Page 11 of The Odd Riddle of the Lost Duchess
The Duchess plucked a champagne glass from a nearby waiter and sighed deeply. It was going to be another long night.
* * *
They were late, and the fact that Lady Alford was frightened of speeding carriages did not assist their dour situation. Although the streets towards the Ludlow townhouse were mostly full, whenever the coachman found an empty connecting lane, Lady Alford did not let him increase the pace. Emmeline was not as bothered as Ann, who kept anxiously glancing out of the window to check where they had reached.
Lady Alford fanned herself. “Oh, dear! The congestion on the streets is terrible. There are carriages everywhere.”
“The season is in full thrall, after all, Aunt” muttered Emmeline.
Casting a look to her companion, Emmeline admired how lovely Ann looked in her glimmering ivory gown, complemented by a large sapphire pendant and earrings, that matched her eyes. Ann was also wearing a gold belt and cuffs on both arms as she was masquerading as Aphrodite.
Emmeline was dressed as Persephone in shades of russet, her diadem a small sheaf of grain woven into her hair, with a pomegranate cleverly attached to her gown. She noticed that her brother George’s expression was as dour as his dark costume. The Duke of Leverton was completely silent throughout the journey, which was unusual, for he enjoyed engaging and arguing with Emmeline over various topics.
“We will never arrive at the speed at which we are going, Aunt,” George scowled.
“Now, George, you do know that I am absolutely terrified after that accident!” Lady Alford said frantically. “It is better to be safe than sorry, even if that means being late!”
Her unspoken reference to the speeding carriage that had overturned, killing her cousin, Anabelle, was understood by all in the carriage.
“I do abhor being late,” muttered Ann.
George, who was seated across from Ann, glanced at her. If Emmeline was not mistaken, she noticed approval and admiration on his features and immediately wondered what to make of it. Of course, her brother had known Ann for years, as she was Emmeline’s closest friend since they were children.
As a child, Ann’s skin had been covered with freckles, and her frame had been very lanky and thin. By the time her appearance had begun altering, George had left for university, rarely returning to visit his family. He had met Ann again last season.
Emmeline remembered how her brother and Ann had been involved in multiple arguments and heated fights. This season, however, both were reluctant to speak with one another. Emmeline wondered whether she had missed something.
Do the two perhaps have an unresolved quarrel? Has something emerged that I do not know of?she thought, deciding on investigating the matter later.
The carriage came to a halt in front of the Ludlow residence. The ladies were helped out of the carriage by George, and after presenting their invitation, arrived at the entrance of a wide ballroom.
Music emanated from within. As they passed through the doorway, Emmaline studied the purple and gold, silver and blue decorations elegantly arranged in the chamber. She felt a rush of excitement. Most of thetonwas unrecognizable in colorful costumes that were vibrant with life and mystery. Many wore elaborate masks over ordinary dresses, but Emmeline had noticed some who were spectacularly costumed.
A lady was outfitted in an Egyptian dress, with a headdress of bronze and gold. Another portrayed the Queen of Olympus. Several of the gentlemen wore particular attachments to resemble tigers and other animals while maintaining their ability to dance.
In the center of the ballroom, a fascinating collection of costumed dancers whirled to a quadrille. Entering, the ladies greeted their acquaintances with bright, amiable smiles, complimenting each other, and discussing various socially-acceptable subjects. Emmeline was acutely aware of eyes following her, as they always did, and felt fear that someone had seen her at Vauxhall.
“It seems the Queen of the Underworld has many admirers,” Ann noted. “And for good reason. You look splendid tonight, Em.”
“Perhaps,” Emmeline said nonchalantly, as she scanned the crowds. “I will be well if there is no Hades to ‘abduct’ me.”
“On the contrary, I’ll be eternally grateful if Lord Coombs does abduct me,” Ann said blithely as she searched for the man in question.
Emmeline felt the hairs on the back of her neck lift and darted her head around to see George glaring at her, and knew he had overheard them. Ann had come to the same conclusion and grabbed Emmeline’s hand.
Ann cleared her throat. “Dear me, my throat is parched. Care to get a refreshment, Em?”
Emmeline accepted the offer, amused at the way George’s eyes narrowed as they moved over to the refreshment room.
“You really need to be careful, Ann,” hissed Emmeline. “I believe George heard you.”
Ann poured some punch for Emmeline. “Oh, do not worry. His Grace can be very thick when the need arises.”
Emmeline frowned. “About him…I have meant to ask you, Ann–”
“Do not,” Ann muttered, and turned around to smile at an acquaintance.
Emmeline’s curiosity was piqued, as she wondered what in the world had happened between Ann and George.
