Diana nodded. “She has. It was brave of her to finally admit it and to seek your forgiveness.” She squeezed her sister’s hand. “Things will change now. You will no longer be the forgotten daughter, dearest. You shall be the shining star.”
Charlotte felt tears prickle behind her eyes. At that moment, George approached them, staring at them as if they were quite mad.
“What are you two whispering about?” he said. “You can gossip together any time. We have a ball to go to.” He sidled in between them, holding out both his arms, gazing from one to the other.
Charlotte stared at her brother, barely suppressing a giggle. George was dressed as the Roman Emperor Nero, to match Diana’s goddess, complete with toga and imperial red cape. A circlet of vine leaves was perched on his head, and at great difficulty they had even managed to find a pair of leather Roman sandals.
“You look so imperious, George,” said Charlotte, her mouth twitching. “Please don’t feed us to the lions if we do not behave tonight.”
George’s eyes twinkled. “If you do not behave tonight, then I am afraid I must send you both into the arena, and you must battle until the death. Gladiator-style.”
Diana’s smile widened. “We shall have to put our masks on then, to avoid your tyranny, brother. Shall we?”
They raised their masks, taking George’s arm, and walked towards the steps.
***
Charlotte gripped the champagne flute tightly, gazing around at the spectacle. Lord and Lady Hastings had not spared any expense, she thought, sipping the drink. There was a veritable sea of flowers in the ballroom and enough candles to light the whole of London, she thought. While it was impressive, it was also a tad ostentatious. A bit like Lady Hastings and her daughter, she thought grimly.
The gentlemen and ladies had risen to the occasion and the rooms were teeming with people in costume. Charlotte had spotted a lady dressed as Good Queen Bess, complete with a dress so wide she could barely fit through a doorway and a flaming red wig. A group of young ladies fluttered by, all friends obviously, dressed as the Vestal Virgins, in matching white gowns and long white veils. They giggled into their hands as they adjusted their masks.
“It is quite a show, is it not?” said Diana, taking a sip of her champagne. “I almost feel as if I am at one of the travelling fairs, near Salbridge.”
George took a sip of his own champagne. “You are not far wrong, Di. I think a lot of this crowd could join the fair as freaks and be right at home.”
Charlotte smiled. “George! You are awful.”
He grinned. “You know it is true. London society is like a microcosm of a fair, anyway. Everyone is always on display and honing their act.”
Charlotte burst out laughing and Diana joined in. All three were laughing merrily when a tall figure dressed entirely in black except for a gold mask on his face, approached them. The laughter died down and they all stared at him.
The man took off his mask. Charlotte gasped. It was Lord Sebastian. She hadn’t recognised him at all in his costume, but she had to admit he cut a dashing figure. The black silk domino cloak he wore had a deep hood, which he pulled down as well, staring at them all.
They all curtseyed and bowed, as he did. Then he turned his vivid green eyes to Charlotte.
“You are a perfect Queen of the Nile,” he said slowly. “I noticed you as soon as you walked into the room, Lady Charlotte.”
Charlotte blushed furiously, not knowing what to say.
He turned to George and Diana. “Your costumes are spot on, as well,” he said. “The very epitome of ancient Rome.”
“Thank you, my lord,” said Diana, smiling. “I hope I do not display my ignorance, but what is your costume?”
Sebastian smiled. “I am a highwayman, Lady Diana. You may take your pick as to which.” His smile widened. “I rather fancy myself as Dick Turpin, perhaps, on his overnight ride to London on his horse Black Bess.”
“I have always loved that story,” said Charlotte, smiling. “It is romantic, is it not? The story of the highwayman riding on his horse, as black as the night.”
“Indeed,” said Sebastian, turning back to her. “I rather thought that you would like romantic tales of dashing highwaymen, Lady Charlotte.”
They stared at one another. Charlotte felt a prickling underneath her skin and the hairs on her arms stood on end. She had that same dizzying sensation she had on the night at the assembly rooms, when he had held her in his arms, and waltzed her around the room. As if everyone else had suddenly been erased and it was just the two of them, facing each other.
“Ahem.” George cleared his throat. He turned to Diana. “Would you like to go for a wander around the room, Diana? Take in the costumes?”
Diana smiled widely. “I thought you would never ask, brother of mine.”
They wandered off before Charlotte could object. She turned back to Sebastian, blushing again. “I do not know why they have rushed off like that. I do apologise.”
Sebastian gazed at her. “Do you not, Lady Charlotte? I can guess.” He smiled. “And I, for one, am quite happy at having you all to myself, even if we are surrounded by people.”
She gazed at him. “You are too kind, my lord.” She looked down at the floor. “Are you enjoying the evening?”
He shrugged. “The usual assortment,” he said crisply. “They might have masks on, but they are still the same, behind the costumes.” He paused. “It is the same crowd that does the circuit, year in, year out. Which is one of the reasons that a face as fresh as yours is so welcome.”
Charlotte blushed anew, not knowing what to say.
“I missed you,” he said, suddenly. “That was why I came to see you, when you weren’t on the circuit for a while. I was worried about you.”
Charlotte forced herself to laugh. “There was nothing to worry about, my lord. I am used to the country life and being in London and socialising so much was taxing for me.” She took a deep breath. “There was nothing more to it than that.”
He stared at her, hard. “Then why did you refuse to see me?” he whispered fiercely.
She blinked back tears. “I am sorry, my lord. It was wrong of me.” She took a deep breath. “All I can say is that I thought you were better off forgetting all about me, and that if I had received your visit it would only encourage your … interest in me.”
“But why?” His dark eyebrows were knotted. “Why should I be better off forgetting all about you? You are worth a hundred of anyone in this room. A thousand.” He blinked rapidly. “I have never met a woman like you, Lady Charlotte. No other lady holds a candle to you.”
“My lord,” she said, “you are too generous in your assessment.”
He took a deep breath. “Have I done something to offend you in some way? Is that it?”
“No, no,” she cried, tears filling her eyes. Why was this so difficult? This was the reason she had tried to end the acquaintance cleanly and sharply. Because it always came back to trying to cover up her malady.
It always came back to the malady. Just like poor Aunt Eliza had lived constantly under the curse of her own condition. She should never have talked to him, she thought furiously. Never have encouraged him in anyway. It was her own fault entirely, that this very best of men was questioning himself, thinking that he had done something wrong.
“Lady Charlotte,” he said urgently. “Please, do not get upset. We shall talk of it no more.” He stared at her. “Perhaps, we could just enjoy this evening, since I see you so rarely now.”
Charlotte stared at him. “When I saw you on Bond Street you were escorting Miss Drake.” She hesitated. “You seemed … closer than when I had last seen you together.”
Sebastian’s face reddened. “Yes, well, we all have to do our duty,” he said, a touch bitterly. “And Miss Drake, I fear, has become a duty that I have taken on, along with everything else.”
Charlotte stared at him. What did he mean? Was he saying that he still had no feelings for Miss Drake? Oh,
if only she could dispense with all the social etiquette and just ask him outright. If only she could warn him about the lady and what she was capable of. But she couldn’t, could she? Her tongue was bound, just as it was about her malady.
“Do you remember when we danced?” he whispered now, gazing at her.
She smiled slightly. “I have never forgotten it. My first waltz.”
He stared around the room. “They are not dancing a waltz at the moment, Lady Charlotte, but it would still be my pleasure to take you to the dancefloor.”
She hesitated. Should she? One part of her knew she was flirting with danger, once again. It would only stir up feelings that should be buried, and she knew it was the same for him as it was for her. She would be cruel to do such a thing. She had worked so hard to forget him and had made him angry by refusing to see him at her home so that he would forget her. To dance with him again would undo all of that.
But he was standing there, gazing at her with such emotion. He extended his hand. She stared down at it, still hesitating. She could not do it to him again. Not here, not now.
She had promised that she would dance like there was no tomorrow. She gently placed her hand in his and let him lead her to the floor, feeling her feet barely touch the ground.
***
Alicia worked her way through the crowd, grabbing another champagne glass on the way. It was so hot, and she was thirsty. She gulped it down like water, then continued scanning the room. Her gaze grew still at the dancers on the floor.
He was there. He held a lady’s hand and led her around the floor. For a moment Alicia couldn’t make out who it was. The lady was dressed as Cleopatra, and the costume was stunning. A simple gown of bright gold that displayed a brilliant gold necklace, set with ruby and turquoise stones. The lady’s dark hair was straight, in the Egyptian style, and on her head rested a golden circlet, with a cobra rearing up from the centre.
The lady turned her face, and Alicia gasped. It was Lady Charlotte. She had not only dared to come, but he had found her, in amongst this crowd. As she watched them dancing the quadrille, she felt tears prick behind her eyes once again. He had not searched for her, but he had searched for Lady Charlotte. It was obvious that he was genuinely fond of her. No, thought Alicia, it was even more than that.
He was in love with her. It was apparent in every look, and in the way that he moved. This small, unassuming woman, who tried not to draw attention, had somehow managed to sneak her way into the heart of London’s most eligible bachelor without even trying. While the machinations of her mother – as well as a small fortune and a strategic plan worthy of a military operation - had not moved him in the slightest.
Alicia studied her carefully. Lady Hastings declared Lady Charlotte Lumley as dull as a church mouse, but she knew that was wrong. The lady had an understated beauty, with her dark hair and flashing dark eyes. She was elegant in a way that Alicia could never hope to be, she thought despairingly. She was also witty and clever and well-read. She enjoyed highbrow opera. No wonder the marquis preferred her, she thought. They complemented each other’s tastes well.
She flagged a little. There was no use trying anymore. He preferred Lady Charlotte Lumley and that was that. She should just give up and bow out gracefully.
The music ended, and the dancers clapped politely. She watched Lord Sebastian leading Charlotte off the dancefloor to a private corner, where he took two champagne glasses, handing one to her. They laughed together softly, never once taking their eyes off each other.
“There you are,” said an imperious voice just behind her. She jumped, turning around. It was Mama. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere, Alicia.”
Alicia stared at her mother, frowning. The costume that she wore looked more than a little frightening. She was dressed as Medusa, the monster woman from Greek mythology, who had snakes as hair that turned people to stone if they gazed upon her. Alicia’s eyes travelled over her mother, from the wig made of a dozen especially crafted snakes to the bilious green gown with webbed gossamer wings at the back.
It was appropriate, thought Alicia darkly. Lady Hastings was known to turn a few people to stone with her acid tongue and tenacious manner.
Her mother was staring at Lord Sebastian and Lady Charlotte across the room. She turned to Alicia, her chest heaving heavily. “I cannot believe the audacity. She decided to come!” She paused, her voice full of venom. “What are you doing here, gaping at them? Go over there, now and put an end to it once and for all.”
Alicia stilled. “What are you saying, Mama?”
Lady Hastings gritted her teeth. “I am telling you to walk over there, Alicia, and reveal the ace up your sleeve.” She took a deep breath. “He is still enamoured of her, just as you said. It will not change of its own accord, so we have to change it. Tell him what you know about her.”
Alicia’s blood ran cold. “Mama, do not make me do it,” she hissed. “Not here. Not now.”
“Why not now?” Her mother stuck out her chin stubbornly. “We have tried to prune it, but it is obvious that it must be pulled out at the root. Tell him what his darling Charlotte is – a sickly woman who will surely go to an early grave.”
Alicia closed her eyes. Her head was spinning again. She didn’t want to have a confrontation with Lady Charlotte. She did not want to see the dislike flashing in the eyes of Lord Sebastian when he realised how low she had stooped. She didn’t want any of it.
She glanced longingly across the crowded room. Where was Lord Percy? But she couldn’t see him. He had disappeared. He could not help her. He could not save her.
Her mother was pushing her, now. “Do it. Go over to them and do as I say.”
Alicia took a deep breath. She didn’t look back at her mother for fear that the hatred she felt for her in that moment would be plain on her face. Instead, she walked slowly towards the man and the woman, with dread in her heart.
She didn’t have a choice. She had never had a choice. That was what Lord Percy had always failed to understand.
Chapter 24
Alicia felt herself trembling as she walked towards the marquis and Lady Charlotte. They hadn’t even spotted her yet, so caught up in each other that they were oblivious to everything around them. The marquis was leaning towards her, one arm on the wall behind her head, and she was leaning against the wall, champagne glass in hand. It was almost as though he was trying to ensnare her.
Alicia took a deep breath, ducking around a group, and then she was standing right in front of them.
At first they didn’t even notice her. Then Lady Charlotte’s dark eyes seemed to cloud over, and she stiffened slightly, staring at her. Lord Sebastian turned around, looking puzzled. Alicia saw the disappointment in his eyes when he registered her, quickly masked.
He bowed slightly. “Miss Drake.”
She curtseyed. “My lord. I must say, you have been leading me on a merry dance.” She forced a smile onto her face. “I have been searching for you all evening. But, alas, you have been elusive.” She paused slightly. “I see now why that is so. Lady Charlotte, your costume is exquisite. For a moment, I was quite convinced it was the Queen of Egypt in our midst.”
Charlotte inclined her head, staring at her warily. “Miss Drake. I thank you for your kind words. Your costume is wonderful, too. Are you a princess?”
Alicia laughed softly. “I am indeed. Perhaps I am Guinevere herself.” She hesitated, for a moment, wanting to run far away from them. She turned around and saw her mother watching them keenly.
She had no choice. She had to go in for the kill. She had been ordered, rather like an assassin, she thought darkly. An assassin that creeps stealthily behind, ready to stick the knife in the back and twist it.
Lords to Be Enamored With: A Historical Regency Romance Collection Page 76
