'Well, you flirt with Buck Buckley and a score of others. I have seen you with my own eyes."
'Do not remind me of my indiscretion. It is the cause of all my ills. I declare that if Asheville forgives me today and I can go to Georgiana Devonshire's rout, then I will never so much as smile at another gentleman."
Her friend smiled wryly. "It is as well Asheville is not here to grant you his forgiveness, Pandora, my dear, for I am persuaded you would not keep to that vow longer than it took you to reach Devonshire House on the night of the rout."
Pandora sighed yet again. "I fear it is true. Tis my wanton nature. Asheville has apprised me correctly."
'If that is so, we are all afflicted with the same fault, I fear."
'Mayhap St. James is more indulgent of your faults. If Asheville had wanted a demure little chit, he should have wed Helena Bencombe. That whey-faced creature wouldn't know how to flirt, even though she was lost for love of him."
'Fudge. She is perfectly amiable."
Once again Pandora sighed. "Indeed she is. I am past praying for, Rosa." She sat forward and peered at herself in the looking glass, causing Nan to complain. "If it were not for this red hair, I'd as lief disguise myself as a French emigree and stay to teach that husband of mind a profound lesson."
'Do sit still, ma'am," Nan begged as she struggled to dress the restless countess's hair.
'What a splendid idea," Rosamond replied, clapping her hands together. "That is exactly what you should do."
Just at that moment several footmen in scarlet and-gold livery arrived to remove Pandora's trunks and bandboxes.
'The wagon has arrived"—she sighed—"which means that the carriage will not be far behind it. What was that you said about a splendid idea. Rosa?"
'Disguising yourself and remaining in town."
'If only it could be done."
'What a lark it would be!" Lady St. James enthused.
'How could I possibly disguise myself? No one except me has hair this color. Tis too distinctive."
'You have never worn a wig because of your singularly beautiful hair, but I have many. No one would recognize your hair if you hid it beneath a wig."
Pandora turned to look at her in amazement. "Why, yes, yes, indeed. I should have thought of that myself. It would make all the difference to the way I look, would it not? The Season has scarce begun, so most of my gowns have not yet been seen. No one could possibly recognize them."
'Ma'am…" Nan complained as Pandora's head moved more with her growing excitement.
Abruptly Pandora got to her feet. "My hair has been dressed sufficiently, Nan. Fetch my hat and fur-lined cloak." As soon as the abigail had gone, Pandora turned eagerly to her friend once more. "I am warming to this idea, Rosa. It certainly bears more discussion, but we have so little time."
'It will be a complicated business, but I am persuaded it can be done," Lady St. James said thoughtfully and then added in a more animated fashion, "Only listen, you can be my cousin and stay with us at St. James House."
'What of St. James, though?" Pandora asked. "Does he know your cousin?"
'He has never met her, and as you say, London is awash with emigres. Everyone knows my cousin is to arrive soon. It could not be better. Her children have already arrived with her jewels, and they can help us with the ruse."
'Just a moment, Rosa. You go much too fast for me. I am not quite persuaded this is advisable. Too many people will have to be involved."
'Nonsense. Between us we can make the masquerade creditable."
'But I am so well known…"
'Powder, patches, a slight French accent, and, naturally, you will be obliged to engage a less gay manner. You are normally very high-spirited, Pandora. A Frenchwoman today must needs be a trifle sad."
'The way I feel just now, it will be easy."
'If you are supposed to be at Brocklesby Hall, that is where everyone will expect you to be. No one will associate Pandora Asheville with… Louise de Chambray."
Pandora smiled. "The name has a nice ring to it, I confess."
For a moment she was thoughtful as her friend went on, "Instead of going to Suffolk, you can travel to PelhamTowers. It is only a hour's drive from here. I will join you there, and we will plan how to proceed in more detail. What do you say? We have perpetrated larks before, but none so ambitious as this."
Pandora took Rosamond's hand in hers. "Oh, yes, indeed it will be so much fun." Her eyes shone now. There was no sign of her tears. "Have you any notion of what I would like to do more than anything in the world?"
'I cannot begin to imagine."
'It would give me the greatest satisfaction if I could contrive to flirt with Asheville and make him fall madly in love with me—in my disguise, naturally—and then when he had totally compromised himself, I would reveal myself as his wife. That would teach him not to be such a quiz."
Rosamond St. James withdrew her hands and her smile faded. "Oh, my dear, is that wise? It would be much more sensible to avoid Asheville as much as is possible."
'Mayhap not wise, but a great lark. It would make it so much more of a challenge."
'I thought you only wished to enjoy the diversions during the Season."
'Naturally, that is what I wish to do."
'Once that is done, you can retire quietly to Brocklesby Hall to appear chastened by your rustication."
'Being chastened is not in my nature." The viscountess sighed. "I fear that is all too true."
Pandora tossed her mane of red curls back in a proud gesture. "Asheville is at fault in this matter, not I, and he will live to regret it, I vow."
When a lackey arrived to announce that her ladyship's carriage awaited, it was Lady St. James's turn to draw a sigh. How quickly her bright idea had turned into what might yet become a very foolish one. While she watched Pandora collect her last few belongings, Rosamond's heart was filled with foreboding.
THREE
'How wonderful it all is!" Pandora exclaimed as the carriage emblazoned with the St. James coat of arms made its way along the familiar streets of Mayfair.
As she peered out of the window, wide-eyed with excitement, Lady St. James reminded her, "It is only two days since you left."
'It seems like a sennight. No, more than that. A month. I have already missed several assemblies. If only I could believe Asheville is suffering all manner of miseries by my absence, I would be truly content, but I doubt if it is possible, for he is quite without feeling."
Having heard Pandora utter many such sentiments over the previous two days, Rosamond St. James did not deign to answer on this occasion. Previously the viscountess had attempted to soothe her dear friend's wounded sensibilities with a well-chosen epithet, but now she decided it was all to no avail. Pandora was determined to think only ill of her new husband, and there seemed nothing anyone could do to help him find even a small amount of favor in her eyes.
Pandora gazed at herself in the carriage's concealed mirror, as she had done on countless occasions since leaving Lady St. James's country home. Wearing a gray powdered wig and many patches on her face, Pandora scarce recognized herself.
'I feel quite different," she declared, not for the first time.
Rosamond St. James cast her a delighted glance. "You are different. Even I should not recognize you."
'It isn't only my appearance; I feel as if I am quite a different person."
'That is excellent. Nothing could be more catastrophic to your aims than Pandora Asheville appearing in a gray wig."
'I don't know what / am to do," Nan complained after looking vexed for some time. "Your ladyship cannot go about the streets unaccompanied, and yet I am to be confined to the house for I don't know how long."
'Recognition of you could spell disaster for me, so do stay away from the window, Nan," Pandora scolded, having recovered in the past few days much of her former spirit. "And you know full well what is going to be done. It has been explained to yo
u a score of times. You will attend me as usual in the house, and Lady St. James will arrange for one of her servants to act as my abigail in public. Your duties, I assure you, will be as usual except for that."
'Save that I am to behave like a fugitive felon, a madam. Tis a wonder you did not put a wig on me," the woman muttered, causing Lady St. James's maidservant to giggle.
'Now you are being impertinent, Nan," Pandora scolded. "I do not doubt you are totally devoted to me, as you were for many years to my sainted Mama before me, but in this you will do as you are bid."
'Yes, ma'am," the woman agreed, "and I do beg your pardon."
'I have had a brilliant thought on the matter of your maidservant," Lady St. James declared.
Pandora looked at her with interest. "Oh? Then do, I beg of you, tell me."
'Wait until we reach Curzon Street
, and all will be made clear to you once we are there."
As the carriage drew up in front of the St. James mansion, a house only marginally smaller than the one Pandora had become mistress of on her marriage, she had a sudden notion. "Rosa, what will happen when your real cousin arrives in London?"
'That will present no problem, I assure you."
'Well, there cannot be two Louise de Chambrays. Even if I am, by then, finished with the deception, it will look odd for your cousin to have changed so much in so short a time. I feel she is in reality somewhat older than I."
'She is," the viscountess confirmed, smiling impishly, "but she is not called Louise de Chambray." When Pandora looked surprised, she went on, "It is simple. If anyone should inquire on the matter, I have two French cousins—sisters. It is not impossible."
Pandora looked impressed. "Allow me to congratulate you. You have thought of everything, Rosa."
'I do hope so. It would not do for you to be rumbled on your first outing on the town."
The suggestion evidently took Pandora aback. "Do you think it at all possible?"
'Have I not been constantly reassuring you? You look years older than you really are, and nothing like the Pandora Asheville we all know so well."
Once again she allowed herself to be reassured, but as she climbed down from the carriage, she experienced a momentary doubt, for Lord St. James's curricle was waiting outside the house, and Pandora feared to meet him, realizing there would be many such encounters with people who knew her very well indeed.
Nan was fussing with Pandora's dressing case, and Rosamond quickly dismissed her for fear she would unsettle her mistress again. There was little time, however, for Pandora to prepare herself for an encounter with someone who was familiar to her, for as they entered the marble hall, Roderick St. James was coming down the stairs.
'Roddy, dearest, see who I have here," his wife trilled, much to Pandora's alarm.
Roderick St. James was a portly and rather dull young man, even though he invariably dressed in the height of fashion, as did his friend Lord Asheville. Pandora had often wondered about her good friend's odd choice of husband, for Rosamond was both beautiful and as gay as a goose in a gutter. As a debutante she had been much sought after by the beaux of the ton and had her choice of would-be husbands. However, Pandora reflected, after choosing one of the most handsome bucks of the beau monde herself, a man who had so quickly reduced her to misery, Rosamond was probably the wiser.
'Welcome to England, my dear Louise," St. James greeted her, taking her hand and bowing low over it. He did not scrutinize her face.
'Merci beaucoup, monsieur," Pandora responded in a small voice, keeping her eyes downcast in a far more modest manner than she would normally employ.
'Louise is exhausted," Rosamond crooned, drawing Pandora away from Lord St. James. "Her journey has been most arduous, and the sea unbelievably rough for the crossing."
'Now you are safely arrived," her husband said, "you may rest as long as you wish. You will be quite safe with us, I assure you. Ah, ladies, I must crave your indulgence for my haste, but Asheville is now arrived, and we must take our leave of you."
Rosamond looked aghast. Pandora felt like fainting and looked around for a means of escape. There was none, for Asheville came striding into the hall before any of them could move.
'Apologies for the lateness of my arrival, St. James. I was delayed by my tailor."
'A worthwhile reason," his friend agreed.
It was then that Lord Asheville transferred his attention to the ladies, casting Pandora a curious glance before looking at Rosamond. "Lady St. James, good day to you."
Both ladies curtsied. "Lord Asheville, what a pleasure," Rosamond replied, having recovered somewhat from her dismay. "Have you word of Lady Asheville?"
Pandora thought he looked rather strained at the mention of her name. "Indeed, I have, ma'am. A note arrived this morning, informing me of her safe arrival at Brocklesby."
'I am delighted to hear it, although I, naturally, regret her absence from town."
'No more than I," Lord Asheville assured her.
'Quite," Lady St. James replied dryly, casting a glance at her friend. "I shall myself pen her a note today, for the poor dear must be lonely at Brocklesby at this time of the year when everyone else is in London. A note from me is certain to raise her spirits, if only a little." Lord Asheville frowned at the viscountess's veiled censure, and then she went on, to Pandora's horror, "I have been very remiss, my lord. Allow me to present to you my kinswoman, Comtesse Louise de Chambray, who has just arrived from Paris."
Lord Asheville bowed low. "Your servant, ma'am."
'My lord," Pandora responded with a slight curtsy.
'Must be gone," St. James announced, and then, looking at his wife, he added, "A mill at Knight's Bridge. It promises to be a splendid fight. Good-bye for now, my dears."
Lord Asheville bowed once again before the two men strode quickly out of the house to the waiting curricles. A silence followed them for a few moments, and then Rosamond St. James threw back her head and burst into peals of laughter, dapping her hands together in delight while skipping up and down.
'I do not believe it!" Pandora cried. "He did not recognize me."
'Did I not tell you how it would be?" her friend chided.
Pandora continued to look amazed. "He scarce glanced at me. Oh, Rosa, I nearly died when he came into the house so unexpectedly. This is famous!"
She caught hold of her friend's hands, and laughing delightedly, the two young woman danced around the hall, much to the consternation of the servants on duty.
'Tante Rosamond. Tante Rosamond."
A young woman came skipping up the stairs as the two friends reached the first landing. Rosamond turned on her heel to greet her with a smile. "Jeanne, just the nerson I would wish to see now. Is Francois at home?"
'I believe he is," the girl replied in a slight but attractive accent. "Would you have me seek him out?"
'If you please. Ask him to join us in the guest suite."
The girl cast Pandora a curious glance. "Cer-tainement, Tante Rosamond."
As she hurried away, Rosamond explained, "Jeanne is my cousin's daughter, for all she calls me aunt. Francois is her brother."
'How old are they?"
The viscountess began to guide Pandora along to her suite. "Jeanne is sixteen and Francois is nineteen."
'Am I supposed to be their mother?" Pandora asked, aghast at the very notion.
Her friend laughed. "No, I think not. You shall be their aunt. At least Francois's aunt."
Before Pandora could question her friend any further on the matter, Rosamond ushered her into an airy sitting room leading to a boudoir and bedchamber.
'This is quite splendid," Pandora told her. "It appears exceeding comfortable, and I am most obliged to you."
For once the viscountess looked somber. "I am persuaded you would prefer to be at Hanover Square
in your own home, and who could possibly blame you for that?"
Pandora sighed. "Just now it is the last place I
would want to be. Seeing Asheville continuing his life as if nothing had happened makes me all the more resolved to carry on with this masquerade now it is begun, and"—she immediately brightened-"it is going to be such fun; after that encounter I know it."
'One matter I must caution you upon. Do not overdo your attempts to speak in French. My cousin had an English father and an English governess. She speaks English almost as well as we do."
'I am most relieved to hear you say so," Pandora responded. "My French is strictly limited, despite all my governess's attempts to teach me fluency."
The two friends were chattering happily when
Jeanne returned. She was a bouncy girl with fair hair and blue eyes who showed not the slightest sign of despondency at having to leave her native country so precipitately.
'Francois will be here presently, Tante Rosa," the girl announced.
'Come in, my dear, and meet my old friend, Pandora, Lady Asheville."
Jeanne sketched a pretty curtsy. "It is an honor to make your acquaintance, my lady."
'And I yours, Jeanne," Pandora responded.
'If you are Lady Asheville, it must have been your husband Lord St. James left with a few moments ago."
'Yes, it was."
'My congratulations on your good fortune, my lady. Lord Asheville is exceeding handsome."
'Don't be impudent, Jeanne," Lady St. James warned.
Pandora stiffened at such praise being directed toward her unworthy husband. "He is a blackguard, I assure you. Do not allow his charm to blind you to his true nature, my dear."
The girl was wide-eyed at her compliment being taken in such a manner. In truth she still found the English a strange race and difficult to understand.
'All will be explained presently," Rosamond told her, "when Francois arrives. Ah, here he is now."
Francois de Fontenac bore a great resemblance to his sister. Blue-eyed and fair-haired, he was fashionably attired and sported an air of gaiety Pandora had not expected to see in him. After the introductions had been completed they all sat down, and Rosa quickly explained the situation to the young couple.
Rachelle Edwards Page 3