by Wolf, Bree
Louisa’s head snapped up, her eyes widening. “What? No!” she stammered. “You cannot.”
“If you can, I can,” Leonora replied, a touch of nervousness in her voice; nevertheless, her eyes shone with determination. “Do not for a second think you can talk me out of this. I will not let you leave this house by yourself. If you absolutely must go—for a reason you cannot tell me, mind you—then you have no choice but to take me with you.” One eyebrow arched upward. “Which will it be, dear sister?”
Louisa hesitated, wondering if there was any way she could persuade Leonora to remain behind. “Fine,” she finally exclaimed, reminding herself that time was ticking by and she was wasting precious moments. “Then head upstairs, find your cloak and a mask of some kind. I’ll wait here for you.”
Shaking her head, Leonora chuckled. “I’m not a fool,” she told Louisa with a pointed look. “I’ve known you long enough to know that when I come back downstairs, you will be gone.” She jerked her chin toward the front hall. “You go.”
Sighing, Louisa accepted her fate. With an eye roll cast at her sister, she whirled around and then headed back upstairs to retrieve a cloak for Leonora as well as a mask. Fortunately, last All Hallows’ Eve had inspired them to fashion quite a few and in vastly different designs.
“Have you always been this insistent?” Louisa asked her sister as she returned, handing over the cloak and mask. “I think I liked you better with your nose stuck in a book.”
Leonora smiled at her, draping the cloak over her shoulders and fastening it in the front. “I might get lost in a book now and then,” she admitted, donning her mask and then pulling the hood over her head, “but I am not inattentive.” Her brows rose, emphasizing her point. “I might seem to be, but I do like observing others, trying to understand their motivations, their intentions, even trying to predict what they might do next. It’s all very fascinating to me.”
Louisa moaned, “For one night, do you think you can forget your sciences and not look at the world with an analytic eye, but simply have fun and enjoy yourself?”
Heading to the back of the house and the servants’ entrance, the two sisters stepped out into the night. “Is that what this is about?” Leonora whispered as she gazed around at their darkened surroundings. The wind whistled through the trees, and the stars shone brightly on the black canvas above. Distant noises drifted to their ears, and the air after dark somehow smelled quite different than it did when the sun was shining. “Having fun?”
Louisa chuckled, “I assume that is an entirely foreign concept to you, is it not?”
“I have fun,” Leonora huffed out as they quietly sneaked out onto the pavement running by their house. “I simply have fun…in different ways.” She shrugged, unable to explain it any further. “So, where are we headed? It’s not far, is it?” Pulling the cloak tighter around herself, Leonora let her gaze sweep their surroundings, deep worry drawing down her brows.
“Hamilton House.”
“That’s where the masquerade is?”
Louisa nodded, feeling her skin begin to tingle with anticipation. Distracted by Leonora’s interference, Louisa had all but forgotten to think about what the night might hold. Now, however, breathing in the fresh night air, she felt her spirits soar, her thoughts drawn to all the possibilities and abandoning all the worries of the day.
Fortunately, Hamilton House was not far away, and it took them no more than ten minutes to arrive at the place. All the while, Leonora clutched her notebook tightly against her chest, wide eyes cast nervously about.
“I cannot believe you brought that thing!” Louisa muttered, casting an annoyed look at her sister. “We’re going to a masquerade after all!”
“I…I simply forgot I was holding it,” Leonora stammered, her eyes once more sweeping from side to side, across the street and back. “I like holding things.”
Turning the next corner, Hamilton House loomed tall, proud and dark in front of them. It seemed to glitter in the night, lights dancing in its windows, music and voices echoing outside. Carriages pulled to a halt in front of its front steps, and masked people alighted from them, chatting happily as they made their way to the door.
Leonora suddenly clutched Louisa’s arm. “Do we need an invitation?”
Louisa frowned, annoyed with herself that she had not contemplated this obstacle. “I’m not certain.” She stood for a moment and watched more people arrive, wishing she could see farther up to the door where the Hamilton butler greeted his master’s guests. Then another carriage pulled up, and a group of young ladies disembarked. Their voices echoed through the night as they walked arm in arm, laughing and chatting, their masks sparkling in vivid colors, reflecting the moonlight. “Let’s join them,” Louisa exclaimed, grabbing her sister’s arm and pulling her forward.
Leonora followed rather reluctantly, but Louisa would not give her a chance to object. In a few steps, they reached the small group of ladies and quickly fell into step beside them. Before they knew it, they were swept up the few steps to the front door and inside the entrance hall. They relinquished their cloaks, trying their best to move along with the rest of the group as they proceeded farther into the house, toward the ballroom, from which a cacophony of sounds echoed to the ears.
The large, domed chamber was darker than Louisa would have expected, than she was used to from other balls she had attended. Candles glowed everywhere, casting eerie shadows over the dancers in the center of the room. The air smelled like Jasmine, and Louisa spotted the night bloomer in various decorations placed all over the room. A large table laden with food and drink had been set up in one corner, whereas, the orchestra played in another, its soft music soothing her excited nerves.
“What now?” Leonora’s dim voice spoke out from behind her, almost swallowed up by the sounds dancing around them. Her face looked tense, and her eyes were wide as she watched the people around her.
Everything seemed rather normal and familiar. It was a ball after all, with dancing and conversation. And yet, everything was just the slightest bit different. The lights, the sounds, the way people conversed, the way they looked at one another. Touches lingered just a little bit too long. Gazes held, overwhelming in their intensity. Secrets seemed to hover in the air as well as the forbidden. Now and then, Louisa felt as though she might have recognized someone, but never quite knew if she was correct. Hidden behind their masks, people acted differently, their usual comportment forgotten on this one evening where one had the chance to be someone one was not.
It was exactly what Louisa wanted.
What she needed.
At least for one night.
“I want to dance,” she exclaimed, taking a step forward. A hand on her arm held her back, though. She turned around to look at her sister.
Leonora’s eyes were still wide. “I’m not certain this is a good idea.” She glanced from side to side. “I think we should head home.”
“I thought you wanted to take some notes,” Louisa reminded her, hoping that playing on her sister’s curiosity would gain her a few hours. “Look around; is this not fascinating?”
Leonora swallowed, her face tense as she looked around herself. If Louisa was not at all mistaken, she thought to glimpse a spark of curiosity in her sister’s guarded eyes. Nevertheless, Leonora seemed disinclined to indulge herself for one evening, no matter how curious she was. “I still think we should go home,” she replied, her eyes back on her sister. “I do not believe this to be wise.”
Louisa huffed out a deep breath, wishing she had been more careful and not stumbled over her sister on her way out. “Fine!” Exasperation rang in her voice as she spoke. “If you wish to return home, then do so. I, for one, intend to stay.”
Once again, Leonora’s hand grasped Louisa’s arm. “I’m not leaving you here alone.”
“Then stay,” Louisa told her sister with a shrug, freeing her arm. “It is your choice as it was mine to come here tonight.”
Leonora’s mouth opene
d, and Louisa could all but see more words of objection forming on her sister’s tongue. However, before she could utter any, Louisa simply shook her head and took a step back. “There’s nothing you can say that will make me change my mind.” She cast her sister a quick smile, then spun around and within moments found herself swallowed up by the crowd.
Lights and sounds whirled around her, soothing and intoxicating all at once. It was like a wave that carried her to a distant shore, and she moved with it without thought.
If only for tonight.
Chapter Seventeen
A Favor to Ask
Standing in front of the tall mirror in his bedchamber, Phineas placed the simple black mask upon his face. He had done so many times before as he was no stranger to masquerades. He enjoyed the opportunity to mingle among people, who for a change behaved in a rather honest and straightforward fashion. They said what came to mind and did what they liked. Phineas had always appreciated this kind of honesty. Tonight, regrettably, he did not feel the usual hum of anticipation.
Tonight, something was different, and he contemplated whether he even ought to go.
A knock sounded on his door in that moment, and after he bid him to enter, his butler stepped inside, handing him a sealed envelope. Frowning, Phineas nodded to the man, then broke the seal and pulled out the parchment. Who would write to him this late in the day? Who would write to him at all? Never had he been one to inspire letters, notes perhaps, but not letters.
His gaze fell to the parchment, and he began to read.
To the Wicked One,
Phineas chuckled at the salutation, knowing instantly who had sent this letter. Still, the question remained, why?
I do apologize for disturbing you this late; however, I do have a favor to ask.
Two of my granddaughters sneaked out of the house tonight, intent on attending the masquerade at Hamilton House. Since you make a habit of attending such events, I am certain that you shall be present at this one as well.
How on earth did the woman know that? Phineas wondered. It seemed the ailing dowager countess was well-informed.
Therefore, I beg you to keep an eye on them. While bold, I fear that Lulu—as you call her—might find herself in a situation outside of her expertise. She deserves a night of freedom, but as her grandmother I cannot in good conscience sit back and merely wait and hope.
Thank you.
GE
Phineas chuckled, knowing that the dowager countess was known to her family as well as those strongly associated with it as Grandma Edie.
Still, his amusement faded quickly when he pictured Louisa and likely her sister Leonora alone at a masquerade. Knowing from personal experience how the anonymity of such an event tended to lower inhibitions, Phineas felt his chest tighten. Indeed, a most unusual emotion settled where his heart beat rather rapidly against his rib cage. Was it concern? It could be for he felt the sudden urge to leave, to rush out and head to the masquerade without delay.
Dropping the letter, Phineas hastened from the room. His legs moved with purpose, and he quickly reached the stairs.
“Where are you headed?” Tobias asked as he and his wife Anne began to climb the stairs from the lower floor. “You look like a highwayman!” On his arm, Anne laughed, giving her beloved husband a friendly slap. “Oh, do not tease him.” She chided him before turning to Phineas. “You look dashing!”
Phineas smiled at her, but quickly hastened past them. “Have a nice evening.”
“Where are you headed?” his brother asked once more.
“To a masquerade,” Phineas called over his shoulder as he turned to slip his arms into his coat held out to him by a footman.
Tobias rolled his eyes at him from halfway up the stairs. “That I can see,” he replied. “But where?”
“Hamilton House,” Phineas replied, walking out the door and sighing in relief as it closed behind him. He did not have the time nor was he of the mind to discuss his comings and goings with his brother. Indeed, he felt rushed, something pricking the back of his head, sending cold shivers down his back as he imagined the Whickerton sisters at the masquerade, swarmed by masked strangers, most of whom were most likely deep in their cups. Phineas knew how such an event could turn out only too well for he himself had attended more than he could count.
As his carriage rolled down the darkened street, Phineas sat on the bench, his fingers drumming impatiently upon his legs. He kept looking out the window, marking their progress by the houses they passed, all but counting every turn of the wheel. When the carriage finally drew to a halt, he threw open the door before his footman had any chance to do so and hastened up the steps to the front door three at a time.
Only then did he realize that he had forgotten his invitation. Nevertheless, thanks to his rather infamous reputation, the Hamilton butler was easily convinced to allow him inside.
Stepping into the hall, Phineas stilled. His gaze swept the scene, and although he had attended many a masquerade before, now he saw it through different eyes. He did not see the exhilaration, the freedom and the opportunity to enjoy himself and break free from daily restrictions. What he saw instead was danger lurking in shadowy corners. He saw cloaked men chasing after masked ladies, and an ice-cold shiver ran down his spine at the thought of the Whickerton sisters amidst this crowd.
Pushing onward into the ballroom, Phineas swept his gaze over the crowd, his eyes lingering on mask after mask. How was he to find her? It was a sea of anonymity, hiding her perfectly. Still, he kept looking, unable not to, his body tensing with each moment that passed. He saw elaborate masks with feathers and pearls. He saw gowns cut lower than would ever be considered decent. He saw young women swaying on their feet, their movements unsteady, their eyes glassy. What on earth had inspired Louisa to come here this night? He knew her to be adventurous. This, however, was reckless. It was dangerous, and anger began to burn in his veins. What had she been thinking?
Tearing through the room, Phineas was close to ripping masks off people’s faces when he suddenly stopped and stared at a young woman in a simple gown, a black mask not unlike his own hiding her face. Her silhouette struck him as familiar. There was something about her, about the way she moved, the way she smiled that called to him. He looked closer and saw the familiar curve of her lips, the adventurous flash of her eyes, the strawberry blonde curls dancing down her back.
Instantly, his heart seemed to pause in his chest as though seeking to draw his attention, to confirm what deep down he already knew.
It was her!
And then the gentleman she was dancing with pulled her into his arms, and Phineas almost doubled over in shock. For a disbelieving moment, he simply stood and stared, watching as the man held her close, leaning down to whisper something in her ear. A strained smile appeared on her face as she lifted her hands, trying to urge him back, a flicker of unease coming to her eyes.
It was that moment of vulnerability more than anything else that propelled Phineas forward. In only a few long strides, he had crossed the room, all but elbowing dancers aside on his way. His hand shot out and grabbed the man by the arm, jerking him away from her.
While the man muttered a rather unintelligible sound of annoyance, Louisa’s head snapped up, her eyes coming to linger upon him, narrowing when she no doubt recognized who he was.
“Leave!” Phineas hissed at the other man, glaring at him in a way that made him stumble backwards, almost tripping over his feet. With a last look at Louisa, the masked man then turned and vanished in the crowd.
“What are you doing here?” Louisa demanded, rounding on him, her eyes no longer vulnerable but shooting daggers instead.
Turning to face her, Phineas felt his clenched hands shake with barely suppressed anger. “What am I doing here?” He snarled into her face. “What are you doing here? Are you mad, attending this masquerade? Do you have any idea what happens at these—?”
“Do not speak to me as though I am a child,” she hissed back at him, her arms c
rossed over her chest. “I know very well what this is, and I am here because I want to be. I am not a fool!”
Phineas scoffed, “You could fool me.”
Louisa’s gaze narrowed, and her lips thinned. “Then why don’t you leave?” she demanded, her voice harsh. “You are not my brother. You’re not responsible for me. It is not your duty to ensure no harm comes to me or my reputation.” Her brows arced upward, a clear challenge in the way she looked at him. “Leave! Now!” Without waiting for his reply, she turned on her heel and moved back into the crowd.
Aghast at her reckless behavior, Phineas surged after her. His hand found her arm and spun her back around. “I may not be your brother,” he snarled, his voice deadly calm, “but I am here to ensure that no harm comes to you or your reputation.” His gaze held hers, his own all but daring her to look away.
Louisa inhaled a slow breath, her wide green eyes not veering from his. “How did you even know I was here?” Her gaze narrowed, and a dark suspicion sparked in her eyes. “Did you follow me?”
A dark chuckle rumbled in Phineas’ throat, “Believe me; I have better things to do than to follow you.” Darkness clung to his voice, and Phineas wondered where it had come from. “I am here, because your grandmother sent me.”
Louisa froze. “My…my grandmother?” She slowly shook her head. “No, she wouldn’t.”
His hands tensed upon her arms, urging her closer to him as he lowered his head to hers. “She did,” he whispered, feeling her rapid breaths brush against his lips. “She sent me a letter and asked me to come here and look out for you.” His gaze narrowed, and now he was the one to shake his head. “What were you thinking? Do you have no regard for your safety?”
Her jaw tensed, and Phineas could see that his words had hit a mark. “I know what I’m doing,” she insisted, trying and failing to free herself from his tight grip.