Beneath the Mask

by Margaret McGaffey Fisk

  “And I know just the place to start,” he muttered, shaking his head when she looked a question at him. He wouldn’t mention anything to her until he’d arranged things, but he needed to talk to her father about Willem first thing tomorrow morning.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  Daphne woke on the morning of her final fitting having made a decision. She waited until the maid left after dressing her, then strode to her bedside. The worn leather of the book cover caressed her fingers. She felt in the touch all her impossible dreams and desires.

  Where once that thought would have brought with it a welling up of despair, instead, a smile tweaked the corners of her mouth. “For you, Jasper,” she whispered, picking up the book and tucking it into her small hand satchel.

  She never would have believed it possible, but the man chosen to be her husband filled up the emptiness in her heart. Though Daphne still desired the sheer joy of dance, she no longer needed the audience to make her happy. She planned to ask Jasper for a practice room and saw no reason for him to deny her request as long as she promised to confine herself to that space alone. If ever she needed a performance again, he would be the only audience she desired.

  “Daphne, we do have an appointment,” her mother said, standing in the doorway to the room.

  Daphne jerked a hand to her satchel, feeling exposed in a moment of peace between her past and present. She had only to do one more task and she could advance into her future unfettered by what she had been.

  “Stop here,” she commanded a short while later, slapping a hand against the paneling separating Willem from the coach. “I’ll only be a moment,” Daphne told her mother as she slipped out the door before Lady Scarborough could complain.

  Another coach squeezed past them, coming near enough to Daphne to make her heart pound and remind her of when Jasper made his desires known, even though he remained unaware of her identity. Peering out to check the distance, she smiled, thinking about how shallow she’d thought him when, in truth, he’d only listened to his heart.

  Finding a clear space, she skipped across the street, unable to restrain her happiness. The bell over the door jangled as she entered the bookshop, taking in the scents of so many tomes filled with wonders.

  The shopkeeper came forward, staring at her intently over his eyeglasses. “I’ve not seen you in here for some time,” he said, crossing to stand behind his desk.

  “I had all I needed in the one book I borrowed,” she answered with a smile.

  “And what frippery was that, may I ask?” he said, an answering smile taking the bite from his words.

  Without speaking, Daphne removed the dancer’s diary and placed it on the counter.

  The shopkeeper stared at it, glanced at her, and frowned. “I’d forgotten about this. Not frippery after all. I’m surprised such a book could entertain a fine lady as yourself.”

  She reached out to brush the cover one last time, feeling as if she abandoned a good friend, then straightened. “I found her story powerful and moving, but I need it no longer. Maybe it will fuel another’s dreams.”

  He nodded, still looking uncertain as he calculated the charge.

  Daphne paid from the coins she’d brought, unsurprised to find her supply much diminished. That book had been worth every penny spent for its keeping. It had given her dreams meaning, and ultimately, brought Jasper to her. She’d listened enough to his stories to suspect his plans for whatever wife his mother foisted on him. If not for dancing, she’d have hardly known, and certainly not already loved, the man she planned to pledge her heart and life to.

  “Imagine. Running off to a bookshop today of all days,” her mother exclaimed when Daphne slipped back into the coach.

  “It was something I had to do, Mother,” was all Daphne offered aloud. Inside, she knew herself ready to start her new life with Jasper, rather than dance, at the center.

  “LADY DAPHNE, A NOTE FOR you,” Betsy whispered, caught up in the moment as much as everyone else.

  Daphne took the thick paper, her wedding gown rustling as she moved. They prepared in the small parlor in the back, the little used space perfect for where the wedding ceremony had been planned. She shifted her feet, already tired from standing still, but unable to sit comfortably in the skirt.

  “Aren’t you going to read it, my lady?”

  Laughing at her wandering thoughts, Daphne unfolded the paper and forced herself to concentrate. Since the morning of her wedding dawned, she’d been hard pressed to think of anything but Jasper.

  Her gaze drifted to the paper. She smiled at his strong, dark strokes against the page. She treasured the notes he sent her, but never expected to receive one today. She looked again to see what words he’d formed, her heart softening as he began with a greeting.

  My Dear Heart,

  While I hope your thoughts are full only of me, I know there is one other you would want to share this day who cannot. As you trust me with your life, know that I hold your heart as sacred. Look on the back corner to the left when you turn to face me and you’ll see the one fates denied you.

  Yours,

  Jasper

  Daphne stared at the paper, reading the words again before she dared to let herself guess at the meaning. The corner he’d described would hold the household, those servants who had either watched her grow up or grown up beside her. And yet, from this missive, it would hold one more: her sister.

  She crushed the paper against her breast, her heart bursting with love for the man who had invaded her life and demanded his place there.

  Betsy reached out to pluck the paper away, and Daphne released it only so it wouldn’t tear.

  “I’ll find a place for this in your packages, my lady. We wouldn’t want the wrong eyes to fall on it.” The maid jerked her head to indicate Lady Scarborough, even now preparing her own appearance.

  Daphne took the maid’s hands between her own, the paper crinkling much like her skirt. “Thank you, Betsy. And to all those who made this possible.”

  Betsy winked as she dropped into a curtsy. “I’ll see that those who did get your thanks, my lady. I best be on about it.”

  Staring after the maid, Daphne felt as if she could drift on clouds for the rest of her wedding day.

  “Come along, Daphne. Don’t you hear the music? You wouldn’t want to be late on today of all days.”

  Lady Scarborough took her arm then handed Daphne to her father just outside the room. He beamed a smile down to her, and they walked toward the raised dais and her future husband.

  Her feet sped up, almost pulling her father’s arm in her eagerness to reach the front. Though she felt the back corner burned into her consciousness, that wasn’t why she sought the raised place. That Jasper had done this despite her father’s choice, that he understood her so well, filled Daphne with joy and hope for their future.

  When she reached Jasper’s side, she gave him a long look from beneath her veil. He reached out to take her hand, and she returned the gesture with a gentle squeeze. Only then did she glance toward the corner.

  Hidden by her veil, she mouthed her sister’s name, a broad smile lifting her lips. As if knowing her feelings, Jasper smiled as well. Together, they turned to face the minister and vowed to share the remainder of their lives.

  THE REST OF THE WEDDING passed in a blur. The dancing, eating, drinking and toasts all only served to keep her from her husband. Though she’d hoped for a moment alone with her sister as well, by the time the ceremony had ended, Grace had vanished.

  “Has something upset you?”

  Daphne smiled, throwing herself into Jasper’s arms just to feel arms around her. “I’d hoped to see more of my sister,” she whispered into his ear, “but there’ll be time enough for that later, won’t there?”

  Hugging her tight against him, Jasper replied, “Of course there will. I’ll do what I must to make you happy, my love. I swear to it.”

  He pulled away only far enough to touch his lips to hers, giving her a kiss so str
ong she went weak at the knees and would have fallen but for his arm across her back. “What say you we leave this place?” he asked after a moment to catch his breath.

  “But we’re supposed to leave next morning,” Daphne said with only the barest of protests.

  “They won’t even notice our absence. Once the toasts have been said, we’re merely the excuse.”

  She glanced around the room, finding her mother holding court with a group of older women. Her father had retired to his study for a game of cards some time ago. Daphne put her hand against Jasper’s cheek, thrilling to the faint roughness she found there. “You’re right. They’ll only notice long after the guests are gone.”

  Like mischievous children, they stole out of the house and to Jasper’s carriage, already waiting for them with Daphne’s belongings heaped on the back.

  “At your service,” a familiar voice intoned with rigid formality.

  “Willem?” Daphne asked, confused. “Won’t Lord Scarborough have need of you?”

  Jasper nudged the other man aside and handed her into the carriage. “Your bridal gift,” he murmured once they’d settled onto a bench and the horses started forward. “I asked your father if he could part with Willem. If you’re to have secrets, you should keep them close and I will keep them closer.” He winked. “This way, at least I know who to go to if I suspect you’re up to something.”

  Daphne made a half-hearted attempt to slap him, and he caught her hand, drawing it up to his mouth so he could kiss her palm. She shivered at the hot, moist heat of his breath.

  “I plan to be in the thick of any shenanigans you come up with from now on, my lady love,” Jasper added, tugging her against him so he could move his lips from her hand to her mouth.

  After that, Daphne couldn’t have said whether the journey took an hour or a day. Her husband had her full concentration.

  THE CARRIAGE CAME TO A stop sometime later, and Daphne waved a hand before her face to calm the flush that heated her features.

  “We’re here,” Jasper declared, his voice rough with passion.

  Daphne glanced out the window and saw a large mansion with rolling fields off to one side. “Where are we?” she asked, unfamiliar with Jasper’s properties.

  Willem opened the carriage door and Jasper stepped down before the coachman could lower the step. “We’re not far from London. I thought to start our life together here. It’s close enough should we want to go back for an engagement but far enough to give us some distance from our interfering parents…and some privacy.”

  Her spine tingled at the way he said the last. She gasped when, instead of letting Willem help her down the step, Jasper swung her into his arms so he could carry her up to the mansion. He reached the top with no apparent strain.

  Willem rushed forward to open the door, and Jasper crossed the threshold, Daphne clinging around his neck. “Mrs. Withers,” he called, slowly lowering Daphne to the floor. “Mrs. Withers, we’re home.”

  Daphne put a hand on Willem’s arm, halting him when Jasper strode deeper into the house. “Are you good with this? Will it not hurt to be here?” She’d seen too much to consider her needs any greater than those of lower society.

  Her childhood friend and confidant gave her a wink rather than a formal response. “I am good, Lady Daphne. I needed to see you happy, and I can see you are. I’m freed now to seek my own happiness.”

  She had to be satisfied with that answer as they had no more time for private conversation.

  Jasper returned just then with a stout woman, a smile on her face despite the sweat on her brow most likely from working in the hot kitchen.

  “Welcome, my lady.” She bobbed into a quick curtsy. “We weren’t expecting you until the morrow.”

  Daphne smiled at the woman, hoping to dispel some of the worry marking Mrs. Withers’ forehead.

  “And we’re not here for all anyone knows,” Jasper broke in, his voice low as if they were conspirators. “We can introduce my lady tomorrow. Is my room prepared?”

  Mrs. Withers’ gaze moved between Jasper and Daphne, and a broad smile split her features. “Of course it is, Master Jasper. Do you want me to have tea sent up?”

  Daphne shook her head even as Jasper said, “No. We had our fill at the wedding ceremonies.”

  “You go right on up then, master, and I’ll see nothing disturbs you.”

  Jasper took her at her word, pulling Daphne along beside him. As they climbed the steps, she heard Willem introduce himself and half turned back.

  “He’ll manage fine. My staff is a friendly lot,” Jasper said. “Let us sate the fire we lit one night on Drury Lane.”

  A shiver overtook her, but when concern wiped the heat from his expression, Daphne smiled and laced her fingers with his. She might have little knowledge of what went on behind closed doors, but she knew he loved her. That confidence calmed any fears and left her brimming with expectation.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  Daphne woke the next morning disoriented. Her whole body ached as if from a vigorous dance session and yet she’d given up that part of her life. The thought restored her memory, and she stroked a hand down her bare side, reliving the sensations of the night before along with the gentle care Jasper had taken to introduce her to this new world.

  “Good morning,” a deep voice rumbled next to her ear.

  She shifted, realizing her head lay pillowed on Jasper’s chest.

  He leaned down and dropped a short kiss on her lips before pulling away. “It’s past time to rise, my love. Mrs. Withers will be champing at the bit to introduce the new lady of the house around.”

  Daphne froze, suddenly overwhelmed by the thought of meeting all the servants. She’d known her father’s staff her whole life, and he’d rarely added anyone new. Every one of the servants here would be strangers.

  “Now don’t forget about Willem so soon,” her husband said with a laugh, revealing she’d spoken her worry out loud. “And the rest are good people as well. Besides, they won’t expect you to be a strict and proper lady after a night and morning spent teasing tales out of your man. I’m sure Willem has spread enough of your past to remove any mystery.”

  Daphne blushed, worried now about what they’d think of her. Still, knowing they wouldn’t expect a paragon, and that Willem would be standing with them, helped reassure her.

  “You’ll do fine, love. If you could storm the barriers around my heart, they will be sure to love you too.” He rolled away and crossed the room, his naked form a delight for her eyes even as her cheeks warmed to see him. “Shall I send up a maid to tend you?”

  Daphne shook her head then spoke when she realized he couldn’t see. “No, I’ll do for myself this morning.”

  He came back with a washcloth in his hand. “There’s one thing I’ll do for you,” he whispered, stripping the bedclothes to expose her nakedness.

  She reached for the covers, unnerved, but he caught her hand, using the other to stroke her lower body with the damp material.

  “You’ll be sore for a bit, or so I’ve heard,” Jasper said, his matter-of-fact tone calming her. “No horseback riding today at least, but I hope you’ll have the energy to receive the rest of your bridal gift,” he added, stepping away after he finished.

  “Another gift?” she asked. “You’ll spoil me. I have given you nothing in return.”

  He dropped to his knees beside the bed and caught her hand in his. “Before finding you, the future stretched out as an endless round of barren obligation interrupted only by momentary pleasure. I’d thought myself broken, heartless.” He dropped a kiss on her palm. “Now, I can look forward to endless mischief broken only by the peace to be found in your arms.”

  She frowned at him for a heartbeat before joining in with the laughter. “Come, my husband. Help me up so I can begin this peaceful life you foresee for us.”

  Daphne groaned as her muscles protested the movement, but her efforts were rewarded when Jasper pressed her against his length, replacin
g the morning chill with his own heat.

  “As much as I wish I could take advantage of you one more time,” Jasper said, stepping away, “the household is waiting.”

  As he had the night before, Jasper acted her lady’s maid. He paused on occasion to brush his lips lightly against her neck, shoulders, and mid-back, until she could barely stand for the desire coursing through her.

  She pulled away and turned to face him, doing up her last tie. “Stop now, if you want to parade me before your household as a respectable lady.”

  He gave her an innocent look then laughed. “I only want you to feel half the way I do,” he whispered, his throaty tones caressing her skin as his lips had only moments before.

  Daphne shook her head, feeling a strand of hair fall free from the clasp.

  Jasper stepped forward and tucked it away behind her ear. “You look a splendor, my very own Lady Pendleton. Come, let me share you with my staff before I fail to control my desire to keep you all to myself.”

  With her arm tucked securely in his, the row of servants waiting at the foot of the stairs did not intimidate her. Daphne nodded and smiled and whispered names she knew she’d have to practice as she made her way down the line.

  Willem gave her a wink before his more solemn bow when she stood across from him.

  Daphne giggled, happy to hear no sign of her earlier fear in the sound.

  “And now that you’ve met your staff,” Jasper said, clasping his free hand over hers. “Let me give you a tour of the house.”

  Daphne stared at him for a long moment, having expected anything but for him to show her around the endless rooms this mansion contained. Her stomach rumbled with hunger, but she ignored it in favor of the curiosity his odd command provoked.

  Instead of starting with the front rooms as might be expected, Jasper swept her along, passing opening after opening to stop before a large, double door with a flourish. “Of all of my home, I think you’ll find this the most welcoming,” he said, pushing the doors at the center so they swung open together.