Hugh: A Hero without a Novel by Lawrence David

Author:Lawrence, David
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Broadbound Publishing LLC
Published: 2021-09-21T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 24

By breakfast something had changed in the house. Some reprimand must have befallen Jasper for he was not to be found and the domestics were nearly shiftless for their hushed whispering in corners. Lady Highborough, too, appeared particularly pleased. While entertaining friends at breakfast, her godson was seized and celebrated to her guests as only she could do, praising him to the heavens then releasing him like a sparrow into the Spring day. And there Hugh remained until late afternoon, not trusting to meet the valet just yet. After dinner he exchanged an indifferent glance with Sharp in the corridor, but no more. A short time later Frederick called him into his study to say they were expecting guests in two nights’ time.

“Guests?”

“A small gathering of the known, unknown, and unexpected. It is a dinner of some consequence.”

That night Hugh sank into bed in no little expectation and rose early when the new chamber maid entered the room. In the house just a couple days, this Eleanor was a pert thing in a white bonnet which held her face like a new rose. Chatting merrily, she dallied here and there, quite sure of her attractions and looking to climb if a man could spare a moment to look at her. After she had swept, dusted carelessly, and stoked the fire, which she proclaimed she was ‘quite skilled at’, Hugh ordered a pitcher of water after which he intended to step outside for a walk.

He was looking idly into his wardrobe when Jasper entered the room. Hugh had only a moment to note the oddness of the visit when the valet came forward and fetched him such a slap with the back of his hand that Hugh crashed full on against the wardrobe. He was for a moment blinded to everything but stars – he then rounded on his servant to repay the blow, with interest, when Jasper held up one finger: “One word and I fetch the letter. I know what is planned for ye tomorrow night, and one word from me ruins those plans. And may well ruin yer father.”

“You don’t dare, you dog! You need this––”

Jasper seized Hugh’s ear and nearly dangled him off the floor. The pain was so excruciating Hugh could scarcely breathe, unable to trust his trembling nerves in a counterattack, which might serve only to detach that orifice entirely.

“Pull a stunt like that again and ye’ll have much more than a twisted ear to trouble ye,” Jasper hissed, no more than a watery mess before Hugh’s swimming eyes. “I’ve never yet been subjected to such scrutiny in this house, as happened after your talk with Sir Frederick. And if––”

“Go to hell, you swab!” hissed Hugh.

“Lord bless me what’s happened?” The chambermaid had returned, at which point Hugh was unceremoniously released. Shuddering, he attempted to regain his dignity while blinking furiously and choking on an overabundance of spittle.

“I shall call here at eight this evening,” said Jasper, “and ye’d best be here. None of yer prancing about the city tonight… I want ye here and ready for me.

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