“On another night, it would. Sharing one’s secrets is never a good idea, but tonight is different. You do not know me, and I shall never know you. We are safely hidden behind these.”
He ran his thumb under the edge of his mask, and he saw through hers that she was studying him, as if weighing her options. The truth was, she did not need to tell him anything,and he would still have kept her secret. The food on display was going to waste regardless of what she did, and so at least this way it would be made use of. He had also considered swiping a few himself, but he was not a lady that had brought a reticule, and so it was not possible.
But she did not know that.
“If I tell you,” she said softly, “you must promise not to breathe a word. Even the simple matter that I… that there is a lady in my position is enough to ruin me eventually.”
“I can assure you, I am far too occupied for idle gossip.”
“Very well.”
She glanced around one final time before clearing her throat.
“You see, they are for my sisters. They have not tasted such confections as these in years, and I wanted them to have an experience at least.”
He softened in an instant. He wished that he had not, for a friendly distance was always what kept him capable of doing his bidding, but there was something in her tone that caught him by surprise. There were very few genuine young ladies in theton, and he could not believe that he had found one of them.
“Does your mother prefer them slight?” he asked. “I know many that refuse to give their daughters treats for fear that they would be larger.”
“Not at all. They are both slim girls, not at all like me. No, it is because we cannot afford them.”
She had said it so quickly that he wondered if she knew what she was saying at all. Given the shock in her face, he reasoned that she had not thought twice about it.
“Do continue,” he encouraged. “It would seem that there are things you must say, and it is better for your sake that you do so. It would drive anyone mad if they had to keep their secrets forever.”
“Yes, well, that is what I shall be forced to do.”
“Why is that?”
“Because I do not think that nuns can say very much about themselves.”
“Are you anun? When you say sisters–”
“Oh, goodness no. Not yet, but by the end of the year I shall be. I have come here this evening with my friends for one last ball, and then after tonight I shall take my place in society as a lady on the shelf, and then I shall enter the convent. Perhaps that is whyI find it so easy to tell you all of this. I will never see you again, and that is for the best.”
“Is it?” he asked, looking at her pointedly. “You seem to enjoy all of this, and in a convent you cannot take any gifts for your dear sisters.”
“That does not signify. I am aware of what I will be sacrificing, but it is worth it. My sisters will be able to enter society without me present, and they will secure good matches and then all will be well. I am not important to that extent.”
“I disagree.”
“And you are welcome to, but it does not change anything. This is how things are, My Lord. It may not appear as simply as that to you, for as a man you can change your fate, but I do not have such control. I will go where I am needed, and that is far from here.”
“But what if you could?” he asked.
He had bristled at her suggestion of control. It was true that he could do what he wanted, but that was gained from years of discipline, of taking very few risks. He had only ever taken one, and that had almost ruined him on several occasions, but that did not mean that he could not see that there were times and places for them.
“If I could, then I would have done so years ago,” she pointed out.
“Then do it. I can help you, if you like.”
“I do not need assistance.”
“No, of course not. You are a strong and capable lady that will make any sacrifice, of that I have no doubt, but if you should change your mind, then you are welcome to come to Ravensmere House tomorrow, and I shall make an arrangement for you.”
The heat rose in her cheeks, even brighter than her rouge.
“A proposition, you mean?”
