“Lizzie, we’d not have missed this for the world!” The Duchess of Allendale bussed Elizabeth’s cheeks. Her Grace had come disguised as a pirate with her husband, the Duke, decked out as her first mate.
His mother, the Dowager, had also arrived, sans costume, along with the Duke’s squire, one Sir John, and his wife, Lady Eleanor, who Elizabeth had learned was the Duchess’s sister. She was impressed they’d made the long journey from Cumberland, until she learned their visit was, in fact, twofold.
“My cousin, Mercy Pendrake, is newly betrothed.” The Duchess’s face fell. “It is imperative I see her, and her father, before she is shipped out. You gave us an excellent excuse to journey to London, Elizabeth.”
The Duke placed a hand on his wife’s arm. “Banks has agreed to transport her, Charles. There is nothing we can do short of?—”
“I know this, Roland,” the Duchess bit back, “but it does not mean I amhappyabout it. Any of it,” she grumbled as he steered her away.
Elizabeth turned to her next set of guests, her job tonight to prove to every person in attendance how well she and the Baron fared. United, they’d survived not only the Duke of Lennox’s wrath following her disastrous behavior at his son’s betrothal ball, but theTon’ssubsequent severe reproach, not to mention lurid write-ups in all the London gossip sheets. She and Jasper had indeed committed social suicide, but it had allowed their relationship finally to thrive.
Elizabeth wanted the world to know their marriage was a success, even if Baron of Milton would never be welcomed in certain circles. She no longer cared. Her husband, after all, owned a large Barony in Scotland replete with well-kept castle and bucolic, rolling farmland. They could raise their children there, England be damned.
“Lizzie, you’ve outdone yourself.” Lady Stanton beamed. “The arrangements are simply stunning. Daisy and honeysuckle make such a fragrant combination.”
Elizabeth smiled. Jasper had insisted on these two blooms. His ‘devoted affection’ and ‘I love you truly’ messages had not been lost on her.
“Thank you, Lady Stanton.” Her erstwhile neighbor was dressed as a Bird of Paradise flower in a bold orange-and-purple gown. “I’m so glad you approve.”
The lady eyed her critically. “You may not have given your husband an heir yet, Elizabeth, but daughters are cause for celebration too. Your own father, you know, doted on you and Bella when you were young. And now look at you both: married to such handsome husbands.” She waved enthusiastically across the room at Elizabeth’s blond brother-in-law dressed as a tawny lion. He stood beside her sister, a stunning fawn.
“You know I never doubted you,” Lady Stanton’s tone quieted. “Never doubted for a moment there was more to you than brains and books, Elizabeth.”
“And I never doubted you wished me well, madam,” she told her. “Though I may not always have agreed with your methods.”
Lady Stanton threw back her head and laughed. “Nor I your husband’s taste in dogs.” She quelled her mirth. “Sir Wigglebottom was, of course, gratified to receive your invitation, Lizzie, but knowing there’d be a wolfhound prowling your fête, my boy chose to stay home. You must visit us soon, to make it up to him.” Her plea was so genuine, Elizabeth caved.
“I shall call on your little darling first thing next week, Lady Stanton.” And Elizabeth brightened at the thought of dragging Jasper with her.
***
“Might I steal my creator a moment, madam?”
Lady Stanton paled before Milton’s dreadful visage.
“Why of course, Baron, by all … means.” She stumbled over her words, still staring up at him. “Quite the costume you have, sir.Quite.”
Milton nodded to Lady Stanton before he led his wife, dressed as Dr. Victor Frankenstein, in the direction of the dance floor. Not for nothing had he swallowed his pride and begged his erstwhile tutor, Paul Kilpert, to embark upon those necessary dance lessons. He’d done it for Lizzie, and to repair a friendship he’d sorely missed.
He’d also kept it a secret from his wife.
“Is it Gemma?” Elizabeth asked as he continued to guide her. “You were there when I fed her last.”
“She is fast asleep in her crib. That is not why I am stealing you away.”
“Then did Gerald ask for me? Milton, the dancing is about to start and as hostess I mustn’t miss the opening?—”
“Precisely.” He was nervous as hell, but he’d not let her down. He’d let her down one too many times before. “You must not miss the first dance with your husband.”
Elizabeth’s brow crinkled adorably. “Jasper Audrey, have you been keeping things from me?”
“I simply wished to surprise you, as did Paul.” Milton waved across the room at Kilpert, who responded with a grin and a flourish. He’d come dressed as England’s Bard.
“Why youmonster!” She playfully tapped his leg with her cane, dressed as she was in full doctor’s regalia: elegant waistcoat, soot for sideburns, and hair slicked back in a bun below her top hat, her spectacles making her look all the more medical.
She tipped her hat in the direction of Kilpert, who nodded back. “I can’t believe you two hid this from me.” She kept hervoice low. “Though I am terribly pleased you’ve reconciled with Paul. Only whomever did you cajole as practice partner? I must know whom else to blame for your deception.”
“Ginny, of course.” Milton grinned. “We’ve conspired these last two months, though it helped you were so preoccupied with planning this ball you paid little heed to your poor, neglected husband.”
