Page 3 of The Duke and His Cinderella
“I know that wouldn’t work,” Eleanor said. “And I’d never do that, because thenyouwould be deprived of attending the ball, and I know you want to go. You needn’t worry, Marina. I’m not going to interfere with your evening.”
“That isn’t what I’m worried about,” Marina said. “I’m worried you may have lost your mind.”
“Oh, don’t be silly,” Eleanor said.
“Well, then, tell me what it is you plan to do.”
“It’s very simple. I’ll wait until the rest of you leave, and then I’ll have another carriage prepared,” Eleanor said. “I’ll travel to the ball on my own.”
“Youaremad,” Marina said wonderingly.
“Of course I’m not. Don’t you see? It’s perfect. It’s a masquerade, so Mother and Father won’t recognize me when I arrive! It’s almost as if I wasmeantto do this.”
“They may not recognize you at the party, Eleanor, but don’t you think they’ll realize what happened when they come home and are told that two carriages were used? You can’t possibly believe that the staff would keep such a thing from them.”
“But it doesn’t matter,” Eleanor said. “By the time we get back home, I’ll have already enjoyed the ball. They won’t be able to take it from me. They can be angry with me all they’d like, but they won’t be able to rob me of the experience.”
“You don’t mind if they’re angry, then, as long as you get what you want?”
“They’re angry with me anyway, Marina. I despaired long ago of ever making them happy. You know as well as I do that I never will. I might as well makemyselfhappy, since at least that’s possible for me to do.”
“I don’t like this at all,” Marina said firmly. “I don’t want you to do it. It’s too dangerous.”
“Dangerous! How is it dangerous?”
“Traveling unchaperoned? Alone? At night? Who knows what might happen to you!”
“Are you going to tell Mother and Father what I plan to do?”
Marina sighed. “You know I won’t tell them,” she said. “When have I ever betrayed your schemes to them?”
“I knew I could count on you,” Eleanor said, smiling.
“Well, I wish you wouldn’t! You make me feel like some sort of criminal. And if something does happen?—”
“Nothing is going to happen!”
“If itdoes, I’ll never be able to forgive myself. I’ll spend the rest of my life with the knowledge that I could have stopped you and I chose not to! Can you imagine what that will be like for me?”
Eleanor did feel guilty. “I promise to be careful,” she said. “And it’s not as if I’ll be completely alone. I’ll have the carriage driver with me.”
“I suppose it’s better than nothing,” Marina said sourly, in a tone that let Eleanor know she didn’t think it was better at all.
“Thank you for understanding,” Eleanor said sincerely. “Ihaveto do this, Marina. I feel as if my life will be ending soon.”
“A marriage is hardly the end of your life.”
“But it feels that way to me,” Eleanor said. “And that means I have to do as much as I can, enjoy as much as I can, before that dreaded day arrives. If I don’t, I know I’ll always regret it.”
An hour later, Eleanor disembarked from her carriage in front of Nightingale Manor.
Other guests were still arriving, drifting toward the house in their fine outfits. Eleanor touched her fingers to the peacock mask she’d chosen and was relieved to see that it was still securely in place. For one night, she would be free of the expectations others placed on her. For one night, she could be herself without worrying about appearances.
She moved toward the house, joining the crowd, wondering if she would recognize her family if she saw them. She rather hoped not. If she recognized them, it would make her worry about whether they might be able to recognize her.
Of course, on the other hand, if she knew where they were, she’d be better able to avoid them.
A few people were standing in the foyer and conversing, but most had gone into the ballroom. Eleanor followed the crowd. She was unsure of whether or not she wanted to be noticed tonight. On one hand, it was the reason she had come. She wanted to enjoy every facet of the party, and that included dancing with people. She did want to be asked to dance by the gentlemen here, and she wanted to enjoy her time with them.
