Page 24 of Loving an Earl (Widows of Mayfair #1)

F our days had passed since Edmund’s proposal, and it was the night of the Earl and Countess of Warren’s masquerade ball, 25 June 1816, the last major social event in London before the midsummer break and the ton made their mass exodus to the countryside to enjoy picnics, hunts, and house parties. Emmeline, Aunt Vivian, and Lilly would be staying in London except for the several house party invitations they’d accepted, since none of them owned country estates. Langford had once offered Lilly use of Langford Manor in Kent at any time, but she couldn’t face asking him about it now.

Her courses had arrived again that afternoon, confirming she hadn’t conceived the other night. Nothing was tying her to Langford through any sense of duty. She loved him—she knew that now. But she also knew she could not marry him if he did not love her back. She could not be happy in half a marriage, so she would simply have to stitch up her broken heart and go on.

Lilly decided to forgo a specific costume and wear a new gold silk gown with a matching gold chemise. Madam Serena had finished the lovely dress a day ago for this very occasion. The gown had off-the-shoulder sleeves and a low-cut neckline and was quite clingy. The elaborate gold mask was decorated with feathers and beads. Her hair was pinned up with curls cascading over the bare skin of her shoulders and chest. When she was ready, Daisy stepped back and declared her a work of art worthy of a museum, but Lilly felt exposed and thankful for the mask to hide behind. Perhaps she would leave before midnight and the removal of masks.

Emmeline dressed as a Roman empress. The cream and gold costume and plain gold mask were quite flattering on her. Aunt Vivian had chosen not to attend. She said she was too old to parade around in a costume. She warned them that even though it was an invitation-only ball, the demi-monde and unsavory lower-class gentlemen sometimes snuck in and mingled with the upper class, so they should remain watchful and cautious.

Since this was Lilly’s first masquerade, she didn’t know what to expect, and when their carriage pulled up to the Warrens’ well-lit London estate, she couldn’t take her eyes off some of the elaborate and revealing costumes. There were pirates, dominos, gypsies, Marie Antionettes, and French musketeers, and those were only the attendees she could see from the carriage. She couldn’t imagine what she would glimpse inside the ballroom. Her heart beat wildly with excitement and nerves.

“How do you know who anyone is?” she asked Emmeline as they exited the coach.

Emmeline laughed softly. “You don’t—that is the point. Although if you are well acquainted with someone, you should recognize them unless they alter their voice to match their costume.”

“Oh dear.” Lilly sighed.

“Some take hiding their identity very seriously and will play the role of their costume to perfection until the great unmasking.”

“Perhaps I should have declined my invitation.” Lilly’s head tingled and she felt a little lightheaded. She wrapped her arm around Emmeline’s for comfort as she recognized the signs of panic.

“Do not worry. We shall stay together as much as we can. The first thing we do is try to recognize Blackstone, Caldwell, and Langford.”

“Langford.” Lilly tried not to groan.

“I know you are unhappy with him. So am I, but he is a good friend to have.” She paused and lowered her voice. “I know his marriage proposal, such as it was, disappointed you. But give him time. Men can be dimwitted where women are concerned, especially when it involves a woman they care very deeply about.”

Lilly wasn’t convinced of that. Well, she was convinced that men could be dimwitted, just not that Langford cared deeply for her.

They greeted the earl and countess on their way into the ballroom—no announcement of names or introductions if the guests were to remain incognito. That suited Lilly fine. She could stand on the outskirts of the ballroom and watch the show. And when she deduced who Langford was, she would stay well away from him and his heartbreaking proposal.

“Come,” Emmeline said, “let us take a turn around the room and see who we recognize.”

“I’ve been in London a year and visited only a few times with Henry before that. I don’t think I’ll recognize anyone with masks on.”

“Be that as it may, we can delight in making fun of some of the more outrageous costumes,” Emmeline commented.

The tension in Lilly’s shoulders eased and she almost laughed out loud at the sight of a court jester dancing around the edge of the dance floor by himself. “Who do you suppose that is?”

Emmeline giggled. “Someone who does not mind making a fool of themselves.”

“Caldwell comes to mind,” Lilly said with a smile. “Not that I know him well, but he doesn’t appear to take life too seriously, although he must at times when it comes to business.”

“Ever since I’ve known him he has been like that. But if you look into his eyes, they do not mirror his easygoing nature. He is hiding something.”

“Oh, a mystery to solve.” Lilly believed, now more than ever, that most people held much beneath the surface, and so many struggled with some closely held sorrow—perhaps a death, a secret, an unrequited love. She herself had struggled with all of those things.

“I believe I have spotted Blackstone and Caldwell, though I don’t see Langford. Near the entrance to the refreshments room there are two men, one dressed as a pirate and the other a ship’s captain. Very fitting for them. Let’s go and say hello.”

“Perhaps it is not them.” Lilly hesitated.

“That is the good thing about a masquerade, if we mistake someone’s identity, there is no embarrassment or awkward moment.”

They approached the two gentlemen, and the ship’s captain bowed. “Ladies, how lovely you look this evening. Can I interest you in a sail down the River Thames on my ship this lovely evening?”

Even though Blackstone tried to disguise his voice, Lilly recognized it, and before she could speak, Emmeline murmured, “Another time, perhaps. It seems I am not dressed for sailing.”

He held out his hand. “Would you honor me with a dance then?”

Lilly quickly found herself standing alone with the pirate.

“Do not look nervous that Emmeline left you with a stranger.” He bowed. “Caldwell at your service. If you don’t honor me with this dance, I’ll make you walk the plank.” He grinned.

As they made their way to the dance floor, Lilly found herself actually enjoying herself. Caldwell was an exceptional dancer, and he didn’t miss a step of the country dance. She couldn’t say the same for herself. She faltered twice, but she didn’t care. No one knew who she was.

When the dance ended, Caldwell escorted her to where Emmeline and Blackstone stood in a quiet corner of the ballroom. Lilly’s skin tingled, and she recognized the feeling of being watched. As nonchalantly as she could, she looked around and found someone staring at her. He was tall, his arms were crossed on his chest and he was dressed as a smuggler. Or at least she thought he was. He could have been a gentleman sailor, but something about his glare, mannerisms, and posture gave the impression of a more dangerous man.

“Who is that?” She asked Caldwell.

“Who is whom, my lady?”

“Sorry. The smuggler over by the entrance. He is staring at me as if he wants to do me bodily harm.”

Caldwell chuckled, “I haven’t a clue, but you have attracted his attention. Would you like me to approach him and inquire about his attention?”

She almost tripped, having caught the edge of her gown with her gold slippers. “Most certainly not. Although, you don’t suppose Redford...”

“I can’t imagine the magistrate letting him out of Newgate anytime soon. In any case, you need not worry. Blackstone and I will protect you.”

Did Caldwell’s proclamation ease her worry? Not if the continuing pounding of her heart and the shaking of her body were any indicators. She glanced over her shoulder toward where the smuggler stood and exhaled the breath she didn’t realize she’d been holding as she saw he no longer stood there. “Thank you.”

Standing close to Emmeline she asked, “Did you see the tall man dressed as a smuggler standing at the entrance to the ballroom?”

“No. Why?”

“No reason.” She leaned close and whispered in Emmeline’s ear, “He was watching me. I couldn’t distinguish his face with the black mask, but something about him had me on edge. He looked like he wanted to harm me.”

Emmeline gasped. “Do you want to go home? Perhaps this night is too much for you. I have heard some people hate masquerade balls because the costumes and masks frighten them.”

“No, that is not it.” At least Lilly didn’t think so. “Will you accompany me to the ladies’ retiring room? I think I need a moment to clear my head.”

As they made their way through the crush of bodies, Lilly got separated from Emmeline. Then she nearly screamed as someone grabbed her arm and pulled her behind one of the potted palms scattered around to give guests the illusion of privacy. More annoyed than frightened, she looked up into the face of the masked smuggler and murmured, “You!”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“Langford, why are you shadowing me?” She placed her hands on her hips and glared at him. Even if he couldn’t tell with her mask on, it made her feel better to stare daggers at him.

“Is that what you think I’m doing?”

Sighing, she relaxed somewhat. “Yes. No.” She didn’t know anything where he was concerned. Except he still made her heart race. “Please say whatever it is you dragged me behind this plant to say.”

He swung his head up and frowned. “Can we go somewhere private and talk?”

Lilly sighed. They did need to talk. But she would rather not have the delicate and emotional conversation at a masquerade ball. “Call on me tomorrow. Is there anything else?” Take me in your arms and kiss me. Behave like a smuggler and take what you want.

“Be careful. Gentlemen hiding behind masks tend to be much more forward. Stay with Emmeline. By the way, where is she?”

“In the ladies’ retiring rooms where I’m going.”

He bowed. “Have a good evening.”

He turned and strolled away from her, leaving her alone after cautioning her about staying with Emmeline and being wary of overly forward men. She made her way down the hallway and somehow got turned around, found herself in the card room, and was surprised to see ladies sitting at tables gambling. She stood off to the side and watched with fascination. She’d never been in a gambling hell or a card room. It was surprisingly quiet as the players concentrated on their cards. When a game ended, there were groans from the losers and ecstatic cheers of jubilee from the winner. So engrossed in the card play, she didn’t notice the person who came up behind her until a low voice said in her ear, “Come with me.”

She was about to reply when he grabbed her arm and dragged her out of the room. Before she could pull away, he had her pushed up against the wall of a dark hallway. It looked like the servants’ hallway. “I’m glad to see you again, Lilly.”

His voice made her gasp in shock while her heart tumbled. “Redford.”

“’Tis I, my lady,” he snarled.

“But you killed a man.” Lilly’s knees almost buckled.

“Mere conjecture. And I was released while awaiting trial, though I don’t expect there to be one. My cousin’s wife will come forward and swear the fire was set by her husband. She will state the previous viscount was careless regarding the safety of lanterns in the barn.”

Lilly was having trouble breathing with his body pushed up tightly to hers.

He stepped back and grabbed her arm again. “Do as I say, and you will not get hurt.”

“Where—”

“Be silent. Do not speak until I tell you to. Keep walking or I will sneak into Mrs. Fitzpatrick’s home tonight and slit her throat.”

Lilly swallowed any other words and was dragged by the arm through the corridors, her feet barely keeping up. Several times she tried to get away, but his hand was wrapped so tight around her upper arm that she would soon sport a bruise. She tore off her mask because she couldn’t see, and it wasn’t long before she stumbled out a door to an alley, cool air hitting her face. The servants’ entrance. No one would pay them any mind since every servant was occupied with the masquerade.

Redford continued pulling her along in the opposite direction of the Warrens’ home until she saw a black unmarked coach. Redford headed straight toward it. He opened the door and shoved her inside, causing her to bang her shins, and she breathed through the intense pain. She scrambled off the floor and onto the seat, never taking her eyes off him. He climbed in opposite her and tapped the roof.

The curtains were drawn, and no lantern was lit inside the carriage, so she could barely make out his silhouette. But she could hear his heavy breathing and smell his sweat and stale cigars.

He tossed her a blanket. “Get comfortable. We have a long journey ahead. As long as you behave, I won’t restrain you. Try to escape and you will find your hands and feet bound.”

The air inside the coach was warm, but her body was chilled, so she covered herself with the coarse woolen blanket. This was not Redford’s usual coach. He must have hired a hack.

“Where are you taking me?”

“Come now, Lady Langford, you are brighter than most young ladies of your age. You should be able to figure out our destination.”

Her insides trembled because she already had, but she refused to say Gretna Green out loud. Instead, her mind went to calculating how long it would take to get there. Two days if they rode hard, three if they took breaks. Where on earth had Redford found the money for this? He had confessed to being broke and needing her money. Had he stolen it? “I thought you were short on funds.”

His laughter reverberated inside the coach. “There are many ways to procure funds. Now leave me in peace.” Within minutes his breathing changed and she could tell he’d fallen asleep.

Lilly found the hired hack to be poorly sprung, and she bounced around at every rut and rock and dip in the road. Her stomach turned queasy and she hoped she wouldn’t be sick. She had a feeling Redford wouldn’t take kindly to her casting up her accounts on his boots. She inhaled and exhaled slowly and steadily, hoping to settle her stomach and her nerves. Just then, the carriage dipped, sending her sliding toward the door, and she banged her head. Now she felt even worse. Redford slept through it all.

Her stomach finally settled and, what seemed like an age later, the driver stopped at a solitary roadside inn, presumably to get fresh horses, even though they’d only been on the road for perhaps an hour and a half. Lilly couldn’t be sure though.

Since Redford still slept she took the opportunity to get out of the conveyance and take stock of her situation. Her eyes scanned her surroundings. It was dark. The clouds hid the moon and stars and she wondered how the coach driver could see the road.

Her heart dropped. There was nowhere for her to escape. She couldn’t run down the empty road—she would certainly be easily caught again. She could try running into the forest—she wouldn’t be able to see, but Reford wouldn’t be able to see her either. Just as she’d made up her mind to run toward the tree line, Redford came up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders, and squeezed.

“Do I need to restrain you?”

“No,” she answered quickly.

“Get back inside the carriage.” He took his hands off her shoulders, and he clasped her upper arm, the same one he’d grasped earlier, and she swallowed down the pain as he led her back into the vehicle. It was several moments before they were on the road again. The only good thing that had come of their stop was that the driver had placed a basket of food inside with them.

Lilly rummaged around inside the basket and took out a hunk of bread and a piece of cheese to nibble on. She set the basket beside Redford.

“I expect my wife to serve me.”

“It is good then that I’m not your wife.” The moment she said the words she wished she could take them back. He reached forward and she jerked back against the squabs believing he meant to hurt her. Instead he grabbed the food from her hand.

“’Tis only a matter of time before you learn to obey me. Until then, you will go hungry.”

Her hunger vanished, but her stomach continued to hurt as she wondered if anyone had noticed she was missing. Surely Emmeline knew by now, and she would have sought out Blackstone and Caldwell to help her find her. Tears trickled silently down her cheeks as she prayed for help. It was all she could do not to sob out loud and attract Redford’s attention.