Upon entering under the arched doorway and through the large paned door, they left Belinda with the other maids in one of the downstairs rooms set aside for them and deposited their coats in another. Brilliance appreciated the chairs lining twowalls as she took a vacant seat beside another young lady and changed from her outdoor boots to her purple satin slippers.
“Isn’t this one of the most magnificent houses in London?” she remarked when they finally entered the Palm Room, through which all the guests were filtered in order that they couldoohandahh. Carved and painted symbols of fertility and prosperity were everywhere, with gild palm leaves rounding the columns and adorning the walls. A domed ceiling and half-vaulted alcoves were also gilded, and the uppermost frieze seemed to be moving with golden griffins, the Spencer family’s heraldic supporter.In a word, breathtaking!
“I am surprised your family doesn’t have a mansion like this,” Vincent said.
Brilliance considered. “I do not know about my great-grandfather, but I know my grandfather and my own dear papa have no wish to be burdened with the upkeep. Both prefer to put their time and money into their country properties. Regardless, this is my third time inside Lord and Lady Spencer’s splendid home, and I feel as thrilled as the first. In my opinion, the gilding and the carvings are unrivaled.”
“You do seem sparkish tonight,” he remarked as they joined other guests moving toward the stone cantilever staircase, “and we haven’t even reached the ballroom.”
Brilliance shuffled her feet on the white Italian marble. “I cannot wait to try dancing in this costume.”
“I dread dancing in these shoes,” Vincent confessed, as they climbed the stairs under the vaulted ceiling beside white flattened ionic pilasters festooned with white plaster garlands.
His words only made her smile more broadly. “If Herr Bach could wear them his entire adult life, then you can manage for a single evening.”
“His probably fit him,” Vincent grumbled.
Since they were a little late, the musicians had already begun to play. On Vincent’s arm, Brilliance entered the largest of the home’s rooms, the Great Room, heavily scented with the guests’ perfume and the usual aroma of tobacco.
Crowded with masked and costumed revelers in a constant state of movement, it was impossible to stop and properly admire the red damask wallpaper framed in gilding or even to look up at the three impressive domes making up the ceiling, all of them in green, white, and gold.
Instead, Brilliance managed the barest glance at her environment. Naturally, chandeliers were dripping with crystals, but due to the mystique of the masquerade, only half the candles were lit in each, and the edges of the room were dim except for an occasional sconce. She shivered with excitement.
Vincent tugged her arm so they could make their way around the perimeter. Her gaze landed on females in all manner of fancy dress, from the mundane to the scandalous, seeming risqué as they moved from flickering candle light to the shadows.
“I do not much care for the idea of seeing other women close to you, staring up adoringly, and leaning on you.”
“I shall endeavor to keep all my dance partners at arm’s distance,” Vincent said, surveying the crowd, “if you promise to do the same.”
She nodded. Being there with him was the best night of her life so far, although she could imagine even better ones in the future. If she were to become his wife, they would retire to the same bed. Another shiver ran down her spine. Perhaps even as his fiancée, she could experience the mysteries between a man and a woman.
After all, she wasn’t entirely ignorant as to what was to come. As the youngest of five siblings, she’d heard her share of romantic, even passionate stories, as one by one her sisters fell in love.
Moreover, her parents had eloped to Gretna Green at Christmas. And while her knowledge of geography wasn’t extensive, Brilliance knew that one could not get to Scotland without a few nights spent sleeping at inns. Therefore, they must have had relations, intimate ones at that, before they ever reached the blacksmith’s shop.
She could almost shock herself if she thought too much about it. And then, she spotted Martine and her mother. They were precisely where they had arranged to meet — to the left of the large gilded mirror between the first set of windows overlooking the park.
Her friend was dressed as an Elizabethan princess, Brilliance guessed, by the width of Martine’s gown and the number of pearls on her stomacher. Her mother, Lady Flowers, who was also dressed as though from the Tudor period, was to be both young ladies’ chaperone for the night.
Sharing a mother was Brilliance’s favorite type of chaperone, especially someone else’s mother who wouldn’t truly pay attention to her comings and goings.
After cordial greetings — although Martine’s was less-than-enthusiastic when it came to Lord Hewitt — the musicians signaled the next dance was about to begin. Vincent took her hand.
“Come along, Lady Persia, let us dance.” And he led her into the throng.
“Am I incorrect in thinking Lady Martine was cool toward me?” Vincent asked as they got into position with the other dancers.
Brilliance hated to admit the truth but did so, anyway. “She has nothing against you, my lord. She is only concerned for me. I have told her about Mr. Castern’s perfidy, but Martine is not convinced. And she hopes I am not being led to Fiddlestick’s end.”
She felt him tense. “I assure you that is not the case.”
“I know.” Brilliance squeezed his arm, and then the dance began.
Trying not to miss a step, her head was on a swivel, admiring all the ladies’ costumes. Spotting a goodly number of milkmaids and two Queen Cleopatras, she wondered what Queen Victoria would dress as should she actually come. And then she took in the men.
“You are the only Bach here, I believe,” she told Vincent.
“You are probably correct, although I have seen some other powdered wigs.”
