Chapter 6
Positioned as they were, David was allowed unfettered access to stare at her face, but the shadows cast by her shroud made it difficult to tell much about her eyes, except that they were a dark color and were alight with laughter. The color itself was unremarkable, but they shone with a vitality of spirit; the feeling was contagious, seeping into David until he felt ready to dance the entire evening.
“Ah, so this is not fancy dress for you, but a shield and protection from his nefarious plans?” he asked.
“Most definitely.” Her tone was quite dry, but there was the perfect hint of humor to it.
“I am honored that such a desirable lady would choose me as her dance partner.”
“You threatened me with your pistols.”
Again, such a serious delivery made the words seem cold and unfeeling, yet there was a warmth to them that set David laughing. Subtle humor was the best sort, for it was like a secret jest between the pair of them, and he couldn’t help but stare at her face, hoping to discern some hint of who was beneath it.
As they turned about the floor, the two pieced together the poor Mystery Lady’s lurid past, in which she had to flee from her home and safety to keep herself from being trapped in a most wretched marriage to the vile creature who hunted her.
Though much of their conversation was fraught with silliness, bits of the person beneath the mask shone through. The lady had a clear view of the world, seeing through the shortsightedness and illogical nature of society, and she teased and twitted David, meeting his wit without flinching. A confident and outspoken wallflower seemed like a contradiction, but she stood before him.
Who was she?
The music wound to a close, and the pair surrendered their place on the floor. David offered up his arm once more, and his heart gave a distinctly happy flutter as she took it, but as he guided her back to where he’d found her, the thought of releasing her had him frowning.
“Is something amiss?” asked the Mystery Lady.
David forced himself to smile again and shook his head. “What could possibly be amiss when I am keeping company with such a captivating partner?”
“Again, I will remind you that I am here by force, so I am more captive than captivating,” she retorted, drawing another laugh from him.
But a pause followed that, and when she spoke again, there was nothing humorous in her tone (dry or wry). “Is it your sisters? I noticed Mr. Kellen was pestering Miss Flora earlier.”
David straightened at that clue, small though it may be. She knew his sisters? And logically, that meant she recognized him as well. “I will admit that has me a tad concerned, but truth be told, I was having an epiphany.”
“Concerning?”
“I have decided to keep you captive for the entire evening,” he said.
“You have decided that for me?” she asked.
David tapped his pistols. “I did say ‘captive,’ and I have already established the lengths I will go to.”
She paused a moment before asking, “Even if it raises eyebrows? Surely you have something more important to do with your time.”
David paused and turned to look at her. “I assure you, I do not. And as it is a masquerade, where unseemly behavior isn’t out of the ordinary, I see nothing wrong in commandeering you for the rest of the night, Mystery Lady.”
*
Katherine forced herself not to fidget, her mind whirling with questions as she struggled to fill her lungs. What was happening? Having known Mr. Archer for some time, she’d watched him flirt with ladies, but never had he turned such sultry tones on her. It was impossible to see his expression clearly, but the vague lines of his face seemed to form a smile of some sort, though everything she knew about the gentleman made her believe it wasn’t a jest.
Mr. Archer cleared his throat. “If you do not wish it, I will leave you be, but—”
“Not at all,” she said, feeling rather pleased that her tone was so even. “I was simply considering whether it was better to spend the evening alone or in the company of the horrid and terrifying Dick Turpin. Should I attempt an escape?”
With a laugh, he shook his head. “I am certain that is a difficult decision to make, but surely such a specimen of manhood ought to ensure you are protected tonight from your blackguard with nefarious plans. I wouldn’t wish to see you come to harm.”
There! Katherine blinked, grateful that her mask hid her furrowed brow and that she had sense enough to keep from gaping at the tone that was so dissimilar to the one he usually employed with her. For all that she thought herself a sensible lady, Katherine’s heart picked up its beat and her thoughts spun with the possibilities.
Was Mr. Archer finally seeing her as more than a chum? Too many hopes were wrapped in that little question, and she hardly dared to give them free rein.
Nodding in the direction they’d been walking, he guided her along, and Katherine had no choice but to follow. No amount of doubt or common sense would allow her to do anything else. Whatever the reason behind this shift in behavior, she wouldn’t surrender the opportunity. Clinging to his arm, she followed his lead as she avoided colliding with the blurry shapes around them.
