Page 40 of The Masked Baron
Andalin had to pinch her lips together to keep from laughing. Perhaps it would not be so hard to be herself in Mrs. Trenton’s company after all. Andalin had never heard anyone speak so forthrightly to Ellis before. Well, she had talked to him that way. But she had never heard anyone else do so.
“Hmm,” Ellis mumbled. “It looks like you two will be quite the pair. I am beginning to regret your invitation already.”
“Lord Cadogen!” Andalin quietly reprimanded, and Ellis actually looked sheepish for a moment.
This time it was Mrs. Trenton’s turn to laugh. “It looks like Miss Durante hasn’t had any problems getting along here. She already knows how to put you in your place, which is more than any of us have ever managed.”
“She’s not a haughty aristocrat, so I can actually stomach her conversation. I’ve had to come to accept my staff, who practically raised me, would rather she was in charge than I.” Andalin tried to mutter an objection, but Ellis didn’t pause. “She has some good sense in her, and I don’t perceive any problems in her introductions to Society. She’ll no doubt secure a husband by the New Year.”
Ellis turned and smiled fondly at Andalin. Her heart skipped a beat at the innocent gesture but simultaneously sank at his suggestion to marry her off.
Mrs. Trenton gave Andalin an amused look. Then she turned to Ellis and asked, “And this will secure your happiness?”
Ellis’s eyes clouded. “Happiness is not on my agenda.” He stood suddenly. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I will let you ladies do whatever it is you do, and I will go exercise my horse.”
“How very, very odd,” Mrs. Trenton voiced quietly as she watched Ellis retreat from the room.
“What do you mean?”
Mrs. Trenton gave a nearly imperceptible shrug, and Andalin wondered how she could ever comport herself with such obvious gentility.
“Lord Cadogen seemed almost sociable.”
“And it amuses you?” Andalin asked. Though, she too had been startled by his amicable behavior.
“If you had known him in his former life, then after this much time in his company you would have been drowned by love for the man. He was charming, handsome, gregarious. And then, all of a sudden, the light was out. It’s been more than two years since my last visit, and nearly as long between then and the time before. Once I realized there was nothing I could do to shake him from his melancholy or temper, there was little reason to keep coming back.”
Andalin tried to process what Mrs. Trenton was saying. Had she hoped to change him because of their friendship, or had there been more to their relationship? Mrs. Trenton had nearly admitted everyone who knew him was bound to love him—which included herself—and Andalin could see why. Even when he was brooding, Andalin had been drawn to him. Mrs. Trenton was married now, so it didn’t really matter. Andalin would have to wait until they were better friends before she dared ask about it.
“You must have your opinion,” Andalin said. “This idea about me becoming his ward.”
“I have accustomed myself to the idea since I was first told the situation. Of course, if Lord Cadogen dies before marrying, most everything would fall to your husband, but there are ways to ensure you inherit certain holdings. Lord Cadogen will see that you are legally cared for with enough pocket money to live, travel, and spend what you’d like.”
Andalin did not want to think about future circumstances.
Mrs. Trenton leaned closer. “I am not supposed to be privy to many details, but my brother assures me everything is in order. Strange how not even a distant cousin could be found to inherit. I guess Lord Cadogen needs a woman to bait a good man in. We women must do our part. I gather he feels once things are settled, he’ll be free of the manor house.”
“How interesting.” So Andalin’s role was to find a man worthy of inheriting. And she, along with the estate, were to be this lucky man’s prize. How cozy the deal sounded when painted that way. Andalin conjured up Papa’s face before he’d left, in order to hide the disgust she suddenly felt. Ellis should not have to leave his home to find peace.
“Don’t fret. Underneath his wretched mask, Lord Cadogen is a good man. He wouldn’t have picked just anyone to take over his beloved home, despite what you might think.”
“I didn’t have much of a say in the matter, but I’m here now, so I’ll try to learn and act my part.”
Mrs. Trenton’s brows rose in surprise, but she must have recognized the closed look on Andalin’s face and didn’t pry. “Never mind all that. Your measurements were sent out to my dressmaker by your housekeeper weeks ago, and I was able to bring with me several dresses for you to try on. She was booked solid for the Season, so the rest of the wardrobe should arrive in a fortnight.”
“Dresses, you say?” Andalin gaped. She already felt like she had enough gowns to clothe an entire village.
Mrs. Trenton giggled. “It is considered proper for a girl to wear one, and regularly too.”
Andalin grimaced. “I’m sure they are quite lovely, but I haven’t the need for any more of them.”
“It can seem a bit excessive sometimes, but Lord Cadogen has no better use for his money than to spoil you.”
“I could think of more than a hundred better uses to begin with.”
Mrs. Trenton held up her hand. “Very well. But let’s go up and air them out so you can at least see them. There is surely one or two you will not be able to refuse.”
Andalin reluctantly followed Mrs. Trenton up to her lavender bedroom. As they climbed the stairs, Andalin thought about how easily conversation had come between her and their new guest, despite the underlying currents about Andalin’s situation. It had surprised her how Mrs. Trenton had closed the gap of stranger and class in a mere few moments. Had Andalin sufficiently fooled her? Andalin hoped it was possible for them to be friends. She found she was eager for companionship with another young lady after all.
