Dancing At Midnight

Belle belonged with someone who would appreciate her wit and wisdom as well as her grace and beauty. He could just imagine her having to sneak books into the house behind the back of her disapproving aristocratic husband. He probably wouldn't even consult her on any important decisions, feeling that a woman could not be intelligent enough to offer a worthy opinion.

No, Belle needed him. He had to save her from a disastrous marriage. And then, he supposed, he'd simply marry her himself.

John wasn't unaware that he was about to pull one of the greatest about-faces in history. He could only hope that Belle would understand that he had realized she'd had been right all along. People made mistakes, didn't they? After all, he wasn't some infallible storybook hero.

***

'No, Persephone, I think you should stay away from lavender.'

Belle and her companion had gone shopping. Persephone was eager to part with some of the ample funds given to her by Alex.

'I've always liked lavender, though. It's one of my favorite colors.'

'Well, then we shall find a gown with lavender accents, but I fear that the color does not suit you as well as some others.'

'What would you suggest?'

Belle smiled at the older woman as she fingered a bolt of dark green velvet and held it up under her chin. She was quite enjoying her time with Alex's maiden aunt, although it did at times seem that their roles were reversed. Persephone constantly asked for her opinion on all matters, from food to fashion to literature. She rarely left Yorkshire, she'd explained, and had no idea how to go about in London. Still, Persephone had a quick wit and an understated sense of humor which entertained Belle to no end.

But it wasn't Persephone's companionship which was bringing such a ready smile to Belle's face that afternoon. She had just received an urgent message from Emma instructing her to be ready for John's arrival any day now. Apparently he had not taken the news of her impending marriage well.

Good, Belle thought with not a little smugness. She shuddered to think how she would have reacted had someone brought her similar news of John. She probably would have wanted to scratch the offending woman's eyes out. And she was not normally a violent person.

'Do you really think this green will do the trick?' Persephone asked, frowning at the fabric.

Belle snapped out of her reverie. 'Hmmm? Oh, yes. You've got such nice green flecks in your eyes. I think if 11 bring them out.'

'Do you think so?' Persephone held up the bolt of velvet and looked in the mirror, tilting her head in a decidedly feminine manner.

'Oh very much, and if you are so partial to lavender, perhaps you would be willing to substitute this deep violet color. I think it will look lovely on you.'

'Hmm, maybe you're right. I do adore violets. I've always worn violet scented perfume.'

Persephone's interest sufficiently engaged, Belle wandered over to Madame Lambert, the not entirely French proprietress of the shop.

'Ah, Lady Arabella,' she gushed. 'Eet eez so good to see you again. We have not seen you for many months.'

'I've been out in the country,' Belle replied congenially. 'But if I might ask you a private question?'

Madame Lambert's blue eyes sparkled with excitement, and, undoubtedly, the prospect that Belle's request would somehow make her a mint of money. 'Yes?'

'I need a gown. A very special gown. Two very special gowns, actually. Or perhaps three.' Belle frowned as she contemplated her forthcoming purchase. She needed to look ravishing when John came to London. Unfortunately, she had no idea when he would arrive, or even-banish the thought-if he would arrive.

'Zat should not be a problem, my lady.'

'I need a different sort of gown than I usually purchase. Something more… alluring.'

'I see, my lady.' Madame Lambert smiled knowingly. 'You perhaps wish to attract a particular gentleman. I will make you ravishing. Now when do you need zese gowns?'

'Tonight?' Belle's answer was more of a question than a reply.

'My Gawd!' Madame Lambert shrieked, completely forgetting her accent. 'I am good but I cannot perform miracles!'

'Will you be quiet?' Belle whispered urgently, looking nervously around. She liked Persephone, but she didn't think that she needed to know that her charge was planning a seduction. 'I only need one of them tonight. The rest can wait. At least until tomorrow. It shouldn't be that difficult. You have all my measurements. I assure you I haven't grown fat since our last meeting.'

'You ask a great deal, my lady.'

'If I weren't absolutely convinced that you could do it, I wouldn't have asked. After all, I could have gone over to Madame Laroche.' Belle smiled and let the words hang in the air.

Madame Lambert sighed dramatically and said, 'I have a gown. Eet was for another lady. Well, not a lady exactly.' At Belle's horrified expression, she hastened to add, 'But she had exquisite taste, I assure you. She, er, lost her source of funds and could not pay for eet. With a few minor alterations, I think eet will fit you.'

Belle nodded and called over to Persephone that she was going to the back room for just a moment. She followed Madame Lambert, who led her to a closet door. 'Eef you want to attract a man without appearing vulgar,' the dressmaker said, 'then zees is what you need.' With a flourish, she pulled out a gown of midnight blue velvet which was startling in its simplicity. Free of adornment, it let its elegant cut show its style.

Belle fingered the soft velvet, admiring the way the bodice was shot through with silver thread. 'It's lovely,' she said. 'But it isn't very different from what I already own.'

'From zee front, eet ees just like the rest, but from zee back…' Madame Lambert turned the dress around, and Belle realized that most of her back would be revealed. 'You will need to wear your hair up,' Madame continued, 'so you will not obscure zee effect.'

Belle reluctantly tore her gaze from the gown and looked at the dressmaker. 'I'll take it.'

***

John made excellent time to London, especially considering that he hadn't given Wheatley much notice. The efficient valet had packed up his clothing with remarkable speed. John hoped that it would not take long to win back Belle's favor, for he doubted that he had enough elegant clothing to last much more than a fortnight. He had always been a stickler for quality, but quality was expensive, and as a result he didn't have much of it.

He took a deep breath as he climbed the steps to his older brother's town house. He hadn't seen Damien for years, although he had received a brief congratulatory note on his being raised to the peerage. Damien would probably not be thrilled to see him, but one couldn't very well turn out one's own brother, could one? And besides, John didn't have any other options. He certainly didn't have time to find a suitable residence to rent. For all he knew, Belle could be engaged already.

Taking a deep breath, he picked up the heavy brass knocker and let it slam down against the door. A butler appeared almost instantly.

'Is the earl available?' John inquired politely.

'Who may I say is calling?'

John handed him a crisp white calling card. The butler took note of his last name and raised an eyebrow.

'His brother,' John said simply.

The butler ushered John into a spacious sitting room off of the main hallway. A few minutes later Damien entered the room, surprise evident on his face. As always, John was struck by the family resemblance between them. Damien was an older and slightly softer version of himself and did not look his thirty-nine years. He had always been quite handsome, classically so, whereas John's face was a bit too lean and angular to fit the guidelines of aristocratic elegance.

'It's been an age,' Damien finally said, holding out his hand. 'What brings you to town?'