“It would be a shame if the neighborhood caught a whiff of the wrong sort, wouldn’t it?”
The driver lifted his eyebrows. “What was that, sir?”
“Oh, nothing. Wait here.”
Will carried the painting to the door and lifted the brass knocker. At length, a manservant opened the door and gave the canvas in his hand a curious once-over.
“Can I help you, sir?”
Will handed him a calling card. “Mr. Willoughby Winter to see either Mr. or Miss Urban.”
“I will see if either of the Urbans are at home.”
The manservant stepped back and shut the door. Will chuckled again as he pictured Magenta and her brother inside the residence, flustered by his arrival. Would they have the intestinal fortitude to speak with him?
Very shortly thereafter, the manservant returned. “I’m afraid the Urbans are not at home.”
Will stifled the urge to roll his eyes. “What a shame. I had hoped to present them with this gift personally, but perhaps you can pass it along with my compliments?” He put the canvas in the man’s hand and touched the brim of his hat. “Good day.”
He returned to the hansom, wishing he could see the look on the faces of the Urban siblings when they realized exactly whom the painting depicted. Would they back off their campaign of harassment or would he have to escalate by airing their dirty linen in public? As the hansom pulled away from the pavement, Will scowled at their residence with a steely expression.
“I hope you know I don’t bluff.”
∞∞∞
Bethany bit back a wave of nostalgia as Minerva laced her into the Titania costume and fastened the wings on the upper back. The stiff white satin bodice, shimmering with crystals and silver embroidery, came to a point in the front, and the ballet-style skirt was fashioned of layers of white tulle trimmed with more crystals. Her puffed sleeves were mere wisps of satin topped with ermine, and the silk bustle in back resembled a bouquet of white roses.
“These wings should clear the top of a chair if you sit, but be sure not to lean too far back in the carriage on the way to the ball or you might crush them. Fortunately it’s a warm evening, so you won’t need a wrap.” Minerva caught sight of Bethany’s forlorn expression. “Is anything wrong?”
“No, I’m just missing Mama.” Bethany gave her maid a misty smile. “You’ve done a beautiful job restoring her costume and I’m terribly grateful.”
Minerva beamed. “It was a pleasure, Miss Christensen.” She gestured toward the vanity. “Now why don’t you sit while I affix your headdress?”
Bethany sank on the stool while her maid pinned a circlet of artificial flowers, ribbons, crystals, and feathers onto her tresses. Her hair had been largely coiled on top of her head, but a few corkscrew curls flowed loose about her shoulders.
Jane burst into the room without knocking, gasping with pleasure when she saw Bethany’s ensemble. “Oh, how gorgeous! I wish I had a costume like that.”
Bethany smiled. “Perhaps you can wear it one day, when you are invited to a fancy dress ball.”
“Maybe, although it would be difficult to choose between going as Queen Titania or a pirate.” Jane shrugged. “I came up to tell you that Mr. Winter is waiting for you in the drawing room.”
Bethany exchanged an amused glance with Minerva. “How does he look?”
Jane giggled. “Exactly like a fairy king…but he’s in a bad mood.”
Bethany blinked. “Oh?”
“Yes, I asked him where his trousers were and he just sort of growled at me.”
Bethany bit her lip as she rose. “I’d best not keep him waiting, then.”
∞∞∞
Despite Mr. Pace’s admonitions not to fidget with his costume, Will could not help but give a periodic tug to the bottom of his doublet. Even though he had checked the view, fore and aft, and was satisfied that all was well, he still was unused to the breeze below his belt line. As he said to his valet, “I must have no trace of a Scotsman in my lineage or I wouldn’t feel quite so uneasy.”
“The hose is quite opaque, I assure you, Mr. Winter,” Mr. Pace replied. “Nevertheless, a man of confidence will throw his shoulders back and mentally dare every woman to catch a glimpse of his masculine gifts.”
Will had burst out into laughter. “How do you think of these things?”
Mr. Pace shrugged. “When I lie in bed at night, all manner of thoughts run through my head.”
“Mine as well, but much of the time, the thoughts just keep running.”
As Will waited for Bethany to join him, he strode about the drawing room with his shoulders thrown back and his chin lifted.
“Ladies, I dare you to catch a glimpse of my masculine gifts!”
A rustling at the doorway made him turn. Bethany had arrived with Jane in tow and they were both peering at him in puzzlement.
“What was that, Mr. Winter?” Bethany asked.
Will felt a hot blush creep across his face. “Oh, it’s a silly line from a play I saw in rehearsal.” He cleared his throat. “You look beautiful, Miss Christensen—or should I say, Queen Titania?”
“Thank you, King Oberon.”
Bethany sank down into a curtsy so low that he marveled at her control. When she rose, he sketched a bow, albeit not so deeply as to expose his backside.
Jane jumped up and down, clapping her hands in delight. “Fairies do exist!”
“Indeed we do, and it’s time for us to fly away to the ball.” Bethany kissed Jane on the cheek.
Jane came to give Will a hug. “Draw lots of pictures for me, Mr. Winter.”
“I may fill up my entire sketchbook.”
Will ushered Bethany out the door and into the carriage, admiring her the entire while. He chuckled when they were both obliged to perch on the carriage seats. “I see you are trying not to crush your wings and I’m trying not to crush my feathers.”
“Yes.” Her eyes widened as the carriage pulled away from the curb. “I hope you have your sketchbook?”
Will gestured toward the pouch at his girdle, a burlap square covered with dark feathers.
“I brought a smaller sketchbook, along with a pencil.”
“I don’t recall that pouch being with your costume.”
“Mr. Pace fashioned it for me when I said I required the sketchbook.”
“He’s quite clever.”
“Yes. I’m not sure what I ever did without him.” Will reached out to touch Bethany’s face. “Now that we’re alone, I must tell you how completely sublime you look tonight. I will be working much of the time, but I hope I might have the first waltz at least.”
“I will mark it on my dance card.” Her smile faded. “I didn’t have the opportunity to see you when you returned late this afternoon. Did you speak with Magenta and her brother?”
“No, but I sent them a message.”
Will described what he had done, unable to conceal the grim satisfaction he had taken in the task.
“That’s brilliant.” Bethany’s eyes glistened in the reflected light from the passing street lamps.
“I wish I had been able to confront them face to face, but this was the next best method of making my point.” He shook his head. “I cannot guarantee they will desist, but they must understand consequences will ensue for any further transgressions on their part.”
“I can never forgive Nick or Magenta for what they tried to do to me.” Bethany paused. “That being said, I have plenty of material for more Gothic novels.”
He reached for her gloved hand. “Surely our path will be smooth from now on.”
Bethany smiled. “Happily ever after.”
Will gave her the smokiest glance he could muster. “Happily ever after with a dash of romantic danger thrown in for spice.”
She squeezed his fingers with her own. “From such dangers, I hope I shall never be delivered.”
∞∞∞
Lady Calloway’s fancy dress ball was a feast for the eyes. The entryway of the magnifice
nt residence was decorated as if it were Carnival, with graceful, colorful streamers, jugglers in Harlequin costumes, and even a trained monkey on a leash. Bethany spotted shepherdesses, devils, clowns, Robin Hoods, Marie Antoinettes and even a few fairies among the guests, although none of the sprite costumes were as elaborate as those worn by her and Will.
After Bethany and Will passed through the receiving line, he gave her an apologetic glance.
“Forgive me, but I’d best make a sketch of our hostess without delay.”
“Don’t worry about me. I’m sure I have plenty of friends here to amuse me.”
“I’ll find you for our waltz.”
Bethany fluttered her eyelashes. “See that you do.” She glanced at her dance card. “It’s the second dance of the evening.”
As Bethany moved away, she couldn’t help but notice the admiring female glances cast in Will’s direction, and deservedly so. She’d kept her countenance when she had first seen him in his costume, but her mouth had gone dry. The cut of the doublet made the most of his athletic frame and broad shoulders, and the green color brought out his amber eyes. Below the doublet, his shapely, muscular legs—albeit covered with hose—left little to the imagination. She couldn’t wait to waltz with him, to feel his arms around her, and to have him gaze at her with a mischievous smile.
She strolled down the corridor, glancing around for a friendly face. Unfortunately, she was obliged to pass by Nick—dressed as a red devil—as he chatted with toga-clad Angus Halliwell. Although she intended to pass by without addressing either gentleman, Angus perked up when he caught sight of her.
“Miss Christensen! I must say, your costume is my favorite one this evening.”
She dipped into a brief curtsy. “Thank you, Mr. Halliwell. You make a very striking Julius Caesar.” She linked arms with him. “If your mama is here, will you take me to her?”
“Of course.” Angus nodded at Nick. “Perhaps we will talk later, sir.”
“Yes, indeed.” As Nick bowed, his horns reminded her unpleasantly of a bull. “Good evening, Miss Christensen.”
When Bethany refused to acknowledge him in any way, she could see out of the corner of his eye a crimson flush creep across his face, blending in with the hue of his cape. She’d never cut anyone socially before, but as she continued down the corridor with Angus, she decided the practice gave her a great deal of satisfaction.
Angus slid her a puzzled glance. “Have you quarreled with Mr. Masters?”
“I don’t know what you mean.” Bethany squeezed his arm. “We’re at a party, Mr. Halliwell. Let us be of good cheer and speak only of pleasant matters and wonderful company.”
“As you wish.” Angus escorted her into a spacious room where tables and chairs had been set up. “I last saw Mother at the corner table.”
As they crossed the room, however, Bethany noticed a young woman near the punchbowl, clad in spectacular, exotic plumage.
“Oh, look, Miss Dougherty is dressed as a beautiful Bird of Paradise. Have you ever been introduced?”
Angus stiffened. “Oh, er, yes. Once, I think. She looks quite different than I remember.”
“Let us speak with her a moment, shall we? I don’t know Miss Dougherty well, but I’ve heard her wits are exceedingly sharp.”
A few minutes later, when Angus and Miss Dougherty were happily engaged in a conversation about bird watching, Bethany excused herself to speak with Mrs. Halliwell. As she glanced around at the guests, she was glad Magenta was nowhere to be seen. Although the night was young, the fancy dress ball was shaping up quite well.
∞∞∞
After Will captured Lady Calloway’s likeness, he amused himself by sketching several other guests as they lingered in the entrance hall. He was concentrating so much on a sketch of an older man dressed as Marley’s Ghost that he paid little attention to his surroundings.
“What an unusual costume, Mr. Winter. I half expected to see you here as the Grim Reaper.”
He glanced up to discover Magenta at his elbow. The woman wore an iridescent gown in peacock blues and greens, with a peacock feather headdress.
“Good evening, Miss Urban. I had expected you to arrive in sackcloth and ashes.” Will took note of her costume. “Aren’t those feathers from a male peacock?”
“Yes, but such splendor is wasted on a man.” She paused. “Thank you for your gift this afternoon.”
His tone was cool. “Don’t thank me for the gift. It was the thought behind it that counted.”
“How well I know, but it didn’t have precisely the effect you might have intended on my brother.” She laughed. “Gray was supposed to accompany me this evening, but he left for Liverpool instead. He couldn’t wait to see Mama.”
“You should have gone with him. Perhaps your mother can help you get a role on stage.”
Her mirth faded as she glanced around to see if anyone had overheard. “You needn’t be rude.”
“Oh, I think rudeness is the least of your worries.” Will finished his sketch of Marley’s Ghost and closed his sketchbook with a snap. “If you dare cause any further trouble for my ward, I won’t hesitate to publicize what I know.”
Her eyes flashed with anger. “You’ve nothing to fear from me. I shall leave Miss Christensen to herself from now on.”
Will’s cape billowed out as he strode off without a backward glance. People were beginning to flow toward the ballroom and he wished to sketch the orchestra before guests obscured his view.
∞∞∞
As soon as the dancing was announced, many of the gentlemen in the dining room excused themselves in favor of the smoking room, which had been set up in the library. Mr. Halliwell, dressed in a dazzling white peruke and judge’s robe, was among the first to defect. Mrs. Halliwell, who had pinned playing cards to her gown and onto her headdress, sighed in resignation.
“The way gentlemen sometimes neglect their wives makes me wonder how our species does not simply die out entirely.”
Bethany bit back a smile. “Perhaps Mr. Halliwell will rally later on.”
“There is always a first time.” Mrs. Halliwell gestured toward the door. “Shall we go in? I will at least enjoy watching the couples.”
As Bethany accompanied her friend into the ballroom, she wished she’d paid a little more attention to filling her dance card, which was completely blank except for the waltz she had promised to Will. Her heart sank when she noticed a viscount leading Magenta onto the floor for the opening Promenade and Nick, his devil’s tail thrown over one arm, partnering a young debutante dressed as a Vestal Virgin. Bethany’s enemies would undoubtedly take great pleasure in her wallflower status.
Her mood soared when Will approached. The Promenade took no great skill, so she saw no reason he could not escort her. Why hadn’t she suggested it before now?
She smiled. “Have you completed your duties, Mr. Winter?”
“For the moment. I just finished sketching the orchestra. The oboe player possesses the most beautiful pair of mutton chop whiskers I’ve ever seen.”
Bethany introduced Mrs. Halliwell to him.
The woman gave a girlish giggle as she curtsied. “I’ve heard much praise of you, Mr. Winter, and none of it exaggerated.”
He bowed. “You are too kind, madame. Any friend of my ward’s is indeed a friend of mine.”
Bethany struggled with herself a moment before speaking. “Mr. Winter, the Promenade opens the ball, but merely involves walking around the room as a couple. Mrs. Halliwell is well practiced in such things.”
Would he take the hint?
He bowed again. “Mrs. Halliwell, if you will forgive my inexperience, I would be honored if you would accompany me in the Promenade.”
The woman beamed as she took his proffered arm. “I’m happy to be your teacher.”
The couple headed toward the dance floor, but not before Will gave Bethany a tiny wink. Filled with pride and affection, she smiled. Once they were lost from view, however, she became uncomfortably
aware that she stood alone. Not even Angus Halliwell was available to rescue her because he had partnered with Miss Dougherty.
Bethany fought to maintain a pleasant expression as she glanced around for a friendly face. Since there were none to be seen, however, she pretended to find a spot on her gown before making her way to the corridor. Part of her difficulty was her fault for not having circulated properly before the ball, but she could not help wondering if she were being cut socially because of Gray Urban’s campaign against Will. If so, the evening would prove to be horribly long and dreadfully humiliating.
On her way to the ladies’ sitting room, she caught sight of a familiar older gentleman and gave him a smile of genuine pleasure.
“Good evening, Lord Jensen. I didn’t realize you and Lady Jensen had arrived.” She gave his crimson Beefeater ensemble an admiring glance. “Your costume is exceedingly handsome.”
“Thank you, Miss Christensen. May I return the compliment? I daresay no lady will be able to compete with you this evening.” He gave her a pleading glance. “Would you do me a tremendous favor by partnering me for the Promenade? Lady Jensen decided to stay home at the last minute and I do love to dance.”
She hoped her expression did not betray her relief. “I would love to Promenade with you but we’d best hurry. The music is about to begin at any moment.”
Bethany returned to the ballroom with Lord Jensen, arriving on the dance floor mere seconds before the conductor raised his wand. She might not be with the partner she preferred, but she at least would be able to show off her costume with her head held high. If nobody asked her for a dance after that, she would know exactly where she stood in society.
Chapter Twenty
Contentment Unabated
Will circled the dance floor with Mrs. Halliwell, enjoying the promenade of fantastical costumes across the inlaid wooden floor. The gas lit crystal chandelier overhead lent the room a magical glow, and the orchestra accompanied the proceedings with style. He spied Bethany on Lord Jensen’s arm, looking astonishingly beautiful in her ethereal gown.
My Fair Guardian Page 22