A Dangerous Masquerade

by Linda Sole

  ‘Does your arm hurt you?’

  ‘Not enough to bother me – but I wasn’t thinking of sleep.’

  ‘Were you not?’ She laughed softly. ‘Constance is very tired from the journey and would seek her bed but I have not yet consulted with Connie as to her wishes.’

  ‘Then I had better conduct you to your chamber, my love,’ he replied. ‘Since everything is new to you, I would not have you lose your way and it would be a shame to bother the housekeeper, would it not?’

  He picked up a candelabra with five branches and led the way from the parlour and up the stairs. Stopping before a door at the end of the passage, he looked back at her with a slight smile.

  ‘I had them prepare our rooms – the rooms we shall occupy when we are married. I thought you should be close by lest I should be taken ill in the night and need your help.’

  ‘How thoughtful of you,’ Constance said. ‘I confess I prefer it for I too might need some assistance in the night. Of course I do have the maid you hired for me…’

  ‘Sara is a pleasant girl. I trust she will be suitable for you? Of course we have a house filled with maids if you prefer someone else.’

  ‘Sara seems both pleasant and efficient. We shall do well together – though I told her I should not need her this evening. She needs time to find her way about here before she can begin to look after me – and should I need assistance with my gown, I think you would not object?’

  ‘No, indeed, Connie,’ he said and laughed as he opened the door. ‘These are your rooms and there is a door leading to mine. I will allow you a little time to explore and then I’ll have supper sent up. We may dine in your sitting room this evening if it pleases you?’

  ‘The idea pleases me well,’ Constance said. ‘I shall expect you to return in half an hour.’

  ‘So long? I had thought twenty minutes…’

  Constance gave him a little push and went into her new sitting room alone. She smiled, as she looked about her, well pleased by the cool colours of greens and blues that made it both comfortable and restful. Yes, she could be happy here. As yet she had few possessions she could call her own, but most of what she did have were precious to her. Once she had those and the things she would buy for herself, this would be her home – something she had not had for a long time.

  Sighing with content, Constance began to undress herself. Since she was wearing a simple skirt with a close fitting bodice that opened at the front she had no need to call for assistance. By the time Moraven returned, she had brushed her hair and was wearing the beautiful silk peignoir that had been placed on the bed for her. As she turned to look at him and smile, Connie was waiting for her lover.

  ‘Well, my love, the banns have been called and tomorrow we shall be wed.’ Moraven turned to look at her as they walked in the rose gardens. ‘I think we shall not lack for friends to see us wed, though most will be country folk.’

  ‘We have had so many generous gifts,’ Constance said, a faintly anxious look in her eyes. ‘I fear that we may offend a deal of your friends by not inviting them?’

  ‘Oh, no,’ he replied airily. ‘I have sent an announcement of our ball to the Times. The invitations have been written and most are on their way. Any that have not been invited to the wedding will attend the ball – they need not feel left out since our nuptials are a family affair. It is to be but a simple occasion, whereas the ball will be grand.’

  ‘I am glad of it for I should not wish to upset people you care for.’

  ‘I have few real friends but many acquaintances,’ Moraven replied. ‘The wedding you preferred suits me very well, my love. I have arranged to stay with a friend this evening so that the bridal conventions may be observed so I think I must leave you for I am invited to dine.’

  ‘Oh…’ Constance caught his hand. ‘I shall miss you, Laurence. We have not spent one night apart since we came here.’

  ‘I think you will not be lonely. When you return to the house you will find there is someone who wishes to make himself known to you.’

  ‘Someone…’ Constance stared at him, feeling surprised and slightly uneasy. ‘By someone – do you mean one of your relations?’

  ‘No, my love – one of yours. I know you wanted a small wedding but I think you could not mind my inviting your uncle, his wife and two daughters?’

  ‘My uncle…’ She stared at him. ‘My mother’s father refused to have anything to do with me. I am not sure I care to meet him for if he will know me now it is because I am to marry you.’

  ‘No, my love. I speak of your father’s brother. I sent him word that you were in England before I found you again and we met briefly in town. He told me that he had hoped to meet you one day for he regretted the estrangement with your father.’

  ‘Papa never told me anything of his family. I was not sure he had a brother, though Pierre told me it was so.’

  ‘Pierre also told me. I thought it worth inquiring – and I think you will have at least some family to wish you well on the morrow, my love.’

  ‘What is my uncle’s name?’

  ‘Sir Stephen Hatherstone. His wife’s name is Gillian and his daughters are Mary and Janet. I think you will like her – and of course the children. Lady Hatherstone is I believe your uncle’s second wife.’

  ‘Are they at the house now?’

  ‘Yes, my love. I knew they were expected and brought you out to tell you the news. Do you wish me to come in with you?’

  ‘I think I might prefer to meet my uncle alone at first. I shall go in through the back parlour and ask that he meet me there.’

  Moraven’s eyes dwelled on her in concern. ‘Are you upset that I invited them? I could always tell them to leave if you did not wish for their company.’

  ‘I am surprised, a little shocked for I would not have expected them to come – but not distressed,’ she assured him. ‘I had accepted that Mama’s family wanted nothing to do with me and I thought my father’s brother would be the same – but it seems that I was wrong.’

  ‘I will stay if you need me?’

  ‘No, please go to your friends. I shall see you tomorrow.’ She leaned into his body and kissed him on the mouth. ‘Do not worry for me, Laurence. I am able to do this alone. If my uncle genuinely wishes to be my friend I shall be glad of it.’

  ‘I believe it. I should not otherwise have invited them here. Your mother’s family did not respond to my letter. I fear it may take some time before your grandfather can be brought to a sense of his loss – for he is the one that loses by refusing to know you, my darling.’

  Constance held his hand for a moment, then left him to walk into the back parlour alone. She rang the bell and the housekeeper appeared within moments.

  ‘You rang, Lady South?’

  ‘I believe Sir Stephen Hatherstone and his family have arrived?’

  ‘Yes, my lady – several other guests also. I have shown them to their rooms.’

  ‘Thank you. Would you please request my uncle, Sir Stephen to visit me here? I should like to speak with him privately.’

  ‘Yes, ma’am. Of course.’

  As the housekeeper went off to oblige her, Constance wandered over to the cabinet in which pretty trifles were set out on display; porcelain figurines, gold boxes and coral amongst the most attractive.

  ‘Constance…is it Constance, my brother’s child…’

  She turned at the sound of a deep voice to find herself looking at an older rather stouter version of her father and the sight brought a rush of tears to her eyes. Struggling to hold them back, she went forward and offered her hand.

  ‘How do you do, sir? I did not know of your existence until a few months ago. Since my father said he had no family I assumed you had cut him off – as my mother’s family did her.’

  ‘It was no such thing. I entirely approved of Peter’s marriage but I fear we quarrelled over his intention to elope with her when her family would not agree. I thought he should have waited and persevered but he would not liste
n and so we parted on bad terms. I have been sorry for it these many years for I missed my brother. Had I known he had a daughter I would have contacted you long ago.’

  ‘Papa was very proud. I think he found it difficult to control his temper at times – and I suppose you knew of his gambling?’

  ‘That was another reason for our disagreements. I told him he must not gamble now that he was to marry but he would not listen.’

  ‘Papa did not gamble so very much while Mama lived, but afterwards he seemed to lose the strength of will to control it. Sometimes he would promise me to stay away from the tables and for a while things were better but he always returned to it – until it led to his death.’

  ‘Leaving you to fend for yourself. Why did you never write – but of course, you said. You did not know you had a loving family who would have welcomed you to their hearts. I am sorry you had such a terrible time, Constance my dear. I would make it up to you now – but I think you are happy?’

  ‘Very happy, sir. I have all that I could ever want and more.’ She smiled up at him. ‘However, it will be a pleasure to me to have some family of my own and I am glad you brought your wife and children here today.’

  ‘Gillian is on fire to meet you. She is romantic, you know – sees me as the hero of her dreams, though I know my own faults well. She may wish to mother you, though she is not so very much older. I was childless after my first wife died and lonely – but she brought warmth and comfort into my life, and of course my daughters.’

  ‘I shall enjoy having Gillian as a friend,’ Constance said. ‘Moraven has gone to visit friends – so perhaps we could all have tea together before we change for dinner…’

  ‘You make such a beautiful bride,’ Lady Hatherstone said as she looked at Constance in her wedding gown. ‘I was so excited when Stephen told me we were coming to your wedding. It is so romantic…the way you met the marquis in Paris and then came to England alone and he followed and found you.’

  ‘I might have died if he had not. I was very ill that night.’

  ‘Oh, but it was meant to be,’ lady Gillian said. ‘It was your destiny, my dear. I am a great believer in destiny. I do not think I should have married had I not met my dearest Stephen for I found men so daunting…I was very shy, you know, but Stephen was so kind and caring that I could not be afraid of him.’

  ‘He seems a very kind man,’ Constance replied. ‘I wish I might have known you all long ago.’

  ‘Yes, it is a pity you did not – and yet perhaps you would not have ended so well. A match such as yours is surely made in Heaven, my love?’

  Constance laughed. ‘It was not very romantic when my life was being threatened and the children were being stolen. However, I know what you mean and perhaps you are right – it was meant to be.’

  Lady Gillian continued to chatter in the background as Constance picked up her bouquet and went downstairs. Gathered in the hall with Moraven’s servants were Pierre and Sister Helene. Constance had been delighted to see them the previous evening and grateful to Moraven for arranging their trip from France for her wedding. Sister Helene would return to her order the next day, but Pierre had asked if she would let him stay and serve her, which she had been delighted to do.

  She had been uncertain who would give her away but now the problem was solved, for her uncle had claimed the privilege. Sister Helene would stand as her maid of honour and Lady Gillian’s children were both dressed in pretty pink gowns and would be her bridesmaids.

  It was perhaps an odd wedding by society standards but for Constance it was perfect. Moraven had arranged everything as she would wish, even supplying her lack of family and friends.

  As she walked down the aisle on her uncle’s arm, she saw Jane and Doctor Morgan amongst the congregation. Moraven was waiting for her. He had chosen Jim to represent his faithful comrades as his best man and she saw that the others were sitting in the front pew in the place of honour. Most of the church was filled with people from the estate, servants and a handful of close neighbours and friends, which made for a jolly atmosphere and quite a few whispers and giggles from children as the bride joined her groom before the altar.

  As she stood beside him, Moraven turned his head to look at her and she read the question in his eyes. She smiled in reassurance and he nodded, looking pleased – and then the Vicar began to address the congregation…

  ‘And so, my darling,’ Moraven said as they stood hand in hand on the steps of the church and listened to the cheering of the villagers and the happy laughter all about them. ‘Are you happy?’

  ‘Happier than I could have expected to be,’ she said and looked at him, all the love she felt inside welling over in the smile she flashed at him. ‘This is a perfect day.’

  ‘The first of many I hope,’ he said and leaned forward to kiss her, which raised a rousing cheer from his men.

  Then they were dashing for the carriage beneath an arch of swords. Villagers crowded forward to shower them with rose petals and rice. Inside, Moraven drew her to him, kissing her with tenderness and passion.

  ‘Last night was the longest of my life,’ he murmured huskily. ‘I never want to leave you again, Constance.’

  ‘I pray that you never will,’ she said. ‘You are all I shall ever want – my love and my life.’

  ‘Then we are of one accord,’ he said and smiled. ‘But for now we have to make this a good day for our friends and people – one that will make them remember it for the rest of their lives.’

  ‘Yes,’ she sighed contentedly. ‘As we shall – and then we have to do it all again in London…’

  ‘Do not look so anxious. You have conquered my people’s hearts and you will have them falling at your feet in London.’

  ‘Not literally I hope,’ she said. ‘It might be a little awkward, don’t you think?’

  ‘Behave yourself, Connie,’ he murmured. ‘Or I might just have to take you upstairs before the reception and spank you…’

  ‘Promises…promises…’ she gurgled. ‘But you are right. First we have our duty to our friends…’

  Afterword

  ‘Did I not tell you that you would have society at your feet?’

  Constance looked at her husband of just two weeks and laughed. ‘I would not say they were exactly at my feet, dearest.’

  ‘Nonsense! Had I not made sure of you first half the bucks in Society would have been proposing to you by now. I am sure Connie might have a dozen proposals if she wished – and not all of them have marriage in mind. Be careful of James Donaldson and Sir Henry Grant. They are rakes of the first water and would have you into bed in an instant if you agreed.’

  ‘Well, I have no intention of agreeing,’ Constance said and smiled up at him. ‘Do I detect a note of jealousy, Laurence?’

  ‘Perhaps – but I know them too well. I know what is in their minds, my love.’

  ‘Because you were a rake?’ she asked innocently. ‘I have heard some whispers but no one has yet dared to tell me to my face.’

  ‘Give them time. I have Prinny’s favour at the moment but when the novelty wears off they will remember. And your court would use anything to turn you towards them.’

  ‘Well, since you are to take me on my wedding trip in two days I hardly think it matters. By the time we come back I dare say things will have changed a little…’

  ‘What does that mean?’

  ‘It means that we anticipated our wedding night, dearest, and if I am not mistaken I am already carrying our first child. I shall not come to town again until after the babe is born and by that time I shall no longer be the toast of the Ton.’

  ‘A child – are you sure?’ She nodded and he drew her to him. ‘It is something I had hoped for but a little soon – you do not mind?’

  ‘Why should I? Since I adore my husband and I am happy to stay in the country most of the time, I shall be pleased to give you a son or a daughter, Laurence.’

  ‘I should like a girl just the image of you.’

 
‘And I should like a boy who will follow in his father’s footsteps.’

  ‘Perhaps we shall have both – but not at the same time, for your sake, my love.’

  ‘We shall have whatever the Good Lord sends us,’ Constance said and leaned into him to place a kiss on his lips. He caught her to him and the kiss deepened, becoming hot and hungry until she laughed and broke away. ‘I think we should go down, dearest one. The ball will start in half an hour and we have guests waiting.’

  ‘We could send them all away.’

  ‘Yes, we could,’ she agreed. ‘But we shan’t because everyone has been to a great deal of trouble on our behalf. Behave yourself, my dearest one. The night will pass and then we shall have several weeks of travelling when we may do exactly as we please…and if I feel a little tired I shall not get up too early in the mornings.’

  ‘If we get up at all,’ he murmured and laughed as her eyes took fire. ‘You are perfectly right, Constance. We must entertain our guests – and we have the rest of our lives before us…’