Cyrus would not like that, she imagined, but surely he would not argue with her decision if she looked ridiculous. He wanted to make an impression as the new Duke and Duchess of Darnley, after all.
And here I was, thinking I had married a like-minded recluse.She groaned inwardly at the thought of the night to come, her mood tempered only by the presence of her sisters and her best friend. At least she would be able to share the evening with Isolde and Beatrice, when her husband undoubtedly abandoned her.
Her heart fluttered strangely, remembering how they had parted ways in the Tea House. For a moment, she had thought he might kiss her… and, goodness, how she had wanted him to. Yet, it had turned into another disappointment, another thing to daydream about that would never become a reality.
“Well?” she urged, practically beside herself with nerves.
Prudence gave a low whistle. “Do you remember the chapter where Miss Savage attended the sultan’s ball, and the Captain sees her across the lake?”
Teresa nodded, unable to stop her mind from picturing herself as Miss Savage, with Cyrus across the lantern-lit lake, gazing at her. Nor could she stop herself from continuing the scene, watching him wade toward her through the shallow water,sweeping aside the waterlilies and floating lanterns, emerging from the lake soaked through just to tell her how beautiful she looked.
And the kiss afterward, stolen beneath the moonlight as they danced together to the distant lilt of the music…
“You look twice as beautiful as that,” Prudence said, beaming from ear to ear. “Indeed, I am quite furious thatIam being forced to stay here while you are parading around like a queen in that gown. Mercy, how I wish I could see everyone’s faces when you enter! They will not know you, Tessie. They will think a princess has arrived.”
Beatrice nudged Prudence in the arm, the two women perched together on the edge of Teresa’s bed. “I could sneak you in, if you like?”
“You will not,” Isolde chided, offering a look of apology to Prudence. “Considering the recent scrutiny that has been placed upon our family, we must do everything according to the proper processes. You will debut next year. You will not ‘sneak in’ anywhere until then.”
Prudence pulled a face. “The moment they see Tessie, they will forget any ‘scrutiny.’ Indeed, it has been forgotten anyway; everyone is talking about Lady Juliet’s scandal now.”
“What?” It was Teresa’s turn to gawp. “What scandal?”
Beatrice flashed her best friend a sly smile. “Well, it would appear that the oh-so perfect, oh-so infallible Lady Juliet was caught in a dalliance with the Viscount of Sherborne. ThemarriedViscount of Sherborne. I would say I am surprised you have not heard, but this castle is in the middle of nowhere; I doubt there is a gossip mill nearby for you to receive your weekly sack of scandals.”
“You have been here for three days, and you did not think to mention that?” Teresa gasped, conflicted: on the one hand, she was delighted by the comeuppance but, on the other, the experience of being trapped in the net of public judgment was not something she would have wished on her worst enemy.
Beatrice shrugged. “It did not seem important, but I would wager you will hear plenty about it tonight. The poor thing has had to go into hiding and, for once, the gentleman has not emerged unscathed either.” Mischief gleamed in her eyes. “I hear he has lost most of his business partners, for all of their wives are dear friends of the Viscountess. And, my goodness, she has some glorious wrath in her!”
“I do not like to be unkind,” Isolde interjected, “but after hearing some of the despicable things Lady Juliet said about you after the… incident, I should say she rather deserves it.”
A bothersome memory began to nag at the back of Teresa’s mind, sending her thoughts back to the night she had created her own scandal. Lady Juliet had been tormenting Teresa, as usual, but Beatrice had not long come to the rescue. Wearingher fox mask, Beatrice had said something to Lady Juliet, frightening enough to make the woman hurry off.
It took Teresa a second to remember Beatrice’s words:“I could mention where you were this past Sunday, when you were supposed to be at church, but feigned a headache.”
With a hand to her heart, Teresa glanced at her best friend, frowning. “Bea, did you… have something to do with this?”
“Me?” Beatrice pointed to herself. “Iwish!”
“But you knew, did you not?”
A flicker of hurt replaced the mischief in Beatrice’s eyes. “I did, but it was not me who revealed it. Do you think I would relinquish leverage like that on a whim, when it was the one thing guaranteed to protect you from her scorn?” She paused, her tone laced with sadness. “The Viscountess discovered the affair herself.Witnessedit. She told me when I had tea with her last week.”
“Oh…”
“Tess, come now, you know me. You do not truly believe I would throw any woman—even a vicious weasel like that—into the dirt, do you?” Beatrice’s voice wavered, and, for an awful moment, she looked utterly defeated, her shoulders slumping.
“No,” Teresa hurried to say, cursing herself. “No, of course not. I… did not realize you were such good friends with the Viscountess, that is all.”
Beatrice shrugged. “My mother arranged it. Thought it would be good for me to have a mentor. It has been—the Viscountess is wonderful, and I am just sorry she ended up married to such a pig, though her clever unraveling of his success and reputation has been sublime to witness. Her influence is enviable.” She stood up, her smile forced. “You look extraordinary, Tess. But it is rather warm in here; I think I will go and take some fresh air.”
“Bea…”
“I will wait for you in the courtyard,” Beatrice replied firmly, walking out.
Another of Prudence’s low whistles pierced the air. “What was that about?”
“None of your business,” Isolde said gently, taking Prudence’s hand. “Go on, off with you—you should be having your dinner in your bedchamber instead of causing trouble in here. Tessie needs to finish preparing herself, and I needherto help me with my hair.”
