Chapter Eleven

“M adame Madeleine’s, on Bond Street.” Georgy gave the Russell coachman the address of the fashionable modiste. Since she had ruined the lavender silk by spilling something sticky on it, she was to be fitted for a new ball gown.

“I’m not coming in with you,” Louisa informed her sister.

“You sly puss, you have an assignation! Who are you meeting? Not Teddy, I hope.”

“Don’t be daft, Georgy. If you must know, I’m going to the theater to see the matinee performance of The Brigand. When the coachman drops us off, I’ll take a hackney to Covent Garden.”

“But you’ve already seen it.”

“I could see it every day for a month and still not tire of it. I love everything about the theater.”

“But I wanted you to help me pick a style and a color. You have better fashion sense than I have. Besides, Mother would be furious if she knew you were wandering about London on your own.”

“I’m trusting you not to tell her. But I’d wager that when Mother was my age, she went wherever she pleased.”

“Well, you can return the favor when I have something to hide. But I still think it’s selfish of you to abandon me to Madame Madeleine.”

The sisters alighted on Bond Street and the coachman went to find a nearby place where he could park the carriage. As soon as he drove on, Louisa crossed to the opposite side and hailed a hackney.

“Kathleen . . . Kitty, you seem to have settled in quite nicely.”

“James, how will I ever thank you for providing me with such a fine place to live?”

“I consider it my duty to make sure you are safe while living in London, Kitty.” He looked around the apartment he had leased for her in the respectable house on Maiden Lane. He didn’t tell her that he had paid the landlady to keep an eye on her. “I’m glad you like it here. Since you have a matinee performance this afternoon, why don’t I escort you to the theater? I believe Covent Garden is within walking distance.”

“That’s one of the things I love about it. Maiden Lane is handy to everything.”

James helped her with her cloak then watched her lock the door with her own key. They walked past Rules Restaurant at the end of the street. “I believe this is the oldest eating house in London. I’ll take you to dine here one night after your performance.”

“That would be lovely. It’s very elegant. Lots of famous people dine here.”

James smiled. “You may be famous one day. I’ll be able to say that I knew Kitty Kelly when she was in the chorus.”

Kitty laughed, imagining herself the toast of the town, and perhaps Lord Abercorn’s mistress, if she were lucky enough.

As they crossed Covent Garden toward the theater, James was surprised to see Louisa Russell alight from a hackney cab. As he watched her approach the box office, he realized she would be attending the performance. Moreover, she was entirely alone. He escorted Kitty to the stage door entrance and bade her good-bye.

As he walked back to the front of the theater, it didn’t take him long to decide to buy a ticket to attend the matinee performance. He entered the theater and gazed up at the Russell family’s box. It was empty and he concluded that Louisa must be sitting in the audience. He waited until the lights went down and the curtain began to rise; then he walked down the aisle, scanning the patrons. He saw her sitting close to the stage in the front row and quietly took a seat behind her. She was completely focused on the performers on the stage and totally oblivious of the people around her.

James smiled to himself as he heard her quietly singing the lyrics. He knew that she longed to be up there performing. She was enjoying herself, so he decided to wait until intermission to make his presence known. As the curtain came down and the audience clapped and whistled its appreciation, he bent forward and murmured, “Lady Lu is obviously stagestruck.”

Startled, she turned and glared at him. “You simian dolt! I almost jumped out of my skin.”

He grinned. “Because I caught you doing something wicked.”

“I have never done anything wicked in my life,” she hissed.

“Not yet you haven’t . . . but wouldn’t you just love to?” he teased.

“I’d love to stab you in the eye with my hatpin!”

“Bloodthirsty wench. Wouldn’t it be more exciting to go backstage after the performance?”

Louisa caught her breath. “Would that be possible?”

“I might be persuaded to arrange it.”

She raised her chin and challenged, “At what price?”

He waggled his eyebrows suggestively. “What price would you be willing to pay?”

“You devil!” She turned her back on him and made her mind up to completely ignore him. Could he really take me backstage?

She sat with her back straight, staring at the maroon velvet curtain. She wasn’t looking at him, but that didn’t mean she was unaware of him. How dare he follow me into the theater! His presence behind her was both compelling and disturbing. What is it about Abercorn that arouses my anger? She knew the answer. He was far too perceptive . He can read me like a bloody book!

After the intermission, the lights went down and the curtain rose. Once again she became so absorbed in the performance that she almost forgot he was there. Almost.

His presence, however, did not detract from her enjoyment. If anything, it was engagingly provocative and added a certain piquancy.

When the musical ended and the final curtain came down, Louisa applauded with great enthusiasm. She became aware of Abercorn clapping behind her and glanced over her shoulder at him.

“I take it you don’t wish to go backstage?”

She hesitated for long moments, then blurted, “You know damn well I wish to go.”

James masked his amusement. “Then I shall take you. Without any strings attached . . . this time.”

Her pulse raced with excitement. They stood together in the aisle until the audience filed out. Then Abercorn led the way backstage. Her heart hammered as she gazed about, drinking in the behind-the-scenes magic. There was a clutter of ropes, scenery, stage props, and costumes. Actors and performers of both sexes mingled about, laughing, cursing, and singing. All seemed a blur of vivid, colorful confusion that filled Louisa’s senses with exhilaration. Just to breathe the same air as the performers filled her with excitement. She inhaled the exotic scents of makeup, sweat, and musty garments as if it were the elixir of life. “It’s all so thrilling!”

James watched the wonder on her face and it filled him with pleasure. He knew he had made her happy and he realized he wanted to do it every day for the rest of her life. “This way.” He walked a direct path to a door marked dressing room and knocked.

“Enter,” a chorus of female voices sang out.

Abercorn opened the door and ushered Louisa inside where a bevy of females were in various stages of undress. Mirrors lined one wall and in front of the mirrors was a long shelf that held makeup and wigs. Costumes were strewn about everywhere.

“James! You stayed for the performance.” Kitty was clearly delighted.

“Yes. I brought my friend . . . Jane . . . to meet you. The stage fascinates her.” He looked at Louisa and again used her middle name. “Jane, I’d like you to meet Kitty Kelly.”

Louisa gazed at the pretty girl’s lovely red hair. “I’m thrilled to meet you. It must be so exciting to sing and dance before an audience. I’ve seen The Brigand twice and fully intend to come again. I already know all the words to the songs you sing and all the dance steps.”

“Sure and I’m glad you enjoyed it, Jane.”

She heard the lilt in the girl’s voice . She’s Irish. That’s how he knows her. Perhaps she’s more than a friend . Louisa’s blood slowed in her veins as her sister’s words came back to her: A dancer can’t manage without a man to pay her bills. Girls on the stage have lovers to pay for their rooms, and clothes, and carriages. She felt her heart constrict. Kitty is his mistress! She told herself that all young men had mistresses. It matters naught to me . . . I don’t care if Abercorn has a dozen!

She was covered with chagrin as it dawned on her that he hadn’t followed her into the theater after all. He had come to watch Kitty Kelly perform. Louisa turned to address Hamilton. “Thank you for bringing me backstage. It was very kind of you. I mustn’t take up any more of your time. Good afternoon, Abercorn. Good-bye, Kitty.”

She turned and walked from the dressing room. It was a full minute before she realized that James was following her. “Please stay. I don’t wish to interfere with your plans.”

“Kitty and I have no plans.”

“Kitty . . . what a perfect name for an Irish chorus girl,” she said lightly.

It suddenly dawned on him that Louisa was jealous and his heart began to sing. “I do have plans, however, to see you safely back to Belgrave Square.”

“That isn’t necessary. I’m not a child, Abercorn.”

“I don’t think of you as a child, Lady Lu. To me you are a desirable woman. One who shouldn’t be walking the streets alone.”

“I have no intention of walking.”

“You’d trust yourself alone in a carriage with me?”

“Don’t be absurd.” She tried not to laugh but failed. “You are insufferable. Why do you enjoy tormenting me?”

“For the sheer pleasure of watching your face. When you are angry, your green eyes glitter like emeralds. Your nostrils flare, and you draw your lips back from your teeth, as if you are going to bite me. You have a wild beauty that I cannot resist.”

“You are a madman!” She pretended outrage, but she was extremely flattered. She watched him hail a hackney and her pulse raced as she wondered if she could trust him in a carriage. When he took the seat opposite her, rather than sitting beside her, she wasn’t sure if she felt relief or disappointment.

Silence stretched between them, as James looked out the window. A passing church jogged his memory. “My stepfather, Aberdeen, has a house on South Audley Street. When I was a boy, he made us walk to his church in Drury Lane and back home again. He was a strict Presbyterian and the use of a carriage on Sunday was strictly forbidden.”

“South Audley to Drury Lane and back? That’s several miles.”

“It didn’t harm Claud or me, but it was very taxing for my mother, at certain times.”

He means when his mother was with child . Louisa felt outrage. “Aberdeen is a monster, and all in the name of religion. Why is it that husbands feel the need to exercise complete control over their wives?”

“Not all husbands, Louisa. I warrant your father doesn’t control his wife.”

She laughed. “He sometimes tries, but he seldom succeeds.”

“You are very fortunate, Louisa, that your parents have a loving relationship. I would wager that is the secret of a happy marriage.”

“Marriage doesn’t appeal to me,” she said quickly in an attempt to erect a barrier between them.

“You’d rather be a dancer on the stage than a wife and mother.”

“A thousand times over! But that’s impossible,” she said wistfully. “Do you still live on South Audley Street when you are in London?”

“Not a chance! I have my own townhouse on Half Moon Street.”

The hackney stopped in Belgrave Square and James opened the door, stepped down, and helped Louisa alight. “I take it you will be attending the matinee performance again next Wednesday afternoon, so why don’t you allow me to escort you?”

“How can you so easily discern my intensions?”

He smiled into her eyes. “Irish intuition, I suppose.”

She hesitated, but the lure he held out was too tempting to resist. “I shall accept your kind offer. You may call for me next Wednesday.”

Louisa had been home for an hour before she remembered the sugared mouse he had offered her at the Carlton House party when she was a child. He offered me something I couldn’t resist and today he did it again. You are a shrewd Irish devil, Abercorn!

At dinner John Russell addressed his daughter. “Louisa, was that James Hamilton who escorted you home this afternoon?”

Louisa blushed. Damnation, he must have seen us from the library window. “Yes, Father.” She held her breath, hoping he wouldn’t ask where she had been.

“Why on earth didn’t you invite him in? That was rather ill-mannered of you.”

Georgy was furious. “You said you didn’t have an assignation!”

“I didn’t. Abercorn and I met by accident.”

“How very clever of you, darling.” Georgina threw her daughter an approving glance. “Have you arranged any more accidental meetings?”

“No!” Louisa had to backtrack immediately. “Actually, Abercorn is escorting me to a matinee performance at the theater next Wednesday.”

“How lovely. Having a marquis pay his addresses is a feather in your cap. Did I mention that after your debutante ball, the Marquis of Lansdowne called to ask if his son Lord Kerry could pay his addresses to you?”

Louisa stole a quick glance at her sister and saw her face was like a thundercloud. She could not bear the thought of Georgy’s feelings being crushed. She improvised quickly, “Yes, Mother, you did mention that Lord Kerry asked if he could pay his addresses to Georgy and me.”

The Duke of Bedford smiled. “Did you girls know that Henry Petty, Marquis of Lansdowne, once proposed to your mother? Now it seems the Pettys are after my daughters.” He chuckled. “I suppose hope springs eternal.”

Georgy looked somewhat mollified, but the duchess was aware that her remark had hurt her eldest daughter and she deftly changed the subject. “The Royal Masquerade Ball is next week. We really must see about costumes tomorrow.”

“I can wear my Spanish dancing costume,” Louisa offered.

“But darling, everyone will know it is you,” her mother objected. “The whole point of a masquerade is to hide your identity.”

“I could wear your Spanish costume, Lu, and everyone would think I was you.”

Louisa felt alarm. Georgy got up to all sorts of promiscuous behavior.

“We will go to the costumiers tomorrow and see what strikes our fancy,” the duchess declared. “When I was your age, I went as Diana, goddess of the hunt.”

“Don’t encourage our daughters to be licentious, Georgina.” John Russell frowned his disapproval. “Provocative costumes invite provocative behavior.”

“Yes, darling, I remember it well,” Georgina teased.

The following afternoon, the duchess and her two daughters were busy trying on costumes. Bedecked in a large lace ruff and a stomacher, Georgina gazed into the mirror. “I don’t believe the Virgin Queen suits me and I know damn well your father would refuse to wear tights. I don’t think he’d demur at being King Charles Stuart, however.”

“That’s an excellent idea, Mother.”

“There’s method in my madness, Louisa. If he is Charles, I can be Barbara Castlemaine, Duchess of Cleveland. A king’s mistress is sure to cause a stir and I can wear one of those fabulous cavalier hats with a sweeping ostrich feather. I shall also need a silk mask and some face patches.” She moved toward the dressing room to remove the Elizabethan gown. “What have you chosen, Louisa?”

“It’s a dancer’s costume,” she said evasively, “but not Spanish.”

“Is it a famous dancer, darling?”

“If you must know, it’s pretty, witty Nell Gwyn.”

“Oh, how very droll. King Charles and both of his favorite mistresses. The ton will be agog. Best not mention it to your father ahead of time.” She laughed wickedly. “Better keep it as a surprise.” She called out to her other daughter in the next room. “What have you chosen, Georgy?”

“Like Lu, I shall keep it as a surprise.”

Louisa and her mother rolled their eyes and went off in a peal of giddy laughter.

“Dressed as King Charles Stuart, you are tempting as sin.” The Duchess of Bedford stood on tiptoe and kissed her husband. “I think it’s the slim mustache that attracts me.”

“I know what attracts me,” John said, running his finger across the swell of one half-exposed breast. “Trouble is it will attract every other male bent on seduction.”

“Then I make a perfect Barbara Castlemaine. She was never faithful to Charles.”

John turned as his daughter descended the stairs in a flowing white robe. “Now there’s a costume I fully approve of. You make a lovely novitiate nun, Louisa.”

“It is Georgy!” She lifted her white silk mask.

“Good heavens, darling, I never would have expected you to choose a nun’s habit,” her mother declared. “The wimple covers your lovely hair.”

“This is a perfect disguise. I’m going to have great fun tonight.”

When Louisa came down, she was wearing her cloak, which completely covered her costume. She had tucked her dark hair beneath a wig of saucy red curls.

Her mother laughed with delight. “Now I know what baby Rachel will look like when she grows up. The carriage is waiting . . . we’ll be fashionably late as usual. I wonder what Queen Adelaide will be wearing.”

Saint James’s Palace was lit up like a Christmas tree for the Royal Masquerade Ball, and even the liveried servants wore masks. The Russell sisters, eager to distance themselves from their parents, melted into the crowd of costumed revelers. Louisa spied Red Riding Hood and knew immediately that it was Lady Holland. A man in a wolf mask hovered behind her. Louisa tapped him on the shoulder. “Hello, Uncle Holly.”

He turned to stare at the pretty redhead dressed in a short skirt that showed off her legs and a corset laced provocatively beneath her breasts. When he saw her green eyes through the black mask, he realized it was Louisa. “How on earth did you know it was me?”

“I didn’t. It was Beth I recognized. If you hadn’t been together, I would never have known you. Will you partner me? I’d love to dance with a wolf.”

Henry led her onto the dance floor. “You remind me so much of your mother. Your saucy costume is exactly the sort she would have worn at your age.”

“I’m Nell Gwyn. I’ll have to keep away from Father. He would never approve.”

“Teddy has been looking for you. He came as Robin Hood. My son is quite smitten with you, my dear.”

“We’ve known each other since we were children.”

“Exactly. Nothing would please Beth and me more than seeing you and Teddy make a match.”

Louisa drew in a quick breath. “Teddy and I are friends . . . I don’t feel ready for marriage, Uncle Holly.”

“No rush, my dear. But when you are ready to play Maid Marian to his Robin, we’d love to have you as our daughter.”

When the dance ended, Louisa thanked him and melted into the crowd as quickly as she could. Good God, I hope Teddy isn’t seriously interested in me. Georgy would be devastated. She recognized King William, who was aptly wearing an admiral’s uniform. She curtsied before him. “Your Majesty, I warrant you have salt water in your veins.”

“I’m far more at ease on the deck of a ship than on the dance floor, m’dear.” When he learned it was Louisa Russell, he confided, “Just between us, I prefer a ship to the throne, if truth be told.”

“I don’t see Queen Adelaide.”

“She’s off dancing. Just look for Queen Cleopatra.”

Louisa laughed. “This is such fun. We are all indulging our secret fantasies tonight.” She spotted Charles Stuart heading toward the king and moved away quickly.

With the tenacity of a terrier, Georgy was on a manhunt for Lord Burlington. She had eluded his amorous advances at the Prime Minister’s Ball, playing him like a trout on a line to whet his appetite. Tonight she intended to reel him in. When she recognized the Duke of Devonshire, she focused her attention on the man beside him. He wore a black cape with a red lining and a devil’s mask complete with horns. She knew she had viewed her prey. When Devonshire headed toward Sailor Bill, she moved in.

“The only man here who could lead me into temptation. Devil take me !”

Burlington thought he recognized her voice. “Georgy, is that you?” He threw back his head and laughed. “What on earth are you doing masquerading as a nun?”

She licked her lips provocatively. “I am every man’s fantasy. What male breathing hasn’t imagined unfrocking a nun?”

“Christ, it makes me hard just thinking about it.”

“Well, think about this. I’m stark naked beneath my robe.”

“Lord have mercy! Why don’t we find a private place where you can save my soul?”

She took his hand. “Follow me, and I will give you a religious experience.”

They left the crowded ballroom, hurried through an antechamber, and made their way down a palace corridor until they found a dark empty room.

Burlington’s hands seized the hem of her robe and lifted it high. Then he caressed her naked breasts, belly, and thighs. “Will you get down on your knees and . . . pray for me?”

She unfastened his trousers and took hold of his hard erection. “Mm . . . For what you about to receive, may the Lord make you truly thankful.” She sank to her knees and sucked his cock into her mouth.

“Ahh . . . Ahh . . . Ahmen,” the devil groaned, as she drained away his sins.

As she tucked his limp cock out of sight, he heaved a deep sigh of satisfaction. “You’re the best, Georgy.”

“Indeed I am, William. We make a perfect couple. If you were wed to me, you could enjoy this every night of your life.”

“Ah, you lead me into temptation, sweetheart.”

“I warrant the only reason gentlemen marry is to have sex on a regular basis. The lucky ones find a wife who is insatiable.” She took his hand, raised her robe, and pushed his fingers into her hot, wet cleft.

“An insatiable nun!” Burlington’s knees went weak at the thought.

It was announced that at midnight, all masks were to be removed and the guests’ identities revealed. For the remaining hour the lights in the palace ballroom were lowered. This added to the risqué atmosphere and encouraged the gentlemen to act boldly.

Lady Louisa found her dance partners trying to steal kisses. Since her mother had declared them insignificant trifles, she allowed a few liberties in the spirit of fun. It wasn’t hard for her to discern the identity of the young lords who kissed her. She knew Earnest Winterton because he had kissed her at the last ball, and she identified Lord Edgecombe because of his receding chin. It took a little longer to guess that the pirate was actually her friend George Grey. She was surprised that his kiss was rather pleasurable and put it down to the bold buccaneer’s disguise.

Two males stood before her wanting to partner her. One was Robin Hood and the other was Caesar, wearing a Roman toga and a laurel wreath. Since Lord Holland had told her Teddy was Robin Hood, she chose to dance with Caesar. The minute he put his powerful arm around her, Louisa knew it was James Hamilton. “I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him!”

“Lady Lu, is that you? Your red wig disguises your identity completely. You are dressed as Nell Gwyn, unless I miss my guess.”

“Abercorn, you are the only one who knows who I’m supposed to be!”

“Well, knowing you, it had to be a dancer. A guinea says you can’t sing one of Nelly’s infamous ditties,” he challenged.

“You’re on! Find us a private spot and I will prove you wrong, noble Roman.”

The pair made their way to a well-lit antechamber. Louisa curtsied low, then executed a saucy dance, kicking up her legs to show her frilly petticoat and warbling, “It’s rolling in the dew that makes the milkmaids fair.”

As James watched her delectable performance, a daring idea occurred to him. “Lady Lu, what if I came up with a way to make your fondest dream come true?”

“You are Caesar, not Merlin.”

“I keep my magic wand well hidden,” he teased.

“You rude Irish devil!” She laughed in spite of herself. “Tell me more. How do you propose to make my fondest dream come true?”

“I’ll divulge the secret when I call for you on Wednesday.” He waggled his eyebrows suggestively.