Masque of Betrayal
Page 37
“Yes, Dane, I know she is,” Edwin replied with a twinkle. “She’s also much as your mother was … and still is, for that matter: opinionated, far too forthright, and utterly charming.” He sobered. “And I owe her a debt of thanks I can never truly repay.”
“What debt?” Dane demanded.
“Your father is mistaken,” Jacqui told Dane softly, turning glowing eyes to her husband. “He owes me nothing. All I did was pen him a letter, passing on all the wondrous things I’ve learned from you … and Lenore. It was the last of my secrets, the only gift I could think of to adequately express my gratitude for all you’ve given me. And, just as your magic transformed my life, I knew it would transform your father’s as well. So, you see”—Jacqui smiled at Lenore, who was unashamedly weeping with joy—“it was actually you who provided the marquis with the insights he just quoted, not I. You taught me the importance of compromise, gave me the strength to let go of my past, and, with the utmost patience, offered me friendship, trust, and, most important …” She went to stand by Dane’s side. “Love.” Tenderly, she intertwined her fingers with his. “The debt, husband, was mine to repay.”
Dane closed his eyes, so overwhelmed by Jacqui’s words, the selflessness of her gesture that he could barely speak. How could he explain to her that she’d brought something back into his life that he hadn’t even realized he’d lost, made him whole in ways he’d never known he was empty?
Earnestly, he sought the means to express what was in his heart: that her love was his present, his future, the restorer of his past. Choked with emotion, Dane opened his eyes, cupping his wife’s face and raising it to his. And suddenly he knew no words were necessary.
The tears glistening on Jacqui’s cheeks told him she already knew.
Author’s Note
THE JAY TREATY, ULTIMATELY signed on November 19, 1794, was bitterly debated in the Senate for its staggering concessions to the British. It was submitted to President Washington in June 1795, yet not ratified until 1796 (when it passed by only four votes). All sources point to the fact that Alexander Hamilton, who drafted the original instructions to John Jay, would have been a far wiser choice than Jay as American envoy to England. Nevertheless, public turbulence over Hamilton’s alleged (and eventually disproved) misappropriation of Treasury funds made it impossible for him to accept the appointment, and he recommended Jay be designated instead.
England received John Jay simultaneous with the news that Sweden and Denmark had asked America to join them in forming a general alliance of neutral countries determined to combat England’s violations of neutrality (a development of which Jay was unaware). The fear of such a powerful allied force united against his country would very likely have influenced Lord Grenville, England’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, to acquiesce to Jay’s terms; however, Hamilton himself inadvertently destroyed this hope by making a grave faux pas.
George Hammond, then British minister to the United States, was a personal friend of Hamilton’s. Unfortunately, Hamilton foolishly entrusted Hammond with the closely guarded secret that America did not intend to join in an alliance against the British. Hammond, in turn, hastily and secretly dispatched the information to Grenville, eliminating Grenville’s greatest concern and thus dramatically tilting the Jay negotiations in England’s favor.
I found myself totally intrigued by the fact that the course of history might well have been altered by this chance forewarning. Intrigue snowballed into inspiration, and thus was born the fictional treason committed in Masque of Betrayal.
Alexander Hamilton is one of history’s most colorful and controversial figures. Depending on the source, he is depicted as everything from a blatant monarchical dictator to a brilliant, patriotic hero. From extensive research, I determined him to be a charismatic leader and nationalist, who possessed unfailing integrity and farsighted wisdom. I hope I brought some of those traits to life.
A Biography of Andrea Kane
Andrea Kane is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than twenty-five novels—including fourteen historical and twelve contemporary novels—that have been published in sixteen countries and translated into more than twenty languages. Whether she’s writing about Regency England, America on the brink of civil war, or New York Police Department detectives caught up in mayhem and murder, Kane’s ability to create unforgettable stories has earned her a loyal worldwide following.
Kane published My Heart’s Desire, her first historical novel and the first book in the Barrett Family series, in 1991. Others quickly followed, including Samantha, the second book in that series; Echoes in the Mist and Whispers in the Wind (the Kingsley in Love series); and the acclaimed Black Diamond, Thornton-Bromleigh Family, and Colby Coin series. Stand-alone historic romances include Dream Castle (1992), Masque of Betrayal (1993), Emerald Garden (1996), and The Music Box (1998).
Kane’s groundbreaking romantic thriller Run for Your Life (2000) became an instant New York Times bestseller. This was followed by a series of suspense novels featuring NYPD detective-turned-private investigator Pete “Monty” Montgomery. Kane’s current contemporary series introduced FBI special agents Sloane Burbank and Derek Parker. Other thrillers include No Way Out, Scent of Danger, Twisted, I’ll Be Watching You, The Girl Who Disappeared Twice, and, most recently, The Line Between Here and Gone.
Kane is a self-proclaimed “cerebral” type, and prides herself on her questioning, analytical mind, which has led to her passion for mysteries. She has spent many happy hours with the classic novels of Agatha Christie, trying to outsmart Hercule Poirot.
She is also a die-hard sentimentalist. She cries at old movies and believes in striving for happily-ever-after. In Kane’s words: “The idealist in me loves writing romance, and the pragmatist in me loves writing suspense. I feel very fortunate that I’m able to combine the two, and give you books that keep you at the edge of your seat, but at the same time, make you care.”
Kane lives in New Jersey with her family.
Andrea Kane as a little girl, with her first puppy, Inky, named for the black spots on his white back.
An eight-year-old Kane, a proud sleepaway camper for the first time.
A photo from Kane’s trip to the Thousand Islands (on the border of Canada and the United States) to research and write My Heart’s Desire. Kane toured the area by boat.
Kane and her husband, Brad, trying to simulate a novel’s cover pose while wearing period clothing.
Kane and her daughter, Wendi, outside Buckingham Palace during a weeklong research trip to England in 1998.
Kane and her daughter at Cinderella’s Castle at Walt Disney World Resort. Kane believes that the castle is the most romantic place for creative inspiration.
The first Kane family cruise, to Bermuda: rough waters but happy faces.
Kane posing with friends in various period costumes.
Kane’s publication party and her first book signing for the release of My Heart’s Desire in 1991.
Kane’s original New Jersey Romance Writers team; she was first conference chair and then president of the organization.
Kane and Wendi at the Romantic Times Booklovers Convention in San Antonio, in full costume.
Acknowledgments
TO ALL WHO WERE instrumental in the writing of MASQUE OF BETRAYAL:
The Philadelphia Historical Society … my thanks for the stacks of books and the wealth of information.
Gisou et Chris … merci beaucoup.
Clare … many thanks for sharing your vast feline wisdom.
My two feline friends … Dusty, for your coloring; Alex, for your heritage.
Helen W. … with appreciation for helping me bring the Philadelphia Dance Assemblies to life, and for the numerous other odd facts unearthed.
Marge … your artistic genius is surpassed only by your open heart. Thank you for both.
And finally, my deep, heartfelt gratitude to a support system like no other:
My agent, Alice Orr, for he
r confidence and integrity;
My editor, Caroline Tolley, a partner in the truest sense;
And my critique partner, Karen Plunkett-Powell, for relentlessly pushing me to be the very best I can be.
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this ebook onscreen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of the publisher.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
copyright © 1993 by Andrea Kane
cover design by Heidi North
978-1-4532-6564-2
This edition published in 2012 by Open Road Integrated Media
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Table of Contents
Cover
Title Page
Dedication
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 20
Author's Note
A Biography of Andrea Kane
Acknowledgments