Page 48 of The Masked Baron
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The white ball gown transformed Andalin into a fairy tale the moment she put it on. The lady’s maid attending her pinned several large curls on the back of her head. Then she gathered the remaining ringlets into a matching ribbon and pulled them over Andalin’s shoulder. The final touch was her mother’s necklace. The elegant neckline of her dress framed the jewel, with the garnet’s color matching the sash on her dress as if they were made for each other. Never had Andalin felt more beautiful. She relished her appearance for a moment and tried to still the butterflies in her stomach threatening to make her sick.
Strangely, the hardest part of the night would be Ellis’s absence. She, Lord Kerrigan, Katrina, and their mother had joined a small house party in Newcastle. Andalin would stay on as a guest for two weeks and practice her newfound social skills on their hosts, Mr. and Mrs. White, who were Lady Kerrigan’s brother and his wife. Without any children to call their own, they doted on Katrina and Lord Kerrigan.
Tonight was the first of the two balls Andalin would be attending. She looked at the door again. Lord Kerrigan would escort her to the carriage ten minutes before eight, where they would make the short ride to the home of Lord Gent, who was a viscount or something. Andalin frowned. She could not remember his rank. She forced herself to take deep breaths. Ladies did not sweat, but merchant’s daughters were not so fortunate.
Andalin made her way to the foyer. There Lord Kerrigan waited for her. His eyes met hers, and his smile froze. “Miss Durante, you took my breath away.”
Lord Kerrigan cut a dashing figure himself with his formal dress clothes and a certain distinguished air. He was much too handsome for her.
“I assure you it is your sister’s selection of this dress, not me. Her taste is exquisite.” Andalin felt her cheeks warm as she tried to return the compliment. “And you look...”
“Sharp?” Lord Kerrigan filled in for her. They laughed together, she with trepidation and he with a glint of something more.
“I apologize.” Andalin shook her head. “I am quite undone tonight. I know the moment I walk into the ballroom I will be found out.”
“I shall be right here to thwart any prying questions. My mother has exercised her influence by speaking in your behalf to all the right sources. I do not expect anything even remotely uncomfortable for you. No doubt your beauty will speak for itself, which will not help my desire to keep you all to myself.” Lord Kerrigan reached for her hand and placed it on his arm. He was warm and secure and without a troubled past to cumber him.
Lord Kerrigan’s appreciative gaze troubled and pleased her simultaneously. His attentions had only increased since they had left Braitwood Hall. If her heart had not already committed itself to Ellis, she would have wanted Lord Kerrigan to have it. He seemed a more eager recipient, and she did like him a great deal. But logic had little effect on the heart.
Moments later they climbed into the carriage with Mr. White and his wife. Lady Kerrigan excused herself to be with her convalescing niece, a daughter of the late Lord Kerrigan’s sister who resided nearby, and Katrina was to join them later at the ball. Her husband had arrived shortly before, and Andalin was to meet him at the ball. Somehow, in Katrina’s absence, Andalin’s confidence waned.
They arrived before she was ready. And there, in the shadow of the grand house, she remembered all too clearly her true nature. She was just a lowly peasant girl in disguise, so very far from home and everything she knew. Lord Kerrigan assisted her down and escorted her to the house. She hoped he did not notice the way her hand trembled on his arm.
“What do you think of the place?” Lord Kerrigan asked, pulling her through the colonnaded entrance. Exquisite statues and potted plants greeted them just inside. Lord Kerrigan chuckled at her astonishment. He led her through the introductions to their hosts and then into the ballroom. Andalin did not even hear her own name announced. She was too overcome with the number of dazzling people visiting in small groups around the room. The murals on the ceiling along with thousands of bright candles left Andalin breathless.
She let Lord Kerrigan guide her to a chair along the side. “Here, sit before you are so overcome you fall over.”
“Am I so transparent?” Andalin gracefully moved her dress to the side like she’d been taught and took her seat. “Everything is more elegant than I ever imagined!”
“If you leave your mouth hanging open for a moment longer, someone might ask you to sing,” Lord Kerrigan said with an indulgent smile and sat in the chair next to hers.
Andalin pinched her lips closed and returned his smile.
“Might I claim the first set of dances?” Lord Kerrigan asked. “If I wait to ask, I might lose my chance to be your partner.”
“I don’t imagine any competition...” The end of Andalin’s sentence dropped off when three gentlemen surrounded them.
“Please introduce us, Lord Kerrigan,” a younger man begged. He was the shortest but not any less handsome than the other two.
Andalin looked to Lord Kerrigan. He stood and helped her to her feet.
“This is Miss Durante, of Thornton Way.”
Andalin curtsied while feeling quite conspicuous.
“Miss Durante,” Lord Kerrigan continued. “Meet Mr. Underwood, recently moved to the neighborhood.”
“Charmed,” Mr. Underwood said. “And these are my friends Mr. Higgens and Mr. Johnson.”
They bowed, and Andalin curtsied again. Mr. Underwood bore an easy smile. “If you are not otherwise engaged, miss, might I partner you in the next dance?”
“After mine,” Lord Kerrigan said. The other two claimed their places in the lineup, and Andalin realized she would not be sitting the entire night. She was at a loss for words, which was not like her at all. She was quite afraid of sounding like a country bumpkin.
“I’m very glad I asked first,” Lord Kerrigan said with a gleam in his eye, once the others excused themselves. Andalin smiled, still taken back. She cast a glance around at the other ladies. Their stations vastly exceeded hers; all had beauty, grace, and accomplishments to recommend them. And yet, she was so readily accepted, at least by the gentlemen. A thrill raced up her spine. Perhaps one night of pretense could be excused.
When the music started, Lord Kerrigan swept her onto the dance floor for the first set. She wouldn’t have wanted to open the night with anyone else. Dancing with her teacher helped alleviate her fears.
