CHAPTER 1
“Make sure your mask is in place, Prudence. You want to fit in at this ball!”
Prudence Wetherby twisted away from her sister’s hands as Caroline tried to adjust the ties of her butterfly mask. “I didn’t want to wear this in the first place,” she reminded her sister. “I wanted that black one.”
“But, Prudence, that one was so drab.”
“It was mysterious.”
“All masks are mysterious! But the point is to draw people’s eyes. You want to look lovely. You want people to spend the night wondering who the beautiful butterfly could be. And then, when the masks come off…”
Prudence groaned. “You keep sayingyou want, Caroline, but don’t we both know that isn’t what I want? I don’t want menstaring at me and wondering who I am. I don’t want to be approached at the end of the evening by someone who tells me he’s been watching me all night. I can’t think of anything worse!”
“You don’t want to find love?” Caroline looked back at her husband, Levi, who was discussing something with the carriage driver. “You know, I never expected to marry, Prudence. I thought I would remain a spinster for the rest of my days, and I was ready to accept that fate. But falling in love with Levi was the very best thing that could ever have happened to me. I’m so glad that I opened my heart to the possibility of love, and I just want the same thing for you.”
“I’m happy for you, Caroline,” Prudence said, and she truly was from the bottom of her heart. She had been the one engaged to Levi first, and when she had run from that marriage, Caroline had been pressured into marrying him instead. It had been a source of a great deal of guilt for Prudence, who hadn’t meant to put her sister in that situation. But to see that Caroline was truly happy with her husband now was a great relief. It meant that Prudence had nothing to feel guilt or shame for. Everything had worked out as it was meant to.
She even liked Levi herself now though she was glad not to have married him. He was better suited to Caroline. Still, she could acknowledge that running away had been an overreaction. There had been nothing to fear when it came to Levi, and she was looking forward to an evening spent with him and with her sister.
She wasnotlooking forward to an evening of being looked at like she was a piece of merchandise by every gentleman in London.
Prudence secured her mask more tightly and squared her shoulders. At least no one would know who she was. Maybe when it was time for the masks to come off, she would be able to simply slip away without being noticed.
Levi came over to join them. He took Caroline’s arm and extended his other arm to Prudence. “Are you ladies ready to see what this party has to offer?”
“I’ve never been more ready in my life,” Caroline said with a smile. “Prudence, I just know that we are going to find you a husband this season, and then all three of us will be happily married.”
Prudence let out a long sigh. “I know that’s what you want, Caroline.”
“And I know you don’tthinkit’s what you want, but once you find the right man, you’ll see. Everything is going to be different. Once you find the right man, you’ll know that I was right all along, and that marriage truly is the best outcome for you. I didn’t believe it either until I got to know Levi, you know.”
“But you and I are not the same,” Prudence pointed out as they crossed the threshold into the manor. “What you want and what I want have never been the same. You want stability and security, but me… I want freedom. I want tolivemy life.”
“Oh Prudence, having someone to love doesn’t mean that you don’t have your freedom!” Caroline protested.
But Prudence felt as if she couldn’t handle any more of the conversation. “I think I’m going to step outside for some air.”
“Air? Prudence, we’ve only just arrived. The dancing is beginning. You need to get into the ballroom so that you have the opportunity to meet people. That’s why we’re here. You can’t just stay outside the whole time!”
Prudence had no intention of staying outside the whole night though she rather wished she could. But she did want to get away from Caroline, who seemed unable to drop the topic of marriage. Prudence didn’t want to spend another moment onthatsubject. It always distressed her.
She knew her parents wanted her to marry. Her father had been outspoken about it all her life. Her mother had been more understanding for a time, going so far as to help Prudence escape one of her father’s more hideous arrangements. But now, even Mama was losing patience. Everyone seemed to share the same opinion—Prudence would have to find a husband for herself this season.
The only one who didn’t agree was Prudence herself.
She slipped between two ladies and made her way up a flight of stairs and out onto the balcony. Once outside, she really did feel as if she could breathe a little easier. She leaned against the railing, looking out over the grounds, wondering how long theywould have to be here tonight. She’d be much happier back at Mowbray Manor, her sister’s home and the place she planned to spend the night tonight. Maybe once she had danced with a couple of people, Caroline would agree that it was time to go home, and they could spend the rest of their evening in the sitting room at Mowbray telling stories and laughing together.
“No—stop it! I saidstop!”
Prudence turned toward the voice. A lady was emerging from a door several yards down along the same balcony, followed closely by a man. The man wore a toothy grin but no mask, and a heartbeat later, Prudence recognized him.
The drunk man from the Fox and Feather.
It was the same man. She was sure of it. That height and those muscles stood out. She found herself looking over his shoulder, wondering whether the other man, the brother with the piercing blue eyes, might appear.Hopingthat he would.
He didn’t. The drunk man was on his own. And he had clearly been drinking again. She could smell it on him, even from where she stood.
“Peter,stop,” the lady insisted, pulling away from him as he came closer.
