Page 20 of The Gilded Masquerade

“I regret the interruption, but her ladyship is in search of a son,” the colonel announced, then raised an eyebrow.

“Pardon me, Miss,” Mr. Darcy said with a nod, then left the conservatory—taking her heart with him.

“And what is your assessment of my aunt’s winter garden, Miss Gardiner?”

“Quite perfect. One does not leave such an atmosphere unchanged,” she said breathlessly.

Chapter VII

Harsh Judgements

“She danced all evening,” Aunt Madeline whispered to Uncle Gardiner seated across from her in the carriage.

“Our Lizzy was the belle of the ball. It made me exceedingly proud how she held herself with such refinement,” he replied.

Lulled by the rocking carriage, she pretended to sleep. While grateful for her uncle’s kind words, she was too tired to open her eyes or talk any longer. Her mind barely had time to process the grand evening.

British society was entirely different than Manhattan’s exclusionary society. In fact, she was exceedingly surprised at how accepting the assembly was to her and the other Americans, of which there were a few beyond Miss Chanler and her pompous brother Willie. Maintaining gracious poise and civility to avoid discovery when conversing with them was quite the challenge, but she had pulled off the masquerade and for that she was optimistic about the false pretense she would present when she finally returned to New York. Nevertheless, the control was a lesson in patience. Succeeding in this level of society meant living and breathing on the sharpest knife’s edge—the rules, the propriety, the banal conversation was overwhelming. She felt as though a strategic pawn manipulated with military precision across a chessboard. One wrong move, word, thought, or misstep on the dancefloor and it would be over in a flash. Yet, she did cross boundaries, and no one but Mr. Darcy was the wiser.

“If only your sister had a modicum of her second daughter’s discipline and grace then our niece would not find herself in this position,” her aunt said.

“Now, now, Maddie, I know you’re weary, but it’s not the time to discuss my sister’s shortcomings.”

“My apologies, Edward. However, the contrast is too great to ignore.”

“Quite. We should not wonder what our Janie’s future might have been had she been the one to secure an eligible bachelor, but I am quite pleased with our arrangement for Lizzy. I couldn’t help noticing her waltzing beautifully with Lady Anne’s son.”

“As the master of Pemberley, he was merely being polite,” Aunt said. “How did you know it was he?”

“There was talk among the younger men over port in the drawing room.”

“I daresay, you gentlemen can be worse than taking tea at Lena Astor’s home.”

“It is winter, with two feet of snow and little sport to discuss beyond fencing—which you know I abhor. What else is there to debate without the vexing pricklings of politics, business, or England’s overstay in Egypt? I, of course, enjoyed my port and cigar, remaining an attentive listener to those who sought our niece’s smiles.”

“Was the discussion complimentary, at least? And I do mean respectable.”

“Indeed, so. The mystery surrounding our proper Lizzy had them all flummoxed. Our little ruse and little treasure were smashing successes. Many intend to win favor when the London season opens.”

“Then it is fortunate we will be in Newport.”

“I do believe the young Darcy would be interested in visiting Newport. Perhaps I will extend an invitation to stay with us.”

“The Darcy wedding will take place within a month. It is entirely settled for good and all,” Aunt Madeline stated. “Save your ink.”

Her heart ached for Mr. Darcy and for what might have been in a life with different duties and obligations. Their acquaintance was not destined beyond the masquerade and their parting was bittersweet. He had left an indelible mark on her heart, and she doubted that any other man could stir such … physical desire in her, just by his nearness. She was drawn to him, like moth to flame.

“That is unfortunate. They appeared wholly taken with the other. Did you observe the shy glances between them for the entirety of the evening?” her uncle replied.

Oh no!

“I did observe them but chose to overlook the unseemly behavior. Soft glances at a masquerade are meaningless and whatever admiration may have developed between them is contrary to ours—and the Darcy family’s—plans to protect family wealth and status.”

“And, my dear wife, what of the love you spoke of upon our arrival? Could the youngsters not attain both with a union? We may not be the Vanderbilts, but we certainly could provide a sizeable dowry and a monthly income. Surely, Lady Anne would not disapprove the match.”

“My dear husband, you know well enough abiding affection is very rare. I was merely instilling open-mindedness to our niece, not instruction to seek out the master of the estate and win him over with her feminine wiles and endearing smile. At seventeen years old, she is not ready. At four and twenty, he is. And he surely would not be prepared for our oft-times impertinent, headstrong Lizzy.”

Silently disagreeing and slightly offended, she had most certainly not sought him out. She had merely observed him from across the ballroom after their accidental meeting in the book stacks and, then again, their waltz and when talking with the Chanlers, dancing the quadrille … their clandestine rendezvous in the winter garden and the library, and lastly his sweet smile of good-bye when she looked out the carriage window before departing.