by Diane Gaston
‘I do not owe you an explanation, Lady Gale.’ Celia stood at the open door.
The dowager grabbed her cane and pounded it across the floor. She stopped inches from Celia. ‘You have been with a man. I’d wager a fortune on it. Who did you find willing to bed you? Surely someone you had to pay.’
Celia recoiled from the insult and fought the impulse to strike her mother-in-law across the cheek.
Instead she leaned down into her face. ‘Remember your place, ma’am.’ Her voice trembled. ‘It is only because of my affection for Adele that you are here.’
The older woman shook a finger at Celia. ‘You need me, girl! You are known to nobody. Without my connections, you would be invited nowhere.’
‘I care nothing for your connections, ma’am.’ Celia wanted nothing to do with society. ‘The invitations are for Adele’s sake, not mine.’
‘You have obviously found some opportunity through my connections or you would not be out all night.’ Lady Gale sneered. ‘Unless you merely walk the streets like a common strumpet.’
Adele appeared in the doorway, rubbing her eyes. ‘I heard shouting. You said my name. Are you arguing about me? Because I do not want you to argue about me.’
Lady Gale jabbed her finger at Celia. ‘This woman is trying to ruin your reputation. She is gallivanting on the streets of London all night. If anyone discovers this, we’ll all be ruined. Even your cousin will not wish to court you.’
She was still pushing Luther on poor Adele.
‘That would be a good thing,’ Celia snapped.
Adele clapped her hands over her ears. ‘Stop! Stop!’
Celia caught herself and lowered her voice. ‘Lady Gale, please leave now. Say no more.’
Younie stepped forwards. ‘Come along, ma’am.’ The maid spoke soothingly. ‘Let me have Cook fix you a nice posset, so you can have a rest. All this fuss does you no good.’
Lady Gale allowed Younie to put her arm around her and coax her out of the room. ‘She has given me palpitations!’ she wailed.
‘There, there, my lady,’ Younie murmured. ‘Let me fix you up.’
The maid got her into the hall and halfway to her own bedchamber before Lady Gale turned around. ‘Ask her whose bed she’s been warming, Adele. She’s trying to ruin us all!’
When Lady Gale disappeared into her bedchamber with Younie, Adele turned to Celia, with her lip trembling. ‘Is it true?’
‘Come in my room.’ Celia took the girl’s hand and led her to the chair her grandmother had so recently vacated.
She moved another chair closer and sat. ‘I will tell you the truth.’ Or rather part of the truth, Celia thought. Enough of it, she hoped. ‘It is true that I have been out all night, but I have not been walking the streets as your grandmother suggests.’
‘Have you been with a man, though?’ Adele asked, her voice wobbling.
Celia sidestepped that question. ‘I have been at a place called the Masquerade Club.’ That was truth enough. She lifted her arm where her mask dangled. ‘It is a place where ladies may dress in disguise and gamble.’
Adele’s eyes widened. ‘Gamble?’
Celia nodded. ‘Play cards. Hazard. Faro. It is where I go almost every night.’
‘You go to a gambling house?’ Adele’s voice rose in alarm.
‘That is how I have funded your new gowns and paid our bills.’ Celia opened her reticule and removed the leather purse, heavy with coin. ‘See? These are my winnings. They will pay the servants’ wages. And pay for another ballgown for you. And more.’
‘You pay for my gowns with money from gambling?’ Adele looked horrified.
‘Adele.’ It was time to acquaint her stepdaughter with the realities of their situation. ‘I have never had enough money to fund this Season for you. I had to do something.’
‘But to gamble?’ She said the words with disgust. ‘Is not gambling what ruined my father?’
Not merely gambling. Debauchery, gluttony and carousing greatly contributed.
‘Your father gambled rashly.’ As did Celia’s own father when he was on a losing streak. ‘I am not rash.’ At least she would not be rash again. She lifted the purse. ‘This is proof.’
Adele jumped to her feet. ‘Oh, Celia! What if you are found out? What if Lord Neddington learns you gamble?’
Celia did not have the heart to tell the girl that her dear Neddington was a frequent visitor at the same gambling house. ‘No one will find out. That is the beauty of this establishment. Because ladies may come in disguise, no one knows who they are.’
‘You do not understand, Celia,’ Adele cried. ‘He comes from an important family. He will never look at me again if it is discovered you gamble every night.’
Before Celia could respond, Adele ran out of the room. Her sobs could be heard in the hallway.
Celia rubbed her eyes. Wearily she rose and sat down at her dressing table, taking her hair down and putting it in a plait.
Younie entered. ‘Her ladyship has settled a bit.’
‘Thank goodness.’ She stood and Younie undid her buttons. ‘I fear I handled that badly.’
Younie did not disagree. ‘No sense in weeping over shed milk.’
‘I am so tired I feel like weeping. I need to sleep. Perhaps I can think better when I am rested.’
She slipped out of her dress and Younie helped her off with her corset. She climbed into her bed in just her shift.
Once under the bed linens she closed her eyes.
She pushed her mother-in-law and Adele out of her thoughts and let her mind wander. It went immediately to Rhys. How it felt lying next to him. How his arms had comforted her and his touch had thrilled her.
Did she not deserve some happiness after all she’d been through? All she needed was to avoid the intoxication of the hazard game and confine herself to whist. She wanted to gamble at the Masquerade Club and share Rhys’s bed for as long as she wished, for as long as she needed to stay in London.
When the Season was over, when Adele was settled, it would be over.
* * *
That afternoon Ned again called upon Adele for a drive in the park. While he waited for her in the drawing room, he could not even sit, he was so filled with excitement. Rhys had opened the door to restoring his future. Ned could dare to anticipate better fortune from now on.
She walked in and he knew immediately that something was amiss.
‘Miss Gale.’ He moved towards her.
‘I am so sorry to keep you waiting, sir.’ She glanced at him and her eyes looked red as if she’d been weeping.
What had upset her? Ned vowed to fix whatever it was, if it was at all in his power.
He did not press her to speak until he turned his curricle in to the park. It was early for the heaviest traffic and he was able to keep some distance from other carriages.
‘What is distressing you, Miss Gale?’ he began. ‘I dislike seeing you so unhappy.’
‘Oh.’ She sighed. ‘Nothing.’ She tried to paste on a smile, but he could see it was false.
‘Do not say it is nothing,’ he pressed. ‘I am your friend. Whatever troubles you, I will help.’
She looked away and wiped her eyes with her fingers. ‘I ought not to be such a watering pot.’
He wanted to gather her in his arms, but he settled with covering her hand with his. ‘Let me share your burden.’
She glanced up into his eyes and it took his breath away. ‘It will seem nonsensical to you.’
He squeezed her hand, trying his hardest not to kiss her. ‘Nothing you do or say will ever seem nonsensical to me.’
She blinked and one tear slid down her flawless cheek. ‘It is just...just that my grandmother and my stepmother are quarrelling and there is nothing I can do about it.’
‘What are they quarrelling about?’ he asked.
She glanced away. ‘I cannot tell you!’
He felt his face grow hot. ‘Forgive me. I do not want to pry into your family’s business. I only wis
h to help if I can.’
She sighed. ‘Oh, you did not pry. I—I just cannot tell you.’
‘I know what it means to keep family matters private.’ His whole family situation was a carefully guarded secret. No one—except Rhys, that is—knew how near they were to financial ruin. ‘But I want to help you in any way possible. All you need do is ask.’
She gazed at him again, her blue eyes glittering like sapphires through her tears. ‘You are the kindest of men.’
He took a deep breath. ‘There is...perhaps...something I wish to ask of you. If you feel able to listen to it.’
Her expression softened. ‘You may ask anything of me. I am your friend as you are mine.’
He made himself attend to the horses and the path. ‘It is an impertinence, I know, but I cannot resist.’ He dared glance back to her. ‘May I have permission to court you? I desire it above all things.’
She gasped and covered her mouth with her hand. ‘Oh, my! Oh, yes. Yes!’ She laughed, but quickly sobered. ‘You should speak with my stepmother. She will tell you about my dowry and about—about my family. You should know our situation before committing yourself so.’
‘If you wish it, I shall do so,’ he said. ‘This afternoon, if possible. But you must know that your dowry, your family, will make no difference to me. I want you to be my wife.’
‘Oh, Neddington,’ she whispered.
He glanced around quickly. They did not seem to be in view of any other carriage. Holding the reins in one hand, he cupped her cheek with the other and touched his lips to hers.
* * *
Celia did not wish to receive callers. All she wanted was to remain in her bedchamber and sleep.
And avoid her mother-in-law.
And wait for night and time to return to Rhys.
But Adele knocked on her door. ‘Lord Neddington is in the drawing room. Will you see him, Celia?’
At least she was dressed. ‘Of course I will.’
Adele walked with her down the stairs, whispering instructions the whole way. ‘Please listen to him, Celia. Do not tell him about Grandmama’s plan for me to marry Cousin Luther. Tell him the truth about my dowry and about Father. I do not wish to hold anything back from him.’ She paused for a moment. ‘But, do, please, refrain from telling him about your gambling. I fear he will disapprove greatly and I so want him to like me. And you. And Grandmama, too.’
Adele walked with her all the way to the drawing-room door. ‘I cannot go in with you, but do treat him well, Celia. My entire life and happiness depends upon it!’
‘I will treat him well, I promise.’ Celia reached for the latch.
Adele seized her arm and pulled her back. ‘Come find me as soon as you are finished. Will you?’
Celia suppressed a smile. ‘I will. The moment I am finished.’
She opened the door and walked in the room.
Lord Neddington stood at the window. He turned quickly and bowed. ‘Lady Gale.’
She hated being called that. In her mind her mother-in-law was Lady Gale and she was Celia Allen.
‘Good afternoon.’ He gestured to the window. ‘I was just checking my curricle. Your man was good enough to hold the horses for me.’
She walked over and peeked out. ‘A lovely pair of horses.’
‘Thank you, ma’am.’
She gestured to the sofa. ‘Do sit, sir, and tell me why you wished to speak to me.’ She might be standing in the role of Adele’s father, but, ironically, Neddington was probably older than she. She guessed him to be at least thirty.
He waited for her to sit first. ‘I will speak plainly. I wish to court your daughter—your stepdaughter, I mean. She wished me to seek your permission. I know you are not her guardian, but she said you were the one I should speak to first.’
Adele’s guardian was an old friend of her husband’s, a man who was in ill health and had retired to Bath. He did not care enough about Adele to oppose anything Celia decided.
‘I am very inclined to comply with Adele’s wishes.’ Celia wanted Adele to be free to make her own choices. ‘Whatever makes her happy.’
He frowned. ‘I, too, desire her happiness.’
‘You have only just met each other.’ Adele should not make too hasty a decision. More importantly, she should not marry a gambler.
‘I realise this,’ Neddington said. ‘That is why I request a courtship. Adele must be sure of me. To be frank, there is one matter that may cause you to decide against me.’
Celia’s brows rose. ‘Oh?’
He rubbed his face. ‘I have tried to behave as a gentleman ought, but, at the moment my family finances are strained. I have taken steps to resolve the problem and in a matter of a year, I expect to be on solid ground again.’ He paused. ‘But it is not a given. It is...a sort of gamble.’
‘A gamble?’ She tapped on the arm of her chair with a finger. ‘Are you fond of gambling, sir?’
He looked surprised. ‘Me? Not at all.’ Comprehension dawned. ‘I do not gamble at cards and such, if that is what you mean.’
As she had noticed at the gaming house. She longed to ask him why he showed up there.
He went on. ‘In any event, my family’s finances are not yet quite what they ought to be, so I need time before I can in good conscience commit to marriage. I wanted you both to know that.’
She narrowed her eyes. ‘Do you know of Adele’s dowry?’
He waved a hand. ‘I care nothing for her dowry. Whatever the amount, it will satisfy me.’
He certainly sounded genuinely like he was not in pursuit of her fortune. ‘It is ten thousand pounds,’ she told him.
His brows rose, but he turned thoughtful. ‘It will be designated for any children we might have, of course. I’ll not touch a penny.’
‘Adele also wishes you to know that her father was a gambler and carouser, which was why I asked about your gambling habits. Besides her dowry, she inherits nothing. Her grandmother has only a pittance, as well.’
‘And you?’ he asked.
‘I have enough.’ She bit her lip, but decided to speak further. ‘It would be desirable for Adele’s husband to support her grandmother. It would be, shall we say, a great deal for her grandmother to bear to live with me.’
He bowed. ‘It shall be my honour to do whatever is required of me.’ His expression turned imploring. ‘I would not have presumed to ask permission to court Miss Gale but for my fear of another suitor.’
Cousin Luther, he meant.
‘I see,’ Celia responded. ‘I can assure you that no other man has secured Adele’s affections.’
Neddington expelled a relieved breath, but he turned earnest again. ‘Miss Gale does, of course, have every right to cry off.’ His expression turned miserable. ‘If she should ever prefer another gentleman to me.’
She reached over to touch his hand. ‘As I said, Adele’s happiness is of great importance to me. I think you prudent to request a courtship. Take your time to become acquainted, to see if marriage is truly what you desire. Perhaps by the time your finances are in order, you will know for certain if you are suited.’
And Celia would have time to find out why Neddington regularly attended the Masquerade Club.
He clasped her hand. ‘I am grateful, my lady. Truly grateful.’
She stood. ‘Shall I send Adele in so you might apprise her of our conversation?’
He rose, looking as if the sun had come out after a month of rain. ‘Yes. Yes. I would greatly desire to tell her.’
Celia walked to the door and called for Adele, who, she suspected, was waiting in the hall. Adele came running. Celia gestured for Adele to enter and the girl rushed in. Instead of joining them, Celia retreated to allow the besotted young couple some privacy.
* * *
Celia had already decided not to attend the evening’s social event with Adele and her grandmother. It was to be another musicale, and this time the attendees would be providing the entertainment. She did not think she had the patience
to sit through such an event.
She’d been able to remain in the background at the few other parties she’d attended. That suited her very well. The less she was noticed, the less chance anyone would guess who she was when she wore her masks.
She rather hoped Neddington’s finances would be quickly restored; that is, assuming he told the truth about not gambling. If that were the case, though, she would have no reason to continue her double life and she was suddenly in no hurry to leave London, to leave Rhys.
She would see him tonight.
Avoiding the musicale also meant she could go to the Masquerade Club early...and avoid her mother-in-law’s company a little longer.
* * *
Celia had pleaded a headache and confined herself to her room, asking that her dinner be brought to her. It would be assumed she was asleep when Adele and her grandmother returned from the musicale.
There was a knock on her door—Adele, probably, needing her opinion on her gown. ‘Come in.’
Her mother-in-law appeared in the doorway. ‘Did I behave properly this time?’
It was not worth keeping up the feud, not if it upset Adele so much.
Celia returned a civil smile. ‘I do appreciate your knocking. It is very courteous.’
Lady Gale did not look in a conciliatory mood. ‘I have something to discuss with you.’
Celia kept her tone mild. ‘Certainly.’
The older woman took a deep breath before glaring at Celia. ‘Did you allow Adele to make an arrangement with that Lord Neddington?’
Celia stiffened. ‘I gave her permission to decide for herself.’
Lady Gale stood with elbows akimbo. ‘How dare you! You knew I meant her for Cousin Luther. You must undo this hasty decision.’
Celia met the woman’s eye. ‘If you can present me with some reason to object to Adele’s choice, I will discuss the matter with her. But it is her decision.’
‘What can she know of it?’ Lady Gale snapped. ‘She is but nineteen.’
‘She has time to decide,’ Celia assured her. ‘Neddington is not pressuring her.’
