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Part 34

Posted on Sunday, 6 August 2000, at 1 : 22 a.m.

Lord Chesney, was strolling in Hyde Park, thinking of the letter he had received from his brother, the Honourable Gilbert Keaton. Gilbert It would seem was having a 'monstrous' good time with friends in Rutland. Chesney had some problems with his younger brother who was fast approaching his majority and while quite the favourite of his doting mama, was quite wild, but wild in a proper sort of way, Chesney wouldn't brook scandals.

Chesney dwelling on the temperament of his younger brother, found himself on Park Lane, staring at Ashbourne House. It wouldn't do any harm to go and call on Lord Ashbourne, be introduced to his wife....not harm at all. Chesney crossed the road.

The idea that Georgiana could be visiting her cousin, I assure you did not cross our noble young man's mind. Not at all. *snort*

Chesney straightened his cravat and was about to mount the stairs, as he noticed a party of young men, heading towards the same set of stairs. Chesney recognised one of them, he was sure he had seen him in the Duke of Whitfield's entourage at the House of Lords.

Consequently the two parties met, Chesney giving a bow and saying "Mr Stapleton?"

The dark-haired young man, looked up with some surprise and said "Lord Chesney?"

The two fell into a brief discussion of politics, until Harry remembered his companions and introduced them. Chesney was not at all interested in Mr Rawdon Stanton, it only occurred to him that he must be Lord Marcross' son However Chesney scrutinised Mr Andrew Fitzwilliam, trying to see any form or shape that would remind him of the angel he had met last night.

He couldn't well not really, apart from the fact they were both blond.

Chesney, followed the party into the house, but parted from them in the hall, the younger men, preferring to visit with Lady Ashbourne.

Chesney was greeted in Lord Ashbourne's study by the sight of Lord Ashbourne, feet on desk, sipping a brandy. Chesney winced a little at this sight, but bowed and followed Ash's waving hand, to a seat.

"Ah....Chesney...how nice of you to drop in, taking some time out of your busy schedule to strengthen a new acquaintance...I'm charmed."

Chesney got the distinct impression that Ash was somehow making fun of him, but he was completely unarmed by his unruffled demeanour. Chesney at once thought of how he despised such concealment, but then his mind turned to his younger days, when he would have no doubt looked up to the sardonic, witty yet completely polite Lord Ashbourne. Sometimes Chesney wondered if it was possibly to become un-jaded, he thought sometimes it would be nice to go back to the time when he was care-free, just like Ash appeared to be. But Chesney deplored the results that over-zealousness in this area could achieve. And Lord Ashbourne, in his opinion was bordering on the outskirts.

Harry had been given a day's respite from his employer, whose exact words shall be recorded for posterity.

"Good God man, STILL working, Go AWAY! You make me feel positively slothful! I shan't be able to enjoy my game of billiards or trip to Waiter's if I know you are still back here working. What is WRONG with you, don't you have any friends??"

Harry hadn't really jumped at the chance, he was still hoping that work would be able to ease the affliction from which he suffered, but finding Grace de Winter's portrait, had meant that Bonnie was never far from his mind. So he had reluctantly thrown himself out of his work and was exceedingly happy when Andrew had shown up at his familiar home (who still didn't realise he had employment, well his father had guessed he isn't a lawyer for nothing, but his mother and sister are remarkably stupid) and had invited him out.

Harry had seen Mr Stanton in passing, but was properly introduced to him, and discovered Rawdon to be an amiable young man though Harry thought he was probably a bit to wild to be associating with Andrew, he had a faint inkling that the friendship was likely to cause trouble. His faint idea, started to take shape when he listened to a long detailed explanation about Lord Brunstien.

"Tried to fleece me at cards, thought he was a devilishly knowing chap, but I'm now convinced he is nothing but a dashed commoner!" cried Rawdon.

"Yes, but the hell that Sir Christian introduced us to, Harry you should come, it's very discreet, and even though Brunstien patronises it, it's a very affable environment." Said Andrew.

The Author would like to point out here, that Sir Christian, did NOT introduce anyone to a gaming hell, he might have let slip the password, but he was high on love at the time and wasn't thinking Full stop. But he will be blamed for it of course.

Harry's "There is about to be trouble" alarm, finely honed due to his little sister and mother, started to activate. However it was at this precise moment that the party met, Lord Chesney. Harry although only briefly made acquainted with Lord Chesney, had picked up some of his reputation and felt that he was a very serious yet charming young man, who would go places in the political sphere, Harry was anxious to help Lord Chesney in this goal if he possibly could. Harry of course did not think of the possibilities that would be open to him, if he followed in Lord Chesney's train.

The party, parted in the hall, and the younger group followed the staid butler up the stairs to the drawing room.

Harry was the last to walk into the drawing room, as the butler announced them, he was a bit surprised that Rawdon was standing stock still, and therefore he had to step around him to walk into the room. But the room's initial occupant did not seem to be aware of the strange reaction of Rawdon.

Kitty was sitting on a couch, looking quite reposed, and positively glowing, she was involved in a hearty argument with Andrew who had crossed the floor quickly and sat beside her. Andrew was trying to explain why, since his removal back to the Dowager Matlock house with his father, he had not come to visit his cousin.

Harry was now becoming a little worried by the glossed over expression that had appeared on Rawdon's face, it was a face of rapt admiration. Harry looked quickly from Rawdon, to the object of his admiration which appeared to be Kitty. Harry's "Trouble" Alarm started to jump up and down in his breast, clamouring to be heard, Harry gulped.

Rawdon Stanton climbed the steps in Ashbourne house, following Andrew. He subconsciously straightened his cravat with nimble fingers, and briefly contemplated what Lady Ashbourne would be like. Andrew hadn't been prolific in his description of any of his relations. Rawdon was acquainted with Lord Ashbourne on sight, no aspiring young gentleman would not know this noted Corinthian/Dandy, but this did not help illuminate what his wife would be like.

Rawdon vaguely suspected she would be somewhat older than himself, probably prettyish and matronly. Rawdon shuddered at the thought of other matronly figures that had been imposed upon him over the years.

But nothing would have prepared Rawdon for the sight he beheld when he followed Andrew into the drawing room, it was if his bones had turned to lead, he physically could not move.

The young lady, the very young lady, that sat on the couch opposite to the door, was the most beautiful lady he had ever beheld. Her face lit up in a smile as Andrew crossed the floor to meet her. Rawdon couldn't breathe, all he could think about was if only that smile was directed at him. Rawdon was infatuated.

He was so infatuated, that his mind did not connect that this was Lady Ashbourne, therefore the wife of Lord Ashbourne. Neither did this love stricken young man, even notice the condition of Lady Ashbourne (the condition she readily called the "beached whale" condition). When he finally moved forward it was if he was in a trance, the only words he could hear were, in his love's lilting dulcet tones; "Oh Andy, introduce me to your friend, you clod-pole, don't just leave him standing there!"

Andrew thought that his friend was making a 'dashed cake of himself'. Andrew had no idea why Rawdon was suddenly sitting on the edge of the sofa in what appeared to be a complete state of attentiveness as Kitty prosed on about some dead bore of an opera that she had been delighted to see with Elizabeth and Darcy some time last century.

Neither did Andrew have any idea why Rawdon suddenly appeared to have an interest in plays, specifically Shakespearean plays. Andrew almost choked when refreshment was brought upon them and Rawdon drank a liberal amount of Ratafia, and drank quite warmly to Kitty's health. Andrew kept trying to gain Harry's attention but Harry was watching the scene with as much Horror as Andrew was, but for an entirely different reason for Andrew's horror.

Lord Ashbourne was having an interesting time talking with Lord Chesney. At some points in the conversation, Chesney would appear to open up and talk quite naturally, but then would close up. At one point Chesney was joking quite as jovially as Ash had seen anyone, about the latest crim-con but then he paused, seem to realise what he was doing and closed off.

Ash was most confused by this man, something he reasoned must have happened in his past to make him this uptight about society and its morals, values and strictures. Ash tried to draw him out because Ash could see that with a bit of levity, Chesney would be quite the sort of man, whose company he enjoyed.

Ash slowly sipped his port and looked deeply at Chesney and something in his brain clicked. It was about to air his thoughts, when a disturbance in the hall, disrupted him.

Ash swung his feet off the desk and cautiously opened the door and peered out. He gave a start.

Mary was standing in the hall, with numerous band-boxes surrounding her. She was flourishing a very fancy parasol, too fancy thought Ash, for someone of Mary's supposed reputation, but then again people change.

"You!" she flourished at the poor under footman. "If THAT man, dares to come here, I'm not in, do you understand me, I'm NOT here, I was never here and he can go to .....to.....to PORTMOUTH. "

The under footman looked lost, and Ash felt incumbent to help him out. Ash strode into the hall.

"Come for a visit Mary?"

"Yes! Now get that bag, you." she flourished at the other footman who had peeped out of the library only almost have his head taken off by a parasol.

"Mind the bag, and if I hear you have let that man into this house I shall have WORDS to say to you."

Ash mused that Mary Wollstonecraft had a lot to answer.

"I believe her ladyship is referring to Sir Christian."

He got for his pains a glare from Mary.

"Don't you have something to do, Horatio...." She said pointedly. Ash looked alarmed and scurried back into his study, muttering something about Bennets and Bedlam.

He found Chesney in the doorway looking rather perplexed and a little perhaps even disdainful.

"My Sister-in-law, come to pay us a little visit." Said Ash, looking at the small Army Mary was amassing to deal with her belongings.

"For how long my lord?" asked Chesney eyeing the luggage.

"Under an hour if I have any say in it. "Muttered Ash, closing the door, Chesney was a little unsure as to whether he heard correctly.

Ash asked Chesney to excuse him for a moment while he dashed off a letter to Sir Christian."

About half an hour later, as Lord Ashbourne was about to see Lord Chesney off the premises, They were standing in the hall exchanging ideas about hunting, when the doors were whipped open and a very stern Sir Christian stalked in.

He had a caped coat with billowed out behind him. Ash's eyebrows went up in astonishment, because it was obvious that his letter had found him at Manton's, Sir Christian hadn't put his pistols away, and was carrying one in either hand.

Ash gave a sideways look at Chesney whose mouth had dropped considerably.

"I want my wife." Growled Sir Christian.

"Don't look at me, I haven't got her! No offence I don't want her!" cried Ash.

Sir Christian narrowly looked at Chesney who visibly paled. Ash realised that Sir Christian was most obviously out of his mind and tried to shield his guest.

"HE hasn't got her either. Now don't tell me you have been stalking the streets carrying those pistols! Lord it will be one of the on-dits of the year! No need to rush over here, she isn't' going anywhere. Now I'll just get....."

Ash looked around, there was a visible lack of servants, they had all run off as soon as they realised that *that man* had entered the hallowed portals and that Lady Montgomery was likely to have their heads.

Suddenly Sir Christian's eyes flew up to the stairs. Ash turned around, Mary was haughtily coming down the stairs, on perceiving Sir Christian she put her nose in the air and stalked into the Blue Saloon. Sir Christian followed her and promptly had the door slammed on his nose.

He wheeled around. "Here hold these." Sir Christian threw the guns at a confused Chesney. Chesney leapt at them and just managed to catch them before they hit the floor.

Sir Christian wrenched the door open and slammed it again.

Ash sniffed and suddenly all hell appeared to break loose.

"Don't you ever LEAVE my house like that again. You are my WIFE."

"That's right I have NO rights I'm just Chattel to you!"

Ash winced and tried to drown out the yelling.

"SO NICE WEATHER WE ARE HAVING!!!."

"CHATTEL! Since when did I treat you like Chattel!"

"You ODIOUS LITTLE MAN."

"ODIOUS....ODIOUS."

"YES ODIOUS, you are nothing but a flirt and a no hoper."

"No hoper! I tell you I have reformed my ways since I met you my girl and what for...!"

"SO THE STATE OF THE ROADS IS RATHER PERPLEXING THIS TIME OF YEAR." Roared Ash at Chesney.

"REFORMED YOUR WAYS!! You are hell bent on SCANDAL. YOU ARE AN ON-DIT ALL ON YOUR OWN."

"ON-DIT SCANDAL, YOUR SISTER RAN AWAY WITH A DEPRAVED GAMESTER!"

"DON'T You throw that back in my face, you ill-principled wretch!"

"Ill-principled! ILL-PRINCIPLED!"
"SO WHO DO YOU FANCY IN THE DERBY CHESNEY!"

"YOU! YOU! YES you are ill-principled, you bring your MISTRESS TO MY HOUSE AND YOU FLAUNT HER..."

"MISTRESSS....FLAUNT...........I Haven't Got a mistress.!"

Ash looked very surprised at the oak panelling and watched Chesney turn red with disgust.

"I THINK THAT KEAN IS A CONSUMATE ACTOR DON"T YOU!"

But Ash realised there was only a murmuring from behind the door and looked quizzically at Chesney.

Then the Murmuring stopped there was dead silence. Which continued for some minutes. Ash was a bit alarmed.

"My lord, perhaps if you were to check .....they may have......committed offences......" stammered the butler who had steeled his nerve to bustle into the war zone.

"What are you talking about!" exclaimed Ash.

"They may have killed one another." Finished the Butler quickly.

Ash gasped and strode to the door followed by Chesney, the Butler and several footmen, who had reluctantly followed their superior.

He flung the door open, their was a group gasp and promptly slammed the door shut and threw his back against it. He looked weakly at the crowd.

"Well they aren't killing each other. ....."

Part 35

Posted on Saturday, 12 August 2000, at 1 : 27 a.m.

Lord Chesney, stalked from Ashbourne House. The impropriety of it all! Well perhaps not entirely improper, I suppose they were married, but in a public place!!!

Lord Chesney raced up the steps of his own abode and found his step-mother in the saloon.

"I received a letter from Gilbert today, my dear mamma."

"Oh, Randolph.....Gilbert never sends me any letters!" mourned the petite and nebulous Lady Chesney.

"Well he is having fun at all events ma'am!" Chesney did not feel obligated to tell his step-mamma that his half-brother was having the sort of fun that would send her into palpitations. Chesney was seriously contemplating posting up to see Gilbert and remonstrate with him about his actions and pursuits.

"Yes and the ball at the Marcherand's was so pleasant was it not. I must own I was never so squashed in all my life! And I must say that we already have our belle of the season in Miss Darcy.."

Chesney suddenly recalled himself to his surroundings at the mention of Miss Darcy.

"Indeed Mamma a very beautiful young lady."

Lady Chesney gave a little titter of laughter. "Yes she seemed to take your fancy my dear! You couldn't do worse for a wife, marrying into the Fitzwilliams!"

"Mamma, I can assure you I shan't marry a girl simply for her connections."

"Oh of course but the Matlock Fitzwilliams, a very old patent....though they have been on everybody's lips.... Several curious on-dits have been floating around about them, but never fear I'm sure Miss Darcy had no part in them."

Chesney's mouth suddenly tightened when he thought of what he had just witnessed at Ashbourne House. Was that the family he was to marry into? Never! He must take Georgiana away from all that nonsense, protect her from her reprehensible family, such loose actions must be deplored by her.

The poor young lady, was currently sitting with her dear Elizabeth, being mercilessly teased about Lord Chesney.

"So handsome my dear!"

"Lizzy!" blushed Georgie as she tried very hard to concentrate on a sampler.

Lizzy smiled and sipped her tea, trying very hard to contain her own news. There was a knock at the door, and both women were very relieved. Neither of them felt that they could sit there for much longer without pouring interesting information into each other's ears.

Jane Bingley resplendent and glowing walked into the room, followed by a shorter, much fatter little sister.
"Here sit down Kitty." patted Lizzy immediately going to her side. Jane sat down on the other side and both sisters gazed lovingly at Kitty's obvious pregnancy.

Kitty's eyes went up as she looked quickly from one sister to another and then to Georgie.

"Oh you aren't!" she groaned looking at her elder sisters. Both Jane and Lizzy turned pink and started to titter happily to each other. Kitty stood and removed to Georgie's cough and started to make retching noises.

"They won't be so happy in a couple of months believe me!" she whispered at Georgie who started to snort, or snirt, in a most unladylike fashion that would have shocked Lord Chesney.

Kitty and Georgie watched the gushing sisters. "Wasn't it so coincidental that they should fall pregnant at the same time. Three grandchildren for Papa!"

Kitty started to roll her eyes. The way Mary is carrying on there is likely to be four.

Georgie's shoulders were shaking so hard that she picked her finger and said a most unladylike word and turned bright pink with mortification.

Everyone turned to look at her in surprise.

"I learnt it off Andrew??" was the only reply she could make.

Anne was not happy. She had given up on Colonel R. Fitzwilliam. Of course she had and there was no use mentioning him for Anne was simply past caring. Of course she was..................Anne Burst into tears. She wasn't over him she was in love with him.

Unfortunately Anne's tears coincided with a morning call from the Dowager Duchess of Whitlfield and the Marchioness of Daerby. Both women looked towards Anne with some surprise and concern. Anne ran out of the room.

She sat looking in the mirror. I'm plain and ugly. She tried pulling her curls over one eye and only succeeded in looking like a pirate. She draped jewellery around her neck, she looked like a cheres-ami . Anne groaned stood up knocking a book to the floor.

Fordyce....ewww. Mary had given it too her some time previously. Perhaps she should go return it. Anne donned a pelisse and a bonnet, wrapped up the book and stalked out of the house. Forgetting about the beautiful gaudy necklace still around her neck.

Colonel R. Fitzwilliam sat in his father's study. It was most uncomfortable, he had of course moved out into lodgings at the beginning of this season, but he was always seen at Matlock house...but now she was here with her mother. What was to be done?

The Colonel was a confirmed bachelor and the idea of marriage terrified him but he couldn't deny he was very......fond of Anne. Yes...fondness not love...he couldn't' be in love with Anne.

Rawdon walked down Bond street in a daze, he had lost his friends sometime previously, who knows where, who cares where. He was drifting along in a cloud, cutting people he had known since he was in leading strings with the air of a young man in love with a pretty face and personality.

Rawdon drifted into a jewellers and beheld something that almost matched his true love's beauty. The most gorgeous of snuff boxes.. He would buy it for her, and send it to her.

Rawdon failed to appreciate the fact that Kitty was unlikely to need or desire a snuff box but what can we say Rawdon is a bit dense.

Part 36

Posted on Tuesday, 15 August 2000, at 12 : 05 a.m.

Anne did not make it to Mary's directly, she even in her lovelorn state had managed to be diverted by a ravishing hat. It was a confection of crimson sarcenet , with wisps of a silver netting veil, above it rose a cluster of stately feathers and Anne was in love.

So although the purchasing of such a hat meant the purchasing of several other trivial items, (dress, reticule, shoes, ribbons etc etc.) Anne managed to make it to Mary's before nightfall.

She was shown into the drawing room and awaited Mary.

Mary practically launched herself at Anne with a shriek.

"I'm so happy - he doesn't have a mistress."

Anne was a little take back by this confidence that she was unable to remember why she had cause to visit Mary and thus was unable to avoid being made privy to the rest of Mary's confidences.

Suddenly Mary looked at Anne a little oddly, "surely that necklace is not for day use?"

Anne looked down and saw to her embarrassment that she had forgotten to take off that dreadful necklace. It was the one she had worn to the Marchester's ball the one comprised of all the dashing stones. Anne choked when she remembered her parading about her select milliners shop in it, Why on earth hadn't she seen it in the mirror?

"Mary will you keep it for me? I accidentally wore it!"

"Why don't you just take it home?"

"I'm - perhaps - going for a little - - stroll - in the park....perhaps...before I go home?" replied Anne hesitantly, because she had not made up her mind yet, not at all due to the idea that she might meet a certain someone in the park.

Mary smiled and held out her hand for the necklace.

"I shall lock it up in the strong box!" she laughed.

Anne finally recalled her reason for visiting Mary and gave her the Fordyce's sermons. Mary looked at it sharply, took it stood up and brushing her hands dropped it into the fire, she gave a triumphant look at Anne, who tried not to laugh.

Kitty was most puzzled. She looked at the snuffbox, a most elegant snuffbox she must admit, costing most probably a pretty penny. Then she drew her attention to the accompanying note well ....... she assumed it was the accompanying note...

My dearest Lady Ashbourne,

Your eyes are like limpid pools of dew,
Your tresses are like spun woven flaxen gathered on a midsummer's eve in Scotland.
They cascade like water does down a mountain.
Your earlobes are like soft pearl drops that fall from the sky that is your complexion.
Your skin is like alabaster - delicate and fine,
And tis so awash with a beauty with which moonlight cannot compare.
Eyes like those of a frightened doe - so gentle unassuming and darling
Fine like crystal, more precious than rubies
This is what you are to me, my sweet,

Your devoted admirer.

P.S Enclosed is a token of my affection

Kitty had never received such utterings before, her first thought was that Ash was out of his senses. The writing did not precisely remind her of Ash's but it was in places similar....sort of. Had Ash deliberately disguised his handwriting? Then her face began to darken, some hideous joke, to send her a snuffbox, then make fun of her with some ridiculous phrases. Kitty began to just see Ash chuckling over this amusing joke for weeks. She started to breathe very heavily and started to feel very angry. It was hardly her fault she was not attractive (beached whale) but to give her a snuffbox along side those paltry verses. Kitty could not countenance it!

The door opened and Ash, in a rather jovial mood, walked in followed by Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam. Ash ducked at just the right time, the snuffbox hit the wall beside the door. Ash straightened up in some confusion.

"How could you! You wretch!" shrieked Kitty running out of the room in tears.

Ash stood stock still trying to desperately remember if he had forgotten an important event.

"Oh I say Ash this is a fine snuffbox, I do hope Kitty didn't injure it too much. " said Darcy complacently. (he was an newly expecting father, his emotions could not be dampened................not by anything in fact he was chucking a Bingley. And Bingley....well if you thought he acted like he was on some mind-altering drugs before.....you just wait til the happy-expecting father version of Bingley arrives....he has enough happiness in him to kill a platoon of infantry! )

"I hardly think that is the point Darce!" said Ash stiffly. Col. F had walked over to the table and had picked up the dropped paper and was now stifling laughs.

"Good God Ash, what complete and utter dross and you accompanied it with a snuffbox. Good God you are a fool!"

Ash strode over and plucked the letter from his brothers hand, who was alarmed to see his brows draw together and his face darken. Ash's deceptively sleek and pale hand crushed the paper resolutely in his fist.

"If you will excuse me." he said coldly and strode out of the room and up the stairs.

Kitty was crying on a sofa. Ash went to sit next to her and enveloped her in a embrace that she tried to pull out of.

"That snuffbox wasn't meant for you, my pet. The silly messenger must have got it all mixed up. There was a simply ravishing little necklace that I know my little darling is going to love." Kitty mumbled something into Ash's coat.

"No I'm not lying ......i must go track it down somehow because it was awfully expensive and I'm sure I bought it....or perhaps I got a bit distracted by the snuffbox.." Ash added as a tinge of guilt attacked him.

" And I am rather hurt that you didn't like my hand at poetry."

Kitty put a tearstained face up at him and gave a sudden giggle. "You couldn't possibly have written that!"

"No.... I - er - had some help I must admit that."

"I'm so silly aren't I?" Kitty sniffled.

"No simply; adorable. Now have a nice lie down." Kitty lay back on the sofa and a rug was procured for her and she proceeded to fall asleep. She clasped one hand of Ash's as she closed her eyes. She was not privy to the hardening of Ash's eyes or the stern look that was most unusually seen about the face of the normally jovial Lord Ashbourne.

Once Ash was sure that Kitty was sound asleep he gave her fingers a little kiss and stormed out of the room. He could hear laughing in the drawing room and saw Darcy and Col F pouring over the letter.

"Complete piffle! What were you drinking Ash?" laughed Darcy. Looking alarmed as Ash snatched it from him and stuffed it in an inner pocket.

"I did not write that." He said, before leaving the room. Darcy and the Colonel looked at each other, shocked before following.

They were in time to see Ash practically grab his coat, cane and hat off the butler and slam the door.

Harry was in Whites, his employer had made him a member, and he was enjoying the time writing some correspondence, while waiting for his Grace.

Something was slammed upon his desk. Harry looked up into the smouldering eyes of Lord Ashbourne and felt rather uneasy.

"Have the kindness to explain that to me" he said coldly arching one perfect eyebrow.

Harry looked at the paper and inwardly groaned, he could of course not be sure of the handwriting or the style but he had a fair guess of who wrote it.

"I did not write it my lord." Harry said stiffly.

Ash sat down quickly beside him sighing. "I did not say that - I did not mean that."

"I know you didn't my lord - Ash." Said Harry kindly.

"But you know who did don't you?"

"Yes - I believe I do...you perhaps wish to speak to Mr Stanton. Though my lord, when you have perhaps gained some of your usual calm demeanour back? It is nothing but a silly trifle you must know that!."

"You think I don't know that - but it is mortifying to my wife - will be mortifying to my wife...to that little jackanapes ....indeed everyone - if he does not curb himself."

"I understand, perhaps in the interests of pacifism I should speak to Rawdon."

"That would be wise." Said Ash with a sudden tightening of his mouth.

Ash got up to leave, pocketing the incriminating letter. Harry decided to follow him, he wondered if he should mention that he had spoken to his Grace about the situation. Of course Harry had not mentioned any names, just that he found himself in the situation where a friend had become enamoured of the wife of another friend, His Grace however was not a simpleton, and after he ascertained it was not Sophy Harry was talking about, he had had a shrewd idea who Harry meant.

Harry was alarmed when he reached the street, Ash looked as though he was about to go left when Harry espied Rawdon and Andrew walking from the left.

Harry did not think Ash was quite over his understandable but startling bout of anger. Harry suddenly raced over and grasped Ash's arm.

"Look sir, a European swallow, up there cannot you see!" Harry appropriated Ash's cane and waved indistinctly up in the air.

Ash peered up into the air. "What are you talking of? European swallows? Do you even know what a European swallow looks like?"

"Do you!" exclaimed Harry with dismay. "I mean Do you?? How wonderful! Then you will be delighted to know there may be one alighted on that roof."

Ash showed alarming sides of trying to detach himself from Harry's grasp, when Harry saw the Duke of Whitfield, consternation in his eyes crossing the street . Harry gave a very overdramatic gasp and wildly said, "A Flock of migrating sea pigeons"!

"Sea Pigeons!" exploded Ash looking to his right.

The Duke of Whitfield hissed into Harry's ear. "What are you doing??"

With a move worthy of Fagin, Harry pickpocketed the note and briefly flashed it in front of the Duke's eyes. The Duke suddenly took note of Rawdon's imminent presence and grasped Ash's other arm.

Between the two of them they bore him off down the street away from Rawdon.

"Look at that prime example of a yellow-breasted ----"

"Horsetail ---

"ER - bird.

"A yellow-breasted horsetail bird? What Rot are you talking about?"

"No your Grace I fear you have not seen the European swallow!"

"African or Asian?"

"Oh African!"

"An African European Swallow? What dribble! You can't have something that is African European!"

"The Migratory pattern's of the Swallow are most worthy of research Ash, I daresay you should!"

"Look it is a hornbill, blue tipped ---

"Copper winged..

"Elephant bird??" supplied Ash.

"Elephant bird." Chorused Harry and the Duke.

"No not elephant bird.." said Harry quickly.

"You two are the most stupid men I have ever met, making complete cakes of yourselves, you needn't have bothered, I saw Rawdon back there. Now if you would remove your grubby little hands from my coat I would be most obliged!"

Both men released Ash and started to glare at him. Ash reclaimed his cane and started to stroll down the street, shaking his head. Really to go to such lengths to hide a calf-love struck youth from him? No Ash was not going to be violent, he might make Rawdon pay a little for his stupidity, but Ash was sure he could defuse this situation, now that he had a grasp on his temper. Suddenly he spun took off his hat and bowed to the gentlemen.

"I really think it was a Asian European Swallow, you know they always head East for the winter."

{Part 37

Posted on Saturday, 2 September 2000, at 6 : 49 a.m.

Lord Chesney, stalked down a street. He was stalking due to his natural stiff exterior, but inside he was elevated. He had just seen her again, a beautiful angel sent from heaven. He just knew he had to talk to her again, it could not be possible that she didn't feel the same, he had seen it in his eyes, he was sure of it. But he wanted to know for sure. He wanted to know whether his suspicions were unfounded, he wanted to know if he had found the lady with whom he could spend the rest of his life. He wanted to know whether she was untainted from the decay and decadence of the ton and her family.

It was nearing eleven at night and he in his thoughts, turned up a wrong street, a street that contained several houses with less then blemish-free reputations. A lady reaching her mid-fifties but not quite upon them, walked slowly and purposely down the steps of a house of ill-repute. She noted the young man walking with his heads in the clouds and raised her eyebrows. She stepped into his path and with a puzzled yet confident, demure yet bold, a beautiful yet intelligence expression in her face, she looked up at him as Lord Chesney was a fraction taller then her. Not withstanding her age she was still a very striking woman. She was quite obviously a "Madam" or an "Abbess."

Lord Chesney did not notice his path had been obstructed until he was almost upon the woman. He almost stepped into her, looked down and hurriedly retreated several paces.

"Come to see me, have you my dear Randolph." The woman said archly holding out her hand.

Chesney visibly paled and said with some resemblance of composure.

"Mrs-"

"Comtese Italia Celbrio. That is the name I hope you will remember from now on, I am no longer a simple Mrs Galbraith. I did toy with the idea of using Fredingham, but that sounds so English, and I do not wish to sound English." The Comtese gave a little laugh.

"What - What - Are you doing in England?" Stuttered Chesney, feeling a rage and a frightening sense of powerlessness wash over him.

"Shouldn't I be in England? My bankers are English, one would assume I would be here to collect money."

"Money..........I....."

"Oh not from YOU, well at least not quite yet, I have this house here you see." The Comtese gestured towards the house, in the window of which Chesney could see some scantily clad, bold women leering from. He gulped.

"You should go back to Italy, or Brussels, or France.!"

"The Continent! There IS a war on you know!" she laughed mockingly.

"I DO know that."

"Yes of course it was on leave that you met me wasn't it, my dear little Randolph. Do you rue the day you ever ran into me?"

Chesney's eyes narrowed. "You - Madam" he spat "Belong in the gutter!"

Chesney sketched a hasty bow to the Comtese and brushed past her, she grasped his arm and looked up into his eyes and said "We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.* You should look at the stars my dear Randolph, haven't I taught you that much at least." She looked into his cold impassive face, with a slight plea in her older countenance.

Chesney broke free from her hold and tried to walk up the street, but something arrested him and he wheeled around to look at the beautiful older woman.

"What do you want from me?"

"Well...it would be too much to ask you to come to my little establishment wouldn't it?" She saw the look of disgust, "There I knew that! My dear Randolph you must know that I could, would and never shall want anything from you."

"That Madam is a lie and you know that!"

"Perhaps it is, and perhaps it isn't. all I know is that at the present I want nothing from you. If I do in the future, I trust you still have the same address?" she said with an arch smile.

Lord Chesney, a much more scared and repulsed young man, stalked away.

He heard her call after him.

"No man is rich enough to buy back his past *, Randolph, you just remember that won't you!"

*Oscar Wilde...I know it is too early, just think the Comtese is before her time..

The party was in full swing, well technically it was not a party per say... more of a soiree. Georgiana looked desperately around for Lord Chesney and was aware of a sinking feeling in her chest when she could not see him. Georgie looked over at Kitty, deep in conversation with Mr Rawdon Stanton, and then over at Anne in the middle of a cluster of Men, quite flirting her head off. She noted that the Colonel had a disapproving frown on his face whenever he turned in Anne's direction. He had, around him a gaggle of simpering females who he loudly flirted with whenever Anne would happen to look up. Georgie smiled at this exchange she turned her head to see who else she could talk to when she noticed a heavyset glare on the face of normally one of her more amiable relatives. Ash did not appear to be having a good time. She watched his gaze, he was looking at Kitty, who appeared to be quite animatedly discussing some new music with Mr Stanton. Georgie was not quite sure what there was to glare over but she felt a small chill, especially when she saw Kitty playfully swat Mr Stanton's arm and Ash visibly flinch.

Georgie shook her head and tried to give her thoughts a proper direction. Instead she saw Harry. Harry was staring across the room at Bonnie, Bonnie had come to the party as was sitting quietly by The Duchess of Whitfield - no Sophy corrected Georgie remembering that she must always remember that she needn't be in awe of the Duchess. Georgie almost sighed as she saw the look in Harry's eyes. Why was everyone so oppressed at this party?

Even Lady Catherine didn't look her normal buoyant, bossy self, she had her eyes narrowed between her daughter and The Colonel. There was however one person at this party, why he had been invited no body quite knew, but he was not being oppressed or glaring at anyone. Indeed he had quite a self-satisfied smirk on his face. Georgie turned her head away from him, Lord Brunstein was most definitely not someone one spoke to. Well at least if she didn't want dear William over by her side before she had a chance to draw her next breath. Georgie couldn't help give a quick look over her shoulder at him, he was looking at Andrew who was playing piquet with a man Georgie didn't know. Lord Brunstien was, no he couldn't be, he was chuckling to himself. What kind of man chuckles to himself at a party? Georgie was a little disturbed and had a very distinct impression that Lord Brunstien had something brewing, some form of trouble.

Georgie sighed and walked over to a window - Where was Chesney?? This party was so dull without him. Lost in her thoughts of perfection, Georgiana promptly forgot about all that was occurring between various people behind her in the party.

Chesney was not that far away, geographically but mentally Georgiana was the furthest from his mind. Chesney took his stairs three at a time, not even thinking that he may have woken his step-mamma.

Chesney surprised his Valet who was waiting up for him, by diving into his wardrobe and unearthing some boxes and with some short words Chesney dismissed his valet who was quite disappointed to have to leave.

Chesney kept things in triplicate and was meticulous in his files and documents. He had gone through his father's documents with a fine tooth comb on his death and his own had always been in pristine order.

However Chesney was currently rifling through them with no regard for the order of them. He finally found what he was looking for and started muttering.

"Oh God Oh God Oh God. Not now! " Chesney sat down and scanned the paper. He threw them down on the desk and drew out a package of letters from the box and looked at them, perfectly tied up in a red ribbon. Chesney sank his head onto the table.

This was such a mess. Why couldn't she have just stayed away. She wants her money, you know that is what she wants...Why should you give it to her??...What could she really do to you...She could ruin you...Many people know the story...Not really, perhaps a few people may remember vaguely but you weren't an aspiring politician then...Georgiana. No this has nothing to do with her...it will have nothing to do with her, she is an angel....Madame Comtese is...not an angel.

Chesney drew his head up and put his chin on his hand. No this situation will be settled now, and no scandal will occur....at least my family knows how to keep an on-dit under control.

Chesney put lay his head on his hands and thought of a beautiful blonde who was probably either asleep or enjoying herself immensely at the hands of many squires and suitors.

The next morning was a bright and cheerful one, the party although continuing on somewhat into the night, had not been a very active one and Ash had got up early to go out and shoot something.

Kitty smiled at that, though she had noticed that Ash had been a bit silent on the carriage trip home and hoped that he was not upset about the throwing of the snuff-box. Kitty felt a little silly about that, and still felt slightly uncomfortable, like there was something she was missing out on.

Kitty had a leisurely breakfast and was expecting nobody therefore she was surprised when the door opened to admit a footman holding a bouquet of flowers.

"For me Francis?" smiled Kitty jokingly, "You shouldn't have."

"No my lady" replied Francis indulgently, as he quite adored her, in a fatherly way of course. " These arrived with simply with the direction 'My dearest, sweetest, loveliest, beautifulest, darlingest, kindest, angel.' "

Kitty smiled and reached for the bouquet and sneezed. Chrysanthemums? Ash knew they always made her sneeze! Kitty hurried called Francis back to put the flowers in a vase somewhere out of her way.

Kitty dried her sniffling nose and runny eyes and gave the matter a bit of thought. Why did he send her flowers he KNEW disagreed with her? Kitty could not understand it at all.

Sometime later, another present arrived, it was delivered to Kitty in the drawing room, where Kitty had spent the better part of the morning, being at home to morning callers.

It was the most gaudy necklace Kitty had ever seen, it vaguely reminded her of something Mr Wassop would wear..........Kitty knitted her brow. Perhaps he remembered that Chrysanthemums make me sneeze and sent this to make up for it? But it was so tasteless!

The knocker sounded and Kitty had no more time for reflection. However while she greeted visitors the problem still worried her and it was only exacerbated by the fact that a very improper novel arrived at the house a short time after.

Rawdon was heartily bored. He had had the most fantastic time at the soirée last night and only solitude for Kitty's health stopped him from racing around to Park Lane today. She of course was a delicate flower and needed her rest after such a fun enjoyable night. This however did not stop him from sending some gifts over to her place, some flowers, a necklace and finally a romance novel.

Rawdon suddenly espied Harry and increased his pace to outstrip him. Rawdon then turned around and stopped Harry in his path.

"Harry!"

"Rawdon! I have been meaning to speak to you." Said Harry uncomfortably.

"Really? What about?" Rawdon was a bit surprised and put off by Harry's grave tone.

"Well....do not take offence...but it is about Lady Ashbourne."

"Kitty?" sighed Rawdon, "She is an angel, Harry an absolute Angel. She will have me you know...I can feel it."

Harry was a little dumb-struck by this confession and gave a little cough.

"But Rawdon, she is married..."

"So what? She doesn't love him...I can tell these things."

"But you can't keep making your feelings obvious! Indeed you must stop these improper feelings!"

"Improper feelings! Love is not improper. She is an angel and she will have me! We shall be happy always..."

"Rawdon...she cannot have given you room to hope...."

"Of course she has! " Rawdon cried, then he saw a party of young men, further up the road. "Must dash, I will see you later Harry."

Harry watched him go feeling very alarmed. No I think Alarmed is too mild a phrase for his thoughts....worried doesn't really encompass it either. Harry was feeling quite...quite...Blergh.

Georgiana tried desperately to lift her eyes from the ground.

"Miss Darcy, I am most sorry that I did not attend the party last night, I was sorry to lose your enlivening companionship." Chesney felt his heart leap at her confusion when he saw her, he was sure now, so, so sure that she felt the same way. He knew she was untainted, that he could spend the rest of his life with her, just by seeing her....and those lovely eyes that were fastened on the path. Thus he dared to make his feelings more obvious.

Georgie's eyes flew up and met Chesney's she felt an overwhelming desire to cast herself into his arms, instead she bit her lip.

"Thank you my lord, for such pretty flattery, I do not think however that is completely the truth."

"No it wasn't. I was devastated."

Georgie looked up at him again. She knew he was telling the truth , she could see it in his eyes. She blushed and felt giddy. She had Never felt like this about Wickham...this had to be the real thing.

Lord Chesney silently held out his arm to her and they progressed along the path in the park.

They were not however completely alone....Darcy stalked behind them. A scowl plastered across his face. He was feeling like Ash....like he wanted to shoot something.

His little sister was not being made up to by this....This...damn, this thoroughly respectable eligible, obviously besotted young man. Yet Darcy could feel disapproval emanating from Chesney, perhaps he is too respectable...thought Darcy.

He scowled some more, you couldn't refuse the banns, because the suitor was too respectable...he continued to stalk. Why did Lizzy choose THIS weekend to go away with Jane, Anne and Aunt Harriet to visit some perfectly dull and respectable distant relation.

Bingley felt somewhat deflate. He was the happiest dog alive really! He was going to be a father. But waving his wife off this morning was hard, Darcy had felt the pain also, but Bingley needed something to do to keep his mind off his wife. He had bounced around the clubs for some time, before Lord Matlock had threatened to tie him down to something. Then he had bounced his way down to Mantons, found Ash shooting things...so he bounced away and ran into Richard.

Richard smiled at Bingley.

"It's hard when your wife is away isn't it? I still miss Grace, though her departure is a little more permanent! Can I suggest you come with Edwin, His Grace and I we are going to some auctions. I once picked up some very fine burgundy at an action in Prague once. It's always worth a visit."

Bingley bounced happily, Richard took this as a positive answer and pulled Bingley into a hackney.

Mary looked slightly shocked. Then she started to laugh. The portly little doctor took this as a sign that his client was happy with his news and politely said he supposed he would be going to speak to Sir Christian.

"Oh no you don't" cried Mary. "Stop right there! Now I know 'of one flesh' and all that, but contrary to popular and legal opinion I do have a mouth...do you see this mouth? The Doctor looked as though he was not sure whether he should answer that or not.

"Well I have, I have a mouth and quite coincidentally I also have a brain attached and I shall tell Sir Christian. Now off you go!"

The Doctor sidled out of the room and tiptoed his way to the door. He wasn't sure why he tiptoed...it just felt necessary.

Mary looked slowly into the mirror and felt content. Would Sir Christian feel content? They had had a lot of trouble recently, perhaps he would just regard this as some more trouble. Mary sighed and sat down distracted. Perhaps I shouldn't tell him she thought, well at least not just yet.

Mary gave a little giggle...Kitty will have a fit...now all we need is Lydia to complete the set.

Chapter 38

Posted on Wednesday, 6 September 2000

Ash paced up and down the floor in his study. This didn't seem quite enough, so Ash picked up his Malacca cane and started to swish it. Last night had not been pleasant. Ash had managed to avoid actually saying he had sent the gifts, but he hoped he left Kitty with the impression he had.

Perhaps he should really tell her what was going on. But she is so trusting...but she isn't that trusting. Ash desperately wanted to protect Kitty from the stupidity of Rawdon's infatuation but then again he didn't want to keep things from her. He could in all conscience call Rawdon out, but he didn't want to put a bullet in the boy! He could remember the times he had suffered from a case of calf-love!!

Ash swished the cane wildly and thought that he might go see Darcy today and then he would come home and he would explain to Kitty what was going on and together they would decide on a course of action.

Why was he feeling like he didn't want to tell her? He didn't want to upset her? Embarrass her? Ash couldn't put his finger on the exact reason he wanted Kitty to stay in ignorance of the fact that some other man found her attractive.

Ash swept up his hat and jammed on top of his head and strode out of the house. His servants quietly noted the fact that Ash had not taken his customary brief look in the mirror before departing. His older butler had even noted the fact that Ash had simply jammed on his hat without setting it at his usual jaunty angle.

There was an uneasy feeling flowing through the servants at the Ashbourne household.

Kitty lay reclining on her chaise in her chambers feeling not quite tired but she had been forced to rest by an over zealous Mrs. Robert and a caring Susan.

Kitty rifled through the correspondence, looking at the various letters and notes that had come for her, she found one that was dramatically scented and looked at it. It obviously had a woman's writing on the front and was not addressed to her. She frowned when she saw the flowing words "Lord Ashbourne" on the front. Kitty tried to work out whose the handwriting was and couldn't place it at all, she went to open the letter then realised it wasn't addressed to her so she really shouldn't.

Kitty reluctantly put it back on the tray but the sickly aroma wouldn't let her think about anything else. Ash had been acting so odd lately, he wouldn't talk at all about the party and when she had asked him why he sent her such odd gifts and he had practically ran away.

Kitty mulled over this for some time and tried to remember the last time he had actually said "I love you." Kitty couldn't remember, this surely was a bad sign.

Kitty felt her eyes mist up, she was so ugly and fat no wonder he doesn't love me anymore. Kitty shook her head.

"Stop it you are being stupid, you don't need to be told every two seconds that he loves you, you haven't said it to him for a while either!"

Kitty tried to focus on the rest of the correspondence but she couldn't think straight. Why was he acting so funny? Why...couldn't he talk to me...doesn't he want to talk to me??

The door to her chambers opened, Kitty looked hopefully up, it was Susan, Kitty felt a little depressed but she tried to smile.

"My Lady...these chocolates came for you."

Kitty held out her hand for them and looked at the note.

"My Darling Kitty...You are my sun, my moon, my stars, everything you are, I everything I can only hope to be."

Kitty smiled and then frowned. My darling...my pet...adorable. Those were the kind of words Ash had used around her...now look at these words they were so more...devoted. She hadn't quite pictured Ash as the showy-devoted type.

Kitty looked at the note and the chocolates, expensive trifles, then she thought of the book and the necklace and the flowers and the snuffbox. Kitty thought they were all very odd gifts, and they were accompanied by the floweriest silliest prose. Very Un-Ash like.

But then again, was it just her or did all of the romantic, things Ash had said to her recently sound so trite and rehearsed? Like you could say them to anyone and not mean a single word. Kitty crumpled up the note in her hand. For Ash to be so distant and...and... Kitty gave up thinking of some word to describe her feelings at the present moment. Then to be so flowery and doltish in these little notes that he sent her.

Kitty felt very flustered, she just couldn't understand. Then she looked at the flowery scented note addressed to Ash and felt confused very, very confused.

Andrew was experiencing the elation of arising a winner from a gambling table. He knew that he could not continue to throw out the entire night. His luck had turned and he had won a considerable amount of money.

However, Andrew had been sorry that Rawdon had not been with him. He knew that Rawdon would have shared in his luck, if he hadn't have been at that silly party.

Andrew had no idea what had come over Rawdon....Andrew thought that Kitty was a very fine cousin, but he did not understand why anyone would think her eyes were like firelight, or that her voice was like a lilting harp. Andrew was not even sure harps did lilt.

Andrew suddenly saw Rawdon sitting at a writing desk, hunched over writing furiously. Andrew sat beside him and got no reaction.

"Rawdy??"

Rawdon suddenly jumped. "Don't do that to me Andrew!"

"Well what are you doing?"

Rawdon's eyes went dreamy. "I'm writing to Kitty. We are going to run away together."

"You're WHAT?" Andrew's eyes almost bulged out of his sockets as he hissed at Rawdon.

"Yes I'm writing a letter to her about it."

"You can't ask a woman to run away with you in a letter." Said Andrew feeling like he had stumbled into an alternative universe.

"You think I should visit her? Yes I will thank you Andrew!" Rawdon jumped up and strode away leaving piles of incriminating evidence behind him. Andrew looked alarmed and made to follow him and then realised he couldn't leave all the paper. He tried to collect it all and consign it to the fire. He tried not to read them but bits leapt out of the letters and emblazoned themselves in Andrew's memory. These bits were highly scandalous and highly improper and even shocked Andrew.

Andrew dumped the lot in the fire and felt, quite unusually for Andrew who as we all know is still just a young man, that Rawdon was getting himself into deep water and perhaps he needed or would need help to extricate himself from the mess. Although Andrew was not under any circumstances going to take Ash on....that would be suicide. Andrew was however smart enough to realise that there was no swaying Rawdon from his objective, the letters had proved that to him. It was obvious that Rawdon was going to speak to Kitty in some medium, whether it be by face or letter. Andrew stood there thinking of the possibilities until he realised that it was most odd to just stand in the club, so he went to clear his head at the gaming tables.

Harry was looking at the books, trying his best not to think. Thinking was when he started to get in to some difficulties. Harry tried not to think about the way Bonnie was behaving towards him; like he was some lower class of creature that needed to be kicked and patronised. Harry also tried not to think about what Rawdon had said to him:

"Rawdon...she cannot have given you room to hope...."

"Of course she has! "

Harry tried desperately to focus on the books in front of him. Everything was a mess. Why did everything have to be one giant mess??

"Why did everything have to be one giant mess??" exhaled Harry.

"I don't know, law of nature?"

Harry spun around and saw Lord Ashbourne, not looking particularly sprightly and looking like he had had the grand total of about zero hours sleep.

"Yes must be." said Harry quietly as he leant on the back of a chair.

"Do you have something to tell me Harry?" Asked Ash quietly.

"Nothing you would want to hear." Replied Harry equally quietly.

"Thank you."

With that Harry was alone in the room and alone with his thoughts. Harry sat down. Work; it always seemed to soothe his feelings. Harry left the club and decided to throw himself back into some work, the Duke's papers were still a complete shambles in places.

Rawdon looked at the beautiful baby's breath intermingled amongst ice roses and smiled. Today was going to be the happiest day of his life.

Sir Christian was a very happy man. He was actually happier then he could ever remember being. (and Mary hasn't even told him about the *happy* event yet!) He walked with a spring in his step. Though he was not as bouncy as Bingley!

Sir Christian wandered into one of the clubs that was lucky enough to have him as a member and was immediately accosted by two old friends.

Frank Norstrom and Sir John Halstead, hailed him and demanded to know whether "the old married man" had been let out of the house.

"Old married man! I'm not an OLD married Man!" Laughed Sir Christian, "Where ever did you get that phrase from."

"Oh this tedious clergyman, with a bracket-faced baggage as a wife keeps saying it."

"New in town?"

"Oh yes, I tell you, you are lucky that you have not had to put up with some of the encroaching mushrooms that have found their way into the ton. My Caro Sposo, Indeed!"

"My Caro Sposo??" Sir Christian felt bewildered.

"You have been out of the loop too long my dear boy! That is what the baggage calls the bore! "Sir John took Sir Christian my one arm and lead him towards a seat.

The Three Gentleman sat down and Sir John and Frank filled Sir Christian in on all the ton news. It was a most informative afternoon for Sir Christian. Sir Christian only felt slightly apprehensive as he realised that Andrew had not risen from a nearby table for the entire time that he was talking to his old friends. No Sir Christian was not happy about that at all.

Brunstien loomed in the background of the room, watching both Andrew playing deep9(and in the afternoon too!) and Sir Christian looking apprehensive. Brunstien drunk his port quickly.

Brunstein was quite a young man, he was 28, he did not look 28, although his style of living could be said to be quite 'fast and hard' it had not taken its toll on the outside - the inside was another matter.

His father, Gillespie, had died when Brunstien was less than 2 months old. He had died in the hunting field - he had always been a neck or nothing kind of man, and at least that trait he had passed on to his son. His mother - well the less said about his mother the better. Suffice to say she was no longer around. Thus Brunstien had been commended to the care of trustees and guardians, none of whom had shown any affection for the young lord. The only thing he had been taught was not to waste his own money. Something Brunstien never did, Brunstien got other people's money and wasted that instead. This was something Brunstien found he was good at.

Brunstien enjoyed destroying things, perhaps it was some left over hate, that he had never been loved, so he tried to destroy love between other people, or tried to destroy anything that looked like it was successful.

Brunstien wasn't quite sure what it was that ticked him off about Andrew and Rawdon, but something grated with him, perhaps it was the easy friendship and camaraderie. He had been friends with Rawdon, until Andrew had stepped into the picture.

Brunstien was carrying an awful lot of emotional baggage around with him, and he could not believe his luck as he saw both Rawdon and Andrew get dragged into respectively activities he knew they could not handle. Brunstien did not even think he would even have to actively plot against them, they would screw up their own lives by themselves.

Brunstien smiled wickedly and refilled his glass.

Darcy was a little surprised when Ash showed up at his town house, but he didn't show it and let him in.

"I suppose you know why I came?" Ash looked pathetic.

"You are pathetic - why don't you just tell her, or shoot him"

"Shoot him??"

"Well you have two options...well you have several options in fact. You can tell her, you can shoot him or you could create a disturbance to distract everybody!"

"A disturbance?"

"Yes like start a war."

"There is already a war going on Darce."

"Start another one!"

"Where??"

"Shropshire."

"Shropshire???"

"Nothing interesting ever happens there!"

"Darcy shut up and get me a drink!"

Several Drinks later.

"You know...therash - wasz that....that...you...know...thatsh Widow you were nutty on."

"Hey Azzzzzzzzh I rememmmmmber there wasx the widoze you were madz about toosh."

Several Hours later.

"My head."

"Shut up - speak quietly."

"Sorry Darce so you think I should tell her?"

"Yes I mean it's just calf-love nothing different from that widow or the other widow that you and I had tendres for...what were their names??"

"I can't remember!"

"See that is how Rawdon will be in a couple of years, won't even be able to remember her name!"

Ash stood up, reeling slightly.

"Yes, that is what I will do, I will go and talk to her and everything will be fine!"

Kitty smiled as Rawdon entered. She was perplexed by the flowers though. But she put them in a vase and motioned for Rawdon to come and sit by her.

"Rawdon, I trust you enjoyed the party??"

"Of course - how could I not." Rawdon looked at her.

Kitty was suddenly aware of her hand being clasped by Rawdon, it was an unusual sensation.

"Rawdon?" Kitty looked pointedly at her hand and then back at him.

"Too public?"

"Too Public??? What are you talking of?"

"For us..."

"For us??"

"Yes Kitty, you know I'm your devoted, admirer, I love you. I loved you from the first moment I saw you and everything about you is beautiful. You talk beautifully, you are kind to everyone, you put up with the greatest burdens -"

"The greatest burdens??" Kitty swallowed slightly confused.

"Yes that dreadful prozy old bore - Mr. Elton he is supposed to be so young but he is so, so dreadfully boring and you calmly and serenely dealt with him and all those boring fellows that assail you. You are the essence of grace ..."

"Essence of grace??" Kitty felt somewhat overwhelmed by Rawdon, it was starting to dawn upon her that it must have been Rawdon sending those gifts -the why did Ash lie... Kitty could think of it no more because her attention was drawn back to the events unfolding on the couch. Rawdon had moved his hands around her waist.

"Rawdon...Mr. Stanton...please.." Kitty was wondering whether she would have to slap him, but for some unaccountable reason she didn't want to slap him. It was vaguely nice to have someone utter all those words with such devotion.

"My darling, beautiful innocent flower. I love you. I love you ---"

Those words...Kitty looked directly into Rawdon's eyes, he meant it, he actually meant those words. It was incomprehensible to Kitty that he could mean them after such a short space of time, but he seemed to really mean them.

Then Rawdon kissed her, quite passionately. He broke away, leaving Kitty absolutely breathless and without any real mental power. She tried to grasp what was going on, but the only message getting through to her brain was the ardency and attachment of the man sitting on the couch next to her. Her lips opened to say something, but the words never came out, and quite unconsciously her face tilted upwards. It was invitation enough for Rawdon.

Kitty was desperately trying to think, the kiss was so...so different...what was going on? Was Rawdon sending all those gifts? Why did Ash claim he send them? Who was that scented letter from?

Suddenly Rawdon breathed into her ear.

"Lets Run away together."

This was the jolt that brought Kitty back to reality, her mental capacity returned suddenly and with a very heavy thud.

"What? No...I'm sorry...we...I shouldn't...have...no..." Kitty sprang away from his embrace and held him at arms length.

"That was a mistake...a huge mistake...I am very --- flattered, I think, that would be so kind as to...but I didn't realise ...what have I done??"

Kitty turned such a distressed and anxious face, that it was like a cold bucket of water was thrown on Rawdon. She didn't love him, she had no idea...she was not in love with him...she never would be.

Rawdon stood up quickly and felt a wash of shame flow through him, he had surprised her and it was all his fault.

Suddenly he ran his hands through his hair.

"I'm so sorry..."

But Kitty didn't' appear to be listening, her face had drained of all colour.

He knelt before her. "Kitty listen to me, I'm not going to tell anybody, I'll always stand your friend you know that?? I'm sorry...I shouldn't have..."

But if what Rawdon said made any sort of impression upon Kitty, there was no outward appearance of it.

Rawdon found himself outside wandering in Hyde Park.

What had he done...Oh God...a fool would have been able to see that she....wasn't...didn't.

A critic at this point would have piped up and said but she kissed you, Rawdon could have dismissed this easily, he was there, the kissing was all coming from his side, but somehow he didn't think that was going to really make Kitty feel any better...or Lord Ashbourne come to think of it.

Oh God....

Rawdon...wandered, alternatively despising and pitying himself.

Kitty just sat there for hours. She couldn't cry she was so much in shock and too confused.

She had been angry, she had thrown the vase across the room. Now there was only a dull thudding feeling in her chest.

Kitty sat quietly in the chair in Ash's room waiting till Ash got home. She had dismissed all the servants after dinner, telling them to have an early night.

Ash walked through the door looking happier than Kitty had seen him in a little while. This just made it all that much worse.

"You lied to me." She said looking up at him from her chair.

"About what?" Ash slowly put down his cane and hat, looking apprehensively towards her.

"Those gifts."

"Them - I don't think I technically lied..." Ash broke off and twisted his signet ring.

"Yes I suppose I did sort of do that...I'm sorry."

Kitty felt even worse at that and turned her head away.

Ash appeared crouching by the side of the chair.

"Who told you?"

"Rawdon."

"Rawdon? He told you? God I didn't think it was that serious! I should have told you."

"Yes you should have."

"Well I'm sorry you had to deal with that." Ash put his hand over hers. "But the only proper recourse was to put a bullet through him and I'm afraid I haven't the stomach."

Kitty breathed in and looked Ash directly in the eye.

"He wanted me to run away with him."

"Of all the silly starts -" Kitty broke him off.

"He kissed me ...and I didn't really resist...twice."

Kitty felt the hand tense up and then Ash stood up abruptly.

"Oh." He turned on his heel and walked towards the bed.

Kitty panicked.

"You see I was so confused, there was this note from a woman in scented perfume for you, and you have been acting so strange and then and then...you haven't said..."

"Haven't said what?" Ash said tersely.

"I love you...you haven't said it in a while."

"Do I need to say it?"

"No --- Yes ---- He was just so, so passionate...it overwhelmed me and he thought I was perfect."

"So I have to be blind to all your faults do I? I have to think you are perfection and worship at your feet?"

"No! That's not what I meant!" Cried Kitty getting to her feet.

She looked at Ash, who had pulled a portmanteau out of his cupboard and was putting things into it. Her brow creased as she watched with rising panic he put all his toiletries, some shirts, a pair of breeches, a coat all in the portmanteau.

"What are you doing..." She stammered. He stayed silent, She wished she could have heard his thoughts.

He was thinking that he had his answer, why he hadn't wanted Kitty to know, the thought that she might actually find some other man more attractive than him had scared him. She might stop loving him and that would have crushed him. It was insecurity, that he might not be what she wanted; he might not love her the way she wanted...needed to be loved -- Well he should have told her because know he knew what it felt like -- he wanted to cry.

"Ash...please...I think we need to talk."

"I can't talk to you...right now.." Ash replied quietly grabbing his cane and hat and walking out the door.

Kitty followed him, trying to speak, trying to say something that would make him stop she couldn't think of anything. She wished he had become mad, she could have dealt with mad, but not quiet. What was he thinking!!

Ash stepped down the stairs. I can't think, I can't breathe, I can't talk...what can I say...she kissed him, she kissed him! She told you about it! She actually kissed him and what if...what if...what If she realises you are old and boring and...she kissed him.

Kitty was feeling ill, nauseous, she reached out her hand at the top of the stairs as Ash wrenched open the door and she sunk down, clasping the banister as the door closed, a sob erupting from her throat.

Chapter 39

Posted on Sunday, 10 September 2000

Ash hit the last step onto Park Lane and was horrified. He wheeled around in time to see the door of his....their house firmly close. Ash shook his head and moped, his way into the hackney that the rather zealous link-boy had decided he needed.

The point was where to go?? Ash said the first thing that came to his mind, and that was the London home of his child-hood. The hackney drove off.

Ash wasn't really taking much of the scenery in on his trip. (if he had he would have seen some unusual sights on the way, several accidents involving food being humorously thrown about and a donkey being ridden backwards but as it was he was much too depressed to see any of these things). The only thing that impressed itself on Ash that it was growing dark and he wished he was dead.

Ash paid the driver, surprised Herringsworth and stormed into the house, up the stairs into his old room. He threw down his portmanteau and lay down upon the bed. Ash felt for his pocket book, opened it and groaned. Of course he wouldn't have enough money to actually go to Scotland. He could draw upon his bank.....but he didn't want to go to Scotland...he didn't want to run away.

What a mess...what an absolute mess.

Ash closed his eyes trying desperately to think what he should do. He was angry and miserable and....and...not thinking straight. The next time Ash opened his eyes it was well advanced into the next morning.

Herringsworth was not to be expected to keep this arrival to himself! Of course Herringsworth immediately informed her ladyship and lordship of their son's arrival. His lordship was asleep at this early hour, having been out all day at auctions. But Harriet greeted this knowledge with alarm. She raced up to Ash's room, only to find him stretched out asleep like a baby.

Harriet walked slowly down the stairs, feeling a bit confused. She was not sure why her fully grown son, with a house(and indeed Wife)of his own was suddenly asleep in the bedroom that he had occupied as a child. She was however, sure, very sure that the reason was not a good one.

Kitty stopped sobbing. Her face was an unattractive blotchy mess and she didn't know what to do. She wanted to run out the door and keep running until she found Ash but she had no idea where he would go - besides Scotland and she was pretty sure no carriage would set off to Scotland at this hour.

Kitty with the help of the banister pulled herself up off the stairs and wandered aimlessly back into her chamber. The first thing she saw was that dreadfully scented letter. She snatched it up and ripped it open.

If he can just up and leave. I can READ his mail!

Kitty unfolded the letter fuming to herself. Whoever this HUSSY is she is NOT having my HUSBAND.

Kitty's anger abated as she read through the missive. It was highly unlikely that Ash, no matter how unattractive he might find HER, would decided to run away with his 50 year old female cousin who had run out of paper and was forced to borrow some from her hostess, a young lady who appeared to have dreadful taste in paper and scent.

Kitty sat down and felt very listless and miserable. She undressed herself slowly, all the time thinking; Why couldn't he have talked to me?

Was there some rule that stated men couldn't talk? That they can't share their feelings?? Oh WHY couldn't he have told me.

Kitty wrapped a shawl around her shoulders and wandered from her chambers into Ash's. She climbed into his bed and hugged a pillow. It wasn't quite the same. She would be awake all night she knew it.

She wasn't, she was so exhausted by the day's activities that she fell asleep within minutes.

However traumatic the day may have been for three of my principal characters the day passed quite differently for some of my other characters.

Harry after leaving Lord Ashbourne in the club, found his day had been sent on a downward spiral. He entered the Whitfield Mansion only to find Bonnie, in a pretty dress and bonnet that made her look 'a treat;' and she snubbed him. She cut him completely.

Harry tried not to notice the change that appeared to have been wrought over Bonnie. He tried not to blame it on the duchess and failed miserably. If Sophy was more...more....or less. Oh who knows, all Harry knew was that Bonnie was only 15 and appeared to be taking an unhealthy interest in her dresses and looks, for all her youth she had appeared to filled her head with romantic gothic, silly, ridiculous, worldly thoughts.

Harry walked past her, trying to ignore her pointed ignoration. Obviously a young man who was perhaps not poor, but not in any way *born flush in the pockets *, did not signify to the new Miss Fitzwilliam.

But Harry might have been a little comforted if she had seen the look that followed him as he walked up the stairs. Bonnie was being seduced by the glimpses of the fashionable world that she was being shown. She was beginning to understand that from her birth and breeding, not to mention her connections, a match with Harry would be considered below her. Bonnie did not wish to upset Harry...but a life with him would be considered below her.

Harry closed the door slowly and leaned on it. He looked at his feet. He knew he shouldn't develop any sort of feelings for such a young lady or one with such connections either. But he could hardly help it and now...she was just like...all those other ladies that he had despised before...

Sophy asked Bonnie to wait in their foyer while she asked the Duke something.

Sophy closed the door on the Duke's study and tripped over to his desk. Spencer was bowed over some paperwork.

"Spencer?"

The Duke remained focused on the paperwork.

Sophy gave a little frustrated sigh and resorted to drastic measures. She sat in his lap; this of course never fails to get the desired attention.

"Oh Sophy."

"Oh Sophy? Oh Sophy??"

"Er...I mean hello dear how nice to see you this morning, you are looking as radiant as ever."

Sophy smiled coquettishly, "That's better!"

The Duke looked up into Sophy's baby blues and tried to remember that he was supposed to be focusing on his work. It sorely grated with the Duke that he had not been able to clear up his family paperwork. Indeed he had thought it was an impossible task...well until Harry had come along. Harry, now there was a man destined for great things and the quicker the Duke could get him to those great things the better - for the Duke was heartily sick of the paperwork he felt obliged to complete.

"So what is it Sophy? I still have this mountain of paperwork to do."

Sophy looked at the paperwork and gave a little laugh. "I cannot believe that you of all people feel obliged to do all this work just because Harry is a good secretary. Can not you bear to be outdone by anyone?"

"No....Not really." Laughed The Duke

"Well I wanted to tell you that Bonnie and I are off to Pantheon's Bazaar. If dear, Aunt Byrne calls before we return could you please make sure she picks up those novels she lent me. That is if Harry will allow you to tear yourself away from your work." Sophy gave an irrepressible smirk at this.

The Duke shook his head, "I will try my dear."

"Good, now there was something else I wished to talk to you about! Harry and Bonnie."

"Harry AND Bonnie?"

"Yes....you know how I perceived an attachment between them."

"You did?"

"Yes I did! I told you so, surely you remember."

"Of course I do - er - but perhaps you may like to enlighten me...again"

Sophy looked crossly at the Duke but then decided to ignore it and continue on with her story.

"Well I think I have been successful in halting that little connection!"

"Halting? Why would you want to halt it? Bonnie comes from very good stock...if I do say so myself. Harry is a sensible young man who will make a mark on the world, if I am any judge. They are mutually acceptable to each other!"

"Mutually Acceptable! The granddaughter of both an Earl and a Duke, marry a lawyers son! It is not at all acceptable! I grant you if I thought there was any strong attachment I would not intervene. But there was none, Bonnie was easily detached."

The Duke frowned; "She is an easily persuaded young lady, it does her credit to allow herself to be taught by someone older and wiser - I do hope you are someone wiser than she Sophy. How can you tell what is in her heart?."

"Spencer! I am doing this for the best!"

"You think you are doing this for the best. Have you thought how difficult it may be to marry Bonnie to, well I am assuming you are seeking for the highest possible position of wealth title and consequence?"

"You don't need to take that tone with me! I intend for Bonnie to marry someone she loves, someone with possibly those three ..."

"Virtues?"

Sophy scrambled off the Duke's lap.

"How can you be so odious!"

"I'm not being odious! I'm just pointing out the obvious flaws in your plan. A) Bonnie appeared at least to me to be indulging in quite a deep passion for my dear secretary. This you have appeared to have destroyed instead promoting mercenary motives and ideas of her own self-importance. B) Bonnie's pedigree no matter how noble it is, is not quite what some of the ton would like. The product of both an elopement, causing estrangement with the family and illegitimacy. The sins of the fathers aren't to be rested with the children - a nice sentiment but rarely carried out. You may think the ton is unaware of the circumstances of the younger branch of the Fitzwilliams but I assure you they are not, or they will be very soon aware of them. "

Sophy looked very stormy at this long winded explanation from her spouse.

"Sophy, listen to me, you'd best not interfere. Matchmaking is a slippery slope, not to mention that Bonnie is an entirely different sort of girl to you, she grew up in a different world, I shouldn't try to instill your values onto her , I don't believe they would take well."

Sophy huffed and flounced out of the room, leaving the Duke with some resounding problems.

Lady Marcross was being omnipotent.

Erimentha watched as her son paced up and down the library floor. He had not even noticed that she was there.

"What are you doing Rawdy! If you want some exercise you should go for a walk!"

Rawdon wheeled around to look at his mother, he looked terrible, like he had sustained a large shock.

"Mamma...I didn't notice you there!"

"Obviously not. You father is trying to sleep, and I have the strongest notion that it sounds, from his chamber like a herd of cattle are being dragged through the house, I feel it probably isn't all at conducive to sleeping! Now sit down and tell me all about what ever is bothering you."

Rawdon tugged at his cravat and tried to say with a apathetic air, "Oh well nothing for it, must go for a walk then - mustn't upset the old man!"

With that Rawdon practically ran from the house. Erinmentha gave a little frown. Now what could have possibly upset Rawdon this much?

She used her rather remarkable memory to think about the past couple of weeks, since Rawdon had been down from university. She was lost in recollection for some minutes until she hit upon something.

"Oh no...What a stupid, stupid boy!" cried Erinmentha.

The next day dawned bright and cheerful, it shouldn't have. Kitty had omitted to draw the curtains the previous night and the sun fell across her eyes. Waking her entirely too soon for her own liking. Why couldn't she just stay in a state of insensibility or unconsciousness. Kitty was still exhausted and hugging the pillow, which was fast becoming dripping wet.

Kitty sniffed and felt entirely helpless. She didn't know what to do. She just wanted it to all go away. But that was impossible she knew that, so she continued lying there hugging Ash's pillow.

In Curzon street the day dawned bright also, waking Ash. He tried to stretch and felt devilishly uncomfortable, mentally and physically. Sleeping in one's clothes always makes you feel quite disgusting when you wake up! Ash however, could not drag himself off the bed to get changed. He just stared at the canopy above his bed. There was a big hole in it, Ash idly wondered why his mother, and indeed his Aunt Catherine, now that she was living here, didn't do something about it. Just like the big hole in his life now. Ash put ground his hands into his eyes. What to do, What to do....I could do nothing, I Could go back. I need to think.

Ash turned over on to his side. Why could he not have controlled his feelings? Why could he have not talked to her? Why was he so insecure about everything? What should he do?

Harriet looked anxiously up at the staircase. It was rather advanced in the morning and she felt that she really should go wake and interrogate ...er...talk to her son.

But there was no need to go and fetch Ash because he suddenly appeared on the stairs, portmanteau in hand.

"Ah...Horrie...dear..." said Harriet slowly, trying not to wring her hands.

"Do you wish for any Breakfast dear?"

"No thank you mamma...." Ash said smiling. Harriet felt a bit thrown off balance by that smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"So why have we had the pleasure of your company??"

"My company is a pleasure? I was always led to believe that I am the worst companion in the world! You always did tell me that I was the worst child to get to sleep! Dearest Mamma."

Ash kissed her on the head and then left the house. IT was only a few minutes later that Harriet realised he hadn't answered her question.

Kitty tried to weakly smile at Lady Marcross. Dear Aunt Erinmentha as she liked to style herself. Had called over to see how her dear Kitty was going.

"You look a trifle haggard dear!"

"So has dear Lord Ashbourne gone out?"

"So terrible that you are all alone here today. I hope someone is coming to call on you to cheer you up."

"You really must try and perk up Kitty, you do look pale!"

Kitty bore with some fortitude all these questions and comments. She would have borne it better if she hadn't had the sneaking suspicion that Erinmentha knew everything and just wanted to make Kitty slip up. Kitty had to several times avert her eyes from Erinmentha's piercing and apprising gaze. Thus Kitty was very happy when another person was ushered into the drawing room. She was not so happy when she saw who it was, it was the doctor.

"Lady Ashbourne, no don't get up, you just lie there. " Said Sir Henry Halford as he viewed Kitty's flushed face and bagged eyes.

He sat down on a chair.

"Sir Henry, I have been telling dear Kitty that she is obviously overdoing it, just look at her. She mustn't do anything to strenuous must she? She is obviously very delicate."

Kitty inwardly fumed. I'm not delicate I've just had my husband leave me! After a dreadful incident to which I will not even allude. Of course I'm going to look a trifle haggard! Kitty of course did not feel up to explaining to either Lady Marcross or Sir Henry, the true cause of her malaise, so she just sat there as both put it down to her pregnancy. She sat there thinking of ways to go find Ash. She would start with Darcy, then the colonel then his parents. She would find him and prove to him that she wasn't .....she wasn't....what he thought she was.

She went to her chamber and suffered through an examination and then what appeared to be a sentencing. Erinmentha had entered the chamber at this point.

"Lady Ashbourne, I feel that it would be advisable for you to stay in bed. In fact I'm ordering complete bed rest."

"WHAT? I can't stay in bed ...you don't understand."

"I think Sir Henry perfectly understands! You are very put out and understandably so but you must not under any circumstances put either yourself or your child at risk." Erinmentha patted Kitty's hand.

Kitty looked pitifully at Sir Henry, but the good doctor remained firm, total rest and some vile potions would put her at right. Though perhaps he didn't call them vile potions.

The doctor left. Erinmentha took her leave shortly after and Kitty leapt off her bed and raced to the door. She would find Ash if it killed her.

But she was to be frustrated, by an awe inspiring Mrs. Roberts and a unusually forceful Susan.

"My dear Lady Ashbourne, Lady Marcross informs me you are to rest. Doctor's orders, what do you think you are doing."

"Lady Ashbourne, here let me help you out of that dress and into a nice comfy dressing gown. We will stoke up the fire and I shall find you some nice novels to read."

"But But But....." There was no stopping either of the indomitable women. Kitty was packed off to bed with a guard mounted over her, it was enough to make her scream with vexation. Now how would she solve anything with Ash?

Harriet sat slowly sipping some tea, with Lady Catherine. Lady Catherine was having a good old whine about the nature of undutiful children. This long and rather boring sermon was broken by the entrance of Lady Marcross.

Lady Marcross looked shrewdly at Harriet, who at once felt that, once again Erinmentha knew something before everyone else.

"Lady Marcross how do you do?" said Harriet graciously.

"Very well Lady Matlock, and you?"

"I'm fine - thank you."

Lady Catherine just slowly simmered.

"I'm not fine! My daughter is a utter flirt, she has decided to marry a member of her majesties armed forces, who is most inept and has no idea how to take my daughter in hand ....no offence Harriet....and I am most seriously displeased."

Harriet smiled. "No offence taken, Catherine."

Lady Marcross's eyes lit up at this exchange.

"Miss de Bourgh and Colonel Fitzwilliam? They would make a charming couple."

"Well I wish they would hurry up! I mean I'm sure you all remember how easy it was for me to snare my dear sainted Louis. Though I was most petted and courted, I could have had my pick, and I don't see why Anne shouldn't be the same. I was a true proficient! Once I had chosen my man, there was none of this dilly-dallying and shilly-shallying! "

Lady Catherine took a resolute sip of her tea, while Harriet and Lady Marcross digested this rather unique slant on Lady Catherine's career on the marriage mart.

"Harriet, I do feel that I should tell you something..." said Lady Marcross in a hushed and lowered voice.

Harriet had a dreadful feeling that she knew what it was about as she leaned closer to hear the whispered confidences. Lady Catherine just turned on her acute and long ranging hearing.

Harriet sat back a little pale and looked confusedly towards Lady Catherine. Harriet knew that Lady Catherine would have heard but was worried at what Lady Catherine might say. She hadn't approved of the marriage and might use this opportunity to gloat.

Lady Catherine however just simply sipped her tea.

"Oh Erinmentha, what shall I do?"

Before Lady Marcross could say anything Lady Catherine intervened.

"Do? Why should you do anything? There isn't' anything to be done and its none of your business Harriet. You'd much better focus your attention on Richard and Anne."

"Is that your way of telling me you think it's pointless? That everything is over between Kitty and Horrie?" Harriet got increasingly worked up "I don't like your insinuations Catherine, I know you didn't think much of the marriage but you might at least not be so cruel and condescending to me."

Lady Catherine looked bemused. "No you mistake Harriet! I simply meant that it will all sort itself out. I mean the signs are obvious that it isn't really a problem. Ash in a huff; Kitty haggard...mark my words everything will be soon smoothed over.""

Harriet shot daggers at Lady Catherine and then rounded on Lady Marcross.

"It's your sons fault! Why could you not keep him in better control!"

"Rawdy's fault? If he hadn't have been encouraged!"

"Why you ....you...impertinent...how dare you say that!"

The argument escalated from this point until Lady Catherine cried;

"WOAH - WOAH There. Now no one is to blame and I really think you are making a mountain out of a mole hill. I mean there was that one time, mind you when I was engaged, that I found a certain Duke quite an attraction and I'm afraid I may have been a bit forward, but it didn't ruin any of my wedded bliss with sainted Louis."

Harriet and Lady Marcross both choked on their tea as Lady Catherine launched off into her regularly scheduled program of anecdotes, half of them were not about her. Lady Marcross knew this for a fact, she recognised herself in several of them but was too well bred to correct Lady Catherine. Actually it was only the impossibility of interrupting Lady Catherine's train of thought that prevented her from correcting her.

Ash walked into his brother's lodgings. Now this was better, why he had gone to Curzon street was beyond him. Too many questions would have been asked. Now here was better. His brother was so in love with Anne that he in all probability wouldn't even notice the addition of this brother.

"I'm not in love with Anne." said the Colonel. Ash creased up his forehead - I don't think I said that out loud.

The Colonel busied himself clearing a space for Ash to sit down.

"Now I now why you are here -"

"You do?"

"Yes - but I have to tell you I am never marrying Anne. Never! I most certainly do not love her and that's a fact and I wish you all would stop trying to make me marry her."

"I think you are a bit paranoid Richard!"

The Colonel paid no attention instead he fixed up his regimentals in the mirror.

"Where are you going Richard?"

"To the park!"

"Why??"

"Anne may be there."

With that the Colonel left leaving Ash, no matter how sad he may feel, wanting to laugh. Ash looked around at the pigsty and sighed.

It took him several hours to clean a place for him to sleep and in this time he had found so many items that really belonged to him that it wasn't funny.

There was a knock at the door. Ash stopped. Kitty???

He bounded towards the door and threw it open. It was Darcy.

"Oh Hello Darcy."

Darcy looked up at the number on the house and then at the street name and then back at Ash.

"Err - I am at the right house am I not?"

"Yes come in I'll explain everything."

"Good!"

* - Pepper by The Butthole Surfers.
** These Days by Powderfinger.

Continued In Next Section