Masquerade Read Online Free Page A

me?”
    Lottie found her voice. “Hear you? Yes. Understand you? Not at all.”
    But Dora understood. The rumors about the Gleasons’ financial difficulties must have reached every ear in Wiltshire.
    Every ear except Lottie’s. Dora wished she could step forward and order Miss Snobby Suzanna to leave this very minute. Some friend.
    Suzanna moved toward the door on her own accord. “I really must go. Do try to have a pleasant birthday, Lottie.”
    And she was gone.
    Dora held her breath, waiting to see what Lottie would do. She still didn’t know the truth—only the truth’s consequences, and Dora certainly didn’t want to be the one to tell her. Please don’t ask me.
    Lottie’s eyes blazed and flitted from the door to Dora and back again.
    Then suddenly she said, “Come with me.”
    “Come—? Where are we going?”
    Lottie beat Mr. Davies to the door and burst outside, striding down the steps to the drive. Dora ran after her and had trouble keeping up with her gait. “Lottie, I’m so sorry.”
    “You have no idea.”
    “But where are we going?”
    Instead of answering, Lottie veered toward the stables. She called after the stableboy. “Hitch up the cabriolet, Derek. Now.”
    “You want to go somewhere, Miss Charlotte? I’ll take you.”
    “Dora will go with me. Now go!”
    Although his face revealed a hundred questions, Derek did as he was told. Dora had her own questions, but the stony mask on Lottie’s face revealed it was a time to be silent and follow.
    And perhaps pray for the best.

    Lottie whipped the reins on the horse, making him fly down the road. She would have liked him to go even faster. If she had her way, and if such things were possible, she would instantaneously be at the Smythe house so as not to waste another second. How dare Ralph not come to her party! What had Suzanna said to him? What lies?
    She’d take care of Suzanna Weaver later; that was for certain.
    “Lottie, please. Slow down.”
    “Never.”
    With a glance, Lottie saw that Dora held on for her life, one hand on the edge of the seat and the other on her mobcap. For some reason the sight of that stupid cap incensed her. Dora, all dressed up in the formal uniform of a parlormaid, for a party that was not to be …
    Lottie called above the sound of hooves on the road, “Take that thing off. And your apron too. You’re my lady’s maid, not a parlormaid.”
    Dora pulled the cap free and stuck it in the space between them. Then—using but one hand—she untied the apron in the back and pulled its bib over her head. She began to fold it as best she could without letting go of the seat.
    The act fueled Lottie’s fury, and she grabbed the apron and threw it into the air behind them.
    “What are you—?”
    Lottie added the cap to the wind.
    “What are you doing? I’ll be charged for those,” Dora said.
    Don’t be ridiculous.
    Lottie slowed in order to turn into the Smythes’ drive. And slowed more as they approached the house. Whatever would she say to Ralph? She’d come to chastise him for his absence but also to find answers for whatever Suzanna had been unwilling to tell her. She hoped he would take her in his arms and comfort her. I’m so sorry, Lottie. I should have come. I love you and despise that I’ve upset you. Can you ever forgive me?
    When the house came into view, Lottie handed the reins to Dora.
    “I don’t know anything about driving.”
    “Nothing to know. Just pull on the reins to get them to stop.”
    “But—”
    “Shh!” Lottie realized she’d left the house without a bonnet, and the hair that Dora had so skillfully arranged for the party had escaped its bonds with stray pieces hanging this way and that.
    “Help me fix my hair,” she said.
    Dora shook her head. “I can’t drive and fix your hair.”
    A true point. Sometimes Lottie regretted her impulsive nature. She should have taken the time to put on a bonnet, should have let Derek drive her, and … and what had she been thinking