Ice and Embers (Regency Redezvous Book 10)

by Melanie Karsak

  “Elyse? Elyse, is everything all right?”

  I turned and looked to find John holding on to me.

  “John?” I asked, blinking hard. “John? What are you doing here?”

  He shook his head then smiled softly at me. “Perhaps you would not believe me if I told you. You look frightened, Elyse. What’s wrong?”

  The foreign gentleman was now out of sight. Where had he gone?

  I sighed heavily. “It’s Kai.”

  “Ah,” John said, looking annoyed for a moment. “Then you must tell me all about it, but first, I have something I must ask you.”

  “Ask me?”

  Then, quite unexpectedly, John took my hand and knelt on the ice before me.

  “Miss Elyse McKenna, will you be my wife?”

  Chapter Seventeen

  I stared at John. He handed me a small clutch of yellow roses that I hadn’t even noticed before then pulled a ring from his pocket. It was a small gold band. I stared at it then looked back at him. His honey-colored eyes shimmered in the morning sunlight.

  John was grinning, but after a few moments passed, his smiled faded. “Elyse, you haven’t said anything.”

  “Kai,” I whispered, looking back over my shoulder toward the ship. Only the masts were still visible.

  “Kai. Kai? Doctor Murray?” There was an edge to John’s voice I had not heard before. That edge brought me back to the moment. John had proposed. John had just proposed. And in reply, I had said “Kai.” At the mere thought of it, I burst out laughing. My overly-loud laugh echoed across the frozen river. I knelt and met John’s eyes.

  “Oh, my dearest. I think I’ve quite lost my mind. Please, please forgive me. It was just such a shock. I was distressed and…and, of course, I will marry you!”

  John smiled, and reaching out, he slid off my glove. Moving carefully, he slipped the dainty gold ring on my finger.

  The metal was cold against my skin. “It’s beautiful. Oh, John,” I whispered then threw myself at him, falling into his embrace. “I am so sorry,” I said with a laugh.

  “No, I am quite at fault. I…I wanted to ask you yesterday morning but I lost my nerve. I set my resolve this morning and came here with only one goal stubbornly in mind. As soon as I saw you, I knew I had to say it or I would lose my nerve again.”

  I giggled. “But why would you ever worry? You know that I care for you.”

  “Because…because when I asked you to marry me just now, you responded by speaking another man’s name.”

  I balked. He was right. “Doctor Murray is like a brother to me. He is in trouble. My mind is in a fit over it.”

  John nodded. “And, because, perhaps it sounds silly, but I know many other fine gentlemen have tried for your attention, but you rebuked them. A beautiful and talented woman like you could have any man you wanted, no matter his station. Even Byron could not take his eyes from you.”

  “Byron cannot take his eyes off any woman. John, I would love you if you were a cobbler’s son. It doesn’t matter to me that you are Lord Waldegrave. To me, you are only John.”

  “Do you really mean that?” John exhaled so deeply that he shuddered.

  “John?” I asked. He looked like he might be ill. Had his nerves been so awry?

  “I…there is something more I must explain. My father’s health is nearly spent. But I have learned something of his will,” he said then reached out to touch my cheek. “He has written contingencies into the inheritance of his estate. Upon his death, I will take over his title only on the condition that I marry my cousin, Miss Harold.”

  I gasped.

  “But if I am married before my father passes, this will void this condition of his will. I’ve met with my lawyer about the matter. He has confirmed it in light of the laws of heredity.”

  Something about this struck me as odd. The thought passed, however, when a new realization dawned on me. “Then we must wed at once.”

  John smiled brightly. “Yes. That’s right. So, how does tonight suit you?”

  “Tonight? I…please forgive me, I do understand the need for expedience, but I must make some arrangements. Do you think your father will last the week? I will need to arrange it with my company, and I need to acquire something proper to wear. And…” I said then paused. John’s startling proposal had quite caught me off guard. More than ever, I needed Kai’s advice. How could I elope with Lord Waldegrave without Kai’s opinion on the matter? And how could I just leave Kai in this state? No. It wasn’t right.

  “And there is the matter of your friend,” John said with a sigh. For a brief moment, I saw him smother what appeared to be exasperation. He took a breath then said, “Very well, tell me what has happened.”

  I opened my mouth to speak, but suddenly the whole tale felt very silly. I was concerned because…because Kai had fallen into a liaison with an unseemly lover and was acting out of character. Kai, I had to remember, was a young, single man. How could I explain to John that it was more than just random carousing? Something was seriously wrong.

  “You’ve met Doctor Murray. How would you describe his character?” I asked John.

  “Dreadfully serious. Intellectual. Kind, of course, at least to you, but far too dour for my taste.”

  “Yes. That is him exactly. I’m afraid Doctor Murray has gotten himself caught up with Captain Behra, a lady captain on one of the ships frozen into the Thames. She and her crew are of the wildest sort, and if I didn’t know better, I’d say she was holding him captive. I need someone to retrieve him. I went myself, but he was quite insensible.”

  “You mean disagreeable?”

  “I mean drunk and, perhaps, under the influence of the poppy.”

  At that, John laughed. But when he saw the expression on my face he said, “You cannot be serious? Him? Why that’s impossible.”

  “Yes. This was why I was so flustered. Really, Doctor Murray is the only person I have in this world. If we are to wed, even an elopement, I cannot leave without his blessing. And I certainly cannot leave him there in this condition. And now…what is the time?”

  “Nearly nine.”

  “I’m supposed to be on stage in an hour!” My stomach quaked. Suddenly I felt like my world was turning upside down. So many different emotions washed over me. I was elated by John’s proposal, furious with Captain Behra, or Tia, or whatever her name was, perplexed by and feeling annoyed with the baron, and still angry with Marion. And, above all, I was frightened for and upset with Kai. I sighed heavily.

  “Tomorrow night will work fine, my love. I will make the arrangements for us, and you may settle your affairs. For now, please be at ease. But do keep your discretion in this matter. We can’t have gossip reaching my family’s ear before we are married.”

  “Of course,” I said.

  “Now, go prepare for your performance and don’t worry. I shall chase Doctor Murray off the captain’s ship. Nothing a stiff cup of coffee and a good kick in the arse won’t fix.”

  I laughed out loud, surprised by his informality. “Really? You will do that for me?”

  “Elyse, it has been clear to me from the start that you and Doctor Murray are very close. I can see that he will always be a part of your life. And if he is like a brother to you, then he is a brother to me as well. And I know how to deal with a rowdy and out of sorts brother who is too deep in his cup and lost to the enchantments of a lovely woman.”

  “You really are too good to me.”

  “As I promise to be all your life. If you will have me, beggar that I am.”

  “With my body and soul.”

  “Promise?”

  “I do.”

  John looked quickly around us. Seeing no one close by, he leaned in for a kiss. His lips brushed mine, and I caught the taste of anise in his mouth once more. “Now, go and play your Persephone. Put that wrinkled hag Marion to shame. Show them what my future wife is made of. As for me,” he said, then nodded with his chin toward the ships.

  “Thank you.”


  “Anything for you, my love,” he whispered then kissed me on my forehead. “I’ll come as soon as I have the issue settled for you.”

  Setting a kiss on my cheek once more, he turned and headed toward the ships.

  I moved in the direction of the Ice House Theatre once more. Now, however, my heart was light. Of course, John would help me with Kai. Now, Kai would be safe, and I could revel in the fact that I was about to become a bride.

  Chapter Eighteen

  As I made my way back to the theatre, my heart beat hard in my chest. I’d stuffed my gloves into my pocket. I inhaled the perfume of the roses. Their sweet scent carried the smell of summer. As I walked, I twisted my ring around my finger. It felt so odd to be wearing it. I looked down, realizing that I hadn’t even had a chance to examine it closely. The petite golden band shimmered an orange color in the morning sunlight.

  My thoughts were disordered. But the further I walked, the deeper the realization came over me that tomorrow night, I would become Lady Waldegrave. John’s father’s will perplexed me. If the will stipulated that John should marry Miss-Whomever after his death, then what would happen when a marriage license was revealed dating before the death? John said his lawyer confirmed it would be all right. But did that make sense? I knew very little of the law. And if his estate did not pass to his only son, if there was some problem, then what would be done? John had no siblings…or did he? Now I wasn’t sure. Regardless, tomorrow night, I would be wed. I would need to stop by the dressmaker and see if she could fashion me something suitable by tomorrow. I sighed a little, lamenting for just a fleeting moment the lack of a charming church wedding in Twickenham. But it didn’t matter. What mattered was that I was going to wed the man I loved.

  What also mattered was Kai. I had faith in John, and this matter seemed better handled between men. I could hardly tell if Kai was insensible or just being capricious. Had he been jealous of John and me? Was he acting this way just to get my attention? Did he know that the captain was married to the baron? Surely he knew that, right? If he was, indeed, amorous with her…well, I hardly knew what to make of it, but the idea of it filled me with loathsome anger.

  Before I knew it, I had reached the Ice House Theatre once more.

  “Elyse,” Lizzie called the moment I stepped into the tent. She ran to the front of the tent and grabbed me by my arms. “Elyse, it’s settled. I’m accepted at Saddler’s Wells. I begin with their company next week. Can you believe it?”

  Shaken from my thoughts, I smiled at the girl. I could hardly be jealous of her good fortune. A whole new future had just opened before me as well. “What wonderful news,” I said then pulled her into a hug. “How did Marve take the news?”

  “Well, he was sad but also pleased for me. I think he fancies it is his job to nurture talent. And I think he is right. Oh, Elyse, surely you will be next. Are you playing Persephone this morning? When I came in, the ice was getting quite crowded. It was a bit warmer today so more people will be out.”

  “I am, but…” I said, unable to bite back the but before it slipped my lips.

  “But?”

  “May I borrow your ballet slippers? Titania’s are too weak for Columbine, and I think mice got into mine.”

  “Mice?”

  “Yes. Unfortunately, they got chewed, and I didn’t have time to repair them properly last night.”

  Lizzie’s eyes narrowed. “That’s peculiar…about the mice.”

  “Foul rodents lurk everywhere,” I said, looking toward Marion’s section.

  Lizzie’s face hardened. “Indeed they are. Were those the slippers your grandmother gave you?”

  “Sadly, yes,” I said, then gave a cursory glance Marion’s way. I could see her shadow against her partition. “They really were my most precious possession.”

  “Of course you can borrow mine. I’m so sorry, Elyse. If it is any comfort, rodents seem to always get what’s coming to them.”

  “Thank you. I intend to throttle the creature to death if I ever get ahold of it. Such a heartless and vindictive little vermin.”

  At that, Marion’s silhouette paused. For a moment, I imagined her like a shadow play. I envisioned a knight creeping up behind her and lopping off her head. The image of it playing through my mind gave me such intense glee I smiled.

  “Let me get mine for you. I’ll bring them in a moment,” she said then rushed off.

  I went then to my own section and pulled the Persephone costume from my trunk. It, at least, was still intact. It was always a joy to play in the comedia dell’arte. The comedia of Hades and Persephone was perfect for the Frost Fair and had, in truth, been my idea. Had the position of theatre manager not been prohibited to women, I often thought I would be very deft at the craft. But Isabelle Hawking had also inspired me. As Lady Waldegrave, I might have to give up acting, but I could certainly start my own ballet academy. There could hardly be any shame in teaching dance to young ladies. I mean, I hardly knew if such things were acceptable in higher circles, but I guessed they might be. Surely John’s mother would guide me.

  I shimmied out of my clothes and into the Persephone costume. It felt nice to wear a proper ballet costume. I then worked on my hair, pulling it back into a tight bun. Columbine’s makeup was always very bright so I mellowed it some to give myself a more maidenly countenance. Given my pale cheeks, it only took a little makeup to do the job.

  “Elyse, five minutes,” Marve called from the front of the tent.

  “Here you go,” Lizzie said, appearing at the entrance of my section. She handed me her slippers.

  “Thank you,” I replied, smiling at her with gratitude.

  “You should tell Marve,” Lizzie whispered.

  I shook my head. I was angry at Marion, but pitied her all the same. Like the rest of us, she had always dreamed of acting on a grand stage. For her, it was too late. Actresses never advanced after a certain age. She was jealous, and what she had done was cruel, but still, I could not hate her. After all, when my grandmother had died, Marion had sat with me and held my hand while I wept. That unexpected kindness had lodged itself in my memory.

  Lizzie sighed. “You’re too sweet, Elyse,” she said with a soft smile then left.

  Maybe she was right.

  I finished off the last of the makeup, slipped my feet into my boots, then headed toward the stage, Lizzie’s slippers in hand. I was delighted for the girl and couldn’t wait to tell her my own news…the day after tomorrow.

  As I turned the corner to exit the tent, I nearly ran into Marion.

  “Elyse, I—” she began, but I pushed past her, saying nothing. Maybe I didn’t want to ruin her over what she had done, but that didn’t mean I forgave her. To destroy my slippers was a new low even for her.

  I headed backstage. Sitting on a trunk, I pulled off my boots and slipped on the slippers. Marve stood watching as the final props were set up.

  “Very good crowd, very good,” he said then turned toward me. “Ah, here is the Persephone I know,” he said with a smile, but then he paused. As I bent to tie up the laces on Lizzie’s slippers, I felt Marve’s eyes on me. “Elyse, did you get new slippers?”

  “No.”

  “No?”

  “These are Lizzie’s slippers.”

  “What happened to the slippers your grandmother gave you?”

  “Oh, just…a few stitches came loose, and I didn’t have time to repair them. I’ll work on them tonight and be ready for tomorrow morning. Marve, after the morning performance, may I have a word with you?”

  “What about? Don’t tell me you’re leaving me for another troupe too.”

  I shook my head. “No, only a pressing obligation I must attend to tomorrow night.”

  “Very well,” he said, “we can talk it over.” He began rocking back and forth on his feet, a move I recognized well. He did it when he was nervous.

  Hobbs, dressed as Harlequin, joined me backstage. “Ah, now, this will be a performance,” he said, smiling at me. “Well, dear
Persephone, are you ready to be snatched into the underworld?”

  “I can’t wait.”

  Playing the serious story of the abduction of Persephone as a comedy took a little skill. Since neither Hobbs nor I had more than ten lines in the entire skit, it was all in the delivery of the scene that made the set. While the commedia was stunningly simple to the viewer, to the artist, the face must express everything. I was glad to be playing across from Hobbs who was a master at the pantomime.

  A few moments later, Marve went out to welcome the audience, preparing the way for Hannah’s brief prologue. I peered out the crack in the wall. The crowd was even larger than the night before. The sun was shining brightly. It was still very cold, but under such sun, surely the ice would begin to melt. I shook my head. I was still too lost in my own world, my own mind. I was still Elyse, and inside my head, names rattled around in circles—Kai, John, Captain Behra, the Baron, Kai, Marion, Kai—around and around they went.

  I closed my eyes and squinted hard.

  Silence!

  Silence!

  I inhaled deeply. I was not Elyse. I was the maiden of the spring setting out to pick some flowers. My life was nothing but joy and light.

  And then Hades would come. First, he would woo with sweet words, and then he would woo with lies, and then he would try to ravish me which I would cunningly avoid.

  But before that, I was a simple, innocent girl.

  The curtain lifted.

  The strings on the harp sounded.

  And on the tips of my toes, I pirouetted onto the stage.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Hobbs and I were taking the final curtain call when we heard angry voices backstage. Over their applause and whistles, the audience would not have been able to hear, but I could distinctly make out Lizzie’s, Marve’s, and Marion’s voices. Hobbs and I looked at one another out of the corner of our eyes, but our smiles never cracked. Hand in hand, we bowed once more and the curtain closed.

  Hannah came out on stage to advise the audience of a ten-minute intermission before the story of Glass Slipper Girl began.