Behind the Mask by Elizabeth D. Michaels Read Free Book Online Page B

nice enough. I only fear they’ve tried to bring England with them.”
    Abbi laughed. “I daresay you’re right. Suddenly tea is a ritual around here. I hate tea.”
    Elsa shuddered, mocking a wave of nausea, and Abbi laughed.
    “It’s not so bad having them here, I suppose,” Abbi conceded. “There are moments when I actually like them, as long as I keep to my duties and do a great deal of riding.”
    Elsa giggled. “I’ve noticed you’re not too concerned if you miss tea time.”
    “Not in the least,” Abbi agreed and they laughed together.
    The following day Ramona informed Abbi at breakfast that she had received a message from her stepson, stating that he would come to dinner and bring a friend along. Salina chirped with excitement while Ramona’s pleasure was evident. Abbi felt indifferent to the whole affair until Ramona insisted that she present herself as a lady for the occasion.
    “Are you implying,” Abbi snapped, “that I am not a lady?”
    “I’m certain,” Ramona glared down her long nose, “that you are capable of being a lady. It’s no fault of yours that you weren’t raised with the proper influence.”
    “There is nothing wrong with the influence I was raised with,” Abbi persisted boldly. “I can be as much of a lady as anyone else.”
    “Well,” Ramona continued with satisfaction, “I’m glad you see it that way. Quite glad. Since Lance and his friend are coming for dinner, you won’t mind wearing your hair up properly.”
    Abbi felt cornered. She had meant to prove a point and had been coerced into proving Ramona’s instead. Her frustration left her silent and she quickly went to meet with Mr. Logen, grateful for a distraction to push away her anger. But after their meeting was concluded, she couldn’t force her indignation out of her head. Abbi knew she couldn’t bear living this way until she turned twenty-one. The only other option was to marry.
    The prospect of marriage had never been a prominent concern for Abbi. In fact, it had hardly crossed her mind. But surely it couldn’t be so difficult to find a husband. And now she’d found a marvelous incentive. Deciding the time had come to start looking for the right man, she took great pains with her appearance.
    Elsa was putting the finishing touches on Abbi’s hair when Salina came timidly into the room. “Are you nearly ready, dear?”
    “I’m ready,” Abbi replied. “But if you ask me, I look ridiculous with my hair like this.”
    Elsa smiled wryly.
    “Nonsense,” Salina protested, squinting to examine Abbi’s hair more closely. “I think it looks lovely. You’re just not used to it. Now you must hurry along. Our guests have arrived, and if Ramona’s plan succeeds, they may prove to be very special guests indeed.”
    “What plan?” Abbi demanded.
    “I shouldn’t say anything,” she whispered with a look of conspiracy that indicated she had every intention of divulging all she could get away with. “But Ramona has told me that she hopes you and her stepson will marry.”
    Elsa let out a surprised gasp.
    “Lance?” Abbi laughed. “I’ve never even met him.”
    “Oh yes you have, my dear. But it was such a long time ago, I doubt you’d remember. No matter. He is here now and he’s brought a friend with him. You must hurry along—and maybe, just maybe, you’ll be meeting the man you’re to marry.” Salina giggled like a child scheming a joke on a playmate. Abbi simply brushed past her and down the stairs. One thing was certain: she would not have anyone choosing a husband for her.
    Hesitating at the open doorway of the drawing room, Abbi was able to get a quick glance at these guests before they saw her. Both men were equally tall, and their presence alone had transformed the climate of the room. The darker of the two men was dressed more elegantly than she’d ever seen any man; his clothing was fine and distinguished. He seemed preoccupied with a picture that hung near the fireplace. The