Chapter Eighteen
“Louise, Mr. Boyet has taken your trunk and is bringing it to Madame Pembroke’s shop.” Helena stood at the door to Louise’s room as she gave it one last look.
“Thank you, Helena, for all your help. I don’t know what I would have done without you.”
“That is very kind of you, Louise. I hope you visit us again.” Helena turned to leave but hesitated. Louise waited for her to say more. “I will miss you.” Helena left the room.
Leaving wasn’t as easy as she thought it would be. Bessie and her staff had made her very comfortable, she felt like a part of their family. But if she were honest with herself, it was Nathaniel that made her leaving the most difficult. He had visited her every day until Elinor’s return.
It had been nearly a week since Nathaniel last spent time with her. He sent daily notes with his regrets. The business issue he was trying to bring to closure was almost completed. But his walk yesterday with Elinor in Hyde Park wasn’t a business issue.
It was time for her to be realistic and put these last weeks in their proper perspective. The adventure that had swept away her heart had come to an end. She would cherish it for what it was. There was nothing permanent. As much as it pained her to leave Bessie, it was time for her to return to the dress shop.
Louise left her room and knocked on Bessie’s salon door.
“Come.”
She opened the door and found Madame waiting for her.
“This is for you.” Louise handed Bessie the pen and ink drawing that she drew with Westminster Palace in the distance. Her initials, LMH, were clearly visible in the lower left-hand corner.
Bessie looked at the picture, put it down, and hugged her close. “I will bring this to the framer this afternoon and give it a prominent place.” She gazed at the Colonel. “Where we can both enjoy it.”
“Thank you for—” Louise began.
“No,” Bessie interrupted. “You are not saying goodbye. You agreed to be at the ball tomorrow for the results of the wager.”
“Of course, I’ll be there tomorrow.” Louise hesitated. “I do have a favor to ask.”
“Of course.” Bessie’s eyes narrowed. The woman was always one step ahead of her.
“Please do not tell Nathaniel who I am or where I live. I’ve come to the conclusion that this is where my adventure ends.”
Bessie glared at her for a moment before her gaze softened. “I will do as you ask, but you disappoint me. I thought you were made of stronger stuff. You give up much too easily. Anything that is worth having, and that includes your man, is worth fighting for. Did you really think securing your connection, your love, was going to be easy?”
Louise stood in front of the woman, her emotions swinging like a pendulum from one side to the other.
“There are two in the relationship. I’ve gone through my challenges. The next one is up to him. If he wants to find me, he will. If not”—Louise shrugged her shoulders—“then that is my answer.”
Louise kissed Bessie on the cheek. “I’ll see you tomorrow at the pavilion.”
Louise and Madame left the room and rode back to the shop.
“Good afternoon, Mrs.Dove-Lyon.” Mr. Styles showed Bessie into the drawing room at St. John Abbey.
Nathaniel hurried in.
“Bessie. To what do I owe this surprise? I haven’t had time for Cook to make bubble and squeak.” Nathaniel’s expression fell when he glanced at Bessie. She stood in the center of the drawing room with a folio tucked under her arm and a bouquet of roses in her hand. He went to her side. “What’s happened? Is it Louise?”
“Oh, you do remember her then?” She thrust the roses at him. “I’m returning these to you. You sent them to Louise, who no longer resides at Lyon’s Gate Manor, and before you ask, she’s not left a forwarding address.”
He stared at her with his mouth open.
“Oh, do close your mouth. You look like a great fish gasping for air.” She pulled off her gloves and slapped them into her palm like a switch.
“I’ll call for tea. We can talk.” He started for the bell pull.
“Not for me, thank you. I’m on my way to the framer. Louise gave me a lovely gift.” She handed him the folio.
He opened the folio and saw the pen and ink sketch. It made him smile.
“Do you recognize anything in that picture?” Bessie baited him.
He took another look at the picture and smiled. “Ah I see someone sketched Richard and Elinor at the park.”
Bessie grabbed the sketch from him and looked carefully.
“You can see him clearly in his yellow vest. Although the artist does have his beard looking more like mine. I’ve let it grow thick for the challenge. Richard’s beard is more groomed. But more importantly, why is he with Elinor, I wonder.”
“You’re right.” Bessie looked at him in shock. She stood there dazed for several heartbeats. “Louise is certain that is you with Elinor, though now I can clearly see it is Richard.” She pointed to the picture. “I don’t know what Richard was doing with Elinor but Louise is just as certain that the challenge has been a failure after seeing this. A union between you and her would never succeed.”
“But I told her I loved her and that I want to marry her.”
“Yes, before Elinor returned and started her gossip about making you her second husband. I’m going to tell you the same thing I told her: Anything worth having, and that includes your woman, is worth fighting for. Did you really think securing your connection, your love, was going to be easy?”
Nathaniel raked his hand through his hair and paced in front of Bessie. Finally, he stopped and smiled at her.
“Is she going to the party tomorrow evening?”
“Yes.”
“Thank you, Bessie. I know what I must do.”
Early the next evening
Madame entered witha gown over her arm. Louise stood in front of the cheval glass, wearing a blue gown with a touch of lace at the neckline.
“That will never do. Not in front of His Royal Highness. Bessie mentioned that he will be attending sometime during the evening.” Madame shook out the elegant mauve silk gown with a deep scoop neckline. Silver embroidery covered the skirt that pooled in the back of the tasteful train. “I have silver slippers for you to wear and a mauve and silver feather mask.” Madame raised her hand and stopped Louise from contesting her choice. “I knew you designed this dress for a special occasion. You are the perfect person to wear it.”
Madame helped her change. She stood in front of the mirror while Madame laid out the train behind her. Louise glanced in the mirror and gazed at her reflection.
This would be the end of her great adventure. Tomorrow, she would be working with Madame, but she was aware things would never be the same.
“I’m ready,” she said to Madame. “Are you?”
“Yes, I cannot wait for Bessie to see you.”
They had an uneventful ride from the shop to the pavilion. Louise stared out the window but saw nothing. She made up her mind that this would be the last time she would see Nathaniel. It would be too difficult to watch him with someone else. And if being in London presented a problem, perhaps Madame would help her get a position with her sister in Sommer-by-the-Sea. Yes. That would be a good solution.
Is that fighting for what you want? Or is that running away? Coward. Coward. Coward.
The word resonated in her head with each clopping of the horses and the clicking of their metal tack. Louise tried to convince herself she was doing the right thing, but doubt and desire needled their way into her thoughts.
“We’re here,” Madame announced.
The coachman handed them down from the carriage. They entered the pavilion and went to a private room to their right.
Louise stepped inside and found Nathaniel standing in front of her, wearing a full face mask, and a mauve vest, a shade darker than her gown, with silver embroidery.
He glanced at her, examining his vest. “A gift from Madame Pembroke. Now I understand why she sent it. You look lovely. Mauve becomes you.” He lightly kissed her hand.
A flush raced up her neck and tinged her cheeks.
“Shall we? Bessie is waiting for us.”
Louise took his offered arm. As gentle as his kiss was, she could still feel it.
They entered the main part of the pavilion. It had been turned into a ballroom for this last evening before the pavilion was torn down.
Now, it glittered with the soft glow of countless candles, casting an enchanting spell over the masked event. Bessie came to the middle of the floor.
“Ladies and gentlemen. You have been invited here tonight to witness the resolution of a wager. For the last several weeks, I have been evaluating the results of different phases of a challenge that tested the very constraints in which we live. Several people have taken part in the challenge. They donned masks and went to various events, some private and others public, where their social status could not be identified. The people were encouraged to meet and mingle and establish connections. In the end, I would judge whether lasting connections could be made or whether society’s requirements prevail. Tonight, I am ready to declare the results of the challenge.”
Applause erupted, but Nathaniel’s gaze sought her. All she felt was uncertainty mingling with the relief that their charade was over.
Nathaniel squeezed her hand, and Louise held her breath. Bessie scanned the room. Her gaze finally settled on Nathaniel.
“The challenge has been met, and a true connection has blossomed,” Bessie declared with a gracious smile. She walked over to them. “The winners. And their victory dance.”
The first strains of a waltz began.
He brought her to the center of the dance floor. They moved gracefully through the dance, surrounded by a diverse assembly of masked guests.
Nathaniel and Louise shared stolen glances amidst the whirl of dancers. The vibrant energy of the masquerade heightened the thrill of secrecy, yet for Louise, beneath the veneer of playful concealment, a growing fear lingered. What would happen when she unveiled the truth about her identity? What would happen when she walked away?
“Congratulations. You’ve proven your point.” She danced in his arms.
“I didn’t do this alone. You were my partner.” His step faltered. “You don’t think I could have done this with just anyone, do you?”
“I think deep down we both were looking for something or someone. The challenge provided the opportunity, and the masks protected us. I believe the conditions were right. But these conditions aren’t real. They are contrived.”
“Perhaps we should leave Bessie and our masks behind. Venture out into the world together to test if it is ready for us.”
“Those are intriguing words. Almost as good as when you told me about the challenge when we met.” She could still remember meeting him for the first time.
The dance came to an end. They bowed to each other and walked toward the refreshment table. “I’m not certain the world is ready for us. London certainly isn’t,” she said.
“There you are. Come with me. It’s time you both unmasked. I’m certain you are curious.” Bessie didn’t wait for an answer.
She led them into the private room and stood outside the door with them. “I’ve spoken to Richard. The wager has been settled with my approval. Inside, you will find wallets with your initials. It contains your winnings.” Bessie glanced at Nathaniel. “Your experiment or challenge, whichever you call it, proved your point. What the two of you do with that information is entirely up to you. Now, go inside and remove your masks. I’ll be with Madame Pembroke if you need us.”
They entered the room. Both were a bit nervous. Nathaniel picked up the wallets. He smiled as he handed her the wallet with the initials LMH.
In his mind’s eye, he saw the fashion sketches that flittered on the ground when he had bumped into that woman… He looked at Louise and then at the initials on the wallet. A flash of surprise ran through him. Why hadn’t he realized it before? Of course, the fashion designer.
They faced each other. The moment of revelation loomed, and the weight of unspoken words hung in the air. With a shared glance, they began to unmask.
“Here, let me assist you.” His voice was soft, mellow, and male as he reached to untie her mask.
“That won’t be necessary.” Louise stiffened as she felt the wall she had built around her heart begin to weaken.
“I insist. It’s the least I can do… LMH.” He pulled the bow that released the mask and revealed her face.
Louise reached and untied his mask. They both gazed at each other with faces that mirrored their anticipation as well as vulnerability.
Nathaniel waited, his gaze locked with Louise’s. “Beautiful,” was all he said.
Louise stared at a face she’d only seen once but would never forget. His beard was gone. A sudden surge of warmth spread from her chest. Yes, she remembered where they had met. She had scanned the street more times than she could remember for a glimpse of him, and he had been right by her side all the time.
The silence stretched, and then, with a delicate smile, she said, “Let’s not ask questions. Some mysteries are better left unsolved, don’t you think?”
Cowardscolded the small voice in her head.
Nathaniel exhaled, and she watched as a blend of relief and gratitude washed over his face. With all her heart, she wanted him to be a butcher’s son, but he was a marquess.
“Agreed,” he replied. In Nathaniel’s eyes, she found the unspoken connection that bound them.
As the masks lay discarded, Nathaniel hesitated. More of her wall weakened as she realized he was unwilling to sever the thread that had been woven between them. The challenge was over, but their lives were ahead of them. She had to make him understand that there was no future for them together.
The sconces, with their mirrored back, cast a warm light into the room. The aroma of fresh-cut flowers infused the air. Nathaniel stepped toward her, narrowing the space between them.
He was but a breath away. Four more heartbeats passed before he whispered, “I’ve enjoyed our time together.”
The seductive smell of him, all citrus and spice and so male, overwhelmed Louise. A wild tremble rolled through her as she reached up and kissed him.
She began to pull away, but Nathaniel wouldn’t release her. His face was close enough for her to see the passion in his eyes.
Her heart thundered in her chest, and a muffled gasp escaped her lips as its rapid beats resounded through her.
Nathaniel placed his mouth on hers, capturing her lips in a soft yet fierce possession. He drew her into his arms. His deepening kiss brought her to new heights, to a peak, to a frenzy of desire until he broke their kiss.
They clung to each other. Nathaniel looked into Louise’s eyes, her face flushed with passion.
“I don’t want this to end.” His whispered words soothed her.
Louise gave him a soft smile as his kiss; his words echoed in her head. She had no doubt that they loved each other. More than anything, she wanted to live in the world they had created. But their future was not an experiment. But could she send him away?
“Perhaps,” she replied, a single word that held the promise of possibility.