Alan Lewrie #03 - The King's Commission by Dewey Lambdin

Author:Dewey Lambdin [Lambdin, Dewey]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Great Britain, Media Tie-In, Historical, Action & Adventure, Sea Stories, Lewrie; Alan (Fictitious Character), Great Britain - History; Naval - 18th Century
ISBN: 9780449224526
Publisher: Fawcett
Published: 1991-01-02T00:00:00+00:00

“What's all this about?” Alan demanded after he had gotten his captain's leave to absent himself and had gone to Betty's lodgings.

“You've been a fool, Alan dear,” Betty Hillwood told him with a cool air. For once, she was properly dressed, fit for genteel company, and had the tea service on the breakfast table for them.

“Oh, I'll grant you that,” he fumed, declining her offer of tea and heading for the sideboard for a glass of wine. “But I did nothing with Anne Beauman. It was totally innocent!”

“I was not speaking of any troubles you are in with the Beauman family.” Betty frowned. “I am talking of the trouble you are in with me!”

“Look Betty… Mrs. Hillwood.” He fumbled. “We had a lot of pleasure, but…”

“You beg off seeing me, yet you continue to court that simpering fool, that mere chit of a girl Lucy Beauman,” she intoned icily.

“Anne Beauman saw me leaving your apartments, that's why I didn't come back,” Alan exclaimed. “She threatened to tell the Beaumans, out of concern for her younger sister-in-law.”

“You refused my offer of companionship and support, Alan, no matter the circumstances,” she drilled home archly. “No one spurns me. Alan. No one.”

“Surely, you see that it's impossible,” Alan stated, aghast at her attitude. “And I was kept aboard by duties. The Navy don't let me come and go as I please!”

“Ah, but the Navy allows you time enough ashore to woo your little Lucy, does it not? So don't lie about having no time for me. It won't answer.”

“But Anne will tell the Beaumans. About us.”

“Yes, she will, if she has any sense.” Betty chuckled. “What better way to dispel the gossip that you squired her about town and practically pawed her at the Frenchman's.”

“But I didn't, damn you!” he snapped.

“Oh, I am sure you did nothing so crude.” Betty laughed. “That's not your style, dear boy. But what people bruit about as truth and what is real are totally foreign to each other. Our boresome little circle has a juicy new scandal to twitter about, and I'm sure they'll work it to death before they're through.”

“I can explain everything,” he insisted, feeling cornered but game. “And I can't believe Anne would throw me to the wolves. It isn't her style, either.”

“In some ways, you are so innocent,” she cooed. “But either way, you are finished with the Beaumans. No more hopes of a profitable match with that simple young tit, even if you could explain everything.”

“My God, you're jealous!” he burst out in sudden understanding. “Did you have anything to do with this rumor getting started?”

“Not I, Alan. You did that yourself, you and Anne. With more common sense and discretion, you would not have gone into the shop with her,” Mrs. Hillwood explained. “One does not appear so publicly with a married woman. You should have gone on to the restaurant and waited for her, or found a more private place to do your talking. Perhaps gone for a carriage ride, which would have appeared unremarkable.

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