Rachelle Edwards

by Sweet Hoyden (lit)

  'I am obliged to you for your condescension, sir."

  'You must bring Lady Asheville to one of my routs at Carlton House. Next week, I insist upon it."

  'We are both exceeding honor, sir, but I fear Lady Asheville is like to be out of town."

  'I confess to be disappointed, but mayhap she is present this evening."

  'No, sir, I regret she is not. She is at present at Brocklesby Hall and like to remain there for some time to come."

  The Prince frowned. "How unfortunate for you, Asheville. She is not indisposed, I take it."

  'No, no sir," the earl assured, appearing more and more discomforted as eager ears all about them avidly took in every aspect of their conversation. "It is merely a relative who is indisposed, and my wife felt in incumbent upon her to bear him com­pany for a short while."

  'Very commendable," the Prince declared before moving on, much to the earl's relief.

  Meanwhile Pandora had rejoined her friend at the other side of the ballroom. "I note that the Prince spoke at length to Asheville," Lady St. James commented as she peered across the room. "I wonder what they were saying?"

  Pandora fanned herself furiously. "They are cro­nies of old, and of a similar disposition, I fancy. Without wishing to be disloyal to our future King, both he and my husband are similarly dissipated and have a cavalier attitude toward their wom­enfolk."

  'What tush. After the amorosas of his youth, His Highness appears to be perfectly happy with Mrs. Fitzherbert." Rosamond smiled. "Well, for the pres­ent, at least."

  'Exactly. Indeed, I am beginning to believe all gentlemen play old Hairy with our affections, Rosa. Sir Aldan has just declared to Madame de Cham­bray that he has never been in love until now."

  Lady St. James laughed. " Tis as well you did not accept his offer of marriage. I recall quite clearly that I warned you against such a course."

  'What a pity you did not similarly warn me against Asheville."

  The viscountess's eyes sparkled with mischief. "But, my dear, I believed you to be in love with him."

  Pandora's cheeks grew red and she turned away, murmuring, "Tush!"

  One dowager came hurrying up to Lady St. James affecting a great air of excitement. "Oh, do tell, my lady, why is Lady Asheville not present this eve­ning or available to callers at Hanover Square

  ? It is the greatest mystery."

  'I have no notion," Rosamond replied airily.

  'But I am persuaded you must know something of the matter. You are a bosom friend of hers."

  Lady St. James smiled sweetly. "She does not confide everything, however. Do meet my kins­woman, Madame de Chambray."

  Pandora had only just contrived to regain her breath from this encounter when another notorious tattle-basket approached. "Lady St. James, I have been seeking you out for an age."

  'Mrs. Huxtable, it seems we meet at every pos­sible occasion," Lady St. James said, with mock sweetness.

  'I have not encountered you in a sennight," the other woman countered.

  'Is that so? It does not seem half that long to me."

  Ignoring the viscountess's sarcasm, Mrs. Huxta­ble pressed on. "I have heard that Lady Asheville has left town with great suddenness. I cannot credit that, and I told Lady Ravensborne, depend upon it, Rosamond St. James is bound to know the truth of the matter."

  'How flattering of you both to credit me with that knowledge," Rosamond answered, "but in truth I look to you to tell me the full facts. You see, of late I have been far too involved with my French rela­tives to be concerned overmuch with Pandora Ashe­ville."

  Fanny Courdon, who had joined them, looked somewhat smug as she listened to the exchange. "I know why Lady Asheville is gone to the country."

  All the others turned on her, including Pandora, who was alarmed. Fanny Courdon looked satisfied at the effect her words had had upon the others.

  'I pray you do not keep us in suspense any longer, my dear," urged Lady St. James, a smile masking her own unease. "Do tell."

  'I fear you are roasting us, my lady, and you have known all along," the young woman teased.

  'Why should I do such a thing?" Her eyes nar­rowed suddenly. "Indeed, I do not believe you know any more than we do."

  'There you are totally incorrect. The answer to the mystery is a very simple one…"

  'Have a care what you say," Lady St. James cau­tioned, glancing worriedly at Pandora, who had taken refuge behind her fan. "There are a great many untruths abroad at present."

  'If you do not know why Lady Asheville is gone to the country, how do you know they are un­truths?" Lady Courdon countered.

  'Because they cannot all be true."

  'Oh, do go on," Mrs. Huxtable urged. "I am in a fidge to know all the details."

  'Lady Asheville has gone to Brocklesby Hall to care for an ailing relative," Lady Courdon revealed at last.

  Once again Rosamond glanced at her friend, whose eyes had opened wide above her fan. "You are remarkable certain of your facts, my dear," Lady St. James told her.

  'I cannot be more certain, for I have only just heard Lord Asheville himself tell the Prince of Wales. I must own that I had never considered Pan­dora Asheville foolish, but that is what she un­doubtedly is if she leaves her husband so short a time after their marriage."

  So saying she sailed away, head held high, happy to have gained some ascendancy among established gossips.

  'That is certainly news to me," Lady St. James murmured.

  'And most disappointing to those who expected something a mite more scandalous, I fancy," Pan­dora said with a smile, causing Mrs. Huxtable to turn her gimlet gaze upon her.

  'You, my dear, must be Lady St. James's kins­woman, of whom I have heard so much of late."

  Pandora murmured a suitable reply, all the while glancing about for a chance to escape this nonpareil of gossips.

  'We must contrive to have a coze," the woman went on. "I would like to hear from the lips of one who has seen for herself what is happening in France."

  'I know only what is in the news sheets and avail­able to all," Pandora told her. "The situation changes daily and is now considerably different to when I left."

  'Madame de Chambray." Pandora turned to­ward the voice gratefully, to find herself face to face with her own husband. His parody of charm was firmly in place, she observed, not without some bit­terness. If only she could have seen through that pleasant facade earlier. In truth, however, she had allowed herself to be taken in by Sir Aldan's ami­ability, too.

  'May I beg the honor of escorting you into sup­per, madame?" he asked, to her dismay.

  All the while Lady St. James was continuing her conversation with Mrs. Huxtable, apparently not heeding what was going on between Pandora and her husband.

  For a moment Pandora was too taken aback by his sudden appearance to reply, and then, compos­ing herself, she told him. "I am indeed honored, my lord, by your offer, but I have promised to accom­pany my nephew, Monsieur de Fontenac."

  The earl appeared not at all nonplussed by her refusal, although he did say, "That is a great pity, but I have noted the devotion of Monsieur de Fon­tenac toward his aunt. It is most rare, I own." He smiled, encompassing all the other ladies close by. "I was never so devoted to my aunts."

  Pandora smiled grimly behind her fan. "I do not suppose that you were."

  'However, I am bound to confess they were never so charming as you, madame."

  'Lord Asheville," Mrs. Huxtable said imperi­ously, "do you not miss your wife's presence, now she is gone to Brocklesby Hall?"

  Again he smiled. "No, ma'am. I do not miss her at all." Mrs. Huxtable drew back in astonishment and Lady St. James dared not look at Pandora, whose face was frozen into a mask of dismay behind her fan. The earl glanced at Pandora again. "In order to relieve my great disappointment at not taking you in to supper this evening, mayhap you will be condescending enough to stand up with me later, madame."

  He bowed briefly and was gone into the crowd, leaving Mrs
. Huxtable to gasp, "What do you think he meant by that remark?"

  Before Rosamond could think of a suitable reply, Pandora said, "Oh, these Englishmen; they are so strange. You should not take what he says as the veritable truth. I am persuaded that Lord Asheville is something of a funster."

  'It did not appear to me that he was funning," Mrs. Huxtable replied. "Indeed, it did not."

  'I am bound to say that my sympathies are squarely with his poor wife, who must find him a trial," Pandora went on, much to her friend's amusement.

  'Now you have broached the subject, I am bound to tell you up until now everyone has both pitied and envied Asheville his wife," Mrs. Huxtable con­fided.

  Pandora stiffened. "Oh, indeed? How can that be? He is either to be envied or pitied. I cannot conceive how it can be both."

  Mrs. Huxtable took Pandora by the arm, affect­ing an air of confidentiality. "My dear, Pandora Asheville is the most delightful chit, I must own, but she is exceeding high-spirited and more than a trifle overindulged. It cannot be easy even for some­one as authoritative as Lord Asheville to control her. Whatever Lord Asheville has told the Prince, depend upon it, they have parted brass rags and Lady Asheville has gone off in a miff. Asheville is merely making the best of it as any gentleman might, despite that Banbury Tale. One would have to be a buffie-head to believe that tarradiddle."

  'It surely is feasible," Pandora pointed out, con­trolling her anger.

  Mrs. Huxtable smiled knowingly. "I assure you it is not, for Lady Asheville attends no one but her­self."

  As Pandora's eyes met Lady St. James's, Mrs. Huxtable nodded her feathered head sagely. The viscountess was endeavoring to control her mirth, while Pandora was sorely tempted to give this tattle-basket the set-down she so roundly deserved, but wisely she fought the inclination.

  'I only wonder someone with such evident good sense as Lord Asheville should think to wed a woman of that mettle," Pandora said in a strangled voice.

  'Do not mistake me," the gossip continued, get­ting well into her stride. "She is a delightful chit and most handsome. I dare say her substantial por­tion alleviates much of Lord Asheville's vexation."

  Before Pandora could suffer further revelations as to her own character, Francois returned to her side in time to escort her in to supper, and she was never more pleased to see him.

  As they passed Lady St. James, Pandora said in her ear, "That vile creature will never grace my house again, you may be certain."

  'How famous," the viscountess responded, chuckling, "and she will never know why she has been ostracized. It could not be better!"

  Pandora deliberately concentrated her attention on Frangois in an attempt not to be overset by what Mrs. Huxtable had confided, but nevertheless she was discomposed. It was so unjust, and even more vexing that she had had no notion what others re­ally thought of her. All those people who were smil­ingly condescending were all the while thinking her a hoyden, just as Asheville did. Moreover it ap­peared they considered her portion had been more of an attraction than her charms. It was infuriating that she couldn't gainsay any of those outlandish beliefs.

  'You are remarkable quiet this evening," Frangois commented as they moved into the supper room.

  'I beg your pardon, Frangois, I was merely col­lecting my thoughts. It is necessary for me to keep my wits about me if I am to continue as Madame fi de Chambray. You appear to be enjoying your en­try into English Society, I notice."

  'How could it be any other, my lady? I have stood up for every dance with such fetching creatures."

  'I am persuaded they all find you equally hand­some."

  He lowered his voice. "How goes the masquerade, my lady?"

  'In truth I am not certain, Francois. No one has as yet guessed my true identity, and I am per­suaded they will not, so in that sense it is a great success. However, I am beginning to learn what people really think of me and to observe my own husband in a totally different way. That I think is rather alarming and not what I had looked for at all at the outset."

  'So, do you continue?"

  For a moment Pandora did not answer, and then she said, "If I do not, I cannot, naturally, remain in town. I needs must go to Brocklesby Hall and act the obedient and repentent wife, and I am not as yet willing to do so."

  Francois smiled. "As I always thought—a woman of spirit."

  Wryly she replied, "If any of my spirit remains at the end of this charade, it will be amazing."

  'I, for one, am glad that is your decision. This began as an amusing diversion for me, but now I just wish to enjoy your company and eventually see you best your husband. However, it is the pleasure of your company that is uppermost in my thoughts at all times."

  'That is exceeding flattering, Frangois," she an­swered in some dismay.

  'Flattery is something to which you should be very well accustomed."

  Pandora laughed uncomfortably as they entered the supper room, but then her amusement died abruptly as she caught the eye of the earl with Fanny Courdon on his arm. Pandora reflected that if she had gone to Brocklesby Hall, at least she might have saved herself considerable pain and might have continued with the illusion that Ashe­ville harbored a little fondness for her. But she was not beaten yet. Not by a long way. By the time this act was ended, she vowed, he would regret his odi­ous behavior toward her.

  Indeed, he would.

  FIVE

  'La! I was quite certain you would strangle Hermione Huxtable last evening." Rosamond St. James chuckled as she entered the breakfast room next morning. "In truth I would not blame you if you had. Someone should do so before she is able to spread any more poison around the town."

  Up until that moment Pandora had been en­sconced in the room alone, toying with a slice of bread and butter and allowing her coffee to grow stone cold.

  When her friend sat down at the table, Pandora replied, "I am delighted to hear you enjoyed my humiliation."

  'Oh, be certain she would never have said it to your face."

  'Saying it behind my back does not make it any better."

  'My dear, we are all subject to vilification. Imag­ine what is said about me."

  'No one could possibly speak the slightest ill of you, Rosa."

  'No one is immune, I assure you. Moreover, I know full well what is said about me. How on earth could Rosamond Fulton-Manners marry such a dullard as Roderick St. James? I don't need to hear it said to know what is being whispered about me."

  Pandora's cheeks grew somewhat pink, for she had harbored those very thoughts on many an oc­casion. "Tush, Rosa. St. James is the dearest, kind­est, man."

  'Exactly," her friend replied with satisfaction, "so I care nothing for what is said about me, and neither should you. It is what Asheville thinks of you that matters, not tongue-pads like Hermione Huxtable."

  'Asheville has made it abundantly clear what he thinks of me, and the knowledge gives me no sat­isfaction at all."

  'I am of the opinion that he didn't truly mean what he said about not missing you, dear. After all, you have been gone such a short while, it is like he has not had the opportunity as yet."

  'That is not what he meant, Rosa, and you know it as well as I."

  'Neither of us knows it." Lady St. James sighed. "I confess, gentlemen are the greatest puzzle to me—and to you, too, if you would only admit it."

  Pandora smiled for the first time while her friend selected some ham and chicken and bread and but­ter. Just then Pandora envied Rosamond her ap­petite; her own had, this morning, deserted her.

  'You really should eat, Pandora," her friend scolded. "Your figure has long been envied, but if you grow thin and hagridden you will only be pit­ied, which is bound to be hateful to you."

  With that threat hanging over her, Pandora did begin to eat but was almost immediately inter­rupted by a footman bearing a posy of flowers.

  'For Madame de Chambray," he announced, and Pandora looked startled.

  When she made no attempt to receive it, Rosa�
�mond took it and glanced at the card. "How amus­ing this is. It is from Sir Aldan Buckley. He wastes no time at all."

  Pandora's face took on a look of disgust. "The toady. No sooner am I sent to rusticate than the poltroon is in pursuit of another."

  Lady St. James chuckled. "La! Who would credit it? My cousin's pearls must have set him upon the trail of yet another fortune."

  'How flattering it all is," Pandora remarked in a dull voice. "First I learn that my portion was the only reason Asheville is prepared to suffer me as his wife, and now Buckley makes it quite clear he, too, is in pursuit of a fortune. Does no one like me for myself?"

  'Do not put too much credit upon what Hermione Huxtable tells you. Her tongue is always dripping venom, as you know. Buck Buckley has always been known for his pursuit of heiresses. Content yourself that he is doomed to be disappointed once more. Not every man is so mercenary, thank goodness."

  'I wonder."

  'I see you are suffering the megrims this morn­ing. If it is becoming disagreeable, my dear, and I can see how it might, the answer is to give up the pretense. It is not worth giving yourself further heartache if it can be avoided. I fear we did not think on this matter as deeply as we should at the outset."

  'Last night Francois asked me if I wished to stop being Madame de Chambray, and I told him I would continue. However, this morning…"

  'You can always go to Brocklesby Hall as origi­nally intended."

  Pandora shuddered. "Despite everything that oc­curred, I would not have missed Georgiana Devon­shire's rout for anything, Rosa. No, I will not allow cruel tongues and Asheville's abandonment to cause me to miss such delights. I will teach him he cannot trifle with me."

  'Bravo! You show something of your usual spirit now, Pandora, and the lessons may begin this eve­ning." When Pandora looked up sharply, her friend added, "Asheville is to join us in our box at Drury Lane

  . Won't that be splendid?"

  The earl slipped into Lord St. James's box at Drury Lane

  just before the first act of The School for Scandal began. Since their earlier arrival Pan­dora had awaited him anxiously, but when he did arrive, she was scarcely more easy. Throughout the first amusing act of the comedy she was more aware of his presence than of the diverting performance on the stage. All through the act she was careful to keep her face averted from his piercing gaze, which often alighted upon her. Pandora was more easy in her disguise now, but even so, it did not do to take any chances, and he was, after all, her husband. Who could know her better?