Page 72 of Only Pleasure Will Do

Chapter 30

When Reginald finally entered the ballroom, trailing behind Dalbury’s racehorse pace, the heat from the myriad flickering candles, compounded by the multitude of tightly packed bodies, engulfed him like a wave. Had all of London turned out for Maddy’s debut?

The din of so many voices chattering and laughing would make it quite impossible to have a quiet word with Maddy and make the official proposal. He scanned the room, searching for some form of exit, and spied double French doors that led outside to the gardens, still in ruins, of course, but imminently more private than this venue. He’d dance with her then they could step outside and he would finally get to speak with her alone.

Shouldering his way through the crowd, Reginald followed Dalbury to a little close-knit group of partygoers, who turned out to be Dalbury’s group of close friends. Good of them to support Maddy in this endeavor. The names and reputations of Manning, Trevor, Morley, and their wives should go a long way toward solidifying Maddy’s place in Society. As he approached them, he looked about for her, but only the four women and their husbands stood watching the dancers. The guest of honor must still be dancing. Reginald took up a place next to his cousin.

“You are looking especially well this evening, Katarina.” He bowed before turning his attention to the people on the dance floor. The gentlemen were completing a hey at the moment as the ladies awaited their turn. His gaze flew straight to the small woman in the beautiful blue dress, her face alight with smiles. “Is Maddy enjoying herself so far?”

“I believe she is,” Katarina chuckled, “although I suspect not so much with her current partner.”

“Which is he?”

“The popinjay in green.”

“Good Lord.” Maddy must be mortified to be scrutinized while in the company of such a flamboyantly dressed gentleman. “I wish to God the popularity of these macaronis would die out. They are an abomination to the fashion of the time.” Reginald adjusted his jacket, part of a tasteful, well-cut suit in a deep plum silk, edged in gold braid.

“They seem to think they are the ultimate fashion of the time.”

He rolled his eyes, bringing a sharp laugh from his cousin. “You will find it less amusing perhaps when Dalbury takes up the fashion.”

Katarina eyed her husband’s sober, elegant garb. “I believe that will be when pigs fly with their tails forward, Reginald. Besides,” she looked longingly at Dalbury, oblivious to her scrutiny, “should he ever admit to such a penchant for the ostentatious, I will find a way to dissuade him from it before it takes a serious hold.”

The impish look on her face made Reginald chuckle. “I do believe you would, cousin.” He turned his attention back to Maddy and her partner. At least the man made it easy to spot them in the crowded line of dancers. He broke his gaze away from the lovely sight of Maddy’s graceful form as she heyed with the ladies in her set to peer down at his cousin. “I understand why you and Dalbury insisted on bringing her out in Society and I thank you for it. And I assume Dalbury has already informed you of my intentions. And I will tell you frankly, she has already decided to give up the prospect of a titled gentleman for the charms of a mere magistrate.”

“Bravo, my dear. I am sure if you put it to her that forcefully, she could not help but accept you.” Kat smiled up at him, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

“Do you know something, cousin?” Was Katarina having sport with him? Or had Maddy confided something to her about the whole affair?

“I know many things, Reginald.” Kat tossed her head back, never a good sign in the woman. “But my knowledge will do you no good. You must learn it from Maddy herself.”

A sudden, odd movement on the dance floor drew Reginald’s attention back to Maddy. What the devil had happened? The graceful woman of a few moments ago had gone, leaving in her stead a person with a spine so stiff it would make a good poker. Maddy chasséd with her partner, her brows now knit in a deep frown. Had the popinjay said something to offend her?

Reginald narrowed his eyes, anger filling him at the idea someone would say anything to cause such a change in Maddy.

“Reginald, what is wrong?” Katarina twisted around to gaze in the same direction as he. “Has something happened?”

At that moment, the dance ended. The macaroni grasped Maddy’s hand and tugged her toward the far side of the ballroom, making for the very French doors through which Reginald had planned his escape. Oh, not a chance in hell. He’d sing the man a dismal ditty before letting him steal her away. “Pardon me, cousin. I see I must rescue my damsel once again.”

Moving even as he spoke, Reginald shouldered his way through the crowd, none too gently when some gentlemen insisted on standing their ground. He peered around the room, but Maddy and the peacock had disappeared. His heart gave a lurch then he redoubled his efforts to gain the French doors. The only thought that gave him comfort was that the soon-to-be dead man might have thought he’d absconded with Miss Forrester but would likely find he had to contend with Amorina Vestry instead.

If the popinjay managed to survive that encounter, he surely would not withstand the wrath of Sir Reginald Matthews once he laid hands on him. Once a thief taker, always a thief taker.

* * * *

“I beg your pardon?” was all Maddy could think to say to stall for time while simultaneously trying to remember the contingency plan she and Katarina had prepared for just this eventuality. All the while continuing the dance as though nothing was amiss. Neither plan nor steps was coming to mind readily.

“No need to be coy with me, Madam Vestry.” Verwood at least had the good sense to whisper to her. “I didn’t recognize you at first.” His gaze took her in, and she wanted to shrink from his lewd stare. “You have managed to change your appearance remarkably. I daresay I wouldn’t have known you a’tall if you hadn’t laughed.” He smirked. “You have a very distinctive laugh. I’d know it anywhere.”

“I am afraid, however, you are mistaken, my lord.” Denial was her only hope. Deny, deny, deny Katarina had advised her. “I am Miss Forrester, the daughter of the late Baron Forrester, as many people here will attest.”

“You may be, my dear. Stranger things have happened, I suppose. But you are also Amorina Vestry, the madam of the House of Pleasure.” Lord Verwood raised his voice slightly.

Maddy stiffened and glanced left and right. No one had heard him, yet. But the dance was ending—they bowed to one another and she smiled automatically, though it probably looked more like a grimace. In the lull between dances his voice might carry enough to call attention to his accusations. Dear God, the nightmare she had feared had materialized effortlessly, and from the most perplexing of places, for she would swear she’d never seen this man before in her life.

“You look a trifle warm, my dear. Let us seek the cooler air outside.” He grasped her hand and propelled her through the throngs of guests toward a pair of French windows that led to the mutilated garden outside.

Good. Fewer people to overhear as she tried to persuade him she was not the person he thought her to be. In many ways, she no longer was Amorina Vestry, although she might very well need to invoke Vestry’s strength in order to convince him she was Aimée Forrester and no one else.