Sweet Hoyden (7 page)

'I cannot be more certain, for I have only just heard Lord Asheville himself
tell the Prince of Wales. I must own that I had never considered Pandora
Asheville foolish, but that is what she undoubtedly is if she leaves her husband so short a time after their marriage."

So saying she sailed away, head held high, happy to have gained some
ascendancy among established gossips.

'That is certainly news to me," Lady St. James murmured.

'And most disappointing to those who expected something a mite more
scandalous, I fancy," Pandora said with a smile, causing Mrs. Huxtable to
turn her gimlet gaze upon her.

'You, my dear, must be Lady St. James's kinswoman, of whom I have heard so
much of late."

Pandora murmured a suitable reply, all the while glancing about for a chance
to escape this nonpareil of gossips.

'We must contrive to have a coze," the woman went on. "I would
like to hear from the lips of one who has seen for herself what is happening in
France
."

'I know only what is in the news sheets and available to all," Pandora
told her. "The situation changes daily and is now considerably different
to when I left."

'Madame de Chambray." Pandora turned toward the voice gratefully, to
find herself face to face with her own husband. His parody of charm was firmly
in place, she observed, not without some bitterness. If only she could have
seen through that pleasant facade earlier. In truth, however, she had allowed
herself to be taken in by Sir Aldan's amiability, too.

'May I beg the honor of escorting you into supper, madame?" he asked,
to her dismay.

All the while Lady St. James was continuing her conversation with Mrs.
Huxtable, apparently not heeding what was going on between Pandora and her
husband.

For a moment Pandora was too taken aback by his sudden appearance to reply,
and then, composing herself, she told him. "I am indeed honored, my lord,
by your offer, but I have promised to accompany my nephew, Monsieur de
Fontenac."

The earl appeared not at all nonplussed by her refusal, although he did say,
"That is a great pity, but I have noted the devotion of Monsieur de Fontenac
toward his aunt. It is most rare, I own." He smiled, encompassing all the
other ladies close by. "I was never so devoted to my aunts."

Pandora smiled grimly behind her fan. "I do not suppose that you
were."

'However, I am bound to confess they were never so
charming as you, madame."

'Lord Asheville," Mrs. Huxtable said imperiously, "do you not
miss your wife's presence, now she is gone to Brocklesby Hall?"

Again he smiled. "No, ma'am. I do not miss her
at all." Mrs. Huxtable drew back in astonishment and Lady St. James dared
not look at Pandora, whose face was frozen into a mask of dismay behind her
fan. The earl glanced at Pandora again. "In order to relieve my great
disappointment at not taking you in to supper this evening, mayhap you will be
condescending enough to stand up with me later, madame."

He bowed briefly and was gone into the crowd, leaving Mrs. Huxtable to gasp,
"What do you think he meant by that remark?"

Before Rosamond could think of a suitable reply, Pandora said, "Oh,
these Englishmen; they are so strange. You should not take what he says as the
veritable truth. I am persuaded that Lord Asheville is something of a
funster."

'It did not appear to me that he was funning," Mrs. Huxtable replied.
"Indeed, it did not."

'I am bound to say that my sympathies are squarely with his poor wife, who
must find him a trial," Pandora went on, much to her friend's amusement.

'Now you have broached the subject, I am bound to tell you up until now
everyone has both pitied and envied
Asheville
his wife," Mrs. Huxtable confided.

Pandora stiffened. "Oh, indeed? How can that be? He is either to be
envied or pitied. I cannot conceive how it can be both."

Mrs. Huxtable took Pandora by the arm, affecting an air of confidentiality.
"My dear, Pandora Asheville is the most delightful chit, I must own, but
she is exceeding high-spirited and more than a trifle overindulged. It cannot
be easy even for someone as authoritative as Lord Asheville to control her.
Whatever Lord Asheville has told the Prince, depend upon it, they have parted
brass rags and Lady Asheville has gone off in a miff.
Asheville
is merely making the best of it as
any gentleman might, despite that Banbury Tale. One would have to be a
buffie-head to believe that tarradiddle."

'It surely is feasible," Pandora pointed out, controlling her anger.

Mrs. Huxtable smiled knowingly. "I assure you it is not, for Lady
Asheville attends no one but herself."

As Pandora's eyes met Lady St. James's, Mrs. Huxtable nodded her feathered
head sagely. The viscountess was endeavoring to control her mirth, while
Pandora was sorely tempted to give this tattle-basket the set-down she so
roundly deserved, but wisely she fought the inclination.

'I only wonder someone with such evident good sense as Lord Asheville should
think to wed a woman of that mettle," Pandora said in a strangled voice.

'Do not mistake me," the gossip continued, getting well into her
stride. "She is a delightful chit and most handsome. I dare say her
substantial portion alleviates much of Lord Asheville's vexation."

Before Pandora could suffer further revelations as to her own character,
Francois returned to her side in time to escort her in to supper, and she was
never more pleased to see him.

As they passed Lady St. James, Pandora said in her ear, "That vile
creature will never grace my house again, you may be certain."

'How famous," the viscountess responded, chuckling, "and she will
never know why she has been ostracized. It could not be better!"

Pandora deliberately concentrated her attention on Frangois in an attempt
not to be overset by what Mrs. Huxtable had confided, but nevertheless she was
discomposed. It was so unjust, and even more vexing that she had had no notion
what others really thought of her. All those people who were smilingly
condescending were all the while thinking her a hoyden, just as
Asheville
did. Moreover
it appeared they considered her portion had been more of an attraction than
her charms. It was infuriating that she couldn't gainsay any of those
outlandish beliefs.

'You are remarkable quiet this evening," Frangois commented as they
moved into the supper room.

'I beg your pardon, Frangois, I was merely collecting
my thoughts. It is necessary for me to keep my wits about me if I am to
continue as Madame fi de Chambray. You appear to be
enjoying your entry into English Society, I notice."

'How could it be any other, my lady? I have stood up for every dance with such
fetching creatures."

'I am persuaded they all find you equally handsome."

He lowered his voice. "How goes the masquerade, my lady?"

'In truth I am not certain, Francois. No one has as yet guessed my true identity,
and I am persuaded they will not, so in that sense it is a great success.
However, I am beginning to learn what people really think of me and to observe
my own husband in a totally different way. That I think is rather alarming and
not what I had looked for at all at the outset."

'So, do you continue?"

For a moment Pandora did not answer, and then she said, "If I do not, I
cannot, naturally, remain in town. I needs must go to Brocklesby Hall and act
the obedient and repentent wife, and I am not as yet willing to do so."

Francois smiled. "As I always thought—a woman of
spirit."

Wryly she replied, "If any of my spirit remains at the end of this
charade, it will be amazing."

'I, for one, am glad that is your decision. This began as an amusing diversion
for me, but now I just wish to enjoy your company and eventually see you best
your husband. However, it is the pleasure of your company that is uppermost in
my thoughts at all times."

'That is exceeding flattering, Frangois," she answered in some dismay.

'Flattery is something to which you should be very well accustomed."

Pandora laughed uncomfortably as they entered the supper room, but then her
amusement died abruptly as she caught the eye of the earl with Fanny Courdon on
his arm. Pandora reflected that if she had gone to Brocklesby Hall, at least
she might have saved herself considerable pain and might have continued with
the illusion that
Asheville
harbored a little fondness for her. But she was not beaten yet. Not by a long
way. By the time this act was ended, she vowed, he would regret his odious
behavior toward her.

Indeed, he would.

FIVE

'La! I was quite certain you would strangle Hermione Huxtable last
evening." Rosamond St. James chuckled as she entered the breakfast room
next morning. "In truth I would not blame you if you had. Someone should
do so before she is able to spread any more poison around the town."

Up until that moment Pandora had been ensconced in the room alone, toying
with a slice of bread and butter and allowing her coffee to grow stone cold.

When her friend sat down at the table, Pandora replied, "I am delighted
to hear you enjoyed my humiliation."

'Oh, be certain she would never have said it to your face."

'Saying it behind my back does not make it any better."

'My dear, we are all subject to vilification. Imagine what is said about
me."

'No one could possibly speak the slightest ill of you, Rosa."

'No one is immune, I assure you. Moreover, I know full well what is said
about me. How on earth could Rosamond Fulton-Manners marry such a dullard as
Roderick St. James? I don't need to hear it said to know what is being
whispered about me."

Pandora's cheeks grew somewhat pink, for she had harbored those very
thoughts on many an occasion. "Tush,
Rosa
.
St. James is the dearest, kindest, man."

'Exactly," her friend replied with satisfaction, "so I care
nothing for what is said about me, and neither should you. It is what
Asheville
thinks of you that matters, not tongue-pads like Hermione Huxtable."

'
Asheville
has made it abundantly clear what he thinks of me, and the knowledge gives me
no satisfaction at all."

'I am of the opinion that he didn't truly mean what he said about not
missing you, dear. After all, you have been gone such a short while, it is like he has not had the opportunity as
yet."

'That is not what he meant,
Rosa
, and you
know it as well as I."

'Neither of us knows it." Lady St. James sighed. "I confess, gentlemen are the greatest puzzle to me—and to you, too,
if you would only admit it."

Pandora smiled for the first time while her friend selected some ham and
chicken and bread and butter. Just then Pandora envied Rosamond her appetite;
her own had, this morning, deserted her.

'You really should eat, Pandora," her friend scolded. "Your figure
has long been envied, but if you grow thin and hagridden you will only be pitied,
which is bound to be hateful to you."

With that threat hanging over her, Pandora did begin to eat but was almost
immediately interrupted by a footman bearing a posy of flowers.

'For Madame de Chambray," he announced, and Pandora looked startled.

When she made no attempt to receive it, Rosamond took it and glanced at the
card. "How amusing this is. It is from Sir Aldan Buckley. He wastes no
time at all."

Pandora's face took on a look of disgust. "The toady.
No sooner am I sent to rusticate than the poltroon is in pursuit of
another."

Lady St. James chuckled. "La! Who would credit it? My cousin's pearls
must have set him upon the trail of yet another fortune."

'How flattering it all is," Pandora remarked in a dull voice.
"First I learn that my portion was the only reason Asheville is prepared
to suffer me as his wife, and now Buckley makes it quite clear he, too, is in
pursuit of a fortune. Does no one like me for myself?"

'Do not put too much credit upon what Hermione Huxtable tells you. Her
tongue is always dripping venom, as you know. Buck Buckley has always been
known for his pursuit of heiresses. Content yourself that he is doomed to be
disappointed once more. Not every man is so mercenary, thank goodness."

'I wonder."

'I see you are suffering the megrims this morning. If it is becoming
disagreeable, my dear, and I can see how it might, the answer is to give up the
pretense. It is not worth giving yourself further
heartache if it can be avoided. I fear we did not think on this matter as
deeply as we should at the outset."

'Last night Francois asked me if I wished to stop being Madame de Chambray,
and I told him I would continue. However, this morning…"

'You can always go to Brocklesby Hall as originally intended."

Pandora shuddered. "Despite everything that occurred, I would not have
missed Georgiana Devonshire's rout for anything,
Rosa
.
No, I will not allow cruel tongues and
Asheville
's
abandonment to cause me to miss such delights. I will teach him he cannot
trifle with me."

'Bravo! You show something of your usual spirit now, Pandora, and the
lessons may begin this evening." When Pandora looked up sharply, her
friend added, "
Asheville
is to join us in our box at

Drury
Lane

. Won't that be splendid?"

The earl slipped into Lord St. James's box at

Drury Lane

just before the first act of
The School for Scandal began. Since their earlier arrival Pandora had awaited
him anxiously, but when he did arrive, she was scarcely more
easy. Throughout the first amusing act of the comedy she was more aware
of his presence than of the diverting performance on the stage. All through the
act she was careful to keep her face averted from his piercing gaze, which
often alighted upon her. Pandora was more easy in her
disguise now, but even so, it did not do to take any chances, and he was, after
all, her husband. Who could know her better?