Page 33 of Fortune Favors the Frivolous (Matchmaking Mischief Makers #2)
“M iss Playford.”
Caroline saw by Venetia’s violent start that she had not connected the wolf traveling in their direction with Lord Windermere.
“Lord Windermere,” Caroline answered for her friend with a curt nod. “You look very… dangerous… tonight.” Desperately, she scanned the room for escape routes, but her mother had positioned herself strategically by the nearest exit.
“I certainly hope Miss Playford does not think me too dangerous to honor me with this dance.” The voice emerging from behind the silver wolf’s mask was silken, yet chilling.
Venetia’s fingers trembled in Caroline’s grasp. “Lord Windermere, indeed… I had not recognized you.”
The wolf inclined his head slightly. “I had hoped the costume might conceal my identity from most—but not from you, of course.”
“I’m afraid I’m rather fatigued—” Venetia began, but Windermere had already claimed her hand.
“Nonsense. One dance cannot possibly exhaust a young lady of your vigor.” His eyes glinted through the mask’s eyeholes. “Especially not when we have so much to discuss.”
Where was Henry?
And how could Mrs. Pike sanction this?
Caroline could only watch helplessly as Windermere led Venetia onto the dance floor. The orchestra began another waltz, the intimate three-quarter time seeming to close the world around the reluctant partners.
Venetia held herself rigid, maintaining the maximum distance propriety would allow.
“You look positively enchanting,” Windermere remarked, his gloved hand pressing slightly firmer against her waist than was strictly necessary.
“In fact, dangerously daring in that almost scandalous costume. My, my, what an enigma you are. I really didn’t credit you with so much spirit.
And I do love a young lady with spirit.” He sighed.
“But spirit does not make up for the fact that you, Miss Playford, are penniless and without family.”
“I have my Aunt Pike,” Venetia said without thinking; and didn’t wonder that Lord Windermere let out a snide laugh.
“Yes, but unlike you, your Aunt Pike understands that you are being needlessly obstinate in resisting my handsome overtures to give you everything your heart could desire.”
“Except my right to choose my own husband, my lord,” Venetia replied.
Windermere’s laugh was low and unsettling as he guided her through a turn. “Tell me, how is your beleaguered fiancé faring amid the current… unpleasantness?”
“Mr. Ashworth’s reputation is above reproach. The malicious rumors will soon be quashed when the truth becomes public.”
“Rumors?” Windermere’s eyes narrowed behind his mask. “I think we both know they’re rather more than that. Though I suppose a woman in love would want to blind herself to another’s… indiscretions.”
“There have been no indiscretions,” Venetia insisted, though she heard her voice waver.
“My dear Miss Playford,” Windermere said, drawing her fractionally closer as they moved between other couples, “you are wasting yourself on a scoundrel. Henry Ashworth will never be more than what he is—a charming boy of moderate means and questionable judgment. He lacks the power to protect you, the connections to elevate you, and now, I fear, even the reputation to preserve you from scandal.”
Venetia attempted to increase the distance between them, but his grip was unyielding. “I have no need for elevation, my lord. I am perfectly content with Mr. Ashworth’s situation.”
“Are you? Even knowing what awaits you?” His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper.
“Your aunt has been most forthcoming about the family’s…
financial challenges. Did you know she can no longer afford to maintain you after the wedding?
Ashworth has a modest income, but I can ensure you enjoy the lifestyle to which you’ve become accustomed. ”
“I do not aspire to luxury.”
“Noble sentiments from one who has never truly known want.” The wolf’s mask seemed to grin in the candlelight. “But I wonder how noble you’ll feel when you learn what else your aunt has shared with me.”
Venetia faltered slightly. “I don’t understand.”
“Your father’s letters, my dear. The ones that reveal the true circumstances of your birth.” His eyes flashed. “Oh yes, I know everything—how your mother trapped him, how your very existence destroyed the match that should have been. Your aunt was most explicit.”
“That’s—I don’t believe you!” Venetia could barely speak.
“I have seen the letters myself. As will all of society, should I choose to make them public.” The threat hung between them like an ugly, tangible thing.
Venetia tried to turn her head away, but he pressed his forefinger to her chin to force her head up and look him in the eye.
“Imagine the scandal—far worse than anything poor Henry is facing. Your reputation would be beyond salvation.”
The music swelled around them as Venetia struggled to maintain her composure. “You have no proof. You’re just saying it—”
He shrugged. “Are you prepared to take the chance I’m lying?
Foolish girl! Accept my suit, and not only will those letters remain our secret, but I shall also ensure that the rumors surrounding Henry mysteriously disappear.
If you care for him as much as you lead me to believe, then…
you have the power to restore his reputation and career. ”
“I will never marry you!” With enormous bravery, she added, “You failed once, and you will do so again.” It was the first time she’d publicly alluded to his kidnap and the dreadful hours she’d spent as his prisoner.
But here on the dance floor, surely it was safer to air what must be said?
Nevertheless, she was trembling so much she could not go on.
The wolf’s smile widened behind his mask. “You really are making this difficult for me, Miss Playford, when there are so few options open to you. Marry me, and Henry goes free, his future secure. Refuse me…” He let the sentence hang unfinished.
Trembling, she whispered, “And if I were to tell Henry of this blackmail?”
“Well, then, I daresay it wouldn’t be long before the Ashworth family bank would face immediate scrutiny regarding certain…
irregularities in their accounts. Irregularities that, while entirely fabricated, would nonetheless prove devastating.
Banking, after all, is built on trust.” His voice hardened.
“Your Henry would not only lose his reputation, but his family would be ruined and possibly imprisoned. Is that the future you wish for him?”
The music was drawing to a close. Venetia’s face felt frozen with horror beneath her mask.
“You have two weeks until your wedding day, Miss Playford. I suggest you use that time wisely.” Windermere’s final words were delivered with chilling finality.
“Oh, and one more thing—your aunt has arranged a delightful musical afternoon in the coming days. I look forward to continuing our conversation there. In fact, I look forward to concluding our mutually beneficial arrangements.”
*
She was saved by Henry, who was suddenly by her side, saying, “I would like to claim the next dance with my fiancée.” His voice was tight with barely suppressed fury.
Windermere released Venetia with exaggerated courtesy. “Of course. I wouldn’t dream of monopolizing the lovely bride-to-be.” He turned to Caroline with a slight bow. “Perhaps Miss Weston would honor me instead?”
“I fear Miss Weston is promised to me,” came a new voice, and Barnaby materialized beside them, resplendent in a Harlequin costume of black and white diamonds.
Caroline reared back in alarm, and Henry stepped smoothly between them. “Actually, since Miss Playford looks rather pale, perhaps she should have a moment of air on the terrace with her friend Miss Jackson while Miss Weston honors me with this dance?”
Before either Windermere or Barnaby could object, Henry had swept Caroline onto the dance floor, while Venetia seized the opportunity to slip away towards the terrace doors.
“They’re toying with us!” Caroline whispered once they were safely beyond earshot. “And all the while, they’re plotting and planning. Have you learned anything? Like… when is Mr. Rothbury back in town? I made it clear I wanted to talk to him, but he is nowhere to be found.”
“I think your desire to speak to him might have been overshadowed by the tumult caused by that mysterious woman in blue. No wonder Mr. Rothbury’s mind was elsewhere.” Henry raised an eyebrow. “And now Barnaby has supposed evidence he claims could ruin my family.”
“I refuse to believe it!”
“That is what I am hearing. Meanwhile, Venetia’s aunt claims she has evidence that could ruin her reputation—if she refuses to wed Windermere.”
“I refuse to believe any of it!” Caroline declared.
“These are empty threats to make Venetia too frightened to do anything but renege on marriage to you and then pliantly accept Windermere.” She resisted the urge to brush her hand across Henry’s cheek but her voice softened and her heart did a little somersault in her chest at the way he looked at her when she said, “While nothing would make me happier than for you to no longer be betrothed to Venetia, that doesn’t solve the other evil that is about. ”
“No,” Henry agreed, giving her waist a gentle squeeze. “Because unless we find out, we are all doomed to unhappiness.”