Dangerous Masquerade (Regency Masquerade)

Still, she couldn’t live as a prisoner. Her fingers flew rapidly over the keys, the expression and tempo now agitato as she played the third movement of Beethoven’s Pathetique Sonata. It was frustrating always having to take such precautions, and this couldn’t carry on indefinitely.

Perwick, her solicitor, had visited, and Ria had checked to make sure her will was watertight and the trust couldn’t be overturned in court, so even if Geoffrey succeeded, he would not get his hands on the estate. Ria had also ensured Geoffrey found out about all this.

Village gossip really did have benefits.

Hearing a noise in the hall, Ria stopped playing. She looked toward the doorway in time to see Flowerday enter the morning room. His face was barely visible behind the large arrangement of hothouse flowers he carried, but his sneezes were perfectly audible.

Avoiding the petals of a lily that was trying to tickle his nose and threatened to set off another barrage of sneezes, he peered around the large blooms at her and announced, “With the compliments of Lord Arden, madam. He asked if you were at home to visitors.”

Aunt Charity smiled archly as she said to Ria. “He’s barely returned to Little Bridgeton and is already calling on you. He has certainly become quite a fixture here these last few weeks. Perhaps you will soon have something to tell us, dear?”

Ria laughed. ?

??I think he likes your company, Aunt, not mine.” Smiling, she advised the butler. “Yes, we are at home, thank you. Please show him in.”

As she waited, Ria began playing her favorite piece by Boccherini, a piano minuet, and its light and happy notes floated through the air.

As Luc neared the morning room, he heard a familiar tune, music that would always remind him of the masquerade and his mystery lady.

At that thought, he shook his head. Persephone was not his. He now had Ria, and she was more than enough.

But hearing the tune, he couldn’t help think about Persephone. She had excited and captivated him in a way no other woman had—until he met Ria. He hoped she was happy, well, and flourishing.

On entering the room, he glanced over at the pianoforte.

It was late in the afternoon, and the day was overcast. The candles had been lit, and the fire was flickering in the hearth. It was reminiscent of another place and occasion. In a rush, time seemed to travel backward. Ria was sitting in the same pose as his mystery lady, head tilted to one side as her fingers caressed the keys. For a brief moment, he wondered if…

Before he could finish his thought she glanced at the door. Seeing him standing there, she sprang up from the piano stool and walked toward him, hands outstretched, and the spell was broken.

“My lord, it is good to have you back with us.” Her smile was wide and open, and her eyes danced with obvious delight.

He took her outstretched hands, raised them to his lips, and kissed the back of each one. Reveling in the feel and aroma of her silken skin, his lips lingered.

Next Luc greeted Aunt Charity. Ria could not hear what he murmured, but to her surprise Aunt Charity smiled and quickly left the room, closing the door behind her.

Ria watched as Luc reached into his pocket and drew out a small blue box. “One of the reasons I went to London was to get this. I would like you to have it.” Opening the box, he showed her the contents.

She gasped with delight at the sight of the ring in the box. It was exquisite. A pretty, delicate, diamond flower.

Luc reached for her hand. Sliding the ring onto her finger he told her, “It was my grandmother’s. She was a lovely lady. In some ways you remind me of her. I’m sure she would be happy for you to have it.” The deep affection he felt for his grandmother was evident in his voice.

Before she could say anything more, he added, somewhat diffidently, “Of course if you would prefer something more modern…”

Before he could complete his sentence, Ria pulled her hand toward her, covering the ring with the other protectively. “No. I think it’s beautiful. I couldn’t possibly imagine having any other ring.”

“I’m glad you feel that way. He took a deep breath. “Ria, will you be my wife, my companion, my lover?”

Emotion trapped in her throat, she could only nod mutely.

Luc pulled her toward him, bent his head, and kissed her tenderly.

Pulling away he told her, “I wanted you to have my grandmother’s ring because I want our marriage to be like theirs. Open, honest, and loving.”

At his words Ria’s, happiness turned to ice. A deep chill ran down her spine. Looking down at the ring, she took a deep breath to calm herself, raised her chin, and straightened her shoulders. “Luc, I…”

A knock at the door interrupted her. Ria felt ready to scream but suppressed the feeling, though she was unable to hide the aggravation in her voice as she called out, “Come in.”

Flowerday entered the room carrying a tray. On it were two glasses and a bottle of champagne.