Sweet Hoyden (16 page)

'Recall, he is her only child. 'Tis understandable that
she would be a trifle concerned for his choice of wife."

'In any event, when she retired to Tunbridge Wells after our wedding, no one
was more gratified than I."

'I can readily understand that, but was there any indication that she might
come up to town?"

'No, and I don't suppose my husband had a notion, either." There was
some satisfaction in her tone. "Lady Asheville was heartily weary of the
social round and only remained as long as it was necessary to act as hostess
at Asheville House."

Pandora's eyes narrowed thoughtfully as her friend suggested, "Mayhap
that is the reason for her return just now. Your husband is in need of a
hostess for the Season."

'Oh, no!
Asheville
would never call in his mother. He could not admit to her the truth of the
matter, for she would cry roast meat, in that she was correct in her reading
of my character. Oh, no,
Rosa
, you are wrong
in this."

'Then, why… ?"

'The only reason for her return must be because someone has told her of my
absence and she wishes to take advantage of it. Oh, yes, I see it clearly now.
She will urge my husband to let me molder in the country and then encourage him
to associate with doxies until he no longer wants to see me again."

'Pandora, why should she do such a thing?"

'Because she hates me. It is quite fashionable to
do so in
London
this Season!"

At the thought of this wrong being perpetrated toward her, Pandora dissolved
into tears, pressing a handkerchief to her eyes as she rocked to and fro in her
distress. Lady St. James jumped to her feet and hovered over her weeping
friend.

'Pandora, my dear, I am more than ever of the opinion this is all becoming
too much for you. It began as a great lark, but if it is unhinging your reason,
then I agree it must end. The strain on your sensibilities is too much. It
cannot go on."

Pandora looked up at her then, her eyes bright as emeralds through her
tears, which she was now fighting back valiantly. "You are wrong,
Rosa
. It must go on. I cannot permit her to win. Can you
not understand that?"

Lady St. James looked a mite uncertain then, but she answered, "I think
so, although the cost… I am becoming so afraid for your reason, my dear."

'I beg you, do not concern yourself for me. I will
contrive." Pandora now spoke with resolve; all her earlier uncertainty was
gone. "I must finish what I set out to achieve, at least until after the
masquerade at Ranelagh. If by then I have not encouraged his indiscretion and
won my victory, then it is like I shall not do so, however long I remain as
Madame de Chambray. In that event I shall be obliged to retire to my cursed
rustication after all."

'What of
Asheville
's
mother? Have you forgotten what you have only just said about her?"

All at once Pandora displayed something of her old spirit. "I have
forgotten nothing. If I can con-ft found Lady Asheville, then that indeed will
be a victory. Naturally, when this is all over, it will also be something to
hold over my husband's head should he attempt to ill-use me on another occasion.
His mother is truly the only person in the world he fears. If I threaten to
betray my masquerade to her, he will always be in my power."

'If you do, after all, contrive to best her," Rosamond replied doubtfully.
"If all you say of her is true, the odds are very great against you."

'Recall, I have always been a gamester, and more often than not, I win. On
this occasion I am merely gaming upon my future, so the odds needs must be
great. One way or another the masquerade at Ranelagh
will end my own little play, which I am determined will now run until the very
last act."

'How fitting," acknowledged the viscountess.

Pandora threw back the counterpane and swung her legs over the edge of the
bed. "There is one consolation to be had,
Rosa
.
If it all goes wrong in the end, I will be able to take to the boards as an
actress. What has happened of late leads me to believe my talent could easily
rival that of Mrs. Siddons!"

Lady St. James and her French "cousin" did not arrive at

It was, however, a strange feeling for her to enter her own house as a
stranger to it. As she walked slowly up the great staircase to the first-floor
salon where she had greeted so many guests herself, Pandora felt emotional,
too. Suddenly she had a longing for this to be her assembly, to stand at her
husband's side at the head of the stairs and greet their guests as she had done
before.

As she glanced around, she felt that her husband's ancestors, to be seen in
the paintings that lined the staircase, were casting her disapproving looks.
For once she could not blame them if they did.

The grand salon, where most of the
Asheville
entertaining took place, was a splendid room. Silk damask lined the wall, and
matching eau de Nil damask covered the many chairs that had originally been
brought over from
France
.
In one corner stood her own harpsichord, on which she often entertained
guests. Her husband enjoyed hearing her play, but today the instrument stood
idle and alone.

As they entered the salon, smiling and nodding to acquaintances, something
that belied their inner disquiet, Pandora looked around for a sight of her
husband, who was not immediately to be seen. However, the dowager was easily
seen at the far side of the room, where various of her
old acquaintances stopped to converse. Ernestina Asheville had been in her
youth, and for many years afterward, a leader of the ton. After the death of
her husband she lost her taste for the social round, and it became her
ambition for her only son to marry, in order to perpetuate the illustrious
line.

Unfortunately the wealthy young earl enjoyed his freedom and the company of
several ladies who would never have been acceptable as his countess. Nevertheless,
he did eventually accept the necessity of marriage and chose as his bride Miss
Pandora Kettering, much to his mother's chagrin. In his own way the earl was as
forceful as his mother and proceeded with his courtship, so after the marriage
the dowager retired to a handsome house in Tunbridge Wells, where she was able
to take the waters and receive all the respect that she considered was her due.

All this was very well known to Pandora, who did not doubt for one moment
Ernestina Asheville would be rejoicing in the absence of her daughter-in-law.
She was quite convinced that the dowager hoped the parting to be a permanent
one and to this end was once more taking up her duties as hostess at Asheville
House. Once again Pandora's eyes filled with tears, for she regarded it to be
so unjust.

All at once she caught sight of the earl at the far side of the room, in
conversation with several of his mother's guests. Her desire to throw herself
into his arms was alarming. In fact, her longing to be back here as mistress of
the house no longer bore any relationship to attending balls and routs or,
indeed, any of the diversions she normally enjoyed so heartily. She merely
wanted to be with him again and no longer be a stranger in her own house.

'Madame de Chambray."

She turned to acknowledge an acquaintance, with whom she conversed for some
time, and she was convinced no one could guess the heartache she was
experiencing.

Everyone, it appeared, wished to discuss with her the worsening situation in
France
,
which was quite natural. Uncharacteristically Pandora was now compelled to read
the news sheets to keep abreast of all that was happening in that country.
Previously Pandora had only wished to read The Ladies' Magazine and any
fashion plates that came her way. Now she was becoming rather knowledgeable,
unfashionably so, about politics and other matters that normally concerned only
the menfolk. Pandora found it alarming that while she and her friends enjoyed
diverse entertainments, dreadful happenings were occurring so near at hand.

Soon, tea and delicious pastries were being served, and Pandora began to
relax. All at once it was diverting to be present in her own house while her
husband and mother-in-law had no notion she was there. The only drawback was
that she could not boast of it to anyone save Rosamond.

'Madame de Chambray."

Pandora looked up from her enjoyment of the pastries to discover the earl
towering over her.

'I am relieved to see you recovered after the other evening."

'Yes, I am, I thank you," she responded in some confusion, glad of her
large hat with its profusion of ribbons that served to hide part of her face.
"I assure you, swooning is a most uncommon occurrence for me."

'I believe it, but your attendance here today was in some doubt in my mind,
and I am persuaded my mother will be gratified you condescended to accept her
invitation."

'I take leave to doubt that she is able to notice me among so many, my lord.
This is quite a hurricane, you know."

'As you cannot profess to be acquainted with my mother, I am obliged to
assure you she misses little, however crowded the room. Come, I would very much
like to show you something."

Intrigued, Pandora followed him, aware that Rosamond was watching with
great interest while conversing with a friend. The earl led the way out of the
salon, which was some relief to Pandora, for she had the fear he might be
taking her to be presented to the dowager. He led her into the gallery, where
it was far less crowded and she was much happier, for the farther away from her
mother-in-law, the safer she felt.

'Your house is most handsome, my lord," she ventured, feeling some
comment was expected of her.

'It gratifies me that you should think so," he responded, casting her a smile that discomposed her once again. "Praise
from someone of such exquisite taste can only be a great compliment. This house
can, however, only be a backdrop of those who visit it, and I fancy it can only
be enhanced by your presence."

'Lord Asheville, I do believe you are attempting to flirt with me," she
answered coquettishly.

Once again he smiled. "It is a most diverting occupation with one so delightful as you."

He paused before a painting, and unwillingly she  withdrew her attention from him and looked
toward the canvas, as he was doing. On the last occasion Pandora had passed
through the gallery a portrait of one of the earl's cavalier ancestors had hung
there. When she looked, she gasped, for now hanging in the place of prominence
where none could miss it was her own portrait executed by Thomas Lawrence.

The artist had portrayed her wearing a white gown of silk gauze, her red
hair cascading in ringlets over her shoulders. He'd insisted that she be
seated on a rustic bench with a pastoral backdrop. In truth she had not
expected it to turn out so fine.

'Is it not splendid?" the earl inquired, gazing upon it with genuine
pleasure. "I feel it is a worthy addition to the gallery."

'Yes," she breathed. "It is quite, quite splendid."

'You do not, of course, know her, but be assured
that Mr. Lawrence has captured the very spirit of Pandora. Did you ever see
such gloriously red hair?"

'It most certainly sets her apart from others. You would know her anywhere
because of that hair."

'Quite so."

'Indeed," she said then, casting him a mischievous smile. "I am
quite anxious of it."

'You need not be, madame, for you have a unique charm all your own."

Pandora returned her attention to the portrait. "Did you not tell me on
a previous occasion it was unfinished at the time of your wife's departure from
town?"

'That is quite true, madame. You have an excellent memory in addition to
your other many attributes. Mr. Lawrence had not quite finished when my wife
was obliged to leave town, but it was only a matter of a few minor details. I
am delighted I did not have to wait much longer to put it on display."

'Lady Asheville will be delighted when she sees it," Pandora murmured,
scarcely knowing what else to say.

'I can see you are much impressed, and rightly so. We have many fine artists
here in
London
.
Mayhap you would do well to engage Mr. Lawrence to paint your portrait."

She was deep in thought, considering once more the portrait hanging on the
wall. "Oh, do you think so?" she asked in some surprise.

'It is evident you would have left all such possessions behind you in
France
."

'Yes, yes, that is so. It was all I could do to bring out my jewels
safely."

'It would be a great misfortune if your descendants had no notion of your
beauty."

'I will give it some consideration," she vowed, "and I thank you
for the honor of allowing me to be one of the first to see this painting of
Lady Asheville." Pandora hesitated for a moment before adding, "I
imagine your dear mother is delighted to have her daughter-in-law's portrait on
display where it belongs."

'Oh, yes, she is most impressed," the earl replied, displaying a
little discomfiture, which was what she expected. As they began to walk back toward
the salon, he recovered himself sufficiently to tell her, "My wife has the
mistaken and irrational fear that she will be forgotten by all who know her
while she is obliged to be out of town. Well, now with her portrait hanging
here for all to see, that is impossible."