The Black Moth: A Romance of the XVIIIth Century Read online

  CHAPTER VI

  BATH: 29 QUEEN SQUARE

  The autumn and the winter passed smoothly, and April found the Carstaresinstalled at Bath, whither Lady Lavinia had teased her husband intogoing, despite his desire to return to Wyncham and John. She herself didnot care to be with the child, and was perfectly content that Richardshould journey occasionally to Wyncham to see that all was well withhim.

  On the whole, she had enjoyed the winter, for she had induced Richard toopen Wyncham House, Mayfair, the Earl's town residence, where she hadbeen able to hold several entirely successful routs, and many selectlittle card-parties. Admirers she had a-many, and nothing so pleased hervain little heart as masculine adulation. Carstares never entered hishome without stumbling against some fresh flame of hers, but as theymostly consisted of what he rudely termed the lap-dog type, he wasconscious of no jealous qualms, and patiently submitted to theirinundation of his house. He was satisfied that Lavinia was happy, and,as he assured himself at times when he was most tried, nothing elsesignified.

  The only flaw to Lavinia's content was the need of money. Not that shewas stinted, or ever refused anything that he could in reason give her;but her wants were never reasonable. She would demand a new townchariot, upholstered in pale blue, not because her own was worn orshabby, but because she was tired of its crimson cushions. Or she wouldsuddenly take a fancy to some new, and usually fabulously expensive toy,and having acquired it, weary of it in a week.

  Without a murmur, Richard gave her lap-dogs (of the real kind), blackpages, jewels, and innumerable kickshaws, for which she rewarded himwith her brightest smiles and tenderest caresses. But when she requiredhim to refurnish Wyncham House in the style of the French Court,throwing away all the present Queen Anne furniture, the tapestries, andthe countless old trappings that were one and all so beautiful and sovaluable, he put his foot down with a firmness that surprised her. Notfor any whim of hers was Jack's house to be spoiled. Neither her coaxingnor her tears had any effect upon Richard, and when she reverted tosulks, he scolded her so harshly that she was frightened, and inconsequence silenced.

  For a week she thought and dreamt of nothing but gilded French chairs,and then abruptly, as all else, the fancy left her, and she forgot allabout it. Her mantua-maker's bills were enormous, and caused Richardmany a sleepless night, but she was always so charmingly penitent thathe could not find it in his heart to be angry; and, after all, hereflected, he would rather have his money squandered on her adornmentthan on that of her brothers. She was by turns passionate and cold tohim: one day enrapturing him by some pretty blandishment, the nextsnapping peevishly when he spoke to her.

  At the beginning of the season he dutifully conducted her to routs and_bals masques_, but soon she began to go always with either Andrew orRobert, both of whom were in town, and whose casual chaperonage she muchpreferred to Richard's solicitous care. Tracy was rarely in London formore than a few days at a time, and the Carstares, greatly to Richard'srelief, saw but little of him. Carstares disliked Colonel Lord RobertBelmanoir, but the Duke he detested, not only for his habitual sneertowards him, but for the influence that he undoubtedly held overLavinia. Richard was intensely jealous of this, and could sometimeshardly bring himself to be civil when his Grace visited my lady. Whetherjustly or not, he inwardly blamed Tracy for all Lavinia's crazy whimsand periodical fits of ill-temper. It did not take his astute Grace longto discover this, and with amused devilry he played upon it, encouragingLavinia in her extravagance, and making a point of calling on herwhenever he was in town.

  Carstares never knew when not to expect to find him there; he came andwent to and from London with no warning whatsoever. No one ever knewwhere he was for more than a day at a time, and no one was in the leastsurprised if he happened to be seen in London when he should, accordingto all accounts, have been in Paris. They merely shrugged theirshoulders, and exchanged glances, murmuring: "Devil Belmanoir!" andwondering what fresh intrigue he was in.

  So altogether Richard was not sorry when my lady grew suddenly sick oftown and was seized with a longing for Bath. He had secretly hoped thatshe might return to Wyncham, but when she expressed no such wish, hestifled his own longing for home, shut up the London house, and took herand all her baggage to Bath, installing her in Queen Square in one ofthe most elegantly furnished houses in the place.

  Lady Lavinia was at first charmed to be there again; delighted with thehouse, and transported over the excellencies of the new French millinershe had discovered.

  But the milliner's bills proved monstrous, and the drawing-room of herhouse not large enough for the routs she contemplated giving. The airwas too relaxing for her, and she was subject to constant attacks of thevapours that were as distressing to her household as they were toherself. The late hours made her head ache as it never ached in London,and the damp gave her a cold. Furthermore, the advent of an attractiveand exceedingly wealthy little widow caused her many a bitter hour, tothe considerable detriment of her good-temper.

  She was lying on a couch in her white and gilt drawing room oneafternoon--alas! the craze for French furniture was o'er-smelling-bottlein hand and a _bona fide_ ache in her head, when the door opened andTracy walked into the room.

  "Good heavens!" she said faintly, and uncorked her salts.

  It was his Grace's first appearance since she had come to Bath, and thefact that he had politely declined an invitation that she had sent tohim still rankled in her mind. He bowed over the limp hand that sheextended, and looked her up and down.

  "I regret to find you thus indisposed, my dear sister," he saidsmoothly.

  "'Tis nought. Only one of my stupid headaches. I am never well here, andthis house is stuffy," she answered fretfully.

  "You should take the waters," he said, scrutinising, through hiseyeglass, the chair to which she had waved him. "It has an unstableappearance, my dear; I believe I prefer the couch." He moved to asmaller sofa and sat down.

  "Pray, how long have you been in Bath?" she demanded.

  "I arrived last Tuesday week."

  Lady Lavinia started up.

  "Last Tuesday week? Then you have been here ten days and not visited meuntil now!"

  He appeared to be examining the whiteness of his hands through the foldsof black lace that drooped over them.

  "I believe I had other things to do," he said coolly.

  A book of sermons that she had been trying to peruse slid to the groundas Lavinia jerked a cushion into place.

  "And you come to me when it suits you? How could you be so unkind as torefuse my invitation?"

  There was a rising, querulous note in her voice which gave warning ofanger.

  "My dear Lavinia, if you exhibit your deplorable temper to me, I shallleave you, so have a care. I thought you would understand that your goodhusband's society, improving though it may be, would be altogether toooppressive for my taste. In fact, I was surprised at your letter."

  "You might have come for my sake," she answered peevishly, sinking backagain. "I suppose you have been dancing attendance on the Molesly woman?Lud! but I think you men have gone crazed."

  Understanding came to his Grace, and he smiled provokingly.

  "Is that what upsets you? I wondered."

  "No, 'tis not!" she flashed. "And I do not see why you should think so!For my part, I cannot see that she is even tolerable, and the way themen rave about her is disgusting! Disgusting! But 'tis always the samewhen a woman is unattached and wealthy. Well! Well! Why do you not saysomething? Do you find her so lovely?"

  "To tell the truth, my dear, I have barely set eyes on the lady. I havebeen otherwise engaged, and I have done with all women, for the time,save one."

  "So I have heard you say before. Do you contemplate marriage? Lud! but Ipity the girl." She gave a jeering little laugh, but it was evident thatshe was interested.

  His Grace was not in the least degree ruffled.

  "I do not contemplate marriage, Lavinia, so your sympathies are wasted.I have met a girl--a mere child
, for sure--and I will not rest until Ihave her."

  "Lord! Another farmer's chit?"

  "No, my dear sister, not another farmer's chit. A lady."

  "God help her! Who is she? Where does she live?"

  "She lives in Sussex. Her name I shall not tell you."

  Her ladyship kicked an offending cushion on to the floor, and snapped athim.

  "Oh, as you please! I shall not die of curiosity!"

  "Ah!" The cynical lips curled annoyingly, and Lady Lavinia was seizedwith a mad desire to hurl her smelling-bottle at him. But she knew thatit was worse than useless to be angry with Tracy, so she yawnedostentatiously, and hoped that she irritated him. If she did, she got nosatisfaction from it, for he continued, quite imperturbably:

  "She is the daintiest piece ever a man saw, and I'll swear there's bloodand fire beneath the ice!"

  "Is it possible the girl will have none of your Grace?" wondered Laviniain mock amazement, and had the pleasure of seeing him frown.

  The thin brows met over his arched nose, and the eyes glinted a little,while she caught a glimpse of cruel white teeth closing on a sensualunder-lip. She watched his hand clench on his snuff-box, and exultedsilently at having roused him. It was a very brief joy, however, for thenext moment the frown had disappeared, the hand unclenched, and he wassmiling again.

  "At present she is cold," he admitted, "but I hope that in time she willbecome more plastic. I think, Lavinia, I have some experience with yourcharming, if capricious sex."

  "I don't doubt you have. Where did you meet this perverse beauty?"

  "In the Pump Room."

  "Lud! Pray, describe her."

  "I shall be delighted. She is taller than yourself, and dark. Her hairis like a dusky cloud of black, and it ripples off her brow and over herlittle ears in a most damnably alluring fashion. Her eyes are brown, butthere are lights in them that are purest amber, and yet they are darkand velvety--"

  My lady had recourse to the smelling-bottle.

  "But I perceive I weary you. A man in love, my dear Lavinia--"

  She was up again at that.

  "In love? You? Nonsense! Nonsense! Nonsense! You do not know what theword means. You are like a--like a fish, with no more of love in youthan a fish, and no more heart than a fish, and--"

  "Spare me the rest, I beg. I am very clammy, I make no doubt, but youwill at least accord me more brain than a fish?"

  "Oh, you have brain enough!" she raged. "Brain for evil! I grant youthat!"

  "It is really very kind of you--"

  "The passion you feel now is not _love_. It is--it is--"

  "Your pardon, my dear, but at the present moment I am singularly devoidof all strenuous emotions, so your remark is--"

  "Oh, Tracy, Tracy, I am even quarrelling with you!" she criedwretchedly. "Oh, why?--why?"

  "You are entirely mistaken, my dear. This is but the interchange ofcompliments. Pray, do not let me hinder you in the contribution of yourshare!"

  Her lip trembled.

  "Go on, Tracy, go on."

  "Very well. I had described her eyes, I think?"

  "Very tediously."

  "I will strive to be brief. Her lips are the most kissable that I haveever seen--"

  "And, as you remarked, you have experience," she murmured. He bowedironically.

  "Altogether she's as spirited a filly as you could wish for. All sheneeds is bringing to heel."

  "Does one bring a filly to heel? I rather thought--"

  "As usual, my dear Lavinia, you are right: one does not. One breaks in afilly. I beg leave to thank you for correcting my mixed metaphor."

  "Oh, pray do not mention it."

  "I will cease to do so. She needs breaking in. It should be amusing totame her."

  "Should it?" She looked curiously at him.

  "Vastly. And I am persuaded it can be done. I will have her."

  "But what if she'll none of you?"

  Suddenly the heavy lids were raised.

  "She will have no choice."

  Lady Lavinia shivered and sat up.

  "La, Tracy! Will you have no sense of decency?" she cried. "I suppose,"she sneered, "you think to kidnap the girl?"

  "Exactly," he nodded.

  She gasped at the effrontery of it.

  "Heavens, are you mad? Kidnap a lady! This is no peasant girl, remember.Tracy, Tracy, pray do not be foolish! How _can_ you kidnap her?"

  "That, my dear, is a point which I have not yet decided. But I do notanticipate much trouble."

  "But goodness gracious me! has the child no protectors? No brothers? Nofather?"

  "There is a father," said Tracy slowly. "He was here at the beginning oftheir stay. He does not signify, and, which is important, he is of thosethat truckle. Were _I_ to make myself known to him, I believe I mightmarry the girl within an hour. But I do not want that. At least--notyet."

  "Good God, Tracy! do you think you are living in the Dark Ages? Onecannot do these things now, I tell you! Will you not at least rememberthat you represent our house? 'Twill be a pretty thing an there is ascandal!" She broke off hopelessly and watched him flick a remnant ofsnuff from his cravat.

  "Oh, Tracy! 'Tis indeed a dangerous game you play. Pray consider!"

  "Really, Lavinia, you are most entertaining. I trust I am capable ofcaring for myself and mine own honour."

  "Oh, don't sneer--don't sneer!" she cried. "Sometimes I think I quitehate you!"

  "You would be the more amusing, my dear."

  She swept the back of her hand across her eyes in a characteristicmovement.

  "How cross I am!" she said, and laughed waveringly. "You must bear withme, Tracy. Indeed, I am not well."

  "You should take the waters," he repeated.

  "Oh, I do!--I do! And that reminds me that I must look for your beauty."

  "She is not like to be there," he answered. "'Tis only very seldom thatshe appears."

  "What! Is she then _religieuse_?"

  "_Religieuse_! Why, in heaven's name?"

  "But not to walk in the Rooms--!"

  "She is staying here with her aunt, who has been ill. They do not mixmuch in society."

  "How very dreadful! Yet she used to walk in the Rooms, for you met herthere?"

  "Yes," he admitted coolly. "'Tis for that reason that she now avoidsthem."

  "Oh, Tracy, the poor child!" exclaimed his sister in a sudden fit ofpity. "How can you persecute her, if she dislikes you?"

  "She does not."

  "Not! Then--"

  "Rather, she fears me. But she is intrigued, for all that. I persecuteher, as you call it, for her own (and my) ultimate good. But they quitBath in a few days, and then, _nous verrons_!" He rose. "What of HonestDick?"

  "Don't call him by that odious name! I will not have it!"

  "Odious, my dear? Odious? You would have reason an I called him_Dis_honest Dick."

  "Don't! Don't!" she cried, covering her ears. His Grace laughed softly.

  "Oh, Lavinia, you must get the better of these megrims of yours, forthere is nought that sickens a man sooner, believe me."

  "Oh, go away!--go away!" she implored. "You tease me and tease me untilI cannot bear it, and indeed I do not _mean_ to be shrewish! Please go!"

  "I am on the point of doing so, my dear. I trust you will have in ameasure recovered when next I see you. Pray bear my respects to Hon--tothe Honourable Richard."

  She stretched out her hand.

  "Come again soon!" she begged. "I shall be better to-morrow! 'Tis onlyto-day that my head aches till I could shriek with the worry and thepain of it! Come again!"

  "Unfortunately I anticipate leaving Bath within a day or two. Butnothing would have given me greater pleasure than to comply with yourwishes." He kissed her hand punctiliously, and took his leave. At thedoor he paused, and looked back mockingly. "By the way--her nameis--Diana." He bowed again and swept out, as Lavinia buried her face inthe cushions and burst into tears.

  It was thus that Richard found her, twenty minutes la
ter, and hisconcern was so great that it in part restored her spirits, and she spenta quiet and, for him, blissful evening, playing at piquet.

  In the middle of a game she suddenly flung down her hand and caught athis wrist.

  "Dicky, Dicky--I will go home!"

  "Go home? What do you mean? Not--"

  "Yes, yes--Wyncham! Why not?"

  "My dear, do you mean it?" His voice quivered with joyful surprise, andthe cards slipped from his hands.

  "Yes, I mean it! But take me quickly before I change my mind! I cansleep at Wyncham, and here I lie awake all night, and my head aches.Take me home and I will try to be a better wife! Oh, Dicky, have I beentiresome and exacting? I did not mean to be! Why do you let me?" Shecame quickly round the table and knelt at his side, giving no heed tothe crumpling of her billowing silks. "I have been a wicked, selfishwoman!" she said vehemently. "But indeed I will be better. You must not_let_ me be bad--you _must_ not, I tell you!"

  He flung his arm about her plump shoulders and drew her tightly to him.

  "When I get you home at Wyncham, I promise you I will finely hector you,sweetheart," he said, laughing to conceal his deeper feelings. "I shallmake you into a capital housewife!"

  "And I will learn to make butter," she nodded. "Then I must wear adimity gown with a muslin apron and cap. Oh, yes, yes-a dimity gown!"She sprang up and danced to the middle of the room. "Shall I not becharming, Richard?"

  "Very charming, Lavinia!"

  "Of course! Oh, we will go home at once--at once! But first I mustprocure some new gowns from Marguerite!"

  "To make butter in, dear?" he protested.

  She was not attending.

  "A dimity gown--or shall it be of tiffany with a quilted petticoat? Orboth?" she chanted. "Dicky, I shall set a fashion in country toilettes!"

  Dicky sighed.