He laughed. “Better than champagne, I have a pot of your honey here.”
“Honey? But—”
“I’ve had plans for this honey for the longest time. Only first, you really do need to take off that dress . . .”
Twenty-four
Make an entrance, Grand-mère always said. In the hallway that led to the stairs, Maddy took a deep breath. Her first public test as Nash’s wife.
The ball at Alverleigh House, the earl’s residence in Mayfair, had not yet commenced, but already it was the talk of the season. The cream of London society would be here tonight—European society if you counted the ambassdors—every one of them curious to meet—and judge—the nobody that Nash Renfrew had unaccountably married. And, of course, to meet the Grand Duchess Anna Petrovna—sister, daughter, and aunt of Czars.
Maddy didn’t just have butterflies in her stomach, they were dragonflies . . . An entire flock, dipping and buzzing.
Lady Gosforth appeared at her elbow, superbly gowned in a ball gown of puce and gold lace. “Nervous?”
Maddy swallowed. “A little.”
Lady Gosforth raised her lorgnette and gave Maddy a sweeping examination. The effect was enhanced by the enormous, magnificently embroidered turban from which sprouted at least a dozen puce and gold plumes. She had the height—and the nose—to carry it off.
Maddy waited calmly for the scrutiny to end. She knew now that much of Lady Gosforth’s imperious manner was bluff. Still, in the old woman’s eyes Maddy was yet to prove herself a worthy wife for Nash.
Lady Gosforth gave a brisk nod. “Very nice, my dear. That old gold color is perfect on you. And that topaz set both complements it and matches your eyes.” She peered through her lorgnette at Maddy’s necklace and frowned. “Most unusual. Those gold designs look like some kind of insect.”
Maddy touched her necklace and smiled. “Yes, they’re bees. I’m very fond of bees.” Nash had given Maddy the topaz necklace, earrings, and bracelet set that morning. He’d had it especially made for her.
Lady Gosforth blinked. “Good God, are you? How very odd. Never mind, it looks quite pretty anyway. And setting your own style is to be admired.”
Downstairs, people were beginning to gather. Maddy’s palms felt damp. She smoothed her long white gloves over them. So far there were just the close friends and relatives who’d dined with them before the ball, Nash’s friends. Her friends, too, now.
“There will be quite a few noses out of joint tonight, so be on your guard.”
Maddy nodded. She knew. All the girls Lady Gosforth had picked out for Nash, for a start. And all those who resented an outsider.
“Don’t look so worried; it’s a game,” Lady Gosforth told her. “One with serious consequences, but a game, nevertheless.” She rapped Maddy’s arm with her fan. “Parry, thrust, and smile. Win and win gracefully, but if you can’t, don’t let them draw blood.”
Maddy grimaced. “Easier said than done.”
“Most things worth doing are,” said the elderly lady loftily. “Not for nothing is it called polite society. But it’s like the old maps:here be dragons.”
They reached the landing at the top of the grand staircase. From here, Maddy would descend the stairs alone, all eyes on her. She paused, willing the dragonflies to settle.
“Screw your courage to the sticking place and you’ll not fail,” Lady Gosforth told her.
“You’re quotingMacbethat me?LadyMacbeth?” Maddy asked with a choked laugh. “Are you perhaps suggesting I follow her example and murder my husband’s more . . . inconvenient guests?”
Lady Gosforth gave a crack of laughter. “That’s the ticket, show a bit of pepper! You’ll do, my dear, you’ll do.” She gave her a little push. “Down you go. And don’t let ’em see your nerves.”
It might have been her grandmother speaking. Maddy took a deep breath and began the long descent down the staircase, trying to appear unaware of the many eyes on her.
This is it, Grand-mère. Wish me luck.
An hour later, the dragonflies had settled. Somewhat. Maddy stood with Nash, Marcus, and Aunt Maude at the entrance to the ballroom, greeting each guest as they arrived, being introduced as Nash’s bride.
Lady Gosforth had given Maddy a guest list several days before, saying Maddy should commit to memory some of the more exalted names. She’d had made some notes against a few of them. Maddy was very grateful for it.
Better still, Nash murmured wicked little snippets about each couple as they arrived, with the result that Maddy forgot to be nervous and was able to curtsy and greet the guests in a more natural manner.
Everyone smiled, everyone was gracious. Still, you never knew when the sting was going to come.Here be dragons.
