Page 18 of Enchanted By the Lyon
“No other strings attached.”
“Exactly.”
That was a simple request. Even with the remnants of drugs addling his thoughts, he could see there were no risks. “Then we have a deal,” Lucius said, agreeing to her terms.
“Good! Now that our business is finalized, I hope you enjoy the rest of your evening and I will see you at my masquerade ball next week.”
With his meeting with the Black Widow of Whitehall over, Lucius stood, bowed, and left the room. He was not surprised to raise his eyes toward the women’s balcony to find Cassandra Vaughn at the edge. Without another word to anyone, or even the slight acknowledgement or greeting to her, he left the Lyon’s Den, wondering how in the hell he was going to investigate a man he knew nothing about.
Chapter Ten
Cassandra adjusted hermask to ensure it was secure before stepping out of the St. John carriage. Moriah’s husband offered his free arm to her, and she gladly accepted his support as the three of them began heading toward the front entrance to the Lyon’s Den. Cassandra had never attended any of the previous balls at the gambling establishment and it was a rare occasion that the women would enter through the main entrance rather than the side reserved for the ladies.
The foyer was abuzz with low conversations from the multiple people who lingered there waiting for their turn to continue forward into the main gambling room. A servant stepped forward offering to take their cloaks and handing them tickets to retrieve them at the end of the night, before disappearing into a room toward the right. Meanwhile, Saxton continued to explain the logistics of the lower floor generally reserved for the men. A gentleman’s lounge and dining room were to the left and he was certain they would find a sizable banquet there if they became hungry. When they were finally able to continue forward through the crush of guests, Saxton informed them there was a private gaming room on their right and a smoking room for the gentlemen to their left.
Entering the main gambling room was nothing short of spectacular as the room had been transformed as though the attendees were inside a circus tent. Colorful ribbons flowed above their heads while Cassandra could see someone juggling on the far side of the room near where the musicians played. Servants dressed in costumes of bright colors and wearing masks depicting different animals moved about with trays of drinks and tidbits.
The room itself was filled with all of Society. Some talking and drinking, some wandering into the garden, while others danced to a lively tune. She wondered if Lucius was here and if so, how would she ever recognize him.
A woman in a deep blue gown with a gold overlay, and wearing a golden mask shaped like a butterfly stood off to the side of the crowd. Cassandra smiled, remembering when she attended a masquerade at Vauxhall Gardens with Josephine and wearing this exact costume. There was no doubt in Cassandra’s mind that the man whose arm Josephine was holding was her husband, Gyles Hawley, Marquis of Wickes. Josephine whispered something to Gyles before she went to stand next to another lady in their group. Cassandra also assumed this was Patience wearing a colorful gown of multiple colors. Her mask was painted white in contrast to what she wore and had bright red lips. She stood next to her husband Asher Tyler, Earl of Rowley. This left the lone gentleman to be none other than Lucius… or so Cassandra assumed when Saxton began leading the ladies in the direction of the small group. The men appeared deep in conversation when they arrived.
“…and I may need your help, Wickes, to investigate—” Lucius’s words were cut off upon their arrival and Josephine quickly stepped forward.
“Cassie, darling, how good to see you. The green satin of your gown is stunning,” she said sweetly, giving her a hug.
Cassandra reached up to adjust the golden mask she wore and hoped that the wings attached to her costume would stay in place. She wasn’t entirely certain that what she wore truly identified with the circus theme but it was Mrs. Dove-Lyon’s suggestion. “I’m the Green Fairy,” she laughed with a smile.
Josephine clapped her hands. “Well, that seems fitting considering I’ve seen several drinks poured here in the past that we all know was absinthe. I pity the poor fool who hallucinates after consuming such a deadly concoction.”
Patience also came to stand next to Cassandra to kiss her cheek. “Isn’t this fabulous?” Patience asked while excitement danced in her eyes. “I do so love a good masquerade.”
Cassandra reached for Patience’s hand. “You have to be the most beautiful clown here,” she said while her friend twirled around to show off her colorful gown.
Saxton extended his hand and shook each of the men’s hands. “Sorry to interrupt, Lucius. Did you need help with something?”
“We can discuss the matter later. No sense in boring the ladies,” Lucius said before those hypnotic green eyes turned toward Cassandra causing her to become annoyed that he still only looked at her like she was to be his next conquest.
Saxton motioned for Cassandra to stand next to him. “I don’t believe the gentlemen of the group have formally been introduced to our houseguest, Mrs. Cassandra Vaughn. She’s a good friend of our wives,” Saxton declared with a nod to the men.
Asher bowed first. “Mrs. Vaughn. A delight to finally meet the lady who was so instrumental in bringing my beautiful wife into my life.”
Gyles chuckled next before bowing over Cassandra’s hand. “Indeed. Why, if it wasn’t for you, we men would still be single and miserable—much like Lord Blackthorn here.”
A grumble left Lucius. “I never once said I was miserable.”
“You didn’t have to, old man,” Saxton teased slapping Lucius on his back. “Marry soon, or you might never find a woman who will consider you acceptable husband material.”
Moriah glanced toward Cassandra before she nudged her husband. “Vincent, darling, don’t tease your friend so. When the right woman comes along, Lord Blackthorn will acknowledge he has found his match.”
“And then we’ll all be together as dear friends and happily married!” Patience declared clapping her hands.
Cassandra was thankful for the mask hiding the blush that quickly rushed to her cheeks. Her friends were certainly aware of the plans she had made with Mrs. Dove-Lyon, but these men were not. Even Cassandra only knew that she had voiced her preference for a marriage with Lucius. How the widow planned to make that come about was anyone’s guess.
A gentleman whose features were very similar to Lucius’s began making his way toward their group. He dangled his black domino mask by the ribbons held in his hand. He came up to Lucius and nodded toward Asher and the rest of the men.
“Gentlemen… and ladies… a fine night for a masquerade,” he said, sweeping his green eyes toward Cassandra and offering her a slight smile.
Introductions were made and Cassandra learned that Valentine Pierce, Earl of Carrington, was a longtime friend of Asher’s and most recently, Lucius. He finally placed his mask on his face and quickly secured it around his head.
