ChapterTwenty-One
Liza’s red gown was indeed a little tight, but not uncomfortably so. After attending to Liza, Mrs. Harrelson’s lady’s maid pinned back my hair and left curls dangling down my temples. When she finished, I held a gold mask up to my face. It covered my eyes and hid the upper half of my face. Liza helped me tie it on, then fluffed out the glittering golden feathers on one side.
Covered in gold, I could hardly recognize myself.
Liza’s mask was similar, but in silver, and she wore a pale-pink gown. She was all business, looking in the mirror to apply rouge to her lips.
“We will all stay together,” she said for the tenth time. “At the masquerade I attended in London, there were too many people to count. Even the gardens were full of unrecognizables.”
I nodded. “I forget you survived an entire Season in London.”
“Yet you’re the one with the perfect engagement.” She pressed her lips together and made a hopeless face in the mirror.
I joined her and spoke to her reflection. “One day soon your time will come. Then your cousin and I shall have to keepyouout of trouble.”
She smiled, stood from her seat, and turned to face me. “I shall give you the greatest headache of your life after all you’ve put me through.”
“I promise to make it up to you. Tonight we shall find you a second son to dance with,” I said in jest. “Or perhaps even afirst.”
She huffed as though such a thing was a chore. “Tonight, let us enjoy ourselves without worrying about love or our futures,” she said. Then she lowered her voice despite our being quite alone. “But donotlet anyone drag you off into an alcove. I learned in London that men who hide away in alcoves only want one thing, Ros.”
“Absolutely not. I am engaged,” I said. But “engaged” had become a word with little meaning. It was more an adjective, a happy word that one could take or leave when attached to a noun, and it was definitely less attached to me than it had once been.
I tried to concern myself with what that meant, with why, despite my nearly completed list and ever-growing happiness, I cared less and less for my intended.
And more and more for someone else entirely.
But at present, my mind was filled with one thing: Whatdidmen want to do in alcoves?
“Not to worry,” I assured her. “Charlie will be with us.”
She frowned. “It is him I worry about the most. Amongst light-skirts and commonplace minds.”
“Liza!” I laughed. “You should not speak with such a tongue. Charlie is rubbing off on you.”
She had the decency to flush. “You know it as well as I.”
“He would be the first to admit his faults. That is the difference between him and the commonplace minds you speak of. He will keep us safe.”
She pursed her lips and took one last look in the mirror, patting her hair with a hand. “Let us hope no one comes to ruin tonight.”
Oh, but I wanted to witness such a scandal. The excitement! The intrigue! Would the masquerade alone be enough to fulfill that wish?
I followed her out the door and to the staircase, where she stopped short. “Oh, Charlie! You look so handsome,” she said, rushing down the stairs.
I stopped at the top, and then I saw him. Charlie’s hair was brushed back, his clothes sleek and sharp, and he wore a simple black-fabric mask across his eyes. He grinned as he received her, talking low and out of earshot. Mr. and Mrs. Harrelson entered the small entry space, eagerly complimenting their granddaughter.
I started my descent, glad to be overshadowed by Liza for a change. But when I looked back up, I had Charlie’s full attention. His lips were parted as his gaze washed over me—my face, my hair, down my neck and to my dress, which swayed as I slowly took each step. He let out a puff of air, then his eyes met mine and he chewed his lower lip.
“You are vision, Miss Newbury.” His voice was raspy as he gave me his hand.
“Is she not?” Liza said, stepping between us, forcing Charlie to drop my hand. She threaded one arm through his, and one through mine. “Are you sure you cannot join us, Grandmama?”
Mrs. Harrelson batted her eyes at her granddaughter. “I am old, dearest. Tired. I will be much happier hearing of your fun in the morning.”
“Charles,” Mr. Harrelson said gruffly.
Charlie stood a little taller. “I shall keep watch over them all evening, Grandfather.”
