Jane Feather - Charade by Unknown (howl and other poems .TXT) 📕

of your importunity, ma'am. Iam come merely to take you home." The noise and laughter around herfaded to a distant buzz as Danielle read the deep sensual message inthe black eyes holding hers. They both seemed to exist in a bewitchedprivate circle of mutual adoration and passion until someone behindthem shifted, coughing slightly, bringing the scene into sharp focusagain.

"Dear me, sir," Danny protested with a light laugh, "I have but justarrived. I cannot possibly leave now. Why, my card is completelyfilled." She indicated the dance card hanging by a thin ribband fromher wrist.

"Nevertheless, Madam Wife, you will make your excuses." There was anunmistakable note of authority in the calm voice that told her clearlythat the time for games was not now.

"As my lord commands." She swept a low curtsy, head bowed in meeksubmission and Linton's lips twitched. A less submissive wife than hiswould indeed be hard to find.

"Linton, you are a tyrant. I swear it." An artificial laugh accompaniedthe slightly peevish tone and Justin turned with raised eyebrows toview the speaker; a willowy gentleman in an impossibly wasp-waistedcoat, powdered hair piled high over an enormous ladder-toupet, and somany fobs and seals adorning

his garments that hardly a stitch of material was left untouched.

"Do you really think so, Layton?" Justin inquired softly, lifting hisquizzing glass and subjecting the macaroni to a minute, disdainfulscrutiny that brought a dull flush to the pallid complexion.

"He is most certainly

not

atyrant, and it is most discourteous in youto say such a thing." Danny rushed quite unnecessarily to her husband'sdefense. "Maybe, if you did not lace yourself so tightly, sir, yourhumor would be ... Oh!" She fell silent as Lord Julian with brutal lackof ceremony squeezed her upper arm. Danielle, far from resenting thebrotherly interference, gave him a warm grateful smile and made hasteto retrieve the situation.

"Gentlemen, I must bid you good night. My Lord is but newly returnedfrom Danesbury and I am certain is fatigued after his journey." Sheshot him an impish grin. "Is it not so, Linton?"

"Absolutely, my love," her husband replied smoothly as he took her handand tucked it firmly under his arm. "If you are quite ready . .."

Danielle sank into an elegant curtsy as she smiled around the group andallowed herself to be led away toward the French doors into theballroom.

"You wretch, Danny," Linton said when they were out of earshot. "Iwould much prefer the sobriquet

of tyrant to that of milksop who isexhausted after a day's travel!"

Danielle chuckled. "Well, I had to say something, milord."

"You had already said quite enough. How could you have referred toLayton's corset in that fashion?"

Danielle reassured herself with a quick underlash glance that he was,in fact, amused. "You must admit

he looks quite ridiculous, Justin."

"I do admit it and was in the process of indicating that fact when youflew into battle."

"Do not pretend to be cross, for I know quite well that you are not,"she declared stoutly. "Now, how

am I to leave here discreetly whilstabandoning all my promised dance partners."

"I am certain the room is full of damsels who will be overjoyed to takeyour place. I must confess, milady, that when I married you I did notexpect to have to remove you bodily from such a vast circle ofadmirers." The smile that accompanied this was so full of pride andlove that she could not resist a small skip of pleasure, an action thatbrought a deep chuckle from her companion. "Come, we must make ourexcuses to the duchess. More than that will not be necessary. Yourintended partners will discover your absence soon enough."

They progressed through the ballroom, objects of considerable envy forboth sexes and all ages. The Earl of Linton had been causing femalehearts to flutter since his sixteenth year. Until Danielle de St.Varennes had appeared in a Parisian back alley, hope had continued tospring eternal in the bosoms of young ladies and their mamas. That hopehad been dashed by a schoolroom miss. Tongues had wagged with maliciouspleasure until it had become apparent that however unconventional thechit, she had the patronage of the bear leaders and hardly a malemember of the ton would listen to a word of criticism. Young ladiesinterested in keeping their beaux learned to mention the Countess ofLinton only with praise and to keep their envy to themselves.

The Duchess of Rutland was in the large drawing room above stairsenjoying the company of her cronies who preferred conversation and thecard tables to the youthful pleasures of the ballroom. "Ah, Linton hasfound his wife," she said to the Dowager, Countess of Linton, seatedbeside her on the sofa. "Do they

not make an entrancing couple?" Thedowager's response was not encouraging.

"There is your

maman

."Danielle stopped in the doorway. "I would like aglass of champagne and I suddenly find myself very hungry. May we notgo to the buffet before we leave?"

"By all means, my love." Justin escorted her to the supper room. "Ifyou will tell me exactly how hungry you are, my dear, I will bring yousupper." The solicitous smile was belied by the question in his eyes.Whatever had struck Danielle so suddenly, it was definitely notappetite.

"I am not at all hungry." Danielle confirmed his suspicion. "I just donot wish to meet your mama."

"Enlighten me, pray." He took snuff, the tender amusement quite gonefrom the blue black eyes.

"She took it upon herself to give me a thundering scold just the otherday and to tell me, if you please, that in your absence it was her dutyto inform me how to go on in Society. I..." Danielle bit her lower lip."I am afraid that I told her I did not accept her authority. She ...she ... may have thought me a little impolite."

"And were you?" her husband asked. "Just a little impolite?"

Danny shook her head. "No, very impolite."

"Well,