Masquerade Bride

Chapter 1

Chapter One

London

Miss Marie Kiefer, the daughter of Lord Covenshire, twirled the handkerchief around her fingers as she waited for her father to come into the drawing room.

She’d been unable to sleep for a good portion of the night.

She didn’t know if she was ready for the upcoming ball.

Her father had promised that the gentleman he had arranged for her to marry would be there and that he would introduce her to him.

Then she would marry this gentleman the next day.

She bit her lower lip. Had she been hasty in agreeing to this marriage?

Her father entered the drawing room, and she jumped to her feet.

He blinked in surprise. “I didn’t think you’d be up this early. You usually sleep in until ten.”

“I couldn’t sleep,” she admitted then shifted from one foot to another. “Not with the impending marriage and all.”

“Yes, I suppose that would make a young lady anxious.” He paused for a moment, probably to give her a chance to settle a bit. “Since you are awake, you can join me in the dining room. I’ll tell you more about this arrangement while we eat.”

He extended his arm to her, and she accepted it, realizing as she did so that her grip was tighter than normal. She made a conscious effort to relax.

He gave her hand a reassuring pat. “The gentleman you are to marry is Edward Glover. He’s the only child of the Earl of Palmere. The earl and I will secure a special license before the day is done. Are you certain you don’t want a church wedding?”

She shook her head. “I want something private.”

“It sounds like the bridegroom feels the same way, though he was willing to do a church wedding if that’s what you desired.” He gave her an encouraging smile. “I believe this will be a good match.”

Would it be? She had yet to lay eyes on him. She wouldn’t even recognize him in a crowded room. At the moment, he could be any of the well-dressed gentlemen at this evening’s ball. That made it difficult to know if he would be a good match for her or not.

But she was at a loss on how to find a husband. Her Season had been a dismal failure. She couldn’t bear the thought of going through a second one.

When they made it to the dining room, her father escorted her to her chair. Undoubtedly, it would feel strange to not share her meals with him anymore. Within the span of twenty-four hours, she would be a wife, and then she would eat in her new home. With a completely different gentleman.

She placed her hands in her lap and twirled the handkerchief around her fingers once more.

“I’ve been assured that Edward is a fine, upstanding gentleman,” her father continued as their plates were filled with waffles and seasoned apples.

“He’s considerate to others and gives thought to things before doing them.

His hope is to live a nice, peaceful life with a wife and some children.

His family comes from modest means, like ours does.

He took a job as a headmaster to help bring in additional money to the household.

I can think of no one better suited for my dear daughter than Lord Palmere’s son. ”

Though the words seemed encouraging, her grip on the handkerchief remained firm. “Did Edward attend any of the balls last Season?”

“I think a few, but his father said he gets nervous when he attends them. He prefers small gatherings to large ones.”

Well, she couldn’t fault Edward for that. She preferred small gatherings, too.

“Is he upset that we’ll be meeting at a ball?” she asked.

“No, of course not. His father and I did consider having a dinner party this evening, but given how much goes into planning them, the ball was the better option. I’ll make sure your dance card is full enough so that you can get some time to think of what to discuss with Edward when you two aren’t together. ”

“Thank you.”

She was glad he’d thought of that. Even now, she was struggling with things she might ask him so she could learn more about him—or even things she might tell him so he could learn about her.

She wished she were like those ladies who had no trouble talking to people.

If she were, things would be much easier.

But if she were that way, she would have had suitors.

She wouldn’t have had to resort to asking her father to arrange a marriage for her.

“Eat up, dear,” her father encouraged, his tone reassuring. “I want to make sure we’re done eating before the seamstress comes by with your wedding gown.”

She relaxed her hold on the handkerchief and then slipped it on the empty chair beside her.

She wanted to get married and have children.

This arrangement would give her that. Her future was secure.

She’d thought this single step would eliminate her fears about the future, but she was beginning to realize that her fears were not going to evaporate so easily.

“You look lovely,” her father greeted when she entered the drawing room that evening. “Are you excited about meeting your betrothed?”

“As excited as I can be,” she replied.

She decided not to let him know that her stomach was twisting up into so many knots that she was afraid she might lose her dinner. She clutched the handkerchief in her hand. This wasn’t the same one as before. This was a pretty light blue one to match this evening’s gown.

“If it makes you feel more at ease,” her father began, “I received word earlier today that while Edward is looking forward to meeting you, he is also nervous.”

While she did appreciate knowing she wasn’t the only one who was nervous, she worried that if Edward felt the same way she did, then they might not be able to talk to each other at all. One of them ought to be better equipped for this sort of thing.

The butler gestured that the carriage was ready, so her father escorted her outside. There was a slight chill in the air. She was tempted to get a shawl but thought better of it. Once she was in the ballroom, she would get warm.

Thankfully, the carriage ride was a smooth one.

Her stomach was most grateful for that. And also, it was nice that her father liked to talk a lot.

She smiled and nodded as he rambled, though she couldn’t make out what he was talking about.

She figured he wouldn’t be upset if he realized she couldn’t focus on him.

In fact, he might even be talking just to avoid the awkward silence that would come between them if he left the conversation up to her.

The carriage came to a stop outside of Lord Edon’s townhouse. She clenched the handkerchief in her hand. That ride had been much too quick.

Her father held his hand out to her. “Let me take that handkerchief for you. You won’t need that while we’re at the ball.”

He was right. It would look ridiculous if she carried the thing around with her all evening.

She gave it to him. Immediately, she missed it.

She had no idea she had become so reliant on using that little piece of cloth to help ease her nerves.

She took a deep breath to calm her racing heart, as much as she possibly could, then left the carriage.

“Lord Palmere said he and Edward will be near the veranda in an hour,” her father told her as they walked up the steps of the townhouse. “This will give you time to do some talking and dancing. Hopefully, that will relax you.”

Marie wasn’t sure if the extra hour was better or not.

In one way, she supposed it was. If she made a bad impression, it would be easier for her to convince her father to leave early since they had been at the ball for a while.

But waiting also meant she had an entire hour to agonize over what she was going to say and do when she met Edward.

They entered the townhouse, and at once, the group of people around them made her feel warm, just as she had anticipated.

They followed the others to the ballroom.

Her gaze swept the room. No one was standing by the veranda at the moment.

Had Edward and his father arrived yet? And if so, was Edward looking over at the veranda to see if she was there?

A gentleman came over to her father and petitioned him for advice on a business opportunity that had recently popped up.

Marie caught the flicker of interest in her father’s eyes but knew that he hesitated for her sake.

Since she wasn’t due to meet Edward for an hour, she could afford to go off by herself and wait for the first dance he had arranged for her with Mr. Richard Anderson.

It wasn’t like her father thought. She would not be talking with some of the ladies in attendance.

She never did. She only claimed she did so that he wouldn’t feel guilty for running off to speak with his friends.

Her dance card, however, was full enough to give her something to do before meeting Edward.

After assuring her father that she could manage on her own, she made her way to one of the chairs close to the veranda and settled into it.

She scanned the couples who were dancing.

They seemed to be having fun. Did any of them feel the same discomfort she experienced, or were they as carefree as they appeared?

She didn’t know most of the people in attendance.

That was her fault. Her father had encouraged her to attend more social engagements.

The more people you meet, the more comfortable you’ll be, he had told her.

And he would probably be right. Not knowing these people did put her at a disadvantage. It made her awkward at these balls.

But would meeting these people really have helped? It wasn’t like she knew what to say or do. All of the etiquette books in the world wouldn’t help her overcome her shyness.

She heard a lady laughing at a spot not too far from where she sat. The sound made her think of wind chimes. She glanced the lady’s way and saw that the lady was talking to a couple of ladies and gentlemen, and those people were hanging onto her every word.

She was Lady Diane. Many of the Season’s bachelors were hoping to marry her.

Rumor was that the ones seeking her hand were such good options that she was having trouble making her decision.

Marie couldn’t imagine having that many suitors fighting over the chance to be her husband.

She didn’t even have one. No. Marie had to resort to asking her father to arrange a marriage for her.

Lady Diane wouldn’t have to worry about whether or not the gentleman she married would love her or not.

With that many gentlemen vying for her hand, she was guaranteed a love match.

Lady Diane also had friends. She was surrounded by two at the moment, and they were laughing and nodding at whatever she was saying.

That was something else Marie didn’t have: a friend.

Marie knew it was wrong to envy another person.

Envy was a sin, after all, but a part of her wished she could be Lady Diane.

Some people had a natural gift for attracting others, and Lady Diane was one of them.

How easy life must be for her. Marie tried not to keep glancing in her direction, but she couldn’t help it.

She knew she could go over there and introduce herself.

She should make an attempt to get to know Lady Diane.

Ladies were encouraged to be polite. She doubted Lady Diane would turn her away, even if she really didn’t want her there.

On the very good chance that Marie didn’t become her friend, she could just spend the evening around her.

Maybe she could learn how Lady Diane managed to get along with so many people.

Then she could take those lessons and use them in her own life.

The orchestra stopped playing, a signal that the current dance had come to an end.

Lady Diane and her group grew quiet as they directed their gazes to the dancing area.

Marie pondered her options. This would be a good time to go over that group.

She wouldn’t be interrupting their conversation.

She could ask them something simple. Maybe she could inquire about the refreshments.

That would be subtle enough. Then she could linger a bit to see what the others were talking about.

She’d be part of the group—at least for the moment—without it being awkward.

She told herself to stand up and walk over to them. She even braced herself for it. But then one of the gentlemen offered his arm toward Lady Diane, and she accepted it. The two walked over to the dance floor where other couples were lining up for the next dance.

Marie released her breath and relaxed in the chair. She’d waited too long. Now Lady Diane might end up in another part of the ballroom, and Marie might not find her among the crowd. Even now, Marie was having trouble keeping up with her among all of the people who were dancing.

Life would be so much easier if she wasn’t socially awkward.

If only she wasn’t Marie Kiefer. If only she was someone else.

Someone like Lady Diane. Someone who was the envy of other ladies.

Someone who attracted the bachelors simply by smiling in their direction.

She frowned. It was no wonder she didn’t have friends.

It was no wonder she’d had to ask her father to arrange a marriage for her.

She was a pathetic wallflower, and no one in their right mind would want to be associated with her.