His Forbidden Debutante

The mention of gems nudged Livie’s memory of the shoe clips and her daring move to wear the accessory before returning them to Lott’s Majestic Shoe Shop. The masquerade posed the perfect opportunity. If anyone were to notice the clips or question her, she’d be completely concealed by her mask and costume, able to spin a tale suited to the reply.

‘A masquerade will be great fun. The theme of Aesop’s Fables is intriguing. I’d like to be the Peacock, although the lesson of the fable will not favour me.’

‘Aah, yes. Fine feathers don’t make fine birds. You are indeed a fine bird.’ Wilhelmina laughed before she continued. ‘Dash and I have decided to depict the Dove and the Ant. The grateful heart will always find opportunities to show its gratitude.’

‘You don’t know every moral by heart, do you?’ Livie couldn’t resist the tease. Despite the long term she’d spent confined to bed, it was Wilhelmina who’d read endlessly and possessed vast knowledge of the works of notable poets and authors. She twisted on the cushion to face Aunt Kate. ‘What will you be?’

‘Something enchanting and bold.’ Aunt Kate’s face lit with a mischievous desire for adventure. ‘I don’t often have a chance to dress anonymously and steal a dance from a handsome suitor.’

Exactly.

‘What are you thinking?’ Wilhelmina leaned closer, as intrigued as Livie.

‘Perhaps I’ll become a beautiful shepherdess or bejewelled queen.’ Aunt Kate straightened her petite frame and notched her chin higher.

‘I don’t believe there’s a fable written about either, but I’ll dedicate myself to research before we prepare for the party,’ Wilhelmina assured her.

Livie hardly tended the conversation. The masquerade offered at least two opportunities for her to practise the waltz along with a number of other numbers once her dance card filled. Bravo to the Dabneys for their excellent timing. If Esme also received an invitation and Livie remained by her friend’s side, there would be an overflow of suitors who defaulted to claim a dance once Esme’s card was complete. No doubt, Esme would enchant in a costume that rivalled everyone else’s. Her friend possessed an unmatched allure and beauty. It did Livie well to watch Esme closely and polish her social graces now that she’d be attending formal functions.

‘You should be a darling little fox, Livie. Your sable pelisse would be the perfect addition to your amber gown. With your face hidden behind an elaborate mask and fur-trimmed combs in your hair, there won’t be another costume as lovely.’ Wilhelmina narrowed her eyes as if envisioning the costume.

‘I will have to conceal my spectacles under the mask. Do you think it will be difficult?’ The necessary eyewear threatened to dampen Livie’s previous excitement, and her enthusiasm faltered.

‘Not at all. We’ll be sure to measure the ribbons carefully so you’re not uncomfortable. You could never go without them.’ Wilhelmina adopted her mothering tone.

‘No, of course not. I’d truly miss my dance steps then.’ She adjusted the glasses on her nose as if to emphasise her point.

‘When is the party? Will we have enough time?’ Aunt Kate, forever intuitive, steered the conversation towards the particulars.

‘Tomorrow evening at nine o’clock. The affair was first planned for three days hence but Lord Dabney has been called away on important business and, in a drastic measure to salvage the preparations, Lady Dabney has amended the date.’ Wilhelmina stood, her fingers ticking off tasks as she moved to the door with a mutter. ‘Our masks and costumes top the list. I will enlist the help of several maids to organise our disguises.’ Then she was gone as suddenly as she’d arrived.

‘Sometimes I feel as though Whimsy hardly remembers being an unmarried miss.’ Livie’s comment held a wistful tone.

Aunt Kate softened her chuckle by taking Livie’s hand in her own. ‘She worries about you after all you’ve been through. You may wear the spectacles in this family, but it’s your older sister who needs to refocus her vision. You’re all grown now and she must allow you room to flourish. Especially as your debut draws near.’ Aunt Kate’s smile held the gentle gift of unconditional love.

‘I know. It comes from her feelings concerning the accident, but none of what happened on that horrible night is Wilhelmina’s fault. I wish she’d free herself from the guilt.’

‘It’s as ingrained as her sisterly love, but worth it all the same.’ Aunt Kate added a small nod of reassurance. ‘Do not worry of it. It will diminish in time.’

Chapter Five (#ulink_662b477a-fa4c-55e2-9202-6fef102ddb47)

‘Give me the diamonds and don’t test my patience. My time is valuable and yours is borrowed.’

The cold directive sliced through the dense fog in the concealment of a cluster of pines at the south end of Hyde Park. The weather and late hour guaranteed their anonymity, yet if unlikely circumstances prevailed and anyone happened upon their circumspect conversation, the two men existed as distant spectres lost in the shadow of overgrown tree limbs.

‘There’s a slight problem.’ Hawkins despised delivering the news and accepting responsibility when Booth’s carelessness had caused the derelict mistake. ‘The package will be detained.’

‘You assured me this matter would be handled without complication. I’m on a schedule and your bloody mistake is set to ruin everything. Get me the diamonds or you’re not going to like the new rules.’

Barely controlled anger edged the words. Hawkins pressed his fingernails into clenched palms, unwilling to show weakness but equally unnerved by the result of the conversation thus far. No one would hear the echo of a pistol shot nor see the slice of a knife. He well understood the stakes of the game played. Yet he needed more time. Given that, he could deliver the diamonds as promised. ‘A minor oversight and no need for alarm.’ His voice cracked and he damned himself with a litany of silent curses.

‘Smuggling and thieving are hanging crimes.’ The rustle of fallen leaves and snapped twigs signalled his lordship’s approach. ‘Not your usual stint in Newgate.’ His presence crowded Hawkins’ peripheral vision, not allowed to turn and face the man who paid for the deed. ‘When the bottom falls out, no one will accept the word of a common dipper over the testimony of a respected member of society.’

‘Understood, sir.’ Then, as an afterthought exposing cowardice more than solution, Hawkins continued, ‘Booth is at fault, but I’ll reclaim the delivery and remedy the situation. He lost track of a shipment.’

‘He lost track of a fortune and I’ve very little time to see it recovered because...’ The low-voiced answer signalled dismissal, the padded sound of departing footsteps accompanied by one last comment. ‘I won’t be the one dangling from the noose if this falls apart.’

Penwick considered the open invitation on his desk. A masquerade at the start of the season was an intriguing proposition, the ideal distraction before leaving for Clipthorne to visit Claire. He tapped the corner of the folded note against the desk top. What were these restless feelings and why had they reared their ugly head all asudden?

His soon-to-be wife deserved better. No matter he was a respectful suitor who as a habit followed etiquette’s rules to the letter, unnerving regrets were still very much with him, anxious to haunt whenever he dared let down his guard. He owed his intended truer commitment. Perhaps he should purchase a gift to prove his devotion. Not that a present would erase his conflicted ennui, but it might assuage his own discomfort. Still, he wouldn’t wish to appear contrite.

Loathing his self-recrimination and unusual contrariness, he flicked the corner of the invitation with the tip of his finger, his behaviour of late out of character and ill-fitted. He’d done little of which to feel penitent, but the very devil, when had he become so indecisive, his mind and heart misaligned?

He rubbed his temples in hope of banishing the unwelcome condition and his eyes returned to the desk blotter where Dabney’s invitation waited. He couldn’t stop living because of an inconvenient irascibility. He was an earl with a world of responsibilities. Besides, a masquerade provided the fortuitous opportunity to practise his waltz and better prepare for his wedding day, all the while disguised. He opened the inkpot and signed his acceptance with a sweeping stroke. Then, with the tilt of the candle at his elbow, he pressed his signet ring into the wax and sealed it done. Hell, he needed to clear his mind of the muddle that somehow had taken hold.

Closing his eyes to summon peace, he relished the dark until an image of the beguiling beauty from the dance studio formed with startling clarity. Who was the lady? Her eyes glittered with delight behind petite, wire-framed glasses, her smile capable of enchantment. He’d never forget the way they’d moved across the dance floor, as if created to exist within each other’s arms. Was she the reason he no longer felt comfortable with his impending future?

He forced his eyes wide and mentally listed Claire’s attributes to chase away a sense of disagreeable guilt. Claire claimed all the required components of an earl’s wife from demure laugh and sharp intelligence to amenable nature. On the best of days this exercise served sufficiently to chase away lingering hesitation on his part. His marriage plans were arranged and settled. Yet he’d never danced with his intended, not having the opportunity as of yet, and knew not their compatibility beyond a formal parlour or arranged social function.

From his understanding of the responsibilities of title, marriages were arranged much like business transactions. He’d already blurred the line of proper courtship by choosing a bride who lacked standing, no matter she possessed innate poise, a lovely face and limitless fortune.

Their relationship had grown beyond friendship to admiration, one of mutual respect after introductions at a charity event where financial status outweighed lofty title. Still discomforted with his newly forced responsibilities, he’d enjoyed Claire’s connection to the alternate and more normal world he’d left behind. And there was no overlooking the wealth her family possessed, her father’s diamond jewellery business highly respected and remunerative throughout England.

With regret, he hadn’t a brother, father or uncle alive with whom to confer concerning his odd view of marriage. No family member remained to offer trustworthy advice and he was too embarrassed to approach Jasper with a subject that should have proven instinctive and ordinary.

With surety, a night of distraction would soothe whatever ailed him. He looked to the seal where he’d pressed his ring into the heated wax, bound by tangible, immovable responsibility. Indeterminate behaviour would rattle one’s brain if left unresolved. Better to ignore the malady until it failed to exist.

He placed the reception acceptance on a silver salver awaiting a servant’s attention. A distorted image of his expression reflected as he performed the task. At the least, certain items remained remarkable and clear. He’d made a commitment to Claire and a gentleman’s word was the very core of civility and integrity. An unexpected beat of melancholy coloured the realisation and he remembered the letters of his past, sentiments and words that lingered within him still. He needed to let go of the past and, most vital, he must cease reading the letters locked in his wardrobe drawer.

At half past eleven and not one minute sooner, for Mr Horne kept a fastidious schedule, Livie approached Lott’s Majestic with the erroneous leather boots, now returned to their original package minus the small burlap pouch. She’d left Dinah sulking in the carriage, unwilling to take the chance someone might spy their entry into the shoe shop and remark during congenial conversation on the occurrence to Wilhelmina, or worse, her sister’s husband, Dashwood. Best to stay as inconspicuous as possible within the morning crowd. With her gaze fixed and making purposeful strides towards the shop door, Livie crossed the street.

Never mind she couldn’t bear for her sister to believe she’d broken her promise. In truth, Livie now worked to right a wrong and return the boots, not the usual objective when she visited the favoured store. She’d left the shoe clips at home, unwilling to part with them just yet. The masquerade this evening provided the perfect opportunity to adorn her slippers and feel a tad regal, even if they served as part of her disguise. She’d send Dinah to return the clips come morning and claim an oversight on her part. She placated her conscience with the plan.

She’d almost reached the store’s entry when a stranger, a man dressed in somewhat ordinary attire, intersected her path and purposely bumped into her person, or at least she assumed so as he made no attempt to step aside as was proper. Worse yet, he stepped on the toe of her right slipper and the cream-coloured nankeen wasn’t styled to be trod upon.

‘Good heavens, you should watch where you’re going.’ Livie shifted the box to one hand and used the other to adjust her spectacles. ‘The streets are crowded enough without your careless misbehaviour.’ Perhaps she’d reacted too severely as the man eyed her long and hard, his eyes squinted in narrow assessment as if he studied her appearance before grunting a low pardon and continuing into the throng of passers-by.

Sparing not another thought to the intrusion, she bustled into Lott’s and straight up to the counter where Mr Horne waited. The interior was otherwise empty. She didn’t dare shift focus to the shelves. She’d made a promise, after all.

‘Miss Montgomery, what a delightful surprise. I didn’t expect you this morning or I might have prepared the newest designs for your perusal.’ In kind to most visits, the shoemaker scurried to the rear wall where a display of popular selections sat on a shelf as if waiting on a throne overlooking the masses. ‘Were you interested in slippers or boots today?’ His smile grew larger with each hopeful word.

‘Actually…’ Livie drew a fortifying breath. From the corner of her eye she glimpsed a pair of butter-yellow kid slippers with ornate heels, but she forced her eyes to Mr Horne’s expectant face. ‘I’ve come to return this package. I left with it yesterday, but there must be some kind of mistake. The selection I purchased isn’t inside.’

‘Indeed.’ The cobbler hurried forward and lifted the lid as he placed it atop the counter. ‘We must remedy this problem at once. Let me check the boxes on the side shelves. Just a moment.’

Livie wandered away from the counter to the large glass window, which offered a wide view of the busy London thoroughfare; its goal was to entice customers, and oh, how it worked its magic and cast its spell upon her.

As she watched from the inside out, determined not to examine the slippers calling her name from the back wall, an elegant carriage with a bright crested emblem on the door stopped across the street at the city’s finest haberdashery. The driver hopped from the seat to extend the steps and open the coach door. Livie had no explanation for her sudden fascination with the procedure as it was ordinary in every way; for some reason, however, she kept her eyes glued to the process despite Mr Horne’s voice continuing behind her. A plump orange tabby cat scampered from the curb and settled under the carriage as soon as the steps hit the cobbles. A gentleman exited a moment later, his shiny boot and walking stick claiming freedom first before his broad stature crowded the view. Livie swallowed, her mouth gone dry and brain defunct.