She frowned, crossing her arms. “I don’t know. Hopefully, a handsome fellow. I shall go and tell the servants. I will be back up here when it is prepared.”
I nodded, smiling as I went back to my embroidery, my attempted embroidery.
Colette was back up and dining with me around eight, taking her leave of me to sit in the parlor for a while and gather her thoughts. What thoughts she was having, I didn’t know. I didn’t want to question it, as things were actually stable between us. The shift had stopped in its tracks, but sadly, it hadn’t moved back…just stopped.
By eleven, Lucien was up in my room. I locked the door, but gave Brielle the key, so she could check my body linens when she pleased during the night. Now that she knew of our relationship, she could have a key and make sure to keep people out.
I watched as Lucien took off his blouse.
“I was proposed to, today,” I said, leaning on my left arm.
“Oh?” He smiled, “By whom?”
“The architect.” I pouted. “He wanted to enter a courtship, actually, but he might as well have asked my father for permission to marry me. Is that not the purpose of courtships?”
“That is the purpose for our courtship, I like to think.” He turned to me, standing at the edge of the bed.
I pulled the linens back for him as he got in, and he rested his back against the pillows. “You really want to marry me?”
He looked at me, “I told you before I would, but not quite yet. I want you to really understand what it will mean to be Comtesse.”
“You think I will run with my tail between my legs?” I teased.
He nodded. “I actually do.”
“You think I am not strong enough to deal with it?”
He shook his head. “No, no. I just think that you will feel that it wouldn’t be worth it.”
“You are worth it,” I said, my face saddening.
A smile pulled at the side of his mouth as he leaned forward and pressed his lips against mine sweetly. The simple kiss unleashed something within me, causing everything in me to stir as I let my hand rest against his cheek. My lips struggled against his as he suddenly grabbed hold of me, turned me over, and got on top of me, all of his weight pressing into me.
“Oh, God. No.” I pulled away from him, shaking my head. “We can’t. You know that, and I know that.”
He nodded, turning from me and sitting awkwardly, as he waited for his desire to fade away. It was not as easily undone as its quickening was.
I too was waiting for myself to calm down. I took a deep breath, as my body shook. “I suppose this is a lot of trouble.”
He looked at me, shaking his head. “No, I’m just foolish in letting my desire for you get ahead of your physical well-being.”
My face softened and went almost expressionless as I thought about him in a sexual way, remembering our heated nights, and how amazing it was to have him in that way. “I suppose there will be plenty of time for it, though. No rush.”
He nodded, smiling as he leaned forward and kissed me softly, carefully. “We should get some rest.”
“Is that your answer for a situation like this?” I smiled.
“Well, if we are asleep, we will not be tempted, will we?”
He stroked my cheek softly, tenderly, and pointed to the pillows.
I nodded, laying back just as he did. I turned and let my head rest against him as he held my hand in his.
“Just think about it,” he said, kissing my hand. “Only another week and a bit. Then, it will all be out in the open.”
I nodded, kissing his chest before I let my cheek rest against him, closing my eyes.
The ballroom sparkled as guests milled around, talking and laughing. A large orchestra in their burgundy justaucorps, gold breeches, and powdered gray bagwigs played a piece by Handel.
Dozens of flowers were in large vases everywhere—colorful Gerbera daisies, large, pink lilies, and a few pink roses were all alight with the large chandeliers and candles in the room.
Colette insisted that no one wear a specific color, but everyone must adorn their faces with masks. Surely, we would all eventually find out who everyone was, but it would be fun until that time to wonder who was who, or not care at all.
I had many of the gentlemen that Rose had invited come up to me and wish me well on my twentieth birthday. They all kissed me on the cheek, telling me how beautiful I looked in my cream gown, and that my mask should not hide such a beautiful face. It was the most that I had been complimented, and I actually didn’t care if they were sincere or not.
Colette and I stood by a little table that was set up for my gifts. A lot of little jewelry boxes were set out, a few boxes that I could not tell what they were, but they excited me. I never had a party for my birthday before, and Colette’s soiree was an instant hit.
Our gowns were the most beautiful out of all the women attending—all twenty-three of them. Colette’s dark violet gown was as she wished. Dark and seductive, black swirling passementerie crawling up the bodice and stomacher, gleaming in the light. It looked white hot, almost. Surprisingly, all the candles bounced off of it. Even around the trim of the gown and around the bottom of the petticoat. Just as she wished, she also had black lace around the sleeves—flounces and flounces of black lace. I was surprised she could even hold her arms at her sides.
It made her look exactly as she wished—dark and seductive. The violet brought out the violet tones in her burgundy hair and made her eyes look dark and piercing, as if they could read your very mind. Her violet mask set it all off. The large peacock feathers stuck up and out of the right side matched. The green went lovely with her eyes. Those seductive, cat-eyes were certainly bewitching many of the gentleman who were there.
My own gown was also as Colette wished. The cream silk taffeta gave off its own special texture in the light, something I adored. Two sets of ruffles ran up the trim and sat parallel to each other on the bodice. Light pink, airy muslin flounced out with white lace at the sleeves.
Of course, no expense was spared on the jeweled, swirling embroidery on the stomacher. I was almost afraid to ask what kind of gemstones they were and if they were real. I knew that my gown was more expensive than Colette’s.
Brielle pinned up and powdered my hair pink. I held my mask in my hand and occasionally on my face. A thick, woven white rope around the handle of it looped around my wrist.
Rose ran up to us, her dark scarlet gown sweeping the floor as she approached us, kissing my cheek. Her eyes were covered in a domino mask. “Happy birthday, darling! I want you to open my gift, first!”
I smiled as she handed me a long, light blue jewelry box. Opening it, I saw a long barrette filled out with diamonds. It was the type of adornment that rested on the crown of the head, with little bits of feathers and pink, silk leaves on it. I looked up at her, my mouth agape. “Are these—”
“Real?” She smiled. “Of course! It will look lovely in your hair, all powdered and beautiful.” She leaned forward again and kissed my cheek, patting my face. “Aren’t all these gentleman divine? I’m going to go and see if Philippe is around.”
Colette turned to me as Rose dashed off. “So, now it is Philippe. I need to write these names down to remember them.”
I laughed as I turned, looking toward the Petit Galerie des Glaces, where Lucien walked in. My breath was taken from me as I looked over his matching suit. It was stark white with gold passementerie and little, white gems scattered all over it. The swirling and floral patterns swept up the trim. His breeches were white as well, almost blending into his stockings. The whole image was cut off by his black shoes with golden buckles, and his dark hair was pulled back behind him.
He looked around until his eyes met mine. Pulling out his white mask and placing it on his face, he tied it securely before making his way over. He stopped before us, bowing before he stood up straight.
“You both look…” He looked to me. “…beautiful. Happy birthday.” He kissed the back
of my hand, looking to Colette who smiled at him.
“Comte, I am so glad you could attend. You have been scarce, again. You disappeared on us,” she said, her head cocking to the side.
Lucien licked his lips. “Well, yes. I must apologize. My schedule got over indulged, but I would not miss Madeleine’s birthday celebration for anything. Seems like everyone is here.”
“Everyone except Constanze.” I smiled, and Rose ran over to me and handed me a glass of spring water.
“Oh, Lucien. How wonderful. Do you know if Armand will happen upon us?” Rose asked, obviously recovering from something heated. Whether it was laughing or something passionate, I wasn’t sure.
Colette looked at me. “You invited him?”
I shrugged. “I invited him almost a month ago. He never sent us word whether he was attending or not, so I assume he will not be here.”
“You better hope he won’t.” Colette scowled, turning from us and walking off.
“Where is she going?” Lucien asked.
Rose pointed. “To Étienne, of course. Have you not heard? The minute that Armand is mentioned, she wants to throw herself at Étienne.”
I rolled my eyes, looking at Lucien. “I am so glad you are here.”
Rose smiled. “You two have fun. I am going to find Philippe again or perhaps chase after Colette, just for the hell of it.” She winked as she turned and ran off.
I smiled as Lucien looked me over. “You really look beautiful. I’m almost in shock from it.”
“Where is my present? You said you had something for me, and you have been teasing me now for weeks. What is it?” I looked him over, looking for any traces of this present and not seeing anything.
“Ah.” He laughed as he reached into his justaucorps and pulled out a little, pink jewelry box. “I suppose you are right. I have been wicked about it all, haven’t I?”
“You most certainly have,” I said as he gave me the little box, looking it over. “What is it?
“Just a little thing, a bauble. Nothing much.” He smiled, taking a glass of champagne from a passing servant.
I opened the box to a pair of large, tasteful dangling earrings that had the top of a blazing sun sitting inside of a half-moon shape. A star was above the sun and linked to another star, with gold embellishments filling out the edges and making it a teardrop shape. What was the most breathtaking thing about this jewelry were the diamonds that filled it all out.
“Oh, my God. Lucien.” I looked down at them, my eyes not able to come away.
“They were my mother’s,” he said, pointing to them. “A little extravagant, but I figured you would like them, anyway.”
I looked up at him. The breath literally knocked out of me as I panted, licking my lips. “This is too much. I can’t. They were your mother’s—”
“Now, they are yours.” He looked at me, his bewildering eyes seeming to be more prominent in the holes in the mask. The light, golden swirls all over it brought a gold out in his eyes that was never present before.
I swallowed hard as I nodded. “Thank you. I just…I love them. I love…”
He nodded. “I know, and I you. Be careful. I wish no one to see those until we have come out about the relationship. Some will recognize they were my mother’s, and then we will have bungled it.”
I nodded, turned to the table, and looked it over, wondering where I could put the little box. I shook my head and looked to my waist, where a little matching purse hung from a gold rope, and I placed it inside.
“Maddy!”
I turned as Colette moved out of the way. Three male servants holding a large, two–tiered, light pink cake with sparklers lit and throwing sparks everywhere. Everyone clapped and laughed as I put my hands over my face.
“Make a wish, Maddy darling!” Rose called out, standing next to Colette as everyone crowded around us.
I giggled as I closed my eyes, quickly wishing for Lucien and my plan for coming out to go smoothly and without any hindrances. I then opened my eyes and smiled before I blew on the sparklers. I managed to blow them out, though with some difficulty.
As everyone clapped, the Marquis hit a fork off of his champagne glass, catching everyone’s attention. “I would like to thank everyone for coming this evening, wishing Madeleine, Colette’s dearest friend, a happy and wonderful birthday. I ask that you please dance until your feet fall off and enjoy the wonderful new extension on our garden—our new Lover’s Rendezvous up the path, which was designed by the Marquise du Lorme and carried out by the one and only Monsieur Cleante Prouix.”
Everyone laughed and clapped at the Marquis’s little speech. The orchestra picked up again, and Philippe, I guessed, asked me to dance. I agreed, leaving my mask with Rose. All the other young people followed along, and all of us did the same dance Lucien and I did at the party weeks ago.
I laughed as we all changed partners, each one quickly saying happy birthday to me. As the music slowed, I looked up to the familiar face of the Comte Cognet—the odious man who made such filthy comments to me at Rose’s gambling party.
He smiled at me. “Happy birthday, Mademoiselle.”
“Thank you,” I said. The music thankfully picked up and signaled us to change partners. I took a deep breath as we switched again, thankful I was now far away from that man. His eyes burned through his mask as he danced about with another woman. When I looked up, Cleante was before me, holding my hand more confidently than I thought possible.
“Happy birthday, Mademoiselle,” he said, bowing as all the other men did.
“Thank you,” I said, curtseying.
“I just wanted to say goodbye, as I am now done with my employment here. I wish you well.”
I stopped, nodding. “Oh…oh, well, I wish you the same.”
He bowed respectfully. “It was a pleasure knowing you.”
I curtsied again before someone else grabbed me and continued dancing. Cleante disappeared into the crowd. His words had a finality to them. I knew I would never see him again, and this made me slightly sad, until my eyes met with Lucien, and my heart sped up.
I turned and came face-to-face with the Comte Cognet, and his eyes met mine, again, “I hope you will accept my apology, Mademoiselle. At the last function, where we met, I was a bit brazen, perhaps too forward on account of the drink.”
I nodded. “It is quite all right.”
Again, we switched partners, my hands shook as we turned and skipped about. The orchestra slowed and stopped, taking only a moment before they began a waltz. I turned, facing Lucien as he smirked.
“May I have this dance?” he asked.
I smiled and nodded, taking his hand.
He smiled, pulling my waist into him. His eyes swept over me desirously through the eye holes of the mask. The golden swirls made his eyes look darker as his voice carried over the music. “I can only imagine what awaits me under that beautiful gown, later.”
I gasped as I looked around to make sure no one was in earshot. “Quiet with that! Do you want someone to hear?”
He laughed lightly, “I am quite sure they cannot hear us over the music. Even if they did, I wouldn’t care. I want you right now, and I do not think I will be able to contain myself for long.”
My face flushed warmly as something stirred within me, a shock of sexual desire flew over me as I groaned lightly. “Please, don’t do that to me. You are going to drive me wild. We—”
“What? Cannot, should not? What if we did? Right here, in a dark corner where everyone could possibly see us, passing us by as we make love against a wall.” His voice dripped out seductively, and my toes curled from the thought of it. I did not care about people being around. I just cared about being with Lucien.
“What has come over you?” I asked, my breathing picking up just like when I saw the beautiful gift he gave me.
“I don’t know.” He smiled. “I suppose just seeing you so happy, laughing, and dancing makes me want you even more.”
“We cannot—”
“Oh, we can,” he said. “We should not, but we certainly can.”
“Was there anyone in the salon?” I asked.
He shook his head. “No, they were all in the Hall.”
I looked around. Colette and a blue-clad figure I could only assume was Étienne, stood in the corner of the ballroom. “All right. Meet me in the music room.”
He smiled devilishly as he turned and made his way through the crowd. I turned and found Rose, speaking to some domino-masked man, and I pulled her aside.
“What? What is it?” she asked, her expression serious beneath her mask.
“Lucien and I need a moment. Can you tell Colette I went to put your gift away some place safe. Say I was worried about someone stealing it.”
She nodded. “Certainly sounds like something you would do. Don’t worry, Maddy darling. I will take care of it. Go, go!”
I smiled and nodded. “Thank you.”
I turned and made my way toward the salon. Every so often, someone stopped me to say how they were enjoying the party and wish me a happy birthday. I finally made it through to the dining room, where all I could hear was the laughter and music echoing and muffled against the walls.
I ran out into the foyer and turned to my left, turning again into the music room, where Lucien was waiting in the middle of the room. I quickly closed the door, running over to him and into his arms, his mask being cast aside on the sofa. He pushed me against something with a flat top, what I could only assume was the secrétaire, kissing me, grabbing me, picking me up, placing me down on it.
I had my hands on his neck as he lifted the skirt of my gown up to my hips, nearly ripping off the fall front of his breeches and pulling me into him roughly, or himself into me, rather. The flat top of the secrétaire before the little shelves with compartments made my hips at the perfect height. My legs wrapped around him tightly as he thrust into me roughly. I bit my lip as hard as I could to stop from yelling out. Nothing but Lucien’s gruff groans filled my ears between heated kisses, which were still slow and sensuous as always.
My mind kept running to the thought of someone bursting in on us—something that frightened me and heightened the pleasure. My entire body tensed. Lucien reacted as if he thought the very same thing. As the music grew, the pulsing within me seemed to match. Lucien quickened his thrusts, sweat building on my head, and my whole body turned scarlet from a full blush.
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