The ball bounced gently just before the line and then over it. The racket passed by the spot where it had crossed a moment too late. "I believe that's game, mate." Jet grinned from his position on the opposite side of the court, leaning gently on his racket. Arthur tossed the errant ball in the air and caught it behind his back.
"Hodgson, bring us a drink." Arthur called out to the servant who waited at the sidelines.
"I suppose I'm off my game today, mate." Jet said by way of an apology.
"The score would seem to indicate that." Arthur teased. "Something on your mind?"
"Nothing out of the ordinary, I suppose." he answered. "Tired from last night - I won't say you were right in leaving the game before its conclusion; but I can't fault you in your valuing of sloth over avarice." He took a sip from the glass Hodgson had brought over.
"How long did the game continue after I took my leave?" Arthur inquired.
"Oh hours! Until we had bled the bloke dry. Run of bad luck that one had. Most of us wanted to call it a night but he begged us 'Just one more game! Just one more!' Of course Lord James was in his glory - once property rights went on the table his scruples went out the door."
"I suppose that 'conversation' we had with Lord James about his playing techniques was forgotten entirely?"
"In totality. No sense in stopping him though - the man was intent on ruining himself. At least Lord James sped up the process."
"Seems there is a use for his kind after all." Arthur smirked. "How did you make out?"
"Only a few hundred, but it will be useful on my trip to London next week." Jet took a sip of his drink.
"Business or pleasure this time?" inquired Arthur.
"I'm not sure I prefer the former without a touch of the latter - though in this case I believe both will be readily accomplished." Jet replied.
"Going to see Lord and Lady Cox then?" Arthur raised an eyebrow.
"Yes, and I must thank you for the introduction. While I initially found her unnatural proclivities and voracious appetites off-putting; I have since learned to appreciate their hidden values. And as the Lord's match the Lady's I cannot find any grounds to object to her charms - certainly he has encouraged me in that arena - and have taken great pleasure in indulging her whims. Though, I can very honestly say, there would be no amount of money you could pay me to spend the day as his valet." At this statement the two men laughed heartily.
"Do you think Miss Mason would object to your choice of leisurely activities?" Arthur glanced at Jet slyly.
"I wouldn't doubt that she would - but there is no need for her to be aware of such things. It is only the affairs of gentlemen, after all. I'm quite sure you would not tell Elizabeth all your doings." Jet answered.
"On the contrary, I keep no secrets from her. She is fully aware of my nature and dalliances. It is the only way I can protect her from those who would seek our separation."
"Since you mention it, Miss Foxham laid a rather serious charge against you at the dance last month."
"She said this to you?"
"Yes, and I gave her to know such intimations were not acceptable and that it would be in her best interest to desist in her accusations." Jet replied; Arthur looked thoughtfully at the glass.
"This is certainly true. Her bitterness is justified but the proclamation of the cause of it will only bring her downfall."
"Well, she was the one who allowed herself to be tempted." Jet answered.
"Also true, but I did promise to marry her if she gave in." Arthur said offhandedly.
"You seriously proposed to her?" Jet stared at his friend, astonished.
"Oh no, I was never serious. It was merely a means to an end - a challenge to be conquered by the muscle of the mind over the muscle of the arm. She was a fool to accept that a proposal that was only known to her and I would be in any way binding once the deed was accomplished. Scandal has thus far bought her silence, but she has obviously proven to be unequal to the task of discretion. It truly is a shame that she lacks even the most basic animal sense of self-preservation but seeks her own ruination." Arthur told this tale without even the vaguest hint of remorse, rather his tone was one of general disgust. "If not for the effort required in obtaining the conquest I should feel wholly ashamed that I denigrated myself with a female of such low upbringing."
"It is fortunate your quest did not result in offspring." Jet proposed.
"I will not deny that - an illegitimate child is troublesome enough; but to have that child born of a mother who lacks a proper sense of propriety is rather an unpleasantness I care not to repeat." Arthur returned. Jet was struck dumb - he stared at his friend trying to find his voice, but his mouth only moved wordlessly, gaping much like a fish that has suddenly found itself on the shore. For all their years of friendship this was a revelation. Arthur glanced over at his comrade and let a sly smile cross his lips. Jet found his voice.
"Repeat? You mean there is a child?" He rasped.
"Oh yes, I'm a bit surprised I neglected to mention it before." It seemed Arthur was quite pleased with the affect this information was having on Jet.
"Who is the mother?"
"Miss Eloise Gilbert. A rather unsuitable choice, I will admit - but, as my part in the matter was rather brief, I had not truly considered her fitness." Arthur frowned slightly.
"Miss Gilbert? I can scarcely recall her" Jet thought hard for a moment to locate the memory. "It's been years since she's been to any society event, hasn't it?"
"Six years, approximately." Arthur supplied.
"Yes! I recall her now - she was quite the toast of the town the season she came out. Very lovely and mild in manner from a wealthy military family. I had wondered what became of her... I suppose I have no need to wonder further."
"She was lovely, but mild of manner... I beg to disagree with you on that point. She possessed an initially unforeseen passionate nature - much the same as her father. She and her father came by the house some months after I knew her, fat with child, and making accusations that I was the responsible party. Her father demanded I marry her as soon as arrangements could be made in order to save myself from scandal. Young as I was, I likely would have acquiesced out of fear if not for my own father's wise intervention." Jet could not help but picture the meeting of the belligerent General Gilbert with the imperturbable, yet fierce, Duke Wyndham. "Father made very clear that no such arrangements would ever be made - that his son would never be tied to such a licentious woman. Of course, General Gilbert demanded satisfaction but Father merely dismissed his demand by reminding him that should Father kill him than there would be no one to guard his daughter from the life her lack of morals had purchased for her and that were he to try to raise a scandal against our family it would only expose his daughter's condition and leave the family's reputation in ruin - a condition undesirable with two younger daughters still to come out." Arthur smirked at his father's wisdom.
"What became of the child?" Jet's curiosity was piqued.
"Her father recommended the child be put up for adoption so that she might still be matched with a suitable young man - a soldier, perhaps - but she would not hear of it. She refused to part with the child and carried it around for months for fear it would be stolen from her were she to let it out of her arms for a moment. She arrived at the house one day, quite mad, insisting that I see the child. Of course, I would not indulge the ravings of such a woman and had her sent away but oh! How she screamed as they forced her from the grounds! Her illness became such that they had to lock her away in the house. They claim the child to be that of a servant and his wife, orphaned by cholera and charitably adopted by Gen. Gilbert - as sensible a conclusion as could be reached under the circumstance." Arthur finished.
"Well that's a pity, for she seemed such a fine girl. Is Elizabeth aware of even this?" Jet remarked.
"Yes, she has been aware from the first. I would never hide such a secret from her, lest she find out my deceit at a later date from a yet unknown interloper and despise me. Do you still think me a suitable match for her?"
"If she has no objections I cannot see why I should; as for me I would rather call you my brother than any other man." He offered his hand to Arthur. The two men clasped hands briefly in a sign of their continued fraternity.
"Mark my words:" Arthur advised as he walked back to the boundary line. "Stick with the whores and the married ladies. For the former can never prove the parentage of the child and the latter has every reason not to."
"Like Lady Cox." Jet winked, taking his position.
"Precisely." Arthur grinned. He bounced the ball a few times. A curiosity struck Jet.
"What is his name?" he asked.
"Who?" Arthur inquired absently.
"The child."
Arthur stopped for a moment and thought. "You know," He replied. "I haven't the foggiest. Love all." And with that he served the ball to Jet who promptly returned the gentle lob.