Page 29 of The Masked Baron
Mrs. Lewis thought for a moment. “Mrs. Trenton is a few years older than you, newly married, and very friendly. Lady Kerrigan, Lord Kerrigan’s mother, can be aloof, but she has a kind heart. Both are fiercely loyal to his lordship and will be instrumental in preparing you for your coming-out. They’re employing Mrs. Trenton’s dressmaker, and you’ll have the latest fashions. It’s all very exciting!”
It was worse than Andalin had imagined. She would be a project. “Do they know my working-class origin?”
Mrs. Lewis frowned. “They’ll only know what Lord Cadogen tells them. Since he usually says very little, I imagine they know just enough to help get you ready for your debut.”
Andalin chewed her lower lip. “I think I prefer it that way. Though, I’m not too sure I can pretend for long.”
“There is no reason to pretend,” Mrs. Lewis said with an encouraging smile. “Just be yourself. You picked up just fine on dining manners. We haven’t needed a tutor for your speech because of your parentage and how well-read you are. As far as being refined in your appearance, just let Hannah pick out your dresses each night for dinner and see to your hair. There really isn’t much else to it. I’d say all you need is to observe a few elegant ladies, and you will be ready.”
Andalin appreciated Mrs. Lewis’s confidence in her. “I don’t think Lord Cadogen would agree I am as ready as you think. This is a test. He knows I will not meet his expectations, and I find myself agreeing with him. I have a hard time desiring the confinements being a lady brings. On the inside I’m ever a tradesman’s daughter.”
“Nonsense! A gentleman will be lucky to secure a singular girl such as yourself.”
Andalin giggled. “More odd than remarkable, I daresay. But I shall do my best. Though, my motivation is purely to keep from further injuring my pride.”
Mrs. Lewis patted her knee. “Wonderful. Now, I’m going to finish up in here. Why don’t you go put in a request for peach pie tonight. Matilda would love an excuse to make one.”
***
Andalin went to her window and pried it open. The night air sent a chill down her arms, but she didn’t mind. She wrapped her shawl tighter around her shoulders and leaned over the sill. The stars glowed, bright and crisp, and the moon hung like a shiny silver coin in the sky. She wished tonight she was under the same sky many miles away. The feeling of homesickness had waned with each passing day, but tonight she felt it acutely.
The first full moon in September was always Corbridge’s harvest festival. The town celebrated with a picnic dinner, children’s games, and after the sun went down, dancing. She had many fond memories made arm-in-arm with Marybeth and Edith, and even the Youngs, who worked with her father. Though she might miss them, she did not miss having to avoid Mr. Crow last year and the possessive way he’d danced with her. Andalin shuddered. She had almost forgotten the man had asked Papa for her hand. He would have been relentless at the dance this year—perhaps with the claim as her husband. She gripped her mother’s necklace and sighed.
Out of the corner of her eye she saw a rider disappear into the woods. Ellis again! What was he up to? Itwasa full moon. Nonsense; Ellis was not a werewolf. But he was up to something. Andalin pulled her window closed, followed by the drapes. She sat down at her writing desk and drummed her fingers on the wood.
She wasn’t going to be able to sleep now. She pulled on her robe and slippers, determined not to come back to her room until she begged some answers. No distractions this time.
Andalin hurried down the stairs toward the kitchen in search of Matilda—the only one likely to tell her anything. She hoped Matilda might still be up washing dishes. Andalin pushed the kitchen door open and let out a happy sigh. “I’m ever so glad you are still awake!”
Matilda was busy darning stockings at the table. “Won’t be much longer. These old bones have a hard time getting up before the sun if I stay up too late.”
Sitting next to Matilda, Andalin watched her for a moment before her tongue practically leapt from her mouth. “I need to know about Eliana.”
Matilda’s beady eyes jumped to meet hers. “Eliana? What are ye doing thinking about her?”
Andalin shrugged, which Mrs. Lewis repeatedly told her was unladylike. “You can tell me about her, can’t you? Why all the secrets? Why does Lord Cadogen ride out every full moon?”
Matilda put her hand up to stop the questions. “Maybe ye should be asking Mrs. Lewis or Hannah about these things.”
“Mrs. Lewis is masterful about skirting any unfavorable topics. Hannah seems to think a ghost will spring up around the corner if she even mentions the past. Matilda, I’m going positively insane cooped up in this house full of secrets. Will no one tell me?”
Matilda eyed her warily and then went back to darning her stockings.
“Not you too!”
Matilda chuckled and tsked her tongue. “Child, ye don’t want to get mixed up in our troubles.”
Andalin folded her arms defiantly. “As Mr. Lewis told me only this morning, living here makes these my troubles too. I’m right in the middle of it without the advantage of knowing why. My heart is telling me to trust Lord Cadogen, but my mind is still wary.”
Matilda put her sewing back in a small basket beside her. “Part of me wants to tell ye, but it isn’t my story to tell. I suggest ye ask the master. He’ll not mince words.”
Andalin rested her chin in her hand. “He drops bits of information here and there, but he’s terribly elusive. I hardly know if the day will pass and I even set eyes on him.”
Matilda chuckled again. “That’s a man for ye. If I were as young and headstrong as ye, I’d just follow him and see for myself.”
Andalin blanched. “You cannot be serious. Into the Black Forest? In the dead of night?”
“Ye’re right. ’Twould be a foolish errand.” A wry smile crossed Matilda’s face.
