Page 46 of The Masked Baron
“Winifred? No, I don’t think I have ever met a woman with that name.” Ellis looked sideways at her. “Are you disappointed? I know how young ladies adore stories of unrequited love.”
Andalin giggled and then covered her mouth. “I hate to admit it, but we do. Saber didn’t care much for them, so he won’t mind. I hope someday to tell him all the stories I know about you. The real ones.”
Ellis looked appreciatively at her. He sank deeply into his seat and closed his eyes.
“Ellis?” Andalin asked.
Ellis didn’t open his eyes—just mumbled, “Hmm?”
“Were you out last night?”
“Yes, Mama.”
Andalin grabbed her book from his relaxed hands and thumped him again on his leg. He opened his eyes for a moment and laughed but then closed them again and resumed his relaxed state.
It pleased her to see him so comfortable in her company. She opened her book and started to read. When she told her story to Saber, she would also include a few details about ships. The boy would most likely never have a book on ships to learn for himself, and he had a great sense of adventure. She only hoped she would get a chance to see him again.
Andalin read several pages before she heard a soft snore come from Ellis. It felt natural sitting next to him. She was glad he’d sought her out. She craved time with just him. Truly, she believed it would steady her nerves as she spent the next week preparing for her very first ball.
Instead of reading, she found herself staring at Ellis. From the strong lines of his jaw to his prominent Adam’s apple, she memorized every detail. She noticed the way the tuft of blond hair on top curled slightly as it fell over his forehead and the top of his mask.
That dratted mask.
It ruined the perfect image she had in her mind of what Ellis should look like. She wanted to know every part of his face. A desire like she had never felt before took over her, and she reached over to his mask to lift it up.
She froze, her fingers mere inches from his face. What was she doing? Even if she wanted to see the scars beneath his mask, she could never simply peek. It was too fitted to his face. She would have to untie it from the back. His head was smashing the part tying it anyway, and it would be impossible to remove.
As if she had commanded him with her thoughts, Ellis turned his head. The strings of his mask were staring her right in the face. Andalin carefully closed her book and removed it from her lap. Was she really,reallyready? Her curiosity pushed her to act, but she had to be sure she was prepared for what she would see. She thought about how much her feelings had changed for Ellis. If she were honest with herself, then she would admit she felt the closest she had ever felt to loving a man. Never had she worried and hoped for someone like she did for Ellis. Never had she desired someone’s smile or approval so much either.
If she truly loved him, then his scars would not make any difference to her. She would love him still. While she might recoil at first, she would get used to seeing them. She would have to, if they were ever to...
Andalin couldn’t finish her train of thought. She had to see first, and then she would know if it was even a possibility. But how to remove the mask? She could untie the strings and loosen it enough to peek. Then she could retie it and act as if she had never seen anything. When he awoke, she would chat politely with him and he’d never be the wiser.
Her heart raced. An opportunity like this might never present itself again. It was now or never. Her hands shook as she raised them to the strings at the back of his head. She brought one knee up on the couch, where she would have a better view of the top of his face. She peered down at him and ever so carefully pulled at the strings. Her breath stilled in her throat. The knot slowly came undone. She swallowed and released the tension in the mask until she could see the first part of his forehead.
An arm snaked around her waist, dropping her across Ellis’s lap in one fluid motion. He pulled her to him, smashing her face against his. Her head became the leverage he needed to keep his mask in place while he used his other hand to wind the string until it was tight again. He must have shoved the string into his tight collar, because he suddenly had another arm around Andalin. He turned her face so their lips met.
Andalin was completely taken back with Ellis’s fiery kiss. Time stopped, and the rest of the world ceased to exist. Her lips burned when he finally released her. Dazed, she could not remember anything for a moment. Only that she had experienced the sweetest moment of her life. Then suddenly she realized she was sitting on Ellis’s lap and looking into a pair of very angry eyes.
Andalin’s eyes widened in return, and she peeled herself from his lap and back to her seat on the settee.
Ellis stood and retied his mask properly. His hands fell to his hips. “That was a dirty trick.”
She was speechless. What was she supposed to do, agree? Embarrassment burned her cheeks like hot irons.
Ellis tore his gaze away from her to the window, his heavy breathing making it hard for her to discern how angry he really was.
Andalin curled up on the couch, her hands clasped together in what felt like an extremely guilty position.
“Someday I hope to not have to wear this mask. But that day is not today.” Andalin whipped her head upward. His voice wasn’t angry at all. It was calm, almost regretful.
“Are your scars so very bad?”
Ellis nodded. “I’m afraid my scars are of the worst kind. They are worse than ugly.”
Andalin stood. “You are considerate to keep others from being uncomfortable at the sight of them. But we are good friends now. At least, I hope you feel we are. I can get used to seeing you without your mask. I know I can. You deserve to be free of that contraption, at least in your own home.”
Ellis stared at her but did not respond right away. Finally, he said, “I thank you, Annie. For looking past my mask and seeing me as I really am.”
