Page 46 of Masquerading with the Duke
‘Of course we shall. Did we not just this minute discuss the duchess’s insistence that we attend all the social occasions in this house? Besides, it will be fun, and it’s beyond time we did something just for the simple pleasure of it. I cannot recall when we last did so. Wearing a mask robs one of inhibitions, I’m told.’
Martina grinned. ‘To whom have you been speaking?’
‘Never mind. We are attending, we shall have new gowns for the occasion and we shall enjoy ourselves.’ She pinched Martina’s cheek, in high spirits. ‘I absolutely insist upon it.’
Martina had never seen her sister quite so animated and her buoyant mood proved to be infectious. ‘I would be more than ready to oblige you, since it is beyond time that you had some fun and I can see that you are looking forward to the occasion. But we shall have to make a choice from our existing selection of gowns. I have no money to purchase a new one. I left the Redrows without being paid for my services.’
Ariana scowled. ‘We shall have to do something about that.’
‘Leave it, Ariana,’ Martina said, her voice hardening. ‘I don’t want anything from those people, other than never to see them again.’
‘Very well, but I still insist upon the new gowns. I have been paid by Lord Amos, far too generously, and I am quite determined that we shall not let the side down. Besides, if I don’t order gowns for us then I wouldn’t put it past the duchess to take the matter into her own hands, and she has already been far too generously inclined towards us.’
‘True, but dearest, surely you should put your money aside?’ Martina wrinkled her brow, feeling unworthy of her sister’s generosity. ‘We neither of us know what to expect in the future. We need to have something to live on just in case…’
‘I am perfectly confident that Raphael will surface eventually and will manage to recover some of our family’s fortune by way of a grant from the king.’ Ariana turned up her nose. ‘Goodness only knows, he’s demonstrated his loyalty and risked his life time and again, and deserves to be rewarded. Anyway, regardless of what happens back at home, my mind is made up.’ She clapped her hands. ‘Come along now, there’s not a moment to lose. Up and dressed with you.’
Seeing her sister so determined to have her way, Martina could not disappoint her and so an hour later the two of them made their way into the village in one of the duke’s smaller conveyances, driven by a liveried groom.
‘I never thought I would get excited by the sight of clouds,’ Ariana said, glancing up at the sky. ‘Lord Amos predicted that the weather will break over the next day or two and I believe he’s right about that.’
‘If all the two of you can find to talk about is the weather, then I despair,’ Martina replied, smiling and shaking her head.
‘Whereas you and your Mr Braden found far more intimate matters to discuss,’ Ariana suggested, grinning mischievously.
Martina delighted to see her sister in such high spirits and answered her in like style. ‘Oh, absolutely,’ she said. ‘We have almost finished coming up with a list of names for our children.’
Ariana threw back her head and laughed. ‘How much I missed you.’ She squeezed Martina’s hand. ‘I am so very glad to have you back. Even so, I was right to think that being separated would allow you the freedom to blossom. You no longer need me.’
‘I shall always need you,’ Martina replied. ‘But you don’t have to worry about my wellbeing anymore. I am perfectly capable of taking care of myself.’
‘You have demonstrated that by…’
‘No!’ Martina held up a hand, sensing what subject Ariana was about to raise. ‘Let’s not spoil our day by mentioningthat.’
‘Certainly we shall not.’
The girls waved to one or two acquaintances as the conveyance slowed on the outskirts of Shawford. The slightly cooler weather had brought the villagers out with a fresh spring in their steps as they went about their business. The atmosphere was convivial, hats were doffed at the girls and they were treated with the respect reserved for anyone associated with the duke’s family.
They alighted when the carriage turned into the tavern’s mews, thanked their driver, linked arms and strolled down main street in the direction of the modiste’s premises.
‘What colour shall you choose for your new gown?’ Ariana asked. ‘Something vibrant, I hope. I have a rich pink in mind for myself.’
‘Blue,’ Martina said decisively. ‘A deep blue. You will say it’s too old for me, but I disagree. I feel the need to project maturity.’ Martina walked a little taller to demonstrate her point, but spoiled the moment by giggling. ‘We have both earned the right to worldly wisdom, even if I sometimes despair at the uncivilized behaviour of the world in question.’
Ariana laughed. ‘Blue it shall be then. But we must think of styles and masques.’
‘Of course, but…’ Martina’s voice trailed off and she stopped walking when she noticed a familiar figure striding towards them in the direction of the tavern.
‘What is it, my love?’ Ariana asked, concern in her tone. ‘Are you unwell? You look as though you have seen a…’ Ariana followed the direction of Martina’s gaze and scowled. ‘What the devil is he doing here? Come along.’ Ariana tightened her grip on Martina’s arm and made to cross the road. ‘We shall take another route. You don’t have to confront him.’
‘On the contrary.’ Martina elevated her chin. ‘If Mr Redrow wishes to avoid me then it is he who should alter his course.’
‘You really have matured,’ Ariana said in an admiring tone.
‘It is not I who has done anything to be ashamed of.’
The girls continued on their way. Martina was acutely aware of Redrow pausing when he noticed them, anger burning in his eyes. Surely even he wouldn’t have the temerity to intercept them.
