You proved yourself Cousin
"You proved yourself tonight cousin!" Sidney M exclaimed.
James taking a long drink. The night had not been what he had expected…
The dinner was for the closet members of the Montrose family. With Joy preparing for their wedding and Sidney M's search for Steward Montrose the couple had had limited time alone. Sidney M was thankful his mother had arranged the table setting and Joy was seated next to him.
"All well, my love" he whispered in her ear when she walked into the drawing room. She was a vision and he wished he had pushed for a double wedding with his sister. Joy reminding him her father would never have accepted this as he had his heart set on Sanditon. Sidney M consoling himself by holding her closer than socially acceptable and lingered with his kiss. He had become quite skilled in knowing when someone would walk in the room and made sure they was at a respectable distance.
It was his mother and father who gave him a warning look as Babbington followed them into the room.
"Joy, my love" Babbington taking his daughter's arm and sat with her. He had a small box and gave it to her to open. Joy gasped as she recognised the earnings that her mother had worn on her wedding day. Babbington had been to his solicitor as Esther had wanted her daughter to be gifted the earrings for her wedding. Joy knowing it would have been difficult for her father kissed his cheek and thanked him for the gift.
"They are beautiful and match you perfectly" Charlotte commented as she watched Joy put on the earnings. Charlotte herself was wearing the jewellery gifted to her from Sidney.
Anne entered with Angus escorting her. Angus had purposely waited at the staircase and when she descended, he presented her with a single rose. He had specially gone to the hot house to find a pink rose. Anne had told him she loved knowing the meanings behind flowers and a single pink rose communicated romance…. first love. When Anne had seen the flower, she glowed with happiness.
James had arrived in his evening wear and gained the attention of a number of females in attendance. He was used to this and moved to speak with Sidney M and Angus. The three men seemed to have formed an instant friendship which pleased Sidney.
The dinner had been a success, and everyone was now relaxing in the various parts of the house. The men could be found in the study and were divided based on their ages. Sidney M, Angus, James were seated together listening to James as he spoke about the different places he had visited. Sidney M was interested in learning more about his cousin. While they were enjoying a whisky, a message was given to Sidney M who passed it instantly to Angus.
"What do you want to do?" Angus asked. James looking on with interest as Sidney M had taken on a stormy look that reminded him of his Uncle Sidney.
"We need to follow this up, but we will wait until everyone has gone to bed" decided Sidney M. James sensing there was adventure asked if he could be of any service. Sidney M tilting his head to the side crucially assessed James and weighed up his cousin's offer. Sidney nodding and the men met later in the stables when everyone had gone to bed.
James was not the only one who was waiting. Sidney M introducing all of his men to James who didn't flinch when given a loaded gun.
"Let's see how helpful you can be! We are heading into the red district in London searching for man who has attempted to assassinate me. Let's ride!" commanded Sidney M and the group of capable horsemen left the grounds of the Montrose Estate.
James blood flowing in excitement as they arrived in the darkest parts of London. James knew this district as he had found his brother in the various brothels or bars. They stopped at a particular place that had an odd symbol on the front and were allowed entry. Their horses were taken to the back of the property.
They found a man tied to a chair and when Sidney M moved forward the man turned white.
"Please forgive me, my Lord" the man begged.
"It will depend on what information you give me… you have shown disloyalty to me by siding with my Uncle" growled Sidney M.
"He gave me no choice… my family was starving" argued the man
"You know I would have helped your family! You now have a choice … where is Steward Montrose?" Sidney M asked quietly. The man was silent until Angus moved to stand behind him and the man decided he would answer the question.
"He had been staying at the Red Dragon" the man breathed out.
"You made a wise choice, but you will have to face the consequences of your actions" Sidney directing two of his men to take the man back to the Montrose Estate. They slowly made their way to the 'Red Dragon' and easily gained entry. Sidney M, James and Angus finding a table at the back of the establishment.
"Is this something you normally do?" drily asked James who had seen his own fair share of bars.
"It is currently until we find our Uncle Steward!" spoke Sidney.
They were served some drinks and they engaged in conversation while keeping an eye on the other patrons. Sidney M learning more about his Uncle Tom and his dislike for the man increased. He now understood why James and his brother had left. His admiration for own father increasing after hearing the help he had given James and his siblings.
"I don't think I would have survived without my Uncle Sidney. My father is a difficult man and obsessed with his project. As the oldest son he expects everyone to follow him even when he was often wrong. I don't know how my Uncle put up with him until I have spent the past 6 years watching my own foolish brother's back" James breathed out smoke from his cigarette.
Sidney M and Angus were thankful for the childhood they had lived compared to the Parker children. They never wanted to run away from their home… they wanted to protect it. Their attention was taken when Sidney M noticed a man walk into the bar. It was the valet of Steward Montrose and they watched as he walked through a side door.
"Are you ready?" Sidney asked.
They walked through the same doorway and started checking the various rooms. They finally headed upstairs and caught sight of the valet. They increased their pace and pushed through the closed door.
The room was empty…..
"Where is my Uncle?" demanded Sidney
"He is not here, and I will not tell you anything!" a defiant valet exclaimed. He wanted his master to be the Earl. He gave them a wicked smile and suddenly they were set upon by thugs. Sidney M, Angus and James easily overpowering the men. Sidney M pulling a scared valet from jumping out the window. Angus and James started searching the room and found letters… many letters.
"Where is my Uncle?" Sidney asked again his tone becoming deadly
"He has left London" breathed out the Valet
"Where?"
"I don't know" the valet dropping his head… he had surrendered.
James had sat down and was reading some of the letters….
"Who is Irene Frazer? She seems to have been regularly corresponding with your Uncle"
Angus grabbing the letters and only had to read the first one. Irene Frazer was his mother's companion and had been sending information about the family. No wonder he knew their movements. They hauled the men out of the establishment and since they were English, took to them to the authorities.
They arrived back at the Montrose Estate in the early hours and headed to the study. Sidney M pouring a drink for Angus and James. They at least had found the person who was supplying information. Irene would be removed in the morning and the family would be safe but they needed to find Steward.
Sidney turning to James….
"You proved yourself tonight cousin!"