Velvet Chains (Historical Romance) (27 page)

As time passed Season found she could tell Rebecca many things about her capture, but she couldn't bring herself to tell her about The Raven or that she loved him.

One evening Rebecca walked into Season's bedroom, pulling on her lace gloves. Season was wearing her new green evening gown and she turned around, presenting herself for Rebecca's inspection.

"My, but you do look beautiful. All the men at the ball are going to swarm around you tonight." Rebecca beamed.

"Pity Robert cannot see you, Rebecca. You are simply breathtaking."

Rebecca sat down on the edge of the bed and watched her maid, Drucilla, arrange Season's hair. "Season, my brother told me before he left that it might be wise to introduce you to everyone as Mistress Season Chatsworth without revealing the fact that your father is a duke. He thought it might save you the trouble of having to answer a lot of questions. Would you have any objections?"

"No. The reasoning is sound. Tell me, what are your neighbors like?"

"The host and hostess are the Bartletts. They have a son who is Lucas' age, but he may not be home since he is in the army. He is an aide to General Washington. Their daughter, Mariana Bartlett, is blond and pretty. She has had her eye on Lucas for a long time. Mrs. Bartlett would like nothing better than to see her become the mistress of Rosemont. She is very sure that will come about one day. Aside from that, tonight should be fun, and I hope you enjoy yourself, Season."

"The only gala I have been to since I came to America is the ball I attended in New York."

"You will find tonight quite different, I'm sure. After all, this is a country affair. Still, people will be dressed in a very grand manner, and most of them will even have their hair powdered. I don't ever powder my hair; Lucas doesn't like it."

Season remembered The Raven once asking her never to powder her hair. She looked at the box of powder that Drucilla held in her hand, and shook her head. "I find having my hair powdered very tedious. I do not want it powdered tonight, Drucilla."

"Oh dear, look at the time. We are going to be late!" Rebecca cried, rising from the bed.

Rebecca introduced Season to many of her neighbors, and Season found them to be very gracious. She danced the minuet with several young American officers and wondered why she felt years older than them.

The dining room table was laden with food, but Season took only a few bites of the meat and none of the vegetables. When desert was served, she declined it altogether. Rebecca spent a good deal of time with Season because she realized her friend was alone in a strange land.

She realized that the music and laughter didn't seem to reach Season who seemed to be standing apart from the festivities—an onlooker. She was always polite when spoken to, but rarely contributed to the conversation.

While Season and Rebecca were watching the dancers, having both just declined to dance, Mariana Bartlett came up beside them and looked Season over from head to toe. Season smiled at the girl, thinking she was very pretty, but she got no answering smile in return.

"Tell me, Miss Chatsworth," Mariana asked, "why is it that you are visiting Virginia?"

Rebecca quickly intervened. "Season is a friend of the family, and Lucas and I urged her to spend some time with us at Rosemont."

Mariana's crystal blue eyes took on a guarded look. "I was not aware that you were acquainted with anyone from England, Rebecca. I know your brother's friends are mostly English, but I thought you were against the British, as are most of us in this room."

Season gasped at the underhanded insult that had just been dealt her, and she looked to Rebecca for guidance. Before Rebecca could reply, Mariana's mother joined the conversation.

"I was certainly not aware that you were from England, Mistress Chatsworth."

"La, Mother, how could you miss it? Have you not listened to the fancy way she speaks? If she doesn't come from England, it's a safe bet that she was educated in England."

"You have a good ear, Mistress Bartlett, and you are quite right. I have only recently come from England," Season put in. "I find I like your lovely country very much." She had seen the fire in Rebecca's eyes and had realized that her friend was ready to do battle on her behalf. But Season didn't want to be the cause of Rebecca having trouble with her neighbors.

"My country!" Mariana said sarcastically. "You English are determined that the United States will remain under your domination."

Season's face whitened, and she saw the satisfied smile on Mariana's mother's face. Not knowing what to say, she turned to Rebecca.

"If you insult my friend, Mariana, then you insult my brother and me as well," Rebecca warned.

"Just how good a friend is she, Rebecca?" Mariana wanted to know. "Is she your friend or your brother's?"

Rebecca realized that the angry glint in Mariana's eyes indicated jealousy, and she was about to voice that opinion when a deep voice spoke up from behind her.

"Season happens to be a friend to us both," Lucas Carrington drawled.

Four pair of eyes fastened on Lucas as he slipped his arm about his sister's waist and took Season's hand in his. His eyes sought Mariana's.

"It is very kind of you, Mariana, to make our guest feel so at home," he said, raising an eyebrow.

Mariana lowered her lashes, mortified because Lucas had overheard the conversation, but she managed to recover quickly.

"Lucas, you awful man, I am so happy to see you, even though you have neglected me shamefully." With a pout on her pretty mouth, she moved to his side, stood on her tiptoes, and kissed him boldly on the lips.

Lucas smiled. "I find it amazing that you are still single, Mariana. How can it be that some young gentleman hasn't already made you his wife? You are far too beautiful to remain unmarried for so long."

"She's waiting for you," Rebecca mumbled under her breath, so only her brother could hear. Lucas arched an eyebrow at his sister and a slight smile touched his lips as his hand tightened on Season's.

Mariana pulled on Lucas' arm, forcing him to release Season's hand. "Come and dance with me, Lucas. It's been simply ages since we danced together."

"How remiss of me, Mariana," he said, leading her to the dance floor.

"Don't they look well suited?" Mrs. Bartlett said, glancing pointedly at Season.

"Indeed they do, ma'am," Season agreed, and Mrs. Bartlett walked away with a satisfied smile on her face.

"If Lucas isn't careful, that witch will get her claws into him," Rebecca observed.

"I had the mistaken impression that you and Mistress Bartlett were friends, Rebecca."

"No, she has never been a friend of mine. All she ever wants is to get Lucas to propose to her so she can get her hands on Rosemont."

Season looked at Lucas Carrington. He seemed to stand out from all the other men. Like many of the other gentlemen in the room, he didn't wear knee breeches, but was dressed in gray pantaloons tucked into black boots. His matching jacket was unbuttoned, revealing the white lawn shirt beneath, and his black hair was neatly tied back in a queue. He was tall, handsome, and very male.

"A woman would have to be blind to want to marry your brother only to get her hands on your plantation. No. I do not believe for one moment that Mistress Bartlett could only be thinking of Rosemont, Rebecca."

"I want to apologize to you for her shameful behavior. She is just jealous. She thinks Lucas is interested in you. I hope Lucas doesn't tell her that you are engaged to marry cousin Edmund. I would enjoy watching her suffer."

"She is very lovely. Do you think Lucas is interested in her?"

"Who can say with Lucas? As far back as I can remember he has had women chasing after him, but I do not believe his heart has ever been engaged by any of them. I cannot say how he feels about Mariana, but if she had her way they would be married tomorrow."

Season sighed. "One thing is certain; Mistress Bartlett and her mother are not overly fond of me."

"Of course not. You are beautiful, and they are afraid that Lucas is interested in you."

"Oh, surely you are mistaken. They couldn't think that. I hope you will set them straight on that point," Season said, feeling distressed.

Rebecca laughed delightedly. "No, I don't think I will. It would be much nicer to see them both squirm a bit. I have no fondness for either of them."

"You are a minx, just as your brother says. I wonder if Robert knows what he's getting himself into with you."

"I would be a fool to let him know my true self until I have him hooked good and proper." Rebecca laughed.

Season laughed too, and both girls turned to watch Lucas lead Mariana off the dance floor and over to the punch bowl. Season watched Lucas smile as Mariana Bartlett placed a hand on his shoulder. It seemed to Season that he liked the woman a great deal. She wondered why that thought bothered her.

A short time later Lucas excused himself from Mariana and crossed the room to Season and his sister. Taking Season's hand, he bowed to her.

"I have done my duty by dancing with the hostess' daughter. Now I wonder if you would honor me with the next dance?"

"Are you not concerned that Mistress Bartlett will take exception if you dance with me?" she asked, a devilish twinkle in her green eyes.

He offered her his arm. "Let's test her and see."

Season laughed, suddenly feeling light-hearted. Lucas realized it was the first time he had seen her really laugh, and laughing made her more beautiful than ever.

"Who am I to say no, if you want to use me to make your lady love jealous?"

"How can you be sure I wasn't using her to make you jealous?" he said, lowering his lashes and staring at her lips.

Before Season had time to think about his statement, he bowed and she curtsied; then they circled and turned to the next partner. Season was led around the room and then returned to Lucas.

"I apologize if I have created trouble for you. Had I realized how the Bartletts felt about the English, I would never have come tonight."

"Nonsense. It isn't for you to apologize. Mariana was being herself. It would not have mattered where you came from. I would wager her anger stems more from the fact that you are the most beautiful woman here."

Season caught her breath and quickly lowered her lashes, pleased by his compliment until she reminded herself that he probably spoke glowing words to every woman with whom he came in contact.

"Tell me, Lucas, did you see Edmund? Did you tell him I was staying at Rosemont?"

"You ask me two questions, and I'll answer them both with a yes. I must confess Edmund wasn't at all pleased that you were staying with me. He would have come to Virginia to get you, but for one small problem."

The dance had ended and Lucas led her from the floor. "What problem?"

"It's very simple. As a British officer, he couldn't very well come to Virginia since he would be shot on sight. If he were to choose to remove his uniform and come to Virginia, he would then be tried and shot as a spy. You can see the dilemma he faces."

Season nodded, not in the least sorry Edmund couldn't come to Rosemont. She wasn't ready to face him just yet. "Lucas, I wonder if my father has been notified that I am safe? I thought of writing to him, but Rebecca told me they would never allow a letter from Virginia to reach England."

"I myself tended to it when I was in New York. Your father will soon know of your safe return. I can also arrange for you and your father to correspond if you would like, and I have brought someone back from New York, someone I believe you will be pleased to see."

"Molly?"

"Yes, Molly, and all your belongings. Your maid was only too eager to accept my offer to bring her to you."

"Again I am in your debt, Lucas. How will I ever be able to thank you for all your kindnesses?"

He looked deeply into her eyes. "One day I may ask you to pay."

Season had no time to reply to his strange statement because Mariana appeared at his side. "Lucas, I would like you to come into the garden with me. Mama has planted some new rose bushes, and they are a most unusual shade of red."

"If you will excuse us, Season," Lucas said, before Mariana took his arm and led him away.

Season thought the ball would go on forever. She was weary of dancing with so many different gentlemen, and she was tired of having to keep a pasted smile on her face. What is the matter with me? she wondered. Not long ago she would have been delighted to attend a ball. Now, she was grateful when Rebecca came up to her and announced that Lucas was ready to go home.

Mariana accompanied them to the coach and made Lucas promise he would come to tea the next day, and when the carriage pulled away, Rebecca broke into laughter.

"You had better watch out, my brother. Mariana has her eye on you as husband material." Rebecca batted her eyes and tried to imitate Mariana's voice. "Lucas dear, I will simply die if you don't come to tea tomorrow at four."

Lucas couldn't help but laugh, and Season clamped a hand over her mouth so as not to show her mirth. "You minx, do you never tire of badgering me. If I recall correctly, you have said the same thing about a number of other young ladies in the past."