Masquerade Secrets (5 page)

Pushing away from the wall, she walked through the garden, heading toward another door that led to the ballroom. She would find her mother and plead a headache. She couldn’t stay another moment. Not when Bradford would find her again. And she knew he would. She didn’t think she would be able to get away from him anonymously the next time.

She shivered at the thought. She had come so close to telling him. She could only be grateful that he would never find out who she really was.

With a deep breath, Aubrey breezed into a lightly populated alcove off the ballroom. Few acknowledged her entering as they huddled in small clusters, no doubt gossiping about what had transpired that evening.

Stepping into the heated ballroom, she lowered her eyes, edging along the walls in hopes that no one would notice her. It didn’t happen as she had hoped, but the few men that stopped her along the way were easily dispatched. They couldn’t compare to
him
.

“Mother,” Aubrey whispered into her mother’s ear. “I fear that I am unwell. I need to return home.”

Surprised, Lady Langston turned in concern. “Unwell?” she asked as she took in Aubrey’s pale cheeks. “Yes, my dear. I shall have your father fetch the coach and escort you home at once.”

Relief flooded through her. There had been a small doubt that her mother would try to force her to stay. She should have known better. “Thank you.”

Her mother led her toward the wall, seating her in a sheltered enclosure. “Wait here a moment. I’ll return shortly to fetch you once the carriage is ready.”

Aubrey could only nod once before she sat behind the willowy curtains. She was obscured from most everyone’s sight, which she was grateful for. The smile she had tried to force to her face refused to stick a moment longer.

While she didn’t want to go out into the crowd again, she couldn’t stop herself from parting the material slightly, searching for the one man who had made her want something more than she ever had. She saw him leading Lady Victoria to the floor, glancing around the room briefly.

Gasping, she closed the material. Was he looking for her?

Fingers raised to her lips, Aubrey brushed the sensitive skin that he had kissed. She could still feel him there, still taste him.

Unable to stop herself, she peered out again, watching his sturdy frame confidently lead his partner around the floor. She knew from experience that he was a skilled dancer and a pleasure to partner with. But nothing had compared to the waltz they had shared tonight.

Would it ever be that way again?
She shook her head at the thought. It wouldn’t do her any good to dwell upon it. Tonight was only meant for her dreams. It wasn’t reality.

“The carriage is ready, my dear. Your father will meet you there.”

Aubrey nodded at her mother’s words, slipping from her hiding spot.

“Would you like me to walk with you?”

“No, thank you. I can find my way easily.” She leaned in and briefly kissed her mother’s cheek. “Thank you.”

Pleased, her mother smiled. “Just rest and feel better soon.”

“I will.”

With a final nod, Aubrey made her way to the opposite end of the ballroom, taking care to not attract attention. Was Bradford still looking for her? She hoped not. It would be difficult to ascend the staircase unnoticed if he were.

Gripping the rail, she forced herself to climb. Halfway up, her skin began to tingle, the hairs on the back of her neck standing on end. Pausing, she slowly closed her eyes. She didn’t need to turn to see him watching her. She could feel it.

Unable to stop herself, she turned, looking over her shoulder into the crowd of dancers, and immediately locked eyes with his.

While still moving flawlessly across the floor with Lady Victoria, his eyes devoured her. She could see in his expression that he knew she was leaving, that he was angry.

She lowered her head slightly in apology. There was no other choice. She had to leave before he found out who she was. It would only hurt her more if she stayed.

Glancing up to see if he had understood her silent plea, she was astonished to see the promise written on his face.

He would find her. There was no doubt. He would hunt her down until he found out who she was.

She could feel his promise surge through her body, and it frightened her. As if sensing her understanding, he nodded, sealing his vow.

Unable to watch him any longer, she hurried up the rest of the staircase, only feeling his eyes off her once she turned the corner out of view.

Shaking off her unease, she headed out of the building and into the carriage where her father waited to take her home.

It wasn’t a moment too soon.

***

The vow that Bradford had given to the woman from across the room did nothing to quell the emotions that surged through him. She was leaving without telling him who she was. How could she? He would have to search for her now. The thought infuriated him, but he managed to keep his hand light as he twirled Lady Victoria around the floor.

While beautiful, he had learned months ago what a sly, manipulative creature Lady Victoria was. For the sake of Lady Sera’s reputation, he had kept the knowledge to himself that Lady Victoria had started the vicious rumor that had ruined his prospective bride’s reputation. But because he was forced to be civil in order to protect Lady Sera, didn’t mean he could stand the sight of her.

His attention turned back to the empty staircase. She had left with no clue about herself, no hint where he could find her. The urge to curse rose, and he fought it with all his will.

Moving through the motions, Bradford took no enjoyment in the dance. He had one goal, and that was to see it end. When the music came to a stop, he escorted Lady Victoria back to her friends without a word. Turning from her, he marched up the staircase that the masked lady had used to escape him. With any luck, he might catch her in her carriage. But for some reason, he knew that he wouldn’t be that lucky.

Feeling the brisk air rush by his cheeks, he hurried to exit the building, only to be greeted by a deserted drive.

The feeling of loss that rushed through him stole his breath. She was gone. The one woman who had made him feel differently, made him feel alive, was gone.

Had no one seen her leave? Where were the servants?

Turning in a circle, there was no one in sight. How could there be no servants out here with a house full of guests?

Seeing a servant in his formal livery making his way from the service entrance, Bradford held back the urge to grab him by the neck. But just barely. “You there!” he bellowed, startling the man.

The servant hesitated, clearly sensing his dark mood. “Is there something you require, my lord?”
  

“A young woman left only a moment ago. I assume by carriage. Do you know who she was?”

“A young woman?” The man looked truly confused. “I have seen no young lady leave the ball yet.”

“That isn’t possible. I saw her leave only minutes ago.” He almost growled his frustration.

A telltale blush crested the servant’s cheeks. Bradford wanted to curse, knowing the man had been away for those few precious moments.

“I stepped away for only a moment to see to my needs, my lord. She must have left in the time that I was gone.”

Closing his eyes, he fought back the yell that clambered up his throat. No one had seen her.

CHAPTER 3

It wasn’t until Aubrey was safely tucked into her home that she was able to breathe easily. In the privacy of her room, Aubrey fell backwards onto her bed, spent from the evening’s events.

Shivering, she remembered the look of promise Bradford had given her. He would find her.

A guilty flush spread through her body. Upset was too mild a word for how he had looked.

No matter how guilty she might feel about leaving without saying goodbye, which she refused to think of as running away, she had needed to do it.

There had been no other choice.

Following the lines of the cerulean fabric of her canopy, her eyes traced around the circlet at the center that bound the different strips of fabric together into a design.

It was better this way. She had had one perfect night, and she wouldn’t trade it for anything. For the first time, people had noticed her. She hadn’t been in the shadows, completely forgotten by every man in the room. No, she had had their undivided attention.

It had been a magical night, but she knew the difference wasn’t only how others had perceived her. She had felt different as well.

It was as if the dress were magic, which she knew was ridiculous. But just the thought of a touch of magic in the garment had unlocked something within her. She had felt free. Free to be anything or anyone she wanted.

It had felt... liberating.

For one night she hadn’t worried about what people thought. She had just felt and experienced life.

Touching her lips, feeling Bradford’s kiss again, she relished the sensations that flooded through her body. She hadn’t known it was possible to feel that way. Everything had settled in her stomach, aching and yearning to get closer to him. She had felt alive, breathless, and utterly beautiful. The combination had been too powerful to resist.

Although she was innocent, she had known, on some primal level, that he desired her. She wasn’t ashamed to admit that she desired him as well.

Frustrated, she pushed herself up from the bed and moved to ring for her maid.

He hadn’t even recognized her. Why couldn’t they have shared that connection at any other party? He would have known her identity and wouldn’t have been held under an illusion that she was some sort of masquerade goddess.

He was truly stunned when she had told him that they had danced so many times together that she couldn’t even count the number.

What would he have said if she had told him who she was? He would be shocked, most likely scandalized. Here was the best friend of the woman he had wanted to marry. The woman in the mask, the woman he had kissed, was the same lady he had faithfully danced with to make his almost fiancée feel more comfortable.

But what if he had been telling her the truth? What if he didn’t care who she was? Was it possible that their past wouldn’t matter to him?

Her heart lurched with hope at the possibility. There had been something between them, something undeniable. Would those feelings be enough to suppress the scandal that would occur if he were to propose to her too quickly?

She inhaled sharply, frustration marring her brow.

When had she become so uncertain, so timid? It wasn’t like her to run away from something like this, and she didn’t like that she had. Why was she so afraid to take a chance on this? The duke was an honorable man, someone she had always admired. If he said that knowing her identity wouldn’t change his feelings for her, then she had to believe him.

The band around her heart began to loosen. There was a chance for happiness with him. If what she had felt between them was just a taste of what they could share together, she would take the chance.

Tomorrow. Tomorrow at the musicale she would hint at who she was. Surely after the kiss they shared he would recognize her. Wouldn’t he?

The next morning went by quickly, at least it did for Aubrey. Her mother and sister seemed as if nothing of importance had happened beyond whom Charlotte had danced with.

Her world had been turned upside down, but it continued on like normal for everyone else.