In the Stars

by Ava Stone

  Mina nodded.

  “And are you? Are you listening to your heart? Or are you focused so intently on the old woman’s words to realize you’re throwing away the best chance for a future you may ever have?”

  Mina’s mouth dropped open. She’d forgotten that part. Madam Derbardi had said to listen to her heart, hadn’t she? What did her heart tell her?

  Nathaniel’s mouth fell slightly open when Mina Throssell strode into the blue parlor, a tattered daisy tucked behind her right ear. He rose from his spot on the settee and couldn’t help but reach his hand out to her. “My dear,” he said softly.

  Dear God, but she was more lovely every time he saw her, and his heart swelled when she accepted his hand.

  There was something almost magical about her. He’d had that thought when he first met her, but it came back to him now. Her delicate frame, the twinkle of her light eyes, the way her dark curls perfectly framed her face. She wasn’t like any one he’d ever met, and if he lived to be one hundred, he’d never meet anyone like her again.

  “I trust the rest of your afternoon was pleasant, my lord,” she said as she settled on the settee.

  My lord. It had been difficult enough getting accustomed to hearing people call him that, but he certainly didn’t want her to do so. “Nathaniel,” he replied, assuming the spot beside her. “My name is Nathaniel.”

  A bit of a blush stained her cheeks and he bit back a smile. “Nathaniel,” she whispered as though testing the sound of her on her lips. Then her light eyes blinked up at him. “The rest of your day was pleasant, Nathaniel?”

  She wasn’t indifferent to him. He even suspected she’d readily accept him if not for that damned one-eyed man business. “It certainly wasn’t as eventful as our morning, Mina, but I did have the opportunity to chat with Captain Reid.”

  “Is he infatuated with Lady Elspeth?”

  Infatuated. Something odd was going on between Griff and his betrothed, but Nathaniel wasn’t certain if it was infatuation. And since his friend hadn’t confided in him, he clearly didn’t want any advice. “They’ve known each other since they were in leading strings.”

  “Ah.” She nodded in understanding. “I hoped maybe he was. She seems enamored with Lord Peasemore, and I’d hate for her to be hurt.”

  Nathaniel winced on Griff’s behalf. He’d suspected something was strange when Lady Elspeth wanted information about Peasemore. He’d have to avail himself to Griff in case his friend needed an ear or advice of some sort. Still, that wasn’t why he’d come here so early before dinner. He’d wanted to see Mina, try again to talk some sense into her. “About your fortuneteller,” he began.

  “She was real,” Mina insisted. “You can ask my maid, if you like.”

  “That’s really not necessary.” Whether or not the woman was real was inconsequential. The only thing that truly mattered was convincing her to abandon her search for any one-eyed men. “Mina.” He heaved a sigh, staring into those twinkling eyes of hers. “You know our marriage contract has been signed and—”

  “Nathaniel, my boy!” Colonel Throssell said from the threshold. “Davies said you were already here.”

  Nathaniel pulled his gaze away from Mina and smiled at her father. “Evening, sir. I was a bit anxious to see your daughter again.”

  “Again?” The colonel chuckled as he crossed the floor and dropped into a chair opposite the settee. “That bodes well, I suppose. How did your ride go this morning? Mina’s holed herself up in her chambers ever since.”

  She stiffened beside Nathaniel and said in a very soft voice, “I was reading, Papa.”

  “Reading?” her father grumbled. “Well spirits again? Or some other mystical nonsense?”

  Poor Mina seemed to shrink in her father’s presence, which Nathaniel hated to see. He cleared his throat and said, “We had a very delightful ride, sir. So many officers in London this time of year.”

  The colonel seemed pleased at hearing that and settled back against his chair. “Indeed. You’ll never guess who is hosting a masquerade tomorrow.”

  Nathaniel had no clue, but the idea most definitely piqued his interest. “A masquerade?”

  Colonel Throssell nodded. “Major Beedles.”

  “Boring Beedles?” Nathaniel couldn’t help but laugh, but the idea was more than amusing. Major Beedles was the most humorless officer of his acquaintance, even for a Welshman. He truly was the last man Nathaniel would ever suspect of hosting a masquerade. “Captain Reid said he’d married some actress. Perhaps she’s made him a bit more interesting.”

  The colonel quirked a smile. “She couldn’t have made him less so.”

  That was true. Still, the event would suit Nathaniel’s purposes perfectly. “I think we should go, sir. I think we should support old Beedles. He’ll probably need a friendly face or two.”

  The old man agreed with an incline of his head. “If that’s what you’d like.”

  Like had nothing to do with it. Attending was of the upmost importance. Nathaniel turned his attention to Mina at his side. She did only seem a shell of herself whenever her father was near. Just as soon as he could convince her to have him, he’d make certain she never felt small again. “Would you like that, Mina? This masquerade?”

  She didn’t want to attend, he could see it on her visage, but she nodded anyway. “I do have a fairy costume with wire wings.”

  Before her father could squash that idea, Nathaniel grinned widely and said, “I think that will be perfect.” Then he glanced back to the Colonel. “Not having been in Town long, I don’t have a costume readily at hand. Do you think you could lend me your valet for the day?”

  The old man’s brow lifted in surprise. “I’m sure we have an extra domino here, Nathaniel.”

  Nathaniel shook his head. “Oh, I think I’ll need something a bit more elaborate if I’m truly to support Beedles, sir.”

  “Suit yourself.” The Colonel shrugged. “I can send Oates over to your set of rooms tomorrow morning, if you like.”

  “Thank you, sir. I think that will be perfect.”

  Mina could barely nibble at her dinner, not with Nathaniel seated across the table from her, not with the way his dark eyes seemed to spear her, pinning her in place. Peggy’s admonishment echoed once again in her ears. Are you listening to your heart? Or are you focused so intently on the old woman’s words to realize you’re throwing away the best chance for a future you may ever have?

  He glanced at her father and the two of them began discussing some officer she wasn’t familiar with, which afforded Mina the opportunity to let her mind focus on the situation at hand without having to be involved in the men’s conversation.

  Was she being the fool Peggy had accused her of? If she hadn’t met Madam Derbardi, if her mother hadn’t led her to the fortuneteller, would she have readily accepted her fate in regards to the handsome viscount? She wasn’t certain. If her father had called her into his study to tell her she’d marry Lord Healeyfield, even if she hadn’t visited the fortuneteller, she’d have been just as surprised as she had been this morning. But would she have acquiesced? That was an important question.

  Listen to your heart. They’d been the words her mother had said to her all her life. They’d been the words Madam Derbardi had said to her that day in White Chapel. Listen to your heart.

  Nathaniel was most admirable. He was a man of his word, honoring his vow not to tell Papa that they’d gone to White Chapel. He was thoughtful and kind. Even when they hadn’t found Madam Derbardi or any evidence of her, he hadn’t laughed at or mocked her. He was a true gentleman. A gentleman who did make her belly flutter. But bellies and hearts were two very different things, weren’t they? Or perhaps not. Perhaps they were one in the same, at least as far as listening to them went.

  She glanced back at him across the table. He was serious, with a strong set to his jaw. That did frighten her a bit, if she was honest. Papa, after all, was quite serious and had never understood her. She wasn’t certain if Nathanie
l or any other man was truly capable of understanding her any easier than her father was. Nathaniel was kinder about it than her father was, however. Still, could she live with a man the rest of her life who didn’t understand her in the least?

  But were all of her musings mute anyway? He’d been about to say something when Papa interrupted them in parlor. You know our marriage contract has been signed, he’d said, and— And what?

  And I’ve decided you’re right, we’ll never suit?

  Or…

  And though I think you’re quite mad, I’m sure we’ll find a way to get along at some point?

  Or…

  And I look most forward to our life together. Don’t you think we should get about setting a date?

  Her heart lifted a bit at the thought that it could possibly have been that last one. That did mean something didn’t it? If she was listening to her heart?

  She’d give nearly anything to know what he would have said before Papa had come upon them.

  Stupid masquerade. Even with everyone else in various costumes and adorned in masks, Mina stuck out like a sore thumb. One would have thought a party such as this would be the perfect place for her to blend into the background, completely unnoticed. But with those blasted fairy wings strapped to her back, she found herself apologizing for bumping into people with nearly every step she and Papa made as they circled the room. Heavens, even stepping from the coach had been a comedy of errors and she’d almost landed right on her face at her father’s feet. Thank goodness he’d caught her before it was too late.

  “I do wonder where he is,” Papa grumbled, fidgeting with his domino as he looked out again at the colorful sea of people in the center of the ballroom. “There’s no reason we couldn’t have all arrived together.”

  Though Mina wished Nathaniel was with them now, she was most glad he’d missed seeing her near mishap when exiting the coach upon her arrival. That would have been highly embarrassing, and he probably already thought her a dolt. “I’m certain he’ll be here soon, Papa.” If he wasn’t here, somewhere amongst the crowd, already.

  In a cramped ballroom, musicians played their instruments while some masked revelers danced a spirited reel and while others crowded the refreshment table. Heavens, she didn’t recognize one person in attendance. Any of them, she mused, could be Nathaniel…Well, any of the men. She couldn’t image the very serious viscount ever sporting a dress. The thought of that, however, did make her giggle to herself.

  “Colonel!” a man dressed as Robin Hood called from just a few feet away. “So glad you could make it, sir.”

  Papa glanced towards the man and nodded curtly. “Ah, Beedles. Good to see you.”

  The man seemed to beam in response to her father’s words and puffed out his chest a bit. “If I can find my wife in the melee, I’d love for you to meet her.”

  This was the boring major her father and Nathaniel had mentioned the night before? With a bow strung over his shoulder and a silly medieval archer’s cap upon his head? He hardly looked dull. He looked like quite a happy fellow, actually. Perhaps the man’s transformation did have to do with his wife. Perhaps love could transform someone a bit. And if that was true, was that a good or bad thing? Did one lose one’s self or become more after falling in love? And did it matter? Did one even care?

  “Have you spotted Lieutenant-Colonel Carrick?” Papa asked, breaking Mina from her reverie.

  “Carrick?” Robin Hood, or Major Beedles rather, shook his head, nearly dislodging his cap in the process. “Who did he come as?”

  A beleaguered sigh escaped Papa. “Not sure.”

  Beedles shrugged at that. “I’ll keep an eye out for him if you—” Then his face softened. “Ah, there she is.” He gestured towards a blonde off in the distance. “Queen Guinevere, over there. That’s my Margaret. I would like you to meet her, sir.”

  Papa glanced down at Mina and said, “You want to come with me, my dear?”

  She’d rather not, not if he was giving her the choice. She’d rather keep to herself and blend into the background and try to keep from poking anyone else with her wire wings. “I’ll just wait for you right here, if that’s all right.”

  “Very well.” He nodded quickly. “I won’t be long.” Then he followed Beedles through the crush of people towards Guinevere on the other side of the ballroom.

  Mina would have been quite content to maintain her position, but a moment later, a rather large Viking who seemed deep in his cups nearly stumbled into her. So she stepped a bit closer to the wall, hoping to stay out of harm’s way. She had to be safer by the wall than out in the open, didn’t she?

  “What a lovely little fairy you are,” a gentleman drawled, just a few feet away.

  Mina glanced towards the voice to find a tall, sandy-haired man dressed in black and sporting a domino, grinning at her. Despite his mask, she recognized his smooth voice and warm twinkling eyes, at least she thought she did. “Lord Peasemore?” she asked.

  “Miss Throssell.” He nodded in greeting. “You haven’t by chance spotted Lady Elspeth in this madness, have you?”

  “Sorry.” She shook her head. She hadn’t, after all, spotted anyone she knew until now.

  “That is the problem with these sort of affairs, isn’t it?” Peasemore stepped a bit closer to her. “Makes it rather difficult to find whomever you’re looking for.”

  He was right about that. Especially if you didn’t know who you were looking for or whom they’d come dressed as. Mina glanced back across the sea of people, and her heart lodged her throat when she realized a very handsome, one-eyed pirate was making his way through the crowd, straight towards her.

  Her stomach fluttered and her knees weakened a bit at the sight of him. A loose linen shirt open at the collar, combined with a form-fitting jerkin made her gulp. But it was the black leather patch over his eye that completely stole her heart.

  “Nathaniel,” she breathed out, once he stood before her.

  Normally, Nathaniel would feel like a dolt in this sort of getup, dressed like a privateer from a bygone era; but when he saw tears pooling in Mina’s eyes behind her half-mask and her shoulders and fairy wings shake just a bit, his heart twisted in his chest. Damn it all. She didn’t think he was mocking her, did she? That had never been his intent. “Mina?” he began.

  But before he could say anything further, she threw her arms around his middle, holding him tightly. One of her wire wings poked him in the jaw, but at the moment, Nathaniel didn’t care. Lucky thing Mina was wearing a mask, or she’d have made quite the scene.

  Nathaniel tipped her chin upward so she had to look at him, hating that her half-mask shielded part of her lovely face from his view. “I only meant to show you that I can be the man you need,” he started to explain, “even if I do have two working eyes.”

  A fellow in black, not far away, muttered under his breath, “Probably take my leave,” before turning on his heel and disappearing into the crowd.

  They probably were making a scene, even in costumes. There had to be a better place to have this conversation, somewhere further away from the madness of the masquerade. “Come with me,” he said softly, placing her hand on his arm. Then he directed her around the perimeter of the room until they came to the main entrance.

  He led her down the corridor, past costumed revelers, stopping only when they arrived at a vacant parlor. There he drew her inside and spun her to face him, her shimmery fairy gown twisting at his feet.

  Nathaniel slid her sparkly half-mask from her face so he could see her better, caressing her cheek with the pad of his thumb. She did have the softest skin he’d ever touched. If he could just convince her to have him…

  “I think our future is what we make it,” he said, staring down into her shining light eyes. Dear God, she was so lovely, gazing up at him. He wanted to hold her in his arms, crush his lips to hers and never let her go. But that might very well frighten her off. So he’d have to take a different approach. “I want my future to be with you
,” he confessed. “Not because of your dowry. Not because of your father. Not because of some fortuneteller’s cards. I want you, Mina Throssell, because you enchant me, because something about you has called to me ever since I met you, because I strongly suspect that I am quite in love with you, though I’m not sure how it happened.”

  She released the breath she was holding, pushed up on her toes and pressed her lips to his. And for the first time since the weight of his new responsibilities had landed on his shoulders, for the first time since he’d returned to England from the battlefields, for the first time in his entire life, peace washed over Nathaniel. He slid his arms around her waist and pulled her against him, holding her like any pirate would his most prized treasure, kissing her back with every bit of passion he had.

  After a moment, or perhaps an entire lifetime, she dropped back down to her heels and caressed the patch covering his eye. “You did this for me?”

  Nathaniel nodded. “I wasn’t certain you’d have me otherwise. I thought—”

  She tugged the patch from his eye and let it flutter to the floor. “That’s the most thoughtful thing anyone’s ever done for me.” Then she shook her head. “But it’s not necessary, Nathaniel. I believe I’m quite in love with you, even if you do have two eyes.”

  Which might possibly be the strangest and most wonderful thing anyone had ever said to him. “Then you will marry me?” he asked, though much more certain about her answer than he had been the day before.

  She nodded quickly, grinning from ear to ear. “And I’ll even help you find the Brownies of Healeyfield Abbey, if you’d like.”

  And with those those words, Nathaniel was certain that remainder of his life would never be dull.

  October 1826 – Healeyfield Abbey, County Durham

  If Reid Carrick had to watch his mother and father kiss each other one more time today, he might very well lose his nine year-old mind. It was icky. All of that kissing. None of his friend’s parents behaved in such a way. Reid had paid close attention over the years.