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Beatrice didn’t tell her aunt about Adam’s proposal. She didn’t tell her that she had refused, either. She didn’t want to disappoint her. Aunt Agnes was so invested in her niece’s future that Beatrice felt she was letting her down.

Telling her would also mean explaining to her exactly why she’d refused the offer. And aside from the feeling deep in her stomach that she was doing the right thing, Beatrice couldn’t explain it rationally even to herself.

She loved Adam. And therefore, she had to let him go.

Luckily, she didn’t have to comment, because the butler appeared at the door, announcing that Mr. Adam Lewis had come to collect Miss Fowley.

“That’s my cue to leave,” Beatrice said with a nervous smile.

“Oh, don’t forget the mask!” Aunt Agnes handed Beatrice a simple black domino mask.

Ever forgetful, Beatrice had managed to lose the beautiful mask with leaves and flowers painstakingly embroidered by her with the golden thread that she’d worn to the Hades’ masquerade. It would have fit perfectly with this shimmering gown. As it was, she’d managed to sew a simple, black domino mask, and it would have to do. She put it inside her reticule and left the room.

This was her last outing before her inevitable marriage, and she wouldn’t let anything ruin it.

Beatrice made her way downstairs, holding her skirts in her hands, slowly descending, step by step, careful not to trip and fall down.

That would be the perfect end to the perfect month, wouldn’t it?

Only it had been a perfect month.

She had experienced so much laughter, excitement, pleasure… And she would have to be content to keep these memories close to her heart for the rest of her life without demanding more.

Beatrice raised her eyes and collided with Adam’s gaze. His eyes were wide, a stunned expression on his face as he stood frozen in the middle of the corridor, watching Beatrice’s slow approach.

He blinked as if dispelling remnants of sleep that clung to his eyes and cleared his throat. “You look… incredibly beautiful.”

Beatrice smiled wide. “My aunt said I look like a magical enchantress.”

Adam inclined his head. “That you do.”

Beatrice’s smile softened. “So do you.”

He let out a hearty laugh and the tension between them seemed to dissipate.

He did look magical, though.

Dressed impeccably in his all-black ensemble, he looked every bit the epitome of a dashing gentleman. His clothes clung perfectly to his muscled form, emphasizing his athletic build.

The crisp white shirt peeking from beneath his black waistcoat provided a striking contrast to his dark attire, and a meticulously tied cravat emphasized the strong line of his jaw.

As he approached her, Adam’s wavy hair fell gracefully over his forehead. The flickering candlelight caught the hints of chestnut and gold, creating an almost ethereal halo around him. It was as though he’d stepped out of a romantic painting, a true vision of elegance and grace.

But it was his twinkling eyes that truly captivated Beatrice. The color of the deep blue sea, they held an unmistakable spark of excitement as he met her gaze. In those blue depths, she sensed a mischievousness and a hint of the adventure that awaited them that night.

He walked toward her and offered his arm just as her slippers hit the floor of the corridor.

Beatrice placed her hand in the crook of his arm as a thrill of anticipation coursed through her veins, and she couldn’t help but feel a rush of butterflies in her stomach.

“I left the carriage at the side entrance. Although your aunt is surprisingly nonchalant about our midnight outing, I don’t want gossips seeing us together and whispering. I don’t know if Lansdowne…” He choked on his words and cleared his throat.

Beatrice didn’t want to talk about Lansdowne tonight. Or about anything that would bring unpleasant thoughts to their minds, so she covered his arm with her hand and smiled up at him. “Thank you.”

He paused, his gaze running from her eyes down to her lips. Then he let out a deep sigh, nodded, and resumed their walk outside.

Perhaps it was too much to hope that they could just finish this final item on their list without unpleasant or difficult conversations.

Her rejection of his suit had obviously hurt him, although Beatrice couldn’t understand why. The proposal he’d offered wasn’t the most flattering. He hadn’t offered her a real marriage. He’d offered a shelter.