Page 10 of Unmasking a Wicked Marquess
He had a mask in his hand and was evidently fumbling with the difficulty of tying the mask around the back of his head. His face, fully visible, revealed strong lines with a handsome jaw.
“It’s Freddie,” Jane whispered to Edward in a rushed tone. The loose dark brown locks hung around the man’s ears, and the cut of his suit sat neatly upon his shoulders. Jane bobbed on her toes, waving at him. When he saw her, he clearly recognized her at once and hurried over.
“What was that you said about a fair face not being important in a spouse?” Edward asked pointedly. “Do you not take your own advice, sister?”
“Do you want hitting again?” She threatened him with the fan, but he was fortunately saved by Freddie appearing at their side. “Ah, Freddie.”
He greeted her hurriedly, fumbling so much that he dropped the mask. He revealed himself to be a clumsy fellow, though Edward couldn’t knock the man’s eagerness to see Jane.
“I am glad to find you,” he said in a hushed tone, kissing the back of Jane’s hand and offering a kind smile. “You’re going to have to help me, Jane. I am making an exhibition of myself as usual.”
Edward bent down and picked up the mask for him. “Ah, thank you,” he said, taking the mask back.
“Freddie, meet my brother.” Jane gestured between them. “He has just returned from his travels to India.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you, My Lord.” Freddie bowed in greeting. “I have heard so much about you from the family.”
“It is good to meet you, too.” Edward could see, though, that Freddie’s attention was already slipping back to Jane. Edward was actually relieved by this eventuality. For one thing, he didn’t have to stand here stiffly and make an awkward conversation with a man he didn’t know, and the fact Freddie was so keen on talking to Jane was a testament to his affection for her. “We can talk another time, but I can see you two are longing to dance tonight.”
“A dance? Oh yes, let’s Freddie.”
“Of course, though, as usual, you will have to forgive my two left feet.” Freddie tried to put on his mask but struggled once more. Fortunately, Jane took it out of his hand and did it for him.
Edward waved them off and left the pair of them to dance. For a few seconds, he watched them walk across the room in the direction of the dance floor. Freddie stared at Jane with such intensity that Edward was struggling not to laugh.
You would think the man had been put under some spell or trance. I cannot imagine ever looking at a woman in that way!
Edward walked away and headed towards the refreshments table. Over his shoulder, he could now see people glancing his way, clearly curious about his identity as he had been seen standing beside Freddie, who hadn’t had his mask on at the time. Naturally, the normal rumour mill of the ton was in place, and they were all speculating as to who was keeping Lord Frederick Winter company.
Edward glanced at some of the ladies who were now whispering behind fans. He felt rather like a tiger being hunted in the depths of the Indian forests, not looked at so much for who it was but what it was. Some ladies in front of him stepped in his way.
They fluttered their fans in front of their deep necklines, plainly hoping for an introduction, but Edward was fortunately saved from such an opportunity as their hunt drew in two other men who approached the group.
Edward chuckled under his breath as he reached the refreshments table. Before he could reach for a glass of claret to quench his thirst, someone bumped into his arm. A splash of cold liquid tipped down his tailcoat arm, and he looked down, seeing the bubbling liquid spill everywhere. It may have been lemonade or champagne; he wasn’t sure.
“What the …” he murmured and looked up, ready to accost who had ever bumped into him. Was this someone else’s attempt to get an introduction from him?
“I am so sorry.” The lady before him immediately put down her glass and offered up a handkerchief. “I was trying to escape someone.” She waved a hand madly over her shoulder, and Edward saw a rather eager-looking gentleman standing at a distance who had evidently wanted her attention. “Serves me right for not looking where I am going.”
“It is nothing,” Edward said, aware that she didn’t seem to pay attention to his words. She mopped up the spill she had made on his jacket, her slim hands working quickly down his arm, touching him as if they knew one another.
For the first time, Edward looked at the lady. Her elegant fingers, covered in white gloves, led up to slender shoulders with an open neckline, revealing the delicate collarbone. She did not wear excessive jewellery but a single silver stone at her throat. Her white and green gown flattered the slim curves of her figure, and to his dismay, Edward found his eyes tarrying longer than they should have done on the curve of her waist.
“I think you have got it all,” he said with a soft laugh as she finished mopping him up and lifted her head.
Edward felt his breath halt in his throat. She had tipped back her head, the curls of her auburn hair falling behind her ears to reveal her face. Most of it was covered by an extensive white mask, but what had captured him was the colour of her eyes, unmistakable in this candlelight. They were an unusual almost gray, but more purple hue. Quite stunning, Edward couldn’t stop staring at them.
“Lost for words, sir?” she asked, her lips turning up into the smallest of smiles.
Chapter 3
It was as if the gentleman before her had been struck.
Juliet smiled as the gentlemen laughed at her words and shook his head.
“Forgive me,” he muttered. Yet his eyes didn’t stray far away. If anything, they looked down at her gown again, then back at her eyes.
Oh.
