Midnight Masqerade Read online

  Although Royce's reaction was not precisely what Josh would have preferred, he did breathe easier once Royce and Dominic had departed for town. He also didn't waste a moment before setting out for Willowglen-with the first pert of his plan under way, it was time to set the second phase in motion.

  Not to his surprise, upon arriving at the main house, he was informed by Frances Osborne that Melissa was busy down at the stables. Whistling happily to himself, Josh =oiled off in that direction. For the moment, the reasons behind the necessity to see Melissa married as soon as possible had faded from his mind, and he was thoroughly enjoying his attempt at matchmaking.

  It took a second for his eyes to adjust from the bright light outside to the pleasant shadows of the interior of the stables, but once they did, he instantly spotted Melissa. Her back was to him and she was busily raking out one of the stalls.

  Idly he noted the old, shabby gown and the prim little bun at the back of her head, but assumed that both dress and hairstyle were the result of the chores that presently occupied her. It was only when he called her name and she spun around to face him that he realized his error. In stunned dismay he gawked at her staid appearance, his happy mood vanishing immediately as the full effect of the ugly spectacles, ill-fitting gown and severe coiffure finally penetrated. Not even an uncle's fondness could ignore the fact that she looked . . . well ... drab! And it didn't take a great deal of intelligence for Josh to know why she had altered her appearance in this fashion-she was obviously determined to repel any further advances made by the male sex. Uncertain how to meet this unexpected turn of events, ', Josh stared at her in gloomy silence.

  Seeing his dejection, but never guessing the reason for it, Melissa almost felt sorry for her uncle. Almost. She had steeled herself to be met with a great deal of angry exasperation, and Josh's expression of utter astonishment and discouragement left her torn between amusement and compunction. It was obvious that her changed appearance was having precisely the effect she wanted, but the fact that Josh was not shouting and blustering made her a little uneasy. An angry and irascible Josh she could deal with firmly, but not a Josh who looked so very defeated; her face softened, a tentative smile curving her mouth.

  That smile changed her entire face, making one hypnotically aware of the pleasing shape of her lips and the gentle curve of her jaw. The change was remarkable, and despite the scraped-back hair and ugly spectacles, an enticing glimpse of her natural loveliness was glaringly apparent and, in that instant, Josh wasn't quite so discouraged. Who knows, he told himself stoutly, Dominic Slade might enjoy discovering the beauty which lurked beneath the spinsterish exterior. Uncomfortably conscious that he was probably deluding himself, but determined to press on with his plans, Josh hectically sought some way to turn Melissa's latest act of defiance to an advantage. Struck by a sudden inspiration, he finally said slowly, "Ah. I see that you have already been warned."

  Dumbfounded, Melissa stared at him. "Warned?" she repeated weakly, wondering frantically why, beyond his first obvious astonishment, her appearance didn't seem to bother him in the least. "Warned about what?"

  Warming to his theme, almost enjoying the situation, Josh answered smoothly, "Why, about Dominic Slade."

  Melissa gave her uncle a keen glance. He didn't look foxed, but then she wasn't that familiar with the behavior of a gentleman who had imbibed too freely. But something odd was going on, and not knowing what else to do, she asked cautiously, "Dominic Slade? What about him?"

  Josh feigned an expression of surprise. "You mean you haven't heard yet? I thought that you must have-surely it was because you knew that he was in the neighborhood that you have dressed yourself in such an unbecoming fashion?"

  Mystified, but gamely trying to make some sense of his words, Melissa shrugged and replied airily, "Oh! That Dominic Slade." Feeling a perfect fool, yet unwilling to let Josh know how baffled she was, she added mendaciously, "Someone did mention his presence in the area, and I thought it best if I..." She let the sentence trail off. not wishing to reveal that she had absolutely no idea of what he was talking about. Sending him an uncertain smile, she asked, "You approve?"

  "Oh, yes, my dear! I can't tell you how happy I am that you used your good common sense and took immediate steps to protect yourself from the possibility of the rogue's unwanted attentions. You were very wise to disguise your undeniable charms this way." Giving a hearty chuckle, he continued blandly. "Few men if any would make advances to a woman who looks as you do now! Certainly not Dominic Slade! Only the prettiest fillies will do for him!"

  Slightly nettled by Josh's comments, even though the opinion expressed was precisely what she had been striving for, Melissa said stiffly, "That may be, but perhaps V

  the `prettiest fillies' won't be the least interested in Mr. Slade! "

  "You're wrong there, m'dear!" Josh replied pityingly. "He's a handsome devil, I'll tell you plain. What's more, with his family background-he's one of the Slades from Natchez, a very wealthy and respected family-there will be few of our neighborhood ladies who won't find him utterly irresistible. " Slyly he added, "I had the pleasure of meeting him today and I can assure you that he is indeed very handsome!"

  Melissa's upper lip curled scornfully. "And I suppose he thinks rather highly of himself!"

  "Oh, no! Not at all! He's a charming fellow, quite unassuming. One would never guess, except from his beautiful manners and impeccable attire, that he comes from such a prominent family."

  Thoroughly baffled now-Dominic Slade sounded just like the sort of gentleman her uncle had been trying to get her to many for years-Melissa frowned. What was Josh playing at? And why? Some of her confusion showed in her expression as she asked warily, "If he is such a paragon, why should you be happy that I am dressed to repel his advances? I would have thought that you would have ridden over here pell-mell to insist that I rig myself out to catch his attention, not the other way around!"

  Josh appeared scandalized. "Oh, but he would never do for you, child! He is far too sophisticated and worldly. Besides," he murmured pensively, "I really don't know that he would make a very good husband . . . it is said that he is rather fond of a . . . ah, certain type of woman. And, of course, there is his gambling." Josh shook his head with regret. "No, no, he isn't the type of man we would want you to marry, and I'm very pleased that you were so quick to realize it and have taken steps to make certain that you do not attract his roving gaze."

  Conflicting emotions raging in her breast, Melissa was aware of an unworthy impulse to stamp her foot with vexation. How dare Uncle Josh decide that Mr. Slade wasn't the man for her! How dare he so high-handedly dismiss Dominic Slade as too sophisticated and worldly for her! She might like Mr. Slade very much once she met him, and it was humiliating for Josh to cavalierly reject her chances of attracting the attention of such a handsome, wealthy, charming man.

  Suddenly realizing where her rebellious thoughts were taking her, Melissa narrowed her gaze and shot a closer look at her uncle. Was this a clever little plot on his part? Was he deliberately misleading her, hoping that she could be tricked into liking Mr. Slade?

  Josh met her suspicious look, not by so much as a batted eyelash allowing his innocent expression to change. But Melissa's unblinking stare was a trifle unnerving and, rushing into speech, he said the one thing that could divert her attention. "Have you seen young Newcomb of late? I understand that he is still willing to marry you."

  At his words, all speculation about Josh's possible duplicity fled. With a wrathful glint in her fine eyes, Melissa snapped, "Willing? I would say more like languishing! It is to escape his attentions-and Mr. Slade's as well," she added hastily, "that I have disguised myself in this fashion." Sending her uncle a half-angry, half-vexed look, she went on almost imploringly. "Will you please stop trying to get me married? I know your need is urgent, but so is ours, and if I will not many to make our own situation more comfortable, why do you think I shall do so to change yours? I will not marry John Newcomb! And I woul
d greatly appreciate it if you would cease your meddling in my affairs!"

  Patting her arm gently, Josh said soothingly, "There, there, my dear. I had not realized that my actions have caused you so much distress. You must believe me when I say that I will no longer make any attempt to convince John Newcomb to continue in his suit."

  Melissa stared dumbly at her uncle for a moment. Then, hardly believing what he had said, she prodded, "Will you promise?"

  Giving her a benign smile, he said with perfect truth, "You have my word on it!" And dropping a fond salute on her cheek, he bade her a pleasant farewell.

  Melissa watched him go in dazed astonishment, hardly able to comprehend the ease with which he had given her his promise. He must have been foxed! she finally de cided. But later she discussed the conversation with Etienne and Zachary, who both were of the opinion that he could not possibly have been drunk.

  "It was too early in the morning," Zachary said with all the superior knowledge of a nineteen-year-old male.

  _ Etienne shrugged. "It was early, oui, but the time of day has nothing to do with it. Your oncle would never come to you in such a fashion-his manners are far too nice. ", Reluctantly, Melissa agreed with Etienne's reading of the situation. Josh was a stickler when it came to what was due the ladies of the family, and he would no sooner appear naked in front of her than he would appear drunk.

  "Then what do you make of his remarks about this Dominic Slade?" Melissa asked with a frown. "Don't you think it was sort of odd? Doesn't Mr. Slade sound precisely like the sort of gentleman Josh has been trying to throw my way ever since I turned seventeen?" Her scowl deepening, she went on. "It was almost as if he didn't want me to like Mr. Slade, yet he made very certain that I knew that the man was handsome and wealthy and came from an impeccable background. Could Uncle Josh have been rather devious?"

  At Zachary's expression of confusion, Melissa explained somewhat incoherently, "Oh, you know what I mean! By appearing not to want me to like Mr. Slade, he was actually hoping that I would act perversely and like the man simply because I would think that it would annoy him, when exactly the opposite would be true."

  Zachary blinked at her. After a discreet pause, he offered cautiously, "Er . . . do you think that Uncle Josh is that clever?"

  Melissa sighed. "I don't know-he could be. Perhaps I'm just unduly suspicious of his sudden change of heart."

  "I think, mes enfants, that you are worrying too much about nothing," Etienne said calmly. "And whatever his motives, be glad that, for the moment, you are not at dagger's drawing with him! As for Mr. Dominic Slade ..." His dark eyes twinkling, he teased, "Who knows, ma belle, he might prove to be the answer to all of our prayers! "

  Chapter Five

  DOMINIC wouldn't know about being the answer to anyone else's hopes; he only knew that after ten days at Oak Hollow, though quite pleasant, his own hopes of owning or even of seeing the stallion Folly were rapidly vanishing. Whenever he tried to bring the conversation around to the horse, Royce proved to be surprisingly adept at changing the topic, and as for Josh Manchester ...

  Standing at the window of his handsomely appointed bedroom at Oak Hollow, Dominic scowled down at the rolling expanse of green lawn that stretched out beneath his gaze. Mr. Josh Manchester was proving to be singularly elusive whenever the subject of Folly was broached. Oh, he was a very cordial and accommodating host, and it was very enjoyable to spend time with Royce, but after all, Dominic was here as a prospective buyer. As yet, however, there had been no further discussion about the stallion. He hadn't even been able to arrange to view the wretched animal, and his patience, not one of his virtues to begin with, was wearing thin. He was also, he thought with annoyance, growing damned weary of hearing about Josh's blasted niece, Melissa Seymour. If he heard Josh tell him one more time how lovely and spirited she was, how sweetly independent, how gallantly she was helping her young brother restore their temporary reverses, Dominic knew he would be driven to violence. She was so gallant, in fact, that she had, at great sacrifice to herself, turned down more than one tempting offer of matrimony. Oh, there was little doubt that Dominic would find it a great treat to meet her, Josh had stated positively. Why, they had so much in common, he had averred on more than one occasion-she was a neck-or-nothing horsewoman and very knowledgeable when it came to the breeding and raising of prime horseflesh.

  A cynical little smile curving his mouth, Dominic decided that Miss Melissa Seymour must be an opinionated, bracket-faced, overbearing female! Why else was this paragon of virtue and beauty still unmarried? Josh could say what he wanted, but Dominic was quite certain that Miss Melissa was just the sort of female he couldn't abide, horsey and domineering-and worse, the unpleasant notion that Josh was not so subtly attempting to arouse his interest in her had begun to uneasily cross Dominic's mind with increasing frequency.

  Royce had remained carefully noncommittal on the subject of Miss Seymour, and that too aroused Dominic's suspicions-especially when he had the distinct impression that Royce was finding something very amusing. That alone, he thought with a narrowed gaze, should be a warning to him. Royce had a damned strange sense of humor at times and he was perfectly capable of taking sardonic enjoyment in watching the frantic efforts of male acquaintances as they violently fended off grimly determined matchmaking mamas-or uncles, as the case might be!

  Dominic suddenly grinned to himself. Well, he had done the same thing; he and Royce had even wagered on a similar situation, and if their positions were reversed ... Chuckling to himself, he turned around and headed for the door.

  Once he was in the spacious hallway, though, his grin disappeared; and with an ominious tightening of his square jaw, he went in search of his host. He was not, he decided in that instant, going to be fobbed off a minute longer. He would see the horse and make his offer and that would be that! To Miss Seymour he gave no further thought.

  He found Josh seated comfortably in the library, and ' with no preamble, Dominic said quietly, "I think it would be a good idea if I saw Folly today. I cannot trespass longer on your generous hospitality." Taking his gold watch from his vest pocket, he glanced down at it and murmured, "Shall we plan to leave the house for the stables in, say, half an hour?"

  Caught utterly by surprise, Josh could think of no ready excuse. Gamely he attempted to forestall the awful moment when he must confess his duplicity, and he blustered, he stammered and he stalled, but to no avail. Dominic remained politely unwavering in his intention, and finally, Josh somewhat shamefacedly confessed the truth.

  There was silence as Dominic, astounded, took in the full import of Josh's words. Uncertain whether to swear or laugh, Dominic asked eventually, "Are you telling me that you don't own Folly? That this niece of yours, Melissa Seymour, is the actual owner and that for the past ten days, delightful though they have been, you have kept me here under false pretenses?"

  Embarrassed and extremely uncomfortable, Josh moved restlessly in his chair. Reluctantly he admitted that this was indeed the case. He glanced nervously across at the unsmiling young man in front of him, suddenly wishing fervently that he had never embarked upon this once seemingly clever scheme.

  "I see," Dominic said flatly, the expression on his dark face hard to decipher. Neutrally, he asked, "Would you mind telling me why you went to all this subterfuge? Why you didn't tell me the truth when I first arrived at your house?"

  Josh cleared his throat anxiously, wondering bleakly why he had not thought of what would happen when the truth about the real ownership of Folly came out. Desperately seeking some way to excuse his actions, some way to redeem himself and yet not divulge the scheme nearest to his heart, he came up with the germ of an idea. Embellishing his hastily created tale as he told it, he said with more confidence than he felt, "I thought it best. I wanted to make certain that you were a proper gentleman before you met my niece. I am, after all, her brother's guardian and I feel great responsibility for Melissa." Encouraged by the lack of obvious signs of anger on Dominic's par
t, he added with a complete disregard of the truth, "Since their father's death, both my niece and nephew look upon me as a trusted adviser and protector of their interests." Beginning to believe his own words, he ended selfrighteously, "It is my duty to shield them from those who would take advantage of them."

  Thoughtfully Dominic regarded Josh. There was something about Josh's explanation that didn't quite ring true but, considering the circumstances, it appeared plausibleif unpalatable! Dominic's credibility had never been questioned before and he was nonplussed to think that all this time Josh had been judging him. His pride was just a little wrung to think that anyone would dare to speculate about his suitability!

  Amusement warring with chagrin in his breast, Dominic asked dryly, "And have you satisfied yourself that I am not about to take advantage of your niece?" "

  "Oh, yes!" Josh quickly answered and, realizing that he might have offended, added hurriedly, "There was never any real question about you, you understand ... it was just that . . . " He paused. Then, seeking to distance himself from this uneasy situation, he blundered on. "Melissa needed to be reassured." An unpleasant thought suddenly occurred to Josh and he muttered, "Er, I should warn you that she is not in favor of selling the horse. She has some nonsensical notion to establish her own stud farm." Spreading his hands deprecatingly, he added, "I have told her it is ridiculous, but as I have mentioned to you, she can be, um, stubborn when the mood strikes her."

  "If she doesn't want to sell the animal, my time here has been wasted!" Dominic said with exasperation. "Why didn't you tell me that the horse was not for sale?"