“Take off your mask,” he demanded.
“You take off yours,” Ophelia countered.
She had lost the false, deep tone in her voice, and just by the haughty way she said those four words, Tristan’s suspicion’s were confirmed.
“I am not the one making threats here,” he replied with haste.
“I would not have to make threats if you weren’t so prone to priggish perfectionism!”
Tristan rolled his eyes, certain now that it was his little sister’s annoying best friend. He reached for her mask, ignoring the way she batted at his hand, and plucked it off of her face. An oval face with a creamy, clean complexion, high cheek bones smattered with light brown freckles, a small sharp nose. Those thick eyelashes surrounding her judgmental green yes. Ophelia’s unmistakable features came into view.
“Oh,” he chuckled darkly, shaking his head as she glared at him. “Oh, I knew you were a strange one, but I had no idea you werethisstrange.”
“Says the man who operates a dallying club,” Ophelia shot back. Quick as a rabbit, she reached forward and snatched his mask off of her face, looking entirely too smug as his face was made bare.
“I knew it,” she goaded. “I knew it was you.”
Tristan grit his teeth in annoyance, teetering on a precarious situation. No one, not even his closest friends, had ever recognized him during a party. Even when they’d been standingin the same room, he’d gone unnoticed. Precious few knew his secret, and that was only because they had as much to lose as he did.
“How?” he grit out.
Ophelia’s cheeks turned crimson so quickly that for a moment he was more amused than annoyed.
“Never you mind,” she answered crossly. “Now, are you going to give me the commission or not?”
“No!” He boomed with a ridiculing laugh.
“Are you mad? It is bad enough that I have to hide from the rest of our friends in here, you want me to allow you, the only person who knows who I actually am, flitting about? Besides, it would be completely inappropriate.”
“In-inappropriate?”She questioned with a flabbergasted expression. “You are the one responsible for these masquerades! Furthermore, I am the only one of our circle that does not come here. Even Theo has visited this place.”
Tristan grimaced.
“Pleasedo not remind me that my sister and her husband have been here. But that is precisely my point. She attendswithher husband.Allof your friends attend with their husbands.”
“Amelia attended before she was married,” Ophelia pointed out, crossing her arms, “As did Theo.”
Tristan ran a frustrated hand through his slicked-back hair, hating that she was right.
“That was a gross oversight,” he grunted. “I have many people under me who only know me as the Devil. They had no idea that Theo was my sister or that Amelia was her friend. And furthermore, just because I made such a mistake in the past does not mean that I will do so again. Especially since I know who you are.”
Ophelia let out a snarl as she fisted her hands and glared at him.
“You do not understand, Ineedthis commission, Tristan,” she insisted. A look of worry took over her angry expression, and she brought her hands together, rubbing them.
“I can do better,” she said, softer this time. “I was nervous before, with you watching over my shoulder. The agency obviously showed you my portfolio. You have seen what I can do. Let me try again.”
“Why?” He asked, taking a step closer. “Why do you need this commission so badly?”
Ophelia shook her head, her gaze to the floor.
“I will not say.” She stated.
Though he wanted push for answer, Tristan chose to let it go for the moment.
“This project is dangerous for you, Ophelia,” he warned, trying to dissuade her. “If you were caught, it could ruin your reputation!”
“Oh, please,” she snickered, “You have never cared about or for me, do not pretend to do so now!”
