Chapter 4: Nathaniel’s Story
Nathaniel was admitted to Lord Charlesworth’s London townhouse after giving the secret knock. Lord Charlesworth’s butler, a thin, balding man, took his hat and coat, then showed him into the sitting room, which was a symphony of red, with red flocked wallpaper and crimson curtains made of thick velvet. Through the smoky air, he saw men in groups of two or three, and in various states of undress. Lord Charlesworth himself was seated in a great wing-backed chair, nursing a completely naked lad on his lap.
“Good evening, your Lordship,” said Nathaniel.
“Ah, Nathaniel,” said Lord Charlesworth, “so glad you could make it. I say, there’s a rather interesting chap I think you’d enjoy meeting. A Spaniard. Fernando or Ferdinand or something like that. Let me see…” He
