Page 42 of The Masked Baron
Mrs. Trenton brushed the grass from her hand and off her dress. Then the two of them began walking toward the gardens.
“I don’t know why I felt you needed to know all this.” Mrs. Trenton blew out her breath. “I was utterly astonished he brought you here. I couldn’t help but wonder if something in him had changed and maybe you were the reason. Initially only my mother was invited, and I wormed my way into coming along. I wanted to see for myself if Lord Cadogen’s heart had finally returned to him.”
Mrs. Trenton’s revelation surprised Andalin. Well, now Mrs. Trenton could see Ellis was not altered. He was still obtuse and untouchable. And it seemed Andalin was at risk of falling into the same rut Mrs. Trenton had just escaped from—loving Ellis from afar. She would need to guard herself.
“You are so quiet. I hope you do not think badly of me. I assure you I am completely devoted to my husband. Lord Cadogen is a dear, dear friend and has been just that for some time. I am truly happy he has you.” Mrs. Trenton was digging for a confession from Andalin now.
“You misunderstand,” Andalin assured her. “There is nothing between us of that nature. I am finally accepting my role here, but it is only a means to an end. No, I’m not being completely honest. We have become friends. I drive him mad anytime I open my mouth, but he generally takes it with patience.”
Mrs. Trenton giggled. “Then you are good for him, even if you are only his friend. He is in need of those too.” Mrs. Trenton linked arms with Andalin again and said, “While it’s true he has neglected his social duties and done nothing about the hideous rumors spread about him, he really is a good man. Doesn’t his mission for justice speak of his high moral character?”
Andalin wasn’t sure she agreed with his mission for justice. But she could argue he held to a high moral standard. He had always been a gentleman in her company. His staff loved him as family. Lord Kerrigan vouched for him. And he was devoted to his sister and parents, which spoke volumes of his capacity to love.
“He doesn’t scare you, does he?”
Andalin smirked. “The Dark Rider? He might have killed ten men with his eyes covered and his sword hand tied behind his back, but he can’t scare me!”
Mrs. Trenton put her hand to her heart. “Oh, brave words! I can’t believe I dared think otherwise.”
Andalin laughed. “No, you are very right. I was terrified when I first came here. He would just appear in the cover of darkness, as if from thin air. When he walks, his feet make no noise, so he is constantly surprising me. His voice pierces me to the core without him even yelling. I swear he can see what I am thinking before I even speak. I won’t even mention his mask! The man is an anomaly.”
Mrs. Trenton nearly doubled over with laughter. “Oh, Miss Durante! We must be good friends. You have to agree to it this very instant. No one else outside of my family can understand this sordid situation.”
“Yes, please,” Andalin said, brushing her hand over some of the wildflowers growing in their unkept garden. “I’ve had so few opportunities for friends that I don’t think anything could keep me from refusing.”
“Wonderful; it’s settled, then! You will call me Katrina, as if we have been friends since childhood.”
“Then, you must call me Andalin”—she paused—“but are you sure? You are so far above me...”
“Quite the judgment, but I forgive you. Most of my friends are very much spoiled and rude, but I shan’t be that way with you.”
Andalin exchanged relief for joy. “I was so worried the only thing you would want to talk about was the latest fashions. I have thought of a hundred questions, from laces to buttons.”
Katrina put her hand to her throat. “Oh now, I would have plenty to say about lace but nothing to say about buttons. Then again, my mother is a different story. She can be nearly as intimidating as the Dark Rider. When you start feeling speechless around her, then you can rely on those prepared questions on fashion.”
Andalin filed the advice away for later. Speaking with Lady Kerrigan was inevitable.
Katrina grinned. “Of course, I won’t tell Lord Cadogen what you have said about him. We wouldn’t want to provoke his temper.”
“I am fairly certain he already knows exactly how I feel. My mouth seems to think on its own accord some days,” Andalin said.
“Come,” Katrina begged, “now that you are in good humor, we must get you back to start your final dress fittings. My brother sent for the tailor from Thornton Way, as there isn’t a dressmaker for miles, and he should be here by now. I insist those dresses fit just right so they properly show off what Braitwood Hall has to offer.”
“All right,” Andalin said with a grimace, “but it is all too much.”
When Andalin and Katrina reentered the house, it was to find Lord Kerrigan and Ellis in the corridor, arguing with Mr. Lewis.
“What in heaven’s name is wrong?” Katrina asked. Andalin appreciated her forthrightness, since she was just as interested to know.
Mr. Lewis looked away, embarrassed. Andalin glanced at the men to see Ellis’s mouth form an angry line and Lord Kerrigan attempt to placate him.
When no one answered, Lord Kerrigan stepped forward. “It seems the local tailor refused to come.”
“He was too cowardly to set his foot in my house,” Ellis growled. “Good riddance!”
Katrina was not to be put off. She folded her arms to match Ellis’s stubbornness. “Andalin is in need of at least one decent fitting. Can’t you make him come?”
“I’m tempted. We have a bunch of milksops in Thornton Way. They need to be taught a lesson.”
