Under Wraps

by Patricia Green

  "Oh, dear. Is the evening ruined?"

  His lips turned up slightly. "No. No, of course not. I just mentioned to a few of my friends that I was bringing a concubine with me as was appropriate for a Sultan. I'm afraid my ego is about to take a beating. I am sorry if I hurt your feelings, cuz."

  "Well," she said carefully, "I'll do what I can to salvage your pride, Raymond."

  "Er, yes. Don't worry about it."

  The trip was short and they arrived quickly. The Soutraine mansion was lit up, every window shining. White Grecian columns gleamed, and colorfully costumed people could be glimpsed through the clear glass. Music beckoned them up a long walkway to tall front doors, where a servant admitted them with formal aplomb.

  "Shall I take your wrap, sir?" the gaunt fellow asked Raymond.

  Raymond handed over his red-satin cape, and Glee couldn't help but admire the fine fabrics of his rich costume. His teal blue jacket was opulently embroidered with silver from the narrow band collar to the knee length skirt. His full pantaloons were cloth of silver, shining and metallic. Even his shoes were of the finest gray kidskin and had curved points much the same as Glee's.

  "You really do look fine, Ray."

  Her cousin flushed slightly with pleasure and then turned to offer his arm and escort her into the closed ballroom. "Shall we?"

  She shook her head, tiny bells tinkling as she did. "Not just yet. I've got to leave my chador."

  He looked at her like she was mad.

  "You will help me, won't you?"

  His eyes widened as she reached for the dark hem of her garment. "Glee, uh-"

  "Shh! Don't call me that. For tonight, I'm Gurup. It means ‘sunset.'" She pulled the chador over her shoulders and handed it to the gawping footman. "This evening, Raymond dear, I'm your Sunset." It only took a moment to fix her veil in place and she was ready.

  Raymond first went pale, then red, then recovered his composure as a wide grin split his face and he began laughing. "You little minx! You really got me! Ho, ho, ho!" He walked around her in a slow appraisal, whistling as he rounded back to face her. "Lord, cuz, you are exquisite."

  "Raymond!"

  "Oh, yes. Gurup... Sunset." He frowned. "I'm not at all sure I can take you in there."

  "Why?"

  He smiled. "I didn't bring a weapon."

  "Stuff!" She giggled. "Did you bring my mask at least?"

  A flustered look crossed his even features, but he reached into a pocket and withdrew a simple black domino half-mask. "Yes, but I hardly think you'll need it. Absolutely no one will guess who you are."

  She took the mask and fitted it over her eyes, securing it to her silk net. "Better safe than sorry." A few steps took her to the ballroom doors. "Shall we go in?"

  He was frowning. "Wait. Er, you've got some dust or something on your, er, posterior, m'dear."

  "Oh." She brushed the left side. "Here?"

  "No, the other."

  She swatted at her behind.

  "No, no, that's not doing it." His firm hand gripped her shoulder. "Would you be offended if I tried?"

  Glee's gaze dropped demurely. "It is not my place to be offended, Master."

  He chuckled and bent to brush her pantaloons gently. When he had no success he studied the area a bit more closely, and realized that the smudge was on the inside, fist-sized on her round cheek and tapering to a line below to be lost between her slim thighs. He stood abruptly and whispered in her ear. "Er, um, Gurup. Have you a birthmark or the like? I believe I was wrong; it's not dust. You can see right through those pantaloons."

  Glee went absolutely crimson. "Oh, no!" The floor should have opened and sucked her down, but that would have been too easy. She covered her right buttock and closed her eyes. She couldn't look at him while she explained. "It's not a birthmark, Raymond. It's a tattoo."

  "A tattoo," he repeated dumbly.

  "Yes. I got it while I was in Africa, almost nine years ago."

  "Africa."

  Her eyes opened and she saw the incredulous expression on his face. "It's all very complicated and I don't think I should explain it to you now." She turned away. "If you're too embarrassed to be seen with me, I understand."

  His laughter echoed in the foyer and brought the curious glance of the footman. "Oh, Lord, this is rich! My dear Gurup, I am certainly not embarrassed to be seen with you. In fact, I could not be more delighted to have such an exotic companion." He took her arm and another footman opened the ballroom doors.

  Glee paused and reached for the long tail of golden chain dangling at her leg. "Here. If I'm your slave we must look the part."

  He took the length of gold and wrapped it around his fist, laughing anew. "What a gem you are, my dear!" He preceded her into the ballroom; she followed, eyes modestly downcast in opposition to her very immodest apparel.

  A stir went round the room as the couple entered. More than one Boston matron gasped and turned away in shocked disapproval, and many of their husbands squinted to get a better look at the tall red-haired exotique. A small pocket opened in the crowd to allow them to pass. Whispers and rounded-eyes followed their progress as they proceeded toward the host and hostess.

  Raymond bowed formally and took Missus Soutraine's hand to place a kiss on her knuckles. She was dressed as Queen Elizabeth, her husband as a Spanish matador. "I hope you'll forgive my tardiness, my queen. But I had the devil of a time deciding which of my slaves to bring."

  Glenda Soutraine was a generous woman, given to laughter, and known for her practical jokes. She inclined her red-wigged head graciously. "May we know the name of this one, Sultan?"

  Raymond smiled. "She is called Gurup, which means Sunset. This is due to the sunset fire of her hair, Your Highness, not unlike your own."

  Glenda turned to her husband who was grinning with unabashed admiration at the comely slave. "Do not take it into your head to call me Sunset, Señor, or I shall have your head for it."

  They laughed lightly and Marc Soutraine clapped Raymond on the back. "If this young lady is any example of the quality of your harem, Sultan, I may have to consider giving up my line of work to pursue yours."

  Raymond's grin was smug. "Ah, but Señor, I'm afraid that would not be possible. There are no more Sultancies left available!"

  "Ah, what a pity," Marc replied with a sigh. "Does she speak?"

  "Yes, of course." Raymond turned to Glee and commanded her sternly to say something. Glee spouted a rather lengthy sentence in Turkish.

  The other three looked at each other for a moment and then Raymond tugged on her chain playfully. "No, no, no, Gurup. In English." He glanced back at the Soutraines and grinned. "Good slaves are so hard to find."

  They laughed.

  "Your pardon, Master," Glee said in softly accented English. "I said that if the señor was rich enough, I have a sister who's available and still has all her teeth, too." A good deal of laugher followed.

  Raymond excused himself and Glee and they went off through the gaping crowd again. Near a small alcove Raymond pulled her aside and whispered, "Is that really what you said to him?"

  Glee shook her head and smiled behind her veil. "No. But I won't repeat in English what I did say."

  "Ho, ho! My little slave has teeth."

  "Every last one. Want to see?" she teased.

  He chuckled. "You're really going to have to tell me more about the tattoo, my dear. Every last man-jack in the place has done a double-take as you pass him."

  She reddened right down to her ruby-stuffed navel. "I should have thought of that. I'm really very embarrassed, Raymond."

  Raymond slid his hand up her arm intimately but quickly pulled away as if burned. "Don't be. No one knows it’s you."

  "Yes. You're right, of course."

  "So tell me what it looks like," he prodded.

  A small frown puckered her forehead. "Why do you want to know?"

  He shrugged. "Curiosity. And, well, my friends will expect me to know everything about my slave-girl."
<
br />   Glee frowned at him until he had the grace to look chagrined. "You're really going to tell them I'm your latest paramour, aren't you?"

  His grin was full of mischief. "In scintillating detail."

  She laughed. "Oh, really, Raymond. You are a scandal, you really are."

  He nodded. "I do my best. Now the tattoo?"

  She described the bird of paradise tattoo to him briefly. "I'm sure your imagination can fill in the rest in scintillating detail, to borrow a phrase. Besides, someone is approaching." Her gaze dropped demurely as an remarkably tall, dark-haired man came up to Raymond, his smile gleaming in his handsome face. His thick moustaches were as perfectly groomed as his dark, wavy hair, and though he did not wear a costume, his black evening attire was impeccably tailored and entirely suitable. Glee couldn't imagine what a man like him would choose to masquerade as. Why change perfection?

  "Manuel!" Raymond held out his hand with obvious pleasure. "Manuel Pacheco! What a surprise to find you here!"

  The man shook Raymond's hand warmly. "Raymond Montrose, my old friend. I am so pleased to see you again. It has been too many years."

  Raymond turned to Glee and smiled. "Manuel and I went to University together." He clapped his friend on the shoulder, reaching up to do so owing to the difference in their heights. Manuel was six-foot-two or -three at least. Raymond was five-feet-nine inches, about an inch taller than Glee.

  "And through many adventures, eh, my friend?" Manuel grinned.

  Glee detected an accent in his voice, and she was working hard to place it when Raymond turned to her again. "My little slave is here incognito, you understand Manuel? We're calling her Gurup tonight."

  Manuel nodded and winked at Glee. "Ah, yes. No doubt an escapee from a jealous husband knowing you, Raymond. Allow me to introduce myself." He bowed over her hand. "I am Manuel Eduardo Gabriel Valdez y Pacheco. And I confess that I am fascinated by your beauty little Gurup. Would you honor me with this dance?"

  "That was underhanded, Manuel," Raymond said, though his smile belied his words.

  "I'll only be in Boston a few days, my friend. You would not deny me this small pleasure, would you?" His coffee-brown eyes never left Glee's face.

  Raymond tilted an eyebrow at Glee. "I think he's harmless enough, my dear. Indulge him, why don't you?”

  She nodded, her voice hesitant as she replied. "As you wish, Master."

  "I wish, bella," Manuel whispered. He took her hand and led her into a waltz with an easy grace despite his height.

  They turned the floor once, their steps well matched. As they continued for the second spin, he said, "Every man in this room envies me right now, Gurup."

  "And every woman is crossing you off her list of socially acceptable people." His warm hand against her bare waist made her skin heat up, a decidedly uncomfortable feeling.

  He chuckled but made no further comment.

  "Where are you from, Mister Pacheco? I detect an accent, but I cannot place it."

  "Ah, a woman of both mystery and intelligence." He squeezed the hand he held. "My home is Asuymas y San Felipe. A rancho in California."

  "California?" Her voice squeaked.

  "Yes, have you been there?"

  Glee recovered herself with an effort. "No. No, I haven't. I'm just surprised that you are here in Boston. California is so far away."

  "Very true. I do not venture away often anymore, but I had business here, so..." A shrug lifted his broad shoulders. The waltz was ending, and he twirled her toward Raymond again.

  "So, tell me, Manuel. What brings you to Boston?" Raymond asked.

  "Alejandro and I came on a matter of business, my friend."

  "Ah. How is Alex? Bringing up an ever-increasing brood, I expect. What's his wife's name again? Mary? Margaret?"

  "Magdalena. Sadly, she died four years ago. Alex has only one child, a son."

  "My condolences."

  Manuel inclined his head. "Other than the tragedy of his wife's death, Alejandro is very well. At least I think so. My older brother seems to be misplaced."

  Raymond laughed. "Misplaced? How do you misplace someone that size?"

  "I assure you that I did not do it intentionally. He simply disappeared a week ago."

  "Hm." Raymond considered for a moment. "Have you notified the police?"

  Manuel nodded. "Yes, but they tell me they can do nothing. I have also checked the hospitals, the jails, and scoured the docks where he was last seen." He shrugged. "What more can I do?"

  "I saw him the last time he was in Boston, about two years ago. He didn't seem like he had taken up drink or fallen into a decline, but then I barely had a chance to greet him."

  "He is unchanged by his troubles, my friend. Except for being perhaps a bit more closed, a little less wild. I admit that I am concerned and puzzled by his disappearance. Our ship has been ready to sail for three days, yet I wait. If my brother is not found by Monday, I will be left with no other choice but to leave Boston without him."

  Raymond patted his friend's shoulder. "Let's hope it doesn't come to that."

  Manuel smiled and bowed toward Glee. "I am afraid that we have bored little Gurup unforgivably." His lips twisted with wry amusement. "My sister is always telling me that I am too serious. And, of course, she is always right." He eyed Raymond thoughtfully. "I should bring Theresa to Boston. You would like her very much. And, it is well beyond time she married."

  "Oh ho! Not me, my friend. I am a confirmed bachelor like you!" He turned toward Glee. "Why, this man made me look like a monk when we were in school!" His eyes twinkled. "Unless, of course, Manuel, your sister might be coaxed into something less permanent than marriage."

  Glee's eyebrows lifted. "Raymond, I'm surprised at you. Earlier this week you were very persuasively touting marriage. I believe you said, 'My dear, I believe there are some parts of marital life you would greatly enjoy.' Isn't that what you said?"

  Manual laughed at Raymond's frown. "This one, my friend, is too clever for you. You had best do the wise thing. Marry the girl and learn to enjoy your fate." His dark eyes twinkled. "It will not be so difficult, I think."

  "Humph! She's even more opposed to marriage than I am, if that's possible."

  "Ah, life is a challenge, Raymond," Manuel offered. "I hope you will forgive me, but I must excuse myself. Another old friend has been signaling me from across the room and his gestures become more frantic as the minutes pass. I fear he will soon try to fly."

  They laughed and bid him farewell.

  Chapter 5

  Glee watched the handsome Californio walk away for a moment then turned to Raymond with a frown. "Why didn't you tell me you knew someone in California?"

  He smirked. "Dare I say that you didn't ask?"

  "Raymond!"

  "My, my! Whatever happened to 'Master'?"

  She glared.

  A shrug lifted his shoulders. "I haven't seen Manuel since he graduated from University, two years ahead of me, I might add. I confess that I had forgotten all about the Pachecos."

  Glee's auburn brows knitted. "Merde!" she muttered, ignoring Raymond's amused look. "For all I know he could be my neighbor, and here I am in this obscene costume!"

  Raymond stroked his false mustaches. "I doubt it, my dear. The California territory is several hundred miles from end to end. For all we know, you are north and he is south. Besides, he'll never remember you from this masquerade."

  She put a hand on her hip.

  "Well, at least he won't remember Glee Montrose from this masquerade."

  Glee found some comfort in that and allowed Raymond to lead her to the buffet tables. As Glee went toward the champagne, Raymond stepped away for a plate of food.

  Esther and Hamilton chose to seek refreshments at the same time and the girl saw her brother immediately. "Raymond!" she called.

  * * * *

  Raymond spotted Glee a few yards away. He noted that she, too, had heard Esther's voice and was keeping her distance. Raymond's head dipped. "Esther, H
amilton. Are you enjoying yourselves?"

  Esther turned her head from side to side until she saw the scandalously attired "slave-girl" nearby, confirming the rumors that were making their way through the guests. "We were until you arrived, brother. How could you be so shameless as to bring that, that strumpet to this affair? I thought you were escorting Glee."

  Raymond silently breathed a sigh of relief, then grinned down at his sister. "I was, but as you may have noticed, she is elsewhere." He gestured airily. "I think she was offended by the theme I chose to pursue and so chose to absent herself from our company once we arrived."