Dane (17 page)

She‟d been waffling, but there and then, Eva decided that she would set her sights on Alexa‟s brother. She would woo him and take him as a husband. But she would not bear his children, for if the Council discovered she‟d lied about having contracted the Sickness, they would revoke her marriage and her visa. She‟d quickly find herself back in ElseWorld, obligated to wed and conceive the children of the next eligible satyr on their list of breeders in line for a wife. And this would without doubt reveal her species.

She glanced covertly back at Dane again and started when she found him staring at her in return. Their eyes locked. From this distance she couldn‟t read his expression. But something about the set of his shoulders seemed determined.

Turning away from him was one of the hardest things she‟d ever done, but she forced herself to do so. To place him firmly in the category of lover, not husband. Both men she was pursuing would be at tonight‟s gala. She would yearn for one, but she would wed the other.

10

As Dane and Eva entered the Hall of Emperors within Palazzo Nuovo that night, they were greeted with music and the sight of humans dressed as faeries, nereids, and a host of Roman gods, goddesses, and creatures of ancient myth. Dane placed his hand at the curve of Eva‟s lower back and leaned into her. “You didn‟t tell me this was to be a masquerade.”

Far more aware of his casual touch than she let on, Eva adjusted the shimmering white mask she wore, her only concession to the festivities. They‟d met just outside in the foyer and now joined the throng of elite Roman society assembled here in the Renaissance palazzo designed by Michelangelo himself. This hall in which the gala was being held was additionally populated with statues and busts of long-dead Roman emperors. Guests wove around them treading upon a patterned floor of black and white marble.

“I‟m quite sure I mentioned that we‟d be attending a Pretender Gala,” Eva told him.

“And what is that exactly?”

“A ball in which the upper classes make a pretense at bringing mythological beings to life. Your eldest brother‟s work in the Forum ruins has inspired them. Every time his smallest discovery is made—a bit of mosaic or a new bust—it is an excuse for yet another costume ball to celebrate it. These events are a constant feature of society here in Rome these days.”She gestured toward two men they passed, who were both costumed as satyrs. “And since you are the real thing, I saw no need for a costume. Besides I want the ladies to see you displayed as you are to full advantage.”

He sighed. “So I‟m to be a piece of meat in a butcher‟s window?”

Amused by his long-suffering tone, Eva made the mistake of glancing up at him. He was searingly handsome tonight in dark eveningwear. The aura of every female that passed responded to him. But she wouldn‟t share that information with him yet. Men sometimes were made nervous by the fact that women were intensely aware of them. It was as if they expected women to wander about in a cloud, oblivious to anything remotely associated with matters of attraction, leaving men to do any choosing of partners.

Dane‟s hand at her back was light but directed her confidently among the throng. She reveled in this small measure of his masculine mastery over her, and for the moment it was easy to pretend to herself that she was his and that he was hers. They hadn‟t mentioned the offer she‟d made in the ruins, but it lay between them, a taboo at present.

With the donning of her mask tonight, she had forced herself to take on the persona of a Marital Broker. It was time to send him off to select another woman, one who would be his wife. Casually, she pulled away from him. “I‟d like a drink,” she said, suddenly needing something to sustain herself for the task.

As Dane lifted two glasses from a passing tray and handed one to her, she took note of the other ElseWorld creatures who mingled here with costumed humans. All were clandestine and taking care not to congregate, but she felt their furtive glances. An awareness passed between them all as if they recognized that they were members of some secret organization.

Pixies that stood to half of Dane‟s height threaded their way through the crush, bearing trays of drinks and hors d‟oeuvres atop their heads. They often found employment as waitstaff in this world and were easily trained for such tasks as this. Now and then they executed complicated whirls and flourishes that had the guests clapping.

As she and Dane paused beneath one of the large centaur statues, an actual centaur clopped past. He winked at them. She smiled secretively and took a sip of her drink.

Dane glanced at her in question. “An acquaintance?”

“A former client. Happily wed due to my efforts on his behalf, I might add,” she said pointedly.

Her eyes swept the crowd, and it amazed her that humans were oblivious to things that were so obvious to her and Dane here tonight—the sparkle of skin, wings made of flesh rather than fabric and sequins. A centaur that appeared to walk on two legs rather than his actual four. It was stunning that no one in EarthWorld had yet realized they‟d been invaded by species from another world.

“How can so many clues be overlooked?” she murmured, shaking her head.

“They see only what they expect—what we mean for them to see.

But one day something will go awry and their eyes will be opened.”

“All the more reason we must find a wife for you as soon as possible,” she said, giving herself a stern, silent lecture. She would send him off as she must, and she would focus her mind on other business here tonight—searching for her father and wooing Alexa‟s brother.

“And what about your husband?” Dane asked. “Who have you set your sights on?”

Was he a mind reader? “Your future spouse may be my business, but mine isn‟t yours,” she returned. Setting her drink on a passing tray, she handed him a card from her pocket .

“What‟s this?” he asked, sounding wary.

“Your engagement card for tonight.”

“Five names? You‟ve been busy,” he said, tucking it away in a pocket as if he intended to ignore it.

“In a few moments, I‟ll introduce you to all five ladies I‟ve selected as candidates,” she warned. “You may make your own additional choices as you prefer. That part of things is fluid. Once we separate, you are to dance and converse with any number of eligible partners. But if you are distracted too long with one, expect me to interrupt. No more than two dances per lady, none consecutive, and I want to see you circulating.”

“Slave driver.”

She flashed a teasing grin. “I‟m pleased you understand my role in things. Your objective tonight is to meet a wide variety of potential partners. Once you‟ve been sufficiently introduced, I‟ll set you free to roam as you wish.”

“And where will you be?”

“At hand, observing. Your aura will react to the more suitable partners. I‟ll take mental notes. And if you wish to be extricated from an uncomfortable situation, just signal by running your right hand through your hair.”She placed her hand on his arm. “Come, I see the hosts. Let me begin the introductions.”

“If we‟re coupled in their minds, won‟t that be a deterrent to finding prospective candidates?” he asked as they made their way across the room.

“It‟s the 1880s, signor,” she informed him. “Rules of society aren‟t as stringent as they once were. Men and women can meet in public as friends now, without incurring undue scrutiny. And if ladies see you accepted in the company of another woman—myself—you‟ll appear safe.

A good choice for a husband.”

In the crush, someone knocked into her and he pulled her back against him. “Safe?” he whispered against her hair. “Is that what a woman truly wants in her husband?”

Eva‟s heart thundered in her ears and she let herself melt against him for a stolen moment. “It‟s what I want. But only in my husband, not in my. . ”

“Lover?”

The crowd parted and she pulled away. Smiling politely as they joined the matrons, she began introductions, which took them on a circuit around the room and absorbed them for the next half hour.

“Evangeline!” It was Alexa Patrizzi, all smiles and dressed as a peach-gowned Venus. Alexa hugged her and then glanced coquettishly toward Dane, silently begging an introduction.

Eva sent her a small frown.

“You said I was to judge him for myself,” Alexa murmured in an innocent aside.

“Signorina Patrizzi, Signor Satyr,” said Eva, bowing to the inevitable. Alexa could be tenacious when she wanted something.

However, Eva was pleased to note that, although her friend‟s aura was excited by Dane‟s presence, his own remained calm and constant. Eva stood largely silent as they chatted briefly, but when several other of Alexa‟s friends joined their circle, Eva prepared to fade into the crowd, thinking no one would notice. But as she made to step back, a strong, masculine hand grasped her arm.

Dane bent lower so only she would hear. “Will you be all right on your own?”

“Of course,” she said in surprise. None of her other clients had bothered to wonder how she might fair alone at these gatherings.

“No last-minute instructions or advice?” he teased.

“Only that you are to be polite and charming, and that you are to weigh the candidates well. Remember, you‟re selecting the.. mother of your children.” It was the same advice she gave all her male clients before releasing them, but now for some reason, she stumbled over the words.

Embarrassed, she twisted her arm slightly and he released her.

Yet foolishly, as she walked away, she wished he had held on.

A gloved hand snared Eva‟s wrist as she wove her way through the gathering. “Yet another Venus,” said a cultured male voice. “I warned my sister that her choice of costume was destined to encounter much in the way of competition here tonight.”

Eva turned to see Alexa‟s brother, the very handsome, very rich, very blond, and quite unmarried scion of the Patrizzi family. Of impeccable background, his family had been one of the ruling ones in Rome for a century or more. A decade or so older than she, he was distinguished and steady, and an appropriate choice for her. Unlike Dane.

“Signor Patrizzi.”Eva dragged her thoughts from Dane and managed a smile and even a small curtsy for the man she‟d set her sights on as a husband. “The statue of the Capitoline Venus here in the palazzo inspires many like your sister to don such a costume. However, I am not in costume at all, as I‟m sure you are aware. But let me see—“Her gaze swept him consideringly. “You wear the thunderbolt. You‟re Jupiter, King of the Gods?”

“Exactly. And as ruler of the heavens, I hereby command you to dance with me,” he said, offering his arm as the musicians struck up.

He was attracted to her. She‟d known that for some time; but because the gossips were always watching, he‟d rarely so blatantly singled her out. Though she wanted nothing more at that moment than to leave him and tuck herself away in some secluded corner where she could observe Dane from afar, she instead smiled, took his arm, and let him whirl her into the company of other dancers.

She‟d danced with him before and found his gentlemanly touch and bland aura pleasant enough, yet now both irritated her. Why? Nothing had changed, except. . her eyes found Dane across the room. A pretty auburn-haired woman was flirting with him now. Her bright pink aura reached out for him, as if to wrap him up as her own special gift and tie him with a gay bow. She was attracted to him. Very attracted. But as with all the other women in his orbit, Dane‟s silver aura failed to stir for her.

Feeling selfishly relieved, Eva sent her own partner a dazzling smile. His fingers tightened on her and he swung her deeper into the dancers, and she lost sight of Dane. “You keep a rather close eye on that gentleman,” he remarked.

Surprised, she glanced up at him. He angled his head in Dane‟s direction to indicate of whom he spoke.

He continued, “Didn‟t think I‟d notice? I‟m interested in you, haven‟t you guessed? Forgive me if I‟m a little jealous.”

This declaration should have gladdened her, but instead it only made her a little depressed. “You needn‟t be,” she said. “We‟re only acquaintances. He‟s new to this society and interested in marriage. I‟m helping him settle on a suitable partner.”

He laughed, drawing attention their way. “You‟re match-making?”

She shrugged, annoyed at the denigrating way he said it. “It amuses me. I have an intuition for matters of the heart.”

“But how fascinating,” he said. “I had no idea you truly were a Venus. Tell me how you go about it.”

“Simply by making introductions,” she said; then she forced the conversation in a more desirable direction. “Tell me, sir, are you hoping to wed?”

He perceived this as a flirtation and launched into light banter meant to amuse her. He was as easy as his sister, and she found she could relax with him, ignoring him for stretches of time and then easily picking up the thread of his conversation in order to offer sensible replies. In truth, she was feeling a little bored in his company. Odd, for they‟d met a half-dozen times before, and she hadn‟t been bored by him then at all.

The musicians had stopped their playing, but his gloved hand squeezed hers. “Another dance?”

She forced a dimple to appear in her cheek. “Wouldn‟t that be a bit scandalous?” It was tantamount to an announcement of an engagement, surely he knew that.