Rachelle Edwards

by Sweet Hoyden (lit)

  'If I write to the duchess telling her I felt ill, within a day the tattle-baskets will have it that I am increasing." His eyes opened wide with sur­prise, which afforded her some small comfort, and before he could recover himself, she said plead­ingly, "You are making far too much of this, Ashe­ville. It was nothing, I assure you. Nothing at all."

  Far from easing the situation, it seemed she had made it worse, for an implacable look came over his face. "Yes, I know that, Pandora. It cannot have meant anything to you because you care only for yourself."

  He turned on his heel and continued up the stairs. This time she did nothing to stop him, but she waited until he had reached the top before running up the stairs herself and into her room, slamming the door behind her with a great deal of force.

  Lord Asheville entered his wife's bedchamber, to find her having her hair brushed by her maid. A fire burned low in the hearth, and the room was filled with flickering light. Pandora saw him enter the room, but deliberately kept her head averted.

  The earl appeared to have become somewhat con­ciliatory as he glanced across at her, but Pandora's anger had increased since their return home. The thought of having to explain her sudden departure from the ball angered her greatly. Whatever excuse she made, she would look a fool and cause unfavor­able gossip. Pandora Asheville was not accustomed to that, and she would not forgive him easily.

  Her maid, Nan, had helped her into a silk bed gown, over which Pandora was wearing a matching peignoir trimmed with swansdown. Her hair was now falling loose to her shoulders, and she was aware how fetching she appeared. So many gentle­men of the ton had told her so. However, at that moment she had no wish to appear anything but angry.

  The earl was now wearing a damask dressing gown that was frogged with silk braid. He glanced meaningfully at Nan, and Pandora quickly dis­missed her. However, the maid was obliged to re­main a few moments longer in order to remove the warming pan from the bed. When the maid had gone at last, Pandora picked up one of her silver-backed brushes and continued to brush her hair.

  As the earl sat down on the daybed, she asked, "Have you come to give me another set-down?"

  'Pandora," he said softly, "I may have acted with undue haste this evening, but that is only because I wish you to behave with more decorum, now you are my wife."

  'By that I suppose you to mean you would like me to behave more like the Duchess of Repton or Lady Curtsworth and other cronies of your moth­er's close acquaintance."

  The earl's lips twitched slightly. "I cannot ex­actly envisage you resorting to such an extreme as that, but it would be more in keeping with your position if you were less of a hoyden."

  She paused to cast him an icy glance. "Or a wan­ton?"

  He got to his feet and began to pace round the room. Pandora could see that his mood of reconcil­iation was fast disappearing. "I am fully aware that you do not deliberately wish to cause gossip or to behave improperly, but you must see you are no longer a child, a child who has been greatly in­dulged all her life."

  Pandora threw down the hairbrush at last. "So that's how you see yourself; a stern father to me in place of the one who was far too indulgent."

  'Too often I am called upon to make excuses for you, Pandora. It will not do."

  'Why should I not enjoy myself? You enjoy your horse racing, mills, gaming, and your doxies, too, I do not doubt."

  His indulgence toward her was almost exhausted now. "Pandora," he said warningly, "recall who was caught acting improperly. With Buckley, of all people."

  Pandora smiled mirthlessly. "Mayhap you will supply me with a list of who is approved for such a purpose if Sir Aldan is not."

  The earl's face grew dark. "Damnation take it! I am out of patience with you. Give a thought to what might have transpired had it been someone else who saw you with Buckley."

  Pandora jumped to her feet. "Nothing would have happened! Is it so unusual for a gentleman to kiss a lady?"

  'When the lady is my wife, it is intolerable."

  'That is something I cannot begin to compre­hend."

  When he came closer to her, she moved away from him. He followed her across the room and put his hands on her shoulders, which caused her to stiffen. "I don't wish to be angry with you," he said softly, but she remained unyielding to his touch.

  'Let us attempt to put this unfortunate evening behind us. There will be many others to enjoy in the future."

  Pandora pulled away from him. "I cannot forget what has ensued this evening, for it has a bearing on the future. How can I enjoy any diversion when you evidently disapprove of my every movement?"

  'That is untrue and unjust."

  Ignoring him, she went on, "Am I to fear being taken home early like a badly behaved infant if I so much as smile at a gentleman?"

  'You did more than smile at Buck Buckley," he pointed out.

  'Your reaction was, nevertheless, outside of enough. I have been roundly humiliated this eve­ning, and I cannot easily forget that."

  'I see," he said, stepping back a few paces and making no further attempt to touch her. "It ap­pears that the only embrace you are able to wel­come is that bestowed upon you by Sir Aldan Buckley." Before Pandora could protest, he began to walk back toward his own room. "It seems to me that you need to learn how to behave in a proper manner, and accordingly on the morrow, Pandora, you will leave London for Brocklesby Hall."

  Pandora's brow furrowed into a frown. "I don't understand…"

  Implacably he continued, "Then, let me explain, my dear. A spell of rustication might, help to con­centrate your mind on how the Countess of Ashe­ville should conduct her life."

  Momentarily Pandora was stunned. "Brocklesby Hall? I am to go to Brocklesby Hall?"

  'Exactly. On the morrow, before you have a fur­ther opportunity to bring disrepute upon my name."

  'Asheville! You cannot mean this."

  He paused by the connecting door. "Oh, indeed, I do."

  'But I cannot go to the country; the Season is scarce begun. What will everyone say?"

  'I have no notion and certainly no care."

  Furious and full of panic, she accused, "I see it now! You are so foxed, you have no notion what you are about."

  He didn't trouble to answer her, but as he contin­ued to stare at her unflinchingly, she knew he was sober, and some of her defiance faded as she faced the awful possibility that he actually meant what he had said. "Gareth, this is outside of enough. What would you have me do? Beg your forgiveness on my knees?"

  The very notion made him laugh. "Oh, no, my dear. I would not wish the proud Pandora Asheville to demean herself in that manner." Abruptly his amusement faded. "Well, at least not yet."

  She stamped her foot angrily on the floor. "Well, I shall not go, so be warned."

  'This is one matter in which you have no say. I have decided that you will go to the country, and go you shall."

  'No!" she cried, her eyes wide. "I have too many engagements. 'Tis impossible."

  'I think not. You'll be obliged to cry off, natu­rally, but I don't see that as an insurmountable ob­stacle. I will make all the necessary arrangements for your journey before I retire."

  'Oh, how cruel you can be," she accused. "I'd as lief be horsewhipped as be obliged to rusticate!"

  'I am sorely tempted," he answered, and because she detected a slight thaw in his manner, she af­fected her most wheedling smile and ingratiating air.

  'My dear, do you not think you are being a mite too extreme?"

  'Outrageous behavior I leave to you," he replied, apparently unmoved. "Good night, my dear. Sleep well."

  As the door closed behind him, Pandora screamed his name, and when that failed to gain a response from him, she picked up her hairbrush and threw it at the door with all her might before sinking onto the daybed and bursting into tears.

  TWO

  The morning was almost half over when Lady St. James arrived at Asheville House and asked to see Lady Asheville. She was slightly taken aback b
y the amount of activity going on, and when she in­quired of her friend, was informed that her lady­ship was still abed.

  'Then, pray tell her I wish to see her on a matter of the utmost import."

  Some minutes later Lady St. James was ushered up to the countess's boudoir, where she found her friend prostrate on her daybed, still wearing her nightclothes.

  'I came as soon as I heard you had left the Reptons' early last night. I have never known it of you before."

  The countess had a slice of cucumber on each eye while she reclined on her daybed, with several other slices in a dish by her side. When Lady St. James arrived, Pandora sat up and removed the cucumber slices quickly, to reveal two pinkish and swollen eyes.

  'Pandora, my dear, what is amiss with you? You look as melancholy as a gib cat. What ails you, my dearest? A chill? A fever? Has a doctor been sum­moned to attend you?"

  'I do not need a doctor," Pandora answered wear­ily "I am not in the least ill, I assure you."

  'You look…" A smile slowly spread across Lady St. James's face. "Do not tell me; let me guess. You are increasing. Oh, my dear…"

  'No, I am not!" Pandora answered in outraged tones. "If you insist upon knowing, I am suffering from a broken heart."

  As Pandora swung her legs over the edge of the daybed, Lady St. James caught sight of Nan busily packing her mistress's clothes into trunks. "What is going on here?"

  'You may well ask."

  'I do ask. Moreover, if you do not tell me in the next few seconds, I shall be obliged to plead for an explanation." .

  For once, Pandora was in no mood for her friend's funning "This is the most dreadful thing that has ever happened to me, Rosa. Last night Asheville caught me flirting with Sir Aldan Buckley…

  Rosamond St. James looked intrigued. "And…

  Pandora drew a deep sigh. "He has banished me from London for the remainder of the Season."

  Lady St. James was evidently perplexed. "Ban­ished you?"

  'That is correct," Pandora replied, fighting back her tears. "I am to go to Brocklesby Hall to repent my wicked ways. There will be many long, lonely, dreary days in which for me to do so."

  Lady St. James gasped. "I cannot believe this of Asheville. He is too full of good sense to be so… medieval. Yes, that is exactly what he is. I cannot credit him with such foolishness."

  'He'd find fault with a fat goose. Believe it, Rosa," she went on bitterly, "he finds much to fault in me. I had no notion I possessed so many imper­fections."

  Her voice began to break, and her friend went on quickly, "I spoke with him briefly last night, and he appeared in high feather, never more so. I had never seen him so amiable."

  'That was before he saw me in the garden with Sir Aldan." Pandora wrung her hands in anguish. "How can I bear this, Rosa? I have invitations to endless engagements. Balls, routs, breakfasts, mas­querades, not to mention the fete planned at Wind­sor to celebrate the King's recovery to health. I'd as lief die as miss that."

  'Asheville could not be so heartless…"

  'Mr. Lawrence is painting my portrait," Pandora went on, as if her friend had not spoken. "Imagine it, for centuries to come my unfinished portrait will hang in the hall. They will call me the Unfinished Countess."

  'That, I am persuaded, is the least of it."

  'Mr. Lawrence wished it to be shown at the RoyalAcademy. Now another portrait will enjoy the fame."

  'Oh, I see," the viscountess said, smiling slightly.

  'No, you do not see," argued Pandora. "If I go to the country, everyone will forget my existence in a sennight."

  'That is impossible, my dear. You couldn't be for­gotten in a year. If it is any consolation to you, I vow I shall write to you regularly to keep you abreast of all the on dits."

  'That is no consolation at all. It is all so humil­iating, and if you tell even one soul of this, I declare I shall never forgive you!"

  'I shall not breathe a word of it, you may be sure. If anyone asks me why you have left town, I shall become as close as oak. I just wish there was some­thing I could do to help you, but I confess I cannot think of anything. This must be such a blow to you, my dear. I have never known anyone to enjoy so heartily the diversions of London as do you. This is an utter tragedy."

  'Be sure that Asheville knows it as well as you. He could not devise a more fiendish punishment. It would have been better by far if he'd taken his rid­ing crop to me."

  'Like Fosdyke did to poor Amelia? Oh, I doubt if you'd like that, Pandora. It is said poor Amelia still bears the scars."

  'Well, I may as well be dead as be at Brocklesby Hall."

  'Pandora, when did Asheville make this… er… judgment upon you?" Lady St. James asked thoughtfully.

  'Last night when we returned." Pandora sniffed loudly, for she could scarcely bear to think about it. "He had become a mite conciliatory, but I was so angry I could hardly think straight."

  'As I surmised. My dear, why do you not seek him out now? His thoughts might have mellowed somewhat since last night, I fancy."

  'I had considered that, too, Rosa, but when I in­quired as to his whereabouts on rising this morn­ing, I learned that he had gone to Newmarket and would not return until the morrow." Her voice broke slightly. "So, you see, all is lost, and I am obliged to leave here as soon as we are packed."

  'There will be other Seasons in London, my dear," her friend commiserated.

  'This is my first. It was meant to be a triumph, to establish me in the forefront of the ton. A match such as ours was so well devised, this Season should have been the very best. Why is he so unreason­able, Rosa?"

  'If you wish me to find a reason for the way gen­tlemen behave, I am very much afraid that is some­thing that has puzzled others far more learned than I."

  'Oh, I can scarce bear to contemplate what life is going to be like at Brocklesby. Everyone will have a famous time in town, and I shall have only my sewing to enjoy. The humiliation…"

  'You know, Pandora, it appears to me that Lord Asheville is suffering an acute attack of jealousy, and as soon as it abates, he will come to fetch you back."

  Pandora looked astonished. "Jealous! Asheville!" She laughed harshly. " 'Tis only his pride that aches him, nothing else."

  'Well, of course, he is your husband, and you should know him better than I."

  'That is my great misfortune. However charming he appears to others, in reality he is a loath­some toad. I must have had windmills in my head to have accepted his offer. He seemed so amiable then," she added wistfully before her anger took control of her once more. "Why could I not see him for the fortune seeker he really is? How crack-brained I must be. No wonder he wishes to be rid of me."

  Lady St. James listened to her friend's diatribe in silence, trying hard to control her amusement, for she did realize how devastating laughter would be for Pandora in her present state of mind.

  Just as the viscountess was trying to think of something soothing to say, Nan appeared in the doorway. "You must dress with no further delay, my lady. The carriage will be here very soon."

  'Oh, I beg of you, do not remind me." Pandora turned to Lady St. James, who was gathering her muff in preparation to go. "Do not abandon me. Stay with me while I dress. Divert me, Rosa. I need desperately to be diverted or I shall surely lose my reason. What are the latest on dits?"

  Rosamond St. James followed Pandora into the bedchamber. "I believe there is little you have not already heard, except what I came to impart this morning."

  'It will not be long before I am the subject of every on dit in this town."

  'I pray you, listen, Pandora. You must recall my telling you of my poor dear cousin, the comtesse."

  'Indeed I do," Pandora murmured as she was helped into her shift. "Has she decided to leave France at last?"

  'After so many months of my begging her to come to London, she has at last consented to do so. She acknowledges that the situation in France is not, after all, going to improve. Indeed, it is daily grow­ing wors
e."

  'So I have heard."

  'Unfortunately she is obliged to remain a few more days to settle her affairs, but she should be here within the sennight. I shall not rest easy until she is safe with us in Curzon Street

  ."

  'How fortunate she is," Pandora commented as Nan fastened her heavy traveling gown. "When she arrives, I shall be in Suffolk. The comtesse will be free to enjoy all the diversions of London."

  'She is not to be envied," Lady St. James replied in shocked tones. "She is leaving everything be­hind her."

  Pandora sighed. "I beg your pardon, dear Rosa. I scarce know what I am saying this morning. I de­clare, this business has unhinged my mind."

  'That is quite understandable."

  'I have to cry off so many engagements, I cannot imagine how to begin." She sat down at the dress­ing table as Nan began to dress her hair in the cascade of ringlets that had become her trademark. "I thought I knew Asheville well. Truly I did. He is a stranger to me, I must own now, and not a very-pleasant one, either."

  'Ah, do any of us know our menfolk?" the vis­countess asked sagely.

  'You deal well with St. James, don't you, Rosa?"

  'So far, but we have been wed for such a short time. I am beginning to wonder if there might be aspects of his character I am yet unaware of."

  For the first time Pandora laughed naturally. "I think not, dearest, for St. James could not be more unlike my husband."

  Rosamond St. James sighed. "You are, of course, correct." Pandora gave a little cry of vexation, and Lady St. James urged, "Do not get into a taking over this."

  'I cannot help myself. I have it in mind that Fanny Courdon, who set her cap at him, will again be able to insinuate herself into his affections once I am safely in exile in Suffolk."

  'A great many ladies set their cap at Asheville, but he married you. In any event Fanny Courdon is leg-shackled herself, so it is most unlike she will want to become close to Asheville."

  'Marriage will not stop her," Pandora scoffed. "Courdon is a buffle-head for whom she has no re­gard. Fanny set her cap at Asheville from the out­set, and she still flirts with him whenever they are in company. I have oft observed her, Rosa."