Page 7 of The Society Catch
Mama did not approve of Mrs Marcus, stating flatly that she considered to be fast and flighty, but as far as she knew she and Joanna had never been close and she was therefore unlikely to lead her daughter astray. The thought that their re-acquaintance would involve an expedition to Vauxhall for a masquerade, an activity entirely beyond the pale as far as she was concerned, was inconceivable. Joanna knew her mother could not have the slightest suspicion.
Her mask dangling from its ribbons in one hand, the other clutching her blue domino tightly around her, Joanna made her escape and was picked up by Kate’s coach without mishap. She congratulated herself that no-one would know and she had always wanted to experience a masquerade.
Chapter Four
Vauxhall Gardens seemed an enchanted dream to Joanna. Lights in their thousand twinkled amid the branches and framed pavilions and kiosks in a magical glow. Every twist and turn in the paths opened onto new vistas crowded with party-goers, music and laughter filled the air and Mrs Marcus’s party spent the first hour simply strolling, watching the passing throng and revelling in the strange feeling of safety their masks produced.
Mrs Marcus had invited a large group of friends and although all the young ladies seemed to Joanna to be startlingly free and easy, and the men escorting them more than a little inclined to take advantage of whatever flirtation was on offer, she felt quite comfortable in the company. Everyone behaved towards her as befitted her unmarried status and she rather suspected that Kate had had a quiet word with her friends about their inexperienced new acquaintance.
However, Joanna firmly refused the offer of a glass of champagne when they retired to a kiosk for shaved ham and other trifles before joining the dancing and, as everyone else became gayer and more light-headed, she retained her awareness of everything going on around her. Things were certainly becoming a trifle warm but, although she realised her mama would faint away at the sights she was coolly observing, she felt only an amused curiosity.
She rapidly revised her opinion after allowing herself to be taken out onto the dance floor with one young gentleman who proved to be either a very inept dancer or perhaps simply an inebriated one.
‘No, no, it is quite all right,’ she protested lightly for the third time as he trod on her toe during the boulanger. ‘So crowded, is it not? Oh!’ His foot found her hem and half dragged the dominofrom her shoulder. Joanna pulled it back, found she had lost the ties securing it at her neck and that she could not see to untangle the ribbons while wearing her mask. ‘Oh dear, can we just go to the side of the dance floor?’ Her partner, apologising profusely for his carelessness, guided her out of the throng and stood by helpfully holding her mask while Joanna adjusted her cloak.
‘Would you like to dance again?’ he asked as he handed back the black satin mask.
‘And have her toes completely bruised? I think not.’ Lord Clifton appeared at her side, masked, but with his unmistakeable blue eyes glittering through the slits. ‘May I offer you my escort home, Miss Fulgrave?’ He turned abruptly to her partner who took a step back. ‘We need keep you no longer, sir.’
‘Yes, thank you for the dance,’ Joanna said hastily. He seemed inclined to square up belligerently to the interloper and she added pacifically, ‘It is quite all right, I know this gentleman.’
The young man took himself off with an affronted bow. ‘Would you be so good as to escort me back to my hostess, my lord? She is over there.’ Joanna forced herself to speak calmly and pleasantly, although she wanted nothing more than to get away from him. She could hardly make a scene here.
‘The fast young lady in the pink domino? Not, I am sure, a hostess your mama would approve of, Joanna.’ He took her arm and began to steer her away from the Marcus party. ‘And where exactly does your mama believe you to be at this moment?’ Joanna knew she was colouring but could not help it. ‘Ah, blamelessly in your bed. I think we had better return you there.’
‘I cannot simply walk away from Mrs Marcus like that.’ But from the set of his mouth and the very firm grip on her arm she knew that short of screaming and struggling she was going to do just as Rufus told her. ‘I must at least thank her and say goodbye, or she will worry.’
‘Very well.’ She could feel his eyes on her face and she tried tolook as happy as possible before they reached her party. ‘Do not sulk, Joanna, it does not suit you. Think what a disillusion it is for me to find my perfect bride-to-be in such company.’
‘I amnotyour bride-to-be.’ She broke off abruptly at the appearance in front of them of a tall figure in a black domino, a petite blue-clad figure on his arm.
‘Joanna?’ It was unmistakeably Giles, and she realised with a shock that she had not replaced her mask. She fumbled it back into place, unable to meet his eyes. ‘Are you in any difficulties, Miss Fulgrave?’
‘No. No, none at all, just rather flustered by the crowd, Colonel, thank you. I was just about to leave. Good night.’ From being his captive she almost towed Rufus after her towards Mrs Marcus.
When they reached his coach Joanna sat in the furthest corner, braced in case he tried to kiss her, but to her relief he made no attempt to do so as they rattled over the cobbles and through the night-time streets.
Flambeaux outside town houses cast a flickering light into the interior and she saw he appeared to be thinking. Eventually, unable to stand the silence any more she said, ‘I hope I do not take you away from your own party this evening?’
‘No, not at all. I was just thinking what best to say to your parents. I would not wish them to be out of reason cross with you.’
‘Say to them? Why nothing. I will let myself in and they will be none the wiser.’
‘You shock me, Joanna, you really do. Naturally I cannot be so deceitful, nor can I let you. I will have to tell them because, after all, we are alone in a closed carriage.’
‘You mean you...that you think I should…’
‘Your parents are, I know, in favour of my suit. Now I imagine they will be only too anxious for the engagement.’
Joanna stared at him, then found her voice. ‘I would not marry you, Rufus Carstairs, if you were the last man on earth.’
‘Hardly an original sentiment, my dear. Here is your street and no need for any surprises I see, they must already be aware of your absence.’ And indeed, the lights were blazing downstairs as the carriage pulled up. Numbly Joanna allowed herself to be handed down out of the carriage and into the house.
Her mother took one look at her and said, ‘Wait in the sitting room please, Joanna,’ before vanishing with the earl into the front salon.
How her absence had been discovered she never knew. It seemed hours that she sat in the chilly room, exhaustion dragging at her eyelids, her mind tormented by the thought that Giles had seen her apparently happy to be with Rufus Carstairs.
At last her parents appeared, grim faced, yet with a subdued air of triumph. ‘Well, Joanna,’ her father said heavily. ‘You are fortunate indeed to so escape the results of your wicked folly. The earl, against all reason, still wishes to make you his wife. He has agreed to wait until the end of the week to allow you to recover from this ill-advised romp, but he will be coming then to make you an offer and you, my girl, are going to accept it.’
