Rosamond gasped. "How alarming it must have been for you, but do tell, how did it go? I am in a fidge to know. There were times when you looked under siege."
'As indeed I was. La! Rosa, what a day this has been. That old witch. She has not changed one jot. Imagine! She as much as gave her blessing for me to become Asheville's doxy, providing I gave him enough time to provide an heir!"
'How provoking for you." Her friend chuckled. "I am relieved to see you do not take it amiss."
Two spots of color in Pandora's cheeks gave lie to that. "I am in high dudgeon, you may be sure, but I cannot help cry roast meat, for she had no notion who I was!"
''Tis amazing."
'Can you imagine her vapors had I owned to being her reviled daughter-in-law? In truth, Rosa, she was so arrogant and disagreeable, I was sorely tempted to do so, and to the devil with the result."
Rosamond St. James fell back into the squabs and roared with laughter. Relieved at last of all constraints upon her behavior, Pandora was able to join her, and the two young ladies were still merrily chuckling when the carriage arrived back at Curzon Street
a short while later.
ELEVEN
'Shall you wear a blue or a scarlet dominco for the masquerade?" Lady St. James mused as Pandora eased out of the sitting room window into Curzon greet and the passing, ever-changing pageant of peddlers and pedestrians that suddenly appeared to fascinate her.
'Whatever you do will suffice for me she replied, exhibiting no real enthusiasm for the matter.
"Scarlet is not your color, my dear; at least, it never was, but now with your hair…
There is no justice at all," Jeanne declared, looking up from her sewing. "You both enjoy every diversion, and I am obliged to stay at home unless it is to act the abigail"
'Tush" responded Lady St. James. " 'Tis not for much longer. When your mama arrives; arrangements can be made for your come-out next Season"
'I can scarce wait for it, you may be sure, " the girl responded, casting a meaningful glance at the deeply thoughtful countess at the window. "And when I am wed, I shall never allow myself to be parted from my husband. I could not bear it."
'In truth, ma chere, I shall be heartily glad when you are leg-shackled," the viscountess replied.
'What gratitude for my cooperation!"
'I am indebted to you," Pandora told her, coming away from the window at last.
Jeanne cast her a malicious look. "Have you given any thought to what will happen if Lord Asheville is not amused by your masquerade, Lady Asheville?"
Pandora sighed. "I think of nothing else at present. It is always possible he will cast me off utterly when he hears of it, although I had considered him to be kindhearted. I am no longer able to assume any such thing, alas, and I could not bear permanent rustication, so it is like I could take to playacting if he takes it all amiss. I have had a good apprenticeship.''
'If the members of Whites and Boodles knew of it," Lady St. James observed, "they would be greatly amused, and the wagers would be of huge proportions."
'Then it is well they do not know, for I do not wish to be the object of wagers."
'You were once," her friend pointed out. "A great deal of money was wagered upon whom you would choose to marry. As I recall, Asheville was the favorite."
'Which only proves they were all as foolish as I."
'St. James tells me," Rosamond ventured a few moments later, "that Asheville is in a constant ill humor nowadays." She glanced slyly at her friend before continuing. "I wonder why that is, Pandora?"
'He is perfectly amiable when I am in his company " she answered in some surprise. "At least, when he is in Madame de Chambray's company. If he knew it was me beneath that wig, he'd be as mad as a weaver."
'He is perfectly amiable whenever he is in my company," Jeanne added.
Lady St. James looked across at her. "Young lady, our guests will be arriving very soon. It would be best if you retire now."
'Very well," the girl answered crisply, gathering up her sewing. "Bonne nuit, Mesdames."
'Jeanne is becoming quite insolent," Lady St. James said with a sigh as the girl left the room and Pandora went to pluck disconsolately at the harpsichord. "St. James said Asheville is either mute as a fish," the viscountess persisted, "or as cross as two sticks. Perchance he is missing you, Pandora, more than he would care to admit. I'll wager you have not considered that possibility."
'His behavior has not demonstrated that, Rosa, and recall, his mother is now in residence in Hanover Square
. Her presence alone is sufficient to make him drain the cup of misery to its dregs."^ "I thought it entirely possible he misses you."
'If that were so, he would have followed me to Brocklesby Hall and begged my forgiveness for his heartless use of me."
'But he did."
'No, he did not. As far as he was concerned, had been rusticating for some considerable time, and when he did finally arrive, only because he was in the area, he treated me with the utmost patronage, graciously offering his forgiveness, which is not the same by any means. If he had a care for me, he would have begged my forgiveness and not left it so long to do so."
'It is just as well he did not pursue you to Brocklesby Hall"—the viscountess chuckled—"for if he had, he wouldn't have found you there. You were at PelhamTowers with me."
Pandora paused in her playing to glance at her friend. "I shall wear the scarlet domino, Rosa. It is not what Pandora Asheville would wear, and that pleases me."
Rosamond St. James got to her feet. "I hear a carriage on the forecourt, so it is like our guests are arriving."
While Lady St. James went to join her husband and greet the guests arriving for their assembly, Pandora remained at the harpsichord, picking out sentimental tunes that suited her mood.
'You play so beautifully, madame."
Without her being too aware of it, the room had been filling slowly with people, and it was now becoming crowded. Pandora recognized the voice immediately and looked up to see Sir Aldan Buckley leaning over the harpsichord smiling at her with heavily rouged lips. It was tempting for her to dismiss him once and for all, but it suited her purpose to flirt with him, and because he had switched his allegiance so easily, she felt no compunction about hurting his feelings. Only his purse would ache for what he believed he had lost in his French widow.
Pandora got to her feet, flicking out her lace fan. Clad in white muslin, a blue satin sash accentuating her slim waist, she knew she presented an alluring figure. However, it was not nattering for her to have to acknowledge it was her supposed wealth that attracted him like a moth to a flame. She could not attribute that to Asheville's pursuit of her, at least not on this occasion.
'Why, I thank you, Sir Aldan," she replied, dimpling prettily. "How kind of you to say so."
'It should be no surprise to you to learn the depths of admiration I harbor for everything you say and do." .
'You do my heart good, I am bound to confess. And I thank you for all the tokens you have been sending of me late, but I must protest at your extreme generosity." He looked pleased. "I have scarce begun. "The house isn't big enough to accommodate all the gewgaws you have already sent."
'Mere tokens of my esteem, and only a small degree of all you will enjoy once we are wed. Oh, crudest of ladies, do not keep me in doubt any longer. Do I dare to hope you will accept my offer.
Pandora watched him from behind her fan as he preened himself in expectation of a favorable answer. When she did speak, her voice was full of regret. "Alas, 'tis not possible for me to do so, Sir Aldan."
His face immediately registered his dismay. 'How can that be? Is there another who is able to offer you married felicity?"
'In a way, yes."
'Zounds! I cannot credit that."
'It is not quite what you might think, sir. The fact is"—she paused for full effect before going on— "I have today heard that my husband is still alive."
>
A look of horror came over his face at this revelation. "How can that be, madame?"
The anguish that then appeared in Pandora's expression would have done justice to Mrs. Siddons. "The past few months have been a veritable hell for me, Sir Aldan. You could not possibly know of it, living in the blessed security of England. My husband, the comte, is a well-known figure of great import in France. It was related to me that he had been set upon by a group of Jacobins and mortally wounded. I felt it necessary to escape before I, too, fell victim to their evil ways. Now I have been informed he was only injured in the attack and was nursed to health by some peasants in great secrecy. I have only just been informed that he is making his way to England and is like to arrive at any time."
Sir Aldan's surprise now turned to outrage. "Madame, you have not acted like a recent widow."
Pandora's head drooped even lower in her mock despair. "In all truth, can you blame me for that? I came here believing myself a widow, a stranger in a foreign land. It was incumbent upon me to secure a finer future for myself, and I am so grateful to you for offering it to me. You will always have my deepest gratitude."
Sir Aldan pulled at his coat. "I would do myself an injustice if I did not admit I feel ill-used."
'Indeed, I cannot blame that in you. It would take a saint to feel otherwise, but as one who professes affection for me, can you not find it in your heart to forgive and be glad for my newfound good fortune?"
'You may rest assured that I do."
She put one hand on his arm. "I do thank you, Sir Aldan. Naturally I must beg of you the utmost secrecy in this matter. Armand is still in great danger until he reaches these shores."
'The matter is entirely entre nous, madame," he responded, his manner somewhat colder than of late.
'Mayhap," she ventured as he began to move away from her "we can still contrive to be… friends."
The baronet looked shocked. Pandora knew as well as he that it was a wealthy wife he needed just then and not a mistress.
'I fear you will be fully occupied ministering to your husband's needs after so long an absence," he replied.
'At first, I do not doubt it will be so, but afterward…"
'We shall see, madame," he replied, moving away from her with rather more haste than she had seen him exhibit before.
As she watched him, she chuckled quietly to herself behind her fan before turning on her heel and walking into the card room. One of Asheville's constant complaints was that she gamed too often and too deep. On this evening she felt that good fortune would be hers, and if it was not, he could not scold her, for once.
She paused in the doorway, surveying the room carefully before deciding which table she would join. It was a deliberate act, for she wished to choose partners who were renowned for losing.
All the while she played the cards she also flirted with the gentlemen who surrounded her, so much so they could scarce keep their attention on the cards. The ploy was so successful, Pandora accumulated substantial winnings, which was fortunate, for she could not afford to lose the little pin money she had by her.
'My pockets are to let," declared Lord Humphrey, who immediately vacated his seat. "Perchance you will afford me an opportunity to win back my purse on another occasion, madame."
'It will be a pleasure, my lord," she replied, be stowing upon him a bewitching smile.
Some of her pleasure faded, however, when she found it was the earl who had taken Lord Humphrey's place at the card table. Her concentration on the game could hardly continue if he was present. He was, she thought as she glanced at him covertly, as handsome as ever, a realization that made her heart beat fast. Just then she was tempted to withdraw from the game, but the inclination lasted for only a moment.
He smiled at her across the table. "Madame de Chambray, what a pleasant evening this is becoming. I cannot imagine a gaming partner I would prefer more."
'You will prefer one who allows you to win."
'That is undoubtedly true, and I do invariably win."
'But you will not, naturally, mind if I take your purse on this occasion, my lord?"
'It would be a pleasure to lose to you, madame. However"—he glanced around—"it has not yet come to pass. Lady Courdon," he called, and the marchioness hurried to his side. "Stay by me," he ordered. "Your presence will bring me good fortune, I feel."
Fanny Courdon cast Pandora a smug smile. "I am determined that I will."
Her presence was most disconcerting to Pandora, who was never more surprised when she continued to win. After several unsuccessful games the earl turned to the marchioness and dismissed her.
'My dear, I believe I must dispense with your services before my pockets are entirely to let."
'She has never brought me any luck at the gaming tables," Asheville remarked, to the amusement of all those gathered about the table.
'Tis time for you to withdraw, I think," Pandora ventured, "before you go deep into dun territory."
'My dear," the earl replied dismissively, "you have evidently not resided in London long enough to understand that I am fully able to honor any vouchers I may write."
'I did not doubt it," she responded. "We will continue if you wish to do so."
'By all means, let us play the game to the end."
As he smiled grimly, she eyed him covertly, but his face bore no telling expression. "Or until you are entirely out of funds," she added.
Once again he lost, while Pandora won. One wit said, "You usually have the devil's own luck, Asheville. I wonder why it has deserted you this evening. Mayhap you should bring your wife back to London before you approach the tables again."
Pandora continued to watch him, but he was un-fazed by the comment, answering easily, "Perchance you are correct."
Winning had never been so easy for Pandora, who was able to smile with triumph at last when the earl declared, "I am all dished up. My situation is past praying for."
Normally Pandora would not be able to experience this kind of triumph, for the earl refused to game with her in public, so her success on this occasion was all the more sweet.
'It occurs to me, my lord, that this is a rare occasion," she told him.
'One day, I vow, I shall drub you," he responded good-naturedly.
Pandora was unable to hide her delight as she pocketed her considerable winnings. "Do not depend upon it, my lord."
As they left the table, he told her, "You would do well to conserve your good fortune, madame. Lady luck, as you have just observed, is known to be fickle."
'Indeed, I believe I shall act upon such good advice. 'Tis not often I am able to do so."
He looked surprised at that admission. "It seems to me that you are a lady who likes to win!"
Pandora opened her fan. "Who does not?"
'And you will always attract good fortune, I fancy. You are deserving of it."
'How can you know what I deserve, my lord? I may well be the personification of evil. You know me not at all."
He laughed deprecatingly. "I feel that I do. Moreover, I am a better judge of nature than you believe."
'Perchance you are an expert on the nature of females."
'I do pride myself on that ability."
'You appear exceeding certain of yourself, my lord."
'Ah, alas, madame, it is a fault in me I am unable to correct."
'Then mayhap someone will one day correct it for you."
'I await that day, which I trust is as yet far away."
'I trust that Lady Asheville—the dowager Lady Asheville—is in good health."
'Indeed."
'And yet she has not accompanied you here tonight. I cannot help but wonder on that."
'My mother eschews the social round nowadays."
'But she still remains in town?"
'For the present. However, I believe the time is drawing close when she will depart for her home in Tunbridge Wells."
'I
f that is so, she will no doubt be unable to see your wife on her eventual return to town."
'That is a misfortune they will both be obliged to bear. However, I feel I must tell you, my mother has spoken of you in the most glowing terms."
'It is indeed generous of her."
'You are being modest, but I am of the opinion," he added in a lowered voice, "you must have some notion as to your own charm and its effect upon all those you meet."
When Pandora caught sight of Francois approaching them through the crowd, she didn't know whether to be glad or not. Time was fast running out for her masquerade.
'Tante Louise, it is requested that you play the harpsichord for us."
When Pandora began to demur, the earl insisted, "You must allow us this small pleasure, madame. A proficiency at the harpsichord must be another one of your many accomplishments."
'Lord Asheville is correct, Tante, you cannot disappoint all those who are anxious to hear you play. I will turn your music," he added quickly.
'Monsieur de Fontenac, you are unique among other nephews of my acquaintance in your attention to your aunt," the earl remarked, his voice heavy with irony.
Frangois cast him a cold look. "Madame de Chambray is unique among aunts, my lord."
The earl's smile was filled with mockery. "My dear boy, I am very much inclined to agree with you on that statement."
The earl stood back a pace as Francois made ready to escort her to the harpsichord, and Pandora could see no alternative but to play, although she had no fancy for doing so at the moment. While she played for the assembled party, Lord Asheville contrived to move closer to Sir Aldan Buckley, who was staring at her with an unprecedented ferocity, something the earl could not help but notice.
'What a delightful touch she has," he remarked when he was standing next to Sir Aldan.
'Indeed," the baronet responded without taking his eyes off Pandora for a moment.
'There is only one other with such proficiency at the harpsichord, and that is my wife. I have no doubt that you recall that well, Buckley."
'Madame de Chambray cannot be thought to come close to Lady Asheville."
'Buckley, what ails you, my dear fellow?" the earl inquired in a hearty manner. "Only yesterday you could not find fault in anything Madame de Chambray said or did, but now you look as if you are in high dudgeon, and I cannot believe that she is the cause of it."
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