by Amy Harmon
“It’s a breach of contract,” her father said.
“My lawyer found that this clause applies to our situation,” Thomas answered.
A pause, then her father said, “‘An extraneous circumstance due to lack of cooperation?’”
Eliza held her breath. Was this about Thomas asking her to marry him?
Her father’s voice came again. “You can’t mean to apply this to what happened between you and my daughter? I know things have been strained lately, but I hoped that we could put it behind us—especially with all the details to work out on the new factory.”
Thomas uttered a low chuckle. “You understand, Mr. Robinson, that I don’t intend to open a new factory with you. And I mean to have my way.”
She had to strain to hear her father’s reply. “I thought we were men who could keep business separate from personal matters.”
“It doesn’t matter what we think, Mr. Robinson. It matters what our clients think—the ones canceling their orders and taking their business elsewhere.”
“It’s been a bad couple of months, but surely business will pick up again.”
“I can’t afford to wait for that,” Thomas said. “Mr. Porter will draw up an agreement this week, and I’ll have it sent over.”
Eliza gasped at the mention of Mr. Porter—Jon?
“I know the relationship between your family and Mr. Porter,” Thomas said. “I thought it might make my job a little easier, as Porter apparently knows the character of your daughter.”
Her father’s next comment was sharp with anger. “How dare you insinuate that my daughter’s character is questionable? She’s merely too young to be serious about a marriage proposal from any man, including you.”
Thomas’s voice matched the anger. “I know plenty of young women her age who would be more than happy to accept such an offer.”
Tension seeped through the doors and wrapped its grip around her.
“Some women are ready for matrimony sooner than others,” her father said in a low voice. “But this is not the case with Eliza, and no one should force her to marry. I have never been insulted such as this in all my life.”
“Now you know how I feel,” Thomas replied bitterly.
Eliza heard the scrape of a chair; Thomas was preparing to leave. She fled down the hallway and hid behind the curved arch of the staircase. A moment later the library doors flew open, and Thomas strode through the opening. Eliza caught a glimpse of his scarlet face as he stormed through the front door.
She remained crouched for a long time behind the stairway, trembling. Even after her father had ascended the stairs to retire for the night, Eliza couldn’t bring herself to leave her hiding place. A deep hole had formed in her soul.
Jonathan Porter had betrayed her family.
Chapter Twenty-one
Eliza woke early on the day of the masquerade ball. She hadn’t dreamed last night—no Gus, no Helena. She exhaled in relief. Maybe burying herself in dance preparations had replaced the nightmares. She was looking forward to the ball, although she was nervous for it. The Queen Mary costume was complete, down to the last details on the ruff and overskirt. She spent the morning bathing and washing her hair. Emma had provided an ointment that was supposed to make her hair look redder. But after it had been applied, Eliza couldn’t see much difference.
After lunch, her mother bustled into the room. “Let’s see the costume.”
“It’s at Gina’s,” Eliza said.
Her mother’s lips moved disapprovingly. “Why didn’t you bring it home?”
“We’re getting ready together at her house tonight.”
Hesitating, her mother said, “I suppose that’s all right. I did want to see you dressed up though.”Mrs. Robinson kissed Eliza’s forehead. “Be sure to wake me, dear, when you return home, so that I can see your costume.” And with that she left the room.
Eliza breathed a sigh of relief. She didn’t want her mother fussing over her tonight. It was time for her to face reality now. Discovering that Jonathan Porter was Thomas Beesley’s lawyer was a revelation. The world was full of people who only had their interests in mind, not caring who their grand agendas affected.
She was glad that the ball was a masquerade, so she’d remain anonymous until midnight, although she planned to be waiting in Gina’s carriage by then. She knew there was a chance Jon would be there with Apryl, and she couldn’t endure another falsely cheerful introduction, followed by scrutiny.
By mid-afternoon, Eliza decided to approach her father and talk to him about her aunt’s estate. She could go to Maybrook for a couple of weeks and distance herself from Jon.
Mr. Robinson was in the library, writing letters. He looked up as she entered and smiled wearily. “Come in. What can I do for you?”
She settled into a chair near his desk. “Have you given any more thought to what we’ll do with Aunt Maeve’s property?”
A faint look of surprise crossed her father’s face. “The property is listed for sale. Once that’s complete, the money will go into a trust until you’re twenty-one. I thought we’d already discussed this.”
“Oh, I know. I just wondered if I decided to take a trip, could I use some of the money for the expenses.”
Her father leaned back in his chair and folded his arms. “You want to travel at a time like this?”
“Only to Europe, and not for long. Gina Graydon’s family is leaving in a couple of weeks for France. I’ve never been outside the States, and I thought it might be a good opportunity before…”
“Before what?” Her father prompted.
“Before I marry and have my own household to run.”I want to get away for a while and stop the nightmares for good.
Her father frowned. “I didn’t know you had been thinking of marriage.”
“Not in the immediate future, of course—another few years at least.”
“Perhaps we could plan a family trip sometime. But I don’t think your mother would want you to leave until you’re fully recovered.”
Eliza hesitated then said, “All right.” She left the room feeling disappointed. She had to find a way to convince her father to let her travel with Gina.
When it was time to leave for Gina’s house, she bid her parents goodbye and climbed into the carriage alone, nervous and excited at the same time. It would be her first dance since leaving New York to stay with her aunt. Undoubtedly Thomas Beesley’s large figure would be a dead giveaway if he was to attend the ball, so it would be easy for her to avoid him.
The evening air was brisk as Eliza settled into her carriage. Gina lived in the more fashionable part of town, and Eliza marveled at the size of the homes she passed. One of them was Apryl Maughan’s.
When Eliza arrived at Gina’s, her friend flung the front door open before Eliza could ring the bell.
“I’ve been watching for you,” Gina said breathlessly. The girls embraced and hurried up the stairs to Gina’s room.
They spent the next hour primping and preening until each was satisfied with the outcome. Then they tried on their masks. Looking at each other, they burst into a fit of giggles.
“No one will ever guess who you really are,” Eliza said.
Gina strode about the room. She held her head regally and spoke in a low voice. “I’m the stately Queen Elizabeth.” Then she stopped and surveyed Eliza. “Your hair might give you away.”
Eliza lowered her mask. “How so?”
“No one has thick wavy locks like Eliza Robinson.”
Eliza patted her head. “That’s not true.”
Gina laughed. “In your costume, only the most astute will recognize you.”
Eliza gazed in the mirror, raising and lowering the mask. She wondered how astute Thomas Beesley and Jonathan Porter were. Her gaze fell to her swollen cleavage, pushed up by the costume so that she looked like she might rival the likes of Apryl Maughan… not that she was trying to rival anyone. Her face flushed a deep red.
“You look very alluring,�
�� Gina said.
“What if I attract the scoundrels?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll fend them off with my ice-cold queen look.” Gina laughed. “By the way, did you ask your parents about going to France with us?”
Eliza sighed, replacing her mask. “Oh, that. I talked to my father, but he thinks my mother will object—which really means he objects.”
“It will be so dreary without you. Following my parents around will be the death of me,” Gina said with a moan.
Eliza rolled her eyes. “How horrible to be traveling in Europe. I’m sure everyone will pity you.”
“Ha.” Gina swiped at Eliza, who easily dodged her.
A voice from the outside of the door called out, “Girls, are you ready?”
“One more minute.” She grabbed Eliza’s free hand. “Are you ready?”
Eliza swallowed and looked into her excited friend’s eyes. “You tell me.”
Gina grinned. “You look perfect.”
* * *
A line of carriages had formed in front of the City Hotel. Gina’s mother let out an audible sigh. “It’s bad enough that we have to wait to get in the door. Why can’t they hurry things up?” She adjusted the folds on her Roman tunic. Her face was an exact replica of her daughter’s, only older. Her hair was a more faded red. Mrs. Graydon had the same stately height and infectious laughter, although tonight she was quite impatient.
Gina’s father smiled as he smoothed his own tunic and straightened the wreath of leaves on his head. “We’ll be inside soon enough, dear.” He licked his lips as if he could already taste the wine.
While they waited their turn, Eliza watched the elegant carriages lining up one behind the other. She didn’t recognize any of the people who climbed out of them. Maybe decoding each other’s disguises would be harder than she thought.
Gina pointed intermittently at arriving guests, trying to guess who their costumes represented. “There’s Marie Antoinette, and look, that must be Caesar Augustus, just like Father.”
Finally they were next in line, and it was their turn to exit the carriage and enter the grand hotel. A full orchestra played at one end of the ballroom, and a table stood close to the entrance, set up with drinks. Gina’s parents stopped at the table. Mrs. Graydon said, “We’ll meet you right here after midnight. Look for the Romans.” A high laugh escaped her lips.
Gina tugged Eliza through the maze of costumes until they had reached the far wall, where chairs had been set up. Eliza scanned the room. Cloth streamers billowed from the ceiling, and paper flower arrangements adorned each table. She pulled away from Gina. “I don’t want to sit there.”
“That’s how the men know we’re waiting to be asked to dance.”
Eliza grimaced beneath her mask. “Let’s walk around for a moment to look at all the costumes. I don’t want to seem desperate for a dance partner so early in the night.”
Gina laughed, and they began to mill through the crowd. They stared at the numerous guests who looked curiously back. Nearing the entrance they saw Gina’s parents still standing next to the wine table, caught up in animated conversation with another couple.
“Look,” Gina said, grabbing Eliza’s arm. “There’s Mr. and Mrs. Gelding.”
The stooped shoulders and slow gait of the elderly couple made it obvious who they were. Eliza remembered them from drawing-room gatherings.“Who do you think they are chaperoning?”
“Maybe no one.” Gina shrugged. “Maybe they’re here for the free spirits. Come on, let’s find a seat. I can’t wait to dance.”
Eliza followed her friend into the mass again. They pulled two chairs together and sat down. It wasn’t long before a couple of men approached and asked for a dance.
Gina rose immediately and accepted for both of them. Eliza stood and was led to the floor by a man half a foot shorter than she, who wore white trousers and a military-style jacket. The dancing was a bit awkward at first until Eliza grew used to her partner’s jerky movements.
“Are vous from around here?” His accent was thick.
“Yes, I live in the city,” Eliza said. “Where are you from?”
“Paris,” the man said, accentuating the second syllable.
“Bon,” Eliza replied.
The man grinned. “Ah! Parlez-vous Française?”
“Un petite peu.”
“Trés bien.” He quickened his pace. “What is your name?”
“I cannot tell you,” she said.
“Because of the mask?” He stared at her quite intently. “Are you Queen Mary tonight?”
“Oui.”
The man pulled her a little closer, so that Eliza caught a full whiff of his cologne. “I’m here for one week only,” the man said. “Tell me your name, Mary, so that I may remember this dance on the voyage home.”
What was the harm? She’d never see this foreigner again. “Eliza.”
“Ah. So vous are related to Elizabeth. How very clever.”
“And what’s your name, sir?” she countered.
“Alfred… Bonaparte.”
“Bonaparte? Isn’t that your costume tonight?”
“Yes, clever, no?”
The dance number came to an end, and Alfred escorted Eliza back to her seat, where Gina was waiting. She thanked him, and he left after giving her a dramatic bow.
“How was the dance?” Gina asked, stifling a laugh.
Eliza settled next to her.“It was… interesting. How about your dance partner?”
“Oh, he was wonderful. He asked me a lot of questions though,” Gina said.
Eliza turned to look at her. “Did you answer them?”
“Most, but I didn’t tell him my name,” Gina said.
“I told my dance partner mine,” Eliza said nonchalantly, looking at the dancing crowd.
“But why?”
Eliza shrugged. “He’s from Paris and said he was leaving soon.”
“Look over there,” Gina said, nudging her. “Isn’t that the man you danced with?”
Eliza followed Gina’s direction and saw Alfred Bonaparte surrounded by a group of people. His short arms were flailing as if to emphasize a very important point he was making. Before she realized it, a member of the group had broken off and crossed over to her.
“May I have this dance?”
Eliza’s tongue froze. The man before her was none other than Thomas Beesley. Did he know who she was? It would be frightfully rude to turn him down at a public ball, so she nodded, and the man led her to the dance floor for a waltz. She swallowed the revulsion that had risen in her throat, hoping Thomas didn’t know who she really was.
“How are you, Eliza?” he asked.
Eliza felt sick. “How did you know it was me?”
“I sent a scout.”
“The Frenchman?” she asked.
Thomas chuckled until other couples surrounding them looked over. “He’s a loyal friend trying to help me out.”
Heat rose in her face; she was glad the mask concealed her embarrassment. “That was a cutting move, Thomas.”
“We need to settle some things between us,” Thomas said in a low voice. His hold tightened. “I’ve heard that you’re trying to taint my reputation.”
“I’ve done no such thing,” she said, stepping back and trying to put more distance between them.
But Thomas held her firm. “A reliable source has informed me that you have threatened to sue me for breaking the partnership with your father.”
Eliza tried not to panic. “Your reliable source is a meddling liar,” she retorted in a low voice. “If you and your shoddy lawyer, Jonathan Porter, want to believe such filth, go right ahead. The fact is, you’ve tainted your own reputation because of the way you’ve come after my father to cover your wounded ego.” With effort, she pulled away from him. “Never come near me again, sir.”
Eliza held back her tears until she’d left the dance floor. It was too cold to stand outside so she turned to the left and walked down a dark hallway until she
found a bench to collapse on.
Chapter Twenty-two
Jon watched the entire interchange between Thomas and Eliza. No costume could disguise Thomas, and it took only a moment longer to realize that the partner was Eliza. The unmistakable hair and translucent skin gave her away.
When they had first arrived at the ball, Apryl pointed out Thomas almost immediately. Since then, Jon had kept an occasional eye on the man, wondering when they would cross paths. He’d heard about the exchange between Thomas and Mr. Robinson, and was sorry he’d ever gotten involved. Eliza would undoubtedly discover the connection.
Apryl had been dancing with a tall gentleman dressed as William Shakespeare. Jon had watched her for a moment, before moving through the crowd to find the wine table. It was then that he saw Thomas with Eliza. They were talking rapidly, and Jon wondered if they were catching up on old times. Before the number ended, Eliza withdrew from Thomas and left the dance floor, her mouth set in a firm line.
When Jon looked to find Thomas again, the man had already joined his friends, talking and laughing as if nothing untoward had just happened. Perhaps the exchange with Eliza hadn’t been anything more than a regular conversation. What would a normal conversation between them look like?
She was clearly upset, and it had to do with Thomas. Without another thought, Jon scanned the room. She was nowhere to be seen. As he passed the wine table, he took a glass and continued, walking outside. The night was quiet, and the first snow of the season had started to gently fall.
Walking back inside, Jon stopped and scanned the foyer. A darkened hallway extended on both sides. At the end of one stood a couple, their masks removed. They were busily engaged in kissing. Jon opted for the other hallway. The sound of his shoes against the polished floor echoed on the walls. He was about to turn around when he heard a sniffle around a corner.
He walked in the direction of the sound. As he grew closer, he could make out the form of a person sitting on a bench and the faint glitter of a costume.