by Rose, D. L.
From under her lashes she peeked at Lord Black. He was studiously looking at his brother with a frown. Eloise glanced at Bradley only to find him openly ogling her décolleté. She stabbed him with her fork.
“Owe!” He yelped.
Eloise looked apologetically at Eleanor. “Some behaviors can’t be helped.”
“I didn’t see anything,” she winked.
“I did.” Malcolm glowered at Bradley. “I trust you to remember yourself boy.”
“I apologize sincerely. I hadn’t realized how grown up you’ve become Eloise. I was a little taken aback tis all.”
“Mesmerized was more like it,” Malcolm quipped.
“I forgive you Bradley.” Eloise murmured returning to her docile mien. She swept the table with a glance and noted Lord Black finally taking notice of her with a quizzical expression. She pretended not to notice him watching her as she graciously accepted a serving of soup before her. For once his observance of her was not disapproving but she could easily read his expression of puzzlement.
His gaze lowered.
Eloise instantly focused on her soup, unsure of how to react. She was dearly hoping her cheeks were not as red as her tomato soup, but they felt alarmingly warm. She could not react as she had with Bradley. Bradley was a friend, Bradley was safe. Lord Black was another animal altogether.
Dinner remained quiet and rather awkward. Eloise felt warm every time Lord Black looked her way and Bradley, whom normally provided levity to Lord Black’s stern nature, was somber. His polite conversation had been stilted at best. Eleanor tried to draw both gentlemen out with no luck and Malcolm was content to silently consume his dinner. After the meal was finished Eleanor and Eloise escaped to their parlor since no invitation to continue their get together in the drawing room was issued. Rarely did the household behave as though Lord Black and Bradley were formal guests to be entertained. Things went as usual with Malcolm retiring to his study cum pottery studio and the gentlemen playing billiards.
“That was a tense affair. I think you frightened Lord Black and Mr. Pommoroy.” Eleanor laughed as she picked up her embroidery and sat in her favorite chair.
“Come now Eleanor, we’ve been given leave to call Bradley by his given name and we have certainly known him long enough to do so.”
“Yes he seemed to know you quite well at dinner,” Eleanor tittered much to Eloise’s amazement.
“Yes well, he did not look over come with lust, more like he sighted an insect and could not put a name to it.”
“You don’t give yourself enough credit Eloise. You look quite becoming this evening dressed as you are. You are a beautiful young woman and tonight that is how you presented yourself. I applaud you,” she clapped her hands in approval.
“Why thank you.” Eloise curtsied as if concluding a performance. There was a strange clap that caught the attention of both women followed by manly voices. Moving closer to the window left open to the evening air they paused. The billiard room was above them and through its open windows they could hear the knock of billiard balls and conversation between the two brothers.
“Did you see her Ben? How did I never notice what an amazing pair of--.”
“Bradley!” Ben snapped. “Contain yourself man, I trust you remember who you’re talking about.”
“But did you see--.”
“Of course I saw, I’m not blind.” Ben chalked the tip of his cue stick in frustration. “Take your shot.” In fact Ben was still trying to drive the image from his mind. His uncle’s wards were certainly attractive young ladies. Given proper dowries, clothing, and a season in London, they both could have made grand debuts. Eleanor was willowy and elegant as a swan with her pale gold hair, light blue eyes and effortless grace. She would have been a diamond of the first water. Eloise … well, Eloise glowed with a vitality reserved for actresses and courtesans. Her hair was spun with gold and sunshine, always shifting colors in the light and drawing the eye. Her eyes were a vibrant blue, darker than her sisters, and always sparking with mischief and scorn. The scorn was always directed at him. She was shorter than her sister, fuller in the hips and bust. She did not inspire thoughts of swans and grace and all things young ladies should aspire to be. She inspired raw emotions, which for Ben were aggravating and disconcerting.
“I’m not ready to go that far--.”
“I meant the game Bradley,” Ben growled. “I cannot and will not allow you to pursue that avenue with Eloise. She is an entirely unsuitable prospect for a wife for you and as Uncle Malcolm’s ward off limits for dalliance. Do you understand me?”
“Of course.”
“Keep it together man. You sound wet behind the ears. When is this masquerade?”
“In two days.” Bradley took his shot and sunk two balls. “Does that mean you’re going?”
“I think we could both use some female companionship.”
“Well I’ll be damned if the devil wants to come out and play.”
“What masquerade?” Eleanor asked softly as they moved away from the window lest they be overheard as well.
“Some costume masquerade. I heard Bradley mention it while they were meeting with Malcolm.”
Eleanor frowned disapprovingly, “Eavesdropping Eloise?”
“Tis a good thing I did,” Eloise defended herself. “You and I are going to that party and I am going to show Lord holier-than-thou what it means to be judged unworthy. Then I will prove to Malcolm that I can be his secretary and there won’t be any reason to marry us off.”
Eleanor gasped. “What do you mean marry us off?”
“That is Lord Blackhearts solution to Malcolm’s financial situation. To marry us off, so we will no longer be a burden to him.”
“Why that … that--,” Eleanor fumed. “I won’t be married off to some man I--,” she stopped, “I can’t … I won’t.”
Eloise rallied. “We won’t Eleanor.”
“What will you do Eloise, what can we even do?”
“I’m going to show that pompous lord what it means to be toyed with and then send him packing. If I can show Malcolm that I am just as good as any secretary he won’t need Lord Black’s help.”
“Do you really think you could perform the duties of a secretary?”
“Of course, I am excellent with sums and have outstanding penmanship. What else is there to it?”
“I don’t know Eloise,” Eleanor said doubtfully.
“You’ll have to trust me Eleanor. I won’t let us be sold like cattle.”
“What does this masquerade have to do with any of this?”
“It’s only purpose is for revenge. Lord Black will get a taste of his own medicine.”
Eleanor raised her brows skeptically. “How so?”
“I will play angel to his devil and bring him to his knees for want of me then spurn him for the shallow prig he is.”
“Devil?”
“Yes, his costume will be a devil so naturally I shall attend as an angel,” Eloise smiled devilishly.
“I think you’re in over your head,” Eleanor warned.
“Maybe, but our ship is sinking fast. Do you want to be married off to some aging country nobleman?”
“No!” Eleanor paled.
“Then desperate times call for desperate actions. Trust me Eleanor, I won’t fail you.”
Eleanor contemplated her hands. “It’s not me I am worried about.”
“Dearest, it will be alright. I promise.”
“How does an angel lure a devil?”
“With innocence of course,” she said with a small wicked smile.
“I don’t like the sound of that Eloise.”
***
The following two days the girls worked feverishly. They hurried to secretly make costumes and masks for the masquerade. Eloise’s costume consisted of a satin underdress that closely matched her skin tone and would be overlaid with white lace. The dress was pieced together from an old nightgown of the deceased Mrs. Pommoroy. Malcolm had long ago given the clo
thes to Eloise for dress up when she was much younger. The older wardrobe provided wire from a hooped petticoat with which they shaped wings and covered with stockings before meticulously pasting feathers from pillows to the sheer fabric. The lace came from the parlor curtains and a silver painted twist of wire strung with glass beads would serve as a halo.
“This dress is highly improper.” Eleanor remarked as she beheld the finished effects the evening before the masquerade. It was well past midnight and Eloise stood in the glow of the fire gazing at her image in the cheval mirror. The dress was skin tight with only a small train for the ease of walking. It had a simple square cut bodice that showcased her bosom.
“The better to lure a devil,” Eloise whispered in awe. The wings were surprisingly exceptional and not so big as to be a nuisance. Her mask tied around her head to keep her hands free and was scaled with feathers. The maids would not be pleased when they discovered the down pillows missing from one of the empty guest rooms but so be it. Eleanor and Eloise also sacrificed a pillow each to complete the costume.
“It’s magnificent for what few supplies we had to work with. I do feel guilty about the pillows. I will have to replace them somehow. How is your costume coming?”
Eleanor was going as Rapunzel. She was making a few small alterations to a pink evening gown she could no longer wear and braiding ripped pieces of a butter yellow sheet to weave into her hair to make it appear horrendously long. Her costume was simple and sweet; after all, she did not want to direct attention her way. Her only role, which she reminded her every other hour, was to keep Eloise out of trouble.
“It will be finished by tomorrow evening for sure.”
“Good. This will be great fun Eleanor. When was the last time we’ve been to a masquerade?”
“We’ve never been to a masquerade dearest, let alone a secret masquerade assembled of all classes secretly hiding their identities for one night of debauchery. I cannot stress to you enough how dangerous this is for us Eloise. What if Malcolm finds out?”
“He will be disappointed I’m sure but he won’t turn us out. We are in a unique situation Eleanor. We are not darling debutantes to be sheltered and protected. Our future is uncertain … we must shape it for ourselves. Do you want to be the future Mrs. Coonley of the sheep farm down the lane? I hear he is deaf in one ear but very kind.”
“Alright Eloise.” Eleanor gave up on her braid for the evening. “I’m off to bed and you should be too.”
“Yes I might as well. Would you unhook me?” Eloise presented her back as Eleanor stood and undid the back of the dress.
“Are you ok dear? You look wan?” Eloise watched Eleanor’s face in the mirror.
“It’s one thirty in the morning Eloise, how should I look?”
“Well tomorrow night I hope you will look as if you are having fun.”
“How about I look relieved when it’s over and you are not in some kind of trouble.”
“Have faith dearest. Everything will be fine.”
Chapter Three
Eloise knocked softly on Malcolm’s study door.
“Enter,” he bade.
She entered the dusty room and smiled. Sunlight filtered through the open windows, illuminating the clutter of dust and pottery scattered throughout the room. Malcolm sat before a large lump of clay scowling.
“May I speak with you?”
“Certainly Eloise, whatever you need dear.”
“Well … I know you will be taking over the duties Jasper left you with and I rather thought it would be a shame to spend so much time away from your sculpting. I was hoping you would allow me to aid you?”
“Well, that is quite kind of you Eloise.”
Eloise’s hopes rose then died a quick death as he looked up and frowned.
“However; I don’t believe the duties of a secretary would be an appropriate past time for a young lady.”
“Oh but Malcolm--.”
“I would have to concur with my uncle Miss Logan.” Lord Black stepped through the door leading to the library.
Eloise was stunned into silence.
“Pardon me, but I couldn’t help overhear your conversation. I can only agree with my uncle. Your time would be better spent pursuing more ladylike activities.”
Eloise silently fumed as her vision was overcome by a haze of red. “What, may I ask, would those ladylike activities be? Needle work, flower arrangement, husband hunting, or more realistically, preparing to be sold at market like a sow?”
Lord Black frowned in his usual disapproving way. “If that is how you see it, I am certainly not the one to change your mind.” Lord but this girl was infuriating. Heat spread from his neck down his back at the mere sight of her. She turned everything he said into an insult making him feel like some villain in a lurid novel.
“Stuff it Black. I know how you view my presence here in your uncle’s house. My sister and I are nothing but a burden to be dealt with, are we not?”
“I never said those words.” His voice was cool and calm but inside his blood simmered.
“Close enough,” She glared at him.
“Eloise, where is all this coming from?” Malcolm asked in puzzlement.
“I overheard you the other day after Lord Black and Bradley arrived. I know you are planning to marry us off and I won’t have it.” She looked accusingly to Lord Black.
“I would never behave so callously. I would find good husbands for you both; Men worthy of your regard, who would provide and care for you,” Malcolm pleaded.
“I don’t want a husband Malcolm. What man would have me? I want to stay here with you and act as your secretary. I can do it just as well as any man; I can earn my position here.” She glared at Lord Black again, “I have no use for lady like activities but would prefer to help care for you.”
She walked around Malcolm’s work desk and took his hand. “Malcolm please, I could never be happy as some man’s wife.”
Ben inwardly groaned. He could see his uncle softening to the chit’s wiles. “Uncle, please see reason.”
Malcolm looked away from Eloise. “I cannot deny her happiness Benjamin, although I am loath to treat her as someone of my employ.” He stroked his chin thoughtfully, “Why don’t you show her the duties.”
“Oh thank you Malcolm!” Eloise hugged him.
“Don’t thank me yet. It is exceedingly boring Eloise and you may find a husband much more to your liking. Any man would be blessed to have you as a wife, but I know I’ll not convince you unless you see for yourself. Why don’t you show her now before luncheon?” Malcolm gestured to Ben.
“As you wish uncle.” Ben was stoic. He could do nothing but agree and do his best to bore this flighty creature to tears for the next hour. “Come Miss Logan.”
Eloise looked at him timidly.
Good, she should be scared. If she thinks she got what she wanted she was mistaken. Ben turned to the door and as Eloise walked through he spoke. “Let us not disturb my uncle while we work.” He closed the door caging them in the library together.
The room was bright with sunlight. Gilt titled books winked at her from the shelves as she strolled to the desk with Lord Black lurking behind her. She began to sit in one of the two chairs before it when he took her elbow and pulled her up.
“Oh no, you must sit here to work.” He towed her to the leather chair behind the desk and yanked her into it.”
“Is being so rough with my person really necessary?”
“My apologies. Now,” he leaned over her and opened the ledger before her. “This is the household account ledger.”
Eloise stared nervously at his jaw a scant few inches in front of her face. He smelled really good; like the fragrant spice of Christmas that made you feel like sitting in front of a warm fire and sipping cider and … dear God she could smell his skin. Clean male skin and the very essence of him. She could feel her cheeks flushing hotly and her palms felt damp. She knotted her hands in her lap and focused on the ledger he had opened before h
er.
“Good God, is that English?”
Ben paused and looked at her.
“It looks like chickens walked through ink and then all over the ledger, miraculously in neat columns,” she mused.
“Yes, well, despite his poor penmanship Uncle Malcolm’s secretary managed to do quite a good job at keeping records.”
“Jasper you mean,” Eloise met his gaze.
“Pardon?” Ben looked into her eyes and his thoughts scattered like flushed game.
“His name is Jasper Rathborn. Quite a good chap actually, had the rare gift of making Eleanor laugh.”
“Right,” he continued to look blank.
Eloise tried to pull her gaze away but couldn’t. She waited for him to speak but he only continued to stare at her as if seeing her for the first time.
“Lord Black?” She said hesitantly as her cheeks began to feel warm again. Christ, the way she blushed around this man was humiliating.
“Ben,” he stated.
“Pardon?”
“We may as well use our given names, it will be less tedious that way.”
“Alright … Ben.” She tested it out on her tongue. It seemed like such an ordinary nice name when not attached to a man she detested.
“Eloise.”
He slowly smiled as he said it and in that moment a tingle went down her spine and damn it to hell her cheeks felt warm again.
“Yes, well …”She snapped her gaze away from his. “Tell me about this ledger if you please.” She could feel his gaze skitter over her face before he turned back to the ledger.
“This is an accounting of all the household goods and receipts. There is a line for each item such as candles, soap, ink, etcetera … followed by the quantity bought each week, the cost billed and then payment. Every entry has a date for when it was bought and when it is paid. The house keeper buys goods on credit and then a bill is delivered to the house. It is then up to the secretary to deliver payment to each shop for which goods have been purchased. Did you know that?”