That Sophie didn’t say anything as Ellie pulled the outer costume from her was not particularly unusual. Sophie didn’t talk much unless with the Curious Ladies, and even then, it was only when she had something significant to say.
“Come sit at my dressing table so I can remove the cap.” Sophie did as requested. Sometimes she reminded Ellie of a bird that might fly away at any moment. Other times, she was like a flower that reached its face to the sun, quietly living and thriving. “Did something happen downstairs? I couldn’t find you.”
Since Sophie always told the truth, Ellie waited patiently for an answer as she unpinned the shepherdess cap and brushed out her friend’s brown hair. It was the color of coffee and cream, and was so soft, it didn’t wish to stay where she wound it.
“I went to the ladies’ retiring room with Rose and Georgie, but forgot my crook. I sent them on ahead while I searched for it. On my way back to the ballroom, I lost my way.”
“I’m sorry.” Ellie added the last pin and set down the brush, pleased she’d been able to play lady’s maid to Sophie.
“I thought I knew where it was, but when I left, I got turned around. I…”
She put her hands on Sophie’s shoulders. “You can tell me.”
Sophie’s green gaze met hers in the mirror. “I encountered a man in the corridor.”
“Oh, you poor dear. I wish I could have been there with you. I could tell you were rattled about something. Did you say anything to him?”
Sophie shook her head.
“Then all is well. It’s not as if you had a conversation with him without a chaperone present. Besides, now that you will be in a different costume, he won’t even know who you are. Come, I believe I have a different mask as well.”
Ellie turned away and moved to the chest at the end of her bed. Opening it, she pulled out the domino she’d originally planned to wear to match her husband before Darius insisted that she dress as the universe to “eclipse all others,” as he had so phrased it. She rose and laid it out on the bed to examine any wrinkles. Blowing air from between her closed lips, she wished she’d hung it in her armoire, as there were quite a few.
“What’s this?”
She looked toward her chest to see Sophie holding the book Ellie had learned so much from. She smiled, not surprised Sophie would find the only book in the room. Her friend studied literature at the Belinda School and could always be found reading. “That’s the book Lissa spoke about. You should take it now. I believe it’s good luck.”
Sophie’s eyes lit with excitement. “Thank you. I will put this in my room before returning to the ball.” She started for the door.
“Wait. You need your costume.”
Sophie gave an apologetic smile. “Of course.”
In no time Ellie had Sophie in her domino, now looking quite mysterious with the hood pulled up. The black mask, so different from the white one she wore earlier, made her appear a completely different person. “You must look at yourself.”
She pulled Sophie by the hand to the mirror at the dressing table and tilted it.
“Merciful heavens.” Sophie’s whispered words pleased Ellie.
“I told you.”
Sophie turned and took her hands. “Thank you. You are such a good friend. I’m going to miss you so much.” Then, without warning, Sophie hugged her.
Ellie could feel tears gathering as she hugged her friend back. “I’ll miss you. But I promise we will visit each other. Besides, it’s still days before we must part, and the night is yet young. Come,let us deliver that book to your room and join the crowd. If I’m not mistaken, dinner will be rung for at any moment.”
Sophie nodded, wiping her own eyes. “Yes.”
No sooner had they reentered the ballroom and joined Darius, than Georgie came looking for Sophie, exclaiming over her new costume.
Darius leaned down. “I had Beacham hold the bell until you returned.”
Ellie leaned into him. “Thank you.”
As if the butler had heard her husband, he stepped forward and rang the bell.
She smiled at their guests as they moved through the open double doors toward the dining room, where multiple small tables and a buffet awaited them. “Mrs. Torbett has proved herself invaluable with my many Christmastide activities. I’m very glad I didn’t dismiss her.”
Darius smiled. “You have a forgiving heart, for which I’m grateful. And now that all our guests are busy enjoying Cook’s meal, can I interest you in a short walk in the moonlight?”
