A Murderous Masquerade (8 page)

Rookwood didn’t speak but just pointed with his gloved hand.

Edward raised his glass to his eye and blinked out into the ballroom. A tight crowd was gathered around a handsome couple. The man was tall and broad, dressed in a fine coat that showed the breadth of his shoulders to perfection. His mask covered most of his face but he appeared to be looking intently at the woman at his side.

Her back was turned to him but she looked petite, young and graceful, her shining tresses of golden blonde hair piled high on her head with curling tendrils falling to her shoulders. The tiny sleeves of her pale pink dress barely covered the tops of her creamy white arms and a goodly part of her back was exposed by the Grecian style dress.

At that moment a man walked through the crowd bearing a tray of champagne glasses and the masses parted for him. The young woman’s companion dipped his head and obviously asked her if she would like a drink. At her nod he stopped the server, took two glasses and passed one to her. The woman lifted her dainty chin as she turned to thank the man.

Edward nearly fell backwards onto his friends even though most of her face was covered by a delicate feather mask, he could see the bottom half of the beauty’s radiant face. She was quite the most delicious young woman he had ever seen. Her breasts filled the top of the shimmering gown which clung to her lush lower body as she moved to speak to another man in the crowd.

“My God! She looks as fresh as the first peach plucked from the tree. I bet she’s as juicy too. I wonder if she’s been had yet. She looks young for a widow, but it’s hard to tell with all those feathers covering her eyes. That man with her clearly isn’t her husband. There’s no way anyone married to that goddess would ever let those young bucks talk to her like that. Look at those breasts...And I can see Cardew slathering over her, I’d know him anywhere even with a mask. Look at him! His mouth is watering so much, it’s as if he’s about to take a bite out of them. By God! What a figure! See the way her gown moves against her buttocks and thighs. Magnificent!”

Latham merely nodded, clearly speechless but agreeing with every word his friend had said.

Rookwood found his voice again.

“Well, I’m up for a tumble with her. What do you say that we persuade her out onto the terrace when her companion is otherwise engaged? I noticed a maze just beyond the walled garden. A little dalliance with a ripe virgin could be just the thing to whet our appetites before we make our way to meet Rachael.” He wiped his hand across his mouth as he looked as though he was about to drool.

Latham grinned as he nodded in agreement.

“We’re only here another couple of days, but it’s dashed inconvenient having to go into town for a bit of regular release. My father has forbidden me to use any of the Duke’s staff for my personal enjoyment. Pity, I’ve seen a couple of very pretty maids and even a tempting man or two wandering the corridors. This young filly looks spirited though. Look at the way she laughs and holds the men in her thrall. Maybe the three of us could break her in while we’re here. I’ve never minded sharing, and with a bit of luck we’ll be able to use her for the whole of the rest of the house party.”

Rookwood’s eyes gleamed in anticipation.

“I’m up for it if you two are.”

Edward could barely contain his excitement.

“I’ll go and sort out these ridiculous musicians. Rookwood, you’re the most likely to succeed. Ask her for the next dance. It will be a waltz. If you can twirl her round towards the doors that open onto the terrace, Latham and I can meet you outside and astonish her with our excellent wit and good breeding. It’s a fine night, offer to show her all the glories of Orion’s belt or the Great Bear.” He sniggered as the three friends made their way towards the dance floor.

Charlotte fluttered her feathered fan in front of her face. She could feel that her cheeks were flushed, but Giles didn’t appear to have any concerns. He introduced her to several young man and women and her dance card was soon almost filled. She looked up at her handsome cousin as the second waltz was announced. She frowned down at her card. She had either missed a dance or there was a change in the schedule for the night. Giles had already danced the first waltz with her, but Alexander’s name was written beside the second. He was nowhere in sight. Giles shifted his feet as he smiled briefly at her and then looked back out over the crowd to see if he could see Anne.

He was beyond desperate to see his betrothed after he’d noticed her father and brother enter the ballroom alone. For a moment he feared that they had discovered the secret love-nest and he worried that they might have locked the beautiful woman in her room, until Lily came over and told him that she was just bathing her face after having a disagreement with her brother. Lily hadn’t informed him of the nature of the argument, but Giles wasn’t at all happy that his bride to be was upset before the evening had even begun.

Someone tapped him on his arm and he glanced down at his pretty young cousin. She was sheer perfection and the crowd around them obviously agreed. Even behind the mask she was stunning. Her hair and skin shone with life and vitality which only set off the sparkle of the diamond encrusted tiara even more. Her brilliance was almost astonishing and it took him a few seconds to realize that she was asking him something.

“Go and find Anne and bring her to me after the two of you have danced. I have yet to meet her and I am keen to make her acquaintance.” She spoke quietly from behind her fan.

Giles looked about him. There were so many waiting to guide Charlotte onto the dance floor and ordinarily he wouldn’t have minded her dancing at all, but this was the waltz. He wasn’t keen on any young buck pawing her while they twirled her around the ballroom. If this had been London she wouldn’t have even been allowed but Lily wouldn’t put up with any silliness like that.

“I’m not leaving you alone in this crush and I don’t trust one of them to waltz with...” he suddenly stopped and smiled. “Thank goodness! Geoffrey!” He waved a hand and a tall young man strode across the floor. Several of the dowagers peered up curiously as the man carved his way through the throng, not caring if he shouldered past men or trod on the ladies gowns.

The man arrived in front of them and several of their group suddenly disappeared as if he had some kind of horrible disease, but Giles slapped him on the shoulder and introduced him to Charlotte.

“Geoffrey, meet my young cousin, Charlotte. I know that you saw each other earlier but Lily whisked her away before introductions could be made. Charlotte, this is Geoffrey, Alexander’s trusted stableman and steward, as well as someone I have the honour to call a friend of my own. He knows everything there is to know about horses and has been instrumental in our joint breeding plan.” He grinned at the still silent Geoffrey. “Perhaps you would see to my cousin while I find Lady Anne?” Giles inclined his head towards Geoffrey who gave a sudden sharp nod as his mysterious grey eyes stared down at Charlotte.

Giles strode off into the throng while Geoffrey stood quietly at Charlotte’s side. He remained silent and glowered ferociously at any man who dared to approach them. Charlotte’s eyes slid over his magnificent form. His coat wasn’t of the highest quality but his shirt almost shone with whiteness. His boots were of the softest leather and his breeches hugged his hard thighs. His hands were tanned and slightly abraded on the outer edges. Charlotte guessed he rode well and hard nearly every day.

She gave a little cough and he glanced down at her, his eyes immediately full of concern as he noticed her empty glass.

“Are you thirsty, Lady Charlotte? Can I get you something to drink?”

She nodded.

“Thank you. That last dance was a fair gallop and the champagne, though delicious just adds to one’s thirst. A lemonade would be delightful while I wait for Alexander to claim his waltz.”

Geoffrey glanced around and seeing that there were no foolish young men who might ask her to dance in the vicinity, he led her to a chair, gave her a slight bow and turned towards the refreshment room.

Charlotte had only been sitting for a moment when a splendidly dressed young man was suddenly standing in front of her. She tried to ignore him but he bowed low and began speaking.

“I am afraid that your beauty has rendered my manners impossible to control. I couldn’t wait for a formal introduction before I asked you for this waltz. I am Lord Ainsley Rookwood, friend of Lord Ellesworth and the Duke of Ormond. My father is playing cards with his Lordship as we speak, but I couldn’t bear the stuffiness of the room and came out here only to have my breath completely taken away by your loveliness.” He held out his hand towards her.

Charlotte flushed at his enthusiastic introduction and couldn’t help but answer if she didn’t want to appear rude.

“As this is a masquerade I am unable to reveal my name until after midnight. As it is, I am waiting for my companion to bring me a lemonade. I am unused to dancing and the last reel fairly wore me out.”

Lord Rookwood lifted his own mask a fraction and raised a devilish eyebrow as Charlotte caught sight of his face. He put on his most pleasing smile.

“A waltz is hardly a reel and as your drink appears to be taking longer than you supposed perhaps we could dance the few minutes away.” He didn’t give her chance to refuse. She almost fell against him as he snatched her gloved hand and pulled her from the chair. Within seconds she was propelled onto the crowded dance floor and whisked into the affray. Her feet barely touched the floor as he twirled her around quickly and she had to grip his shoulders to stop him plastering her to his chest.

“Please! Release me!” She begged as her head spun frighteningly.

Rookwood smiled rakishly and held her indecently close.

“You must be too warm if a mere waltz has you swooning, or maybe it’s my magnetic charisma that you are falling for, either way I suggest a short interlude outside. The fresh air will revive you.” He twirled her through the throng of dancers and within seconds she found herself on the darkening terrace.

Even with her limited experience Charlotte knew that this was all wrong. She beat her fist against his chest as he manhandled her across the flag stones.

“Unhand me, you dog! I will call for my cousin!” She snatched her hand out of his grasp and slapped him across his face.

There came another laugh from behind them and a second figure loomed out of the twilight. His hand came around her back and she gasped in shock as his fingers immediately dipped into the top of her gown and closed over her breast.

“A real fighter! Excellent! She’ll be fun to chase around the maze. We could even take her with us when we meet Rachael.” He covered her mouth with his free hand and plundered her breasts with the other.

Charlotte fought the fear that had her wanting to faint. She gathered her resolve and didn’t wait but drew back her lips and bit the man’s palm. She was instantly free from his grasp.

“Little bitch! She’s drawn blood!” He exclaimed as he stared down at his dripping palm.

A third voice had Charlotte trembling. There was no way she could give in, but she couldn’t draw too much attention to herself. From the tone of their voices she could tell that these were important men, even though they behaved no better than animals.

She was no one. It would be her word against theirs and even during her short life she had realized that no one listened to a woman anyway. If she was ruined then Giles’ name would be dragged through the mud and she couldn’t let that happen. He had gained a title that he deserved and would wear well. He was about to propose to the woman he loved and take his place in society. She couldn’t ruin it for him by being discovered in the gardens with these three disgusting rakes.

She set her own worries aside, lifted her skirts to above her knee and twirled about swiftly. Her leg shot out and she kicked a very surprised Rookwood right between his thighs. Shock covered his face as he doubled over in pain and fell to the ground clutching at his manhood, but Charlotte didn’t stop there. The man with the bleeding hand looked furiously at her and took a step forwards. She didn’t hesitate. She turned slightly and lashed out with her elbow, catching him right on the nose. He screamed as his nose broke and blood spattered the front of his shirt.

The third man came at her at a run. He looked like a demented bull. He was clearly mad enough to knock her down. She waited until the last moment before she turned aside and cracked her gripped fists on the back of his head as he floundered past her. He went sprawling onto the ground just as the doors flew open behind her and Giles, Geoffrey and Alexander stampeded onto the terrace.

Giles came to her immediately and wrapped her in his arms. His voice shuddered as he spoke.

“My darling girl! What happened?”

Charlotte was so relieved to see him that for a moment she couldn’t speak. When her voice did make itself known she hated it for its revealing quiver.

“Rookwood forced me to dance with him. He came over while I waited for the refreshment Geoffrey had gone to fetch me. I wasn’t given the opportunity to say no before he grabbed my hand and dragged me onto the dance floor. He twirled about so fast that my head spun and decided that I needed air. These other two blackguards were out here waiting. They were going to use me for their sport.” her indignant tones cut the air.

Giles felt his blood run cold. She’d had a lucky escape.