Julia took her friend’s arm and ushered her away from the crowd and into a corner overrun with ferns and flowers. “Tell me we didn’t make a mistake coming here tonight.”
“You are nervous, Julia.”
“No,” she denied. “Uncomfortable, perhaps, but not nervous.”
“Have you seen the duke?”
“No. Which leads me to believe…”
Just then, Duke Emerton and the countess walked to the center of the room and called for the attention of her guests. The people grew quiet.
“Though an informal gathering,” the duke said, “my sister wishes all of us to be seated, for her special guest, the surprise she has struggled to keep secret, is about to be introduced for his first performance.”
The guests did not stay silent for long. In fact, excitement took over as everyone speculated about who would be performing tonight.
“I think we should find our seats,” Willa suggested.
Julia shook her head. “Actually, if you do not mind, I prefer to stay here, well hidden from probing eyes.”
“His eyes?” her friend asked.
“Any eyes,” Julia lied, knowing full well she did not wish for her fake duke to see her just yet.
Chapter Six
The Duke ofPridegate took a last look in the mirror and smiled. His dark, curly hair had been combed to a luster. His hair, though somewhat unfashionably long, was an attribute woman loved.
His tailcoat and vest were charcoal, his form-fitting pantaloons a shade lighter. But it was the intricate mask in his left hand that he admired most. He had a collection of Italian-made costumes to wear when he performed, and most included a mask.
Tonight, he would not wear a costume, only the half-mask of a mythical beast featured in George Frederick Handel’sRinaldo—from which he would perform an aria.
His valet circled him a last time, stopping at his crisp, white cravat.
“Well Anderson, is there something amiss?”
“No, sir,” the valet said dispassionately. “I only wish to assure that your necktie is what it should be.”
“Very good.” Alonzo trusted his valet completely.
Just then, the door to the small salon opened and the countess floated inside, all smiles. “We are ready for you, Alonzo,” she addressed him with comfortable familiarity. “I do believe some of the ladies are frothing at the mouth in anticipation of whom my very special guest might be.”
He grinned at the lady, one of his closest advisors and allies, once his mother’s best friend. “I will not disappoint, Frederica,” he said as he secured his mask over his face.
She clapped and followed him from the salon and into the drawing room. The assembled guests settled down, some knowing who he was by his mask, for no other opera singer dared to wear what he did on stage. And who would criticize a duke?
For the guests that had never heard him sing or had never experienced the type of stage presence he had, well, he would win their admiration tonight, as he always did—men and women alike, noble or commoner—it did not matter.
The chandeliers had been muted, leaving the silver floor stands with dozens of candles as the main source of light. He stepped onto the dais and signaled for his accompanying musicians on the pianoforte and harp to begin. Alonzo had sung this piece dozens of times, and it was one of his favorites.
The slow but passionate rhythm filled the chamber, building to a wild crescendo. The music always overtook his senses, plunging him into a place that stole a piece of his soul every time he performed. It was only during these moments that he truly felt free. Released from the bonds of his title and wealth, from thetonthat demanded so much of him, including his siblings and aunts, two of whom were in the audience tonight.
But his restless mind sought another, his gaze working quickly to find the pretty woman who had doubted who and what he was—Julia Castle. Had she accepted his impromptu invitation? From what he’d been told about her, and judging by the betting book at White’s, she was a wildly popular target for gossip and undeserved speculation. Though none of the rumors actually sullied her reputation directly but did paint her as a hoyden. The kind of hellcat he preferred in his bed.
Several of the chairs that had been arranged in front of the dais sat empty. His gaze swept the perimeter of the well-appointed chamber. There in the corner, he found her trying to blend in with an assortment of potted plants and fresh flowers. However, nothing could hide the blazing beauty of Lady Castle, not even orchids or roses.
“Your Grace…”
Alonzo heard the concerned whisper of the harpist, Mr. Gray. He had missed his cue to start singing. Nodding in acknowledgement, he then did something he had never done before. Instead of performing the planned aria, he switched to an oratorio about the Queen of Sheba, all the while watching Julia.
