’s social circle, let alone a group of men who believed that they could gain wisdom and immortality through ingesting another man’s spend. It was preposterous and I wished my name had not been put forward by… whomever the damnable fool was who had vouched for me.
“Attending would be an invaluable exercise in assisting us to identify the last four acolytes, don’t you think? And if I could find a way to sneak in I might chance a meet with young Baron Leopold.”
“Hmm…That would be an excellent idea!” The promise of Sebastian in the wings as my support made the thought of attending the party a little more palatable.
“What are your plans today, are you back at the office?” Sebastian tossed the invitation onto my stack of correspondence.
“I find I am still rather distracted. I have sent a note to say I remain under-the-weather and Annie is to reschedule all appointments.”
“Is that right?” Sebastian’s brows rose and wagged.
“My friend, you are a beastly distraction. But I will not sleep tonight unless I know where in damnation this blasted ritual took place. My dreams are haunted by flashes of such wickedness. I need to retrace my steps and find that house of…sin.”
“That, dear heart is an excellent way to spend a day! Do you have a map of London in your study?”
“I do.”
“Come, let’s take a look at it and try and work out exactly where you were taken.”
After Sebastian had made use of my facilities we relocated to my study. I unrolled my London map and laid it on the table at the far end of the room weighting each corner with small objects from my desk.
I returned to my desk to retrieve a magnifying glass because the maze of streets was rather discombobulating to the eye. When I turned back Sebastian was bent over the table, his firm, round backside appearing all too-tempting. I eyed him lecherously. Ordinarily when I experienced such sinful thoughts about a man shame washed through me and I fought hard to pray the sinful thoughts away. But this fine fellow did not invoke shame in me. On the contrary, I was not ashamed. The fact he had expressed his admiration and returned my interest was still quite extraordinary. I stood admiring the shape of his hips and how his back curved to meet his buttocks, and those long athletic legs. And then, it was as if my interest caused a pulse of electricity to pass between
