Rachelle Edwards

by Sweet Hoyden (lit)

  The half-empty champagne bottle was still on the table, and Pandora picked up her glass and held it high. "A toast to Madame de Chambray," she whis­pered in a broken voice before draining the glass and throwing it into the hearth, where it shattered into countless tiny pieces.

  She choked back a sob and then, throwing herself down onto the bed, burst into tears.

  The bright winter sun was shining on St. George's Fields, where the open space was usually crowded with elegant carriages bearing fashion­ably dressed ladies, gentlemen, and their compan­ions. Bucks drove their high-perch phaetons and curricles into the melee, where pedestrians were trying to avoid wheel ruts and those young Corin­thians showing off their prowess with a team of horses. Peddlers passed among the crowds selling anything from ribbons and nosegays to hot pies, and they were all doing a great trade.

  Pandora had left Lady St. James and Jeanne in their carriage, where the viscountess was receiving friends and acquaintances. Because Pandora did not feel much like conversing, she and Francois wan­dered along to inspect at close quarters the balloon that was about to be inflated.

  'Imagine," Pandora said in awe, "man is now able to fly."

  Since her return to London she had overcome her heartache and was all the more determined to pay the earl back.

  'Ah, yes," Francois agreed. "It is exciting, is it not? For me it could not be better. Watching a bal­loon ascent in the company of the most beautiful woman in London. I am the most fortunate of men."

  Beneath the copious powder on her face, Pandora blushed. "Francois…" she said warningly, "you must remember this situation is only temporary, and I am a married woman who hopes to be soon reconciled with her husband."

  'What other female is worth the attention, ma­dame? A married lady needs must have a gallant. Have you considered what you will do if Lord Ashe­ville does not wish to be reconciled with you?"

  Pandora's heart felt as if it were turning to stone. "No, Francois, I dare not think of it. I will not," she added firmly.

  'Oh, look," he cried, diverting her in some small measure, "they are beginning to inflate the bal­loon."

  'How I wish I could fly in it," Pandora admitted. "Mayhap it can be arranged, madame." She could not help but chuckle at the thought. "That is just the kind of thing I am like to do, so I

  dare not even consider it. Madame de Chambray would not, so neither must I."

  'If only it could cross the channel to France," he mused. "How wonderful it would be to pelt those slimy Jacobins with gunpowder."

  They were joined at that moment by a group of young ladies in whose eyes Francois had found much favor. While he gravely explained the work­ing of a hot air balloon to the attentive girls, Pan­dora took the opportunity to slip away from him. Since her return from Brocklesby Hall, close on the heels of the earl, she had had no sight of him, but now she glimpsed him climbing down from his cur­ricle. She watched the set of his head as he handed the ribbons to his tiger, and her resolve was rein­forced. He was too top-lofty by far.

  It would have been easy for Pandora to lose her­self in the crowd, but that did not suit her purpose. As he walked away from his curricle, she called out, "Lord Asheville."

  Frowning, he glanced in her direction and then his lips curved into a smile. "Madame de Cham­bray." He took her hand and bowed low over it. "What a welcome surprise to see you here. I could not be certain you would be." At last he let go of her hand, making it evident to Pandora that he did not wish to. "I look to you to keep me abreast of the on dits that circulated in my absence."

  'You do not have the appearance of a tattle-basket, my lord," she answered demurely.

  'It is often as well to know what is being said in one's absence."

  'I regret I cannot help you there; I have been absent myself for the past two days." At the sight of his puzzlement, she went on to explain, "I jour­neyed to Dover in order to arrange a sea passage for my sister."

  'So she is to come to London?"

  'Hopefully, very soon. We have had word she has left Paris."

  'Then I wish her Godspeed, madame."

  'I too," Pandora replied with obvious sincerity.

  'It seems an age since we last met," he went on a moment later.

  'I am persuaded that it is, my lord, but in truth I did not look to see you here. The note that accom­panied your delightful basket informed me you were going out of town, and I was quite certain it was like to be a lengthy stay."

  'I trust that news did not distress you, madame."

  'You must know it did."

  'I was resolved not to stay away too long, for you must know there is much I am loath to miss in town just now."

  Pandora made good use of her parasol which she twirled coquettishly while she conversed. It had an­other use, preventing the earl from getting too close a look at her face, which now sported many patches on her perfect skin.

  'How could I know that, my lord?"

  He smiled into her eyes. "Be certain of it."

  She smiled and accepted his declaration, and all the while she was tempted to denounce him where he stood. However, at the sight of the elderly gen­tleman who was approaching them, Pandora grew afraid. He was tall and very thin, wearing a bro­cade coat with paste buttons and a queue wig tied back with a velvet ribbon.

  'Oh, no, Papa," she murmured to herself and im­mediately turned away.

  The gentleman raised his walking cane to attract Lord Asheville's attention as he came, and the earl looked no more pleased to see him than Pandora was.

  'Asheville, just the fellow!"

  The earl bowed stiffly. "Sir Henry. I did not look to see you here. I believed you to be out of town."

  'This seemed a novel diversion after taking the waters of Bath."

  'I trust that the visit benefited your health, sir."

  'I am of the opinion that it did. However, that place is not as it used to be when Beau Nash held sway. Now, Asheville, what is this I have been hearing about m' daughter?"

  'Pandora is at Brocklesby Hall at present."

  'Indeed, that is precisely what I have heard. She is not unwell, I trust."

  'She is in rude health, I assure you, sir."

  'Then what nonsense is that? Pandora rusticat­ing at this time of the year? I have never known it of her before."

  Amidst her disquiet Pandora was beginning to enjoy her husband's discomfiture as she feigned in­terest in what was happening around the balloon.

  'An elderly cousin of mine—an invalid—was taken ill, and Pandora felt it incumbent upon her to render him some comfort for a short while. I am persuaded she will not stay for long, but on the other hand it is quite like that she will."

  Sir Henry's eyebrows rose. "This is quite unlike the chit, but I confess to be heartened by this news. Mayhap being leg-shackled to you has, after all, mellowed her hoydenish ways."

  The earl smiled wryly. "Oh, I would not depend upon it, sir."

  'When she returns, and like you, I am certain she will not suffer rustication for long—not Pan­dora—pray tell her I wish to see her."

  'Indeed, I will, Sir Henry. In the meantime allow me to introduce Madame de Chambray. General Sir Henry Kettering, madame."

  'Ah, yes," her father responded, taking note of Pandora at last. "Your servant, ma'am."

  Pandora inclined her head so that the brim of her feathered bonnet concealed most of her face. After her initial panic she realized she had little to fear. Her father rarely took much note of ladies nowa­days. He scarce glanced at her.

  'Bad business in France," he murmured. "Damned Jacobins." He nodded affably in the earl's direction, placing one hand on his shoulder. "Fine fellow, Asheville. Glad m' daughter chose to wed you."

  As he strode away, there was a brief silence be­tween Pandora and the earl, whom she suspected was feeling embarrassed by the encounter with his father-in-law. Then, after a few moments, the earl said with false heartiness, "Sir Henry is my wife's father. He was quite a hero of the American war."
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  'He looks to be slightly mad," she countered. Her success on yet another occasion caused her to feel rather reckless.

  'Oh, no, that is far from being true, although I would say he is a mite eccentric. It is a fault in Englishmen—ladies, too."

  'I had noted," she mused, "that English gentle­men place their horseflesh above their womenfolk in import. That I find most strange. Tell me, Lord Asheville, does your wife favor Sir Henry?" she went on quickly. "I fancy he might have been hand­some in his youth."

  'I understand Lady Kettering was a great beauty of her time. Pandora, I believe favors her."

  They began to walk toward the crowds. "Her name is most unusual, I think."

  'It is of mythical origins," the earl confirmed, "and I am bound to confess, madame, it suits her admirably. Recall how the original Pandora opened the box of evil. My wife is often doing such things. I pray it will not cause her downfall." Pandora's hand clenched into a fist around her parasol as he went on, unaware of her anger, "Enough talk of Lady Asheville. Let us talk about you. I am in a fidge to know all about you."

  'How flattering you are. My life up until now has been quite unremarkable, I assure you."

  'I take leave to doubt that, but even the most unremarkable facts about you are of the greatest interest to me, and yet I know little beyond your name and the fact you are, regrettably, widowed."

  Pandora was startled, for she had given no thought to the provenance of the mythical identity she had assumed.

  'Why… yes, my lord, that is so."

  'Do you have no children?"

  'Alas, I was widowed very soon after my mar­riage," she replied, allowing her head to droop slightly.

  'What a great misfortune that must have been," he commiserated.

  'Not as great as you would think, for my hus­band, how shall I put it, my lord? He was not a kind man. Many ladies are unfortunately burdened with husbands who are less than indulgent toward them."

  The earl looked outraged. "It is not only ladies who are so unfortunate. Let me assure you, some gentlemen have the misfortune to become leg-shackled to ladies who bring them to the brink of financial ruin with their deep gaming, or invite un­healthy gossip with their behavior. However, I can scarce believe any man of sensibility could be any­thing other than kindness itself to you."

  Once again Pandora hung her head in mock de­spondency, and all at once she was enjoying herself hugely. "He was not a man of sensibility, I fear. His doxies were of more import to him than I, his cronies, too. It is often the way with gentlemen."

  The earl moved closer to her. "I must tell you, madame, it is as well he is dead, for I would feel it incumbent upon me to call the poltroon out for mis­using you."

  She sighed deeply. "Oh, my lord, how that sen­timent, so genuinely given, heartens me, but you must know, in France, as it is here in England, a gentleman may use his wife as he will."

  'Not a gentleman of worth, madame."

  'Oh, I am fully aware you would not behave in so heartless a manner, Lord Asheville. How I envy Lady Asheville the husband she has in you." To Pandora's satisfaction he looked extremely discomforted by her fulsome praise, which was no more than she had intended.

  A great roar rose up from the crowd as the bal­loon's mooring ropes were severed. Both Pandora and her husband gave their attention now to the ascent. The basket shuddered and once faltered as it rose from the ground. The earl shaded his eyes with his hand, to see better the balloon as it rose unsteadily into the sky.

  'What a magnificent sight," he declared.

  'It has been a very agreeable afternoon," she re­sponded.

  When the balloon grew smaller and more distant, the earl transferred his attention to Pandora again. "Madame, do I dare to hope you will attend Lady Hartingford's rout?"

  'Lady St. James informs me we are invited. There will be Italian singers to entertain us, I un­derstand."

  'Signora Marella, who is presently the rage of London."

  'I would not want to miss that for the world," she added with a smile that dimpled her cheeks.

  'Then it will be my pleasure to see you there."

  He began to escort her to where Lady St. James was awaiting her in the carriage. "Mayhap Lady Asheville will be returned to London by then."

  'Alas, that is in grave doubt, madame."

  'Oh, for shame, Lord Asheville. I had hoped to have the very great pleasure of meeting her at last."

  'My visit to Brocklesby Hall has merely con­firmed that it is like Lady Asheville will remain there for the rest of the Season."

  As he spoke, Pandora drew in a deep breath, feel­ing indignant, but when they reached Rosamond's carriage, she looked at him and her lips bore a smile.

  'That is a great misfortune for her."

  'Indeed, but my wife has a great sense of duty, and her cousin…"

  'I thought it was your cousin. I was quite per­suaded you said so to Sir Henry a short while ago."

  The earl looked nonplussed. "In truth he is not a close relative at all, in fact a very distant one. We just call him cousin for ease of explanation. In any event he is in bad health, with no immediate sign of recovery. I have recently seen him for myself."

  As he handed her into the carriage, she couldn't help but retort, "How I admire her, my lord." She sat down next to her friend, who was watching and listening with great interest. "It is also evident to me from the way you always speak of Lady Ashe­ville that you harbor an uncommon fondness for your wife."

  Pandora was at once rewarded by the look of astonishment that came onto his face. She sat back in the squabs and emitted a long sigh of satisfac­tion as the driver flicked his whip over the backs of the team and the carriage set off across the field, leaving Asheville to stare after her.

  NINE

  By the time Signora Marella, the Italian contralto, was introduced to the select audience at Lady Hartingford's house, Lord Asheville had not arrived at the gathering. Gowned magnificently in chartreuse silk and wearing diamonds wherever they could be accommodated, Pandora had circulated among the guests, apparently at ease but anxiously awaiting the earl's arrival. It was, she reflected sourly, al­most as it was during their courtship, only then it had been much more enjoyable. Intimacies could be exchanged with friends who were similarly en­gaged in the search for a suitable match. As she searched her memory of that time, she could recall no intimation of his heartless nature.

  When the contralto began her first aria, Pandora settled in her seat to enjoy the performance. In a way she was glad the earl had not, after all, decided to attend the evening's entertainment. His absence meant that, for once, she could enjoy the evening without first thinking on every word she uttered. In his company she had to be constantly on her i.n guard, for fear of saying something that would give her away. That difficulty was something she had not anticipated at the outset of the pose. In truth, becoming Madame de Chambray had become harder work than she had foreseen.

  Everything she did had to be treated as a nov­elty, and accordingly, pursuits that were familiar to her had to be regarded as new and diverting. In addition she was obliged to feign ignorance about people she knew all too well. Fortunately one of Pandora's attributes was being quick-witted and never before had she been so in need of it.

  The music was a delight, and it was easy to see why Signora Marella had become the rage of the ton that Season. Listening to her dulcet tones was certainly easier on Pandora's feet than the more usual balls and routs she attended. As Signora Marella trilled, she allowed her mind to reflect upon her encounter with the earl at Brocklesby Hall. How easy it would have been to accept his truce. At this very moment she would be receiving her dues as the Countess of Asheville instead of play­ing the part of some nonexistent emigree. In a small way she wished she had given in to the temptation of accepting the olive branch he had offered, but the proud Kettering part of her knew the play must be continued until the last act was finished, and she was now more than ever determined that it would.
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br />   A movement in the chair next to hers caused her to look around with a great deal of hope and a little fear, to see Sir Aldan Buckley settling into the seat. The hope faded, and her fear became apprehension. Sir Aldan smiled and nodded to her, something to which she responded halfheartedly before return­ing her attention to the efforts of Signora Marella.

  The Earl of Asheville walked slowly down the curved staircase of his house in Hanover Square

  . He was dressed for evening in a coat of dark blue broadcloth, with a fall of finest lace at his throat and cuffs. As he came down the stairs, he reflected how quickly Pandora had made the place her own since their marriage. Since she had gone, it had seemed terribly quiet, something he had not no­ticed or minded before their marriage. Now the si­lence was beginning to be irksome, although he was reluctant to admit that, even to himself.

  The sound of the carriage pulling onto the fore­court brightened his spirits. The thought went through his mind that perhaps Pandora had, after all, repented her wrongs and was returning to tell him so. He hurried down the last few steps and across the wide expanse of hall. A footman dressed in green-and-gold livery sprang to open the door.

  The earl went to greet the carriage's passenger, but at the sight of the lady who was just then alighting he look aghast.

  'Mama!" he exclaimed.

  Of all people she was the last he would hope to see in town at this moment. The severe-looking ma­tron, clad in black bombazine, allowed him to kiss her papery cheek.

  'Asheville, 'tis good to see you in such high feather."

  'You look to be in rude health, Mama."

  'And so I am."

  'This is a great surprise," he said, forcing a good deal of heartiness into his manner.

  In truth, as he recovered a little of his composure, he was horrified she should choose to arrive at this very time.

  '

  'Twas a sudden whim, I confess, and I am greatly heartened by the warmth of your welcome, m' boy."

  He led her up to the small sitting room, where she seated herself by the fire. The earl hurried away to give instructions for his mother's rooms to be made ready, and when he returned a few minutes later, he was more composed.