His Wicked Wish (26 page)

And until then, she must be very careful not to fall in love with her husband.

 

Chapter 18

Maddy added the final touches to Lady Emily's face. Then she stepped back to view her handiwork while Nathan's sister turned her head to and fro, admiring herself in the dressing table mirror. Each unsightly pit had been filled with a tiny dab of putty, her face dusted with powder. A hint of rouge enhanced the girl's high cheekbones.

Emily was in Maddy's dressing room because the dowager seldom ventured here. Due to her poor eyesight, Lady Gilmore still hadn't noticed the subtle transformation, and Maddy intended to keep it that way.

“It's even better than what you did for the other parties,” Emily said, beaming. “Thank you so much!”

The girl's russet-brown hair had been pinned up with a cluster of blush-pink rosebuds tucked into the curls. Her white silk gown had an off-the-shoulder neckline with demisleeves trimmed in lace. Pale pink ribbons decorated the bodice and the flounces in the skirt.

Pleased, Maddy went to the washstand to rinse her hands. “Every girl should be beautiful at her debut ball. And tonight, you look perfect.”

Gertie removed the protective linen cloth that had been draped across the girl's shoulders. “Nobody else has milady's magic touch. I was always ham-fisted with the greasepaint.”

“I had many years of practice in preparing for performances,” Maddy said as she dried her hands, careful not to drip on her own gown of wisteria-blue silk.

Emily fingered the strand of pearls at her throat. “It's only a shame that the necklace Nathan gave me doesn't match my gown. Though I suppose Grandmamma would condemn it anyway for being made by heathens.”

Maddy handed the damp towel to the maid. “Heathens?”

“Let me show you. I carry it everywhere for luck, so it's right here in my reticule.” Seated on the stool, the girl picked up the tiny beaded bag and drew out a dainty necklace, letting it rest in her palm. “My brother brought this for me all the way from China.”

Maddy bent down to examine the tiny jade figurine on a simple gold chain. “Why, it's a little dragon! How charming!”

“Nathan swore it will bring me good fortune.” The brilliance dimmed in Emily's expressive hazel eyes. “But I'm afraid it hasn't helped with Lord Theo. I truly thought he admired me when we danced at Lady Milford's. Yet he's never even come to call.”

Emily didn't know that Lord Dunham had forbidden the relationship.
My brother shan't be permitted to court her. Houghton would never allow his grandson to have any connection to a family that has been tainted by common blood.

The memory made Maddy seethe. It was yet another reason for her to despise Dunham—and her arrogant grandfather. But she didn't want Emily to be downcast on the night of her debut ball. “Lord Theo attends Oxford, does he not? If he hasn't been around, perhaps it's because his studies required him to go back and finish the term.”

Emily brightened slightly as she replaced the dragon necklace in her bag. “Yes, but he should have written to me at least. And I didn't see his name or his brother's name on the list of acceptances for tonight. Do you suppose Lord Theo might show up, anyway?”

“I wouldn't count on it, darling, I'm sorry.” Maddy leaned down to give her a hug. “You must dance with all the other young gentlemen instead. It'll be a wonderful evening, you'll see. Now do practice your smile. It's nearly time to go downstairs and welcome your guests.”

As Maddy began to cap the many bottles and jars on the dressing table, Gertie came scurrying forward to help. At that moment, a muffled thumping approached from the bedchamber.

Startled, Maddy whirled around to see the dowager hobble into the doorway. Emily sat at the dressing table, fussing with her curls while trying out silly smiles in the mirror.

Lady Gilmore's gnarled fingers thrust a small crimson bag at Maddy. “I will lend you this, Madelyn, so that you do not disgrace the family. You will return it to me at the end of the evening.”

Maddy opened the drawstrings and drew out a fine necklace. The classic design had many diamonds that winked in the lamplight. “Oh! It's lovely!”

Even as she lifted the necklace to fasten it at the nape of her neck, Lady Gilmore raised her quizzing glass and peered owlishly at the dressing table. Gertie was trying valiantly to stuff the many pots and containers into a bottom drawer. “What is that you're hiding, maid? What are all those jars? Stand back!”

Gertie retreated as the dowager shuffled forward and seized a small pot made of green glass, uncorking the lid. She brought it to her nose and sniffed. “Face paint!” A frown shifting her wrinkles, she aimed the quizzing glass at Emily, who still sat on the stool. In a scandalized tone, Lady Gilmore uttered, “Have
you
been using this paint?”

Emily's eyes rounded. “Ah…”

Maddy stepped forward to shield Emily from the woman's wrath. “It's entirely my doing, Grandmamma. For some time now, I've been applying cosmetics to conceal her scars. Have you not noticed the improvement? Ever since Lady Milford's party, everyone has been remarking on how beautiful Emily looks.”

The dowager thumped her cane. “Young ladies must never wear face paint! Remove it at once.”

“Perhaps that is true for most debutantes. However, in Emily's case, surely you can see that an exception must be made.” Bluntly, Maddy added, “Besides, I have the earl's permission.”

“My son defers to my judgment in such matters. He would never agree to this without consulting me.”

“Nevertheless it's true, my lady. He told me so himself.” At breakfast the morning after Lady Milford's party, he had
implied
approval, anyway, when he had thanked Maddy. “Perhaps we should go downstairs and ask him?”

Lady Gilmore pursed her lips in suspicion. The gold quizzing glass she held up to her face magnified one of her hazel eyes.

Emily jumped up from the stool. “Please, Grandmamma. None of the other girls had the smallpox. None of them have any scars. My skin looks so much prettier this way.”

The dowager's harsh expression softened. For a moment, her eyes actually grew teary and Maddy knew the woman must be blaming herself for failing to protect Emily from the disease.

“Well! Girls never behaved so fast in
my
day. But I suppose it is too late to make changes. Come along, then.”

Letting the quizzing glass drop, Lady Gilmore turned around and tottered out of the dressing room with the aid of her cane. Maddy grabbed her kidskin gloves and drew them on. As she and Emily followed the dowager out the door, they shared a sweet smile of victory.

*   *   *

The receiving line seemed endless. The Earl of Gilmore stood with his mother and Emily at the base of the grand staircase. Beside them were Nathan and Maddy, then Lady Sophia at the end. For once, Maddy was grateful to Sophia, who greeted each guest by name and spared Maddy the embarrassment of failing to recognize an important personage.

Her head spun from all the titles and names and faces. She shook countless hands and uttered various polite greetings the dowager had instructed her to memorize, though from time to time Maddy couldn't resist embellishing the stock phrases. Especially when someone came along who clearly resented the lowborn actress who had ensnared the Earl of Gilmore's heir.

One such guest had been a participant in the auction. He was the loudmouthed gentleman who'd poked fun at Maddy in her guise of the wrinkled old maidservant. He had a receding hairline and a stout chest that strained at the waistcoat beneath his formal dark coat. His companion was his mother, an even stouter gray-haired woman in an orangey-brown dress with a patronizing tilt to her double chin.

Maddy graciously offered him her gloved hand. “Mr. Gerald Jenkins, what a pleasure it is to see you again.”

The woman cast a sidelong glare at him. “Again? We have been in the country this past fortnight. This is our first ball. I cannot imagine where my son would have met you, Lady Rowley.”

Mr. Jenkins turned crimson. “Nor can I,” he blustered.

“Oh, la!” Maddy said. “You are a sly one, Mr. Jenkins, pretending not to remember. I do hope you enjoy the ball.”

As the pair moved on, and there was a lull while Maddy awaited the next arrival, Nathan bent down to whisper in her ear, “Stop it at once or you'll make me laugh out loud.”

She smiled artfully up at him. “Oh la, sir, do I know you? I'm sure we must have met somewhere.”

“I'll be pleased to remind you later tonight.”

His wicked promise triggered a warm pulse deep within her womb. His eyes gleamed at her, his dimples adding a breathtaking charm to his starkly masculine features. With his coal-black hair tied at the nape of his neck, he looked like a brigand masquerading as a gentleman in formal attire. How she yearned to abandon the party and escape upstairs with him.

Not later. Right this very moment.

She saw that same desire reflected in his gaze, too. He wanted to be alone with her, to strip off their fancy garb and join their heated flesh. Then another group of guests entered the foyer, and she was forced to return her attention to duty.

Summoning a courteous smile, Maddy suppressed the allure of passion. It was amazing how her husband could arouse her even in a crowd of people. And even when they both had obligations here.

Despite the revenge that ruled his life, Nathan needed to be on his best behavior for this ball. So did she. Nothing scandalous must mar this special night for Emily.

*   *   *

Near midnight, Maddy almost created a scandal after all.

The evening had been a smash success for Emily. The chandeliers in the ballroom cast a golden light over her reddish-brown hair and lovely features as she danced every set with a different gentleman. Maddy checked on her from time to time, prepared to do a quick repair of makeup if necessary, though the girl's face still looked fresh and natural.

Too often, though, Maddy noticed Emily glancing hopefully toward the doorway. As if she expected someone to walk in at any moment.
Do you suppose Lord Theo might show up?

The girl's naïveté made Maddy's heart squeeze. She hesitated to tell Emily the truth, that Lord Dunham had forbidden the connection. She could only pray that Emily would find a special admirer among all the gentlemen squiring her on the dance floor.

Maddy herself had joined the dancers only once, when Nathan had escorted her for the first set while Lord Gilmore had partnered Emily. Afterward, Nathan had disappeared into the card room, leaving Maddy to her own devices. She tried not to let his neglect irk her. She was determined to enjoy the splendor of this ball.

After all, how many women of her common background ever had such a stellar opportunity? She might be the only one.

As Maddy glided through the masses with a champagne glass in hand, it pleased her to imagine she was the queen, and they her subjects. She greeted people with a nod and a smile, sometimes exchanging a few words about the crush of guests or the beauty of the ballroom, which had been decorated with Grecian columns and large vases of white roses. Beyond that, though, no one seemed willing to associate with her. It was clear that although the ton would allow her into their midst as a courtesy to the Earl of Gilmore, they had no interest in forging friendships.

That was fine with Maddy. She had not married Nathan to find companionship among the aristocracy. Still, it would have been nice to share her thoughts with someone, or to dance with one of the many gentlemen. But other than a few brief conversations with family members, and one with Lady Milford, Maddy had been alone.

She amused herself by assessing all the ladies' gowns and deciding which ones she liked and which needed alteration. Their accessories and hairstyles interested her as well, for she would need to know the latest fashions when she opened her shop. Lady Gilmore beckoned to her once from across the room, but Maddy pretended not to notice. She refused to sit with the matrons in the corner. They were a gaggle of hens, squawking gossip about people who didn't interest her.

They would be screeching to the high heavens in a few weeks when she confronted the Duke of Houghton at his ball. But she mustn't think about that now.

Then, as she turned to make another circuit of the ballroom, Maddy spied a familiar face in the arched doorway. The stark black of his coat made his flaxen hair shine almost white above his sharp, narrow features.

Houghton's heir. Her cousin, Alfred, Lord Dunham.

Her fingers tightened around her glass. Dunham had sent his regrets. He was not supposed to be in attendance tonight. And he must be a late arrival, for he had not come through the receiving line.

Now, he leaned casually against the door frame, his upper lip curled in his usual smug manner. He scanned the swarm of guests like a predator searching for prey.

She really ought to avoid him. His conceit always grated on her nerves. She didn't trust him, either, not after the time when he had cornered her at the theater and forced his kiss on her.

Yet she walked toward him anyway. He was the one responsible for Emily's unhappiness. He was the one who had cast a sour note onto her debut ball by forbidding his brother to attend.

And Maddy had something to say to him on the matter.

As she approached, his eyes narrowed on her, then flicked to her bosom in an insolent manner that made her skin crawl.

She stopped in front of him and inclined her head in a gracious nod. “Lord Dunham. I don't recall seeing you on the list of acceptances.”

“I changed my mind. Will you toss me out on my ear?”

She ignored the question. No doubt he would relish seeing her do something so crass. She peered past him, hoping to spy his brother among the milling guests. “Is Lord Theo with you?”