They took their place in line, waiting only a moment for the music to begin. Every time they came together, he asked her a question. “Where are you from, Miss Tree?”
“The country.”
They separated and Caroline came together with the dour Lord Figgins. A small frown perpetually pulled down his lips.
When she met Lord Rockwell again, he wasted no time. “What are you doing in London, Miss Tree?”
“I am come with my uncle and cousin for the Parliamentary session. My cousin is in great need of a chaperone.” He nodded his head in thought as they separated once again.
They came back together and touched palms. “Is your uncle in Lords?”
Caroline shook her head. “He is serving in Commons.” She almost felt guilty when his face fell. He must have figured he had a chance of discovering her, if her uncle were a Lord. But he seemed less confident with Commons.
As they separated again, his brow furrowed. Caroline swallowed hard. How many times had she seen that exact look on his face? She did not know how long she could hold him off, but she intended to enjoy it while she could.
Mr. Hardy now stood in front of her. He smiled at her and she returned it half-heartedly. Her eyes darted down the line, watching Peter as he smiled at another masked lady. Was he intrigued by the young lady? He seemed to smile at her in the same manner as he had Caroline. The thought made her look away, but she glanced back again. He did not speak to the lady. That must imply something, certainly.
They came back together. “Are you to stay in London for the holiday, Miss Tree?”
Caroline shook her head, a small smile on her face. “No. I am to return to the country first thing on the morrow.”
“Which county will you be returning to?”
Caroline bit her lower lip. Did she dare tell him the county? Would it be enough to give her away? “I will be going north, my lord.”
He gave a frustrated grunt as they touched palms and walked around in a circle. “How far north?”
“Not as far as Scotland, but farther north than Oxfordshire.”
“You are most vexing, Miss Tree.” His face hinted at amusement, but she could see his irritation mounting. It seemed Peter was still not used to waiting for things. “Will you be returning to London after Twelfth Night?” His eyes were hopeful, and Caroline’s face fell. Would he look so hopeful if, rather, when—for surely it was only a matter of time —he discovered it was her beneath the mask?
“Not if my cousin has any say in the matter.” She pushed her doubts away and grinned. “I am sure after the trickery with Mr. Thurston, she will be demanding I stay behind.”
“Surely it is not as bad as all that.”
They separated again, giving Caroline a moment to steady her breathing and her pulse. It hardly seemed real that Peter was dancing with her now. She smiled politely at the gentleman in front of her. Their group of four formed a small circle, each putting a hand into the middle. Her hand rested atop Peter’s and a swarm of butterflies fluttered in her stomach. They walked in a circle and Caroline could feel Peter’s eyes on her. She kept her gaze directed at a small woven flower on the Persian rug, afraid he would know her thoughts if she caught his eye.
They all turned and changed the direction of their walk, forcing Caroline to withdraw her hand from Peter’s. Disappointment pushed the butterflies down when her hand became sandwiched between Lord Figgins’s and Miss Langston’s. She chanced a glance at Peter, stumbling for several steps when he caught her looking at him.
After what felt like an eternity, Caroline came face to face with Peter again. He grinned down at her. “Perhaps if you tell me your uncle’s name, I could convince him to bring you back to London after the holiday.”
Caroline smiled. What had she been thinking when she began this charade? Eventually he would discover her identity and then what would he think? He would, no doubt, lose all interest. Had he not told her years ago there could be nothing more between them than friendship? “You are shrewd, my lord. But I will not fall for your trickery.”
His shoulders sagged exaggeratedly. “But how am I to discover who you are?”
Caroline bit her lower lip. “If you have not discovered it before the end of the night, I shall make myself known once we return to London from the country.”
He frowned. “But that is more than a fortnight. How am I to wait so long?”
Caroline walked around him in a circle, stopping when she stood in front of him again. She tsked. “I see you are still impatient, my lord. I should have thought you would have outgrown that trait as you got older.”
His frown deepened. “How do you know such things?” Again, he tried to peer around her mask.
Caroline turned her head with him, her eyes catching sight of Prudence just as she slipped from the ballroom. Mr. Benton followed close behind. Gah! The foolish girl.
Caroline dropped her hand and took several steps back. “I’m sorry, my lord, but I must go. My cousin has just made a most impudent decision. Please, forgive my rudeness.” She dashed away from the line of ladies, leaving Peter standing without a partner, staring after her.
Other books in The Belles of Christmas series
*Can be read in any order
Unmasking Lady Caroline by Mindy Burbidge Strunk
Goodwill for the Gentleman by Martha Keyes
The Earl’s Mistletoe Match by Ashtyn Newbold
Nine Ladies Dancing by Deborah M Hathaway
Also by Kasey Stockton
Women of Worth Series
Love in the Bargain, Book one
Love for the Spinster, Book two
Love at the House Party, Book three
Love in the Wager, Book four
Love in the Ballroom, Book five
Stand-alone Historical Romance
A Duke for Lady Eve, Belles of Christmas Book 5
To Be Loved By the Earl
* * *
Contemporary Romance
Snowflake Wishes, A Holly Springs Romance
His Stand-In Holiday Girlfriend, Christmas in the City 1
Snowed In on Main Street, Christmas in the City 2
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About the Author
Kasey Stockton is a staunch lover of all things romantic. She doesn't discriminate between genres and enjoys a wide variety of happily ever afters. Drawn to the Regency period at a young age when gifted a copy of Sense and Sensibility by her grandmother, Kasey initially began writing Regency romances. She has since written in a variety of genres, but all of her titles fall under sweet romance. A native of northern California, she now resides in Texas with her own prince charming and their three children. When not reading, writing, or binge-watching chick flicks, she enjoys running, cutting hair, and anything chocolate.
A Duke For Lady Eve (Belles 0f Christmas Book 5) Page 19