Joanne swung about angrily to face a giggling, masked face.
"Do you not know me?" questioned Lady Sarah. "I am so glad you wore the yellow gown. I never would have found you otherwise. Isn"t this thrilling?" she rattled on. "Oh, I almost forgot. Let me pin these on your domino." She raised a posy of yellow roses.
"Why are you doing this?" Joanne asked. "Where did you get them?"
"You have a secret beau," Sarah laughed conspiratorially. "No, I won"t tell you who it is, but he wished to be able to tell you from the others for a certainty. I promise you will know who it is before the eve is o"er," she said with a sly smile.
Joanne fingered the delicate flowers lying beautifully amid baby"s breath. "It is only your cousin, Humbolt," she sighed and evoked a fresh stream of giggles from Sarah.
"As you will," the girl said with a wink. "I think your beau will offer for you." Claimed for a dance, she was gone before Joanne could question her further.
"Why what lovely flowers," the comtesse exclaimed when Joanne joined her. "But where did they come from?"
"Lady Sarah pinned them to me-some nonsense about a secret beau," Joanne answered with casual annoyance. "Most likely they are from Humbolt," she dismissed the subject.
"Is Benjamin or Lord Jason near? I must admit to a terrible thirst in this heat." Joanne fanned herself. "It is quite stifling. Is there always such a crush?"
"But why ask me?" her aunt laughed. "Do you not believe I have kept to my home before we met? Oh, I tease you," she said lightly as she saw Joanne"s puzzled reaction.
"There is Dr. Ames, and Lord Jason is with him. Let us claim them. Something cool to drink and a walk in the evening air would be most welcome."
"But surely we should not go into the gardens?" Joanne questioned, thinking of her aunt"s reprimands. "A group is always respectable," the comtesse tossed back and took Joanne"s hand. Not wishing to be the cause of an embarra.s.sing scene, she finally acquiesced.
"Do the flowers please you, my lady?" the man asked as he led Joanne toward the a.s.sembling dancers. "Lord Wiltham?" she questioned, c.o.c.king her head. In surprise she asked, "Was it you who sent them?" "A token of my affection, which I hope you return," he said smoothly. "It is but the first of many testimonials of my love."
"Love, my lord?" Joanne repeated, startled. "But I have never encouraged-" Her words trailed off as remembrances of her behaviour flooded back. "Oh, my lord-"
"Now is not the time to speak-later, my love. Let us watch our steps. We would not wish anyone to
guess our secret."
Blanching, Joanne swallowed. Her movements were mechanical as she wrestled with the problem. The dance ended all too quickly. Ames"s appearance at her side rescued her from an immediate confrontation.
Wiltham bowed, kissed her hand. "Till later," he murmured.
Benjamin noted her sudden lack of colour. "Are you ill?"
"I-I am fine," she managed. "Where is the comtesse?"
"With Kenton. We go to join them now."
"Mayhap, they would rather remain alone," Joanne ventured weakly, remembering her resolve.
"What would cause you to say that?" scoffed Benjamin.
"They are of an age," she began as they walked from the Rotunda. The breeze brushed by with a cooling
caress. "Oh, the air is delightful."
"Here, over here," the comtesse chimed.
The two glanced about. "There." Ames guided Joanne toward them.
Kenton handed Ames a gla.s.s of wine and the comtesse gave Joanne a half-melted ice. Freed of the
second gla.s.s, her aunt took Ames"s arm. "Come, Benjamin, I need a walk in this invigorating air.
"Joanne, my lord, will you follow?" she asked over her shoulder.
"We had best go with them," Kenton said, seeing Joanne"s hesitation. "They could become lost," he
attempted to joke as he held out his arm.
With a mental sigh, Joanne put her hand on it and matched his steps.
The comtesse set a leisurely pace. She led them down shadowy paths and past fountains, pools On they walked, the first pair gradually putting greater distance between them. The sounds of the revellers slowly diminished and the soothing night air gradually relaxed the two stiff figures of the latter pair.
"It is beautiful here," Joanne murmured.
"No more lovely than you," Kenton said, before thinking could forestall the words.
Joanne stopped and turned toward him. "What, my lord?" she breathed.
Her wide eyes and wondering, hopeful expression drew Kenton nearer. He cast aside the shackles he
had put on his desire when Joanne stepped toward him. Love ruled. He closed his arms about her and
their lips met.
Joy rushed through her as Jason"s arms tightened about her, as his lips gently moved across her own. A flame leaped within. Joanne responded to his growing urgency.
Ahead, the first pair reappeared in the moonlight. The smaller poked the taller in the ribs. Both smiled
broadly at the embracing couple before disappearing again.
Forcing himself to draw back, Kenton gazed in wonder at Joanne. Neither spoke, the wonder of their love too great. They kissed again-a slow lingering kiss.
"I love you," Joanne breathed softly.
Kenton tightened his arms about her. Drunken laughter intruded. He stiffened. "We must be going. We must not be seen alone here," he said regretfully.
"But why?" Joanne questioned, an amused softness in her voice.
He stole a quick kiss and, taking her arm, began to retrace their steps. "This is most improper," he said
and both laughed at the thought.
All too quickly they were amid others. Glancing at Kenton, Joanne wondered if she dreamed the moment, until he turned to her and she saw the shadows of desire.
No, it is true, she thought happily. The glow of her love shone brightly.
Looking at her Kenton"s fears fell away. All his hopes were answered. Impatience was mastered with
the surety of the future.
His nonchalant manner caused the eyebrows that had been raised at their returning alone to sink in disappointment. However, one in particular was angered at seeing the two together.
Wiltham toyed with the corner of his lapel. The time was near. The stage set. But he would see this matter taken care of first. He cared not for the way Joanne looked at neither Kenton nor the man"s possessive smile. Claiming her for a country set, Wiltham did not speak until the intricate steps ended.
"Was that your friend, Kenton?" he asked casually. "Why, yes," Joanne returned, not realizing how much her tender tone revealed.
"I wish I had his success," Wiltham responded with some bitterness.
"Why, what do you mean, Lord Wiltham?" she asked, her eyes seeking Jason.
"His success with the ladies is so unbelievable," he began, "but pardon me. I should never have spoken of it."
"Surely you jest?" Joanne asked sharply.
"What is said and what I have seen is not for your ears, my lady," Wiltham answered protectively.
The cold hand of fear gripped Joanne. "But he is a true gentleman," she insisted.
"As you say," he answered with just enough haste to win his point. The seed of doubt was sown. "There are many who say he specializes in green girls but I do not believe it," Wiltham added for good measure. Motioning toward the boxes, he asked, "Would you care to sit?"
"Yes, but first I must find the comtesse," Joanne answered distractedly. Her mind reeled at Wiltham"s implications.
"You will find she is busy," Wiltham tossed back offhandedly. "Here is my box. Rest for a few moments while I search for her. Or would your friend, Lady Sarah, do as well?"
"Yes, that would be most kind of you, Lord Wiltham," she replied, taking a seat.
"I will return shortly."
She nodded, thinking vaguely that perhaps she had misjudged him. Fanning herself, Joanne looked about searching for the familiar figure with the rust jacket and black domino. It should not be difficult to pick him out, she thought; I have seen no other of that colour. What Lord Wiltham said is preposterous, she tried to rea.s.sure herself. If Jason were what the man suggested, would he not have attempted to seduce me at Kentoncombe?
But, what reason did Wiltham have to lie? He was even sorry the subject had been broached. There was no reason not to believe him except for her faith in Kenton. Was she wise to trust Jason? Was there anyone she could truly rely upon?
A rust-coloured arm raised in salute caught her eye. But this man had his other arm about a wanton. Her hand flew to her heart when he kissed the woman. With her stomach doing a sickening flop, Joanne looked away. It could not be Jason-but she had to know. Looking back, site studied the man. He was of Kenton"s height; even the hair colour was the same.
Let it not be, she cried softly. Her eyes frantically swept the crowd, seeking the sight of another rust coloured jacket, but none was to be seen.
Wiltham returned and followed her stricken gaze. A wicked smile appeared, but he quickly disguised it as concern. "You are quite pale, my lady. I did not find the comtesse, but I learned Lady Sarah is just outside on the steps. Let us join her. The air will revive you." He took her arm and she rose.
"Pay no attention to Kenton," he said when she moved no further. "They say he always behaves thusly-taking his pleasure from any willing woman."