The Regency by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles

of his reception. The scandal of his relationship with Lucy's husband had bro ken so immediately before the latter's death that there were those who believed Lord Aylesbury had taken his own life. The scandal had been hushed up, Robert had departed the capital for the far North, and Lucy, at that time in a state of shock over the death of Captain Weston, had never under stood all the details; but it took a great deal of courage for Robert to accost her at all, and particularly when she was in the company of George Brummell.
    Knaresborough was wearing the bands of half-mourning, and in the time since Lucy had seen him last, he seemed to have grown taller and heavier, and aged five years.
    ‘ Why — Robert,' she said cautiously, and then on an impulse held out her hand. 'How do you do?’
    His shoulders relaxed, and he took it gratefully. 'It's very good of you to ask,' he said. ‘Mr Brummell, sir.' He bowed almost reverently to Brummell, who, for Lucy's sake gave him a civil nod, but did not smile.
    ‘I see you are in mourning,' Lucy said.
    ‘ My mother died in January,' he said, and a shadow crossed his face.
    ‘ Good heavens! I had no idea she was ill,' Lucy said unguardedly.
    Robert looked a little reproachful. 'She often complained of her delicate health, but I think many people believed it was only her imagination. I know Lord Ballincrea tried to hint as much last year when Mama was taken badly just before the Carlisle meeting, and I had to stay and look after her.' Lucy coughed, and exchanged a fleeting glance with Brummell. 'But what happened, Robert? Was it her old trouble? Did the physicians find out what was wrong with her? Robert shook his head sadly. 'They were always baffled by Mama's symptoms, and so it was at the end. It was very sud den. She had been upset during the evening because I was going away for a few days on business to a small estate of mine about fifty miles off. She didn't come down to break fast, but sent a message saying she felt too tired, and that I need not come up to say goodbye, as she knew I was in a hurry to get away. I —' He hesitated, his cheeks reddening. 'I'm afraid I took her at her word, and didn't disturb her. I set off on horseback for Headsham, and I was only half-way there when I was overtaken by a servant. She'd been taken ill as soon as I left. I turned back with him at once, but it was too late.' He swallowed. 'She was dead before I arrived.' Lucy looked at him with pity. 'Oh poor Robert!' she said. She had never had much imagination, but she could read between the lines of this story easily enough. The suspicion that his mother was a malade imaginaire must at last have begun to impinge on him, as it had long ago occurred to the rest of the world. For once in his life he had taken a stand and refused to give in to her velvet-gloved blackmail; and she had died, and he was riven by remorse and guilt.
    It was entirely possible, Lucy thought with loathing, that the old witch had died of rage, or simply to spite him, but of course one could not say that to Robert. Lucy had always hated bullying, and her indignation on his behalf made her speak to him more kindly than she might otherwise have done. ‘So you have come to London? Well, that was sensible. No- one can be dull in London. Do you make a long stay?'
    ‘ I was thinking of living here permanently,' he said shyly. 'I have nothing now to keep me in the North, apart from my estates, and they run themselves with only occasional supervi sion from me. I thought I might take a house, and settle down. I might get married, even, if anyone will have me.’
    Brummell looked more approving, and said, 'You wilt have no difficulty there, Mr Knaresborough. You have only to murmur your income in the right ear, and you will find all the mamas consider you most eligible.’
    Knaresborough smiled a little ruefully. 'Yes, I suppose that is all that matters.'
    ‘ It matters most, but not exclusively,' Brummell said. 'You need also to