Masquerade

“What details?” Samantha was puzzled.

“Well, I’m afraid that Barbara has already given it out that she contracted a secret marriage, seventeen years ago, when she was seventeen. You were the outcome and your existence was kept a secret so that you might grow up without the usual hoo-ha attached to children of famous people.”

“Wait a minute.” Samantha frowned and stared at her grandmother. “How could she give that out? She didn’t know that I was going to agree.”

Lady Davenport looked uncomfortable. “My dear Samantha, Barbara banked on your acceptance of her plans. No one ever refuses her anything.”

Samantha shook her head. “Oh, God, so I’m just another pawn in her game.”

“Don’t, please, Samantha. Let it go. You won’t regret it, I promise you.”

Samantha was not convinced, but as the whole plan had her head in a spin already, she could not voice her objections. She felt heartily sick of the whole business, and wondered what was behind it all. There must be something. From what she had gathered about her mother, Barbara never did anything without good reason.

“And when do we leave for Daven?” she asked now.

Lady Davenport looked thoughtful. “Well, not for a week or so, I’m afraid. Barbara wants to have time to introduce you to her friends. She has planned parties, dinners, etc. When we leave, you will not need to worry about coming back to London for some time.”

“I see.” Samantha bit her lip. Dinners, parties! And she was to be sixteen again!