Read Online Masked Love (A Christmas Regency Novella) by Nicole Zoltack - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Nicole Zoltack
Ads: Link
instant he spotted Isabelle. She was tucked in the back corner, talking to a red-haired lady. Careful not to bump into anyone, smiling and nodding as he passed people, he made his way over to them. The Lord was also smiling down on him as the lady left precisely when he reached Isabelle’s side.
Her throat muscles constricted as she swallowed. “My lord … congratulations.”
“You must know I did all this for Lady Theodosia. I wanted—”
“I know what you wanted. I wanted the same. But the baron … ”
She was by far the most intelligent maid he had ever conversed with, and he wasn’t the least bit surprised she had shared his conclusion. But it still made this conversation the most difficult one he’d ever had to have.
He cleared his throat and struggled to think of something to say, anything that she might be able to take with her, but his tongue numbed and his mind went blank. Perhaps he should merely turn and walk away. This goodbye was too much to express in words.
But Adrian Wingrave was not a coward.
“I am now Lady Elizabeth’s maid. I’ll start in the morning. You shan’t be seeing me again.”
Adrian loved her more than he thought possible in that moment. Her head was held high, her voice strong. Only in her eyes could he see that she loved him, would always love him. She was far stronger than he was.
He could be just as strong.
“Lady Elizabeth is lucky to have such a wonderful and caring maid. I’m sure Lady Theodosia will miss you.”
Isabelle opened her mouth, then shut it, tilted her head to the side, and laughed. “Only until her new maid learns how to curl her hair. It gave me fits at times, and I almost mastered it.” Her features grew somber again, and the mirth disappeared from her eyes. “Goodbye, Lord Adrian. I wish you and Lady Theodosia all the happiness in the world.”
“Thank you, Isabelle. And Lord Adrian is right, I will miss you.” Lady Theodosia stepped from behind her to grasp her former maid’s arms. Adrian hadn’t seen her approach. His betrothed pulled Isabelle close for a hug. “And for more than just my hair.”
The two ladies giggled.
“For the past two years, I’ve given you a gift on this day to honor the good service you have given me all year long. Instead of a necklace and a book, this year, I would like to give you Lord Adrian. If I could.”
“I know you would. And that means so much to me.”
“But … ”
“I know. Do not fear. I will not steal your husband away.”
Adrian felt like he was intruding upon on their personal conversation. He walked away, glancing over his shoulder to see them still talking. They could not be more different: Isabelle all dark, Theodosia light; Isabelle slighter in build, Theodosia taller. At least Isabelle was wearing a plain blue dress this day instead of her customary gray, although the brilliance of the blue in Theodosia’s made Isabelle’s look just as dreary as yesterday.
He bumped into someone. “My apologies.”
“Don’t worry, chap, it was my fault.”
Adrian started to move away, when he turned back. “Excuse me … ”
The man turned back around.
His hand curled into a fist. He had been right; the chap was none other than the baron. That he had the gall to show up here at the engagement celebration of the lady whose heart he’d broken the heart infuriated Adrian. He brought his arm back to swing a punch when he saw Theodosia look his way. She clearly saw both him and the baron before returning her attention to Isabelle.
Confusion bubbled up inside him. “Have you had a chance to congratulate Lady Theodosia yet, Baron Malcolm?” he asked through gritted teeth.
“Who did you say?” the pompous redhead asked.
Adrian gnashed his teeth and forcibly brought the baron with him over to the ladies. “Lady Theodosia, this gentleman would like to congratulate us.”
“So he says.” The baron hiccupped.
The man was drunk. The desire to punch him was growing by the second.
“I just
Her throat muscles constricted as she swallowed. “My lord … congratulations.”
“You must know I did all this for Lady Theodosia. I wanted—”
“I know what you wanted. I wanted the same. But the baron … ”
She was by far the most intelligent maid he had ever conversed with, and he wasn’t the least bit surprised she had shared his conclusion. But it still made this conversation the most difficult one he’d ever had to have.
He cleared his throat and struggled to think of something to say, anything that she might be able to take with her, but his tongue numbed and his mind went blank. Perhaps he should merely turn and walk away. This goodbye was too much to express in words.
But Adrian Wingrave was not a coward.
“I am now Lady Elizabeth’s maid. I’ll start in the morning. You shan’t be seeing me again.”
Adrian loved her more than he thought possible in that moment. Her head was held high, her voice strong. Only in her eyes could he see that she loved him, would always love him. She was far stronger than he was.
He could be just as strong.
“Lady Elizabeth is lucky to have such a wonderful and caring maid. I’m sure Lady Theodosia will miss you.”
Isabelle opened her mouth, then shut it, tilted her head to the side, and laughed. “Only until her new maid learns how to curl her hair. It gave me fits at times, and I almost mastered it.” Her features grew somber again, and the mirth disappeared from her eyes. “Goodbye, Lord Adrian. I wish you and Lady Theodosia all the happiness in the world.”
“Thank you, Isabelle. And Lord Adrian is right, I will miss you.” Lady Theodosia stepped from behind her to grasp her former maid’s arms. Adrian hadn’t seen her approach. His betrothed pulled Isabelle close for a hug. “And for more than just my hair.”
The two ladies giggled.
“For the past two years, I’ve given you a gift on this day to honor the good service you have given me all year long. Instead of a necklace and a book, this year, I would like to give you Lord Adrian. If I could.”
“I know you would. And that means so much to me.”
“But … ”
“I know. Do not fear. I will not steal your husband away.”
Adrian felt like he was intruding upon on their personal conversation. He walked away, glancing over his shoulder to see them still talking. They could not be more different: Isabelle all dark, Theodosia light; Isabelle slighter in build, Theodosia taller. At least Isabelle was wearing a plain blue dress this day instead of her customary gray, although the brilliance of the blue in Theodosia’s made Isabelle’s look just as dreary as yesterday.
He bumped into someone. “My apologies.”
“Don’t worry, chap, it was my fault.”
Adrian started to move away, when he turned back. “Excuse me … ”
The man turned back around.
His hand curled into a fist. He had been right; the chap was none other than the baron. That he had the gall to show up here at the engagement celebration of the lady whose heart he’d broken the heart infuriated Adrian. He brought his arm back to swing a punch when he saw Theodosia look his way. She clearly saw both him and the baron before returning her attention to Isabelle.
Confusion bubbled up inside him. “Have you had a chance to congratulate Lady Theodosia yet, Baron Malcolm?” he asked through gritted teeth.
“Who did you say?” the pompous redhead asked.
Adrian gnashed his teeth and forcibly brought the baron with him over to the ladies. “Lady Theodosia, this gentleman would like to congratulate us.”
“So he says.” The baron hiccupped.
The man was drunk. The desire to punch him was growing by the second.
“I just
Similar Books
