Masquerade Secrets (18 page)

Only an hour ago she had been so hopeful. Thinking that he might actually propose to her this night.

What a silly fool.

Love had done this to her. He had made her feel, made her want. She loved him and she had allowed herself to believe, even for a few moments, that what he said about her was true.

She would never be so trusting again.

With a cleansing sigh, she wiped her tears. She didn’t want to be here a moment longer than she had to. It was too painful to be close by him, knowing she would never have him. She needed to leave, to get away and clear her mind, decide what she would do with her life.

Rising from the bench, she walked back into the house, making her way to her room. She wouldn’t be sleeping tonight, she already knew.

“Charlotte.” Aubrey whispered, entering the room.

Groggy, her sister sat up in bed. “Aubrey? Is everything all right?” she asked, becoming more alert by the second. “What happened with the duke?”

“I can’t talk about it now.” Aubrey’s voice hitched.

“Was it bad?”

Nodding, Aubrey answered, “Yes.”

“What can I do to help?”

“There isn’t much. Help me to convince mother and father to leave first thing in the morning. I can’t face him again so soon.”

Charlotte tossed bedclothes aside, climbing out of her bed to give her sister a quick squeeze. “If it is truly what you want, I will help you.”

“It is. Thank you.”

“There’s no need to thank me. I’m sure there will come a time when I need your help to escape. Just think of this as payment for when that time comes.”

A watery chuckle crossed Aubrey’s lips. “I’ll remember that.”

Aubrey had been right when she knew she wouldn’t sleep that night. Slightly numb, the night had passed quickly, thankfully, and at dawn a maid had entered the room to light the fire.

“I have just spoken with mother. I told her that I thought I might be receiving a proposal from the Earl of Westly but I would need to leave for town immediately. She agreed that we would leave within two hours.”

“The Earl of Westly?” Aubrey had to laugh at that. “I can just imagine mother’s face at the prospect.” Looking to her sister, her expression turned serious once again. “You’re sure you don’t mind leaving early?”

“Not at all. I can’t wait to return to London. I’ve had enough of the country.” Her sister’s tone turned brisk. “Come now. Let’s finish our breakfast and dress.”

Nodding her agreement, Aubrey allowed Bitsy to help her dress. Trying to block out any thoughts of where the duke might be at that very moment.

Was he in the dining room with the other guests eating breakfast? Was he out for a morning ride?

Her heart clenched thinking of the time she spent with him. She would never recover from it. He had affected her as no other had ever done before. He had become a part of her to the point where she didn’t know how she would live out the rest of her life without him. It was possible, at least she hoped so.

She tried consoling herself, but her thoughts only made her more depressed. There would be no relief from the pain anytime soon. The betrayal was too close, her love for him too enormous for her feelings to be contained.

“Mother should be here shortly. Are you set to leave?” Charlotte asked, interrupting Aubrey’s dour thoughts.

Nodding briskly, she tried to convey strength that she didn’t have. “Yes.”

“Oh, I beg your pardon, my lady,” Bitsy said, looking toward Charlotte. “But I heard Lady Langston say that there would be a delay of some sort.”

Charlotte’s eyes furrowed. “Did she say what it was?”

“No, my lady.”

“Thank you, Bitsy.”

Aubrey looked at herself in the mirror, smoothing her pale yellow skirt. “I think we’re finished here, Bitsy. Thank you.”

The maid bobbed a curtsy. “Your welcome, my lady,” she said before leaving the room.

Turning toward her sister, Aubrey wondered aloud. “Why would mother need to delay?”

“I haven’t a clue.” Charlotte shrugged.

“I might as well go see if there is anything I can do to help. I don’t relish the thought of staying here a moment longer than necessary.”

“Good idea. I’ll be a few minutes behind you.” Charlotte took another bite of her toast.

“All right.” Aubrey turned to leave, making her way down the hall to her mother’s room.

“Oh, my dear, I’m so glad you’re here!” Her mother came toward her with a handful of books. “Would you mind returning this to his lordship’s library? Bitsy is too busy packing and I haven’t seen another servant.”

“Of course.” Aubrey looked toward the bed where Bitsy was carefully folding clothes. Apparently, her mother was behind schedule. No doubt she fell back asleep after Charlotte had spoken with her. “Is there anything else I can do to help?”

“No, no. Just take these books directly to the library.” Her mother seemed a bit brisk, but Aubrey didn’t mind. It was a small task that she could do to help her mother get out the door sooner.

Books in hand, Aubrey quickly made her way to the library. Fortunately, the house was quiet. With any luck, she would accomplish her task without anyone seeing her. She had no desire to converse with anyone. She didn’t think she could manage the polite façade that was necessary.

Cracking open the library door, Aubrey was relieved to hear silence. Shoulders slumping, she thanked her good fortune for the small mercy. Quickly making her way across the plush carpets, she placed the volumes on the restacking shelf. The servants would know the correct place for them.

With any luck, she would be able to make her way back to her room without being disturbed.

“Aubrey.”

She closed her eyes at hearing the deep voice. The longing that shot through her was overwhelming, all consuming. She wasn’t strong enough to fight the effect his voice had on her. It was too soon, it was too much. “Go away, Bradford.” She pinched the bridge of her nose, unwilling to look at him.

“No.” He moved to stand beside her, but was wise enough not to touch her. “We need to talk.”

“There is nothing to talk about.”

“You can’t truly believe that I invited Lady Victoria to my room.” Frustration was infused into each of his words.

“It’s really none of my business.”

With a step toward her, his hands came up to grip her arms gently. “Yes, it is. I only asked you to come to me. I only want you, Aubrey.”

“It didn’t look that way.”

She could see him nod out of the corner of her eye. “I know. I don’t know how Lady Victoria found out, but she knew about us. She knew about the masquerade.”

A small shock surged through her, and she finally looked up at him. “How?”

He shrugged. “I can only guess that she overheard us on the terrace that first night.” He seemed to debate something then continued on. “She pretended to be you at the masquerade the other night.”

Her mouth fell open.

“She also came upon me after you had fled up the stairs. She must have heard you agree to meet me.”

Could it truly be as simple as that? Lady Victoria was certainly capable of such a despicable act. But Aubrey wasn’t ready to fully believe yet. Her heart was vulnerable to him, and she never wanted to feel that kind of pain again.

“What do you want from me?” she finally whispered.

He was silent, and she felt him will her to look at him. “I want you, Aubrey. For myself. From now on. I want to be with you.”

Her heart leaped at his words. “Not the masquerade woman?”

When he shook his head, her heart plummeted again. “I want you both.” He took her hands in his. “Don’t you see, I love both parts of you. The outgoing beauty of the masquerade lady caught my eye, but your humor and friendship were what caught my heart.” His eyes bore into hers, effectively cutting off any doubts. “I love you, Aubrey. I always will.”

His declaration was like a soft caress to her soul. She could feel his love for her radiating from him into her. He loved her.

Moving slowly, he knelt down in front of her, still holding both of her hands. “Marry me, Aubrey, my masquerade woman. I love you with all my heart, and there will never be anyone but you. I want to see you every morning when I wake up, I want to hold you in my arms as storms rage outside, and I want to have a family with you.”

Tears pricked her eyes as she looked at the man she loved. Her heart overflowed with the tenderness that she saw in his eyes, knowing that he meant every word.

“I love you too.” The joy that lit his face made her laugh in pure happiness. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”

More happy than he could express, he let out a shout of joy and stood, lifting her into his arms. He kissed her with all the love and longing he felt, and she felt the truth of all of it deep in her soul.

Her heart answered his, pouring her love into the kiss, her fingers running into his hair at the base of his neck.

“You don’t know how I have wanted you,” he finally said, reluctantly ending the kiss.

She laughed, feeling free. “I think I have some idea.”

“Let’s get married this week.”

She laughed again. “If you can convince my mother of that, then I agree. However, I must warn you that she will want a large wedding, with time to prepare for it.” She laughed again, her arms still around his neck. “You have your work cut out for you.”

“It’s already been arranged.” He laughed when her mouth fell open again. “I met with your parents this morning and told them that I had fallen in love with you and that I intended to marry you. You don’t honestly think your mother had no one else to bring the books down?”

She laughed with the joy that burned from her heart. “Now that I think about it, it does sound strange.”

Locked into each other’s arms, they whispered words of love and their hopes for the future. From this moment on, they would never part, and that knowledge filled her pure joy.

This was the beginning of their lives together, and she relished every moment of it.

*****

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SECRETS IN MOURNING (SCANDALS & SECRETS - BOOK 3) - EXCERPT

CHAPTER 1

London, 1836

The wedding breakfast would have been a success if the groom hadn’t slumped over and died.

The bride, the former Lady Victoria Haveston, had looked all that was fashionable in her white silk and lace overlay gown, opting for smooth, clean lines instead of a ruffled mess that detracted from her generous curves. The late Duke of Norwich, spry and youthful despite his seventy-one years, exuded the grace and dignity his station required. At the table, he remained poised until the moment he slid soundlessly to the side of his chair, falling gradually to the floor as any gentleman should, instead of drowning in his bowl of spiced vegetable soup.