“No one ever knew your surname. The closer to the truth, the less easy it is to slip up.”
I noticed the eyes of the room lingering on me, some conversation pausing as we descended the short staircase to the ballroom floor. Just as it should be.
We were met at the bottom of the stairs by a cluster of people. The duchess was recognizable in a green gown, although her hair was built high, with curls spilling out between peacock feathers and green ribbons. Her mask, likewise, consisted of peacock feathers.
“We’re so glad to have you here, dear,” Flora greeted me, holding out her hand as I swept into a bow and kissed her knuckles. “Zachariah has outdone himself, if I do say so myself.”
I straightened and offered her a brilliant smile. “I appreciate the compliment, my lady, but I don’t see anyone outshining you this evening.”
Flora smiled and gestured to the man seated in a chair at her side. He was not wearing a mask. “My husband is gracing us with his presence tonight. Jonathan, meet Lucian, the young man I was telling you about.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir,” I said, bowing low for the old man. He had to be well into his seventies, with liver spots marking his balding head. His skin was like paper, thin and paler than even mine, gathering loosely around his eyes and mouth. I was over a century older than this man. I felt pity for what age had done to him, but that sadness turned into steely resolve once I recalled that should I fail to meet the challenge set before me, this too would be my fate.
“We’re happy to have you with us, Lucian,” the man said, his voice strained and barely above a whisper. I had to lean in to hear him. “It does me good to have so many young people under this roof.”
“The duke wouldn’t miss this ball for the world,” Flora said, putting a protective arm around his shoulders. She gazed down at him with tenderness. Despite a difference of at least twenty years between them, it seemed their union had been one of love. That was a rare thing in this age, where perception and title meant more than anything. “He absolutely insisted on being here, even though he should be resting.”
“I’ve rested enough for a lifetime,” the duke scowled. “What’s the point of carrying on if I can’t even enjoy the first ball of the season, where my oldest will meet his future partner?”
Flora patted his hand, and I stepped back as Helena greeted the couple with familiarity. I took the moment to absorb the silent figures who stood at their backs. Zachariah lingered near a boy who seemed about his age, although the stranger’s mask covered the entirety of his face. The boy was in a black suit with what appeared to be a wolf mask, although it could have been a boar. Curls peeked out at the top of the mask, likely inherited from his mother. This would be Maxwell.
Zachariah wore a fuchsia jacket and skirt, wildly elaborate pink flowers seemingly growing out of his jacket pocket and overwhelming the fabric. His mask appeared to be created from layers of flower petals, delicate and tasteful. He sent me a wide grin and nodded at my ensemble in approval. Of course he approved, as he’d selected it for me.
The final boy in their company stood rigid behind his father, arms clasped behind him. He stared straight ahead like a soldier, but glanced to the party in front of him every so often. His eyes were sharp and a deep brown behind his simple black mask. His black suit was uninspired, but I had to admit that he looked smart in it. It accentuated his powerful chest and arms, trim waist, and long legs that brought him to an impressive height, towering over everyone around him. Unlike his brother and mother, who showcased their natural curls, he’d opted for a short hairstyle that emphasized his striking cheekbones and a chiseled jawline. Ambrose was a handsome man, and with the title of duke all but handed over, he was definitely worth the infighting that was sure to occur over him among these guests.
The third brother wasn’t among them.
I tuned back into Helena’s conversation as she wrapped things up. Flora reached out to hand me a card, and I looked down to find the number ninety-seven. “What is this?” I asked.
She smiled. “It’s your number for when you’re scored tonight. Just hand it to the judges beforehand. You can join any dance you wish. I know you’ll do us proud.”
Before I could ask what she meant, another guest was announced behind us. I bowed once more to the duke and duchess before we were swallowed by the crowd of partygoers sipping champagne and laughing in small groups.
“Did you find your prize handsome?” Helena asked as I maneuvered us through the throng to a table near the drink station.
“It doesn’t matter if I find him handsome or not. And anyway, with these damned masks on, I can’t make much out at all.”
Helena slowly lowered herself into a chair, and I followed suit. “Now, don’t dally here, Lucian. You must mingle with the silly humans and scope out your competition.”
I grimaced. “You mustn’t say such things in public.” I looked around to ensure we hadn’t been overheard. “There are ears everywhere, and I believe I’m going to make many enemies tonight.”
“I trust that a handful of young men and women won’t be too much for you to handle. After all, you’ve grappled with far worse over the years.”
“That I have.” I waved a waiter over who was carrying champagne on a platter. I procured a glass and set it before Helena. “Do you know anything that will put me in Ambrose’s favor tonight? Hobbies or interests I could work into conversation? That sort of thing.”
Helena pursed her lips. “I’m afraid, Lucian, that you’ll have to become amiable to Ambrose through your own devices. He’s been away for much of the past month, and before that, we rarely crossed paths, except for at supper times here and there. He comes across as rather vain from what I’ve observed, so flattery will likely go a long way with him.”
Sighing, I crossed my arms. “Not what I’d hoped for, but I’ll make due.” I paused. “I would give anything for a little hypnotism in my arsenal right about now. Something that would give me an edge.”
“You are Count Lucian Cross.Thatis your edge.”
I smiled at her confidence in me. “Thank you for reminding me.” I glanced at the window, where the darkness beckoned to me. It was but a backdrop now, hidden by the brightness of the ballroom. I discerned the reflections of the humans buzzing around me in the glass more easily than the night beyond, my own reflection among them.
I scooted closer to Helena, lowering my voice. “I haven’t been to a ball in decades. I really should have ventured into society more in recent years.”
Helena raised an eyebrow. “You? Admitting to being fallible?”
I snorted. “Let’s not exaggerate, my dear Helena. I have few faults, but … every choice we make forsakes others. We can only experience so much,doso much. I should have taken advantage of my previous status rather than squander it.”
