Deana James by Captive Angel

Author:Captive Angel [Angel, Captive]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Romance, Antebellum South
Publisher: Zebra, November 1988
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Dinner that night was like a masquerade for Fancy. Desperately, she kept her mask in place while her mother, stepfather, and husband ate and drank with high conviviality. As if their triumph over her had released their emotions, long suppressed by guilt and the unfortunate awkwardness of the situation, they fairly outdid themselves in conceiving elaborate plans.

Blanche proposed to give a dinner party at the end of the week to introduce the reunited couple to Boston society. An impromptu list was devised with Josiah's smiling approval. Then Josiah discussed the various homes to be acquired in the neighborhood. A couple of desirable houses were available in Colonnade Row on Tremont Street, a development of Boston architect and selectman, Charles Bulfinch.

"Of course, they do not quite overlook the Common," Josiah explained. "But they are conveniently near to the offices and the Long Wharf. I know you'll want to be as near to your two men as possible, my dear." He gave Fancy a knowing smile that she returned, although her face had begun to ache.

"And only a bit farther from our house." Blanche leaned forward. "So convenient for us to be together, Caroline. My carriage can swing by to take you with me for shopping, for outings of all sorts, for the Anthology Society." She positively glowed with pleasure. "At last I'll get to know my daughter."

At the mention of the Anthology Society, Hunter shot his wife an appraising glance, but Fancy had herself under control again. Now that he was seated safely across the table, she was able to erect her personal defenses and think coherently. Her only chance was to play their game. She would lull any suspicions they might have and wait for Lemuel Jakes to send a message.

"You'll have to have a new dress," Blanche announced. "For the dinner party. It will have to be something special. We'll go tomorrow to get it."

"I shall take my wife shopping for the dress tomorrow," Hunter interposed. "Thank you, Blanche, but Fancy and I have some catching up to do, and what better way than to be alone together for several hours."

"But shopping, my dear boy? You'll hardly be alone together in the dress shops."

Hunter grinned his devil's grin. "Ah, but we'll be alone in the carriage between the shops."

"Oh," Blanche blushed, and Josiah frowned his disapproval of such free speech.

Fancy bent her head over her plate as if to conceal her embarrassment. In actuality, she wondered how even Hunter could fail to suspect that she would not gladly submit to this imprisonment. For in her mind, she could see the iron doors swinging shut before her. She would be housed and dressed and locked up on Tremont Street to fade away until no one remembered who she had been or that she even existed. In her lap she clenched her fist until her nails cut into her palm.

Hurry, Lemuel! Hurry!"

"What about Alex?" she managed, her voice a little hoarse with the effort to speak normally.

"Alex will be happy here," Hunter assured her.

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