Page 52 of The Lady Needs a Rogue
“Oh, dear,” Nell said, with a touch too much dramatic flair. “Well, it’s true, isn’t it?”
“So, Madame Lorette revealed my secret?” Macie said, crossing into the room. “I was hoping my costume would be a surprise.”
“She did not,” Nell explained a bit sheepishly. “But one of the seamstresses mentioned that she’d had recently finished your gown. I was able to puzzle it out.”
“That makes me a bit cross, but I must forgive her. Her needlework is perfection.”
“Indeed,” Nell said. “I was quite relieved to learn you’d changed your mind. Your original idea would have been rather... unconventional.”
“Lady Godiva?” Finn sounded rather hopeful.
“An intriguing idea,” Macie said. “Though I doubt I could control a horse inside the ballroom. Lady Fenwick would have every reason to be displeased.”
“A man can dream,” he said, a smile in his eyes.
“You are incorrigible,” Macie said.
“One of my better traits.” Finn scratched his chin. “So, what was thisunconventionalcostume?”
“I’ll leave you in suspense for the time being. I may choose to wear it to another ball.”
Nell turned her attention back to Finn. “Now that we’ve confirmed Macie’s costume, I’m even more convinced that Maid Marian needs her Robin Hood.”
“There’s a greater chance I will be knighted in the morning than that I will wearblasted hose.” Finn looked as if the words were painful to utter. “And a hat with a feather, no less.”
“I imagine you would look quite dashing. But I have confidence you will come up with something on your own. Something better suited.” Macie bit back a giggle. “A villain, perhaps.”
“Better than a blasted merry bloke in Sherwood Forest,” he agreed with a nod.
“Well then, I suppose that’s settled,” Nell said with a little pout. “Though Robin and Marian would present such a romantic image.” She folded her arms and pursed her lips, as she did when she was mulling a problem. “That is what you want, isn’t it, Macie? An illusion of romance?”
“Quite so. But actions speak louder than costumes.” She turned to Finn. “Don’t you agree?”
He shrugged. “Do I have a choice?”
“There is always a choice.” Macie kept her tone light. “I’ve been thinking about the night of Lady Drayton’s ball. As I’m sure you’ll recall, we shared a dance.”
“Even if I attempted to pry the memory from my mind, my toes would not allow me to forget,” he said.
My, he was a cheeky one. “I did not tread on your toes that night.”Though I probably should have stomped one or two for good measure.
“Are ye so certain, then, lass?”
“I saw the two of you on the ballroom floor,” Nell said, her tone betraying a bit of hesitation. “Macie looked as though she’d rather have been waltzing with the devil himself.”
Finn folded his arms casually and leaned against the back of a settee. “Lass, yer eyes didnotdeceive ye.”
“As I recall, I was in no mood to dance. My shoes were pinching my feet.” Macie attempted to explain away Nell’s observation.
“So that was it, was it?” Finn said, his tone deliberately bland.
Macie studied him for a long moment. The coolness in his expression bore little resemblance to the way he’d looked at her at the old house. She pulled in a breath, attempting to dull her feelings. “To be quite honest, this charade has proven more challenging than I’d hoped.”
“I say we toss this deceptive game upon the rubbish heap and enjoy the masquerade. Perhaps Maid Marian will find her Robin Hood after all.”
“Therubbish heapis not an option. Heaven knows I have no desire to find my own personal Robin Hood. The very thought of some porridge-faced nob gallivanting about in a tunic and plumes makes my stomach a bit unsettled.” She marched up to Finn, hiking her chin and looking into his eyes. “With that carved jaw of yours and that devil-may-care expression, I’ve no doubt you have charmed more than your fair share of women. Who’s to say that I could not be one of them?”
Indeed. Perhaps he already has.
