Dangerous Masquerade (Regency Masquerade)

A small laugh escaped from her. “It was funny, though. The expression on his face was priceless.”

He smiled when she laughed again. Ah, that was his Ria. She had her sense of humor back.

So relieved was he to see her in such light spirits that he merely raised an eyebrow when she said, “I suppose one good thing will come of all this. I doubt Arden will be back.”

He thought she was wrong, judging by the way the earl looked at her. He certainly hoped she was. But he wasn’t going to warn her.

After Ria had left the room, he continued to sit, staring into the flames of the fire and thinking.

Today was the first time he’d heard Ria laugh in months. He had started to become concerned. After the death of her parents three years ago, it had taken her a long time to come to terms with her loss. His sudden death had affected her badly too. On top of that were the problems with her inheritance and worry about the security of the ladies and tenants.

Monty sighed heavily. Perhaps he shouldn’t have married her, but she’d refused to live on his charity, claiming she could make her way in the world.

He’d just about choked when she said she planned to become a governess. As if he’d let his best friend’s daughter do that! Someone who was as dear to him as a real daughter would have been.

And then there was her appearance. Admittedly, in London she wouldn’t be considered a diamond of the first water, despite having blond hair and blue eyes. She was too dark with her light olive complexion, caramel blond hair, and eyes the color of blueberries.

But although not in the fashionable mold, she would attract male attention. She had a shapely figure and a lush ripeness that drew men to her. She would have been prey to every rake, disillusioned husband, and spoilt son. Look at Arden. One look at her, and he was in hot pursuit.

And even though she was oblivious to it, other women were not. Few women would have hired her to be a governess, and if they had it wouldn’t have been long before she was seduced.

Or worse.

No, that wouldn’t do for his Ria. So he had used his knowledge of her soft nature and played the lonely old man in need of a companion. His kind, gentle Ria had fallen for it and eventually agreed to marry him.

So his first stratagem had worked. He just hoped his second would be as successful.

Three days later Monty looked up as Ria strode into the otherwise empty library. She waved a note in her hand and told him. “This is from Lord Arden. He asks, as it is such an unusually mild and pleasant day, if I would like to go for a walk. He says he will be calling at two o’clock.”

She cast a burning look at the innocent note. “Why will that man not leave Little Bridgeton!”

Giving a deep sigh, she sat at the rosewood desk and dipped the pen into the inkwell. Pulling paper toward her, she told Monty, “I’ll refuse him, of course.”

When he cleared his throat she looked at him. He pointed out, “It’s after half past one already. Your message won’t reach him before he leaves.”

Ria threw the pen down, causing droplets of ink to spray over the paper. “I daresay he deliberately left it too late for me to reply.” Pushing back her seat, she stood. “No matter, I shall have Flowerday indicate I am not at home to visitors.”

“The other day you did say you would walk with him.”

She frowned at him, “No, I said it was a shame we couldn’t walk as it was raining.”

Monty deliberately lowered his voice to add a stern and serious tone to it. “You are prevaricating, my dear. You implied you would walk with him another day. I distinctly recall.”

Her frown deepened. “Nevertheless, I do not want to, and I am surprised you seem to think I should. Given I am a widow, it is entirely inappropriate. More importantly, what if he recognizes me?”

“Highly unlikely, my dear. If he was going to, he would have by now. As for not seeing him because you are in mourning, if anyone should ask, you can say he visits the ladies. Their mourning period is at an end. Damn stupid custom, if you ask me.”

Looking at her face and seeing how concerned she was, how reluctant to see the earl, he decided to help matters along a little. It wouldn’t do if she refused to have anything to do with Arden. It wouldn’t do at all. “Is your mourning period and the possibility of his recognizing you the only reasons you do not wish to see him?”

“What other reason could there be?” Although her words were innocent, he was interested to see Ria’s cheeks slowly turn pink.

“I asked because if you have no other reason I believe you should see him.” While he was talking, Monty quickly tried to come up with a plausible argument. He could hardly tell her he wanted her to continue seeing the earl because he wanted them to wed. Did she remember telling him she was going to marry Luc? Perhaps not. But he’d not forgotten, neither her words nor her tears, and would do anything to help her get her wish.

“If you do not, he might wonder why. May become suspicious. I believe the more you seem him the less likely it is he will realize who you are.” He knew this was weak but hoped it would do.

Just then, Flowerday entered with the news Lord Arden had arrived and was presently in the drawing room.

Responding to the unspoken question from both men, Ria heaved an exasperated sigh and left the library.