Midnight Masqerade

by Shirlee Busbee

  Melissa hesitated. Her heart was willing to give him whatever he asked of her, but common sense cautioned her not to be taken in by his charm. It could be that he merely needed time to concoct an excuse that he thought might be acceptable to her ... or he could be telling the truth.

  Mistrust evident in her tone, she demanded, "If not now, when did you have in mind to make these explanations?"

  Dominic gave her a bone-melting smile. "Would four o'clock this afternoon suit you?"

  Melissa nodded curtly, certain that her brains had been addled, but hoping desperately that her blind trust in Dominic was not misplaced.

  Pressing a brief kiss to her forehead, he said gaily, "Good! Wear one of your prettiest gowns and meet me at the hammock at four this afternoon."

  Uncertain whether to laugh or scream with frustration, Melissa watched him disappear into his set of rooms. Then she shrugged her shoulders and began to walk down the stairs. Soon enough she would know if she was the most trusting wife in the world-or the greatest fool in nature!

  At precisely two o'clock Dominic presented himself at the only bank in town. The intervening hours had been spent pleasantly; he had gone to bed and had slept soundlessly, awakening in time to enjoy a leisurely meal in his rooms and a revitalizing bath before dressing and riding into town. He wasn't surprised in the least to find Royce and Zachary, both showing signs of having passed the time in much the same manner, waiting for him when he arrived. Tying his horse to the hitching post, he dismounted, and casting them a sardonic glance, inquired, "Come to make positive that he pays his debts, have you?"

  Royce merely grunted and replied, "And to make certain that you don't do anything foolish-like challenge him to a duel."

  Dominic smiled. "Oddly enough, I find that it has given me greater delight to wound him this way than any other that I could think of."

  Royce looked skeptical but said nothing more, and the three of them entered the building. They were shown immediately into Mr. Smithfield's office. Latimer, looking tired and rather grim, was already there, seated in a leather chair near Mr. Smithfield's big oak desk.

  Mr. Smithfield, his plump features showing disapproval, indicated three more high-backed leather chairs similar to the one in which Latimer was sitting. Clearing his throat portentously, Mr. Smithfield said carefully, "Mr. Latimer has explained the situation to me and has enabled me to pay you the majority of what he owes to you this afternoon."

  "Majority?" Dominic asked with a cynical twist to his lips. "It is my recollection that we played for the full amount last night, not the majority. "

  Latimer went rigid in his seat and a nasty gleam came into the cold blue eyes. "Without leaving my sister and me absolutely penniless," he growled, "I have the ability to pay you thirty-five thousand dollars this afternoon."

  Dominic looked abstracted. "Forgive me," he murmured, "but am I wrong in recalling that the debt is for fifty thousand dollars?"

  "Goddammit! You know that you are not wrong!" Latimer burst out furiously, all the chagrin and rage he felt at his current predicament suddenly boiling to the surface. Gallingly aware that it was imperative that he not disgrace himself, he fought to bring his temper under control. Trying to quell the murderous thoughts that raced through his brain, Latimer glared at Dominic, hating him with every fiber of his being. His voice stiff, he finally got out, "I have every intention of paying you." Intent upon impressing the others of his honorable intentions, he added mendaciously, "I do not make wagers that I cannot meet, but it will take me a short while to lay my hands on the remainder. I had hoped that you would be a gentleman about this and allow me the extra time."

  There was a deceptively sleepy expression in Dominic's eyes. "Ah, yes, a gentleman. It would be most ungentlemanly of me to strip you of everything, wouldn't it? To rip the roof from over your head? To cast you and your lovely sister into the street with only the clothes on your backs? Who knows, that might leave you at the mercy of anyone . . . you could even find yourselves compelled to do things utterly abhorrent to you, things that are repug nant and degrading. No real gentleman would put you at such risk." Dominic looked squarely at Latimer, the gray eyes hard and merciless. His voice very soft, he added, "No, only a bounder, a cad, a scoundrel of the blackest kind, would do such a thing."

  Suspicion sharpening in Latimer's brain, he stiffened, his body braced as if for a blow, but Dominic turned away, saying indifferently, "Of course you may have more time to meet the remainder of your debt. Unlike others, I am not a monster. How much time would you like? A week? Two, perhaps?"

  Latimer might have hoped that Dominic would prove to be generous in allotting him more time, but it appeared those hopes were groundless. Even if he had intended to pay Dominic the amount owed, which he had not, unless something miraculous occurred it would be impossible to meet Dominic's terms in less than six months. Latimer's hand clenched into a fist. Someday, he thought viciously, Mr. Slade was going to pay for this humiliation. Pay and. pay dearly. . . .

  Wrenching his thoughts away from various methods of extracting revenge, Latimer angrily considered his situation. Time was what he needed most at the moment; last night's doings had very nearly brought him to a standstill, but he still had one or two tricks up his gambler's sleeve. There was the Franklyn cub for one thing, and though he would now be forced to pluck the stripling for more than he had originally planned, those winnings would almost completely replenish his depleted funds_ And then there was the ship that would be taking him to England sometime after the first of the year. If he could delay the final payment of the debt for just a few months, he and Deborah would be on their way to England and out of the reach of Dominic Slade-at least for a while-and he could consider at a later date what to do if Slade appeared in London demanding payment. There were all sorts of tragic accidents that could be arranged in London. ...

  Latimer found himself in an extremely delicate position. He must maintain his reputation within the small community of Baton Rouge if his plans to plunder the Franklyn boy's fortune were to come to fruition, yet he did not have , the funds to pay Dominic. It would be fatal for his schemes if it became common knowledge that he made wagers he could not cover. No one would be willing to gamble with him, and that reputation would no doubt follow him to New Orleans, making it difficult, if not impossible, for him to gull any other pigeons like Franklyn. Latimer had great hopes for New Orleans and he didn't want to jeopardize the opportunities that wicked city offered to someone like him.

  Stalling Dominic was Latimer's most immediate problem. If he could convince Dominic to wait until, say, the first of the year, which was less than three months away, it would give him time to get his hands on the Franklyn money and leave for New Orleans. Roxbury had promised to have more funds waiting for him there, so no matter how much or how little he won from Franklyn, his most pressing monetary problems would be over once he was in New Orleans. But Latimer had no intention of leaving the country with little more than the money that Roxbury had advanced him, even though a small fortune would be waiting for him in London. Nor did he plan on only dipping lightly into the Franklyn fortune, or paying Dominic one cent more than was necessary.

  Having turned over several different ideas in his mind, Latimer suddenly smiled faintly and murmured, "I'm afraid that you find me in a most embarrassing situation." At Dominic's sharp look, he spread his hands deprecatingly and said glibly, "As you know, I am not permanently domiciled in this country, and since I planned to travel extensively during my stay here, before I left England I had made previous arrangements for funds to be divided amongst the various banks in the various cities which I intended to visit. It seemed easier than carrying large sums of money on my person. I'm afraid that the remainder of my monies is currently waiting for me at a bank in New Orleans." Leaning back in his chair as if he had not a care in the world, he said casually, "Delightful though my visit here has been, I plan to leave for New Orleans within the next few weeks or so, and it would be more convenient for me if
you would allow me to pay you once I have arrived there." His features betraying only polite interest, he added, "Unless, of course, that is not satisfactory to you. If you have some pressing need for the money, I shall naturally write to the bank in New Orleans and see that the necessary funds are sent up here immediately. "

  Dominic had not the slightest doubt that once Latimer reached New Orleans any hope of receiving the remainder of the debt would vanish. He didn't know of the ship that would be waiting in January, but he did know his man, and almost as if he had been privy to Latimer's most private thoughts, he knew that Latimer would find a way to avoid paying one penny more than he had already. For a long moment, he deliberated, undecided whether to demand full payment or to let Latimer dangle a while....

  Deciding that it wouldn't hurt to punish Latimer a bit more, Dominic said slowly, "I have no objection to waiting for my money until you reach New Orleans." A smile spreading across his handsome features, he added softly, "It is rather a coincidence, you know. I, too, am planning to leave for New Orleans during the next few weeks-a belated honeymoon, you might say."

  Latimer had just started to relax, but at the news that Dominic would be in New Orleans, he felt his nerves stretch, the sensation of being a very small mouse trapped in the claws of a very dangerous cat almost overpowering. And his uneasiness was not quelled in the least when Zachary said with great astonishment, "Lissa never said anything about going to New Orleans!"

  His eyes never leaving Latimer's face, Dominic said easily, "I just now thought of it-it will be a surprise for her. "

  Latimer did not misunderstand him and, his voice tight, he asked, "It is decided, then? I shall pay you in New Orleans?"

  Having grown bored with the game, Dominic sat up alertly in his chair and said briskly, "Yes, of course, but I suggest we name a date for the payment. It is not wise to let these things drag on."

  "Very well," Latimer replied politely. "Shall we say , the first of December, in New Orleans?"

  "Splendid," Dominic said heartily.

  Longing to throttle him, Latimer sent Dominic a false smile and rose to his feet. He hesitated a moment before saying diffidently, "I would appreciate it if no word of what was discussed here this afternoon was bandied about. "

  "Naturally. It would be most ungentlemanly of us to discuss your private affairs," Dominic agreed dryly.

  Mr. Smithfield cleared his throat. "Mr. Slade, do you wish these funds deposited in your current account?"

  His part in the proceedings done with, Latimer was on the point of departing when Dominic said, "Stay, Latimer-don't you want to know where your money is going?"

  Hardly able to conceal the rage that twisted within him, Latimer swung back to glare at Dominic. "I hardly think it matters to me anymore, now that the money is no longer mine. "

  Dominic smiled at him. "Listen and see if you don't change your mind."

  His eyes never leaving Latimer's face, Dominic said harshly, "I want you to open a new account, Mr. Smithfield, and put all of the money from Mr. Latimer in it. The account will be in my wife's name alone ... all of this money will be hers. A repayment of sorts."

  A muscle twitched violently in Latimer's hard cheek as enlightenment dawned, and the blue eyes ablaze with rage, he took an angry step forward. "You know!" he hissed, all the hatred he felt for Dominic plain to see.

  Dominic smiled like a satisfied tiger. "Precisely," he replied coldly.

  Unable to maintain even a semblance of a polite facade, Latimer snarled, "You may have won this hand, Slade, but there will be another time, and then, by God, you'll pay for this!"

  Spinning on his heels, Latimer strode from the room, the door swinging shut behind him with an explosive bang. There was a moment of silence; then Mr. Smithfield exclaimed with amazement, "Upon my soul! I would never have thought that Mr. Latimer would behave in such a fashion. He always seemed such a gentleman."

  None of the other three men in the room made any com ment and Mr. Smithfield returned promptly to the business at hand. "If you wouldn't mind waiting a few minutes, I shall have all the papers drawn up for you."

  Dominic inclined his head politely and shortly thereafter he and the others took their amiable leave from the banker. There was little conversation among the three men as they mounted their horses and began to ride away from town, but the last small wooden building had barely been passed before Royce demanded bluntly, "Would you mind telling me what the thunder that was all about? Ever since you arrived at the Norton place last night, I have had the most curious sensation of having walked into a play that had already gone two acts before I arrived!"

  Dominic grinned at him. "It is a private matter. One that involves a lady very dear to me, and it would be most cavalier of me to discuss it with you." The gray eyes dancing with amusement, he added, "It is sufficient to say that I used the cards rather than the sword to extract my satisfaction ... something I think will please the lady in question. "

  Before Royce could utter the scathing comment that hovered on his lips, Zachary blurted out, "You overheard our conversation last night! "

  Dominic nodded his dark head and admitted brazenly, "Exactly! But you would do well to keep that information to yourself; in fact, forget the conversation ever took place. "

  A note of long suffering obvious in his voice, Royce remarked, "Has no one ever told you that it is not polite to discuss secrets in front of someone else?" At the two broad grins that met his words, Royce muttered, "Oh, very well, don't tell me-I can figure out most of it myself! Keep your bloody secrets!"

  Royce was looking so offended that the other two burst out laughing and a moment later, somewhat sheepishly, Royce joined them. Good humor restored among them, they soon took their leave of one another.

  Upon reaching the cottage, Dominic left his horse at the stable and with the new account book tucked securely in his waistcoat pocket, his step was light and eager as he bounded up the stairs to the gallery. Stopping at the house just long enough to warn the servants that he and Melissa were not to be disturbed, he went in search of his wife.

  The hammock, strung between two oak saplings, was situated in a quiet, shady nook some distance behind the cottage. Live oak trees draped with Spanish moss, and beech and elm trees festooned with red trumpet vines and sweetbrier, pressed close to the small clearing which contained the low-slung hammock. A faint breeze wafted the mingled scent of magnolia blossoms and yellow jasmine through the air as Dominic silently walked up to the brilliant blue hammock and glanced down at its occupant.

  Melissa was sound asleep, a small, leather-bound volume of love sonnets lying on her breast. His face tender, Dominic stared at her sleeping features for several long moments, finally noting with pleasure that she had followed his request and had chosen to wear a new gown, a frothy confection of willow-green sarsenet trimmed with yards and yards of delicate, ecru-colored Mechlin lace. A smile of almost idiotic delight was on his face as his eyes traveled over her long, dark lashes, down the straight little nose to consider the soft, sweet mouth and stubborn chin. His wife, he thought with a mixture of astonishment and great exultation. His dear, darling, gallant wife.

  Staring at her sleep-serene features, he wondered how he could ever have suspected that she was merely a scheming, greedy little jade out to trap a rich husband. The truth was so obvious once he put aside his outrage and wounded pride at finding himself drawn to her that he wondered how he could have avoided it for so long. A rueful smile curved his mouth. Pure, blind stubbornness, he admitted to himself. That and perhaps resentment at the way she had tangled his emotions from the moment he had seen her. He had not wanted to fall in love, had never planned to marry, and yet the instant Melissa had come into his life, something deep within him had changed, but he had been too obstinate to recognize it for what it was. No longer, he vowed silently. She had become the most precious thing in the world to him and he would do nothing to jeopardize the powerful bond that existed between them, despite all the silly misunderstandin
gs and foolish mistrust.

  In one easy movement, Dominic knelt down beside the hammock, the gray eyes ardent and warm as they rested on Melissa's face, but the faint crackle of paper reminded him of how near he had come to never knowing the joy of loving her, and he frowned. If she had not made a mistake about the rooms that night at the inn, how very different their future might have been and how empty his life would be without her in it. He could almost thank Latimer for being instrumental in driving Melissa into his arms. Almost. The rage he had experienced when he had learned of Latimer's perfidious bargain suddenly gusted through him, and his expression turned grim and forbidding. Unconsciously the fingers of one hand tightened about the curls that lay so near her cheek.

  Dominic's grip on her hair was unknowingly painful and Melissa stirred restlessly, her eyes opening as she became aware of her surroundings. Seeing Dominic's dark, angry face so close to hers, still only half awake, Melissa recoiled from him, giving a soft, startled gasp as she did so.

  Instantly remorseful at having frightened her, Dominic loosened his grip on her hair and his expression became endearingly contrite. "Forgive me. I did not mean to frighten you." .

  Warily Melissa regarded him, not quite having made up her mind how to deal with him when they were finally alone. She was still angry and distressed by the knowledge that he had thought nothing of remaining out all night gaming, especially since she had spent that same night weaving wildly romantic dreams about him. She had whiled away the hours since they had last met dithering between treating him with cool indifference or demanding furiously to know what he meant by treating her in such a disgraceful manner. A womanizer was bad enough, but did he have to add gaming to his sins?