I have spoken to Lady Manwaring and have warned her that if she ever approaches me again in the manner in which she did at the rout that I will repudiate her. I know it is a harsh step, but she would not agree to refrain from such actions in the future of her own free will. I hope this will go some way toward smoothing the relations between us. Though neither of us asked for this engagement, I do mean to treat you well and fairly. I do not wish for you to become a by-word among the ton.
I should like to escort you to Lady Herbert’s masquerade this evening. Please forgive me for that which you have suffered because of me.
Most sincerely,
Frank
He wanted desperately to write to Sophie to make amends for what she saw as his improper behavior, but knew that she would take any declaration from him at this point as a further strike against her friend.
Fanny was right. It was a damnable coil. He had to be the perfectly mannered fiancé and yet manage to find a way to get free of the engagement without scandal. Only then could he set about mending things between him and his dearest Sophie.
~~*
Frank appeared at the Aldridges’ home that evening, dressed in a scarlet domino, carrying his loo mask. He waited in the front parlor for Lady Melissa to appear.
In she came, escorted by Lord Donald. To his surprise, she was a very sophisticated Cleopatra, wearing a black wig, a gold lamé dress that clung slightly to her form, a gold bracelet on her upper arm, and a gold circlet over her wig. Her brother was outfitted as Anthony, in Roman soldier’s garb.
“Well done!” Frank exclaimed. “You look very well indeed.”
“And you?” Lady Melissa inquired. “Is that supposed to be a costume?”
“A domino is acceptable. I did not decide to attend until the last minute. Have you masks?”
They showed him the identical gold masks they carried.
“Shall we be off, then?”
Lady Melissa proved to be in high demand at the masquerade, particularly by a Red Indian who wore a fabulous headdress, a leather vest that showed much of his red-stained, well-muscled chest, and a leather kilt arrangement that came only to his knees.
Frank’s fiancée seemed to know who he was, but Frank remained ignorant. Her dance card filled in a hurry, and he was lucky to secure the supper dance. He had planned on staying by her side throughout the evening, but with all the gentlemen intent on claiming dances, he soon found himself de trop.
Standing on the sidelines, his mind went to Sophie, following its accustomed path. He ached to see her. He longed for the restfulness of her angel-like countenance. He wished more than he could express to travel with her to that world where her violin carried him. Frank was beginning to know himself better, and he knew that he was losing touch with that world and all that it represented in his life.
What would the angel do if confronted by a masked, red domino? Buck’s house was near to this one. Perhaps he could slip away for a few moments. Perhaps if he did not present his own name, she would consent to see him.
{ 33 }
SOPHIE WAS PRACTICING HER VIOLIN in the drawing room where Fanny was embroidering a dress for Alexa when Perkins entered, saying, “A gentleman in a red domino has called, my lady.”
“Oh!” Fanny said, “It is Lady Hasting’s masquerade tonight! The carriages and chaises were backed up almost to our front door. Has some poor soul gotten lost?”
“I suppose it is Frank, or perhaps Lord Shrewsbury,” Sophie said, laying her violin and bow on the game table. “Maybe there is no harm in letting him come in.”
Her undisciplined heart lurched in her breast at the idea of seeing Frank, even in a mask. It was clearly he who strode into the room, for he wore no head covering and she recognized his black hair with its distinctive wave. She stood where she was, staring. All the reasons she had for turning him away flew out of her head.
“Goodness, you look dramatic, Frank!” Fanny said. “Have you escaped from the party and left your fiancée?”
“Tonight Lady Melissa is Cleopatra, and has attracted such a court of followers that I was only allowed the supper dance, which is not until midnight.”
Sophie’s spirits lifted at this news. Apparently, Melissa was going to escape social ruin. Frank was acknowledging her as his fiancée. But she asked, “And Lady Manwaring? Who is she tonight?”
“I have not the slightest idea,” Frank said, striding further into the room until he stood directly in front of her. He put hands on her shoulders and looked down into her face. “I have informed her that the next time she latches on to me the way she did the other night, I will publicly repudiate her. I know it sounds harsh, but it was the only threat I could use to make her see reason. I do not imagine she is madly in love with me. I think it is just that her vanity is hurt.”
Sophie moved out of his vicinity by taking a chair before the fireplace. “Heaven knows how long it will take for the slight you offered Melissa to be forgotten.”
“It was certainly not intentional. You have never been to a rout, Sophie. Fanny, will you not describe a rout to your sister?”