Sussex Summer

by Lucy Muir

  However, when the carriage arrived to take them to Bramleigh and Mr. Hampton, clad in a simple black domino and half mask, did not seem to find anything amiss with either of his daughters’ costumes. Jane reluctantly decided that if a clergyman did not find her attire indecent, she should not, and resigned herself to appearing in it.

  Lord Blackwood knocked upon the door to his sister’s dressing room at Bramleigh and was admitted by Perkins.

  “Dear sister,” Adrian said, looking at his sister appreciatively as she surveyed herself in a cheval glass, “you will be the most beautiful woman at the masquerade. Without a doubt you will win the prize. However,” he continued, leaning negligently against the large mahogany wardrobe, “it will avail you nothing.”

  “Tell me what you have come to say and leave so I can finish dressing,” Lady Juliette said impatiently, tying the fringed sash of her Turkish costume at a slightly different angle and standing back to judge the effect.

  “I wished to inform you that 1 shall be leaving for the Continent to join Father a few days hence. There is no purpose in remaining here. It will not be your home. You have lost the game. You let Tremaine go and cannot see you are being played for a fool by Lord Staplefield.”

  Lady Juliette looked at her brother scornfully. “Much you know about it.”

  “Perhaps I know more about it than you think,” Lord Blackwood said warningly. “I have eyes for others besides myself, and I use them. I advise you to cut your losses and take Lord Crawford. You have already enjoyed his favours, and he seems to be interested still. Perhaps that is why Lord Staplefield invited him to Bramleigh for the masquerade. He is a most considerate host,” Lord Blackwood finished with a wicked smile.

  Lady Juliette looked at him in fury and threw a silver-backed hairbrush, but he dodged it easily and the mark it left was upon the wardrobe. With a last grin at his sister he went to go don his own costume. His sister was a beauty. Too bad she hadn’t the understanding of people to use that beauty to real advantage.

  The masquerade was set to begin rather late by country hours—at eight—but as the Hamptons drove up the circular drive to Bramleigh, Jane understood why the earl had chosen that hour. The shrubs and trees about the house had been filled with lanterns in the shape of stars, and in the fading light of the day, Bramleigh was taking on the aspect of a fairyland. As their carriage stopped before the brightly lit residence, footmen in lively coloured liveries carrying flambeaux came forward to assist them from the carriage. Jane felt a thrill of anticipation despite herself.

  Lord Staplefield and his aunt stood in the doorway of the ballroom to welcome the guests. His aunt was dressed rather plainly as Rubens’s wife, but Lord Staplefield, as Charles I, looked quite splendid in a blue satin doublet and breeches that tied at the knee with bows. The long full sleeves of his white shirt were slashed from the shoulder to the wrist, revealing pink satin beneath. A large lace-edged collar turned down over the shirt, and the long dark locks of a wig fell over his shoulders. Silk hose, square-toed leather shoes decorated with rosettes of pink ribbons and a wide-brimmed plumed hat completed his outfit. Jane had to admit that the earl presented a very dashing and romantic figure in the costume of the seventeenth-century king. He welcomed the Hamptons warmly, with a special smile for Fanny, and the family passed into the ballroom to join the rest of the company.

  The ground-floor rooms of Bramleigh had all been opened so the guests could wander at will from the ballroom to the withdrawing room, supper room and card room. The rooms had been lavishly decorated with plants, and hundreds of lamps of coloured glass had been placed about, throwing the stucco decorations on the walls and ceiling into relief and casting muted shadows on the guests.

  Mr. Hampton, as usual, vanished within minutes of their entering the ballroom. Jane and Fanny had no doubt he could already be found in the library upstairs. They searched resignedly for the Archers, recognizing them in a Greek noble and his wife with their son Christopher and daughter Marianne as their slaves.

  The sisters sat in the gilt chairs by the wall with the Archers and amused themselves trying to identify the costumed guests. Although all the guests were masked, they felt they recognised many of their friends. The lady with the russet hair dressed as Queen Elizabeth could only be Lady Tremaine, and the Henry VIII beside her must be Lord Tremaine. Marianne was the first to spot Lady Juliette.

  “Isn’t Lady Juliette beautiful!” she exclaimed, and the others turned to look.

  Lady Juliette’s costume was very daring indeed, particularly for the country. She wore full pink drawers gathered at the waist with a fringed yellow sash, a low-cut blouse of fine white lawn covered by a blue stole whose ends were caught up at the waist under a jewelled girdle. She had completed her costume with a blue feathered cap, embroidered slippers, and a jewelled mask. She did indeed look quite exotic and beautiful, Jane thought somewhat enviously.

  Lord Blackwood had entered with his sister, also clad in Turkish dress. Long baggy trousers of yellow silk were sashed at his waist over a fine cambric shirt, both topped by a fur-trimmed open robe of blue. The brother and sister were attracting a great many looks, both admiring and disapproving. Lady Juliette, if not her brother, was sure to win a prize, Jane thought.

  They soon lost sight of the Blackwoods in the crowd and turned their attention back to the other guests. Jane thought she recognised Edward’s sister, Mary, as a shepherdess, and Lady Archer spied Squire Shirley in the costume of a chimney sweep. Jane looked for Edward, but could not spot him, although Fanny saw Jamie, dressed in the colourful costume of a running footman: bright blue tunic weighted down by a heavy gold fringe, stockings but no breeches, a cap with feathers, and carrying the long cane tipped with a silver ball that was the running footman’s hallmark. Jane wondered if the ball contained the mixture of white wine and eggs that a real running footman’s would have. It was even a more daring costume than Lady Juliette’s, and Jane hoped he would capture the men’s prize.

  The sisters amused themselves for quite a long time admiring the costumes. As Jane had predicted, there were several Dianas, although none like hers. There was also a highwayman, Arcadian princess, old woman, Jane Shore and a minstrel, whom none of them had identified by the time the dancing started.

  The dancing began with a slow stately allemande. Jane was led out by Lord Blackwood, whose eyes gleamed with admiration through his yellow silk mask. As she curtseyed to Lord Blackwood, Jane finally spied Edward, dressed as Richard Coeur de Lion, standing up with Lady Juliette.

  So he did not care for Lady Juliette, Jane thought angrily. Then why was he standing up with her for the first dance? Anger and jealousy at the sight provoked her to smile enchantingly at Lord Blackwood. Although she knew Lord Blackwood was aware who she was, the etiquette of the masquerade prevented either from openly acknowledging the identity of the other. Thus relieved of any inhibitions, she flirted with Lord Blackwood more daringly than she ever had before. When he led her back to her place by Lady Archer, a pressure on her hand and the look in his eyes told her he was going to hold her to the promise of her flirtatious conduct.

  The second dance at the Bramleigh masquerade was traditionally a minuet, the most popular dance of the eighteenth century. The former Lord Staplefield had placed it at the beginning of the dance program so the guests would watch it before going to play cards or to other amusements. The minuet had gone out of style, for it was an extremely complicated and difficult dance. Few of the younger people troubled to master it, but they stood about to watch and admire the older couples perform the intricate steps.

  The musicians, who were dressed as Arcadian shepherds, were poised to begin the minuet when Lord Staplefield stood on the first landing of the staircase and held up his hand for silence. When the rumble of conversation ceased, he held up two objects.

  “I should like to announce the winners of the prizes for the most original and daring costumes. I thank you all for entering into the contest with a spirit I know my great-uncle
would have admired, for it is reminiscent of that golden age which he so relished.”

  There was applause, and Lord Staplefield bowed, sweeping his plumed hat off gracefully. “First for the ladies,” he said, and unfurled a beautiful fan. From their position near the musicians, Jane could see it was of a silk so fine as to be transparent, and the ivory guards appeared to be ornamented in gold.

  “Although every lady here tonight is beautiful, there is no question but that the most original and daring costume is that of the Turkish princess,” he proclaimed.

  Lady Juliette went forward to claim her prize amidst great applause. As she took the fan from Lord Grandville he bestowed a kiss upon her hand and she curtsied with exquisite grace, obviously in her element.

  “For the gentleman,” Lord Staplefield continued, “there is an ebony snuffbox.” As he held it up, the jewel-encrusted lid glinted in the candlelight. “Again, I believe there can be little argument that the most original and daring costume is that of the running footman.”

  As Jamie ran forward to claim his prize there was more applause, and the crowd waited expectantly for Lord Staplefield to motion the musicians to resume playing. Instead, he held up his hand again for silence.

  “I have one more announcement I wish to make before the dancing is resumed,” he declared. He held out his hand and was joined by Fanny.

  “I am pleased to take the occasion of the Bramleigh masquerade to announce my betrothal to Miss Fanny Hampton,” he announced.

  Jane felt her shock echoed in the other guests around her. Fanny’s engagement to Jamie had never been officially declared over, although it had probably been evident to all that it was. The guests were silent for a long moment, and then began to applaud.

  Jane stood stock-still, deeply hurt that Fanny had not confided in her, and wondered if their father had been aware of the betrothal. Of course he must have been, she realised. Even Lord Staplefield could not be that lost to propriety. Jane concluded the announcement tonight was Fanny’s way of calling off the betrothal with Jamie since he would not cooperate. She also knew that if Fanny had confided in her she would have tried to dissuade her from the plan, but her exclusion hurt nonetheless.

  Lord Staplefield signalled the musicians to begin, and he and Fanny led off the minuet. Jane knew then what Fanny had been doing at Bramleigh. Learning the minuet was extremely difficult, and they must have practiced many days to have so perfected the dance. Numb, Jane watched as Fanny performed the glides, toe points, bows and dainty steps with exquisite perfection.

  Marianne nudged her and nodded in the direction of Lady Juliette, who was standing not far away. She stood viewing Lord Staplefield and Fanny with a look of barely concealed fury on her face. Jane felt compassion for the woman for a moment, but it vanished when Edward went to Lady Juliette’s side and remained there, talking to her.

  After the minuet, some of the guests left the ballroom to go to the card room, and others wandered through the open doors to the beautifully lit grounds. Fanny rejoined the Archers in company with the earl, looking at Jane a little hesitantly.

  “I am sorry, Jane,” Fanny said, “but I dared not tell you. You would not have approved and would have tried to dissuade us.”

  “If I had not been so immersed in my own affairs I would have seen it for myself,” Jane admitted. “I only hope you will be happy, Fan, and I believe you will be,” she added, seeing the protective manner in which Lord Staplefield held Fanny arm.

  A cotillion began, and Jane was swept off by the minstrel, whom Jane finally identified as the vicar, Mr. Fairchild. After the cotillion she was claimed by the chimney sweep, a shepherd and Paris in succession, before being taken to supper by Lord Blackwood.

  The earl had not stinted on refreshments, and after a rich meal of sautéed segments of pheasant with truffles, larks in patty cases, ham in Madeira sauce and lemon sponge, Jane did not feel like dancing again immediately.

  By mutual consent, she and Lord Blackwood strolled slowly out onto the grounds of Bramleigh. The glowing lights hanging in the trees gave a feeling of enchantment to the night, and before long Jane and Lord Blackwood had wandered quite a way into a grove of trees. Jane stumbled over a fallen branch, and Lord Blackwood reached out to steady her, his hands warm on her flesh through the thin draperies of her costume. His hand tightened, and instead of releasing Jane, he turned her in his arms and kissed her softly on the lips.

  The events of the evening had made Jane receptive to romance, and she returned the kiss, thinking, This is a man who finds me attractive for myself, not because another has refused him. Her lips parted beneath his, and his lips became more demanding. Soon, without quite knowing how, Jane found that her quiver had been removed and she was lying on the grass beneath Lord Blackwood, being thoroughly kissed. His body was warm and hard against hers, and as a strange misty, languorous sensation began to make her limbs heavy and her will weak, Jane began to feel a little frightened.

  “Jane,” Lord Blackwood breathed, “I cannot do without you any longer.”

  Jane felt the flimsy draperies of her skirt being pushed aside, and now felt real fear. She attempted to push Lord Blackwood away, but could not fight his superior strength. He held her easily to the ground, his form hard and pulsing against hers. She would have called out, but he kept her silent with a demanding kiss that made it difficult for her to breathe.

  The misty feeling was completely gone now, and Jane felt very clear-headed as she fully realised the danger she was in. She had been playing with fire to flirt as she had with Lord Blackwood. She was trying desperately to think how to get away when suddenly his weight was pulled off her and Lord Blackwood lay on the ground a few feet away. Edward stood above him, his face suffused with fury.

  “Name your seconds,” he demanded.

  Lord Blackwood stood up slowly. “There is no need for such barbarism,” he said calmly. “This may be settled honourably. Please leave us. I assure you that you may safely do so.”

  Edward made no move to leave, but knelt next to Jane and, after seeing she was uninjured, helped her up.

  “Do you wish to intrude upon a proposal of marriage?” Lord Blackwood added.

  Edward still hesitated, and Jane, aware that her uninhibited flirting had contributed to Lord Blackwood’s behaviour this evening, seconded Lord Blackwood’s request.

  “Please, Captain Tremaine. I shall be quite safe now with Lord Blackwood,” she said somewhat shakily, brushing off her skirts and trying to return the draperies to their original folds.

  Edward looked at her closely, an unfathomable expression in his eyes.

  “I shall be within distance of your call,” he said, with a meaningful glance at Lord Blackwood.

  When he had gone, Lord Blackwood stepped forward and took Jane’s hand, holding it between both of his.

  “Please forgive my unconscionable behaviour this night, Miss Hampton. I can only say in my defense that I was truly overcome by your beauty. I offer you my hand in marriage. Please do not feel I only offer because of my reprehensible actions. I truly hold you in great affection and would have made an offer before if I had felt I could give you the life you deserve. I have no money and a great many bad habits and can only offer you my love. Please marry me and we shall go to the Continent together.”

  Jane said nothing for several moments after Lord Blackwood’s long speech, trying to think what to do. Should she accept this man? He was charming, handsome, and although he had frightened her tonight, until now he had exhibited nothing but kindness towards her, whatever his past may have been. But if she were to accept Lord Blackwood, she would be condemning him to the very thing she would not accept from Edward—a marriage in which he would be second best.

  “I am deeply honoured, Lord Blackwood,” she replied slowly, making her decision, “but I must refuse your offer.”

  Lord Blackwood did not seem surprised.

  “You love Captain Tremaine, do you not?”

  Jane blushed to find her emotion
s were so easily read by everyone. “Yes,” she admitted.

  “Forgive me for asking, but why do you not marry him? It is obvious he cares for you,” he added, rubbing his jaw ruefully where it had recently been in contact with Edward’s fist. “I would wager he has offered.”

  “I would not be second best after your sister,” Jane answered honestly. “That is why I will not accept you. You also deserve better than second best.”

  “I would take you, regardless, even knowing that,” Lord Blackwood said gently. “You are a rare combination of goodness and quality. A man would be honoured to have you as a wife under any circumstances.”

  Jane knew she was being given a sincere and rare compliment, and it hurt her to cause him such pain. For a moment she was half-tempted to accept him, but did not give way to the impulse.

  “Thank you, Lord Blackwood,” she said. “You will always hold a special place in my affections, but I cannot accept your gracious offer.”

  “Would you like me to order a groom to get a carriage for you?” he asked, honouring her decision, and knowing she would prefer to go directly home rather than cause speculation among the guests due to the deshabille of her costume.

  “Thank you,” Jane said gratefully. “And would you have the kindness to inform my sister and father that I have been overcome by the headache and returned home early?”

  “Of course,” Lord Blackwood said. “Wait here a few minutes until I can inform the groom, and then go around to the front of the house where the carriage will be waiting.”