Beatrice said one must be cautious in avoiding having too much champagne and that Van Doren had learned that lesson the hard way during her season.
“I find Lady Bloomington’s way of doing things very comfortable,” the earl said. “Even in the card room there is always somebody bringing me something.”
Miss Mayton nodded under her yards of black chiffon. “Indeed, Viola. I am certain that your father and I were able to trounce the Blackwells at whist last year, because Lady Blackwell took every glass coming her way. Lord Blackwell held her up with a sturdy arm when they departed.”
“Beatrice said that Lady Bloomington is so generous with her offerings because she has been snubbed by the patronesses,” Viola said.
Darden nodded. “Years ago, Lady Bloomington made some comment about Lord Castlereagh, that was the beginning of it. Her champagne and entremets are her answer to Almack’s dry cake and sour lemonade. You will never see a patroness there to witness it, but then they will all be forced to hear how entertaining it was in the following days. Lady Bloomington quite enjoys that.”
“I shall be very careful of the champagne, Papa,” Viola said.
“I have not a doubt of it,” the earl said.
The carriage had rolled to a stop and a footman opened the carriage door. “Well now,” the earl said jovially, “let us proceed in and discover what Lady Bloomington has on offer.”
In the great hall, they found Lady Bloomington dressed as Anne of Denmark, as apparently that queen was also fond of extravagant masques.
The earl introduced Viola and she curtsied low.
“Two queens from different moments in history meet one another,” Lady Bloomington said. “I quite like that.”
“Goodness, Lady Bloomington,” Viola said, “I do not presume to hold myself as an equal.”
“Very well said, most charming,” Lady Bloomington said. “Earl, Darden, Miss Mayton is that you under there? You are most welcome to my house.”
They moved on and found the ballroom alive with wonder. A chimney sweeper, a sultan, more than one Turk, a bishop, a milkmaid, gods and goddesses, soldiers and sailors, flower girls and orange girls. Interspersed with that kaleidoscope of colors, dozens of mysterious black dominos.
Viola gazed over the crowd and hoped Lord Baderston did not come in a domino. She was counting on being able to spot him by his lovely hair and a hood would serve to confound her.
She really should have asked him about his costume!
“Ah,” the earl said, “here comes the champagne already.”
Viola turned. Then she smiled. The footman holding the tray was Lord Baderston.
“Baderston,” Darden said, “what is the game, old fellow?”
“Darden,” Lord Baderston said. “Lady Viola, Earl, and…Miss Mayton?”
“Yes, it is indeed me under here, Lord Baderston,” Miss Mayton said. “I am a medieval widow.”
“Good evening, Lord Baderston,” Viola said.
“Might you all take a glass of champagne, so I might dispense with this tray?” Lord Baderston asked. “I thought it amusing to come dressed as one of Lady Bloomington’s footmen, but perhaps did not anticipate that I would actually be taken for one. It seems she hires extras for the night and that butler of hers has been ordering me about ever since I got here.”
The earl laughed very hard at the idea. “Oh, that is good. I wish I’d thought of it.”
Viola suppressed a smile. Had her dear Papa thought of dressing so, it was unlikely he would be taken as one of the footmen. Not unless he was the oldest footman in England.
Miss Mayton seemed to suddenly realize that though Lady Bloomington’s masque was known for providing all sorts of nice things to eat and drink, none of it would penetrate her chiffon drapery. She raised it and threw it over her head, so the shroud trailed down her back and shoulders.
Having handed out champagne all round, Lord Baderston placed the tray on one of the chairs that lined the ballroom.
“May I claim the first dance, Lady Viola?” Lord Baderston asked. “I would request supper, but there is no sit-down supper at Lady Bloomington’s masques—only sideboards that are set up even now.”
“I would be delighted,” Viola said, very gratified by Lord Baderston’s explanation regarding his choice of dances. He would send a message by it. “Though,” she said, “we were so entranced by the spectacle that I have not yet retrieved my card.”
“Consider it my errand, Lady Viola,” Lord Baderston said. He bowed and hurried off to fetch it for her.
