My True Love Gave to
Me…
…Twelve
Drummers Drumming…
Chapter
Twelve
Jeanette
Ward
Pemberton
Hall
Christmas
1814
“The deuce, you say! What have you done with the prince?”
Archduke Karl
Ludovic, Captain of the First Arciene Life Guard of Vienna, leaned heavily on
his walking cane in the gleaming ivory vestibule at Trenton House in London. He glared at the harried butler as he waited
for the poor man to divulge the whereabouts of the heir apparent of Austria,
Prince Maximilian. However, at nine and twenty,
Max was beyond changing old habits and undoubtedly, slipping away to escape the
constraints of his royal blood was by far his worst offense. Karl sighed. Max knew it was imperative he attend the Christmas
ball at Pemberton Hall that evening. With
his father laying prone on his deathbed in Austria, the most eligible bachelor
on the Continent was in dire need of a wife.
Austrian or not. So where was he?
Devil take it, with his skill impersonating anyone he chose, Max could
be anywhere.
From the steps of the London
townhouse, the Archduke caught the sounds of his contingent’s horses stamping
their feet in the snow to stay warm. The
annoying sound of twelve drummers drumming a military cadence thrummed in his
head.
“Damnation,
can you drummers desist that infernal racket long enough to let a man think?”
he growled over his shoulder. As he
made his way to his horse, snow crunching beneath his Hessians, it occurred to
him where he might possibly find his reckless cousin.
He grinned. If
he was right…this time there would be
bloody hell to pay when he found him!
*
“Where
are you Christmas?”
Max glanced about the ballroom, his
eyes searching for reminders of home. It
was late on Christmas Day and he missed the festivities surrounding the feast
of St. Nicholas, and the smell of baked carp.
Last eve he and Karl had quietly wished each other Froliche Weihnachten, but it had been a poor substitute for a noisy
home filled with family.
He
tried to enjoy the lighthearted atmosphere in the beautifully festooned ballroom
where single-minded men and coy women were gathering to play bon ton games. He knew he should have been among them. His mother would probably succumb to a fit of
pique when she heard of this latest escapade.
England and France were at war.
It was a time to know who one’s friends and enemies were, not for
pursuing one’s own selfish agenda. By
the time he returned home, his father would have no more need for his deathbed,
and his mother would insist he choose a bride and settle into a life of wedded
bliss for the good of the country.
“A king needs a
queen, Maximilian. You simply must stop
stalling.” His mother’s parting words echoed in his
memory.
The
day he ascended the throne would mark the end of playing his beloved violin for
anyone other than himself. Wives. Thrones.
War. These things would make up
the better part of his life soon.
But not today.
A
thin smile tugged at his lips. His last
night of freedom would be worth the small fortune it had cost to bribe the Duke’s
violinist to allow Max to take his place.
Anxious to begin, Max tucked his borrowed instrument beneath his chin
and lightly balanced the bow across the strings. For tonight, he could be himself. Just a man.
Just a musician.
When
the music began, as always, the call of the notes he loved so well drew Max
into that magic place where he could escape the rigidity of his life, if only
for a moment.
Over
the next hour as he played and watched beautiful women float by in the arms of
their escorts, his thoughts drifted to Edwina Swann. Was she here? Was she with another, or would she be
alone?
He
had seen the spirited young beauty a fortnight before as he had stopped by
Almack’s to greet his uncle, Lord Strathburton.
Edwina had been leaving with her twin and their mother. The twins were identical in nearly all ways
with their beautiful, heart-shaped faces and dark auburn hair. But Edwina had
caught his eye immediately, setting him aback.
He was not prone to impetuousness, and certainly not where women were
concerned. However, he couldn’t forget
the wistful sadness he had glimpsed in her beneath the feigned lightheartedness
as she passed close by, laughing gaily and chattering with her sister.
A
haunting melancholy lived in Edwina’s stunning evergreen eyes, and the sight had
torn straight through his heart. In that
one moment he had seen into her soul and knew…surrounded
by the bustle of court and the chaos of the ton,
like him she felt utterly alone. But she
played her part well.
His
hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her, his gut telling him she could
possibly be the one woman capable of not only understanding his needs, but she
would possess the fortitude to stand by his side. He looked forward to learning her secrets
someday. But not tonight. Tonight he would say goodbye to a part of his
world he would mourn as much as he would mourn the passing of his father. Tonight, the music in Maximilan Francis
Leopoldo Corvinus, Duke of Montrovia’s life would fade into memory like
Christmases come and gone, and he would turn his face to the future, giving up
the dreams of his youth.
He joined the quartet as they played
waltzes and lively quadrilles, one after the other, savoring each moment. As he was putting the finishing flourishes on
a particularly spirited crescendo, Max’s blood hummed with excitement until an
unwanted voice intruded.
“There you are, you bloody bastard!”
Damnation! He nearly missed a note at the sound of his
cousin’s voice.
Max allowed a decidedly wicked grin
to slide into place. Playing as he
spoke, he whispered, “I was beginning to lose faith in your tracking abilities,
Karl. Losing your touch?”
Karl stepped into view and fixed him
with a look that could have forced the quills off a Christmas tree. “You’re an idiot, man. You do realize that, do you not? Sitting in the corner, fiddling like a
commoner.”
Max shot an apologetic look towards
his partners, his bow flying across the strings of his instrument as if talking
while he played were something he did quite regularly. “I do apologize for my cousin’s poor manners,
gentlemen.”
To his cousin he took a more
commanding tone, “Karl, you have one minute to turn around and leave me in
peace. I scarce have a moment to myself
these days and confess I am quite enjoying myself.”
Karl’s expression mirrored the
frustration in his voice. “I’m not
leaving you! I just found you! Sire!”
This time the look Max flashed his
fellow musicians conveyed worry. Karl
knew he didn’t want to be discovered.
Not until he was damn well ready.
But the men were listening avidly even as they played. Three sets of raised brows told him they had taken
the bait Karl had purposefully flung into the water. “Obviously this man is quite foxed, gentlemen,”
Max laughed, handling the situation as he had a hundred others just like it in
the past. “However, for any man who
disregards our conversation from this point forward, there will be ten pounds
waiting at the end of the evening. Agreed?”
Not fools, to a man, they nodded. Max turned his attention back to his cousin,
calmly managing to perform and carry on a conversation simultaneously.
“Well played, Karl. Quite daring to try
to publically compromise my masquerade But I swear as your lord and king, I will marry you to Lady Margaurete the
moment we step foot on Austrian soil.
You do not want to test me, cousin.”
Karl visibly blanched, but didn’t
back away. “But how will you explain that
the musician seen this evening will in truth be the king of Austria before spring
arrives?”
“Look around man. No one notices the musicians. And I would take it as a personal favor if
you would join your peers and leave me be.”
The song ended and the quartet
signaled the need for a brief break.
Max pulled Karl aside. Perhaps if he gave the blasted man a quest he
would leave. “If you want to be helpful,
cousin, locate the Lady Edwina Swann.”
Karl’s face lit up. “You are enamored then? Your mother will be beyond relieved!”
“Yes, yes. I can see the two of you planning the wedding
as we speak, though I have yet to say a word to the girl. Do as you wish, but do not come back until
you’ve found the lovely Lady Swann.”
*
“Can you believe how wonderfully it
all worked out, Edie?” Georgie asked breathlessly. “David and I are to be married! I owe it all to you…you quite saved me from a
terrible life as Lord Tetterly’s wife.”
Edwina Swann squeezed her sister’s
hand, her heart swelling with happiness for Georgie, whose every breath
continued the fairy tale began earlier that evening when she and Lord
Barrington had discovered Christmas love.
“Your David is indeed handsome, and an
accomplished dancer, Georgie,” Edie agreed.
“I am quite sure you will be deliriously happy. I cannot wait to dance at your wedding!”
“But first, I promised that you
would dance with the most handsome man at the ball this evening. I cannot help but think my David is by far
the most handsome, but I shall find a suitable partner for you who will sweep
you off your feet! I want you to be
happy too, dear sister. You deserve no
less.”
“Have you seen the violinist? I must confess, I have never laid eyes a more
beautiful man in my life.” Edwina’s eyes strayed toward the corner.
“The violinist? Edwina Swann, have you lost your senses?” Lady Swann rebuked her sharply, moving closer
to her daughters. “Do you not realize
that Prince Maximilian of Austria will be here soon? Every eligible young lady here has been
waiting for his arrival if they aren’t already on the arm suitors like your sisters. What have I done wrong with you, child? Mind
you keep your eyes open for the prince and stop wasting your time mooning about
over the paid help. Handsome or not, the
prince is who you need to be looking for.”
As she wandered back to the nest of dowager
duchesses, she muttered under her breath, “A musician. Hmppf.
The Swanns would never survive such a scandal.”
“Oh, Edie. Pick another.
Please?” Georgie implored. But
Edie couldn’t hear her. She was
mesmerized. In the corner the musician closed
his eyes and lovingly cradled his instrument against his cheek, drawing from it
the most hauntingly beautiful version of the Viennese Waltz a girl had ever
heard.
“No.
I want him,” Edie replied simply.
He did not resemble any musician she had ever seen and her eyes had been
drawn to him the moment she arrived.. She
drank in the sight of his fine, straight, aristocratic nose and sharp, grey, wolfs
eyes which promised their owner could seduce a woman from her chemise before
she knew to what she had agreed. Unruly
locks of hair as dark as sin kissed his forehead in a tantalizing manner that
left her dreaming of running her fingers through the sultry softness.
She turned to her sister. “You
promised. Can you help me? ”
Georgie looked panic-stricken. Her thoughts tumbled out as words. “But how,
Edie? How can I arrange for you to dance with the violinist? That’s no small
feat considering he is the one providing the music.” She inhaled several times,
her expression still concerned. “And what if you get caught? Think of the
scandal!”
“Don’t look so terrified,
sister. It can be after the ball
ends. I’ll feign sickness and retire to
my room. You can simply bring the
violinist there, and I shall have my dance.”
“And mayhap steal a kiss or two?” Georgie
grinned, and Edie could see that her sense of mischief had returned.
“Or three…he does have such very
kissable lips, does he not?”
“Perhaps your plan might succeed
after all.”
“Ladies, I believe I have the next
dance with the beautiful Lady Edwina?” Mr.
Granby appeared at Edie’s elbow and took her hand in his, pressing a feather light
kiss across her knuckles.
“Of course,” Edie said, moving to
join the rest of the dancers circling the floor. Over his shoulder, she caught Georgie’s gaze
and mouthed, “Hurry!”
*
“Take
your filthy hands off me, you horrid cad!”
Edie struggled in Nicholas Granby’s
embrace as he trailed his hands up her sides, dangerously close to her
breasts. Instead he pulled her closer, smashing
his lips against hers until she was forced to bite down hard.
“Well, well. You’re quite the nasty little chit, aren’t
you?” he spat, releasing her lips but maintaining his cruel grip on her wrist. “It will be an added pleasure to break
you. Too bad you didn’t let me chase
your sister like I planned. I’m not
picky though…one Swann is as good as another for my purposes.”
“Your purposes?” Edie gasped. “You’re mad!
I’m going back inside, and if you touch me again, I shall scream!”
“Good. Scream all you like. The sooner people find I’ve despoiled you,
the sooner we can announce our engagement.”
Desperate,
Edie turned sharply, tugging to free herself.
The man was evil! He meant to
ruin her, force her into marriage. And
it would work too, damn his black soul.
Her father would have no recourse but to allow Granby to claim her. She couldn’t scream, yet she had to do
something—but what?
“Let. Her.
Go.”
The chilling words came from behind,
and a shiver ran up her spine at the deadly intent behind each menacing syllable.
“Go back to your place in the band, you wastrel, and stop interfering with your betters,” Nicholas sneered, his eyes riveted the direction he had dragged Edie only moments before. “What I do with this chit is of no concern to you.”
“Go back to your place in the band, you wastrel, and stop interfering with your betters,” Nicholas sneered, his eyes riveted the direction he had dragged Edie only moments before. “What I do with this chit is of no concern to you.”
Granby yanked Edie behind him,
affording her the opportunity to see who spoke in her defense.
Her violinist stood a few feet away,
his predatory eyes narrowed. The unmistakable
warning in them sent prickles skittering across her skin.
“As you wish,” the musician replied,
turning to leave. Edie’s heart
sank. But in the blink of an eye, he
spun, wrapping an arm around Granby’s neck, choking the breath from him. When her assailant’s grip went slack, Edie staggered
back, rubbing her bruised wrist.
She couldn’t speak. Couldn’t breathe. She could only watch as the musician waited
until Granby had nearly passed out before he released him.
“I believe I just made her my
concern, you bastard. Now get out before
I do more than slightly wind you.”
His words were deadly calm, and
Granby’s eyes widened in fear. The would-be social climber scrambled away, his
hands clawing at his throat as he struggled for air. Edie stood frozen, as Granby glanced her
direction one last time. Beneath the
onslaught she shivered, until at last her attacker decided against whatever
thought had flitted through his feeble mind.
Within moments he disappeared into the snowy garden shadows.
Edie tried to release her breath, to
calm her racing heart, but it thundered in her chest at the realization of what
had occurred. Her violinist had saved
her!
“Are you alright, sweetness? Did he harm you?”
The gentleness in his tone soothed
Edie’s ragged nerves and she realized, in truth, she was no longer scared even
though she did not even know her hero’s name.
She shook her head, the best she could manage with her teeth chattering
from the frigid air. Mr. Granby had
dragged her outside against her will, not bothering to secure a wrap to keep
her warm.
“Here. Allow me…”
He didn’t wait for an answer, slipping off his coat and draping it across
her shoulders. Before she could say a
word, he scooped her into his arms, coat and all, and carried her through the
front door and out of the cold. She
stared up at him, captivated by the square cut of his jaw and oh-so-naughty
slant of his lips. Gone were thoughts of
Granby’s rough treatment. In that moment
she had eyes for only one man. She
snuggled closer into the safety of the violinist’s strong arms, content to stay
there forever.
“Egads, what are you about there, sir!
Explain yourself and take your hands off my daughter this instant!”
Edie groaned upon hearing her
father’s voice and peeked up at her rescuer, whispering, “This won’t be
pleasant, my gallant knight. Please trust
me to handle my father.” She sighed
before voicing her next request. “Please put me down?”
He flashed a wicked grin that
transformed his face from that of formidable defender to irresistible rogue,
and whispered, “And if I chose not to? Will
you squirm and wiggle away? Mayhap you’d
like to stay a bit longer?”
A crowd gathered, pouring into the
grand foyer from the ballroom. Edie
glimpsed Georgie and their mother, faces aghast, as they stood near the three
French hens. Of all the damned rotten
luck! Was a single glorious moment of
happiness too much to ask? One little moment
with a man more handsome than the angels above. Surely she could pretend he was her beau just long
enough for a secret Christmas dance before she was shackled to someone she
would most likely abhor for the rest of her days?
“What the devil...did you not hear
me, you lout! Release my daughter! Who the blazes do you think you are, carrying
her about like that?”
From the corner of his eye, Max saw
a man desperately shouldering his way through the crush towards them.
“My prince!” Karl cried, distracting
Edie’s father and the rest of the assemblage, allowing Max to hold the beauty
in his arms a few precious seconds longer.
“We’ve found you at last!”
“Prince?” Edie breathed, her stunned
bewilderment capturing Max’s heart in a way he never dreamed possible. “You’re
Prince Maximilian?”
Max tightened his hold imperceptibly,
letting her know she was still safe. Could
she trust him a moment longer?
“So you have, Karl,” he agreed, reluctantly
setting Edie on her feet. His hand
stayed possessively at her waist, and he noticed she did not move to dislodge
it, rather settling more firmly against his side as if it were the most natural
thing in the world to do so. Her mother
looked ready to swoon. And the dowager,
paragon of virtue and manners, stood to the side, her mouth gaping like a fish
monger’s wife.
“But…you’re the violinist,” the
older woman said, her voice stilted and confused. “You can’t possibly be the prince.”
“I assure you, madame, I am Prince
Maximilian Corvinus, and this, is my cousin, Archduke Karl Ludovic.”
“But…why would you pretent to be the violinist? I…I don’t understand.” The dowager shuddered.
Max laughed. “Have you never done something simply for the
pure joy of it?”
“Your highness…” Karl warned.
“I must highly recommend it, if you
have not,’ Max went on, ignoring his cousin.
“For instance, can one possibly derive anything but joy kissing such a
delectable creature as this?” He tipped Edwina’s
chin up with a finger.
Gazing with wonder into her trusting
eyes, he swooped down to claim a kiss from her bow-shaped mouth, softly at
first as their lips met, but when she placed her hands on his chest and leaned
into him he deepened the kiss, drinking his fill of the gift she offered as if
they were the only two people alive. And
in that moment, for him, they were. He
drew back and sought her gaze again, needing to know if the same emotions he
felt coursed through her veins. In her sparkling evergreen eyes, he found his
answer.
“I believe I’ve just dragged you into a bit of
a scandal, my love,” he said, pressing another kiss to her temple. “I fear I shall be beholden to ask your
father for your hand, if only to save your reputation.”
“Saved
by a handsome prince twice in the same night.
Could any girl be any luckier?” Edwina laughed, happiness filling her
eyes.
Those
around them cheered and Max swept Edwina close again. He wanted never to take his eyes off his
beautiful little swan. This time his
smile reached deep within. Had he ever felt such joy? In Edwina Swann’s eyes he had found not only
Christmas, but his home. With her by his
side, no matter where they were, neither of them would ever know a lonely
Christmas again.
As
the music of love filled the lonely corners of his heart, Max vowed he would
spend the rest of his life ensuring his beautiful wife was as happy as he was
in that moment.
Join us again
tomorrow for the conclusion of My True Love Gave to Me
