A Thin Line

by Tammy Jo Burns

  “Please. I’ve known him forever and he really has become an obstinate ass.” Southerby’s laugh startled her. “What’s so funny?”

  “Oh, it’s just that you are the first person that I’ve heard of to leave the Duke of Hawkescliffe speechless.”

  “Well, you know what the Duke of Hawkescliffe can do with his title?”

  Justin held up a hand to ward her off. A smile still spread across his face. “Please, no more. Let’s head back and see if we can’t find that groom.” All the way back to the house, the two laughed and talked. Justin felt like an old, dear friend and she hated that. Why couldn’t she feel the heart racing flutters she felt when Gabe came near? They met the groom halfway to the house.

  “Miss Kala, I’m so glad you’re all right. My horse took a stumble in a rabbit hole and began limping. I had to walk him back.”

  “Will he be all right?”

  “The stable master thinks he will be fine. I tried to call after you, but you didn’t hear me.”

  “No, I didn’t, I’m sorry. But everything is fine,” she answered, attempting to ease his concern. She pulled up in front of the house. Southerby had already dismounted and stood beside her. He reached up to help her down. When he held her a little longer than necessary, she didn’t pull away. He bent down and brushed firm lips across hers when she heard a deep voice clearing behind her. She whipped around to see Gabe staring at them from the doorway.

  “You truly are following me, aren’t you?”

  “Do you want all of London to know the type of woman you are? Do you have any idea that you are the latest topic in the betting books? And the more time you spend with him,” he nodded pointedly at Justin, “the worse it is.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “What the hell?”

  Kala and Justin spoke in unison, both shocked at the implication Gabe had just made.

  He looked at her a moment longer, ignoring Southerby altogether, then stormed over to his horse. Gabe mounted, and took off towards his house, which, unfortunately happened to be across the square from Dru and Richard’s. When he arrived they could hear the slam of his front door across the way.

  “You lost your hat,” Justin commented trying to take her mind off her surly neighbor.

  “Oh well.” He tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear and cupped her cheek.

  “I’m sorry if I have made the whole of London think ill of you.”

  “No, don’t feel bad about one particular man,” she gave the house Gabe had disappeared into a mutinous look.

  “I’ll see you Saturday evening for the masquerade?”

  “Of course.” Kala waved at him as he rode off then entered the house. She went into the sitting room hoping to find Dru. She sat there quietly knitting. “I’m really going to have to gather the nerve to tell him that I think of him only as a friend.”

  “Who?”

  “Justin.” Kala saw Dru’s arched eyebrow and clarified, “Lord Southerby.”

  “Oh. What happened to the groom?”

  “Pardon?” Dru gave Kala a look that bordered between motherly and impish. “You mean to tell me that he came over here to tattle on me? The nerve of that man. I tried to call a truce last night for Clarissa’s sake. Wish him happy and all that, and now he does this? What is he thinking?” Dru refused to respond. “Are you going to say anything?”

  “You really should make sure your groom is with you next time.”

  “Unexpected accident.”

  “And you really shouldn’t allow gentlemen to take such liberties on the front steps.”

  “You were spying on me.”

  “Perhaps. Gabe is just worried about you. He told me something about Dewhurst that you should know.”

  “Justin already told me.”

  “Good. You just need to be more aware, and that’s all I’m going to say on the subject.” A few minutes of silence passed. “So how was the kiss?”

  “Nice.”

  “Just nice?”

  “You sound almost disappointed.”

  “Perhaps.”

  “I’m going to change and take a bath.” Dru nodded and kept knitting. She went upstairs and called for a bath. Kala paced her room and became angrier the more she thought about Gabe’s interference. How dare he try to dictate to her through her family? He should be more concerned with his own well-being. If she knew of his nefarious activities, how many other people did?

  She stormed over to her writing table, and pulled together her journal, pen, and ink. Furiously she scribbled down everything that she had witnessed the night before. She had been going to destroy the previous information, but not now. After sanding the ink, she closed the book and stuffed it deep into the back of a drawer. Just getting the information down on paper made her feel somewhat better. Once the maid indicated her bath awaited her, she removed her clothes and lowered herself into the hot, jasmine scented water. Both the scent and water soothed her body as well as her nerves and emotions.

  Chapter 7

  The next afternoon, Justin stopped by unexpectedly.

  “This is a pleasant surprise,” Kala greeted him with a warm, friendly hug.

  “I felt bad about the trouble I caused for you yesterday with Hawkescliffe.” Dru had joined them and rang for tea and refreshments.

  “Don’t. We did nothing wrong and he should not have interfered. Perhaps I should have paid more attention to the groom. I must admit, I do tend to be a bit reckless.”

  “Perhaps that is why I like you so much,” Justin teased.

  “Justin, I. . .” she was cut off by a knock and Thompson entering the room.

  “For you, Miss Kala. Just came by messenger.”

  “Messenger?”

  “What is it Kala?”

  “A letter from Papa,” she sounded both shocked and concerned. She tore into the missive and became as still as a statue as she read it. “That bastard,” she said through clenched teeth.

  “Kala,” Drucilla admonished. Both Dru and Justin watched as she paced the room in anger. All of a sudden she turned and faced Southerby.

  “Do not leave, I will be back in a moment,” she dashed out of the room. She could be heard running up the stairs and Dru grabbed the forgotten note and quickly scanned it. “Oh Gabe, what have you done?”

  In a moment, Kala flew back down the stairs, a sealed envelope in her hand. Justin had an almost comical look on his face when he read her hastily scrawled script.

  “Kala, what the bloody hell is going on? Oh, pardon me, Your Grace,” he ended almost as an afterthought.

  “No, I couldn’t agree more. Kala, what is going on? Perhaps you should do as Michael said and return home,” she suggested.

  “No. Papa only suggested it because Derek bullied him. He more than likely forgot he wrote the letter ten minutes after sending it off. Derek only wrote to Papa in the first place because Gabe bullied him. I will allow no one to bully me. But for Gabe to interfere and think he has a right to write my father as well, the man has gone too far. I will be staying until the season is over. Then I will leave on my terms and go where I choose. Justin, I would greatly appreciate it if you would see the message delivered.”

  “I do not know if that is wise.”

  “If you do not do it for me, I will see it done myself.”

  “Kala, are you certain?”

  “I have never been more certain of anything in my life.” I will not forgive Gabe’s interference in my life. He expects me to trust his word, but gives no trust in return. I will see this through and do what must be done and may God have mercy on his treacherous soul.

  ***

  Several days passed since the letter arrived from her father, and she found herself to be no calmer. At least she managed to master a happy façade for those around her. She refused to feel guilty about the delivery of the short missive. Many people in her life had more than adequate opportunity to tell her the truth if they in fact knew it themselves. Gabe should not have presumed to take control of he
r life.

  He gave up that right long ago, she thought a bit sadly before shaking herself out of her stupor. She turned her thoughts to preparing for the meeting that would take place at the masquerade. Both she and the other person would be anonymous to each other, only recognizable by a white rose each would carry. Kala tapped a well-manicured finger against her lip as she worked out the logistics in her mind at maintaining her disguise. Everyone would have seen her as Diana, so she would somehow have to have two disguises and if one looked to be more masculine, then all the better. A knock on her bedroom door disturbed her musings.

  “Yes?”

  “Miss Kala, you have a visitor.”

  “Isn’t it a little early?”

  “Well, no miss. You’ve been up here an awful long time.”

  “Oh. Very well,” halfway down the stairs she remembered to ask who had come to call.

  “Lord Dewhurst, miss.”

  Kala inwardly groaned at the thought of having to entertain Dewhurst for even the smallest amount of time. She very seriously considered feigning illness when she glimpsed him waiting for her in the doorway of the salon. She mumbled a very unladylike word, but smiled as she greeted him.

  “I had hoped to coax you to join me for a ride. I brought my new stallion.”

  “Oh, Lord Dewhurst, what a lovely idea, but there is the masquerade I have to get ready for. I have a last fitting for my costume this afternoon,” she twisted the truth, because her costume already hung in her wardrobe. Kala hoped she put just enough sweetness in her words to convince him otherwise.

  “I see,” he clipped out.

  “Will you be going to the masquerade?” She knew she would regret asking this question, but she wanted him gone.

  “Indeed I will. Who will you be disguised as, so that I might ask you for a dance?”

  “Diana.”

  “Very fitting.”

  “Pardon?”

  “Nothing. I wouldn’t want you to miss your fitting.”

  “Thank you for stopping by,” she gave him her hand and attempted to hide her disgust as his moist lips placed a kiss on her knuckles. The most hideous smacking sound she had ever heard in her life accompanied the sloppy kiss, making her skin crawl.

  “Until tonight.”

  “Indeed.” Once the door shut she wiped the back of her hand on her dress and turned to go up the stairs.

  “Halt!”

  Kala stopped mid-stride, cringing when she heard the voice she had been successfully avoiding the last several days. She spun around pasting a bright smile on her face.

  “Dru, you just caught me. I am going upstairs to begin getting ready for this evening.”

  “No you don’t, young lady. My brother, your father, has entrusted your brother and me with your care while in London. Since you will not talk to Derek, you bloody well will talk to me. You are going to sit down and tell me what game you think you’re playing.”

  “Pardon?”

  “Do not play the innocent with me,” Dru grabbed hold of her upper arm, like she would a misbehaving child, and led her into the salon she had just departed. Her aunt gave her a little shove and slammed the door shut behind them. “Now, tell me what kind of trouble you have stirred up with that letter.”

  “I cannot.”

  “You can and you will. What is going on with you? Ever since you received that letter from your father you have been in a snit.” Kala walked over to the window and stared out, not seeing the children playing in the square with their nannies, instead seeing only the house of her enemy across the way. She felt Dru’s comforting arms come around her. “Kala, you used to tell me everything. Why can’t you talk to me about this?”

  Kala only shook her head, biting her lip in an attempt to curtail the tears she felt were perilously close to falling. The kindness in Dru’s voice had begun to unravel the emotions she had been firmly holding in check. Regardless of what he had done, she had once adored Gabe and had eventually wished for more as she had matured. This very evening she would reveal information that could prove the man she had once thought herself in love with a traitor. All of their lives would be forever changed.

  “Kala, you did think through whatever it is you’re involved in, didn’t you?” Kala merely shrugged, biting her lower lip hard to keep the tears at bay. “Sweetheart, what have you done?” Dru wrapped her in her arms, not helping Kala’s emotional duress at all. Kala began doubting her plans for the evening. What if things were not as they appeared to be? No! She heard what he had said with her own ears. She pushed herself away from Dru’s comforting embrace.

  “I really should begin to get ready for the masquerade.”

  “Kala, you have to talk to me sometime.”

  “No, Dru, I don’t. Not about this, and if that means I need to leave your house then I will. Please just give me enough time to make other arrangements.”

  “Mikala Ann Simmons, I am not kicking you out of my house. I am just concerned about you.”

  “I know,” she turned and quietly opened the door and left the room, but not before she witnessed the hurt look that passed over Dru’s face. She had begun this and she would involve no one else. Kala squared her shoulders and resolved herself to see tonight’s events through to whatever end they would lead. She knew what she had to do and she would see it done. No regrets, no doubts. The authorities would have the information needed and then it would be out of her hands.

  ***

  Kala had just finished stuffing the dark pants, shirt, and a plain brown leather mask into her quiver in preparation for her meeting tonight. She sat at her vanity in her corset and pantaloons. The costume she wore draped off the shoulder on one side prohibiting her from wearing her camisole. She had piled her hair on top of her head with pins stuffed everywhere to hold up the heavy tresses. She took two ribbons, one white and the other gold, and attempted to wind them through her hair. Her hands shook so badly she had to stop and gather herself. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, getting control of herself. The second attempt saw the ribbons put in place.

  She walked over to her bed and lifted the white, Grecian-style dress and stepped into it. She fastened the right shoulder and put on her gold belt and sandals that laced up her leg. Tonight she would be Diana, goddess of the hunt. She held her quiver by one strap behind her back and grabbed the other one dangling from the bottom. After latching the belt-like straps together, she stood in front of the mirror and adjusted the quiver. She definitely looked like a huntress.

  She quickly grabbed her mask before exiting her room. The others were already downstairs waiting. Richard and Drucilla were dressed as Tristan and Isolde. Derek and Tessa would meet them there and had planned on dressing normally and would wear a mask and a domino. Justin waited for her as well. He portrayed Cyrano this evening, complete with a mask that had a long nose.

  “My, don’t you all look wonderful.”

  “So do you, my dear,” Justin said as he took her hand and dropped a kiss on her cheek.

  “Thank you.” She handed Justin a white mask with a gold filigree design. “Would you mind concealing my identity kind sir?”

  “It would be my pleasure.” The mask covered just a narrow portion of her face, but enhanced her hazel eyes as well as the gold on the dress and in her hair. The mask brought special attention to her lush, full lips. “No one will be able to recognize you.”

  “Isn’t that the point of a masquerade?”

  “Point taken,” he bowed deeply over her hand.

  “Are you two ready?” Richard asked them.

  “Of course.” The gentlemen helped the two women into the carriage and the quartet began the journey to Vauxhall Gardens. This proved to be quite a gathering if the traffic flow was any indication. “How many people do you think will not be among the ton?”

  “I would hate to hazard a guess,” Justin quipped, “at least until the midnight unveiling.”

  “Perhaps you two ladies should stick close to us this evening.”
<
br />   Kala and Dru looked at each other and rolled their eyes. “Richard, I think any trouble we could possibly get in ended with Tessa and Derek.”

  “Perhaps, but I never know about you Kala. You seem to find trouble and your parents would throttle me if I let anything happen to you.”

  “Perhaps Richard is right after all,” Drucilla added nervously.

  “You all worry too much,” Kala scoffed, and wondered if Dru had told her husband about the incident of a few days ago. “Besides, we will be meeting up with Derek and Tessa as well. Let’s not spend the evening worrying, but having fun.” The carriage finally rolled up to the gates of Vauxhall to let them disembark. They walked in and bumped into a familiar couple—Gabe and Lady Clarissa. He wore a black domino and mask. Clarissa looked like a Siren. “Good evening. Don’t you two look fashionable?”

  “Thank you,” Lady Clarissa replied.

  “Lady Blackerby, you look lovely.”

  “Thank you Southerby. Aunt Gertrude asked about you the other day.”

  “Yes, I need to go by and see her.”

  “She would like that very much. Kala, you met my father the other evening, but let me introduce you to my step-mother.” Kala noticed a bit of strain enter Clarissa’s voice as she made the introductions. Interesting, she mused to herself. “And this is her brother, Mr. Montmorency.” Once the introductions were made and everyone wished each other a happy evening, the two groups parted.

  Kala noticed that Gabe had not said one thing to her during the entire exchange. Whatever nervousness or apprehension she had felt about this evening’s endeavor were now gone. She did feel a bit guilty about not giving him a chance to defend himself. If I had asked him anything, he probably would have told me to mind my own business, she chided herself.

  They made their way to the box and noticed another couple already resided in it. They quickly greeted Derek and Tessa and exchanged pleasantries about one another’s costumes. The air had a chill about it as they were approaching the end of October, but all would be warm soon enough from the dancing and festivities.