The Masquerade (8 page)

Anna’s expression did not change. She opened her mouth to speak and failed. She closed her eyes and muttered,
“The child is not his.”

Lizzie’s heart lurched. She was too stunned to speak.

Anna turned away, choking on a sob. “My life is over, Lizzie. I am about to lose everything, including Thomas. Oh, God!”

Lizzie could barely think, much less clearly. But even as she sat there, sick for her sister and filled with dread, her mind racing uselessly, she wondered how this could have happened. Anna loved Thomas. How could she have
allowed another man into her bed? “Who is the father?” she heard herself ask.

Anna did not look at her, shaking her head.

Lizzie fought for composure. Everyone made mistakes. Maybe one day Anna would tell her how she had made this one. But it did not matter who the father was. In fact, it was not even her affair. Still, she could not help but think of who might have ruined her sister last fall. Lizzie had not a clue. There had been so many admirers.

What mattered now was finding a solution to this terrible crisis. What could they possibly do to prevent Anna’s ruination? Lizzie wet her lips. “I need a moment to think.”

“Lizzie, what happened was a terrible mistake!” Anna cried, jerking to face her. “It happened before Thomas and I were courting! I know you cannot understand, as you have never been kissed. One kiss led to another and another…I am so sorry!”

Lizzie nodded. Still, there was another question she had to ask. “Does the father know?”

Anna shook her head. “No. He has no idea.”

“Anna, in spite of your engagement, would you marry him if you could?”

“He would never condescend to marry me!” Anna replied, causing Lizzie no small amount of consternation. Clearly, her child’s father was very nobly born. “Lizzie, I know you must doubt me, but I really love Thomas. I know I have been smitten before, but I have never felt this way.”

Lizzie stared grimly at her beautiful sister. “How could I doubt you? I have never seen you happier than you have been recently,” she said, meaning it. Anna had every right to a wonderful life with the man she loved.
This one terrible mistake must not ruin her. Lizzie breathed deeply and looked at her sister. Then and there, her mind was made up.

“What is it?” Anna whispered, wide-eyed. “I have never seen you appear so fierce!”

Lizzie stood, her shoulders square, feeling very much as if she herself were going into battle. “I am going to find a solution to this, Anna. I swear it! Have no fear, you shall marry Thomas and no one,
no one,
will ever know about this child.”

T
he letter arrived the following week. The moment Mama saw the postmark she was ecstatic, ordering everyone into the parlor so she could read its contents aloud.

“Oh, it has been too long since we heard from your dear aunt Eleanor,” Mama cried, her cheeks flushed with excitement and anxiety. Eleanor de Barry was not only wealthy—she was rumored to be worth £100,000 and had yet to name her heirs—she was notably eccentric, remarkably outspoken and often unkind. Still, for financial as well as social reasons, Mama cherished such an important connection. “I do hope she thinks to call on us—or even better, invite us to Dublin or Glen Barry!”

“Mama, you should calm yourself,” Georgie said firmly as they moved into the parlor.

“Oh, I am fine! I have never been better! Papa!” she cried. “Come into the parlor—Eleanor has written. Oh, I do suspect she has invited us for a visit, as it has been well over a year and a half since we last saw her!” Mama beamed at her three daughters, all of whom had followed her into the parlor.

Lizzie smiled just a little and sat down, carefully folding her hands in her lap and just as carefully avoiding
glancing at Anna. Anna’s cheeks were also flushed, undoubtedly with guilt.

Eleanor’s beautifully scripted letter was forged.

Of the sisters, only Georgie did not know it. Georgie could be very moral and correct, so they hadn’t told her about Anna yet. Lizzie planned to do so in Dublin, just in case Georgie did not approve of their deceit.

“I am sure this is a summons,” Georgie said, and Lizzie knew she was trying very hard to pretend that she did not care. But her repressed tone was at odds with her bright eyes. “We
are
overdo for a reunion.” Georgie glanced at Lizzie, who smiled just slightly back at her. Lizzie knew how fond of Dublin Georgina was. The last time they had seen their aunt, Eleanor had appeared unexpectedly at Raven Hall, staying for three entire weeks. It had been years since they had been invited to Eleanor’s elegant town home on Merrion Square.

Mama began to fan herself with the letter. “Where is Papa? Oh, I do love Dublin,” she declared.

Anna smiled slightly at Lizzie, their glances briefly meeting.

Quickly Lizzie turned away. “Aunt Eleanor usually invites us to Glen Barry in Wicklow,” she said quietly. Her heart was pounding madly.

“Yes, but in July or August. I am certain she will ask us to Dublin, and that is why I am so excited. For surely there will be a few fashionable rakes in town, never mind that our best bucks are in London!” Mama fanned herself more fervently with the letter. “Papa!”

Papa chose that moment to enter the salon, using his walking stick, as his left knee was aching more than usual that week. “Mama, I am not deaf. So, I am to understand there is an invitation from my sister?”

“Oh, I do pray so,” Mama said. She quickly began to read.

Lizzie refused to look at Anna now.

“It is dated five days ago,” she exclaimed. “I do wish we had a post like England!”

“Mama, read it aloud,” Georgie cried softly.

“‘My dear Gerald and Lydia,’” Mama read, “‘I hope this missive finds you in good health. I have decided that a visit is in order. I have not been well and I wish for your three daughters to attend me until my condition improves. According to my physicians, that will be in several months’ time. I shall be expecting Georgina May, Annabelle Louise and Elizabeth Anne at Merrion Square next week.’

“‘With best regards, Eleanor Fitzgerald de Barry.’”

Mama’s brows had been climbing higher and higher in disbelief. Lizzie tried to breathe, certain her mother would realize that the summons was an utter fraud. “Oh, she has only invited the girls,” Mama said in disappointment.

“And she hardly indicates what is wrong with her health,” Papa mused.

Georgie was on her feet. “She wishes us to attend her for several
months?
”

Lizzie also stood. “Of course, if she is ill, Mama, we must surely go and attend her. Georgie and I will make the arrangements immediately. We will go by barge on the Grand Canal—we shall be there in a few days.”

Papa went to Mama and patted her shoulder. “This is a very good arrangement for our daughters, Mama,” he said. “Usually we are invited for a few weeks, but no more. If Eleanor isn’t feeling well, the girls might be staying for quite some time.”

Mama looked up at him, the color returning to her cheeks. “Oh, dear, you are right! This is a blessing in
disguise! There is so much more opportunity in Dublin than here in the country!”

Anna suddenly wailed. Lizzie winced as her sister gasped, “But what about Thomas? Dublin will be too far for him to come and visit me!” Her cheeks were crimson.

Mama hesitated.

Lizzie said, “Dear, we all know that distance makes the heart grow fonder.”

“Yes, that is true,” Mama said, standing. “And Anna, now that you are set, surely you wish for your sisters to be set, as well. There will certainly be parties and balls and far more introductions in town than here.”

Anna appeared chagrined. “Of course I want my sisters to find husbands,” she murmured, looking at her lap, her cheeks highly flushed. She was a bit plump now, although no one in the family had seemed to notice her weight gain.

“Mama, I cannot go,” Georgie declared suddenly. “Not for so long. You need me here.”

Lizzie was in disbelief. What was her sister thinking?

Mama turned to her eldest daughter, her brows furrowed. “Mr. Harold has not proposed—even though he has given every indication that is his intent. You’re right. You cannot go. Not for several months! You must stay here and ensnare him.”

“Mama! Georgie can find a better prospect in Dublin,” Lizzie cried, aghast. She was determined to get Georgie as far away from Peter Harold as possible.

Mama raised her brows. “Mr. Harold is an excellent prospect. He may not be noble, he may be a wine merchant and a Dissenter, but he is very well-off and he is the first serious suitor Georgie has ever had. No, the more I think about it, Georgie must stay here. You will go to Dublin with Anna as your companion. In fact, if you
are the only marriageable sister left, this will truly increase your prospects!”

Georgie appeared resigned. “Even though I am not going, I will help Lizzie make the travel plans.”

Lizzie gazed helplessly at Anna, who gazed back, then returned to the script they had written. “I am going to write Thomas a letter, explaining the cause of my absence,” Anna cried, also on her feet. “And, Lizzie, if we are to leave immediately, we must begin to pack.” Anna was already hurrying from the room.

“Make certain to pack your very best,” Mama called.

Lizzie entered the bedroom she shared with Anna, aware of the entire family downstairs. She closed the door and spoke in the lowest of whispers. “So far, Mama believes we have been invited to Merrion Square.”

Anna nodded, wide-eyed and breathless. “Mama bought your entire scheme. So did Georgie.” She bit her lip. “But Mama will not allow Georgie to come with us.”

Lizzie nodded. She hated deceiving anyone, especially Georgie, but it was simply too risky to tell her about Anna’s condition until they had left Raven Hall.

Anna stared. “Oh, Lizzie, I can’t thank you enough!” She hesitated. “But what will we do now? I am certain that odious Peter Harold intends to propose, and if she stays behind, she might wind up married to him!”

Lizzie thought that dire moment imminent, as well. “I will try to convince Georgie to refuse Mr. Harold. I mean, you will be wed in September. Surely Georgie need not rush into such a distasteful match.”

Anna had gone over to the armoire and was opening it. “I will never be able to repay you for this,” she said.

“You owe me nothing,” Lizzie returned, thinking now of all the pitfalls that lay ahead of them.

Anna made no comment, carrying a bundle of underclothes from the armoire.

Lizzie sat down on the edge of the bed, twisting her hands. She and Anna were terrified of their reception at Merrion Square. Their aunt was a cold, distant and formidable woman, with no apparent kindness. Lizzie was not deluded. Eleanor would be very displeased to see the sisters on her doorstep and they could be turned away at once.

Somehow, they had to convince her to let them stay.

Anna could read her mind. “If she does not turn us away outright, she will turn us away when she learns of my condition!” Anna suddenly cried, tears shimmering in her eyes.

“Only the coldest-hearted witch could do such a thing,” Lizzie returned, meaning it. “Is she going to toss us out, penniless and in a certain way, onto the street? No, she will be forced to keep us, Anna, and if I were not certain, we would not be going to Dublin now!”

Anna inhaled raggedly. “She has never been kind, not once that I can remember.”

“We are family,” Lizzie said, feeling desperate. “As Georgie would say, let us take this one step at a time. Mama has accepted the letter, so we must pack. We will manage our reception when we arrive at Merrion Square and worry about Aunt Eleanor discovering your condition when the time comes for us to tell her the entire truth.”

“At least we are on schedule,” Anna said hoarsely. “We will arrive in Dublin before mid-March.”

“Yes,” Lizzie said. The two sisters stared grimly at each other.

Anna’s eyes filled with tears.

Lizzie put her arm around her. “I will have four entire months to find a good family to take the baby,” she whispered.

Anna nodded, wiping her eyes.

Lizzie hesitated. “Unless you tell Thomas the truth, and he can accept what you have done, there is no other choice.”

“I can never tell him about this,” Anna whispered. “No man would accept such a bride.”

Lizzie felt rather certain that Thomas would break it off with Anna if he knew she was carrying another man’s child. “We are doing the right thing—the only possible thing,” she murmured.

“Just promise me, we will only give him up to a good home,” Anna said.

“I promise.”

Anna stared at her for one more moment, then wiped her eyes and walked to the armoire. “I’ll pack your things for you, Lizzie.”

“You will do no such thing—you are already fatigued and out of breath.”

“I don’t mind, not after all you have done for me.”

“Absolutely not,” Lizzie said.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door. Lizzie and Anna froze, and then Lizzie breathed and said cheerfully, “Come in.”

Georgie entered, her brow furrowed. “Why is the door closed? What are you two whispering about?”

Lizzie feigned an expression of surprise. “We were hardly whispering.”

Georgie crossed her arms and frowned. “The two of you have been acting strangely for several days! Something is going on, isn’t it? Something you aren’t telling me!”

“Nothing is going on,” Lizzie said firmly. “Georgie, surely you wish to come with us! Surely you wish to elude that old toad, Peter Harold, before he proposes marriage to you! And you adore Dublin!”

Georgie’s full lips pursed and her eyes darkened. “I am worried about Mama’s health. There will be no one to take care of her, to make sure she rests and eats well, if I go with you and Anna. I simply cannot abandon Mama for several months.”

Lizzie realized that, once again, Georgie’s mind was made up. No one could be more stubborn. “But what if Mr. Harold proposes?”

Georgie crossed her arms. “He has been calling for months now. Maybe he also realizes that this is not the best match?”

“That is hardly an answer,” Lizzie pressed.

Georgie flushed. “What do you want me to say? That I will refuse him? If he proposes, I will have to think very carefully about my future. I doubt I will ever receive another offer of marriage. I am trying very hard to
like
him.”

Lizzie and Anna exchanged dismayed glances.

“I will be fine,” Georgie said softly to them both. “Besides, Mama is right, this will improve Lizzie’s chances of finding a beau.” She forced a smile and failed. “Now, let me help you both pack.”

Lizzie seized her elbow. “But I don’t want to marry anyone.”

Georgie’s brows raised. “That is only because you have yet to fall in love.”

Lizzie turned away, recalling Tyrell de Warenne’s smoldering eyes as he leaned on the wall, trapping her there, at the costume ball.

“Surely you are not dreaming about Tyrell de Warenne again?” Georgie cried, understanding her far too well.

Lizzie hesitated. She had never stopped dreaming about Tyrell, not for a single day in the past four months. “Of course not,” she said.

“Lizzie, I was with Mama when Sir James mentioned that the de Warennes have gone up to Wicklowe,” Georgie said. Wicklowe was the de Warenne estate, not to be confused with the county Wicklow in which it was situated. She hesitated. “Tyrell has been given a post in the Irish Exchequer, Lizzie, an important post.”

Lizzie felt herself falter while her heart lurched. Tyrell would be in Dublin, in a position as a government official? Oh! She could not manage this now, not when Anna’s crisis was such a huge, frightening burden. “Georgie, do not be foolish,” she said. “I haven’t given him a thought since last October. I have far more important matters on my mind.” From the corner of her eye, she saw Anna pale. Lizzie had no clue as to how she sounded so sensible and calm.

“Such as?” Georgie asked suspiciously.

Lizzie smiled firmly. “Such as saving
you
from a fate worse than death. Now, why don’t you help us? We have much to do and not very much time in which to do it.”

The Grand Canal Docks in Dublin were south of the River Liffey and but a few blocks from Merrion Square, a matter of convenience and coincidence. The sisters had completed the trip by barge in a mere four days. Now they stood on the docks, clutching their indispensables, as a crewman piled up their trunks and valises beside them. Lizzie and Anna locked glances of growing dread. Anna was as pale as the cleanest batch of laundry. Lizzie knew she must be as equally white.

“She will never let us in, unexpected and uninvited like this,” Anna mumbled, her lips barely moving.

“Of course she will. We are her family,” Lizzie insisted, but her heart was pounding as if she had run a footrace. All she had to do was hail a hackney and in a
matter of moments they would be on Eleanor’s doorstep. Lizzie realized she was shaking.