“She is quite an artist herself,” August chimes.
“Really? What is your medium of choice, Miss Burke?”
Lottie freezes and looks at Marigold, panic in her eyes. She takes a deep breath and clears her throat. “I have a few mediums I enjoy, but I am working on improving my skills with simple charcoal and paper.”
“Wonderful! Drawing with charcoal is deceptively difficult, wouldn’t you agree?”
“Very much,” Lottie says.
“I would love to see your work during your visit. Maybe you can teach me a thing or two. Would that suit you? Perhaps sometime tomorrow?”
Lottie exhales softly, as if in disbelief. “I would be honored, though I can’t imagine I will be able to teach you anything.”
“Nonsense,” Lord Claude says. “We’re both artists in our own right, and I have as much to learn from you as you could learn from me. I’m quite excited!”
“As am I,” Lottie says, and Marigold gives her an encouraging nod.
The first course comes, and everyone grabs the proper utensil to enjoy the piping-hot butternut squash bisque—except for Lottie. She stares at the array of forks and spoons and knives before her, and her eyes look almost glassy. Aster leans over and whispers, “Start from the outside and work your way inward as the new courses come.” Marigold catches Aster’s eye quickly and she smiles in thanks.
There is mild conversation over the soup—the weather, the wedding, the plans for the days leading up to it. Aster and Mr. Woodrake sought out a special license that would allow them to wed at the Claude estate rather than the church. The church is fine enough, but very few places can rival the beauty of their own garden.
The soup is taken away and replaced with a delicate fish as Aster babbles on and on about her dress.
“You’ll have to go to the modiste first thing tomorrow for a fitting, Marigold,” Aster says. Marigold almost protests, but thisis her sister’s wedding. She must have a new dress that actually fits properly, and she can’t wear one of the casual dresses that she has been living in while on the isle. So she simply nods and shoves a huge bite into her mouth.
“You will go as well, Lottie. The modiste will make you a new gown for the occasion. I’m thinking emerald green with black lace. You will look lovely.”
She nearly chokes on her fish. Lottie cannot have a fitting with the modiste without revealing all of her tattoos.
Oh no.She forgot, until this moment, that she now has a tattoo to hide as well. They look at each other with wide eyes, unsure of what to do. Both of them absolutely require a dress for the event, but they have an important secret to hide from the most notorious gossip in town. Wary of leaving the silence for too long, Marigold says, “Lovely.”
She leans close to Lottie and whispers, “We’ll figure something out. Don’t worry.”
Lottie does not look fully relieved yet, but the next course comes before any further conversation about it can continue.
“Marigold,” Frankie says, “I intend to show your friend August the pleasure gardens tomorrow evening. Would you and Lottie like to join?”
“Pleasure gardens?” Lottie asks.
She nods. “They’re sort of like parks, only with more entertainment. There’s a garden maze, gorgeous statues, and many other surprises.”
“And tomorrow is the masquerade,” Frankie says.
She stiffens. “Is it? I forgot about that.” She did always enjoy the masquerade and its delicious proximity to trouble—not that she ever did anything scandalous. It was simply a thrill to know that around any corner could be an adventure with a masked stranger. After she and George ended, she’d always hoped she might find someone who interested her, but she never did.
Until now.
Bringing Lottie to the masquerade sounds like a dream, butwith her curse still intact, it could be a nightmare. Who knows what they might get up to with champagne in their blood and masks hiding their truths? If they go too far too fast, Lottie could wind up seizing in the middle of a waltz.
“This will be your first masquerade, right, Frankie?” Aster says.
“Yes, and I’m sure it will be the best one yet for us all.” He looks at August, his gaze unmistakably excited for what is to come.
“Will you two be joining us?” Marigold asks Aster and Mr. Woodrake, but Aster shakes her head.
“I’m afraid we will be far too busy. But you all should go,” she says with her words aimed toward Lottie. “You’ll love it.”
The following courses come and go—rich savory meats, hearty fresh vegetables, and decadent sauces that decorate the plates. The tablecloth is removed and replaced with heaps of puddings. Servers pile up everyone’s dishes with a little bit of everything. Marigold and Frankie are the first to dive in, neither able to resist a dessert for long.
