The Masqueraders

Robin forebore to wake her. Something had gone amiss; that was sure. He had awaited her homecoming last night, and he had heard her creep past his door to her own. That told its own tale. Robin declined to drive out to visit friends with my Lady Lowestoft, and sat him down to await his sister’s pleasure.

There came soon a knock on the door into the street, and a few minutes later Sir Anthony Fanshawe was ushered into the room.

Robin made his curtsey, and was startled to see no gallant bow in response. ‘Sir?’ said he, in a voice of some dignity.

Sir Anthony laid down his hat and gloves. ‘I’ve to suppose you’ve not yet seen your sister,’ he remarked.

This came as something of a shock to Robin, but long training stood him in good stead. He showed no signs of shock, but looked watchfully under his long lashes, and softly said: ‘Pray how am I to take that, sir?’

‘Honestly, I beg of you.’

The time for dissimulation was obviously past. Robin felt some annoyance at being found in all this woman’s gear, but no shadow of alarm crossed his face. ‘So! I’m to understand Prue takes you into her confidence?’

‘Say, more truly, that I forced her confidence.’

Robin’s dazzling smile came. ‘I have to offer you my apologies, sir. I under-rated your intelligence. What now?’

Sir Anthony replied placidly: ‘I’ve a very lively desire to marry your sister, Master Robin.’

‘You cannot suppose me astonished to hear that,’ said Robin. But he felt some astonishment nevertheless. ‘Do you come to ask my consent?’

‘It was not exactly my object,’ Sir Anthony said. ‘I take it I had best apply to my Lord Barham for that.’

Egad, Prue was in the right of it all along when she said there was little escaped those sleepy eyes. It would not do to appear confounded. ‘When you are better acquainted with the family, sir, you will realize your error.’

‘My dear boy,’ said Sir Anthony lazily, ‘from the little I have seen of your remarkable parent I should imagine he pulls all the strings to set you both dancing.’

Robin laughed. ‘There’s some truth in that, sir. But if you don’t want my consent, what do you want of me?’

‘You’ve not had speech with your sister?’

‘Devil a word.’

Sir Anthony sat down on the couch. ‘I see. Well, Master Robin, I have asked her to marry me, and she refuses.’

If that was so then Prue must be mad. ‘You don’t say so, sir! Well, well, she was ever a fastidious piece. Am I to force her into your arms?’

‘Do you think you could do it?’ There was an amused smile went with the words.

‘I don’t, sir. I am fairly certain that I should not make the attempt. Prue has a knack of managing her own affairs.’

‘So I apprehend. She will marry me, she says, if your father proves his claim to be just. Failing that, she would have me know I stand no chance with her.’

A quick frown flitted across the smoothness of Robin’s brow. He spoke the thought in his mind. ‘Lord, what ails her? That’s a nonsensical piece of miss-ishness.’

‘Don’t let it perturb you. Allow me some say in the matter. She’ll marry me whatever be t

he issue, and she knows it. I’ve said I’ll wait upon Barham’s claim; it’s to solace pride, I take it. But I want her out of this masquerade with all speed. That’s why I’m here.’

‘As a family, sir, we stand by each other. It’s for Prue to decide, and for me to support her decision. To say truth, I am a little of her mind. I believe the old gentleman may settle his affairs. Well, we’re bound to him; we’ve played too many of these games to turn our backs now.’

‘I don’t ask it of you. I ask only that I too may be permitted a share. You stand in some danger, as I understand. I’ve influence in certain circles; I think I can serve you. If I could get a pardon for you, the Merriots may disappear, and await the issue of the Barham claim in a safe seclusion.’

The door was opened again. ‘My Lord Barham!’ announced a lackey, and my lord came in, all scented, and powdered, and patched.

He stopped just inside the room, and seemed to be enraptured at the sight of Sir Anthony. ‘My friend Fanshawe!’ he exclaimed. ‘And the beautiful Miss Merriot!’

‘It won’t serve, sir,’ Robin broke in. ‘Your friend Fanshawe is more intimate with you than you know. You may say that we all lie in his power.’