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Penguin
January 2005
Featuring: Elfled Malloren; Harleigh Ware, Lord Walgrave
384 pages
ISBN: 0451213785
Paperback (reprint)
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Tonight she was not Elfled Malloren, well-behaved lady,
but a new creature entirely.
Lisette, she had christened the scarlet lady in the
mirror. Lisette Belhardi, which translated roughly to bold-
and-beautiful. Mademoiselle Lisette, visiting from Paris,
and bolder by far than Elfled Malloren could ever be.
Elf felt wonderfully like a newborn person in a mysterious
land. Even Vauxhall Stairs was different, being specially
ornamented for Midsummer Night. Hanging lanterns glinted
rainbow reflections off the dark, rippling waters of the
Thames. Over nearby chatter and the impatient calls of the
boatmen lined up on the river behind, she could hear the
orchestra in the Grove.
"Welcome to Vauxhall, ladies!" cried the grinning young
man who assisted Elf and Amanda up the steps and received
a penny from each for the favor. With a wink he
added, "I'm sure two such lovely darlings'll soon find
gallant escorts on a night such as this."
Amanda pulled her blue hood farther forward. "Elf," she
whispered, "are you sure this is wise?"
She tugged Amanda forward. "We cannot leave. There are so
many boats waiting to land passengers there's scant chance
of one leaving for a while. Come along." Elf guided Amanda
into the stream of visitors heading toward dark Vauxhall
Lane. She'd visited the gardens many times and knew the
lane was a mock danger, too short and crowded to present
any hazard. Its real purpose was to make the glittering
splendor of the illuminated gardens burst dramatically
upon the eye.
Even so, her heart beat a little faster as she entered the
shadows, for this was an adventure because they were
unprotected. Amanda had insisted on carrying a very
serviceable knife in her pocket, and made Elf wear a
bodice dagger, but they had no man with them.
This novel situation didn't make Elf at all nervous. In
fact, she was relishing it like a fine wine. Secretly she
hoped to meet an exciting rascal tonight now that her
brothers weren't around to scare such men away.
After all, there had to be exciting men somewhere in the
world.
In moments, she and Amanda spilled out of the dark lane
into the light of a thousand lanterns. Colored lamps
festooned tall trees, garlanded high arches, and snaked
around Grecian temples and ancient grottoes. Nearby a
fairy glade had been created, with costumed actors posing
as characters from "A Midsummer Night's Dream."
"'I know a bank whereon the wild thyme blows . . ;.'"
Amanda quoted, at last caught by the excitement. She did
not resist being swept up by the chattering, laughing
throng of masked and costumed merry-makers. "Oh, you were
right, Elf. This is great fun!"
Letting the noisy crowd carry them along, Elf wondered how
many members of Polite Society were here. Could an
enchanting partner become distasteful when the mask came
off?
What then created the enchantment?
Perhaps just the adventure, the wickedness.