Sweet Hoyden (6 page)

Alert now, Pandora peered out of the window, too, immediately catching sight
of the earl's curricle, which was standing at the side of the road. Pandora
gasped and then groaned with dismay when she saw him in conversation with Fanny
Courdon. As the carriage rattled past the conversing couple, the earl looked
up, attracted, no doubt, by the sight of the St. James carriage. For a moment
his eyes met Pandora's and reflected not a flicker of recognition before she
withdrew her head. When the carriage had passed by, she glanced out of the back
window to discover he had returned his attention to Fanny Courdon and was
continuing what appeared to be an interesting conversation.

'If a gentleman as handsome as Lord Asheville were my husband," Jeanne
said slyly, "I doubt if I would dare leave him prey to the attentions of
other ladies. Some of them can be unscrupulous in their pursuit, I fancy."

'It was not my choice," Pandora snapped, and then sank back into the
squabs, planning her revenge.

The salons in Devonshire House were crowded even more than those at Repton
House a few evenings before. The Duchess of Devonshire's routs were always
well attended, and indeed, she was a most popular hostess. Invitations to her
assemblies were always eagerly sought by all those who deemed themselves a part
of the beau monde. The duchess's predilection for deep gaming found favor among
those who invariably prospered from it.

Wearing a ravishing gown of green satin covered in seed
pearls, Pandora felt both at home and a stranger there. It was extremely
difficult for her to resist the urge to accost acquaintances of several years
standing and engage them in conversation as she was wont to do.

'I hear some of your countrymen have been obliged to flee
France
in their
bed clothes," one old friend commented, naturally expecting a Frenchwoman's
expert opinion on the matter.

'It appears the King has completely lost control of the situation,"
said another, her voice hushed with the horror of it.

Keeping her fan constantly covering one part of her face or another Pandora
managed to murmur a suitable reply and contrived to dance as much as was
possible in order to obviate such conversation, which might expose her as a
fraud. She danced with Francois, who was almost always available to her, Lord
St. James, and others who, she discovered, appeared to find Louise de Chambray
just as fetching as Pandora Asheville.

When she walked out onto the dance floor with Sir Aldan Buckley, she was
more than ever satisfied with her disguise. He knew her almost as well as the
earl, having pursued her relentlessly throughout her debut Season, so standing
up with him was as great a test as any she had so far undergone.

'Those terrible events across the water," he told her, "have been
a great good fortune for us, ma-dame."

'I cannot conceive why that should be," she replied, affecting the
French accent evoked by memories of her governess.

'We benefit from the influx of beautiful ladies, of course."

Lady St. James's cousin had contrived to send all of her valuable jewel
collection out of
France
with her children, and it was agreed by them, Jeanne rather more reluctantly
than Francois, that Pandora should have use of a few pieces. On this particular
evening she was wearing a magnificent collar of pearls, which Sir Aldan
appeared to find fascinating.

Despite his ogling her jewels, Pandora smiled and looked suitably abashed.
"Tell me, monsieur, is there a Lady Buckley? I confess, I do not recall
meeting her."

'Alas, not."

'But surely a man of such presence and wit… ?"

'It is a great misfortune, I own, but the truth is I have never lost my
heart, and love is the only reason I would ever marry, madame."

Pandora affected surprise while being furious with him for his duplicity. On
countless occasions he had declared his undying love for her.

'Never, Sir Aldan? I confess to finding that
strange in so worldly a man as yourself."

'Well, let us say I have not met a lady to whom I could entrust my
affections, at least not until now, madame."

The orchestra struck up, and Pandora reflected that her disguise had various
benefits she had not, at the outset, envisaged. As Madame de Chambray, a
newcomer, she was able to judge people more easily than before. Perhaps she
would even come to know
Asheville
better before the masquerade was ended.

The dancing precluded more conversation, but as the sets moved around,
Pandora was startled to find herself partnering none
other than the earl, who was, as usual, the picture of sartorial elegance.
Pandora could not help but admire his fine evening coat and the diamond pin
fastening the perfect folds of his cravat. Momentarily she took pleasure in the
fact that her husband was possibly the most handsome man in the room, but then
reality beckoned when she recalled his cruelty toward her.

'Madame de Chambray, is it not?"

'Yes, it is remarkable that you remember me, Lord Asheville."

'Now we have met I am not like to forget you, but I own to be astounded that
you recall my name."

'I have an excellent memory for gentlemen as fine as you, my lord."

'I am honored by your favor. Tis only that all the emigres I have yet
encountered appear to be totally confused for weeks after their arrival, which
is only to be expected." He smiled, something
which smote her heart, for it had entranced her on so many other occasions much
like this one. "Be assured, madame, I am full of admiration for your
bravery."

It was a great relief when she returned to her original partner, noting that
her husband was standing up with one of her rivals of the previous year.

When the dance ended, Sir Aldan began to escort her back to where Lady St.
James was holding court.

'Do I dare to hope I will be granted the honor of standing up with you again
this evening, madame?"

'You may hope, Sir Aldan," she condescended, and was relieved when the
Duchess of Melway swept by without so much as a glance in her direction.

Before Pandora could reach the haven of Rosamond's group, the orchestra
struck up the national anthem, which brought everyone to a standstill, an odd
sight at such a gathering. Just as the last note died away, the Prince of
Wales, accompanied by several of his cronies and the Duke and Duchess of
Devonshire
, entered the ballroom.

Pandora knew the Prince and most of his entourage well, but was obliged to
feign ignorance. "What an honor this is for me on one of my first
assemblies in
London
,"
she enthused.

'You are like to see him often in the future," Sir Aldan assured her,
"for Prinny enjoys his diversions more than most."

'How handsome he is," she murmured as he passed by and she dropped into
a deep curtsy.

'And disappointed, I'll warrant." When she glanced curiously in his
direction, he went on eagerly, "You may not know of it, but his wishes
have only recently been thwarted. It was thought that the Prince was to become
Regent at last, but it appears the King has regained his senses. Prinny can
continue his round of pleasure unabated, but I am persuaded he'd far rather be
Regent."

'He surely cannot be sorry his father's health has improved," scoffed
Pandora, although she knew full well what Sir Aldan had told her was the truth
of the matter.

'Oh, indeed, he can," Sir Aldan replied, casting her
a malicious look. "I was at Carlton House myself when the news was
brought to him. It was thought he might have a seizure, so great was his
dismay. I confess to be in a fidge to see the Prince's new marine pavilion at
Brighton
. Mayhap you would ride down with me to see the
alterations that have taken place of late."

'What a pleasure that would be for me, but, alas, it cannot be in the
foreseeable future, for my diary is quite made up for weeks to come."

As they spoke quietly to one another, the Prince's entourage stopped from
time to time as it progressed through the ballroom so that His Highness could
speak to acquaintances. When he stopped to address Lord Asheville, the earl
bowed low before him.

'
Asheville
,
it is an age since you were present at one of my soirees at Carlton House. That
is very remiss of you."

'Your Royal Highness, I own it is most regrettable."

'No doubt your recent nuptials have had some bearing on your absence. I do
understand, as I am in the happy situation of enjoying a similar congeniality."

'I am obliged to you for your condescension, sir."

'You must bring Lady Asheville to one of my routs at Carlton House. Next
week, I insist upon it."

'We are both exceeding honor, sir, but I fear Lady Asheville is like to be
out of town."

'I confess to be disappointed, but mayhap she is present this evening."

'No, sir, I regret she is not. She is at present at Brocklesby Hall and like to remain there for some time to come."

The Prince frowned. "How unfortunate for you,
Asheville
. She is
not indisposed, I take it."

'No, no sir," the earl assured, appearing more and more discomforted as
eager ears all about them avidly took in every aspect of their conversation.
"It is merely a relative who is indisposed, and my wife felt in incumbent
upon her to bear him company for a short while."

'Very commendable," the Prince declared before moving on, much to the
earl's relief.

Meanwhile Pandora had rejoined her friend at the other side of the ballroom.
"I note that the Prince spoke at length to
Asheville
," Lady St. James commented as
she peered across the room. "I wonder what they were saying?"

Pandora fanned herself furiously. "They are cronies of old, and of a
similar disposition, I fancy. Without wishing to be disloyal to our future
King, both he and my husband are similarly dissipated and have a cavalier
attitude toward their womenfolk."

'What tush. After the amorosas of his youth, His Highness appears to be
perfectly happy with Mrs. Fitzherbert." Rosamond smiled. "Well, for
the present, at least."

'Exactly. Indeed, I am beginning to believe all
gentlemen play old Hairy with our affections,
Rosa
.
Sir Aldan has just declared to Madame de Chambray that he has never been in
love until now."

Lady St. James laughed. " Tis as well you did
not accept his offer of marriage. I recall quite clearly that I warned you
against such a course."

'What a pity you did not similarly warn me against
Asheville
."

The viscountess's eyes sparkled with mischief. "But, my dear, I
believed you to be in love with him."

Pandora's cheeks grew red and she turned away, murmuring, "Tush!"

One dowager came hurrying up to Lady St. James affecting a great air of
excitement. "Oh, do tell, my lady, why is Lady Asheville not present this
evening or available to callers at

'I have no notion," Rosamond replied airily.

'But I am persuaded you must know something of the matter. You are a bosom
friend of hers."

Lady St. James smiled sweetly. "She does not confide everything,
however. Do meet my kinswoman, Madame de Chambray."

Pandora had only just contrived to regain her breath from this encounter
when another notorious tattle-basket approached. "Lady St. James, I have
been seeking you out for an age."

'Mrs. Huxtable, it seems we meet at every possible occasion," Lady St.
James said, with mock sweetness.

'I have not encountered you in a sennight," the other woman countered.

'Is that so? It does not seem half that long to me."

Ignoring the viscountess's sarcasm, Mrs. Huxtable pressed on. "I have
heard that Lady Asheville has left town with great suddenness. I cannot credit
that, and I told Lady Ravensborne, depend upon it,
Rosamond St. James is bound to know the truth of the matter."

'How flattering of you both to credit me with that knowledge," Rosamond
answered, "but in truth I look to you to tell me the full facts. You see,
of late I have been far too involved with my French relatives to be concerned
overmuch with Pandora Asheville."

Fanny Courdon, who had joined them, looked somewhat smug as she listened to
the exchange. "I know why Lady Asheville is gone to the country."

All the others turned on her, including Pandora, who was alarmed. Fanny
Courdon looked satisfied at the effect her words had had upon the others.

'I pray you do not keep us in suspense any longer, my dear," urged Lady
St. James, a smile masking her own unease. "Do tell."

'I fear you are roasting us, my lady, and you have known all along,"
the young woman teased.

'Why should I do such a thing?" Her eyes narrowed suddenly.
"Indeed, I do not believe you know any more than we do."

'There you are totally incorrect. The answer to the mystery is a very simple
one…"

'Have a care what you say," Lady St. James cautioned, glancing
worriedly at Pandora, who had taken refuge behind her fan. "There are a
great many untruths abroad at present."

'If you do not know why Lady Asheville is gone to the country, how do you
know they are untruths?" Lady Courdon countered.

'Because they cannot all be true."

'Oh, do go on," Mrs. Huxtable urged. "I am in a fidge to know all
the details."

'Lady Asheville has gone to Brocklesby Hall to care for an ailing
relative," Lady Courdon revealed at last.

Once again Rosamond glanced at her friend, whose eyes had opened wide above
her fan. "You are remarkable certain of your facts, my dear," Lady
St. James told her.