CHAPTER 11
THE MASQUERADE BALL
Afew minutes later, at the DeSoto House Hotel
The faint music from a five-piece chamber orchestra reached Ella Mae’s ears before she and her parents topped the stairs leading to the fourth floor of the hotel. Inside the ballroom, the fully-lit chandeliers were reflected in the silvered glass panels between the room’s velvet-draped windows, enhancing a golden glow that warmed the complexions of everyone who stepped inside. Murmurs and titters of laughter could be heard as guests arrived dressed in a variety of costumes and disguises.
That is, untilhearrived.
A collective gasp sounded when a black-clad man entered the ballroom, his menacing appearance made more so in that his face was almost entirely covered in black. The mantle he wore, opened at the front, revealed a shirt, cravat, waistcoat, trousers, and boots—all in black. Even the hair showing beneath his black top hat was black. In one black-gloved hand, he carried a riding crop.
“Who is he?” Emma whispered, her arm on her husband’s as they took a turn about the room. On the other side of her, Ella Mae said, “Thatis Mr. O’Connor.”
Robert chuckled softly as his wife inhaled sharply. “No. It cannot be,” Emma said in awe. “Why, is he wearing a diamond in his cravat?”
“I rather doubt that,” Ella Mae whispered. “It’s probably paste.”
For a moment it was so quiet, Ella Mae was sure she could hear a pin drop on the varnished wood floor. That was the moment General chose to peek out from beneath her skirt to let out a mournfulyowl.
A woman off to the left, dressed a gaudy saloon girl costume, gasped loudly. “The ghost!’ she cried out in fright.
As if on cue, General loudlymeowed, which had those nearest to Ella Mae giggling as they pointed to the calico.
“General!” Emma scolded. The cat immediately disappeared beneath Ella Mae’s gown.
“Fear not, my angel, I will see to the brigand,” John said in a deep voice, rushing to stand before Ella Mae. He bowed deeply, holding onto one edge of his mantle with his free hand as he did so. The dramatic bow had several people clapping and a few laughing before another round of costumed ball-goers arrived to take the attention from him and Ella Mae.
“Clever costume, Mr. O’Connor,” Robert remarked. “And it would be rather fashionable if you were to replace the shirt with a white one. Why, you would be set for an evening in St. Louis.”
“Or a wedding,” Ella Mae murmured, her eyes rounding when she realized she had said the words out loud.
“Thank you, Mr. Montgomery, Miss Montgomery. I’ll be sure to remember that,” John replied.
That was the moment the orchestra began the dancing music. Several couples, including her parents, moved to the center of the room, the ladies curtsying to the gentlemen’s bows before beginning their set.
“You look like an angel,” John murmured, leaning close so his words wouldn’t be heard by anyone but Ella Mae.
She inhaled softly and turned to discover he was standing rather close to her. “And you are perfection as a highwayman,” she enthused. “Not that I’ve ever actually seen one. However did you put together your costume so quickly?”
John lifted a shoulder. “Had some help from a clerk at Mr. Watkins’’ shop,” he replied, referring to the ready-made menswear store. “Are you enjoying your come-out?”
She regarded him with a smirk. “I would if I had someone with whom to dance.”
“Will you dance with me?”
“Of course,” she replied, reaching up to place her hand on his shoulder as he took her other hand in his. They stutter-stepped a few times before they were in sync with one another, which made conversation difficult.
“I understand condolences are in order,” she said, once they had merged into the circle of other dancers. “It’s a shame about Mr. Perkins. Father told us about him during dinner this evening.”
“Thank you,” he replied. “I’ve known him…knewhim a long time, and he always said I would have a position should I need one. He kept his word,” he explained.
Ella Mae seemed to hesitate before she asked, “Where did you go?”
He blinked, his visible brow furrowing so it nearly disappeared behind his mask. “What do you mean?”
“After we finished school. Why didn’t I see you about town?”
Hesitating a moment, and not only because he had to steer them around another couple, John seemed to think on his response before he finally said, “I went off to war.”
