“Stay, Ranier,” Mrs. Hemming said. “I am sure you will want to know how we are to be cast this evening.”
Ranier nodded gravely, as if the reputation of the house hung in the balance. Mrs. Hemming opened the first box. “This is addressed to me and what is it?” she said, pulling away the tissue paper.
Mrs. Hemming unwrapped the mask. It was a gentle face of creamy white and delicate features, with the smallest smile. It looked very like a statue one might find in a book about Rome.
“Oh! I see,” Mrs. Hemming said, reading the note that accompanied her mask. “She says it is the Roman goddess Veritas, for my delightful habit of telling truths others leave unspoken. Well, I suppose Iaminclined to the habit.”
Lily was gratified that Lady Blakeley had been kind to her aunt. She prayed for the same consideration.
“Let us see what she has sent for you now,” Mrs. Hemming said, opening the second box. She lifted out a remarkable mask. It was iridescent and comprised of thin ovals of mother of pearl, laid out in a pattern like fish scales. The note read: A young lady bold enough to challenge a consequential lord is as rare as a mermaid.”
Lily breathed a sigh of relief. Somehow, Lady Blakeley managed to reference her card games with Lord Ashworth without being direct about it. The mask was lovely.
“Aunt,” Lily said, “might we do some shopping this afternoon? I might find a shawl that complements the mask. Or we might even stop into Woods. You know they often have such a selection of slippers on hand and one might be lucky enough to find a pair that fits without waiting for a pair to be made. A certain shade of blue would do nicely.”
“I do not see why not,” her aunt said. “I know you do not like to be kept indoors overmuch, and perhaps shopping will be the thing. You could always go walking with Pips, but then one wonders how many other butlers are chasing young urchins off their steps just now. Perhaps one altercation in that direction is quite enough.”
And so, on account of young Sam and Lady Jersey’s butler, they made plans for a shopping excursion.
Two hours later,packages had been loaded into the carriage and Lily and her aunt were just coming from Woods. She had been unsuccessful in her idea that she might find a perfect sample of the slipper she had in mind, but had ordered a pair made nonetheless. The slippers would not arrive in time for Lady Blakeley’s ball, but they would be charming for Lady Hathaway’s ball. In the meantime, Lily had purchased a few novels at Lackington Allen that she would send down to Surrey for her sisters, as well as a lovely sea-green shawl for her mother.
Quite satisfied that they’d ventured into every shop they cared to, and not wishing to tire her aunt, Lily said, “We ought to go home now, so you can rest and have some tea.”
Mrs. Hemming had nodded eagerly at the suggestion and they made their way to their waiting carriage.
The footman had just swung open the doors when Lily heard her name called.
“Miss Farnsworth!”
She turned and saw Lord Grayson barreling toward them in a most determined manner. He was as dandified as ever and carried a most ridiculous walking stick as if he meant to clear a path ahead of him.
She inwardly sighed, bracing herself for the ridiculous compliments to come.
“Dear me,” Mrs. Hemming said softly.
“Mrs. Hemming, Miss Farnsworth,” Lord Grayson said, nearly out of breath, “ever your servant. How fortuitous to encounter you so unexpectedly on this fine day!”
“How so, Lord Grayson?” Mrs. Hemming asked.
Lily suppressed a smile. Never let it be said that Mrs. Hemming did not know how to discomfit a young gentleman bent on pleasantries.
Lord Grayson was not at all slowed down. “This evening is Lady Blakeley’s ball. Dear Miss Farnsworth, I must know how you have been cast. Venus? Aphrodite? Or perhaps the queen of all, Hera?”
To be compared to goddesses made not the least impression on Lily. Rather, she said, “I believe Lady Blakeley wishes us all to arrive and reveal ourselves and would not like to hear it spoken of on the street.”
“I suppose so,” Lord Grayson said. “I must only spend the next hours tortured with wondering.”
“That seems a mild bit of torture, if you ask me,” Mrs. Hemming said, to Lily’s amusement and delight.
Lord Grayson did seem a bit taken aback that his flattery was not having the desired effect, but swiftly regained his composure. “Ah!” he said. “But I have managed to discover one thing. You will attend. You cannot say you will not reveal your mask without also revealing that you will be there.”
“We will be there, my lord. Now, I must get my aunt home before she overtires.”
Lily turned to take her leave, but Lord Grayson was not so eager to end the meeting. He said, “May I claim supper then, Miss Farnsworth?”
Lily felt consternation flow through her. He could not claim supper. It was supposed to be Lord Ashworth that claimed supper. She would not agree to it. No, she would not.
“I am afraid I am already claimed,” she said hurriedly.
