Once Upon A Dyke Part 18

"Can you keep a secret?"

Elke's eyes sparkled. "I love secrets. You know you can trust me."

"There's no time to explain now. Just grab your cloak, something to eat, and a lantern and come with me. Hurry!"

They left the manor house without being seen. Neither thought about explaining their absence to anyone. If the other servants acted according to human nature, they too would take advantage of all three mistresses being gone from the house at the same time.

As they hurried through the dark woods, their lanterns casting a pale light, Charlotte tried not to think of the wild creatures like bears that were always on Elke's mind. "Elke, you have to give me your word that you'll not breathe a word of this to anyone."

"I promise."

"Swear on my dear dead mother's memory."

"I swear, really I do."

"You know when I go into the forest? Well, I have a secret place there, and I met someone. Someone who is helping me so I can attend the ball tonight."

"I can't believe you've not told me of him. After all our years together."

Charlotte felt bad when she heard the hurt in Elke's voice. "It was better so. That way you wouldn't have to lie for me more than you already do."

"Well, tell me. What's his name?"

"Willi," Charlotte said without hesitation. It wasn't a lie, not really. Wilhelmina would indeed be Willi if she helped Charlotte escape her life of misery.

"How can he help you go to the ball? Is he a n.o.bleman?"

"No, a huntsman. You ask too many questions, Elke."

"Can you at least tell me where we're going?"

"To the hunter's cottage at the edge of the woods. I am meeting a woman there. Now, hurry."

Charlotte was relieved to see a light in the window of the cottage. She'd worried that Anna would not come, that it had all been a dream. Although she knew Mina would not be there, her heart took a leap when she saw a well-dressed male figure standing beside the old governess. He turned, and she saw he wore the livery of a coachman. He bowed low and then smiled appreciatively when he saw Elke. Charlotte felt her heart gladden when she saw the light in Elke's eyes, who lowered her lashes and blushed like a schoolgirl. Anna shooed the man outside.

"Miss Charlotte, there's not much time," Anna said as she began pulling off Charlotte's drab clothing.

"This is so beautiful!" Elke exclaimed as she picked up the pale pink velvet gown from the crude wooden bed.

Anna led Charlotte over to a metal tub filled with hot water. It was only then that Charlotte noticed the fire roaring in the fireplace. Charlotte sighed as she lowered herself into the fragrant water. It had been months since she'd had a real bath. Most days she had to make do with a quick splash of cold water or else an icy plunge into the brook near the ruins. Elke bustled about, falling easily into her old role of lady's maid. She laid out the new clothes, clucking approvingly as she unwrapped one piece of finery after another.

When Charlotte finished her bath, they wrapped her in clean, fluffy towels and rubbed her down in front of the fire. Next came the layers of underclothing, starting with stockings tied with pink satin ribbons. Then came her chemise, corset, pannier, two petticoats, and stomacher. The velvet gown fit her slender frame perfectly.

"Oh, Mistress Charlotte, you are a vision," Elke said as she worked Charlotte's hair into an elaborate coif. "It makes me cry to see you thus for it is as it should be. You do not belong in a kitchen working like a common scullery maid."

"I wish I could see myself. Do I really look pretty?"

"You look like a princess. Your mother and father would be so proud."

"These are a gift from Willi," Anna said as she brought over a pair of kid slippers covered with silver silk and decorated with diamond buckles.

Charlotte gasped. They were the most exquisite shoes she had ever seen. They fit her feet as if they'd been custom made for her.

"Only one more thing," Anna said as she handed Charlotte an elaborate feathered mask. "You have to leave at midnight to return here. The coachman needs to be back at the castle before the end of the ball so he can take his master and mistress home."

"I promise," Charlotte said as a footman handed her into the coach. She looked out the window and waved to the two women standing side by side, illuminated by the light in the doorway.

Chapter 6.

When the coach arrived at the castle, Charlotte hesitated getting out, wondering if she should really go inside. It had been so long since she'd attended such an event. She hadn't even been allowed to go to her stepsisters' cotillions. And then suddenly Wilhelmina was there, dressed in a simple gown of white satin. In her brown curls rested a diamond tiara.

"You look breathtaking," she said as she helped Charlotte down the steps. If the footmen thought it odd, they showed no sign of it.

Charlotte smiled even as she felt herself blushing. It pleased her that Mina thought her beautiful. "Thank you. You look-"

"Don't say anything," Mina said, her eyes glittering dangerously. "I'm going to get out of this accursed gown as soon as I can. Willi is making an appearance tonight so he can dance with you."

Charlotte hid a smile. If the truth were told, she did prefer Wilhelmina in men's attire. As they entered the majestic foyer, Charlotte could not help but stop in open-mouthed awe. The Italian marble, Grecian mosaics, and French crystal chandeliers were unlike anything she'd ever seen before. There were so many candles burning it was like daylight. Wilhelmina took her hand and led her past watchful footmen. Their shoes clicked softly across marbled floors and up the grand staircase to the enormous ballroom.

"Put on your mask," Wilhelmina whispered. "We don't want your stepmother and stepsisters to recognize you."

Charlotte complied, still unable to speak, so overwhelmed was she by the sights and sounds that greeted her. A footman started to announce her arrival, but Wilhelmina silenced him with a gesture. Again, if he was surprised, he did not show it.

"Let me introduce you to my parents and my brother."

She led Charlotte over to where the king and queen sat overlooking the festivities. Next to them sat a bored-looking young man. Charlotte felt about ready to faint. Wilhelmina's parents were the king and queen? Her brother was Prince Sigmund? It would explain to some extent the freedom she enjoyed. It also explained the restrictions and duties Wilhelmina found so vexing.

"Charlotte, daughter of the late Baron Heinrich von Hessen."

Charlotte curtsied deep. She wasn't sure it was proper to keep her mask on when introduced to the king and queen, but it was too late to remove it now.

"Their majesties, the king and queen, and Prince Sigmund, my brother."

"Your Highness," Charlotte said.

The prince stood and bowed, then took her hand and kissed it. She thought he must be quite tired if he had to kiss the hand of every maiden here. She examined him through her mask. He was indeed very handsome, just as people said, but there was a melancholy in his brown eyes that was disturbing. She would venture a guess that marriage was not something he wished to do.

"We hope that you enjoy the ball," said the queen. She turned to her son. "I think it's time for you to mingle with your guests. Surely there are a couple of young ladies who have caught your eye? What about the Lady Charlotte here?"

Charlotte flushed furiously.

"Would you care to dance?"

She curtsied low again. "I would be honored."

As the prince led her onto the ballroom floor, there was a murmuring throughout the crowd. "Don't pay attention to them," Sigmund said kindly. "You are the first woman I have asked to dance tonight, and I must say my sister has wonderful taste in women."

"You are most kind," she replied, but she thought his choice of words odd.

"Willi will be joining us later this evening."

She looked at him in surprise, and he chuckled. "I know all about her exploits. I envy her the freedom to do so. As the princess, my parents do not expect much of her. At least, not yet." He sighed. "They want to marry me off first."

"Forgive me for being presumptuous, but it seems to me that you are not happy about it."

"You are perceptive. No, I have no wish to marry, but as the heir apparent I have no choice. Oh, what I would give to have been a younger brother."

"I am sure you have broken many a young girl's heart."

Again he sighed. "Not a young girl's-"

At that moment it came time to change partners. Prince Sigmund led away an awestruck girl who couldn't have been older than thirteen while Charlotte ended up with a vapid young man with sweaty palms. As she was twirled through the crowd, she looked for Wilhelmina. At one point she caught Lisette glaring at her, and she was glad for the masquerade mask. She then saw Gudrun and Truda huddled together, whispering behind their ivory fans. She felt their eyes boring into her back as she danced past, and it sent shivers up her spine. She changed partners yet again, all the while keeping an eye out for Wilhelmina. Where had she gone?

Then suddenly she was in Willi's arms. Despite the elaborate boar's mask, Charlotte knew immediately that it was her Wilhelmina. In tight, fawn-colored breeches and a gold brocade frock coat, she cut quite the handsome figure.

"Did I tell you tonight how ravishing you look? I would like to take you upstairs to my boudoir and have my way with you."

Charlotte blushed for what seemed like the hundredth time that night. "Why didn't you tell me who you really are?"

"Would you have been as free with me if you'd known the truth?"

"How could I? You're a princess and I'm nothing but a common servant."

"Neither common nor a servant, my love."

Mina led her toward the balcony, where they slipped through the curtains unnoticed. The stars were bright in the clear, dark sky. Mina took off Charlotte's mask and then her own. Her kiss was soft. Charlotte felt the familiar weakness in her knees.

"I like this gown," Wilhelmina murmured as she kissed the tender skin of Charlotte's breast above the low-cut neckline.

Charlotte moaned and tilted her head back. Mina moved up to kiss the hollow of her throat and then upward again to her neck. She ran her hands down Charlotte's arms and across her back, pulling her close. Charlotte had felt pretty as soon as she put on the gown; now, with Mina's hands on her body, caressing her through the lush velvet, of her dress, she felt truly beautiful.

The fine fabric of Mina's clothes felt slick and soft to Charlotte's fingers, long accustomed to only the coa.r.s.e wool and rough leather of Mina's hunter disguise. She played with the b.u.t.tons on her satin waistcoat, longing to see Wilhelmina naked, to make her experience the same sensations she made Charlotte feel. She wanted to touch Mina's bare skin, wanted their bodies pressing together. She pulled Mina close, kissing her lips, biting her neck. Mina moaned.

"Charlotte," she breathed. "Stop."

"I want you."

"No, no, my love. Someone could come out here any minute."

"But Wilhelmina, I want you so." She pulled Mina against her, boldly caressing the warm spot between Mina's legs.

"Oh, G.o.d, I want you too, but now is not the time."

Charlotte kissed her again. "Promise me. Next time-"

"Soon, my love. Soon."

Wilhelmina pushed her away. They were both breathing hard. Their eyes locked. Charlotte took a step toward her, but then they heard the sounds of footsteps and immediately put on their masks. Another young couple came into view, laughing and flirting as they too melted into the shadows.

"Come," Wilhelmina said as she took Charlotte's hand and brought her back into the ballroom. Almost immediately, the prince came over and led Charlotte onto the dance floor. She was aware of everyone looking at her, and as they pa.s.sed her stepmother and stepsisters, she was again glad for the feathered mask. The look in their eyes was chilling. If they knew who she really was ...

The prince danced her around the ballroom. She felt flushed from her interlude with his sister on the balcony and hoped he would think her color came from dancing. Just as she was about to ask that they stop and get something to drink, he spoke first.

"Will you consent to marry me?"

Charlotte looked at him, disbelieving what he'd just asked. "What did you say?"

"I want you to marry me."

"Marry you? Your Highness, I'm flattered, but I... I cannot."

"You would turn down the opportunity to become queen one day?"

"But you don't even know me."

"I don't know any of the women here. My parents do not expect me to marry for love. They only expect me to pick someone here tonight, anyone. And I choose you."

Charlotte was beginning to feel uncomfortable. This was the prince, the heir to the throne. What was she thinking? How could she refuse him? In desperation she looked for Wilhelmina. She glanced up at the king and queen. They were smiling as they watched her with their only son. Could he have already told them his intentions?

"If it makes you feel any better, it would be a marriage in name only. I know you and my sister are lovers."

Charlotte could not help but gasp. "How-?"

"We tell each other everything. And I too have a lover."

"Then why don't you marry her?"

Sigmund laughed. "My lover is a he."

"Oh."

"Wilhelmina and I have it all figured out. I will marry you and she will marry Josef."

"She said nothing to me."

He twirled her around the floor. "Oh dear. She'll not forgive me for revealing our secret. But it will work out, you'll see." He led her to the side and bowed. "I'd best be nice to some of these other ladies. I don't want my parents to think I have succ.u.mbed too easily to their wishes."

"What a beautiful ball gown."

Charlotte recognized Gudrun's voice immediately. It sent chills up her spine. She turned and faced her stepmother. "Thank you," she said, hoping the feathered mask would help disguise her voice.

"The prince seems to be quite taken with you-his first dance of the evening and now this one."