Page 65 of Masquerading with the Duke
‘Flowers, Papa,’ she said, pointing wildly.
And there were flowers everywhere, adorning tables and every conceivable surface. The gallery where the musicians would soon be setting up was also festooned with blooms that gave out an intoxicating scent. There was a multitude of candles waiting to be lit and chairs for those wishing to sit out the dancing lining the walls. The supper room adjoining the ballroom was beautifully laid out, the tables covered with crisp white cloths and set with delicate china embossed with the ducal crest. A card room had also been prepared; a traditional means of respite for the gentlemen. One entire wall was made up of sets of double doors, all of which had been thrown open to the terrace beyond.
‘We used to have fencing lessons in this room,’ Amos said. ‘I suppose we shall have to think about doing something similar for Josh and Leo soon.’
‘I can’t recall the last time we held a ball. Certainly not since we’ve been married,’ Zach said, glancing guiltily at Frankie. ‘That’s remiss of me.’
‘Mother insisted upon holding a ball when you graduated from college,’ Amos replied, ‘in the hope of marrying you off. She did the same thing to me but then gave up when neither of us fell for the charms of the females she forced upon us, so Vince didn’t have to suffer the same indignity.’
‘Father had become unwell by the time Vince’s turn was upon us. I think that’s what prevented Mother. She was never one to give up that easily.’
‘Well, Frankie,’ Amos said. ‘You’ve worked wonders with the ballroom. I sincerely hope that your efforts will be rewarded in the form of generous donations to the orphanage.’
‘Oh, I didn’t do much. I had the ideas but poor Faraday and Mrs Jessop have been run off their feet putting them into practise.’
‘Right, come along, infants,’ Zach said, when the children started to get too animated and there was danger of a dispute breaking out between Leo and Josh.
Amidst much protesting cheeks were kissed, heads patted and the little ones eventually went off with their nurses, bribed with the assurance of a bedtime story.
‘Peace,’ Frankie said, throwing back her head and smiling. ‘But not for long. The family will be arriving to dine with us soon. We had best go up and greet them.’
‘Can I take this damned thing off now?’ Zach asked, shrugging out of his domino before Frankie had time to respond.
*
Martina had been quiet all day, a situation that Ariana had remarked upon, anxiously asking her if anything was wrong. Martina tried to reassure her sister, unable to tell her the reason for her preoccupation. She was still furious about the way Redrow had manhandled her, to say nothing of his threats to do more. His outrageous arrogance made him dangerous and unpredictable. A faint smile touched her lips when she considered the manner in which she had got away from him. But she knew that by fighting back she had only made him more determined to exert his authority over her. He would be here tonight, hiding behind a masque, and she would be unable to really enjoy herself for fear of him somehow getting her alone in a situation where he would be able to overpower her with his superior strength.
‘You look enchanting,’ Ariana said, standing back to examine Martina in her midnight blue gown. ‘You were right about the colour. It suits your complexion and affords you an air of sophistication.’
‘I’m not sure about that, but I am very pleased with the gown. And you should be with yours. For once we don’t look like poor relations.’
Ariana smiled. ‘I don’t think we’ve ever been looked upon in that light, but I know what you mean. Anyway, if you are ready, we ought to go down. The duchess is working on a tight schedule and we mustn’t put her out by being late.’
‘Of course. I am perfectly ready.’
The family were gathered in the drawing room when the girls went down; all of them including the Harrisons, the Adlers, and the duchess’s most intimate acquaintances. Martina tried to pretend that she was not scanning the room in the hope of finding Jared in occupation of it. She knew he had not been invited to join the family before the masquerade but had foolishly hoped that he might be there anyway.
He was not.
Everyone looked very elegant and there was an air of festivity about the proceedings.
‘Good, we’re all here,’ the duchess said, looking beautiful in a golden gown that perfectly matched the colour of her hair. ‘We can go through to dinner.’
The girls were swept into the dining room in the midst of the family throng. Everyone seemed to be in the best of spirits. Martina was not surprised when Lord Amos offered them both his escort. She knew that it was Ariana whom he really wanted to have to himself. She could see it as clear as day in the way that he looked at her with such possessive intensity. Surely Ariana must know it too, but whenever Martina broached the subject of her friendship with their rescuer Ariana brushed it aside.
Martina smiled as she took her seat amidst such a close-knit family, feeling generously embraced by it, yet still somehow an outsider. Unsettled, she toyed with her food, speaking only when spoken to, but Ariana and Lord Amos were enjoying such a lively conversation that neither of them appeared to notice her introspection.
As soon as the meal came to an end, the duke stood.
‘Well, gentlemen, I suppose we cannot avoid putting the dominos on now. The next time we have a masquerade, my love,’ he added, addressing the duchess, ‘please make it in the winter.’
Everyone laughed.
‘Don’t worry, Zach,’ Amos said. ‘I’ll wager fifty guineas that the weather will break tonight.’
‘And rain on my masquerade.’ The duchess looked outraged. ‘It had better not!’
‘We had best make our way down to the ballroom,’ Lord Amos told them. ‘Since we are all supposed to be incognito, there will be no reception line, but Faraday will discreetly check everyone’s invitations, just to ensure that we don’t have any infiltrators.’
