When they entered, Aurelia let out a little gasp, and even Sebastian had to admit it was impressive. Enormous pillars lined the edges of the room, and overhead was the famed dome, painted with the famous stuccos. Sebastian had little love for them, but by the way Aurelia had her head tilted back, he suspected she enjoyed them immensely.
“How do they have everything be so golden?” she demanded of him, her familiar eyes glinting in the unfamiliar mask.
“That is on account of the bronze,” a gentleman said beside them both, nodding at the candles in bronze surrounds. “It’s ratherclever, don’t you think? The reflected light acquires a golden hue, and without the need for gold at all.” At Aurelia’s surprised stare, he bowed. “I would offer my name, but I see you have an escort, my lady. Do enjoy the masquerade.”
Aurelia turned to Sebastian, blinking innocently. “Why did he suddenly turn and leave?”
Sebastian cleared the glower from his face. Although he was wearing a mask, evidently, the gentleman had been able to feel it. “I haven’t the faintest. What do you think about the Pantheon so far?”
“Splendid,” she breathed in awe. “What do you think?”
“They certainly know how to make an impact.”
“You don’t like it?” She looked up at him in shock.
“I don’t,” he nodded. “I prefer more understated elegance.”
“You think this is gaudy?”
“Atrifle.”
Two young ladies, fox masks on their faces, made their way into the crowd ahead of them. Aurelia took his hand firmly, no hesitation in her grip. At least in part, she was getting a feel for the more licentious atmosphere of the ball.
“Let’s go and dance,” she whispered mischievously, gripping him tightly, “lest you change your mind and leave without me.”
Sebastian could not conceive of anything less likely than him leaving without her. For one thing, the anonymity preserved by the masks ensured that young gentlemen prowling in search of new victims would almost certainly be lured out by the shepherdess dress Aurelia wore. Duchesses, typically, if they partook in such entertainment, did not choose to wear such humble dresses; any gentlemen on the hunt would not assume she was of elevated birth.
Best he kept his eye on her.
As they progressed past a large pillar, through the throng of people also here to dance and drink and socialize, a lady detached herself from the crowd. Dressed as one of the great queens of old—if the crown atop her head was any indication—she was tall, well-built, and probably rather handsome.
She placed a proprietorial hand on Sebastian’s arm. “Darlings,” she cooed.
Aurelia raised her chin in that combative way she had when she was displeased. Sebastian shook the lady’s hand away. “Do you know us?” Aurelia demanded.
“No.” The stranger winked. “But I should like to all the same.”
“I should like to dance,” Sebastian interrupted. “Shepherdess?”
Aurelia stepped into the circle of his arms without question, and the lady chuckled, fluttering her fan at them before taking herself away.
“Did you know her?” Aurelia asked.
“Not in the slightest. Dressed like this, no one will know anyone.”
“Then why did she approach us?”
“She was trying her luck—and by the way she behaved, wasn’t expecting to see much from it.” He shrugged. “Does it matter? We shall likely end up conversing with several other complete strangers over the course of the night. Some will be interested in you, some in me, and some in both.”
Although he could see very little of Aurelia’s face, he knew her cheeks were heating. “…Both?”
“Yes. I’d wager that lady was hoping forboth.” He leaned in a little. “Scandalized, little mouse?”
“Do such things truly occur here?”
“Many things occur here that are never discussed in the light of day. That is whatanonymitymeans.” He pulled her closer, his blood heating at the slight curve of her waist under his hand. By the feel of it, she was wearing no stays or corset, and that made his blood hum still more. Her hair appeared gilded in thecandlelight, and the press of her breasts against his chest as he drew her closer made him impatient to tear at her clothes.
“Believe me, darling. I have no intention of sharing you with anyone else. You are mine, shepherdess. And I have no intention of letting you go so another gentleman can claim you.”
