She held her breath, and even her body stiffened slightly. Even through the slits in the mask, he could see her eyes growing larger. Ah-ha! Now he knew she had a secret because it surprised her that he asked about it.
“Oh, yes,” she breathed out a sigh. “I was upstairs in one of the side rooms because my gown had to be repaired.” She shrugged. “Nothing major, I assure you, and the rip was sewn quickly in the material.” She peeked over her shoulder toward the front doors to the ballroom before resting her gaze back on him. “That was why I couldn’t stay and talk to you after you had saved me from almost falling. I had to find Lady Reynolds’ housekeeper and return the needle and thread I had borrowed from her.”
He didn’t believe a word of it, but it had surprised him how quickly she thought up the tale. Nevertheless, he was still intrigued and determined to discover why she was in the Reynolds’ study. If she didn’t want to tell him, he would get that information from her—or someone—soon enough.
“How very thoughtful of her to help you out in that predicament. But more than that, I’m shocked that you know how to sew your own cloths.”
She laughed, and it didn’t sound natural. “I’m sure you know how often women work on their samplers, correct?”
He nodded.
“Then why would it shock you that I know how to mend a tear?”
He grinned, amazed at how quickly she had an answer. “Indeed.”
“And,” she continued, “if I waited for one of Lord Reynolds’ servants to mend it for me, I may still be upstairs.”
“Then I’m relieved that Lady Reynolds’ servant...uh, what is her name?” He paused, grasping at any name that popped into his head. “Oh, Mrs. Hemsworth. But I’m happy that she was able to assist you.”
She cocked her head. “You know Lady Reynolds’ maid?”
“My friend, Steven Larson, was the man who referred the maid to Lord Reynolds.” Ashton hoped his mask hid his secrets from Cinderella as much as her mask hid them from him.
She nodded. “Mrs. Hemsworth is such a sweet woman.”
“I can’t say I have ever met her, but I’ll take your word.” His smile grew, satisfied that this seductress was indeed lying about something.
Once the dance ended, she stepped out of his arms. The warmth he had felt for the last few minutes was gone, and he sorely wanted it back. It didn’t matter—right now, anyway—that she was lying to him. Over the years, he had come to expect that from women, which helped him to protect his heart.
“Well, Prince Charming,” she began after a few awkward moments of silence, “I thank you for the dances, but I fear if we don’t find other partners from here on out, we will indeed create a scandal.”
“Very true. Although the idea of another man keeping your company wounds my ego, I must step aside and let you go. For now.” He waggled his eyebrows.
Chuckling, she shook her head and walked toward her cousin. Perhaps the only way to know what she had taken in the study, would be to ask his friends Larson and Nickerson since they knew the Lord Reynolds quite well.
Suddenly excitement spread throughout Ashton, and he couldn’t wait to learn more about this amazing woman. This new adventure would be worth the effort.
NICOLE MOVED BETWEEN the couples crowding the floor on her way toward her relatives. Emily was being escorted out for a dance. The girl’s smile stretched from ear to ear, and with the way she conversed with the man, Nicole received the impression that the two knew each other well. She was happy to see her cousin dancing.
Aunt Anita waved to her from the corner of the room, capturing Nicole’s attention. She hurried to the other woman. Uncle Michael stood beside his wife, sipping a glass of punch. Even through the slits of his mask, she detected the disapproving glare. She could barely see his arched brows above the covering.
“I thought I might have to come to rescue you, Nicole,” he said sharply.
She refrained from rolling her eyes. Rescue me? She had stopped counting how many times she wanted to tell her relatives the truth—that she worked with her father as a detective, alongside her brother—and that she had saved them on a few occasions, but she held her tongue. It would shock them completely to know that she was following in the family business, and it was unheard of for a woman to do that type of employment.
“Come now, Uncle Michael,” she said sweetly, “why would you think I needed rescuing?”
“Nicole,” Aunt Anita continued for her husband when he lifted the drink to his mouth again, “you danced with that man twice...one right after the other.”
“Indeed, I did.” Nicole stubbornly lifted her chin, standing her ground.
Her aunt waved a fan in front of her bright pink face. “I’m sure you know how scandalous it would be if you danced with him again, don’t you?”
Nicole sighed heavily. “Yes, I’m aware of that, which is why I won’t have another dance with him tonight.” She glanced across the room and spotted Prince Charming twirling an older woman across the dance floor. At least Nicole thought the female appeared older.
“It was bad enough that he grabbed you from falling down the stairs,” her uncle grumbled as he swiped a hand through his graying blonde hair, “and then helped you on with your shoe. If he shows more interest in you this evening, I might have to talk with him in private. I shall not have my niece’s reputation ruined.”
“I understand.” Nicole sighed. “But Uncle Michael? Do you know who that man is?”
