Mardi Gras Masquerade (30 page)

Maria felt weak.
 
She leaned back against the door or she would have been in danger of falling down.

“You’re Tienne?” she said in a weak voice.

“That’s right.
 
If you hadn’t been so adamant about playing your role as Maria Fontaine, you would have found out sooner.
 
I gave you plenty of chances to tell me, and today, when you would have told me everything, I thought you needed a lesson in honesty, but it was only to be playful, my dear.”

His words sank into Maria’s mind slowly.
 
She found it very difficult to comprehend what had actually happened.

“So,
you
were engaged to Marla,” she finally said.

“That was an unfortunate mistake.
 
I was a lonely man, Maria.
 
Marla, as you call her, captivated me with her beauty and vivacity.
 
I thought I had fallen in love, but I knew it was a mistake as soon as I got back home.
 
She was a different person in
Paris
, or maybe I should say, I was a blind fool.

“I had so much to do,
runnin
’ the family business after my father retired.
 
I’d had no time for romance, not serious romance, for years.
 
Your roommate’s glamour and deceptive behavior led me into believing that I’d found the right woman for myself at last.
 
That’s why I was so cold and cynical to you at times.
 
I had been deluded so recently that I found it hard to trust what I saw in you.”

“And what is that?”

“A truly lovely woman, who had been caught up by the fantasy of Mardi Gras.
 
If I hadn’t felt so cynical about your friend, I would have trusted and loved you right away.”

“But, how can you trust me now, after the way I tried to deceive you?” Maria asked as hope began to bud in her heart.

“I feel I know you now.
 
I’ve seen the way you’ve acted and heard what you had to say.
 
You’re not a phony, my love, even if you did let your fantasy carry you away a bit.
 
The essentials are what matter.
  
I’m sorry I teased you so unmercifully.”

Maria reached out to put her hand in Steve’s.
 
She could not believe this was happening.
 
Her wide eyes gazed hopefully into his.

“I thought you would know the truth as soon as I took off my mask that first time,” he went on.
 
“I knew that your roommate had taken pictures of me.”

“Marla accidentally left her camera in a drawer in her room in
Paris
,” Maria quickly explained.
 
“I had no idea.
 
When I spoke to her yesterday, she told me she didn’t think you had a brother, but I never suspected.”

“Oh, Maria.
 
I hope you can forgive me.”

“I certainly can.
 
As a matter of fact, I think I know who the old witch woman was referring to.”

“And I’m sure your ex-roommate will be furious when she learns that you’re my wife.”

“You still want to marry me?”

“I’ve warned you so many times that you’re never going to get away from me,” Steve replied with a teasing smile.

“What about your parents?”

“I’ve explained everything to them.
 
My mother told me she was delighted to hear we had a love story that was more romantic than her own.
 
I think my father would have been ready to argue the point, but she wouldn’t let him.
 
They’re going to love you, Maria.
 
By the way, I have another surprise for you.
 
Your own parents are waitin’ to see you inside.”

Maria was too flabbergasted to speak.

Steve went on, “I let them in on our secret the day after you told me their names.
 
They’ve been staying with my parents since yesterday.”

“I can’t believe this!
 
How did you find out who I was?”

“You gave me enough clues.
 
A private detective told me the rest, my sweet librarian.
 
That’s why I had to spend so much extra time at the office.”

“But the marriage certificate will be in the wrong name!”

“Are you still looking for a way out of this?”

“How can you say that, Steve?
 
Nothing could make me happier than to marry you!”

“I haven’t done this right yet; have I?”

Maria felt confused by Steve’s meaning until he got down on one knee, taking her hand in his.

“Will you marry me, Maria Jones?” he asked with a serious expression.

“Just try to stop me,” she replied with a grin.

The man quickly stood and hugged her tenderly.

When Maria would have kissed him, he said, “Let’s save that for the end of the ceremony.
 
My uncle, who’s a judge, arranged everything for us.
 
It pays to know people in high places.
 
All you’ll have to do is to sign the marriage license.”

“Where is it?” Maria anxiously asked.

“Up at the altar, along with your wedding bouquet.”

“Oh, Steve.
 
You think of everything.”

The man laughingly replied, “I’ve even arranged for our honeymoon to be on the Delta Queen, that paddleboat we saw.
 
We’ll fly to
Natchez
tomorrow.
 
I hope I’ve answered your dream of being swept away by a desert sheik,”

“You’re better than a dream,” Maria whispered.

Steve became serious as he lifted her veil forward to cover her face.
 
When he opened the door to the sanctuary, the throng of guests all turned to see the happy couple.
 
Maria’s father didn’t say a word as he escorted her down the aisle; his smile said it all.

Later that evening, fireworks burst over the city of
New Orleans
to mark the end of Mardi Gras.
 
For Maria and Steve, the masquerade was over, but their lives together had just begun.
 

FINIS