Regency - Chapter 12

Though Alec knew Tufton had a list of the ladies' scheduled events, the man didn't put in an appearance at the ball. At first Alec was surprised, but thinking back over their last encounter, he realized that the man probably still bore the marks of Alec's fist.

He couldn't keep a very satisfied smile off his face as he rode home from the ball. He had enjoyed his first dance with Beth- what would hopefully be the first of many. He had watched her take the first steps towards making friends with other women. And he had somehow avoided letting his jealousy show as she danced in the arms of countless other gentlemen.

All in all, a successful evening indeed.

He was pulled from his thoughts by the sight of a familiar figure. Tufton. The man was standing in the doorway of a large townhouse, likely his own, staring out into the street. Alec knocked on the roof of his carriage and his driver came to a stop. Looking back, Alec watched Tufton exit his townhouse and hop into his own carriage as it pulled up.

"Follow that carriage, but try not to be too obvious about it," Alec called to his driver as Tufton's rig moved past them.

The driver nodded and started off again, keeping the carriage in sight but hanging back far enough to not be too noticeable.

Alec was not surprised when Tufton's carriage stopped in front of one of the seedier clubs. It was a well-known haunt for those who enjoyed gambling, especially those searching for deep play.

Tufton was new enough to town, he likely hadn't burnt through his quarterly allowance. Alec suspected the man was here to try and increase his holdings. He couldn't confirm his ideas without going in, though, and he didn't want to risk being recognized. Instead, he called his footman over and gave him quick instructions.

"I just want to know what Alexander Tufton is doing," he said. He gave a quick description of the man, then sent his groom in, grateful that he didn't require his men to wear livery like some noblemen.

Peters soon came back out and rejoined Alec.

"Did you find him?" Alec asked.

"Aye, milord. E's in there right enough. E's chattin' with some rough lookin' coves. I'd lay odds as e's involved in somefing not so up-an'-up."

"Thank you, Peters. Do you know who the men he was meeting with were?"

"I asked one o' the other men and 'e says they was known 'round these parts as McGin and McGor. Real rough men."

"Excellent work. That should give me enough to work with," Alec answered, flipping Peters a coin for his troubles. "Now, we'd best be off. I don't expect him to-" He paused as Tufton's familiar figure exited the club and returned to his waiting carriage.

"Nevermind. Keep following him," Alec directed his driver. Soon they were once again rolling along behind the other carriage.

The next stop the carriage made was, surprisingly, at the ball Alec had recently left. He had left shortly after Beth's family, though he knew the ball would continue for another two or three hours.

Now, he waited in his carriage and watched the doors as Tufton hurried into the grand house. Alec wondered if the man would leave once he realized his target was no longer in attendance. Sure enough, he was soon exiting the house and returning to his carriage.

Alec expected him to retire to his home or to some other form of entertainment favored by the men of the ton. What Alec would never have guessed was that Tufton's rig would rattle down the streets, stopping at a random townhouse. Alec was going to assume the man had a tryst with a widow or something when he noticed two dark figures leaving the carriage and creeping down the dark street instead of entering the house they had parked near.

Stepping out, Alec signalled his driver and groom to wait near the carriage. He would be less conspicuous on his own.

Following the men was easy. Their final destination surprised Alec more than anything else that had happened thus far. They stopped at the familiar home of Beth and her family.

They hid in the shadows of the bushes near the house and Alec concealed himself a short ways away behind a clump of bushes near the street. One of the figures headed to the back. He was gone for only a few minutes before returning. The other figure then rose and walked to a spot beneath a large tree, no longer hiding. It was Tufton. He was still positioned so he could not be seen from the street, but anyone coming from the servants' door at the back of the house would be able to find him fairly easily.

Had he set up a nighttime tryst with the lovely Arella? Did he really expect her to cast aside the rules of society for a late night meeting with him at such an early stage in their courtship?

Of course, Alec thought Arella might do so. From their brief conversations, he had noted a wild streak in her, and a decided interest in things that she knew she ought not participate in. Perhaps a midnight meeting with a man known to be a little wild himself would appeal to the spoilt beauty.

Alec sighed. If she did come out, he would need to stay and keep watch. He couldn't allow Beth's sister to be compromised by Tufton. Not only was it his gentlemanly duty to protect a young, innocent debutante, he also had a duty as Beth's friend. She would be heartbroken and her own prospects would be ruined if Arella were dragged into a scandal.

While Alec waited and watched the lone figure under the tree, he considered what he would do if Arella did come. Would he interrupt their meeting? Or would he merely keep an eye on them to prevent discovery or any truly scandalous behaviour?

Before he could decide, he saw Tufton stand up straighter and look towards the back of the house. Soon, a female figure appeared, clad in a dark cloak with the hood pulled up. She joined Tufton under the tree.

"Thank you for coming," Tufton said quietly. Alec had to strain to make out their words.

"I received your letter," an unexpected voice answered, bringing a scowl to Alec's face. It was not Arella joining Tufton for a midnight tryst after all. It was Beth!