By the day of the party, she was in a lather. She’d made eyes at her favorite stable hand, only to decline his generous offer clutched in a fist between his legs. Later, she’d lingered in her bath and allowed her maid to wash her but found herself uninterested in stepping out into the girl’s arms. Unexpected irritation surged at Althea for taking her suggestion to hire more open-minded servants from the School.
She finally came out of her own thoughts to see Althea’s nerves that afternoon. “What is the matter, cuz?”
“If Robert is present, Evan is likely to be.”
“Yes…is that a problem?”
“I am still concerned about people connecting us, to the detriment of both my business and my reputation.”
For the first time, Beth realized how similar Robert’s and Althea’s concerns over privacy were. Her cousin’s advice and ability to see Robert’s side of things stemmed from that. Of course, she did not have to like that fact, but it lent credence to Robert’s reactions.
On the other hand, at least she could help her cousin. “Given Robert’s concerns are similar, the one positive aspect to my annoyance with him is that I can reassure you ‘tis a safe crowd. He would not offer pieces to show there unless he was confident of the clientele.”
“Right. Thank you. And you are sure you want to attend?”
“I darned well do. I am tired of pining for him, and self-pleasure is not at all the same.”
Althea blushed at her bold words but carried on, “Then I suppose you should help me decide what to wear.”
After helping Althea dress in her most daring gown in a rich wine color, Beth perused her own choices, her mood vicious. That dratted man would not hold her heart hostage any longer. She’d find someone to play with at the party and enjoy herself, for godsakes. She’d revel if Robert saw them. Mayhap he’d realize what he was missing.
Deflating, she acknowledged that if she was doing it to show him what he was missing, she was still not over him.
Beth had taken one of Robert’s corsets home with her weeks ago, as he’d wanted to test its wearability for longer periods. She had hidden it in the bottom drawer of her writing desk and sporadically pulled the drawer out to stare at it. She really should return it.
Shutting the drawer on the lovely corset once again, she nonetheless chose her gown to show off her greatest assets, to him and to anyone else who cared to look. The butter yellow gown was hardly demure even with the proper undergarments. With no corset, even one of satin, and her nipples rouged, it was provocative.
Even her own touch as she smoothed the makeup into her nipples made her moan. She dropped her head back and tugged at them.
“Miss. There isn’t time.” Her maid drew her hands away, holding the chemise out for her, then the dress. Ah, the bounce without a corset. If the unabated arousal didn’t kill her first, it was sure to convince Robert—er, someone—to play. Her body was humming like a tuning fork, and while it preferred Robert’s pitch pipe to truly resonate, she was determined to quiet it one way or another.
She smoothed her curls in the mirror then stepped back for a last check.
’Tis perfect to encourage play and pleasure. Of course, it will draw attention, but what do I care.She’d never worried about that before.Dratted man.
After donning their masks in the coach, they entered the unmarked door, gave their cloaks to the servant in the entryway, and made their way to the small ballroom.
Both women’s heads swiveled to see who they recognized, both looking for their men, first and foremost.
Knowing Althea would spy them more easily than she, given the women’s height differential, Beth catalogued other men there who might be her maestro of pleasure later if Robert’s instrument was out of tune. She was determined to overcome her recent missishness regarding changing partners without communication. Just because she hadn’t done so with a stable hand did not mean she couldn’t or wouldn’t at the party, if only she could muster the slightest interest in another man or woman.
Grabbing two champagnes from a passing server’s tray, she passed one to Althea and motioned. “Shall we promenade?”
A gentleman engaged Althea in conversation, so Beth turned to search the shadowed corners, refusing to admit she was checking for Robert. She spied Penelope and Michael lounging in a dark niche and smirked. Michael had been taught to avoid scandal since childhood, only to succumb to Penelope’s beauty one night. Even married, the pair seemed unable to give up the allure of the demi-monde balls but attempted to keep a low profile.
Penelope squealed as Beth approached. “Beth. How are you?”
They exchanged cheek kisses, and Michael bowed over her hand.
“Such earlish manners, so trainable.” Beth loved to tease him. She’d made up “earlish” early in their friendship.
He shook his head with an indulgent smile.
Penelope volunteered the information Beth was looking for. “I haven’t seen Robert or Evan, but I have no doubt they shall make an appearance.”
Beth turned to watch the entrance.
Within moments, Robert entered with Cheltie and stepped aside to speak with Sarah. He gestured behind him toward the door and the hostess nodded, no doubt arranging for whatever items he’d brought to be taken up the back stairs to a room for display.
