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“No, Danny. You may retire for the night.”
This final event, her last opportunity… Edwina was not about to let it slip through her fingers. Shewouldattend that masquerade and find a husband. Whatever it took, she was not leaving to become a governess in Cornwall tomorrow.
Her bedchamber was in front of the house and when she heard the carriage pulling away, she darted to the window to make certain that Tommen and Prudence were truly gone before donning a cloak over her dress and slipping out of the house through the servants’ entrance.
Kitty lived on the same street and Edwina arrived in a few minutes. She found her in the front hall, preparing to leave for the masquerade. “Edwina?” Kitty appeared surprised to see her.
Edwina quickly explained what had happened. “Do you mind if I come with you to the masquerade?”
“Of course not, Edwina.” Kitty squeezed her hands. “We can tell Mama your stepmother is indisposed, not that she will object to your coming with us, of course.”
“No, no! Prudence is at the masquerade.”
“Can we not tell her the truth, then?”
“What truth?” came Camilla Matthews’ voice.
“Er… the truth about—” Edwina faltered.
Camilla’s expression turned sympathetic. “I know what is happening in your house, Edwina. We shall talk about it later. Come, we mustn’t be late. This is a Winfield event.” She preceded them out of the house to the waiting carriage.
To the world, Prudence was a doting mother and Edwina had never told anyone, save for Kitty, about her predicament. Camilla knew, it would seem. Edwina and Kitty exchanged a sheepish smile before following Camilla out.
As expected, the Winfield Masquerade was all splendor, and the ballroom was practically spilling with guests. An opera singer decked in a very provocative costume was performing on a dais with the orchestra and gentlemen looked on with desire-filled eyes. The air crackled with repressed excitement.
The two Winfield men; the Duke of Rowan and his cousin, Mr. Steven Winfield, were notorious for hosting unconventional balls that thetonappeared unable to keep from attending. And what was most interesting was the fact that the hosts either fleetingly showed their faces before leaving the guests to their devices or made no appearance at all. Edwina did not know what they looked like.
"What a typical Winfield event," Kitty said over the din, seeming to notice the atmosphere, too. "This one is hosted by Mr. Winfield. I have never been to an event hosted by the Duke but I heard they are much more splendid and far less reserved than his cousin’s."
This event seemed like a good place for Edwina to accomplish her goal. "I shall go find the Countess of Avanday. Have a lovely time, Dears," Camilla chirped, urging them into the crowd before disappearing herself.
"Do you think we might see our host or the Duke tonight?" Kitty asked Edwina as they waded their way through the crowd to the refreshments table. They were wallflowers and that was their usual spot at balls.
"They hardly deign to attend their balls. I would say the chances are slim," she replied, her eyes scanning the faces of the gentlemen, measuring her chances tonight.
Their plan had been simple; attend the masquerade and find a decent gentleman for her to seduce and get an offer from, but as her gaze took in the masked faces, she realized how flawed their plan was. Some gentlemen were barely recognizable and the others, she had not the slightest inkling who they were.
"See anyone you fancy?" Kitty asked, a sly smile tugging the corners of her mouth up.
Edwina released an un-ladylike snort and began to help herself to some lemonade, mainly for the purpose of occupying herself. She was nervous and it became apparent when her hand shook when she picked up the glass and raised it to her lips. She took a sip and set the glass down lest she decorate her dress with its contents.
Kitty, noticing her growing nerves, took her by the arm and gently pulled her away from the edge of the crowd. "Don’t be nervous, Edwina. Everything is going to be fine," she said.
"That is easy for you to say. You are not the one desperate enough to think of seducing a man to get an offer." Edwina allowed an anxious chuckle.
"There is nothing to fear, dear friend," Kitty reassured. "How difficult could finding one gentleman among a sea of masked gentlemen be?"
"Kitty, you are not helping!"
“Sorry!” Kitty smiled sheepishly. Edwina reached up and pinched the bridge of her nose, closing her eyes for a moment and drawing a steadying breath. When she opened them, she sawhim.
He was surrounded by a small crowd but he stood tall and imposing among them, dressed impeccably in black. His sandy-brown hair was too long by fashionable standards and lent him a roguish air. His face was masked like everyone else’s but she knew she had just found her target.
"How difficult could it be, indeed," she murmured, her gaze glued to his well-built figure.
“My goodness!” Kitty gasped, momentarily drawing Edwina’s attention to her. Her eyes were on the man, as well. “That’s the one!”
A conversing group to their left threw a peeved look in their direction before moving away. "Pardon me!" Kitty called after them.
