Page 1 of Unbound Duchess

CHAPTER ONE

“Imust be going mad if I believed this idea of yours was a good one,” Ellen Munroe, the Lady of Highcastle whispered. Blue gaze swept furtively across the masquerade ball, her nerves making her feel much older than her five-and-twenty years.

Judith Notley, a young lady of three-and-twenty, turned her masked face toward Ellen. Even with the covering, Ellen could see her smoldering, annoyed look. Unlike Ellen, Judith was quite extroverted and charming. It was how they became friends two years ago, when—after intense badgering—Ellen finally agreed to at least attend her father’s party in the dining room. Judith was a daughter of one of the guests, and had been the first and only fellow noble who had ever encouraged Ellen into conversation.

She was pushy, and at times a bit hostile, but Ellen deemed her a friend of sorts. A friend that she had allowed to convince her to push aside her own wants and attend this masquerade party. Judith had convinced her that, with heavy cosmetics, a mask, and a dress that was not of Ellen’s preferred style, she might actually enjoy an outing.

They’d barely been at the ball for five minutes, and Ellen knew that Judith had been wrong. The thick slather of skin-tone tinted paint, rosy blush, and slick lip paint that smelled horribly like oil did nothing to make her feel beautiful. The mask over her eyes, adorned with peacock feathers, certainly did not make her feel as if she were blending in. And the figure-hugging, velvet, crimson dress—and even tighter corset she wore beneath it—certainly did not make her feel comfortable. Her cleavage seemed to be bubbling up and out of the scoop-necked bodice, and the tightness of the corset seemed to make her hips flare even wider.

“Would you be patient?” Judith snapped behind her pretty white lace and pearl outlined mask. “You have not yet seen what I have prepared.”

Judith snatched Ellen’s hand tightly as Ellen’s mind filled with a morbid sort of curiosity, but she allowed the other woman to lead her past the throng of other masked guests. As their heads turned to the two women moving swiftly between them, Ellen absentmindedly reached up to her hair to pull her curls over her left cheek, and began to panic as she was reminded in that moment that Judith had twisted it up into a tight updo.

Yes, I must have been mad to agree to this, Ellen thought yet again.

“Judith,” she whispered.

Judith ignored her and continued to pull her along until they made it to the opposite side of the ballroom, then blessedly into a vacant hallway beyond. Ellen did her best to draw in as deep a breath as her corset would allow, and thankfully Judith finally stopped as they reached the empty space.

“I changed my mind,” Ellen panted. “I have decided, masked or not, I do not care for parties. I should not even be here anyway. My father is no doubt in need of me.”

“Ellen,” Judith sighed in annoyance. “That is precisely why I brought you here.”

Ellen furrowed her brows.

“I do not understand,” she murmured.

“Your father’s illness has taken full hold,” Judith stated, her hazel eyes shining sharply behind her white mask. “You may lose him soon and when the time come,s you will⁠—”

“Do not say such things,” Ellen hissed, yanking her hand out of Judith’s grasp. “He will recover as he always does.”

“He will die, someday, will he not?” Judith quickly countered. “Perhaps not presently, but it is a certainty for all of us, yes?”

Pain quivered through Ellen’s heart. Though she considered herself a plain-speaking person, Judith could be far more blunt with her words when she wanted to.

“What is your point?” Ellen asked. “What does that have to do with you bringing me here?”

“My point is that you have been so busy caring for your father that you have nearly missed your window of opportunity to find a husband,” Judith stated matter-of-factly. “When your father dies, you will have no access to your father’s funds, as it will go to the next male heir in your family and you must consider the possibility that your cousin may not leave you with a dowryIf that is the case, you will be alone and poor. What sort of friend would I be if I did not ensure that you had one positive experience with a man before that happens to you? One that, even for a brief moment wrapped in mystery, took care of you instead of the other way around. And not in a familial way. In a romantic way. A way that all women yearn for when they come of a certain age. He will give you a kiss. Just a kiss. A sweet memory to keep you warm at night as you sleep alone the rest of your days.”

Ellen bowed her head, her cheeks so heated she wondered if the cosmetics would start dripping down her face.

“I suppose, in a strange way, you are kind to think of that for me,” Ellen said after a long moment. “But such a plan is too risky, even in masks. What if someone were to walk in? What if I was recognized and my reputation ruined?”

What if I am too cowardly to be alone with a man even if he is willing to kiss me? And what would it say about me if I allowed it? That I do not care if the man kissing me is interested or not?

“You worry too much!” Judith hissed testily. “Can you not see I am trying to do something good for you? You are wearing a mask! You are unrecognizable! Your reputation is safe!”

“No,” Ellen said, her mind made up. “Thank you, I think. But no. I just want to go home.”

“Do you not see that this is your last and only chance at such a delight?” Judith whispered vehemently. “I have gone to great lengths to procure Redwyne the Divine for you this evening. A master rake who knows how to be discreet. He is precisely what you need!”

Ellen’s body heat spiked as she became caught between embarrassment and lustful curiosity.

“You speak of Cedric Redwyne? The Duke of Calder?” Ellen asked, her mind now whirling at the possibilities.

Behind her mask, Judith’s eyes sparkled, as if she knew she’d gotten Ellen to at least think about it.

“The very same,” she answered. “You do not come out, so you have no idea how handsome he is, but I know you have heard of him. If the rumors are true, his talents are as delicious as his features. Can you not see I have done something wonderful for you?”