Page 10 of Disguised Desires of a Scarred Duke
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Nobody questioned Edward when he called William his “guest” as they entered the vast entrance hall full of elegant floral arrangements in shades of gold and blue. The ballroom was even grander, with countless flickering candles and sweet-smelling garlands adding to the splendour.
William marvelled at the exquisite chandeliers above his head as he followed Edward through the magnificently-dressed crowd of masked faces. His own mask was black and gold. It was also so large that it covered most of his scars.
The exposed areas around his hairline and ears were covered nicely by the waves of dark hair he still hadn’t shortened or tried to tame since his return to London.
Edward turned around and rested his hand on William’s shoulder. “It’s a feast of finery! And a house full of pretty hands to kiss. Shall we meet for refreshment in an hour or so? I’m going to mingle like a wealthy single gentleman. Wait, Iama wealthy single gentleman!”
William laughed with his friend and waved him away. The duke was feeling quite relaxed tonight and grateful for the anonymity. Though he wasn’t interested in dancing, he was perfectly content hovering on the side while listening to others share news of their families and gossip about those who were missing tonight. Or those who were on the other side of the room.
One particular conversation between three masked young women caught his attention. He lingered behind them for a few moments, pretending to admire a landscape painting on the wall.
“I hear the new Duke of Ashbourn will be arriving any day now. Lady Mary told me he’s to inherit more than 5,000 a year!” A woman with green feathers adorning her mask loudly whispered this rumour to her friends.
William grimaced and folded his arms across his chest.
It’s supposed to be over 8,000 a year. But the ledgers tell a different story.
“Then what are we doing dancing with these jolter heads? I’d rather wait for the Duke of Ashbourn; thank you. Even if he’s a bracket-faced man with no brains in his head, he’d still drape my neck with jewels.”
The masked women laughed together as the Duke of Ashbourn scowled. He decided it was time to get some fresh air.
On his way out to the courtyard, he passed a woman coming back inside with her mask held in her hand.
His heart nearly stopped. It was the woman from the street with the hurt ankle. And she looked like she’d been crying.
As William passed her, he instinctively reached out to touch her face, then remembered his manners and retracted his hand before it made contact.
But she noticed it and turned to watch him continue walking out the door.
William nearly ran into a wall as he kept his eyes on the brunette with lovely ivory skin. His gaze quickly roamed up and down her high-necked formal black gown. Then he openly studied the tiny gold ribbons and flowers tucked into the curls cascading down the back of her neck.
“It’s you,” William said aloud, but she was too far away to hear. His heart started pounding again when he tried to move towards her but his legs were frozen in place.
“Do I know you?”
William could read her lips as she started to walk back in his direction, but his feet finally lifted and decided not to stay. As he made his escape into the cool night air, he couldn’t believe he’d run from her again.
Chapter 6
“Are you alright, Eleanor? Don’t tell me you saw Cecil Phillips out there.”
Eleanor rejoined Lucy and Regina after talking with Cousin Harrison in the courtyard. Lord Whitfield had been sweet and forgiving again about Margaret’s terrible behaviour, and his kindness had made her weepy with gratitude.
She’d noticed as they spoke how much their cousin reminded her of her father, and then she couldn’t stop the tears from falling.
After explaining this to her friend and sister, Eleanor pulled her masquerade mask back over her puffy eyes and touched Regina’s arm.
“Now that we both look like Lady Whitfield in these matching funeral gowns, I doubt that we’ll dance at all tonight.”
Lucy laughed and clapped her hands to the lively music. “Speak for yourself, Eleanor. Regina and I have both enjoyed two dances already!”
Eleanor’s eyes grew wide with surprise, and then she planted her hands on her hips with pretend indignation. “Without me? It sounds like I need to catch up!”
The women watched the masked dancers for only a few moments more before all three of them were asked to join in. Eleanor hesitated at first to accept an invitation from someone she thought must be Lord Barton, a baron her age with whom she’d grown up. But seeing Regina and Lucy smiling with glee on the dance floor helped lift her spirits.
She took the masked man’s hand just as the musicians were starting a Scottish reel. Though she had no intention of being courted by whoever the man at her side was in reality, he proved to be a good dancer and helped her momentarily forget her plan to make every suitor wish he’d never said hello.
