Secrets of a Scandalous Marriage

Without opening his eyes, he groaned. “I’ve never felt like this.”

“Like what?”

“As if an entire orchestra were playing in my head, and I’m about to toss the contents of my—”

“Oh yes, well, as to that.” Lily held out the glass to him. “Devon says to drink this.”

James lifted his head and popped open one eye. He arched a brow and gave the glass a suspicious look. “What is it?”

Lily shrugged. “I have no idea. To be honest, I’m not sure I want to know. But Devon went into the kitchens and mixed it himself. It looks absolutely dreadful and smells worse, I’m afraid, but Devon swears it’ll fix your head.”

“Colton made this? What is he, a bloody apothecary now?”

Lily gave him a stern stare. “Be nice.”

James reluctantly lifted his hand and took the glass. He stared at it. He sniffed it. “It smells worse than I feel.”

Lily cracked a smile and plunked her hands on her hips. “That may be true, but do you doubt for a moment that Devon knows how to relieve a sick head?”

James growled. “Unfortunately, for me and my palate, I don’t doubt it at all.”

He slowly moved the noxious substance to his lips, took a sip, and shuddered. “Good God. I refuse to drink that.”

“Oh, I nearly forgot,” Lily said, pointing one finger in the air and wagging it. “Devon said to pinch your nose and down it quickly all at once. Don’t taste it. Much easier, according to him.”

James narrowed his eyes on her. “Thank you for telling me that after I’ve tasted it.”

She affected a curtsy. “My pleasure.”

James shuddered. Might as well get this unpleasant task over with. Colton of all people had probably invented this stuff. The man was a drunkard. Pinching his nose, James tossed the entire contents of the glass into the back of his throat. He swallowed, then coughed, and gagged. “Jesus. That was disgusting.”

Lily winced. “Yes. Devon said you’d say that too.”

James shook his head, doing his level best not to gag. He pounded his chest with the side of his fist. “I think I’d rather be sick.”

Lily patted him on the foot through the covers. “It shouldn’t take long to feel better, according to Devon. We’ll have the coach brought round to take you home when you’re ready.” She moved back toward the door. “Just say the word. By the way, it’s nearly noon. Don’t forget that you must get ready for this evening.”

James let his head fall back against the pillows again and shut his eyes. He scowled. “It’s nearly noon? No wonder I never took to drinking. Half the day is gone.” He paused and opened one eye. “Wait. This evening? What’s this evening?”

“Why, Catherine Eversly’s New Year’s masquerade, of course. You cannot miss it. She’ll be devastated if you do.”

James groaned. “I’m not about to go to any—” His voice rose, and he winced. Blast. He’d been too loud. That hurt.

“Oh, you’re coming all right,” Lily replied in her most matter-of-fact voice. “Even if we must march over to your house and drag you there.”

* * *

The knock on her bed chamber door made Kate’s stomach clench. She couldn’t open it. What if it was James again? Seeing him yesterday, sending him away, had nearly killed her. She couldn’t do it again. If he were back with a pocketful of outrage, demanding that she marry him, she just might give in and forget her plans to go off alone to the Continent. But she had to be strong, for her sake … and for his.

“Who is it?” she called tentatively.

“It’s Lily and Annie,” came Lily’s voice through the wooden door. “We hope you don’t mind. Lady Catherine let us in.”

Kate closed her eyes briefly and said a prayer of thanks. She hurried to the door and swung it open. She smiled at her friends. Lily and Annie hugged her one after another.

“I was afraid you were…” Kate glanced away. “It doesn’t matter. Come in. Come in.”

Kate stepped back and Annie and Lily moved into the room. “Please, sit, sit.” She gestured to the little seating area in the corner of her room.

“Lord Medford came, didn’t he?” Annie asked, plucking off her gloves and taking a seat in a chair by the window.

Kate nodded. “Yesterday.”

Lily shook her head. She’d remained standing and had moved over to the window, looking out to the street below. “We didn’t tell him you were here, Kate. We promise. I have no idea how he found out.”

Kate nodded. “I know. He told me. Seems he bribed his way through all the hotels in London. And then Lady Catherine paid him a visit.”

“Medford giving bribes?” Annie’s brow was furrowed. “That doesn’t sound like him.”

Lily turned to face Kate. “He was so upset when he found out you were gone, Kate. Truly. You should have seen him. He raised his voice at me.”

Kate bit her lip. She didn’t want to hear this. She was barely hanging on to her resolve as it was. “I can’t … that is to say, I’d rather not talk about James if that’s all right with you.”

Lily walked over and looped her arm through Kate’s. “Absolutely, we completely understand.”

“Yes, we just came to see how you are doing,” Annie added.

“And to ensure that you’re coming to the masquerade ball tonight.” Lily winked.

“The masq—” Kate’s mouth dropped open. “Masquerade?”

Lily squeezed Kate’s arm. “Yes, it’s here, tonight. Didn’t Lady Catherine tell you? She holds one every year at this time. It is the most fun. You simply must attend.”

Kate pulled away from Lily and shook her head. “Lady Catherine mentioned it to me but I thought she was just being polite. She must know … You must know … I cannot come to a ton event. It’s impossible. I won’t be welcome.”

“Ah, but that is the beauty of the masquerade,” Lily replied with a wink. “We’ve already spoken to Catherine, and we all agree. No one will know who you are. Annie and I can introduce you as our cousin on a visit from the country. Everyone will be drinking and toasting the new year. It will be perfectly safe.”

Kate bit her lip. She adored parties and would love the opportunity to dance again. Once she went to the Continent, she wouldn’t have the chance, perhaps ever. If she made friends there at all, the odds of her being accepted into social events were fairly slim. No, masquerades were not in her future.

“Besides,” Annie added with a wide smile. “Lady Catherine is our friend, and she insists you be there. She says she’s looking forward to it. And she’ll keep entirely quiet about your identity.”

Kate threaded her fingers together. “I just don’t know if it’s safe.”

“It’s perfectly safe,” Lily replied. “Devon and Jordan will be there, and Catherine and her servants will be on the lookout. You needn’t worry about a thing.”

“But I’m leaving for Dover in the morning and—”

“All the more reason why you should spend your very last night in London at a masquerade.”

Kate squared her shoulders. Lily was right. All the more reason. “Very well.” She nodded and smiled at the sisters. “I’ll come.” She wanted so badly to ask if James would be there. Perhaps he would forgo the party. Perhaps he would assume she would be there and stay away. No, why would he assume the biggest outcast in the ton would be attending the grandest ball of the new year? Even if she was Lady Catherine’s houseguest. But he was friendly with Lady Catherine too, so it stood to reason that he would be invited. Wouldn’t he? Oh, Kate mustn’t think such thoughts. She would be in disguise regardless, and so would James, if he came. The ball was sure to be crowded. They probably wouldn’t even see each other. Though it would be nice to see him … one more time.

“Oh, I’m so glad you’ve said yes,” Annie replied, jumping up from her seat and giving Kate a quick hug. “We’ll just go back to the coach and get your costume then.”

Kate blinked. “My costume?”