Chapter Twenty-Six: Alexander

Sincerely hoping that leaving Elinor was the right thing to do, I quickly wove my way through to the crowd. I intended to be as fast as possible so I could return to the young lady and rescue her from Lady Middleton, if I had to.

Regrettably, there were many people in the hall, so I could not run. Still, I kept up a brisk pace to the library. The quiet after the hubbub of the ballroom was a relief, and I thought I could think clearer than before.

"I am surprised to hear this, Mr. Patchman," I heard Olivia say as I pushed open the door. "You make Miss Emerson sound like a veritable angel."

"I suppose I am enthusiastic in my praise, but how can I not be?" an unfamiliar voice responded fervently. "Miss Emerson has been very kind when our paths crossed. I know I flatter myself to think she also enjoyed our conversations."

Miss Emerson? Kind? Well, I suppose it was possible. Our conversation the day she had arrived had revealed nothing truly awful about her character. It was difficult to separate her from her mother's plot since she must be a willing participant.

Clearing my throat, I made my presence known. "Thank you for coming on such short notice," I said, striding into the room. I held my hand out to the man. "My name is Alexander Turner. I sent you the message about Miss Harriet Emerson."

Mr. Patchman was of average height and painfully thin. He had not removed his greatcoat. Instead of accepting my hand, he made a bow. "Mr. Turner," he said. "You say Miss Emerson is in danger?"

"Perhaps danger was an exaggeration, but I have become aware of a plot her mother wishes her to be part of," I explained. "As the lady has mentioned your name, I hoped you might be a friend who could help her see the danger to her reputation."

The other man shook his head. "There can be no denying that Mrs. Burke is a socially ambitious woman. I've known for some time that she would never let me pursue Miss Emerson." He paused as though he realised what he'd just said. "If I were so inclined, of course."

"Of course," Olivia said graciously.

"But she would never do anything to harm Miss Emerson," he said earnestly. "What mother would risk their daughter's reputation?"

"My cousin may be worrying over nothing," Olivia interrupted. She shot me a sharp look before focusing on our guest. "It may well be that we have misunderstood the situation. But you are here now and you must be hungry. Why don't you come to the buffet table with us?"

Why wasn't she explaining Mrs. Burke's lies and Miss Emerson's compliance? he didn't need to know why we had asked him to come to identify the lady, surely he deserved to know what the young lady had been party to. Especially in view of his apparent admiration for her.

Mr. Patchman glanced between us and then down at himself. He was dressed in a great overcoat. "It seems I am not dressed for the occasion. I would never appear at a ball in such attire. Why, Miss Emerson would never let me live it down!"

"It is simply a masquerade, and I have just the solution." Olivia held out her hand. "Alex, lend the man your mask. He shall be...a highwayman!"

The ballroom had been warm when I left it and I couldn't imagine how hot it would be in an overcoat.

"Well." Mr. Patchman hesitated. "If you think the mask will be sufficient, I would like to give my greetings to Miss Emerson. It would be rude to have come all this way and not speak to her."

Swiftly, I removed my mask and handed it over. Whatever Olivia's plan, I could only play along until I knew what she was thinking. "I know exactly where Miss Emerson is."

Perhaps there wouldn't be many in the dining room where the buffet had been spread. I hadn't wanted to cause a scene, but there seemed to be no avoiding it. Maybe it was best to just get it over with?

Olivia took my arm, and we led the way down. Mr. Patchman followed a few steps behind, glancing around at everything as we walked. "Do not try to convince him of Miss Emerson doing any wrong," she said in a low voice. "He is smitten with her and he would call you out if he thought you were insulting her."

Ah. Well, that might become inconvenient. I shook my head. When he learned what Miss Emerson was party to, would he get angry with me because I was the one who sent him the message?

We garnered only a few stares as we reached the edge of the party. Was it Mr. Patchman or me? I knew I looked out of place with no mask. With only a dark domino on my shoulders, it was a poor costume when compared to all the other more colorful and creative ones on display.

Thankfully, no one approached to start a conversation. Many couples were still dancing as we made our way to the dining room. Small tables had been placed to allow more intimate conversations to take place. On the far end of the room, I spitted my cousin and Miss Emerson.

Alarmingly, they were alone. Where was Mrs. Burke? Had she worked out that Elinor was here? Or was she somewhere in the ballroom causing some other trouble? Before I could worry over that detail, Olivia moved ahead of me.

"Brother," she called out. She refrained from using the earl's title, but I was sure everyone was aware it was him under the mask. "We found a friend of your companion and he wishes to greet her."

"Miss Emerson," Mr. Patchman said as he stepped to the table. He made an elaborate bow. "London has been bereft without you and I hope it will not be too long before you return.."

Miss Emerson dropped her fork. "Mr. Patchman?" she said faintly.

"There must be some confusion," William said, rising from his chair. "This is not Miss Emerson. It is Miss Harriet Burke."

I held my breath.

"There is no confusion, sir," Mr. Patchman said, his tone becoming stubborn. "I would know Miss Emerson anywhere, even in that charming mask. We have had many conversations in London. I know her voice."

"Who is Miss Emerson?" William demanded, keeping his voice low. "This is my ward, Miss Burke."

"I don't know any Miss Burke, whoever she may be, and I do not care to meet her. It is Miss Emerson who I have come to speak to, and this young lady is most definitely the lovely young lady I have had the honor of dancing with in London."

"And I tell you, you must be mistaken. Tell him who you are, Miss Burke," William said, turning to Miss Emerson, who had remained seated.

The young lady was staring at Mr. Patchman. It was impossible to see her expression beneath her mask, but her stance was one of shock. Her lips were parted and trembling.

"If I am mistaken, I will take my leave and accept that I misunderstood the matter," Mr. Patchman said, directing his words at her. "I will not impose on your good graces any further."

"N-no, it isn't like that," she stammered. She shook her head. "What are you doing here? Oh, where is Mama? She never said... I mean... Oh, please don't leave Mr. Patchman. It can all be explained, I am sure!"

"What needs to be explained?" William and Mr. Patchman asked at the same time. They exchanged angry glares before William continued, "Are you, or are you not, my ward Miss Harriet Burke?"

"I-I... What I mean... Oh!" Miss Emerson covered her face with her hands. "I told Mama this was a bad idea!"

My breath left me in a rush. It was done. "In short, William, Mrs. Burke has substituted your ward with her own daughter, Miss Harriet Emerson," Olivia said succinctly.

The earl swung his gaze to his sister. "What?"

The young lady burst into noisy sobs. Mr. Patchman hastily searched his pockets and pulled out a large handkerchief. "Don't cry, Miss Emerson!" he exclaimed, holding the white cloth out to her. "I'm sure all can be resolved."

"You are not Miss Harriet Burke?" William asked, his voice incredulous. "But, your mother—"

"There is no Harriet Burke! My mother wanted you to think that I was that stupid girl," Miss Emerson cried. "She said it would be the making of us since no one would want the real girl."

No one would... I took a deep breath to hold down my annoyance.

"Then where is my ward?" William's voice was beginning to sound both confused and annoyed.

But Miss Emerson started crying even harder, going as far as to remove her mask so she could bury her face in the handkerchief. Mr. Patchman sat beside her and patted her shoulder. "No one blames you, Miss Emerson," he said earnestly. "You mustn't take it so hard."

Sentiments that I sincerely disagreed with. William made an impatient sound, and I assumed he agreed with me.

"As several of us have tried to warn you, Mrs. Burke has been playing deep with you," Olivia told her brother. To her credit, she didn't sound nearly as smug as I had expected. "She is the one you should speak to about the whereabouts of her stepdaughter and your ward."

After a moment, the earl nodded. "Of course. Where is Mrs. Burke?"

"I haven't seen her," Olivia admitted before turning to me.

"She was in the ballroom when I went to meet Mr. Patchman," I said. Maybe I ought to have told Lord Burrows to keep an eye on the woman.

Spinning around. William seemed to realize for the first time that we were the center of attention. He forced a smile and everyone immediately looked away. "Mr....Patchman, was it? Perhaps you would be good enough to escort the lady to the library. I will find her mother and we can discuss this privately."

"B-but there is still dancing." Miss Emerson lowered the handkerchief. She cringed back when William glared at her over his shoulder.

"It would be my pleasure to be of service to Miss Emerson," Mr. Patchman said, his eyes still on the young lady. "Come, Miss Emerson. Dry your tears."

Leaving the man to soothe Miss Emerson, William started for the door of the dining room. Trying to ignore the stares and whispers that had sprung up, I hurried after him with Olivia at my side. "Are you happy now, Alex?" he asked without looking at me.

"No," I said in surprise. "Why would this make me happy?"

"You were right and I was wrong. I have been humiliated by a woman of no consequence."

"That doesn't make me happy." How much we had grown apart for him to even think such a thing! "There has been a lot of suffering and hardship because of this whole thing. It would be a cruel thing to take any kind of pleasure from it."

"Who has suffered anything beyond humiliation?"

Little did he know! But before I could answer, the sound of a raised voice caught my attention. "A ball is no place for a kitchen maid!" My heart sank as I realized what had happened.

Mrs. Burke had found Elinor.

Alarmed, I surged past my cousins and ran for the ballroom door. I shouldn't have left Elinor alone! There was a hush as the other guests fell silent. The music ground to a halt as well. I was not polite as I pushed past men and women to get to the heart of the scene.

I saw Mrs. Burke first. She was standing alone, pointing an accusing finger. A few yards away was Elinor. The young lady's mask was in her hand. She too was standing alone, though Lady Middleton was seated right behind her.

"Go back to Meadowbrooke and let these fine people enjoy their evening free from the likes of you! I will deal with you later!" Clearly, she thought her step daughter would just obey. "You have been enough of an embarrassment to me."

Someone, somewhere in the crowd, let out a giggle. How dare they? Couldn't they see that this wasn't a laughing matter? My blood boiled and I opened my mouth to give Mrs. Burke a piece of mind.

"No."

Elinor Burke's voice rang out firmly. Though her cheeks were bright red, the young lady raised her chin. Her shoulders went back and she looked as though she were bracing for a blow.

"What did you say?" Mrs. Burke snapped.

"I said, no, stepmother," Elinor repeated. "I am not going back to Meadowbrooke Cottage only to have you send me to Bedlam."

There was a gasp from those close enough to hear her. "Stepmother?" Mrs. Burke let out a mocking laugh. "There is no use lying in front of all these witnesses. My stepdaughter has been dancing with the earl all evening. Everyone has seen it."

"The person they have seen is your own daughter," I called out, just to let Elinor know she was not alone. "Your plot has been revealed, Mrs. Burke. Denial will only make you look more foolish."

Mrs. Burke spun around. "What fresh slander is this?" she demanded. "Who said that?"

Boldly, I strode into the open circle that had formed. Though the other guests were eager to hear what was happening, none of them had shown their support by standing too close to Mrs. Burke. "I said it. It is not slander if what I say is the truth."

"You!" Mrs. Burke let out a laugh. "As if you haven't shown you are enamored with my maid like some ill-bred country bumpkin!"

"I beg your pardon! How dare you, madam?"

Was that my mother? It sounded like her outrage, but I didn't dare look around as I went to stand by Elinor. "A certain Mr. Patchman has joined us. I believe you met him in London earlier this year?" I said, staring at Mrs. Burke. "He knew your daughter straight away."

The red hue deepened on Mrs. Burke's face. "The man is an idiot! One would have to be a fool to believe anything he said!"

"A fool, madam?" William asked, striding forward. "You have a great deal of explaining to do. We shall see who is the fool then!"

Mrs. Burke took a step back. "L-Lord Berdwell," she stammered. "I apologize for the unseemly disturbance. My maid has taken leave of her senses. I must return her to her place and then I will be only too happy to explain the matter to you."

But my cousin's expression was implaccable. I was only sorry that it had taken this far for him to realize Mrs. Burke's true nature. "I just heard her call you stepmother," he said. "Why would she do that?"

"She is out of her senses, my lord!" Mrs. Burke was clearly grasping for any kind of explanation. "You do not know her as I do. She is my husband's bastard daughter, you see, and she has always been jealous."

"The only one out of their senses is you, Stepmother," Elinor said quietly. "Enough already. You have lost."