Page 80 of The Heiress in Disguise
“I have,” he said. “I’m sorry for misleading you.”
“I—I don’t understand,” she admitted faintly. “You can’t always have been Philip. Am I wrong, then—are you not the masked man from the first masquerade?”
“I am,” he said. “I’m the one you’ve been meeting in the woods—you’ve met me under two different identities.”
“Butwhy? Why would you do that? Why would you pretend to be someone you’re not—especially when you were so adamant that I shouldn’t pretend to be Ella? Over and over, you said—”
“You!”
The harsh voice belonged to Lady Gwyneth, and she was accompanied by her mother. The two of them had come up behind Antoine, and he whirled around, anxious to protect Angelique. Had they heard anything that might give away her identity?
But they weren’t even looking at her—only at him. “You’re that valet from next door,” Lady Leicester said.
“I see what’s happening here. You snuck into this party to try to meet my maid, Ella. You won’t see any more ofher.You might as well know that she’s a loose woman who’s been meeting with all sorts of men—or did you think you were the only one?” She laughed. “Gwyneth, call the guards so that we can get this fellow out of here before he does any more damage to our household’s reputation.”
But Antoine shook his head. This had gone far enough.
He looked to the door and saw that Lady Grace was approaching. Her hands were full of papers. She had done it. It was time.
He held out his arm to Angelique. “Come with me,” he told her. “There’s someone I’d like you to see.”
“What are you doing?” Lady Leicester demanded. “I’m about to have you thrown out.”
“No, I’m afraid you’re not,” Antoine said. “I’m not who you think I am. And you’ve treated people as less than they are for far too long, Lady Leicester. I won’t permit you to do it for another day.”
He turned to Angelique. “Will you please accompany me?” he asked.
“Where are we going?” She seemed more than a little nervous.
“You wanted to learn the secrets,” he said. “I think it’s time you were re-introduced to my mother.”
Chapter 37
Angelique was in shock.
One man? They’ve been one man the entire time?
On one hand, it made so much sense. This explained how she could have fallen in love with two different men. That idea had been troubling her for such a long time, but of course, this revelation meant that she had only ever been in love with one man. Philip had been the masked stranger all along.
She wasn’t upset with him for having lied about his identity, exactly, but the confusion she felt was deeply overwhelming. The fact that he had known all along who she was, and yet had lied to her about who he was—why would he have done that?
And now he wanted to introduce her to his mother? Why would he want that? What did it all mean?
He led her over to a dignified looking older lady. “Mother,” he said.
The lady turned—and gasped. “Oh, I’d recognize her anywhere!” she said. “Darling, take that mask off at once, there’s no need for you to hide anymore.”
“I—” Angelique was stunned into silence.
But the lady flung her arms around her and held her close. It was an embrace unlike any she had felt in years. “You poor thing!” she said. “You probably don’t even remember me, do you? Your mother and I were dear friends, but it’s been so long, I don’t blame you a bit. Oh, I’m so sorry I haven’t been here for you. I wish I had been, but I had no idea what you were going through!”
“I don’t understand,” Angelique stammered.
“Of course you don’t, darling. I’m so sorry. I’m Lady Exeter—but you should call me Nicole, of course. Your mother always did.”
“You’re Lady Exeter?” Angelique knew that name very well. “Then youarea friend of my mother’s. I—but how did you find me? How did you know it was me? No one knows…”
And then she made the connection and turned to face Philip.
