Page 24 of A Lady's Passion Knows No Distance
“Yes, dear. But do be careful,” Lady Murphy urged. Gwendolen flashed her a smile before pulling Caroline after her. They talked quietly amongst themselves as they went, pointing and commenting on the different masks that they saw.
Just as Caroline expected, the gardens had been decorated for the occasion. Tall pillar candles situated on iron stands were placed throughout the garden to shed light in certain areas and cast shadows in others. Caroline could hear a fountain running in the distance, and had she not been engaged, she thought this would be the most romantic place to meet someone and fall in love.
“I could spend the entire evening under the stars, roaming the gardens. Imagine the number of couples I would happen upon,” Gwendolen said with a laugh she hid behind her gloved hand. A light wind swept through the garden, causing candles to flicker and their dresses to sway.
“It is truly beautiful tonight,” Caroline agreed. For a second, she felt rather melancholy. She knew that such nights would be limited in her unknown future with Lord Canton.
She wished this night would never end—That the festivities would always continue and the sun would never rise. In this moment, she could live forever and be at peace.
Chapter 13
“Would a fawn care to dance?” came the sound of a man’s voice. They turned together and spotted a man with a black mask that glinted in the candlelight. Long black hair hung down his back where it was tied together. By the complexion of his skin, Caroline could tell that this man was a foreigner. His mask and clothing made him appear even more alluring.
“I would be delighted,” Gwendolen said with a curtsy as the man came forward and offered her his hand. Caroline gave her an encouraging smile as Gwendolen took his hand and allowed him to lead her inside. Caroline was truly happy from Gwendolen; her best friend deserved the world.
For a time, Caroline was pleased to walk the gardens unaccompanied, as around every corner and shrub there seemed to be a new design. At one point, she discovered what looked like to be a fairy garden with little figurines placed around the flowers.
“I hope I don’t discover such a beautiful creature all alone this evening,” came a voice from behind her. She had crouched to the ground to get a better look at the fairies and quickly rose to see who had approached her so quietly. She stood and turned towards the voice, and her lips parted as she saw the man before her.
He wore a black leather mask with long ends that had been tied behind his head, revealing only the blues of his eyes. His attire for the evening consisted of a black muslin shirt that hung loosely from his torso, making Caroline wonder what lay underneath. Tight trousers were fitted around his loins, showing Caroline that the man was very muscular. Polished black boots that came up to his knees finished the look.
“Why do you ask, pirate? Have you come to steal me away?” she asked, a smile coming to her lips easier than she’d have thought possible. After all, everyone behind a mask could pretend to be someone they were not. For this night, she could pretend she was no longer engaged and could flirt with whomever she chose.
“I only ask so that I might inquire if you have a dance partner as of yet,” the man replied, coming closer so he could be seen easier in the candlelight. Though he wore a mask and was mostly hidden from sight, Caroline reasoned that this man was rather handsome. Though, his blonde hair was rather short, quite unlike the common longer styles that gentlemen tended to wear these days.
“I’d be delight to dance with you,” Caroline replied as she curtsied. The man extended his black leather-gloved hand to hers, and she placed her hand carefully in his, feeling a warmness there that she often didn’t feel with a dance partner. Slowly, he led her back through the gardens towards the dance hall, where music emanated and filled the night air.
“Since it is forbidden for us to exchange names till the revealing tonight, why don’t you tell me something about yourself?” the man offered.
Caroline smiled, thinking he was trying to be clever. “And how will you determine if I am telling the truth or not?” she asked.
“I suppose I will simply have to trust you. After all, I have to put some faith in my dance partner,” he replied.
“Very well. I’m a daughter of an Earl. I’m attending this function with a close friend of mine. I’m staying with her parents for a week before my own meet me in town,” Caroline said. Her words were plain enough that she was certain this man would not be able to guess at her identity.
“How interesting. I found you not only without your friend, but without an escort. Are you to tell me you quite scandalous, my lady?” he asked, a chuckle rumbling in his chest that Caroline could feel in her own being. It sent a warm sensation through her body that she didn’t quite recognize.
“I see no harm with being frank with you, kind sir, because we are doubtful unlikely ever to meet again. Therefore, I shall admit to you and only you that I can be quite scandalous sometimes. I’m what every man dreads in a potential wife. Headstrong, stubborn, opinionated, and sometimes willing to take a risk for my own pleasure,” Caroline said, trying to contain her mirth. It was quite fun to confess these things to a complete stranger when they wouldn’t ever know who she really was.
“My word, you are quite peculiar. I don’t think many young ladies would ever admit to such a thing and still be able to walk with pride in their steps as you do now,” he replied. “I like to think I’m quite fortunate to have discovered you before another man had the chance. I tend to be quite lucky, you know.”
“Is that true? And what makes you think you are a lucky man?” she asked, intrigued that this gentleman hadn’t abandoned her upon hearing about her true nature but had instead continued to engage with her.
“Out of all the eligible young ladies this evening who are willing to dance, it was you who I discovered. And since you are unlike any woman I have ever met before, I am certain to be the luckiest man in the room,” he said in such seriousness that Caroline almost didn’t believe his words.
But as he looked down at her while they walked the remaining distance from the gardens to the veranda outside the dance hall, she stared into his eyes and felt he meant every single word he’d just said. His admiration caused her to grow silent as she thought how nice it would have been if Lord Canton was more like this man than the beast he actually was. Then, she wouldn’t be so frightened to marry him.
Caroline and this mysterious man soon joined the other dancers in the first set. She saw Gwendolen dancing gracefully with the foreigner, and she could tell that she was instantly smitten as her eyes never left his. As she entered the dance with her partner, she soon learned that this man was not only witty and charming, but also a fantastic dancer.
His hands supported her with the right grip and in the best places to encourage her steps throughout the set. Never before had she danced with such grace because for once she had an excellent dance partner.
“You are absolutely stunning,” he whispered in her ear as the dance brought them close together. “I could see signs of your beauty in the garden, but now, before all the candlelight, your radiance shows brightly.”
Caroline blushed deeply, thinking she hadn’t heard such kind words in years. Never ever since…
She did her best to push those memories out of her mind. For the first time since that dreadful night, she was actually enjoying herself in the company of another man. It was all just flirting, but there was something about the way he spoke with confidence that made her think that perhaps he was telling the truth.
“I suppose you don’t look so bad yourself,” Caroline replied with a smirk. He laughed, and the rich sound that emanated from his being filled Caroline with pleasurable shivers. She certainly liked to hear his laugh.
