Although he’d made no promise, she had expected him to call. He had promised to as the coach approached London, while Bella and Jeremy dozed. The expression of intent in his eyes had made her pulse race. Had she imagined it? But surely he would want to see how she managed Ludlow. Carrie had been holding off Ludlow because Nicholas had told her to wait until she was sure. But tonight, she must either encourage his advances or let him down as gently as she could. She had decided on the latter. It wouldn’t be fair to marry him. She would never love anyone but Nicholas. What a sorry state of affairs.
This evening was her first masked ball. Carrie had chosen her costume carefully. She would go as Titania, Queen of the fairies from Shakespeare’s play. A crown of spring flowers decorated her hair, and she wore her white and gold evening gown.
Guests, dressed in a variety of costumes from the demure to the outrageous, filled Lady Moore’s ballroom. They laughed and cavorted beneath the bright streamers. Carrie didn’t know the gentleman who danced the quadrille with her, for they had not been introduced. He wore a pirate’s costume, and a mask hid much of his face. But he was an amusing partner, making sly observations about some of the costumes.
He returned her to her seat, made his bows to Gwen and herself, and left them.
Gwen wore a milkmaid costume with an apron and frilly white mobcap. “Did you like Lord Frankstone? He’s quite charming.”
Carrie picked up her fan and slowly wafted it before her warm face. “Was that who he was? Yes, he was droll.”
“Frankstone couldn’t hide his identity behind a mask. Not with that flame-colored hair.” Gwen looked disappointed. “I thought you might like him. He is more amusing than Ludlow.”
Carrie was immediately contrite. “I am sorry, Gwen. I must be a great disappointment to you and Nellie. But none of these men appeal.”
Gwen cast her a sideways glance. “Do you believe you might meet one who does?”
She noticed Gwen’s shrewd expression her blue mask failed to hide.
“I certainly hope so. I imagine I’ll know as soon as I meet him.”
Gwen waved her fan, her gaze intense through the slits in her blue bask. “Perhaps you’ve already met him?”
Carrie flushed. “But how could I?”
She snapped her fan shut. “Carrie, my dear, Nellie and I have exhausted all the single men this Season, and I don’t anticipate anyone else. But if a gentleman should appear, I doubt he could claim your heart, because I suspect it is already taken.” She looked across the room. “Here comes an interesting gentleman, and just as they call the waltz.”
A tall man dressed all in black approached them.
“Who is he? Should I waltz with him?”
“Lord Barraclough. He’s a dreadful rake and shall flirt with you outrageously. But dance with him. Few will question it tonight. Don’t take him seriously and refuse him if he should invite you to stroll on the terrace.”
He bowed before them, dressed all in black. “May I have the pleasure of this dance, Aphrodite?”
“I am Titania, sir,” Carrie amended, rising to take his arm.
“You are Aphrodite to me.” His dark eyes searched hers through the slits in his black mask.
He led her onto the floor.
The music began, and he swung her into the dance. His hand settled low on her back, pulling her close. She tensed and tried to move away. “That’s quite close enough, sir.”
He laughed. “Nonsense. This is a masked ball, look around you.”
It was true everyone behaved differently tonight, as if they had left their manners at home for the evening.
His hand slid down farther over her hip.
“Sir!”
“Shall we walk in the moonlight after the dance?”
“It is raining,” Carrie said, relieved to find an excuse to prevent this forthright gentleman from whisking her off without her consent. She could imagine an embarrassing tussle.
He spun her around until she was breathless, then drew her against him, so close she could smell the champagne and tobacco on his breath. Carrie attempted to place some space between them without being too obvious. Why had Gwen allowed her to dance with him? She longed for the waltz to end.
Chapter Twenty-Five
