Midnight Masquerade

by Shirlee Busbee

  "I don't want to talk about it," she muttered, frightened that Etienne might guess Latimer's involvement with her decision to sell Folly.

  He started to say something else, but seeing the frozen expression on Melissa's face, Etienne gave a very Gallic shrug and walked in the direction that Zachary had taken. Through misty eyes Melissa watched him go, longing to call him back, longing to tell both Zachary and Etienne why she was acting in what must seem to them a foolish and contrary way.

  A half hour later, her emotions under control, she walked into the barn, her heart a leaden weight in her breast. She stopped in front of the stall in which she had told Zachary to put Folly. With a mixture of pride and despair, she stared at the stallion as he whinnied and arched his neck. Moving closer to Melissa, he lowered his elegant head until it rested upon her shoulder, waiting for the scratching and petting he knew would be forthcoming. Fighting back an urge to cry, Melissa buried her face in his silky black mane, her arms creeping up around his long, powerful neck.

  It wasn't just that she loved the horse and dreaded seeing him leave. He represented so many dreams for her; he was to have been the foundling sire of the grand stables that she and Zachary would build; he was to have made her and Zachary famous, his offspring adding to the luster of his name, bringing prosperity to Willowglen once more. And now she was going to have to let him go. Someone else would gain all that she and Zachary had hoped for. And for what? Her mouth twisted. So she could preserve her virtue?

  Thinking of Latimer, thinking of what his perfidious actions were going to cost her no matter what she did, Melissa tightened her fingers on Folly's mane, and in a voice shaking with loathing, she cursed, "Goddamn him! I hope he burns in hell!"

  "Ah, I do trust that you aren't talking about me," Dominic said softly from behind her.

  Startled, she spun around, her eyes widening when she saw him standing there, just inside the stable doorway. Trying to recover her composure, she smoothed her full black skirt and sent him a small smile, not precisely a welcoming one, but not unwelcoming either.

  Dominic was dressed smartly, she saw as he stepped closer to her. A coat of dark gray superfine fitted snuggly across his broad shoulders, his long legs encased in a pair of form-hugging nankeen breeches. Above the nattily arranged white cravat, his face was dark and vital, a lock of unruly black hair persisting in waving across his forehead, a quizzical smile curving his mobile mouth.

  Melissa thought that she had hidden her distressed state well, but Dominic had seen the sheen of tears in her eyes and had noticed the tremble of her lower lip. His smile faded and all the sarcastic remarks he had planned to greet her with fled. He was left with only a curious need to comfort her. Quietly he said, "It is obvious from the scene I just witnessed as well as what Royce has told me that Folly means a great deal to you. I promise that if I do buy him I will take good care of him and that he will not be mistreated in any way."

  A spark of hope flickered in her breast, and forgetting that, according to Uncle Josh, Dominic wasn't to be trusted, she asked breathlessly, "You mean you will consider paying my price for him?"

  Compassionate he might be, kind even on occasion, but he disliked being taken advantage of as much as the next man and his moment of madness disappeared. "I doubt it! But I thought I should at least see what I am turning down."

  Melissa's features fell and Dominic knew an urge to call the words back, to tell her that he might be willing to meet her excessive price, willing to say anything that would remove the heartrending expression of defeat that greeted his blunt statements. Angry with himself for this apparent weakness, horrified at this unexpected flaw in his character where she was concerned, Dominic reminded himself savagely that he had no intention of paying the exorbitant sum. He had not come here to comfort her, but to plainly let her know what he thought of her ridiculous attempts to rob him.

  Stiffening his resolve, he stared at her dispassionately, wondering again what it was about her that stirred such strange emotions within him. God knew, it wasn't that she was a stunning beauty, he thought as his gaze traveled over the severe hairstyle and the spinsterish spectacles. But his eyes lingered against his will on the curve of her mouth and the fragile bones of her jaw, and he was aware of an impulse to rip aside those spectacles and loosen the imprisoned hair and see for himself what might be revealed.

  Conscious that Dominic was staring at her too intently, Melissa was instantly on her guard, her features automatically assuming the squint-eyed, pinched-mouth expression she wore in front of him. Determined to salvage her pride, if nothing else, she lifted her chin and said frostily, "Very well, then, Mr. Slade. I'll show you the stallion."

  Spinning around, she unlatched the lower half of the stall door, grabbed a lead rope hanging nearby and stepped inside. It took but a second to capture Folly's halter and to attach the rope. Squaring her shoulders and summoning up a careless expression, she gave the stallion a gentle pat and led him from the stall.

  Folly was indeed a magnificent animal, his head finely formed, his neck proudly arched, the long, slender legs effortlessly carrying his elegantly proportioned body as he pranced by Melissa's side. Dominic eyed the stallion assessingly, privately thinking that he had seldom seen such a beautiful animal, but his face gave no sign of what was going through his mind.

  Confidently he approached Folly, pleased that the stallion showed no signs of skittishness or nasty habits. With an expert touch, Dominic ran his hands along the straight back and down the strong legs. Folly stood quietly, his ears tuned to the soft sounds of Melissa's voice as she spoke to him, unconcerned about the stranger who moved around him. Even when Dominic checked his teeth, Folly remained calm and still, tossing his head only when Dominic let loose his muzzle.

  Glancing at Melissa, Dominic said warmly, "He is quite the gentleman, isn't he?"

  Forgetting just for a little while that Dominic represented an enemy, and proud of the stallion, Melissa smiled naturally at him. "Oh, yes! He has no real vices and has always been an absolute angel. Even as a yearling, he..." As she remembered why Dominic was here, her confidences stopped and her smile disappeared. Stiffly she said, "He is an excellent horse, as you can see for yourself."

  Fascinated by the change the smile made of her features, Dominic stared at her for a long moment, thinking that she should smile more often, but seeing the pinched look that descended upon her, he sighed. He really must have had too much to drink that night—he could see no reason why she had affected him as she had, nor why it mattered to him that she not be unhappy. Shaking his head at his own folly, he said, "He is indeed a fine piece of horseflesh, but does he have the speed that I have been led to believe be possesses?"

  Insulted that he should have doubts about Folly's abilities, Melissa glared at him, wishing that Mr. Dominic Slade were not quite so attractive and that she were not so very aware of him. But she was, and even though she was distressed and furious about the situation, she could not help be conscious of his tall, lean body and darkly handsome face. Reminding herself that he was a rake and a trifler of feminine hearts and that his only reason for being here was to buy Folly, she replied, "If you will wait just a few moments, I shall have him saddled and Etienne can take him around our track."

  Dominic nodded, watching as she marched away, leading the dancing stallion. When she returned, she had Zachary with her. There were a few moments of polite conversation, Zachary's dislike of the circumstances obvious from his tight-lipped expression and abrupt statements.

  Thoughtfully Dominic followed the pair as they made their way to the track that lay just beyond the main stable. It was apparent that no one was happy about the prospective sale, and having seen Folly, Dominic could understand Melissa's reluctance to part with the stallion. The love and pride she took in the horse had been more than obvious, he thought slowly, remembering the way she had buried her face in the horse's mane in the stable before Dominic had made his presence known. So why was she willing to sell him—even at her r
idiculous price?

  His thoughts busy on the puzzle, he stared out over the crude track that had been set up, the conviction that Latimer was somehow connected to this turnabout growing with every moment. From what Royce had told him, he knew that in less than two years, or sooner if Melissa married—which he could not conceive of any man being foolish enough to walk into that trap—the Seymours would have a fortune at their fingertips, even after paying off the voucher owned by Latimer. So what was it that had changed her mind this suddenly? It could only be Latimer demanding his money or threatening her with some action that she could not abide. And that had to be either demanding the sale of her home or... forcing his attentions on her. Dominic's mouth tightened and he glanced at her slender form in the shabby black gown. He could not understand it, but for better or worse, he seemed unable to banish Miss Melissa Seymour and her problems from his concern. He admitted disgustedly to himself that even if Folly proved to be tied at the knees and ran like a slug, he was probably going to pay the exorbitant price she had demanded.

  Shaking his head at his own idiocy, he wandered over to stand near the peeling white railing that enclosed the track. The next instant, his gaze was riveted as Folly, Etienne upon his back, suddenly burst onto the race course, the stallion's long legs a blur as he displayed the style and speed that were making him famous. Folly ran with an effortless stride, his power and grace eloquent with every movement, and whatever doubts Dominic might have held about the horse's potential were forever banished. The stallion possessed incredible speed, and it didn't take a glance at his watch to have it confirmed—this was indeed a horse in a million!

  His face enigmatic, his gaze followed the stallion around the track while Etienne gradually pulled the animal into a gentle trot. Folly would prove to be an outstanding addition to his stables, and Dominic was pleased at the prospect of owning such a splendid horse—until he happened to look in Melissa's direction and saw the expression of misery and despair on her face.

  Not giving himself time to think, certain that the sun had forever addled his wits, Dominic was stunned to hear himself say, "He is worth much more than you are asking, but if you will sell me a half interest in him for the amount you mentioned in your letter, I shall consider myself to have gained a bargain."

  If his words stunned Dominic, they left Melissa speechless. Her eyes locked painfully on his, searching for any sign that he was toying with her.

  Dominic met her gaze, noticing for the first time the long, silky lashes that rimmed her slightly almond-shaped eyes. In her astonishment, Melissa had forgotten her disguise and her soft mouth was not in its habitually prim curve, the fullness of her bottom lip attracting Dominic's stare. Once again he knew that mad urge to take off those spectacles and to loosen her hair from its ugly confines. He couldn't even guess at the color, so tightly did she have it pulled back into the spinsterish bun, but he found himself wanting very much to know precisely the hue and texture of it.

  Hope burgeoning within her breast, her hands clasped rigidly in front of her, Melissa finally managed to stammer, "A-a-are you s-s-serious? You are not j-j-jesting?"

  One thick black brow flew up quizzically. "My dear, I do not jest about that kind of money." Putting on a fierce scowl, Dominic added, "And I will not pay you a penny more, so do not try to drive up the price!"

  Melissa swallowed convulsively, visions of throwing Latimer's money in his face dancing before her eyes, joy at knowing that Folly would still be part hers causing a smile to tremble on her lips. "Oh, no! I wouldn't do that!" Earnestly she said, "You must believe me that I wouldn't have asked such a high price if it hadn't been of the utmost importance." She looked as if she might say more, but then she bit her lips and looked away.

  Zachary, who had remained silent during all of this, finally spoke up. Addressing Dominic, he asked slowly, "Does this mean that you are going to be a partner with us? That Folly will still be ours?"

  "Half yours," Dominic replied, wondering how he was going to explain his incomprehensible action to Royce—and to himself for that matter.

  Chapter 10

  Dominic ended up staying for dinner, and the midafternoon meal proved to be an enjoyable one. He met Frances Osborne and found her to be a likable woman; Etienne, too, once he realized that Dominic was not going to take Melissa's beloved Folly away from Willowglen, became quite animated and friendly. And Zachary, reassured that the future he and Melissa had dreamed of and planned for was not to be destroyed, was further impressed by Dominic's easy conversation and manner.

  Only Melissa remained apparently unaffected by Dominic's effortless charm as he complimented Frances on the excellent meal she had set before him and talked knowledgeably with Etienne and Zachary about horses. It was difficult for her to remain aloof, especially when she now had such strong reasons to be grateful to him for giving her the means with which to confound Latimer. Her resolution not to be bowled over by his mesmerizing presence would waver, though, whenever he would flash a warm, slightly teasing smile in her direction or his laughing gray eyes would meet hers. Sternly she reminded herself of everything that Josh had warned her about him, forcing herself not to notice the curly black hair or the handsome nose or the mobile mouth. She would not, she vowed, prove to be just another silly female who allowed her head to be turned by a practiced rake. But it was a hard battle she was fighting within herself—particularly when she remembered what it felt like to be crushed in his arms and the intoxicating pleasure that same smiling mouth had given her.

  Disliking the trend of her wayward thoughts, Melissa scowled at the remains of the chicken that had been served at dinner. It would make things so much easier, she admitted unhappily, if Mr. Slade were not quite so charming and attractive. And she suspected that even with Josh's warnings in her brain, being around Mr. Slade very much was going to put a severe strain on her good resolutions.

  Seeing her scowl, Dominic broke off his conversation with Zachary and murmured, "Is there something about my offer of a partnership in connection with Folly that displeases you?"

  Melissa was instantly the focus of every eye, and a hot flush stained her cheeks. "Oh, no," she said quickly. Thinking that they should work out the fine details of their agreement, she added, "But I do think that we should discuss the actual arrangements in private before you leave this afternoon."

  Dominic's expression grew quizzical. "Shouldn't your brother or your uncle be handling that sort of thing for you? I'm aware of the unusual circumstances that make you owner of the horse, but at this point, shouldn't the men of your family be the ones to decide the financial situation?"

  Melissa gritted her teeth. She had long ago realized that her father had been indulgent with her upbringing and that he had allowed her great license during his lifetime, but it wasn't until his death that she fully understood how little power she possessed in arranging the details of her own life. Although she had been forced by circumstances to take over the burden of decisions concerning Willowglen until Zachary reached his majority, she could not publicly carry out plantation dealings without a man's assistance—it was unthinkable that a woman could transact business without a male surrogate for court and legal proceedings. It was also a commonly held notion that women could not manage their own affairs without the help of men. She thought of the deplorable chaos her father had left for her and Zachary to muddle through, and her temper rose. So Mr. Slade didn't think she could handle her own money, did he? Topaz eyes blazing with swift anger, she replied to his question in a barely civil tone. "Mr. Slade! Folly is mine, and I'm afraid that whether you like it or not, I am the one you must deal with if you wish to buy him!"

  Already familiar enough with her moods to see the signs of rising temper, but unable to resist teasing her, Dominic murmured, "Half of him."

  Melissa was not in a mood to be teased, but a faint smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. Rising from the table, she said, "If you will come with me?"

  The glimpse of her smile was enchanting, he dec
ided, and having noted the attractive flush to her cheeks before she turned away from him, Dominic was further intrigued. Without a word, he followed her lead, his gaze resting speculatively on her slim shoulders and narrow waist as she walked down the hallway ahead of him. Such a proud little tiger, he reflected with amusement.

  He strolled into the room she had indicated and glanced around. This was the library and it was a pleasant place, although everywhere Dominic's eyes traveled, signs of the Seymours' straitened circumstances could be seen, from the patched leather chairs to the faded velvet curtains which hung at the long windows.

  After Melissa sat down on a chintz-covered sofa, Dominic settled himself in a chair across from her. With a faint smile curving his full lips, he asked, "What is it about my offer that you wish to discuss?"

  Her resentment flaring at the sight of that half-indulgent smile, Melissa snapped, "I am not a child and I would appreciate it if you would take this conversation seriously and not treat me like an imbecile!"

  His eyes narrowed, and in a much less friendlier tone of voice, he said, "Believe me, my dear, when I talk about spending twenty-five thousand dollars, I am very serious!"

  Melissa bit her lip, miserably realizing that it would do her cause no good to antagonize Dominic—besides, this situation wasn't his fault! She just wished that she weren't so very aware of him, of the way his coat fitted across the broad shoulders, or the way his breeches stretched tautly against the long length of his muscled legs as he lounged across from her. It didn't help her peace of mind to find her eyes drawn repeatedly to his dark, lean face, to find herself going over each of his features—the proud arch of the eyebrows, the clarity of the teasing gray eyes, the mocking curve of his mouth and the hard line of his jaw. With an effort, she jerked herself back to the matter at hand. This was business, and so, sitting up even straighter on the sofa, she began to question Dominic about how he proposed that they share Folly.