Masquerade Secrets(10)

They weren't so lucky.

Eager to be out of the confines of the carriage, her family waited for  the footman to open the door, but just barely. Fortunately, the rain had  let up and they were able to walk into the Viscount's estate without  the aid of an umbrella.

"Good Evening, I am Laverston, the Viscount's butler. Allow me to show you to your rooms."

Laughter echoed from down the hallway where the other guests were  assembling for conversation before they entered the dining room.

"What time will dinner be served?" her mother asked, clearly wanting to join the group.

"In forty-five minutes. If it pleases you, I will inform my lord that you will join them."

Her mother looked over her two daughters, beginning at the top of their  heads and ending at the hem of their skirts. "I believe we shall have  enough time to change and freshen up. Please inform the Viscount we will  join the party."

"Right away, my lady."

Charlotte and Aubrey were to share a room during their stay, which  didn't bother Aubrey in the slightest. If she were forced to endure  another's company, she could do far worse than her excited sister.

Her mother nodded in approval at the pastel colors that dominated the  room. Aubrey knew that her mother favored lighter colors, garnished with  a touch of lace. "We will be in the room across the hall from you. I'll  send Bitsy in as soon as she is finished unpacking a gown for myself,"  she said before leaving quickly to attend to her own appearance.

"Are you unhappy to be here, Aubrey? You were very quiet throughout the  journey." Charlotte looked over her shoulder as she began to untie her  laces.

Moving toward her, Aubrey swatted her sister's arms out of the unnatural position. "Here, let me help you with that."

"Thanks."

"And it's not that I am unhappy. In fact, it is nice to be back in the country air again. I was just lost in thought."

"Is something the matter?"

It would be so easy to tell her sister everything that had happened  between Bradford and herself. She would understand, empathize with her.  But Aubrey couldn't bring herself to confide in her sister.

What had happened between them on the terrace was like a dream. It was  special, private. And she didn't want to share it with anyone.

Besides, she couldn't bear to see the look of pity on her sister's face.  There wasn't anything that could happen between the two of them and  Aubrey knew it. Her sister would too.

"Not at all. Just a bit tired. Mother has been ordering the household  around like a general in battle all week. I'll be grateful to take to my  bed tonight."

Charlotte chuckled at the analogy. "Mother has been truly fearsome. I  hope to never be on an opposing side from her. I would be destroyed."

While they poked fun at their mother, Bitsy entered and the whirlwind of silk and petticoats began.

With two minutes to spare, their family descended the staircase and was led to the rest of the group.

The conversation quieted as they entered the room, waiting for her  family to be announced. The tingling feeling she had had before the  masquerade returned. Odd.

Everyone knew who she was. The mask was off. But there was definitely  something in the air. Something heavily charged and ready to strike at a  moments notice.

"The Viscount and Viscountess Norcliff, Lady Aubrey, and Lady Charlotte," a liveried servant announced in the doorway.

After a few nods of greeting, many people turned back to their  conversations. While her parents spoke with an older gentleman, whose  name escaped her at the moment, Aubrey glanced around the room to take  stock of the other guests. And to look for him.         

     



 

Most of the people there were whom she expected to see. A mix of  eligible bachelors and heiresses were scattered amongst their families  and chaperones. The occasional widow was thrown into the mixture, no  doubt to create a little diversity among the guests.

Lady Victoria was in a corner, speaking softly with another gentleman.  But that gentleman didn't happen to be the duke. Where was he? Had he  not arrived yet?

"Dinner is served," another servant announced.

Forgoing tradition, couples filed into the room regardless of rank and found their assigned seats.

Arm and arm with her sister, she was pleased to see that they were  seated in the middle of the table. In her opinion, the middle was always  the best because conversation from either end of the table could be  listened to. It didn't matter how dull your dinner companions were next  to you if you could join in with others.

After a servant assisted her into her chair, she was pleased to find an  elderly gentleman next to her. While he may lack in conversation at  points, elderly people didn't care for the confinement of propriety and  tended to say or do things that were outside of what was acceptable.  Which made them all the more fun.

However, to the left of her, the chair was empty and she was left  staring at Lady Victoria on the other side of the empty seat. Great.

Standing at the head of the table, Viscount Lawrence gestured for the  men to take their seats. "I am grateful that everyone has arrived in  safety this day, and I hope that the next two weeks will be both  entertaining and relaxing." He smiled cheerfully to the group in front  of him and Aubrey was surprised to see a dimple flash in his cheek. "I  must apologize to my sister and Lady Aubrey for the empty seat between  them. The Duke of Wathersby was delayed by some business, but I have  been informed that he will join us shortly." As he tilted his head to  look over the group, his damp black hair shimmered in the candlelight  like shiny ink. "Enjoy your meal, and may this be the first of many fine  evenings together." He finally took his seat and raised his glass to  drink to his toast. Many followed suit, tasting the tart white wine.

Glancing to the open seat again, her eyes met Lady Victoria's before she pointedly turned away, clearly snubbing Aubrey.

Aubrey couldn't care less. The woman was not someone she wanted to speak  with or even pretend politeness with. It was best to let Lady Victoria  take the brunt of criticism for her rudeness than for Aubrey to be moved  to violence. On more than one occasion, Aubrey had felt compelled to  slap her. Fortunately, she had always been able to reign in that  impulse.

Soup was served with fanfare as the servants moved quickly, but also  quietly, through the room. The spicy vegetable flavor was magnificent,  and Aubrey couldn't help but feel grateful for the fantastic chef she  would obviously be enjoying over the next two weeks.

"The Duke of Wathersby," a servant announced from the doorway.

Aubrey's heart leaped into her throat. He was here. Glancing up at him,  she felt her heart jumpstart, racing so fiercely she was worried others  in the room would hear it.

Dressed in his evening wear, she couldn't imagine a man more handsome  than he. His fitted coat, closely tailored so that it emphasized the  breadth of his shoulders, showcased the thickness of his arms. The pure  white neckcloth was starched to straight points, drawing the eye up to  his chiseled facial features. His jaw was pleasantly square, giving him  the appearance of dependability. His light brown eyebrows, which matched  the exact tone of his hair, crested over kind eyes. There wasn't  anything cunning or devious in the duke. He was everything a man ought  to be.

And completely out of her reach.

Viscount Lawrence stood in greeting. "Wathersby, how fortunate. Come  join us." He held out is hand, offering the chair between Lady Victoria  and Lady Aubrey.

"Thank you," he said graciously, only hesitating for a moment when he caught sight of Lady Victoria.

Aubrey quickly smiled into her napkin. If Lady Victoria had seen his  reaction to her, she was pretending that nothing was out of the  ordinary. She wouldn't care if the duke liked her or not, nothing would  interfere with her plans to have him.

The conversation around the table resumed once he had taken his seat.

Taking a bracing sip, Aubrey tried to still her nerves. She had thought  that the next time she saw him, she would have her feelings under  control, but her body seemed to mock her. Her stomach kept turning over,  flipping in knots. Would she always feel this way around him?

"Good evening, Your Grace," she finally said smoothly. "I am glad you were able to join us."

Did he look grateful that she had just taken him away from Lady  Victoria's grasp? She had the overwhelming urge to hide another smile  behind her napkin but fought it. There was definitely relief and  gratitude in his expression.         

     



 

"As am I. How could I pass up such a wonderful meal and such interesting company?"

The comment brought a slight blush to her cheeks. She was still so  unused to receiving compliments that she didn't quite know how to accept  them. "You're too kind."

His lips quirked. "I've embarrassed you. I apologize."

"No." She shook her head slightly. "Please don't apologize. I fear I'm not used to receiving compliments."