“You do not have to say it back, but I wanted you to know that I do –”
“Marcus.” The words were on the tip of her tongue. She wanted to tell him, too, but she feared how much harder it would be to part from him if she did. “You must know how I feel about you,” she said with a smile. He smiled back. It was enough, she hoped. Enough to show she loved him without quite saying the words.
He bent towards her, and Alaina turned her chin up to meet him. It had to be the softest kiss they ever shared, a mere brush of lips that was tantalizing, full of promise and sweetness, of the future that could be between them.
It is the last kiss I shall ever know from him. When he discovers the truth, he will hate me.
Footsteps sounded in the corridor, and they pulled back from one another, sharing a smile at the laughter that spilled out from the passageway.
“People will be wondering where we are. Shall we?” He offered his hand to her. She nodded, taking hold of his fingers and allowing him to escort her out of the library and back to the main ballroom.
As they entered, she clung harder to his hand. Her gaze traced the side of his face, and she saw both the happiness and a little confusion there. Was it possible he was disappointed that she had not said it back? That she had not quite uttered the words that she loved him too?
“Oh no. What can she want?” Marcus’ words cut through her thoughts.
Alaina looked around, eager to see who had caught his attention.
Lady Markworthy was striding across the room in their direction. Her cheeks were pink, though Alaina could not tell if it was with happiness or drunkenness. She was smiling greatly, beckoning others to follow her as she marched in their direction.
“I hope she is not planning on making a speech to congratulate us.” He shook his head. “From all that I have heard of that lady, she would merely use the opportunity to spread salacious gossip and rumour.”
Then Alaina’s eyes slid to a flash of gold.
On the far side of the room, in the open doorway, stood the mirror image of her. It was Caroline doing her best to try and catch Alaina’s eye while simultaneously hiding behind the doorframe. She had removed her mask and was waving it at Alaina.
No … what does this mean?
A look of perfect terror covered Caroline’s face.
“Marcus.” Alaina pulled on his arm. “Let us go.”
“Go? Where?” He looked at her, confused and not moving. “We cannot go now. Lady Markworthy is most certainly about to make a speech.”
“All the more reason to go.” She tugged hard on his arm, but as she did so, Lady Markworthy had picked up a glass. She tapped against it with her fingernails, making it ring out across this portion of the room.
Those close enough to hear her all stopped talking and turned to face her. The Earl of Woolworth was amongst this group, as was Lady Sarah Silverton, all turning to look at Lady Markworthy with great interest.
“Well, I believe it is time I toasted the happy couple.” She spoke with relish but no smile as she lifted her champagne glass high.
“We have to stay,” Marcus whispered into Alaina’s ear. She tried her best to hide behind his arm, knowing it was fruitless. Her breathing had turned heavy, and she saw that Caroline had disappeared completely from the open doorway, vanishing into thin air.
“I came tonight with great interest. To know that Lady Caroline will be marrying a man of such standing, well, it is an impressive match indeed.” At Lady Markworthy’s words, many around her nodded.
Alaina’s fingers curled around Marcus’ arms. She saw the glint of something in Lady Markworthy’s eye.
She knows. She is about to reveal that I am not Lady Caroline after all.
“Imagine my surprise when I saw tonight that it was not the Duke of Peddleton whose arms she found comfort in. Who she kissed this very night under the moon.” Lady Markworthy’s words hit the air like a whip crack.
Everyone around her stilled. All except the Earl of Woolworth, whose wine glass tipped sideways and claret toppled over the rim and onto the floor.
Alaina had felt Marcus stiffen beneath her grasp. She tried to soften her touch, to somehow communicate through that handhold alone that it was him she cared for and no other.
“No, no, far from it.” Lady Markworthy giggled like a spoiled child, then turned his eyes on Alaina. “For I have tonight seen Lady Caroline in the arms of the stable keeper of this building.”
“Oh!”
“No.”
