Eight.
Seven.
Six.
Five.
Four.
Three.
Two.
One.
A row of footmen let off exploding crackers and streamers. Thayne turned on the electric lights.
Cordelia slipped off her mask, even though she wanted nothing more than to hide behind its lace. “It is time to unmask and for us to see who you truly are!”
Lois was the first to tear off her mask.
“Everyone knew it was you, darling,” Oliver said, removing his own.
The Grimsbys, Oxenburys, and Eshers all pulled off their disguises, not that Cordelia hadn’t already recognized them all by their shapes, followed by the Grimsbys, Whitbys, Hawkinses, and Brackens. She watched Prince Albert Louis take off his own mask and then delicately remove Lucy’s. Cordelia could see that her friend was blushing and that she’d never looked more beautiful. Stuyvesant hovered near them—his expression as cold and haughty as any aristocrat. Blanche giggled and pointed like a schoolgirl with Viscount Brinkley and Mrs. Stewart.
The orchestra began to play another song.
Cordelia fanned her hot face, partially hiding behind it. Only Stuyvesant knew why she was so embarrassed. She walked to the refreshment table and took a glass of punch. She sipped it slowly, trying to regain a measure of her composure. Stuyvesant had stayed for the unmasking and hadn’t caused a scene. She saw Thomas dancing with his mother. Cordelia had never before seen Blanche so animated and happy.
Save for Stuyvesant, everyone in the room was smiling and having fun. Except Penelope. Cordelia choked on her punch. She hadn’t seen her at the unmasking. Perhaps she had left with another guest for an assignation?
No. Penelope still loved Thomas; she wouldn’t kiss another man.
She had probably gone to use the water closet. That was the only reasonable excuse. Cordelia’s nerves were simply overactive since the afternoon incident with the ash tree. Penelope was probably happily chatting in some nook.
Except Penelope had worn Cordelia’s dress, her most expensive diamond necklace, and her French perfume.
Had someone mistaken her for Cordelia behind the mask?
Was it the same person who had tried to harm Cordelia numerous times?
She forced herself to take a deep breath in and out. Setting down the tumbler, she walked over to where Thomas and his mother were dancing by the Oxenburys, Hawkinses, and Rutledges.
“Blanche, I am sorry to interrupt you,” she said, trying to remain calm. “But have you seen Penelope lately? I did not see her at the unmasking.”
Her mother-in-law tipped her head to the side. “I thought you were Penelope, dear girl. I suppose she must have been Marie Antoinette. That poor queen. What a sad ending she had. If only the French had taken her advice and eaten more cake and constructed fewer guillotines.”
“I am sure that would have made all the difference, Mama,” Thomas said sardonically.
But Cordelia couldn’t even smile at his wit. Her nerves were on end.
“What’s the matter, Cordelia?” he asked, his voice low.
Thomas didn’t seem surprised at all to see who she was.
Had he known all along? Wasshethe one he loved?
Cordelia shook her head. She couldn’t think about that right now.
