Yes, being in a mask was empowering and maybe she might finally enjoy a ball.
“Ah, there are Tessa and His Grace.” Bethany pointed to the peasant girl and tailor.
“How do you know it is them?” Even though the color of hair matched the couple, that did not mean they were recognizable.
“Tessa showed me their costumes the other day.”
“Who is the woman with her?”
Bethany tilted her chin and studied the woman in the blue, medieval gown with her dark hair braided away from her face and flowing down her back. “I have no idea, which is the fun of a masquerade.”
They were about to go to Tessa, her husband and the mystery woman but were stopped when the troubadour from the card room appeared before her. When she looked into his blue eyes, Frances’ breath hitched and she had to force herself to breathe.
The eyes, they were the same color as Seth’s, and maybe the lips and chin were familiar…Was is possible?
Frances blinked. It was not Seth because he promised that if he ever saw her in London that he would not acknowledge her and she was not so well disguised that Seth would not recognize her.
The troubadour bowed deeply then lifted her gloved hand to his lips. “Enchanté!”
Frances dipped to a curtsey, not certain how she should respond.
He held his arm and even though Frances had no idea who he was, she allowed him to lead her to the center of the floor to join in a country dance.
No words were spoken between them and she wasn’t certain if it was because she didn’t want to break the spell of mystery or was afraid that she’d be disappointed that it wasn’t Seth. Then she chastised herself because the last gentleman she wanted to talk to or even see was Lord Seth Claxton.
Chapter Four
After Seth had left Blythe with Tessa and her husband, he ventured into the card room to see who was playing. Even though everyone was masked, there were few people who he did not know. That was mainly because he recognized not only how they played but the rings worn on their fingers.
It was his intention to stand back and observe the games, but his attention was drawn away when a vision in emerald silk stepped through the door. Golden curls tumbled about her shoulders, some caressing the swell of her ample breasts. Seductive coral lips nearly beckoned him even though no words were spoken.
He could not take his eyes off her as she wandered the card room and then exited. For a moment he thought that maybe it was Frances as the lips were similar, as were her mannerisms and the way she walked, but Seth was too afraid to hope. He knew that Frances could not have afforded to attend this charity ball, nor would she ever wear a gown with sleeves that were off her shoulders and the bodice cut in a manner to tantalize every gentleman with a pulse. Every gown he had ever seen her in was always modest and more suited for a matron, not a beautiful young woman.
Besides, her family had returned to Yorkshire that very morning.
Then he paused. He had only assumed she’d left with them. What if she remained in London?
With those thoughts, he watched and then followed the two women as they exited, enjoying the sway of green silk and recalled a conversation from long ago.
“I hate that my wardrobe must be only whites and pastels,” Frances grumbled as they painted the cottage library a bold blue. She had only been seventeen and making plans because her uncle hoped to provide her with a Season the following year.
“When you are older you can wear crimson if you like, but others will gossip if you do so as a miss embarking on her first Season.”
“However, that will not stop me from wearing a bold color while out in Society, even if nobody will see it.”
Seth had been confused because he couldn’t imagine what she could mean. Stockings were not usually seen, though a foot was sometimes viewed so if she were wearing a bold color, others would take note.
“Garters!” she announced.
Seth had nearly stumbled from the ladder at her pronouncement.
“I shall wear emerald garters under every gown.”
“Emerald,” he had echoed.
“Of course, it is my favorite color.”
He wanted the woman to be Franny. Nobody else had ever stirred his desire this quickly. It was also the very reason that he had to at least dance with her.
