by Jade Lee
Lily, his bitch of a cousin. Would Michael be there as well? “Excellent,” he lied with another courtly bow. “I shall be sure to find you. And now,” he said, indicating a gentleman waiting anxiously behind Rose. “I believe your partner is most hungry for a taste of your beauteous presence.”
“Oh, Mr. Frazier!” Rose said with a giggle, clearly pleased. “Flattery does not move me.”
“Liar,” he said as he tweaked her cheek. She gasped at the impertinence, her hand rushing up to cover her face. “Of all women who deserve Spanish coin, Lady Rose, you top the list. And the cake!” he said indicating her gown.
She had no answer to that, though her eyes sparkled in the candlelight. Good. He had no wish to continue this conversation any longer.
“The set is beginning,” he reminded her gently.
“Oh! Oh yes!” she gasped, then she turned to her dance partner. But her gaze remained on him and she ended up walking sideways onto the dance floor.
He watched her all the way. It was an easy sacrifice to make to keep the girl happy. He had no doubt that when she was unhappy, everyone in her household suffered, most especially Maddy. So he smiled and waved as she danced while his mind remained fixed on the woman seated behind him.
“You are wearing the broach,” he said softly, his gaze at last able to return to his angel.
Her hand went to the piece. “Would you like it back?”
“No, no! I still need to find a buyer . . .” His voice trailed away. Selling his jewelry was the last thing he wanted to speak about. But then he saw a spark of animation in her eyes as she began to speak.
“Actually, Mr. Frazier, I think I can help you with that. That Norwegian baroness I told you about? She has a true fondness for peacocks.”
“Norwegian?” he asked. Did they even have barons in that frozen clime? Apparently so because she half shrugged, half nodded.
“Actually, I believe the term is sysselmann or something like that. I have no idea if it equates to a baron, but everyone calls her baroness and she really is a dear lady.”
“And you think she would buy that broach? The one I gave to you?”
Maddy flushed and looked down at her hands. “Well, as to that, you only gave it to me for safekeeping. As you can see, it is quite safe. I know I shouldn’t have worn it. Rose asked about it immediately, but I told her it was paste. She wrinkled her nose, called it ugly, and flounced away.” Maddy sighed. “She has been in a bit of a temper lately. Though she does seem very pleased that you have returned.”
“And what of you? Are you pleased I am here? Is Rose why you are looking so wan? You are so beautiful tonight that I can scarce believe it, and yet I cannot shake the feeling that you are ailing.”
She flashed him a false smile. “Nonsense, Mr. Frazier. I am quite well. And the baroness will be extremely grateful, I am sure, if you were to present this broach to her.”
Kit frowned. “As a present?”
“For sale, sir. Discreetly, of course.”
“But—”
“She is extremely wealthy, Mr. Frazier. She would pay you more than what any jeweler would. Especially if you told her a story along with it. You know, about how you got it, where it came from, the more romantic the better.”
“There was nothing romantic about how I got it,” he said, his voice flat.
“Then speculate for her, sir. Spin a tale of how it might have come into your possession.”
“Maddy . . .” he began, but he cut off his objection when she reached forward to touch his hand.
“People . . . ladies need to believe in romance, sir. We need to think that someone, somewhere has found true love even if it has escaped our grasp.” There was a hidden meaning beneath her words, an urgency to her body as she squeezed his arm. “Tell her a tale of romance, Mr. Frazier, and she will pay you handsomely for it.”
“Even if it is a lie?” he asked.
Her hand fell away from him, and he immediately mourned the loss. “Romance,” she said firmly, “is always a lie, but we like to pretend anyway.”
He saw it then, saw why she looked so peaked, why her body was listless and her eyes dull. She had broken sometime in the last six weeks. While he was away, something or someone had broken her heart and all that was left was disillusionment. How well he knew that pain.
“I have stayed away too long, haven’t I?” he asked softly.
She pursed her lips and looked away. “I have no idea, sir. I simply point out a solution to your financial problem. You can ignore it if you think—”
“Can you set it up for me? Make the introduction?” He had no interest in selling his jewelry, no interest in painting a false story of love for an elderly baroness or sysselmann or whatever. But his angel was slipping away from him. It was as if he could see her fading before his eyes, and he would do anything to keep her with him a moment longer.
“Of course,” she said. “But it might take a few days. Perhaps as much as a week. Do you have a card so that I may contact you?”
He did. Printed just today. He handed it to her, hoping to press it into her hand and linger there, touching her skin. But she pulled away, and all he felt was a brief whisper of cool skin against his fingertips.
“Thank you, Mr. Frazier,” she said as she tucked his card away. “I am afraid I must decline your request to dance as my feet hurt abominably.”
“Of course,” he said, though he knew she lied. She wanted to be rid of him, and the pain of that cut deep indeed.
“And, Mr. Frazier . . .” she said after a quick glance around her.
“Yes?”
“My bedroom window will be closed and locked tonight. And every night.”
There was no mistaking her message. She meant to keep him at arm’s length. He could hardly blame her. They had not parted on good terms. In truth, he had been horrible to her, but there had been no other choice. He couldn’t have taken a wife for fear that he would kill her in a rage. And now he was paying the price for his cruelty.
“Of course, Miss Wilson. I would expect nothing less from a proper lady such as yourself.”
She winced at that. It was a telling gesture, if only he knew what it meant. Did she feel guilty for what they had done together? Or was there more?
“Maddy . . .” he began, but she cut him off.
“You look better, Mr. Frazier. Much, much better.”
He smiled. “I am better.”
“I am glad,” she said softly.
There was more in her eyes. Some kind of yearning, perhaps. Or maybe it was his own fevered imaginings. Either way, it was gone in a moment. She shuttered her gaze, then pushed to her feet. He held out his hand to help her, but she shunned it. Instead, she smoothed her gown about her, making sure the folds of the scarf completely covered the broach.
“I believe I shall find the ladies’ retiring room,” she said by way of dismissal. “I find the Season has been more exhausting than I once thought.”
“I could escort you—”
“Good evening, sir,” she said as she brushed past him.
“Did you see how handsome he looked? Oh goodness, his time away seems to have helped him enormously. And he still remembered me. He called me beauteous! Did you hear him say that? Beauteous. Most gentlemen don’t even know the word, but he did. Oh, I’m so thrilled that he’s back. And just in the nick of time! I had begun to despair of this Season altogether. But now he is back!”
Maddy winced as Rose’s voice echoed in the dark carriage. Any hopes that her infatuation with the man had faded were put completely to pasture. The girl’s romantic fantasy of marrying a pirate was stronger than ever. Still, Maddy did her best to dampen her cousin’s expectations.
“Just because he’s back doesn’t mean he wants a bride,” she said when Rose paused to take a breath. “And we know nothing of his true circumstances. Your father will want to know the specifics before you can entertain any kind of suit.”
“Oh, Father isn’t nearly as picky as you might think,” she s
aid with a distasteful twist to her lips. “He told me just yesterday that it was past time I brought a real prospect up to scratch. As if I haven’t been trying!”
Maddy narrowed her eyes, searching her cousin’s face for signs of subterfuge. “What exactly did your father say to you?”
Rose heaved a dramatic sigh. “Only that I’m of age in a month’s time and that I had to stop acting like a little girl. He wants me to dress and act more like you and less like me!”
“Is that why you wore that . . . um . . . that particular gown tonight? In defiance of your father?”
Rose huffed a little nervously. “Well, yes, I suppose I did. I mean, what does Papa know about ladies’ fashions? Or about how to attract a husband? This is the way to do it, I am sure. Did you not hear what Mr. Frazier said? That I looked like a confection atop a cake! That just proves I am right about this gown!”
Maddy sighed. They were back to Kit again. “Really, I don’t know that you should take fashion advice from Mr. Frazier. His clothing was rather restrained.” It was, in fact, excruciatingly handsome. Not black, but a dark chocolate brown. White linen cravat and a shirt with a simple vest. Maddy had never seen him in better looks.
“But he was right about your dresses, don’t you remember? I think Mr. Frazier is quite right in his fashion opinion. And it doesn’t matter, does it? As he is the one I am going to marry, his is the only opinion I care about.”
“But, Rose!” Maddy began. Unfortunately, her cousin waved her to silence.
“I saw you walking with Mr. Wakely. Did you get him outside for a passionate embrace? Is he mad for you yet?”
“No. No, I didn’t.”
“Well, you should! Otherwise how will you ever get him to propose?”
Maddy swallowed and turned to look out at the street. She should tell Rose what her father had done. According to Mr. Wakely, the rumor about Maddy was hurting Rose’s chances as well. But Rose loved her father. Maddy couldn’t quite bring herself to reveal the worst of what Uncle Frank had done. So she opted for a softer version.
“I don’t think I’ll be marrying Mr. Wakely,” she said softly.
“Don’t say that! He’ll come around. You just have to make him more passionate!”
“No, Rose, I don’t think it will happen. Which means I will be leaving in a week’s time.”
“You need to let him kiss you, Maddy. Stop being so proper! And besides . . . What? Wait, what did you say?”
Maddy leaned forward, taking Rose’s hands in hers. “You know, you have grown up quite beautifully. I am pleased to have been a part of that.”
“Well, of course, but what do you mean ‘leaving’?”
Maddy took a deep breath. “Your father has decided that he is tired of paying for me. He has asked me to leave next week.”
“What!” Rose’s hands went flying in wild, dramatic gestures. “That’s ridiculous! He can’t send you away! I like having you at home!”
Maddy smiled, her heart warmed. “I like being there with you too. But he was most clear.”
Rose stared at her a moment, her brow furrowed in thought. “Did he speak calmly to you or in exasperation?”
“Calm.”
“Oh, that’s bad. But was he in a temper about something? Have we spent too much money on candles?”
Maddy shook her head. “He was perfectly calm and rational. I could tell that he had put in a great deal of thought.” Months of thought apparently, as his plan had begun well before the Season even began.
“But that’s just silly,” Rose repeated. “Wherever would you go?”
“I believe I shall apply for employment.” Though as what, she hadn’t the foggiest idea. Especially if her reputation precluded her from being a governess. A housekeeper might even be too high a stretch.
“But surely Papa will change his mind.”
Maddy shrugged and leaned back against the squabs. “I don’t believe so.”
“And Mr. Wakely—”
“No, Rose.” She sighed, feeling more resigned now that she had spoken the words aloud. She would find employment. And if Mr. Wakely deigned to ask for her hand, well, she would simply have to think of matters then.
“Well, that is ridiculous!” Rose huffed as she folded her arms across her chest. “I shall have words with Papa first thing in the morning.”
Maddy didn’t comment. And she didn’t dare hope that Rose could convince her father to change his mind. After all, he had gone to a great deal of effort to force Maddy into an illicit affair. He would hardly change his mind just because his daughter begged him. And even if Rose succeeded, would Maddy even want to stay? The very idea of what he had done made her skin crawl. She wanted to be out of the house immediately, if she could. She certainly had no wish to look him in the eye unless it was to spit in it.
“I will be fine,” she said aloud, more to herself than to Rose.
“Of course you will,” returned her cousin staunchly. “You will come live with me and Mr. Frazier after we’re married.”
“Oh, Rose. You cannot count on—”
“Hssst! Stop it, Maddy! Now that he has returned—and no longer ill, I might add—nothing will stop him from having me. Did you hear what he said to me? Do you know that he’s coming to Vauxhall tomorrow night just to see me? Don’t worry, Maddy. It will all work out. Though I do wish you had given me a bit more time than a week! Really, Maddy, that is cutting it quite close!”
Maddy didn’t respond. Rose would believe what she willed. After all, Kit had certainly made quite a spectacle of himself, flattering Rose and getting her to spin around like that. Perhaps he was in town looking for a wife. Perhaps it was Rose whom he wanted. Perhaps a million different things.
But whatever it was, she could be sure of one thing. She would be no man’s mistress. Not her uncle’s. And not Kit’s. That’s why she told him she would lock her window tonight. He needed to understand that there would be no more midnight visits. It didn’t matter that her uncle had made her into a tart in the eyes of the ton. She was a proper girl, and she would not give in. She would become a chimney sweep first. Or a maid. That was more likely, she supposed. She would become a maid.
“Don’t sigh like that, Maddy,” said Rose, her voice uncharacteristically subdued. “I can’t bear it when you’re sad.”
Truly? Maddy thought with a fond twinge in her heart. Rose might live most of her life in fantasy schemes, but her heart was true. “Very well,” Maddy said as she forced a lightness into her tone. “I shall rely on you.”
“Good!” said Rose brightly. “But we must figure out a plan first!”
Maddy couldn’t help but laugh. Rose always had a plan. At least this time she was asking for help with it. “Actually,” Maddy said slowly, her mind working out the particulars. “I am supposed to help Mr. Frazier with a task. But perhaps you would be better suited for it.”
“Really? What?”
“Well, he is . . . um . . .” How to phrase this without revealing the truth? “He is going to help me sell this broach I’m wearing. To Baroness Haugen.”
“That old bat?”
“Rose! She’s very sweet!”
“She’s as big as a house! And she talks constantly!”
“Well, perhaps, but she is very fond of peacocks. And as a lady can’t engage in commerce by herself, he is going to . . . um . . . pretend that this broach is part of his pirate booty and sell it. I’m to arrange an introduction for them, but perhaps you would like to do that? That would allow you to spend more time with Mr. Frazier and be a help as well.”
“Hmmm,” said Rose, obviously thinking hard. “Hmmm.”
“Rose—”
“I have it!” The girl practically exploded off her seat in excitement. “I know just what we will do!”
“You will arrange for the introduction?”
“No, no! You can do that. You are much better at these things than I am.”
“But—”
“No, listen! You go meet with that ol
d bat. You are much more patient than I am in listening to her blather on. Make sure to sell it to her and convince her to wear it at Vauxhall tomorrow night.”
“But, Rose! That is much too soon!”
“No, it’s not! It’s the last major event of the Season. She might be back in Norway by the day after tomorrow.”
“I believe her country home is in Gloucester.”
“It’s the same thing!” Rose huffed. “She won’t be here.”
Maddy frowned, doing her best to understand what Rose was getting at. “But, dearest—”
“No, listen. You arrange for her to buy the thing and wear it tomorrow night. I shall see it on her at Vauxhall and make quite a fuss over it. Everyone else will chime in, of course, because I am the fashion leader after changing your gown style and all.”
That wasn’t exactly true, but Maddy didn’t dare contradict her. There had been quite a lot of praise for her new dress style six weeks ago, and Rose had naturally taken all the credit, but that was a very long time ago in the ton’s mind.
“And then,” Rose continued, “Mr. Frazier will become all the rage. His jewelry will be in demand everywhere.”
Maddy made to catch her cousin’s hands, but Rose was moving about too quickly. “Don’t you think your plan is a bit convoluted?”
Rose huffed. “Well, there are a few ifs and maybes, but they will all work out. Never fear. I know just how to handle it.”
And the amazing thing was that Maddy could actually see it. Because of Rose’s status and beauty, she did command some degree of sway. If she declared pirate booty to be all the rage, then Mr. Frazier could very well find his pieces in demand.
Rose leaned forward. “You just have to make sure she buys it tomorrow. And wears it to Vauxhall. You must be sure of it, Maddy! Everything depends upon that!”
“I don’t know that I can do it.”
“But you must, Maddy!” Rose pressed. “Everything depends upon you!”
Maddy huffed, but knew she would give in. It was hard not to. Certainly Rose’s demands could be wearing, but her enthusiasm was infectious and her heart was usually in the right place. What was one more task for her cousin? She would think of it as one last thing for Rose before . . . Well, before she was forced to leave and her entire life changed.