Page 50 of A Bride for the Beastly Duke
There was a smattering of laughter around the table, and whatever tension had been present in the room completely dissipated.
This is good.Ava thought with satisfaction.Everything will be all right now.
Chapter Twenty
The house was in an uproar for the next few days as invitations were sent and accepted. A new temporary kitchen was set up for the baking of cakes, bread, and other pastries as the castle kitchen was commandeered for the rest of the food preparation as well as daily household needs.
A talented modiste was sent over by the Dowager Countess of Salisbury, who had a cottage just a mile away and was bosom friends with Lady Lanton. She had an army of seamstresses with her to help prepare the gowns for every woman in the house as well as new suits for the men.
Diana was eager to try something new with Ava’s hair and spent hours practicing so that she could get it perfect.
As a result, Edward hardly ever saw his wife. When he wasn’t busy receiving bottles of wine from London, he was corresponding with the Home Office, who were keeping an ear out to see if the man they were looking for would emergefrom hiding. So far, there had been no reply from any John Winchester—the man’s last known name. The Home Office was not sure if it was an alias or not. All they knew was that that was the name he went by in France when Jonathan last mentioned him.
“Do you know this gentleman?” Edward asked Marcus.
The steward shook his head. “I do not recall that name.”
Edward sighed.Who knew Jonathan was so secretive?
His private investigator came down from London two days before the ball in order to make inquiries in the countryside and see if he could find Mr. Winchester discreetly. He spent a lot of time in the local tavern, talking with farmers and smithies, even the pastor in an attempt to find clues.
Edward was grateful that Ava was happy to handle most of the details.
“This is exciting for me. I have not really attended a proper ball in five years, being in disgrace and all.”
He covered her hand with his and squeezed it. “Well, feel free to make this one everything you ever wanted in a ball.”
“I was thinking we could make it a masquerade. That way you can wear your mask and feel comfortable.”
He stared at her, his heart melting at her thoughtfulness. “That is very… considerate of you.”
She pressed her lips hard to his cheek. “I want you to enjoy yourself too.”
He opened his mouth to remind her that this was a working function for him, but she put a hand to his lips. “Even as you are working, you can have a good time. And I am going to insist that you save a dance for me.”
His smile widened. “Well, your wish, as always my dear, is my command.”
As she smoothed down her golden gown, even Ava had to admit that she looked extremely lovely. With her chestnut hair tied atop her head and rolled into a long plaited ponytail, her facial features were exposed in stark contrast.
She turned around, showing off to Diana, who was delighted about the outcome of her efforts.
“You shall be the belle of the ball! A diamond of the first water.”
Ava blushed, waving her away and dismissing her words. “Don’t be silly. Margaret is much prettier than I, and she is the one in search of a husband. Of course,sheshall be the belle of the ball.”
Diana smiled fondly. “You are very humble, Your Grace.”
Ava slipped her a puzzled glance before picking up her fan. “Come, we need to get downstairs and check that everything is ready. And His Grace? Please tell me his valet has him in hand?”
Diana smiled. “Yes, he was able to corral His Grace into his chambers half an hour ago. The Duke should also be ready to greet the guests.”
Picking up her golden mask, Ava affixed it on her face. The way that it fit allowed the kohl around her eyes to be seen, and her eyes shone even more mysteriously from beneath the mask.
She swept out of the room and down the stairs, ready to take her place by the entrance to the ball room to greet her guests. To her gratification, she spotted Edward ahead of her, also headed down the stairs.
“Edward?” she called.
He turned around, and she gasped. He was dressed in black and white. His shirt shining satin, his tips and tails, velvet and satin, matching his well-polished hessians. He had a white mask covering half his face, and he looked like nothing less than a dangerous pirate. He took her breath away.
