Page 40 of Mentor to the Marquess
Or perhaps they could.
Every other matchmaker in London had rejected Thel, a wealthy marquess. Who had the power to make them do that?
As if summoned by her thoughts, Thel appeared by her side. He wore a black domino cloak, black trousers, and a black mask with two triangular ears.
“You look lovely,” he said, kissing her white-gloved fingers.
The anxiety she’d expected to feel didn’t come to her immense relief. She was also grateful he’d not called out her reluctance to see him. It made it easier to pretend things were normal between them.
“How did you know it was me?” she asked before his grin gave her the answer. “You bribed Mrs. Quill.”
The maid had been remarkably helpful in procuring a length of light blue ribbon that Olivia had tied into bows and used to decorate her slippers.
He put a hand over his heart. “I would never.”
She put her hand on his arm and let him draw her through the masses toward Constance, who wore a bright-yellow gown that sparkled in the gaslights. Her mask had wavy lines meant to represent the sun and was covered in gold leaf. Lily had balked at the expense, but Olivia had insisted. The bright costume acted as insurance. If the worst were to happen, Constance would be easy to recognize in the crowd.
“How are you enjoying the event?” she asked when they reached Constance.
The girl beamed. “It’s wonderful!” She spun in a circle, spreading her skirt around her. “It is so freeing, being able to dress however I want without worrying about who will discuss it tomorrow.”
“Stay in the ballroom,” Thel said sharply. “The side rooms lead to…” He trailed off, then cleared his throat. “Activities not suitable for young ladies.”
A young man appeared at Constance’s side and linked his arm with hers. “Don’t worry. I won’t let her exclude me from her revels.”
“Mr. Ringwell,” Thel said, in a voice that conveyed no small amount of relief.
This was also Olivia’s doing. With Constance’s childhood friend present, it would be easier to convince Thel to let Constance out of his sight. She was glad he had received her missive in time to prepare for the masquerade, and even more glad of his genuine interest in Constance. He was not a suitor she would have selected as a matchmaker, given his lack of title, but as long as Thel didn’t disapprove, neither would she.
Constance twirled away from Mr. Ringwell. “Only if you can keep up with me.” Then she darted into the crowd, a golden blur. Mr. Ringwell spared Olivia a nod before chasing after.
Thel tensed. Olivia saw it, attuned as she was to his movements.
“Are you certain it was wise to bring Constance here?” Thel asked. “Lord and Lady Wintermoor are not known for their discretion.”
He was catching on. It would not be long before he realized the odds were good Mr. Dawson was present.
“I am perishing,” she said. “Might we take a stroll outside?”
Thel looked between her and the quickly departing shape of Constance. “But…”
Constance had to have enough time to lose Mr. Ringwell, find Mr. Dawson, ask a question, and receive an answer that would make her seriously consider her future.
The crowd decided for them, jostling her and forcing the air from her lungs. She was nearly swept away from Thel, but with his height and size, he muscled through, grasping her hand and reeling her back like a fish on a line.
She pressed herself to his side until they were through the worst of the chaos. The tightness around her chest released, and she took a deep breath that wasn’t scented with perfume. It was good that Saffron was not in attendance. She would surely have fled at the first sign of the crush.
Olivia tugged Thel’s arm toward an outdoor stage. A group of actors was frozen in place in atableau vivantdepicting the daughter of Agamemnon being rescued from sacrifice by the goddess Diana. Each actor wore an elaborate mask that covered the entirety of their face.
She leaned closer and whispered into his ear, “I have a wicked idea.”
He slid his hand down her back. “Oh?”
She nodded toward the stage. “We should join them.”
Thel raised his eyebrows. “You want to try that?” He gestured to Iphigenia, splayed on a throne before them, wearing a gown so sheer, they could see the outlines of her nipples.
A thrill raced through Olivia. No one would know who they were. It was a perfect opportunity to distract Thel and experience something she’d always dreamed of but had never had the courage to pursue. The pursuit of pleasure in a public setting.
