Pieter walked slowly around the perimeter of the dance floor, searching for Tessa.  If Layton had disappeared as he had been ordered, she was probably too embarrassed to stand around while everyone else was escorted in to supper.  Perhaps she was hiding in the ladies’ retiring room.  If so, he would have to send Hetsie in to find her.  At the far end of the ballroom, he noticed what looked like a knot of young gentlemen causing a fracas.  He turned abruptly and walked across the room, intending to break it up.  The Duchess would not appreciate a fight breaking out at her Twelfth Night Ball.  Reaching into the crowd, he grabbed one young man by the arm and swung him out front and center.

“Here now, young man,” he admonished. “Where are your manners?  No gentleman causes an uproar like this in public, let alone at the home of the Double Duchess.  What’s the matter with all of you?”

Without letting go of the young man’s jacket he reached in with his other hand and grabbed a second young buck.  “I say now, get a hold of yourselves.”  Then, seeing that his demands were not receiving proper respect, he shook the two young men and shoved them into the backs of the next two in the circle.  “Avast!” he cried out in his shipboard voice. “I say, belay that, you young fools!”

That got everyone’s attention. The circle opened and ten young men stood flushed with embarrassment, obviously abashed at being chastised by Count Westhoven. His size and demeanor would give pause to the staunchest of foes, let alone these green young whelps.   In the middle of the chaos, Pieter saw Tessa Neeley demurely holding court.

“I told you there would be trouble if you gentlemen didn’t calm down,” she scolded. “Now I’ll not go in with any of you. Instead, I shall enjoy the company of  my friend Lord Westhoven,”

Pieter nodded in agreement. “There is no question you will enter on my arm and you, gentlemen, will find your hostess and give her your most abject apologies.  And you will give me your names.  I want to keep track of you and make sure your fathers are aware of your most ungentlemanly behavior.”

One by one they bowed before him and gave their names as though counting off for a commanding officer.  “I expect an appropriate apology will be forthcoming to Miss Neeley before she rises tomorrow morning,” Pieter stated, not as a question.

Each young gentleman murmured an embarrassed expression of regret, then bowed again before the Count.  He nodded his dismissal and offered his arm to Tessa.

Gently, she placed her hand on his sleeve. As they moved off, she looked up at him with an embarrassed grimace. “Are you angry with me?” she asked tentatively.

“Why would I be angry with you?  Unless you tell me that you instigated that melee.”

“I really didn’t, my lord.  It just sort of happened.  I was teasing about who I would walk in with and they just started pushing and shoving and name-calling.  Really, I tried to stop them.  Thank you for coming to my aid.”

“That is why you must be more particular with whom you associate.”

“But, my lord, what am I to do?  Did you see how Juliana and Logan reacted when I said that I truly enjoy the attentions of older men?”

“So you immediately jumped to the cradle?”  Pieter chided.  “And just how much older did you mean?  Surely not Layton.  You really must not associate with him again, Tessa.  Trust me: he’s not safe for you to be with.”

“Why?”  She glanced up at him with a look of devout innocence.  “What’s wrong with him?”

“There’s a host of things wrong with him, but nothing that I could explain to a child like you,” Pieter snapped.

“Well, that’s the whole of it, isn’t it, my lord,” she snapped back.  “You still think of me as a child and I can assure you that is one thing I am not.”

Tessa turned her face from him and inwardly groaned.  How was she ever to make this man realize that she was no longer a child?  She would soon be nineteen.  Why couldn’t he accept her for the age she actually was?  She would just have to look for someone other than Layton, as she now realized that any association with him would only cause both Pieter and The Brothers to be angry with her.

As they entered the dinner room, Tessa noticed a small table for two placed between the windows on the far side of the room. Perfect!  She would have him all to herself. “My lord,” she said, pointing, “I see a table for us over there.”

As soon as the words were out of her mouth they heard a call from a table to their left.  “Lord Westhoven!  Over here.”

They looked over to see Hetsie, Juliana, and The Brothers, with Tekla wiggling her fingers at Pieter.  She was motioning at them to come and sit.

“Do we have to sit with them?” Tessa asked quietly.  “I had hoped to have some time away from the family watching and listening to everything I say and do.”

Pieter patted her hand. “How can we refuse them, ma petite?  It would be too rude.”

Tessa sighed.  “You’re right, of course.  In a resigned tone, she added, “As you wish.”

They walked to the table and greeted everyone politely.

“Oh, I’m afraid we have only one seat saved for you, my lord,” Tekla said in an overweening tone. “But I am sure Tessa can find a place with her little friends.  She would certainly be bored sitting with us adults.”

Well done, thought Tessa, giving reluctant praise to the set-down.  She had expected some backlash regarding her comment about liking older men, but she thought it would come from Juliana or The Brothers.  It appeared that Tekla was going to be just as forthright about Pieter as Tessa had been.  However, as she saw the looks of amazement and embarrassment on the faces of others at the table, she knew that Tekla had over-played her hand.  Tessa’s comment about liking older men had been regarded as a teasing remark, while Tekla’s comment to her came across as a rude and dismissive remark made to a friend of her host’s family.  Even Pieter was taken aback.

“Nonsense!  Of course, there’s room here.”  Logan motioned at a footman to bring a chair.  “Tessa, you can share my end of the table.”

Having just been advised by Phillip of Tekla’s interest in him, Pieter saw her actions for what they were.  Time to nip this in the bud, he thought to himself.

“Not necessary, Logan,” he said, smiling.  “There’s a table over there that Tessa and I had planned to use before we saw you.”  Not waiting for Logan to belabor the point, he took Tessa’s arm and as they turned, said over his shoulder, “We’ll catch up with all of you later.”

“Thank you, my lord,” Tessa whispered.

Pieter squeezed her arm. “I’m sorry, Tessa.  She was very rude to you.”

“It’s not for you to apologize, my lord.  I know she does not like me and considers me a nuisance.”

As Pieter seated her at the table he leaned down to whisper in her ear.  “What she considers you to be, should be kept to herself.  What matters is what I consider you to be.”   He straightened and said, “I’ll bring each of us a plate.  Is there anything you especially like?”

“Just a lobster patty and a lemon tart.  I never tire of those.”

“I’ll be right back, ma petite."

Tessa looked toward her sister, Juliana, and saw her looking back with worry written on her face.  Drat that Tekla, to cause her sister such concern.  Tessa knew she could handle anything thrown at her by Tekla, but Juliana was in no condition to handle stress.  They were all concerned about her.  She was such a small person and had appeared ready to deliver two months ago.  This was to be her last night in Society and Logan had argued about it with her.  If he could have his way, he would keep his wife swaddled in goose down.  But Juliana had especially wanted to bring Hetsie and her friend to The Duchess’s Twelfth Night Ball.  It was always the most spectacular event of the Season and since they were living here at Park Lane until Juliana delivered, Logan had capitulated.

Tessa sipped her wine and carefully watched the table where Tekla was sitting.  She looked somewhat disgruntled and Tessa could not help but feel somewhat exulted that Pieter had handed her such a put-down.  She felt a hand on her shoulder and words spoken quietly in her ear: “And who has left you to sit by yourself?  Whoever it is should be called to account.  May I join you?”

Tessa turned her head to see Viscount Layton.  Oh, dear.  What was she to do now?  “Good evening again, my lord,” she intoned. “I am not alone.  My partner has gone to fix me a plate.  He’ll be right back.  I was told you had been called away.  I hope it was not anything dire.”

“I was called away by Lord Kenrick, my dear.  But it will take more than him to discourage me from seeking your friendship.”

“I think perhaps you had better attend to what he had to tell you.  I don’t know why, my lord, but there seems to be some reason why I am not to keep company with you.”

The viscount laughed.  “A dance is far from ‘keeping company,’ Miss Neeley.  But if I thought for one moment that my request to keep you company would be honored, you can rest assured I would ask.”

Tessa turned her head to hide a frown.  So, she thought, here is another man who believes he can compare favorably with Pieter.  But she felt she should warn him off. “What you say is true, my lord,” she said calmly. “But if Lord Kenrick is not inclined to give permission, you can rest assured that Lord Huntleigh agrees with him.  That makes two rather formidable gentlemen for you to persuade.”

“Actually, there would be three rather formidable gentlemen,” a voice intruded.

Tessa turned in her chair to see Pieter holding two plates.

Layton quickly removed his hand from her arm and asked haughtily, “And with what authority do you speak, Westhoven?”

“For the moment I speak as her escort.  For the future, I speak as her friend. And if required, I will speak as a protector of her innocence for as long as need be.”

“My word,” Layton scoffed. “You do take much upon yourself, Westhoven.  Who gives you the right to speak as protector of Miss Neeley?  Am I missing something here?  Are you spoken for, my dear?”

“No, she’s not,”  Pieter answered for her.  “But should you wish to continue this conversation, you will find me at White’s tomorrow where I will be having lunch.  If you join me, I will be glad to stand you a drink and explain exactly why Miss Neeley will not be in your company now or at any time in the future.”

Layton’s eyes narrowed. “I’m not sure why you feel you have any such power to tell me whom I will or will not speak with, Westhoven.”

“And now I realize why a polite warning did not work.”  Pieter continued in a quiet, affable tone.  “You are indeed a fool, Layton.  But we are causing people to stare.  Attend me at White’s tomorrow and I will explain in words even you can understand, why no one but the fool you are would attempt to naysay the,” he paused, “up to now – polite request of mine, plus the desires of two marquesses, a  double duchess, and double duke.  If need be, I believe we could invite in a Prime Minister and  even Prinny himself,” he said, referring to the  Crown Prince,

“Dear God, Westhoven!  Such passion!” Layton curled his lip.  “I think it is not me that everyone should be worried about, but you, sir.”  He looked down at Tessa who was staring open-mouthed at this display of male posturing.  From the corner of her eye, she saw Logan rise and start walking around the tables toward them.  Phillip arose and followed behind more slowly.

Both men, in understated black evening dress, were conspicuous by the lack of lace, preferring instead to wear pleated cuffs that accentuated their elegant hands, their crisp, white cravats held in place by modestly jeweled stickpins. Their sole concession to society’s usual flamboyance in style was the fobs that hung on gold chains draped across their waistcoats.  Logan’s had originally been a sapphire brooch; a gift from his father to his mother on the occasion of their marriage. Phillip’s was a gift from The Duchess upon her marriage to their father.  It was in remembrance of her first husband, whose name and title Phillip now bore.  The Marquess of Kenrick had been their father’s best friend and he had felt as honored as Phillip when The Duchess had bestowed the gift on him.

Their fobs winked and glittered as The Brothers strode in long-legged elegance around the tables.  With the power of magnets, the two men drew the eyes of every woman in the room.  Their attention was shifted away from their plates or from Tessa’s table to watch them.  All stopped eating, drinking, and speaking; most of them had their mouths open in varied expressions of curiosity, longing, lust, and jealousy as The Brothers strode by. These two men were from the foremost family in England, other than the Royals, and were so similar in appearance that people often thought of them as twins.  To see two such tall, dark and startlingly handsome men stroll gracefully across a room where everyone else was seated, grabbed the attention of the men, as well.  Both Logan and Phillip had smiles on their faces as though what was about to happen was a perfectly congenial meeting of friends.  The ton knew that Logan, the younger son, was married; but now the heir, Lord Kenrick was finally out in Society after a long illness.

The widows and mothers of young debs were making plans!

Layton saw their approach as the threat it was. “It seems our conversation has invited reinforcements,” he said dryly, “and I have no wish to embarrass you, Miss Neeley, so I will look for you again.  Perhaps we will yet enjoy our dance.”  He sketched a bow to her and another at Pieter, then walked away.

Phillip veered off from following Logan, stopping to casually speak with friends, but continued to trail Layton out of the room.  As they reached the stairway, Tessa watched as he seized Layton’s arm. Although it appeared at first as though Layton would object, he looked up at Phillip’s face and continued walking with him as they exited the ballroom and moved easily down the stairs to the ground floor.    Phillip’s grip tightened as he continued ushering Layton along the hallway toward the front door.

“See here now, Kenrick.”

“Lord Kenrick,” Phillip quietly reminded him.

“Very well, my lord,” Layton sneered.  “Just what do you think you are doing?  I have no reason to leave and since I have been invited along with the rest of the people here, you have no right to put me out.”

“Oblige me, Layton,” Phillip said smoothly, his tone brooking no option.  “Wait until we are outside and I shall be happy to listen to all the reasons why you should not be thrown out on your arse and refused entry in the future.”

Layton jerked his arm, attempting to free it from Phillip’s grip. But it was like trying to remove an iron shackle.

“Stop struggling,” Phillip said quietly.  “It will do you no good and it will only make matters worse by drawing attention.”

Indeed, the footmen looked askance at them and Phillip noticed one starting to move toward him.  He motioned him off and then steered Layton through the vast entry hall, all the while walking sedately and quietly.  Anyone observing them might have thought they were just two men on a mission or searching for the men’s retiring room.  Phillip pushed him through the green baize door that led to the downstairs’ servant’s quarters, and finally through a door to the outside.  His arm released, Layton rubbed it where Phillip’s grip had no doubt left finger bruises.

“See here now, Kenrick!”

“Lord Kenrick to you,” Phillip admonished.

“My, my,” Layton spat. “Aren’t we feeling important with a mere courtesy title.”

“As a matter of fact, we are.  And I suggest you show some deference, Layton, for the day will come when I become a duke and you will still be a viscount.”

Layton had sense enough to look somewhat abashed at that realization.  “Well then, my lord, tell me what the hell this is all about.  I have never been anything but respectful and considerate to Miss Neeley.  You can’t make me believe this is all about a simple dance.”

“Quite right, Layton.  It’s not about the dance, although I thought I had made my wishes quite clear regarding that.  It’s about your activities in The Dials.  If you can convince me you know not of what I speak, we’ll just pretend this evening never happened.”

Layton’s face whitened.  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he sputtered.  “I have nothing to do with The Dials.  Where would you get such an idea?”

“Don’t try to gammon me, Layton,” Phillip said dangerously. ”Word is out.  You must have known that it wouldn’t take long for the ton to get wind of your sordid activities. With this kind of thing, word spreads faster than the pox, and I daresay the very men who enjoy the predilections of your house are the same ones who bruit it about.  Obviously, their morals and their discretion are on the same level.  What I don’t understand is, if little boys and girls are your bent, why are you pursuing a woman such as Miss Neeley?  I suppose it’s a ploy so no one will suspect you of pederasty?”

“Dear God” Layton gasped.  “I have no desire for little boys or little girls!  It’s just an investment!  Do you have any idea how much money those places bring in?  This is better than anything I’ve found on the ’Change.”

“Better for whom, Layton?  You or those little children?  Just what do you think Miss Neeley would say if she knew of your ‘investments’?

“Why, why, but, well,” he stuttered. “She would never know.  Women don’t care where the money comes from as long as they have plenty to spend on their clothes and fribbles.  I could give her a very good life.  She would want for nothing.”  He went on, seemingly unable to stop himself.  “I know that you and Huntleigh have had the burden of her care for a while.  If you and he could come to an agreement over this, I could take her off your hands and—”

“Do I understand you properly, Layton?” Phillip interrupted.  “You are asking for Tessa’s hand, and you feel you would enjoy being a part of the Hastings family and relieving us of this burden?”

Not noticing the depth of sarcasm in Phillip’s voice, Layton replied, “Well, of course.  Who wouldn’t feel honored to be included in your family?”

“I daresay,” Phillip drawled.  “Well, Layton, I think I had better set up a meeting with my brother.  I believe it would be best to get this straightened out.  You will, of course, need to bring all your financials.  Our man of business will want to make sure everything is as you say.”

“But of course!  You will find everything is tip-top and on the up and up, just as I’ve said.  I’m so glad we have come to an agreement, Kenrick,” Layton added with a self-satisfied smile.

“Lord Kenrick and I’ll not remind you again.”

“Oh, right you are, ha, ha.  But not for long, eh?  After all, soon to be family and all.”

“Hmm, yes.  Family and all,” Phillip drawled.  “But I think until then, Layton, it would be best if you didn’t spend any time with Miss Neeley.  We wouldn’t want word of this to get out.  She is so enjoying herself this Season and if anything were to spoil that, her sister and my brother would be most upset.  The Marchioness is in a delicate state right now.  This is to be her last night out before her lying-in, and if anything or anyone were to cause her anxiety, well, I would not wish to be the one responsible.  My brother, as well as His Grace, would become quite fierce should the well-being of anyone in the family be threatened.  You do understand, don’t you, Layton?”

“Of course, my lord,” Layton replied in a groveling tone.  Ahead, in his mind, lay a grand and glorious future.  This was turning out to be more than he could ever have dreamed or hoped for.  He knew that if he had merely called on Logan, he would likely not have gotten past the butler.  “I would never want to do anything to discomfort the marchioness or anyone else in your family.”

“Good man!”  Phillip answered dryly.  “This may take a week or so before we can arrange an audit.  Our man of business has been quite tied up, what with Logan and I coming into our titles at the same time.  We’ll inform you as soon as we can set it up.  I’m sure my brother will wish to revisit Miss Neeley’s dowry.”

Layton’s head snapped up.  “Her dowry?  Is there some problem with that?  Because, you know, I understand if she has but a small one, growing up in the poorhouse and all.”  He knew exactly what her impressive dowry had been reported to be, but he didn’t want to appear to be overreaching.

Phillip looked at him from under lowered lids.  “Wherever did you get the idea she grew up in a poorhouse, Layton?”

“Well, I’m sorry, my lord. I certainly don’t wish to be spreading gossip, but it has been well known that the two sisters came from nothing.  That’s why this would be such an advantageous match for the chit.”

The chit? Phillip clenched his fists and slowly exhaled a breath to control his anger.  “Yes, well, I don’t know why you would believe that, Layton,” he replied carefully, not taking his eyes from Layton’s face.  “But you should know if you are to marry her, that her bloodlines are every bit as blue as yours.  And she comes with not just a dowry, but property as well.”

After Logan and Juliana married, Logan had his man of business lodge an investigation of the larcenous aunt and uncle who had taken over the girls’ lives and inheritances upon the death of their father, Baron Neeley.  To further his crimes the uncle had them installed and put to work at the Community Home doing menial labor at the ages of thirteen and fourteen. He then collected their salaries as well as the rents from their inherited baronial home.  Logan, with the help of his uncle, Trevor A. Chapman, Lord Bishop of London, had the girls’ uncle shipped to Botany Bay, never to be allowed to return.  His wife Marcella Neeley had been transported to America.  There she was indentured for seven years and, with her husband gone, their money seized for Tessa and Juliana, and with no other relatives or any place to live in England, it was doubtful she would ever return.

Layton was nearly weak-kneed at this news.  He knew that her dowry was the talk of the ton, but property as well?  Now that her brothers-in-law were both marquesses and her sister’s father-in-law a double duke, there was no limit as to the power he, himself would wield.   People would start listening to him and he would finally have a voice in Parliament.  He looked carefully at Phillip’s face to make sure he wasn’t gulling him. What he saw gave him comfort: Phillip looked perfectly serious.   But then, the word ‘audit’ rose from his subconscious and dealt him a grievous blow. “Now about this audit, my lord,” he asked, trying to sound casual.  “What exactly will be required of me for that?”

“Just bring your financials, Layton,” Phillip said casually “This could be a lengthy proposal by the time we’ve checked your bona fides, but a proper audit must be done to assure that you receive all you are entitled to. After all,” he added purposely, “as her husband, you will become responsible for quite a large inheritance.”  Against his will, Layton’s head jerked up.  “But I assure you, it’s nothing to worry about.”  Phillip shrugged as though to minimize the perceived gravity of an audit.   “Are you familiar with our man of business, Richard Salisbury?”

“No, my lord.  I don’t believe I’ve ever met him.”  But you can bet I will be asking about him now!

“He worked for the earldom before my father became Duke of Warburton and Easton.  Now he handles just my estate and that of my brother. The double duchess has had her own man since before her father died and my own father is using him now.  We’ll also be using the firm of Quarles, Spence & Quarles for some of the legal work.  You’ve probably heard of them.  They’ve been around for generations.  If you like, you could have your man call on Salisbury and if everything’s in order, that part could probably be handled in an afternoon.”

“That’s very considerate of you, my lord,” Layton hedged, “but I would certainly want to meet with Lord Kenrick to make sure I understand all the ah ... things ... that is legal ... ah, well as you said, it would be a large inher ... a lot to understand, that is.  Well, you can imagine,” he faded off.

“Yes, I can imagine,” Phillip drawled, enjoying Layton’s discombobulating.  “Well, you’ll be hearing from one of us soon enough, Layton.  You can go right down the side of the house here and no one will see you.”

“Of course, my lord.  I will be most anxiously awaiting word from you.  And may I say, my lord, that I will be most discreet where Miss Neeley is concerned.”

“I’m sure you will be, Layton.  It will be in your best interests to comport yourself in that manner.”

Layton all but waved goodbye as he walked sideways down the side of the house, smiling at Phillip along the way. When he turned to walk down the street to look for his carriage, he was almost skipping.  His life was suddenly taking a stunning turn for the best.  With the dowry and income from his future bride, he would soon have enough money to expand his business venture and move ahead with his plans for a brothel, the likes of which the ton had never before seen.  His girls would be the best of the best.  And the woman he had managing his kiddy brothel – wait until she heard of his plans and that he was to marry – and who he was to marry.  That woman would be just the one to recruit girls from the higher classes.  She spoke well and claimed that she had moved very near to the top of the upper ten thousand.  He didn’t know if he believed that, but it had been at least close enough.  And if he paid them well, she might be able to recruit girls from some  cit who needed money to move up.  He had no intention of using the usual whores that were dragged in from the gutters and then given a bath and a clean dress.  Most of them could barely speak well enough to carry on a conversation with the class of customers he planned to attract.  He found his carriage, gave instructions to his driver, and hopped in.  Settling back against the squabs he continued musing on the miraculous turn his life had taken.  Was it too good to be true?  Lord Kenrick, he sneered to himself, seemed alternately polite and haughty.  But that could be put down to his preoccupation with his new title.  It certainly was an incredible story.  The Duchess of Easton and Warburton, known to the ton as The Double Duchess, managed to acquire not just a dukedom for her lover, Kenrick’s father, the Earl of Thornewood, but through some long-forgotten commandment of Queen Elizabeth, when they married, the earl became a double duke and his sons each took the courtesy title of Marquess from their father’s new dukedoms.  The Duke and Duchess were now known by the ton as “The Doubles”.  And he would soon be a member of this aristocratic family that was as close to royal blood as existed in the realm.   Not that Tessa Neeley was blood to them, but her sister was married to the double duke’s second son, who became the Marquess of Huntleigh upon his father’s marriage.  Miss Neeley even lived in the same house with them.  He imagined attending family dinners and celebrations at the homes of The Doubles.  And with Tessa as his wife, no one would dare question or criticize his connection to brothels.

He rested his head back against the seat and a triumphant grin settled on his lips.  If he felt smug, he had every reason.  He had handled this business with the delicious Tessa.  She would probably be a handful from what he had observed, but once they were married, there was nothing she or anyone else could do.  She’d settle down in a hurry or he’d have the pleasure of showing her who was in control.  The thought of her servicing him whenever he pleased made his groin tighten.  But in a few minutes, he would be at the Yum-Yum House, as the little ones called it, and he’d make use of that little blond tyke who was so adept at giving him the yum-yum he had become addicted to.

The carriage pulled up in Neal’s Passage, an alley next to the building.  He never arrived out on the street where he or his coach might be recognized.  In this manner, he could enter through a side door and disappear into the depths of his private apartment.  “Call for me at ten tomorrow,” he ordered his coachman.  It would be too late to return to his townhouse after he was through with his enjoyments and he wanted time in the morning to speak with his matron who managed his kiddy brothel.