Dangerous Masquerade (Regency Masquerade)

“Your husband?” When she nodded, he continued, “Which is why you are so sure about what it was he wanted.”

She nodded again.

There was a long silence while he struggled with the possibility that ghosts existed. Then she said in a small voice, “He chose you.”

Stunned, he looked at her. “What do you mean?”

“Monty remembered we were childhood friends, and that he’d met you in London. He decided we would be a good match. He suggested I attend the masquerade, and he was there himself to watch over me and make sure you and I met. I remember I couldn’t find you, but there was a Mark Antony who looked a little like you. He was interested in me, but Monty took him out of the picture.”

He smiled broadly as he remembered. “The large pot.”

“You saw it topple over onto him?”

He nodded. Luc knew who the Mark Antony was and, without a doubt, knew he’d have been attracted to Ria. A muscle ticked in his jaw as he made a mental note to never allow her anywhere near the man. He’d be damned before he let him turn Ria into his Cleopatra.

He thought about how he’d intended to return to London the day after the masquerade. Hard as it was for him to believe, if it weren’t for the interventions of a ghost, he might never have met her again.

Curious about her ability to see Monty, he asked her, “Is he the only ghost you see, or are there others?”

“Others too, but they usually don’t approach me or remain as long as Monty has. My father said they sometimes stay if they have unfinished business or occasionally because they like it.”

“Your father? Could he see ghosts too?”

“The ability runs in the family.”

“Does it ever scare you?”

Ria shook her head. “It used to when I was small, but Father said they wouldn’t hurt me, and if they did approach me it was because they needed help—much like other people in the village. Because I was special, they were drawn to me.”

Before he could ask more, she put down her cup and saucer and told him, “I have work to do this afternoon.” Ever polite, she added, “Do help yourself to more tea if you wish.”

Then, to his amazement, she left the kitchen.

31

In silence, Ria cleared the table after supper. She glanced at Luc as he got up to assist her. He had eaten a large helping of the ragout and bread and seemed to enjoy it. No doubt it was simpler than he was accustomed to, but she refused to apologize for that. The ragout was flavorsome and the bread fresh out of the cast iron oven that was on one side of the central open fire.

It was now snowing very heavily. The storm meant the day became dark very quickly, but earlier she had polished all the remaining furniture in the sitting room.

To her surprise, Luc had appeared just after she started, made a comment about it being too cold in there, and had silently checked the chimney and lit a fire with more expertise than she would have expected. He had then helped her with the polishing.

The sitting room was the last room to be done. Now that she knew he had no intention of reporting her to a magistrate, there was no reason not to return to Little Bridgeton. Ria sighed. She would miss the cottage. Life was simpler and less structured here. She resolved to return often.

Deep in thought, Ria started at the sound of Luc’s voice and almost dropped the plate she was holding.

Luc, standing beside her, reached out and took the plate out of her hands and placed it on the bench. “You asked me before why I had come, and I never really gave you an adequate answer.”

He turned her so she directly faced him and placed his hands on her shoulders. The bench was at her back so she was unable to move away. His expression was intent. “I came to tell you I was sorry for what I said, that I understand what you did and why, and that I admire you for it. I thought you’d be anxious about what I would do, and I want to reassure you. As I didn’t know when you would be back, I didn’t want you to worry any longer than necessary.”

Ria searched his face. She could see he was sincere, but was there anything else? He’d just said he admired what she’d done and didn’t want her to worry. Was that all? If so, he didn’t need to come in person. He could have written her a letter.

Feeling compelled to say something, Ria said. “I’ve been thinking a lot about what happened lately. I should have told you earlier. I did try but not hard enough. I guess part of the problem was I wasn’t the only one who would pay the price if I had been wrong about you. But that is no excuse.”

Luc gently pressed a finger to her lips. As he withdrew it, he softly said, “Don’t apologize. I’m the one that should do that. I was rude, but even worse, I was cruel. Though I don’t deserve it, I humbly beg forgiveness.

His apology momentarily took her breath away! She truly hadn’t expected it. She thought carefully about how to phrase what she had to say next. “One of the most difficult things for me to come to terms with was your condemning me for behavior that was no different from your own. I can’t help but wonder—if you had not found those papers would you be here?”

Firmly, with no hesitation, he said, “Yes, I would.”