Angel's Touch by Elizabeth Bailey Page B

expose himself
as a cripple before the public eye. He was destined to be
surprised.
    After a moment the marquis spoke again, his tone determinedly
cheerful. ‘Now we have that settled, I must have your help on
another matter. It is Wystan’s birthday in a couple of days and I
would like, if possible, to think of something to do. Something
different, unusual.’ He looked hopefully at his secretary. ‘Come
now, Inskip, you are such a clever fellow. I am sure you can think
of some suitable entertainment.’
    Inskip smiled. ‘Well, sir, an idea does spring to mind. Lord
Braxted himself mentioned it to me, though where he had his
information I am at a loss to imagine.’
    ‘ Good God, don’t sound so mysterious, man. Out with
it.’
    ‘ It
seems there is to be one of these—er—village style diversions on
Saturday.’
    The
marquis covered his eyes with one hand and groaned. ‘God help me!
You don’t mean one of those appalling occasions where old men puff
tobacco for a quart of gin and young women engage in a donkey
race?’
    ‘ Exactly so, my lord,’ confirmed Inskip, grinning. ‘It is to
be held on Tunbridge Wells Common in honour of the soldiers who
have gone off to France.’
    ‘ Tunbridge Wells!’ echoed his lordship, and experienced an
abrupt jolt in his chest as the image of bright hazel eyes and a
friendly smile surrounded by black curls leapt into his
mind.
    ‘ Master Wystan—I mean, his lordship—did speak rather wistfully
of a desire to attend the event,’ offered Inskip in an apologetic
tone. ‘There is expected to be quite the atmosphere of a fair. Lord
Braxted expressed a strong wish to see a—a bearded lady who is to
appear, and—’
    ‘ A
bearded lady? Good God!’
    ‘ Yes, sir. And an enormously fat pig is promised. However,’ he
added, as a look of horror passed over his employer’s face, ‘I did
venture to point out to his lordship that it was unlikely that
—’
    ‘ No,
no,’ interrupted the Marquis. ‘If he has set his heart on it, how
cruel it would be to fob him off with some other amusement that he
would not like half as well, I dare say. Besides, it will serve
admirably for a birthday treat. We may celebrate here on Friday,
the day itself, and then make an expedition of it to these
diversions.’ He nodded, briskly determined. ‘Yes, we shall go. We
shall take Peggy and Kittle, too. And you and Eastleigh may
accompany us.’
    ‘ Well, if your lordship does not mind,’ Inskip said hastily,
‘I have a great deal of business on hand.’
    The
marquis smiled. ‘But I do mind, Inskip. And if you imagine I will
attend this dreadful event without your support, you were never
more mistaken. Moreover, it was your idea, my friend. On your own
head be it.’
    Saturday dawned fair and bright, much to the Salmesbury’s
chagrin. He had half hoped for rain, which would have afforded a
legitimate excuse to cry off the promised treat. But no such
fortune occurred, and the whole party set off just after ten so as
to be there in good time for the asses’ race scheduled to begin at
twelve. Inskip having provided himself with a programme of events,
they were able to plan the day to encompass all those that Braxted
particularly wished to witness.
    The
marquis groaned in spirit when they arrived at the Common to find
an enormous crowd of persons wandering about in their holiday
best.
    ‘ For
the Lord’s sake, let us keep together,’ he said, feeling harassed
already.
    ‘ I
think, my lord, it will be as well to appoint a place of rendezvous
at which we might seek each other out should we become separated,’
suggested Inskip.
    ‘ Yes, indeed,’ agreed Mr Eastleigh. ‘At my advanced years, you
know, one cannot be racing about hunting for persons in a crowd.
And I dare say you, my lord, would not wish. . .’
    He
left the sentence delicately unfinished, but the marquis laughed.
‘Very true, Eastleigh. But Hoff will stick with me to succour me if
I should be overcome by fatigue.’
    ‘