One Enchanted Evening (Marriage by Fairytale Book 2)

by Ruth Ann Nordin

  “We can stay here,” he said. “We’ve already gone on several walks. We don’t need to go out every day. And, as you pointed out, the weather isn’t very nice this morning. It might be nice to snuggle up together in front of the fire and talk.”

  “You don’t want to take the carriage?”

  “We’ll be in the carriage tomorrow. I’d rather not spend time in one today. While I like doing anything with you, there are only so many carriage rides I want to take.”

  “I suppose it can get boring in a carriage if you’re in one too long.”

  Yes, it definitely could. The only reason he’d been able to handle the long ride to and from Stephen’s manor was that he got to visit his good friend. He was relieved Marcy would be joining him on future visits. He had a lot to look forward to. A lifetime of wonderful things. With a smile, he finished his meal.

  ***

  Lewis stepped into the Duke of Larkinson’s residence just before two. This afternoon’s meeting should prove to be an eventful one. He pulled out the neatly folded parchment from his pocket. He’d brought over the questions Stephen had given him to ask the duke. Stephen knew specific terms about investing that Lewis still couldn’t wrap his mind around, so he needed these in order to make sure he accomplished everything Stephen wanted.

  The footman led him to the drawing room where two ladies were talking.

  “Pandora, you tell the most wonderful stories,” the Duchess of Larkinson told the redhead who looked to be in her mid-twenties. “I can’t remember the last time I laughed so hard.” She wiped her eyes with a handkerchief.

  “It was in a book I read,” Pandora replied. “I didn’t come up with it on my own.”

  “You’re very modest, but you mustn’t be,” the duchess said. “It’s in the way the story is told. That makes all the difference.”

  Since there was a break in the conversation, the footman spoke up. “Your Grace, Lord Pruett has arrived.”

  The two ladies, who’d been wrapped up in their own world, finally noticed Lewis and the footman.

  The duchess gestured for Lewis to have a seat. “My husband will be here shortly,” she told him before motioning to Pandora. “This is Miss Charville. She’s a dear friend.”

  “Yes, I remember her from the ball when I was talking to your husband,” Lewis said then offered Miss Charville a greeting. “They had just shared a dance. It was right before you joined us.”

  “How is your wife doing?” Miss Charville asked.

  “She’s doing well,” he replied.

  Miss Charville’s gaze went to the duchess. “I saw the two dancing before he came over to speak to your husband.”

  “Oh, I saw her,” the duchess said. “She’s a pretty lady. She holds herself very well, too. I don’t recall seeing her before.”

  “She was living outside of London.” He decided not to tell them Marcy had been a maid. He was sure she didn’t want anyone to know that. “I brought her here right after I married her. I married her just over a month ago.”

  “Where outside of London did she live?” Miss Charville asked.

  “It’s not too far north of here.” Hoping she wouldn’t ask exactly where Marcy had been living, he added, “It was nice to bring her to London with me. My townhouse doesn’t feel so empty with her there.”

  The duchess smiled. “Isn’t that wonderful? I remember when my husband and I had just married. There’s nothing quite as beautiful as new love.” She turned to her friend. “We should find someone for you.”

  Miss Charville shook her head. “I love being single.”

  Up until the night of Stephen’s ball, Lewis would have said the same thing, so he could understand why she chose to remain unmarried.

  “I suppose marriage isn’t for everyone,” the duchess said.

  “It’s not for me,” Miss Charville agreed. “I’m happy for ladies who want to be married and are, but I always knew I was better off on my own.” She turned her attention to Lewis and gestured to the parchment in his hand. “May I ask what you’re holding?”

  “It’s some questions I want to make sure I ask the duke,” Lewis replied. Noting the curious glance from the duchess, he added, “Unfortunately, I’m not very good at investing. My friend, however, is. I hope it’s all right that I brought his questions along.”

  “It’s perfectly fine,” the duchess assured him. Then, looking at her friend, she said, “Lord Pruett is here on behalf of Mr. Bachman. The gentleman is a recluse. He lives an hour from here.”

  Miss Charville’s eyebrow rose in interest. “Oh?”

  Lewis nodded. “Mr. Bachman is a good friend. He suffered an injury that requires him to wear a mask. Because of that, he doesn’t come into London.”

  “I think I know who you’re talking about,” Miss Charville said. “Was he married to Lady Eloise?”

  “Yes, he was.” He turned his attention back to the duchess. “I’ll be going out to Mr. Bachman’s tomorrow with the answers your husband gives me.”

  “Will your wife be joining you?” Miss Charville asked.

  “Um, yes. We’ll be there for two or three days. Then we’ll come back with Mr. Bachman’s reply.” After a moment, he told the duchess, “I’m sure I’ll have those written down, too. I don’t want to forget anything he says.”

  The duchess smiled. “That’s a wise idea since you’re the messenger. My husband prefers people to be prepared when they talk to him. You’d be amazed at how many people come here without having done their research first. My husband has little patience for that kind of thing. He would much rather have you bring a list of questions. Also,” she smiled, “it’s nice when a gentleman can admit he doesn’t know everything. Your honesty is refreshing.”

  “Her Grace is just as good at investing as His Grace is,” Miss Charville said. “The two have been a great help to me after my mother died. I don’t know what I would have done with the family fortune if it hadn’t been for them.”

  The duchess’ cheeks grew pink. “That’s very kind of you to say, but you were already well off. Your mother and step-father were kind to think of your future.” She glanced at Lewis. “I think of Miss Charville as my own daughter.”

  “And you’re like the mother I lost,” Miss Charville told her.

  The duchess dabbed tears from her eyes and patted Miss Charville’s hand in gratitude. “I wish I’d been fortunate enough to have you as my own child.”

  Lewis shifted uncomfortably in the chair. While it was nice to watch the sentimental exchange, he would rather not be a part of it. It seemed much too personal. Perhaps if he knew these ladies better, he wouldn’t feel like an intruder.

  Fortunately, the duke came into the drawing room. He got up from the chair and greeted him.

  Miss Charville rose to her feet. “I should go.” She turned to the duchess. “I’ll come by in two days. Then we’ll go shopping.”

  “I’m looking forward to it,” the duchess replied.

  On her way out of the drawing room, Miss Charville told Lewis, “I wish you well on your marriage. May you have a long and happy life together.”

  Lewis wasn’t sure what to make of her. She seemed unusually interested in his wife, didn’t she? Marcy had never mentioned having a friend by the name of Miss Charville, so he didn’t think Marcy knew her.

  The duke instructed the butler to bring in some tea then sat next to his wife. Putting the matter with Miss Charville aside, Lewis sat back in the chair and started asking the questions Stephen had given him.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Marcy kept expecting someone to deliver another missive, but nothing came. She didn’t know what Pandora was going to do next or when she planned to do it, but there was no doubt that Pandora was planning something. Otherwise, why would she send a missive to begin with?

  She wants you to squirm. She wants to make you suffer, just as you made her mother suffer.

  If only Marcy could go back and do things differently. If only she could erase that night from
her life.

  At least a trip out to visit Patricia and Stephen would help take her mind off of things, so she was anxious to get away from London for a couple of days. She hated feeling like she was being watched all the time. Just to make sure no one was following them, she looked out the carriage window a few times during the carriage ride.

  Good. No one had followed them. She just wanted to enjoy herself. Once more, Stephen’s manor was an escape from her past.

  She closed her eyes. Would there ever be a time when she could let go of the past, or would it always be haunting her?

  “Are you feeling all right?” Lewis asked.

  She opened her eyes and turned her gaze to him. Noting the worried expression on his face, she forced herself to smile as if she didn’t have a care in the world. “I’m fine.” She put her arm around his and leaned into him, thankful for his quiet strength. “It just feels strange to know I’ll be a visitor instead of a maid. I hope I don’t start cleaning something.”

  As she expected, he chuckled at her joke. “If you do, I’ll carry you out of the room and remind you that you’re no longer a maid; you’re my wife.”

  He shot her a wicked grin that let her know exactly how he would remind her she was his wife. If everything with Pandora wasn’t happening, she would have been tempted to start cleaning just to see if he would follow through on that promise. But it was hard to even think about such things when she kept wondering what Pandora was going to do next.

  This is exactly what she wants. She wants you to fret and worry. She wants to ruin your happiness.

  Fortunately, she was saved from having to play along with Lewis’ playful banter because the carriage came to a stop. They had arrived in front of Stephen and Patricia’s manor. She gave Lewis a quick kiss then turned her attention to the door.

  The coachman helped her out. A familiar peace came over her. Out here, away from London and everything in it, she was granted a reprieve. Out here, her step-sister wouldn’t be watching her.

  This peace won’t last. Sooner or later, you’ll have to return, and when you do, she’ll be waiting.

  She closed her eyes. No. She wouldn’t think of it. She was going to focus on having a pleasant visit with Patricia and Stephen. When she returned to London, she could worry about what Pandora was going to do next.

  “Marcy!”

  She opened her eyes in time to see Patricia running out to meet her. On impulse, she rushed forward so she could meet her friend halfway. The two hugged, and Marcy felt tears well up in her eyes. She’d forgotten how comforting it was to be around Patricia. Despite the pain Patricia had endured in the past, she hadn’t let it stop her from being sweet to others. She hadn’t let her past make her bitter. It was so unlike the path Marcy had chosen when she was fifteen. Thinking of how bitter she’d gotten after the death of her parents, Marcy felt a shiver go up her spine. It was that bitterness that had led her to put hemlock in her step-mother’s decanter.

  “Are you chilly?” Patricia asked as she pulled away from her.

  Not wishing to state the real reason she shivered, she said, “A little. How have things been for you and Stephen since Lewis and I left?”

  “Good. We go for a walk every day, and he’s thinking of hosting another masquerade ball.”

  “He is?”

  She nodded. “I’m surprised, too. It took so much work to talk him into hosting one for Lewis. I didn’t think he’d say yes to another one, but the other day, he commented about how much fun the ball had been and suggested doing another one.

  “Not many people in London do masquerade balls. I’m sure a lot of people enjoyed it and would love to come back for another one.”

  “I think so, too.” Patricia’s smile widened. “This time when you come, you won’t have to run off and hide. You can spend the whole evening in the ballroom.”

  Marcy smiled in return. She did like going to balls. She had forgotten how fun it was to put on a pretty gown and dance. Her father had hosted a couple of them after he’d married Marcy’s step-mother. Even though she’d missed her mother, Marcy had enjoyed them.

  “Where’s Susanna?” Lewis asked.

  Unaware he and Stephen had walked over to them, Marcy gave a slight jerk.

  “Susanna’s taking a nap,” Patricia replied. “Would you believe she’s rolling without any help now?”

  “She is?” Marcy asked.

  “Before long, she’ll sit without any help,” Patricia said. “She’s growing up so fast.”

  Stephen turned to Lewis. “You need to get comfortable with her before she starts running away from you.”

  Lewis laughed at his joke. “I know I need to get over my fear of babies.” He glanced at Marcy. “They’re so little. I’m afraid I might hurt her.”

  “You wouldn’t hurt her,” Marcy assured him. “You’re a gentle person.”

  “That’s true,” Patricia agreed. “Also, she’s not so little anymore. You’d be amazed at how big she’s gotten since you were last here.”

  “How big has she gotten?” Marcy asked.

  Patricia used her hands to show Marcy how big the little girl had gotten. Marcy’s eyes grew wide. Patricia was right. It was amazing how fast babies grew, but then, she remembered how tiny Susanna was when she was born.

  “Will you two be staying for a couple of days?” Stephen asked.

  Lewis nodded. “We have a lot to discuss. I saw the Duke of Larkinson yesterday, and things went well. I wrote down the answers to your questions. He said he’s looking forward to doing business with you.”

  “Excellent.” Stephen glanced at Patricia and Marcy. “Do you mind if Lewis and I go to the den?”

  Patricia rolled her eyes. “Stephen, they just got here.”

  “I know, but I want to find out what the Duke of Larkinson said,” Stephen replied.

  “Oh, let them go,” Marcy told Patricia. She recalled how excited Stephen used to be when Lewis came here in the past. Stephen had been like a young lad getting a new toy whenever Lewis paid a visit. She gave Patricia a wink. “It’ll give us a chance to talk alone.”

  “I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to spend some time apart,” Patricia said. “We will have dinner together.”

  “Exactly,” Stephen replied. “And we have two more days to be in the same room with each other. There’s plenty of time to play games and talk.” He waved Lewis to go into the manor with him.

  Patricia smiled and turned to Marcy in amusement. “I shouldn’t be surprised. He’s been asking after Lewis for the past week. He was sure that Lewis would have talked to the Duke of Larkinson by now. It’s nice that Lewis can finally satisfy his curiosity. Stephen’s sure the business venture will be a fruitful one.”

  “I think Stephen’s right. Lewis was excited about it when he came home yesterday.”

  “That’s good then. The two will have a lot to discuss. But then, so do we.” Patricia’s eyes lit up. “How are things between you and Lewis? Is marriage as wonderful as you thought it’d be?”

  “Lewis is better than I imagined.”

  Patricia clasped her hands in excitement. “That’s splendid! Let’s go for a walk. Then you can tell me all about your marriage.” She gestured down the path that led to the maze. “Don’t leave anything out.”

  Since Marcy loved thinking about Lewis, she would have no trouble obliging her friend. All she wanted to do was keep her mind off of Pandora. Focusing on Lewis would be a good distraction. As Patricia led her toward the maze, Marcy began telling her about all the reasons she had for being grateful to be married to Lewis.

  ***

  The next day after breakfast, Marcy and Lewis played cards with Stephen and Patricia. It was still hard to think of herself as Stephen and Patricia’s equal. She’d had the urge to get them tea or ask them if there was anything she could do to make them comfortable. It didn’t seem right to sit and play a game with them.

  It was probably going to take a while before she shook off her old life as a maid. She could
n’t expect old habits to go away so soon. And it didn’t help that she didn’t feel worthy of being a countess.

  “Marcy?” Patricia asked.

  Marcy forced her attention to Patricia, who was smiling at her.

  “It’s your turn,” Patricia kindly told her. “Do you have any cards you can use?”

  Marcy looked at the cards in her hands. Just as she was about to select two that she could play, the footman came into the drawing room and announced that a messenger was at the door for her.

  Marcy blinked in surprise. “Are you sure the messenger is here for me?”

  “He specifically asked for Lady Pruett,” the footman replied.

  “You might as well see what he wants,” Lewis told her. “The poor lad made the trip all the way out here from London.”

  Considering there was no one else around who was sending out missives, Lewis was right. But why would she be the one receiving something? She didn’t live here anymore. She was only visiting.

  Since everyone was watching her, she got up from the table and followed the footman to the entryway. The messenger was a boy who looked to be thirteen or fourteen.

  “This is for you, my lady,” he said as he held out an envelope to her.

  She accepted it and noticed nothing was written on it. “Are you sure this is for me?”

  He nodded. “The lady specifically said to give it to Lady Pruett, and she said you’d be here.”

  “Who gave this to you?”

  He shrugged. “Not sure, my lady. She was wearing a veil.”

  She? Marcy glanced down at the envelope. Surely, it couldn’t be… No one had followed her and Lewis out here yesterday. There was no way Pandora could know she was here. Marcy hadn’t told anyone about her position here as a maid, and she knew Lewis was diligent in keeping that a secret since it wasn’t to his advantage to be married to someone who used to be one.

  The lad tipped his hat. “Hope you have a good day, my lady.”